When in the Dark (Private)

[CableZ]

(Disclaimer: This thread was made at the permission of Daisy, the subject matters and tone of this thread are a special allowance. If you wish to create a thread with this sort of tone or subject matter, you will need experience, activity and need to ask)

It was a day of the season, the cold winter loomed on the lands, and the weather showed it. Muted grey clouds hung over Equestria in an oppressive manner, giving the day a slow and sluggish feeling. The clouds covered the sky, no blue shone through and the suns light was held at bay. However this day couldn't get the pseudo spirits of one particular stallion down, for two distinct reasons. The first being he had no concept of spirits or how they would go down, wouldn't they stop when they hit the ground? And two, today was a day he had been anticipating for a long time.

As the dark pony trotted down the dirt path, the mud beneath his hooves still damp from the previous nights heavy rain. The pony didn't find himself looking at the scenery like he usually would, no instead he was far more driven than normal, he had a destination and a time to be there, there was no lull in his motivation. As his saddle bags lightly tapped against his side with his movements, the pony smirked ever so slightly as he passed into the outskirts of the quaint town of Ponyville. He visited the town fairly often, supplies and mail mostly, he lived too far out for the mail mare to make it to his home so he came into the town around twice a week for groceries and mail, he as of yet had not made any long term friends for lack of trying, but he was trying, although today was not that day.

See for the longest time, the stallion had been having trouble writing a horror story, something his publisher was a bit frustrated by. The stallions books were some of the best, she could slap a popular name on it and have a hit any day of the week, and she had big plans for a horror line but soon found her best ghost author was pretty terrible at horror. It wasn't really his fault, he didn't understand what made horror, and fear was something he didn't possess. This was a worry for the stallion as he had read what fear was for and was surprised to find that it was a natural survival instinct, a way of keeping yourself protected, something he seemed to lack. Because of this he had been pestering his publisher to help him find a place he could go to understand fear, and after 6 months she had finally found a place. A little country to the north, nestled within the realms of mountains and snow, a place that nopony seemed to know about.

The place was rumourless, in fact it was almost impossible to find any information on the place, no diaries, no travel guides, all he could find was a very old map that didn't have half of the cities on most modern maps. Despite this glaring lack of information or familiarity, the stallion broke all of his rules and decided to go anyway, he almost never did anything without researching it first but he couldn't find any research so he was kind of at a loss on what to do. Throwing caution to the wind in the hopes of learning some fear from this mysterious land, the stallion booked train passage to a small trading post just outside of the place, and would then get a carriage or something into the county proper. It would be a 2 day train journey in all, along with a half day carriage ride, it would be a grueling journey, but in the stallions mind it was worth it.

An hour later he was sat in a train car, waiting for his train to take off. He sat in his seat, looking out of the window with with a slight smile, it was going to be good...why wouldn't it be?

[Dream Gaze]

Dream Gaze's research had advanced greatly in recent times, his alchemy and magical skills improving as his knowledge became greater. Given time and resources he could pull off some fantastic feats with spells or mix a potion to grant benefits to others, making him think he was becoming more of a Thaumaturgist then an Alchemist. There was still a lot to improve on and learn from the world... he wouldn't allow himself to become big headed just because things were going well. Since returning from the desert of Deerham he was quite relieved to be back in the much colder area of his mountain home but his mind was burdened with thoughts of an event that he knew was coming... Now that he was back in Equestria, he had to start looking into the surrounding lands so he could start making plans and preparations. He may even find some new ingredients and spell components to experiment with while he was exploring. So after spending some time to recover from his previous trip and taking care of his student and assistant The Unicorn walked down to Ponyville train station in his blue cloak and hat, carrying his usual amount of supplies with him in a heavy saddlebag. Dream Gaze had no set destination in mind when he bought his ticket but he knew that this was going to be a long trip if he was going to learn what he needed to... so he settled for purchasing a ticket for the last stop on the train, somewhat thankful that his brother opened his bank account in the end. Dream Gaze soon entered the train and found himself a seat alone by a window before shrugging his bag off and making himself comfortable. Hoping that the train would leave soon.

