Sore Liar (With added DLC)

The sun shone through the clouds, rays of light peering down on a quaint mountaintop town. The clouds rolled low, passing around the town below the top of the mountain and a light mist hung in the air. The houses were simple, as was the rest of the town. It was more of a throughway than an actual town. The Inn seemed to be the most populated place, with skyfaring airship pilots taking up lodging for a night or two. The air docks sat on the edge of the mountaintop, with moderately maintained wood structures standing out far enough for airships to make port.

Though the town may have also been a nesting ground for shadier folks. One in particular who was looking for a ride off this secluded rock and back to civilization. Unfortunately, nobody seemed willing to pick the young adult zebra pegasus up. She checked her coin purse, even fewer bits than yesterday. The hybrid groaned and scanned the small crowd of ponies in the Inn's bar. There were a few new faces. She was sure she could scam one of them into giving her a ride.

Fortunately for the mare, she'd have someone come to her from the newer crowd of faces instead, one who had recently arrived just to gather some basic information and directions at the bar before starting to walk out. He wore distinctly red clothing top to bottom, it looked somewhat ornate, and he had eyes full of wonder... Possibly an easy pick for the shady mare!

He was even coming right for her! Even standing before her eye to eye as he spoke. "Ah, good morning, Miss. Could you help with something? I heard of a certain type of floating cloud rock found somewhere in this region that sometimes grows a peculiar moss; Apparently good for medicine and seasoning. Know anything about it?" He didn't even seem to question her loose attire. Either he was a seasoned traveler, or very naive.

Nuva was about to try her luck with one of the pilots when a particularly new face popped in. If there was anyone that broadcasted money, it was the generously flashy, red clothed unicorn that had just walked in. And he even started walking straight for her! What luck this was! The goldenrod hybrid straightened herself out and looked at the unicorn as he approached her, talking about something that sounded like sky moss? "As a matter of fact, I do know about it." She says, a grin forming on her face as she folds her arms, causing her buxom chest to mold to the appendages. "You looking for some?" She would play this stallion like a fiddle, and get off this rock for good.

The easy mark stallion spoke even more vividly, looking her over at her answer; And not just because she was a buxom young beauty. "I am! Figured a Pegasus might know of it best." He seemed particularly interested in her wings before settling back on her face. "I'm only really interested in a fresh batch though. I might buy some here, but if you know were to find them for picking, I'd be grateful."

Nuva knew exactly where to find some, though she wasn't much interested in aiding a scientist, if he was one. No, she wanted to get back to regular civilization, and she was sure this guy had his own airship. Just about everyone that came through here did. "Why don't you have a seat and we can discuss it?" She says. She had an idea, and it was crazy, but her wallet was begging for crazy right about now. "Wait here, I'll grab a couple of drinks." Clearly this guy must have been sheltered as a colt. He should know better than to talk to strangers.

And of course, the stallion did as such, patiently waiting for the mare to return as he conjured a book from seemingly nowhere to read some notes about exotic plants. The unicorn seemed rather interested in what she wasn't, but he merely thought he'd get what he wanted... Would Nuva get what she deserved by the end of this encounter?

Nuva soon returned with a couple of drinks, her coin purse hating her for it, but one needed to gamble to get what they wanted. She set Sugary's down in front of him and ignored a catcall from across the room. "So your moss... What did you say it was used for again?"

He'd take his cup right away, but not drink it just yet as he kept eye contact with the mare. "Well, it's apparently really good seasoning when made into a sauce. Savory and bittersweet... I might also consider making frosting out of it, but only if it's as good as I've heard. I also intend to try making it into a potion for studying its properties and potency. Well, not ME per-sé, but one of my old Magic teachers who I still keep in contact with... And the name's Sugary Market by the way." He extended a friendly arm. "... You're not feeling wary of me, are you? I can't blame you if you are though." If she shook his hand, she might be quick to notice that he had a rather strong gentle grip, even by Earth pony standards. In fact, his clothing seemed to be a bit thick looking too below his somewhat rugged visage.

