Wandering the Streets

[mechanacet]

[In the aftermath of the events at the tower, Daniel has taken to wandering the streets. Heading in no direction in particular, he is building a map of the streets in his head. However, he does seem to be heading in roughly the direction of the old observatory, though this is likely only by chance.

As he walks, he is unconsciously and unknowingly fiddling with small pieces of machinery, small sparks of light fly harmlessly from the pieces as they bend to his subconscious whim.

Cam is sat, or as close to sitting as a tiny robot centaur can get, in his usual place atop Daniel's shoulder, keeping an eye out for any that might interrupt Daniel walk. Which is surprisingly easy when your head can swivel 360 degrees, as well as the fact that people are steering clear of the odd pair.]

Comments

[letteropener]

[He should have seen her before she came here.]

Shadow beast...?

[Celestia turns her attention to the creature with no small amount of surprise. Wait, what exactly is that thing...?]

[mechanacet]

Shadow-beast. They're something of a problem according the that guy with the Tacky Glasses. How about trying out your light-ray on that?

[Daniel makes a gesture which seems to say "Be my guest" Cam has his little sword in case things go wrong.]

[letteropener]

[The pony hesitates. Simply attacking something, especially on another's say-so, goes against her nature entirely. The creature has done her no harm, after all.]

What is it, exactly?

[mechanacet]

Some sort of... Thing... made of shadow. [Daniel looks uncomfortable while looking at the thing, it seems to remind him of something.] They're a plague on the local residents and apparently one of the reasons we were brought here, as far as I've been able to find out.

[letteropener]

Hm. Well, you must understand that I am reluctant to proceed simply on the basis of it being a shadow creature. After all, my own sister is the Princess of the Night. Darkness as a physical quality does not imply anything about its morality or ethics.

[mechanacet]

[Daniel raises his hands, seemingly in defeat, and sighs.] Fine, fine. In my defense though, I didn't know your sister was the Princess of the Night back on your homeworld. But... Just be careful, those things are definitely not friendly.

[The shadow-monster has noticed the peculiar pair by this point, and is slinking towards them through the alley.]

[letteropener]

[Giving credence to his words, Celestia keeps a close eye on the shadow. Though she is not assuming it will attack, she is prepared in case it does -- but she will give it the benefit of the doubt before striking first.]

[mechanacet]

[The Shadowy thing continues to tail them, sticking to darker sections when it can, but moving quickly between bits of cover when it's path is interrupted by patches of light.

Daniel has also spotted a likely candidate for a place that would sell them food. He points it out.] Over there seems like a good place to get something to eat, shall we?

[letteropener]

[Celestia never truly turns her attention away from the creature, but she is good at multitasking.]

Yes, by all means. I trust your opinion on the matter.

Sorry about the long wait, I hit something of a writer's block.

[mechanacet]

[Daniel may have taken his eyes of the creature, but Cam certainly hasn't. The little robot is staring at the little shadowbeast as Daniel leads Celestia into the salad bar, where a somewhat surly waiter directs them towards adequate seating for the pair of them.

The Shadow-beast remains in the shadows outside the salad-bar, slinking around briefly before heading out of sight.

Daniel flicks through the small menu, looking somewhat wistful. whatever thoughts he's having, however, fade to the back of his mind when turns his head to face Celestia again.] So, you've told me some stuff about your world. Is there anything you'd like to hear about mine? It's only fair after all.

[letteropener]

[Well, this is an interesting place indeed. Celestia appraises it with a careful look around, judging its ambiance and offerings before turning her attention back to her new friend.]

You humans are the dominant species, I take it, but what other ones are common?

[mechanacet]

In terms of other sentient species, I know of a few, though they're not really that common unless you go to their own territory so it's mostly just humans all the way down.

In terms of non-human contact, I've spoken with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, a few fairies, the occasional half-divinity, elementals of various types, far too many magic users with delusions of grandeur, and bees.

[Despite how definitively Daniel gave this list, (counting them off on his fingers no less) he is leaving something out. The young man leans back in his chair, directing a questioning glace at Celestia.] Your turn, outside of ponies, what sentient species do you have back home?

[letteropener]

The species capable of speech are ponies, of course, then donkeys, zebras, Diamond Dogs, griffons, Breezies, changelings, minotaurs, centaurs, sea serpents, and a number of other creatures that appear in even smaller numbers.

[Equestria and its corresponding world are some seriously diverse places.]

[mechanacet]

[Daniel is somewhat surprised for a moment at the sheer range of sentients Equestria has.] I've heard of most of those, but not Diamond Dogs, Breezies or changelings. Could you explain them further? As for the rest, the only ones you mentioned who are capable of speech in my world are centaurs, though they keep to themselves as humanity isn't really the nicest of species.

[That they are, Daniel's earth is the sort of world where every conspiracy theory, myth and legend generally finds a way to ruin your day, with a few notable exceptions.

The biggest problem species back home is something Daniel hasn't mentioned yet, but it's why he's got a no tolerance policy against the Nox. He didn't kill the one who is still lurking outside because it'd be impolite to ditch his conversational partner.]

[letteropener]

The Diamond Dogs are a race that dwells underground, eager for gems of all sorts and otherwise very isolationist. They occasionally come up to the surface to seek richer bounties, but are generally unwilling to barter or negotiate.

Breezies are small and very rare creatures who normally live in their own magical hollow. They migrate through Equestria every so often, though I haven't heard from them in some time now. They are probably due, come to think of it... [She curls a hoof beneath her chin as she briefly thinks of issues that are her royal responsibilities... but nothing she can address here, so she puts it from her mind. Then her eyebrows lower in a frown.]

Changelings, however, are an antagonistic race, hostile to ponykind.

do you wanna start a new thread after this? Everything's become squished

[mechanacet]

How so? If you don't mind my asking? [Daniel is curious, he's fought his fair share of demons and monsters in his time, and if he hears about how the Changelings operate, he might be able to compare them with some of the foes he's faced and understand them better?]

Whatever works best for you, I am fine with!

[letteropener]

They assumed the identities of ponies to feed off of their positive emotions, most typically love. They view Equestria as... a banquet, frankly.

The new thread is up, it's a duplication of this post

[mechanacet]

[Daniel frowns, that description reminds him of something from his own world, something that sees his own world in the same way that the Changelings see Equestria.]

And they can be fought, I take it? I assume you have ways of detecting if someone has been replaced?