Warrant CYOA

“I guess if you spot someone you could warn us. That'd obviously be a big help. Other than that just do your thing”
>”Whatever you say, bud”
>Thanking them, you fly back to your perch, Garnet and Velvet waiting
>”Well, what’d they say?”
“They said we’re free to set up. Go ahead and grab those snares. Velv, since your wings aren’t fully developed like ours, you stay here and keep watch”
>”Horns are much superior to wings anyway, bird boy”
>Brushing off her comment, you and Garnet gather up the traps, descending across the street and into the field below
>While she sets up the snares around the eroded area, you glide over the fence, making for the building
>Along the wall you place the box, propping it up with a stick before placing the lighters as bait beneath it
>Soon enough, both of you are set, meeting back at the fence to return to your post
>Velvet lazily sits there, gun to her side as you both lay down, trying to keep a low profile as you peek downwards
>…
>Looking at your pocket watch, the hand hits midnight, the three of you entering your third hour in ambush
>The mare beside you yawns, rubbing her eyes for a brief moment
>Casually looking back to the guard house, Medi is propped back in his chair, most likely asleep
>Light Wing is nowhere to be found, having trotted off into the gate about ten minutes ago
>Looking down the road, there’s predictably no ponies going either way, the last cart having passed nearly an hour ago
>Sighing, you settle back a bit, the sound of crickets being the only thing in ear shot

>>29340840
>”Hey, you hear that?”
“What, the crickets?”
>”No! Listen…”
>You cock your head, holding your breath
>Off in the distance you hear a minute rustling, although it gets gradually louder
>”There! Look!”
>You and Velvet instantly zero in on where Garnet’s pointing, some tall grass by the creek being disturbed
>A moment later a pony stealthily exits the vegetation, a black shirt and cap upon him
>Looking both ways, he darts towards the fence, stopping every ten yards or so to press his belly against the ground for a few seconds before continuing

>>29340848
Keep watch. Don't move until he's inside or in one of our traps. The fence will make it harder for him to get away.

>>29340848
time to stalk our prey.

>All three of you lean forward, eyes fixated on the pony
>Although your paws instinctively press back into the ground, tail twitching, you contain yourself
>You put traps out there for a reason
>As your guest gets closer, you can tell with certainty that it’s a stallion, the guy still slinking along until her hits the fence
>Like clockwork, he heads towards the worn out area, you snares well hidden in the grass
>But as he gets there, he fails to step in them, the stallion digging away at the dirt with his hooves obliviously
>After a minute or so he slips under the ditch, once again resuming his journey towards the warehouse on the other side of the fence
>Although he’s heading in the direction of your final trap, you start to lose sight of him as he darts into the shadows
>”What if he doesn’t fall for the box? I can;t even see him anymore"

>>29341141
Fly to the top of the warehouse and look down on him. We'll see if the box works and we can drop on him if it doesn't.

“You two stay here. I’m gonna take a closer look”
>They nod, you getting a tight grip on your shotgun as you take off once more, heading for the roof of the warehouse
>Slowing to a hover before you land, to reach your destination in total silence, taking caution of where your paws step as you edge towards the edge
>Peeking over, your sharp eyes dart around, trying to locate your target
>But as they pass over where the trap was, there’s only one problem
>There’s no trap
>Confused, you frantically look around, and that’s when you hear more movement
>Eventually you spot something moving awkwardly around in the darkness
>A box moves randomly across the ground, going in loops like a confused beetle

>>29341355
Pin the box down to stop its movement.

>Huh. Guess that thing really IS irresistible to ponies
>With a smirk you descend, aiming straight for the wandering box
>A flick of your wings brings your speed down, just enough not to crush it as your slam your talons down, pinning the box in place
>With a firm press, it’s firmly pressed upon the ground
>At first you can feel the pony inside give a couple tentative pushes
>But then he begins to panic, flailing around and trying to get it to move
>”H-hey! Who’s out there? Let me outta this thing! Please!”
>You can tell he’s bugging out, voice filled with fear
>But as the pony thrashes about, the box still goes nowhere, although both your talons have to press down to keep it that way

>>29341598
Oh, in a moment bud, can you tell me your name first though?

“Oh, in a moment bud. Can you tell me your name first though?”
>The struggling ceases, box growing still
>”Can you just get this thing off me?”
>You push down even harder
“I need to know your name”
>”…. It’s Sandstone. My name’s Sandstone”
>A hoof pushes up on the box, but your grip keeps it glued to the ground
>”There’s been a mistake, can you please get this thing off of me?”

>>29341955
Well that's a shame, because I can't let any Sandstones out of the box. Mind telling me why you're here, Sandy?

Pausing

ban assault boxes

>>29341955
It's midnight Sandy! Why are you here? And do the guards know you're here?

You now realize Sandy has lighters in a flammable cardboard box, hoping he isn't suicidal.

Surprised Griffonia hasn't weaponized boxes yet.

>>29341955
You like lighters, Sandy?

>>29343012
It's a war crime

>>29342835
shall not be infringed

zap

>>29346096

>>29345360
a box is catbirbs greatest ally.

“Well that's a shame, because I can't let any Sandstones out of the box”
>”Why not?”
“It's midnight Sandy! Why are you here? And do the guards know you're here?”
>”I-I saw some lighters and a box fell on me, ok? You know it’s against the law to not help a boxed pony in need right?”
>You swear, these ponies sometimes. It’s a wonder why your country hasn’t weaponized boxes yet
“You like lighters, Sandy?”
>The pony goes silent once more, and after a few seconds you realize he’s not going to answer
>Poor guy probably realized the box aint coming off
>Looking off into the distance, you can’t see either the guardhouse, or your team’s perch
>They’re probably wondering what’s taking you so long. You might as well just scoop this whole thing u-
>Your thoughts are interrupted you’re your talons beginning to heat up
>Well that’s weird
>Cocking your head in curiosity, the heat builds up
“Hey, what are you doing in the-“
>You jump back in surprise, letting go as the box bursts into flames
>In total shock, you watch the thing begin to burn right in front of you, the entire box soon engulfed

>>29347193
BOX KILLER!

>>29347193
get ready to pounce on him when he escapes the box.

>>29347193
Pull out the shotgun.

"C'mon Flame, give it up before the others arrive, I might just tell them to go easy on you..."

>H-he killed the box
>Still in disbelief, you unsling your shotgun, racking the lever
“C'mon Flame, give it up before the others arrive, I might just tell them to go easy on you..."
>The box continues to burn brightly, the stallion obviously not heading your words
>Sighing, you wait patiently off to the side, ready to pounce when he tries to escape the box
>The cardboard shudders, you getting ready to make your move
>That’s when he makes a run for it
>… With the flaming box still on top of him
>The burning container sprints away, thick smoke trailing
>Coughing as it goes by, you see it heading straight for the fence

>>29347533
Would he rather burn alive than get caught? Rip the burning box off, making sure it doesn't land near anything flammable, and catch him.

>>29347533
Fly to the other side of the fence with the shotgun pointed directly at his snootle.

>>29347553
its a cardboard box, it will burn away before it does any damage.

>>29347709
Could hold the flame long enough to ignite his clothes.

>Trailing it, the box crashes into the chain link, fence lightly shuttering
>You consider just flying to the other side of the fence and wait for him, but you’d rather not have to watch a guy burn to death in case he keeps this game up
>With a swift snatch, you rip the box off, tossing the flaming hunk of cardboard safely into the grass a couple meters away
“Alright, show’s over”
>…
>Looking through the fence, you see a stallion galloping away, having slipped under the dugout area at the fence
>In annoyance you spread your wings, going over the barrier before pursuing at maximum speed
>As you near he clears the field and hits the road, hooves clipping as the stallion runs across it
>Extending your talons, his back is presented to you, the national geographic theme beginning to play in your head
>But a blur streaks across your vision, the pony being snatched away
>Banking, your wings beat furiously to slow down, paws touching the street as you look back
>Garnet holds him on the ground, his hooves kicking ineffectively as she presses down like a hawk with its prey
>Running over, you watch a hoof get a lucky hit on her, Garnet's head recoiling
>But with fire in her eyes she lifts him clear off the ground, slamming the pony into a nearby wall
>He grunts as she holds him there, claws extended
>As you approach, his confused gaze seems almost happy that you've arrived
>"P-please, make her stop! I'm sorry!"
>Garnet just growls like a pissed cat, pressing her victim even harder against the wall

>>29347820
Good job Garnet!

We kinda need him alive though.

>>29347820
Nah, she seems to have this under control. So let's cut the bullshit and get to the point. Tell me, how much did he pay you to burn down the warehouse?

>>29347820
Alright Flame, we can do this one of two ways.
The first way is you tell us all about your little deal to burn the warehouse down.
The econd is I let my pal here knead your face.

>>29347867
Lets not tell him what we want to know right off the bat. He might try to be annoying about it.

“Good job Garnet!... we kinda need him alive though”
>She gives him a glare that could kill, but reluctantly loosens her grip just a bit so that he isn’t being mashed into a brick wall anymore
>He sighs with relieve, even if she still has a hold of him
“Alright Flame, let's cut the bullshit and get to the point. Tell me, how much did he pay you to burn down the warehouse?”
>”What? Who is ‘he’?”
>You look at Garnet, the griffoness pinning him back against the wall as he gasps
“We can do this one of two ways. The first way is you tell us all about your little deal to burn the warehouse down. The second is I let my pal here knead your face”
>Garnet grins maliciously, the stallion’s eyes wandering down to her talons
>”Mister, I don’t know what you’re talking about. No one paid me anything, honest! I just... I just like to burn things, alright?”

