EQ_Theta

@Blitz Boom “It’s true that I don’t want you to experience what I went through. But I guess by ‘sharing’ in this case, it’s more like talking about it to you. I’ve been keeping that to myself for a very long time, but I feel safe talking about those things with you or Lin, Rosa, or even Mother. I can talk about things that I find difficult to speak about if it were anybody else.” Sen still hasn’t completely figured out his thoughts on the things that bother him, things difficult to speak of. Old wounds haven’t healed despite how much time has passed. But he was sincere in his sentiments; just being able to talk about the things that hurt him made it easier to live with them and probably gave him a new perspective. “That might just be a good excuse to buy a pie, but I’m sure the big and friendly baker would appreciate customers taking an interest in her goods. Surely that beats eating food from the trash, right? Or eating other creatures for that matter... That's just going to be weird.” As Lin and Omen went on about food, Sen silently nodded at the notion of having food better than scraps found in the garbage. Eating better meant getting sick less, and he wasn’t going to get himself sick out of desperation to eat something. Then again, maybe this might not be a problem for Omen. All the while, Ghilan and Xin just kept themselves quiet as they ate, taking in Sen’s makeshift salad while trying not to sound disgusted at the thought of Sen’s and Omen’s past experiences with food from the trash. They could only wonder what drove them to eat food others tossed out. Similarly, they were just as interested in those pies Lin mentioned; someone making them for money probably meant those things were delicious. The elder watched as Omen did her little gate trick, moving from one place to another. It was quick and clean, nothing more to say about it, just as he imagined it might go. It was good to know that unnecessary involvement with the nastier elements of the village could be avoided, though he wondered what exactly got Feng to be so abrasive towards Omen and the siblings. Even the Ki’Nathar’s musings had him curious, leaving him with nothing but theories. “It might be him testing things, seeing what he can get away with if he were to meddle with you. If he is not afraid of the consequences, or possibly realizes that there aren’t truly any consequences, he may be more emboldened to try more and more things. Sending him away would tell him he can try again; it could be annoying, but if it hurts you more than him…” “Then we’ll need a more permanent solution. Something to get him off our backs for good.” “As much as I would like to step in and help, I am under a lot of suspicion from the other villagers for giving you more attention than them. Bring me proof that he is aggravating you, then I can act on it, but not in a way that makes it look like you’re setting him up to get caught. All I am saying is just try not to make it look obvious.” Lin scoffed, huffing at the elder’s suggestion. She’d rather do something more proactive, but knowing how that turned out the last time, she was lucky all it got her and Sen was a reprimand. Knowing Feng got the same treatment means he could be emboldened to try something more drastic. For now, she’d go along with Ghilan’s suggestion. If something were to get the huntmaster’s second humiliated or worse in front of the village, that will have to do. And Elder Ghilan would prefer to move to another topic altogether. The elder brandished the cage before Omen. He wasn’t happy that he needed to bring this up, but knowing possible safety issues arising from having Shrimp moving about, it might be prudent to ensure everyone else knew about it. “There’s no need to wake up your little friend; he seems to be enjoying his nap. But, I am concerned about him possibly getting loose during the meeting with the elders, not to mention seeing a lot of unfamiliar faces could disturb or upset him. Which brings me to this wooden cage: big enough for him to move around and sleep in while light enough to carry." "You do realize that a caged creature could be more distressed than if it were left out in the open, right Ghilan? This might not be a good idea for their little companion." "This is only a precaution. You know your little friend better than I do, so I am asking you for your thoughts on this. Would you need to house Shrimp in this cage during the meeting? Or could I entrust you to keep him on his best behavior when we meet with the elders? I trust you know yourselves and what is best for your little companion, so if this cage is needed, it will be here.” ========================================================================== “Oh, at least hauntings here are not going to be a concern. Having a profession built on beliefs and learning just how true they are that they manifest in reality is a sobering form of