private Whisper II: Kingdom of Darkness

[Prince Midnight 817]

@,

 

Arianna smiled.  "Thank you," she whispered.  "Just because you may be part Changeling doesn't make you a freak.  It makes you special.  Different. Looking past it is the easy part," she said.  "It's getting to know the pony underneath that gets to be a little tricky."

Midnight nodded, "well, im willing to learn about the pony underneath that red coat and black mane," he smiled, "and im willing to share with you anything you wish to know.....that is....if i remember it." he chuckled a little nervously, "something about that necklace made me lose my memory on who i was....mabey its a good thing though...."

[Psych Ward 377]

@,

 

"You're lucky," Arianna smiled.  "You can start over.  But at the same time, I don't think I'd like to forget what the scars and bent horn mean.  I think what you remember will be just fine."  She smiled.  "And eventually you'll know everything you need to about me as well."

[Prince Midnight 817]

midnight nodded and looked at his book, "i just feel like theres something i really didnt or shouldnt have forgotten," he smiled, "well, you look amazing no matter what." he looked over, then back at his book, "id like to know as much as i can about you, and ill patiently wait."

[Psych Ward 377]

@,

 

Arianna smiled.  "Thank you," she said for what seemed like the thousandth time that night.  But it was true, she didn't usually, but she felt different with him.  "I don't think you'll have to wait long."  She took a few minutes to look around now.  She slipped the strap of her saddle back off for the first time since leaving the school.  She stuffed the bag under her bed, leaving her book out for later reading.

 

(I'm off for the night.)

[Lume WMj 228]

@@ActFast231,

 

Lume kept looking down while flashbacks flew by her thoughts. She didn't want to sound like such a damsel in distress, but she couldn't lie either. The more she despised the fact that she was completely hopeless, the more she blamed herself because of it.

 

"You were dumped in a random place full of hostile creatures with no means of defense. Anypony would be scared witless. And you are not stupid, by any stretch of the imagination. We don't think clearly when we're afraid. But if 15 years of being a changeling hunter has taught me anything, it's never let fear rule you. There will always be a voice telling you to lay down and accept death. Never listen to that voice. You keep fighting, keep persisting. Don't let the dark, the fear, the...evil win."

 

Lume slowly raised up her head with sparkling eyes. Somehow, that pony never failed to make her feel better. One thing she disliked, though, was the fact that somepony else had to tell her about things she should already be aware of: her ego wouldn't let her stay so dependent of the others for too long. At the same time, though, the situation was desperate, and she had no other choice but to accept all the help she could find. Perhaps Nexus could teach the earth mare a little bit of teamwork and partnership.

 

"If you want, I can teach you some stuff. I can teach you basic combat, first aid, survival tactics, whatever. If we hope to stop the Resh and the Presence, we need to be at top condition."

 

...And survival. Another crucial factor that would have changed the tide of the struggle she went through a few days earlier. Fully recovered from her sorrowful, self-loathing thoughts, Lume was now more excited than ever. If Nexus would be, in fact, so nice of teaching her how to at least wield a sword properly, half of her worries would wave goodbye. However, she could still hear the bat pony quietly muttering to himself.

 

"Says the horribly deformed freak..."

 

Lume's smile withered into a frown. But perhaps now it was time to return the favor and bring light to somepony's horizon. Not thinking twice, she wrapped one of her arms around Nexus.

 

"You are not a deformed freak." She firmly implied. "You can fully trust my words this time since I'm no longer blinded by fear, thanks to nopony other than you, good sir. Why would even bother with your appearance when you're so damn beautiful on the inside?" Lume made sure to look at him in the eyes. "Besides... You look so bright when you smile. You shouldn't be muttering those kinds of things to yourself. Please."

 

The earth mare, then, tried to change subjects, afraid of not being able to comfort Nexus with her words like he did. "So...You're a changeling hunter, huh? That's rather cool, I have to admit~ I haven't really heard of anything like that before... Would you mind telling me a little bit about it? Perhaps that would be a good way to start off my combat lessons!" Lume smiled warmly. At last, she wasn't stuttering anymore.

Edited July 1, 2013 by Lume~WMJ

[ActFast231 432]

@,

 

Nexus tensed up at the arm wrapped around him. Post-Invasion, the only time anypony touched him was to attack him. So this was extremely foreign to him.

 

 

 

"You are not a deformed freak." She firmly implied. "You can fully trust my words this time since I'm no longer blinded by fear, thanks to nopony other than you, good sir. Why would even bother with your appearance when you're so damn beautiful on the inside?" Lume made sure to look at him in the eyes. "Besides... You look so bright when you smile. You shouldn't be muttering those kinds of things to yourself. Please."

