Dear reader! Whether you are new here, archive-reading and whatnot, or you are already someone who has been with us for quite a while, I would like to say a few words that I believe are best kept close to mind.
-This is an MLP quest. And more importantly, none of us are gratuitously cruel. So good things will happen on this quest, and I hope that enough good things have already happened to prove that.
-This is also a horror quest, so bad things will happen. Bad things might happen to good characters if you are not able to protect them, and you most certainly will not be able to intervene if you lack the tools to do so.
-And finally, this is a quest in which you jostle with powers greater than yourself, with all that it entails.
Please, do keep those things in mind as you go forward. But ultimately, this is also a quest in which it is hoped we all have fun! So if any of the above points is not exactly your cup of tea, or somehow make the experience as a whole "not worth it", then this quest might not be for you. Which is fine! Individual tastes are a thing, so don't think any more about it if you don't want to read anymore. And regardless, I hope you have a lovely day!
Readers should take their own mental health into consideration when voting and not subject themselves to triggering narrative elements like rape or constant mental torture of a friend just for the Greatest Good of a world that doesn't exist.
If those are fine for you or Regrettable is even more triggering, then GREAT! More power to you. But you aren't a bad or selfish person for picking the option that keeps the characters you've emotionally connected with safe. [REDACTED for spoiler warning]
This is a high intensity quest that doesn't hold back when it comes to horror and negative consequences. Take care of yourself.
I feel you're getting something mixed up. If Velvet teaches Cadance in a hidden manner then Cadance doesn't know that Velvet taught her. The flashpoint and any awkward question are avoided.
As for your example, we aren't held in the same regard as Cadance.
No, but there is now a third option in that scenario between "learned Lores only after official knowledge" and "part of Luna attackers".
Since we have Above All Suspicion and likely the trust of all three Alicorns, as long as we get rid of any hard evidence I think we could shake it off in that scenario (being able to manipulate Cadence to discover the Lores "by herself") using that reason?
If we were a fresh cultist then sure. If we knew little then sure. But we're the Pony eldritch CIA head the mere fact we were aware and didn't immediately bring it to the Crown fucks us.
If we were a fresh cultist then sure. If we knew little then sure. But we're the Pony eldritch CIA head the mere fact we were aware and didn't immediately bring it to the Crown fucks us.
That only strengthens my argument (which relies on something I doubt we can do, but am arguing for completeness) because Luna is our boss?
We can then use this to get another character witness and hedge things further in our favour in case things really blow up.
(My original stance was that we CAN'T do this teaching w/o any Alicorn noticing in retrospect after the Lores are revealed.
This means something must have changed now, for this to remain an option for Wedding Picks)
[] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[] You will spend a long time with Cadance. Whisper a few Lore-secrets, here and there. (???)
[] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[] Are they a couple? Are they just friends? You don't really know what Comet Feet and Fluttershy are. But ever since you invited them to the wedding, Fluttershy has been having… ideas. (???)
[] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)
[] "Yes, they are nobles, but… I am not sure I want to invite them." (Invite the Velvet family / ???)
[] Everypony who is important enough is involved in some way. Get to know your co-equals better, from the Solar Court and elsewhere. (???)
[] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
[] "Cadance, do you mind if I put a few Names on the list…?" (Invite all Names who are summoned on Turn 19 / ???)
[] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
[] "What do you mean you want a traditional wedding? Cadance, you are literally writing tradition right now. You are a Princess for-…! Alright, fine, I'll check the Royal Archives." (WRITE IN Lore / ???)
In that hypothetical, 1 AP of spending time with Cadence (to a certain end) should suffice, since we are already friends and her guards will let us through?
Technically true, but I mean... there is investigating to find hidden things and there is "stumbling into the aftermath of eldritch battle".
How long does an investigation take to get to the the point of "[corpses drained by Mareinette] (+ ponies killed [by DoA & Velvet]) are a clear sign the bureau should investigate this and anything there is evidence for the Bureau to analyze"? Anything freaky enough should set off alarm bells of "could this be changelings rearing their head again?".
