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

[Zxzx24]

Twilight's a waste of effort. Sunk cost fallacy at work.

A failure who's potential is worthless as she can't reach for more.

Leave her is the past.

Velvet's done more then she should have and for nothing in the end.

Twilight has proven her self unworthy.

Click to shrink...

She created a device that can detect lore use with nothing but her own worlds technology and zero formal training and education in magic. As a teenager.

She is a certified prodigy. Probably even more than that.

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

It is really curious that the school is explicitly real while it's surroundings are not.

Click to shrink...

The between points still exist, but it is like a book or show, the dull unimportant bits are skipped to get to the action. Other important locations are also real.

 

[Sveta08]

Well. Call me selfish and foolish and dumb, but I had thoughts from this.
Thoughts on the nature of this space, on the consequences of this space, on the result that created and ran with it and so on...
I am curious. And hungry. And as is my want, I wrote about it.


In which There is a Hole

---

Normally it's easy to find where pieces fall.

You pick a piece up, you drop it, and there it is. You pick a path, weave that option in, and it is clearly attached. You grab the threads, shake them a bit, pick what one is laying on top, and it naturally is there.
Everything functions like that. Everything has functioned like that. All things that are are things that were, are, and have been.

You are... well, that's not really important at this juncture. Everyone has the same question, even if not the same focus.


Where did she go?


You can see her, obviously.
In the grand tapestry of the moment, it's very clear and very obvious. There to the left is the past. The grand illuminated strands of everything that has been, both real and imagined. All layered in on top of itself in a beautiful dimensioned portrait. Words as much as images as much as ideas flowing together to create a beautiful world that you could spin your hand, and visit any point that has been. Even with the cuts. The patches. And even now, a vast majority of it is swathed in darkness and uncertainty.

To the right, the unknowable options that might be. Every thread that could be presented as tools, as options. Every path those might take and lead, how they connect to innumerable threads both past and future, and where they all hinge. All the threads, all the words, all the potentialities that are, knowable and unknowable, are displayed there. An endless array of cobwebs of what might be. Normally it's difficult if not impossible to pluck one of those threads out before it arrives. But as of now...

Right in front of you, is the present. The exact moment every one of those potential paths become known histories. And there, she is. As always.

But she isn't.


There is a hole.
A hole she is in.



There had been discussion of what it would be beforehand. Whether it would be a trial, or an adventure, or a journey, or an impossible task. Dozens and dozens of possibilities that were what it could have been. One or two even guessed something like this. But a hole...

The threads continued on. Feeding, funneling on into the hole the same as before. Choices were argued over, calls made. Words had and decried the paths picked, mourning for the options that were left astray. And it all funneled back in. What needed be done was the same as it ever had been. But why...


But where is she? Where did she go?


It was a simple enough question to answer. There, obviously. But that's not what was asked.
She had flown to a place more distant than tomorrow's horizons. But she wasn't in the future. You'd be able to see that, it would be obvious. There would be a break from the past to the present, there would be speckling in the threads that were to become the future. There would be signs if this were the case.
In the same way, this wasn't simply another history. It wasn't a layer of backing on the canvas of the past, nor a pressing space that bubbled up in the shown thread that was the visible past. It didn't fit that way, and there were too many things that it wasn't and didn't to make that true. Not the least of which being, who helped bring her there.

So where did she go? What is this place?


The obvious answer... was a hole.
A space cut away to touch upon the fundamental backing that was true. But it wasn't just that. It was...
Murky. It was distorted. It was things that were true no matter how you looked at it, yes, but it wasn't... just that. It was full of things that weren't true, no matter how you looked at it.

A hole through the present. One that wasn't truth, nor was it wrong. And it wasn't attached, but was made of things that had been attatched.


Maybe.



The obvious question came to mind. Did that matter though? Did it matter where, or when, or what it was?
Of course! But... did it really?

Maybe. Too many unknowns flitted around it. But maybe it did. Maybe... it was real. Maybe it was something that was true. Maybe.

In the end, however, it did matter. Not because knowing the truth of it mattered... but because how people would react to the truth.
The simplest question was why it mattered.


Do the actions here have consequences?


Here? In the Hole? Of course! Directly.
Outside? That... was a bit tricky. And that's what people wanted to know. The question that was fought about... even if that wasn't what was fought about. The truth behind words unsaid.

If things here changed the world outside.

If it did, there was weight. There was consequence. There was chances to do the impossible outside that were possible here. It excited people. Thrilled them. Terrified some. And frustrated others.
If it didn't, then what was the consequence? Take what need be, claim what was wanted, take what was needed, grasp what power could be and run.

If it mattered, it mattered. If it didn't, it didn't. But no one knew which was true.





