Cuddles and Capers CYOA

>>29115151
One alarm you didn't expect to be there and suddenly you're getting swarmed by several baker's dozens worth of guards.
You haven't even found the recipe yet.
Tri tossed you a pudding cup after you took a nasty snoot boop, and you practically inhale the thing, eager to get up and moving again.
He's gonna get on your butt afterward for eating too fast again, but given the circumstances, hopefully he won't be too harsh on you.
You climb to your hooves, feeling much more refreshed.
First things first though.
An orange glow wraps itself around your horn as you pick up and toss the empty pudding cup into a little trash can.
Now you're ready.
>"Enjoy your snackie?" Ward teases from above. A suction cup dart misses her and sticks into the ceiling. She pays it no mind. "Don't exert yourself. You don't wanna get a tummyache so soon after having just laid on it."
Tri retreats past you to pick up some ammo, the guards too distracted by the blue-toned pegasus styling on them to chase after him.
>"She's right, you know," he says, completely serious. "Pudding is supposed to make you feel better. And even if you're feeling better now, you still have to be careful. Sometimes the tummyache is worse than what you needed the pudding for in the first place!"
"I'm not gonna get a tummyache," you grumble, shooting a glare at Ward.
Maybe you'll call her a butt later.
Yeah, that'll show her.
Thankfully, it seems Tri didn't hear. He's too focused on reloading the recycled darts back into his gun.
You're not gonna get a tummyache.
Ward calls out to you.
>"There's a bunch more of them trying to get through the front entrance and I don't have nearly enough water balloons left to deal with them. Now come on! What's the plan?"

>>29115154
Look around for a 'Closed' or 'Do not enter!' sign, or anything we can do to make one in a hurry.

There's no way they can get past that.

>>29115154
Set up a 'wet floor' sign in front of the entrance. They'll have to find another way in.

>>29115204
genius.

>>29115175
>>29115204
>>29115215
"Ward, keep holding them off! Tri, look for a sign to put down!"
Tri finishes refilling his gun and dives behind the front counter, looking for anything that could help stop the waves of security ponies.
>"Whatever you're looking for, hurry it up!" Ward shouts as the guards start pushing her further and further into the store.
Your eyes dart to the front door.
Part of you was hoping that maybe one of you accidentally flipped the CLOSED sign to the OPEN side.
Unfortunately, the guards seem undeterred by the sign telling outsiders that the building is closed.
Tri's voice calls out behind you.
>"Heads up!"
A yellow post is limply flung in your general direction and you have to use your magic to drag it the rest of the way.
A grin slowly makes its way onto your face.
Perfect.
You float the WET FLOOR sign as far forward as you can without putting in danger of accidentally being knocked over in the action.
It would also be very bad if a pony found themselves right on that supposed wet spot.
The sign's a warning to stay away after all.
You don't want to put a pony through the fear of suddenly finding themselves on a slippery floor, even if it's perfectly dry.
Sign deployed.
It takes a few moments, but one by one the guards take notice and their advance comes to a halt.
Ward comes to a land by your side, panting.
>"Smooth."
You watch the guards as they stare warily at the sign and the surrounding floor.
A few of them slowly extend a hoof, only to be pulled back by their peers out of deep worry.
>"Come on, we still have a job to do!" Tri calls out.
There's a pair of doors behind the counter. One has a small, round window and looks to lead into the kitchen and possibly storage.
The other door has no such window.
From the entrance, you can hear guards mutter among themselves.
One of them pulls out a styrofoam cup and begins talking into it. You can't catch a whole lot of what's being said, but you do manage to hear the word "pegasi."

>>29115204
This. Make sure it is one of the ones with a picture of a pony falling down on it.

>>29115343
We gotta hurry, it's only a matter of time before they bring paper towels.

>>29115343
we're here for cake recipes, kitchen it is. That way we can even get a good look at the ingredients themselves.

Be careful not to slam the door.

>>29115151
Faggot cuddle threads need to be purged. Affection is a disease like AIDS. You never show it don't spread it.

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>>29115397

>>29115343
Ask our compatriots loudly and with a wink if they've got the tree sap balloons ready for the pegasi. Flying with sticky wings, a bird's worst nightmare. We'd never do that of course, we're not monsters, but the cops don't know that.

>>29115370
>>29115379
>>29115522
"You're right. That won't hold 'em for long, so let's get moving while we're still clear."
Ward takes off her sockem boopers and the two of you regroup with Tri behind the counter.
>"Which one are we taking?" Tri asks.
"We're looking for a cake recipe. It has to be in the kitchen."
Ward pokes your side.
>"Sure you aren't just still hungry?"
"I'll have you know that I haven't had any grumblies all night. And even if I did want a snack, Tri already gave me a pudding. So there."
You stick your tongue out at her.
>"I gotcha. You took that boop on purpose because you couldn't wait to get into the kitchen."
You scrunch, tongue still poking out.
Tri gasps.
>"No! Don't do that! Pudding is really yummy in your tummy and makes you feel better, I know, but that's no reason to hurt yourself!"
"It wasn't on purpose!"
>"Okay... Just remember, it's never wrong to just ask if you ever want one."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now come on." You hold the door open for your friends and they proceed into the kitchen. Before you follow, you loudly add, "You still have the tree sap balloons for the pegasi ready, right? Okay, good! Keep 'em ready!"
One final glance at the guards reveals their absolutely horrified faces with a few nervously skeptical ones mixed in.
Hopefully the lie holds them off for even longer.
Tree sap balloons are nothing more than fiction. Not only would that be a monstrous invention, science isn't close to developing that kind of technology yet, thank goodness.

(1/2)

>>29115643
Careful not to slam the door, you step into the kitchen.
The kitchen looks normal enough. Everything looks clean and neatly put away. Not a single ingredient or utensil left out.
There's a door on the back wall that appears to lead outside. On a side wall is another door. Probably storage.
Tri and Ward are already opening drawers.
"Anything?"
There's a long pause.
>"...Nothing."
"Well keep looking! We need to get out before they find out the floor isn't actually wet!"
>"No, no, we mean there's nothing at all!"
What?
You squeeze in beside Tri and look into the cabinet.
It's completely empty. Not even a speck of dust.
All the other drawers are the same.
This isn't right. You know this place was doing business just this morning.
But as you open more and more drawers and cabinets, they all reveal the same thing.
The kitchen is completely empty.
The noise from the entrance starts picking up.

>>29115656
Peek into storage, if there's nothing worthwhile in there go back out.

Crawl out of the kitchen and into the other door. The counter should block their view of us and they'll think we're still in the kitchen, buying us some more time when they get past the sign.

>>29115720
"Wh-what about storage?"
Ward flies over to it and after a brief moment, you hear her fiddle with the door before replying.
>"It's locked!"
You make your way to the door, but tilt your head in confusion once you see the locking mechanism.
It's unlike anything you've ever seen before.
You're used to putting the round block in the round hole, but this! This is next level.
Keeping the door shut is some cube-shaped object made up of smaller squares, each a different color and mixed all over the lock.
There's no way you could pick this in any reasonable amount of time.
"Darnit!" You curse quietly to yourself. Ward can't help but glance your way at the foul language. "We have to check the other room."
>"Think those guards are still being held up?"
"They should be, but not for too long. C'mon, we have to move fast."
The three of you return to the kitchen entrance.
"Follow my lead. We don't want them knowing where we are."
You crouch down low and slowly push the door open. You can just barely make out the guards through the display glass. They're still behind the sign.
The movement of the door catches their attention. They point in your direction and start muttering to themselves.
You grit your teeth, beads of sweat rolling down your snoot.

[cont]

>>29116029
A gust of air tickles your ear, causing it to flick this way and that. Looking behind you, you find Tri audibly blowing.
Once the door closes, Tri stops.
You hear one of the guards comment.
>"I guess it was just the wind."
Tri smirks.
This is why you're one of the go-to teams.
But as you start the crawl towards the other counter door, the security ponies part and the sight makes your fur stand on end.
A royal guard. Completely decked out in full cardboard armor. With that helmet on, you can't make out a face.
Earth pony. A little bit on the large side. The armor is well-kept. They colored inside the lines and everything. And strapped to their side is a menacing pool noodle at least four feet long.
Your breathing starts to pick up.
A royal guard!? Something's definitely not right!
You watch as the guard stops in front of the wet floor sign.
A small sigh of relief escapes your lips. Surely the picture of a pony falling down will deter even the royal guard.
Your breath hitches when the guard attempts to take a step forward anyway.
Thankfully, the security ponies stop the Guard, and now he or she is trying to convince them not to worry.
Still, you don't even know what's on the other side of that door. At this rate you sort of have to hope both the recipe and an exit are in there.
You're beginning to wonder if it's worth it.

>>29116039
We wouldn't be the best if we went home empty hoofed. Our buyer would be so sad.

>>29116039
It's all or nothing! Do or do not, there is no try!

>>29116039
There's got to be a doorway in the back somewhere for bringing supplies in. Going out the front definitely is out of the question.

>>29116297
Unless we pretend to be supplies of course.

>>29116116
>>29116208
>>29116297
You have to go for it.
This is your job, your livelihood!
A failed mission means that not only do you take the reputation hit, you're less likely to get more hires, not to mention the client.
The client put their faith in you that you would get the job done no matter the circumstances. You can't let them down!
They would be the saddest.
Scary royal guard or no, you steel your resolve and continue your crawl towards the second door.
Until a tug at your tail causes you to look back at two concerned and terrified faces.
>"What are you doing?" Tri whisper shouts.
>"Are you trying to get us put in time out?!"
"But our mission! We can't disappoint our client!"
Ward glances warily at the front entrance. Looks like the Guard is still talking to the security.
>"Those guys in t-shirts are foal's play, but get enough of them and even I start sweating. I can't take on a royal guard."
>"I understand not wanting to disappoint the client, I do, but what about Papa Patch? How do you think he's gonna feel when we don't come home by ten?"
You grow quiet, your mind weighing your options.
After a deep breath, you answer them.

[cont]

>>29116486
"We're the best aren't we?"
Tri and Ward look to each other, smiling modestly.
>"I mean, we're pretty good."
"Well there's a reason we're the best. We can't just leave here empty-hooved. Just you watch. We're gonna finish this mission and make it back home before Papa Patch even thinks to look at the clock."
Morale boosted, the look of fear and worry disappears from the cute ponies' faces.
>"But still, what about the royal guard?"
"We just have to hope we don't start another fight. We already had the something to go wrong for this mission, so we're in the clear from here on out. Now quick, while they're still distracted."
You push open the door and the three of you scamper inside.
After turning on a light switch, you glance around the room.
It appears to be an office.
There's a desk in the center with a few papers and letters lying on top. The back wall is lined with file cabinets and framed pictures of various landscapes line the side walls. Potted plants sit in each corner.
You can make out a rug behind the desk where the chair sits. There are no other doors.
From the other side of the door, you can hear gasps and heavy hoofsteps approaching.
The guard must be heading towards the kitchen now. By the sounds of it, the others are staying behind the sign.

