You offer your help to the two mares in the kitchen. As you start to work on dinner, you're soon joined by Knifepoint.
"'Can't be the only one lazing while you all cook, can I?" The zebra mare says as she grabs a kitchen knife. "Sliced carrots for the stir-fry, is that right?"
"Oh, yes, thank you Knifepoint." Brass Compass says. "But don't feel obliged. You're a guest here."
"Eh. I'm still feeling pretty obliged right now, sorry." She shrugs. "That's less boring than waiting on my own."

You share a nice dinner not long after thanks to your joined efforts, and go to bed not long after.

While the room you're offered is spacious, it soon starts feeling lonely in your bunk bed. Instead, you stealthily climb walk back into the corridor and got softly knock on the door of Brass Compass.
"Oh, Hearty?" The big green unicorn perks up as she sees you. "Do you need anything?"
"You'll be the judge on whether I need it." You start. "But I've missed the times we shared some comfort together at night. Do you happen to need a soft little plushie to hold while you sleep? The ones in your room must feel awfully tiny by now…"
"Why not..." Brass Compass replies while stifling a giggle. "Do come in, Hearty."

You make your way inside the mare's room, which is very obviously a place she spent a lot of time in while growing up, as you witness a few remains of foalhood in here in her stuff. The walls are painted in a deep blue while the round fluffy carpet on the ground being a little lighter. The light of the night comes from a single tall window in the room, the curtains not yet closed. As for furniture, there's a desk that's littered with books, scrolls and inks, with a big pillow instead of a chair in front of it. There are two large chests, on that seems to be filled with clothes while the other stores books that seem to be less scholarly that the ones in the living room. Here it is novels of all kind that are piled up, and few board games between them. The mare's bed is fortunately a large one, where a few stuffed animals already rest, a snake and a teddy bear. There's also a display cabinet with glass doors containing what you suppose are souvenirs of all kind. It is indiscriminately filled with school reports, colored pebbles, a few snow globes or little pony figurines. One of the shelves is covered in seashells, and you recognize the one you picked up today in here.

"A good thing I tidied up before leaving for Starpoint Keep." Brass Compass says as she lies in her bed. "Well?
Not refusing the mare's invitation, you get under the sheets with her and nestle yourself in the warmth of her embrace.

"Say, please don't think too much about Knifepoint's attitude." you feel the need to say. "She's just a bit too used to being a loner, and she's got that kind of honesty that may seem rude at first sight. Please forgive her."

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>>43187716
"Ah… Don't worry about that." She replies. "I know my bookish side can be a little boring. Knifepoint sure is… a different kind of pony than the one I'm used to. But don't resent her. To be honest, I'm rather curious about her."
"Really?" You nuzzle the large mare as you look up to her face. "What interests you in particular?"
"Well, I've read about the zebra revolution, but it's really hard to imagine how it actually went for them." She says. "Or how life was before that, if they saw the event coming... But, yeah, that's too sensitive of a subject to bring up myself, I think. Maybe later, if I can get a good occasion…"

You'll have sweet dreams with a sweet mare this night.
The next day, you feel well rested and ready for anything. Brass Compass, Chara and Knifepoint are still around, and unless you have something specific in mind, you could take a job. You find a quest board outside where there are different offers than at the lower part of town.

Lost kitty
>Client: grieving cat lady
>My precious little cat, Miss Whiskerbottom has gone missing. We were going on our daily walk in the park when she just squeezed herself out of her collar and ran away in the bushes. Nopony in the neighborhood has seen her even since. I know cats are very resourceful beings, but at this rate Miss Whiskerbottom will be late for her weekly brushing. This just so terrible! I promise a hefty sum to whoever can find my pet and bring it back to me.
>Reward: 5 xp, 150 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Diamond Shine the Bored Aristocrat and Whistlewind the Wanderer
>Expected challenge: easy

Manticore slaying
>Client: Mayor Smooth Waters by mandate of king Earthborne the Third
>By mandate of the king Earthborne the Third: A reward shall be offered to adventurers for the preemptive culling of particularly dangerous beasts, even if the current habitat of the creature doesn't pose an immediate threat to pony settlements or travelers. A manticore is one of such beasts. A lair has been located on the mountainside to the northeast. Before considering taking on this task, please make sure you understand the enemy you shall face and the risks of such a task. May strength and courage guide your hooves, brave adventurers.
>Reward: 300 xp, 100 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Pauldron Paula the Armor Mistress and Ebon Bolt the Crossbow Huntress
>Expected challenge: hard
>Without any special mean of transport, this quest will take a full day because of the lenth of the trip

