2/19/16; Strangers and Artifacts

Baokros had spent his morning in the orphanage, his ears flat, his eyes riddled with self imposed anger, his vision covered amidst fog and mist, not knowing where to go forward from here. Kicking a little pebble to the curve.. Chestnut falls Orphanage like always glistened amongst the greatest city state in the continent. Everything in the Crystal Empire is as its name states. Crystals. Palaces and such...even ponies. A soft sigh. "I need to find my friends, I need to make sure they are okay, I won't be able to accomplish that in here." Miss Chestnut suddenly rings the bell to call her foals to dinner. "But first, I have to thank her, before telling her I have to leave." Miss Chestnut is a kind, and loving mare who always watches over the foals of her care. Which is what he is afraid of, she will never let this foal go on alone.

Discord Draconequus likely had one job, and failed to do it, brilliantly. The draconequus lay perched in a pink cloud on a crossroads in Canterlot. His egg was laid nestled in his chest fluff, forelimbs pulled tuck against his chest, at either side of the egg, keeping it nestled. His tail tuft handled a book, a journal of some sort, the suspicious spirit reading in seemingly peace and quiet (as quite as neiighs of worry and nickers of annoyance that fluttered below his idling cloud that seemed to float and drift to and fro. "Oh I do love a good drama." He seemed to be speaking to the egg, a glass of chocolate milk (with a silly straw) hovering beside his head. He would occasionally take loud, annoying sips, disrupting pony's conversations, or quiet afternoon. Whoops.

Kawatan let out a bit of a yawn as he walked down another road of canterlot, a bag of treats held in his mouth. He'd had to seek out a bakery, though, since the one he'd known of had been his target which... exploded.... On the bright side several of the small-name bakeries were having better sales! The zebra sphinx found himself coming to a crossroads only to perk his ears as he heard something. He was moving about while wearing his cloak ~ But the hood was down revealing his head. He did get those xenophobic looks but he was hardly bothered. If only they knew! As he heard a second particularly annoying sip of a straw he looked up at a.. pink cloud? How curious. He just fell back on his rump in fascination as the bag of baked treats fell from his maw. How he wanted to fly up there and investigate, but he couldn't without exposing himself!

Princess Luna slept for some time as her body got its needed rest. When she awoke, she wasn't sure what time it was, but the sterile white walls told her where she was. Not in her room, but the hospital. Recollections of yesterday slowly returned to her as she sleepily puzzled over it. The bakery, the weakened floor. Oh. Her wing was, however, properly bound and with nothing much more serious than that.. Luna wasn't looking forward to sticking around. The princess slid out of bed, gathering her regalia, and hobbling out of the room. She'd sign herself out and do her best to walk back to the castle from there. Hopefully there was nothing going on.

Baokros ate his dinner quietly, something he was beginning to get used to. As everyfoal was called to their bednight rest, he decides this will be the best opportunity. He could not tell her straight of, but he could write her a letter, then sneak out of the orphanage and get a good few miles away from the Crystal Heart, where he could cast his spell. He still had the relic he had used to escape. Problem is, escape to where. One of his friends said to him that he will try his luck as a playwright in Manehattan, and the other said that he was planning to one day open up a Masonry in Canterlot. Manehattan as he heard was too big a city to find anypony. As night had settled in, he begins to write. Dear Mrs. Chestnut....after a while of writing, he leaves the note under his pillow, then sneaking out of the orphanage via the window.
Baokros with a sigh sad, even though he had trouble making friends in this place, the kindness and warmth from the caretaker will always remind him that there are lights that guide you through the path of darkness. A while latter, now being a safe distance from the Crystal Heart, the foal takes out his relic. Now how did those words go again? Whispering to the magical item. "Dirige me ad salutem." After he spits out those words, the words of those that seek to do harm, it followed an explosion and a portal to the place he wanted to go. In this case Canterlot. Hopefully nopony will be on alert on either side. If the portal can draw the attention of the red riders dimensions away, then it will certainly draw the attention of any unicorn talented with magic.

Discord Draconequus swiveled his ears back, the pages turning with a simple movement of his eyes. he held out his left claw, levitating a baked snack from the hybrid's bag. "It's rude to stare you know, you might burn a hole in my cotton candy." He slithered out his forked tongue to catch the treat. The spirit seemed engrossed in his reading, like a house wife with her novellas. He tittered occasionally before rolling over, the book snapping closed, hovering over head. The regal, elegant mishmash of monsters. The egg remained tucked against his coat of feathers, paw and claw coming to rest over the cloud's edge. His head curled up, looking rather proud -- as if he got away with eating the canary. He burped, gold feathers fluttering from his lips. "Oh, pardon me. Quick snack." Which sounded unsettling coming from something that looked like a wamams--dragon or some sort of twisted, malformed chimeric gator.
Discord Draconequus's ears swiveled as he looked up. Hooo what sort of game was this? He could sense the break in the calm, late afternoon air with magic being shifted around. His body was relaxed seemingly unnerved by the whispers and looks, seeing as any pony to have a negative word on their muzzle in explicitly ran into some bad luck, so to speak. A four inch puddle here, a low sign that hadn't been there before -- there. Accidents happened. Strife had left early that dawn, leaving a note for the princess, she would receive were she to leave: 'Probably won't stay in bed like you're supposed to. Gunna check out the crime scene, sleep. Later princess of disobedience.' Why one would think he fancied her with such casual remarks! "You are new -- I should know... I know everypony in Canterlot." Well he does horribly prank them more so than Ponyville's residents who have grown an extra coat to weather him.

