Esquestria: The House of the Sun - A pony cultist experience

[Greymere]

Obviously the most important thing is completing Axe's Sacrament, which is why we put 4 actions to it. Barring bad luck we should have 1 maybe 2 actions to choose. While I'm intrigued by the fleeting action and doing one action of her personal SH sacrament could be useful, it may be worth having Velvet scry for the level 7 book.
While we can steal a follower actions from next turn, having Baldomare's available lets us take her Sacrament which will help with Velvet's personal. We could have Jade do it cause she has the same lantern level as Velvet, I worry about the SH requirement which Velvet won't have any issue with barring her rolling like a six or below. Almost impossible if she still has her reroll by then. Potentially a little premature, cause other things could change our priorities, but just a thought.

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Tbh the main reason I'd be reluctant to ask Jade to do it is that she'll react badly to failure, and she's probably already in a bad headspace due to recent events. At least if Velvet tries and it ends up fizzling out, it's only an annoyance.

 

[Witherbrine2671]

eh, we're not ready for Baldomare SH Sacrament (she's busy and I'm not sure we have the bits for it either), and as for our personal... without the SH influence it's kinda risky.

We COULD risk it if we still have the SH reroll, but even assuming the same DC as last time...



DC 110. we roll +14 from Learning, and +40 from SH.

Assuming the DC goes up to 120 (believable), that's a... 34% chance on a single roll, and I think 56.4% with the reroll.

Kinda low on such a risky action. So we probably want to do SH Sacrament (either of them, maybe even BOTH of them) next turn.

As for the OTHER Sacrament that could unlock new areas in the Mansus... that's Winter, and besides the moral implications (and at this point 3 random lives are not really THAT bad compared to everything else we're involved in) We still need scraps for the lvl up (admittedly the attempt itself is likely to give us some), and bits to try. Oh, and of course there's STILL a DC for the action, so we'd likely want a Winter Influence too to help.

We're probably better off studying our artifacts or books, or maybe even just explore more of the mansus.

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Oh I know, it's really more of a vain hope at this point. We are so close to an ending that I don't really think it makes sense to try and get unneeded Sacraments. I just think it'd be neat

 

[Pittauro]

Oh I know, it's really more of a vain hope at this point. We are so close to an ending that I don't really think it makes sense to try and get unneeded Sacraments. I just think it'd be neat

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to be fair there's still a MINIMUM of 3 turns before the Ending (as we're going to do as much as we can until the point Celestia reaches Lantern 4 or even 5 if we can!), and Sacraments will unlock "Realization-like powers but more", so I don't think there's such a thing as an UNNEEDED sacrament.

That's assuming the quest is over after the All In Expedition, or that there isn't some kind of sequel in which Velvet's end-stats matter, which I'm not 100% convinced of yet.


Every extra lore level, Sacrament, studied artifact, befriended Name and extra "obedient" summon (like the Mares in the Light) helps massively there, and they kind of synergize, in that we need more beings to carry and use artifacts for example.

In any case as things stand Next turn we have quite the variety of sacrament options.

There's BOTH Baldomare and Personal SH (we're at SH Cap)

There's Biedde's Edge (We're at Edge Cap)

There's Personal Moth (We're missing one scrap, but we have the book for it)

There's Personal Winter (we won't have the scraps as we're at 1/4, but we can still work on the sacrament actions which MIGHT also give scraps (I expect at least 1), AND we have a lvl 4 Winter Sacrament we can study as well)

There's also the Wolf's Edge and Winter Sacrament, but I'm not seriously going to consider them for obvious reasons


So that's 3 Sacraments we're ready for, one that's just in reach (Moth), and one we can work towards even if we're not quite ready yet (Winter).

With a bit of luck and planning we could probably get all 5 of those before the All In Expedition, together with Axe's Knock, for a total of 6 Sacraments in 5 different lores. And there's still a chance of us getting a few of the other ones too if we're lucky.

 

[spiderhellian]

@Pittauro Don't forget we've got a SH influence this turn. Taking a Sacrament action is quite safe.

 

[Solace2117]

Tbh the main reason I'd be reluctant to ask Jade to do it is that she'll react badly to failure, and she's probably already in a bad headspace due to recent events. At least if Velvet tries and it ends up fizzling out, it's only an annoyance.

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I agree, that plays into it as well, though considering the importance of befriending Baldomare it may be worth Velvet doing it herself.

DC 110. we roll +14 from Learning, and +40 from SH.

Assuming the DC goes up to 120 (believable), that's a... 34% chance on a single roll, and I think 56.4% with the reroll.

Kinda low on such a risky action. So we probably want to do SH Sacrament (either of them, maybe even BOTH of them) next turn.

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Honest question, if Velvet under max SH influence, with full health, and a reroll is too risky, when were you going to be willing to attempt it.

 

[Greymere]

Honest question, if Velvet under max SH influence, with full health, and a reroll is too risky, when were you going to be willing to attempt it.

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I think he meant that without the max SH Influence it would be too risky. Bcuz otherwise his math doesn't make sense, since rn we'd have a 93.75% chance at a DC120 w/ reroll and Influence taken into account (75% w/o reroll).

