Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Dec 3, 2015 0:21:58 GMT -5
It had been a rather long day for Nul as he let out a long drawn out yawn, he had just entered Hoofington with a bag that was supposed to be his job. A simple delivery job for one named Watermark. He didn't know who had commissioned the job for him nor why but her the pay was too good, even if it was a shady...delivery...job. Nul stopped thinking himself an idiot, for all her knew he was helping insurrectionist in delivering a bomb to this Watermark. He was tempted to look into the bag but stopped himself hoping to not blow himself up. He looked around and found a rather old looking stallion and approached writing his message out an a piece of his paper. The older stallion squinted his eyes and leaned down reading the parchment while also giving Nul a curious look.
"Watermark eh?" the older timer rubbed his chin with his hoof and pointed in a direction "Thatta way but im warning yer dont drink anything you get form him. Specially if he says it’s for a an experiment"
Nul shuddered at the last word and nodding his head he went to that part of town, well at least the residents did avoid him giving him him doubts about his previous thoughts. Walking through the town he eventually found himself at the militia building as he stopped “Curious, I wonder if he is charge of the militia here” he thought as he approached the guard. The guard was about to shout untill a parchment with writing on it, it detailed he was delivering something for Watermark. The guard looked at him then opened the door.
“Follow me and no sudden movements” he said to him as Nul was led inside. Nul had some curious thoughts about this Watermark, some ponies in town seemed to think him a scientist of some sort and yet he was leading a militia. Nul’s thoughts consumed him until he heard the guard talk “Sir this stallion has a package to deliver to you, said it was for your eyes only.”
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 26, 2016 6:33:54 GMT -5
(A quick heads-up , guards and other NPCs are played by the admins, so next time try not to play them in your posts.)
Hoofington had changed drastically during the course of the war, turning from what was once a small and peaceful farming community into something more akin to a feudal castle. Vast expenses of farm were protected by high stone walls, each manned by army-grade equipped and trained militia-men. At the gate, like two gargoyles stood massive stone statues, at least, they looked like statues. But out of the corner of one's eyes they almost seemed to be moving... Inside the walls, there was a hub-bub of activity as ponies were going about their day. The most obvious building in the settlement was the large stone keep, formerly a mere wooden building for the militia, it was now a true fortress. Again, the gates of the keep were flanked by two massive stone statues, but these ones DEFINITELY moved, following Nul with their blank gaze as he approached. In the yard of the keep was a large drill square, training area and even an actual smith, manned by one seriously scarred female. She only spared Nul a glance as he passed her forge, before going back to producing whatever it was she was working on.
In the militia building Nul was led to the commander's office, where a very serious looking pony was going over a map of the area. Several locations were marked on it, all of them in Everfree Forest. Apparently he was either planning to raid something, or expecting an attack from somewhere.
The pony himself was the most remarkable specimen in the room, a dark grey unicorn with zebra-style mane, striped with deep indigo colored stripes, matching the pony's deep blue eyes. In contrast of this, he was wearing a brilliant and quite exotic looking red cape, marking him as one of the Red Mages; The Royal Advisor's personal cadre of battlemages. As the guard introduced Nul the zebracorn looked up from his maps and stared straight into the pony's eyes.
He quickly dismissed the guard and continued looking at Nul. "Package on the table please, open it."
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Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Jan 26, 2016 12:21:22 GMT -5
(Totally sorry ^^')
Nul's amber eyes looked at this curious pony. Nul himself was almost completely gray with a black mane and tail and his amber eyes had a glow to them. He felt a tad bit envious at the red cape knowing exactly what they belonged to. He had seen the Red Mages from afar and wished to one day introduce himself to their leader and do some actual good. His own black cape seemed like a shadow on his back as he pulled the package from the bag he carried.
What was strange to him was that fact that this seemingly zebracorn wanted Nul to open the bag. Another strange thing is that the first he heard of this Watermark wasn't until he was close to Hoofington. The letter that was delivered to him only told him that Watermark may be able to help him with his memory or his voice.
Setting the package down on the table the package having the amber aura from Nul's magic. He looked at the package that was delivering not taking a closer look till now. His mind went to wondering from what was in it to "What in the world does this pony even need" he thought to himself. As the package opened he was half shocked and disappointed with the contents. It looked like some sort of recipe book and a few plants.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 26, 2016 18:11:07 GMT -5
The zebracorn leaned in closer, observing curiously as Nul opened the package. He seemed not all too impressed with the contents of it. He picked up the items with his telekinesis and studied them for a few short moments before putting them aside.
