* ZODIAC CYOA * thread 3

>>29495158

>you nod and decide to make your way over to the large gray couch
>Capricorn follows a few paces behind while Libra flutters ahead to beat you to the couch
>it's almost humorous with how much room there is
>once you are properly seated you decide to elaborate a bit more
“It really was pleasant getting to learn more about how all the houses function here. It's funny how the Air house here has a lot of traits from other houses, like a combination of sorts. Quiet a nice balance if I don't say so myself”
>you pause and look up into the light blue painted ceiling
>the sparkles of gold are very apparent right now
>it's a nice touch to the interior, the wildife painted on the walls around you look very docile and cartoonish
>a selective pastel color palette in the paints
>it's weird how different this room can feel, almost non-constant, fluid
>you can't help but wonder if there is more space here that you haven't seen...

>>29495173

>your thought cycle is once again interrupted but this time by the yellow Gemini pony
>“So plans with the rest of the day Anon? At some point I want to try and do something productive with the Princess coming here and all...”
>you definitely don't feel too capable of planning right now
>you know you want to see the library
>you can't keep your mind off of the castle
>all of the space, the height of the ceiling in here
>it seems a lot higher up than it was before
>maybe you need some fresh air
>yeah physical activity something to reset
“I think it'd be nice to go outside for a bit if you all would like to join me. I want to see the library after that”
>you see the two Gemini ponies each perk up in sync
>Minny is the first to speak
>“Yeah I could use some fresh air too, I'm definitely in on the library later”
>Gemmy nods in agreement
>Libra hops of the couch and starts speaking
>“That sounds perfect, I could use the exercise! This figure doesn't maintain itself ~”
>she stretches a little before trotting away with a little more sway than needed
>“Let me get my ball”
>ball?
>Libra trots over to her sanctuary
>you notice that Capricorn and Aquarius still haven't said much
>you decide to stand up, best to help initiate action
“Aquarius, Capricorn, you two coming along?”
>Aquarius makes eyes contact with you and blinks before nodding slowly yes
>Capricorn speaks up
>“Uh, yeah sure! If that's what's happening then I am in”

>>29495189

>Libra emerges from her observatory
>you notice she has a soccer ball with her
>futbol? hoofball?
>whatever, it sports the classic black and white pattern
>“Alright! Let's get moving, fields on the left side of the castle sound good?”
>you don't know where that is nor do you consider left a proper direction
>there is a mutter of consensus, Libra is already half way out the door
>so much for getting to catch your breath here, although that seemed like a somewhat proper break
>you start to funnel your way out of the room with the other ponies from Air house and Capricorn
>now it really seems like a crowd
>it is hard to stay aware of everyone around you
>you eventually all make it out onto the balcony overlooking the ballroom
>you expect to go downward but Libra instead travels towards the stairs that lead to the roof of the castle
>the other ponies follow rather silently
>you sneak a peak over at Capricorn next to you, she nods and moves ahead
>best not to question it
>you enter into the room with the stone staircase leading to the roof from which you gazed
>wow that was only last night
>you are starting to understand the true meaning of time alteration
>Libra leads the way ahead as you emerge into the daylight
>you just now note that there isn't really a door here, it just ascends to the roof
>as you make your way to the top of the stairs you look up into the sky
>it still feels very early in the day, the sun doesn't even look like it is at high noon
>the vibrancy and rising energy of the morning is counter intuitive, not what your weary mind was expecting to see
>the sky above is dotted with white clouds of varying sizes
>it looks so much different up here in the day
>you look back to the bench that you sat on to observe the stars
>the stone seems so simple and gentle in the day light
>it is weird being here with other ponies

>>29495199

>Libra giggles
>“This is one of my favorite short cuts outside”
>you almost wonder if she is just going to fly down and leave you stranded on the roof, but instead she points to the edge of the roof
>you notice a section where it drops off, a staircase leading to the roof below you
>oh huh, the more you look, the more stairs you see carved crudely down into the sides of the structure
>it is very elegant and definitely not highly visible in the dark
>you make your way cautiously to the stairs behind Aquarius, Libra is already a level below you
>that pony really doesn't dally
>you do get a nice view of what you assume are the fields below you from this angle
>large green patches of empty space outside the maze of hedges, pretty much directly below you
>you are pretty high off the ground, it's bright and dizzying outside
>you reach the stone platform a level lower, Libra pauses to let everyone catch up
>she speaks up and continues down the next flight of stairs
>this one seems to descend more gradually and is much longer
>“So are we going to play 3 vs 3 or should we just kick the ball around? If we are doing teams we should pick captains”
>Minny is the first to speak up, everyone seems to just be relaxing and quietly enjoying the natural lighting
>“Whatever works, Anon do you want to decide since you are the guest?”
>she looks over to you with a twinkle in her magenta eyes

>input

>>29495207
I think we should just kick the ball around.

>>29495264
that said I am not very fussed about which we do so if it comes to a draw I am happy to concede to having teams

>>29495207
Kick the ball around for a short moment and see what ponies naturally work well together. If Anon is picked as a captain, then it might be fun to choose a Gemini and find out what happens when the twins are pitted against each other.

