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Digging Deeper; Vito and Shortfuse
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Topic Started: Dec 25 2014, 09:51 PM (130 Views)
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Vito Greystone
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Dec 25 2014, 09:51 PM
Post #1
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After his meeting with North, it didn't take long for Vito to get closer to the castle. He stopped at the gates, the large stallion's imposing gaze looking down at the gate guards. "...I am King Vito Greystone of Whinns. I've received troubling news and I request a meeting. Who is available?"
His tone was not cold, but it was somewhat terse. He was still quite unsettled about everything that had happened.
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Shortfuse
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Dec 25 2014, 09:54 PM
Post #2
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The guards straightened as Vito approached and gave a curt salute after his introduction. The Equestrian guards were as stoic as ever.
"Your Majesty Greystone, the Princesses are currently unavailable and with the marshal dead the only pony with legal power would be the speaker of the house of lords: Knight Commander Shortfuse." They explained, keeping their gazes straight as an arrow.
"He should be in his office, adjacent to the house of lords assembly hall." They concluded.
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Vito Greystone
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Dec 25 2014, 10:04 PM
Post #3
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Oh, well that was just dandy. The one pony that Vito didn't want to see. If he was the only one, though... damn.
"...Very well. Thank you." The large unicorn entered the castle, making his way through. From the one time he'd been in the castle prior, he sort of remembered the way. Every few steps, Vito would send a small pulse of magic through the earth out from his hoof. He'd be damned if he didn't do his best to figure out what was going on.
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Shortfuse
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Dec 29 2014, 04:32 PM
Post #4
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Shortfuse was just exiting his office as Vito turned the corner. Shortfuse took a moment to just look at how large Vito truly was. What do they feed you in Whinns? He thought allowing himself a moment of humor.
Shortfuse lowered his head in respect to Vito. He figured it was appropriate as Vito was a King and Shortfuse was merely a temporary leader.
"Your majesty Vito Greystone." He started before looking back up. "I had heard you were arriving today but I had hoped I had time to put together a proper greeting. I'm Knight Commander Shortfuse, how can I help you?"
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Vito Greystone
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Dec 29 2014, 04:39 PM
Post #5
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Vito took a moment to mentally steady himself before speaking. He had to be careful after all.
"You can stand, Ser Shortfuse. I dislike needless posturing and don't particularly desire others needing to put on airs. I came as soon as I heard word of the murder. I was attempting to get into contact with the sister Princesses but when nothing came back I believed it best to get involved personally."
The unicorn looked down at Shortfuse. "...With your leave, I would like to hear what all has been uncovered thus far. It would be unbecoming to leave my country's ally in disarray and not attempt to help at all."
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Shortfuse
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Dec 29 2014, 04:57 PM
Post #6
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Shortfuse did as he was bid and stood to his full height.
"You'll have to excuse me then, I know very little of your culture. Its only been very recently that I've had to talk with foreign officials." Shortfuse explained as he moved back to his office's door.
"Things are a tad more dire than just dealing with the late Marshal's assassin. I have a full report you can read inside." Shortfuse said opening the door and stepping in, moving over to his desk and opening a few of the drawers.
After Vito entered he pulled up a thick file and set it on the desk for Vito to take and read.
"I'll give you the short version. The Princesses are missing: we don't know how or why. However, Princess Twilight Sparkle was kidnapped by a pony in black armor, theres a sketch inside the file of what witness reports said he looked like." He said putting a hoof to his head.
"Judging by the armored pony's actions they wish to destabilize the country. Its just a theory but we believe that the pony who kidnapped Princess Twilight and the pony who murdered Marshal Solaris Strike are one in the same."
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Vito Greystone
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Dec 29 2014, 05:04 PM
Post #7
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The large unicorn was not the most studious stallion around but he skimmed parts of the file over, taking in what information he could get as quickly as possible. "I see..."
Vito thought to himself. Coeur was nearer to Ponyville, which would have been where she was, so perhaps he was already getting involved with that. If they could get Twilight back, that would be a major step.
"...I see." Vito didn't buy that theory for an instant, from how Coeur had described the way Solaris had died. There would have been no way that a pony clad head-to-hooves in black armor would have been able to sneak in, assassinate him, and sneak out unnoticed by anyone. If he wore armor like that... chances are he was a warrior-type. Kidnapping? Maybe. Assassination? Less likely.
He took a moment to mull over the information further. "...So. Martial law? Are you certain that's a good idea?"
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Shortfuse
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Dec 29 2014, 05:09 PM
Post #8
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Shortfuse sighed and offered a shrug. "To be honest your majesty I'm unsure myself." He said sitting down in his chair, flipping through a file of his own.
"Martial law was not my first choice. The House of Lords demanded order as did the House of Commons. Very quickly, before I was in a position to react I was voted emergency powers and became de-facto supreme commander of the Equestrian military. With the Princesses gone our warlike neighbors, the Griffon Kingdom, might see this as a opportunity to re-invade. It was well known during the war they wanted to bring down Equestria... We need to appear strong and find the pony responsible. If I may ask, what would you have done in my position? Truthfully, I'm panicking."
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Vito Greystone
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Dec 29 2014, 05:17 PM
Post #9
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"I would not have gone as far as martial law. I would have declared a state of emergency; keep the population aware and alert. Keep your scouts vigilant and your allies in close contact should enemies decide to attack..."
Vito exhaled slowly. "Before Whinns was united, that was a common procedure amongst the allied Feudal Lords. The thing is..." Vito stood a bit taller in his posture. "...Perhaps it's a difference between our countries, but if there's one thing that I know for sure it's that a country cannot stand if divided against itself. I'm concerned that enacting martial law brings greater risk of that."
"...Of course, with our country, it's a bit easier. We don't have nobility that need appeasement. Meager though my contribution may be at the moment, as Whinns itself is still recovering somewhat, I would still like to offer what I can."
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Shortfuse
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Dec 31 2014, 12:58 AM
Post #10
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"Take your time, your majesty. Thankfully, panic is at a minimum and our border forts report no activity on the northern border. What concerns me the most is this black armored terrorist.. If they're bold enough to kidnap a Princess I fear what else they're willing to do." He said sighing a bit.
"Nevertheless, thank you for the advice. Perhaps I can convince the House of Lords to rescind the order for martial law." He said looking back down at his desk. "So, I'm sure you have other business here besides talking with me. Can I do anything to help you?"
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Vito Greystone
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Dec 31 2014, 01:02 AM
Post #11
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"I see. Well, stay vigilant. Actually, on that note, there is something else I wished to ask. I will be in the country for a little while before I return. I wish to search around Canterlot. While I must admit that assassins and their mannerisms are not familiar to me, one thing that I do know is that there tend to not be just one."
"Will that be alright?" He slipped the report he was given into a bag under his armor for further review later. Coeur would most definitely need to see this.
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Shortfuse
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Dec 31 2014, 01:07 AM
Post #12
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Shortfuse nodded "Of course, search until you're satisfied. If any guardspony tries to stop you merely tell them to file an inquiry with their superiors, I'll make it known you are not to be impeded." Shortfuse said offering a nod.
"I wish you luck, your majesty."
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Vito Greystone
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Dec 31 2014, 01:09 AM
Post #13
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Vito placed a hoof against his chest, nodding to Shortfuse. "Aye. Thank you. Best of luck getting the martial law lifted, as well."
With that, the large unicorn left the castle. He had some serious searching to do. Thankfully, he had a little magic to aid the process.
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