Auf Wiedersehen, Good Night

[chanceofgriffons]

[When the scroll flares to life this time, it's Ironclaw with a surly-looking Easy Lift at his side who are on the screen. The mare's wings have been pinned by a harness and Ironclaw has hold of a length of rope that's attached to said harness. He's keeping the mare on a tight leash, but other than looking annoyed, Easy Lift appears unharmed.]

I wished to extend a thank you and farewell to all who assisted in our efforts to retrieve our weather gem. You are friends of Griffaltar. I am leaving Ms. Lift in Equestrian custody for politicians and bureaucrats to fight out what extradition there might be. I trust she'll be enjoying a very long prison term, wherever she might end up. I-

[Easy Lift interrupts.]

They're bullies! They're liars, and they're cheats. Do you know why I stole that gem? It was to watch them twist. Griffon weather magic? You can't manage anything without the magic of the pegasi! I've heard the zebra tales, traveled to their lands. Now all of Equestria knows that griffons don't have any real magic of their own. You just play at it. And that's all you'll ever do!

[Ironclaw lets her rant, staring on passively. Clearly, he has no problem with the pegasus having her say in matters.]

This has been a very educational visit, if nothing else. We will be departing in a few hours, first to help the pegasi return Cloudsdale to its rightful place, then on to Griffaltar. For all those who helped, I trust you'll notify my government, should they come asking, that I was as recalcitrant and unhelpful as possible. I would appreciate that very much.

My officers and I will be handing back these scrolls in a little while, but we'll be available for a short while, should you wish to reach us.

[[OOC: This will be the last scroll post with the griffons. Please put the name of the griffon you'd like to talk to in the subject line if it is someone other than Ironclaw. He will be available along with Easy Lift for one last round of chatter, of course!]]

Comments

[strawberryredgrave]

Don't worry; I already wrote you a rain check for those drinks.

[chanceofgriffons]

[Ironclaw smirks.] Rain I can do now, dragon. I never thought I'd be working with one of your kind.

[superstylishsquid]

I hope you don't mind if I keep paying visits even though I won't be working with the weather anymore. It's insulting how much the importers expect us to pay just for some decent meat.

[chanceofgriffons]

[A pony that eats meat? Well, all right.] If you like fish, I can show you a little break in the cloud dive I know that has tuna fillets you ponies can only dream of.

Ironclaw + Sunny

[robotfightclub]

[What a fun adventure that has been. Arcee appears on the scroll, still wearing those goggles. She really sees no point in taking them off anymore, they've become a part of her.]

So...I know I said I was helping for a certain reason, but I think it's safe to say I don't deserve it anymore.

[chanceofgriffons]

[Ironclaw's still pretty annoyed at you for stealing his letter, Arcee, he's sort of glaring, but Sunny peeks in from the side of the screen after a moment.]

Oh! My goggles. I'd wondered where those got to! [She glances over at Ironclaw before dropping her gaze.] I... hope they were helpful somehow, Ms. Cat? [There's a slight paused before she looks eagerly up.] What did you think of them?

[Visual]

[ponythatcanstoptime]

...

Easy Lift, you are not a good person.

[Visual]

[chanceofgriffons]

[Easy Lift glares defiantly at Hiro. She doesn't have anything to hide now.]

You didn't grow up with these featherdusters beating you up behind the flight school shed and telling you how griffons were so much better than ponies, Mr. Nakamura.

visual

[holyfight]

I'm glad you caught the culprit, Inspector Ironclaw! And if any other griffons ask, I'll tell them you were really awful!

visual

[chanceofgriffons]

[Nephenee earns herself a small smile, something genuine.] It's good to know there are ponies I can count on for that. You should be looking to your fellows for the ones that actually caught her. I think Cloudsdale will also be on high alert for your Pale Pony, too.

That chalky residue you found near Mr. Cappuccino's house, it might be connected to her and her... minions, I'm told.

[Visual]

[cruel_kindness]

Hey, I got a good punishment for Easy Lift. I imagine being a bunny's slave is the right amount of demeaning. What say you, Angel? We know you're listening.

[Visual]

[chanceofgriffons]

[Ironclaw scoffs and Easy Lift bristles when she recognizes that voice.]

I'll make the suggestion to the Cloudsdale Guard, mare. That does seem suitably degrading.

Nephenee + Scarlett

[neighfeni]

[On the visual on this end flicks on, and there's a pretty damaged pony, but she's smiling despite it.]

Hi, Sir Ironclaw, is Miss Scarlett alright?

[chanceofgriffons]

[Here's a pony he recognizes who came running out with one of the groups during the earthquake. Ironclaw motions off-screen and Scarlett shuffles into the frame.]

I'm much better, thank you. That pegasus - Bertie - he gave me a few more of your drinks. What are those things?

[selfmadespeedster]

Next time you visit Officer, I hope it's under better circumstances.

[Kid Flash bids Ironclaw farewell. But if you move a city like that again I swear The young superhero has to sigh and rolls his eyes when Easy Lift starts piping up in the background.]

Easy Lift, I can't believe you had the gall to talk to me when you know I put thieves like you in jail. That was either bold or just plain stupid.

