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>>26289950
Joy. The best single word to describe how I feel when a new Long Name thread is up.

Waiting.

>>26289950
Now here's something nice just as I was about to go to bed.

>>26289950
I thought you were gone.
I'm glad I was wrong.

>>26289950
>Hour ago and no second post.
I feel like a battered housewife.

>>26290925
I feel more like Scootaloo in this scenario.
Long Name is my Rainbow Dash.

I just realized that he's waiting for input.

>>26289950
So our mother just got finished saying she never loved us after punching us in the face. Nothing more is going to come of that conversation, and it would only depress the rest of our family to run to them and try and tell them about this fight. Dad would probably be disappointed in both us and mom, and I say we be the bigger person and let it go.

Let's just head home and get some sleep before tomorrow's practicum. The last thing we need is to be up all night ruminating over emotional issues.

> Watching your mother dissapear into the night fills you with inexplicable ennui.
> It was not what you expected.
> Many nights you lamented your mother's existence, many daydreams you spent watching her humiliated.
> Those fantasies always filled you with mirth; slaying proverbial dragons is glorious.
> Middle-aged women seemingly defied that proverb.
> The troubling thoughts do nothing to evict the emptiness, but they do escort you to the dorm.

> The dorms are the largest of the Academy's buildings, forming the core around which the entire facility is laid around.
> A tall four story building, the halls are empty and quiet as the clock tower that raises another two stories from it center strikes two.
> Tommorow's practicum is at noon, and your attendence is to be an hour prior.
> You regret you won't be able to sleep more before your debut as you open the doors to the lobby.
> To your suprise, you hear a pony get up from a chair.

Tulip Blue: "It was getting so late, I was worried you had been abducted by dragons."

> Your friend walks to your side, following you into the stairwell.

Etherbreeze: "Do you think I'd taste good?"

Tulip Blue: "I imagine with those muscles of yours they wouldn't complain too much."

> The two of you giggle quietly.

Etherbreeze: "What are you doing up so late anyways? Are you a bat's marefriend now?"

> Tulip scoffs and shakes her head, as you both reach the fourth floor.

Tulip Blue: "No, ofcourse not. I just wanted to give you a gift for your practicum tommorow. Oswaltz did too but he ended up passing out around midnight."

> Tulip Blue takes out out a small wrapped present, no larger than book.
> You take it, and the second one she produces as well, with your telekinesis.
> It leaves you and your friend standing outside your door, smiling at one another.

>>26291163
Well don't just tear it open in the hallway. Invite her in, sit down, and open the presents.

>>26291163

we should wait for some other time when oswaltz can be around.

>>26291268
Good point. Ask if they can both come by tomorrow morning before the practicum for a last little get together. I can wait until then to find out what our present is. A lot has already happened today, anyway.

>>26291268
>>26291303
Seconding both of these.

>>26291163
>"I imagine with those muscles of yours they wouldn't complain too much."
I keep forgetting that Etherbreeze is reasonably /f/it in addition to being charismatic and intelligent.

It's a good thing she eats it on the mental health scale, because otherwise she would be skirting dangerously close to being OP.

> You look at the presesnts as they float lazily in your magical grasp.
> Opening gifts is always something you look forward to.
> You take mental note however, it is much more enjoyable to shred gift paper with friends.

Etherbreeze: "How about tomorrow evening we go to someplace nice to eat, and I'll open it there with the three of us?"

Tulip Blue: "Might be kind of hard. We figured you'd be too busy having that night of excitement with the dean after the practicum."

> That was true, the dean had a habit of parading his best students in front of the elite after the practicum.

Etherbreeze: "Well, I'll make time somewhere. I would have these gifts in any other way but with both of you."

Tulip Blue: "If you say so, I'll hold you to it."

> Another short giggle and a wink, then she's gone.
> Leaving you curtly to your own devices, to sleep for what remains of the night.
---

> Morning comes as the shrill cry of an alarm, as the clock next to your bed hits the tenth hour of the day.
> The day being THE day, the one that has been on your mind ever since you made the dean's list this year.
> THE hour however, is not quiet yet upon you.
> You have another sixty minutes before that time.

>>26291471
Shit, I thought we'd have more time in the morning. We probably don't have time to meet up with our friends before the practicum for present opening, do we?

>>26291485
They're probably going to be there at the practicum. We can most likely catch them on the way. I mean, I doubt we'll have time for a proper outing, but we can at least say hi and open our gifts.

>>26291403
It's assumed as PC you'll be part of the 1% at the top. Looking at the character sheet I posted forever ago though, you're really not THAT crazy.
--
Robustness 2
-Tough 3
-Buff 2

Smarts 3
-Logic 3
-Savvy 4

Moves 2
-Quick 3
-Control 2

Personality 4
-Panache 5
-Willpower 3
--

2 is the average for Robustness and Moves for unicorns, 2 to 3 is average for smarts and Personality for all ponies.

You're exceptionally personable, and pretty smart. Physically though you're just slightly above the curve.

Anyways, what do you people want to do for this hour? Prepare? Have fun? Try to meet up with peeps? Take a shower? Skip everything and run away just to get arrested by the time police and forced to go to prevent time paradox?

>>26291593
If we don't have time for seeing our friends, just go straight into the routine. Get up, eat a light breakfast, and if we see our parents we could thank them for last night's family dinner.

>>26291614
If we have time, though, I definitely suggest seeing our friends before the big test. We need their emotional support after last night, and I want to see what our present was.

>>26291593
Time paradox sounds fun.

>>26291593
Prepare if there's anything we haven't already obsessed over that we might need to know. Otherwise yeah, let's go see our friends.

>>26291636
I somehow enjoy the idea of fucking with the time police.

Is that a thing we can do?

>>26291700
Maybe. Reality might be drastically different when the flashback ends, though.

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>>26291593
>you're really not THAT crazy
We aren't?

>>26291748
No, we're totally THAT kind of crazy.

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>>26291714
I want to do it so we can meet up with the pony time squad.

Fuck, I have to get some sleep. If this thread dies before I get back up I'm going to shitpost so hard. I've waited too long for this.

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>>26291913
I gotchu familia.

> Been awhile since I last posted
> Forgot the lesson about writing in a word pad first.

Whelp, goodnight

>>26292159
We all make mistakes, Long Name QM. Good to read your quest again.

>>26292902

>>26293358

>>26293788

>>26294295

>>26294867

>>26295487

>>26296344

>>26297263

>>26298196

>>26298813

>>26299290

>>26299873
anus

> The morning comes in the form of a screaming time piece.
> Your attempts to silence the alarm clock with your telekinesis resulted in drowsily throwing it across the room.
> Sadly the percussive attempt didn't actually turn off noisy device, forcing you to roll out of bed and grope around the floor.
> By the time the alarm ends, you are thoroughly awake.
> With an hour before your pre-practicum you begin your morning routine, starting with hygiene.

> The trip to the first floor showers, mare's room, is short and uninterrupted.
> The halls are empty, with even the habitually tardy in class for finals.
> Along with the other dean listers, you took finals a week early so you wouldn't have distraction or undue stress durring the practicum.
> Which was considerate of the dean, as the unknowns of the practicum were already stressful by themselves.
> The showers are similarly abandoned.
> With the hiss of your shower being the only sound, your mind wanders as your hoofs work shampoo into your mane.

> Presents, in your room right now on your shelf.
> Last night you declined opening them so you could do so with your friends later.
> Unfortunately now that a possible later has come, you realize it is a later that will not do.
> While you might have an hour free your friends, like most other ponies at the academy, are stuck in finals.
> Said finals end at 9:30, while you're expected to be at the pre-practicum at 9:00.
> Which means that a later later will need to be found.
> How fun, word play.

> Your shower is quick, and drying is as well.
> You twist your mane dry and blow it, brushing it tenderly until it is presentable.
> Leaving the showers behind, you return to the first floor lobby and look at the clock.
> It's 9:15.
> You have 45 minutes left.

>>26301096
We should do a last little bit of prep and go over what we know about dual spellcasting. I mean, I assume we've already been preparing quite a bit, but topping it off couldn't hurt.

Plus I want to know how it works.

>>26301096
Yeah, what are the rules anyway? Does one person cast and the other assists, or does each person cast half a spell, or what?

>>26301096
Are we going to get to continue the flashback past the practicum so we can celebrate with our friends and open our presents?

>>26301096
Prance around the room daydreaming.

>>26302117
Do this...
>>26301304
...about this.

>>26304854

>>26305367

Sorry for disappearing tonight, I meant to stay on more today and post, but some stuff went down for a friend of mine and they really needed someone to talk to.

Tomorrow (or later today, its 7 am) I plan on getting the rest of the practicum done.

>>26306381
You're west coast? You must have a really messed up sleep schedule.

