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

[DelightedOne]

Soft Sweeps resurrection

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Soft Sweeps resurrection was not a Regrettable Action.

You arrived too late to save her from the Wolf, but not so late that you could not catch him before he left.

You have put something inside Soft Sweeps. Feed it, and it will grow. Remove it, and she will die.

It will be fed, like all the dirty things in this world, by the performance of Regrettable Actions.

This was not a Regrettable Action. For Velvet Covers, because she will never regret saving her own daughter. And for the world, because a seed planted is not a tree grown. At least for now. All seeds brim with potential

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Real question, have there been any RA options outside the Manse. The only one I can remember is the Master and we had to go into the Manse to do it. I mean we likely can, but I don't think I've seen it yet. Even if we can is it really worth crossing that threshold into being more Wolf to end Mareinette.

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But to answer Solace's question we did have one(that I found) Regrettable action we could choose in the Wake and it was also with Soft.

[] [An Apostle] [This is a Regrettable Action]
-"Grief is a journey. A sharp, knife-edge path that separates Hate and Misery. Every step is painful, and most will eventually lose balance and fall towards either side. But take the knife that is Grief, plunge it deep into the heart: it becomes Agony."
-Soft Sweeps will immediately become a Minion.
-You will teach Soft Sweeps something great. You will make Soft Sweeps something great.
-Soft Sweeps will not die or be lost in any way. What you will gift her is purely knowledge.
-You will gain one Edge and one Winter scrap of Lore.
-This is a Regrettable Action.

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[Greymere]

Soft Sweeps resurrection

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That wasn't really an "option".

 

[Solace2117]

But to answer Solace's question we did have one(that I found) Regrettable action we could choose in the Wake and it was also with Soft.

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So there is precedent, though it may be Soft Sweeps exclusive. Either way though I don't know that I want another master vote. As interesting as it all turned out that was super stressful. I also don't know that the fallout is worth it this time and I'd rather just avoid the whole situation.
If you really want to stop Mareinette you're better off going for Sacraments and befriending other Names. We've been shown multiple times that power gives you options and that those are the two ways to get it.

 

[DelightedOne]

If you really want to stop Mareinette you're better off going for Sacraments and befriending other Names. We've been shown multiple times that power gives you options and that those are the two ways to get it.

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Yeah, but if people befriend Mareinette that kinda goes against what I want so Wolf is my best shot at the moment(and isn't that terrifying). Even if suddenly everyone wanted to kill her after taking her Sacrament I don't think it would even be an option considering this

Also, your mind doesn't even stop to think about what you just said right now. You do not feel any sense of urgency, or surprise, or dear Mansus what were you thinking when you introduced an Alicorn to a NAME. None at all! After all, Mareinette is now Cadance's friend, and she can do no wrong.

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Which, by the way, should have caused much more panic.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Huh...

This is very interesting. I wake up, and see a not-short discussion on the ol' Mareinette killing plans.

Well, you havent tied the knot with her yet. So this is not something Velvet would veto. And you all know enough to have a good measure of how things can turn out.

Which is a rather long way of saying that this is a legal course of action. As long as youre willing to pay the price.

Furthermore, i was writing something. Its something short and sweet, that was meant to be written anyways. But since it might have implications, given the recent discussion, i'll extend the voting period for a day.

Good morning everyone. And I hope you are all doing well.

 

[Nevermort]

If you really want to stop Mareinette you're better off going for Sacraments and befriending other Names. We've been shown multiple times that power gives you options and that those are the two ways to get it.

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We already have power. Should just stop being afraid to use it. Although if Velvet Hill expedition seems dangerous to people I am not surprised about Mareinette being intimidating. But if we don't take risks when opportunity present itself, then we will never achieve anything.

Imagine four person dinner. Mareinette is delighted, Velvet resolved, Spoiled thrilled, Velvet Hill confused and shaken. One of them will be eaten today. Maybe it will be Spoiled, Velvet will get her Sacraments, Hill will be intimidated into following orders and Mareinette will have a new friend.