>>29116499
Search the desk.


is there a lock on the door? is the ceiling panelled? are there any windows?

>>29116499
Check under the rug.

We may need to use clever tactics to deal with him. If he approaches, we tip out a pant pot and wait behind the door, then jam it on his head.

>>29116527
>>29116560
No lock for the door. Better work fast.
Tri and Ward start combing the file cabinets while you go over the desk area.
The letters appear to be business inquiries, bills, and the occasional note from distant loved ones.
Other papers seem to contain inventory, to do lists, shopping lists.
Pulling out a drawer reveals more paperwork. A quick rifle tells you they're just daily bit reports.
You do manage to find a bouncy ball in the drawer. Something to deal with boredom, you suppose.
Hmmm... No windows, no ceiling panels.
Pushing the chair out, you decide to check under the rug.
To your surprise, you find a panel handle.
You lift it slightly and take a peek. It's dark, but the room's lighting is enough to see a small tunnel leading away to somewhere.
>"Nothing in the cabinets," Ward reports.
"You mean nothing nothing, like in the kitchen, or...?"
>"No, I mean they're filled with business junk."
"There's something up with this place, I swear."
>"Oh really? What was your first clue?"
"Hey, for real! The security, the royal guard, the kitchen. Now we've got this office that looks pretty straightforward except for that secret tunnel."
>"So what now?" Tri asks, inspecting a flower pot. Doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with those. "We don't have a lot of time left."
As if to confirm, you can hear the guard going through the cabinets in the next room.

>>29116844
grab the shopping lists, they're atleast ingredient clues and better than nothing. then go down the tunnel and straighten out the rug behind you.

>>29116844
Down into the secret tunnel!

>>29116844
Down the rabbit hole.

>>29116844
Make sure to leave the place neat before we go down. Wouldn't want to be impolite.

>>29116851
>>29116852
>>29116874
>>29116989
"Let's see where the tunnel takes us, I guess."
>"What about the recipe? We still haven't found it yet!"
You stuff the shopping list into your bag.
"This'll have to do for now." It's not what you came in for, but if there are ingredients on there, it's better than nothing.
Despite the clock and danger outside, you take the time to tidy up the room. Straighten out the papers, adjust a crooked picture frame, turn off the light.
You figure taking from them doesn't mean you should add cleanup and a bigger power bill to their list of worries. That would be extra mean.
While the three of you are used to working in the darkest of past sunset, without a nightlight, the room is dark enough to make the average pone whimper for their blankie.
Not wanting to keep your team in the dark for too long, you fire up your horn and cast a light.
"Time to go," you say, climbing down into the tunnel. "Last one down, try your best to fix the panel and rug."
The other two follow in behind you, Tri putting the panel and rug back into place.
The tunnel is clearly pony-made and seems to lead away from the center of the bakery.
Hopefully the end isn't too far. None of you are claustrophobic, but Tri's lanky structure is forcing him to crouch walk through the tunnel.
After another turn, the tunnel begins to widen as it leads up a few steps of stairs.
At first you think it's a dead end, but a tiny breeze and lines of light along the wall attract your attention.
With a small push, the wall opens up and you find yourself in a quiet and empty alley somewhere in what must be downtown Canterlot.
>"Aww, horseapples!" This time you can't help but glance back at Ward for her curse. "Outside?"
>"I doubt we can turn back," Tri says, taking a nice stretch after being cramped in that tunnel. "Surely the guards have gotten past the sign by now. They're probably swarming the whole place looking for us. What do you say? Call it and turn in what we have?"

>>29117125
place was locked up tighter than we could have expected and now they're alert. Our night is done.

>>29117125
Examine the inside and outside of the tunnel and memorize the location. We might have a way in some other night that isn't wired to an alarm. It's definitely too hot tonight to continue.

>>29117125
That'll have to do it. Gotta know when to quit.

>>29117212
>>29117235
You sigh, dipping your head defeatedly.
"Yeah..."
>"Hey." Ward presses against your side comfortingly. "Things never go exactly right, and this was no exception. Sure it was a LOT more than we expected, but we did what we could."
Tri takes up your other side.
>"And it's not what the client asked for, but at least we made out with something. There's no way we're getting full pay for it, but I'm sure Papa Patch can work something out to get us something for our troubles."
"Yeah, I guess. Still... This isn't good for us, and our client will be so disappointed."
Ward breaks the side hug.
>"That client can go eat a cabbage! Their intel didn't tell us about ANY of that!"
>"I'm with Ward," Tri says, also breaking contact. "It was supposed to be a quick, simple in and out. Not THAT."
Feeling a bit better, you lift your head.
"No, you guys are right. Just means we need to be more careful in the future. For now, let's get back home and call in the mission complete."
And though your night is done, you make sure to study that tunnel. You don't expect to make a return any time soon, but knowing about this alternative entrance is powerful information.
Tri calls out from up ahead.
>"You okay?"
"Yeah," you answer, following your friends out into the streets of night time Canterlot.
There was definitely something off about that bakery.

[cont]

>>29117512
You make your way back to the Canterlot Slums. The trip is relatively quiet until the hum of the neighborhood ponies' chatter reaches your ears.
Ever alive even at night, the streets are busy with ponies gossiping, playing, and running their small businesses.
It's a small, tight-knit community. Small and tight enough that these folks know what you and your team do.
They support you, of course. Oftentimes they're your supply, even your clients.
Really, the Slums are like no other part of Equestria. Except maybe that one bat town.
Exchanging greetings with the lot of them, you promise to see them some other time.
For now, you make your way home to Papa Patch's Pajama Palace.
It's a working front. A base of operations that doubles as a pajama store. He even does repairs whenever they come up.
The storefront itself is pretty small, most of the space going towards housing in the back.
Everyone's got their own room, but it's not uncommon to spend nights together cuddled on the pile of soft fabrics.
Looking around though, he doesn't appear to be home at the moment.
Ward lets loose a silent yawn and Tri blinks blearily.

>>29117520
They can go to bed early, we'll handle finishing the job.

>>29117520
>>29117707
Unable to complete the mission proper without Papa Patch, the three of you resign yourselves to actually calling it a night.
The three of you tiredly get undressed as you make the slow crawl towards the cloth pile.
Too drained to put away your things neatly, you toss everything off to the side.
It'll get you a lecture tomorrow, but you'll deal with it then.
Of course, the irony does not escape you that you're about to fall asleep in a pile of discarded cloth.
Ward and Tri remove their bags, but decide to just sleep in their clothes.
Tthe three of you have slept and cuddled together without clothes on, but taking them off is another matter entirely.
You're not related, but you are practically family.
Taking clothes off in front of each other, eugh.
At least they have the decency to do that in their rooms first before jumping into the pile.
Tonight's not one of those nights, though.
Those two did most of the fighting, it's no wonder they're bushed.
Unceremoniously, they collapse onto the pile, their hooves stretching and searching for each other before finally managing to find and pull each other close.
As much as you'd like to join them, you figure you should get as much of the job done as you can.
You dig around in your bag and retrieve the shopping list.
Grabbing a separate piece of paper and a crayon, you write out a debrief for Papa Patch and leave it on a counter for him to find in the morning.
From there, the rest is in his hooves.
Mission complete as far as you're concerned, you join your friends and pseudo-siblings in the pile, eyes drifting closed.

>>29117805
Pausing

Thanks for joining me on this first session. Still trying to get back into the swing of things.
We'll get to proper character introductions next time.
Though do feel free to design and name the MC. All that's really canon is unicorn with orange eyes.

>>29117828
We are a cream unicorn with orange eyes and a red medium length messy mane and tail with a grey feather cutiemark representing our talent for being quiet and tickling. Our name is Light Laugh.

>>29118343
Actually Light sounds like a boys name. If we're a girl I'd say Feather Light instead.

>>29117828
+1 vote for stallion

>>29118348
I'd vote for mare named Feather Light.

>>29117828
Mare

>>29118348
I have no real opinion on gender, but I do like Feather Light for a name.

>tfw there's gonna be little to no votes for stallion in another quest again.

>>29118385
Why in the world would that upset you, Anon?

>>29118385
Sorry Anon, I like being the little mare.

>>29118385
It's not like there's going to be a lot of lewd in this quest.

>>29118396
Just feels like we're female in most quests I follow.

>>29118405
The most that could happen is hoof holding, we're probably not for sexual.

>>29118420
>Just feels like we're female in most quests I follow.
I dunno what quests you're following, but over quests that have run in the past month, there have been almost equal male/female MCs, with male slightly ahead.

>>29118420
>>29118427
Plus, who cares about the ratio, vote for what you want.

>>29118427
Guess that means I need to follow even more quests.

>>29117828
my first impression is a stallion, but really either works.

>>29117828
Unicorn with orange eyes?
How about a pale orange coat to match, with a silver mane?

>>29118420
>>29118427
Male's ahead by quite a bit actually.
>>29112749

>>29118445
I counted 13 male 10 female for quests that have run in the past month.
It's 10/8 on that list.

>>29118451
Oh, are DNH and Darkest Hour both female? That's a fair bit closer to balancing it out.

>>29118459

Darkest Hour is female.

I did forget Do No Harm, which is male.
That's 11 male, 8 female then.

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>>29117828
H-Hero? Holy shit! SO glad to see you back, I hope everything's going well. I just mentioned M&M in another thread tonight in fact.

Tuned in and lurking.

Voting stallion for our PC.

>>29118766
PS: if I've got the wrong Hero, disregard all but the PC gender vote and a general sense of goodwill toward a good story and QM.

>>29118775
It's the right hero

>>29118343
>>29118348
I like the sound of Feather more actually so I'll vote mare.

>>29117828
I say a HUEG mare.

>>29119626
Another for this vote because this reason.

>>29119626
Aweeg.

I'm really sorry about taking a day off so soon after just starting, but Christmas Eve and all that.
I may or may not be able to get something in today or tomorrow. The 26th is a definite can't.

It does look like mare with >>29118343 and >>29118348 is the winner though. Would you like to add anything else? Body frame, markings, clothes/accessories? Character traits you want to see? MCs are hard and I'd appreciate anything you can give me.

