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

[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

You are Lady Velvet Covers. And right now, you are more than just a little uncomfortable.

"This has to be wrong," you tell yourself, as you check the information for perhaps the hundredth time.

Because right now, it is midnight. This is the first night of the weekend, and although you cannot see it, you know the moon is currently at the very top of the sky. However, despite the time and the day of the week, you are not in your home right now.

Oh no, you are not in your home. Despite the late hour, you are not currently lounging in your balcony with your husband, as the two of you hold hoofs while looking up at the starry sky.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

You are currently in Ponyville. You are, quite literally, in one of the streets of Ponyville. In fact -and this is one of the reasons why you are so concerned, you are presently standing right in the middle of a cul-de-sac, surrounded on all sides by houses. Some of which even have the faint glow of candlelight coming from their windows.

Granted, you don't think anypony would be able to see you, since the skies are covered with clouds and the moonlight isn't shining down upon you.

However, the fact remains that you are in a very, very public place. And that at any given point, somepony might see you if they but peek out through a window.

And yet…

And yet.

"How in the heavens am I supposed to perform such a large ritual… here?!" you say to yourself, as you once again read the map Baldomare gave you.

Because sure enough, Baldomare marked this very specific place, at this very specific time, as a location where you should be able to perform "the largest rituals you know without any problems".

And sure, the cul-de-sac itself is shaped like an almost-perfect circle, breaking only where the street leads back to Ponyville at large. And the size is just right to what a summoning circle should be. In fact, you think the farthest edges of the circle will end precisely where the circular sidewalk begins.

On top of that, Baldomare's notes assure you that "nopony will look, as long as you don't yell", and that "the storm scheduled for the coming morning will wash all evidence away".

But… but still…

"Baldomare will be the death of me," you whisper to yourself, as you look back at the bags of supplies you brought all the way here. And not for the first time you ponder if you should just delay this for another week or two, or if you shouldn't just try to summon this in your estate despite the risks.

But ultimately, and despite the honest nervousness you have in your heart, you decide to go for it.

"And if the worst happens, I can just run… I hope," you say to yourself, as you pull down the hood of the cloak you are wearing, making sure it is covering as much of your face as you can.

And then, you begin to draw the great summoning circle for the ritual you will try to cast.



[Summoning Ritual]



You never stopped to think about it, of how you just "know" certain things. Or how you just "learn" or "realize" some ideas when you are in the Mansus.

Or maybe you did ponder those things, and you concluded that it is best to just not think about it too hard. After all, trying to understand the Mansus is folly at best, and a well-trod path to madness at worst.

But still, the fact remains that ever since you met him… ever since you met Biedde, that old pony whose names you know despite never being told, you have also known how to call him to the Wake.

Somehow, after you first saw him, you learned what to do. You know the words, and you know the oaths, and most important of all you know the rules that must be followed, in order to create a bridge that he will deign to cross into the Wake. Or at least, a path that he is willing to send a part of himself through, even as he continues his watch over that dark place within the Mansus.

And as you finish drawing the great ritual circle, thanking the heavens that Ponyville still has dirt roads that can be easily cut with a knife, you take one final deep breath before you begin.



[Moth Roll: 30 + 13 (Magic) + 40 (MOTH, Level 4) = 83]

[Success]



You take your place at the very center of the circle, within the smallest circle focused on obfuscation and misdirection.

Ideally, this ritual would be performed by two ponies. Ideally, the next few steps would be carried out by the main celebrant, and mirrored by an assistant.

But alas, ideally this ritual would also take place on the eve of a battle, and in the early hours of the morning. However, the rules of this ritual allow for certain modifications or alternatives, and that is what you will be counting on.

So, since you do not have an assistant ritualist to play the second role, you will have to do it yourself.

And to that end, you pull up the long blindfold you have around your neck, firmly covering your eyes with the tightest knot you can make. You hope this will be enough for you to be considered "blinded", even though you can still see through your closed eyes.

Well, you can see the back end of your blindfolds, through your closed eyes, so you are as blind as a pony can be for this.

You feel a shiver run down your spine, and you swear that somepony is looking at you right now. But for some reason, you also know that nopony in the surrounding houses is looking out through a window.

And yet, the feeling that you are being observe will not leave you. Not anymore.

Still, you carry on.

Because one of the rules of this ritual, also, is that it may not be stopped once it starts.



[Knock Roll: 41 + 13 (Magic) + 40 (KNOCK, Level 4) + 20 (KNOCK reagent) = 114]

[Success]



The second step is as inevitable as it is predictable.

Around you, and within the confines of the smallest circle, are seven knives. They are all respectfully placed on top of perfectly square pieces of cloth. But not silk, or linen, or anything fancy or expensive. Instead, the pieces of cloth are made out of cut uniforms, from maids and workers and ponies who knew toil and a rigorous routine, so that the knives know their purpose here is to serve.

You steel yourself for what comes next, and you try your best not to even graze our hoof out of the ritual circle as you blindly reach out for the first knife.

Because of course, the presence you are trying to call will not answer your summons if blood is not spilt.

So, you take the first knife, the one closest to your right, on your hoofs. And then you point its sharp edge to the place right where your left foreleg meets with your chest.

And then you open the smallest of paths, just enough for your blood to exit your body and cover the tip of the blade.

There is no need for grandeur, no need for pointless sacrifice. The rules are exacting, but they are not needlessly cruel.

Granted, you have no way of knowing if the tip of the knives have been truly bloodied, except for making sure you push them just enough. But still, despite the pain, you only do what is needed.

You do the first knife, then the second, then the third, moving your way clockwise as you do.

Until finally, you finish with the seventh.

Once you put the seventh down, you once again pick the first knife, gripping it firmly on your hoof as your try your best not to shake.



[Edge Roll: 67 + 13 (Magic) + 40 (EDGE, Level 4) + 40 (EDGE reagent) = 160]

[Success]



You grip the knife firmly on your hoof, wondering for a split second if it wouldn't be better to hold it with your mouth.

But ultimately, you decide against it. It is a tradeoff between strength and precision, but you need both right now, there is no better alternative.

You grip the knife on your hoof, and then you let go of it as you lift your foreleg with a fluid motion.

You throw the knife over your shoulder, aiming at a very particular spot on the outer reach of the third circle.

And although you have no indication of whether you hit your mark or not, you pick up the second knife as soon as you hear the sound of a blade burying itself in the ground.

This, you somehow know, is a very old game. A pastime, or perhaps a competition, that was played in an age long past. This is test, of sorts, and also the reason of why two celebrants are ideal for this ritual.

You pick up another knife, and you throw over your shoulder. And then you pick up the next, and do it again.

Because right behind you, on the farthest reach of the largest and sharpest circle of this ritual, is a triangle-shaped sigil.

You call it a sigil because the symbol itself is quite ornate and detailed, but the interior of the triangle it draws is actually empty.

And that place, the empty space within the triangle, is where you are aiming the knives.

This is, in essence, a knife throwing game. But you know, although you have no idea how, that it carried a much greater significance a long time ago.

Because the blood oaths, or the life-bets, made before carrying out this competition could never be taken back. And this method has already been used, in a long-forgotten Era, to decide the fate and faith of far too many contestants.

The method used to decide the winner still eludes you, or perhaps it was an agreement the contestants themselves had to reach before beginning. However, for the purpose of this ritual, it is enough that you "merely" hit all the seven knives within the three-pointed sigil.

While blindfolded.

With your back turned to it.

And without any way to see how well, or how badly, you are doing between throws.

Still, you throw the sixth knife, and you reach out for the seventh. You reach out with your hoof, grab at the handle of the clay-wrought knife you took so many pains to craft, and then you take a deep breath.

But you only allow yourself that one breath. Hesitation is also against the rules of this ritual.

You throw the knife over your shoulder-

-!!!-​

-and you realize that, unlike the previous six knives, you did not hear it burry itself on the ground.



[All three rolls successful]

[Ritual successful]



You… you can feel that… you can sense that…

Nothing happened.

You did not know what to expect. You do not know how things were supposed to play out.

But still, you can tell for certain that nothing happened.

There is no pressure in the air, like you felt in other similar rituals. No sensation of the world being opened, or a path being cut, or that something large and heavy is once again walking upon this world after so long.

You heart begins to pound inside your chest, as you start considering the implications of that. Did you really fail? Was all of this really for nothing? And what should you do next? Can… can you still retry it, with the materials you have on hoof? Do your reagents still retain their power, or were they spent?

A wave of shame, or perhaps regret, runs through your body. And you only realize you have been frozen in place this whole time after perhaps half a minute passes.

Still, you slowly begin to move once again. Raising a foreleg so you can remove your blindfold, realizing your hoof is shaking as you pull the cloth from over your eyes.

For some reason, you feel tense. More than just that, you feel stressed. And you don't know if it is because of your failure, or because of the powers you just tried to summon, or perhaps a mixture of both. But still, the cloak you are wearing feels damp on your skin, and you can already tell your fur is covered in sweat.

You breathe in the cold air of the night, and you… well, you turn around to see if you can still salvage something from this.



And you realize you are not alone.



"…!"

You feel like you almost yelled in surprise, but you shut your mouth at the very last moment.

But still, you can't help but look wide-eyed at him. At the stallion who is very calmly waiting outside the ritual circle.

At Biedde, the Name of Edge.

He looks exactly like how you saw him, when you met him in the Mansus. A slightly short earth pony stallion, or at least a pony whose horn and wings you can't see. And he is wearing a uniform that seems to old and battered that it almost looks soft to the touch.

He has a beard on his face, not too long but not too short, and his bushy eyebrows are practically covering his eyes.

However, that is where the similarities between now and your last encounter end. Because he looks like how you remember him to be, but he…

But he definitely doesn't feel the same.

His expression looks soft and calm. Almost gentle. And the way he carries himself is more than just approachable, he quite literally looks friendly. Like an old pony who is all too happy with just letting the days pass him by, after a life well lived, offering advice to whatever youngster cares to ask for it.

He looks old, and he looks wise, and he looks patient. But most of all, he gives you this strange sensation that you are safe right now. As if merely being in his presence means that you have a solid stone under your hoofs, or a well-crafted hoofrail that you can lean upon while going up the stairs.

You can only remember the faintest echo of how cold and undeniable he was, back in the Mansus. And even that memory is starting to fade as you look at him.

And to your surprise, he is not even looking at you right now.

Instead, his attention seems to be solely focused on the triangle-sigil carved on the floor, right in front of his hoofs. The one within which six knives are now buried, almost all the way to the hilt.

He is looking down at the knives like an arbiter would look at a competition, or like a judge would look at a prisoner. Although, given his demeanor, even those comparisons seem a little too harsh for such a calm pony…

Yes, you are sure of it, you think the best way to describe him is like a grandfather, looking down at a painting made by a foal.

"Interesting…" he says to himself. And although you think his voice would have been deeper during his youth, you can clearly hear the weight and hoarseness of age in it.

There is something about him that is just so… disarmingly approachable, that you cannot help but start walking on his direction.

And he only seems to notice your presence once you completely step out of the Moth-circle, at the very center of the configuration.

"Ah, I did not see you there," he says, looking up at you a moment later. Pulling out his cap and revealing an age-worn spot of baldness on the top of his head. "Biedde, soldier of the Colonel, at your service. I will be your employee, until our contract is finished."

He places his cap on his chest and gives you a short, polite bow.

And you can't help but… give him a bow back? It would feel impolite not to, and you could see that he was waiting on you until you finished your movement according to the etiquette.

"The pleasure is all mine, sir," you say, still not entirely sure of how to proceed.

But before you can say anything else, he moves to collect something from within his uniform. And moments later, he is pulling out a small, clay-made knife from one of his pockets. That is, you can immediately tell, the seventh knife you have thrown. Although whether he grabbed it from midair after you threw it, or whether he collected it from the ground of the Mansus before coming here, you can't tell for certain.

"But before we discuss the terms of our business, would you absolutely mind if I asked a question?" he asks.

And you can only nod. Of course, his question was so polite you have no choice but to agree with it.

"Thank you. My question is…"

He says that, and then he drops the knife.

He drops the knife, tip down, and allows it to fall on the ground.

And as soon as the knife falls on the ground, it… well, it buries itself a little bit on the dirt road, but otherwise stays there.

He looks at the knife, as if that was his question. But before you can ask him what is going on, he once again picks it up, holds it in front of him…

… and then he does something. Something so minute and precise you can't even say you can see it. But he does something nonetheless.

And when he drops the knife a second time-

-!!!-

-it digs straight into the ground. Plunging tip-first into the dirt road until its hilt hits the road.

"… all the knives you threw… even this one, when I dropped it for the first time, they were all crooked. None of them were properly upright… So, can please tell me, why is it that the world is bent?"

He asks that as if it was the most natural thing in the world, but you… well, you have no idea how to answer him, for starters, but you have even less idea of how he could tell that just by looking at knives that are sticking from the ground.

"I ask this because it might throw off my aim, a little bit. But I would appreciate the information nonetheless."

He says that, and you…

Well, you don't feel intimidated enough to tell him that you don't know. You can tell that he will take no offense to it, and that he is not the kind of pony who is unreasonable about these sorts of things.

But still, although you cannot sense him, and although the rational part of your mind is telling you he is not even dangerous at all, you still treat him with the utmost respect as the two of you make your way back to your estate.

And thankfully, he is as direct as he is pleasant, and the two of you reach an agreement even before the farmlands come into view.





You have successfully summoned Biedde, the Name of the Colonel. And the two of you have discussed the terms of his "employment" as he stated it.

Following the rules of how a guest should act, he has accepted a room in your mansion, and will properly introduce himself to your family at a time of your choosing. But other than that, he will be at your disposal, and will await your orders.

Biedde's sheet has been updated as follows:

Spoiler: Biedde

"An old and battered uniform, worn proudly. A small knife and a blowpipe, used to lethal effect. A sagged and wrinkled face, hiding eyes that are hard and cold. Everything about this stallion is old. And yet, he wears all those characteristics as if they are medals. He moves slowly, and carefully, like a mindful grandfather. But no action he performs, from lighting his pipe to crushing a pony's bone, may be denied."

Biedde

Summoning requirements: EDGE 100, KNOCK 80, MOTH 60.

Summoning cost: 100 bits.

Summoning details:
-Biedde is willing to extend (reset) his summoning period indefinitely, according to the options he has listed to you (available at the end of this sheet).
-Biedde is capable of CHANNELING the highest intensity of an Edge Influence, and gifting it to you for a full month.
-Biedde is considered to be a Minion, and does not mind being sacrificed for Rituals.

Health: 5/5
General bonus: +30
"Combat-related" bonus: +50
Aspects: EDGE 6, MOTH 3
[NAME]: There is, or was, a hierarchy within the Mansus. He has reached high within its ranks.
[ONE WHO IS VERY GREAT]: Biedde is willing to offer you Sacrament in the Lore of Edge, should you fulfill his requirements.
[WEIGHT OF PRESENCE]: Biedde grants a full level up to the Secret Library for his preferred Lore.
[MY SCARS ARE LESSONS]: If Biedde is wounded during combat, he will receive a "+5 personal combat" for each wound received. Until he defeats, or is defeated by, the creature that wounded him, or until the combat ends.
[PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER]: Biedde will always perform a "Guard" action for free, on top of whatever orders he receives for the turn, unless his actions specifically require him to be totally unavailable for the turn.

[TERRIFYING OPPONENT]: Creatures that are capable of feeling fear will avoid combat with him as much as possible. They will not flee or refuse attacking him, but they will avoid "dogpiling" him whenever possible.

[UNIQUE]: Biedde is a unique creature. He may refuse summons at will, and will refuse re-summons for three full months should he be unsummoned for any reason (including if he is killed).
[HE WILL NOT RELEASE ME]: It is impossible to befriend Biedde.

The following options are available at the end of Biedde's stay:

Spoiler: The terms of our contract

"I am forever bound to His service. So, once my initial contract is done, I will be willing to extend it in exchange for the chance to pursue His goals."

[] End your contract.
-Biedde will be unsummoned.

[] Fund a short monster-hunting expedition (Costs 60 bits)
-Biedde will extend his stay for one turn.

[] Fund a long monster-hunting expedition (Costs 100 bits)
-Biedde will extend his stay for three turns.
-During the FIRST turn of his extended stay, he will be "completely unavailable" as he pursues his expedition.
-Meaning he will be GONE for the first turn, and present as normal for the following TWO turns, for a total of three turns.

[] Pursue religious goals.
-Biedde will extend his stay for one turn.
-It is rude to ask what he would do with his free time.

Possible Biedde actions:

[] [BIEDDE] Ask for a lesson on Edge.
[] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Influence of Edge.
[] [BIEDDE] Something else? (Write in)

(Note, you may choose any "general action" from the regular options. However, there is no need to ask him to "Guard", and he cannot "Cover your Bases" right now given how late in the turn we are. Otherwise, write-ins are available as normal.)

The relevant reagents, and 100 bits, have been taken from your inventory.

Sacrament threadmark will be posted imminently.

Voting is NOT open, and will open after the next update.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

SACRAMENTS
"More than a Branded... less than a Long."​

General notes:

Spoiler: Notes

-In order to reach Level 5 in a Lore, you require FOUR Level 4 scraps, as well as a Sacrament.
-Sacraments may be achieved in two ways. Through "actions of your own" or through "invitation by one who is very great".
-Keep in mind that there are no superior options. The effort to achieve Sacrament through "actions of your own" will not make the direction your Lore studies take "better" or "superior".
-It is also important to note that the direction, theme and "flavor" your advance in said Lore will be tied to the nature of the Sacrament itself. (Reader's interpretation is advised)
-Consider the "Invitation" statuses as WoG. Don't worry about asking to make sure. If I forget to update a certain status-quo (a previously glad patron will now ask for a favor, etc) I'll let you all know before a voting period is over.

MOTH
Actions of your own: "You have never really liked yourself. That is an ugly truth you have always denied, and that you attempted to bury underneath the love that others feel for you. But perhaps, and only perhaps, it is time to embrace that, and learn to be somepony else."
-Pick a single character with whom you have a "Confidant-level" relationship or higher. That character will be permanently locked as an "acquaintance". For somepony must realize that you have donned a mask, for it to truly exist.
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Moth before taking this action.

The Master's Invitation: "Ah, excellent. You have come far. Come, little Velvet, follow me. I shall teach you how to reach where the light of Glory shines not, where the trees grow too thick for anything but shadows to exist."
-Accompany the Master into the "The Depths of the Woods" location, situated in the Woods.
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Moth before taking this action.
-UNAVAILABLE: to the best of your knowledge, the Master is gone.
-UNAVAILABLE: The Master is gone.

LANTERN
Actions of your own: "Books, much like any physical object, are immutable. Or rather, they cannot change themselves, and must be changed by an outside force such as a pony. And their immutability is what makes them so easy for your hoofs to understand. But can you apply your talents to mutable things? Do these flashes and sensations you feel every time you... touch a pony, can they possibly mean something?"
-Pick a Prisoner, or a character you have a "Minion-level" relationship with, and perform an action dedicated to "The Conversation".
-In order to succeed, "The Conversation" will require a Lantern Knowledge test of CD 100 (does not apply any other status, other than Lantern 4 (+40) and any Lantern Influence you have).
-Regardless of success or failure, "The Conversation" will destroy your prisoner of Minion without leaving a body. (But you only need to succeed once)
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Lantern before taking this action.

Baldomare's Invitation: "Fine! I will teach you that language. I will teach you all the languages! Well, except for Vak. But nopony can speak that anymore. Still, don't expect me to do it for free. And I don't see any Sprintia on you, so you will have to pay with something else!"
-"Lend" FOUR followers to Baldomare. They will all embark on a SHORT expedition with her to an unknown location.
-The expedition will not cost you funds, nor will they cost actions from the followers. But it will cost one action from Baldomare herself.
-The expedition is DANGEROUS. And although Baldomare is not at risk of being wounded, your followers risk being wounded/destroyed.
-Mares-in-the-Light count as TWO followers, for the sake of calculation. The Daughter-of-Axes counts as THREE.
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Lantern before taking this action, as she will insist of settling her debt (and teaching you) the moment she returns.

FORGE
Actions of your own: "The next logical step is to make reagents that are capable of changing something else: that delicate and fragile engine that ponies refer to as their bodies. You never fancied yourself as a potion maker. But then again, you will not be making mere potions."
-Perform the action "Experiment, Craft, Create" until you finish its progress.
-The action "Experiment, Craft, Create" costs 50 bits to be performed each time you do it. You apply your Magic, Forge Level, and you may use any Forge Reagents you have at your disposal.
-This action requires you to reach a cumulative "progress" of 300 points, and may be repeated as many times as needed (though you will pay the cost in bits each time separately).
-Velvet Covers must have at least 2/4 scraps of Forge before she performs this action.
Invitation: You do not know any creature that may help you

EDGE
Actions of your own: "There is only one way a pony, anypony, may proceed further without an invitation from above. He must reach higher by slaying a worthy foe. That is the truth of Edge, which applies to all ponies. Since Issus they have striven so."
-You must reach at least 3/4 scraps of Edge before taking this action.
-You must kill a "worthy opponent" in battle.
-Velvet Covers will recognize a worthy opponent when she sees one, provided she is Level 4 in Edge.
-Known "worthy opponents": Princess Celestia, Princess Cadance, Mareinette, Comet Feet.
-WARNING: By definition, Velvet Covers is now also a "worthy opponent".

Biedde's Invitation: "The price has always been blood. In this case, my blood. Draw a single drop of it, and I will permit you passage."
-"Challenge" Biedde to a duel. This costs one Velvet Covers action, and is a free action for Biedde.
-Velvet Covers and Biedde will engage in a duel. Biedde will fight until either he decreases Velvet Covers' health to 1, or until Velvet Covers deals one wound to Biedde.
-It is permissible for Velvet Covers to use an Edge Influence. It is not permissible for Velvet Covers to attempt to "Ambush" Biedde.
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Edge before taking this action, as he wishes to test your martial prowess.

The Wolf's Invitation: "There exists a wound that never stops growing, a cut that has never ceased. To know it is to know Agony."
-Seek audience with the Wolf-Divided. (Costs one Mansus-action.)
-This action will give you both Edge AND Winter Sacraments.
-This action may be taken with your "free" monthly Mansus action.
-[THIS IS A REGRETTABLE ACTION]

WINTER
Actions of your own: "You will only ever stop being afraid of it when you truly understand it. You cannot run from it, any longer. You must understand what it means to die. You must... understand death."
-Perform, three times, the "Investigating the End" action. (Costs 30 bits per action, rolls using your Winter level)
-This action is the equivalent of performing a "The End is Beautiful" ritual WITHOUT specifying a target.
-Each time you do so, somepony, somewhere, will die.
-No ponies in your contact list will die.

The Wolf's Invitation: "He will give you what you desire, and you will beg for it as He does. He will give you the knowledge of what it means to End."
-Seek audience with the Wolf-Divided. (Costs one Mansus-action.)
-This action will give you both Winter AND Edge Sacraments.
-This action may be taken with your "free" monthly Mansus action.
-[THIS IS A REGRETTABLE ACTION]

Invitation: You do not know any creature that may help you

HEART
Actions of your own: Lore level insufficient

Mareinette's Invitation: "[Heart]?" (She is willing to offer you a Sacrament, but will need you to reach Level 4 in the Lore of Heart before telling you more).

GRAIL
Actions of your own: "You have always been terrified that they would leave you. But now? Now you can make sure that they never will."
-At any point in time, have three ponies in your contact list with whom you have a Minion (or Minion-equivalent) social bond.
-With those three ponies in tow, perform "The Act".
-Velvet Covers may refuse to use certain ponies for this action (they will be listed here)
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Grail before taking this action.

Mareinette's Invitation: "[Grail]!" (There are bounties and resources available in the bodies of every pony. But first, one must develop the appropriate organs to harvest them. She will teach you.)
-Pick a Prisoner, or a character you have a "Minion-level" relationship with, and perform an action dedicated to "An invitation to dinner".
-"An invitation to dinner" cannot fail, but it will destroy your selected contact/prisoner without leaving a corpse.

KNOCK
Actions of your own: "Jade Whistle already did it before, with only a noose and a chair, so you are sure that you can learn how to do it properly. To spare her from having to ever do that again, if nothing else."
-Fully research the "To cut the skin of the world" project.
-You do NOT yet know how many actions this will take, or what will be its costs or demands.

The Daughter-of-Axes' invitation: "Ae sppose ae can wash yer hoof, s'long as ye wash mine as well. Ae need ye te run me an errant. Do tha' an' ae'll make et worth yer time. Bu' get sum'more Knock on ye farst, or else ye won' survive th' trip."
-Successfully complete her request on the "Through the foggy mirror" action. You do not know how many actions this will take.
-Your forays into the "Through the foggy mirror" action may be spaced through however many turns you wish, and you may invest however many actions per turn you wish into it. But the Daughter-of-Axes must be summoned every time you want to try it.
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Knock before taking this action.

SECRET HISTORIES
Actions of your own: "You are afraid of doing this, but there might be a History where you are not. Regardless, it is time you learn more about how this works, these recent memories that at the same time are and are not your own."
-Perform, three times, an action dedicated to studying the memories and glimpses you have of other Histories. [Costs one action each]
-This is a dangerous action.

Baldomare's Invitation: "I suppose it's better for me to show you than not... Especially given the Brand you chose. Or could it be that your Brand chose you instead? It has been known to happen... Regardless. I'll do it for free, with how I can see this is what you really want. Come back to me when you are ready, then pack for a long hike."
-Complete the Beyond the Map's Edge expedition, taking Baldomare as a companion.
-You must reach 4/4 scraps of Secret Histories before taking this action.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

There is a new visitor at the Velvet estate.

That is the latest bit of gossip that has been going around. That is what the maids have been letting each other know, between shifts and as they bump into each other. What servant after servant has been hearing, as the hours turned into a day, and a day turn into several more besides.

There is a new visitor at the Velvet estate.

And you should be very polite when you are around him.

But not because he is harsh or exacting about it. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Word among the halls is that he is an older stallion. An uncle from one of the families that married into the Velvets, or perhaps the father of a friend who already passed away. But still, he is an older pony, and every servant who has met him so far says he should be treated as such.

It is something about his age, you see, that just makes you want to behave a little better when you are around him. Something about him that just makes you want to try your very best, so he will give you some encouragement, or advice, or perhaps even praise. Even Ponpon herself, the head of the Lady's household servants, already said that she would like to have his approval. And everypony agrees that doing something wrong near him, to the point that he would shake his head in disappointment, would make the receiving pony very sad indeed.

But still, above all else, the few servants who have met him so far all say he is a very polite and mindful. And at least one of the younger maids said she would have liked it if she could call him "grampa", but that she was too embarrassed to ask if she could do that.

Or at least, that is the word that has been spreading around the Velvet estate.

And that is what she is hoping she can check, this afternoon.



- - -



As far as everypony knows, old Biedde must have some trouble walking. That, or he just likes to watch the younger ponies come and go. Because almost every hour of every day, he can be seen sitting on one of the balconies of the central mansion. Looking towards the sky without a care in the world, slowly swinging on a rocking chair, as ponies go about their businesses. Puffing wide rings from his pipe, every now and then, whenever the fancy strikes him.

Of course, he always has time to chat whenever somepony stops by. It is a bit of a shame the balcony he chose as his spot is on the second floor, because only a few servants are allowed in the floor where Lady Velvet and her family lives. But still, those few ponies privileged to work there will every now and then go up to that balcony to offer him something. Be it a cup or a treat from the kitchen, or just to ask if there is anything the old stallion needs.

And whenever that happens, it is not unusual for them to spend more than just a few minutes, chatting away with him about this and that. Listening with attention and wonder to whatever interesting topic the old stallion decides to tell them about

But unfortunately, she is neither a maid nor a servant. And the cook has already been instructed not to let her grab anything from the kitchen without permission.

So, there is almost nothing Silky Stream can do, except sneak closer and closer to the door that leads to the balcony, as she looks at the back of the rocking chair he is sitting on.

Wondering what she should do next, or even if she should do anything at all. After all, her mother very clearly told her she should not "disturb their latest guest".

But still... he is just there… would it really be wrong if...?



"Young lady, are you really just going to stay there all day? The weather is lovely out here, you know?"



But her thoughts are suddenly interrupted by the soft, and unexpectedly clear, voice of the old stallion.

And somehow, she immediately knows he is talking to her.

"Um… mommy said I shouldn't disturb you, Mr. Biedde sir…" she says, feeling as incensed as she feels excited about this. Because on the one hoof, she thinks she shouldn't be talking to him. But on the other, she really wanted to!

So, she watches in silence as the old stallion slowly stops his rocking chair, by firmly placing a hindleg on the ground. And then as he turns his face so he can look at her.

"Well then, young lady, do you think you are disturbing me? Or that instead this old pony's day would be a little better with a young filly to listen to his stories?"

A smile comes to her face as she hears that. However, true to what everypony said, she does try her best to control herself, and calmly walk towards him instead of immediately prancing to his side.

"Now, no need to be that polite, young lady. Following the rules is important, but rules have limits for a reason. So, you can just call me Biedde, or sir. And please, take a seat. It would be a crime if you had to sit on the ground just to talk to me."

She gives him a hearty nod, and quickly (but not too quickly) goes to the side of the balcony where they keep a group of cushions. After that, she sits next to the old stallion, looking up to him with eyes full of wonder and questions.

"So, is there anything I can help you with?" he asks, although it is clear he already knows the answer to that.

"Yes sir! I, well, mommy said you know a lot of things. So, could you tell me a little bit about yourself?"

"Ohoh? You want this old stallion to tell you a story?" he asks, to which the filly quickly nods. "Well then, I have been around for a while, and I have seen quite a few things during my travels. So why don't I tell you the story about a city I visited once. It was a very cold city, mind you, and it was even colder because a certain mare was in charge. She was a very sad mare, you see, and she put a rule in place saying that nopony was allowed to sing, or even speak at all! So, an old teacher of mine asked me to…"

The young filly was listening with rapt attention, even before he had finished relighting his pipe.

And the two of them stayed there all afternoon, until the filly's caretaker found her, and called her down to lunch. And by then, she had found the filly wearing the old stallion's cap, and she had already moved her cushion so she would be sitting right in front of him to better listen.

But of course, since it would only be polite to invite the old stallion to join them, that only meant he had a greater audience to tell his story.



- - -



Nopony is really sure of when old Biedde sleeps.

Of course, several ponies have already seen the rocking chair empty. Which everypony agrees that, hard of walking or not, he still moves around like anypony else.

However, several other ponies have already seen him on the rocking chair late at night. And the gossip that he just sleeps there was further thrown into mystery by accounts that, every now and then, his pipe will light up as he puffs from it, even during the early hours of the morning.

Nopony is really sure.

But then again, old Biedde is not the only little-understood pony that has been living at the Velvet estate.

"Slave."

"Hypocrite."

The young-looking (but old-sounding) mare sits down next to the old stallion, settling down on the cushion that everypony has taken to using while visiting him.

They exchanged a few greetings words, of course. However, despite the weight behind them, there really was no malice behind them.

And it is not just that no malice was intended. Both ponies understood those words to be true, so they had greeted each other that way as if they were speaking each other's names.

On top of that, they are both too old for those kinds of games. They know they are not enemies, and their interests neither align nor clash. So, there is nothing between them but the professional respect of two ponies who share a trade.

"Quite disturbing how warped the world is, isn't it? Makes it harder to keep watch."

"I can't help but agree. The light gets ugly when it is bent like this. But still, this place has its charm, now."

"I will take your word for it."

They share a few words, every now and then. But not out of enmity, and not out of the depth of a mutual friendship.

Instead, they speak little because there is little to be shared. And also, because given the depth of their knowledge, what little words they share is more than enough to convey a lot.

"Still, quite the peculiar habits our employer has, wouldn't you say?"

"The weight of being the first in so long."

"Indeed…"

They speak very little. And yet… they stay in each other's company for a very long time.

Maybe out of nostalgia. Or maybe, as unlikely as it might be, because deep down the two of them were ponies, once. And the faint, burned, and cut-away echo of that need every pony has, to be near those who are like them, still exists somewhere inside of them.

Although that is very unlikely. If not impossible.

But still, they stay in each other's company throughout the entire night, looking down at the balcony and towards the distant horizon. Until the sun is about to rise.

"Oh, by the way, the thing you did to the little filly? I do not think her mother would appreciate it if she knew about it."

"Is that right? Well, we both know I did her a favor. And besides, she looked adorable with my cap on."

"Adorable or not, we both know what wearing your cap means. And we both know it wasn't a favor. There is only one other creature who would care about that mark, and he would see right through your intent in an instant."

"Would he now? He is not above harming the young, as we both know."

"And neither are you, or myself, or anypony whose name is worth knowing. But still, I don't speak about the mark itself. I'm speaking of the symbolism behind the action. Her mother would not appreciate you marking her daughter as a pawn."

"Pff, we are all pawns. All of us. What use is there in denying that?"

"You are right that there is none. And I am not condemning you. But still, I thought I would let you know that about our current summoner. Not that she will ever notice it, even, but she is still very protective of her young."

"Yes, I have noticed that… And much appreciated. I will take that under advisement."

The two of them continue talking, as the sun rises and begins to bathe the world in its light.

And at some point, the mare is gone, and the old stallion continues his watch.





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Velvet Steppes.

And today is the day you die.

You are currently in one of your offices. The base of operations you keep in Manehattan. But unlike every other day, where you would be giving orders, or plotting your next move, or just doing anything at all… you are currently just sitting in your office.

You are sitting in your office. And everywhere else in your building, all your employees are doing… something. They are patrolling, or they are counting bits, or they are just nervously walking around in circles wishing they had something to do.

Because you, every last one of you, are all waiting.

You are all waiting, because you know it will happen.

You know it is coming.

You know today is the day you will all die, and that there is nothing you can do but wait for it.

…

It is like an unspoken agreement. A silent message you have all received, as soon as you woke up. A cold hoof on your shoulder, or an unwelcome letter on the mail, conveying a single three word message.

I am coming.​

None of you know who is coming. None of you know why this is happening.

But every single one of you, from your lowliest cleaner to your personal accountant, know that it would be very rude to not be on your station once it happened. And that, even though every single one of you will die today, that it would somehow be worse if you tried to escape.

After all, trying to escape inevitability would only mean you would die tired.

So, you are all waiting. Your "guards" are waiting by the entrance, and your "counters" are waiting at the storage, and everything in your "business" is waiting like a perfectly oiled clock that is waiting for permission to begin to click.

In fact, it would not be a joke to say that today would be the most productive day of your lives, given how eager and ready you all are… if today also didn't feel like the mother of all inspections.

Today, you will all be judged.

And given the occupation you have chosen in your lives, it is only natural that you will all be found guilty.

Your thoughts are interrupted as… as the inevitable happens. Your thoughts are interrupted by the sound of somepony knocking on your door.

"Come on in", you say. And moments later, one of your henchponies walks in. Carrying his hat under his foreleg, as befitting the manners of a pony who is indoors, and sweating cold from snout to tail.

"He's here, boss," he says, with his rumbling voice.

Although you can't hear any of the intimidating edge he usually has on his voice. Which only makes sense, you know, given how terrified he is.

And for good reason.

You look at Vellum, who is sitting on one of the side chairs of your office, and the boy only returns you the glance of a pony who is lost.

No, you shouldn't be looking at him right now. You are the older pony. You are the boss. Everypony is looking at you right now, and if you crack, then you all failed.

"Let him in," you say. To which the large henchpony answers with a nod, carefully closing the door behind himself as he leaves.

And then… you just wait.

You wait, as he walks into your building.

You join everypony in collectively shivering with dread, as he makes his way up the stairs.

And it takes all the willpower you have not to flee, as he reaches your door.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.​

A trio of knocks come to your door, and you know the only reason the door did not burst open was because he did not want it to.

So, you look at Vellum, and give him a small nod.

And the boy gingerly makes his way to the door, opening it and stepping out of the way as quickly as he can.

!!!!!​

The single scariest, oldest, and undoubtedly deadliest pony you have ever seen in your life is standing right outside your door.

The wrinkles on his face look like the face of a mountain, and the old uniform he wears makes him look like the constable out of a thief's worst nightmare.

His eyes, also, are impossibly cold. You think his eyebrows might have been able to hide his eyes, if he really wanted to, but right now he is all but piercing you with those glaciers that he has behind his eyelids.

He is not scowling, and you can only thank the Princesses for that. Because if he was truly scowling, if he was truly displeased, then he wouldn't even have bothered to get this close to you to begin with. Instead, his mouth is a thin line of judgment that you can scarcely describe. Like an old teacher looking at a failure, or perhaps a Lord who can only barely stand the presence of his lesser.

But still, he has not killed you yet.

So, you must continue to play your part, lest you become a rude host.

"Please, come in," you say, although your throat is so dry it is almost painful.

And the old stallion complies. He does not nod or thank you, which is only fair given how you are his lesser. Instead, he only makes his way towards you, and sits on the chair you have before your desk.

You try not to think about how every movement he does, from walking to pulling the chair, seem to be inevitable. You try not to think about how, for some reason, you already know he could crush bones or bend metal just as easily, with a movement that would be as fluid as walking or waving for somepony to come closer.

You try not to think about any of that, as he sits down and reaches for something inside his uniform.

You only wait, as he carefully brings out a long pipe from inside his jacket, and methodically lights it with an ancient pair of stones.

"I am here to collect something," he says. And you have no choice but to answer affirmatively. "Information. About my employer."

Of course, you will tell him. You will tell him whatever he wants to know.

Even though your mind is too numb and terrified to even consider the fact that you have no idea of who he is, and that you can't even begin to guess who his "employer" might be, you will still give him what he wants.

This old stallion will have it his way. It is inevitable.

"I have recently come under the employment of one Velvet Covers," he says, taking a long drag out of his pipe, and puffing it out in a plume of smoke. "You will tell me everything you know about her."

And your heart… you aren't even sure of how that is possible, but your heart becomes even colder than it was before. The dread on your back becomes even heavier.

Because several questions come to your mind at the same time. What does he mean about this? How did he meet your niece? What in Celestia's sun does he mean by employment?

He is not lying. You know that. You know that he is capable of lying, like only the very cunning can. But still, you know he is not lying.

However, how… how?! How? And why? And what does this mean? And is she safe?!

You do not know. You do not know, and you cannot know. Not now. Not as you walk down the death row and towards your execution.

So, you do the only thing that is possible, under these circumstances.

You give him what he wants.

"Yes, yes, of course. I will tell you everything…" you say, feeling yourself age an entire day with every passing second, with how much pressure you are feeling. "Boy, leave us. I w-" you start telling Vellum to leave.

"The boy stays."

But he immediately interrupts you. And Vellum's hind practically slams back into his seat as soon as he hears those words. The two of you know that it is impossible for Vellum to stand up from his seat now, and that to even think about it would be a death sentence.

So, you…

Well, you…

You really, truly, absolutely do not have any options left.

You just… begin to speak.



- - -



You tell him everything. Everything you know, and even some things you are not sure about. You tell him everything, and he silently absorbs all your words.

And then, you fall silent. You just wait for what comes next.

Until slowly, so very slowly, the old stallion nods to himself.

And you almost close your eyes, so you can die in peace, as he gets up from his chair. But ultimately, you decide to face your executioner with dignity, and you look him straight in the eyes as you prepare for what comes next.

"Very well," he says. Right before he takes his pipe out of his mouth, and carefully stores it back in his coat. "That is all."

He says that and he…

… he begins to leave?

Your eyes are not deceiving you. He definitely just turned around so he can leave. And just like it would be impossible to stop him if he had decided to kill you, you also know it is impossible to stop him from leaving.

Because once that old stallion declares something, or makes a decision, there is nothing else that can be done.

But still, you can't help yourself. In fact, as suicidal as it might be, the words leap out of your mouth before you can stop them.

"W-wait!" you say.

Although you immediately regret it. Because your words make the stallion stop, and his lethal attention once again falls upon you.

Still, you carry on.

"Are… are we not going to die? Is… will we live past today?" you ask. Your words heavy with anxiety, your hoofs shaking under your legs.

And when the old stallion once again moves his cold, cold eyes towards you, you think he is about to give you the answer you had been expecting all along.

But to your absolute surprise… and to your absolute relief, he answers that…

"No."

And it takes everything you have to not just sag on your chair, or perhaps for your heart not to just stop beating due to the previous strain you were under.

"I am not here to clean up, though I would if ordered," he says, and the indifference in his voice makes him more scarier than any level of hatred would ever be capable of. "And besides, your grandniece spoke well of you. Her company has earned you a stay of execution."

He just says that, and then he moves to leave. This time, in a way you would not be able to stop even if you tried.

And then you… you…

You try to think about… you try to comprehend what just…

And your body was so tense before that it is almost painful to feel your muscles relax and…

…

And then he is gone.





Just an old stallion making the rounds. Just another old -so very old- creature looking around this new Wake. Nothing more, nothing less, and nothing worth noting.

The "mark" was just a little thing that stuck to Silky's head, after she wore his cap, like a splotch of ink or a speck of dirt. Nothing Velvet would ever notice, and nothing to be worried about.

Still, it was something that those with eyes could see, and a reminder that Velvet can't see everything that happens in the Wake.

Voting is now OPEN, for what Biedde is to do this turn. Since it is a single option to be picked, no moratorium is needed.

 

[Sveta08]

Now then.
We have seen a book. Or, rather, a notebook. One talking as though someone from the past talking to themselves. Remembering in writing what they needed to remember, and what needed to be forgotten.

But.
There was a single word in there that drew my attention. One that inspired... a curiosity. An interest. The word-

...

Huh.
It's gone now.

Ever more curious.
Regardless, have a writing. Unlike the others, I could not tell you from who, or from where, or why. And, also unlike the others, it might be difficult to explain.
Hopefully you can at least see what I am saying.
In which the world is bent

---

There is a misconception that they have been making. A useful deception I admit, even if it feels too old for that. But, it's useful to recognize it for what it is. It is a deception.

They speak of the past like it is dead. Which, it is. They speak of the present like it is alive. Which it is. They speak of the future like it has yet to pass. Which it is.
But they speak of these three in those terms. The Past. The Present. The Future. Like all good deceptions, they are true. But they are deceptions none the less.

What they call the past, the present, the future... It is something else. People hear Past and know what that means. How it impacts them. How it fits into their life. But, the deception lies right there. It is an understanding that they themselves reach.

Even now, I worry if I am to write these things in my age if they will be stolen and understood. But, here, in this place, only those who go looking will find this. And by then, it would be too late.


It is not the past. It is the World as it Was.
It is not the present. It is the World as it Is.
It is not the future. It is the World as it Will Be.

Even now, I can feel it as I write those words. How they wriggle under my pen. Because they struggle against them, and find them not wanting. But I can write it just as that.
Because it is the last that we put into place. It is language.


In the World as it Was, a knife was always a knife. A fruit was always a fruit. A memory always a memory. Truth was truth. And those things are still true.
But those with eyes to see would see that those things are just that. That there is no sharpness to that knife. There is no ripeness to that fruit. There is no softness to the memory. No glare to that truth.
Because it was language. Like all of them, it does not change anything. Only how it's seen. How it's interacted with.

Language. Its purpose is as cruel as it is simple. If the words themselves lack that power, then there will not be those who go searching.If the World Is and the World Was, then something is seen as having changed. If it is just the Past, and The Present, then the answer is obvious. Time, nothing more. No reason to go searching. To go hunting.
So, the power was lost to those words. Not that they lack the power, but that the knowledge of that power, what it is... can be lost. Forgotten. And if no one knows to look, then it will be lost.
A knife will still cut. But if people never think to see a knife for something more, never think of it as anything other than a knife...
Of all them, this was the simplest to construct, if longest to execute, and even longer to believe. But now, in my old age, I believe I can say it seems to have settled in as the new norm.


Before language, there was others needed first. History had to be turned. Names made simply into names. Leaders made just that. Time itself given it's own order. Constructed and set to fall in place. To land in exactly the right way, to repeat back in on itself. Every day starting anew, the sun to rise, the moon to set. To be connected to itself.

Nowhere better to explain that than the first. The most difficult. The simplest to explain.
The edges of the map were filled in.

