Recruitment drive - Radiant's Rare Luxury Goods

[Prism]

14th December Afternoon

Prism made his way out of Megabytes steam shop with the new toys he had just been give for him to try out. His next task was to track down a pony called Dawn Star she had made her skill well know in the raid on the warehouse.

She had skills that come he handy and she was a member of the military and that was something very useful to have part of the rebels and Silver said about see if she would join the main command with her knowledge. He had found out that she was staying out in a shop based on some intell he had been give.

He soon found himself outside a shop by the name of Radiant's Rare Luxury Goods. It looked like an odds and ends shop nothing that really stood out to him. He talked in taken off his coats hood as he walked in feeling that he didn’t need to hide his head in here.

He walked in and looked around the shop to see who was there.

[Pike Vanguard]

The business stallion worked at his desk in the back room of the store. He wore a frown but perked up at the sound of the front door to the shop opening. Pike shot up and dashed to the counter to greet his guest. This time it was a red and blond unicorn stallion, to which the earth pony chuckled nervously before exiting the main counter and meeting the potential customer on the other side.

"May I help you?" he greeted, holding out a forehoof for a shake. "My name is Pike Vanguard." Slowly, he gazed up and down the red unicorn and smiled slyly. "You're looking for something magical... maybe a ward of some kind, correct?" he asked randomly, trying to get some quick business. "Don't worry, it isn't illegal. Not if you sell it to griffons too." the stallion winked.

[Prism]

Prism looked at the pony that had showed up almost out of nowhere. He only had a few seconds to look around before he showed up.

He took the ponies hoof out of politeness “My name is Iron Hooves” He chooses to take his father’s name to play it safe as he didn't want his name out as it could lead to very bad things.

“I am looking for…. Something” He said at last as he looked around the shop to see if he could spot anyone else he it as he didn't want to say too much at this point and he was not sure about the ponies wink as well.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike let go of the other hoof and nodded his head slowly, trying to comprehend the unicorn's desire for a certain item. "Sounds to me like you want to browse a little bit. You're welcome to!" he exclaimed, looking around the shop, trying to trace Iron's eyes. After futile attempts at seeing what his customer was looking for, Pike started again. "Well, we have a lot of somethings for sale. Let me know if any of this draws your eye."

For a few moments, the earth pony leaned back and stared at the unicorn. His brows furrowed and he grumbled, "Is this a rare item?"

[Prism]

Prism had a good look around the shop and he wasn't looking for an item but make sure it was empty and clearly this pony was here to sell stuff out of his shop that was clearly seen better days.

Prism smiled at Pikes last comment “You could say it is a rare item, maybe one of a kind” he said making sure it was very much empty other then Pike and himself. “I am looking for Dawn Star” he said at last.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike's expression deepened. His frown pointed at the stallion in front of him with a rare suspicion. "We don't sell any 'Dawn Stars' here. I have no idea what you are referring to, sir and I'd prefer that you do not mention such things out in public." The businesspony folded his forelegs while leaning his back against some display glass. "Is there anything else I can get you?" he asked, fruitlessly attempting to change the subject.

[Prism]

Clearly this stallion knew what he was talking about or he wouldn't of acted so defence and would of played dumb, clearly he had to try something as he wasn't going to make it very easy, but he needed to talk to Dawn.

“Well that’s a shame” he said picking up a random item in the shop “You got any maps of the city at least” he said hopping to get something worth it from back end shop. “Or anything a new comer would find useful” he need to find away in and was not willing to just tell him everything as had no idea what he knew and if he could be trusted.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike gave Iron another hard look and then carried himself over to a wall with different scrolls and murals on it. He grabbed a rolled up parchment and laid it out on the glass case. "This is a pre-war map of the city. It might not do you any good and is really only for show. The piece is more or less a collector's item, however." He hoped that the customer set down the fairly expensive item he just picked up, but didn't want to aggravate the unicorn. He simply looked at it uneasily.