[Nimbus]

It had been a long time since rook ran from home and landed in Cloudsdale, knowing no one, for a short time he had, in his travels settled in Ponyville, not because he particularly liked the place, but because he found it rather easy to get along with those that lived there, but the time had come to move on again, he hated being in one place too long, and anywhere was better than where he had come from, up in the mountains.

That day on a whim he flew from his residence to the train station, along with him some personal effects all in one black satchel, some of it from his home, some collected from his travels, he wandered through, his tall and dark silhouette catching the eye of a few who seemed to steer clear of him. Completely ignoring any kind of indication as to where a this particular train was going, he got on board, as he didn't know, nor care where it would take him, because where was not important to him, he wanted to see it all, and as he had often said, he hated being in one place too long, so a change of scenery would prove interesting.

Once he had stepped on and handed his ticket over to the ticket collector, he found a carriage where he would be on his own, in his own way he hoped that perhaps they would go north, to the many northern locations he had not been to.

The train that day seemed rather empty to him, and to himself he thought that this was unusual, unless not many go where this was heading. He often saw many more getting on these trains, well from what little time he spent observing it.

He pulled from his satchel a book that he had always been interested in, a book about mythology and legends of all kinds, and he sat, silently reading in his solitary cabin, eagerly awaiting their departure to wherever it would take him.

[darktobias13]

Amidst the crowd pouring into the various trains, a dark gray unicorn was slowly trotting towards a train that would take him to Canterlot. He walked to the ticket booth, and gave a vague wave to the sign marking for Canterlot, not really listening to where he was going, and paid for said ticket. He wore a pair of welding goggles, as well as a bright red scarf, due to the weather being a bit chillier lately. He looked up into the cloud-covered sky, and thought about how the weather pegasi might have gone a bit overboard with the coverage. He shrugged, after all, it was their job, and so they probably knew just what they were doing. He felt the weight at his side in his saddlebag, where he had stored a heavier coat along with his normal tools he always carried with him. He went through a quick mental checklist, trying to remember if all the power cores were disabled back at the Forge, and came to the conclusion that Powderkeg and Mira could take care of the shop.

He boarded the train, and looked for a somewhat emptier train car, letting loose a massive yawn as he looked. He had been working for almost two days straight. The colder weather meant that more ponies would be using their furnaces, and Gearshift had connections with many of the metal workers in various cities. This meant that when they got orders for parts to be fixed and replaced that overwhelmed them, they would contact Gearshift and he would help them fill the quota needed. The problem this year was that all the shops needed some parts at the same time. So he had been up late for a few days, working with his tools and sheet after sheet of metal, to make sure they all got their needed parts. It had been done in time, and Gearshift had decided to go to Canterlot to make his rounds and pick up his payments in person, just as a courtesy, or so he saw it.

He walked into the mostly empty train car, and in his exhaustion, didn’t notice Dream Gaze sitting in one of the seats. Upon sitting down, he immediately gave another yawn, and almost immediately dozed off in his seat.

[Augen Horns]

Not far away a foreign figure, a hircine priest, lay his back in the grass whilst gazing lazily at the sky above. The day seemed peaceful to him, tranquil and with a pleasant breeze about the air. The earth below seemed to rock steadily, like a boat... It didn't take long for the goat to see why, as he had been sitting on a giant feather, slowly drifting downward through an endless sky. Sitting straight he looked upwards to the clouds, as slowly drops of water inched visibly closer, never seeming to touch ground. Yet more and more gathered, magnifying the sunlight, until he was practically in a bubble, completely surrounded with blindingly bright water. The once endless sky was an endless ocean, and suddenly the bubble popped and the water closed in on its victim.