>>26307359

>>26306381
Could the flashback continue for a bit after that? I really want to attend the party afterwards.

>>26308172

>>26309032

>>26309591

>>26310290

>>26306913
I blame it on my short stint as an overnight stocker.

>>26301304
>>26301530

> One last review before the performance.
> It's prudent, it's logical, it's what you're going to do.
> That is despite the clear temptation to prance around the lobby like a screwball worshipper of the old chaos.
> Life's hard, sacrifices must be made, et cetera.

> You briskly return to your room, grabbing your saddle bag and one highly relevant book titled "Advanced Magical Theorem Part II: Metamagics (4th edition with footnotes by Crystal Clear)".
> As you have so little time you float the book infront of you as you then go down the stairs once more, to be waiting and ready for the pre-practicum.
---

> Part IV: Dual-Casting
> Aka, Multiple-Instance-Spell-Sythesis, aka M.I.S.S
> Many aspects of meta-magical study are for the most part unknown to the average laypony, as their effects are subtle and theories arcane.
> Dual-Casting is an exception to this rule; the practice often results in spectacular effects that are clearly seen by all.
> In this section of the book we will be examining: what Dual-Casting is and isn't; how it is used; the magical theory behind it; potential hazards associated with the practice; and a number of example spells appropriate for practice with a qualified partner.
> In accordance with the Magical Safety act, we recomend that you find a professional instructor to gauge your ability and readiness before attempting any new spells or techniques.

>>26310740

>>26311452

---

> A common misconception is that the colloquially known art of Dual-Casting is merely the act of two practioners casting the same spell at the same time.
> In reality, the interactions that make Dual-Casting actually Dual-Casting happens prior to the execution phase of casting.
> A brief review, basic Spell casting has four stages: Shaping, Casting, Execution, conclusion.
> Dual-Casting however adds a fifth step between the casting stage (when magical energy is used to 'power up' the shaped spell) and the actual execution phase (when the spell is released and 'happens').
> That phase is where the proper name comes from, Multiple Instance Spell Sythesis.
> Durring the M.I.S.S phase, the spells being cast are woven into each other before they are actually cast, in a process similiar to the shaping phase.
> The result is a completely new and complex spell, that is then executed by both ponies simultaneously.

> It is important to contrast this to cooperative spells and understand the difference.
> Cooperative spells are when two ponies engaging in the shaping of a single spell durring the shaping phase.
> Dual-Casting happens when two cast spells are made into a single new spell before being executed.

---

> The section on the magical theory is full of diagrams and equations for magical interactions.
> Its stuff you've practiced long and hard, but is not very practical knowledge.
> You skim through this section for what little is important.
> You then proceed to the much more pertinent section of dangers.
---

>>26311463


> Dual-Casting when implemented improperly can be dangerous to both the casters and those around them.
> Because the spells are already cast, failure durring the M.I.S.S stage almost always results uncontrolled executions.
> This is because unlike miscasts (in which a shaped spell fails to properly cast), the imperoperly synthesized spell has already been cast successful.
> The outcome is very much like executing a non-functional spell by forcing more energy into it durring the casting phase: its effects are erratic, uncontrollable, unpredictable, overpowered.

> Unlike non-functional spells, improper Dual-Casting can result in 'hungry spells' (spells that do not conclude, and instead keep draining magical energy from those that cast it until nothing is left to sustain it).
> Because of the erratic nature of a bad Dual-Cast, the drain and stress can and usually do cause permanent damage to a pony's body.
> In some cases damage to the soul and mind can also occur, similiar to Dark magic discussed in book I of Advanced Magical Theorem.

> The Magical Safety Guidelines put forth by Magical Safety Act state that only qualified practicioners should attempt to dispel Hungry spells.
> If you have not been certified for dealing with hungry spells and dark magic do not attempt to dispel.
---

>>26291593
So, we're a unicorn that's as tough as a lazy earthpony, and as quick as a lazy Pegasus?

bomp

>>26311452
>>26311463
>>26311481
When you said Dual Casting, I pictured something much closer to what you described as Cooperative Casting: two unicorn working together to cast a single difficult spell. Instead it seems Dual Casting is closer to two casters casting their own spells and then crossing the streams. That sounds really, really dangerous. In fact, that sounds like Wild Magic.

Is there any limit to what spells can be combined? What happens if they are too different? What happens if you combine a flight spell with an illusion spell, or another combination that has nothing to do with each other?

>>26311505
Pretty much. If you haven't noticed, we're kind of the wrong species.

>>26311481
Skip ahead to the section of the book that talks about the "conclusion" step of spellcasting, just in case we accidentally make a hungry spell that we need to put a stop to quickly before it eats our brain.

Not that that would happen.

>>26311997
boomp

>>26312794

>>26313637
bümp

>>26314163
búhmp

>>26312445

It's not in that book (since Conclusion is basic magical theory), but I'll talk about it here.

A good analogy for spells are buckets. In the shaping phase you make the bucket, in the casting phase you fill up the bucket with water, in the execution phase you turn bucket upside down, and in the conclusion phase the water pours out and does stuff.

Hungry spells are different because they don't just use the water inside of them, they keep pulling water from everything around them. The more they pull, the bigger the bucket gets though, and that means more pulling, etc, until the bucket explodes or all sources of water are gone.
--

> You close the book, and sit down.
> You're in the auditorium now, having read and walked your way from the dorms.
> It's empty save for a small sign on the stage announcing its reservation for the practicum.
> The clock discretely worked into the arch over the main enterance and exit read out 8:47.
> Absent-mindedly you touch up your hair as you wait.

> You spirit away your brush into your pack at the sound of others entering the auditorium.
> The first students trickling in are —like you— unicorns, and join you at the front row.
> Within minutes others appear as well, totalling up to ten (counting yourself) by the time the clock strikes ten.
> Despite that, the Dean is mysteriously absent.
> As soon as her absence was realized, the murmurs of excitement began.

> The point of discussion seems to be the mystery guest that the dean is rumored to have roped into the practicum this year.
> The other topic is who will be paired with who, but that seems secondary on everyponies' mind.
> Slowly the conversation grows from a quiet murmur to a casual chat.
> You could join in, or you could just wait until the dean arrives.

> Of the other nine ponies with you, you only recognize two.
> Peppersnaps, son of a local baker who got in on a scholarship and...
> Pewter, the daughter of famous architect and sculptor.

>>26315531
Are Peppersnaps and Pewter sitting anywhere near to each other so we could talk to both? If not, then I pick Peppersnaps arbitrarily, completely on the basis of him having a cooler name.

Talk to them and see if they've heard any rumors. About the mystery guest, about what we'll be dual casting, or anything else.

>>26315531
So how do we end a hungry spell? Slam the bucket against the ground so nothing can get in? Or do you have to reverse the shaping phase to try and "unmake" the bucket?

>>26315531
Without getting up, we should look around for our parents or brother. I hope they made it here to see us complete our practicum uneventfully and as it was intended to be performed.

>>26315758
Well, you either get drained, or you cast another spell while being drained to dispel it... But that's like casting two spells at once so most people can't.

aka, getting a second bucket, filling it with more water than the hungry bucket has (while it is still sucking water out of you) and then beating up the hungry bucket with it.

>>26316065
It's an hour prior to the actual event. You were told to come and hour early to get directions.

>>26315625
They are sitting next to one another, but there is a pony you've never met in between you.

>>26316204
>there is a pony you've never met in between you
Talk to them, then. Introduce yourself. Ask if they have any idea what's going on.

>>26316402
That's probably Emberspark, or whatever his name was. Shit. I don't suppose we can change our seat without the time police coming after us, can we?

>>26316446
You don't want to fuck with the time police.

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Now how'd she get up there...

boop

>>26317654

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>>26316846
How cute! She looks so clueless.

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>>26318243
What the hell? Wrong image.

>>26316846
That's inhumanly adorable.

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>>26316846
I must hug that pony.

>>26318243
Hayseed Airstate confirmed for Finland.

>>26318672
Who's the Soviets?

>>26318724
The kingdom of... raintorrent or whatever the GM called it. I think it had torrent in it somewhere.

>>26318761
Weren't they the ones who fucked up their own weather factories? Torrento, I think.

>>26318774
Yes, that's the one. The place we're going to politically bitchslap with our mighty charisma score.

>>26316402
This

>>26318724
>>26318761
>>26318774

Aren't they really tiny? I mean, they're in those mountains by the Badlands.

If anything Equestria is the soviets

>>26318774
What's the story behind that?

>>26320176
Something something civil war, Equestrian attack, packing the factories with offensive magic gone wrong. I can't remember correctly, really.

>>26320176
It used to be called Windsweep, a city of only unicorns. They used magically powered weather machines because they had no pegusi. A lot of the fighting of the Sisters War was done there.

