Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Oct 20, 2014 9:42:24 GMT -5
It was like watching a bad cartoon sometimes... watching the brutish creatures mingle over what was a pretty obvious expression. The unicorn withheld any comment, instead trying to contain a very sudden eye twitch. Well, to be fair at least it was amusing to watch despite how cautious he needed to be with them.
Finding Sky's reaction was comical enough to put him in a more comfortable mood. He wished he could have laughed. But the size of those weapons deterred him from doing so. Instead... he needed to spin the lie a little longer. Did it matter if the bartender was sick or not? Not really.. the fact he wasn't here was why they were upset. So when he came back it was far from important as to where he was.
"Think about it. With Aurelius out on the barrens, taking the rest of the army with him.. there not too many soldiers bellies to fill. Even when your sick you gotta make coin, isn't that right? Especially when the coin is so little~", he popped a copper bit from a satchel, one he kept hidden, and certainly refused to take out anything of greater value in front of these Wolves. Once he slid that bit of metal back into his lap he looked back at them, "I'm sure he'll come around in a little while... I couldn't say how long.", rolling his shoulders, and taking up his own mug of fresh cider.
"You're probably better off finding another Tavern..", in a way that was kind of a true statement. At the rate this conversation was going... downhill... with the new bartender still not arrived to serve these damned dogs, then it might as WELL be true that he's sick. He swore to himself if his hide got skinned tonight.
"You two been in Stalliongrad a while I take it?", after all, it sounded like they knew this place well enough.
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Post by King Tidal Wave on Oct 28, 2014 23:57:37 GMT -5
The two wolves looked at eachother following Cryoshock's explanation, the tall male finally giving a half-shrug. They seemed to have bought the explanation. But for the two steps forward it had taken the conversation, the unicorn's comment about finding another Tavern seemed to be another step back.
"You make it sound like you want us to leave," spoke the male wolf, tapping his claws on the table once in quick succession. An awkward silence, filled only by the sound of the fireplace crackling on the side of the room, ensued. Sky Shifter was finally the one to break it.
"He meant that you might be waiting a while for your drinks."
"Sure he did," the wolf spoke, seeming to bookend his response with a very deliberate pause. "But that didn't keep you three from leavin'. Must be because the service is so good." The last sentence was spoken with an inflection of humor, but the kind that is so obviously masking an attempt to discompose one's audience. "That's why Randi and I're here. Food. Drink. Hospitality. Hard to find service with a smile these days, but here; they make the effort."
Another awkward silence passed, with Sky Shifter looking as unimpressed as the female wolf looked bored.
"Purple!" the hefty wolf commanded, looking at Sparky.
The purple pegasus locked eyes with the female wolf, keeping his mouth shut tight.
"Find the barkeep."
Before he could be stopped by Cryo or Sky, Sparky had zipped out of the room, headed into the back to look for the blonde-maned pony who had served them. He seemed eager to get himself out of the room and away from the wolves, even if that meant following a direct order from one of them.
"So," spoke the male wolf after Sparky had disappeared. "What was your question again?"
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Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Nov 1, 2014 8:56:27 GMT -5
Blast it all, he and his big mouth. But that wasn't going to dissuade the unicorn from defending himself. Sparky's sudden cowardice lowered their numbers considerably. If it came to a brawl - which Cryoshock would do his best to avoid - they'd need the greater number. Though the unicorn imagined that Winter Wolves weren't that keen on magic, despite their intimidating size and scale. It all just depended on how thick, warm or conductive their armor happened to be.
It was clear the male was the more intelligent of the two. This brute of a beast seemed so swift to lay down the line on him that Cry didn't have time to show he had been fazed by him. His hoof was secured firmly around his mug, yet still as frozen corpses. The last thing the unicorn needed was the dog to see he was growing more uncomfortable. But he was far from exhausted.
"Maybe because I spent my morning hours on the walls and aren't in any mood to hustle out into the cold again.", he did his best to sound as accepting of the wolf's criticism as he could. And hopefully the bartender would return, "It's blood freezing out there! Then again~ When isn't it?", he grinned, staring into his frothy cider, toying with the mug and swirling the delicious, golden liquid inside.