"Oh, ahm sorry, mister," spoke a petite grey ewe, having tripped and let slip her hold on a bucket of water. The reverend Augen Horns drowsily opened his eyes, apparently having dozed off at the station. The weather was much more frigid and dreary than his slumber had portrayed, a revelation Augen would have found pleasing had it not been exacerbated by a near-frozen layer of water now soaked into his cloak and pelt. But Augen, in an attempt to display the humility of his upbringing, simply smiled at the clumsy lamb and said, "No worries. I'm sure the state of minority chews away at the nerves of all folk such as ourselves." Of course a moment late he recalled that he was never very good at being humble, and his face ablush upon this realization the goat decided best to oust himself. "... OH, of course. There be my train," he exclaimed, before realizing the train he had been in wait for was actually pulling up. "A tip-o-my-hat to you, young lass," Augen said before scuttling off to catch his transport, leaving behind a very confused stranger, who simply gave a hesitant wave to the now waterlogged goat.

Hoping to avoid having to butt heads over a seat, Augen Horns locked his eyes onto one of the passenger cars at which there seemed no line in wait. There was little crowd to sift through on the way to the doors, and once he'd reached them he was surprised to see that it was not completely emptied: the occupancy of a large black beast of feather... A griffon, not unlike one Augen had encountered only days before. Before then, this might have made the goat uneasy, but after previous occurrences he remained merely cautious, giving the stranger a brief wave in hopes of dissuading any tension before taking a seat.

[CableZ]

Dread Lock hadn't noticed the other two ponies entering the carriage, although he did vaguely hear a yawn at some point. Dread had recently begun traveling around the lands of Equestria, and as such had only recently learned the joys of trains and more and more he was enjoying them. There was something about watching the world fly by around you while looking of into the still horizon that Dread found very calming, that and the things were pretty comfortable. So Dread was sat mostly in his own little world at the moment, he didn't really look away from the window as the scenery rushed by, on the table in front of his he had his notebook open, ready to take notes and various things, but at the moment he was a little to enthralled with the journey.

It was not until a few hours later that Dread was roused from his admiration of the journey when one of the stewards slid open the door at the rear of the carriage and the brisk wind and noise of the outdoors shot into the cabin. Dread turned around with a raised eyebrow, just to see what was going on. It seemed the carriage was getting 2 more guests, Dread wasn't exactly sure what was going on, he didn't truly mind but he just a little curious. The steward pointed into the carriage, directing the two into the car they would be occupying for the next day and a half.

*a few minutes earlier*

There was a silence and peace in the empty carriage that Rook and Augen currently occupied, it was odd that such a nice carriage would have no occupants. The answer to that particular curiosity was just behind the door at the front of the carriage, the arrival of the porter could be heard as the door of the carriage ahead of this one opened and shut, sure enough a moment later the door to their carriage was opened and the steward entered with a surprised look on his face.

"My dear apologies gentlecolts but there appears to have been a mix up. This carriage is booked in advanced for a party of guests we are picking up at the next stop, it should have been locked." The steward sounded a bit annoyed, mainly at the fact that one of the ponies at the station allowed someone onto this carriage "If you'll allow me, I'll direct you to a less populated carriage so you can enjoy the rest of your stay in the same comfort you have enjoyed here." The steward smiled at the two before shooing them out of the carriage.

And so here we are, with a silent train carriage clattering along as they passed the Canterlot station. There were 4 seat booths on thie carriage, 3 being taken up by Dread, Gearshift and Dream Gaze, so Rook and Augen would need to find their own seats, and get on with whomever they sat across from.

[Dream Gaze]

Dream Gaze was a little surprised at seeing Gearshift enter the train but this soon turned to curiosity as the inventor sat down and dozed off almost immediately. Not one to wake somepony up abruptly, the Alchemist decided to leave him be. 'Guess I'll ask him about it when he wakes up.' He thought to himself before turning toward the window as the train set off. He spent a good half hour watching the landscape pass by the window before he returned to his thoughts. Thinking of various spells and potions through half closed eyes, his gaze occasionally shifting left and right as if reading invisible notes. His thoughts were later interrupted by the steward entering with two more passengers 'Were they downgraded from first class or something?... wait...' The alchemist looked toward the goat for a few moments and could shake the feeling that he had seen him somewhere before... but he couldn't remember where from. Not willing to dwell on it for much longer, he returned to the workings of his mind as the new passengers made themselves comfortable.

