paradisa

[ Filtered to everypony who knew Spike ]

[ The following is dictated by a pony who is clearly trying to hold back her emotions. ]

To... to anypony who knew him, Spike has gone back home.

I know he's made a lot of friends here.... he's... he's always trying to make new friends. But home is a much nicer place, especially for... somepony like him. [ You know, a baby dragon. ]

He's... left letters, for his friends. The ghosts should have delivered them to everypony by now, but if they haven't... he just wants to let you all know that... he cares for all of you, and that you'll... we'll... all be missed.

[ She doesn't have... anything else to say... she probably should end it better than this, but she'd rather not get emotional to all of Spike's friends. She closes the journal.

...And no, her filter doesn't distinguish between people who know Spike the dragon or the space cowboy. ]

doublethefun

[ There’s a shuffling sound as somepony sifts through a pile of boardgames. ]

There. I was certain I had seen it elsewhere afore. [ Luna takes the game out, spreading the board onto a table. ] Aha! That thrice-damned “Madagascar” doth count for naught in this version!

[ Another voice cuts in. ] Wait. Which came first, then? The board game, or the video game? [ This is important to know. ]

[ Blink. ]I am...unsure. [ Gonna glance at those rules. ] The premise of this game is entirely different from the other, however. Forsooth, we shall be attempting to save the world, rather than infect it.

Well, that’s much more palatable. [ A pause. ] I can see why Madagascar isn’t included in this version, though. You could just move the uninfected population there to win the game.

[ Luna sounds just a smidge bitter. ] As long as it doth not have merely one port for the entire isle.

[ And Twilight sounds a little bit excited. ] Well, let’s play it. It’ll be nice to have a game I can actually play and have an actual chance at winning. [ ...Stupid Frustrated Aves. ]

[ That gets a laugh. ] Very well. [ A rustle of paper as she looks over the instructions. ] We shall take these role-playing cards and draw our roles, then.

....I’m a scientist! [ Huzzah! ]

I am a.......bioterrorist? [the buck is that word, even?]

[[ooc: Open over journal or for action. Luna's door is ajar!]]

checklist

[ A regal winged unicorn is walking amongst the preparations for the Feast, snapping orders to ghosts (or whoever else is doing the actual work). Cold disdain seems to radiate from her, even as she scrutinizes the work. Everything must be perfect. ]

The checklist, Twilight Sparkle.

[ Luna spares a glare for the sun. No time to fix that, unfortunately.

Twilight nodded as she consulted the checklist being levitated by her magic. ] We’re currently five minutes ahead of schedule. And if we continue at the current pace, we should be set up with plenty of time to spare. [ She tore her eyes from the checklist to see the ghosts and townspeople they recruited to help set everything up. There were some fellow... residents... as well, but eh. ] The schedule, of course, isn’t taking into account any breaks, for either meals or sleep, for any of the workers. But, for the sake of getting everything done in an orderly fashion, I’m sure they won’t mind.

They shan’t, if I have aught to say about it. [ Displeasing the Queen is not a good idea.

She’s trotting past barrels of beer when she spots a colorful piece of paper tacked onto the side of the stable. Pin the tail on the...what now?

… ] What incompetent foal placed this here??

[ Twilight sees it. She sees it and furiously moves through her checklist, eyes roaming across it half-mad as she unfurls it to its full length (it’s about three times as long as Twilight.) ] I- I don’t know! There’s nothing about this sort of game on my checklist at all! [ And who wouldn’t follow her checklist!?

A blue glow surrounds the paper, carefully furled up so the image is hidden. It floats towards Twilight, along with an equally colorful box full of pins and tails. ] This ne’er existed, Twilight Sparkle. [ Luna grabs the journal and filters it away from the King and Queen. Her voice is all silk and steel. ]

[ Filtered away from the King and Queen ]

’Twould be to our mutual benefit if all parties were to refrain from engaging in foalish games that would upset the new Queen, yes? Any manner of game involving a particular equid with a missing tail will be in rather poor taste this New Year’s.

[ Ugh. Now they’re going to be behind schedule, aren’t they? ]

checklist

Well, this was certainly a very nice Hearth's Warming Eve... or Christmas, I suppose.

[ A small hoot can be heard in agreement. ]

It seems like Owlowiscious agrees with me. He arrived right on Christmas day, perhaps as a present from the castle. [ Another hoot. ]

So if anypony sees an owl around the library, that would be Owlowiscious. He helps me out with my library duties back home, so he'll be helping around at the library here as well, especially at night.