>>43187718
Down with the thieves guild.
>Client: Mysterious Investigator
>Everypony knows the thieves' guild has a hold in the city, from the lower docks to the mayor's office. There's been attempts in the past to dismantle it, and while none of those managed to shut it down for good, I believe we must keep fighting against it. I have information that could help me thwart one of their upcoming schemes. The guards are compromised however, so we might have to use unorthodox methods to expose this scam. I'll tell you more if you accept to go with me.
>Reward: 250 xp, 100 coins
>You'd be attempting this quest along 2 other adventurers: Red Letter (this is a pseudonym) the Mysterious Investigator and Inner Eye the Illusionist
>Expected challenge: hard

>What do?
>Go on a quest?
>Explore the lab at the house of Bras Compass?
>Try to convince Brass Compass to show you this room?

>>43187721
Ask brass if she would love to go on a romantic date with Hearty tonight at night she can show him around Upper Port Sunrise the places they can do spending time together as a couple, or should they wait until tomorrow so they can have the whole day just to themselves together rekindling their special bond?

It's morning, so let's start the day with the easy quest first we need a money and mana boost right about now. We should replace Diamond shine the bored aristocrat with Knifepoint the rogue. Her new boon said we'll get additional coins and mana if we go on a quest with her as our muse, therefore let take her with us and get this perk achievement.

>>43187718
Unless Knifepoint feels like Manticore slaying alongside Pauldron and Chara, let's leave with Knifepoint and head to Sky Diamond and notify the others that we'll meet there. Knifepoint did say she would leave today for Sky Diamond with or without us and sticking with her sounds preferable. Be prepared to receive letters as well later today.

Also, ask Knifepoint if she'd be willing to see if our magic can induce lactation or not, since we're ignorant on if it works or not. Already aware that she has her reasons not to but prefer to hear them out now. Perhaps we can convince her in some way depending on what she tells us.

>>43187736
As a reminder, Chara is your muse so you'll have to grow Knifepoint first if you want to advance her boon

>>43187721
Ask Knife what she thinks about the thieves guild quest. Can it be her opportunity to take the guild for herself?

>>43187721
>Go on a quest?
Lost kitty: Whistlewind and Knifepoint

>Explore the lab at the house of Bras Compass?
Ask Brass for permission to see the lab?

>Try to convince Brass Compass to show you this room?
Promise her he will only observe and won't touch anything. However, if he still can't go in ask the unicorn to show him pictures of the inside of her parents laboratory?

Bump

>>43189551

>>43189856

>>43187736
>>43187794
>>43188287
>>43189176
Having seen the quests around here, you're feeling up for doing whichever with Knifepoint at your side. You come back to the estate of you friend and ask the rogue mare what she thinks of it.

"So what do you say?" You ask. "Wanna go slay a manticore? I reckon you're about as large as one right now."
"Eh… that still sounds pretty dangerous." She feigns a wince. "Even if it's no bigger than me, I think a manticore is still spikier, and fangier, clawier… and all of that just for 100 measly coins? Nah, I'm not going on this one. Especially as you told me some rich granny offers 50 more for a lost kitty. Now that smells like easy profit!"

"And what do you think about the quest about the thieves guild?" You ask next. "Wanna start taking it over for yourself? This could be the first step of it!"
"Heh. You know this would mean we'd have to betray this Red Letter girl, right?" Knifepoint smirks. "I don't think you can take over a guild by just attacking by yourself. Getting rid of some annoying snoop to get your ticket in, and then working your way up... It's more likely to work this way. Anyway, that's not something we can achieve in a couple days. I'd still like to check out Sky Diamond first, so I'll let you make the calls on how to handle it if you want us to tackle this job."

While the two of you talk, you can't help but to marvel again at the zebra's body. Once again, she's taken residence on the living room's couch after breakfast. And while she's lying on her size, her two striped teats rise as high as your head, and her nipples are begging to be suckled on.

