"Well, that was eventful," Trial says as he walks through town as they mill around and spots a yellow earth pony arguing with a guard.
"Hey. What's going on here?" Trial asks walking over to the two.
"None of your bu..." the guard started before being punched in the face.
"Wrong answer," Trial informs.
The guard lays out cold on the ground as the mare looks surprised at him. "Um…you are not going to do…hit me too…?"
"You have anything to say?" Trial asks the other guard.
The guard holds up his hands and shakes his head. "No. Nothing at all."
"Good. Now what was the problem miss?" Trial asks.
"These varmints won't let me in to get help for my farm dealing with monsters," Applejack says.
"Is that all? Are you near a nest?" Trial asks bluntly.
"No," Applejack informs.
"I see…so if the guards won't help, how about I help you?" Trial asks.
Applejack became a little surprised. "Really? Because, again, you are facing the monsters out there. Not an apple eating critter that can be smacked away with a broom."
"Eh, wouldn't be any worse than what I am used to," Trial says.
"Okay then…yer fired. Yer hired," she says first looking at the pair of guards and then to Trial.
"We don't even work for you," one mutters as Trial follows Applejack away.
"I'm Trial by the way," Trial introduces as they walk.
"Applejack. I handle the apple farm around here," Applejack introduces herself and picks an apple off a crate of them before giving it to him. "Here. Try it. Best apples in all the land."
Trial nods before taking a chunk out of it with a bite. "It's sweet," Trial says after swallowing.
"Told ya. Anyway, I got the monsters crawling all over my fields. I need someone to take care of them. I can't do it because I have to look after my dang stock. Make sure them monsters don't go after it," Applejack explains.
"How many are there?" Trial asks.
"Four," Applejack replies.
"How big and strong?" Trial inquires.
"About twice my size and strong enough to knock over a tree when they charge," Applejack replies.
Trial hums before digging into his clothing and takes out a rolled set of wires before wrapping them around his hands and fingers. "Anything else?"
"They walk around on all fours and charge all the time," Applejack informs.
"Good enough for me. Point me in the directions and I'll rip them to shreds," Trial admits as he looks to the field and still wraps the wires.
Applejack points a certain way and Trial immediately starts to walk into the tree farm. As he walked, he noticed how many apples started to be found in the trees. More so than the ones closest to the farm and main path. Trial hums as he kept looking around before hearing chittering and comes across some dark hog like creatures that are roaming around, scratching the ground before charging and smacking head first into a tree. Apples falling around them before starting to eat away at the fallen pieces. And Trial did have to admit, they were big as bulls.
"Those the marks?" Trial asks.
Applejack nods. "Yeah. Guards wouldn't even…" she stops as one was suddenly dragged back to them before being sliced into pieces. "…what are you using? Magic?"
"No, wires," Trial says, letting her get a good look and, sure enough, she could barely make out thin wires.
Trial then claps his hands before spreading them out and light shines on the thin wires, grabbing all the monsters together against a tree, straining and cutting the bark.
"Hey! Don't hurt the trees," Applejack warns.
"Oh," Trial says before dropping the wires and leaves it tied off before reaching into his cloak and takes out a few knives and throws them, catching each beast in the head. "How's that? I didn't harm the trees."
"They dead?" Applejack asks.
Trial nods as he walks over, grabbing the wires and then takes out the knives of the limp bulls. "Yep. Not moving…or huffing. So yes," he says, tapping the hilt against the head of one.
"Then get them out of here. The less…you know Dusk could use these," Applejack says.
"Oh, you mean the pony who turned himself into a mare today?" Trial asks.
"Huh?" Applejack blanched.
"Dusk changed into a mare," Trial repeats.
Applejack slowly points to him.
"He changed himself back," Trial adds.
"What the Solaris Dusk?" Applejack mutters to herself, almost tired of it. "You went and changed into a mare…?"
"This is something he does?" Trial asks confused.
"No. He experiments a lot. I hope something came from this," Applejack mutters the side as she rubs her forehead. "Idiot," she huffs as Trial looks over her hat and farm outfit that he can only describe as modern.
"So is there anything else?" Trial asks looking at her.
Applejack shakes her head under her hand. "Nah. Just…take these things to Dusk and you can be done. Here…think I got some bits to give," Applejack mutters under her breath as she digs into her pockets to find some. "Here we go," she says taking out a bag and starts to count some bits.
"So what is your story?" Trial asks as he takes a seat on the fence as she does this.
"What story? I am just living on a farm here," Applejack sighs as she kept counting. "Four bulls…so…"
"There must be something. You must have a story for living in this kind of world," Trial presses smiling a little as he eyes her up again before she notices.
