It is a beautiful view. Nopony could ever deny that.
You are standing on a balcony over the garden of a large estate, with several acres of farmlands stretching farther towards the distance. Green hills can be seen even further away, as well as a gentle river weaving a path between them until it makes its way out of your sight.
HALF A DOOR. HALF A PATH. HALF A BRIDGE.
The sky is perfectly blue and devoid of any clouds, and the sun is shining upon all of Equestria. It is, to the very definition of the word, a perfect day.
HALF A FATE. HALF AN OATH. HALF A SOUL.
But you could not care less about any of that.
HALF A DREAM. HALF A WILL. HALF A GOD.
Because your eyes are focused on one thing, and one thing alone.
IT IS SHAPED LIKE A FILLY, BUT IT IS NOT.
And that one thing is-
IT IS SHAPED LIKE A GODDESS, BUT IT IS NOT.
That one thing is-
A HALF-REMEMBERED KISS TO THE FOREHEAD. A HALF-FORGOTTEN SCREAM OF PAIN.
That thing is-
THE CERTAINTY THAT ONE BECAME TWO.
That thing-
A REPETITION OF THAT MOST ABOMINABLE OF FATES.
That-
IT CAME FROM THE OUTSIDE. PERFECT. COMPLETE. ALONE.
IT WAS ALLOWED ENTRANCE, SHELTER FROM THE DARKNESS. ON ONE CONDITION.
HALF A DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. HALF A PATH CANNOT BE TREAD. HALF A BRIDGE LEADS NOWHERE.
BUT THE DOOR, AND THE PATH, AND THE BRIDGE, IF MADE WHOLE ONCE AGAIN, MAY STILL LEAD BACK TO THE THING THAT DIVIDED IT.
And that one thing is the filly that Velvet Covers said is Selene.
The first thing of note is invisitext (color's mine), and it certainly interesting. The most interesting part is that it's a
repetition, "a repetition of that most abominable of fates". It could refer to a worm-infection - memory of it - or, alternatively, it could refer to the division. "Half a god", "came alone"... Were Celestia and Luna, before they were born as ponies, one creature?
Regardless, I wonder, is this an Hour's words, or Harmony's? If the later - and it seems that it is the case given this whole "it was allowed entrance" - then Harmony does seems to know at least
KNOCK, at very least the same way as locksmiths and burglars do.
And this thing, these images and memories and ideas that keep revisiting you every time you sleep… they definitely feel like something else entirely.
But if they are not dreams, then what are they…?
A message, perha-?
And this part makes me think that it wasn't just un realization like one from the lores, but an actual point of view, that does belong to someone. A topic for discussion, surely. And maybe a fuel for omakes, too.
All of this, you conclude, makes you think that he must be a good kid. He even reminds you a little bit of your bro-
You forcibly stop that thought before it can fully manifest.
I'll repeat it a few more times, but still: I did understand that Jade is suicidal, but I
still underestimated the magnitude of the issue.
You have been stuck in a loop, so to speak. You wish you were banging your head against a proverbial brick wall, because then it would mean that you know what the problem is to begin with.
But that's the thing, you don't even know what is…
What is what?
What is bothering you? What is troubling you? What is making you feel so… uncomfortable?
What is making you feel?
Something inside of you hurts at that last question, but you don't really know why.
...
Selene, the adorable filly that was hiding behind Velvet Cover's adorable daughter, is Princess Luna. You could tell that at a glance, much like how anypony who knows the slightest thing about Lantern would be able to see. The… things that have been coming to your mind every time you sleep only further confirms it.
"Anypony who knows the slightest thing about Lantern", you say? It doesn't seems right given that it was a crit and the message, but it's still concerning. And reveal even more issues, this time with Jade's self-esteem. Poor Jade.
Velvet Covers found her, and she is hiding her in her house. The Master surely knows, of course, and all of this is probably being done under his orders. Although you have no idea as to why he ordered Velvet Covers to lie about her progress to the rest of the Inner Circle.
Like one of previous poster, I wonder, what will be Jade's reaction when she learns out true allegiance?
You don't care about any of that…
So why are you feeling so…?
So…?!
So lost.
Poor Jade.
Like how you don't care about being given a useless assignment. After all, what else would you have done with your free time anyways? It's not like you have been doing anything productive since ever.
Or the fact that, truth be told, you should be thankful for that sort of thing. Thankful for the Master, and the cult, and everything else. It makes sense that he would only give useless assignments to a useless mare, but at least he has been keeping you busy, right? In fact, he is probably forcing Velvet Covers to lie about having found Princess Luna so you, and the other Inner Circle members, won't feel bad about your own shortcomings, right?
Hah! Who are you lying to…?
Let's face it. You are probably the only one who didn't know. This whole lie, even, is probably something that the Master is doing for your benefit, much like how he seems to take special care with Starry Dancer. After all, you are the one with the least achievements, you are the one who is least useful.
You probably only have a spot on the Inner Circle because you were the first member, more of a token membership than anything else.
But apart from that you know you are useless.
You can't even scale the Mansus properly or train your helpers quickly enough.
Can't even make sure that a small colt is still inside the house while you are cleani-
Yeah, she
absolutely has
serious self-esteem issues. BirdBodhisattva, you really did a good job in her characterization in this update.
You can see irritation seeping into her body language at that, lips pursing and muscles growing minutely tense.
Wait… more than irritation. Are you seeing… something else?
You mentally raise an eyebrow at the mare's reaction. Is this… jealousy that you see?
Jealousy, huh?
"Hello Octavia Melody," you say, looking at her from snout to tail and taking in all the details, glaring or subtle, that have changed from the last time you saw her, "it has been a while."
