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Post by Moxie on Jul 31, 2015 0:52:16 GMT
Camp Common Quarters & Gathering NookLocated immediately inside the main gate, this large central cave is meant for recreation, general meeting space, camp gatherings and large announcements. This is the epicenter of camp life and the center of the explored cave boundaries.
The Gathering Nook is a small outcropping on the north end of the cave that is out of the main path and holds posted boards for daily assigned chores. This is also a great area to gather and wait for members of role groups before heading to their tasks.
The Common Quarters cavern has the highest ceiling and gets the most sunlight in the cavern system, perfect for pegasi to stretch their wings, foals to runs and play in the wide open cave floor, and the epicenter for the mirror system to snag and carry light into the other chambers of the cave. The top of the walls are covered with sparkling reflections from the mirror lighting system put in place by the first refugees to come to the caves. It's a rather beautiful sight, actually.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Aug 31, 2015 21:40:20 GMT
[Enter Genesee from Main Camp Entrance: Celestia's Gate]
Genesee trotted into the busy commons of the cavern where groups of ponies bustled about, either leaving for primary roles, gathering for secondary chores, or simply taking their families to a late breakfast in the Dining Hollow. Many gave Genesee a respectful nod, and many more stared with excited eyes at what was following just behind him. New ponies always got everyone excited...
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Trixie
Junior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Trixie on Aug 31, 2015 23:13:20 GMT
[Enter Trixie from the main gate]
Trixie looked around at all the ponies with a smile. There was certainly a lot for a survivor outpost and she liked it. She kept following the Stallion patiently waiting for him to take her to Moon, tho she kept an eye on her surroundings as much as possible to get a feel for this place.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Sept 1, 2015 19:40:44 GMT
"This is the Common Quarters," Genesee explained to Trixie as they trotted through the enormous chamber. "This is the epicenter of camp life. If you decide to stay, you will get to know this area quite well."
Genesee noded towards the right were an opening to a long cave hall presented itself. "That tunnel leads to the Dining Hollow where meals are served three times a day. I'm sure Moon will show you to it for lunch soon, you must be hungry from your journey." He gave her a cheerful smile as he continued to lead on. He really enjoyed welcoming new members, it was part of his role he could never put a price on. He kept his pace quick, knowing how eager Trixie must be to see Moon, but also didn't want to overwhelm her with rushing too fast.
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Trixie
Junior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Trixie on Sept 1, 2015 22:20:25 GMT
"I go where Moon goes. Besides this place seems safe." Trixie floats out peanut butter crackers and eats one.
"Also I got some food, but to be honest something else couldn't hurt. How'd you come across this place?" Trixie finally thought up.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Sept 4, 2015 5:06:14 GMT
Genesee chuckles and he keeps up his steady pace through the cave, "Ohhhh that's a long story.... I guess you could say I had heard enough tales of these mountains growing up to think that I actually knew this place before I had ever even laid hoof in it. Coincidence, really, I suppose. But I can't deny that I didn't dream and hope for this place to be a haven for these ponies you see now. Luckily, it seems to have become more then I could have ever hoped or imagined." He stared ahead with a thoughtful smile, reminiscing on the irony and and how lucky his herd and refugees had been, feeling thankful.
After a moment, he looked back to Trixie with a warm smile, "I certainly hope you will feel safe here, bs that you will one day feel a connection to this place as I do."
Passing the gathering nook, the two entered the tunnels that lead to the medical grotto.
[Exit Genesee to Medical Grotto]
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Trixie
Junior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Trixie on Sept 4, 2015 15:09:35 GMT
Trixie trots along behind him listening to his little short story that he was telling her. She let out a soft chuckle at one point in his story before speaking up herself.
"Well you seem to have succeeded in making this place a haven for other ponies. You seem to have dependable others who in return depend on and trust you. Also it seems you were luck that you were able to snag my fiance and by extension me. If you don't have anypony doing it I could offer my services in showing ponies good and reliable attack magic and survival skills with a bit of illusionairy magic. I am a little more than skilled in both areas."
[Exit Trixie to Medical Grotto]
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Pumpkin Vine
Junior Member
Camp New Hayven Refugee: Main Defense Trainer and Combat Leader.
