* ZODIAC CYOA * thread 5.5

>>29903687

>you nod, trying to get your mind away from the current situation
>you sigh and nod
“Yeah, I've noticed it is very elaborate, a lot must have went into the construction”
>you make it back over closer to the memory mare
>there really isn't going to be much of an option...
>“Oh, I don't believe that the castle was constructed”
>she looks to be in a bit of a daze
>staring up at the ceiling, watching the orbs hover in place above
>that doesn't make any sense
“I don't quite get what you mean, how else would it get here?”
>she blinks a few times and stands up
>“The better question is how would you get these kind of materials out here”
>she looks around, scanning the walls and doors
>“Really, think about it. It doesn't add up”
>you try to evaluate what she is saying but your mind is too cluttered
>you have no way to tell how long you have been down here at this point
>you keep pacing
>it feels like it has been a decent amount of time
>you need to move
“I can see what you mean”
>you pause for a moment
“I think we should try one of these doors”
>you tentatively eye the door with the large D overhead
>the memory mare's disoriented gaze follows yours
>“Yes, we might as well”
>you walk over to the door and gently place your hand on the knob
>you take several steady deep breathes and then slowly open the door
>it looks yellow inside
>you blink
>must be your eyes adjust to the lack of blue hue
>you cautiously take a few steps forward

>>29903690

>this is definitely impressive
>the room is also circular, but this one is filled with tables
>you walk across the tile underneath as you scan your eyes over the room
>there is so much in here
>it looks like a study
>papers and books scattered everywhere
>you notice the large table in the center of the room has a single memory jar place on top of it
>the flame flickers and flashes a bright shade of venomous purple
>it tasteful accents the gentle colors of the room's interior
>the memory mare walks along side you, gazing directly up at the ceiling
>you look up
>the ceiling is very high up in this room as well
>you figure that it probably reaches ground level
>there is a single, narrow spiraling staircase leading up to what appears to be a second floor above you
>“I-I think that I have been here before”
>you look over to the mare who is cautious trotting around the room, her eyes scanning the notes around her
>huh
>you take a quick glance at one of the books near you
>the title is completely illegible to you
>you cautiously reach out and grasp the book, it feels solid in your hands
>you open up to a random page in the middle
>the worn paper displays a grotesque diagram of a sliced open pony
>yikes, those sketches are way too detailed
>you quickly set the book down and take a couple steps forward, glancing up at the floor above as you walk

>input

- continue exploring room, talk with the mare, what can see remember ?
- go up to the second floor, try to find an exit
- go to the purple flame, maybe view the memory?
- you have a bad feeling, leave this room and try another one of the doors
- any dialogue suggestions
- other (specific)

>>29903698
Frantically search the books for a way to reserve this. Anything to stop the zoduac finding out we came down here in a moment of weakness.

>>29903784
*reverse this.

Bimp.

Satisfying curiosity is so much fun.

Oh hey, this thread is up. Cool.
Gonna get to it after work.

We're probably boned.

>>29903698
>>29905765

So... does that mare suppose the castle was alchemized? Conjured? Where we came from, there were some quite elaborate means of mundane transportation and construction. Could it have been a more advanced civilization of sorts, dating pre-Equestrian times?

"These kind of materials". Which of them does she have in mind? Just the heavy stones or...? Are any of those nowhere to be found around the castle? By the way, has she ever manifested outside of the castle grounds?

That being said, try out a few more books. As the saying goes, do not judge a book by the cover. Hence, I'd recommend against forming an opinion on whoever is in possession of those volumes by checking out just one of them. Check if they stick at least somewhat to the same biological theme.

About those memory jars... does or memory mare have any recollection of having encountered those in the past? In places other than the fire house, that is. What significance would she place on such objects, knowing their function? Wonder if her approach, even presented unconsciously, could tell us something about the purpose for which they were created.

Also, why would a memory jar be here, in a library-looking place like this?

I believe we could indeed go upstairs and check if there is any exit to the surface. Even if end up staying later, it could do us good to secure another route to the castle, assuming the former is there.

Bemp.

>>29903698

She said she thinks she has been here before. Is it just a feeling or does she recognize any particular element of the surrounding?

>>29903784
>>29907138
>>29909077

>>29903698

>you look around the room again
>taking note of the clutter as you shift your gaze
>it strikes you as a bit odd that a memory jar would be in a study
>a lot of things don't quite make sense to you right now though
>your mind keeps drifting back to the idea of the castle itself not being built
>you run through a series of different ideas but none seem to progress your line of thought
>maybe you can get some answer, even if you have to do it in a non direct kind of way
“Hey, so, you know anything about that jar? Why would it be in a study?”
>she blinks and stares towards the center of the room where the fire flickers
>“Oh, yes that is... ah”
>she stomps her hooves in place a bit, irritation creeping across her soft facial features
>“Well, regardless it would make sense for it to be in a study, they help you learn”
>huh, you had never really considered that application for it before
>you nod
“That is interesting, I don't have a good name for them either”
>you put your hands in your pockets subconsciously
>your eyes follow the movements of the colored flame as it rises and falls
“Have you ever manifested outside the castle?”
>the memory mare blinks
>“No, this is the first time that...”
>she pauses and looks down, considering her next words carefully
>“I-I think that this is the first time I have been present. All the other times haven't been me, this is a true awakening”
>she stutters again at the end and continues talking in an off pace
>“I don't remember anything before this I am truly sorry, I feel like I was once a-alive”
>she quivers slightly while she stands
>you move closer to her, close enough for comfort
>you briefly considering resting your hand on her withers, but you hesitate

