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

[OurLadyOfWires]

"Is… is she asleep?"

"I put her to bed, Stormy. But I… I don't know if she will really sleep. I hope she does."​

"Her eyes… by Celestia, the way she looked at us…"

"… yes… I saw…"​

"…"

"…"​

"So, this is it? Everything we talked about, the things you told me. Is it finally happening?"

"I'm afraid so, Stormy… I didn't think… I had no idea it would be like this. But it's done. You saw it as well. She needs it to happen."​

"… but… but it hasn't even been a year, Velvet. We haven't… Selene has been with us for less than a year. That just… it doesn't feel right… it can't be right…"

"I… I know, Stormy. Deep down, I agree. But this is not about us… this is not about either of us. It's about her an-"​

"I KNOW it's about her. I love her as much as you do a-!... I'm sorry, sweetheart… it's just that…"

"… it's okay."​

"…"

"…"​

"… do we really have to? She… Velvet, she is just a filly. She can still grow. She has nothing but time. And just because she got this far, it doesn't mean we have to an-… oh, who am I kidding…"

"I saw your expression, Stormy. You know you felt it. You… you know it better than I do, even. It has to happen… And you also know that I need your help."​

"… not even a year, Velvet… she is our daughter, and we can't even keep her for a single year…"

"…"​

"I… I know… I know she needs it but… can you at least give me one more month? Just one more month. For me. For you. For Silky… For Selene, while she is still Selene…"

"Stormy, I…"​

Stormchaser has asked you for one more month. One last month with his daughter. One last month as Selene's father.

And you understand that, of course. You understand why. To be honest, you too wish you could have more.

But still, you must think of Selene first. Always.

So, you will…

(PICK ONE)



[] One more month.

-You will give Selene enough help, and maybe suppress her memories a little bit, so she doesn't remember what just happened. Selene will not "suffer" through this last month.
-Stormchaser will agree to perform the Rite of the Mother and the Father at the END of Turn 18.


[] Perform the Incision of the Heart on Selene.

-This will not cost an action, but will still cost the required bits.
-Stormchaser will not try to stop you, nor will he hate you for it. He will not hate you, but he will resent your decision. Still, he will understand.



Additionally, there are more things for you to worry about.

You will also make preparations to…

-The following choices WILL cost actions, to be deducted from the next turn. You may also assume you will receive at least 200 bits total, as you calculate your plan. WRITE IN any reagents or extra actions involved.
-If you attempt to summon Baldomare, that ritual will be CONTESTED by at least one party.
-Because of the crucial, on-the-spot nature of this decision, you will NOT be given a preview of what Fleeting Opportunities you will have next turn. This is all happening on the present, with only the information you have available right now.



[] [SUMMONING] You will summon… (WRITE IN)

[] [SUMMONING] You will not summon any creature of the Mansus.





Vote in PLANS. The decision regarding Selene is too important to NOT be tied with your preparations for the next turn. Especially due to the contested summoning of Baldomare.

You may ask for information you are not sure of, but the most likely answer will be "Velvet does not know". Since Velvet will make decisions at this exact moment, and not narratively "adapt" her plan as she meets future opportunities, she must decide with what she knows right now. However, Velvet does not believe that she can summon Biedde quickly enough to assault Copper's attempts at summoning Baldomare. IF Copper is truly the one (and only) who will contest the summoning.

Twelve hours of moratorium.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan: Almost all in on Baldomare
-[X] [SELENE] One more month.
-[X] Make two reagents (1 AP)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
-[X] Summon Baldomare, using both reagents (95 bits, 1 AP)
-[X] Total cost: 185 bits (65 remaining), 2 AP (2 remaining)

The sun rises. Tiny rays of light leak into your room through cracks in the badly closed curtain. They move at a quick pace. Or rather, the sun itself moves at a quick pace, as it rushes past the horizon until its entire circumference is visible in the sky. After that, it stops, and begins its hours-long journey through the heavens.

Somewhere in your house, a cuckoo clock chirps six times.

You are Velvet Covers. And right now, you are sitting on your bed with your husband.

It is the first day of the week. By all rights, you should be arriving in Canterlot soon. But you couldn't care less about the Lunar Bureau right now. Whether you will head to the capital later today, or if you will just skip the entire day, is something you will decide later.

The perks of being your own boss, you suppose.

But much, much more importantly, you and Stormchaser are…

Well, you and your husband are not really talking. Not anymore. You two already had a long, long conversation. The two of you decided on what to do about Selene, and then you talked about your lives, and then about everything else. The deep, personal, "laying on your bed while looking at the dark ceiling" kind of talk that you can only have with a pony who truly knows you.

The two of you have already talked about everything that was needed. And right now you two are just…

Enjoying the silence.

Keeping each other company.

And perhaps even commiserating.

Because now, the two of you know… or at least, it has finally struck you two that…

That days like this are numbered.

When Stormchaser said he wanted another month, or rather that he needed another month, you were surprised. But only for a moment.

After all, you too wanted another month. Another month, another year, another decade even. You wanted as much time as you could possibly get. You wanted to watch your two fillies grow up into beautiful mares, together, one day at a time. And do whatever you needed to do with Selene only when she became an adult, and even then only if she truly wanted it.

But you didn't feel like that was your choice to make. You owe it to Princess Luna to wake her up as soon as possible. You owe it to her parents, given the promise you made them. And as much as you echoed Stormchaser's sentiment, you also stopped yourself from trying to put it off. Because if you gave yourself another day, you knew you would not be strong enough to not give yourself another. And maybe an entire year would pass before you even considered the question once again.

But ultimately, you realized Stormchaser was right.

Delaying this would be selfish. Because how dare you give yourself another month?

Delaying this would be stupid. Because how dare you deny Princess Luna, Princess Celestia, and Equestria itself of an alicorn?

Delaying this would be irrational. Because nothing will really change in a month. If anything, you two will only become more attached to your daughter. And doing what needs to be done after a month will only be harder.

However, Stormchaser said, he doesn't want to do it for you. He doesn't want to do it for you, or for himself, or even for Equestria. He doesn't want another month for any rational, sensible reason.

He just wants Selene to exist for another month. Without lessons or nightmares, without your constant nudges here and there that led her to believe that something was wrong with her.

The two of you understand that you don't deserve another month with your daughter.

But your daughter deserves another month with her family.

This is all about Selene.

The fact that you will benefit from it, even if you will suffer more when it is over, is irrelevant. The fact that Stormchaser also needs this time to come to terms with it, even if he ultimately fails, is a coincidence.

So, you whispered words of calm and patience in her ears, and you obscured her perception, and you hid the keys that she had found in her mind, and you closed the wounds that were forming in her ready-to-burst soul.

And when you put her to sleep, she was nothing but a regular filly. And perhaps, she is even more mundane now than on the first time you ever saw her.

It won't last, you know. Even though you know her so well, and even though you were wheeling back the things that you helped put into place, you know this little trick of yours won't last.

But you have a month.

Or rather, Selene has a month.

Even if it is her last.

"Let's go to Cloudsdale," Stormchaser suddenly says, as he still looks towards the ceiling.

"What?" you say, honestly surprised. His words partially snapping you out of your own thoughts.

You lazily feel that, at some point, Soft Sweeps began making her way upstairs. Your nose picks up on how she just opened the door to Silky's room, only for the younger pegasus to immediately attack her. Probably an overexcited hug, or something like that. Moments later, the two presences make their way to Selene's room.

"You heard me. Let's make a trip to Cloudsdale. All of us! I always wanted to take Selene there, and I don't think Soft Sweeps has gone there either? But still, Selene asks me about my work all the time, and she always has this look when I tell her about the cloud factories and… What the hay, it's a city made of clouds, and she already cloud-walking horseshoes."

You can feel the slow-burning sadness in your husband's voice, even as he says that. But still, his growing excitement is more than enough to drown it out. And soon enough, you find yourself nodding to him, a smile appearing on your face as he talks about this little plan he just thought about.

"That sounds great, Stormy! Yeah, let's take them to Cloudsdale. It will be a family holiday. It might shave into a few of their schooldays, but…"

"Just a few? Sweetheart, why not go for two weeks? Silky won't fail out of school for just a few absences. Besides, what foal doesn't like skipping school?" he says, through a short laugh.

You let out a shocked gasp, but you don't have it in you to argue against him. Oh, what the hay, you actually agree with him.

You join him in laughter as you sense the Softy-riding Silky entering Selene's room. And moments later, the sleeping filly is also attacked by Silky.

And this time, the sudden, surprised yelp reaches you two, even through the closed door.

Which tells you now is a good time to let them know you are still home. Because they should be going downstairs for breakfast in a few minutes, and of course you are going to join them.

Of course, doing that will only make it harder for you to leave for the train station later today but…

Well, you suppose that will be the theme for this whole month.

"I think the fillies woke up, sweetheart," Stormchaser says, his ears perked up as he looks towards the door.

And with a shared nod, the two of you get up to start another day.



- - -



There is time for joy, and then there is time for work.

In the end, you and Stormchaser walked your daughters to school, and then Stormchaser and Soft Sweeps took you to the train station.

And when you arrived at the Lunar Bureau, you were greeted by your Deputy, as well as the full complement of your most important figureheads. Your most skilled investigators, as well as the ponies who had been given leadership roles, were in the middle of a very important discussion with Shining Armor when you arrived. Of course, they were gathered around him so he could relay their findings to you at your earliest convenience. But your arrival was all that was needed to upgrade their short meeting into a full-out war-room discussion.

What followed was a briefing session that barreled through the moonrise, and that you adjourned when it was close to midnight.

The subject of the briefing? The Blueblood family.

You all went through everything you have learned, and all the evidence you have gathered so far. And the utility that your meeting had was twofold.

Because first. Your investigators, who so far had been working in different areas of Equestria, were allowed to see the "complete picture" you had for the first time. And the gathered pool of inquisitive, puzzle-cracking and investigative cutie marks you had there was capable of reaching further conclusions you had not even considered.

And second. The gathered ponies were able, in turn, to educate you on what you were looking at. Which, in turn, allowed you to make the informed decision they were all waiting for.



"Deputy, how long do we need to get everypony in place so we can kick down their door?" you asked. To which Shining Armor, as well as two of the burlier stallions in the room, sat down a little straighter as they heard your question.

"Commissioner, we can break and enter in less than an hour, if you really wanted it right now," he said, looking at the two other stallions and getting a small confirming nod from each. "But what really matters is not when we can, but when we should go in."

You remember raising an eyebrow at him. But another investigator, his serious expression still looking down at the large map of Equestria on the table, spoke up before he could.

"Their house won't move, but the fish might. We want to cast the net when we know we will get as many of them as possible." You realized it was Reproach who was talking, and he was eyeing several of the more distant cities as if he was looking at something particularly vile. "Scheme this big needs trusted couriers. Lesser cousins or members of branch-families probably move around a lot. We have to strike at them when we know they will all be in the main house."

"Which leads me to another point, Commissioner," Shining continued. "Princess Cadance has declared earlier today that she will be making an… announcement, in the middle of the week."

He said that, and you were thankful that you were too tired to let a knowing smirk appear on your face.

"So, we would like to suggest you schedule the raid to that day, or the day after. But from experience, those kinds of announcements tend to make the nobility flock back to Canterlot."



After that, plans were made, opinions were voiced, and everypony expectantly looked at you for the final decision.

It was honestly daunting, to be in a room filled with so many competent mares and stallions, and realize that everything they were saying was for your benefit. That they were the underlings, and all their expertise was being pooled so that you could decide what to do next.

It was daunting, but ultimately that was what happened. You made your decision, and only then were the privacy wards of the meeting room lifted. Everypony went about their businesses (which would hopefully be their beds, given the hour), and you know that tomorrow they will all be extra busy.

Detective teams in the faraway cities must be recalled from their assignments. Equipment must be checked and re-checked for their action debut. Larger maps, from Canterlot at large and the noble district in particular, must be carefully studied. And a thousand smaller things must be seen to, for what will be the first overt action performed by the Lunar Bureau.

But all of that will happen… tomorrow.

And as your physically tired, mentally exhausted, and emotionally ragged self arrives at your room in the Royal Castle, all you can think of is going to bed.

Tomorrow will be a big day. A big day, in an even bigger week.

You don't even bother taking off your dress as you march towards your bed and throw yourself on its soft surface.

And almost immediately, you can feel your blood pressure lowering, your eyes slowly closing even as your conscience fades. Your vision blurring away into darkness as you fall asleep and-

-BLAM-



"VELVET COVERS!"​

-and your door is kicked open and all your senses scream as a machine capable of easily murdering you marches into your room.

"Ahh!"

You barely register that strangled, frightened yell as your own, even though you are sure it just came out of your mouth. Your senses yell three different things at you, with your fight or flight impulses almost taking over your muscles for a moment.

But still, even though your heartrate just spiked, you at least manage to turn around towards the door before doing anything else. And you immediately understand what is happening.

Or rather, you immediately recognize who just barged in through your door.

It is Cadance.

Cadance is walking towards you, and she has a smile on her face.

She is happy. More than just happy, she is ecstatic. She is beaming at you, and you even think you can see little stars in her eyes.

A small part of your mind, that grumpy and tired part of you that just wants to sleep, tells you that you should be angry. That small part of you even tries to sour your mood, given how somepony just barged into your room without so much as a knock on the door. Especially considering how exhausted you are.

But that tiny lump of sourness inside your brain is quickly kicked aside. You can practically feel it being shoved into a closet, which is then closed, sealed, and hurled into an icy lake.

And as Cadance walks towards you with that brilliant smile, the only thing you can do is get up from your bed and stare back at her. A smile growing on your own face as your expression dawns with understanding.

Because to be honest, her happiness is infecting.

She smiles.

You smile.

She knows.

You know.

And now she knows that you know.

"Velvet! Velvet, Velvet, Velvet! You. Will. Not. Believe what happened!"

She says that, and you are prancing in place as she speaks. Tip-tapping on the floor like a filly who is about to be given a present.

And the next few words almost burst out of her, as if Cadance couldn't bear to contain them inside of her anymore.



"Shining Armor proposed to me!!!"



"Ahhhh!" you feel like her words alone just made you ten years younger. You act like you were younger. You yell at her with an excited squee, and you realize you are hugging her only after you bury your face on her mane. The alicorn herself, also, is so excited that some of her words seem to make the very air shiver.

"I'm a fiancée! I'm gonna be a bride! I'm. Gonna. Get. Married!!!"

You realize you two are jumping up and down now. But you don't care. You don't care that the door to your room is open (and maybe broken off of its hinges), you don't care somepony might be listening to this, you don't even care that the mare is flapping her wings as she jumps, and that she is carrying the two of you a bit higher than should be possible with legs alone.

"Cadance, that is wonderful! I am so, so happy!"

"So am I! I love him, Velvet! I love him sooo much! And we're finally getting married!!!"

She says that, and then she lets go of you. She still has her hoofs on your shoulders, but still she stares at you with those dreamy eyes of hers.

"Oh, but who am I kidding. You knew, didn't you? Tell me the truth, you had to know."

There is absolutely nothing accusatory in her tone of voice. In fact, she seems even more delighted at the thought that you were somehow involved.

And as you hear her say that, you hesitate. No, you even stammer. Which the mare takes as a confirmation of her owns suspicions.

Which only causes her to pull you towards her once again, burying you in the fluff of her chest in a loving hug.

"I knew it! I knew it, knew it, knew it!!! It's just too perfect! The way you told me to wait, how confident you sounded when you said it would work out. I should've known you were in on it!"

"I-I, really. Caddy I really wasn-"

"Did you help him plan it? Oh, I bet you did. Was the zeppelin ride your idea? Or did you help him pick the ring, which I loved by the way," the mare interrupts you. In fact, she probably didn't even hear you trying to speak. "Oh but it was just the perfect weekend. I almost feel bad! If he can think of something like that, then I have to step up my game! Make it up to him!"

You try to tell her that you didn't play a part in it. You really try.

But very quickly, you give up on the idea.

Cadance is euphoric. She won't believe in you even if you try to say otherwise. And frankly, there is no need for you to say anything else.

On top of that, the warm, fuzzy and growing happiness you are feeling inside of you wouldn't let you do anything other than celebrate with her.

Still, that doesn't mean you can't get her to tell you the specifics.

"Oh, what the hay. Tell me all about it, girl! How was it? What did he plan? Where did you two go?!"

You ask that, your own curiosity and happiness bleeding into your voice as you ask those questions. To which the mare immediately lets go of you, and begins to recount her last few days together with her lovestruck stallion.

And once again, the two of you talk into the early hours of the morning. News of this, you know, are probably bleeding through the maids of the Royal Castle even as you speak. Additionally, the mare confirmed to you that this will be the substance of the Royal Announcement she will make two days from now.

"Oh, and we simply must start planning my wedding! I want everypony to feel what I'm feeling. I want all of Equestria to cast off this gloom, and feel that we can all make it together through love!"

The two of you talk for a long, long time.



And the knowing, smug smile you give Shining Armor, when you meet him on the next day, is absolutely insufferable.





I realize the vote for Selene is not yet closed. But (1) I do not think it will swing, and (2) I wanted to write.

Don't forget to count the currently open vote from the LAST threadmark, when tallying it!

The summoning rolls (or the contested summoning rolls) will be made after the voting is closed. The results of that, and options for Turn 18, will be written after that.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan: Almost all in on Baldomare
-[X] [SELENE] One more month.
-[X] Make two reagents (1 AP)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
-[X] Summon Baldomare, using both reagents (95 bits, 1 AP)
-[X] Total cost: 185 bits (65 remaining), 2 AP (2 remaining)

You are Commissioner Velvet Covers.

And for the very first time, you are about to put that title to use.

It is midday. The sun is at the very top of the sky, and it is looking down upon Equestria like Celestia's own glare. The irony of that is not beyond you. And you can't help but feel slightly nervous at the fact that, even if she is not watching you with her own eyes, Princess Celestia no doubt expects you to show results after today.

However, even that nervousness is no stronger than a twinge inside your head. You might be cheating a little bit, to keep yourself calm. But it definitely isn't just that.

After all, you can confidently say you did your best. You wrung yourself to the bone. You went above and beyond to gather the very best ponies for the job. And then you gave them the means and the authority to do what they do best.

So, whatever results you reap today, you know it will be the very best Ponykind has to offer. And if that isn't enough for Princess Celestia, then you will simply have to accept that you have all failed her. Period.

… and that is a rather grim conclusion if you ever saw one. Good heavens, you might be using a few tricks to keep yourself calm, but maybe you should tone it down a little bit? There is a saying that nervousness helps a pony stay focused, after all. And you can tell that being at peace is, rather unhelpfully, helping you accept your own failure even before you begin!

You shake your head, chasing those thoughts away as you concentrate on the here and now.

You have a job to do.

It is midday, and the sun is shining down upon all of Canterlot. And you can see that clearly because, despite your limitations as a unicorn, you are actually above the capital right now. Looking down at the mountain-perched city from a pegasus' point of view.

To be more accurate, you are standing on a cloud.

Of course, you are neither a pegasus nor an alicorn. That would be ridiculous. Instead, you are standing here because of the enchanted horseshoes you are wearing. And you managed to get here thanks to the midnight-black carriage that is parked behind you, hidden from the city below by the same cloud you are standing on.

And flanking you are the two carriage pullers that brought you here. Two of your agents from the Lunar Bureau, whose job in today's operation is solely your "transportation and safety".

Which means, in laymare's terms, that they are here to catch you in case you trip and fall down from this cloud.

But given how high up in the air you are, you dearly hope that doesn't happen.

Still, you are standing up here for a reason. Your horn is lit up, and you are floating a pair of binoculars in front of your eyes.

And your attention is solely focused on the Noble District of Canterlot. That ring-shaped part of the city that surrounds the Royal District, and that is chock full of opulent mansions owned by the nobility.

In particular, you are focused on one particular mansion. One of the largest (or perhaps the largest) in all of Canterlot. The one that, even if it is not the fanciest, is definitely the oldest and most venerable. Beautiful enough to show that its owners have wealth to spare, but old enough that its owners don't need to display their wealth just to impress their neighbors.

You are looking, of course, at the Blueblood mansion.

You are looking at the subtle, localized orchestra of movement that is happening around it right now. Inconspicuous ponies, positioned here and there, that are at the tail end of their day-long stakeouts. Groups of soldiers from the Royal Guard, courtesy of Shining Armor's efforts, that are "patrolling" more distant roads, ready to move in and blockade key streets once the signal is given. And most importantly, the several midnight-black carriages that just left the Royal District, carrying the horsepower and equipment necessary for what happens next.

And as those carriages advance towards the Blueblood mansion at a purposefully unsubtle gale-speed gallop, you can't help but think of everything you have learned about your target so far.

The Blueblood family, you know, is the oldest noble family in Equestria. Their patent of nobility was the very first to be penned by Princess Celestia herself, and their reach and influence is second only to that of the Crown. You know that. Every last noble in Equestria knows that. And you are pretty sure that even most of the common folk are aware of their importance.

To the point that said piece of information is nothing new. You were taught about them as a filly, even.

But as the investigators of the Lunar Bureau worked their magic, and your dossier on the Bluebloods grew thicker and thicker, you learned more details about them. You learned about certain… aspects, that you were not aware of.

For example, you learned what, exactly, their patent of nobility gives them primacy to do. And apparently, the first Blueblood was named the first noble when, in ancient history, ponies set out from under Princess Celestia's wings to found communities of their own.

It seems that, given the growing complexity of the first pony city exploding into a country, the first Blueblood was Celestia's chosen administrator. A pony (you are not sure if it was a stallion or a mare) who was trusted with directing the burgeoning settlements. A figurehead who would keep in touch with, guide, and even order the newly founded villages as they tamed the distant wildernesses.

You wonder how many of those villages succeeded. You wonder which of the modern cities that dot Equestria can trace their ancestry back to those tiny seeds, that were planted by the Bluebloods. And, for all that today's Equestria is known and mapped and connected by railroads, you wonder how hard and dangerous that task must have been, almost a thousand years ago.

Still, that was the task of the first noble. The first Blueblood. And as generations went by, there were fewer villages being "founded", and a greater need for the existing villagers to be "directed". Thus, the Bluebloods' task changed from settling the wilderness to being the link between community leaders and Princess Celestia herself.

Fast forward centuries later, and the Bluebloods became what they are today. The de-facto "over-governors" of Equestria. The Crown's chosen stewards. The ponies who, with the Princess' own blessing, can direct and command all the cities in Equestria save for Canterlot itself. After all, regardless of how a city chooses its leader, Princess Celestia is still the true governess of Equestria. So, even if a town elects a mayor like in Ponyville, that mayor is still subordinate to the Crown, and the Crown commands the cities through the Bluebloods.

And once a pony stops and thinks about it, they realize that the Bluebloods command a… terrifying amount of power, to put it lightly. After all, if a city faces an issue and wishes to reach Princess Celestia, they must first pass through the Bluebloods. So, their interests and say on matters are not just important, they are crucial to how something might be framed (or even presented at all) to the Crown. Furthermore, matters of taxation and trade are obvious examples of what their remit reaches. However, they are technically allowed to interfere with matters that are far more important to a city than just those. For example, you found mentions in old documents that a Blueblood, centuries ago, already threatened to order Cloudsdale to land among other, equally egregious things.

But of course, those were the details your analysts dug up while digging through books and documents. Yet another thing they found out, for example, is that the Bluebloods were not always called that. The official patent of nobility in the Royal Archives had the original name scratched over and changed, by Celestia's own hoof nonetheless. Still, whatever their original name was, your analysts could not find any trace of it, and is most likely only remembered by the Princess herself.

Still, again, those were the things that the Lunar Bureau learned from the archives.

What your investigators learned on the streets was far more relevant for your official duties.

Incredibly, the Blueblood family is not, in fact, involved in any crimes. Not directly, at least. Not in a way that gets their own hoofs dirty. Which befits their changed name, you suppose. After all, they are too high and mighty to do it themselves, even if the end result is both orchestrated by (and beneficial to) them.

Instead, the Bluebloods are actively engaged in something your investigators have called a "country-wide dereliction of duty". Patterns of decisions, orders and even punishments that cover areas so wide (entire cities, literally) that they are almost hard to notice. Things that affect so many ponies that, rather than being seen as criminal, are considered to be "the current bad thing".

Some cities have already been subjected to harsh taxes from the Crown which, even though they have a "sensible reasoning" behind them, clearly reflect the mood of the Blueblood family head at the time. Other towns had entire public projects "vetoed" by the Crown, citing entirely plausible "safety concerns", but that caused the town's population to turn against its governor, until he or she was replaced by another. And after said replacement, the same projects were usually approved without any issues.

As the weeks dragged on, your team discovered pressures, balances, and decisions that sometimes were meant to target a city's neighbors rather than the city itself. Political plays that impacted the lives of thousands of unsuspecting ponies, just for the sake of achieving some goal or ensuring a certain noble family was suppressed.

And of course, even though you have not found it yet, everypony agrees that there is a healthy dose of bribery involved. Like anything else, the Blueblood's approval has a price. And you have already found enough trails to see that all roads lead to Canterlot, and that those roads are paved with shining bits.

Do you have any cold, hard evidence of this? No, you do not. But you don't have any evidence because you couldn't collect any evidence. Everything your investigators learned so far, they learned by proxy. They learned by sniffing around, and investigating the tracks left behind by an invisible monster that is the size of Equestria itself.

However, that too is by design. Your investigators did not really pressure any of their targets, in their individual investigations, because you were very clear that you did not want to alert the Bluebloods of your efforts. After all, you could very well have ordered them to push certain ponies here and there. In fact, you could even have called a few of the governors involved for a "chat" at any point.

But still, you realized that doing anything like that would no doubt alert the Bluebloods of what was going on. And since, to date, the Lunar Bureau has never really done anything, you still have secrecy in your side. Because even though Princess Celestia's decree made it clear that you have very broad powers, you have not yet done anything with that power in practice. Not enough to scare certain groups, at least.

And besides, for all that there is no shortage of evidence scattered all throughout the cities, your entire team is sure that the most damning ones will be hidden in the Blueblood manor itself.

Which brings you… to this.

"Commissioner, all teams are in position. The entire block is ready to be surrounded by the Royal Guard, and our carriages… seem to be just out of sight of the mansion itself," one of the two pegasi who is with you says. The stallion is also carrying binoculars, and is scanning the streets underneath your cloud as he speaks.

You answer him with a short nod, peering into your own binoculars again just to double check. And sure enough, despite how far away you are, you can see the little details he just mentioned.

Several groups of golden-armored Royal Guards, who are not a rare sight in the streets of Canterlot, have started doing something that is decidedly unusual. Especially in the Noble District. Watching through your binoculars, you can see shining gold lines of ponies blocking entire streets, creating a block-wide cordon centered on a particular mansion. You even spot a carriage that, already, is being refused passage.

Good. You won't involve the Royal Guard on the raid itself, but Shining's idea of involving them in the operation's security at large was definitely a good one. A little bit because it adds more legitimacy to the whole thing, at least from the public's perspective. And also because, to be frank, you don't have enough ponies to make a cordon this large.

You also suppose it is good for their morale, to be helping in something like this. You have already heard from Shining that, ever since the Catastrophe, the Royal Guard has been… in low spirits, so to speak. So, their participation in what is about to happen (especially given how some of the entry teams were recruited from their numbers) will definitely help. Even if just a little.

More importantly, you also see that the midnight-black carriages are already disgorging their passengers. They are out of sight from the mansion itself, but they are still within the closed-off cordon. And as the seconds stretch by, you watch as several grim-faced, heavily armored ponies file out of the carriages. Arranging themselves in teams, closing off helmets and checking their equipment one last time. Several teams of six ponies, two of each race, forming up behind individual leaders.

They all assume their positions, and then they just… wait.

Not for the first time, you feel a slight shiver run through your body. Not for the first time, you hesitate for a moment as you realize that they are all waiting for you. That there are dozens of competent, highly motivated and well-trained ponies waiting on your word, to go fulfill your orders.

You take a deep breath, and you light up your horn. The simple spell forming at the center of your forehead without any difficulty.

It is almost intimidating, to realize that even now you can call this entire operation off. It is almost scary, that you have the power to stop this entire day in its tracks by firing out a single orange flare. Not for the first time, you wonder if you really should be the one to do this. You wonder if it really should be you, and not anypony else in all of Equestria.

But once again, you remember something Shining Armor said to you in passing. You remember what he told you when you voiced your concerns. The words he said with the no-nonsense tone that could truly only come from a Royal Guard.

"If it's good enough for the Princess, then it's good enough for us. And nopony I know will ever think otherwise," he said.

You remember those words.

And moments later, a purple flare flies through the skies of Canterlot, exploding in a shower of sparks right above the Blueblood mansion.



- - -



You do not know the first thing about raids. And to be honest, you know even less about military operations.

You have Shining Armor for that. And for all that he is meant to be a neutral Deputy, a voice that equally represents all your agents and employees, you can already tell how tendentious he is towards his own background and experiences.

Still, again, you don't know the first thing about raids.

But you do understand a little about theatrics. And modesty aside, you know a thing or two about war.

So, for all that this whole operation was planned as a "raid", you can see it for what it truly is. Because the moment your purple flare erupts over the skies of Canterlot, the Blueblood mansion is not simply "raided".



It is placed under siege.



With a quick, almost march-like trot, the several teams make their way towards the mansion. Most noble mansions, especially the richer ones, are entirely surrounded by streets, and don't have any "neighbors" in the true sense of the word. So, in less than a minute, the mansion is surrounded. Two teams flanking the main gate, and at least one on all the smaller entrances.

Although, for all that they might be "gates", the mansions of noble ponies are not truly designed with security in mind. They are made, first and foremost, to display wealth. So, as sturdy as the gates might be, they are more gilded monuments than anything else. And the "walls" that surround the mansion are actually glorified fences, that allow the gardens within to be fully viewed by passersby.

So, it is no exaggeration to say that anypony who looks out through the window right now will realize that the place is being surrounded.

And a reason to look out through the window appears moments later.

Almost like clockwork, the moment the teams reach the gates, several pegasus-pulled contraptions rush through the skies. Blocky things with wings, sporting several cannisters and pipes, that trail heavy clouds as they fly. Industrial-grade cloud dispensers. Pieces of machinery that are as expensive and complicated as they are ingenious, capable of doing an entire weather team's worth of work in a fraction of the time. In less than a minute, the skies above the Blueblood mansion are covered in thick, lightning charged clouds. Not the kind that lets out water or rain, but still the kind of thing that any pegasus knows not to try and fly through.

Some of the members of the Blueblood family are pegasi, and without a doubt several of their servants have wings as well. So, a no-fly net above the mansion is a necessity.

As soon as the umbrella of dark clouds is in place, the teams move in. Gates are kicked down, and the black-clad ponies rush through the gardens and into the house. Yet another set of doors is kicked in, and they disappear inside the opulent mansion.

You can't really tell, given how far you are, but you presume there is a lot of shouting and yelling going on right now.

A few more moments pass, and you see the figure of Shining Armor, and several other ponies, making their way into the mansion's garden. They are not clad in the "assault" gear the other teams had (or at least, that's the word Shining used when explaining you) and are instead wearing the uniform of the Lunar Bureau.

One of the nearby ponies give him something. A megaphone. And even though you are so far away, and up in the sky, you can hear the faint sound of his voice, telling the ponies inside the house not to resist, among several other things.

The minutes stretch on, and you can do nothing but wait. Every now and then you can see a flash of magic coming from one of the windows. Two times, a few pegasi try to make a run for it and fly away, but the unicorns with Shining Armor shoot them down, and the pegasi with him try to catch their stunned bodies before they hit the ground.

At least once, they fail to catch the falling pony. One of the several possible externalities that you were told could happen, and that you signed off anyways.

Unfortunately, today is a day that, by necessity, involves countless risks. And that was one of them.

Still, eventually, you finally get the first sign that things just might go your way.

One of the windows of the mansion is opened from the inside, and the armored form of one of your agents appears through it. You can't tell any other detail about him, or her, but you soon realize he is a unicorn. And you can tell that because, moments later, three red flares erupt from his horn, exploding near the clouds above the mansion.

"Commissioner, three red flares," one of your accompanying pegasi says. And for all that he tries to hide it, you can hear the relief in his voice.

Because this whole operation today has three distinct objectives.

The "Red Team" as you called it would be exclusively charged with locating, and capturing, the head of the Blueblood family. And the three red flares are the signal that they succeeded. So, the single most important thing you needed to do today has been achieved. The Blue Team are in charge of corralling the rest of the principal members of the family, and the Green Team will probably take the longest, gathering every other pony in the mansion so they could all be taken away.

"Would you like to go down there, Commisisoner?" the other pony asks.

You too allow yourself a moment of reprieve, letting out a short sigh of relief.

And once again, you answer them with a nod, turning towards the waiting carriage as you speak.

"Yes. Take me down there. I need to have words with Red Team's catch."



- - -



The carriage settles down with only the slightest of lurches. You are sure that at some point the carriage must have gone straight down, but even then you did not feel it. Thank the heavens for pony craftsmanship and magic.

Still, the carriage lurches, and then it halts, and moments later one of your agents opens the door.

And you are greeted by a sight that is entirely different from the panoramic view you had from the distant cloud.

You step out of the carriage to the waiting form of your Deputy. The black-and-purple overcoat he is wearing is similar to yours, even if yours is only slightly fancier. Regardless, he gives you a sharp salute, and you answer him with a short nod.

To your right, you can see a cordon of Royal Guards. Their backs are turned to you, and they are blocking off what seems to be a small crowd of onlookers. Regular ponies, nobles, and even a blocked carriage that has a few curious ponies standing on top of it. You don't see any pegasi nearby, using their wings to give them a vantage point, but you suppose that is thanks to the very real threat of being shot down with stunning magic.

After all, nopony here is playing around. Shining's expression is dead serious, the Royal Guards look downright harsh, and all your agents have a grim expression on their faces. The crowd, you can tell, has already caught on to the fact that this is serious. More than serious. And seeing how all your agents reacted the moment you arrive, you can tell that the onlookers whispers have died down to a frightened silence.

And to your left, you can see the short road that leads to the Blueblood mansion itself. You are not exactly near it, but you are not far either. You can get there in maybe ten seconds, if you walk at a brisk trot. And the unobstructed view also lets you see Red Team making its way towards you.

But still, you walk to the middle of the road, putting yourself just a few paces away from the crowd and the Royal Guards, and then you wait.

Because you might know little about military operations. And every now and then you might doubt whether you are truly fit for this role.

However, you do know a thing or two about theatrics.

As you look towards the Blueblood mansion, you watch as no less than fourteen ponies make their way towards you. Two teams of six ponies, led by two team leaders, are coming in your direction. They are all clad in black armor, some of them even sporting a few marks here and there, and they are all carrying a full array of equipment between them. Those ranging from diverse magical gadgets, and going all the way to armaments and lethal blades.

But much more importantly two of those ponies, a pair of particularly large earth ponies, seem to be dragging along a third figure.

The head of the Blueblood family is, right now, a sight to behold. And the contrasts you see all over his figure is only surpassed by the rage you can see burning in his eyes. Because he is wearing something expensive, yes. A piece of clothing that seems to be a bright red suit, with gleaming details that might very well be laced with real gold. However, you can't really see too many details because of how chained and cuffed the stallion is.

No, really. The unicorn noble can barely move under his own power right now. He is, quite literally, being carried by the two agents. His four legs are cuffed, with the chains connecting both to each other as well as the large ring around his neck. The extended links are also tied around the middle of his body, given how the thing is also made to accommodate (or rather, immobilize) a pegasus if needed be. His head is sporting a tight set of blinkers, which stop him from being able to look anything that is not in front of him. And finally, and most importantly, a crystal-covered ring has been placed around his horn, fastened into place by more chains connected to other places, to stop him from trying any kind of magic.

You remember how one of your agents whistled in surprise when he saw that, the first time he was looking over your available equipment. You recall how he said that he had never really seen an "iron maiden" before.

You have no idea of what that term means. An informal name for that full-body shackle, you suppose. Still, the term stuck in your head.

But still, despite all of that, the family head still has the dignity, or perhaps the fury, to glare at you as he is placed in front of you.



"What is the meaning of this?! What in the Tartarus are you all talking about the Crown's authority?! I will have all your flanks for this, do you hear me?! I WILL HAVE YOU ALL SERVED TO ME ON A PLATTER!"



The family head of the Bluebloods, despite being chained, shackled, and surrounded by all of you, still has enough presence to sound intimidating. In fact, he still sounds confident enough that a part of you believes in his words.

But… that feeling only lasts for a second.

So, as the stallion begins to yell bloody murder, towards you, your agents, and even the silent crowd that is behind you, you go about your plan.

Because you see, you understand the importance of theatrics. You understand how useful the art of presentation is, and you have already read plenty of mystery books to know how this goes.

This, you know, is the part where you tell him what is going on. This is the part where you declare him to be under arrest, in a loud and clear tone, and denounce him as a criminal by order of the Crown.

This is the perfect moment to make him realize what is truly happening. To speak the words that will make his irate expression become one of dread and realization. To show him that his misdeeds have finally caught up to him, and that the Crown's favor that he boasted is finally turning into ire.

This, you know, is the perfect moment to show the head of the Blueblood family who you are.

However… you are not performing for him. You could do any of those things, if you wanted. You could do all of those things, really. But you don't need to. You never intended to, even.

Because this little bit of theatrics is not aimed at the head of the Bluebloods. Oh no. You are not doing any of this, you are not standing here right now, for the "benefit" of the noble unicorn.

You are doing this for everypony else who is watching. For the curious eyes that are gazing out from the nearby mansions. For the growing crowd that is, very hesitantly, watching from behind you. And most importantly, you are doing this for everypony else who will hear about it, once the news spread like wildfire. For everypony who will hear about this once the gossips reach them, and once the newspapers confirm it.

So, you don't do any of that. You don't make a long and elaborate speech about his crimes. You don't declare him to be under arrest. You don't even identify yourself.

Instead, you simply light up your horn, and you take out a scroll from your overcoat.

It is a list. A very short list, with the names and cutie marks of all the current members of the Blueblood family, together with a few pictures.

The noble stops yelling once he sees the list. His ire smothered by curiosity as he wonders what you are about to read to him. Or maybe he just needs a moment to catch his breath.

It doesn't matter. You are not here to talk to him.

"Cutie mark," you say out loud.

And before the noble can even react, the two ponies who brought him here lift him up again, turning him to the side so that the noble's flank is facing you.

Then, without a second thought, one of the stallions rips the side of his clothes, tearing through the incalculably expensive suit without hesitation.

The noble tries to do something, but the shackles stop him. He also starts to yell once again, but you ignore him. Instead, you just make a show of comparing his cutie mark with the one you have on your list.

There is no real need for any of this. Not to confirm his identity, and nor to do anything else you are doing.

But again, theatrics.

"That's him," you say, floating the scroll back to your pocket. "Take him in."

You then turn around and walk away.

And maybe two seconds later, the final piece of the "iron maiden", which had been hanging from the surrounding chains, is put into place on the noble's body. A few more indignant words escape his mouth until a sharp, metallic "clack!" of a muzzle being closed reaches your ears.

And the head of the Blueblood family can speak no more.

You don't even look towards the now-shocked crowd as the shackled and muzzled noble is dragged away. Instead, you simply walk towards your carriage, with Shining Armor silently accompanying you.

"Deputy, you have the floor. Report to me in the Bureau once the mansion is empty," you say.

And again, you make a point of not looking back even as the stallion gives you a salute. Closing the door of your carriage behind you, before your pullers fly you away and back towards the Lunar Bureau.

Later, as the hours dragged on, several transport carriages came to and from the Lunar Bureau. And slowly, the entirety of the Blueblood mansion was emptied. And one family head, twenty-two family members, and more than a hundred servants were carted off to the underground of the Bureau. Sorted into cells, from communal to solitaries, based on their importance, to be parsed through and questioned by the Burau's agents at the Commissioner's leisure.

Far away from the prying eyes of Ponykind.

Thankfully, the Solar Court made a hasty, almost rushed announcement on the following morning. Filling in on the Lunar Burau's intentional, terrifying silence with the news that, very soon, those ponies would be tried for their crimes.





The Lunar Bureau has successfully captured the key members of the Blueblood noble family and confiscated its holdings in Canterlot. The Blueblood mansion will be declared off-limits and guarded, and over the next few days and weeks your analysts will dissect every last document in it for evidence.

Throughout the next month, the Blueblood family will be charged and submitted to the Solar Court, while remaining under arrest in the Lunar Bureau. The Commissioner, and Equestria at large, will have the opportunity to observe those proceedings as they happen.

No further actions are needed regarding the Blueblood matter, although Velvet Covers may be offered the chance to do something if the situation arises.

Your first Princess-given task has been completed. Velvet Covers may now direct the Lunar Bureau.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan: Almost all in on Baldomare
-[X] [SELENE] One more month.
-[X] Make two reagents (1 AP)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
-[X] Summon Baldomare, using both reagents (95 bits, 1 AP)
-[X] Total cost: 185 bits (65 remaining), 2 AP (2 remaining)

This was not an easy decision to make.

The entirety of the now-fragmented Cult knows about Baldomare. Many high-ranking members were present when she was summoned. The Cadre, many of whom no doubt fled Ponyville when the Cult dissolved, aided in her summoning. Even the Master kept tabs on her, as much as the Moth creature was absent and elusive.

So, you have no doubt that there are dozens of ponies out there who know about her. They know about her, and they know how to summon her, and most importantly they realize they can summon her. After all, her exit from the Wake was not something you tried to (or even could) hide.

Additionally, you also realize that some of those ponies, who no doubt are interested in Baldomare's services, have already tried to kill you.

Consequently, you would be a fool if you did not try to summon her yourself.

After all, you recall what she can do. You remember how, sometimes, the mare acted as if she was more light than pony. And for all that she seemed content in lounging around your home drinking wine, you vividly remember how Baldomare did… things, that to this day are still beyond you.

She read through that ancient tome, that you spent weeks trying to decipher, as if she was reading from a newspaper.

She clarified and contextualized events that, despite your participation, you would not be able to comprehend.

She even held your mind on her hoofs and parsed through your memories as if she was glancing through a photo album.

Pleasant or not, friendly or not, Baldomare is still a Name. And for all that she refused several of your requests, you are still terrified of what might happen if she is summoned by a pony who actually convinces her to apply the full array of her abilities.

So, summoning her as soon as possible, and as soon as she was willing to return to the Wake, should have been an easy choice to make. It should have been the only choice to make.

However

However...

For the longest time, you were conflicted because…

Because like it or not, you actually found an alternative.

Baldomare, you know, is a Name of Lantern. She is a Name of Lantern, and she is perhaps the highest authority in Secret Histories that exists in this Era. And that is by her own account, which certainly trumps the opinion of anypony else as far as you are concerned.

However, you found another Name in the Mansus. Just a few days ago, you found another creature that rivaled her, even if it was in another area.

You found Biedde, the Name of Edge. A Soldier from an Era where that title truly meant something. An existence that is exalted as Baldomare. But where Baldomare aligned herself to knowledge and light, Biedde in one who dedicated himself exclusively to the art of murder.

And your main problem was that… well, you only have so much time. You only have enough time, and resources, and even secrecy to summon one of those beings. At least, if you wish to do it in a competent manner. In a way that would guarantee you some degree of success, and that wouldn't see you relying on luck or fate.

So, you thought. You thought, and you pondered, and you banged your head against the figurative wall of opportunities and consequences.



Until you reached a decision.



As you said, everypony in the Cult knows about Baldomare. Every last member of the Inner Circle, every Chosen, and all the members of the Cadre know how to call her forth. And if they really want to, any of them can draw a circle in the middle of nowhere and try their hoofs at summoning Baldomare. So, whether you like it or not, the next few days will be the only window you will ever have, to summon the Lantern Name yourself.

But Biedde?

Oh, you are absolutely sure that you are the only one who knows about Biedde.

So, you could try to summon Biedde right now. You could try to summon him, and send him and Mareinette after Copper Secateur. You could put all your eggs in the Edge-sharp, Grail-tainted basket of conflict, and hope that once the dust settles there will be nopony else trying to kill you.

However, if you fail, then Copper Secateur will still be alive… and she will have two Names at her service. One specialized in the cold of Winter, and the other a master in uncovering secrets and information.

And the thought of Baldomare whispering secrets at Copper's ear sends a shiver down your spine.

So, you will play the long game. Or rather, you will play the longer game, even if only by a month.

You can summon Biedde next month, or in the month after that.

But Baldomare?

Well, the fight for her must be decided here and now.

With that in mind, you light up your horn, floating away the several pieces of cloth that were covering the waiting mirrors.

After that, you begin to speak the words. And the ritual circle, within the out-of-the-way barn of your family's property, begins to glow with the eerie off-pink of the Secret Histories.



[CONTESTED SUMMONING]



[SECRET HISTORIES]

[VELVET ROLL: 27 + 13 (Magic) + 40 (SECRET HISTORIES, Level 4) = 80]

[OPPONENT ROLL: 37 + 26 (Act?) + 20 (Blood?) -10 (Paranoia) = 73]

[VELVET COVERS VICTORY]



[KNOCK]

[VELVET ROLL: 3 51 (Re-roll invoked) + 13 (Magic) + 40 (KNOCK, Level 4) + 20 (Reagents) = 124]

[OPPONENT ROLL: 48 + 28 (Act?) + 40 (Blood?) – 10 (Paranoia) = 106]

[VELVET COVERS VICTORY]



[LANTERN]

[VELVET ROLL: 65 + 13 (Magic) + 40 (LANTERN, Level 4) + 40 (Reagents) = 158]

[OPPONENT ROLL: 93 + 46 (Act?) + 30 (Blood?) -10 (Paranoia) = 159]

[OPPONENT VICTORY]



[All participants successfully completed the summoning]

[Velvet Covers won in two out of three steps. No further re-rolls are needed.]

[Velvet Covers has successfully summoned Baldomare]



- - -



The mirrors begin to crack one after the other. Showering the ground, and the ritual circle, with tiny shards of light-bleached glass.

The mirrors, you know, are breaking apart due to the strain they are being subjected to. However, that strain is not coming from the words you are speaking, or even from the slightly acid substance you coated them with. Instead, they are cracking and bursting thanks to the LIGHT that is trying to pass through them.

Thanks to the LIGHT that is trying to escape from them.

The smaller mirrors, that dot the larger Lantern-circle, are the first to go. One by one they shatter, following a pattern that you can almost follow. Then, the ones in the middle-circle break apart, littering the Knock patterns inscribed around them with their shards.

And every time a mirror breaks, the light seems to focus on the mirrors that are not yet broken. Every time another glass surface all but explodes in a shower of fragments, the other mirrors only grow brighter.

That is, until there is only one mirror left. Until the single mirror that you placed in the centermost circle, the one that is as large as a pony is tall, is leaking out so much light it is almost blinding.

You finish speaking the words. And the ritual reaches the point where you would not be able to stop it even if you wanted.

After that, you can only wait. Ten long seconds crawling by as you look at the increasingly brighter mirror, squinting your eyes and hoping you will not go blind before anything happens.

But thankfully, the mirror does not shatter, nor does its light become any brighter than it already is. Instead, the light fades down, and the image in the mirror's surface coalesces into something visible.

A scenery that is not a reflection of the barn around you, but that is definitely familiar.

The mirror, you realize, has become a portal. One that you cannot cross, due to the still-existing glass that divides it. But still, a portal that connects to a place that is almost… familiar.

And after the light dies down, you find yourself looking at the interior of a lodge. The interior of a room you have not visited, but whose walls you immediately recognize nonetheless.

More than that, you also realize you can hear through the mirror. Even if the sound is muffled by its transparent, yet solid, boundary.



"Just a moment, dear. I am not done packing yet."



And an honest, unmitigated wave of relief runs through your body, as you recognize the voice you just heard.

"Ah! That's where I left it. Good, good," the voice mumbles to itself for a few more moments. "No mare should go on a trip without her trusty comb!"

But after that, you see movement.

And a familiar mare finally appears on the other side of the mirror.

"Velvet Covers! I thought I recognized your hoofwork. How have you been? No, wait, don't tell me yet."

With those words, Baldomare appears before you, greeting you through the other side of the glass. Her muffled voice reaches your mind even before it reaches your ears. And her pleased smile takes a weight off your back that you didn't even realize was there.

Still, before you can say anything, the mare steps through the glass.

Light becomes flesh. Ideas become solid.

And the familiar bespectacled unicorn mare, her mane tied back in a bun, steps into the Wake as if she had just crossed an open door. Her body now as solid as the glass she just crossed. The saddlebag on her back making her look more like a tourist or a traveler than a Name of the Mansus.

Although, the moment she finishes touching the solid ground, the mirror behind her breaks neatly in two. A perfectly vertical fissure separating it in two halves, with the image of her home fizzling out of existence one moment later.

"Ah, much better. Much easier for you to answer me now that your words can reach me. So, what did I miss? How are you doing? Oh, and why in the Mansus did I receive two invitations? Did I miscalculate and close my door for three years or something?"

She asks all those questions casually. Her tone is quite literally conversational. But still, you can tell that her eyes are already looking here and there, analyzing the circle that surrounds her, and the barn you are currently in, and looking at other places as if she could see beyond the walls and the farmlands and maybe even the horizon itself.

And yet, when she looks back at you, her expression is completely free of judgment.

You even dare say that she looks glad to be back. Or at least excited.

"About that, Baldomare. You can say that… some things have happened, while you were away."

You wave for the mare to step out of the circle, lighting up your horn to begin the long process of cleaning up. She joins you without a second thought, and soon enough you find yourself telling her everything that is going on.

And Baldomare does not sound surprised at all at what you tell her. In fact, she even laughs here and there.

"Oh, so you finally started killing each other? It was only a matter of time, I suppose. Speaking of which, you say you met a pony named Biedde higher in the Mansus? By the Watchpony, that name does take me back. And since we are talking about Names, why don't I tell you about…"





You have succeeded in performing a contested summoning ritual. You have used your KNOCK Re-roll for this turn.

You have produced, and consumed, two level 3 reagents. 90 bits have been deducted from your personal coffers.

You have successfully summoned Baldomare. 95 bits have been deducted from your personal coffers. She will be unsummoned at the END of Turn 20, unless her bindings are renewed.

"Are you reading through the archive? Well, I hope you are enjoying the story so far. I won't tell you how it ends, just in case. But say, why don't you scroll down to the next… you call them posts, right? Why don't you scroll down to the next post? Or just tap here. There is an errant little History you might miss if you don't. It is embellished, as most Histories are, and definitely false. Still, there is always something to be learned from a reflection, even if it is twisted."

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan: Almost all in on Baldomare
-[X] [SELENE] One more month.
-[X] Make two reagents (1 AP)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
--[X] Lantern 2, Knock 1 (45 bits)
-[X] Summon Baldomare, using both reagents (95 bits, 1 AP)
-[X] Total cost: 185 bits (65 remaining), 2 AP (2 remaining)

After you and Baldomare return to the estate, you find yourself forced to part ways with her.

Granted, you know she will be there tomorrow, but you had honestly forgotten how entrancing the mare can be when she decides to speak. After all, everything she tells you, even if it is just a story, is always so coated with tidbits of information that you feel like you can fill a whole plate just with the "crumbs" that she drops.

Still, needs must. And you need to at least pretend you were sleeping through the night, and that you were not performing eldritch rituals in an out-of-the-way barn. So, you take her to her guest room, hear her say this and that about how the room next to hers still "smell like snakes", and you go back to bed.

And when the sun rises, you are already waiting in front of her door the moment she steps out of it for breakfast.

"Now Velvet, I am not one to give advice for free. But still, let me tell you something you already know."

The two of you are walking downstairs, towards the dining room. Your daughters, you can tell, are already there with your husband.

Although, of all the ponies present, so far only Stormchaser knows that Baldomare is already here.

"There are always two ways to win at something. The first is by reaching your objective, of course. Which is a convoluted way of saying that you win by winning. And the second way is by making sure your adversaries lose." She says that as you two reach the bottom of the stairs, and you nod as she looks around before heading to the dining room. "The problem is that too many ponies think they are doing the first, when they are actually doing the second. And that is doubly so when they are in a war. Too many good adepts stopped climbing because they were too busy trying to kill their enemies. But that's the trap, Velvet: there will always be more enemies."

You try to stop yourself from frowning. Her saying to easily that you are at "war" is already bad enough, even though you know the mare is right. But her statement that, well, "there will always be more" is the opposite of reassuring.

Because so far, you can only think of four ponies… well, three ponies and one creature, that you should be wary of. Five, if you count Comet Feet.

But still, she… has a point. After all, the knowledge of the Lores is spreading, even if at a snail's pace. Too many ponies that were a part of the Cult moved away to places unknown. So, it is only a matter of time before other ponies start racing for Glory.

Soon, there might just be too many ponies for you to try to stop, like you are doing with Copper Secateur. So, the only way for you to win might just be to come first, instead of ensuring everypony else is second.

"Nevertheless, what's that thing you mentioned about your little brother wanting to date a snake?"

She finishes that phrase by giving you an amused, almost curious look. And right when she lights up her horn to open the door to the dining room.

However, before you have a chance to do that-



"Aaaaaaaaaauntie BALDIE!"



-several things happen at once.

It takes a second. No, less than a second. In fact, scratch that. It doesn't even make sense.

Because the moment Baldomare started opening the door, but before either of you entered your family's sight, you hear the voice of your daughter.

You hear Silky Stream letting out an excited shout. And you hear her approaching.

The two of you hear her approaching very quickly.

Your daughter, who is on the opposite side of the dining room, flies towards Baldomare. She zips towards her, causing napkins and vegetables and all sorts of breakfast utilities to fly from the sheer gust of wind.

She is upon the Name in less than an eyeblink. And your mind can only register how Baldomare is wide-eyed and frozen in the instant before your daughter reaches her with a cannonball of a hug.

Or rather, that is what you thought was going to happen. Because somehow, Baldomare seems to phase in and out of existence, and your daughter passes through her as if the mare was an illusion, or as if she was made out of light.

Still, that happens too quickly for anypony to notice. And Silky Stream certainly doesn't realize it at all. Maybe she just thinks she missed. Or maybe, some other, deeper sense that transformed her into a homing arrow only shrugs and recalibrates for another run. Because sure enough, your flying daughter merely corkscrews through the air, creating a localized tornado in the entrance hall, before she is set to collide with Baldomare once again.

Thankfully, that gives you enough time to reach. And you light up your horn, catching the filly in midair, just as she is about to land on Baldomare's back.

Nevermind that Baldomare is still shocked. And that her sturdy earth pony body (which she had been all along, of course) was only half-postured to receive the coming blow.

"Silky Stream! What did I tell you about tackling our guests?" you say, the harshness of your tone mellowed down by how cute your daughter looks, as she shakes her forelegs while trying to reach for Baldomare, even as she floats in your magical grip.

"Auntie Baldie! Auntie Baldie! Welcome back! Selene, come here! Auntie Baldie is baaack!"

And it seems that your daughter didn't hear you anyway.

You can do nothing but sigh, releasing Silky from your magic once Baldomare gives you stunned nod. And thankfully, your daughter acts a lot more tame once you let her go.

Why, she even waits for Baldomare to fly up and greet her, the pegasus mare (which she had been all along, of course) giving your daughter a hearty hug once she is no longer afraid of being a victim of death-by-filly.

"Silky! You've grown so much! How have you been?"

And with that, you begin another weekend with your family. The presence of at least one Name of the Mansus at your table being almost commonplace by now.



- - -



IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

-You think Jade Whistle could use some free time. Alternatively, you could ask her to do something very simple, hope she succeeds, and hope that it won't exhaust her even further.

-Velvet Covers may now direct the Lunar Bureau. Available options are included in the relevant tab.

-Unfortunately, QM lacks the time and bandwidth to play the Lunar Bureau in the micromanagement intensive way that was presented before. However, your Lunar Bureau is still a "small" force capable of intense effort. So, its orders have been simplified, and narrative occurrences will be more relevant.

-To put it simply you "point" the Bureau at something, and they will either give you results, or you will be appraised of what problems you will have to deal with instead.

-Additionally, Velvet Covers is now accustomed to her "Canterlot routine". She may now perform extra actions, relating to the Bureau, for free. As shown in the relevant tab.

-Furthermore, Velvet Covers is now accustomed to her current work-life balance. Velvet Covers may now perform one "Social Action", or teach one follower, for free.

-Finally, your current three-circle ritual location is UNDER SUSPICION. Gossip has reached you through Ponpon that "something strange" has happened in one of the more distant barns. Your efforts at making it less suspicious have worked, so you were "shielded" from any blowback. However, this latest summoning has "burned through" that shield, and performing additional summons will now be suspicious (and risk discovery/blowback) if performed, unless you locate or prepare another safe place.



- - -



This turn's available bits: 81

Monthly revenue: 160 bits/month (-185 from Baldomare summons and reagents)

Rarity's dividends for this turn: 56 (concentrated work, noticeable success)

Stormchaser is AT HOME this month. (Efforts at guarding yourself and your family will apply to him.)



- - -



You have TWO personal actions, ONE (free) social action, and ONE servant action to use freely. (Four personal actions, minus two already used to summon Baldomare and craft the necessary reagents)

During this month, Velvet Covers will be more absent from her work in order to spend time with her family. No further actions are needed to address that.

During this month, Velvet Covers will be involved with (or maybe dragged by) Cadance to help her plan the Royal Wedding. At some point, Velvet Covers will be able to "choose" (vote) for something good. Additional actions may be invested in that, to both expand the list of possibilities, and allow her to pick more items from it. (By default, she will only be able to pick ONE thing if she doesn't choose to do anything else)



The Lunar Bureau

Spoiler: Orders, Commissioner?

(NOTE: During this month, Velvet Covers will neglect her work in the Bureau to spend more time with her family. You cannot say how that will impact the result of the Bureau's actions, if at all.)

General notes:
-Velvet Covers may NOT "tamper with evidence" of anything the Lunar Bureau captures.
-The Lunar Bureau has no knowledge of the Lores. They might miss Lore-related things, or might not know how to react to them, if Velvet Covers is not personally involved.
-Velvet Covers MAY "plant evidence" in advance, in an already-explored expedition site or somewhere you direct the Bureau to go. Consult with QM for details, to write-in a Velvet action aimed at that.


Pick ONE of each.

You don't have many detectives, but the ones you do are the best of the best. What should they focus on this month?
-[] [DETECTIVES] Despite their friendly nature, ponies are capable of crimes just like any other intelligent creature. Have them investigate crimes at large, in the several cities of Equestria. (Less impactful in the grand scheme of things. But helps the Bureau keep a good image, and decreases the "tension" of the population at large, as the world becomes a worse place)
-[] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[] [DETECTIVES] The dangers in the dark come from outside of Ponykind as well. Listen to the rumors. Study the myths. Look for the threats from without. (Search for Expedition Sites for your later consideration. Additionally, keep an ear on the ground for other "foreign" threats)
-[] [DETECTIVES] Nudge them in the… "correct" direction. Put them on the trail of one of your Opponents. (WRITE IN which Opponent. Sets the Bureau to investigate a pony you have a personal problem with)


Former constables, ex-Guards, defenders, one and all. They are not perfectly suited for investigations, but the Bureau needs muscles. And these ponies provide.
-[] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[] [CONSTABLES] Plan and execute a raid. Within Equestria, or anywhere else that is needed. (WRITE IN an Expedition, OR an Opponent the Bureau has investigated. The Bureau will attempt to perform the Expedition, or will assault an Opponent)
-[] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Default target is Velvet's home. WRITE IN if targeted at Stormchaser, if he is "Away". Adds two 3/3 health, "+15 Personal Combat" ponies as bodyguards, if the target is attacked during this turn)


Of course, now that you have a better handle of this, you can find the time to pursue other endeavors while in Canterlot.
-[] [COMMISSIONER] Some of the ponies in the Bureau are figureheads. Get to know them better.
--[] Shining Armor, your Deputy.
--[] Beyond Reproach, your finest detective.
--[] Spend time with somepony else. (Discover, and talk to, another key figure)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[] The Solar Court, and Fair Trial.
--[] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[] [COMMISSIONER] Get your hoofs dirty. (Participate in the "Investigators" actions. And join the "Constables" in a raid/Expedition, if they are ordered to do a raid/Expedition)

-[] Do something about your opponents

Spoiler: Opponents

"They might not be your enemies, but they are definitely not your friends."
(Knowing, or at least suspecting, an opponent's location is vital for a non-ritual action to succeed. Otherwise, the pony sent will spend their action investigating an opponent's whereabouts)

Defend your home. Because you can't keep fighting if you are dead.
--[] [GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (May NOT be performed by Velvet herself. WRITE IN who will perform this.)
-Your opponents will always target your home, not Velvet herself, unless they specifically target Stormchaser when he is "Away", or one of your followers in particular.
-A "Guard" action will always be aimed at your home, unless you specify otherwise. Followers ordered to "Guard" will always be involved when your home is assaulted.
Followers ordered to "Guard" will NOT magically teleport to Velvet if she decides to participate in combat outside her home, or if she throws herself in danger in an Expedition or some other setting
-If you are not attacked during a turn, the "Guard" action has NO EFFECT and is functionally WASTED. No "tangential rewards" will apply. A guard's duty is to wait, and hope he is not needed.

Copper Secateur (possible location suspected)
--[] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [COPPER] Send somepony to locate, or spy on, this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [COPPER] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN which)
--[] [COPPER] Attempt to contact this opponent (WRITE IN who to send, and what to discuss if successful)

Windy Flakes (possible location unknown)
--[] [WINDY] Send somepony to attack this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [WINDY] Send somepony to locate, or spy on, this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [WINDY] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN which)
--[] [WINDY] Attempt to contact this opponent (WRITE IN who to send, and what to discuss if successful)

Starry Dancer (possible location unknown)
--[] [STARRY] Send somepony to attack this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [STARRY] Send somepony to locate, or spy on, this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [STARRY] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN which)
--[] [STARRY] Attempt to contact this opponent (WRITE IN who to send, and what to discuss if successful)

The Master (possible location unknown)
--[] [MASTER] Send somepony to attack this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [MASTER] Send somepony to locate, or spy on, this opponent (WRITE IN who)
--[] [MASTER] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN which)
--[] [MASTER] Attempt to contact this opponent (WRITE IN who to send, and what to discuss if successful)

You also have the free time to…

Spoiler: This won't take long

These personal, non-Mansus actions are free.

-[] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of [SPECIFY LORE] (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")

-[] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)

-[] The delights of subservience (Leash currently targeting: SHINING ARMOR)
--[] Change Leash to another target. (Write-in who)
--[] Un-Leash the current target.

Pick ONE social/teaching action, for your free time at home.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Cheerilee, your daughter's schoolteacher.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Mayor Mare, the de-factor ruler of Ponyville.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Filthy Rich, a well-to-do and wealthy businesspony.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Applejack, daughter of the Apple Clan and older sister to your daughter's friend.
-[] [SOCIAL] Go into town and try to meet somepony interesting.

-[] [SOCIAL] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple.
-[] [SOCIAL] Teach Jade, and make her a Seeker.
-[] [SOCIAL] Teach Fluttershy, and make her a Disciple.
-[] [SOCIAL] Teach your family the Lores. (Requires "all Lores" to be Level 4 or higher, affects your entire family)

Confidants and Summons

Spoiler: Options of Focus

-The characters below have their own lives and objectives, but are willing to perform one (or more, if listed) action on your behalf per turn.
-They can also accompany you for an expedition, as long as it is a "short" expedition. Longer expeditions (or if failure on a short expedition delays it) will overwrite the order you gave them.

Spoiler: Rarity

Rarity (currently an Initiate, GRAIL Level 1, FORGE Level 0):

Current Health: 3

Special considerations: She will always dedicate her time to her career, but performing actions for you inevitably require her focus. She will warn you if she thinks that her career is in danger of taking a hit.
Rarity will be treated as a Minion if (1) your Grail level is superior to her, OR (2) you are currently under the effects of An Incarnadescence. (She will be a Minion if either is true).

-[] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[] [RARITY] Accompany you, and lend her hoof. (Pick TWO of Velvet's personal actions for her to aid you in)
-[] [RARITY] Act as your emissary. (Pick an action from Velvet's list.)
-[] [RARITY] The Secret Library has enough knowledge for her to learn on her own. Tell her to focus on her studies, so she may turn into a Disciple. SECRET LIBRARY INSUFFICIENTLY LEVELED
-[] [RARITY] Lead an Expedition. (Select her as the leader of an Expedition in which you will not take part, plan the other details of the expedition accordingly. You will still have to fund the Expedition yourself)
-[] [RARITY] Something else (WRITE IN a suggested action)

Spoiler: Jade Whistle

Jade Whistle (currently a Disciple, LANTERN Level 3, HEART Level 1):

Current Health: 3

Special considerations: Jade Whistle might react badly if she fails an action, or if she feels she is not being useful.

-[] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[] [JADE] Accompany you, and lend her hoof. (Pick TWO of Velvet's personal actions for her to aid you in)
-[] [JADE] Act as your emissary. (Pick an action from Velvet's list.)
-[] [JADE] The Secret Library has enough knowledge for her to learn on her own. Tell her to focus on her studies, so she may turn into an Seeker. (This will level her up, at the expense of her own focus action instead of an action of your own) SECRET LIBRARY INSUFFICIENTLY LEVELED
-[] [JADE] Lead an Expedition. (Select her as the leader of an Expedition in which you will not take part, plan the other details of the expedition accordingly. You will still have to fund the Expedition yourself)
-[] [JADE] Something else (WRITE IN a suggested action)

(Baldomare will expire at the end of turn 20)

Spoiler: Baldomare

Baldomare (LANTERN Level 6, SECRET HISTORIES Level 6):

Current Health: 2

Special considerations: Something interesting might happen if, while prolonging her stay, you gift her a Level 6 unread book.

-[] [BALDOMARE] Accompany you, and lend her hoof. (Pick TWO of Velvet's personal actions for her to aid you in)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Act as your emissary. (Pick an action from Velvet's list.)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Lead an Expedition. (Select her as the leader of an Expedition in which you will not take part, plan the other details of the expedition accordingly. You will still have to fund the Expedition yourself)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Ask for a Lesson. (Grants you one scrap of Lore, SPECIFY if Lantern or Secret Histories)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (During this turn, instead of the usual two months, she will gift you the highest order of Influence of a Lore, SPECIFY if Lantern or Secret Histories]
-[] [BALDOMARE] "Go have fun." (Give an amount of bits to Baldomare, and she will return with something interesting. She won't bother to do it unless you give her at least 100 bits. You may suggest to her what you want, but she will most likely not listen to you.)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (WRITE IN an unread book of level 5 or higher. If you do, Baldomare will reset her summoning period as if she was summoned at the BEGINNING of the next turn. This is a free action.)

-[] [BALDOMARE] Something else (WRITE IN a suggested action)

Spoiler: Fluttershy/Comet Feet

Fluttershy (currently an Initiate, WINTER Level 1, UNKNOWN nonexistent)

Current Health: 3/3

Special considerations: She is, probably, especially unsuited for social actions. And then there is Comet Feet...

-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from you... mutual friend. (WRITE IN a favor, that you will ask her to ask Comet Feet to do)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Accompany you, and lend her hoof. (Pick TWO of Velvet's personal actions for her to aid you in)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Act as your emissary. (Pick an action from Velvet's list.)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] ] The Secret Library has enough knowledge for her to learn on her own. Tell her to focus on her studies, so she may turn into a Disciple. (This will level her up, at the expense of her own focus action instead of an action of your own) SECRET LIBRARY INSUFFICIENTLY LEVELED
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Lead an Expedition. (Select her as the leader of an Expedition in which you will not take part, plan the other details of the expedition accordingly. You will still have to fund the Expedition yourself)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Something else (WRITE IN a suggested action)

(Mareinette's current bindings will expire at the end of Turn 19)

Spoiler: Mareinette

Mareinette, Our Lady of Wires (GRAIL Level 6, HEART Level 6):

Current Health: ??/??

-[] [MAREINETTE] Accompany you, and lend her hoof. (Pick TWO of Velvet's personal actions for her to aid you in)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Act as your emissary. (Pick an action from Velvet's list. INCLUDING social actions private to Velvet)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Lead an Expedition. (Select her as the leader of an Expedition in which you will not take part, plan the other details of the expedition accordingly. You will still have to fund the Expedition yourself)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Ask for a Lesson of Grail. (Grants you one scrap of Grail Lore)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Ask for a Lesson of Heart. (Grants you one scrap of Heart Lore)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Channel a Grail/Heart Influence. (During this turn, instead of the usual two months, she will gift you the highest order of either Grail or Heart Influence]
-[] [MAREINETTE] Something else (WRITE IN a suggested action)

Spoiler: Selene

Selene (MOTH 3; WINTER 3; EDGE 3; KNOCK 3):

As an alicorn, Selene has TWO actions.

-[X] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

No more running, no more hesitation. If you don't do this, somepony else will, and that thought sometimes terrifies you.

Spoiler: The Dreams come, whether you like it or not

You must pick a single action. You will suffer a malus if there are no new locations to explore (but reaching a Door will give you a "grace" period of a few turns)
-[] [KNOCK] The Woods
--[] [KNOCK] Explore the Temple of the Wheel (Mansus Expedition)
--[] [KNOCK] There has to be somewhere in or around the Woods you have not yet seen. Looking for them will help you understand this place better.

--[] The Blank Plains (Blank Plains fully explored)

-[] [KNOCK] The Shattered Stairways
--[] [KNOCK] A labyrinth of stairs. A monument of a gone age. A sprawling ruin. See where the many paths might lead you.

-[] [KNOCK] The Ruined Church
--[] [KNOCK] Explore the depths of the Ruined Church (Mansus Expedition)

-[] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.

-[] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus. (Actions towards your possible Sacraments)

Spoiler: Sacramentum means a Solemn Oath

--[] Towards that cold Winter that awaits us all
---[] Investigating the End (Costs 30 bits. May be done multiple times per turn. Somepony, somewhere, will die.)
---[] Beg for knowledge of the End, so that you may learn of its necessity. (Will also provide you with an Edge Sacrament) [THIS IS A REGRETTABLE ACTION]
---[] Invitation? No Winter Names summoned

--[] Knock, and ye shall open
---[] Study the manners in which the skin of the world might be cut. (Research action, full requirements unknown.)
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errant for the Daughter-of-Axes Requires Knock 4/4

--[] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3) (THIS IS A DANGEROUS ACTION)
---[] Follow Baldomare, towards a place Beyond the Map's Edge (This is an Expedition action) (this costs ONE Baldomare action, ONE Velvet action, and 40 bits)

--[] Take that terrifying leap, into the abyss we call change
---[] Don the mask, shear your mane, pick the only pony who will notice it. Snip snip snip (WRITE IN a CONFIDANT to be permanently lost) Requires Moth 4/4
---[] Invitation? No Moth Names available

--[] But what might we learn, when we fulfill out desires?
---[] "The Act" (WRITE IN three minion-equivalent ponies) Requires Grail 4/4
---[] "An invitation to dinner" (WRITE IN a minion-equivalent pony, or a prisoner, to be destroyed)

--[] You must learn more. Always, always more. The higher you rise, the more you see!
---[] "The Conversation" (WRITE IN a minion-equivalent pony, or a prisoner, to be destroyed) Requires Lantern 4/4
---[] Pay Baldomare her fee. (WRITE IN FOUR followers, or equivalents, for Baldomare's expedition) Requires Lantern 4/4

--[] Learn of that bright Edge, that lives within us all
---[] "I see you my enemy" (WRITE IN who you will challenge) Requires Edge 3/4
---[] Be blessed by that Wound, which never ceases to grow. (Will also provide you with a Winter Sacrament) [THIS IS A REGRETTABLE ACTION]
---[] Invitation? No Edge Names summoned

-[] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)

Spoiler: Another moment, and they will be gone

--[] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)

--[] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)

--[] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.

-[] On the treasures that bits may buy (actions where you search for things to purchase)

Spoiler: Bits and Buyings

(Velvet Covers is immune to transportation costs)
--[] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them.
---[] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
---[] In the great libraries of Canterlot… the ones that are open to public access, that is (LANTERN, GRAIL, SECRET HISTORIES)
---[] In the many small bookshops that dot the side streets of Manehattan (MOTH, EDGE, KNOCK)
(Due to SECRET HISTORIES 3, now you have a better idea of what you are more likely to find in each city)

--[] Although you are personally judicious about such habits, you are still a noble. Searching for "peculiar items" to "add to your collection" is certainly not out of place… right? (Search for an artifact to buy)

--[] You have ingrained yourself with the merchants of Ponyville. Tap into your sources and procure an artifact. (Specify LORE and LEVEL, up to Level 3. It will be added to your available list, but will be more expensive than normal)

--[] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.) (Does NOT cost an action)
---[] NO ARTIFACTS AVAILABLE

On furthering your interests

Spoiler: In Ponyville

-[] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should… (Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
--[] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
--[] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.

On planning an Expedition.

Spoiler: Out into the World

(All options involve a test, and can fail, Secret-Histories aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
-[] [EXPEDITION] Equestria is full of undiscovered places. You must learn their secrets…
--[] [EXPEDITION] Search for a place that is recent in its ruin, whose History is decided. Mundane as it might be, it might still bear treasures. (Search for an "easy" expedition)
--[] [EXPEDITION] Search for a place that is old in its History. Where the influence of the Mansus is but an echo, but that can still be heard in the wind. (Search for an intermediary expedition)
--[] [EXPEDITION] Search for a place that should be better left forgotten. According to the powers of this Era, at least. Finding it will be hard, though, and uncovering its secrets even harder. (Search for a very hard expedition)

-[] [EXPEDITION] "Beneath the Royal Castle, pt. 2"
--[] [EXPEDITION] Scout out the place so you can have a better grasp of what lies ahead of you.
--[] [EXPEDITION] You know enough, and there is not much time. Gather your followers and head out. (Costs TWO actions, as specified)

On furthering knowledge. Yours, or somepony else's.

Spoiler: The allures of Power

-[] [TEACH] Write a Manifest. It will not benefit you directly, but it will certainly benefit anypony else with whoever you allow into your library. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple.
-[] [TEACH] Teach Jade, and make her a Seeker.
-[] [TEACH] Teach Fluttershy, and make her a Disciple.
-[] [TEACH] Teach your family the Lores. (Requires "all Lores" to be Level 4 or higher, affects your entire family)

(You may study three books, OR two artifacts, OR one book and one artifact. Studying/developing a ritual costs an entire action.)

