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Post by Red Charge on Oct 9, 2012 17:51:27 GMT -5
"Why not?" Bug Eye's muffled voice asked, gently cleaning her fur and the wounds with the sponge, being careful to go around them and ease up to the center so that she has time to adjust to the stinging. He stopped for a moment and washed off the sponge in the water with his hooves. "I may be a Manehattenite, but I'm still Equine. And to be honest? I don't really have that much to do anyway. Being an entomologist is a pretty lonely job to begin with, and without it all I ever do is sit at home and look at bug catalogues." The colt said, taking the sponge in his mouth again and resuming his rubbing of her.
"Besides," He said, washing the sponge again, "A little filly like you, alone, vulnerable at night... terrible things could happen, even with the Rainlock guards arounds."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 21, 2012 16:15:58 GMT -5
She sighed as the numbness was starting to take effect on her body. She used her fore-hooves to clean off her face and chest.. where it didn't hurt so bad. She listened to him ask "why not?" about taking her in. He should know that she was right about how most equine would act now-a-days. Too busy in their own little worlds of business and fear to notice a small little injured filly, let alone help her. Though, something he keeps mentioning perks her interest. Being as young as she is, she was never informed about any wrong-doers in Equestria, or even politics for that matter. "Who is Rainlock?" she asked, failing to hide her obvious curiosity. [/size][/blockquote][/color]
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 21, 2012 22:28:39 GMT -5
"Huh, you don't know who Lady Rainlock is dear? She's a famous adventurer! She and her father, Professor Rainlock went all across the world to get magical and cultural artifacts, exotic plants, bugs and animals for study from all over. She has a gigantic mansion here in Manehattan, truly wonderful faculties for studying everything her travels brought her. She retains many skilled researchers in all fields to help her study everything she or any of her expeditions come across. I know, have your parents ever read you any of the Daring Doo books? They're loosely based off her, you know."
She felt him hesitant with the sponge for a moment as he seemed to realize bringing up her parents might not have been the best idea. So he quickly continued talking to cover it up, "Truly a remarkable mind, on a remarkable mare, if you don't mind me saying." He noted, "She's older than me, yet she looks as young as any filly just into adulthood. Never knew how she does it."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2012 14:26:17 GMT -5
She listened to him explain to her who lady Rainlock was. She truly had never heard about her before. Not even the Daring Do stories. The stories that she had heard from her parents were always just passed down through the generations, no story books involved. She cringed when the mention of her parents returned their screams of pain and agony to her ears. Her eyes slammed shut and her ears flattened against her neck trying to drown out the memories once more. After about five minutes they subsided and she was able to focus again. She opened her eyes and relaxed her ears. Everything that he had said after mentioning her parents she hadn't heard. Instead she stood up.
"Bug Eye, can I get out of the bath now? I think I'm clean.. and I'm getting a little cold." [/b] She did start shivering, but it wasn't from the water.[/color][/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 23, 2012 4:08:15 GMT -5
"Yes, certainly dear, hang on one second, I'll get a towel." Bug Eye said, and a distinct splash indicated that he had plunged into the water to pull out the cork, he then quickly rushed off to bring Night Lock a towel. "Here we are, fresh out of the drier, still warm too." He said, wrapping the towel around the filly and gently massaging her mane dry with his hooves through the towel. "You'll look bright as rain in no time." She could hear his muffled voice past the towel, "A good night sleep will do you good."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2012 19:50:53 GMT -5
Night Lock felt the warm water lessen in the tub as the waterline became lower and lower on her body. Just when it was just around her hocks, a warm towel was wrapped around her. She felt like a young foal again with a foal sitter taking care of her. She felt like she was becoming a burden on the kind Bug Eye, but maybe she would be able to repay him one day, help him in his studies or something, even if she had to help with.. bugs. She leaned into his massages as he moved along her neck. It was comforting to feel some-pony-else's touch. She closed her cloudy blue eyes and tilted her head down gratefully. After a little bit she went to leave the tub. The tip of her hoof slid up the wall of the tub until it reached the top so that she was sure how high the lip of the tub was. When she knew, she delicately stepped out of the tub, feeling much stronger than she had earlier.
