EQ_Theta

@Blitz Boom “Yes, just like that. Think of it as looking to the future and seeing just what can be done to make it better for everyone. For me, what we’re doing…” Sen paused and breathed out a heavy sigh, thinking about his reason for going through all this effort. It was something he silently debated in his head and wondered if it was worth doing despite his grievances. “In some ways, I should hate the longma for what happened to my parents, how my family was torn apart. But deep down, I hope what we are doing will spare others from what I went through. I doubt anything can be done to ease my pain, but if I can stop it from happening to anyone else, then I’ll be satisfied. You being here with us and making this happen is doing something for the future, and if it goes well, you’ll be remembered for it.” Lin looked to Sen and Omen, silently contemplating their discussion. She wouldn’t speak up, but she took their words and considered what they said. Though she is convinced that even her hardened heart couldn’t come around to their views, she can see their conviction. Perhaps there was merit in their way of seeing things, and she wouldn’t attempt to dissuade Omen from her brother’s perspective. Hope was present in his thoughts, and she’d keep it there for them to hold on to as they returned home. But it wouldn’t be all good news, as their guests have made apparent. “No need, Omen. I have some food for all of us. I made sure to have more than enough in case we need it. Besides, it seems like we all need to be present right now.” Sen had some watercress, edible mushrooms, berries, and a few other plants with him. With a bit of time, he mixed them up into a very crude rendition of a salad. Lin, curious, came over his shoulder and watched, intrigued that he did something unexpected from someone like him and rather new for the longma as a whole. “Interesting that you did that. Did you learn that from your time in Canterlot? I hear they love their food all fancy-like.” “You can say that. On some nights, I scrounged up some food from the garbage, and it looked like someone mixed a whole lot of plants. I assumed ponies ate them like that because they tasted better together.” He then turned to Omen, Ghilan, and Xin, a little flustered at his creation, before giving everyone a little bit. “Well… this is my first time trying it out, so I apologize if this doesn’t turn out good.” If one were to taste his creation, it wouldn’t exactly be terrible, but the proportions of watercress to berries would leave a prominently bitter taste only slightly offset by the berries’ sweetness. However, there was no doubt his crude salad had crunch with the occasionally firm but chewy textures of the mushrooms. An odd combination, but it was what it was. For now, Xin and Ghilan held off on eating, hoping to get their main concerns out of the way. “‘The mean one?’ Yes, I suppose we are talking about the same longma. After your run-in with Feng, he wasn’t happy; I’ve been listening. What you did - standing up to him - just made him more certain about going after you. It’s like he wants you to send him away or do something that will get others to see just how dangerous you are.” “He can try,” Lin growled under her breath. “He does something, and we’ll make him regret it.” “Not so fast, Lin. It’s more than that. He’s not coming for you just because he’s feeling vengeful. He might have caught on to Elder Ghilan going out of his way to protect you. Now he’s looking for a reason to remove him from the position of village elder. At this point, doing anything to get Ghilan cover for you is one more reason for the rest of the village to get suspicious, and from what I’ve been hearing, they are already getting suspicious.” Ghilan sighed, remembering his talk from earlier about asking Omen and the siblings to be on their best behavior. He was afraid something like this would happen. “Look, I am not going to repeat what I said before, so I am asking all of you to be extra careful from now on. And knowing what Xin knows, Omen, I suggest avoiding Feng whenever you can. Don’t try talking to him or going anywhere near him. That could make you look like a coward, but I’d rather you be safe instead of sorry. The good news is, we will be away from him for several days, so you won’t need to worry about him for a while.” “Hold on,” Sen interjected, raising one claw to the elder. “How can we be sure he won’t try something to get us to do something to him? We can’t just let him bully us like that, especially if other hunters are siding with him.” “Not all of the hunters will stoop to his level, and I have made arrangements for a few upstanding hunters to quietly check on your home while we are away. If Feng does something, they’ll know and act accordingly. Unless that is not enough? I am open to suggestions. Omen? Is this acceptable to you? Or maybe you can tell me what I can do better?” ————————————————————————————————————————————————————— “Be… kinder to ourselves? I don’t know if we can…” Scriniarii looked on and muttered Celestia’s words to him as she left. Something about them felt like a distant goal, always out of reach, maybe even impossible. Learning from the mistakes of old was part of growth, but the Hyracotherians are but a distant memory now; how could they grow and learn if they weren’t around anymore? It all seemed like a memory, bittersweet and tucked away, only to be brought up when relevant. In some manner, the only ones left to take the princess’s words to heart are the ones who may not need them. But maybe they needed to hear those words, if only to make their new life’s goal a possibility. He wouldn’t dwell on that now. Perhaps some work will take his mind off the negativity, stave it off for the moment until the silence will draw those thoughts out once more. Then again, he and his fellows did go over the minds and memories of Sen once. He saw the longma spent time in meditation to calm and refocus himself. That might be something to consider trying when he has the opportunity. Going through the old town was like the quiet corner far past the markets and public squares of ages past. It was the silent retreat at the end of the day, where the sounds of crickets chirping under the solitary moon beckoned the weary to rest. Yet, it was also an invitation to wander, physically and mentally, through the kind of empty streets that stretched away from the bustle of the day. It was as close to nature as one could get while bearing the reminders that society was advancing and the mind was trying to keep up. Scarcity’s mention of the coffee vendor intrigued some of the golems, inviting