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

[jelloloaf]

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

Slept on it, and this feels like the best option to me. Ponyville is a farming town, and I kind of want to preserve that History, despite all the other changes we've been making. Also, we're already a farm manager, so maybe we can get some more income out of it if we're lucky.

 

[Random Anon]

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

 

[Steady Gaze]

[X] Break the ground, plant the foundations, call the merchants. It is time for Ponyville to feel the kiss of commerce.
[X] Equestria is changing. Evolving. Growing, even. Why not make Ponyville the poster foal of this change?
[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.
[X] Equestria must grow to satisfy the needs of a growing Equestria, and Ponyville will provide.

I'm quite partial to making Ponyville an industrial powerhouse. It may be one of the options that benefits Equestria as a whole the most since it's one of the "it would be great if some other city did it but not my city" type of things, but I don't think it will be that popular. A lot of the options inevitably come with some "collateral damage" to the agricultural sector except making Ponyville a major agricultural center (naturally). I also like the science (RIP Twilight cause she'd love it) for its benefits to Equestria and the city option for the paranoia exemption.

Drummer Clap just fell to the ground, and she is rubbing the side of her flank as if nursing something painful.

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And standing right next to her, scolding her, is another mare. Who is also wearing the same uniform as her.

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And the fact that Drummer Clap whimpers slightly at that, whispering something about the mare not needing to kick so hard, makes Cheerilee think that, somehow, this kind of exchange is habitual to both mares.

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…yes, I too find it appropriate to slap my subordinate's ass whenever they buck up.

 

[jelloloaf]

…yes, I too find it appropriate to slap my subordinate's ass whenever they buck up.

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IRL horse flanks are more the side of the torso than the hindquarters, but MLP has always been a bit vague about the usage of flank iirc. Maybe 'blank-haunch' just doesn't rhyme as well.

 

[Arrkhon]

Now I think about it, if we spread our lores around and tell Ash to starve himself wouldn't it open up a window for a pony aligned with us to befriend him through feeding him(non-ponies preferably) and keeping him company? I know it' a long shot but Harmony is a funny thing and even if he's kinda shifty our kid still deserves friends

 

[Venerable Ro]

Now I think about it, if we spread our lores around and tell Ash to starve himself wouldn't it open up a window for a pony aligned with us to befriend him through feeding him(non-ponies preferably) and keeping him company? I know it' a long shot but Harmony is a funny thing and even if he's kinda shifty our kid still deserves friends

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If you want to friend-ship our Son with Windy Flakes there are easier ways to go about it.

 

[OurLadyOfWires]

On the night sky above the Velvet estate, two ponies are lying on a soft cloud.

The sea of thunderclouds that was covering the estate is now gone. Poofed away by the order of the pony it was created to protect, much to the stress of her guards. But still, on this calm and slightly-warm night, there is nothing between the ground and the starry sky, save for that one fluffy cloud.

And on that cloud, the two ponies are sharing the quiet comfort that exists between ponies who deeply care for each other.

Although, every now and then, they still share their thoughts with each other. If only because they know they can voice them without any judgment.

"I'm still mad mom had the thunderclouds removed," Selene says.

The only answer she receives is the slightest chuckle, a mixture of an agreement and a consolation. But still, that is the only answer her father gives her.

"I'm serious, dad," she says, although she doesn't really mean it. "I can't even be sure the guards are doing their job, and now I also have to worry about the whole sky?"

Selene says that. And then, not for the first time, she rolls to her side until she is on the edge of the cloud. Looking down towards the estate, and searching for the hard-to-spot armored guards that are supposed to be on patrol.

"Careful not to fall down, dear," Stormchaser says, reaching with a hoof to hold the filly so she doesn't accidentally trip from the cloud.

Of course, that movement is completely unnecessary. After all, Selene might have the appearance of a wingless filly, but she doesn't need her enchanted horseshoes to stand on a cloud. In truth, the cloud under her hoofs is as good as solid ground for her, given her nature, and she isn't a young filly who might trip forward if a strong wind was to batter them.