If there is an edge, there will be people who will seek it out.
If there is a corner, there will be those who look for it. And past it.
If there is something to reach, it becomes a goal.
If it all simply continues, if there is not division and there is not disc... alarm, then it will continue.
What is, is, and will continue to be. Until what is becomes what was.


It will be a better world then. The future.
I wonder if they will see it.

 

[Sveta08]

Well!
Now that I have the time and energy to write a little bit, and we are all up and excited about Biedde and sacraments... I propose an alternative thought!
Something else, that could be true! But one I don't know is true.
More than other long thoughts I've written out, this is the closest to a half-prediction. Make of that what you will.

In which someone's value is weighed

---

What is most valuable?

A common thought exercise as much as a measure of practicality, you find yourself following that same question time and time again. The first answer, Glory, is always the same. Always has been since you felt the brand to touch your skin. Every moment it's allure still sits in the back of your mind like a flickering candle. Ever out of reach, and requiring to be burnt to touch. And even then, something has to burn to hold it.
So, it's the wrong question. What's most valuable. But it's a useful question none the less.

You are in your room. Or, office would be a better way of putting it. The secrets that need to remain in the Wake written down here, the lores and laws you have found that could not be etched upon the surface of your mind or body scattered throughout. Not wildly like a mad prophet though. No, that would not do. It would be unpleasant. Unseemly. And that just wouldn't do.
It is yours. So it must be clean. It must be polished. It must be pleasant and inviting.


You are Copper Secateur, and you are trying to balance this months budget. The question of value always comes up when you do this. And is more literal than most would think.


Bits are valuable. Obviously, they are valuable by their very nature of a currency. But they are valuable as a tool. What syrupy words you can spill help, but having an incentive that people take home with them always helps clear up misunderstandings. Recruit people to the cause. If you draw people in saying they will gain something valuable, they will think of bits after all.
And it's not like you are lying, you think with a silvery grin. They do get something valuable, if they are lucky.
Your attention.

Because time is valuable. Incredibly valuable. No matter how many hooves you have, no matter how many people under your thrall, there is only so many hours in a day. For now, you think. So your time is valuable. Spend it wisely. The matter of finances is handled slowly by you, but quickly by your assistance. All you are here for is-

Loyalty. To sniff out those who can handle these budgets cleanly. Quickly. See how many are devoted to you and only you. How many people might try to sneak something by you. Whether they should be rewarded for their initiative... or made an example of. Your time is valuable, so better spend it finding problems that others can spend time answering. Because the better it is, the more perfect everything under you is...

The more you can focus on what's important.
Glory
Revenge

Really it's both.


But, this month has been... a disaster if you are honest.

The last few months you have been hemoraging bits like no one else trying to keep all your suppliers online. That new Lunar Bureau hasn't dropped the hammer on any of them yet... but there's that Yet. The nobles themselves weren't safe, so you and the people you have to buy from, sell to? Whoever isn't making themselves scarce is making themselves more expensive. And of course... of fucking course... you can thank Velvet Covers for that.

Leave it to that mare to somehow worm her way up into... that. Because nothing less than the princesses own guard would be good enough for her. No, she had to go on and be the damned alicorn's bridesmaid.
... Come on. Focus. Refocus.

Bits. Bit troubles. That's the focus.
Because the Lunar Bureau has been a threat the last few months. This month was...

The Manus.
It changed.


Ash coats the entire Wood. Or maybe it's better to say that Ash has supplanted The Wood. Full of that sticky dirty smell that just can't quite be washed out with a good wine or a pleasant evening. No, it's... it's worse now. Not darker, but worse. That alone would be bad...

But they are dead.
Every summon. Every species. Everything that you have been carefully cultivating, carefully crafting and maintaining from The Woods is dead. Lost in the blink of the eye at the stroke of midnight. Hundreds, Hundreds of bits and dozens of days and a dozen or more lives lost all because... The Woods is gone.

It is going to be a very very expensive month.

---

You had just about finished the plan when you got the call. Which, itself, was unusual.
You don't take calls. You hand out the orders, and your people handle the problems.
And moreover, noone, noone interupts you when you are actually busy handling this side of things. The last one who did wound up far more useful dead.

But still, you are getting a call.
Which means something had to have happened. Something that changes your plans. It's the only reason they would risk it.
Your ire because you made a plan without the full info, or your ire because they interrupted the plan.

So, you answered it.
And scowled past a pleasant smile. Listening to the wonderfully delightful frightened and enraptured words that flowed out like honeyed wine.
Because... something had changed.

You didn't bother answering. You simply hung up.
And began preparing for a walk.

---

The most valuable thing, you have found, is Glory. It is the power to take revenge, to be revered, and to make the world dance in your hoof.
But the most valuable tool for that... is people. Something you learned a long, long time ago.
They have more hooves to work. More eyes to see. More ears to hear.
And apparently...

More lives to be threatened.

You are currently in one of the offices of a tool of yours. The base of operations they keep in Manehattan. A tool you grabbed and wined and dined because of his reputation.
As well as his name.

"So tell me, Mister Steppes"
Your words laced with a rich, warm poison that he relaxes at. The faintest of tugs required as the chains you wove around his mind, his heart even are pulled.
He is not The Velvet you want. But he is ever so useful a tool.
Especially when she slips up.

"Just who came to visit you?"

 

[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
[X][BIEDDE] Ask for an Influence of Edge.

You are Velvet Covers, and right now you are resting.

Yes, resting. You are doing absolutely nothing. You are not entertaining anypony, you are not spending time with your family, and you haven't even asked anypony to bring you tea.

You are just… resting. Taking some time for yourself. Allowing your mind to just exist without forcing yourself to tackle any problems, or consider any issues.

You really are, right now, at your home and doing nothing.

Is that really so surprising?

Well, considering how defensive you are being about this… yes, it probably is. Because when was the last time you truly did nothing?

"I suppose that worrying about the fact that I am doing nothing means that I am not doing nothing," you say to yourself.

But still, you make a point of not being too hard on yourself about it.

You are currently inside your… former office. You don't think this place can be called a hobby room yet, like the one Stormchaser has. And this place certainly isn't a workshop either. But still, you are in the large room where you used to work, back when you were in charge of the farmlands. And this place has already seen some level of transformation.

You had your servants bring one of the larger sofas here, the one that was in your tearoom and that wasn't really used even when you had visits. And you also transported your book cabinets here as well. As well as some other things besides.

Granted, this room is still mostly empty, but you think you will work on it one step at a time. One week after the other. As if you are allowing this room to grow on its own, in a sense, rather than imposing a design upon it.

Still, you aren't even concerned about that right now. Right now, you are just lounging on the sofa, letting time pass you by as you try to forget the concerns from this last week.

However, you are suddenly snapped out of your thoughts as somepony knocks on your door.

"Come in," you say out loud, not even bothering to check who it is.

And you are… honestly surprised when you see Biedde walk in.

…

You are surprised for a lot of reasons.

Because first of all, you did not sense him. Sure, you are telling yourself you didn't bother to check, but… But as you link thought after thought, you wonder if "not bothering" with it was truly your own decision, or if you just slipped up on that habit because it was him.

And second, you are surprised because…

Because you don't feel threatened at all.

Rationally speaking, you thought you would have felt a lot less comfortable around Biedde. You thought that, if he had ever walked into a room where you were, you would have shot up in alert. You thought you would at least sit up to greet him.

However, right now, you… you do not feel alarmed at all. In fact, the only source of nervousness you can feel comes from the fact that you are not alarmed by him.

The Name of Edge, who has been living in your mansion and interacting with your family, has just closed the door behind him, leaving the two of you alone, and you can't feel the slightest echo of your survival instinct crying out in alert.

That, more than anything else, surprises you.

"Good afternoon, my employer, I hope I am not interrupting anything," he says, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

No, more than just natural. He says that as if he is one of your servants. He is treating you with the same level of familiarity, coated with deference, that Ponpon would have if she were the one who had just entered.

"Biedde, I… there is no problem at all. Can I help you with anything?" you say.

And you… you actually force yourself to sit up. You force yourself to think of him as what he truly is.

Not as a guest. Not as an old stallion. Not as a visiting grandfather.

But as the most dangerous creature who you have ever seen walk the Wake. Something that should make you feel afraid, and that is all the more terrifying for the fact that he manages not to.

"Nothing at all," he says, giving you a short bow that shows you the bald spot at the top of his head. "In fact, I am just here to deliver you something, and then I will get out of your way."

He says that as he reaches into his coat, rummaging through some unseen pocket until he brings out a piece of paper.

It is a letter, you can immediately tell. But curiously, the letter he is giving you does not appear to be signed or sealed. As if somepony had finished writing it, and put it in an envelope, but never had the chance to fill it and mail it.

"I had the opportunity to visit your uncle, and during our conversation he mentioned he was writing you a letter. So, I offered to deliver it to you," he says simply.

"You visited my uncle?" you ask, immediately curious, as you receive the letter from his hoofs.

"Yes, yes, your daughter mentioned him a few days ago. She said that she thought the two us of would get along well," he says with a smile, letting out a soft chuckle as he speaks. "We had a very interesting conversation."

He says that, and part of you wants to ask him for more details. After all, unless you are sorely mistaken, you just heard that a Name has visited your uncle. And that he did so at the suggestion of your daughter of all things.

You almost ask him about it, but you stop yourself at the last moment.

Because the part of you that is curious is the same strangely calm part of you that thinks the stallion you are speaking to is just an old pony, who likes to idle the day away while sitting on a rocking chair. The part of you that is curious is the same emotional, disarmed part of you that doesn't feel threatened by his presence.

And now that you are aware of this mental dissociation, it is almost painful to have it in your mind. After all, you almost have to force yourself, your rational side, to remember exactly who you are speaking to.

Still, once you remind yourself of that, you keep your silence. You don't ask him anything else. Baldomare, Axe and even Mareinette pursue their own interests in the Wake, and you have already learned not to inquire too deeply about them. Their presence here, you know, is a trading of favors.

You care about your uncle, of course. But if Biedde is not giving you any more details, and if he isn't reporting to you that he did anything troublesome, you are better off not getting on his way.

"Thank you…" you say, to which he gives you the slightest of nods.

So, you just… well, he just gave you a letter from your uncle, so you might as well read it.

…

My dear niece,

As always, it is great to hear from you! And yes, I have been doing fine. Work has been taking a chunk out of me lately, but nothing that you need to worry about.

More importantly, I was a bit intrigued about what you asked me. You want to know if I heard any rumors about you?

Well, I wouldn't really call them rumors. But I wouldn't call them gossip either. I think you already suspect this, but a lot of ponies have just been curious about who you (and us Velvets in general) are, ever since you were appointed to your current position.

And of course, most of the hub-dub I hear echo the same questions that I have! As in: how did you get appointed? What is your connection to the Princesses? What do you plan for the future? And most importantly, how can I get a piece of that pie?

I joke, I joke, don't worry about that last one.

But still, what little I hear is that everypony is mostly waiting for what comes next. After all, the Bluebloods were (quite literally) taken out of the scene less than two months ago. By Celestia, their trial is still going on! And I don't see a lot of ponies making a lot of moves until we see where those particular chips will fall.

Other than that, I also see hear a lot about Bureau agents going here and there, but mostly in rumors. Most of the times somepony will say that so-and-so was asked a few questions, and was flashed a badge, but to be honest I don't think anypony confirmed if those sightings were true to begin with.

The bottom line, niece, is that nopony knows what to expect, really. There are the decrees from the Princess, putting a very big hat on your head. And then there was the big show of the Bluebloods. But other than that? It's all speculation and uncertainty.

Oh, now that I think of it, I don't think anypony has hosted a ball or a gathering (in the noble circles, that is) ever since the Bluebloods were taken away. That in itself says a lot, but that also means the higher crust of Equestria had little chance to mingle and talk, other than through the very rare personal visits to each other's mansions.

Well, I'll stop babbling about that. I'd hate to bore you with my own speculations. The same applies to the Solar Court, of course. But I have a different lot less contact with the law, so I don't really have many feelers on that Fair Trial mare. Most of us ponies are waiting to see how she treats the Bluebloods before we jump to any conclusions.

But that's enough about that. How are you? How are the fillies?

I recently heard that…​

The letter goes on, talking about other things besides, but mostly the usually chit-chat you have with your uncle through your letters.

Still, you can't help but notice there are some unusual things about this letter.

For example, you can sense a lot of hesitation on this letter, for some reason. Of course, you don't think your uncle is hiding anything from you, and you certainly don't think he is lying to you.

Why would he ever do that?

But still, you can feel there is something off about your uncle. You quickly conclude this feeling is due to the fact he is swamped by his work, as he said, but still… you truly hope he is doing alright. And who knows, if Biedde offered to bring this letter, maybe you are just reading an unfinished version. Or the draft he was preparing to send you, and that he would rewrite before mailing.

As you fold the letter back into the unlabeled envelope, you realize Biedde is still standing by the door. A calm smile on his face, with his bushy eyebrows hiding his eyes, as if his presence there was only natural.

"Oh, I am very sorry. Is there anything else?" you ask.

"I was about to ask the same question. Do you need anything else?"

The tone of his answer makes it abundantly clear he is quite literally waiting for you to dismiss him, if you have no other use for him, as if he was just another servant from your household.

And once again, you almost fall for the trap of waving him away. Your emotional, almost instinctual side, almost nods for him to leave as if he was just a butler who had just brought you tea.

It is almost scary, the fact that you are still not scared of him.

No, it is definitely scary. Because, your rational side almost drags this thought to the forefront of your mind, he is doing this on purpose.

This is intentional.

And then, you remind yourself that…

"Actually, there is something I would like to ask you," you say.

The stallion calmly waits for you to continue.

"I will be doing a few things, these next few weeks… A few conversations that might be dangerous. A few dreams that will certainly be dangerous. I would like to ask for your help with those. I would like you to…"

You don't really know how to finish that sentence. Because you aren't asking for his presence, but you aren't just asking for advice either.

You know what you want, of course. You know it, and he understands it as well. You already had this thing described to you as a shadow, or a presence, or just as a token. Or maybe as a gift that you carry inside your soul, like a burning ember that slowly fades away. Baldomare already gave it to you, once, in the form of a pleasant conversation over tea. And Axe already burned your veins with it, with her sharp fangs and her sharper venom.

Still, the fact remains that you need a little push. You need more than what you currently have. And you need it in the particular color you know only he can provide.

And of course, you know the stallion understands exactly what you mean.

So, as he walks in your direction, you begin to feel…

…

… nothing.

The old stallion makes his way across the room, stopping right in front of you where you are sitting on the sofa, and then he just nods at you.

And that… that makes your heart beat a little faster.

"Are you sure about that?" he asks, his tone nothing but polite.

And for all that you don't feel like you are in danger, you begin to realize that you should feel that way.

Your throat begins to dry up, and the beating of your heart turns into that of a drum.

But still, for some maddening reason, you can tell all those reactions are being forced into your body by the rational side of your brain.

Because your heart, and your nose, insist to you that there is nothing to be worried about.

"Y-yes," you say.

The stallion lets out a low hum. And then, he reaches for something inside his coat.

The sensation that your mind is splitting into two sides, and that they are battling each other, is almost disorienting.

Because on one hoof, there is absolutely nothing threatening about the stallion in front of you.

But on the other hoof, the Name of Edge has just pulled out a knife from inside his coat, and he is wielding it right in front of you.

It is an old knife, a dagger-sized blade covered in scratches and bruises. The blade itself is well-kept, and definitely sharp, but other than that you can't see anything out of the ordinary on that knife.

Except for the fact it is currently on Biedde's hoof, after being taken out of Biedde's coat, and that it is currently within fifty meters of your body, inside your very own house.

"I will give you what you need, my employer. But I have a few words of warning for you."

He says that as he brings out another item from his coat. A simple piece of string, old and worn with time and use.

And then, he ties a complicated knot on the hilt of the knife, almost as if he is making a trinket out of it.

A chill runs through your spine as he calmly passes the string around your neck, giving you a hoof-made necklace with a knife tied to its end.

"This is a rather special knife," he says. "If you try to remove it, it will cut you. If you regret having asked for it, it will cut you. And most important of all, if you ever hesitate, about anything at all in your life while you wear it, it will cut you."

He says that, and finally, finally you begin to feel something.

Not a chill in the air. Not a change in the atmosphere. You do not feel anything different about the old stallion at all. In fact, he might as well be telling you about the weather right now, or about a gift he was planning to give somepony else.

But the moment his hoof leaves the knife-necklace, the emotional side of your brain becomes acutely aware that the Name of Edge has just placed a knife around your neck.

And it is all you can do not to yell. It takes all of your willpower to bite down with your teeth, to stop yourself from saying anything.

However-

!​

-you immediately feel a twinge of pain coming from somewhere in your chest. As if you had just been prickled by the tip of a knife.

It is something very small. Almost like a warning. A reminder that you should not regret, not complain, not even think about turning back on this decision you just made.

Even though you already regr-

!!​

-donotregreteveraskinghimtodothisforyou.

Biedde nods to himself, as if he had just confirmed something. He is not looking at you, of course, but at the knife itself.

And naturally, the knife has not moved at all. It is still dangling from your neck, like a strange tribal artifact, and it has not moved an inch ever since he left it there.

Even though it has already stabbed you twice.

"And lest I forget, I should also warn you about something else," he finishes. "Naturally, this knife will not harm your body. It will only cut away the things you do not need."

He says that, and you immediately understand that… you immediately realize what he means by those words.

This pain you felt twice now, this sensation that a knife is being dug into your chest just a little deeper every time you feel-

!!!​

-every time you feel nothing, and definitely not when you regret anything… it is…

This knife, or this talisman he just gave you, it is stabbing at your soul. Following the ironclad belief of that stallion, that what is useless should be cut away and that scars are lessons, this knife is going to cut away little pieces of your soul. Trimming you like a tree, whenever it spots weakness or hesitation. Chiseling you like a statue, into a shape that is less weak and merciful.

And that terrifies you-

!!!!​

-although with each painful twinge, you can already tell that it terrifies you a little bit less.

"Now, if you excuse me," the stallion says, giving you one last short bow before he makes his way to the door. Bringing his cap out from another pocket of his uniform, and putting it on his head, just as he closes the door behind himself.

Leaving you alone.

With this thing around your neck.

As it finally dawns upon you that-

!!!!!​

-you may have made a mistake.

And also that, once this is over, there is a chance you will no longer be the kind of pony who regrets having done this.





The Colonel's lessons are always learned, even if they leave scars. Especially if they leave scars.

Velvet Covers is now under the effect of "A Resolution". It will fade at the end of the current turn.

Since this is the first time Velvet Covers has experienced the highest degree of an Edge Influence, she has gained two scraps of Edge. Velvet Covers will no longer be able to gain any scraps of Edge until she attains Sacrament.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Afternoon fades into dusk over the growing town of Ponyville, as the sun lazily makes its way to the west horizon. However, despite the growing influx of newcomers, there really isn't much activity happening in the late hours yet.

Most stores still close their doors, when the hours grow late. Most streets still lack light posts, or some form of public illumination. In fact, the town doesn't even have a large enough source of electricity to speak of, and its inhabitants still mostly rely on mundane methods, such as magic or fire, to pierce through the darkness.

Of course, one can already see signs of change here and there. So, even though most of the citizens of this small town are still laborers or craftsponies, there is also a growing minority who is not physically exhausted and looking forward to sleeping as the night approaches. Not enough ponies to truly change the "atmosphere" that Ponyville has, of an idyllic earth pony village, but enough to at least influence it.

Meaning that, even though the night is fast approaching, there are still ponies out and about in the streets. There are still ponies who have not yet finished their activities, or who might even be about to start their activities, even though Princess Celestia is about to steal the sun away from the skies.



And one of those ponies is currently walking through the streets of Ponyville. Making her way to the east road that leads away from the city.



As far as anypony could tell, she looks like a perfectly ordinary mare. An earth pony, with a coat so dark it might as well be black, and a mane of dark redd-ish color. Not bright enough to be the color of fire, but not dark enough to be the color of blood either. She is also carrying a saddlebag on her back, and the white color of the bag can almost be described as "clashing" with the color of her fur.

Her cutie mark, displayed on her flank for all the world to see, also seems perfectly ordinary. A flower, a pair of masks, and a lace connecting all of them together. Not the kind of cutie mark that would immediately tell somepony what her skills are, but still normal enough for anypony to be able to make a polite guess.

And her name… doesn't really matter. She isn't really the kind of mare who minds being called this or that, and she is more than glad to entertain nicknames and whatnot. Still, her friends usually call her Amor.

Although she doesn't really have many friends.

In fact, she only has one.

…

As she walks through the streets of Ponyville, making her way east, she starts to hum a soft tune. A merry little jingle, that she is making up on the spot, that she hums in time with her trot.

She is humming that song because, in all honesty, she can't really help it. After all, this is her favorite part of the week! In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that she spends almost every other day waiting for this night to arrive.

And how could she not? Tonight is the night where she meets her friend!

So, she merrily hums that tune as she makes her way through town.

That is, until she finally passes by a… certain place.

Like every other week, the path she takes as she walks through Ponyville inevitably crosses the center of the town. Which means that, like every other week, she is once again passing right in front of… this place.

It is a structure unlike any other in Ponyville. Not as grandiose as the town hall, which is currently being rebuilt, and not as eye-catching as some of the more eccentric houses. But still, this place has a unique look of its own.

And that is because Amor is currently staring at what is, or perhaps was, the town library. A treehouse, or a house that is literally built from a tree, that stands in one of the roads near the center of Ponyville.

Although, like anypony else, she can immediately tell that said library had seen better days.

After all, she can barely tell that the place is shaped like a tree. Because there are no leaves or flowers to speak of, and most of its branches have already rotted and fallen down.

Furthermore, to say that the structure is in disrepair is an understatement. The "natural" parts of the tree look rotten and sick, but the "pony-made" parts of the structure look no better. And everywhere she looks, she can spot a broken window, or a misaligned door, or some other sign that this place is in desperate need for the attention of a cutie-marked carpenter.

But most of all, this place is unique because of…

Most ponies prefer to just ignore this place. In fact, most ponies in Ponyville either pretend this place doesn't exist, and just avoid this road altogether.

However, Amor… doesn't. In fact, it is the opposite with her.

And just like every other week, she spends… more than just a few moments staring at the rotting tree-house. Just like every other week, she can feel the thing that is emanating from that place. Like a strange warmth that comes from an invisible bonfire, or a strong smell that sticks to the coat.

And just like every other week, she… slowly, cautiously makes her way towards the worn front door.

Amor makes her way towards the front door, noticing that the sign that used to hang over the door is no longer there. Although she was sure that it was there last week. Another sign of disrepair, no doubt. Another thing that was simply lost.

She reaches the front door, and she can almost taste the feelings that are covering this place.

And she knows that… she knows that it would be so simple. It would be as easy as picking up a ripe fruit, that is hanging from a low branch.

She could call whoever lives in that place right now, and she knows that pony would follow. All she needed to do was knock on that door. All she needed to do was extend a hoof, and the denizen of this catacomb would practically lunge to hold on to it.

Amor slowly raises her hoof, inching it closer and closer to the front door…



But like every other week, she stops.



She stops herself. She stops her hoof. And as painful as it might be, she wrangles herself away from that temptation.

Because there are rules to this. There are rules to their… gathering, that she knows she must obey.

In fact, she was the one who wrote them.

And just like every other week, she almost broke the very first rule that they all must follow.

Do not invite any newcomers, unless She was the one who called for them.

Yes… yes. She must follow the rules.

No matter how inviting this place seems to be.

No matter how obvious this option might look like.

The pony who dwells in this place has not yet been called by… her friend. Her one and only very best friend has not yet called for whoever lives in this place. She has not yet mentioned this place, or looked at it, or even thought about it. Which can only mean that something, perhaps the gathering, or perhaps the pony who lives here, is not ready yet.

Which means that, once again, she must painfully force herself to lower her hoof, and leave that door undisturbed.

It is a shame they stopped leafletting, ever since the rules were put into place. But again, almost all the ponies who came because of the leaflets have already left, and only the ones She called have stayed. So…

Well, she should be on her way.

Letting out one last, pained sigh, Amor drags herself away from the rotting tree-house, and makes her way to the road that leaves Ponyville.

Soon, she knows. So very soon…





- - -

- - -

- - -





Dusk fades into sunset over the growing town of Ponyville, as the sun touches the west horizon and patiently waits for its Princess to dismiss it. However, despite the fact that daylight has almost entirely faded, there are still ponies going about their business.

Or rather, it is precisely because daylight has almost entirely faded that some ponies are going about their business.

Ponyville is a growing town, and it has already started to feel the touch of progress. However, that progress so far has only been in the realm of quantity, rather than quality. A few more streets have already been beaten into the dirt, and new houses have been built where there was once only grass. But still, no roads have been paved yet, and the ground has not yet been kissed by concrete or iron or the things that form the foundations of larger buildings.

That might happen very soon, or perhaps that might never happen during any living pony's lifetime.

But still, right now, Ponyville remains quaint, if nothing else. Which means that Ponyville is still surrounded by what can be described as "wilderness".

Granted it is a tamed wilderness. After all, the east of Ponyville is covered in farms, and the west sees a great stretch of orchards. And the river that crosses the town is closely controlled and crisscrossed by bridges.

However, there are still untouched stretches of forest to the north and the south. There is still the cautious threat of the nearby Everfree Forest.

And most importantly, there are still places where things like this can happen.

"He is still at it. Hit him again."

"Yeah, I can see it."​

"No! NO! You don't understand, I just want to-ACK!"



In a place that isn't exactly far from Ponyville, but that isn't exactly close either, a group of ponies is…



"I-… I… Y-you don't understand. She LOVES me. I saw the way she looked at me. She-!"

"Shut up!"​

A group of ponies is currently gathered around a tied-up stallion. Some of them are carrying bats and metal bars, and one of them has a shovel.

But most notable of all, every single one of them has a disgusted expression on their face. Every single one of them is disgusted, or angry, or a mixture of both.

All of them, except for the stallion who, every few minutes, is getting struck by one of his captors.

Because even though the stallion is tied up and bleeding, he still has a smile in his face. Even though some of his bones are broken, and he is clearly in pain, he still has an expression that can only be described as insane.



"You don't get it. NONE OF YOU DO! I met her before! We grew up together, i-in Cloudsdale! We promised we'd marry! Just ask her. ASK HER! I proposed to her right before the Catastrophe! And it's a miracle that I found her here!"

"I think he's too far gone…"

"Yeah, I think he's a lost cause as well."​

"NONE OF YOU ARE GOING TO STOP M-ARGH!"



And all of those ponies, without exception, have one thing in common. Some of them are from Ponyville, and most of them are from other places around Equestria. But all of them, even the stallion who is tied up, are part of the same… group.

They are all part of the same gathering, so to speak.

They have all met, and they all meet every week, in the tightly knit grieving support group that operates in the quaint town of Ponyville.

Which means that they all know the rules.

"Anypony disagrees?"​

The other ponies gathered around the tied-up stallion all shake their heads. They all ignore the insane, deranged claims of the stallion, and they confer with each other one last time before making their decision.

Because they all know the rules. The three, very simple rules that they must follow, while they wait.

They all know the rule that the stallion broke, and that he must be punished for.

Do not speak to Her, and do not approach Her, unless She approaches you first.

"Clouded River, do the honors."​

The old stallion says that to one of the pegasus, and the pegasus unceremoniously raises the bat he is holding on his mouth-



"DEATH WON'T STOP ME! IT DIDN'T STOP HER! I SAW HER DIE IN CLOUDSDALE, AND YET WE MET AG-!"



-and he brings it down on the tied-up stallion's head, smashing it into a bloody pulp.

Finally silencing the bleeding pony.

"Alright everypony, lets get rid of the body and head to the meeting. Whacky is already going to fetch the young Miss. Oh, and make sure to clean up any bloodstains before heading back, yes? We don't want another ketchup incident."

A few chuckles erupt here and there, as some of the ponies get to work.

And the light humor they are all sharing makes it very clear none of them regret doing this.

The rules, they all know, are a necessity. An agreement that they all reached, or perhaps that was imposed upon them, so they can better control their own individual pains while they all wait.

Because ultimately, that is all they can do. The only thing they can do is wait for… what comes next. For what they know is coming, but that they can neither accelerate nor slow down.

And the rules are there to help them keep to their roles. So, they can better play the part of the audience, or perhaps the gathering Host, until the time finally arrives.

After all, as the first rule states, there is no need to try and call new members. Because the members they invite in are always wrong in one way or the other. They always leave, or they fail, or eventually become a problem one way or the other.

No, only those who are called by her, or who arrive on their own, become viable members of their gathering. That is the purpose of the first rule.

Furthermore, they can't really interact with her either. And that is why the second rule is in place. They can't interact with her, or at least they must be very careful when doing so, because they all… well, they all see her in a different way.

Some of them swear that she looks like a daughter, or a sister, or a wife. Or somepony else they lost. They swear that she is somepony who they love, and that they must -that they deserve- to have her for themselves.

Some of them swear they saw her, or still see her, in their dreams. That they are certain, with an ironclad conviction, that she is calling to them every night.

And some of them swear she spoke to them, in private, at some point. And that she commanded them to do… something, that involved her.

They have all gone through that. They all still go through that, every time they see her. And naturally, the idea… nay, the certainty that a pony you loved, or still love, is right there can make some ponies… act out in rather unsavory ways. So, they have all learned to resist those thoughts.

And that is the purpose of the second rule. To make sure everypony keeps a healthy distance from her, lest one of them does something they shouldn't and ruins the gathering for everypony else.

Most of them have learned to push those feelings away, and can even talk to her normally, on the rare occasions that she stops and speaks to one pony or another.

Some of them needed… encouragement. Like the pony who is currently using his shovel to dig a grave, who nowadays wear an eyepatch over one of his empty eye sockets because… well, because he needed help so he could see things better.

And a few ponies, like the one who is about to be buried, simply can't control themselves at all.

So, acts like this are necessary.

Because it is imperative that they do not scare her away.

After all, if she ever decided to stop coming to their gatherings… well, the inevitable would still happen, some day in the future. But they would not be a part of it.

And that, they all know, is an agony none of them are prepared to suffer.

"Do you think she will share anything today?"

"Oh, I sure hope so. But as always…"

"Yes, we can only wait."

"Yes. It is agonizing, isn't it?"​

A few more chuckles erupt here and there, at the familiar joke.

And soon enough, yet another body is buried and forgotten in the tree-covered outskirts of Ponyville.

After which a group of ponies, united by loss and who help each other in their grief, make its way to their weekly meeting.





- - -

- - -

- - -





Amor doesn't really have a high opinion of herself.

She can do this and that, of course, and she knows where her heart lies. But she doesn't really consider herself to be an extraordinary pony.

Still, she is patient.

Sunset has finally happened, and the moon is now just above the east horizon. There are no clouds to speak of, so the faint moonlight is more than enough for her to be able to see.

And like she does every week, she is currently… waiting.

She is sitting under a tree, on a hill east of Ponyville. She is sitting on a hill that is right in front of a mansion, that is located just outside of Ponyville. A small cluster of fancy buildings, placed around a pretty garden, that is in turn surrounded by vast stretches of farmlands.

The seat of the local noble, from what she heard.

But more importantly, the home of her best friend!

Amor doesn't mind waiting. In fact, she is more than prepared not to leave that spot, even if she has to wait until sunrise. After all, she isn't as interested in going to the gathering as much as she is interested in being with her friend. So, if her friend doesn't feel like going to the gathering, she will stay there all night. And if her friend decides to come, she will accompany her there.

This, without a doubt, is the high point of her week. The thing she looks forward to the most.

But still, it doesn't change the fact that waiting is boring. So, like every other week, she is currently indulging in one of her hobbies.

Wood carving.

Amor carries several items in her saddlebag, for nights like this. Some food, in case she needs to wait the whole night. A blanket in case it gets cold.

And a few small blocks of wood, as well as a knife.

So, right now she is working on one of those blocks. Right now, she is trying to sculps a replica of… well, of the only relevant structure she can really see, given where she is sitting.

Which means she is slowly carving the wooden block into a small, and crudely made, replica of the noble mansion where her friend lives.

…

It is a little funny, she thinks, of how strange her carvings come out.

Because whenever she is carving wood, chipping away little pieces of it with her knife, she doesn't really think about what she is doing. In fact, she just lets her hoofs guide the process.

So, sometimes the wood-replica of the mansion will be a bit crooked, here and there. And sometimes it will have a few details that, no matter how hard she looks, she can't really find in real life.

But most of the time, she will be surprised by the fact that for some reason… she carves something else, other than a replica of the mansion.

Because when she really gets distracted, when she really lets her hoofs move on their own, she inevitably ends up carving what seems to be a small pair of dogs.

Sometimes, she will just carve a little blocky mansion with two tiny dogs sleeping in front of it. Sometimes, she will carve a replica of the mansion, but with bits and pieces of it broken down as if they had been gnawed by a pair of mouths.

And sometimes, she will just carve two dogs. Biting each other, or themselves, with no mansion in sight. An entire block of wood chipped down to a pair of canines, even though she had her eyes on the mansion the entire time she was working on it.

She can't really explain it, but it's not like she thinks too hard about it either.

However, tonight she…

…

… tonight, she…

…

There is something different going on tonight.

She doesn't know what it is. She can't even explain it. But the moment she sat down on the hill that overlooks the mansion, and started working on her little block of wood, she could feel that…

… that something new is in the air.

She can feel it, in the dryness of her throat and in the beating of her heart. She can feel it, even though it is so faint that it is almost painful.

But still, she knows that there is nothing she can do.

Like everypony else, she can only wait.

So, she continues to carve her little block of wood. Not taking her eyes out of the mansion even for a second, as her hoofs work away.

Until finally, finally, she sees what she had been waiting for.

The front door of the mansion opens, leaking out a bit of candlelight, and a lone mare walks out of it.

And of course, Amor recognizes her instantly. That's her friend! That's the pony she had been waiting for all along! In fact she gets so excited that she stands up and begins to wave a hoof.

She almost yells out her name! She almost yells for Soft Sweeps to look at her!

However… it doesn't take long for her to realize something is wrong with her friend.

Because unlike every other night, her friend isn't opening her wings and flying towards her. In fact, from the speed she is walking, it doesn't even look like she is awake.

Instead, Amor watches as her friend just… begins to walk. She watches as the pegasus mare walks through the garden, and walks out through the front gate, and starts making her way towards Ponyville, without even sparing Amor a glance.

Soft Sweeps knows Amor is there. Of course she does. They always meet here before going to the gathering.

And yet, this time… the way she is acting…

…

Ah.

There is a smile on Amor's face, as she finally understands what is going on. And rather than feeling discouraged, or feeling despondent because her dear friend didn't come talk to her, she actually feels thrilled.

Because she can already tell that… that whatever happened, whatever it is that she is feeling inside of her…

It is a sign.

It is a sign that tonight will be special.

It is a sign that this is the night, or perhaps one of the nights, they have been waiting for this whole time. Ever since the gathering came together.

So, she must make sure everything is ready.

She immediately jumps into action, throwing the block of wood away, and almost forgetting to stash her knife in saddlebag. And moments later, she is already galloping towards Ponyville. Her quick pace being sure to get her there before Soft's almost-sleepwalking speed.

Because she knows, she just knows, that she must get there before her friend does. She must make sure that everypony is ready, and that everypony knows, before her friend gets there.

In fact, she is so thrilled and so focused on this calling, that she doesn't even notice what her hoofs had just carved.

She doesn't even notice that the block of wood, that she so carelessly tossed away the moment she spotted her friend, had a carving of three dogs, all running after each other's tail in a circle. Three wolves, as opposed to the two she had been accidentally carving this whole time.

A new revelation was upon them.





- - -

- - -

- - -





There is something wrong with Soft Sweeps tonight.

Everypony realizes it. Everypony can see it.

But nopony mentions it to her. In fact, nopony wants to mention that to her.

Not only because the rules forbid speaking to her, unless one is spoken to. But also because…

Well, because the young pegasus looks like she is in a trance. And there isn't a single pony here who wants to wake her from that state.

…

The Ponyville grief support group is an assortment of different ponies. They all came from different cities, and they all came from different walks of life.

Some of them were rich, and others were poor. Some of them are young, and others are old.

But all of them, without exception, lost everything. All of them saw their lives burn to the ground when the Catastrophe happened. And all of them have been carrying the pain of that loss ever since.

They were all, almost without exception, nearly drowned by the mind-numbing shock of seeing their lives go up in flames.

And they were all dragged out of the murky pit of their misery by her. Woken up by her words, and given new life by the flame that she placed inside their hearts.

They all went through that, and they are all grateful to her…



… even though the young pegasus herself has no idea that she did any of that.



Still, tonight things are different.

Tonight, young Soft Sweeps is barely herself. And ever since she entered the room, she has not spoken to anypony. She just made her way, glassy-eyed and mumbling to herself, to the chair where she usually sits. She just sat down in the circle and did nothing more, balancing her body back and forth as if she was trapped inside of her own mind.

Thankfully, they were all ready for that. Because to everypony's surprise, Whacky had come galloping into the room just a few minutes prior, and had warned all of them that tonight was the night.

So, as Soft Sweeps takes her seat, and stares at the floor as if she was sleepwalking, they all… play their parts.

Because for some reason, for some maddening reason that nopony can explain, they all know what they must do. And the pain they carry inside their hearts, the flame that burns at their chest every single day, is growing so strong that it is almost painful, tonight.

So, they start their meeting the same way they always do. They begin to tell their own stories, to share the pain that haunts them, like they would any other week.

But tonight, even that feels different. Tonight, it feels like their pains are burning so strongly inside their chests that it will burn them from the inside if they do not let them out in the form of words.



"Would anypony like to share anything tonight?" the old stallion asks, starting off the meeting like he always does.



And so, they all begin to share.

The stallion sitting to Soft Sweep's left begins to talk. He tells everypony about his family, his wife and his son, and how they all choked and died when the fires began. He tells everypony of how heavy they felt on his forelegs, as he hugged their dead and dirty bodies inside the charred husk of his home. And how he still feels their weight, sometimes, when he is alone.

Once he is done, the mare to his left continues. She begins to talk about her own loss, sharing details she had never told anypony else before. About how her brother turned into a monster, and how she fled instead of trying to protect their mother.

And then the next pony speaks, and the next, and the next. Starting from Soft Sweep's left and going clockwise. Malady upon malady. Misery after misery. The orphaned son. The grieving grandmother. The limbs that were lost, either burned or crushed, while they tried to drag out bodies from under the rubble. They all share their own agonies, until the atmosphere is so heavy with it that it almost feels like there is smoke in the air. As if some unseen fire is burning nearby, coming from their chests and leaking out of their mouth in the form of words, and slowly covering the room.

As if something else is nearby, stalking around the circle of chairs on silent paws, making the air heavier and dirtier with its presence.

Until finally, at long last, it is Whacky's own turn. And like she does every other day, the mare who sits at Soft Sweep's right shares a story that isn't her own. She tells them all a story about somepony else, who also lost everything, but who isn't here tonight to share it himself.

Her words are almost painful to the ears, but they all listen to her nonetheless.

After all, it is only right that somepony represents those who were already taken by the flames.

And when she is done speaking, they all turn to the last pony. They all turn, with rapt attention, to the one mare who has not yet shared anything tonight.

They all turn to Soft Sweeps, and they hold their breath lest the filthy smoke in the air causes them to choke.

And finally… finally…

… she begins to speak.

"I have a picture of my family… my old family… the one that burned, when everypony died…"​

Her words are so low that they might as well be a whisper.

But the filthy air, that doesn't smell like blood or tar or ozone, but something worse altogether, is somehow carrying her words with perfect clarity.

"I keep it in a drawer, by the bed… I look at it every night, after I'm done with the day…"​

They all listen to her, as she speaks. They all listen, and not a single sound is heard other than that of her words.

After all, the third rule, the most important rule, exists precisely for moments like this.

"But tonight, when I looked at it, I realized that… that it was a bit damaged. The paper was a bit wrinkled… the picture was… starting to show signs of age…"​

And the third rule is that…

… under no circumstances interrupt Her while She speaks.

"And that made me realize that… that one day, that picture will be gone, you know? One day, the one thing that I have to remember them by… it will be gone. It will turn into dust. It won't be there anymore."​

The young pegasus says that, as she looks down at her hoofs.

She looks down at her hoofs as if she is she is holding the picture at that exact moment. She looks down at her hoofs, as if she is looking at the memory of her dead family even as she whispers her next words.

"So I… I was suddenly struck with the thought that… that I should stop that? No, that wasn't it… I suddenly had this idea that… that I should do something about it. That it isn't fair… it isn't right, to let the picture turn to dust. To let it fade, day after day. It… it isn't right, so I couldn't let it happen."​

She says that, and suddenly… something happens.

It is not anything anypony can see. It is not something that is taking place in real life. However, even though the air is clear, and even though there is nothing to be seen in that room other than a group of ponies sitting around in a circle of chairs…

… for some reason, everypony can feel the smell of smoke. As if something is burning on the young pegasus' hoofs.

"So I… I burned the picture. I burned it. The last memory I had of them. I burned it all, until it turned into ashes… And the ashes burned my mouth in return as I swallowed them down." ​

The smell of smoke seems to be coming from her hoof, as if she is holding a burning picture that is slowly crumbling into a tiny pile of ash.

"And this burning sensation… I can still feel it. It still hurts… It will never stop hurting… This burn in my throat, it is part of me now… And they will never leave me again."​

She says that, and then she stares at her hoof. At her hoof, or at the memory of a picture she once held, or perhaps at the tiny, charred spot that she has there, from having held a flame.

And then she…

…

…she takes a deep breath, her eyes suddenly going wide and focused as if she just woke up from a dream.

"W-what?! When did I-?!"

And just like that, all the strange and dirty smells that had been weighing down the air disappear a moment later.

Soft Sweeps looks around her, almost as if shocked by the fact that she is here. She recognizes everypony, of course, and she immediately knows where she is.

But it is also blatantly clear that she has no idea how she got here, or what just happened.

"I-I… I have to go!" she says, more out of panic than anything else, and immediately jumps up from her chair.

"Hold on Soft, let me walk you home!" and Whacky follows right after her, like she always does.

Leaving everypony else… there, to wonder and discuss what just happened.

To write down the instructions they just received, of what they ought to do next.

On that night, they all took a precious item they had been holding on to. A stuffed toy that belonged to a foal, a cherished scarf knitted for a loved one. They all took those precious items, and they burned them. They burned them, in the privacy of their own homes, right before they went to bed.

They burned them, and then they swallowed down the dirty ashes that remained.

That night, sixteen of them had the Dream. Fifteen woke up to share the news with their fellows, and one of them woke with his lungs full of ash, as he almost did not survive what found him during his dreams.

And from that night onwards, their purpose was a little clearer.

Spoiler: A few days later

"What do you mean you want a job as a maid, Amor?"

"Well, it only makes sense! It would be awesome to work in the same place as you work. Besides, don't you think I would look great in the uniform?"

"Being a maid is… a lot more stuff than just wearing a uniform! And besides, I can't just get you a job like that. I-I just work there! I don't have that kind of power."

"Psht. Of course you do! And come oooon, I can't take seeing you just once a week anymore-"

"W-what do you mean by that?!"

"-can't you do this favor for your faithful Wacky?"

"… fine… I'll… see what I can do?"

"Huzzah!"

Just a group of ponies dealing with their own problems.

 

[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
-[X] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Influence of Edge.

You are Raven Inkwell, and right now you are…

"Oh wow, your face says it all. Was it really that bad…?"

… you are taking a deep breath.

You are taking a deep breath, and you… you really just need a moment to think.

"Raven? Is… is everything alright? Memoir, help me out here."

"Hmm? What did you s-? Oh dear Celestia! Raven, what happened?"

You just need a moment to think. And to breathe. And to make sense of this storm you have going on inside your mind.

Yes, that's all you need. Just a moment. Less than a minute. You just need a minute to yourself, and you will be fine!

Like that. Breathe in, breathe out, and do it again. Without any chills running down your spine. Without any implied threats hanging over your head. And most importantly, without any existential dread that you have no choice but t-



"Raven? Raven!!!"