 

Mid way through, Nexus relaxed a little wrapped in her arm. Looking her in the eye he saw...sincerity. That's another thing he hasn't received since the attack. Kindness. Ponies at best were polite, and most of the time he was the one giving the kindness. To actually have somepony treat him like...like a pony, and not this deformed heartless killing machine...A warmth overtook the hunter. A warmth that melted any negativity in him. He never knew how much the hatred he has drowned in over the years had affected him until presented with kindness. A very bright smile overtook his face, and he looked down at Lume, wrapping his own arm around her for a brief hug. 

 

"Thanks Lume. You have no idea how much that means to me." He said softly, breaking the hug.

 

 

 

"So...You're a changeling hunter, huh? That's rather cool, I have to admit~ I haven't really heard of anything like that before... Would you mind telling me a little bit about it? Perhaps that would be a good way to start off my combat lessons!"

 

"Well, a changeling hunter is a type of mercenary that specializes in tracking and hunting changelings. When I enter towns, sometimes the townsfolk will offer me a contract. It lists the details of the assignment, the payment, and any other relevant information. Once accepted, I head out and deal with the changelings. Sometimes I also get contracted for expeditions to ruins and other dangerous zones to looks for certain items or info. Tracking changelings involves finding their location, distinguishing real ponies from doppelgangers, and quick, silent kills. It can take anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks. I never accept contracts against other ponies, though I have killed four. Two on accident, two on necessity. Beyond that, I have knowledge of survival tactics, and medical expertise rivaling the unicorns. I am actually qualified to perform surgery, be it in an operating room or the field. I can teach you how to use claws, and some general first aid, as well as some techniques for survival in dangerous areas."

[Prince Midnight 817]

Midnight nodded and smiled before turning back to his book "i very much look forward too it." before he looked down at the bottle next to his hoof, if he was going to practice his magic, he might as well get some kind of nourishment.

he popped the top off and slowly downed the reddish liquid in a few gulps and almost instantly felt full, "huh.....not bad...almost sweet."

he looked down at the book, "hmm...."

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

((Wow, guys. Two relations in one night?))

 

Moon Crypt smiled as he sat back and absentmindedly sipping the bottled love with a straw. As he finished, he set it down. "Alright... now, let us begin." He glanced at the empty seats and sighed. "Come here, guys! We're ready to start!"

 

((Now to wait for them to get back down here. If they don't by tomorrow, unfortunately RPs will have to stop for the  night, except for maybe some table interaction.))

Edited July 1, 2013 by Thunder Knight

[Psych Ward 377]

@,

 

Arianna got up, hearing Moon Crypt from the room.  "I think it's time," she said, quickly going back to sit in her place.  She glanced at the tarot cards in front of her, still not certain she believed it was so easy.  She looked back up, ready as she was possibly going to get.

[Senor Citizen 516]

(Okay, a second decision has been reached. Time for some half-assing.)

[From the dining hall]

There was a flash outside the door, followed by the unmistakable thud of a body falling to the ground.

[in the hallway outside]

Eurgh... What happened? I don't know. Wait. Where are y- Oh my God. What? What is it? I think... Hey, you know those ponies talking to you that you're always telling me about? I... I think I just became one.

(Everyone, meet Garrison.)

(I will be gone until lunch. If the story's gone out of control before I come back, I will find you, skin you, put your face on, and show it to your mama!)

Edited July 1, 2013 by Rico Rodriguez

[Lume WMj 228]

"Thanks Lume. You have no idea how much that means to me." He said softly, breaking the hug.

 

Lume's smile prevailed, now especially glad and satisfied for finally being able to help somepony. "Hey, that's what friends are for after all!" She shuddered slightly, not expecting the word 'friends' to ever come out from her mouth with such honesty. Even so, it felt great finally being able to call somepony a friend: somepony she could trust. The future looked promising and her stay in that netherworld didn't feel like such a nightmare anymore.

 

"Well, a changeling hunter is a type of mercenary that specializes in tracking and hunting changelings. When I enter towns, sometimes the townsfolk will offer me a contract. It lists the details of the assignment, the payment, and any other relevant information. Once accepted, I head out and deal with the changelings. Sometimes I also get contracted for expeditions to ruins and other dangerous zones to looks for certain items or info. Tracking changelings involves finding their location, distinguishing real ponies from doppelgangers, and quick, silent kills. It can take anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks. I never accept contracts against other ponies, though I have killed four. Two on accident, two on necessity. Beyond that, I have knowledge of survival tactics, and medical expertise rivaling the unicorns. I am actually qualified to perform surgery, be it in an operating room or the field. I can teach you how to use claws, and some general first aid, as well as some techniques for survival in dangerous areas."

 

Lume listened carefully as Nexus detailed his duties as a changeling hunter. Even though she wasn't one-hundred-percent in agreement with the assassinating bits, she would most likely have to get her own hooves dirty as well, sooner or later. She was talking to a perfectly efficient fighter right there, and she knew she would have to become as tough as him in order to stand a chance against the monsters out there. 

