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Post by Moxie on Dec 6, 2015 2:02:13 GMT
Moxie's ears fell slightly at Forte's frown before her eyes enlarged at what he said next. "Wait... WHAT?? Wha... what did you say to him? Why did you speak to him?" Her voice cracked, filled with worry now. Her mind caught in a red-alert state, she hardly even registered Aegis behind the green pegasus.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 6, 2015 7:39:18 GMT
Forte cringed a bit. This is what he feared would happen... But at least she didn't run away.
"I told him that you needed your paints back." He explained, trying to speak calmly. "Both for your own good, as well as the possible benefits to defending the camp. As for why... It was the right thing to do." Forte left out the part about his subsequent break in and confrontation with Moon. He hated lying, especially to her, but he felt this small lie of omission was acceptable for the time being.
"Sadly, he refused to release them to you..."
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Post by Moxie on Dec 6, 2015 17:30:05 GMT
"Forte..." Moxie scolded softly. She couldn't deny that what he had done was sweet, but it was something she never intended to make him feel that he had to do for her. She knew it wouldn't change Genesee's mind, if anything he would get upset thinking she was recruiting ponies to help her harass him about them. She didnt want to force him to give them back.... she wanted HIM to GIVE them back because he wanted to. It was the only thing that could take away the pain of him taking them in the first place from his own daughter.
Moxie butt her head against Forte's shoulder before giving him a sad smile, "That was nice of you to try for me... don't feel bad that it didnt change anything. Believe me, i've already tried."
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 6, 2015 20:50:33 GMT
FortE hugged her, putting a hoof and a wing around her, the other good still holding his trombone. "I had to try. It's not right. At the very least he could have let you keep some..." Forte felt his anger welling up again, but suppressed it. "I'm just sorry I wasn't more effective."
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Post by Aegis Dare on Dec 7, 2015 0:05:48 GMT
Aegis pulled back after hearing Forte's words, forgoing the impending prank and instead standing up as if he'd casually walked over. "Yo. Forte, Moxie, how are you both today?" He asked, announcing his presence and waving to them.
With the seriousness of the conversation, Aegis felt it best if he didn't reveal that he'd been there the whole time and heard what they'd said. Moxie looked like she had enough on her plate for now and he wasn't going to add to her worries. Though, he was beginning to have his doubts about Genesee lately.
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Post by Moxie on Dec 13, 2015 20:35:58 GMT
Moxie's ears perked and she turned to Aegis as he approached, giving him a slightly embarrassed smile. "Hello Aegis... sorry for such seriousness in the middle of the day, its been an eventful morning to say the least." She stepped back from Forte to allow the stallion to join them.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 16, 2015 4:18:46 GMT
Forte's ears perked up at the new pony, and he tensed up, his combat instincts revving up. He quickly relaxed though, when he saw who it was. He was still dismayed, however, at this new arrival. The training hall had been empty when he started playing. How long had Aegis been there? What had he heard? "Aegis? Where did you come from? How long have you been standing there?" Forte asked, his questions overlapping with Moxie's greeting.
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Post by Aegis Dare on Dec 16, 2015 9:21:27 GMT
Aegis smiled warmly at the pair. "I just got here. I heard the tune playing and figured I'd come and listen a while. Pretty melody there, Forte. That could probably get the body moving." He said, trying not to add more to Moxie's plate. She was stressed enough already without adding him turning up and eavesdropping on ponies to the list.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 19, 2015 18:36:54 GMT
Forte narrowed his eyes slightly. He didn't believe Aegis's story, and decided to call him on it. "There's no way you just got here. You were too close not to have heard something, and one of us would have seen you approach. What did you hear?" Forte asked again, his voice firm and his posture stiffening.
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Post by Aegis Dare on Dec 20, 2015 1:22:18 GMT
Aegis' calm features and usually light-hearted manner belied just how serious he could be as he looked Forte dead in the eyes. He had no anger in his expression as he spoke clearly and calmly.
"I didn't hear anything, right? You're free both to tell me or not tell me as you see fit. But unless you feel like talking about it and letting me help, I didn't hear a thing and that's how it's gonna stay."
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Post by Moxie on Dec 21, 2015 15:14:05 GMT
Moxie looked between the two stallions, brow furrowing at the rising tension, and soon steps between them, looking Forte in the eye with worry, "Its ok Forte, Aegis is a friend, and I trust him with many secrets. He's never betrayed me. If anything, he'd probably understand what you tried to do for me..." Her ears fell and she kept a pointed lock on Forte's gaze, trying to convey that Aegis, if anything, could only help them with this.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 21, 2015 21:46:12 GMT
For a moment, Forte turned his hard gaze to Moxie. Almost immediately, however, he softened. "You're right Moxie... It's been a stressful morning..." He turned back to Aegis. "You should have announced your presence sooner, but any information you did glean from our conversation, you can be trusted with. I apologize for my brash accusations."