>>29118766
And ye, it me. Thanks for joining!

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>>29120959
So it's really the right Hero. Christmas really DID come early!

>>29120959
>body
Tall.
>markings
A few subtly darker cream splotches on the lower belly and inside of the thighs. She gets embarrassed if anyone notices them.
>accessories
An earring that doubles as a lock pick and bottle opener.
>character traits
Likes to be involved, gets sad if she's not.

beb

>>29120959
How about something different?

An androgynous MC. Not clearly male or female, so NPCs will just refer to them as either till the players decide to inform them

>>29123128
No.

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>>29123128
Yeah, nah, folks like playing traps but I prefer a solid gender identity. That of a stallion.

Though that vote may be outnumbered here and M&M had a male player character so maybe we're due for a mare this time.

Bottle opener earring? Holy trailer-park betty! I wouldn't even curse a male with such an item unless it was the pommel of his sword and did the Homer Simpson "Burrp! Mmm, beer!" whenever he opened one with it.

I have no opinion on gender but i will second >>29124496 on that earing idea being awful. Mostly because I don't want to have to draw that.

>>29124545
I'll third the earring being a crappy idea.

How about a CROWBAR that doubles as a lockpick and bottle opener?

>>29124698
>Crowbar
>Cutequestria

>>29124698
But that could damage something.

>>29124722
It's cardboard. Shh, don't tell anyone.

>>29124558
>>29124545
>>29124496
It's a multitool was the point, not some trailer park trash item.

>>29126524

Something's wrong.
Everything is uncomfortably warm, the air is stuffy, weight is pressing all around you, and it's all dark!
Just to make sure, you blink, but even when your eyes are open you still can't see anything!
Your hooves flail this way and that until a rush of cool air hits the tip of your hoofsie.
That way!
You doggy paddle your way through until finally refreshing air blasts your face.
With a gasp, you take in your surroundings and find yourself practically buried in the pile of loose cloth, only your head sticking out.
A deep, baritone voice from the kitchen draws your attention.
>"Morning, sleepyhead. Comfy?"
Papa Patch is a large, older stallion. Chocolate brown with coarse, even darker chocolate-colored mane and tail, with golden eyes.
Well, eye. He wears an eyepatch. He also wears a sweater vest that he stitched up himself. His cutie mark is a piece of cloth with stitches around the edges.
"Morning," you greet. Don't want to be rude. "It was Ward, wasn't it? She buried me."
Patch smiles but continues to dig around for pans and cooking ingredients.
>"I don't know what you're talking about. You looked so comfy I figured you did it yourself."
"I bet you couldn't even see me under all that!" You scrunch. With only a smile as reply, you slowly pull yourself out. "Where are the others?"
>"Triage is still in his room cleaning up, and Ward is taking a bubble bath. They should be out soon. I got your note, by the way. Met with the client earlier and passed along your list and explanation."
You pull your hind leg free from the cloth pile and give yourself a shakedown, clearing your messy red bedhead from your face.
"A-and?"
>"She was frustrated."
"O-oh..."
>"Not at you, mind. In fact, she thanked you for even getting that much. Seems even she underestimated the opposition. I was shocked when she decided to give us full pay anyway."
"Wait, really?"
>"Mhm. The other two got their share already and yours is on the counter. Now, whatdya want for breakfast?"

>>29128213
Waffles, please

>>29128213
Any idea why the place was so strange? Also has he ever heard of a lock like the one we found?

>>29128228
>>29128280
"Waffles!" you say, planting your cute tush into the chair.
>"Got it." Though when you look, the waffle iron's been set up before you even replied.
How does he always know?
While he starts mixing the batter, you begin playing with one of your hard earned bits.
"Do you have any idea why the place was so strange? Did the client say anything?"
He shakes his head.
>"Full Moon told me as much as I told you. Infiltrate Sunburst Bakery and steal their cake recipe. I thought it was just going to be some regular ol' bake place, easy money. I'm sorry, Feather. I would not have put you through that if I knew."
"It's okay. It was rough, but we made it out."
He smiles.
>"I expect nothing less from you three."
The mouth-watering scent of cooking waffles finds its way to your snoot, making you bounce in your seat.
Control yourself, mare. Still, you can't help but lick your lips.
"Hey, while we were in there, we saw this really weird lock."
>"Oh?"
"Yeah. Not a square hole, round hole, or even a star-shaped hole! There was no hole at all!"
Patch's ears perk as he listens.
"It was this cube, covered in all sorts of colors. I've never seen anything like it before and didn't have a clue of how it worked. I was wondering if you've ever heard of anything like that."
He thinks deeply, and when he answers, his speech is slow.
>"I've heard rumor of it. A lock so complex that only geniuses can crack it. Another thing on the list of crazy technology ponies say they're developing in the palace. They're all hogwash, though it seems there may be some truth to these inventions after all. Doesn't explain what that kind of future tech is doing in some bakery."

>>29128522
Well, there was royal guard protecting it. Whatever's in there, it's not something they want other ponies to see.

>>29128522
Maybe its the princesses favourite cakes.

>>29128535
>>29128554
"Some bakery with an insane security system. What kind of bakery is under the watch of the royal guard?!" You slump down onto the countertop, stretching out your hooves. "Whatever's in there, it's not something they want other ponies to see."
>"What are you thinking? That they've got a bunch of mares showing off some socks for desperate stallions back there?"
"I hope not. I mean, maybe, but that's a family establishment!"
>"Maybe it's just where they store the Princesses' favorite cakes?"
"Please. That's just silly."
>"Maybe they're trying to hide the fact that they store their milk in bags?"
You shudder.
"No one is that depraved."
>"Whatever it is, there's no need to concern yourself with it further. The mission's done and we got our pay. Just gotta wait for the next one. Here."
Patch sets out a plate of waffles for you and you promptly start drowning it in syrup.
>"Waffles again? We have that every other day." Tri comes out of his room just in time to see you pouring an unhealthy amount of syrup on your food. "Feather! No! You have to stop doing that! That much syrup is bad for you! You're gonna get cavities! You don't want those!"
"But it's sooo gooood!"
>"At least save some for the others, Feather." Patch tells you. "And maybe if you were faster you could have a say in breakfast and her eating habits," he tells Tri.
>"I had to clean up and get ready," he whines.

[cont]

>>29129076
Triage is your team's combat medic. Supplied with puddings, juice boxes, and lollipops, he's always prepared to fix one of you up in case things get hectic. And they tend to. He carries a pistol for self defense.
He's the oldest of the three of you and the tallest. He has mint green fur, blue-green eyes, and a curly, leaf green mane. Freckles pepper his face, and his cutie mark is a spoon digging into a pudding cup.
He's wearing a dark grey turtleneck.
"Well clean up and get ready faster."
He scrunches, but Ward is the one to reply as she enters the room and takes a seat across from you.
>"At least he cleaned up at all."
Armored Ward, your combat specialist. You watched her take out hundreds of guards last night with her sockem boopers, but you shouldn't forget about her water balloon grenades and sniper rifle. The nasty thing can fire up to 20 feet!
While you're the red one on your team and Tri the green, Ward is the blue. She keeps her mane done up in a pony tail, though two long bangs frame her face.
She has a light stripe running down her muzzle, and long natural socks. Her cutie mark is an explosive POW, like the kind you'd see in a comic book.
She's wearing a white tank top and a pair of shorts.
"I can take a bath after breakfast, you butt."
>"Hey now," Patch steps in. "Eat your breakfast, the three of you."
And so you do. None of you hate each other, of course. You love each other dearly. That just happens to be the way the three of you treat each other.
As you down another forkful of syrup, Patch speaks up.
>"Any plans for today? I don't have any jobs lined up for you."

>>29129089
I'd like to learn more about that lock. Since they exist, there's a chance we could run into it again.

File: Feather Light.png (184KB, 1600x1600px) Image search: [Google]

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>>29129089

This>>29129128

I drew the MC! Ain't she a qt?

>>29129128
"I just wanna learn more about that lock. This impossible, advanced technology exists."
>"You're crazy."
>"But... you were there. We all saw--"
You ignore them both and continue.
"Who knows? What if we run into it again?"
>"You really think you will?" Patch asks. "To the public, that sort of thing is the imagination of foals and dreamers."
"It's possible though, isn't it? What if it interferes with any future jobs?"
He sighs.
>"I'll look into it. In the meantime, why don't you see Perfection? She's a good bet for all things locks."
>"You mean that mare with the dial cutie mark?" Tri asks nervously. "C-Can we not? I don't like her."
>"What did she do to you?" Ward asks protectively.
>"Nothing! She didn't do anything to me. It's just... She puts a lot of pressure on ponies. Always rushing them, then exploding if you're not quick enough."
"Is she really that bad?" you ask Patch.
>"I can definitely see what he means at the very least. I can hold my own in front of her, but what Triage says isn't wrong."
>"If you still want to go, you can, but count me out. I'm gonna hope we just don't run into that cube thing again."
"So what are you going to do today instead?"
He shrugs.
>"See how the neighborhood's doing, restock. Maybe someone has something we could help them with."

Pausing.
Sorry for the slow and short session today.

>>29129414
And yoooo, lookit this qt

beb

>>29129606
I'd like to see what's up with this bakery.

>>29131725

>>29115151

>>29134895

found you on page 10

>>29133063
Looks like this is our only command.

>>29137175
It was a pretty weak prompt.

>>29136709

>>29133063
"Well, you can go ahead and do that then. I want to see what's up with this bakery."
Tri's ears fold back.
>"O-oh. Okay. Well, I uhh, I guess I'll just head out and see you guys later."
Ward bumps your side aggressively and gives you a sidelong glare.
"Owie! Oh, uhh... Please don't take it the wrong way, Tri. It's just, this bakery's been bothering me and I really need to learn more about it."
He kicks a little hoof out.
>"No, I get it... There was definitely something happening there and you're not wrong to want to figure out what. I just figure..."
>"Mission complete, start focusing on the next one?" Ward finishes for him and he nods. To you, she adds, "I think I'll go with the big guy. You let us know if you find anything, 'k? And we'll call you if someone has a job for us. Deal?"

>>29140868
I thought we were looking into the lock, not the bakery. Who in there right mind would go anywhere near the crime scene so soon after the crime?

>>29140918
Looking into the lock is basically looking into the bakery, I thought. The big thing though is that you want to go see Perfection and not go to the bakery itself.

>>29140967
Correct, going to the bakery any time soon is just asking for trouble.