>>29348046
That isn't what your sister told us. Shall we go include her in this little chat?

>>29348046
Uh huh. And we just happened to be waiting in the right place? Cut the crap, Flame.

“Uh huh. And we just happened to be waiting in the right place? Cut the crap, Flame”
>”I’m telling, you nobody paid me for anything!”
“That isn't what your sister told us”
>”… My sister?”
“Yeah, we talked to Charm. Shall we go include her in this little chat?”
>He looks even tenser now, eyes shifting between Garnet and you
>Sighing, he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath
>”All I’ve done is trespass, that’s a fine at the worst. I haven’t committed conspiracy or accepted any payment for anything. For all you know, I just decided to take a stroll and took a short cut through some property. So no, I don’t know what you’re talking about at all”
>He gives you a deadpan look, but soon cringes as Garnet's claws tighten in annoyance
>"You can smack me around all you want, I'm sure any lawyer would love to hear that"

>>29348402
Time to visit his sister.

>>29348402
You've done more than that. There's a bounty on your head, numbnuts.

“You've done more than that. There's a bounty on your head, numbnuts”
>”For what, may I ask?”
“For burning down shit, what do you think?”
>He breaks eye contact, proceeding to just stare at the ground
>You realize he’s not going to respond, sighing
“Alright, guess we’re going to pay your sister a visit. Garnet, go ahead an-“
>A crack goes by your head, you recoiling away instantly as bits of brick from the wall blast into your face
>More bangs sound, bullets slamming into the road and wall as you hit the ground, getting behind a cart
>”Fuck!”
>Garnet hits the ground beside you, quickly pushing her back up against the cart, derringer in hand
>Peeking over the side, multiple muzzle flashes come from around a building corner maybe 30 yards away, dark silhouettes ducking and weaving as they blast away at your positon
>Your focus is brought back as Garnet fires off two shots, ducking back behind the cart as she pops the gun open, reloading
“Where’s Flame?!”
>”I don’t know!”
>As you rise up with your shotgun, you notice the stallion that you just detained fleeing, the pony frantically darting behind a building corner down the road for cover
>Another bullet slams into the cart, wood splintering as it comes to a rest

>>29348661
We need to get out of here. Whoever he's in bed with is seriously pissed. I wonder if we can lure the shooters into the snares?

>>29348661
Use the cart as cover to get behind a building, then take a long route around to Velvet and fly out of there.

>>29348661
I wonder what the security guards are up to.

“We need to get out of here!”
>”You think?!”
>Popping up you fire off a round, your shoulder lurching under the recoil
>Cranking the lever, a steam shell exits the gun, a new one taking its place
>Blasting off two more, you return to cover, unsure if you actually hit anyone
>In response another volley of shots come in, the rounds whizzing on by
>Whoever Flame was in bed with must be pretty freaking pissed right now
>As Garnet pops off another shot you give her a tap on the should, getting her attention
“Come on, help me push this thing”
>”What?”
“We can use it as cover until we get to the corner”
>Nodding, she does a quick reload, shoving a round in one of the chambers before getting a grip on the cart
>In unison, you push, the cart lurching at first, but soon moving ever so slowly
>Round continue to pepper it, thankfully all seeming to be easily blocked pistol shots
>As the cart moves on you pop your head up as some of the fire dies down, noticing a couple dark figures cautiously advancing, hugging the walls for cover as a few more cover them
>With a final heave you and Garnet reach the safety of a building, quickly turning the corner to slip away
“Wait, wait! Where’s Velvet?”
>”Up on the roof!”
“Come on, we’ll run behind it and go get her. Less of a chance we run into those goons”
>Without another word you two sprint away, looking for the best area to fly up with cover
>Stopping along another wall, you peer up, the sounds of what you assume to be Velvet blasting off sounds above

>”Guri, someone’s coming”
>Your ringing ears perk up, but despite the tinnitus, you can make out a set of hooves running down the road
>Shouldering your gun, you silently await
>”Come on, I thought I sa- WOAH!”
>Two ponies turn the corner, but come screeching to a halt as they look down your shotgun barrel with wild eyes
>Their hooves shoot up in surrender, a pair of identical revolvers in each
>It’s only then you realize that it’s Light Wing and Medi
>”Guri, what the hell is going on! What did you do?!”

>>29348915
The pyro had friends and now they're extremely pissed.

Pausing

beb

>>29348915
Trying to stop an arsonist. What are you doing?!

guns are bad, mkay?

>>29348915
Well it turns out that out firebug has company. We almost got killed.

>>29349638

baff

Velvet's probably already no scoped some fools

beb

>>29353544

“Trying to stop an arsonist. What are you doing?!”
>”What’s it look like? We’re security, you think we can just ignore a gunfight or something?”
“Well it turns out that out firebug has company, and they’re pissed. We almost got killed!”
>Light Wing goes to respond, but cuts himself off, head looking back down the road
>Voices sound, one shouting
>”There’s one on the roof! On that roof!”
>You can hear faint galloping before more gunfire erupts
>”You guys gotta get out of here. Me and Medi will get back to the guard house, use the phone to get the police”

>>29354197
We have to get our friend first. After that we're hightailing it. I'd appreciate it if you didn't say we were here.

“We have to get our friend first. After that we're hightailing it”
>”Well hurry up!”
>He turns to leave, but you quickly grab him
“I'd appreciate it if you didn't say we were here”
>”Yeah sure, but you have to make it out of here alive first. Now go!”
>He gallops off, Medi following him as quickly as possible
“Come on, let’s grab Velvet and leave!”
>You and Garnet launch into the air, dropping down onto the roof
>Velvet is hunched in a corner, busting off a few shots before ducking back down, a couple bullets whizzing by in response
>As she empties out the chambers to reload, you sprint to her
“Come on Velvet, we’re leaving!”
>”Leaving? Where’s the bounty? We can’t leave without him!”
>Popping the cylinder back, she leans her hoof over the side, blindly firing

>>29354412
Velvet, the bits aren't worth your life! Let's get going!

>>29354412
He already ran when his friends attacked us. If we don't move quickly, there will be no way to follow his trail.

“Velvet, the bits aren't worth your life! Let's get going!”
>”Did we get him or not?!”
“No! He already ran when his friends attacked us”
>A dull thud sounds as a bullet smashes into the brick wall just below Velvet
“Let’s go, if we don't move quickly, there will be no way to follow his trail!”
>She scrunches, putting her gun over the side and emptying the cylinder with a yell of annoyance
>Finally she runs to you, grabbing on and Garnet leaps over the side, you following
>Flapping away, you put a couple block’s distance between you and the warehouse, just far enough for them to lose your trail
>Landing in an alleyway, the three of you take the opportunity to reload, fresh shells being taken from your bag
>Listening intently, the only thing you can hear is the labored breathing of you and your friends
>”Well now what? I’m, just sitting on the roof mining my business, and these ponies come out guns blazing! And now you’re telling me that we have no idea where the bounty went?”

>>29354611
There's a chance, a very small one, that he might go to his sister's place.

>>29354611
Sorry, we were distracted by all the bullets.

“Sorry, we were distracted by all the bullets”
>She sighs, slumping against the wall in exhaustion
>Garnet looks just as shaken up, still gripping her gun tightly
>”Well… so what? We just let him get away?”
“There might be one place we can try”
>”What’s that?”
“There's a chance, a very small one, that he might go to his sister's place”
>”That crazy mare? Do you even remember how to get there?”
“Kinda? But if we’re going, we gotta go now”
>Nodding, Velvet wipes some sweat off her face, putting the gun away
“Come on Garnet. Just follow me, and we’ll try to get back to this place”
>Your wings claw into the sky once more, the search beginning
>Navigating at night proves to be much more difficult than during the day, the streets you’re so used to seeing just becoming dots of street lamps
>It takes about an hour, but eventually you work your way back to Flower Street, eventually coming to the familiar door
>Knocking, you all wait there patiently, hooves trotting to the door
>It barely cracks open, Charm answering it in a nightgown
>”I’m assuming you ran into my brother tonight?”

>>29354815
And some of his "friends".

>>29354815
And his company. Whatever he's involved in includes ponies willing to kill.

Will Velvet Violence's lust for blood ever be sated?

“Yeah, and some of his friends. Whatever he's involved in includes ponies willing to kill”
>She peers around at your friends, eyes falling on your guns
“And let me guess, you think he came running back here?”
“We thought there was a small chance he might return here”
>She smirks, shaking her head lightly
>”Well, you’re right. He came back here”
“Is h-“
>”No, you missed him by half an hour. Damn fool sprinted in screaming about how he had to go and that he was sorry, or something. Tried to calm him down and get him to stay but he just grabbed some shit and was gone within a few minutes”

>>29355818
Right. You know what he took?

>>29355818
Any idea on where he'd goes to hide?

>Of freaking course
“Right. You know what he took?”
>”A gun, some lock box he had under his bed… I think that’s about all”
>Great now this little dip is gonna be trying to shoot you too
“Any idea on where he'd goes to hide?”
>”Like I said, I have no idea where my brother’s been recently. Haven’t seen him in forever, and now he comes kicking in the door, snatching a gun and running off into the night. I wish I could help, I really do. But I got nothing on him”
“And there’s nothing else you saw that might help us?”
>”Well, a couple of his ‘friends’ were outside on the street. Had masks on, so I can’t really help you there. Though I think one was a minotaur”

>>29356061
What kind of places would he feel safe at?