 

Lume then remembered that Inquisitor Moon Crypt himself was a changeling, rolling her eyes over to him. But before she could ask Nexus anything else, Moon Crypt finished his bottle of love and prepared to speak again.

 

Oh yeah, they feed on love... Boy, that's eerie. She giggled at her own remark. Still, she owed her life to that changeling, so she would never, ever consider him a threat in any way.

 

"Alright... now, let us begin."

 

"Oh, it's time!" Lume turned to face the table again and glanced at her pair of cards. "...Thanks a lot for the talk, Nexus! I hope we can spend more time together after whatever happens from now on." She smiled once more, and then focused on Moon Crypt, anxiously awaiting for his word.

[Prince Midnight 817]

Midnight frowned and followed arianna, and found a seat next to her, before blinking at the cards....having not taken any "so.... what do i do with these things again?" he tilted his head, "take one.;..or two...or four?"  he didnt know, then noticed almost everypony else had two.

 

He shrugged "two it is." and pulled two out and laid them face down with his magic.

[Psych Ward 377]

@,

 

"They're supposed to tell us our powers," Arianna whispered.  She wondered if it had anything to do with why she could suddenly use her magic again.  She stared at the cards silently, wondering what lay beneath them.  She looked back up, waiting patiently.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

@,

 

Nexus smile grew ever so slightly at the word friend. It was strange, going from loner to companion so quickly, but he was not opposed in the slightest. He was very eager to start her training, if for nothing else, so he could spend more time with her, and to ensure nothing happened when they headed out eventually. That is, if she WANTS to spend more time wi-

 

 

 

"...Thanks a lot for the talk, Nexus! I hope we can spend more time together after whatever happens from now on."

 

Well, that answers that question. Nexus returned to his seat, where his Tarots still lay face down. He glanced back over to Lume, before bringing his attention to Moon Crypt.

 

"So, what is step two Inquisitor Lord Moon Crypt, sir?" Nexus had the vague idea that ponies here hated formalities, and being in the good mood he was in, the hunter decided to screw with the changeling a little. Nothing malicious, of course. 

[Prince Midnight 817]

@,

 

"They're supposed to tell us our powers," Arianna whispered.  She wondered if it had anything to do with why she could suddenly use her magic again.  She stared at the cards silently, wondering what lay beneath them.  She looked back up, waiting patiently.

midnight looked over and then down at the cards, "powers huh....mabey...i have super duper changeling powers." he chuckled, "nahh, i doubt theres a tarot card for that." he smirked "but wouldnt it be funny if i was right?" he didnt know if she would find his crazyness amusing, or his humor.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

((Here we go... I will be posting them one or two at a time. Feel free to post your characters reactions while I'm working on the next one.))

 

"Alright... everyone here? Except for those two ponies outside... but I held them out separately." He smiled. "I will turn over both cards. If you have this power, both will be the same. If not, then the one on the top will be the most accurate for the immediate future." He smiled. "Let us begin..."

 

---

@@Psych Ward, He flipped over the first two cards, both revealing a unicorn, one hoof up, one hoof down, behind a table, and levitating a wand. "The Magician. The Magician's number is One, the number of creation and individuality; his power is transformation through the use of his will. In his manipulation of the basic elements into all the substances and materials of life, he shows us that from a foundation of the mundane can emerge all that is to come. He can take the Nothing from which the Fool emerged and shape it into Something, making one out of zero. Clearly this is power of a divine sort, and it is true that the Magician is a conduit for a higher power, which commands all of the material world. Since all that we can see in the physical world is the conduit himself, the acts he performs often seem like magic.

 

"The Magician may seem like a strange title for someone who holds real power, because the word "magician" tends to conjure up pictures of illusionists and escape artists, whose power involves sleight of hand and misdirection. The Magician, however, is similar to the stage illusionist in many ways. He is confident in his skills and his ability to produce the effects that he wants. His real power comes from sources outside of him, and he is powerless without these sources, just as an illusionist depends on people "behind the scenes". Both magician and Magician, however, are as important to their powers are the powers are to them. Without a conduit, power itself is impotent and useless.

 

"With his powers the Magician holds influence over all - theory and practice, logic and emotion, thought and action. Almost every modern depiction of the Magician includes one or more symbols of infinity to denote his limitless power; the snake eating its tail and the lemniscate (horizontal figure-eight) being chief among these. This limitless power comes from sources outside his body yet under his control. And as long as the Magician remembers that this power is his to command, even if he loses all of his worldly power and skill he can never truly be called powerless. For his Will is a power that, while it can be subdued, it can never be destroyed.