Bump for divegrass shenanigans.

>>29495207
I think it should be 3v3 and we are the captain

i love zodiac pones

Beb

Save! Not much conversation, huh?

>>29499909
Anons have never been good at conversing ideas.

>>29495158
HoNk

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>>29499909
>>29501645

not too surprised, I wanted a very basic prompt to ease back into the flow of things. that's on the qm not the players

>>29495207

>overall you are feeling fairly indifferent, you just wanted some fresh air really
>might as well just let things flow, don't need to take the time to organize anything formally
“Just kicking the balling around for a bit is fine, we don't have to play a formal game”
>it'd probably just be a 1-1 draw anyways...
>Libra nods and continues forward
>so many stairs here, you make your way down the gradually descending stone
>it looks like the roof below you is almost on ground level, just one more flight of stairs to go after that
>it's funny how there isn't an echo out here, it's like the audio is much more brief and crisp
>as if all of your thoughts and actions are just diffusing faster
>everything in the castle has a tendency to linger it seems, out here in the open it is so open
>wait that is redundant
>you look up
>the sun is so simple, such a refreshing contrast to the intensity of the moon
>you feel on auto pilot as you carefully make your way down the non-evenly spaced stone
>it's weird with so many ponies you'd think things would be louder, more vibrant
>everything feels pensive and still
>maybe you were just in Fire house too long
>Aries and Leo must add a lot to the general noise level
>you finally reach the end of the staircase and get a moment to orient yourself on the roof
>just as you suspected from above, you are only several body lengths from the ground
>you are starting to really notice how vibrant the grass field beneath you is
>such a stark contrast to the arid desert land
>everything is full of life within the castle walls though
>oasis

>>29502031

>your concentration is broken by the sound of Capricorn's voice
>“I've always thought that sports were really interesting. The idea that ponies could dedicate their themselves so heavily to a game”
>she kinda stutters at the end part of the sentence
>“It's really cool, even admirable. I'm glad that they can do what they like”
>you consider what she says for a moment as you continue down the last flight of stairs
>it's weird how this roof levels out, the staircases are much less hidden
>Aquarius speaks up but it is not very sudden nor does it interrupt your stream of thought
>calm and rhythmic as always
>“It's one of the easiest mediums for skill to visibly manifest itself”
>one of the Gemini ponies replies, you are too busy watching your step to see which is speaking
>“I think that is definitely debatable”
>you're not sure if you agree you aren't really following the conversation very well
>it feels like you are watching yourself reach ground level
>it is so bright
>Aquarius speaks up as the group ahead of you reaches the field
>you wish her voice could quench the glaring heat of the desert around you
>“Well everything is debatable, but the really question is who has the time for that”
>you glance over to Libra who is bouncing the ball up and down on her back, occasionally reaching out to bounce it off of a hoof
>you look down at the grass beneath you and are thrown immediately into a trance
>you can see each individual blade, it seems like the wind is blowing across the field but the weather is calm
>eventually it becomes too much small detail for your eyes to process
>it is overexposed out here, everything feels plastic
>the grass is synchronizing beneath you, breathing, spiraling
>you are seeing organic patterns that are actually there, just subtle, common themes throughout the nature around you
>you're not sure if you are okay with this
“I don't know, it seems like there is plenty of time to go around here”

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>>29502076

>Libra giggles from what feels like really far away
>this field is huge
>“That is a very good point”
>she stops juggling the ball and looks over towards you
>you can distinctly picture yourself from her field of vision
>she kicks the ball at you
>you watch as it approaches, spinning end over end
>black white black white black white
>you can see the pattern of the grass being disturbed as the ball rolls across towards you
>reflexively you become less aware of the details around you
>you narrow your field of vision in on the ball and tap it off the side of your foot
>it rolls softly in front of Capricorn a few feet away from you, who trots forward a bit and nudges it back up to Libra
>she receives the pass and stops the ball under her hoof
>“Oh hey! Anon! Think you can play goalie for a sec! I want to take a penalty kick”
>you don't see any goals
>you look down on the far end of the field and notice what she must be referring to
>a large minimalist metal structure
>reminiscent of the ones outside the orchard
>the empty space between the straight and rusty metal rods form a rectangle
>it looks to be roughly proper size from a distance
“Uh, yeah, sure. Which side of the field?”
>Libra just points and starts trotting to the goal you are roughly closer to
>as you walk you note the features and dimensions of the grass you are trending upon
>it looks measured up, cared for
>at one time this must have been used for sports or at least something similar
>you make your way over to the metal
>the crowd follows
>you touch the side of the goal before looking forward towards Libra who is placing the ball on the ground several lengths in front of you
>“Ready Anon?”
>this seems sudden but you center yourself and nod
>she takes a few steps back and looks you in the eyes before grinning and beginning her approach
>which hoof is she even gonna kick with?
>uh, you're suppose to pick a direction and dive right?
>giddy up ?

>input

>>29502113
She'll probably buck it with her back left leg. Just keep your eye on the ball and put most of your attention to your right.

