Sweet and Elite: An Evening of Fancy (RP, NOT a Jump-In)

[GalvinRoe]

Strokes chuckled as he softly bumped against the side, and began floating back, "They actually did it, huh? They pulled themselves back together? Oh, don't worry friend I'm not disappointed with that result, what disappoints me is the amount of influence the sisters still have over the government." He frowned, as the whole 'incident' flashed back to him. "The secrets governments keep from people should never escalate to what happened, but that seems a rather common experience in our world.

"But the world IS changing, slowly and not for the worse, though their is revolution everywhere and reformation. It is one thing to talk about it and quite another to put into action. Quite a few of these reformations have been . . . painful to watch; others quite violent. " It was then Strokes took effort to strain his neck and look into Fancy's face, "It's worth it though, isn't it Pants? Truly it must be, else why would we keep fighting for things like justice or freedom of speech?"

The small stallion sighed, and slowly submerged himself completely.

Politics and Government. Politicians and Nobility. It would be so nice to just tear that cancer away from the world, the conniving games, the triple meanings. But it wasn't possible, the skepticism suspicion and intrigue had to go somewhere it wouldn't just be disappeared. Without the politicians the games they played would permeate all ponies, then each and everyone would have to learn the game.

Because that's how ponies were, and it made Strokes sad to say it: They were individualistic creatures, they didn't know how to act together how to care together, it was always for the self. And he could understand why! Had he not spent his years traversing the world so he'd never grow too attached to any-one portion because there was suffering everywhere and no-pony or being could escape it. No matter how little, it existed.

Now he was old, and he'd seen it all. There was nowhere left to go, everyone was a part of him. Every-creature, every being, every-pony. He knew they were all suffering and the end journey was no pleasant one, things had begun to change but as a policy and over-tone, not the actual substance of pony-kin. The substance of pony-kin, it seemed that's what he had been striving to change all along. Their very wants and motivations, their hearts and minds.

Strokes submerged with these thoughts, coming back from that bleak under-water world and nodded to Fancy. "My dear friend, I think it might be time for me to settle down and help where I can.

[bauccgia0]

Earl seemed comforted by Asterian's response, but still seemed on edge.

Well... If you say so... I suppose I should calm down. But I can't help but feel something is... awry.

[Teal Turken]

Teal suddenly lets out a big cough under the water. He'd been so lost in thought he'd completely forgotten how long he'd been holding his breath! Probably past his record time now. He drops that thought quickly and pushes with his hind hooves to dash for the surface.
Exploding through the calm waters, Teal shoots up into the air throwing water upwards and flaps his wings to hover as he takes quick gasps for air. He looks around as he recovers from nearly drowning and notices Asterian observing him. Nervously he hovers back down into the water, dipping back in until his head is above the water only.
um... he starts, unsure what excuse to use.

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian sees the pegasus and chuckles, [glow=yellow,2,300]"You were down there for quite a while; a few more seconds and I would have jumped in right after you!"[/glow] The familiar Flame Sentinels were accompanying him, floating around his head as if warding him. He notices the pegasus is trying to explain himself and his behavior and continues, [glow=yellow,2,300]"There is not a need to excuse yourself, sir, unless you have done something I should know about."[/glow] He glared intently at the stallion for a second, then laughed again before explaining, [glow=yellow,2,300]"I'm only joking around. Asterian Starfall; writer by profession, visionary by hobby."[/glow]

[Teal Turken]

oh, um..thank you for your um...kindness...and stuff..I-I'm Teal. I met Fan-Lord Fancy Pants on a trip I signed on for. I'm just a weather pegasus.
Teal's obviously not the type to speak "properly".
I guess you could say my hobby is swimming since I love it so much.
He swims towards Asterian, stopping by the edge of the lake.
um..I never asked anypony but...are we allowed to swim in this lake?

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian shrugged when asked the question. [glow=yellow,2,300]"A pleasure to meet you, Teal. To answer your question... I don't know,"[/glow] he said, [glow=yellow,2,300]"But I think if you weren't you would already be out by now."[/glow] He whispers something indistinct and one of the Flame Sentinels he conjured began floating towards the pegasus. It twinkled softly at him, as if offering a friendship... The same look Asterian's face bore.