Afterwards, Celestia tried to help them rebuild, but they were already too pissed off to accept the help. Instead they filled their weather machines up with pure hate and used them to blot out the sun and moon with endless torrential rain (hence "Torrento").

Now the sky is just luminous green fog in Torrento, and there is no sun, no moon, no stars, and no clouds.

If you want the full version: https://desustorage.org/mlp/thread/26031398/#26043691

>>26319921

>>26320675
I can't find the part about pure hate.

I do see the part about the armies screwing up the weather machines and a huge earthquake.

Are these related? IS IT A CONSPIRACY?

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>>26321191

>>26321065

>>26321191
I didn't mean literal pure hate, I just meant that you have to be pretty fucking angry with the princesses to be willing to blot out the sun and moon just to spite them.

bomp

>>26322859
boohmp

>>26323364
brump

>>26321191
>>26321279
Aliens abducted my sides.

>>26315531
> Having spent a few classes with them, you naturally want to join in the conversation that Peppersnaps and Pewter were having.
> The only problem was talking over another pony, namely the one between yourself and your acquaintances, was bad form.
> To solve that problem you lean ever so slightly to the side and try to introduce yourself.

Etherbreeze: "Excuse me, I don't think we've met before. You are?"

> The mystery student looks away from the conversation being had by Peppersnaps and Pewter to look at you.

Bubble Brook: "Ah, me? I'm Bubble Brook, pleasure to meet you."

> He holds out a hoof to shake, which you do.

Etherbreeze: "Likewise. I'm Etherbreeze."

> Like her name, she giggles and gives you a happy shake before making herself casual once more in her seat.

Bubble Brook: "What about you? Heard any news about the dean's mystery guest?"

Etherbreeze: "None at all. I was hoping to join in and learn a bit myself."

> With that you expertly insert yourself into the conversation.
> Earlier this morning some students saw guard ponies snooping around the campus.
> Many —dean's list include— are taking that to mean the rumor of an important guest has merit.
> The prevailing theory is that the guest is none other than Tinsel, canterlot's chief of magical security.
> Still others insist it must be proper royalty, while a some jokingly suggest the absurd.

Spinner: "Really, I'm sure it'll be a Changeling."

Pewter: "That is literally the stupidest thing I've heard all day. Stop it, you're hurting my head."

>>26324154


> The hushed conversation between the ten unicorns slowly grows to a normal volume.
> The conversation switches between specifics of practicum and the guest.
> Then at 9:10 the doors slam open, and awkwardly the room goes silent again.
> Dean Ivorenne raises an eyebrow as she stands in the auditorium's main entrance.
> A few of the ponies try to hide an embarrassed reddening of their face as they quiet down.

Ivorenne: "Ah, students. Forgive me for being tardy."

> Each of her steps echo loudly, as she comes up to the stage.
> Before speaking again, she takes a long look at the ten students in front of her.

Ivorenne: "Each and every one of you have worked hard the last four years, seeking excellence in academics. Today is the last of your trials, and soon you will be joining an exclusive elite. Perform well in your test, prove your excellence, and you'll become part of the Academy's history."

> Your dean pulls out five cards, floating them about her head as she talks.

Ivorenne: "On these cards are the names of two ponies, and a spell. The ponies named will be partners for the practicum, and have half-an-hour to prepare as they see fit. The only stipulation is that while you may study the spell, none of you may cast it until the practicum. Now, without further ado..."

> She brings one of the cards infront of her, and reads off the names on it.

Ivorenne: "Emberspark and Etherbreeze."

>>26324168
Present.

Do we know who Emberspark is? Have we met him before?

>>26324168
Go up and take the card. Emberspark will be getting up too, so we'll get to see who he is. Check what spell is written on there, too.

>>26324168
Glance out the door as we go up to collect our card. Maybe we can catch a glimpse of whoever our mystery guest is.

Baaamp.

>>26324943
Boooomp.

>>26325582
Brump.

>>26326207
Burrbermp.

>>26326773
Last bump before bed.

>>26324168

> Being called upon, you stand and approach the stage.
> Another unicorn a seat from the other end of the group does as well.
> Only after you are both infront of her does Ivorenne lowwer a card to you.
> Both you and Emberspark grab it with your magic at the same time, though as the poster-child of good behavior you let him take it.
> He returns the favor by hovering it in a place you both can see it, once you take seats again.

> The card on one side has your name and his written elegantly with ink.
> On the reverse is a hand-written spell formula in standard notation.
> The text is small, a necesary step to fit so much onto such a comparative small space.
> Despite that, it is fluid and readable: proof of exquisite and trained calligraphy.

> Unable to converse while the dean slowly hands out the other cards, you (and you presume Emberspark as well) silently puzzle out the unamed spell.
> Having studied the notation quirks of dual-cast spells, you don't have much trouble reading the formula.
> Actually peicing together the abstract notation into a practical understanding is more troublesome.
> Ivorenne finishes passing out cards before you can form a clear picture of what the spell actually IS.

Ivorenne: "Now then, you each have thirty minutes to figure out these spells. If you take the left exit off the stage, you'll find a series of sound proofed musical practice rooms. Each group will be taking one to discuss the upcoming spell in. If you have any questions I'll be waiting in the hall, otherwise don't leave your rooms until the thirty minutes is up."

> With that she directs you all out the left exit, out into a hallway lined with doors.
> You and Emberspark take one, and the others take their own.

>>26327535

> Once isolated from the others, you and Emberspark get straight to work.
> Each part of the spell is discussed, Embarspark showing himself to be both flamboyant and smart.
> By the fifteen minute mark you finally figure out with certainty what the spell does: creates a animate chromatic bird of unburning flame.
> Animate in that it will obey the direction of one of the casters.
> Chromatic in that is would scintillate a rainbow of colors
> Unburning in that the flames would provide warmth without danger.

>>26327552
I'm gonna hit the sack now. Come up with stuff you'd like to talk about with your partner. Or just tell me to skip.

>>26326207

>>26328563

>>26327552
Okay, so we have several aspects to this spell, and only two casters to make it happen. We need to divide up tasks.

1) Make fire
2) Make fire harmless
3) Make fire colorful
4) Shape fire into bird
5) Set bird up so it is controllable

Ask Emberspark what magical field he majored in and which of these tasks he might be most comfortable with. We need to divide these task up into two spells.

>>26329291
I say we split it up conceptually into the modification of the flame and the transformation of the modified flame into a bird. One of us makes the flame colorful and harmless, and one of us makes the flame obedient and a bird.

>>26327552
>animate in that it will obey the direction of one of the casters
It looks like this spell isn't just a "fire and forget" type of spell, because if it is being continuously controlled by just one of us then we're going to have to leave the spell connected to one of our minds. And then if we fuck up, we have a defective spell hooked straight into our brainmeat.

I guess what I'm saying is that whoever is the bird guy has a significantly more dangerous job than the fire guy. We should volunteer to be the bird caster, and let Emberspark be the fire guy. After all, he has fire in his name.

>attaching our brain directly to a dangerous spell
I forsee no problem with this.

>>26330053
I know right? I'm just sitting back thinking "What will go wrong?"

>>26330553

>>26330553

Writing up a post.

Meanwhile, come up with an idea of what Emberspark looks like. It'll be fun!

>>26332081
Embers glow red. Sparks glow yellow.
Emberspark should be yellow with a red mane.

>>26332315
Preferably yellow closer to the head and red farther, so it would look like a flame.

>>26332430
Red as we move farther down, farther back, or what?

>>26332451
Farther from the head. Up, back, down, whatever really. Depends on his mane's style.

>>26332476
What about a cutiemark?

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>>26332315
>>26332430
>>26332451
>>26332476
With that color palate, I was unable to prevent making him look like a weird OC. Sorry.

>>26333041
We can always choose another color for the coat and make the mane fancy-looking flame thingy.

Or we can just roll with the presented design, maybe saturate the colours or something.

Sorry for the delay. I had to pick up groceries. Also dialogue is hard.
>>26329291
>>26329332
>>26329375

Etherbreeze: "So, Emberspark. You're good with the fire side of the spell?"

> The unicorn looks at you as though you have no face.

Emberspark: "Do you even need to ask?"

Etherbreeze: "Just being polite."

> Emberspark rests a hoof on your shoulder.

Emberspark: "We're on the dean list, we're clearly smart enough to skip the niceties and not get offended."

> He then walks to a bench in front of the practice room's piano and sets himself down.

Emberspark: "So yea, I'll do the pyromantic half if you're good with the other. Might as well stack things in our favor right?"

> For a moment you want to whack him upside the head for being so annoyingly pompous.
> Instead you agree with him; there is no reason to set yourself up for failure in a team effort.

Etherbreeze: "Naturall-"

Emberspark: "Not that we need any luck or favor. We figured out the spell in half the time expect."