"Thank you," he tossed him a couple of bits as a tip and continued to study his maps.
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Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Jan 26, 2016 18:33:43 GMT -5
Staring down he saw a piece of paper, looking at it it was a letter addressed to Watermark. He picked it up and glanced at it for a few moments before sliding it on the table in front of Watermark. the note read as followed.
" Dear Watermark
You do not know me nor the stallion who is delivering these supplies to you. But we have all heard of you and we hope you can help. This Stallion name is Nul, not for lack of name but he has no memories and cannot talk. We implore you to help him just as he had helped us. He has gone to places other ponies would not go to help others, he has selflessly given his money up to help refugees of the war and shielded them from those who would prey on their misfortune. As he had helped us we hope you will help him.
Signed A Friend."
At Nul he was deep in thought now, he knew this was Watermark but didn't seem to interested in helping him but what he did not expect was that this job wasn't for Watermark. This job seemed strange at first but now he knew why, the ponies he had helped were now trying to help him.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 26, 2016 19:08:44 GMT -5
Watermark glanced up at him when he saw him pull out the paper and quickly grabbed it from him using his telekinesis.
He scratched his chin with a hoof. then he looked up at Nul and approached him. He raised a hoof to hold the unicorn's chin then moved his head around to inspect him from several angles. After mumbling something to himself he pushed Nul's chin high so he was staring up at the ceiling and ran a hoof on his throat, as if trying to smooth it out.
After finishing that, he pried Nul's mouth open as wide as it could go without his jaw splitting and peaked inside, examining it carefully. After that was done he circled around Nul, prodding and poking at his sides. Eventually even going so far as to lift his tail and ask him to turn his head and cough.
With his rather invasive examination completed, he went back to his desk and said, "So can't you make any noise, or just can't talk?"
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Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Jan 26, 2016 19:22:31 GMT -5
Nul had watched the strange pony think about the letter that was given to Watermark, before still watching as Watermark moved around the table to get a better look. He let his examination begin as he poked and prodded him rolling his eyes as he was made to look at the ceiling. This pony was nothing but intrusive but he let it continue. If he could help then who would to object, however he felt his tail raise as he gave a low grumbling growl. Turning his head and coughing upon command he watched the zebracorn return to the desk,
Hearing the question he gave a low hum and produced a note pad and pen. Writing a note on it he passed it to Watermark "I can make sounds but every time I talk it seems as if something is preventing me to. It kinda hurts when I do try" the note read as he indicated to a spot on his neck and throat indicating the pained location. He also thought back when he tried to remember his earliest memories. But the only thing he could recall was walking out of the Everfree bloodied and bruised.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 26, 2016 19:30:33 GMT -5
"Go ahead and try talking for a second." The Red Mage said, observing him carefully. Nul could see from the corner of his eye some sort of creature, or rather, creatures move around the room. Seemingly made entirely of water these small elementals were bringing books and alchemical equipment and placing it down near the zebracorn. Moving almost like worker ants delivering food to their nest, everything was placed down in perfect order.
Already the mage started a fire under a cauldron as a few of the watery creatures hopped in to serve as the base, while others still began to pour all sorts of liquids into it and toss in reagants to whatever he was making.
"Go on, try and say something."
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Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Jan 26, 2016 19:44:38 GMT -5
Nul's eyes watched the elementals in amazement, he knew that the magic existed but he was no where near specialized enough to do that kind of magic. He knew only to enhance and change. As he watched them bring supplies he began to wonder what Watermark was planning now. Turning to Watermark and his request he was a little hesitant, whenever he tried to talk it hurt. But with a heavy sigh he complied and tried to speak.
What happened next made his eyes water as he made a croaking sound then began to violently cough spitting on the ground holding his throat. Wiping the tears from his eyes as he composed himself as he coughed a little more and wiped the saliva from his lips. He disliked that pain more then fighting, but he would fight if needed to but the pain. He could go without as he looked back at Watermark messaging his sore throat.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 26, 2016 20:01:55 GMT -5
Watermark observed him as he suffered his fit. Scratching his chin a little bit, he then began stirring something in his cauldron.