But maybe.
Just maybe.
That's... not quite how it works.

Things here don't reflect, that much is obvious. There is space that is real, and space that isn't. Space filled with ideas and space filled with things.

And that's where the idea started. Where the question grew.
What if it wasn't a hole? Or maybe it wasn't always a hole.

There were threads in the hole. Words that seemed to echo, parts of the world that echoed in different ways. In different words. The world there... it had space that was real. Space that reflected things that were true through a murky lens. But... But the lens wasn't murky? Or maybe it was murky, but that is not why the rest of it was what it was. Because there... the world was two made of two things.

Real things. And Context.

Context didn't exist. It wasn't real. It was made of the stuff of dreams and nightmares and was nothing more than-
A Hole.


It was a hole. It was a hole full of holes. But the holes didn't matter. The holes just proved that something burrowed through them. Something made this not space. That this was




KNOCK




... an idea.

What if this place hadn't existed once? True of all places yes, but in the context of this... time. This history. This potential histories. In the lot of it.
What if this hole... was a hole?

A space. An idea that had been so burnt. So cut away. So embodied by




KNOCK




that the ideas of it still corroded? That the reflection that it was was still reflecting truth because Reflections show Truth. And when it tried to reflect upon the holes it had to reflect back truth, but you can't see a hole. All you can see is Context.
But Mirrors had to reflect. They had to be true. But there were holes.
And on a mirror, that's fog. That's cloudy. That's murky. Inside, that's




KNOCK




which was already true! And the things inside that she was looking for were-! They would be able to do that. They would be-! So of course actions would have consequence! Of course it would reflect back, because it was the reflections which was being touched!
But how? How to prove this wasn't simply an idea, and might be true? How to look for the evidence that said it might be? What could be...

A reflection. True. Undeniable. And one that was absent.



So you formed a question. Asked a damnation. One that would lead to the right questions. Form the right ideas. Align the right notions.

"I wonder if Spike is dead here too."

 

[Enna's Fractal Wings]

The more I go back and re-read, the more convinced I am that we need to see this Twilight to her apex, if only to see how the cookie crumbles. We won't be able to bring her back. Not with us. But maybe...

Look, rarity and fluttershy still act like themselves. There's non-zero circumstantial evidence that here affects there. If we fix and/or help here, we may fix and/or help here there.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

In which There is a Hole

Click to shrink...

Good, good. Very good. The temptation is right there, isn't it? The nagging question of "is it really a crime to break the rules, if the rules do not apply to this place?"

I am glad this has been picked up.



Moreover, in general, most of the things I wish would have been picked up or discussed have been at least noticed. Even if only partially.

So, voting is now open.

I have every intention of closing the vote in 24 hours from this post, because I hope to finish Sunday (tomorrow) by posting the next part, based on whatever you pick here and now. Axe's Sacrament will be unusually long, given this entire sub-arc I wanted to write, but that doesn't mean I want it to stretch over several real-life weeks.
Not that I am going to rush or botch anything. Still, kindly run along and cast your votes.

Also, I have this nagging feeling I skipped an apocrypha. Can anyone point out if I forgot to threadmark something?

Hope you are all doing well. And let us see where this takes us.

 

[Steady Gaze]

Am I crazy for actually wanting to take this Twilight back with us?? (If it's even possible.) Like, we've royally messed up our Twilight anyway… Supposing bringing EqG Twilight back with us would "replace" our Twilight, I know it's a morally compelling argument that it is perhaps better to let our Twilight suffer than "kill" them, but now I'm just tempted to do something immoral. I also love the tidbit about her we did get, and I'm sorry we (narratively) chickened out of spending more time with her. I'll be tempted to pick the Twilight option again even if it may not be optimal gameplay-wise, although trying to make the QM's non-canon omake happen would be funny too.

Considering my votes, I think my shortlist will be pretty much exactly the same.

[] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?
[] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

 

[dcoconeo]

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)

Following through...

 

[Venerable Ro]

[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] "Is there anything on your mind, Miss Jack?" (Approach Applejack)
[X] "To be honest? I think your job is better than mine." (Approach Cheerilee. She is here… somewhere)

Ultimately it's easier to list the things I'm not interested in. The Rich family, eh, and we shouldn't be trying to set human!Velvet up with her Stormchaser while we're "driving". It would start their relationship off on a very strange and difficult note if his first encounter with "her" was actually "us" reeking of Grail.

We should totally leave her a note though.

I want to map out this space properly so we can try and detect the Fraginclave, I want to pursue Axe's request, of course, and I want to explore some social spaces to see what they turn up.