those curious like Videntor to explore and dabble in epicurean delights. Emotion tea was just the start of the many things concocted long after the Hyracotherians’ time had ended. Still, there was more to distract the golems for the time being. Curiosities about Equestria’s odd forms of rehabilitation were of interest, as were Scarcity’s accommodations harboring their own secrets. Legatus took to the topic like a fly to food, intrigued and eager for more. “Seems like some things don’t change, even with the lengthy passage of time. There was always a need for the unsavory and dirty jobs, along with those willing to do them.” Legatus looked away for a moment, but his expressions betrayed his attempts at secrecy. His military background and the actions he took in service of his home sometimes left him wondering whether what he did was truly worth it. Accepting reality was more difficult than possible on some days. “You mentioned ‘other worlds’. What did you mean by that? Gateways to other plans of reality beyond our own, where the rules that govern their existence are different from ours?” “I am more concerned about the mind-wiping. Is it truly a complete wipe? Or have there been instances of those who underwent the process eventually regaining memories of their old selves that they have trouble reconciling the two?” The other golems appeared to distance themselves from this conversation, seemingly more intent to let Scriniarii and Legatus have a go at their questions before turning their attention to something else. A topic like this… there is a reason why it isn’t brought up in casual conversation. Them being in the quiet part of town was just a small blessing; if anyone were to hear them talk about this, there would be more awkward staring. Fortunately, Scarcity leaned toward changing the subject to something less grisly. And with the talk of accommodations and their little secrets, it was a topic ripe with questions just itching to pique the other golems’ curiosities. “Those uh… secret compartments in your home’s basement… You’re expecting the guards to be nosy enough to want inspections? Aren’t there laws that stop unwanted inspections from happening?” “Or maybe you’ve had tenants that needed those compartments to hide things not meant to be seen in the open? It invites a certain degree of suspicion, don’t you think? I mean, there’s no need to name names, but I guess it sounds like there is a history of experiences in your past that warranted having those compartments in the first place?” “I guess what I’m curious about is how often you have those kinds of certain associates? Golems like us are one thing, but given your profession and its intricacies, having housing like this is like taking precautions for keeping certain details hidden. In which case, the Old Town’s privacy makes it seem ideal. I suppose that means there are no plans to attract larger crowds of tourists to this part of Canterlot?”

@Blitz Boom No worries! Take all the time you need.

@Blitz Boom “You’re right about a lot of things changing, lots of things that are outside of our control. But don’t let that bother you too much; it’s fine to think about those. What’s important is that you focus on the things that you can change. It doesn’t feel like there’s much to it, but there are things you can still control.” “Think of it like this: we can’t change the future, not on a large scale. But what you do for yourself and others around is something you can change. If you think you’re heading down the wrong path, then it’s up to you to change that. Likewise, what we're doing for the longma is moving all of us along for what could be a better future. Some would not see it that way, but maybe we can convince them to come around to see things the way we do. Like you said, the future can keep changing, like how someone may try to undo our work; that's something out of our control, but we focus on what we can control. It may not be much, but helping them see the good things about opening ourselves up to others beyond the longma is something we can do.” Sen gently placed one claw on the Ki’Nathar’s back, smiling, assured of his confidence in her. In the time they had spent together thus far, it felt like there were more times Omen had to talk him out of doing things he would have regretted had he gone through with them. It wasn’t a good look for him if his parents were still around. However, he was quietly thankful that she was there. He may be teaching her, but in some ways, she was also teaching him, and he would try to take to heart her lessons for him. “All right, Mother. It’s about time for us to head home, but you can be sure we’ll be back with news. I just hope it turns out well…. For all of us…” Lin hoped there was more to see and do in Mother’s realm, but the pang of doubt hung over her. If it was doubts about how things would turn out or doubts about something more personal, she could not say. Her thoughts on the matter were intrusive at times, clouding her judgment and imposing some deep-seated resentment. As much as she wanted to speak her mind on this, she had to rein in her impulses lest she jeopardize the overall goals. The longma opened the gate back outside their home, quiet as it was when they left. The afternoon sun was preparing to set over the horizon, and the sky was tinged red; evening was coming soon. But it wasn’t going to be all silent; among the sounds of crickets chirping were footsteps. The village’s workshops were closing up, and the longma out hunting in the afternoon were coming home with their hauls. Sounds of the village’s bustle were softening, and the hunters were coming out for their evening patrols. Ghilan and Xin were nearby, and they came at the right moment. “Ah, Omen? It’s good we caught you and your friends just now. I hope you’ve all made your preparations because we still have some last-minute plans to go over.” “May we come in? It’s best if we discuss this in private. Preferably over a meal since we all would need to turn in early for the evening.” “Then I hope you’ve brought food then because this is an unexpected arrival.” Lin and Sen chuckled, lightening the mood for the group’s talk. After all, they just arrived and haven’t prepared anything. Sen only intended to keep his meals light for the night. Ghilan smirked at the remark, but the same could not be said for Xin; he only maintained a stoic look, as if his mind was occupied with something else. “Yes… Well, there is something you all need to know about. After what happened with the huntmaster’s second, it’s best that we talk somewhere quiet.” The siblings now grew quiet, their brows furrowed. The two led the others in, but Lin went back outside for a moment to check if other hunters were snooping around. When it was clear, she returned inside, with Sen preparing some food for everyone. Perhaps this evening wasn’t going to be as relaxed as they thought. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————— “That sounds good, Princess. Maybe it might have been you to instill a sense of curiosity in your student. In which case, credit must be acknowledged where it is due.” The golem smiled, perhaps sensing that this Twilight might be a kindred scholar. Though time will still need to be favorable to him, he may find a moment to explore and find what might be the thing that will drive his search for knowledge once more. It was a double-edged sword; the pursuit of knowledge and the thirst that drove that pursuit were what landed him here. He enjoyed it, but as his solitary moment of venting his regrets showed, it was also a sore point that left him wishing he had pursued something else. “Ah, a shame, that is, but it is understandable that they would rather keep to themselves. Regardless, thank you for your tips. They would certainly come in handy if we were ever in a position to meet them, as unlikely as that may be.” “If they knew of our history, they wouldn’t want to meet us. As much as that sounds unlikely, there are just enough things about our past that shamed us. Perhaps it would be best if we just keep that to ourselves.” Scriniarii looked to his compatriot, or rather stared at him. Though he is right, he didn’t want more attention drawn to that part no matter how much of it was true. Something about creatures that prefer isolation or limited contact made them seem more understandable from certain perspectives. It called to mind the longma, though Sen’s pursuit of being more open had good intentions. The golem silently hoped that his pursuit was tempered with realistic expectations. Likewise, Legatus remembers the policies of border agreements he helped impose. It all began with trade relations, but soon, the Hyracotherians began demanding more and more, eventually leading to forced assimilation with military drafts. For all their talk about how good they were as a civilization, hypocrisy was something they could never deny. One only needed to learn of their actions to know their words could ring hollow. By then, they would part ways with the princess, with each party having their own needs to attend to. Likewise, the golems bid Wig Woggle farewell, though not before Videntor stopping to let the changeling know he might stop by again. The emotions he managed to feel from drinking the tea… he may need to experience them again, if only to help him come to terms with the myriad of things he had repressed long ago. The way through town graced the golems with more sights of the high-end civilization that gave the impression that Canterlot had advanced more than what was once thought possible in the golems’ time. Soon, ivory and silks gave way to brick and mortar, signs of age becoming more apparent with the passage of moments. There were the occasional stares and odd looks, but that was something to be expected from the golems being the odd sight. Frankly, it was from the older folks around who never saw artificial constructs walking around that gave them pause instead of the tourists. It was a quaint sight and a reminder of home. Though the houses and shops here weren’t quite the same, it evoked a kind of familiarity. Even the butcher’s shop was similar to the kind that was present in the markets back in the golems’ time, though it was just understood as a thing that was normal, especially seafood, given that they were a civilization that thrived along the sea. “Ah, worry not about this part of town. It is evocative of a place preserved in a certain time, and it is one that feels comfortable, at least for me. I could not say the same for my fellows, but it has a feel of home. Working in solitude or with limited contact, it has the kind of quiet that I sometimes miss.” “That is true, though I could imagine myself working outside with a warm drink close by. It is an Elysian thought that feels like living a perfect moment captured in the works of our time’s poets. Oh, I uh… didn’t mean to get carried away. The sight is just bringing back some memories.” Scarcity would lead the golems to another house, one that the group assumed to be their residence for the time being. Even with the amenities and other… hidden benefits… it was already a step up from the kinds of homes expected of their distant time. It certainly felt like a luxury compared to the common homes of a time long past or the ramshackle housing created during the last years of their age. Then again, the things one considered luxuries were ever-changing, and the standards one would have of a home would have also gone up as time went on. “Well, speaking freely on the home you have brought us to, it feels like a palace compared to what we had back in our day. The common home was one that only carried the barest of necessities, as opulence was meant for public spaces like temples and academic institutions. Even those who held the highest public offices lived meager private lives. The privacy does feel nice, and having two layers of it reminds us of work and research.” “I wouldn’t know about personal decorating. This is technically yours, first and foremost, and we see ourselves more like guests. It wouldn’t be right to make it more suitable for ourselves. Not to mention that we don’t have any belongings. All of that was left behind as our work became more impersonal; our intentions for sealing ourselves away were the only thing we carried through time.” “About these Shadow Hunters… they are like the old penal battalion infused with magic we would consider abhorrent. Then again, a lot of the magic we considered as such was eventually put to use, one way or another. Taking souls out of bodies and putting them elsewhere, that was how we ended up in the orb in the first place. The reason is different, but I doubt others would see the method as anything but similar.” “But this regiment of guards, did they come about because of desperation? Or was it because there was an intent to make criminals useful to society instead of having them waste away in prison? And does this kind of, eh… program…lend itself to the possibility of reforming these criminals? Admittedly, it is devilish, but it calls into question the unspoken intentions of Celestia or Shade Stealer. That said, the history of this group is an interesting topic of inquiry, even if we couldn’t speak of it openly.”