existence. Even more so when it turns out those things eventually wane over time. One need only question just how relevant their calling in life becomes when those changes begin to hit much closer to home.” “Don’t get too sentimental, Vates. We’ve all gone through that phase at one point of our unnaturally long lives.” “If only you lived the life of a temple priestess.... Then you’d learn just how much belief and the supernatural are the center of one’s life.” Vates felt a slight tinge of jealousy upon hearing about this Macabre clan. Though she wasn’t too hung up on the idea of ghosts, poltergeists, and similar entities, knowing about those who can make a living from the supernatural left her wishing she was back at the temple and carrying out her duties. The world changed so much then, seeing how the old belief system crumbled and wore away in time, replacing faith with intellectual pursuits. Though she saw the writing on the wall and made her transition to where her skills would prove useful, she still longed for the days spent tending to the spiritual needs of her fellow Hyracotherians, even as fewer continued to believe in the old deities. “Well, we could start with trying to blend in with the locals, and though we could speak it, I doubt we could write.” Scriniarii picked up the paper and pen, attempting to write something. Unfortunately, poor coordination with his teeth meant any words he could write ended up looking more like a collection of illegible scribbles. This wasn’t going to do, but Magus lifted his makeshift magic catalyst, moving it about like a wand, and sure enough, he began writing a few simple words with more grace and fine control. Silent and reserved as he was, he would become the group’s designated scribe if necessary. “I suppose I will be taking in everyone’s information, Lady Scarcity. As observed, we are all capable of speaking the common tongue, though writing it may be more troublesome for my fellows. As for the information you require, I was a mage… though that might not be much. The closest analogue would be a scholar of esoteric magical arts and craftwork, as I also dabbled in magical catalyst construction. I could also pass as an alchemist if need be.” “And back from our first introduction, I recall mentioning that I was an archivist, and after visiting the museum, maybe my old title would be appropriate for me. I initially specialized in the preservation of artifacts and ancient tablets, though I also worked with academic scholars to manage their findings in relation to the artifacts we studied.” “That’s right, Lady Scarcity. I was one such scholar, and I worked together with Scriniarii on various occasions. I did work in the temple as a seer, but when that was not a viable long-term career option, I went into academic pursuits. I worked on material culture, studying artifacts, cultures, and practices of different tribes. If there was a spiritual aspect to it, I also provided some input as a religious scholar.” “I was an ambassador, or a consul, in our time. Though I served in the Hyracotherian military and oversaw training and deployments, I mostly worked on diplomatic missions, establishing contact with distant tribes and securing alliances. And, may we also not bring up the other unsavory parts of my old work? I’d rather stick to just being an intermediary or negotiator.” That left only Vates, the only member of the group whose work was a lot closer to mystical than outright practical. Even then, at least Videntor eventually found himself pursuing academic work, becoming the only true scholar and researcher of the group. Vates was the only one with a very questionable and likely outdated profession that didn’t translate into anything workable in the modern age. Then again, she still maintained some semblance of her old faith and their related tasks, but those would make her leanings closer to being a charlatan than anything practical. Just the thought of that left her quiet, scrambling within the recesses of her mind to come up with something for Scarcity to use for their permits. “I was a diviner of the old Hyracotherian temple long ago, and my primary duties involved tending to the spiritual health of those who visited the temple. Maybe in modern ages, I would be a priestess or some kind of spiritual leader who interprets signs from the divine. Nowadays, the most I can do is hoof readings for simple divination. At times, I was also a custodian and caretaker of the temple, ensuring it had the equipment needed to perform various services to those who needed them.” “There are some approximations and liberties taken with our old professions, Lady Scarcity. Time away from our kind and being trapped in an orb meant our old lives had changed with the passage of civilizations. Would those descriptions suffice? Or would you need more information about how we can present our old identities for a more modern age?”