Kawatan jerked his gaze to... there was a creature on the cloud?! He stared at the malformed chimeric gator and his eyebrows hiked up curiously. Now that was horrifying! Delightfully horrifying! Now that he thought about it the description was akin to the scribbles about the 'powerful abomination' he'd found carved into some of the rock at the ruins! The relic hunter inclined his head and stared up at Discord. "My apologies, oh twisted one." he'd begin only to stand once again. "I've just never encountered a creature such as thee upon my travels. I meant no offense." He tugged at his cloak to make sure he was quite covered. He had no idea what this being was, nor what kind of magics he might possess.

Princess Luna was forced to walk a little slower than usual, but because of such, she thought to look at the note that had been left her. It didn't surprise her what he found, though the message made her wonder.. No matter. She would have rather slept in her own bed back at the castle than be confined to the hospital, where there were plenty of curious, prying eyes. Luna tucked the note away behind her neckpiece as she moved down the street, holding herself with some regality despite her limp. Her ears flicked forward at the sound of voices, and perhaps a floating pink cloud some distance ahead at a crossroads. Was Discord out and about then.. ? Luna paused, midstride, when she felt that surge of magic. More? She turned her head, trying to determine where it'd come from.

Baokros stepped out of the portal and into an empty hallway in Canterlot, then shutting down the portal, putting the magical item back on his little saddlebag. Looking around for a while, hoping he had not attracted unwanted attention. Now to begin....uhhh how to begin? The foal thought. Perhaps ask around if they see a pony matching that description, or perhaps look for a place where they cut stone. There should be few in Canterlot, so hopefully this will be easy. The key word being hopefully. As he steps out of the hallway he takes note to where he stands, by the Circus Pegasimus, the stadium being famous as it is where the Wonderbolts hold their races. Maybe when all this is done, he will go and see one of its famous events.

Discord Draconequus arched his back a bit before cocking his head, scratching his chin as Kawatan spoke. "No offense hmm?" Those sentences sure sounded like a whole lot of offense! Maybe he should turn the pony into a mouse. He raised his paw, a white glow of magic surrounding it, only for it to sputter out when a familiar presence crawled up from the distance. He lowered the offending paw and rest it over his claw. "Oh please, offended? Moi? Hardly." He brushed his paw back through his mane as a hoofmirror appeared in his eagle's claw. "Looking this fabulous does take hard work. Travels you say? Hoofing it are we?" he glanced down to the foreigner's hrmm... yes. His ears folded back in a chuckle, his cloud shifting a bit as it floated back and a little down. "You know it is probably best you just pay me tribute and move on."
Discord Draconequus motioned to the bag of treats. "We can go through a whole routine. I use some magic, you scream like a filly, guards come, I turn them to chickens, in the end I still end up with snacks. So how about we do a trade?" he reached into his coat of feathers and pulled out what appeared to be a bag. He undid the satchel's tie and tilted it, spilling some of the content onto the cloud, the seeds bouncing off to the snow below. "A bag of maaaagical seeds, for your snacks." He either did not regard Luna's approach, or did so with a great deal of amusement. As for the castle, there did seem to be Day guards still about, the court of the Sun likely still being held. The reports of last night's incident would not more likely be provided to the princess who was at the scene before the Sun princess received them.

Kawatan flicked an ear with a bit of a twitch as he looked up at the creature. "None meant, indeed. After all, where I come from there is no creature quite so...eh.... unique." Take it as the draconequus will. The sphinx was quite sociable by any means, at least until the proposed trade occurred. His ears fell back and quickly pulled the bag of treats protectively against his person. "These delightful baked confectioneries are mine and mine alone!" It took all he had not to hiss at the draconequus above like an angry cat! It was doubtful Discord had ever met a pony just so... manically protective... of their sweets! Then again he might know of a few given who he is, not that Kawa knew that. His wings fluffed up just a tad under the cloak even as the zebra sphinx stepped back with treats protectively held in his jaws and ready to skedaddle!

Princess Luna turned her head this way and that, trying to determine where she'd felt that odd pulse of magic from.. She couldn't. It'd disappeared, whatever it was. The princess started walking again, looking troubled and taking her time as she came upon Discord bartering with what looked like a zebra in a cloak. "Good evening, Discord." The princess greeted, skirting around the cloaked zebra, not out of racism, but to put herself in both their views. The zebra seemed to be protectively holding a bag of something. "Greetings," Luna bid and looked up to the draconequus on his cloud. "You are not harassing this fellow, are you?"

Baokros. Alright enough, first order of business is to first find a roof to sleep. This was Canterlot, and Canterlot had a castle, and that Castle was big enough. Hooray he thought. Then after will begin his search. Of course he could just make this easier and asked the princesses if they know of locations where they do Masonry or sorts. As he kept on walking he began to hear voices, as the foal came upon stranger sights. A strange creature atop a cloud mocking another being just as strange on the ground. Taking into hiding, as he hears their conversation, but couldn't make out what it was. Then suddenly another voice, that of a mare and it sounded bossy. Taking another peak he notices who she was, as he has seen her in picture books back at the orphanage. One of the regal sisters.