[chanceofgriffons]

I hope so, as well, Mr. Bolt. [There's a small nod of respect for one who helped. It doesn't mean he likes you in the slightest, stallion.

Easy Lift's ears flick back momentarily before she looks him square in the eye.]

I've been talking to you for months, Wondrous Bolt. You didn't know I had the gem for nine of them.

[trustme]

Has Cloud Kicker been located yet? I was hoping young Rainbow wouldn't be left wondering where her mother was for too long.

Perhaps Easy Lift has an idea of where she is? She certainly learned to worm her way around the Kicker household.

[chanceofgriffons]

Yes. Mrs. Kicker was discovered in the mines, as well. Apparently, she'd been captured by Diamond Dogs while looking for gems for her collection. The Cloudsdale Guard will be keeping a close eye on her, but she doesn't seem to be anything more than an easy frame for my friend here. [He motions to Easy Lift who glare resolutely away.]

Video, private to Ironclaw

[callmeyork]

[York may have missed the festivities, but something's still gnawing at him. Something from much earlier in his investigations.]

Question, DI: I forget if this has ever come up before, but what do you know of the Pale Pony?

[chanceofgriffons]

More than I wish I did after this escapade... and before it. [The griffon sighs. He's alone now, at least, so there's no need to go hide.]

Several griffons have disappeared in the past 3 months in a flash of rainbows. I didn't know this was actually what was happening until more recently, though. I'd heard something of it in Equestria - the arrival and disappearances of the new ponies. Other than her being some ancient evil, though, and apparently being the one who was attempting to purchase our weather gem, I know very little.

[Vis]

[stormbroken]

...yeah. Sorry I wasn't more help, for the record. Seems like I botched up every step of this.

[She gives a quiet huff, then a sidelong glance at the scroll.]

You want something to give back to your Committee, tell 'em you got in a tussle with Unsterblichenbeute. You came out of it unharmed, she didn't.

[Flare holds up a wing, still bandaged from where the gem shard pegged her.]

If there's any tribes in Griffaltar similar to the Sharptalons, they should at least recognize the importance of the name.

[At least, she was told that all Sharptalon names had distinct meanings to them. She didn't know exactly what that name she'd taken on actually means.]

[Vis]

[chanceofgriffons]

[Flare, he has no bucking idea what you're on about, but he cocks his brow and smirks.] I know of a musical trio called the Sharptalons, Ms. Star. I don't think they're what you're thinking of, though. I'll keep the thought in mind, though, and you rescued a trapped, probably innocent pony. Not bad for a day's work.

[nvcr]

Oh Easy Lift, you racist.

[chanceofgriffons]

[She doesn't appear bothered by the slur.]

Griffons aren't an Equestrian race.

[Visual]

[angry_jerk]

[Wow. Uh. It says a lot when even Dan is giving Easy Lift a look of disgust.]

So, really, everything that's happened to me this past week is your fault. Because you're a jerk.

[Truth be told, he still blames the griffons. But seeing somepony whine delights him.

Plus, he's hoping Luna will let him get away with that one.]

[Visual]

[chanceofgriffons]

[Easy Lift gives the bat pony an incredulous look.] It's the fault of the griffons trying to hide things.

[Visual] Sunny

[bluesuit_hoofy]

[Much as he'd like to rub Ironclaw's beak in a heaping serving of 'I told you so' re: the Pale Pony, Andrew suspects he'll be called out on a technicality due to Easy Lift being the immediate culprit. And, well, his focus on proving it might not have been a pegasus sort of falls flat in light it having been a pegasus after all. There is another griffon he'd like to talk to, though; Andrew shows up on the scroll looking battered but like he's at least had a bath since his time in the mines. His speech sounds a little odd, like he's being ginger about how he moves his tongue.]

I hope we're not pretending at diplomatic tension so hard I can't come see your work.

[Visual]

[chanceofgriffons]

[Sunshine shrugs, a grin lighting up her face.]

Da- Ironclaw's the one who's got to play politics. I'm just the engineer. I'd love to show you around the factory sometime! Ah! And my lab. Would you mind if I too some readings on your aura? I'm curious to know if the newponies have a different signature from the natives.

[visual]

[solequus]

There will be no need for any drawn-out extradition. My sister and I, as well as our ponies that had worked with you on this matter, all agree that the severity of her crimes warrant that she be brought to Griffaltar to answer for them.

So, I leave the culprit in your capable hands.

[...Oh. Snap.]

[visual]

[chanceofgriffons]

[He raises his brows. Well, then.]

I think you might be spending too much time with these newponies, Your Highness. Hands? [It's a little hard not to troll just slightly when the situation has been resolved for the moment. It's a griffon's nature.] Thank you, though. That may help... ease matters for myself and my officers with the Committee.

[Visual]

[toosmarttodie]

...oh you caught him already--I mean OF COURSE we caught him.

Right.

[He didn't get sidetracked by the investigation noooo.]

[Visual]

[chanceofgriffons]

[Ironclaw gives the little dragon a very flat look.]

How was your tour of the weather factory, dragon?