Enter, the Masked Mare [open]

[Silver Screen]

December 16th, Midnight

Bringing a hoof up to ensure the mask was snugly fixed to her face, Silver stepped out of the dilapidated apartment building she called home. Glancing both ways to ensure there weren't any griffons in the area, the mare spread her wings and took to the air in search of her latest victim.

The mare's lifeless eyes peered out through the small eye holes in her mask to spy a shop that was quite unfamiliar to her. Without a word or sound, she brought herself down, and with the soft tapping of hooves on pavement, to the ground in front of the shop in question. The grayscaled mare gave one final look around herself before turning herself around and kicking at the window with a strong buck, eventually smashing it open with a crash after a few strikes.

Silver turned herself around while ignoring the scratch or two the glass had given her, remaining silent save for the sound of her breath against the mask and carefully climbed inside the building.

[Lance]

Scint was trotting through the streets, feeling rather joyful about himself. he was sporting his cloak to shield his identity in case any conflict comes up, and to shield him from the cold of the night's air. he must have done something right to cut his week-long prison sentence two days short, and now he's trotting the streets of manehattan at the most dangerous time of the day with the very stallion that jailed him.

-Then again, he's had a week of living on a hay and water diet. now that's a lot less sugar than he's used to, so his energy's passively low, and he's a slight less spunky than normal... excited to finally be able to grab something decent to eat at some nearby restaurant or something. And Prism... wasn't the most "fun" pony to spend a night with. maybe he was finally rubbing off on him, but it was still a delicate relationship, and he actually had to bother thinking about what he was saying before saying anything, and forced to think carefully about his words...

Scint finally thought to break the silence, "It's a lovely night tonight, huh? um..." 'oh come on Lance, he thought to himself, 'you're not a terrible conversationalist.' "so, what are y-"

And that's when a random sound of shattering glass echoed through the street, and Scint instantly jolted to life; "Now that doesn't sound right!" he took an immediate leap forward before stopping himself, remembering that he was on an invisible leash... "um... permission to stop behaving and take off to figure out what in the name of sweet Celestia happened up ahead? Uh, Captain?" he quickly added that last remark. definately more easily than when he first had trouble addressing Pris. somehow in their last conflict... Scint learned to respect Prism, even if he was a total boring silver spoon up his rump.

[Prism]

Prism was not sure why he had let Silvern talk him into letting him out early and to spend time with him as well but he listen after Silver also told him the same thing, he swore that them two pony's were working agents time at time.

He was listen to him stubble over his words as he was keeping an eye out for any movement that he didn't like as it was past time when they should be off the streets.

He heard the noise as well with his ears twitching to were it had come from before Scint took his attention away. Clearly he wanted to do something after being locked up and a smashing window wasn't something to get over existed about but he had been told to let him have some fun. "We go quite last thing we need is to be spotted by griffons checking out the same noise"

They started to make their way to the noise and he spoke quietly to Scint "If its just a simple brake in we leave them be we are not the police" Last thing they needed was to play this role as much as he didn't like the idea of somepony braking into the a home.

[Tayari]

Tayari slept comfortably in his bed, which wouldn't have been a notable event, had the zebra been anyone else. Being who he was, though, this was one of the rare occasions of him sleeping the night in his relatively soft bed.

When the crashing sound of one of his windows woke him, he was at first quite displeased at losing this opportunity, until it occurred to him what it meant to hear a breaking window at night.

Taking several seconds to gather his thoughts, he got out of his bed as quietly as he could, and made his way to the front room; Opening the bedroom door created some unavoidable noise, despite his best efforts to minimize it. Still, hopeful (if doubtful) that the noise might have been missed by the intruder, Tayari peered around the corner to look into the front room of his store to take a look.

[Silver Screen]

Silver looked towards the source of the noise, ignoring the zebra that seemed to be of no interest to her. Simply moving towards the shelves inside the shop for anything that might catch her interest, the masked pegasus remained as silent as ever, the only sound coming from her hooves on the floor. She raised a hoof up and took a bottle of an known liquid, scanning it over with her blank eyes.

[Lance]

Scint kept pace with Prism, and had his reply, "You're not the police, and I might not be, but darnit I have a consience, Pris. I don't know what the war did to you, but but try to remember what we're fighting for; the same Equestria we once knew, where I'm not the only pony that can still smile like an idiot." Of course, he chuckled at his remark. It always hurt him on the inside to know how crazy he must have been to be so light hearted in Equestria's darkest days... but Equestria needed some light to remain; it may as well be him.