>>29356061
A minotaur? Not many of those around. Didn't we see one outside the city?

"A minotaur? Not many of those around”
>”Guri, we saw one that day we went target shooting, remember?”
“Hey Velv, you’re right. Outside town near the creek”
>Come to think of it, he was with a few ponies as well, telling you to get lost
>Turning back to Charm, you try to squeeze some more info out of her
“You what kind of places would he feel safe at?”
>”He’s been crashing at his friend’s homes I assume. Not that I’ve ever met any of his friends. Or criminal associates, whatever you want to call them. But to be honest, he sounded like he wasn’t planning on coming back. You two must of really spooked the shit out of him”

>>29356375
Guess we're not going to find him without finding his friends then. Beginning to think this job isn't worth the money.

Pausing

>>29356435
true, but if we can get him to narc on the factory boss to the police when we hand him in they could give us another more lucrative target.

>>29356615
Yeah, plus he's seen us. Safer for us to put him away at this point.

beb

>>29355425
Velvet Violence cannot be contained

beb

>>29359295

>>29359791

>>29360725

>>29358052

>>29358052

>>29362456

>>29358052

>>29359295

>>29363123

bep

>>29366321

beeb

“Guess we're not going to find him without finding his friends then”
>”Best of luck with that. God knows you’re going to need it”
>You’re really starting to think that this job isn’t worth the money
>Especially after a few dozen bullets went whizzing by you
>But then again, if you can get this guy and make him nark on his boss, no doubt that’ll be a gateway to some serious pay out
>The mare yawns in her doorway as you imagine about swimming through bits
>”Well, it’s pretty late and I’d like to at least get some sleep before work. Is there anything else I could help you with real quick, or is that all you needed?”

>>29368363
Can you think of any ways to convince him to cooperate without promises of violence?

“Just one last thing, I promise”
>”Go for it, hun’”
“Can you think of any ways to convince him to cooperate without promises of violence?”
>”Well, I just want you to know that my brother’s not a violent pony. He really isn’t. Yes, he’s stupid and easy to manipulate, but I’ve never seen him actually fight with anyone”
“So you think if we cornered him, he’d come quietly?”
>”I think he would. If you ever run into him again though, just tell him how disappointed I am. Tell him how hurt mom would have been by what he’s done”
“I’ll certainty do that when we find him”
>”And please, go easy on him if you can. He belongs in jail, yes. But he’s still my brother”
“If we can, we will”
>”Thanks… now if you’ll excuse me, my bed’s getting cold”
>Thanking the mare, the door shuts before you, the silence of the night returning
>”Well this sucks”
>Velvet begins protesting once more
>”Him being here was our only chance of knabbing this guy. Now we just have to hope to run into his friends again, which I frankly don’t plan on doing”
>Garnet nods at her
>"Velvet's right, if run into his partners, we might not be as lucky as we were tonight"

>>29368801
Mention the possibility that his friends might be the group we ran into during Velvet's shooting practice.

“About his partners… remember when I said we came across a minotaur and some ponies outside town?”
>”Yeah, what about it?”
“I have a hunch that those guys and Flame’s friends might be one in the same”
>”Yeah, they seemed rude enough to go blasting away at some ponies. And griffons too I guess”
“Point is, our bounty might be back where we found them. Or at least somewhere in the area”
>”So what are suggesting? We go wander around in the badlands outside town? There’s more places to hide out there then we could ever hope to search”

>>29369112
Not the entire badlands, our shooting practice drew their attention so it's within walking distance of where we were. We even have a general direction since they'd have no reason or way to get around us.

“Not the entire badlands, our shooting practice drew their attention so it's within walking distance of where we were”
>”I could get us back to where we were. I remember exactly where along the creek it was”
“See, it’s already narrowed down. And we even have a general direction since they'd have no reason or way to get around us”
>”Well, I’m not one for hiking around in the scrub, but if you’re that sure of it, we can talk about it tomorrow at work”
>Garnet yarns, running a talon across your chest
>”See you in the morning. Night Guri”
>One quick beak kiss later, and she flies off, silhouetted against the moon for a brief moment before disappearing
>”Looks like it’s just you and me yet again”
>Velvet gives you a shove, smirking
>”So, you plug anyone? I personally think I got three, maybe four of them from the roof. Would have got more if my gun would reload faster”
>She rubs a hoof on her chest, full of unwarranted self smug

>>29369452
I'd rather hope we didn't hit any of them. One of these days we've gotta take her out hunting. Hopefully after killing something, she'd have a bit more respect when it comes to using a gun.

“I'd rather hope we didn't hit any of them”
>”Are you kidding? They tried to blow our heads off”
“Still Velvet, if we got out of there with no one being hurt, that’s the best outcome”
>She doesn’t look convinced. Although you can see where she’s coming from with the whole attempted murder thing
>One of these days you’ll have to take her out hunting. Hopefully after killing something, she'd have a bit more respect when it comes to using a gun
>Plus you get a free lunch if she manages to even hit anything
>”Come on, let’s get back home”
>She raises her front hooves like a foal wanting a boost
>Smirking, you oblige, talons wrapping around her stomach before taking off
>Pushing open the door, you nearly slop into room with exhaustion, the adrenaline having worn off to reveal just how tried you are
>Velvet does the same, managing to slug her way onto the bed, sighing in relief
>Following up with her sentiment, your shotgun is propped up against the wall, you squirming under the covers
>You feel your tail hanging over the side, but frankly, you’re too tired to care
>Lying there for a bit, you can feel the covers shifting ever so slightly with the rise and fall of Velvet’s chest, the unicorn surprisingly not tugging all the blankets in her direction
>With heavy lidded eyes you peer to the clock, seeing that it’s a half past three
>”Guri”
>You shift your head, finding Velvet’s sleepy purple eyes staring into yours
>”That gun fight was cool and all, but when we go back out there looking for this guy, please just… be careful, ok?”
“I promise”
>”No really. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you. Probably nothing good to be honest”

>>29370147
D'aaaw! She really does care! Hug the pone.

Pausing

>>29370147
We'd probably be the same. Bring it in.

>>29371851
8

bek

bip

bup

>>29370147
Don't worry, somepony has to here to annoy you, and I'm certainly not planning on going out anytime soon.

bwap

>Aww, she really does care
“I'd probably be the same. Come here, you”
>”Guri, y-HRK”
>You wrap your arms around her, giving the mare a tight squeeze of a hug
>”Y-you really mean it?”
“Don't worry, somepony has to here to annoy you, and I'm certainly not planning on going out anytime soon”
>”Better not be. My life would get pretty boring without you”
>Easing your grip, she squirms out just a bit as she always does
>Damn noodle legged ponies
>”So tell me that this wasn’t the greatest idea ever. We finally have some money, cool guns, and you even got a girlfriend. Chicks love the whole bounty hunter thing, and your little lady friend would obviously be way out of your league otherwise, eh?”
>Her eyebrows wiggle up and down, smirking

>>29375684
Yeah, this has been one of our better ideas. I seriously need to take you out for some hunting if you still think guns are cool. Plus, it would help get you some practice. I don't anything to happen to you either after what we've been through.

“Yeah, this has been one of our better ideas… better than the time you got us into that pyramid scheme at least”
>”How was I supposed to know that snake oil wasn’t made with real snake?”
>You sigh, rolling a bit onto your side
“You know, I seriously need to take you out for some hunting if you still think guns are cool”
>”How would showing me how cool they are make me think that they’re less cool?”
“It’ll teach you to respect them more. Plus, it would help get you some practice. I don't want anything to happen to you either after what we've been through”
>”Hey, come on. This is Velvet we’re talking about here. I’ll keep doing Velvet things like always and be fine”
“Velvet things worry me sometimes”
>”Velvet things don’t end in multiple balls of yarn being shredded, or catnip trips. You gotta give and take, bud”
>Finally getting in a good position, your trail wraps around you
“Night Velvet”
>”Night Guri”
>…
>Slicing away some meat, you yawn, eyelids a bit heavy
>You only got a few hours of sleep last night. Apparently staying out late gun fighting is tiring work
>Velvet seemed just as perky as always walking into work. Guess she got some better rest then you did
>Working away with your knife, you see a couple of griffons edging closer down the line to you, dumb grins on their faces
>Oh great, it’s those two that tried to get you to cleaned spilled coffee the first day
>Trying to ignore them, they none the less slowly but surely work their way down to you, still cutting meat that rolls on down the line as they go
>”Psst. Guri”
>Just ignore them. Maybe they’ll go away
>”Guuuuuri. Over here”
>With a sigh, you look over to find two sets of excited eyes
“Can I help you?”
>”Dude, nice!”
>One gives you a slap on the back, laughing
“What exactly is nice?”
>”We heard you got in a shootout last night! The police were everywhere”
>"Yeah, you cap some fool hitting on your girl or something?"

>>29376280
Where did you hear about this from?

>They continue to laugh, giving you thumbs up
>This… isn’t what you wanted to be greeted with today
“Where did you hear about this from?”
>”Uhhh, some guy over in packaging. Can’t remember his name”
“Okaaay, well where did he hear it from?”
>”Some other guy apparently”
>Well this is getting nowhere fast
“Ok, well who was the first person to say anything?”
>”I think they said it was some pony over in the oat department”

>>29376803
Is Velvet trying to get us fired?