 

Another nearly universal association with the Magician is the red-and-white color scheme. This theme recurs throughout the Tarot and it is very symbolic that it starts with this card and not the Fool. For while the Fool was the potential for positive and negative, the Magician is the union of positive and negative. He creates and he preserves; he destroys and he redeems. His true power is that he not only knows what he must do, but he knows how he must do it, and why he must do it. Then he does it. The Magician reminds us that a wish alone will change nothing, but a decision can change everything. A desire to create is nothing without an ability to create, and vice-versa.

 

"When the Magician appears he shows that you are ready to become a conduit for power, like he is. The forces of creation and destruction have always been at your command but now you have the wisdom and confidence needed to use them constructively. Now is the time to act, if you know what is it you want to accomplish and why. Since the powers of transformation are at your command, change your desires into objectives, your thoughts into actions, your goals into achievements. If you have recently met with failure, now you can change that failure into success as easily as the Magician changes fire into water. The only limits you have are those you impose on yourself.

 

"The outward manifestations of such power are as numerous as they are varied, but the most common outer effect of the Magician's influence is unswaying and total confidence. The realization that the world is under your control is what inspires this kind of confidence, and with good reason. So go out into the world, set your mind to whatever goal you are interested in, and then just stand back and watch as everything falls into place under your command. Ultimately, the message of the Magician is a simple one despite his limitless and infinitely complex power. Your life is under your control. Your life is what you want it to be. Your life is what you make it."

 

He took a breath, smiling. "It seems my suspicions have been confirmed."

@@ActFast231, Smiling now, Moon Crypt turned over the next two, revealing an ornately-dressed griffon, holding a balance in one hand and sword in the other. "Justice. Since the Major Arcana- The Tarots that tell fortune- do not apply directly to physical life, it must follow that Justice does not apply to the laws made by mankind. True, sometimes the laws of mankind mimic the laws that Justice does enforce, and in those rare cases Justice can indeed refer to them. But Justice typically refers to the immutable laws of the Universe, the invisible principles that keep everything flowing forward smoothly through infinite causal chains. These are laws that cannot be violated; only enforced. And the sword of Justice, double-edged as always, is ready to mete out punishment for those who have wronged, and to reward those who have done good deeds.

 

"The two most important laws governed by Justice are really two sides of the same coin. First comes the law of cause and effect, stating that all events are connected and each present state is the result of all past states. This is a such strange idea to get your mind around because sometimes seemlingly meaningless actions will have great ramifications. Justice shows that every action you do will eventually have an effect, someday, and you really have no idea of knowing what that event is until it happens. Often the figure on the Justice card is pictured sitting in front of a curtain; this curtain hides the machinations of the universe that bring about these final results.

 

"From the law of cause and order develops the law of Karma, showing that all your actions will return to you eventually. They will be modified slightly, and they are often strengthened over time, but the lesson is still the same. As you sow, so shall you reap. This is really a simple elaboration of the law of cause and effect. Under this new law, not only will everything you do have an effect, everything you do will have an effect on you. This is where it becomes critical to be mindful of your actions, because everything you take will come back to you eventually. Before Justice, you have to answer for all your actions, right and wrong. Life, if nothing else, is fair.

 

"Indeed, Justice teaches the fairest yet cruelest lesson of all because, like in the suit of Swords, her blade has a double edge. You do not get what you expect, or even what you want - you get what you deserve. If you deserve good things then they are awarded, without ceremony or congratulation. If you deserve punishment then it is given with neither compassion nor mockery. You simply get back what you have made for yourself. And since you cannot change your actions once they have been made, if you want good things to happen you must be constantly making choices that will lead to those good things. You can be a saint or a demon - it is your choice.

 

"When Justice appears, it should be taken as a stern reminder that the deeds of the past form the foundation for the events of the present and the future. If, in the past, you did something that you have been feeling guilty about, now may be the day when you have to answer for your deeds. If you did a deed you felt was worthy of reward, perhaps that reward will arrive. Especially when the Justice card is around, mind your actions and make sure you don't do anything you might regret later. Justice often appears to warn you that she will meet you again soon if you stay on your current path. Whether this is good or not remains yours to decide.

 

"Despite the fact that it rarely represents the decisions of judges, this card can sometimes personify the attitude of a good judge. You may wish to take on this attitude to solve a problem in your life. The archetypal judge shown by Justice is not the blind courtroom statuette, but a figurehead of fairness and authority. Be right and reasonable in all your judgements - never take sides, never show mercy but never show excessive severity either. And before you judge others you must be prepared to judge yourself, and ensure that you are not guilty of the same errors as they. Righting any wrongs in your past must be done before you can attempt to right wrongs in your present."

---

Edited July 1, 2013 by Thunder Knight

[BlackShardNixium 277]

Klarix listened intently, quietly pondering Arianna's card. If she was interpreting correctly, the unicorn mare would be extremely powerful once fully realized in her tarot magic. She smiled. It would seem Arianna would no longer have to worry about any trouble her horn had caused her in the past...