@Blitz Boom Sen smiled, and his heart warmed at the thought of Omen’s sentiments. As much as he wanted to correct her about maintaining the good that they could do if their talk with the elders went well, perhaps it was best to leave it be. They could refine their approach later. If there was some good they could do, it was best to start somewhere, and home was a good place to start. Maybe it would become a home for Omen as well sometime down the line. He hoped it would become a place for her where she would want for nothing. Then again, home was just as much a place for happiness as it was for pain. The longma remained in silent contemplation, his smile fading at the thought of memories long-buried. Those gnawed at him, eating away at his positivity. Omen saw those too, and he made no secret about how much it hurt - how much it still hurts. It was no secret how much he talked about it, but that advice about talking things out to ease the pain, he wasn’t sure it was sound. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t. But he was adamant about it being a cautionary tale, and he’d talk about it no matter how much it felt like picking away at a scab that won’t truly heal. He appreciated Omen’s help. “I don’t wish my pain on anyone else, and I hope you never experience it. Maybe with things going well… that’s one more thing to help me heal. If there was one thing I learned about carrying that pain for a long, long time, it’s that it never truly goes away. I just learned to live with it. But being with you, Lin, and Rosa, it gets easier.” It was true that his past still haunted him, about how he still feels the guilt of abandoning his parents all those years ago. Some nights, he relives those harrowing moments, always feeling paralyzed and unable to do anything. And yet, those nights don’t come around as often as they used to. Instead, he recalls the night at the carnival, competing with Rosa, sharing meals with Omen, and meeting new creatures with Lin, all things that brought him so much joy. He sometimes wished he could relive those moments, the fleeting moments when he truly felt close to them. Maybe if things went well, he could create more of those and hoped others would have the opportunity to create memories that are just as sweet. But they would have to focus now on other matters. The big day was coming soon, and they would need to settle on final preparations. “I couldn’t have imagined eating food from the trash would be something you and Omen had in common. The smell of eggs gone bad was already too much for me to handle.” “Time spent in exile has led to some strange situations, some beyond our control. I made do with food from the garbage, but on some days, I preferred starving. Strange food was a mixed bag; on some days, the food was good, and others, I wouldn’t touch it.” “I guess you’re right, but when ponies make good food, it wouldn’t matter how mysterious it was. Pies may be mysterious, Omen, but good technique and ingredients can do wonders! Besides, it doesn’t have to be mysterious; remember that big, friendly mare who runs the bakery in Canterlot? The one a cat led us to? I think she can teach us all about pies, so they won’t have to be as strange.” Lin chomped down on the makeshift salad Sen created, seemingly forgetting to critique its taste. Xin and Ghilan ate their fill but remained quiet. Though they could easily point out the overwhelmingly bitter taste of the watercress and the mismatched crunchiness of the leaves with the chewy mushrooms, they kept that to themselves. Frankly, they were engrossed by the conversation between the longma siblings and Omen, learning a little more about them and their experiences. It seemed like their time away from the village opened them to experiences not thought possible. And for Ghilan, he was interested in knowing more about what they learned and how it changed them. He may not find himself in their position, but the insight he can gather could prove valuable. But as they ate, the conversation turned to more serious matters, and he would need to step in to offer some guidance and insight of his own. “It is a sound approach with each of us settling for something in our control. However, I would highly advise you to just not engage Feng at all, which means sending him away is not an option. But knowing your abilities, you can send you and your friends away to safety instead. And you have Feng’s scent; unless I misunderstand how that works, maybe you can use that to know when he is close by and move away to safety before he can get to you? That is how it works, correct?” “I don’t like it, but I guess it will have to do.” “I know I am asking a lot for you to restrain yourselves, but I don’t want things to get out of control. The way I see it, remaining in control would show that you are wisening up to Feng’s tricks, that you are taking a smart approach, and that you are not stooping down to his level.” Lin would much rather find a way to permanently remove the threat to herself and her friends, but she conceded to Ghilan’s suggestion. This was a delicate situation, and making things worse wouldn’t help anyone. The longma of the village may be amenable to having former exiles among them, but it wouldn’t take much to turn that sentiment around. If anything, giving Omen a home here could be a wasted effort if the village collectively decided to kick them out. And when the bully is someone in authority, they can change the narrative to whatever would make things worse for the siblings and Omen. “It would not matter if you truly are not a danger to anyone. Feng has already made up his mind about you, and he’s bent on making you look bad to anyone still uncertain about you. It may seem stupid, but Feng isn’t going to be stupid