>Is Velvet trying to get you fired or something?
“Uh, thanks. I guess”
>”So how was it? You hit anyone?”
“Listen, I’ve got a quota to fill. Maybe I’ll explain later”
>They give you disappointed looks, but none the less shrug and head back down the line
>You swear, some of these griffons…
>A couple hours later a whistle blows, you instinctively taking off your apron in response
>Time for some lunch
>And a talk with Velvet
>Following the crowd you make your way to the cafeteria, ponies and griffons mingling in the mix
>But it doesn’t take long to spot Velvet at a table, a bat pony with her
>Approaching unseen she seems to laugh at something, Umbra gesturing to the line for food
>As he walks off, you take your chance and slide on it a seat across from her
>”Well, there’s my favorite griff. How’s your shift going?”
“It was fine until my coworkers came up and asked about the shootout we were in”
>”Did you fill in the details?”
>”Did I- no I didn’t fill in any details! How exactly do they even know about what happened?”
>”Well geez, a couple coworkers wanted to know how my night went, so I told them. I just said it was bounty hunter business, seemed harmless enough”

>>29377149
And you don't think there is a chance our employers might decide to fire us to distance themself from legal problems?

>>29377149
Not cool velvet, not cool at all.

>You fold your arms
“Not cool velvet, not cool at all”
>”What? We didn’t do anything wrong”
“You don't think there is a chance our employers might decide to fire us to distance themselves from legal problems?”
>”But what we did was legal”
“Yeah, there’s still consequences for that. They’d much rather have employees that don’t go around getting into gunfights”
>”… Ok I kinda see your point”
“You should have saw it before you went yapping to your friends”
>”Alright, alright geez! I won’t say anything else about it, happy?”
“You promise?”
>”My lips are sealed! Honest”
“Well, just remember tha-“
>”Guri!”
>You nearly jump out of your seat in surprise, a bat pony slyly scooting into the seat beside you
>”Want a guava?”
>Umbra holds up what you assume is a fruit, wide smile on his face
“I uh, I don’t know”
>”Well that’s ok, you can have a slice if you change your mind”
>He puts it on a plate, carefully beginning to cut it up
>”So, Velvet told me about the night you had. Pretty scary stuff if you ask me”

Pausing

bumpity

>>29377481
Not how I like to spend my nights, but we weren't expecting our target to have friends.

>>29377481
Well...I did tell you that I'm a dangerous griffin.

beb

10

>>29379120

It's a pretty shitposty afternoon today.

bip

“Well...I did tell you that I'm a dangerous griffon”
>”I could see that for myself. Still pretty crazy though”
“Well, not how I like to spend my nights, but we weren't expecting our target to have friends”
>”Yeah, that’s practically cheating. We need to ask for a price increase when we catch this loser”
>Umbra smiles at Velvet’s comment, nodding in agreement
>”Seriously, sounds a bit underpriced for almost getting shot”
“I think it’ll pay off, there’s more to this than just a pony who likes to burn things”
>”Hey, if you ever need help, I’m willing to pitch in!”
>The bat spreads his wings in confidence, flexing his rather underwhelming arm
>”Anything to help Velvet catch her target”

>>29382383
If we ever need a fruit expert you'll be our first choice.

>>29382383
Really now...? You are willing to take a bullet for your new marefriend? How romantic~. So what can you bring to the table? Got any experience with weapons or something?

>>29382383
pls no, I would rather not have to deal with random fruit facts every time we go for a bounty.

“If we ever need a fruit expert you'll be our first choice”
>”No really, I’m serious!”
>You can’t help but laugh at the bat’s display
“Really now...?”
>”Oh yes, 100 percent”
“You are willing to take a bullet for your new marefriend? How romantic~”
>”W-well, I mean”
>Velvet smirks as she squirms in his seat
>”If the situation called for it”
“So what can you bring to the table? Got any experience with weapons or something?”
>”Well, my cousin let me play around with his batana when I was younger”
“… Any other experience?”
>”I have a pocket pistol back home!”

>>29382698
I see...Velvet what do you think? If we let him join then we have to hunt higher value targets. Splitting the bounty four ways isn't really profitable for any of us by the end of the day.

>>29382698
At this rate we're going to have to set up some sort of bounty hunter club.

>>29382698
do you know how to use your gun?

“Do you know how to use your gun?”
>”Absolutely! I used to bullseye womp rats with it back home”
>You guess that’s supposed to be impressive?
“I see...Velvet what do you think? If we let him join then we have to hunt higher value targets. Splitting the bounty four ways isn't really profitable for any of us by the end of the day”
>”That won’t be necessary. I’ll do it for free”
>”See? He does it for free”
“You sure about that, Umbra?”
>”Of course. I won’t need the money once I become a fruit technician”
>”I saw we let him join. He can come out with us today to the scrublands”
>The bat looks to you hopefully, Velvet’s equally curious face soon panning into view
>At this rate you’re going to have to make a bounty hunter club

>>29382986
Well... Okay.

>The two continue to lean forward, their grins growing wider
>You just know that you’re gonna regret this when you’re being told random fruit facts every 15 minutes
“Well... Okay”
>”EEEEEE!”
>His ear tufts twitch, the bat obviously pleased
>”I won’t let you down!”
“I should hope not. That means you’d be letting Velvet down too”
>”O-oh”
>Velvet smirks, the bat seeming to gain a new found resolve
>A metal tray drops on the table causing you to flinch
>A tired looking griffon slinks into the seat across from you, eyes half lidded
“Geez Garnet, you ok?”
>”Yeah, I’m…”
>Her sentence is cut off by a yawn, beak stretching
>”I’m fine. Just didn’t get much sleep last night. Plus I got absolutely slammed with paper work as soon as I clocked in”
>Her tired eyes lazily peer to the bat, Umbra giving her a small wave
>"What's going on here? Who's this?"

>>29383298
Meet the newest partner to our club.

“Meet the newest partner to our club”
>”H-hey”
>Umbra nervously grins, Garnet giving him a flat look
>”And you know him from where?”
>”Oh, well I’m friends with Velvet”
>”Are you as brash as Velvet?”
>”I, don’t think so?”
>”Alright, you’ll do fine”
>The griffoness sticks a fork in her meat, chewing on it for a moment
>”You know, I’d say that maybe our recruiting is starting to get out of hand, but then I remembered just how many guns were shooting at as the other night. Might be good to have another pony while we’re searching around out there”
>Picking around her food, she pauses a moment before going on
>”You know, I was talking to one of the other managers that likes to camp around, and he told me there’s some cave complexes up in the hills outside town. Sounds like a good place to hide for a bunch of thieves to me”

>>29383521
good catch, We will have to keep an eye out for caves.

Pausing

It's only a matter of time now.

We are gonna need to give umbra a bounty hunter alias.

Let's begin to prepare.

>>29385359
What were the names again?
Black Scarf, Gold Earring and Jewel?
We should call Garnet the Red Jewel, and he could be Silver Fang.

Mango Mangler

>>29385359
Fruity

>>29386079
That actually sounds pretty good.

Big Booty Bat Bounty Bhunter

beb

“Good catch, We will have to keep an eye out for caves”
>Your eyes wander back to Umbra, the bat still smiling
“You’re gonna need a bounty hunter alias”
>”A what?”
“Take me for example. I’m black scarf”
>”… Why?”
“Because I own a black scarf and it’s quite fancy, thank you. But Garnet here is Jewel, don’t think that needs explaining. And Velvet is Gold Earing”
>”I can’t believe you still want to call me that”
“You like earrings Velvet. It was my only option”
>”Why not Skubbed Horn?”
“… How about no?”
>As she puffs up to respond, Umbra cuts in
>”So uh, do I like make a name or something?”
“Sure, go ahead”
>”Hmmm. How about… Fruity!”
>His grin grows wider
“Um, that’s nice and all, but how about something more vicious?”
>”O-oh, okay. What about Fruit Fang?”
“… How about Silver Fang?”
>”But, they’re white”
“Trust me, it sounds better”
>”Well, alright. Silver Fang it is”
>He smirks to himself, obviously amused by his new moniker
>”So, what else do I have to do? I got a gun, and a cool code name. Surely there’s gotta be more bounty hunting”

>>29389351
It's just finding and capturing criminals, preferably alive. The hard part is the actual doing it and anything unexpected that happens.

“It's just finding and capturing criminals, preferably alive”
>The bat whips out a small notepad, furiously scribbling
>”Alive… got it!”
“Uh… well the hard part is the actual doing it and anything unexpected that happens”
>”I’m good at doing things, trust me”
“I’m sure you are”
>Umbra takes a bite of his fruit, motioning to Velvet
>”I suppose it’s time we got back to the oat department. Some guy fell in before break and we have to shift through it until we find him”
“I’m sorry, what?”
>”Bye Guri, bye Garnet!”
>The two ponies trot off side by side, heading for the door
>You feel the tuft of your tail tickled under the table, Garnet’s tail swishing by
>”So, you’ve got a food manager, a fruit nerd, and law suit waiting to happen in unicorn form. Who are you recruiting next, a baticorn?”

>>29389689
Nah. Those never existed.