But anyway, back to the topic of the holiday. I spent a lot of time picking out presents for all of my friends. I hope they enjoy them. [ THEY ALL GOT BOOKS... ] And Zelos, too. [ Also books. ]

And thank you to everypony who got me a present. I love all of them very much! So thank you.

checklist

[ Anypony wandering into the kitchen will find a certain purple pony in there, measuring out flour and sugar and eggs and stuff like that. The kitchen's received the same icy makeover as the rest of the castle, but it still seems to all be in working order, and that's all that matters to Twilight.

Some things to note: she's wearing science goggles and a labcoat; she's spending an awfully long time in measuring out the ingredients; and the entire kitchen is a mess. Like disaster area level mess. Like whoa dude, what in the heck happened here?

Twilight happened, castle. Twilight happened.

The journal happens to be open next to her, and the page is already covered with egg yolks, flour, sugar, food coloring, and other very, very messy ingredients. Go Twilight!

She looks over to a butler!penguin next to her, who's holding up a recipe for her. ] All right. Next is.... creaming the butter and mixing it in with the sugar... [ Aaaand there's going be more sugar and butter getting onto the journal pages, castle.

Yep.

This is going well.

Happy birthday, Twilight. ]

checklist

All right. I know that everypony's preoccupied with this... um, kissing. Against your wills. I can see why that's a pretty big deal for all of you. But I have an important question for everypony.

What happened to those magical items that cured the sickness? Are they stored away safely, in case of a resurgence? I hope somepony's thought about that and taken it into consideration, but it's not too late if not. Let's get them stored away safely so we can be prepared.

Thaaaat's pretty much it.

Oh, wait, one more thing. No kissing in the library.

checklist

I really, really don't like this loss the castle takes from us when we arrive. Now I'm sure everypony here thinks that, but... but... the castle gets hit with a mysterious illness and the only way to help is to do research and I can't even do anything? Researching is what I'm best at!

Well, I'm just glad all of that is over and done with.

How is everypony doing after that?

checklist

[ The following is dictated into the journal. ]

If there are any [ NOT FILLIES... BE ALL-INCLUSIVE.... ] children who are going to be collecting candy today, I'll be giving some out at the library. I've got quite a selection of different candies. I was sure to account for the most common allergens, and I'm offering several more healthy alternatives as well.

So feel free to drop by, either for the candy or to help me give it out, if you're so inclined.

[ And, as promised, anypony who wanders into the library will find, after the rather sizable display of age-appropriate children's and young adult books stations at every entrance, there's a large display of candies, and a certain unicorn who's.... done a rather nice job of looking like a rugged unicorn archeologist instead, complete with fake wings and her horn hidden under the hat.

She will calmly and levelly hand out one candy (or healthy alternative) to each child - though she does have one rather insidious plot in mind as well. She'll offer two pieces of candy to any child who offers to check out one of the books on display and promises to read it. :3c ]

checklist

[ The following is dictated to the journals. ]

Does anypony know about dying manes?

I'm trying to finish up my costume for Nightmare Night but I really don't know anything about dying manes. I could try a wig, but... the castle does have some limitations on wishes, and I'd rather not rely on wishes anyway. It's a pretty specific pattern and color, too, so I doubt I could find one shopping in town.

Of course, if I do dying instead of buying a wig, that does mean that I'll have to style my mane as well.

...Ugh. I wish Rarity were here. She'd know all about this sort of thing...

[ A sigh. ] At least my costume is almost done.

changelist

[ Anypony who wanders into the kitchen today will find... well, a dark purple changeling. Like a pony with bug wings and holes in her legs and a messed up unicorn horn.

She's got a huge spread of food, and seems to have eaten a wide variety of different things before giving up. She lies down on the floor, seemingly defeated.

She flips open her journal. ]

I don't get it. I ate and ate until I couldn't possibly eat another bite. And still.... I'm starving. I feel like I could literally starve to death, no matter how much I eat!

Is this a part of my loss? What am I supposed to do?

[ Yet, her changeling biology knows exactly what she needs. She needs to feed off of the love of others.

So when somepony approached, they might not find a changeling. They might find themselves faced with their loved one...

Loss, part duex. Any action tags, prepare to be faced with an image of your loved ones... even if Twilight isn't doing it on purpose. ]

changelist

[ Twilight was taking a nap just outside the castle. It was a nice day out, and it felt right.

However, while she started her nap as a normal (pastel purple unicorn) pony, she woke up as... well. Not.

Her journal opens as she screams. ]

-AAAAAAAHHH!!!

What in Celestia's name is going on here!? Why is... Why do I have holes in my legs!?

Okay, Twilight... don't... don't panic.... You can figure this out...

