Era Victoria IC

Dahlia, admittedly gobsmacked Battery took the offer, rolls off the couch and follows Battery and Chirurgeon...

Chrome was confused about this whole situation. What came to his aid was not a squad of guards, but a trio of suspicious-looking figures. The moment they arrived at the scene, the poor mechanic wasn't sure whether they were even on his side and considered escaping further as a valid course of action. He tried to garner what social group they actually belonged to.* One would hardly associate such types with common law enforcers, yet they seemed to have taken interest in a public threat. That would fit the description of a bounty hunter, but the recently attacked earth pony wasn't sure about that either. What came off as even more surprising was that out of the three, it was the zebra, who was apparently taking the lead and not one of the ponies. Not only that - she asked a question one wouldn't usually think of first after witnessing such a scene. As much as the pegasus rogue was translucent, Chrome struglled to make heads or tails out of this encounter, at least so far.  At this point he wasn't sure if the zebra meant the reparation of the Orrery or bringing down a criminal. Nonetheless, as he was asked the one key question "Chanteuse" mentioned to watch out for, he answered accordingly, after a moment of a silent stare:

"... Chanteuse, if that rings a bell."

Due to encountering such a perplexing situation, in which he was still unsure about his general well-being, he made a natural-looking movement, as if moving hair out of his eyes while tilting his head a little, in order to set his omnicalculator discreetly in motion. Little did one know that it was hidden behind the base of one of his ears. That was quite the requirement when such delicate operations were involved. Ponies usually didn't appreciate being analyzed in that way.

"Whom do i owe my thanks?"

Read thoughts:

*Streetwise check: 8 + d20 (13) = 21

Gotcha!"
There was never such a thing as "too much safety."
Oirik tied barkeeper's legs pretty strong. Ropes were knotted up tightly. It wasn't very comfortable... for the barkeeper of course.
Oirik also managed to find some substitute for a gag. Everypony knows that silence is gold... and gold is pretty much expensive.

"OK... So... I have some questions" - he started.
"As you can see... You dun goofed! You screwed so badly " - Oirik moved a bit toward him - "I know you can't move and you barely sense your limbs due to those robes." - he added - "Ah... This gag here is pretty annoying, isn't it?" - Oirik took a cloth soaked with cold water and squeezed it beneath barkeeper's forehead.

A little drop dropped... 10 seconds later another one dropped. Oirik managed to hang it in still position using a string.

"Anoying... Very anoying! You look pretty scared! It will last forever! "

"As you can see... This is a forgotten place. Water falling on your forehead and dripping on this clothy gag substitute will provide you liquid supply for a week. These ropes are pretty strong... You can sit here... like... forever."

"Unless you tell me something I want to know... Deal? "
"Ah... I forgot. You will tell me who is behind this mess or... " - Oirik showed him a knife - " this will not end well... and don't scream. You don't want to do that"
"There is also option I'll use this knife and other cool stuff to make you talk"
Oirik removed a gag.

The bartender immediately begins to babble, “Dealdealdeal! Itwas Lion’s Den! I’ma part o’ their protect’n racket, ‘nd they sometimes give me some posters of open hits…  Er whan they came to me they were talkin’ about it bein’ personal and ‘bout how you killed their brothers and fathers and things. I don’t know anything else. Pleasedon’tkillmeyouwerejustworthsomuchdoyouknowhowbigofatemptationthatkindofgoldis?

Terrestial wrote:Chrome was confused about this whole situation. What came to his aid was not a squad of guards, but a trio of suspicious-looking figures. The moment they arrived at the scene, the poor mechanic wasn't sure whether they were even on his side and considered escaping further as a valid course of action. He tried to garner what social group they actually belonged to.* One would hardly associate such types with common law enforcers, yet they seemed to have taken interest in a public threat. That would fit the description of a bounty hunter, but the recently attacked earth pony wasn't sure about that either. What came off as even more surprising was that out of the three, it was the zebra, who was apparently taking the lead and not one of the ponies. Not only that - she asked a question one wouldn't usually think of first after witnessing such a scene. As much as the pegasus rogue was translucent, Chrome struglled to make heads or tails out of this encounter, at least so far.  At this point he wasn't sure if the zebra meant the reparation of the Orrery or bringing down a criminal. Nonetheless, as he was asked the one key question "Chanteuse" mentioned to watch out for, he answered accordingly, after a moment of a silent stare:

"... Chanteuse, if that rings a bell."
*Streetwise check: 8 + d20 (13) = 21

Chrome can tell that they are not of the rather sparse official police nor are they of East Ibexian Company private police force or any military unit he has heard of, but they seem to belong to some well disciplined and organized group well beyond what a gang would be capable of.

"Right answer,." she turns to address her two subordinates, " Hooper, Cooper you two take Miss Dirty Deeds to the usual place, I have got to escort our guest."

Due to encountering such a perplexing situation, in which he was still unsure about his general well-being, he made a natural-looking movement, as if moving hair out of his eyes while tilting his head a little, in order to set his omnicalculator discreetly in motion. Little did one know that it was hidden behind the base of one of his ears. That was quite the requirement when such delicate operations were involved. Ponies usually didn't appreciate being analyzed in that way.

"Whom do i owe my thanks?"

Read thoughts:

"Where are my manners today?  "Officer Staff" at your service, Why, does The Artist insist on these code-names she probably has a good reason, come on J.J. you gave you word to help her and the... I will be bringing you to "Stargazer",  He better not take all night again I've got to go to my date with Gage you will receive your payment after he inspects your work." J.J. pulls a key from her coat and unlocks the gates pushing them open with loud metallic screech.  The watches had better have heard the signal, can't let an outsider see too much. She then leads Chrome across the courtyard and into the Administrative building. The lobby is clean and orderly but deserted, Well looks like they can do at least something right how,how did they think an obvious distraction was a real attack? "Wait here for a moment. round one" She walks around behind the reception desk and by the time she returns Chrome can hear an elevator descending. "I appear to have neglected to ask your name.

---

The door opens before Battery revealing a messenger pony standing in the threshold that Smooth Talker recognizes as the one from earlier. "I appear to have delivered a letter to the wrong addressee, I request that it be returned." The messenger says devoid of any emotion.

Chirurgeon pauses and narrows his eyes; the mask of neutrality worn by the pony is no mere professionalism... He scrutinizes the pony carefully, tapping into magical knowledge and senses he picked up over his many years of being a scholar. Something about the messenger seems off, and if it was magical in origin, Chirurgeon will find out why.

Arcana: (20!!!) + (15 Mod) + (5 Freaky Knowledge: Magical Afflictions) = 40.

AleneShazam wrote:Chirurgeon pauses and narrows his eyes; the mask of neutrality worn by the pony is no mere professionalism... He scrutinizes the pony carefully, tapping into magical knowledge and senses he picked up over his many years of being a scholar. Something about the messenger seems off, and if it was magical in origin, Chirurgeon will find out why.

Arcana: (20!!!) + (15 Mod) + (5 Freaky Knowledge: Magical Afflictions) = 40.

It doesn't look good, the pony is under the effects of a curse inscribed directly into his skull. The curse is allowing a unicorn to remotely give commands that can't be disobeyed, effectively making the pony a prisoner in his own body.There is no way to trace the curse back to whomever cast it. Removing the curse would be difficult necessitating the filing each rune in a specific order, varying with the exact variant of the curse, while keeping the pony under heavy sedation.

Luckily Chirurgeon's analysis goes unnoticed by the unicorn controlling the pony.

Mercenaries, perhaps? One could see even a zebra being hired as a leader of such a group. One thing was sure, they certainly meant business. The one being escorted by the head of the mysterious organisation felt the pressure exerted. The fact that the whole scene was turning out to be something more than met the eye wasn't helping either. As he dreaded stirring this mess, as to not rouse whatever character was his companion hiding, he decided that for now, using few unnecessary words was the right course action.

"Understood and appreciated, respectively, Officer Staff."