about it. So, no, he will not go after Sen and Lin’s grandfather. That will just make him look insane to everyone else in the village.” “You will not need to worry about anything happening to your grandfather, but I will inform some hunters to quietly keep an eye on him. He will be safe while we are away. Feng may be planning something, but that is directed at us. Might as well keep it that way to minimize the danger to others, right? Now, would anyone have any other concerns that need to be addressed? I would like to discuss our plan and schedule for tomorrow. Likewise, I need to also discuss something concerning your little friend, Omen.” Ghilan had a small pack on him when he arrived, and he would place it before the Ki’Nathar and the refraction. Both of them were free to inspect it, and if either of them fiddled with the leafy covers, they would see a small wooden cage. It was rather large for the little one, with ample room to move about. However, the bars were close enough to each other that Shrimp wouldn’t be able to slither between them. The elder wasn’t quite sure how they’d react to it, but he wouldn’t be surprised if they weren’t thrilled with the idea. He’d rather just get it out of the way sooner, including letting their dislike be known immediately, but he’d prefer to come clean with them. =================================================================================================================================== “I don’t know… Given our differing circumstances, sometimes being snuffed of life is preferable, but I won’t claim equivalency based on how Equestria operates its most unsavory aspects. After all, having done the dirty work gives me some insight into why they're necessary, just as much as the secrecy is vital. But to your question, I don’t have an answer that would satisfy.” “In any case, the idea that other worlds or planes of reality exist is… a lot to take in. Knowing about them is one thing, but to fully understand them would take significant time. How magic ties into those is another thing entirely. To think there are other avenues of study beyond what our knowledge has revealed only tells us that what we know is a fraction of what we have yet to learn. Then again, the concept of, uhh… ‘universes’ as you call them, is a very foreign term for us. If time permits, that might be something we can study. I am certain of your description about them being fascinating.” Scriniarii stepped in to stop Legatus from having an unnecessary diatribe on the merits of secretive work. Knowing their history and the circumstances that led the golems into their current state, they wouldn’t need to air their dirty laundry out in the open. They had to be careful with what information they would divulge, knowing that they were operating under a cover story. And if they had to talk about it, it was better done in private. Fortunately, they were taken to a place where they would have their moment of reprieve to discuss their private grievances. “Ah, that is nice to know, and though we may not know if we would need those compartments, it’s good to be aware of them. I don’t suppose the home might be haunted by the previous occupant?” Vates took a swipe at Videntor’s leg, sending a sharp knock that disrupted his balance. “Ow! Hey!” “I apologize for the insensitivity of that comment. We do not know if you believe in superstitions, but there is a belief in our time that those who pass on in a home may not truly pass on. Their essence or spirit, whatever the appropriate term may be, could be attached to objects in the home. Or in some cases, they could be attached to the home. Cleansing rituals would need to be performed to remove the lingering presence in the home, which is usually identified by feelings of being watched.” “Back then, homes were small enough to notice those presences, but larger ones? The process would be more involved. Unfortunately, I do not perform those, so I wouldn’t know what to do with removing an unwanted presence in the home. I guess nowadays ponies might call them ‘hauntings,’ right?” Though their experiences with the supernatural are incredibly limited, the golems have had their own share of such tales back when they were more active in their time. Later on, being unearthed meant hearing more about similar phenomena from the different civilizations that interacted with them. Some things remained similar as time went on, and that familiarity gave plenty of creatures unexpected connections with each other. Vates and Videntor believed in those tales, but others within their group didn’t share the kind of openness they had. Surprising, really, considering they could be considered ghosts depending on perspectives. But, as their civilization marched on, even belief in the supernatural gave way to the pursuit of the tangible and the empirical, and those beliefs slowly faded away, with only vestiges remaining in the fringes of Hyracotherian consciousness. “We appreciate the privacy all the same, and the quiet of this part of town gives it a touch of home from a long time ago. As beautiful as Canterlot is, its vastness and scale can be overwhelming at times. Here, it is nice and quaint, conducive to relaxation and work. And as for the terms of our agreement, we would uphold our end. There won’t be a need to be at odds with each other.” “Though now, the feeling of familiarity makes us a little more eager to work. Which brings us to the question: what can we do to prepare? And would we need to provide you with anything to ensure we can work here legally? Being displaced from our time has left us with little outside of what knowledge we can provide.”

No need to worry! Sad to hear that, but no rush. Take your time.

@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?”