But still, Stormchaser can't help but care. In fact, he doesn't even notice he reached out to steady her and keep her safe. And for the filly herself, the movement was so familiar that she didn't notice it either.

Just another one of the invisible links that tie them together.

"Hmpf," the filly says, walking back towards her father and once again lying down on his side.

The two of them are currently lying down belly-up, looking at the starry sky as if the cloud was a great and soft bed. Although, even though an untrained eye might not notice it, the sky is a little more brilliant than usual.

The difference is not what one might call lavish. It is not as if somepony had slipped and fallen, while carrying a jewel box, causing the night sky to be filled with gems. But still, for what might be the first time in oh so long, the stars appear to have a few new sisters in their midst.

"So, how is it going?" the father asks, as a puff of wind slightly pushes the cloud this and that way. Making it sway, ever so gently, like a boat on a calm lake.

"I think… I think I am getting the hang of it," Selene answers.

She says that, and then she takes a deep breath. Although this time, her expression doesn't become one of focus.

Instead, she looks abundantly calm.

"I think the trick is not to force it," she says to her father, or maybe to herself. "Because this whole time I… it was like I was trying to drag them out? As if they were stuck, and I would get it done if I pushed a little harder?"

She narrows her eyes. No, she closes them. Taking another deep breath as she does. She doesn't have a horn upon her head, to light up with magic, and she looks like nothing but a filly. But still, moments later, another faint star appears on the firmament.

And when Selene opens her eyes to see the result of her work, she has a satisfied smile on her face.

"Ah, great job," Stormchaser says, his voice filled with honest pride.

"It's actually very easy, dad," she answers, "I could teach you how to do it, if you want."

The two of them share a few moments of quiet laughter.

And for a while, all is at peace as they look up to the night sky.

That is, until a thought occurs to the filly, and she begins to talk about something.

This is not something worrying. This is not a confession, although it might sound like one. And this is not something she needs to share with anypony.

But still, as she lies on the soft cloud next to her father, she can't help but feel like she can talk about this. Not because it will take a weight off her chest, but precisely because she is in a place, and with a pony, with whom she can share something as personal as this.

So, as she looks up towards her night sky, she can't help but share that little secret that she keeps in her heart.

"Dad, can I tell you a story? Something that happened a while ago?"

"Sure."

"I… I was with Silky, in my room. It was already late at night, and I could see she was about to fall asleep. She does this thing where she likes to rest on my flank while I'm larger. She says she likes my cutie mark and… and are you laughing?"

"I'm not laughing, I'm smiling. Because the image you are describing is adorable. But go on."

"Fine… but the thing is, she was almost asleep, but I was telling her about… well, about something that I couldn't get out of my mind. Something… not good. Something bad, even."

"…"

"Because I still can't quite remember my life, the one I had before I was locked away. I can't remember the details, no matter how hard I try. But I can still see how that… affected ponies. How it affected ponykind, even. To be without another Princess for a thousand years."

"Selene, dear, I… can't really imagine what your thoughts are, on this. But I think we turned out fine?"

"Yes, of course you did. But the thing is… or rather, this is what I couldn't get out of my head. I couldn't stop thinking about how things could be better, if I didn't screw up back then. Because for a thousand years, ponykind only had my sister. For a thousand years, there were monsters and dangers left unchecked. For… for a thousand years, you couldn't even sleep well, because I wasn't there to stop your nightmares and…"

"Nightmares aren't that common, dear…" the father says, only to regret it as he sees his daughter frown at him. "But I get what you are saying."

"So, I was telling Silky about that. About my fears… and regrets. Or maybe, I was just talking to myself. I mean, she was already half-asleep. And for all that Silky is very bright, I wasn't really expecting her to be a conversational partner about something that deep."

"You would be surprised," Stormchaser replies.

To which Selene can't help but laugh.

"But that's where I was getting, dad. I was surprised. Because you know what happened? You know what happened while I poured my heart out, to my little sister who was barely awake and lying on my flank? She… she said something. Three words. Barely louder than a mumble or a whisper."

She says that, and she can't help but smile as she recalls that night.

"She just said three words. I forgive you."

And Stormchaser can't help but raise an eyebrow at that.