 

[Pittauro]

I think he meant that without the max SH Influence it would be too risky. Bcuz otherwise his math doesn't make sense, since rn we'd have a 93.75% chance at a DC120 w/ reroll and Influence taken into account (75% w/o reroll).

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This.

I forgot we had the Influence up right now

 

[spiderhellian]

Fwiw I agree it's a decent shot we'll have a turn left over from the Sacrament. Not super optimistic, but hopeful.

What I really worry about is that freeing Axe will involve something beyond her sacrament. Something we won't have time for. And then she'll be alone again

 

[Limabot]

Fwiw I agree it's a decent shot we'll have a turn left over from the Sacrament. Not super optimistic, but hopeful.

What I really worry about is that freeing Axe will involve something beyond her sacrament. Something we won't have time for. And then she'll be alone again

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Well, we know that the Fragniclave is in the same pocket dimension that we'll need to go in for the Sacrament anyways, so I think it's likely we'll be able to find it, especially with the SH influence.

 

[Greymere]

Now that we know why Velvet has every Lore affinity, I really have to wonder what Baldomare was thinking when we asked her about it. I suppose it would depend on whether or not she looked deeply enough into our history to see the accidental ritual.

 

[DelightedOne]

Now that we know why Velvet has every Lore affinity, I really have to wonder what Baldomare was thinking when we asked her about it. I suppose it would depend on whether or not she looked deeply enough into our history to see the accidental ritual.

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I feel she may make a comment about that, either when we take her Sacrament or when we complete Velvet's. There is also the chance of Velvet herself starting that conversation.

 

[Zxzx24]

I feel like not using her lantern powers to dig into our personal trauma and shove something we had forgotten. Screaming. Into the light was kind of her?

Even if not knowing is frustrating.

 

[Solace2117]

I feel like not using her lantern powers to dig into our personal trauma and shove something we had forgotten. Screaming. Into the light was kind of her?

Even if not knowing is frustrating.

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Maybe, but Baldomare has always seemed rather passive and reluctant to share information for a Name of Lantern. She only really shines truth when Velvet already knows the answer and comes to her asking questions. It could be because she is also focused on Secret Histories and there were paths where she did.

Honestly though I think it's because she wasn't the Master in this timeline. We chose Moth in the beginning and that was the only Name truly active in the world. Baldomare was content to sit back and watch things happen, Axe was chained, Mareinette was stuck in the Ruined Church just scrapping by, and Biedde was content to stay at his post and guard it. I don't know if she would have revealed that even if she had been our Master instead, but I think she would have been much more willing to shine light on some harsh truths whether Velvet was ready or not, and she would have used it to her advantage in a way Moth never could.
It's fascinating to speculate what Velvet's relationships with the other Names would have been like if their cults had been chosen.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

"Aye, lissen up an' pay attention. Ae'm only gonna sae this once."

You are currently in your home's central garden, sitting on a cushioned chair by a fancy table located on one of its more private corners.

Sitting opposite to you, and also under the shade of a parasol, is Velvet Axe, who is currently speaking to you with a very careful and measured tone.

"Okay, I understand," you say.

There are no maids or other ponies nearby that could be eavesdropping. But still, you can tell that she is picking her words carefully. Perhaps even thoughtfully. However, despite her unusual thoughtfulness, the fact remains that she still has a frown on her face. A harsh and grumpy glare that seems to go beyond her regular mood.

But of course, the reason for her additional grumpiness is entirely obvious.

"Still, Does she reall'y hav tae be here?" she asks, not for the first time, as she throws yet another accusing glare towards the mare sitting next to you.

To which Soft Sweeps, who is on the receiving end of Axe's glare, answers with a short neigh of her own.

"Yes," the Pegasus mare answers.

And although Soft doesn't voice whatever choice words she has in her mind right now, her expression and tone are able to articulate them regardless.

The two mares… very clearly don't like each other. More than that, they clearly don't trust each other.

You might never know the exact reason why. However, you aren't here to try to figure that out either.

On the contrary, you are here because Axe called you.

Which can only mean that…

"Yea, yea, wo'evah," she rolls her eyes, and you almost place a placating hoof on Softy's foreleg as the Pegasus bristles in response.

But still, the two mares don't really exchange any more glares. And instead, you perk up your ears as Axe once again turns her attention to you.

"Aye then, this is me holdin' up me end of th' deal. So pay attention tae this lesson," she says. To which you answer with a nod.

With that, she reaches a hoof into the darkness of her cloak. As always, her foreleg seems to reach much, much deeper than it should. Still, after a few seconds of rummaging at some unseen pocket, she eventually brings her foreleg out once again.

Revealing to you that she is now holding a gleaming, colorful, and masterfully crafted k-

-doughnut?

"Now, ye see this 'ere? This is th' seven Lores, an'-"

"Axe, that's a doughnut," you say, blurting out the words before you realize it.

But Axe only answers by rolling her eyes at you, this time. You think Soft Sweeps muttered something under her breath just now, but you weren't really paying attention to her.

Because Axe… why did she just pull out a doughnut?!

"Like ae was sayin', if ye won' fokken interrupt me, this 'ere is th' Lores," she says, emphasizing that last word, and making an effort of drowning out Softy's grumbling complaints about her swearing. "Aye, ae kno' this is a sweet, but et's also tha' best way tae make yer wee brain understand wo' ae need tae teach ye."

