Mission 6: Ring Around Runaround [Visual/Action]

[strawberryredgrave]

(In a very visible corner of the Crystal Empire is a large, red dragon who sparkles and shimmers like the locals of the empire. Clearly, this guy went out for a swim at one point during his stay...but he doesn't seem very amused. In fact, Dante has the hardest lineface he's put on in a good long time. Why, you ask?

Well, why not ask the ponies tugging on his ear? Or the ones playing in his glorious mane? Or how about the ones swinging on his tail? Somehow, this dragon's been converted to a full on playground and it seems the ponies are taking full advantage of it...and why wouldn't they? It's not often they get to see dragons up close, let alone sparkly dragons that don't attack anyone and don't mind being used as a jungle gym. He at least seems to be humoring the ponies, bouncing a few on his tail, spelling out names with smoke...the works.

And just for an added touch, someone decided to add a little bear mask to him. The size clearly shows it's meant for a filly and it can barely stick to his snout. Somehow, it does.

He rests his head on his hand, tapping his claws impatiently.)

Recreational sports.

(You'd almost feel bad for him, but knowing Dante, he probably did something to deserve it. What, exactly? Well, perhaps it has something to do with a familiar pink pony princess who's also playing with a few of the kids...and Dante's hair.)

Comments

[thefreedomreign]

[Vergil is passing by after storing a few recent purchases in his temporary room. He was headed back to the vendors, but now...

He strolls up, probably more entertained that Dante is the one linefacing than by the children running all over him.]

Hang on.

[And with that, he disappears. Is he going to try to save Dante?

N o p e.

He returns a moment later with a bucket of popcorn from a nearby vendor and just takes a seat.]

Much better.

[He says as he tosses back a handful of the snack. When he sees Dante write a name in smoke, he grins in that infuriating 'You are never living this down' way of his.]

Oooh, do mine next!

[He teases. Come on, how can he pass this up?]

[strawberryredgrave]

(Somehow, that lineface sinks a little further. Thanks, bro.

Oh, and that request for your name? You get a puff of smoke. A whole cloud just for you.)

[thefreedomreign]

[Ahaha. Oh man, forget sunsets -- this is the most majestic sight in the world.

So much grinning. Especially after that white cloud.]

Your penmanship needs work.

[He says as he tosses a kernel of popcorn toward Dante's mouth for his efforts. Cheer up and have a snack, bro!]

[Action]

[prissyhooves]

[His luck? Might get a little worse considering somepony was heading back to her hotel after some shopping but without the lack of...bags. Weird. But this? It was between fucking hilarious and making cooing noises.]

I see some of the little ones decided to play...

[Sorry Dante, the bitty ponies made everything kind of cute.]

[Action]

[strawberryredgrave]

(Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap. If Dante could blush, Rarity bumping into him like this would certainly trigger it. Instead, he keeps this particular mouthful of shame bottled up to at least hold onto his tough guy image.

Which is hard to hold onto, given all of the kiddies having fun with him.)

You know me: I'm...good with kids.

(No, he really isn't.)

[Action]

[prissyhooves]

[He must be if the children are playing on him and he's not doing anything about it. He's a big softie under those scales isn't he?]

It appears so. How did they convince you to do this?

[Action]

[frozenmemories]

[And here is someone who probably isn't helping. Cirno's running and playing with the other kids, laughing and having a good time. She's not fully sparkling, only bits of her being crystallized.

Although she's at least nice enough to stop and prod his claw at some point.]

Are you sure this is okay?

[Action]

[strawberryredgrave]

(Dante glances over at the ice fairy and shrugs.)

Yeah, go for it. Not every day you get this close to a dragon, right?

(He's sincere about that. Don't worry about him, Cirno; he's a tough guy.)

[Action]

[kingofthetvworld]

[Teddie is...conflicted. On one hand, the mask helps a ton. On the other? Seeing a giant dragon in the flesh is still incredibly nerve-wracking, mask or not.]

Grr, no! I can do this! I gotta be brave!

[Steeling himself, Teddie creeps closer to Dante's side and proceeds to...tap on him repeatedly, full faced paw! This is incredibly normal, what are you talking about?]

I...am a MAN!!