-your thoughts come to a sudden halt, and your entire world finally comes into focus, as you realize somepony is shaking you by the shoulders.

When…? How did she…?

"Oh, thank Celestia. Raven, can you hear me? Is everything alright?"

Memoir says that as she holds you by the shoulders.

And you… you try to answer her, but…

"Everything is fine, Raven. Just look into my eyes. Deeeeep breaths, girl. Deeeep breaths."

You can't really answer her because, apparently, you are hyperventilating. Or rather, you are still, hyperventilating. And you seem to have been doing that for a while now.

Also, are you pushing your back against the door?

It takes you several more seconds to get your bearings. But eventually, you manage to get a hold of yourself.

"Dear Celestia, I… thanks, everypony," you say to everypony else in the Secretariat.

To which Memoir finally let go of your shoulders.

Although, she doesn't even have to voice the question she has inside her head. You can see from her expression that she, and everypony else, wants to know what just happened. And of course, you will tell them. You need to tell them. After all, you will need everypony's help to perform the task you have just been given.

"Everypony, I need to tell you all something," you say out loud.

You are currently inside the Secretariat of the Lunar Bureau. Everypony else is also here, save for the Deputy. And of course, you have just returned from the Commissioner's office.

Yes, you just returned from her office, and she just gave you a task. That is why you were… well, a little nervous, once you got back here. That is why you have… or rather, that is why you still have your back pressed against the door, as if your body had unconsciously tried to secure the thin barrier that exists between this room and the Commissioner's office.

But now that you are a little more calm you… well, you unglue your back from the door, for starters, and then you address everypony else.

"The Commissioner just asked for something, and I think it will take us a little more than usual to get it done."

You say that, and what little work everypony else was doing finally stops. Typewriters that were being used finally come to a halt, and the few ponies who were only listening to you, but who were still working on something else, finally stop whatever they were doing to give you their full attention.

More than just that, you can sense that the air itself is getting a little heavier. As if everypony's collective nervousness is finally coming to the front.

And you understand why this is happening. Of course you do. You understand why everypony reacted to your words this way. Everypony does.

And that is because, ever since this week started, the Commissioner has been…



… well, let's go with the word focused. Because you don't truly know the correct way to say it better.



It wasn't really anything she did. By Celestia, it wasn't even anything she said. It's just that during this last weekend, there has been a breakthrough in the investigations over the shapeshifters.

You are not sure when the Commissioner learned about it, but you are sure she has a more direct link with the investigators. It probably happened that, during the weekend and right after the family event, she must have received news from a runner.

But still, the fact remains that ever since the week began, the Commissioner has been almost unrecognizable. The kind and gentle mare, who would come to the Secretariat every now and then to ask for something, or to just chat with all of you and the Deputy, is nowhere to be seen. The cautious and patient mare, who would usually ask for everypony's opinion before making a decision, is now gone.

And ever since the news arrived that the investigators caught a whiff of the shapeshifters, she has been focused to the point that she is frightening. Every word out of her mouth an order. Every moment of silence a gathering storm, and every decision final.

"She is still on her meeting with the team leaders," you continue, "but there seems to be a… problem, of sorts."

You say that, and then you explain everypony else what just happened.

The Commissioner is, as you said, currently on a meeting with everypony. The deputy, the chief investigators, the team-leaders of the Constables. All the department heads of the Bureau are there, reporting to her the latest updates of the investigation.

Or rather, they were all trying to explain to her the latest… problem they have met.

Following the trail of where the shapeshifters might have gone after the Catastrophe, the investigation teams have found something promising on the outskirts of Tall Tale, a city on the western shore of Equestria. More specifically, they believe that the shapeshifters were, or perhaps still are, somewhere on or around the Smokey Mountains.

"But the problem is that… well, the mountaineer guild of the city has been awfully protective of their maps and trails. And for all that the mayor of the city isn't causing any problems, he is also refusing to help and…"

Everypony collectively winces, as you tell them the details. And they all understand the implications of what you are saying.

Because, as far as the detectives were able to explain, they city mayor is trying his best to stay out of trouble. With all parties involved. However, given how the Commissioner is currently acting, everypony immediately understands that she will conclude the mayor is getting in her way.

"… so, the Commissioner wants everything we have," you conclude.

Although a few ponies, Memoir included, can't help but frown at what you said.

"Raven, what exactly do you mean by everything?" Memoir asks, and a few other ponies nod in support of her question.

"Everything. Everything," you say, feeling another chill run down your spine as you recall the exact words the Commissioner said to you, just a few minutes ago. "Every name of every official in Tall Tale. Every contact they ever had. Every birth certificate from everypony in their family. Everything."

"Is… is the Commissioner going to Blueblood them?" somepony asks, the tension in his voice very clear. He asks that to the room at large, to nopony in particular.

He asks that question because, in all honesty, that is the question in everypony's mind. Even your own.

And of course, nopony answers him.

Nopony answers him because, deep down, everypony thinks this will be worse than it was with the Bluebloods.

With that, you all get to work.



- - -



It has been half an hour, since you all started poring over the files.

The Commissioner is still in her office, and the meeting with the department heads is still ongoing. However, she has not asked for any of you secretaries yet. So, you all assume you are supposed to be working on your latest task.

And by Celestia are you all working.

The Lunar Bureau has a very generous archive to speak of. But given the investigative focus of the institution, most of the information you have in the underground storages are copies from the police archives of the several cities of Equestria. Convenient duplicates, that were gathered here when the Bureau was still being formed, so that an ongoing investigation could collate information from the entire country without your detectives having to take a several hours trip just to check some obscure detail.

Furthermore, the Lunar Bureau is also located in the Royal District. So, you also have access to the Royal Archive. And that building (and its several underground levels and vaults) literally dwarfs the Bureau's archives both in size and in breadth.

But still, having access to all these sources does not take away from having to comb through it, locate what is relevant, and then summarize it for the Commissioner's attention.

And by Celestia, is that a lot of work.

"Alright, so… we have the mayor, his wife, and his parents. Anything on foals or siblings?" you ask, as you light up your horn and push yet another box of files towards you.

"Nothing on the city reports," Memoir says, as she sifts through the information you currently have. "But all we have here are reports and dossiers. We will only have the more official stuff, like the birth and marriage certificates, once they come back from the Royal Archive. And that could be hours from now."

You nod at the mare, weaving your levitation magic as you parse through another set of reports.

This task, you know, will take a while. More than just a few hours, you might have to spend the next few days on this. Because for all that Equestria has a healthy bureaucracy, there isn't really an easy way to search through all the accumulated information that said bureaucracy creates.

So, right now, you and Memoir are going through all the reports that the detectives have done on or around Tall Tale. The detectives of the Bureau are, you already know, very competent. So, it is not unusual for their reports to contain notes, comments, or disparate findings about the powerful ponies who govern the areas they are investigating.

However, as Memoir said, those reports can only go so far. And you will need to go through other documents, such as family trees, official contracts and whatnot, if you want to get a proper snapshot of who is who in Tall Tale.

"You know, I always thought this kind of thing was easier to do if we had actual ponies going around and asking questions. Do you think we should advise the Commissioner to, I don't know, ask a team of investigators to do this instead?" Memoir asks.

And on one hoof, you agree with her.

But on the other hoof…

"… do you want to go there and tell her that?" you ask.

And the mare quickly goes silent.

Besides, you are sure the Commissioner will do something like that. You are sure that this task, this initial research on her targ-… on these ponies of interest, is just the first step. The first step of a very short road that will end with several hoofs kicking down several doors.

Another shiver runs down your spine, as you remember the intensity in the Commissioner's eyes as she ordered you to begin this search. By the sun, she wasn't even looking at you when she ordered you to do this, but you could still feel her gaze on your back.

"Ah, found something!" Memoir says, triumphantly raising a field report dated a few weeks back, "here, the mayor seems to have an older brother. Still alive, it seems. This report has a mention that this brother would visit Vanhoover a few days later."

You nod to yourself, writing down that new piece of information in the first draft of the report you are all preparing.

Four of you have gone to the Royal Archive, to start the long process of searching for more information. And one of you is currently in the underground archive fetching a few more boxes of documents. But still, you would like to think that you and Memoir are doing enough progress by yourselves.

"Good, good. Very good," you say under your breath. Although you don't even realize that you are still floating several files with your magic, and that you are currently writing with your mouth rather than your horn.

However, your concentration is almost broken by a sudden knock on the door.

"Mail run! Mail run from the Castle!" a stallion's voice, slightly hoarse for some reason, comes through the door. "May I please come in?"

You and Memoir look at each other, before she just shrugs at you. The two of you know who it is, of course. You both recognize that voice. But still, neither of you think the Secretariat is rather presentable right now.

After all, both you and Memoir are sitting on the floor, surrounded by boxes upon boxes of files, like two foals who has decided to spend the entire evening playing with their toys. Except that, instead of castles made out of building blocks, you each have your own pony-tall stacks of files you are combing through.

But still, as you can see from Memoir's shrug, neither of you really care about how you look right now.

"Come on in," you say towards the door.

And the familiar figure of Trusty Cloud, the Princesses' own courier, enters the Secretariat.

As always, he is wearing his flying cap, and the magical saddlebag on his back is firmly locked. But thankfully, you don't see any judgment in his one working eye.

"Scuze me. I usually deliver the mail to the stallion on that desk," he says pointing at Night Spark's desk. But the stallion, you know, is probably navigating the labyrinthic Royal Archive right now. "Is it alright if I give it to one of you, though?"

"Of course, I'll have it," you hear Memoir say, and you once again focus on what you are doing.

And soon enough, Memoir has signed what needs to be signed, received the small pile of letters directed to the Lunar Bureau, and waved the pegasus goodbye as he left to continue his own errands.

But a few seconds later, you a strange noise coming from the mare, and you once again look up towards Memoir.

Only to find her with a… very apologetic expression on her face, as she looks down at one of the letters she just received.

"What's the matter, Memoir?" you ask, wondering what could possibly have made the mare react that way. After all, the letters she was sifting through are all still closed and sealed. The only thing she can read from them, right now, is the address and name of the senders.

So why on Equestria would Memoir be…?

Oh…

You can feel your own heartrate quicken up, as you come to the only obvious conclusion.

Oh no…

"Raven, I… I'm afraid we have a priority one letter…" she says.

And you can only gulp something dry, as she very meekly delivers you the letter in question.



- - -



Despite the several jokes that are whispered by the constables, the Secretariat of the Lunar Bureau is actually a very busy department.

Granted, the results of their actions may appear to be modest. After all, the reports that go to the Commissioner, and the written orders that come from the Commissioner, aren't really that long.

But that is precisely why the Secretariat has so much work to do. Because ultimately, their job is to be the last line of communication between all the inputs the Bureau receive, and the one pony who was chosen by the Princesses to decide how to react to all those inputs. Like the Offices of the Princesses themselves, the Secretariat act as a great funnel (and at times as a filter) to review, compact and present the information that the Bureau receives. So that the Commissioner, who only has twenty-four hours in the day like everypony else, may do her job as efficiently as possible.

So, naturally, the Secretariat receives all the correspondence of the Lunar Bureau.

Anyways. All that matters right now is that, as per the Commissioner's own orders, there are four separate "priorities" that a letter may have.

The lowest priority is, basically, junk mail. Attempts from nobles to entreat the Commissioner, resumes from ponies who would like to be hired by the Bureau, and all other manners of correspondence that is neither expected nor related to the Bureau's activities fall under that priority. This is the lowest level of priority an arriving letter can have, and is the kind of thing you are all allowed to open, and "dispatch at your own judgment". But most importantly, that is the kind of letter that should never waste the Commissioner's time by reaching her desk.

During the first few weeks of the Bureau's existence, Deputy Shining Armor would go through those letters himself. But nowadays, it is basically Night Spark who deals with those.

After that, there are the "priority three" letters. Letters from investigators, such as reports sent through secure couriers, or other mail that is important to the Burau itself, falls under this category. Normally, those letters can be opened in the Secretariat. And after that, they are either dispatched to whatever department should receive them, or they are added to the Commissioner's end-of-week report, for her to go over while she travels back home.

And of course, what matters to you is that, again, the Commissioner never really sees those letters. And unless she directly asks for them, she will only read of their contents through Spark's reports.

"Priority two" letters are letters that carry more weight than just that. Direct letters from the governors of the major cities, or some other correspondence reporting a major issue, fall under this category. Furthermore, there is a running list of specific sources, such as Fair Trial's office, that fall in this category. Letters that the Deputy thinks are important can also be "bumped" up to this level, and these are the letters that the Commissioner will read at the end of the day, once she is done with her agenda.

And finally, "priority one" letters are, according to the Commissioner's own words, "stop whatever I am doing and make me read it" letters.

There are only three senders that fall under this priority: Princess Celestia's office, Princess Cadance's office, and…



…



You gulp down something dry, as you stand in front of the office of the Commissioner.

You don't want to go in there. You very much do not want to go in there again. It was already intimidating enough to just take notes, before she sent you away. But you definitely do not want to go there and be the subject of her attention.

You don't want to.

But you have to.

You cautiously raise a hoof towards the doorknob, and you try to ignore voices you can hear coming from the other side.

"-really a need for that? I-I mean… we could try some other alternative, no? Lady Fair Trial already said that she could help us, even. It would take a few days, but she could push the local judiciary to-"

"Princess Celestia has ordered that the changelings be persecuted, Deputy. And that is exactly what is going to happen."​

The words, her words, seem to cut through the air.

And you can feel, rather than hear, how everypony else in the room just had their breaths stuck inside their lungs.

You know what is going on inside that room. You know very well who is currently gathered in that meeting.

And yet, even though you realize there are more than ten strong, competent, and even dangerous mares and stallions sitting in front of the Commissioner, you also know they are all currently cowered… perhaps even suppressed as she speaks those words.

You have no idea how the Deputy is managing to talk back to her.

Although, from his tone of voice, it doesn't really sound like he is "talking back" rather than he is begging for the Commissioner to be lenient.

"But this… think of the long term, ma'am. If we do this to all these ponies, there will be nopony else to run the city. Everypony else will realize that-"

"They will realize what should already be obvious, and what Princess Celestia has already made very clear. To hinder the Bureau is to offend Princess Luna, and there shall be none of that under Equestria's sun."

"… but…"

"Discipline requires victims, Deputy. And why are you standing there doing nothing, Raven Inkwell?"​

Your hoof lunges for the doorknob, and you open the door right after, almost as if somepony had just pushed you.

And you don't even stop to think about how she could possibly know you were standing there. Nopony stops to question that. Because even a single glance at the Commissioner would make it crystal clear that she knows everything. So, of course she already knew you were idling behind the door to her office.

But still, as soon as you enter the room you are… frozen.

Everything is exactly as it was before you left. Two rows of chairs, brought from another room and arranged in perfect lines, are currently being occupied by the same number of ponies. They are all sitting ramrod straight, some of them with notebooks being clutched on hoofs, as they direct their full attention to the Commissioner.

And they are all tense. There is no way to question that, and no need to hide it. They are all tense, keeping their mouths tightly shut, and only speaking when they have something relevant to add. Or when they are ordered to do so.

They are all like that because, sitting opposite to them behind the great office desk is…

"You have not yet finished your current task. Report the reason for this interruption."​

Commissioner Velvet Covers is sitting on her large and cushioned chair, her hoofs joined together in front of her and hiding the scowl you all know she is wearing.

But still, even though you can't really see her mouth, you can perfectly see everything else. From the no-nonsense expression she has on her face, to the chilly, almost cutting presence that is coming from her eyes.

It is almost hard to believe that you are standing before a mere unicorn, and not a Princess. No, more than just that, you have already met Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance, and you did not feel this intimidated even when you were in their presence.

The only thing you can think about is how… where in Equestria did they find a mare like this? What terrible design does Princess Celestia have for the Lunar Bureau, that would need a mare like this at its head?

The only thing you can think about is that.

And the only thing you can do is answer the question she just asked you.

No other options come to your mind. No other alternative could even come to you, other than the unthinkable alternative of disobedience.

There is only the Commissioner's word, and her word is final.

"W-we have received a letter, Commissioner," you say, the words pushing against each other as they fight to rush out of your mouth. "Priority one."

You say that, and then you wait. You wait because there is no alternative but to wait. You wait because she has not yet ordered you not to wait for what comes next.

And you watch as several ponies around you narrow their eyes, as they wonder what your words could possibly mean. At the same time that the Deputy, who understands the workings of the Secretariat, takes in a deep and tense breath.

However, less than a second passes before the Commissioner herself acts.

Her horn lights up, glowing with a sharp thrum of magic, and moments later the letter you are carrying begins to glow with the same light. And it begins to float towards her.

The letter is already open, cut with an impossibly thin incision on its side, before it reaches her hoof.

And the entire room awaits in silence as her eyes scan through its contents.

Once she is done reading…



…



… something begins to happen…



…



… and slowly…



…



… impossibly slowly…



… the Commissioner's expression begins to shift.

It is a change that happens inch by inch, a transformation that is so gradual it might as well not be happening at all.

But as she reads through the letter, line after line, something impossible begins to happen with the Commissioner's expression.

It begins to soften.

The forelegs that were over her desk fall down to the side. The harsh eyes become less judgmental, perhaps even gentler. And as impossible as it might sound, her judging scowl turns neutral. No, it turns into a smile.

You feel like you are looking at a great mountainside, who is currently going through an avalanche. Like you are looking at the snowy top of Mount Canterlot itself, as it gradually thaws out to reveal the lush green of grass.

And the heavy atmosphere of the office, so thick that the ponies in here could barely breath, starts to fade away. Disappearing as if it has almost never been there, like a bad dream or the cold of a foggy morning.

Until finally, at long last, Commissioner Velvet Covers is just reading from the letter with a smile on her face. Her eyes making it clear that she is re-reading it, perhaps even for the third time now.

"Ah, this is wonderful. Thank you very much for bringing this in, Miss Inkwell," she says, nodding to herself.

And you realize that your body was so tense, that simply hearing her say the word "Miss" before your name is so relaxing that it is almost painful. The muscles of your hindlegs protesting, as your body finally allows them to be less stiff.

"Alright everypony, it seems I will have to leave Canterlot earlier than expected," the Commissioner continues, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Her calm mood contrasting so much with everypony else's tension that it is almost glaring.

But still, she gets up from her chair nonetheless, and begins to make her way out towards the door.

"Shining Armor, I'll leave this matter to you," she says. And even though everypony's eyes just went wide in surprise, as they witness the impossible scene of the Commissioner changing her mind, the mare herself seems entirely undisturbed. "What was your suggestion again?"

"GiveFairTrialafewdayssoshecantrytodefusethissituation!" the Deputy answers in a rush, without even breathing. Sharing everypony's opinion that they need to take this opportunity before it disappears.

"Yes, yes, that. Very well. Do whatever you think is best. And give me a report next week," she says, as she passes by your side and leaves through the open door. "Oh, and Inkwell? Could you have a carriage ready for me? Have it wait on the Royal Castle. One of my daughters just got her cutie mark! So I am going back home right now."

She says that, and then she is gone. Walking down the corridor, with a happy skip on her hoofs, until she disappears down the stairs.

Leaving you all… there. In her office. Wide-eyed at the fact that… that she just… That through the several last days she was one way, and now she is back to…

…

Everypony, yourself included, just stay like that for a few more seconds.

Until finally, somepony lets out a long breath. You can't tell if it is one of disbelief, or if it is a sigh of relief. But still, somepony practically deflates on his chair. And he is quickly followed by another, and another. To the point that the Deputy himself tries to get up from his chair, only for him to give up as he realizes his legs are still wobbling under him.



"What… what in Celestia's name just happened…?"

"Her family just got a new cutie mark, that's what happened... I think?"

"But… but that's it? I-Is… is she gone? Or will she be the same way when she comes back?"

"I mean, you saw how she was with her family during the event, no? How she was around the two fillies, and the older one? Must be the one weak spo-… no, she doesn't have those. Must be her one button, that I hope never gets pressed."

"But it can't be just that. She was normal last week, but now… She must really have it out for the changelings. I mean, it has to be that, right?"

"Tartarus if I know, but thank Celestia for this. I could feel my mane turning gray during this last meeting! Deputy, please, in Celestia's own good name give my team a mission so we can leave. I do NOT want to be here for the next report."

"M-mine as well! Send me away as well!"



The conversation, which started in hushed whispers, quickly gains intensity as it dawns on everypony that the Commissioner is really gone for the rest of the week. And more than a few ponies, especially a pair of administrators who were sitting on the back row of seats, just cup their heads with their hoofs in shocked silence.

But eventually, and inevitably, everypony goes back to work.

"Oh, and Raven?" the Deputy says, before you leave through the door. "You can stop the research that the Commissioner asked for. We'll sort all of this out before she comes back," he says.

And you can only thank him as you go back to the Secretariat.





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Velvet Covers, and you have just arrived at home.

Of course, you do realize this is a weekday. In fact, right now is the afternoon that is smack down in the middle of the week. And of course, you also realize that (against your own habits) you flew here in a chariot.

Your week so far was… normal? Yes, the last three days you spent working on the Bureau were utterly normal, and you have nothing out of the ordinary to tell about it whatsoever.

More importantly! You are here right now. You are here, and you made an exception to come here by carriage because today is an exception. In fact, today is an exception upon exceptions. More than just that, this is the kind of day that only happens once in a pony's life.

Because today, you have just learned one of your daughters got a cutie mark!

Granted, it technically happened yesterday. After all, unless a pegasus runner directly brings something to you, the mail still takes an entire day to come from your house to your workplace. Because even though your estate is now in the daily route of the Royal Courier, that route is only made once a day for obvious reasons.

And of course, the fact that it was Selene who "gained" her cutie mark yesterday has its own implications. You know that she, well, can take certain liberties with her filly body. And you realize that, in truth, this was a decision she made rather than the happy realization of a filly.

Of course you know all of that. You are an intelligent mare.

But.

You.

Don't.

Care!



Because your filly just got her cutie mark!



"Good afternoon, ma'am," Ponpon says, greeting you the moment the door of your carriage opens.

She has a smile on her face. And Soft Sweeps, who is standing right next to her, is also beaming.

Because how could they not? A filly just got a cutie mark! One of their charges, as maids of a noble household, just got her cutie mark! So, it is only natural that they are happy about this. More than just that, you are sure that every last servant in the estate has already heard the news, and that this has been the main topic of conversation since yesterday.

After all, cutie marks are a big deal. And a foal of a noble household getting a cutie mark is no different!

"Great afternoon, Ponpon!" you say, practically hopping down the stairs of the carriage and making your way to the two mares. "So, where is she? And where is everypony else?"

The three of you are all smiles as you make your way through the front door, and into the entrance hall. You vaguely wave for the flying carriage to leave, not really caring enough to look back towards them, as you listen to Ponpon.

"We sent a letter to your husband at the same time we sent yours. So given how far he is up north, he should arrive in two days. Or maybe tomorrow, if he decides to fly straight here as soon as he gets it."

You nod at her as the three of you make your way up the stairs. It will probably be the latter, you think.

"And young Silky is in Selene's room," she finishes, getting a vigorous nod out of Soft as well. "Oh, and something else you should know. Their little friends also came by after school, so don't be surprised when you see a small army of fillies once you get there."

"The more the merrier," you say, feeling your heart soar as you trot up the stairs. Quickly reaching the second floor where your family lives, and already feeling the noisome crowd Ponpon just told you about. "In fact, Ponpon, you know what happens next right? You can already start working on it, if you don't mind."

You say that, and the maid immediately understands.

Because of course, when a foal gets her cutie mark there is one thing that absolutely must happen. It will happen as soon as your husband arrives, but Ponpon can absolutely start organizing it immediately!

"Of course, ma'am. I'll oversee the preparations myself!" the head maid says, a small fire appearing in her eyes. Turning around and trotting downstairs right after.

Leaving you alone with your oldest daughter.

"Oh, Softy, but this is just so exciting!" you can't help but say, as the two of you make your way through the corridor. Making a beeline towards Selene's room, where you can already hear a chorus of fillies saying something, laughing as they joke about this or that. "I spent the entire trip here wishing you had included a description on the letter, but now I'm glad you didn't! There's something special about seeing it for the first time!"

Soft Sweeps, still walking next to you, lets out an adorable laughter as she listens to you.

And as the two of you arrive in front of the door to Selene's room, you can barely hear her over the sound of the fillies yelling, coming from inside the room.

"Absolutely! And you have to hear how everypony else reacted, too. You know, when the fillies arrived here after school, they practically-"



Soft Sweeps starts to talk, as you light up your horn to open the door.

But something inside of you practically freezes as you-

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

-as you...

You...

You shake your head.

What… what were you doing again?

Did… did anything just happen?

Ehh, probably not.

So, you just make your way to Selene and-

"Here! Is! My! Beautiful! Daughter!!!"

-you say that, the joyous words practically jumping out of your mouth, as you light up your horn and float the filly towards you.

"M-mom?!" is all she says, wide-eyed in surprise by your sudden appearance.

"And who else would it be, silly? Do you think I'd not come once I heard the news?" you say, giving her a long hug as soon as she is on your forelegs.

And more importantly, immediately shifting her to the side as soon as you are done kissing her face.

"And would you look at that! Selene, dear, this is wonderful!"

Because finally, finally, you are looking at her cutie mark. You are looking at your filly's cutie mark!

As is the case with everypony else who is old enough, a small but detailed drawing is now on your daughter's flank. It is the symbol of a telescope, looking up at a pair of white stars, with a large moon to the side. The kind of cutie mark that would immediately identify her as an astronomer, or perhaps a scientist, who no doubt has a great deal of love for the night sky.

And just like your little Selene, it is perfect!

"Oh Selene, I am so happy for you!" you say, hugging her even more tightly.

Some of her friends, who are right in front of you (you did steal her away from the middle of that little crowd, after all) laugh a little as you fawn over her. But most of them just wait with a smile.

But you don't care. Nopony cares! Because everypony knows this is all good fun. Everypony, even the young fillies in front of you, realize that this is a happy occasion. One that should happen to everypony, and that will certainly happen to the four fillies in front of you who still have nothing on their flanks.

Right now, the only thing to do is celebrate!

Are you hugging your daughter? Absolutely!

Are you going to let her go anytime soon? Who knows!

Did you rub your cheek against her flank a few times? Even if you did, nopony is here to stop you!

At some point, your celebratory parade led you and the fillies down to the dining hall. And right now, you are all currently in the process of emptying the large pantry of everything that is remotely sweet. As well as planning a sleepover for all your daughters' friends.

And at some point, when she realizes everypony else is too busy to pay attention, Selene shily makes her way to your side.

"Mom… I… Is any of this really necessary? I mean, um… You don't need to make a big deal about this, you know…?" she asks, her tone low, and more than just a little embarrassed.

To which you answer by picking her up with your hoofs, and gently bringing her face closer to you. Until she is looking right into your eyes.

"Selene, you know we all love you, right?" you ask, with a tone that is as sincere as it is soft. And thankfully, Selene answers you with a nod. "That is great! Now… between the two of us, I understand why you did this," you continue.

After all, a cutie mark about loving the night sky is the perfect way for a filly to explain why she must stay up late. That, and it can justify why she knows so much astronomy, and why she might need certain items, and… well, there are several points you could make. But the point is that, in short, it is just a great way for her to keep her appearances as a filly.

You know that. And you can tell, from how she has been so embarrassed all day, that she certainly was not expecting a tenth of the attention this has received.

Ah, poor Selene… she is still so innocent in some aspects.

So, it is your duty as her mother to teach her about this.

You have a smile on your face, as you say your next few words.

"I understand why you did this. But if you think even for a moment I won't make the biggest deal ever about this, you are sorely mistaken."

You say that. And then, Selene's expression turns from embarrassment to muted horror, as you explain to her the meaning of the word "Cute-ceñeara".

Yes. Your young, innocent daughter still has much to learn.

But luckily for you, she will still be with you for a long, long time.





Selene has gained her cutie mark! A proper celebration will follow. And Velvet Covers will not think about anything else until that is done.

What? What do you mean? Nothing else happened. Nothing at all! You had a boring week at work, and then you came back to your daughters.

If you REALLY think you missed something, maybe go back HERE and manually scroll down. And make sure you turn "Reader Mode" off while doing it.

"But if something is not threadmarked, did it really happen? Probably not. I think not... I hope not."

And on a completely unrelated, and certainly unimportant note, it seems one of Selene's classmates already gave her a present. A small lens-cleaning kit, that works for cameras and telescopes alike. How adorable of him!

 

[des-pair-2]

You are Velvet Covers, and you are currently in Princess Celestia's solar.

Which isn't really unusual, because you are here to deliver your quarterly report. You didn't need to deliver it verbally, paper would have sufficed, but you feel she needs to talk to more ponies.

You idly wonder how long ago she spoke to another pony.

The report begins by narrating progress on the goals of the Bureau. The number of changelings found, caught, and killed. Their pony collaborators included.

There will be no report on the Bureau's official goal again. No clues will ever be found and you trust that she will reveal herself when she is ready.

You then slowly shift to talking about the Bureau itself. All the minutiae you think she needs to know.

And you feel her attention drift. You don't know if it's because she trusts you to deal with it, or if she simply doesn't care. Perhaps both. Perhaps neither.

Your voice gets slower as you reach the end of the report. But you can't end it yet, because you have one more thing to say.

"The constables have apprehended a pony who claims to have been your student, Sunset Shimmer."

You say that, and you feel her attention return. Return, and intensify. You avert your gaze to the floor; staring at the Sun has never been good for your eyes. You don't know how long you have stood there, and you don't know what expression she is making, but eventually she responds.

"Deal with her at your own discretion."

Nodding in acknowledgment, you finish your report and leave. You walk with measured steps, not letting any nervousness show, until you are safe in your office.

With a sigh, you look at the papers stacked on your desk and begin working. Now what to do with her...

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You are Velvet Pride, and right now you are suffering.

You are in pain.

More than just pain, this is torture.

Because why? Why?

Why must the world be so cruel to you?

Why must she be so close, and yet so far away?!

"Are you alright, Lord?" the familiar voice of Cantrip, your faithful maid, comes to you.

But you don't really have it in you to answer her. Not with words, at least. Instead, you just let out another long, pained sigh.

"You have been sighing an awful lot, Lord," she says, with an apologetic tone. Or at least you think her tone is apologetic.

Because what else could it be? How could anypony look at your situation and not feel sorry for you? How could anypony with a sliver of empathy possibly not be commiserating with your anguish?

Never mind you just heard her stifle a laugh just now. She was probably coughing or something.

"Would you like something from the kitchen, Lord? That ought to cheer you up."

Alas, you can tell that Cantrip is trying to be kind to you. But she simply does not understand what you are going through.

"There is nothing in the kitchen that could cheer me up, Cantrip," you say, weakly laying your chin on your hoof. "Nothing in the kitchen, or in the cellar, or even in the Princesses' own castle. No, the only thing that could possibly cheer me up would be…"

You trail off, but the implication of your words is obvious.

The two of you are currently on your room's balcony, looking down at the estate's garden.

But the garden is not in its usual calm and serenity. In fact, you are looking down at a sight that is quite the opposite of what you would usually see, from this vantage point.

There is a small party happening right before your eyes. A few stories below you, the garden is currently filled with a reasonably large crowd of commoners, most of them foals. And the yells, cheers and laugher of the assorted peasantry is so loud you can barely hear the accompanying music.

That party, you know, is due to your sister's… daughter, having gained her cutie mark. The earth pony one. The one she adopted. And right now, it feels like every last foal in Ponyville has been summoned to your estate.

But the commonfolk foals, and the noise they are making, isn't really the source of your predicament.

Instead, the reason why you are in so much pain… the true meaning behind the words you exchanged with Cantrip, just now… the very reason why you are wasting away at your balcony, as you look at the quaint party down below, is none other than…

"Look at her… just look at her…"

You say that, as you look at the rare and radiant mare, who is currently idling at one of the corners of the garden.

Because even though she is almost out of view, she still manages to be at the center of your attention. And even though you are so far away, you can still see every last detail of her braided mane, as it flows around her neck. You can still see the mysterious hints of her coat, as the wind blows against her cloak every now and then, revealing the side of a foreleg here, or a glance of her tail there.

You can't help but stare at her fierce, captivating beauty, as she stands apart from everypony else. But still, for some reason, remains at that gathering.

But what can you possibly do, other than just gaze at her from a distance? After all, you still remember what your sister told you, just last month. She said it herself, that beautiful Axe is a complicated mare, and that she is more than just a pretty face for you to woo over. But still, what… what should you do, then? What course of action would pose the least amount of risk? And in the other hoof, how could it be that striving for a mare as fair as her would not be risky to begin with?

You do not know. You do not know, and you are paralyzed in your indecision.

However, the one consolation you have is that nopony else seems to have their sights on her… yet.

And since your older sister also told you she is a lonely mare, maybe you could try to…

Wait… what is going on…?

"Oh, look, isn't that Lady Covers' pegasus daughter? Isn't that Miss Silky?" Cantrip says.

And you can only watch, in growing astonishment, as…

As the little pegasus, your biological niece, just…

Did she just crawl out from under Axe's hood?

You rub your eyes, just to make sure you are not seeing things. But sure enough, for all that fair Axe is still sulking away at the edge of the garden, it seems your niece's head is somehow poking out of her hood as well. As if the little filly is riding on her back, and just poked her head out of Axe's hood to tell her something.

More than just that, you watch in disbelief as the filly produces a pair of cupcakes, that she is holding in her hoof. And then… and then she…!

"She… she is eating out of her hoof… She is literally eating out of my niece's hoof," you say, in utter disbelief.

"That is actually quite cute," Cantrip says, absent-mindedly, "I wonder how she managed that. Didn't you say Lady Axe was, well, more on the unapproachable side?"

"That shouldn't be possible!"

How… HOW?! Did your older sister lie to you? Is this a jest of some sort? No, it cannot be. You are sure of it. The first day you met fair Axe, she slapped your hoof away even as you introduced yourself. And every last servant you spoke to, unreliable as they may be, confirmed that Lady Axe is a very demanding mare.

So why is she eating sweets out from your niece's hoof… while she SITS ON HER BACK, as if that was the most natural thing in the world?!

Your confusion is so great that you can barely spare any attention to the beautiful sight of Axe munching down on the pink-topped cupcake. Yet another sight you would have treasured, lost forever, due to your own inability to accept what you are seeing.

"Dear Celestia, how… what should I do? How can I ever…?" you mumble to yourself, bringing a hoof to your forehead as you realize just out of your depth you are.

Should you try to befriend your niece? She is your family, after all. And for all that she is a pegasus, she can still serve a purpose. Maybe you should try to win her over? Have her introduce you to Axe?

Or maybe this is a sign that you are behind in your own game? Because if Axe had a reputation of intractable just a month ago, maybe the mare is starting to warm up to the residents of the estate? And if that is the case, she will surely start attracting suitors sooner rather than later. So, even though you are the only noble in the region, that doesn't mean you will be completely out of competition.

But perhaps… or maybe… however…!

Your thoughts begin to spiral out of control, and you remain in an utter loss. Because what… what should you do?!

Still, luckily for you, you are not without allies.

So, you turn to the other pony who has been with you the whole time.

"Please," you say, "I… I need some advice. And I know you are wise in these sorts of things. So, unworthy as I may be, may I please beg you for guidance right now? What should I do? How could I possibly win over fair Axe's favor?" you ask, nay you beg for her guidance.

You say all of that to elegant Mareinette, who is currently lounging next to you, and who had been patiently listening to your plight this whole time.

Mareinette, who is also being attended by your servants, is currently lying on the best sofa you have at your disposal. The one you had brought to this balcony at her own request, so she could generously grace you with her presence. Furthermore, at the mare's request, you have also provided her with a pair of opera glasses, an expensive set of hoof-held binoculars that are meant to be used by nobles from the box-seat of a theater.

She had been using them to look rather intently at the foals as they play in the party down below. But of course, nopony found anything strange in that because Mareinette can do no wrong.

And much, much more importantly, the mare turns her bony visage towards you as you beg for her favor. And after what seems to be like an eternity…



"[GRAIL]!"



She tells you… she gives you the advice to… nay, she gives you the instruction, the revelation to…!

"Yes… yes, you are right! You are absolutely right," you say, feeling your previous panic fade away as you stand up from your seat with renewed purpose. "Everything you said make sense, and I shall act upon your words immediately!"

You say that, and you immediately make your way downstairs, with Cantrip in tow.

Because how could you have been so foolish? How did you not think about that?!

Yes, you owe your deepest gratitude to Mareinette. Because you definitely must go and…!





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Jade Whistle, and you really think you shouldn't be here.

"I really think I shouldn't be here," you say out loud.

"Nonsense, Jade. You are as welcome as anypony else," your friend says. "In fact, Selene herself said she hoped you would come!"

Your ears perk up a fraction as you hear those words.

Did she really mean that? You don't think she is lying to you. But still, she is one of the few ponies who still has the ability to do that, so you can't really be sure.

"She said that?" you ask. And for all that your voice sounds perfectly neutral as you say that, you still feel as if the disbelief in your tone is painfully obvious.

"Well, why don't you go ask her yourself?" she answers, giving you a mischievous smile.

And you feel a wave of nervousness rush through your body at those words.

You are currently in your friend's house, in her garden that is so large you could fit more than two of your old houses in it. And you are here because Selene drew herself a cutie mark, to keep up appearances.

But of course, that did not stop your friend from celebrating it as merrily as if the cutie mark had been a genuine one. More than just that, you actually appreciate her doing that.

However, for all that the two of you are having this conversation, and for all that you two are physically in the garden, you are still a respectful distance from the haggle of playing foals.

You still feel a little… uncomfortable, at the thought of getting any closer. You feel as if approaching the leg-high crowd, as they play so cheerfully, would somehow spoil the mood and make everything worse.

That discomfort didn't stop you from coming, of course. Or from bringing a gift. But still…

"Come on, Jade, you can do it," she says, giving you an encouraging push, "as long as you promise not to cheat, if they blindfold you to play one of the games they have going on."

Your lungs seize up slightly at that. And she knows you just laughed a little bit, even though you didn't do anything more than exhale a little more strongly than usual.

"Well…" you say, as you try to convince yourself of her own words.

Because yes, you would like to do that. Or, if nothing else, you would like to pursue the truth of whether Selene really did ask for you to be here. After all, you always thought she felt uncomfortable around you, given how many times you "examined" her while she was still just a filly.

However, for all that your heart is pushing you towards that, you still feel like every other part of your body is pushing you back. From your legs, that feel like they just created roots on the ground, to the muscles on your neck, which seem to insist on making you face some other way whenever you look at the foals.

"Still, no pressure. There's still plenty of time left in the day, and plenty of food to work through while we are at it," she says, tapping you on the shoulder.

And you sag a little bit at that. Because sure, she doesn't want to push you. But on the other hoof… maybe you would like to be pushed?

You don't know…

"I guess…" you say, not sure of how you feel now. "Oh, by the way, the thing you asked me to do? I found a place. I mean, I don't think there will be anything interesting there other than what we are looking for, but still… it's nearby, or at least inside Equestria, and I don't think it would be too hard to get there."

You say that, and you watch as her expression shifts slightly. She knows what you are talking about, of course. And she even gave you the resources so you could do her this small favor.

However, any seriousness she has in her face dissipates a few moments later. For obvious reasons, you realize. This is not the time or place to discuss this.

Still, even though you know she saw right through your sad attempt at changing the subject, you still appreciate that she doesn't call you out on it.

You really are thankful to her for that.

"That sounds wonderful, Jade. And thank you so much for doing that," she says, and you feel a small sense of pride running through you as she thanks you. "By the way, do you think that…"

She starts to say something, but her words trail off as the two of you notice an approaching pony.

And like every other time you saw him, you want to feel scared. You want to feel afraid, but for some reason you can't bring yourself to do it. As if you are looking at a scabbard that, for some reason, completely deflects you from the idea that there is a blade sheathed in it.

You also want to say that you feel a headache, at that paradox. But you can't even do that. This sensation reminds you a little bit of when you tried to look at your former Master. But while the Master was large and confusing, and his obfuscations were as obvious as they were effective, you can't really see anything when you look at him.

This is not a like a storm of moths that is blowing you away. Instead, it is a mask. A mask that your mind understands it is best to leave untouched, given what lies beneath it.

So, the two of you can only watch in silence, as the old stallion makes his way towards you.

"Excuse me. Employer. Miss Whistle. Pardon my interruption," he says with a polite smile, briefly tipping his cap as he does so. And then, he turns to your friend. "But I would like to report that we have collected the pony you wanted to speak to. He is waiting for you, right now, at the appointed place."

To which your friend answers with a nod.

"Of course, very good. Thank you so much for doing this, and I will be there in a moment," she says.

You swear that she whisper a few more words under her breath, as if she is thinking to herself. You swear that you just heard her say something like make sure and another word that ended with squeak.

But well, if she doesn't want to tell you what this is about, then you know you shouldn't bother her by asking.

"I'll come back as soon as I'm done with that, Jade. But do enjoy the party while you are here," she says, giving you one last brilliant smile before she starts walking away towards one of the annex buildings. "Oh, and Biedde, could you please call Mareinette? I would like her to be on standby. I might have something for her to do, if my little chat goes in a certain direction."

She says that as she walks away, and you make sure to wave her a small goodbye.

She probably didn't notice you waving her hoof. Which is fine. You like it when she notices you, but there's a part of your head that still think you don't really deserve it.

Although you do feel another wave of happiness, as she looks in your direction and waves back with a smile.

But after that, she is gone.

Leaving you there.

Alone.

With a small crowd of playing foals right there.

…

You take a deep breath.

"Maybe…" you say to yourself.

And then you decide what you should do next.





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Velvet Covers.

And you can say that, without a doubt, today was a resounding success.

Well, technically speaking, the day isn't really over yet. In fact, given how this is the last day of the week, you know that this is just the beginning of a very memorable weekend! If not for you, then certainly for your daughters.

Still, the cute-ceñeara itself is officially over. And for all that at least a third of your daughter's friends and classmates will be staying for the night, there is a respectable number of ponies who are currently in the process of leaving the estate grounds. Some of them are doing a last-minute visit to the food tables, while others have offered to help clean up in the helpful Ponyville fashion.

Granted, today didn't go entirely without its twists and turns. After all, there was the mishap in the dining hall earlier today, the fact that you had to keep Mareinette on a very short leash, and of course there was that strange report from Biedde that he "intercepted" some crazy pink pony who was trying to infiltrate the party.

But still, all is well that ends well. And you are confident that you are now sufficiently experienced for when Silky gets her own cutie mark.

However, as you stand in the garden and watch your servants begin to wrap things up, you are surprised by the fact that you sense a certain pony making her way towards you.

Still, you can sense her hesitation. So, you let her get close enough that you are sure she actually wants to speak with you before you turn around.

"My, my, my, the star of the show herself. Is there anything you want, dear?" you ask, as you turn around and face your daughter.

And as expected, you see Selene standing right in front of you.

She looks happy, of course. Or at least she has a small smile on her face.

However, for all that she looks happy, she still looks more embarrassed than anything else. Although… no, she doesn't just look embarrassed. She also looks slightly confused.

Happy, yes. Happy about the party, happy about the celebration, and happy that everypony seemed to be happy. Which only makes sense. After all, the joy that a group of ponies can create when they come together is almost infectious. And Selene was, quite literally, the center of today's event.

But still, she looks conflicted.

And to be honest… you know exactly what she is conflicted about.



In fact, you would be lying if you said that you did not prepare for this.



"Can I help you with anything, love? Do your friends need anything upstairs?" you ask.

But of course, she just answers you with a small and shy shake of her head.

She is not here because of something like that. And even if somepony needed something, Soft or one of your servants would have already taken care of it.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you…?" she says, or maybe she asks. Judging by her tone, you can tell that even she isn't sure about it.

So, of course, you just wait for her to continue.

The two of you are standing in the garden, just outside the front door of the mansion. There are ponies here and there, doing this and that. Servants cleaning up the after-party detritus on the floor, guests who are still making their way outside. You can even spot Baldomare, far away and by the entrance gate, talking to Jade, the quiet mare holding what looks like donkey's tail from a blindfold game you saw her participating in earlier today.