Nuva took Sugary's hand and shook it, he might also be surprised by her own grip. "Nuva Zula." She introduces herself. "And I'm not particularly wary of you. You seem pretty friendly anyway." She takes a sip of her drink, a rich fruity juice sweet to the taste. "And I think I know what you're talking about. It should grow on the morning side of most of the peaks around here. Makes a good medicine."

Sugary actually wasn't surprised; Her light clothing left little to the imagination as to her build, but he made no comment of it yet, smiling instead at the news. "Pleasure. And very pleased to hear that! I might just go looking for it myself after all!" It seemed Nuva might've just thrown away her chance. "But am I wrong to assume that's not all that grows there? I'd rather not mistake a lousy batch for a good one. So, could you help me gather them instead?" Or perhaps not. He also hadn't drank from his cup just yet.

Nuva wasn't displaying it, but she was a bit frustrated that Sugary hadn't taken a drink yet. For her plan to work, she needed him to drink. And she had no interest in hanging around in the mountains for longer than she needed to. She had gathered her moss already. Sugary should have come at a more convenient time for himself. "Oh, I'm not really looking to go hiking. Just trying to get myself back to civilization." She says, taking another deliberate sip.

"Oh? That's a shame, but it can't be helped. What's that about civilization though? Need help going very far or something? I might let you come along if that's the case." He then finally had a sip of his own, just a little bit. He seemed to enjoy it though, savoring the fresh mountain top fruity flavor. "Mm~"

Nuva internally groaned. More than a taste you damned unicorn! She feigned a smile impatience getting the better of her in her search for a ride. "I'd rather leave as soon as possible." She says, drinking from her own cup. "The sooner the better in fact." She decided perhaps maybe it was time to try and test her luck. She had little patience as it was, and Sugary wasn't making it any easier. "In fact, I think I will ride with you. Right now."

He blinked with a pause, examining her a bit more. "... Now now? At this exact moment?" He'd be certain for what would come next, perceiving her rush by now. "... Fine, let's talk more on my ship. There's something going on, I can tell." He then drank the entire cup, still enjoying it of course, but he was more concerned over her as he urged her to move out with him. "I got the information I need for now anyway."

Nuva smirked as Sugary chugged the whole mug of drink. That was perfect. Now she had him right where she wanted him. "Of course. Let's go." She knew he had a ship. Most people didn't come here without one. "I think you're going to find my reasonings very convincing." She says, grabbing what few things she had and heading out the door. Finally she would be getting off this rock and getting back to her cozy tent in the woods. She missed her feather pillows and cotton blankets. Not to mention cushioned chair. Not to say there were none in this town, but something about it just made her rear sore...

"Well, if you got someone going after your flank, I can cover for it. Wouldn't be the first time." With how plain yet serious he kept his face, it was hard to tell if he was being ominously literal or not as he looked around before leading the way out.

A short while later, they'd be at the dock itself where his airship hovered; And although it wasn't a luxury ship, it was a fairly roomy looking small cargo Freighter that could house a small crew just from looking on the outside. A finely crafted mix of reddish hardwood and metal, decorated with some notable runes and exotic engravings let it stand out as non-standard, but perhaps the design was just to compliment its magical nature as it lacked any balloons and the rotors were turned off as he walked up the ramp and opened the door for her to make her way in as she pleased...

Nuva followed the unicorn eagerly, keeping behind him and making sure they never got too far apart. A bit clingy? Maybe. But necessary, at least in her mind. She walked into the ship and had a look around. "Not bad." She says, setting her one small bag down on a chair. She turns to Sugary and gives him a serious look, throwing away the happy or playful demeanor she had before.

"I'm going to level with you." She says. "I want to get back home as soon as possible. Not detours, no sight seeing, and certainly no moss picking. You're going to do exactly as I say, and you're going to do it..." She pauses for dramatic effect, putting on a wicked grin. "Because i poisoned your drink, and I won't give you the antidote until we get there."

((Le gasp!))

Sugary paused, not for dramatic effect, but to process what Nuva was actually doing and telling him. He then, quite dramatically, gasped and had a panicky look to him as his magic began to burst from him. He had one arm pointed towards her, eyes and horn shining very brightly as various very sharp and very real weapons of steel surrounded Nuva that he conjured, along with numerous shards of ice and other elemental spikes of energy; Whoever this stallion was, he meant business, and Nuva was going in deep now. "Y-You fool! You're so desperate you'd have the gall to poison a stranger already offering help!? It's worse than I thought alright... For you! Esuna!" Keeping a very sharp eye on her to keep her from making an aggressive move, he cast a bright spell upon himself, acting as thought it cleansed his very soul from impure invasion...

