We Can Work It Out [audio]

[thedoctorsmate]

[All right, this has gone long enough. Hiding in her little cottage is really not working. In spite of being embarrassed about the mossy mess that her mane as become, Donna takes to the scrolls.]

Okay. Scientists. I know there are, like, 20 of you out there. What's actually being done about this Poison Joke thing and how can we help? Because I'm about sick of having my hair constantly damp and slightly slimy. It's a mess on my pillow in the morning, and I'd really rather not live life on plastic sheets, thanks.

I know the regular cures for the Joke aren't working. What's next?

Comments

[thedoctorsmate]

[That's certainly a clever idea, Donna will give her that.]

What's the next step if that doesn't work? Anything I can help with?

[etranger]

If it's not diet and it's not something they produce in their bodies, I'm basically out of ideas.

But if I showed you the bugs in question, could you ask the townsponies if they'd mind leaving them alone for a time? I'm not currently equipped for talking to others.

[thedoctorsmate]

Yeah, definitely! Where are you right now? I can come over.

[etranger]

Leaving Everfree right now - I've caught several of the bugs and I'm going to tag them for easier tracking. You can find me by the river outside town.

>[action]

[thedoctorsmate]

Donna doesn't particularly want to go out, but it's for the greater good. And so, off she goes to meet up with Mako, trailing mossy slime behind her. It's not a very nice track, but at least it's only leading out toward the river. Maybe it would even stop if she doused herself.

It's not long before the mare reaches the river and trots along it, keeping an eye out for Mako and wherever she might be.

hover for translation

[etranger]

Mako and Sigilyph are on the riverbank, the roc holding several bugs in place with her telekinesis. As Mako sees Donna approaching, she waves one hoof in greeting and calls out to her.

"Fpmms! Jraap!"

There's a brief pause between her greeting and Mako visibly remembering what the Poison Joke did to her and looking mad.

[thedoctorsmate]

The mare starts to raise a hoof in return, but pauses halfway at Mako's bizarre gibberish. Well, then. She can understand why Mako might need someone else to speak for her. "Um... hey, you two?"

She's going to assume that was a greeting. "Sorry that took a bit. I was trying to dry this out." Donna motions to her slimy mane and pulls a face. "These are the bugs, though, yeah?" She trots closer to have a look, mindful that she probably needs to keep her questions to simple yes and no for Mako's sake.

[etranger]

Mako nods and waves a hoof at Sigilyph, who responds to the unspoken command by moving the bugs closer to Donna.

In appearance, they look a little like honeybees, but rather than yellow and black they possess a blue banded abdomen.

[thedoctorsmate]

"What are... uh. Can you still write for us to talk?" He raises a brow as she looks the creatures over. "These things look like they'd make some sort of weird... blue honey, or something." 'Or something' is probably much more likely than honey in Equestria.

Nothing is ever as simple as all that.

[etranger]

Mako nods and produces her scroll.

Deep blue honey with a slight purple tint, yes. From what I can tell, it's almost entirely derived from poison joke. Nothing goes near their hives. I've been calling them bluebees for now.

[thedoctorsmate]

It's fitting, if nothing else. And at least poor Mako still has some means of communication.

"What happens if one stings you..." She's looking askance at those things.

[etranger]

I have been very careful not to find out.

[thedoctorsmate]

Smart mare.

"Okay. I can definitely remember those." Donna nods. "Are you okay out here on your own, or would it be better for me to find some pony with a bug cutie mark and send them out to try to help?"

[etranger]

Mako shakes her head.

I'll be fine; these are unusual enough that they fall under my special talent.

[thedoctorsmate]

"All right, but keep your scroll close. If those things do sting you..." She doesn't want to imagine how much worse it could possibly get for Mako. "I'll get in with you in a couple of hours, okay?"

[etranger]

Mako nods several times.

THANK YOU