He followed the zebra. As he looked around, one could see a bit of puzzlement in his expression. He did not expect this place to be so surprisingly silent, not after how "Chanteuese" described it, at least. As the omnicalculator aided him in grasping it ain't the usual state of things, he began to wonder what part did the unicorn refer to - the official one or the one obscured? The earth pony ceased his taking in of the surrounding actively soon enough though. It occured to him that perhaps a valid explanation of the official state of affairs could've been that the ponies working here, probably using the 9 to 5 schedule, have been done with their part for this day. Still, the lack of a living soul here intrigued Chrome. Weren't ponies supposed to be gathering for whatever event Stargazer was holding? Was it, perhaps, a humble clique, already assembled... or yet another hoax he's been fed? No matter the reason, he dared not raise his voice about that issue. It belonged to the part of conversation with "Chanteuse", which never happened, after all.

"Chrome Drive. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Well, this doesn't concern me," replies Dahlia, looking back at Smooth Talker for a second before returning to the messenger pony, "So, move out of my way."

Moving closer to Smooth Talker, Chirurgeon mutters, "The messenger is cursed, being controlled like a puppet by a hidden unicorn. Something may be afoot... would you like us to subdue him, just in case?"

Stealth for sneaky speaking: (14) + 6 = 20

Smooth Talker looked out his door. He recognised the messenger pony from before stating that the letter he had received was delivered to him by mistake. Which was odd, considering...

AleneShazam wrote:Moving closer to Smooth Talker, Chirurgeon mutters, "The messenger is cursed, being controlled like a puppet by a hidden unicorn. Something may be afoot... would you like us to subdue him, just in case?"

A rather odd thing to hear, Smooth Talker thought to himself. Cursed? Controlled puppet? Those were the things he'd expect to read in the latest fantasy and horror novels. Not something that he would find just outside his doorstep.

'I'd rather not cause a scene.' He whispered back to Chirurgeon. 'But be ready, just in case.'

Smooth Talker grabbed the envelope from his table and held it up for the messenger pony to see. 'I'm not sure I follow.' He said while pointing at the front of the envelope. 'It's clearly addressed to S. Talker, as you can see here.'

"It's your call." Chirurgeon nods subtly, standing a little closer to the messenger, but still scanning the messenger for a nerve cluster to do a nerve pinch if that was necessary.

Heal to identify nerve pinch target: 16 Roll + 20 Heal + (5 Freaky Knowledge Physiology?) = 36/(41)

Terrestial wrote:Mercenaries, perhaps? One could see even a zebra being hired as a leader of such a group. One thing was sure, they certainly meant business. The one being escorted by the head of the mysterious organisation felt the pressure exerted. The fact that the whole scene was turning out to be something more than met the eye wasn't helping either. As he dreaded stirring this mess, as to not rouse whatever character was his companion hiding, he decided that for now, using few unnecessary words was the right course action.

"Understood and appreciated, respectively, Officer Staff."

He followed the zebra. As he looked around, one could see a bit of puzzlement in his expression. He did not expect this place to be so surprisingly silent, not after how "Chanteuese" described it, at least. As the omnicalculator aided him in grasping it ain't the usual state of things, he began to wonder what part did the unicorn refer to - the official one or the one obscured? The earth pony ceased his taking in of the surrounding actively soon enough though. It occured to him that perhaps a valid explanation of the official state of affairs could've been that the ponies working here, probably using the 9 to 5 schedule, have been done with their part for this day. Still, the lack of a living soul here intrigued Chrome. Weren't ponies supposed to be gathering for whatever event Stargazer was holding? Was it, perhaps, a humble clique, already assembled... or yet another hoax he's been fed? No matter the reason, he dared not raise his voice about that issue. It belonged to the part of conversation with "Chanteuse", which never happened, after all.

"Chrome Drive. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise. If he's any good I should remember his name. " After a brief wait there is an audible ding and a pair of doors open up on the side of the room. J.J. walks inside the elevator pressing a button on an internal panel, who in their right mind makes the up arrow make it go down? before beckoning Chrome to follow her. The elevator descends a level before stopping, revealing an open area with multiple doors on each wall and a fair number of black coated ponies milling around. J.J. then leads Chrome to the right most door in the wall directly opposite the elevator. Inside is a dimly lit parlor room where there are twenty... individuals sitting around chatting, J.J. points out a unicorn sitting alone at a table staring at a variety of charts and occasionally glancing at a watch "That is Stargazer."

