Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
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Refugee
Dec 10, 2013 18:21:05 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Dec 10, 2013 18:21:05 GMT -5
Manehatten was unlike any place Spring Tide had ever seen before. He had spent the past few years wandering the woods and fields of Equestria, but because of the war he could no longer enjoy such a life. It wasn't safe to walk the wilds. Tide had heard unsettling stories of ponies being dragged under the earth to be devoured by the monstrous Diamond Dogs. Even benign places like the Whitetail Wood had become rank with dangerous beasts. Very few havens remained for ponies in Equestria: Hoofington, Canterlot, Manehatten... Manehatten had been the closest, and it seemed, the safest place to be. The Dogs had ravaged the suburbs, killed everyone outside the city. Only the Rainlock Security Forces stood between the Dogs and the genocide of every pony in Manehatten. Things seemed grim indeed. But the Dogs never made it into the city. Life continued much as it had except for the increase in social stratification among the populace. Manehatten was filled with refugees who were destitute and without hope. These unfortunate souls were in turn preyed upon by the criminal element in the underbelly of the big city. The rich continued their lives of splendor. Spring Tide had found residence in the mid city, in a crowded inn run by an old donkey. He had seen the conditions in the shelters, and chose to avoid living in one if he could help it. He had learned from other refugees that the city was dangerous after dark, when miscreants might attack a lone pony in the street for his bits. At this point, however, Tide didn't have many bits to be stolen. He decided that it was imperative that he find steady work before circumstances forced him to live in one of the shelters. He left the inn early in the morning, taking a moment to don his traveling cloak before stepping hoof outside. With his clothing in place, he set out to find leads toward any honest work that might be found.
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Refugee
Dec 18, 2013 23:55:31 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Dec 18, 2013 23:55:31 GMT -5
Spring Tide didn't have to go far to find a lead. Pinned to numerous walls and lampposts down the street were fliers, all advertising the same thing. $$ HELP WANTED!! $$
Freelance Journalist/Photographer NEEDED for the Fillydelphia Tribune.
No Prerequisites. Equipment provided.
Fillydelphia Tribune Temporary Offices 5593 Colbrook Ave. Manehattan What the heck the Fillydelphia Tribune was doing in Manehattan was anyone's guess, especially since Fillydelphia had been overrun by Diamond Dogs not too long ago. But if those bit-signs were any indication, there was definitely pay involved with the offer.
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Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
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Refugee
Dec 20, 2013 1:49:33 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Dec 20, 2013 1:49:33 GMT -5
Spring Tide traveled down the street and turned a corner. On a lamppost he found a flier announcing a position as a journalist or photographer at a local newspaper. Tide had never considered taking a position as a reporter, had never had an interest in such a thing. But it was an opportunity for work. He felt a touch of enthusiasm and excitement, the sort that usually made itself known when he set out into the unknown, something that helped fuel his adventurous spirit. Upon further examination, Spring Tide did notice that the newspaper in question was the official Fillydelphia newspaper. He thought it odd that it would be operating in Manehatten, but it made sense that they would continue business despite being driven out of their hometown. Plus, it probably helped to keep the Manehatten papers honest with some friendly competition. Tide yanked the flier from the post it was stapled to with his telekinesis and headed back to the inn. He wasn't entirely sure where the address would lead him so he decided to ask the elderly donkey innkeeper.
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Refugee
Dec 23, 2013 13:36:24 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Dec 23, 2013 13:36:24 GMT -5
The inn was lightly stirring with activity, ponies sitting and talking with eachother while others tried to get rooms or breakfast. The innkeeper was finally able to talk to Spring Tide after he had talked to a short line of customers.
"Colbrook avenue?" the said after taking a look at the flier. "It's a few blocks East. Take a right out the door, and keeping going straight until you hit Birch. Then take a left on Birch and that'll take you to Colbrook."
"Odd to see a Fillydelphia paper in Manehattan," the innkeeper added. "Then again, if any newspaper were to survive its city getting overrun by mutts, it would be the Tribune."
