private Another Cultural Exchange (1x1 with Skylight Scintillate)

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

"Oh, right," Speckle replied when Indigo reminded her of her previous clan. "Yeah maybe we could ask my parents," Speckle shrugged.

On 2025-06-23 at 4:10 PM, Illiad Easle said:

The old zebra mare looked concerned, "Do you believe that they would judge you for that? Or perhaps for the piece of pony that comes with the bat?"

"U-um, maybe? He didn't say that, but maybe it's because of that? I'm not really sure..." Speckle stammered. "Though maybe it's just the instructor. I hadn't really had a chance to talk to the other thestrals much..." Speckle thought out loud.

On 2025-06-23 at 4:10 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Indigo looked surprised, "Other traders from the central colony? And you say that they act differently?"

She nodded again, "Some visit here, with foals of their own. Bats of pony and zebra to there call home."

Now Nova also looked confused to match Indigo's surprise at the revelation.

"Wait, what? I'm confused. What's going on? The central colony is different?" Speckle asked, her confusion matching that of Nova's. "What's going on in the central colony?"

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

The zebra mare's expression shifted a bit towards worry, "Ah, I see this revelation has troubled you. I think it best if I bid adieu."

Indigo simply nodded, looking deep in thought.

It wasn't until the next potential customer approached that she was shaken from her thoughts, and once they had purchased their small bottle of ink Speckle turned towards the younger two. "I..." she sighed, shaking her head. "How would you two like to go see the central colony tomorrow? I think there we'll be able to find out all the answers we've been missing."

Nova looked a bit excited at the prospect, "We usually only go during the founding anniversary, can we just go there when there's not an occasion?"

Indigo nodded, "There's no rule against it, but I've also only been there for the anniversary, I don't think your father's been there outside of that either, or, a good number of the thestrals from our colony, outside of the Elder, and those who handle moving the wood and crops."

She seemed to be gaining conviction in her plan, "I'll make the plans. It will be a bit of a walk there, but I think you'll enjoy it."

 

Unless Speckle had something important to add, Indigo turned back to her stall to help more customers, with Nova returning his attention to Speckle. "I'm confused, but a bit excited! The central colony is so cool! They have even bigger trees and houses than at home, and this big white building that they call the mas-o-leem or something, where the founder was buried when he died. They say he built it himself with a magic staff!"

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

On 2025-07-09 at 4:34 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"Ah, I see this revelation has troubled you. I think it best if I bid adieu."

"Oh, uh, bye," Speckle replied. This zebra seemed to give her a lot to think about. Just what did she think of her experiences here? Did the other thestrals also judge her the same way the instructor did? And what was with the instructor changing his tune after she caught an animal? All of this felt quite confusing to her.

On 2025-07-09 at 4:34 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"I..." she sighed, shaking her head. "How would you two like to go see the central colony tomorrow? I think there we'll be able to find out all the answers we've been missing."

Nova looked a bit excited at the prospect, "We usually only go during the founding anniversary, can we just go there when there's not an occasion?"

"Oh my gosh, we can go to the central colony!? Tomorrow?! We should totally do that!" Speckle exclaimed, jumping up and down in excitement. Nova's excitement only further compounded her own excitement. "What is it like there? What do you do there? Are the thestrals there nice? Why do you only visit during the founding anniversary?"

On 2025-07-09 at 4:34 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"I'm confused, but a bit excited! The central colony is so cool! They have even bigger trees and houses than at home, and this big white building that they call the mas-o-leem or something, where the founder was buried when he died. They say he built it himself with a magic staff!"

"Wow, that's so cool! They have a magic staff there? What does it do? Can we visit? Do you have friends there? In what ways is it different from home? In what ways is it similar? Do you like it there?" Speckle asked, flooding Nova with a barrage of questions. 

"Oh, sorry," She later added once she realized. 

[Avery 1,221]

(Announcement)

Attention all fellow RPlayers! We have a special and fun project going around the RP. Our Readers @Emerald Heart the lead Librarian and the staffs; @Longhauland @Quinch will be taking requesting for any of the RP you may choose to be turned into a scrip storyteller and recorded, place your request here,

https://mlpforums.com/topic/205526-roleplaying-and-reading-and-requests-oh-my/#comment-6298257

 

I hope you all will continue having fun at the RP and with our Readers staffs here in mlpf! Carry on!

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

On 2025-07-10 at 10:21 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"What is it like there? What do you do there? Are the thestrals there nice? Why do you only visit during the founding anniversary?"

Nova shrugged, "I guess we only went for the anniversary as it was the only time it was necessary? I mean, do you often leave Canterlot to go to other cities without an important reason?" He posed that as a rhetorical, but his tone betrayed that he wasn't entirely sure as to the answer. Maybe Speckle's family had a history of spontaneous excursions?

Nonetheless, he moved on to the other questions he hadn't answered yet, "I think the thestrals there are nice enough, they acted a bit friendlier than the thestrals from my colony, but I thought it was just because of the occasion. There'd be a lot of food there, like the feast we had the other night, and we would hear stories of the clan's history from the Chronicler, which is this really old thestral who I guess is in charge of knowing all the stories."

On 2025-07-10 at 10:21 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"Wow, that's so cool! They have a magic staff there? What does it do? Can we visit? Do you have friends there? In what ways is it different from home? In what ways is it similar? Do you like it there?" Speckle asked, flooding Nova with a barrage of questions. 

"Oh, sorry," She later added once she realized. 