>>29140918
>>29140967
>>29140994
"Deal. Say hi to everyone for me?"
>"Sure," Tri answers. "Good luck with Perfection."
Papa Patch steps up behind you and ruffles your already unkempt mane.
>"She'll be fine. Feather here is a smart little cookie and I'm sure Perfection will see that." He chuckles. "Won't stop her from popping off though.Well, good luck! I'll do my own investigations and see you three later."
With waves and huggies, you all part ways. Papa Patch goes wherever it is he's going, Ward and Tri to the rest of the neighborhood, and you to Perfection's place.


Located in a little corner in the Slums, you find Perfection's Lock Shop and step inside.
With everything painted this bright red, blue, and yellow, it kind of hurts your eyes to look at.
Once your eyes have dulled and numbed from the pain, you can finally take it your surroundings.
This is a lock shop, all right.
Locks of all sorts of differently shaped holes adorn the walls, but there are a few types you're not very familiar with yourself.
You see a peg with colorful rings stacked around it. The rings vary in size, but it looks like they get smaller as they reach the top of the peg.
Another, fancier looking lock has four buttons of different colors. One keeps blinking. You're not quite sure how to proceed with that one.
You recognize another one of them. You think Papa Patch called it a xylophone.
You spot a really crazy looking one in a corner. It looks like a tangle of loops and curves, and you can slide blocks along them from one side to another.
Try as you might, you don't see the lock the bakery had.
You're interrupted from your thoughts by a prude voice more befitting of a noble. And the mare it belongs to certainly looks the part.
Matching the store theme, the mare has garish red fur, a long, curly blue mane, and yellow eyes. On her flank is a dial cutie mark.
>"Yes, hello, can I help you?"

>>29141358
Hello. We're looking for a certain lock we saw yesturday, but it doesn't seem that you have it.

>>29141358
Yeah, a friend showed me a specific type of lock yesterday and I was really keen to get one for myself.

>>29141406
>>29141465
"Yes, hello, uhm--"
>"Wait one moment, would you dearie?"
You watch as the unicorn pulls out a dial timer and sets it, the quiet but incessant ticking playing in the background.
>"You were saying?"
"Uhh..."
Your eyes flick to the timer. You can see it going down slowly but surely.
Perfection cocks an eyebrow, a confident smile on her face as she waits for you.
Your eyes narrow as you accept this apparent challenge.
"My friend showed me this lock yesterday and I was really hoping to maybe get one for myself, but you don't seem to have it."
>"How helpful. Maybe you should describe this lock that I don't seem to have."
Her eyes don't stray from yours, though you can already see mild annoyance and insult taken.
"It was this cube. It had a bunch of different colored squares all over it."
She looks at you for a moment, the timer still ticking away.
>"Is that all?"
"Well, I don't know how it works. I didn't even know where to begin with something like what I saw."
>"This friend of yours didn't tell you anything?"
"You know how it is, haha. Wouldn't be a very good lock if a pony knew how to open it."
>"Right... Well, I can't say I have such a lock. Perhaps you should ask your friend where they got it?"
"They, uhh, didn't say. That's why I came here."
>"Hmm. That's unfortunate." The timer continues ticking down.

>>29141763
Well, if I had to make a wild guess at how it worked, it might be that it unlocks by making it so that each side of the cube is all one color. Does that help?
If that's not too meta

>>29141763
Does she know of anyone else who might know more? If not, stare intently at the timer until it ticks down. I'm very excited to see what happens.

>>29141763
Okay, nobody showed us and we have no way to know how it works. The only thing we know is that such a thing was believed to be nothing more than an urban myth until we saw it for ourself.

>>29141883
WAY to meta. There'd be no point in even coming here.

>>29141903
She'll probably kick us out.

>>29141996
>She'll probably kick us out.
I'm aware Anon.

>>29142018
Did we see anything that hinted the squares moved?

>>29142040
No. Not sure why you're asking me.

>>29142040
We just looked and left. We were in a hurry after all.

>>29142074
Because clicking a post number Is the fastest way to post on mobile and I mean at work

>>29141996
I thought so, disregard then

>>29141883
>>29141903
>>29141996
You still need more information, and you should probably get as much as you can before that timer reaches zero, whatever it is that happens.
"Say, could you tell me how that lock over there works," you ask, pointing at the one with the blinking button.
Perfection glances at the timer but answers your question.
>"That one is a Celestia Says lock. One of the higher end locks out there. You press the blinking button."
"Is that all?"
Her smile grows wider with cunning excitement.
>"You press the blinking button, but then the lock blinks twice. If you manage to press the buttons in the same order they blink, it does it again a third time. The highest security version of that lock can blink up to five times."
F-Five times?!
Just imagine what sorts of things ponies would want to keep locked up with that kind of security!
You know you'd certainly feel safe with something that complex.
"So this cube lock I was talking about. I know I didn't give a whole lot, but do you have any idea how something like that might work?"
>"From the way you're describing the lock to me, unlocking it would be impossible."
"What? No, that can't be. There has to be SOME way!"
>"The only thing I can imagine is making those squares all the same color on each side of the cube. But nopony would be able to figure that out. It wouldn't be a very good lock either if nopony knew how to open it."
"Do... do you know anypony who would know how?"

[cont]

>>29142361
>"Your friend?"
Oh.
The clock keeps ticking. It's nearing its end.
You take a deep breath.
"I'm sorry." She cocks an eyebrow. "I... I lied. A friend didn't show me. All I know is that this thing was believed to be nothing more than an urban myth. Until I saw it myself."
>"Saw it yourself, you say?"
You release a breath you didn't realize you were holding. Only in the Slums would nopony care about being lied to to this degree.
"Yes, ma'am. I was hoping you'd know something about it, or know someone who knew something about it."
>"No one knows more about locks than I do." She pauses. "Except for whoever is in on that particular one. I've heard the rumors myself and all I can say is that if this piece of technology exists, it's likely that other previously unheard of technologies exist."
"I... don't think that's how it works."
The ticking gets louder as the timer nears its end.
>"Be on the lookout during your future endeavors. If you don't find them, they might find you."
"Th-They? Who are they? Whoever's making these things?"
You check over your shoulder.
>"I meant the technology." She states simply. "You might run into more. Is what I'm saying."
"Oh."
The two of you stand there in relative silence.
You decide to stare at the timer as it makes its final ticks.
Perfection also stares at the timer, though she looks at it with dread and resignation. She makes no moves to stop it. She simply watches with you.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
BRRRRNNNGGG
All at once, her horn glows and every item in the shop is thrown off its shelf. Everything that must have been so painstakingly neatly sorted. Just popped out and flung across the room to wherever they happened to land.
Perfection only sighs and begins attempting to put everything back into place.
Surely she knew what would happen. But then why set the timer at all?!
You stand there speechless.

>>29142372
Need some help cleaning up? Also, why did you even set that?

>>29142372
Oh dear. What an unfortunate way of tracking time. Does she want some help?

>>29142372
A-are you being bullied?

>>29142399
>>29142437
>>29142521
"Do you... Do you need help?"
Solemnly, she takes a bunch of rings and stacks them on a fallen peg before placing the complete lock back onto a shelf.
>"But that would be cheating. Only one pony can put the things back in their spot."
"No, really. I'm willing to--"
>"No helping."
O-okay.
"Why would you even set something like that?"
She shrugs.
"A-Are you being bullied? I can help with that too, you know."
>"The only one bullying me is myself."
"No... Please don't bully yourself. You know, there are better ways to keep track of time. You don't have to keep setting that."
She looks to you as if you were one of the princesses. Or as if she was learning that waffles and syrup were a thing that existed.
>"What? Is this another one of those impossible technologies like your lock?"
Your mane flies across your face as you shake your head.
"Nuh uh! It's called a clock! It's like your dial except you don't have to set it, it doesn't make your things go pop, and it uses two hooves to keep track of time!"
Perfection eyes you with suspicion.
>"This sounds an awful lot like impossible technology."
"It's not, I swear! I don't really know how it works to be honest, but the hooves keep moving and all on their own and one is bigger than the other so you can keep track of time better, like this."
As you speak, you extend one hoof out while keeping the other mostly contracted. Perfection watches as your outstretched hoof ticks in a big circle around you.
>"Amazing," she breathes. "I'll look into it."
"I hope it solves your problem," you say with a smile.
Smiles always make things better.
You did a good deed today, helping her out. Sorta.
What now?

Pausing

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>>29142908
"Perfection." Everything flies when the timer runs down. I see what you did there!

>>29143809

>>29144414

>>29144735

>>29145452

>>29142908
Now we should go find our pals and share what we learned. But on the way out sneakily put something back in its place while she not looking.

>>29147210

What's wrong with this quest?

>>29150478
The prompts are pretty weak, and so are the characters so far, in my opinion.

>>29150495
The prompts can be hit or miss depending on the context, but have the characters already doomed the quest?

>>29150532
Not doomed, but nearly a week into the quest I feel like we haven't really done anything with the cast or established any characters, including that of the MC.

There was an action scene and now we're hunting for info. We're getting into the story at lightning speed at the expense of not getting to know the characters, which is a pretty big issue.

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117KB, 467x570px

>>29150495
If this were any other QM I'd be extremely worried by now. But this one'll have us in a deathmatch arena battling dragons or something before we know what hit us!

>>29150571
If this were any other QM you'd have dropped the quest by now or not have picked it up in the first place.

>>29150628
Aheh. Mebbeh. I still hold high hopes however.
Sometimes I wonder what'd have happened if he ever ran the original M&M storyline and we just picked different players, locations etc, but that's probably a horrid idea.

I'm going to assume that this will rock, there's every chance that it can.

>>29150657
I genuinely hope you aren't let down, anon.

>>29150628
As an avid M&M fan, it's accurate. Not to bash Hero, but I'm really not enjoying this very much so far.

I'm sure he's just rusty and getting back into the swing of it.

>>29150570
How would you like to get to know the characters? What do you want to see from them? What do you want to do with them? How do you feel about pauses in said story to interact with them?

>>29150704
>>29150715
Ye of little faith. I'm sure hordes of undead will come bursting forth all around us momentarily. And if not, we've at least gotten Hero's attention that this could use a bit more drill-worms and a bit less Rubics Lock.

Though I AM detecting a pattern that could lead somewhere. Precision. The locks. This is taking place in a land which may be, if I'm not mistaken, simply rife with chutes and ladders, maybe some elaborate mousetraps- and if so I bet Hero can pull this off quite entertainingly. Thus I am hopeful!