[Prism]

He put down the item he had to look at the map, “Well be no to me now, you got much pre-war stuff then?” He said as he looked around to see if there was anything that looked like a back room that he could distract Pike and make is way too.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike nodded his head. "We don't have too much, some things might but they aren't listed as such. A few pieces of art and that's it." The stallion turned his back to the unicorn and rummaged through a nearby glass case. "Though there may be a few things in here. Maybe some jewelry or texts..." He took his time digging through a few items.

[Prism]

Prism used this moment that Pike was distracted, he could see a door that he guessed would lead somewhere else. Using his telekinesis as quietly as he could he opened the door so he could get any idea where it may go.

“Yay jewellery or texts would be good to look at” he said half listen to Pike hoping he would stay distracted so he could have a good look through the door way and so he wouldn't look around and see what he was doing.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike nodded while still rummaging through the case below him. "Certainly!" he piped, both hooves digging deep and pulling out random odds and ends. "I have a few pieces that you might find interesting. Especially of the jewelry persuasion." After some time, the stallion finally noticed the gap in the conversation. "Iron?" He pulled out a pre-war collector's book on Canterlot policies. "I think I found something you may be interested in."

[Prism]

He had open the door and did his best to move to get a better look through the door with out Pike seeing him. He had spent too much too much time trying to look he had forgot Pike was talking to him. When he said the name he had given him it took a few seconds for him to remember that was his name.

He quickly looked back to Pike before he got up "Yes?" Then he saw the book Canterlot policies well he guessed that his Canterlot accent did give away where he was from. policies wasn't something he was big on but he would see where this goes.

[Pike Vanguard]

The earth pony pulled out the heavy tome and placed it on his back. Standing up and slowly moving towards the front counter, he finally noticed that the unicorn was not in his original position. Lifting the book with his teeth and placing it on the glass, Pike darted his eyes around and eventually his gaze landed on the red pony who was staring into his back room. Pike's face flushed red, though his expression remained at an unsure smile.

"Mister Iron, I have your book right here. Do you suppose there is something else I can get you? Perhaps something in stock not featured on display?" His voice was inches from anger.

[Prism]

Dam he had been spotted, now does he keep up with this act or get right to the point. He weighed the ideas in his mind and he didn't see any point in keeping up this game.

"I think we are done playing games." He said he a very calm voice "I am here to see Dawn Star, I know she here and I mean her no harm," he looked down at the book for a few seconds. He was not sure why this would of been something he would interested in.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike stared at the stallion, focusing on his scars and his steely expression. The earth pony returned his own disappointed look. Looking down at the book he retrieved, Pike sighed. "Do not leave." he whispered, almost losing his patience. "If you leave, I will call a guard and say you were harassing a place of business. They will believe me and will follow you."

The tan earth pony moved behind the counter, trying to edge Iron out of the way from the door, closing it as he did. "How did you come to know about her location?" he asked stiffly.

[Prism]

A guard, that was what he was using to threaten him. He was very sure he could get away from them if he needed to. "Calling a guard would be a big mistake Pike."

Prism held his ground this almost made Prism and Pike nose to nose. Pike had just now confirmed that she was here, time to see "Been seen coming here a number of times and not leaving. I can't see why any pony would want to stay here that long" he said looking Pike in the eye.

[Pike Vanguard]

"Who are you, Iron?" Pike demanded, not backing away from the unicorn and staring right back at him. "Interesting that a pony such as yourself would stick around on main street so close to curfew just to see an innocent mare walk in and out of a specialty goods store!"

His breathing grew heavier, his barrel expanding in and out. The stallion's weight was heftier than the unicorn's. Being out of shape, he knew he couldn't take Prism in a fight. Realizing this, Pike backed off and literally bit his tongue. After a few seconds, the accountant spoke up in a calmer voice. "Do you suppose we can work this out with a deal, Iron Hooves?" he asked petulantly.