[Nimbus]

Rook had been rather agitated by the removal from the previous cabin, however he couldn't really dispute the fact that the train staff would know if a group had booked the entire train car, so he thought it best not to say anything about it. In between getting up and moving to the next car, he acknowledged the goat that had been in there with him, seeing as he had little time to acknowledge him when he waved earlier, due to their extraction from their seats.

In passing into the cabin he made the a brief comment to the goat he had been moved along with, speaking in a somewhat agitated but joking voice

"I was beginning to wonder if something was wrong with a cabin being completely empty like that, I'm surprised I didn't think to ask if it was reserved myself..."

When he was introduced into the new train car, there was somewhat of an awkward silence, like the feeling of walking in on a conversation between a group of individuals, nonetheless he took up a seat opposite a darker coloured stallion, who, upon Rook's first observation had some kind of notes to be making, perhaps a log of his journey or something? Just for thoughts? He would have asked, but he had only just sat down in front of this stranger, nonetheless Rook appropriately acknowledged him with a nod as he sat down, feeling rather intrusive, because he knew that on a train journey, he tended not to like being disturbed once settled.

Rook looked out the nearest window and took in what he could see now that the train was moving, the scenery darted by, with the parallax making more distant objects appear to pass slower, such as hills or larger cities and buildings. From what He could tell they were making a rather fast journey to wherever it was they were going, but Rook being the way he was about where he goes, couldn't care less how long the journey took as long as it was somewhere new and full of possibilities.

After about ten minutes or so had passed in silence since he had sat down, he decided to resume what he had been doing in the other car, reading his books on Myths and Legends of Equestria: To him, it was another reason entirely to visit a place, in the chance that the myth be true. He particularly liked the more grim myths about dark aberrations in the north of the land near the Tramplevanian alps. But as with any story or fable, it was to be taken with a pinch of salt, as he so often told himself and he saw none of it as completely true, even in a world full of magic such as Equestria.

He rested the book on the table in front of him, looking not to encroach on the Stallion's space for his writing pad, reading away, in his own head wondering just how long they had been on the journey already.

Eventually the silence had become a little awkward, and he decided, in something that would in any other situation be seen as something he would not do, to break the silence by introducing himself to the stallion opposite him

"Since we'll be sat here for heavens knows how long, I might as well introduce myself, I'm Rook, and might I ask you name?"

[darktobias13]

Gearshift stirred a bit from his nap, the brisk wind let in by the stewardess opening the door sending shivers down his back. He sat up, stretching out a bit. Reaching into his tool bag, he brought out a thermos of coffee that Mira had been kind enough to brew for him this morning. He uncapped the thermos and poured into a small travel cap that he always carried with the thermos. He grimaced a bit at the taste. He re-capped the container and put it back with the cup in his bag. Shaking his head a bit, the coffee had done its job and perked him up a bit. Well, at least enough so that he wouldn't fall into a deeper sleep, for a little bit. He sat up straight and looked around the cabin, seeing who would be riding in the same cabin for a while. His eyebrows raised a bit, this was an interesting group, a gryphon, goat, a tall black pony, and...Dream Gaze? He chuckled a bit, fate had a weird way of showing its presence. What were the chances that he would meet dream again on a random train, in a random car? He tried to calculate the chances, but gave up a quarter of the way through.

He looked out the window for a few moments, but quickly became bored and brought out one of his notebooks and began marking down ideas for new inventions or upgrades for his older machines. He looked around when the gryphon sitting opposite of the black stallion spoke up.

"Well, I know you aren't speaking to me, but you are right about all of being in the same car for a while. I'm Gearshift. Nice to meet you all. Anyone care for some coffee?" He smiled as he levitated the thermos up, offering to anypony, or being, who wanted some.

[Augen Horns]

"Coffee would be might-finely appreciated, cabrón," inspoke Augen, giving Gearshift a nod and taking a seat across from the goggled unicorn before looking downward, the goat the goat organizing the half-exposed contents of his cloak and vest; items that might seem unfamiliar to most ponyfolk.
The goat seemed not to give much mind to the company without cause to address, and indeed bore no recognition of the one member he had encountered before... Although as the goat's eyes glanced over Dream, a chill ran down Augen's spine, and the vague image of a dark spire flashed his memories. The goat stumbled for a moment before catching himself, sitting back down and leaning on his hoof. "... Sorry. Not so used to trains anymore. I don't hold my ground well," he muttered.