"And you know what? I… I believed her. Then and there. Because the more I thought about it, the more I thought ponykind resented me. I know you and mom care about me and all, but I really thought ponykind as a whole hated me, for going away. But for some reason…"

She says that as she raises one of her forelegs, as if she could reach out and touch the night sky.

"For some reason, hearing a sleepy foal say those three words… Not because it was Silky, and not because I know she cares about me. But to hear a pony so young, say something so simple… while she was nearly asleep, to the point that she couldn't help but be honest? She wasn't an old judge, with a whole life of experiences and resentments on her back. She wasn't even awake. At that moment she was, down to her core, the purest and most honest expression of what a pony honestly thought… And she chose to forgive me."

Selene says that, and then she lightly taps her hoof against the air, as if she is softly knocking at a door.

And as she does that, a new star appears on the night sky.

"It felt like ponykind had forgiven me. It felt like they had chosen Silky as their representative, and she gave me their collective message. And I…"

She trails off for a few moments, and Stormchaser puts a foreleg around her, pulling her slightly towards him, as yet another breeze rocks the floating cloud.

"I was thinking about doing something stupid, before that night. I couldn't stop thinking that maybe… maybe I should be punished. Maybe I should punish myself. Because ponykind had to put up with nightmares for so long, while I was away. So wouldn't it be right for me to have nightmares as well? Didn't I… didn't I deserve to suffer?" she says.

And as he hears that, Stormchaser gives her daughter a sidelong glance, concern written on his face.

But his concern quickly fades away, as he looks at Selene's own peaceful expression. That alone tells him everything he needs to know.

"Well, I'm glad your sister got through to you," he says. "She does have a way with words, doesn't she?"

"Yeah… yes she does. And more than just that, I think she… I think she taught me something. The way I felt, after Silky told me that, it's still with me. I think I can share it with other ponies, even. I think I…"

Her words trail off. But in truth, her father understands what she is trying to say, so no further words are needed.

After that, the two of them stay there for a while. Until the moon finally reaches the top of the sky, and begins its descent towards the west horizon.

And not a single bad thing happens on that night.





Selene has completed her training, to the extent that she can train on her own. Her character sheet has been updated.

 

[Maer]

WELL! TANTABUS(or however you spell that thing) AVOIDED! And she can share the feeling being wholly and truly forgiven with others… That is gonna help Celestia a LOT later on… Holy cow this was sweet and beautiful and amazing. OwO

Go Silky!!!

 

[DelightedOne]

Aww, Selene and Stormchaser bonding in the clouds is exactly what family should be about.

He really forgot she is an Alicorn for a moment there didn't he?

"I was thinking about doing something stupid, before that night. I couldn't stop thinking that maybe… maybe I should be punished. Maybe I should punish myself. Because ponykind had to put up with nightmares for so long, while I was away. So wouldn't it be right for me to have nightmares as well? Didn't I… didn't I deserve to suffer?" she says

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Would you look at that, we avoided the Tantabus. Good job Silky, we should make Velvet give you a lot of sugar next turn.

Selene has completed her training, to the extent that she can train on her own. Her character sheet has been updated.

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Wait, what? Huh, didn't expect that.

Now let's check what's new.

[WINTER SKILL]: Selene may spend an action to soothe the nights of Equestria, over the course of an entire turn. If used, Equestria will be slightly more peaceful, and the darkness will be pushed back, for the duration of that turn.

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Hellooo new way to counter Ash and maybe Paranoia and/or general evil stuff , I kinda want to test this next turn.

Can we use the free social to get Selene to All-4? Because that would be just perfect.

 

[Random Anon]

An astronomer, looking at the sky: hmmmmm.
It's probably nothing.

Edit: Wait, was it all within Storm's dream? That would make more sense.

 

[Talon Tiger Dino]

Ah, that feels nice.

 

[Arrkhon]

I wonder, does soothing the nights also affect Celestia?

 

[Rafuki22]

Didn't I… didn't I deserve to suffer?

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WOOOOO! Tantabus avoided...unless something bad happen BUUUUUT we will cross that bridge when we reach it!