Her frozen expression turns into utter disbelief as you turn your body slightly so she can see your cutie mark.
"Ja… Jade Whistle?" she whispers, almost as if to herself. To which you nod for an answer.
Her companion, the unicorn whose name you don't yet know, raises an eyebrow at that, her subtle annoyance only growing more evident. But still, you are let into their house shortly after.
So, Vinyl and Octavia? Well, only the latter, but still interesting.
I wonder, what reasons lie behind that envy?
Yes, quite possibly more trauma, I know.
You told her of how things were like after she gave up on knocking on your door, and the years after that. You told her about how you eventually tried to busy yourself, even if you were just going with the motions.
You didn't tell her about the cult. Not directly, at least. But what little you told her about "some ponies you met" was cursory at best. The cult doesn't matter, after all, and you only told her about things that matter.
That is to say…. You didn't go into details about the cult itself, but you did tell her about how you finally managed to get out of that house, and that it all started when you met …
Yeah, it was hard stuff for those two. Also, how much Octavia knew before that day?
It makes sense for her to be worried. After all, you didn't exactly say a lot when you left her house. That, and she usually worries a lot.
The last sentence made me chuckle for a moment.
You are sorry for being quiet for so long, of course. After all, she already told you that it makes ponies uncomfortable every now and then. That, and the fact that you asked her to come here in the middle of the night.
Yes, it does make...
asked her to come here in the middle of the night.
...ok,
what?
Personally, I totally would be worried after that. Also, how did you ask Velvet? Cause there's no phones in Equestria if I remember correctly. Did you just knocked to the door in the middle of the night?
After all, you are really bad at being understood, but Velvet Covers is really good at understanding, so you hope that those two things manage to cancel each other out… somehow.
Honestly, while I'll admit that Jade may not understand people as in "why", I am no longer sure that she can't read them and see what they feel after this update (and remembering what the Lantern does).
"Well, I'm here for you."
Yes, Velvet and we are here, Jade.
"Jade…?" you hear Velvet Covers asking very… slowly… "what are you going to do with… with that?"
Curious. You thought it would be obvious to her. Maybe she is in denial?
I am not so sure.
Or maybe she thinks you are planning to stay inside the house as you do it?
The thought did cross your mind but… you wouldn't have called her if that had been your plan.
That is exactly the thought that came to me, and maybe to Velvet, too. And, again, Jade is pretty good at reading what the other person feels and thinks, even if not "why".
Regarless, votes. I did vote for the heart, but I am still not so sure about them yet.
[] To destroy that which will not change.
You see something click inside of her. She then looks at you with those kind, caring eyes of her, seeing that you are… seeing that you are okay right now. Then she looks at the house, remembering everything you told her. And finally, she looks at the match you are holding. A spark flicks from her horn a moment later, lighting the match, and she nods you the blessings that only a true friend can give. The house is ablaze moments later, the two of you running together into the shadows of the night. You think you can hear something as you run away, the sound of you and your brother playing. You think the two of you sound happy.
(Jade Whistle will strive to destroy that which will not change, adopting FORGE as her secondary Lore. Velvet Covers will gain one scrap of FORGE Lore for having witnessed such change. Jade Whistle's house, the place she knows to be her tomb, will be destroyed.)
That will surely begin a new page in Jade's life, if more ruthless one compared to other option.
[] To become unceasing.
She smiles, plain and simply. A smile that tells you that she finally understands you, perhaps better than you understand yourself. "You don't need to do this," she says calmly, her tone both gentle and patient, "you don't need to completely let go of them." She then floats the box of matches back into your bag, "you just need to stop holding on too tightly," she finishes saying, taking you by the hoof and gently pulling you with her, towards the night. And you think, deep down, that she just stopped you from doing something you would eventually have regretted. You think, deep down, that you feel something pulse inside your chest, right next to your heart. Something faint and steady, that might be like what you felt every time you hugged your brother against your chest.
(Jade Whistle will strive to become unceasing, adopting HEART as her secondary Lore. Velvet Covers will gain one scrap of HEART Lore for having saved one who was about to cease. Jade Whistle will not lose her love for collecting things.)
Probably more practical option. I am not, however, fully convinced that it will be better for Jade herself, nor for narrative purposes. The Forge scene both strikes me more and more radical in solving the problem.
Also, here we won't become any closer to the third level, for we lose one of two scraps from lv3 book, just acquire lv2 earlier.
Regardless of your choice, you can tell that Jade Whistle is not "better". But you are glad she decided to take the first step, and you promise yourself that you will be there when she takes the second.
Regardless of your choice, Jade Whistle is now personally loyal to you. Her action pool will be added to your list of Confidants come next turn.
Regardless of your choice, Jade Whistle will not set hoof anywhere near that place for a long, long time.
Jade Whistle has done more than seen something in Selene. She might be onto something, but she will need time to figure it out. Dedicated time, that is.
And on a lesser note, Jade Whistle would have adopted WINTER as her secondary Lore if you had taken her down the Minion route.
Kindly observe a two hours moratorium.
Also, I would note that at this note we can seriously undermine Master's ability in purely esoterical matters. With both learning and magic advisors compromised, it leaves primary Master themselves and Comet Feet as heavy hitters (and maybe Windy). The latter is quite focused at Edge alone, and the former is restricted in his abilities for one reason or another as we can observe with our tasks in Mansus exploration. Copper and Dancer, as far as we know, neither went deep in their lores not had truly focused on the occult jobs. And we may subvert Dancer eventually, too.
If we would want to openly betray the cult, now we have not so horrible chances. Not anymore.
