They're... ON HOLIDAY?

Day 3 - Storm: 7/11

"It definitely looks like that," 10013 nods and backs off.

"Awww," pouts 20100, "I was hoping you guys could have fun with it too..."

"Hmmm..." 36658 crosses its forelegs on its chest.

"You're thinking of something, aren't you?" asks 10013.

"Probably something High Score related," 99111 snickers.

"Don't be mean!" 99526 nudges 99111 who hangs its head.

"...just joking..."

"No, nothing about High Score right now," 36658 ignores it, "About 93, actually, and something she said. 10013, you're a smart drone, can you help me?"

"Umm, sure?"

All drones huddle closer out of sheer curiosity but 36658 whispers something into 10013's ear.

"That's... interesting," 10013 looks around, "20100, can you try more of these boxes? I can't tell you why yet."

"Ooooh, a secret plan. I like it!" 20100 salutes and trots off to find a different slot machine that's not occupied.

10013 turns to 65536 next.

"Buddy, I think you're the right changeling to ask because you know the most about ponies. Do you know pony games? Like drone ball, dodge drone, curling, and other stuff?"

"Curling? Is that new?" asks 65536.

"Yup. I'll explain later." 10013 nods, "I need your opinion on what games are the most random."

"Oooh," 65536 salutes too, just for the feel of it, "I went with Mister Night Hunter into a place he called 'gambling den' because there were ponies fighting, and he explained all about games of chance to me. We gotta find a spinny thing on a table ponies call a roulette, a bigger spinny wall thing called the wheel of fortune, or a big table where ponies throw dice and bet on numbers."

"Everyone else," 10013 looks around, "I dunno, grab some chips and see what they can be used for, maybe?"

Smiley eats a chip.

*Bleh face.*

"Not for eating, good attempt," 10013 nods, "Any ideas, 65536?"

"I think they're like pony bits, but for this place, so maybe you can try to ask around what they can be traded for."

"20100, where did you get the chips?" asks 65536 mentally.

"Front desk!" replies the drone, "And, by the way, the two machines I found duped the chips for me too."

"Okay, it's not the machines, it's you then," summarizes 10013, "Come here and let's do some more testing."

As the others spread out around the casino, 65536 leads 10013, 36658, and 20100 to a roulette table where the patrons shoot them somewhat confused glances.

"My buddy here would like to place a bet," says 65536, looking up at the croupier and nudging 20100 carefully carrying several stacks of chips on its back.

"How much and on what? The minimum bet is five bits," replies the pony.

"I got all these from dupl- slot machines," 20100 shuffles up and down, making the stacks on its back wobble, "So... what do I bet on?"

"A color and a number," replies the fascinated croupier to the groaning of patrons around the table annoyed that their game is being interrupted.

"Blue and 9999," smiles 20100.

Being a polite staffer, the pony barely visibly winces before explaining the most basic rules and offering that the changelings should watch a few rounds before entering and betting, which sounds like a properly smart suggestion, so they wait while hovering above the table.

"Ooooh," 20100 nods when it gets the idea several minutes later and a new round starts, "Alright, umm... all these chippies on black 13."

"Betting everything on a single slot is... unwise for a beginner," the croupier can't help himself, "The odds of winning are extremely low."

20100 shrugs.

"I can always get more chippies later from the machines."

"As you wish," the pony watches everyone place a much larger sum of their chips on the table in hopes of winning 20100's pot before spinning the wheel and throwing the ball.

When it stops spinning, everyone glares at 20100 excitedly hovering up and down with a massive grin.

"Black... 13..." announces the croupier, "The only bet, winner takes all," as if trying to persuade mostly himself, he adds robotically, "No magic is being used, this place is, like every casino, equipped with the best detection systems revised for changelings."

"I'VE GOT ALL THE CHIPPIES!" exclaims 20100.

10013 and 36658 exchange glances.

"I guess 93 hit the peeky gribbler right on the head," says the great leader, "So... what does it mean for us?"

"I think it means that 20100 won't have special goop," shrugs 36658.

"What's this all about anyway?" asks 65536, listening intently.

"I don't know if I can tell ya, buddy," 36658 shakes its head, "93 kinda made it out to be a critical hive thing. Sorry."

"Hah, no problem!" 65536 laughs, "I know a whole bunch of guard things I'm not supposed to tell anyone. I know secrets gotta stay secrets sometimes."

"YAAAAAAY, EVEN MORE CHIPPIES!" comes from the table above and behind them, "Uhh... I don't think I can carry that many anymore."

Three looming shadows fall on the changelings as a trio of massive earth ponies wearing black suits block the lights.