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Post by Aegis Dare on Dec 23, 2015 16:08:40 GMT
Aegis' own expression softened considerably and he proceeded to smile widely at the pair. "Like I said, I was going to prank you while you weren't looking, but you sounded pretty worked up already and my prank would've just had you more stressed than you are now. Ain't nothing to forgive, Forte. You and Moxie should know I don't hold hard feelings towards ponies. So, how about I make you both some tea?"
Aegis did, in fact, understand Forte's actions and intent. Were Aegis in Forte's position, he'd probably act no differently. It just seemed like one of those times when neutral just wasn't an option. Of course, he could stay out of it, but Moxie was one of his friends. He couldn't leave her in need like that, and it seemed perfect that Forte was there to take on the role of hero, leaving Aegis in place to do what he does best and provide support for them both.
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Post by Moxie on Dec 23, 2015 19:52:29 GMT
Moxie shifted in her hooves uneasily at Aegis' words. He seemed to know exactly what Forte had been up to and what they were discussing with his mention of stress. Aegis always had this weird way of knowing what everypony was up to, but at least he never seemed to use it against anypony. "So.... you know what Forte did then? Or, what he tried to do?" She was a bit hopeful, having another pony to talk to about this seemed enticing. She hated keeping secrets to herself, and she was also worried about Forte continuing to pursue her paints too far. If Forte got in trouble and kicked from camp just for her she would never forgive herself.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 24, 2015 1:07:33 GMT
Forte couldn't help but chuckle at Aegis's calm demeanor. He was at times jealous of the younger stallion. Aegis always seemed to understand any situation he was thrust into, sometimes more so than the ponies who caused the situation. Forte looked between Aegis and Moxie, then trotted over to his case a short distance away and began to put his trombone away.
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Post by Aegis Dare on Dec 24, 2015 2:57:47 GMT
His voice dropped to a whisper, just loud enough for Moxie and Forte, if Forte tried to listen in. "Yeah. I know. It's real brave of him to do what he did, knowing the risks. And...the pony I respected as our leader... I have my doubts that Genesee is still that same pony I followed back then. He's losing control of his herd now that we're so many and half of us are gearing for war. The last bit of control I think he has left is control over you, Moxie. I want to be proven wrong, but his actions lately... I keep questioning them, second-guessing and trying to guess at his motives. And then there's the frivolous use of the Spring paint on minor injuries... I can't quite put my hoof on why this seems worse than it already is. Maybe you two could help shed some light on it?"
Aegis knew this was probably a lot to ask of Moxie in her current state, but he had to know. If Genesee was making foolish and wasteful decisions, something had to be done about it. But when the right time was or what was required, Aegis didn't know yet. He needed to be sure in such a delicate position, especially given how long he'd been here. Almost as long as Genesee himself.
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Post by Moxie on Dec 27, 2015 21:38:17 GMT
Moxie couldn't help but feel naturally defensive of her father from Aegis' words. It wasn't a well known fact that she was his daughter, and that was strategic to keep things seeming fair to every pony, but it also wasn't a well kept secret. Her ears flattened slightly and she met Aegis' gaze with a piercing stare, "He's doing the best he can to keep everypony safe in the only way he knows how, it is his job after all and it's alot harder then you can imagine," Her gaze softened visibly as she sighed, "But I understand your concerns.
"While I dont think he would ever do anything to betray camp ponies, I do feel afraid for the future here. My Spring paint was always something I saw as an unknown advantage that could save us if the war found us here, but Genesee sees it as a way to keep us alive and as comfortable as possible NOW, to keep everypony's hope up." She shook her head sadly, "I have no idea how much of it is even really left... maybe I dont want to know."
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 28, 2015 22:47:48 GMT
"Besides." Forte chimed in from beside his case. "Down here, where everything is shared, ponies need something to call their own. Something solely theirs. Otherwise they go mad. Aegis, you have you're journals. I have Tempest and my trombone. But Moxie only had her paints. I'm honestly surprised she's lasted this long..." He closed his case, the sound resonating throughout the chamber. "And that's why I'm fighting for this."
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Post by Aegis Dare on Dec 30, 2015 2:13:21 GMT
Aegis nodded to them both. "I understand your feelings, Moxie. But I agree with Forte on this one. And Genesee wasting the Spring paint is a greater crime than the betrayal you'd expect. Honestly, he should give your paints back to you. They belong to you, and you alone. Nopony, not even him, has the right to take that from you." He said to Moxie, reaching up to ruffle her mane a little.
"I'm happy to help you both if you want it. You guys both know how I go around at try to help ponies with their problems when I have the free time."
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Post by Moxie on Dec 30, 2015 15:16:10 GMT
Moxie had always held doubt about the right she truly had to her paints ever since the day her father had taken them. I mean, after all, in times like this every pony had given up most of their worldly possessions, whether they were lost or taken into custody for camp protection. Were her paints any different? She had never been able to tell, and the hurt and pain of their loss had never dulled.