>tfw we turned down exploring the neighborhood with Ward and Tri to research the lock

>>29150724
The first had such a cool mechanic, where we got to inspect them all physically before choosing which we really wanted to "meet". It's hard to equal that level of intimacy and maybe that's why this one feels a bit less, er, informed/perfected? I really can't say what would "fix" this, it's just plain different. Gotta go with it a ways before I can tell if it's going to be the sort of different I can sync with.

>>29150478
It started just before christmas and has been inactive more days than active.

Bamp

I feel fucking awful about this lack of quality. I don't deserve you guys.

>>29148132
You figure it's time to regroup with your friends. You're done here.
You make your way towards the exit but look back, seeing her place more whatsits where they belong.
One good deed deserves another, you suppose.
Quickly, while she's not looking, you mutter under your breath a little "wowowowo."
Your magic wraps itself around a square peg and hole, and the two items magically float onto a display shelf near the door, touching down without a sound.
Light as a feather. You giggle to yourself.
Hopefully that puts a little less stress on Perfection.


You don't get very far towards the hubbub of the neighborhood before you spot Ward and Tri making their way towards you.
>"There you are!"
"Here I am!"
>"So? How was it? Nothing accidentally bopped you?" Tri asks, looking you over for any signs of injury.
"No, I'm fine," you reply, letting him invade your personal space. "No luck on the info though. She didn't know much about it either, except that if a super lock exists, who knows what other tech we might run into."
>"Yeah well, that tech can bring it on!" Ward exclaims. "We can take it! Uhh, in more ways than one, too!"
"Three, go!"
>"What?"
"N-Nevermind. So how were things on your end?"
>"A few of the ponies asked where you were and why you weren't with us." Ward says, giving you a look.
"Oh..."
>"But in other news, Smuggle Run said he could use some help. He was expecting a shipment of illicit goods last night, but they never showed."
Tri continues where Ward left off.
>"He thinks Stolen Goods stole the goods while it was making its way through the south side of the mountain's caves. He was hoping we could get his supply back."

>>29153363
Alright, what do we know about this Stolen Goods character then?

Besides the incriminating name

>>29153363
>this names
Is he sure it wasn't Property Theft or Package Pursuer? What about Appropriated Possession?

>>29153691
>>29153809
"Remind me who Stolen Goods is again?"
>"The one who steals goods," Tri answers. "Obviously."
"Isn't that Property Theft?"
>"Nah, he thieves properties."
"I think I'm getting one of them mixed up with Package Pursuer."
>"Feather, please. She's in a different business altogether."
"R-right. But then who's Appropriated Possession?"
>"Now you're just being silly."
"Sorry, sorry," you apologize, letting your giggles die down. "But really, which one is Stolen Goods?"
Thankfully, Ward gives you a better description than Tri did.
>"Stolen Goods is the leader of that gang that dresses up like pirates. They utilize boatcarts and pillage traveling merchants or smugglers."
>"She's also the one with the really big... uh." Tri blushes furiously. "Hat."
>"And chest floof. Seriously, the mare must have spent ages just letting that grow out."
Tri clears his throat but doesn't speak further.
"Any idea where we can find her?"
>"She's a pirate, Feather. Their kind don't stay in one place."
"I guess that means the cave is our only lead. What's the expected opposition?"
>"Their crew is somewhere around ten strong, armed with popguns and foam swords."
>"We can take them!" Ward shouts. "Th-the pirates. Not their weapons. We're not taking those."
>"Anything else, Feather?"

>>29153892
What if we DID take the weapons though? Then they might be able to do it again for a while!

>>29153892
They have to be hiding their booty somewhere. If we can get that we could lead them into a trap. Maybe they keep it in Stolen's floof...

>>29153935
>>29153971
"What if, and hear me out on this," you start, placing your booper on Ward's snoot, "we DO take the weapons?"
Ward's eyes grow to the size of saucers.
>"C-can we do that? Is that a thing?"
You nod excitedly and place your hoof around her neck, pointing out with the other.
"Just think. Imagine it. If we took their weapons, they won't be able to take another thing for a while!"
>"Th-that's a long time."
"Uh huh!"
>"That's crazy talk!" Tri objects.
"There's nothing crazy about it. Like Ward said, we can take 'em. Except this time, we can take their weapons too."
Tri has to stop and take a seat, this revelation too much for even him.
>"Gosh..."
"But we still need to find them first."
>"To the cave then?" Ward asks.
You bring a hoof to your chin in thought.
"Maybe not. If we want their weapons, we have to lure them in to us!"
>"But how do we do that?" Tri leans forward, eager to hear your plans.
"We need to find their booty." You begin pacing, but fail to notice Tri's blush return. "They have to have some and they have to be hiding it somewhere. The question is where. Once we get our hooves on their booty, we can set a trap for them to run into."
Tri can't seem to speak. His face is red with what must be intense thought over how to go about this.
Ward speaks up.
>"They're pirates. They must hoard their booty in the safest place they know. Right with them!"
"Of course! Why hadn't I realized it before?! Stolen's floof! That's where the booty is!"
Tri jumps to his hooves.
>"L-Let's go! Right now!"

>>29154174
k.

>>29154174
I like the enthusiasm! But lets be careful here. We gotta stay out of sight until we get a chance at that floof.

>>29154174
Lets get to hunting some booty

>>29154511
we can stake out the area and then follow Stolen into town, stage a distraction and sneak a hoof into his floof when he least expects it.

>>29154468
>>29154511
>>29154710
>>29154917
"That's some good enthusiasm! I like it! But we still have to be careful."
Tri nods seriously.
>"B-booty and floof are no joke. I can't-- I-I mean, WE can't mess this one up."
>"Any ideas on how we get into the floof? We can't just walk up to a pony and touch their floof."
"That's why we have to be sneaky," you say as you crouch. "The cave was where the stolen goods were, so that's where Stolen Goods was last. There's a good chance either she's still there or she'll return there. So the plan is to stake out the south cave, follow Stolen somewhere safe, stage a distraction and sneak a hoof into her floof when she least expects it."
>"I volunteer to be the floof toucher!" Tri says.
>"Tri, you're a stallion! You can't just touch a mare's floof!"
>"This is for the mission! Besides, you're better at making distractions than I am."
>"Why not have Feather do the touching?"
>"Uhh... She's backup for when something goes wrong?" He offers.
"That's fine by me. Let's stock up and head out."
Each of you bring a hoof to the center.
>"Go team! Break!"


With a quick trip back to Papa Patch's Pajama Palace, the three of you gear up before heading to the cave.
It's your pretty standard cave entrance. Isolated from the city, but with a few shrubs here and there. Signs are posted depicting scared ponies.
Good thing none of you are scared ponies!
Still, you're on a mission that requires your utmost focus.
You get ready to stake out the area, but when you glance into the rock tunnel, you see what appears to be the silhouette of a downed pony.

>>29155081
approach but stay hidden. We're not here to kiss booboos.

>>29155081
Careful now, this could be the old booboo bait trap. Poke them with a long stick before getting too close.

>>29155102
>>29155158
"Shh!"
>"What?" Tri asks.
You point towards the figure and he gasps.
>"Feather! We have to help!"
He moves to rush in, but you stop him.
"Wait! We are not here to kiss booboos. For all we know, this could be the classic booboo bait trap."
He whimpers.
>"I don't like that one. That one always gets me."
"That's why we're here, Tri."
You dig around the foliage for a stick, making sure to find one with lots of leaves at the end. A pointy stick would makes things worse for sure.
Once you find one, you turn back to Ward.
"Tri and I and going in to check it out. Back us up."
She nods and readies her sniper rifle.
Fires up to 20 feet. You have no worries of her missing.
You and Tri begin your approach, making sure to hug the wall.
You'll have to really stretch your hoof out, but just a few more steps and you'll be able to reach with the stick.
But once you're close enough to have a better look, both you and Tri gasp.
The mare is wearing a striped shirt and a bandanna. She's one of Stolen's crewmembers! No booboos spotted either.
You ready your stick, but Tri stops you.
>"Wait, dont! She's napping," he says with a hushed whisper.
"What?"
On closer inspection, her chest gently rises and falls, and there's some drool coming out of her mouth.
"Why would somepony nap in here?"
>"I don't think it was voluntary. This is no ordinary nap. She's tuckered out hard. Something did this to her." He looks deeper into the cave and points. "Look. Over there."
You follow his hoof and spot three more ponies further in, laying passed out on the floor in a cuddle pile.

wtf where are the capers? I wanted tapenade.

>>29155368
Got a bad feeling about this. Examine the poners, are there signs of cuddling? Loose feathers, something?

>>29155368
someone must have sang one hell of a lullaby

>>29155491
"Stay calm, Tri, everything's gonna be okay."
You say that, but it's for you just as much as it is for him.
>"W-we still have a mission to do. We still need to find Stolen Goods and get to her floof."
"And find the stolen goods."
>"Yeah, that too."
You crawl closer to the first pony to get a better look. Maybe you can find out what did this to her.
She's still wearing the shirt and bandanna, so belly rubs and mane ruffles are unlikely.
On closer inspection though, the bandanna's loose, and a part near the bottom of the shirt looks like it's been stretched out.
Something pulling on them, maybe? Those parts are partially wet.
Your eyes are drawn to the drool running down her slightly matted cheek.
Either this mare has an embarrassing drool problem, or it isn't entirely hers.
On very cautious lookout, you crawl over to the cuddle puddle further in.
Two stallions and another mare, all clearly part of Stolen's crew.
Again, another unnatural amount of drool. One's missing their bandanna.
You inspect the pegasus stallion's wings. Ruffled and unkempt.
Their clothes are dirty like they've been rolling around in the dirt, but looking at how snug these ponies are right now, you don't think they rolled around that much in their sleep.
However, in addition to the dirt all over their shirts, you find fur mixed in.
Charcoal grey, it's coarse and doesn't look like it belongs to any of these ponies.
Your focus is interrupted by noises further in.
It's faint, but you think you can hear growling. Not long after, you hear shouting and crying, though something seems off about them.
>"Feather," Tri whispers. "Wh-what do we do?"

Pausing

>>29155942
Doggos...

>>29155942
Now this I can get into! Wait it's paused for the night? Drat.

I agree with the other anon, this looks to be the work of diamond dogs who've slurped the pirates into submission. As far as I know, dogs have only one really effective countermeasure.

Skunks.

We slip out, round up a skunk apiece, and advance into the cave, skunks held out ass-first other than our sniper who keeps her usual weapon.