She stepped onto the bathroom carpet and helped herself dry off by taking the towel in her teeth and rubbing it down her sides and her flanks. Her once blood-stained pelt now shown a glossy reddish brown with white dapples on her haunches and a black swirl for a cutie mark. Her long red mane and tail hung damp and touched the floor at the tips. Her hooves were black and glossy as if just freshly polished, though the tips were chipped and jagged from her nightmare of a run away from the drakes and flames. She nodded gratefully to his good night sleep suggestion and stepped forward in the direction she remembered the door being. Unfortunately, even though she could feel where most objects were, she wasn't able to tell that there was a puddle of soapy water in front of her on the cold tile floor. Her right hoof found it and she slipped, unable to regain footing. Her body came crashing into Bug Eye's direction.
"I'm...so sorry. I didn't mean to. I mean.." she shied back, blushing from embarrassment. She could have just hurt someone who did so much for her in the past few hours. [/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Red Charge on Nov 9, 2012 0:52:52 GMT -5
Nightlock could feel Bug Eye's warm embrace as she slipped into him, "Don't worry about it. Gotta have quick reflexes when working with some of the most poisnous bugs in the world." He said softly, she could feel him quickly drying off her hooves and fetching another smaller towel to dry her mane.
"There, all squeaky clean. Though we should probably pedicure your hooves tomorrow." Bug Eye sighed, "I don't want to take you outside though, what with Rainlocks goons and the changelings, if they knew you were one of the Ponyville refugees they wouldn't leave you alone." Then as though realizing he was rambling, he said, "But we'll worry about that tomorrow. Time to get you into bed." He led her back to the sofa where her hot cocoa was only warm and fluffed the pillows for her, preparing the blanket.
"Do you want me to stick around until you fall asleep?"
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 13:18:21 GMT -5
The young filly probably stayed in the colt's embrace a little longer than was necessary. He didn't seem to mind but she pulled away and regained her footing on her own. She touched his neck gently in appreciation for catching her and relaxed as he began massaging her mane. He then mentioned her hooves being done. She flinched and shook her head a little more than necessary.
"Um no.. no thank you. Y-you've done so much for me already.." she said, ducking her head slightly. She had a slight hate for others touching her hooves. They were the main devices she used to see everything around her. When there was a pony grinding on them with a file, her world was truly black and painful and loud. The vibrations would rattle her body. She'd rather keep them cracked and chipped as they were. They will file down naturally by themselves, and still allow her to see. Pushing that away from her mind, Night Lock followed him back to the couch. She climbed into it and she smiled shyly in gratitude to her helper. The pillow was already under her head and she felt her eye lids already getting very heavy. She heard him ask her something, but his words were muffled under her folding ears as slumber took over. Her dream was nothing more than sounds and feelings as if she were awake. It was much more realistic than a normal sight-seeing pony since there were no unreal images. Everything seemed just as real as usual. The only hint that it all was a dream was that she didn't remember getting to this icy climate. There was a very icy cold substance around her hooves that provided a very slippery undertone. Snow. As she walked through it, bunches of it clumped in front of her hooves as she trudged forward. Her ears could pick up nothing but deafening silence. The snow flakes hitting the ground made it almost impossible for any sounds to get through, let alone smells. She didn't feel cold. She touched her pelt and realized she was wrapped in a warm sweater protecting her from the frigid temperatures. Part of her wondered what she was doing in a storm such as this. It was weird not experiencing the burning from any flames or acids. But maybe this was healing. She walked forward until she came to a large icy fortress. She touched it with a fore hoof and realized it was smooth like ice, but stronger than stone. She followed the wall until she came to a door. The door was very large and smelled of old oak and iron. She tried to push and it budged. Finally she pushed her way inside and closed the door against the icy winds. The