However, and more importantly, you know nopony is really eavesdropping on you two. This is, you know, the perfect example of having privacy in plain view.

You know this, and Selene knows this.

So, you just give her as much time as she needs, as she gathers her courage to say what she really wants to say.

"I… I wanted to thank you, for today. I really appreciate it, and… well, it was really fun," she says, with an embarrassed smile that looks perfect on the face of a filly.

However, that flicker of uncertainty once again wins over, and her smile turns into hesitation.

"But you… you really didn't have to do it? I-I mean… if I knew everypony would make such a fuss about it, I don't think I would have…" she trails off, sitting on the ground as she nervously scratches one of her forelegs. "I didn't even put that much effort, into my cutie mark. If I had known, I'd at least made something less lame or…"

That is more than enough, you think. And you decide to step in as soon as you hear her voice trailing off once again.

"What? You really think we didn't need to do this?" you say, with a gentle smile on your face. "Selene, love, haven't you been paying attention?"

You say those last few words with the slightest and fakest tone of disapproval. Just enough to catch her by surprise. But still, you do it in a way that she knows you are not really being serious. Or at least that you are not really chastising her.

"Sure, when you think of it a certain way, we didn't really have to do that. But that's the thing, Selene. We did it because we wanted to. We did it because we care about you."

"But. But I…" she jumps back in as soon as you finish speaking, and you can tell from the frustration in her tone that she doesn't even know why she feels this way. "But everypony put in so much effort! It was a whole party and all, and… and it wasn't even over something real. It wasn't because of anything important-!"

"And that," you interrupt her, "is where you are wrong."

You say that, and then you stop for a second. But only for a second. Still, you give her the opportunity to jump back in. To say that you are wrong, or to try and express her growing confusion a little better.

However, once you realize she still can't put her frustration into words, you continue yourself.

"Selene, dear, I want you to listen very carefully," you say. "You might think your cutie mark is… lame, as you said. Although I think it is very well made. And you might think today was, well, if not a waste of time then at least a waste of effort. But rather than think any of that, I want you to understand that today we were celebrating you."

"I… but I know that? I mean, I know that. It was in the name, even. I know this all happened because of my cutie mark."

She says that, and you can hear a small groan mixed into her words. As if she is starting to think that you didn't understand her at all.

Little does she know that it is the opposite.

"You didn't hear me well enough, Selene. I didn't say we were celebrating your cutie mark. I said we were celebrating you."

Selene purses her lips at that, but you begin to answer her next question even before she has a chance to ask it.

"The thing is, Selene, that today wasn't really a party about… well, about a lie, or the clever deception you decided to go with. The thing you need to understand, dear, is that you did not just bring all your friends and family to celebrate one big falsehood. And, please trust me when I say this, you are not a bad pony, who just put on a great show and had everypony dancing along to the tune of something you made up. You didn't do anything wrong, and the party we had today wasn't anything bad either."

"But… that can't be right… Mom, they… everypony congratulated me because of…" she tries to say with a meek tone, looking at her cutie mark as she does. "I just feel bad about this. I… I don't mind lying to protect somepony, but I feel like… like today was just a big reward for something that I don't deserve. Something that I didn't work for, or that wasn't really mine to begin with."

She says that, and then she looks down with a dejected expression. An expression that definitely does not look like on the face of such a young filly.

However, you know that you are not just speaking to a filly.

You are also speaking to a grown mare. To an alicorn. To a Princess.

And this is exactly why you have been expecting to have this conversation with her.

Because you see, during the months that you were taking care of Selene, and as you realized she was slowly waking up, you slowly came to realize something.

You realized that you knew Selene very well.

But also that you did not know Princess Luna at all.

So, you did the only thing you could do to try and remedy that. You tried to research it. You looked for records, and accounts, and even old stories about her. Anything to give you a little more insight of the pony that your daughter had been, or perhaps the mare that your daughter would one day become.

However, not only did you find very little material on the subject. Everything you found also pointed in a rather… troublesome direction.

Specifically, the few accounts that you found about Princess Luna all told the same story.

They all told the tale that Princess Luna, unappreciated by her subject and ignored by her sister, rose in rebellion against the ponies who had shunned her night.

…

However, once you realized that was the only surviving account, you came to a… rather sadder conclusion.

Because you know that story, that Princess Luna grew to hate her sister and her subjects, is a lie. You know that was not the reason of why she did what she did.

But here is the thing about it… who was the only pony who could have created those accounts? Who could have possibly reached that conclusion, that Luna grew spiteful due to neglect… if not Princess Celestia herself?

So, for all that your research did not reveal anything about Princess Luna, you did learn that Princess Celestia, after banishing Luna so long ago, came to the conclusion that she had neglected her sister. Princess Celestia, the pony who was closest to Princess Luna in that distant time, thought that she had mistreated her sister so much that Luna reached the point of seeking vengeance.

And for all that you do not know how true that might have been… you also know that every tale and every story, no matter how unlikely it is, carries a sliver of truth.

Which in turn means that…

"Selene, why are you saying that?" you say, putting a hoof under her chin and raising her face. Meeting her hesitant gaze when she finally looks towards you. "Why are you even thinking about that? That's not true. And if you think that is true, and want you to forget about it right now."

You say that, because right now… you aren't really speaking to Selene. Right now, you are speaking to Princess Luna.

You are speaking to the part of your daughter, the one that you know is somewhere inside of her, that has taken upon herself to protect everypony. You are speaking to that part of your daughter who met a horrible fate, while trying to defend those she loved. And that, unfortunately, still thinks that she failed at it.

You are speaking to Princess Luna who, even if she doesn't remember it, was neglected by her own sister so much, that her sister thought that was the reason of why a terrible tragedy happened.

You are speaking to the pony who, deep, deep down, thinks she is not enough.

"You deserve this, Selene. I want you to trust me when I tell you this. You deserve everything good that happens to you. And you deserve to be surrounded by ponies who will cheer you on, no matter what you do. Even if all you did was draw a beautiful cutie mark, which for some reason you think is lame."

You say that, and you can tell that… that she doesn't really believe you.

She doesn't believe you, but she is still listening to you.

Which just means you need to keep talking. And you will keep telling her this, all of this, for as long as she keeps listening to you. You will keep telling her about this, until she finally realizes you are speaking the truth.

"You think we just had a party because you told a small lie that got out of control? You think you didn't deserve what happened today, because you just drew something on your flank without putting a lot of effort into it? Well, that's not what I see at all! Selene, when I look at you, the only thing I see is a loyal little pony."

She tries to say something, but she can barely mumble an answer. In fact, it is all that she can do to just keep looking you in the eye.

But still, you carry on. Your tone neither harsh nor judgmental. In fact, as far as you are concerned, you are just stating the obvious.

It's just that she needs a little help to realize that.

"You are a sister who is bending over backwards, and even trying to figure out how to lead a double life, so you can keep living with a filly who loves you. You are a daughter who… who learned about all the horrible things your mother did, and who still forgave her. You forgave me Selene. And I still don't think that I deserve that."

"But… but you do, and…" she says, trailing off again.

"So, I don't ever want to hear you say you don't deserve something. Because we are the ones who don't deserve you. And every single day that we have with you is fresh reminder of that. Of how lucky we are to have you with us, and of how much we would be willing to do to keep it that way."

"W-what? I… that's not true!" She says, and her tone almost sounds panicked for a moment. "I mean, I'm… I'm just a filly you all took in. I'm the one who's lucky and…!"

And then she trails off, her eyes going a little wider as if she just realized something.

"That's exactly my point, dear. That's exactly how me and your father feel, every day," you say affectionately ruffling her mane as you do. "You are the stars in our sky, Selene. And we will always be your biggest fans. And no matter what you do, we will always find a reason to celebrate it."

You say that, and you watch as she once again looks down towards the ground. But this time, rather than having a dejected expression on her face, you can tell that she is thinking… that your words, or maybe just your conviction, finally got to her.

And finally, you see a small smile appear on her face.

This time, it is a very embarrassed smile. But in a good way.

"Um… do you… do you really mean that?" she asks.

And you don't even hesitate before you pick her up on your forelegs, pulling her into a hug.

"Of course I do!" you say, planting a kiss on her cheeks. And then another. And another, and another, and three more. Until the filly is laughing as if you are tickling her, trying to push you away without really meaning to do it.

And a few seconds later, you let her go. Watching as she happily makes her way back towards the second floor, where her friends are gathered in her room. Her expression making it very clear that any conflict she was feeling before is now completely forgotten.

As you watch her retreating back, as she makes her way up the stairs, you can't help but think that…

You remember reading, during your research, about the countless small things that Princess Luna used to do, all those centuries ago, that were neglected or ignored. You aren't really sure if you read that from a historic account, or if it was in a more innocent and romanticized story. But still, you remember it all the same.

You remember reading about how Princess Luna would fill the sky with stars and constellations, night after night, that nopony would bother to look at. You remember reading about how Princess Luna would patrol the night, fighting against the monsters of the forest and the terrors of nightmares, and she would not receive even a single word of thanks for it.

You wonder how much of that really happened. You wonder if those accounts were really true, or if they weren't instead conjured by Princess Celestia's imagination… as her mind grinded against itself for a thousand years, wondering what she could have done to wrong her sister so much.

You wonder how much of that is true… but in the end, you just don't know. You might never know, even. Maybe even Selene herself won't be able to remember.

But what you do know is that you and you family will never make that mistake.

And every day, for the rest of your life, you are going to make sure that Selene knows how loved she is. How loved she is, and much you appreciate her efforts, and that you will be there to cheer her on. No matter what she does.

You will always be her biggest fans. And if she doesn't know it yet, you will just have to keep throwing parties, like you did today, until she realizes it.





Selene's cute-ceñeara was a success.

Jade Whistle has located an Expedition where "the easiest lvl 6 book we can get for Baldomare" may be found. It has been added to your Expeditions list.

Spoiler: A small happenance during the celebration

"Mom...? Can you come here for a moment?"

"Yes Silky? What is it?"

"I... I just walked into Axe? She was nailing uncle Pride and-"

"She was WHAT?"

[Velvet Covers has learned the-]

"No, no, calm down Velvet... Silky dear, I need you to explain to me very carefully what you mean by that."

"Okay...? Well, uncle Pride and Axe were in the dining hall, and Axe had a hammer? She was, um, nailing him against the wall? She seemed very upset about something he said earlier, but I'm not sure."

"Oh... Oooohhh. I see. Thank you for calling me, dear, I'll go take care of it right now."

"Okay! And, um, I managed to make Axe stop. But I couldn't pull the nails away? They felt funny when I touched them, and Axe told me to stop trying and carried me out of there. Did... did I do something wrong?"

"Not at all, love. Now go play with your friends."

"Okay!"

- - -

"... Pride... I..."

"She said yes, Lady Velvet. This... is what progress looks like!"

"I think I'll need Baldomare's help to get you down... just... just wait here..."

30 bits have been removed from your inventory, to perform Jade's scrying ritual.

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
-[X] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Influence of Edge.

Ponies are a… curious species. Even though that does not appear to be the case at first glance.

After all, as far as anypony (and most of the surrounding species) is concerned, ponykind is a peaceful species. One that seems content in slowly populating their country, and living in harmony with their peers, as the years go by.

They do not know the concept of war. They do not accept the idea of famine. And even the most vicious among their numbers is relatively tame, when compared to what a sapient being is capable of.

As far as anyone cares, they are perfectly happy with living under the rule of their Princesses. And their worldview takes as self-evident the fact that, even a thousand years from now, their descendants will be living the same kind of life as they currently are.

However, that is not… the entire truth about ponies.

Very few creatures know about this. And fewer less creatures remember it. But ponykind has a rich story. And they are a species that has a convoluted past. A tempestuous past.

A bellicose past.

And that past happened so long ago that… that not even the wind remembers it. The breeze that flows through the plains has already forgotten about it. The mountains that dot the land have already had that history scraped away from their faces, by the passage of time. And even the sun that shines down upon Equestria has… changed.

The sun that witnessed that dark past of ponykind is not the same sun that shines today. The sun of today did not witness what happened in that long-forgotten past.

However, merely forgetting about something does not mean that it is erased.

And even though the Laws that fueled ponykind in the past are now faded and ignored, they still have sway over the world.

More than just sway. It would not be wrong to say that they have control over it. Or at least some degree of authority.

That is, if it even makes sense to say that gravity has "authority" over how an apple might fall from the branch.



Today, yet another echo of that long forgotten past runs through the land.

And just like the distant ring of a bell that has already rusted into oblivion… just like the faded silhouette left on the ground, by a tree that has already fallen and died… an action that has not been seen in Equestria in a very, very long time is once again taking place.

Today, a pony is marching to war.



Despite the centuries of tranquility, there is an ugly truth that every creature knows.

And that truth is that, when it really comes down to it, this is a world where the strong rule, and the weak obey.

Ponies might try to pretend that is not the case. They might try to argue that their great civilization has reached its current point thanks to cooperation and camaraderie. But ultimately, even the most vocal of scholars knows (even if only in the privacy of their thoughts) that it is the Princesses who guarantee the continuity of Equestria.

And for all that the Princesses (and more specifically, Princess Celestia) acted like a kind and nurturing leader for the last ten centuries, the fact remains that she is still the regent of the sun. And for all that she may enact fair policies, and reigned with an even hoof, it is undeniable that she also took ponykind under her wings.

She was, and still is, the unbreakable guardian of ponykind. The last and unbreakable wall that, should a great calamity arise, will be able to move the very heavens in order to defend her subjects.

Yes. Even ponies know it, though many of them have forgotten, that this is a world that belongs to the strong. That killing your opponent is the surest way to silence them, and that the dead cannot act against you. That is the greatest rule of the world. That is the final law that no creature can oppose.

And in the quiet town of Ponyville, a pair of ponies is about to fall upon that final law once again.

One of them comes from the east. She left her home at dawn and, with the sun shining on her back, she cut straight through the town and marched to the western outskirts of the city.

There is nothing particularly remarkable about her. She is wearing a dress upon her body, and she carries no weapons, save for the one hidden around her neck. But still, she is marching west with a pace that is almost intimidating. And the few ponies who cross her path during the early morning know better than to stand in her way.

The other pony is waiting for her, beyond the western end of the town. He has been waiting for her for several days now. He knew this day would come, as certain as he knows he grows older with each passing day.

And today, he woke up with the utter certainty that this was the day he had been waiting for.

As it often happens in these situations, and as it happened so many times in the past, those two ponies meet in a place of crossing.

To the west of the town, there is a small bridge that crosses the local river. Beyond that bridge is a grassy path where a peaceful mare has made her home. In a harsher era, that place would have been a beacon, or perhaps a threshold, against the violence of the outside world. But in this kinder era, that home is merely a sanctuary for the life that surrounds it.

So naturally, the stallion awaits at the end of the bridge. He waits for his opponent, in absolute silence, upon that final threshold that separates the place he loves from everything else.

He waits there.

And eventually, or perhaps inevitably, the rising sun heralds the arrival of his opponent.

She makes her way towards the bridge, and she stops at the farthest edge of the timid construction. Because the two ponies understand the meaning of that small, wood-wrought passage.

Both of them know that, if either of them moves to cross that bridge, they will do so in order to kill each other.

So, for now, they merely take each other's measure. They each communicate, and agree, with this small period of calm before the storm.

And like two ancient armies standing before each other, the two give each other one final chance to resolve this with some form of currency other than blood.



"Velvet Covers."

"Comet Feet."​

"Have you come here to fight me?"

"I have come here to talk."​

"Is there a difference?"

"No."​

There is no need to mince words. No point in holding back.

The two ponies know exactly what they want. And the two ponies know that neither of them wants the other to cross that bridge.

However, neither of them are under the illusion that a middle ground will be easy to reach.



"You know what I did."

"Yes, I do."​

"And you know why I did it."

"Also yes."​

"I will not apologize for that."

"And I am not here for your apologies."​

The two of them know what is at stake. In fact, the two of them know what the other did, in preparation for this moment.

The stallion is covered in a rousing air. In preparation for this day.

The mare has already made a resolution. Which makes her intentions beyond clear.

Neither of them came here with the intention of backing out.



"So, if you haven't already decided to try to kill me, what do you want?"

"I came here to tell you something."​

"Which would be?"

"The Master is dead."​

She says that, and for the first time the Edge-sharp stallion hesitates.

But only for a moment.



"That is not possible. You wouldn't be saying that if you knew the truth about her. Just killing her body is not enough, and she tricked you for that."

"You misunderstand. I know her true nature. I know what she was, and I am telling you she is dead."​

The stallion's eyes narrow. Because he knows she is telling the truth. Neither of them are here to tell lies.

However, even then, he still cannot believe what she is saying.



"That is impossible."

"You know it is not. And your disbelief betrays your negligence. When was the last time you Dreamed?"​

"…"

"Exactly. Dream later tonight, and see it for yourself. Or better yet, don't. The thing that killed her is far less pleasant, even if it is less active in the Wake."​

"Whether you are deluded or not, it makes little difference. You did not come here just to tell me that. What. Do. You. Want?"



The mare pauses for a moment. But not because she is hesitating.

Instead, she is judging the stallion one final time, before she reveals her purpose.

"You were loyal to the Master, and you also feared her. I care not why, or what circumstances bound you to serve her. But she is dead now, and that influences your position in the board."​

"…"

"I am here to ensure your piece falls in the correct place."​

The mare says that.

And then, she acts.





What outcome is reached?
(Comet Feet is currently under the effect of "A Rousing Air" Influence.)
(It is impossible to tell how many, if any, Attention of the Laws he has ready.)



[] "I see you my enemy."
-Velvet Covers will use this opportunity to attempt to attain her personal Edge Sacrament.
-Velvet Covers and Comet Feet will fight to the death, without interruption.
-If she succeeds, Velvet Covers will do her best to hide this from Fluttershy. But it is impossible to guarantee she will not find out.


[] Assassination.
-Biedde is here… somewhere. Give him the signal.
-Biedde will engage in combat with Comet Feet. Comet Feet is not expected to survive.
-Velvet Covers will do her best to hide this from Fluttershy. But it is impossible to guarantee she will not find out.


[] Conscription.
-Velvet Covers will bring Comet Feet into her service.
-Comet Feet will become a separate Confidante from Fluttershy, and he will be forced to accept any orders that he is given. As long as they do not harm Fluttershy, and as long as they are not clearly suicidal.
-This arrangement will continue as long as ONE of the following is in effect:
--(1) as long as Biedde remains summoned;
--(2) as long as Velvet Covers is under the effect of "A Resolution" Edge Influence; or
--(3) as long as Fluttershy is a "Minion" follower.
-Comet Feet will do his best to hide this arrangement from Fluttershy.
-Should Comet Feet "break free" by any means, he will immediately become an enemy. If that ever happens, it is impossible to know if he would attack you immediately, or if he would disappear to plan a more careful revenge. You also cannot predict what Fluttershy would do.


[] Status Quo.
-Nothing will change. And the next time you have this conversation, it might not be just with words.
-Your relationship with Comet Feet will remain the same. There will be no limitations on what you may ask Fluttershy to do, but some of your actions/requests towards her will steadily increase his ire.


[] Negotiation.
-Velvet Covers and Comet Feet will engage in combat. Until one of them falls down to one health point.
-The winner will impose their terms upon the loser, and the loser will accept them.


[] Compromise.
-Velvet Covers and Comet Feet will reach an agreement.
-Velvet Covers will be prohibited from teaching anything about the Lores to Fluttershy. It will no longer be acceptable to level Fluttershy up, ask her to perform rituals, or do other Lore-related actions.
-Comet Feet will no longer grow his hatred towards you every time you ask him for a favor.
-Comet Feet and Fluttershy will remain a "single" Confidante, together. But rather than having to "ask Comet for a favor", he will take over Fluttershy's actions and perform them, if he is better suited for it. (Asking Fluttershy to go on an Expedition, or perform a ritual, will have Comet Feet to do it instead, for example).





Twenty-four hours moratorium. Some of these options might (might) have unexpected consequences later on, or they might be another brushstroke that can potentially paint you into a corner later on. So, a longer moratorium, so that certain implications might be discussed.

This does not mean any of these options are traps. They will all do exactly what they propose to do. However, there are several ways QM can see some of these options having additional ramifications down the line.

Or not. As always, vote for whatever you want.

Approval voting. The single option with the highest number of votes will be picked. No further details can be given regarding the options, but you can trust Velvet to use her best judgment for what is picked.

 

[spiderhellian]

Ode to the Baldomare

When destiny came a-calling
The Baldomare wasn't there.
It wasn't for a failing,
It wasn't out of fear.
Yes she'd seen it coming,
Yes she'd marked the day,
She felt the histories humming
And sent them on their way.

She who shines so brightly —
A Mare who plucks at strands —
She held to one too tightly
Twere bound like iron bands
She loved him in her climbing,
Though not enough to stop.
Now she knew the histories' timing
But she would not let him drop.

Her love was cold and quiet
Her love did not speak at all.
And yet she denied it
The act that harked the fall.
The light cries navigation,
The light burns mercy clean,
But here she chose negation
A choice so rarely seen.

The pilgrims marched in order
The SUN their clarion call.
Could be they ignored her —
Though she surely knew them all.
It was an act awaited,
The histories narrowed to a point,
So they continued unabated,
To turn the world ajoint.

She had fought and killed and struggled,
And succeeded in her climb.
But now she felt untroubled
As she sat sipping at her wine.
The Sun could wait its turning,
The rites could wait their flame.
For in the quiet they were sharing,
She knew a softer claim.

Spoiler: AN

A different take on the Baldomare to my previous apocrypha (hypocrite indeed!) The opening quartet of lines came to me a while back, but it took a while to flesh it out.

Also I don't think I've ever written an actual poem before, outside of 10th Grade English, so I would definitely appreciate feedback!

 

[AuthorTransient]

1 2 3 4 J R 5 S​

In Which (S) Collide - Part 4

There's no going back from this. The maresquerade has been blown right open.

The sky has turned an unholy rich red and Mareinette – she is the size of your house, and growing even larger.

Ah...

An unsightly beast... a great terror looms!

Mareinette the Twice Born is coming...

Spoiler: Escape Rolls

Silky Stream successfully escapes!

Soft Sweeps successfully escapes!

Stormchaser successfully escapes!

Velvet: Support

You allow yourself one moment to survey the battlefield and is gratified to learn that most of your family have escaped.

Not Luna, however.

Not Selene.


Then there is no more time to think, because Mareinette is upon all of you.

Spoiler: Combat Rolls

[Multi-combatant fight. Mareinette will only "compete" to wound Luna, but may be wounded by all other combatants]

Ally Buffs:
ILLUMINATION: +30

Ally Debuffs:
Currently none.

[Current Mareinette overflow (damage occurs on 50): 0]

[Current Allies overflow (damage occurs on 100): 0]

Mareinette's Turn. Multiattack.

First roll: 33 + 40 (Old and Terrible) + 20 ('Wire Mother') + 5 ('Blood Meridian') - 5 (Outnumbered: 1) = 93

Second roll: 94 + 60 = 154

Third roll: 86 + 60 = 146

Fourth roll: 26 + 60 = 87

Fifth roll: 10 + 60 = 70

Allies Turn:
Frontend:
Comet Feet: 70 + 39 (Personal Combat) + 30 – 20 ('Wire Mother') = 149

Velvet Covers: 8 + 29 (Personal Combat) + 30 - 20 = 77

Luna: 52 + 10 (A Sister's Promise) + 90 (Alicorn Combat: Luna) + 30 + 38 (Velvet Support) – 20 ('Wire Mother') = 200


Overflow: Mareinette – 0, Allies' - 36


Backend:
Baldomare: ULTIMATE FATE WORKS on Velvet Covers

Jade Whistle, Fluttershy, Rarity: Preparing...

Her hooves dig into the ground, shattering it as she leaps. For some reason, your mind compares it to that of a manticore, pouncing on prey.

Then Comet Feet is there like a whirlwind of blades, slashing across her bones without mercy. And you – your magic seizes one of her hooves and pulls.

Mareinette immediately overbalances. As she struggles to regain her balance, specks of light gather in front of Selene's horn until it finally explodes out into a controlled beam, sending Mareinette skidding backwards in another dust cloud.

But when the dust clears she looks to be no worse for wear – only more frustrated.


The night air is freezing. It actually takes effort to prevent your teeth from chattering.

What you're facing down is worse than Comet Feet, worse than the Master... even worse than the Wolf. As Mareinette stalks towards you...

!!!​

You feel a hoof on your shoulder and when you turn, Baldomare is giving you a soft grin. She tilts her head.

That's right – you are not alone. You're with friends.

Spoiler: Combat Rolls

Ally Buffs:
ILLUMINATION: +30

(Velvet only) ULTIMATE FATE WORKS
Reading the Record: 43 + 26 = 69, 3rd​ Breakpoint Reached


Ally Debuffs:
Currently none.


[Current Luna overflow (damage occurs on 50): 0]

[Current Mareinette overflow (damage occurs on 100): 31]

Mareinette's Turn. Multiattack.

First roll: 96 + 40 (Old and Terrible) + 20 ('Wire Mother') + 5 ('Blood Meridian') - 5 ('Outnumbered: 1') = 156

Second roll: 88 + 60 = 148

Third roll: 76 + 60 = 136

Fourth roll: 10 + 60 = 70

Fifth roll: 1 + 60 = 71


Allies Turn:
Frontend:
Comet Feet: 91 + 39 (Personal Combat) + 30 – 20 = 140
Velvet Covers: 72 + 9 + 20 + 30 + 30 (Reading the Record) – 20 + 20 = 151
Luna: 52 + 90 (Alicorn Combat: Luna) + 10 (A Sister's Promise) + 75 (Velvet Support) + 30 – 20 = 217


Overflow: Mareinette – 0, Allies - 112
Mareinette suffers one damage! -100 to Allies' overflow.
FOR THE OLD BLOOD activates x 1!

Backend:
Rarity and Fluttershy successfully escapes!

Jade Whistle: Attention of the Laws on Velvet (takes effect next combat round)

Baldomare: Dispels FOR THE OLD BLOOD x 1.

Then, Mareinette charges.

Moonlight blasts hit her one after the other but visibly to no effect. The crystal horseshoes of Selene take to the skies instead and you slither and flit-flit-fly out of the way as Marienette careens into your house.

Or what was your house.

This is fine. There wasn't anybody left in there anyway. Oh, but the bits to repair all of that - !

Of course, while you've been lamenting internally, you've not been idle. Your magic pulls at weakened structures and more of the roof collapses on top of Mareinette, causing her body to buckle somewhat as Comet Feet goes in for a fly-by, while a second charged beam smashes into one of her heads and causes it to wince.

Crimson liquid drips from her - but is just as quickly scoured into smoke from the light.

Mareinette shakes her head, as if recovering from a daze. She pleads, "[GRAIL]!"

Spoiler: Contest

Mareinette: 39 + 60 ('Social' bonus) = 99
Baldomare: 91 + 30 + 30 = 151

DISPELLED BY BALDOMARE

But even without Baldomare's help, you already have the answer in your heart: no, Mareinette, you cannot have my child.

As if in response, turbid red streams streak across the sky, gathering around her. Despite your friends and your best efforts, they do not stop.

TRAIT REVEALED!
[KINGEATER]: Mareinette is capable of channeling and adding a Grail influence to her combat bonus.

Now Mareinette stalks forward again, her five maws wide and gaping and heaving out crimson mist, her eyes like blood rubies against the night sky.

Spoiler: Combat Rolls

Ally Buffs:
ILLUMINATION: +30
(Velvet only) ULTIMATE FATE WORKS
Reading the Record: 98 + 26 = 124, 6th​ Breakpoint Reached

Ally Debuffs:
Currently none.

[Current Mareinette overflow (damage occurs on 50): 0]

[Current Allies overflow (damage occurs on 100): 12]

Mareinette's Turn: Social Action.

Allies Turn:
Frontend:
Comet Feet: 93 + 39 (Personal Combat) + 30 – 20 ('Wire Mother') = 142

Velvet Covers: 90 + 29 (Personal Combat) + 21 (Attention of the Laws) + 30 - 20 + 60 (Reading the Record) = 210

Luna: 22 + 10 (A Sister's Promise) + 90 (Alicorn Combat: Luna) + 30 + 105 (Velvet Support) – 20 ('Wire Mother') = 237


Overflow: Mareinette – 0, Allies' - 384
Mareinette suffers 3 damage! -300 to Allies' overflow.
FOR THE OLD BLOOD activates x 3!

Backend:
Baldomare: Dispels Mareinette' 'Social Action'!
Jade Whistle: Dispel FOR THE OLD BLOOD x 1: 35 + 21 + 30 - 30 = 56! 1st​ breakpoint reached!
FOR THE OLD BLOOD x 1 dispelled!

Spoiler: THE WIRE MOTHER (Unofficial, as of Part 4)

Health: 26/50 (highballed)

Temporary Health: 0/5

[ONE WHO IS VERY GREAT]: Mareinette is willing to offer you Sacraments in the Lores of Grail and Heart, should you fulfill her requirements.

[OUR LADY OF WIRES]: Mareinette is immune to the effects of "Monstrous Appearance".

[HONORED GUEST]: Mareinette can "step in" on Velvet's horseshoes, and perform social actions in her stead even if only Velvet should have been able to perform them. (HOWEVER, see "Old Intelligence")

[WEIGHT OF PRESENCE]: Mareinette grants a full level up to the Secret Library for her preferred Lores.

[OLD INTELLIGENCE]: If Mareinette is alone while performing a social action, and a vote is offered, she will instead pick the vote based on what she thinks is best. (This will be based on her personal knowledge of you, as well as her loyalty. This trait can be either positive or negative, depending on interpretation.)

[MONSTROUS APPEARANCE]: Cannot be used for Social Actions. (Immune)

[PROUD]: Will refuse to cast any rituals that do not involve Grail or Heart.

[THE SECOND BIRTH]: Mareinette may choose to sacrifice a tremendous amount of health to immediately break her summoner's bindings. (Used.)

[NEVER ASK A LADY HER AGE]: Mareinette may elect to hide some of her characteristics from you. (She certainly is hiding her health, and she may be hiding other negative traits or skills.)

[THE SUBTLE KISS]: Mareinette may hide attacks as completely harmless kisses, pats, smiles, or intimate glances, though they still require combat rolls. Targets may make an intrigue check to realize that damage was done after each successful attack. This compounds with OUR LADY OF WIRES.

[BLOOD MERIDIAN]: Mareinette may spend a combat action to consume the last traces of life and experience from a victim who has been brought to zero hit points to recover 5 hitpoints. This also gives her a temporary bonus of +5 to rolls per life consumed this way until the Turn ends. This action can be interrupted, upon which She loses the action. This action cannot be used while She already has more than Her maximum hit points.

[GRAIL OVERFLOW]: Mareinette may gain temporary hit points above Her hit point total, up to 5.

[SAPPING FLESH]: Combat rolls targeting Mareinette must reach an overflow of 100 or higher to harm Her.

[PUPPET OF THE RED SANDS]: Mareinette does not suffer from any status of being 'Wounded'.

[WIRE MOTHER]: Mareinette gains +20 in combat against any entity that can be considered to have a mother and they have a -20 malus when targeting her.

[UNQUENCHABLE THIRST]: For every turn in the Wake, Mareinette will seek out a Grail sacrifice and consume it.

[FOR THE OLD BLOOD]: Whenever Mareinette loses hit points, all targets in the vicinity suffer a cumulative -10 to rolls as the blood spilled intoxicates and causes hallucinations.

[ALL-CONSUMING NAME]: When Mareinette consumes a living being, their existence disappears from memories. Characters may figure out something is wrong (strange clothes that they would never wear, an empty room with paraphernalia) but it is more likely that they would simply fill in any discpreancies by themselves.

[Other traits negative, unknown]

1 2 3 4 J R 5 S​

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Vote

[Y] Assassination

You stare at Comet Feet, as he stands at the other end of the bridge.

He does not look like a stallion as much as he looks like a wall. Or perhaps a machine made for killing.

The muscles under his skin are taut, like metal springs ready to be unleashed. The veins on his throat, and on the other few places where you can see them, are like thick cords of iron, as his heart pumps blood and adrenaline to every last part of his body.

And his eyes… if glares could hurt, then you are sure you would be feeling some degree of pain right now. But of course, you do not begrudge this treatment from him.

After all, you are everything he hates, everything he wants gone. You are an Edge-sharp invader, standing at the threshold that separates his home from everything else. You are the crushing reminder that his past did not simply disappear, and that there are still ponies out there who remember who he is, and what he has done.

You are the consequence of his actions. Reckoning incarnate, clad in battle Edge and sharp vengeance, who came to collect the price for the latest of his many wrongs.

You are everything he hates, and everything he knows he cannot escape from.

But most of all, more than just the hate in his eyes, you can also see… fear.

Because you know, just by looking at him, that you can probably kill him, if the two of you fight.

So, given how you know his senses are as accurate as yours, you know that he knows he will probably lose, if it comes down to it.

If you had the mind for idle thoughts, you would probably wonder how you look like, right now, in his eyes. If you had the capacity to be distracted right now, you would probably be wondering what he is seeing right now, that would elicit that kind of reaction from him.

But you do not have the mind for such frivolities.



So, you act.



"I would have you serve me, if I could truly assure your obedience. But I do not. Fluttershy is of use to me, but yours is a double-edged blade."

You say that, and you can almost feel the stallion preparing to do… something. Perhaps attack you, or perhaps try to escape.

You can almost hear the solid muscles of his legs moving into position, like stone grinding against stone, as he prepares to pounce.

"If you leave, you have my word I will not cross your path," he says, the acid in his words dwarfed only by the honesty in them.

And you know, in that moment, that he is telling the truth. You know he only wants to be left alone, with the one pony who ever cared about him.

You know that, if you leave now, then the two of you will be done.

But you had already made your decision several days ago. And you will not change your mind.

"Your word means nothing. I have already seen you break your oaths twice now."

You shake your head.



And Comet Feet's eyes go wide as-

Spoiler: Combat rolls

[Biedde has initiated combat]

[Biedde has drawn his blowpipe (invoked A Resolution)]

[Comet Feet has invoked the Attention of the Laws]



[Comet Feet's current health: 4/4]

[Biedde's health: 5/5]

[Current overflow (damage occurs on 50): Comet – 0, Biedde – 0]

[A Confident Certainty: Comet Feet can reroll one every six dice]

[?????: Biedde can reroll one every two dice]



[Comet's first roll: 16 65 + 39 (Personal Combat) + 20 (Attention of the Laws) + 20 (A Rousing Air) = 144]

[Biedde's first roll: 41 99 + 80 (Personal Combat) + 40 (A Resolution) = 219]



[Overflow: Comet – 0, Biedde – 75]

[Comet suffers one wound (-50 to Biedde's overflow)]



[Comet's first roll: 25 + 39 (Personal Combat) + 20 (Attention of the Laws) + 20 (A Rousing Air) = 104]

[Biedde's first roll: 74 + 80 (Personal Combat) + 40 (A Resolution) = 194]



[Overflow: Comet – 0, Biedde – 115]

[Comet suffers two wound (-100 to Biedde's overflow)]



[Comet Feet attempts to escape…]

[Biedde successfully intercepts]

!!!!!!!



-as you suddenly go deaf.

You feel like a stray bolt of lightning just struck the ground, right next to you. And more than just that, a hurricane-like gale of wind crashes into your side, hammering at your dress and nearly pushing you towards the ground.

You can't hear a thing. You really can't hear anything at all, for several seconds. And the best your alarmed body can do is root your four legs under you, to at least try and stabilize your posture. Your ears ringing all the while during the fraction of a second you have to understand what just happened.

But the answer appears at your side before you can even string two thoughts together.

Because the next moment, Biedde is walking past you. You have no idea where he came from, or when he got so close. But he is walking past you as if he had been standing three steps behind you this whole time.

Except this is not the cordial, careful Biedde you have seen this whole time. Far from it.

The Biedde walking by you is not the careful and grandfatherly stallion who has been lodging at your home. And he is not walking past you as if he had just dropped a coin nearby, and was moving to pick it up.

No.

He doesn't look like a grandfather. And he doesn't just look like a dangerous pony either. He is walking past you, carrying an item you have never fully seen before. A long and old blowpipe that is hanging from his neck from a battered bandolier.

And the look he has in his eyes… the arctic cold he has in his gaze, and the utter disgust he has on his expression...

He does not look like a murderer, but only because that word is not enough to do this sight justice.

He looks like inevitability itself. Like a guillotine that is currently in mid-fall.

And a quarter of a second after that deafening sound, when you finally realized what just happened, you turn your gaze back to Comet Feet.



"N-no!"



You turn your eyes back to Comet Feet, and your mind can't truly accept what you are looking at.

The large pegasus is ruined. His right foreleg is completely gone, and he is currently lying on his back, belly up, as he tries to crawl away from Biedde.

There is blood everywhere. You can see a large, cone-shaped spray of blood behind the stallion, marring the green of the grass with its bright red. And you can see a growing pool of it surrounding Comet Feet, leaking freely from the stump of his leg and other places besides, as he weakly tries to crawl away.

And you… you…

It has now been three full seconds since you heard that noise. And the ringing on your ear is finally starting to die down. Slowly, and painfully. But as your hearing starts to clear up, your mind finally pieces together what just happened.

Biedde was waiting nearby… somewhere. Maybe a hundred meters away, behind the trees. Maybe right behind you. And the moment you gave him the signal, he…

… he used his blowpipe. He shot a single dart at Comet Feet, from wherever he was hiding.

The gale-speed wind, the deafening crack, and the immediate shearing oh his leg, followed by the massive concussive damage to the rest of his body… that was all from a single dart.



"Please…! I-I beg you! I will do anything just please-!"

"I could have said you would have made a fine apprentice, but that would be a lie."

Spoiler: Combat rolls

[Comet Feet's current health: 1/4]

[Biedde's health: 5/5]

[Current overflow (damage occurs on 50): Comet – 0, Biedde – 15]



[Comet's first roll: 42 + 39 (Personal Combat) + 20 (Attention of the Laws) + 20 (A Rousing Air) = 121]

[Biedde's first roll: 39 64 + 80 (Personal Combat) + 40 (A Resolution) = 184]



[Overflow: Comet – 0, Biedde – 78]

[Comet suffers one wound (-50 to Biedde's overflow)]

[Comet Feet has been defeated]

The bleeding stallion tries to do everything at once. And only now do you realize that his harsh expression is completely gone. Instead, there are tears in his eyes, and a deathly fear on his face, as he begs.

He begs, and he uses his remaining foreleg to drag his bleeding body away. And when Biedde's measured pace finally reaches him, Comet Feet uses his hindleg to give him a pair of kicks so strong that they could have felled a tree or cracked a boulder.

But he was not trying to kick something as soft as those. And the result of his kicks are as expected as they are horrifying to watch.

The first kick lands squarely in the middle of Biedde's chest. And a loud, dry sound fills the air when it does. You think you hear something break, and a moment later you realize the metal horseshoe Comet Feet had on his hoof is now cracked.

Comet Feet hit him, yes, but only because Biedde did not bother to block it. Or perhaps he did block it, with his clothes and with his skin and with the countless scars that exist upon both of them. Either way, the only pony who was hurt by the first kick was Comet himself.

The second kick, born more out of panic than anything else, is caught by Biedde's hoof. He grabs the lightning-fast hindleg as easily as he might have grabbed a toy that was offered by a foal.

He then proceeds to coil his foreleg around the stallion's hindleg and-



CRACK



-it is bent in all the wrong directions on the next moment.



"…-!"



Comet's eyes roll to the back of his head. He tries to say something, but the ringing in your ears is still too loud for you to understand it.

Although Biedde's words cut through your horror just fine.



"That would have been a lie, because success, and victory, are self-executing virtues. And that you fell off from the Path is evidence that you were never suited for it."



The older stallion keeps walking towards Comet, and you realize he never really broke his stride. Ever since he took a shot from his blowpipe, heaven knows from where, he has been walking towards Comet Feet. Even as Comet crawled away, and even as Biedde casually broke his leg, he has still been walking towards him.

You only realized that because the older stallion has finally stopped. Biedde is now standing over the broken body of Comet Feet, looking down at the larger stallion as he weakly tries to breathe, and as he bleeds out from too many different places.

And still, the only thing in his cold expression is disgust.



"I would also have thanked you for sparing me the effort of learning you were made of such brittle material. But I do not thank an unworthy blade for its failure."



He says that, and then he raises a hoof.

He raises a hoof as casually as if he is about to take another step forward.

And just as casually, he brings it down on the stallion's throat.

The movement is so fluid that he might as well have missed. His hoof meets so little resistance that he might as well have been dipping his hoof on a pool of water, or on a pile of dry leaves.

But the liquid that gushes out from his action is not the color of clear water, and the snapping and crackling sounds that follow are not the sound of dry leaves being crushed.

And when the old stallion is done, less than ten seconds have passed since this all began. The ringing in your ears is still there, and you are only beginning to realize that your body is so tense it is actually painful.

…

Still, Biedde looks down at the broken corpse for one more moment, and then he casually turns back from where he came from. Making his way to the bridge, and to the river stream, as if nothing unusual has happened.

In fact, the tone he has in his voice when he speaks up is so calm you almost think there is another pony nearby, who is talking to you.

"You have use for bodies, yes? I recall you telling me that you have ways to put them to use," he says, as he cleans his hoof on the river. The red stains on his old uniform washing away as he calmly rubs them. "In that case, I will leave the cleanup to you. Have a good day, employer."

He says that, and as soon as he is done cleaning his hoofs he is gone.

Leaving you alone.

The sole winner of the disagreement that just happened, over the humble wooden bridge.





The resources that Comet Feet had gathered to fight you are not accurate or "canon" to the main story.

But the fact that he would have died like a dog is.

Spoiler

I also kinda just want to see Comet and Biedde fight?

Click to shrink...

This makes as much sense as saying you would like to see Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy compete in a race.

This was not a fight. This was an execution.

But none of this ever happened, did it? So why don't you go back to where you came from?

 

[Sveta08]

I...

The story from Comet's perspective is still in the margins of my brain, still slowly unfurling into something sharp and sad and sweet and tender. But this is not that little tidbit of story.
This... is a moment I couldn't tell you, but that I woke up with the vague impressions of it etched in my mind, and as I've written it it has become more clear.
This is... it's at the furthest edges of what I know how to write. How to even express.
But it has something.... I don't know.
Something I feel we keep forgetting.



In which even the shackled dance

---

The air is thick in the perfect sort of way.
The lights are low, the scent of something rich and floral flourishing. A delicate sense of decay just beneath. The tension in the air like a glass held too tight. Too sharp. Too firm and just about to-

Snap.

But it doesn't.
It can't.
You won't let it.

Because the air is thick in the perfect sort of way.



You are chewing on a book.
It's already been used. Been read. Been lost.
No one was going to miss it if it was gone.
And it had such a history in it.

The words in it were bright. Brighter than bright. A useful kind of bright.
The sort of bright that once would have ponies talk about things in terms of iron and metal and stone. Flesh and blood and bone.
But now, the words are too bright for that.
Chemistry.

But as your teeth touched it, you could feel it.
A past where it had been something more than it was.
Where there had been something worth savoring.
And that's why the air is so perfect.



The book had no idea why it was right that a story of a sordid love affair might have once found its way into it's pages.
It had no way of knowing the connection between the beating of a heart and the pulsing in the air.
Neither the author nor the students who read about the things now called vibrations truly understood the way in which the heart and the world pulsed.
Nor why it mattered that those two were linked.
But you do.

Between passions, between lovers, in an embrace there is dew. Moisture and heat, and friction and texture.
The air it grows thick.
Between sound, in the pulses, in the rhythm of the heart. Voice and volume, song and dance.
The air grows thick.

In the most perfect of ways.



The others are still off. It's their nature to notice it. To befoul it.
Light... refracts, they call it now. What a beautiful word for it. Present, yet twisted, all according to your own view.
Paths are forgotten. Blades dull in their sheaths. Cold is fought with warmth of magic.
They all... grow frustrated at it.
But not you.

