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Post by Stygg Whitefeather on Oct 8, 2013 21:37:49 GMT -5
Shoal very excitedly clapped his talons together in the most unbureaucratic fashion any griffon could. "Great! Ok so here's the question." He hopped up on the examination gurney beside Lucky, "How would you like to go on a little expedition for me? Ah, before you say anything, let me explain." He raised his talon to stop him, took a breath and then begun to explain about the Bay Lachance, the temple's appearance and the fear the hippocampi have about it, why he was in Royal Rocks, a few excuses as to why the council at Royal Rocks refused him - eluding to his 'no one listens to me' lamentation from earlier. Most importantly, he mentioned payment.
"So that's the most of it. If those cuckoos in the Council won't then they can flip off, I want my own team to go in. I just happened to see you there, willing to throw caution to the wind and drink something that was clearly toxic and thought to myself, 'Shoal, that there is a pony who is not afraid of risk'. So what do you say, you want to do this? It'll probably be insanely risky but, I can pay and anything you find in the temple you can keep. How does that sound?"
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Post by Lucky Charm on Oct 9, 2013 3:44:05 GMT -5
Lucky's grin grew wider as the explanation went on. Times like this he reflected that people didn't call him Lucky for nothing. In point of fact they called him that because his mom thought it was a nice name, but then these kinds of things happened and he figured she must have been on to something. He came to town following vague rumors of a new ruin in the Griffon Empire, now he was being hired for an expedition to what was almost certainly the same ruin. If he had more than a hoofful of bits he would've paid Shoal for the opportunity!
"Sir," he said when Shoal had finished, dropping to the floor and standing up straight, "you had me at 'expedition.' Also 'temple.' And 'mysterious.' And 'risk-' You know what, you've just found the right pony, period." A thought struck him and he laughed a little. "It's funny," he said thoughtfully. "When I got off the airship this morning I had a feeling today would be a good day. Since then I've been rejected from seven part-time jobs, given myself the sugar rush of a lifetime, faceplanted twice, been hauled to the hospital, cured (or maybe poisoned) and offered a job exploring a mysterious, almost-certainly-dangerous temple on the bay that wasn't there a month ago. So, overall, I'd say I was wrong."
He grinned broadly again. "This is a great day, and it's gonna be a great first chapter to my new story."
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Post by Stygg Whitefeather on Oct 11, 2013 23:05:48 GMT -5
Shoal shot Lucky a peculiar look, he hadn't expect the pony to express such open appreciation for the offer and the aside was strange - but, then again, ponies were a strange bunch. "Yes... could say that." Shoal said, quickly recollecting himself back into a professional tone. "Good, that's what I was hoping you'd say. The expedition will be leaving from Trottingham on... here let me write this down." Shoal hopped down from the examination bed and rummaged through the cabinets till he found a scarp of paper to scrawl upon. He couldn't find a quill but an ink well just so happened to be available, so dipping his talon into the ink he scrippled some notes onto the paper before giving it to Lucky.
"The date and location are written there. Hopefully, I'll have everyone I need by then. Also take this," Shoal retrieved a small coin-purse from under his sash and placed it in Lucky's hoof. "A few bits to get to Trottingham and hold you over till then. On top of that, might I recommend you read up on the hippocampi before the expedition departs, they'll be hosting us before we depart to the temple! They're customs might be odd to you, always good to... what is it you ponies say, 'start off on the right hoof'? So, any other questions before I need to take off?"
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Post by Lucky Charm on Oct 12, 2013 6:22:31 GMT -5
Lucky checked the bits in the bag, smiling. "Cool, I can sleep indoors a few nights. Thanks!" That was always nice. As much as he liked sleeping in his tent or under the stars, it could get kinda chilly and a real bed was always a lovely change of pace. He got up, no longer feeling woozy (so it was a cure) hopped down onto the floor and deposited the bag o' bits in his saddlebags, which he'd left by the entrance to the examination room.