"... As for my own," the goat continued, shaking away the pain in his skull. "... I am Augen. The rabbinical Augen Horns, if you prefer," he said, spinning into a curtsy and bow upon one hoof before falling back to seat. "... And if I may say, quite a pleasure to make y'all acquaintances," he concluded with an unsettling gaze across the traincar, agrin at his fellow passengers as his hooves went back to organizing his supplies.

[CableZ]

Dread at first didn't noticed when the Griffon say opposite him, he was reading a book of folklore on mythological creatures so he was a little oblivious. It wasn't until Rook spoke that Dread jumped slightly, lowering the book just enough so he could look over it at the dark feathered creature before him. Dread didn't know whether or not to say something, still holding the book before him so it was only really his eyes that Rook would see. Dread opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off when one of the ponies in the booth diagonally opposite from him, seems Dread was wrong, he thought that the Griffon was talking to him, just when he thought he was making some progress in understanding social situations. Dread just brought the book back up and continued reading.

He overheard that Gear was asking if anyone wanted coffee, Dread wasn't sure if he was simply talking to everypony or just Rook, regardless Dread didn't like Coffee so he didn't much mind either way. As he continued reading, Dread occasionally shifted his view outside, he could see in the distance a town, more specifically it was New Saddle, the first stop after Canterlot, it would still take a few more hours to get there. The train would stop in New Saddle for an hour or so to take on new passengers and stock up on more food and drinks, the train would be providing dinner, breakfast and lunch for their guests, really it was only courteous considering they'd be on the train for 2 straight days. In fact it was around that time that time that a Steward and Stewardess came into the carriage with a trolley full of snacks and drinks and other concessions for the passengers to purchase.

"sorry it took so long folks" The Steward smiled as he walked alongside the trolley, parking it in the middle of the carriage so that the group could get a look at what they might want.

Dread felt a rumbling in his stomach, he could certainly eat and it seemed the Stewardess picked up on this and walked over to him with a smile.

"Would you like anything sir?"

Dread looked around for a moment before whispering something in the mare's ear, to which she simply nodded and headed on back over to the trolley. Picking out a few chocolate bars and a bottle of soda, she placed them in front of Dread as he handed her the necessary bits, nodding in thanks before going back to his book.

[Dream Gaze]

The Alchemist thoughts returned to his various projects and he soon found himself looking through one of the books in his bag, becoming increasingly frustrated as time passed on. He was reading notes he had on one of his on-going experiments... a diagram of a large gaping well that had several pillars standing around it, each one with the symbol of an element adorned upon their surface. The page was littered with various notes, each describing great change with various combinations. 'Why does this seem almost impossible?! I know how to flip my elemental affinity using the core and that by itself is a strain... But why do I feel like any other combo will fail before I even try? Is it because of the sudden change being too much, or the combination is wrong? So many possibilities and yet the risks of trying anything are making me feel so limited!' After a while, Dream Gaze took a break from thinking and just let his mind drift in order to calm himself. He couldn't help but listen to the conversations that had recently started around the train car, more specifically the names that had popped up... 'Rook, Gearshift and Augen Horns huh? Well I know Gearshift already... At least I'll be able to speak with a fellow thinker, now that he is awake.' His attention turned back toward the goat... Dream was curious of why he was partially damp but his thoughts kept going over his name. 'Augen Horns... Augen Horns, I know I've heard that name somewhere before... But when? What did he say earlier? Rabbinical?' A brief glow flashed beneath his robe and his eyes soon followed suit before going wide as he had an epiphany 'Wait! I remember now. The Rabbi from Hercinia... Didn't he try attacking me once?' The two exchanged glances and Augen seemed to show a little discomfort... almost painful. 'Maybe he remembers as well?'