Discord Draconequus seemed rather amused by the unexpected reaction! Whoa, hungry there fella? His ears folded back as he gave the most snide grin, visually annulling himself of any and all responsibility! The bag rest in his paw's palm as his claw reached in to grab a palmfull to toss into his muzzle, shrugging and looking away. "I was merely doing my parental duty and looking for a more adequate source of nutrition in which to care for my young with!" He reflected, chewing on the crunching seeds. He kept the satchel (and still egg) nestled between his forepaws. "I was merely offering to trade with them, it isn't my fault you ponies always think I want your souls or something!" He teased. His brow arched slightly. "Lulu~ What have you been doing. You look a mess. No pony to tousle those stars of yours?" He teased. His pink cloud was certainly out of the ordinary and strictly evaded by other knowing ponies on the streets. So he was a bit bored. Maaaybe he was harassing him. Maybe.

Kawatan looked up at the creature and took another step back as the creature proceeded to 'eat' those magic beans. And then he made a rather odd comment...Parental duty? source of nutrition for young? Want his soul?! Wha?.. This brought out a rather strange look upon the concealed sphinx's face. He was about to reply disbelievingly whenever yet another voice rang out! He turned and beheld the limping alicorn and his eyes bugged out for a moment. What was the princess of the night doing out during th morning?! His attention was yet again brought to the mish-mash of creatures when she addressed him by a name... Discord? As in that Discord? The supposed myth turned reality? He gazed up at the creature and his eyes may have narrowed briefly into slits. If that 'was' the same creature, then.... the chances of that being the 'abomination' that was spoken of at the sphinx temple was likely... The tension melted off of the sphinx and he let out a quiet exhale. Kawatan had no idea what this creature could do... Perchance some study would be in order over time. Watching and planning; that was something he could do! If he even heard a whisper of the lost relic he'd investigate!

Princess Luna gave Discord an unamused look. "I am fine, I assure you. Please do not change the subject." She told him, blunt, and glanced towards the zebra. He seemed quite surprised to see her, but then again she did have that effect on ponies. And surprised enough that he seemed speechless. Luna offered him a friendly smile. "Fear not, he is.. mostly harmless." She assured him, though he probably didn't need such assurance. "So, Discord, what have you been up to?" The approach of the foal had been entirely unnoticed to her, unless he decided to show his face.

Baokros kept on listening silently, in hopes perhaps they have information important to the foal. His eyes narrowed, as it seemed to be mostly pointless. Sighing, he didn't wanted to approach them like such, but he needed to get through there to get to the palace. Perhaps a distraction. Improvising a plan and setting it in motion, the foal levitates a magic rock, before he uses the magic relic to open a portal. from here to the other side of the hall, making it much smaller than the last one. Launching the pebble towards the metal gate to draw attention. Hoping that they go to investigate, so he could quickly sneak past them.

Discord Draconequus glanced toward the hoofless street rat, a devious grin on his face. His brows shot up at the remark. "I'll have you know I have --" He paused to count on his claws, than paws. "Carry the two..." He muttered a bit more, seemingly doing math. "Two days without incident thank you very much!" Pressed his paw to his chest. "None of those incident were my fault anyway." He raised his pinky before resting again. "Oh, stirring up good old fashioned excitement, but you look like you've been to your first rave Lulu. A fan of late night parties? I heard yesterday's was a scream!" He chuckled. "Fireworks and everything. Too bad." Hoo well it wasn't a surprise the spirit of chaos knew very well what went ahoof at night. He looked to the zebrakin. "Don't you worry about her, she's just upset I'm a far better dancer." His ear swiveled back as his eye turned slightly.
Discord Draconequus was tempted to draw them out with a flick of his wrist, but held himself back for now. "I know it is rather chilly, but today is not so bad to need a full on cloak." Discord pointed out to the stranger. Listen here you nosy noodle...

Kawatan rolled his eyes and looked up at the chaos god. "I am not afraid. Should he be a danger I highly doubt ponies would allow him this close...." his attention turned back to the now rather nose draconequus. "This climate is much different than my homeland being of chaos. It might be just fine for you and other ponies but for me it is fairly chilly. Also, the cloak serves as a fine windbreaker." he'd say as he perked his ears and turned his head to a... sound? He wondered what made that sound? What was that sound? Feline curiosity won out! He started to head to look at the apparent origin.

Princess Luna waited for Discord while he.. calculated. "Two days. You are doing.. well enough." She said and shook her head. "I did not suspect you. The bakery that handed out that dark magic tome to Bygone has been destroyed, by somepony else it seems. It seems we will not be able to find the source of them from there." She told them and hesitated. Was it worth telling Discord? "It was no party. The floorboards were weakened and I fell through." Luna went through with it anyway and turned to the zebra when he finally broke his silence. "Indeed. I hear it is quite warm there." Luna quipped. There was a clang and the princess turned her head towards the sound, a metal gate. Huh, what had caused that?

Baokros kept his eyes on the group, looking quite serious unlike his usual self. "Mhmmm....come on...go and investigate." he said in a soft whisper. Unfortunately his impatience got the better of him, letting out an angry grunt. "OH WOULD YOU GO INVESTIGATE ALREADY!!!" He yelled as it seemed that the being in the cloud was ignoring it. Oh oh, seems he may heave revealed his location. Time to disappear. He thought as he took out the relic, but under his nervousness he drops it.