... And after a few seconds, the bright light stopped. He was still holding everything against her, eyes adamantly assessing her, but he felt the spell had done nothing whatsoever; Meaning either she was lying, or he was in bigger trouble than he thought. "... W-What happens if I don't get that antidote...?"

Nuva blinked at the hand pointed towards her. Then blinked again, nearly flipping out as the various magical weapons were sommoned, all pointed right at her! "Wh-Whoa!" She exclaims, throwing up her arms to futilely guard herself. This guy didn't play around! There was an awkward moment of silence when Nuva thought he had called her bluff and was about to take her out... But then he asked about the poison. Crap, better think of something totally reasonable and believable.

"The poison will... Uh... Make you grow a second head!" Nailed it. "Yeah! And then that head will eat your real head alive! And then you'll be my zombie slave forever!" She threw up her arms in front of herself, making spooky scary gestures to accentuate the apparent severity of the situation. "And it's black magic too! And will totally activate if you kill me, so you better not!"

Sugary kept up the awkward silence even after Nuva made her claims. He even kept unusually still, almost as if he wasn't real. Then he finally spoke, weapons at the ready as they rolled around her, seemingly about to drill holes all over while his eyes shone more fiercely. "... To find myself at the mercy of a Witch... But make no mistake, if I go down, I'm taking you with me!" Faster the weapons spun, and more he spoke with a broad sounding voice. "If you value your life, however, you WILL hold up your end of the bargain! Your destination, I will deliver! But the antidote, I will have in return! Do I make myself clear?" It seemed Nuva would have to steel her nerves to Con herself out of this predicament all the way through. "And how much time do I have left!?"

Nuva looked nervously at Sugary as the weapons circled her, closing her eys as they speed up and flinching as they were put away. He was buying it? Well of course he was buying it! Nuva was super convincing after all. "Ahem. Good." She says, straightening herself out and taking up an authoritative stance. "It will take it's effect in two days. If you do your part then you'll have your antidote." She says, crossing her arms.

One by one, the spells and the weapons were drawn away once more, but the stallion kept his gaze upon the mare as sternly as ever. When no more weapons were left behind, he took a deep breath and exhaled as his magic settled down as well, his aura no longer bursting and his arms slacking. "... Fine... Let's not waste time and get moving, I'll do anything for that antidote..." He then turned around, and moved up to the bridge. "... You should stay by my side and tell me what to do though. Won't do if I suddenly crashed us both because I lost control before I knew where to go..." He sounded disheartened, but willing. Success for Nuva...?

Nuva blinked and fist pumped in victory when Sugary turned around, following the unicorn to the bridge. Willing to do anything, huh? Maybe she should make him wear a dress and talk with a funny accent. Or maybe he could wait on her hand and foot. Bring her drinks while she slept in his bed. Yeah this was going to be fun.

"I'm sure you know where Ponyville is." She says. "Take me there and I'll find my way. Hmm, and I could go with a snack."

Sugary was none too happy about his situation, looking rather down at the moment as he nodded; But he wasn't actually saddened by the situation he was in particularly. "... But I really wanted that moss... And very well, Miss Nuva... To Ponyville we go." Once he got on the wheel, both his arms and his magic were quick to work all the necessary controls to make the airship ready to take off the dock in record time. "Black Mambo, heading out..." He didn't sound any better still, but even he knew an order when it came to it, shortly after levitating in several pieces of cold fruit, seemingly brought from the fridge below, fresh and ripe for the picking. It seemed it would be a smooth ride for Nuva after all as the clouds sped by. "Anything else?"

Nuva let out a sound of glee at the appearance of the fruit, grabbing it and giving it a good munching. Sweet fruit was always best when chilled. She wipes her mouth and swallowed the snack, then gave a short yawn. "A place to nap... Where's your bed?" She asks teasingly, aiming to take full advantage of her pawn.