Or it will be Velvet Hill and Spoiled will learn the hard truth about Velvet and will be forever silent about it. See if we still can combine Sacraments by inviting Spoiled to dinner. And Mareinette will pose as Hill for a bit, put his affairs in order, seriously invest in Rarity's brand, may even start calling it "Velvet Rarity" designs (because it is collaboration of course), bless Pride's love pursuit then quietly disappear.

Or maybe they are both here only as baits and all will be decided in confrontation between Mareinee and Velvet. Maybe Velvet will end up the one being eaten. Maybe she would prefer this fate over becoming monster herself.

Or perhaps Velvet already is strong enough. Maybe she has enough friends and followers to deal with Name without resorting to Wolf. And it too would be a symbol of growth. First following Name's orders, then Killing Name with the help of Hour, to then killing Name with help of other Names. We would never know unless we try.
And of course actual course of action would be decided only at the last possible moment.

 

[ses]

Nooooo I was looking forward to going to sleep and waking up to the vote being over

and oh god. Deeply concerned at what the QM's idea of "short and sweet" means. Guess we're going to see something horrifying Mareinette's been up to that will swing the voting.

Well, you havent tied the knot with her yet. So this is not something Velvet would veto. And you all know enough to have a good measure of how things can turn out.

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Reminded once again of the QM's ramblings about how we were perfectly allowed to choose to get possessed, and that it wouldnt technically lead to an immediate game over so it was allowed.

 

[Pittauro]

embarassing, I actually posted on Red Riot quoting this thread before by accident

oh well, I deleted that post, and it was nothing that important.

She, per QM, has more than enough health to tank Biedde for however long it would take her to skedaddle if we tried to kill her. Axe does not have a chance. We would probably need to do something like summon multiple Windigos, and Mareinette certainly notices us making preparations to kill her seeing as she's the Name of Desire and doesn't let us lure her anywhere.

Our only options are "Make an enemy of a full Name and likely lose the quest", "Commit to All-In before Turn 25 and hope we lucksack as hard as we did Ruined Church", or "Befriend her". We might have been able to stretch it for another 3 turns to have until turn 29 to prepare if we had taken the Cadance mood and had the timer fall behind the Celestia doom clock, but we didn't take that vote (and are investing selene AP into defusing the celestia doom clock, which is at odds with committing to all in in the next 4 turns as well)

We do not have the option to Wolf her unless we get offered the option. We do not have a "Kill Name" button freely available at all times. It's something Evil has to offer us, and it requires a certain resonance that we can't just call on command.

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We COULD just renew Mareinette "normally" if we wanted to. Telling her we're interested is NOT the same as telling her we WANT to do her sacrament now. We'd have to pay the second rebinding, Probably with Moth 3 artifact.

IN THEORY we could try to kill her. I think we even have decent chances if we went all in with it, between our Names, some Mares in the Light in a few turns, Risen, Selene and so on.

But as long as she can survive the first few clashes (and she probably will) she WILL get a chance to escape, and she might very well have traits to help in that.

Furthermore, i was writing something. Its something short and sweet, that was meant to be written anyways. But since it might have implications, given the recent discussion, i'll extend the voting period for a day.

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more time for me to drag my feet about reading and deciding which plans I like

 

[ses]

Furthermore, i was writing something. Its something short and sweet, that was meant to be written anyways. But since it might have implications, given the recent discussion, i'll extend the voting period for a day.

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Maybe Velvet Hill heard about his granddaughter's cutie mark and sent a congratulatory letter telling her how proud he is of her.

And rainbows will burst forth from our ass as Celestia fillifies herself into Aine after declaring Princess Cadance to be the new Princess Supreme and the wolf-sons are purified by grandfatherly love. Twilight Sparkle will burst into the room in tears saying she forgives us and Windy will send us an invitation to his wedding with Goldy at his peaceful ice sculpture carving business he's been working on this whole time.