Posts: 54
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Post by Pumpkin Vine on Sept 10, 2015 13:45:36 GMT
[Enter Pumpkin Vine]
Traveling through the common quarters of the large cave pathway, the trainer had mostly kept to herself. While whispers ventured through to her ears on rumors and chatting, the talk about her was easily spreadable. Stepping through and mainly getting towards Celestia's gate, she knew just over this march was a field full of herbs and gardens. Still, the words that were never truly spoken to her had only managed to make the chitterchatter of the public sink in deeper. Yes some were true, she took down the dragon of the group, but never had she intended to make him collapse and cry til he became unconscious. Saddened by this, her walk was mainly about self control, and aiming to stop pushing her students so hard. Wondering if Forte ever had these problems, she questioned speaking to him. Shaking her head at that thought and not great at speaking to another teacher who had been here longer, Pumpkin moved forward.
[Exit Pumpkin to Celestia's Gate.]
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Post by Archimedes on Sept 24, 2015 15:57:29 GMT
[Enter Archimedes]
"This is your most elaborate one, yet!" Archimedes yelled into the cieling, the walls echoing his dismay. "Do you want me to kill her!? Is that it?" He stretched his arms out, inviting something, anything. "I'm not playing along anymore. Just do what you want to me! Take off a wing! I don't care. You want an arm this time?" Tears streamed down his face.
No response. "Fine then, I'll *make* you end it!" He ran for the nearest pony. He grabbed her up in his claws and looked into her eyes as he opened his mouth to bite her head off.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Sept 24, 2015 19:25:37 GMT
[Enter Genesee from Genesee's Quarters]
Genesee was halfway through the tunnels to the Common Quarters when he heard the yelling roar of an upset dragon, who could only be Archimedes, followed by the screams of ponies.
He bolted into a gallop and rounded the corner, entering the Commons by the Gathering Nook. An icy grip squeezed his heart as his eyes clicked to Archie who had a pony in his claws, jaw gaping over her head, his hooves propelled him even faster. "ARCHIMEDES DROP HER!" he bellowed, skidding to a halt before him. He lowered himself down to a crouch, and sprang upwards towards the dragon's head, throwing a heavy hoof at Archie's chin to knock his bite away.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Sept 24, 2015 21:18:53 GMT
[Enter Moon from Medical Grotto]
Moon emerged from the medical grotto, following the sounds of panicking ponies and so rather quickly stumbled upon the ghastly scene. Upon seeing what was about happen, he freezes for a few seconds, utter panic gripping over him as he watched in horror. It was only when Genesee came into the picture that he got back to his senses. He thought feverishly for a few seconds before deciding on a course of action, where he with his magic tried to drag the poor pony away from the gaping maw of the dragon, hoping that the camp leader's punch would be enough to distract the dragon enough to lose his grip.
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Post by Archimedes on Sept 24, 2015 21:19:59 GMT
Archimedes turned towards the shout, inches from her head. By the time his hoof was even close, the pony he held had been dropped and Archimedes raised a claw to defend. The connection still smacked his claw into his face, which was enough to knock him off balance.
He just stared at Genesee stunned by the attack. "Why?" He said, his voice quivering as the gravity of reality and the weight of his actions set in. He turned to leave without waiting for an answer.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Sept 24, 2015 22:58:29 GMT
Genesee dropped to the floor to all four hooves, poised to defend himself when suddenly he blinked in surprise at Archimedes' sudden turn away. Completely baffled and still rightfully fearful of what Archie was capable in his current state, Genesee bolted after him and rounded in front of him, halting and not letting the dragon by by blocking the exit. His eyes pleaded to him, he knew the dragon could swat him away easily, but he knew Archie and this wasn't like him at all. "Archimedes, STOP! Please! What's going?? You're not acting like yourself!" He met the dragon's eyes, trying to find the answer inside of them with true concern for him reflecting from his own.