Discord Draconequus stared at the princess with an amused smirk painting his features. His paw was daintily tucked under his chin, his grey beard curling around and to his pads underneath. His index digit and thumb twirled the end. "Yes, yes, thank you for remembering my shortcomings when it comes to that particular subject my dear." He was not capable of using nor learning dark magic. It was a result of Chaos magic. While the magic was four different classifications of magic in and of itself, when you master time and space itself it becomes a little difficult to garner the sanity to perfect little else. If not for borrowing that ancient tome from, borrowing, he perhaps would have not even been able to read, let alone learn, any of these tooty fruity new age spells. Modern Magic was quite weird. And he was the resident king of weird and under-appreciated magic. He rolled his eyes when the foal revealed himself.
Discord Draconequus flicking his wrist he lay his paw back down. "Well so much for that." He looked to Luna, lips curling. "Perhaps you should sit around a bit less. I hear exercising is all the rage these days." He pushed to stand, tail curling around the egg, before he resituated himself on his cloud, following the zebrakin's curious observations. "Now while I appreciate general ignorance, you do know I am the scariest thing on four legs around here." Sometimes no legs. He felt the very idea of no pony not minding him around preposterous. Ponyville had gotten used to him well enough, and Canterlot disapproved of his hazing, but they really had no choice but to generally tolerate him, right? He didn't feel wanted. "Perhaps we should go for some hot cocoa, a chilly night like this. Oh and I am dyyyying to hear your story Lulu~ darling. There's word going around you were carried to the hospital by a charming prince?" Now I wonder who spread that one?

Kawatan quirked his head to the side. "I do not doubt that." would be the reply as he looked over his shoulder at the Draconequus upon the cloud and continued to investigate. It was while he was going over there that he heard the night alicorn speak up about... a certain bakery. He almost choked when he heard that the princess had got hurt as she was exploring the rubble! Ooooooh dear! He might need to slip away.. maybe even out of the city.. Granted she said that there was no link found that could potentially trace it back to him but since when did he take chances?! But.. To stay in canterlot would be to stay potentially near the creature that might possess the relic he desired! It was quite the conundrum but perhaps it would be best for him to slip away. Thus whilst they were distracted he would attempt to make himself scarce from the location! Due to the fact his 'hoof-falls' made no noise since they were paws it should be simple!

Princess Luna looked puzzled. "No shortcomings, you are doing quite well." She tried to clarify and jerked around at the sound of a child's voice, yelling from nearby. Investigate.. ? She glanced back around at Discord with a glare and she shook her head again. "'Twas no prince, but the detective, that escorted the medical ponies and I to the hospital. I shall tell you later." Luna assured him before turning away and advancing on the place the foal's voice had come from. "Child, why do you yell?" Luna asked, seeking out the little one. A glance around at the others at least told her that the zebra seemed to be moving off. A shame, she never got to properly welcome him to Canterlot.

Baokros. His little ears collapsed as he sees the magic item rolled away. "Oh no..." He said before noticing Princess Luna come closer and closer towards him. His ears flattened and he looked quite frightened. He needed to do something quickly. But he couldn't, gasping for oxygen, when he considers his felonies. Illegal immigrant, using ancient magic relics, escapee, and now sneaking into Canterlot, while spying on other ponies...yeah he was going to prison. As he kept inhaling oxygen he began to hyperventilate, loosing carbon dioxide until he collapses.

Discord Draconequus looked over to the zebrakin as he tried to sneak off. Now he could have called him out, really make him stick out by yanking off his cloak, but he was in a generous mood. The spirit looked over to the journal he had, tie tips of his paw's digits leafing through the pages. He inhaled. "Leaving already?" Deciding to not just yank off his cloak. "Hot cocoa is on me~" He teased. He blinked when the foal all but blacked out. He stifled a laugh, trying hard to not make Luna feel bad. She was terrible with foals. Being a big foal himself he was fun ol uncle Discord, but how many times does this make it? He floated his cloud down and patted Luna's back. "There, there. It happens to all of us." He looked away, trying hard to plug up his laughter. "Here, lift him up here." It wasn't a normal cloud so the foal wouldn't fall through. Probably.

Kawatan perked an ear and turned back to look at Discord once again. The offer for a drink included... him? The sphinx zebra blinked curiously and after bit of mental debate he turned around and approached the two again. "Where should the little one be taken to?" he'd ask curiously as he finally came back to where they were. Since he was called out leaving it would be somewhat suspicious if he continued his attempt at leaving. Ah well, cocoa with a perhaps all powerful trickster and an alicorn princess that he it could have been said he'd indirectly caused harm to... How was he going to deal with this?

Princess Luna found the little foal just in time to see he'd.. fainted. Had she scared him somehow? She pouted. She didn't mean to scare him. The princess felt a paw on her back, or was it his claw? and glanced to find Discord had finally decided to join her. After enticing the zebra to stay. She shrugged. "I am not sure, we will have to find out who his parents are and contact them." Little did she know that he was an orphan. Luna lifted the foal up to hand him over to Discord, and she stopped when she noticed a strange thing lying where the child had been. "What is this.. ?" It was lifted and the princess rotated it about in her magic as she turned to the other two, puzzled.