"Sorry, I can't keep my eyes off them." Knifepoint smirks back as your eyes meet hers again. "I just want to see those swell larger again… and I can't help but to imagine them full of milk too. Wouldn't it be amazing? I wish I knew whether my spells could do that. Maybe we could try?"
"Eh, you know what I told you." She shrugs. "Spilling milk everywhere sounds rather bothersome, so I'm not really into the idea."
"I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue." You try to argue. "I don’t think a little lactation would bother you that much… or not any more than packing so much curves at least. It wouldn't be all the time either, probably, but just be a plus whenever you want to get naughty."
"Well, how about this, then?" Knifepoint replies after pondering for a few seconds. "You very obviously want to try this out, Hearty, and I'm feeling like giving you this treat. But like I told you, I still think that I'm gonna find it annoying on the long run. So, I'd be curious enough to try it… on the condition you can give me an escape route. Grow me once, and I'll do my best to think about getting a little milky, but if I really don't like it, you'll grow me again after a day. With how your magic works, we'll know for sure whether I like it or not by then. How does that sound?"

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>>43191001
"Oh! That's…" You have trouble repressing a wide grin from blooming on your face. "Great! I must make sure I have enough magic in store for that, then."
"That's right." Knifepoint smiles deviously. "Your big girl needs lots of juice, Hearty."

You leave Knifepoint for now. You don’t have enough magic to hold up your end of that bargain right now, but there are easy enough ways to fix that, if do you plan to uphold your end of that promise at all. Right now, you're just feeling glad Knifepoint might indulge you. Your mouth is watering already at the thought, and a part of you even wants to leave Port Sunrise right away and travel with just Knifepoint to the capital, hopefully with a serving of milk at every stop.
Though, that's not a final decision in any way, and as your eyes meet Brass Compass who comes out of the kitchen, you instead remember the blissful night you spent in her embrace, and dream of a romantic date with the green unicorn by the ocean.

You might be getting a little inflamed right now. So before another craze takes you, there's one you could satisfy quickly enough. Curiosity.
"Hey! Brass Compass!" You approach another of the huge mares of this house. "Sorry to bother you, but would you accept to show me around the lab? I must admit that after seeing all the artefacts around the house, I'm getting really curious about what could be in there."
"The lab?" The mare blinks. "Come on, that's just where my parents work. You're probably just going to find it boring in here. And I told you, there's a chance they let something dangerous lying around since we didn't expect visitors."
"Which one is it? Is it boring or is it dangerous?" You dramatically ask. "It can't be both, and thus the suspense is killing me!"
"Alright, alright…" The mare chuckles at your little play. "If that's so important for you, I guess I can let you have a peek. My parents didn't tell me about anything special in the letter I got, so it should be alright. Probably. Just keep your hooves clear, okay Hearty?"

You follow your friend to the room at the end of the corridor downstairs. After a small flight of stairs to the basement, another door gets you to the laboratory.

>>43191003
Light comes in from a couple of narrow horizontal windows. The room is rather wide, but not as high as those upstairs, and Brass Compass has to crane her neck to squeeze herself in. Overall, the room looks like a perfect little wizard's den. At your right, there's a cauldron with racks of various ingredients at each of its sides, all neatly stashed and labelled in transparent glass cases or vials. In front of you, there's some work station where tools as mundane as hammers or pliers rest on the wall along magic-looking wands and metallic circles covered in arcane runes. There are also closed chests lying around along shelves with a few books and scrolls on them. At your right, there's a large space without furniture, but with thin metal rods sticking up from the ground amidst a number of concentric circles engraved into the stone ground. At the center of those, there's a cube of a metal you guess could be cooper, with some cross-shaped markings at its sides.

"Huh." Brass Compass looks over there too. "Well, my parents did leave something in the nullification circle. This is the one thing you absolutely must not touch. If it's here, that means they're currently investigating it, or keeping it safe for somepony else."

>What do?
>TOUCH THE CUBE…?
>Politely let Brass Compass show you around?
>Go on the Lost Kitty quest with Knifepoint?
>Invite Brass Compass on a date?
>Go to the capital with Knifepoint?

>>43191004
Ask Brass if they typically leave notes or writing on what they have in the nullification circle for help in identification.

Still want to go to the capital, but doesn't hurt take the lost kitty quest first with Knifepoint by having her replace the aristocrat. Need to gain some mana.