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, He turned to Midnight, looking at him, before flipping over the card, revealing a large, white disk with a black, pony-like face on it. "The Moon. It has been said many times that things are not always as they seem, and in the influence of the Moon this axiom is particularly true. In the moonlight, things that are benevolent during the day can suddenly seem dangerous and malicious. The very term "moonlight" is misleading because the Moon does not emit light of its own, it simply reflects the light of the Sun. Some people even claim to see the face of a man on the Moon's cratered surface, though of course such a thing is impossible and only an illusion. A lot of people who look for that face in the Moon know it could not be there, but they look nonetheless.

 

"This card is one of the few Major Arcana with important animal symbolism, and with no human figures in the majority of cases. The Rider-Waite card shows a wolf and a dog; two members of the same genus, but the first is wild and the second has been domesticated. Both of them are shown howling at the Moon, however, and if a human were present in this scene he would probably be affected somehow too. Regardless of your place in the hierarchy of society or of evolution, you are still susceptible to illusions and deception. The Moon shines the same light down on everyone, though what you see when that light reaches your eyes depends on who you are, not on what you see.

 

"In ancient religions the Moon deity was often a Goddess with ties to female fertility, because there was a visible correlation between the cycle of the Moon and the female menstrual cycle. While this association is still valid, the Moon of the Tarot tends to deal with fertility of imagination rather than fertility of body. The crayfish shown regularly on Moon cards is a sign of the emerging subconscious and its influence over the conscious mind, and for a mind closed to the messages of its subconscious, there can be a lot of illusion and deceptions to face. You can no longer tell what is real and what is just a manifestation of your fears and desires.

 

"The ordeal of the Moon is the last challenge posed by the Major Arcana, in which you must travel in the dark, not knowing for sure if your path is the right one. There is no sunlight to guide you, no distant landmark in the hills to direct your steps, no one to travel alongside. This is a journey that must be made alone, in darkness and without a map or a compass. You must learn to rely on your own inner light to lead you along the true path. Any hesitation, any doubt, and that light will be extinguished forever. But if you believe, your light will shine forever, as brightly as the sun that will inevitably rise once this night has passed.

 

"The Moon's appearance in a reading almost always means that something is not as it appears to be, and that vigilance and perception will be necessary to find that which is hidden before it is too late. In a generally good reading the Moon shows that not all is as wonderful as you would think. You may be idealizing the sitatuion, and ignoring the fact that potential for failure exists among success. A negative reading that includes the Moon often shows that you are letting your imagination run away with you, and that things are not nearly as bad as they seem. In both cases you must open your eyes and see what it really going on.

 

"This card can also show times when you are not sure of your destination, or even of the path you are travelling - but you travel nonetheless. It's quite possible that you have lost your way, and are stumbling around in the dark. If you wait until the sun rises again the path may have changed and the opportunity could have been lost. So what should you do? The Moon is a card of intuition and psychic forces, so let go of your conscious mental blocks and let your intuition guide you. Not only will the way forward be revealed, but in a lot of cases you will learn lessons about yourself that will be valuable in later journeys."

---

@, The cards, when flipped over, revealed a large chariot, pulled by two sphinxes, with a majestic pony sitting in it. "The Chariot. It is somewhat of a mystery why the Chariot, clearly a card of force and of control, should be of the Water element. But its attribution to Cancer is indeed valid because this card deals heavily with the emotions. Specifically, the Chariot is a card of emotional control; the power of the mind to shape the desires of the heart and direct them to meaningful expression. This is not the emotional control of the Emperor, who totally supresses all of his emotions in favor of logic and reason. The man driving the Chariot knows that his emotions are not to be swept under the rug, but trained and used to his greater good.

 

"The triumph over both positive and negative emotions is often shown by two horses or sphinxes of different colors pulling the Chariot. Though on their own they would run wild and untamed, going in whichever direction they chose to go, here they move only forward. So they still have some power, but this power has now been directed and focused by the man holding the reins. The chariot cannot move without horses to pull it, just as we cannot function without our emotions to drive us. But without the control of the chariot, the horses would run free, just as our emotions can run wild when unchecked and uncontrolled. Balance is needed.

 

"The Chariot embodies the type of discipline that is necessary to gain control over the emotions, and this is why a military symbol has been chosen for this card. The purpose of the harsh conditions of the military is to develop the will and the ability needed to control emotions and put them to productive use on the battlefield. Only through the mastery of yourself can you ever hope to achieve mastery over others and your environment. The wisdom and the glory gained through conquering one's enemies is nothing compared to the self-esteem you build through defeating your fear. Inner enemies are often tougher to defeat than outer ones, and thus teach you much more.