Now, as the cave walls echoed with these stallions confident words the fire in her heart began to swell again for her paints' return, pushing the doubt back down into her belly. Her suppressed frustration and defiance began to surface in retaliation against what her father had done. "You guys.... are far too good to me..." She stared at her hooves as they tensed with this rising feeling, a ghost of determination passing through her gaze privately. "If you do wish to help...I.... I may know where they are..." she admitted quietly.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Dec 30, 2015 23:29:47 GMT
"You do? Then why did I have to..." Forte caught himself before he revealed his other actions in Genesees office. He had a feeling that Moxie would not take well to what he had done. "Never mind. Where are they? Let's go get them!" Forte said, his wings flaring as he stomped a hoof.
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Post by Aegis Dare on Jan 4, 2016 12:53:04 GMT
"Hold on. We can go rushing in blind. A blind swordspony cuts nothing, after all. We'll need to scout it out and figure out what we're gonna do about getting it back without compromising either of your positions within the camp."
Aegis saw the fire in Moxie's eyes. Seeing her determined and fired up made him feel more determined as well. Forte's determination was admirable as well, but they couldn't rush in. Otherwise, things could go wrong and there was a chance that they could be expelled from the camp. If the old winds blew like they used to, Aegis would be out there himself, still adventuring in the world outside.
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Post by Moxie on Jan 6, 2016 23:04:31 GMT
Moxie's face turned red in embarrassment at Forte's words but a small swell of indignation rose in her. She quickly justified, "I didn't want to give you a reason to go looking. I'm not positive that's where they are either, and if I wanted to know, i knew I couldjust go myself. No need to get others in trouble... at least there used to be no reason. Besides, the less ponies that know i MIGHT know where they are the better, word gets to my father easy in camp."
When Aegis tried to stop things from going any further, Moxie felt her heart fall. Was Aegis not going to help once he knew where it was? Not much scouting was going to help the matter... "I'm not sure how much scouting we can really do.... the Keepsake Cavern is always well guarded..." she let slip, meeting Aegis' gaze steadily to see his reaction.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Jan 7, 2016 1:28:17 GMT
Forte stepped up. "I can get in. They don't let just anypony be a sniper. But before we go sneaking in, I know how we can find out for sure. Can you two wait here?" He asked, looking between his new-found partners-in-crime.
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Post by Aegis Dare on Jan 7, 2016 7:15:37 GMT
Moxie would notice Aegis didn't seem to be trying to outright stop them. Rather he was advising them to be cautious, showing concern for his friends and those he considered friends. He rested a hoof on Moxie's shoulder and smiled at her before turning to Forte with the same smile. "Do what you need to do, but do be careful, Forte. I know you can handle yourself, and frankly, you're better at the whole fighting thing than I am, but remember that a little restraint can be the difference between success and failure. Good luck, my friend."
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Post by Moxie on Jan 11, 2016 16:43:06 GMT
Moxie gave Forte an uneasy look, "What are you going to do?... I dont want you getting in trouble for me, I should go with you..." Her mind buzzed with ways she might be able to lie if they were caught to take the heat off of Forte. She didnt want to use her Father's position to her benefit, but if it meant preventing a friend's expulsion, she'd do what she had to.
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Post by Forte Fermata on Jan 14, 2016 2:28:35 GMT
Forte smiled and put a hoof on Moxie's shoulder. "I'll be alright, Moxie. No need to worry about little old me." Forte said. "You two just wait here, and I'll be back before you know it." With that, Forte turned, grabbed his case and slung it on his back, then flew out towards the Medical Grotto.
[Exit Forte to Medical Grotto]
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Post by Moxie on Jan 14, 2016 16:58:23 GMT
Moxie opened her mouth to object but was stopped short by Forte's sudden departure. "Forte! Hey!" she called after him, taking a few steps to follow him but stopped short as he disappeared into the cave tunnels. She glared after him, frustrated now, and turned to Aegis with an irked look. "Why does he have to be so stubborn like that? There's no reason to brush me off. He's going to get himself caught doing something stupid, and I'm not going to bail him out if he doesn't even let anypony know his plan!" She kicked at the sandy ground of the training hollow, letting off some steam.
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Post by Aegis Dare on Jan 16, 2016 13:23:38 GMT
"He just cares about ya. Don't worry, though. I'll help him out if things go bad. For now, how 'bout a sparring session? You need to work off some steam, and I need some exercise. You could do with a bit of a lesson, anyways." Aegis said, giving her a vaguely playful smile as he stretched out his muscles.
He hoped she'd take him up on the sparring offer. He had to give her a distraction so she wouldn't worry so much, and there was the distinct possibility that she'd be able to use these skills to kick Forte's flanks if he screwed up.
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Post by Moxie on Jan 18, 2016 22:07:27 GMT
Moxie thought for a moment, part of her wanting to blow off Forte's request that she should stay and following, and part of her craving the opportunity for some fun. She sighed and nodded finally, "Alright Aegis, but a short one. And I'll have you know i've been practicing on my own time, I just might be able to throw you now." She smirked at him and began to trot to one of the training pits.
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