When that quiet few moments washed over, the ice blue stallion cleared his throat, lifting a brow at the male, "Perhaps we're gettin' off on the wrong paw, here.", choosing their rendition PAW over hoof. In truth he was impressed they hadn't lost their temper with him just yet. And that put his conscious in a good spot. He just hoped Sparky asked the bartender to at least pretend to be a little sickly, or the dogs simply not notice. That blonde bastard had the potential to become life or death.
"Aye, I've seen your faces before. You're not new to Stalliongrad. Seen any bit of action recently? Believe me, we're as bored as anypony watching those walls.", he gestured his eyes to Sky Shifter. Tempted to wink to stir a little trouble but he decided it was against his better judgement, "Plus a little conversation would kill some time before Sparks returns with our server!", he would have offered a drink of his own cider... but with how large the appetite of a wolf could be, he imagined he'd not be getting any back.
"Your female friend looks like she's cracked some head in her time."
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Post by King Tidal Wave on Nov 6, 2014 0:36:41 GMT -5
The male wolf let out a single laugh after Cryoshock's comments about the cold. "One of the grass-eaters on the wall, huh? Guess with your buddies out seeing all the action, you don't have much else to do other than complain about how cold your tail is." There was a brief pause before he continued. "Just shows the hoofed-type aren't meant for the Barrens. All that pelt and you're still cold enough to moan about it."
"He's just a baby when it comes to temperature," Sky Shifter spoke, somewhat surprisingly. "The rest of us are fine."
At that, the wolf let out a much more sincere laugh. "I like your friend; good sense of humor. She got a name to go with it?"
"Not one that's any of your business," the orange pegasus retorted, keeping her gaze on the other side of the room.
This elicited a low whistle from the male wolf, though he remained slouched in his seat. "Feisty. Or rude. Can't tell which."
"To answer you other question," he continued, "It's hard for any wolf not to be busy right now; even the lame and sickly are sought after. So for wolves like me and Randi, we've got employers practically at our feet."
The female wolf nodded in agreement, though she seemed mostly checked out of the conversation. When she would be getting her drink appeared to be a much larger priority, as she was keeping her eyes on the entrance to the back where Sparky had disappeared.
"Some people are tempted to say that's just the circumstances," the male spoke, "But wolves are always in high demand. Especially the best ones."
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Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Nov 6, 2014 14:10:11 GMT -5
It wasn't the wolf's comment about Cryoshock's apparent 'whining' that really irked him, but Sky Shifter's sudden inquiry prompted a delightful chuckle, "Her sass is a sign of hospitality." He knew he should just keep his mouth shut about the snow. That was normally how he opened up... talking about the freezing cold. Who didn't have some despit for frostbite? Not that the unicorn got it as often as he used to.
That cold cider ran down his throat once more before he settled it back on the hardwood table. His eyes traced the Pegasus beside him... yes he really didn't mind her in the slightest. Sky Shifter was likely one of the only ponies he didn't dislike smack talking the Hay out of him. Even when she did manage to rile him up... he had been taught never to hit a mare. So long as she doesn't have some kind of weapon in hoof ready to gut him like as fish.
So it was left to the rather brutish unicorn to play a game of wit with someone who had a lot more moxxy. That and she had perhaps one of the nicest flanks amidst the entire Northern Barrens.
"I swear the excitement up on the walls is enough to get anypony thinkin about Mercenary work. Sounds to me like you wolves get all the fun.", he snorted, and took a drink, "Egh.. What the hay~", he could always get more.. And better to be on the wolf's good side. He held the remainder of the mug at the wolf. A third of the heavy beverage still remaining.
"While I couldn't tell you My companion's name.. The name's Cryoschock. And she's Randi~" he gestured to the frightening female, "What's yours?"