She says that and you… don't really know how to respond? The best you can do is not let your mouth hang open, but even then you can't hide your confusion.

Still, Axe either doesn't realize how strange this all is, or she simply doesn't care. Because true to her word, she simply puts the glazed and sprinkled doughnut on a plate, right at the center of the table, and begins to speak as if she was discussing something of great importance.

"Now, this sweet is round, aye? Et's a circle, innit? Well, tha's also how it is with th' Lores. Most of them are connected, and even if sum o' them are opposite, they're still in th' same circle."

She then continues to talk about that subject in a… surprisingly poetic way. She tells about how the dough is, ultimately, made out of the same batter. About how you can't really focus on a single part of it without losing sight of the whole. About how if, even if you were to cut a portion out of it, there would still be hints of its circular shape, and of the taste of its neighboring sections, and of the fact that you would either be missing out on something or stubbornly telling yourself you had enough to satisfy you.

She even speaks about the colored sprinkles as "fragments" of its nearby neighbors. Of how the chocolate sprinkle is not out of place on the strawberry section, and vice versa, to the point that they even complement each other's flavor.

She names the seven circular Lores, one by one, as if she could read them off the ring-shaped pastry. And then she speaks of the Histories as if they were the plate under it, and the cloth that is covering the table, and even the entire garden around you.

"But tha's the thing… Th' seven Lores are this sweet, aye? An' th' Histories are around it, yea? Well, Knock is th' hole in th' middle. Et's the empty space. Et's the absence an' th' passage tha's created by their relationship t'each otha," she says, picking up the doughnut with a hoof. "Tha's why the seven Lores follow a sequence, but can also be turned into Knock. Ye can follow th' ring, from Winter tae Heart tae Grail, but ye can also turn tae the side an' fall into th' hole."

She then raises the doughnut towards her face, peering through the hole at its center and looking straight at you.

"Knock dinnae exist, the same way a hole dinnae exist. Et's the empty passage, an et's shaped by et's frame. An' tha's why…" she trails off.

Or rather, she stops talking once she takes a better look at you. And her eyes almost immediately narrow into a glare as she puts down the doughnut.

"… oi, ye fokken lissenin tae me?!" she asks, her tone so angry and sudden that you quite literally jump up in surprise.

"You do not speak to her like that!" Softy reacts almost immediately, getting up from her seat and slamming a hoof on the table.

Which in turn causes the two mares to immediately start arguing with each other.

"Ae speak tae her however ae wont. An' look a' her, she wasn' even lissenin!"

"Of course she wasn't listening, nothing you said made any sense! I wouldn't have been able to understand you even if I tried!"

"Et's no' me fault if yer a daft wolf-freak. And 'sides, shes smarta than ye! She wasn' payin attention, tha's wo' was happenin'."

You shake your head, once, twice, finally managing to tear your eyes from the delicious doughnut that Axe had been parading in front of you the entire time.

And you look up to see the two mares… oh boy, they are definitely fighting right now.

Which you have to admit is… technically your fault? After all, Axe did invite you here, and you, uhm, weren't really paying attention?

Well, how could you pay attention when she was dangling this delicious doughnut right in front of you?! You swear this one must be one of Sugar Cube Corner's specials. You definitely have never seen the chef baking anything that looked this good!

But still, well, it was very rude of you not to pay attention and…



Oh, by the way, you are Silky Stream. You have been Silky Stream all along. Your entire life, to be precise. Who else would you have been if not yourself?



But more importantly, you think you have a bit of a situation to defuse right now.

"Uhm, Axe? Sis? I'm… I'm sorry for not paying attention," you say. It is a small miracle that you didn't have to speak any louder, given how they were almost shouting just now. But still, you manage to get them to stop. "It really was my fault for not listening."

You say that, and you watch as the two mares alternate between looking at you, and then at each other. With Axe putting up her chin with a clear I told you so expression, while Soft protectively pulls you to sit between her forelegs.

"But still, Axe, I don't really understand… why did you call me here? Why are you telling me all this stuff about… doughnuts?" you ask.

To which Velvet Axe answers by letting out an annoyed groan, opening her mouth to remind you again about how this is obviously because…

…

"Waet… ae dinnae tell ye wot this es aboot?" she asks, and you can tell she is talking to herself rather than really asking you a question.

Still, you answer her by slowly shaking your head.

Softy, also, does the same. But her movement is a tad more, uhm, aggressive, when compared to yours.

"No, and so far all you did was waste Silky's time, and tempt her with sugar she is not supposed to be having today," your sister says, as she pushes the plate with the doughnut away, much to your disappointment.

You were hoping to have that at some point…

"Ah, ae suppose tha' makes sense an… well, et's fokken obvious, innit? Ae'm tellin' ye this so ye can tell it to me sumna." she says as if it was obvious.

Still, it takes you maybe five full seconds to understand what she actually means by that.

"Wait, you are telling me all this… so I can tell it to my mom?" you ask, just to make sure.

"Well, someone has tae tell 'er this, an' it wont be me. So duh," she answers.

And before you can say anything else, she once again picks the doughnut with a hoof. But this time, she takes a bite out of it before she continues to speak.

"Aye then… lissen up an' pay attention. Ae'm only gonna sae this twice."