Once we encounter their group, we open fire.

>>29155942
Puppies?

>>29154837
Soft poner

>>29157124
Anon, you can't do that! Skunks are cruel enough on a pony, spraying it on a doggo means no one would want to play with doggo, and that's too sad.

>>29157124
>>29157787
Skunks might work, but puppers are weak to pets and treats too.

bap

>>29158508

>>29159531

>>29161423
Hero doesn't know how to announce when he's busy or not.

>>29161423
>>29161430
see
>>29155950

Hero run more you fuck

>>29162054

>>29164761

>>29165536

>>29156048
>>29157127
>>29157787
>>29157124
>>29157818
"This looks like the work of doggos."
Tri tilts his head.
>"Doggos?"
You nod.
"Diamond doggos. And they've slurped the pirates into submission."
>"So what do we do?"
"Hmmm... I got it. Skunks."
He tilts his head the other way.
>"Skunks?"
"We go out, find a few skunks, and spray the doggers with them."
Tri looks mortified.
>"Feather, no! I don't care if these are dangerous diggies who took out a group of pirates, that's too much!"
"Okay, okay!"
But if not skunks, then what?
What else are puppers weak to?
"What about pets and treats?"
>"I don't think my treats will work on diamond dogs," he says, looking into his bag.
Looking in, you see that he's brought his usual armament: some basic vanilla pudding cups, lollipops, juice box dispenser.
>"And though petting might work, that's really risky. What if we end up like those pirates?"

>>29166957
i've never known a doggo to turn down treats.

Still, we can go outside and get a nice fetching stick.

>>29166957
Too bad we don't have any alpo and industrial strength laxative right now, we'd be unstoppable. How about high pitched noise? Dog whistle style? Are there any bat-ponies about?

>>29166971
"Then we reserve petting as another option in case things come to that. And besides, doggos are physically incapable of turning down treats."
>"E-even poner treats?"
"The only thing doggos like more than poner treats are dogger treats. That's how the doggo food chain works. Regular pony food at the bottom, then dog food, then pone treats, then dog treats."
Of course there are bones and regular dog treats, but these ARE diamond dogs you're dealing with.
Diamond dogs like gems, don't they? No, wait, you're thinking of dragons. You mean, maybe diamond dogs like snacking on gems too?"
>"Feather? You okay? You kinda just started staring off into space and making weird faces."
You can feel your cheeks warm.
"I was just thinking about dog food."
>"Come on, breakfast wasn't too long ago. Though like I said the other night, if you're hungry, you can just ask--"
You silence him with a tiny boop. He scrunches but still manages a small smile at your expense.
"I guess we can grab a stick from outside and use that. We can fill Ward in on the situation too."
>"Sounds like a plan."
You and Tri return to the cave entrance where Ward lies in wait.
After explaining the situation to her, the three of you search and find quality fetching sticks. There's no way doggos could resist chasing these things down.
Sticks in tow, you, Tri, and Ward pass by your old poking stick and past the sleeping pirates.
As you travel deeper into the cave, the noises from earlier get louder and become more clear.
The three of you crouch and hug the wall. Gotta be sneaky.

[cont]

>>29167382
You round a corner and find a cavernous room. Four more ponies lay passed out on the floor.
In the center of the room, two ponies remain standing, though just barely.
One is just a regular crewmember, but the other is clearly Stolen Goods herself.
Brown fur, blue eyes, white and forest green mane. Heavy coat and oversized pirate hat. And of course, the gratuitous chest floof just hanging out in the open.
Some mares, you swear.
Towards the back of the room, you spot a few boxes. Could those be the stolen goods?
As you ponder what's in the boxes, movement in the center of the room catches your eye.
A single charcoal grey pup jumps at the crewmember excitedly. The pony falls over with little resistance, and the tiny diamond dog puppy climbs on the poor pone, tail wagging happily as it licks at the pony's face.
The pony's legs do little kickies in the air and laughter rings out in the cave, but soon after, the giggles die down as the pony falls to a nap.
After sniffing the defeated pony's face, the pup lets loose a little "wan!" and looks towards Stolen Goods.
The coal pup is panting from its previous victims, but Stolen is breathing hard herself, and her eyes begin to droop.
Neither seem to have noticed you.

>>29167393
Whistle and get the sticks ready.

>>29167393
Brutal.
>>29167835
This

Sorry, nap took me for a minute.
>>29167835
>>29168086
Time to take action.
First things first, you need to grab that pupper's attention.
You purse your lips and let loose a whistle.
That is, if you could whistle.
All that comes out is a gust of air that turns into a raspberry partway through.
Thankfully, Ward's got you covered.
Bringing a hoof to her mouth, she lets loose a whistle loud enough to bring the coal pup to a skidding halt, lightly bumping into Stolen's leg.
Both pairs of eyes are on your team however.
Attention grabbed, you wave a stick in your mouth.
After staring at it for a split second, the coal pup comes running towards you at incredibly high speed, letting out a high pitched, excited "Bork! Bork!"
You can feel the fur on the back of your neck rise as the pup comes barreling towards you.

>>29168596
Throw it!

>>29168596
pretend to throw it, before throwing it in another direction entirely!

>>29168672
>>29168696
A devious plan crosses your mind, one that will take all your skill to pull off.
It's dangerous too. If this doesn't work, you're through.
You take the stick into your hoof and pretend to throw with all your might.
The plan works a little too well, both the pup and your two friends falling for it.
Their eyes shoot towards the other end of the cave, searching for the stick that isn't actually there.
What is back there though, or at least making her way back there, is Stolen Goods and the stolen goods.
The pupper doesn't seem to care about her however, only searching for the stick.
It turns to you questioningly, and you enact the second part of your plan before it can recuperate.
This time you throw the stick for real and the pup immediately starts chasing after it.
Got it!
The stick lands a good 12 feet away. Respectable, and it really makes you appreciate the range of Ward's rifle.
Pupper chases it down, but for whatever odd puppo reason, it stops shortly before even reaching the stick, turning around and excitedly running back towards you!

>>29169022
I-it's over.

Cower in fear.

>>29169022
Preemptively tackle it and start petting it. Tell Ward to keep Stolen from running.

>>29169022
Say "Good Pup!"

>>29169122
Good pup? It didn't fetch the stick and it attacked a bunch of ponies, how is it being good?

>>29169214
Its all for the distraction

>>29169112
>>29169122
>>29169214
>>29169288
A small part of you almost froze up and began to cower, but you wouldn't be very good at your job it that was your natural reaction to things.
You have to be smart and cautious, yet brave enough to move forward and do whatever needs to be done to see the mission to its end.
With strengthened resolve, you charge at the pup.
>"Feather, no!"
You ignore the cry and keep going.
The pup makes as if to jump at you, but that's when you strike!
You catch it in a hug and begin your assault, petting its head and rubbing her belly.
Few poners would last long after that kind of sudden attack, but this pupper is strong!
Her thick tail waps your belly and your face is wreathed in hot waves of puppo breath.
You feel yourself begin to grow weak, but you fight through it. You have to stay strong.
You still have energy left, and you're going to use it!
>"Feather! Don't worry, we'll save you!" You hear Tri shout.
You hear the click of his pistol and the soft thwap as the foam dart hits the pup.
A direct hit! But...
>"I-It didn't work?"
The coal pup completely ignores the hit and continues to writhe in your grasp, attempting to lick at your face.
"F-Focus on the mission! I'll be fine! Get Stolen Goods!"
>"I'm on it!" you hear Ward call out.
You can't see, but you trust her to take care of things.
Still, you have to do something about this puppy.
"G-Good pup! Who's a goo pup?"
>"Wan!"
Its tail starts wagging harder and you find yourself having trouble keeping your hold on her.

>>29169536
Go for the ear scratches, it's our only hope.

>>29169536
Sit?

>>29169536
Happy new year from Michigan USA!

waits for the swarm of stirges teeming on the ceiling above to drop upon us, deflating us and the adorable puppy like old footballs

>>29169536
I wonder if it's weaker to ear scritches or belly rubs?

>>29169557
>>29169765
>>29170402
"S-stop it, you!"
The pupper tilts her head back and licks, hitting you right along your jaw!
N-No...
You doubt you can take another one.
You're getting desperate.
"Sit!"
The command has no effect whatsoever.
It was doubtful it would have worked, but it was worth the try.
If you're going down, you're going down fighting!
You've already tried head pets and belly rubs. You haven't run out of options, and you haven't run out of hope!
It's a dangerously precarious maneuver you're about to make.
With one less hoof holding the coal pup relatively in place, you're putting your life at risk here.
But it's the only way if you want to make it out of this.
Not doing so would inevitably result in you napping until night time.
A terrible fate, to be sure.
Very carefully, you readjust your grip to free a hoof while still keeping a hold on the madly writhing pupper trying to eat your face.
But one hoof isn't enough!
The puppo manages to twist so that it's lying on you belly to belly, and it's all you can do to keep it from scrambling up to your cheeks and snootle.
IT'S TIME FOR YOUR LAST RESORT!
You bring your free hoof down to the back of the beast's head.
And give her ear scritchies.
The coal pup freezes at your touch.
You press the advantage and keep going, even going so far as to use your restraining hoof to scritch her chin.
The gamble pays off and the pup melts into your chest fur.
A hind leg does harmless little kickies against the side of your belly, but the beast is wearing down fast.
The pup's eyes grow heavier and heavier until finally, you have the coal puppy asleep on top of you.

>>29170688
Request help to gently get it off of us without waking him up.

>>29172769

>>29170797
Welp.
Trying your best to move around as little as possible, you extend a hoof out and wave it.
"Tri? Ward?" You whisper. "A little help here?"
Light hoofsteps and Tri's voice reach your ears.
>"I got you."
"Careful, don't wake her."
>"That's a boy, Feather."
"Oh."
You just sorta assumed it was a she. Not like there's any way to tell, especially when it comes to diamond dogs.
Though on second thought, the pup doesn't have long eyelashes.
He it is.
>"Now, uhh... hmm."
Tri looks at the pup like it's a water balloon ready to burst at any moment. Like the slightest touch will set it off.
"C'mon, you'll be fine. Just get him off of me already."
>"Okay! Just... Give me a moment, will you?"
Tri cranes his neck this way and that in search of some way to go about this.
Finally, he extends a shaky hoof towards the pup, to no reaction.
Thankfully, the pup seems just about as tuckered out as the ponies he's attacked.
He lets out a breath you didn't know he was holding and very delicately places his other hoof on the other side of the animal.
The pup is lifted from your stomach and you scooch out from under it.
Once you're clear, Tri places the pupper back on the ground where it curls into a ball, soundly asleep.
You let out a deep breath and a yawn.
This certainly wasn't what you were expecting.
First rule, every time.
Which reminds you...
You turn towards the back of the cave and find Ward floating towards you. Behind her, a knocked out Stolen lays on the floor besides the goods.
>"I kinda wished for more of a fight, but it looks like that's that. All that's left is to return the stolen goods to Smuggle Run."
>"What did you want to do with Stolen and her crew? And what about the pup? Do we just leave them all here?"