@Blitz Boom Sen paused and thought about Omen’s question. It was a good one, and even he struggled to find the right words. If things do get better, would he still be around to find out? Or would their actions moving forward only be the stepping stones to a better future he would never see? All this pointed to a question about what their legacy would be, and that is already putting a lot of unwanted pressure on his mind. But to hope… or wanting to hope…. “I don’t know how long it would take for the folks back home to change their minds on Discord or us, but we should let it happen on its own, even if it takes a long time. I hope it happens, just like I hope what we do in the coming days will lead to something better. But hoping doesn’t mean ignoring the bad things; I accept things can go wrong, but I will continue to do the work because I believe in the good that can happen.” “Take all the time you need to think about it. I will also think about what you said.” Lin remained quiet and looked away. She believed in her brother, but she also had her reservations about his goals. Some part of her wanted to walk away from all of this, start over somewhere no one knew her. But she already voiced her desire to stand by him and see his task come to fruition, and so she would. If all of this were to end well, maybe she’ll take some time to pursue her own goals. However, that will have to wait. “The longma are secretive, isolated. I don’t think they’re ready to see-“ “What the?” The creature’s gills and the sound it gave off had the siblings on edge, wondering if they were feeling odd all of a sudden. But the response after carried a feeling of disappointment. The two didn’t fault the creature, more on themselves for hoping they could learn a little more. The magical fish and Omen’s explanation hinted at a kind of symbiotic or commensal relationship, but they couldn’t tell. Unfortunately, it appeared their meeting and discussion would be cut short, and they would part ways then and there. “I… We hope we can meet again someday!” The two would wave goodbye, acting according to the sudden change in their situation. Lin could only get some words out before the gate closed, intending her message would be for both the new creature they met and for Omen’s sister. The longma understood that the creature needed to remain hydrated, but she just wished they had a little more time. “Your sister also looks like she’s in a good place to grow. I was hoping we’d get to know him a little more.” “He needed to be on his way, and it isn’t right for us to stop him. Likewise, we should be on our way back home. The time we have left to prepare is ticking away.” Once everyone was ready, Lin would open a gate back to their home, though she would stick around for a bit in case Mother might come by. The longma didn’t feel like leaving without saying goodbye. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————— “Even now, we have no idea where magic originates, or if it is accurate to say that it actually originates from somewhere. The most we have come to understand is that it could be innate to creatures, but to what extent is unknown. And even then, it isn’t necessarily true to all creatures.” “But it is good knowing your source could very well be determined. That certainty is the kind that a lot of scholars would wish to have. However, that could also be a double-edged sword; having certainty could lead to complacency, and in turn, it could be a path to the stagnation of discovery.” “Oh, come now. Just because there is certainty doesn’t mean it should end any more endeavors for studies! It just means we need to look for something else to be certain about!” Vates and Magus let out a collective exasperated sigh. Though Videntor is right about how scholarly pursuits shouldn’t end at certainty, it would need to continue by continuously asking if that certainty would hold up over time. Still, they wouldn’t make an argument over that in public; the times have changed enough that brawls over academic theories would be looked down upon. However, the tales of this “Fountain of Youth” and the kitsune are intriguing, and the latter would sound like it could open up another line of inquiry for magic. That one could get Magus talking if he could learn a little more, but he kept himself reserved and his enthusiasm in check. “The kitsune sound interesting just by the way you describe them. I wonder what they would think of golems, if they have ever seen them…. It would be odd to be a common sight to them if they have already encountered golems before.” “There is no rush; we will be ready to discuss further whenever the best time would be, Princess.” Though Scriniarri wanted to say more, it looked like there were more pressing matters for Celestia to attend to. A shame their discussion was cut short, but they understood it. Someone of her stature would have business that would necessitate urgency, and the golems only felt lucky that they had this chance encounter.” The golem turned to his fellows, giving them an assured look before returning his attention to Princess Celestia with the same assuring and understanding smile. “We just want to say thank you, Princess. For your time and for the pleasure of meeting you.” The five bowed as the alicorn took her leave, feeling invigorated by their talk despite it ending abruptly. “That was quite an encounter with royalty. If Celestia were alive in our time, she might also enjoy walking and mingling with others in the agoras. Truly, it was nice for us to come here, Lady Scarcity. As much as we want to continue exploring Canterlot, would now be an opportune time to get ourselves settled in?”