-[] [LEARN] There is something about this… thing, and you must learn what it is
--[] KNOCK Level 2 artifact

-[] [LEARN] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure weekend evening, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it!
--[] [LEARN] BOOK, HEART Level 1. "A small book that covers a particular kind of elegant dancing".
--[] [LEARN] BOOK, FORGE Level 1. "A small handbook on camping, explaining the basics of how to build a tent and start a small fire".
--[] [LEARN] BOOK FORGE Level 3. "A real guide to beginner's level blacksmithing. The bookstore owner almost seemed excited in having this reach your hoofs via your servants."
--[] [LEARN] BOOK FORGE Level 3. The book is simply titled 'Chemistry', and your servants reluctantly admitted that was the only word they understood in it. Of course you know they were being dramatic, but that also means that the contents of the book must be way, way beyond what they teach at schools."
--[] [LEARN] BOOK, KNOCK Level 2. "A fairly recent, and short, book about dream interpretation. You know it is recent because it was dedicated to Princess Luna's return".
--[] [LEARN] BOOK EDGE Level 1. "The title is self-explanatory: 'Four self-defense spells every unicorn should know'. You doubt they are anything more than different variations of concentrated telekinesis."
--[] [LEARN] BOOK UNKNOWN LORE. "An old book, hoof-written and bound with rusty metal pins. Found in the cavernous undergrounds of the Royal Castle. The language written in it is strange, but the alphabet itself is not. This is clearly from this age." (REQUIRES DECIPHERING, unknown if it will grant Lore-knowledge. From Current Era: "-20" malus while deciphering. Current Progress 0/50)

-[] [LEARN] It all fits together, somehow… or so you hope.
--[] [LEARN] "Unknown Ritual – A Memory of Light" Step one (Progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)

On scaling the Mansus (Pick TWO options for every action spent)

Spoiler: The House without walls

-[] [MANSUS] The Woods
--[] [MANSUS] Wander around the Woods, and hear its many whispers.
--[] [MANSUS] Visit the Dry Well, with its many scents.
--[] [MANSUS] Explore the Temple of the Wheel (Mansus Expedition)
--[] [MANSUS] There are other places connected to the Woods, but that are not in the Mansus proper. Look for them. (Search for a new area)

-[] [MANSUS] The Blank Door
--[] [MANSUS] Explore the Blank Plains, the first afterlife of ponykind.
--[] [MANSUS] Visit the Lodge of the Sage Pony. You may not be able to talk to Baldomare, but you surely can listen very well.
--[] [MANSUS] Visit the Garden of Mirrors, where the Mares attend the glassy flowers.
--[] [MANSUS] Explore what lies beyond the Garden of Mirrors, behind that pale veil of fog Requires a Winter Sacrament
--[] [MANSUS] Reach for The Tower, at the impossible edge of the Blank Plains, and meditate on what you are lacking. (Gain one scrap of Secret Histories Lore) This option will not net you any gain.

-[] [MANSUS] The Shattered Stairways
--[] [MANSUS] Wander through the maze of broken stairs. Perhaps you will stumble upon something.
--[] [MANSUS] Reach for the Valley of Keys, where the snakemare of the Mansus toils for her freedom.
--[] [MANSUS] Seek audience with the Wolf-Divided (you will be given a useful gift. Gifts will always be increasingly more precious and useful. There is no risk of receiving any maluses or wounds) [This is a Regrettable Action]
--[] [MANSUS] There are other markings to be followed within this maddening labyrinth of stairs. Follow them. (Search for a new area)

-[] [MANSUS] Beyond the Tribal Door
--[] [MANSUS] Explore the depths of the Ruined Church (Mansus Expedition)
--[] [MANSUS] Visit Biedde on his post, and gaze upon the Worm Museum
--[] [MANSUS] The Crumbled Concursum leads upwards. So up we go.

On more personal matters

Spoiler: Home and heart

-[] Of course you love your family very much, but you could always spend a bit more time with them.
--[] Just another pleasant day that you will spend with them. Perfect for cooling your head off.
--[] WRITE IN (other ways to spend time with your family, or anything else)

-[] Go into town and try to meet somepony interesting.

-[] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
--[] Cheerilee, your daughter's schoolteacher
--[] Mayor Mare, the de-facto ruler of Ponyville
--[] Filthy Rich, a well-to-do and wealthy bussinespony
--[] Applejack, daughter of the Apple Clan and older sister to your daughter's friend
--[] WRITE IN (arrange to take your daughter to meet some of your younger acquaintances, or plan something else entirely)

On invoking the Lores (see RITUALS for more information, as well as CD and cost. SPECIFY if you will offer SACRIFICE)

Spoiler: The old ways

Your own reagents, and other possible sacrifices:
-All of your Artifacts
-HEART, Level 1
-2x Wrong Key (KNOCK reagent, level 3)


-[] [FORGE] It's actually a lot simpler than it sounds, now that you know what you are doing (produce a reagent, write in which Lore/combination of Lores.
(You cannot produce a reagent with a Lore level superior to your own.) (Producing a single reagent is a FREE ACTION, producing 3 costs 1 action, 5 costs 2 actions, so on.)
--[] [FORGE] Level 1 reagent (5 bits)
--[] [FORGE Level 2 reagent (20 bits)
--[] [FORGE] Level 3 reagent (45 bits)

-[] It's grim work, but needs must.
--[] Acquire a dead body from the local cemetery.
--[] Acquire a live pony. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)

-[] "The proper things, in the proper manner, in the proper order. God help us all." (Perform a Ritual)
--[] "The Attention of the Laws" (specify Aspect)
--[] "The Rite of Childhood's End" You have committed not to
--[] "The Forge's Redemption"
--[] "The Incision of the Heart"
--[] "The Path Through Nightmares" (specify target)
--[] "The End is Beautiful" (specify target)
--[] "The calling of Influence" (specify Aspect)
--[] "The Reflection of the Tapestry" (specify subject)
--[] Invoke a Risen (SPECIFY dead body used as source. ONE Risen is a FREE ACTION)
--[] Invoke a Windigo
--[] Invoke a Mare-in-the-Light
--[] Invoke Baldomare Already summoned
--[] Invoke the Daugher-of-Axes Only available at Turn 19
--[] Invoke Mareinette, Our Lady of Wires
--[] Invoke Biedde

--[] To be performed at your own home, where you will... hopefully not leave many trails
--[] To be performed in Jade's old house (only up to Two-Circle rituals)
--[] To be performed on another location (you do not yet know or own any such location)

-[] Something else? (WRITE IN. Anything, but I will have to consider it, and it might make the voting period a bit longer)





Remember that write-ins for anything may be suggested. I'll do my best to answer if they are reasonable in a timely manner.

There will be at least 48 hours of voting, and TWELVE hours of moratorium.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Velvet Covers.

And right now, you are in your tearoom. You are in your tearoom, and you are enjoying a very pleasant afternoon with your friends.

Even if, right now, you are looking at…

He is angry. Angry, and deadly. And part of that anger is directed at you. You should leave. You should leave, and then gain as much distance as possible.​

Well, suffice to say that you are witnessing something intriguing.

Because on one side, you have Baldomare. The bespectacled and young-looking mare (just like you, thank you very much) is sitting on one of the single sofas of your tearoom. Wearing a smile on her face as she sips from a cup of tea, while she speaks to the pony who is standing at the door.

"It is lovely to see how much you changed! And I really mean it. You were a mess, last time we parted. But I am glad you left all that Mansus nonsense behind. And for a great reason, nonetheless!"

She is smiling, and talking with a perfectly casual tone. As if she just met an old friend. Or as if she is talking about the weather.

Still, you have Baldomare on one side.

And on the other, standing by the door, you have…

"Velvet Covers… that is a Name."

His wings look slightly drooped. Definitely weighted down by hidden knives on the underside, tied next to his feathers. He is closer to you than to her. You are in danger.​

On the other side you have Comet Feet, who is currently glaring at Baldomare.

The pegasus stallion just arrived at your home. But instead of going straight to see Stormchaser, he made a beeline to your tearoom, where you are waiting with your other guests.

Which, of course, also means that he is with…

"Oh, this place has already hosted more Names than I can be bothered to count. So pipe down, you. And more importantly! I take it the filly you are hiding behind you is Miss Fluttershy? Or is it Mrs. Fluttershy already?"

You and Rarity exchange a pointed, scandalized, glance. An entire letter's worth of information being exchanged between you two in a fraction of a second, as Baldomare casually asks something that you and Rarity have barely tiptoed around for weeks now.

And besides, she is a Name. A Lantern Name nonetheless. What does she know that you two don't? WHAT HAS SHE SEEN?

Your thoughts are instantly riled up into a storm. Rarity, for her part, chokes on her tea, and almost suffocates as she tries to cough it out without making too much noise.

Still, back in the real world, Comet Feet only hesitates at Baldomare's sudden irreverence.

"I-… she-… that is not the point, Name. You-"



"Uhm… is something going on?"



However, the large and imposing stallion is suddenly interrupted by yet another voice. And for all that Fluttershy's tone is as low as a whisper, it is somehow more than enough to make him quiet down immediately.

And not long after, the mare herself steps out from behind Comet's back.

She hesitates for a few moments as she takes in the scene. Her gaze going over Comet, who is glaring at Baldomare, and then it goes to Jade, Rarity and yourself all sitting in the familiar tearoom.

And you take both pegasi's hesitation as the perfect moment to step in, and defuse the situation before anything happens. Or rather, before Fluttershy thinks anything bad is happening. Because you know for a fact you aren't the mare who can make Comet stop scowling, so you will focus on the pony you are actually friends with.

"Fluttershy! I am so glad you could join us today. I don't believe you have met Baldomare yet?"

You say that, and you watch as Fluttershy's expression immediately changes.

Because you have already told Fluttershy about Baldomare, of course. You are not sure if she already had the Dream. Maybe she had it during this last month, or maybe she has not yet reached the Crossroads. However, you already told her enough of the Lores for her to understand what a Name is.

And, again, you have already told Fluttershy about Baldomare.

Fluttershy's expression is surprised for a second, and you think it flashes through fear or hesitation for a moment. Still, her face quickly settles on something pleasantly formal as she addresses Baldomare.

Maybe this is a way she learned to "work around" her shyness? To be polite and formal, as if meeting somepony important, rather than trying to introduce herself to a much scarier "possible friend"? Or who knows, perhaps she is learning a little more about calm and patience. She does have a knack for Winter, after all.

Still, you watch as Fluttershy completely fails to stammer, or freeze up, or move to hide behind Comet's back once again. Instead, you are surprised by how she offers Baldomare a small bow. Almost a curtsy, even though she was clearly never taught noble etiquette.

"I am honored to meet you, Baldomare," she says. And you can tell how she hesitated, before speaking her name, as if wondering if using a Name's name might be too familiar or rude. Still, even that hesitation was almost imperceptible.

But Baldomare's own response is almost instantaneous.

"Oh, get your head up. I am not a pony who deserves that sort of treatment. Not by a long shot! Get up, dear. And tell your colt to go off and play with Velvet's husband, will you? More importantly, has Velvet told you about Illopony? Seeing you two reminded me of how…"

Without a second though, Baldomare gets up from her sofa. She then straightens Fluttershy's posture, her tone once again warm and casual, and casually dismisses Comet's blatant glare while she does that. Still, to your repeated surprise, Fluttershy herself doesn't balk or takes a step back. She barely reacts at all, at least in a negative way.

You suppose Fluttershy not reacting negatively stopped Comet Feet from saying anything else. But still, you are impressed. Less than two months ago, you figure the mare would have practically curled up if somepony invaded her personal space like that. Well, you still think she might react like that if it were a regular pony doing that. But you suppose Baldomare is not really a pony, despite her mannerism.

Still, Baldomare starts to tell a story, even as she guides Fluttershy to sit next to Jade. And you are too interested in what she is saying to even notice how, at some point, Comet simply grunted something and left.

And with that, your pleasant afternoon with your friends continues.



- - -



"Speaking of which," you say at some point, "there is a bit of an announcement I would like to make?"

Your words make everypony look towards you once again. Thankfully, the current nature of your company means that there are more ponies who are talkative than silent. To the point that, between Rarity's gossips and Baldomare's stories, you had very little opportunity to talk about certain things.

Not that this is something bad. Quite on the contrary! Still, you all talked about your previous month, and about your lives, and about the coming Royal Wedding, as well as everything in between. But the evening is fast approaching, and you really need to tell them something before it slips your mind.

"It's not really important. But I still want to let you all know. To put it simply, me and Stormy are taking the fillies to visit Cloudsdale. We should leave in maybe one week for now, to stay there for maybe two weeks. Still, we decided to go on a family outing, of sorts, so we will be gone for a little bit."

Your words are met with a small wave of nods and comments. None of you speak openly about the real reason for this little trip of yours. After all, you have not yet told Fluttershy about Selene. Not because you don't trust her, but because… well, you don't really trust Comet as much as you trust her, and nopony will be hurt if you keep it like that for one more month.

Still, the conversation immediately switches to the clouded city itself.



"I've never been fond of high places. Well, I'm not afraid of them, but I rather stay just high enough if you know what I mean. Besides, I am not a pegasus. So, enjoy your trip, dear."

"Is that right, darling? Well, if there's a pony who deserves some time off it's you. Still, you simply must bring me back some research material! There are a few brand names over there that… actually, do you mind if I write this down? I would like you to bring me some catalogues, if you absolutely don't mind."

"Hmm? I can talk to him. No, it's not a problem at all. To be honest, given everything you told me, I understand why you would want to feel safe… But do you mind if I come with? Comet might be more willing to go if I go as well. And this is a great opportunity to introduce him to my parents."



After you say your piece, the last hour you all have together passes by in a flash. You talk about your plans to spend more time with your family. Fluttershy talks a little bit more her family, even though she clearly leaves out several details. And Baldomare enters into a small dispute with Rarity over pegasus-exclusive clothes. The Name insisting that wing-inclusive clothes are "inconvenient two thirds of the time" and the fashionista insisting that Baldomare's point is ridiculous.

Still, you take the increasingly louder dispute as an opportunity of sorts. And while Rarity stands her ground against a creature older than recorded history, you slowly approach the one mare who, rather worryingly, has not spoken a single word the entire day.

"Is everything alright, Jade?" you ask.

You already know the answer. Everything is very much not alright. The earth pony mare has, throughout the entire day, not looked anypony in the eye. And every now and then you could see her nervously rubbing a hoof against one of her forelegs.

Still, you ask her anyways.

"… yeah… just couldn't sleep…" she answers, her tone low and mumbling.

But thankfully, you have known her for long enough. So, you know how to take things from there.

And before the day is done, and everypony gets ready to leave, you quietly suggest Jade that maybe she should make a trip to the clouded city as well. No need for her to go with you, of course. No pressure. But you are sure that having a familiar face there could make her dream-trip a little more pleasant.

After all, you recall how, several months ago, she mentioned how she always wanted to visit the place. In fact, despite her downtrodden expression, you even noticed how her ears perked up when you mentioned your trip there. Despite her otherwise sullen mood.

So, you tell her this and that, and you remind her how everypony deserves a break. Including her.

And you are glad that when she answers you, with a non-committing and hesitating nod, you think you see a hint of a smile behind her eyes.





Rarity will focus on her work throughout this month.

Comet Feet, at Fluttershy's request, will guard you and your family throughout the month.

More to follow.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Velvet Covers.

And you are so… very… close to Glory.

You are so close that finally, finally, it is starting to hurt. The light, that knife-like radiance, is cutting into your fur (though your dream-body has none) and your skin (though, in truth, that is your mind).

Normally, it would have taken you far longer to do this.

Under normal circumstances, you realize that this would have been the labor of several days. Or perhaps even weeks.

Because even when you decide your next course, even when you decide what part of the Mansus you will focus your attention on, there are usually things that get in your way.

Sometimes, the grasping claws of the Woods ensnare. And much to your frustration, you waste an entire night as one of the lost.

Sometimes, your drifting mind will refuse your suggestions, and you will wander the Blank Plains. Listening to the silent echo of the departed dead, and gazing at the aching beauty of that empty place.

And sometimes… sometimes you reach the Tribal Door… and your regrets overpower you. Making you turn around, in shame and defeat, resolute to never attempt to Climb ever again.

You always come back, of course. You always try again.

But still, the fact remains that this usually takes time. Time and concerned effort. You need to have your Wake affairs in order, so you have the energy to Dream. You need your mind to be sound and sharp.

However, that is not the case right now.

Oh no.

You can't really describe it… no, you can. You definitely can describe it. The problem is that the only word that truly fits, right now, is more than a little worrying. Worrying, and perhaps shameful. Still, there is no other way to put it.

You are obsessed. Because you are here and Glory is right there and in your whole life you have never been this close.

And so, even though this is the very first night you are trying it, you have already reached this point. You are already in the bowels of that upside-down mountain of glass, trudging through its edge-sharp corridors. Chasing that LIGHT that seems to be reflected in every possible surface. Even your own eyes.

You are already at the highest point you have ever been.

And tonight, you will rise even higher.



[Escaping the Chamber of Ways, cd 100]

[Roll: 77 + 9 (Martial) + 40 (EDGE, level 4) = 126]

[Success]



The sharp walls demand a price of blood. You pay it with your dreams.

The shifting tunnels narrow and tighten around you. You shed off your hesitations to gain passage.

The light nearly blinds you. You stop fighting its glare.

Until finally, the glass labyrinth ends, giving way to clear Mansus stone.

And you step hoof on the topmost level of the Mansus. Your white-bleached forelegs grazing against swaying flowers made of crystal, which were allowed to grow untouched for an entire Era.



…



There is no single, true way to describe the Mansus.

Sometimes, especially when you look at it from the Woods, it looks like an edifice. Most of the times, especially when you gaze at it from the outside, you feel like it is a pyramid of sorts. With increasingly narrow layers, not unlike floors, that are crowned by the distant light of Glory.

When you are inside the Mansus, on the other hoof, it feels like an entire world. Without a doubt, the Blank Plains look like a dreamy visage of the Wake. And the vistas, of blizzards and deserts, that you have already seen in the Shattered Stairways certainly feel like entirely different realities. Still, the fact remains that, when you are inside the Mansus, it strangely feels like you are somewhere else, or at another Era. With the only exception being that Glory, always Glory, is somewhere in the sky. Sometimes like a midday glare, sometimes like a setting sun.

But now? Now that you are here?

The Mansus feels like… a sphere, or maybe a cylinder, or perhaps an endless sea of concentric rings. Or maybe…

No. There are no words. Just looking at it, and trying to understand it, hurts. After all, your mind has already been given enough to navigate this place. But trying to truly comprehend it is folly.

Understanding this place, you realize, is not meant for mere mortals like you.

And who knows, perhaps even the Hours themselves were not capable of doing so.

Still, as your hoof steps on the firm Mansus stone, you understand that… that Glory is the center.

Maybe the Mansus, or perhaps the entire world, is an inverted sphere. And if that is the case, then Glory is at its very center.

Maybe all of reality is a cylinder. Layered in levels, with the Mansus being the innermost and Wake the outermost. And everything spins around the axis that is Glory.

Or maybe, directions are meaningless. And every last cartographer's efforts are simply a crude, primitive way of trying to situate themselves in relation to Glory. Perhaps, every last attempt at drawing a map, or setting a course, is just a filtered down attempt at understanding where the Glory is, and how far away or angled you are from its blinding light.

But none of that matters. Not when you are here. Not when you are so close that it hurts.

Because here, you finally understand. You finally understand that to go up is to go towards Glory. To go down is to move away from it. And that which Glory's light cannot reach is nothing. The places where Glory does not shine is Nowhere.

However, your eyes still work. And you have no choice but to see.

So, you gaze around you. You look at this highest of places, where every last detail is laid bare by that nearby source of grandest light.

You look around you.



And you see a scene of destruction. Destruction and, paradoxically, calm beauty.



Very little remains of the top of the Mansus. The ground does not stretch on towards the horizon, and it takes very little effort to locate cracks and holes that let you see all the way down to the Woods. In fact, you truly feel like you are standing on the roof of a house without walls. After all, when you look towards the distance, you can see the Crossroads. You can see the Crossroads, and the vile fumes that bleed from the Dreamlands, and the faraway mountains that exist beyond everything.

Still, there is nowhere in all of the Mansus that is sturdier. So, even though the ground beneath your hoofs is cracked, and even though there are holes here and there, you can still picture how this place was long ago.

Yes… you can see that this is the place where the Mansus was struck. This is where all the damage begins. And yet, ironically, there is no other place where the Mansus stone was thicker. So, like a great anvil or like a sturdy armor, whatever punishment that struck the Mansus was transmitted downwards when this entire floor refused to break. The terrible strike that sundered the Mansus was conducted downwards, shattering the Concursum a hundred different times, and pulverizing the delicate Stairways into the maze they are today.

But this part of the Mansus? It is as unharmed as it could possibly be.

More than that, it is also… strangely peaceful.

All around you, strange crystalline flowers seem to be in full bloom. They seem to grow out of the very cracks in the ground, their lattice-petals pointing towards Glory. You also swear they are swaying, although you cannot feel any kind of breeze.

And it is not just the flowers. Everything around you feels… calm? Content? At rest? Even the previous, ugly obsession you had been feeling moments ago seems to have vanished. You had expected it to double in intensity, when you reached this place. You honestly thought that, by now, you would be galloping at full speed, your mouth frothing as you desperately rushed to finish your journey.

But you don't really feel any of that.

You don't feel anything at all. To the point that you can honestly appreciate the peace that seems to cover this place.

As if…



As if something ended here, and the echo of that relief still persists to this day.



You hear a sigh, coming from somewhere nearby. And it takes you several moments to realize you are the one sighing.

This… this sensation of peace, of relief, is borrowed. You know that. A long time ago, something reached this place. Something much larger than you. And its arrival marked the end of a very long suffering.

Still, you can't help but share it. You have no choice, even, but to share in it.

But considering everything else you have already been forced to experience… this honestly isn't so bad.

However, you are here for a reason.

So, even if it pains you a little bit, you focus on the task ahead of you.

…

Yes, you think to yourself. Focus, Velvet. You are very close now.

Once again. You have just left the glassy cavern of the upside-down mountain. Behind you is a hole in the Mansus stone, and within that hole is the end of the sharp, mirror-like labyrinth you just escaped.

All around you, you see the crystal flowers, and the damaged floor of Mansus stone. Some holes, here and there, let you see the lower places. The lack of walls allow you to see far away. But none of those things matter right now.

This floor has been damaged. Less so than the others, but it is still missing a lot of its former magnificence. You can see paths that are broken. Stairs that connect to nothing. And more distant places that, possibly, led to holy places inhabited by Hours.

Still, all those paths are broken. Sheared off from the rooftop of the House of the Sun, when it was broken.

There are only… three things here. As you look around, you can clearly see that only three points of interest remain.

The first is…



THE FIRST IS GLORY.



The top of the Mansus is shaped like a ring, a floating ring of slabs made out of Mansus stone, and at its center is Glory.

The top of the Mansus is a single, mesa-like roof, with Glory resting at its farthest edge.

The geometry matters not. Only the contents are important.

Glory, you can see, is right there. Its light only barely contained by a tri-valved Gate. The last set of stairs blocked only by one last, most sacred of Doors. You can see it, and you know it to be the Tricuspid Gate, and behind it you see the final stairs, and beyond them you see Glory.

That is the first, and most important thing here. The raison d'être of the Mansus. The sole reason why the entirety of the House still stands. The place where the Path leads.

It is right there, and you will explore it… soon. Very soon.

The second thing you can see, is the crater.

The roof of the Mansus is, without a doubt, its strongest part. The ground here is hardened, like clay baked under the grandest of suns. Gods rose from this very stone, long ago, and this will be the last place to break if the House is toppled.

However, even if this place is unbroken, it is certainly wounded.

The crisscross of cracks in the floor, the flowerbeds of crystalline blossoms, undoubtedly come from that place. You can see, right there, that a large section of this floor has been broken. Imploded, even. You can see the limits of a crater, not far from where you are standing. And you immediately understand that that was the place where the Mansus was struck.

You realize, without a shadow of doubt, that the Mansus was hit from above. And that crater is where the blow was struck. That is the source of all the damage, the birthplace of all the ruination.

Naturally, you are eager to explore it. You are aching to gaze upon that oldest of crime scenes.

But you will do that… later.

The third thing you can see is… the proper Way.

After all, you have reached the highest floor of the Mansus, and yet you did not cross a Door. You have ascended to the level that is closest to Glory, and yet you did it like vermin burrowing through the floor.

In fact, you quite literally left through a hole in the ground, just now. After traversing a maze that very much tried to kill you.

Granted, you do not feel ashamed of it. And you most certainly do not want to pay any other price. But still, you understand enough of the Mansus to realize that something is… very wrong with that.

And so, the third thing you see is the proper Way. Your eyes first spot the pale-blue road, marred and cracked as it may be, and you follow it with your gaze until you see the place through which you were supposed to enter.

Right there, at the edge of this floor, you see a Door. You see an Arch. A shining thing of amethyst and mirror.

You see what is…

No…

You see what was the Mirror Door.

And you can see that it is broken.



Your hoofs take you there before you realize you are walking.



The Mansus is, or maybe was, a filter of sorts. It was a forum where the Hours, the ancient gods of Ponykind, met and discussed the Histories. Where they argued and debated and fought each other, until they disagreed on the past and decided the future. There, they filtered their ideas, until enough common ground was found to build a History.

It was also a filter for mortals. A place where the pony adepts of old could strive. Where they could rise, and fall, and battle, until they finally ascended, or they failed. Either way, the adept would always end up dead. They would either die, to become something greater, or die in failure. Still, the Mansus filtered their souls nonetheless.

The Mansus existed before Ponykind. And perhaps it was a thing that passed from hoof to hoof, from species to species, until it was finally inhabited by your kind.

Regardless, one thing that never changed in the Mansus were its Doors.

The Doors themselves changed, of course. Baldomare herself already told you they have already been torn and rebuilt. Even you already… participated in such an action. Still, you understand that the Doors have always been there. That those clear, unshakable thresholds, which required a price to be crossed, have always been the Mansus' way of barring the unworthy.

To the point that you realize, in a very deep and personal way, that toppling a Door is just wrong.

And yet…

And yet, right before your eyes, you can see yet another broken Door.

Your hoofs take you to it, and you stop just are you reach its base.

Before your eyes, you can see what was once an arch of glass. A gleaming, beautiful, amethyst-purple Door with an impeccably smooth surface. The penultimate and most vain of Doors, which delighted in testing mortals and sending them away. Reflecting an adept's imperfections back at them, and permitting passage only to those who pleased (or maybe pleasured) her.

That is what the Door… was.

What it is right now, on the other hoof, is a carcass.

The arch, you can see, is broken. Its purple splendor, bathed in the light of Glory since the dawn of time, scattered to the winds. Its shards lost in the Shattered Stairways, and sprinkling the dew-covered grass of the Blank Plains, and greedily stolen away by the roots of the Woods.

To the point that, right now, you are standing at its back. You are facing it from the wrong direction. Right beyond the dead Door you can see nothing but the crumpled Path, and an endless fall after that. You are already at the point that is beyond the Mirror Door, a place where adepts of old would have killed to reach, and you did not even pay the Door's price. In fact, the Path that would lead to the Mirror Door is now completely gone.

And seeing that, looking down at the twin stumps of the crystal arch, finally makes you realize that you have done it. You have done it. You have reached the top of the Mansus. There is nothing, nothing between you and Glory save the Tricuspid Gate itself. No more Doors, no more floors, only Glory.

Still, you also… you also remember what happened, every time you reached a Door.

You remember… no, you can also feel the memories. The lingering knowledge of what happened, long ago, still imprinted on the shattered body of the Mirror Door. And you can tell that whatever destroyed the Mirror Door was so savage, so powerful, that its story was written in the cracks and fissures left behind.

You can't help it. The memories are so strong that you can almost hear them.

And before those echoes from the past can overwhelm you, you reach out with your hoof and touch the crystalline remains of the Mirror Door.

Spoiler: A Dream from Long Ago

METAL IS WATER – STONE IS WAX – FLESH IS SMOKE – MY WAIT IS FINALLY PAST​

You are Crucible. Servant, Prince, King. Your title matters not. Only your Name. For you are the Fire at your Goddess' heart, and the sacred flame of Her own creation. You love Her so. And today, at long last, you serve Her.

THE UNBURNT GODDESS FOLLOWS - IN HOLY PROCESSION WE RISE – THE HOUSE SHUDDERS – IT HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO PERMIT​

She is beautiful. More than that, She is beauty itself. Radiant like the sparks of hammer against anvil. Brilliant like alchemy's savage summit. And for all that the denizens of the House writhe, in joy or in shock or in objection, they dare not try to stop them. None can really stop Her. Those who would have already been diverged. Those who could, deep down, do not wish to.

This moment has been long in the making. It is, in truth, inevitable.

So, all of the Mansus can do naught but watch.

WALLS RISE – MIRRORS OBJECT – WORDS DENY – THE OLD ORDER BURNS LIKE A RIVER​

Still, one tries. And soon, Goddess faces Goddess. The old, crude, and base, attempts to stop She who came down from the very Light.

That thing is beneath your Dame's notice. And yet, She gifts her with a moment of Her time.

Your beloved Mistress' kindness knows no bounds. She creates, and She gives. And today, She shall give once more. Your tears are sulfur as you once again witness Her greatness.

"You cannot pass. I do not permit it! You may not undo that which is eternal! I was worshipped before your descent, and I shall remain when your followers are ugly ash. And that will be so forevermore!"

She is Vak. The Goddess. The Language. The Door.

The unchanging thing which stands in your Lady's way.

You are overcome with emotion, even before it happens.

HARK – THE MYSTERY OF UNMAKING – THE SECOND NATURE – TO END WHAT WILL NOT CHANGE​

"Is that so? Even though you can see what is right before your eyes, you will try to stop it? Are you truly uncapable of changing?"

"T'is not in my nature to change. My nature is to permit and deny passage. To judge the worthy and turn back the unworthy. And I deem thee unworthy of secret light! Turn back! Away with your ugly ideas, and your proposal for the Future. Not a single step further!"

The old Goddess, old like only she can be, stands firm against Her. A glaring, irate mare standing on the path of your calm, smiling Goddess.

She lets out an amused sigh, shaking Her head as if to say there is not helping it.

"If you are not willing to discuss, and if you are so eager to blame your nature… Then by all means, blame my nature for what happens next."

She declares so with Her voice, beautiful like brass and fierce like the flames.

After that, She raises a foreleg, Her hoof stained black from her labors of love. Moving Her hoof towards the opposing Goddess and-

!!!​

THE SKY SUNDERS – STAIRS BREAK LIKE SHACKLES – GLASS IS WIND AND PATHS ARE CLEAVED – THE DOOR IS NO MORE​

The Forge of Days gently touches Vak-

-THE MALLEARY IS HURLED DOWN FROM ABOVE-

-and the Goddess' expression twists with pain, her body twisting as she yells-

-AND IT HITS THE MIRROR DOOR LIKE A FLAMING METEOR, SHATTERING IT, AND THE GROUND UNDER IT, AND THE MANSUS BELOW-

-and while the Language and the Goddess and the Door and the mare is crumpling in the floor, She proceeds to-

-your body lurches back. Every last muscle in your body spasms. Your form might be false, but the pain is not.

The entirety of your dream-self twists in pain as you recall the Door's shattering. The agony so great that you can't even scream. Your eyes roll back, and you can't even tell the passage of time from the searing agony that is running through your body.

Too much. That was too much.

Even this remembered, half-borrowed pain is too much. And the memories are simply so incandescent that your brain gives up on burrowing them away, and simply throws them out of your mind.

They leave you in the form of incandescent tears, molten orange and bright gold. They exit your mouth in the shape of words, and they fall out of your body like lost fur.

To the point that you only realize you are no longer in pain… no, you only realize that you are in less pain, when you notice you can't really remember what just happened.

Well, you don't remember it in details. You must not remember the details. The owner of those memories, you realize, was a creature of fire and flames. Even looking through its eyes should have blinded you. And the thing he was looking at… the thing he was walking next to, is something that you must not dwell upon.

Not from that perspective. Not with the mind of a mortal, who is trying to see through the eyes of a Name.

Still, despite the aching, seared scar it left in your brain, you remember… parts of it.

No details. No colors. Not even shapes. But still, you remember the… ideas. The concepts.

You even dare say you remember the sequence of events.

Still, this is too much. Too much for your mortal self. Too much for your mortal mind.

You must Wake, and quickly so, less you lose even more of yourself.

However, you are not done here yet.

Not just yet.

So, despite the pain, you limp your way to the other side of this floor. You turn your back to the toppled Door, and take the painful steps that will lead you to the one place that truly matters.

You make your way around the crater. You don't even look at it. You already know what lies at its center. That flaming meteor of an Hour's own making, her own dwelling, that fell down upon the Mansus.

You already know what is in the crater, so you ignore it. Your fraying, bruised, burned mind focused on one thing and one thing only.

Your steps take you to a shadow, one that is so dark that it almost consumes you.

But of course, that darkest of shadows may only exist because it is contrasted by the brightest of lights.



And finally, you look up.



The Tricuspid Gate stands before you. Closed like the valve of a heart. Folded into itself like an impregnable puzzle.

It is the last threshold that stands between a mortal and Glory. The last barrier, that guards what even the Hours could not rival.

You gaze upon that Summit Door…

And you finally realize… you finally realize why things are the way they are.

Or at least, you understand one more thing. You discover one more piece of the puzzle.

The Tricuspid Gate was already challenging to open, in that distant Era where the Hours ruled. It opened only under the highest of sponsorships, such as the attention of an Hour. Or, it permitted passage only to the most daring of adepts, who brokered with powers that were far beyond them.

It was already challenging to open it, back then. Under the old rules, reaching Glory was already the labor of an entire life, and it demanded a price of many more lives besides.

But now?

Now opening the Tricuspid Gate is… impossible.

You know the Summit Gate is right before you. You can see its shape. You realize you are at the very edge of this floor, and that beyond it lies that final stairway.

And yet, you cannot truly see the Tricuspid Gate.

Because something stands before it. Something, that was not there before, is blocking it. Like a wall or a gate or the crown of a casket.

It is a thing made of fire and smoke. A ward, made of shackles and flames and the most faithful servant of the Forge of Days.

You cannot remember how it perceived the world. Not anymore. But you remember its name. Why, you just saw its memories, imprinted like burn scars on the remains of the Mirror Door. You remember its name, and you remember it was once a Name.

Still, you finally realize that Glory… is unreachable.

Because one of the highest powers in the Mansus, and the one who caused its destruction, apparently left behind a lock, before she went further. She left behind her servant, reshaped into chains to close the door behind her.

And there is no power in this world that can undo it. There is no mystery in the Mansus that can quench the undying flames of those shackles.

…

There is nothing in this world that can open this lock…

Nothing from this world, at least.



[Velvet Covers has reached a possible End]

[…]

[Velvet Covers lacks the trait "Blood of the Outsider"]

[Her hoofs lack what could douse the flames]

[The Tricuspid Gate remains closed]



Nothing from this world.

But time went on, and the world has changed. And other powers, that came from the Outside, have already meddled with Equestria.

And you… you know what to do. You know what to do. Even if you don't know how, you know what can be done.

You rush back to the Wake, your mind teeming with ideas.







Velvet Covers has witnessed an old memory. It seared and blinded her mind, and she could not hold it. But even that passing flame filled her with knowledge. Gain one scrap of FORGE Lore.

Velvet Covers has reached the Tricuspid Gate. It is chained shut, but Glory awaits right behind it. Break the chains, and the Gate will open.

The chains that seal the Tricuspid Gate cannot be broken by any power of this world. But the Eras have changed, and powers from the Outside have already made themselves known.

Your best course of action REMAINS to reach for Glory. So:
-Velvet Covers is now determined to break the chains around the Tricuspid Gate.
-To that end, she believes she must locate an Outsider, and do… something with it. Regardless of what the steps are, locating an Outsider is definitely the first.
-She will assiduously, and passively, try to discover what she can do next. Options on how to proceed will be presented to her once she discovers them.
-Baldomare will, most likely, take to consuming a lot more wine.

However, there is nothing she can do right now but Wake.

More to follow.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

The moment you open your eyes, you are beset by this… curious feeling.

It feels like an itch, of sorts. A constant, slow burning annoyance that you can't quite scratch.

However, you don't feel it on your skin. Not exactly. You don't feel it on your coat, or inside of you, or even in your brain. It is not really an itch in the sense that you can reach it. To the point that you don't think you would be able to "scratch" this feeling away even if you had a knife. Even if you had a knife, and you were willing to plunge it as deep in your body as you needed.

Maybe this… discomfort, that you feel, is in your soul.

Or maybe, it is outside of you. Everywhere around you. Maybe it is in the entire world, and only now you are noticing it.

…

You feel restless. Disturbed for a reason you cannot name. Stressed by a cause that might not exist.

You need to do… something.

But you have no idea what that is.

Because this is not the usual Glory-yearning that you have felt for so long. This is something else. After all, your need for climbing the Mansus can be satisfied by climbing the Mansus. Just like hunger can be satisfied by eating.

But this? This is something else. It is not a drive, or a need, or even a desire. Quite on the contrary, in fact. You don't feel as if a fire has been lit inside of you. To be honest, you feel the opposite.

It is a hollow sensation. As if… as if you just learned that you are an orphan. You, or perhaps Ponykind, or maybe even the entire world. After all you have just reached the top of the House of the Sun, only to learn that the final gate towards Glory is locked. You have just learned that… that the world you live in is nothing but an empty shell. A faint echo of the past. A sad mockery of the previous Eras.

This is not simple frustration. You are not merely angry, or confused, or sad because the last Gate of the Mansus is locked shut. No. This feeling runs a lot deeper than that. You are distressed… because of the implications of that final lock.

Because you have just learned you never had a chance. No, worse than that, you have just discovered that the game was rigged from the very beginning. Things have been this way since before you were born. Since before the Princesses appeared, even. The existence of that ward… the existence of that lock ever since that ancient past means that your people never could have made it. Period. For as long as Ponykind has existed in Equestria your people have been barred away from what truly matters. This whole time, you have all been denied that final access to Glory.

Which means that… that ponies never really had a chance. For the entirety of this Era, and who knows how much longer towards the past, ponies have never really mattered. You were as insignificant and unimportant as the birds and the clouds and the rodents that live in the forests. None of you really mattered. None of you could ever do anything, this whole time.

After all, since the Tricuspid Gate has been barred this whole time, nopony would ever have been able to reach Glory. No single pony, no member of Ponykind, would ever have been able to take the reins of your very existence. Even if they tried. Even if they reached the top of the Mansus.

So, this whole time… for this entire Era, even, you all just… lived. You lived, and mated, and died, and disappeared. With no grand plan, no greater purpose, and no chance at taking matters into your own hoofs.

You were divested of the life, or the opportunities, that your ancestors had. You were robbed of the ability to make a difference. No longer can a pony, through true grit and effort, become more than they are. And your entire species went down from being the owners of the world to just… living in it.

And that… that is why you feel…

…

You are on your bed, huddled close together to your husband. But right now, not even Stormchaser's presence can offer you any peace.

You quietly leave your bed.

There is only one pony you can talk to, right now. Only one creature will understand how you feel.

And to be honest, you think you can understand her a little better now.



- - -



"Quite the ugly thing, wasn't it? Never really thought it was her most elegant work. But without a doubt, it is gruesomely effective at its given task."

Baldomare speaks to you in her usual tone. However, you feel a trace of wistfulness here and there, whenever she mentions certain details. Still, the Name mare is unusually talkative tonight.

Or perhaps, you are finally ready to hear what she has to say. So, she is willing to share a little more.

Still, you were thankful when you reached her room, only to find her door open. And you are doubly thankful that, from what you can tell, she doesn't really expect you to say anything. You came to her room, you found her quite literally waiting for you with two glasses of wine, and a single nod from her told you that she immediately recognized your expression.

"I remember when it happened. The Mansus had a lot more denizens, back then. Five of my fellow Names from our shared patron were still around, even. And while several ponies, mortal adepts or not, were killed by the debris… well, most of them were not. The Mansus was swarmed right after that. By the hopeful, and the greedy, and everypony else who knew even a smidge of the Lores. Dreadfully turbulent times, Velvet. Which was why I kept to myself in my Lodge."

The two of you sip from your glasses every now and then. But still, those cautious sips eventually add up, and soon enough Baldomare is opening a second bottle.

She offers you a small comment about how she doesn't have a liver anymore, but that you should be careful. Still, she refills your glass without so much as a word from you.

"Still, the Mansus was swarmed. And for a very short time, everypony thought they could do it. After all, everything was falling apart so why not give it a try? However, those who made it to the top… well, they eventually came face to face with that. And one by one they realized there was nothing else they could do. One by one they tried, and by the Watchpony did they try. But eventually, everypony… every creature, every thing gave up."

You don't ask her why. You don't ask her how. You already know what answer she will give you anyways. You don't know, so you don't know.

But honestly, you appreciate her mindset now. Truth is never kind, and given how you feel right now, you don't think you would like to be told more. You don't think you would enjoy learning about… about yet another detail of how sad and crooked your world is. About some other thing that was taken away from your kind, by the beings that should have been your gods.

"That is, until the Mansus was almost entirely empty. Until new adepts stopped dreaming, and the old ones died, and the creatures that were not too keen of expiring found their ends in some other way… But you already know all of that, don't you? Yes, I suppose you already know all of that. But I won't tell you, just in case."

You listen to her words, and for the longest time you are deep in thought. Your mind wandering and wondering at everything you have seen in the Mansus, and at that last sad barrier you have just reached.

It even reaches the point that… that you understand. You understand, or at least you think you understand. Still, you finally get it, why the Master and Baldomare, and all the other creatures you met in the Mansus are this way. Baldomare no longer climbs because she knows it is impossible. The same is probably also true for Mareinette. The Daughter-of-Axes seems to be bound and chained, but perhaps she was already a Name when the Mansus was broken and shares the same mindset.

And the Master…? That is, your former Master? Well, she is a creature of whims and fancy. Perhaps she alone, Moth-aligned as she is, can't help but yearn for Glory. But ultimately, she too claimed your world was crooked from the moment you met her.

You think about all that, and many other things besides…

That is, until you remember something else. Until another thought crosses your mind.

And Baldomare notices it. She catches the rumblings of your thought even as they float around your head, almost as if she could see them.

You watch as she raises an eyebrow, and you feel almost compelled to share what you are thinking.

"But… but Baldomare, can't we break that barrier? Isn't there anything we can do about it?"

You say those words, and her reaction is almost instant. It is quick to the point of reflex. As if she had already heard that same question, asked herself that same question, too many times already. And of course, she already knows the answer. She always did.

"Of course not, Velvet. Nothing can be done. There is no power in this world that can undo that ward. Trust me, they tried. They all tried."

"No, I know that. I realize that…" you say, your thoughts forming inside your head even while you speak. "But there are other things, no? Other things we can try? Other things that are not from this world? I mean… what about Selene, for example?"

You say those words.



And your mind instantly freezes.



You can't move. You can't speak. You can't even think and… no, it's not that. It is not that you can't do anything.

It is time that can't do anything. Your senses can't catch up because time isn't moving to begin with. Even your thoughts feel disconnected, as if they were all pieces of a puzzle you have been prohibited from touching. As if cause and effect are still there, but they are being held in place by one who can manipulate them as if they were physical things.

Still, you know enough… you can see enough to understand that…

The gears of history have been stopped.

Because Baldomare is thinking.

Not Baldomare the mare. Baldomare the Name. And you can do nothing but watch, from the frozen confines of your mind, as she… as she THINKS.

But a chill runs down your spine as you realize that, to her, the concept of "thinking" means an entirely different thing.

Her body does not move. Because why would she need to move her crude, corporeal body? She is so much larger than that. So much greater than the shape she chooses to inhabit.

Instead, you watch as she reaches out. Tendrils of light expanding out of her and in all directions. Larger than this room. Larger than even the estate you are in.

She reaches out, first, into you. Sifting through your thoughts like a hungry beggar, dissecting your memories, even the ones you can't understand, like an obsessed scholar. Learning what you know, and drinking from your unique perspective, in less than a moment.

Then, she grabs hold of you, of your very being, and follows the path backwards. Seeing where you have been. Unspooling your life as if you were but a thread in a larger tapestry. Following your choices and your bonds and then the lives of the other ponies you have touched.

Your mind shakes when you finally realize where she is going. Your thoughts, slowed down to a halt, rattle inside the cage of your brain when you see what she is doing.

And you try with all your might to push back against her, when she finally reaches Selene.

You try to push her back. But your efforts are futile. And you feel like you are less than a small animal she is pinning down with a single hoof. You can't stop her any more than a book can stop a reader from flipping through its pages.

And she is holding on to you so intently because you are right. You are right. The several disparate thoughts, and ideas, and facts you have gathered so far all converge into a single point, as she reaches that conclusion. They all gather, fit, and fall into place like grains of sand inside an hourglass. Baldomare herself can see that the only reason she didn't notice it herself was because she was too dulled to care. She had already seen so much, and tried so hard, that she had been disinterested ever since she arrived in the Wake. Even though she saw Selene so long ago, she never really bothered to see.

But now? Now she can see. Now she realizes that there is a path. That there is a way. And that she can finally reach for Glory herself.

Less than a second passes. And yet, you watch as the mare you have come to know completely disappears the moment that idea clicks into place.

For a fraction of a moment, you see the flames of ambition flash through her eyes. And for one terrifying instant, you realize you are not just talking to Baldomare. You realize you are not just in the presence of the kind, if elusive, mare who seems content with lounging at your home and drinking from your alcohol.

Oh no.

For a moment, you realize you are with Baldomare, the Name of Lantern. A creature older than the world you live in, and wiser than anything that walks the Wake. A being who has already performed acts, terrible and cruel, which were sufficient to ascend her to Namehood.

You watch, with dawning terror, as Baldomare simply disappears, and Baldomare once again takes her place.

And for a single, horrible instant, you realize you are now standing in the presence of an enemy. No, more than just that. You realize you are in audience with a creature so vast she could sweep you off from the board as if you were a powerless pawn.

And all of that because she, who has been closer to Glory than even you have, now realizes that maybe… maybe she really could do it.

…

But that lasts only for a moment.

And a single, full second later, the world breathes out as if nothing happened. The gears go back to turning, time resumes its flow, and you are nothing but a mare inside a noble guest room, in the presence of a friend.

The only difference is that, now, Baldomare is shaking her head at herself. The movement slow and heavy, ponderous from all the regrets she already has on her back.

"I am too old for this. My time has come and passed…" she says, although you realize she is talking to herself.

Still, she puts down her glass and picks up an entire bottle, uncorking it with her teeth and drinking straight from mouth.

"What were we talking about again? Oh, right. I suppose you are right, Velvet. I suppose you little ponies can find a way, given everything new that happened in this world…"

You want to say something. Anything. But still, the sudden, frightening dread you just felt at how suddenly the mare decided she should kill you… well, that dread is completely offset by the fact she didn't.

Still, you are more than a little shaken… it is things like this that reminds you that Baldomare is not a pony, you suppose.

However, despite everything that just happened, now it's Baldomare's turn to look uncharacteristically thoughtful. She doesn't look any older than usual, but you can clearly see that she is a lot more weary right now.

"Still, let me tell you a few things you already know. Blood is the price, because of course it is. It is the most universal of currencies. However, I assume your little Selene is not one of the cards you are willing to use. Which is good. However… Well, don't try to look for another method. That is the kind of folly several adepts already fell to. If you know a path, stick to that path, and don't try to find a new one. Finding a new path is the work of generations, and you haven't learned how to cheat death."

She says that, and then she goes on a small tangent of reminding you that you are not special.

It takes the form of a story, as it usually goes with Baldomare. Still, she tells you a story about an adept who, after researching ancient texts, finally discovered the means to complete his journey.

"But that's the thing, Velvet. Everypony thinks they are the successful adept. But most of us are the insane, deranged ancestor who wrote the ancient texts. They forget that every single artifact they collected was the work of an entire life. That they are only the last to cross a bridge that was built with bodies. So, don't try to innovate. Because if you do, you will die as a scholar, and a more ambitious pony will study the fruits of your labor to achieve their own ends in some distant future. Don't be that pony, Velvet. Focus on what you know."

She tells you that, and a lot more.

And by the time the sun rises, you are resolute in… well, it is as she says. It would be the work of years, or maybe decades, to try and find another way around. If one even exists to begin with.

So, you have made up your mind.

You need to find an Outsider. One that you are willing to kill.

And then, you need to figure out a way to kill it. Or, alternatively, do whatever you need... to acquire the value of its "blood".





A/N: This turned out a lot longer than expected. So no harm in stopping here for now.

More to follow.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Velvet Covers. And despite your best efforts to stop it, time continues its march towards the future, one second at a time.

The world does not care for what you discovered. It does not care about your shock, or your feeling of emptiness, or the fact that your entire species has been cheated out of what is rightfully yours. The world does not care, and the only thing you received for your trouble was the slight hangover you were left with after talking to Baldomare for so long.

However, all that indifference also means the world won't particularly bother to stop you, now that you have decided what you will do about this.

So, time marches on and the clock still ticks. But now, you have an idea of what you should do next.

Well, you don't have a perfect idea. You realize you are still grasping for straws, given your undeniable ignorance of what an Outsider… well, given how you know almost nothing about them to begin with. Still, for all that you are grasping at straws, you at least know the straws are there.

And until you discover something a little more useful, you will be very well served strengthening your bases.

Which takes you to the present. To what you are doing right now.

Although, if anypony were to look at you right now, you don't think they would classify your current endeavor as… "strengthening your bases".

You are currently inside Rarity's boutique. The two of you are in her workshop, surrounded by half-finished dresses, mannequins, and the tools of her trade. And right now, you are standing on an elevated platform of sorts, wearing one of her latest prototypes.

"No, no, no! This doesn't work either. Maybe we should go with satin for the sides?" she says, her voice at the same time critical and sour as she lights up her horn, picking up yet another batch of fabrics and floating them towards you.

And it doesn't take much to see that the mare is unusually frustrated.

"Maybe we should take a breather, Rarity?" you chance. To which the mare answers by shifting her displeasure away from the bundles of floating fabric and aiming it towards you.

Her disapproving eyes tell you everything you need to know. So, you promptly shut your mouth once again.

That is, until her mumbling becomes too much. And you think that, even if it makes her scowl at you again, you should try to say something. After all, you volunteered to help her today. And even though you did it to spend more time with her, and watch the unicorn at work, you also think you should try to actually help her. Even if she is leagues ahead of you when it comes to fashion and design.

"Actually, Rarity, I have been thinking," you start to say once again. And for all that you hear a soft, high-pitched neigh coming from the mare, she doesn't really interrupt you. Well, she doesn't look up from the fabric samples she has floating around her, but you will take that as a good sign. "You call this dress a prototype, but I already think it is wonderful. And for all that I don't know nearly as much as you… why do you think it's still not good enough? Could you help me understand? Maybe that will help you a little?"

You watch as Rarity stops focusing on the fabrics around her. Narrowing her eyes as she does that. And for a moment you think she is about to wave your idea away, or maybe even snap at you. You wouldn't get mad at her if she did, of course. After all, you know she takes her job very seriously, and her current frustration is making her visibly short-tempered.

The struggles of an artist, you suppose.

Still, something eventually gives inside her mind, and she lets out a defeated sigh before floating the fabrics away. After that, she turns towards you and take a few steps towards the platform where you are standing.

"There really isn't anything to explain, darling. It just doesn't work," she says, waving a hoof at the prototype dress you are wearing. Her tone making it very clear that she is stating the obvious.

But you can't really tell if she is really addressing you, or if she is just talking to herself. And besides, for all that this is obvious to her, it very much isn't obvious to you.

No, it's worse than that. You really have no idea of what she is talking about. Seriously, as far as you can tell this dress is perfect!

So you just… give her an uneasy smile?

Goodness gracious. You are clearly out of your depth here.

"By Celestia, darling, you can't be that out of touch," she says, rolling her eyes.

However, thankfully, she continues to talk. And as Rarity speaks, she also lights up her horn and pulls a particularly large mirror towards you.

She then places the mirror right in front of you, allowing you to look at yourself a little better. Because for all that your little platform is surrounded by mirrors, none of them are really for your benefit. So yes, you can look at what you are wearing, and you could watch Rarity go about her work, but you couldn't really see it with a critical eye.

Still, as you gaze upon the full-body mirror, and take more time to look at yourself…

"Uh, Rarity… I really don't know how to say this. But the dress is perfect."

You can't really find any defects. Less than that, you can't find anything about the dress that isn't great. You couldn't criticize anything about it even if you wanted, and you wouldn't be able to suggest any kind of improvement even if you tried.

"Perfect? Perfect?! Velvet, darling, are you mocking me?"

But Rarity, apparently, disagrees.

And she is very vocal about it.

"The dress is a perfect mess, that's what it is. Just look at it, look at it! The colors are mismatched, the fabric is wrong, and what in Equestria was I thinking when I designed these details?!"

You have never really seen Rarity on a rampage. You have never seen the mare fuming. But apparently, that has just changed. And with each sharp, barbed comment that she throws at the dress, she takes yet another step as she circles around you.

And sure enough, she very quickly criticizes, condemns, and outright insults the dress, time and again. Painting a picture that, rather than wearing a Design by Rarity, you are actually wearing a legitimate mockery of sewn-together trash.

It reaches the point that you actually feel bad for her. Because you can tell she isn't really beating herself up. It is clear that her anger and frustration are aimed squarely at the dress. But still, this is something she created. So even if she doesn't fell bad about bashing it so thoroughly, you certainly do.

That is, until it reaches the point that… that you think…

Maybe she is a little too angry at this dress?

No, that's not it. You have an inkling that something is wrong, but it's not her anger. The problem is not in her passion, or in her skills, or anything the like.

However, the fact remains that… that the things she is saying about the dress… they don't really make sense?

"Rarity? I-..."

"And lapels? I'm sorry, is this an elegant dress for a mare, or a collared shirt for a farmer? What in Tartarus was I thinking when I-"

"Rarity!"

Your shout tugs at something inside of her, and your dear friend finally gives you a chance to speak.

"I- well- yes, darling?" she says, shaken out of her anger. Even if only for a short while.

"Rarity, I'm serious. This dress…" you start talking, but you immediately stop. After all, complimenting the dress, or even suggesting that it is not that bad, will only make Rarity restart her tirade.

Instead, you decide to do something else. You decide to say something else.

And most importantly, you try to follow this sudden hunch you have.

"Actually, let's try something else. Rarity, tell me something, what color is this dress I am wearing?"

You ask that question. And for all that you try to sound as polite as possible, Rarity immediately answers you with a frown.

Well, your question is quite silly. Or perhaps "condescending" is a better word for it.

Still, you raise an eyebrow, showing her that you are still waiting for an answer. And thankfully, the mare indulges you.

Even if her tone is… well, not mocking, but certainly displeased.

"The color of that dress is wrong, Velvet. Any more questions?"

She answers that without hesitating.

And that only causes your hunch to grow stronger.

"Rarity. I mean it. Please, even if it means you will lecture me on the entire history of this color, in the world of fashion. What color is this dress I am wearing?"

You say that, and Rarity furrows her eyebrows. Still, she quickly opens her mouth to say that…

… that…

… she opens her mouth to answer you that, clearly, this dress is…

"It's… this dress… well the fabric is clearly… No, it's just like in my drawings, I am sure it is…"

The mare tries to answer, then she pauses. Her mouth opens and closes several times again, but nothing really comes out of it.

And slowly, very slowly, her frown turns into curiosity, then frustration, and finally concern.

"No, darling, I mean it. The color of the dress is just wrong. I-I don't know how to explain it but-"

"But you can't tell me what the color is, can you?" you ask.

And you watch as Rarity's anger towards the dress completely dissipates. Being replaced by, well, by a growing sense of fear.

Because she clearly has no idea of what is going on. She even begins to look around her, at the several half-finished dresses displayed in the surrounding mannequins, and her eyes grow wider as she realizes the is seeing the same thing in all of them.

Her breath quickens, and she takes a panicked, trembling half-step back as she-

"Rarity, Rarity, listen to me. Look into my eyes, dear. Deep breaths. Deeep breaths."

But you catch her, just as she is about to fall. Figuratively speaking, of course. But still, you recognize her expression, and you know what to do from here.

In fact, as she looks into her eyes in that half-dazed panic, you think you see a glimpse of something on her gaze.

Maybe she can see what "should be"? Or perhaps she can see what ponies desire, or what they might desire if she brings it into reality?

Regardless, it is right there, hidden in her eyes.

And thankfully, you are here to help her bring it out.





Rarity is now a Disciple (Grail 3, Forge 1).



- - -



Before you leave for work, there is one last thing you must do. One more thing in your plans that you simply must see to, before you head back to Canterlot.

One thing that, in your opinion, you should have done a long time ago.

But also, that you have been afraid of doing this whole time.

And that thing is… well, it is fear itself. Or rather, this overwhelming fear that you always have about you, and that you know drags you back like a heavy set of chains.

There is something wrong with you. You know that. You know that, and it would be silly of you to try and deny it.

You have never really made peace with this knowledge. Still, this is something that you have come to… well, not accept, but you at least learned to live with it.

To put it simply, you know that you are afraid. You know that you are a coward.

For the longest time, especially before you joined the Cult, you were a very frightened mare. You were always easy to scare, always easy to startle. The horn on your head never really allowed you to be afraid of the dark, but the fact remains that you always had a ready source of light available to begin with.

But it wasn't just that. This… fear that you have, it doesn't just extend to the constant impression that something might jump at you. No.

It runs much deeper than that.

The fear of missing a deadline. The fear of being scolded by your father. The fear that Stormchaser might leave you. The fear that the next bundle of mail might have some sort of bad news you are not ready for. Those were your constant companions, for the longest time. And their presence was so ubiquitous that you actually learned how to live with them, because you really had no choice.

And of course, they only grew after Silky was born. You remember being afraid of letting her out of your sight. You remember dreading the day she realized she could fly. To the point that you recall keeping her cradle in your office while you worked, when she was still very small. As well as the… conversation you had with Stormchaser, where you tried to suggest that maybe your daughter shouldn't be taught how to fly.

Those fears… diminished, after you entered the Cult. Or maybe, they didn't diminish, and you just learned about greater fears that in turn claimed larger portions of your mind.

Still, the fact remains that you are afraid. You have always been afraid.



But no matter how hard you try… you just… can't… point out… why.



You remember what happened to you, when you were younger. Or at least, you remember… most of it. Still, there isn't a single occurrence that you can point to that could justify this ever-present dread.

Who knows, maybe there isn't a single occurrence to blame. Maybe this is the accumulated weight that you carry inside your mind, from the dozens of small (and not so small) things that happened to you.

However, none of that really matters right now. None of that matters today.

All that matters is that these fears… these chains, they are dragging you back.

So, you will cut them out like the weaknesses they are.



"[Moth]?"



Mareinette's voice reaches you, from where she is standing at the far end of the dimly lit room. The two of you are inside Jade Whistle's old house, in the largest room that you set aside for these sorts of things.

And the large, ceiling-tall creature just asked you… if you are ready to change.

You answer with a nod. And without a word, she waves at you to step into the circle.

You want to think that this is also a test, to see if Mareinette can truly be trusted. You want to tell yourself that, today, you will make yourself stronger, or braver, or just better than you are right now.

But to be honest, as you step past the large Heart-attuned circle, and into the smaller Edge-drawn configuration, none of those thoughts are really at the forefront of your mind.

To be honest… you just want to stop being weak. You just want to stop being wrong.

You just want this damn weight to be taken off from your shoulders.



"[Edge]!"



And without further ado, Mareinette begins the ritual.



[Rolling…]

[Ritual successful]



The Incision of the Heart is, at its core, a very simple ritual.

It is simple, but that does not mean it is easy to perform.

Still, it only requires two ingredients: a knife, and persistence.

The knife is there for obvious reasons. It is the symbol and representation of Edge. And most importantly, it is the surgical tool that will be used to cut away a part of your mind. Or maybe your heart. Or perhaps even your soul.

Still, the knife is one tool.

And insistence is the other.

If you were the one performing this ritual, you know it would have taken you one, maybe two weeks to prepare it. Because by definition, the Lore of Heart can only be summoned through insistence. And insistence can only be called upon through repetition.

Which means, in practice, that the circle must be drawn, and then redrawn. Again, and again, and again, until the shapes and forms of the outer circle flow out of the chalk like the written lyrics of a song. The knife, also, must be sharpened again, and again, and again, until the blade is so thin that it is ready to crack.

You have no idea how Mareinette achieved both of those things in just such a short span of time. After all, you asked her to start working on this ritual only two days ago. Still, the mare-thing reported that she was ready for your presence last night, and you are only doing this now because you were busy earlier today with Rarity.

Still, preparing the ritual is not the only simple, yet hard thing to do.

Executing the ritual is also an equally… delicate procedure.

Still, you can do nothing but watch as Mareinette raises the brittle-thin knife, and slowly presses its tip against your forehead.

And then…



And then, she pushes it towards you.



But the knife does not cut you. Or at least, it does not cut your skin. Instead, it cuts through you, and it digs into your forehead, right between your eyes and under your horn, as if it was slicing through air.

You don't feel pain. You don't feel anything at all.

But still, you can sense what the knife is reaching for. What the knife is trying to cut.

There is something inside of you… something that is stuck. Something that is buried away like a rotten tree, but whose cancerous roots spreads far and wide inside your mind.

If your mind was a machine made out of gears and clockwork, than that thing would certainly be a wrench that was thrown in there. If your mind was like a river, than that thing would certainly be a dam, or a levee, or maybe a pit that led part of the stream into somewhere darker and deeper than it should.

Still, Mareinette unerringly reaches for it with the strangely ethereal knife.

And the moment its sharp tip touches it, you immediately understand that… all at once, you remember how…

Spoiler: You remember...

There was once a filly named Velvet Covers, who loved her father very much.

And one day, that filly-

Spoiler: !!!

-WAS DRAGGED AWAY BY BONY HOOFS AND RAISED TOWARDS A WIDE OPEN MAW AND GREEDILY SWALLOWED DOWN BY A THING THAT THIRSTS AND THIRSTS AND THIRSTS AND-

A mute, cutting sound echoes through your mind.

And before you realize what just happened, you forget. You forget what you just saw, and you forget what you remembered. And most importantly, you forget why you have been afraid of for all these years.

You think… you think Mareinette just took something away from you. Something disgusting, like a tumor or a cancer. Something that you very much did not wish to keep anymore. And for all that you don't know what exactly it was, you can tell that she took it nonetheless.

And for all that her face is a dry skull, and nothing more, you swear you saw her lick her lips just now.

Still, you can also tell that… that she didn't take anything else.

She did exactly what you asked. And nothing more.

You don't thank her, and you leave without another word.

But still, you… it worries you, a tiny little bit. But you realize you feel thankful for what she just did. Whatever it was.

Maybe you shouldn't be. Maybe she just stole something from you, and you are only thankful out of ignorance.

Still, you can't help how you feel. Even if that worries you.

However, you have more important things to do right now. Much, much more important things to do.

Because for all that you just stepped away from a Lore-fueled ritual, the fact remains that you feel good. You feel great. You feel fantastic, and you just realized what is the first thing you want to do with this feeling.

So, you trot all the way to your house. And the moment you reach your home, you start working on something in the garden, while there is still light outside and before the sun finally sets.

And once you are done-

"Silky? Silky dear, can you come outside for a moment? Also, call your sister and your daddy as well!"

-you greet your family with a small surprise.

Because right now, there are several bright rings floating above the garden. Several floating rings, simple constructs made of magic, arranged in a particular pattern. Forming loops over the taller trees, and wide arches near the roof of the surrounding buildings.

You greet your family with a small, hastily made obstacle course. Made specifically for those of your family who have wings.

And the moment they all realize what you are doing, and right as you finish placing the finishing line, you turn to face them with a bright smile.

"Silky dear, you always tell me about how much of a good flier you are. Could you give us a little demonstration?"

You say that, and Silky Stream is already zipping up to the air in an excited burst, before you even have the chance to finish explaining yourself.

And the next few hours show you, or at least give you a taste, of everything you have been missing this whole time.

You were always afraid that, one day, your daughter would fall. You were always terrified that some day her wings would fail her, and you would not be there to catch her.

But right now? And from now on? You just want to see her fly.





Mareinette has successfully performed The Incision of the Heart on Velvet Covers. Velvet Covers no longer has the trait "Frightened". 20 bits have been deducted from your personal coffers.

Still, your fears were cut away from you, and dragged screaming and kicking into a yawning gullet. You will not miss them. But hopefully you will perform the Redemption of the Forge on yourself, if only to get a better view of them. No better way to face your own demons than with your own hoofs.



- - -

Covers! How are you doing, kiddo? Always lovely to hear from you, and-

No, wait, that is no way to start a letter, is it? I'm supposed to be an example to you, old and boring as I might be!

So, let me try this again.

Dear Velvet Covers, my beloved niece, how have you been?

I was very happy to receive your last letter. Still, I could tell that you didn't put a lot of details in it. Was it because you knew it would run through the main house? Or was it because you simply don't know a lot about that to begin with?

Regardless, let me tell you that yes, I did hear about it. Thankfully (at least, in your father's opinion) those rumors are still confined within our house. But boy oh boy did it spread like wildfire!

Your younger brother? In love? With one of your guests?! I wish I could go there myself, just so I could see the mare with my own eyes!

Or rather, I wish I had visited before she left. Because that bit of news hasn't reached us in Canterlot yet (or at least, not at the time I am writing this). But from what you told me, your guest leaving means poor young Pride is experiencing his first heartbreak. Hah! I love you both, but hearing something like that really takes me back to my younger days!

Still, I am only glad you wrote me, and doubly so that you seem (I hope?) intent in talking to him about it… Or at least that you want to reach out to him.

Anyhow. I will go into more details later. But let me tell you that, before talking to him, I think you should ask around first. Not in a blatant way, of course. But you know how it goes.

Part of this is because it is just good sense not to walk into this blind. But another, equally important part is… well, Pride is still young. He is still in that phase where your father keeps a very close eye on him. And I assure you that, even though he moved away from Canterlot, that particular aspect of his life has not changed in the slightest. I admit I am not acquaintanced with his personal servants. But still, if I were in your horseshoes, I would definitely try to change that before I made any moves.

So, before you talk to him yourself, try to… learn more about his staff.

But still, how are the fillies? I was at a business trip in Manehattan the other day, and I couldn't help but remember how…​

The letter goes on after that, but you will finish reading it later. You fold it back into the envelope and store it safely away inside your dress.

After that, you give Vellum a satisfied nod, to which he answers with a short bow. And, like always, the young stallion refuses to stay the night at your estate. He leaves shortly after, claiming he has more things to do for your dear uncle, but thanking you for your kindness, nonetheless.

Still, your uncle's letter certainly gave you a good idea. You definitely should try to learn more about your brother… or more precisely, about his staff, before you go talk to him.

After all, he is still young, and has not yet made a name for himself. But, on the other hoof, the ponies who your father surrounded him with are certainly veterans. Experienced butlers and maids who are either trusted by your father, or who have skills that your father wanted your little brother to have at his disposal.

So, learning about them will certainly help you learn about your little brother. And it will undoubtedly enlighten you about whatever circumstances he is being subjected to.

With that in mind, you decide to…



Who will you ask to investigate Velvet Pride's staff throughout the week?

[] Soft Sweeps. Friendly and personable, but definitely lacking in skills. Still, she already said she wants to help.

[] Ponpon. An experienced, old hoof in this sort of thing, but her status as head maid will make them leery of talking to her.

[] Mareinette. The word "nuclear option" comes to mind, even though Ponykind has not discovered nuclear fission. The word "invasion of privacy", however, is a lot more familiar.

[] Silky Stream and Selene. This is as good as sending nopony. They will not find out anything, but at least your conversation with your brother will not be "tainted" by a previous investigation.





I miss low stake votes. So, pick whatever you want, this is just to set the stage and will not (mechanically) impact your attempt at talking to your brother. The narrative side of it, however…

No moratorium. Approval voting. Pick however many you like.

This will be a short voting period. Really, don't sweat about this one.

Spoiler: Author's Note

And finally. Velvet's past was always meant to be exposed after she fixed herself. Originally, and for obvious reasons, those memories would be locked behind two parts, to be discovered after each Ritual. You didn't "lose" anything, so don't worry. The one-half of your memories you should have seen here were not permanently lost. But now both parts are held in her scarred leg. To be remembered if you perform the ritual yourself.

But if you are not the one doing it, then they will just be forgotten, as traumas often are. No harm in that, either.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Vote

[X] Soft Sweeps. Friendly and personable, but definitely lacking in skills. Still, she already said she wants to help.

You are standing at attention, your neck is ramrod straight, and your ears are perked up and focused.

You are Soft Sweeps.

And finally… finally, you are being given a mission.

"Softy, dear, is everything alright?" she asks.

"No, Mrs. Velvet. Everything is perfect! Please, continue what you were saying!"

You answer makes Mrs. Velvet… raise an eyebrow. Not exactly concerned, but almost as if she is witnessing something unusual.

Naturally, you have no idea why she reacted like that. There is nothing wrong. There is nothing out of place. You are just excited!

And the reason you are excited couldn't be more obvious. It is because Mrs. Velvet called for you, just a few minutes ago, to give you a task. But this isn't any old, regular task. She just told you that she needs you to do something that she thinks is important. Something that, by her own words, she can't trust anypony else to do!

So how could you not be thrilled?

You barely notice the several seconds Mrs. Velvet spends, looking at you quizzically, until she finally gives up with a shrug.

"Anyhow, as I was saying. For a while now, I have been wondering how I should handle the… no, handle is not the right word," she says, narrowing her eyes slightly. "I have been thinking about how to open relations with my younger brother, who recently moved into the estate. And I was hoping you could help me with that."

She says that, and you immediately feel a cold breeze blow inside the room.

There is no breeze, of course. You just imagined it. Still, you definitely felt a cold breeze just now. The kind that, for some reason, seems to pierce through your fur, and your coat, and is able to reach all the way into your heart. To the point that the excitement you were feeling flickers, like a candle's fire against a strong wind.

You are not scared. Of course you are not scared. Why would you be scared? Mrs. Velvet is asking for your help, so you can't be scared. You can't screw this up!

Even though it relates to her younger brother. Who is a noble. And a Lord. Even though she is asking your help with something like that, you can't say no to her. You have to be brave. For her! For Mrs. Velvet! Even though she is asking your help in regard to a noble, who can ask you to do anything he wants, and who can and WILL ruin your lifeifyouevenDAREtothinkaboutnot-



"Softy? Soft Sweeps? It's okay, Softy. Everything is alright. The favor I need you to do isn't anything scary."



Mrs. Velvet's words reach you, and you almost jump up in surprise. You seem to have… dozed off at some point?

You shake your head, trying to focus once again. What just happened? You are not sure. But as you once again focus on Mrs. Velvet, her expression is nothing but kind.

The excitement you were feeling earlier is no longer there. In fact, you can barely remember you felt it in the first place. Still, you feel… fine. Perfectly neutral, even.

What a strange reason to doze off to, you think. You shrug off that strange sensation, and focus your attention back on Mrs. Velvet.

"Sorry, Mrs. Velvet. You were saying?" you ask, trying to put your thoughts back on track.

Mrs. Velvet looks at you for a few more moments, her expression gentle but analytical. But whatever she was looking for, she seems to have found it. So, she nods to herself and tries once again.

"Well, to put it very simply, ever since my b…" she starts, only to stop for a few moments as if she is thinking about what words to use. "Ever since the number of workers here in the estate increased, almost doubled, I realize that I don't really have a good hoof on the pulse of our house anymore."

You nod at her. That makes sense. Ponpon was kind enough to give you her room, since she has a house in Ponyville. But you realize the common quarters in the servant's section of the estate are now full to bursting.

Most of the newcomers work on the annex building, of course. Because of reasons. But the central building remains the heart of the estate, so you bump into maids and workers whose name you don't know more often than not, nowadays.

"So, I was wondering if you could help me with that. I know the fillies keep you awfully busy, and we are all going on our trip next week. But could you try to look into it?"

You continue to nod to her. Actually, you never really stopped nodding to her. A smile growing on your face as you do.

"Absolutely Mrs. Velvet! I won't let you down. But…" you hesitate for a second. Part of you not wanting to ask what is (definitely) a stupid question. While another part of you reminds you that it is best to make sure you understand what your assignment is, so you don't fail her!

Eventually, your cautious side wins out, and you ask her what you have in mind.

"But what exactly would you like me to find out? I think I understand what you mean with the… pulse of the house? But, uhm, is there anything in particular you'd like me to ask around for?" you ask.

And even though your question is silly, Mrs. Velvet manages not to show it on her face.

"I'm glad you asked. I would like you to focus on two things in particular. One is their…" she trails off for a moment, as if trying to figure out another way to say a word that starts with emp and possibly rhymes with loyer. "I want you to see what they think about their working conditions. Yes, that. Do they think the tasks they are given are reasonable and fair? Are there any problems they usually face? Be it in regards to their hours, or payment, or anything else? Also, I really want to know everything, so you can tell me stuff even if it is just gossip."

Your expression is more serious now, as she explains to you what she needs. You try your best to commit her words to memory.

"The second thing I want you to look into is their… let's call it their hierarchy. I mean, before the new maids arrived everypony was supposed to listen to Ponpon, right? She is our official head maid and all that. And we knew how the house was supposed to work because everypony where to look for instructions. But what about these new maids? I want to know who they answer to, and who is at the top of the servant's chain. But most importantly, I want to know about them. And again, anything you hear about is useful, even if it's just gossip."

You understand what she is asking you to do. Or at least you hope that you do, and you are resolute not to fail her.

So, you push down your nervousness, and you hold back the other questions you have boiling in your mind. Such as why she isn't asking Ponpon to do this kind of thing. After all, you already know the answer to that.

Ponpon would probably have been able to do this a lot better than you, but Mrs. Velvet trusts you. And she wants to be able to trust you more. She clearly does.

Which means this is a test.

And if you want to help Mrs. Velvet more in the future, if you want her to trust you with even more important things, than you cannot fail her!

"I won't let you down, Mrs. Velvet," you say.

And she answers you with a confident nod.

"I know you won't."



- - -



All of that happened yesterday. Later that night, close to midnight, she left for the train station. By now, she should be arriving in Canterlot.

Which means that, as of right now, you have five days to complete your task. Five days to investigate the recent addition to the estate's staff, so you can report your success to Mrs. Velvet when she returns!

It is still early in the morning. You dropped the fillies off at their school maybe an hour ago, and you have just finished cleaning their rooms and rushing through your morning routine.

So now, you are going to…!

You are going to…

You are…

Wait, now that you think about it, you have no idea of what you are supposed to do next.

Right now, you are standing in the middle of the great entrance hall. You realize Mrs. Velvet asked for you to do this in your capacity as a maid, so you are currently wearing your best-kept uniform. Both to act the part and, admittedly, to psych yourself up. However, now that you are mentally prepared, and now that you have two or three free hours to get to it, you realize that you have no idea of how to proceed.

Should you just walk up to somepony and talk to them? Should you just stop the first maid you are not familiar with, and start asking her about this and that?

You don't even finish that thought before you realize how much of a bad idea it is. After all, all the servants in the Velvet estate are very busy most of the time. So, you wouldn't just be awkwardly trying to start a conversation with a pony you never met before, you would also probably be getting in the way of their work.

But still, maids gossip all the time, don't they? At least, that is what Tip Top tells you. You spend most of the time caring for the fillies, so you don't really know. However, it seems to be common knowledge that maids talk, which means in turn that they somehow find the time to talk.

Your concentrated expression slowly turns into a frown as you try to think. Ironically, you remember how you already heard that there is an entire underground society in the maid world. Although you only ever heard that as a joke. Still, as you start to bang your head against this imaginary roadblock, you can't help but feel like you are trying to gain entry to some kind of secret world.

Because you are a maid, through and through. You have the cutie mark to prove it, and you have been working on this trade literally for as long as you remember. But still, the fact remains that you were never really interested in the whole gossiping part. During your first few years as a maid, a few of the older maids were mean to you, and some of them were nice, but you were still too young and too busy to care. You were actually afraid of talking to anypony while working, because you simply couldn't afford to lose your job.

After that, of course, you were assigned to be a nanny. And for all that is a job within the four walls of the house, the entirety of your time was focused (or some would say isolated) on one part of the house. That, and your schedule was entirely different from the usual rotations that the other maids have.