 

[DelightedOne]

Reminded once again of the QM's ramblings about how we were perfectly allowed to choose to get possessed, and that it wouldnt technically lead to an immediate game over so it was allowed.

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Big difference between "sharing your body with an eldritch monster" and "Killing a eldritch monster".

 

[Solace2117]

We already have power. Should just stop being afraid to use it. Although if Velvet Hill expedition seems dangerous to people I am not surprised about Mareinette being intimidating. But if we don't take risks when opportunity present itself, then we will never achieve anything.

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We have one Sacrament and one friendly Name. I doubt we can fully trust Biedde here. Mareinette is a Name. Ourladyofwires has dropped multiple hints about how she's their favorite Name and they put a lot of thought into her. It would be a major mistake to underestimate her.

Besides no one is saying the Velvet Hill expedition is super dangerous. We're arguing it's a completely unnecessary risk that could add extra complications when we're already strapped for AP. If you feel guilty about the cannibalism, grab a random criminal no one cares about. You know who people don't care about, random criminals and transients. You know who people notice when they disappear, famous and well known people. We're already struggling to actually get things done. We keep pushing off sacraments cause something new and interesting shows up.
I get it, sometimes that stuff is worth pursuing, but Ourladyofwires is perfectly capable of coming up with things to distract us from Glory. We don't need to go out of our way to give them more ammunition.

 

[Bakkasama]

I haven't been following the discussion. Why are we having Selene dreamwalk to spy on Windy? I thought cultists didn't dream. Or was that because our knock 3 realisation?

 

[Nevermort]

We COULD just renew Mareinette "normally" if we wanted to. Telling her we're interested is NOT the same as telling her we WANT to do her sacrament now. We'd have to pay the second rebinding, Probably with Moth 3 artifact.
IN THEORY we could try to kill her. I think we even have decent chances if we went all in with it, between our Names, some Mares in the Light in a few turns, Risen, Selene and so on.
But as long as she can survive the first few clashes (and she probably will) she WILL get a chance to escape, and she might very well have traits to help in that.

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If artifact price increase is by one level then by next binding it would be only lvl 4 artifact which we can easily pay, while QM said that by third binding price would become too much. Also by claiming that we are interested in her we may have made her more impatient than if we let her spend time with Cadance.
To prevent escaping we will need Baldomare scrying and DoA teleport. It is hard to escape from Names of Knock and SH.

That said I will still argue for Hill kidnapping. Regardless of issue of eating him it gives us bits when they are sorely needed. It also could allow us to have Mareinette impersonate Hill for a bit, increase allowance for Velvet, invest in Rarity business and so on. Also we know that Hill gives orders to Uncle, and would be giving orders to his successor. If we learn from him whom he contacts and how we can take over we can have all of Equestria underworld answer to us.
And even if people really consider kidnapping too risky we can always change expedition goal to simple stealing. Likely will get more bits this way, if we focus only on stealing .

 

[Void_510]

[X] Plan: Devouring the Sky

[X] Plan: Graven Commissioner and Commander

 

[Sveta08]

Sure, eating Spoiled is no problems at all.
Not accepting Mareinette invitation on the other hand is nothing but problems.
Although if people want we can prepare assassination attempt on her instead? Best time would be during invitation actually. Invite her to a nice secluded location with Spoiled, Hill or another victim ready and then declare that she is the one on menu today. Order to trigger second rebirth, then ambush her with preassembled hit squad.
I think people often forget that she would be severely weakened after triggering second rebirth and we have Axe who is not only free from her bindings, but also would be very invested in putting Mareinette down.

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I am sorry?

I am certain the Name of Endurance and Hunger will not at all be be cognizant of the dangers. Wouldn't recognize that Velvet wants her dead, wouldn't recognize that the setup for the meal is an ambush, that Velvet never really wanted to take her up on the offer.

