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Game Researcher and Junior Adventurer, Looking for Work! [Complete]; [Feb 5 5151] [Open]
Topic Started: Sep 16 2012, 07:58 PM (497 Views)
JIntegrity
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In a small shop in downtown Manehatten, a light flickered in the windows in the otherwise dead downtown Manehatten commercial district. A small, simple store made of typical materials, its extravagant sign advertising the once-store as the "Ace of Spades" gaming store was now covered by nothing more than a large piece of paper nailed down over the store name: "Game Researcher and Junior Adventurer, Looking for Work!"

A peek inside what were once the display windows, when the blinds aren't shut, would reveal a store filled with empty shelves, and a cleared space in the building's center where a fire pit had been constructed out of a steel bowl filled with discarded, flammable trash set aflame. Those with keen eyes might even be able to make out his cot, cooking pot, ladle, bowls, and spoons against the rear wall that the counter couldn't completely obscure. Wrapped tightly in warm clothing, alternating between lying near the fire and within his cot was a pony with bright red hair, with a painted gray and dull red coat. At times, the fire would shine within the reflection of his glasses, obscuring his brown eyes that always stared back in return.

What eyes couldn't see was the mind of the pony struggling to fight the hopelessness that lurked in the darkness of his own mind, or, worse, the mind that desperately tried to define itself. A mind that was prone to thoughts of self-destruction in an effort to remove the subconsciousness need to define something as complex and undefinable as one's own identity: the unwitting dilemma presented by the talent the pony remained completely oblivious to and ignorant of.

The only thing that maintained the pony these days was the hope of a better tomorrow, the naive hope that one day somepony will enter the door, and hire him for his advertised services. Every face that peered through the cracks in the blinds caused his heart to leap in his chest, beating frantically, only to drop so hard it almost made him nauseous as they walked away. What little remained of his earnings and savings would run out soon, and his rations along with them. He'd be forced to acquire substance from one of the many soup kitchens in Manehatten, and, deep down, he doubted his pride would be able to survive the loss of its sole remaining pillar of perceived superiority.

These were, indeed, dark times, but on the surface the pony only showed the smiles and hope that, more than any meal he consumed or heat that warmed him, truly sustained him.

He often wondered if he would be better off leaving Manehatten to strike out a living elsewhere, but with all the time and effort, plans and dreams; all the hope invested to this store with no stock, combined with the belief fueled by his pride that there was no place better, or the fear his pride denied that he was too inadequate in some way to survive such a venture, he always decided to stay.

Today, Cosmo Spade looked out the window, and hope sustained him.
Edited by JIntegrity, Sep 16 2012, 09:38 PM.
Cherished Sanctum || Unicorn || Male
Cosmo Spade || Pegasus || Male
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Bloogerstien

Work,... and lots more work. But on a rare day, she had elected to go home early. Sure, she was lucky and made a good living off of her talent. Sometimes it was just a day to go home, a day where nothing was working. A challenging breakthrough, that had had as it's name had suggested; it was being challenging. She had worked on it for weeks, and was quite bored with getting nowhere. It was driving cobalt to the point of insanity, nothing took her this long with magic to help her threw. But no, that was gone too. She had to labor on, and become frustrated with the one thing that gave her everything.

Stupid talents. She thought wryly, hooves pawing a little at the ground. The lab coat slung over her back was starting to get a little hot, goggles rubbed uncomfortably against her dappled green neck. She had forgot to returning her things, once again. The white lab coat was dirty, and the corner dragging on the ground was leaving a residue across the cement. It was likely better not to step in that at all, could be dangerous.

What do I do? A transition metal? No, not right....noble gases? Not, not good for bonding. Cobalt stretched her neck up, then stopped. "Game Researcher and Junior Adventurer, Looking for Work!" Read the large piece of paper before her. Call her oblivious, but she had yet to notice this place, it was just a shop on her walk home. Sure, hire you to adventure me a solution. Or better yet, the grand adventure to get Neon Cobalt's magic back so she can be again useful. Sarcasm dripping heavily in her thoughts.