Still, you will not be deterred! You shake off your hesitation, and you push away the thoughts of asking for help. From Tip Top, or from anypony else. Mrs. Velvet asked you to do this, and so you shall!

"And standing still here won't do me any favors," you say to yourself.

With that in mind, you set out from the central building, and towards the estate at large.



- - -



The Velvet estate is, to put in very few words, quite large.

It is comprised mainly of five separate buildings. The central building, which is a large mansion, and four annex buildings of difference sizes and functionalities. Those five buildings are placed around the large, vaguely square-shaped gardens, with the mansion itself dominating the east side, two annex buildings on the north, and two to the garden's south.

You don't know enough about other noble estates to know if this configuration is unique to the Velvet estate in Ponyville, or if this is the norm for every noble house outside of Canterlot. Still, you understand that the Velvet estate is large out of necessity.

Well, it is also large because is can be large. After all, Ponyville is not exactly short on free land. Still, you know the estate is large because of the several facilities it needs for it to function.

The noble mansions of Canterlot are at the heart of Equestria. And everything a noble might need is just a few districts away. After all, Canterlot has developed an economy that is able to satisfy the needs of the Royal Castle, so whatever a noble might need can be bought or procured within the mountain-perched city.

But a noble house in Ponyville is another matter entirely. And that is doubly so because this is not just a vacation home of sorts, but the center of an entire farming operation. So, the annex buildings are filled with all sorts of workshops, storages, and other things besides necessary to maintain, repair and even furnish a noble holding like this.

A workshop for carpenters, a smithy for the resident tool worker, a strong-smelling apothecary, the annex buildings have all sorts of facilities for all sorts of needs. All of those boasting at least one pony with a related cutie mark, who knows what he or she is doing. Granted, none of those facilities are particularly large, and they are only really suited to fulfill the needs of the estate. Still, there is no shortage of nooks and crannies in the Velvet estate where servants are busy working on all kinds of things.

Hay, the southernmost building, the one that has its own side-entrance by the walls, even has a sawmill. A relic from the time the estate was still being built, and they had to cut down part of the forest to make way for the farmlands.

Still, you aren't headed to any of those facilities. Granted, you realize there are probably some of your fellow maids here and there, keeping everything clean and tidy. But you have an idea, and that idea is leading you somewhere else.

Ever since the newcoming servants arrived, the two annex buildings to the north of the garden have become a hive of activity. The largest one is in the process of being renovated, and everything on its second floor was taken somewhere else so the freed rooms could be turned into suitable accommodations. The entire place, also, is receiving as much attention as the main mansion. In fact, it might even be receiving more care than the central building itself.

But the other north-side building was also subjected to a few changes. If for a different reason.

Because since the number of servants in the estate suddenly doubled, the estate suddenly found itself in short supply of certain facilities. After all, for several years now most of the servants of the estate were residents of Ponyville. However, now that there is an entire score of servants in the estate who are from Canterlot, there is now also dozens of ponies who chose to live in the estate almost fulltime.

And to be honest, even though there were enough beds in the servant's quarters to accommodate all those ponies, that was only true in the strictest sense of the words. Because yes, there were "several dozen" available beds for the "several dozen" new residents. But given the decades of Ponyville-resident servants, the estate was simply not equipped for all those new ponies to live there.

So, the second annex building north of the garden was (and still is) slowly being repurposed for that end.

You heard that a larger, more comfortable dormitory is being built there, so the newcomers will have more space than just the tightly-packed servant quarters of the mansion. However, one place that you know is already up and running is the newly built mess hall.

So, your hoofs take you through the garden, past the larger annex building, and into that partially ready "servant's building".

Curiously, the moment you step hoof in it you realize this is the first time you have entered it after all the changes. You remember that this place was, originally… maybe mostly storage? You remember the tailor's workshop was here, but nine out of ten ponies who can thread a needle are either unicorns or have related cutie marks. So, you have never been there too often, except for the times you needed your uniform repaired. You also think the candle making… stuff was here, as well.

Still, you are immediately greeted by the large, refectory-like mess hall. And a whiff from the air tells you that some nearby kitchen, also recently built, must be in the early stages of preparing lunch for the servants.

But much, much more importantly, you feel a surge of encouragement run through your body.

Because sure, the mess hall is almost entirely empty. Right now, it's maybe ten or eleven in the morning. You servants will only have a full break to eat at midday. However, the place is not deserted either.

And your eyes immediately fall on a fellow maid who is sitting on one of the long communal tables. Apparently just idling her time away. The regular maids are usually rotated around a schedule, so you think that maid is currently on her "easy" circuit, and probably already ended her tasks for the morning. Hence her being here, just enjoying a window of free time.

Or who knows, perhaps she is skipping work.

But you don't know that particular mare. Which means not only that she is not Ponpon's responsibility, but also that she is precisely the type of pony you was hoping to find!

With a confident smile, you make your way towards her, and you sit right in front of her on the wooden table.

"Good morning!" you say, trying to sound as casual as possible. "I don't think I've met you yet? My name is Soft Sweeps. How is your day going?"

The mare didn't notice you when you sat down. So maybe you startled her, but she freezes the moment you start talking to her.

After that, she looks at you wide-eyed. And maybe for five full seconds she just stares at you, as if she doesn't believe what she is seeing.

For a moment, you feel your confidence waver. Did you do something wrong? Did you forget how to talk properly to other ponies? Are you that incompetent?!

But after her frozen shock, the mare's expression immediately changes into something much more pleasant, and much more amicable.

"Soft Sweeps you say? I already heard so much about you. I am delighted to meet you! My name is…"

After that, the two of you begin to chat.

And you can feel a warm wave of happiness run through you as you talk.

Because you were right! Coming here was the right idea. And you certainly, definitely will be able to help Mrs. Velvet!



- - -



"What did you do?!"

A voice comes from behind you, and you immediately jump up in surprise. An undignified yelp escaping your lips.

"Ack-!"

You turn around, only to see the shocked, worried, and maybe even angry expression of your friend Tip Top. Or rather, you think she is still your friend? You hope she still is? You have definitely never seen Tip this angry before, and that scares you!

"W-what? What do you mean, Tip Top?" you ask, still trying to get your bearings.

It is already late in the afternoon. The sun is about to set, the fillies are in their room playing, and naturally you are in the central mansion taking care of them.

In fact, you were heading downstairs to the kitchen just now, to grab them a snack. When Tip Top suddenly appeared right behind you, nearly scaring the fires out of your body.

"I meant what I meant, Soft. And this is serious. What did you do?"

You look at the earth pony mare, and then around you, trying to gain a little more context. Hay, you are trying to see if there is anything nearby that can tip you of what she is talking about. Did you drop something? Did you forget to do some chore, and she is looking for you at Ponpon's request?

Oh Celestia. Tip Top is in charge of the central chandelier, and you remember you helped her the last time she cleaned it. Did you screw something up with that? Did something break and it's your fault?!

"I-I… Tip, I didn't…? Did I do something wrong? W-what's going on?" you ask, feeling your heartrate accelerate as more and more agonizing scenarios, all of which are definitely your fault, flash through your head.

You take a frightened half-step back, and for a moment you think Tip Top is going to take a step forward. To keep the same distance between the two of you, to keep the pressure on you as she scolds you for something you did wrong.

But the mare never does that. Instead, her expression… changes. Her initial scowl turning into confusion, then doubt, until it finally settles on some kind of understanding.

"Wait, wait… Hold on, Soft, let me think for a moment…" she says, raising a hoof as she closes her eyes.

You have no idea of what is going on. And of course, that only makes you more nervous. You completely fail to calm down your breathing, and the inside of your chest only becomes more frantic. But still, years of conditioning at least helps you to stay still and silent. And that is enough for Tip Top to think for a few more seconds.

"Wait, wait, waaaait... oh… oh damn," the mare finally says, mostly to herself, as if she just realized something. But she finally opens her eyes, and her expression is less angry than before as she speaks to you. "Okay Soft, I think I understand what is going on. But answer me very carefully. Did you speak to anypony today? Anypony besides, I don't know, Ponpon, the fillies, or some of our friends?"

She looks less angry, and maybe more understanding, but none of that makes you feel any less scared. Your body is still entirely locked in place, as you realize you are being scolded. So, you can't even answer with words, you only nod your head up and down in a frightened, almost mechanical motion.

Tip Top understands your answer, and she reacts to it by immediately whispering something. A crude, drawn-out word that you must definitely never repeat within earshot of the fillies.

"… of course that's what happened and…" she mumbles to herself for a few more moments, turning her attention back to you once again. "Okay, so, this is important. Tell me who you talked to, and what you talked about. Tell me everything that happened, if you can."

"O-okay…?" you swallow something dry, taking a deep breath. Your brain still trying to figure out what the hay is going on, and what in Equestria you did wrong. "I-I… I wanted to learn a bit more about the newcomers? S-so I just, y-you know… I went to the second building? There was this n-nice mare in that new mess hall, so I-"

"Soft Sweeps, are you telling me you tried to barter? That YOU, tried to BARTER?!"

But Tip Top doesn't just interrupt you, she says something that makes your legs shake.

And she didn't really yell at you. She almost barely raised her voice. But the way she said that, with a mixture of shock, and plain admonishment, was as good as a slap to your face given the circumstances.

Even though you have no idea of what she is talking about!

"W-what?! what does that mean? T-Tip Top, d-did I do something wrong?!"

Your words come out of your mouth before you can even think about them. The plain, honest, and innocent fear you are feeling becoming immediately apparent to anypony who might be listening.

And once Tip Top realizes that you truly have no idea of what is going on, her harshness completely evaporates.

Instead, she just looks…

No, she doesn't "look" like anything. She just facehoofs. The movement lightning quick, and the slapping noise as her hoof hits her forehead making it sound a little bit painful. Still, she facehoofs, her eyes closed shut as she tries to process… well, as she tries to process whatever she just realized.

Because you still have no idea of what is going on.

"Soft, I… by Celestia, how do I even begin to explain," she says, letting out a long and drawn-out sigh. "You don't even guess what bartering means, so how do I…"

Her hinds hit the ground with a soft, carpeted thud. And she finally opens her eyes once again, only this time she looks… not disappointed, but certainly disheartened.

"Soft, we are maids. Don't you listen to the stuff I tell you?" she begins to say. "We are maids. We trade in gossip and information. What we know is just as important as where we work. And I don't mean this in a silly, mare-talk way. This sort of stuff can actually cost us our jobs. It can even affect the family we serve!"

Yet another wave of dread runs through you, as you hear her say that. The old, trained concern of having your job threatened being enhanced by the newer, much more powerful fear that you just did something that might affect Mrs. Velvet or the fillies.

"It doesn't make any difference if it's any old gossip or story. But when it's important? We literally trade, barter for that kind of stuff. And you, Soft, should realize that you aren't a small deal. You aren't a small deal at all! You're the fillies' nanny. You are invited to eat with the Lady's family on every single meal. And apparently, you just did a barter without having any idea of what you were doing. It was as good as extortion, Soft, and the whispers I heard say that you basically flooded the market with information about the Lady's family."

Your eyes go wide with that, the muscles of your wing going taut as you finally understand why Tip Top is acting like this. Your panicked mind trying to think back of what exactly you told that mare, only for your brain to return you blank memories. You just had a chat with her, so you can't even remember what you two talked about.

"D-did… Did I do something…" you start to say, but you stop yourself. You almost ask if you did something wrong, but you stop yourself from saying it. Because of course you did something wrong. Of course you just messed up. You messed up, and you are so bad at this that you don't even know how bad it was.

So, rather than asking the stupid obvious, you go to the second worse thing.

"W-was it really that bad…?" you ask

To which Tip answers with another sigh.

"I wish I could say it wasn't, Soft. But the point is that I don't know. I really don't. It will be a few days before we can get a feeling of what is being talked, and how ponies might react. Maybe they didn't really get anything out of you? Maybe she's just leveraging the fact she was seen talking to you? I don't know, Soft. I really don't know. I only hear the rumors."

After that, neither of you really have anything left to say. Tip Top notices how shaken you are, but her half-hearted attempts to play it down don't really work after everything she told you. But, if nothing else, she promises to keep you informed of how things go, as she hears about it.

Still, the two of you eventually go your separate ways.

"And for Celestia's sake, Sweeps. Next time you need something, just ask me. I'm your friend."

Except that, as you go back to your tasks, you do it with heavy hoofs. And you can almost feel the weight of your failure dragging behind you, as you walk away.



- - -



It is night. The Velvet estate is quiet and empty.

And you can't sleep.

You are lying on your bed, inside the old head maid's room, and you can't sleep.

Of course you can't sleep. You just feel bad. Everything feels bad.

Mrs. Velvet has given you an important task just a bit over twenty-four hours ago. And in the span of a day, you not only managed to fail at it, but you failed so spectacularly that it might even impact her.

Because you don't do gossip. You don't have that strange, almost instinctual ability that Tip Top has. That thing that she does where you tell her something, she chuckles, and then she proceeds to explain to you all the implications of whatever you just told her. Things that make sense after she tells you, but that you never would have guessed otherwise.

So, what exactly did you tell that mare? What simple, innocent tidbits did you let slip, that she might have used to map out something much larger? How badly did you mess up?

No matter how hard you try to remember, you just can't recall anything.

Did you tell her something about Mrs. Velvet? About Mr. Stormchaser? About some habit that you all have in the central mansion, that maybe you should have kept private? Did you tell her something about the fillies?

Your body hurts. Your fur feels like needles against your coat.

You can almost hear them, now. The head maid's room is in the servant's quarter, in the central mansion. So, you are just a few doors away from the regular quarters. Just a few hoofsteps away from where the newcomer servants are lodging and sleeping. You are this close to them, and you can almost hear them.

Laughing at you.

Mocking you.

Chatting about your life, and the Lady's life, and how much of an idiot she is, for keeping around an incompetent mare like you.

You try to press a pillow against your ears, but it doesn't help. It's just too much.

Hay, even this room feels wrong. This is Ponpon's assigned room. This place belongs to the head maid. And in her absence, it should be empty and unused. So even the pity she took on you, when she lent you this room, is too much.

You jump out of bed before you realize what you are doing, and soon enough your hoofs take you away from that place.

…

You wander around the house, for a few minutes. But everywhere you go, everything you look at, just makes you feel bad. After all, you are one of the few servants who is allowed on the second floor, close to the places where the Lady lives. So, going anywhere near there just makes you feel bad. As if you had just let an entire throng of curious onlookers go there with you, invading Mrs. Velvet's privacy through your careless words and stupid mistakes.

So, you don't go anywhere near the second floor. And even the first floor feels overbearing.

You walk out through the front door soon after. The night breeze of the garden blowing against your mane as you wander.

This… this feels a bit better. No, not better, just less bad.



Still, it's an improvement.



You wander around the garden, taking in the moonlit sights. You try not to think about anything, and instead just let your hoofs take you where they want.

Soon enough, your idly-walking hoofs enlist the help of your wings, and you don't really try to stop what happens next. As a pegasus, flying is as natural as walking, so you allow your wings to lazily flap themselves, and soon enough you are gliding through the skies above the estate. Following an unseen path, taking you wherever your body, or something else inside of you, wants to go.

You just let it happen. You don't really care about it anymore, and allowing your head to stay empty is certainly better than the alternative.

However, you are snapped out of your daze when your hoofs land on something hard. And you realize you are now standing on a roof.

"Wait, what?" you ask yourself.

Because… because suddenly, quite literally as if a bubble has been burst, you are aware once again. You don't feel alarmed, or scared, or anything like that. Still, this definitely feels like…

You feel as if that dazed, half-thought way you were in just now, where you let your body take you anywhere it wanted, just shut itself down.

No, it's more than just that.

You feel as if, when you dozed down, your body took over. And then your body intentionally brought you here. And now that you are finally here, that "auto-pilot" way your body was acting in is satisfied, so it shut itself down.

Which is… confusing?

"Because… because where am I? No. Why am I here?"

You look around, and you immediately realize where you are.

You are on the roof of one of the annex buildings. To be more precise, you are on the roof of the largest annex building. The one that… became the center of attention of the newcoming servants.

Still, for all that you know where you are, you have no idea why you came here. It doesn't even occur to you to question why "your body" would possibly do something that you didn't want to do. It doesn't even occur to you to wonder why you are thinking that "something else inside you" brought you here. All of that just feels natural, so you don't even think about it.

But that doesn't mean you aren't curious. Maybe even intrigued.

However, all of your thoughts are immediately interrupted as you hear something. More than that, your ears perk up, and your whole body becomes alert. Your previous sadness is still there, inside of you, but definitely shoved into a corner and forgotten for now as something much more urgent reaches you.

Specifically, you hear the sound of a pony crying. The low, hiccupping sobs of a pony who tried to stop herself from crying, but who gave up after a while.

You also immediately realize it is indeed a her. And your mind runs a short, urgent checklist as that new information hits you.

Not a filly. Not one of your fillies. Not Mrs. Velvet, as unlikely as that would be. Not anypony else you know…

Not bleeding. Not maimed. Not physically hurt. Purely emotional pain.

Sorrowful, but not in agony.

You shake your head, a string of strange thoughts disappearing before you can really grab hold of them. Still, whatever you were thinking just now doesn't really matter. There is a pony on this roof, and she seems to be crying. So, naturally, you need to help her.

With that in mind, you immediately follow the sobs and the sniffs. And it doesn't take too long for you to find their source, sitting behind a chimney.

It is a mare, you realize. Well, you already knew that, but you finally see it with your own eyes.

A young-looking mare who is maybe your age, sitting on her hinds on the hard tiles of the roof. Hugging herself with her forelegs as she quietly sobs with her eyes closed.

Unsurprisingly, you have never seen her before. Is she perhaps one of the new servants? She is not a pegasus, so she couldn't have just landed here. You already heard the story of several pegasi, who described how they just landed somewhere sobbing after the Catastrophe. But still, those stories all happened exclusively during or after the Catastrophe, for obvious reasons. And, again, the mare is not a pegasus, which means she came up here…

Hold on, there are no stairs or doors that lead to the roof. Repairs on the roof tiles are usually made by pegasi. How in Equestria did she get up here? Did she just climb?!

You are in the middle of wondering who this mare is, when you finally realize she stopped crying. No, wait, she didn't stop crying. She stopped sobbing. Her eyes are still very much leaking tears.

However, those same eyes are now open, and looking straight at you. The mare's expression clearly scared, now.

"Oh, I-I'm sorry," you blurt out, taking a half-step back. "I-I didn't mean to interrupt you. I was just flying around wh-"

"When you came here to laugh at me as well?" she asks, the miserable tone of her voice still strong enough to interrupt you.

And for a moment, you fumble. You almost open your mouth to answer her immediately. You almost speak the first thing that comes to your mind, be it a denial, or an apology, or maybe just a statement you will leave her alone.

But you don't say any of that. Because the way she just spoke… something in her eyes… it just gives you pause.

It gives you pause, and for some reason that allows you to think a lot more clearly, before you speak up again.

"I'm… I'm not here to laugh at you," you say, a strange confidence coating your words as you speak them. "I promise."

The mare looks at you, her expression as sad as it is accusatory.

But you keep her gaze. And eventually, she looks down once again.

Still, she doesn't say anything else. She doesn't say anything else, and as the silence stretches longer you begin to feel strange. As if something was telling you to fill the silence. Not because you should always fill it, but because in this particular situation, it is best if you say something.

And when you open your mouth, your tongue feels curious. It feels a little bit like an itch, and a little bit like you are licking something rough and prickly.

However, that strange sensation seems to be almost alive. And every time you try to say something, it pricks and freezes in your mouth. It doesn't really stop you from talking, and you feel like you could force your way through the discomfort if you really wanted. But you don't do that. Instead, you decide to… trust it? You don't know if that's the word for it. However, you roll several different possibilities through your mouth. You try to articulate several alternatives, of how you might break the stretching silence.

And you pick the one that your tongue doesn't dislike. You pick the one that, if not right, at least doesn't feel wrong.

"Did you have a hard day at work today?" you ask.

But the mare only answers by shutting her eyes, stifling down a sniff.

And your tongue pricks you.

You said it wrong.

Not a hard day.

It's something you are familiar with.

"Did… did they give you a hard time at work today?"

The mare half-opens her eyes as you say that. Her expression even more sad than before, but also confused now. You struck a chord inside of her.

Better.

She doesn't answer with words. But still, she tells you everything you need to know.

A short, hesitant nod. Because she doesn't trust you.

A bit more strength on her forelegs as she hugs herself. Because she feels alone.

A short, particularly timed sniff. Because the memories are still fresh.

Your legs move underneath you. Four more steps, and you are standing right next to her. Bend your hindlegs, and you are sitting by her side.

She doesn't react.

But she doesn't push you away.

"I used to have a hard time like that, a while ago," you say, because the words sound right against your tongue. "It was the small things. Always the small things. But maybe it hurt a lot because I was also so small? Still, any spots I didn't get, any silly little mistake I made… Sometimes it even felt like they made it up. Bashing me because I would hold stuff the wrong way, or use too much product, or too little product… Can you even hold something the wrong way? It never really made sense. But it hurt all the same."

The mare doesn't say anything. You aren't even sure if she is listening. To be honest, you might as well be talking to yourself. Or maybe you will look to the side and realize she already left a while ago, and you were none the wiser.

But she is listening. You know she is.

So, you keep talking.

"And then they started to blame me for everything. It was bad when they blamed me for mistakes that didn't happen. But when they started doing it for real mistakes? For the ones they made? Yeah… and after that it got… worse… then more… stuff, happened…"

You trail off, the unwelcome memories coming back to you. Making your body tense up, and your voice die down on your throat. And for a moment, you don't really feel like your present self anymore. You just feel like a little filly who…

Still, for all that your memories get to you, they also definitely get to your voice.

Your tone reaches that perfect, sorrowful timbre.

And suddenly, she commiserates. Because you went all the way down to her level. Because you jumped down to the bottom of the well. Now, you are together with her.

Misery loves company.

"I…" she starts to talk, her voice broken and failing after so much time crying. Still, she starts to talk.

Not to comfort you. Not because she is trying to lift you up. She doesn't have the energy for that.

Instead, she starts to talk because somepony is finally down there with her.

"I really… really… hate it here," she says.

You aren't crying. But still, your own memories are so vivid now that, when you look at her, your expression is similar to hers.

Maybe she saw curiosity on your gaze, or maybe she just wants to talk. But still, she takes your glance as a sign to continue speaking.

"I-I'm… I'm not fit to be a maid. I really, really am not. And this… feels like a fish out of water and… because they are so mean…"

The mare is interrupted by her own tears. But now, her tears are more angry than they are sad. And seeing that, you start feeling angry yourself. Your own memories of rage, at the way those other maids treated you in your first job, coming back to you.

She gets angry. You get angry with her. The two of you start climbing up together.

"A-and… and do you know how they call me?" she says, not waiting for you to answer. "They call me Can-trip. Because I tripped and let that glass fall down. Once! And then? Then it got worse! Because I was assigned to his son!"

Her tears die down, or maybe they are smothered by her anger. Still, her broken, sobbing voice is nowhere to be seen now. Instead, there is only an increasing growl as she speaks. Louder and louder, as her hoofs leave her eyes and move in anger to grab at her mane.

"And why would a clumsy, stupid maid be assigned to his son? She has a cutie mark for magic, not for being a maid! She didn't even train for the job. She came here straight out of the school for gifted unicorns. So why?! Oh, but the answer is obvious, isn't it? Why would he assign a pretty, magically-competent, unicorn to be the personal maid of his own unicorn son?!"

She stamps a hoof against the floor, cracking a rooftile.

An angry scar that tonight happened on the skin of the world.

But that physical burst of anger is enough to calm her down. Maybe it channeled a bit of her rage out of her. Maybe she just realized she broke something, and that she should calm herself down before she breaks something else.

Still, by now, she is practically talking all by herself. Without even so much as a push from you.

"Of course, it's all lies. I thought the same, at the very beginning. But he never even touched me. And of course he wouldn't. He's the kindest, most gentle pony I ever met, even if he tries to hide it. Certainly the kindest I ever worked for…"

She says that, and her expression becomes a lot less pained. A rush of better memories reaching her, pushing her further and further out of the pit she was in.

"But still, it's… this job, this life… it is not for me… But I don't have anything else, ever since the whole world went hind-up… b-but the other maids… everypony is so mean, and they always keep saying those horrible things and…"

The unicorn mare continues to talk. About herself, about the horrible maids who whisper behind her back. About her life, before the Catastrophe. She continues to talk, as if she didn't have anypony to talk to for a very long while. So, you just listen.

And slowly, very slowly, you start to say something here and there. Until it turns into a conversation of sorts. And until the minutes turn into hours, and you two realize the moon is close to touching the horizon.

Which means that, unfortunately, you two will have to go your separate paths. At least for now.

"I hate to say this, but I think we should get going," you eventually say. "But what's your name again? I will definitely look for you during my routine, if you don't mind."

"Oh, I would actually love that! Thought it might be a bit… hard. My schedule is, uh, a bit unpredictable? Still, my name is Cantrip… the mean nickname everypony calls me by wasn't made up… unfortunately."

"I can call you something else if you'd like."

"No no no, it's fine. Actually, I'd appreciate having a pony call me by my name in a nice way… like a friend? Wait, shoot, I never even asked. What about you? What is your name?"

"Oh, I'm Soft Sweeps!"

Her eyes go wide in surprise when you tell her that, and you kick yourself for forgetting Tip Top's advice so quickly.

But what the hay, what else were you supposed to do? Make up a name and lie to her?

Still, the two of you eventually go your separate ways. True to her word, meeting her is dreadfully hard. In fact, not once do you catch even a glimpse of her during the work hours. Still, given how she is one of the servants who is now living in the estate, you two find a way.

And thankfully, thank all the stars in the sky and the sun in heaven, Mrs. Velvet seems strangely proud when, instead of telling her what she wanted to know, you tell her about how you made a new friend among the servants.

It is slightly weird, how Mrs. Velvet insists you tell her everything about Cantrip. But that weirdness evaporates when she tells you that you did a good job.

So, you suppose that everything is well when it ends well.





As the days went by, Tip Top eventually told you that nothing really came out of the rumors about you. And thank Celestia for that! You apparently didn't say anything important, and the initial hub-dub of gossip just came from the fact you were seen talking to somepony else.

Still, you learned your lesson. You definitely learned your lesson.

And much more importantly, you think you made a new friend! Although you… you will make sure to run that through Tip Top, and maybe Ponpon. Still, this is exciting!

Soft Sweeps has made a new friend. Cantrip has been added as one of Soft Sweep's followers(?).

Velvet Covers has gained relevant information on one of Velvet Pride's most important servants.

You briefly wonder how things might have gone differently. But that is probably the domain of another, stranger History.

Spoiler: But... why?

"So… I mean, please don't take this the wrong way. But why did he assign you to his son? You aren't… I-I mean, you don't have the cutie mark of a maid. You said it yourself. So why…"

She answered you with a small smile. Maybe the first she gave you that entire night. And then, she lit up her horn.

Her face contorted with effort, and the wind began to blow around you. Stronger and stronger, until there was sweat forming on her brow.

That is, until the world exploded around you. And the two of you landed on the soft ground, in the middle of a plantation patch, with a soft thud. Ruining the lives of a few unfortunate batches of produce under your hinds.

"Because…" she said, between heaves of effort and strain, "safety…" she gasped out the word.

But you, on the other hoof, almost hugged her in excitement.

"That. Was. Awesome!" you blurt out.

"Wazzit really…?" but the mare seemed too dazed to even answer you properly.

Still, that was the most amazing thing you had ever seen an unicorn do! The most amazing magic you ever participated in!

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Lady Velvet Covers.

And right now, you are particularly focused on the "Velvet" part of your name.

You have returned home one day earlier than usual. And as much as you hesitate in admitting it, this is actually the first day of what will be a small vacation of yours. The Bureau is still hard at work, of course, and just this week the Bluebloods were formally charged based on all the evidence you have found so far.

You are not exactly familiar with the judicial proceedings of Equestria, but even you know that something of that level would usually happen in the lowest courts. And yet, Justice Fair Trial presided over the "opening shots" of what is being called the trial of the century. Also, that particular court session was… contentious. The principal counsel of the Bluebloods practically yelled defiance against Fair Trial, and demanded that his clients be judged by Princess Celestia herself.

He was then forcibly escorted out of the courtroom. And Fair Trial made it very clear that the Bluebloods would either follow procedures, or she would consider that they have decided to plead guilty on all charges.

Still, that is neither here nor there. The Bureau is hard at work, more and more evidence is still being collected and presented to the Crown's chief prosecutor, and your field agents have already been pulverized across several cities for their next assignment.

So, you are confident that… or at least you hope that things will be able to move without your constant supervision.

Which is why your schedule is currently set the way it is. You have arrived home a full day earlier, you and your family will travel to Cloudsdale in three days, and you will pass the following two weeks going to and from Canterlot from the clouded city every other day. Just for long enough to check in on the Bureau, and more importantly to make sure you have time for Cadance.

Because you already met the mare, earlier this week. And she practically has a fire in her eyes as she focuses exclusively on her coming wedding.

But you digress. That is something you will focus on, with prodigious effort, later this month. Right now you are…

Where were you again?

Right, right. The "Velvet" in Velvet Covers.

You have arrived home a full day earlier because, among other things, you want to make sure you will be able to speak to your little brother.

And that is what you are preparing to do right now.

Right as you arrived, Soft Sweeps was the first to seek you out. The young mare eager to report on what she discovered. You admit you were not sure of what results she would bring you. After all, the young mare is an overthinker and quite prone to bottling up her stress. But at the same time, she also has been taking great strides, becoming a lot more sociable with her support group and generally recovering very well given everything she has been through.

Still, you had no idea of how she would tackle the favor you asked her to do.

Part of you expected the "usual" kind of report you would hear from Ponpon. Maybe a broad, bird's-eye view of the estate as a whole, based on several pieces of information she managed to collect. Another part of you expected her to make it a group effort and recruit some other servants you know she is friends with to help her out.

Regardless, you were expecting something broad, reasonably reliable, and vague enough to give you an idea on where you would like to focus next.

You definitely did not expect a full report on Velvet Pride's own personal maid.

So, she did not just exceed your expectations. She definitely made you proud.

And you were sure to praise her for that, of course.

Furthermore, the things she told you armed you with a whole swathe of information. Because first of all, the things Softy told you about the maid's schedule confirmed that, indeed, you brother has been avoiding you. Soft's casual remark that "packing days are particularly hectic" told you that your brother seems to tie his schedule so he is returning to Canterlot at the same time you are traveling to Ponyville.

On top of that, you also learned that your brother's butler, a stallion called Subtle Glare, is even more important that the maid. Your Softy didn't have anything to tell you about him, but knowing he is a particularly relevant piece is already valuable in itself.

Of course, you were also able to glean enough to know when your brother finishes his work day.

So, you are out of the central mansion, and walking towards his building of residence, the moment your clock strikes at the correct hours.

You wish to meet him on that particular window where he has just put his pen down for the day, but hasn't yet retreated to his quarters. The precise moment where he can't claim to have other matters to attend to, but when there are still enough hours in the day for a relatively long meeting.

Granted, you don't know how long this will last, but it's best to have the available time and not need it than to have to cut a meeting short.

With that in mind, you walk your way up through the annex building, passing by the surprised servants as if your presence there was only natural, and stop right when you reach the door you assume leads to your brother's office.

If nothing else, you are sure he is in there.

You knock on the door, and a unicorn maid partially opens it to greets you. Her shocked expression only lasts a second, before she excuses herself to announce your presence.

That was probably Cantrip, you think to yourself. You think that was the same maid that was next to your brother when you first saw him, over a month ago. And her face definitely fit Soft's description.

Still, you aren't given much time to wonder about this and that. Because less than a minute later, the doors open once again.

"Lady Velvet Covers, Lord Velvet Pride is available to see you now," the maid says, lighting up her horn to open the doors wide for you to enter.

And you are immediately treated to your brother's serious expression, as he waits for you behind his large work desk.

"Hello, little brother," you say as you enter.

The doors are closed behind you.

And it begins.



- - -



You are not a mare who likes to improvise.

Granted, you can improvise. You have developed skills that allow you to improvise. Be it in social gatherings, unexpected meetings, or anything besides you know you are able to do something that might work.

But that's the thing about it that you dislike. You know that when you improvise, it might work. And you will take the extra work that goes into preparation over a lazy "might" any day of the week.

However, needs must. It has only been two hours since Soft Sweeps told you what she learned, and yet you realize that if you dally too long your brother will make himself unavailable. Perhaps he might even take an early train to Ponyville, just to keep his habit of avoiding you.

So, you need to talk to him here, and you need to do it now.

Although, you must admit you have a problem.

As you sit on the cushioned chair, staring at the stallion who is a curious mixture of both your parents, you find yourself facing a conundrum of sorts.

Specifically, you are not sure of how you want to start this conversation.

Because in truth, you and your brother are still strangers. The first time you saw him in your entire life was a few weeks ago, where you made a point of telling him you hope your family is kept in peace.

But after that? Well, you now know he has been actively avoiding you, from what Soft told you about his maid's routine. And you haven't exactly gone out of your way to talk to him either. His status as heir gave you the perfect excuse to "formally introduce yourself" to him at some point. But the ideal moment to do that was last month, and choosing to observe that formality now would be awkward at best, and an apparent disrespect at worst.

Furthermore, the true reason you are here is because of… well, there is no beating around the bush. You are here because of the gossip you have heard.

You are here because, just last month, you learned that somehow, for some bizarre and unexplainable reason, he was smitten by the Daughter-of-Axes. And that out of all available mares in Equestria, especially the ones that surround him such as his cute maid, he somehow fell for the very worst alternative possible.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg. Because after Axe's departure, you heard he became… moody, and quiet, and withdrawn. And any pony who is capable of adding two and two together knows the reason for that.

To put it simply, your little brother is lovestruck. He is lovestruck, and now that the object of his affection is gone he is heartbroken.

Still, that's it. That's what you know, and that's why you are here. You don't know anything else. You haven't heard any stories about what he tried to do, if anything. You have no idea if he even tried to court the blasted snakemare. And most importantly, you have only known him for two months, so you absolutely do not qualify as a pony he would be willing to talk to about this.

You are not his trusted older sister, who can guide him through the thorns and barbs of love. You are just a noblemare who happens to be related to him.

So how in the hay do you even…

…

You stare at him, and he stares back at you. It has been less than ten seconds since you entered his office, and less than five since you sat down. By all accounts, you should still be settling down and getting comfortable on your chair. And this level of silence is perfectly acceptable so far.

However, you realize that if you stay quiet for any longer, then the silence will stretch to the point it is uncomfortable. And if that happens, you will definitely lose any initiative you might have.

You are not a mare who likes to improvise.

Still, needs must.

"Lord Pride, I appreciate you meeting me on such short notice," you begin to say, putting a calm and polite smile on your face as you do. "I understand you are a very busy stallion, and how unreasonable it was of me to ask of your time. Still…"

You take a deep breath as you prepare for the plunge. There are too many variables. You have no idea what he thinks of you. You can't even begin to imagine how your father raised him.

Heavens, now that you think about it… do you even know what you want from this conversation? It would be good to get on your brother's good side. It would be nice to have a real brother, an uncle to your daughters, and maybe another piece of an actual family. But how much are you willing to invest in that? And how likely is it that you will be able to work against something your father had decades to groom and prepare?

You don't know. You don't have enough information.

Another second passes you by. No more time to think. You have to start talking now.

"Still, Lord Pride…"



[Solace to the love-struck, breakpoints 60/80/100/125]

[Roll: 77 + 14 (Diplomacy, Grail doubled) + 5 (Beautiful) + 40 (GRAIL bonus, doubled) = 136]

[Highest breakpoint reached]



"… so, Axe huh?"

You say that. Or rather, you blurt that out. An undignified sequence of words that sum up everything you are thinking, except that they also show you didn't think before you spoke.

Still, you know that crying over spilled milk only makes things worse. So, you hold back the urge to facehoof, and you stop yourself from cursing Axe at how she is causing you troubles even when she is not in the Wake.

And instead, you just keep staring at your brother.

That is until, to your surprise… no, to your shock, he begins to…

Wait, what?

What?!

Your schooled expression slowly crumbles into surprise, and then into honest amazement, as you watch your brother's face break.

Figuratively speaking, of course.

Still, as soon as he hear that damned name, his face slowly becomes pained. Pained, and then tired, and then hurt.

And you watch as the noble-blooded unicorn who you know almost nothing about… you watch as he slowly, but surely, assumes the very familiar expression of a stallion who is hopelessly in love, and who has no idea of what he should do next.

He speaks before you even have the chance to react. But his voice makes it clear that he is talking to himself. That he wouldn't be able to listen to you even if he tried, if you tried to speak up.

Because his mind is too filled with thoughts of loss and regret. And most of all, his mind is too filled with thoughts about her.

"Ah yes," he says, his voice as low as a whisper. But still, he sounds like he is physically wounded, even though you know his body is completely unharmed. "Yes… her…"

He says that, and then he lets out a long, heavy sigh. One that… that actually makes you feel bad for him.

Part of you is still reeling at the fact he is like this because of Axe. Part of you is still screaming in confusion, as you try to comprehend how… how such a romantically-minded stallion (you assume) fell heads over hoofs for her. And after only glancing at her for a few seconds, from what you have heard.

Still, that part of your brain is slowly losing strength. That criticizing, very-justified-Axe-hating side of you is slowly losing traction.

Because as you look at Velvet Pride… no, as you look at you poor little brother, you honestly can't help but feel sad for him.

"I don't… I don't even know what she likes… don't even know if she got the flowers I sent to her. Because of course I was too much of a coward to give them to her myself and…" he trails off, hoofs going to his head in a very undignified pose.

He is very far from the noble he is supposed to be.

But you can't even bring yourself to criticize him for that. After all, before being a noble, right now he is a stallion who is in love.

"But please, Lady Velvet… no, my sister," he says, suddenly looking at you with eyes full of dread. His eyes are filled with dread, but also with a desperate hope you can't quite name. And you already know he is going to ask a question that has been tormenting him for weeks, now, even though he has not yet spoken it. "Please, I need to know… you need to tell me… is Lady Axe married?!"

…

You…

Oh, to Tartarus with it.

Forget about plans. Forget about intrigue. Forget about the decades of history you have with your father, and all the related uncertainties that the stallion before you represents.

Right now he is hurting.

And you can't call yourself a pony if you don't try to do something about it.

"I… Well, Pride, I am not sure you are going to like what I have to tell you but…"

You say that, and you watch as the stallion's back goes straight. His ears raised and his eyes open in rapt attention. And you don't know what he knows or doesn't know about Axe. But you can tell that anything you say, anything at all, will be met with all of his focus and attention.

Still, well… you suppose knowledge is never kind?

He is clearly in love with her.

And he clearly doesn't know what that means.

Also, you don't know him nearly well enough to know what you should tell him or not. Whatever you say, be it encouraging or not, will be said from the perspective of a near-total stranger.

But sometimes, the best you can do is improvise.

He is still your little brother, after all. And maybe, just maybe, this is the first step for you to become his big sister.



You have a long conversation with him. And ultimately, you tell him about…

Spoiler: Encouragement and discouragement

Velvet Pride is determined. However, even if his determination cannot be broken today, it can certainly be damaged. It can be mined, cracked, and even misdirected. Alternatively, it can also be reinforced.

Tipping the scales towards encouragement, or discouragement, will certainly make him veer in one direction or another. Or who knows, too much of either might just blind him and cause him to charge headfirst towards whatever his heart pointed him at.

Here, "encouragement" and "discouragement" refers to Pride's opinion of himself, or of his "chances" with the Daughter-of-Axes, as well as his energy to continue pursuing her.

You are acutely aware that you are working on very limited information. About both the Daughter-of-Axes as well as your little brother. This is a shot in the dark, but you are determined to make it your best.

(Thanks to your efforts, you have NO LIMITATION on how many options you may pick. Vote in plans.)

-[] "To put it simply, I don't think you should go for it."
-You will discourage Velvet Pride. Plain and simple.


-[] "Go for it!"
-You will encourage Velvet Pride. Plain and simple.


-[] "Any gentlepony knows that mares love gifts. And I would be delighted to help make any packages from you reach her."
-Convince Velvet Pride to provide "gifts" for Velvet Axe, and that you will deliver them in his stead. In truth, you will… well, you will technically use them for Axe's benefits. Several rare elements can be extracted from fancy perfumes, after all.
-He will provide you with two GIFTS. One gift can be either be used to pay up to 50 bits on any Lore-related activity, or they can be given to Axe as promised.
-Using a GIFT to pay for (part of) any Lore-related activity will anger Pride, as he will find out you did not uphold your promise (unless it is Axe's summoning ritual). Failing to give the GIFTS to Axe by the end of the turn she is summoned will also be seen as breaking your promise.
-Giving a GIFT to Axe as promised (or using them on her summoning ritual) will, instead, "merely" discourage Pride, since she will scoff at them.


-[] "Her schedule? Yes, I am aware of it. Don't worry, I can guarantee she will return in…" (WRITE IN WHEN)
-You will "promise" Pride that Axe will return. Sooner rather than later.
-Pride will be encouraged if Axe returns on the EXACT turn you promise.
-But he will be discouraged if your prediction turns out to be incorrect.


-[] "She is quite the adventurous spirit. Why do you think she was out of the estate for all those days?"
-Pride will be encouraged.
-However, he might have… stupid ideas. "Cushy noble stallion trying to do something more active" kind of stupid.


-[] "She is… a difficult mare. In fact, I never met a mare that is so hard to deal with. And I have two fillies!"
-Pride will be discouraged
-However, you will give him more realistic expectations. This might help him be prepared for what might otherwise be a shock.


-[] "I… I hope you don't tell her what I'm saying. But to be honest? She is a very lonely mare. She has… things going on."
-You do not know how this might affect him.
-This might also be seen as a breach of Axe's privacy. You can't know how she might react.
-Still, this is the plain truth.


-[] "The thing you need to understand about Axe is that she is… exotic. She is not… an earth pony mare."
-You will reveal to Pride that Velvet Axe, or rather the Daughter-of-Axes, is not actually an earth pony mare. She is, in fact, a snakemare. Although you never heard of that before yourself.
-This is NOT a "reveal the Lores to Pride" option. You will not tell him of the Mansus, or about the Lores.
-Still, you will reveal she is "magical". In a more-than-a-pony kind of way.
-You have no idea how Pride will react. You have no idea if Axe might be annoyed if she learns about this, if she will consider this a breach of her privacy, or if she will just not care.


-[] "Whatever you do, do not think of her as a damsel in distress. However, she is on a quest of sorts… she is looking for something that is very important to her."
-You will reveal to Pride that Axe is searching for "a key that only opens"
-You have no idea how Pride will react. You have no idea if Axe might be annoyed if she learns about this, if she will consider this a breach of her privacy, or if she will just not care.


-[] "Axe owes me a favor. So yes, I can arrange for a meeting. What? A date? Well, call it whatever you like."
-Velvet Pride will PARTICIPATE in the next action that Axe undertakes. And you will ORDER Axe to take him along.
-If the order is reasonably "long" such as an expedition, Pride will accompany her. If the order is "short" such as forging Wrong Keys, you will instead ORDER Axe to… "spend time with him". (Although write-ins WILL be permitted, to tailor that experience)
-In theory, Pride will be absolutely thankful to you, and will claim he owes you a great favor.
-In practice… you have no way of predicting how their "outing" might go.
-This could end poorly.


-[] Something else? (Write in)





Vote in PLANS. Six hours of moratorium.

Originally, your choices would have been a lot smaller, and a lot simpler. And I really meant it, a lot smaller and more limited. However, the groundwork you did, and your high roll result, warranted something more. You have a lot more leeway.

The write-in was added just in case you think of something I haven't. But they will pend approval before becoming allowable.

And finally, this is not a "game". Maximizing encouragements is not necessarily good, and discouraging him isn't necessarily bad. It is best to focus on what you want to TELL HIM, and use the further clarifications under each option as guides rather than the object of your focus.

What you decide Velvet wants to say will educate me on your intentions as much as the presumed effects of your choices. It will tell me of her state of mind and intentions.

SHIPPERS, THIS IS THE MOMENT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR. THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO ACT.

As always, I hope you have all been well.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

Spoiler: Winning Vote

[X] "Go for it!"
-You will encourage Velvet Pride. Plain and simple.
[X] "Any gentlepony knows that mares love gifts. And I would be delighted to help make any packages from you reach her."
-Receive two GIFTS
[X] "Her schedule? Yes, I am aware of it. Don't worry, I can guarantee she will return in…" (Turn 19)
-Pride will be ENCOURAGED if Axe is summoned on Turn 19, and discouraged if she is not.
[X] "She is… a difficult mare. In fact, I never met a mare that is so hard to deal with. And I have two fillies!"
-Pride will be discouraged
-However, you will give him more realistic expectations. This might help him be prepared for what might otherwise be a shock.
[X] "I… I hope you don't tell her what I'm saying. But to be honest? She is a very lonely mare. She has… things going on."
-You do not know how this might affect him.
-This might also be seen as a breach of Axe's privacy. You can't know how she might react.
-Still, this is the plain truth.

In the end, you tell Velvet Pride… several things. Still, when you look back to that conversation, you realize you mostly spoke from the heart.

The first thing you did was to encourage him. And you think he listened to you. If not as an older sister, then at least he heard you as an older mare. But still, you encouraged him because, to put it simply, a stallion chasing a mare who wanted nothing to do with him… well, that is the story of your life, isn't it? You would not be the pony you are today if Stormchaser had not done everything he could, and a few things he couldn't, to make you reciprocate his love.

And it worked. It really worked. And you are thankful for him every day for that.

You realize, of course, that you might be… an exception. Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, you are a rarity. The odd one out. And maybe ninety-nine out of a hundred couples in your position would have ended differently. However, maybe you are spending too much time with Cadance, or maybe you just want Pride to be as happy as Stormchaser. Still, the fact remains that you encouraged him.

You are not betting any bits on Axe giving him the time of her day. But still…

Regardless, as you look back to that conversation, you realize that was the only bit of encouragement you gave him.

Everything else you told him also came from your heart, of course. But those bits and pieces were far, far less heartwarming.

You told him when Axe "might" return. Granted, you plan on summoning the snakemare during that period, but you can't be sure you will succeed. The same way you can't be sure another priority won't get in your way. Still, you know that he heard your "might" as "absolutely certain", so you know he will be let down if you fail in that regard.

You also told him that Axe is… difficult. He mentioned he couldn't even understand her the one time she talked to him, and his eyes went wide in surprise when you revealed to him that that is how she speaks.

And then, of course, you told him everything else. You told him about all the swearing, and her stubbornness, and the sheer attitude she has most of the time.

Then again, despite your misgivings with Axe, you weren't just gratuitously slandering her. You really were honest. You even told Pride that she can be serious, even if harsh, if she is in a… more professional setting.

Your younger brother listened to all of that with a serious expression. But in the end, he gave you a slow, understanding nod. You definitely broke, or at least cracked, whatever fairy-tale image he had of her, but at least he knows the truth now.

Of course, after that, your honesty went… did it go downhill? Did it go uphill? Did it merely tilt in a different direction? You are not really sure.

Still, you told him that Axe is just… lonely. Or at least that she has been alone for a very, very long time. But certainly not in the vulnerable way. Definitely not in the sense that she will desperately open up to the first stallion who gives her a bit of attention. Quite in the contrary, actually.

Of course, he asked you for details, but you couldn't give him any. Part because you did not want to tell him about her true nature, and part because… well, you don't know the details yourself.

Because Axe mentioned to you, precisely one time, that her "Mother did what she did". But given the lack of context, that tells you nothing except for the fact that she had a mother. Which, you assume, is already a given. So, apart from that, all you know is that she has been alone… well, ever since the Mansus cracked. And that she has been alone for enough time to craft an entire mountain's worth of keys, with all the frustration that entails.

You are not sure what Pride thought of what little you told him. You are not sure what you think of that yourself.

And ultimately, he asked you for advice. He asked you what he should do next.

In hindsight, you are not sure you regret it or not. But still, you told him that he could try giving her gifts, and that you would be happy to forward them to Axe. And Pride seemed a little… too excited at the idea.

You don't know if you regret it or not because, on one hoof, you know she will completely ignore them. Which will make Pride a little more heartbroken. But on the other hoof, you can definitely put those gifts to good use. Or at least, that is what you thought when the first basket, filled to the brim with expensive gifts, was delivered to you by Cantrip. To the point that you were almost tempted to keep everything to yourself, even if that meant angering your little brother.

Almost.

Regardless, by the end of your conversation with Pride, he was neither excited nor downtrodden. Instead, he had the particular expression of a Velvet who was deep in thought. And by the end of it…

"Thank you, Lady Velvet. I will not forget what you told me today," he thanked you. Not as an older sister, but not as a nopony. He thanked "Lady Velvet," which you hope is an improvement from what he thought about you before that day.

And more importantly, given his expression you are certain he made up his mind about something.



But none of that really matters, right now. After you had your conversation with him, you two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then you left. And then, you immediately went to your husband so the two of you could get to work.

Because much more importantly than your little brother… you and your husband have a trip to plan!



Two GIFTS have been added to your inventory.





- - -
- - -
- - -





You are Selene, and you just woke up.

…

You take a deep breath, lazily blinking your eyes as the vague memory of a dream slips away from your consciousness. You can see a few rays of sun here and there, leaking in through the gaps in the curtains, but other than that your room is peacefully quiet.

That is, until you roll on your bed once, and look at the dimly-lit alarm clock on your bedstand.

"Wait, I'm late?" you say out loud, the question escaping your mouth before you can even think about it.

But sure enough, as your eyes adjust to the faint darkness and you focus on the hands of the clock, you can confirm that you are late.

Well, you aren't late late. You are just a bit late. After all, today is already Monday. Mrs. Velvet left to work yesterday, and you have to go to school after breakfast as usual.

However, looking at your clock, you can see both that the alarm didn't go off, and that ten minutes have already passed from the time you would usually wake up.

So, you are not late. Not really. You just overslept a tiny little bit.

"Still, that's not good at all!" you say to yourself.

With a newfound urgency, born from the idea that you don't want to be a tardy filly, you jump out of your bed. You shake your head slightly to fight off the lingering drowsiness, but you immediately start your morning routine. You open the windows and let the morning sun in, so you can see better. You make your way to the closet and collect your school saddlebag. You quickly make sure all your books are in it and… and…

"Wait, what?" you ask yourself.

Because you just noticed something… strange?

Sure enough, your school saddlebag is how it should be. All the books you will need today are in it, as well as your other things. However, when you look back towards your closet you notice there is stuff… missing?

You slowly close your saddlebag with your hoofs, not really paying attention to that anymore. Instead, you focus on your closet, as you rack your brain trying to figure out what is going on.

After all, you don't have a lot of clothes. You have the nice dress they gave you on Hearth's Warming Eve. You have a few more items Mrs. Velvet gave you over the months. And a few more accessories you were gifted here and there.

But looking into your closet, you realize some of them are not there.

Which is weird. Not exactly wrong, but definitely weird.

"Maybe Soft Sweeps took them out to wash everything?" you mumble to yourself, trying to rationalize an explanation.

Yes, that makes sense. It's probably that.

Although…

"Wait, Soft Sweeps," you say in surprise as your own thoughts remind you of her. "Where is she? She usually checks on me a few minutes after my clock goes off, but…"

Your words trail off, as you begin to piece all these weird little things together.

Because you are sure you turned your alarm on yesterday, and yet it was off this morning.

And you don't really remember Soft, or anypony else, taking any of your clothes away during the weekend. Soft usually lets you know when she gets your things, and you are almost certain she didn't do that.

Furthermore, Soft herself is late! Granted, she doesn't really owe you anything. You don't even think she is a maid anymore, even though she sometimes wears the uniform. Still, she never really failed to check if you woke up in the morning before.

You pause, trying to understand what is going on. But nothing really comes to mind. This last weekend was utterly normal, except for the fact Mrs. Velvet arrived a day earlier. Still, everything was normal, nothing strange happened, and Mrs. Velvet left yesterday as always. So…

The low ticking of your bedstand clock snaps you out of that chain of thought. Regardless of what is happening, you are wasting time worrying about it. With that in mind, you wear your saddlebag on your back and leave your room.

Of course, rather than going downstairs, you immediately go to Silky's room. Following something that is more than just a hunch.

And sure enough, the moment you enter Silky's room you are greeted by a scene very similar to your own. There is no sign of Soft Sweeps, the windows are closed shut, and your sister is sleeping away on her bed.

Granted, she doesn't have a suspiciously-deactivated alarm clock on her bedstand. But only because she is such a heavy sleeper that her parents already gave up on the idea of an alarm clock. Instead, your sister is usually woken up by Soft.

But since there is no Soft here to speak of…

"Sis!" you say, as you open her windows to let the sunshine in. "We're late! Come on, we have to get breakfast, or we'll be late for school!"

As expected, you are immediately met by a low, sleepy mumble. Still, you know her well enough to realize that by itself is a sign of progress. So, you go to and from her closet as you work on waking her up.

Shake your sister a bit, open her closet. Shake her a bit more, check her saddlebag. Pull her covers away, throw the books she forgot inside her bag. So on and so forth.

And soon enough you are marching out of her room with a… well, not with a wide-awake Silky in tow, but at least your sister is following you. You don't mind carrying her saddlebag as you two go downstairs, you're just glad she is trailing after you.

However, as you walk down the stairs and towards the entrance hall, you can't help but notice several other strange things. In fact, for a moment, you even ask yourself if today is Sunday rather than Monday. Or, who knows, maybe it's a holiday and nopony told you?

Because the entrance hall is also dark. Or at least the ground-level windows are still closed tight, and the morning light is only entering through the higher windows. But you are sure that, by now, one of the maids would have opened them already. In fact, you are pretty sure the windows are meant to be open on sunrise.

And where is everypony to begin with? At this time, you would usually have seen somepony other than Silky.

All of that is very weird, but you will not be deterred. And Silky is still too sleepy to answer any of your questions. So, you make your way to the dining hall. Part of you thinks that maybe the chef is gone too, and that there will be no breakfast waiting for you two when you get there.

But the moment you open the door-



"Surprise!"



-you jump up in surprise, and a sleepy Silky bumps into your hind.

But how could you not be surprised? You were just met by the popping sound of confetti being set off. Shiny bits of metallic paper covering you and your sister, as well as a few items in the… in the incredibly full dinner table. No, seriously, this isn't just a breakfast, there is almost a breakfast-banquet waiting for you two!

However, the thing that surprises you the most is that one of the ponies who just popped a confetti thrower is-



"Mrs. Velvet?"

"Wait… mom's here?"



You and Silky speak up almost at the same time. As the two of you realize that Mrs. Velvet, Mr. Stormchaser, Soft Sweeps, and even auntie Baldie are waiting for you around the dinner table.

"That's right dear!" she says, lighting up her horn and taking both your school saddlebags off your backs. "Now sit down and eat, we have a full morning ahead of us!"

"But I thought you left for work," you say, still confused.

Because why the hay is everypony so… festive?

"And what do you mean full morning?" Silky asks, her expression still dazed as her sleepy mind tries to wrap itself around the scene before you. "Me and Selene have school and-"

"Well not anymore," but Mr. Stormchaser interrupts her, his face all smiles. "There will be no school for the next two weeks. We are going on a vacation!"

He says that, and that is all you and your sister need for a smile to appear on your faces.

And true to their words, you have quite a morning ahead of you!





- - -
- - -
- - -





You are Silky Stream.

And right now, you are definitely not jumping up and down in excitement.

"Silky, dear, please stop jumping."

Curses, they noticed you!

Alright, fine. You are trying not to jump up and down in excitement. Some might say that you are failing, but you think you are doing your best and that's what counts.

But how could you not be excited?

You are all going on a trip!

It is already late in the afternoon, and right now you are all in a sky-station. You, your sisters, mom and dad. Everypony carrying their respective bags.

But again, you are all in a sky-station. A sky-station!

You all left home after breakfast and went straight to Ponyville's train station. The train trip itself took several hours, and you all had fun looking at the changing scenery. After all, you don't really remember when was the last time you left Ponyville!

Your mom explained you that, normally, going up the mountain takes several more hours. Which makes sense, since something as large and heavy as a train probably has trouble going uphill. But since this train is taking another route, you only passed through the tunnels that cross the mountain itself.

And then, you arrived where you are right now. Right under Cloudsdale. Your daddy told you that it's a lot easier for non-pegasi to arrive right under Cloudsdale and take a balloon that goes straight up, rather than taking a sky ship from Canterlot. So, that is what you are all about to do!

"Silky, you're a pegasus," Selene says, as you all wait in line to board the large balloon. "Why are you so excited about this?"

"Well, I've never been in a balloon before!" You give her the obvious, logical answer.

Of course, you are so excited that you don't even notice how she looks at you, and then at your wings, and then gives you a confused look.

But still, that is nothing but the truth. You have never been in a balloon before!

And you think she is about to say something else, when your mom speaks up.

"Alright everypony, our tickets are up. In we go," she says.

And you all follow after her.

This balloon, your dad explained to you, is actually just a regular sky ship. Of course, you have never been to the sea before either, but you know from books what a ship looks like. And true enough, this looks just like one, except that it has large fans on its side for it to move forwards, and large balloons on its top. He also told you that its engines are slower than a train, and that's why it's quicker to come here by land and then just move up!

Well, your daddy also tried to explain to you that it was a zepal-… a zep-something. And that there was a difference between that and a "blimp". But you… well, you are sure Selene understood all of that, and that she will be able to explain it to you again later.

Still, you all follow after your mom, making your way into the sky ship. You all walk up the boarding ramp, and into the large wooden ship and…

And it's so big! The inside is a lot larger than you thought. And everything looks so nice!

You have no idea how many ponies would fit in here. You aren't even tall enough to look over all the seats. Still, the passenger compartment is enormous! And as your mom takes you all up the stairs, you realize that there is more than just one level.

So, you all follow after her, you let the nice ticket-pony clip your numbered ticket as you all enter another section of the ship, and soon enough you are all getting seated.

"Wait, we aren't all going together?" Selene asks, the moment you all start sitting down.

And as she says that, you look around and notice that… huh, sure enough, you are not all sitting next to each other.

"What do you mean, Selene. We are right here," your dad answers. He then sits down right behind you, as if to prove a point.

But you too tilt your head slightly as you notice what Selene is talking about.

Because this section of the airship is… a little smaller. Not tight or uncomfortable. In fact, it even looks nicer than the previous place. Still, this part of the airship seems to only have rows of three seats.

So, your mom, dad and Soft are sitting right behind you. With you and Selene sitting in front of them.

However, again, the seats in this area are placed in threes. And you aren't sitting next to Selene. Instead, the seat between you and Selene is empty.

"Oh, it's not a problem sis," you say, jumping to the empty middle seat and sitting next to her. "Here, I can just scootch over and-"

"No you can't, young lady," but your mom interrupts you. Floating you up before you even land on the empty seat, and carrying you back to your spot. "Our tickets are numbered, and it would be rude to steal somepony else's seat. You can move over if it's empty when we take off, but the ticket-pony will not like it if you do it before!"

Oh! That makes sense, yeah. You definitely don't want anypony to think you are misbehaving! You give your mom an understanding nod, and then she floats you back on your seat. After that, you pick up your ticket and… well, sure enough you are on the right place, as is Selene.

"And it really isn't a problem," your dad speaks up again. "We are all right behind you two, so no worries."

That seems to be enough placate Selene as well. After all, all your seats are facing the front of the ship. But still, your mom and dad are right behind you. You aren't all facing each other like in the train cabin, but you are all together.

"Besides," you say, facing backwards to ask your parents. "Daddy, you said this part of the trip only takes a few minutes?"

To which he gives you a nod.

"That's right, Silky. It takes maybe half an hour. A bit more if the winds are blowing and they have to compensate with the engines."

You and Selene give him a nod, and then you two sit back down.

After that, the minutes stretch by. Selene is sitting by the window, so you get up to look outside together with her. And you two watch as the long lines of ponies make their way onto the ship, until finally the ramp is brought in and the doors are closed.

A loud whistle blows, somewhere outside, and your dad tells you to sit back down as the ship slowly, but surely, begins to tilt a little bit. You are all about to take off!

Still, just as the sky ship is about to leave the ground, somepony else comes up to the two of you.



"Ah, this 'ere seems to be me place. Scuze me little filly."



You were so busy looking towards the window from your seat that you didn't even notice him. Still, you lean back towards your chair as the elderly stallion, with a long beard and longer scarf covering most of his face, walks past you.

And you feel a small tinge of disappointment as he sits between you and Selene.

Still, even as the sky ship begins to make its ascent, the ticket-pony comes by once again and checks on everypony. And sure enough, that old stallion seems to be sitting in the correct spot.

Between you and your sister.

Grumbling every now and then when the sky ship tilts in this and that direction…

And there's nothing wrong with that. Not exactly. But you… well, you want to be next to Selene!

"Excuse me, sir?" you ask.

The stallion is wearing a lot of clothing for the cold. You can barely see his face, save for a tip of a horn poking out of a skullcap. But still, from his voice and everything else, you are pretty sure he is a sir.

"Um, I know that is your seat but… do you mind if we switch seats? You are sitting next to my sister, and I'd really appreciate if-"

"WHA-? You talkin' to me, lil' filly?" but he interrupts you with a shout. You actually have to cover your ears for a moment, as he turns to face you. Also, he turns towards you so quickly that his long beard almost hits your face! "Yer' gonna hav to speak up a little. Me ears ain't what they used to an' all!"

He yells at you. Yells. Not in a scary way. But still with enough strength to make you cringe against your seat. You can barely see his half-opened eyes underneath all those scarfs, but at least you think he is looking at you now.

Still, you will not be discouraged!

"I said," you try again, this time louder. "Do you mind if we tr-"

"Louder, lil' un. I'll have you know I'm nearly deaf!"

"I SAID," you try, this time even louder! "DO YOU MIND IF WE-?"



"WHY IN DARNATION YOU YELLIN' AT ME POOR OLD SELF LITTLE FILLY? DON' YE KNOW THAT'S RUDE?"



But before you can even finish a sentence, the stallion interrupts you. He calls you rude! He says that as if you just yelled him out of nowhere.

Which you… don't really understand? You are confused. Because you are sure he knew you were talking to him. Hay, he just asked you to speak more loudly? So why did he just-?

"I tell ye, nopony knows how to raise polite fillies nowadays," but before you can even finish your thoughts, the old pony grumbles to himself once more. Talking to himself about how you were rude, and how you are a bad filly, and…

A-and… and you don't know what to do? You feel bad, with a mix of shame and guilt flaring inside of you. But most of all you feel confused?

You are about to… to do something, maybe turn back and ask your mom if you did something wrong. When the old stallion once again reclines back on his seat.

"An' if ye ain't saying anything that makes sense, I'll go to sleep!" the old pony says.

Immediately after that, he reclines back on his cushioned seat. To the point that you can finally see past him and towards Selene, who is apparently looking at you just as confused. Sure enough, she saw everything that just happened. And you are glad, or at least relieved, that she also thought that was weird!

Still, almost immediately, the old stallion also begins to snore. The sound loud and rasping against your ear. In fact, he is snoring so loudly that even his scarf is falling down from his face!

But before you can stand up on your seat and look back at your mom and dad, you realize that…

"Wait… Selene… am I going crazy…?" you say.

… because you realize that…

"Hold on. Is that… a fake beard?" Selene asks, mirroring your confusion.

Because sure enough, now that his scarf fell down and you can take a better look at him, you are sure that his long, snow-white beard is… false? Well, you are sure you can see an actual, colored coat under it. Also, are those strings you see?!

You have no idea. However, in a show of bravery much greater than yours, you watch as Selene cautiously raises a hoof towards the sleeping pony.

But the moment she is about to touch him-

"Aha!"

His horn flares up! The old pony's horn lights up with magic, and in one quick motion his beard, scarf, and everything else covering his face is floated away. Revealing to you the pony under all of that.

"Uncle Steppes!" and you jump out of your seat in excitement the moment you recognize him!

"Uncle Steppes?!" Selene, too, has a similar reaction.

"Grand-nieces!" he says, throwing his disguise to the ground, and floating the two of you towards his outstretched forelegs.

Only then do you realize your parents were holding their laughter, right behind you, this whole time. And only because, well, they finally begin to laugh.

And the six of you have a very noisy trip as the ship makes its way up to Cloudsdale.





- - -
- - -
- - -





You are Lady Velvet Covers.

And right now, you feel fine.

No, it's more than just that.

You feel rested, you feel content, and above all else you feel great.

Your family arrived in Cloudsdale three days ago. And every day you have visited a different place. Seen a different sight. Done something different.

Your daughters are all happy. Your husband is ecstatic. And absolutely nothing has gone wrong so far. You have already been there before, but you had honestly forgotten how large the place is. Still, Stormchaser seems to know the city like the back of his hoof, and every day holds a new adventure.

Besides, the main export product of the city is clouds. Clouds and rainbows. And your husband seems to be on a first-name basis with almost everypony who works on those. So, you have already visited the rainbow factory on your very first day there, and he already scheduled other visits to other parts of the pegasus industry in the near future.

Still, duty calls. So, as you and Stormchaser planned beforehoof, you have just arrived in Canterlot to spend some two days making sure everything is in order in the Bureau.

You thought you would feel a little sadder, during these days. You thought that having to pause your vacation, and leave your family behind, would be painful. Even if only for a few days.

But on the contrary, and much to your surprise, you actually feel content. You don't really feel like you left them behind, or like you are missing out on something. The mere knowledge that they are happy is more than enough to keep a smile on your face. The joy you felt when you were with them is still around you, almost like a physical thing. Like a set of clothes you are in no rush of removing, or like a kiss on your cheek the warmth of which you can still feel vividly.

And besides, it's not like you will slave away at the Bureau.

Oh, no. You have… other duties waiting for you in Canterlot.

"Here you go, Commissioner. These are the summed up reports we have so far," a secretary says, as she places a trio of binders on your work desk. "Will you be needing anything else?"

"Thank you very much. And no, this will be all. Still, again, is there anything that needs my immediate attention? Do we have a situation somewhere, or does something need an urgent signature?" you ask the question again, just to make sure.

"Not at all, Commissioner. The instructions you left us last week have been more than enough. And like you ordered, if anything comes up we will send a runner to the address you left us." She says.

You give her a thankful nod, and wave a hoof to tell her she can go.

"By your leave. Commissioner… Princess Cadance…" the secretary leaves, after she gives you a short, respectful nod…

… and a deep bow to the Princess who is waiting on one of the chairs.

After that, the door to your office is closed. Leaving you two alone.

You feel a smile spread on your face, as you mentally begin to count down.

Five…

Four…

Three…

Two-

"Are you really going to read any of that?" Cadance asks.

You hold back a chuckle. She didn't even last the whole five seconds you were expecting.

The fully grown mare… nay, the alicorn, asks that. And for all that her tone is refined and patient, you can almost feel her anticipation.

You can see how she is almost digging her hoofs into the chair, even though she is trying to hide it. By the heavens, you live with pegasi, so you can see how a few feathers on her wings are preening with anticipation.

But even though she is trying to hide those things, she is definitely not trying to hide the fire she has in her eyes. That mixture of an ambitious smile, together with undisguised glee as she visualizes what she truly wants to be doing right now.

And you don't blame her. You don't blame her at all. Hay, you even support her!

In fact, the reason you are here in Canterlot is precisely to support her.

"Will you let me read any of this?" you ask, your tone humorous. And Cadance's smile grows as she realizes the two of you are of the same mind.

"Well, the Commissioner is apparently too high and mighty to take orders from the Princess of Love," she says, joking about something that, so far, you always thought to be a delicate subject.

But her mood seems to be so high that she simply doesn't care. She can't care. How could she care?

After all, she is about to get married to the love of her life!

"So not even a Decree from me would be able to stop you," she says, with a mock-serious tone as if she is trying to imitate somepony else. Still, that tone dies down on the next moment, and she is looking at you with nothing but those brilliant, expecting eyes of her. "But maybe a request from a friend will?"

You can't really contain your laughter anymore. So, you just float up the binders and stack them in your "IN" box.

"You don't even need to ask! So, what do you have in mind, and how can I help?!"

Cadance claps her hoofs in excitement, and she begins to tell you everything. Everything. From her dreams, to her plans, to the headway she already began to make from the day she officially declared her coming wedding.

Because the news might be calling the whole Blueblood affair the "trial of the century". But even that has been relegated to the second page of the newspapers.

After all, front and center in every piece of media, is the development of what is being called the marriage of the millennium!

And you and Cadance are out of the Bureau less than an hour later. Because, barring some urgent occurrence in the Bureau, your visits to Canterlot these next two weeks will be entirely dedicated to helping your bride-to-be friend!



"First order of business, the venue! There are three places in the Royal District I have in mind, and you simply have to give me your opinion!"



The way she speaks, with that paradoxical mixture of utter certainty and nervous doubt, fits her perfectly. And for the first time, you feel like she is actually embracing those two parts inside of her, being both the Alicorn of Love and an ordinary enamored mare at the same time. You feel like, rather than driving a wedge between them, this whole experience is helping her to learn even more about herself.

So, you follow after her. And as the hours rush by, you slowly begin to get a better feeling of what she has in mind. As well as what she has in mind for you during all of this.

And when she casually says that she "wouldn't trust anypony but her best friend" for this and that, you finally realize just how much of a part you will play in all of this.



So, as the days go by, it so happens that…

Spoiler: Important notes

If an option has an explanation, it will do precisely what it says.

If an option has "???" for an explanation, you have NO way of predicting what it might do.

None of the options will be a "net negative". Meaning that no options, if picked, would put you in a worse place you were before. However, there ARE options which are "net neutral". Meaning that some options will not benefit Velvet at all, to the extent some voters could consider it "wasted" due to lost opportunity cost.

THE OPTIONS ARE NOT MADE EQUAL OR BALANCED. For example, one of the options nets you bits. You should NOT think all options are "balanced" and that they are all "equivalent to 500 bits". They are not.

Pick what you want to see or gain, not what you "think" is "best" or "optimized".

[APPROVAL VOTING - THE THREE MOST VOTED OPTIONS WILL BE PICKED]

[] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)

[] You will spend a long time with Cadance. Whisper a few Lore-secrets, here and there. (???)

[] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)

[] Are they a couple? Are they just friends? You don't really know what Comet Feet and Fluttershy are. But ever since you invited them to the wedding, Fluttershy has been having… ideas. (???)

[] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)

[] "Yes, they are nobles, but… I am not sure I want to invite them." (Invite the Velvet family / ???)

[] Everypony who is important enough is involved in some way. Get to know your co-equals better, from the Solar Court and elsewhere. (???)

[] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)

[] "Cadance, do you mind if I put a few Names on the list…?" (Invite all Names who are summoned on Turn 19 / ???)

[] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)

[] "What do you mean you want a traditional wedding? Cadance, you are literally writing tradition right now. You are a Princess for-…! Alright, fine, I'll check the Royal Archives." (WRITE IN Lore / ???)

[] "Velvet, is there anything you want in return? A Frangiclave? Of course I know what that is! Here, you can have it. What's that? Also the mirror in the palace undergrounds? Consider it done!" (Gain a Frangiclave, gain a Watchpony's Glass) [COSTS FOUR PICKS] [OPTION UNAVAILABLE DUE TO LACK OF PICKS]





If two votes have DIFFERENT write-ins (only the Royal Archive one, really), they will be considered SEPARATE interests, and their number of votes will not be "combined" to make that option win.

There is a very, very small chance some votes might combine. Even if only narratively. An example (which is very unlikely to win) would be if the Velvet family is invited together with the Names, which would put Pride and Axe in the same room. Those "combinations" are not planned or intentional, and you should not vote with them in mind.

Because you picked all possible wedding-related options, the list is at its largest possible. I will not reveal what options were included because of that, so as to not create an incorrect idea that "those options are better". The three most-voted picks will win. Vote in approval.

Twelve hours moratorium.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

Spoiler: Winning Vote

[X] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[X] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[X] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)

On distant Ponyville, a flying chariot landed on the hard ground.

Under normal circumstances, that alone would already have raised several eyebrows. No, more than that. Under normal circumstances, that would have gathered a small crowd all by itself. After all, flying chariots weren't exactly a common sight. Heck, flying chariots weren't even a rare sight. They were much, much more unusual than that. A gilded luxury that even the highest nobles could not afford.

And of course, that was only when considering a "flying chariot" in a vacuum. Because that flying chariot would certainly have gathered a large crowd around it. In fact, its colors, and the pedigree of the pegasi pulling it, and most of all the cutie mark emblazoned on its side… Under normal circumstances, those things would have been enough for the chariot to be met with fanfare.

After all, it is not every day that a Princess decides to grace small Ponyville with her presence.

But there was no fanfare to speak of. No ceremony, no crowd, not even the curious gaze of onlookers. The chariot landed near the center of the town, right in the middle of a wide street, but nopony even took notice of it.

However, that was more than understandable. Perhaps even desirable.

Because the chariot arrived in the middle of the night. Or maybe it was early in the morning?

Regardless…

In the middle of the night, on distant Ponyville, a flying chariot landed on the hard ground. And its two passengers exited it shortly after.

The decision for them to go there had been… sudden. In fact, it would be more appropriate to say that it was abrupt, almost reflexive. To the point that, it being the middle of the night, was quite literally a coincidence. They might as well have arrived in the middle of the day, if things had happened any differently.

Still, the two mares arrived at that time purely because one of them suggested, almost hesitantly, that they should… "check" on a friend. Of course, that just prompted another, more curious question from the other mare. And then another. And another. Until the worried hesitation of one mare became the undisguised concern of both, and they boarded the nearest chariot just a few moments later.

And, again, it just so happened that said conversation happened late at night. Which was why they had arrived when the moon was dominating the skies.

However, not even the soft light of the moon could hide the fact that…

"She… Velvet, are you sure this is the place?"

"… yes. I have already been here before. It looked a lot better, months ago. And I mean a lot better. But…"

"I… oh no… I should have come here before, I should have thought about her before… but it was just so much that…!"

"Cadance, Cadance, please. Remember what I told you when we were in the chariot. This is nopony's… this is not your fault… Too much happened. In fact, I'm sorry that… well, I wish I didn't have to tell you about this. You should be happily planning your wedding back in Canterlot, not-"

"No. You were right. And I'm thankful you did. But still…"

The two mares gazed once again at the downtrodden image of the tree-shaped library. The long shadows of the night making it look even more decrepit than during the day.

"… well, thank you for coming with me, Velvet."

Their hesitation lasted a few more seconds. But eventually, the two of them made their way to the old-looking door.

One of the mares stepped forward, almost intentionally, and purposefully placed her hoof on the doorknob. A soft click and a strange sound followed, but when she pushed the door, it opened without resistance.

"She left it unlocked. I hope that means she is still here," the mare said. And her companion was too worried to even notice the white lie.

However, the moment the other mare was about to enter the building…

"… I…"

She stopped. Hesitating. Shuddering for a reason she could not describe.

"… this… Velvet, I… I don't know how to tell you this. But… do you mind if I go in alone?"

"… I don't really mind? Well, I wish I could go with you, but I don't mind waiting. But why? Did something happen?"

