Episode 1: The Team Gathers
Adventure 1: A Rocky Start
Episode 1: The Team Gathers
*static crackle*
Good evening folks! Hope you all enjoyed that soul stirring musical performance by the Fillyharmonic Orchestra because now it's time for another exciting Saturday night with the Equestrian Radio Show's Adventure Variety Hour! Brought to you by the rock bottom deals of Barnyard Bargains. This week we once again bring you to the exploitative exploits of the Explorers of STOMP. No point to dilly dallying, let's bring you to the team...
On a warm and sunny Tuesday afternoon, deep below a renowned museum in the sleepy seaside town of Caballuston, a motley multitude is being gathered in a meeting room, to await their first assignment together. We begin our story tonight with Amber Spark, The Unicorn Researcher.
In a semi-lit office stands beige unicorn with an amber mane and tail with brown low-lights, both in a simple bob cut. On her flank is a antique copper clockwork gear with a bright amethyst chip set in the center. She sits in front of a desk that is surrounded by multiple easel boards that displays numerous notes as she tinkers with one of her puzzle boxes, the small colorful cube floating in air with a faint coppery glow which matches the aura around her horn. Switching out between the multiple tools on her desk, the only thing seeming out of place is a small harp. Beyond the neatly arranged desk, most everything is in a state of organized chaos. The unicorn is so absorbed in her task, that she doesn’t hear the first knock on her door; when it gets louder and more insistent the glow fades and her purple eyes widen. “Oh my, yes, I’m coming! Don’t leave! I’m here! Really!” She says rapidly and rushes to the door.
On the other side of the door is an oddly colored zebra, being mostly a soft shade of pink with bright green stripes, and blonde mane and tail styled in cornrows. Around her hooves were a set of silver bangles that clinked and clattered with every step she took. The stripes on her flank forming an intricate zig-zag pattern. She speaks with a traditional Efrican accent, getting straight to the point she says "Brisk Iron needs you. Best not to keep her waiting. Just follow me, please."
“O-okay.” Amber says nervously, taking a deep breath and follows behind the Zebra as she is reluctantly lead through the seemingly maze-like back hallways of the Keep until they reach a large office, with a desk in the middle and six chairs positioned around it. “Please wait here. The others will be here soon. Then Brisk Iron will tell all you need.” Zig Zag says and bows her head politely as she excuses herself to fetch the next member of the team.
Amber tried "waiting" for almost five full minutes before defaulting to rearranging her tool case, something of a challenge considering that each caliper and file and loupe had its own custom-fit slot. Waiting was never easy for her. At the sound of the door opening again she looks up a bit hesitantly as the next pony entered, looking to her anxiously and trying not to make eye contact.
This time the zebra had brought in a stark black Pegasus, the only natural color she seemed to have was her deep purple eyes and the off-white of her cutie mark; a Full moon with a double Eighth Note over it. Her nearly pure black coloration might explain her choice in clothing; rainbow stockings on each leg, a neon green hairband that tried and failed to bring some level of order to her spiky black hair and finally a pair of saddle bags that were also brightly colored; magenta with an orange flame pattern. Much like Amber before her, the Pegasus was similar told to wait while the others arrived.
Amber takes a deep breath ‘Alright, you can do this. You know how to socialize, you’ve read plenty of books on the subject’ she thinks to herself as she starts to approach the new comer, almost getting the courage to speak up to the vaguely familiar looking Pegasus, when the door opens again... ‘Okay, no... I can’t.’ she mentally states as she backs up her confidence shattering at the sight of the next pony.
Standing there after Zig Zag leaves is a gruff-looking copper-coated earth pony mare with a fairly plain styled maroon mane and tail. She seems even fonder of clothing then the Pegasus does. A Navy colored duster obscures her cutie mark, while under it she wears a simple green shirt. She barely seemed to acknowledge the other two in the room as she takes a seat, seeming perfectly content to sit quietly and look upon the surrounding conversations with bemused detachment.
Amber takes another deep breath after watching the Earth Pony take a seat, once more building up her confidence as she tries to approach the Black Pegasus again. She racks her brains trying to remember the Pegasus’ name; she knew she had seen her around the Keep before... Her name - it was something musical, Amber knew that. Melody? Cadence? No, that was a Princess, she was sure of that much... Then it came to her.