>>43191004
>Politely let Brass Compass show you around?

>Go on the Lost Kitty quest with Knifepoint?

>Invite Brass Compass on a date?

>Go to the capital with Knifepoint?

>>43191004
Maybe there are some notes about the mystery cube in here somewhere

>>43191004
Glad knifepoint is considering the idea of having milky crotchboobs as a treat for her beloved coltfriend. Hmm I'm actually tempted to go towards the capital with Knifepoint if we do, milky sexy intimacy between the zebra and earth pony stallion will occur on their travels, we'll get a headstart to scout out places to prepare where Chara can do her live dance performance, and Hearty can go to take her on a date afterwards. Not only that we'll freely use reunited with our friends spell on Brass and Chara again once we encounter them in Sky Diamond. I'll put that idea on hold for now first like hearty and knifepoint just said in case our 3 mana we have right now isn't enough to cause her teats to be milked we should do some quests immediately to get more mana in our storage.

Let not touch the cube and risk destroy her parents research; instead let's have brass give us a tour of the lab express our excitement that the lab makes him feel like he's in some kind of experimental arcane magic testing chamber. Then ask Brass if she would like to go on a date with him at night or tomorrow for the entire day? Afterwards, go on the lost kitty quest with Knifepoint.

Rolled 3 (1d100)

rolling for lab accident. Happens on 10 or under

>>43192660
How?...Let's just hope the cube gives some benefits at the very least, and that this was just some oppurtunity for power by going behind Brass' back.

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>>43191539
>>43191626
>>43191974
>>43192133
>>43192660
"You think they might have left a note about it?" You ponder out loud.
"Maybe… I'm gonna have a look around." Brass Compass states before looking over the shelves and into some of the chests. But as she does, the tail of this unusually large mare whips into one of the metal rods that is closer to her than she might have expected.
The rod, not being as tightly embedded into the ground as it looked, slowly falls down, and in turn, topples the one next to it like a domino, which falls right on the cube.

On contact, there's a loud bang and a blinding flash of light that goes with the rattling of the falling rods. You've got no choice but to cover your eyes while Brass Compass yelps in surprise. The big unicorn in a cramped space bumps into the working station, and reflexively finds herself catching with her magic a dozen tools that were about to fall.
Meanwhile, after the dizziness from the flash fades, you can look at the nullification circle. The cube's still there, among the fallen metal sticks. It looks like nothing broke or changed despite the flash. However, you feel… rather energized. There's a tickling on your skin, as though your fur is standing on ends, but aside from that it's like you just got a free charge of magical power.

"Goodness! Maybe I'm the one that shouldn't have come here after all." Brass Compass laments. "Are you okay Hearty?"

>What do?
>Pretend nothing happened to you. Feels just like whatever was in here just discharged its mana into you.
>Ask for a thorough examination on yourself.

>>43193630
Very interesting. At least now we can make Knifepoint milky for the day to check if she likes it.
Need to learn more about this artifact. Pretend everything is okay for now. Can always change our mind and explain that we just didn't want to worry her if we're under a negative effect.

Tell her we're okay and ask her if she's okay herself. Perhaps she can just tell us WHERE they keep their notes and we can go over to check it ourselves to reduce knocking into anything.

>>43193630
We should warn her about what happened, being a nullification circle and having discharged, I wonder if it will affect our next spells instead of being a mere free mana. Better yet if we could dispel it back, if it is anything.

>>43193630
>Ask for a thorough examination on yourself.

>>43193630
Hmm this situation is kinda like the first job we did with Brass with the wolf statue we fail the dice roll and then we were attacked by shadow wolves later on because of it. We may have gotten more mana and two additional mana in our reserve as a result, from the cube in this lab accident, but it also did something to our body it either made our magic unstable, not working anymore, cause it to do the opposite of what we want, or it probably gave an upgrade to our magic making it more powerful when casting maybe even enhance our body to have stronger endurance, more vitality, and grow our body's size and height into however we please.

We don't know if thats all it did to us or there may actually be serious side effects repercussions we aren't aware of that could be life threatening it would be risky to ignore this and not check for sure if we're in any real danger and if our magic is actually damage or not. I vote we tell Brass Compass the truth about how we feel different and energized from what it did to us and get ourselves magic medical treatment from the wizard unicorn immediately just to be safe.

>>43190621