Silky Stream came to you, filled with energy and excitement and perhaps too much sugar. However, to your absolute surprise, she was also filled with secrets. She told you things no filly ought to know about, even though it made no sense to her, and you left that conversation a little wiser.

This is, you are absolutely sure, that horrible snakemare's fault. It is a shame you can't accede to Softy's recommendation of locking her out of the house. Or rather, it is a shame that it is physically (and metaphysically) impossible for you to do so.

Still, your daughter's sugar problem aside, you have gained one scrap of Knock Lore.

Velvet Covers has reached the maximum amount of Knock scraps of Lore she may receive without a Sacrament. Any further scraps of Knock gained will be discarded until she attains Sacrament.

Spoiler: Author's Note

Author's note: Inspiration, and more importantly the time to execute it, struck. I might yet write about meeting your friends, or I might skip it for later and commence the Snekrament the next time I can sit down and write. Regardless, I hope you are all doing well.

 

[Witherbrine2671]

That was great, such a creative way of having the lesson be taught. Also Silky, Soft and Axe are amazing, the bait and switch was funny as well

 

[DelightedOne]

Why are the surprise updates so surprising?

Oh, by the way, you are Silky Stream. You have been Silky Stream all along. Your entire life, to be precise. Who else would you have been if not yourself?

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Okay, you got me. I should have noticed something was wrong when "Velvet" was so impulsive and not paying attention to a Name.

But we finally have the final Knock scrap and are ready for the Snekrament.

 

[BritBiscuit]

To some people discussions of Lore, aspects of reality and secrets of an Era long past are held in darkened chambers filled with ritual knives to only the most trusted of followers.
To the Velvet family of Ponyvile (not the greater Velvet family in its entirety) these trifling matters are held in a sunny garden over tea and treats, taught to children.

Also it's quite funny how Velvet is getting teachings from a Name secondhoof from quite literaly the mouths of babes whilst other Adepts in the past Era would quite literally kill each other over a book containing a 5th hand source.

 

[Spacemurica]

That doughnut was baked by Pinky, wasn't it?

 

[W00F3R]

So the world is actually a metaphysical donut. That explains a lot about Pinky

 

[Greymere]

On one hand, using Silky as a proxy is very funny for DoA to give a Knock lesson.

On the other hand, I really have to wonder how much difference Frangiclave will really make from a narrative perspective, considering the sheer amount of enmity DoA and Velvet currently have for each other. Like yeah, mechanically we're pretty sure the chain is Get Frangiclave -> DoA perma-summoned, but man. They really do not get along well.

Hopefully we'll get to find out soon (relatively speaking), though.

 

[DelightedOne]

Like yeah, mechanically we're pretty sure the chain is Get Frangiclave -> DoA perma-summoned, but man. They really do not get along well.

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That could happen or maybe that is just the start of the friendship and we need to keep her close for a while longer. There is also the chance of some type of Frangiclave vote where there are degrees of closeness with DoA as a result(like giving it up completely to her or keeping it and just ending her curse).

 

[spiderhellian]

Oh, by the way, you are Silky Stream. You have been Silky Stream all along. Your entire life, to be precise. Who else would you have been if not yourself?

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Hahahaha this was hilarious. Loved it!

Knock dinnae exist, the same way a hole dinnae exist. Et's the empty passage, an et's shaped by et's frame. An' tha's why…" she trails off.

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And this is a cool interpretation of Knock. It actually is a great explanation of why it sits at the circle of the well of principles. I found the metaphor enlightening, thanks Silky!

 

[Pittauro]

...well, a short update, but it's what we've all been waiting for!

AXE'S SACRAMENT...

...I'll read, comment, then I'll go back to my videogame. I'm really taken by "The Legend of Heroes: Trails Through Daybreak". I'm right at the end, and after that I can start the sequel that just came out 3 days ago!

---

"Still, Does she reall'y hav tae be here?" she asks, not for the first time, as she throws yet another accusing glare towards the mare sitting next to you.

To which Soft Sweeps, who is on the receiving end of Axe's glare, answers with a short neigh of her own.

"Yes," the Pegasus mare answers.

And although Soft doesn't voice whatever choice words she has in her mind right now, her expression and tone are able to articulate them regardless.

The two mares… very clearly don't like each other. More than that, they clearly don't trust each other.

You might never know the exact reason why. However, you aren't here to try to figure that out either.

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the wolf-core is reason enough, but beside that she's a reminder that we can do really horrible things to our daughters... at least from her point of view.

Revealing to you that she is now holding a gleaming, colorful, and masterfully crafted k-

-doughnut?

"Now, ye see this 'ere? This is th' seven Lores, an'-"

"Axe, that's a doughnut," you say, blurting out the words before you realize it.

Click to shrink...

...

The Lores are Doughnuts.

or A SINGLE Doughnut.

Considering the Party-in-Splendour is a part-time baker, that makes far too much sense. I'm REALLY concerned now

She then continues to talk about that subject in a… surprisingly poetic way. She tells about how the dough is, ultimately, made out of the same batter. About how you can't really focus on a single part of it without losing sight of the whole. About how if, even if you were to cut a portion out of it, there would still be hints of its circular shape, and of the taste of its neighboring sections, and of the fact that you would either be missing out on something or stubbornly telling yourself you had enough to satisfy you.