 

[Limabot]

[X] "Is there anything on your mind, Miss Jack?" (Approach Applejack)
[X] "Yes, it's about your daughter. What class I teach her? Well…" (Approach the Rich parents)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

 

[Sveta08]

This entire thing to me feels just a long look in the mirror (ha) and saying "Who are you in the dark, when no one knows you?"

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] "Is there anything on your mind, Miss Jack?" (Approach Applejack)
[X] "To be honest? I think your job is better than mine." (Approach Cheerilee. She is here… somewhere)


These are my wants. As things shake out and arguments are made, I may selectively delete some to sway things.

 

[Flaregamer82253]

Right! So let's take a status report. First, a section on the overall turn as we are approaching the end of turn 21, and then the Foggy Mirror.

Spoiler: OVERALL TURN AND PLANNING

Now, while were in a basically cordoned event sequence, seems like a good time to start considering how the rest of the turn and the next turn will play out. We don't need anything definitive right now, but I want to take stock of our opportunities and situation for ease of access..

Remaining in this turn after Foggy Mirror will be: Cadence, all of our bureau actions, the Mansus Summit, Jade's Memory of Light, and seeing what Selene's Winter Realization does. And of course, whatever curveball OurLadyOfWires chooses to throw at us going into next turn.
We have used our SH and Moth (and Grail) rerolls, but we still have all of our others available. Unfortunately, this means we are unlikely to take an SH sacrament this turn in the best possible circumstances. So we should cut our losses on that for now. We can take both SH sacraments and we can get some leeway later if we need to. It's also important to remember that we now have that risen, the possibility of the leash, and a third Selene action going into next turn. On other note, Baldomare expires at the end of Turn 23, Marinette has to be rebound at the end of turn 22, and Biedde's contract has to be extended at the end of this turn (turn 21).
So just a tentative quick action count going into next turn for those who want to start planning:

Spoiler: Current Action Count

Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy: 1
Leash Good Friend(?): 1
Baldomare: 1
Mareinette: 1
Velvet Axe(?): 1 (Failure isn't impossible here! We also don't know if a befriended name will provide more AP or not.)
Biedde(?): 1 (We have the option to send him on a long expedition.)
Selene: 3
Risen: 1
Household servants: 1

We'll see about Cadence too, but that's a murky bet.

Here's a general list of the things we've wanted to work towards:

Spoiler: Goals

The Outsider Juicer
LVL7 Book for Baldomare
Baldomare's SH Sacrament
Our personal SH Sacrament
Researching that Lantern 4 Artifact and the Moth 5 Book
Raising Spoiled Rich to "good friend"
Moth Sacrament
Biedde's Edge Sacrament
Marinette Friend/Grail Sacrament
Windy Flakes situation?

There are probably a few other things too, like the Lantern or Winter Sacraments, high level Forge artifacts in Moth, Heart, or Forge, etc. etc., but we've all spoken at length about the above.

It's also important to remember that we have the Celestia Doom Clock ticking and that the worst case scenario would have Celestia reach Lantern 4 by the end of Turn 23. I still doubt we're in the worst case, but we need to hustle either way. If anyone wants a basic stock of our schedule or AP resources for planning, feel free to use the info here.

Moving on to the Foggy Mirror.

So I'm pretty confident that we can reach the DoA's goal, but I think we have to stay safe and continue to press the button. No change.
The principal option is interesting, I don't have much to say on it other than that I wouldn't mind it, but I don't want to focus it.
I do want to find out more about this place though. Dream sequences are more fun when you get to make the rules.
Twilight is interesting. EQG Twilight is a motivated dreamer, always searching, searching, searching. History has shown that another Twilight is someone who will always search for answers.

I want to stay the course. We have 3 more actions here and I want to commit to this VN style. No distractions! Dreamer Twilight route!

[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

 

[Potdl]

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)

 

[Sveta08]

No distractions! Dreamer Twilight route!

Click to shrink...

... heh.
Oh how fun. I just realized! If we don't continue on down the rabbit hole with Twilight, it will be a reflection.

How cleanly we showed Twilight something more, and then left her to stew herself rotten.

 

[Rafuki22]

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

 

[Shaper47]

[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

No more of this Twilight marlaky, we've wasted enough on that.

 

[Enna's Fractal Wings]

[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

 

[MisRAR1]

[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

 

[IronHydra]

[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

but now I'm just tempted to do something immoral.

Click to shrink...

No no..... you're not crazy at all... it's really only the best thing Velvet can do now, she's ruined her Twilight's life, it's only fair that she give this one a life anew, away from her prison of a reality. It'll hurt to make the decision to finally end our Twi's suffering, but it's Vel's responsibility- nay her duty now, to take this fresh and curious mind and bring her in as another daughter.

She won't fail this one again either.....