Indigo stepped in to give Nova a bit of a break, "I don't know if the staff is still there, it was a long time ago, like two hundred years, when the clan was founded. But they do have a special amulet of protection that has been passed down by the leaders." (I think her other questions were already answered, but if not she'll get more answers once they get there.)

 

It would be a bit longer before Indigo would get their help in closing up her booth, a bit later than she usually did, and soon they were heading back towards the colony. On their way through the forest they were passed by another group of thestrals similarly burdened as the old zebra mare had described. Passing with a simple nod and a wave.

Nova asked, "Were those the others that the zebra talked about? I didn't recognize them."

Indigo simply continued forward, "I would imagine so, but we'll know for sure tomorrow."

 

Once they were back in the colony, she sent the pair up to the treehouse, "Get on ready for bed you two, we'll be getting an early start tomorrow, and I have to arrange for someone to care for Lilac while we're gone."

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

On 2025-07-23 at 4:13 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Indigo stepped in to give Nova a bit of a break, "I don't know if the staff is still there, it was a long time ago, like two hundred years, when the clan was founded. But they do have a special amulet of protection that has been passed down by the leaders."

"Oh wow, that sounds really cool! I hope we'll be able to see them when we visit!" Speckle exclaimed.

 

On 2025-07-23 at 4:13 PM, Illiad Easle said:

On their way through the forest they were passed by another group of thestrals similarly burdened as the old zebra mare had described. Passing with a simple nod and a wave.

Nova asked, "Were those the others that the zebra talked about? I didn't recognize them."

Indigo simply continued forward, "I would imagine so, but we'll know for sure tomorrow."

Speckle would glance at them curiously but she didn't say anything. She had a few questions she figured would be answered tomorrow.

On 2025-07-23 at 4:13 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Once they were back in the colony, she sent the pair up to the treehouse, "Get on ready for bed you two, we'll be getting an early start tomorrow, and I have to arrange for someone to care for Lilac while we're gone."

Speckle nodded before climbing into her hammock to sleep. While she was quite tired from all the things they did that day, like the previous time she tried to sleep, her mind was racing with a million thoughts again. It took a while for her to accept that she probably wouldn't get any answers until tomorrow, which finally allowed her mind to calm down enough to sleep.

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

The next day, or rather, the night of the same day, the two young thestrals were woken in their hammocks by the sounds of Indigo moving about in the house below them, seemingly packing in advance of their trip. There was a hint of disgruntled muttering attached, as though something had frustrated her.

Speckle might also be surprised to find that she was not alone in her hammock, as a little thestral filly lay curled up against her not unlike a large cat.

Nova noticed, and came over to retrieve her, "Lilac, you're not supposed to be in there!" His tone was gentle, yet scolding, as he scooped up his younger sister out of Speckle's hammock. He was about to put her back in what was presumably her own hammock, given the smaller size, when Indigo called out from below, "Ah, Good Evening you two! Did you sleep well? Nova, could you bring Lilac down with you? I wasn't able to get someone to watch her this early, so she'll have to come with us."

Nova simply nodded, setting Lilac down on his back between his wings, "Let's get going then Speckle, are you excited?"

 

Once on the lower floor of the treehouse, Nova passed Lilac over to Indigo, and moved to sit when Indigo stopped him, "It's quite a trek to the central colony, so we're going to get going as soon as possible. We'll eat breakfast on the path, okay?" You two can go wash up real quick while I finish packing.

Speckle would have some time alone with Nova while they went to wash up before returning to the tree house, where Indigo had everything ready to go.

 

Once they returned, Indigo would give each of them a small pack to carry, "I've packed your breakfasts in there, as well as a few snacks and some water, and I've got some extra with me in case you run out."

In the bag was as Indigo described, though it was a pretty loose definition of breakfast. More accurately it was a large collection of a variety of snacks, including a few varieties of fruits, some dried meats, a bit of bread, and a soft pouch which probably held the water that Indigo had mentioned. Given how some of the dried meat faintly glowed, it may have been some of the leftover ursa meat from the previous night.

 

They were stopped by one of the guards before they left the clearing, "Indigo? Where are you all going so early?"

Indigo's mood appeared to fall a bit, "To the Central colony."

The guard looked conflicted, "Why? I mean, maybe we could save you the trip. There's a shipment of wood scheduled for tomorrow, maybe they could-"

"Could show our guest what the central colony is like? No, I thank you for your concern, but I think it would be more impactful for her to see it for herself, rather than hear about it second hoof."

The guard waffled a bit, "But... The Elder-"

Indigo fixed him with a stare, "Are you going to stop me?"

There was a tense few moments while the guard struggled to decide what to do, before he shook his head, "No, you all have a safe journey."

Indigo nodded, then started walking into the woods without another word.

 

Once they were in the forest proper, following the path to the north, Indigo seemed to relax a bit. Lilac seemed to pick up on that, turning around from her perch on her mother's back to wave at Speckle, "Hewo! You warm."

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

On 2025-08-04 at 3:55 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Speckle might also be surprised to find that she was not alone in her hammock, as a little thestral filly lay curled up against her not unlike a large cat.

Speckle woke up to the sounds of Indigo making preparations. She was surprised to see someone else in her hammock. She flinched, moving away instinctively, but she kept quiet when she realized who that was. "Oh, it's you, Lilac. How did you get in here?" she whispered to nopony in particular. Once Nova has retrieved Lilac, Speckle would climb out of her hammock.