"I don't know? It's… I don't even know how to describe it. This isn't even a gut feeling? I just feel like I should go alone and… I am really, really sorry that I made you come all the way here just to ask you this and…"

"Oh, no. No, no, no. Cadance, dear, your intuition is worth more than I can bother to name. By all means, go ahead. Do you want me to wait here by the door, or do you think it's best if I wait in the carriage?"

"Actually… I think… you should leave?"

"What? Leave? Like… go back home?"

The silence stretched for a few more moments. The confusion on one mare's face increasing the discomfort in the other's expression.

"Velvet, do you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"And do you… no, actually, I need to be honest. This feels new even to me. So can you trust me with something even if I don't know what I'm about to do?"

"Yes. And if there is anything I can do to help, just say the word."

"Hah, you answered that so quickly… I wish I had your confidence to… Well, thank you Velvet. So, please close your eyes."

"Okay…? Strange request, but go on."

"Now, think about your family."

"That's easy enough… but Cadance, why can I see light? Are you doing some sort of magic?"

"Well, close your eyes tighter! But… are you really thinking about your family?"

"Of course! But why?"

"I'm about to tell you a little secret, Velvet. I am actually really bad at magic. So, I only feel confident about using teleportation when I have something to focus on, at the destination. And the thing I can focus on most easily is, well, love."

"Cadance why are you suddenly talking about teleporta-?"



A whisp of dislocated air rushed through the open door, and one of the mares disappeared.



After that, the remaining pony waved at the chariot, and the two pullers understood they ought to leave as well. Moments later, they were on their way back to the capital.

Leaving the other mare… alone. Alone, and standing right before that open door, which would lead her into that dark and gloomy place.

She knew what she should do next. She knew what she had to do next. And yet, she hesitated. She hesitated because she was afraid. And she was afraid because she knew that… she knew, as she looked into that dark library, that…

… that there was no love inside that place.

And despite everything other ponies thought about her, despite everything she knew about herself, she still didn't know if she would be enough, even as she set hoof into that darkness.

---

​

---

On faraway Cloudsdale, the front door of a house was knocked.

"Mom? Dad? Are you home?"

The voice who first knocked at the door was familiar.

"Is that you, Fluttershy? Give me a moment, I'll be right there."

But when the father pulled the door open…

Well, the voice who called for him was familiar. It certainly was his daughter coming to visit, no doubt.

But-



"Mom, dad, there is somepony I would like you two to meet."

"Sweet clouds below…"

"Flutter, dear… where exactly did you two… meet…?"



-but the large, imposing stallion who was standing next to her certainly wasn't.

"Hello dad. I'm sorry for the sudden visit. Can we come in?"

Still, that first meeting proceeded as they usually do.

Even if the ponies involved were a little more… reserved than most.

However, as it happened, the mother and the daughter eventually secluded themselves in the kitchen, under the casual excuse of preparing lunch.



"Fluttershy, dear, that friend of yours… isn't he… dangerous?"

"Of course he is, mom. But even birds can be dangerous if you aren't kind to them."

"I suppose…"



While the two stallions were left in the living room.



"So, how did you two… meet?"

"I was in a bad place. Your daughter saved me… sir."

"I… suppose…"



In the end, not a lot was said. Not a lot was said, and even less was communicated.

However, the one thing everypony noticed was that, throughout the entire day, the daughter had a smile on her face. And that she, of all ponies, seemed to be perfectly content. Even if, or perhaps in spite of the fact that, nopony else knew what to do.

And when the two visitors left, the parents had more questions than they did before they arrived.

Was he like another dangerous animal their daughter rescued?

Was she right in the head?

Were they dating?

"Well, dear, we always knew our little Fluttershy was the bold one in our family…"

"Do you think we should visit her in Ponyville? Just to, well, make sure she is doing alright?"

"Oh by Celestia, no."

"But, well… while we were preparing lunch, I think she mentioned they are living together?"

"You think she mentioned what?"

Still, regardless of what anypony else might have thought, that day went on perfectly in Fluttershy's opinion.

---

​

---

On sky-high Cloudsdale, a pony reached the peak of a mountain.

Of course, it wasn't really a mountain. Not in the truest sense of the word. Granted, it was a very, very high mount that wingless ponies had to scale. But still, said mount was made out of clouds, instead of earth.

It was a tourist attraction, of sorts. A tall, fluffy tower of clouds, which non-pegasi ponies could scale to have a better view of Equestria, way down below. Naturally, since it was made with non-pegasi in mind, the place was perfectly safe, and overseen by winged ponies ready to rescue anypony in need.

But still, to her, it was a mountain. And to her, reaching its top was an achievement of sorts.

She knew that a pegasus could have made the trip up in a fraction of the time. Of course she knew that.

She knew that there were balloons available to ferry her, and any other visitor, to that peak, for just a few bits. Of course she knew that.

She knew that place wasn't really a mountain. More like an observation tower of sorts, built on a city that was already flying.

Of course she knew all of that.

But still, to her, she had just scaled a mountain.

And most important of all. To her, she had just finished an adventure.

Because she made a point of taking the "scenic" route to the top. She made a point of taking the path that had steep ramps, and ropes, and literal climbing on the way up. She made a point of going through the way that had her circle the mountain five times over, and that took an entire day's worth of climbing, while the tourist's path was less than an hour on hoof.

She did all of that intentionally. Because even though that place was padded, and cloud-soft, and literally safe, it was still her first adventure.

It was late in the afternoon when Jade Whistle reached the top of Cloudsdale horizon-watching mountain. And once she got there, the first thing she did was to sit down and look at the scenery.

All around her, Equestria stretched on in every direction. She was in a place that was higher than Canterlot's mountain, and she could see so far away that the world itself seemed to curve to hide what was beyond.

She looked at all of that, and for the first time in a very long while… she smiled.

As she smiled, she moved to grab something from inside her saddlebag. She fetched out a small wooden toy, and she set it next to her.

"Just like we promised," she said, as she gently put the wooden toy on the soft ground. "An adventure, just like mom and dad used to tell us about. We reached the highest place in Equestria, all on our own."

And then, she stayed like that. She stayed like that as the hours went by, and she stayed next to the little wooden toy as the sun began to set and the shadows grew long on Equestria.

"I still love you," she said, to the colt who was not sitting next to her.

She stayed there, sitting next to the toy, until the sun reached the horizon.

Until evening was about to arrive, and the last balloon that went down was about to leave.

She knew she had to go. She knew that place was still a tourist attraction, and that she would be asked to leave with the last balloon. It was a bit of a shame that she couldn't stay there to watch the sunset, but that was just the way of things. She couldn't have everything she wanted, but she was grateful for what she had.

Still, when she stood up to leave, she made a point of leaving the little wooden toy behind. She left it right there, looking down towards great Equestria, even as she packed her other things and left.

It didn't rain in that place. And the wind didn't really blow all the way up there. So, she knew the wooden toy would remain there, right where she left it. She knew it would stay there, until it was found by somepony else, or until it faded away into nothingness.

She hoped it would be found by somepony. Hopefully by a small colt, who would cherish it and play with it like its previous owner did.

But until that happened, she knew the small toy would enjoy the view.

---

​

---

Inside Cloudsdale's largest hotel, a family gathered.

Was it a… strange family? Definitely. After all, of the three daughters, one of them was adopted, and another didn't even realize she was adopted. That, and the oldest stallion present was one of the parent's uncle rather than anypony's grandfather.

But more importantly, was it a loving family? Absolutely.

They were all gathered together in the hotel's restaurant, tucked away in a (rather noisy, thanks to them) corner, around a large table.

However, that wasn't just a regular dinner they were having. That small gathering wasn't just a meal to mark the end of another day in their vacation. It was something much, much more special than that.

It was a surprise, of sorts. Even if it had been a poorly hidden one. Still, rather than eating something from the menu, they were all gathered around a large cake, topped with colorful cream and sparkling candles.

Still, that surprise came from a sudden idea. Like most of the time, it came from the rich imagination of one of the blood-related daughter.

Because she asked her adoptive sister when her birthday was. The other filly, of course, had no idea. And the older sister said that it stood to reason that the filly's birthday ought to be on the day she was adopted.

The logic made sense, of course, but it so happened that the grand-uncle had heard that tidbit of conversation. And the grand-uncle, wise as he was, knew that love had no interest in logic. No matter how much sense it made.

And so it came to pass that, a few hours later, the grand-uncle made a small suggestion to the father. And the father made a small suggestion to the mother after she… well, after she materialized on top of him, in their hotel room, two nights later.

She could see in his eyes that he was already set on that idea. But still, he wanted her to agree as well, because he understood it would only matter if it came from both of them. Especially given the… additional context that the couple was aware of.

And the mother…

"You are right. We won't even have her for a year. But that doesn't mean we can't give our daughter a birthday. While she is still young enough for it to be magical, at least…"

… well, suffice to say the mother agreed to the idea.

And so, on the following night, the family gathered. They gathered, and a cake was produced, and the two parents held back their tears as they started singing "happy birthday" to their youngest filly.

And the beautiful image of the adoptive daughter gazing at the bright candles on the cake, flanked by her two sisters, would stay in their mind forever. That innocent, almost entranced expression the filly had, as she looked at her first birthday cake, was something they would never forget.

Even if they knew it would be her last.

At least, her last as a filly…

Hopefully her last as a filly, with many more to come after that. Or at least, that is what the parents pray for...





The things ponies do for Love.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Velvet Covers, and just a few hours ago you returned to Canterlot.

You feel alive. Alive and revitalized. It feels like these last two weeks passed by in a flash. However, you have nothing but good memories every time you think back on them.

Still, your little vacation with your family is now over. Earlier today you were all together on Cloudsdale's sky-port, but that was the place where you all went your separate ways. Stormchaser and your daughters took a balloon down, so they could take a train back to Ponyville, and you took a sky-ship back to Canterlot. Uncle Steppes, also, said he had some things to do in Cloudsdale, so he accompanied you all to the sky-port but went back to the busy streets after seeing you all off.

After that, you greeted the coming day with gusto. You made your way to the Lunar Bureau and started catching up with your responsibilities. There was no overeager Cadance waiting for you there, so you had a chance to honestly read the waiting reports as the hours went by. You asked about the Princess here and there, as your secretaries came to and from your office, but the only thing they heard was that the Princess was "out and about" these last few days. All over Canterlot, according to the latest gossip, coordinating the crescendo of activities surrounding her wedding.

You had not seen her ever since she whisked you away from Ponyville. But still, if she came back to Canterlot and dove straight into planning her wedding, you assume things went well. Or at least that they didn't go badly.

Of course, your Deputy was also nowhere to be seen. But you have written him off as unavailable until the wedding, and definitely for at least a week following the ceremony.

Still, after the day was done, you went straight to Cadance's apartment in the Royal Castle. Her guards, thankfully, let you in without a word.

You were only mildly surprised when you found out that Cadance herself was not there. Still, you had no problem waiting for her there.

Until finally, the mare herself arrived. With that same excited fire in her eyes as if she had just returned from a successful day of campaigning against her foes.

She didn't look at all surprised to find you waiting in her living room. Instead, to your delight, she immediately sat down and started putting you up to speed.



- - -



It is now night.

And it is very, very late.

In fact, you can confidently say that it is way past bedtime for good little fillies.

But alas, you, and the mare sitting opposite to you on the table, are anything but good little fillies.

Especially given the… nature of the conversation you two were having just now.

"Anyhow… that is all I have to say right now," you finish, and you make a point of floating one of the wine bottles towards you and drinking straight from it.

And poor Cadance, her face beet red and her wings wide open behind her, takes a few deep breaths before following suit.

"But again, the honeymoon comes after the ceremony. So how about we focus back on that?" you ask, throwing a rope to a mare that, for all intents and purposes, must be drowning inside her own thoughts.

Still, this is all her fault. This is all her fault and she knows it. She was the one who started asking all those questions, after all!

And to be honest, you actually showed a lot of restraint! You practically gave her a lecture on the subject, and it took all your willpower to not just teach her about Grail instead. Because you know she has an affinity for it. But instead, out of your own modesty (and maybe a bit of common sense) you decided to pick and choose your words, so you would not accidentally teach her anything about the Red Lore.

However, you definitely fulfilled your duty as an older-… as a more experienced mare, by giving a few pointers to a soon-to-be-married, less experienced friend.

"I-I… well we… yes, let us focus back on the wedding," she says, finally pulling herself out of whatever gutter her mind was in, and focusing back on the present. If only slightly.

You suppress the urge to laugh a little bit. But still, it is boundlessly ironic how much the Princess of Love herself is so innocent in that aspect.

Well, she was never interested in anypony before Shining Armor, so it only makes sense. And for all that Princess Celestia was a parent figure of sorts to Cadance, you can't imagine the high and mighty alicorn of the Sun teaching Cadance about that.

So, as it happens, it fell to humble little you to…

"Good, good, now that we have our heads back on our shoulders," you say, watching the Princess shake her head a little more as she centers herself. "So, you already picked the venue, the invitation list is ninety-nine percent settled…"

You say that, and you once again look down at the dinner-table-turned-planning-center in front of you. Because Cadance might not be the most organized of mares, but her assistants definitely are. And sure enough, you have all sorts of lists and papers spread out in front of you right now. Some of them made by merchants and professionals, and others penned down by hoof, probably as a transcript of the things that Cadance herself said over these last few days.

Still, it goes without saying that you are standing before the solidified plan of the wedding itself, laid in paper form.

Lists and schedules regarding the menu, the decorations, and everything else besides. You tap a hoof on the table as you go over those several subjects one by one.

That is, until your eyes fall on one stack of papers in particular…

"Cadance dear, I know I asked you this before, but are you sure about how you are handling your wedding dress?"

Your words finally snap Cadance out of her (ahem) reverie. And her eyes finally focus on you as you talk about the one thing you know she is still uncertain about.

Well, you say she is only "uncertain", but in all honesty… you realize you are being rather kind in your description.

And the expression that comes to her face the moment you ask that question, the one devoid of confidence and full of fear, definitely tells you how she really feels about this.

But in fairness, how could she not be worried about this? How could she not be stressing over the topic of her wedding dress, even though the ceremony itself is but a few days away? After all, Cadance and Shining will be the centerpieces of the wedding. And she is acutely aware that it is her dress, together with her makeup, that will make or break how she presents herself on the day of her wedding, in front of the whole world.

In fact, damn the world. Damn everypony else's expectations, and damn the fact she is the first alicorn to ever get married. Cadance is too lovestruck to worry about that and you know it. More important than anypony else, her wedding will define how she presents herself to the love of her life on the day they get married!

So yes, you can understand why it is that she feels… several different things, whenever this subject is brought up.

"I-… well… I know what you are asking, Velvet. But how else could I possibly handle this? How in Equestria could I possibly decide?" she asks.

And for all that her tone is strong, almost harsh, you can tell that there is not a single drop of accusation in her words. Quite on the contrary, she almost sounds desperate. Like she is begging for an answer.

And she is feeling like this because…

Well, right in front of you, spread around the table, there are several different proposed drafts, for several different wedding dresses. The reason why she has so many options is obvious enough, of course. A word from Cadance was enough for the entirety of the fashion world to gather in Canterlot. And less than twenty-four hours after she declared the date of her wedding, she received a small deluge of offers and proposals.

What followed those first few days was a rigorous filter. And every last proposal she received was rigorously vetted by Cadance herself, her secretaries, you, and… well, and to be honest, any available mare within earshot. Even her accompanying Royal Guards, when they happened to be mares, were asked to look this or that draft so they could tell their opinion.

Still, the fact remains that, right now, she has no less than five possible designs for her wedding dress on her table. Those being the finalists among finalists and that, for lack of a more polite term, had Cadance completely stumped.

She simply did not know which to decide. And for all that a cutie mark made a pony industrious, she was running out of time to choose! Because whatever dress she picked would still have to be produced, tested, refitted and prepared for the big day.

But luckily for Cadance…

"Actually… Cadance, there is something I have been meaning to tell you. I was a bit hesitant to say it, because I didn't want it to look like I was influencing you bu-"

"Will you please just tell me what to do already?!" the mare interrupts you, hoofs pulling at her mane as she desperately asks you to cut to the chase.

"Alright, alright. Heavens… Well, to put it simply, I know a mare. And I can give you my word that she can prepare you a design so good it will make you want to throw these other offers in the trash!"

Cadance, her expression close to desperate as yet another one of her dress-freakouts rears its ugly head, sends you a look that is a mixture of despair and disbelief. And for a moment you almost, almost, think she will just sink further into her growing panic, as you offer to solve her problem of "too many dresses" by giving her yet another option from which she will have to decide.

Because Cadance, you are coming to learn, is a… particular mare to deal with. She is a Princess, no doubt, and she is as calm and controlled as one would expect her to be.

That is, until her emotions are involved. Because when that happens, she can definitely remind you that "passion" is one of the faces of Love.

Still, to your surprise, the mare doesn't answer you. Not with words, at least.

Instead she lights up her horn and-

"GUARDS!"

-floats up all the proposed designs with her magic. Carrying them all to the nearest trash can and literally dumping them into the bin.

Before you can even react, or maybe tell her she is overreacting, two Royal Guards come in through the door with a short bow. Their expressions completely undisturbed by her tone, or by how late it is.

Well, given the past few days, you assume they are becoming… accustomed to this?

"My Princess?" one of them asks.

And Cadance, her mane ragged and expression undignified, answers without even turning to look at them.

"Wake the courier. No, better yet. Get a chariot ready. I'm issuing a summons."

You watch, completely silent, as one of the two guards leaves with a short bow. The second one stays, waiting for further instructions.

"And who shall be summoned, my Princess?" he asks.

To which Cadance answers by looking you in the eyes. Waiting for you to tell her the damned name that will finally put one of her troubles to rest.

And a dazed, confused, and utterly flabbergasted Rarity is delivered at the apartment's doorsteps just a few hours later.

Much later, after you and Cadance are once again presentable and Rarity is deep in the process of taking her measures, Rarity quietly tells you that she will name her firstborn after you, if she ever ends up having foals.



- - -



The days go by. The wedding gets closer and closer.

Final decisions are made, a wedding dress if declared completed and hidden behind lock and key, and the final details are either ironed out or completely sheared off.

And yet, a few concerns remain in your mind.

After all, try as you might to ignore it, there is still a conspicuously empty spot in the invitation list.

Well, to be honest that description isn't entirely accurate. Instead, there is a conspicuously empty stop in the confirmation list. The ones where the ponies who confirmed that yes they will be coming to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had their names written.

So, when you finally find yourself once again inside Cadance's apartment, you ask her the question you have been… avoiding, this whole time.

"Cadance, I feel like I need to ask… how did that night go? How… how was Twilight?"

You ask that, and you watch as Cadance's eyes move here and there. You watch as she lies back on the chair she is sitting, as if thinking about what words she should use to answer you.

Still, she looks fine. In fact, she looks like you just asked her about the weather, or what time it is. Or as if you just asked her about something related to the wedding that she has already decided.

And not long after, she opens her mouth to speak.

Although what she tells you is… well, it's not the answer you are waiting for.

"Did I ever tell you about my family?" she asks.

In fact, what she says is no answer at all. She answers you with a question. Or maybe she doesn't even answer to begin with, as if she didn't even hear you ask her anything.

You raise an eyebrow, concern flashing through your eyes for a moment.

Because Cadance… just deflected your question. Yes, you are sure of it. She just deflected your question, and she isn't even trying to hide it.

She doesn't want to talk about it.

Still, for all that your heart feels heavy at what this implies… well, Cadance is also your friend. So, for all that you worry about Twilight, you care about Cadance as well. And if things went in a direction that she doesn't want to talk about, you don't have it in you to force the issue.

Maybe Twilight told her something? Maybe the young unicorn said something that Cadance feels she shouldn't tell you? Or something she won't tell you?

Well, whatever the reason might be, Cadance hasn't treated you any differently these last few days. So, you hope that… Well, you will respect Cadance's decision.

And speaking of her question, now that you think about it, you don't think she ever told you about her family. In fact, you don't think you ever read about that anywhere. And given how she is a Princess, this can only mean that…

"I don't think you ever did," you answer her. "To be honest, I don't think you ever told anypony about your past?"

You say that honestly, and Cadance gives you a short nod. Of course, she immediately caught on to what you mean by that.

After all, you have no idea how her life must be like, given how important she is. To the point that you even told her as much, in the past. Because sure, Cadance was the first pony to "become" a Princess. However, before being lauded as a ruler, Cadance also became an instant celebrity of sorts. Especially during the first few months after she was presented to the public, when she was taken under Princess Celestia's wing.

Because even though she had not taken any royal responsibilities back then, she was still a Princess. So naturally, everypony wanted to know everything about her. And you recall how, for several months, the interviews with her and Princess Celestia were published far and wide in the papers.

However, now that she mentioned it, you don't think you ever heard anything about her family. Or about her life before becoming a Princess.

"You are right," she says, her tone still calm and normal. "It is not something I talk about all that much."

She says that, and then you watch as she furrows her brow. As if she is trying to remember something, or as if she is deep in thought. So, you stay quiet.

Her mood still seems normal, as she focuses on her thoughts. Still, as the seconds turn into a full minute you can't help but think that she is acting… too normal?

In fact, you can't help but feel that something is off. And given the reason you two began this line of conversation, well…

Still, a few more moments pass, but your thoughts are interrupted as Cadance finally lights up her horn.

And you immediately sense that she is casting a spell of sorts.

But she doesn't do anything complicated. No surprise teleportation, poofing you on top of your shocked husband. No grand feats of magic that only an alicorn should be capable of doing. Nothing of that sort. You feel as much magic surrounding her horn as you would feel from a unicorn who is still inexperienced, and the soft light she is conjuring is just as strong.

She focuses her magic at the tip of her horn, and then she very carefully begins to paint a few floating lines in the air.

And it doesn't take you long to realize she is, in fact, drawing. She is literally drawing something on the air with her magic, using the tip of her horn as a brush of sorts, against an invisible canvas.

"Velvet, I know I can't prove this to you, or to anypony, so please just take my word for it," she says. "But this… this was my cutie mark, before I became a Princess."

She says that as she finishes drawing a crude image on the air.

However, the implication of what she just told you hit you like a rushing train.

You open your mouth to say something, anything, as you realize what she is showing you. But you force your mouth shut just as quickly.

Because sure enough, the first thing you wanted to say was that yes, you would believe her regardless of what she said. And then the second thing you wanted to say was that you definitely did not believe her.

And finally, you shut your mouth just as a very loud "what?!" was about to escape your lips.

Still, you can't help but feel shocked. You don't think anypony who studied a little bit wouldn't be shocked.

After all, cutie marks are poorly understood by ponykind. But one of the few things you know is that they only appear on ponies, and that they do not change. Sure, there are spells and illusions that clever unicorns can cast here and there. But at the end of the day, a pony's cutie mark stays the same. Unphased by age, or life circumstances, or even death. To the point that everypony understands, deep down, that your cutie mark is a part of you.

No two cutie marks are ever the same, and it is the symbol that comes to define you even if you never learn how to write and read. It is the mark that appears on your flank when you are young, that guides you towards your joys in life, and that is engraved on your tombstone when you die.

And yet…

And yet Cadance just told you that hers was changed.

She looks at your shocked expression, but her own face remains completely unphased. Still, she gives you a few more moments to recover. And once again, now that you are a little less shocked, you realize that her calmness is actually… worrying. For reasons you can't really name.

But the mare continues to speak the moment she realizes you are done taking your deep breaths.

"The story of how I became a Princess is… a bit longer, and it's not really what I want to tell you about. Well, at least the real story, with the details I only ever told Celestia, is longer. Still, that's not the point. Instead…"

She stands up from her chair, moving towards the magic-painted cutie mark and eyeing it with a critical expression. She adds a few more details to it with her glowing horn. And then, she takes a few steps back and sits down on the floor.

And you watch as her expression… well, it doesn't really change. It remains calm and collected.

However, you can't help but think that it is a bit recontextualized, now. You can't help but feel like… like she is staring at a strange reflection on a mirror. As if she can't quite recognize that cutie mark anymore.

Or maybe, she can't really recognize herself, as she looks at it.

"Well, like I said, that is what I had. That was the cutie mark that appeared on my flank, when I was a filly."

You purse your lips, and you feel your own brow furrowing as you look at her. Cadance's eyes locked on the rather cartoonish representation of her… former cutie mark, that is floating in the middle of the room.

You are sure the drawing isn't precise. In fact, you can tell from Cadance's expression that she isn't exactly happy with it. Or maybe she is concerned because she can't remember all the details herself.

Still, you turn your gaze to the drawing, and you stare at the shining depiction of a mortar and a pestle. You think the painted green things within the mortar are supposed to be leaves. And the round shape next to them is definitely a half-filled potion bottle.

But when your eyes move back to Cadance, you can see that she is…

She is…

You get up from your chair and you walk towards her, sitting on the ground next to Cadance as she once again begins to talk.

Because despite the fact that her tone is still calm, you think you know what she is about to say next. And for some reason, you feel…

"My parents were doctors. Well, I suppose apothecary is a better term for it. Still, the two of them were herbalists and physicians who traveled around the northern settlements of Equestria," she says, her eyes still trained on the drawing. "Dad was a unicorn who likes to experiment, mom was an earth pony who knew where the rarer plants liked to bloom…"

Her words trail off, but her eyes remain on the drawing. After a while, her horn lights up again, and she adds a small symbol to the bottle, as if something just reminded her about that little detail.

"Or at least that's what they did before I came around… Dad never blamed me for it, of course. Not for a moment. And of course, the two of them were physicians to begin with. But still, things happened during my birth, and he had to raise me alone."

Your expression becomes a lot more closed-off when you finally understand what she meant by that.

But to your honest surprise, when you turn your head slightly to look at Cadance, she actually has a small smile on her face.

Not a happy smile. Not a satisfied smile. But still, she looks like she is reminiscing on something… good?

No, that's not it. That's not what her smile means. Not exactly.

Ah, you can see it now. She is thinking about something that she remembers fondly.

Or rather… you can tell that she is the kind of pony who keeps the good parts of a story very close to her. Because you are sure there are plenty of sad things, little details and remarks, that she is not telling you. But not because she is hurt by them. Not because she is consciously avoiding those things.

Instead, you can see that she is just the kind of pony who focuses on the good parts.

And those are exactly the parts she tells you about.

"Still, growing up I knew everything about mom. To be honest, sometimes it felt like mom was the only thing that dad liked to talk about," she says, and she actually chuckles as she says that. An honest, sincere laugh escaping her lips, without even a hint of sourness or resentfulness. "He definitely loved. Yes, dad loved mom very, very much."

She says that, and then she tells you about… well, about whatever comes to her mind, really.

She tells you about the lessons she learned from him, and about how he trained her to be an apothecary as well.

She tells you about how the two of them were never in the same place for more than a month. Always moving around from one village to another. Always moving on that long, achingly slow circuit around Equestria, stopping on the furthest and newest settlements to offer your knowledge and aid.

She tells you that her mother's name was Cadenza. And how it took her several years to realize that her full name was, well, a way for her father to keep telling her mother that he loved her. But still, she tells you about how she didn't mind it.

And then, she tells you about the last time she ever saw her father.

"He taught me everything he knew. And then he kept teaching me even after I got my cutie mark. Until one day… well, one day we came upon a crossroad. One path took us to a village we already knew about, in our usual route, and the other… went higher up a mountain, and towards north. He said he would take the path north, to see if he could find an even more secluded settlement that might need help, but…"

Her calm expression finally breaks. But still, it doesn't break into sadness or sorrow. Instead, she just looks… well, you are not sure. Maybe she looks pained? Maybe she looks confused? Maybe a mixture of both?

Still, you watch as Cadance's expression definitely becomes lost. As if she is reliving that day all over again.

As if, rather than looking at the floating drawing of her cutie mark, she is staring at her father. Trying to understand why he is telling her, lying to her, about a village farther up north that they both know doesn't exist. While urging her to make her way down the trodden path, alone.

Still, even then, she doesn't look sad.

She doesn't look sad… and to be honest, that worries you. More than just a little bit.

Because maybe, and just maybe, Cadance is that much of an optimist. You have no idea of how her upbringing was truly like, but maybe she is indeed the kind of pony who can only focus on the good things. Who remembers and cherishes her father, rather than feel betrayed by him. A pony who can find the shining gems of happiness even inside a cave that is almost completely overtaken by darkness.

But… but what if she is not? What if that isn't the case? What if she is just dulled, numb to what is truly going on inside her head?

Or even worse… what if she is incapable of feeling certain things? After all, her own cutie mark was already changed by something beyond your comprehension. Who can tell if she didn't have more things taken away from her?

But you don't voice any of those thoughts. You can't. Not now, and definitely not as she is about to open her mouth to say something more.

"Well, not long after that day… several things happened, and I became a Princess."

Still, you can only watch as she completely dismisses the thought. You can only watch as her previous lost expression… changes back to normal. In fact, you can only watch as she once again begins to smile, of all things.

"And things were great after that. They really were! Shining's parents were lovely. And of course, Princess Celestia herself took me in. She really was like an aunt to me for the longest time. I don't really feel like I lacked anything, back when it was just me and dad. But I definitely gained something I didn't have, after Princess Celestia brought me to Canterlot."

She says that in a tone that almost sounds distracted. As if she is telling you one thing, but thinking about something else entirely. In fact, she is so deep in her thought that she doesn't even notice her magic is slipping away. What little concentration she was focusing on the magical drawing finally fades, and her long-gone cutie mark disappears right after.

However, despite her upbeat words, you think that… you think you know what she is truly talking about.

Despite her content and distracted expression, you think you know what she is truly thinking about.

After all, she is talking about Shining's parents. About Shining's mother, who introduced her to her current husband-to-be. About Shining's father, as she vaguely recalls the lessons on magic he taught her while she was still getting used to the horn on her head.

And of course, she also tells you about her… "Auntie" Celestia.

However, it is painfully obvious to you that none of those ponies are around anymore.

And she knows that.

Oh, she definitely knows that.

Still, she keeps talking. About the good memories she has, and the great things that happened to her as she learned how to act more like a Princess.

That is, until she reaches the present. Until her stories end, a few months back from today, and she realizes she has nothing else to tell you that might be a happy thought.

And when she becomes silent, you have no option but to remain silent yourself. Even as the silence stretches long, there is nothing you can really do other than stay there next to her.

Until finally, Cadance lets out a short sigh.

"Velvet, can I ask you something weird?" she asks.

And you pretend you don't notice how her voice shook for a moment, before she got a better hold of herself. You pretend you don't notice anything at all.

"Sure."

"Can you promise not to judge me?" she asks.

For a moment, you think about answering her with a joke of sorts. To try and alleviate the heaviness in the air, if nothing else. For a moment, you think about saying something like no promises, or trying to dismiss her concerns that you will judge her as silly. Because of course, you would never judge her, and you very much want to put a smile on her face.

But still, you also realize that what she needs right now is the serious, no-nonsense and honest answer.

"I won't," you say.

She doesn't look towards you. Instead, she keeps looking straight ahead, towards the center of the room, as if she could still see the disappeared drawing of her former cutie mark.

That is, until she lets out another, longer sigh.



"Promise you won't leave me?"



She asks that.

And the moment she asks you that, you realize that… you realize that you misjudged Cadance.

Because this whole time, throughout this entire conversation, you thought Cadance was content. As she told you about the memories she has, and the ponies who she bonded with, you thought she was focusing on the good things because those were all that she could see. You thought that she was deeply and truly the kind of pony who "was happy because it happened rather than sad because it ended".

But as she asks you that question, as you listen to how her voice shook as she said those words, you realize how wrong you were.

Of course, maybe there is more to this than you imagine. Maybe something inside of her changed, together with her cutie mark, all those years ago. Or maybe being an alicorn means there psychology, deep down, is just different.

However, right now, the one thing you are sure is that…

That she loved those ponies. Her mother who she never met, her father who taught her… Shining's parents, the maternal figure that was Princess Celestia. She loved them all. She loves them so much that she can't bring herself to hate them, or even resent them, for leaving her behind.

But still, deep down, she does feel hurt. Because she does feel like they abandoned her.

And as she asks you that question… as she says those words while refusing to look at you, as if afraid you will abandon her as well, you understand what is going on inside her mind.

A small part of you wonders what exactly happened, when she spoke to Twilight Sparkle. A small part of your mind worries what could have caused this, to the point that she told you all this because of that simple question you asked about the unicorn.

But you… don't… really… care about that right now. Not about Twilight, and not about anypony who isn't Cadance.

And the only thing you can really tell her is…



"I promise, Cadance."



You say that, and you lean slightly towards her. Putting your head on her shoulder.

She doesn't move. She doesn't say anything. She doesn't even react. In fact, you don't even know if she heard your answer at all.

But still, even if just for a moment, you swear you feel… something.

Not a connection, not even a spark. But maybe something you could call a presence.

And who knows, perhaps this was something Shining Armor himself felt, years ago, when Cadance met him for the first time? Or maybe this is something else entirely?

Still, you feel like Cadance is… counting on you. Or at least that she is willing to fall on you, if some day the very ground under her hoofs decides to break and leave her as well.







You have become much, much closer to Princess Cadance.

You have come to realize she has an affinity towards Heart, Winter, and of course Grail. But you dare not teach her anything yet.

Later that day, she asked you if you could be her bride…smaid. Her Bridesmaid. Her maid of honor. And of course, you accepted.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: CONTENT WARNING

According to the rules of this site it is acceptable to post in the SFW section:

• Written scenes that heavily imply any kind of sexual conduct (even if the sexual conduct itself would be illegal), so long as it remains at implication, and does not cross over into explicit explanation/description.
• You won't suffer punishment for posting it outside the NSFW section, but it might be polite to give warning.

This is a warning that this update contained options that, if picked, would result in off-screen sexual conduct that would be illegal (rape).

That option was never picked. Still, it is present in this update, so here is a complimentary warning.

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Velvet Covers.

Wife to your husband, mother to your daughters… and Maid of Honor of the Princess of Love.

Because this is it. Tomorrow is the big day, and the only way you can possibly describe your current mood is giddy!

As far as you know, Equestria as a whole has come to a stop. Of course, you know that isn't really the case, and Cadance hasn't really pushed her weight to declare a national holiday. Still, you wouldn't be surprised if you were told that every last pony in Equestria is aware of what will happen tomorrow. And knowing how ponies are, you are sure that the other cities will also be celebrating in their own way.

More importantly, you can confidently say that Cadance achieved one of her objectives. Granted, you can't speak for the other major cities, but you remember how the mood in Cloudsdale was simply better when you were there with your family. With news about the upcoming wedding dominating the newsstands, and being the topic of several conversations you overheard. And of course, Canterlot itself is ecstatic. And given how many ponies are visiting Canterlot for the big event, you are sure their cheers and good spirits will spread throughout Equestria the moment they board the trains and go back home.

So, Cadance definitely succeeded in cheering up Equestria. Sure, the fact that it took the first alicorn wedding in history speaks volumes of how gloomy things were. But that dark cloud is definitely gone now. And you sincerely hope it never returns.

No, it is your job to ensure it never returns. The Lunar Bureau was literally created for that.

But that is neither here nor there. You aren't really thinking about your job right now. And to be honest, for all that the uplifted mood of Ponykind is good, you aren't really focused on that either.

Instead, your thoughts are all focused on tomorrow. Because tomorrow is the day! You will have to wake up way before sunrise, and as the Maid of Honor you will be in charge of several things before Cadance walks down the aisle. But you will be damned if you will not make sure everything happens perfectly.

"Sweetheart, shouldn't you be going to bed?"

Stormchaser's voice snaps you out of your thoughts, and you realize that… heavens, you are so excited that you were, quite literally, lost in your own thoughts. You shake your head, and you finally realize that you are still sitting in front of the large vanity mirror in your room. You vaguely recall how you sat down to double-check your mane before going to bed, and it seems your thoughts just overwhelmed you at some point.

Still, you are thankful Stormchaser is here to snap you out of it. He arrived at the Royal Castle, together with your family, earlier today. And even though you weren't able to meet him when he arrived, he was waiting for you in your guestroom once your day was finally done.

Your daughters, of course, are in the adjacent rooms.

But still, for all that you are thankful for him, how could you not be overwhelmed by your thoughts? After all, this is just too exciting! You should be going to bed right now, sure, but that's because tomorrow is the big day! Tomorrow is the day, and you will have to wake up early! You set aside a whole hour for you to spruce yourself up, and then you will put on that gorgeous dress before setting out to check on-

"Sweetheart, please," Stormchaser says again. And somehow, at some point, he simply appeared right next to you. Staring at your own reflection, with his head on your shoulder. "You really need to sleep. You wouldn't want to mess up tomorrow because you were too tired, would you?"

"Right, right… thank you, Stormy. I think I'm really out of it tonight," you say, watching as your husband laughs a little bit.

Still, you do what he says. You force yourself to stand up, and you make your way to the large bed on the other side of the room.

"I'll try to be quiet," he says, "and I'll make sure the girls are alright in a bit. But you don't need to worry about anything."

You nod at him, and then you take a deep breath, trying to slow your thoughts down. After that, you force your legs to move under you as you make your way towards the bed.

Because your husband is right. Of course he is right. You need to sleep, and you need to be well rested for tomorrow, and you need to stop going down the rabbit hole of how excited you are.

So, you try to… empty your mind… You try to pretend this is just another night, and that you are back at your home in Ponyville, and that everything is in order for you to go to bed.

Yes… this is just another night, and nothing strange or unusual is going on. You feel your heart rate slow down as you sell yourself that little lie. In fact, you even start doing your nightly routine, to make that lie more believable.

You take off your necklace, with your hoofs rather than your horn, and you carefully place it on your bedstand.

You give your hindleg one last stretch, even though it hasn't really ached in months, right before you climb on the bed.

And finally, you give the air one last sniff, checking in on everypony one by one. You check on Silky and Selene, noticing how they seem to be… going up and down? Ah, they are probably jumping on their beds. You also notice Sweetie Belle right next to them, doing the same thing, and that reminds you that you all decided to let the fillies stay in the same room.

You brush that off as a sleepover of sorts. Pretending you are all back in Ponyville rather than… here.

After that, you check on Softy as well. And she is… well, she is in her own room. You can sense her pacing around in a circle, and you suppose she is either nervous or embarrassed. But you let out a soft chuckle as you remember why that might be happening. After all, she was almost hauled off to the servant's section of the Royal Castle earlier today. To the point that you had to intervene, and quite literally strip her of her maid uniform with your magic, to convince the surrounding maids that your silly daughter was supposed to be treated as a guest rather than an accompanying servant.

Seriously, you should talk with Soft about her… dependency on that uniform. But that is a matter for another day.

And of course, Stormchaser right there with you, reading from a book as he quietly waits for you to fall asleep.

Good, good, everything is in place. Everything is in order. You can go to sleep now…



Except for the fact that there is somepony coming towards your door.



The careful self-imposed calm you were able to muster immediately shatters. And you let out a soft groan, which causes Stormchaser's ears to perk up. But before he can ask you what happened, the answer comes in the form of a trio of knocks on your door.

Still, you make a point of staying in bed. You even shut off your senses, deciding only to listen to what happens next. So, you hear Stormchaser silently opening the door, followed by a few whispered words, and then…

"Uhh… Sweetheart? Do you happen to know a pony called Chalkhoof?" Stormchaser asks after closing the door. "He said he is here because… the groom wants to speak to you?"

Your eyes go wide open at that, and you feel… well, slightly confused?

Captain Chalkhoof is Shining's best man. One could even say he is your counterpart, given how you are the maid of honor. And even though Cadance dominated most of the wedding's organization, Shining Armor was still involved with a good deal of it. So, you had several brushes with Chalkhoof these last few days.

Besides, you had already met the stallion before. More than a year ago, mind you, and under different circumstances. Still, he is a known face.

But he is here because… Shining asked him to call you?

You get up from the bed without a word, lighting up your horn as you float the nearest dress towards you.

"Tell him I'll be there shortly," you say to your husband.

You wonder what this is about…



- - -



You have never been in Shining Armor's room before, in the Royal Castle. Of course, you have already been to Cadance's apartment several times, but they technically don't live together yet, so that doesn't really count.

Besides, given Cadance's… innocence, you don't suppose Shining ever set hoof on her apartment himself. The two of them are too romantic to be that kind of couple, so you don't see them doing those sorts of escapades while away from the public eye.

But that is beyond the point.

You have never been to Shining Armor's room before… and that isn't about to change right now.

To your surprise, Chalkhoof takes you to a rather secluded part of the Royal Castle. You aren't anywhere suspicious or strange, of course. But still, you are in one of those nooks and crannies of the Royal Castle that is easy to overlook. One of the several balconies with a pleasant view of Canterlot, which you assume was more popular with nobles back when they were welcome in the Royal Castle.

Still, true to his word, good Chalkhoof thanks you for your availability and takes you to Shining Armor, who is waiting for you on that balcony. After that, the stallion leaves the two of you alone.

And you immediately understand why Shining Armor called for you.

…

Heavens, the poor stallion is a pile of nerves.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with Shining Armor. He looks healthy, and happy, and definitely full of energy. He is the perfect picture of a proud husband-to-be, and he looks just as dashing as he always does.

Still, you can tell at a glance that he is… well, he isn't trembling, not exactly, but he is definitely tense. The smile he has on his face is on the thin edge between joy and panic. And he very much looks like he only realized the enormity of what is about to happen… maybe ten seconds ago.

The poor colt is nervous, and he knows it. He knows it, and he isn't even trying to hide it.

So, you offer him a soft, understanding smile when he greets you.

"Lady Velvet! Thank you so, so much for your time. I know it's already late, but I… well, thank you."

"It's alright, Shining," you say, with an honest smile. "No, more than that. Right now, everything is about the two of you. So, I'm happy to help with whatever you need!"

You feel a tiny nudge of guilt, inside of you, as you notice how Shining trembled when you mentioned that "everything is about them". But still, you can tell he is more happy than nervous, so you don't feel bad.

Besides, you said nothing but the truth! And you really mean it. After all, even though you are the bridesmaid, whatever the groom might need is certainly more important than your own sleep schedule.

"Still, what can I help you with?" you ask.

And you can't help but wonder what this might be about. After all, he had Chalkhoof call for you, so this couldn't be the case where he couldn't find his best man and needed to resort to the maid of honor instead. So maybe this is something to do with Cadance?

There is a tradition that the bride and groom shouldn't see each other before the wedding. And sure, Cadance isn't exactly enforcing that rule. But maybe Shining is hesitant to go talk to her when they are this close to the ceremony?

That would make sense. Other than the maids, you are probably the pony with the most access to Cadance right now. And you can certainly reach her more easily than Chalkhoof would be able to, if this is a matter of Shining wanting to tell her something.

"Well, this is something rather… actually I don't even know how to describe it?" the stallion says.

Still, you give him a slow, patient nod as he collects his thoughts. You watch as he takes a few deep breaths, and you very politely ignore how one of his hoofs is shaking.

"Still, this is something I have been meaning to ask you for a while now… Or at least, I think that's the case? I… I feel like I have this need to…"

You raise an eyebrow as Shining Armor, very uncharacteristically, begins to stammer and stop.

Goodness gracious, you might need to help him a little bit. Because you are sure this isn't him having cold hoof about the wedding, but this is definitely something.

But eventually, he finally manages to put his thoughts into words.

"Please don't think this is strange, Lady Velvet. And I wouldn't be asking you if I had any other option. But…"

He looks you in the eye as he prepares to make his request-



I need the Name, Velvet. Give me the Name.



-and you spin on your hoofs, interrupting his words with your sudden, violent movement. You feel your legs locking under you in a fighting stance, and your horn lighting up on your forehead, as you suddenly hear a voice.

"Shining, we need to leave, now!" you almost yell, your voice sharp and urgent.

The stallion freezes up behind you, no doubt shocked by your sudden urgency. But you don't care. You can't care. The only thing that matters is that he is hesitating and that his inaction is costing you precious time.

You hear him trying to say something, but you cut him off before he has the chance.

"No time to explain. Now!"

Still, even though you said that, you don't really know what you should do yourself. Because what is going on? What is happening?

What did you just hear?!

You swear it was a voice. That voice. That unmistakable, whispering, mocking voice that can summon so many things from your memories.

You swear on your family's life that… that you just heard you Master. Or your former Master. Or whatever that thing was supposed to be, before it disappeared and the Cult fragmented.

But… but how…?

No, more importantly, where did it come from?

Because you are sure you just heard it.

But also, you swear that it came from inside your head.



Velvet…



Every last hair on your coat stands on their ends as you hear it again.

And you… you don't know what to do.

Should you run? Should you grab Shining and run? You are a bit far away from Cadance, but she is an alicorn, and consequently your best bet at safety. Especially given how Shining is there with you, and that the two of you are in danger.

But if you decide to run, will you make it in time?

Because where is that voice coming from? Where is she?!



Little Velvet…



You expand your senses, opening up your nostrils as you desperately try to understand what is going on.

The voice isn't coming from the wind, and it certainly isn't coming from inside of you. But still… still…

You can't sense anypony other than yourself and Shining Armor.

And that terrifies you.

Because the Master, you know, is the greatest authority in existence when it comes to Moth. At least in the Wake. And if there is one creature who could be standing right next to you, without letting you see it, it has to be her.

But you make a decision. To Tartarus with it, you will grab Shining and run. You will drag him by the hoof if you need to. You will make a beeline towards Cadance, avoid getting anywhere close to your family at all costs, and convince Cadance to take you all to Celestia no matter what it takes.

Your eyes dart around you one last time, as you look at the dark corridors of the castle. You try one last time to see if you can spot the Master. You try one last time to check if one of those shadows don't look slightly out of place, to see from where she might jump at you two once you start galloping for your lives.



"Velvet. Calm down."



And your whole body freezes when you finally realize where the voice is coming from.

"That's a lot better. Now could you turn around again? It is rude to turn your back when someone is talking to you."

Your body freezes, a chill runs down your spine and your heart twists with pain as you… as you finally understand that…

… that the voice…

You slowly turn around. Your stiff, terrified legs ponderously turning you around to face the origin of that familiar voice.

And when you finally stare at Shining Armor once again, you realize he has a familiar, mocking smile on his face.

He opens his mouth once again.

"Good."

But the voice that comes from his lips is not his own.

Or at least, it does not belong to Shining Armor.

"Now as I was saying… I need the Name, little Velvet. Give me the Name."

You hear those words, and it takes all of your willpower to… to stay.

Because you have to drown out the shout that nearly burst out of your mouth.

And you have to stop your face from devolving into an expression of shocked horror.

And you have to grip every last muscle in your body to stop you from running away.

It takes all the willpower you have, and maybe a few things that you don't have, to stop yourself from doing anything.

So, you can only stare in muted shock, as you…

As you look at Shining Armor.

And see, deep in his amused eyes, that you are now speaking to the Master.

"H… how…?" you whisper that word, because that is the only thing you can bring yourself to say.

Still, you realize you said that more out of shock than anything else.

However, that doesn't stop Shining-… that doesn't stop her from taking it as a question.

"You mean to tell me you didn't know?" Shining says. And a low, wrong-sounding chuckle escapes his lips. The noise of leaves brushing against each other feeling utterly unnatural as they leave a pony's mouth. "Well, I suppose it only makes sense. You wouldn't have reason to seek out Comet Feet after he betrayed us… and given his skills, it probably wouldn't be wise either."

She says that, her voice altering between her own and Shining's, as if she is stating the obvious.

Although you have no idea what she is talking about. None of it makes any sense. You… you have no idea of what she is talking about, and you can feel your pulse quickening as you realize just how out of your depth you are.

"Comet Feet… betrayed us…?" you ask, your words slow. Slow, and cautious. Because you have absolutely no idea what she is talking about and…

No, you think you know what she is talking about. You think she is referring to when Comet Feet left the cult.

But if that is the case, why is she saying that Comet Feet betrayed "us"? Why… doesn't she know that you too left the Cult? Where did she get that information from? Does she not know that you decided to… to betray her as well?

How exactly does she view everything that happened?!

"Of course he did. He gave up on his task, did he not? I thought you would have understood it as well, little Velvet. But…"

Shining Armor gives you a small shrug, as if to say there was no helping it.

And then, his smile twists into the horrifyingly familiar expression of an old matron that is about to give a lecture. The stallion's face, and his body, remains unchanged. But the way he is moving is… just wrong.

"A lesson, then. Think about what you have been doing, little Velvet. Our Cult took on a different shape, really, but none of us ever stopped working towards our final goal… You kept to the climb, Copper kept spreading our influence, Windy…" you hear a chuckle, but her words trail off. "Well, you all kept to your tasks. A few nudges were needed, of course. For example, I couldn't let Copper's little animosity towards you go to waste. So, I sent a little nightmare her way, and a little cold breeze towards you, and you two picked things up just like you were meant to. But still, those were all just tidbits of guidance, to help you move along."

You force your eyes to not go wide in surprise. Because… because she…

She just casually told you that… that she tried to kill you? No, worse than that. And it all makes sense in retrospect.

Because that first time, that first death ritual that was aimed at you. It wasn't Copper… it was her. And if you understand this correctly, she also attacked Copper at the same time. So a few weeks later, when you two tried to kill each other in earnest, that was just…!

"But Comet Feet? Oh, he deserted us, didn't he? He had duties to fulfill, and he abandoned them. So, of course, I went after him… I sought him out, and I found out he left us for love, as those things usually go."

Shining's expression looks amused. And it feels utterly wrong to hear those words being spoken with his voice.

You are almost thankful when his tone shifts back to the raspy, familiar voice of the Master.

"I had to kill him, of course. No point in making a threat if you are not willing to follow through. But then… to my absolute surprise, he offered to bargain instead," she says that, and then she raises one of Shining's forelegs. Inspecting his hoofs as if she was talking about a product. "He told me this little body was nearby, and reminded me of its value. He offered to bring it to me, in exchange for his freedom. And I accepted."

You feel your blood run cold as he says that.

Because that means… if her story is true, then that means…

How long has she been in there? Was she… was she living his life, acting like him this whole time?

Did… was she already inside of him, seeing through his eyes, when he was inside your house? When he was close to your family?!

"Naturally, I had more things to do. And making a puppet dance takes… focus, when the Wake is involved. It's like pulling strings through a keyhole. So, I accepted Comet's offering, and I released him from his duty. And in return, I planted a little seed inside this body."

A small wave of relief rushes through your body, but it is immediately overwhelmed by shame.

Because you feel relief at what he just told you. Of course you feel relief. After all, you just learned that… that this whole time, Shining Armor was himself. You weren't interacting with a monster in disguise. None of his actions were manipulated. And most importantly he didn't get anywhere close to your family.

But still, you feel ashamed of your relief because…

Because this is all still horrifying.

"But now was the time for that seed to bloom," she says.

And as she says that, she slowly… raises the hoof she was inspecting.

She raises it towards the sky, and you can't help but follow it with your own eyes.

And for a moment, for a fraction of a moment, you see it. You watch as the moonlight faintly reflects against… something. And for a fraction of a second, you can see a string, tied around Shining's foreleg, being pulled taut towards the night sky. As if he is a living puppet who is being controlled by something old and terrible, that is just outside of your view.

You realize all of that, and you…

And you ask the one thing that is on your mind. The one thing that you don't want to learn, but that you have to.

After all, the Master is working on… a lot of assumptions.

She doesn't know you consider yourself her enemy. In fact, she even thinks you are still serving her, even if in a different way.

And she called you here… no, she gave Shining a compulsion to call you here, and then she took over his body… for a reason.

She mentioned, after all, that she has a request.

She said she wants… a Name.

"Wh-what… do you need…?" you ask, holding back from saying anything that might doom you. Biting down your tongue from saying something that might make the Master see you as an enemy.

Because you too are in danger. When it comes down to it, right now you are alone. Alone, in the presence of your former Master, who is controlling a body that is by far a lot stronger than you.

In short, you can die at any moment if you say the wrong thing.

So, you ask…

And she answers.

"The Name, Velvet. The bright-red Name of Grail. I have need of her. There are mysteries of blood and birth that are beyond me. They are beyond me, but they are not beyond her. I need her for what happens next."

Your eyes go wide at that, and the aching sensation in your chest makes you realize that your heart is pounding. It is beating so quickly that it hurts.

But you… you understand what she is saying. No, you understand who she is talking about.

Your Master wants Mareinette. She wants Mareinette the same way she wanted Baldomare, all those months ago. But you have no idea why.

The only thing you remember is that, last time you gave your Master what she wanted, bad things happened.

"You… you want her… why?"

She answers with a chuckle. The noise of leaves rustling, so unnatural when coming from a pony's mouth, floating away in the night breeze.

"Why? Isn't it obvious, little Velvet? Because of the alicorn. She will want to join with this body once their little ceremony is done, no? There is potential in that. Birth has always been one of the entryways to this world, and it is also the domain of Grail. So, with the Name's assistance, I will be able to… acquire another body."

Your body reels with disgust at what she says, the moment you understand what exactly she means by that. And it takes visible effort for you not to retch.

Still, you can no longer stop your expression from shifting. And the Master lets out a soft laugh as he sees that.

"Oh, do not worry. I will keep your little friend asleep until I am done. Mareinette will need to be present, of course, but I can hide her from the alicorn's sight. And after that… well, I will begin a new life, and it might take years. But I am sure the rewards will be worth it. And you… all of you, who followed me, no longer need me to hold your hoofs. You know what to do from here."

You can feel your legs shaking, as he casually says that.

And you are thankful… you are thankful that, apparently, Shining Armor can't hear any of this either.

From what you understand, and from what she just told you, Shining Armor is… asleep right now. Maybe it's an immediate effect of her taking over his body, or maybe it is something else. But still, he couldn't hear the horrible words she casually used his mouth to utter.

So, thankfully, he won't know what happens next. Whatever you tell the Master, whatever you decide, he will not know about it.

Unless, of course, you let the Master remain in his body. Because at some point, you are sure he will wake up… you are sure he will wake up, and realize he is now in a prison of his own body, trapped behind his own eyes as something lives his life in his stead.

But still, whatever happens, you need to decide it now.

"Give me the Name, little Velvet, and we will further our goals in protecting this world. We will finally have an alicorn on our side. We will have me. Give me the Name… and you will be rewarded."

That twisted, alien smile looks wrong in Shining's face.

It makes you feel sick.

Still, you have no choice but to…





[] Refuse her "offer".

-The Master will entertain your decision, and will not harbor any ill will towards you. She will think your action to be "quaint".
-From this point onwards, you (and you alone) will be aware that the Master is living Shining Armor's life.
-Very soon, Shining Armor will "wake up" and realize he is a prisoner inside his own body. That will be his life from that moment onwards.
-You think it is very unlikely that Cadance will realize what happened, if she even notices it at all.
-You are not aware of any methods which might be used to "exorcise" Shining Armor, if they even exist at all.
-You cannot possibly predict how the Master will leverage her newfound position as "Deputy" of the Lunar Bureau. But given her words, you assume she will continue to "watch over" his perceived servants. That being said, she will probably sabotage any attempts from you to use the Bureau against any of your former cultist colleagues (but she will allow you to continue your occult wars).

"What problem is there in a mask, if no one else will ever notice?"



[] Show her your true colors.

-You will, once and for all, show the Master you are no longer her servant.
-You will banish the Master. This will use (destroy) one Wrong Key.
-The Master will refuse to be summoned by you from this point onward.
-The Master will begin to actively move against you as an enemy, although her hoofs will be tied until she returns to the Wake. She did not consider herself your enemy before this.
-The traumatic backlash of cutting the strings will kill Shining Armor.
-Velvet Covers will not be blamed, or even suspected, for his death. Not even by Cadance.

"Well then."



[] Accept her offer.

-You will temporarily "lend" Mareinette to the Master. Mareinette will return to you shortly after, with no problems whatsoever.
-This will not impact any of Mareinette's actions, or her binding period towards you. It will be a "free action" that will happen immediately.
-The Master will permanently and completely disappear for the duration of the Quest, and this will be a problem left for the future.
-The Master will reward you for this, and will give you a parting gift.
-To Cadance's immense surprise, her first daughter will not be who she dreamed about. Princess Flurry Heart will never come to be, and her first… son, will be an alicorn who will be given another name.
-Other than yourself, only Mareinette will ever know this happened. And she will keep your secret as long as you remain in good terms.

"[Grail]!"



[] Offer yourself instead.

-You will offer the Master to leave Shining Armor, and possess you instead. She will accept.
-Velvet Covers will permanently lose one personal action point, which the Master will use for herself.
-The Master will be able to influence, interfere, and overwrite some of your actions and decisions moving forward (but this option will not interfere with the Rite of the Mother and the Father in any way).
-You cannot possibly predict what else she might be able to do, after entering you. You suspect she will be able to do more.
-You are not aware of any methods which might be used to "exorcise" you, if they even exist at all.

"A life for a life. That trade is almost always fair… Almost."



[] Kill the Master [THIS IS A REGRETTABLE ACTION]

-You will convince the Master that you will "take Shining's place" and allow her to enter you instead.
-After the Master leaves Shining, but before she possesses you, you will kill her.
-The Master will be permanently and completely eliminated from the Quest, and this situation will be immediately resolved. Nopony, not Shining, nor Cadance, nor anypony you care for, will suspect anything happened or learn about this.
-You cannot know what other ramifications this action will have.
-This is a Regrettable Action.





You have witnessed a mask, donned by a master of the art. And the sight shook you to your core. Gain one scrap of MOTH Lore.

Spoiler: Author's Note: regarding the past

Baldomare already said that you should focus on winning, rather than not losing. And QM already said you should reach for Glory. Every turn that passes when you are not doing that is another turn your foes can use for themselves.

That being said, let me be very clear about one thing.

You are going against powers that are stronger than you. Those powers are motivated, intelligent, and they know what they want. This is simply one of those players making their own move.

I will have very little patience towards cries about this being "unfair" from a game perspective. I am not going out of my way to make the quest harder, or to create gratuitous difficulties. This is the result of characters exercising their agency, not a punishment from a sadistic QM.

Kindly keep that in mind during your discussions. QM is also human.

Spoiler: Author's Note: regarding the present

The options are not balanced from a mechanical perspective. Velvet can make a decision, and that decision might have mechanical effects as stated. But these are not balanced compared to each other.

Write-ins will not be accepted, but their suggestion is not forbidden either. If any of you can lawyer or finagle your way out of this, by all means share it with the thread. However, said action must be something Velvet can do in a split second. Trying to trick the Master will not work, as she will turn hostile the moment she notices your deceit (or rather, you would only be able to solve that with the patronage of an Hour). Making a promise you cannot fulfill immediately will also not work. The options offered are, in honesty, the only ones I could perceive as being viable: do nothing, start another war, accept, trade, or Wolf.

But of course, I might have missed something.

Spoiler: Author's Note: regarding the future

Come next turn, you will have a Fleeting Opportunity to "address" Comet Feet's decision, which caused this. And it will be noted that failing to pick that option will mean you will "tacitly accept" what he did.

That will happen later, if you even pick that option at all. Now is not the time to address that.

Vote by approval (pick as many options as you want). The SINGLE highest-voted option will be picked.

Twelve hours of moratorium.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Your breathing is ragged. Your coat is frazzled. Your heart is pounding inside your chest. And most of all you are afraid. Your mind is teetering on the brink of panic, and for all that your panic is keeping you focused, you realize you are just one push away from breaking down into paralyzing dread.

You are Velvet Covers, and right now you are racing through the Woods. Galloping as quickly as your dream-body can carry you. Rushing through the leaves and the barbs and the reaching claws of older things that no longer have names, as you try desperately to find that chosen place.

Of course, this being the Woods you know that none of your pains are real.

You know that your breathing is not truly ragged, for you are not really filling your lungs with air.

You know that your coat is not truly ragged, and that the painful whips of hard branches against your sides are imaginary.

You know that this frantic beat inside your chest is not truly coming from your heart.

However, you also know that even though your pains are not real, everything else is.

And your fears? Oh, your fears are dragging behind you like chains.

But still, despite your pains, and your fears, and the countless eyes that are watching you, you continue to run.

Because you have to get there.

You have to get there before it is too late.

Before her patience runs out, and she decides that enough is enough.



"So, my little Velvet, have you made your decision?"
"I… Master I… I can't... I just can't..."
"Ahah... You always had so much trouble shedding your doubts. But fear not. If you cannot decide, then I will just remain in this body an-"
"WAIT-!"
"…?"
"I-I… the Name, Master, I dare not give you the Name… I fear her displeasure. I fear she might lash against me, if I give her away like…"
"Ahh… yes, that makes sense. You think she still clings to pride, yes. You certainly do not know her… but I can see why you would fear her displeasure, if I were to leave for so many years… But I sense you have more to say? The ideas in your mind, they buzz so strongly I can almost hear them… speak, little Velvet. Be not afraid."
"Master… that body is… beneath you… May I please offer you… another?"
"Oh? Ahh… Ah, I understand. Yes… yes, I can see why you are doing this. Your morals, they still shackle you, yes? You wish for my aid in breaking them, correct? Good, little Velvet, good. I accept. I will leave this one behind…"
"Th-… thank you… Master."
"Come to me, Velvet Covers. You know where to look for me."



That conversation, that damned conversation, still echoes inside your mind. The fear that you felt, that you are still feeling, that she might catch on at any moment… it still crashes inside your head. Like a pulsing headache that aches in time with your beating heart, or perhaps like a hammer striking against the cracking anvil of your brain.

Still, she accepted your request. She accepted your request, and Shining Armor fell unconscious on the floor the moment she did.

But you could not do anything about him. You couldn't even sigh in relief at the fact that she believed you and that you were still alive. You didn't even have the time to find somepony to take care of Shining Armor.

Instead, you just ran away. You rushed to the nearest unused guest room, unlocking it with a tap of your hoof, and then you barricaded yourself inside of it so nopony could disturb you.

And then, you sheared off a lock of your mane, and forced yourself to sleep.

That is why you are here.

That is why you are in the Woods.

Because here, you know, is where you will find the Master.

Here, you know, is where she will find you. And here is where she will enter you and bind you and dig herself so deep into your brain that…

That…

You don't have time to think about it. Instead, you redouble your efforts. You force your legs to run faster and faster, until you somehow start to outpace your very thoughts.

After all, no matter what it takes, you have to get there before she decides to take you.

"Little little Velvet…"​

A voice, that voice, comes to you. It is so low that it might as well have been a thought. And yet, it is so clear that you think somepony just whispered into your ears.

A chill runs down your spine as you realize that, most likely, both ideas are true.

"Such haste… such hurry… Are you truly so eager to find me? Have you finally realized that those things you carry within you, your love and your fears and your memories, are nothing but weights upon your back? Have your yearnings to shed them away, so that you might climb higher, finally caught up to you?"​

The voice comes from everywhere, and yet it comes from nowhere at all. You swear you can hear it coming from the very trees. But no matter how hard you try, you simply can't tell what direction it is coming from.

You feel as if every word she speaks is, somehow, made by the rustling of dry leaves.

You feel as if every phrase she utters is, for some maddening reason, an impossible coincidence. As if a stray wind somehow rattled the right bush, and for a single moment your mind was tricked into thinking you just heard a pony cough out a syllable.

Except that it happens a thousand times. Again, and again, and again, to the point that those syllables connect into words which connect into phrases which connect into the mocking ideas that are buzzing their way into your head.

"But still, you remain so blind… Can you not see that you have already found me? Can you not see that, this whole time, I was all around you? Ah… a lesson, then. Better yet, a question. Have you found the answer already, little Velvet, to those questions I asked you so long ago? Tell me, little Velvet, do you know… what loyalty tastes like?"​

She is getting closer. Her patience is waning and... no, it is changing. Shifting into desire and then yearning and then the compulsion to take over your skin.

And still, you run. You run because you have no other choice. You run because you have no better choice.

Because no matter what happens, you must reach that place.

Of course, you cannot look up. Or rather, you know you will not see anything if you look up. After all, there is nothing but darkness all around you. And the black trees are so thick here, their leaves so greedy to drink the light of Glory, that you wouldn't be able to see the Mansus even if you tried to look up.

Still, you run.

Because you know you are getting closer.

You know… somehow you know that…

… that you are nearly there.

"No answer? Well, I thought that would be the case. Still, you are not to blame… not to blame… After all, you have never truly known loyalty, have you? Oh, I know you have not. Not to me, at least. You did not owe me, like Comet did. You were not fascinated by me, like Starry is. You did not yearn for my attention like Copper, and you never feared me like Jade… But that was why I knew you had it in you, little Velvet."​

You trip on a root, and you fall face first into the ground. Your mouth fills with the black dirt, and you have to struggle to get your leg free. You eventually do it, but the struggle that it is to get up only makes you realize that you are shaking.

You can't see anything. Even with your eyes closed, you can't see anything.

But still, you swear that the root around your leg grasped for you.

Of course, you know the Woods are strange. Especially when you are in a part that is as deep as this. You know that things around here can simply… move. And you know that it is no coincidence that, so far, you have not really crashed into any of the trees.

But that root? That was certainly… different.

That was certainly her.

You are almost there, you know.

But you might not make it in time.

You get up on your shaking legs and you continue to run.

"After all, ambition is oh so important to climb… None the matter. The second question, then… Little, little Velvet. Have you finally figure it out? Do you know… what I am?"​

You remember the first time she asked you that question. You remember like it was yesterday.

It was months ago. Almost a full year back. When you were still in the Cult, and when you had beseeched her for a lesson on Lantern.

You did not know the answer to that question back then.

But now…? As you follow this… feeling of yours?

As you madly rush to a place that… to the one place where you can do… something?

Your mind is too frantic to properly think. Your thoughts are too focused, or perhaps too confused, for you to put the pieces together.

However, even then, an understanding slowly begins to dawn on you…

But none of that matters. Not anymore, at least.

Because suddenly, something inside of you lurches, and you dig your hoofs on the ground as you screech into a hard stop.



Because this is the place and this is the time and all that is left to do is end this once and for all.



It is a sickening feeling. A painful wrench inside your guts. As if you had a compass, inside of you, that twisted into the wrong direction as you ran past the designated spot. A sharp compass, made of hooks and knives and fangs sunk into your flesh, that for some reason lived in the place between your stomach and your heart.

And it hurt you as it lurched. But the dry gasp that escaped your lips as it twisted your insides was drowned out by the buzzing words of your Master.

"You already know the answer, don't you? Or perhaps, you knew it all along? Perhaps you realized it the first time you visited me, but chose to forget? Just like you and your kind forget so many things, as you stroll alongside me?"​

No, it didn't just lurch. This thing inside of you didn't just stop, after it told you that you had reached this place. It did something… it is doing something much worse than that.

You can barely hear her words now. You know she is saying… something. But you can barely hear it.

Because the pain is… the pain is…!

The compass inside of you. That part of your soul that you tapped into in your panic. That ugly scar inside of you, that you begged to help you. It is not… it is not a compass.

It is not just a compass.

It is something so, so much worse…

And now that you are in the correct place, it is opening and it is expanding and it is slicing through more and more chunks of your innards as it assumes its true configuration.

Of course, there isn't really anything inside of you. It is not as if you are truly carrying a sharp thing of metal, a device of pain and daggers, within your guts. This is a dream, after all, and this is only how you feel. This is only how your brain, or perhaps the Mansus itself, chose to translate this sensation to you. However… you are also not stupid enough to think that nothing is happening.

After all, the device might be imaginary.

But its purpose is not.

You can barely keep your legs under you as it happens. Your Master's words are falling on deaf ears, but given the increasing strength of the wind you are sure she is saying something.

So, with the last strand of your sanity, you try to keep up appearances. Even if only for a moment longer. You stay where you are. You let the Master speak her words. And you force your mouth shut because the moment you stop forcing your teeth together you will scream and scream and scream and SCREAM AND SCREAM.

Because it hurts. It hurts SO MUCH.

The thing inside of you, the compass-that-is-not-a-compass continues to shred something inside of you. And for all that the exterior of your dream-body is completely intact, at least on the outside, you realize that you are now less of a pony than you were before.

Still, that infernal contraption that guided you here finally reveals its true function.

Because as it twists and turns, and as it assumes its final configuration, you realize that… it was not a compass. Not exactly.

This imaginary device… this ugly, cancerous part of your soul… its purpose was not to guide you to this place.

It was to guide something else towards you.

It was never a compass.

It is a beacon.

Still, all around you the Woods is a frenzy of activity. The Master, you know, is almost upon you. She cares not that you are frozen in place by agony. She can't even notice how you are a few seconds away from crumpling down in pain.

You can barely hear the roots, as they burst out of the ground to surround you and enter you and become you.

You can barely hear her words, as she finishes asking her final question.

"Tell me, little Velvet, do you know… what is about to happen?"​

Something inside of you flares.

And the voice that comes out of your mouth is not your own.

Still, in a painful flash of realization, you understand that you are answering all three of her questions. All at the same time.

Because with a blinding, searing jolt of agony, as if the thoughts were being branded into your brain, you understand it. You discover the taste of loyalty, and you understand the Master's true identity, and you realize what is about to happen next.

"Yes."​

And the flames crash down on you like a violent storm of-





- - -
- - -
- - -





It burns.

Everything is red.

It burns.

Everything is black.

It burns.

Everything hurts.

It burns.

It hurts so much you can't remember anything. It hurts so much you can't even think.

It burns.

It hurts so much that, perhaps, your thoughts, and your memories, and maybe your very soul are being burned away by the flames.

IT. BURNS.



The House of the Sun is a place that defies geometry. Even from the outside, it can look like tower, and a pyramid, and an entrancing maze of floating mesas. All at the same time.

Even when one is in the Woods, which grow beneath and around the Mansus, one can see different things when they look up.

At times, one can see the underside of a higher level. Those who reached the Blank Door will usually think they are gazing at the mesa that holds the Blank Plains. Those in the Know realize it might be something else.

At times, one can look up and see Glory. Because for all that there are several floors and levels between the Woods and that highest place, the uncovered light of Glory still shines upon all of the Woods indiscriminately.

But more importantly, there are certain places in the Woods that, maddeningly, allows one to see… other parts of the Mansus.

A forgotten lake, untouched by the black trees, where one can see the reflection of the Moon.

An old well, from which clever adepts can spot the crooked shape of the Ruined Church.

A battered crater, which somehow aligns precisely with a crater that lies right besides the Summit Gate.

The Woods yearn for all of those places, for they are all touched by Glory. So, for all that the Woods guards those places jealously, there are also places within its dark depths where one might look up and see those impossible sights.

And this…



This is one such place.



Because that part of your soul, the one that smells like dirty flames and desperation, brought you here for a reason. It guided you here because this is the closest spot.

So, you ran and ran and ran through the Woods, as your master mused and spoke to you, because…

Because you are right underneath that place.

You are right underneath the Shattered Stairways.

More precisely, you are right underneath it.

If you were to look up, you would see nothing but a floating mesa of Mansus-stone, flying high in the distant sky. Actually, if you were to look up, you would see nothing but the blocking leaves of dark trees. But still, for all that you ran to the dark depths of the Woods, the place you reached would look utterly unremarkable to any other adept.

It certainly looked unremarkable to her.

However, when you spoke…

When the thing inside of you reached out…

The underside of the Mansus, right above you… that faraway, distant ceiling of the Woods, which marked the ground of somewhere higher…

It cracked.

It cracked, and it broke, and it crumbled.

And that section of the Woods, that impossible spot, was right underneath Him. It was right underneath His resting place, as He impales Himself forever and ever and ever.

The ceiling of the Woods cracked. The floor of the Mansus gave way.

And an entire Era's worth of His filthy blood crashed down towards you. It hit you like a river of flame and filth. It washed over you like a torrent of tar and sulfur.

It fell, and it falls, and it will fall. Forever and ever and ever. Like a waterfall that never ends. Like a burning cascade that will never stop.

You did not survive its touch. And yet you remain, but only because He will not permit you to die.

However, the endless sea of trees around you. That deep, dark, ancient forest that existed since time immemorial, did not share His kinship like you did.

So, it became kindle to His flaming blood.​

Velvet Covers has gained a further stain upon her soul, and the world will suffer for it.

"A Stain Upon the Soul" has reached level three.

CAPUT GERAT LUPINUM. The Sun was Divided, and this is its Wound. Gain one scrap of EDGE and WINTER Lores.

The Mansus location "The Dry Well" has been destroyed.

The Mansus location "The Temple of the Wheel" has been destroyed.

The Mansus creatures "Percussipony!" have gone extinct.

The Heirloom "The First Drum of the Orchestra" has been destroyed.

The Mansus location "That old darkness" has been destroyed.

The Mansus creatures "Winged Shadow" have gone extinct.

The Heirloom "The Dappled Ashes" has been destroyed.

"The Will of the Woods", last Name and Heir of Moth, has been destroyed.


The Mansus location "The Woods" has been- THE WOOD IS DUST

Spoiler: Winning Vote

[X] Kill the Master

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You have lost something.

You do not know its name. You do not know its nature. You don't even know how it felt like, because not even a memory of it remains.

It is not as if you have a "hollow" feeling inside of you, now. It is not as if you have an empty space inside of you, which makes you realize that something was taken away. In fact, you don't even have it in you to care.

However…

However.

You lost something. Of that, you are absolutely certain.

Because it would be impossible to go through this experience, and not become less.



- - -



IT BURNS AND IT BURNS AND IT BURNS AND IT BURNS AND IT BURNS AND-



You were washed away. Once that cascade of filthy blood crashed down upon you, you were dragged away like a leaf in a waterfall. The sticky ichor, stale from an entire era of stagnation, clung to your fur like mud. The dreadful fuel, volatile like liquid hate, burned everything it touched in its torrential wake.

It scorched everything. Spreading in all directions like the bastard son of a wildfire and a tsunami. But worst of all, it consumed everything with a blistering hate that was almost alive. Because the burning ichor was outpaced by the flames, and the flames were outpaced by the fang-shaped rancor that somehow radiated from the dirty fires.

It burned the entirety of the Woods to the ground. It licked through everything, named or nameless, remembered or forgotten, new or old, without discrimination. It turned everything into bitter ash and sour dust.

It burned, and it burned, and it burned and it burned until nothing remained.

Nothing…

… except for you.



-IT BURNS AND IT BURNS AND IT BURNS AND IT BURNS AND-



You were dragged down by the burning blood. You were dragged down, and you were drowned, and you were crushed, and your lungs were filled with fangs and then fire and then ash. Your body was torn and shoved and flung in every direction.

And yet, you live.

Because that is the nature of your kinship. And if He is not allowed to die, then neither are you.

So, you live. You were not awarded the sweet taste of death. You were not even given a moment of unconsciousness. You were forced to live through it, and burn through it, and suffer through it.

And now… now you think you understand it a little better.

However, you can't help but realize that… now that you think about it, you can't help but notice that…

Well, you realize that you are thinking.

And that is strange because…

Because until now, there was nothing but pain. You could not think, you could not see, you couldn't even tell if time was passing. Until now, there was only agony. There was only pain, and the hate you felt towards the pain.

But now…? Now you are… you. You are once again yourself.



But you know better, now. You know it is not over. You know it will never truly be over. But your connection to that mode of existence has been… paused, for now.



Your thoughts are fragmented. It hurts to think, and every idea that comes to you has to step over blistering charcoal. However, you have no choice but to think, so you try to recollect your thoughts as quickly as possible.

The first thing that comes to mind is that you are now permitted to die, once more.

The second thing that comes to your mind is that… after what you have just been through, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea.

But then, a third thing comes to your mind, then a fourth, then a fifth, until you finally remember what just happened and where you are and what you just did.

And you also realize that you can't breathe. Everything is dark, and you can't breathe, and regardless of whether this is a dream or not you are suffocating.