[Action]

[strawberryredgrave]

(Dante, meanwhile, doesn't seem to mind Teddie's test of manliness. In fact, he's kind of curious to see this play out.)

Yeah, you show those fears. Tell 'em they don't control you anymore.

[Action]

[foolish_seal]

[...Well. This is a sight. Minato has to take a moment to take in this spectacle. He was doing other things, but they can wait for the sake of this.]

I didn't know they opened up a new playground here.

[Action]

[strawberryredgrave]

Equestria Games exclusive. Get it while it's hot.

(Dripping with sarcasm, he is.)

1/?

[neighfeni]

[...She really can't take her eyes off you for two seconds, can she, Dante? Here your sister was, going to get lunch after returning from swimming after going to check on the Commune, when she spots this.

For a few moments, all she can do is stare. Firstly, because ~sparkles~, secondly, because you are a playground, Dante.]

2/?

[neighfeni]

[Next, she's just working her jaw a little, holding up a hoof and moving it like she's about to say something, then lowering when words fail, several times. Because...what? How? Why?]

[rafflesia_neighponi]

[...Well, that's not something you see everyday. But, like many others, she finds it funny. She will not laugh, however! It's not polite!]

Dante-san? You...seem to have been overtaken by young ones.

[Arceus help her, it's cute.]

[strawberryredgrave]

They've stormed the castle, milady; our troops are being overwhelmed and we can't hold them off much longer.

(He says with the greatest lack of enthusiasm he can muster. Even he finds it adorable, but damn if he didn't get conned into this)

[Action - also totally open to playmates / other ponies]

[therealrisette]

[The recently-turned-crystal-pony Rise's at least old and wise enough not to tug on poor Dante's ears, but it's hard not to get swept up in the spirit of things. Soon enough, she's giggling and playing with the rest of the ponies... using the crystalline dragon as an obstacle course or jungle gym or even using his tail as a slide.

Cadence and/or Cirno may or may not have had something to do with getting this particular filly in on the antics. But once she gets started, it's going to be hard to get her to stop. Because why not? It's fun!

She'll spend quite a lot of time playing with the other ponies (and baby animals) before she finally pauses to take a break, and regards the dragon with the mask on his snout curiously.]

Hey... aren't you having fun?

[He sure seems to be helping the others play around quite a bit... but he doesn't seem to be enjoying it as much, himself.]

[etranger]

Hello Rise there is another shiny, crystal-like dragon here!

Although this one seems to be much younger and is holding what looks like a crystalline ball out towards you with a hopeful expression.

"Wanna play catch?"

[kingofthetvworld]

[Wow, Teddie's never seen Rise play so much before. She was really getting into it, wasn't she? It was almost kind of surreal in a way, to the point where he doesn't even realize he's staring. It isn't until he remembers she's playing on a freaking dragon that he says anything.]

Woah-ho, Rise-chan! You're not afraid of anything!

[strawberryredgrave]

Oh, I'm having plenty of fun. Just look over there. And there. And there. See that? That's all the fun I'm having.

(He honestly is enjoying this to a certain extent, but not as much as he claims. Then again, how bored can a dragon be when he's successfully juggling four fillies with his tail?)

Re: [Action - also totally open to playmates / other ponies]

[frozenmemories]

[Well..there is another filly sneaking up behind you Rise..although the slight chill in the air suddenly probably gives it away. Although she still laughs loudly and is quick to tag.]

TAG! You're it! Come and get me!

[By this point she's probably been told a billion times not to fly at this point..and she's not! Cirno is off and running, looking behind her with a grin.]

Come on, let's go play!

[sailorlaughter]

[Pinkie giggles as she swings back and forth on Dante's tail.]

This is fun!

[strawberryredgrave]

You're a regular gymnast. You know that?

(He says while carrying the mare on his tail.)

Think you can stick the landing?

Action

[superstylishsquid]

*A certain crystal batpony seems to have gotten over his funk from the other Dante leaving...or at least managed to get out of sulk mode. The fact that he's looking terribly amused might help.*

Looks like somepony's having fun.

Action

[strawberryredgrave]

More than enough fun. Me and the gang are having a blast.

(He points a thumb backwards, towards all the ponies having fun on Dante...including a familiar pink pony princess.)