On 2025-08-04 at 3:55 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Nova simply nodded, setting Lilac down on his back between his wings, "Let's get going then Speckle, are you excited?"

"Oh my gosh, I'm excited! Are you excited? Because I'm excited!" 

On 2025-08-04 at 3:55 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Speckle would have some time alone with Nova while they went to wash up before returning to the tree house, where Indigo had everything ready to go.

If Lilac wasn't with them, Speckle would use this as a chance to ask Nova about what her little sister is like.

When Indigo explained what was in their packs, Speckle would nod in understanding before following her as she led the way towards the central colony. 

On 2025-08-04 at 3:55 PM, Illiad Easle said:

There was a tense few moments while the guard struggled to decide what to do, before he shook his head, "No, you all have a safe journey."

Indigo nodded, then started walking into the woods without another word.

Speckle seemed kind of uncomfortable with the confrontation, but didn't say a word until they had passed the guard. "Uum, Indigo, why did the guard try to stop us?"

On 2025-08-04 at 3:55 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Lilac seemed to pick up on that, turning around from her perch on her mother's back to wave at Speckle, "Hewo! You warm."

"Uuh, ok?" Speckle stammered, not quite sure how to answer that. She opened and closed her mouth several times as she tried and failed to come up with a reply that made sense.

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

On 2025-08-07 at 10:00 AM, Skylight Scintillate said:

If Lilac wasn't with them, Speckle would use this as a chance to ask Nova about what her little sister is like.

"Hmm? Oh, um, She's a foal, not much more to it then that. She mostly just hangs around mom, or dad when he's visiting. I'm surprised she climbed into your hammock, she's usually a lot more... aloof? Like the others here."

On 2025-08-07 at 10:00 AM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle seemed kind of uncomfortable with the confrontation, but didn't say a word until they had passed the guard. "Uum, Indigo, why did the guard try to stop us?"

Indigo simply shook her head, "I'm wondering that myself, but I think we'll know a bit more by the time we get back. And if we don't? Well, you all will have gotten a nice trip out of it regardless."

She turned back to offer Speckle a weak smile, "I know it might be difficult, but it really would be best if you just let me worry about it. You two focus on having a good time, maybe you'll make some new friends once we're there? I know at least that the central colony has a lot more young thestrals there than we do."

Nova did seem a bit excited at the prospect of making some friends, given he didn't seem to have any at home, but there was the worry in his visage that it would just be the same there as here.

 

On 2025-08-07 at 10:00 AM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"Uuh, ok?" Speckle stammered, not quite sure how to answer that. She opened and closed her mouth several times as she tried and failed to come up with a reply that made sense.

Indigo helped a bit, "She's really warmed up to you, or maybe she's just curious since you're different from the others in our colony. Usually she sleeps in my hammock with me when it gets colder, but I had to get up earlier today to pack for the trip, I guess she joined you in your hammock?"

Nova nodded, "Yeah, I had to help her get out so that Speckle could get up."

Indigo spoke over to Speckle, "I don't remember if you mentioned in your letters, do you have any siblings at home?"

"Or other friends?" Nova added, "I mean, you didn't introduce me to any, and it's not like I expected you to, I appreciate that you were focused on showing me a good time, I'm just, um, curious..."

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

On 2025-08-15 at 4:43 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"I'm surprised she climbed into your hammock, she's usually a lot more... aloof? Like the others here."

"I was quite surprised when it happened as well. I assumed it would be more uncomfortable sleeping in a hammock with someone else, but like, it wasn't?" Speckle shrugged. 

On 2025-08-15 at 4:43 PM, Illiad Easle said:

She turned back to offer Speckle a weak smile, "I know it might be difficult, but it really would be best if you just let me worry about it. You two focus on having a good time, maybe you'll make some new friends once we're there? I know at least that the central colony has a lot more young thestrals there than we do."

"Ok then," Speckle replied. She immediately turned her attention to Nova. "So, what should we do when we get there? What should we do while we walk over there? I wonder if we will hear or see anything cool during our walk over..." Speckle rambled as she walked.

Speckle seemed to pick up on Nova's slight excitement, which made her more excited to see the central colony as well. 

On 2025-08-15 at 4:43 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Indigo spoke over to Speckle, "I don't remember if you mentioned in your letters, do you have any siblings at home?"

"Or other friends?" Nova added, "I mean, you didn't introduce me to any, and it's not like I expected you to, I appreciate that you were focused on showing me a good time, I'm just, um, curious..."

"No, I don't have any siblings at home, and I don't really have any bat pony friends in Canterlot. However, including you, I would probably say I have three friends. One of them is Radient Star. He is a unicorn colt at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He's super smart and powerful at magic. I would have introduced you to him, but his family was on vacation while we were there. The other is Coral Stream. She is a hippogriff but also a sea pony? I don't really get that. Anyways, we are pen pals. She says she wants to do a cultural exchange with me as soon as possible. Hey, I'm friends with you, and we are doing a cultural exchange. What if I introduce you to her and we did some kind of chaotic three-way cultural exchange?" Speckle rambled.

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

On 2025-08-24 at 2:10 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"I was quite surprised when it happened as well. I assumed it would be more uncomfortable sleeping in a hammock with someone else, but like, it wasn't?" Speckle shrugged. 

Indigo would comment, "It can actually be quite cozy, with the right kind of hammock. Nova's father and I usually share a larger one when he's here. In your case, it helps that Lilac is still small."