She even speaks about the colored sprinkles as "fragments" of its nearby neighbors. Of how the chocolate sprinkle is not out of place on the strawberry section, and vice versa, to the point that they even complement each other's flavor.

Click to shrink...

...it's kind of poetic, yeah.

And hey, it implies that yes, studying ALL the lores is the only way to understand them for real. Which makes me hope there's actually a REAL reward for all-5...

...then again I hoped for that for All-3 too, and I think we never got anything?

And then she speaks of the Histories as if they were the plate under it, and the cloth that is covering the table, and even the entire garden around you.

Click to shrink...

so, Histories is all that's... around the lores, but not part of the Lores?

I wonder if that makes it the one Lore that is technically not derived from the Light of Glory.

And I imagine Knock will be the Hole in the center of the doughnut?

"Et's no' me fault if yer a daft wolf-freak. And 'sides, shes smarta than ye! She wasn' payin attention, tha's wo' was happenin'."

Click to shrink...

...this might be the first time she gave us a compliment, even if it was by insulting Soft.

Oh, by the way, you are Silky Stream. You have been Silky Stream all along. Your entire life, to be precise. Who else would you have been if not yourself?

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ok, I did NOT expect that.

this makes a LOT more sense now. How she could get distracted like this, the compliment, Soft being THIS protective...

"Ah, ae suppose tha' makes sense an… well, et's fokken obvious, innit? Ae'm tellin' ye this so ye can tell it to me sumna." she says as if it was obvious.

Still, it takes you maybe five full seconds to understand what she actually means by that.

"Wait, you are telling me all this… so I can tell it to my mom?" you ask, just to make sure.

"Well, someone has tae tell 'er this, an' it wont be me. So duh," she answers.

Click to shrink...

...come on, what did we do to you?!

"Aye then… lissen up an' pay attention. Ae'm only gonna sae this twice."

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or thrice.

or four times.

...or as many as it takes. ONLY because it's Silky, of course!

Author's note: Inspiration, and more importantly the time to execute it, struck. I might yet write about meeting your friends, or I might skip it for later and commence the Snekrament the next time I can sit down and write. Regardless, I hope you are all doing well.

Click to shrink...

I'm kinda sad this is not yet the Snekrament (cool name btw!), but I'll live with it.

...I wonder if we could make a replica of Velvet's ritual to give Silky an omni-competence... ideally without the scar that came with it...

Not something we're likely to work on, but hey, maybe if we get a sequel quest... it might actually be an interesting incipit to an Apostle-like sequel, where Long/Hour Velvet gives a "blessing" to a new player character to be able to learn all lores like she could as a mortal...

 

[Shaper47]

...then again I hoped for that for All-3 too, and I think we never got anything?

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We got the 9 (now ten) tastes, which has been useful. Probably more then we realize.

Teaching as well.

It also has narrative benefits.

ok, I did NOT expect that.

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I did notice the lack of "You are Velvet Covers." and the absence of shade being thrown was kinda noticeable.

 

[spiderhellian]

considering the sheer amount of enmity DoA and Velvet currently have for each other

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This is a good point, and quite sad.

I guess most of the humanizing elements we've seen of the DoA… haven't involved Velvet. Maybe all of them, even?

Silky named her. It was Silky's dream of the curse coming for her. Silky's gift of Pasharka. An oath sworn with Luna, and a question asked of her.

Velvet has treated her like an unruly teenager and been treated accordingly as well. And from there flows worries about the Two Monsters in the estate, etc. We're so kind to those we love, not so to those we do not, and Velvet doesn't know why Axe belongs in the former (and she does…)

Maybe we'll get background lore IC in the errand. I wonder if we'll have a choice between keeping the Frangiclave for ourselves and giving it to Axe. Because I could believe it's something Velvet would be tempted by.

 

[Solace2117]

On one hand, using Silky as a proxy is very funny for DoA to give a Knock lesson.

On the other hand, I really have to wonder how much difference Frangiclave will really make from a narrative perspective, considering the sheer amount of enmity DoA and Velvet currently have for each other. Like yeah, mechanically we're pretty sure the chain is Get Frangiclave -> DoA perma-summoned, but man. They really do not get along well.

Hopefully we'll get to find out soon (relatively speaking), though.

Click to shrink...

I think most the enmity though is from misunderstanding each other. Axe's abrasiveness and status as a Name keeps Velvet, who is mostly proper and polite, from seeing it for the defense mechanism it is. Silky can get past that cause as a child she's willing to ignore the boundaries Axe tries to set. This in turn means Axe doesn't know Velvet well and can only go by the surface level things she sees. Looking at the others Velvet associates with, like Mareinette, and doesn't really know all the ins and outs of Velvet's decisions.

Ultimately though I think through the Foggy Mirror could very easily explore Axe's past. Velvet for all her flaws and anger can be very emphatic. Axe despite her age is very teenager like. I wouldn't be surprised if as Velvet sees more of the real Axe that dislike goes away.

 

[Zxzx24]

With that, she reaches a hoof into the darkness of her cloak. As always, her foreleg seems to reach much, much deeper than it should. Still, after a few seconds of rummaging at some unseen pocket, she eventually brings her foreleg out once again.