> You close your eyes and bring yourself to a calm.
> No amount of violence you could visit upon him, nor scathing words, would be worth failing the practicum over.
> Or so you tell yourself, as a white lie.

Emberspark: "So, Etherbreeze. Could you give me the pleasure of your story?"

> No.
> You mentally will him to fall catatonic.

Emberspark: "I mean, knowing more about one another is a clear benefit to working together."

> A hint of flirtation in his voice seeps through.
> Talking to him would be a terrible idea.
> You realize however if you say nothing, he won't stop talking.
> At this point that is immeasurably worse.
> With a deep breath, you halt his blabbering with your own words.
---

what say?

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>>26333059
You're right, he looks better with the mane being the flame-colored part.

>>26333446
This guy is pompous as hell, but we should let it go. I get the impression that we grew up having to let a lot of things go. We wouldn't even risk eating shrimp in public. Honestly though, it's not a bad thing that we are in the habit of being the better person.

>>26333446
I'd rather not distract myself from what's ahead, sorry

>>26333622
> I'm Awesome
> Cutie mark is literally himself
I find this too funny

>>26333622
You know, his coat could stay this way. Gray. Maybe make it ash gray. Candle cutie mark was okay, I think. If anyone has a better idea, please share it.

>>26333446
I know we're stress from the test but let's calm down. We've surely dealt with LOTS of ponies like him before.

Let's try to deflect by asking him to talk about himself first, hopefully he'll blab until time to go out.

>>26333751
This. He's annoying, but we're not going to stoop to his level.

>>26334540
>>26334543
Hivemind applies to bumping too, apparently.

wump

>>26333446
>>26333751
>>26333827

> You open your mouth ever so slightly before closing it again.
> Chosing not to insult him, you put a smile on you face instead and turn around.

Etherbreeze: "Well, why don't you start first Emberspark?"

> You cringe as his face lights up with another chance to speak.
> Like watching a hammer come down on your face, you listen as he spills his life story.
> He was born into a middle class family.
> He loved fireworks
> He got his cutie mark from working with fireworks.
> He got a scholarship to study magic, which he wanted to use to do better fireworks.
> You let him ramble on, asking questions like tossing a log on a fire to keep it burning.

> Eventually the sound of his voice faded away, and you watched him move his mouth.
> It left you with just the image of his mouth opening and closing.
> Sometimes he also threw his head back to laugh at his own joke or funny circumstance.
> You also notice how he waves his right hoof infront of his face with every few sentences, as if to make a point.
> So engrossed in finding more to loathe, you almost jump at the sound of another voice.

Ivorenne: "You have five more minutes. When you're ready come to the back of the stage and wait to be called upon."

> When she closes the door, you look back to Emberspark.
> He gets ready to speak again, and this time you listen.

Emberspark: "If we go now we'll be the first ones out there. Maybe we'll get a peek at who this mystery guest is."

> For once he says something that catches your interest.
> An added bonus, he won't be able to talk so loudly from stage side.
> You trade out your plastic smile for an authentic one.

Etherbreeze: "Don't let me stop you."

> You follow him out, through the hallway and to the backstage entrance.
> Ember-spark pushes the door open slowly, letting you through before quietly shutting it behind him.

>>26335462
Behold the guest of honor.

>>26335462
Is Twilight there?

>>26335462
I think Etherbreeze is being pretty harsh.

>>26333622
I think he needs to keep the im awesome cutie mark.
It's just too funny.

>>26335847
She is, but we already know she kinda has a temper. Look at her interactions with Etherwing or her mother, for example. When someone acts like a twat in front of Etherbreeze, she boils over inside. All we can do is keep reminding her that she is a noble, and should try her best to act like one. Let things go and be a fucking adult about it.

I think she actually manages her temper reasonably well, considering. For example, she wanted to storm out of the restaurant in a huff because her mother was being a bitch, but we managed to get Etherbreeze to keep her cool until they could have words in private.

Everyone has character flaws, and Etherbreeze has a temper.

>>26335913
Agreed. I know it's damaging to the seriousness of the quest but it's just too funny.

Hey OP, why were you gone for so long during that hiatus?

>>26336014
I second this question and wish to add "Hey OP, could you please tell us when you're planning on running again at the end of each session?"

>>26336014
It's due to some personal drama in my life, I didn't want to bog down your lives with my personal crap so I didn't talk about it.

Drama: I got a job working as an overnight stocker, thinking that even though I'm out of shape I could 'tough it out'. I was able to tough out the pain, but I got so nauseous from working that it was hard to drink water durring my breaks. What I did drink made it worse so I wasn't able to eat anything for my lunch break. By the third day I was shaking so badly I was cutting myself up with the box cutters.

To get to the job I went from a normal sleep schedule to working midnight to 10, so I was also losing out on a lot of sleep.

I also have anxiety issues, and the physical exhaustion combined with the fact my cat got diagnosed with cancer was making absolutely miserable. I ended up quitting mid-shift, and then slept for a good 26 hours.

It took me a week to really get back into things again.

>>26336036
I try to post once or twice a day, so that everyone can have time to read what's going on. If I plan on being on hiatus I'll try to inform you. I would have last time but, well, I'm not as strong a person as I wish I was at times.

Also, I'm writing up another post.

>>26335462
>>26335462

> None of the other student pairs are backstage yet, and the dean is absent as well.
> From the other side of the curtain, you can hear an audience talking in hushed conversations.
> Curiously you and Emberspark walk to the off right, looking out at what you can see of the audience from there.

> The house is full, but no dignitaries nor especially prestigious attendees are to be found.
> You do spy your family however.
> Your father, mother, and younger brother are sitting in the second row from the front, near the center.
> The three of them are quietly chatting about something, amusing themselves until the dean arrives to present.
> Failing to find any evidence to dispel your curiosity, you tug at Emberspark to return to the backstage proper.

Emberspark: "I thought for certain we would be able to get look at our guest of honor. What a drag."

> For the first time in your breif acquaintance you agree with him.

Etherbreeze: "I'm sure we'll find out who and if soon enough. You still have that card?"

Emberspark: "The card? Yea."

> He telekinetically plucks it from its resting place between his mane and ear, floating it to you.
> You take it from him and review it one last time, starting to feel the pressure of the event push against you.
> It isn't hard to pushes back down your hysteria, but it does fuel your last minute fact checking of the spell.
> Emberspark on the other hand lazily pulls up a chair from the stage props and relaxes.

> Soon after, two other student pairs come in.
> They too look from the off right, and then return.
> After waiting another minute, the last three pairs return.
> All ten of you waiting in the back, Ivorenne makes her return.
> Before heading out to address the audience, she smiles.

Ivorenne: "It's almost 'showtime' as they say. I look forward to all of your performances."

> Then she goes out on stage and addresses the crowd.

>>26336131
Listen intently to the dean's speech, while still keeping an eye on the doors for our mystery guest.

>>26336096
I am sorry to hear that. I had a job like that once and I lost ten pounds in a month. It isn't worth your health. I hope you find a better one.

>>26336131
What's the speech? When is Twilight coming out? How badly is our spell going to go? I'm giddy with anticipation.

>>26336131

> It is a standardized speech, but you listen to it from behind stage out of respect and habit.
> Ivorenne drones about the prestigious nature of the academy.
> It's contribution to Equestria.
> A long tradition of giving the brightest and best mares and stallions the tools they needed to build a better future.
> After a good ten minutes of speaking however, her monologue takes a decidedly unorthodox direction.

Ivorenne: "Since the beginning, it was the success of an individual that was celebrated here in these hallowed halls. Tonight however, that tradition will be changing in recognition of the changes we've seen in Equestria."

> You hear the dean move on the stage as she pauses.
> Presumably she made some sort of gesture to emphasize her words.

Ivorenne: "It was less than a decade ago that numerous disasters reared their head, each threatening the very fabric of our society. Every time, it was revealed that the strength of an individual alone was incapable of leading us back to prosperity. Instead we were reminded that friendship, that working together, was greater than any scheme or power."

> Interrupting the speech, Emberspark jostles you with a bump.

Emberspark: "She sure is a motor mouth, isn't she?"

> You swallow your desire to hiss at him.

Ivorenne: "To help this sacred place of learning reinforce its dedication to the ideals of friendship and cooperation, I'm am pleased to announce that this years practicum has been designed by her highness Twilight Sparkle, Princess of friendship."

> The audience is silent for a moment, as you hear the main entrance's double doors open.
> Then the room fills with applause thereafter.
> Meanwhile backstage, nine ponies and you look at each other with pallid faces.

>>26336454
Oh my god, it's the pony that was born a unicorn and then grew wings.

Teach us your secrets, Twily.

>>26336454
Check if that took some of the air out of Emberspark's tires.

