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Refugee
Jan 11, 2014 23:57:50 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 11, 2014 23:57:50 GMT -5
"Hey!" Banner Byline spoke, banging his hoof on the table. It seemed the earth pony had taken note of the glazed look in Spring Tide's eyes while he was busy reminiscing. "I don't need daydreamers, kid. That's the last thing I need."
"Now I don't care how you get it done, all I want is a pony who can get me a good story. The best. Better than all the other papers'. And usually that means doing what other journalists aren't willing to do. When a reporter from the Manehattan Times is told 'no', they droop their heads and trot home. When a reporter from the Fillydelphia Tribune is told 'no', they know there's more to the story that somepony's trying to hide. Now I need to know which type of reporter you are."
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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 13, 2014 2:13:02 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 13, 2014 2:13:02 GMT -5
Spring Tide had finished reliving his memory by the time Banner Byline had moved to get his attention. With his focus having returned to the present, he considered what he was told. The Fillydelphia Tribune had been displaced from its hometown, and was having to struggle to compete with the already well established papers. It seemed that Byline wanted whoever he hired to be able to help the Tribune gain reputation as well as a reader-base by writing stories that outdid the Manehatten papers.
"The flier said you would take somepony who had no experience in reporting. That would be the case with me. But I think I can help you. I will, to the best of my abilities, work to get you the best story possible. However, I need a little more information before I start. How much will you be paying me, and what will my first assignment be?"
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Refugee
Jan 15, 2014 14:11:29 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 15, 2014 14:11:29 GMT -5
"Good, that's the kind of reporter I want. One who puts the story above all else."
"As far as pay goes," Banner continued, beginning to shuffle around for some items in one of his desk drawers, "We'll get that settled out after you've got a scoop. I'm not gonna reward mediocrity, but get me a great article and your pay will show it."
The earth pony finally pulled out a notepad and pencil, dropping them onto the desk. "Your first assignment, that's up to you. All I want is something gripping. No mom-and-pop ice cream openings. The city's under siege by canines, under lock-down by Rainlocks, and there's a thief hopping around in a Nightmare Night costume. You got a lot to work with."
"It's gotta be new, or it's gotta be better than everyone else's," Banner spoke, sliding the notepad and pencil towards Spring Tide. "That's the way industry works. There's a box of cameras by Turner's desk. Pick one up on your way out, and don't come back until you've got me something good."
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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 15, 2014 15:26:37 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 15, 2014 15:26:37 GMT -5
"Understood," Spring Tide nodded.
He took the notepad and pencil and put them in his saddlebag and stepped out of the office. He looked around for where the cameras were, spotting the box next to a desk labeled "Turner". The pony in question glanced at him as he slung the camera strap around his neck and he gave him a genial smile. He was about to march out the door when he realized he did not know where to start. He did not read any newspapers, and knew very little about how to write the articles. Luckily, he happened to be standing in a newspaper office.
Spring Tide turned back towards Turner and asked "Do you mind if I take one of these papers? I need a little bit of reference so I know what kind of standard you folks hold at the Tribune."
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Refugee
Jan 15, 2014 16:31:26 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 15, 2014 16:31:26 GMT -5
"Knock yourself out," the male unicorn answered, continuing to type away at his type writer. "There's some old issues from before the invasion in that box over by the wall."
Before Spring Tide could even turn to see the aforementioned box, the door behind him slammed open. Behind it, stepping hurriedly inside was a soft yellow, male earth pony with a medium-length black mane. The newcomer was panting from exhaustion, and had a camera hanging from his neck. "I'm... I'm here for the job opening..."
Banner Byline poked his head out from the box-fort of an office. "Job's already taken. Go somewhere else."
"What? No-no-no-no you don't understand. I used to work for the Manehattan Times. I've got experience!"
If Banner's eyebrow was any indication, this seemed to catch his attention.
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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 15, 2014 17:14:49 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 15, 2014 17:14:49 GMT -5
Spring Tide had been startled by the appearance of the yellow pony. From what he said, he was here for the same job that Tide had come for. The yellow pony had experience even, which seemed to interest Banner. One thing Spring noticed from the exchange that gave him pause was the fact that Banner Byline had dismissed the newcomer immediately. Spring Tide couldn't help but feel threatened by this newcomer. What if Banner were to give the job to him instead of Tide? Would he maintain his own integrity, having already given Tide his assignment and still turn him away? Maybe a compromise could be made, if the Tribune could afford more than one reporter. When he spoke, he did his best to sound calm, but curious. "You said that you used to work for the Manehatten Times. What happened with your employment there?"
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Refugee
Jan 15, 2014 17:45:23 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 15, 2014 17:45:23 GMT -5
"Huh?" said the yellow pony, turning to Spring Tide. "Oh, I uh... I was 'let go'. I was caught past curfew outside city limits, working on a story, and the guards caught me. The Times didn't want to get any flak from Rainlock, so they fired me."
If Banner's other eyebrow was any indication, this really seemed to catch his attention.
The mustachioed pony exited his office, approaching the newcomer to get a better look at him. "How good were you?"