@Blitz Boom “A creature of chaos would make attempts at logic and reason look like an exercise in frustration. That sounds just like Discord…” “What a time we live in, huh? That we’d find ourselves befriending the one responsible for driving the longma to madness at one point in our history. Wonder what the folks back home would think of us if they haven’t written us off as a bunch of strangers too accustomed to life outside of the forest.” “Maybe that would make us a little like Discord, right, Omen? Preferring the company of ponies instead of his kind. Or maybe Discord was right about not being able to understand. I guess there are just some answers out there that we need not try to understand and simply let them be.” Lin had this drive to find the answers to her burning questions, but at times, finding out may not be quite the right thing. There may be questions out there that she would rather not want answered. What she may learn would be too much to comprehend, or if it were comprehensible, she may not like what she learns. If it was something she could impart to Omen and Sen, that lesson would be one. But, the realm’s visitor would also have some words for the group as well. “I think I understand what you mean. This wouldn’t be your normal way of communicating, and you need our words for that here.” “And it looks like you use your little fish to help you understand our words? Okay, I see where this is going. It’s new to you, but you try. It’s a good thing that we can speak with and learn from each other.” Omen seems to also be finding progress in communicating with the creature’s servant, and it appears to be curious of them in turn. Sen picked up on the latter question and stepped forward to answer that. Though he may be getting sidetracked from continuing preparations, he found this diversion to be a nice thing to get his mind off his worries on matters back home. “About your question, we have not encountered something like you before. Our home is a forest with not much as far as bodies of water go, but we do have rivers and ponds where fish live. I guess the closest we have to having something similar to you would be your small fish on your staff. As for us, Lin and I are longma, hybrids of dragons and ponies. If you could tell us, may we also ask what you are?” ————————————————————————————————————————————————————— “That must be nice, having a kind of magic that is innately part of one’s being. I could see how those could contribute to the development of different societies based on what that magic could be used for.” “Without magic, there was always a sense of being at the mercy of natural phenomenon. That, in turn, led to studying how the world works and how to best take advantage of the benefits it could offer. But, it also meant that it was a long road that was divided into understanding and faith; what could be divine and mundane clashed based on how one saw the world.” “I think you can see how and where debates and discussions have become so intertwined with the Hyracotherians. Because of this pursuit of knowledge, many have come to see the world as something to be understood. And when something new comes along, it has to be studied. Magic wasn’t exempt from this, and when it became a topic of inquiry, many would come to learn how to harness such powers. Schools that specialized in different conspectuses cropped up as a result. I believe there was one that proposed magic came from beyond this world and looked to the stars for inspiration behind their theory.” “And what happened to them, exactly?” “I don’t know; that group just disappeared. Their theory suggests magic originated from the beyond, which came to the world through falling stars. And their ideas for testing that theory involved sticking fragments of fallen stars into their heads. You have to admit, that makes them quite loony, right Wig Woggle?” The Hyracotherians may have studied magic, but there weren’t quite so many in the way of schools of thought. Some sought to learn magic for mundane uses, while others learned to enhance existing technologies. Those were the more common approaches that let many see improvements in the ways they went about their lives. The scholarly inclined had much larger, less-orthodox ways of seeing magic. Some had more reasonable takes, and then there were the… odd ones who had much more outlandish theories. “Fair enough. Long and dark histories of unsavory actions should be remembered. It is the one thing that we hoped would carry us forward long after our civilization crumbled. Admittedly, it was our fault, but that is exactly why it must never be forgotten.” “A slow march to destruction is something we do not wish for anyone. But seeing it happen, and feeling that we didn’t do enough to stop it… it makes us wonder if what we did - metaphorically flinging a light to the future - was the right decision. That was true when we first awakened out of our time, and it is true now. I hope you will never find yourself in that situation Princess. The weight of that responsibility should not be shouldered by anyone.” Scriniarii and Legatus were still disturbed by the last moments of their crumbling civilization and hoped nothing like it would happen again. Sadly, some events in their past, long after the collapse of the Hyracotherians, convinced them that their efforts just weren’t enough. And in this modern age, it felt like history might just repeat itself. Thankfully, Celestia’s remarks and insight provided hope that things could get better. The union and positive relations between many different races were a good sign. Perhaps in time, the golems may relinquish the promise they made to themselves long ago, and they would find their rest in better times. Alas, their work continues. But right now, their discussion would turn to the source of their past positivity. Even among the war-like tendencies their kind exhibited, there was someone who espoused a more affirmative and constructive philosophy to live by. “Gaudium… He was a philosopher who proposed the idea of a life of active development driven by hope. Hyracotherian society was one defined by a thirst for knowledge applied to daily life, something that came about after the decline of faith-based living. What we could learn today should be shared with others, who in turn could lead to developments that improve lives in the future. In every little bit of improvement, there is contentment and happiness to be found because it is a building block for something even bigger. That philosophy can be applied to self-improvement just as much as it can to societal improvement, though emphasis is placed on the latter.” “His philosophy can be summed up by his maxim: ‘pro iis qui nos sequuntur.’ For those who follow after us. It is a beautiful way of thinking and living, yes? That life is a pursuit that aims to build something better for those who come after?”