The two unicorns arrived near the shop, and Scint changed his trot to a slightly stealthier crouch, trying to mimic Shadow's stance when he first told her to stay hidden. He revelled in the memory for a moment, and then flash backed to the moment with a look to the shattered glass, and didn't even let himself whisper; he knew he was too loud. Just turned to prism, held a hoof to his muzzle to tell Prism to shush, and peaking around the corner, tilting his head so that the most that could be seen of him would be the end of his hood, his horn and his eye. maybe hanging around assassins made him learn some stealth after all?

[Prism]

"Well I don't like the idea that others are braking into homes, but getting our self killed or in griffon claws helps no one. We need to look at the bigger picture not the smaller once, its cold but needed" He needed to know it was not all happy and sunshine. It would be nice and he remembered when it was but now Equestria was a different place and it would be their children's children that would have the sunny peaceful Equestria.

When they got closer Prism and started to walk with out any noise and it was good to see that Scintillance had started doing the same. Stealth wasn't his best skill but he had years of doing it and when Scintillance turned to him and told him to shush, he gave him a look that clearly side 'I know'. He would have to tell him a few things.

Prism could see from where they was it was the window that had been kicked open something he wasn't going to fit through with out making noise but Scintillance being a lot smaller in size and build could. He taped Scintillance on the shoulder to get his attention, once he had it he started to use military hoof signals. If Scintillance had any idea what was being said it would be, You enter build I support enter if needed.

This was done with pointing at Scintillance then at the building putting his hoof under his leg and chest, then putting to himself then at the building and then resting on his fore leg. He then went to the building moving at his best speed and staying quiet. He went to take up a spot so he could look into the build and move in if he had to.

[Tayari]

Tayari froze when he realized he'd been seen, until it occurred to him that the intruder didn't seem to react to his presence in any way.

While he scanned the room to see what things he might be able to use in a fight better than his opponent (he realized there was a disappointing lack of weapons under the counter), he asked the masked mare, "Mind telling me why in Tartarus you're in my house? Or will you be paying for my window and leaving, now?"

[Sassaflash]

As soon as the words were spoken to her, Silver slowly looked up from the potion she was eying and to the zebra. Still surrounded by a cloud of utter silence, the mare's wings lifted from her sides in an aggressive stance. The masked mare slowly shook her head in response to the questions while keeping her approach towards her new target, crunching glass between her hooves.

As if she was trying to speak a warning towards Tayari, the sound of her breath against the mask became a touch louder.

[Lance]

Scint watched Prism do a rather amusing show of charades, but being pointed at and then Prism painting a hoof at the broken window was the only thing he thought he understood. he quietly made his way to the broken window and then quickly started hearing speech from some pony inside, assuming this was the owner of the place, considering his threats to make whoever broke in to pay for the window and/or leave.

Lance hopped in through the window when the intruder's attention was on the... zebra, apparently, and now that he was starting to see things more clearly, there was something incredibly familiar about that mane, and that tail... but for now Scint kept low and didn't interfere, as it looked like the zebra had things partially under control. if things work out peacefully, well, he wouldn't have to do anything, now would he?

[Prism]

Prism set himself up so he could see into the room. He was happy to see that Scintillance under stood what he was telling him. Prism didn't like sending him in alone and it being Scintillance made it even worse, but there was no way he was going to get through the window with out being hear.

It was a good job that Scintillance was so small, for now Prism would wait. He had a fast way in if the hay if the fan, but it wouldn't be quiet and it be very clear he was there. Sometimes he did wish teleporting had a stealth mode he could use, but for now he would wait and see if Scintillance get himself killed, he already knew he wasn't that lucky.

[Tayari]

From his place in the room, looking into the front room of his store, Tayari saw the form of another pony entering the building through the window, in addition to the obvious sight of the masked mare approaching him threateningly. Now somewhat scared at what he now assumed to be a group effort, and one which he was quite unable to stand against, he sighed in resignation and said, "Alright. These potions aren't worth my life, or a hospital visit; just take them and go. Don't expect any help with identifying what they all are, though," he said, noting the vague labels the bottles had.

[Sassaflash]

Silver silently made her way closer towards the owner of the shop, the mask upon her face seeming to get new ideas after being targeted by the angry words. A few short breaths rapidly contacted the backside of the mare's mask as if she was laughing, shaking her head slowly once more.