A prank? [ Non... Luna was powerful enough, but she wouldn't, not like this... ] Magical backlash? [ From what? ] Castle...?

Why would the castle put holes in my legs!?

[ Yeah, she's rather focused on that. And also panicking. Clearly panicking. Somepony tell her not to panic?

Also known as loss start! For now, she'll be taking on the forms of people or ponies she's thinking of, so... her friends, or maybe the person she's talking to. Tell me if you have any prefs for her changing when you tag~

Open via journal or in person. ]

checklist

I hope that everypony's learned a valuable lesson from this.

I'm not talking about how cruel the castle is, either, or even how it can and will alter your memories on a whim. Although both of those are unavoidably true, I'm talking about the real lesson.

Family.

The castle chose to make everypony related so that they could be family. But it doesn't need to do that. Family can be, and is, more than being related to somepony else. Family is about a bond. It's a bond of trust, of companionship, and of love. As long as you share that bond with somepony, you can call them family.

The [ there's a small pause as she keeps herself form saying "ponies" ] people that you choose to spend time with, the ones you care for, they're your family. You don't need to be related by blood. If they watch out for you, if they offer you a shoulder to cry on, an ear when you have troubles, if they love you for who you are... that's family.

I have a wonderful group of friends that I'm proud to call my family. I have an assistant that I can't imagine living without, and I happily consider him to be my little brother. And I don't need a castle to tell me that.

checklist

[ If somebody approaches the ice cream parlor, they'll notice something odd. Most notably, that there are horses milling around outside. They're not even tied up or anything! Sheesh. Secondly, that there's a few bales of hay scattered around outside for the horses.

Heading inside, it's even more noticeable that something is amiss. There are no humans inside. Instead, behind the counter is a small purple unicorn. With an ice cream scoop in her mouth. A rather large chart of the shop's various treats and specialties was pinned to the wall where she could easily glance at it, and she seems to be preparing the various treats as described. As made obvious by the fact that there are dozens of them lined up on the counters, perfectly formed and weighed out to the exact specifications.

There's also a larger dark blue pony, with both horns and wings, although she seems more content to be acting as a taste tester and occasionally grabbing things from higher shelves.

....As soon as anybody walks in, they both stop what they're doing to stare. ]

checklist

[ Anypony who's going in the library today will notice a purple unicorn mare going through various scrolls and papers at a desk. She has a blank scroll directly in front of her, with a quill and ink ready to pen something, but she seems more focused on the papers for now.

Her loss might prevent her from reading through books, but there were numerous documents and document recreations in other formats that she could read. They seem to be mostly declarations of independence and the like, as well as various proclamations denouncing slavery, oppression, and things of that nature.

Her journal's open on the far corner of the desk, just close enough to pick up what she's saying to herself. ]

Okay, Twilight, you can do this. Just take the best from all of these and... write it down. It can't be that hard.

"We, the ponies, horses, and other equines..."

No, no, no. I'm not including myself, I shouldn't say "we." But wait, if I'm writing for them, that would mean I do use we. Right?

Maybe.... [ The sounds of a quill scratching on paper can be heard for a second, then a loud groan, said paper being crumpled, and then thrown into a trash can. That shot's worth two points, Twilight. ]

Maybe I need to get some fresh air. Take some time to think. Then I can come back to this with a fresh mind...

What am I saying? This needs to get done as soon as possible, I can't possibly take that much time away from it! But at this rate... I'm never going to be finished. [ Twilight just faceplants into the desk. That shakes the desk just enough that her journal falls off, landing face-up and still open on the ground. Twilight finally notices it. ]

...There's my journal.

Glad I noticed it. It would be incredibly awkward if somepony overheard me while I'm working on this.... [ She picks it up with her magic and brings it over... and sees everything that's been dictated. ]

......Oh.

learns

[ In the Athena cabin, a certain unicorn-turned-girl is sitting down with a bunch of cardboard and sticks, constructed what are obviously protest signs. They've been painted with colorful slogans like "SAY NEIGH TO FORCED PONY LABOR", "HORSE POWER IS FOR THE HORSES", and "FREEDOM FOR EQUESTRIANS!" Her bright orange camp shirt is splattered with paint, because honestly, she's not used to doing these sorts of things by hand. At least she didn't strip out of it this time, though!

Please feel free to ask what in Celestia's name she's doing... or feel free to join her in the fight!

When she's getting near the end, she finally flips open her journal and dictates into it. Her voice is obviously irate when she speaks, so respond at your own risk. ]

I hope none of you are actually going to participate in this... chariot race. I'd like to think more of you all than that.