Correct, but they will also discover RoTT, and the next reasonable question to ask using that ritual is: "Who is responsible for all this carnage other than those who are now dead, exactly?" and then we'd be in hot water.
Correct, but they will also discover RoTT, and the next reasonable question to ask using that ritual is: "Who is responsible for all this carnage, exactly?" and then we'd be in hot water.
No?
RoTT was crafted by Jade, not auto-recieved via reaching a door.
The'd need to find specific instruction on that ritual.
And this idea is explicitly based on Velvet (+names) breaking that cult base and removing all items that would be dangerous to her if the Bureau found them.
Secondly, keeping DoA around is hugely beneficial to us, even if that means letting Baldomare lapse (again). The process of Befriending her should net us a Knock 6 artifact, DoA is incredibly good to throw at expeditions (which we'll have to rely on now over buying books), she can fight (can guard us or our family), and most importantly, she can make the Wrong Keys. Which are both our sole ritual defense that isn't just tanking it and a guaranteed source of damage against summoned spirits. Like Windigos.
There's a chance freeing Axe might result in us LOSING the Frangiclave, either because she'll want to keep it or because maybe it will be sacrificed in the act of freeing her. Hopefully we get to keep her... or at least get to use it once or twice...
and seriously, don't worry about not having scried it yet. It's definitely a top priority next turn.
What I meant is that one action would literally become non-canon. Of course, non-canon stories are not bad, might-have-beens are enjoyable to read too.
Just keep on writing as you want, I really enjoyed your story when you did.
We can search for both things on the same turn, if need be. There's no reason to worry on that front. Though if we happen to be gifted the equivalent of an unread book by an eldritch entity for the second time, you better to give it to Baldomare. That Apple decision cost us 3 Baldomare AP, 2 Velvet AP, and 185 Bits, and I do not want a repeat of such costs.
on the other end it gave us Moth 4, an automatic success on Selene's lesson, and some more knowledge on how the mansus broke down and the Moth died, and made it clear that the Master was basically born from the woods feeding on the ashes of the Moth, making it AT LEAST a Name and possibly something a bit more than that.
Nothing should await us beyond the Tricuspid gate merely passing it and bathing in Glory LIGHT will make us Long. Then comes the great undertaking for Namehood which is only really a problem because others who are your equals or greater stand in the way. Here? We would be the only Long around and other then our Master there is no one who would have cause and ability to threaten us.
Well other then Celestia, Discord and… okay there may be some others. But the list has become smaller.
potentially false. We kinda have reason to believe that beyond the Tricuspid the Forge and maybe the Sun might be waiting. Who knows, maybe the Forge trapped themselves there because she knew they'd become Alukite?
All we know is that the glory is beyond the Tricuspid (or at least a place close and bathed in the direct light of the Glory. Technically speaking the glory is ABOVE the Mansus, not right at its top)
It's POSSIBLE that once we open that door there will be some other kind of obstacle, maybe a need to negotiate with the Forge and Sun, maybe something else. We just don't know.
Which is why ideally I want to finish the other 2 paths, just in case they'd give us better options once we reach the glory. Like, you know, Harmony support or a blessing from beings in the House of the Moon.
Well the bigger issue is if we can leave the mansus after achieving longhood. My understanding is that at a certain point you have to be summoned back into the wake, and with so few seekers around to learn from... well we don't know when that point is.
Actually my understanding was that Lantern Long (which are sometimes considered lesser names) are bound to the Mansus, but the other ones should have no problem going back to the Wake.
not necessarily. it's not unheard of for new beginnings to spring from an ending. Think of how in CS you can only get a MAJOR Victory (elevate your Long-master to Namehood) AFTER first winning a victory becoming a Long.
Really, we just don't know what happens after we reach any of the ending conditions. Arguably there's the potential for a sequel quest even in the Mother Of Wolves ending, of a future adept trying to change things and restore Harmony or reaching Glory to make things better (or just for power).
