Party of the Century [Finished][Saucy]

Nodding as Lightning explained how unusual parties were, and Zestari agreed, this was certainly the first party she'd heard of or been to since being here, but it did raise a question, "What about when you get your cutie marks?" as if to articulate her point she pointed at the yellow jagged bolt on his flank, "and why would you need to watch your tail?" she asked raising an eyebrow. She looked about the room, "Is there someone here you've offended?"

"You're planning on leaving Stableton? Hmm. Have you travelled much before? A bit of simple preparation can go a long way to ensuring your survival in the wasteland." She said in a slightly sing-song voice. "May I suggest Fillydelphia first? It isn't far away and a good way to 'get one's hooves wet' and see if such a life is what you want." She smiled. "Have you thought about how you're going to sustain yourself? Scavenging? Trading? Caravan guard" she paused, "Mercenary?" she sighed perhaps a touch wistfully, "Wandering the wasteland is a wonderful journey of discovery and freedom."

Becoming suddenly serious, she poked the pegasus with a hoof, "But there are many dangers you understand? You must be ever vigilant and being humble and courteous will get you further than threats and intimidation." She smiled again and shrugged, "Or at least, that's been my experience."

Thinking back about his cutie mark, it was so long ago that he nearly forgot the story. "Oh, this? I got this back at the stable. One of the better days, so to speak. You see...flying and speed is my thing. And there is nothing faster than a lightning bolt. At least, that's what I used to read back in the old days." For the next question, he chuckled very slightly, "No, noone here. But I lived here long enough to know that there are alot of dangers in the wasteland and that not everypony can be trustworthy. So, therefore, I like to be careful who I talk to...and what I say..."

This zebra was certainly very curious about his interests as her questions just kept on coming and coming. "No, I haven't traveled much. I'm hoping to start soon once I finish gathering some simple things. Food, water...weapons...And of course, directions to another city." When Zestari mentioned Fillydelphia, Lightning couldn't help but smile at her suggestions, "I'm thinking about going down there sooner or later. It's on my to-do list. And to sustain myself, I've always thought about it. I mean, while it was nice to stay here in Stableton just as a guard, the idea of waiting around and letting the danger come to me isn't my most favorite thing to do. I prefer it better when I feel like I'm in control. But a caravan guard might be something I can consider in the future."

When she suddenly turned serious, all he did was give her a nod in return, "I know. Thank you. Everypony wants to do the right thing. It's just sometimes easier said than done."

Kes decided to actually answer Faith's question, though he did not look at her when he spoke. His tone did not waver in the least when he responded, it was just as frigid and calm as ever despite the subject matter.

"Don't like killing, m' jus' good at it."

And it was true. Kestrel got no thrill from killing, hunting and fighting yes, but not killing. To Kes killing was just an action, it was in his blood. And it came to him as easy as breathing.

Zestari nodded as Lightning explained his cutie mark and once again she wondered whether the pony's name was some sort of premonition relating to his cutie mark or merely coincidence.

At Lightning's cautious nature regarding others her brow wrinkled, "Mmm, vigilant of others, have you been betrayed before to encourage such caution?"

She smiled as he began to answer her other questions about travel. "Directions to another city? Just follow the most worn road or trail, you'll find your way there soon enough." She laughed. "A caravan guard is probably a good task if you're looking to travel. I'd imagine it could be a risky but rewarding form of earning caps." She nodded solemnly as Lightning mentioned the difference between words and action, "Things are often better said than done, that's true. And that is why we, who understand this, must endeavour to do the right thing!"

"Ooh! I would LOVE to help you after the party!" Starry chimed in. She had just been sitting sitting back watching their conversation, waiting for a good moment to fit a word in.

Starry stood up and started doing stretches as though she was preparing for some exercise, or a fight. "Yup! I may not look the part-" between the pink dress and the bonnet with the pretty red ribbon, she definately did not look the part, "but I happen to be something of an expert when it comes to making raiders explode!"

She finished her stretches, and started running in place. "So, what's the mission?"

"Might help ya." Kes grunted finishing on the last of his punch. Finally the explosively sugary fluid was gone, and Kes could honestly say he did not want anymore. If anything he would be pulling the whiskey he had hidden away in a pocket out instead.