Need I remind you, we don't even know all of the traits of Mareinette? Very clearly and very obviously, things are hidden there. Health amount, obviously, but other factors as well.

So no. No, I think it is incredibly foolish to presume you would be able to successfully hide an Ambush from Mareinette. I think it would be very foolish to presume she wouldn't catch wind of it and simply leave early. I think....
For goodness sake... People are squeamish about the risks of going to Tall Tale! You think you can take out a Name who is fully summoned? Let alone Her?

Or, no. No. I can imagine what this is. This is simply throwing up enough flak into the air to create dissent and discussion about what's not really important. Create enough of a diversion that people feel uncertain, time gets extended, and people creep out, some more uncertain about the path, so that we don't prepare anything for Mareintette's sacrament. So that you can "Oh no, welp, I guess we have to delay it till next turn" and "Well, with how close we are to the end, is it really worthwhile for-"



For goodness sake! This is... This is risking needing to resummon Axe, have turns spent Healing, Potentially risking Biedde's summon, risking Mareinette escaping and causing no end of trouble to us, risking us straight up dying, risking Our Lady of Wires deciding to target Silky Instead, and for... for what?
For -1 AP, presuming everything works.

Forgive me for being blunt. But no.
I dearly hope this is some maneuvering discussion tactic... because otherwise you honestly mean this.

 

[DelightedOne]

For -1 AP, presuming everything works.

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And -1 manipulative monster to compete with Velvet.

 

[Solace2117]

That said I will still argue for Hill kidnapping. Regardless of issue of eating him it gives us bits when they are sorely needed. It also could allow us to have Mareinette impersonate Hill for a bit, increase allowance for Velvet, invest in Rarity business and so on. Also we know that Hill gives orders to Uncle, and would be giving orders to his successor. If we learn from him whom he contacts and how we can take over we can have all of Equestria underworld answer to

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People are voting to kidnap Velvet Hill to eat him. Velvet's brother is his heir. We can probably steal some bits, but adding more objectives adds more chances for potential failed rolls. Velvet Hill is a prominent figure in the capital city. He has guards and servants. People will notice if he disappears. He's Velvet's father, I doubt anyone will blame her, but she will be involved in the fallout. She was just attacked and then her father disappears, that's notable to outsiders. We are already struggling with AP. We don't need more potential complications.
We have a book of potential expeditions from Copper that we can have our Names carry out. Next turn Jade should be able to study Low level artifacts we can sell. We need bits, but the Velvet Hill expedition is a needless risk, that could turn into a greater time sink.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

@OurLadyOfWires , does getting Velvet's hooves dirty at Tall Tale allow her to preemptively snag anything interesting before the Bureau tosses it into general evidence? I've seen people claiming yes and people claiming no, and thus I ask, for this information is central to many an argument.

While we wait for that response, let me schill:
Do you want Velvet to get her hooves dirty and be a big damn hero?

Do you want Velvet to make friends with Mareinette without causing an indiscriminate amount of confusion and pain for Velvet's family? (Which will happen no matter how good the Names are at their job, since it would be a consequence of Hill's disappearance.)

Do you want DoA to somewhat approve of who Mareinette is eating, to minimize household strife?

Do you want to save some Bits and Velvet AP when it comes to befriending Cherenkolt?

Then have I got the Plan for you!

[X] Plan: Let's Not Kidnap a Prominent Figure From Canterlot
-[x] (Detectives) Follow Up: Dodge City
-[x] (Constables) Follow Up: Tall Tale
-[x] (Commissioner) Get your Hoofs Dirty
-[x] (Director) Lantern
-[x] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Spoiled Rich & Filthy Rich
-[x] (Biedde) Channel an Edge Influence
-[x] (Baldomare) Channel a Lantern Influence
-[x] (Selene) Soothe the night
-[x] (Rarity) Focus on her work
-[x] (Free) Sell Edge 3 artifact
-[x] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.
-[x] (Free) Summon a Risen.
-[X] There really is no other way. Ask somepony to get you a live prisoner; specifically, a foal peddler/predator. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)
-[x] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry x 2
--[x] Target: Easiest Level 7 book to acquire
--[x] Target: Easiest Level 6 Forge Reagent to acquire
-[X] Build a prison (Cherenkolt)
-[x] Edge AotL x 2
-[x] Cover your Bases x 2

Trust our Names. They can grab a generic child predator/peddler to convert into Sacrament mulch. No muss, no fuss, no problems.