>>29909253

“It'll be alright, you are here, there is no reason to think you aren't alive”
>she sobers up at your comment and nods gently
>you scratch the back of your neck before speaking again
“Let's check out this upstairs area, maybe there is a way out”
>the memory mare perks up a bit
>“Oh, okay, yeah! That's a good idea”
>she moves nervously in place before looking upward and beginning to trot towards the spiraling staircase ahead of you
>you decide to grab the book you were looking through as you follow the mare upstairs
>you thumb through the pages as you walk slowly upwards
>you can really see the ghostly quality of the memory mare's dress from this distance
>only a portion of her long gray tail is visible
>you return your gaze to the pages, quickly flipping through the book
>trying to find anything you can read
>just more sketches, diagrams
>you settle on a page the appears to be a mapped up diagram of a pony's head
>over sections of the skull are illegible clusters of letters
>you turn the page again but unfortunately the next page is very text heavy
>there are several sections underlined with ink in a sloppy manner
>huh
>you finally reach the top of the stairs to get a better view of the room above
>it looks like a bedroom?
>everything is mostly organized up here, minimal
>the memory mare gasps
>“Oh! So tasteful! This whole place seems oddly familiar, I can't place a hoof on it...”
>it is pretty nice
>nothing too elaborate, but the wood around you and all of the railings are polished and have a real pleasant sheen to them
>the bed is neatly made, it looks inviting
>unfortunately, you notice there are no doors...
>at least if worst comes to worst you have a place to sleep
>you take a deep breath and consider what to do now

>input

>>29909261

- explore more thoroughly upstairs and downstairs

- go back to the memory flame, view memory / investigate further

- leave the room and try a different door, you need to make progress

- maybe it is time to rest? ask memory pone about sleep, try out the bed

- dialogue suggestions

- other (specify)

Bump while I read.

>>29910085
Ok guess it was a bunp while I did other stuff.
Will read shortly.

>>29909261
Check more books. Maybe one of them has a way to reset the hourglass.

Go away stupid 11.

Let's get away from 10.

>>29909253

Well, if that is a "true awakening" of sorts, then I believe we should make use of it while it lasts. That is, avoiding going to sleep, at least. Not to mention the repercussions of going to sleep in someone else's bed without permission.

Since when has she started feeling that way? Since she touched the hourglass or before that...?

No matter that detail, however, in the face of her, feeling better about herself right now. Worth it. Wonder what might we do with it... I'm pondering the theory of this "remembering" place, somehow reconstructing memories into a clear whole. Maybe the reason the memory jar is here is connected to it as well?

If we were to meet someone here, we could inquire about the place.

Also, to what extent may our memory mare go phase through things? Any chance she could get a peek through the ceiling? I wonder whether it wouldn't be better to leave that trail of thought for later though. Might be for the best. Just saving it in case we can't get out otherwise. Needing not to remind her further of her unliving.

I'd say take a peek under the bed. It can often tell stuff about the owner.

Our memory mare expressed her opinion on the room... how about we ask about her fashion taste? That is, how would she decorate her own room, if she had a chance.

Also, try another book, place the one you were checking so far where it belonged and go for the next room. I'll admit, I'm curious as to what else we might find around here! The next one on the list was "R", right? Go for it.

>>29912083

>11?

>>29912887

Shall we?

>>29916127
sure

File: starry_desert_sky_by_inqdeth-dadwebn.jpg (95KB, 800x533px) Image search: [Google]

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>>29911126
>>29914352

I'm gonna work with this input for a bit, I have some good ideas but I need to connect them better. I'll try to update early morning (whenever I wake up), any additional input would be dope

Would you look at that. Page 10.

>>29909261

>you look over to the memory mare
>she is trotting around the room carefully surveying it with her eyes
>taking in all the details around her
>you break the silence
“Yeah, it is nice. What do you like about it?”
>she stops in place and looks back at you
>you can see a spark of a emotion run across her saturated eyes
>“Just look at the proportions! I can tell that all of the spacing was very well thought out”
>you blink and look at her again
>she huffs slightly but continues speaking
>“Just watch”
>she makes it all the way to the corner of the room and begins walking forward slowly and carefully
>“2, 4, 6, 8, 10”
>she is counting in sync with her trotting, increasing by twos each time she covers roughly a body length
>“... 16, 18, 20”
>she stops at the railing and turns to walk along the length
>her pace is steady, normally you'd question this way of measuring something out, but she looks to have this down to a science
>her face scrunches up in concentration as she makes it towards you along the wooden railing overlooking the study below
>“10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20”
>the counting and hoofsteps together are almost too rhythmic
>you start to go into a trance as you walk her continue closer to where you are standing by the bed
>she makes it close to you, after almost having gone around the length of the room
>“32, 34, 36, 38”
>she takes two more steps past where you are and touches the wall
>“40”
>her face sports a proud expression
>she looks over to the bed by where you are standing
>“and I would be willing to bet...”
>she makes it over to the bed with the same rhythmic trot
>“2, 4, 6, 8”
>she stops in an awkward position about half a trot from the bed