Revealing to you that she is now holding a gleaming, colorful, and masterfully crafted k-

-doughnut?

Click to shrink...

Oh she's used to teaching children.

Axe that would have been great to know.

Oh, by the way, you are Silky Stream. You have been Silky Stream all along. Your entire life, to be precise. Who else would you have been if not yourself?

Click to shrink...

Ya goofed me. I was fooled! Deceived!

And more than that I laughed.

On one hand, using Silky as a proxy is very funny for DoA to give a Knock lesson.

On the other hand, I really have to wonder how much difference Frangiclave will really make from a narrative perspective, considering the sheer amount of enmity DoA and Velvet currently have for each other. Like yeah, mechanically we're pretty sure the chain is Get Frangiclave -> DoA perma-summoned, but man. They really do not get along well.

Hopefully we'll get to find out soon (relatively speaking), though.

Click to shrink...

Perhaps it is not on Velvet Covers to keep DoA bound?

Perhaps keeping someone who has been imprisoned for untold eons under your yoke is not the right path.

Maybe we can fetch her Frangiklave but it is our daughters who can set her free. And perhaps it is to them she will be the most grateful.

the wolf-core is reason enough, but beside that she's a reminder that we can do really horrible things to our daughters... at least from her point of view.

Click to shrink...

I don't think that's the case.

DoA doesn't bicker and argue like this with Mareinette. She drew a line in the sand and left.

They are competing for the biggest sister role. They both feel they deserve and are most able to perform. Both for their own reasons.

Our children have each other and hold each other close. Probably because of Velvet and Stormchasers constant effort.

But it is also normal for siblings to fight. And disagree. And even come to blows at times.

Especially when they care a lot.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Prudent KISSing
-[X] (AotL) Lantern
-[X] (Forge) Forge 3 reagent
-[X] (Knock) Explore the Summit
-[X] (Winter) Invoke a Risen
-[X] (Social) Teach Selene
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Family
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Friends
-[X] Perform the Forge's Redemption
--[X] Sacrifice Forge 3 reagent
--[X] At Jade's old house
-[X] Sacrament: Through the Foggy Mirror (4x)

[X] Plan Spreading Ourselves Thin Always Gets Us Punished
-[X] Do not leash anypony.
-[X][DETECTIVES] Follow Up: Changelings
-[X][CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives have given you a very long list, of ponies and places involved in the attempt against your life. Round them up and put them all in jail, before this trail goes cold.
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[X] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[X][JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[X] (Baldomare-Gift) Edge 6 book
-[X][BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (Secret Histories)
-[X][AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[X][MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (Grail)
-[X][SELENE] Soothe the night. (Her Winter realization. Unknown effects, if any.)
-[X][RARITY] Take a Commission.
-[X] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[X] Three extra Velvet actions! (Costs 9 follower actions)
-[X] Something Else (lend Heartifact to Comet)

Spoiler: Winning Vote

Tally
[X] Plan Feels Good To Be Back
-[X] (Lore-Promote)
-[X] (Windigos-Alert)
-[X] (Evidence-Burn)

You are Lady Velvet Covers.

And right now, you feel… fine.

You don't feel like a weight was taken from your back, or rather from your leg. You don't feel like smiling all the time, or like singing. You do feel a little bit thankful, in an abstract sense. But deep down, you think this is the real gist of it.

You don't feel anything.

And you think this is how it's meant to be. The same way that the most precious part of a pony's life is their everyday routine, the same way that what you cherish the most is being with your family whenever you can rather than just on special occasions, you think this is how something good should truly fit into your life.

Because this, having a healthy body and no longer feeling constant pain, is now your new normal.

Your daughters were thrilled when you told them. Although, in all fairness, they couldn't really grasp how bad things were before you fixed it because you never went out of your way to share this little misery with them. Still, they knew of your predicament, and they were glad to see it gone.

Your husband, also, was thrilled… for other reasons. You made a point of Stormchaser being the first pony you told about this, and it goes without saying that-

…

Anyways.

The point is that, now, you feel fine. Which is a stark contrast to how you felt just a few weeks ago, when you could barely stay awake and were one coughing fit away from dying.

So, now that you are not only back on your hoofs, but actually feeling good about yourself, you figure you should check on everypony.

It has been too long since you had your friends over for a tea party. So, given how you don't think you would be able to schedule one in such short notice, this is the least you should do.



- - -



Despite having a bad leg, you are somewhat proud to say that you weren't incapable of walking. Granted, running was painful, and you probably had a limp while doing it. And kicking at certain angles was downright impossible. But still, you were perfectly capable of walking (even if not for that long), and you are proud to say that you had the habit of doing so.

Whether if it was by touring around the farmlands for your job as an administrator, or your short forays into Ponyville when you joined the "book club", you think you were able to keep what little health you had left by staying as active as your fragile body would allow.

However, or perhaps because of that, you can't help but feel a small difference now, as you take the long way through Ponyville and towards the Everfree Forest. You have already walked this path several times before, for different reasons. But as you cross the wooden bridge over the small river, and finally reach Fluttershy's cottage, you can't help but think that this stroll was particularly… pleasant.

The trek here felt a little shorter, but not in a bad way. And the wind against your mane felt softer, as if you were feeling the breeze for the first time.