Discord Draconequus entertained a few thoughts here and there, but settled the strange little pony in his crossed forepaws. He made a strange little noise, huffing maybe? Shaking his head and looked over to Luna and what she found. He would motion his claw, to attempt and wrench it from her own grip. "Come now my dear, we shouldn't pry in a little foal's personal business." That was his job. "How about I take you to my favoooorite place for cocoa?" Of course it was his favorite place because they hated him going there. It made it all the more scandalous! He levitated himself off the cloud, the foal on his back and the egg curled around his tail. "We wouldn't want our guest to feel unwelcomed now?" Or run away. Discord did have such fun wit a new muzzle to torment. "Shall we?" Whether he succeeded in taking the object from Luna was of little importance, for now. She wouldn't have her attention on it all night. Discord Draconequus would turn as his cloud vanished, the spirit leading them along, were they to be agreeable and follow.

Kawatan laid his ears back and hesitated before he looked to Discord. The creature's motives were rather suspect... Why would such an amalgram of beings that also liked to call himself the 'most dangerous' want to keep him around? If he weren't careful... well... he needed to be careful. The creature wanted him around for some likely nefarious purpose! At least he didn't keep anything that could potentially link him to incidents such as the one at the bakery! He recognized the thing that the alicorn found as a potential relic but.... that was one he definitely wasn't going to get his paws on, unfortunately! Thus all he could do would be follow them.

Princess Luna jerked the relic back from the draconequus's grasping digits in a manner that almost said 'mine.' "This does not look ordinary." She said, holding out of his reach. "I would like to at least inspect it first." The promise of cocoa sounded nice to her, after the events of last night, but she also felt like she ought to get to the castle. After getting injured, she shouldn't be out straining herself, but getting rest. Still.. "Yes, I suppose so." Luna relented, trailing after Discord with the zebra. Speaking of. "Welcome to Canterlot, ah.. what is your name?"

Discord Draconequus pouted, making a most annoyed expression when she wouldn't relent. "Stingy." He whispered. On the way to his favorite cafe one could hear the waitress *groan* before he even reached the door. Whoops. He was just beside himself with delight. "Please, please, ladies first." He chortled, the chair pulling out by use of his magic as he floated off his own seat. He never was comfortable with chairs or the sort. Probably because of his noodly body. 'The usual...sir?' The poor hostess was very nope. "Six of them!" He demanded. She sighed and went off to fetch the cocoa. "Oh yes, you are an intriguing fellow. I haven't seen your kind in these parts..." Either he was playing a word game or genuinely curious. Perhaps the spirit has never come face to face with zebrakin....

Kawatan looked to the relic that was being held in the alicorn's magic and wished he had the ability to just take it! He shoved it to the back of his mind whenever the alicorn turned to address him though! He fidgeted some and offered a bit of a smile. "I'm Kawatan, milady." Some part of him wished he'd thought to wear his boots or even a set of neighponese geta! That way there would be some sort of sound that at least made it sound more like he had hooves! Alas it might not even be noticed. Soon enough they were in the fine establishment and the zebrakin looked around in curiosity only to have his gaze fall upon the creature who addressed him. "We don't tend to travel very much, ser Discord. I guess it could be said that I'm a real oddball. I found myself succumbing to wanderlust when I was a wee foal."

Princess Luna quirked an eyebrow back at Discord, but she said nothing to him until they'd reached the restaurant of his choice. To Kawatan, she smiled and bent her head to him. "I am Luna." He probably already knew that, but he was a zebra and probably new to Equestria as a whole. Once inside the building Discord had picked, Luna seated herself at the chair he'd drawn out for her and eyed the relic with some curiosity while things happened around her, the order was made and the two males talked. "I did not want this thing to fall into anypony's hooves until I could get a good look at it.. and it makes me wonder what it is. Why did you want it, Discord?"

Discord Draconequus crossed his left hoof over his right knee. "Ser?" he blinked at the title. Tapping his chin the spirit would consider it. He liked it. Chuckling a bit the hot cocoa and mint cookies would arrive. Levitating his cup, keeping the foal rest on his lap and egg bound in his tail and gently blew the hot beverage. His eye turned toward the object Luna carried before he locked gazes with the mare. "I only wish to return it to the foal when he wakes. Taking things that don't belong to you is a bit criminal, don't you think Lulu~" He cooed, but those that knew the spirit, knew him well. He had interest in the relic, why one could only guess. He was powerful as is, so why take such items unless he simply had the dragon-like desire to collect them. No it was far more tactful than simple dragon's greed. he was more intuitive pony than anything else. "Well Kawatan, I am sure you will find so many wonderful sights here in Equestria~" He chuckled, sipping his cocoa.

Kawatan smiled some at both and hesitated for a moment. He really didn't think this through... Of all the stupid - stupid - stupid! things he could have done. There was a cup of cocoa right there... and he'd have to either lower his head down or use a paw to pick it up. Okay, maybe he'd just try to lean down and sip the drink! Thus the zebra would! Of course at a point it would be far more awkward than before.... Again ~ curses! "Oh, I've been in Equestria for several years traveling about.... So far the country hasn't disappointed me!" he smiled between the two. "Although to be fair... I'm a little overwhelmed being at the same table with a princess and a so-called 'myth'....