Meanwhile, guards had begun to enter the Commons, looking around in confusion of what all the commotion was from outside and from interior caves.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Sept 24, 2015 23:47:19 GMT
A wave of relief momentarily spread through Moon as the pony was released, and it was a good thing that he also already had her in her magical grip, as she now instead of just falling to the hard cave floor, instead floated gently towards him, away from the clearly unstable dragon. After setting her down on the floor, glad to see that the only harm that had come to her was shock, he then turns his attention again towards the camp leader and the dragon, trying to think of something to do.
When few options emerged, the would-be doctor at the very least started preparing one of his few defensive spells, a paralysis one, unsure whether it would work against the dragon. "Why is he doing this?" Is the thought that goes through him, and it is one that has no answer to, which only aggravated him more.
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Post by Archimedes on Sept 25, 2015 1:00:26 GMT
Archimedes eyed Genesee with deadly intent, scrutinizing his every detail. "If you're waiting for me to lower my guard...maybe that's what it will take..."
He sighed deeply, from within the depths of his being and sat tiredly on the stone floor. His features became worn, haunted as he said, "Genesee...Are you..." He began but couldn't go on as he heaved great sobs. After a moment, he composed himself with great effort. "Are you real?" He cautiously reached for him, straining against the terror of what he might become at any moment.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Sept 25, 2015 21:25:57 GMT
Genesee looked completely baffled and unsure what could be going on in Archie's mind. He stuttered for a moment, unsure about the claws coming towards him, but reached a hoof out to touch the troubled dragon. "Y-yes Archimedes.... of course I'm real. All the ponies here are real. YOU are real. And right now you're.... you're worrying us." That was putting it mildly. The camp leader wasn't sure if Archie had any idea what he had almost done right now. He aired on the side of caution and opted not to bring it up right now. First, he needed him to calm down for everyone's safety.
The guards were speaking with upset ponies who pointed at Archie. They began to approach the dragon in formation, but stopped when Genesee held a hoof out for them to stay where they were, behind and out from Archie's view. They were not needed right now... he hoped.
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Trixie
Junior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Trixie on Sept 26, 2015 6:14:23 GMT
[Enter Trixie from the Medical Grotto]
Trixie made it in time to witness what Archie did to the pony, and what he didn't do. She could hear the hurt in his voice. He must have undergone some extensive torture. Her heart hurt for him and she walked over to him, her guard was up as she wasn't sure if he would attack her or any others. She looked up to the dragon and frowned. "Archie we are all real here, and we are your friends. Calm down please."
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Pandemonium
Junior Member
Used to be Deuterium, now something frightening.
Posts: 91
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Post by Pandemonium on Sept 26, 2015 10:58:14 GMT
[Enter Pandy from Medical Grotto]
Just then, Deuterium burst in, but he looked very different. His normal serious expression was replaced by a confident smirk, and his eyes... His eyes had transformed entirely. What had once been perfectly normal brown eyes had turned purple, the whites having turned a deadly black colour. "What's goin' on?" he asked the room in general, in a very different voice. This voice, unlike Deut's mild voice, was harsh and confident, almost powerful. Those who knew Deut well would recognise that this was not Deut speaking, but Pandemonium, Deuterium's powerful, confident alter ego. Pandemonium seemed a little weaker than usual, though, and when he clapped eyes on Archie, he approached the dragon. "Did I miss the party?"
Deut was still around, inside Pandy's head, but he was cringing. He was watching Pandy's actions as if through a cimena screen, hoping that he didn't set the dragon off again...
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Post by Archimedes on Sept 26, 2015 12:28:33 GMT
Archimedes felt Genesee's hoof. He was still numb, but the sensation of pressure, that was getting through. He didn't vanish. "The...visions...hallucinations. King Sombra's trickery. It never..." He shuddered. "It never got this far."
He flinched when he saw Trixie. He tried to hold in a torrent of emotion he hadn't felt in years. He pointed a claw at her. "You died. I saw it..." and in a whisper, "I did it..."
He hung his head, completely drained. "I need to think for quite a while. You can't be here," he said to Trixie, his visage becoming cold and calculating. "But you are. This means he can do this kind of thing extremely well. 2 years to trick me into thinking I had escaped. Getting to know all of you figments of the imagination the king of shadows."
He took a long sideways glance at Pandemonium.