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Post by King Tidal Wave on Nov 21, 2014 2:29:46 GMT -5
The wolf remained silently staring at Cryoshock, a perplexed look lingering on his face for a good while. He seemed to be racking his brain trying to figure out why this unicorn had his hoof outstretched towards him holding a third of a mug of cider. "Are you... offering me your leftovers?" The male mercenary seemed almost incredulous that anyone could be so stupid as to drink most of a beverage, then offer what was left to a semi-stranger as if it was a socially normal thing to do; especially when someone had just gone to get the barkeep.
Sky Shifter seemed just as confused by Cryoshock's action, though she kept to showing a somewhat weirded out expression rather than saying anything.
"Look," the male wolf spoke, "If you're gonna offer me one of your drinks, you can at least give me your friend's. He's hardly touched his." The wolf motioned towards Sparky's mug of cider, indeed mostly untouched.
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Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Dec 13, 2014 1:31:59 GMT -5
To be fair, Cryoshock felt a might bit stupid all of a sudden. Why? Why had he stooped that low? Maybe because he'd thought the Winter Wolf wouldn't have cared. But maybe it was a ploy... some means of getting some interesting bits of information. The unicorn WAS getting very tired hanging out up on the walls so wearily often. Sure he was a militant... but there had to be some way of getting some real adventures out of it. Befriending a mutt with a sword that size alongside he female friend? Maybe it could give him some ideas... at least something to do until some god's forsaken Ice beast smashes through the front gate, the number of fantasmal abominations that wandered the outskirts of the territory.. or within.
"I'd normally say No to that, but you're an interesting Wolf.", without Sky's condolences he set his own mug away and brought Sparky's, only then did he glance her way, "I'll buy next time.", and offered it to the wolf, "Now where were we.. Aye! Your name." Okay perhaps a little too comfortable for his given situation.. but you had to consider that not every Winter Wolf was out to eat you.
Sure he might have looked tasty, but at least whoever this Dog was.. had the restraint unless he prodded him enough, "Sure wish I had the chance to go headhunting like you.. I'd figure I can put magic to real good use doing things your way..", well.. maybe not entirely their way considering they were three times his size and carnivores. Though it certainly would be nice kicking in a door without a warrant... Sometimes the thought of using his shortsword.. or blasting something with lightning could drive an Equine toward some murderous fantasies. He was trained to be hard about these kind of things... of course keeping a cool head all the while.
Stalliongrad was too quiet. And with the commander and the majority of their forces currently keeping the city well defended. The Frost hordes at bay. It could only be described by his fellow watchmen as... well... boring. Lackluster. Even mind numbingly plain. Worrying about when, where and how the enemy might just come crashing through the walls.. or their gates. At any time!... and they'd have no clue until it came like a water upon the rocks.
If their forces out on the tundra failed, then EVERYTHING came crashing on their shoulders. And the city was too big for a little more than a few hundred to defend successfully. "So you been outside... hows are the front lines looking.. you come close to them often?", once Sparky returned with the dang tavern keeper, things would lighten up that much more... he had to improvise.
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Post by King Tidal Wave on Dec 23, 2014 1:51:32 GMT -5
"That's more like it," the male wolf said, taking Sparky's cider out of Cryoshock's hoof and eagerly downing at least a third of it at once. Randi observed this jealously, waiting until her companion had slammed the mug down before saying anything.
"What about me?"
The male wolf shrugged. "Maybe you need to work on your friend-making skills. Then you can be like me and not even have to pay for your drinks."
The hefty warrior gave a low growl towards her friend before turning towards Cryoshock. "You're friend and that barkeep had better hurry up."
"Relax. You'll probably get a free drink out of it for the inconvenience. Anyways; Randi," the male wolf spoke, pointing towards the large female, "Farkas," he said, now pointing at himself. "Cryoshock, aannnddd I still haven't gotten your friend's name." The wolf was looking over at Sky Shifter, who continued to remain silent and avoid eye contact. "Hmph. If I don't find out soon I'm gonna have to give her a name myself."