 

[Earth-Destroyer]

Finish what you started.

[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

 

[Flaregamer82253]

The Same Day, A Different Mare

Click to shrink...

Also, I have this nagging feeling I skipped an apocrypha. Can anyone point out if I forgot to threadmark something?

Click to shrink...

@OurLadyOfWires I think this is the one you missed.

 

[moonlock]

[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

 

[Limabot]

No no..... you're not crazy at all... it's really only the best thing Velvet can do now, she's ruined her Twilight's life, it's only fair that she give this one a life anew, away from her prison of a reality. It'll hurt to make the decision to finally end our Twi's suffering, but it's Vel's responsibility- nay her duty now, to take this fresh and curious mind and bring her in as another daughter.

She won't fail this one again either.....

Click to shrink...

I don't think it the best thing Velvet can do; in fact, it actually strikes me as a pretty selfish thing to do. Not only did Velvet (indirectly) ruin Twilight's life, but now she would be outright erased and replaced with someone more "convenient" for Velvet to deal with rather than giving her even a remote chance to actually heal (heck, even before Cadance knows about the Forge's Redemption).

I hope the Twilight route here won't lead to that (my personal best case scenario is a more indirect one where helping EG's Twilight will push ours into doing something to move beyond wallowing in sorrow/Wolf-fumes), but I will vote against anything that involves outright replacing her.

 

[Alan975]

No more of this Twilight marlaky, we've wasted enough on that.

Click to shrink...

She is obviously useful, there's no doubt about that. More so than I could imagine Rarity, Fluttershy or Applejack to be.

Not to mention that it would be cruel to run away after dangling bait right under her nose.
To rip that hope away.

[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)

 

[AuthorTransient]

I think its a bit selfish of us to continue progressing the Twilight Sparkle path. That's what Velvet Covers wants, but not what Twilight Sparkle needs - what the latter needs are friends, not just magic. It's Friendship is Magic, not the Lores are Friendship.

It looks a bit like we cant finish everything in the time that we currently have, so I think it would be best to continue progressing Axe's quest and explore the surface level of all the options before continuing.

Finally, I would champion talking to Fluttershy and Rarity to see if they could make friends with Twlight Sparkle.

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

 

[LieutenantSpirit]

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)

 

[Solace2117]

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.

Definitely want to follow up on Axe's quest, that's ultimately what we are here for. Also want to continue to explore. This place is fascinating and it probably ties in with our Sacrament and the mystery as a whole.
After that it comes down to the third choice. Not interested in the cellphone since we already made contact with a potential lead. There may be more to it, but I think that ship has sailed.

Rarity and Fluttershy could be interesting as another counterpoint to Twilight. By the same token Applejack, the Rich family, or Cheerlie could be good test cases since we don't have a as much of a connection with them. I'd like to follow up on Twilight, but I'd like to see more before taking the next step. I'm interested in Stormchaser, but just doesn't feel as important.

Ultimately I'm just really interested in seeing this world's version of Luna and Celestia. Also kind want to explore the library. It may be like the cellphone where it's more useful if taken early, but still intrigued if we can find any mentions of the lores cause that adds another potential layer and may tie in with our exploration.

 

[Quaxotia]

[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.

 

[Kai Merah]

[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)
[X] You have found limits, you have found walls. Now it is time to look for doors and tunnels. (Follow up on exploring this place)
[X] This place has a library. Go take a look.
[X] What is this "cellphone" all the kids are talking about? Why do you have one? And what is this "Internet" thing?
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

 

[Nevermort]

I can take dropping Twilight over Rarity for now but if it is choice between her and cellphones I'll choose Twilight every time.

Also if Sunset is here talking with elements bearers seems like the most plausible route to finding her. Like this we can make effort to bring them together too, like canon Twilight done. Imagine assembling Harmony Laser behind mirror and pointing said mirror at your enemies


[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)

[X] They are young and impressionable. Thankfully, you are a responsible adult. (Hang out with Rarity and Fluttershy, your real-life confidantes)

[X] "Is there anything on your mind, Miss Jack?" (Approach Applejack)

 

[Calico J]

[X] "Miss Sparkle? It's about the project we discussed. I have a... proposal, on how to advance it. Could you see me after class?" (Follow up on Twilight Sparkle)
[X] Your faith has been rewarded. And the medallion has made its way back to you, on a very unexpected pair of hands. (Further your search for Axe's… contact)
[X] Apparently, they are not alicorns here. But they are still the highest authority. (Approach the Principals)

I think the Principals are worth checking. Celestia is certainly an issue back in Equestria; if there's any possibility of learning something that would help us deal with her or doing something to mellow out Equestria-Celestia, it's more important than cellphones or whatever.