Equestrian Task Force: ETF

Phoenix just looks at the changeling, scrutinizing him.

---

Perception check, to see if I can tell that he's lying.
9+9=18

"if you keep looking at me like that, someone's going to get that wrong idea."

Perception threshold: 17+10=27

Maize's eyes narrowed and she knelt down next to 72, placing one massive hand gently but firmly on their head. "Izzat true, <salt>? What wrong idea exactly would that be?"

Meta:

"...oh." Maize lifted her hand away and placed it thoughtfully on her chin before smiling. "Okay, that makes sense. Thank you for keeping 72 safe. And also for not trying to take over Canterlot. Also also, for helping mefind my stuff.

"I'm not. The Changeling is mind controlled." Phoenix says, casually walking over to 72. "And what a coincidence, we just so happen to know that the guy we're after can mind control peop-ponies." He pauses, and then wraps a foreleg around 72's shoulders, squeezing ever so gently- not choking him yet, but enough to put the point across. "And the last guy that was mind controlled just ate shit. So I'm not saying I'm suspicious or anything, but I can and will make you this little bug go splat, if this is another attempt to take us out."

"This is not mind control. All changelings live with hive mind mentality. Each drone has the capability of becoming a conduit for its queen. It has only been in the lass 100 years that we (the queens) decided it would be best for all if our children were not mindless zombies. I am only helping 72 because he is my favorite. I mean you no harm. Now if you don't mind" pulled away from Phoenix, stands next to Maize "I do prefer the Minotaurs company and I shall continue to assist her in finding her things."

"Interesting. The Queen of an entire Hive has a single favorite, AND despite only just showing up to our little party, it somehow has enough experience with us to prefer one of us to the others." Phoenix allows the changeling husk to move away from him. "Just remember, anything off kilter, and your favorite pays for it."

Maize gently pushed Phoenix away. "Phoenix, no! Not right now. Yes, it could be an enemy. But if it is, one, we're not hurting 72 for it, and two, I'm a bigass minotaur. I can subdue him. And for the time being, I'd prefer to give her magesty the benefit of the doubt, okay?"

"come here let me tell you something." pulles them all in close and whispers "I sent 72 on this mission with the consent of the princess. We changelings need to find out what is causing the disappearances as well. I truly mean it when I say I mean you no harm. I intervened because dragging an unconscious changeling down the street would have looked odd and drawn unwanted attention. Plus I just love Minotaurs, they are just so... joyful." licks lips

Everyone can feel the train come to a complete stop.
"Well I guess we're here. If you poni...uh creatures dont need anything else, I'm going to take my leave. I think I've seen enough weird so far in the past few minutes than what I've ever cared to see. So I'm gonna go home and reevaluate my life...."

---

If you can't tell the train has arrived in Manehattan and you may now disembark.

"Funderful. One of you smells terrible." Phoenix pulls away as the car comes to a stop. "You guys go secure your stuff, I'll be outside. Try to hurry, I may or may not have already set my "blow the train" idea into action."

"Oh, okay. Should probably do this the fast way then." Maize slowly sniffed at the air, smelling for musty pages of books, sweat and corn.

Meta:

"Oh my god." Phoenix deadpans and leers back at the changeling. "I'm not going to blow up the train, ok? Now let's go." He makes his way to the nearest door and steps out onto the platform. Immediately, he begins scanning the area for anything clearly suspicious or malevolent.

---

Perception, 17+9=26

72/Queen Gachile strped off the train and fell. "Whoops, I guess it's been a while since he ate." takes out canteen and drinks "Oh wow that's good."

Maize can sense that her bag is still in the general area, more than likely still on the train just in a car further back but she also smell that it's moving away from the train into the ever growing crowds. Meanwhile at the same moment, Phoenix sees mostly common ponies at a busy train station. If anything, the group is what stands out the most on the platform with occasional ponies giving everyone strange looks and glares.

"No sign of major trouble. Probably means there's a lot of it around." He looks back at the Changeling. "Will you go tell those three to hurry up? We need to move."

Maize scratched her head and rejoined her teammates, looking confused, but not saying much.

"We should probably find somewhere to stay for the night." Walks over to information booth. "Excuse me, but are there any Inns or Hotels near here?"

A mare with a obvious fake mane with a hair color that does not match lazily looks up from a issue of Stallions. She rolls her eyes and loudly pops the gum in her mouth,
"Due to the upcoming fashion week and the opening of the new Bridleway musical Hinny of the Hills all hotel booking within Manehattan is currently taken, however there is plenty of rooms available in the neighboring town of Saddleton where one can escape from the big city. Here is a voucher for 30% off your first night at the Sleepy Saddle Inn. Please enjoy your stay." The mare lazily finishes while returning to her magazine.