“Nah. Those never existed”
>”I don’t know Guri, how do you explain all those sightings?”
“All those guys were probably high on catnip. I’ve seen wackier things than that after using it”
>The griffoness stands up, getting in a quick stretch
>”The truth is out there Guri. And so is my paper work. I’ll see you after the shift”
>Joining her, you go exit the cafeteria, going your separate ways
>Cutting meat for four hours straight can be mind numbing, but luckily you stave off boredom by thinking about all the neat stuff you can buy when you finally bag this pyro”
>Like those fancy stuffed mice with the catnip in them. You always wanted one of those
>Through the sheer willpower of you imagining batting it around all day, you’re caught off guard as the whistle blows, signaling the end of the work day
>Throwing off your apron you bolt for the exit like a bat out of hell, looking for your partner in crime
>She lies not too far away, putting away a clipboard as you approach, various other griffons continuing on through the doors
>”You know, if you weren’t a bounty hunter I’d find it a little odd how to can always find me so quickly”
“All part of the job, baby”
>She gives you a shove, heading for the door as you quickly follow
>”So, not that I’m a pampered house cat or anything, but it’s been a while since I’ve been trekking through the wilderness. You got any tips for what I should bring if we’re actually searching for him out there tonight?”

Pausing

>>29390024
Well if might be going into caves we should bring some kind of light source.

beb

>>29391630

Getting yourself bumped from 10.

>>29392211

bepity bep

Maybe bring some basics like rope, a lighter, perhaps a knife though i guess our talons should make do. Normally I would say bring so food too but we probably won't be out for long so that isn't too important.

>>29393712

“Well if might be going into caves we should bring some kind of light source”
>”I think I got an old lantern back at home somewhere”
“Me and Velv have one too. But other than that, maybe bring some basics like rope, a lighter, perhaps a knife though I guess our talons should make do”
>”I just filed mine last night…”
>She hold up a hand, giving her digits a wiggle in front of your face
“They look like they could cut some rope to me”
>”They did a number on my scratching post”
>God, you wish you were on a manager’s paycheck
>Making a turn, you both head for the main exit, plenty of other pushing through the double doors
“ Other than that, I don’t think there’s much else. Normally I would say bring so food too but we probably won't be out for long so that isn't too important”
>”Eh, I’ll eat before I go”
>Stepping outside, she gives you a quick pat on the cheek
>”See you in a couple hours, hm?”
“Alright, we can all just meet at my place”
>Agreeing, she spreads her wings and launches into the sky, progressively getting harder to see as with all the other griffs in the sky
>”Hey, check it out”
>Turning, you find Velvet standing before you
>… With a miner’s helmet on her head
“Velv… what the heck are you doing?”
>”Isn’t it neat? Check it, the light even works!”
>With a click of her magic the light on the forehead brightens up, causing you to squint
“Where did you even find that thing?”
>”Sometimes on break I head down to the boiler room to explore. Found this and a whole bunch of other cool stuff in there. Look!”
>The mare holds up a cage, a small bird inside, tweeting frantically
>”A genuine mine canary! Now we can explore those caves in safety”

>>29395435
Someone who works down there is going to be pissed. Damnit, Velvet.

>>29395435
Nice helmet, but lets not take the bird. I don't think gas will be a problem, seeing as we're not going to be mining anything. We probably want to stay quiet too.

>>29395435
why is there mining gear in a food factory boiler room?

“Someone who works down there is going to be pissed. Damnit, Velvet”
>”They won’t miss a thing, there’s plenty of other supplies down there”
“Why is there even mining gear in a food factory boiler room?”
>”I don’t know, it’s like a mine I guess. It’s all dark, and musty, and stuff”
“Well it is a nice helmet, but let’s not take the bird. I don't think gas will be a problem, seeing as we're not going to be mining anything”
>The bird begins to tweet again, signing a small song much to Velvet’s apparent pleasure
“We probably want to stay quiet too. So go ahead and put the bird ba-“
>”Oh come on Guri, let’s keep him!”
“What? Velvet you just can’t take it”
>”Please Guri, he must get lonely down there in the dark. Poor little guy needs some sunlight and fresh air”
>The yellow canary begins to hop around the cage, Velvet holding it closer to your face
>”I even picked out a name for him…. Lil’ Guri!”

>>29395789
Gee thanks. Fine, you can keep him, but he's your responsibility, and the moment he annoys me too much I'm eating him.

>>29395789
If you feel bad for him you should let him free.
No bird should be caged up.

>>29395789
You and pets don't mix well Velvet, remember what happened to the last one?
I still have nightmares about that cat.

“Gee thanks”
>She smiles, attention turning back to the bird
“You know, you and pets don't mix well Velvet, remember what happened to the last one? I still have nightmares about that cat”
>”He was trying to replace you, I could see it in his eyes!”
>She looks off in the distance for a moment, ear twitching
>“But this one’ll be different, honest! Besides, I’m doing him a favor, getting him out of that basement”
“If you feel bad for him you should let him free .No bird should be caged up”
>”Then why do you keep hanging out with me?”
>You raise a talon to respond, but it slowly lowers, your eyes squinting
>Hmm…
“…. Fine, you can keep him”
>”Alright!”
“But he's your responsibility, and the moment he annoys me too much I'm eating him”
>She immediately hugs the cage, turning it away from you as she scrunches
>”Lay a talon on Lil’ Guri and I’m stuffing your sorry ass in this cage as a replacement”
>You can’t help but smirk at her reaction
“Noted. Now come on, let’s get your little friend home”
>You take hold of her, lifting into the air without a word
>Never thought you’d see the day that a bird was carrying a pony carrying a bird

>Getting back home soon afterwards Velvet quickly rushes through the door, excitedly beginning to clear a home for her friend
>By the time you drop your bags and lazily spread out on the bed the cage is already suspended by a hook next to the window, bird tweeting away
>”How neat is this? His voice is a lot less shrill than yours”
>As you lay there the door cracks open, you and Velvet greeted with a pair of black and white ponies poking their heads in the room
>”So there IS a bird in here”
>Zara looks to you, giggling
>”Well, another one”
>”Yup! Lil’ Guri is here to stay!”
>The zebras trot in the room, gathering around the cage with Velvet
>”Aww, isn’t he adorable?”
>”You know, we used to raise songbirds just like him”
>”Yeah, well you better watch it. Guri says if he sings, he’ll eat him!”
>All three mares turn to you as you lay there, stern looks on their faces
“… What?”
>”Guri, for shame! He’s just a little bird”
>”Yeah, and isn’t that like cannibalism?”

>>29396366
I'm a griffon, not a bird. Half cat, remember?

>You scoff, sitting up a bit
“I'm a griffon, not a bird. Half cat, remember?”
>”Still, he’s like your cousin, or… nephew. Or something”
>Zara puts a hoof on her lip, apparently deep in thought about that
>”Uh, well congrats on your new pet. But guess what?”
>She hugs her sister close, breaking Zara’s train of thought
“’Darning’ and ‘Armscye’ just got jobs down at the fabric factory”
“Really? That’s great!”
>”And Zara and Wonga have been checked out of this inn. Good thing the room was quickly snatched up by Darning and her sister”
>They wiggle their eyebrows, tiny smiles on their muzzles
>”Wonga and Zara are no longer around. Just us ponies now, officially”

>>29396637
Good to hear. How long do you think you'll have to stay pony?

Pausing

beb

>>29396705
That's probably gonna be when they don't have a warrant anymore. Or there debt is paid.

There's room for only one birb here

>>29397567

>>29399005

tweet

Its only a matter of time until the Canary tries to replace us.

beb

bek

>>29400009
but then

>>29402280
the bird

>>29402915
will try

>>29400778

rip

>>29404247

>>29403449
to steal

>>29405164

>>29405813
no, (you)

>>29406323
me?

“Good to hear. How long do you think you'll have to stay pony?”
>”Well, not really up to us. Guess until we raise enough cash to pay the debt. Or they just give up and pull the warrant. Whichever comes first”
“Just keep up the act, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Honestly can’t tell that you used to be zebras, to be honest”
>”Still zebras at heart, Guri”
>The canary begins to tweet a few notes, Velvet smiling
>”He’s almost as good a singer as I am”
“Yeah well at least he doesn’t hog the shower for an hour to do it”
>”But it’s essential! The moisture really opens up my vocal cords!”
>You just roll your eyes
>”Well, we just wanted to stop in and say hi. Enjoy your new pet”
>”Don’t worry, WE will! Right Guri?”
“Oh I’ll be sure to”
>She scrunches, your neighbors laughing as they make for the door, saying goodbye
>Soon after, you’re alone with your roommate once more
>And your new feathered companion you guess
>”You know, I’ve been thinking…”
>Here we go
>The most dangerous thing in the world is Velvet alone with her thoughts
>”Let’s say we bag this guy. That’s a few hundred bits right there”
“Yeah?”
>”Then let’s say we get a few of his friends. I’d say there were at least five or six of them shooting at us the other night. Whoever they are, they’ve probably got some bounties on their heads too”
“Where are you going with this?”
>”I’m saying that we might be walking into a pretty good pay out. And we might be able to afford our own place! No more renting around at run down inns anymore, we can finally settle down for a while”

>>29407700
Lets not count our chickens before they're hatched. we checked for those guys on the bounty board before, remember? We don't know if we'll get anything from bringing in somebody without a bounty besides warm fuzzy feelings.

“Let’s not count our chickens before they're hatched. we checked for those guys on the bounty board before, remember? We don't know if we'll get anything from bringing in somebody without a bounty besides warm fuzzy feelings”
>”Well they cycle those things out, maybe it’s just been a while since they’ve been charged”
“Maybe. But keep in mind, maybe not”
>”Well I’m turning in anyone who takes a shot at me anyway, so it can’t hurt to try”
>The door shudders, someone knocking on it
“Who is it?”
>”Your boss”
>It creeks open, Garnet walking on in, lantern in hand
“What’s up, Garnet?”
>”Not much… I found this on the way in”
>A bat pony comes out from beside her, big eyes and even bigger smile present
>Umbra has a backpack on, a small pistol tucked into his straps
>”I’m ready to fight crime and bring justice to this city!”