On 2025-08-24 at 2:10 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"No, I don't have any siblings at home, and I don't really have any bat pony friends in Canterlot. However, including you, I would probably say I have three friends. One of them is Radient Star. He is a unicorn colt at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. He's super smart and powerful at magic. I would have introduced you to him, but his family was on vacation while we were there. The other is Coral Stream. She is a hippogriff but also a sea pony? I don't really get that. Anyways, we are pen pals. She says she wants to do a cultural exchange with me as soon as possible. Hey, I'm friends with you, and we are doing a cultural exchange. What if I introduce you to her and we did some kind of chaotic three-way cultural exchange?" Speckle rambled.

They both seemed intrigued by the hippogriff, Nova commenting, "I think I heard about those once, they mostly live in coastal areas right? Or, aren't they the ones that are half gryphon and half pony?"

Indigo looked thoughtful before answering, "I think the term is used by both, since I've heard that they look similar. Maybe the hybrids will start adding the -pony like bat ponies do?"

Nova turned his attention back to Speckle, "So your friend is one of the seapony types? That's cool! I don't know if I could do another exchange so soon though..." he looked to his mother who gently shook her head.

"Maybe when Lilac is a bit older, or if you go do guard training in Canterlot like your father suggested? You'd be a bit closer then."

That thought seemed to have some mixed feelings for Nova, but generally positive.

 

On 2025-08-24 at 2:10 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"So, what should we do when we get there? What should we do while we walk over there? I wonder if we will hear or see anything cool during our walk over..." Speckle rambled as she walked.

The forest itself seemed to grow darker the further they went, as the trees around them grew older and taller, the underbrush thinning out as less sunlight meant fewer things could grow under the canopy. Nova commented, "We could look for tracks, but I think most animals would avoid the road."

"Animals yes, but many other creatures travel this road." Indigo suggested, "Maybe you'll be able to recognize some other creatures that have walked here? Like, here." She paused to point out a hoofprint that was a bit different from the others, "This track was left by a pony wearing a shoe, unlike us" she showed that he hoof didn't have a shoe attached, and left a print next to the shod print. "That's probably from one of the Children, they often wear shoes because of the rocks on the mountain."

That example given, they'd be able to watch the road for other tracks from other sentient creatures, as well as looking at the different sizes of prints to guess at ages.

 

A bit further down the path the area seemed to brighten again, a blueish tint indicative of the shimmerwood trees which were becoming more abundant around them. The larger ones had their bark carved with innumerable small symbols, some of them runes (Which speckle might be able to recognize depending on what she might have learned from Radiant, if so, they looked like runes of protection) along with messages in a variety of languages, the ones in Equish being for the most part welcoming. Some of them appeared to be quite old, while others seemed more recently carved. Some even still had the shavings near the base of the tree.

Indigo would point out a few larger symbols, like a four pointed star, a large rectangle, and a crescent moon. "Those are the symbols of some of the clans that joined in to the Fastar clan, I believe every clan that has joined has a tree somewhere along this path with their symbol, along with their uniting oath written out in some form or another. Carving them into the shimmerwood trees shows that their commitment only grows stronger over time. Similarly..." She slowed her pace, looking over the trees before stepping off of the path to a tree a short distance away. She pointed to something a bit above her own eye level, "There."

They would have to fly up to read it properly, but it was words carved to form a circle: 'Nightwing Fastar & Indigo Eclipse, 992 ANM' inside the circle was carved: 'Nova Fastar, 993 ANM' and 'Lilac Fastar, 1001 ANM' Looking around they would see many similar circles with names. 

Indigo would explain as they returned to the path, "It's a bit of a tradition here, those who marry into the clan carve the circle to symbolize the strength of their own bond as a family, similar to the clans, growing only stronger over time."

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

On 2025-08-29 at 1:19 PM, Illiad Easle said:

They both seemed intrigued by the hippogriff, Nova commenting, "I think I heard about those once, they mostly live in coastal areas right? Or, aren't they the ones that are half gryphon and half pony?"

Speckle seemed excited that the pair took an interest in one of her friends. "Yeah they live along the coast. Coral told me that she lives in this really cool home just off the beach that is half underwater, half above water! Isn't that so cool?" Speckle exclaimed, flapping her wings in excitement. "As for whether hippogriffs are half gryphon, I'm not sure."

On 2025-08-29 at 1:19 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"Animals yes, but many other creatures travel this road." Indigo suggested, "Maybe you'll be able to recognize some other creatures that have walked here? Like, here." She paused to point out a hoofprint that was a bit different from the others, "This track was left by a pony wearing a shoe, unlike us" she showed that he hoof didn't have a shoe attached, and left a print next to the shod print.

"Huh, interesting..." Speckle remarked as they passed by a hoofprint. With the practice tracking that she did with Nova the past few nights, she was getting better at spotting tracks more quickly. She did note how it looked different from the tracks that the trio were leaving behind. "Yeah, it does look different from our tracks," Speckle noted. 

On 2025-08-29 at 1:19 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Indigo would point out a few larger symbols, like a four pointed star, a large rectangle, and a crescent moon. "Those are the symbols of some of the clans that joined in to the Fastar clan, I believe every clan that has joined has a tree somewhere along this path with their symbol, along with their uniting oath written out in some form or another. Carving them into the shimmerwood trees shows that their commitment only grows stronger over time. Similarly..."