"But then there's ponies like you, Pandemonium. You're purposeless. I tried to find a common link, something to say you're all real, or that you're all a lie. You, and ponies like you prove that you're not here to torture me. Or garner my trust so I can watch you die. Sombra is very much instant gratification. But that doesn't mean he's not changing up his tactics."
Here he softened, almost becoming vulnerable. "Just, do what you want now. If I'm going to be tortured let it be." And with that, he laid down on the stone floor, giving up.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Sept 26, 2015 15:51:54 GMT
Moon continued to watch the exchange for a little while, confused by what the dragon said and worried about the fate of the camp leader, but was unsure what he could besides watching for now. He had always been in more of a support role, even while he'd been wandering so this wasn't exactly his scene... no, it was after the fighting was done that he did most good. But when Trixie as well started approaching the two that he found it hard to remain inactive, his heart beating a little faster at the prospect of Trixie getting wounded by Archiemedes and the sharp claws and teeth of his... so he too approached, determined to do... something, if the need would arise.
But, thankfully, that seemed not to be the case, as the dragon laid down in apparent defeat, if you could call it that. But while the danger seemed to be over, Moon was still and to be honest curious to what could have possibly made the dragon be like this. He moved a little closer, his prepared paralysis (even though it probably wouldn't have been effective in the first place) dropped along with his guard as he went through in his mind if he had seen anything in his books that might help with... this.
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Trixie
Junior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Trixie on Sept 26, 2015 17:08:23 GMT
Trixie frowned at that and then tried to pick up her town. "Archie, I'm far from dead. What ever Sombra did to you I'm sorry. I am completely alive!"
She took his claw in her magic and put it to her cheek. Though she'd still be able to defend herself, she would not be able to be completely safe now.
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Pandemonium
Junior Member
Used to be Deuterium, now something frightening.
Posts: 91
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Post by Pandemonium on Sept 26, 2015 19:01:19 GMT
"I wouldn't say purposeless. I'd say more that Deut and I sort of share a purpose now." Pandemonium replied, still smirking. "Heck, my purpose used to be torturing Deut, so I should know a thing or two about mental stuff."
"You had to bring that up..."
Pandy seemed to talk to himself for a second. "I'm trying to help here, Deut..."
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Post by Genesee Rover on Sept 30, 2015 15:25:18 GMT
Starring baffled at the dragon now collapsed on the ground, Genesee hesitated, unsure what was going through Archie's mind. He knew he had seen many horrors in the Crystal Empire, but he had always seemed so detached and aloof. Seeing this side of him.... well it was rather unnerving, especially when it might be putting ponies in danger. It was his primary duty above all to keep his campers safe, but that also included Archimedes himself.
Taking a few steps forward, he put a hoof to Archie's forehead, trying to feel for a fever to help him understand what was happening. The dragon almost seemed delusional. Remembering that Archie had been brought to the medical grotto earlier, he looked to Moonlight who had approached. "Moon, what happened? Is he sick? Is he.... dreaming or something??" There was an edge to his voice, almost demanding justification for what the dragon had almost done.
As the camp leader, it would be his duty to administer punishment if Archimedes had done this of sound mind. He couldn't allow himself to empathize with him so quickly. He needed the facts first. Archie's actions had just driven primal fear into the hearts of the campers who now hugged the walls around the Commons, terrified of the dragon that had almost bitten the head off of an innocent bystander. What would they think of him now? Were they right to be afraid of him? He had to make sure he acted justly to both be fair to Archie and to appease the ponies who depended on him to protect them.
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Post by Moonlight Scroll on Sept 30, 2015 18:31:24 GMT
Moon was a bit alarmed when Trixie lifted the dragons claws to her cheek, for a moment thinking it was the dragon doing it. He quickly realized that this was, thankfully, not the case and instead turned to Genesee as he addressed him. He stood silent for a few moment, stressing as he tried to come up with something to tell the leader.
"I... I am not sure, I ah, I never had the chance to examine him..." He says as he looks over the dragon again. It was obvious that something was wrong with him, a normal pony, or dragon, doesn't just do... that. But, to his great distress, he found no immediate answers. It didn't help that he new little on Dragon anatomy... or Archiemedes past experiences either. That thought however led him to realize that he did know how to get to know this! The notebook that was Genesee's, which he had gotten to see when asked to deal with campers who had ptsd should hold some of the answers he needed.