Applejack hums, still counting and giving some counted already to him. "Well…I was born in this world. All I know is my farm here and my friends. I keep the apples growing, I keep the ponies happy to live here. I live with my big sis…who takes part in those breeding stocks…but she is pampered since she is a strong mare…heh. Stronger than me at times. She can lift a whole barn if she wanted and still be pregnant. My little sister too. She helps out from time to time while playing with her friends and trying to find a cutie mark. I do tell her and her mischievous gang to stay inside the walls…we rescued them twice," Applejack chuckles at the memory. "Yeah…it's strange to live at times…but it's my life."
"And you personally?" Trial asks as he counts the bits himself.
Applejack smiles a little. "Made some good friends. Living on a farm and working on it hard. I'm fine…" she stops as she looks up and sees the stare. "Okay. It's been hard. Yes, been having a good yield and income, hit personally, tougher with those living here. That's why I always try to take Macarenia and Applebloom to upper Canterlot."
"You have it better than I did growing up at least," Trial says.
"Oh yeah? What's your shtick?" Applejack asks as she counts the last bits.
"I had a few friends growing up and when they tried to steal food because we were starving, the noble who owned the plantation. He caught them, plucked out their eyes, chopped off their hands and then crush their skulls under a wagon and no one ever did a thing about it," Trial says paling Applejack almost instantly.
"What the…what kind of Solaris pony does that just for stealing food?" Applejack tries to ask through her sudden sickness.
"Oh, it wasn't about the food. He never noticed they were gone. It was for his own twisted enjoyment," Trial says.
Applejack became shocked and groans. "Fucking ponies," she huffs to the side. "You have to be kidding me. Well…maybe we don't have it that much nowadays."
"You still might, especially in these days since there isn't much oversight now," Trial explains as he looks to the upper area walls.
Applejack sighs and hangs her head. "Fuck this monster world."
"I feel the same way…somewhat. I at least can move and have a job. But you…I actually feel somewhat sorry that you are tied here to your farm," Trial apologizes.
"Thanks…" Applejack takes as she looks back to her farm. "Sorry, have to deal with some customers," she apologizes back as she sees some ponies approaching the farmhouse.
"It's fine…would you like to have a drink when you are off?" Trial asks smiling now and stops her in her tracks for a second.
"You're not the first you know…and I can kick hard," Applejack almost scolds as she looks back to him and Trial looks at her legs and notices how strong her muscles looked.
"I don't doubt it…so? Drink?" Trial insisted.
Applejack rolls her amused and returns to walking. "Only if you are paying and I don't end up in bed with you. I have a life I need to work here for."
"That latter one is up to you. Maybe Rainbow and Vinyl will join us," Trial mutters as he walks away.
"So what happened to you?" Leone asks Sentire.
Sentire sighs and hangs her head on the table. "Magic and a certain mage."
"Hey you two," Trial says walking up to them at the bar.
"Hey," both say, although Sentire more along the lines of being tuckered out.
"So where have you been?" Leone asks.
"Went out, did a small job, now here with three drinking buddies. You two want to join?" Trial asks.
"Pass," Sentire groans into the table.
"I'll take it," Leone agrees, patting Sentire's back before leaning over to her ear. "Any stallion giving you trouble, tell me and I'll turn him into a mare," she whispers before leaving with Trial to a nearby table with Rainbow, Vinyl, and Applejack.
Sentire groans as a drink are slid in front of her and she slowly grabs it before drowning it down in one gulp. "Doesn't take away the trouble…but it does make it hurt less."
"Hi, sexy!" Berry cheers, suddenly coming up next to her in a seat. "So…want another shot? I'm buying," she offers and waves down the bartender.
"You're…hmm…Berry, right?" Sentire asks, looking over at the bubbly stallion.
Berry nods her head viciously. "Oh yeah. Dusky's best friend with some other famous ponies. Wink, wink," she whispers before snorting and laughing. "So…come here often mare?" he asks in a smooth tone.
Sentire shakes her head as her shot glass is filled up again. "Nah. Just came here almost a week ago. I was the one Dusk got slapped for by looking at me. Kinda feel bad about that now," she says to the side.
"Aw. I'm sure he likes you. And between you and me, Dusk really needs a mare. Like, really needs ones. His only two good mares are a dragon and a chaos being. While the other is those two," Berry says pointing to Rainbow and Applejack, already in a drinking competition with each other as Trial, Vinyl, and Leone cheers them on. "So, yeah. Maybe you can be Dusk's mare? I mean, you got this hot round ratio body. A good enough personality. And you're the same klutzy mare like Dusk is when he gets into work or pissed off."