Soothing.

But you are not here to think about the wind, you are here to visit a friend!

So, as you reach the front door of Fluttershy's house, you raise a hoof and give it a gentle trio of knocks.

And you are only slightly surprised when you immediately hear a muted and surprised "eep!", followed by what you can only describe as something falling on the ground, or perhaps a pair of ponies scrambling in surprise.

"What in the heavens…?" you whisper to yourself, giving the air a short sniff as you try to figure out what just happened.

Still, all you can sense is… well, a pony that feels like Fluttershy, and a pony that definitely feels like Comet Feet. Although, for some reason, you can't help but sense that Fluttershy's presence is slightly stronger, and Comet's is slightly weaker… or perhaps drained?

Well, the stallion is wounded, so you suppose that only makes sense.

After a few seconds, and after you hear what sounds like hushed whispering, a set of hoofsteps finally come towards the door.

And when it opens, you are greeted by the familiar face of Fluttershy.

"Oh, hello there Velvet. Um… fancy seeing you here?" she says.

You immediately give her a smile, but something in your mind hesitates before you can truly answer her.

"Fluttershy, is everything alright?" you ask. Although, you must admit the words escaped your mouth before you could really think about them.

However, after looking at the mare for a few more seconds, you finally realize what made you say that. Yes, the mare looks… well, strange?

You wouldn't really say that Fluttershy is a mare that grooms herself. But still, she always had this pure, natural beauty to her that made you think she never really needed to make an effort to look pretty.

But despite that, you can definitely tell that her mane is at the very least disheveled.

And what is more, is she… out of breath? Her cheeks look flustered, almost flushed, and you swear that just now, when she spoke, her breathing sounded like she just ran a marathon.

"Alright? Yes, everything is alright. W-why would anything not be alright?" she says.

Although, once again, you can't help but notice she is using more words than you ever heard her speak in a single sentence before. Furthermore, her tone sounds almost urgent.

But why…

"I… am glad to hear it?" you say, tilting your head slightly. "But anyhow, I just came to visit. How are you? And how is Comet Feet?"

You say that at the same time you take a half-step towards her door. Not exactly inviting yourself in, but still thinking that the mare is just about to say that you are welcome into her home.

However-

"Everythingisfine!"

-the mare not only answers like that, but she also pushes the door towards you, to the point that you can only see a sliver of her now.

And what is more, even though the door is still technically open in front of you, you can confidently feel that it is locked.

For whatever reason, Fluttershy seems utterly adamant in not letting you in.

Which makes you… confused?

You are taken aback, because of course you are. But then again, you… suppose you shouldn't intrude on her home?

No, that can't be it. This can't just be a matter of etiquette or something like that. Fluttershy has never acted this way after the two of you became friends. So why…?

"E-everything is fine," she says, "a-and you definitely didn't interrupt anything!"

You think you hear her gulp something dry, and you swear that you heard somepony facehoofing right behind her. Roughly from the direction you can sense Comet Feet.

But you…

Wait, did you interrupt anything?

"I… see…" you say, trying to figure out what the hay is going on. "And… is Comet Feet alright? I was hoping I could see him, and see how he is doing."

"He is doing fine," Fluttershy answers almost immediately, with the tone of a pony who clearly is not thinking before she speaks. "Very healthy. Y-yes. Energetic, even! His stamina is gr- Imeanhe'sdoingfine!"

Another facehoof from inside her house, another eyebrow being raised on your face.

But still, Fluttershy is your friend, so whatever is going on right now you definitely don't want to make her any more uncomfortable than she already is… for whatever reason.

So, you decide to cut your losses, and just say your goodbyes.

"I am… glad to hear it?" you say, "well, I hope the Heart item I lent you two is also helping him recover. But other than that, I hope you two can visit my place soon?"

You say that, giving the mare a short wave of the hoof, making it clear that you are just about ready to leave.

But the mare either didn't realize that, or she is still too strung up (for whatever unknowable reason) to notice.

So, instead, she just gives you a nervous, almost frantic nod of the head, before blurting out something else.

"Y-yes, it's helping a lot. We've been using it every nigh-! I mean, I have be-… no, he has been using it. To rest! Yes, definitely just rest a-and…! IpromiseI'llcleanitbeforereturningitokaythanksbye!"

That is, until she finally panics and quite literally smacks the door on your face.

Which leaves you utterly and absolutely confused.

Because what in the heavens just… why was Fluttershy so…

After all, you just lent beautiful Fluttershy and brooding Comet Feet a Heart artifact that is specialized in physical health and vigor. So why would these two ponies, who apparently live together in a cottage in the middle of nowhere, be troubled by any of this?

…

Truly, you have no idea, and you certainly don't think you knocked at their door precisely while they were busy doing something important.

Oh well.

"Guess I can cross this visit off my list," you say to yourself, as you make your way back to Ponyville.

And ultimately, you are glad that Fluttershy is doing fine.

You are sure she would have asked for your help if she really needed anything.



- - -



You didn't really think you would get used to having bodyguards. You thought they would be too much of a hindrance, or that they would start butting themselves into your routine. However, you have been pleasantly surprised these last few days.

Granted, it needed a little tuning. But by now, the ponies assigned to take care of you have mostly adjusted to when you don't mind their presence, and when they should quietly find something else to do and guard you from a distance your family can't notice.