"Um, Rhapsody, it's a very nice surprise to see a familiar face!" said Amber, smiling awkwardly. "You're an astronomer, correct? I think - I remember your work on - something to do with - stars - well, maybe you can fill in the details for me. Do you know any of our…” Amber can't help pausing to glance around the room, settling on that much-abused jacket and the hard-edged earth pony wearing it. "Any of our esteemed colleagues in this endeavor?"
As the two are talking the fourth member of the group arrives, though this time it’s a different pony that brings him in. This time it’s a red Pegasus with orange mane and tail. Her mane was tied back by a bandana, while her tail was done up in a simple braid, and dressed in a gray work uniform. She leads in a very unimpressive looking earth pony with unkempt brown hair and weary brown eyes. From the looks of him, he doesn’t seem like he’s gotten a good night sleep in ages. While most stallions look broad and muscular, this one looks frail and then, even Amber looking more toned and healthy then he does. On his flank is a silver key covered in arabesque symbols. Much like the other earth pony before him, this one is silent and motionless after taking a seat. Only his eyes seeming to move as he looks around the room in survey. Once finished he aims his gaze at the floor and begins to breathe deeply. His eyelids droop as if starting to nod off.
The Black Pegasus nods, her purple eyes focusing on Amber as the unicorn finally speaks up. "It’s nice to see you as well, even if it’s only passing recognition. Least it means I won't be completely surrounded by wild cards." She replies. "Mm... Yes, I am one of the top astronomers here." She says, her voice almost seeming to waver for a moment... Could possibly not be the whole truth. "Constellations was what my last paper was about, talking about how they related both to the here and now and gave clues to the past." Rhapsody looks around to the second earth pony that arrives and then back to Amber, to answer her last question. "Not really, I've been... busy... with other things, I've not had time to really gather any information on the others. I’m about as clueless as you are to who we are dealing with."
Amber looks aside at Rhapsody. "Constellations, hmm? That is fascinating. You know, I was on the team that decoded the Canterkythera mechanism, which was used to predict the heavenly cycles, and I've always been intrigued by astronomical equipment and calculating machines. One of the first machines that really caught my eye as a young foal was the famous Crystal Orrery - I assume that you've seen it? Of course you've seen it, everyone's seen it - I just - oh! - think it's really fascinating to see how past Equestrian societies have worked to record and calculate the heavens. There's something very pure about it, I think - our little machines to emulate the vast machine we find ourselves within and unravel its workings. Do you have any…"
Though as her work is brought up, Rhapsody's demeanor seems to change some, her tone sounding less formal and seemingly any worries she might have of being here melted away. "Oh, yes... I've heard some about that. Always was eager to get a real look at that, though I've heard it’s not in the best shape. But I guess not every artifact is gonna be nowadays... Learning of new, or rather ancient ways of how ponies used to chart and study Luna's great tapestry has always been one of my biggest interests." She says and giggles as you bring up the Orrery. "Seen it? I've spent several of the better nights of my life studying and trying, hoping, to learn even more about it and apply it to my own studies. There's no way they have all its secrets figured out yet. Always seems like there is one more to figure out, even when you're sure there isn't." The Black Pegasus almost seeming to match Amber's speed as she gets into discussing her thoughts and ideas, before the Unicorn catches herself, which seems to have a similar effect for Rhapsody; who glances about as she seems to try and recover her professionalism.
Despite being the third in the room, the over-dressed Earth pony seemed perfectly content to sit quietly and look upon the surrounding conversations with bemused detachment. She seemed to be anticipating the upcoming briefing far more than the small talk around her, although her ears had perked up at the mention of a crystal Orrery. She also seemed to have trouble containing a chuckle in exact proportion to the length of Amber's sentences.
Amber catches herself and looks at her hooves. "Um, it's very nice to meet you, Rhapsody."
"Yes... It is a... pleasure to meet you as well Amber." She states and decided to take a seat before she makes an ever bigger foal of herself in front of all these strangers.