Not necessarily true. CS, after all, does allow you to progress a story after achieving victory, at least for certain victories. Granted, that involves changing to another character while your original character goes into hiding and directs the newbie from afar, but it is in many ways still that first guy's story.
The reason we play as a new character after the Long ascension is that Long must either pledge themselves in the service of an Hour and thus for all intents and purposes give up Namehood or give up their Longhood. Hence most choose to either pledge themselves, give up Longhood or simply hide away at Port Long whose special waters make both the Long forget the world and the World forget the Long. To ascend to Namehood via the Keys is very slightly totally illegal so if you want to do it you gotta go into hiding. Plus both Names and Longs have a set number so there is competition in both cases and hence fighting.
Now seeing as the House is empty the only threat once we become a Long are the heavy hitters like Names and Outsiders. Even then we can finally compete and not be casually swept aside if we must fight them seriously. With the proper set up we could even kill them. Even if we don't choose the Glory Ending Longhood is still for all intents and purposes a great thing to have.
Very very technically there's precedents for Mortals killing Hours, even (The Colonel for example), but they're once-in-an-era exceptions, probably beyond even a fully maxed Velvet with unlimited funds. Probably.
Let us all remember that it was MORTALS (Ghirbi and others) that broke through the Stag Door, once. And they didn't need to use the Wolf for it.
So it IS possible for Mortals to do great things. And Velvet IS bullshit
Take the previous Kingdom Hearts vs Cultist Simulator comparison. Pittauro mentioned KH has been retconned time and again. So that shows that there wasn't really a plan when there was created, and that the creator himself doesn't care about consistency. By no means am I saying that makes the series bad, but trying to compare it to... well, any other series just strikes me as weird.
Yeah, I've actually read that basically with Kingdom Hearts they might MAYBE have a vague idea about sequels when writing a game, but it's VERY vague.
Each game in the "final mix" version (basically it goes like: jap release--> world release with extra content--> re-release in jap with even MORE extra content AND a secret ending cutscene), I've read that when they make the secret ending cutscene they don't even have decided what is actually happening in there. It's basically many random words and hints of things to come, but they decide what to do about it later.
I mean, from what I've seen of the mobile game, it's been implied that the Darkness took another form before Keyblades and Heartless were created, a form in some ways more dangerous and FAR harder to kill (keyblade masters were EXPLICITLY unable to kill these dark beings), and the Master of Master (the one that shared the secret of the keyblade with 5 apprentices, which later took their own apprentices, wrote a book of prophecies and basically engineered the Keyblade War and the breaking down of the world into multiple worlds) Apparently did all of this as part of some millennia-long plan to actually deal with the Darkness for good or something.
Also that apparently there had been ANOTHER Keyblade War or something similar even before the one the games refer to
long story short: KH can be entertaining, but with each game coming up with newer things, it's better not to look at it too hard or there's plenty signs of inconsistencies, which are unavoidable when they've added multiple realms/dimensions, New Threats, new categories of beings (Heartless, Nobodies, Unversed, Dream-Eaters...), and so on.
In the end, you tell Velvet Pride… several things. Still, when you look back to that conversation, you realize you mostly spoke from the heart.
The first thing you did was to encourage him. And you think he listened to you. If not as an older sister, then at least he heard you as an older mare. But still, you encouraged him because, to put it simply, a stallion chasing a mare who wanted nothing to do with him… well, that is the story of your life, isn't it? You would not be the pony you are today if Stormchaser had not done everything he could, and a few things he couldn't, to make you reciprocate his love.
And it worked. It really worked. And you are thankful for him every day for that.
You realize, of course, that you might be… an exception. Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, you are a rarity. The odd one out. And maybe ninety-nine out of a hundred couples in your position would have ended differently. However, maybe you are spending too much time with Cadance, or maybe you just want Pride to be as happy as Stormchaser. Still, the fact remains that you encouraged him.