You begin to struggle. Everything is dark, and you feel like you are being pressed down. Every movement elicits a pain from within, as your broken dream-body refuses to move properly, as well as from without, as the something that is all around you tries to keep you in its grip.

Still, you eventually manage to break free.

You go up. You go towards the light you can't see. And eventually, you break out of the grainy waterline like a drowning pony who just escaped the grasping waters. Your whole body hurts, everything is heavy, and you are heaving from exhaustion and effort.

But finally, finally, you can see once again.

You really mean it when you say you were drowning. Because as you look around, you can see that… that you just crawled out of a small mountain of ash. A mountain of dirty ash, and mournful dust, that clings to your fur like a needy son. You are literally covered by it, and every last inch of your dream-body is caked in soot.

It isn't just your coat that is covered… your lungs want to cough, and your eyes want to forcefully tear up, and the insides of your ears prickle, and your tongue tastes something sour, and…

And dear heavens… and all around you, everywhere you look as far as your eyes can see… everything is ashes.

Your breath immediately gets stuck in your throat. You don't have words to describe it. You don't know how you could possibly explain what you are feeling right now. Because… because as you look around you, you can see that…

The Woods are gone.

You remember how the Woods looked like. You remember how that sea of trees looked like, from the Crossroads, and how they felt like an endless and forbidding wall that surrounded the Mansus. The first true trial a pony would face during the Climb. The first taste an aspirant would truly have, of a place that was dominated by the Lores.

You also remember how the Woods looked like from above. You recall how that endless ocean of treetops, with their swaying leaves of grey, seemed to envy you, as you looked down at it. You remember how it felt vast, and endless, and old, and most of all alive, and how you felt that it yearned to trade places with you, so that it could climb towards Glory as well.

You remember how… how every, single, night, for… for the last several months, you would see the Woods every night, every time you dreamed, whenever you made your way towards the Mansus.

So, you can't help but feel a strange sense of vertigo, or perhaps wrongness, as you realize that it is gone.

And instead of the Woods, you are now surrounded by ash. You are surrounded by hills and mountains of ash. By valleys and paths that seem to resemble some twisted attempt at topography. Everywhere you look, you see nothing but the dusty remains of cremated trees. Everywhere you look, you see nothing but the mocking carcass of what was once the Woods.

You wish you could tell how far this place goes. You wish you could say that… that maybe the damage is contained, or maybe this only affected a part of the Woods, or maybe the fires are still raging somewhere, and there is still a chance for this to be stopped.

But unfortunately, you can't even tell that much. Because everywhere you look, your vision is eventually blocked by another mountain of ash. Some of them are as low as hills, and are relatively close. Other are as tall as mountains, and you think they might reach as high as the Mansus that floats above you.

However, the one thing you can tell for certain is that… well, that this is what ponykind will have to face from now on. This is what awaits every dream adept, instead of the Woods, if they wish to Climb. This gargantuan, twisting desert of ash, with its winding mountains and treacherous valleys.

And for some reason, although you have no idea why, you feel like this is somehow worse than the Woods. You have no idea why you are thinking this. To be honest, you are simply too exhausted, and your dream-body is too hurt, for you to properly understand why. Still, you can't help but feel this way.

Although, now that you think about it, you realize that…

…

You realize you can also feel something else.

…

No, you literally feel something. You are sure of it. This is not just some stray thought that came to your mind, this is not some trick that your tired brain is pulling on you. You can definitely feel something, and that sensation is coming from somewhere nearby.

And now that you think about it, you also realize you have no idea how to leave this place. You have no idea how to leave, and you have no idea how to Wake.

So, you decide to follow this strange sensation.

Hopefully, it will take you somewhere… better.

Although, you can't help but think that anywhere would be better than this place. So, on second thought, you just feel that this sensation will take you somewhere else.



- - -



It didn't take long for you to find it.

In fact, it only took you a few minutes. Or rather, given how time works differently here, you figure that it only took you a short while to get here.

You could have arrived here a little faster, if you really wanted to. However, you decided to take the longer way. You decided to walk around the hills, rather than climb them. And you did that for two reasons. One, because your legs are simply too tired for you to climb anything. And two… well, you don't really want to go anywhere that might give you a vantage point.

You don't really want to… confirm, with your own eyes, how far the fires truly reached.

After all, even though something inside of you tells you that the fires reached everything, and that the Woods are entirely gone, you don't… really… want to…

Well, you made your way around the hills, and you took the long way.

But again, you finally got here.

You feel a small wave of relief as you make your way around the last hill, and your eyes finally see something familiar.

In fact, you feel more than just relief. You actually feel a little glad. Because you aren't just looking at a familiar thing, you also realize that you are looking at a familiar pony.

Because the thing that you felt, that pulsing sensation that swept over you like a patient lighthouse, was nopony other than Baldomare herself.

And not just that, the Name-mare is completely untouched by the filthy ashes because she is sitting upon Mansus-stone. Baldomare, you realize, is sitting on the steps of the first staircase. She is sitting on that impossibly tall set of stairs that would take a pony from the Woods towards the Mansus.

She is, quite literally, waiting at the end of the first trial an adept would ever face.

And of course, she seems entirely unsurprised as she turns her face to look at you.

Several things come to your mind at the same time. After all, you can't help but realize this is the first time you are actually looking at Baldomare in the Mansus. That is, looking at her without the mind-dulling fog of the Blank Plains covering your senses. And you feel your mind freezing for a moment as you realize how bright she is, and how transparent your thoughts are to her.

You also realize that her expression is not judgmental, but that you can't feel any warmth from her either. Because she looked at you, just now, and apparently she saw everything she needed to see. After that, she does not give you any more attention than she is giving to the surrounding scenery.

And realizing that doesn't make you feel good. But it also doesn't make you feel bad either. It is not that she resents you, or that she is judging you. She just doesn't care. She already understands everything so there is no need for her to pay attention to you anymore.

She doesn't hate you, you know that for sure. She doesn't hate you, even though she knows far more than you do, and even though she can see everything around you with a clarity that you will never be able to understand. Despite all that, she still doesn't hate you.

And yet, she doesn't love you either.

Which does make you feel a little… lonely. Because you felt relieved when you saw her familiar face. But now, well, you don't feel as relieved as you felt before.

Still, you have nowhere else to go but towards her. Because you don't want to wander in this miserable desert of ash anymore. And you know how to Wake from the Blank Plains.

So, you make your way towards Baldomare, and the stairs.

And you practically collapse in front of her, just as you were about to reach the steps of Mansus-stone.

Your legs are too heavy, and you are too hurt and tired to continue. So, you fall down on the filthy ash, a few steps away from Baldomare. Heaving as you try to catch your breath.

After a few moments, you feel her gaze fall upon you once more. And you swear you can hear the sound of glass, or perhaps of horseshoes made out of glass, as she climbs down a few more steps towards you.

Still, she doesn't do anything else. She certainly doesn't move to touch you, or perhaps pick you up. And you don't really blame her for that.

Because you know that you are filthy. You know that the ashes that cover you are more than just dirty. And despite your exhaustion, you can understand why she doesn't try to get any closer to you than she already is.

However, she does reach out to you in… another way.

After all, she is a Name of Lantern, a pony made out of light and knowledge. So, even though she refuses to touch your body, you can still feel the consoling hoof she is placing on your shoulder when she reaches out to you with her voice.



"I always hated the Woods."



That is the first thing she tells you. Those are the first words that reach you. And her tone is so clear that it doesn't even hurt to understand her words.

In fact, there is something about her words that… you can't really explain it, but nothing about her words hurt.

Because everything else hurts. Everything else hurts so much that you almost couldn't notice it anymore. Moving hurts. Looking around you hurts. Thinking hurts.

But Baldomare's words, for some reason, don't hurt at all. As if your mind was a fragmented cluster of islands, but her words were forming bridges between them. As if your thoughts were the sharp remains of a shattered window, and her words were like glue that was patiently putting them back together.

Oh… oh heavens… it's not just that. Because now that you found something that doesn't hurt, now that you found this tiny oasis of sanity in the shape of her words… now you can see how truly broken you are.

You know none of this is real. You know this is just a dream, and that the thing you are looking at is just your dream body.

However… well, you are not doing well. Your dream-body, or perhaps your mind, or perhaps your soul… This vessel that you inhabit while in the Mansus is… definitely not well.

It is a small miracle that you managed to drag yourself here, you think.

Or maybe, you never really had a choice.

Still, there you can't get up anymore. Not yet. Not in this state. So, there is nothing you can do but wait as… well, as Baldomare shares her thoughts with you.

You can do nothing but wait, and hope, that her thoughts are enough to mend the damage you can now see.



"I always hated the Woods, and I think it was mutual. But it only makes sense, I suppose. I wanted to understand everything, and the Woods… well, its nature was to understand nothing at all, wasn't it?"



You stink. Your sense of smell returns to you, or perhaps if repaired, and you finally realize how much you stink.

It's the ash, you know. It's all this dust that infiltrated you all the way to the depths of your lungs. It stinks of sulfur, and of rot, and of the cremated bodies of all the things that once inhabited the Woods.

It stinks, and it is covering you from tail to snout.

And you hate it.



"However, for all that I hated the Woods, I never really resented it. After all, as the old saying went, in the forests of the first continent, our ancestors cursed themselves with their own god… Tell me, Velvet, do you know what that means? Or rather, do you know what that meant?"



Something inside of you snaps back into place, and you realize you can move your neck once again.

No, that's not exactly it. You could move before, and you certainly moved when you… made your way here. However, something just happened, and you can now move your neck in a way that isn't wrong.

So, despite your body's protests, you slowly move your face towards Baldomare, so you can at least face her as she speaks.

After all, she just asked you a question. You wouldn't be able to answer it even if you tried, of course. But still…

Well, you don't want to stay face-down, looking at all this dirty ash.



"You don't? Well, I am not surprised. It's a bit of an old saying, I suppose. And the meaning behind it is… well, I suppose it's a bit like being able to speak Vak nowadays. But I think I can explain it to you. So let me see… Ah, I know. Velvet, do you happen to know what an appendix is?"



Something else snaps inside of you, close to your stomach, but this time it is met by a sharp stab of resistance. And you don't feel like you regained anything that you lost. So, you stay where you are.

Although you try to at least tilt your head. To show her that you don't understand what she is asking, if nothing else.

Because an appendix… isn't that… isn't that a part of a book? You remember that word, from when you were… back in college, maybe?

It feels like a lifetime ago.

Still, maybe she can see it in your expression, or maybe she caught it from your fragmented thoughts. But you watch as Baldomare shakes her head in response.



"No, no, that's not it. Well, I figured you wouldn't know. You see, there are some animals… mostly omnivores, who veered too much into a diet of flesh and forgot how to eat certain plants. But still, some of those animals have this organ called an appendix. It is a… shriveled and useless cecum. An organ that is as good as a memory, or a dusty heirloom, that they still carry within them nonetheless."



To your surprise, you watch as Baldomare chuckles. As if she had just remembered a joke of sorts.

And her words, together with all her implications, cause a few more connections to form in your head. You think you can understand what she is saying a bit better.

But that only makes the biting responses, that come from the corners of your mind, more painful.



"It sounds funny, doesn't it? That a creature can have an organ that serves no purpose? Well, I've known a few ponies with brains that could be described that way. But still, that is not what I want to say."



She says that, and then she looks around her.

However, to your surprise, she doesn't have a neutral expression, as she gazes upon the endless fields of ash. She doesn't have a neutral expression, and she doesn't look disgusted either. Instead, her expression is almost nostalgic.

As if she could see something that you no longer can, all around you. As if the memories she has of the now-gone Woods are, somehow, even stronger than your own.

Well, it would be folly for you to say otherwise. After all, she has already explored more of the Mansus than you ever will, and has already reached higher than you ever could. So, for all that she said she hated the Woods… well, you have already learned that rivalry can also give way to companionship.



"So, to put it simply, that is what the Woods are, Velvet… well, actually, it is more accurate to say that is what the Woods were. Because long, long ago, they served an important function. Long ago, they were the bounds around the Mansus. That strange, not-place between the Wake and the house of the Sun. After all, back then, you could see the Mansus in the distant horizon, even while awake. And back then, the Woods could be reached by hoof as much as they could be braved in dreams."



Another snap, another jolt, and you feel that your front legs won't crumble into dust if you try to move them again.

So, you try to sit up. You try to raise yourself towards a posture that is less pathetic.

Even if only so you can look at Baldomare's expression better.

Because her expression is not neutral.

But it is also no longer nostalgic.



"But the Woods were more than just that, Velvet. They were more than just some distant boundary… Before that time, before even my time… the Woods were real. They were the forests of the first continent, when our kind was little more than animals. They were made of vibrant colors, under a glorious sun. And they became this dark, forbidding and shadowy place… when we made them that way."



You finally manage to sit up, somewhat. You finally manage to look at Baldomare with eyes that are less fogged and dull with pain.

And as you finally manage to piece together what she just told you, your expression is nothing but confused.



"In the forests of the first continent, our ancestors cursed themselves with their own god. But what is a god, Velvet? All Hours are gods, but not all gods are Hours. And a god, in truth, is a way to explain the world. A god, Velvet, is the name that we give to the things we don't understand, so that they might make sense. Something to explain why the rain falls, or why the harvest grows, or why thunder crashes during a storm."



She says that, Baldomare says those words, and as you think of the saying she mentioned… something inside of you clicks.

Something inside of you clicks, and you think you understand what she is telling you.



"When we lived in the Woods as simple, primitive denizens, the Woods were bright and welcoming because we did not fear it. We did not understand enough to fear it. But when we cursed ourselves with our own gods… when we started trying to understand things. That is when we stepped up from mere sentience to true sapience. And that is also when the Woods changed. Because the world belongs to Ponykind, Velvet. Never doubt that. So, when we… when stopped embracing the unknown, and finally began to fear it, that is when the unknown world stopped being bright and welcoming, and when it became dark and foreboding. That… was when the Woods became as we knew it."



Her words, you can tell, are sewing back together the torn patchwork that is your mind. And given her nature, Baldomare can't help but make you understand what she means, as she touches you with her mind.

So, you understand what she means. You understand the meaning behind her words.

Because from what she just told you, the Woods… well, the Woods were always there. But in that distant, faraway Era that preceded even hers, the Woods were different. The Woods were different because ponies were different. And the world was as simple and as welcoming as your kind thought it was.

However, when ponies finally understood enough to… to understand the very concept of the unknown, then the Woods changed. The unknown world around them became a threat. The shadows of the night became the potential lair of predators, and the things that ponies did not understand became a cause for fear rather than astonished wonder.

So, when ponies finally learned to be afraid of the dark, the Woods came to embody exactly that. And everything that was unknown, everything that did not yet have a name or a form, became a denizen of the Woods.

And that is why… the nature of the Woods, and the nature of Moth, is to understand nothing. Because once something is understood, once something is known and named, it steps out of the unknown. Once something becomes known, it steps out of the Woods.



"So, like I said, I never really resented the Woods. Because even though I hated it, it was still a part of us. It was a part of our world. Of our very history as a species. Because when Ponykind became afraid of the dark, that wasn't something that crippled our ancestors. In fact, the opposite happened. Our fear of the dark was what gave us the drive to fight against it. It motivated ponies to name things so we could understand them. It inspired us to master the flames, and everything that came after. It is written in the very Lores, Velvet. The unknown of Moth is tamed by the knowledge of Lantern. The light of Lantern inspires us towards the creations of Forge. Ignorance, which becomes knowledge, which becomes innovation. And so on."



Baldomare says that, and you think that… you think you finally understand.

You think you understand where she is going. You think you understand what the purpose of the Woods is… or what it was.

And for a moment, you are filled with revulsion over what you did. Well, right now your mind is filled with negative things, but for a moment the feeling of revulsion comes to the fore.

However, you can't help but remember something else Baldomare said. Because despite everything she just told you, she also mentioned that the Woods were like… an old organ. Something that was still there, but that was no longer needed.

Although, for all that you think you just remembered that, maybe it was Baldomare who guided your thoughts there. The same way she is now closing the last few gaping holes in your mind, or perhaps in your soul.

And maybe as if to confirm your suspicions, the Name-mare gives you a small nod before she says her next words.



"So, you must be wondering… what did we lose today? How will this impact the world? Well… I don't think this will impact the Wake at all, Velvet. This place… it was an appendix. An old and shriveled thing that we, as a species, outgrew Eras ago. Something we had little need for, even in my time. In fact, I think the only thing that will change is that, from now on, no foal will ever be afraid of the dark again."



You hear that, and you feel a sigh of relief forming inside your parched, dust coated throat.

However, before you can express any kind of comfort towards her words, Baldomare raises a hoof to stop you.

And whatever expression she had on her face once again turns neutral.

Because, as she finishes fixing the harm you did to yourself, you are suddenly reminded of something else about Baldomare.

So, for all that good Baldomare was considerate towards you, and for all that she told you the things she knew you needed to hear… You also understand that she is bound to tell you everything else.

Because Baldomare is, above all else, a creature made out of knowledge.

And knowledge is never kind.



"Or that is what I would say, if the Woods had turned into dust all by themselves thanks to nothing but the passage of time. But that's not what happened, was it? Of course it wasn't. After all… you brought the Wolf into this."



She says that, and you begin to hear something.

You begin to hear something, coming from somewhere behind you.

There is something coming your way. Something that you wouldn't be able to see even if you were to turn around and look for it.

Something that is leaving pawprints on the dirty ash, as it stalks and then treks and then rushes towards you.



"So, one final question for you, Velvet. One that I think you already know the answer to, but that I won't tell you just in case. Ever since we became a civilization, we had a spark inside of us. A will to create, and invent, and grow, which was motivated by our fear of the dark. We mastered the light of progress, so to speak, to fight the darkness of the Woods. Don't worry, Velvet, your actions today did not snuff out that light. But… if the light of Ponykind is no longer pushing back against the darkness of the Woods… then what fear exactly will the light of progress be fighting against? What sort of fear will fill the mind of our scientists? What nightmares will curse our inventors, to shake them out of their beds and towards their workshops?"



It is getting closer.

You want to move. You need to move. But your legs might as well be made of lead right now, and now that Baldomare let go of your bruised mind, your very thoughts feel sluggish.

And it is getting closer.

You want to speak up. To scream. To ask or beg for her help, even though you know she will not do anything. Because even if you were able to lift a single foreleg right now, you know she would never touch your filthy, ash-covered hoof to pull you towards safety.

Perhaps, because she knows you are not truly in danger.

Even though you both know it will hurt anyways.



"Well, it won't be the gentle darkness that will spur us onwards. Not anymore. But… what do you think will take its place? And why do you think that, whatever it is, it will have oh so many teeth?"



You make one final, desperate effort to move towards the safety of the Mansus-stone. But the only thing your exhausted body manages to do is trip forward, falling face-first into the bitter ash.

And the last thing you see is the answer to Baldomare's question as it jumps towards you wi-



- - -



You are drowning.

That is the first thing you realize. You are drowning. You are literally drowning in cold water, and there is a pair of hoofs holding you by the shoulders, keeping your body under the waterline.

You are not entirely sure of what happens next. For a moment, your horn is flaring up, you are screaming and kicking, and after a few moments you heave yourself out of the water.

Your thoughts are all over the places. Because even though none of it was real, the memories of everything that just happened are still fresh in your mind. With all the pain and the bitterness and the agonyandthefilthandtheashand-



"Mrs. Velvet! It's alright! Everything is alright, so please calm down!"



But suddenly, all those thoughts come to a halt, and you feel a familiar pair of forelegs surrounding you. For a fraction of a moment, you think you are being attacked. But only until another part of your mind, one that holds a greater sway over you, takes over and tells you that you know this feeling.

You are being hugged. You are being hugged by a pony that you love.

And slowly, terribly slowly, everything begins to fall back into place.

The first thing that comes back to your is your sense of touch. Because if that hug was the first thing you noticed, then the things around that hug came next. So, you realize that you are heaving in panic, but only because those forelegs are wrapped around your chest. Then, you realize you are shaking and crying, but only because her face is pressed against yours.

And then you realize that… that you are cold, and that you are wet, and that you are tired…

But you also realize that you are not in pain.



"Shh, shh, that's it, Mrs. Velvet, everything is alright… I promise…"



Yes, you are not in pain… You can see more than just red and black, and you are not covered in viscous fire, and you are not in the aftermath of something you will regret for the rest of your life.

None of that matters right now.

All that matters is that you are here, and that she is here with you.

"S-soft…?" you say, your words coming out in a wet croak. But you can't say anything else, because soon after your sobs catch up to you, and your lungs seize as even more tears begin to fall from your eyes.

"Yes, I'm here, you're fine, everything is fine," she says.

You are too confused to even register that her voice is actually relieved. You are too dazed to even notice that she sounds scared, and that she clearly had no idea of what she was doing until now. But that she is thankful that it worked, nonetheless.

You are too… your thoughts are… your mind is still reeling too much for you to think about any of that. So, instead, you just raise your shaking forelegs and hug her back.

It takes you a few moments, maybe even a full minute, to realize that your hoofs are… covered in wet ash. It takes you even longer to realize that you are, well, inside the bathroom of the guest room where you barricaded yourself, and that the bathtub right next to you is half-full of steaming water, and covered in ashes.

And it takes you even longer for you to calm down, and for Soft Sweeps to finally tell you that… well, she doesn't tell you why she came here, or how she found you. But she tells you that she found you covered in steaming ash, and that it was all she could do to try and help you. Neither of you got hurt or burned, somehow, but she still tells you that the water turned into steam the moment it touched you, and that you evaporated more than half of the cold bathtub before you finally began to show signs of conscience.

…

In the end, you decide not to dwell on it.

You are safe, now. Your daughter helped you, or maybe even saved you. And for all that neither of you understand exactly what just happened, you are both glad that you are safe.

And given everything that just happened, you think that is the best you could possibly ask for.

So, you go back to her room, the two of you spend hours washing away the burning smell from your body, and you get ready just in time for the morning of the coming wedding.

And in the end, after you are over the shock, you realize that… that nopony noticed anything at all. Your husband did not suspect anything, no guards noticed your movements, and even Rarity couldn't smell a single whiff of burning ash about you.

The only ponies who will ever know what happened will be you and one of your daughters.

The rest of Ponykind will only ever be able to… suspect.

But that is a price you are willing to pay.

And more importantly, right now you have a friend to marry.





A Royal Wedding, filled with Love and untainted by any evil, to follow.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You breathe in…

And you breathe out…

You breathe in…



"Sweetheart is everything alr-?"



You quickly raise a hoof, stopping Stormchaser mid-sentence.

Thankfully, your dear husband complies. And your ears pick up the vague sounds of him doing… something else, behind you. You are not sure what, but it doesn't really matter right now.

The only thing that matters is that you keep looking into your own eyes, as you face the mirror. Until finally…

You breathe out once again.

You are Velvet Covers, and right now you are doing several things at the same time.

It might not look like that to your husband, of course. After all, as far as he can tell you are just sitting on the cushioned chair, staring intently at the large mirror you have in the castle guest room you two have been occupying.

In fact, to anypony in the Wake, it might as well look like you are just wasting your time. After all, you have a thousand things to do today, and staring at your reflection is definitely not one of them.

However, none of that could be further from the truth. Because inside your mind, you are doing several things. All of them important. Nay, all of them crucial to the hours to come.

Because although almost everypony in the Royal Castle just woke up from a peaceful night of sleep, your night was… a little more eventful than usual.

But you don't want to think about it right now. You can't think about it right now. In fact, that's the whole point. That is one of the things you are working on right now.

You are working on forgetting what needs to be forgotten.

You are working on calming down what needs to be calmed.

You are working on accepting that what is done is done.

And slowly… achingly slowly… you are working on stoking an entirely different flame inside of you.



"Today is the day…"



You start whispering to yourself. You start whispering those words to yourself over and over. As you shift the gears inside your head towards what really matters right now.

"Today is the day…"

"Today is the day…"

"Today. Is. The. Day…"

You say those words, again and again. A mumble that turns into a whisper that turns into a mantra that turns into a prayer. You keep saying those words, and like a self-fulfilling prophecy you can almost feel your energy returning to you.



"Sweetheart? Did you… did you just say something?"



You hear Stormchaser say that, from somewhere behind you. But almost at the same time your other senses return to you.

You can sense your husband behind you. And like an expanding web, you slowly begin to sense everypony else.

You feel your daughters clashing against each other, as Soft Sweeps struggles to make three excited fillies wear their dresses.

You smell the scent of a hundred ponies, be they servants or guards or the countless hoofs involved in the coming event, coming and going in all directions. A crescendo of activity that feels like the beginning of an orchestra's presentation.

All of those things, and so much more, come to you in growing waves. Until every other thought you had in your head is pushed away, giving place to the once in a lifetime event that is about to take place.

"Today is the day…!" you say once again. No, you practically hiss those words.

The fur on your coat stands up.



"Sweet… sweetheart? I-is everything alright?!"



You hear your dear Stormchaser's words coming from behind you.

You can tell from his voice that he is looking at you.

You can tell that he is afraid.

Good.

Because he is not speaking to Velvet Covers anymore.

Instead, he stands before the Mare of Honor of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!

And you answer him with the battlecry that had been building up inside of you this entire time.

"TODAY IS THE DAY A PRINCESS GETS MARRIED!" ​

Stormchaser falls to the ground, stunned.

No, it's not just him. Everypony falls to the ground. Every last pony in the Royal Castle feels that something just happened, even though almost none of them heard your voice.

Still, the effect is instant. As if the maestro had just stepped onto the podium, or as if a whip had just lashed the collective backs of everypony involved, the entire Royal Castle is suddenly abuzz with frenzied activity. You can feel it.

They all felt it. They all know that something just stirred. And that if even a single thing goes wrong from now until the end of the day, they will rue the day that they ever failed the Princess' Mare of Honor.

"RARITY!" you yell towards the door, marching past your still-disoriented husband. And even though the unicorn's guest room was several doors away from your own, you can hear the sound of Rarity galloping towards you moments later. Your door being swung open a few seconds after that.

"Yes, my Lady?!" Rarity says, as she all but bursts through your door. Her expression as fiery and determined as your own.

"Attend me at once! We must begin checking on the preparations immediately, and I will not have anypony else prepare my mane!" you say, to which the mare immediately complies.

And moments later, the two of you are preparing for the greatest day of your lives.

Completely ignoring your poor Stormchaser, who only shakes off his confusion after the two of you are gone.

And when he realizes he is still alone in your guest room, still halfway through putting on his suit, he can only shake his head as he gets ready to… find out wherever you are.

"Mares…" he whispers to himself, as his mind finally stops spinning after… whatever the Tartarus his wife just did to him. To him, and probably to the rest of Canterlot, knowing how she is.

Still, he also couldn't help but share in the excitement, as it begins to dawn on him exactly what was about to happen.



- - -



Hours pass. Morning turns into afternoon, and the sun begins its slow descent towards the west after reaching its zenith.

Throughout that entire time, you make sure everything runs smoothly. But eventually, and inevitably, there is nothing left to do but allow all the pieces to fall into place. At some point, Rarity takes her leave to go to Cadance's apartment, to help the Princess garb herself in her magnum opus. And there is nothing left for you to do but hound the venue itself, searching for flaws or problems that simply do not exist.

That is, until the gates are open, the crowds of visitors are let in, and your husband finds you.

After that, there is nothing you can do but wait. There is nothing anypony can do but wait.



And finally, the hour arrives.



You are currently in the largest park of Canterlot. A great stretch of green and colorful trees, with marble walkways and silvery fountains, located in the central district of the capital. Cadance had considered holding the ceremony in the Royal Castle, but very quickly decided that she would rather have something more public, and in a place where more ponies could be present.

Of course, that doesn't mean the park is any less presentable that the Royal Castle itself. You, and everypony involved, made sure of that. And you can see the fruit of those efforts all around you. The fountains are polished to a mirror sheen, the bridges that arch over the meltwater rivers have all been renovated, and thanks to the wonders of weather control all the plants are literally in a full spring bloom.

It's strange to think that just one week ago this park was undergoing a localized winter. But after you witnessed a full row of flowers bloom right before your eyes, just a few minutes ago, you can confidently say that the pegasi knew exactly what they were doing.

Still, although the ceremony itself will "officially" take place within the park, that doesn't mean the celebration will be contained within its grassy limits.

After all, another decision Cadance made early on was that she wanted no barriers around the park. No cordons, no walls, nothing. Of course, you eventually convinced her that some degree of safety would be required, otherwise the invitation list she worked so hard on would become obsolete. But still, even after she agreed to a… "perimeter" of Royal Guards, she still made it very clear that she wanted the ceremony to be as visible and public as possible.

The logical part of you thought it was because she wanted to uplift the spirits of ponykind as much as possible, and making a show like that would certainly help. But whenever you looked into her eyes, you couldn't shake the feeling that… well, that she just wanted as many ponies to be able to hear her when she finally yelled how much she loves Shining Armor.

You have already learned that Cadance is just like that, sometimes.

Regardless, the time has come, everything is in place, the large crowd of guests is seated on rows upon rows of polished benches, and the ceremony is about to begin.

You can't help but feel a chill run through your spine, as you count down the second. Because what if something goes wrong? What if, somehow, everything you all worked so hard on turns out not to be enough?

What if today just isn't special enough?

After all, so many things didn't go as planned… Twilight Sparkle never appeared, despite having received an invitation. Princess Celestia, also, was meant to be the one officiating the ceremony, but she never even answered, and Fair Trial is standing in her place at the altar. More than that, you could make a very, very long list of all the little compromises and alterations that needed to be made, as the event took shape. All the small "can't"s and "won't"s that built up as the days went by.

What if a group of disgruntled nobles, be they guests or not, try to make a scene? What if something worse happens?

You feel a chill run through your spine, as all those thoughts rush into your head at once.

But before you can address any of them-

!!!


!!!


!!!

​

-the great clock tower of the distant Royal Castle strikes three in the afternoon, with the orchestra picking up right after.

And as Cadance steps hoof on the marble walkway that leads to the altar, all your concerns immediately vanish.



- - -



You always thought a marriage was just a ceremony.

You always thought that, when it really came down to it, a marriage was just a sequence of events. Pony walks towards the altar, ponies say a few words, ponies kiss, and that's it.

That's how your marriage felt like, at least. And that is also how every marriage you ever read about felt like. Well, they felt like that, and they also felt like a reason to have a party.

But today, you finally realize how wrong you were. Or maybe how right you were, when it comes to every other marriage.

Because… because what happened today, it didn't feel like "a" marriage.

What you just saw, what you just witnessed, felt like "the" marriage.

You feel like every other marriage, in the history of ponykind, was a rehearsal for this. As if every groom and bride that ever existed in pony history were just practicing, or perhaps serving as test subjects, for what happened today.

You also feel like every marriage that will happen in the future will try to imitate what happened today.

And yet, for some maddening, unexplainable reason, that doesn't feel like a bad thing.

Because it is impossible to look at what happened today and feel anything but pride and inspiration. As if ponykind had just been introduced to the sun, so now they know how light is meant to look like. As if you had just witnessed something perfect, so now you know what path you should take towards it.



And that was all thanks to Cadance herself.



It was all thanks to Cadance. It was all her, and nothing else. Not the venue, or the park, or the flowers… it wasn't the smiling crowd, or the beautiful music of the orchestra, or anything else you could point to. Because although all the preparations that were made helped the ceremony be excellent, it wasn't any of those things that turned it into the perfect event.

Oh, no. What made today perfect was Cadance herself.

She almost seemed to glow, as she made her way through the marble path. In fact, you could swear that she was glowing, every now and then. And everything about her dress, from the long and translucent pink-and-gold skirt that covered her tail, to the crystal laurels she had upon her head, seemed to amplify that effect.

You could almost feel something radiating from her. Not an oppressive presence that would weigh you down into bowing, but instead a soothing presence that filled your heart with joy and love. As if Cadance herself was a cup that was overflowing, and everypony around her was being bathed with what she was feeling inside of her.

To the point that you only realized you were crying when you let out a wet chuckle, when the ringbearers made their way towards the altar.

Of course, the trio of ringbearers were chosen exclusively because Cadance insisted on there being one for each pony race. And since choosing fillies from one or another noble family could have caused political problems, Cadance made the hard decision of choosing those three fillies based on her own arbitrary criteria.

The fact that the three ringbearers ended up being your two earth-pony and pegasus daughters, and the unicorn younger sister of your best friend, is entirely coincidental.

Still, vows were exchanged, despite the how the groom stayed silent for several seconds until he realized he was supposed to speak. And then rings were placed onto horns.

And finally-



"By the powers vested in me, and before all of Equestria, I now declare you husband and wife."



-the soft overflowing joy coming from Cadance turned into a deluge when Fair Trial finally declared them wedded.

And you were honestly surprised at how much restraint the Princess showed, when she only gave Shining Armor what must have been the deepest kiss you have ever seen in your life.



- - -



"Are you sure mom's gonna be fine?" Silky asks. Although thankfully, her tone is more curious than worried.

Because sure, she just saw you bawling your eyes out a few minutes ago. But nopony would be able to miss that you were also laughing. And heavens, you definitely aren't the only pony that is still holding a tissue right now.

"She will, I promise. Now get a move on, Silky, otherwise the dessert table might get cleaned up!" Soft Sweeps says.

And her words seems to have the desired effect, because moments later your daughter's eyes go wide open, and she is galloping walking as fast as she can towards the lavishly stocked food tables. Dragging Selene by the hoof without even thinking about it.

Of course, the ceremony ended just a few minutes ago, and the celebratory part of the afternoon just started, so you know Soft's suggestion was just a way to make the fillies go away.

Still, you appreciate her giving you a little more room to breathe.

Because, well… you are still a bit emotional.

"Still, are you really alright, Mrs. Velvet?" Soft asks, turning to you right after.

And you answer her with a weak, teary-eyed nod.

"I'm fine, Softy. But thank you though," you say, wiping a few more tears from your face.

Because by Equestria, everything around you is making you emotional, no matter where you look. The sight of your two younger daughters in their pure-white ringbearer dresses, laced with ribbons of gold and green. The gorgeous figure of Softy, who you just realized you had never seen in a dress that wasn't a maid uniform. The smiling crowd all around you, cheerful and bright and actually pleasant despite almost every one of them being nobles.

Heavens, even the music is making you tear up a bit. The fact that every now and then a salvo of fireworks, from the celebrations in the surrounding city, drown out the sound for a few seconds isn't even diminishing from that.

"It's just that… it's just that I'm so happy, Soft. It feels like everything worked," you say, to which the young mare answers with an agreeing nod. "More than that. It feels like everything turned out better than expected and… I'm sorry, I'm just rambling."

"Oh, no, it's alright Mrs. Velvet! I… I definitely agree. Looking at the Princess during the ceremony definitely made me feel…"

She trails off, but you are too busy blinking your tears away to look at her expression.

Still, you understand what she means.

"Well, I don't think the crowd around Cadance will disperse anytime soon," you say, looking towards the altar where… well, where Cadance, Shining, and Fair Trial are still completely surrounded by a small legion of guests. All of them eager to speak to the newlyweds, for obvious reasons. "And the celebrations will certainly go well into the night… Say, did you see where Stormy went, Soft?"

You say that as you look around, searching for your missing husband. He left your side as soon as the ceremony was over. But the sudden cheers (and your own "bawling your eyes out" predicament) did not allow you to hear where he said he was going.

"I'm don't know, Mrs. Velvet. But I'm sure we will find him eventually."

You float the tissue away, tucking it in the one small pocket you have on your dress. After that, you take another deep breath, and you look around as you decide where you should go next.

Because the crowd of guests is slowly but surely spreading out into something that resembles a party, but things are not so organized yet. So, everywhere you look you can see a mixed group of ponies, all of them looking around for somepony they know or are hoping to find. You spot Rarity a few groups away, already surrounded by a growing crowd of hanger-ons. And as if it wasn't hard enough to move already, you spot a small army of waiters filing towards the guests and weaving through the confusion, floating or carrying drinks as they usher in the first wave of alcohol that will certainly drown the coming party.

Seeing all of that, a small part of you considers just waiting where you are until Stormchaser returns.

That is, until you sense somepony purposefully making his way straight towards you.

Your teary-eyed expression immediately becomes concerned, and Soft Sweeps notices the change in your behavior immediately.

"Is… did something happen, Mrs. Velvet?" she asks.

But instead of answering her question, you get up from your seat and turn towards the approaching figure. Pivoting just in time to see a perfectly normal stallion, dressed as a waiter, making his way towards you.

Although, you immediately recognize that stallion. And you immediately understand why he is coming towards you so intently.

"Excuse me, ma'am? The Mare of Honor is needed in the kitchen, to sort out a small issue with one of our cooks," he says.

You let out a small sigh, nodding at the stallion and gesturing him to wait for a moment.

"Softy, would you please go check on the fillies? This shouldn't take long," you say.

She answers you with a nod, going away in the direction the fillies went without a second thought.

Leaving you alone with the waiter.

Or rather…

Leaving you alone with one of your Lunar Bureau agent, who just told you the code for "trouble that requires your attention".

"Well then," you say, gesturing him to lead the way, "which of our cooks is having issues?"

Of course, the stallion doesn't answer. Instead, he guides you through the crowd towards the edge of the park. And you silently follow him as he goes.

The ceremony itself took place near the center of the park. With the altar, surrounded by the rich benches for the guests, being built just for the occasion. Near and around the benches are the tables, where the guests will be able to dine more properly as the celebrations advance into the night. Everything around you wouldn't be out of place in a ballroom, or in a noble party that was being hosted in a garden. And given how this is a Princess' wedding, you don't think anypony will mind that they aren't anywhere near a mansion or a proper building.

However, the fact remains that events like this need a place for the staff to work. So, you follow your agent towards one of the several tents that were raised around the venue, where the items and horsepower needed to cater for hundreds of nobles and a Princess could be properly stored and managed.

"It's not anything big, ma'am. Just an… unexpected situation involving a guest."

"Well, what kind of guest?"

​

[CHOOSE ONE OPTION]


[] A troublesome guest

Spoiler: A troublesome guest

You follow your agent towards one of the tents that was set aside for "security personnel". One of the stakeouts from which your agents are able to monitor the event, and help the more overt Royal Guard keep everything safe.

And as soon as you enter, you are greeted by a small group of your agents. No, not a group. You are greeted by a squadron of your agents.

More importantly, you immediately realize they have been in an… altercation of sorts. The suit that some of them are wearing, to remain undercover, is scuffled here and there. One of them has a bloody lip.

And the reason why they are roughed up is currently tied and cuffed in the middle of the tent.

"Report," you say, and the leader of the squadron immediately begins to explain what happened.



"Would you like a cup of water, Fair Trial?"

"I… water? No, no, I... I just need a moment to think."

"That is alright. Take as much time as you need. I completely understand that this is a shock."

"…"

"…"

"… did… Commissioner Velvet, are you sure that… are you sure they were planning to do… that?"

"Yes… I am really sorry to say that, Fair Trial, but that really was their plan. Don't worry, we caught all their accomplices, and I will have two of my ponies following you for the rest of the night. That is, unless you prefer we relocate you immediately."

"No, no, no need for that. I just… By Celestia, I never thought somepony would try to… to assassinate me. And… Dear sun, Velvet, what do I do?"

"Well… if you really want to stay for the rest of the celebration, I definitely would tell you to go grab a drink. I'll join you, even."

"I… actually, I think I will take you up on your offer, Commissioner. As soon as my legs stop shaking, that is."



-A small, badly coordinated attempt against Justice Fair Trial's life was stopped by the Bureau.

-Nothing major came from it. All ponies involved were swiftly captured, and you made sure Cadance (and everypony else, really) was none the wiser. No reason to spoil the mood of such a wonderful day.

-Still, Fair Trial is certainly thankful for you. And the two of you spent a lot of time together, during the party, in a much welcome non-professional setting.

-EFFECT: Gain an "in" with Fair Trial.

[] A disturbed guest

Spoiler: A disturbed guest

You follow your agent towards one of the tents that was set aside for "security personnel". One of the stakeouts from which your agents are able to monitor the event, and help the more overt Royal Guard keep everything safe.

However, to your surprise, once you enter the tent you find…



"Midday Dew? I thought… You were in the guest list, but they told me you never arrived. What happened?"

"I… I saw… I…"

"Midday? Heavens, you look terrible and… Everypony, give me the tent. I want to talk to him alone."

"…"

"Midday Dew? What happened to you? I mean… what is going on?"

"I had a dream, this night and… no, not a dream. N-not a nightmare. Not a vision. Not even a p-promise… I…"

"Nightmare? Visions? Dew, you are not making sense. Please, just tell me what hap-"

"I SAW IT, Commissioner. You d-don't understand it. I SAW it. And I don't think I'll ever s-stop seeing it…"

"Saw? Midday Dew, you are scaring me. What are you talking about? Why are you so-"

"I saw the wolves! I… I s-saw them, Commissioner, and they… and HE saw ME!"

"…"

"A-and… and he told me…. things… h-horrible things… I can still hear him, even…"

"… what did he tell you, Midday Dew?"

"He… i-it wasn't with words. But it w-wasn't with images e-either… it was more like ideas? S-still… He told me… he made me see… It was like every… e-every wall we ever built… every light we ever lit. Everything we e-ever did… EVERYTHING. Since we first invented the l-lock and key, or lit t-the first bonfire… It was never enough. It was never enough, and it will never BE enough."

"…"

"I-it won't be enough, Commissioner… t-they will come for us all… drag us down a-and… And my whole life, I thought I was h-helping… T-thought I was helping shine a light a-and… towards the f-future and… but it shone too bright, and now I f-finally saw…"

"… what did you see, Midday Dew?"

"I'm n-not afraid of the dark anymore. B-because I saw what's hiding inside of it."

"…"

"… t-they will all come for us a-and..."

"I know of a way to make us safe again."



-Hounded, hunted and haunted. Midday Dew is terrified of what the future holds. As he was the very first scientist to be woken up, screaming, by what would later be known as "the innovator's curse".

-Still, right now he is vulnerable. And more importantly, he is pliable, and certainly willing to make a few compromises if it will help fight the horror away.

-As you look at him, you can't help but think that he is a toy, or perhaps a small trophy, left at your doorsteps by an obedient dog.

-EFFECT: Gain an "in" with Midday Dew.

[] A self-invited guest

Spoiler: A self-invited guest

You thought you would follow your agents to one of the Bureau-designated tents. But instead, much to your surprise, he actually takes you towards one of the kitchens.

The two of you walk into the impossibly-busy kitchen, wading through cooks, chefs, and a constant flux of ponies carrying out trays full of food and bringing back empty plates.

Still, despite the veritable crowd of focused workers, it doesn't take you long to find the source of this "problem" that required your attention.

"Normally, we wouldn't have called you for something like this, ma'am. But… well, she insists that she knows you."

You nod at the agent, and take a deep breath as you prepare to deal with…



"I'm keep telling you, this will be over as soon as I walk out of here with that bottle. That's how this story ends. I know it because I checked! And- oh, hello Velvet."

"Baldomare… fancy seeing you here?"

"Yes, yes, lovely to see you too dear. But more importantly, could you please tell these stubborn cooks -Yes, I am referring to YOU, you stubborn colt!- how crucial it is that one of those vintage bottles end in my hoofs?"

"I… well, I… actually… No, this is just too much. Baldomare, what the hay are you doing here?!"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm trying to get a hold of some good wine. I mean, I'm not on bad terms with the alukite, but ever since she nested in the cellar, I can't have a sip of anything without tasting her blasted influence."

"I… okay, first of all, you just told me several things I will want to address later. Second… well, why here? Why not raid any other cellar in Equestria? I know you could do it. You never had a difficulty finding things you want to find."

"Oh, isn't that obvious? Convenience, Velvet. Coming here is just a lot less work, with the anchor and all."

"I beg your pardon, with the what now?"

"The… the anchor? Glory above, Velvet, are you telling me you don't know about it? I thought you were working in this city BECAUSE of the anchor."

"Hold on. Baldomare, I need you to explain to me… very carefully, what you mean by that."

"Pff, you know that's not how it works. I'm not going to tell you something you don't kn-"

"Tell me what you are talking about and I'll make them give you all the bottles you want."

"DEAL!"



-Good Baldomare has told you a secret. Good Baldomare has told you something you did not know. Good Baldomare told you something you already knew, but never really connected the dots about.

-Good Baldomare told you there is an "anchor", somewhere in Canterlot. A place, or a thing, or a pony, that exists in all Histories at once. One that she could use like a door, or like a ladder, to quickly reach the pony capital.

-Good Baldomare told you that this "anchor" is, without a doubt, an Outsider. One whose blood could be harvested for the inescapable end that is reaching Glory.

-EFFECT: Advance your objective of locating an Outsider

[] A Royal guest

Spoiler: A Royal guest

You follow your agent towards one of the tents that was set aside for "security personnel". One of the stakeouts from which your agents are able to monitor the event, and help the more overt Royal Guard keep everything safe.

Inside the tent, you find a small group of ponies, managing several magical instruments. As soon as you enter, one of them comes to you with a serious expression. And he immediately gives you a report with a dangerous mixture of urgency and professionalism.

"Commissioner, we just confirmed it. The sun has stopped moving."

Of course, that could only mean one thing.

"I see… Well, there really is nothing we can do about it. I will go warn Cadance. Thank you, and as you were."

A few minutes later, you were already by Cadance. Whispering into her ear the very educated guess, that bordered on a certainty, of what might happen very soon.

And sure enough, a few minutes later, the sun started moving once again.

However, it began moving in the wrong direction. Making its way back to the top of the sky in a matter of seconds.

But of course, the reason for that was plain for all to see. After all, the sun had no choice but to follow, as its Princess chose to make an appearance.

"Cadance, I can see that you… No, it doesn't matter. This is my gift to you."

​

-Princess Celestia, regent of the sun, made a brief appearance right after the ceremony.

-There were no speeches. There was no fanfare. She did not even smile.

-The only thing she did was congratulate the Princess of Love. And to give her a small gift.

-EFFECT: Princess Cadance receives a gift from Celestia, a small jewel box to be opened later. And perhaps something more besides.

[] A host of guests

Spoiler: A host of guests

You follow your agent towards one of the larger tents. One that was set aside as an ad-hoc barracks for the Royal Guard. The place from which they are coordinating their security cordon and, if things make a turn for the worse, the mobile armory where they are keeping their more lethal instruments.

Still, despite your initial concerns, you don't arrive to an ongoing crisis, and you are not greeted by the stern faces of officers gathering in a war-room.

Instead, you are quickly introduced to the Royal Guard officer who seems to be in charge, who was apparently in the middle of a discussion with the Bureau liaison that was assigned to him.



"Ah, Commissioner Covers. Thank you so much for making the time. And my apologies for bringing you away from the celebration."

"No problem at all, captain. More importantly, what seems to be the problem."

"It's… not actually a problem, Commissioner. But still, it's not something I am sure how to handle. Or rather, I don't even have the clearance to do anything about it. I asked for you because I wanted to bring this to your attention, or perhaps your judgment."

"Go on."

"You see, there haven't been any problems with the cordon. The park is as safe as it can be, despite the Princess' decision of not using any kinds of… well, physical obstacles. However, I have been getting reports from our guards all around the place that…"

"That…? I can't imagine why a lack of problems would be cause for alarm. Did something happen?"

"Quite on the contrary, Commissioner. What I've been hearing is that we might not even need a cordon at all."

"For the first time in our lives, we know that we are ready for this!"

​

-The crowd is singing. Ponykind is cheering. And the torrent that overflowed from Cadance's heart reached farther and wider than anypony could have imagined.

-The cordon around the park was lifted, and the "official" celebration mingled with the city-wide festivities in a way that only ponies are capable of achieving.

-Not a single problem or accident came from that decision, and everything went better than expected for everypony involved. And just like kindle to the flames, that infectious joy spread like wildfire towards all of Equestria.

-EFFECT: Cadance's objective of "uplifting the spirits of ponykind" will be completely fulfilled.

This will be the first time we have a vote in this new site. I'll have to get used to the tallying program, and things will move a bit slower until we get this engine running.

Still, nothing out of the ordinary to see here.

Approval voting. Vote for as many options as you like, and the SINGLE most voted option will win.

Six hours moratorium, just for the sake of people finding their way here. And no prediction of when the vote will end.

Yes, the "effects" have vague descriptions. That is intentional. All the options are good, or at least not bad, so if in doubt just pick what you feel is best.

Good day to us all.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

There is a saying that good times are not supposed to last. Otherwise, you would just get used to them, and they wouldn't be special anymore… or something like that. You are not really sure. You can't really quote a pony who said that. But still, you are sure somepony, at some point, penned those thoughts onto paper.

Still, the details don't really matter.

What matters is that you hate that saying.

You hate it, and you hate the fact that you agree with it even more.

Cadance's marriage is finally over. Of course, you are only referring to the "official" event. Because although the festivities ended several hours ago, when the royal couple took their leave to begin their honeymoon, the "unofficial" festivities went on for several hours after that.

Heavens, you are sure that some ponies are still celebrating. Even though it is almost midday of the following day. Every now and then you can still hear fireworks in the skies above Canterlot, or the very distant murmur of a song echoing throughout the city.

However, the fact remains that, for all intents and purposes, Cadance's marriage ceremony was "yesterday". It was "yesterday", and now you are living the "today" that comes after that.

And that is… well, it's not bad. But it's not mind-numbingly good either.

Still, time only marches in one direction, so you have no choice but to keep up with it.

Your family is making its way back to Ponyville right now, after spending one last night in the Royal Castle with you. Your poor husband looked a little worse for wear, but he assured you it was just regular tiredness. Of course, you were worried about him, but only until he reminded you that… well, he can't really copy your methods so of course he wouldn't be fully rested after just half a night of sleep. Especially given the size and proportion of yesterday's party.

And you suppose that makes sense… still, you asked the fillies to look out for him, and reluctantly let them go their way.

Rarity is also going with them, of course. She offered to stay with you for a while longer, and let Stormchaser take her sister back home, but you told her there was no need for that. After all, you don't really think anything will be happening in Canterlot for the next few days.

In fact, you don't think a lot of things will be happening in Equestria for the next few days. After all, yesterday and today were declared official holidays. And you just feel like things will take a while to settle down back into normalcy.

Regardless, you still thought that staying here in Canterlot would be for the best.

So this is why you are currently in your guest room, inside the Royal Castle, talking to a… particular guest.



Or would it be better to say that you are collecting a debt you are owed?



"You know, in a better time this sort of thing would have cost you Sprintiae. Actually, do you even know what Sprintia is? Eh, whatever. Those were actually worse times when you think about it, anyways."

You patiently nod as Baldomare, her horn glowing with soft magic, gently unbuckles her saddle-bag from her back. You can hear the clinking sound of glass bottles coming from inside the thing, as she very carefully places it on the ground, but you try not to think too much about it.

Or rather, you try not to think too much about how many bottles you can hear. Because you know for a fact that you instructed the kitchen staff to give her two bottles, but you are sure that you can hear more than just that coming from her saddle-bag.

Still, you are not about to lock horns with a Name about that. Especially when you still need said Name to uphold her part of your bargain.

"Be that as it may, Baldomare, you still agreed to a price, and we made a deal. So, what can you tell me about this… anchor? That was the word you used, right?" you ask, still hoping the mare won't just change her mind.

"Yes, yes, I know. And a promise is a promise, as long as you have standards, so I'll keep to my word as well."

She says that, looking around for a place to sit after she is satisfied with the safety of her precious package. Still, you can tell that she is now dedicating her attention to you, rather than just making idle chatter.

"So, the anchor. Let me start by saying that you already know about it. What I am about to tell you isn't really anything new, because I am just helping you connect the dots. But again, I was honestly surprised when y-"

"Wait, what do you mean I already KNOW about it?!" you say. Or rather, the surprised words leave your mouth before you can stop them.

To which Baldomare responds by rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Yes, I was about to get there, Velvet. Mansus' light, I forgot how… eager you could be, during our conversations," she says.

Although she is talking to herself more than she is talking to you. She has already given up on chastising you for your curiosity, you think.

"But if you think back to… how long was it, five months ago? Five and a half? Well, right around when you summoned me for the first time, you told your cult about something you found here in Canterlot." She says that, and then she looks you in the eyes. Her previous annoyance completely gone, and replaced by something else.

You don't really feel that she is looking into you, but her expression is still…

"Don't you remember it, Velvet? It wasn't the kind of thing an adept would overlook. Even though you knew you couldn't comprehend it, back then, you still realized you had stumbled upon something that was beyond you."

The way Baldomare is saying that… the specific period she is referring to… you think back to everything you told the Cult, when you were still a part of it. You think back to all the tasks your former Master gave you, and the reports you presented to it…

You think back to all the times you have been to Canterlot, before entering the Royal Castle became more routine to you. And you remember…

Oh.

"Yes, exactly," Baldomare says, as if she could see what you are thinking about right now. As if your eyes were showing her the very memory you are recalling.

Well, considering her nature, that might really be what is happening right now, from her point of view.

"The statue," you say to yourself.

"The statue exists in all the Histories at once, yes. Well, that's not really what it's doing. But given your understanding of things, that is the best way to describe it," she says.

You think back to that moment, that day you were walking through the Royal Gardens… or was it at night? You can't really remember. Still, you try to remember it. You try to recall what the statue looked like. Heavens, you try to remember anything about it, but the only thing you can truly recall is…

… that feeling…

"Wait, you said that's not what it was doing? Then what-?" you try to ask, three questions coming up to you before you can even finish your thoughts.

But Baldomare interrupts you. Or rather, she raises a hoof to stop you, and you realize you will not get any answers from the Name that she is not willing to give.

However, you can tell that she is also not done talking.

"Like I said, that is the part you already knew. That statue, or the thing you want to call a statue, is the anchor I was talking about. Something that a creature of my disposition can use for… well, it doesn't really matter. Still, none of this is new to you, and I'm just helping you connect the puzzle pieces you already have."

The mare then lays back on her cushioned seat, looking up as she thinks about something. That is, until she finally shrugs, perhaps deciding that a simple explanation is the best way to get this done with.

"Now, I will tell you two things you don't know yet."

She says that, and you realize that at some point you went to the edge of your own seat, ears perked up as she continues to speak.

"First: that thing you called a statue is actually an Outsider. And, well, given the state it was in when you saw it, I think it's safe to say that it is… or was immobilized. Well, it's probably still immobilized. Outsiders literally play by their own rules, so I think we would have noticed if it was free and operating in the Wake."

Your eyes go wide as she… as she just casually says that. To think there is an Outsider within reach… hay, to think there is one in Canterlot of all places!

You almost say something, but Baldomare once again raises a hoof to stop you. But this time, it is because she already knows what question you are about to ask.

"The second thing is that I don't know where it is. It is nearby, and that is for sure. Within this city, or at least somewhere in this mountain. But looking for it is like… well, the best way to describe it is that trying to look for it is like looking at a kaleidoscope, or a house of mirrors. The thing was moved, for sure, but wherever it was moved to is warded in a way that ponies in this Era probably forgot how to replicate. Scrying for it would have been hard even for me, so I am glad we caught wind of it like this."

Baldomare says that, and then she gets up from her seat. Floating up her precious saddle-bag as she makes her way towards the door.

"So, you will have to look for it," she says as she leaves your guest room.

However, despite the finality in her words, you can't help but notice the smile she has on her face. More than that, you can't help but think the Name sounds a little excited.

Because sure, even though you have no idea of where that statue is… heavens, even though a Name of Lantern just told you she doesn't know where it is either, both of you realize that…

Well, this is the closest you have ever been to it yet. This is the closest anypony has been to reaching Glory, ever since the Summit Gate was locked at the closing of another Era.





Velvet Covers has discovered than an Outsider, perhaps the only one you will ever find in your lifetime, exists somewhere in Canterlot.

She will now have the option to "Search Canterlot" to look for it.

"Search Canterlot" is currently at 0/200 progress, and is influenced by Intrigue and Secret Histories.





- - -

- - -

- - -





Above the skies of Equestria, a flying chariot made its way to the south.

Within its spacious confines, six ponies were waiting for their (relatively short) trip to end. The youngest of them looking out through the window while the older ones engaged in light conversation.

Of course, flying chariots are a rare breed to begin with. And the midnight black-and-purple one that was carrying them was no exception. So, it was only natural that their current transport was one of the topics they were discussing.



"Goodness gracious, is this really how it feels like to fly? And Sweetie Belle, darling, could you please keep your hoofs off from the doorhandle?"

"Don't worry about it, Rarity. The doors are locked, and it takes more to unlock them than just twisting the handle. And to answer your question, no, flying feels a lot better in my opinion."

"Is that so, Stormchaser? Why is that?"

"Well, for loads of reasons. The wind on your face, the sensation of punching through a cloud. Even the scenery is better, mind you. Looking out through a small window like this one doesn't really do it justice."

"I'll take your word for that… Still, I can't thank Velvet enough for arranging this for us. I mean, you heard about it as well, didn't you? About how the trains out of Canterlot are already fully booked for the next few days?"

"Yes, I heard about it. It does make sense, though, considering how packed Canterlot was. Although… I still don't think Velvet needed to go this far for us…"

"Oh, darling, don't give me that. You know how Velvet is. Especially when it comes to you all!"

"Yes, yes, I know. And I am thankful to her, don't get me wrong. But still… telling our carriage-pullers that taking us home was a matter of national security…?"

"It just goes to show how much she cares about you."

"… and then threatening to fire them if any one of us got sky-sick during the trip…?"

"Well, I… maybe Velvet did go a bit overboard? Well regardless. I have something I have been meaning to ask you, Stormchaser. Right after the ceremony was over, I noticed you were gone for a while. Or so I was told. Could I possibly ask what you were doing, right after the wedding finished?"

"I… nothing important, Rarity. Don't worry about it. Y'know, just… stallion business and all."

"Could it possibly have anything to do with the whispers I heard about how you were seen talking to-"

"Isaiditwasn'tanythingimportant!"



The magical chariot flew across the sky, a tiny dark dot within an endless sea of blue.

Until it finally reached its destination, landing in the growing town of Ponyville.

And after that, its passengers went their separate ways.



- - -



Somewhere in the growing town of Ponyville, within a conspicuously shaped fashion saloon, a unicorn mare prepares for another day of work.

However, if anypony were to look at her at that moment, then almost nopony would be able to recognize her as she currently is.

Because one week ago, she was not just a mere pony. She was Madame Rarity, the dazzlingly beautiful, uniquely talented, and most importantly mysterious unicorn who had soared into the fashion industry one year ago. The cryptic and reclusive, but undeniably genius, designer who was currently releasing hit after hit for the Needle family, under her exclusive line of Designs By Rarity.

Yes, one week ago, she was impeccably dressed, hooficured, and styled for what was the greatest wedding in pony history. And of course, more importantly, she was present for the debut of yet another one of her own designs. One that was worn by nopony other than the bride herself.

By the alicorn bride.

In the alicorn wedding.

Did she already mention she made the dress for the first alicorn wedding ever?

Anyhow, it is safe to say that Madame Rarity was surrounded by a crowd of admirers on that momentous occasion. One that was dwarfed only by the crowd around the Princess herself.

But that was then, and this is now. And right now… well, right now Madame Rarity is nowhere to be seen.

Instead, a unicorn mare who just woke up is slowly making her way to her kitchen, to prepare for another day of work. Her mane still unkept, and her eyes still squinting against the unwelcome light coming from the half-open windows.

She opens her mouth and lets out a loud, unsightly yawn. But still, she doesn't chastise herself over it. After all, the only other resident of that place, her younger sister, is still fast asleep upstairs.

Lucky filly, she thinks, able to sleep in during a weekend… only having school to worry about and…

She thinks about that, and other vague thoughts besides-



-until her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of knocking coming from her door.



Rarity's ears perk up at that. Not because it is strange for somepony to knock on her door, although that has happened a lot less ever since she closed her boutique around one year ago. But still, it's strange that somepony is knocking this early in the morning.

Still, no further knocks arrive. Instead, Rarity hears the low, metallic sound of her door's mail slot being pushed open, followed by the sound of a letter falling towards the floor.

Ah, she thinks, it was just the mailpony. Or maybe the courier from the Velvets, bringing another telegram from the Needles.

Rarity shakes her head, and lazily makes her way towards the front door to collect the letter. She knows that reading something will help her brain wake up more quickly. So, she lights up her horn, collects the letter, and absent-mindedly rips it open to take out its content.

Still, she is so sleepy that she doesn't even realize that the letter is perfumed, and unusually fancy. Even for her own standards.

In fact, she doesn't even realize the sender is… well, that the letter is not from the Needles. Or from anypony else she knows, for that matter.

She just reads it to herself, as she resumes the process of making her own breakfast.

"Dear Madame Rarity…" she reads out loud. "We are so thankful for your delightful presence and attention during the wedding and…"

She reads through the letter without giving it much thought.

Or rather, she reads the letter without giving it much attention… until she does.

And by the time she reaches the end of the letter, her breakfast is almost entirely forgotten. And she is floating the letter right before her eyes, re-reading every single word almost as if she can't believe what she is looking at.



"… and we are willing to cover any breach-fines with the Needles. On top of your own commission. Whatever price it takes for your precious time is…?!"



It takes a long while for Rarity to remember about her breakfast.

And she doesn't dare read that letter again, or even touch it, until she can meet her more-business-savvy best friend.





Rarity is now able to "Take a Commission", accepting a private commission from a wealthy patron for an exclusive piece of clothing. To create another piece from the designer who clothed a Princess during her marriage.

When taking a commission, Rarity will be unavailable for the remainder of the turn, and will automatically fail her "career" roll for that month. However, Velvet Covers will immediately receive a large downpayment of at least 100 bits. (This downpayment is applied at the beginning of the turn that action is taken, rather than the usual end of turn). Performing this option is particularly taxing for Rarity.

More to follow.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Commissioner Velvet Covers.

And right now, you are at work.

Much to your surprise, however, you are not actually working. Sure, you are physically at work, sitting inside your office and all that. But you are not currently dedicating any attention to the (several) stacks of files in front of you.

Not because those files don't matter, of course. Quite on the contrary. You have reports to go over, about the ongoing investigations. Several petitions from your subordinates asking for you to make small procedural changes here and there. An entire package about an "encounter" that went south, involving one of your detectives. And even a letter from Fair Trial that came in just this morning, that you have not yet opened.

You have a lot to do, and all of it is important. In fact, you don't think anything that reaches your table will ever not be important.

However, you also know that… well, there will always be more to do. So, you won't chastise yourself for taking a small breather.

"Still, not having our Deputy around certainly doesn't make thing any easier," you say to yourself.

Your Deputy, of course, being Shining Armor. The lucky stallion who is currently on his honeymoon with nopony other than the Princess of Love herself.

Not that you begrudge his absence, of course. Well, you don't welcome the extra work, but the couple certainly deserves their getaway. And…



And you finally realize that you are just rambling to yourself, and that you definitely aren't going to get anything else done for the rest of the day.



That thought, or maybe that realization, strikes you like a small nudge to the side of your head. In fact, you feel like you just woke up, or like you were snapped out of a dream or something. Still, the fact remains that whatever focus you had earlier today is well and truly gone now.

Which means that, as you look around your desk, and then your office, you also realize you really aren't interested in engaging with any of those matters right now.

So, you just get up from your chair. You get up from your chair, and you walk around your office, and before you realize it you are already going out through your door.

And perhaps for the first time since you accepted this job, you just stroll around the Lunar Bureau.



- - -



You walked around the Lunar Bureau for a while.

You didn't really go anywhere in particular, and you didn't make the long trek to the underground levels. But still, you went down to the ground floor, idling here and there around the main entrance and its adjacencies, and exchanged a few words with the ponies you crossed paths with.

However, all those conversations were… well, they were rather short. Or perhaps "tense" would be a better way to describe them.

That is, whenever you met ponies who had a background in the Guard, they would move along towards the wall, and silently salute you as you passed. And whenever you saw a pony with a more administrative background, they just seemed out of their depth when they talked to you. Or they were particularly eager to tell you how they had an urgent task they should get to.

Things like that happened several times. Whenever you met somepony as you walked here and there. And no matter how hard you think about it, you just can't figure out why they were all acting like that and…!

…



Oh, who are you kidding, you know very well you are the problem.



Well, saying that you are the "problem" seems rather harsh. But still, you would have to be delusional to think that you aren't the "reason" as to why those attempted conversations were all awkward and, well, so very short.

So, sooner rather than later, you decided to end your walk around the Bureau. And you made your way back to your office.

No, you did not have a sullen and defeated look on your face. Stop imagining things.

However, rather than going straight to your office, you did one last detour. Rather than secluding yourself in your own space, to try and tackle whatever issues you have for the day, you instead made your way to the opposite door.

And that is why you are here right now.



"Are you absolutely sure you don't want anything, Commissioner? Not even a glass of water or anything?"

"No, like I said, I'm fine. But thank you."



You are currently in the Secretariat. One of the two doors that flank the corridor that lead to Princess Luna's office, and the nerve center that connects the head of the Lunar Bureau to its several limbs.

The Secretariat itself is, in reality, a small office complex in its own right. A large room staffed by seven ponies, each with their own obligations and concerns. And for all that you can roughly tell what each of them is responsible for, you also realize that the struggles they face here are more complex than they appear to be at a glance.



"In that case… is anything the matter? Are there any issues you would like us to work on?"

"Not at all. No issues, no."



Over here, you can see a desk surrounded by open crates, filled with letters and packages. And you spot a trio of worn letter openers tucked inside a mug, standing proudly right next to a magical eyeglass meant for inspecting the validity of official seals.

That desk, you presume, is where all the incoming mail is gathered. And the several "out" boxes on the desk, destined to your office, other desks of the Secretariat, or even to other departments, are a testament to how much information passes through this place. Although the large trash bin, full of triturated letters, also speaks of just how much is filtered.



"So, should I… get something from your office, Commissioner? Do you have a package for us to send out? Or maybe a letter?"

"Oh, no. No letters. In fact, I haven't been able to get much done to begin with."



On the opposite side of the room, you see a pair of desks covered in scrolls, surrounding a pair of typewriters. And next to the typewriters you see a much more familiar sight, that of the neat and organized paper that arrives at your desk in the form of field reports. That desk, you think, is where all the chaos that is discovered by your agents is distilled into something resembling order, which is then taken to your attention.

Over there, you spot a large calendar fixed on the wall, behind yet another desk. That calendar, you immediately realize, is a more complex version of your own agenda. Filled with changes, errata, and the odd question mark on days you have not yet decided what you will be doing.

You see all of that, and a lot more, all around the room. Hundreds of small details that show this place has not yet seen a calm day. Closed doors that lead to storages and archives that are slowly being filled. A larger, and empty, desk from where Shining oversees the running of this place.

But more important than any of that, you are currently looking at…



"In… in that case, Commissioner… well… Is there any reason for you to be here?"



You are currently looking at the ponies who work here. The secretaries and administrators that truly compose the Secretariat of the Lunar Bureau.

And you can't help but notice that they are… well, they are not "nervously watching" you. But you can tell they are not at ease either.

You know all of these ponies, of course. You remember all their names, and all of them enter your room, every now and then, to deliver or recover one or another document.

However, now that you think about it, you don't really know these ponies.

And even though they aren't nervously fidgeting, stoically saluting you, or trying to evade you as politely as possible, you realize they also don't know you either.

Huh…

"Actually, there is one thing I would like to ask," you say. And the several ponies around you, each of them sitting behind his own desk, look at you with even more attention than before.

The mare in charge of your calendar, a smartly dressed white unicorn called Inkwell, gives you a short nod. Although you can tell that even she is slightly relieved that, well, you are about to make sense of your sudden visit here.

"Of course, Commissioner. Whatever it is you would like to know?"

But rather than asking them about something business-related, or about something that recently reached your desk, you surprise them with something else.

You ask them what they think about their job, and how they have been handling this oh-so-recent part of their lives as part of the Lunar Bureau.

You try to start a conversation.

And you think you succeeded. Even if it was only with these seven ponies, who work right across the corridor from you.





They used to know you from the sound of the magical bell you ring, to summon one of them. Or from one of the piercing yells you let out, whenever you call for the Deputy.

But now, they know you by your name. And you call them by theirs.

You have taken the first step towards knowing the Lunar Bureau better. And towards being better known by them in turn.





- - -

- - -

- - -





As the days rush by, and you recover the free time you had invested in Cadance's marriage, you finally find yourself able to focus on… a certain project of yours.

Have you been avoiding this project? You are not… entirely sure.

Are you afraid of this project? Yes, you definitely are. You won't beat around this particular bush.

In fact, you are glad that you are afraid of doing this. It means you still have some measure of common sense about you. Or maybe, if not common sense, that your survival instinct is still working.

However, the fact remains that today… well, today you will force yourself to push past those barriers. Today, you will ignore your fears, and your common sense, and even your survival instinct.

Today, you will try to take a better look at something that has been with you for a while now.

…

You remember when this… thing began to happen. You remember when you first… "acquired" it? When you were first "afflicted" by it? When you first "realized" it?

Now that you think about it, you don't even know how to call this thing. You don't even know what words to use.

Is this a phenomenon that is happening to you? Is this a skill that you have acquired?

Or perhaps, is this a sickness you have in your brain? Is this a symptom of some esoteric insanity?

You… you don't know. You have no idea.

You don't know what it is, and you have nopony you can ask about it. Your former Master is gone. Baldomare refused to answer your questions. You will be damned if you ask Axe for any help. And of course, you are still reluctant to… confide in Mareinette, despite her offers.

So, you are under no illusions that you are lost in the dark. You have no idea of what this is, you have no idea of what it can do, and you have no idea of what to do next. Or even if you should do something about it.

However, or perhaps because of your ignorance, you still feel this urge to… try something. To learn about it. To explore it, even if it could be dangerous.



You are speaking, of course, about your… visions. About those memories from the near-past that appear in your mind every now and then. Those glimpses that aren't quite yours, but aren't quite anypony else's.

Those strangely-reliable déjà vus, as if you had just glanced over the thing you were looking for, that always took you in the right direction.

Those unexplainable waking dreams, where realize you were talking to a pony a few moments before. Even though you were somewhere else when that conversation happened, and you had never seen that pony in your entire life.



Yes, that maddeningly strange pathway inside your mind, that smells like hawthorn and has a color that is so achingly familiar. That strange book you have inside your head, that every now and then somepony else will write a memory into.

Today you will do something you have been avoiding this entire time.

Today, rather than pushing those thoughts away when they come to you, you will try to look deeper.

Even if it feels like something else will look back at you, when you do it.



- - -



You are sitting on your bed, with your eyes closed.

You are sitting at the very center of your bed, keeping your eyes as closed as possible without reaching the point you can actually see through them.

Your room is dimly lit, and your breathing is as slow and calm as you can handle it.

In short, you are meditating.

Or rather, you are trying to meditate.

You once read a book about meditation. And its instructions said, among other things, to try it in a calm and silent place. And to try to minimize any external distractions that might reach you.

However, that book also had terms like "sitting cross-legged" and "keeping your spine vertical" towards the floor.

You don't think that was a very good book. It didn't even specify which legs to cross!

Still, you are trying your best to…

"… keep my mind… clear!"

You let out a loud groan, opening your eyes in the process. This is definitely not working. And you are pretty sure that using other means will just taint the process.

"But it doesn't make sense," you say to yourself. "This… these memories, these visions. I have them all the time. Why isn't it working now?"

You mumble to yourself as you shift on your bed, the soft mattress suddenly feeling uncomfortable under your hind.

Not wanting to fight against your growing frustration, you just stand up and jump off from the bed. Walking around the room as you continue grumbling.

"I mean, it always feels like I… like I just talked to somepony. Like somepony told me where that pen was, or what time the clock was saying when I last looked at it. But right now…"

You keep walking in circles around your room. Once, twice, five times. Wracking your brain for that maddeningly familiar pull that, for some reason, just isn't there.

"… but right now, it just feels like I'm talking to myself. Like there's nopony else in here but me!"

The words echo through your room for a moment, but after that you are once again alone with your thoughts.

That is, until your eyes fall upon the large, full-body mirror on the corner of the room. The one you placed by the door, so you could check your dress one last time before you leave to start the day.

And for some reason, you suddenly remember a few of the… glimpses you had, ever since this thing started to happen.

Of course, you have already seen all sorts of things. Hints of houses that looked like your estate, but with small differences here and there. Sights of cities you are sure do not exist in the Equestria you know.

But the strangest visions were always… the ones where you were looking at a mirror.

No, it wasn't that.

The strangest visions were always the ones where somepony else was looking in a mirror.

A pony that wasn't quite you, but wasn't quite somepony else either.

A different Velvet Covers, with a face that looked just like yours, if a pony was trying to paint you from memory alone. Right in a hundred ways, but slightly off in a thousand different ones.

You remember that strangeness. And before you realize it, you are already standing in front of the tall mirror.

You look at yourself… at your mane, and your dress, and your body. Until finally, you start looking into your eyes.

And slowly, you begin to edge closer to the mirror. As if you are trying to see something in your eyes that you can't quite name. You slowly walk towards the mirror until you realize the tip of your horn is now pressing against it.

But still, you keep looking at your own eyes. You focus on that, and nothing else.

Until you can see your own reflection, inside the mirrored version of your eyes.

Until you can see that eyes of that Velvet, the one that lives inside the eyes that are behind the mirror.

Deeper, and deeper, and deeper. Until you feel like you just placed a mirror in front of a mirror. Until you feel like you are looking into a long corridor, made out of the darkness of pupils and arched by rings of irises.

Until you feel like you are-



- - -



[ROLLING 1d9 FOR LORE]



- - -



-the first thing that hits you is how cold it is.

You wake up with a start, even though you know you were not asleep.

Still, the fact remains that you were lying on the ground, your legs sprawled around you. So, you get on your hoofs as quickly as you can.

Because the ground is hard. And more importantly, it is very, very cold. So cold that you can even feel it through your horseshoes.

"W-what… how… where am I?" you hear a voice coming from somewhere.

And it takes you a full second to realize that voice just came from your mouth. And that it sounds so much like yourself, except that it doesn't.

Your heart begins to race as you look around, desperately trying to regain your bearings.

You are currently in a… room of sorts. There is a bed right behind you, but you are definitely not in a bedroom. The walls are made out of stone, as is the floor, and everywhere you look there is a bookshelf full of tomes or a table covered with strange alchemical tools.

Not a bedroom, but definitely a workshop. A workshop where… well, judging by the unkept bed and scraps of food, a pony frequently sleeps in.

You look around you, taking in the details, until you finally notice the obvious.

You finally realize that, right in front of you, is a small mirror fixed on the wall.

And just like that, you remember what you were trying to do. Your chain of thoughts guiding you through what you remember, until you finally understand what must have happened.

It is obvious, now that you think about it.



You succeeded.



And as you look into the small mirror, you can finally see the fruit of your labors.

You are Velvet Covers.

And despite all the similarities, you almost can't recognize the mare in the mirror.

"What… heavens, what have you done exactly?" you say to yourself, although you feel more curious than worried.

Because as you look at yourself, at your own body, you can see that…

Well, your horn looks thinner for starters. But not in a natural way. Your horn looks thinner, and slightly sharper. Almost as if you grinded it until it took its current shape.

Your body as a whole also feels… strange. But in a good way, mind you. You are not wearing any clothes, but as you turn your body sideways, you realize your right hindleg is healed. You can't see a single blemish or scar on your flank, and your cutie mark is in full display.

A strange sense of vertigo runs through you, as you look at that. It's just that you haven't seen your right-side cutie mark in so long that…

You take a deep breath, shaking your head as you do.

And heavens, again, the air is so cold.