"Gonna scan you, drink this." He said, whipping out a vial of the potion he was making and tipping right down Nul's muzzle. It tasted bitter and felt hot going down.
"Now just stay still and don't move. If you feel anything unnatural, don't worry about it."
Then the Zebracorn's horn began to glow in ocean blue, immediately Nul saw before his eyes his own body, broken down into layers, fur, skin, muscle and flesh, veins and arteries, guts and organs, brain and nervous system, bones and sinews, etheric impression.
Immediately Nul began to feel strangely good, euphoric almost, as the potion he drank reacted to the spell, felt warm and euphoric and peaceful... he could fall asleep standing there. Every part of his body positively tingled pleasantly.
Slowly some parts became highlighted on the images Watermark's scan was projecting. He could see all of his medical data spread out before him, but also some old magical symbols he couldn't make heads or tails of. Watermark sure seemed to understand them however.
At the end, all of the images vanished, Nul noticed they were now recorded in their entirity in one of the books the water golems brought the zebracorn, as though transferred directly there. The pleasant sensation however, remained, he still felt as though he was floating on a cotton candy cloud, peaceful, not a care in the world.
"So, what do I get out of helping you?" Watermark asked, giving Nul his notepad back.
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Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Jan 26, 2016 20:11:37 GMT -5
He almost coughed the liquid back up as it was poured down his throat due to the bitter taste and the heat of it going down. Thats however when the feeling kicked in and he swayed a little. He steadied himself a little bit as looked at Watermark and...himself? He just stared at the projection of himself as it was broken done into his body parts. He gave a shiver as he saw his body on levels he had hoped he never would see. Although he did look and examine the magical symbols and the glowing parts of his body.
When it all disappeared he simply blinked as he tried to repositioned himself as he listened to Watermark's question. Frowning he had to think, he didn't have much to give let alone valuables. Thats when he remembered the map of the Everfree that Watermark was looking at. His horn glowed amber as the sound of metal clinking together was heard.
Within moments Watermark would see his two front legs covered in an armor and where his hooves were were now metal claws. Raising a claw to his face he moved each one individually as a note was made "Your maps tell me your planning something, I can fight and will offer my services" the note said as he set his clawed hoof down.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 26, 2016 20:33:00 GMT -5
"I don't need fighters." Watermark said, nodding at the door to his office. Nul hadn't noticed them before, but flanking the doors to the inside of his office were two ponies in full military gear. One was a massive earth pony with a large shield on one of his legs, the other was a pegasus carrying a long spear. Both were eyeing Nul sternly.
"My bodyguards, Phalanx and Hoplite. Not that I need bodyguards."
"Other than those I've got four Equiterian War Golems and an entire Militia equipped as well as any battalion in the Equestrian Army. I don't need fighters." He repeated, going back to study his maps.
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Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Jan 26, 2016 20:46:10 GMT -5
He stepped forward and produced a new note "Then let me work off my debt" the note said and continued "Anything will do. Search and recover, escort, spying just tell me" the note finished. Nul knew this one could help him now and he wasn't going to let it slip past his hooves, not this time. He placed the clawed hooves on the table. The desperation but yet determination in his eyes, he had brought the package here for this Watermark at the request of a pony he had helped. This pony wanted to return the favor
He then proceeded to point at the maps "And dont tell me your not planning anything, these maps show otherwise" a new note said "I pay my debts, give me this and Ill do anything to pay it off" the note finished as he stared Watermark dead in the eyes his amber eyes burning. He ignored the guards even if they moved on him, he wouldn't back down form this.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 26, 2016 20:52:53 GMT -5
"Anything?" Watermark asked, letting out an extremely unsettling grin. His bodyguards looked at each other and smirked.
The water golems all stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Nul for the answer. The entire atmosphere in the room changed top to bottom all of the sudden. Nul could feel the pressure.
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Nul
Disciple Pony
Posts: 54
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Post by Nul on Jan 26, 2016 20:59:24 GMT -5
Despite the pressure of the room and unsettling grin Nul was undeterred, if he had to. He would kill, he nodded his head as he felt the pressure but shrugged it off. If this Watermark was what everpony said he was then what did he have to fear. He had seen the worse the war had to offer among the dead and dying, he was determined now. He nodded his head once, but if he was attacked then he would force this zebracorn to give what he wanted, even if it meant becoming an enemy of the kingdom.
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