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Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
|
Refugee
Dec 26, 2013 2:04:55 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Dec 26, 2013 2:04:55 GMT -5
Spring Tide waited patiently while the innkeep dealt with his other guests. When the donkey offered his attention, Tide offered him the flier. "Would you be able to tell me how to get to this address?" he asked. The donkey read the flier over and put his hoof to his chin while he considered the best route. After a moment, the innkeep handed the flier back. "Thank you," Spring Tide said after the donkey offered his directions. He paused as the donkey continued. "Why is that?" he asked. Perhaps the innkeeper would reveal useful information about the Fillydelphia Tribune. Every little bit helped when one was stepping out into the unknown.
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Refugee
Dec 26, 2013 22:39:14 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Dec 26, 2013 22:39:14 GMT -5
"No real reason," the donkey replied, probably lacking the words to explain why he had made the comment. "The E-I-C's got a lot of determination I guess. Yeah, let's go with that."
"In any case, you can't complain about a Fillydelphia business surviving after what happened. We have to count our blessings."
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Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
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Refugee
Dec 27, 2013 22:43:38 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Dec 27, 2013 22:43:38 GMT -5
"Yes... I suppose we must," Spring Tide said. The way the donkey was carrying through the conversation seemed strange to Tide, but he wasn't sure what was causing him distress. He hadn't spoken to the innkeeper much except to get the room in the first place, so he couldn't tell if the donkey was holding back information, or simply odd. Whatever the case, it was not something to dwell on, Spring Tide decided. He nodded his farewell to the innkeeper and stepped out into the city. Just as prompted, he made a right down the sidewalk. He adopted a confident stride, one that he felt would express an air of one who has a destination and timetable to keep in mind. Although this was not the case, he believed that the appearance of such was important because, as his father had told him, ponies would get out of the way of a pony on a mission. It wasn't that he wanted to convey superiority over the other ponies on the street, he simply wanted to avoid any trouble. He had learned from other refugees that the city was a dangerous place. Just like when traversing the wilderness, it was important to be mindful of one's surroundings and to watch where you step.
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Refugee
Dec 28, 2013 0:37:29 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Dec 28, 2013 0:37:29 GMT -5
Nothing too exciting occurred as Spring Tide made his way to his destination. He passed by a Rainlock patrol on Birch, and could hear the murmurings of recent events among the ponies he passed. Something about changelings, and an explosion outside in the woods outside of the city. But the unicorn was left alone. No one seemed to want to bother such a confident-looking pony.
Eventually he reached the building of the Tribune's temporary offices. The newspaper seemed to be occupying the first floor or two of a very nondescript building. In fact, the only evidence of its presence was a piece of paper taped to the door reading "The Fillydelphia Tribune - Equestria's #1 Newspaper"
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Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
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Refugee
Dec 30, 2013 1:19:24 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Dec 30, 2013 1:19:24 GMT -5
The trip to the office was very benign. Nopony bothered him, nor did anything really happen as he trotted along the few city blocks. He passed by a Rainlock patrol. Several of the ponies looked bored, but they were keeping their eyes open for trouble for which Spring Tide was grateful. The armored ponies continued on their way and Tide turned another corner.
Several wagons were moving up and down the street. Ponies were milling about, going about their business. Some went to diners or stood at bus stops waiting for transportation. A couple ponies standing in front of a group of apartments caught Tide's attention, not from their appearance, but from the subject of their conversation. They were discussing the recent events relating to the conflict with the changelings. Apparently the Field Marshall had dealt with them, and they no longer posed a threat to Equestria. They mentioned something about an explosion in the wood near the southern outskirts of the city, but they knew little more than that it had happened. Spring Tide welcomed any news from outside of Manehatten regardless of whether it were good or bad. Heh, maybe working for a newspaper will help me get even more in touch with what is going on, he thought.
Spring Tide found himself on Colbrook Avenue and reread the address for which he was searching from the flier in his pocket. He strode passed building after building and almost missed his objective because of its mundane appearance. The building had little to help one distinguish it from the others surrounding it. No clear signs were visible nor was the address even easily read from the street. Tide moved closer to examine the office building to find a piece of paper slapped onto the front door with "The Fillydelphia Tribune - Equestria's #1 Newspaper!" scribbled on the front of it. Having found his destination, Tide took a deep breath, released it, and then headed into the building.