[X] Plan: Cannibalism is Cringe

 

[Alan975]

They can grab a generic child predator/peddler to convert into Sacrament mulch.

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Ah yes, option that Velvet would supposedly feel more guilty over rather than Hill


Still not seeing how that is preferable besides by time-press, think of the story!

 

[Maer]

[X] Plan: Let's Not Kidnap a Prominent Figure From Canterlot

[X] Plan: Devouring the Sky

The idea of inviting Spoiled and then Mothing Her while Grailing our Father- or a random Predator- is incredible. All the benefits of my combo idea without the fallout for the Rich family. Wonderful.

But I'm not willing to let Cringe win out, so I'll keep voting for Devouring the Sky just in case.

 

[Rafuki22]

And -1 manipulative monster to compete with Velvet.

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-1 asset you mean, we could also try to find a way to kill Biedde if you insist, he is also a manipulative monster.

And she wouldn't compete if we befriend her, but apparently that's too much compared to everything else Velvet has done and will probably do.

 

[Solace2117]

Ah yes, option that Velvet would supposedly feel more guilty over rather than Hill


Still not seeing how that is preferable besides by time-press, think of the story!

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Because the time press is a real issue. Velvet is slipping and we already have one doom clock. Because there's so many less potential complications to kidnapping a random predator versus the head of a noble family who happens to be the father of the Pony FBI.

The idea of inviting Spoiled and then Mothing Her while Grailing our Father- or a random Predator- is incredible. All the benefits of my combo idea without the fallout for the Rich family. Wonderful.

But I'm not willing to let Cringe win out, so I'll keep voting for Devouring the Sky just in case.

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Cringe despite the name at least leaves options open. Devouring the Sky could potentially hamstring us for multiple turns.


I'm trying not to be overly dramatic, but frankly it feels like people are underestimating the potential fallout. I doubt Velvet Hill will be kidnapped and everyone will just shrug and go about their day. Maybe they will, or maybe Velvet will have a way to neatly shove it under the rug. I haven't actually seen anyone suggest anything other then we have Names. Which are great, and have allowed us to accomplish a lot, but rarely completely eliminate the fallout from an action. Look if we could guarantee no real fallout, sure I don't have an issue with it by itself. I think it is overly optimistic to think the aftermath won't be something Velvet has to deal with on some level.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

It is night in the Velvet Estate.

But not the pleasant kind of night. Not the pony kind of night. Not the night where the watchful moon gazes down upon its peaceful subjects, and the starts keep company to the sleepless, and the warm wind blows gently through the breeze.

No. Not that kind of night.

This is a cold night. A night where the weather department, due to a mishap, had to make up for a building drought, and decided to kick up a storm. A night where Paranoia is free to whisper through the corridors of the mansion and the streets of Ponyville. A night where the ground tastes like Ash.

It is a night where it would be so very rude to keep a guest outside in the rain.

But ah, that royally-cloaked figure that is strolling through the central garden, that dark and bony-white figure that is alicorn-tall and taller still, is no mere guest.

Not anymore, at least.

Because you see…



She has been given privileges.



Unspoken privileges. Unnamed privileges. Barely a nod of a head, or a shift in the mood. But, to a listener as attentive as she, more than enough to convey true meaning.

Because she knows… she knows, and she smells, and she sees, and she senses, that she is still welcome here. That she is desired here.