[Prism]

Prism watch as Pike had his sudden realisation this made him smile, looked like he could still stare down a stallion if he needed too. "How about you bring her down and we will call the matter closed and if it makes you feel better you can listen, but your mouth repeats any of it to anyone I will remove that tongue of yours" He did think about removing the knife he had just got off Megabyte but didn't want to scare him too much.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike's anger simmered with the command from the other stallion. He grumbled and shuffled his hooves uncontrollably. "Don't think this conversation's over, Iron Hooves. No pony comes in here and demands anything but friendly trade." he yelled at the unicorn's face.

Before Iron could respond, Pike heaved his body around the other stallion and swiftly marched up the stairs. "Stay here and don't touch anything!" he called back down to the unicorn. "Don't use that horn of yours either. I take careful inventory." he bluffed but wasn't worried as producing Dawn Star would be a quick and easy task.

[Prism]

He didn't react to Pikes yelling. He did have a point he had just walked in here and pushed him around but this was something more important the just being nice to a stallion and clearly this place means something to Dawn so he had to get an idea of who he would be dealing with.

He heard Pike call back, he had no plan on robbing him but had a look around the shop anyway there could be something of use in here anyway.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike grumbled his way up the stairs and knocked on one of the two rooms above the shop. His hoof stamped a few more times. "Dawn, there's a pony down here for you." Upon opening the door, he looked around and whispered, "I don't trust him. His name and purpose here is fishy and I'm going to stick with you and hear every bit of it."

[Dawn Star]

Dawn walked over to the door when she heard pike's knocking by the time she got to her door Pike already opened it which she didn't really liked she enjoyed the privacy of own room but everything changed when pike classified this new visitor as fishy which he has never gave this title to any of his on costumers ..at least that she knew of. Dawn looked at him and said in a serous tone of voice "Is this pony. A friendly?"

[Pike Vanguard]

"No." he stated dreadfully honest back. After a few moments of hard staring into the guest room and not shifting his focus away one bit, the stallion shrugged. "I guess he means you no harm." A sharp laugh belted out from Pike's barrel. "Me, on the other hoof, he doesn't like so well. I've had enough of his righteous demeanor and attitude. Exactly like some of the worst sergeants in the guard." Motioning for Dawn to exit the room and follow, Pike started down the stairs. "You know the kind I'm talking about, don't you Dawny?"

[Dawn Star]

Dawn went knew exactly what he was talking about and went back into the room to grab something for armament in cause this pony turned out to be dangerous towards her or her what she would call a family. Dawn looked at her forms of weaponry and decided to go with her crossbow "Of course I do " she said in her serious tone of voice while loading her weapon and then following pike down stairs when she came down she confronted the unicorn aimed down the sight "What Do You Want Uni!" she Demanded "Doesn't Look Like Your Here To Do Business ..To Me It Almost Looks Like Your Here To Cause Trouble!"

[Prism]

Prism had been looking around the shop when they had come down so he was not in the same place or facing them. When he turned to face them he saw Dawn Star then the crossbow at this close range he would get a shield up in time if it was fired but could maybe teleport in time.

He turned to face the two of them not showing any sign of being worried about the crossbow aimed at him "Lieutenant, unless you plan on shooting a superior officer I suggest you lower your weapon." he said in a calm voice looking Dawn in the eye. He was hoping that now she could see him she would recognise him from the rebel raid she helped on.

[Dawn Star]

Dawn glared at the pony still aiming down the sights ready to fire at a blink of a eye but something was familiar about this unicorn which made her hesitate a little and finally drop her guard completely. She put her cross-bow to her side instead of putting it away to show a little bit of trust as well as suspicion towards this pony "Who are you?" she asked.

[Prism]

Prism looked over at the stallion in the room knowing he was going to have to give up some information and was a little unsure if he could be trusted, but asking him to leave isn't going to happen.