 

"Through the application of emotional force we can learn to achieve our goals and desires much more quickly. For someone like the man on the Chariot, who is in total control of his will and his emotions, almost anything is within his grasp. In the Thoth deck, written across the canopy of the Chariot is the word Abracadabra, which may seem foolish at first glance. What is the stage magician's catchphrase doing here - is there magic involved? No, there is no magic. Abracadabra comes from Hebrew, and it translates roughly to "What I have said will be done" or "As it is said, so it shall be." Nothing embodies the spirit of the Chariot more than this word.

 

"The appearance of the Chariot often shows a need to take control of your emotions and, instead of wasting energy grieving or complaining, use that energy to take action and to make changes in the world. Fear will cripple you unless, like the Chariot demands, you can acknowledge it and face it. Then you can use your fear constructively, for your own purposes. But this type of control is not limited to the negative emotions. In relationships the Chariot often shows how idle infatuation can be transformed into passion and confidence. Through controlling your emotions, the Chariot says, you will eventually learn to control yourself.

 

"And once you have reached that stage, anything is possible! Once you have transcended your fears you start transcending your restrictions until nothing can hold you back from the success you deserve. The Chariot's appearance is often the herald of victory through discipline and confidence, a moment where all opposition lies defeated. Great success and achievements will come to you if you master your passions and believe in the power of your will. Do not let anything distract or sway you from your goals, and proceed with the straight flight of an arrow. Nothing is beyond your ability if you believe in your own power. Abracadabra!" At this, he laughed for a bit and then turned to the next pony.

---

((Taking a bit of a break.))

---

Edited July 1, 2013 by Thunder Knight

[Psych Ward 377]

@,

 

"Maybe," Arianna laughed.

 

@, 

 

Arianna stared at the cards in front her her. Was this what she thought it was, a reason she could suddenly do magic without facing a throbbing headache for hours?  "Thank you," she whispered, looking up at Moon Crypt.  She looked back down, taking it all in.

[Prince Midnight 817]

Midnight listened intently and looked down at the card, "hmm.." he looked over at arianna smiled and nudged her gently, before starting to think again, "mental blocks....hmm, mabey if i just relax let my mind do what it will, mabey these memories will come back,"  he picked the card up.

 

"illusion...deception....i think i can work with that, not to mention, a path i dont know but i walk none the less? yeah....that sounds about right." he chuckled to himself. 

[Psych Ward 377]

@,

 

Arianna glanced over at Midnight, a small smile on her face.  Maybe these cards were accurate.  She continued listening to the other ponies' readings, interested in what Moon Crypt had to say.  He obviously knew what he was talking about and most f it seemed to go with what she knew about the others.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

((Here we go again!))

 

@, He flipped over the cards to reveal a mare, sitting between two pillars of stone, dressed in finery. "The High Priestess.  The High Priestess is arguably the most difficult of the Major Arcana to qualify with words alone, because so much of her power and ability is veiled in mystery that it is difficult for anyone to fathom it all. Every card in the Tarot speaks differently to everyone, but the Priestess seems to bear the widest range of interpretations, because she speaks directly to the Inner Voice, the unconscious mind. She is the manifestation of the unconscious and the effects of the mysterious in our everyday world. Trying to see how such mysteries work often defeats their purpose, and with this in mind, the High Priestess will be explained in as much detail as possible.

 

"She is, above all else, the base of potential that is the source of the power wielded by the Magician. She is the unlimited potential that allows him to transform and create whatever his Will desires. Understanding this type of balance, as found between potential and creation, masculine and feminine, is the key to unlocking some of the mysteries of the High Priestess. We see the clear progression of the theme of balance; instead of integrating opposites, the Priestess keeps them separate and keeps them in balance nonetheles. She herself is the scales; this symbolism is found in many Tarot decks. Without this balance there can be no power.

 

"The second symbolic motif found in almost all instances of the High Preistess are symbols of the unconscious mind. On the Rider-Waite version this motif is especially prominent, but most decks feature at least some lunar imagery that in turn has ties to the unconscious. Most decks that have the "twin pillars" symbology also depict a veil strung between those pillars; the High Priestess stands between us and that veil as a moderator. Behind the veil lies the powers of the unconscious, which we cannot start to understand but which, through her, we can learn to control. She is the gateway to realms that we may never fully comprehend or master.

 

"While it would be impossible for anyone to learn all of her mysteries and secrets, the High Priestess remains as a guide to those of us willing to venture deep within our minds to discover the true powers hidden deep inside each of us. This is the same power as that depicted on the Magician, but the scope of the Priestess' power is far different. While the Magician focuses his powers outward, to achieve a meaningful effect on the world, the High Priestess shows us that we can also use these powers on an inner level, to enrich and transform ourselves. Such transformations are certainly not as dramatic as the Magician's, but they are almost always more powerful.