As long as the sky is above.
As long as there is earth below.
As long as he heart beats.
As long as the
Heart
Beats



She left today.
Resolved

And you feel it beneath you.
In the earth she walks upon.
The pulse between each step of her hooves.
The purpose that pushes her forward.
Demanding she march to the beat.

It's a dance.
An old dance.
You like old dances. The new ones are too full of flesh.
Not enough blood. Not enough bone.
But it's not the old dance you know.



The world is bent.
Step step. Step step.
It was different before.
Step step step. Step step step.

You already know what the outcome will be.
Because the dance is different than it once was.
You know what it will not be.
What it once was.

You wonder.
If she even knows.
How full of [HEART] she is?


But you are still moving to that beat.
In motions no one can see. At a pace no one would know.
Because the air is thick.
In the most perfect way.
You can feel it.

The shackles.
Dance

It's nearly time

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

You are Comet Feet.

And right now, there is every chance you might die in the next few minutes.

"You were loyal to the Master, and you also feared her. I care not why, or what circumstances bound you to serve her. But she is dead now, and that influences your position in the board."​

You are at the end of a small bridge, the one that leads to Fluttershy's house.

The one that she maintains and repairs, despite her wings, because a family of birds nested under it, once. The one that, at her request, the beavers leave untouched, and the larger animals avoid so as not to strain it. The very last fork on the road that, if taken, could only ever lead to her home. A figurative gate, left open and unguarded, that leads to a sanctuary that welcomes and shelters all life.

A figurative gate that, for the first time in its existence, might be soiled with blood and death.

Your blood. And your death. Because again…

… there is every chance you might die in the next few minutes.

"I am here to ensure your piece falls in the correct place."​

The thing before you isn't a mare. She might look like one, but you know she is not.

She might be wearing a dress, and her silver mane might be long and well-kept in the artificial way that for some reason you never see in Fluttershy's mane. She might have the face of a pony, and four legs under her.

But that is no mare.

The blank expression she has, utterly neutral and devoid even of hate, looks more like a mask than anything else. You know why she looks like that, of course. Because she is so focused that even her subconscious is too busy to change a detail as small as her expression.

The knife that is dangling from her neck, also, is no ordinary knife. You have no idea how she got something like that, you don't even know what that knife truly is. But you know that is no ordinary knife.

But most of all, her voice… it is so sharp that it hurts to listen to her words. You tried your best to respond in kind, but even answering her was a battle you could feel that you were losing.

The thing before you is no mare.

It is Velvet Covers.

And regardless of how it happens, you realize today your life is going to change forever.

…

She looks at you one last time, and after what feels like an eternity she finally begins to move.

The mare takes a step forward, stepping a hoof on the bridge.

The fur on your coat bristles. Your legs tense, and your wings open on your sides, ready to throw you up into the skies at a moment's notice.

Because the two of you know the significance of this bridge. The two of you realize that if she crosses it, she will be invading the place you are guarding. And if you cross it, it could only be to sally out and attack her instead. That truth is painfully obvious to the two of you.

However, she did not move to cross the bridge. And the icy focus in her eyes makes it clear she is not taunting you either.

Instead, she just steps a single hoof on the bridge, and then she pauses.

This too, you realize, is a symbolic action.

After all, she is not attacking you, but she is gaining ground. And the pregnant pause that occurs, after she stops, makes it clear she is inviting you to do the same.

This is, you realize… a negotiation.

One that is not happening with your hoofs or your blades.

Not yet.



"I would have you serve me."



She says that, as she firmly plants her hoof on the wooden bridge. As if she was declaring her intention while moving a piece on a board game.

But that is the thing, this is how you hope this will work… that is her initial demand, yes, but she only took a single hoofstep into the bridge. And she is still standing on the opposite side of the short wooden path. Which means, in turn, that there is still place for you two to maneuver.

And perhaps, there might even be enough space for the two of you to find common ground.

"I would have you leave," you say, planting a single hoof on the bridge as well.

Only a single hoof, and nothing more. To make more demands, to take more ground, would be to invite an attack. Either due to your disrespect, or because you would be showing you do not intend to negotiate as an equal.

Or at least, you hope that is what is going on inside her head… you think that is the case, but you sincerely cannot be sure.

For all that you know, this might be a trap. And the heavy significance you feel in this ritual, as if you two were repeating something that already happened several times in a distant past, could all be a ruse from her.



"I still have need of Fluttershy."



Her second demand, and her second hoofstep. Now, half her body is standing over the wooden bridge.

But the two of you are still a few ways from each other.

And you have words to tell regarding her latest demand.

"I will not accept that she be endangered," you take your next step.

And like two warriors of old, trying to negotiate peace at the last moment before a fight, you two lay out your terms.

Neither of you take a single step back. To do so would be contrary to this way of negotiation.

But still, you can tell that she is wording her demands very carefully. And you, too, try your best to do the same.

"I would be willing to call upon you, instead, if a task is dangerous."

"I would be willing to heed your call, provided you do not corrupt her."

"I cannot stop her from learning by herself."

"But you will deny her if she ever asks for guidance."

Step after step, term after term, the two of you slowly negotiate a contract of sorts.

Of course, it is made under the threat of violence. And the two of you realize that a falling out, now, would only result in one outcome. But still, neither of you are willing to bend on your own terms, so all that is left to do is hope that these two jagged puzzle pieces each of you are carrying somehow connect in the end.

Step after step, term after term, the two of you give and take ground over the wooden bridge.

Until you two are so close to each other there is no more room to walk.

Until you two are looking at each other's eyes, and the only place left to plant a hoof is in each other's faces.

You do not like how this is going, so far. You do not like the fact that, unless you take it to the next level, your life will still be connected to the creature before you.

However, you were also able to…



"…"



Her eyes narrow, and the drumbeat of your heart begins to ache inside your chest. The air itself growing sour and heavy as you watch the entirety of your deal run through her eyes.

You just made the last term, that the two of you would treat each other as equals. Not as servant and master, and not as friends. But as equals, and that she would respect your terms the same way you would respect hers.

And now, there is no space left for her to impose anything else. There is nothing she can do but either accept it, or tear this contract into pieces along with your throat.

The knives under your wings begin to rattle as the mare begins to raise her hoof…



…



… and you can only watch as slowly, and glacially carefully, she…

"That is acceptable."

… she keeps her hoof raised, keeping it in place between the two of you. There is so little space between left between your bodies she is almost touching your chest.

And it takes you the longest time to realize she is offering her hoof so you can shake it.

"This is acceptable," you say, mirroring her movement, and taking her hoof with your own.

The sensation of her hoof against yours is almost painful, and for a moment you think you are being cut by a knife.

But once you let go of each other, there is no blood on your hoof. Not on your hoof, and not anywhere else. Especially upon the surface of the bridge.

Then, without another word, the mare turns around and leaves.

And you almost can't believe the fact that she… she is gone.

She is gone, and you are alive. Your paltry preparations went to waste, but that is actually good, and you… you…

…

You stand there, for the longest time, with your eyes unfocused. Looking towards the direction she went, as if she was about to return at any moment.

But that moment never arrives.





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Stormchaser, and right now you are with a very unexpected guest.

"You look… different. Did anything happen?" you ask, your tone as cautious as it is curious.

Because you do not mean it as a joke. By Celestia, you are always very carefully when joking around him to begin with.

But as you look at the large and burly Comet Feet, you can't help but think that something did happen.

More than just that, you can practically feel that…

"… I am not sure," he says, his tone unusually low.

And of course, his tone is not the only thing that is unusual right now.

After all, this is the first time Comet Feet came all by himself. This is the first time he came by himself and stayed to talk to you, rather than just leave after some errand. Every other time he came here to speak to you, he was usually with his… friend?

His friend? Girlfriend? Wife? You aren't really sure. In some aspects, the two of them feel like a married couple. But in other aspects, it feels like they barely know each other.

But still, more importantly…

"Would you like to talk about it?" you ask.

More importantly, the stallion itself looks…

…

He looks calm.

No, really. This is the best way you can describe it.

Because every other time you met him, or spoke to him, he looked… not tense, but not at ease either.

He always looked like he was watching out for something. It always felt like he was a taut slingshot, that was about to fire.

But right now, he looks… normal.

He is younger than you, of course. You know that. And yet, for some reason, you feel like you are looking at an old pony who just retired. You feel like you are looking at an old stallion, who just let go of a heavy weight he had been carrying, and at the same time you feel like you are looking at a young stallion who is living the first day of his entire life.

You don't really have the words for it, but… well, it feels like you are speaking to a pony you just met.

No, that's not right. Instead, it feels like you are talking to a pony who just met himself for the first time. And who is still confused about it.

"Did I… did I ever tell you where I came from?" he asks.

The two of you are sitting on a balcony. It is a weekday, your wife is away, and your daughters are in school. So, it's just the two of you.

And he asks you that as he just… looks away towards the farmlands. To the point that you feel like he is talking to himself as much as he is talking to you.

"No, I don't believe you did," you say, reclining back on your seat.

You already know how these conversations go. So, you will listen more than you speak.

"I used to live in… well, it was a big city. Lots of backstreets, lots of dark alleys. And lots of ponies who lived in those dark alleys," he says.

His eyes are a little unfocused as he talks.

You can't help but wonder what exactly he is looking at, with his mind's eye, as he tells you about that. What memories is he reliving right now? How did a colt grow up to become a stallion like this?

"There weren't a lot of ways to survive. Especially without reliable parents. But there were plenty of colts like that. So, as the years went by, we found each other and banded together."

He doesn't say the word gang. Not out loud, at least. But he doesn't use an innocent word either.

Still, he doesn't give you too many details. And you don't ask for them. This, you know, is not the time to interrupt him with questions.

In fact, you know the only reason you are here… the only reason he came here, is because he needed somepony to listen. Because doing this is a lot easier than speaking out loud while alone.

And the reason why he came here, rather than do this with the one other pony who would be willing to listen, becomes obvious soon enough.

He is… ashamed, of what he is talking about.

"Petty thefts. Quiet stickups. A few bruises here and there, whenever we fought over territory. But we were just small birds in a big sky. So small that we were largely ignored by the real players. And they would only come after us, and teach us a lesson, when we really stepped out of line."

He tells you about a few things that, you assume, stick out in his head. Disparate events that dot what is no doubt a much larger and longer story. But still, he only tells you what comes to his mind.

The first time he was hurt. The first time he hurt somepony. The first time he did something he would never be able to take back.

Until finally, through happenstance or design, he and his group were faced with a wall they could not overcome.

"… and then we finally realized the uniforms had us surrounded," he says, and his expression grows tired as he says those next few words. "But here's the thing, none of my friends had wings… Only I did."

Ah.

And after that, from what you understand, his life just began to spiral out of control.

He escaped the clutches of the law, but only to find himself alone in a dangerous city. So, he did the only thing he knew to do: he sought refuge under the wings of a larger bird.

But that larger bird also had larger designs. And the urchin colt who had barely become a stallion was suddenly being asked, and being used, to commit worse and more dangerous acts. The one advantage he ever had in life, that he was a little stronger than most ponies, being treated as a tool to be used and inevitably discarded.

However, when he realized his usefulness was nearing its end, he once again ran.

Only that time, it would have been far more difficult to escape the things he had done, and the ponies who knew about it.

"And that is when I was found by… that is when I came to Ponyville," he says. And the things your wife told you allow you to fill in the blanks. "But that is the thing. My whole life, I have been… under somepony's thrall. My whole life, I felt like I never really… like I couldn't… like I wasn't living it myself and…"

He trails off.

And once you realize this period of silence is stretching longer than it should, you very carefully place a hoof on his shoulder.

The stallion doesn't break your foreleg, thankfully. But to your surprise, he doesn't even react at all.

In fact, he might even be welcoming the gesture.

But this is not about you, and you know you have to say something. You know it from the itch you feel in your cutie mark, and the strange things you have learned to notice as of late.

You need to help him understand what this means. You need to help him solidify what this… where this confusing storm he has inside his thoughts is taking him. Before he reaches the wrong conclusion, and once again falls into the only spiral he has ever known.

And to do that, you tell him the only thing that makes sense.



"You are free now," you say.



And as soon as you say that, you realize from his expression that… that he had never felt something like this before. That he had been flying through a storm for so long that he never really knew what a calm breeze felt like.

He turns his face to look at you, and the expression he has on his face is almost confused. Surprised, perhaps, but definitely befuddled.

"Wh… what…? But I…" he says, but he trails off, looking down for a few moments as his thoughts slowly gather into something more cohesive. "What do I do?" he finally asks.

You let out a small chuckle.

Well, that is something you can answer a lot more easily.

"It is obvious, isn't it? Whatever you want," you say that, and you almost laugh as he tilts his head slightly. The very notion of what you just suggested him still being something he is not used to. "But that might be a little too much for now. So tell you what, why don't I teach you how to take a mare on a date? I don't think you ever invited that friend of yours out to do something, right? So why don't you set your sights on doing that, and then you take if from there?"

You expect the stallion to grunt at your words. To scoff at your suggestion, and maybe shake his head in annoyance. For half a second, you expect him to do one of those things, because that is what he almost always does whenever you two talk.

That is what you are used to seeing him do. That is the Comet Feet you have been cautiously getting to know, throughout these last few months.

But to your surprise, the stallion… doesn't.

He doesn't give you a nod either, not even a hesitant one. But he doesn't refuse you outright either.

And that, you know, is something you can work with.

"Speaking of which, where is she? I didn't expect you to…" you begin to say.

And from that point on, your conversation continues. As you slowly get to know a familiar friend, who you are meeting for the first time today.

Spoiler: Winning Vote

Tally

[X] Compromise.
-Velvet Covers and Comet Feet will reach an agreement.
-Velvet Covers will be prohibited from teaching anything about the Lores to Fluttershy. It will no longer be acceptable to level Fluttershy up, ask her to perform rituals, or do other Lore-related actions.
-Comet Feet will no longer grow his hatred towards you every time you ask him for a favor.
-Comet Feet and Fluttershy will remain a "single" Confidante, together. But rather than having to "ask Comet for a favor", he will take over Fluttershy's actions and perform them, if he is better suited for it. (Asking Fluttershy to go on an Expedition, or perform a ritual, will have Comet Feet to do it instead, for example).

Your relationship with Comet Feet and Fluttershy is now operating under a different set of rules. Their contact information will be updated at a later date to reflect that.

Not a friend, but not an enemy. Not a confidante, but not entirely disconnected from your plans. It was already said, once, that you would only be able to befriend one and a half Cult advisors, given the direction your actions took you. This is, probably, the best you will be able to do for the time being.

But perhaps, this will be enough.

If nothing else, it did not end differently.

 

[AuthorTransient]

1 2 3 4 J R 5 S​

Spoiler: Author's Notes

Realized I missed a few things in my earlier posts, so I've went back and edited them.

PATCHES:
1. Mareinette now suffers from the Outnumbered malus.
2. The trait [PUPPET OF THE RED SANDS] now appears on THE WIRE MOTHER's sheet.
3. Combat Rolls have been appropriately labelled.
4. Part 4 has been updated to include an updated THE WIRE MOTHER sheet (which will be the case for combat parts going forwards) and its name.

I'm planning on finishing the writing of this series of apocrypha by Halloween and editing them in time to post weekly.

Now, with all of that out of the way... wait, only 300 words? Whoops.

---

In Which (S) Collide - Interlude Jade

Jade: Sans Sanguine


You are Jade Whistle and you are currently -

You are currently comparing what is happening in front of you to one of the old book club meetings with the Master, but worse.

As long as you kept yourself into a tidy little box for the Master, they tended to be satisfied – well, you won't lie... there was always a chance that the Master would randomly decide that you or one of your precious ones would make a good pawn in the game to sacrifice. And you couldn't really go against the Master. Not as you were.

But for Your Lady of Wires... you understand that one cannot really appease Her. The desire of Hers is beyond Her own ability to control. She may play and pretend that She can, that She has a veneer of sensibility over Her whims – but She cannot.

So there's really only one outcome.

But as much as you trust Velvet Covers and... Her Royal Highness Princess Luna, you know that fighting something as great as Your Lady of Wires will not be as simple as blasting Her in the face over and over again. Your Lady of Wires is a being of the Lores – and She is One Who is Very Great in Grail and Heart, which, even without you simplifying their characteristics as 'being difficult to kill', a pony that has reached such a high understanding and survived for so long is very, very dangerous.

Hence, you turn to them and say: "Rarity, Fluttershy... you need to get all the bearers of Harmony together."

Rarity startles, but Fluttershy raises a hoof, her voice firming as she goes. "Okay... but what about everypony else?"

"Sorry," you respond, "but you will have to figure that out yourselves. Evacuate the town too, but... Harmony is more important."

Fluttershy nods, accepting that you are going to stay. Then she turns around and goes. You admire her ability to master her own inner conflict.

Rarity gives you one last wide-eyed look before she quickly chases after, but you're already bending down to carve a ritual circle into the world.

1 2 3 4 J R 5 S​

 

[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
-[X] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Influence of Edge.

Silky Stream knows a secret.

A secret that almost nopony else knows.


"Like this?"
"No, dear. A bit wider. Don't try to make it a circle. Try to make it something that should be an egg, but that accidentally turned out like a circle."
"That doesn't make any sense, auntie."
"But the smile I see on your face tells me you get it anyways."


It is not really a well-kept secret. In fact, it's not a secret at all.

It's just that nopony would really believe it, even if she were to tell them. Everypony would think she was lying, or making it up, or just that she was too young to understand what she was talking about.

And the secret is…


"Like this?"
"Good enough, good enough. Now, stand right in the middle of the circle, and repeat what I'm about to tell you…"


… the secret is that auntie Baldomare is actually a bit of an airhead.

Not because she is a dummy or anything. Silky Stream knows that's not the case. Silky knows that Baldomare is very, very smart. In fact, that is probably why everypony would think this secret is not really true.

But still, what nopony else realizes is that… auntie Baldomare doesn't really pay attention to things. She is sometimes dismissive, although never in a mean way. She doesn't really put a lot of effort into things, unless you really ask her to. And even when she doesn't smell like grape juice, she still looks like she is only half-there with you.

Still, Silky doesn't really mind any of that. She knows that auntie Baldie is not a bad pony.

However, she can't help but feel like… she can't help but feel like auntie Baldomare is living through life with her eyes closed. Like everything she does, she is doing with her eyes closed, and that she only manages to do it because she knows everything. So, she can afford to live like that without bumping into anything.

Although, Silky Stream still wonders every now and then… why is she doing this?

What is it that Baldomare doesn't want to see?


"How… I'm sorry, can you repeat that part again?"
"Of course. It's Cryppys. C-R-Y-P-P-Y-S. And it's very important you don't steal any of the letters while you say it. Now, start that whole phrase from the beginning, dear."


She doesn't know the answer to that, of course. And she realizes it would be rude to ask.

So, Silky Stream does the second-best thing she can think of. She keeps auntie Baldie company whenever she can.

And in return, every now and then, Baldomare asks her to do fun stuff like this!



[Reflection of the Tapestry, CD 60]

[Roll: 71 + 50 (Baldomare) – 50 (Incompetent Celebrant Cutest Assistant) + 60 (Secret Histories Level 6) = 131]

[Success]



"Wow! It… it's glowing pink!"
"That's right. That means you did it correctly, dear. Now, pay attention to what I will say next. Do you see that mirror next to you? I need you to…"


Right now, Silky and Baldomare are in the middle of the farmlands. Surrounded in all directions by walls of tall crops, with nopony else in sight. Auntie Baldie used some magic to flatten the ground, so Silky could draw on it better, but she promised Silky that it wouldn't cause problems to anypony.

More importantly, Baldomare is currently standing outside a respectably large ritual circle, drawn by the filly. And the filly herself is currently standing at the very center of the configuration, watching in wonder as some of its inner sigils begin to glow with the color of paradoxes.


"Like… like this?"
"That's right… like that… Reflect the sunlight into the glowing spot and… There! Quickly, while its color changed, reflect it back on the outer circle!"


Doing that feels like a game, to the filly.

And who knows, perhaps good Baldomare took some liberties to make this activity possible to begin with. After all, that ritual circle is a lot larger than it should have been. Large enough to have room for mistakes, and certainly too large to work without her steady hoof on it.

However, as the filly dutifully follows Baldomare's instructions…



[Reflection of the Tapestry, CD variable]

[Roll: 31 + 50 (Baldomare) – 50 (Incompetent Celebrant Cutest Assistant) + 60 (Lantern Level 6) – 150 (??????) = -59]

[Negative result, ritual fizzles]



… the circle's glow suddenly fades out. And the shiny atmosphere that was gathering around them quickly evaporates.

"Huh? Was that supposed to happen, auntie?" the foal asks.

But Baldomare…

…

The older mare, she…

"Auntie? Is everything alright?"

Something which has not occurred in a very long time, happens.

"That… was very interesting…" Baldomare says.

Because for the first time in a very, very long time… Baldomare has been surprised by something.

"Silky, dear, can you run along back home? I'm afraid I'll have to continue this little experiment without you."

"Oh… okay. But it was really fun, auntie. Can't I at least stay and watch you do it instead?"

"I'm afraid not, dear. I wouldn't want to blind you."

She says that, and the foal quickly leaves, not really sure if the mare truly meant it or not.

And as Baldomare gets to work re-drawing the circle in the Wake, her true self narrows her eyes within the confines of her lodge.

Because for the first time in a very, very long time, the Name of Lantern is curious about something.



[Baldomare invokes a re-roll]





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Velvet Covers.

And you are currently having quite an eventful afternoon, to say the least.

You are in the deep underground of the Lunar Bureau. In the section that is deeper than the hangar, and that is deeper even than the solitary cells where you kept the more important Bluebloods.

Yes, you are currently in the place where the real cells are located. The ones that need to be surrounded by iron, and then magical wards, and then solid rock in all directions. The kind of place that even an alicorn would have difficulty escaping from, and that will never see the light of Celestia's sun.

To be entirely honest, putting your current captive here is something that could be called "overkill". However, you understand the importance of symbolism.

Because this cell might be too secure for the one measly changeling your agents have captured.

But alas, this is still the first changeling ever to be captured. So, the circumstances call for the very best you have at your disposal.

Although, there is the detail that…



"He swears up and down he is one Gallop Field," one of your constables, a team-leader, says. "And we already dusted him several times, to no effect."

"That thing is a changeling, Commissioner," Beyond Reproach retorts, from a few hoofsteps behind you. "I tailed him for more than a week. And I saw him do things earth ponies shouldn't be able to do. I swear on my badge he's one of them."



… there is the detail that nopony else knows the pony you are staring at, currently chained and jailed in the warded cell, is a changeling. They don't know Reproach is correct, and that you have your very first catch in your hoofs.

"What should we do, ma'am?" Shining Armor asks, his tone more than just a little nervous.

There is a very small gathering of ponies here with you. A place as deep as this in the Bureau wasn't really made with comfort or space in mind. However, there is still enough space for a team of ponies to drag in a reasonably large prisoner.

So, as you inspect the prisoner who was brought in less than an hour ago from Tall Tale, you are being waited on by no less than ten ponies. With Shining Armor, Reproach, and several other constables and investigators waiting on your word.

And you understand why they are all so tense. After all, the prisoner you are looking at was one they captured in the dead of the night. During a very small window of opportunity, and based on evidence that can be described as shaky at best. So, as far as they know, they either captured a changeling and made a breakthrough in their investigation… or the Bureau just committed its first Very Big Blunder, that you will have to clean up.

But of course, they don't know what you know. And when they look at the chained and gagged prisoner, they don't see what you see.

So…

"Deputy," you say, your voice cutting through the mounting tension. "Have a runner contact Eclipse… or whatever nameless institution Midday Dew is in charge of. Tell them we will be sending them this prisoner. They will know what it is for. If anypony objects, tell them it's for Celestia herself, and that I'll have any delays sent to the Princess for an explanation."

You say that, without taking your eyes away from the stallion… no, from the monster, that is currently wearing the guise of a pony. Pretending to shiver and cry, as if it were an innocent pony who had just been caught in a situation beyond its control.

You say that, without taking your eyes away from that thing, and you feel nothing but hate towards it.

"Reproach," you say. And the hushed activity that was happening behind you, as Shining dispatched somepony to see to your orders, immediately stops. And the stallion you called for hesitates only for a moment before taking a few steps towards your back. "Prepare a thorough report on how you concluded this is a changeling. Omit nothing from it. Once the test returns its results, I will have your methods disseminated if you are proven right."

You turn your back to the captured enemy, and you begin the long trek that will take you back to the ground level. The small crowd of agents parting before you as you walk.

"We will gather in the conference room in an hour. Regardless of the results of the test, we still have the reports from the mountains to discuss. Prepare a briefing, explaining how bad the infestation in the city of Tall Tale is, and how we may go about remedying it."

You say that, and then you are gone. Several more pressing matters presenting themselves to you.

After all, you have other… concerns to keep in mind.

You need to plan when you will report this to Princess Celestia.

You need to verify how prepared the Bureau truly is to directly face the changeling threat.

And most importantly, you need to consider whether you will interfere with this occurrence, to further your own goals.

All in due time, of course.

For now, you need to show your agents that they have, indeed, captured a changeling.



- - -



Following their investigations, your agents have conclusively sighted changelings in the mountains of Tall Tale, a city located on the western coast of Equestria. Furthermore, a prisoner who was hastily captured during the investigation was proven to have been a changeling all along. The term "Freak Check" being whispered into existence by your agents, as the chained prisoner they delivered to Eclipse was returned to them, less than an hour later, with its disguise burned and its horrid form laid bare.

Your investigators are currently trying to discover exactly how much the city has been infiltrated. Although you do not expect much progress, given how unreliable their methods currently are.

However, and more importantly, your agents have reported to you that the mountains of Tall Tale itself are being used as a staging ground by the shapeshifting monsters.





You have discovered the expedition "The proto-hive of Tall Tale". As an expedition, this is a chance for you to raid that place with your own resources, so you can scout it, loot it, or even plant evidence on it before ordering the Bureau to make its move.

Spoiler: The proto-hive of Tall Tale

Location: Tall Tale is a growing city, surrounded on one side by a quickly-disappearing forest, and by tall mountains on the other. Those mountains, according to your agents, are currently infested by changelings. You could sneak in there, to either strike at the changelings yourself, steal from them, or maybe even PLANT something you would like your constables to find later. But unfortunately, this endeavor will not be without dangers.

(NOTE: This expedition will DISAPPEAR if the Lunar Bureau raids it before you do. But an expedition sent here will arrive before the Bureau raids it, if both actions are taken on the same turn.)

Expected duration: MEDIUM

Base cost: 7 bits (you must have at least 70 bits per creature sent)

Expected dangers: Sneaking past your own agents shouldn't be hard, since you know their every move. And there are changelings in the mountains themselves. Other than that, anything else is UNKNOWN (expedition not scouted)

Come next turn, your Constables will have the option to "Raid the Tall Tale mountains". This is a direct strike against the changeling threat that currently exists in Equestria. And performing this action will "destroy" the related Expedition.



- - -



The night turns into early morning when you finally return to your guest room in the Royal Castle.

You are sure it is already way past midnight, although you don't really know by how much. But still, you distinctly recall seeing the clock on the meeting room turn over to a new day, as Shining Armor and your agents fleshed out a draft of a plan on how to take action in the mountains of Tall Tale.

Granted, everything is still in the draft stage. But still, these are changelings you are talking about. Hunting them is one of the reasons-to-be of the Lunar Bureau. And you are planning on raiding a place that is, quite literally, a mountain. This isn't a mansion you can surround, and this isn't at the heart of an organized city. So, even this stage of planning is already… complicated.

But still, any true action is still several weeks away from reality. For now, you have given them orders to plan for a more permanent listening post, on the city and in the wilderness around the mountains, to keep a very close eye on the changelings. They should give you options to choose from, for those posts, tomorrow. And things should organically evolve from there.

Right now, all you really want to do is…

"… sleep…" you moan to yourself.

Although the pinch you feel on your chest makes it very clear that you will be forced to wake up on time tomorrow. After all, it doesn't matter if she only had less than four hours of sleep. It is completely unacceptable for the Commissioner to be late for her duties.

So, as you drag your hoofs into your guestroom and make your way towards your bed-

-you are immediately assaulted by the heavy presence of Knock, like the smell of snakeskin against your eyes.

You immediately let out a gasp, closing your eyes shut as you scan your room. Your tired body giving way… not to attention, but at least to some degree of alertness.

After all, you can't sense anypony.

But you can definitely feel that something happened here.

Or perhaps that somepony was here earlier this day.

"Wait, why is my bed so…?" you say out loud, realizing that the covers on your bed are completely disheveled. No, more than that, you realize your bed sheets are presently covering something.

And after you cautiously pull the sheets of your bed, you are met with a small trove of treasures.

Spoiler: Beneath the Royal Castle, pt. 2

[Expedition: Beneath the Royal Castle, pt. 2]

[Sole participant: Daughter-of-Axes, taking no artifacts]



"Finding her way to the discrete entrance, on a forgotten spot of Mount Canterlot, was not that hard. In fact, it was almost familiar. After all, she opened that passage herself."


[Day 1 - Finding a way through the cavern, cd 75]

[Roll: 12 + 50 (Expedition Bonus) + 10 (Diary entries) = 72]

[Failure]


"Unfortunately, the caverns of crystal were more confusing than expected. She spent a whole day going in slithering circles, and only realized her mistake when she reached the entrance, and realized night was already falling."


[Day 2 - Finding a way through the cavern, cd 75]

[Roll: 81 + 50 (Expedition Bonus) + 10 (Diary entries) = 141]

[Success]


"But eventually, she found a way forward. Or rather, she found a collapsed tunnel with markings consistent with the diary she had been given for reference. Progress."


[Day 3 – Forcing a way through, cd 70]

[Roll: 60 + 50 (Expedition Bonus) + 10 (Diary entries) = 120]

[Success]


"She wishes she had Firerage Powder. Or pack-hound grease. Mansus, she would even like to have that confounding stallion who made that request, if he had a pickaxe with him. But she had none of that. Still, she made due, and after hours of careful work, she had a way forward."


[Day 4 – Navigation]

[Journey-length hurdle, no CD involved]


"The farther one goes, the more careful one ought to be. And advancing at a crawl's pace takes time."


[Day 5 – Sustenance, cd 80]

[Roll: 69 + 50 (Expedition Bonus) + 10 (Diary entries) = 129]

[Success]


"The cold depths of the cavern were almost oppressive. But her body was more than enough to power through it. And her supplies were meant for far harsher places. The age-old drops of water dripping from the crystal above were not enough to push her back."


[Day 6 – But can you say "please?", cd 80]

[Roll: 4 + 10 (Antisocial) = 14]

[Failure]


This-ere caverns are mine. You 'ear me? MINE!

"A blind mole-thing, capable of speech and territorial to a fault, blocked her way. Her first, second and third reflexes were to cleave it, but she knew better than to challenge a ground-swimmer in the depths of a cave. That, she knew, was a very quick way to have the entire cavern collapsed over her head. However her fourth reflex -telling it to fuck off and insulting its entire family tree- was probably not the best way to go about it."


[Day 7 – But can you say "please?", cd 80]

[Roll: 80 + 10 (Antisocial) = 90]

[Success]


"She will never admit what terrible deals she struck with Ol'Mole Badgerson. But after both parties were able to calm down, and meet on the next day, they reached an understanding of sorts. Still, she hopes never to meet the creature, or any of its kind, again."


[Day 8 – Finding a way out, cd 60]

[Roll: 11 + 50 (Expedition Bonus) + 10 (Diary entries) + 30 (Knock total 6) = 101]

[Success]


"In the depths of the cave complex, a door. Locked and warded, and that knows the touch of the Lores. This, she knows, is what she was looking for. But she will not open it today. She knows better than to open locked doors without preparation, and there might be sealed dangers awaiting behind it. Instead, she looks for the thinnest wall. Or at least, for the wall that will give the shortest path to the face of the mountain."


[Day 9 – Making a way out, cd 100]

[Roll: 72 + 50 (Expedition Bonus) + 10 (Diary entries) + 30 (Knock total 6) = 162]

[Success]


"Mining a tunnel, without proper equipment, in absolute darkness, and in a place that might collapse at any moment, is no easy task. But the Name of Knock knows a thing or two about creating passages. Furthermore, she finds a small stash of items, probably used by whoever locked the door, entombed in her path. And after an entire day of careful toil, the forbidding cavern is once again touched by the breeze of an early morning. And the snakemare herself slithers away back to her summoner."


[Expedition successfully completed]

Spoiler: Results

[Beneath the Royal Castle, pt. 2, results]

"A small collection of items, a map to find the outside entrance, and a grudging note warning that the door she found was well-warded even by her own high standards. Whoever occupied the depths of Mount Canterlot has left few clues of his existence, but the Daughter-of-Axes was able to sniff what little there was to be found. All that is left, you suppose, is to find a way to open that door. But for now, these treasures are yours."


-Gained one Artifact (Lantern, level 4, unstudied) of unknown properties.

-Gained one book (Moth, level 5. Requires deciphering. Progress 0/100. From an Era that is Ancient Beyond History, "-50" to deciphering rolls.)

-Gained one book (Knock, level 5. Requires deciphering. Progress 0/100. From One Era Ago, "-30" to deciphering rolls.)

-Gained one Reagent (MOTH, Level 4)

-Discovered the expedition "Beneath the Royal Castle, pt. 3"

- - -



Your night, unfortunately, is no less eventful than your day.

Because you are here.

Of course you are here.

You are… with your son.

You are in the Mansus.

To say that you have been avoiding this place is an understatement. Ever since you understood, or perhaps realized, the true nature of this place, you have been avoiding the Dream. You have chosen, as much as you can choose with this kind of thing, to have sleepless nights. And on one occasion, to help with Selene's own request, you even fell asleep under her spell.

That… was the first time you had a normal dream in a very long while. In fact, you still recall that night fondly. After all, the sensation of falling asleep and having good memories about it is…

…

No, you shouldn't remember that night. You shouldn't even think about it. Not here, at least. Not right now.

Because a part of you thinks that, if you think about your good memories too hard while in this place, then they will somehow be corrupted.

So, instead, you go to work.

…

The Ashen Wastes, as you came to call them, stretch before you. It still has the same look it had last time, of a colossal ocean of ashes, with its waves frozen in place.

However, another part of you can't help but think of this place as being covered in fur. And as your hoof sinks into the lukewarm ash, you can't help but feel like a tick, or some other vermin, that is crawling on the back of a gigantic animal.

Still, you are not here for no reason. Quite on the contrary.

Maybe you are doing this out of morbid curiosity, like a killer revisiting the scene of a crime they committed. Or maybe you truly believe that it is useful to learn about this place, even if only to know what other adepts might suffer if they ever decide to wander here.

But still, the fact remains that you are here to explore this place.

Because there must be other sections to this place. Granted, it would not surprise you to learn that this is just one gigantic wasteland. However, it pays to be sure.

So, you pick a direction, and you begin to walk.



[Rolling…]



Up the slopes, down through the drifting slabs of burned Mansus-stone. Avoid the crashing waves like a plague, even if they appear to be frozen in place.

And whatever you do, don't look back.

You do not want to see the pawprints that you know are following after you, from a distance.

But eventually, your suspicions (or perhaps your fears) are confirmed.

You reach a place that seems to break off from the Wastes themselves. The change is not as violent as the one you saw in the Shattered Stairways, where the floating staircases seemed to lead into entirely different worlds. But still, this place seems to have a different feeling to it.

The ground is still made of burning ash, and the disgusting smell of pain and hopelessness still fills your nostrils. However, you cannot see any frozen waves made of ash here, nor do you see any signs of charred tree-trunks, or anything like that.

Instead, you see… what seems to be ruins.

There is a small forest of broken Mansus-stone here, all of it charred. Their surfaces red-and-black like the flames that licked them. But still, you see a lot more remains of the Mansus than you have seen anywhere else. These are not the broken pieces of stone slabs you have seen here and there, trapped between the ashen waves like the remains of a broken ship in a storm. Instead, the scene before you looks as if an entire castle had been torn from its foundations, and had its pieces scattered in all directions by an earthquake or a storm.

There are columns half-sunk into the dust. Crumbled walls leaning against each other and forming dark tunnels. Bits and pieces and chunks and broken blocks as far as your eye can see.

You do not want to dare and enter that place. You really do not want to do that.

…

But you have to.

…

As you make your way through the ruins, you can't help but wonder… what kind of structure was this, before the Woods burned?

Are these the remains of that grand Temple you had found? Is this something older, that only your former Master remembered?

Or are these ruins of Mansus-stone the remains of some upper level, that chipped off and fell from above thanks to the heat of that hateful fire?

You do not know.

And part of you doesn't really want to find out.

Still, as you walk through the ruins, you realize something else.

You… you are not alone.

You are being watched.

You are being watched by more than just the stalking presence that leaves pawprints on your wake.

But these sightless eyes that watch you, these disembodied creatures that stalk you from the shadows and the miserable wind… they do not look upon you favorably. As hard as it is to say that the Wolf-thing that follows after you is favorable to you, you can definitely say that the things in these ruins share no such preference towards you.

The things in these ruins, you know, can only hate.

The things in these ruins, you realize, were born from the fire and misery that came to be when the Woods burned.

Maybe they are the hateful spirits of the things that died. Maybe they are the smokes from the hungry flames that destroyed everything in their path. Or maybe they are something else altogether, like a pack of nightmares that came into existence as the old forest choked to death.

But still, whatever these things might be, they are here…

… and they can also be called into the Wake.

You wake up with you mind full of fresh horrors. And even though none of those creatures dared to approach you, you were still gifted with the knowledge of how to call upon them.

And you know that other adepts, who will certainly have a far deadlier encounter with them, will learn how to summon them as well.

That is, if they survive that encounter.





You have located the Hunting Grounds, that damned place where the denizens of the Ashen Wastes made nest. You have discovered, and learned how to summon, "Ash-Ghouls".

Spoiler: Ash-Ghoul

"This thing has no body to speak of. It does not even have a shape. However, the end result of its summoning is there for all to see. Blood-soaked ash leaks out of the corpses' wounds, and its movements are more alien the more bodies are used in its construction. And even though it has no will of its own, it can still hate as fiercely as any other echo of the dying breath of the Woods. It is best not to dwell on what happens to the essence of the ponies used in its sacrifice."

Ash-Ghoul

Summoning requirements: WINTER 50, KNOCK 50, EDGE 50

Summoning cost: 25 bits.

Summoning details:
-At least one living pony MUST be sacrificed to summon this creature. Ponies sacrificed in this ritual do NOT count towards the maximum number of sacrifices of a circle, but they do NOT give any bonus to this ritual (to a maximum of seven ponies).
-Due to your understanding of this creature's home, you have complete knowledge of its status file without having to summon it.
-This creature has no "Specific Bonus". Or rather, the specific action it would be good at is not useful to most summoners.

Health: ?/? (Minimum of 3)
General bonus: ?? (5x sacrifice)
Aspects: EDGE ?, WINTER ?
[ABOMINATION]: Ash-Ghoul's health and Lore levels are equal to the number of ponies sacrificed in its summoning ritual. (Although its health will always be at least 3). And its General bonus is equal to five times the number of ponies sacrificed.
[I STAB AT THEE]: A character who deals the killing blow to at least one Ash-Ghoul must, at the end of combat, roll (CD: 100 + 10x sacrificed ponies / using Martial + Winter) to resist gaining a stack of Dread. (But the same character killing multiple Ash-Ghouls will only risk gaining at most one Dread per combat sequence).

[The Dead Will No Longer Be Dead]: Summoning this creature does not require a ritual circle.

[MONSTROUS APPEARANCE]: Cannot be used for Social Actions.
[UNINTELLIGENT]: Will perform badly at Actions that require academic knowledge. (This creature is still cunning, and will not walk into traps or act foolishly)
[BURNING FUEL]: This creature must consume dead bodies (the same number of bodies currently applying its bonuses) every turn, or it will be immediately unsummoned.
[FADING FUEL]: At the end of every turn, this creature "loses" one of its bodies from the number of bodies used to summon it, for all relevant aspects.
[SPENT FUEL]: Ash-Ghouls may not be used as sacrifice in other rituals.

But perhaps, the worst part is the knowledge that any other adept, who reaches as far as the edge of the Crossroads, might learn about this as well.



- - -



You are about ready to get back home. You had enough news, both good and bad, for this week. Nay, for the entire month.

You just want some time off with your family, with no worries or duties weighing down on your back. You just need to be with ponies who want you to relax, and who aren't constantly demanding your attention to do this or that or something else.

With that in mind, you finally arrive at the train station. Your saddle-bag tied to your back, and your tickets ready for the first-class cabin that will take you home.

And by the heavens you can't wait to get to Ponyville.

However, as you avoid the hustle and bustle of the Canterlot Central Station, and patiently await for the call to board your train, you are suddenly surprised by…

"Baldomare?"

"Ah, there you are. I was hoping you to catch you here. There is something I would like to tell you. And it would be dreadful not to take the first class cabin with you to go back to Ponyville."

The bespectacled earth pony mare greets you, and takes the seat at your side, as if that was the most normal thing in the world.

But what…

"… what in the world are you doing here?" you ask her. Your curiosity quickly getting the best of you. "I thought you didn't need… well, several things? Like trains? Or tickets? Or to physically find me to tell me something?"

The Name-mare laughs a little bit, as if you had just told her a joke. And to nopony's surprise, she simply ignores your questions as she continues to talk.

"That is all technically accurate, sure. But none of that really matters right now. More importantly, Velvet, I would like to tell you about something I have found. From that little favor you asked me to do," she says. And naturally, she now has your full attention. Your ears perking up as you realize what exactly she is talking about.

You are only slightly worried about somepony nearby overhearing you. But you know Baldomare well enough for this. She can be discreet when she wants to.

"Now, tell me. Have you ever heard of a symbol called… no, the name would definitely not mean anything about you. But have you ever seen a symbol of a snake eating its own tail? More poetic ponies would say it is a symbol of Eternity, or perhaps an allegory to creation and destruction. But I always subscribed to the more literal interpretation. That being that snakes are always the cause of their own problems. Which leads me to…"

Baldomare tells you of what she saw… or rather, she tells you about what she couldn't see.

She tells you that the scrying ritual you asked her to do was so muddled, or perhaps so refracted, that she could barely see anything more than allegories and vague symbolism.

She tells you that the thing you are looking for, or rather the thing that the Daughter-of-Axes is looking for, is very far away… and yet, closer than anypony might imagine.

She tells you that, as these curses usually go, the snakemare already has access to a place where her coveted item may be found. But, as is the case with curses, she cannot go there herself.

She tells you all of that…

… and then she asks you one thing.

"With that in mind, tell me something Velvet. Has she ever asked you to go somewhere, in her stead? Has she ever asked you for a favor, or maybe asked you to do an errand for her? Has she ever offered you a deal?"

The stationmaster begins to blow his whistle, calling for your train to begin boarding, just as she asks you that last question.

And for all that the mare refuses to elaborate any further, even on the long trip back to Ponyville, she has still given you plenty to think about.





Under normal circumstances, I would have opened a vote to decide who would go on the expedition, and what would be taken. However, during the initial dice-rolling, Axe passed the one test that would have used an artifact you had available (Heart) without needing its help. And none of your other artifacts would have been useful. Furthermore, this expedition is a bit of an exception when it comes to expeditions in general. So, I skipped the vote.

Baldomare has given you an elusive (but according to her, interesting) report on the ritual you had her perform. Thirty bits have been removed from your inventory, for Baldomare's ritual.

The Daughter-of-Axes has successfully completed an expedition at your behest. Its items have been added to your inventory, and a total of 63 bits (nine days, at seven bits each) has been taken from your inventory.

Two new expeditions have been discovered, and added to the relevant list.

 

[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
-[X] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Influence of Edge.

You are Velvet Covers.

And right now, you are very high in the Mansus.

Every time you get this high, you can't help but think about how strange the trek here feels.

Because no matter how many times you do this, you always think you will be daunted (or maybe even bored) by having to climb all the way here. Every time, before you go to sleep on nights like this, you carry with you a small measure of dread, as you picture yourself having to walk all the way from the Crossroads to here. Every night, you wish there were ways to "start" climbing the Mansus from a higher point.