"Oh wow, so quite a few clans have joined the Fastar clan, that's quite interesting. And they really commit to each other through this, it seems. Wow, there are so many different messages here," Speckle remarked. If Indigo slowed down, she would use this time to look at the messages. The Equish she recognized. Some of the more basic messages in the other languages, she could maybe guess what they meant? Radient had taught her a little. 

On 2025-08-29 at 1:19 PM, Illiad Easle said:

They would have to fly up to read it properly, but it was words carved to form a circle: 'Nightwing Fastar & Indigo Eclipse, 992 ANM' inside the circle was carved: 'Nova Fastar, 993 ANM' and 'Lilac Fastar, 1001 ANM' Looking around they would see many similar circles with names. 

Indigo would explain as they returned to the path, "It's a bit of a tradition here, those who marry into the clan carve the circle to symbolize the strength of their own bond as a family, similar to the clans, growing only stronger over time."

Speckle would fly up to admire it. "Oh wow, that's so, uuh, is sentimental the right word?" Speckle asked, trying to figure out how to express what she was feeling. She liked it, though. It seemed like a really nice idea to do. "I think it's amazing."

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

On 2025-09-04 at 10:36 AM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle would fly up to admire it. "Oh wow, that's so, uuh, is sentimental the right word?" Speckle asked, trying to figure out how to express what she was feeling. She liked it, though. It seemed like a really nice idea to do. "I think it's amazing."

Indigo nodded, "It is something that I admire of the Fastar clan, their commitment to the greater whole, and the importance they put towards keeping commitments once made."

She would return their attention to the trail and resume their journey. "We're almost there now."

The trees only seemed to grow larger and more covered with carvings the closer they came, until finally they reached an archway made of two shimmerwood trees that had been woven together in the branches. These trees were wholly bereft of carvings except for one large symbol on each. On the left tree was a large diamond, and on the right tree was a bit of a swooping design, like a tail. Across the woven branches was carved: 'Upon this foundation, many great things will be accomplished.'

The archway connected the trail to a wide open clearing, much larger than the clearing at Nova's colony, a large circle with some collections of trees inside the clearing, like it had once been several smaller clearings that had grown and connected over time. The trees were covered in houses, like at Nova's colony, but there were also more regular pony structures on the ground among the trees and spread among the clearing. The reason for such was quickly apparent when they saw the multitude of creatures present.

While the vast majority of those they could see were thestrals, there were also a number of obvious bat-ponies, full ponies, zebra, and even some zebra-thestral hybrids, all living and working together. 

Their group didn't gain much attention as they entered, mostly just some kind waves which they returned. It was also easy to notice just how social the ponies here were being, not at all like the quiet and stoic feeling that covered Nova's colony.

Indigo led them a short distance away from the archway so that they wouldn't be in the way of any other travelers, and they weren't there long before a thestral filly approached them. As Indigo seemed preoccupied with a map she came over to Nova and Speckle in particular. "Hi there! Are you lost? Or, oooh! are you moving in!? You've got bags and all but not like a lot of stuff, not that that's a problem, plenty have come here with even less. I could help you find where you need to go if you want? I know where everything is around here!"

This new filly was certainly talkative, her coat was a deep purple, almost black, with a dark blue mane that looked like she had woven several shiny bits through it to look like stars. She had a mark, which featured a quill inside a diamond like the one from the archway. Despite her mane being dark her tail was pure white and lacked any decoration.

"Oh, sorry! What are your names? What brings you to the Fastar Clan?"

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

On 2025-09-08 at 4:09 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Indigo nodded, "It is something that I admire of the Fastar clan, their commitment to the greater whole, and the importance they put towards keeping commitments once made."

"I see," Speckle nodded. "It is interesting to see just how much every thestral knows, helps, and relies on each other in the Fastar clan. It's like in the bat pony neighbourhood in Canterlot, neighbours do help each other a bit, and while it is more than the rest of Canterlot, it is not as much as here. The rest of Canterlot, it's like, it's all about the individual pony, I guess? I'm not really sure. But it is interesting to learn more about what your culture is like. I feel like I am learning quite a bit about myself through all of this as well," Speckle rambled.

On 2025-09-08 at 4:09 PM, Illiad Easle said:

While the vast majority of those they could see were thestrals, there were also a number of obvious bat-ponies, full ponies, zebra, and even some zebra-thestral hybrids, all living and working together. 

Speckle would look around in amazement, trying to soak it all in. She would notice the variety of species and lean over to whisper to Nova, "Oh wow, there are so many different species here. That's pretty cool. It's like the market where your mom was selling goods the other night..."

On 2025-09-08 at 4:09 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"Hi there! Are you lost? Or, oooh! are you moving in!? You've got bags and all but not like a lot of stuff, not that that's a problem, plenty have come here with even less. I could help you find where you need to go if you want? I know where everything is around here!"

"Oh, sorry! What are your names? What brings you to the Fastar Clan?"

Speckle seemed to instantly light up and connect with this other talkative filly like her. "No, we're not moving in, but we're visiting! I heard this place is really cool! What is it like? Do you know all the cool spots around here? When you say everything, what is everything? Can you show us everything? Especially the interesting things? I'm Speckle! And this is my friend Nova! We're visiting here. Oh wait, I think I already said that. What's your name? What kinds of cool things are there to do around here?" Speckle rambled.

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

On 2025-09-09 at 10:30 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle would look around in amazement, trying to soak it all in. She would notice the variety of species and lean over to whisper to Nova, "Oh wow, there are so many different species here. That's pretty cool. It's like the market where your mom was selling goods the other night..."