With a small snort, she started forward again, to then meet a brown pair of eyes glancing out the window. Which again, the mare paused, and grew nervous. Well, this would be now awkward. She might have to confront this person! Cobalt new she was still a little (but hardly) dirty from working her day in the lab. It was awkward to just stare, she didn't want to hire anypony. Unless that pony wanted to be a lab rat, but that was hardly advisable.

In quite a state of indecision, Cobalt stared back at the stallion.
Neon Cobalt ||Unicorn|| Mare
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JIntegrity
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There she was again. She passed by everyday, though this was earlier than usual. Sometimes she carried books and papers. Other times, she carried nothing at all. She was always lost in thought, and never once had she looked towards the store. Never until now.

He stared at her, and his heart began to rise. Perhaps she needed him, and that was why she stopped. His heart rose in his chest, and his gaze grew intent. He attempted to look welcoming, and seeing, what he mistook for, reluctance he flashed her a smile. Nonetheless, he made no move to get up from his place beside the small fire that burned within the steel bowl in the center of his desolate store. He had learned long ago that a person's gaze was not their intent, and he was too proud to constantly embarrass himself by approaching someone who's gaze might have wandered due to curiosity, rather than intent.

She was small for an earth pony, but, seeing as how he wasn't as athletic as most pegasi, he had little room to comment. Her white and green mane and tail were interesting, for he'd never seen anything quite like it before the first time he had seen her. Her coat was spotted, but, unlike his natural paint, hers seemed unusual at best.

His eyes were on her now, and from the way she reacted to his gaze, he knew she was aware of them. There was nothing left to do but wait, and see if his hopes were to be ill-founded once more.
Edited by JIntegrity, Sep 18 2012, 10:21 PM.
Cherished Sanctum || Unicorn || Male
Cosmo Spade || Pegasus || Male
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Bloogerstien

Well, this was now more awkward. He was looking right at her, aware that she was looking right at him. She wasn't sure what to do in this situation. Not sure at all. Her eyes in a last ditch attempt found something else to look at, specifically the interior of his shop. Empty shelves, and a single pot in the room. The things used to cook food left lying against the counter. Well, it wasn't such a representable way to make a shop. Unless he also sold food, but that was not likely either, it hardly had the trappings of a deli within a store. If this building could be called that at all. Her mouth skewed into a soft frown. Further to her nature, she missed the smile he had reluctantly flashed at her. Not a good hoof to get off on.

What do I say? Mother would be ashamed to see me gaping. I really should pay more attention. That would mean less awkward conversations for Cobalt, and less of these sort of conversations.

She paced forward, softly pushing the door to the shop. She would at least say something, now it was required of her. She had too.

"How is this a shop?" Make out the first slur of blunt, and ill regulated words. This was how she spoke when she felt forced. The mare instantly blushed.

"But I am sorry for starring, I did not mean too. I am sure you are busy with something." But not likely, as she had guessed by his lack of actually doing anything.

At least this pony couldn't hear her thoughts, she blamed such fantasies on being lonely. Cobalt carefully started to back out of the door, head bowed with how foolish she felt. Manners mother, should kiss it. Would have been better to teach me just to be silent.
Neon Cobalt ||Unicorn|| Mare
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JIntegrity
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Cosmo would leap from his place beside the fire, and quickly zip across the room eagerly, if lacking etiquette, through flight.

“Hello! I am Cosmo, Cosmo Spade! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance! Unfortunately, the “Ace of Spades” is closed until further notice, but I am now seeking employment. I'm afraid I don't have much adventuring experience, but I am eager to learn. Also, don't mistake the title for being limited to grand adventures worthy of tales! Any ole adventure will do! I'll even be a sidekick!”

The words rushed from his mouth like a torrent. His eyes alight. He flew without noticing. His smile beaming. Excitement emanated from the pony like steam from a geyser, like heat from the, now absent, sun.

“No. No. No. I'm not busy. What do you need? I'm your pony. You don't even have to pay me in bits! Food will do!”

