Page 644 - The Dream Job, Part 5

What sometimes makes pacing difficult during an in-person game is that most tabletop RPGs are complicated board games, and complicated board games have a long setup phase.

Pinkie Pie: Whee! We’re on the MOON! It’s been ages since I had a character here! The tightrope was completely new, though!
Fluttershy: But it broke… We had to float the rest of the way.
Spike: It was still awesome!
Rainbow Dash: Meh. Could have been way cooler.
Spike: I’ve got it all planned out. We save Rarity, I give her this gem, and…
Pinkie Pie: …then wait another dozen years!
Fluttershy: The thought counts…
Spike: You laugh, but just wait! I’ll finally be her loyal knight!
Twilight Sparkle: Continuing to ignore that. Besides, we have bigger problems.
Applejack: You noticed too…?
Twilight Sparkle: Yeah. The tokens.
DM: I can’t set up ONE combat encounter…
Applejack: Uh… Wow, that’s a lot. Lessee… Some of ‘em look like critters… Can Fluttershy charm ‘em?
Fluttershy: I think the red eyes mean no.
Applejack: That’s it. Alertness and Evade Ambush.
DM: <sigh> Sure. You avoid falling asleep in the nightmare fog now that you’re aware of it.
Twilight Sparkle: Do we roll for Initiative now?
Pinkie Pie: Against all that?
Applejack: Maybe one of us can try Diplomacy?
Fluttershy: We don’t have anything to bargain with…
Rainbow Dash: Intimidate, then! <roll> Hey, back off, buncha flimsy ghosts!
Shadowfright: Ohoho! They pretend they’re not afraid. What about you, Nightmare Moon? Or is it “Luna” now?
Princess Luna: Ah. Larry. Finally achieved middle manager status?