"Also, don't get too starry-eyed about 'headhunting'. There's a reason unicorns are on the wall and wolves are the ones sought after. We're valuable. We do a better job and we have a bigger price." Farkas lifted the mug to gulp down some more cider before dropping it and pointing at Cryoshock. "That's why types like you are guards to begin with. Most people can't afford to keep a wall's worth of wolves on the payroll twenty-four/seven. But they gotta have someone there in case somethin' goes down. So they hire you. Because you're affordable."
During this conversation, Sparky had finally returned from the back of the room, taking his seat back at the ponies' table. "He'll be out in a sec," Cryo could hear the purple pegasus say to Sky Shifter. He then took several moments to look confusedly down in front of him, before finally searching his eyes across the entire table. "What happened to my drink?"
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Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Dec 26, 2014 13:58:51 GMT -5
The rush of serviceable competition flooded his chest. There was something he wanted to hear. The reality he'd come to accept was yes.. cheap. He was affordable. He'd trained in combative magic for quite some time. And he regularly practiced with little to know praise or recognition. Because here they didn't care what happened to the "affordables" as he would be easily replaced.
"So you think I'm squishy, is that it?", he asked, tipping his drink, now in hoof, to the Wolf, "Sounds like you're spittin' on me. And after I so reluctantly gifted you with that drink, Farkas.", he pushed what was left of his drink into Sparky. Not exactly giving it to him; he wanted the stallion to hold it. He had enough in his system to get riled up. Something he was waiting for. Cider made you numb... and being numb made a stallion that much more prone to being slug-happy.
Was he doing this on purpose? Most likely. He didn't like dogs to begin with. And trying to at least get friendly with these two was... not as prosperous a venture as he thought it would. Whether he lost or not... he just wanted some form of action.
Cryoshock looked right, his eyes fixed on Sky Shifter, "I might need some help stumbling home.", he chuckled. Besides... he was getting real tired of standing on those walls in one piece.
"So, you have a contact I could pay a visit to? Or are you just all talk and no business?"
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Post by King Tidal Wave on Dec 29, 2014 18:19:14 GMT -5
Sparky looked down at the mug Cryo had handed him, blinking at its near empty contents. "Uh..."
"Cryo," came Sky Shifter's voice. The pegasus had her eyes on the blue unicorn, her face expressionless. "Don't do anything stupid."
"Reluctantly?" Farkas asked. "You seemed pretty eager to hand it over. What's with the mood-swing, huh? Did I hurt your feelings?" The male wolf let out a laugh, raising the cider mug to his lips. "I'm just stating facts," he continued after a gulp. "You're cheap, so you make a better wall-squatter. I'm a better fighter, so I'm more sought after and paid better. All there is to it. Any contacts I've got don't want to waste their time talking to you."
Just as Farkas had finished speaking, the apricot-colored earth pony emerged from the back of the tavern, approaching the two wolves and Cryoshock. "My apologies about the wait. What can I get you two?"
The two wolves sat in silence, staring at the earth pony until Randi ultimately said something. "You're not the barkeep."
"Yes, I am."
Another period of silence followed, with Randi narrowing her eyes at the earth pony as she looked him up and down. "No you're not."
"Yes. I am. Suds is sick. I'm your barkeep for tonight."
This statement caused the wolves to prick their ears up, as well as turn to look at each other. "Is that so?" Farkas asked.
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Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Jan 20, 2015 21:37:10 GMT -5
Cry didn't let his furry ears down when the not-so-sick bartender re-entered the tavern. As a matter of fact he wanted more witnesses. Was the unicorn honestly getting to that point in satisfying his urge to clobber a wolf in the face. He had the training... basic, yes but it wasn't as though Cryoshock was heading into a fight he had absolutely NO chance of winning.
Sky Shifter did little to console him on his decision. His horn glowed, all the mugs still sitting at his table pushing away as if someone had already spilt their drink. "Aye, I reckon my feelings are a bit hurt. Course it wouldn't take much to put them elsewhere.."
But once Randi and Farkas took a keen interest in Sud's replacement, the furry mage would quiet down. Waiting for what they might say or do next. "I'm about to do something real stupid alright.", he murmured to Sky, bumping her away a bit. Figuring he could at least give the dog a run for his money.