>>29919296

>you smile at her
“It's a good thing we didn't make a bet then huh?”
>she looks at you and giggles
>“Oh, on the contrary, the railing to the far wall is 20 metric trots, the bed is going to take up two of those, therefore; for it to be positioned evenly, each side of the room needs to allot 9 trots”
>you don't even know what a metric trot is
>she gives you a smirk before taking a step and leaping up onto the bed
>she notable does not sink through it
>she positions her hooves under her and rest on the bed still giggling softly
>you wonder what is making her so vivid and lively
>if the hourglass had something to do with her awakening, or maybe you are just getting more used to her present...
>it is really hard to say but you welcome the change
>you decide to keep the flow of conversation going as you look around for another book to examine
“So, that's the kinda thing you like with design? Spacing?”
>she nods and replies almost immediately
>“Spacing, but also neatness. Has to be well kept”
>you nod but your mind is drifting else where
>you really want to find something to help you undo that damn hourglass
>there only appears to be one book around, it is onto of the nightstand near the bed
>the solid black cover looks well preserved, but at the same time faded and flavored with time
>the binding is worn, you open the book carefully
>it looks like it's about rocks
>once again, the old text is completely illegible to you
>maybe someone else could read it, but you have nowhere to begin
>it shows black and white drawings of different stones and gems
>you can only differentiate them by the cut of the stone, you imagine color would have been extremely useful...
>it doesn't look like this is going to be immediately useful
>you look back to the memory mare and something clicks

File: 6b92c7bc8e489ebecbd0c7b812576f16_-clipart-letter-r-clipart-letter-r-clipart-black-and-white_256-256.png (6KB, 256x256px) Image search: [Google]

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>>29919320

“We should definitely check under the bed, it could probably tell us a lot about the owner”
>she looks up and clops her hoofs together
>they don't make a sound, but the enthusiastic expression on her face is still amusing
>“Yes! That is a good idea”
>she sits up and steps off the bed carefully as you make it back around
>you lean down and look
>there is a single box underneath
“Yeah, there is something!”
>the memory mare's face lights up
>“Oh! Really?”
>you slide the box out into the open lighting
>it looks very bland
>like an ancient equivalent to cardboard
>at least it isn't locked or anything
>you slowly lift the lid as you take a deep breath
>it's just paper
>wait
>you look more careful
>these are those cards that Pisces had in Water house
>tons of them
>easily 10 or 20 times the amount that she was investigating
“I've seen these before”
>you reach in and grab a stack
>the memory mare just looks at them with curiosity in her eyes
>you flick through the pile of single letters, in a bold black font
>there is a moment of silence before you notice something
>you almost gasp as you stop sorting through the pile
>that looks important
>a single card with tons of letters listed on it, each one accompanied by what looks to be a single word in finer print
>it's some kind of reference
>you can't read the words...
>you look to the mare next to you to gauge her expression
>she is examining the card in your hand carefully

>input

- investigate further downstairs / upstairs
- ask the memory mare more questions
- continue on to room R (or other room)
- which items should you take with you?
- other (specify)

>>29919339
Leave everything where it is in case we find a way to reverse this. If we fimd ourself forced to confess to coming down here we can grab the card.

>>29921346

...

>>29919320

>“Spacing, but also neatness. Has to be well kept”

Wouldn't let her see my room.

This place, whenever it is, seems to be in use. Not what one would expect from an underground, sealed off space. I reckon that we should look around and see who lives around here. Maybe we could ask around and help ourselves this way. Plus, I'll admit, I'm curious.

I'm tempted to suggest taking an empty piece of paper and copying the code. Not sure if the owner, even if he/she/it turns out to be friendly, allows us to see it. Plus, there is a possiblity that we might not return here. Not to mention, that might resolve a lot of mysteries for both Pisces, the rest of the Zodiacs and us.

Ask if the words/letters seems familiar to our memory mare.

Afterwards, I'd suggest leaving things as they were, as >>29919770 suggested and then, trying out the next room!

Many interesting discoveries to be made.

>>29924373

It seems that way, yeah.

Also, is anyone else reminded of Twilight's study? Books on the first floor, bed on the second. Even measurements. Purple flame.

I'm not assuming things. I doubt that is actually the case. I wonder if anyone else got that feeling too, however.

The Anon of this story wasn't acquainted with the Elements, right?

>>29921346