Just outside the Office, the group could hear a pair of voices speaking as the door opens as the red pegasus returns, this time she leads in a bright, hot pink unicorn with deep blue eyes and curly neon green and yellow hair. The pink unicorn wears part of her mane in a braid, tied with an indigo ribbon. Her cutie mark is a pair of light pink ballet slippers, with the ribbon tied into a bow, and on each leg she wears an indigo legwarmer.
The red Pegasus seems to be in awe of the pink Unicorn, as she excitedly asks her “Can I have your autograph?”
The glamorous pink unicorn gave the excited Pegasus an amused grin. "I would be delighted to," she says as she levitated a photo and a quill out of her saddlebag. With a flourish, she signed her name to the photo and gave to her companion. The Pegasus smiles gleefully as she places the signed photo in her pocket, before leaving to attend to her duties.
"Hello, everypony!" the newcomer said brightly, "How are all of you this fine day?"
Amber looks over to the new unicorn "Um, hello!" she says, looking her over as she tries to get some read on her, wondering if she should know her since the red pegasus seemed to. "I'm Amber Spark. I'm an antiquarian and researcher here. What's your specialization? Ancient caballigraphy? Equipology?" She glances at the unicorn's cutie mark and back to her piercing blue eyes. "Historical... fashion?"
As Amber tries to make sense of the odd newcomer, Rhapsody’s eyes seem to light up at the unicorn’s presence. She doesn't know her either... but she's colorful... The black Pegasus was both a bit in awe and a bit jealous of the colorful one at the same time. "It would be better if it was night, hard to get any work done while the sun is obscuring all the other stars." She says as she tries to hide her feelings.
One ear twitches as the male Earth pony hears Light Fantastic's question. Barely keeping his eyes open, he answers. "I feel great," in a surprisingly peppy voice.
Light Fantastic flashed a big smile at her fellow unicorn. "My name is Light Fantastic," she said, "One of Equestria's most famous ballerina ponies. It’s a pleasure to meet you...ah...I don't think I caught your name. Or any of your names for that matter."
"Amber Spark," Amber says, nodding. "Yes, let's have some introductions. I've just been speaking to Rhapsody, here, who's apparently the very best astronomer they could find. It's very exciting to meet you all - I'm just honored to work with such a highly recommended team."
Rhapsody glances to Amber, as the unicorn introduces her. "I doubt that is why I am here. I'm an astronomer; I've got little experience exploring ruins and the like. It's not like I'm adept at traversing rough terrain or beating up monsters or anything...” She says glancing around the room a bit and then adds, “It’s like when isn't there a monster or guardian when ruins are involved? Last thing we need to do is awaken or piss off some ancient god-like entity like Discord or Ahuizotl; an Astronomer is going to be little help there..."
Amber looks up to Light Fantastic. "So, Ms. Fantastic. You say that you're a ... a dancer, correct? That's ... that's really wonderful, I think hobbies are very important, you know, I make puzzle boxes sometimes, little ones," Amber says, gesturing with her hooves. "I think it's important to keep one's mind and body sharp! But, um ... what do you do?"
Amber motions with a hoof to the rest of the group to step up and introduce themselves as she takes a step closer to Light Fantastic, looking at her with a curious and slightly uncomfortable smile.
"I dance ballet for a living," said Light Fantastic, "You might have heard about my role as the Phoenix in the ballet of the same name. I've danced with many of Equestria's finest ballet companies, but most of the time I stick with the Canterlot Ballet Company.
The Earth Pony mare at first had resisted the more cheerful unicorn's temptations to come and introduce herself, but Amber made it unavoidable. She finally took a step towards the group at large and tried to sound jovial, but not...too jovial. “Windrose Weave, I walk around and look at things."
"Windrose Weave, nice to meet you," says Amber. "That's a lovely name, and you know, that's quite a - well, that's a very interesting -" She pauses, not really sure how to take that kind of... occupation... much like the other Unicorn neither seemed really fit to be on the kind of team she thinks this is. Never-the-less she turns her attention to the 5th member of the group and motions to the slumped earth pony stallion and grins nervously. "And you are...?" she asks, motioning with her horn as if to draw a more forthcoming answer out of him.