"I am not looking for a lesbian relationship at the moment," Sentire jokes half-heartedly, trying to be the confident type.
"And a joker. Dusk can use that," Berry points out and wrapping an arm around her. "Stick with me mare. Once I'm through with you, you can flirt the robes off of Dusk and really get him and any other guy you want."
Sentire smiles a little and drowns another shot. "That feels so much better."
"I hope you are not making another mare drunk for yourself Berry," Elusive scolds walking in and sitting opposite of Sentire. "Be careful. He brags about how he got three mares in two days."
"Four, the fourth being a mopy type that needed a laugh. Man…I made her laugh," Berry corrects wistfully as she dreamily looks up into the sky.
Sentire looks back to Elusive and sees him shaking his head. "Honestly, how do we put up with you?"
"Monsters. Monster attack after another," Berry shot back. "I doubt even Butterscotch can argue that."
"No. He wouldn't," Elusive sighs and sees the questioning look on Sentire. "Sorry. Butterscotch is our friend who lives near…whatever can count as an Everfree forest now. He looks after the animals we have inside the walls. If there is an animal outside, he's the first to charge headfirst and save it before it gets hurt."
"Sounds brave," Sentire compliments.
"Nah. He's a scared little goat," Berry corrects and Elusive gives a somewhat harsh glare to him. "What? It's true."
Sentire smiles a little more and drowns another shot. "Thanks for making me feel better at least."
"No problem. I at least wanted to make sure Berry didn't whisk you away somewhere to have some good creaking fun as he calls it," Elusive says, eyeing Berry.
Berry leans over smirking. "I call it my 'Bucking Fun Party'. It really is a hit with the mares."
Sentire blushes deeply and turns away to have another drink before seeing some stallions dressed up in some makeshift armor of scrap metal and ancient style armor as well while they drank at a table and then notice her before grinning. "Uh oh…" she says quietly and slowly grabs her scythe from behind her while catching Elusive and Berry's attention from the arguing of a food-based outfit.
"What?" Elusive asks as the stallions walk up to the bar.
"Is this the Equites?" Sentire whispers and really catches Berry and Elusive's attention. "Because I'm not looking to be a breeding mare…yet…by a husband," she quickly corrects to them.
"I'll handle this," Elusive reassures as the stallions walk up to them and specifically eye Sentire. "Yes? How can we help you?"
One of the stallions gives a slight grin. "Oh, nothing Elusive. But who's your new marefriend? She seems like a hot piece of flank."
"That is on a need to know. And you don't," Elusive scolds off.
"Yeah. Fly off with your tail between your legs too," Berry pushes as well.
They both give some chuckles and suddenly wrap an arm around Sentire's shoulder as she leans her head away from their alcoholic stench. "Come on sexy mare. Come with us and we'll show you a good time. Maybe even live a life of a good happiness where you just enjoy yourself," he offers, chuckling almost as drunk as the smell would tell.
Sentire was about to say something when a few daggers flew by the two Equites members, embedding themselves right in their line of sight.
"I don't think my friends would like that idea," Sentire sighs in relief internally while Berry and Elusive push them away a bit as Trial and Leone give a harsh glare their way. "If you think I'm going to be a breeding mare, you are so wrong. Besides, I got a motherbucking weapon. I'm not a helpless sap. So scram," Sentire spits and they huff before trying to walk to Leone before she holds up a claw and clenched her fingers in the air before jerking hard and makes them immediately head for the door. "Thanks, guys," she sighs in relief externally and leans against the bar while giving a thumbs up to Trial and Leone who gives one back. "And you two for helping them," Sentire thanks to the two stallions besides her.
"No problem. I may have bred a few mares before, but I hardly go down there now. Besides, there is more fun in wooing a mare rather than just breeding," Elusive winks at her and makes her blush and look away shyly.
"Yeah. It's not all fun and games at times just to fuck a mare. Unless that mare really wants it, but most of them don't so…eh," Berry partially agrees and wraps an arm around her and pulls her close. "Besides, we're your new friends. Can't let you be taken away just like that."
Sentire chuckles a bit and pushes herself off of him. "Thanks. I'll head home now. Dusk may still need some help with the monsters," Sentire excused herself as she gets up and drops a few bits onto the table before walking off, not bothered by the two staring at her flank as she left while Leone notices the smile and unsheathed her claws happily as she walks by.
"Should I?" Trial asks, holding up a new dagger.
"Nah. She likes those two," Leone reassures and lays her head on top of his lap before nuzzling herself against him. "So warm."
"So Applejack, you happy you came now?" Trial asks.
"Hic…yep," Applejack hiccups and takes another swig with Rainbow following.