You are not betting any bits on Axe giving him the time of her day. But still…
You also told him that Axe is… difficult. He mentioned he couldn't even understand her the one time she talked to him, and his eyes went wide in surprise when you revealed to him that that is how she speaks.
And then, of course, you told him everything else. You told him about all the swearing, and her stubbornness, and the sheer attitude she has most of the time.
Then again, despite your misgivings with Axe, you weren't just gratuitously slandering her. You really were honest. You even told Pride that she can be serious, even if harsh, if she is in a… more professional setting.
Your younger brother listened to all of that with a serious expression. But in the end, he gave you a slow, understanding nod. You definitely broke, or at least cracked, whatever fairy-tale image he had of her, but at least he knows the truth now.
on the other hand, she'd also want to make Pride aware of the MANY problems. I wanted to tell him about her being a Snake-mare too, but sadly that didn't win. There's a heavy implication in saying that that Axe is the "last of her race", which would have been really interesting to mention
and the hilarity of "wait, that's how she SPEAKS?!"!
You don't know if you regret it or not because, on one hoof, you know she will completely ignore them. Which will make Pride a little more heartbroken. But on the other hoof, you can definitely put those gifts to good use. Or at least, that is what you thought when the first basket, filled to the brim with expensive gifts, was delivered to you by Cantrip. To the point that you were almost tempted to keep everything to yourself, even if that meant angering your little brother.
Almost.
Regardless, by the end of your conversation with Pride, he was neither excited nor downtrodden. Instead, he had the particular expression of a Velvet who was deep in thought. And by the end of it…
"Thank you, Lady Velvet. I will not forget what you told me today," he thanked you. Not as an older sister, but not as a nopony. He thanked "Lady Velvet," which you hope is an improvement from what he thought about you before that day.
And more importantly, given his expression you are certain he made up his mind about something.
one gift and the Key to bring down teh cost from 100 bits to 0. and one gift to make a new lvl 3 reagent (or 2/1) for 0 bits instead of 45, leaving the already made Reagent for maybe the Biedde summoning.
So, same result with Pride (discouraged), but we'll be saving 95 bits. Which helps us a lot.
You pause, trying to understand what is going on. But nothing really comes to mind. This last weekend was utterly normal, except for the fact Mrs. Velvet arrived a day earlier. Still, everything was normal, nothing strange happened, and Mrs. Velvet left yesterday as always. So…
"Well not anymore," but Mr. Stormchaser interrupts her, his face all smiles. "There will be no school for the next two weeks. We are going on vacations!"
He says that, and that is all you and your sister need for a smile to appear on your faces.
This balloon, your dad explained to you, is actually just a regular sky ship. Of course, you have never been to the sea before either, but you know from books what a ship looks like. And true enough, this looks just like one, except that it has large fans on its side for it to move forwards, and large balloons on its top. He also told you that its engines are slower than a train, and that's why it's quicker to come here by land and then just move up!
mh... now that I think about it, there was an episode in MLP about a sky-cruise with Twilight's family, organized by I think Iron Will (a minotaur that gave self-confidence and assertiveness lessons to Fluttershy once. She became super-mean for a bit, to not allow anyone to treat her like a pushover)
I actually forgot there's proper airships in MLP beside just the balloons and the ones the Storm King had.
"Uncle Steppes!" and you jump out of your seat in excitement the moment you recognize him!
"Uncle Steppes?!" Selene, too, has a similar reaction.
"Grand-nieces!" he says, throwing his disguise to the ground, and floating the two of you towards his outstretched forelegs.
Only then do you realize your parents were holding their laughter, right behind you, this whole time. And only because, well, they finally begin to laugh.
And the six of you have a very noisy trip as the ship makes its way up to Cloudsdale.
But on the contrary, and much to your surprise, you actually feel content. You don't really feel like you left them behind, or like you are missing out on something. The mere knowledge that they are happy is more than enough to keep a smile on your face. The joy you felt when you were with them is still around you, almost like a physical thing. Like a set of clothes you are in no rush of removing, or like a kiss on your cheek the warmth of which you can still feel vividly.