Stamping her hoof on the floor and pointing towards the counter, the wordlessly gestured that she wanted what was behind it: money.

[Lance]

The mare's threatning walk towards the zebra left Scintillance on edge; Scint didn't quite know what exactly the mare wanted now, but assumed that apparently the Zebra couldn't settle this so peacefully. But Lance still combatted that thought in his head; he knew he knew this mare from somewhere, he just didn't know where. He tried to lean in closer to get a better look before accidentally tripping over his own cloak, emitting a short "Gah!" and then regaining his balance. Realizing he just broke his cover, he knew he had to think fast.

He shuffled his hoof at the floor, being at a temporary lack for words, "Not so stealthy after all..." then his head clicked into improv-mode and figured that maybe he could still scare the mare into walking away without any need for violence. After all, she was obviously outnumbered, and there was no need to bluff about it. he slowly trotted to stand beside the zebra as he spoke, which would leave the mare to be surrounded from front, and from behind by Prism if he felt like bothering to fight. "Listen up, fancy-face, this store's under our protection now, so you can either leave at peace or things might have to get a little messy, and I'm in no mood for cleaning blood off my hooves a second time in one night. 'Ok that one was a bluff,' Scint thought to himself, 'But I guess it works too.'

[Prism]

Prism face-hoofed from outside when he saw that Scintillance attempted at being stealthy failed and failed badly. At lest he had the brains to not say where he was hiding.

He could tell that Scintillance was lying through his teeth but that pony was always one for coming up with some crazy story's on the spot if needed. He had to bite his tongue to stop himself from making a noise when he made his comment about blood on his hooves. Scintillance could do many things but trying to put a tough guy act wasn't his best act.


He stood ready to act if needed. He knew he could be in there in a blink of an eye and send the attack clean across the room before they knew what happened, but maybe Scintillance could get this done without him having to do that.

[Tayari]

Tayari groaned as the mare indicated that she wanted money. 'Of course. I'll have to do some extra gathering outside the city for a bit, but, it's still not worth my life...'

As the other pony approached, he backed away a little, until the unicorn began to speak. Tayari had the sense not to ask any of the many questions that came to mind, such as 'You aren't working together?' and ' You two are the only ones in the room besides me. If you're not working with her, why'd you say 'our' protection?'

Instead, what he eventually said was, "Well, this changes matters." Giving the masked mare a quick glare, he said, "Get out of my store. And don't even think about coming back."

[Sassaflash]

Silver slowly turned towards and backed away from the unicorn who had appeared in the room, lowering her head lightly in response to his words. Though, with nothing on her in the way of a true weapon, her stance leveled out; the mask controlling the unconscious mare new better than to put its host in danger.

Still utterly silent, the grayscaled pegasus turned to slowly step back behind a shelf of potions. A glass clink sounded as a bottle was picked up, the glass container filled with an unknown liquid getting lobbed in the general direction of the stallions before her gray form slipped out of the broken window.

[Lance]

Scint carefully eyed the mare, rather glad she was backing away; maybe this plan was working after all. as soon as the mare grabbed the potion Lance readied himself for whatever came next, and when the object was thrown he did the first thing that came to his mind on instinct; He step close to, yet ahead of the Zebra, and quick-conjured his signiture Aegis in a flash of bright light. though it may have been a durable and protective construct, it wasn't completely impenetrable.

((OOC: If it's just a regular ol' potion that has no effect, than I'm pretty sure it'll just shatter on impact with the shield. but this is a potion store, after all, and I have no idea what to expect here. explosions? corrosive acid? choose something, Tay; it's your potion xD))

[Prism]

Prism could hear the shop owner call out, it sounded like things were going well in the inside of he waited for any sign that things were about to go bad. That's when the light of Scintillance spell.

He was about to head in but then he saw some pony start to leave the shop. There was no way it was Scintillance and he didn't think it was the shop owner as it looked like it was a mare. 


He could of let her go but they had come this far and he was going to make a point to this mare not to try it again. As soon as she landed he was on her pinning her to the wall "Now listen clearly, I find you braking into place around here again I will too it you are beaten and left for the griffon's." He moved close to lower his voice "Now I am letting you go I suggest you find a new job" He let her go and stepped away given her a clear exit. This was the first time he saw her clearly and something seemed odd he was sure he knew her.

"Wait do I know you?"

[Tayari]

Tayari fortunately wasn't foolish enough to leave any kind of truly dangerous potion in the front room of his shop, where anyone could grab it; the bottle smashes on Lance's shield, with the greatest risk being the broken glass.