---

Paper Shadow wrote:"Well, this doesn't concern me," replies Dahlia, looking back at Smooth Talker for a second before returning to the messenger pony, "So, move out of my way."

The pony doesn't budge in the slightest.

AleneShazam wrote:"It's your call." Chirurgeon nods subtly, standing a little closer to the messenger, but still scanning the messenger for a nerve cluster to do a nerve pinch if that was necessary.

Heal to identify nerve pinch target: 16 Roll + 20 Heal + (5 Freaky Knowledge Physiology?) = 36/(41)

A quick strike at the common carotid artery should trigger the baroceptors causing a rapid drop in blood pressure thereby causing him to faint when the brain doesn't get enough oxygen.

Demonu wrote:Smooth Talker looked out his door. He recognised the messenger pony from before stating that the letter he had received was delivered to him by mistake. Which was odd, considering...

AleneShazam wrote:Moving closer to Smooth Talker, Chirurgeon mutters, "The messenger is cursed, being controlled like a puppet by a hidden unicorn. Something may be afoot... would you like us to subdue him, just in case?"

A rather odd thing to hear, Smooth Talker thought to himself. Cursed? Controlled puppet? Those were the things he'd expect to read in the latest fantasy and horror novels. Not something that he would find just outside his doorstep.

'I'd rather not cause a scene.' He whispered back to Chirurgeon. 'But be ready, just in case.'

Smooth Talker grabbed the envelope from his table and held it up for the messenger pony to see. 'I'm not sure I follow.' He said while pointing at the front of the envelope. 'It's clearly addressed to S. Talker, as you can see here.'

"Wrong one." Looking at the envelope the pony realizes that it has been opened, "I have to kill you now..."

"I recommend you STOP."Chirurgeon moves forward immediately, claw shooting forward to strike at the pony's neck, pinching the spot he had identified previously, although keeping in mind not to simply puncture the pony's neck. Pulling back, he shakes out his claws, rubbing the tips carefully. "Doctor's orders."

Nerve Pinch with Precision: 18 + 6 = 24 (maybe with +5 for freaky knowledge physiology, maybe not)

The zebra's thought about Chrome's name briefly caught his attention. Was that a regular ignorance of ponies, not being handy, pondering about a potential visit in the future or the fact that the mechanic might yet get sweeped by Stargazer for a longer amount of time, as "Chanteuse" warned he had the habit of? Regardless, Chrome made a mental note to consider repeating his introduction indirectly in the future. It would seem he might get a chance soon enough.

The interior was surprisingly lively, if one didn't count the gloomy atmosphere, being introduced by the uniform-like black coats everywhere. The earth pony's concerns about what did this kind of an organisation, rooted currently in an imortant Witherschappel's district, deal with. The conditions of a darkened room have been met, as far as usage of the Orrery was concerned. Chrome, for some reason, expected a tower, being a more suitable place for a show of astronomy than underground though. With how the sky's been polluted in this industrial area it was understandable though. Still, it seemed unlikely that all of these ponies were gathered here just for Stargazer's show... and that got proved pretty swift actually, upon entering a room with merely twenty shady figures around.

Glad that the focus of those present was on one another and the talks conceived, Chrome looked around for a comfortable way in-between them, to Stargazer. Were he to spot one, he'd move himself in that direction, taking advantage of the necessary twists and turns in order to inconspiciously garner something about the ones he was passing.* Upon reaching proximity of the pony by the table, he's stopped, not barging into his comfort zone and greeted him:

"Good evening, mr. Stargazer."

By this point, he's had the mechanism taken out of his leather sack. Carefully, he's held it out, for the unicorn to take.

"Name's Chrome Drive. I bring you the repaired Orrery, as requested."