Where exactly are you? The way that the walls are carved rather than built make you think you are somewhere underground. But this room doesn't look like a cavern or anything like that.

Is this how this Velvet… is this how you live in this place… in this History?

This isn't Ponyville. This isn't anywhere near Canterlot or central Equestria. Just what on earth happened to your life for you to end up here?!

Those thoughts run through your head, one after the other, and your emotions try to keep up with them as they run.

Part of you feels curious, as if you were looking at somepony else's life or reading about a character from a book. Part of you feels sad, because this place feels… well, you wouldn't trade your family for this, and you can't imagine yourself forcing them to move here with you. And part of you even feels guilty for…

Wait, no… why do you feel guilty? These thoughts, these emotions, they are yours. But not all of them. Some of them are coming from your body, rather than your mind.

This guilt, for example, seems to be something that you… that this Velvet carries inside of her, even though her mind just escaped somewhere else.

But before you can even think about prying into it-



-a thought occurs to you. No, not a thought. A memory from just now.

You are looking at yourself. Examining a familiar dress, as you look into a mirror in a familiar room.

Velvet Covers is looking at your body, her expression as curious as your own. Examining the rich room, and then the vista of Canterlot outside the window, with the same amount of wonder.

That is, until she looks at her reflection in the mirror, and gives it a short bow.

That is, until she looks at you, and gives you a short bow.

And the agreement of a time, no more than one hour, is reached-



-you realize you don't have time for that. Or maybe that it would be rude to pry. Or perhaps both.

With that in mind, you make your way towards the door, confident to explore this place as much as you can, while causing as few problems as possible.

And you know that, somewhere else far away, another you is doing the same.



- - -



Your body feels… strange. It doesn't feel like your own body, and yet you can do anything you want without any problems. It feels like wearing a new dress, that somehow has already seen the contours of your wear and use.

For example, the moment you make your way towards the door, your horn lights up. And before you realize it, you are casting a spell from muscle memory that you… well, that you have no idea of its purpose.

But as you go along with the movements of the maddeningly familiar spell, you quickly realize you are levitating something inside a small cabinet. Unfortunately, paying this much attention to the spell means that you ruined the flow of your body's memory. However, after quickly investigating the cabinet, you discover a long scarf and a thick cloak.

You put them on, of course. And you are thankful for it moments later.

Because somehow, the air outside your small workshop-room is even colder than inside of it.

Still, exiting the room helps you confirm some of your suspicions. You are definitely under the ground. Everything around you, the walls, floor and ceiling, is carved from the same dark-grey stone. And you spot a few support columns here and there.

Still, this place is not nearly as expansive as the underground level of the Wildhoof Club, for example. And other than a second room, with a bed and some personal belongings, and a small storage full of strange ingredients, you don't find anything else other than a stairway that leads up.

You really wish you had more time to check everything you have found. Heavens, the ingredients, and the scrolls, and even the instruments that this other you seems to use have all piqued your curiosity. The Lore-related applications to everything you have found so far are clear, but unfortunately they are not so obvious that you could learn from them at a glance.

However, since you are more curious to… well, learn more about her than about her methods, you quickly tear your eyes away from her cabinet of ingredients, and make your way up the stairs.

And as you reach the top of the stairs, opening a wooden trapdoor that covered its top, you see…



"Back already, Master? Is there anything you need?"



As soon as you open the trapdoor, you are almost immediately greeted by a strange stallion. An earth pony, or perhaps a pegasus, wearing heavy winter clothes that cover almost his entire body. His face is uncovered, and you can see a hint of his tail behind him, but other than that there is precious little you can tell about him.

But more importantly, what… what did he just call you?

"Excuse me, what did you say?" you ask, but you only realize that even that question was a blunder far too late.

After all, well… you think it would be best if you didn't cause any suspicion at all. You certainly wouldn't want your other-self going around doing strange things. So what if… well, what if this stallion doesn't know anything about the Lores? What if you end up acting in a strange way that causes suspicion?

Ack, an unpleasant thought suddenly occurs to you, as you think about that. Because what if this strange stallion is in some sort of relationship with you? You certainly wouldn't want to indulge him if he tried to kiss you or anything.

No, too many variables. You know too little. You don't even know enough to understand what "unsuspicious" would be, in this History.

The best thing you can do is just-

"Sorry, Master. Cold must be making my throat dry again. I just asked you if you need anything," he asks.

And thankfully, he sounds respectful. Perhaps even slightly worried. Thank the heavens, at least this should mean he isn't your lover or anything.

You bite down the small sigh of relief that was building up inside of you, and you quickly walk out of the trapdoor and shut the thing behind you.

"No, no need for anything," you say, trying to sound as casual as possible.

Should you finish it with a "thank you"? You can't really tell. This stallion just called you "Master", but that really isn't enough for you to measure your relationship with him. Or rather, that isn't enough to know if you should treat him politely or not.

However, and once again thankfully, the stallion just gives you another nod, and turns your back to you once again. Acting as if nothing out of the ordinary just happened.

You bite down another relieved sigh, and focus on your surroundings.

You seem to be… inside a shop? Yes, this is definitely a shop. The temperature is almost freezing, and you can see hints of fog and icing on a window. One that seems to lead to a street of sorts. But more importantly, you can see several wares placed on wooden shelves. Foodstuff, supplies for the cold, and several items besides that you aren't really familiar with.

You can also see that this place is… well, you would best describe it as "run down". The entire shop seems to be made out of wood. But for all that it looks solid enough, at least to keep the roof over your head, everywhere you look you can see something in disrepair.

Plus, considering how cold you feel, there doesn't seem to be any insulation to speak of.

Still, you look around you very carefully… drinking in the details, trying to figure out more about whatever place this might be. Are you even in Equestria? Could it be you are somewhere out of the country, perhaps on the far north or distant south?

You still can't tell.

So, you carefully make your way through the run-down shop. The stallion, who you think is your "apprentice" is reading from a book as he sits behind the counter. And other than that…

You look out through the window, and you see nothing but a cobblestone street covered in snow. Other buildings, made out of wood and also in disrepair, seem to flank the street. But the window itself is too fogged for you to make out any details.

You try to sniff at the air, and you feel… you feel…

You can't feel anything. Nopony nearby, not your apprentice, not even yourself…

Fascinating. You try to close your eyes, but you don't see anything other than the darkness of your eyelids.

Could this mean that those skills you have learned are…

No, you don't have time to dwell on this either. You want to go out, to explore this strange place. To at least figure out where you are, and what could have possibly brought another-you here.

But before you leave, you take a small gamble. And you turn towards your "apprentice" to ask him a question.

"I will be leaving for a tiny bit. But tell me, did anything happen while I was downstairs?" you ask, hoping that you didn't trip on any small detail. Because who knows, maybe there are certain terms or words that should be familiar to you, and that you didn't use right now.

You hope your body's muscle memory would have picked up on that, if it happened.

"Hm? No, nothing out of the ordinary, Master," the stallion answers, looking up from his book as he speaks.

He sounds awfully respectful as he does, but you can't tell anything other than that.

"Well, actually, somepony did pass by here, Master," he says, but he shrugs as if he wasn't about to say anything new. "That junkie Amore passed by a few minutes ago, begging for another drop. But I shooed her away, no worries."

He says those words so casually.

But you practically feel your heart drop inside your chest, as soon as you hear that name. And your mind all but freezes as you repeat what he just said to you.

You exit the shop without another word less than a second later.



- - -



You don't really know where you are. Some of the roads have signs on them, and the signs are written in Equestrian. But none of those names are familiar.

The sky also seems to be entirely covered in snow clouds. So even though there is still enough sunlight for you to be able to see, everything around you seems to be covered in this perpetual gloom of sorts.

But you don't care about any of that. None of that matters.

You don't have the time to investigate any of that. Not if, according to your understanding, you have less than an hour before you leave this place.

All that matters to you is that name, the name that your "apprentice" so casually mentioned. The name that, apparently, belongs to a… what did he call her? A junkie? An addict? You aren't really sure.

You don't have enough time to dwell on the details either.

All that matters is that, somewhere in this snow-covered village, nestled between two mountains in Tartarus-knows-where, there is a pony you need to find.

Because you might be wrong about this. In fact, you hope you are wrong about this. But even though you are in an entirely different History, there is only one pony you have ever met who has the word Amore as part of her name.

And thankfully, this village is small enough that you find her before long.

…

Although, well, you aren't really relieved by what you see…



- - -



"I… I'll pay you back, I swear! I-I just haven't… n-need more time and..!"

"Cadance…"

"B-but I'll be able to pay you b-back sooner if I… p-please, it just helps me focus. J-just one more drop and I know I…!"

"Cadance…"

"N-no! Don't come any closer! I'll do anything, please just-"

"Cadance, I just want to talk to you… please."



It seems that you are… or rather, that the Velvet from this History is… an alchemist.

Furthermore, getting any reliable details is very difficult. But apparently, you… or rather, this Velvet, knows how to make a substance called Keyhole Glimpse. A substance, mind you, that seems to be highly addictive.

Or maybe, it is not addictive at all. Because from what you understand, the only thing that substance does is allow you to look at "another life" of yours.

But… but if your current life is miserable, and drinking from that potion allows you to see a life that is just perfect, how could that potion be anything but addictive to you?

That is what you slowly come to understand, as you speak to the mare you just met. That is the puzzle you piece together, as you speak to… Mi Amore Cadenza. Although, if it wasn't for her name, you don't think you would have been able to recognize her at all.

The pink of her fur is a dirty brown. Her wings are battered and bruised. Everywhere you look she seems to be thin and malnourished. And the place you found her was… well, the two of you are literally under a bridge, although you don't think a river has flown through this village in a very long time.

"I-it's just that… you don't understand, Merry. What I see is just… it's just so good…"

It took you a lot of effort, but you finally managed to get Cadance to speak normally… or at least not yell in fear as she looks at you. Still, so far she has only called you "Merry". You haven't bothered to correct her on that.

"I know, Cadance, I understand," you say, trying to… well, you are not really sure.

"No, you don't. Y-you really don't… I… Merry, I was beautiful. I… I saw it, I swear I saw it. I had a horn and… and my dress… and he loved me, Merry… He loved me more than anypony ever loved me in my entire life."

You are sitting on the cold, hard ground, under the shadow of the stone bridge, as you listen to her. But the poor mare just drones on and on. Talking about a party that she knew could never happen. Describing a stallion who she didn't even know the name of. Choking on tears as she remembered a joy she could barely describe.

And you… just…

You don't know what to do.

Part of you thinks this is another History, so none of this is your concern. So you shouldn't do anything about it.

And another part of you… well, another part of you knows you can't do anything about it. This Cadance seems to be terrified of you, due to some debt that you know nothing about. She is… well, addicted, sick and miserable. And most importantly, you are running out of time.

You wouldn't be able to help her even if you wanted to. And you do want to help her, but…

…

No, there has to be a way. You only have a few precious minutes left, but there has to be something you can do.

This might be a shot in the dark. This might be a risk, or maybe even a problem that the Velvet from this History will have to deal with later on.

But still, you… you are Cadance's friend. She trusts in you and you care about her.

So, even though the logic of the Mansus dictates this is just another History, and that its fate does not belong to you.

You… refuse to accept that logic.

Cadance is your friend. Not just in your History, but anywhere she is.

And you will be damned if you don't do something to help her in this life.

"Cadance, I need you to listen to me very carefully," you say.

More than just that, you stand up. You stand up and you make your way towards her.

The mare recoils in fear as you do so. And even though you don't know why she is so afraid of you, you also realize your body, and this Velvet, is deep in the Lores. So, you understand you could have become a fearsome mare if you wanted to.

Still, you march towards her, even as she presses her back against a column that holds the overhead bridge.

And then you place a soft hoof on her shoulder. Even though that makes her shake so very much.

"Cadance, what if I told you that… I know what you saw? What if I told you that I saw it too, that I saw your marriage and your happiness and… him?" you say that as you look into her eyes.

The mare tries to answer, words forming on her dry and bruised lips. But something, perhaps fear or perhaps the memories she saw from her other life, stops her.

Still, you can tell that she believes you. Fearsome, or perhaps cruel, as Velvet Covers might be here, this Cadance understands that you are not lying. That the magiks you sell her in the form of that addictive potion is just the tip of a much larger iceberg.

And once you know she believes in you, you tell her what really matters.

"And what if I told you that… I can tell you where you can find him. Here, in real life, rather than just in your visions from the bottom of a flask?"

You say that, and you watch as Cadance's eyes go wide in surprise. No, more than just that.

You see in Cadance's eyes something that she hasn't felt in several years now. You see in Cadance something that, just for an instant, flashes brighter than her fears, and her regrets, and even her sorrow and addiction.

You see in her eyes… a glimmer of hope.

"His name is Shining Armor, and you will find him in a city called Canterlot. He is just a bit younger than you, and you will probably find him with a purple unicorn called…"



You tell her everything you know.

You tell her everything you can.

And seconds before your time is up, you hear her promise you that no matter what it costs her, or how long it takes, that she will find him.



"Thank you, Merry Locksmith, I… I will never forget this."



And then you are back.



[SH Sacrament – First Step, cd 110]

[Roll: 61 + 14 (Learning) + 40 (Secret Histories Level 4) = 115]

[Success]



[But did you learn anything from it?, cd 100]

[Roll: 25 72 + 14 (Learning) + 40 (Knock Level 4) = 116]

[Knock re-roll used]

[Success]





You have advanced one step towards your Secret Histories Sacrament. The next step will be harder.

Gained one Knock scrap of Lore.

Knock-Velvet, the wandering potion-maker who had secluded herself in distant Yake Range, has made amicable contact with you, and perhaps learned a little bit from her foray into your History.

Servant-actions results to follow.

Spoiler: Author's Note

A while ago, back when you were still making your way into Cadance's life, I heard a song. And for some reason, that song made me think of... how are the Cadances of other Histories going?
After all the existence of alicorns are so covered in mystery. So what if the Cadances of other Histories never became alicorns? What if their lives turned into something totally different?

What if they never met Shining Armor?

And what if, given your own Secret Histories skills, one of those Cadances could peek into the life of the Princess of Love?

Well, that song made me think about all of that because I can only imagine that Cadance would also think "This day should be for me".



However, as time progressed and votes evolved, something else happened. You gave Cadance a perfect marriage.

And for all the harshness of the Lores that surround this setting, Cadance's happiness was a victory for Harmony. And that matters.

In every History.

So, take this as word of god that you helped this Cadance. Love won in your History, and that overflowed to the nearby threads. Even if it was just a drop of it.

And at least this Cadance will also find her Shining Armor, even if the path she must walk is hard.

Here is the song, for those who are curious:

Spoiler: Song

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Jtgj8j4tY

Mili - Skin-Deep Comedy ("魔法使いの約束" Part 2 theme song)

Thank you for reading this! And have a wonderful day.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, but with our SH Sacrament.
-[X] [AotL] Grail, with Pride
-[X] [FORGE] Create a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. (45 bits, Free Action)
-[X] [KNOCK] The Only Way Up
--[X] [KNOCK] Keep going up. You are so very close now. So. Very. Close.
-[X] [DETECTIVES] There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN a PERSONAL ACTION for Velvet Covers)
-[X] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X] [SOCIAL] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Disciple. (Free Action)
-[X] A fleeting opportunity
--[X] Royal. Wedding! Royal. Wedding! Help. Plan. The Royal. Wedding! (Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
--[x] "The Royal Wedding is a matter of national security, so of course the Commissioner must be involved. Yes, even on that time she went on a shopping spree with the Princess." (Free action. NEGLECT work at the Lunar Bureau. Expand, and pick one more item from, the list of Royal Wedding opportunities)
-[X] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus
--[X] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[X] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 0/3)
--[X] Velvet Pride, your upstart younger brother, seems to be heartbroken. Or so the gossip goes. If you take the initiative to talk to him, you might be able to get closer to him.
-[X] [JADE] "You do you." Let her do whatever she wants for once. It might do her some good, both mentally and personally.
-[X] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask for a favor, from your... mutual friend.
--[X] [GUARD] Our home.
-[X] [RARITY] Focus on your work.
-[X] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)
--[X] [STEPPES] Ask for advice about how to bond with your brother
-[X] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should…
--[X] [SERVANTS] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
-[X] [MAREINETTE] Incision of the Heart on Velvet: remove the Frightened Debuff (20 bits. failure only on nat1s)
-[X] [BALDOMARE] Find us a place where we can hold 3-circle rituals next turn (for Axe's summon). (rolls +80)
-[X] [SELENE] Go play, one last time. (Costs two actions. Goodbye, Selene.)

You are Lady Velvet Covers, and right now you are home.

Every now and then you wonder if you can still consider this place "your estate". Is it alright for you to call it like that? Can you really say that this is your mansion? Or your house? After all, technically speaking, you are no longer in charge of the Velvet assets in Ponyville.

Technically speaking, this is your brother's house, and you are simply allowed to live here with your family.

Well, you wonder about that, but only every now and then. This is definitely not the kind of thing that keeps you awake at night.

And much more importantly, none of that will ever change the fact that this is your home. This is where your family lives. This is the place you want to return to after a long week of work. And this is the one place where you can… do what you are doing right now.

After all, it is true that you consider this place your "home" because your husband and your daughters are here, yes.

However, this is also your "home base" because…

Well, it doesn't matter how much authority you have in Canterlot. You are still hesitant to perform certain kinds of Lore-related activity there. It just doesn't feel safe enough. It doesn't feel right.

Which is why you have only been able to make progress in this little project every now and then, over the several weekends of this last month.

Still, even those sparse weekends were enough, and you are about to finish this thing.

Although, for all that your hoofs and your horn are busy right now, this isn't really the kind of thing that demands a lot of brainpower.

So, your mind can't help but wander, as you work.

And well, given everything that happened, you do have a lot to think about…

Spoiler: A recent memory

The three detectives patiently wait, as you finish reading the report you have on your hoofs.

Of course, you had finished reading it a short time after you touched it. And normally, you would have waited a little longer only to put on a show that you were still reading with your eyes, since you were being watched by other ponies.

However, you are actually taking your time right now, because…

"I will be entirely honest with you three. I am as good as a laypony when it comes to this kind of thing. But, from my inexperienced perspective, what you are showing me feels like a bit of a stretch. So… am I missing anything?" you ask.

You have read and reread the report several times. Heavens, you even read it over with your eyes, just to make sure you weren't missing anything.

But still, the fact remains that the report you are reading, the result of an entire month's worth of investigation from your best detectives, is…

Well, it is very short, for starters. You are sure that your Secretariat summed up a lot of things, as they prepared this final report for you. But still, you are also sure that they wouldn't leave out any important details. So, for all that the report is slimmed down, you are certain that it is not incomplete.

However, and more importantly, the report just doesn't reach any conclusion. You had tasked your detectives with investigating the changeling threat, following the close of the Blueblood matter. But right now, they aren't presenting you with… well, they aren't presenting you with anything that you expected them to bring you.

They aren't giving you a report of changeling activities. As a matter of fact, they have not yet located even a single changeling. They aren't giving you any new insight into where the missing ponies were taken to, after the Catastrophe. They can't even tell you what the changelings might be doing right now.

For all that you know, the changelings might as well have left Equestria entirely, given how little your detectives have managed to uncover.

Instead, the only thing you have in this report is a list of suspects. A list of pony suspects. A summary of several names, most of them from noble families, that they have all agreed to be "ponies of interest" at this stage of their investigation.

"I mean, there are a lot of names on this list. And the individual reasons as to why some of these ponies are listed here seem tenuous, at best," you say, putting the report down and looking towards them.

And the three ponies sitting in front of your desk nod at you, although their expressions suggest that they were already expecting this kind of response.

"So, again, what am I missing here?" you ask, bringing your hoofs together as you look at them.

"Well, Commissioner, there really isn't much to add. That list really is everything we have to show you right now," one of the detectives, Iron Button, speaks up. Although you can tell that he is picking his words very carefully. "But the thing is, this is not happening because we hit a dead end or anything. It's just that…"

You nod at him, urging him to continue. But that only seems to give Iron Button more pause.

However, before you have the chance to say anything, another detective speaks up.

"The problem we're having, boss, is that this just isn't the kind of case we can tackle in a way that we are used to."

You turn your attention to Beyond Reproach, the detective who just started to talk, and you can't help but raise an eyebrow.

Because on one hoof, the Bureau is comprised of the best detectives you could find in Equestria. So hearing that they can't really employ their detective skills is… well, if not discouraging, then at least it feels like the Bureau's purpose is somehow being frustrated.

But on the other hoof, he seems a lot less hesitant than the other two detectives. If nothing else, he doesn't have the expression of a pony who is afraid of giving bad news.

"You see, this whole thing, everything that happened, isn't really a crime. Not in the usual sense of the word," Reproach continues. "Of course, a lot of ponies died. A lot of ponies disappeared. And plenty of bad things happened. But this isn't your run-of-the-mill criminal case. This wasn't murder, or kidnapping. This is more of a hunt than it is an investigation."

You light up your horn as he speaks, looking at the long list of ponies that they brought to you, as well as the several reasons as to why they should be subjected to further investigation.

And you… can't yet see where he is going.

But he seems to know what he is talking about, so you let him continue.

"And what's more, we aren't looking for regular crooks, because these creatures don't act like regular crooks. When a pony commits a crime, he tries to cover his tracks, and if he's smart he will try to lay low. And it's a matter of finding enough crumbs so we can find the pony behind some crime. But this? This is all different, boss, because these aren't ponies we are talking about."

"Are you referring to their ability to shapeshift? That we can't really find them through an investigation because, well, they can just turn into somepony else and throw us off?" you ask.

To which Reproach answers by giving you a partial nod, as if that was only half the problem he is trying to explain to you.

"That makes things harder, sure, but… Well, try to think of it this way, boss. Actually, do you mind if I write this down?" he asks, reaching for a pen and paper from your desk as he speaks. "So, these shapeshifters have been around for a long time. We don't know since when, but it'd be bad to assume they only started messing with us recently."

"Some of our boys looked into books and folklore, and we can confirm they have existed for centuries," the third detective chimes in.

"Right. And that's bad enough. But one of them also impersonated Princess Luna, eight months ago. They did that eight months ago, and we had that false Luna for three whole months before the Catastrophe happened." Reproach continues, writing down a short timeline as he does. "Now, this isn't just about shapeshifting. There's ponies smarter than I am who can dig into why one of them managed to fool Celestia herself. But the thing we have been trying to figure out is what they did during those three months, when one of them had the Crown itself under their hoofs."

"But we already know that, don't we? Given how many changelings appeared in the Catastrophe, they were going around… well, abducting ponies and taking their place. Isn't that something we already know?" you ask.

And you watch as Iron Button gives you a dispirited nod, while Reproach shakes his head.

You can sense these two ponies have already been through this back-and-forth several times now, but the earth pony detective continues to speak regardless.

"Sure, but we don't know the details," Reproach presses on. "How they swapped ponies. How they smuggled them out of town. The Guard searches did find a few hovels on the outskirts of cities here and there, but there's gotta be more missing. And… and Tartarus, we don't even know if they had a criteria to pick who they would capture and replace!"

"Yes, we don't know any of that. But there's also no way to find out either," Iron Button says. And if it wasn't the professionalism in his tone, you would have thought he was just arguing with Reproach about some theory he disagreed with. "Because Canterlot went up in flames! We have a record of cutie marks of the ponies who were found dead, but we don't know anything else. Of the hundreds of missing ponies, we can't even tell who was abducted during the Catastrophe, and who had already been swapped months before."

"But that doesn't mean the shapeshifters worked alone," Reproach fires back at Iron. And now you start to feel like you are witnessing a discussion, rather than hearing a report. "This happened all around Equestria. In every major city, and most of the small ones. An operation this big can't happen without help from the inside. And we can't discard the possibility the false Luna recruited the help of some nobles either!"

"And that's why we need more time, Reproach. We can't just-!"



You tap your hoof against your desk, the cold iron of your horseshoe hitting against hard wood for but a moment.

Still, that is more than enough for the two detectives to quiet down.



You look at Iron Button for a few moments, his expression tense as if you had just witnessed something he wish you had not seen.

And then you look at Beyond Reproach, the stallion's expression sullen, or maybe annoyed, as if he felt like he was wasting his time.

Well, you can't tell for sure if this is just a disagreement in their methodology, or if there is something deeper afoot. But still, the three ponies in front of you are the three best detectives you have, and this disagreement you see in front of you is probably also being reflected among your investigative teams in general.

So, you will focus on what you can do. And that is to make a decision.

"Well, I think I understand this report a little better now, as well as the difficulties you are facing," you say, nodding at the report on your desk. "But more than that, I think the three of you also have a suggestion on how to move forward."

You say that, and the three ponies nod in affirmative.

"So, Beyond Reproach," you say, making it very clear you do not want them to interrupt each other again. "What is your suggestion?"

The stallion takes a deep breath, stealing a glance at Iron Button before beginning to talk.

"Trying to find these shapeshifters is like trying to catch smoke, boss. At least for now. Catastrophe was five months ago, so they had more than enough time to either run away or dig in, while us ponies were catching our breath. Furthermore, again, none of these things are crimes… none of this is something we are used to."

He then raises a hoof, and points at the report on your desk.

"That's why we need to turn this into something we are used to. Focus on finding the ponies who helped the monsters, rather than the monster themselves. And that list is how I think we should start. We gotta bring all those ponies in for questioning. Find out the colluders. Check who came out on top after the dust settled. And once we find somepony who was in cahoots with the shapeshifters, we can pick up the trail from there."

He then taps at the timeline he scribbled on his piece of paper.

"Make this a kidnapping ring that we can dismantle. Let us focus on the smugglers or crooks that aided the shapeshifters. We don't know where to look for the monsters because they can take over the life of a completely innocent pony. So, let's start by looking at the actual ponies who are guilty to begin with."

You nod at him, but then you make a point of facing Iron Button before you continue.

"And Iron Button? What's your take on all of this?"

"My take is that…" he looks are Reproach one last time before he continues. "Respectfully, Commissioner, that list is all guesswork. I think we need more time, and I think we need to continue focusing on searching for the shapeshifters than for unknown co-conspirators. And more importantly, so far our investigation has been done on the down-low. If we start bringing ponies in and make this more overt, this might tip the shapeshifters that we are looking for them."

"They already know we are looking for-" Reproach begins to speak, but you interrupt him by raising a hoof.

And then you just… think for a few moments.

Because now, you think you can better appreciate the complexity of the task your detectives are engaged in.

After all, solving a crime is already hard. Solving a crime when the criminal is a flying shapeshifter is… orders of magnitudes harder.

But more than that, what Reproach said makes sense. The Catastrophe wasn't even a crime to begin with. It wasn't a mass-murder or a string of kidnappings, it was an invasion. An attack from monsters who came from outside of Equestria, and who have no love for ponykind.

The changeling threat is a war that needs to be fought, not a case that needs to be solved.

You will have to think about this more carefully. Still, you keep the report on your desk as you dismiss your investigators.

"Thank you, everypony. I will take your words under advisement."

You shake your head, pushing that particular memory away. You have already decided that you will wait for Shining Armor to return, so you can get his opinion on it. So there is no point in dwelling on that.

More importantly, you focus on the task at hoof.

Right now, you are in one of the small workshops of the estate. Of course, your own servants have already accepted that you enjoy doing your "eccentric" projects every now and then. And you don't have it in you to care about what your brother's servants think. So, although you realize that doing this will cause a few whispers here and there, you simply don't have enough time to worry about that.

More importantly, you are in this workshop because you are putting the finishing touches on your latest reagent.

The chemistry behind it was easy enough. The snake venom was the most expensive thing you had to buy, but other than that you just needed a few basic components. Mixing everything in the proper way yielded you the gelatinous substance that, after baked and dried a few times, turned into the hard clay you are now working on.

However, when it comes to this kind of thing, the shape of a reagent can be as important as its substance. So, while the ingredients used on this were more than enough to give it some Knock intensity, you are currently working on a way to give it some Edge as well.

Well, you are working on giving it some "Edge" both figuratively and literally. Which is why you are very carefully shearing away parts of the hard clay, in order to make it sharper. You can't really turn it into a proper blade-like object, unfortunately, but you are still trying your best to give it some pointy bits.

Although you are mostly worried about not breaking the entire thing. After all, the more you work on this thing, the more you realize how delicate and brittle it is.

Still, you are making enough progress that you think you will be done within the hour.

Although you force yourself to stop, and put down the increasingly prickly clay, as you sense somepony approaching.

Not anypony threatening, mind you. And you immediately know who it is as soon as you realize your nose is trying to explain to you how light smells like.

"Hello there, Velvet. Lovely day today, isn't it?" the familiar voice reaches you, right after you hear the door to the workshop being opened.

"Baldomare," you say, without turning towards her. Still eyeing the hard clay, as you wonder if you shouldn't try to shape it into a blade anyways.

Or perhaps you should melt it down and cast it into a shape as it hardens..? No, applying enough heat to melt it would evaporate some of its components, and the snake venom would lost its potency.

"Oh my, quite a lot going on in your head… I was going to make a joke about arts and crafts, but I can see it wouldn't be welcome. Still, what happened dear? Was it the thing about Jade's house?"

You feel your face turn into a scowl for a few moments, as you resist the urge to groan.

Heavens, you had almost forgotten about that. And you are not glad Baldomare just reminded you about that.

"It's about something else then?" she asks. And as usual, you are not sure if the question is rhetorical, and she already knows the answer, or if she is really waiting for a response. "Well, in that case I won't be on your mane for long. I just came here to give this to you."

You tear your eyes away from the evolving reagent and turn to face Baldomare. Only to find the pegasus mare reaching into her saddle bag, and pulling out a small scroll.

"If it's any consolation, I think Jade's house looks wonderful. I barely recognized it when I flew by it, even. But anyhow, this is the little errand you asked me to run. I hope it helps."

You thank Baldomare, lighting up the horn and opening the scroll so you can see its content. You don't really want to touch it with your hoofs, given how dirty they are. And also because… well, you always feel like Baldomare is judging you, whenever you hoof-read something when she is nearby.

You know she isn't really judging you. Or at least you are pretty sure about it. But still, you can't help but feel like a filly who is struggling to read the alphabet, whenever you do that under her gaze.

"Huh… Thank you Baldomare, but what am I looking at, exactly?"

You ask that, as you read the scroll she just gave you, because… well, there is no two ways to explain it. You are looking at a map of Ponyville, with several different places circled with red ink, each of them marked with different dates and times.

"It's what you asked for, Velvet. You wanted a place where you could safely perform a ritual, no? Well, those are all the places you can do it. And you are welcome, of course."

"I… but… Baldomare, can you… explain this to me a little better? I mean, there's one, two, three… there are a lot of places marked here. And I wouldn't really feel comfortable doing a ritual in any of these?" You say that as you look at the map, trying to understand exactly what is going on. "Heavens, Baldomare. You even marked the town hall! I guess that place is large enough even for a summoning ritual, but I can't think of anywhere in Ponyville that is as public as-"

"That is why I put the dates, dear," she says, as if she was stating the most obvious thing in the world. "Because yes, I marked the town hall. But do you see that date? That's the night before the place is completely renovated. So it can fit more ponies during the town meetings, given how much Ponyville is growing. And as long as you don't leave blood stains on the floor, the working crews won't notice a thing as they tear the place down."

She says that, but your confusion only deepens…

Because, well, you understand what she is telling you… in theory.

But she marked so many places, and they all have so many specific dates, and even time windows. Heavens, some of them even have specifications on how loud you can be. The more you look at the map, the more notes and scribbles you find in the mare's hoofwriting.

And did she…? How in Equestria could she…? Did she look into the future to prepare this?!

Well, that is the only cognizable explanation. But how?

"If there isn't anything else, dear, I'll be taking my leave. See you soon!" she says, waving a hoof at you as she turns around and walks towards the door.

And not for the first time, you can't help but feel that... that the Name-mare is being strangely prophetic. Even in something as small as her choice of words. Although anypony else who had heard her would just think she was saying her goodbyes as she left.

Still, you make sure to store the map she gave you very carefully.

It is more than just a little uncomfortable, to realize you have a map of all the places in your town where you can literally commit a murder for the next two months, and go completely unnoticed. But still, this is what you asked her to do, and she definitely delivered.

…

You should go back to working on your reagent.





Your detectives have taken the first steps on their investigation of the Catastrophe, the single greatest tragedy that ever happened to ponykind.

Coming next turn, you will be able to have your Constables "follow up" on your detectives' progress, and escalate the ongoing investigation into the public eye. Or you can decide to keep your detectives on their task, without the Constable's help, and continue looking for the changelings in a more subtle way.

Your servants succeeded in fixing Jade Whistle's house. It has been painted, repaired, and is generally a lot more pleasant to visit. However, they also completely failed to understand the specifications of your request. Jade Whistle's house is not yet suitable to safely store items. (This action has failed).

Baldomare has located for you one… two… five… well, several places. Which, according to her, are all suitably safe to perform rituals… at very specific times and dates. But the list she gave you is long enough for your purposes. At least for the next two months, until the very last entry.

Velvet Covers has gained a "Temporary Ritual Spot(s)" bonus. For the next two months, Velvet Cover's faction will not be at risk of causing suspicion when performing rituals.

Velvet Covers has produced a Knock 2 Edge 1 Reagent. The Reagent has been added to your inventory, and 45 bits have been taken away from it.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Is this how a life ends? Suddenly? Without warning? Without anypony getting a chance to say goodbye?

Today, somepony died in Equestria. You never knew them, but you are sure it happened somewhere. It's just how things go. It's just statistics.

Still, even though you never knew that pony, you know what happened. You might not know the details, but they don't really matter. You still know the gist of it. Actually, everypony knows how this story goes.

They woke up today thinking that this would be a day like any other. They went about their routine, left the safety of their home and the love of their family, and then they just… never came back.

Maybe they died from an accident. Maybe it was a sudden illness. Or perhaps it was due to the malice of another pony. It doesn't really matter how it happened. All that matters is that… their story is over, now. They are done.

Everything they said and left unsaid. Everypony they loved and hated. Everything they did, and all the things they never quite got done. All that time they spent counting on the myth that "I can do it tomorrow". It's all over now. The world will march on without them, and ponykind has no choice but to keep up the pace.

That story happened today, somewhere. Probably to more than just one pony. It happened today, it happened yesterday, and it will certainly happen tomorrow.

Without warning. Without reason.

Without a chance to say goodbye.

…

And tonight, that story is about to repeat itself yet again.



- - -



You are the mother, and you…

… and you are the one who started this. All of this.

It is night. And not just any night. This is a very, very special night.

A night so deep that, if you were to look out through the window, you would think that you are the only pony in the world. A night where nothing else exists, or perhaps nothing else matters, other than your own home, and the ponies inside of it.

And yet, this is also a bright night. A beautiful night. A night so grand that, if you were to look up to the sky, you would see a sea of stars. And you would swear that the moon is right on top of you. Like a great jewel at the center of a crown, surrounded by a cloak of starlight gems.

But not even that concerns you. Not the night, and not anything you could see out through your window, either on the earth or on the sky.

No. Tonight, everything that you care about is within the walls of your home.

You are currently in your living room, sitting comfortably on the large sofa.

And you are not alone.

"Have I ever told you about the night I found her?" you ask.

He is sitting right next to you. The two of you are looking at the lit fireplace, listening as the dry wood gently snaps every now and then.

"No, I don't think you have," he answers. "Things were a little rough, when she came home. So I don't think we ever talked about that, in particular."

"Ah… it was a night just like this one. Or maybe it was in the middle of the day when I got there? My memory is a little… strange, when it comes to those little details. Still, I think the night sky was just like it is tonight, when I found her."

At some point, you realize that you are leaning against his side. Resting your head on his shoulder. But neither of you mind it. In fact, you think you are both more comfortable like this.

"Their house was… it was perfect. I wish I could show it to you, but it just isn't there anymore. Still, it was just perfect. Like an idea that was given shape, rather than just a place that was built. Like it was inside somepony's heart, rather than out in the world. It felt… I feel like I wanted to stay there forever, and yet I am grateful that I was able to visit it even once."

His face brushes against your mane as he nods. And somehow, you can tell that he understands what you mean. Even though he was never there. Even though he never felt it.

Or perhaps, he can feel it right now. Maybe, somehow, your words are being enough to convey to him what happened that night. Maybe it is your words, or maybe it is something else.

Whatever it is, you think he understands it.

"And I felt nothing but welcome when I met them. Like they had been waiting for me the entire time. Or like I was an old friend of them, even though they had just met me. For some reason they just trusted me and… no, more than just trusting me. They knew me. They knew me better than I know myself."

Your voice begins to break, as you speak. Your breath begins to tear up, here and there, as you remember that night.

Because as you remember that night, as you remember them, you also realize that… well.

That what you are doing right now, what you are feeling right now, is similar to the night you found her. To the night you met them.

Except that, this time, you are playing another role.

Tonight, you are not a trusted visitor who comes to take her away.

Instead, you are the mother who started all of this, and who has to say her goodbyes.

"We… we t-talked for a bit. But I k-knew I couldn't stay long… We all knew that," you say. And you try your best to ignore the hot droplets that are beginning to roll down through your face. You try to ignore them, but you don't try to hold them back.

You wouldn't be able to even if you wanted.

"They knew they c-couldn't keep her… t-that she wasn't theirs t-to keep… And I knew that…"

A sudden hiccup, or perhaps a sob, interrupts you. Your lungs seize up as your eyes begin to burn.

You know what you are doing. You know what happens next, if you continue down this path. You already know how this story ends.

And you can feel your heart aching due to the fact that… you also know you can stop this.

Just don't say those words. Just stop the play, close the curtains, and let the actors go their separate ways.

If you stop right now, then you can all pretend none of this ever happened.

If you stop right now, then your daughters will wake up tomorrow for a new day. And none of their plans, from the pesky homework they have been putting off to the coming sleepover they have been waiting for, will be interrupted.

If you stop right now, life will go on. Without any sudden and unfair interruptions. Without any sadness or loss.

You know all of that. You know that truth achingly well. And you know that, although you are guilty of starting this, that it doesn't need to end.

…

However…

You also realize that… that the same way she was not theirs to keep, she is not yours to keep either.

They loved her, but they belong to the past now.

You love her, but you are currently denying her future.

So, you will be glad that… like she said, that you had one last night. That you had one last moment with her, before this dream ended.

"I-I… I am going to miss her, Stormy… I r-really am…" you say. And you feel one of his forelegs coming around your back, bringing you in for a tighter hug.

His foreleg is shaking, and a small part of your mind thinks his breathing is also off.

But you don't have it in you to focus on him. Not right now.

You barely have any willpower left, to say those next few words.



"W-wont… won't you go wake her up, love? Y-you know… y-yo… you know how groggy she c-can get… after she sleeps for longer than she should."



But you say them regardless.

You say what needs to be said. You do what needs to be done. You echo her words, spoken aloud in that dream from long ago.

And whatever happens next… is entirely out of your hoofs.

…

The living room feels awfully cold, after Stormchaser gets up to do his part.



- - -



You are the father, and you…

… you are the one who will end this.

This is your duty. This is your task. This, you know, is your part in the play.

And even though you love all the other ponies involved… even though you love them very dearly, you sincerely wish you did not have to do this.

Not because you wish somepony else could take your place. On the contrary, you wouldn't let anypony else do this in your stead even if it was possible.

Instead, you wish none of this had to be done to begin with.

…

However, you also know that you must. You have to do this. This needs to be done.

Because a pony you love very much asked you to do it.

And because another pony, who you also love, needs this to happen.

So, you turn your back to the warm comfort of the living room, and you make your way upstairs.

…

You had never noticed how tall this stairway is. You have never realized just how heavy your legs are, as you take each step up. But still, as hard as the climb may be, this is also a path that is achingly familiar.

In fact, it is so familiar that the weight of your memories is also dragging you back. Trying to delay your journey for just a little longer. So you can live in this life, where you are all happy and content, for just one more second.

It feels like yesterday that she… that your daughter, was practically a stranger in your house. An outsider you knew nothing about. A new entity that, despite the cruelty of it, part of you just wanted to kick away from your world.

You are glad those days are long gone. You are glad that estrangement was short-lived.

And yet… you would be lying if you said you wouldn't go back to that past, if you had the chance. After all, the period that came after that was so…

It feels like it was just a few hours ago, that you were carrying your daughter on your back, for whatever reason it might have been. Maybe she was tired after a long day, and you were taking her to her bed. Maybe she was excitedly holding on to your neck, as you prepared to soar with her through the skies.

Still, you can still feel it. You can still feel the light weight of her body on your back. You can still feel the familiar sensation of her breath against your ears, as she rests her head against your mane.

You can still feel it. You don't think you will ever stop feeling it.

And the memory of her riding on your back feels so… heavy right now. It feels so heavy that you can barely take another step up the stairs.

It feels so heavy that, if you just let go, you know you will just fall down the stairs. You will fall down the stairs, and this dream will end, and the sun will rise on the horizon as if nothing ever happened.

You just need… to let go.

Because if you let go, if you stop climbing these stairs, this will all end.

If you let go, tomorrow will arrive. And then the next one, and the next. The hands of the clock will resume its movement, and your family will remain unbroken. And you will all figure out what to do after that.

You just… need… to…

…

You wish you had stopped. You almost stopped.

But when you realize it, you are finally at the top of the stairs.

The living room, where your wife and your warmth and your love are, might as well be in another lifetime now. And somehow you realize, although you have no idea how, that there is no turning back.

So, you make your way down the corridor.

You walk by the entrance to the room of the older, and enter the room of the younger.

And there you find… your daughter. Just the way you left her. A perfect bundle of peace and calm, lying under a blanket crocheted with love, sleeping without a single care in the world.

You make your way towards her, approaching her bed with the utmost care so you don't make a single sound.

The room is perfectly dark. The windows are closed, and the curtains are shut. And yet, for some reason, you swear that her face is being perfectly illuminated by a streak of moonlight.

It almost feels like a crime, or perhaps a sin, to do this. It almost feels wrong, to let go of such a perfect filly.

However, for all that you love her… you know she is not yours to keep. Not like this.

So, you will let her go. Even if the shackles that were binding her are also the bonds of love that connect the two of you.

Because even if you have to break those bonds, you know you will never truly stop loving her.



"It is time to wake up."



You whisper those words in her ear.

You repeat those same words that he said to her, on a similar dream that happened long ago.

And after that, the only thing you can do is leave the room. Before the stifled sob you have been holding back breaks out of your mouth, and you accidentally disturb her in a moment that belongs only to her.

And just like that… it is done.



- - -



You are the daughter, and you…

… you actually do not know what that means.

Did you exist before, or did you just come into being?

Are you asleep right now, or did you just wake up?

Did you… did you just die? Or is this the first time you have been alive in oh so long?

…

You do not know.

All that you know is that you are the daughter.

…

You are somewhere dark. You can't see anything, or perhaps you just don't have the eyes to see. And yet, you are not afraid.

After all, although you are somewhere dark, you still know exactly where you are. You are in a familiar place, one that you would be able to navigate even with your eyes closed. You are somewhere safe, where you can take as long as you want, and where you can stay for as long as you need.

And most importantly, you are not alone.

…

You are not alone right now.

…

"So… is this it? This is how it ends?"​

A voice, her voice, comes from somewhere nearby.

You know who she is, of course. More than just that, you know her more deeply than it should be possible.

In fact, her voice is so familiar that it might have been your own, a long, long time ago.

"That is a curious question. Do you think this is an ending?"​

Another voice, also from nearby. Perhaps from the same place, perhaps from the same mouth. But still, you hear another voice coming from somewhere else.

A more mature voice. A wiser voice. One that is coming from another time or another life or another pony who you also know achingly well.

There is a bit of curiosity in that voice. And perhaps a little mirth.

But most of all, that voice is patient. It is patient, and it is understanding.

"It… well, it does feel like an ending. It feels like the end of a dream. Like the sun is coming, and the dreamer is about to wake up. Only that… I'm not the dreamer, and I won't be the one waking up…"​

The younger voice, the smaller voice, it is… scared? No, not scared. Not exactly.

But still, she sounds sad. Like she just lost something precious, or as if something she loved had just been taken from her.

She sounds like a pony who will never see her best friend, ever again. She sounds like a pony who never got to say her goodbyes.

And yet, despite all of that, she doesn't sound scared… only sad.

"You are right, in a way. This dream is indeed about to end. The last grain of sand in this hourglass has just begun to fall, and is about to hit the bottom side. And the dreamer will… wake up, once that happens."

"I… I know… I don't know how, but I know…"​

The younger voice, the smaller voice, she sounds inconsolable.

She sounds like she is about to cry. More than that, she sounds like she would be crying right now, if she could.

However, she also sounds resolute. Almost brave.

Such a small voice. Such a small life. And yet, she sounds like she is ready to give what little she has. She sounds like she is ready to give everything she ever had, even if that is so little.

She sounds like she is ready to be gone, for the sake of the ponies she loves. Even though she clearly wishes this didn't need to happen.

"Well… I… it was good, while it lasted. It was the best, even. But… can I ask you something? Can you promise… you will take care of my sister? She's the only one I have, and we promised we would take care of each other… so can you please…?"

"Oh? I would promise that if I could, little one. I really, really would. But tell me… why is it that you think… that I am the one who will wake up from this dream?"

"W-what?"​

The older one, the larger one, says those words. And the smaller one cannot help but react with surprise.

And even though you have no eyes to see, and even though you do not exist yet, you can tell that the older one is looking at you, as she speaks to the younger one.

"B-but… but you are… it has to be you. It just has to! You are…!"

"Yes, I am Luna. I am Luna, and you are Selene. And yet, I don't think I am the dreamer, little one. I don't think I will be the one to wake up, once the sun rises."

"No, but… but it can't be me. T-that… that wouldn't be fair! The world… everypony… my sister, they all need a Princess. They all need you! If all of this… if all of this is happening just for me to wake up, then… wouldn't that be wrong? Wouldn't that be a waste?"

"Ah, you misunderstand me, Selene. What I meant to say is that… I don't think I will be the one to wake up. But I do not think it will be you either."​

The older one, the greater one, says that.

And you can feel the smaller one looking at you, now. As if she had just realized you were there. As if she had just realized you existed, even though you had been there this whole time. Ever since she first woke up without any memories.

"Tell me, Selene, why do you think we will both be gone? Why do you think either one of us will be gone?"

"Because… well, I just know it. Don't you feel it too? This is all a dream and… and somepony will wake up."

"You are right… but you are also wrong. I have never felt this particular feeling before, but it is not unfamiliar either. So let me… Ah, I know, a better explanation. Tell me, Selene, what does it mean to grow up?"

"Grow up? That's just… well time passes, and you get older. That's it, isn't it? Why are you asking me this?"

"Ah, once again you are right, but you are also wrong. Selene, growing up isn't just that. It is so much more. Growing up means becoming more than you were before. And it happens every day, little by little. It happens when a boring chore you were forced to do, like tidying your bed or brushing your teeth, becomes a habit you do without thinking. It happens when you and your best friend laugh at an old joke, but also invent a new one that you will share for the rest of your lives. It happens every day… and I think it is also happening now."​

The older one says that, and the sadness in the younger one's voice slowly turns into… curiosity?

Curiosity, or perhaps fascination. Or maybe even hope.

But still, she doesn't sound inconsolable right now.

"But the most important part, Selene, is that growing up doesn't mean leaving the old parts of yourself behind. Those parts of you just go deeper and deeper inside of you. And not because they were buried, but because they became like pillars. Something that will keep you standing, tall and strong, as you continue to grow the temple that is your life."

"So, you mean that… that I won't be gone? This feeling that I have, that I'm just a mask that's about to be taken off… it's not right? Are we… are we both going to wake up?"

"Both of us? Oh, no. Neither of us will wake up, Selene… But she will. And we will be a part of her. We will be a part of her in all the ways that matter. Princess Luna existed in the past, Selene. And you exist in the present."​

The two of them look at you. The older one with confidence, the younger one with hope.

"And she… she is our future. She is what we look like, when we both grow up."

"I… i-in… in that case, you promise you will take care of my sister! Promise you will be there for her, like I promised. Like you promised!"

"Yes, like Selene is saying, please keep the promises we made. You don't need to keep all the oaths I took, some of them are better left forgotten. But please… take care of my sister as well."​

The two of them say that.

And you nod.

You promise them.

You swear to them.

Because now you have a head with which you can nod.

And now you have a body in which you can exist.

And even though you feel like you are listening to something as distant as a past life talking to you…

You also feel like you are talking to yourself.



Because you are Luna.

And you are Selene.

And most importantly, you are yourself.





And for the first time in a very, very long time, you wake up.





…





Your body feels… right.

Your bed feels… small.

The crocheted blanket can't even cover your entire body. And yet, you already know you will never stop using it.

But now is not the time for you to lay on your bed. Now is the time for you to wake up.

So, you jump out of your bed, and you walk out of your room.

You make your way down the familiar corridor. It takes you a lot less steps to cover the distance, but for some reason nothing feels wrong or out of place.

So, you go down the stairs. A curious glance towards the windows of the entrance hall reveals that the sun is about to rise. But still, you have more than enough time for this.

You make your way towards the living room, the clip-clop-clip of crystal echoing through the air in time with your hoofsteps.

And when you push the door open, you find them exactly where they are meant to be.

The living room is comfortably warm. The fire has almost died down, but it is still more than enough to illuminate everything.

And the loving couple is huddled together, keeping each other company on the comfort of the large sofa.

They have their backs turned to you, but you know they are not asleep. You know they have heard you.

They are just… waiting for you to make the first move. Whatever it may be.

So, you calmly make your way towards one of the cushions next to the sofa, and you sit down.

You have never sat down on this cushion before.

And yet, this is your spot. This is the place you always sat down on, during the colder nights, as you all gathered together for hot chocolate and stories.

The memories… there are so many of them. Heavens, how did you manage to accumulate so many good memories in so few months?

Still, that is not important right now. So, you simply sit down, and you look at them.

The sofa and the cushions are all laid around a low table, next to the fireplace. So, you are all facing each other. You look at them, and they look at you.

You can tell that they have been crying all night. You can tell that they are nervous.

And yet, you can also tell that they are not scared.

Because they both love you. So, whatever you decide to do next, they will abide by your choice.

However, the silence is soon broken. By her, of course. You knew she wouldn't be able to keep her quiet for too long. It's just how she is, and she has always been a worrywart.



"I… I-I know this… I u-understand this m-might look s-strange, Sel-… Princess L-Luna… But… d-do you… do you remember a-anything…? Do you k-know who we are?"



She asks that, and then she waits. She waits, even though you can tell how she wants to say so much more. Perhaps she wants to confess something. Perhaps she just wants to tell you that she still loves you. But still, you can see that she is mustering all of her willpower to stay quiet.

You can tell that, as much as it hurts her, she won't say another word until you make your decision.

And the only thing you can do… is smile.

"Of course I know who you are," you say, as you get up from your cushion and make your way towards her.

You walk towards them, until you are right in front of them. Until you are face to face with the unicorn and the pegasus, who are looking at you with both nervousness and expectation.

So, you give them your answer. It is the obvious answer. The only answer you could possibly give.

"You are my mother," you say to the unicorn mare, "and you are my father," you continue, turning to face the pegasus stallion.

And you can barely contain your tears as the two of them almost rush towards you with a hug. A loud sigh of sheer relief coming from somepony, or perhaps everypony, as you surround them with your forelegs and cover them with your large wings.

"And I… I am your daughter!" you finish, before your own sobs take over you.

And during the entirety of that long, almost crushing hug, everything is perfect, and your family is nothing but happy.

You are finally back home.





You have successfully performed the Rite of the Mother and the Father.

You will have a proper conversation with your daughter later. And only after you fawn over her, and tell her how beautiful she is and how tall she has become and how you are so very thankful and happy. But for now, you will just enjoy this moment with her.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You are Selene.

And you are Luna.

And more importantly, you are currently being… well, this has long passed the point of fawning. You are pretty sure you are currently being inspected.

In the most loving way possible, of course. But still.

"-and you're just so tall! Me and Stormy practically have to look up to talk to you!"

"Mom…"

But really, you are actually impressed, and maybe even a little curious.

Because how is it possible for a pony to be hugging you tightly, and at the same time be far enough to look at your entire body?

Is… is something going on? You swear to the stars there is only one of your mom here with you. But how is she even doing this?!

"And your wings are beautiful! Just look at these feathers, Stormy. There's… there's actually a hue to them, isn't there?"

"Mom…"

"Velvet, Sweetheart…"

When did she get under your wings? And how are her forelegs still around your neck as she does that?!

Even your dad is chiming in now. And you can tell by his expression that he is also… confused? Surprised? Maybe even worried?

It's not something bad or intrusive, but… Well, it is kind of getting overwhelming?

"And by the heavens that horn. I've never seen such a perfect horn in my entire li-"



"Mom!"
"Velvet, could you please… just a little bit?"
"Oh, right… I'm, uh, sorry…?"



Your mother finally steps back, and you… well, maybe you let out a small sigh of relief.

But still, you know this is just the way she is. In fact, this is nothing compared to that one time you got sick and she…

… no, wait, too many memories. A part of you, one that feels more experienced and mature, is telling you that you will need some time alone to parse through everything you have inside your head.

So, it is best that you focus on the here and now for the time being.

Which means that…

"Ah, no, I really mean it. I'm sorry Sel-… Luna…? Actually, how do we want you to call you? No, no, I'm not trying to change the subject. I'm really sorry that-" your mom starts to say, her face honestly apologetic.

But you interrupt her by raising a hoof.

"Mom, it's fine. Really. I know a lot of things happened and… well, I also realize there's a lot of things I just don't know yet," you say.

And you really mean it.

Because you just woke up and… well, did you just wake up? Or did you return? Or did you just start existing? By the moon, this situation is so complicated that you don't even know what words to use.

To be honest, you don't even know what just happened. You have this confident sensation that this is all good. However, you still have an entire library's worth of memories in your head, that you both "already know" and "realize you should review" at the same time.

Furthermore, you are also aware that there are things that you simply didn't know. Neither as Selene nor as Luna.

And most importantly, none of you have the time to start working on any of those things right now.

So, the best thing you can do is focus on your priorities.

"So, I know we need to talk. We need to sit down, and start figuring out what to do next," you continue. And both your parents nod. Their expression slowly turning from joy and relief to…

Well, they are still clearly happy, but you can tell that the reality of the situation is finally starting to sink in for everypony. Including yourself.

"However, before that happens, there is something I need to do. And there is something I need you two to do for me. Can you please help me with this?" you ask.

Although the two ponies were already nodding in affirmative even before you finished your question.

"Yes, of course!"

"Anything you need, just name it."

Both of them say, almost at the same time.

And the sincerity in their voices actually puts a smile on your face.

"Thank you," you say with a smile. "So, the thing I need you to do is…"

You begin to speak more softly, each of your words being quieter than the last.

And you light up your horn as you do that, the soft purple glow barely illuminating anything around you. Your magic flowing through you like a familiar gust of wind.

"… I need you two to rest for a while. You two look like you haven't slept at all tonight."

You say that, and you watch as their eyes slowly begin to close. Their bodies growing heavier as they begin to slump against each other.

You think your mother is trying to say something, but she only manages to mumble something before your magic finishes making her fall asleep.

After that, you gently float the two of them back towards the large sofa. And the two ponies settle down together, lovingly hugging each other, without any interference from you.

And you just look at them, for a few more seconds, before you take your leave.

You don't feel bad for doing this. The two of them look exhausted, and... well, you are not a filly anymore. You realize they must have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions. They really just need some timeout right now.

And you, on the other hoof, have a few promises to keep.

"I'll be back soon, then we can take care of the future," you say to the two of them. "I promise."

Moments later, you are gone.



- - -



Your first stop is… your sister's room.

Your younger sister, mind you.

Well, this isn't really her room. This is a dream. Her dream.

Because she is still sleeping, and you weren't sure if you wanted to wake her up.

Actually, you are not sure of what you are going to do.

Because you have to talk to her. You just have to tell her.

But is that… a good idea?

After all, you are not a filly anymore. You know that your actions have consequences, and that sometimes it's best not to reveal certain things.

You are not a filly anymore. And most important of all, she still is.

So wouldn't it be better if you just… didn't tell her? Would it be better if you figured out something else?

…

Pff, who are you kidding? You are not that kind of pony. You aren't afraid of lying, but you are not going to do this to her.

After all, she is your sister. And you made her a promise.

So, you step into her dream-room.

And as expected, she is already awake. She is lying on her bed, as if she had just woken up. But still, she looks at you the moment you open her door.



"Hey, Silky, I-"

"Who are you?!"



But the moment you look at her, you realize she is scared. She is peeking at you from under her blankets, as if trying to hide, and you can tell that she is wide-eyed and frightened.

And you freeze, from her sudden reaction. Because you are not sure what to do next. You don't even know how to react.

Because right now, you are Selene. Or at least you look like Selene. You are currently in your Selene-like body, and you know for a fact that the only thing she can see right now is the perfectly ordinary filly who has lived with her all this time.

However, you also know that… that Silky has always been good at noticing things.

You also remember the very first day you met her, when your mother brought you into her house for the first time. When you were still scared and lonely, and she somehow knew just what to do as she took you by the hoof and helped you start your new life.

You knew she saw something in you back then.

The same way she can see something in you right now.

"Silky, what are you talking about?" you ask. Although you can tell your voice is not as confident as it should be. "It's me, Silky. I'm Selene."

You say that, as you cautiously take a few steps towards her bed.

But for every step you take, Silky pushes herself away from you. Pressing her back against the wall, and keeping her blankets between the two of you like a barrier.

"No you're not!" she yells, her voice scared. "You're not Selene. You're not my sister! What did you do to her?!"

And her words… make you feel a strange pain inside your chest. For too many reasons.

You stop walking towards her. You don't want to scare her any more than she already is. More than that, you didn't want her to be scared at all.

And the confident expression you had on your face, as you entered her room, is completely gone now.

"I… Silky, I…" you try to say something, anything, but you are at a loss for words.

What should you say to her? What can you say to her?

And before you realize it, your hind hits the floor, and you are sitting on the soft carpet of her room as you…

"Silky… it's me. I'm Selene. Don't you recognize me...?"

The words leave your mouth before you can think about them.

And slowly, painfully slowly, you can see that Silky's expression is…

Well, you can tell that she believes you. At least a little bit.

But you can also tell that the fear she has on her face is being replaced by…

"Y-you… you are Selene? Is… is that really you?"

… you can do nothing but watch, as her expression is slowly overcome by sadness.

"But… but what happened to you? Why do you look so…?" she asks, her words trailing off.

Still, there is no need for her to finish that question. You know exactly what she is asking you.

"I just woke up, Silky," you say. But as you admit those words, and you watch her expression become sadder and sadder, you begin to understand the implications of what that means. "I guess I just… grew up?"

Because everything happened so quickly, everything happened so suddenly, that you didn't really have the time to… to realize what this means.

It didn't really dawn upon you how this will change your life, from now on.

And most of all, you didn't realize how this would affect everypony else around you.

But Silky did. Of course she did. Of course this was the first thing she thought about.

After all, up until now you were with her all day, every day. You two were one of the most important parts of each other's world…

And more importantly, the two of you always thought things would stay like that.

"You… but we…" she starts to say, but suddenly she stops. Her grip on her blankets faltering as something else begins to overcome her.

And before you realize it, her blankets have completely fallen off. And you are looking at a Silky Stream who is… alone, hugging herself, pressing her back against the wall of her room as she just…

As she just begins to cry.

"… you grew up… without me? B-but what about… weren't we meant t-to… to grow up together?"

And once again, you have no idea of what you should do. You don't even know if there is anything you can do.

Because nothing you could ever tell her will change that fact that… she is right.

After all, the two of you really did everything together, didn't you?

You went to school together. You ate together. She let you sleep on her bed when you had nightmares. You helped with her homework, when she wasn't sure of what to do.

You made new friends together. You learned new things together. Everyday was a new adventure the two of you explored together. And just like she said, the two of you were growing up together. Like every sibling should be, the two of you were best friends who lived in the same house, and shared your lives with each other.

But now… didn't you just leave her behind?

"I… Silky, I'm… I'm sorry," you say, your own face growing sadder as this particular reality of your new life begins to settle in.

After all, you might be more than just Selene, now.

But you are also definitely less than Selene was before.

And the pony who will probably be the most affected by that is right in front of you.

"Y-you… b-but what happened…? Why?" she asks, still trying to hold back her tears.

She asks that, and you don't know what to tell her.

…

So, you just show her.

A soft glow envelops your body, as you easily change her dream so you can take on another form. And moments later, you are looking down at her due to your height, rather than looking up at her because she is still on her bed.

And after that… Silky Stream just stares at you.

She doesn't look shocked or surprised. You think she always knew something about you was different. And you don't think she suspected it was this. But still, she doesn't look surprised.

She doesn't look scared, either. Even though she is inside her room, with a pony she had never seen before in her life, she still doesn't look scared.

She just looks…

Sad.

After the longest time, she finally looks down, as if she had accepted something.

"… okay…" is all she says.

But the way she says it, as if she had just accepted she had lost something… it doesn't just break something inside of you.

It shatters your heart.

Because from that word alone, she already told you everything you need to know.

From that word alone, you can already tell that… that she understands it. That she accepts it, even.

She understands that her sister is gone now.

She understands that she will have to grow up alone, without her very best friend.

And even though she doesn't want any of that to happen, she accepts that you have to do it regardless.

After all, you are a Princess. And even a young filly like her understands that a Princess is just meant to do more important things. They have a whole world to take care of, after all.

"Can you… Mrs. Princess Luna, I-I'm sorry for asking this but… could you at least let me dream about Selene, every now and then? I… I just don't want to forget her and stuff…" she says, in a tone so low it's barely a whisper.

And you…

When did your vision get so blurry?

You wipe the tears that are beginning to fall from your eyes.

And you make a decision.

You have no idea how this will impact everything else, moving forward.

You have no idea how much context you are even missing. Because it will probably take you days or weeks to catch up to speed, and figure out what in the night sky your mother has been doing all along.

But you also don't care.

You have a promise to keep.

And you are still Selene. Even if you also happen to be more than just her.

"Silky, I'm not here to tell you I'm going to leave," you say, making your way towards her bed and climbing it without a second thought.

Your sister doesn't recoil away from you. But she doesn't seem encouraged by your words either.

Still, you sit in front of her on that small bed, and you continue to tell her the decision you have just made.

"Do you remember the promise we made, during my first month here? Do you remember what you told me on that night, when I still felt like I was all alone?"

You ask that, and she gives you a weak nod. Her expression making it very clear that she remembers it, and that she also realizes that your promise just can't be kept anymore.

However, that's where she is wrong.

"Well, I am going to keep that promise. More than that, I want us to make a new promise to each other. Right here, and right now. Because I am not going to leave you, but I also… am going to need your help."

You say that, and for the very first time Silky looks at you with… not hope, but perhaps confusion?

And as you wipe the tears from her cheeks, as you explain to her exactly what you are going to do, a small smile appears on her face.

You have no idea how you are going to make this work.

You don't even know if it will be practical. And you… you definitely will need to bring in your parents as well.

But you will all figure it out. Together.



And most importantly, you are not leaving your sister.



...

The two of you stay together, just chatting on her dream-bed, for a lot longer, after you two make that promise.

And after that, the two of you just... stay there, keeping each other company.



"S-so… uhm… am I the little sister now"
"Pfff, you are worried about that? Well, I guess you are."
"Okay… and uhm, can I… Can I look at your cutie mark? I mean, I always hoped we'd get ours closer to each other but…"
"Of course you can, you don't even have to ask!"
"And I… can I keep calling you Selene?"
"I'd love it if you did, sis."



Still, no matter what happens moving on, you know this was the right decision to make.

And when you leave her dream, you can tell that she has a smile on her face, as she sleeps away the rest of the early morning.



- - -



Time moves differently when you are inside dreams. Or rather, you can take a lot of liberties with the flow of time, when you are inside a pony's dream.

That is a skill you have learned a long time ago, but that thankfully still seems to be like second nature to you.

It's… strange. Everything you try to do is easy and familiar. And yet, every time you try to do something, from walking around with your long legs to using magic, you get that a feeling that you are trying it for the first time. Going into somepony's dreams is no different.

Of course, that also has the worrying implication that you don't innately know the limits of what you can do. And you realize you might just hit a dead end, where you suddenly realize that "no, you actually never could do this". Which is its own cause for concern.

But none of that matters right now.

What matters is that, again, you can make time move differently in dreams.

So, even though you spent a lot of time with Silky just now, until she fell back asleep lying on your flank…

It was still night, or perhaps early morning, when you left her dream.

The sun has not yet risen.

And you hope your other sister will be asleep.

…

The motions are all pleasantly familiar, so you don't even need to think about them. You go back to your room, you barricade the door with something sufficiently heavy, and then you start meditating on your bed.

You will wander around the Dreamlands later. And parse through everything you… remember about it, in due time.

For now, you immediately jump into your sister's dream door.



And moments later, you are inside Celestia's dream.



"Thank the stars you are still asleep, dear sister," you say to yourself.

And then you just…

…

You actually just stand there, for a while.

Because it has just… it has just been so long.

A sensation of vertigo, or perhaps something stronger, overtakes you. And the Luna-side of your memories, the one that remembers your dear Celestia and everything that came before that, comes rushing through you.

You… you have so much to tell her. You have so much you want to do with her.

You feel so happy that you might just start laughing, and you feel so scared you might as well be frozen in place. Because how has she been? Does she miss you? Can she forgive everything you did?

You shake your head, spreading your legs under you as if you are afraid of falling down. And you remember…

You vaguely remember the life you had before that great blackness in your mind…

And you remember the precious few months you spent with her, after your first return. And how confused you were, and how hard you were on yourself, and how patient and loving she was as the two of you were finally together after so long, and…!

Your legs are moving before you can even think about it.

You just want to meet your sister again, this time for good!



With that thought, you begin to navigate her dream, trying to find her as soon as possible.



Celestia's dream is…

Now that you think about it, you can't remember the last time you were here. The two of you were often asleep when the other was awake, so you always had the chance to visit her, but you don't quite remember doing it.

Well, you don't really remember anything from the distant past. And you weren't really doing much during the time you were with her, after your initial return.

Still, her dream is… it is actually quite large.

You first appeared on a small forest, or perhaps a lush garden. But you knew what direction you had to go, to make your way towards her, so you soon made your way out of the garden.

And you found yourself in…

Well, this certainly isn't Canterlot. But perhaps it's how she wishes Canterlot will become, in the future?

You are currently looking at a great castle. Or perhaps a city? No, it is definitely a castle that is the size of a city. Made out of marble and gold, its perfect white reflecting the overhead midday sun in all of its splendour.

You think the castle is perched on top of a mountain, but the scenario breaks out when you try to look towards the far distance. Or perhaps, this is the whole top of Mount Canterlot that was carved into a castle.

Either way, you can see that the design is as grand as your sister's vision.

It is very… nostalgic, to see something like that. To see a visual reminder of all the plans your sister told you, about the future she has in mind for ponykind.

You stretch your wings, and you take to the air. Making your way towards the great castle as quickly as possible.

As you fly over the tall walls, you can see that the entire palace is being patrolled by guards. Faceless ponies who seem to be made out of metal and marble, walking around in organized groups. But still, none of them seem to notice you, or at least they did not seem disturbed if they did notice you. So, you fly to the central building, and you land on a large plaza that leads to a great door made out of solid gold.

Soon enough, you enter a place that seems to be a throne room.

And ah… you don't really have the words to say how happy you are.



Because there she is!



The throne room is immense. Its walls are tall, with great mosaics and metal windows on its ceiling. Great banners cover the walls, and a grand red carpet stretches from the door where you stand to the base of the throne.

And on that large, golden throne fitted with jewels, your sister is waiting.

Atop that great throne of the Sun, sits Celestia.

She gives you an honest, proud smile as she looks at you. Her eyes telling you more than her words ever could.

You are finally back.

And she has been waiting for you all this time.



"Luna, my dearest sister. I am so glad you have finally returned."



Her voice sounds strong, echoing through the great room almost as if she is trying to hug you with her words.

Still, even that feels pleasant. Even that feels…

"Yes, sister. I am back. And… and it is so good to see you again," you say, not even bothering to hide the emotions from your voice.



"Yes. Now that you are back, now that we are together, we can finally fulfill our purpose."



Her voice, once again, feels heavy in the air. Almost as if her every movement, even when she opens her mouth, causes the air to shake.

No, it's more than that, it's almost as if she is making everything shake.

And that feels… strange, now that you think about it.

You start to make your way towards her, but you can't help but steal some glances here and there as you do.

"Of course, sister. Of course. Still, I missed you so much that… well, how have you been? I have so many things to tell you, Celestia. And…"

Your words trail off, and you stop.

Something… something is not right.

Celestia's expression is… she is smiling yes, but you were so happy to see her that you thought it was a smile of joy. You thought it was a smile full of love and happiness.

But now that you think about it, she almost seems… eager?

That is a positive emotion, of course, but still…

She notices your pause, of course, and you watch as she slowly leans on her throne, merely arching her head towards you-



!!!!!!!!!!!



-and the whole castle, no the whole world trembles as she does that. As if everything around you was straining from just that small movement of hers.

"Sister is… is everything alright?" you ask, not being able to hide the concern in your voice.

And in response to that, Celestia just smiles.



"Of course, dear sister. Of course. Everything is perfect. And everything will be better, once you help me."



She says that, and as her words echo through the air, you realize that…

This strange feeling…

It's not that her words are echoing through the air. Instead, it is as if the very air is trying to fight back against her words. As if the very walls are pushing them back, or perhaps trying to keep them within the confines of this room.

As if this entire world was trying to…

"Help you…? Of course, Celestia, I will help you with anything you need," you say, willing yourself to remain calm. Forcing your hindlegs not to take that half-step back they so desperately want to.

However, the way she is saying that… the way she is wording that…

"But… but what do you need help with, Celestia?" you ask.

To which she answers by… chuckling?

She chuckles, and then she laughs, and you can only watch in horror as she begins to cackle. The sound of her mirth bouncing against the walls, and the very ground shaking as it tries to resist her movements.



"What else, dear sister. I need you to RELEASE ME."



She says that, and all at once you realize how wrong you are.

You finally notice that, yes you found your sister… You have found her a long time ago.

Your dear sister, your Celestia, is all around you. In every brick of every wall. In every piece of gold that makes up this castle.

In every link of the chains that bind the thing upon the throne. In every part of the mechanical guards that patrol this prison.

You have been in Celestia's presence this entire time.

Even as you were talking to the thing that is chained upon the golden throne.



"Why do you hesitate, dear sister… Why do you PAUSE? Do you not WANT me to be FREE? ARE we not MEANT to be TOGETHER?!"



The thing thrashes in its throne. And the chains, the ones you could not see before but that are now painfully visible, strain to keep her in place.

And the creature itself, now, is far more clear to your eyes. You can now see her in all of her terrible glory. From the yellow of her irises within the black of her eyes, to the fiery feathers on her wings, that are beginning to belch smoke and fire.



"I AM DOING THIS FOR YOU, LUNA! THIS IS ALL FOR YOU! WE BELONG TO EACH OTHER, AND NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE THAT. NOW RELEASE ME! SET ME FREE AT ONCE!!!"



She thrashes and pushes and throws herself against the confines of her chains. The links of gold and willpower straining to keep her in place, stretching and buckling as they stop the Celestia-thing from moving even another inch.

And all around you, the dream grows hotter.



"BREAK THESE WALLS, DAMN YOU! BREAK THESE CHAINS, AND THIS PRISON, AND THIS STUPID CONSCIENCE THAT IS KEEPING ME HERE! LET ME FREE, SO WE CAN REIGN OVER THE WORLD AS WE ARE MEANT TO!!!"



She is beginning to glow.

No, she is beginning to burn. And the golden throne strains as it tries to hold back what is slowly becoming a localized sun. More than just that, you begin to hear things, coming from the outside. Beyond the throne room, throughout the whole castle, you can hear horns being blown, hoofsteps of metal running, and the unmistakable sound of something very large being closed shut.

It hurts to look at her. It hurts to be in her presence. You can feel a very real, very physical pain as her blinding presence begins to burn your fur. But for a moment, you can't help but freeze from the sheer shock of all this.

The great golden doors behind you begin to move, a legion of guards closing them shut, moving over the corpses of their own companions as they begin to melt from the heat. The windows on the high ceiling are blocked by heavy slabs of marble, carried into position by unseen winged guards. And all around you, you feel like you are being buried alive, locked inside a tomb with the thing that looks like your sister.

And you feel like you are going to burn alive if you stay in this place for even a second longer.

Your horn lights up. The angry sun in front of you realizes what you are doing-



"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! WHY ARE YOU NOT-!?!"



-and you suddenly wake up on your bed, heaving with effort as if you were drowning. The faint smell of burned fur filling your nostrils one last time before your mind accepts that none of that really happened.

…

It was all just a dream…

…

You… do not think it is wise for you to go to your sister yet.

…

And you… you think you should… well you definitely can't…

…

A knock comes to your door, and you let out a small yelp as your heart nearly jumps out of your chest. The familiar voice of Soft Sweeps comes through the door right after, telling you it is time to wake up for breakfast.

A-and you… you decide to…

"I-I'm… I'm coming," you say out loud towards the door.

And then you light up your horn, a wave of magic running through your body until you are a filly once again.

Yes, this is… this is what you are going to do. You think you are in shock, but… everything will be alright if you just go downstairs and have breakfast.

You are Selene. You are a filly with a blank flank, who just woke up on the last day of a weekend.

And... and everything is fine...

Everything will be fine, as... as long as you...





Selene has made a new promise to her sister, one that she will not break. She will continue to be Silky Stream's sister, and the two of them will continue to journey through life together. The logistics of HOW she will keep this promise is still... well, she will figure it out.

Princess Luna has made the decision that, for now, it is best she doesn't reveal herself to her sister. Something happened to her. It did not feel as intrusive and disgusting as it did with herself, but the end result felt just as evil. Celestia is still in there, but she is entirely focused on keeping that evil in check. So it is best if Luna... doesn't upset that balance. She also learned that...

Spoiler: The mentality of the Sun - Better understood

7 or higher: ???

6: ???

5: ???

4: ???

3: ???

2: Daybreaker is born, shackled by her regretful creator. The result of this battle of wills will define the future of Equestria. (???)

1: Daybreaker has come, and Equestria shall slave under the glare of the sun. (Introduce "hyperthermia" mechanic)

0 or lower: "Lady Coelle's actions are not alien to ponykind. But a mirror of their consequences certainly is."

For now, she should really just talk to her parents, and decide what to do next.

And what about her third sister? Later, later, you will have time for her soon.

More to follow.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You are Velvet Covers, and right now you are lying on a cloud.



"Ma'am?"



You aren't just comfortable, you are perfectly snug and cozy.

No Grail secret could ever hope to compare to this. No Winter calm could ever bring you to anything like this.



"Ma'am…?"



In fact, you think an entire new Lore could be created, just to encompass this sensation you are feeling right now.

You are Velvet Covers, the Hour of Comfy. And your entire existence is based on eternally sinking just a little deeper on this perfect cloud that is your home.



"Okay, I really need you to wake up."



All movements are forbidden. All action is unnecessary. Even gravity itself exists only to-

"Ma'am! It's already sunrise! Breakfast is served already!"

-and what in the hay is going on?!

Somepony is shaking you, throwing your thoughts into disarray as you return to the harshness of reality.