Lightning laughed a little as he said, "Betrayed, you can say I almost was. Back in the stable, when the...so-called drug was roaming around, everypony began to grow angry and suspicious. One day, me and my friends were happy. The next, we began to accuse each other of being infected. As the stable fell apart, ponies I thought I could trust fell one by one to the insanity until it was just me and my family. In the end, once those doors opened, I was alone and in the end, I knew I had to be careful of what I do. If I don't, I could end up trusting someone I shouldn't have...and most likely regret it."

He hadn't thought much about using the terrain to his advantage as he figured that he was going to fly most of the way as it'll help him avoid the ground hazards but Zestari had a pretty good idea. "That is actually a pretty good idea. Why haven't I thought of that? I figured I was just going to fly but that could save me tons of time instead of wandering around searching for the city."

A caravan guard might actually be a good way for Lightning to earn some caps as it'll allow him to travel (and fly) but also do some good in assisting ponies move across the wasteland safely. "A caravan guard is something I'll definitely think about in the future." Lightning nodded as she spoke of right and wrong and added, "Yes. We just have to do the right thing ourselves and hope that somepony out there still holds the same idea as you and I."

Cross stood in the corner, he was getting bored, he had still yet to partake in any food or drink but while Starry was chatting with everypony else, Cross found a box.

Now had anything else been going on, he would've just ignored it.

But he was bored

and the box.....the mystery box

taunted him, it mocked him, it insulted him.

He had to know.

As slyly as Cross could under the cover of his purple cape, he opened the small crate, in there on top a patch of hay were several 'Party' model grenades. Obviously homemade, he picked one up, inspecting its quailty, and it was surprisingly well designed, so hoping nopony saw him, he grabbed two and stashed them within his pack.

Then turned back and continued to act unsuspicious He used his hindleg to kick the box shut.

Nothing to see here everypony....

"This is what I meant when I remarked about your horrifying stable. Every Stableton survivor from there seems to have such stories of tragedy and loss. I almost wonder if any survivors from there left without such sickening misfortune. Yourself included." she said shaking her head.

At Lightning's mentioning of having not thought about simply following the worn trade roads, she laughed, "Sometimes the obvious solutions aren't so obvious after all."

"If you're serious about the caravan guard thing, just enquire the next time a caravan comes to Stableton, I'm sure they're always looking for escort, and probably more so given you could scout ahead with those wings of yours." She nodded.

"Oh! Hold that thought, there's a pony over there who looks lonely! Actually, don't hold that thought, I don't wanna keep you waiting. Keep talking about that stuff, I'm gonna go talk to the lonely pony, and I'll join you for raiders after the party."

Starry dashed off, and stopped right next to Cross Roads. "Hiya! I saw you standing all alone in the corner here, so I decided to come over and visit with you! My name's Starry, Starry Night." Starry offered her hoof for a hoofshake. She had masterfully hidden a buzzer beneath her hoof. She wasn't much for pranks, but this was a party after all.

Cross smiled shyly and raised his hoof to shake Starry's, "Umm hello Starry I really like your party!" He grinned, "When do you think we can play some games?!"

*BUZZZ* "OUCH!! why did you do that...? Cross didn't enjoy that at all. And he displayed that in his expression, he looked hurt.

"I even brought you a gift, and...here it is..." secretly Cross was actually laughing on the inside, he figured a pony like her would like pranks.

She didn't know that the gift had a hot-sauced laced cupcake in it

"Aww... I'm sorry," Starry frowned deeply, she felt utterly horrible for hurting Cross. "I thought it would be funny..."

Starry opened up her present, she was still sad. It wasn't fair that she gets a present after hurting a friend. All that sadness faded away when she saw a delicious and colorful looking cupcake! "Oh my sweet Celestia! A cupcake! How did you know I love sweets?!" Starry exclaimed. The table with punch and cookies was clearly visible behind her.

Starry grabbed the cupcake in her hooves, and devoured it in a single bite. She chewed on it happily, enjoying the sweet sugary goodness for a few wonderful moments, until...

Starry's eyes were the size of tiny beads, and her from her mouth she expelled a wide cone of flames. "HOT!" she screamed. She immediately dashed toward the punch bowl, leaving a Starry-shaped trail of smoke where she once stood. Starry planted her face in the bowl, and gulped down the sugary antidote, before taking a huge sigh in relief.