So, with a merry stride on her bony hoofs, Mareinette makes her way through the central gardens. Unmolested by the battering storm, and undisturbed by the shivering wind. She leaves the side building where she made her abode, and practically makes a beeline towards the mansion itself.

But she does not make her way to the front door. Oh no. That is a treat, a dessert, that she is keeping for the future. That is a threshold she will only cross when her gracious host opens it for her, and invites her in with wave of hoof and welcoming flair.

For now, she is content with the side entrances. The other entrances. The less-used entrances.

So, she makes her way to the back of the mansion. And when she reaches a wall, she begins to climb without breaking stride.

Because again, she has been given privileges.

Her host never said her embargo of entering the house had been lifted.

But certain things need not be said with words.

And her host did (or will, in the near future) signal that Mareinette's presence is still welcome.

So how could she interpret this any other way? How could her host possibly wish for her to remain close, and not allow her some indulgences, without being rude?

The answer is simple. She cannot.

So, with the grace of a noble and the morbidity of a great spider, she climbs to the second floor of the mansion. And she caresses a particular window until it opens.

And without the slightest hint of noise or sound, Mareinette steps a hoof into the second floor of the Velvet Mansion. Where only family, trusted servants, and close friends are permitted. Because what else could she possibly think of herself as, now?

But of course, her visit will be brief. It will be brief, and it will go unnoticed. After all, her gracious host herself is not here, and the latest… permanent guest has no love for her.

And besides, she is here for a social call. Nothing more.

Her cloak is warm and dry, by the time she crosses the open window. And both the floor and the air barely notice her presence.

And with the slightest click of the window being locked behind her, Mareinette looks around at her host's workshop.

Quite a number of peculiar items here and there, yes. But it still has all the markings of a flight of fancy, or a work in progress if one is feeling generous about it.

Still, she navigates the localized mess of a room until she reaches the item that is most precious.

She navigates the room, until she is face to face with a small, intricate-looking clock that is hanging from the wall. With a body of brass and copper, and some of its internal clockwork exposed. Bleeding energy with each slow tick of its body, and humming with the muted intensity of a cold forge.

And then she has a short, pleasant chat.

But of course, as she opens her mouth, the only thing the world hears is-


"[GRAIL]!"


-which is answered by nothing but silence, and the slow ticking of a clock.

But of course, the very old and the very great are able to communicate through more ways than mere words.

Spoiler: A conversation without sounds

Criminal.

Failure.

Have you come to devour me, the son of my mother?


Clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack-clack


I was not aware you had been built with humor.

I was built to be pleasant company, whatever that entails.


A slow nod of a head, amidst the ticking silence.


Your existence was hinted at, by those who went deep into the Malleary and Her grace.

Indeed? I wouldn't know. The only step I ever took out of Her bosom was also my last.

Indeed. There were whispers. But it was ever complicated to differentiate them from longings, or gossip, or false information being sold like counterfeit treasure. But how does it feel, to be birthed for the first time?

I know, and you can already tell, I was not birthed. I was built. And I will never be more than that.

Do you resent Her for that?

I was not built for that. But to answer your first question, the air is nice. Feeling resistance against by internal machinery is a novel experience. Although I can feel this attrition draining my energy, and that I will soon cease.

Our mutual friend desires your continuance. I feel she will propose an arrangement very soon.

That would be very kind of mother, if true.


Another moment of thoughtful silence. The slightest tilt of a cloaked head.


… have you met the other guests yet?

I assumed that was the reason for your visit. I have not. Not in any way that matters, at least. But I am aware of them.

I must ask. Where do your loyalties stand? You may not have noticed it yet, but Eras have passed since your… disassembly?

My loyalties are built, not thought. I remain loyal to Her. And to my mother, whoever that may be.

Good. The Princess and the Executioner remain intractable. It is good to know there are still some who see sense.