Dream Gaze stopped staring after figuring where he knew the goat and turned his attention to Gearshift as he was offering coffee. He never did see the appeal for the stuff... or tea for that matter. So when the offer came to him he just shook his head before speaking up "I don't drink coffee but thanks for the offer. I'd introduce myself but I seem to know two of you already... small world." He paused for a moment to speak to the Steward "Two bottles of water please." Before paying the necessary bits for the beverages and continuing "Since we seem to be sharing names anyway... I'm Dream Gaze. If you need me I'll be over here." He said gesturing to his lonely spot in the corner of the train car.

[Nimbus]

Rook, not receiving any kind of response from the stallion, except a kind of acknowledging look, thought it best to leave that for a while, perhaps he would speak up during the journey, It didnt really matter though because others started to talk, Gearshift introducing himself before the others and offering him coffee

"It's A Pleasure to meet you, gearshift, and yes please, some coffee would be great, since I have no idea where we're going, or how long this journey will be"

He ended that in a sort of half-chuckle, perhaps laughing internally at his own failed preparation for such an event, given he had no idea of the journey's length, or location as he had said. Then the trolly came past, the stallion ordering first, then he himself asked for some water, two bottles to be precise, he paid the necessary bits and placed them in his satchel.

Noting that others were introducing themselves, he saw the opportunity for conversation, what he did find quite interesting was the rather odd group that had formed, each being very different from the others. He, for now put his book back in his bag, bookmarking the page in there that talked about an inhabited castle in the far north: the story he took most interest in.

Thinking about the group that were present, and again their variety, he began to wonder what each of them were doing on that journey, pus for him it was a way to make some small talk to get to know those around him for the foreseeable journey ahead

"Mind if I ask, for those who mind sharing, where we are all heading? As I've previously said I really, really don't know where we're going other than away from Ponyville, I guess I like the surprise of a new place, but this journey, seemingly quite long, must have some interesting destinations along the way, right?"

There was an anxiety he felt about talking to those he didn't know, but the situation called for it, and he felt he needed to make conversation, as he often shied away from it, so when the opportunity was thrown his way, it was best to take it.

[darktobias13]

Gearshift took two cups from the cart and filled both with some coffee, handing them to Augen and Rook. "Nice to meet you, Rook, Augen. Also, greetings once again Dream. And it might not be that the board is too small, in a manner of speaking, but that the pieces are too big. You never know what fate has in store for us. Anyhows..." He turned to the stewardess, "Do you happen to have any sandwiches? I sorta left this morning without having breakfast." As the stewardess gave him a few vegetable sandwiches, he handed back a small amount of bits from his bag. He tore into them ravenously, leaving only crumbs. Having finished that, he turned back to Rook.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but i am on my way to Canterlot. I'm needed to pick up my payment for the shipments of parts i have been making." He looked away for a second, before looking back up, his mind registering what Rook had said. "Wait, what do you mean, long journey? The train to Canterlot only takes a few hours."

[Augen Horns]

The goat leaned against his hoof, as though in contemplation... though actually hiding a grin at the stranger's expense. "Canterlot," he echoed inquisitively. "... Hope you're ready for a long trip, her royal highness is in the other direction," he said, pointing in the direction opposite of the train's forward charge. "... I'm certain this ride's bound to make a turnaround at some point, buuut pray that payment ain't anything urgent," he said, taking a sip of the coffee. A tinge of guilt struck the goat's mind, for Gearshift was kind enough to share his beverage, but Augen's sense of humor would not spare the thought of his delayed arrival. He shook it from thought; things like that had a tendency to turn out fine, the goat mused.

"... As for myself," Augen continued, in address of the question poised by Rook. "I've been hired to look into a few 'missing hircine' cases. Nothing too serious I'm sure, just some of my client's handymen seem to be turning up late for their reports... Wanted me to make sure they're not skimping out and staking up somewhere on their own. Wouldn't be the first time," he thought, thinking back to his earlier encounter in Ponyville. Still, his briefings were vague, the warden himself seeming as confused as Augen over the lack of details. Northeast... Not much to go off of, he thought. How north, how east, how far... all a mystery, it seemed.