>>26336454
Panic.

>>26336577
Well, they said 9+you ponies, that means Emberspark too. It seems he too realizes that its srs bsns time

>>26336559
Twilight: Well, I drank a bunch of Zebra cum...

cant wait to see this idiot ruin twiots characterization

>>26336793
>I can't wait to see if this idiot ruins Twilight's characterization.
FTFY

I guess we're done for the night.

Bump.

>>26337374
Seems like it. But long name is improving, he had more than two posts today!

>>26337374

>>26336694
>>26336793
Was this the shortest CYOA raid ever or something?

>>26338545

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This thread is in desperate need of pixel Etherbreeze.

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>>26339488
Don't forget the filly version.

>>26339422

>>26340782

>>26335962
The scary part is you can have her pissed off and you wouldn't know it until she's about blow your head off. Etherbreeze can be a frightening, hate-fueled little pony.

Guess Long Name drawfag will have to start drawing her as always angry, all the time.

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>>26342380
Can do!

>>26343192
The longer I look at this, the more unsettling I find it.

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>>26343800
That might be because I forgot to draw half of her eyes. Allow me to fix that.

>>26343192
The more you art the more I liker her palette. All the warm colors blend together to make my eyes feel comfy. Either way, nice work.

>>26343890
Thanks, m8. It's just a shame that all those warm colors apparently come from an inner flame of boundless rage.

>>26344865

>>26345348

Writing a post now, est twenty minutes.

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>>26346897
All of my yay.

Twilight Sparkle: "Before I can talk about what's going to be done here today to test these students, I'd like to thank Miss Ivorenne for inviting me to be part of this event. As you all know the practicum is a deeply rooted tradition both for the Academy and the academic community in Canterlot. Being part of it is an honor, and I'm happy to see changes in the establishment to encourage ponies working together."

> Twilight's speech was a fine example of diction.
> Each word was poised and practiced, yet enthusiastically authentic.
> For the audience it was a treat no doubt to participate in an event with a princess as a guest.
> For those backstage it was a nightmare.

> Bubble Brooke is bubbling how ridiculous the sudden turn of events is.
> His partner is palming her own face.
> Peppersnaps and Pewter meanwhile seem to be enthusing one another giddily.
> The other two pairs are in a circle trying to calm one another down.
> And Emberspark is leaning against the wall with a smug grin.
> Or a flirtatious grin.
> You really hope it's the former.

Emberspark: "Looks like we'll have an audience actually worth our time"

> He shrugs with smirk.

Emberspark: "But I guess important ponies love to watch beautiful ones like us."

> You don't spit on his face when he gives you a wink.
> You just smile.
> And nod.
> While you suffer, Twilight finishes onstage.

Twilight Sparkle: "-so without further explanation, I am pleased announce the first pair to present: Bubble Brook and Thistle!"

> Thistle jumps upon being called, almost ignoring her partner to walk out on stage.
> To her benefit she happens to see Bubble standing still, still in a stew and unaware of being called.
> She gives him a shove, and gestures to the front.
---

> You, Emberspark, and the other three pairs gather to the off-right to watch the first chosen pair perform.
> Her highness and the dean stand aside off-left to give the Bubble Brooke and Thistle room for their practicum.

>>26347172
Lets see how they do.

>>26347172
I'm actually really curious to see what you can do with dual spells.

I have to say, I'm really looking forward to ending this flash back. Flash Backs feel more like writing a green text than an actual quest.

>>26347172

> Whatever anxiety the two had shown behind stage, it was gone now that they face their audience.
> The hush of the crowd grows into a deafening roar as the two close their eyes to focus.
> Laying on the stage innocuously until now, you notice a seed glow intensely.

> Then with a loud hiss and a snap the seed explodes outward in intertwining sprouts.
> Twisting around one another, the vines surge forward as they weave a shape of a pony.
> As they grow, another wave of change comes from the last remanent of the seed's shell, the vines tightening as a sheet of ice forms over the plant-form frame.

> Not yet finished, a second pulse of light emits, as rivulets of water flow to the head and rear of the statue, flowing against gravity to form a mane and tail.
> From where the water came, now existed fine details.
> In the course of fifteen seconds, the two have transformed a seed into a life-like statue of a pony.

> As soon as they open their eyes and conceal a huff of exhaustion the audience bursts into applause.
> From the stage side you and the others give your own silent applause.
> After taking a bow, Twilight then steps forward to them with the dean beside her.

Twilight Sparkle: "Wonderful work."

Ivorenne: "Indeed."

> The dean then turns to the audience: "I am pleased to announce that as of now, Bubble Brook and Thistle have joined the ranks of the academy's most honored students!"

> The audience again applauds, and while they noisily show their admiration the dean puts a hoof on Brook's shoulder and smiles.

Ivorenne: "Congratulations, both of you. You've made me very proud."

>>26347673
You can just fast forward to our performance to make things faster.

>>26347673
It does kinda feels like a green, yes, but fortunately you're a good writer, so I'm enjoying it anyway.

>>26348546
If you absolutely insist, sure, but personally I'm enjoying the hell out of this.

>>26349041
Maybe to speed it up without skipping we could just list off what everyone's spell was and how they did in one go? Like as if Etherbreeze was distracted by what is on her mind and is just glancing up when she hears applause.

>>26349041
I don't insist, I was just suggesting.

>>26349066
I wasn't trying to say you were insisting, I was just curious how badly you wanted this to be over. I have a vague preference to see it out, but if other people want to skip ahead I wouldn't be too disappointed.

I wonder if all the spells will be about changing the physical properties of things to become more complex. Plant and water becomes a pony, fire and light becomes a bird. It seems very Twilight-like to make a nicely organized set of spells centered around a theme.

We're so close to frying our brain that I can almost taste it.

Hype.

>>26351465

>>26352302

>>26352986

>>26353631

>>26354329

>>26350271
Exciting, isn't it?

Sorry for being later than usual, I'm going to have to deal with dinner stuff and then I'll be posting

>>26347673

>>26355765
It was before the bumping started.

>>26356224
Yay.

>>26356224
Eat dinner faster. I want to heroically save everyone at tremendous risk to our own health and sanity.

> Next to be called are the two students you actually know: Peppersnaps and Pewter.
> Before absconding from the stage to let the two present, Twilight levitates from off-right a large block of tin and sets it front and center.
> Your colleagues both breathe deeply and begin their practicum.
> At first the block glows as the two focus their concentration, but then dims.

> For a moment your heart skips a beat at the thought of witnessing a failing spectacle.
> Yet from the sidelines you see Twilight smile knowingly as the two Unicorns continue their spell, sweat coalescing on their foreheads.

> Then after a good twenty seconds, a bulge appears on the top of the cube.
> That bulge then elongates further, becoming a stem that reaches out and begins to branch.
> The corners too swell and then length, the metal lump thinning as it grows roots.
> A sphere of copper, held within the tin block, is revealed at the base of the tree as it consumes the tin to grow.
> Contrasting the previous spell's intense pace, this one is peaceful and slow.

> The tree fully formed, the copper sphere then shrinks as veins of yellow-brown flow up from trunk.
> The glowing metal bleeds from the branches, slowly unfurling into leaves.
> In the stage lighting, the leaves shine iridescently.

> After casting for five minutes, the unicorns let out a sigh of relief as they end the spell.
> The audience gives them gracious applause in return.
> The dean and her highness both return to the stage to congratulate the two for their performance, and then send them back.
> Rather than getting rid of the tree, Twilight lifts it and sets it on the stage side.

Twilight Sparkle: "For the third presentation I am happy to present Emberspark and Etherbreeze."

> You naturally look up, and she meets your gaze.
> You feel as though you've been exsanguinated.
> Your throat clenches as your lungs tighten around nothing.
> Electricity arcs across your back and your skin curdles.

>>26357485
what does curdling skin feel like?

>>26357485
We are ready. And we pull this through. We are Etherbreeze and we don't step down from a challenge

>>26357485
Ponies working together to turn something into something else. I wonder where Twilight got that idea?

>>26357485
Uncurdle skin, unclench throat, walk out with head high, and try not to let anyone see that it's all an act and you're this close to hyperventilating and passing out in the middle of the stage.

>>26357485

[1/2]

> Then the moment passes as her gaze passes from you to Emberspark.
> You both walk out on stage and meet the audience.
> The buzz of anxiety evaporates, as the pressure relives you of feeling.
> You barely hear her highness return to the offside to give you and your partner room.
> Emberspark gives you a nod with a grin.
> You both close your eyes and retreat into your own concentration.

> Although you make no movements of the flesh, you begin to reenact an intricate dance from memory alone.
> Your body tingles in anticipation as you shape your spell.
> Your mind begins to strain —like a muscle flexing— as you hold the spell's shape.