As she began to back out the door, he mistook her actions for being a reaction to him coming on too strong. He'd force himself to keep all four hooves on the ground. As he cleared his throat, he'd begin to blush, and spoke with an apologetic smile,

“I'm sorry. I'm just a tad excited to finally have someone come to inquire as to my services. Now, what brings you to my establishment?”
Cherished Sanctum || Unicorn || Male
Cosmo Spade || Pegasus || Male
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Bloogerstien

Her rump hit into the door, and with that the bell rung against the door. Cobalt flinched, lifting a hoof in her fright, and in partial defense from the male that was quickly cornering her. Oddly enough, at the same moment her mouth was starting to drop open. He was different, not sure about what kind of different he could be. What kind of adventurer just hid out in a shop? Had some cards, dice and parchment as a cutie mark? Didn't that make him a geek? Sure he wasn't all skin and bones, and had a constantly congested nose sound. It was just odd. Her jaw dropping slightly open displayed a little of her confusion. She might be oblivious to small things, but this picture just wasn't completely adding up.

"I-I don't really have anything for y-you to work on." Speaking softly after his last question. Placing her raised leg down, now feeling safe enough to not be in defense mode.

"Unless you can figure how how to stop cutie pox, or can measure something within a millimeter, I can give you food, seeing as most of mine spoils anyway." The mare was now rambling a little, a little nervous still. " But I could give you food anyways. It just spoils, I can't eat enough of it, but can't buy anything smaller because they don't have it..."

This time Cobalt forced her mouth shut, and gave the stallion a soft grin.
Neon Cobalt ||Unicorn|| Mare
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JIntegrity
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Cosmo raised an eyebrow at the earth pony's hiring criteria.

“A good metric ruler would measure to the millimeter, and either a dropper or a syringe could measure in millimeter, in case that is what you meant. Also, if I remember, the cure was to bury seeds of truth, and then simply speak truth, or at least that is what they taught in school. What sort of employment would you have in mind that would require such credentials?”

Hearing her offer to give him food caused him to raise a hoof and shake his head.

“I won't accept a handout. I've not been to a soup kitchen since I've been here, and I won't accept charity now. I earn what I have, even if it isn't much.”

The pegasus' stomach suddenly rumbled. He looked down, slightly alarmed, slightly pained.

“Don't worry,” he reassured her, “I have enough rations to last another week or two. Now, unless you need to further discuss the terms of my employment, or need something else, I just need to know when and where the job is, and I'll be sure to be there.”
Cherished Sanctum || Unicorn || Male
Cosmo Spade || Pegasus || Male
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Bloogerstien

"It is serious to get the right measurements," she said softly, "something could blow up in your snout or worse!"

Cobalt's tone growing in tone.

"I see you don't understand. Sure cutie pox requires the use of truth seeds, but such a thing is not always available to be used! You have to use what is inside those seeds that makes it work. Not some hufty-dufty telling the truth mumbo jumbo!" Voice arcing higher, blue eyes turning to anger, rather than the cowed look she had just moments earlier. "Not to mention how depending on such a thing would entirely wipe out reserves and the entire species of the truth seeds. That would help nopony in time."

Cobalt pressed forward at him, if her horn was there it would have pointed directly at his chest. A remnant of an old habit she had acquired from having such a weapon at her head, but a little odd of an earth pony. Cobalt even threw her mane around a little at the male, but not enough to the reveal the stubby base of her horn.

"I swear, everything has to be magic, sunshine and sparkles with everypony." A daring step she took toward him, if Cosmo decided to move, that was his choice. Cobalt then took another step, that would mean hitting into him if the pegasi didn't move.
Neon Cobalt ||Unicorn|| Mare
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JIntegrity
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Cosmo would back up, slowly raising off the ground in flight, his front hooves would stand out in front of him, as if trying to stop her.

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa! Calm down there. I wasn't trying to downplay the importance of what ever job you have for me, and if I, somehow, made it seem such, I apologize. You're obviously a scientist or doctor of some sort. Odd choice of profession for an earth pony, but as a pegasus who isn't an athletics jockey, I can understand. Either way, you can't expect me to know all the nuances of modern medical science, and, to be fair, I did list a cure, even if it wasn't the most efficient one. Also, unless I had some sort of medical background, I highly doubt many ponies would have a better answer, or even remember that answer for that matter.”