[Ryo_D_Disk]

Ryo walks the long way round the lake through the dark trees on the other side to the others mulling over his own thoughts not really paying all that much attention to his surrounding but he seems to have a reasonable memory of the area even if he hadn't visted it himself as he begings to talk out loud to himself
"So this is where you came in all that time ago, of course back then you just took straight over"
("Well you didn't exactly want to be compliant back then") 
"Well what did you expect with tricks you pulled"
("you say to the one who used his power to save you on multiple occasions")
"Ive saved you just as many times"
("whatever you say can we please hurry to that spot though")
"you know its unusual for you to make a request than just acting"
("I have my reasons for once, just remember our deal")
"Don't worry Ill let you have your chat"

[Teal Turken]

Asterian shrugged when asked the question. [glow=yellow,2,300]"A pleasure to meet you, Teal. To answer your question... I don't know,"[/glow] he said, [glow=yellow,2,300]"But I think if you weren't you would already be out by now."[/glow] He whispers something indistinct and one of the Flame Sentinels he conjured began floating towards the pegasus. It twinkled softly at him, as if offering a friendship... The same look Asterian's face bore.

You're probably right. Teal nods.
The strange sentinel confused him. Just what is it?
uh..? um..i-is this...yours? What is it? he raises a hoof to it gently.

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian laughs a little at the question. He explains to him, [glow=yellow,2,300]"Indeed it is. It is a Flame Sentinel; part of a spell I learned when I was a child. It acts as something like a guide, finding what you seek when you yourself can't."[/glow] He dropped the spell and the three Sentinels vanished, only for him to re-focus, and them appear, once more. His horn glowed the same golden color as his mane, and while the flames looked like fire, they glowed a distinct golden color. [glow=yellow,2,300]"They may be made of fire, but don't let them fool you. They are perfectly harmless."[/glow] True to his word, he ran his hoof across one without so much as feeling hot. Just to prove the point further, he guided one to the brim of his hat, but it did not burn. He continued on, explaining, [glow=yellow,2,300]"It's just a little something I do to keep myself occupied or otherwise focused."[/glow]

[Teal Turken]

Teal smiles, feeling assured they're harmless.
Well I think they're kinda cute. In their own way. I've only seen anything like this from Nova, he summons creatures with soul magic. Is that what your flame sentinels are? Soul summons? Or are they something else?

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian shook his head and explained, [glow=yellow,2,300]"It's nothing more than pure thermal energy. I know you won't believe me when I say this, but fire is alive to those who can see it."[/glow] He looked up at one as it burned brightly before him, mirroring his emotions.

[Teal Turken]

Fire is alive to those who see it? I don't understand. Teal shakes his head.
What do you mean? he asks, swimming a bit closer to Asterian.

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian smiled, [glow=yellow,2,300]"I can't tell you what I mean..."[/glow] He looks at Teal, then back at the flame in front of himself. He guides the flame down onto the ground. [glow=yellow,2,300]"Teal, what do you know about fire?"[/glow] An obvious question to answer, but Starfall wondered what the blue-maned stallion would say. He smiled benevolently and waited for his answer.

[Teal Turken]

Well, Teal starts, gazing at the flame sentinel on the ground. I know that fire is both a source of life and death. Without it Equestria would be cold, dark and lifeless. Our food and water would never be warm and we'd probably not have the kingdoms we live in.
But...it can also cause destruction, burning everything to ash and leaving fields and homes black. It's sort of... Teal pauses, thinking.
Good and bad, neither out weighing each other.