> 'Holding' it in place, you pull up from within you magic.
> You feel your legs warm as your tattoos react, but that is something you've grown used to.
> The magic floods into the spell, but you keep your 'hold' tight.

> Although you cannot see through closed eyelids, you can feel Emberspark's spell forming near you.
> It, like yours, 'glows' with unreleased energy.
> It is here you depart from the norm of casting.
> You let your spell begin, magic flowing through the spell and into the world.
> As it unravels and blooms however you thread it through Emberspark's spell.
> It takes speed and precision, as the metaphorical thread and needle-head both are twisting and growing with each passing moment.

>>26358046

> As soon as you do however, you feel a resounding shift in your being.
> You are suddenly aware of Emberspark in a way you've never been aware of another pony before.
> It isn't such that you can read his mind, but you can feel his thoughts and mental actions in colors a thousand times more vibrant than the most neon of paints.
> As you are plunged into new world of sensation, the two spells begin to twist about one another.
> Each twist creates changes that reverberate through both ends of the spell, slowly binding the two spells into one.
> What was once your spell, has become the shell of this gestalt.
> Emberspark's becomes a tempestuous core.

> It grows and crackles, as the spell begins to enter the final phase of casting.
> In the world of physical things, a flame filled bubble has appeared.
> It is shuddering, as each passing moment stretches its form into that of a great bird.

> Somewhere in that spell though, you feel a sliver slip out of place.
> For a moment you feel as though time has stopped.
> Your legs feel weak as you instinctively realize what happens: your half of the spell is falling apart.
> Powerless to do anything but vainly continue, you wait for the inevitable with a growing despair.

> Yet the moment passes in your mind, but nothing happens.
> The spell does not unravel.
> Your eyes don't fly open, nor do you scream in pain.
> No spell fluctuates in your mind, no magic flows from you into the failed spell.
> The next moment moves into the next, and then that moment becomes a minute.

>>26358049
So Etherbreeze felt a sliver of spell slip out of place and assumed it was her fault.

It could just as easily been Emberspark's. While connected they'd be able to feel each other's spells.

>>26358130
what if we actually are the reason why Emberspark's spell went crazy? We set the entire place aflame

>>26358343
So we caused the problem and solved it? That's some hit and miss magic, right there.

>>26359493
basically. In the process of the spell fucking us over, we created our imaginary sister

>>26359589
I'm still kinda hoping that it was Emberspark that fucked up instead of us, because he was so damn cocky about his ability.

>>26360098
me too, honestly, but all evidence so far points to us

>>26360620
We still don't know for sure. She said it felt like something is wrong on her half of the spell, but that could mean anything. Did Etherbreeze fuck up her casting? Did Emberspark screw up his half, and it's draining Etherbreeze's part of the spell? Did they both do fine but the tattoos are interfering? Is there a "shard out of place" in Etherbreeze's part of the spell because that part of the spell relies on some part of Emberspark's spell that he forgot to put it?

We just don't know who is at fault yet.

>>26360683
I guess you're right. Let's wait and see
Although us screwing up would make for a very dark secret

im more worried about the ending bit. why did time apparently stop?

>>26361232
Sheer bloody panic, I think.

>>26360683
It's because the spell was designed by Twilight with teamwork and friendship intended. Etherbreeze has too much hatred in her heart for the pony she's working with.

Either way, of course Etherbreeze fucked up! What kind of dark secret would it be if she didn't fuck it up?

>>26361753
I figured the dark secret is that we are stark raving mad because of the mental damage we suffered stopping a hungry spell untrained. He fucked up, we fixed it, and everyone cheered our name, but we also got a new sister out of the deal.

That's a hell of a dark secret. Nobody wants an insane ruler. Not since Caligula, anyway.

Could we please just be either insane or a fraud but not both? Two dark secrets might be too much to bear. Voting for insane.

>>26362313

>>26362313
>>26363035
Agreement.

>>26362313
I'm ok with both.

is the secret something we even get to vote on?

>>26363584
Probably not, since the GM had to have decided what it was before he asked if we wanted to know what it was. Nothing to say he hasn't changed his mind since then, though.

And back to bumping.

bip

> A second minute passes, yet all that you feel is stillness.
> Your panic subsides, and you cautiously open your eyes.
> You are standing where you were, on the stage with Emberspark, tumbling flames trapped within a glossy ethereal sphere floating inbetween the two of you.
> When you step back, you even see the glistening light of the spell sprialling from where your horn used to be.

> It's the same stage, the same people, yet everything is different.
> The colors are wrong.
> Like a coloring book messily filled the color of things bleed into one another.
> The only thing in focus, with the colors precise, is the swirling spell.
> Before you can ponder how this came to be, and worry over the spell further, you are interupted.

???: "Sorry for the haziness, with so much excitement things tend to get a bit out-of-focus. I do hope it's not too troubling for you."

> You turn around to face the voice, to see a mare.
> A pegasus, mane of green and white of skin.
> She too like the frozen spell is clear and focused.
> Unlike the spell —or anything else for that matter— she is animate, sitting in the front row of the theatre.

Etherbreeze: "Who are you? What's going on?"

> You take a step towards the stage's edge, anxious.
> Despite your unease, the pegasus is calm.

Etherwing: "I am Etherwing. And this-"

> She gestures over hear head as she sits.

Etherwing: "- is you; a tiny slice of heaven in your head."

> You shake your head and repeat your question again in disbelief.
> She laughs at this.

Etherwing: " All of this you see, is my home. A mirror of your living experience that I get to have second hand."

> You feel absurd, listening to her speak.
> Yet at the same time as soon as you hear her words they make sense and feel true, as if you had always known them.
> The sudden recognition confuses you.
> Try as you might to hide that confusion, your expression seem to come of their own accord.

>>26365865
So she lives in a hypothetical reality of how Etherbreeze wishes her life is. I can't decide if that is sadder for her or for us.

>>26365865
The way this reality looks fits so well, when you think about it. The whole world is filled in fast and messy, because what the world is like doesn't really matter. The only thing that gets any real care in how it was made is Etherwing, because the only thing Etherbreeze wanted to change was herself.

It's even worse since Etherwing describes it as "heaven". If she could change anything she wanted about the universe it would be herself. That's some really shit self-esteem.

>>26365865
Then... what are you?

I just thought of something. In the past we seem to have a hell of a temper, but in the present we seem very forgiving and level-headed unless Etherwing shows up. Did she take that part of us with her when she was "born"? If so, we're even more fucked up than I thought.

>>26365865
"If this place is a mirror of my world are you a mirror of me?"

"And if you are, does mother love you in here?"

>>26366115
I think that might be overthinking things but I say we wait until we know the whole story. Because Etherwing taking our greatest flaw other than being mental and "damnit I'm not a pegasus" would really suck.

>>26366173
We're full of delicious personality defects either way. Either we're still suffering from a Fluttershy-style hidden temper and are just a bit better at controlling it as an adult, or we have a more well-adjusted disposition but only because we had chunks of our personality ripped out.

Either way, Etherbreeze is a fascinating character.

>>26366110

> The thoughts of the practicum fade as your mind tries to wrap itself around the situation on hoof.
> Trapped in your our own personal dischord, like those told of in recountings of the element's own encounter with the god's darker side, you struggle to grasp peace of mind.
> You do not feel panic, you burn with it.
> You do not feel anxiety, it pulls at your neck like a noose.
> You were at a loss: how does one hide away inside feelings, when those feelings are on the outside?
> Exacerbated, you weakly look up at Etherwing.

Etherbreeze: "This is your home? This is me? A mirror?"

> The words are for you, more than her.
> They may not be answers, but they help return some clarity to your thoughts.
> They also give you the direction to ask an actual question.

Etherbreeze: "If all this is me then... What are you?"

> You swallow as you wait for a response.
> Etherwing closes her eyes, rests a hoof on her chin, and tilts her head back in consideration.

Etherwing: "Well~"

> She taps her chin again.

Etherwing: "I guess you could say I'm some stuck between all your problems and the beautiful tattoos of yours."

> She opens her eyes and relaxes into her chair again with a smile.
> You shake your head, frustrated.
> Frustrated at your caprice, at her aloof behavior.
> Frustrated at not knowing why or how you were 'here'.

Etherbreeze: "Why. Why am I here then? Can you tell me that?"

> You hiss, bitterly and vainly trying to keep some sort of composure.

Etherwing: "To help you —like I've always done— ofcourse."

Etherbreeze: "Help me? I've never even known you until now, for all I know you could be a..."

> You take a moment to find the right word.

Etherbreeze: "A psychic parasite or something!"

> The pegasus playfully puts a hoof over her heart as if struck.

Etherwing: "You wound me! That's not a very nice thing to say to the pony that's helped you become a sucess is it?"