"The best! Okay, maybe not the best. I wasn't their star reporter or anything, but... I've got experience! And I brought a camera," he answered, holding it up for Banner to see."
"Hmm." The gray, balding earth pony took several seconds to examine the yellow pony. Then several more to look over at Spring Tide. And a few more to look back at the newcomer. "Well I can't hire both of you. I'm not running a soup kitchen."
Banner took a few steps back to his office, pausing partway before turning around. "Alright. Each of you! Go out there and get me a story. Whoever's is better gets the job." And with that, Banner regressed to behind the wall of boxes, leaving the two prospects alone to do their expected work.
The yellow earth pony had a mile-wide grin on his face. "Thank you... uh, sir! You won't regret it. I'll bring you the best scoop this city's ever seen!" He then turned back to face Spring Tide. "Skid by the way," he said, referring to his name.
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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 15, 2014 18:46:00 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 15, 2014 18:46:00 GMT -5
Spring Tide waited and watched with trepidation while Banner went through his entire conversation. Apparently the newcomer had gone out of bounds to get evidence, something that Banner said he prized not two minutes ago. This pony had been out in the field doing this work and knew what he was doing. Spring on the other hoof barely knew where to start. Now they had to compete for their job.
Tide took a deep breath to calm his body and mind. His fears had been realized, and the odds were stacked against him. This pony seemed to be just as nervous as he was, but he wasn't as good at hiding it. That could be something that he could take advantage of, if he wanted to. Tide did not intend any ill will towards his competitor, however. He would be as fair and sporting as possible.
"Spring Tide," he told the yellow pony. He went over to the box that had been pointed out to him before and grabbed the first paper he saw. As he looked over the front page, floating it in front of him with his magic, he asked Skid "What were you investigating when you got caught?"
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Refugee
Jan 18, 2014 13:56:43 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 18, 2014 13:56:43 GMT -5
The headline of the paper read "Cult Summons Apocalyptic Chaos, Almost Ends the World!" It was accompanied by a photo of a war-torn Froggy Bottom Bog. Debris from the battle, as well as a massive crater, were evidence enough that something big had taken place. Any ponies that were there had apparently left by the time the photographer had arrived.
A subhead for another article read "Princess Pardons Chaotic Cult, Makes Leader Royal Advisor"
"You remember the explosion that took place outside the city, in the forest? Rumor has it the Gray Shadow had something to do with it. Maybe Rainlock too." Skid trotted up to behind Spring Tide, looking over the unicorn's shoulder at the newspaper. "Rainlock had the place on lock-down for days. Thought I could get a look at the site after the buzz had died down."
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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 20, 2014 23:42:03 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 20, 2014 23:42:03 GMT -5
The front page of the old paper proved how out of date it was. The main article was about the Eclipse Cult, which had been sorted out ages ago. That had been back when Spring Tide had still been a vagabond, traveling from place to place with all the freedom he could want. He remembered fondly the time when he would travel and explore, meeting new people and learning new things about nature.
The next article was surprising to say the least. The cult leader had been made a Royal Adviser? Why would the princess do that? Hadn't he been responsible for chaotic magic being released throughout Equestria, and, by extension, the appearance of all of the monsters that now plagued the wilds? So many questions, and yet it was unlikely that Spring Tide would ever be able to answer them. He sighed and worked to calm his mind.
At the mention of the Gray Shadow, Tide's ears perked up. Banner Byline had seemed to be very interested in him, and was apparently connecting his activities to Lady Rainlock. If there was a connection, it could mean a lead to discovering the Gray Shadow's identity. The explosion was also something else that could provide clues. Spring Tide decided to investigate, since Skid was already providing information.
"That is the second time I have heard about that explosion today. How long ago did that happen?" He asked. Hopefully with a time frame in mind of the latest actions of the Gray Shadow, he could better discern what might turn up leads. "Do you really think Lady Rainlock had something to do with that explosion? I thought her people were supposed to be keeping the peace, not demolishing the countryside." He chuckled at his joke, but then realized something. "Who is the Gray Shadow, some fugitive?"
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Refugee
Jan 21, 2014 20:32:19 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 21, 2014 20:32:19 GMT -5
"The explosion happened about a month ago, though Rainlock still hasn't let up on what went down. No one has any proof she's responsible, but she's definitely connected. The woods used to be a prime location for criminals. Then next thing you knew it was swarming with guards."
Skid gave Spring Tide a puzzled look when the unicorn asked about the Gray Shadow. "Are you new here or something? The Gray Shadow's been on-and-off buzz for a year. The guy robbed half-a-dozen of the biggest, most guarded stores in one night. Then, he managed to nab some artifact from Rainlock's mansion. If it wasn't for the invasion, he'd be at the top of her most-wanted."
"Anyways," the earth pony spoke, beginning to make for the door, "If I'm gonna impress the boss, I'd better get started. Just a word of advice..." Skid stopped halfway out the door, holding it open with his hoof. "I know you sound interested in that explosion site, but don't. We weren't under siege when I tried to get there, and I only had guards to deal with. Place is probably crawling with diamond dogs now."
He then continued out the door and onto the city streets, leaving Spring Tide alone with the clacking of typewriters.