Hope she doesn't kick hard.

>>29503282
How confident we feeling?

Bump while I read

>>29499909
Most of the extremely long posts made by the players have been speculation about the motives of the zodiac it is going to be hard to keep that up.

>>29502113
I think we should wait to see which way the ball goes.

>>29504011
Perhaps, however there are still many mysteries yet to be uncovered. Also, the motives of the Zodiac will inevitably change as the story progresses, so there's always gonna be room for speculation.

>>29502267
>>29504047

>>29502113

>you watch Libra as she approaches, trying to anticipate which direction she is going to kick
>she picks up a considerable amount of speed
>something is telling you to focus right but you're going to stay put until you see the ball
>one of her back hooves hits the ball with more force than you were expecting
>she is able to maneuver out of the path of the ball quickly
>it's such an awkward motion you are almost distracted by it
>the ball is moving right fast at about eye levels
>you jump over to the side and try to reach your hands out in any kind of blocking motion
>the ball sails right through the top corner of the goal
>you're not even sure if you had a chance...
>you guess horses don't lose
>Libra flutters into the air in celebration
>“What was that thing you were saying about manifesting skill earlier Aquarius?”
>you can hear her giggling to herself as you stand up and admire your surroundings
>you notice other interesting metal work around, maybe potential seating?
>there are several large metal hoops elevated above the ground in a couple areas around the parameter of the field as well
>you hear Capricorn speak up
>“Niiiiice one Libra, you've won the right to go get the ball”
>both the Gemini ponies laugh and you think you see Aquarius laugh silently to herself as well
>it does look like the ball went a ways out there too
>bummer
>Libra huffs and starts to fly in that direction

>>29504719

>you look back down at the grass briefly as you wait for Libra to return with the ball
>the patterns are subsiding slightly but still feel radiant and elevated
>you look over to Capricorn who is watching Libra
>you silently wonder how she is feeling
>she said she wanted to be on the same level as you, you wonder if she still is
>you see Aquarius stretching slightly out of the corner of your eye
>is she officially the cutest?
>just as you are about to consider further you hear Libra yell something from a distance
>“Hey everypony! Come over here! I found something”
>you are taken out of your miniature trance and are brought back to reality
>everyone around you is already alert and trotting over
>you can see Gemmy and Minny whispering to each-other ahead of you
>Capricorn and Aquarius are at your side, you can see Libra in the distance
>she is examining what looks to be a broken up statue
>the ball is caught up in a very odd looking bush by the scattered white marble
>you all make a semi circle around where Libra is looking
>you look at the base of the statue
>it is impossible to tell exactly what the stonework was of, but the base is still intact
>the only thing carved in it are two stars
>they are very on center, you can tell someone threw a fit over the placement
>Libra is the first to speak
>“Are you seeing what I am seeing?”
>you are about to comment on the stars but Aquarius speaks first in a very matter of fact tone
> “Yes, the plant is very clearly fake”
>Libra nods
>oh what?
>sure enough, it is some type of artificial matter...
>you look at the base of the plant
>Capricorn speaks up, pointing at the ground
>“That is a hinge! Libra I think this goes underground!”
>very detail oriented observation there, she leans down and dusts the ground
>sure enough there is some-type of hinge
>Libra grabs the plant and pulls upward on it, the dust moves to reveal the outlines of a square board

>>29504732

>“Ohhhhhh finally I'm gonna find some buried treasure”
>Libra giggles and trots in place on the ground
>Aquarius raises her voice
>“Not so fast Libra, we need to be careful. We don't know what is down there”
>Libra makes a dismissive pssh noise
>Gemmy speaks up from your left side
>“That is a valid point, I think we need to send someone back to the castle and let the others know where we are”
>you don't really know what to add
>Aquarius nods in agreement
>“Yes, that would be logical, Libra, why don't you fly back quickly and inform at least one of the others”
>Libra scoffs loudly
>“I found the thing I wanna get to explore it! I don't need to be a messenger, that is ridiculous Aquarius”
>she pauses and pulls on the plant again before speaking
>“Caps, help me lift this”
>Capricorn seems to be broken out of deep thought and look up at you before quickly diverting her gaze to Libra
>she speaks up tentatively
>“I-I don't know about all of this Libra. Maybe we should plan this out a bit more carefully”
>you look at the marble around on the ground again and contemplate your options

>input

>>29504743
I agree we should get everybody out here there might be monsters or something down there.
I would hope that if there is they have not heard all our commotion. You all go and find the rest of the zodiac and I will stand guard here in case something comes out (I assume we still have our sword)

>>29504743
I think it should be fine if we proceed cautiously and don't get far from the entrance. One of us should inform the others though.

Exploring is never not fun bump

>>29504743
are there any windows nearby that are also attached to one of the houses?
if there is have Libra kick the ball toward it in hopes of getting one of the poines attention
then we could just tell them without having to go through the trouble of finding them

>>29504773
>>29504786
>>29505995

I'm not really seeing a clear consensus here yet so I'll let the discussion run a bit longer