Of course, Selene still has opinions about them. Most of them negative or critical. But you also couldn't help but notice Stormchaser has been nothing but supportive of their presence. So, the two of them balance each other out.

But what is more, you have also been learning what kinds of things you can ask them to do. And more importantly, you have been learning which of your bodyguards you should ask to do what.

To give an example, you have come to realize that when you want something done right, you should ask Battering Ram to do it. The mare might not officially be the highest ranking constable in your retinue, but you have basically been speaking to her about your intentions, and letting the reliable mare translate it to the rest of your bodyguards.

So, again, if you want something done right, you know to ask Battering Ram.

However, when you want something done. Well…



"Excuse me Commissioner, here is the pony you asked to see."



Without any warning, or even a knock on your door, the door to your former office suddenly swings open. And just as expected, you are met with the figure of Drummer Clap.

The pegasus mare is dressed in her full constable uniform, wearing the midnight purple of the Lunar Bureau, with her badge proudly displayed on her chest.

But more importantly, she stout pegasus mare is also carrying somepony on her back.

"Jade Whistle's arrest warrant has been successfully carried out," she says.

Before unceremoniously dumping the pony, that she is carrying on her back, on the floor.

Drummer Clap doesn't even wait for you to say anything, be it a thank-you or another order. She just gives you a sharp salute, steps out of the room and closes the door behind herself.

Leaving you alone.

With Jade Whistle.

The same Jade Whistle who you have been trying to see for several days now.

The same Jade Whistle that, when you tried to visit her by going to her musician friend's house, refused to see you, and instead locked herself up in the attic. And who, from what you were told, has refused to eat, speak to anypony, or even sleep since then.

The same Jade Whistle that, when you had Selene quite literally check on her dreams, has apparently convinced herself that she doesn't deserve to have any friends because she "should have seen the danger coming".

In fact, a small shiver runs down your spine as you recall the nightmare that Selene described to you. That visage of a tomb-like room, with walls covered in scratches, that was filled with accusations of how Jade Whistle was a false, useless seer for not having…

Well, it doesn't matter anymore. And for all that you think Drummer Clap had to literally kick her door down and drag her here, you are finally with one of the ponies you have been meaning to see for a while now.

"Jade, dear, I have been so worried about you," you say, not even bothering to hide the pleasantness from your voice. Heaven knows you will be needing all the help you can get for this conversation.

Still, the only answer Jade Whistle gives you is to curl up on the floor, whimpering like a scared dog and hiding her eyes behind her mane as she avoids your gaze.

Yes, this will definitely… take some doing.

But you are sure you can figure it out.

And after that, you should take Jade with you to see…





Rolls have been omitted. But you have successfully spoken to all your friends, and you can confirm that they are all fine now. Whether because they were already fine, or because you were able to give them the nudge they needed.

Yes, even Jade Whistle.

The sole exception is Cadance, who you have not yet been able to meet. You will speak to her… later this turn, as soon as you can and as soon as she is available.

What do you mean there is somepony else missing? Don't be ridiculous. You spoke to all your confidantes on screen, and to all your other friends off screen. There is no need for an individual scene for every single one of them, and QM definitely did not forget anypony.

Spoiler: QM did not forget anypony

"You don't lo-ho-hooove me anymore…!"

"Rarity."

"You hate me. You hate me! That's the only explanation. Why else would you be doing this to me?!"

"Rarity, you are being dramatic."

"Me? Dramatic? The gall... the nerve! After everything I did for you, Velvet, how could you?"

"Where the hay did you get that sofa from…? It-… it doesn't matter. Rarity, please stop crying."

"These are not tears, Velvet. This is my blood. My very soul! Because how could you? HOW. COULD. YOU?"

"…"

"On the same turn that you summon an Incarnadescence, you also fix your flank. And then you… and then you send me away for a commission? How could you be so cruelllll?"

"Rarity, let go of my dress!"

"Please, just a peek of your flank. Just a glimpse! I promise I'll only lick it once!"

"Okay, we are DONE here, let-… let go of me and-!"

"Just ten minutes. Five! Five minutes! Just that, and then I'll be gone for the rest of the turn like you asked, just please-!"

"I- Ack- Sto-… Fine! Stars above, fine, you win! But this is not canon, and we are still being posted on the safe for work section!"

"Yes! Yes! Whatever, I don't care. We can end the update right now! Just let m-"

This update is now over. QM will begin working on the Snekrament.

A/N: This is a reminder that when Rarity takes a commission, she is completely unavailable (and physically absent) for the whole turn.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

There are a few things, such as Selene's personal lessons and some other character interactions, that would have been slightly better if placed on this part of the turn, chronologically speaking. But perfect is the enemy of good, and I don't really care for perfection. So, I'll push them for later.

I just wanna start writing the Sacrament, so that's what I'll do.

Next update, FINALLY, is that. So let me get that ball moving.

That is, whenever I can sit down and write again in the near future.

Hope you are all doing well! And I hope we all have a wonderful week ahead of us.

Cheers

 

[Bakkasama]

You are Lady Velvet Covers.

Click to shrink...

Oh right, we are in february. That said, it is still a surprising amount of horniness from an update consisting mostly of pegasi