Nova looked more surprised, and confused at the sight. Clearly, he hadn't expected so many different creatures to be present here. "...Yeah, I wonder why our elder has told us to be so exclusionary, when this place looks so inclusive?"

 

On 2025-09-09 at 10:30 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"No, we're not moving in, but we're visiting! I heard this place is really cool! What is it like? Do you know all the cool spots around here? When you say everything, what is everything? Can you show us everything? Especially the interesting things? I'm Speckle! And this is my friend Nova! We're visiting here. Oh wait, I think I already said that. What's your name? What kinds of cool things are there to do around here?" Speckle rambled.

The new filly seemed happy to match her energy, visibly relieved that she hadn't been dismissed or derided for her efforts. "I think it's pretty cool, but I haven't been much other places yet. Everything!? Let's see... there's a bunch of pony houses and hybrid houses and proper thestral houses, there's even a few cloud houses that some pegasi brought in, but I don't know how interesting that would be, it's not nice to go into a house uninvited. Um, we've got a school and the gathering hall, there's the hut where the chronicler and the historian work, and there's an amphitheater where they share stories of our past." She started to point at things in the distance as she rattled them off, "We've got the memorial and the mausoleum for the first Fastar, that's a common thing thestrals come to see."

She turned back to them, "Where are you visiting from? Maybe we could compare? As to what to do, well, there's lots of lessons and things to learn. It's important to be self-reliant after all, and to do so requires practice and effort. But a clan doesn't thrive on individuals, rather through cooperation. I got my mark in diplomacy, so I'm practicing speaking to ponies and making a good impression on visitors."

She smiled to herself on that. "Oh, yeah! Sorry, I should have introduced myself at the beginning." She did a quick bow, "I'm Starlight Fastar, it's a pleasure to meet you all."

 

Indigo would approach the group at that point, "It's good to meet you Starlight, would it be possible for me to meet with your father? I have some concerns from the colony near Archback."

Starlight looked concerned, "Hmm, he's usually pretty busy, but I can take you to the gathering hall and we can see if he'll see you? Is that where you're all visiting from? I don't think I've met too many thestrals from there, those that come usually are just bringing wood and they don't usually want to talk to me while they do their deliveries."

 

Starlight would lead the way towards the center of the colony, where the trees stood the tallest in a ring around what appeared to be the central clearing. Standing in the middle was a marble obelisk with a number of names and some stories carved on it. The largest words indicated that it was a memorial to the Whitetail clan, and to one Starlight, like their guide, 'Last of Whitetail, First of Fastar' who had died over a hundred years prior.

Towards one side of the clearing was the only other marble structure, which looked like the entrance to a tomb, which Starlight pointed out as the mausoleum while leading them to the largest wooden structure built around and up along one of the larger trees bordering the clearing. "Well, here's the gathering hall. Do you want me to take you inside? Wait out here?"

Indigo turned towards Nova and Speckle, "Do you two want to go in with me? Or stay out here with Starlight? I'm sure she'd be happy to show you around a bit more while I meet inside?"

Starlight nodded at that, and waited for Speckle's response.

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

On 2025-09-16 at 4:27 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Nova looked more surprised, and confused at the sight. Clearly, he hadn't expected so many different creatures to be present here. "...Yeah, I wonder why our elder has told us to be so exclusionary, when this place looks so inclusive?"

"Huh, yeah, that is a little strange. I mean like, I did feel a little out of place there sometimes. I guess they only like thestrals that are exactly like them? I don't know," Speckle shrugged. She seemed concerned that Nova didn't seem as excited as she was. "Anyways, should we see what this place is like?"

On 2025-09-16 at 4:27 PM, Illiad Easle said:

She turned back to them, "Where are you visiting from? Maybe we could compare? As to what to do, well, there's lots of lessons and things to learn. It's important to be self-reliant after all, and to do so requires practice and effort. But a clan doesn't thrive on individuals, rather through cooperation. I got my mark in diplomacy, so I'm practicing speaking to ponies and making a good impression on visitors."

"I'm visiting from Canterlot! My family lives in the bat pony neighbourhood there called Thestral Market. It's like a big city that is like super busy, and there is like always so much going on all at the same time. It's really cool in my opinion," Speckle rambled. "Yeah, it's interesting how in Canterlot, everypony is like super self-reliant. Ponies will still help each other, though, but it feels like not everypony knows everypony there if that makes sense?"

Speckle would encourage Nova to introduce where he is from after she did her introduction. 

On 2025-09-16 at 4:27 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Standing in the middle was a marble obelisk with a number of names and some stories carved on it. The largest words indicated that it was a memorial to the Whitetail clan, and to one Starlight, like their guide, 'Last of Whitetail, First of Fastar' who had died over a hundred years prior.

Speckle would admire this marble obelisk with wonder. "Hey uh, what's the history behind the Whitetails here?" Speckle asked. She tried to remember if this had already been mentioned to her, but with all that had occurred in the past few days, it was hard to keep track of everything.

On 2025-09-16 at 4:27 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"Well, here's the gathering hall. Do you want me to take you inside? Wait out here?"

Indigo turned towards Nova and Speckle, "Do you two want to go in with me? Or stay out here with Starlight? I'm sure she'd be happy to show you around a bit more while I meet inside?"

Starlight nodded at that, and waited for Speckle's response.