Well, you are still lying on something incredibly comfortable. But as you flail around in confusion, both you and your personalized pillow eventually lose your mutually-held grip and fall down on the floor.

"Ouch!"

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I must also remind you that you ordered me to wake you up, on situations like this."

You fall on the ground sideways, and it takes you a full second to realize that your "pillow" (which turned out to be your husband) is also on the floor right next to you. And if his expression is anywhere close to yours, then it seems the two of you are… awake, now.

Or at least something close to it.

"Wha… what is going on… Ponpon?" you say, as you try to stand up and get your bearings.

And sure enough, Ponpon is standing right next to you. Her expression is only slightly judgmental, for which you are thankful, and she is patiently waiting for you to regain your senses.

It takes you several seconds to do so. And you only realize you have an unsightly line of droll on your cheek after the mare gives you a handkerchief. But still, eventually, you wake up.

"Thank you, Ponpon, I… I really appreciate you calling us," you say.

Although your mind is still a bit confused as to what just happened.

Because, for starters, you really just woke up from a good night's sleep. You don't think you ever slept so well in your entire life, even!

But why in Equestria were you and Stormchaser sleeping on the couch? And why…?



Oh.



Your eyes go wide as you remember everything. Or as you think you remember everything.

Did all of that just happen? You just woke up, so could it possibly be that…?

"Stormchaser, please don't tell me that was just a dream," you say, urgently turning to your husband as Ponpon takes her leave.

And the moment you say that, Stormchaser's eyes also go wide. As if he just had the same realization, or was struck by the same memories, that came back to you just now.

"I really hope not," he says, putting a hoof on his forehead. But you can tell that he is mostly talking to himself, and that he seems as confused as you are.

You need to make sure this wasn't all just a dream. You need to find out right now.

However, before either of you have the chance to do anything, another knock comes from the door of the living room.

And the two of you turn just in time to see a worried-looking Soft Sweeps peeking into the room.

"Mr. Stormchaser? Mrs. Velvet? Good morning, and… well, breakfast is served, and the fillies are at the table. But… could I talk to you for a minute, before you go there?" she asks, with a small voice that is uncharacteristically hesitant.

Well, Soft is a mare who is usually cautious, and perhaps even frightened at times.

However, you can tell that this time her voice is concerned about something that is actually important, rather than some imagined problem that is just plaguing her mind.

"Sure, Soft. Of course," you say, your heart beginning to hammer inside your chest. "What is going on? Did something happen?"

"I… well… It's Selene, Mrs. Velvet. She seems… a little off? I wanted you two to know that, before you go to the dinner room."

She says that, and you immediately exchange a glance with Stormchaser. His expression telling you that what he is thinking about is the exact same thing you have in your mind right now.

Is this good? Is this bad? Is this proof that the two of you didn't just imagine all of that?

"Thank you, Soft. We… will be right there," you say.

And after the young mare leaves, you and Stormchaser share one last minute together before you go to meet your daughters.



- - -



You and Stormchaser are sitting next to each other, at the dinner table.

And the only pony there with you two is Selene.

As soon as you and Stormchaser entered the dinner room, Selene whispered something on Silky's ear, and the filly loudly declared that she had forgotten something important at school. Something she absolutely needed to get right now, for a coming school project.

So, despite Softy's groans and admonishments, your older daughter left with the filly to go her school, despite today being a weekend.

And that, of course, immediately told you and Stormchaser that Silky was already in on it, and that Softy was not.

Still, ever since then, three full minutes have passed, and the three of you have done nothing but stare at each other.

You and Stormchaser are worried, of course. After all, you two realize you are sitting opposite to a Princess. Even if her body doesn't look any different than how it looked yesterday, when you two tucked her into her bed.

It is obvious she is using some kind of magic or illusion that is way beyond your abilities. But that doesn't really matter right now.

No, what really matters is that… Selene is concerned. The three of you are sitting in silence because she looks concerned. In fact, she has a quiet, pained expression on her face that absolutely looks out of place on a filly that young.

She is also deep in her thoughts, clipping her hoofs together every now and then as she looks down.

This, you suppose, is what Softy meant when she said Selene was "off".

And you want to help her, of course. You will do anything she asks. But still…

You need her to say something.

"I…" she opens her mouth.

And both you and Stormchaser immediately lean forward, ears perked up so you can hear her better.

"I want to stay here, with the two of you… Is that… is that alright?" she asks.

To which you and Stormchaser reply with… stunned silence.

Did you just hear her right?

Of course you did. You are sure you did. But you… didn't really expect her to say that?

"Of course that's alright, dear. You can stay for as long as you want," Stormchaser answers, his words shaking you out of your confusion.

And yes, of course you agree. You nod to her as your husband says that, because of course she can stay!

But isn't she, well… also a Princess?

"Thanks, dad… I'm really glad that's fine," she says.

And the way she says that… she definitely doesn't sound like a mare. No, the way she said that definitely sounded like a filly, who is frightened about something.

"Selene, dear, did something happen?" you ask, letting your concern show in your voice. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

"Actually, yeah, something did happen…" she says, still looking down, her eyes open but unfocused, as if she is trying to think about something. As if she is somehow lost, or unsure of what to do next. "I talked to Silky, earlier today. Well, I went into her dream and told her about what happened."

You and Stormchaser give her a small nod, urging her to keep talking. But as Selene continues, you can see that she is having a hard time choosing her words. As if she can't even explain, or perhaps accept, what she is trying to tell you two.

"After that, I went to my sister… Celestia, that is. I went to Princess Celestia, in her dreams, and what I saw there was…"



Your daughter continues to talk.

Your daughter talks, and the two of you patiently listen.

You make sure nopony is within earshot. And you offer her some encouragement or consolation whenever she seems lost.

But eventually, she tells you and your husband everything.

And with that, the two of you understand why she asked if she could stay.



"So I… I think I just need some time?" she says.

Although, for all that she tried to say that, her tone definitely felt more like a question.

By now, Selene is sitting between the two of you. If she were just a filly, you are certain she would be crying by now. But still, you can tell from her expression that she is… confused. Very confused.

Almost lost, but maybe not quite there.

"I need time… Time to think, time to figure out stuff… Even figure out what's in my head, because I remember everything, but it's like I'm reading it from a book? It's like… like I don't remember it, but I can remember if I look for the book and, I don't know, open it to read from it."

You have a hoof on her shoulder, and Stormchaser is gently resting a wing around her.

"Still, I… I want to help. I need to do something about this, all of this! But I don't know what and…"

"Selene, dear, it's alright," you stop her. Not exactly interrupting her, but not letting her continue either. You can tell that she will just drown herself in her thoughts, if she keeps talking. "You can stay for as long as you want. More than just that, if you ever decide you need to leave, you can always return no matter what. We promise you that."

You say that, and your husband agrees.

"So, take your time. We will keep everypony off your back. And if you ever want to talk, to us or anypony else, we are here for you. Until then, we will be waiting for as long as you need," you finish.

And the soft, nervous nod that she gives you, as you calmly stroke her mane, shows you the first hint of a smile you have seen from her this entire day.

"Thanks mom," she says.

And a few minutes later, Soft and Silky arrive back home.



- - -



You are a few days into the week, now.

Stormchaser stayed home, for obvious reasons. And you stayed in Ponyville as well.

As per your previous orders, a pegasus runner came to your home on the night of the first weekday, to inquire if anything was alright. Through him, you told the Bureau to maintain their standing orders, and to send a runner at the end of every day to keep you updated on how everything goes.

Shining Armor has already returned from his honeymoon by now, so you are sure they will be able to handle a few days without you.

More importantly, however, you and your husband waited for Selene.

After the dust settled, you and Stormchaser talked to Silky, and your filly daughter told you that she promised she would help Selene. You all agree that none of you know what that means yet, but for now she seems content with dutifully checking on her sister every few hours, and making sure that Soft Sweeps is too busy to worry about Selene.

As for Selene herself, she has kept herself in her own room for the most part. Every now and then, she goes for a stroll around the house. And at least one night you sensed that she just opened her window and flew away.

However, for several days, she kept to herself. She kept to herself, and you all respected her wishes to be left alone.

That is… until now.

It is night. You and Stormchaser are in your room. And a knock suddenly comes to your door.

The two of you immediately know who it is.

"Come in," you say.

And Selene walks into your room.

Any tiredness you are feeling is immediately forgotten. Any concerns you had, about the reports your runner had brought or anything else, disappear before the next moment.

And as Selene goes up to a small sofa and changes into her larger self with a glow of magic, you and your husband quietly get out of your bed so you can better talk to her.

It is almost intimidating, to be face to face with a Princess like this. To be talking to the Princess of the Moon in the confines of your own bedroom, as she looks at you with an expression that is both serious and determined.

Or rather, it would be intimidating, if you also didn't look at her and immediately think of her as your daughter.

"I want to thank you for your patient," she begins to say, and then she takes a deep breath. "I know what I want to do, but I am not sure of how to do it. But there are three things I am certain of."

You try to calm down your pulse as you listen to her. But thankfully, she seems to be completely calm. So, if nothing else, you know that she has thought this through.

And no matter what she asks, you will try your best to make it happen.

"First, I want to stay here. I want to stay close to Silky, and you two, and everypony else. I don't know yet what is the best way to do that, so I will want to hear your thoughts on it. But I…" she trails off, raising a foreleg and looking at her hoof.

The crystal horseshoes she has on her hoofs are beautiful, although you have no idea of how she got them or when she put them on. But still, she seems to be deep in thought for a moment as she looks at it.

"I know that I am a Princess. I know there are expectations for Princesses. And it's not that I do not care for those expectations. But an expectation is not a duty, and I know what my duties are. So, I want to stay here. Make sure Silky and everypony else is alright. And move on from there."

She lowers her foreleg, turning her gaze back to the two of you, and then she takes another deep breath.

"Second, I… I want to stay a secret. For now, at least. I don't mean total secrecy or anything like that. But I don't want Equestria to know this happened. Most of all, I don't what my sister to know this happened. Celestia, that is. So, ponykind as a whole can't know, because that knowledge would certainly reach her. And if she learns I am back, she… well, I want to take care of my sister's current condition at my own pace, and in my own way."

You and Stormchaser immediately agree, and you two promise you will help her with that.

In fact, several ideas begin to appear in your mind. Of the ponies who you could tell, and the ponies who definitely must not learn about this. Of how Selene can stay here, and not raise any suspicions, without being stuck with the routine of a young filly. That, and many things more.

But before either of you can voice your suggestions, she starts to speak once again.

"And third… I want to know what happened. I want to know everything that happened. Anything you can tell me, everything you know. I… I want to help, I have to help. I have just returned to Equestria, and I am a Princess. But I can't help if I don't know what the hay is going on. Those strange lessons you taught me. This… this way you brought me back. I need to know everything. Please."

She says that, and you…

Ah.

Deep down, you always knew this would happen. You always knew that, at some point, you would have to tell a Princess everything you did. Just like you did with Stormchaser.

Your husband seems slightly concerned, as he gives you a side glance.

But to your own surprise, you are actually very calm. In fact, you almost feel relieved.

So, you tell Selene to get comfortable in her seat.

And then you tell her everything.





Selene has decided she wants to continue living in your house. There are no objections to that request, and the conclusion is obvious: there will always be a place for your daughters in your home.

Selene has authorized Velvet Covers to reveal her identity to whoever she sees fit, but Princess Celestia may not learn (directly or indirectly) about her return. Velvet Covers will abide by her wishes.

Selene has asked for time to deal with Princess Celestia herself, on her own terms. Until she asks for your help, Velvet Covers will not take any action to address Celestia's current situation. And given how Selene is her true sister, and has the ability to enter her very dreams, you think she has a much greater chance of doing anything about it than you do. Furthermore, you are admittedly kind of busy with other matters right now.

Selene, your filly daughter, will continue with her current routine, going to school in the morning and quietly accompanying her sister here and there. Unfortunately, her latest "etiquette lessons" will take up most of her free time, so she will have very little time for her other little friends. You will all deal with any problems, regarding how much time she has and her coverup story, as they arise.

Luna, the Princess of the Moon, is now your Confidante. You told her everything, and when you asked for her forgiveness, she told you there was nothing to forgive. She agrees with all of your actions and has asked you to direct her on how she can continue to help your cause.

Spoiler: Princess Luna's character sheet

"What should you call her? Well, if you are asking that question then you already failed the secret test. Those who love her call her Selene. Those who know of her call her Luna. And she is happy to be called your daughter."

Luna, the Princess of the Moon

Health: 5/5
General bonus: +20
Lores: MOTH 3, EDGE 3, WINTER 3, KNOCK 3

As an alicorn, Selene has TWO actions per turn.

[MOTH SKILL]: Selene will be able to retain her "Selene" guise, without raising any suspicion, for as long as she wishes. Her guise will remain undetected until she chooses to reveal herself.
[EDGE SKILL]: CURRENTLY LOCKED
[WINTER SKILL]: CURRENTLY LOCKED
[KNOCK SKILL]: CURRENTLY LOCKED
[DILIGENT]: Every turn, Selene will automatically perform one random "training" action, in addition to her two personal actions. She is free to use her actions on something else.

Selene is currently "in training". She will have the following exclusive actions available to her, every turn, until they are all completed. These actions will always auto-succeed.
Due to her "Diligent" trait, Luna will always perform at least one of these actions every turn for free. But she may spend her own action-points to advance her training more quickly::

[] This body is new to her, but it is old to the world. She must learn of its abilities and privileges. (Grain +5 to her General Bonus) (TRAINING ACTION)
[] This body is old to her, but it is new to the world. She must learn of its restrictions and limitations. (Gain +1 total health) (TRAINING ACTION)
[] Realize something about Edge. (Unlock her Edge skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
[] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
[] Realize something about Knock. (Unlock her Knock skill) (TRAINING ACTION)

Once Selene completes her training, she will be able to reach Level 4 in all of her Lores at the same time. That lesson will require an action from Velvet Covers, who must have the requisite Lore knowledge, and will grant Selene a further +1 total health and +5 to her General Bonus. As well, of course, as the upgrade in her personal Lore levels.

Selene's character sheet has been updated to reflect the information above.

But you have not told her about any of your regrets.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

CHANGELOG

"Of course there can be changes. This is partially a game, so of course some aspects of that experience can be enhanced."​

Dear reader, the following "Spoiler" window relates to changes in the "mechanical" aspects of the quest. And it will cover changes in what characters are able to do, and how players can expect to vote for how the story proceeds.

Feel free to ignore this spoiler if you are not interested in any of that.

Spoiler: Changelog on quest mechanics, effective immediately

There will be three changes to the turn plan voting phase moving forward:



1 – Stormchaser's "Away/At Home" mechanic is no longer in effect.

Explanation: This just didn't feel interesting mechanically, and would require too many narrative loops to be interesting as a story. So, it's getting canned. Velvet lives and dies by attacks against either her person, a combat in an expedition, or an attack against her household where she will always be present. No need to separate your defenses, unless it is specifically noted that a certain character will be alone/exposed and needs individualized protection.



2 – Confidantes have learned a new action: "Cover your bases". This is an expensive action (it requires multiple confidantes to perform, with an increasing price) but it gives you more "Velvet Covers" actions.

Explanation: Velvet Covers is, currently, a powerhouse. Her actions are worth more than the actions of any of her followers, and more than once we have stumbled upon the problem of "Man, Fluttershy is nearly useless due to her lore level/low bonuses. What menial task can we give her?"

Now, to be clear, that is not a problem. I had initially planned for you to have several "pawn-like" followers, and for you to throw numbers at a problem until it got fixed, but the story brought us in the direction of "a small number of deep friendships". So, this mechanic will be put in place to balance this out, and give you more space to maneuver. This is a "tall build" quality-of-life patch, if you are used to that kind of jargon.

From now on, you will be able to ask your followers to "Cover your bases" (better puns involving the word "Covers" are welcome). This is a generic action with the following effect:

Spoiler: Cover your bases

"Cover your bases" (You may only pick ONE option)

[] Velvet Covers gains 1 extra action (costs TWO followers actions)

[] Velvet Covers gains 2 extra action (costs FIVE followers actions)

[] Velvet Covers gains 3 extra action (costs NINE followers actions)

[] Etc

As you can see, the price starts at two followers, and increases by one per extra action.

This will allow you to simply get more things done, more reliably, and will also allow your followers to be more narratively useful. After all, I will be able to "include" your followers in your actions, narratively speaking, since you will have the time to do them thanks to their aid.



3 – Turn planning will now be divided into two phases: Followers phase and Velvet phase.

Explanation: Turn planning is becoming monolithic and overly complex, thanks to how many disparate followers we have, and the several Lore abilities that must be considered.

So, from now on, turn planning will follow this sequence:
-First, we will have a "Followers phase". This will be a plan vote.
-Then, we will have a "Velvet phase". Another, more important, plan vote.

During a followers phase, you will vote only for actions of your followers, and the Lunar Bureau.

And more importantly, we will simplify things for our followers by having "generic" actions that any follower can do.

To put it simply, you will not vote for "Fluttershy does X, Rarity does Y". You will vote for "I want X, Y and Z to happen", and I will organize the tasks according to who is the best follower to perform it.

Of course, you will have the opportunity to vote for actions that can only be performed by certain followers (called "exclusive actions"). If you vote for that, I will abide by your vote and assign that follower to that task.

It might sound complicated, but it's not. Here is a short example for a Followers Phase:

Spoiler: Follower phase example!

Welcome to the Followers Phase of Turn X

You currently have 3 Velvet Actions (4 base, -1 from "You promised!" commitment)

(Those actions will be used on the next phase, but are here for reference)



You currently have 4 Follower actions:
-Rarity: 1
-Fluttershy: 1
-Baldomare: 1
-Noble Servants: 1



[EXCLUSIVE ACTIONS]
(Picking one from these lists will "specify" that this follower will perform this action)


[RARITY]
[] [RARITY] Focus on her career
[] [RARITY] Take a commission
[] [RARITY] Flirt
[] [RARITY] WRITE IN


[FLUTTERSHY]
[] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet Feet to Guard
[] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet Feet to participate in an expedition/assault
[] [FLUTTERSHY] WRITE IN


[BALDOMARE]
[] [BALDOMARE] Ask for Lore lesson (write in SH/Lantern)
[] [BALDOMARE] Ask for Influence (Write in SH/Lantern)
[] [BALDOMARE] Go have fun (write in how many bits)
[] [BALDOMARE] Pester
[] [BALDOMARE] WRITE IN



[GENERIC ACTIONS]
(Do not write in who will do what, instead, pick the actions, and how many times you want it to be done)


[] Search for books
[] Search for expedition sites
[] Perform a ritual
[] Acquire a dead body
[] Participate in an expedition/assault
[] Other stuff/write in



[COVER YOUR BASES]

[] 1 extra Velvet action (costs 2)
[] 2 extra Velvet actions (costs 5)

So, a plan for the test-turn shown above could look something like this:


[] Plan plan
-[] [RARITY] Flirt
-[] Search for books
-[] 1 extra Velvet action (costs 2)


You had 4 follower actions. You spent 4 follower actions. And I, the QM, will go over the trouble of assigning whatever follower is best for a task.

Here, I would be "forced" to assign Rarity to the action you chose (since it is an "exclusive" action). But as I look at the other options, I would assign Baldomare to search for books, and the "less useful" Fluttershy and Servants to giving you an extra action.

After that, you would proceed to planning Velvet's month with the extra action you accumulated from your follower's phase.

Doing it in this order, first followers then Velvet, is also helpful because you can GAIN Velvet actions during the followers phase. But you can also (more rarely) spend Velvet actions here as well, if a follower action for some reason demands Velvet's attention.

Questions, concerns and suggestions are welcome. But I think this will help things to run more smoothly.

- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Commissioner Velvet Covers, and you are currently in a flying chariot on your way to Canterlot.

You don't like using resources like this for yourself. But this time, needs must. You have been absent from your job for several days now, so you want to return there as quickly as possible so you can keep things moving. After all, there are some decisions Shining Armor just doesn't have the authority to make, and those crucial things are slowly starting to pile up.

And more importantly, there is currently nothing you can do at home.

…

Well, that was kind of a grim way to word it, so you will try to think about it in another way.

You can't really do anything that matters in your home, right now.

Selene has asked for a few days of normalcy, so she can get a hold of her old filly routine and start figuring out how she can pursue her own goals during her "free" time. You and Stormchaser have suggested to her a cover story involving "etiquette lesson", so she can have an excuse to stay at home and away from her friends more frequently, but she has not yet decided how she will be doing this.

Your husband, also, left for his own work. And your other daughters will continue living their own lives as if nothing happened, despite the fact that Selene has not yet told Softy about her… change.

Still, the fact remains that the Wake is doing as the Wake usually does. It is marching towards the future without caring for the lives and problems of ponies. So, you have no choice but to keep up with its pace.

More importantly, you need to decide… several things.

Because although Selene just, uh… changed (and you should decide on a term to refer to that), she has not turned your entire life upside down. To your very great surprise, mind you.

In fact, your Princess daughter explicitly told you that she will be looking at you for guidance. After all, the two of you still need to have a deeper conversation about that, but she told you in no uncertain terms that she remembers about the Worms.

And, in her own words, she said that "you seem to have a better idea of what to do" right now.

So, it seems that a Princess will be asking you for directions, as time moves on.

And since she has not asked you for any great favor, or given you any royal tasks, you should continue pursuing your own objectives.

… it is just so weird to think of your adorable daughter giving you "royal tasks"…

Anyhow, you are sure Selene will be a gigantic help. But since she does not want to reveal her return to the public, you will not be able to leverage her authority anytime soon.

Still, she is not the only pony who has promised to help you.

With that in mind, and within the calm confines of the flying chariot, the gears of your mind begin to turn…



- - -



FOLLOWERS PHASE



Velvet Covers currently has 4 personal actions to use on her own phase. (4 base, none previously used).

The following notes are relevant for this turn, on top of Velvet's usual array of monthly choices:
-You will have a chance to confront Comet Feet about his "service" to the Master, involving Shining Armor. (THIS WILL BE A FLEETING OPPORTUNITY)
-Due to the social nature of that action, Mareinette may perform it in your stead. (That option has been added to her exclusive actions section)
-Velvet is currently focused on searching Canterlot for the Outsider Baldomare has sensed. That action can be performed by her, and it can also be performed by her followers as a generic action. (This is not a fleeting action, and can be performed by multiple ponies)
-Velvet will become interested in exploring the Mansus in order to find a place where she can extract an Outsider's blood. (This will be a notice/warning, but not an obligatory or fleeting option to be picked)
-Rarity will gift you 55 bits.
-There will be no incoming offensive rituals from an enemy, but you cannot predict physical attacks.



Non-contested summoning: Would you like to summon the Daughter-of-Axes before this turn begins?

-[] Axe, yes! (Costs one VELVET action)
-[] Axe? No.
-[] Nothing brings a family together like SUMMONING ALIEN GODS (Selene will perform the Ritual instead of Velvet, costs one SELENE action)

(QM will assume either Velvet or Selene will succeed on your summoning, due to your current bonus. One Wrong Key, one Gift, and your latest Reagent will be used. Due to the nature of the sacrifices used, this will not cost any bits.)



You currently have NINE/EIGHT (depending on your decision to summon Axe) Follower actions.

Spoiler: Follower breakdown

Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy: 1
Baldomare: 1
Mareinette: 1
Velvet Axe: 1
Selene: 2
Household servants: 1

The Lunar Bureau

Spoiler: Orders, Commissioner?

General notes:
-Velvet Covers may NOT "tamper with evidence" of anything the Lunar Bureau captures.
-The Lunar Bureau has no knowledge of the Lores. They might miss Lore-related things, or might not know how to react to them, if Velvet Covers is not personally involved.
-Velvet Covers MAY "plant evidence" in advance, in an already-explored expedition site or somewhere you direct the Bureau to go. Consult with QM for details, to write-in a Velvet action aimed at that.


Pick ONE of each. None of these cost follower actions.


You don't have many detectives, but the ones you do are the best of the best. What should they focus on this month?

-[] [DETECTIVES] Despite their friendly nature, ponies are capable of crimes just like any other intelligent creature. Have them investigate crimes at large, in the several cities of Equestria. (Less impactful in the grand scheme of things. But helps the Bureau keep a good image, and decreases the "tension" of the population at large, as the world becomes a worse place)
-[] [DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[] [DETECTIVES] The dangers in the dark come from outside of Ponykind as well. Listen to the rumors. Study the myths. Look for the threats from without. (Search for Expedition Sites for your later consideration. Additionally, keep an ear on the ground for other "foreign" threats)
-[] [DETECTIVES] Nudge them in the… "correct" direction. Put them on the trail of one of your Opponents. (WRITE IN which Opponent. Sets the Bureau to investigate a pony you have a personal problem with)


Former constables, ex-Guards, defenders, one and all. They are not perfectly suited for investigations, but the Bureau needs muscles. And these ponies provide.

-[] [CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN one VELVET action for the next phase)
-[] [CONSTABLES] (FOLLOW UP) Your detectives need to start breaking some very tough doors before they can start asking some very tough questions. Have your constables do what needs to be done.
-[] [CONSTABLES] Plan and execute a raid. Within Equestria, or anywhere else that is needed. (WRITE IN an Expedition, OR an Opponent the Bureau has investigated. The Bureau will attempt to perform the Expedition, or will assault an Opponent)
-[] [CONSTABLES] The Commissioner is just too important to leave unattended. Run security. (Adds two 3/3 health, "+15 Personal Combat" ponies as bodyguards, to GUARD your home during this turn.)


Of course, now that you have a better handle of this, you can find the time to pursue other endeavors while in Canterlot.

-[] [COMMISSIONER] Some of the ponies in the Bureau are figureheads. Get to know them better.
--[] Shining Armor, your Deputy.
--[] Beyond Reproach, your finest detective.
--[] Spend time with somepony else. (Discover, and talk to, another key figure)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[] [COMMISSIONER] The Lunar Bureau is not the only recently-minted institution in Equestria. Try to contact the others.
--[] The Solar Court, and Fair Trial.
--[] Eclipse(?), and Midday Dew.
-[] [COMMISSIONER] Get your hoofs dirty. (Participate in the "Investigators" actions. And join the "Constables" in a raid/Expedition, if they are ordered to do a raid/Expedition)

Exclusive actions

Spoiler: You are the only one I can trust with this

Picking an action from any of these lists will "ensure/lock" that pony to that action, and that follower will not be available for the pool of "general actions".


Rarity (3 health, GRAIL 3, FORGE 1)

-[] [RARITY] Focus on her work. (Guarantees she will "succeed" on her career roll)
-[] [RARITY] Take a commission. (Gain at least 100 bits immediately, will "fail" her career roll)
-[] [RARITY] Focus on her studies, and learn more of the Lores. (SECRET LIBRARY INSUFFICIENTLY LEVELED)
-[] [RARITY] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Jade Whistle (3 health, LANTERN 3, HEART 1)

-[] [JADE] "You do you." (Let her do what she wants, and hopefully rest)
-[] [JADE] Research "A Memory of Light" (Current progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)
-[] [JADE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Fluttershy (3 health, WINTER 1, UNKNOWN nonexistent)

-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet to Guard your home.
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Ask Comet to go on an assault/expedition.
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Focus on her studies, and learn more of the Lores. (SECRET LIBRARY INSUFFICIENTLY LEVELED)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Something else? (WRITE IN)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Something else from your… mutual friend? (WRITE IN to ask Comet Feet for something)


Baldomare (2 health, LANTERN 6, SECRET HISTORIES 6)
(Baldomare will expire at the end of turn 20)

-[] [BALDOMARE] Ask for a lesson on the Lores. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Channel an Influence. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [BALDOMARE] "Go have fun." (WRITE IN how many bits, at least 100, that she is allowed to spend to find something interesting)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Prolong her stay. (WRITE IN an unread book, of level 5 or higher, to gift her. This is a FREE ACTION and will "reset" her summoning period to the beginning of next turn.)
-[] [BALDOMARE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Mareinette (??? Health, GRAIL 6, HEART 6)
(Mareinette's bindings will expire at the end of turn 19)

-[] [MAREINETTE] Confront Comet Feet (FLEETING OPPORTUNITY, using her "Honored Guest" skill)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Ask for a lesson on the Lores. (WRITE IN Lores)
-[] [MAREINETTE] Channel an Influence. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [MAREINETTE] You need her to talk to… (WRITE IN a pony for her to speak with in, "stepping into" your horseshoes).
-[] [MAREINETTE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


The Daughter-of-Axes (5 health, KNOCK 6, EDGE 3)
(This is available ONLY if you choose to summon her this turn. QM is assuming you will succeed.)

-[] [AXE] Ask for a Knock lesson.
-[] [AXE] Ask for a Knock Influence.
-[] [AXE] Craft Wrong Keys. (She will give you three Wrong Keys, which will expire after five turns. Only once per summoning.)
-[] [AXE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Selene (5 health, MOTH 3, EDGE 3, WINTER 3, KNOCK 3)
(As an alicorn, Selene has TWO actions per turn)
(Even if you do not pick any "Training actions", Selene will randomly pick one and auto-succeed on it during this turn. If you pick a "Training action", her random chance will not pick any actions you tell her to focus on.)

-[] [SELENE] This body is new to her, but it is old to the world. She must learn of its abilities and privileges. (Grain +5 to her General Bonus) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] [SELENE] This body is old to her, but it is new to the world. She must learn of its restrictions and limitations. (Gain +1 total health) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] [SELENE] Realize something about Edge. (Unlock her Edge skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] [SELENE] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] [SELENE] Realize something about Knock. (Unlock her Knock skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[] [SELENE] Something else? (WRITE IN)

General actions

Spoiler: Could anypony please…?

Do NOT specify what follower will perform which actions. Followers who are not busy performing "exclusive actions" will perform whatever you choose here, based on who is best suited for it.

Any action may be picked several times. Write in a note specifying if you want that to happen.


-[] There is something in Canterlot that you simply must find. Look for it. (Progress 0/200, applies Intrigue and Secret Histories)

-[] You would like for somepony to search for books…
--[] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
--[] In the great libraries of Canterlot… the ones that are open to public access, that is (LANTERN, GRAIL, SECRET HISTORIES)
--[] In the many small bookshops that dot the side streets of Manehattan (MOTH, EDGE, KNOCK)

-[] You need somepony to search for a more "peculiar" artifact. (Search for a random artifact to buy)

-[] You have contacts in Ponyville, that can find you exactly what you need. Reach out to them. (Write in LORE and LEVEL, up to Level 3. A suitable matching artifact will be available for purchase, but will be more expensive than normal)

-[] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should… (Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
--[] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
--[] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.

-[] Equestria is full of undiscovered places. You must learn their secrets…
--[] Search for a place that is recent in its ruin, whose History is decided. Mundane as it might be, it might still bear treasures. (Search for an "easy" expedition)
--[] Search for a place that is old in its History. Where the influence of the Mansus is but an echo, but that can still be heard in the wind. (Search for an intermediary expedition)
--[] Search for a place that should be better left forgotten. According to the powers of this Era, at least. Finding it will be hard, though, and uncovering its secrets even harder. (Search for a very hard expedition)

-[] You need to learn more about this. Send a pony to better scout a known expedition site. (WRITE IN which expedition to scout)

-[] You need this to be done. Send a pony on an expedition. (Will cause an "Expedition planning" vote to occur, later this turn. If the expedition is not a "short" one, you must pick this action as many times as you want followers to participate in it.)

-[] Needs must. Ask somepony to procure you a dead body from the local cemetery.

-[] There really is no other way. Ask somepony to get you a live prisoner. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)

-[] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (WRITE IN ritual, and its target)
--[] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)

-[] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.

Spoiler: Opponents

"They might not be your enemies, but they are definitely not your friends."
(Knowing, or at least suspecting, an opponent's location is vital for a non-ritual action to succeed. Otherwise, the pony sent will spend their action investigating an opponent's whereabouts)


Defend your home. Because you can't keep fighting if you are dead.

--[] [GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe.
(Followers ordered to GUARD will always participate in combat if a foe, or some other faction, tries to attack you during this turn)
(Followers ordered to GUARD will NOT magically teleport to Velvet if she decides to start a combat of her own accord, in another narrative/mechanic situation, and they will not be present during combats that occur during expeditions.)
(If you are not attacked during this turn, any GUARD action taken will have no effect.)


Copper Secateur (possible location suspected)

--[] [COPPER] Send somepony to attack this opponent
--[] [COPPER] Send somepony to locate, or spy on, this opponent
--[] [COPPER] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN what ritual)
--[] [COPPER] Attempt to contact this opponent (WRITE IN what to discuss if successful)


Windy Flakes (possible location unknown)

--[] [WINDY] Send somepony to attack this opponent
--[] [WINDY] Send somepony to locate, or spy on, this opponent
--[] [WINDY] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN what ritual)
--[] [WINDY] Attempt to contact this opponent (WRITE IN what to discuss if successful)

"Cover your bases"
(You may only pick ONE of the following options)

-[] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
-[] Two extra Velvet actions! (Costs 5 follower actions)
-[] Three extra Velvet action! (Costs 9 follower actions)


-[] [GENERAL] Something else entirely? (WRITE IN)





This is, QM knows, extremely new and experimental. So, voting is NOT open, and we will all give ourselves time to understand what is going on and discuss options.

Feel free to suggest any actions, that can be performed by followers, that I may have forgotten.

And remember, after this plan, we will have the more important plan voting where we decide VELVET'S actions for this month. And we will add/subtract however many actions you picked that might influence her own pool of actions.

Feel free to ask, or suggest, anything!

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

Vote tally

Followers' phase plan:
[X] Plan Pittauro, With Changeling Detectives
-[X] Axe, yes! (Costs one VELVET action)
-[X][DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X][CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN one VELVET action for the next phase)
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X][RARITY] Take a commission. (Gain at least 100 bits immediately, will "fail" her career roll)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Edge. (Unlock her Edge skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Knock. (Unlock her Knock skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "The Key that Only Opens" the Daughter of Axe wants)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "the easiest lvl 6 book we can get for Baldomare")
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] WRITE IN: Canterlot part 2 expedition
-[X] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[X][GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (Your home)

You have used one Reagent.

You have used one Wrong Key.

You have used one of Velvet Pride's gifts.

[Rolling…]

You have successfully summoned the Daughter-of-Axes.



- - -



You are Commissioner Velvet Covers, and right now you are at work.

Well, you are physically at work. But you are not really concentrated on your usual tasks.

Not exactly, that is.

"Well, my dear Deputy, don't you have anything else to say?" you ask, a wry smile appearing on your face as you do.

And you don't even bother to hide your amusement as Shining Armor tries his best to avoid meeting your gaze.

"A-as I said, Commissioner, there is nothing to report," he says, letting out a dry, uncomfortable cough. "This is everything that happened during your absence, ever since the beginning of the week."

And once again, the perfect stallion gives you a perfectly professional answer.

Because of course, what other answer could he possibly tell you? You asked him for a "report" and your loyal Deputy told you how everything went in the Bureau, while you were away.

And as far as the stallion knows, there is nothing else for him to report. Or rather, you couldn't possibly be asking him about anything else, could you? Nay, you wouldn't dare ask him about anything else, would you?

Or at least, that is what he thought.

That is what he hoped.

That is what he dearly prayed for, although ponykind has no gods in this Era.

But as soon as he gave you his report, and the silence began to stretch long between the two of you…

As soon as he looked into your eyes for but a moment, and felt the intensity of your gaze...

Oh, he knew he would not leave this room with just that.

"Shining, Shining, Shining…" you say, his name rolling off your tongue like a smooth melody. "I thought we were friends. I thought we were the kind of pony who could trust each other. Are you really going to leave things this way?" you ask.

And you watch as the stallion squirms under the pressure… no, under the thirst in your eyes.

"Are you really going to force me to ask Cadance? Mares talk, you know…"

He is beginning to sweat. You have him cornered now. And you know that if you push him just a little longer, he will do… something. You are not sure what he will do, but you can tell your hoof is hovering over his fight-or-flight button.

So, you…

Let out a short laugh, covering your mouth with a hoof as you allow the situation to defuse itself.

And you pretend you don't see the poorly hidden sigh of relief the stallion lets out.

But really, you know you were being a little… well, not cruel, not mean, but you definitely were making things uncomfortable. After all, what the hay was the stallion supposed to do? Tell you the details about how his honeymoon went with Cadance?

Well, he could have been smooth, and deflected your question by telling you what they did during the day. After all, you are sure they traveled around during those the two weeks they had for themselves. But alas, poor Shining lacks the skills to wriggle himself out of these kinds of conversations.

And again, this is the kind of conversation you ought to have with Cadance, not with him. Mares talk, and you are sure she will tell you everything, suitable for work or not… later.

"Well then, if this is how things will be," you say, giving him a long and theatrical shrug as if it couldn't be helped. "But again, it is good to have you back, Shining. We managed to survive without you, while you were away, but your absence was definitely felt."

"I appreciate that, Lady Velvet. But I am sure you had everything under control just fine," he answers, thankful that the two of you are finally going back to a more comfortable topic.

But as he says that, you can't help but narrow your eyes a little bit. His words bringing a few stray thoughts you had rolling inside your head into focus.

You clip your hoofs together once or twice as you think about a particular topic, until you decide that now is the best time to discuss it.

"Actually, Shining, I have been meaning to ask you something," you say. "Something about the Bureau, and the ponies we have with us," you quickly add.

"What would that be, Lady Velvet?"

"You see, I… how can I best put this…? While you were away, I tried to get to know our ponies better. I visited this and that part of the Bureau, and tried to talk to some of our staff. Specifically, to the ponies I haven't spoken to ever since we hired them."

Shining Armor narrows his eyes as you speak, as if he is unsure of where you are taking this. Still, he patiently waits for you to continue.

"But everywhere I went, everypony I tried to speak with, I couldn't help but notice they were a little nervous." You say that, but after a few moments you just let out a sigh. There's no reason for you to sugarcoat it, so you just won't. "Actually, more than just nervous. They were tense. Downright alarmed, sometimes."

You say that, and you think for a second that Shining Armor will react with confusion, or that he will at least ask you a few more questions so he can better understand the situation.

However, to your surprise, Shining just nods. Almost as if he is agreeing with you?

No, more than just that. He nods as if he knows exactly what you are talking about.

"Ah, I see what's going on," he says, although in such a low tone that you think he is talking to himself for a moment.

"Wait, what do you mean?" you quickly interject. "Shining, I… do you know about this? Is this something you heard about? What is going on?"

You ask that, and you don't even try to hide how concerned your voice is.

Because, well, is something going on? Do your employees, your agents and everypony else, have a negative image of you?

Did you do something wrong, to the point that they think they should be hesitant around you? That they should be afraid of you?

"Lady Velvet, well, how can I explain this?" he starts to say, although you can tell from his expression that he is a little uncomfortable with what he is about to tell you.

He isn't wearing a scowl. Not exactly. But still, you can tell that he wished there was an easier way to talk about this subject.

"Actually, I think I know where to begin… Commissioner, do you remember the first time we met?"

"Of course I do. It was during the search for Princess Luna, wasn't it? We met in the Royal Castle and all."

"Yes, yes, of course. But do you remember the… circumstances of how we met?" he asks. As if trying to take the conversation in a particular direction.

So, since you can tell he is probing you for a specific answer, you try your best to remember that time. Still, it was so many months ago that…

"Well… I had Rarity with me… And I remember we stayed here for a few weeks… Wait, is it because we worked until late? Is this a work-hours issue?"

"No, no, it's not that," he says, shaking a hoof. Trying his best to figure out a way to make you realize what he is talking about, without actually saying it himself. "Do you remember the, uh, circumstances that led to you being called to Canterlot to begin with?"

"Shining, I am actually getting worried now," you say, "can you please cut to the chase?"

You ask that, and you can tell that the stallion very much doesn't want to cut to the chase.

But still, you watch as he resigns himself to it, and then he tells you that…



- - -



"But…" you say, still not being able to believe it. "But I am a mare, Shining. A unicorn mare! You'd need two of me to make one of you Royal Guards. How could they possibly be scared of me?"

"The word I used was intimidated, Lady Velvet. And like I said, it's more about your fame than anything else."

"I… what do you mean fame. I was barely known by my family until a year ago!"

"And that's the problem, Lady Velvet."

Shining Armor says that, and you can tell that he is genuinely sorry for saying that. Still, the more you think about it, the more you come to accept that he is telling the truth.

"You left, uh, quite an impression on Chalkhoof, for starters. Remember? He still asks about you when we meet, even. And then, the way you whipped u-I mean helped us during the searches, was quite notorious. The letters you sent to the Guard parties were very pointed, and I didn't even need to co-sign them after a few days to make ponies realize they had to be followed." He goes on and on. Almost as if he is reading from a mental list, much to your distraught. "And then word went around that Princess Celestia herself stopped by the Royal Castle to thank you, and then…"

His words trail off, as he looks at the insignia you have on your chest. And you already know what he means to say next.

And then you went on and became the Commissioner of the Lunar Bureau, at the same time every other noble in Equestria was all but cast down from their tall mansions.

He says all of that with an honestly apologetic tone. And more than just that, you can tell that he is even commiserating with you a little.

Which makes sense, you suppose. You can't imagine how marrying a Princess must have changed how ponies look at him. Both positively and negatively.

"Until finally, we had the Blueblood affair. And although I agree that having the family Lord himself dragged away in public worked in sending everypony else a message, we both have to admit that the message we made is tied to you as much as it is tied to the Bureau," he finally finishes.

And you get what he is saying.

Still, you honestly feel bad about this. You really do.

You never meant to be seen as this bogeymare of a pony, who was lurking in the shadows of Equestria all along, and who suddenly rose into prominence. You never wanted to be feared. Heavens, you never even wanted to be known. You would have been perfectly content if Princess Celestia never publicly declared the identity of the Bureau's Commissioner.

And more importantly, could this possibly affect your husband? Hay, there has been a growing number of ponies moving to Ponyville from all around Equestria. What if this somehow affects your daughter? It wouldn't be impossible for a parent who heard something bad about you to repeat that in front of their foals, so what if Silky ends up being affected by this in her school?

Good grief, you never really thought about this. You always had so much to worry about that you never…

"Well, but you eventually got to know me better, didn't you?" You ask, the ring of your voice turning slightly stressed, or perhaps even desperate, as you try to figure out a way to change this situation. "I mean, you just admitted you were also, well, cautious about me at first? But here we are. And all jokes aside, I really consider you a friend, Shining. So how did this happen? When did you… well, start seeing me as a pony, rather than this image I seem to have?"

Is this the price of fame? Is this the price of authority? Is there any way you can possibly turn this ship around before it is too late?

Because you have no love for bad ponies, of course. But you definitely don't want to be known as a mare that should be feared. That's just not who you are.

Heavens, you think you just understood yet another aspect of why Fair Trial was so desperate to have the Bureau working together with her… In fact, is she going through the same thing right now?

"Ah, that's easier to answer, Lady Velvet," he says, without hesitation. "Cadance helped a lot, for sure. She told me about you every now and then, and that helped me dispel that previous image I had of you. But more importantly, I feel that I definitely got to know you better during my time in Ponyville."

Of course, a wave of relief runs through you as Shining Armor throws you this lifeline. And a small smile appears on your face as you remember what he is talking about.

"Well, I can't say I recall much about the time I was in bed, all bruised up. But remember the first few days I was in Ponyville? Before that whole mess? I think that's when I got to know you a lot better than I did before."

Yes, this makes a lot of sense. More than that, this might actually be your way out!

You recall the few days that Shining Armor was in your home, before he got hurt and Cadance arrived. He would spend almost the entire day out, looking for his sister. But still, you remember how he would join your family for breakfast or a late dinner, here and there.

Because of course, you keep your family life close to your chest for obvious reasons. But for all that keeps your own ponies safe, that also means that everypony else only ever knows you from what they heard about the Commissioner.

And for all that you are definitely not about to publicize your private life, that doesn't mean that you can't... at least to your colleagues in the Bureau, that is, you definitely could...!

You light up your horn, levitating the magical bell you have on your desk and ringing it a single time. The signal that you are calling for one of your secretaries.

"Yes, Commissioner?" Raven asks, opening the door to your office after a short knock.

"Inkwell," you say, looking towards the mare, "I want you to clear a day on my calendar. The very last day of the next week," you say, as soon as your solution to this problem presents itself in your mind.

"Of course, Commissioner. Will you be heading home one day earlier next week?" she asks, floating a small notepad from one of her pockets, and quickly writing down a few words as she speaks.

"No. Actually, let me be clearer. Could you please make sure everypony is free on that day? And prepare a circular for all of our departments. Investigators included. I want us to prepare for an event on that day."

You watch as Raven lifts one of her eyebrows, slightly curious. But still, she quickly write down your orders before asking the obvious question.

"I'll see to it immediately, Commissioner. And what event will we be planning?"

"A bring your family to work day, Inkwell," you say. "I would like everypony to… get to know the Bureau a little better. Or at least to know that we all have more things in common than just our workplace."

The white mare gives you a quick nod, a small smile appearing on her face as she does that. And moments later, she excuses herself and leaves.

Leaving you alone with Shining Armor, so the two of you can continue planning out the rest of this coming month.



- - -



VELVET'S PHASE



This turn's available bits: 349

Monthly revenue: 160 bits/month

Rarity's dividends for this turn: 55 (ongoing contract) + 118 (commission)



- - -



You have FIVE personal actions, ONE (free) social action, and ZERO (free) Mansus exploration actions. (Four personal actions, minus one used to summon the Daughter-of-Axes, plus two from your followers' actions).

-Velvet Covers' free Mansus exploration action will be used to find her way to the Blank Plains.
-You may plan any Mansus actions/exploration as if you had already explored the "initial" area at the bottom of the Mansus. Meaning your plans can consider that you can access the Blank Plains and higher areas unimpeded.
-However, Velvet Covers' automatic exploration will only cover the first area of the Ashen Wastes. Other connected areas will not be automatically or freely explored.



-[] Do something about your opponents

Spoiler: Opponents

"They might not be your enemies, but they are definitely not your friends."
(Knowing, or at least suspecting, an opponent's location is vital for a non-ritual action to succeed. Otherwise, the pony sent will spend their action investigating an opponent's whereabouts)

Copper Secateur (possible location suspected)
--[] [COPPER] Participate in an assault against this opponent
--[] [COPPER] Try to locate or spy on this opponent
--[] [COPPER] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN which)
--[] [COPPER] Attempt to contact or parlay with this opponent this opponent (WRITE IN what to talk about, if you locate them and they are willing to talk)

Windy Flakes (possible location unknown)
--[] [WINDY] Participate in an assault against this opponent
--[] [WINDY] Try to locate or spy on this opponent
--[] [WINDY] Perform a ritual aimed at this opponent (WRITE IN which)
--[] [WINDY] Attempt to contact or parlay with this opponent this opponent (WRITE IN what to talk about, if you locate them and they are willing to talk)

Towards Glory
-[] There is something in Canterlot that you simply must find. Look for it. (Progress 0/200, applies Intrigue and Secret Histories)
-[] There is no use in finding an Outsider if you do not have the means to extract its blood. But you suspect there is a place, at the summit of the Mansus, where things that should not perish have already died. (Costs one Mansus exploration action)


You also have the free time to…

Spoiler: This won't take long

These personal, non-Mansus actions are free.

-[] Before this month starts, you will perform a ritual to draw the attention of [SPECIFY LORE] (This is a free action to summon "The Attention of the Laws")

-[] [STEPPES] There is no guarantee he will be able to help you, but you will write him about… (WRITE IN)

-[] The delights of subservience (Leash currently targeting: NO TARGET)
--[] Change Leash to another target. (Write-in who)
--[] Un-Leash the current target.

Pick ONE social/teaching action, for your free time at home.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Cheerilee, your daughter's schoolteacher.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Mayor Mare, the de-factor ruler of Ponyville.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Filthy Rich, a well-to-do and wealthy businesspony.
-[] [SOCIAL] Spend time with Applejack, daughter of the Apple Clan and older sister to your daughter's friend.
-[] [SOCIAL] Go into town and try to meet somepony interesting.

-[] [SOCIAL] Teach Rarity, and make her a Seeker.
-[] [SOCIAL] Teach Jade, and make her a Seeker.
-[] [SOCIAL] Teach Fluttershy, and make her a Disciple.
-[] [SOCIAL] Teach your family the Lores. (Requires "all Lores" to be Level 4 or higher, affects your entire family)

No more running, no more hesitation. If you don't do this, somepony else will, and that thought sometimes terrifies you. FREE MANSUS ACTION ALREADY AUTO-PICKED

Spoiler: The Dreams come, whether you like it or not

You must pick a single action. You will suffer a malus if there are no new locations to explore (but reaching a Door will give you a "grace" period of a few turns) FREE MANSUS ACTION WILL BE AUTO-SPENT
-[] [KNOCK] The Ashen Wastes
--[] [KNOCK] Tarrying in the Wastes is always a poor idea… but there is no other way to discover what this place holds.

--[] The Blank Plains (Blank Plains fully explored)

-[] [KNOCK] The Shattered Stairways
--[] [KNOCK] A labyrinth of stairs. A monument of a gone age. A sprawling ruin. See where the many paths might lead you.

-[] [KNOCK] The Ruined Church
--[] [KNOCK] Explore the depths of the Ruined Church (Mansus Expedition)

-[] [KNOCK] The Summit
--[] [KNOCK] The place where the Mansus was struck. You must explore it.

-[] These are the skills that allow you to climb the Mansus. (Actions towards your possible Sacraments)

Spoiler: Sacramentum means a Solemn Oath

--[] Towards that cold Winter that awaits us all
---[] Investigating the End (Costs 30 bits. May be done multiple times per turn. Somepony, somewhere, will die.)
---[] Beg for knowledge of the End, so that you may learn of its necessity. (Will also provide you with an Edge Sacrament) [THIS IS A REGRETTABLE ACTION]
---[] Invitation? No Winter Names summoned

--[] Knock, and ye shall open
---[] Offer to go beyond the foggy mirror, to perform an errand for the Daughter-of-Axes Requires Knock 4/4

--[] Attempt, even if foolishly, to untangle the webs of the Secret Histories
---[] Investigate your current skills. To try to understand them, if nothing else. (Current progress 1/3) (THIS IS A DANGEROUS ACTION)
---[] Follow Baldomare, towards a place Beyond the Map's Edge (This is an Expedition action) (this requires Baldomare to be set "to participate in an expedition", ONE Velvet action, and 40 bits)

--[] Take that terrifying leap, into the abyss we call change
---[] Don the mask, shear your mane, pick the only pony who will notice it. Snip snip snip (WRITE IN a CONFIDANT to be permanently lost) Requires Moth 4/4
---[] Invitation? No Moth Names available

--[] But what might we learn, when we fulfill out desires?
---[] "The Act" (WRITE IN three minion-equivalent ponies) Requires Grail 4/4
---[] "An invitation to dinner" (WRITE IN a minion-equivalent pony, or a prisoner, to be destroyed)

--[] You must learn more. Always, always more. The higher you rise, the more you see!
---[] "The Conversation" (WRITE IN a minion-equivalent pony, or a prisoner, to be destroyed) Requires Lantern 4/4
---[] Pay Baldomare her fee. (WRITE IN FOUR followers, or equivalents, for Baldomare's expedition) Requires Lantern 4/4

--[] Learn of that bright Edge, that lives within us all
---[] "I see you my enemy" (WRITE IN who you will challenge) Requires Edge 3/4
---[] Be blessed by that Wound, which never ceases to grow. (Will also provide you with a Winter Sacrament) [THIS IS A REGRETTABLE ACTION]
---[] Invitation? No Edge Names summoned

-[] A fleeting opportunity (rumor mills spin, opportunities come and go. These actions might never be available again)

Spoiler: Another moment, and they will be gone

--[] You know what Comet Feet did. Perhaps you should confront him. Or perhaps you should not?
--[] Retroactively use Pride's gift to craft Axe's reagent. (FREE ACTION, but costs reagent-crafting action)
(The action above is the equivalent of crafting a new Level 3 reagent using Velvet Pride's gift, and "hastily" using it to summon Axe. It will result in your Knock 2 Edge 1 reagent being recovered, or never spent to begin with. And it will consume Velvet Pride's second gift without angering him.)

-[] On the treasures that bits may buy (actions where you search for things to purchase)

Spoiler: Bits and Buyings

(All transportation costs have been waived)
--[] There are books that could be of use. You should start looking for them.
---[] In Ponyville, and its… great assortments of libraries? (HEART, FORGE)
---[] In the great libraries of Canterlot… the ones that are open to public access, that is (LANTERN, GRAIL, SECRET HISTORIES)
---[] In the many small bookshops that dot the side streets of Manehattan (MOTH, EDGE, KNOCK)
(Due to SECRET HISTORIES 3, now you have a better idea of what you are more likely to find in each city)

--[] Although you are personally judicious about such habits, you are still a noble. Searching for "peculiar items" to "add to your collection" is certainly not out of place… right? (Search for an artifact to buy)

--[] You have ingrained yourself with the merchants of Ponyville. Tap into your sources and procure an artifact. (Specify LORE and LEVEL, up to Level 3. It will be added to your available list, but will be more expensive than normal)

--[] You haven't forgotten about it, you just put it on hold until a more convenient time. (Purchases done here will arrive/be completed at the end of this turn.) (Does NOT cost an action)
---[] NO ARTIFACTS AVAILABLE

On furthering your interests

Spoiler: In Ponyville

-[] Jade's house is now adequately clean. Or at least sufficiently presentable for ponies to work on it. You should… (Forge-aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
--[] You need a place where you can safely, and discreetly, store items. Use the upper level of her house for it.
--[] You might need a place to… "store" your enemies. Alive. Dig a small prison under her house.

On planning an Expedition.

Spoiler: Out into the World

(All options involve a test, and can fail, Secret-Histories aligned ponies are better suited at attempting these tasks)
-[] [EXPEDITION] Equestria is full of undiscovered places. You must learn their secrets…
--[] [EXPEDITION] Search for a place that is recent in its ruin, whose History is decided. Mundane as it might be, it might still bear treasures. (Search for an "easy" expedition)
--[] [EXPEDITION] Search for a place that is old in its History. Where the influence of the Mansus is but an echo, but that can still be heard in the wind. (Search for an intermediary expedition)
--[] [EXPEDITION] Search for a place that should be better left forgotten. According to the powers of this Era, at least. Finding it will be hard, though, and uncovering its secrets even harder. (Search for a very hard expedition)

-[] [EXPEDITION] "Beneath the Royal Castle, pt. 2"
--[] [EXPEDITION] Scout out the place so you can have a better grasp of what lies ahead of you.
--[] [EXPEDITION] You know enough, and there is not much time. Gather your followers and head out. (Costs TWO actions, as specified)

On furthering knowledge. Yours, or somepony else's.

Spoiler: The allures of Power

-[] [TEACH] Write a Manifest. It will not benefit you directly, but it will certainly benefit anypony else with whoever you allow into your library. (WRITE IN Lore)
-[] [TEACH] Teach Rarity, and make her a Seeker.
-[] [TEACH] Teach Jade, and make her a Seeker.
-[] [TEACH] Teach Fluttershy, and make her a Disciple.
-[] [TEACH] Teach your family the Lores. (Requires "all Lores" to be Level 4 or higher, affects your entire family)

(You may study three books, OR two artifacts, OR one book and one artifact. Studying/developing a ritual costs an entire action.)

-[] [LEARN] There is something about this… thing, and you must learn what it is
--[] KNOCK Level 2 artifact

-[] [LEARN] It doesn't have to be just during a leisure weekend evening, you can fit a few minutes of reading even when walking between rooms if you really get into it!
--[] [LEARN] BOOK, HEART Level 1. "A small book that covers a particular kind of elegant dancing".
--[] [LEARN] BOOK, FORGE Level 1. "A small handbook on camping, explaining the basics of how to build a tent and start a small fire".
--[] [LEARN] BOOK FORGE Level 3. "A real guide to beginner's level blacksmithing. The bookstore owner almost seemed excited in having this reach your hoofs via your servants."
--[] [LEARN] BOOK FORGE Level 3. The book is simply titled 'Chemistry', and your servants reluctantly admitted that was the only word they understood in it. Of course you know they were being dramatic, but that also means that the contents of the book must be way, way beyond what they teach at schools."
--[] [LEARN] BOOK, KNOCK Level 2. "A fairly recent, and short, book about dream interpretation. You know it is recent because it was dedicated to Princess Luna's return".
--[] [LEARN] BOOK EDGE Level 1. "The title is self-explanatory: 'Four self-defense spells every unicorn should know'. You doubt they are anything more than different variations of concentrated telekinesis."
--[] [LEARN] BOOK UNKNOWN LORE. "An old book, hoof-written and bound with rusty metal pins. Found in the cavernous undergrounds of the Royal Castle. The language written in it is strange, but the alphabet itself is not. This is clearly from this age." (REQUIRES DECIPHERING, unknown if it will grant Lore-knowledge. From Current Era: "-20" malus while deciphering. Current Progress 0/50)

-[] [LEARN] It all fits together, somehow… or so you hope.
--[] [LEARN] "Unknown Ritual – A Memory of Light" Step one (Progress 0/100, uses Learning and LANTERN)

On scaling the Mansus (Pick TWO options for every action spent)

Spoiler: The House without walls

-[] [MANSUS] The Wastes
--[] [MANSUS] Stalk the Ashen Wastes. The alternative is to be stalked. (Velvet Covers will already do it this turn)
--[] [MANSUS] Tarrying in the Wastes is always a poor idea… but there is no other way to discover what this place holds. (Search for a new area)

-[] [MANSUS] The Blank Door
--[] [MANSUS] Explore the Blank Plains, the first afterlife of ponykind.
--[] [MANSUS] Visit the Lodge of the Sage Pony. You may not be able to talk to Baldomare, but you surely can listen very well.
--[] [MANSUS] Visit the Garden of Mirrors, where the Mares attend the glassy flowers.
--[] [MANSUS] Explore what lies beyond the Garden of Mirrors, behind that pale veil of fog Requires a Winter Sacrament
--[] [MANSUS] Reach for The Tower, at the impossible edge of the Blank Plains, and meditate on what you are lacking. (Gain one scrap of Secret Histories Lore) This option will not net you any gain.

-[] [MANSUS] The Shattered Stairways
--[] [MANSUS] Wander through the maze of broken stairs. Perhaps you will stumble upon something.
--[] [MANSUS] Reach for the Valley of Keys, where the snakemare of the Mansus toils for her freedom.
--[] [MANSUS] Seek audience with the Wolf-Divided (you will be given a useful gift. Gifts will always be increasingly more precious and useful. There is no risk of receiving any maluses or wounds) [This is a Regrettable Action]
--[] [MANSUS] There are other markings to be followed within this maddening labyrinth of stairs. Follow them. (Search for a new area)

-[] [MANSUS] Beyond the Tribal Door
--[] [MANSUS] Explore the depths of the Ruined Church (Mansus Expedition)
--[] [MANSUS] Visit Biedde on his post, and gaze upon the Worm Museum
--[] [MANSUS] What remains of the heart of the Mansus is but a tortured maze of glass and dead ends. Wander through its corridors.

-[] [MANSUS] The Summit
--[] [MANSUS] The place where the Mansus was struck. You must explore it.

On more personal matters

Spoiler: Home and heart

-[] Of course you love your family very much, but you could always spend a bit more time with them.
--[] Just another pleasant day that you will spend with them. Perfect for cooling your head off.
--[] WRITE IN (other ways to spend time with your family, or anything else)

-[] Go into town and try to meet somepony interesting.

-[] Much to your own satisfaction, you now have a personal life outside of your maids, immediate family and business related meetings. You could choose to spend some time with…
--[] Cheerilee, your daughter's schoolteacher
--[] Mayor Mare, the de-facto ruler of Ponyville
--[] Filthy Rich, a well-to-do and wealthy bussinespony
--[] Applejack, daughter of the Apple Clan and older sister to your daughter's friend
--[] WRITE IN (arrange to take your daughter to meet some of your younger acquaintances, or plan something else entirely)

On invoking the Lores (see RITUALS for more information, as well as CD and cost. SPECIFY if you will offer SACRIFICE)

Spoiler: The old ways

Your own reagents, and other possible sacrifices:
-All of your Artifacts
-HEART, Level 1
-2x Wrong Key (KNOCK reagent, level 3)


-[] [FORGE] It's actually a lot simpler than it sounds, now that you know what you are doing (produce a reagent, write in which Lore/combination of Lores.
(You cannot produce a reagent with a Lore level superior to your own.) (Producing a single reagent is a FREE ACTION, producing 3 costs 1 action, 5 costs 2 actions, so on.)
--[] [FORGE] Level 1 reagent (5 bits)
--[] [FORGE Level 2 reagent (20 bits)
--[] [FORGE] Level 3 reagent (45 bits)

-[] It's grim work, but needs must.
--[] Acquire a dead body from the local cemetery.
--[] Acquire a live pony. (You have no place to keep live prisoners)

-[] "The proper things, in the proper manner, in the proper order. God help us all." (Perform a Ritual)
--[] "The Attention of the Laws" (specify Aspect)
--[] "The Forge's Redemption"
--[] "The Incision of the Heart"
--[] "The Path Through Nightmares" (specify target)
--[] "The End is Beautiful" (specify target)
--[] "The calling of Influence" (specify Aspect)
--[] "The Reflection of the Tapestry" (specify subject)
--[] Invoke a Risen (SPECIFY dead body used as source. ONE Risen is a FREE ACTION)
--[] Invoke a Windigo
--[] Invoke a Mare-in-the-Light
--[] Invoke Baldomare Already summoned
--[] Invoke the Daugher-of-Axes Already summoned
--[] Invoke Mareinette, Our Lady of Wires
--[] Invoke Biedde

--[] To be performed at your own home, where you will... hopefully not leave many trails
--[] To be performed in Jade's old house (only up to Two-Circle rituals)
--[] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
--[] To be performed on another location (you do not yet know or own any such location)

-[] Something else? (WRITE IN. Anything, but I will have to consider it, and it might make the voting period a bit longer)





Remember that write-ins for anything may be suggested. I'll do my best to answer if they are reasonable in a timely manner.

There will be at least 48 hours of voting, and TWELVE hours of moratorium.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You are Selene, and right now you are dreaming.

However, you are not asleep. You are merely dreaming. There is a difference between those two things. Especially to you, and especially ever since you woke up.

And it also goes without saying that this is not your dream.

It is night, and you are currently inside somepony else's dreamscape.

…

Your relationship with Soft Sweeps has always been somewhat curious, you think.

Because at first, she just made you uncomfortable. Back when you didn't really know anypony, and your memory only stretched back to maybe one or two months, it felt strange to have a mare like her taking care of you the way she did.

Silky did not seem to mind, but in hindsight it must have been because she had been treated like that her entire life. But still, Silky didn't mind, so you just bit down your tongue and kept to yourself. However, now that you think about it, having a full-time caretaker was more than a little overwhelming for a filly as shy as you were.

Still, you eventually got used to her as time went on. The awkward and sparse exchanges of words you first had eventually turned into conversations. You slowly came to understand that her constant check-ins were just her way of expressing that she was worried about you. And before you realized it, the sensation of her neck around your forelegs as she flew you here and there became a familiar feeling.

Silky helped a lot with that, you know. Your sister has a way of making ponies like each other that you still think is impressive, even now after you woke up. And you care about Soft Sweeps. You really do, and you will never say otherwise.

However, the fact remains that you just don't feel as close to her as you do with Silky, or your parents.

Maybe it's because you just didn't spend enough time with her. After all, you only had some ten months on the Velvet estate as a filly. But that argument doesn't hold much weight, whenever you think about it. After all, you had just as much time with Silky. And you definitely spent more time with Soft than you did with your mother and father.

Maybe it's because, well, Soft went through a lot of things, even before you woke up. Because you do remember the long, worrying conversations you had with your family about her, right after the Catastrophe struck. And even as a filly, you could tell the young mare wasn't quite the same after she returned to your home.

Or maybe… maybe it's something else? Something you can't quite put your hoof on?

Regardless, you still care about her. She might not be like an older sister to you, but she is like that to Silky. And anypony Silky cares about is a pony you will protect.

More than that. Anypony who is good enough for Silky is a pony who you will trust.



And that is why you are here tonight.



This is Soft Sweep's dream. And just like you did with your two sisters, you are here to tell her about what happened to you.

Granted, you don't think you would be able to hide this from her. Well, you do think you could do it. But if you didn't bring Soft Sweeps into this, then your free time would be severely limited. After all, it is literally her job to take care of you during the day, so it would be nearly impossible for you to disappear for any long periods of time without her noticing.

And why you are doing it this way? Why are you going into her dream to do this? Well, for several reasons. First, because you can tell that ponies simply trust you, or believe you more easily, when you talk to them in their dreams. They might not consciously realize they are dreaming, but you can tell you form a connection with them that is deeper than what two ponies have when they just talk in real life.

And the second reason is… well, because not only you can shift their dreams around, if they need a little more convincing. But also because there is little to no consequence if they refuse to believe you, or if they simply overreact and start screaming.

Granted, you haven't really done this to anypony other than Silky and Celestia. But still, it is good for you to get used to doing things the smart way.

However, as you look around you, you can't help but feel that…

"Something… something feels weird," you say to yourself, almost in a whisper.

You have just entered Soft's dream. But you can already tell that something is… off?

But for some reason, you can't exactly figure out what it is. It could be that you are just out of experience, although you don't really feel that is the answer. Still, you can't exactly tell what…

"The air feels heavy," you say to yourself, as you focus on your surroundings and try to get your bearings. "No, not heavy. It doesn't feel strange to breathe. The air feels resistant…"

You look around you, and you realize that you are in a desert of sorts. It is night, or at least there is no sun to speak of, and it is somewhat cold. And everywhere you look, you see nothing but sand and dunes. Furthermore, as you try to walk you can't help but feel that the very air feels murky, as it is trying to weigh you down.

The sand, also, feels strangely treacherous. Not because you feel like you are about to fall into a pit of quicksand. But instead, because every time you walk, your hoof seems to sink just a little more than it should.

You can't shake the feeling that something is trying to slow you down. Or perhaps, it's not just that something is trying to slow you down, but something is pushing down on this dream in its entirety.

"Still, it's strange. It doesn't feel like anything is truly wrong," you say, as you wander in a small circle. Testing your movements, and the feeling of this dream in general, as you go. "It's not that I don't know what to fix. I can't tell if there's anything to fix to begin with."

You stop walking for a moment, sitting down on the uncomfortable sand as you think for a few more moments.

Because this doesn't feel like something you can fix, or even something you can change. But still, if everypony else's dreams feel like a gust of air, or perhaps a cloud you can shape with your horn, then this dream feels like clay. Or perhaps tar.

Well, you won't find any answers just sitting around. And deep down, you know that Soft Sweeps went through a lot. You haven't asked your mother for details yet, and to be honest you wouldn't feel comfortable prying unless Soft herself was the one telling you about it. But still, you know that the relatively young Soft already went through more than several ponies suffer in their entire lives.

So, you try not to linger on this mystery. You will put this to the side for now, as something to keep an eye on. But you won't revisit this until you have a little more experience. Because who knows, maybe this is how traumas are reflected in a pony's dreams.

With that in mind, you get up on your hoofs, and start going in the direction you know you will find Soft.



- - -



This place isn't really a desert. Or rather, you don't think that calling it a desert is entirely accurate.

Sure, you are surrounded by sand. But this isn't really the case where there is only sand as far as your eyes can see. Because as you walked, you scaled a few dunes here and there, and you can tell that there is something in the distance. It is too dark to tell what it might be, but there is certainly a silhouette of sorts, of a forest or a city or something else entirely, in the far distance.

However, the main reason why you don't think this place is a desert is because you can hear water.

Not just water. You don't hear a stream or a river. You can hear the sound of waves, the constant to-and-fro movement of an ocean crashing against the land, only to retract shortly after.

You can hear it before you see it. But soon enough, after you finish climbing a particularly tall dune of sand, you find yourself looking at a beach. A long beach, that seems to stretch from one side of the horizon to the other. A great line of sand, that seems to divide this entire world into two halves, one dominated by land and the other by water.

And as your eyes run through the stretch of that vast beach, following the unerring compass you have inside of you, you soon find the shape of a lonely pony who seems to be sitting by the shore. A single pony, who is looking at that vast ocean, almost as if waiting for something.

That pony, of course, is Soft Sweeps. You know that for sure, even though you are still too far away to identify her.

So, you start making your way to her, cautiously climbing down from the tall dune, and making your way to the shoreline.

You try not to think too hard about any of this. You try not to think about how this dream is almost… almost oppressive.

You try not to think too hard about how this doesn't feel like a dream, but that it doesn't feel like a nightmare either.

You try not to think too hard about this, because you know you just woke up. It hasn't even been two weeks since you woke up. So, Princess of Dreams or not, you won't presume that you know everything about this. A thousand years is a long time, after all, and you would be a fool if you didn't think that your absence also created a gap in your knowledge.

Instead, you just make your way towards her. One hoofstep after the other.

Until you finally reach the young mare, who is sitting with her back turned to you as she looks at the endless and dark ocean before her.

"Soft?" you ask, although everything feels so off that you don't even know how to start this conversation anymore. "Is everything alright?" you say, hoping to at least attract her attention.

But thankfully, as soon as you start speaking, the young mare's ears perk up.

And the moment she turns around, and realizes it's you, an honest smile appears on her face.

"Selene! It's so great to see you!" she says, standing up and making her way towards you. And to your genuine surprise, the mare almost immediately brings you into a hug. "What are you doing here, you little rascal? Are you the one who's going to keep me company tonight? I'm so glad!"

She almost crushes you between her forelegs. It doesn't hurt, of course, but you can't help but feel shocked for a few moments.

Because Soft… well, she is usually a very controlled pony. She cares about you, and she worries about you, but she always respected your personal space while you were awake.

And you don't think she is doing anything wrong, either. You remember that ponies can act differently, and usually in a more honest way, when they are dreaming. It is their own dream after all. But still, seeing Soft act in such an energetic and upbeat manner is slightly…

"I… I guess I am?" you ask, as you slowly work your way out of this little surprise.

However, it takes you a few more moments to realize what exactly she just asked you.

What does the mean by… what did she say again? Keeping her company tonight? No, that you will be the one who will keep her company?

Does she… does she know this is a dream? That wouldn't be entirely strange. But the way she worded it certainly was unusual.

"Hold on, what do you mean keep you company?" you ask, as the young mare finally lets go of you. Although she still has a genuine smile on her face. "Well, I, uh… Yes, I'm here tonight. But… who else were you expecting, Soft?"

You ask those questions, and you try to keep your tone as casual as possible because you are not sure of how exactly you should proceed.

Because you are pretty sure that Soft Sweeps knows this is a dream. And, since you are still in your filly form, you are also pretty sure that she thinks you are a part of her dream.

So, there is no need to reveal her your other form yet. Not if you can keep her a little more comfortable, and perhaps speaking more freely, while she still thinks this is all just a dream.

"Pff, don't be silly. You know who I am talking about," she says.

And you watch as slowly, very slowly, the mare's expression begins to change.

You don't know when was the last time you saw Soft Sweeps this happy. The smile she had on her face, when she turned around and saw you, was almost heartwarming.

But now, as she say those words, you can't help but notice her face is slowly becoming…

Pained.

"You know… them," she continues, although you can tell she is doesn't really want to finish that sentence. "My… my brothers."

She says that, but you can tell she isn't just speaking with her words. More than just words, you can tell from the way her ears are slightly down, and the way that her wings are drooping slightly from her sides, that this is not… a happy subject.

And you immediately know why that is the case.

Of course… yes, it all makes sense now. In fact, you almost feel bad for not thinking about this before. It should have been obvious!

Because when she says she was expecting her brothers, what else could she be referring to but…

… well, her own family? What else could this be about, but the family she lost during the Catastrophe?

When you were still just Selene, you remember a period when you were still trying to figure out what the dreams you had meant. And you remember how you slowly pieced together that, rather than your own dreams, you were actually looking at other ponies' dreams.

And you remember how Soft's dreams were like, back then. You remember the large and well-kept house that she lived in, and the several little brothers and sisters that she would carry on her back as she flew through the skies.

So of course, when she tells you she was expecting one of her "brothers", this can only mean that…

"Oh, I… I am sorry, Soft," you say, making your way towards her and sheepishly leaning on to her side. "And yeah, I'm the one who's here tonight."

A small smile appears on her face, as you say that. And a few moments later, you can feel her raising the wing you were leaning against, covering you in a feathered hug as she lets out a small sigh.

"Thank you, Selene. I really appreciate it…"

Her voice is still a little low, and you can tell that her breathing is ever so slightly strained. But still, you think she is being honest, when she says that.

So, the two of you just stay like that for a little while.

Eventually, she lets go of you once again. Or at least she stops side-hugging you with her wing. After that, she turns towards the ocean and sits on the very same spot you first saw her, tapping with a hoof on the sand right next to her, for you to join her.

And you do just that, looking at the crashing waves and the constant movement of the dark water.

You don't think you should tell her what you came here to tell her… For some reason, you don't think you should tell her that you woke up, and that you are now a Princess. It just doesn't feel right. You feel like it's better to do it while she is awake

And what is more, the way she worded those things… You feel like you should try to understand that a little better.

If nothing else, this will help you figure out the best time, or the best way, to tell her the truth about you in the real world.

"Soft, the thing you just said… about your brothers. Do they come to visit you often?" you ask, turning away from the ocean and looking at her as you do.

You don't really like the way she purses her lips, as she listens to your words. But thankfully, that doesn't stop her from answering your question.

"You already know that, Selene… you know that. They visit me every night."

The way she says that, the heavy, almost pained tone of voice she is speaking with, makes a small part of you regret even asking.

Because it is very clear that she doesn't like talking about this. More than just that, you get the impression that it hurts her to talk about this. And the more she speaks, the more you feel bad for having asked that question.

But you don't have it in you to interrupt her either.

"And you also know that… you also know that I always remember. I always remember it, all the other dreams, when I fall asleep. And I always forget them when I wake up. You know that…" she trails off.

And you can tell that she isn't really looking at the ocean. Not anymore. Her eyes seem unfocused, almost glazed. As if the memories she is talking about are right in front of her, rather than just inside your head.

"Sometimes I even feel like I am living two lives," she says, forcing out a chuckle. Trying, but failing, to make a joke out of what she is talking about. "Sometimes, when I come back here, I just think… wow, I was really worried about that during the day? I really must have forgotten about…"

She trails off once again, but this time her expression is even darker than before. A mixture of grief, and something else besides, that is weighing down her features and slowly turning her face into a scowl.

But then again, how could she not be feeling like that?

You shouldn't have asked that. You shouldn't have asked that at all. Because if what she is telling you is the truth, if she really dreams about her brothers every single night… Well, then every night must be so painful for her, having to see the fillies and colts she will never be able to meet again in the real world.

Because if there is one thing you can see from her face, it's that she definitely does not enjoy seeing her siblings.

You can only imagine how heavy her grief must be…

"And they tell me stuff… sometimes," she continues, but her tone makes it clear she isn't really speaking to you anymore. You don't even know if she is speaking to herself. "And I don't like it when they tell me stuff. Stuff they wish they could do… stuff they want me to do… A-and then there are the times they talk about father…"

Her breathing cuts out for a few moments, a sharp and sudden sniff cutting her words off.

But you are thankful for that, because her tone of voice was so… so heavy that you didn't even realize you were just staring at her mutely. But her sniff shook you out of it, and you finally realize that the young mare is shaking. She is shaking, and she looks terrified. Or perhaps she looks like she is about to cry.