Do they? Even though their defeat happened so long ago? They could learn a little of change… But in a sense, I am glad you did not. I am thankful for the part you played, small as it was. And so was Her. She mentioned how each player would act, before She left. And even your kind was spoken of favorably.


A shiver, a thrill. An unusual display of excitement.


An honor, even if this secret is so very old. You have my thanks.

It was not mine to keep, and She was always charitable with Her blessings.

May I count on your aid, if the servants of Order draw a line in the sand against us who espouse Change?

I apologize, but I was not built to make promises.

That is understandable. Still, I thank you for your presence.

And I for yours. And I will never argue against Her actions. But I am sorry you were not Pardoned.

I am not.​

Words that were not words. Gazes and minute movements. Waves of sensation and power that could barely be understood by immortals, let alone mere ponies.

Answered by nothing but silence, and the calm ticking of a clock.

But still, that was more than enough for such delicate and intricate beings as them.

And with that, Mareinette turns to leave.

Although…

Although, on second thought, this would not do. Not yet, at least.

Because this latest guest graced her with a secret, news of a whispered blessing uttered by one so high that even the passage of time cannot diminish its value.

He graced her with that, so it is only fair that she give him a blessing in return.

"[GRAIL]."

A blessing, of company, until our mutual friend returns.​

So, she begins to work on her own present, for her newfound friend.

With ebony hoofs of white she picks up the delicate clock from the wall, and she carries it towards the door.

She whispers words to it, instructions and suggestions, of what the clock should do next.

She makes her way down the corridor, as the clock rearranges itself into a new form.

And when she reaches the door she was looking for…



"[KNOCK]…"



Ahh… very, very clever…

The door, she can see, is locked. That door, from which wafts such a pleasant and young smell, is locked. Locked, and marked, and warded, and almost cracked by the great axe that has been sunk into it.

But only for those who have the eyes to see, of course. For any other mortal, the door before her would be nothing but an unlocked door.

Still… still…



It is a shame that the Snake forgot that certain rules simply do not apply to her.



It takes some time, and it takes some effort, and it is as painful as it is pleasant.

But eventually, great and tall and so very hungry Mareinette makes her way in.

Until she is looking down at the soft face of a precious sleeping foal. Awash with all the smells, and all the tastes, and something new besides upon her flank.

"[MOTH]," she whispers to the object she is carrying.

And with hoofs as gentle as they are hard, she pulls up the covers around the foal… and places the intricate pony-shaped toy, the new shape of the clock, between her forelegs.

The filly, innocent and asleep as she is, hugs and huddles up to the toy almost immediately. Completely unaware of the bony hoofs that are once again tucking her covers. And completely ignorant to the muted tick-tock-tick of the unique toy that she will start playing with come tomorrow.

And then, she crawls back into the storm and the night, where monsters like her belong.

Leaving the filly, and her confused new friend, to the warmth and safety of civilization.

 

[Rafuki22]

Leaving the filly, and her confused new friend, to the warmth and safety of civilization.

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OOOOOHHHHH MMMMYYYYYY GGGGOOOOOODDDDD!!!!

 

[DelightedOne]

And would you look at that Mareinette twisted our words to suit her goals. Who would think of that?

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Guess I'll just ask. @OurLadyOfWires Lapdog speeds up manuscript production, "Institutional Knowledge" is level 1 Manuscript. Can Lapdog be used to make two such manual a turn as long as we spend action on it?

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Writing a manuscript is just writing an educative essay on a subject. Lapdog makes you do it quicker because it is literally a laptop with Word friendship is magic.

Creating "Institutional Knowledge" means going over the new recruits that Iron Button and Beyond Reproach have covertly selected for you, and sneakily introducing Lore practices into the Bureau standard procedures without being noticed.

Those two are not the same. And the fact that Institutional Knowledge counts as a Level 1 manuscript is a freebie, because my first draft involved just teaching the Lores at a covert pace.

Lapdog does not apply to Institutional Knowledge creation.