 Speckle would look to Nova to see what he wanted to do. "I would prefer to stay outside with Starlight." She would then turn her attention to Starlight. "So, where do we begin? What should we do? Also, wait, did you say you got your cutie mark in diplomacy? What does that mean? What do you do? What was it like to get your cutie mark?"

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

On 2025-09-19 at 10:40 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"I'm visiting from Canterlot! My family lives in the bat pony neighbourhood there called Thestral Market. It's like a big city that is like super busy, and there is like always so much going on all at the same time. It's really cool in my opinion," Speckle rambled. "Yeah, it's interesting how in Canterlot, everypony is like super self-reliant. Ponies will still help each other, though, but it feels like not everypony knows everypony there if that makes sense?"

Starlight looked excited about that, "Ooh Canterlot, that's a long way from here! I know there's a good number of thestrals from our clan living there as they work in the Equestrian guard under Princess Luna." She looked a bit disappointed, "I wish I could meet her, my father has, but he says they only talk about business and about the guards." She perked up, "But you live there, have you ever gotten to meet her? What's she like?"

On 2025-09-19 at 10:40 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle would encourage Nova to introduce where he is from after she did her introduction. 

Nova would confirm that he was from the other Fastar colony, and that Speckle was here as part of a cultural exchange. He seemed oddly reserved, almost reverent? towards Starlight. It was similar to how he had acted when they had dinner with Princess Luna back in Canterlot. Was Starlight someone important?

 

On 2025-09-19 at 10:40 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle would admire this marble obelisk with wonder. "Hey uh, what's the history behind the Whitetails here?" Speckle asked. She tried to remember if this had already been mentioned to her, but with all that had occurred in the past few days, it was hard to keep track of everything.

Starlight nodded, "It's the founding story of our clan! I know the historian tells it way better, she's got props and costumes and all that, but I'll do my best. If you come back again during the founding anniversary, maybe you could see the full version? Anyway," She steadied herself to tell the story.

"Over 200 years ago, there was no Fastar clan. And the number of thestrals and thestral clans were dwindling. They had been on the decline ever since Princess Luna's banishment. Many clans had disbanded, or had been pushed out of their land and homes by the ponies. The Whitetail clan, which the Whitetail Woods are named after, had once been a powerful clan, trading wood from the forest and growing their own food. After Princess Luna's banishment, Equestria claimed the land and the forest from the clan piece by piece, boxing them in. A bunch of bad ponies, the Whitetail Wood & Paper Company, harassed the clan at every opportunity, driving most away, and even killing a few who would not leave. In the end it was only the clan elder and his small family, and they were finally driven out when they set fire to the remnants of the village."

"The remaining family ran, many were lost, and the elder, his wife, and their daughter, made it here to the Shimmerwood Forest, where they were attacked by the beasts that lived here. Fastar found them and saved the filly, but it was too late for her parents. Fastar raised her as his own daughter, bringing her to this clearing, and, gathering others whose clans had been driven out and disbanded, founded the Fastar clan. And so, Starlight Whitetail, the daughter of the last Whitetail elder, became Starlight Fastar, the first of the Fastar Clan."

She nodded, indicating that the story was done, "I'm named after her, and maybe one day I'll be the elder of the clan too."

 

On 2025-09-19 at 10:40 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle would look to Nova to see what he wanted to do. "I would prefer to stay outside with Starlight." She would then turn her attention to Starlight. "So, where do we begin? What should we do? Also, wait, did you say you got your cutie mark in diplomacy? What does that mean? What do you do? What was it like to get your cutie mark?"

Nova had no issue staying outside with Starlight, after the story at the obelisk he was a bit more relaxed, but still glad to defer to Speckle.

Indigo went inside the large structure with Lilac still on her back to leave the trio to their own devices, "I'll come find you when I'm done here, or you can come back here to find me if you get tired first."

 

As to Speckle's questions, Starlight took them all in stride, "So, for me at least, diplomacy is talking to creatures, seeking to understand them, and helping them to understand us. It is very important in the clan to resolve differences, and usually that happens through communication. Like, when another clan joins us, we, well, my father and the other elders, sit down with them to discuss how they can integrate. Many clans have very unique cultures and traditions, some of which can unite with ours without issue, while others go more in conflict with our values. So they talk and they compromise and eventually they come to an understanding. That's something I want to do too, I like helping people and making friends."

"When I got my mark, well, I was sitting in on one of those meetings so I could learn what they were like, and I was so fascinated by how such a different clan like the Obelisk clan could be brought to terms with our culture. Before they joined, they were a very stoic, isolated clan who hated interacting with anyone who wasn't a thestral, but they came to understand that cooperation would help them to thrive. After that, I took what I learned and helped some friends settle an argument without fighting like they usually would, and I got my mark!"

Nova looked like he had realized something, "Obelisk, I think that's the clan the elder at my colony is from."

Starlight looked surprised, "Really? Maybe I met them!? I remember they had a lot of issues fitting in, they've had a lot of meetings with my father over the years. The one I sat in wasn't their first meeting. Sometimes clans take a long time to fully integrate, more it can be that the old elders are so set in their ways that they don't want to change their traditions. That's why my father likes to have younger thestrals on the council and to have students learn from them, so that we can adapt as things change."

[Skylight Scintillate 2,178]

@Illiad Easle 

On 2025-09-26 at 4:00 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"But you live there, have you ever gotten to meet her? What's she like?"