"Thank you very much. And no, this will be all. Still, again, is there anything that needs my immediate attention? Do we have a situation somewhere, or does something need an urgent signature?" you ask the question again, just to make sure.
"Not at all, Commissioner. The instructions you left us last week have been more than enough. And like you ordered, if anything comes up we will send a runner to the address you left us." She says.
You give her a thankful nod, and wave a hoof to tell her she can go.
"By your leave. Commissioner… Princess Cadance…" the secretary leaves, after she gives you a short, respectful nod…
… and a deep bow to the Princess who is waiting on one of the chairs.
And you and Cadance are out of the Bureau less than an hour later. Because, barring some urgent occurrence in the Bureau, your visits to Canterlot these next two weeks will be entirely dedicated to helping your bride-to-be friend!
And when she casually says that she "wouldn't trust anypony but her best friend" for this and that, you finally realize just how much of a part you will play in all of this.
If an option has an explanation, it will do precisely what it says.
If an option has "???" for an explanation, you have NO way of predicting what it might do.
None of the options will be a "net negative". Meaning that no options, if picked, would put you in a worse place you were before. However, there ARE options which are "net neutral". Meaning that some options will not benefit Velvet at all, to the extent some voters could consider it "wasted" due to lost opportunity cost.
THE OPTIONS ARE NOT MADE EQUAL OR BALANCED. For example, one of the options nets you bits. You should NOT think all options are "balanced" and that they are all "equivalent to 500 bits". They are not.
Pick what you want to see or gain, not what you "think" is "best" or "optimized".
... there's a 500 bits option?!
That might unironically solve all of our bits problems! It's enough for all the summons, expeditions, social boost to friendship action and other rituals that, together with extra income from Rarity and our job, might very well solve all of our problems!
At least as long as we don't go overboard in buying artifacts, books, or making reagents.
but ok... not all options are equal, and not all options are net positive, though they are AT LEAST net neutral.
NOW TO SEE THE LIST I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
I'll comment as I read them. It seems like there's 11 options, we get 3, and one crossed out option. Let's see what they are...
Well, self-explanatory. Obviously very good. It will make the sense of betrayal worse if our secrets are ever revealed to her... but then again, maybe they'll allow us a chance to explain?
Also plenty of other potential narrative (and maybe mechanical) advantages. Like, for example, that idea I had about a personal royal carriage to save time on the commute.
uh. This is... interesting. Teaching her without making it clear we're teaching her, adding another potential source of lore knowledge for the Bureau and Equestria, and potentially justifying the "Lore are not evil" argument by "see, the Princess of Love learned them by herself!"
I really really want this. and hey, we JUST brought her to 3/1. It's just a shame we couldn't bring her to 4/2, sadly, but it is what it is. She's still likely to be better than nearly any normal fashionista.
[] Are they a couple? Are they just friends? You don't really know what Comet Feet and Fluttershy are. But ever since you invited them to the wedding, Fluttershy has been having… ideas. (???)
...oh? This is a MAJOR gain for us, saving us plenty of actions.
let me check who those ponies would be: Cherilee, Filthy Rich, Applejack (from friend tier) and Mayor Mare (from acquaintance). So it's the equivalent of 5 actions, basically. This is definitely a strong pick.
I... don't know. this has potential. It could also be a net neutral action. Still, it could be considered an olive branch to our dad, a thank you to Steppes, and maybe a chance to finally meet the mysterious pegasus brother?
This would be Baldomare (she'd probably enjoy herself, and who knows what might happen there), Mareinette (...I'm not sure I want her here) and Axe (Pride would certainly be happy if we invited our family too. Our father... probably not so much. Steppes... who knows)
we're in such a dire need for bits that this is a strong pick. It's worth MANY actions worth of our efforts, it can be traded for books or Artifacts (a lvl 3 artifact is apparently 250 bits), we can give Baldomare a nice sum to experiment with her "find stuff" (100 bits minimum)...