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Refugee
Dec 31, 2013 15:22:40 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Dec 31, 2013 15:22:40 GMT -5
Inside the building was a somewhat small room, at least for what should have been the offices of a newspaper. There were two ponies sitting at small tables pushed against the wall, each one of them busy tapping away at a typewriter. An idle, old-looking printing machine was sitting in the far corner. Pinned to the walls were a sundry of papers. Maps, newspaper articles, photos, certificates, restaurant menus...
And boxes. Taped-up boxes were scattered around the room in no particular pattern of organization.
A silver-coated earth pony with a balding mane and big bushy mustache had his back to Spring Tide, barking orders to one of the ponies sitting at a typewritter. "Turner, I want a new article: "Changeling Citizens? - Equestria offers Amnesty to Love-Obsessed Insects"
"Right away, sir," the type-writing pony answered.
The mustachioed pony then turned to look at Spring Tide, only taking half a second to give him a quick glance up and down before speaking. "Who are you, and more importantly, do you know how to fix a typewriter?"
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Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
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Refugee
Jan 2, 2014 23:54:47 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 2, 2014 23:54:47 GMT -5
Once within the building, Spring Tide found himself in a cramped office room. Two ponies tapped away frantically on typewriters while a silver pony directed them. The office seemed to be much smaller than it was because it was so jam packed with things. Boxes were stacked almost to the ceiling throughout the room. Most of the walls were covered with paper, many of which overlapped each other turning them into a sort of mosaic of different shades and hues. A lonely printer sat in the corner amidst the boxes, almost inaccessible without having to shift everything on that side of the room around. The pony with a thinning mane had his back to Spring Tide, directing his subordinates with enthusiasm and fervor. It was clear to Tide that the pony that stood before him was in charge, and was now staring directly at him.
"Um... Uh... ahem", Spring Tide stuttered. A great way to start your future career was with a good first impression, Tide remembered being told by his father. And I may have completely blown this one! No, wait! The situation is still salvageable, I just need to calm down. Spring Tide took a deep breath, and smiled sheepishly at the editor.
"Excuse me. I'm afraid I don't know much about typewriters. My name is Spring Tide and I have come in response to your wanted ad", he said as he pulled the flier from his saddle bag.
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Refugee
Jan 7, 2014 13:08:44 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 7, 2014 13:08:44 GMT -5
The balding pony leaned in to get a better look at the paper Spring Tide was holding before pulling back. "Yes, the job opening! Into my office," he commanded, leading the unicorn to another corner of the room. This one had two walls of boxes with a door sized opening between them, forming what was almost an enclosed, separate area from the rest of the room.
Inside the small, makeshift office was a cheap-looking desk, and several more items attached to the non-cardboard walls. One in particular was a cork board, the sentence 'WHO IS THE GRAY SHADOW?' pinned to the bottom. Photos of Manehattan officials and other notable ponies, as well as some red yarn linking between them, were attached to the board in varying amounts and colors of pushpins. Gale Rainlock's photo in particular had a large amount of them.
The earth pony took a seat behind the desk, indicating for Spring Tide to take sit down in a folding chair opposite him. On the desk was a lamp, a typewriter, and a rather large placard reading 'Banner Byline - Founder, Owner, CEO, Editor-in-Chief of the Fillydelphia Tribune'.
"Alright, what are your qualifications?"
