A Tale of Two Kingdoms

SHE DID WHAT?!

A massive shout is heard from higher upstairs as six individuals, hired and vetted for an investigative mission, enter the great hall of Ambleon Castle.
They are prepared to explore the strange land known as 'Equestria' an apparent odd parallel to their homeland, and they go now to their briefing... a few floors up... in the direction of the shouting.

"Crickey," quietly mutters the Crocodile Hunter, surprised by the yell...

Note looks at the others to check their reactions to the shouting and then plays a little 'dun dun dun' noise on her thauramin.

---

I'm claiming teal as my text color.

"I hope I'm not whoever this, she is..." Wild Blue mutters.

Porko looked up at the direction of the shouting, blinking slowly for a moment...That had even gotten his attention and that was saying something. After a moment, he spoke quietly, glancing at the others. "That...Wasn't who we're talkin' to, right? They seem upset." He nodded, proud of himself for being able to read a mood...That no-one in their right mind could have missed.

"I think that was the one we're talking to." Wihkuk says, buzzing slightly above the rest of the group. "Looks like they really do need my help."

Cassiopeia briefly chuckles resting her head in her palms. "I can already tell that this is going to be enjoyable..."

Wild Blue's the first brave soul to move forward, then flies off quickly to see what the noise was all about.

flight check:

"Gah! A changeling!" Note exclaims and runs to hide behind Cassiopeia before crying out again, "Ack! Giant snake!" and runs to hide behind Porko.

"I am a Naga cute little pony not some common non-sapient garden snake that lacks in passion. Though I would ask why you chose to cower in fear behind the epitome of all that is not beautiful but now is not the time. Come for now there is an adventure to be had." With that Cassiopeia begins to head up the staircase to the floor that the shout came from.

As Steam followed, he wondered about all the other creatures here. They had all been summoned, just like him, but why were they summoned. Not to toot his own horn, but somepony with his skill in the wilderness is an obvious hire, but what about the others?

(Streetwise Check on the Group: 11 (Roll) + 18 (Skill) + 1 (Note's Grandeur) = 30)

"Now, which is more unsettling to you, knowing what I am, or my current form?" Wihkuk asks, landing where the naga been just a second before.

"Is this a trick question? I'd think the answer would be 'worrying you're going to eat my love presuming I had anything that even resembled a love life even in very poor lighting'." Note responds, trying to stay on the opposite side from the changeling.

"Fair enough." Wihkuk chuckles, showing his fangs. He walks up the stairs after the others

Steam cleverly recalls gathered information, and has more-or-less full knowledge on the rest of the party (save for Tourmaline, but she is clearly from the newly uncovered crystal empire.)

Blue makes it up to the relevant floor in good time, and just barely sees a flickering tail the color of a sunset vanishing through a doorway; at the same time, a rather grumpy looking azure figure is seen trotting down the stairs out of the corner of your eye.

Spoiler:

"Um... Hi... I believe I'm one of the group called here? By Prince Ignis..." The Blue Pegasus with odd hoof wrappings and leg bracelets states to the figure, not realizing who that was at first glance.

Steam hears this as he heads up the stairs. "Aww, that's a right shame, I was hoping to meet His Majesty."

Note follows along behind the batpony but, doesn't hear what he heard, though does hear him and says, "Awww we're not meeting the prince guy? Though I guess last time I met the ruler of a place I stopped growing so maybe that's a good thing."

Blue was about to ask this Royal Rep who he/she was, but was distracted by that odd comment from the Bardic Unicorn. So she just looks oddly at the fellow small pony.

Porko trotted happily back up, not quite sure what the snake was on about. He was a magnificent specimen of the boar race...She was probably jealous of his awesome hat. That was totally it. Yup. Nothing else. Though, he was confused at to what the little filly was on about...

"That is quite the shame. So be quick with it. What are we to do?" Cassiopeia calls out as she slithers up the last of the stairs.

Note notices the blue pegasus looking at her and cocks her head to the side with a "Hmm?" before rushing forward a bit to avoid being trampled.

"What's the story behind that odd statement about meeting Royalty?" Wild Blue asked the Bard.

"And while you're at it, why us?" Wihkuk asks the representative, coming up right after the naga.