@Blitz Boom This talk of strangeness and relativity was more comforting, at least to Lin. In a sense, there was a thing they shared with Omen, her sibling, and the latter’s new master that made her feel like she wasn’t out of place. Deep down, she felt a little more isolated despite being in the presence of other longma, and while she was still one, it didn’t feel like a kind of complete kinship. She was no flying octopus or a sea creature in general, but the oddity that she had become after returning from the wellspring made her distant, appearance-wise, among the longma. It didn’t sound right if she were to vocalize her thoughts, and so she would only keep it within her mind. Some thoughts ought to remain private no matter how much she’d want to share them. Even among those she trusted most. “I guess if you could say something about being given a new form, it carries familiarity. It helps make one feel like they belong, even before they know it. And it makes things easier, you know? No need to think about it when it comes naturally.” “That might not always be true, brother. But I wouldn’t know what goes on in the minds of every creature who comes here to pick someone to join them. They have their reasons.” The creature’s words were audible, though comprehending them proved to be a challenge to the longma siblings. Sen still couldn’t seem to wrap his head around if there was more to the words, while Lin attempted to piece something sensible in her mind. And there is something to be understood here. She got the words, and they made sense upon hearing them. Maybe she could try helping him while moving the conversation a little further. “Sen? Omen? Let me try something. You hear how the words were those we spoke just now?” “Yes, but where are you going with this?” “Just give me a moment to let me work on this.” She turned to the creature, walking up to and sitting by him. They were in a safe place, and it was certain that they could spend a little time to get a better understanding of each other. If he was using their words to communicate, he was trying. It was only right that they would try to speak and establish rapport. “I hear you, too, and I can understand; it’s hard to find the words sometimes. No need to be sorry.” “My name is Lin, and if I may ask, what did you mean by ‘looking for history?’” ————————————————————————————————————————————————————— “Illusions? I can imagine a creative use of that paired with emotions; playing with them to weave scenarios that could alter the way one sees the world…. Interactions with heightened emotional responses could make for quite a show, and more emotions harvested. That could make for quite a potent combination. The theater is a calling and a match made perfect with the right set-up for both her and any audience.” “Speaking of an audience, the Hyracotherian theater would have been a perfect place for her troupe. Though our methods were to narrate an event, dramatization of key scenes would enhance the experience and make it a spectacle. The Hyracotherians weren’t exactly the biggest creatures, and if they were still around today, they would only reach about half an average pony’s height. We were just that small.” “You could just envision what our academic disputes might have looked like back then… a bunch of toddlers with egos engaging in brawls!” Videntor returned, seemingly in better spirits than when he first left the group. It appeared that his time alone got his pent-up sadness vented out of his system, and he was back to making merry conversation like nothing happened. “You’re back! How are you feeling?” “Much better now that I worked through some old regrets. It didn’t completely get out of my mind, but it was enough of a start. Right now, I wanted to put that behind me and return to the present. I heard talk of guest speakers and theology classes. That second one sounds like it would be right for you, Vates.” “That was a long time ago, and even I understood the waning influence of faith in a changing society. I might just sit in and listen, but only when there is time to spare. However, I am intrigued by how that helped growing crops. From what I gathered about Earth ponies, they are the most skilled at working the land. Was that because they are more attuned to nature? Or is it some kind of innate magic that influences their ability? Do they even know they have that kind of magic if that is true?” Faith was a kind of baggage that Vates had a complicated history with. She had her role, and she did her duty to her fellow Hyracotherians through the services the temple offered. Once that was upended, she had to try and make do with what little influence she could still carry. By then, she was little more than a glorified fortune teller. Some still held fast and true to their faith, but it didn’t carry the same weight it did when she was much younger. Magus and Legatus were stunned by what the Princess mentioned. An Inquisition, a fervor and devotion taken to inexplicably dangerous heights. They didn’t think it was possible, but it seemed like history had recorded it for many to remember. Such a thing was foreign in their time, but there was no way would they ever believe that things would go so far to actually become reality. And then the story of the Evergrown, one that reminded the golems, especially Legatus, of their own history of exploitation in the name of security. In truth, history is mired with such tales. They once saw the rise of a large, nomadic tribe transform into a formidable empire that would span continents. As mighty as they were, it was built upon the hapless victims of conquest, their machine fed upon the efforts of others who didn’t wish to be part of that empire. It seemed that wherever one went, a terrible history would follow, rearing its ugly head and repeating. It was the kind of thing that the golems swore to put a stop to. After all, that was their mission when they agreed to preserve their essence within the focal orb. However, the mention of the Evergrown brought back Scriniarii's thoughts on Omen and the longma siblings. If they were to ever meet, there may be a chance for that to go well, better even, knowing that their experiences meeting creatures foreign to them usually ended in friendship or mutual respect. It may not be rare to find individuals who carried themselves well when meeting new creatures, but somehow, those with power and authority had a thing for imposing those over those who did not acknowledge it, leading to difficult or rocky relations. That could just be something coloring the golems' perceptions given the history of the Hyracotherians, as well as that of the different civilizations that they witnessed. It was a tale that repeated itself at different times; the details changed, but the gist remained the same. “History is lined with great and terrible tales, but the best we can do is to learn from them and avoid making the same mistakes that led to these events happening. It is good that things are looking up for Equestria instead of buckling under the weight of tragedies. That is enough to give us hope that our kind's mistakes aren't playing out again, especially now that unity without sacrificing uniqueness among creatures is becoming more prominent.” “And worry not about rambling. It is nice to hear about new developments in Equestria, even if we don’t really know the specifics. What little we can glean from them makes things sound positive, and so we ought to celebrate even the little things that can lead to bigger, positive developments. That was one lesson we heard being taught in our time by the thinker Gaudium.” “But back to what you said about military presence… I agree that having one as a means to establish security on the borders has its purpose. But as a policy that acts as a pretense for aggression? That is a delicate area. I do not envy your position of leadership in Equestria, but I hope that Equestria and beyond could be a utopia because you show that such a thing is possible. I cannot help but be curious about this 'Troy' and the issues they are causing. If I may ask, who are they, and what kind of trouble have they caused?”