Sure, that might be the height of a mortal's hubris, to wish that the Mansus was accommodating to you. But still, you are but a pony, so you can't help but think about those kinds of things.

However, there is a second part to these thoughts of yours. Because every time you reach the Mansus, and begin making your way to the Glory… you always relish it.

The journey, if you can even call it a journey at all, is never stale. It is never boring.

You always feel thrilled while doing it. And setting your sights on Glory, and performing the Climb, is always something you relish. Every time. Without fail.

Or at least, that is what you thought tonight, as you made your way here.

But now is not the time to wander and wonder. Now is the time to act.

You are currently in the… entrance, of the Ruined Church. If the broken mosaic window that you must climb through can even be called that.

And for all that you were thinking about the thrill of the Climb, you can't help but feel trepidation whenever you reach this point.

Maybe it's because, in very practical terms, you cannot see the Glory while inside the Ruinned Church. Not directly, at least. But most likely, you feel like this because this place feels like a living thing, and you invariably feel like you are climbing into a giant's mouth, whenever you enter this place.

Even when you are just passing through this place, taking the path you have very carefully plotted and mapped, you still feel nervous. Especially since, every now and then, the paths you are used to seem to shift ever so slightly.

But more than just that, tonight you are especially nervous because, well…

"Time to find out what you are hiding," you whisper.

Although you are not sure if you are saying that to the Ruined Church, or to yourself.

After all, if any place is meant to reveal a pony's deepest secrets, it has to be this.

Time to get to work.



[Mansus Expedition: The Depths of the Ruined Church]



You stalk through the upper corridors like a mouse in a forest. Because even though you have already been here several times, you know better than to be careless within these walls.

But soon enough, you find one of the passages you always avoid. A particular twist in your mapped path that, you know, eventually leads deeper into the Church.

Under normal circumstances, you would stalk right past this place. And in some nights, when you can hear or smell or even taste things coming from that place, you will avoid this path altogether. Either doubling-back to take an alternative route, or just giving up on that night's dream altogether.

But tonight, this particular cross on the road seems to be safe… or at least safe enough for you to dare explore it.

Out of the beaten path you go, and into an unfamiliar tunnel you reach.

As you walk down the unfamiliar corridor, you can't help but notice how deathly quiet this place is. You still think that, on the corner of your vision, the walls seem to shift and twist. But this feels more like the… it looks more like the slow movement of a pony's chest, as they breathe in their sleep.

You do your best not to disturb the ground as you walk. And soon enough you find what you are looking for.

To your right, behind a broken door made out of rich wood, you spot what seems to be a set of stairs. The beginning of a spiral staircase that seems to go downwards, and into darkness.

You sneak your way towards the staircase, checking every corner before daring to pass through them, and eventually you come face to face with the way down.

And for all that your dream body isn't real, you can't help but take a deep breath as you try to encourage yourself for what comes next.

"You can do this, Velvet…" you say under your breath.

And then you take the first step down.



…



The spiral staircase snakes its way downward, and you cautiously follow the only path down.

You would be lying if you said you weren't scared. After all, this place isn't just claustrophobic, but it is also as good as a death trap. You can't really see what lies in wait far below, since the staircase is an endless curve that blocks your sight. And you also can't see if anything is coming from behind you, following your tracks.

In short, you are stuck here, until you reach the bottom of the stairs.

And almost as if your fears had conjured up a challenge in your path, you suddenly come to a stop. Your hoofs freeze under you, mid-walk, as you narrowly miss noticing the thing you almost just stepped on.

"What…? Oh heavens…" you say, almost recoiling as you do.

Because as you look down the steps in front of you, you realize there is something on the steps that… no, it isn't just that. You realize there is something growing out of the steps. Like tiny protrusions, growing out of the stairs themselves.

And they are… you narrow your eyes, as you try to make sure. But sure enough, you quickly confirm it.

Those things are spikes. Spikes, or maybe thorns, or perhaps even fangs. Tiny, bone-white needles, that seem to be growing out of the bone-white marble of the steps.

They are so small, you think, that they probably won't hurt you too much.

But they are definitely sharp, and they might just hurt you enough.

And they are so very thirsty, you know. Like this entire place, and all the denizens it holds.

…

You will not enjoy doing this.

But you realize that, given the nature of this place, there is no other way to explore its depths.

A price must be paid. And knowing what was worshipped in this temple, that price will always be blood.



[Pay the price, cd 100]

[Roll: 60 + 9 (Martial) + 30 (Heart Level 3) = 99]

[Failure]



You take one step, the pinprick-pain piercing through the hoofs of your dream-body, and opening the paths for your blood to flow out of them.

You take the second step, and the pain more than doubles. As if the nearby spikes are also awakening, and eagerly awaiting for the coming feast.

The third step. You swear your blood is being sucked out, rather than just flowing out of your wounds.

You don't even have all your four hoofs on the spiked steps, and you have no idea how much longer the staircase goes, until it reaches the bottom. You can't know, because it simply curves out of your sight right in front of you.

But already the pain is too much, and you quickly retreat to the safety of the smooth marble steps behind you. Leaving bloody hoofprints that are quickly consumed by the very floor under your hoofs.

Maybe you are too weak to do something like this.

Maybe this was a mistake.



[Velvet Covers has lost one health]

[Velvet Covers has lost one scrap of Heart Lore]



[Velvet Covers has lost a health during an expedition. Will she continue?]

[Current health: 1/2]



[] Continue the expedition (the Expedition will continue as normal, and you will re-try the failed hurdle)

[] Retreat (you will safely retreat back to the Wake)





Author's note: Well, this is embarrassing.

No moratorium. Voting is open. Because I (and Velvet) believe she should just retreat. But this is not something on the "Velvet's Imperative" level for me to force an action. So here we are, voting on it. (And before anyone mentions it, Velvet could very technically have used her Edge AotL to double her Martial bonus, and gain the last needed +1. Trust me, I noticed that. But I noticed that only after I combed your file looking for SOMETHING that could help her. But the bottom line was that I wouldn't retroactively make her invoke a bonus she wouldn't normally use for this, so it's a no-go. And since I couldn't find any other forgotten bonus she could use, this is what happened.)

So… uh… I'll go write some interludes that I wanted to get done this turn. And Mareinette should ask you for her binding refreshments, unless we have any other interruptions. But your actions for this turn are pretty much over now.

Voting might close early, if things are clearly going in one direction. But voting shall remain open for at least twenty-four hours.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

My name is Midday Dew, and my entire life I have considered myself a pony of science.

I hope this doesn't turn into a scientific report. For some reason, I am not comfortable with thinking of my life as an experiment, despite how much of my life revolved around studies and research. But she did tell me to write what I know, so I suppose this will have to do.

My name is Midday Dew, and my entire life I have considered myself a pony of science.

Did that change? No, I do not think it has. But the circumstances I have been subject to certainly have changed.

So, I will try my best to journal my life here. Even if this only serves to show me how worse things have become, when I read this in the future.

---

I think the worst part is right after I wake up. That split second when I realize I am awake, but when the images are still so strong I think they are still happening.

That fraction of a moment, when I think my nightmares are still taking place in the waking world, surely is the very worst.



I should go to the lab. I don't have time to do this right now.



Maybe it is best to do this at night, right after I call it a day.

---

I don't think journaling is really helping me. Most days I just forget to write here. And when I do, I don't really feel like I am reducing to paper anything that truly matters.

But what else should I write about, if not my own thoughts? I have no desire to memorialize the nightmares here. Nor do I need to comment on what is done in the lab, since we keep our own records there.

So, if I am not doing this for the sake of posteriority, then who is this for anyways?

---

Today's session was…



Curious.



I remember when I was the only one to have these nightmares. Everypony else thought I was just working too hard, and they insisted I took some time off.

I refused, of course. I understood what the dreams were trying to tell me. I realized, at first glance, that I wouldn't have any peace unless I worked HARDER.

But still, I remember when I was the only one.

It is strange. In my mind, that strange period of isolation seemed to last for a very long time. But in truth, it maybe lasted a week.

In fact, this whole thing has been going on for maybe a month now.

Curious, how quickly ponies' lives can change, in such a short period of time.

Still, I remember when I was the only one.

And then, I remember what it felt like when it began to "spread".

We thought it was a curse, at first. Like a magical disease that affects the mind. After all, everypony was having the same nightmares. The imagery was the same for all of us. The wolves, the ruin, the futility of our actions. The end of ponykind, and all we ever called our civilization.

But we are all scientists. Celestia gathered us because we are rational ponies. So, we acted the part. We treated this like a disease, and we analyzed its spread with me as its "patient zero".

It helped that we were all… motivated, to work harder. In fact, I recall some of my colleagues claiming the nightmares were less bad when they worked overtime, staying in the lab until the sun rose again.

We know better now, of course. We know the effects of exhaustion in our sleeping cycles. And how stress, and a reasonable dose of placebo, can help with that.

But then again, we never really discarded the idea that these dreams were… intelligent, in some way.

Our second theory was that, rather than a magical disease of the mind, this was related to Princess Luna. After all, one of our directives is aiding in finding her. And dreams were, according to what little evidence we have, her domain.

We thought this was related to her actions… or perhaps her absence.

We thought, for a few days, that these nightmares were a sign that she was dead.

But Princess Celestia quickly dispelled those theories. Or, if nothing else, she directed us to work based on the assumption that the Royal Sister is alive.

Still, our research on these dreams were not making much progress. And of course, our other studies were completely paused while we tackled this latest issue.

Because we can try to rationalize this decision, to focus on these nightmares, as much as we want: we can say it is an investment in our own future productivity, we can say that dream-research is a valid way to locate Princess Luna. But deep down, we all know why we are throwing ourselves at this. We just want the nightmares to end.

Well, we can say whatever we want about that. But the fact remains our attempts to understand these nightmares were being met with failure after failure.

Until we made our latest breakthrough.

Grape Vine woke up without having a nightmare, one day. And we all got together to try and figure out what happened. We checked everything, from the diet he was having, to the time he passed out in his office. But nothing seemed to be relevant. And more importantly, nothing seemed to be reproducible in a controlled environment.

Until we realized that his office was the closest one to… that place. To the mirror. And that he was passed out in his office, sleeping from exhaustion as we all had been doing, while we were exposing the changeling creature to the mirror itself.

And that is when we realized that…



Wait. No. This isn't what I



Where was I again?

Ah yes.

Today's session was curious.

She told me I felt like a different pony, although she couldn't tell me why.

But deep down… I think I know why that is the case.

---

I will not call this a waste of time.

But the fact remains that this journal simply did not have enough time to mature into something useful.

Still, I would be lying if I said I did not appreciate the moments of introspection this brought me.

She called this habit "mindfulness", and the term seems apt. Because during the day, when I recalled that I should write something in my diary, that chain of thought would inevitably help me stop and center myself. It would help me think about what I was doing, and how things had progressed during the day.

And those moments would be… little periods of calm, during the otherwise hectic day.

But still, I simply do not have the time, nor the habit, to keep this up.

Still, I will keep meeting her. We all will. The mandatory therapy sessions that we put into place, once the nightmares started taking their toll on us, have been a net positive to all of us. So, we have unanimously agreed to keep them.

And also, that is another reason to keep Inky Hoofs around. Because as much as he might try to deny it, he is a scholar like us. And the loss of his presence in our group would be a loss to Equestria as a whole.

But again. This shall be my last entry.

There is work to be done.

My name is Midday Dew, and my entire life I have considered myself a pony of science.

That will never change.

Even if our work redefines what science is.





- - -

- - -

- - -





Within the confines of the Royal Castle, a group of ponies is gathered in a dimly lit room.

Their place of work, which many of them have begun to treat as their own home, is in a particularly secure part of the Castle. It is a place guarded by soldiers, locked doors, magic, and the sheer fact that it is close to no less than two alicorns.

And access to that place, also, is highly restricted. Very few ponies, be they servants or soldiers, are allowed to enter the eclipse-marked doors. And even fewer ponies know what kind of work is performed in that place.

But still, despite all that safety…

… the ponies who bear the eclipse sigil cannot but feel they are in danger.

But how could they ever feel safe? After all, they are studying things they know nothing about. They have no idea of what dangers might be involved, or what misstep could result in a catastrophic and unpredictable accident.

So, how could any one of them feel safe, when they know they are making their way into the unknown?



How could any of them not be terrified, when they have already seen what waits for them in the dark?



But still, in spite of their fear… or perhaps because of their fear, they carry on.

Because somepony needs to fight against the wolves that gnaw at the bones of civilization.

Somepony needs to push ponykind forward, lest the things that are stalking all of them finally catch up.

"Time is up. He has been asleep for six hours now," one of the ponies say. "All hoofs, final report."

Within the confines of a dimly lit room, seven ponies are gathered in a rather curious configuration.

One of them is fast asleep, lying on a mobile hospital bed and being monitored by several magical devices.

The other six are, quite literally, sitting around the sleeping pony. All of them carrying notepads, measuring tools, or some other instrument of scientific trade.

And they are all working with a competency that demonstrates how many times they have done this before.

"Vital signs are stable. Heartbeat… blood pressure… everything, check. His state is consistent with a pony who is asleep."

"Etheroscope is flat. Resonating crystals are dormant. And… subject is a pegasus, and anemometer is quiet. No signs of any pony magic during his sleep."

"The light from the mirror has been consistent throughout all of it. No signs that it reacted in any way."

They all run their own checks, saying their findings out loud one by one at the same time they write them down. And all the six ponies, each within their own specialty, do their very best to make an analysis of the sleeping pony who is before them.

They all do their very best to see if there is anything wrong with… with the pony who is still fast asleep, in front of the uncovered mirror.

The mirror that Princess Celestia gave them. The mirror that, through some unknown property, is able to burn away the changeling's confusing disguises.

The mirror that, somehow, can save them from their nightmares, whenever they sleep close to it while it is uncovered.

"Alright, that's all we can do. Wake him up." The leading pony, the bespectacled earth pony stallion who is officially in charge of their efforts, gives the order. And the medic among them answers with a nod.

Soon after, a dose of something is administered on the sleeping pony's neck.

And he begins to wake up soon after.



"… wh-… I…"
"Deep breaths, deep breaths. Look into my eyes. Do you know who I am? Do you know where you are? Can you feel me holding your hoof?"



The mare runs over the usual questions, as the other ponies wait in silence. And soon enough, their peer is finally awake and aware.

Or at least aware enough to give his report.



"You have been asleep for six hours. Do you know what we need you to tell us, or do you need us to walk you through it? We can give you another shot of it, if you are still feeling dazed."
"No, no, I am fine…"
"Very well. So, if you please."
"Yes, yes… I… I haven't reached the end of the maze, but I made good progress. I got a better look at the beacon, and… and I think that… I think it has a name. Because when I saw it, I could only think of-"
"Stop."



The dazed pony looks up at the leading stallion. But even that is already a familiar event.

They all know what is happening. The sleeping mixture is too strong, so more often than not the subject doesn't remember the fine details of how their analysis must proceed.

All of them, without exception, have already been through this.

But still, there are standards that these studies must follow. They need to be absolutely sure that… that they are all seeing the same thing, and that these ideas that come to their minds are all coming from a source, rather than from each other.



"The beacon. The word you were going to say. Do not speak it out loud. Write it here, and show it to me. Do not let anypony else see it."



The dazed pony obeys, and with sluggish hoofs he accepts the paper that is given to him. And everypony else turns their back as he follows the instructions he was given. Giving the paper back to the leading pony when he is done.

And as expected, Midday Dew looks down at a familiar word… the same word that everypony else had in their mind, when they reached far enough in the stepping-stone maze. The same word he couldn't stop thinking of, when he himself got a better look at the beacon.

GLORY.



"Very well. Continue with your report."
"Yes, yes… I… I can confirm there is a structure, under the beacon. I can confirm that… no, I think there is a part of the structure that touches the ground level. But also…"
"Also…?"
"The farther I made it in the stepping-stone maze, the more I got this… this feeling… There is something under the beacon. There is something under that structure… something familiar."
"…"
"Something that reminds me of my… of our nightmares."
"… I understand. That is enough for now. You have the next six hours free, and you need to have your therapy session during that time. Everypony else, let's reconvene at the lab in two hours. I think we all want do go over our own notes before we present them to each other."



The leading stallion says that, and everypony else agrees with a quiet nod.

And soon enough, they all go their separate ways.

But still, Midday Dew thinks this… well, that this basically confirms it. They have already done this experiment enough times, and the results have all been the same so far.

They all wake up in that confounding maze of stepping-stones. They all see… they all feel the beacon. And they all experience the same things the closer they get to it.

There is more than enough data pointing at the same direction. There is only one theory that explains what is going on.

This is not a shared hallucination. This is not a magical disease of the mind. And for all that different ponies seem to have varying speeds of progress on the maze, they are all getting closer to the beacon.

Yes, there is only one theory that explains all of this. And they have done this experiment enough times that they all agree it is time to go to the next stage.

Exploration.

…

Well, it is time for his weekly report to Princess Celestia. And the Princess of the Sun has been so interested in this dream-discovery of theirs, that she has sanctioned their focus on it. At first, he thought it was because it might have some connection to Princess Luna. But now, he suspects it is for some other reason.

He wonders how she will react to this latest development.





The greatest scientific minds of Equestria have all been gathered in the same place, and been given the same directive. Whether it is by the talent on their flanks, or the howls in their dreams, their success is inevitable.

A new group of ponies has reached the Mansus.

Spoiler: Author's Note

Yes, this is meta knowledge. Yes, there are things here that Velvet might never learn about, and will not be allowed to act upon.

However, if Princess Celestia's Lantern ever reaches your Moth level, she will discover your connection to the Lores. And that creates a very high likelihood (depending on narrative circumstances) of her initiating combat with you. Which, statistically, will lead to your death, or a game over.

So, you have been allowed to see this.

Princess Celestia has reached LANTERN 0.

You will discover that eventually, as you will inevitably meet her in person to report on the changelings at some point.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Vote

You have retreated back to the Wake, and abandoned the Mansus Expedition.

You are… it doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter what your name is. And it doesn't matter what image you have on your flank.

Tonight, all that matters is getting this done with.

…

For you, it has always been about the bits. Money is the only form of currency you really care about.

And Copper knows this. Of course she does. She knows what everypony wants.

So, you don't care how she goes about everypony else. You don't care what she promises them, who she fucks, or who she promises to fuck if they just do one more thing for her. What matters to you is that she knows that, as long as she keeps the bits coming, you will do what she wants.

Granted, you might have to start jacking up your prices. Especially for this sort of thing.

Because the things she asked you to study were already weird enough… even though they made sense, and were kind of useful.

But the ponies she sent with you tonight? The preparations… no, the ritual she insisted you did, to help with your task?

You barely understood half of the things you were doing. And for all that you can feel the results, this still feels inky to you.

Still, none of that matters right now.

All that matters is that you told her your price, she paid it, and now you have a job to do.

With that in mind, the four of you arrive at your… destination.



[Edge Realization: Velvet Covers is immune to ambushes]

[All guarding characters have been alerted]



Not being able to take a train here, at Copper's insistence, was a drag. Having to hide the cart they hauled here was even worse. But still, finally, you have arrived.

And as the four of you wade through the fields of crops, pulling the cart behind you, the mansion finally comes into view. There is more than enough moonlight for you to see it. And it doesn't take long for you to confirm that the detailed map Copper gave you is accurate.

Yes, there it is. A large mansion, several annex buildings around something that looks like an open spot… the garden, you know. And then there are the surrounding walls. The walls, you all know, are mostly meant to keep critters and wildlife away, given how one-third of the population can easily fly over it.

However, none of you have wings. So, this will be your first challenge.

Thankfully, the map also points at a side-gate, that leads to one of the annex buildings, that you can use to sneak in.

You all know what to do. But still, you gather everypony one last time to make sure they are all in line with your plan.

"Alright everypony. Let's make this quick and clean," you say in a hushed tone, as the four of you and the cart hide behind the tall crops. "Get in, kill the bitch, get out. No stealing, no breaking shit, and no fooling around. And only sic a witness if you have to."

Everypony else answers you with a muted nod. Not all of them are happy that you were put in charge. But still, since that was an order from Copper herself, none of them speak up against you.

With that said, the cart-puller unclips the harnesses from his back, and the four of you silently make your way to the wall. Heading for the side-gate you know will be there, and your first step towards the central mansion.

You almost wish this was a rainy day. It would have made the trip here miserable, yes, but at least the moonlight wouldn't be shining down on you all so brightly. Because even though it is night, it is still so damn bright that anypony would see you, if they were to look out from a window in the nearby annex building.

However, your thoughts come to a crashing halt as you realize that… that you shouldn't be worrying about somepony looking out from a window and realizing you are here.



You should be worrying about the stallion who is right in front of you.



"Good evening, gentlecolts."

There is an old stallion, waiting by the side-gate. There is an old stallion, sitting next to the walls of the mansion, calmly swinging back and forth on a rocking chair.

There is an old stallion, waiting for you all, sitting next to a side-gate that he left wide open. Almost as if inviting you all in… or perhaps telling you that, regardless of the gate being open or not, your actions here will be futile.

He has a pipe on his mouth, a calm expression on his face, and the chilling confidence of a stallion who cannot be denied.

"I can see from your faces that you went through a lot, to arrive here. However, I must inform you that if any of you go through this entrance, you will all die."

He says that.

And you immediately believe him.

You all do.

"Fuck… fuck, fuck FUCK!" one of your companions immediately loses his composure, and runs back towards the cart before you can do anything else.

And you can't blame him. In fact, your own heart is almost jumping out of your mouth right now. And the only reason you have not yet moved is because your own mind has frozen for a few moments.

Because despite the story your eyes are telling you, despite the fact you are just looking at an old stallion, your mind… your body… every other part of you is yelling at you that you are in danger.

That you are in danger, and that you are probably going to die.

So, you don't blame your companion for his reaction. In fact, since you already know what he is going to do, you welcome his reaction.

More than just that, you wish you had brought five carts with you. Because maybe then you would have a chance.

But still, you all have a job to do.

Even though you might not survive it.

"What are you waiting for, just do it!" somepony else yells.

And right after that, a hundred different things happen at once.



[Attackers have unleashed their sealed Windigo]

[Mareinette has initiated combat]

[Windigo has initiated combat]



A sudden, violent, and almost explosive storm appears behind you. It comes from somewhere behind you, hidden behind the nearby crops. Of course, you know it is coming from the cart you all hauled here, and from the jar that it was carrying that was just cracked open.

However-


"[EDGE]!"


-a second explosive sound comes from the farm fields. And something that sounds more like an avalanche than a charging creature hits something solid.

You think you just heard the sound of wood being crushed. You think something very large just barreled against the cart, destroying it completely.

You think you just saw your two other companions being dragged by… something, into the forbidding crops.

You think you are alone, now, with the old stallion.

But thankfully, he seems to have his sight firmly set on the snowstorm-creature that just burst out of the sealed jar.

"Ah, quaint. Well then, I will deal with you later," the old stallion says.

And then he calmly begins to walk towards the flying monster that just appeared behind you.



[Mareinette has engaged three of the invaders]

Spoiler: Mareinette combat rolls

[Mareinette has invoked "NEVER ASK A LADY HER AGE"]

[Details of combat have been redacted]

[Windigo has engaged Biedde in combat]

Spoiler: Biedde combat rolls

[Windigo's current health: 3/3]

[Biedde's health: 5/5]

[Current overflow (damage occurs on 50): Windigo – 0, Biedde – 0]

[A Confident Certainty: Windigo can reroll one every six dice]

[?????: Biedde can reroll one every two dice]



[Windigo: 22 40 + 45 (total combat bonus) = 85]

[Biedde: 88 29 + 80 (total combat bonus) = 168]



[Overflow: Windigo – 0, Biedde – 83]

[Windigo suffers one wounds (-50 to Biedde's overflow]



[Windigo: 77 + 45 (total combat bonus) = 122]

[Biedde: 15 + 80 (total combat bonus) = 95]



[Overflow: Windigo – 27, Biedde – 33]



[Neither combatant wishes to perform any actions]

[Combat will continue as normal]

You are only vaguely aware that you are not thinking.

You have the faint impression that you can feel your heart beating inside your skull.

You are pretty sure that you are trying your best not to think about the cacophony behind you.

You knew there was a monster inside that jar, but you never saw it. And yet, when you heard it bursting into existence a few moments ago, you felt its chill. And that chill reminded you of things you would rather not think about.

You knew the old stallion was dangerous, the moment you set your eyes on him. And yet, you are still alive, even though he so casually walked past you.

And your three companions…? You hear yells, and thrashing, and the sound of something wet being broken coming from somewhere behind you.

But the more you run, the lower the noises get.

Because you don't care about the money anymore. You don't care about your companions, or whatever problems might arise if you return without them.

The only thing you care about is getting this job done with, so you can get away from here.

So, you run past the side-gate. You rush through the annex building. And you practically gallop, following the map you were given, until you exit the annex building through its main entrance, and reach the central garden of the estate.

And then… you find her.

Of course she is here.

After all, everything that just happened makes it very clear that… they knew about you. That they knew you were coming before you even stepped hoof on the farmlands.

So, she was waiting for you here.



"Did you really come all the way here just to try to kill me?"



It hurts to hear the words she is speaking. It feels like your ears are being stabbed.

However, despite the unthinking adrenaline rush you are in right now, you can still the mare looks… even more frail than you thought. You were told she was fragile, but she quite literally looks like she is half dead.

So, you grab the bat you were carrying on your back, holding it firmly with your mouth.

You have already killed several ponies with this. And she won't be any different.

She looks terrifying, of course. She sounds terrifying.

But from the still-bleeding bandages you can see around her forelegs, you can tell that she can get hurt. And if she can get hurt, then she can be killed.



"A very poor decision."



But even then, the hateful speed she has as she rushes you is terrifying.



[Velvet Covers has initiated combat]

Spoiler: Velvet combat rolls

[Velvet Covers has invoked the Attention of the Laws]

[Invader is under the effect of a rousing air (+20 to personal combat)]



[Velvet Covers' current health: 1/2]

[Invader's current health: 3/3]

[Current overflow (damage occurs on 50): Velvet – 0, Invader – 0]

[A Confident Certainty: Velvet Covers can reroll one every six dice]



[Velvet: 85 88 + 89 (total combat bonus) = 177]

[Invader: 9 + 37 (total combat bonus) = 46]



[Overflow: Velvet – 131, Invader – 0]

[Invader suffers two wounds (-100 to Velvet's overflow)]



[Velvet: 35 + 89 (total combat bonus) = 124]

[Invader: 83 + 37 (total combat bonus) = 120]



[Overflow: Velvet – 35, Invader – 0]



[Neither combatant wishes to perform any actions]

[Combat will continue as normal]

Spoiler: Mareinette combat rolls

[Mareinette has invoked "NEVER ASK A LADY HER AGE"]

[Details of combat have been redacted]

Spoiler: Biedde combat rolls

[Windigo's current health: 2/3]

[Biedde's health: 5/5]

[Current overflow (damage occurs on 50): Windigo – 27, Biedde – 33]



[Windigo: 90 + 45 (total combat bonus) = 135]

[Biedde: 89 7 + 80 (total combat bonus) = 169]



[Overflow: Windigo – 27, Biedde –67]

[Windigo suffers one wounds (-50 to Biedde's overflow]



[Windigo: 52 + 45 (total combat bonus) = 97]

[Biedde: 23 + 80 (total combat bonus) = 103]



[Overflow: Windigo – 27, Biedde – 23]



[Neither combatant wishes to perform any actions]

[Combat will continue as normal]

One moment, the mare is standing a few paces away from you. Glaring at you from the center of the garden. The moonlight shining down upon her, as the wind softly blows against the nearby trees, as if she were a figure from a painting.

The next moment she is right in front of you.

You don't even have time to open your eyes wide in surprise.

She jumped towards you. Or at least, your mind is convinced she jumped. Because you did not see her legs move more than once, and you didn't hear anything that approached a gallop.

You always preferred using a bat as a weapon because of the range it gives you.

But you don't even have time to swing it. The mare is already in front of you, and inside your guard, before you can blink.

And then, you feel pain.



"Come to my house-"

-the world turns upside down. And somehow, the mare is staring down at you with the moon behind her-

"-where my husband lives-"

-your legs hurt. You think you heard something break, but your brain did not yet have the time to feel what happened yet-

"-and where my daughters sleep?"

-she has a knife on her mouth. A knife that is tied around her neck, and that she took from somewhere under her clothes-

-you think you let out a muted gasp as she sinks that knife into your chest-

"Very. Poor. Decision."



You see your life flashing through your eyes. You only just realized that she tripped you with a hammer-life kick, or at least that she is holding two of your hindlegs with one of your forelegs. You only just realized that the knife she plunged into your chest hurts. However, you also realize that your heart is still beating, and that she either missed your heart, or the knife was just too short to reach it.

But you don't have time to think. You don't even have time to act.

You can only react.

Spoiler: Velvet combat rolls

[Velvet Covers' current health: 1/2]

[Invader's current health: 1/3]

[Current overflow: Velvet – 35, Invader – 0]

[Velvet Covers' Attention of the Laws has faded]



[Velvet: 5 + 69 (total combat bonus) = 74]

[Invader: 91 + 37 (total combat bonus) = 128]



[Overflow: Velvet – 35, Invader – 54]

[Velvet Covers suffers one wound (-50 to Invader's overflow)]



[Velvet Covers has reached zero health]

[Velvet Covers has activated "Dancing With Death"]

[Velvet Covers is being attacked in her home, she will refuse to "Escape" or "Play dead"]

[Velvet Covers has chosen to continue combat]



[Velvet: 64 + 48 (total combat bonus) = 112]

[Invader: 18 + 37 (total combat bonus) = 55]



[Overflow: Velvet – 92, Invader – 4]

[Invader suffers one wound (-50 to Velvet Covers's overflow)]

[Invader has been defeated]

Spoiler: Mareinette combat rolls

[Mareinette has invoked "NEVER ASK A LADY HER AGE"]

[Details of combat have been redacted]

Spoiler: Biedde combat rolls

[Windigo's current health: 1/3]

[Biedde's health: 5/5]

[Current overflow (damage occurs on 50): Windigo – 27, Biedde – 23]



[Windigo: 36 + 45 (total combat bonus) = 135]

[Biedde: 4 46 + 80 (total combat bonus) = 169]



[Overflow: Windigo – 27, Biedde –57]

[Windigo suffers one wound (-50 to Biedde's overflow)]

[Windigo has been defeated]

You flail. You flail wildly. Kicking with all your legs against the mare that seems to have you on an iron grip. But none of your blows really land on her.

That is, until your hoof finally connects with her skull, and you hear something crack.

And suddenly, the mare is thrown off from you. Falling to the side like a puppet that had its strings cut.

And you…

… you…

You don't know what to do next. Your mind is still racing. You are still in too much pain. And there is still a knife dug into your chest.

You are heaving, but even breathing hurts. You feel like you are going to pass out. Your mind is spinning, and your eyes are watering, and everything about you hurts.

You barely manage to move. But still, the first thing you do is look to the side, towards the corpse of that bitch you just killed and…

… wait… Your foggy mind reels in confusion for a moment. You are still lying on the ground, your chest facing up. And you are pretty sure less than five seconds have passed since she stabbed you. But as you look to your side, you see… or rather, you don't see…

… where in Celestia's name is sh-?


!!!!!


The mare is suddenly on top of you again. You have no idea where she came from, or how she moved so quickly from where she fell. And she looks more dead than alive, bleeding from her eyes and mouth and who knows where else.

But rather than looking at her face, your eyes are focused on her hoof. Your eyes are focused on her right foreleg, which is firmly pressed against your chest.

Her hoof is pressed against your chest and…

… and you can't see the knife anymore…?

… ah, it's because she punched the knife all the way into your chest and…

… and…



And your vision fades to black before you can see the mare collapsing on the ground next to you.



[All invaders have been defeated]

[Enemy attack repelled]





- - -

- - -

- - -





Biedde looks down at the figure of his employer. She is alive, but only barely. Her mouth mumbling the song that is keeping her heart going, and her legs fidgeting under her as she shakes her blood into motion.

He breathes in a short sniff. Heart does have its uses, but her method definitely needs to be refined.

"[WINTER]."

"Yes, almost. But not quite. I wonder if she will learn from this," he says, answering the thing that is standing next to him.

He looks at his employer for a few more moments, watching as the pool of blood stops expanding around her. She managed to stop the bleeding then. Good enough. She will probably live.

Meanwhile, the thing next to him finishes swallowing the dead body of the last attacker. The one that was next to his employer.

He wonders if the four bodies she had tonight were to her liking. Probably not, he supposed. None of them were mares, and all of them were adults.

A few moments later, he shrugs, and gets to work. The least he could do was to take her to her chambers, and then wait for her to regain consciousness.

"I will leave the cleanup to you," he says to the thing.

And of course, he was referring both to the blood…

… as well as to the several ponies who were looking down from the windows, their faces frozen in shock at what they were seeing.

The thing gives him a dismissive nod, her bony head still preoccupied with gulping down the foreleg that is still sticking out of her gullet. But a few crunching sounds later, her large silhouette is back to its elegant self.

The Grail-monster then looks up towards the shocked audience, and then she-



[Combating suspicion, breakpoints 60/80/100/120/150]

[Mareinette's roll: 90 13 + 60 (Social action) + 30 (Grail, level 6) = 180]

[Final breakpoint reached]



"[GRAIL]!"



-and then she convinces everypony this is just a bad dream, and that they should go back to sleep.

And they all, without exception, believe her.



[This enemy's attack will create absolutely no suspicion. Its occurrence will be completely ignored both narratively and mechanically, unless Velvet Covers decides otherwise]





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Velvet Covers.

And you are almost dead.

Everything hurts. And the worst part is that you must cling to this pain, lest you fall asleep and stop singing to your heart.

But still, despite all of that, you live.

You live, and you must make a decision, before morning arrives and your family sees you in this state.





Velvet Covers is now "Dancing With Death". The following statuses will be in effect until she recovers at least one health:
-ALL of Velvet Covers' Lore levels have been decreased to "Nonexistent" (although she still has access to her Heart realization, which is keeping her alive);
-ALL Fleeting Opportunities that might happen will be ignored or discarded, without coming to your attention (because you are in no condition to meet them by happenstance);
-ALL actions that might take place outside of your home will have narrative and/or mechanical maluses associated with them; and
-Velvet Covers will not have access to her "Commissioner" actions.



With that in mind, you have two decisions to make.



[Due to Mareinette's efforts, you are able to completely control the narrative of what happened]

So, what happened?


[] Nothing happened. You are just ill.
-Your family will be worried about your health. But you will tell the, and they will believe you, that you are only sick.
-The events of tonight will be completely accepted as… a series of disconnected events. A group of pegasi colts got hold of some storm clouds, for a prank. The side-gate was left unlocked by a servant. The Lady suddenly got ill. Several small things, with no ties to each other whatsoever.


[] There has been an attempt against the Commissioner's life.
-Your family will be extremely worried about your (and their) safety.
-Information that you were attacked will, eventually, reach the public (although without any reliable details to it).
-Selene will insist on "Guarding" you this turn (although you are not forced to have her do it).
-Your Investigators will gain the option to "Investigate the Commissioner's attackers", which is a specially tailored investigation aimed at Copper Secateur.
-Your Constable's "Guard" action will be permanently upgraded.
-Your Constables will request to "Guard" you this turn (and the Bureau's morale/trust will decrease if you refuse this request)



[As three months have passed, Mareinette requests an audience]

After the dust settled, she came to you. She expressed her condolences for your situation, she reminds you that she hopes your relationship continues to flourish… and then, she asks you for a small boon.

[The winning option will be used to renew Mareinette's summoning bindings. With the exception of the LAST option, all options will increase in price with every passing re-binding.]

What do you give her?


[] Time
-"Are you not valuable partners? Is it not fair that you spend some time together?"
-Current cost: ONE Velvet action.


[] Resources
-"What will she buy with it? Oh, this and that… Toys, materials, clothes… never mind none of those would fit a grown pony. Never mind that the word she used to describe them was bait."
-Current cost: 50 bits


[] Freedom
-"So many sights to see, so many places to visit. So many ponies to meat. She has been away from the Wake for so long, of course she yearns to explore it."
-Does not cost any character's action points. You will just give Mareinette some "time off" for herself.
-Current interest: A small village, that barely appears in any map.


[] Offering
-"She was a mare of means, long ago. Would you not help her recreate her collection?"
-Current cost: A STUDIED artifact of level 2 or higher
-WRITE IN which artifact you will give her


[-] Access
-"But a hoofstep, into the place you call home?"
-VETOED by Velvet Covers and Selene.


[-] Accept her "Invitation to Dinner"
-"Tie the knot. Make a friend."
-This option will always be available, and will never increase in price.
-This is Mareinette's Grail Sacrament.
-WRITE IN who will be consumed (must be a minion or a prisoner)
-INSUFFICIENT GRAIL SCRAPS

[] Nothing
-"Perhaps it is time we go our separate ways."
-You will voluntarily end your contract with Mareinette.
-She will leave, and will no longer be bound to you.





Turn 19 is now over. You are no longer under the effect of "A Resolution" Edge influence.

Author's Note: Damn, the drafts I have ready for Soft!Quest will have to wait.

Twelve hours moratorium. Vote by APPROVAL. Pick as many options as you like, and the single option with most votes (for both choices) will be picked. No need for plans, since these options are not sufficiently connected.

Finally, this was a very complicated update to write and put into place. I would appreciate if any mistakes were pointed out so I can fix them. But given how many mechanical concerns I had, and how many little details are involved, I most likely let several little things pass.

 

[Quaxotia]

…Man, I really wish I knew how to edit images, let alone had the tools to do so; because I was just reminded of that one meme. You know the one.

"I lived, bitch."

Click to shrink...

Behold Paint 0 lore:

 

[AuthorTransient]

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In Which (S) Collide - Interlude: Reproach

Reproach: Seek

You are Beyond Reproach.

For a time, you were one of the best investigators in Vanhoover's Constable.

Then, the Catastrophe happened and Canterlot burned.

What happened, best you have so far put together with your hooves from eye-witnesses reports to recquistional receipts from the Royal Archive and the Lunar Bureau, was this:


Princess Luna was saved by the Bearers of Harmony (aka the Mane Six), who are Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie.

One-and-a-half years ago, Princess Luna fled the Royal Castle and, despite great effort, could not be found.

During this time, Lady Velvet Covers of Canterlot contributed significantly to the search, somehow taking charge of the operation (force of personality?).

Three months after the search, a new species of pony called Changelings, had an im-pony-ator who managed to convincingly fake Princess Luna, even to Princess Celestia, and was welcomed into the Royal Castle. Several days later, Princess Celestia's protege and one of the bearers of Harmony, Twilight Sparkle, sought an audience with Princess Celestia. Eye-witness reports agree that Velvet Covers attempted to stop Twilight Sparkle from using magic, but was teleported alongside as a result of a magical mishap. They were eventually escorted out by the Royal Guard without harm but seemingly without being able to meet Princess Celestia. (Why was Velvet Covers there?) There is no records of the objective of Velvet Covers at the Royal Castle.

Later, Twilight Sparkle and her companion, Spike the dragon, returned without Velvet Covers to meet Princess Celestia. Eye-witness reports corrobate that Twilight Sparkle returned with cheer and without Spike. By this time, it is likely that Twilight Sparkle had been replaced by a changeling.

In the period of time between this im-pony-ation and the Catastrophe, many ponies, even outside of Canterlot, are likely to have been replaced by changelings.

Seven months after the search, the Catastrophe occured. Changelings wreaked havoc across Equesteria and significant parts of Canterlot burned down. (What triggered the Catastrophe to occur at that time?) Outside of Canterlot, many ponies seemingly disappeared in the middle of the night. This is largely suspected to be the work of changelings (but other parties may have used the chaos to achieve their own agendas).

Again, Velvet Covers took control and calmed the situation in Ponyville, where she lives in her estate. Unfortunately, many documents regarding the previous political and economical situation in Ponyville was lost during the chaos of this incident.

Velvet Covers was then assigned as the Director of the Lunar Bureau to prevent or at least mitigate the next Catastrophe, ostensibly until Princess Luna returns to take control of the Lunar Bureau.

This gives her almost unlimited political power and might, only superseded by the Royal Princesses and presumably matched with Fair Trial, who was assigned as the Director of the Solar Court. You yourself have been assigned as an investigator of the Lunar Bureau, with all the political power that entails.

So far, Velvet Covers have worked with the Solar Court to ensure that ponies arrested are treated with a fair hoof – innocent until proven guilty. Even during the Blueblood affair, when the raid of the Lunar Bureau on the Bluebloods found condemning evidence on their premises, Velvet Covers did not declare all of the Bluebloods guilty, despite how easy it would have been at that time.

But there are three other things you no, not know – you feel, in the wake of these events, which is why you are here in the middle of the night at the Velvet Estate:

One, the Catastrophe proved that there is Evil in the world.

Two, many good ponies are now Paranoid of each other, (write it!) yourself included.


And three...

Twilight Sparkle was escorted out of the Velvet Estate.

Velvet Estate staff have been talking about strange and mysterious guests of Velvet Covers.

And there was an uninvited guest during the royal wedding of Princess Cadance and Shining Armor, who Velvet Covers met privately.

So three – too many things have not been Sun-damned adding up about your boss.

Or rather, there have been too many coincidences surrounding the Director of the Lunar Bureau.

Enough to make a discerning pony suspicious. Enough to make your cutie mark itch.


So you were here, in the dark, investigating the Velvet Estate.


You step forward, leaves mushing under your hooves.

And then, like a sword stroke from Shining Armor in his prime, the darkness of the night is sundered by a spear of white light.

Your mouth drops open. Such magical might, you have only seen from one pony before... wait, is that thing moving?

WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT?!


You struggle to decipher and understand its existence. Monsters exist – but this is far away from the Woods. This monster appeared in the Velvet Estate. Wait, how is it growing? How can its hooves handle its own weight?

Ah, it is hollow. That's how.

You don't know how long you stand there, jaw open and your mind gibbering.


Then you turn and run straight into another pony.

Uttered screams and curses do not quite manage to drown out the cacophony above, but they come close. Finally, all of you manage to disentangle yourselves from each other, and you come face to face with Rarity, one of the bearers of Harmony.

There's the sound of a throat clearing above you. "Um... hey."

Scratch that, Rarity and Fluttershy, two of the bearers of Harmony.


The ground quakes underneath your hooves and everypony ducks for a moment.

"We don't have time for this!" Rarity yells. "You! Whoever your name is! Go evacuate the town!"

"Um yes ma'am!"

They continue galloping down with you until you reach the main road, at which point you split from them towards the mayor's house.

And you can do this without worrying about them, because they are heading towards the library – they are heading towards Twilight Sparkle.


But you can't help but worry about your boss, and Princess Luna, and everyone else - !

You grit your teeth as you run, sweat soaking into your mane. In the air, there's a scent...


Smells like overripe persimmons.

Spoiler: Author's Notes

The next interlude is kicking my butt so hard that I can't even summon the energy to add the links right now. Anyway, best boy Reproach. I did the Pointing Leonardo DiCaprio when I saw his name in Turn 19. Also, rereading the 19 - Results, Part 9 shows that there are 15 obstacles (the Reflection of the Tapestry states that each defense gives a -10 malus, and there was a -150) barring our way to the Frangiclave. That is going to be annoying to deal with.

1 2 3 4 J R 5 S​

 

[spiderhellian]

A Veil Broken, A Promise Kept

It's a scene that has happened precisely once before.

The urgent message. The unexpected messenger. The few words that spark an immediate response. The response is even near-identical, funnily enough.

And then, for the second time, the fabric of the world bends in the face of a force stronger than almost anything else inside it.

---

You are Velvet Covers. You are in bed, the covers pulled up around you. Silky's second-favourite stuffed animal lays beside you, because she didn't want you to be alone even after you finally convinced Softy to drag her to school. Stormchaser has stepped out to bring you a cup of tea — yes, you have servants for that; no, he is not feeling particularly trustful these days.

Your eyes are closed, and for the first time in just over year, you can't see anything at all.