*Perception check: 8 + d20 (7) = 15

AleneShazam wrote:"I recommend you STOP."Chirurgeon moves forward immediately, claw shooting forward to strike at the pony's neck, pinching the spot he had identified previously, although keeping in mind not to simply puncture the pony's neck. Pulling back, he shakes out his claws, rubbing the tips carefully. "Doctor's orders."

Nerve Pinch with Precision: 18 + 6 = 24 (maybe with +5 for freaky knowledge physiology, maybe not)

The pony struggles in vain for a moment but drops to the ground clearly unconscious.

Terrestial wrote:The zebra's thought about Chrome's name briefly caught his attention. Was that a regular ignorance of ponies, not being handy, pondering about a potential visit in the future or the fact that the mechanic might yet get sweeped by Stargazer for a longer amount of time, as "Chanteuse" warned he had the habit of? Regardless, Chrome made a mental note to consider repeating his introduction indirectly in the future. It would seem he might get a chance soon enough.

The interior was surprisingly lively, if one didn't count the gloomy atmosphere, being introduced by the uniform-like black coats everywhere. The earth pony's concerns about what did this kind of an organisation, rooted currently in an imortant Witherschappel's district, deal with. The conditions of a darkened room have been met, as far as usage of the Orrery was concerned. Chrome, for some reason, expected a tower, being a more suitable place for a show of astronomy than underground though. With how the sky's been polluted in this industrial area it was understandable though. Still, it seemed unlikely that all of these ponies were gathered here just for Stargazer's show... and that got proved pretty swift actually, upon entering a room with merely twenty shady figures around.

Glad that the focus of those present was on one another and the talks conceived, Chrome looked around for a comfortable way in-between them, to Stargazer. Were he to spot one, he'd move himself in that direction, taking advantage of the necessary twists and turns in order to inconspiciously garner something about the ones he was passing.*
*Perception check: 8 + d20 (7) = 15

The route that Chrome takes allows him to see a bit more than half of those in the room but, even with them it is still clear that he is just scratching the surface. The first group he passes is a pair of Unicorns, an older mare and a much younger stallion, both wearing tall, wide brimmed, and pointy hats. A turn behind their table sends Chrome past a standing pair of a towering Minotaur and a... Changeling Queen although one only slightly taller than the average pony. Going forward from there causes Chrome to pass a trio of stallions a pair of Pegasi and an Earth Pony they are talking loud enough to clearly tell that they are discussing business involving a shipment of raw goods. The last bench between Chrome and Stargazer contains a curious trio an orange coated and red maned Unicorn filly barely past her first decade, a grey coated and maned Pegasus mare whose coat is splattered with various paints, and an elderly Earth Pony with a deep purple coat who is almost a small as the filly as he passes Chrome gets the feeling that he should recognize at least one of the group but he can’t quite place any names to faces. Finally Chrome arrives at Stargazer's table.  

Upon reaching proximity of the pony by the table, he's stopped, not barging into his comfort zone and greeted him:

"Good evening, mr. Stargazer."

By this point, he's had the mechanism taken out of his leather sack. Carefully, he's held it out, for the unicorn to take.

"Name's Chrome Drive. I bring you the repaired Orrery, as requested."

“ And a good evening to you as well, Mr. Drive.” “Stargazer replies in a sedate voice. Very carefully and slowly he lifts the Orrery with his magic before examining each aspect in a rapid succession with a manic focus. It doesn’t even take him a minute to fully examine the mechanism. Cracking a slight grin he looks up at Chrome with a pair of odd crystalline eyes, “This is good work.” He then raises his voice so that the entire room is able to hear him, “I will be beginning shortly.”

"Do no harm." Chirurgeon leans over, checking the pony's vitals to ensure he didn't cause lasting damage. "...But take no shit. Especially as combat medics, all nightingales practiced non-lethal takedowns. Not much use in an actual fight, of course, it takes too much concentration to pull off then, but in situations like this, this little trick does just fine. Vulcan would be proud."

"Anyone have rope? I'd rather he not hurt himself trying to get at us."