[ She snorts, taking a moment to cross her legs and pull a blank piece of cardboard into her lap, beginning another slogan. "TAKE THE REINS FROM THOSE WHO ABUSE THEM" seems fitting.... but maybe a bit long. Think of something better, Twilight. ]

We're not here for your amusement, you know. We're people, too. [ Okay, more literally than usual in her case, but the point stands.

....Huh. "HORSES ARE PEOPLE TOO" works. She begins to paint that on the board. ]

And.... whatever prize they're giving away? It's not worth it.

[ She gives that a minute to sink in, then she makes a filter. ]

[ Teachers, staff, and cabin heads ]

Okay. Ummmm...... I probably should have done this before I potentially made enemies out of everypony, but... I have an important question. It has nothing to do with what I just said, by the way, not really.

Does everypony out in the woods really have to stay out there?

My assistant... well, that is, my family.... he's out there, and I can't keep an eye out for him if I have to stay in my cabin. And I don't even think he has a bed. Can't I bring him back here and let him stay in the cabin with me?

If there's a problem because there aren't enough beds to go around or something, I'll give up my bed for him. I can sleep on the floor with a few blankets.

Please?

[ Obviously, open in person to Athena cabinmates, or over the journal. ]

learns

[ When midnight hits, the change is obvious. People, ponies, no matter who, no matter where, are now somewhere different.

The change, for Twilight Sparkle, is even more obvious.

It's a dark highway, and anybody in the same area would no doubt notice the human girl, a young adult by approximate age, with what might be familiar purple-streaked hair. They'd also probably notice the befuddled expression on her face. Aaaand the fact she's not wearing a stitch of clothing.

Her journal lies open next to her to catch her every word, as is usual for this place, just in case there are people not close by enough to catch sight themselves. ]

What-

What's going on? [ She's down on her hands and knees, and she picks up a hand to stare at it for a moment. ] My... hooves?

I'm.....? I'm a human?

[ The pavement on her hands kind of hurts - hands were not meant for walking, Twilight remembers. She tries to stand up on her feet, but she can't seem to work out the proper way to move from her current position onto her feet. Each attempt ends up with her back on the ground. ]

Ow, ow ow ow...

This isn't working. How in Celestia do you people walk!?

[ Please be helping out a pony. Turned human. Teach her how to walk, or at least stand!

Oh, and tell her to put some clothes on.

Also, feel free to do a general "WTF where are we what's goin' on" since nobody else has done a post for that yet. ]

checklist

[ Twilight was supposed to meet up with Rarity today. They were going out for lunch on the town, except, well....

The room is empty. The nameplate is gone.

There's only one explanation, or at least, only one that Twilight's heard.

But she... needs to make sure. ]

[ Rarity ]

We were supposed to go out today. But your room's empty... did you move somewhere? [ Without telling your friends? ]

[ Public ]

[ Twilight gives Rarity a few hours... she paces back and forth in front of her journal, casting glances at it every minute or so, but after it's been so long and no word from Rarity... ]

Everypony, I think.... that Rarity's left.

I... I'm sorry.

[ She adds in after a minute- ]

If anypony needs me, I'm going to be on the roof. That's where everypony goes at times like this, right?

[ And, true to her word, Twilight can be found brooding on the castle roof, laying down on the cold stone with her journal open in front of her, slowly leafing through it.

Feel free to poke via journal or in person... in pony. Whatever. ]

checklist

( Princess Celestia and Cair Paradisa: )

checklist

[ Twilight Sparkle’s room is, in all honesty, rarely used. She set up a bed in Spike’s room - after all, she wasn’t going to let her number one assistant live alone. Plus his room is closer to the library. But today, her room is seeing use, with two mares sprawled out on the bed with starry night blankets. Plus one more, a much smaller foal, who seems to be trying to shake the two awake. And possibly wake up everypony else, since the foal seems to have knocked open the journal as well. ]

Mommy! Mommy mommy mommy mommy!

( and now there's a foal )

[ Open via journal, or action if you want to run into the three of them taking Nine out to play. :3c ]

checklist

[ The following is dictated in a bit of a hoarse (aha, puns) voice, as if the mare's been crying a lot before making this entry. Which she has. ]

Okay. Everypony? I have a very important question. Possibly... the most important question I've ever asked.

Has anypony who's forgotten something here... has any of them ever gotten their memories back? Is it possible to get them back? Or........

Are they gone forever?

Please... I need to know. I need to know if there's any hope.

Please.

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Paradisa

January 2015

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Entries tagged with twilight sparkle

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ICE CREAM PARLOR... OPEN POST

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January 2015

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