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Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
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Refugee
Jan 10, 2014 2:48:53 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 10, 2014 2:48:53 GMT -5
Spring Tide followed the pony into the "office". It was cleverly designed, he mused. The boxes served to separate the line of sight between editor and writers, which would allow one in the office to have a small amount of privacy. It did not hinder the travel of sound, but it was unlikely the voices would be heard over the clicking of the typewriters. The material of the desk indicated that the news firm did not have the funds to indulge in luxury. This presumption was probably correct when one took the nature of the office as evidence. On the desk was a lamp, a typewriter, and a name placard stating Banner Byline- Supreme ruler of the Fillydelphia Tribune. Or rather, it might as well have considering all of the titles it listed. Overall, it was a very tidy desk. Behind the desk was something vastly more interesting however. Spring Tide took more than several seconds to peer over the expansive network that crisscrossed the cork board hanging on the wall. Apparently the editor was looking for someone called the "Gray Shadow" and his evidence pointed a great deal towards Lady Rainlock. Maybe he was on to something, or maybe he was a mad stallion making connections where none existed. Either possibility was likely, though Spring Tide decided to reserve judgement until he had further explanation. It was an efficient use of space, Tide decided, all things considered. When Mr. Byline gestured for Tide to sit, he did. The first question out of Byline's mouth was reaching enough that Tide realized he was completely unprepared for a job interview. He had no idea what to expect, nor what the editor was looking for in a potential employee. So he decided to be honest. "I'm not sure what sort of skills you're looking for, sir," he began. " As you can probably tell, I am a unicorn. I know a selection of spells, though I don't know how helpful they will be working for a newspaper. Umm... I grew up in a family of academically-minded ponies, so I have an investigative mind. I like to answer questions. I am a bit of a scientist, you know." Spring Tide added confidently.
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Refugee
Jan 11, 2014 20:36:32 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 11, 2014 20:36:32 GMT -5
The editor stared at Spring Tide for several seconds, remaining silent after his response. "Well, you're honest. But honesty doesn't get you far in this industry. What I need is a pony with spunk. One who's not afraid to give the people what they want," he spoke, banging his hoof on the table for emphasis.
"How good are you at not being seen? I need somepony who can get the facts and photos for an A+ story. When the other reporters are behind the barricades, I want you on the other side getting the exclusive scoop."
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Spring Tide
Disciple Pony
Not all who wander are lost. Well, I am, but that's beside the point!
Posts: 56
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Refugee
Jan 11, 2014 23:40:42 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 11, 2014 23:40:42 GMT -5
"Hmm... Well I suppose I could be stealthy with the right spells," Spring Tide said. "What sort of things would you ask me to do?" Spring Tide was not very experienced with avoiding detection. He had only ever tried when he traveled in monster infested territory like the Everfree, and that was not something he attempted very often. Apparently being honest wasn't what the editor wanted either. In fact, it sounded like the editor would want him to skulk around in places where he wasn't wanted and gather information.
A memory came to Tide's mind from when he was a colt. He had been pretending to be a secret agent working for Her Majesty's Secret Service, and his mission was to investigate the experiments of one Doctor Thesis. The lab was kept locked up, but Tide had been able to get the key from where it hung on the wall using a stool. With key in mouth, the colt entered the laboratory.
Within he found chalkboards with equations and arcane symbols drawn on them. Papers covered the desk, many of which had words that Tide could not understand. A table held various materials: gems of different colors, powders in properly labeled bowls, and various metal ingots. A notebook on the table held numerous diagrams and measurements. Then he saw it. It was an image just like he had seen on the chalk board, but it glowed with magical energy. The glowing circle drew the young colt's eye and he slowly approached it. Just as he was taking a closer look, his father descended upon him. "Spring Tide, why are you in my laboratory? You know you are not supposed to be in here," Thesis said as he trotted in. The stallion saw what his son was focused on and swiftly pulled the colt back with his magic. He held Tide at eye level.
"Why are you skulking about in here? I told you not to come in here because I am working on delicate experiments. Things that could potentially be dangerous if the wrong set of hooves touches them. Do you understand? I want to make sure you don't get hurt. There are plenty of other places to play, but you should not come back in here, alright? Not without supervision. The next time you want to go into a place like this that is locked up and forbidden, you need to ask first. Either you will be allowed in to sate your curiosity, or you will be asked to leave because of safety reasons."
"Oh, okay," he had said. "I was just playing, Daddy. I won't come in here again unless you say it's okay."
"Good boy. Now head back up to the living room. I believe Petunia has made you lunch." With a pat on his head, Tide had been set down and allowed to leave the lab.
He hadn't done much skulking since then. However, the possibility of reliving that fantasy had always appealed to Spring Tide. Although he was afraid that Mr. Byline might ask him to enter places without permission, his spirit of adventure relished in the idea. Spring Tide awaited the editor's reply with mixed feelings.
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