Battery had watched with caution, gripping his weapon - but relaxed as the messenger was taken down. He lumbered over, looking down at him curiously. "Huh. Worst comes to wrost I can probably just sit on him. What was in that letter, anyways?" he asked, picking the pony up and hauling him to the sofa.

Athletics:

Dahlia takes a step back as he watches this all unfold. "What's going on?" He glares at Smooth Talker. "Is this some kind of trap?"

“Please, hold your hostility for just a moment." Chirurgeon, brushing off his robes and standing back up, turns towards Dahlia. "I'm almost certain the pony would have went on to try and hurt our minotaur friend if we hadn't interfered. This is a setup; not one meant for us, but for him." He points at Smooth Talker.

The messenger pony, clearly not in the mood to discuss things over a nice cup of tea, advanced towards Smooth Talker when suddenly a claw shot forth and pinched the pony somewhere on the neck. Time almost seemed to stop for a moment before the pony collapsed on the ground.

'Huh.' Smooth Talker said in a tone that held the middle between indifference and surprise. 'There's something you don't see everyday.'

"Do no harm." Chirurgeon leans over, checking the pony's vitals to ensure he didn't cause lasting damage. "...But take no shit. Especially as combat medics, all nightingales practiced non-lethal takedowns. Not much use in an actual fight, of course, it takes too much concentration to pull off then, but in situations like this, this little trick does just fine. Vulcan would be proud."

"Anyone have rope? I'd rather he not hurt himself trying to get at us."

'Duly noted.' Smooth Talker couldn't help but to take note of the Griffon's calculated and precise, almost cold even, pre-emptive strike. Practising non-lethal takedowns was good and all but for a brief moment, Smooth Talker's mind wondered just what the good doctor would be capable of if he didn't have such reservations...

He quickly shook his head to clear his mind of such notions. 'Sorry but the only rope I have is to tie stacks of book together with.'

Battery had watched with caution, gripping his weapon - but relaxed as the messenger was taken down. He lumbered over, looking down at him curiously. "Huh. Worst comes to wrost I can probably just sit on him. What was in that letter, anyways?" he asked, picking the pony up and hauling him to the sofa.

Smooth Talker watched as his sofa got once again occupied by a guest, be it an unwanted one this time. The words the Dragon spoke to him took a couple of seconds to sink in before Smooth Talker recalled just what he was asking about. 'Letter?' He asked confused. 'Oh right, the letter.' Smooth Talker rubbed his chin for a bit. 'A near incomprehensible pile of nothing. A bunch of letters strung together willy-nilly. Well, I thought that-' Smooth Talker paused as he got interrupted.

Dahlia takes a step back as he watches this all unfold. "What's going on?" He glares at Smooth Talker. "Is this some kind of trap?"

Smooth Talker cracked a smile. 'Alas, I have been found out! Yes, I, Smooth Talker, novelist by day but criminal mastermind by night, have hired an assassin to murder me in my own house in clear view of three eye-witnesses over something as banal as a misplaced letter. Clearly you are the brains of this group. You may have foiled my elaborate and pointless suicide scheme for now but mark my words, Mister Deer: this isn't the last you've seen of me! Mwaaa haa ha!' Smooth Talker mimed the twirling of the imaginary moustache a bit before dropping his shoulders and gave the Deer a blank look. 'But seriously, I have no idea who this is.'

“Please, hold your hostility for just a moment." Chirurgeon, brushing off his robes and standing back up, turns towards Dahlia. "I'm almost certain the pony would have went on to try and hurt our minotaur friend if we hadn't interfered. This is a setup; not one meant for us, but for him." He points at Smooth Talker.

'You have my deepest gratitude for that.' Smooth Talker politely smiled at the Griffon. 'It is beyond me as to why someone would kill over a misplaced letter but Leadon is filled with nutjobs. No offence.' He grinned at the Deer.

"A mystery, then." Chirurgeon allows some of his literary delight take hold. "With a colorful cast, no less."

"We have a few options in dealing with... this." he looks at the messenger. "Break the curse, and notify the unicorn behind him. Kill him, and probably notify the unicorn. Leave him tied up in a cellar somewhere... probably also notify the unicorn eventually, but it'll buy us a little time."