It feels a little bizarre, in truth. Even more bizarre is how quickly the realizations you made during your eldritch studies became simply a part of who you are and how you perceive the world. You spent decades of your life going through it normally (or normally enough), and then in a little over a year, it starts to feel weird that you can close your eyes and actually feel engulfed in darkness.

Like when a high-pitched sound stops ringing, you're amazed by how quiet the world suddenly seems. There are no flashes of insight as your hooves brush the blanket on top of you. No sixth sense of where the creatures around you are. All that remains of all you've learned the past two years is your thoughts and your memories.

And the song you are whispering, though you're mostly subvocalizing by this point, thankfully. And the dance your hooves still stir in, blanket-ensconced as you are. And the beat your heart is driven to accompany.

But other than that, it's peaceful. At least, until the room erupts in a storm of pink light.

---

You stutter in your song, you stumble in your dance, but it doesn't matter. It may be a different Heart that is driving your own now, but it is no less insistent.

You've felt this power before, but it feels different now. You're in the eye of the hurricane, not its periphery. It's more intense than before, even if you're not buffeted the same way. It's more concentrated, more focused.

You are loved. You are loved. You are loved.

VELVET, YOU PROMISED!

You keep your eyes closed for a moment longer, as you fight down the pang of shame you feel as Love herself speaks.

When you open them, you see the Princess of Love, your friend, ensconced in the radiance that is her right and the power that is her sovereign domain.

She is looking at you. She is worried, and scared, and sad. She is launching a flurry of questions, as her magic surrounds you like a diagnostic spell and her legs encircle you like the warmest hug. She loves you.

You're not sure what to say, but you open your mouth all the same.

"I kept my promise," you whisper.

Then you repeat it, in a louder tone. "I kept my promise."

"It took…" You trail off, swallow your words and then swallow your fear, before continuing, "It took magic I shouldn't have, Caddy, but I kept my promise. I didn't leave you."

She pauses, and holds your eyes. Maybe she notices the way your legs are stirring. Can she hear the song being sung in your mind?

But she's clearly surprised, and stutters a reply, "Velvet, what — what do you mean?"

And so you begin to explain. Haltingly at first, but then in the vein of one of your old university lecturers — getting off track, going down tangents, but undeniably teaching something that could not otherwise be known.

You talk about your heart. About Heart. About the principles that gird the world. The magics you stumbled into, and then pursued.

---

Is it minutes, you talk for? Hours? You notice there's a faint pink glow around the door, and you're thankful for it, but you hope Stormchaser isn't too worried.

When you finally come to an end, she is left with a myriad of questions. But she only asks one, "What does this mean?"

It's one of the hard ones, then. One of the ones all your studies have not prepared you for, or at least not well enough. You look at the Princess of Love again, and she stares back at you.

So you're both surprised when, from the corner of the room, another Alicorn steps forward. Her form is dark, her mane the starry sky. Her words are undeniable.

"It means we have a chance."

Spoiler: AN

We've made our choice. I wonder what it'll do to Cadance.

And I had a thought about how the conversation could take an interesting turn, and wanted to write it into an Apocrypha. Not sure if it'll work out this way (surely we can, actually, send a more careful message to Canterlot?) but it was a fun scene to envision. (Even though I don't think I did her reaction right, and man dialogue feels tough, and I think the writing itself was a little choppy. But probably that's just my own internal critic, I hope people enjoyed.)

Poor Cadance, really. All this love's-chosen-facing-a-brush-with-death cannot be good for her heart.

I was also struck by how strange it must feel for Velvet to have all those senses, new but so relied upon, dimmed. And how strange it is that that would feel strange.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Vote

Tally
[X] Time
[X] There has been an attempt against the Commissioner's life

You are Velvet…

… and everything hurts.

You feel cold. And hard. Everything feels cold and hard. As if you are already dead, and your body is finally catching up to rigor mortis.

You can't feel anything in your mouth. In fact, you can't even tell if you are breathing. Except when you finally choke on something, and your failing lungs burn up with stabbing pain as you cough up blood.

Everything hurts. Moving hurts. Thinking hurts. Existing hurts.

And the worst part is that… you are alone.

Alone with your thoughts.​

You almost can't remember anything. You remember the pain, and the panic, and the crashing blow against the side of your head. But everything before or after that is blurred darkness.

You think you were taken to your bed by Biedde.

You think you croaked a name, and that Biedde brought whoever you called for into your room shortly after.

You think you coughed blood onto your badge, before giving it to Soft. And that you maybe ordered her to fly to the Bureau and do… something.

But you can't be sure. You can't be sure of anything.

The only thing you know is that it is dark. You can't feel your legs spasming under you, with the rhythm of a fake heart. You can't even hear your own voice, as you mumble something unintelligible to yourself.

The only thing you are sure of is that it is dark.

And it hurts.

And you hate this.

Because you feel so… you feel so small. You feel so weak. You feel so pathetic right now.

You can't hide from this pain. You can't rationalize it. You can't change it or fight it or accept it. You can barely march through it as it is, and you certainly can't… you can't…

… you can't even remember the colors anymore. You can't remember ANYTHING.

Or rather, you can only remember one color… you are stuck inside your mind, and there is only one other part of you here with you.​

You can only remember one color.

And it is the worst possible color to be alone with.​

Oh… oh no…

It is the color that exists where there is pain. It is the color that both desires and denies death.​

… anything but this…

It is the color of all the things you have done. And that, right now, is the only part of you that is keeping you company.​

… please, please, not this…

… why not? Are you afraid of some introspection?​

You can't go through this. Not now.

When was the last time you had some time for yourself? When was the last time you took a good look at the mirror?​

You aren't strong enough to…

… to accept the TRUTH?​

…

But you always knew this was happening, didn't you? You always knew that, deep down, you were just pretending, no?​

… please…

You tell yourself you are using the Lores to build yourself up. But in truth, you are burying your true self under them, aren't you?​

Not this…

Although… it is actually better that you bury yourself, isn't it? After all, you are such an ugly little creature, deep down… A crippled wife to an unsatisfied husband. A smothering mother to a suffocated daughter.​

Don't… don't bring them into this… please don't…

And what about everypony else you dragged into your mess? You call it love, but is it not obsession? It is pathetic, of course, but it is also disturbing. Because who in their sane mind would latch onto a… a grown mare, drive her into despair, and then… it's funny, isn't it, how you still can't tell which of the TWO mares I am referring to…​

Stop it…

And then there is the other one. Because you might tell yourself that you raised her, but oh no… that is not the right word, is it? You did not raise her. You groomed her. You molded her fragile, broken mind into something useful to you, and then you told yourself that she forgave you out of love. Your own little moon, who you stole away, and damn the world and the sun.​

I am telling you to STOP it…

But deep down, your greatest sin will always be the one that came from your own flesh. Because you hate her, don't you? Or maybe you love the idea of her so much, that you hate what she is becoming. You don't really want her to grow up, do you? Oh no, you are terrified of it. You would cut off her wings and keep her in a cage if you knew of a painless way to do it and-​

"SHUT. UP."​

The words come out of your mouth in a wave of blood and tears. Leaking out from between your teeth and running down your neck. The pain inside your head multiplies threefold. But at least the voice shuts up.

And you… you have no idea of where you are. It hurts too much. You-… you can't even think and...

Because you are… on a bed? No, it's too hard to be a bed. You are lying on something, but it might as well be a cold rock, or maybe your grave.

And you seem to be in a room? Whose room? You have no idea.

And when did it get so bright outside? The curtains are shut, but even that little sunlight that is leaking in is almost blinding you.

Or rather, it is blinding your one working eye. You can't see out of your right eye, and you are too tired to understand why. You are too exhausted to realize there are bandages covering half your face, and most of your body. Your mind is too damaged to even piece all of that information together, and realize that in the time it took you to blink, hours have already passed.

And you have barely any attention to spare to the three ponies who are a few steps away from you, standing by the door.


"M-M… mom…?"
"Mrs. Velvet we j-just-…"
"… Silky, come with me. Now."


In fact, you can't even recognize them.

The inconsolable filly, who is looking at you with a face full of grief as she cries.

The serious-looking filly, who is dragging the other one away with a furious expression.

And the larger one, the pegasus, who just looks confused and scared.

You… you look at them and…



And you have no idea of who they are.



You just don't know. It hurts too much to even remember that. Your mind, your very brain, is quite literally too damaged to recognize them. That is if you ever met them at all.

And frankly, you don't care about who they are.

You barely have enough energy to turn around and…

… and start sobbing.

Because you are alone.

And it hurts.

And you hate this.



- - -



"Please…"

You can't even hear your own voice.

You don't even know who you are begging to.

You don't even know what you are begging for.

Maybe it is that deep part of you, that profound instinct that every pony has, that is telling you to reach out for help. Maybe you are asking for help because, in the end, that is the last thing anypony can try to do.

Or maybe… maybe it is something else. Maybe some other part of you, bruised and beaten and broken as it might be, realizes that… that there is something else nearby. Something that is so very close, and so very old…

Something that is listening.

Something that is waiting.

Still, you can do nothing but wait. You can do nothing but wait, and beg, and call out to whatever it might be.

You think you remember that there are ponies who love you… somewhere. But you can't really know for sure if that is the case.

You think you remember that there are things you could barter with… somehow. But you can't really remember if they were real, or imagined, or perhaps both.

But still-

"Please… I…"

-as you wallow in your pained misery for an unknown length of time -although you can't even remember what time is right now- eventually something happens.

Something hears your weak pleads for help.

Something crawls towards the outer side of your closed window.

"Please… help…" your words fall out of your mouth.

Because you can't take this anymore.

Sometimes, you can only feel pain.

Sometimes, your mind tells awful things to you. Half-formed memories and regrets from your past, or perhaps your subconscious, reeling up their ugly head now that they have the chance to do so.

And sometimes… sometimes you remember with perfect clarity how to read the nearby clock, and you realize to your utter horror that less than half a day has passed since this began.

One thing is for sure.

You can't take this anymore.

You just aren't strong enough.

So, you beg for help.

…

And she complies.



…



She says… something. Complicated words like "brain damage" or "no pulse". Vague explanations of how the body is like a fountain that needs to flow, and that death is a spiral of decayed production causing diminished productivity.

None of that makes sense.

Even trying to understand those things hurt.

And she knows that.

So, she tells you something a lot more simple…



"[GRAIL]?"



It is not a deal.

It is not a price.

It isn't even an exchange of favors.

It is pure and plain charity. Succor and salvation, comfort and reprieve. A solution to all of your pains and problems, and then some more.

It will demand some of your time of course, but right now you have nothing but time.

It will require her to step but a hoof inside your room, but she swears not to overstay beyond what is necessary. And only out of sheer necessity, of course.

And she will do it completely for free, no strings attached and no repayment needed.

Because are you not associates? Are you not… friends?

She offers all of that, in a single word.

And to your pained, beaten, and crying self, there is no other option.



"Yes…" you say. "Please… yes…"



You feel, rather than hear, the heavy presence approaching you. Goading the window into opening and strolling into the room like the most elegant of guests. You feel her approaching, a hard hoof of bone caressing your bloodied bandages like the touch of a lover.

And then, something fills you. Something fills your mouth and throat and lung and soul. Something swarms over you, and floods your heart like a fountain of nectar.

Your heart begins to beat again, all on its own. Your blood begins to sing through your veins, rather than drag itself through your meat.

And within the limited labyrinth that are your broken memories, this is the first time you remember not feeling pain.

Under normal circumstances, your broken body would have taken an entire week to even start healing itself.

If you were acting under only your own power, your broken body would re-knit itself at a snail's pace. And it could have taken you an entire month for your damaged brain to re-connect itself enough for you to be able to form a string of ideas.

And throughout all of that, you would have been forbidden from doing anything else. You would have been forbidden from sleeping, or speaking, or even thinking. Lest you accidentally stopped running your blood through your veins, and your body finally failed.

But with this?

With this sudden, strong and lush thing beating inside your chest?

With this, you can finally sleep. You can finally let go.

As you close your eyes, sweet, soft and quiet oblivion takes over your body.

And you finally begin to do something that approaches getting better.





- - -

- - -

- - -





Seventeen hours ago, a pegasus mare rushed into the Royal District.

She had no credentials, no authority to speak of, and could barely string five words together into a sentence.

Under normal circumstances, she would have been barred at the gates of the Royal District. After all, that section of Canterlot has been closed to the public since the Catastrophe, and the Royal Guards stationed by its gates, and on the clouds above it, do not allow exceptions.

However, the one item she was carrying with her, worn around her trembling neck and covered in dry blood, turned her from an unwelcome guest to somepony who was immediately rushed to the doors of the Lunar Bureau.

As soon as the officer of the watch understood what happened, the entire institution was roused into action. Sealed lists, with emergency contacts and addresses, were torn open, and runners were dispatched to wake up more runners, as anypony with ties to the Bureau had their doors knocked and their badges called into service.

Within thirty minutes, the officer of the watch of the Lunar Bureau had gathered enough constables to rush the first flying carriage away and into the night sky. Within one hour, the Deputy had taken control of the situation, and four more carriages were sent away, carrying enough operatives and equipment to invade a monster-filled mountain.

Two hours after that first warning, every last mobile asset at their disposal had been mobilized. The Deputy himself left with the last flying carriage, after leaving an administrative crew behind, and a train parked in Canterlot was commandeered in the name of Princess Luna to transport the rest of the investigators and operatives away.

Seventeen hours have passed since then. And right now, the Velvet estate in quiet Ponyville is perhaps the second safest place in all of Equestria. Surrounded on all sides by gruff ponies wearing black armor, covered by lightning-charged clouds, and having its surrounding fields combed and its staff questioned by every last investigator of the Lunar Bureau.

But it does not matter how safe this place is right now. Because all of them, without exception, are thinking the same thing.

That they are eighteen hours too late.

"Any word from the Commissioner yet, sir?"

One of the lead investigators, Iron Button, walks up to the Deputy and asks him that. His voice is low and reserved, almost as if he is hesitating to ask that.

Of course, there is nopony nearby to listen in on their conversation. The two of them are currently in the garden of the mansion, which is mostly empty, and only sees an investigator going from one building to another every now and then. But still, Iron Button asks that in a low tone for… well, for obvious reasons.

Because this isn't right. This isn't fair. They have an entire Bureau of guards and soldiers, of ponies with cutie marks dedicated to protecting others, and the one pony who gets hurt is the thin, fragile, and delicate mare who was practically drafted into the job.

It doesn't matter that she was the Commissioner. It doesn't matter that, logically speaking, she made sense as a target. This isn't about logic or sense. Ask any mare or stallion with a shield on their flank how they feel about this, and all of them will bristle with indignation.

This isn't right. And every last guard, agent, investigator and operative in the Bureau is thinking the same thing right now.

But still, none of them can let it get over their heads…

"Not really. One of her maids said she woke up a few hours ago, but that she wasn't in any position to speak," the Deputy says, his face twisted into a scowl.

"She'll get through this, sir. She's a tough mare," Iron Button says. Although they both know that is more bravado than anything else. "And… how are you doing, sir?" he continues.

Of course, Iron Button is referring to another detail, that is currently in the garden with them. He is referring to the one flying carriage that is parked within the estate, rather than outside of it forming a perimeter.

Iron Button is asking, of course, about the pink-and-gold carriage that is parked by the front door of the central mansion.

He is asking about the Deputy's wife. The Princess who, to nopony's surprise but everypony's concern, arrived shortly after the agents of the Bureau.

"Hanging in there," the Deputy answers. And that will have to do for now. "But we have a job to do. What about you, Button? Did anypony find anything yet?"

Iron Button answers with an understanding nod. The upright stallion is a competent detective, yes, but he also rose through the ranks by virtue of being a good subordinate. So, he knows when to push, and when to stop.

And more importantly, he knows when it is time to work.

"We are still in the process of questioning everypony, sir. Even the farmhoofs who came in from the town to work, though we will start going through them after we are done with the overnight staff. So far, almost nopony knows anything… everypony slept through it, and maybe four of them reported hearing loud noises coming from the outside."

"You said almost nopony?" the Deputy asks, raising an eyebrow. "Does that mean that…?"

"Yes sir. We have one good lead so far. Just ten minutes ago I questioned somepony that, apparently, saw something from one of the windows. In fact, I asked her to come here with me so you could hear it yourself."

With that, the investigator waves towards one of the buildings. And they both watch as the witness Iron Button referred to slowly approaches.

"Ma'am, once again thank you for your time. Now, this is very important. If you could please tell my superior here everything you told me, that would be much appreciated," he says, encouraging the mare to speak up.

The two stallions patiently wait as the mare gathers her courage. And they understand her hesitation, of course. It must be intimidating for her to be in a situation like this.

But eventually-

"[GRAIL]!"

-she speaks.

"I immediately trust you, and I believe everything you just said," the Deputy says, to which Iron Button nods in agreement.

And the two of them thank the mare, for what must have been their first breakthrough in understanding what exactly happened here.

Her version of events, which was at the same time detailed and short… believable enough to have come from a maid, but with enough holes to give them breadth to check some details themselves, was the lucky break they needed.

And based on her words, the investigation continues.



- - -



As the hours pass, and a multitude of cutie-marked ponies work their craft, a large puzzle is slowly pieced together.

At some point, during the early hours of the first night, the news spread that the Commissioner finally woke up feeling a little better. Or at least, she felt well enough to speak to a few ponies before once again falling asleep. The Deputy, the Princess, and of course her family, were the only ones who were able to see her during that brief window of consciousness. But still, that was more than enough to alleviate the heavy atmosphere.

Following that, the pink-and-gold carriage was seen flying away, the questions from the investigators became a little less intense, and the armored operatives around the mansion finally agreed to take shifts rather than stand guard all night.

The Deputy was still in charge of the overall situation, but still he finally had some orders from the Commissioner to carry out.

And as it usually happens, more details about what happened slowly begin to spread. Detectives talk to each other, information is shared with the guards about what they should watch out for, and the ever-present maids hear tidbits about this and that.

Before the sun rises on the second day, the official story is known by almost everypony. And that story tells the tale of how a single pony, Tartarus-bent in hurting the Commissioner, invaded the estate during the night. Only to be fought off by the Commissioner herself, before retreating back into the darkness.

That is a likely story. It is a story that makes sense. A story that almost everypony can believe, knowing how frail the Commissioner is, and that nopony can really disprove, since there were practically no witnesses to what happened. A story that will work itself to the newspapers, a few days from now, and eventually be known by most of Equestria.

However…

"Something is still missing," the stallion says to himself.

It is still early in the morning. The moon is low in the sky, about to reach the horizon, but there is still maybe an hour left before Princess Celestia deigns to raise the sun.

And in that dark hour of the night, Beyond Reproach is looking intently at what should be the scene of a crime.

Right now, he is standing just outside the northern side-gate of the Velvet estate. The one where, according to what they pieced together, the Commissioner made her stand.

And it all makes sense… to a certain extent.

The official story that will be released is that there was only one attacker. But they found enough evidence, such as trails and strands of fur, suggesting there were certainly two attackers, and perhaps three of them.

And they all agree that this is where the Commissioner fought them because…

… well, because right before his eyes there is a blasted snowscape of ice and flash-frozen crops.

In fact, the Commissioner was probably standing where Reproach is standing, when it happened. Because just a few steps away from him, the blades of grass turn into tiny spikes of ice, and the crops become forbidding walls of barbs and snow. In fact, the ice is still so charged with magic that it has not yet even begun to thaw. Which was very useful for them to recreate what happened, but it does make the scenery more than a little hazardous.

Never mind that none of the unicorns could identify what the hay kind of spell the Commissioner used, to do something like that. Never mind that… that stepping on the icy grass makes him think… makes him remember…

Better not to dwell on it.

But still, even then, some things do not add up. The story still doesn't make sense.

Because if the Commissioner got hurt… then her attackers got close enough to hurt her. And if they got close enough, then the fight certainly got bloody.

And yet, they have not yet found a single drop of blood. Anywhere.

Furthermore, the idea that the attackers fled… it also doesn't make sense. Reproach has already been in several fights in his life, with crooks and lowlifes. And he realizes there comes a point where they just fight to the death, or until you subdue and shackle them. He knows that there comes a point when both sides know the other is not going to back down, when the decision between "fight or flight" is bent towards fighting, and the idea of escape is completely forgotten by the brain.

"So… two crooks, probably three, against a single mare," he says to himself, alone, under the fading moonlight. "Their mark is a fragile mare, half their weight, who lives in a rich house. They probably think they can take her easy, and maybe even have some fun while they do it…"

But instead, they reach the mansion and find her… here, where she is standing. And before they can react, she summons up a spell that freezes the very ground they are walking on.

"Commissioner got shaken up, so… they escaped the first hail of the magic storm, and manage to charge her. Or at least one of them manages that much… no, then there'd be blood. Hay, there are no bodies. Unless…?"

He tries to recreate the scene in his mind, struggling to fit the evidence he has into something that approaches a timeline that makes sense.

What if the crooks came one at a time? What if the magical snow-spell was reactive, rather than proactive? What if… what if…?

Nothing makes too much sense, but several possibilities make a little sense. Still, nothing conclusive. Nothing that helps him crack the case.

Of course, everypony is waiting for the Commissioner to wake up for good so she can tell them what happened. But still, this itch in his cutie mark is…

He thinks back to the account that the mare gave them, of what happened, and then…

He takes in a deep breath, closing his eyes as he does. Gathering everything he knows so far as he thinks.

He knows the Commissioner was here, and that the fighting happened here. He knows about the snow-spell. He knows there are no bodies, and not even a single drop of blood. And he knows that…

Reproach opens his eyes, slowly. An idea forming in his mind.

And then, he begins to look around.

"The Commissioner got beaten up… but bodies don't just disappear. So, they either escaped, or… she did some clean up."

He looks towards the north and east, and sees nothing but fields of crops. The Velvet farmlands, he knows. And he realizes that it would have been miserable to walk through those all beaten up.

"She would want to clean up because… well, two daughters, the older pegasus that acted strange. All young, physically or mentally. She would cut off a hoof before letting them see a dead body. And maybe some noble upbringing. She knows about the importance of appearances…"

He looks to the west, towards the road that lead to Ponyville. Too open, he thinks. And if he veers off the beaten path, there is the river to account for. Impossible.

"So what if the snow magic wasn't used to stop the crooks… what if it wasn't before, or during… but after…?"

He looks to the south, and he finds… open grass. The south of the Velvet estate has a few tracts of farmland, but he can see a path of unused grassy soil, that leads towards a nearby hill and…

"Perfect."

Yes. This is what she would have seen, during the last night, while she was beaten and bruised. Or maybe she wouldn't even need to look that way, given how long she lived here and how familiar she must be with this land.

Plus she is a unicorn. And if she had the magic to summon something as harrowing as this still-frozen ice, she could certainly spare the energy to float something. Despite how wounded the rest of her body was.

And thanks to that hill, she wouldn't even need to go that far before she found a place that was out of the way. Close enough for her to be able to walk there even when hurt, but not close enough for anypony she cares about to stumble upon it.

"Could be that she didn't realize how bad her wounds were," he said to himself, as he begins walking south. "Could be that the adrenaline made it easy, until she finally returned home and just crashed."

He thinks about that, slowly solidifying his theory, as he makes his way south. Retracing the steps that a wounded mare could have taken, even while beaten and limping, that would lead away from the estate, and towards a place she could hide something.

Something she had frozen.

Something she wouldn't want her young daughters to see, and that she wouldn't want the servants to find before the Bureau did.

He made his way towards the nearby south. Past the few plots of farmland that are to the south, through the grassy path that leads to the hill.

Up the hill, down the hill, noticing the longer way around the hill a limping mare could have taken. He cautiously carries on, making sure that this path was visible even under the moonlight.

Until finally, he finds what he is looking for. Right there, hidden from the mansion by the very hill he just crossed, is an outcrop of the forest. A small patch of trees and tall bushes, that probably hides a small glade or something like that.

He cautiously approaches the dense bushes…

… and the smell hits him, even though he is still ten paces away from it.

Still, he is a professional. He makes sure to confirm it with his own eyes, before he goes back to fetch his partner and to warn the Deputy.

But even then… ponies are not carnivorous like other creatures, so he doesn't really have a word for a scenario like that. Terms like charnel house or butchery are not really in Reproach's vocabulary.

But not knowing how to describe it does not make that situation any less harrowing.

Still there was the evidence they needed. There were the assailants, or what was left of them, and the next step in finding out who sent them.

And to be honest? The way Reproach saw things…? At the end of the day, he thought the Commissioner did Equestria a favor. He honestly thought that, and he was sure several ponies in the Bureau would agree with him, even if they never admitted it.

Because in the end, what happened there was just a mare defending herself, from a bunch of crooks who tried to kill her in her own house. She did nothing less than defend her family.

And given how many of them lost somepony in the Catastrophe… he knows plenty of ponies who wish they could have said they did the same. He knows too many ponies who wish they could have stood their ground, and defended their house from the monsters. Even if those monsters were ponies.

So, he wouldn't spare them any sympathy. They were just evidence, to be dissected, analyzed, and then used to track the next crook.



- - -



"… total of four stallions, three earth ponies and one unicorn. Three were covered by dozens of lacerations, which appear to have been caused by tiny, thorn-like objects. Consistent with the report that "ice magic" was used, as the penetrating needles could have been icicles. Last subject was killed by a single piercing strike to the chest, which impaled the heart. A request has been sent for the measures of the Commissioner's horn, to compare with the dimensions of the chest-hole. Interestingly, all bodies were completely devoid of blood, for reasons unknown. Magic is suspected, but simple freezing would not have accomplished that. Furthermore, a total of five legs, two intestines and one liver were missing. Given how all the bodies were found dismembered and scattered in a wooded area, and had to be pieced back together, it is possible that those organs and members were simply not recovered by field agents. Suspicions that all bodies were swallowed, chewed, and later spit out were easily dismissed by a reliable source. All cutie marks were relayed to the criminal database department for comparison with that of known criminals and…"

-Excerpt from autopsy report of four "John Colts" found near the Velvet Estate.



- - -



FOLLOWERS PHASE



Velvet Covers currently has 3 personal actions to use on her own phase. (4 base, one committed to Mareinette's "Time" re-binding boon).



You currently have TEN Follower actions.

Spoiler: Follower breakdown

Rarity: 1
Jade Whistle: 1
Fluttershy/Comet: 1
Baldomare: 1
Mareinette: 1
Velvet Axe: 1
Biedde: 1
Selene: 2
Household servants: 1

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Spoiler: Do keep in mind that...

Despite what is written here, you are not "forced" to act upon any of this information. However, these notes should be considered carefully:
-Selene insists that you order her to "Guard" this turn, with one of her actions.
-The Constables of the Lunar Bureau insist that you order them to "Guard" you this turn.
-The Investigators can follow the trail of your attackers in a specially-tailored investigation.
-Your family is extremely worried about you, and about their safety.
-No enemy rituals are forthcoming. And no Fleeting Opportunities will be made available during Velvet's Phase.

Current bits: 281
(You have gained 160 from your monthly salary, and 45 from Rarity's dividends)


Security detail

Spoiler: Constable upgrade

"The Commissioner eventually agreed to…"

[You MUST pick one of the following two options]

-[] A loose security detail, on her discretion.
-Constable's "Guard" option will be permanently increased to a total of 6 Constables.
-However, they will ONLY act if the Constables are ordered to "Guard" you a certain turn.


-[]A tighter security detail, at all times.
-Your house (but not your person) will be permanently (automatically) guarded by 2 Constables.
-Ordering the Constables to "Guard" will add an additional 4 Constables for that turn (to a total of 6).
-HOWEVER. The constant presence of Bureau security means additional scrutiny on your personal life. Meaning that:
--Velvet Covers is skilled enough to act without raising additional suspicion. Actions YOU perform, such as rituals, will not cause any more suspicion than they normally would (although if you commit a big blunder, your security guards might hear from the household gossip).
--But actions that happen TO you (caused by external actors) will cause more suspicion, as your security will notice them, and cause the information to eventually "bleed" into the Bureau.

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.


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] It would be folly to assume all the changelings in Equestria are in just one place. Keep looking for them. (One of the chief expectations of the Bureau. Less effective until "The Proto-Hive of Tall Tale" is raided by Constables)
-[] [DETECTIVES] (VENGEANCE) Somepony dared attack the Commissioner. Find their trail.
-[] [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] 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. (Order them to "Guard" you for 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.
[UNAVAILABLE THIS TURN]
-[] [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 / Comet Feet (3 / 4 health, WINTER 1 / EDGE 4)
-[] [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. (PROHIBITED)
-[] [FLUTTERSHY] Something else? (WRITE IN)


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 22)
-[] [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)
(The Daughter-of-Axes will expire at the end of turn 21)
-[] [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)


Biedde (5 health, EDGE 6, MOTH 3)
(Biedde will expire at the end of turn 21)
(Biedde will automatically "Guard" you as a free action)
-[] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge lesson.
-[] [BIEDDE] Ask for an Edge Influence.
-[] [BIEDDE] Something else? (WRITE IN)


Selene (5 health, MOTH 3, EDGE 3, WINTER 3, KNOCK 3)
(As an alicorn, Selene has TWO actions per turn)
(Selene will auto-pick an additional "TRAINING ACTION" due to her "DILLIGENT" trait)
-[] [SELENE] You need her to talk to somepony about… (WRITE IN whose dreams she will enter, and what you want her to talk about with them, or if you just want her to spy on them)
-[] [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] Realize something about Winter. (Unlock her Winter 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)


-[] Something else? (WRITE IN)





This is a reminder that Velvet's mind is a very bad place to be in. And that the Lores, so important to keep her going, are nowhere to be seen right now.

It is not that you nearly died. You did die. And the final ace up your sleeve is not the true immortality of a Long, but the parlor trick of a desperate mortal.

Spoiler: Author's Note

There were several things I wanted to write about.

Because here, Velvet Covers is without any of the Lores. She is without any of the pillars that dragged her away from her old self. She had the same mental fortitude she had during the period of her life before the quest started. And what is more, right now she is at a lower point than she ever was. She has, without a doubt, never had anything as bad as this happen to her in her entire life.

She died. Or at least she should have died. This is not something that can be shaken off with some remedy and a few days in bed. This was clinical, medical death.

And with that, several things could have been written about.

However, Velvet Covers also suffered damage to her brain. So, she could neither comprehend what was happening to her, nor could she understand what happened around her.

In a sense, this was more traumatic to her family than to herself.

So, this confusing and unpleasant morass of sensations was all we were left with. And this would have extended itself for a whole month, until you stopped Dancing With Death.

How lucky we are, then, that fair Mareinette is interested in helping you.

If you wish some other Name had stepped in, maybe you should have befriended them by now. If not, or if you like Mareinette, then this is probably fortunate. Still, this is neither a reprimand nor a praise, just my own thoughts on this.

Under normal circumstances, we would have been stuck with a vastly unpleasant month, filled with ramifying narrative consequences that would have taken much more time and effort to repair.

However, other characters also have their own agency and interest. And even though you have not yet befriended any Names, there is one among their number who is interested in you out of her own volition.

And since no other powers were there to contest here, this is how things happened.

And then, of course, there is how the Burau reacted to what they managed to piece together, which I am sure we will see more of as time goes on.

For the sake of your plans, assume that you will not receive any gifts, help or compensation.

Twelve hours of moratorium. But no rush, and I might take longer than those twelve hours to arrive and answer questions, so do not worry about it.

 

[spiderhellian]

The Axe Looks in the Mirror

The night smelled quiet. The axe was honed razor-sharp. The hatchling was sneaking downstairs to steal cookies.

All was as it should be.

And so, for the first time this visit back to the Wake, the Daughter of Axes was looking in the mirror. Some in the manor might do that out of vanity, or to keep an eye on the room behind them, or to see how it caught the light. But she wasn't vain, or on guard, or curious.

No. She was...

Well, adjectives like "sad" or "grieving" or "wistful" are not well-applied to the Name of Knock. So, let us say for the moment, that she was determined.

She breathed out, her forked tongue flickering, and the mirror before her fogged.

---

There was a story she remembered from her childhood, when she was but a young snake slithering out into the world. A story of a magical princess, who had to save a captured prince. The prince was trapped in a tower where the air had no taste, the walls had no doors, and the steps could not be slithered down. Only the princess could save him.

It was a story for hatchlings, so some might be surprised at how sad the ending was. After a long adventure, involving greater powers than just she, the princess had to sacrifice herself to free her prince — her blood-smell leading the way out, her venom melting a door out of stone, her corpse a path to slither upon.

When the Name heard that story, long ago, she wanted to be that princess. Not that she wanted to die, but even from a young age, she certainly aspired to a venom that could melt passageways, and she was proud of her royal blood.

But she never thought much about the prince.

The one locked away from all he knew. The one who had no say in his rescue. The one who was left to go on, alone.

What if he hadn't wanted to be rescued? What if he would have preferred just yelling at the princess from his tower, and her yelling back? What if they could have fought together, found a way together, come home together, instead of her making the choice for both of them?

Maybe that would have been better. A better life, one lived together. And if they failed, a better death, to die together.

Because whatever happened to that Prince after the story ended, he would be wounded, in a way that could never heal. Whatever his Mother said. And whatever world he found when he left that tower. And whatever he found to distract himself with. And, and, and — tha's just nae wha' sissers do!

---

With a snarl, the Daughter of Axes brought her axe out from under her robe. She swung it at the wall, and the mirror shattered, broken beyond repair.

She heard a scream from below -- could that wolf-freak just not, for once? — and replied with an equally loud yell, "Fok off!"

Did that wake up the ponies sleeping elsewhere in the manor? Maybe, but it's their own damn fault. They'd be fine if they heard like a proper snake, not with those oh-so-sensitive ears.

She looked at the wrecked mirror in front of her. After a long pause, she sighed. And then with a grimace, the Daughter of Axes curled up in bed, Pasharka tucked close beside her.

She dreamed of home.

Spoiler: AN

Please officer, just one more Daughter of Axes theory, please, I promise this is my last, just one more, please.

God I love speculating about the DoA. There's just enough info in this quest, and just enough info in CS lore, to have a foundation for theorizing but nothing concrete. Absolutely perfect for deranged theory-crafting.

Remembering that Bird definitely has changed things from core CS lore, I'm wondering here about the Hooded Princes(ses) (or was there even more than her and Pasharka?) not having been saved, brought to another history, by the Mother of Ants... aside from one. Perhaps her sister(s) saved her, but perhaps not by her own will.

Because this:

She tells you that the thing you are looking for, or rather the thing that the Daughter-of-Axes is looking for, is very far away… and yet, closer than anypony might imagine.

Click to shrink...

Has got to be another history, right? Something oh-so-close but also incredibly far away?

So perhaps she grew up in a history where snakes or snake mares reigned, which explains why she's so confused about 'normal' ponies. She knew a time where she had a sister, and then a time when she was alone. Which puts that "ae dinnae want to be alone ageen…" she said when the curse struck last into a very sad context.

Where the Sister-and-Witch/Witch-and-Sister's curse comes in, admittedly no clue. Though that is more recent, I think, perhaps around the Mansus's ending? But it is peculiar, because that "imperative of binding and joining" has to be the curse that Baldomare references, what are the odds one Snakemare has two different curses!

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

It is night. The sun is nowhere to be seen, and the moon is currently being blocked by angry clouds charged with lightning. And within the empty corridor of a mansion's second floor, something very unusual is happening.

And that unusual thing is that there is a Princess there… there is a Princess there, and she is waiting.

Princess Cadance is not a mare who is used to waiting for things. Not because she is harsh or demanding, but simply because she is a Princess. And as the years went by, even a mare as kind and humble as herself simply grew accustomed to having her every request fulfilled immediately.

However, the fact remains that right now, she is being made to wait. Right now, there is something she wants… something she needs to do, but still she was put in second place so another pony could go first.

But of course, she is not angry about that. She is not angry or upset. In fact, she even agrees that this is the right way for this to happen.

Still, it doesn't retract from the fact that she is waiting. And that, since there is nothing she can do but pace back and forth, she is so worried that it hurts.

Princess Cadance is currently walking back and forth on the long corridor of the Velvet mansion. The one on the second floor, where the Lady's family lives, that leads to the grand stairs and connects all the guest rooms and family accommodations. She has no idea of how late she is, and she doesn't really care.

The best she can do right now is not press her ear against the nearby door, that leads to the master bedroom, to try and hear what is being said inside. The least she can do right now is at least give them some privacy.

Because she is waiting… for a chance to speak to her friend. She is waiting to speak to a mare who, less than a day ago, survived a… an assassination attempt. She had been waiting in this mansion all day, and as soon as she was told that the mare had finally woken up, she practically planted herself in front of her door for a chance to see her.

But of course, she is still waiting because there are other ponies in that room right now. And Princess or not, they are more important than her when it comes to this sort of thing. After all, they are…



"Will… will mom get better…?"
"I don't know, dear… I don't know."



A pair of voices, painfully familiar and crushing in how much sorrow they are speaking with, snap her out of her thoughts. And Cadance almost hurts her neck with how quickly she turns to face the door to the master bedroom.

And sure enough, a small group of ponies is exiting the room. They are her friend's family. Her husband, and her three daughters, who were called here as soon as Velvet opened her eyes. The one group of ponies who, given the circumstances, would have priority over a Princess.

She looks at them, with a mixture of hope and nervousness, but she… but they…

… her heart sinks. Because the four ponies look more than just downtrodden, and they don't even look at Cadance as they walk down the corridor.

And that… that can't be good news. It just can't. Of course, she wasn't expecting them to leave the room laughing, and talking about their expectations of a quick recovery. Cadance certainly hoped that was the case, but she knew that was unlikely.

However, she certainly didn't expect her friend's family to exit the room even sadder than they were before they entered it.

Is… is it really that bad?

The four ponies don't even realize she is there, as they quietly walk away. But still, they left the door open behind them. And they all knew Cadance was waiting to see her friend.

So, Cadance takes a deep, heavy breath… and then she enters the master bedroom.

…

"Velvet…? Are you… how do you feel?" she says.

Although she has to blink her eyes a few times to get used to the darkness. Because the windows are closed shut, and there is no moonlight to speak of. But more than that, there isn't a single lit candle inside the room.

Cadance wonders how bad her friend must look like, for that to be the case. And she… she decides not to light up her horn. To give her friend some privacy, and maybe not to cause her any pain, given how she was told that Velvet was struck on the head.

"Velvet? It's me… can you hear me? Are you… are you still awake?" she says, closing the door behind her as she enters the room. Cautiously making her way towards her dear friend as she whispers those words.

Cadance is not particularly used to this room, but she can see its contours well enough. The faint light coming from the corridor, from under the door, is barely enough for her to see where the bed is. And she can make out the faintest hint of a mare, covered in bandages, lying on it.

However, she can't… she can't really feel…

"Velvet? Do you… do you know who I am…?" she asks, struggling to keep her voice from shaking.

And finally, she hears the faintest hint of movement coming from the bed. The sound of bandages rustling as a head turns to face her in the darkness.

"Cadance… you have a lot of nerve coming here," the voice says.

And it takes Cadance several moments to recognize that voice. Because it sounds like her dear friend… but only in the same way that a strong wind during a storm sounds like a whistle.

Although, Cadance is much more worried about what Velvet just said. Her heart skips a beat as she tries to understand what her friend meant by that.

"I'm sorry… what? What do you mean, Velvet? Of course I came. I… I'm worried about you," she says, trying her best to keep her tone low and hushed.

Because of course she would come. How could she not?! In fact, she is having to force herself to stay where she is. Because all she wants to do right now is to light up her horn, and hug her friend, and look her in the eye and tell her that everything will be alright.

So, why would Velvet ever say that she…

"That is not what I meant… you know what I meant." Velvet says.

And Cadance's heart sinks a little bit more as she realizes that Velvet's tone is not just tired.

It is angry.

"You. Know. What. I. Meant." Velvet repeats.

Cadance freezes as she hears that, the nervousness in her chest giving way to the painful hammering of her heart. Because why… why would Velvet say that? Why would Velvet say those words with that tone?

Several things come to her mind at the same time. The tense conversation she had with Stormchaser, as she stallion explained to her the nurse had no idea of how bad the damage was to her friend's head. The reports from the ongoing investigation that more than just a few strange things had occurred.

The image she just saw, of Velvet's family looking even worse than they were before… after they were able to see the mare.

All of those things come to Cadance's mind at the same time. And for a moment, there is nothing she can do other than stand there, afraid that something worse might happen if she even moves.

"No answer? Of course you aren't going to say anything," Velvet continues, the pain in her voice overshadowed only by the weight behind her words. "Because nothing is ever your fault, is it? Nothing you do is ever wrong."

"Velvet, I… W-what do you mean?" the Princess asks, slightly panicked.

"Oh, don't give me that, you viper. You know what you did. You forced me into this job. You made this happen-!"

The mare says that, her voice growing more and more strained as she struggles to yell. Until her voice finally fails her, and she begins to cough.

Cadance can't help but make her way towards the mare. Because the way she is coughing makes it clear that her friend is in pain.

However, she doesn't dare to touch her. Her body moved on its own, to get closer to her friend, but her mind is still reeling at what she just heard.

"Velvet, please, let me-!"

"Don't come any closer, you…!" Velvet says.

And Cadance's voice gets stuck inside her throat.

"You asked me… me, to become the face of Celestia's anger in Equestria. You made me the most hated pony alive. And when this happens, you expect me to believe you didn't mean it?!"

Cadance's voice gets stuck inside her throat, as Velvet continues to speak, and as the seconds go by she slowly begins to feel her eyes burning up.

"N-no…! I just…" she tries, and fails, to say something.

"You just what? You are going to blame me? You are going to blame somepony else? Swear up and down it is not your fault? The same way it wasn't your fault when you let the country fall apart, right when Celestia needed you most? The same way it wasn't your fault that the pony you claim to love the most lost his horn? The same way it wasn't your fault when you failed to save Twilight?!"

Each word that Velvet says feels like a knife being stabbed on Cadance's heart. Each time Velvet say something, Cadance dearly wants to answer. To say that she is sorry, to say that she didn't mean for any of that to happen. But every time she tries to speak, she just can't.

The only way she can respond is through her tears, as they begin to run down her face and fall to the ground.

"Everypony around you gets hurt. Everypony around you gets broken. How many more times does this have to happen before you realize that the one thing they all had in common was you. How many more ponies need to suffer before you see that this is all your fault?! Princess of Love, you call yourself? More like Princess of Loss." Velvet says.

"Nno! I-I…! Velvet, I, please-!"

Cadance tries to say something, anything. But suddenly, she feels a pair of hoofs on her shoulders. And on the next moment, Velvet pulls her towards her chest.

And on that moment, Cadance realizes that Velvet is… that her dear friend is dead.

She realizes that her chest is so very cold, despite her fur. To the point that even her warm tears become chilly to the touch.

She realizes that the mare has no pulse. That the mare has no heartbeat.

She realizes that the mare is telling the truth.

"You. Made. This. Happen." Velvet whispers into her ear, and the only thing Cadance can do is-



"-Cadance! Cadance!"



-fall on her hindquarters as the world suddenly twists around her.

Because suddenly, she was being gripped by the hateful body of her dead friend.

But now, she is… suddenly… she is somewhere else?

H-how… what just happened?

"Cadance! Look into my eyes. Deep breaths, Cadance, deep breaths."

Cadance suddenly finds herself in a vast, empty space. A vague recollection of a large room, with white walls and whiter floor, to the point that she can barely make out where the ceiling ends and the walls begin.

And for some reason, Princess Luna is right in front of her, holding on to her shoulders as she looks her in the eyes.

"I… L-Luna, Velvet just…!"

"Cadance, stop. This was just a nightmare. Nothing happened, and you are fine. Everypony is fine."

Luna says that, and it takes several moments for Cadance to understand the meaning of those words.

No, she is right… everything is slowly coming back to her… A few seconds pass, and Cadance finally remembers the real conversation she had with her friend, and everything after that.

This really was just…

"I… thank you, Luna…" she says, hesitantly.

Although she still can't shake a particular thought that stuck to her mind.

"But…but Luna… the things she said… the things Velvet told me just now…"

"Mom didn't tell you anything, Cadance. This was just a dream. That was just a figment of your imagination."