[] "What do you mean you want a traditional wedding? Cadance, you are literally writing tradition right now. You are a Princess for-…! Alright, fine, I'll check the Royal Archives." (WRITE IN Lore / ???)
[] "Velvet, is there anything you want in return? A Frangiclave? Of course I know what that is! Here, you can have it. What's that? Also the mirror in the palace undergrounds? Consider it done!" (Gain a Frangiclave, gain a Watchpony's Glass) [COSTS FOUR PICKS] [OPTION UNAVAILABLE DUE TO LACK OF PICKS]
There is a very, very small chance some votes might combine. Even if only narratively. An example (which is very unlikely to win) would be if the Velvet family is invited together with the Names, which would put Pride and Axe in the same room. Those "combinations" are not planned or intentional, and you should not vote with them in mind.
ok, so no voting family and Names with that in mind. That actually makes it easier I think.
I think if we want to take a VERY long bet on trying to... make Mareinette less of a monster, the wedding of the millennia full of love might be a good place to bring her to. But it might also change nothing.
Baldomare would likely enjoy being here. Axe... she probably won't, honestly.
Because you picked all possible wedding-related options, the list is at its largest possible. I will not reveal what options were included because of that, so as to not create an incorrect idea that "those options are better". The three most-voted picks will win. Vote in approval.
If I had to guess Cadance-lore-lessons, Research ancient wedding lore traditions, and POSSIBLY Twilight check-up are at least SOME of the 3-pick options, simply because they sound like the most time-consuming ones.
possibly the 500 bits too, simply because we might have not gone on the specific shopping trip otherwise.
ok, so... let's talk picks. First I'll remove a few ones I think are not worth taking.
[] You will spend a long time with Cadance. Whisper a few Lore-secrets, here and there. (???)
[] Are they a couple? Are they just friends? You don't really know what Comet Feet and Fluttershy are. But ever since you invited them to the wedding, Fluttershy has been having… ideas. (???)
[] "Yes, they are nobles, but… I am not sure I want to invite them." (Invite the Velvet family / ???)
[] "What do you mean you want a traditional wedding? Cadance, you are literally writing tradition right now. You are a Princess for-…! Alright, fine, I'll check the Royal Archives." (WRITE IN Lore / ???)
I think these 4 are better off ignored. I hope to introduce the lores through Luna or the Cult, so I'd rather skip this chance (though I might regret it), I don't think Fluttershy and Comet are as good of a pick here, I don't want our family present that much, and the wedding tradition sounds like a waste of time... unless it might be another potential way to introduce the lores? Actually, maybe it's just a chance to find lore-books in the Royal Archives? Because in that case if we could find a lvl 5 or 6 book this way...
[] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[] Everypony who is important enough is involved in some way. Get to know your co-equals better, from the Solar Court and elsewhere. (???)
[] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
[] "Cadance, do you mind if I put a few Names on the list…?" (Invite all Names who are summoned on Turn 19 / ???)
[] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
These are the ones I'm considering more seriously
bits are a certainty, and with Baldomare we can PROBABLY translate them to lvl 5-6 books if necessary (either through normal or special search).
5 actions worth of friendship gains.
Become closer to Cadance.
the already talked about Rarity dress.
Twilight check
Name invitations
Getting closer to our co-equals.
bits and friends and Rarity dresses are certain gains. most of the others are risky.
Getting 4 people to good friend one step away from confidant is a major win for us. And inviting 4 names to the party and making them like Velvet more, brings them closer to becoming permanent summons on our team. And we still have plenty of bits left over to do what needs doing.
[x] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)
[x] "Cadance, do you mind if I put a few Names on the list…?" (Invite all Names who are summoned on Turn 19 / ???)
[x] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
I do find it pretty funny that as soon as people found out that there is mechanical stuff we can get out of this that the wedding has changed from let's be the best friend to Candance we can be to let's figure out what is optimal.
I'm just joking btw I know that lots of consideration is also being done to be a good friend as well.