>>26366860
And what exactly has it done to help? Also can it prove that it's responsible and not just taking credit for our efforts?

>>26366966
Noice dubs.

it seems to be impossible to lie in this place (which makes sense, its our own mind so it'd be hard to lie inside of it).

>>26366860
>That's not a very nice thing to say to the pony that's helped you become a sucess is it?
Wait, you're responsible for our increased aptitude at college these last two years? You mean we've been crazy for years without even realizing it? You've seriously been in here for that long and it took a botched spell for us to realize it?

Or is it just that our self-esteem is really so low that we had to invent someone else to attribute all of our success to? It's that one, isn't it? You're not the competent half of me like you claim, you're just my insecurities.

If Etherwing is saying she's the one who made us a success, then that means that an imaginary pegasus is better at magic than a real unicorn. The unicorn would make a better pegasus and the pegasus would make a better unicorn.

So even our tulpa is trans.

>>26367160
This is some next level midfuckery right here.

>>26367749

>>26368488

>>26368928

>>26369498

>>26370319

>>26343869
1, nothing wrong with me

>>26343869
I may or may not use this as a reaction image in the future.

>>26371463
Feel free, m8. Let Etherbreeze show your hate.

> Becoming a success, that is something you remember.
> The two years of humiliation and how you overcame it.
> You bring your hoof down with a snarl.

Etherbreeze: "You're lying."

> Almost dismissively, your twin averts her gaze to the side boredly.

Etherwing: "You don't really think your miraculous turnabout was the culimnation of years of failure, do you?"

> Something clicks in your head, in a manner similiar to when you felt the truth of her words.
> On that day, two years ago, you were brought forth infront of the class to once again fail a test.
> But you didn't, you cast it perfectly and left the room speechless at your success.
> But now you see Etherwing's memory, an addendum to a history that was incomplete.

> As a child, you struggled with magic.
> Then one morning you woke up with a cutie mark, yet it did nothing.
> Now you understand that it couldn't have, your tattoos had been blocking it from you this entire time.
> It was only with a mind of its own, that it figured out how to restore it to you years later in accademy.

Etherbreeze: "Then you're..."

> The fog in your mind, accumulated from the sudden transition into a off-kilter world, fades away.
> You don't finish your words, but instead look down to your tattoo.

Etherwing: "When in the flesh, yes."

> You nod, as the various questions start to make sense, some guided by your thoughts and others no doubt by Etherwing's own knowledge.
> It does bring up a new question though.

Etherbreeze: "Why haven't I been here before then? Why do you wait til now to make yourself known?"

> To this, Etherwing expresses a tinge of embarressment.

Etherwing: "Fear."

> You tilt your head at her admission.
> What did she have to fear from you?

Etherwing: "Before I awoke, I was nothing more than a parasite. Then I awoke, and like anything else I want to live. I also knew all that you did."

> She pauses.

Etherwing: "What is the treatment for a compromised etheric inscription?"

>>26371861
Oh shit.

She's our tattoos brought to life and given mind on their own? Do I understand correctly

>>26371897
Eyup

>>26371936

Is this it? Is this our dark secret?

>>26371936
So this is why our magic was so goddamn useless. Tattoos sucked it to help us walk on clouds. Nothing we got was for free.

You fucking magnificent bastard. Can we focus on the spell to try and pretend it was not our fault when it finally explodes in our face.

>>26371861
>What is the treatment for a compromised etheric inscription?
If I remember the history of insane painter pony correctly, the treatment is removal if possible, and a lifetime of pity if not.

>>26371972
Who says it IS our fault? We know what Etherwing is now, but I don't remember seeing anything about what made the spell go awry.

>>26371936
I'm still a little unclear on where Etherwing derives her mind from. Did the tattoos evolve sentience on their own and they're entirely seperate except from perceiving the world though our mind? Or are they borrowing part of our sentience to be self aware?

>>26371861
This must be an absolute mindfuck to Etherbreeze. The tattoos that she adores for cloudwalking ruined her magic, grew a mind of it's own and decided to give back not only her magic but cutiemark. Two personal, vital things to a pony. How could someone manage living after knowing these things? That it's because of markings on her skin that she is not a failure, not something she herself accomplished.

Fuck. Heavy shit.

File: 1452386433846.gif (2MB, 352x199px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 352x199px

>>26372058
She's her own mind, but lacking a brain she exists in a weird parallel to ours in our head.

It's magic shenanigans.

Also my stinky friends are invade my house so I'll post later tonight during a break.

>>26372147
So Etherwing is her own software, but she needs our brain as hardware in order to run. Okay, makes sense.

Did she gain her sentience gradually as we grew up and this is her just finally breaking through? Or does she have an actual "birth" day? Maybe two years ago when our magic started working?

I must say, all these recent revelations have unexpectedly made Etherwing into a sympathetic character for me. When I though she was just a product of mental illness she was easier to dislike as a just hostile hallucination.

Now that I know that she is her own entity, made out of our magical energy as it is redirected through our tattoos, I am able to feel sorry for her. Plus, she seems to have based herself off of us to a great deal. She really is like our twin sister.

It's funny that we have to have a psychic parasite cast our spells for us.

>>26372467
She was 'building up' since she got the tattoos, but she 'woke up' after her growth triggered the appearance of Etherbreeze's cutie mark

>>26373258
So Ether breeze's mark isn't actually hers?

>>26373258
>>26373348
Holy shit, we're a blank flank. Etherwing is the one with a talent for magic.

I bet our real talent is charisma. The golden feather is ours and the magical blue flame is Etherwing's.

>>26373856
Nope. We hare nothing but a fuckup. We fucked the spell and now Etherwing is going to save the day.

2, nothing wrong with me.

>>26374415

>>26376173

>>26374415

>>26377821

squeaaaallll

>>26379234

What's etherwing's ulterior motive? To possess us and live our life-- the one she deserves?

>>26380532
I think she just wants to exist, and to use her special talent of magic. Our actual special talent probably isn't as cool.

Theoretically we might even be able to get her her own body, since she isn't part of our mind. She's made out of our magical energy, shaped by our tattoos.

Remove Etherwing.

>>26381129
Knowing our luck, our mother would love Etherwing immediately and unconditionally.

> Etheric inscription, a fancy term for magical tattoos.
> You remember learning that word as a young foal.
> Your father and the stallion who designed your tattoos spoke of it while you sat in a chair.
> Back then, you listened but didn't understand the significance of their conversation.
> Looking back at it now you understand what they spoke about in hushed tones they thought you couldn't hear.

> The risks of using magic on a foal.
> A father struggling with what would be best for his daughter.
> A practitioner of a rare and exotic arte, who knew too well how close his practice skirted the label of dark magic.
> Both unaware you could hear them in the next room as they discussed the dangers of the endowment.

> Of all the risks and trepid crises, it was compromise that the artist warned of the most.
> That the self-sustaining nature of the endowment would fail.
> That it would collapse away and tear away a good portion of you with it or;
> That it would become unstable, cannibalizing your natural magic to twist and mutate until you burnt out entirely.
> For both cases, removing the endowment and all it 'touched' was the only solution.

Etherbreeze: "You excise it."

> When the words roll out of your mouth on their own, you realize what that would mean.
> For Etherwing, it would be an execution.
> For you, because of how complex the tattoo's interactions were within you, it would be a lobotomy.
> As a child though, your fear would have informed your decisions more than the consequences.
> By hiding —even as a parasite of sorts— she saved herself and spared you a hollow half-life.
> But something still confused you.

Etherbreeze: "If you were able to restore my cutie mark to me, why didn't you do it earlier?"

> Still looking away, Etherwing huffs quietly.

Etherbreeze: "Etherwi-"

Etherwing: "Because I... I didn't know how."

>>26372686
> Rather than laugh at you again, she narrows her eyes and leans in towards you.
>"You know I'd never abandon you, Etherbreeze."
> Her smile grows thin and wide, as she comes so close you can feel her breath on your face.
>"I'll always be by your side, through every trial, every pain, and every mistake...."
> She rests her head against your shoulder in mock comfort.
>"To let you know how worthless you are without me around."


Still feel as sympathetic?

>>26382502

> Standoffish, she crosses her arms.
> Again you can see the memories behind her words.
> It's an alien flurry of colors and feeling, yet you understand it as intimately as you imagine your doppelganger would.

Etherwing: "You're right, I could have given it back to you earlier. I could have just removed myself from your cutie mark entirely."

> But —you feel the self-narrative of her memories shift towards guilt— it was the connection to a cutie-mark that gave her awareness.
> Had she done so she would have once more been just it, an out of control cancerous spell tearing you apart.
> Granted you realize, you would have kept your cutie-mark then if she were excised then.
> A chance that you might come out of excision with a full recovery was possible; you could have been normal.
> Or at least functionally normal as a unicorn growing up in the clouds could be.