Night Cap raises his head and speaks with a slight smirk. "You all know me and how I earn a living." He glances around the room. The smirk disappears as he realizes his comment falls flat. "Sorry. I always wanted to say that. The name's Night Cap. I'm an explorer of sorts. I've explored plenty, but I don't usually work with an institution like this. My operations are independent, and poorly funded I might add." He glances around the room once more. "To be honest, this is the largest team I've seen. I often just go alone. You could say I do it for the love of it. Seeing things other ponies haven't seen. Learning things other ponies don't know. It calls to me."
Amber turns to the earth pony stallion. "Night Cap, it's very nice to meet you. So you're an experienced adventurer, then? I suppose it's very sensible that we have at least one of your sort on the team - no idea what we might be encountering out there!" Amber can't help glancing skeptically at Windrose and settling on Light Fantastic, sizing her up one last time with an expression of very poorly disguised suspicion.
Deciding its best to go back to where she feels most comfortable, Amber turns her attention to Rhapsody once more remembering her earlier comments on her own experience with antediluvian astronomical aids, Amber can't help feeling excited despite her many and mounting misgivings about the other ponies in the room and her sudden uncertainty about just what kind of project she's signed herself into. Unconsciously, Amber side steps closer to Rhapsody. She speaks in a low, quick aside, almost a whisper, to Rhapsody. "We simply must discuss this further in the future. You know we have an extrapolated replica of the Canterkythera Mechanism on display here at the museum, but," and Amber's voice drops further, conspiratorially, "I'm sure we could arrange for you to examine the real thing if you'd like."
Rhapsody nods to Amber. "Yes, another time when we're not busy with what likely to be some wild goose chase." She says, though it’s hard to hide that bright glimmer in those purple eyes, the black Pegasus clearly excited at the idea of seeing the real thing, barely able to contain a fan-girlish squee of excitement at the prospect.
It was then that the final member of the team joins the group, once more lead by Zig Zag. Another Pegasus, giving the team two of each. Her coat is a dark green color that darkens even further around her flank and hooves. Her mane, which reaches down to the top of her legs, is an orange-yellow with darker orange fleck highlights in a diagonal slant, her tail having a similar design with the slant going the other way. Highlighting her dark flank is a bright yellow and orange flame. She exudes an intimidating air about her, seemingly always looking down at her peers. Looking over the five other ponies present in the room, her face creased into a frown, giving little more than non-committal noises to their greetings as she takes a seat.
If Windrose had seemed intimidating, the Pegasus who had entered the room last gave Amber echoes of her thesis defense. "And you are?" Amber asks, motioning with a hoof.
"...ready to start as soon as everypony is seated." The leader of the group states as she enters. She is an older Pegasus mare with a grey coat and paler grey mane, wearing a dark blue blouse and polished glasses that accentuated her pale blue eyes, a collection of scars lined her stern face. She has a folder tucked under her left wing as she walks to the desk and waits for everyone to get settled.
"Chi-Chief Director Brisk Iron!" Amber says, dropping into her seat like a plush doll. "Yes ma'am. Um, very nice to see you here, ma'am."
Night Cap jolts alert at the sound of Brisk Iron's voice. He sits. His eyes fixate on the folder.
Rhapsody blinks as the Chief Director enters much sooner than she had expected, being a mixed blessing that she's glad that this will be over sooner than later, but annoyed that the prospect of hearing more from Amber is cut short at the moment. She plops her tail down. "Yes, Chief Director." She says once again in her full professional mode.
Windrose finishes taking her seat about when Amber and Rhapsody start, sitting on the edge with rapt attention. She looked like she'd be wearing an immature grin if she weren't busy taking in as many details as her eyes could scrounge up.
Light Fantastic glanced up as Brisk Iron came into the room. "Of course," she said. She took her seat. While Willow Wisp gave Amber Spark an icy look from her seat, as if looking down on the Unicorn for not being ready. Amber crumples a bit under the glare but says nothing, trying to make it clear that she's giving Brisk Iron her full attention while biting back a growing instinct to wink back into the hallway.
Brisk Iron sits at the desk and calmly adjusts her glasses. "For those who don't know who I am, my name is Brisk Iron and I'm the Chief Director of the Equestrian Expedition Keep. Of course, those who do know who I am probably know that this is not for standard Keep business. You are being tasked with a mission of utmost importance."
What is this the first task our team of heroes will be undertaking? Find out in the next episode of The Explorers of STOMP!