 

"The High Priestess represents the mysteries of the unconscious and the Inner Voice, and her appearance is often a sign that your own intuition is trying to send you a message. The unconscious often speaks to us in symbols, so be alert around you for anything that seems out of the ordinary. This said, if you have an important decision to make when the Priestess appears, this is often a sign that the answers will be revealed to you, if you are patient and open to the whispers from within. You simply have to wait and be receptive to inner messages. Her lesson is that everything you need to know already exists within you.

 

"The theme of dualism in the High Preistess cannot be avoided either. She is often a sign of the Shadow, the negative portion of your personality that no one sees, and that you yourself could be unaware of. (In this sense, the term 'negative' does not refer to evil, just the opposite polarity from the positive and expressive part of your personality.) If you accept the Shadow within you, its powers will be open to you if you wish to use them. In most people the Shadow side is the more passive of the two, and the Priestess can therefore advocate a need for passivity in a situation. It is not always necessary to act; sometimes goals can be realized through inaction."

---

He then turned to White Rose, who was looking at him, not sure to be anxious or exited. Upon turning them over, they revealed a large tower, being shocked apart with lightning. "The Tower. Sometimes, when accepted and welcomed, divine wisdom and enlightenment flow freely like a calm river. The rest of the time, wisdom is blocked until it rages forth like a tidal wave and crushes anything in its path, including the recipient of the wisdom. This is the energy of the Tower card, an energy very similar to Death in that it is both a destructive and a creative force. When a building is old and decrepit, it must be demolished so that a new structure may stand in its place. The same is true of the symbolic Tower. When old attitudes and beliefs are outdated, you will have to let go of them, whether you like it or not.

 

"In most cases, the latter is true - you do not want to give up your ideals, and you cling to them like a child to his preciou security blanket. This attempt at security ensures nothing, really, except a disastrous change that will painfully rip away that which you did not discard of your own volition. But there is a greater purpose at work here. The power of the soul and the mind is far greater than the energy of some physical thing, and it can be taken with you anywhere and always. To extend the security blanket analogy, the blanket must be taken away so the child can find power and security within himself, instead of within some material object.

 

"When you believe material objects are more powerful than spirit and mind, you start building up a Tower of falsehoods on a very unstable foundation. If, by some miracle of engineering, it does not collapse under its own weight, you will eventually push it over yourself. The Tower falls not because Fate says so but because something within can no longer endure the strain it must bear. Sooner or later it will give out. This is a humbling experience because its lesson is that no one is invincible. The problem for most people is that they concentrate on the negatives and ignore the great opportunity that has been given to them.

 

"The fire of the Tower card burns away all that is negative and outdated, but it leaves behind all that is positive, all that is necessary to begin your life again and replace all that was lost. In essence, this is the energy of Death and Temperance combined, because sweeping-away and building-up both happen at about the same time on the Tower. As soon as the tumbling figures on the Rider-Waite card land on the jagged rocks of reality, they are greeted with the influx of wisdom that they need to survive. And with that wisdom in hand, they can take the first step back on the true path to enlightenment: building a mental Tower to Heaven rather than a physical one.

 

"When wisdom must be forced upon you, or when ignorance must be taken away, the Tower will appear to let you prepare yourself. If you choose to let go of what you no longer need, and accept what you do need, things will go much more smoothly and without frustration. If you ignore the warning of the Tower, however, and cling to the status quo, be prpared for a downfall. You have been oversleeping and this is your spiritual wake-up call. When the Tower is in the area, know that anything that seems secure could not really be safe at all. If a change is destined to happen, to not try to fight it, because all change happens because it is needed.

 

"On an inner level, the destruction of Tower is akin to the breaking-down of the fortress called the ego. When you build a wall to hide your secrets or to conceal your true self, you must know that sooner or later the wall will come tumbling down. Fantasies are particularly prone to being shattered by the power of this card; the Tower dissipates them like sunlight burning away fog. Fantasies and daydreams will not help where you are going so it is best to let go of them now. Do not place your faith in illusions of security; the crown on this card must be worn on by a human head, not placed atop a tower of cold stone."

---

@@rolle, He then turned to Scorpiok, who was pretending to not be interested. He sighed and turned over his cards, somewhat surprised at what appeared to be Discord, grinning evilly. "The Devil. The Devil is another of the popularly misunderstood cards of the Tarot, perhaps second only to Death in this category. In our modern world we do not like to think that there is a seed of negativity in everyone, so we assume that anything bad that happens must be the work of some outside Devil, who is to be feared and shunned. But really, people do not do bad things because a force outside them is controlling their actions. They do bad things because the negative part of their own personality is expressing itself. To deny this side of yourself is to give it power over you, and to give it free reign over your life will eventually destroy you.