>>29408079
Lets bring him up to speed on the bounty that we're after. Also, how heavy is that backpack and does he have any outdoors experience?

>>29408079
What a nerd.

>You shoot Velvet a glance, the mare giggling
“Alright, well since this is your first day, I suppose we need to bring you up to speed”
>He nods, grabbing a seat as Garnet walks on by, checking out your canary
“So pretty much this guy’s wanted for burning down several buildings. We caught him last night trying to set fire to a warehouse, but some of his partners attacked us. Long story short there was a shootout and he got away”
>”Alright, got it”
“We think they might be out in the scrubland outside town, because his sister told us that he was with a minotaur, which me and Velvet say when we were out there practicing shooting”
>He nods, still smiling
“And uh, that’s pretty much it. Bring him in alive if you can”
>You peer to the floor, eyeing his backpack
“How heavy is that?”
>”Oh not too heavy. Just got a canteen, some rope, hoofcuffs, some other little things in it I thought I’d need”
“Alright… got any outdoors experience?”
>”Uh, well I went camping once. But I didn't have the best time"
"Why not?"
>"M marshmallow caught on fire, and things got out of hand when I tried to put it out. That's how I got this"
>He turns, lifting up a wing to show a sizable bald patch

>>29408406
We need to hear the full story on this one.

>You look around the room, both Garnet and Velvet peering at the burn, dumbfounded
“We need to hear the full story on this one”
>Umbra seems to become aware of everyone staring at him, his wing cautiously folded once more
>”O-oh… there isn’t much too it, really”
“You just can’t put that out there and not give us the whole thing, bud”
>”Yeah, let’s hear it!”
>His eyes flick to Velvet before looking back to you
>”Well, I started swinging it around to put it out, but the marshmallow flew off the stick”
>He makes a sailing motion with his hoofs
>”And it flew directly inside my tent. Whole thing went up in flames”
“Then what?”
>”I run inside it to save the bag of fruit I brought. And to this day I maintain that it was worth the burn”
>Try as you might, you can’t hold back your snicker, even Garnet failing to do so
>Velvet is outright laughing, much to his embarrassment
“Neat story. Let’s hope we don’t see a repeat out there”
>Standing up, you stretch, grabbing your gun and pack
>Prompting the others, they all file out into the hallway one by one, Velvet locking the door behind you
>Hitting the streets, you grab Velvet, Garnet and Umbra spreading their wings as you all flap away in formation
>…
>The sun beats down more intensely now that there aren’t any buildings to provide shade, only low shrubs and dried grasses rising above the parched earth
>Cliffs about a mile away break up the horizon, the rock faces to the west in stark contrast with the featureless expanse in the opposite direction
>Fanning out, you all begin to walk along the babbling creek, the clear water flowing towards town
>Eyes scanning, you look for anything that seems out of the ordinary
>”Hey!”
>You crane your neck, Velvet kicking around some dirt
>”Here’s where we were the other day. These are my bullet casings”
>Looking across the creek, you spot the area you saw the ponies and minotaur in, rocky outcrops a few hundred meters away

Pausing

10

>>29409158
We should look for tracks.

>>29409730

>>29411478

bip

dum bird

>>29413610

>>29409158
Time to show off our hunting skills.

beb

Bird is the word.

Childhood is when you idolize Guri.
Adulthood is when you realize that Lil' Guri made more sense

whap

>>29416024

“Alright, this is where we were alright. We should start looking for tracks, especially across the creek”
>Coming up the banks of the stream, you proceed to leap across it, you wings giving you a nice push
>Looking back Umbra and Garnet do the same, Velvet gracefully skipping from rock to rock until she gets to the other side
>”Weren’t they right over they when we saw them?”
“I think so. And I don’t think it’s rained recently, so we might be able to see if they left any hoof prints”
>”You mean like those?”
>Your heads collectively turn to Garnet, the griffoness casually pointing to some prints in the dry dirt a few meters away
“Uh, yeah. Exactly like those”
>”Well this is gonna be easy”
>Velvet pushes you aside, snoot pointing down at the ground as she follows them like a bloodhound
>Shrugging to Garnet, your band follows the unihound, which voraciously continues on
>Although faint, you can clearly make out the shapes of multiple hooves, one of them certainly not a ponies
>But as you continue on, even your sharp eyes have trouble progressively in making them out from the regular indentations on the desert floor
>The gentle feel of cracked earth is replaced with the crunching of rocks after a while
>”Hey, uh. That’s about as far as I can make them out!”
>Velvet sits perched on an outcrop several feet off the ground, the shadows of the rock formation casting over you as you all catch up to her
>Sure enough as soon as you make it to the rocks all trace of the tracks disappear, no more dirt to preserve them in the area
>Garnet takes a step back, head craning up the rocky hill
>”Well, I figure that we could we could climb up there, might be some crevices up higher. Either that or they went around it and started following the stream. But even that might have washed away tracks”

>>29420841
Did the tracks go straight from here to that stream? Usually, people would try to take the most direct route so we most likely have the general direction of where they're hiding.

>>29420841
Just...check the other side? Unless they like getting wet or had a boat, the shortest path is usually the one they'll take through water

>Looking back at the last identifiable tracks, them just seem to be going forward, which would probably mean they went up the outcrop
>But then again, it couldn’t hurt to check around, because unless they walked through the water, there should at least be something
“Here, I’m gonna go around the other side real quick, see if there’s any more tracks”
>Garnet nods, your wings spreading
>Climbing in the air you watch the rocks continue to fill your vision the higher you go
>You might have underestimated the size of this outcrop
>Going around the hill side, you spot a bend in the stream that nears the rocks, the rest of it snaking away off into the distance
>Darting over quickly, you come to a halt, rushing water filling your ears
>Looking back and forth, you keep your eyes open, but it appears that there’s nothing here
>Even going so far as to jump to the other side, you walk a good 50 yards along the bank, unable to spy anything suspicious
>”Hey Guri!”
>Your head pops up, Garnet’s voice carrying from the other side
>”Velvet found something!”
>Wasting no time you fly back to the other side, confused at first that your party isn’t where you left them
>But looking up, you spy them up on the outcrop, walking along the well-worn smooth stones above
>Taking off once more you soon join them a good 40 or so feet off the ground
“What is it?”
>”Check it out!”
>Velvet peers to a shallow crevice, Umbra’s curious face poking in the hole
>Leaning down, you shine Velvet’s miner light through the crack, revealing a small cavern
>But what catches your eye is the chest along the stone wall, a decently sized one at that
>”I already tried to squeeze under it, it’s too big for a griffon”
>Velvet lowers her head, peering inside
>”I think I can slip through… and it looks like the cavern goes a little further back, there might be more if I can get inside”
>You examine the entrance, unsure if even Velvet could squeeze into it despite her claim

>>29421190
It'd be better not to split up. One of them is a minotuar after all, so there should be a larger entrance somewhere nearby.

“Hold up a second Velvet”
>The mare pauses, her head almost ready to poke through the opening
“We better not split up”
>”Well you and Garnet can’t exactly fit through here”
“Yeah, but one of them is a minotuar after all, so there should be a larger entrance somewhere nearby”
>”Guri’s right, there’s no way they use this as an entrance”
>She mulls over Umbra’s statement, eventually shrugging
>”Alright, I suppose we could look for another way in”
>Immediately you all begin to fan out, but not too far, making sure to stay well within each other’s sight
>Hopping from rock to rock, you realize just how daunting a task searching for another opening is, even if it can’t be far
>Various crevices and false entrances pocket the area, not to mention a few holes that drop straight down if you aren’t paying attention
>Moving around a stray cactus, you continue on down a pass
>Your feathers begin to stand on end ever so slightly, the temperature dropping
>Turning a corner, you find yourself staring at a sizable opening, one large enough for even you to walk through to problem
>Holding up a lantern, you observe the rocky walls trail off, disappearing into the darkness

>”You think this is it?”
“Can’t hurt to try. It’s the most likely thing we’ve seen so far”
>Quickly rounding up Velvet and Umbra you all bunch up, going through it one at a time
>Cautiously moving forward, the lantern illuminates the way, cold soil crunching under your paws
>”Hey Guri, look”
>You snap your head, Garnet pointing to a charred pile of wood not even 20 feet from the cave entrance that you somehow stepped over
>”Looks like an old campfire”
>She bends down, dusting aside some dirt near it to reveal a glint
>A few golden bits lie on the ground, probably dropped in error
>”Well, no doubt someone’s been in this cave”
>As she says that, all your heads whip back to the front, something obviously catching all your ears
>Further back in the cave it sounds as if a rock slid, banging against the floor of the cave, but you can’t be sure

>>29421518
Spooky. Listen for a minute, and if nothing else happens proceed.

