1. [Video]

[brodakota]

[The video turns on to reveal North, still in his armour at one of the restaurants. There's a red and blue hologram floating by his head.]

I think it's on, North.

Huh? Oh yeah, it is.

[He clears his throat]

Hi, I'm Agent North Dakota, most people just call me North, and this is my partner, Theta.

Hello.

We've been here for a while, and I was just wondering if anyone else had come across a way home or a clue or anything? I'm starting to get the feeling that I should be getting back home, fun as this place is.

[He pauses for a moment, thinking]

If not, anyone got a good name for a pricklemane?

Thanks.

[Theta ends the feed with a few fireworks, deciding to show off.]

Comments

[shadearchivist]

Hello North, Theta, I'm Ienzo.

I haven't run across any leads on getting home yet, but hopefully someone else will be able to help in that regard.

[He can't exactly open dark portals these days, and he's not even sure that would work in any case. He would mention Sora, since Sora seems to know what's going on more than anyone else, but doubtless they'll get a response from him on his own.]

Have you considered the name Cactus for your pricklemane? It would seem fitting. I named Lea - my Meow Wow - after someone I know.

[And now to his actual question.]

That's a very nice illusion of fireworks; how is it done?

[brodakota]

Nice to meet you Ienzo.

Let me know if you do, and I'll share any information I come across.

[He glances down at the pricklemane]

Have you been talking to Wash? He suggested the same thing.

[Though he wonders who he could name it after. He doesn't think South would like that very much. In the meantime, Theta pipes up.]

I worked super hard on it. I guess I just play wit hthe lights, and get them to change.

[shadearchivist]

I spoke with him soon after we both arrived, but I haven't encountered him since that time.

[Ienzo holds up a hand and miniature fireworks go off above it.]

It seems to be different from the way I do it, but I do like yours.

[The (ghost?) child seems quite proud of his work; Ienzo can remember when he first mastered the simpler illusions. Unfortunately it's not really an answer to his question.]

[brodakota]

Guess you guys are the same wavelength or something.

[Theta, in the meantime, is amazed. He's never met anyone else who can do that, except for maybe Sigma. And Sigma scares him a little. He brightens his hologram at the compliment.]

Your's is pretty cool to. How do you do it?

[shadearchivist]

Apparently that's the case.

[Ienzo lets the fireworks fade away.]

It's just another kind of illusion magic.

[raisethemoon]

[Blink. Blink.]

Thou art...partnered with a spirit?

[skysmirror]

[Xion smiles at the fireworks before her expression sobers.]

I haven't found any clues, but I'll let you know if I do.

[She takes a look at the Pricklemane, tilting her head in thought.]

How about Spike?

[colorbymemory]

Hello North and Theta. My name is Namine.

I haven't found any clues yet, but if I do, I'll let you know.

[Not being could with names, she's going to pass on offering suggestions.]

Those are nice fireworks. Can you make them all colors?

[brodakota]

Magic? Really? I didn't think that was real.

Magic's not really common where we're from, unless you count something like card tricks.

[brodakota]

Actually he's an A.I.

[He won't go into details about the fragment part.]

[brodakota]

Thanks, Xion. I appreciate it.

[He pauses for a moment.]

Spike, huh? Well it would certainly fit.

[brodakota]

Nice to meet you, Namine, and thanks, we appreciate it.

[Theta brightens at the compliment]

Not really, since I'm making the hologram. I'm trying to though.

[shadearchivist]

[Ienzo nods in agreement.]

It's real here - like the healing that someone did for your companion's Komory Bat - but it doesn't seem to exist where you come from.

[brodakota]

Like I said, it would useful if it did, but yeah, it's pretty much just in stories and the like.

My world has a lot more technology, and Theta's an example of that. He's an AI.

[shadearchivist]

He's a computer program of some sort?

[raisethemoon]

...explain.

[brodakota]

[What's the best way to do this without going into confidential information.]

Well, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. They're computer programs that are just as smart as humans, and capable of thinking like humans as well.

So Theta is my partner, and he helps me out with things I need to do.

[brodakota]

Yeah, exactly. Except he's smarter than your average program.

[raisethemoon]

[See this look? This is the long, flat stare of a pony princess who probably needed to start with the basics of what a "computer" is.]

...he is an artificially created human, then? Simply without his own form?

[brodakota]

[He doesn't blame her. It's one of those things he gets and doesn't. He tries to pay attention in class, really he does.]

Something like that, but more like he's based off a human brain.

It's hard to explain.

I'm pretty sure this is my form though.

[raisethemoon]

Ah...we meant bodily form. But there are a few beings in Equestria who exist without such things. We suppose we understand well enough. [Really, it's only windigoes. But that's hardly a nice comparison.]

[skysmirror]

You're welcome.

I think so, but I don't know a lot about names...

[colorbymemory]

Nice to meet you, too.

[She smiles at Theta.]

Maybe you can show us when you learn how?

[shadearchivist]

How are the two of you connected, then?

[brodakota]

Oh yeah, I definitely will!

[North smiles, glad to see Theta making friends.]

So, have you been here long?