Speckle seemed to light up in excitement about this. "Oh yeah, Nova and I have met her! She's so cool! She has this flowing mane and tail, and cares a lot about her little ponies, and she protects ponies in their dreams! It's so amazing! Oh yeah, and she raises and lowers the moon as well! We got to experience that and meet Princesses Luna and Twilight face to face in Canterlot! Nova was there! And it was soo cool! And we got to chat about cool and interesting things! And then..." Speckle rambled.

On 2025-09-26 at 4:00 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Nova would confirm that he was from the other Fastar colony, and that Speckle was here as part of a cultural exchange. He seemed oddly reserved, almost reverent? towards Starlight. It was similar to how he had acted when they had dinner with Princess Luna back in Canterlot. Was Starlight someone important?

At first, Speckle would have been too focused on Starlight to notice Nova's quietness. However, after she encouraged Nova to introduce himself, Speckle would start to suspect that something was off. "Hey uum, Nova, are you ok? You seem a little quiet," Speckle asked, giving Nova a reassuring look. She would also offer Nova a hug.

On 2025-09-26 at 4:00 PM, Illiad Easle said:

She nodded, indicating that the story was done, "I'm named after her, and maybe one day I'll be the elder of the clan too."

"Oh, that is an interesting story. That paper company sounds really mean. I'm glad to see the clan seems to be doing quite well here, though," Speckle replied. While she was sad about the first part of the story, the second part of the story, and a quick glance around at the clan cheered her up again. 

On 2025-09-26 at 4:00 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"That's something I want to do too, I like helping people and making friends."

"I think you would make a great elder of the clan!"

On 2025-09-26 at 4:00 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"When I got my mark, well, I was sitting in on one of those meetings so I could learn what they were like, and I was so fascinated by how such a different clan like the Obelisk clan could be brought to terms with our culture. Before they joined, they were a very stoic, isolated clan who hated interacting with anyone who wasn't a thestral, but they came to understand that cooperation would help them to thrive. After that, I took what I learned and helped some friends settle an argument without fighting like they usually would, and I got my mark!"

"Oh that's soo cool! I think it's really cool to try to understand others! That's why I did this cultural exchange with Nova! And now we meet you! I haven't gotten my cutie mark yet, but I hope it's something related to flying in the Wonderbolts!"

On 2025-09-26 at 4:00 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Nova looked like he had realized something, "Obelisk, I think that's the clan the elder at my colony is from."

Speckle seemed like she realized something as well. "Wait, what you said sounds exactly like what I experienced when I was visiting Nova's village," Speckle replied to Starlight. She then turned to Nova. "If the elder from your village is from that clan, then that would explain what I experienced." 

[Illiad Easle 3,240]

@Skylight Scintillate

On 2025-09-27 at 10:19 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

At first, Speckle would have been too focused on Starlight to notice Nova's quietness. However, after she encouraged Nova to introduce himself, Speckle would start to suspect that something was off. "Hey uum, Nova, are you ok? You seem a little quiet," Speckle asked, giving Nova a reassuring look. She would also offer Nova a hug.

Nova would accept the hug but brush off the comment hat anything was wrong, "I'm fine, she's just... important."

On 2025-09-27 at 10:19 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

"Oh that's soo cool! I think it's really cool to try to understand others! That's why I did this cultural exchange with Nova! And now we meet you! I haven't gotten my cutie mark yet, but I hope it's something related to flying in the Wonderbolts!"

Starlight smiled, "I'm sure it will be a good one whatever it is. The Wonderbolts are the fancy flying team that Canterlot has right? Do you really like flying? Oh! Has Nova taken you flying through the trees yet? It's much harder than flying through the air since there's all the branches in the way, but it's really cool with all the shimmerwood trees."

On 2025-09-27 at 10:19 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle seemed to light up in excitement about this. "Oh yeah, Nova and I have met her! She's so cool! She has this flowing mane and tail, and cares a lot about her little ponies, and she protects ponies in their dreams! It's so amazing! Oh yeah, and she raises and lowers the moon as well! We got to experience that and meet Princesses Luna and Twilight face to face in Canterlot! Nova was there! And it was soo cool! And we got to chat about cool and interesting things! And then..." Speckle rambled.

Starlight seemed all the more impressed that Speckle actually got to talk to the princess, "You get to talk to her? And not just, listen to her? Princess Sparkle I would have guessed, I mean, she hasn't come here, but I've heard that she's a bit more friendly than the others, but talking with Princess Luna!? Like, how we're talking now!? What was it like!!? What did you talk about!!?"It seemed this was a topic she was particularly interested in. While Nova had shown a fair amount of respect and reverence for the princess, Starlight seemed to have a much stronger fascination for her.

 

On 2025-09-27 at 10:19 PM, Skylight Scintillate said:

Speckle seemed like she realized something as well. "Wait, what you said sounds exactly like what I experienced when I was visiting Nova's village," Speckle replied to Starlight. She then turned to Nova. "If the elder from your village is from that clan, then that would explain what I experienced." 

Starlight looked shocked, "Oh no! Were they mean to you? That's not good. The Fastar clan is supposed to be inclusive, welcoming. Being mean to outsiders only makes cooperation harder in the long run, that's..." She looked around before leaning in closer to speak to the two of them quietly, "You didn't hear it from me, but that's what collapsed the Obelisk clan, they drove off any potential allies and had no one to help them when their crops went bad."

Nova looked thoughtful at that, and was starting to warm up to actually talking with Starlight rather than treat her like he would an authority figure.