@Blitz Boom “I guess strange is one way of looking at things, and I can understand us being strange to your sibling and his master. Would be similar to how our folks back home might have thought of you and Lin when we first returned home after so much time had passed.” “It is a matter of perspective. One sees things as normal that others would see as strange. Experience and history are varied, and that shapes perspectives. Although I concede; he is right that we would not be able to swim well. I can’t even swim at all.” Sen nodded at the assessment of himself. The thought of being labeled as “strange” didn’t seem odd. Having been around a whole assortment of places and creatures meant the word didn’t carry the kind of stigma some associated it with. Some would see it as an insult, a kind of label that instilled an egotistical sense of pride in putting someone else down for things outside their control. But seeing the truth that the world outside carried its own kind of strangeness meant the word’s power diminished, and nothing ever truly was strange, relatively speaking. After all, if everyone and everything is strange, then nothing and no one could be. Lin thought the same, though she couldn’t express it vocally; Shrimp running on her back was distracting enough. His little steps lightly tapping on her hide felt ticklish, and she would playfully try to get him to tone it down a little, all the while trying to stifle her chuckles. It would be rather inappropriate if she were to burst into laughter at such an odd time. But all that halted when the squid creature spoke to them. Rather, a noise emanated from the squid creature sounding like it was trying to communicate with them. Or perhaps it was the fish that came from the squid… which just raises questions about how all this was possible. It might be possible that they were communicating with a being that could be considered “eldritch” in nature, which brings back the discussion on how strange another could be. Regardless, Lin and Sen were cautious, slowly approaching and gauging their way of communication as the situation unfolded before them. The sound put the hairs on their backs on edge, and while they were wary, they didn’t want to come across as aloof. “‘Meet… you…?’ I’m sorry; did I hear you right?” “I… uh, think I understand what you just said. Does that mean… you can understand us? We don’t mean you any harm, and we are not looking for trouble. You want to meet us?” ————————————————————————————————————————————————————— “I didn’t mean to bring out such negativity around here. It seems like it is still a sore spot among the changelings, but now we know such a matter is delicate. And that would require a deft approach. I wasn’t thinking straight when I brought up the question, and I appreciate your openness to answering it despite the connotation surrounding the topic.” “Your nuanced answer is reminiscent of our time when debating topics like this was fairly common. But maybe our old way of speaking out in the open was not warranted here, especially when difficult history is the topic of discussion. Knowing what we know now, efforts to build up a broken or negative history is a monumental but admirable task. Changing preconceived notions based on unsavory experiences is a difficult - maybe even near impossible - endeavor, and what can help change it is a positive.” “That said, learning is a two-way street, and being open to change is just as essential. Whoever sees your efforts may not be so receptive. But that becomes an issue for them to resolve, knowing you are doing what you can.” Scriniarri didn’t want to come off as patronizing, but he also wanted to offer his own assurances for the changeling. Though he has never found himself in such a situation, learning of it from others gave him hope that he could find a way to diffuse such situations if he ever got into such. Even then, he might need to halt the discussion lest he rile up the other patrons into a bigger confrontation no one would rather have. Fortunately, Wig moved on to another topic, and Vates was happy to take over the golem’s discussion. “Spite has an aftertaste? I didn’t expect that, though that might be appropriate given what spiting others is about… Maybe the whole ‘teach others about our kind’ thing would turn out a lot different than what we could imagine. The Hyracotherians are long gone, and teaching about them would be like a history lesson on ancient civilizations. I doubt anyone would be scared of creatures that have long since disappeared from history.” “Hmm… maybe seeing a golem would be what fuels confusion? Or the dissonance between attitudes of today and of our time? Then there is also the matter of faith-driven beliefs being prominent at one point in our history…. You know, there is a lot of untapped potential there. I’m not sure how that could be introduced in your establishment, but the opportunity for such could be there in the future.” “But we will also take up your suggestion to see Cheshire if our travels take us there. We could only imagine just how delightful she is based on how you described her. It might even let us see how theater has changed since our time.” Vates might have been thinking of the open discussions in the agoras, the kind that many would stop by the listen to while going about their day. Some might equate it to the open mics of comedy clubs, though it would come off as less entertaining and more educational. Then again, that might cause business to dry up - the opposite of what a business wants. Perhaps a suggestion like that might not be such a good idea, especially when other emotions could still be harvested in large amounts for tea. Legatus smiled at the prospect of peaceful solutions and meetings, success stories from establishing new or improved relations among creatures in neighboring and distant lands. Likewise, some found their way to Equestria and had their own successes in forging new bonds that could last through the ages. In a sense, there was a kind of peace that he once thought impossible. But it was that thought that also caused him to pause, to reexamine the attitudes of his time and how their attempts at diplomacy worked. The question posed by Princess Celestia sealed the deal, and he wished he had a better answer. It may have been the product of his time, but the dissonance could prove to be something he hoped he could avoid. That said, it may be worth coming clean; all the warts of old strategies would come to the forefront. “Ah, I see the fruits of your approach have led to blossoming relations. Those are the kinds that I had once dreamed would happen. In my time, being friendly with another city-state was a turbulent matter. In some years, there was trade and friendly relations; in others, we would seal our borders and prepare for war. Disagreements among our leaders meant we were at their mercy, and our orders put our respective territories at odds with each other. Sometimes, the open sea was the only thing keeping battle at bay.” “But when it came to creatures or civilizations outside our sphere of influence, we tend to maintain neutrality. We kept a wide berth from anyone deemed dangerous. And if there were creatures living by our farthest borders, we establish limited trade relations. However, just by those creatures’ borders, we built our military to ensure we were ready to strike them should they prove a threat, or if we saw their integration as a source of strength.” “They would be made to join us under the pretense of their safety, but the only advantage was to us. They would assimilate into our culture and practices, and when conflict with another city-state was looming, they would be the first on the front lines. Conflict among the Hyracotherians was a fact of life; the question was who would make the first move. As much as we claimed to be a learned and forward-thinking society, it was always a veneer that covered our tribalism and barbarity.” Magus and Scriniarii overheard this, and as much as they wanted to continue presenting themselves as wizened beings, they didn’t argue their fellow’s points. For all of their advancements and directions toward building an enlightened society, their history of conflicts painted a different picture. It was something they avoided discussing, perhaps as a reminder of how their society ultimately collapsed. That their last-ditch effort to preserve something of value led to this… maybe it was a sign that some things ought to remain in the past.