Prompt: How did Etherbreeze feel about this? Was she pissed at Etherwing for hoarding magic and a cutie mark that wasn't hers? Does she have mixed feelings leaning towards blaming Etherwing? Mixed feelings leaning towards forgiveness? Or is she thankful that Etherwing didn't force her father's hand with an excision treatment?

>>26382508
There's a reason for the shift in tone between them, don't worry.

>>26382524
I'm inclined towards mixed feelings living towards forgiveness. She never asked to be how she is, and she was afraid to make herself known. She is an outsider and a mutant, just like us.

Also I approve of the unconventional new prompt style.

>>26382524
I would feel... numb. Having my tattoos steal my magic from me and living with a cutiemark that's not my own? I'm going to vote break down into sadness and anger. Not toward anyone particular.

>>26382578
This, Even if things went perfectly we'd still be able to empathize.

>>26382524
>it was the connection to a cutie-mark that gave her awareness. Had she done so she would have once more been just it, an out of control cancerous spell tearing you apart.
She's not just our tattoos personified, she's our cutie mark personified! The tatts might be her body, but the cutie mark seems to be her mind.

How can we hate our cutie mark for wanting to live? It's part of us after all. Etherwing seems more like a weird sort of psychic daughter than a twin now.

>>26382658
Well I didn't see a pony whose cutie mark has it's own mind and personality before.

This is just wrong.

>>26382684
She didn't ask for this, anon. The tattoo magic and our cutie mark magic combined in an unexpected way to birth Etherwing. Separating the two would kill her.

She's in just as fucked up a situation as we are.

Forgive her.

>>26382658
i don't think shes the cutiemark. i just think having that sweet sweet cutiemark energy is just what gave her the last bump of juice to become self-aware.

>>26382715
I wasn't saying she was the cutie mark, I was saying the cutie mark magic is essentially one of her two "parents". Cutie mark magic plus tattoo magic equals Etherwing.

>>26382737
This makes sense (at least to me) because neither was aware on their own. Cutie marks aren't aware, and tattoos aren't aware. Nobody would have ever expected the two to interact like they did.

FORGIVE AND FORGET, FAGGOTS. Just for once, just for once do the right thing, please

>>26382808
If we will be mad at her, she will have a valid reason to be a fucking cunt. So story will remain consistent.

>>26382855
I trust in our writer to find a justification.
And I'd rather be the better man. Or better mare, or whatever.
She didn't ask to steal our magic when she was born, and I can forgive her for not wanting to return it at the cost of her own life.

You know what? I'm changing my vote. Don't just forgive her, grab ahold of her, hug her, and break down in sobs. Her situation is too much like our own for me to blame her, especially since she was literally only doing the one thing that would keep her alive.

So yeah, hug Etherwing. You're the only one who can really understand me, you poor accidentally created magical lifeform!

>>26383060
You know we are in a middle of casting a spell and she doesn't physically exist, right?

>>26383094
Yes, but we're inside our head right now.
We're giving her a mind hug.

>>26383276
I am all for a mind hug. We must huggle that pony.

>>26383321
Hug! Hug! Hug! Hug! Hug! Hug!

Come on, Etherbreeze would definitely be upset with this revelation. She wouldn't entirely be, "Oh it's okay it's not your fault." It's still a bad deal either way. I'm not saying don't hug poner, I just think Etherbreeze would be a mess right now.

>>26384413
Of course she should be a mess. And she should work through those extremely volatile emotions by hugging the only person she can ever confide in about this.

Maybe Winterbeat also, at a later date.

Maybe.

>>26384413
It isn't her fault. Plus, if we blamed Etherwing for the harm she has caused us then we would be no better than our mother.

Etherbreeze didn't mean to hurt her father, and she didn't ask her father to give up his dreams for her.

Similarly, Etherwing didn't mean to hurt us, and she didn't ask us to give up our magic for her. Fortunately she figured out how to use the magic two years ago, so we got it back, more or less.

It's the same situation, and I'll be damned if we sink to the same level as our bitch of a mother.

>>26384590
Now I'm even more adamant. Forgive the pony, break down crying, and hug.

>>26384590
It's a bit different than that. We didn't willingly give up our magic. It was taken without our knowledge.

>>26384641
It was taken, but it was not deliberately taken by Etherwing since she didn't exist yet. The act of our magic being taken was her birth. As soon as she was able to figure it out, she cast all our spells for us. She was trying to help. The loss wasn't anything that anyone did voluntarily.

And what was the alternative? Seperate the connection between our magic and the tattoos? We'd get our magic back, sure, but then the tattoos stop working and Etherwing dies.

I find her innocent.

>>26384723
I do wish to remind you that future Etherwing is kind of a bitch to us, even if she's innocent at this point in the flashback. Not that I'm saying we be mad at her for things she hasn't done yet.

>>26384723
she wasn't casting spells for us, she just gave us access to the cutie mark and magic. i think.

http://strawpoll.me/6758311

Since we seem to be more divided than the American political system, lets try and move things along.

Also if there is any clarification or questions people have, I'm here to ask. Or if you just want to rant at me about something, that works too.

>>26384841
1) It seems like Etherwing is dependent on both our tattoo magic and our internal magic to be alive and sentient. Is this correct?

2) Etherwing said she didn't know how to manipulate our magic until two years ago. Is she actually casting our magic for us through our horn, or is she redirecting magic to us so we can cast it ourselves?

3) The only obvious way to get our magic to how it should have been would be to unlike it from our tatts, right? And correct me if I'm wrong, but that would kill Etherwing.

4) Can we hug her while inside our mind?

>>26384841
I voted forgiving, and when we get back to the present I want to work on our relationship with Etherwing. She shouldn't have to be our enemy. We're really quite similar.

>>26385078

1. Yes? She isn't dependant on the tattoo magic, she IS the Tattoo magic. Another way to think of it is that she is a self-aware spell. She needs magic to run, just like normal ponies need food to run. If she runs out of magic, she would 'end' just like a spell does when its all out of juice.

2. It wasn't so much that she didn't know how to manipulate your magic, it's that she didn't know how to manipulate herself. Going back to the 'circuit' metaphor, as a spell she is an incredibly complex spell. She happens to be between Etherbreeze and most of her magic (and was channeling it into herself). It was a similar issue with Etherbreeze's cutiemark, she was redirecting the cutiemark magic/mysterystuff to herself, keeping the talent from you.

Eventually however, she figured out how bring herself under control, limiting the amount of magic she was using to sustain herself (essentially she stopped 'growing'). She also figured out how to directly connect the cutiemark to you, through herself. Some of its OOMPH is lost in the process, but its a big upgrade from having nothing.

>>26385078

3.

tl;dr You have most of your usuable magic back. Severing her connection to your cutie mark would let you fully utilize your talent, but would return her to being 'just a spell'.

The Tattoos were designed to use some magic, and that amount was supposed to be negligible since ponies naturally exude magic that isn't really used for anything. The problem was that the spell in the tattoos weren't stable, and took a little bit more than it needed. That excess made the spell change, and those changes meant it took a little more, and the cycle of mutation happened. Growing takes a lot more magical energy than just sustaining though, so when she became aware and stopped the spell from growing further, the energy needed to sustain her dropped. It's still a lot more than what was originally planed and pushes the limits of what 'wasted' magical energy can provide, but its not detrimental to your health or casting anymore.

The real danger to her is if you tried to completely restore your cutie mark. Right now she can give you 80%ish of your cutiemark and still exist. Removing her entirely from it would stop the mysterious interaction that's giving her awareness, ultimately rendering her into just a spell. It should be noted without her intervention, the spell would start ravaging your magic again and mutate further until it was taken out completely. What else would be cut out in the process is hard to say, because like dark magic, this is dealing with souls and other measurable things.
4. The limit is your imagination.

>>26384841
Forgiving seems to be far are long the most popular choice. I'll start writing it up a post now.

>>26385078
An addendum to question 1: What keeps her sentient is the bit (20%ish) of cutie-mark mystery magic stuff she is siphoning off.

>>26385443
Yay, we took the moral high ground. I understand being incredibly upset at all this, but we shouldn't be upset with Etherwing. She never wanted to hurt us, and tried to help us as soon as she was able.

>>26384841
>if you just want to rant at me about something, that works too
Where the fuck do you get off being this awesome? How dare you be this great at characterization, setting, AND dialogue? What the hell, man? And that fucking twist? All this time I thought we were crazy and then it turns out we actually have a twin sister made of magic? You think I'm going to let a reveal that good slide? Well fuck that, man. You fucking rock. Let me have your babies.

I've been away for a few days and looks like some major shit when it down. Time to catch up.

>>26385785
Anon! You go mainline the archives of this quest RIGHT FUCKING NOW.