The zebra hears a few sounds outside, and quietly asks the unicorn in his shop, "Do you have some other ponies outside? And who are you, anyway?"

[Sassaflash]

Silver's eyes locked onto the stallion she hadn't expected to see, soon getting pinned against the wall with no more than a harsh breath against the mask on her face as a sound of mild pain. Once released from the unicorn's hold, the pegasus simply stood up straight, facing him and giving her head a soft shake to reply 'no'. She took a few steps back, her deadened eyes never leaving the other pony to make sure nothing could take her by surprise.

[Prism]

Prism saw her straighten her self up, he made a point of his own height by doing the same. He lit up his horn to show himself a bit more in his light "You clearly don't know who you are messing with, I have given you this one chance to leave I suggest you take it as you will soon find I am not so nice!"

He then took an aggressive step towards her hopping she will get the hint and leave as he was not in the mood for fighting and was sure she wouldn't put up much of a fight.

[Lance]

the noise outside finally caught Scint's ear, and he realized Prism had apparently engaged the mare outside. so much for having her just run away. He briefly replied to Tayari, "Yes, there's another stallion outside, and... we..." Scint stopped himself. He's already spent a week in prison for not being careful above ground. he would not make the same mistake again. "We... we're what's left of Equestria's hope. sorry for your... potion, best you try to stay put. She didn't harm you, did she?" Scint eyed the zebra over quickly, and seeing no damage, hurried out to try to out-flank the mare, after briefly saying "no... no she didn't. best make it stay that way."

[Tayari]

Tayari decided to let Lance leave uninterrupted after giving it a few seconds' consideration.

Glancing at the puddle and pieces of glass, Tayari sighed and went into the back of the store, coming back with some supplies. 'Better get this cleaned up now, rather than later.'

As he worked to clean his floor, one of the unicorn's choices of phrasing stuck out in his mind: "We're what's left of Equestria's hope."

[Sassaflash]

Silver lowered herself slightly while taking a few more steps backward and away from the unicorn in front of her. Staying just as silent as she had been during the event, she slowly turned herself to the side and thrust herself into the air with her wings. The grayscaled mare turned her head to look at the stallion once more and pointed her hoof towards him. Wordlessly, she then drug said hoof in front of her hoof as a warning before beginning to take her leave.

[Prism]

Prism watch the masked mare fly off. When he saw her turn around and face he once more. He just looked back waiting to see what she would do, with her hand movements it was clear it was a threat.

"I will be waiting" He said quietly to himself knowing if he called out would draw unwanted attention. He spotted Scint coming out of the window and turned to look at him once he was sure the mare was gone.

"If the shop owner is fine and don't need our help we best get moving before we are seen" he said looking Scint also making sure he was not harmed, not something he would draw attention too.

[Lance]

Scint watched the mare fly off as he left the building, almost swearing to himself that he knew her from somewhere. He trotted up to Prism and nodded in agreement; Scint was trying to be more careful above-ground anyway, after all. "Exit, stage right. Anyway, something tells me this isn't the last we'll see of that mare. Corny things like that tend to happen around these parts. Anyway, yeah, We should head back down-side."

[Tayari]

With the others all having left the building, Tayari processed all that had happened that night. The idea of a masked mare breaking into his store, 'Equestria's last hopes' turning up as well... and the lack of a weapon to defend himself.

That thought troubled him, especially as he found it a struggle to understand how it had happened. How in Equestria had he left himself so completely unprepared? He'd had plans for this sort of thing!

He frowned. 'I had plans for this sort... where are those?' Thinking, he soon made his way into his alchemy lab. Looking around in a cupboard, he found a travel-worn pair of saddlebags and looked inside to find a large number of papers. 'Here they are...'

Taking them out and looking over them, he saw lists and notes of all sorts: 'Probable post-war occupation choices'; 'Coping with life after war'; 'Requirements of a healthy life'; 'Rebellion'; the list of types of list went on.

Tayari smiled. 'My post-war plans... my friends, you've been neglected for too long.' He began poring over the papers for an extended time over his table, at least until he eventually succumbed to sleep.

[Prism]

"It does look like we made ourselves a new friend," He said as she finally disappeared from sight. Prism started to make his way away from the shops.

"Yes it is time to get back, it is already way passed the griffons curfew and the last think we need now is to get spotted," He said making sure the lance was keeping up with him

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