@Blitz Boom “It is an important moment, and I doubt it wouldn’t make us look good if we jumped in to interrupt. I guess that goes doubly so for your siblings when they get picked. All the more reason why we should be careful and not ruin the moment.” Of course, Sen and Lin observed what went on with the newly formed sibling and his new master, keeping an eye on them as they continued their approach to Shrimp. Now, they would be spotted, and the two caught an eye being trained on them. The two froze, paralyzed with their insides gripped and tightening; they feared the possible warning and talk from Mother or her guest, but for now, nothing of the sort happened. They were greeted with some raised tentacles, and in turn, they also instinctively smiled and raised one claw in the air to say hello back. And Shrimp? The little one had so much energy, he leaped at Sen. All this happened so quickly that they were now caught in between conversation with Omen and Klughlurg. That and the longma also brought Shrimp closer for them to touch. This was going better than expected, though the longma siblings were still subconsciously waiting for “the talk” that might come later. And they’d feel it would be the worst they’d get like they were being scolded like little children walking into places they shouldn’t be in. But as Omen said, the new sibling’s master was seemingly friendly, and so they also smiled and bowed. “Hi there! It’s, uh… nice to meet you. We didn’t mean to interrupt you during this, um… important moment.” “We just wanted to pick up our little friend, and… we will be on our way.” Lin’s smile grew even wider as she spoke, though it was a little tricky for her to not break eye contact. She quickly scooted over to Omen and tried to speak through her smile. “Uh, Omen? Is there a way we could get our words translated for your sibling’s master if he couldn't understand us? Just to let him know that we are friendly and we didn’t mean to interrupt.” The longma hoped for the best, and there was a good chance it would turn out well given how things are going now. They certainly believe Mother’s realm to be a safe haven, though safe from awkward interactions was something they didn’t think find themselves in. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————— Videntor stepped aside, heading off into a booth to be alone with his thoughts. It wasn’t something he thought possible, but the stream of memories long locked away proved they couldn’t be kept hidden forever. Considering he lasted several lifetimes without recalling them, the others were concerned for themselves as much as they were for him. It questioned what else they were hiding, if not from others, then from themselves; some longed for simpler times while others recalled an older conversation about how long they ought to exist before they’ve had enough. As for the golem himself, he didn’t appear to need the implements in the room, but he made sure to lock himself inside. From there, he’d take this moment to calm himself, think back on his regrets, and wonder just what he could have imaginably achieved in the time between being first sealed away in an orb and now. There is a saying, “Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answers to,” but in his solace dared to ask it anyway. Outside, the others might hear murmurs, signs of the golem talking to himself, and lots of sobbing. They quietly ruminated on their own state for a moment, but they’d keep it to themselves. “It’s a heavy thing, being burdened by deeply seated thoughts on the brink of bursting. Perhaps our fellow will find comfort that he doesn’t carry them anymore. Though joy is fleeting, making our own does have its own rewards, not that it invalidates what you do, Wig Woggle. Emotions aside, your tea is delicious. Do changelings equate emotions with taste? Like happiness is equivalent to something that tastes sweet? It is a fascinating thing to wonder about.” “Speaking of which, changelings are new to us and give them a clean slate to us. We weren’t around during the attack on Canterlot, but from what interactions we have through you paint them in an interesting light as creatures with a great affinity to emotions. Though I am intrigued by something; may I ask you a question? From the perspective of a changeling, would it be preferable to being an unknown to the ponies of this age compared to working toward repairing a tarnished reputation with the ponies?” “I admit to falling under the former, though that is mostly by circumstance. A civilization long forgotten has no stigma or expectations, making them putting them in a neutral state. Although I suppose that means it is possible to leave a negative impression if not careful. And… I just realized that this might have become a rather heavy point of discussion. I apologize; these kinds of discussions were common in our time, but prodding like they may be insensitive nowadays. If it is, there is no need to answer.” Scriniarii may have overstepped his boundaries. In a way, he recognized the difference in situations between the Hyracotherians and the Changelings. However, he was also reminded of the longma based on his interactions with Sen and Lin and the brief understanding of their situation. Out of respect for them, he opted to keep the longma out of the discussion and let them be the ones to open themselves to the world when they were ready. The golem scholars knew Celestia spoke true, but saying anything more could give them away. They simply nodded in agreement that whoever made them was truly skilled, and they would leave it at that. Truly, their knowledge of golem-craft was limited at best; only those who knew better could explain it, and being subjected to the process didn’t give them any insight into it. However, Legatus had something that could be best described as an itch in his mind, something that could be sated by insight. Princess Celestia being here might be the one most suited to answering it. “Princess, if I may ask? As someone knowledgable and skilled in statecraft, what is your approach to meeting creatures new and unknown to the ponies of Equestria? Would you send delegations to meet them in their domains, or would you let them establish first contact with ponykind? Although I am no longer practiced in such matters, I once handled those affairs, and I cannot help but be curious about how you would go about it.”