[X] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[X] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
[X] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
I normally just lurk but I really want the top two options. The bits are more so just as something that helps bring opportunities.
That only strengthens my argument (which relies on something I doubt we can do, but am arguing for completeness) because Luna is our boss?
We can then use this to get another character witness and hedge things further in our favour in case things really blow up.
(My original stance was that we CAN'T do this teaching w/o any Alicorn noticing in retrospect after the Lores are revealed.
This means something must have changed now, for this to remain an option for Wedding Picks)
It doesn't matter if both Cadance and Luna are on our side. Celestia is a powder keg seconds from going off and while Luna reappearing will hopefully improve thing we'd still be at risk of Dawnbreaker and even if that doesn't happen we'd loose the trust and position we lucked into. That is if we don't simply die or get thrown in jail.
My vote:
[X] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[X] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[X] Are they a couple? Are they just friends? You don't really know what Comet Feet and Fluttershy are. But ever since you invited them to the wedding, Fluttershy has been having… ideas. (???)
[X] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)
[X] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
[X] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
[X] "What do you mean you want a traditional wedding? Cadance, you are literally writing tradition right now. You are a Princess for-…! Alright, fine, I'll check the Royal Archives." (Secret Histories)
[x] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[x] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
[x] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[x] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[x] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[x] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)
[x] Everypony who is important enough is involved in some way. Get to know your co-equals better, from the Solar Court and elsewhere. (???)
[x] "Cadance, do you mind if I put a few Names on the list…?" (Invite all Names who are summoned on Turn 19 / ???)
[X] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
A special experience for Rarity, potential business upgrade for Rarity and potentially a lucrative commossion for our confidant Minion.
-[] Rarity's works are not about clothes, they are about ideas: Rarity will be asked to deliver anything and everything that she works on, and the Needle family will see what those latest pieces are best suited for. Her pieces will not have a specific theme or tone to them, at least not until everypony starts realizing their clothes all have the "Designs by Rarity" printed on their tags. (The slowest and steadiest option, and surely the one that will give Rarity the most freedom to work with, but it is much harder to make a name for yourself when you try to have that name written everywhere at the same time.)
This is the option we chose for Rarity back then.
"slowest and steadiest" "most freedom to work with but it is much harder to make a name"
And what would designing a princesses wedding dress do If not make a name for Rarity?
Looking at the narrative logically, it should completely obliterate the disadvantage the choice had while fitting the advantage.
[X] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)
Turning 3 friends + 1 aquantance (+ maybe another aquantance?) all into good friends.
[X] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
Lets (try to) save Twilight from 🐺 ing herself. And (try to) fix that temporary aquantaince lock.
I don't want the Twilight option, I definitely want the bits, and involving Rarity in dressmaking plus inviting the Velvet family and Names (the last two are mainly for fun, though I do believe it would be a good way to reconnect with Velvet relatives and I'm pretty sure we'll get some insight from the Names about Alicorns/Outsiders, which should be informative at least).
[X] "Yes, they are nobles, but… I am not sure I want to invite them." (Invite the Velvet family / ???)
[X] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[X] "Cadance, do you mind if I put a few Names on the list…?" (Invite all Names who are summoned on Turn 19 / ???)
[X] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
[X] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[X] You will spend a long time with Cadance. Whisper a few Lore-secrets, here and there. (???)
[X] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
Edit:
[X] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
Not my first or even second pick, but I like it more than its current competitor.
[X] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[X] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[x] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
[X] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[X] "Cadance, both you and Shining sent invitations to Twilight. But maybe we should… check on her in person?" (???)
[X] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)
[X] "Cadance, what do you mean keep the change? What do you mean that I should keep the change?! " (Gain 500 bits)
[x] "I would be honored to be the maid of honor." (Become closer to Cadance)
[x] "Your dress is good. But it could be better. I know a mare..." (Involve Rarity in dressmaking. Applies Rarity's Lore levels)
[x] "But none of them are nobles. Are you sure I can invite them?" (Increase all non-locked ponies in your Contacts list to Good Friends)