>>29175341
If we don't separate them from the pup, he'd just attack them again. Let's confiscate their weapons and move them somewhere safe. Ward should look for a good spot while Tri treats those attacked by the pup. Also, Do we see any other things that thy probably stole.

>>29175341
Did you check her floof?

>>29175437
>>29175591
"We should at least separate them. We don't want that pup attacking them again as soon as he wakes up. Ward, you mind finding a place to move them?"
>"On it."
"And take their weapons while you're at it."
She extends a wing and gives you a sort of thumbs up.
>"What about me?" Tri asks.
"Treat those that were attacked by the pup. Who knows how long they've been napping. I'm sure they could use a little snackie."
He nods.
>"I just hope I don't spoil their appetite. Dins must be coming soon."
The two head off, leaving you alone with the sleeping coal pup.
Sorry boy, but you're still on a job. Nonetheless, you give him a little pet and his tail wags in his sleep.
You climb to your hooves and start walking towards the far end of the cave.
Stolen Goods is lying passed out with her tongue sticking out.
A trio of boxes sits nearby. It doesn't look like any other stolen property is here.
Still...
You glance behind you. No one around, no one looking.
Tri volunteered to be the one to check Stolen's floof for booty, but let's be real. That stallion isn't ready for such things.
And thus, the duty falls to you.
Her floof sticks out, taunting anyone who sees it.
You stare into the floof and the floof stares back.
You gasp when you feel the touch of fur.
G-gosh.
It feels like soft down feathers, except it's fur. It's like what you imagine clouds feel like.
You blink and shake your head.
Can't get distracted! Gotta find that booty.
You part her floof and find...
Darts? A lot of darts.
Does she keep her ammo reserve in there?
No, no, she uses a popgun. She doesn't need darts at all.
The realization soon dawns that those are darts fired at her, rendered useless as they were eaten by the fluff.
What else is in here, you wonder.
A few bit pouches. Some gems. Candy.
A deck of cards, a paddle ball, a lawn gnome, a pillow with a picture of Luna stretched out on it.
This is quite the floof stash!
Anything else you want to do?

>>29175850
Take the pillow, it could be useful later.

>>29175850
go back to the others and tell them you have the goods, then head out.

Don't forget to call dibs on the pillow.

>>29175850
Take the pillow. Definitely take the pillow.

>>29175893
We're still going to move them, treat them, and take their weapons. There might be a chance to talk to them as well.

>>29175850
could we take the cards too?

bleb

hug the pillow

>>29177865

>>29175883
>>29175893
>>29175905
>>29175949
>>29176247
>>29177865
You look over your shoulders again.
All clear.
You whistle poorly to yourself as you slip the pillow onto your back.
Who knows when this pillow will be useful.
You know.
The answer is tonight. It's going to be useful tonight.
While you're at it, you take the cards too. You're not above stealing, come on.
Booty acquired, you go and find the others.
They're near the cave exit, beside the first sleeping pirate.
They see you approach, but their eyes drift to the pillow on your back.
>"Feather, where did you get that?" Tri asks suspiciously.
>"I want one!"
"Wh-what are you talking about? I've always had this. I brought it with me into this cave just in case!"
Tri opens his mouth to speak, but you cut him off.
"So how are things looking over here?"
>"Don't try to change th--"
>"The weapons are in a pile over there." Tri scrunches as Ward points to the pile of popguns and foam swords sitting next to a bush outside. "Finding a place for them where they won't get attacked by the pupper is a little tricky though. Too close to the cave and the pupper can still get them."
"And too close to the city means having them near other ponies. Hmmm..."
>"Not to mention I don't feel like pushing ten ponies that far. Maybe it would just be easier to deal with the pupper itself?"
"Maybe, but... Tri, how are they looking?"
An annoyed sigh escapes his nostrils.
It's your pillow and he just has to deal with it.
"I wiped the puppy slobber off of them, but a knocked out pone is a knocked out pone. I've got five lollipops on me. That's five we can wake up if we want to use all of them. That does mean less for us though."

>>29179843
Wake up two of them so they can help the others. Where could we take the pupper?

>>29179899
"We can spend two. I'm not expecting any more encounters before we can restock, but you know, just in case."
>"Do you care which ones?"
"Just make sure you don't give them the cherry or raspberry ones."
He looks at you quizzically.
>"Wha? No, I meant do you care which of the pirates we wake up?"
"Oh. Uh. Do whatever."
>"If you say so."
He kneels down to the one right nearby, the one closest to the exit, and sticks a lollipop in her mouth.
The stick moves around as she licks and suckles on the candy, and soon her eyes flutter open.
She jumps upright as if she woke up from a scary dream, but calms down when she sees she's not in immediate danger.
>"Where am I?" She starts slowly but starts frantically looking around. "Where is it?! We have to get out! It's not safe here!"
"You're talking about the puppo, right?"
>"So you saw it? Oh no, what about the rest of my crew? Have you seen them? Are they okay?"
You're not sure how she'll handle the news that her entire crew's been wiped, including her captain.
There's also the part where the dog's still in there that needs to be dealt with, that the captain being down is your fault, and that you're here to retrieve the stolen goods.
At least she's not questioning the pillow. There's that.
Tri looks at you, unsure how to deal with the situation.

>>29180265
Your crew has been... napped. The doggo is still here, my crew is distracting him but you better get out of here! Repeat on the crew every few minutes.

>>29180265
They've been licked, the same as you.

They're all gonna be okay, I promise, but you need to get out of here.

>>29180337
>>29180387
You put on the most grievous look you can muster.
"I-I'm sorry..."
The pirate mare looks up at you, clearly hoping you don't mean what she thinks you mean.
"Your entire crew's been licked. They're all asleep now."
>"N-no..."
Tears start welling up in her eyes.
"You need to get out to safety. I've got ponies dealing with it right now, but the doggo is still here."
>"No! I... I have to help my shipmates!"
She tries to make her way deeper into the cave, but you stop her.
"They're gonna be okay, I promise. If you go in, that's another pony we have to worry about. Just wait outside, okay?"
She looks terribly conflicted until finally she screws her eyes shut and nods her head.
"There, there, now that's a good little pirate. Now go, we'll take care of the rest."
You hear her sniffle as she escapes out of the cave.
Once the mare is out of earshot, Ward speaks.
>"Well that was something. I'm glad we don't have enough lollipops for all of them. Don't wanna go through that however many more times."
>"Yeah, but now she's expecting us to deal with this situation. I guess we can just drag out the rest of her crew one by one, but there's still the dog, plus getting the stolen goods past them."

>>29180723
We could take turns running distraction as we pull out the others.

Or we find a way to deal with the dog once and for all

>>29180754
He's already asleep. We need to figure out a way to separate them

>>29180831
Hence distraction.

How deep is the sleep? Some dogs can be moved around no problem

>>29180845
Seemed to have gotten out from under him without any problems.

>>29180754
>>29180831
>>29180845
>>29181019
"Let's start with just getting the rest of her crew outside."
The three of you delve back into the cave, running into the three ponies still in their little cuddle puddle.
"We each take one, I guess."
Tri just buries his head in the cuddle puddle, but it looks like his plan was to get underneath one.
With a little bit of doing, he manages to get one of them onto his back.
Ward, who has much less care for downed ponies, decides to simply push one along the ground towards the exit.
You're not too worried about the pony waking up from the rough handling.
A downed pone is a downed pone, and only time or lollipops can wake them up.
Such is their fate after being defeated in battle.
As for you and your pony...
There's no way you're letting that dirty pirate on your back. Besides, that spot's already being taken up by the pillow.
You use your magic grip to drag the third pony along the ground by one of his legs.
You reach the exit and the pirate mare comes bounding towards you.
>"Bulkhead! Halyard! Scuttlebutt! Oh nooo, no, nono. It's okay, it's okay, you're okay now."
You set them down and she starts brushing their manes with her hoof, still soundly asleep.
"Take care them of them, okay? We're gonna go get the rest."
She nods and the three of you head back in.
You reach the cavern where Stolen, the pup, and the rest of the pirates are still asleep.
Ward and Tri work on taking out the crewmembers.
Stolen can wait, you suppose. You want to see about getting pupper separated.
You know pones are heavy sleepers, but does that apply to pupper too?
If he wakes up, it's gonna be on you to distract him while Ward and Tri carry the bodies.
Just in case, you find and ready the stick from earlier.
Now...
You grasp pupper in your magic.
No response. Still breathing, still asleep.
You manage to lift him up off the ground, his little legs and tail dangling.
Looks like the same rules still apply to puppos too.
Now, what to do with him?

Hard to say, this might be his cave that ponies moved in to and we haven't seen any holes to a den. Maybe just leave him in a nice dry corner with some of the gems

I suppose I should let anyone reading know that with class starting back up tomorrow, I'll have less time to run. I'll still try to get in something each day, but more full sessions will have to be reserved for weekends.

Apologies for having to slow down an already slow quest, but thanks for sticking around even this far.

Any tips moving forward though? Less in-betweens? More liberties with MC actions? Keep going as is?
I've been told to post in the general when I'm running, but I'm not sure how much that'll actually do.

>>29183725
I normally love your work, Hero, but this one's not lighting my fire. I'm going to sit back and watch the present players enjoy this instead. Booping and babytalk nauseate me. If in future you return to your roots, I'll be there with bells on. Glad to see you back regardless, however.

http://www.strawpoll.me/12018499

>>29184017
The hell kinda strawpoll is this?

>>29184026
Yeah I'm not voting on that. People are playing this and enjoying it and while I can't get into this one I don't wanna piss in their wheaties, either. I'll just wait for the next one.

pg 10

>>29115151

10 again

>>29181226
Oi oi oi.