Agate had removed the unseen spell only a few hours ago. Now that the area she was in was open and there was no randoms wondering around she was able to move about. The Buckskin mare had a small issue however she was very hungry and needed to find something to eat. And so walking about she managed by the cafe that the others where in. Smelling the food as it drifted out into the street she grudgingly opened the door and entered the building.. Looking about she seen Discord and AN ALICORN! she was beside herself with joy at the sight.. she had been told there where no longer Alicorns.. Maybe this one was able to help her with the map she had.. she trots of to the table and placing a hoof out she tucks the other in and gives a deep bow to Luna. "salutem" she stated thinking that Alicorns still talked on Old Equestrian..

Princess Luna held disbelief that Discord just wanted it for such a reason. He was more the type to take things from foals rather than return them. Besides, she wondered where a foal got such a thing as this? "I never took it, I am only inspecting it." She countered simply. Her head turned when their cocoa arrived and she levitated her own up, sniffing at it with interest. "I am glad you have enjoyed our fair country thus far." Luna said, taking a tentative sip of her drink. An amused smile played across her lips when Kawatan expressed finding himself in the presence of the pair. It was funny how things happened that way. Luna turned her head when she noticed movement, and found herself greeted in old equestrian by a buckskin mare. Luna's lips parted in a little 'o.' "Why, good eve. It has been a while since I have heard that spoken."

Discord Draconequus scoffed at Luna's refusal. "Stingy my dear..." Baokros was still out cold on the spirit's lap, the egg tightly curled in his spine covered tail. He moved his paw beneath the levitating mug to manipulate it, tilting it back to allow himself to sip it with care. He looked toward the Zebrakin with amusement, but there was also a sense of curiosity. Not because of the stripes, or paws -- no he was a might curious as to why he was hiding... He quirked a brow. "Making imaginary friends Lulu." He slithered out a forked tongue before turning his head to the horse. She wasn't familiar either. Canterlot always seemed to get a wealth of visitors -- which made him complacent in Ponyville. No new faces to learn torment, but it was also rather boring with no new ponies to harass. "Clearly the only myth here, is manners." He arched a brow. "So bold and important my dear that your guests are forgotten!" He frowned.

Kawatan glanced at Discord and then relished in the fact that the alicorn and everypony else seemed to be suddenly distracted! Seeing this as a decent opportunity he'd have slipped his paw from under his cloak and snatched the cup. He drank the rest of the cocoa down hot or not! Much to his luck the drink had cooled enough that he was able to easily just scarf it down and set it down once again upon the table. With a bit of a sigh he shifted. "Thank you for the cocoa ser Discord, Milady Luna...I'm afraid I must depart." with that he ducked his head in a bit of a bow and slipped towards the door. Once out he'd make his way back towards the inn once again.

Agate blinks softly hearing the Alicorn speak in the newer language. She gives a blush. "Oh my I am sorry. I did not know that you speak the newer language." she gives a soft nod. "I learned it at The Great Alicorn Temple Ruins outside of Saddle Arabia." she stands giving a soft shake of her mane. "Being half unicorn pony I was gifted with a curse for where I am from." she lights up her horn and lifts away the hat for a moment to show she was a Unicorn Horse then replaces it to hide the horn once again. "Saddle Arabians dislike magic and unicorns and none know magic and so I learned all I know for the forgotten tablets there in the ruins." she smiles. "You are the mare who was wounded last night. I am sorry for the trouble I made and I hope the restore spells I cast of the floor and steps was of some help to finding who did that." the mare turns to look to the other who spoke. "I am sorry. Where I am from Alicorns are thought to be no more. So the shock of finding one was very great and it took me off my guard." she tilts her head. "Who are you? I have never heard of a creature like you before." she hears the other as he shifts to lave but said nothing to him she turns back to the Alicorn. "I came over here really to bid for your help." From her bag she lifts 5 stone tablets looking at them it was easy to see the five at one point where all one. "This map was in the Ruins. I have tried many times to restore the tablet but I have not been able to. The writing here on the side said 'Tantum magicae potest reparare quod erat a Alicorn oblitus.'" she translates it for them. "'Only the magic of a Alicorn can restore what was forgotten' from what I was able to change to a drawing. It shows a land past the west called 'Pony terram' or Pony Land." she looks at the alicorn. "It think its a forgotten land to us with others like us in it. That was blocked off by The Great Cataclysm. And I want to travel there and find what it holds. There was talk of forgotten Relics and golds there." she watches to see how the alicorn reacts to what she is telling her. At the same time she had before leaving Saddle Arabia cast a spell on the parts to keep anything but herself or a alicorn from being able to touch them or use magic on them at all.

Princess Luna narrowed her eyes at Discord, and wondered why everypony thought she had imaginary friends. She did not. She ignored his jibes for Kawatan, first, looking disappointed when he made to leave. There was more she could have asked him, though her skills in conversation were lacking. "Very well then. I hope to see you around, Kawatan." Luna bid him with a smile and a wave of her hoof. The princess turned back to the horse mare and Discord, though focused mostly on the former. "It is fine." Luna assured her and fell silent to listen, looking intrigued the moment the stranger spoke of alicorn ruins. Near Saddle Arabia? "I am very sorry to hear there is such prejudice against unicorns there. Please, do not worry about me. It was kind of you to do those repairs." Luna replied; perhaps it was something she could tell Strife later if he didn't already know. Her gaze shifted to the pieces of tablet that the mare pulled from her bag and leaned forward curiously, her cocoa placed back on the table, temporarily forgotten. She didn't need the translations, as she understood them well enough, though she was curious about the Cataclysm. "I will help you restore this tablet with my magic. It seems an object of great importance to speak of such a land." Luna said at last. "May I?"