"No, that's… that's exactly what I mean. If that was just something that came from my mind… isn't there a bit of truth to them? Doesn't that mean that…?"

Cadance trails off, as her stunned mind slowly connects the idea that just formed in her mind.

Because for all that this was a nightmare, this was still something that was created by her subconscious. So, doesn't that mean that… doesn't that meant that deep down, she thinks that…

"Luna, I… you heard those words, didn't you?" Cadance asks, as the weight she has inside her chest refuses to fade. The false worry from the nightmare being substituted by another, perhaps deeper concern.

"…"

"I… please, Luna. You are the only pony I can talk to, about this. You are the only pony who understands what it is to be a Princess… the things you heard, that I know you heard. Do you really think that I… was it really my fault? Did I really fail that much?" Cadance asks.

No, she doesn't ask. It is clear from Cadance's tone of voice that she is begging right now.

She is begging Luna, an alicorn who is older than her, to tell her that she did not fail.

She is begging Luna, the pony who has the greatest understanding of dreams and nightmares, to tell her those words were just mirages and illusions conjured by her own worries.

She is begging Luna… to tell her that she didn't fail. That this isn't her fault.

However, Cadance is so deep in her own misery that she doesn't even realize that Luna herself…

She doesn't even realize that Luna herself is wearing the same expression that she is, right now. That the Princess of the Moon is asking the same question, and that she is being crushed by the same weight.

She doesn't realize any of that.

So, when Luna finally answers, her words feel like a hammer's blow against Cadance's back.

"Cadance, I need you to get yourself together. I can't keep doing this every night."

And as Luna says those words, Cadance doesn't even realize the other alicorn is also talking to herself.

"If you think this is your fault, then do better."

She doesn't realize that Luna is also in as much pain as she is. Or perhaps even more.

Instead, she only thinks that the Princess of the Moon has found her wanting.

And when she wakes up, in the middle of the night and back in the Royal Castle, the only thing she can think of is…





- - -

- - -

- - -





It has been… maybe a week, ever since the attempt on her mother's life.

Ever since that day, she has stayed at home. Walking up and down the house, sneakily checking if the constables were at their posts, and giving her mother good dreams whenever she wasn't in too deep of a sleep.

Of course, she has been irate at the fact she still had to go to school. The only reason she accepts doing that at all, is because that way she can keep an eye on her sister. But still, her mother's insistence that "fillies need a routine" was one that she was adamantly against.

Because what if something happens while she is at school?

What if somepony tries to hurt her family again, and she is not there to protect them?

Her disguise is not worth it. She should just reveal herself right now, and damn the consequences. That way, the constables would have to obey her orders to fortify the mansion, and she wouldn't be expected to haul her flank to school to learn about fractions.

Selene thinks about all of that, and more, as she lies on her bed.

…

It has been difficult, for her. It has been difficult for her to live with herself, this past week.

Because every time she closes her eyes, every time she tries to sleep, she wonders if that will be the moment when it happens again. She wonders if that will be the night that yet another evil pony will pick, to stalk into her home and hurt the ponies she loves.

She has already replayed that night inside her head more times than she can count. She even remembers, down to the minute details, what kind of training she was subjecting herself to, as that thrice-cursed group of villains broke into her house and nearly beat her mother to death.

…

No, they didn't just almost beat her mother to death. She knows… what really happened.

Her mother did not yet have the time to teach her the theory in depth, and most of the knowledge she has is from the empirical lessons she learned over the last year. But still… still, winter is close enough to heart to detect its influence.

"Selene…? Are you awake…?"

But Selene's thoughts are interrupted by a familiar voice. And moments later, she looks up from her bed, and she spots the figure of Silky Stream quietly entering her room.

"Yeah… I'm here sis," she answers.

"Can I stay with you tonight…?" the filly asks.

And without the slightest delay, a faint glow appears on the tip of her forehead. Even though she is an earth pony. Moments later, the light washes over her, and her bed is now being occupied by a much larger alicorn. Still, her new bed is big enough to accommodate that form, and this entire motion is almost familiar by now.

Without a word, the pegasus filly climbs up the bed, and soon enough she is huddling up to her sister.

And Selene… doesn't say anything.

She doesn't ask if Silky is alright, because she already knows the answer to that.

She doesn't ask if Silky is cold, because she knows the real reason why her little sister is shaking.

And she definitely does not mention that they have been doing this every night now, because she will be there for Silky for as many nights as she wants.

So, she just stays there. Lying on her side. Covering her little sister with her large wing, as the filly lies with her head on her flank.

However, the filly doesn't fall asleep. Of course she doesn't.

It pains Selene to admit it, but the little filly has not been falling asleep easily ever since that night.

"Sel-… Selene…" Silky starts to say something.

And her voice is so heavy, and so wet, that it is clear that the filly is trying her best to hold back her tears.

"Is… is any bad pony coming to hurt us tonight? I-is… is mom going to wake up tomorrow…?"

Selene can feel a knot getting tighter inside her chest.

But still, she is the older sister. She can't let it show.

So, she just pulls the filly closer to her, and covers her under the protection of her large wings a little more.

"Nopony is going to hurt us, Silky. I won't let them. I promise. And mom will wake up tomorrow just fine, and we will talk to her again as soon as we get back from school."

She feels the filly nodding against, the movement rustling the fur of her flank. And she tries to ignore the wet drops she can feel against her cutie mark.

"O-okay…" is all the filly says.

And another night drags itself within the Velvet mansion.





- - -

- - -

- - -





"We both know you are not angry at me," the mare says.

And the stallion can only grunt in answer.

Because she is right. She is always right. Good Baldomare is never wrong, and speaking to her is always as illuminating as it is distressing.

"Maybe I am a little angry at you," he says. Although he says that more out of anger than anything else.

And to his surprise (although he is too angry to appreciate it) the mare answers him with an understanding expression.

Because he is being terribly rude to her. He is definitely not acting in a way that a host should treat a guest.

And yet, she is still talking to him. She is still answering his questions.

She is still… keeping him company. Perhaps even like a friend ought to do.

In fact, Baldomare would have poured him a drink, if she didn't already know he would not accept it.

Because Stormchaser knows this is not the time to drink. He drinks to socialize with other ponies, and he drinks to celebrate good times. But these are not good times, and he will not allow himself to be anything but alert in case something happens, and a nurse or a maid calls for him.

"But you… are right. I am not angry at you," he says, closing his eyes as he takes a deep breath.

The mare shrugs, looking out through the window, towards the setting sun, as she casually speaks.

"To be fair, you are a little angry at me, yes. You are not wrong," she says. And even that, coming from her, is a kindness of sorts. After all, for her to sidestep the issue, and twist her words so they are not entirely false, is something she doesn't do often.

So, from the Name of Lantern, that is indeed a way to show kindness. Small as it may be, she is finding a way to say that he is "right", even if that kind of thing doesn't mean as much to him as it does to her.

"But Baldomare, I… I still need to know. I need you to tell me," he says, circling back to the issue they had been discussing before.

He says that, as he once again asks her the question that brought him here in the first place.

Because what good is a husband… what is Stormchaser even worth, if he couldn't be there to protect his own wife?

Couldn't he have avoided this somehow? Shouldn't he have predicted something like this was coming? Damn it all, shouldn't he be the one who was bound to a bed, fighting for his life, instead of his fragile, crippled wife, who almost died giving birth to their daughter?!

He doesn't know. He doesn't know, and that is why he is here.

Maybe he should have studied those secrets more intensely. Maybe he should have begged his friend for help, and paid whatever price he asked. Or who knows, maybe he should have quit his job and stayed home, regardless if his cutie mark insisted that he shouldn't.

Still, he… he has to know.

He needs her to tell her.

"I don't want to hurt you, Stormchaser," the mare says, as she lets out a pained sigh. "Please," she finishes.

And for some reason, that last word carries an unusual amount of weight.

Almost as if the mare was asking him not to make her hurt somepony. Although he isn't sure if Baldomare is afraid that she will hurt him… or herself.

But still, the stallion can't stop himself. He has to know. Even if it hurts him.

"Was… was there anything I could have done? Anything at all?" he asks.

To which the mare responds with a tired expression.

"No."

And that one word cuts the stallion deeper than anything else he has ever felt in his life.





- - -

- - -

- - -





"Hey there, Soft. I haven't seen you since yesterday… how are you doing?"

The unicorn mare asks that, as she carefully sits on a nearby chair.

It has been… a few days, since the commotion happened. Of course, there are still guards walking around, but the bulk of the Canterlot police has already left. There aren't any more investigators looking into this and that, and there aren't any more ponies being taken to the side for those long interviews and questions.

But that didn't stop Cantrip from checking in on her friend, whenever she could.

It is early in the morning. Lord Pride is currently busy in his office, with more work to do thanks to the recent occurrence, but he has been very kind in letting her leave whenever she asked for it. So, she didn't even take off her uniform as she came straight to her friend's room in the central mansion.

And just like every other day, she found Soft… here.

Alone.

With that very worrying expression on her face.

"I'm doing fine…" Soft says.

And just like every other day, Cantrip can't really say that she believes in her.

But still, she can't even imagine how rough things must be for her friend Soft. After all she knows her friend's… well, let's call it her background.

She knows about Canterlot, even if Soft doesn't really speak about it a lot. And she knows how close she is to the noble family.

Tartarus, word on the corridors is that she works as a maid because she wants to, and that she has already been offered a room on the second floor where the Lady's family lives. She is keeping the job for a sense of stability, or maybe out of duty. But as far as Cantrip knows, Soft is as good as family to the Lady.

So, knowing what happened to Lady Velvet is definitely… taking a toll on her.

"I'm glad to hear it, Soft. Say, Lord Pride will probably have a late lunch again, so I think I should eat right about now, before midday. Would you like to join me?" she asks, hoping that her friend will finally accept something that involves leaving her room.

Because from what she heard, the pegasus mare only leaves her room to take the Lady's daughters to and from school. Other than that…

… well, she knows the mare has been eating. Or at least she hopes so. But still…

"No… thanks… I don't really feel like eating right now…" the pegasus mare answers.

Cantrip answers her with a strained smile, but she nods nonetheless.

No lunch for her today as well, then. Because she certainly won't leave without her friend. And she much prefers staying here with her for the next hour than using this pause from work to do whatever else.

Still, the silence begins to stretch as the two mares just stare at each other. Or rather, as Cantrip look at Soft, and Soft looks despondently towards the ground.

Well, her friend is getting a little better. The general mood of the house has been improving, as the Lady's health steadily gets better. But still, Cantrip can personally attest that Soft is far better today than she was before.

After all, just a few days ago, Soft was a lot more talkative… she was a lot more talkative, and a lot angrier.

She doesn't remember what exactly Soft Sweeps said, on the first day she came here to see her. But she still remembers how her words made her feel.

She still remembers how… how Soft told her that… how her words made her remember all those...

No! No. Stop. Stop right there Cantrip! The mare shakes her head, as she once again remembers that she shouldn't think about that.

Yeap, there is nothing to think about. Her friend Soft Sweeps is far better than she was before, and that's all that matters. And as her friend, Cantrip will keep her company until she convinces her to go have lunch with her!

"Oh, I know!" Cantrip says, as an idea comes to her mind. "Say, do you remember how I told you that some of the maids quit?" Cantrip asks.

Of course, the reason why the maids quit is the one thing Cantrip will avoid talking about at any costs. Nopony likes the idea of working and sleeping in a place that might be dangerous. But still, that is not what Cantrip is focusing on.

Far from that, what Cantrip is talking about is the latest bit of gossip that has been going around!

"Yeah… what about it?" Soft answers.

"Well, I heard Subtle Glare is already working on finding replacements. Most I heard is that he sent out a missive to the main house in Canterlot. But what's really been buzzing around is that a candidate appeared who is here from Ponyville!"

Soft tilts her head slightly at that. But she is clearly interested in what Cantrip is saying.

"It was just the one. And I didn't hear anything about prior experience or cutie marks. But still, I heard she made quite the impression with Subtle Glare on her interview yesterday. So, we might have a new face working at Lord Pride's home sooner rather than later!"

Soft Sweeps narrows her eyes at that, as if she had just thought about something.

But more importantly, to Cantrip's relief, Soft's expression is definitely better than it was a few seconds ago. In fact, the pegasus mare almost looks normal, as if they have been having a casual conversation this entire time.

"A maid recruit… from Ponyville?" she asks.

"Yeap! Maybe she heard that we would be hiring from somepony? Or maybe this was just a coincidence? I'm also surprised, because I just thought we would get a few replacements from the Canterlot mansion, and that things would be settled that way," Cantrip continues, her tone almost excited from how she finally got a reaction from her friend. "But word on the corridors is that this new mare came-a-knocking some two days ago, and that Subtle Glare agreed to interview her yesterday. Quite the funny story, don't you think?"

"Yeah… very unusual… especially if… Actually, I'm sorry, did you say what her name was?"

Cantrip thinks for a few moments, opening the lower drawers of her mind as she tries to remember if that obscure bit of information was present in the gossip she heard.

"I think it was… Amor? No, not just that. Double name, something-Amor, but I can't remember the first one for the life of me."

She says that, and something unexpected immediately happens.

Soft Sweeps smiles. Maybe for the first time in days.

"Ah… I know her. She's a friend of mine and… Uhm, Cantrip, I don't like… asking for favors. But… do you think you could put in a good word for her? I mean, if she's going to be hired by your side of the estate, I can't…"

"No need to say anything else. Of course I will!" Cantrip says, as soon as the mare trails off. But the smile that Soft has on her face is more than worth making this promise. "That's what friends are for. And also, any friend of yours is also a friend of mine, so I'd love to meet this Amor!"

Soft answers her with a thankful nod.

And finally, finally, Cantrip feels like she is talking to a normal pony again. Finally, Cantrip feels like she is talking to the one friend she managed to make, ever since she came to this distant town.

These last few days have been tense. They have been tense, and more than a little worrying.

But she is glad to think that the sun might be finally rising in this particular night.

And hey, she really meant it when she said it. Any friend from Soft is a friend of hers!

She is sure there will be no problems whatsoever relating to this "Amor" mare that they are talking about.

"And… I think I am getting a little hungry. Can I join you for lunch?" Soft asks, with a slightly uncomfortable (but hopeful) smile on her face.

To which Cantrip answers by standing up from the wooden chair, and leading the way towards the door.

After all, friends are meant to be there for each other.

And the more friends one has, the merrier.

Right?

Right?





This is a reminder that you are not forced to accept Selene's request to guard you this turn.

And this is a reminder that she won't be guarding just you, if you do order her to stay.

And the there is… everything else, that also happened.

Voting is still open. To be closed on Sunday night. Remember to pick the correct post to start counting the votes from, and not just pick "last threadmark" from whatever program you use.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

Spoiler: Winning Plan

Tally

[X] Plan Time's Up - Rarity Searching
-[X] (Detectives) Investigate the Commissioner's attackers
-[X] (Constables) Guard the Commissioner
-[X] (Selene) Winter Realization
-[X] (Selene) Guard us and our home
-[X] (Mareinette) Honored Guest: Filthy Rich and Spoiled Rich
-[X] (DoA) Wrong Keys
-[X] (Fluttershy) Ask Comet to lead an expedition: A Grave on a Hill
-[X] (Baldomare-Free) Give her the Level 6 book if the expedition is successful, otherwise give her the Knock 5 book
-[X] Perform the Reflection of the Tapestry
--[X] Target: Copper and her cult. Their location, their resources, their defenses, anything and everything about them
--[X] To be performed on an inconspicuous place, located by Baldomare
-[X] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
-[X] Search Canterlot for the Outsider (x 3)

[X] A tighter security detail, at all times.

You are Deputy Shining Armor.

And right now, you are in a rather gloomy place.

Is it unprofessional to think that about the place where your own commanding officer lives? Absolutely. But she is also your friend, so you will not let your professional respect for her cloud your honesty.

You are currently in the Velvet estate. And to be entirely honest, it is hard to believe that something as innocent as a cute-ceñeara took place here just a few days ago.

After all, it is still early in the afternoon, but there isn't a single ray of sunlight touching the estate. The entire perimeter of the mansion, and then some more, is covered with lightning clouds. And a gloomy wind is blowing through the garden. Your pegasi said the wind is caused by the difference in temperature between the sun-blocked ground and the surrounding farmlands, but you didn't really catch the technical nuance of what they were saying.

Still, the fact remains that you are looking at a mansion that seems to have come out of a horror story. Everypony you look at, whether they be your agents or the estate's servants, seem to be on edge. Everypony, without exception, seems to be concerned, scared, serious, or a combination of all those three things. And everywhere you look, your eyes need to strain to pierce through the shadows.

You are honestly glad Cadance decided not to stay, and that she left several days ago as soon as she was able to talk to Velvet.

Although, you are also about to leave yourself. Today marks the sixth day that you have been here in the Velvet estate, but right now you are in the process of supervising the packing up of your material and horsepower, so the Bureau can focus on its other duties.

Well, most of you are leaving. But a respectable chunk of your constables will be staying behind, for obvious reasons.

"Sir, we finished loading up the carriages with the gear we won't need. It's standing by to make another round trip, as soon as you give us the go-ahead."

Just as you think about that, a familiar voice comes from behind you. And you turn around to see the gruff stallion that is one of your team-leaders. The earth pony is slightly shorter than you are, but he has a solid feeling to him that not even the discreet uniform of the Bureau can detract from.

"Good, and thank you. You can tell them they are cleared to go," you answer. "And by the way, what did you decide not to send? What are we going to keep here for the garrison?"

You ask that question because, thankfully, you managed to convince the Commissioner to do the sensible thing, and finally assign herself a security detail.

Naturally, you interpreted her vague acceptance of a "security detail" liberally. Which means you arranged with the constables to keep three breach teams here in the estate, on rotating shifts, with whatever material they would need.

You are sure the Commissioner will roll that decision back as soon as she regains her bearings. But until then, you will all have the peace of mind that the Commissioner will be safe for the time being.

"That's a small problem I wanted to talk about, sir," the constable says, with a slightly annoyed expression. "We are keeping some of the tents that we used to lodge everypony during this last week. And the mansion carpenters already started building an annex for us to stay, after you spoke to the Lord. But still, these aren't barracks, and we definitely don't have a secured armory."

The stallion shrugs, as if to say there was no helping it.

"So, we are only keeping the basic stuff. Armor, lights, portable weapons. Stuff we can carry around at all times."

You give him a slow, understanding nod. Yes, you think you would have reached the same conclusion if you had thought this over yourself. This is a bit of a reminder of how you have taken the infrastructure of the Royal Castle for granted. After all, it is much easier to guard a place when said place was designed with security in mind.

But still, it is what it is. And your constables will be no less dedicated just because they won't have access to their more dangerous equipment.

"That makes sense. And it is still too soon to talk with the Commissioner about making more changes to her home. Or better yet, moving to Canterlot," you say, although you are sure that last wish of yours will never really come true. "But for now, a solid roof over our heads beats the tents. And we'll make sure to send a daily runner to check in on you."

The stallion nods, giving you a small salute before taking his leave.

And you…

"Oh, and can you tell the team-leaders to meet me in an hour?" you say to the retreating stallion, "we will have our last meeting before wrapping this up."

The stallion answers you with a wave of his hoof. And the two of you go back to your own duties.



- - -



Under normal circumstances, it would be very rude to enter the room of a married mare. Especially given how you are a married stallion.

And it would be even more rude for so many ponies, the small crowd of Bureau ponies that you are, to be here.

However, these are not normal circumstances. So, yourself, your team-leaders, and your top investigators are currently in the Commissioner's room. Having your last meeting with her before most of you depart. After all, none of you would expect the Commissioner to move to another room just to speak to you. In fact, given her state, most of you did not expect for this meeting to happen at all.

But still, despite the clearly professional setting of this meeting, you are all… uncomfortable.

No, you are not just uncomfortable. You can see, from the expression of everypony around you, that none of you are "just" uncomfortable.

You are also…



"I want every last mare, stallion, and resource at our disposal tracking them down. Do I make myself clear?"



The Commissioner is on her bed. There is a single lit candle, on the opposite side of the room, that is giving you all just enough light to see the contour of her face.

It is enough for you to see the white of her bandages, and the darker spots where the bandages are not so white. It is enough for you to barely recognize the Commissioner.

And more importantly, it is enough for you all to see just how angry she is.

This is maybe the fourth time you have seen her, ever since the attempt. But to everypony else, this is the first time they meet the Commissioner ever since they were rushed to Ponyville. And you can tell, from everypony else's expression, that they are as appalled as you were when you first saw her.

Because it is clear, from the way she is speaking, that she needs to make an effort even to breathe.

She sounds like she is about to fall asleep at any moment, and the way she needs to close her eyes between phrases makes it clear that she is having trouble to even form her thoughts.

The mare seems to be operating on anger alone.

And despite her delicate state, a part of you can't shake the thought that… that maybe she is doing this on purpose. You think that she called for this meeting, with yourself and all the figurehead agents, precisely so they can see her in this state. Maybe because she wants to incense you all into acting. Maybe because she wants you all to see the fruit of your failure, and the price she had to pay for it.

Whatever her reason is, you think it is working.

"The changelings can wait. Keep the observers in place, on Tall Tale. But focus on these attackers," she says, although she needs several seconds to regain her strength before she can continue. "Today it was me. Tomorrow it might be Fair Trial, or somepony else. I want you all to find them. Now."

Nopony disagrees with her. And, in a sense, you suppose it is good to hear it directly from her.

"Before we leave, Commissioner, I would like to report how we will operate this month," you say, pointing at the two stallions and one mare standing next to you. "These are three of our breach-team leaders who will be staying behind to run security. They are already acquainted with your staff, and we already dealt with the smaller details. I will also be returning here weekly to deliver you a report."

The Commissioner doesn't answer you. In fact, she doesn't give you any sign that she is listening at all. And if it wasn't for her labored breath, and the calm demeanor of the nurse by her side, you wouldn't even know if she was awake or not.

But still, you say all of that, and then you… hesitate for a moment. Because you are not entirely sure if you should bring up another subject, that your investigators asked you about.

Because on the one hoof, you really don't think you should disturb the Commissioner with something like this right now. But on the other hoof, it could help the investigations to…

"One more thing, Commissioner," you say, deciding to go for it. "Beyond Reproach and Iron Button would like to ask you a few more questions, if that is alright with you? About the night when you were attacked. Because we have already spread the official story, that there was a single attacker who escaped. But we would like to-"

You are suddenly interrupted by a wet cough, coming from the Commissioner. And something tells you that you have made the wrong decision in asking that question.

"There was a single attacker. He escaped. And there are no indications that something like this will happen again," the Commissioner says. Laboring to form every word, but practically spitting them at you. "And if a single pony in this house hears anything different from that, there will be problems."

She says that, and you immediately understand what she means by that. Everypony immediately understands that, as far as the Commissioner is concerned, discussing any other version of events within one hundred paces of her family would be a very quick road to some form of retribution.

And as if to hammer the point home, the Commissioner… painfully makes a point of sitting up. The smell of medicine and sweat filling the air even with that small of a movement.

But she sits up, and you swear she is looking at everypony's eyes at the same time, from the dark.

"Is that clear? Or do I need to hold the hoof of the greatest investigators of Equestria, to take them to whatever evidence is sitting right in front of their faces?"

You hear Iron Button give her a quick, nervous nod. And you think you hear Reproach swallow something dry. A soft, clacking chuckle comes from the nurse waiting next to the Commissioner, but none of you pay her any mind.

Because yes, she is being abundantly clear right now. Your investigators know about the bodies. Your agents know the stories are not lining up. And now, to the Commissioner's annoyance, she has just confirmed to you all that this is intentional.

"Understood, Commissioner," you answer for everypony else.

And with a slow, painful wave of the hoof, she dismisses you all.

You think she is fast asleep, after crashing back on her pillow, before the last pony leaves the bedroom.





- - -

- - -

- - -





You are Lady Velvet Covers.

And you are awake.

It has been ten days since you were attacked. And throughout all of that period, you have been awake for… maybe thirty hours. And you have been properly aware for even less than that.

You have seen your family every day, being visited by your daughters when they come back from school. You have seen your close friends every now and then, whenever one of their visits align with one of your rare periods of consciousness. And you have seen Shining Armor once, yesterday, when he came to deliver his weekly report.

Other than that, you… you don't really remember much.

Softy told you that Cadance was here, on the night after the attack, and that she spoke to you. But you honestly have no memory of that.

Mareinette also told you that you gave orders to your agents while they were here, but you… well, you don't even remember the Bureau coming to your home. And you have yet to confirm if the "guards" they placed in your house are real or not.

And then, of course, you have been seeing Mareinette a lot. In fact, she is there with you almost every waking moment. She leaves, unnoticed, right before your daughters come to visit, and she seems to be next to you a few seconds after they are gone.

But still, she has been… keeping you company.

She has been keeping your heart beating. She has been changing your bandages, although you have never seen her throw them in the trash. And she has been… talking to you.

But you are not nearly well enough to remember what you two speak about, and you know you will remain on your bed for several more weeks.

So, you are sure you will spend more time with her before the month is over.

However, right now, you are awake. You are awake, and you are aware, and you are focused enough to do this.

"Thank you all for coming here," you say to the room at large. "I am here to ask you all to do a few things for me."

You say that to the several Names who are currently in your bedroom.

You say that to Baldomare, who is calmly sitting on a nearby chair. To Mareinette, who is standing on a distant corner of the room. To the Daughter-of-Axes, who has a hoof over the hilt of her namesake weapon, and is on the opposite corner that Mareinette is.

And you say that to Biedde, who answers you with a knowing smile.

"What is the name of the pony you want us to kill?" the old stallion asks.

And then, you begin to tell them what you want to see happen.





- - -

- - -

- - -





VELVET'S PHASE AND EXPEDITION PLANNING

Spoiler: Relevant notes

Relevant notes:
-Jade Whistle will perform a scrying ritual before your assault against your opponent departs, and they will act based on that information.
-Unfortunately, since both actions are happening on the same turn, you are not able to plan the expeditions "after" Jade's scrying attempt. You must make your plans now, and whatever she learns will be used by your assault team.
-The "leader" of an expedition is irrelevant, as their action point is spent gathering resources and making preparations, rather than being given "authority" over the assault. If your assault team needs to make an important decision, you (the players) will be offered a vote instead, even if Velvet is not physically present. (And Mareinette's trait only allows her to "vote" in your stead if she is performing an action by herself. Expeditions such as these do not apply.)
-However, you will not micromanage all aspects of the assault (you wouldn't do that even if Velvet was going herself). So, make your decisions, and QM will decide the finer details, including character agency.
-You must also vote for the "timing" with the Bureau's investigation.

Before you vote on how to assault your opponent, you must decide on the TIMING with the Lunar Bureau's investigation.

"They are the best detectives in Equestria, and they are all Tartarus-bent on finding who did this. It is inevitable that the Bureau will pick your attacker's trail. You can only decide if you will strike before or after that happens."

-[] [BUREAU] You will assault Copper BEFORE the Bureau picks her trail.
-Your assault team will not benefit from anything the Lunar Burau discovers, since you will not have a preliminary report on your attacker before you assault them.
-Your assault team will not be seen by the Lunar Bureau, since they will not yet be in place when the assault takes place.
-HOWEVER, it is possible the Lunar Bureau will find evidence of your assault team's actions. It is impossible to predict what ramifications that might incur, if that happens.


-[] [BUREAU] You will assault Copper AFTER the Bureau picks her trail.
-Your assault team will benefit from whatever preliminary information the Bureau discovers.
-Your assault team MIGHT be detected by the Bureau, before, during, or after the assault happens. It is impossible to predict what ramifications that might incur, if that happens.
-You will try your best to inform your assault team, so as to avoid this, but your investigators are not to be underestimated.



You have voted for one follower to ASSAULT AN OPPONENT, and for one follower to GO ON AN EXPEDITION.

You must now plan for TWO expeditions.

Available bits: 251 (281 at the start of the turn, with -30 being promised for a scrying ritual)



EXPEDITIONS



(You do NOT need to specify who is "organizing" an expedition. QM will select the best pony who you are sending to spend an action with that, so that the other follower actions of this turn may happen as efficiently as possible.)
(However, naturally, at least one pony who is going on a short expedition must have enough action points to organize it)


Assaulting Copper Secateur
Duration: SHORT (costs one action from one follower, additional followers can go without spending action points)
Base cost: 5 bits/day (you must have 25 bits per follower sent)
-[] Assault an opponent (Copper Secateur)
--[] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
--[] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)
--[] What is their objective? (WRITE IN what your followers must do, in order of PRIORITY)
--[] Anything else? (WRITE IN any other orders or specifications you have)

Spoiler: About assaulting your opponent

While assaulting your opponent, your followers will have limited time to fulfill as many objectives as possible. They will try to prepare ahead of time, but as soon as they begin the attack your enemy will be alerted and will scramble. Important enemies might try to escape, important items might be evacuated, and so on. So, it is best to tell them the PRIORITY of what you want to be done.

Your followers will try their best to fulfill those objectives, and they will follow the priority you specify. But you shouldn't expect more than your FIRST priority to be fulfilled, if at all.

Examples of objectives:
-"Reach" your opponent (and decide whether to kill or capture that pony after immobilizing them)
-Steal items and resources
-Destroy infrastructure
-Kill as many followers as possible
-Planting evidence/Lore knowledge for the Bureau to find later
-Other things besides (consult with QM)

An example of an assault looks like this:

[Y] Plan "Kill the bitch"
-[Y] Other Velvet actions
-[Y] [BUREAU] Bureau decision
-[Y] Assault an Opponent (Copper Secateur)
--[Y] Who is going? (Biedde, Mareinette and Comet Feet)
--[Y] What are they taking? (Edge 3 Artifact, SH 3 Artifact)
--[Y] What is their objective? (First, Kill Copper Secateur. Second, kill high-ranking cultists. Third, scout Neighnia.)
--[Y] Anything else? (Tell them you would like them to minimize innocent casualties)

The Grave on the Hill
Duration: SHORT (costs one action from one follower, additional followers can go without spending action points)
Base cost: 5 bits/day (you must have 25 bits per follower sent)
-[] The Grave on the Hill
--[] Who is going? (WRITE IN which followers will go)
--[] What are they taking? (WRITE IN what artifacts, if any, to take)


-[] Another expedition? (WRITE IN which)



VELVET'S PHASE



You have a total of THREE actions available, ONE (free) social action, and ZERO (free) Mansus exploration actions. (Four personal actions, minus one given to Mareinette for her rebinding).

You may read books and study artifacts, but other than that you may NOT perform any Lore-related activities.



-[] You are wounded! (You currently have 2 wounds. You must pick one of each option.)

Spoiler: Wounds

-For every single dice you roll, a success will only heal a single wound.
-All rolls are against a DC 70.
-You currently have an Artifact in your possession. It shall grant you a +30 bonus for your roll.
-Your current Heart application bonus is +0 (zeroed due to Dancing With Death. Since this is a long-term process, you cannot apply Attention of the Laws to it).

Rest, and time, are the only true remedies for a sick body. (You must pick one)
--[] You don't have time for this. (Costs 0 actions. You will only roll ONE healing dice.)
--[] Take a few breaks, every now and then. (Costs 1 action. Rolls TWO dice. 0/-15)
--[] You only have one body. Better take the time to care for it… (Costs 2 actions. Rolls THREE dice. 0/-15/-30)
--[] Your wounds are deep and numerous. You can't play around while you are like this. (Costs 3 actions. Rolls FOUR dice. 0/-15/-30/-45)
--[] You are almost broken. So, you will act accordingly. You need only your mind to plan vengeance. (Costs 4 actions. Rolls FIVE dice. 0/-15/-30/-45/-60)

The body will do its part. But science, and magic, may also provide. As long as you provide the proper "encouragement", of course. (The dices that auto-succeed will always be the ones that have the greatest penalty, and NOT the dices who roll the lowest results.) (You must pick one)
--[] You either don't care, or you don't have enough bits to care. Either way, your body will have to mend itself on its own terms. (Costs nothing.)
--[] The medicine taste is worse than its appearance. But it is exactly what you need, if they are to be believed… (Costs 30 bits. One dice will auto-succeed)
--[] There is no holy grail for healing magic, no miraculous wound-closing spell. But vigor-enhancing spells, and other small boosts, are a thing. The crystals where they are stored for sale are expensive, though… (Costs 60 bits. Two dice will auto-succeed)
--[] It costs extra to have a nurse follow you back from the hospital. But everything is a service, and everything is for sale, if you have the bits for it. (Costs 90 bits. Three dice will auto-succeed)
--[] These are not illegal, they are just extremely hard to find. The fact that they are so hard to find that no regulation agency cared to declare them illegal, on the other hoof, is just a small detail. (Costs 120 bits. Four dice will auto-succeed)
--[] Most of the bits are to pay for his silence. His skills, however, are not to be disregarded. The doctor is so quiet that you sometimes forget he is even there, but he is never more than ten hoofsteps away from you. (Costs 150 bits. Five dice will auto-succeed)

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

-[] [SOCIAL] You don't have it in you to teach anypony of the Lores. But you can make a social call to… (WRITE IN) (IF CHOSEN, will give you a -15 to your healing roll, free action)
-[] [SOCIAL] Perhaps you should just rest (no social calls, but no debuffs will be applied to your healing, free action)

-[] Read or study something? (WRITE IN what, either 2 books or 1 artifact)

-[] Talk to somepony? (WRITE IN who)

-[] Something else? (WRITE IN what)





Author's Note:

Spoiler: Author's Note

Velvet Covers is beaten, battered, and barely alive. And since you have also promised one action to Mareinette, and will probably use another action to heal two health points, it is very likely you will have at most two actions available to use. Furthermore, Velvet Covers can't do anything eldritch or Lore related this turn, because she can't even access the Mansus (no Knock for that).

So, her options have been severely simplified, for the sake of an easier planning. Specifically:

I have assumed you will want to heal two health points, which will cost an action, so I redacted the majority of the other options.

I have also assumed you are interested in going on the two Short Expeditions you have available to you, so I redacted the other options.

This is a reminder that you are free to pick other options, or to plan other expeditions, such as a preliminary assault on Tall Tale or a foray into the underground of Canterlot. This is still a game, and making a post that is convenient for your planning and discussion is still important. So, if there is interest in making plans that go in another direction, kindly let me know so I can flesh out your options more.

Finally, as promised, here is an update on the studying mechanics. Your "Grimoire" threadmark has been updated to reflect this:

Spoiler: Study mechanics

This is a small change in how books and artifacts are read or studied, which will take effect immediately.

Regarding all study action:
-Regardless of any other rules, you will ONLY gain scraps of Lore if the source material has a Lore level that is equal or superior to your equivalent Lore.
-You gain an additional scrap of Lore for every two levels a source is above your current corresponding Lore level.


Reading a normal book:
-You roll against a fixed CD 50 test, using Learning and Lantern Application.
-If you succeed, you gain a scrap of the corresponding Lore, and transform the book into a corresponding Manuscript.


Reading an ancient book:
-You must finish the "progress bar" of the book, which varies for each book, using Learning and Lantern Application.
-Once you finish the translation progress, the book is immediately read, and becomes a corresponding Manuscript. You will gain at least one scrap of the corresponding Lore, but further effects (positive or negative) may vary.


Studying an artifact:
-You roll against a CD of (50 + 10 times artifact Lore level), using Learning and Lantern Application.
-Your main objective is to discover if the artifact has any special properties, discover how to properly use it, and to ensure it is not cursed or dangerous to use.
-Upon success, you gain one scrap of the corresponding Lore, but you do not produce a corresponding Manuscript.

Twenty-four hours of moratorium. ALL options must go on a single plan. The Bureau timing, Expedition options, AND Velvet options. I believe they are all sufficiently connected to warrant a unified plan.

As always, feel free to ask anything, or to point out any problems.

 

[Shaper47]

For Harmony and Love! – A Princess Cadance Quest​

[X] You spend your nights with your dear Velvet Covers herself. The mare that you care for greatly, that you love. Get to know her, learn more about the mare who holds your heart. Of course, this will also do a world of good for you. (Immediately recovers three sanity. Learn more about your love.)
-[X] Ask about her rescue of Twilight when she disappeared during the Catastrophe

You are Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. But you are called "Princess Cadance" by most ponies, and just "Cadance" by the one that really matters.

It is nighttime.

And beside you, on the couch in your room is a mare.

A beautiful mare with dark intriguing eyes. Her mane is flowing long silver. Her every act a promise of desire. Her forelimbs were bandaged, weakness clear though her body, and the contrast of her vulnerability and inner strength was just so very attractive. Around her neck was a necklace with something that felt of focused hate to your senses.

She was never interested in anypony before Shining Armor, but gazing upon the beauty of her very close friend. Well, she couldn't say she wasn't interested.

Ara ara… there is absolutely nothing in Equestria that could ruin this night. You can feel it. Knowing that you are going to spend the whole night with the mare you care about, with the mare you love, is like a dream come true.

There really isn't anywhere else in the whole world you would rather be.

Like lighting splitting though the darkness she appears so vividly in your mind as you gaze upon her. Admiration, friendship, jealousy, love. They all come together in a single great storm burning inside your chest. A candle in the dark, a fire whose warmth keeps you from freezing, a promise that when you fall she will catch you. You can feel that this thing coursing through you is…

Love.

"Velvet it's nice for you to be here" you say, although your throat is so dry for some reason your voice fails. But the smile on your face is growing so much you don't really have it in you to care.

She expresses her joy at your words through that bell-like laughter of hers that echoes in your ears. Like tiny gifts for you to cherish forever.

"It's good to be with you Cadence." Your heart throbs with joy at her words. At the small smile on her lips she sends you.

"So I was wondering," you purse your lips "what happened in your search for Twilight.".

You remember of course how relieved you were when you heard that she had found Twilight. That Twilight was safe at her home. That you hadn't failed.

But you never heard what happened.

Velvet is quiet for a long moment.

She seems in a way cold and something in the air, around that mare, feels of remembering something important. A memory you hold onto and can never forget in the end.

Then the icy beauty speaks to you. Her voice a cold whisper in the wind like the dying embers of a fire under the starry night sky.

"Changelings are evil."

"Or at least that's what I told myself. That's what I have been telling myself this whole time. They are evil. They are the enemy. That their species has caused terrible harm to countless ponies."

"They are not even of my species. So that makes them evil, right?"

"They are supposed to be evil."

"They have to be evil, by their very nature."

She looks sad but also determined. An iron will beneath a cold gaze.

"So why weren't they thrashing and hissing? Why didn't they resist to the very end? Why didn't they act like the cruel beasts that they were supposed to be? Like the creatures that prey on the love and feelings of ponies, the monsters who burnt down our works, who spread blood and fear into the hearts of ponies, who committed the most gruesome tragedy that pony species has seen in centuries?"

You feel it inside of her. Beneath the love she radiates something cold and beside it sharp hatred.

"When they were cast down at my hooves, defeated. They didn't do any of that. They didn't justify the hatred I should have felt for them."

"They just stared at each other, hollow resolute eyes trying to console each other in their final moments."

Something glittered in her dark eyes.

"Instead they felt exactly like a pony should. And when I killed for the first time I could not hide from myself what I was doing. When the other realised what its own fate will be, and alone with no companion, no reason to be brave. It quietly cried, it didn't close its eyes. It kept them wide open though the tears to look at its dead companion. Till its blood too covered my hooves."

For an instant you remember the catastrophe. Of bodies broken under your magic. You didn't even hesitate.

She didn't hesitate either.

What she says next you will remember.

You are absolutely sure that…

That by some cold weight that she had about her, a coldness that you somehow knew was not unkind, and a sharpness that would not be denied.

You will remember it, you are sure.

"Kindness is the intent to help. It's been the idea of what a pony is for over a thousand year. A good pony is not a pony who kills. In the end I was afraid."

She sighed, a sigh of losing something once held close.

"I made my choice. I crossed that line. Cast my fear aside. What I did I can not take back, and when moving forward. Well… Malice is the intent to harm."

Hearing her reminds you of yourself, your own thoughts. Of a mare who, when things really come down to it, cares about nopony but herself. Of a mare who only cares about her own loved ones and no others.

And so you ask her the question that beats in your heart.

"Do you regret it?"

She knows what you are talking about. The blood on her hoofs, just like yours.

The thing on her heck glints as she slowly shakes her head.

"Why should I regret anything at this point? There's no use in repenting for my sins. It would make no difference. There's nothing I can give back to the dead to undo what I have done. This is my chosen path."

"I know that if I want my happy ending, a happy ending for us. The path to reach it will require me to pile up many more bodies."

"For the sake of taking hold of my desire."

Hearing her words the same part of your mind that learned you can trust her is also whispering to you that…

The light you see in ponies.

The warm feeling of kindness for all living creatures.

That it is no longer there…


"Lady Velvet Covers. Unicorn. Noblemare. Mother. A mare you met by chance, and yet another example of how nobility can sometimes smother its own talents rather than cultivate them. She has a penchant of appearing in places where you don't expect her to be, but somehow that always seems to be for the best. She has a lovely family, and you have made no secrets that you hope to one day have one just like hers. But most importantly, she is a somepony you have chosen to love in this world, your trust in her is boundless, as is your happiness at her presence. The thought of her gives you strength and comfort no matter how dark things get. So long as she is by your side."



Name: Lady Velvet Covers

Council Position: Head of the Lunar Bureau

Harmony Affinities:

Generosity [+++]: She is a competent pony who avoids the spotlight. A mare who exhausted herself searching for somepony else's sister out of love. A noblemare who adopted a commoner (A Princess). And if you need any more confirmation, look no further than the namesake's Element Bearer, who practically gravitates around her.

Kindness []: Kindness is the intent to help. Malice is the intent to harm, and malice resides in her heart. To protect those she loves she has changed. To cast off her kindness in the flames of hate. To paint in blood another path. With sharp teeth and claws to bring an end to all that opposes her desire.

Magic [+]: She has a gift, of sorts. Even you can tell. You are not sure if it was twisted, if it was badly raised, or if it was simply never nurtured. But she has something inside of her, even if it a diamond still in the rough.

Laughter [--]: She didn't go into much detail. But you did your background checks, and you can put one plus one together. She was ousted from succession of her family's title. She was relegated to a minor position in a backwater town. And the other things you discovered under the table were somehow even more grim. She did not lead… a happy life.

Loyalty [UNKNOWN]: You know she is loyal to her family, but that's a given. (You might gleam more of her affinities if you get to know her better.)

Honesty [UNKNOWN]: Everypony has secrets. But if you can't trust her, who else can you trust? (You might gleam more of her affinities if you get to know her better.)



Positive perks:

[The Good Velvet]: Your background check came through. Her family is shady, but she isn't. (Unaffected by Noble Affiliations).

[How did you get here?]: She seems to have a hoof everywhere. Or at least, everywhere that matters. Somehow… (May add her bonus to the tasks of other Council members)

[Mother]: You have already picked your foals' names. And the logistics to get them are as irrelevant as they are inevitable. Still, here is a pony that might help you… facilitate your own journey, by virtue of experience. (Might be able to teach you lessons for "The Nature of Motherhood")

[LovesChosen]: Your Chosen one, the one who holds your heart. The mare you will forever love. The mare who promised not to leave you. (???)

[Beautiful]: "A work of art with a mane of flowing sliver." (+5 when trying to seduce other creatures, or just be pleasant)

[OTHER POSITIVE PERKS UNKNOWN] (You might learn more if you get to know her better.)



Negative perks:

[Clear priorities]: You will never blame her for this, but you know her family will always come first. (This Council member has a clear weak spot. Enemies might potentially learn of this).

[Scarred]: Once there was a small filly who loved her father very much. Now there is a mare, a mare who you love. A mare who still bears a scar. (-1 base Health)

[Murderer]: "This one's hoofs have taken a life" A burden she will carry for the rest of her life, clear and obvious for all those who have the eyes to see.

[OTHER NEGATIVE PERKS UNKNOWN] (You might learn more if you get to know her better. But surely, it can't be that many?)

Lost/discarded perks:

-Frightened [MALUS]: -10 to Personal Combat; (Once she was afraid. Once her mind was scarred with fear. Till at last she changed, cutting away what would hold her back. What would stop her from going so far.)