[Visual]

[keaton_mask]

[There's a little yellow fox who seems to be having the hardest time deciding if he wants to actually be on the feed or not. He shifts back and forth, eyes never making direct contact, until he finally settles for half and half.

Baby's first scroll visual.]

Is it true that this town pays tribute to a large dragon in exchange for their safety...? With everyone asleep this past week, it would make sense that payment would be...short, and I haven't seen anyone worrying about it...

Then again, I haven't seen any dragons since I got here, but they insisted they were one...

[He shuffles uncomfortably, still not looking directly into the scroll. How...how do you turn it off...? How does he end this?]

I'd simply like to know if we're all going to die...

[...Perfect.]

Comments

[soulofblue]

I've...been away for a few months, but I don't think that happens.

[keaton_mask]

[SWEAT]

A lot can change in a few months... Are you absolutely sure?

[soulofblue]

I mean, we DO have a few dragons living in the area. I think one of them would probably take exceptions.

[keaton_mask]

I'm not sure how I've gone so long without seeing a dragon yet...

[He's written to a few, sure, even without knowing it. But it's not like people can lie or anything.]

He claimed he was the largest one, if that helps at all.

[soulofblue]

Dante is fairly large...I'm not sure who the largest would be, though. If they've shown up recently I may not have seen them either.

[Assuming this person was telling the truth, which Pollo doesn't really. That seems to be the premise this person's working on, though, so he can do that.]

At any rate, they aren't the only ones who would object to any form of tribute. Ponyville can handle itself against much worse than a large dragon.

[keaton_mask]

I wish I could believe that, but they couldn't even handle protecting their own water supply...

[No offense to water keepers everywhere.]

[soulofblue]

True.

Still, in a direct assault, the newponies here have proven themselves quite capable. That's what makes guerrilla warfare necessary, I suppose.

[keaton_mask]

Ah, I suppose that does make sense...

That's reassuring at least, I was beginning to believe everyone simply excepted their fate.

[soulofblue]

In what way?

[keaton_mask]

[He waves a paw dismissively.]

Never mind, forget I said anything.

[soulofblue]

[Pollo looks a little uncertain.]

There isn't really a significant amount we can do to challenge Cálice right now. It makes sense to settle in as well as we can.

[keaton_mask]

That's fine, I understand.

[Kind of.]

A demon with that kind of power, I'm sure it'll be quite some time before anyone tries to take her on.

[soulofblue]

[Blink]

Oh, she isn't a demon. She's an alicorn. Probably similar to the ones living around here, before her corruption and subsequent power increase.

[keaton_mask]

That certainly sounds like a kind of demon to me...

[What even is an alicorn?]

[soulofblue]

All the demons I've ever seen were rather different. But the corruption is -

- well. Not exactly a known phenomenon, I suppose. We really don't know much about it at all, other than that it's an alicorn-specific affliction of some kind. But it's been recorded for centuries, and alicorns have recovered from it before.

[In...a grand total of one case that he's aware of. Still, that's a start.]

[keaton_mask]

[Well, if we're going to be using the word a lot, he might as well ask.]

And...an alicorn. What is it?

1/2

[soulofblue]

Oh! Oh, I'm sorry! I should have realized...

[Oh god now he's kicking himself]

2/2

[soulofblue]

An alicorn is a pony possessing the abilities of all three pony types: earth, unicorn, and pegasus. Are you...familiar with the different types of pony?

[He's not sure how new this person is. Besides which, that might not have come up in introductions since he's a fox.]

[keaton_mask]

I've seen horses with wings, and I suppose you would be the...unicorn. Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm simply guessing.

[soulofblue]

Yes, that's right. And earth ponies have neither.

Each type of pony has their own particular qualities. Pegasi can fly, obviously, and manipulate the weather. Unicorns can use magic - [His horn is suffused in a bright red glow as he floats a pen over, as an example.] - and earth ponies are gifted in dealing with nature, as well as generally being the strongest and most durable physically.

[keaton_mask]

I never realized ponies could be so complex.

[Now he can't help but wonder if anyone ever wished they were any other kind of horse.]

...What sort of magic are you capable of? ...If you don't mind me asking.

[soulofblue]

Ah. Well, every unicorn is capable of telekinesis - lifting and moving objects. It takes stronger magic to move heavier things, but as far as I've seen all adults can use it enough for common daily tasks. Other than that, their spells mostly relate to their special talent. I can do a lot with electricity, or powering machines.

I'm...not really a typical case, to be honest. There was an incident a while ago that left me with more magic than normal.

[keaton_mask]

[He's really not sure what any of that means, but it at least indirectly answers his biggest question.]

But you don't use magic on other people, is that correct?

[soulofblue]

.....I don't. But if you're asking if it's within the realm of possibility...

[keaton_mask]

No, no, only you. I'll deal with others in due time.

[Either way, it's good to know. As long as he isn't a pen.]