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Post by King Tidal Wave on Jan 28, 2015 16:14:21 GMT -5
If Cryoshock was showing any signs of agression, Randi and Farkas seemed to be ignoring them.
"Well, you should know that we're two of Suds' favorite customers," Farkas spoke to the barkeep. "Known him for years; we're like family. I'm sure he's told you."
"...no. He didn't mention anything like that," the barkeep responded, looking between the wolves.
"He didn't?!" Farkas asked in mock surprise. "Well, he must be really sick. Poor guy. Bedridden, right?"
"Yes."
"Shame, shame. Well, let's have a drink to his health. Two ciders."
"And two for me as well," Randi piped in.
"Four ciders," the barkeep repeated, heading back behind the counter to prepare the drinks.
"And make it snappy," Farkas called. "You've already kept us waiting for quite a while. Wouldn't want to have to tell Suds what poor service we got here tonight."
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Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Feb 10, 2015 22:09:33 GMT -5
"I keenly remember you two being the ones Suds constantly asks that you leave.", Cryo inquired from behind the two. Having wanted to engage them on the subject for some time now, "Rowdy bunch.", he'd seen enough. Up until this point you'd think he was under a fearful impression that the unicorn was a tenth their size. When in fact.. while he was smaller, that didn't mean he wasn't burly enough to lend a blow.
His empty mug of cider floated on up to the counter, and slammed down on it's surface beside Farkas... as if giving it to the bar tender to clean but all the while.. trying to regain their attention, "I don't like being called cheap.", even if his wage wasn't quite so high; Cryoshock had always felt himself could become far more capable if he just... threw himself into the fray once in a while.
Which was exactly what he was about to do. Just as soon as he shoved from the table and came right up beside the male. Picking a fight with him first hand, standing against the counter, "So lets see how tough a bloody wolf like you is, aye?"
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Post by King Tidal Wave on Feb 12, 2015 1:49:14 GMT -5
Farkas' eyes shifted from the barkeep to Cryoshock as the unicorn brought up the two wolves' poor reputation at the tavern. All eyes seemed to be on Cryoshock now, save for the barkeep. The earth pony merely gaven Cryoshock a quick, uneasy glance before going back to his task of preparing the wolves' order. Concern, wariness, and curiosity was showing across the respective faces of Sparky, Sky Shifter, and Randi as they watched to see what Cryoshock would do next.
Farkas looked momentarily at the empty mug Cryoshock had slammed down next to him, before turning back to the unicorn and narrowing his brow. The wolf drummed his fingers against the table once in quick succession, sitting in pursed silence as he let the unicorn finish. After several seconds, the wolf's expression finally changed to that of a smirk. His next move was to stand up, and, without missing a beat, throw a punch directly at the blue unicorn.
The wolf's fist scraped off of Cryoshock's jaw, knocking him back several steps. "Hey!" the barkeep shouted, finally giving his full attention to the development between the two.
Farkas, however, appeared to have completely ignored the barkeep's exclamation.
"That what you wanted?"
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Cryoshock
New Pony
The Glory of Stalliongrad Awaits Me.
Posts: 41
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Post by Cryoshock on Feb 18, 2015 0:41:38 GMT -5
Cryoshock stumbled a little, but he was far too in the mood for a brawl to let imself be staggered too much. His hood came up, stroking his jawline and spitting off to the side.. Was there a little blood in there from a split lip, "aye." He answered so suddenly, as if satisfied. He lacked little hesitation otherwise.
Seeing as the wolf was standing he sooner took a good brawling approach... Unable to perform the same trick he had on Sky Shifter by break the chair back. He simply leapt into the mutt, hoof cocked back and lashing out for a good facefull. Throwing his rather sturdy body weight into it.
He'd give the wolf a nice tackling before he tried to whail on him. No more chitchat... One near drunk unicorn vs. a big, mean Wolf. He could go a few rounds! Cry was feeling lucky tonight.
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