>>29185974

>>29188333

>>29181757
A thought occurs to you.
What if this is his cave that ponies moved into?
You're not sure how recent the warning signs outside were posted.
At first you thought they were to warn ponies that caves are spooky places in general, but what if they were for this pup?
S-Sorry for bothering you, pupper.
Even if any ponies bothering him would have been the ones who were brutally napped.
Still, if this is his cave, you haven't seen any nests or dens or puppy beds.
In any case, you opt to set him down in some corner.
And while Stolen Goods is still napping, you decide to dive back into her fluff and grab her gems, setting them down beside the pup.
You don't actually know what diamond dogs do with gems, but they must like them, right? It's basically in their namesake.
Puppo dealt with, all that's left is Stolen herself and the goods.
You start dragging the passed out mare by a hoof, being very careful not to muss up her floof.
It deserves some respect.
You reach the exit of the cave, catching the attention of the pirate mare.
>"Captain!" She shouts as she rushes to her leader's side. "No... Not you too."
"She put up a strong fight against that doggo. She was a great help. You must be proud to have her as your captain."
>"I wouldn't be under her command if I wasn't."
>"So that's your entire crew here now, right?" Ward asks, sitting on top of one of the crewmembers.
The mare does a quick headcount and nods.
>"Aye, it is. I can't thank you enough! You really saved us from that monster!"
>"You should go and find them some beds to rest in," Tri tells her.
Smooth, Tri. Gotta get them outta here.
>"A-actually... There's something in that cave that we need. Personal belongings, yeah! They really mean a lot to Captain Goods and the rest of us and it would devastate the entire crew if those belongings went missing. It's safe in there now, right? I-I should go get them. Excuse me."

>>29190109
No, you can't go in there.

There's no telling how much longer the doggo will be asleep.
And if the dog wakes up, there's no guarantee we can save you if you get napped. We only have so many lollipops.

>>29190109
Doggo's still in there.

pump

10

>>29192964

>>29194830

>>29190277
>>29190486
"Wait, no!" You step in front of the mare. "You can't go in there!"
>"What? Why not? I thought it was safe now."
Your eyes search for answers.
"Uhh... B-Because the doggo is still in there!"
>"Thank you for your concern, but I'm sure I'll be fine. After all, if your ponies were able to keep it at bay long and well enough for you guys to carry the entire crew out, I'm sure I can trust them to keep me safe enough to pick up a few boxes. Now, if you'll excuse me."
She steps around you and heads toward the cave once again.
Dirt flies as you dash in front of her.
"Stop! Hold on!"
>"What is it this time?" she says with an annoyed expression.
Your mind races.
"Th-The dog's asleep!"
>"Oh? That... sounds like a good thing. A really good thing, actually."
"But we don't know how much longer he's gonna be asleep. And if he wakes up, we can't guarantee we can save you if you get napped. We only have so many lollipops, after all."
She places a hoof on your shoulder and gently eases you aside.
>"Again, thanks for the concern, but I don't see a problem. If that monster is asleep, that means your ponies dealt with it, right? He should be out at least until tomorrow."
UHH

[cont]

>>29196970
"What if diamond dogs are different?" you propose in a panic. "What if they don't nap as long as ponies?"
The she-pirate stops in her tracks, suddenly growing doubtful.
>"I... I mean, that is a huge risk, yeah... But I haven't seen your team leave the cave yet!" she says, trying to convince herself. "Yeah, and in case the monster does happen to wake up, I'm sure they can handle it again!"
GAHHH
>"Besides," she starts, staring at the sleeping form of Stolen Goods, "the Captain is going to be so sad and disappointed if we lose the uhh, the personal belongings. I can't let her down!"
With renewed determination, she steps into the cave.
No no nonono NO!
You cannot have this mare jeopardize your mission!
But what else can you do?!
As you wrack your mind for answers, you hear a click.
An orange blur speeds past your vision, hitting the mare square in the back of the head.
She drops to the ground unceremoniously with a "bleh," along with the dart that hit her.
You slowly turn your head to where the shot came from, only to find Ward nonchalantly pointing her rifle in the mare's direction.
She's still sitting on top of one of the sleeping pirates, and she's using her wings to hold a cookie that she's nibbling on.
With crumbs plastered around her lips, she catches the shocked looks you and Tri are giving her.
>"What?"

>>29196974
Good shot, Ward. You did what you had to do.

10

waiting

>>29199998
so close

>>29199479

>>29115151

>>29202476

>>29203481

pump

don die

>>29206131

>>29206559

>>29115151

>>29211927

One to two players is all you need for a quest to not be allowed to die.

I refuse.

>>29213503

>>29215117

>>29216417

>>29217305

>>29218394

>>29219468

>>29221467
Anon, you knew how close it was.

pg10

>>29222522

>>29115151

>>29224836

I'm sorry I've been dead, and I'm sorry I haven't said anything all this time, but I don't want the days to keep racking up without a word from me.

Why are you reading this quest? Why are you keeping it alive? Do you genuinely enjoy it? Do you want to keep it up for the ones that do? Is it for me?

I feel fucking awful for wanting to drop a quest, but I've had so little motivation to run this. And really, I don't know whether to keep pushing through or end things now. My enjoyment comes from your guys' enjoyment. I very, very much appreciate people reading for my sake, but I want my readers to actually enjoy what I put out. Between bad prompts, bad characters, poor player turnout, and general no time, I feel like I just need to put this quest to rest, maybe try something else some other day.

Is quest dead? I dunno. I feel like that's really up to the players. I'll keep going if people ACTUALLY want the quest to keep going. Otherwise it's back to inspiration and motivation searching.

>>29228826
I have a lot of fun with cutequestria action and how the characters react to it.

Like ponies getting slobbered on is on par with a mauling, and a nerf launcher is a crossbow. Yeah, you had a rocky few posts, but don't let that get you down.
I'd like to keep going, but if you really want to stop, that's your decision.

>>29228826
You sound like Bath. We wouldn't be here if we didn't enjoy your quest.

>>29229772
Have we even seen Bath and Hero in the same room before?

>>29228826
I've done my bitching but didn't want to ruin it for the players, of which there seem to be two.

Hero, when you're running something with magic items, a defined quest, genuinely horrible monsters, you're really top-of-the-line as a QM. FOR ME, this quest has been a monstrosity followed out of a sense of duty. If you've got the same feeling, you could very well be right. I still hate pissing on it for the present player base's sake, but if you're not feeling it either, kill it off and bring us some gristly brutal questing of which you're so good at. I'm sure other old players of yours would cheer too. Cute has it's place but mainly as comic relief- Like the tiera. Fem main characters bug me too, everybody waifus them and nobody takes any chances, other than the famous 'Don't Fuck Up' which was something of an anomaly.

>>29230246
I could maybe see your points up until what you said about female main characters, cause that's total bullshit.

>>29230265
OK fine, would'ja believe I'm a faggot and really loved the interplay between Blitz and Jet? Pot and Diamond? etc.

Fem MCs ruin it for the fags. It's a no-win. Kobiashi maru right from the start.

>>29230294
While I find that more believable, don't you think it's totally sexist to say you dislike or won't play characters just because they're female?

A character's genitals or sexuality shouldn't define their character. As a bisexual myself, if you'll only play gay male characters, then honestly, you're kinda being that guy.

>>29230324
(still me)
That doesn't just go for you, by the way. Heck, anyone who won't play a character because that character doesn't share their gender or sexual interests.
On the flip side, it's unfair to the other players to force your sexual tastes on a quest. Push for what you want, by all means, but start pushing for or against a certain sexual agenda, then you start getting stuff like Dirty Work or the M&M arguments where no one is happy.

>>29230324
I played Don't Fuck Up, and several others with fem MCs. I don't _only_ play male MCs, I just have a fuckload more fun when I do, that's all. The CYOA crowd here near always picks a special snowflake species, fem MC. Like, at least half the time, and I just have somewhat less fun during such quests because the romance/porn isn't as fun.

>>29230346
The "M&M Incident" was pretty amazing though, you gotta admit. Yeah I was there too. Miss one session, end up married to a bat. And it ended with the very best outcome, though I do wish we'd gotten to take Showtime for a spin also, invited him into our little herd for a night...

>>29230365
I disagree, and you have to realize that not everyone plays quests for porn or romance, and those arguments were an absolutely awful experience for those who aren't into that kind of stuff.

>>29230376
I'm sorry for offending you.

>>29230365
> The CYOA crowd here near always picks a special snowflake species, fem MC.
That's not even close to correct, actually.

SPES's new quest had a weird pegasus and circle had a fishpone, but after you factor in a couple changelings, a griffon or two, and a handful of bats, the vast majority of MCs are earth ponies or unicorns, followed up by pegasi.
In fact, there are still a good deal more male MCs than female.

>>29230405
I hope the odds hold up then! Being a fem landwalking sea-pony just isn't my thing, as I said. I guess we're not really shitting up the thread since the quest itself is more or less in limbo but I'm starting to feel self-conscious about hijacking it.

>>29230417
Lets take this over to the general, it's what that thread is for after all.

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>>29230483
OK. At least we've finally given Hero a proper /mlp/ "welcome back", I'm sure he feels right at home now!

>>29230396
>>29230483
I'm not offended, really. It's just that as someone who normally skips through sex scenes, as they never do anything for me anyway, watching people spit at each other over what the MC's sexually has to be or who they can fug was no fun at all.
Nah, I've said all I really need to say, so I guess I'll leave at this.

You seem to enjoy cyoas for relationships and sexual appeal, maybe something hot to masturbate to, while I enjoy cute ponies doing cute things and fun character interactions. Neither is inherently wrong, but I mean, this CYOA I'd right up my alley of things that I enjoy out of quests, and I'd be really sad to see it die.

>>29230540
Oh, and Hero? >>29228826 I gave you my thoughts on the cyoa so that you could improve, not that you were terrible and should give up on this. You stopping is the total opposite thing of what I hoped for with that.

>>29228826
>>29228861

>>29228826
Honestly, cutequestria is a broken concept with no tension. It's the cyoa equivalent of thinking 'well, cinnamon is nice in a bowl of oatmeal, so lets eat a bowl of cinnamon!'

Quest feels pretty dead to me.

>>29230294
That's some legitimate degeneracy anon. Something seriously wrong with you if you're incapable of empathising with a character based solely on there sex. Never mind the whole can of worms that comes with approving of Jets unhealthy bullshit.

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>>29231558
>>29232565

bep

>>29234048

>>29115151

I love you Hero.

Not yet

>>29237848

>>29238967

>>29241269

>>29242300

>>29243351

>>29243351

>>29245177

>>29245876

>>29246775

>>29247860

>>29248458

I really should have said this earlier, but let the thread die.

I'll bring it back when I'm ready. Given that feedback, I do want to keep going.
Thank you for reading. Really.

rip