Techno watched Cross's reaction to the buzzer, and then Starry's reaction to the spicy cupcake.

He laughed.

He walked over to the red hooded pony. "Well, that wasn't very nice." he said, a grin still on his face and slightly chuckling. "But I have to say, suitable revenge."

Turning his head back towards Techno, Scrap started say something but quickly stopped with the realization that Techno was no longer there.

"Hmm...we'll he's gone...we should go find somepony else to talk to. How 'bout those two?" Scrap asked pointing to a zebra and a pegasus conversing.

Back at his table Kes suppressed the urge to quirk a brow at Starry's little display of agility. He didn't think the girl could move like that, though he was still far from impressed.

He was slightly curious about what had caused her to tuck tail and bolt for the punch though, the heck was in that little cupcake? She had gotten it from that pony that he had been watching most of the night. Cross Roads was it?

"Intrestin'..." Kes said to himself making a mental note about this little incident. He would need to keep a closer eye on his quarry now it would seem.

Lightning laughed slightly before looking away, a frown on his face, "I wonder that sometimes too. I consider myself lucky to even get out in time. If only..." His voice trailed off once more as he reminisced about his parents and his inability to save them.

Snapping back to reality, he smiled again as he looked back at Zestari, "But anyways, hopefully I can find a caravan that would need a pegasus." When the zebra commented on his wings, Lightning smiled proudly, "Wings are certainly useful around here. It helps alot with getting around quickly and hey, the view is nice up there too."

A blue coated chuckled and told Cross that the prank wasn't very nice.

"Well Mister ummm Blue, you know....Nice just doesn't make ponies laugh." Cross let out a huge grin.

"Besides, I didn't think there was anything better for Starry than a nice prank, Celestia knows I'll be seeing retaliation later..."

"Ain't that the truth." said Techno, a grin still on his face. He held out a hoof. "Name's Techno. What's yours?"

Cross continued grinning, and shook Techno's hoof, Like I tell everpony, I go by different names, Mr. Red, Cross Roads, or The Hood. any of them work"

Cross shrugged

"Haven't seen you before" Then Cross eyed him curiously, "So what do you do.....are you a soldier, mechanic merchant, or prostitute or what not? hmm?" Then Cross took look over at Kes

"I pray to Celestia you aren't one of those cliché psycho quiet types..."

"If only the fake insanity drug never existed?" she ventured, as Lightning trailed off when talking about the stable

"If a caravan doesn't need a pegasus, then it'll probably need a pony and I'm sure you can do that. I wouldn't worry too much about finding a willing caravan to employ you." she smiled and nodded as he explained some of the benefits of wings.

Considering a change of topic she asked, "Now the bigger question is, which do you think is safer to try? The food? Or the punch?" And she gestured towards the table where Starry currently had her head buried in the punchbowl and was slurping away at it."

"Nah, I'm capable of socializing, but I'm not sure I can disprove the 'psycho' part." said Techno as he shook his head. "And I'm a combat medic, usually, but I'm a good repairpony, too, so if your toaster ever breaks, you know who to call. And you?"

Starry pulled her face out of the punch bowl, and took a deep breath for air. She had been submerged for quite some time. She was relieved that her tongue was no longer on fire. She was about to dip her head down for a second taste of punch, but she heard a beep from her pipbuck.

Holding it to her face, she saw both of the hands of her clock reaching 12:00, and the side compartment of her pipbuck once again flipped open, releasing half a dozen balloons, which inflated rapidly outside of the compartment, and floated up toward the ceiling.

"Ooo! It looks like it's time for the second surprise!"

Starry Night dissappeared into another room, before coming out carrying a number of boxes. "Okay, everypony! It's time for the Piñata Costume Party, where we all dress up in costumes and destroy the vile, candy hoarding piñatas! I know none of you brought costumes, which is why I made some myself! Just come on over, and I'll give you a costume!"

"Umm....maybe we can continue this another time Techno, it was a pleasure to meet you. I'm just a sucker for surprises." Cross then trotted over to Starry. Eyes Sparkly out of pure excitment.

"So what costume do I get Starry???"