Discord Draconequus was a bit sad to see the zebrakin skitter away, but alas -- He finished off his cocoa, the mare prattling off a mile a minute. You'd think she had somewhere to go. She was that nosy horse that got his squad into trouble? His red, mismatched eyes narrowed as he bit down into his porcelain mug. Chipping off a bit of the mug. He really could not lash out like he wanted, with Baokros on his lap and his egg so close. Maybe he should pop the mare's horn off? While the seething thought was there, he would not act upon it. Why he felted threatened by her, he knew. As of late many faces were coming across the sands and seas into Equestria. Some seemed harmless enough, but others sought the relics he had rightfully acquired. His eyes narrowed, taking another bite of his mug. "Oh, well pardon me, it seems I am a third wheel." He spat jealously. Who did this mare think she was?
Discord Draconequus was perhaps a bit annoyed she made his shadow's job a bit more difficult, but if she really was here snooping around for anything that may point a hoof back to him - snap, goes another piece of the mug until he consumed it. "Astahii belhal ekess ve" He murmured into what remained of his cup. "I don't remember inviting you over." He was being a little rude, which he wasn't normally right off the bat like that. He turned his gaze toward Luna. "Don't be so quick to jump into the fray my dear Lulu~ Such things could be but a speck of a string of truths in a narrow reality." A grin painted itself on his features. "Celeriter acciperet, idem est intellectus." He bade to Luna with a serious tone before letting out a soft laugh. It seemed Alicorn were not the only ones with knowledge in Old Equestrian. But he knew he had to be careful with this mare. She may snoop around his hiding spots.

Agate nods to the Alicorn and takes a step back. "Yes please. Also as it is a tablet from Alicorns once it is restored i am very sure that only a Alicorn will be able to touch or move it. And so I offer it to you." she gives her a bow. "I feel that it needs to be back within the hoofs of the rightful owners." she looks to the male. "No I was not however this is something that needed to be returned and there for I am doing that.." her eyes narrow at the male as he seems bothered by her. "I only wished to pass your town. What I look for is this Pony Land." she states in a flat tone then looks back to the Alicorn.

Princess Luna made a surprised noise in her throat and turned back to Discord. What had that outburst been about? The princess reached a hoof across the table, placing in front of him in an almost comforting gesture. "Please, do not worry." She wished she could more outwardly express that he came first, though not in the presence of company. "I know what I am doing." Luna said as she turned back to the buckskin horse for the pieces of the tablet. She eyed them as she made to fit them back together along where they'd broken. "Rightful owners.." Luna murmured. It must have belonged to alicorns far, far before her own time. "Thank you. What is your name, by the way?" Luna asked while she made to see if she could restore it with her alicorn magic. How interested would Tia be to see this?

Discord Draconequus was, of course, half pony, so he would sometimes let his emotions get the better of him. It was not as if he tried to hide his feelings. They were something he was always very honest with, but controlling them was something he was only recently getting a lid on. Envy and jealousy were the persnickety ones, followed by laughter and vengeance, both mixing well with a nature built around playing pranks which oft tilted the balance of Harmony. To the lament of the staff Discord began on his second mug of cocoa, which would, no doubt, meet the same fate as all the other ones. They began to wonder why they even served the spirit on anything valuable. They debated on just giving him paper cups. His ears folded back when the princess moved a hoof near. He relaxed a bit, but the disgruntled noodle just hated being left out of things. Wasn't it just like a Unicorn to exclude others... he thought bitterly.
Discord Draconequus generally held no misgivings toward others, just ponies in general. The only Alicorn he knew, and trusted, were the royal sisters, and he was only getting to tolerate Twilight and Cadence. He was a difficult beast to get to warm up toward, but his loyalty was fierce, if not a bit misplaced sometimes. He levitated his mug, brow furrowing a bit as he leaned to look at the tablet's scoring. A surge of panic hit him. Putting that tablet together may reveal -- think quick! Discord leaned over to give Luna's horn a looooong lick with his, hardly wet, sticky serpentine tongue. Were he successful he would lean back, tongue sticking for a moment before it snapped back into his muzzle. His action was for the sole purpose of disrupting the princess' hold over the pieces. "Thought I saw a crumb." He nervously pressed his paw and clawtips together, turning away to meekly nibble a cookie. What? Nothing out of the ordinary here.

Agate watches as the Alicorn puts the parts together and nods. "I am Agate." She said softly. "The Alicorn Ruins date back to before The Great Cataclysm.." she said softly.. she watches the other as he asked like a foal throwing a fit. It was not that she did not want to include him it was that this was the tablet of Alicorns and this other was well she didn't know what he was but it was not alicorn that is for sure. She blinks and her jaws part as he tries to lick the alicorns horn.. What in the name of Saddle Arabia was he thinking, Licking an alicorn was he mad??