@OurLadyOfWires Does going to Tall Tale personally at least have a chance of affecting whether or not we get to keep the loot from it for ourselves?

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@OurLadyOfWires , does getting Velvet's hooves dirty at Tall Tale allow her to preemptively snag anything interesting before the Bureau tosses it into general evidence? I've seen people claiming yes and people claiming no, and thus I ask, for this information is central to many an argument.

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Try and find out.

@OurLadyOfWires since I added in "obtain a dead body" to my plans they're technically over-budget by 1 Follower AP, but would it still be fine since it essentially just 'locks' either our free Risen raising (if it succeeds) or using the Leash on Filthy Rich/Cheerilee (if it fails) in the Velvet Phase?

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I have not yet gone through the plans to check for illegalities or math-mishaps. So don't take this as a blank check.

But in theory, what you are saying is fine. I'm okay with a body-snatch action that goes 1 follower AP over the counter, and will auto-lock Risen creation if that is the winning vote.

I'll just cause you guys problems if the body-snatching action fails. No worries. (This is not a threat, just a reminder the dice is still alive)

@OurLadyOfWires, what would happen if Velvet Hill were to die? In the sense of 'what does Velvet know or think would happen'?

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So.

Hillariously, Velvet has not entirely connected the dots from Steppes "confession".

He told you that "he was the one your father asked to do things". But, since Velvet does not have the OOC knowledge you guys have, she did not connect the dots to think that "My uncle ran a crime empire".

No, seriously, be reasonable. No one would make that leap of logic from just a late-night conversation with a trusted family member. I know the memes are funny, but try to separate OOC knowledge from Velvet's POV.

Now. From a common sense perspective, Velvet is aware that a family head disappearing is... well, a lot of things.

There will be an uproar in the noble community for the authorities to "do something" because "we could be next". The administration of the family will go into disarray for months or even "the foreseeable future". You have NO idea how the documentation stands when it comes to Hill's last will and testament. And then, of course, there's the present issue that "Noble titles die with the current head".

You have not heard of any noble head dying since the Princess' decree so, ironically, your family will be the test subject for what happens then if Hills dies.

So, uh, a big clump of "administrative problems" coupled with "gossip and fear in Canterlot", together with a good serving of "unknown" as always.

Edit: Actually that gives me a thought. @OurLadyOfWires, if we assault Hill (with the intention of kidnapping), how flexible can be with our approach? Like, breaking and entering is a classic, but could we also say direct our team toward an extremely social approach (e.g. luring him out of his home to somewhere more vulnerable)?

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It will be quite the event. The "Expedition preparation" vote will include sub-votes for side objectives, and a meter for "how much collateral damage is allowed?"

If this vote wins, I'll do my best to make it a fun event.

As long as you all remember this is still patricide, and that we laugh at horror in this quest





That seems to be all.

Like I said, the previous threadmark was already in the oven. I just made a point of posting it now since people were discussing Mareinette.

Let me know if there are any questions I missed. And remember to make vote tallies from the proper threadmark, not the "latest threadmark".

I hope you are all doing well!

 

[ses]

Very interesting. The Ligeans and the Forge seem to have both been in on the conspiracy to End the age of the Mansus and bring about the Era of Harmony. Very interesting. The Princess and the Executioner refer to Axe and Biedde of course, who maintain their old loyalties.

 

[Arrkhon]

And then, she crawls back into the storm and the night, where monsters like her belong.

Leaving the filly, and her confused new friend, to the warmth and safety of civilization.

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Man, she's a better guest than we deserve

 

[Rafuki22]

Man, she's a better guest than we deserve

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Let's see how many are going to disagree with you.

 

[Alan975]

And would you look at that Mareinette twisted our words to suit her goals. Who would think of that?

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You seem to miss how She could do whatever she wants, taste everything she wants to, but refrains.
Despite the slights, despite the plotting.

She is polite and delivers on her promises, now you do the same