"You two having fun as well?" Trial asks.
Vinyl giggles as Rainbow give a hard drink. "Yep," they both said eagerly.
Trial smiles as he moves closer to Rainbow before giving her a kiss.
Rainbow giggles drunkenly and kisses back before crawling onto his lap while Leone sits up and moves to Vinyl. "Want to mimic?"
"What do you think?" Vinyl asks, looking to Applejack who's drink had flopped over from her dropping it.
Leone giggles and pushes and kisses her on the couch while Applejack swings herself around and tries to get in and kiss with Leone and Vinyl as well.
"Oh, what is this?" Vinyl asks.
"Shut it," Applejack hiccups and kisses her to shut her up while Leone kiss and bite her neck now.
"H…" Applejack starts before hiccuping. "Hey, what was that for?"
"Just you being sexy," Leone whispers to her before kissing and pushing her to the couch.
Rainbow smirks before reaching over and yanks Applejack to join her with Trial.
Applejack slowly gains a drunken blush as she hiccups in front of Trial before closing her eyes and leans against him, snoring loud as a chainsaw.
"That is cute," Trial says holding her now as he noticed that Berry and Elusive were watching surprised.
"Heh…Applejack isn't bucking him in the junk," Berry says out loud and catches some other attention as well.
"That's new," Elusive says as many seemed envious.
Rainbow giggles drunk off her flank before kissing Trial again as Leone started to rip off Vinyl's shirt. "Okay, Leone. Take it easy. How about we head back to bed and enjoy these mares?" Trial asks as he pets Rainbow's flank and makes her moan happily.
"I am all for that," Vinyl says.
Leone giggles. "Let's get going," she quickly says and grabs Vinyl before pulling her away as Trial carries Applejack and leads Rainbow along as she leans against him.
"Wowzers…lucky stallion that either one of them didn't buck his dick," Berry says bluntly and Elusive could only nod at the fact.
"This will make the second time for Rainbow," Sentire says as they walk back into the library and she spies the group heading upstairs to their room. "I honestly thought this was a one-time thing."
"Huh…oh," Barb says sighing and rubs her fin. "Make sure you clean up after yourselves," she calls up to them and gets a small wave from Trial before they disappear into the hall.
"Don't worry," Trial says.
Barb clicks her tongue and turns to Sentire as she stares after them. "You going to take the food down or not?" she asks, nodding her head to the tray.
"Oops. Sorry," Sentire apologizes as she grabs the tray before heading to the basement.
"Don't get caught up in staring at his flanks," Barb mutters and Sentire squeaks before the door closes. "Okay…now where did Dusk hide that gem bowl?" she asks herself as she looks around.
"Dusk?" Sentire calls as she walks down the steps and comes across Dusk in the form of a large amount of paperwork and official looking scrolls. "What's going on here?"
"Preparing the program. I'm writing down the official letter so it can be put up around the city. After that, volunteers come in, I change them…and then they have to find a stallion to breed. Either by the Equites or their chosen friend or something. I don't know," Dusk sighs as he kept scribbling.
"Don't you have to run this by a council or something first?" Sentire asks.
"I'm the prince. Or rather one of them. Besides, they would agree, seeing as they know the problem we have. If this works, I can set up the program in other places and maybe this can help our situation with those two groups as well," Dusk explains as he leans closer to his writing.
"Still, you are acting without their knowledge. Even your sister," Trial says walking down.
"She knows the problem as well. Look Sentire, I can make this work. I just need to figure out this wording and then send it in," Dusk mumbles at the end.
"You will end up with a knife in your back if you try doing it alone and by that, I mean a noble house will try and assassinate you, thinking you are trying to monopolize all the power," Trial informs as he pushes past Sentire.
"Huh…but what about…?" Sentire tries to ask as she points up the stairs.
"Came down here to inform you someone followed us here and left. We can expect visitors soon," Trial informs.
"Is that so?" Dusk asks as he stops writing and looks at him. "No idea who?"
"We met them at the bar. I threw knives at them. Sentire, you can explain who they were," Trial informs.
"Oh. They were part of Equites. They seriously followed you guys?" Sentire asks, somewhat surprised at what he informed them of. "That's a big leap from me rejecting them."
"Yeah, when they saw us, their eyes widen and started whispering. I think our name is starting to become known," Trial says.
"For you guys mostly, isn't that good?" Sentire asks, tilting her head as she puts the tray on the table.
"If our names are getting around, yours is too," Trial reminds.
"Again, isn't that good? You are going to get more offers," Sentire brought up.