winds were gone, but more chills crept down her spine, despite the sweater. She turned around and faced what she couldn't quite register. There was something dark there.. sinister. She couldn't make out what was in front of her. There was a solid form like a pony, but it cast shadows. Waves of darkness was thrown over her. Fear was in her soul and she made to run out the door. When she reached it, the door was no longer there. She spun around to face this demon and she couldn't help feel that it strongly hated her and wanted her dead. A scream rose up in her throat and she thrashed about, trying to break out of the unrelenting crystal prison. All of the thrashing had woken her up. She was still on the couch and there was nothing cold in the room except the sweat on her neck. She forced herself to take in more steady breathes. There was no immediate danger here. She leaned against the side of the couch and tried relaxing her nerves. [/color][/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Red Charge on Nov 25, 2012 13:27:11 GMT -5
The morning came very dreary and grey, no one was out in the streets. The Changeling panic was taking its toll on Manehattan alright. Bug Eye had just returned from buying some household items for Night Lock. He wasn't an expert on what to buy, but he managed to get quite a few things a young filly would need. He also made her a nice corner to sleep in, converting his couch into a bed with some work and making a makeshift nightstand for her out of a wooden box.
"Sorry it's so shabby. I ordered some new things, but they won't deliver until next week." He apologized to Nightlock. "Oh, I also got this." He said, and after some meddling, music started playing around the house. "I can't believe I got this gramophone so cheap. Figured you'd like listening to music so I bought a few classical records. Even got a Starsong one in case you're into that sort of thing. I know everyone seems to be now."
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2012 11:34:47 GMT -5
After she had woken up from her nightmare, she didn't fall back asleep. She was too afraid to. She sighed and laid back down. Hoof beats sounded from outside the door, walking up the stairs. The door opened and closed and the scent of Bug Eye reached her nostrils. He must have left when she was still sleeping. She got off of the couch to greet him and made a trip to the bathroom to relieve herself. She decided it was the perfect time to get ready for the day. She found a brush and began dragging it through her mane. She hoped the colt wouldn't care. Once her bright red mane was smooth and untangled, she went to work on her tail. She also took a wet wash cloth and smoothed down her fur on her face and neck and back, getting rid of her bed head.
When she returned, she noticed he was working on the couch. She didn't say anything, but she stood nearby out of the way while he worked, curious to what he was doing. "Sorry it's so shabby. I ordered some new things, but they won't deliver until next week." He must have been making it into a bed or something. "It's great.. Thank you.[/color] she said, blushing that he was putting in so much effort to make her happy. She wouldn't have minded if he had made her sleep on the couch for the full stay, just as it was. "Oh, I also got this."[/color] she listened through some clicks and ticking until some smooth classical music began softly playing around the room. For once, her ears perked up happily. She walked slowly over to the gramophone and sniffed it daintily. It smelled old and antique. She walked over to him and gave him a gentle nuzzle on the neck in gratitude. "It's wonderful, but you don't have to do all this."[/color] she said, smiling up at him. She went back over to the music player and began swaying to the music gently, closing her eyes, trying to remember the lyrics.[/color][/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Red Charge on Nov 28, 2012 13:49:29 GMT -5
She could feel Bug Eye watch her as she swayed to the music, then after a while he turned back to his work. "Can't leave a little filly all alone in a war, what kind of pony would I be if I did that?" He mumbled, working quietly until several moments later, when large bangs were heard on the door.
"Open up, we know you're in there." Said a harsh voice.
"The guards..." Bug Eye muttered helplessly, hesitant to open the door.
"Open up or I'm breaking the door down and arresting you for suspicion of aiding changelings!" The guard threatened, Bug Eye, with no choice went for the door. Night Lock could hear his hooves clop on the floor heavily as he went.
"H...how can I help you?"