Hellooo new way to counter Ash and maybe Paranoia and/or general evil stuff , I kinda want to test this next turn.

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Yeah, it would be very nice to do so, wonder if Luna doing so will remove the malus of Paranoia and company?

 

[Venerable Ro]

Silky MVP, what a beautiful insight she's inspired.


View: https://youtu.be/ubaGR4gUX3k?feature=shared

 

[DelightedOne]

Yeah, it would be very nice to do so, wonder if Luna doing so will remove the malus of Paranoia and company?

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If that is what happens Selene will lose 1 action for the rest of the Quest.

I'm serious, if she can counter all the Sons(or at least Paranoia or Ash) the narrative possibilities are so Wild. And Equestria going back to its pre-Evil version would be a literal blessing for us.

I wonder what that would do to Soft Sweeps, would she be unable to hear her Father Or her Brothers? That could destabilize the Daughter-to-be's cult.

 

[Portec]

[X] There will always be more ponies. The earth pony city of Ponyville will be the beating heart that will keep Equestria moving.

I like it. Because in truth? A breadbasket is exatcly what a nation needs to be stable.

 

[Shaper47]

Hellooo new way to counter Ash and maybe Paranoia and/or general evil stuff , I kinda want to test this next turn.

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Yeah, it would be very nice to do so, wonder if Luna doing so will remove the malus of Paranoia and company?

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Wouldn't that attract the Worms?

And Equestria going back to its pre-Evil version would be a literal blessing for us.

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No it wouldn't.

Making Equestria worm bait is a bad idea.

 

[Pittauro]

But still, Stormchaser can't help but care. In fact, he doesn't even notice he reached out to steady her and keep her safe. And for the filly herself, the movement was so familiar that she didn't notice it either.

Just another one of the invisible links that tie them together.

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So cute

"It's actually very easy, dad," she answers, "I could teach you how to do it, if you want."

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I call bullshit on that!

"I… I was with Silky, in my room. It was already late at night, and I could see she was about to fall asleep. She does this thing where she likes to rest on my flank while I'm larger. She says she likes my cutie mark and… and are you laughing?"

"I'm not laughing, I'm smiling. Because the image you are describing is adorable. But go on."

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That IS indeed adorable!

"She just said three words. I forgive you."

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Those are powerful words...

"I was thinking about doing something stupid, before that night. I couldn't stop thinking that maybe… maybe I should be punished. Maybe I should punish myself. Because ponykind had to put up with nightmares for so long, while I was away. So wouldn't it be right for me to have nightmares as well? Didn't I… didn't I deserve to suffer?" she says.

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And so Silky prevented the Tantabus, it seems.

Sasuga Silky! Good job!

[WINTER SKILL]: Selene may spend an action to soothe the nights of Equestria, over the course of an entire turn. If used, Equestria will be slightly more peaceful, and the darkness will be pushed back, for the duration of that turn.

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...you know, with the exception of moth we could argue her realizations are just her old abilities, maybe slightly boosted.

That said, they're FAR stronger than the average Realization. And this one specifically... She's basically an anti-wolf power!

Ideally we'd let her do this every turn... Hopefully we can afford to.

Maybe she'll unlock a third action after we give her the final lesson.

And hey... We're close to getting sacraments in her lores too. Knock, Moth, Edge, Winter... We COULD do it. And then we might be able to help her achieve hers... Though of course there's some problems with it.

 

[DelightedOne]

No it wouldn't.

Making Equestria worm bait is a bad idea.

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Equestria is already Worm bait. That is literally the reason why Velvet is doing what she does.

And also why we should reach Harmony and help it hide its light and make the World a better place in the process.

 

[Shaper47]

Equestria is already Worm bait. That is literally the reason why Velvet is doing what she does.

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Equestria is less Worm bait ever since Velvet and her buddies have been wreaking Harmony's plans/attractions.

This type of action makes Equestria attact more Worms.

And also why we should reach Harmony and help it hide its light and make the World a better place in the process.

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Velvet is aiming for Glory not Harmony.

IC I really get the feeling Velvet really does not like Harmony.