His temper would now begin to rise, and soon he was the one advancing.

“Now, if you think I, living in the store, surrounded by empty shelves, that was supposed to be my dream, remaining here even after the Changling War and the eternal war, and selling all my possessions just to survive denotes a pony that thinks everything is 'magic, sunshine, and sparkles' then you, ma'am, are sorely mistaken!”

A dark cloud hovered overhead, created by his rage, but the sound of its thunder cause him to halt, look up, and quickly fly up and dissipate the cloud. He'd exhale, and would grow visibly calmer.

“Sorry about that. I've given a lot for a dream that I constantly have to assure myself is still possible. I see the empty shelves, the ever dark skies; the world struggling to endure. I feel the bitter cold. I know what the world is,”

He'd land, look at her straight in the eyes, and say in earnest,

“- but, if I give up hope, then life won't be worth living.”
Cherished Sanctum || Unicorn || Male
Cosmo Spade || Pegasus || Male
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Bloogerstien

Cobalt snorted softly, this stallion had some nerve! Sure she may have deserved the part in which he was accosting her about the general knowledge of most ponies. But to lecture her about doing something odd for an earth pony! That was well undeserved, she was above the common station of being a simple earth mare... No she was a unicorn, bred into magic and enough fine breeding to not be dared and considered such a thing. Her thoughts worked over the words, but shame returned. Well, she was a unicorn, but no longer really was. Sure, at her best she could squeeze out a small spell, but that hardly ever worked. Telekinesis had yet to ever fully work for her. That hardly made the unicorn above any earth pony, just the same.

With the help of thunder, the unicorn had again backed herself into the door. Effectively ending the tirade of a Neon Cobalt.

"Well you shouldn't." Offering a suddenly softer tone, anger came to her quickly, but guilt lasted much longer with this pony.

"I'm sure the place I work for could always use help. Or even some trials I have going on at home." But dare she say her newest, and quite most daring thought she had yet to have? He was a stranger, but needed help. The same way she did. As long as he knew more about the world than she.

He was perhaps from Cloudsdale, being a Pegasi and all. Or he could have visited such a place. It was dark time to travel alone, or part of her reasoned. No way this could just be a trip on her romantically geared inner pony. But along the lines of that, what other different stallions could she find? A thrilling and romantic en-devour! But alas, this would be a trip of science. She may even just make it a few hoof steps out of Manehatten and never decide to leave again!

"Or, I wish to get out of Manehatten, to see what is there. Perhaps study a little in other places, find different regents to use." Still sprouting out softly, words came out a lot easier when nervous to this mare, "I just would need help, and carrying everything needed is hard on one pony."

Not tot mention, she had yet to leave Manehatten.
Neon Cobalt ||Unicorn|| Mare
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JIntegrity
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Cosmo stared at her, stunned. He was truly perplexed. First this pony comes in here, then questions his credentials, accuses him of downplaying the job, and is now talking about leaving Manehatten! This mare might have a screw loose or two.

“Um... while I wouldn't be opposed to such a thing, you still haven't given me your name, told me what you are, your profession I mean, seeing as you're clearly an earth pony, no horn and all, or even told me what I'm going to do. Is there a way we can sit down, have a bite to eat, and discuss this? I've got enough food for both of us, if you like rice, sugar, and cheap vegetables.”

He stood there, awaiting her response, simultaneously anxious and excited. The chance to see if there might be someplace better off than here, to do some research for his game, - to spend some time with a mare – he shook the thoughts from his mind before they got out of hand.
Cherished Sanctum || Unicorn || Male
Cosmo Spade || Pegasus || Male
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Bloogerstien

"Oh, I'm Neon Cobalt." Deciding just not to comment on what type of pony she really was. It was something a bit too sore, and her company too knew to her to reveal that. If she ever would. "Plus aren't you an adventurer, isn't excitement and mystery part of the job?"