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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 24, 2014 0:06:07 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 24, 2014 0:06:07 GMT -5
Interesting, thought Spring Tide. The implications of catching a thief as notorious as the Gray Shadow certainly had appeal. But, as with all great feats the potential risk existed as a deterrent to prevent just anyone from accomplishing them. Unmasking the Gray Shadow would certainly get Spring Tide the reporting job. It would also bring an infamous villain to justice. Spring Tide did not doubt that he would be recognized as a hero or pony of note.
With the positive consequences also came a slew of negative ones. He would be putting his life at risk for a job that he stood little chance of earning. Even without the disadvantages of inexperience with being a reporter and unfamiliarity with the city placed before him, it was unlikely that he would succeed where others had failed. Were he to gain fame from defeating the Gray Shadow, he would have to watch out for accomplices seeking out revenge. Even if he were to investigate the site of the explosion, he would first have to get past the guards that protected the city limits, and then avoid contact with any Diamond Dogs. Any evidence left at the blast zone would probably have been ruined after a month of reclamation by nature and possible incursions by invaders.
Another possibility would be to approach Lady Rainlock to learn what she knew about the Gray Shadow. Spring Tide wasn't sure if she would even be willing to meet with so lowly a pony as he because, having grown up in Canterlot, he knew that nobles liked to keep to themselves. Such private citizens liked to keep their lives private and did not appreciate random ponies calling on them without invitation. Nopony knew if she ever recovered what had been stolen, what had caused the explosion, if the Gray Shadow was even a single pony. There were so many unknowns to deal with in this case that it seemed unassailable.
The only way to deal with this case was to treat it like any other problem Spring Tide had solved. He would exhaust every means of gathering information in order to find the truth, like a scientist would in a laboratory. Lady Rainlock might know something about the thief who had defeated her security measures and escaped from her personal army. He decided that paying a visit to the pony who effectively ruled Manehatten would be his best choice at getting any leads. First, he needed to have a source of water to use his magic, which he usually kept in a pair of canteens on his person, but he had left them in his room at the inn. With a goal in mind, Spring Tide stepped out of the office to gather his belongings, glad to leave the sound of the noisome typewriters behind.
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Refugee
Jan 25, 2014 13:22:25 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 25, 2014 13:22:25 GMT -5
Nothing impeded Spring Tide's return to the inn. There were just ponies going about their business, living as normal a life as you could in a city under siege. At least Manehattan still had control of its port, allowing access to the food and trade it needed to survive.
The inn had quieted down a little. The innkeeper was still busy with two or three ponies in front of the counter, but it seemed that that the anyone who had been in the lobby earlier in the morning had left to do something else.
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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 27, 2014 23:53:57 GMT -5
Post by Spring Tide on Jan 27, 2014 23:53:57 GMT -5
As soon as Spring Tide arrived at the inn, he headed up to his room. Once inside, he found his casting canteens and inspected them. They were dark blue, the sort any pony could purchase from a military surplus store with straps to allow a pony to sling them over his back. He uncapped them to check the water inside and found them to still be relatively fresh. Dirty water wasn't a detriment when it came to hydromancy, but it was when one wanted to drink the water. Spring Tide knew very well that it was important to stay hydrated while going about the day.
Spring Tide also gathered several items to place into his saddlebags to help him on his mission. He placed several rolls of bits, approximately 100 into his bag. Next he grabbed his compass, a rather cheap one that he had purchased at the surplus store, along with his flax rope of which he had about fifty feet's worth. He decided to forgo his traveling cloak due to the elevated air temperature that would undoubtedly emerge later in the day. Along with the rope, money, and compass, Spring Tide also had with him the notepad and pencil that Banner Byline had given him. He hung the camera from its strap around his neck, and slung his canteens and then his saddlebags over his back. Content with his equipment at the moment, Spring Tide decided that the next step to his master plan would be to have some breakfast.
In the common room downstairs Spring Tide found a lot fewer ponies than were present earlier in the morning. Most had probably gone to work or found something to do for the day, though there were still a couple late-risers and stragglers having cups of coffee and sorting out their business. Spring Tide approached the counter and after waiting for the several ponies ahead of him to place their orders, spoke to the innkeeper.
"Hello again. Would you still be serving breakfast? If you are, I would like some oatmeal and muffins please. Oh and some orange juice, if you have it."
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Refugee
Feb 1, 2014 20:33:01 GMT -5
Post by King Tidal Wave on Feb 1, 2014 20:33:01 GMT -5
"Everything should be on the table on the far end of the room," the innkeeper spoke. "Though I don't know how many muffins we have at this hour. Those tend to be the first things to go. Congrats on getting the job, by the way." The donkey pointed down at the camera hanging around Spring Tide's neck. "From the way that flier was written, it's not surprising they made the decision so quickly."
Over on the far table was all of the breakfast items. There were pitches of water, milk, and orange juice, as well as a pot of oatmeal. There was also a pot of coffee, a basket of bagels, and a second basket where a lonely muffin sat. The ponies among the dining area were sparse. Two young mares were talking to each other, sipping coffee, and an older unicorn was alone, staring at his oatmeal.
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