>>29421518
kick a pebble in

>All of you stand there silently, your breaths the only noise you dare make
>A minute goes by with no further noise, your eyes flicking to the ground
>With a kick, you send a pebble down the cave shaft, the small rock echoing as it bounces into the blackness
>No further noise is received
“Spooky…”
>None of your friends respond, each still no doubt listen with their ears perked up
>With a wave you flag them forward, lantern casting light along the path
>Trudging forward, the light from the entrance dims out as you inevitably make a turn down the path
>However, as that light fades behind you, a sliver of daylight can be seen
>Up ahead is what you presume to be the small crack you were looking in previously
>Adjusting the lantern, a chest along the wall confirms your suspicion
>”Neat, it’s like buried treasure”
>Velvet darts forward, Umbra not far behind as they make their way up to it
>In the mean time you peer around the small room, looking for anything else
>Besides a couple of empty bottles, the rest of the area seems like a natural cave
>A deep creaking turns your head, the ponies huffing as they push the lid up
>It makes a couple tries, but it eventually gives, a find sheet of dust kicking up into a cloud
>Coughing, they rear their heads back, waiting for it to clear
>”Oh neat. Guri, Garnet, come check it out”
>Velvet waves to you, Garnet moving alongside
>Looking over the excited ponies, you lift up the lantern, chest contents revealed
>Several old rifles and pistols lay neatly arranged inside, a few boxes of ammunition in the bottom
>In addition, a stack of bits lies in a small box, maybe about a hundred or so altogether
>”Is this a find, or what?”
>”I wouldn’t be too sure…”

>Garnet steps forward, reaching into it
>”What do you mean? It looks like good evidence to me”
>Your girlfriend lifts one of the rifles, holding it up in the light
>”Look at this rust. They don’t look like they’re in the best of shape”
>”So? It’s a bit damp in here”
>”Did you notice the cloud of dust? These things have been here a while. Years even”
>She points back the way you came
>”Even that campfire’s coals looked ancient. Whoever put this stuff here must have forgotten about it… or intended for them never to be found”

>>29421874
That doesn't explain the sound we heard earlier.

“That doesn't explain the sound we heard earlier”
>Garnet looks around at the room, eventually shrugging
>”Looks like there’s plenty of loose rocks in here to me”
>She reaches up to a small ledge on the wall, raking a few small stones which clatter onto the floor
>”Could have been just that. A falling rock. Doesn’t mean anyone knocked it over, it just happens”
>Looking over, Velvet and Umbra shift through the Chest, the mare greedily stuffing the money in her bag for later
>”Doesn’t look like there’s much else in here. Besides, if someone was in here, where would they run to? This is the end of the crevice”

>>29422130
It may just be a hidden cache of weapons. We should take it for posterity.

Pausing

>>29422130
We are splitting those bits Velvet.

>>29422130
Rock illusion? fake door? trap door?

>>29422130
"illusory door ahead."

>>29422277
good luck reasoning with a pinhead

bep

dum birds

>>29422130
See if you can find anything usable, leave all the rusted junk.

“Oh really now”
>”Uh, yeah?”
“Well then how do you explain… THIS!”
>You reach out, grasping at the back wall
>All you can feel is solid stone
>Frantically patting around, it all feels the same
>”… You ok there, Guri?”
“Yeah, just um. Just thought maybe there’d be an illusory door or something”
>”It’s some outlaws Guri, not a secret supervillain headquarters”
>Velvet and Umbra begin to snicker, your eyes rolling
“Alright, well I guess that’s all that’s in this place. We might as well take the crate for posterity”
>You walk over, beginning to take out the guns just to make sure nothing else is inside
“That looks like everything… oh and Velvet we’re sharing those bits”
>All you get is a scrunch in response, the mare caught red hoofed
“Now come on and help move this thin-“
>Pulling up, the crate doesn’t even budge an inch
>Huh. It doesn’t look that heavy
>With another upward tug you strain your muscles, determined to get it off the ground
>Even with Velvet and Umbra’s help you release your grip after a few second, panting
>”That sucker’s wedged down in there real good, huh?”
>Eyeing the unmovable crate, you curiously look inside once more, peering at the wooden bottom
“Something’s not right…”
>Reaching out you touch the bottom, giving it a knock
>A sharp echo sounds back much to your surprise
>”What is it?”
“Hold this”
>Passing your lantern to the mare, your talons grip the bottom of the chest, giving a swift pull upwards
>It comes flying up with ease, you nearly falling backwards
>Dumbfounded, a set of pony and griffon faces all gather around the chest, staring downwards
>The rungs of a ladder go down along the face of the rock, a tunnel barely wider than yourself heading into the total blackness below

>>29425944
A more mundane secret passage, but still a secret passage.

“Well… A more mundane secret passage then a trick wall, but still a secret passage”
>”Here, take this”
>Velvet smacks the helmet upon your head, turning on the light
>”You found it, you go first”
>Rolling your eyes you give your shotgun a quick tug, ensuring that it’s firmly slung on your back
>Gently, you place a paw down into the crate, the soft pads touching the cold metal of the first rung
>Lowering the next one, you grab onto the ladder, slowly making your way down
>It lowers about 20 feet into the ground before you feel the crunch of dirt beneath you, hopping off the ladder
>Quickly peering around the beam of light illuminates the small area, everything deathly silent
>Looks like an ordinary crevice to you
>… Well, except for the file cabinet against the wall
>”Anything down there?”
“Yeah, just hold up a second. I’ll be back”
>Cautiously, you move towards the cabinet
>Although the ‘office’ is quite small, the flood of darkness makes it difficult to see anything not directly in front of your helmet
>Reaching out, your talons wrap around one of the metal handles, wheels of the drawer creaking as it’s slowly pulled out
>Coming to a stop, the open drawer reveals its contents, which are predictably files, a good few dozen of them
>Picking one out at random you open it up, light shining upon the pages
>A picture of some kind of building is front and center, a date beneath it from nearly five months ago
>An X is scrawled over a line, which you make out to say ‘Fine Stringer’
>Other than that, the page is blank, save for a number at the bottom corner
>10,458.51
>”Guri, you ok down there? You want us to stay here?”

>>29426503
What kind a building?

“Just hold up there for a moment”
>You can hear Velvet sigh in annoyance even from down here
>Glancing back at the paper, it doesn’t exactly list what the building is, but if you had to guess it looks industrial, maybe a mill or something
>Setting it down your nimble claws pick out another, popping it open
>Once again the format is the same
>Photo of a building, a date, crossed name, and number at the bottom
>Just to be sure a third is chosen randomly, unsurprisingly following suit as the others
>The photo on this one is no doubt a warehouse though
>”What’s that?”
“AH!”
>Your wings spread, paws coming off the ground as you jump
>The file clatters to the ground but is quickly picked up in a soft blue glow
>”Geez Guri, no need to be a scaredy cat”
>Velvet flips the paper around, studying it before it’s lowered, her eyes falling on the file cabinet
>”That whole thing filled with these? The hell even is this?”

>>29426813
Lets show Garnet to see if any of those look familiar.

“I don’t know. Here, watch out”
>You grab a handful of files, heading towards the ladder
>”Where are you going?”
“Just hang tight. I’m passing these to Garnet”
>Taking a few steps up the ladder your hand pokes up through the chest, papers in its grasp
>”What’re those?”
“There’s a file cabinet down here filled with em’. Do me a favor and tell me if you recognize any of these”
>She politely takes them, the sounds of paper rustling as the griffoness no doubt scours though the files
>Hanging out on the ladder for a minute you can hear the sounds of Velvet getting into the various drawers down there, no doubt searching for money or anything cool to take
>”Hey… I think I recognize this one”
“Really?”
>Looking up, your face peers down to you, turning the file to display a photo
>”I read about this when I first got into town. The next city over had a feed mill burn down, total loss. This photo looks a lot like the one I remember seeing in the newspaper. The date matches up too”

>>29427140
So we got a list of targets.

>>29427140
I wonder if there are any future targets among the files.

“So we got a list of targets I guess”
>”Seems like it, I see no other reason why this thing would exist”
“I wonder if there are any future targets among the files?”
>”I wouldn’t count on it”
>You look back down the ladder, Velvet’s face peering up at you
>”I just shifted through everything in there. All the files have the X crossed through the names. I can only assume that means the target got torched”
"You sure?"
>"Yeah, you can come check it you want. Plus the warehouse we were at last night isn't in there"

>>29427465
So they only store completed jobs here? Does it look like anything was removed?

“So they only store completed jobs here?”
>”Looks like it. I went through all those drawers and that’s all I found”
>Sliding back down the ladder, you briefly put your hand up, Velvet’s light shining in your eyes before she moves it away
“Does it look like anything was removed?”
>”I don’t really think there’s any way of telling. But for three file drawers, just a couple dozen files seems kinda low”
>Eyes slowly scanning the cave, you pick up on nothing else
>Still looks awkward as all hell just having a single file cabinet in the middle of an otherwise pristine cavern
>”I really don’t think there’s anything else in here. Maybe they store things in different areas of the outcrop? This is just one little cave after all”

Pausing

>>29427685
Lets quickly see if anything is hiding under the cabinet.

mep

bip

>>29430389

>>29431365

caves suck

“You might be right”
>Walking past her you approach the cabinet, all of the files in a stack from Velvet
>Bending over, you look underneath it, just to make sure you got everything
>Dirt greets you, same as the rest of the floor
>”What are you doing?”
“Nothing. Come on, let’s grab all this stuff”
>You and Velvet proceed to rake in all the files into your bags, making sure every last one is accounted for
>Velvet scrambles up the ladder first, you not far behind
>Gripping the edge of the chest, your body is pulled through, Umbra and Garnet awaiting as Velvet clambers out right before you
>Garnet reaches out, giving you a tug, your paws crunching on the dirt
>”You grab everything?”
“Yeah, we got all the files. Nothing else down there though”
>”Good, because it’s starting to get late. Sun should be going down in like an hour and a half or so”

>>29433540
Lets head out and look around a bit more.