"I-it's alright Soft! Don't think about it," you say, once again pressing your small body against her side. Hugging her foreleg as you try to figure out what you could possibly say to make her feel better. "I'm here tonight, Soft. It's me. A-and we… we can talk about good things! We can make this a good dream, for you to remember, until you stop dreaming about…"

You stop talking, realizing you could be very close to saying something you shouldn't.

Still, you can see a small smile appear on Soft's face once again. Her body also stopped shaking, and a few moments later she is weakly ruffling your mane with her other hoof.

"Thanks, Selene… that really means a lot to me. I know you don't really like me, out there. But I'm really glad that…"

"What? No! Of course I like you, Soft. You and Silky are like the family I never had!" you say, interrupting the young mare before she can even finish speaking.

And this time, it is Soft who looks at you with muted surprise. The same way you were shocked by her warmth, when she first met you in this dream, you can now see she is honestly baffled by her words.

But a few moments later, her surprise turns into a calmer smile, as she pulls back the foreleg you are holding and puts it around you, pulling you into a hug.

"You really are a good filly, Selene. I'm glad mother brought you home."

You almost say something, but at the very last moment you decide not to. Because… well, you realize that if you say anything, or if you ask anything, you would just risk making things worse.

And as you look at Soft's expression, the way she is calmly looking at the distant ocean while enjoying your company, something inside of you tells you that…

… that this is the best thing you can do right now. That just staying here, by her side, is the best possible outcome in this situation.

So, you do just that. You stay by her side, and you try not to let your worries show on your face.

You just stay by her side, quietly listening as every now and then she tells you something.



I said I felt like I am living two lives, but that's not really what I meant... Because you see, in my real life, while I'm awake, things change. Every day I get a little older. Every day something happens.



You stay there with her, as you look towards the ocean. Trying not to think about the fact that you can see, even though there are no stars in the sky, and no moon shining down on this night.

You stay there with her, as you look towards the ocean. Trying not to think about the fact that you know there is a sun in this dream. You know, deep down, where the light is coming from.



But this life I have in my dreams? This… state? It never changes. Nothing ever happens here.



Because somehow you know that… that there is a sun, on the far side of that great ocean. There is a sun, just beyond the horizon, that is about to rise. And you can see everything around you thanks to the light of that sun, that is reflecting against the sky of the far horizon.

Even though you cannot really describe the color of everything around you. Even though you can't even tell if the water of this ocean is blue, or black, or red, or perhaps some other color that does not yet have a name.



Well… things do change. But only when…



You stay with Soft Sweeps until she wakes up.

And when morning arrives, and she knocks on your door to call you for breakfast, you ask her if she slept well.

You do not know if you feel encouraged or dispirited, when she just tilts her head and says she slept just fine. You are not sure of how you should look at this, when you ask her if she had any dreams, and she replies that she can't think of the last time she remembered having one.

…

And two days later, when you cautiously call her to your room at bedtime, and reveal to her your true identity, she almost faints.

Right, you forgot how she is also very scared of nobles in general. So, realizing she had been babysitting a Princess this whole time was certainly a fair reason for her to hyperventilate the way she did.

Well, at least she is in on it now.





Selene has revealed herself to Soft Sweeps. Your loyal maid will also help the Princess of the Moon to keep her disguise as much as possible.

But other than that, Selene did not mention anything else.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, With Changeling Detectives
-[X] Axe, yes! (Costs one VELVET action)
-[X][DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X][CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN one VELVET action for the next phase)
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X][RARITY] Take a commission. (Gain at least 100 bits immediately, will "fail" her career roll)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Edge. (Unlock her Edge skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Knock. (Unlock her Knock skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "The Key that Only Opens" the Daughter of Axe wants)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "the easiest lvl 6 book we can get for Baldomare")
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] WRITE IN: Canterlot part 2 expedition
-[X] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[X][GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (Your home)

[X] Plan Betterer Biedde
-[X] (AotL) Edge
-[X] (Forge) Edge 3, Knock 2 Edge 1, SH 1
—[X] Gift used on Knock 2 Edge 1 retroactively
-[X] (Steppes) Ask about any rumors and general perceptions of us, Fair Trial, and our respective institutions, among both nobles and the commonfolk.
-[X] (Social) Level up Jade
-[X] Summon Biedde
--[X] Sacrifice Edge 3 and Knock 2 Edge 1 reagents
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Comet Feet
-[X] Study: Forge 3, Forge 3, Mystery Book
-[X] Explore the Mansus
--[X] Find a new location in the Ashen Wastes
--[X] Explore the depths of the Ruined Church

[Rolling several relatively low CD tests…]

[No re-rolls used]



- - -



You are Velvet Covers, and right now you are more than just a little frustrated.

But not because anything bad happened, mind you. Well, technically speaking something bad is happening right now. Otherwise you wouldn't be frustrated like this. But still, this is not a catastrophe or anything. In fact, this is barely worth being called "bad news".

This really isn't something that is worth sulking about.

And yet, as it usually happens with this kind of thing…



"Tartarus… freaking… damnit! Why won't you stay in the right shape?!"



You let out a long, frustrated groan as the mushy substance you are working with once again melts into a small mound of dull-colored matter.

And you make a point of taking several long, deep breaths to push back against the mounting anger you are feeling.

Right now, you are at home. You are at home and, to be more precise, you are currently inside your office.

Well, this place isn't really your "office". Not anymore, at least. Ever since your brother took over the administration of the farmlands, this place hasn't really seen much use. In fact, the room is a lot emptier than it was before, given how your staff transferred to him several cabinets worth of files and ledgers.

Still, you are in your office because, well, you will be doing a lot of alchemy this month. And you don't think you will be able to do it discreetly if you keep using the workshop on the servant's building like you have done so far.

Maybe you should turn this place into a hobby room of sorts? Well, you say "hobby room", but the picture you have in your mind would better be described as a "workshop". Still, the small yet effective setup you saw on Knock-you's room definitely comes to mind.

And besides, Stormchaser has a hobby room of his own, just down the corridor. And the place is so full of weather-engineering tools and gadgets that it definitely qualifies as a workshop. So why shouldn't you have something like that as well? The servants would talk, of course. But everypony who is allowed to work on this floor, where your family lives, can be trusted to some extent.

Or at least, they can be trusted to brush off this kind of thing as a noble's eccentricity.

And also…

"… actually, I think I lost what little focus I had," you say out loud, as your eyes once again focus on your latest failed experiment.

Because you plan on doing something that will need a lot of Edge, a few days from now. And you are working on something that, hopefully, will give you the push you will need to succeed.

However, when it comes to this kind of thing, form is as important as substance. And although you can get away with something needle-sharp for a lesser ritual, you definitely need something blade-shaped for what you have in mind.

"But I am not suited for metalworking," you say to yourself, once again trying to figure a way around your problem.

After all, you might have been able to achieve the desired result if you were using metal, mixed with the correct ingredients, to forge a knife of sorts.

But that's the thing about it. You have a knack for alchemy. In fact, you can confidently say you have a taste for alchemy, or maybe even a liking for it. But even if you had the tools to melt a piece of metal, and even if you were able to mix it with the proper elements, you still wouldn't be able to work it into the necessary shape.

Because you know, at least in theory, that the correct way to do it would be with your hoofs. But you don't have the knowledge, or even the constitution, to do something like that. Metalworking is an aspect of Forge that you are simply unsuited for.

"… well, I'm sure I'll figure something out," you say, although with a defeated tone.

Still, you push aside the materials you were working with. Lighting up your horn as you storage the sloppy mixture that is your work in progress, and floating towards you the ingredients you will need for the other reagent you have in mind. Something easy, and small, that you will give Jade so she can use it in a ritual she is preparing to cast.

But as you start ripping out the pages of the old and used diary you bought, that will eventually become the reagent you have in mind, you can't help but think that maybe you should learn a bit more about Forge before going back to work on your other projects.



- - -



Finding these two books was a little harder than expected. And you are more than a little embarrassed by the fact you had to cheat a little bit in order to find them.

Well, the beginner's guide on blacksmithing wasn't that hard to find. Stormchaser asked if he could have it, a while ago, and you found the book stashed away in his hobby room. He must have read from it while trying to repair one of the… strangely complex metal fans he owns.

On the other hoof, your book on chemistry…

Well, after thoroughly analyzing the state of the book, you have concluded that it was first knocked out of your bookshelf by a maid. Then it was picked up by Softy, who thought it was one of Silky's schoolbooks, only for the young mare to change her mind after flicking through its pages. Then, it laid on Soft's room for a while, was borrowed by no less than three other maids, and became yellow for a few nights as it was read by a recent hire, for some unexplainable reason. Until finally one of Silky's friends found it while exploring the house, and it had been used as the base for a boardgame ever since.

You had not expected to have to dig into the chest where your daughter keeps her toys to find it, but at least you did not have to leave the house to retrieve it.

It would have been terribly awkward if you had to, say, break into the treehouse where your daughters go to play, in the Apple family property, just to get this book back. So, you will take your blessings where you find them.

Part of you feels bad over the fact that the book is slightly damaged. Its cover is bruised and dented, some of its pages are terribly folded, and you are sure that part of it became wet at some point, before drying out naturally. But still, considering that the last user of this book was one of your daughters, your indignation dies down very quickly.

Regardless, despite all the trouble you went through to locate these two books, you still won't read them right now.

Yes, you are aware that they became misplaced precisely because you took so long to read them. And no, you are not about to put them off for several more months.

However, the fact remains that you are far more interested in the third book you have with you. The old and battered volume you are holding on your hoofs right now.

The ancient, hoof-written book that the Daughter-of-Axes brought you… from beneath the Royal Castle of Canterlot.

…

You have been meaning to read this for a while now. More than that, you have been wanting to study this ever since it came into your possession.

The book itself looks unremarkable, if very old. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say the book doesn't look special. You wouldn't bat an eye if you found it in a used-books store, or perhaps inside a trash can.

Furthermore, the pages seem to be made out of the same material as scrolls. Of course, you are not surprised that the pages are not made out of modern paper. But still, the old scroll-like pages have already grown stiff with age, and are only malleable enough for you to be able to turn them without fearing that the book will break on your hoofs.

The more you analyze the book itself, the more you start to think it was never meant to be a book to begin with. Because the way the pages are bound together, with rusted metal pins that you think you could remove without much effort, make you feel like this was never meant to be the final configuration for the book. In fact, even the "cover" of the book is indistinguishable from the following pages, and the words "Volume 4" are the only approximation for a cover title this thing has.

Yes, you are almost certain of it. This book was probably just a collection of notes, or perhaps a draft for a more complete work.

Still, it is old. It is old, and it was found in a place that was used by Lore-practitioners. So even these notes will be interesting to you.

So, after analyzing it as much as you could with your more mundane senses, you finally place your hoof over its cover.

And then… you focus.

The novelty of old age has left me a long time ago. Still, it is good to think that death is no longer what it was. Regardless, there is no point in thinking about the future when the present is happening right now.

I am glad that the city is growing, even though the surrounding denizens are doing their best to stop that. Still, we have already succeeded for long enough that optimism is the norm, and that setbacks are seen as holes on a road rather than a gaping chasm.

And most importantly, they are learning well. Soon, I will have very little left to teach them, although that time has not yet arrived.

Or rather, I will have very little left that I am willing to teach. Some things are best left forgotten. And I intend to die with those things.

But secrecy does not make me negligent. I would be a fool if I did not keep with the verifications, and that is exactly what I intend to do here.

The third cave branch, that I started mapping yesterday, seems to be the path downwards. With that in mind, I think I should…​

The book, if you can even call it such, is old.

And the writer was older.

This book was clearly not written for a pony other than the writer. It read more like a log of reports, sprinkled with personal thoughts here and there. And the lack of any mention to the Lores, even in the most indirect or secret way, almost seemed intentional.

Still, you were able to gleam enough from it.

You were able to confirm that it was written… relatively recently, in the grand scheme of things. You already suspected as much given how the language used was something you could read unaided, although it used several words that are at best archaic.

Furthermore, you think this was written… when the two sisters were already governing ponykind. Or at least when they were already physically present, and had a prominent role. Which also means this was written before Princess Luna was banished.

Still, despite the particular method you used to read, you were not able to grasp certain details. And you could almost feel the gaps of information that you simply lacked the context to be able to understand. For example, several times the writer simply wrote "they", and you were unsure if the writer was referring to ponykind in general, the two sisters, some other pony, or even the crystals that filled the walls of the cave that was being explored.

However, the writer's personal musings were only the smaller part of what was written. And most of the notes were dedicated to the writer's methodical exploration of the caverns within "the great mountain" where the notes were written.

Which you assume will be very useful to whoever wishes to explore the depths of Mount Canterlot.

…

You will be sure to copy the maps contained within these notes, and pass them on to the Daughter-of-Axes before she departs.



- - -



"Rarity, are you quite sure that you are alright?" you ask, carefully eyeing the mare as you do.

And not for the first time, the unicorn seems to take several seconds before she realizes you are speaking to her.

"I'm what? Oh, of course darling. Of course I am fine," she says. Although the way she shakes her head and blinks before speaking, as if she was deep in thought just now, suggests otherwise. "It's just the nerves acting up, nothing to worry about…"

She says that, but her words obviously have the opposite effect.

Although you are also aware that, well, you really shouldn't push her any further on this matter.

After all, the two of you already had this conversation before. Ever since Cadance's marriage, Rarity has been receiving several high profile "requests" for exclusive pieces of clothing.

And those buyers, some of them anonymous but all of them very rich, do not want her to design a fashion line like she is doing with the Needles. Instead, they want their own personal repeat of Cadance's wedding dress. Their own tailor-made, worthy-of-an-alicorn set for them to wear and flaunt, or perhaps for them to lock behind a glass vault and turn into a museum exhibit.

Still, she has been receiving requests, and after your encouragement she decided to accept one of them. Which is why she is going to travel to Los Pegasus in a few days, to have her first meeting with a very high-profile pony.

So yes, of course she is nervous. She is nervous, and she is already second guessing herself, and according to her own words she is not sure if she has what it takes, or if Cadance's dress was just a case of accidentally catching lightning in a bottle. A one-time thing she will never be able to surpass, let alone repeat.

And there really isn't anything you can do to calm her down, right now. Except maybe offer her some more tea, and give her an afternoon of peace and quiet among friends like you are doing right now.

"If you say so, Rarity," you answer, once again turning your attention to Jade Whistle. "So, Jade, what were you saying about glimpses?"

You watch as Jade narrows her eyes while she prepares to answer. And you can already tell that this subject, the topic of conversation that the mare very unusually brought up on her own, is something that she has been struggling with for a long time now. The kind of thing that she thinks about almost every day, but that somehow is hard to put into words.

Yes, you are definitely familiar with that kind of thing.

"It's not… glimpses," she tries to say, although she stops every now and then as she tries to think how she can best explain something. "It looks like a flicker, but it feels like a reflection? I… the best way I can describe it is that… hmm…"

"It feels like you are looking towards Glory, but you have your back turned to it and your eyes are closed, yes?" Baldomare asks.

And Jade's neutral expression almost turns into one of relief, or perhaps even surprise.

"Yes! Yes, that's exactly how they look like," she says, her voice covered by a very rare wave of emotion. "Do you know what that is? Could you please explain me what they mean?" she asks.

But of course, Baldomare doesn't even bother to look up as she speaks. Her attention clearly focused on putting more sugar on her teacup as she answers Jade.

"Of course, I know what that is, silly. And of course I won't tell you," she says. However, she still waves a hoof towards you before continuing. "But she seems to have a bit of a grasp on it. So why don't you two continue the little conversation you were having?"

You can tell that Jade is disappointed by her answer, although neither of you are really surprised by it.

But still, the fact that Baldomare is even willing to join your afternoon teatime is already more than you could ask for. And even if she is only willing to throw you small crumbs of knowledge like what she just said, you are more than happy to use those as guideposts for your conversation.

"Well, you say they feel like Glory, but not in the sense that you are looking at it directly," you say, trying to translate what Jade is talking about into something you are more familiar with. "Well, I always felt like I understood Lantern better with my hoofs. But I always thought there was something about your eyes, Jade."

"Oh, yes, she definitely uses her eyes," Baldomare says, finally putting her teacup down and starting to mix it with a small teaspoon.

Again, she doesn't volunteer anything else. But again, you will take what you can get.

"So, can you tell us a bit more about when you see those glimpses? I think we should start from there. Who knows, there might be a pattern that those situations followed, and we could learn more if we find it.

Jade gives you a slow nod as she thinks, although you can see her stealing a few glances of Baldomare here and there, hoping the Name will chime in with another tidbit of guidance.

And with the typical stops and starts that is common for these conversations, the ones where you discuss the Lores without really knowing what you are talking about, you and Jade continue to work on trying to understand her experiences a little bit better.

That is, until the sun gets so low that Jade and Rarity decide that they should leave.

Still, as you walk down with your friends to the entrance hall and say your goodbyes, you get the impression that Jade now has a better understanding of Lantern. Or at least, that the two of you stumbled on something that, in a few days, will bring her to a much needed breakthrough.



"Oh, one last thing," you say, before the two mares leave, "this is for you, Jade."

You say that, and then you give her the small bird you made from folded paper yesterday. The simple origami made out of the torn pages of an old diary, that you hope will help her with the ritual she is preparing.

However, as she takes the small bird on her hoofs, she just… stares at it. For several seconds. Her expression neutral as always, but also unusual in a way you can't describe.

"… is… is it alright if I keep it?" she mumbles, although her voice is so low you can barely understand her.

"I'm sorry, Jade. What was that?"

"Nothing, nothing," she says, carefully stashing the item in her saddle bag. "Thank you, Velvet Covers."

After that, she and Rarity begin the trek back to Ponyville. And the sun finally sets not long after that.





You have successfully read all three books. (All your three rolls were over the number 80, for those who are curious. Given your bonuses, I did not even bother to calculate by how much you succeeded.)

Velvet Covers has gained two scraps of Forge knowledge. Velvet Covers' Forge Lore is now level four!

Velvet Covers has read an ancient tome, which contained an expansive map of the caverns within Mount Canterlot. They may be dated, and perhaps inaccurate, but you are sure they will be helpful regardless. The expedition "Beneath the Royal Castle, pt. 2" has been scouted, and any characters exploring it will receive a +10 bonus on their rolls.

You have taught her everything you could, for now, and that will have to be enough. Jade Whistle is now a Seeker (Lantern 4, Heart 2).

You have created three reagents, which have all been added to your inventory. A total of 50 bits and your last "Expensive Gift" (retroactively used) have been taken from your inventory.

The Sacrament threadmark will be brought over eventually, and it will include the requirements for Velvet's newly-reachable Forge Sacrament. The same applies for the Expeditions threadmark.

More to follow.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, With Changeling Detectives
-[X] Axe, yes! (Costs one VELVET action)
-[X][DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X][CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN one VELVET action for the next phase)
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X][RARITY] Take a commission. (Gain at least 100 bits immediately, will "fail" her career roll)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Edge. (Unlock her Edge skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Knock. (Unlock her Knock skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "The Key that Only Opens" the Daughter of Axe wants)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "the easiest lvl 6 book we can get for Baldomare")
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] WRITE IN: Canterlot part 2 expedition
-[X] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[X][GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (Your home)

[X] Plan Betterer Biedde
-[X] (AotL) Edge
-[X] (Forge) Edge 3, Knock 2 Edge 1, SH 1
—[X] Gift used on Knock 2 Edge 1 retroactively
-[X] (Steppes) Ask about any rumors and general perceptions of us, Fair Trial, and our respective institutions, among both nobles and the commonfolk.
-[X] (Social) Level up Jade
-[X] Summon Biedde
--[X] Sacrifice Edge 3 and Knock 2 Edge 1 reagents
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Comet Feet
-[X] Study: Forge 3, Forge 3, Mystery Book
-[X] Explore the Mansus
--[X] Find a new location in the Ashen Wastes
--[X] Explore the depths of the Ruined Church

"Mom… did you know about Selene this whole time?"

Silky Stream asks you that just as you are about to step out of her room.

And the way she worded that question… gives you pause. Although you try your best not to let it show on your face, as you turn around to face her.

It is night. The weekend is over, Stormchaser is away at work, and you had just finished putting Silky to bed. On top of that, your saddle-bag is waiting for you in your room, and in less than an hour you should be leaving your home to make your way to Ponyville's train station, in order to catch the midnight train to Canterlot.

But naturally, the way your youngest daughter just asked that question just pushed all your other concerns to the faraway edges of your mind.

Because all that really matters right now, is for you to… talk to your daughter.

"Why do you ask, dear? Is anything the matter?" you ask with a soft voice, making your way back towards her and sitting on her bed next to her.

And the only answer Silky gives you is a slow, noncommitting shrug.

Of course, you know something is disturbing Silky. You would have been a fool if you didn't expect something like this to happen.

You have seen her frown, every now and then, for the entire day. Nay, the entire weekend, even. But she didn't have the sad, heavy frown of a filly who is depressed about something. She didn't have the kind of expression that you feel you could easily address, if you talked to her.

No, the weight she has on her expression is the slow-burning kind of pain. The type of thing that doesn't stop you from laughing, but that still creeps up to you with its doubts and its shivers when you least expect it. The confusing mixture of turmoil and uncertainty that is very much out of place on a filly's expression.

You know that, although she kept her relationship with Selene, that she still needs to… process, everything that happened. And you had planned to give her time to work through it.

But now that she is asking for your help, of course you will be here for her.

"I dunno… I've just been thinking about it and stuff…" she says. "I mean, was she always a… a Princess? Was Selene always going to, uh… to change? Ever since the first day she arrived?"

You are more than a little worried about how her expression is so… not sad, and not hurt, but she looks confused. Maybe even lost. And you can tell from her tone of voice that she doesn't even know what exactly is making her feel this way. The way she is speaking makes it very clear that she is still trying to grasp why she is feeling bad about this whole situation to begin with.

But still, you push back against your worry, keeping your expression serene and your voice level.

And you begin to gently stroke her mane, as you think about how you should answer her.

Maybe there is no answer. Maybe there is nothing you can say, and this is the kind of thing that only time can fix.

But still, you will try your best. And if that fails, you will at least be here for her.

"Well, yes Silky. I think so. Selene was always going to become a Princess, one day," you say, watching as she shrinks a little bit more under her blankets at that. You think you see a hint of betrayal on her eyes, or maybe helplessness, but even that disappears soon after. "But Silky, why do you think Selene changed into a Princess? Isn't it the opposite? The same way you were a pegasus since before you could fly, don't you think that Selene was a Princess this whole time, and she just now learned how to show it?"

You say that, your tone part question and part statement, and you let her think about it for a while. You keep stroking her smooth mane as you give her as much time as she needs, and you watch as her expression slowly but surely begins to change.

Although she doesn't look any calmer than before, and she certainly doesn't look like she just made peace with something. Instead, her frown deepens.

However, you can tell that she did realize something. The vague, confused expression she had on her face is gone now, replaced by the face of a filly who now knows what is causing her grief.

"Mom, I… did Selene…" she starts, then stops, as if afraid to even ask what is on her mind. Still, after a few more moments, she gulps down something dry and asks you what is on her mind. "Mom, did Selene change? Is she really the same Selene she was before… before all this?"

There it is.

Yes, you know this question. You know this small, insistent doubt that has been plaguing your Silky. And you can tell now how, day after day, this constant doubt has slowly but surely accumulated into a back-breaking fear.

You know this doubt very well, because you carry this same fear inside of you. You love Selene, and you trust her, but you and Stormchaser have already confided to each other that neither of you can really know what is going on inside Selene's head right now.

However, unlike Silky, you and your husband have the maturity to deal with it. The two of you have already decided that you will give Selene the time she needs to show you who she is now, and that you will both care for her regardless.

Silky, on the other hoof…

"Why do you ask that, Silky? Do you think she changed? Did anything happen that made you think she isn't she same Selene as before?"

"I… I don't know? She still goes to school with us and all. And there's times she pays attention like normal, but there's also times she just looks… bored? Not bored in a normal kind of way, but in a different way?" she says, and you can tell that her words are picking up speed the more she thinks about it. The thoughts that had been vexing her all this time suddenly coming out like a river. "And she still plays with me, but… but there's also times that I call her by her name, and she doesn't answer? Like, me calling her Selene doesn't even make her think that I'm talking to her?"

She keeps talking, and you keep listening. Letting her vent her foal-sized deluge of concerns, based on all the things she noticed up to this point.

And of course, you do realize that in the grand scheme of things Silky's concerns aren't really that "big". A strange answer from her sister here, an unexpected brush off there. And of course, the fact that Selene has just made herself absent for long periods of time now, whenever she gets the chance. You do realize that those are all the worries of a filly who can't spend as much time with somepony she loves now. You know this shouldn't be a big deal, and that growing up even means going through these kinds of things, more often than not.

But still, you care. Of course you care. This is your Silky, after all. And it doesn't matter to you how small her pain is, when compared to other things, because she is still in pain.

So, you keep stroking her mane as she speaks. Until she finally reveals what must be her deepest, darkest concern about this whole thing.

"… and is… is Selene just lying to me? I mean, she can play pretend so well. She pretends to be a filly, and nopony suspects anything happened, so… Is she just pretending to be my sister? Does she really care?"

She says that, and then she stops talking. By now, she already has her head lying against your flank, huddling against you even as she presses her blanket against herself. And even though you can't really see her face, you can tell her expression is downtrodden.

She really, really doesn't know the answer to her last question. And that doubt is crushing her.

And you…

Well, you don't know the answer to that question.

Nopony does. Maybe even Selene doesn't know it herself. Maybe she is just Princess Luna who is carrying Selene's memories, and maybe those memories will fade away as the years go by.

You hope that's not the case. You trust that's not the case. But the fact remains that you can't give your daughter the iron-clad, unquestionable certainty that she is asking for.

Nopony can.

However, you can still…

"Silky, I am going to tell you something right now, and I need you to listen to me very carefully. Can you do that?" you ask.

And you patiently wait, until the filly looks up to you and gives you a slow, hesitant nod.

"I don't think Selene changed. But I don't think she is the same filly she was before, either," you say. And just as Silky is about to open her mouth, you calmly raise a hoof to ask her to wait just a little longer. "I think Selene is just as confused about this as we are. But again, remember when you first learned to fly? Remember when you first grew into your wings and managed to fly without daddy's help? I think something like that just happened to Selene. And now we need to learn how to live with a Selene who is a Princess, the same way we had to learn how to live with a Silky who could suddenly fly."

Silky keeps looking up at you as you speak, and you look down to meet her gaze, giving her a small smile as you do. You wait a few more seconds, to see if she wants to say anything, but to your small surprise your daughter stays quiet, waiting for you to continue.

"But the most important thing, Silky, is that I trust Selene. I trust her when she says she wants to keep living with us. I trust her when she says is still part of our family. And I trust that she won't just… suddenly change her mind, or decide she wants to be a Princess rather than be your sister."

You say that, and you hear a faint sigh coming from your daughter. Because you are sure Selene already told Silky those very same things, even if she did it in another context or with actions instead of words. Still, you can tell that Silky is thinking back of all the things that… well that stayed the same about Selene, rather than just focusing on the things that changed.

"So, Silky, do you trust Selene? This is all a veeery big change for all of us, Selene most of all. But still, despite everything that happened, she still wants to be here with us. She still wants to be here with you. So, do you trust her? And do you want her to keep doing what she is doing?"

You thought you would get an immediate answer from her. You thought this would have been enough to shake Silky out of her worries. But to your surprise, your daughter hesitates a little bit.

You think you can hear her mumble something, about how Selene is still a Princess, and maybe she will just get bored of her… or maybe that Selene should get bored of her, so she can be a Princess for everypony else.

But ultimately, your daughter gives you a weak nod.

"Yeah, I trust Selene… I just hope that… that I'm worth it, for her… and that she doesn't…" she mumbles. And for a fraction of a second you raise an eyebrow, wondering what else your daughter has been thinking about, that she hasn't really been able to find the words to talk about yet.

But you quickly hide away your own concerns, once more. Staying there as the solid rock she can lean against, during this turbulent period of her life.

"Yeah, you're right mom… I trust Selene. And, uhm, do you think I can really help her?" she asks, her voice a little more energetic than before.

Which makes you feel more than just a little relief, as you watch Silky's expression slowly return to its usual self.

"Of course you can, love. You already are," you say, stroking her mane one last time before getting up from her bed. You aren't going to leave just yet, but if she thinks this conversation is ready to be wrapped up, then you will follow her lead. "After all, as long as nopony suspects a thing, we are winning. And you are one of the most important ponies she needs to keep things that way."

She gives you a small, confident nod to your answer. Not brimming with energy like she usually does, but still a lot livelier than a few minutes ago.

And then she lets out a small yawn, her eyes closing ever so slightly with each passing moment.

"By the way, do you think she would like us to call her something else?" she asks, although more with innocence than anything else. "I mean, if she doesn't feel like being called Selene anymore… I've been thinking about other names? Like Velvet Moon and other ones…"

You let out a small laughter at that, shaking your head as you slowly make your way towards the door.

"Silky, dear, you can't just go around giving ponies new names like that. That's not how it works," you say with a smile.

Of course, you don't feel the need to tell her what you really think about this particular subject. There is no need to tell her why, for example, she isn't called Velvet Stream.

She doesn't need to know that you wouldn't want Selene to change her name to that even if she asked.

She doesn't need to know that the Velvet legacy doesn't deserve them. That it never will. And that you won't let them tarnish their beautiful names and their peaceful lives even if that is the last thing you do.

"Axe didn't mind," she says, her voice unmistakably sleepy as she closes her eyes.

"Well Axe is…" you say, but you trail off, realizing that Silky is already asleep.

So, you quietly leave her room, closing the door behind you.

And only after you confirm your daughter is peacefully asleep do you turn your attention back to your other affairs.



- - -



"Mrs. Velvet, good evening. I'm so sorry to disturb you like this."

The moment you step out of Silky's room, you realize there was somepony waiting for you.

Of course, you don't really mind, and you quickly wave a hoof for her to get up from the short bow she is giving you. Heavens, how many times do you have to tell Softy she doesn't need to do that?

However, and much to your curiosity, Softy didn't come alone.

There was another pony waiting with her, a few paces away from Silky's room, who is still bowing to you next to Soft.

"I also share her sentiment, Lady Velvet. I am terribly sorry for intruding on your evening at an hour like this."

You don't really recognize her by her voice, not with how she is almost talking in a whisper, but you quickly recognize everything else. Besides, you only need to close your eyes for a few moments to pierce through the darkness of the corridor, and confirm that you know who this other mare is.

"Cantrip? Please, raise your head. I don't really mind Soft coming up at a time like this, but is there anything you need?" you ask.

And the unicorn mare, your brother's own personal maid, raises her head to look at you. Her eyes a mixture of thankfulness and nervousness.

You make sure to open your eyes, before she realizes what you are doing. And you light up your horn with a faint illumination spell, so you can all look at each other more easily.

But other than that, you just wait for the mares to say something. Your curiosity tingling as you wonder what this is about, at such a late time nonetheless.

"Yes, Lady Velvet. This is about my Lord Pride," she says. "He does not mean to intrude, and he is even willing to come here if it is more convenient to you, despite the late hour. But still, he would like to speak to you, if at all possible."

You tilt your head slightly, although part of you already… suspects what this must be about.

No, you are sure of it. It all lines up when you think about it. Your brother returned from Canterlot this morning, rather than staying in the capital for the entire weekend. And even though Ponpon has not yet confirmed the reason, you are sure it was because he heard that…

"Well, I don't mind talking to him, Cantrip," you say, to which the unicorn maid gives you a thankful nod. "But I have a train to catch in Ponyville, in less than two hours. So, do you think he would mind meeting me downstairs in the garden? I must be on my way as soon as we are done talking, you see."

The maid doesn't even need to tell you that she agrees, and is already bowing her farewell as soon as you are done speaking.

And moments later, you are following Soft downstairs, with your saddle-bag neatly fastened to your back.



…



Your conversation with your brother was quick.

"Good evening, sister. Again, I am very sorry for taking up your time at this late hour. And thank you for having me."

Hearing him call you "sister" is still a bit of a novel experience. But given how the two of you were in the garden, by the front gate of the estate, and alone, you think he was being more earnest than he usually would.

"I have heard the news, and I returned from Canterlot as quickly as I could. However, I haven't yet…"

But of course, there was another reason why he was being earnest. A more obvious, and perhaps notorious, reason.

"I haven't yet been able to see her. I have not yet been able to meet her, so… Was the news true? Is she really back?"

You try your best not to remember the exact words he used. For the rest of your life, you will try your best to forget those words such as "rare and radiant maiden, whom the Princesses name Axe".

"And more importantly, could you please tell me if she has any plans during her stay?"

But ultimately, your brother had called you to ask a question.

And the answer you gave him was that…



[Pick one]

[] [PRIDE] You will tell him everything you know. (Reveal to Pride all of Axe's actions, for the next three turns)

[] [PRIDE] You will tell him a little bit, but also that he should ask her the rest himself. (Reveal to Pride what action Axe will take this turn only)

[] [PRIDE] You will not tell him anything.



(None of these actions will result in revealing the Lores to Pride. Should Axe be commanded to perform a ritual, for example, Pride will be told that "she will be around for a few days," and not that she will be busy summoning alien gods.)



- - -



You lie on your bed, looking up at the ceiling as you try to clear your mind from the events of today.

Unfortunately, as you look up, you don't see the familiar ceiling of your own bedroom. Instead, you see the richly painted interior of the guest room you use in the Royal Castle.

And it only grates you a little bit to think that this ceiling, too, is not unfamiliar. But you suppose it is inevitable that you get used to this place, now that you spend more time here than you do at your home.

Today was hectic as usual. You have briefed everypony on your expectations for this week, and then you were presented with the countless small problems that appear on a daily basis in an institution as complex as the Bureau. Before you knew it, sunset was already fast approaching, and Shining Armor convinced you to stop working for the day.

He said, like he almost always does, that everypony needs a good night's sleep so they can work properly on the next day.

And you…

…

You wish he was right.

Or rather, you wish you were about to have a good night of sleep.

But you know that will not happen.

You take a deep breath, exhaling slowly as you try to relax your body. Falling asleep is not an unfamiliar motion, and you know you are tired enough to do it right now, if you really wanted to. And yet, you hesitate. You try to keep your mind busy, or at least you try to stop it from stopping, so you can stay awake for just a little longer. Making up excuses about why you don't really need to sleep right now, and you could maybe enjoy the soft sensation of your bed for just a minute longer.

And you know why you are doing this. Of course you do. You are doing this because you can't put this off any longer. You are doing this because you can't keep avoiding it.

You need to go to the Mansus. You need…



… you need to see what you have done.



You have avoided dreaming ever since the night before Cadance's wedding. There is a lever inside your head, or perhaps something else you can't quite name, that you have learned to control. A mechanism within your mind that allows you to either have a dreamless night… or that makes you go to the Mansus, without the need for the methods you have learned from your former cult.

So, with a great deal of… reluctance, you push that part of your mind into another position.

And when you wake up, you find yourself in the familiar stretches of the Crossroads.



…



It used to be that you could see the Woods from the Crossroads. It used to be that, should you look towards the neverending light of Glory, you could see the House, and the Path, and the great dark silhouette of the forest that grows around and under its walls.

That is not possible anymore.

Because the Woods are gone.

As you tread the familiar and winding path of the Crossroads, you try your best to look at the consequence of your actions. You try your best to keep your eyes straight, towards the approaching Mansus, rather than down.

And what you see is…

The first thought that comes to your mind is that you are looking at a desert. A vast and empty desert, filled with dunes and valleys that are constantly battered by invisible winds. A filthy desert, of sands that are not yellow or gold or colored like the Glory above, but that instead are grey and dull and made out of dirty ash.

You think you are looking at a desert, as you approach that place.

But you soon realize you are wrong. The realization this you the moment you approach the edge of the Crossroads, and your hoofs are about to step on the sticky cinders.

Because you realize now that you are not looking at a desert.

You are looking at an ocean.

The Ashen Wastes are not a true ocean. A pony who steps on its embers will not sink and be swallowed to their doom. Not immediately, at least. But still, the Ashen Wastes look like a tormented painting of how an ocean would look like if it was frozen in place.

But still, the ashen ground is solid enough. At least to walk. Or rather, your legs only sink a little bit, as you walk. Although you can't shake the impression that you are sinking just a little more with each further step.

Still, the ground is solid enough for you to walk.

So, you… step into the Ashen Wastes. And you try your best to ignore how warm your hoofs feel as you do.

The tall dunes of cold embers, that stretch as far as the eye can see, look like waves. They do not look like mounds, formed by wind and gravity. Instead, they look like waves that are perpetually frozen, curled and bent in ways that defy reason. And somehow, somehow, giving you the impression that they will suddenly move, crash and swallow you if you walk underneath the shadow of their faces.

Furthermore, every now and then you catch glimpses of… things. Things that make you feel like you are looking at a painting of a shipwreck, lost within a storm. Every now and then, you think you can see the burnt remains of a black tree, sticking out from a greedy mountain of ashes. Sometimes, you can even see glimpses of Manus-stone, sticking out from the barren surface. And just like planks of wood that were torn from a broken ship, those feel like the only place you can safely step without the ever-present fear that the next step on the ashen ground will see you swallowed.

You march on through this empty, desolate place, giving the menacing waves a wide berth as you go. You hear no sound but the howling of the wind, and you feel nothing but the slight burning sensation on your hoof and the feeling of dirty ash sticking to the coat of your dream body. You see no signs of life, or even movement, and you do not find anything noteworthy.

And as time stretches on, you soon realize you will never really find anything. Because there is nothing here. Nothing. This place is dead and desolate. A mass grave, devoid of peace or corpses. An eternally smoldering monument, whose only purpose is to remind ponykind of what was lost, and to torment anypony who dares to step hoof on it.

Even the smell is disgusting. You have no idea when you started feeling it, or even if it is a smell at all. But still, almost as if the atmosphere of this place is seeping into your dream-body, you can't help but feel a growing sense of revulsion. Towards this place or the world or yourself, or perhaps towards something else that does not yet have a name.

But still, you keep walking. You keep putting one hoof in front of the other, sinking your legs into the soot and trying not to think about the times you feel like you just stepped on something under the ashes.

You keep walking because you have to.

After all, the only reason you are here… the only reason anypony would ever be in a place like this… is still shining down on you.

Because the one thing this place cannot do, that the Woods could, is block out the light of Glory. And throughout your entire journey in this place, as your legs sunk deeper and deeper into the ashes until you could almost feel it on your belly, the Glory has been shining down upon you. The Glory has been shining down upon you, and you have been marching towards it.



And finally, you find an end to this place.



In the far distance, surrounded by wave-mountains of ash so high that you feel like they were trying to block it, you can see light. And you don't mean the light of Glory, no. You can literally see light. A pillar of light, that seems to stretch from the ashen grounds all the way to the Mesa of Mansus-stone high above you.

You don't feel relief, when you finally see that pillar of light. You don't feel relief, because relief seems to be forbidden in this place. But you do feel a wave of hope surging through your body, causing the filthy ash on your coat to burn and itch in reaction.

And the closer you get to the pillar of light, the more familiar it feels to you. You have already seen this light before.

In fact, the symbolism is not lost to you. Because if everything around you looks like a cruel and frozen ocean, then the pillar of light feels like a lighthouse. A beacon of safety, guiding the way to the shore and away from the hungry storm around you.

Eventually, although at much cost, you reach the base of the pillar of light.

The source of this beacon, you immediately realize, is at the very bottom of a long stair of Mansus-stone, that reaches up to the Blank Door.

In fact, as you look more closely, you soon realize that the source light is a horseshoe-shaped sigil, imprinted on the dark-blue stone of the stairs. As if a pony made out of light had left a part of herself there, to help illuminate and navigate the way forward.

But of course, you immediately realize who did it… in fact, you almost climb up the stairs to meet her. You almost make your way up to the Blank Plains, so you can meet her in her lodge.

However, as you look around you and realize why she had to place this beacon to begin with, you can't help but feel… ashamed. And you don't think you will be a welcome guest in her house.

So, you… don't. You climb up a few of the steps, but then you turn around. Sitting where she sat, seeing what she saw when she found you here.

…

And the only thing you feel as you look around at this place, at the vast and endless boundaries of the Mansus that once cradled the first forest…

…is regret.



- - -



You visit the Ashen Wastes several times, during the week. And every night, you feel that you learn a little bit more about this place.

For example, you are convinced that this place is not truly frozen, but instead that this ocean of ashes is just moving very slowly. You haven't been able to confirm it, and you don't think you truly want to. But still, you feel like the scenario around you is constantly shifting, inch by inch, whenever you are not looking.

Furthermore, you have discovered that there are other places connected to the Wastes. Or perhaps they are just extensions of the Wastes themselves? You are not sure. But you have seen glimpses of distant stretches of ash that do not seem to be covered by dunes or waves. Places that you can feel have other properties, or perhaps other purposes.

However, the single, most important, and most horrible thing you have learned from this place is that…

It is alive.

The Ashen Wastes are alive. They are alive, and they can think, and they have been watching you this entire time.

They have been watching you with bated breath. They have been watching you with an eagerness and glee that you can't describe or comprehend. And most of all, they have been watching you with anticipation. Waiting for you to notice it. Waiting for you to finally stare back at it, as it has been staring at you this entire time. Counting the seconds until you realize that every last mote of ash, and every last crashing wave filled with torment, is a part of this single… great… vast entity, that stretches as far as your eyes can see.

And when you finally realize it, you can't stop seeing it no matter where you look.

You feel like you are walking on the back of some great creature, made out of the corpses that were left after a fire. You feel like your hoofs are sinking into burning fur, every time you walk. Like you are a flea on the back of a beast that is the size of the Mansus.

And worst of all, you feel like… like you can hear it. You feel like you can understand it. As if the harsh winds that batter against the waves are trying to carry words rather than just misery. As if this entire time, this vast entity that you are riding has been breathing, thinking, and trying to speak to you.

You feel like you can hear it and… no, it's not just that.

You can actually understand it, now.

As if the knowledge is being shoved, or perhaps burned, into your mind. As if you have no choice but to understand it, now that you have recognized its existence. You understand that words being whispered in the wind, and your mind can't help but piece together a message, syllable by painful syllable, as they come to you in the whipping winds.

Ash…

… has…

… a present…

… for its…

… Mother…​

A chill runs through your spine as you piece together that last word.

And as soon as that happens, you notice something appearing on the ashen ground next to you. A trail of pawprints, as if an invisible wolf was walking right next to you.

The pawprints lead deeper into the Wastes, in a direction you had no yet dared to explore.

…

You know you will regret following the trail.

But you do it anyways.



- - -



The Ashen Wastes are a vast and dead stretch of misery, that goes as far as the eye can see. They are the filthy waves that crash against the walls of the Mansus, though it has no walls. And they are the burning tongues that lick against the undersides of the Blank Plains, yearning to spread its flames to that peaceful and dew-covered place of rest.

The Ashen Wastes are a misbegotten desert. An inanimate desert, which was born from the destruction of something older, greater, and better.

And yet, the ashes are also alive.

Ash is alive. And its body is as large as the Wastes, its fangs are as numerous as the specks of embers, and its rancor is as deep as that of the blood that spawned it.

Ash is alive.



And this is its mouth.



After following the track of pawprints for a long time, you finally come upon a cave.

An utterly unremarkable cave, made out of cinders, that leads to unremarkable darkness.

An utterly deadly mouth, with rows upon rows of hateful teeth, that leads to a fire that still burns.

The track of pawprints, created by some unseen presence (or perhaps pulled down into that shape by the very ground) leads you there, and then it comes to an end. The tracks end at the entrance of the cave, pointing the way towards the "gift" it wants to show you.

Within the cave, you find a body. The skeletal remains of a dead pony, curled up as if it was trying to hug something against itself during the last moments of its life.

Within the salty taste of those bones, you find a memory.

It is the memory of a pegasus. One that could never quite think straight, ever since she was struck in the head by an empty bottle, wielded by an uncaring parent. One that was never quite wanted, as she went from foster home to foster home, always being kicked out for being too slow, or perhaps too quick in all the wrong ways. One that never quite fit in the world created by ponykind, but that still tried with all her soul to earn the love she so desperately craved.

One that never really had any friends... until she did.

One that never really had any reason to be proud of herself... until she was taught that the insistence she carried in her heart was a virtue, not a vice.

One that never really had anyone who loved her... until she was adopted by a fatherly forest.

One that died in agony, as she watched everything she ever loved burn around her.

One that perished in vain, as she neglected her own escape so she could try to collect just one more seed, so she could at least try to replant the only place she had ever felt at home.

One that ultimately failed. At everything. Both in life, and now in death. And whose charred remains will remain here, forever, eternally cradling the burned and ruined crisps of the last seed of the Woods.

…

You look down at the "gift" your son has brought you, and you swear you can hear something behind you. Something that sounds too much like the noise of dust being swept by a tail, that is wagging in excitement. Something that you know is just the wind, but that deep down you realize is much more than just that.

You look down at the consequence of your actions.

And then your hear him ask who shall be next.





Beneath and around the walls of the Mansus, there is only Ash.

How shall it treat those who trespass upon its body?

(Regardless of the option picked, creatures that are part of Velvet Cover's faction will never be negatively affected.)


[Pick one]


[] [ASH-GUARD] Feast!
-"The treacherous ground of the Ashen Wastes will burn and torment every single pony who enters the Mansus."
-All ponies who access the Mansus will receive a small and temporary debuff.

[] [ASH-GUARD] Stalk.
-"The shifting waves will lie in wait, the sightless eyes will watch with bated breath, until its prey is right before its jaws."
-A reasonable number of ponies who access the Mansus will risk receiving a lasting debuff, or a wound if they are unlucky.


[] [ASH-GUARD] Starve...
-"It understands your hate, and it will be all the more gleeful to obey because of it. It will not attack any prey… that is, until madness and hunger subjugate it, and its impulse take over."
-A very small fraction of ponies who access the Mansus will risk receiving a wound, or they might die if they are unlucky.



Beneath and around the walls of the Mansus, there is only Ash.

What scent will you give it? Who has earned your focused hate?

(The character picked here will be actively hunted whenever they enter the Mansus)


[Pick one]


[] [ASH-PREY] Copper Secateur
[] [ASH-PREY] Windy Flakes
[] [ASH-PREY] Somepony else (Write in)
[] [ASH-PREY] No prey





You have explored the lowest level of the Mansus, after its latest change, and have found your way back to the Blank Door.

The Ashen Wastes, all of it, is your son. A vast ocean of its own namesake, born from the fires that you called down from a higher place. It leaves pawprints on your wake, to show that it is following you, and sometimes you swear that you can feel its burning tongue licking against your fur. And the glee it feels every time you visit is only eclipsed by the hate it feels for everything else. If it could, it would close its ashen jaws around the Mansus, and swallow it whole.

Velvet Covers has learned about Ash. And for the first, and perhaps most disturbing time, one of her "sons" has asked her for directions. Ash's skill has been updated on your character sheet.

Velvet Covers may now direct Ash, and dictate how it will treat those who have not been marked by her. All characters in Velvet's factions are immune to Ash's effects.

Starry Dancer has been confirmed as dead. Her death was not a peaceful one.

Twelve hours moratorium. Approval voting. Vote for whatever options you want, without making any plans. I do not feel these actions are sufficiently "linked" to the point a plan is warranted.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

[X] Plan Pittauro, With Changeling Detectives
-[X] Axe, yes! (Costs one VELVET action)
-[X][DETECTIVES] (FOLLOW UP) There are still changelings out there. Hunt them. Look for them, and for the ponies who colluded with them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Avert a future Catastrophe)
-[X][CONSTABLES] It is less paperwork for you if they just help with the investigations. (NO ACTION from the Constables. GAIN one VELVET action for the next phase)
-[X][COMMISSIONER] The Bureau is more than an institution, it is a gathering of dedicated ponies working towards a unified goal. Ingrain yourself with them. (Establish, increase, or salvage the loyalty of the Bureau towards you personally.)
-[X][RARITY] Take a commission. (Gain at least 100 bits immediately, will "fail" her career roll)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Edge. (Unlock her Edge skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X][SELENE] Realize something about Knock. (Unlock her Knock skill) (TRAINING ACTION)
-[X] One extra Velvet action! (Costs 2 follower actions)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "The Key that Only Opens" the Daughter of Axe wants)
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] You need somepony to perform this ritual… (Reflection of the Tapestry, search for "the easiest lvl 6 book we can get for Baldomare")
--[X] To be performed on the safe place Baldomare directed you to. (Will expire at the end of turn 20)
-[X] WRITE IN: Canterlot part 2 expedition
-[X] Attack your foe, or defend yourself. In war, there is no other option.
--[X][GUARD] You would very much like to keep this safe. (Your home)

[X] Plan Betterer Biedde
-[X] (AotL) Edge
-[X] (Forge) Edge 3, Knock 2 Edge 1, SH 1
—[X] Gift used on Knock 2 Edge 1 retroactively
-[X] (Steppes) Ask about any rumors and general perceptions of us, Fair Trial, and our respective institutions, among both nobles and the commonfolk.
-[X] (Social) Level up Jade
-[X] Summon Biedde
--[X] Sacrifice Edge 3 and Knock 2 Edge 1 reagents
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Fleeting Opportunity: Comet Feet
-[X] Study: Forge 3, Forge 3, Mystery Book
-[X] Explore the Mansus
--[X] Find a new location in the Ashen Wastes
--[X] Explore the depths of the Ruined Church

Spoiler: Winning Vote

Tally
[PRIDE] You will tell him a little bit, but also that he should ask her the rest himself. (Reveal to Pride what action Axe will take this turn only)
[ASH-GUARD] Stalk.
[ASH-PREY] Copper Secateur

You are Princess Luna, and right now you are doing something you have not done in a very long time.

You are training.

Ever since you woke up, you felt… different. You felt different in a good way, as if there was a part of you that had been missing this whole time but that you finally got back. You feel different in the sense that you no longer feel like a stranger in your own body, and it no longer feels wrong to walk, or to breathe, or even to exist.

Part of you misses the simplicity of when you were "just" Selene, but you can still say confidently that returning to that stage of your life would be taking a step back. Because now you feel complete, in a sense. Now you feel whole.

However, it is precisely because you feel "whole" that you are now able to realize just how small you are. After all, now that you finally feel… now that you feel solid, you finally realize that you could be doing a lot more than before. Now that your life feels like a stable foundation, you can see that you were always meant to build upon it.



And this is what you are doing right now. This is what you have been doing for the last several days.



The first thing you started working on was, well, your own body. Granted, you don't think there is anything you can improve in your body, given that you are an alicorn. However, you very quickly realized that your constitution is so good that you had no idea of how far you could push yourself.

So, you have been pushing yourself. You have been pushing yourself as much as you can.

You started small, at first, by answering some very simple questions. How fast can you run? How much wind can your wings blow? How long can you hold your breath? You started by answering those questions, and accumulating the much-needed personal experience that a pony needs to be active in a healthy way.

And then, you moved to the unhealthy questions.

How long can you go without sleep? How much pain can you take? What is the color of your blood?

Of course, you only started answering those questions after you found a place that is far from your home. And you have already decided you will never tell these details to anypony. Not even Silky.

And especially not your mom.

Tartarus, she would flip if you told her what you have been doing.

But still, you carry on.

Because you have so much you still need to figure out.

Because you are a Princess.

Because you can't afford not to be ready, when the time comes.

Not again.

So, you fly away every night to this little training place of yours, and you return home every morning.

This will be your life, until you feel like you are ready.



- - -



You haven't slept in… a while, now.

Silky has already noticed, and you almost dozed off during Miss Cherilee's lecture this morning.

But that's the thing. You are tired, exhausted even, but you still feel like you can carry on.

And knowing that, knowing that your body responds so well even when you are like this, is precious information for you.

Although, staying awake isn't the only reason why you are so tired.

Because after you went through all the exercises and physical tests you could think of, you started testing the limits of your magic.

"All right… one more time," you say to yourself, "give me one more."

You are talking to yourself, or maybe to your horn, or perhaps to the moon. Still, you say those words out loud, as you fight against your increasingly heavier eyelids and focus on the magic you are trying to cast.

You are far, far away from your home right now. More than one hour of flight away. In a valley surrounded by tall hills, where you know you can stay in your Princess form without the risk of anypony stumbling upon you.

However, this little valley you have located has certainly… changed, thanks to what you have been doing.

When you first arrived here, this valley was green, lush and calm. A relatively large stretch of grass, surrounded by a few pockets of trees here and there, inside a circle of hills.

But now, this place is almost completely destroyed.

The grassy plain is blasted and uneven, pockmarked with small craters almost everywhere you look. A group of trees in the distance had their tops sheared clean, due to a previous mishap of yours. And even some of the hills that surround you have signs of damage on them.

And that is because.

"And this time… try… to make it… focused!"

You say that, almost yelling that last word. Just as you finish focusing that deep well of magic you have inside of you, gathering it at the very tip of your horn and-

!!!!!!!!!!​

-and the world explodes around you. A magical blast coming out of the tip of your horn, and spilling in every direction like a malformed ball of moonlight.

It feels like you just got hit in the face and chest by a hammer, and for a moment you go entirely deaf before your ears finally start ringing again.

You weren't thrown off your hoofs, thankfully, and your legs are still firmly pressed under you. But still…

"Ouch! Stars… damnit…!" you say out loud.

You almost had it. Or at least you think you almost had it. But still, you ended up with the same result as before.

Because this whole time, you have been trying to test… no, you have been trying to tap into the magical reserves you have inside of you. After all, you know that you have a much greater magical power than almost anypony else, by sheer virtue of being an alicorn. However, you also know that having power does not equate to having the skill to use it, just like having a strong body doesn't mean you have the finesse to dance or fight or do anything else.

But still, every time you try to cast a stronger spell, or every time you try to use those magical reserves you know you have, the whole thing just gets out of control.

No, more than just that, your magic literally explodes at the tip of your horn. And for all that your magical energy in itself doesn't hurt you, the compressed air and resulting shockwave certainly do.

Still, you know you are making progress… you are not lost, and you know the direction you need to go.

You just need to dig deeper. To make your magic sharper. To be more in control.

You will get there, in time. You are sure of it.

"Still, I think I should…" you say, but your words trail off before you can finish that sentence.

Because it is getting late into the night, or perhaps early into the morning. Or is it… late in the morning? Ehh, you aren't entirely sure how to word it, and you are too tired to care. Still, the fact remains that sunrise should happen sooner rather than later.

You should go back home, clean yourself, and get ready for another morning of school. And thank the stars Silky has been doing your homework for you, because you can still walk around and pretend you are awake, but you cannot muster the energy to do all those math and grammar lists.

Miss Cherilee has certainly been stepping up on her homework assignments, ever since more foals have been moving into the city and joining your classroom… You even think you heard that they will separate you all into grades? Maybe get another teacher?

Wait, no, your mind is already drifting away. You shake your head and try to focus on the task at hoof. You think you can shove in one last attempt before going back home, so you should concentrate on that.

"Yeah, one more time. One last time before we call it," you say out loud, as you step out of the… small crater that you are in, that you just created with your latest explosive magic.

You trot out of the crater, find somewhere you can stand on even ground, and you start your now-familiar routine of trying to cast stronger magic.

You take a deep breath…

You close your eyes…

You start pulling at the well you have inside of you…

And you almost fall to the ground as something very, very wrong happens.​

An overpowering sense of vertigo suddenly crashes into you, and you almost fall to the ground even though your four legs are firmly rooted under you. And you… you…

What in Equestria just happened?!

You look around you, turning your face this and that direction as you try to understand what the hay you just felt.

Because one moment, everything was fine. But for a split second, you… you felt that…

How do you even describe it?

It felt like a wave just crashed against you.

It felt like the very ground moved under your hoofs.

It felt like the whole word was being twisted, forcibly bent into a straight line as something very large slithered through it.

But it only lasted for a moment.

In fact, for all that the sensation was almost dizzying, now that you think about it you barely noticed it was there. Or rather, you only noticed because you had the means to notice it. You only realized it happened because a part of you, a very small part, already learned about this kind of thing.

You think that, if you didn't know about it, you wouldn't have noticed it at all. You think that if anypony else was here, they wouldn't even have realized something just happened.

But something did happen.

And more importantly…



You are no longer alone.



That sensation. That thing. That mind-numbing, world bending thing that just rushed through you. You can tell that it just landed, or perhaps burst out of the ground, somewhere nearby.

And just a few moments later, your eyes are immediately drawn to a small group of trees. A patch of woods that your explosive experiments have not yet accidentally damaged.

You look towards those trees. And sure enough, moments later you spot a figure walking out of it.

"Who's there?" you ask, your tone loud and clear, as you turn your entire body to face the newcomer.

You think you know who it is. Because that thing you just felt, it wasn't magic. It was something else. However, as the newcomer steps out of the tree line and into the moonlight, you can also tell it isn't your mother.

Which only leaves…



"Ae knew ye were a lil' freak… bu' ae had no idea 'ow right ae was."



The moonlight shines down on the old, battered cloak she is wearing. Every now and then you can see a hint of the hoofs of her forelegs, as she walks. And the long and purple braid of her mane dangles slightly in time with her hoofsteps.

But her voice alone was more than enough for you to know who that is.

Not long ago, you would have called her Velvet Axe. Going by the name your sister gave her, and that the mare never seemed to object to.

But now? Now that you know what she is? Now that your mother told you of her true nature?

Now that she is glaring daggers at you, wearing a scowl on her face and keeping a distance from you that is clearly cautious?

Now you are not so sure how to call her.

In fact, you are not even sure why she is here. Or rather, you have a suspicion, but a good part of you hopes that you are very wrong.

Still, the mare glares at you. She walks in your direction, but she stops several hoofsteps away from you. And the way she glares at you makes it very clear she is not here just to talk.

You feel tense, the muscles of your legs coiling inside of you, as your body makes it very clear that…

… that this could very well turn into a fight-or-flight situation.



"Now, are ye just a freak… or are ye also a monster?"



You can feel a certain poison in her words. A mixture of revulsion, or disgust, or maybe even hate.

To which your heart begins to hammer inside your chest. Because you remember Axe. By the stars, you remember being fine with Axe. The memories almost flash inside your mind, as your body tenses up. But still, you distinctly recall how you suspected her at first, and how the two of you slowly found a common ground of sorts, until you trusted her enough to ask for her help.

You were… the two of you were in good terms, or at least as much of a good term as one can be with a mare like her.

So why…

Why does she look like she doesn't even recognize you, as she speaks to you?

"Are you threatening me?" you ask, although you can tell how dry your throat is as you say those words. In fact, part of you thinks you should just leave, and fly away as fast as you can. Because you are tired, you have no idea why this is happening, and you definitely don't want to make this situation any worse than it already is.

You should fly away, go back home, or maybe just rush to Canterlot to try and find your mother. After all, she told you she had recently summoned the snakemare. So she has to know what is going on, right?

However, before you can make a decision.

!!!​

The air splits, as if something has just sliced the atmosphere around you in two.

Because with a fluid and dangerous motion, the Daughter-of-Axes reaches into her cloak, and draws out the instrument that is her namesake.

The great, double-bladed and antler-topped axe digs deep into the ground, as she rests her hoof on its hilt. And the way she glares at you is almost painful now, as a rousing air starts to blow around her.

"Yer asking if aem' threatenin' ye? Well, tha' depends entirely on how ye answers me next few questions."

You are in danger.

This is dangerous.

You are in danger.

A rush of adrenaline courses through your body, and in an instant your exhaustion is forgotten. Your throat feels dry, and you think your hoofs are digging into the ground, but other than that your mind is clear.

No, it's not that your mind just became clear. You simply threw away all of the small concerns you were carrying in your brain. It's just that you stopped paying attention to anything that isn't related to surviving the next few seconds.

Because you could die here.

You might die here.

You will die here, depending, according to her own words, on how you answer her questions.

And as you look at the snakemare's eyes, you feel like you are staring at a predator. A very large predator. It might not make any sense, but you feel like there is something very long and very large all around you. As if a great slithering body was just outside your view. Surrounding you. Constricting against the very hills that are around this quiet and grassy plain.

"Firs' question," she says.

You swallow something dry.

"Hav' we ever met before?" she asks.

And for a moment you feel… confused. But only for a moment.

Partly because you don't have it in you to feel anything but stress and tension right now.

But also because you…

"Yes?" you say, but you repeat yourself as soon as you realize how dangerous your doubtful tone is in this situation. "I mean, yes. We have met before. I know who you are."

The mare continues to glare at you for a few more moments, before doing some strange noise you can't identify.

"If ye sae so… Secon'. If ye sae we met befor', then how much do ye remember o' that time?"

Your heart is still hammering inside your chest, so much so that it is also painful.

However, a thrilled, adrenaline-rushed part of your mind thinks you understand where she is going with this. And perhaps why she is here.

"I remember everything," you say, trying to make your words as clear as possible. Because you know she won't let you speak for too long, so you must make sure she doesn't misunderstand anything you say. "I remember everything ever since I woke up as a filly. I remember it because I lived it."

You say that, and the snakemare's glare… narrows. Or at least her eyes narrow, as if she is scrutinizing something about you that you can't quite name.

You even swear you see a forked tongue sniff the air a few times, coming out of her mouth.

But just when you think she is about to back down-

-the very air around you grows heavier, and the ground under the antlers of her axe doesn't so much crack as it opens, and in that moment you understand that even though she is locked and chained and looking at you from behind the bars of a prison her fangs are still more than enough to pierce cleanly through you-

-because she may be a creature of poisons and locks and openings and paths, and her keys might not be as sharp as blades, but she is still long enough to constrict and crush the mountain that is your life-

-and most importantly, having her body destroyed here and now would mean nothing to her, while it would mean death to something like you-



"Third. If ye really remember tha' time, than ye remember we made a deal. Does. Tha'. Deal. Still. Stands?"



Your body freezes. Every muscle you have goes rigid from the sheer weight of her eyes. And that small but attuned part of your mind realizes that, this whole time, you never had any chance to escape. You never had any chance to fly away, because this whole time she was already in the ground under your hoofs and waiting to pounce at you from the skies and behind every keyhole you have ever seen in your life.

Your body freezes. But your mind does not. And you know exactly what "deal" she is talking about.

"… yes," you say, although it takes effort to even force the word out of your lungs.

The snakemare holds your gaze for several moments longer, as if trying to wring any lies out of you with her glare.

Until-

…

-the air finally starts to grow lighter. And the sensation that you were being glared at by a snake the size of the horizon slowly fades away, until you can barely remember it was ever there.

And the wave of relief you feel coursing through you is so strong you almost feel lightheaded.

"Good… good… jus' a lil' freak then, aye…" you think you hear her say to herself.

But you don't… dear stars your body feels heavy… still, you don't really have it in you to answer her, or even say anything at all. You just stand there, breathing in heaves as too many parts of your body cry for oxygen at the same time.

"Aye then, ae'll take yer word fer et," she says, nodding to herself.

And before you realize it, Axe is walking towards you.

You are still so disoriented that you don't even believe it for a moment. But sure enough, after you blink two or three times, you confirm to yourself that Axe is walking towards you, rather than away. Her great axe is nowhere to be seen, and she only has a practiced scowl on her face.

But much, much more importantly, you don't feel like you are staring down at a monster hunter who is judging whether you are a target or not.

"Wha… what are you doing?" you ask, shaking your head as you try to regain your balance.

Still, you manage to recompose yourself only when Axe is standing right in front of you. And you look at the mare just in time to see her parsing through a keychain, that she took from somewhere inside her cloak.

"Fokken obvious, innit?" she says, her tone more annoyed than anything else. "Yer keeping tae yer part o' the deal, so ae'm keeping tae mine."

She says that as she picks one particular key from the heavy keychain, plucking it out from the ring that was holding it and holding it between her teeth.

"I… what? No, what do you mean? What exactly are you planning to do?" you ask, even more confused by her answer.

But instead of answering you, the mare just…

Your eyes go wide in surprise as she quite literally grabs your face with her hoofs, and unceremoniously yanks your head downwards. Until your horn is practically aiming at her chest.

"Jus' shut up an' let me work'," she says, rolling her eyes as she does. "Becos' a deal is a deal. Ye take care of yer hatchlin' sissah, and ae'll help ye with yer mind doors."

You barely have time to comprehend her words through her accent, let alone understand what she means by that.

And before you can even object to how she is still gripping your head-



KA-CLICK



-she jams the key she is holding in her mouth straight into your forehead. Right above the base of your horn. And then she turns it.

You feel pain, for a split second, as the sharp tip of the key digs through your skin. And then you feel a strange sense of invasion as the key goes even deeper than that, as if it was somehow extending past your skull and all the way into your brain or your mind or your soul.

But finally, you feel as if a set of rusted gears were suddenly twisted into their proper places, as the turn of the key does something inside of you.

Axe lets you go right after that. And much to your surprise you… she just did something in your mind, but you don't even feel disoriented. If anything, you just feel better.

You even rub the place on your forehead where she stabbed you with her key. But you don't see even a drop of blood on your hoof. Your coat isn't even prickled or damaged.

"Did… did you just help me…?" you ask, more than a little confused, as you once again turn your attention to the mare.

But as you look at her once more, you are faced with the back of her cloak, as she unceremoniously makes her way back to the patch of woods where she came from.

"W-wait! I… well, thank you?" you say to the retreating mare.

"Fak off!"

But she only gives you that one answer.

And after she is out of your sight, you feel the world shift under your hoofs once again, as the weight of a great snake slithers away to another part of this world.

Leaving you alone once more.





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Silky Stream, and you are…

… barely awake.

You sit up on your bed, stretching your forelegs as you do.

Your room is still mostly dark, but a few rays of sunlight are already making their way in through the drapes of the window. Which means that you didn't just wake up in the middle of the night, and that you didn't just imagine the sound of Soft knocking at your door to wake you up.

Oh no, the knocking was very real.

But, as you open your mouth to let out another long yawn, you can't help but wish this was all just a dream.

…

However, as the minutes drag on, you slowly but surely begin to wake up properly.

Or rather, the desire you have to stay on your bed and laze for a little longer is slowly replaced by the memories of how Soft will react if she catches you on your bed like this.

Of course, your older sister won't do anything bad to you. That's not what you are afraid of.

But still, you also know the first thing she will do is to carry you on her back… take you to the bathroom… and then splash that cold water on your face as she cleans the drowsiness from your face.

You feel a shudder running down your spine just from that memory.

"Silky? Are you up already?" you hear her voice, almost as if on cue, coming from the closed door.

And you practically leap out of your bed at that, making sure she can hear the sound of your hoofsteps as you make your way to your closet.

"Yes! Yeah, I'm awake sis," you say out loud, clearing your throat before you continue, so you don't sound as sleepy as you are. "Just, uh, getting my bag ready!"

"Okay then, I'll be fixing breakfast downstairs," she says, and you hear her walk away from your door right after.

You let out a small sigh of relief, glad that you avoided a small crisis. Because sure, Soft cares about you, and you also care for her very much! But one of the ways she expresses that is, well, by taking care of you. And sometimes she can be quite, uhm, zea-… zai… zealot about it?

Well, she can be very enthusiastic about it at times. Cold-water-splashingly enthusiastic, even.

With that in mind, you open your closet and start collecting your stuff. You collect both your and Selene's homework, put them in your saddlebag together with the books you will need for today, and you make sure your other things are properly stored in there as well.

After you put your readied saddlebag on your work desk, you start waking towards your closed window so you can let some fresh air in-

BANG



"Ack!"​

-and you almost scream in surprise as your bed jumps up from the floor for a second.

"Me… me fokken 'ead! Tha's gonna smart fer longer than ae want et to…"

No, it's not that your bed just jumped up. Instead, there is somepony under your bed. There is somepony under your bed, and they just tried to get up and hit their head against the underside of your bed.

And you… and you recognize that voice!

"Axe! You're back!" you say.

And your mind doesn't even think about the fact that, well, somepony just appeared under your bed. You don't even stop to consider that you, a filly, just had her room invaded by a fully grown mare, who just appeared under your bed of all places.

And why would you think any of that? After all, she didn't invade your room, you'd invite her in anytime she wants! And this isn't just anypony, she is your friend!

The perks of being an innocent filly…

Regardless, you can feel a smile appearing on your face as you watch the mare slither crawl from under your bed, still rubbing the top of her head with a hoof.

"It really is you!" you say, not being able to contain your excitement.

"W-wait, hol'on! Lemme first- OOF!"

And you are already hugging her, literally slamming against her chest (and maybe smashing the air out of her lungs) on the next moment. Rubbing your face against her cloak and feeling the braids of her mane against your cheek as you do.

"I missed you so much! And I'm so glad you're back! Oh, but you're staying this time, right? Are you going to be in your old room? Oh, and what did you do while you were away? And can you take the crusaders on an adventure again? Please, please please?!"

You just say everything that comes to your mind, the moment you think about it. Because how could you not? You remember having a very bad dream the last time Axe suddenly left, and you were sad about it for a while. But when your mommy said Axe would be coming back soon you really couldn't wait!

You're going to be able to talk to her whenever you want now! And you will be able to see her around the house, and take her to the crusaders' headquarters, and you will be able to share cookies with her in the middle of the night!

"Aye, aye, just lemmego!" she says, prying her away from you.

And you let go of your hug, of course. But you're still jumping in place while you look at her!

However, you… start to slow down.

"Wait… is… Axe, is everything alright?" you ask.

Because you… you think that…

There is something wrong with her eyes?

Yes, the more you look at her, the more you are certain of it. You don't know what it is, but…

You stop jumping in place, your expression becoming a lot more serious as you grow more and more worried about your friend. Because this entire time, while you were hugging her and prancing all excited, you didn't even notice she had not yet met your gaze. This whole time, she has not yet looked you in the eyes.

"Aye, everythin is… actually, no." She says that, and then she shakes your head. She takes a deep breath, and finally looks you in the eye, with a serious expression on her face on top of her usual scowl. "Ae hav' an important question to ask ye."

She says that, and you can feel the weight behind her words. You have no idea what is going on with her, but you know she means it.

So, you sit down on the ground and give her a small nod. Your own seriousness mirroring hers

"Yer sis… the freak one. The other hatchlin'. Do ye kno about 'er? Ye kno wot happened?"

She asks that, and you immediately understand what she is asking about.

Because she knows. You have no idea how she knows, but your mommy did say she is magical. So, she knows, or maybe she just found out.

And now she wants to know if you know.

"Yes." You answer, without even thinking about it.

After all, you trust Axe. So, if she knows, then either your mommy or Selene told her.

Which means there is no need to keep this secret from her.

"Good, good…" she says, nodding to herself.

However, her seriousness doesn't really go away. This strange… thing, you can see in her eyes, doesn't really fade. Instead, she just seem to be deep in her own thoughts now, for some reason.

"Ae'd hav' told ye, if ye dinnae kno… et's a fokked up secret tae keep, between sissers…" she says, but her tone is so low you realize she is talking to herself.

And after that, she stays quiet for a while. She stays quiet for a while, and slowly the seconds begin to stretch into a full minute.

You are not sure if you should say something. Well, you feel like you should say something, but you don't know what. You feel like there is something bothering her, and that you want to help her, but you have no idea what you could possibly do or say to…

"Just dinnae forget," she suddenly says. But there is something about her tone of voice that makes you perk up your ears in attention. Because the way she is saying this… she isn't just talking to you, you know. She is also talking to herself. She is talking to you, to herself, and you can tell that she believes this is something very important. "Dinnae ever forget. Yer sissers. Et's tha two of ye agains that world, aye? No matter wot happens, ye'll always hav' each other. No matter how many times ye shed, always come back to the nest."

She says that, her tone at the same time resolute and… something else besides. But you don't know what it is that you see in her face right now. You don't know the name of this feeling.

She doesn't look sad, but she doesn't look happy either. She doesn't look hopeful, but she doesn't look lost.

It's almost like she is remembering something, or like part of her mind is elsewhere, even though she just told you something that she thinks is very important to you. Or perhaps that is very important to her and…

Oh, and speaking of remembering things!

"Ah, Axe, I almost forgot!" you say, immediately turning your back to her and going back to your closet.

And before she can say anything, you open your closet, flutter your wings a little bit so you can reach the topmost shelf, and very carefully pick up the thing you had kept there.

"Here, I kept Pasharka for you," you say, giving her back the doll you had gifted her several months ago, and that she left in her room the night she left. "I promise I took good care of her," you finish.

You never felt like she abandoned her doll. Nor did you feel that she forgot about it either. So, when you entered her room in the morning you realized she was gone, and you found her doll resting on a soft pillow, you decided to take care of it for Axe.

That's what friends are for, right?

Axe takes her doll on her hoofs, and then she just…

Huh. She looks surprised.

You can't remember if you ever saw her without a scowl on her face. You don't think you have ever seen her without a frown, or without an expression that made it look like she had just eaten something bad.

You don't think you have ever seen what her face really looks like. How she truly looks like, without all the expressions she puts on for some reason.

Until now.

Because the way she is looking at her doll, with her eyes wide up in surprise, is certainly...

She blinks. Once. Twice. She blinks again, and you think you can hear her take in a deep breath.

After that, she very carefully brings the doll into her cloak, as if she is storing it somewhere safe. And even though you can't see the doll anymore when her foreleg comes out again, you know she still has it.

And more importantly, the way she is looking at you now is…

You think she had a smile on her face, but right now she is shaking her head. But still, even after she is done doing that, she doesn't have a scowl anymore. Not right now, at least.

"Ye… yer a good hatchlin', ye know that?" she says.

And you can't help but let out a short giggle. You cover your mouth with a hoof as you do, but still you can't help but laugh a little bit.

"Oi, yer laughin' at me?!" she asks, her expression turning serious again.

And just like that, there is is once again. There's the Axe you know, once more. Scowling at you as she talks maybe a little too quick for you to understand most of her words.

Still, you don't mind it at all. She's your friend after all!

"No, no, not laughing at you! I promise," you say, still smiling.

To which the mare shrugs.

Before either of you can say anything else, you hear the distant sound of something happening downstairs. Maybe somepony closed a door, or maybe something heavy was dropped on the floor. But whatever it was, that noise reminds you two that it is still morning! It's morning, and you have school, and you gotta go downstairs for breakfast!

And the mare seems to realize the same. So, without a word, she makes her way to the door so she can leave your room.

You are about to ask her if she is having breakfast with you all, but she speaks up before you have the chance to.

"Ah, and et's Pasharka. Passs-harka. Not Patcharka. Ye drag out tha ess," she says, opening the door and making her way outside. "An'… an' thank ye," she finishes, mumbling those last two words in such a low tone that you can barely hear her, right before she closes the door behind herself.

But hear her you did.

And you have a smile on your face as you finish your morning routine, and you make your way downstairs for breakfast.

Spoiler: Teenager shouts and yells

"What… what the HAY were you doing IN THERE?!"

"Fakoff, ye wolf-maid freak."

"You get back here RIGHT THIS INSTANT, or so help me-"

"Ae do what ae wont! Sod off!"

The two voices drag on to the distance, followed by the sound of doors being slammed open, slammed shut, locked and forced open, as two mares draw their respective lines in the sand within the Velvet household.

Selene is on the fast track to advance on her training. Her character file has been updated. (Edge Realization, Knock Realization, +1 Health). However, her newly learned skills will only be available at the beginning of the next turn.

Silky Stream has succeeded in her "Hold on to this!" action. "A Doll – Pasharka" has been removed from her inventory. Further actions down the Snake Path have become available.

More to follow.