"Ah, wait here! I'll be right back, I just have to ah, get the notebook first!" He said to Genesee, hoping he would get the hint before turning around to head to the leaders office. "Maybe I should see if there isn't a book on dragon anatomy somewhere around here too..." He thinks to himself as he hurried his way through the chocked crowd that had gathered around the dragon.
[Exit Moon to Genesee's quarters]
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Post by Genesee Rover on Sept 30, 2015 18:40:47 GMT
Genesee nodded quickly, ears perking at the logic behind it. if Moon didnt know what was wrong with him, it must be something that wasn't physically wrong with him. Maybe his past would shed some light. "Good idea," he said quickly before Moon darted away.
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Post by Archimedes on Oct 1, 2015 3:08:18 GMT
Archimedes sighed at the slight sensation of Trixie touch. "It isn't ending..." He said aloud after a few moments. "It isn't ending..." He repeated. He withdrew his claw from Trixie and sat up.
For the first time since she had arrived, he truly looked at her. He caressed her features with his eyes. Memories flooded back in a whirlwind, but his emotions weren't present.
"You were..." He hesitated, looking from Geneseeto Pandemonium. "I was..." He felt something spark within him. Memories of his initial imprisonment, something he had told himself he would never forget, came flooding back. They had been lost in that sea of endless agony.
"I am here." He said, and the hazy emptiness subsided briefly. This was different from before. That numbness, it caught him off guard, but this was true healing.
He touched her briefly on the brow. "You are real." Tears leaked in small dribbles down his face. "I'm a monster," he said with certainty, turning his face from her. "I haven't lived long enough, but I just want to die. Trixie if you knew what I'd done..."
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Trixie
Junior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Trixie on Oct 2, 2015 8:40:55 GMT
"Hush now Archie, you are still my little dragon friend. No matter what you have done it can be forgiven, especially how the world is now." Trixie smiled at the dragon no longer worried about herself so she dropped her guard.
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Pandemonium
Junior Member
Used to be Deuterium, now something frightening.
Posts: 91
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Post by Pandemonium on Oct 2, 2015 10:11:30 GMT
Pandy looked relieved, but also a little disappointed. "Hm. Looks like I wasn't needed as much as I thought I was..." "I'm a monster," he said with certainty, turning his face from her. "I haven't lived long enough, but I just want to die. Trixie if you knew what I'd done..." This sentiment from the dragon alarmed him slightly though. "If you're a monster, then I'm a demonic hellbeast from the very depths of the blackest darkness of the foulest corner of Tartarus. What you are is guilty, as in the feeling - I should know, my experience being Deut's worst nightmare taught me a lot about emotion." Inside Pandy's head, Deut was even more alarmed. "Pandy, let me take over."
Pandy turned his head away from everypony. "You're ill." "So are you, it just doesn't affect you as much!"
"All the more reason to let me handle it." "...You do remember that the more time you spend out the more I'm being drained of my energy?"
"Come on, it's been a few minutes." "You kicked a door down!"
"So? I didn't use any magic..." "A fair point, actually... Alright. Do what you have to, but if you start making it worse..."
"Alright then..." Pandy turned back to Archie.
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Post by Genesee Rover on Oct 2, 2015 22:33:53 GMT
Genesee gave archie and Trixie some space. There's not a whole lot he could do right now besides monitor the situation and await Moonlight's return with the section on Archie's background to try to see if he could talk reason into the dragon to calm him down. On duty guards looks confused and mulled about, waiting further instruction and unwilling to leave in case things escalated once more. Genesee was thankful for their bravery. Archie was a camper, but if he was not himself, he could severely harm the caverns and its inhabitants.
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Post by Archimedes on Oct 3, 2015 2:07:45 GMT
Archimedes hugged Trixie uncertainly, even awkwardly. He stiffened before pulling back, his claws still on her shoulders. He looked into her eyes with a pained expression.
When Pandemonium started speaking, he turned to face him and broke the embrace. He nodded weakly in affirmation. "Thank you Pandemonium," was all he said.
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