"I am Captain Steel Prism and we meet a few weeks going when we visited a warehouse together with a number of others." He didn't want to give out too many details about what happened with Dawns room mate there, but hoped she would remember the raid where they attack a griffon's warehouse and stole a number of their supplies.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike's eyes were focused on the red unicorn throughout their entire exchange. The shop tender's mind cooled down for a second. He lied, of course. Covering himself. he thought as he descended the stairs to get an even closer look at the non-patron of the store.

"Captain Steel Prism." He announced with fully articulated consonants. "Captain... where have I heard that term before?" he patted his chin with a forehoof in a mocking manner. "Oh yes! The late Equestrian army, unless you're here as a captain for the griffons which I highly doubt." Pike leaned against the glass "L" counter and smiled broadly. "What is a pony that clings to a title so vehemently doing in this shop, I wonder..."

[Prism]

Prism looks over at Pike "Your here to listen, I suggest you start doing it" He then turned back to Dawn "So do you remember me?" Hoping now that Pike will keep his mouth closed.

[Dawn Star]

Dawn looked at the red battle hardened for minute try to remember where she has seen him before then a flash back hit her like a ton of bricks and zoned her out of reality for a minute. She remembered that night when she met him and the others..she remembered the warehouse ..and what they had to d to do to achieve victory that time. But like all her flashbacks the image quickly faded to the pawn shop again with her staring at prisms face. Holding a hoof to her head as if she had a giant headache "Yes ..I think I remember you .. Steel Prism." she said weakly then quickly realized that he was a higher rank than her " Captain Steel Prism Sir! " She Shouted saluting at her C.O.,doing the best she could despite the headache.

[Prism]

He hadn't expected her to jump to a salute , but he did like it. He returned the salute to Dawn "At ease, there is no need for that here." He said with a friendly smile "I am here to ask if you want to join the rebels high command because your action in the warehouse. We need ponies with your skills helping to lead and myself and the others feel that you are the right mare of this role"

He was a little worried about saying this in front of Pike but if Dawn was living here then he was sure he would say or do anything that could put Dawn's life at risk if she joined them.

[Dawn Star]

Dawn was about to say what she planned to say originally but she became unsure how her family would react to her need to help save lives but put her's at risk. Dawn ended up asking a question to prism instead "W..Why me Sir?"

[Prism]

"There is never few of us left that have the skills to command your rank and from what I have seen tells me you are the mare for the job, the space is open if you want it" He said, given a side ways look at Pike to see what he was doing at this point.

[Pike Vanguard]

Pike ignored the look that was given to him by the unicorn and focused on his house guest. "What is going on here, Dawn? Don't tell me that you are actually considering joining these... ruffians." he couldn't find any other words to describe them. "I've heard of them existing but never known any single one." Turning now to Prism, the stallion lost all pretense and anger, replaced with genuine curiosity. "Tell me, Captain Steel Prism." he began in a sly voice. "How did this raid of yours go? Did you win? Did you free all of Equestria from tyranny yet?" he eyed the red soldier.

[Prism]

"Always have to have your two bits don't you" He said given Pike a glare.

"The raid went well, it may not free Equestria, but it got us medical supply's for those that can't use the hospital and food and water for those that don't have the bits to get any or would you be happier if we left the sick and hungry to die" Then he looked to Dawn then back to Pike "And if we do ever hope to free Equestria at some point its going to take risks, Dawn is a Lieutenant I am sure she knows the risks"

He turned to Dawn "You don't need to make your choice now but leave your answer were we meet to go on the raid. If the answer is yes then I will come and get you and take you to our base, if its no then we will leave you be. I will be going now as it is clear I am not very welcome." He went to leave.

"There anything else before I leave" He said to both of them but more to Dawn.

[Dawn Star]

Dawn wanted to reply to pike but didn't know what to say to him so she said nothing and it was a little of the same reaction she shook her head at prism "no..not at the moment " she said in a unsure type of tone as the unicorn left.

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