 

[Zxzx24]

Still there is healing. And there is growth. It's nice.

 

[Zxzx24]

Wouldn't that attract the Worms?

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Nominally.

Keep in mind The light of the sisters was able to shred the worms like nothing else we encountered before.

If you are worried we could simply go to the dream lands while our daughter works.

Velvet is the realest definition of a helicopter parent xD

 

[Pittauro]

Shaper, you have a bad case of "I like wolf and so I'll paint every wolf option in the best way possible and every anti-wolf option in the worst way possible".

And then some impossible ones too.


And then the exact opposite with Harmony, which with literally no proof you have decided it's likely malicious

Luna can potentially make Equestria better by maybe countering the influence of the evil wolf sons?

Of course it's bad, because it's against the wolf Worms

Biedde's edge sacrament? Bad, because it's not the wolf's it will make Silky cry. Conveniently forgetting about how much more suffering any regrettable action causes to Equestria.

Your omake about Velvet's choices for the bureau? But of course Luna only opposes the least cruel of the three.


I could go on

 

[Zxzx24]

I don't think Luna makes Equestria better by counteracts the actions of the wolf children.

I think she makes Equestria better by going to help people when no one else can.

To be a hand for the sinking. A prayer for dying.

 

[Pittauro]

I don't think Luna makes Equestria better by counteracts the actions of the wolf children.

I think she makes Equestria better by going to help people when no one else can.

To be a hand for the sinking. A prayer for dying.

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Well, sure.

I just meant that in doing so she's kinda balancing against what the wolf does.

Paranoia making people distrust each others, innovators having nightmares of what hides in the darkness, Evil being... Evil, I guess...

 

[Cochimetl]

Meh, two of the three wolfes are in Equestria, and they are half pony. Maybe they get soothed nights too.
Maybe they'll even learn to like it.

 

[Shaper47]

And then the exact opposite with Harmony, which with literally no proof you have decided it's likely malicious

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Excuse me for expecting competence from a force trying to take over the world.

Luna can potentially make Equestria better by maybe countering the influence of the evil wolf sons?

Of course it's bad, because it's against the wolf Worms

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More light equals More Worms

Luna increasing the light thus equals more Worms.

That's really really simple.

That's how the World works.

Biedde's edge sacrament? Bad, because it's not the wolf's it will make Silky cry. Conveniently forgetting about how much more suffering any regrettable action causes to Equestria.

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The Colonel's entire deal is not releasing those in his service. A sacrament focused on the Colonel is totally reasonable to consider sus.

Having Velvet be injured will make Silky cry. It will cause her suffering.

Now you might care more about Equestria being more in Harmony's grip then Silky suffering but we're playing as Velvet here. And I don't consider it unreasonable for Velvet to put family first.

Besides an RA would help keep Equestria safer.

More Wolfs equals less light.

Less light equals less Worms.

So Velvet making more Wolfs thus equals less Worms.

It's simple.

Your omake about Velvet's choices for the bureau? But of course Luna only opposes the least cruel of the three.

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Luna opposes risking her mother's life for marginal gains.

I heavily doubt that's out of character.

 

[DelightedOne]

Besides an RA would help keep Equestria safer.

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But what about the dangers and consequences that come from making Equestria a worse place? Surely that is not a safe World to live in.

The Worms are a threat yes, but they are not the only threat. The Wolf's only desire is to die and for that to happen the World needs to die first, you are literally advocating for the destruction of a world to "protect" it.

 

[Zxzx24]

More light equals More Worms

Luna increasing the light thus equals more Worms.

That's really really simple.

That's how the World works.

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The light of our world is what attracts the worms. But it is also what makes life worth living. And harmony was able to keep them away for millenia.

We also have... the masters word. And interpretation about what is attracting the worms.

They are wiser than we ever knew. They were harsh. But they were incredibly fair.

They were also very, Very blind to the world as it was and the ponies around them.

 

[Pittauro]

The Colonel's entire deal is not releasing those in his service. A sacrament focused on the Colonel is totally reasonable to consider sus.

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AND THE WOLF'S ISNT?!

...I'll remove myself from this talk