Turning back to Shoal, he considered the question. Now would be the time. "Lessee... I know where the library is, unless that got hit too and hasn't been rebuilt. I can look up Hippocampus culture and stuff before I go. Only ever met one of them, and we didn't have much time to talk." There had been a monsoon going on. Long story, but the weather patrol had some explaining to do. "When I get to Trottingham, is there anypony I should look for in particular? How will I know the rest of the expedition?"
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Post by Stygg Whitefeather on Oct 14, 2013 20:47:45 GMT -5
Shoal nodded, yes the library was in the same place and mostly the same. The museum next door was heavily damaged by the emergence of the Rust Phoenix, but the library was spared any significant burn damage. The books on hippocampi should, barring anything unusual having happened to them between the conflict and now, should be relatively fine.
"Oh, right, can't believe I nearly forgot to mention that." Shoal exclaimed, slapping the side of his head. "The docks, there will be a ship there. The Golden Ursa, speak with the pony, Crusty. You'll know him, name is very apropo." Shoal curiously scratched his chin. "I realize it may seem quaint to sail to the Bay, what with you being a pegasus and all, but it will serve as our operating base. That and it will likely be quite frigid there - that's not going to be a problem at all, is it? No sea-sickness or anything?"
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Post by Lucky Charm on Oct 14, 2013 21:16:22 GMT -5
Lucky smiled again. Honestly it was more like he just kept smiling - he hadn't really stopped since learning he'd be on an expedition, paid no less, to the mysterious temple. He saw no reason to stop now, either. "We get an operating base? On a ship? Score! I love sailing." He'd never had an operating base for exploring before. Normally he just went there and... started exploring. Now by the sounds of it there was going to be a team and a base and a budget and everything. Best expedition ever!
"I'll pack some blankets before I get onboard," he continued, though there shouldn't be much need - Pegasi were used to frigid climates. Upper atmosphere was cold, especially at night. "Better get started on that today so I don't forget." He shouldered his saddlebags, tightening the harness. "Alright, meet Crusty at the docks on the Golden Ursa, bring some blankets, meet the rest of the crew and prepare for awesome. Anything else I should know? Last-minute advice? Spooky details? Eerily prophetic warnings?" He grinned to show he was joking.
Mostly.
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Post by Stygg Whitefeather on Oct 14, 2013 22:05:37 GMT -5
"Appears like you have everything ready. Just meet on that date in the note and we'll be off." Shoal reiterated once more. "As for the spooky details... well, that's why you and whoever else signs up is going in to find out." Cryptically he explained, peering down the pony dramatically, then slowly breaking into a beaky-smile. "I'm sure it'll be boring! Long as it slates the hippocampi's fears, I'll be satisfied."
Shoal checked the clock on the wall, "Yikes, I'm late for an appointment. Since you seem better, I'll see you in Trottingham." With that last reassurance, the griffon quickly slipped out of the room, leaving Lucky to himself.
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Post by Lucky Charm on Oct 14, 2013 22:53:39 GMT -5
Lucky mused to himself that Shoal had given what was almost certainly the best answer possible to that question. But he didn't believe for a moment this would be boring. No, he could feel in his pinions that this was going to be one of his most amazing stories yet, and his pinions were never wrong. For a collection of feathers they had a remarkable talent for prophecy. Besides, normally by the time he got to an old ruin it had already been explored by somepony else like Gale Rainlock (who was not his idol shut up). This one? Shiny and new (as ruins went) with all the traps unsprung, slumbering horrors still slumbering and ancient artifacts ripe for the taking. He couldn't wait!
The rest of his stay in Royal Rocks, brief as it was, passed without incident. In light of the coming days Lucky found this only mildly disappointing. It hadn't taken him long to read a few books on Hippocampus culture and society, hitting the books was his third favorite way of learning (second to being taught in person and good, old trial and error) and blankets had proven easy enough to come by, not to mention cheap. All that remained now was a brief jaunt (meaning only one long detour) to where he could charter a ship to Trottingham.
Lucky always savored a journey like this, but now he would take extra care to enjoy the calm, because if everything turned out like he hoped it would his life was about to hit some stormy waters. After all, they made for the best stories.
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