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian raised an eyebrow at the response. It seemed Teal knew what he was talking about, at least to some extent. [glow=yellow,2,300]"Correct. It brings life and takes it just as swiftly. It is neither good nor bad... just as all ponies are; it knows only life at birth. It tries to spread, to seek something."[/glow] Asterian lowered the Thermal Shield from one of the Sentinels and let it burn part of the grass. Once it had accomplished its mission, he Extinguished it and it was no more. [glow=yellow,2,300]"It burns the grass and takes life, but soon, new grass will grow that is stronger than the last -- the life it gives."[/glow]

He pauses for a moment, then in as rakish a voice as he could, explained, [glow=yellow,2,300]"Fire is alive; it grows, it speaks, and it even listens to those who know what to look for. My old master, Still Water... He taught me the disciplines I now carry today."[/glow] He held a flame in front of Teal and let him look into it. It flickered for a moment as Asterian blew it away from himself, where it then stood in front of him. It seemed to change its glow from a shimmering gold. [glow=yellow,2,300]"Look and you will find,"[/glow] said he as he held the now blue flame up to Teal.

[Teal Turken]

Teal was surprised that his answer was anything like what Asterian was going to tell him.
He stares into the blue flame in thought, wondering exactly what he wants him to see in it. He stares intently into the flame's core and...that's all he sees.

[The Wandering Magus]

The old aristocrat's lips quirked up in a small smile, half to himself.  "Is it worth it?  Yes, I think, even despite all the hardship and pain."

He thought about all the riots and protests, the battles in the streets, the silent, chilling advance of the Black Guard.  He thought of the desperate looks on the Green Revolutionists, as they had been known then, willing to turn to any metaphorical port in the storm of near-revolution.  He thought of the amazement he had felt when Green Strokes himself, battered, dusty, exhausted but unyielding, climbed onto a small hill of rubble and screamed for all to cease their pointless bickering and listen, for heaven's sake.  And listen they did, to the lone, weary figure in the dust.

Knowing eyes flickered over to the time-scarred philosopher relaxing in the mineral waters beside him.  The stallion's familiar face, now creased with wrinkles and scars, worry lines, light and fading stains from countless days of mourning at the injustice of the world.  Graying, unkempt coat and unshorn fetlocks, thick with knots and split hairs and burrs from decades of travel in harsh wilderness.  Taught, wiry muscle strained from the burdens of carrying all of one's possessions for years on end.

"Yes, Strokes," he said softly, "if you think you are ready."

He thought for a moment, considering what he was about to offer.  "If I may say so, Strokes... I currently have what amounts to complete international political immunity at the moment due to that little contract from a few years ago.  I have, obviously, plenty of guest rooms, and more than enough resources to purchase art supplies.  And the Green Fundamentalist party is on good terms with me as well..."

He looked up at his friend with a smile.  "How... how would you like to stay with me, Strokes?  Just stay here at the Manor.  You'll be able to be free from government ponies chasing you all over the known world, have me by your side anytime you want, be able to speak directly with the Green Fundamentalists, have as many art supplies as you'll ever desire.  No more need to run or hide your ideas.  An outlet for all those passions and opinions."

[Asterian Starfall]

Asterian saw that Teal was missing something. [glow=yellow,2,300]"It is not just the core of the flame that you are looking for; that is easy to find. Look at the fire deeper. Open your heart to it and free your mind."[/glow] He continued to watch as Teal looked into the flame, and soon Asterian had to look as well. To his eyes there was he, dressed in magnificent, angelic robes, yet it was not him. A ghost image of himself was all that appeared to him, but it was the soul and the very essence of the blaze.

Asterian could only help so much. It was up to Teal to see.

[Teal Turken]

Asterian saw that Teal was missing something. [glow=yellow,2,300]"It is not just the core of the flame that you are looking for; that is easy to find. Look at the fire deeper. Open your heart to it and free your mind."[/glow] He continued to watch as Teal looked into the flame, and soon Asterian had to look as well. To his eyes there was he, dressed in magnificent, angelic robes, yet it was not him. A ghost image of himself was all that appeared to him, but it was the soul and the very essence of the blaze.

Asterian could only help so much. It was up to Teal to see.

// I need help. I'm completely clueless about what Teal should be seeing in the flame. \\

[Asterian Starfall]

// I need help. I'm completely clueless about what Teal should be seeing in the flame. \\

((You are supposed to make that up. If you're clueless, then we can just say Teal sees nothing, however, if you want to base it off the description, i.e. Teal in angelic robes, that could work too.))