“Well come on. Let’s head out and look around a bit more”
>Once more making sure the files are tucked neatly against your side you lead the way out, helmet light guiding the way
>Exiting the cavern soon after you note that the sunlight is becoming more vibrant and rich, shadows getting longer
>Won’t be too long until it slips under the horizon
>”I think we should head down that pass a little ways. If they’re mostly ponies, I doubt they’d be picking caves to hide in that require some flight to get to”
“Fair enough. Plus we don’t really have the time to be hopping from rock to rock anyway”
>The four of you set down the semi trail, heading between massive boulders as you keep your eyes open for more cave entrances
>For half an hour you scour the rock faces, but turn up short
>The only living things that greet you are shrubs, cacti, and an occasional scorpion scurrying on by from under a rock
>Although some openings are found, most of them are far too shallow or small to even consider hiding it, and the search for a more plausible entrance alludes your group
>Garnet huffs, wiping some sweat off her face
>Looking back, Umbra seats himself on a rock, greedily drinking from a canteen as Velvet casually kicks pebbles off the side of a ridge
>”It might be time to call it a day Guri”
>The griffoness motions towards the sun, now hanging low in the orange sky
>”We could come back tomorrow and look around in a different area, but I don’t think it’d be wise to be out here when it gets dark”
"Yeah, you might be righ-"
>You all snap your heads at the same time, no doubt in your minds as to why
>A couple rocks clatter down the side of a rock face behind you, crashing down the side of the outcrop
>They echo as their descent continues, eventually coming to a rest below
>Peering up, you notice a bit of dirt sliding down the side of the rock face where they came from, maybe a ten yard distance upwards
>"... M-maybe it was just some erosion?"

Pausing

>>29433881
We shouldn't make assumptions. Go check and have our gun ready.

>>29433881
...probably not. Better move quietly.

Bleh

bluh

blah

Are they cats, or are they birds?

>>29437862
cirds or bats

File: 1441330815438.png (87KB, 603x488px) Image search: [Google]

87KB, 603x488px

>>29437947

bep

bup

10

>>29442186

>>29443957

canaries a good

>>29445910

>You all remain silent for a while, nothing further happening
“… Probably not. We shouldn't make assumptions”
>Garnet looks back up to the ridge, Velvet peering at you questioningly
“I’ll give it a look. Just hand tight”
>Spreading your wings, you make sure that your gun is ready, lifting off
>Soon covering the distance you touch down, giving a quick sweep
>Nothing greets you, only more rocks and sun baked dirt
>”What’s up there?”
>You peek over the side, your three partners awaiting an answer
“I don’t see anything yet, just hold up”
>Your eyes carefully scan, looking for moment
>But the only thing they catch is a scurrying lizard
>Satisfied that nobody’s around you look around at the dirt at your paws, directly overlooking the edge
>A shallow indent is found, dirt and small rocks pushed aside
>Almost as if someone was lying there earlier, peering over the side
>In addition what looks like tracks can be seen going off for a few feet, but disappear once the dirt gives way to more rocky ground
>”Guri, the sun’s starting to go down! You finished up there?”

>>29448667
Direction?

>Before you answer you peer back at the tracks
>They go out straight head, but honestly that isn’t too helpful considering they only go a couple body lengths before disappearing
>Taking a few steps forward, you gaze across the outcrops before you, multiple paths and crevices whoever it was could have taken
>Snapping out of it, you note the position of the sun, your shadow extending cross the rocks
>There’s probably only about half an hour of daylight left if you wanted to pursue, plus you all still have to get back to town

>>29449154
We'd best tell the others someone was probably watching us and head back as quick as we can.

>Although you really want to catch the rat that was spying on you, you feel like there’s no way you could catch him before night fall
>Reluctantly you turn around, giving a small hop off the side, wings flapping the reduce the speed
>Landing before your friends, they all crowd around
>”So? Anything up there?”
“Someone was probably watching us”
>”You sure?”
“Positive”
>”Well what are we waiting for? Gimme a boost!”
>Velvet points up to the ridge, expecting you to whisk her away
“I don’t think we should go after him. There’s almost no way we’d get a hold of them before the sun set”
>”So you’re saying we’re just gonna let him go?”
“Sorry Velvet, I don’t think we have a choice”
>Garnet looks once more at the sun, nodding
>”Guri’s right. We need to leave now if we want to get back to the city before nightfall”
>The mare sighs, but nonetheless shrugs her shoulders
>”Alright, whatever. We’ll get him later anyway”
>It doesn’t take long for you all to take to the air, flying in a line back to town
>The fainter the sun becomes, the brighter the lights of the city seem to become, making your journey easier than expected
>Touching down not long after the sun disappeared, you all find yourselves back outside the inn, huddling up on the sidewalk
>”Well, that was a neat little excursion, huh guys?”
>Velvet’s nerd of a coltfriend grins enthusiastically, the mare rolling her eyes
>”Yeah, but we didn’t get to lay down the law on anyone!”
“Calm down Velvet, we still got a pretty big clue”
>Patting your bag, you feel the files shuffle inside
>”So…”
>Your girlfriend steps forward
>”We try the same thing tomorrow I guess? I guess you could comb through the files more thoroughly tonight, see if there’s any info we can use the next time we go searching around”

>>29449646
We definitely need to do some research.

>>29449646
We need to be careful next time. They might know we're snooping around now. I think we might be best off trying to grab one of them leaving the area.

“We definitely need to do some research, yes. Me and Velv can look through this stuff tonight”
>”Perfect. At work tomorrow you can tell me and Umbra what you found. Might make our next exploration a little easier”
“Well, when we do go back out there we need to be more careful. They might know we're snooping around now”
>”If you thought someone was on that ridge, then it’s almost definite”
“Yeah. I think we might be best off trying to grab one of them leaving the area, get some info out of them”
>”If we can, I see no reason not to”
>Her beak opens up, a yawn escaping
>”I need to get back home though. My shower awaits”
>”I like the way you think, Garnet!”
>Velvet gives her a hoofs up
>”Thank you, Velvet. But it was fun, see you two tomorrow!”
>She reaches out, giving you a quick kiss
>Giving her a goodbye, you watch the griffoness fly off
>Turning around you find Velvet and Umbra hugging
>”See you at work tomorrow, Velvy”
>”I’m looking forward to it”
>With a huge grin she gives him a wave, the bat flying away
“… Cute”
>”S-shut up!”
>You just laugh at her scrunch, stepping inside the inn
>Marching up the stairs, you sigh as you pull out a key, Velvet vibrating in place at the prospect of a hot shower
>Pushing open the door, you take a deep breath, pleased to be back
>Home sweet… home?
>You look at the fallen lamp on the floor, shade all bent up
>A pot is knocked off the dresser as well
>Cautiously stepping further inside, you find a pack of cracks in the kitchen to be ripped open, tiny crumbs everywhere
“What in the hell?”
>”Lil’ Guri, no!”
>Looking over, the canary causally sits on top of his cage, singing a few notes
>His cage door lies slightly ajar

>>29450085
Somebody broke in.

>>29450085
Wow, that didn't take long. That's strike one for your birdy, V. At strike three I might get hungry.

>>29450160
I'm pretty sure it was the bird.

>>29450085
Oh god the bird is already starting to establish dominance, its happening again!

>At first you think that someone might have broken in, but as you look around and fail to find anything missing, the truth becomes evident
“Wow, that didn't take long”
>The canary sits there calmly as Velvet runs up to the cage
>”Guess I must have left the cage unlocked”
“Well that's strike one for your birdy, V. At strike three I might get hungry”
>She ceases trying to get the bird to land on her shoulder, spinning around rapidly
>”Guri, you wouldn’t!”
>You just give her a blank look
>”Look, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that the bird is trying to establish dominance, and it’s gonna happen all over again just like with the cat”
>As she says that the canary flaps its tiny wings landing on the curtain rod
>”Lil’ Guri didn’t mean any harm. So I won’t have you terrorizing my bird just because he accidentally knocked a lamp over”

>>29450361
Lil' Guri better learn who's Big Guri around here quick, or I'll be terrorizing him with onions.

Pausing

>>29450361
That is what you said with the cat too!
"oh Mittens is harmless" "oh he doesn't mean any harm" "Guri you are being paranoid he didn't try to hit you on the head with that brick he knocked off."

>>29450361
If I catch the bird trying to figure out how to use the shotgun I am putting it down, I'm not gonna take any chances like last time.

around canaries be wary

bird dindu nuffin

justice for Mittens

bep

bip

>>29454359

“That is what you said with the cat too! ‘Oh Mittens is harmless’, ‘oh he doesn't mean any harm’, ‘Guri you are being paranoid he didn't try to hit you on the head with that brick he knocked off’”
>”Ok that time I was wrong, but THIS time is different. Lil’ Guri would never”
“Lil' Guri better learn who's Big Guri around here quick, or I'll be terrorizing him with onions”
>”Guri, please. Just give him another chance”
>You look up to the curtain rod, the bird not even looking like it’s paying attention
>Huffing, you peer back to Velvet
“Fine… But if I catch the bird trying to figure out how to use the shotgun I am putting it down, I'm not gonna take any chances like last time”
>”He’s much too well behaved for that”
>Your roommate turns around, heading for the bathroom
>”Now you two play nice, I’ve got a shower to take!”
>Before you can respond the door slams shut, water turning on soon after
>Spoiled mare
“Alright, looks like we’re gonna need some ground rules, so-… Lil’ Guri?”
>The curtain rod sits unoccupied
>Freezing, your eyes dart back and forth
>That’s when you hear a soft *pomf*
>Glancing over, the feathered menace sits on the bed, dark eyes staring into yours