With that, Chirurgeon starts looking over the pony for clues. "If we can find the unicorn who did this... Hmm."

Perception: (6) + 10 = 16. Bleh. The luck gave, finally.

Although Chrome couldn't quite identify the participants of this meeting, the presence of a changeling queen let him put two and two together. He was in part of the Royal Asylum, after all. It was likely that the ones residing here were some important figureheads. That, in turn, made him cast an another assumption. If both "Chanteuse" and J.J. were obligated to take part in Stargazer's speech, not necessarily willingly, could it've been that they, along with the other ponies in those black cloaks, belonged to an organization, dealing with royal protection and servitude? It would certainly explain their concentration here, instead of the premises, like it was the case with regular guards. Still, that was just one likely possibility, out of the many available..

The way, in which Stargazer studied the mechanism, was something eye-catching. The pace clearly suggested being thoroughly acquainted with the workings of it. Chrome wondered briefly who was it that attempted the customization in the first place. Upon his work being positively appraised, he bowed his head in acknowledgement, not breaking eye contact. The unicorn was the important pony here, shortly to be the centre of attention. He adressed more than just Chrome and was likely to do that soon too. Taking into account both that and "Chanteuse's" words about his abrupt behaviour at times, the earth pony deemed it courteous and safe to stay silent, letting him do the talking and choosing the order of topics adressed for now. A stressed out conference-holder-to-be rarely appreciates their speech being cut into, after all.

Dahlia takes offense. "I don't have to put up with this, you know," Dahlia barks back to Smooth Talker while Chirurgeon is searching the body...

Crystalite wrote:Battery had watched with caution, gripping his weapon - but relaxed as the messenger was taken down. He lumbered over, looking down at him curiously. "Huh. Worst comes to wrost I can probably just sit on him. What was in that letter, anyways?" he asked, picking the pony up and hauling him to the sofa.

Athletics:

The battery is able to effortlessly move the pony

AleneShazam wrote:"A mystery, then." Chirurgeon allows some of his literary delight take hold. "With a colorful cast, no less."

"We have a few options in dealing with... this." he looks at the messenger. "Break the curse, and notify the unicorn behind him. Kill him, and probably notify the unicorn. Leave him tied up in a cellar somewhere... probably also notify the unicorn eventually, but it'll buy us a little time."

With that, Chirurgeon starts looking over the pony for clues. "If we can find the unicorn who did this... Hmm."

Perception: (6) + 10 = 16. Bleh. The luck gave, finally.

Chirurgeon finds nothing interesting.

---

Chrome can hear the room's door being shut as the room quiets down.
"I would recommend that you take a seat. This may take a while." "Stargazer" picks up his charts and the Orrery and begins walking to to the center of the room where an area has been cleared for his presentation.

Chrome felt a bit uneasy about the situation's development. He could't say that out of the many courses of action, this was one he didn't expect. Still, he felt a bit ut of place here, as he was hardly officially invited. That is, if not to count Stargazer's words just now as a legitimate enough pass for him to be here. There was some pragmatic reasoning to his stay though, which he was aware of and agreed with. In case the unicorns found the mechanism lacking in any area, the mechanic responsible would be at hand. As much as half a thousand was certainly worth spending some extra tie outiside of the schedule. There was a bit of pressure in this darkened room, filled with peculiar individuals that the earth pony could not help but feel though. As instructed, he found himself a seat, preferably at the back of the audience, as to not obscure the view for those gathered here specifically for the purpose of listening to Stargazer. At the time of "Chanteuse", warning him he might be sweeped into attending the conference, he had severe doubts he'd be interested in staying. However, with the one of a kind assemblance of characters present, he found himself actually quite curious as to what will it be about..

Paper Shadow wrote:Dahlia takes offense. "I don't have to put up with this, you know," Dahlia barks back to Smooth Talker while Chirurgeon is searching the body...

"Then don't," Battery said nonchalantly, sitting next tothe unconscious messenger and wrapping a claw around him, ready to hold him down should he awaken. "Nobody made you come here, and nobody's making you stay. If you want to go then go."