Though, this would mean she would have to leave to the other side of Manehatten to get away from those that knew she was just an Earth pony, and a new job. But that was all trivial, but wait.... that meant moving when her horn was also half way there. Nah, that would just be time for some pony to become a simple hermit. Attempting to grow a beard always did sound fun, that was a perfect time and place for facial hair growing! With the help of added testosterone anyway. Something to be subtracted from her bucket-list. That she had just made up, and had one item on.

"I appreciate your offer, but I'll have to decline your offer." Speaking with a bit of what sounded like disdain, rather it was a want to not eat his precious last morsels of food. Besides, food likely to go spoiled awaited at her house. Besides eating in a dirty lab coat, and goggles was hardly... pleasant. She needed to shed the remains of her shortened work day.

"I have food at home, and that way it would be private so we can discuss" Oooohhh Stallion in my house! "Things a little more privately, I have some food that will go to waste otherwise...

What do you say?"
Neon Cobalt ||Unicorn|| Mare
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JIntegrity
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Cosmo suddenly remembered how hungry he was.

“Yeah, I suppose that would be fine. Lead the way!”

He'd fly to the door, opening for the mare, Cobalt. The gust of cold air that resulted sent a shiver through him, but he held the door open nonetheless, making a point to add the flair of a regal bow as she walked by. He'd close the door behind him, and take one last look inside his shop. I had been awhile since he'd last left.

He looked up to see dark clouds, and from them snow lightly fell down to the earth below. Though he wore the warmest clothing he owned, his teeth soon chattered, body soon shivered; ears and hooves still burned from the cold. He'd put on a brave smile to try and hide his discomfort, and would follow the mare, silently wishing she'd move faster. The streets in this section of town were often abandoned, but it was not unheard of for desperate ponies to roam through these parts in search for easy prey. Though they typically wouldn't target a pegasus, or even an earth pony if it didn't walk alone, it was still risky to walk the streets of Manehatten while it snowed.

Cosmo had never been in a fight before, and though he knew in theory all he'd have to do is threaten them with lightning, or call upon a gale to blow them away, he had no actual experience in doing so. He was also beginning to realize wasn't too eager to either.
Cherished Sanctum || Unicorn || Male
Cosmo Spade || Pegasus || Male
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Bloogerstien

Cobalt clomped onwards, moving at a leisurely enough pace. She didn't wish to rush, due to some fatigue, then not a wish to seem weak. Like him she was trying to be brave, and act very tough. She had to. She was going to be employing this pony, she had to come out with some authority. She wasn't a slave pony driver but he did need to listen to her. Her work was a delicate process, and one that needed to be given the utmost attention. Or like her, he could be missing a piece before too long. His just might end up being more important than what she lost, well Cobalt's would grow back... eventually.

Not so much...

"So do where ere you born?" Trying to gauge the person she was just about to hire. A few quick conversations to keep herself from thinking about the snow melting on her cloak. It was a good protection against chemicals, but not the elements. So distraction was really needed to keep her from being cold...and starting to shiver like the chattering teeth box next to her.

Cobalt took it as a hint, to just walk a teensy bit faster. At least wing boy didn't have to be touching the ground.
Neon Cobalt ||Unicorn|| Mare
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JIntegrity
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“Cloudsdale, and apparently they thought Manehatten needed some precipitation. Frankly, I think they need a swift hoof to the head, might knock some sense in to them.”

Cosmo was getting grumpy. He became irritable when he wasn't happy, or when he thought something was stupid. Sending precipitation to a coastal city when there was no sun in the sky was his idea of stupid, especially when he had to be out in it.

“Now I know what you're thinking, 'You're a pegasus, you could fix this if you wanted to, right?' Well, I'm not a licensed weather technician, and, even if I was, it is considered in very poor taste to manipulate the weather unless it is absolutely necessary, life threatening, and no local weather technicians will be able to avert the problem in time. If every pegasus that didn't like the weather changed it on a whim, it would be the entire planet that suffers. Its a lot of responsibility, and, frankly, I'm much happier with my career choice in game development.”
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