Princess Luna seemed to have gotten the pieces fitted nicely together, as much as she could have managed on a tablet that'd been broken apart. An ear flicked towards the mare when she told her her name. "A pleasure, Agate." The alicorn said; the unicorn hybrid must have done quite a lot of research to find such information! She'd scarcely begun to use her magic on the pieces when suddenly.. Discord licked her horn Luna froze up at once. It was.. a weird feeling, and it had about the same effect as putting a hoof over a unicorn's horn to interrupt the flow of magic. Her hold on the pieces slipped and dropped; any attempt to catch them with her hooves failed. She lacked grasping digits, after all. "Discord! Why in Equestria did you.. do that.. ?" Luna practically whined. She hoped they didn't break..

Discord Draconequus pulled a big ol' pocket watch out of his feathers. He was clearly madder than a march hare. "Would you look at the time. I've got a sun to set! Dear me, dear my. I am late." He levitated the plate, spilling the cookies, followed by the plate, into his parted maw and consumed it in its entirety. One could hear the staff groaning at the loss of more dishes. He scooped the sleeping foal in his paw and hovered clear passed the table. The mismatched troublemaker was a sore loser, really, but he was a bad winner too! If those tablets mentioned anything or even the slightest hint of the naughty things he did to acquire these parts of his, he may lose his important friends, and if he had to break a few eggs -- well not his egg. "I'll see you at home dear." A hat appeared on his head, tipping it as he booped his snoot against Luna's cheek, vanishing in a flash of white magic. His laughter could be heard fading away.
Discord Draconequus wasn't acting his usual self. While trying to weasel his way in and out of situation was a classic card played by the mad god, his rude, bitey attitude was unlike the charming, condescending fiend, even on a bad day. He was with near infinite patience, so long as things were going his way -- and something was definitely not going his way. Bad form Discord, bad form. He'd likely rush his way to the castle to hide under Luna's sheets, mess everything up. He was in such a hurry about though, the journal he was reading had been left on his cotton candy cloud along the streets. So when the cloud dissipated the journal would find rest beside a streetlight, alone in the cold. Who would pick it up -- well time would tell.

Agate nods softly. "Its lovely to meet you also." as the male licks the alicorns horn she uses her magic in a split second to catch the parts before they where to fall. She'd hold it in place for the Alicorn as it seems the other for some reason did not want it map restored. "Funny about learning in the Ruins. More then once you have to be faster then the falling rocks when going into areas that where falling apart. My reflexes are always on edge." she give a weak smile. She blinks as the other rushes off and leaves her and Luna there alone. She looks to a staff for the cafe and said softly. "Make a have a spice tea and apple please?"

Princess Luna expected the clatter and break of stone, but it seemed Agate had it handled! The tablets were safe. She could breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps some confusion for Discord when he chose the moment to make a hasty exit. He was acting odd; why did he interfere with her magic? Maybe she'd try asking him later.. Luna made a noise when he bumped her cheek with his nose, but she scarcely had the time to say anything. He was gone. Luna took a steadying breath and looked over at Agate with a faint smile. "Thank you. I do not know what was with Discord." Luna told her as the horse made to join her. From there she'd try again to restore the tablets with her magic, and peruse them if she was successful. Though she couldn't forget her cocoa!

Agate tilts her head. "He seemed worried about the tablet." she was unsure as to why the tablet its self was very very old and should have nothing to do with any in this time. It was but a map. Or so that's what she thought it was. As her tea and apple arrives she lifts a part of the apple and dips it into the spice tea them eats it. As she watches Luna try again to restore the map to what it once was.

Princess Luna frowned faintly back at the tablet pieces and worked her alicorn's magic upon them. They seemed to be sealing back together, glowing at the seams. It was.. working? She continued to cast her magic, focusing on nothing else until it was finally done. Luna sat back, a little dizzy, and thought to take another drink of her hot cocoa. It was starting to cool, but she took a second drink regardless. "I believe I have done it. Thank you for this artifact; I daresay my sister will be quite intrigued to have something from our ancestors." Luna said with a smile for Agate. "Once we have looked at it I will have to return to the castle, I may need more rest than what I got in the hospital."

Agate nods softly as her magic fades and the tablet slowly makes its way to the table. "As I thought the tablet rejected my magic." she smiles "That means it will be safe from any other who may try and destroy it and or take it.I am just happy it is returned to the right hooves." she finishes her tea and apple and nods to the alicorn. "I will be in a hotel near the castle room. I'd love to know what is found out about it and be able to draw a updated map for my travels when you have the time." she stands to walk from the building after putting a few gems on the table for her tea.

Princess Luna watched with some intrigue as Agate's magic on the tablet slowly failed. The moonbringer reached out a hoof towards the stone, moving it over the markings and lines. "Interesting, that." She murmured. "Again I thank you, Agate. I shall certainly contact you once I have figured out its secrets and drawn out the map it holds." Luna promised her, and she meant it. She finished her own cocoa and gingerly slid out of her seat once Agate had moved on, lifting the tablet and carrying it out of the restaurant. It was back up to the castle she went, where she'd probably hide the tablet in her office first.. before bed. It was hard to tell where Discord had gone, but perhaps to her room. She'd only find out when she got there.

Agate watches the alicorn as she moves on to the castle and manages to step on something on the side walk. Large letters say. "DISSY" on it she lifts it and puts it in her bag to try and find the owner at a later date at the moment she goes to her room to get some rest. A bed for the night was something she was looking forward to.