"And more targets on your backs. I don't trust the Equites. But if they have taken an interest in you, you might want to watch out," Dusk spoke up as he looks to the meal and picks up a cup of tea before drinking away.
"If it is just business, that is just fine. But anything else, well…you know what a guillotine is?" Trial asks both of them.
Dusk raises a knowing eyebrow while Sentire gulps.
"Yeah. I'll be doing it to them. An improvised one most likely," Trial informs.
"At least the rule is, don't fuck with you," Dusk states and Trial actually nods to that to Sentire's surprise as he has been arguing with him most of the time.
"So…what sexual things has he been doing to you?" Trial asks, turning to Sentire now.
Sentire sweatdrops and almost facefaults.
Nope. Haven't changed one bit.
"Nothing. I just got him dinner," Sentire explains, gesturing to the tray as Dusk ate a daisy sandwich now.
"Well, in that case, I suggest you join me upstairs with Barb unless you want only us to talk to them," Trial informs.
"No. I'll come upstairs. If we are going to traveling again…might be best I understand the fuck out of these guys…no. That doesn't mean I'm going to drop my pants and bend over to let them fuck me," Sentire says dryly at his raised eyebrow.
"Fix that outfit for that case," Dusk adds and Sentire gives a small glare.
"I like these clothes. They fit well enough for me move freely. Especially since I got a Solaris damn scythe," Sentire explains and rolls her eyes.
"I…like that explanation…Leone!" Trial calls upstairs and starts walking quickly before the group gets in.
"You…wear…skimpy club clothes…for just moving around?" Dusk tries to ask.
Sentire sighs. "Trust me. My flank and chest, wearing a suit are out of the question," she scoffs and starts back up the steps.
Dusk hums as he looks over her form really close now and Sentire feels his eyes on her but doesn't really mind at this point as she enters the lobby and sees Trial coming down the stairs. "Okay. Told Leone to wear smaller clothing like yours. She loved the idea to move better," he says smiling as he almost mentions how Leone stripped a bit for him before he left.
Sentire shakes her head amused. "I'm so glad I got extra sets for myself," she sighs before Barb opens the door to show another set of stallions and a mare following them, looking more like the high end lower class of Canterlot of simple street clothing that Sentire can remember. "Well…not the assholes."
"Stand guard you two," the mare says.
"Oh. A mare general. This is going to be interesting," Trial whispers smiling as Barb notices one of the stallions eyes her body.
"Back off. I said it before and I'll say it again, not for breeding," Barb states and shuts the door before walking off. "Honry dicks," she mutters as she passes by Trial and Sentire.
"And if you do it again, you won't have to ask. I'll disembowel you slowly," Trial informs.
"I like him, but not going to be with him," Barb whispers to Sentire as he kept staring the three down.
Sentire hums and looks back to the mare eyeing them and then notices her weapon on her back. "So…what can we help you with?"
"You're the ones that Gleaming Shield hired, yes?" she asks.
"Sit and give us the job proposal," Trial says getting right to the point.
"Ah, right to the point. I like that," she says following him and takes a seat.
Sentire stayed standing and listening in as she keeps an eye on the stallions while they give a look over her body, Sentire herself not really caring at this point and really wanting to make two little cuts.
"So…what's the job?" Trial presses, keeping a hard eye on the mare.
"We want you to attack the main hive outside of Canterlot with us to help give the city some breathing room," the mare informs.
Trial hums. "Is that all? Just a hive? What's the pay?"
"Depends on your performance," the mare informs.
"Wrong answer. What's the pay? How many to kill? How many for killing the hive? What is it?" Trial presses.
"Depends on your performance," she states again with a lot more force in her tone.
Trial glares her down now. "That is not a good answer. I need a set pay. I am a merc like the rest here. I need to be reassured because your idea of performance is different from mine," Trial explains, tapping the table.
The mare glares him down, not giving an inch, until saying. "Per kill."
"Better," Trial says, not giving up his glare. "Now. Location and time to meet if you and your group are coming to it."
"Tomorrow, nine o'clock, at the entrance of the nest," the mare informs.
"Good. And I expect some fair pay for each monster," Trial states, lightly tapping the table.
"You will get it," she says getting up and leaves her lips curled into a smirk when they couldn't see her face anymore.
Sentire raises an eyebrow as they start to leave and one is the stallions give a passing smirk to her before shutting the door. "So…got a job."
"Yeah. Which means we can also use it to train you," Trial says, now smiling at her.
Sentire slouches now. "Shit."
"Now if you excuse me," Trial says heading back up.
"Don't be too loud," Sentire says passingly as Trial passes her and goes up the steps. "Fuck…I need to train," she mutters and walks off to find Barb about a training area.