"Alright where is it?" The guard's voice asked and she could hear Bug Eye getting shoved out of the way, "We had word of an unregistered entry to the city, you open your door up for a complete stranger. Get the boss!" The guard called to another, and the filly could hear another set of hooves race down the stairs.
There was tense silence for a while, until two sets of hooves came back into hearing range. "Bug Eye! It was you?" A surprised voice asked, the burgundy colored filly could hear Bug Eye retreating slightly back.
"You just let someone in your house in the middle of the night when you know there's changelings around? Are you crazy?"
"No look, she's not a changeling, I'm sure of it! She's been through a lot, please, just let her stay here and rest for a while!" Bug Eye pleaded.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2012 13:21:17 GMT -5
Night Lock started when she heard the banging on the door. Her breath caught in her throat and she jumped to hide behind her caretaker. She jumped slightly when the door flew open. She wasn't able to control her shaking. What was happening? She felt several members enter the room. The weight she felt through the floorboards suggested that they were well armed or rather heavy ponies. They were shouting something about changelings. What was that? Maybe it was a term for outsiders?
"Bug Eye.." she whispered, terrified. Her body was trembling with fear. She turned her head toward the colt. She didn't want him to get into trouble. Then a voice spoke up, asking if he was hoarding a changeling. She swallowed the lump in her throat and walked up beside him. "I-I came fr-from Pony...ville.. My home... family has b-been destroyed.. I c-came to Ma-Manehattan loo-looking for help. Bug Eye re-rescued me.. Please don't h-hurt him.."[/color] she said, shaking very noticeably. Her wounds were healing on her back, but still very much noticeable, even though her fur and mane and tail were all very clean. Her hooves were brittle in appearance and it was apparent that she had been through a much. They just had to believe them. She lowered her head and went to hide behind her savior again, scared of what the big horses would do. The soothing music that was playing in the background was doing anything but calming her, instead, adding a touch of irony to the situation.[/color][/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Red Charge on Dec 3, 2012 13:26:24 GMT -5
Bug Eye took Night Lock behind him protectively, "I take full responsibility for her. She's not a Changeling, I'd bet my life on it. She's been here all last night, while I was sleeping. If she wanted to take over my form, she'd have tied me up and done it by now." He argued. "Just leave us alone, she's been through enough and she doesn't need all of this stress. Okay?"
The filly could hear the guards mumble to each other incoherently. "Fine, but if she does something to you, no one's going to come around to save you." Said the annoyed guard, "So you better be right about her." He spoke finally, she could tell he paused to think of something, but Bug Eye interjected. "Don't interrogate her, she's been through a traumatic experience, she should talk about it when she's ready."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2013 13:08:16 GMT -5
Night Lock lowered her head and shook with fear. She could feel the guard's eyes on her, burning into her fur. She listened as Bug Eye defended her. Finally the door closed and their hoof beats descended down the hallway. The tremors in her body subsided and she stepped forward to be alongside her caretaker.
"Bug Eye? What's a...Changeling?" she asked, pausing for a bit to try to think of the word. It didn't sound so evil, but they treated her like she was a monster. No wonder why barely anypony was on the streets before when she arrived. She touched her hoof to her face, almost expecting scales. What if she had been possessed by some creepy demon and didn't know it? What if everypony else could see it but her because she's still blind?[/color][/size][/blockquote]
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 2, 2013 13:18:31 GMT -5
"It's a ... well a sort of bug-type pony-noid creature, they can shape-shift into any live creature, they can pretend to be ponies, or dogs, or cats, or anything they want... we're also at war with them and they've already infiltrated our forces here. Everyone's anxious... I guess they think you might be one. But I trust you." Bug Eye explained as gently as he could.
He took her inside to her corner and let her feel around. It was a very comfortable spot arranged simply and comfortably so it was easy to move in and out of. Even for a blind pony. He also brought her another cup of cocoa, even without her asking for it. She could smell it, with some whipped cream and marshmallow bits in it too.
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