 

"The symbolic portrayal of the Devil in the Tarot is a clear mockery of two previous Major Arcana, the Lovers and the Hierophant. The former parody is perhaps the more obvious. Where the angel hovers on the Lovers, the Devil stands on his card, cursing the man and woman rather than blessing them. They who were once connected to each other by love are now attached to the Devil by their chains of lust and ignorance. The Devil's hand mimics the gesture of the Hierophant, but perverts it. The true Hierophant offers spiritual wisdom and beckons to us with an open hand. The Devil's gesture hides his true intentions of hurtful wisdom - not really wisdom at all.

 

"It must be stressed again that the Devil is not a force that attacks from without, but a cancer than devours you from within. When the Devil is in power everything turns upside-down; hence, the inverted Pentagram associated with him. When you submit to your inner Devil, you simultaneously submit to every other force in the outside world that would do you harm. You allow others to bind you and control your life. You allow your creative powers to be corrupted and turned against you. But through all of this you are not a victim of anyone but yourself. In fact, in a sense you are not really a victim at all, and certainly not helpless.

 

"The most important lesson the Devil teaches you is that you can free yourself from whatever restrictions are holding you back, at any time you choose to. The chains that bind the figures on the Devil card are loose enough to be thrown off at any time. There is still positive energy within you that you can tap to break free - but only if you can let go of the materialism and that the Devil embodies. In the end, the best way to free yourself of the Devil's bondage is not to submit to it, but to accept it as the shadow that must be cast wherever there is light. Having accepted the shadow, you can look to the light.

 

"When the Devil card appears in a reading it usually shows that you are not in control of your life, sometimes as a result of your own actions, but more often as a byproduct of inaction. This loss of control often leads to loss of hope, and a lack of faith in your own abilities. Sometimes ignorance and materialism are the tools of the Devil, and those traits will be evident if you focus on worldly possessions and power while ignoring the spiritual power you have inside of you. As a result, your creativity and energy can be seriously impaired, and you may not wish to regain control of yourself.

 

"Your own mindset is a critical factor when the Devil card appears. If you think darkness has won, it has. If you are willing to let others exploit and restrain you, then they can and they will. But no one has power over you unless you give it away. If you are willing to release yourself from the chains of ignorance, you can do so, and you can step into the light. Turn all that negative energy into positive energy and see how much you can accomplish when you believe you can. Take a good long look at yourself and try to see what you could not see before. Always remember, that shadow cannot exist without light, and that there is no Devil except the one you create." 

 

---

---

---

 

He sat up straight and sighed. "Alright. And that's it until the other two come in."

Edited July 1, 2013 by Thunder Knight

[ActFast231 432]

@, 

 

That was it. Nexus knew now what was causing his change. He hadn't noticed at the time, but during his conversation with Lume-finishing up just as he got back to his seat-but several more scars vanished from his body. Every time he does good, helps others, and acts kindly, his wounds-both that of the body and soul-heal and mend. So that means that negative actions will wither and warp him even more. Good thing he isn't one to act cruelly. He took a moment to get introspective and saw that the pain of his parents death is getting duller. He isn't forgetting it, it's just not hurting as bad. That brought the umpteenth smile on his face today.

 

He listened in to the other Tarots, and actually was actually surprised when he heard what Lume's was. He was just talking to her about it not five minutes-that is, controlling your fear and emotion. Though the concept of turning infatuation into passion and confidence confused him. Mainly because he had no idea what love of that nature felt like. He didn't even know if he would know it if it was happening. He got up and walked over to her after the completion of the readings, ready to start training.

 

"Hey Lume, you want to start some basic training now?"

[Prince Midnight 817]

Midnight nodded at moon crypt "If that's all, then ill excuse myself to continue studying." smiled nosed arianna lightly then stood up and went back to check on fen and continue reading his book.

Hs he did, he found he had to read passages and descriptions of the different spells over and over again, just to memorize them, and even longer to commit them to his memory.

His mind kept drifting back to that vision of some sort he had, when the earthquake knocked down a piece of wood that put him down for the count, he could see earth from what he saw, so....had he been standing on the moon? he remembered it seemed airless and the dust he had kicked up when he took those few steps seemed to suggest so.

 

"why in the hell did i have a vision of the moon?" he thought he was crazy, but then again, with this, mabey....he shook his head, "nahh, its just my power has to do with the moon, illusion stuff....speaking of which...mabey i should try some of these spells."

 

he looked at fen, who was still sound asleep, her body was twitching lightly, but he figured that was normal, and stood up, finding a clear spot near the beds, and started to practice changing his appearence, small stuff at first, like eyes, mane, coat color, but he soon found himself changing his entire body to match diffrent ponies.

[BlackShardNixium 277]

Klarix remained silent, carefully thinking over her card and its meaning.

The High Priestess was something of a guide for ponys' subconscious mind. Their "Inner Voice" as Moon Crypt had said. But why? She'd have to figure that out herself, she supposed.

Maybe it's part of why I'm here in Delvia. To figure out not only how to save Equestria, but how to understand myself and my powers, too... she contemplated.