1st Nightfall | Written

[noxequus]

[Unlike other posts which appear automatically on your scrolls, this one is quite patient, seeming to wait for ponies to actually read it. When the scrolls are opened, though, the following message shows up in regal, well-calligraphied print:]

My fellow Equestrians!

Greetings to you all. I find the name 'newponies' to be slightly unpleasant, so I shall call you simply as you are: new citizens of Equestria. My name is Princess Luna, sister to Celestia and ruler of the night. Believe me when I say that I do indeed know your plight of finding yourself in a strange new world, a place where you do not know where you may fit in without finding trouble. However, my sister has told me that, more than anything, I will be of aid to many of you where she could not. I have had to rapidly adjust to modern society in Equestria, so while my troubles may not be identical to your own, I can certainly relate to your woes. If thou wouldst have any questions you wished to extend to the Canterlot court, then I shall do my best to answer them.

We trust that things are well in Ponyville, or wherever you may lay thy head at night?

[Luna has left the 'post' open for replies of all sorts, though she will generally be replying in writing.]

Comments

[text]

[noxequus]

[Luna's interest is piqued. She recognizes that voice.

But no, it couldn't be. To keep herself from showing weakness, she sticks to text.]

There are many duties that I and my sister have to see to typically, though I have found that I have more time to spare than I did prior to this incident. In addition, my sister has seen it prudent to suggest my services as a more rapid means of reaching her, should it be necessary.

As for the one known as Zetta, he is of little concern. He is certainly not the first pony with such ideas in mind.

[Visual]

[polyturtle]

Oh, no, I understand.

[Incident. Ahahaha.

Shell this was awkward. At this he rubs his head with his hoof.

And surely it can't be, this unicorn has hair.]

[Visual]

[noxequus]

[Okay, she has to ask. This time, she allows herself to be seen, peering curiously at the turtlepony.]

...Does something trouble you?

[Visual]

[polyturtle]

Well its...just that I knew you before, your highness. Well, a you, at least. And a Pinkie Pie, though...the one that arrived and the one that lives here aren't ones that remember me.

I do apologize for that. I don't mean to worry you. Its just always really awkward to find people you remember meeting but don't remember you, regardless of who it is.

[Visual, private to Don]

[noxequus]

[...it was a long-shot, but... well, she had seen the post mentioning that city by name a few days back. She hadn't approached it, not wanting to show her cards just yet, but since she had learned to keep these transmissions at least partially private in that time...]

Have you ever heard the name Tristan Carino?

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

............................

[The look says it all.]

No way in shell.

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

The threads of fate work in mysterious ways. I suppose it would be doubly so when one can manipulate them.

You look... quite a bit younger than I remember.

[Also more like a pony but that goes without saying.]

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

I think its my natural shortness catching up to me.

[He smiles.]

Its good to see you again, princess.

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

Likewise. I wish only that it had only been in better circumstances. I suspect your trip here was not as uneventful as my own.

Re: [Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

...That would be an understatement. I woke up thinking I lost my mind and was supposed to...haa...attack the other ponies.

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

...I would not be as pleased to see you again if that had been the case.

I must thank you, for having the presence of mind to stay your hoof.

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

Looking back, I'm glad I did too. Just that the place I was in last wasn't...kind to my mental health, at all.

[After a beat, as if almost hesitant to say it.]

The Viceroy was a flawless paragon in comparison to the Peacemakers, actually.

[But it was nice he could say it now.]

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

...The Viceroy had her reasons, as I had always stated. It is not easy to run a country, or even a city as large as Kon Ran was.

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

I didn't quite mean it like that. I meant that regardless of her reasons...she had reasons that weren't just 'I need to oppress people' or...er. 'I need to oppress people'.

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

You will find no oppression wrought by I or my sister. You can rest assured of that, at the least.

Re: [Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

I know.

[He knew Luna to be a just person. With everything that had happened, he trusted her. The ponies was good people.]

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

All considered, however, I wish for you to keep such knowledge quiet. It would cause much pandemonium should one find out that one of the princesses was in such an incident... particularly considering the current situation. I assure you that I had no part in it, though I also know many ponies in a panic would easily reach such faulty conclusions.

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

Of course. I understand. Though you should know that Mec--Pollo is also here and he remembers Kon Ran also.

[Visual/Private]

[ensembledarkhorse]

And Liz? I have seen her on these scrolls as well.

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

She doesn't remember Kon Ran at all. Neither does Harvey or Pinkie Pie. All three of them remember another place entirely.

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

I... trust that you mean the new Pinkie Pie.

It appears that none of the ponies native to this world have ever been in a situation such as our own.

That said... the citizens of Kon Ran were our alternates... would it not stand to reason that the ones that do not remember that city are alternates that weren't brought in..?

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

It would make sense. Which means that most likely the others got home safely.

[At least he hoped so.]

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

Unless they decided to remain.

Tell me... Donatello, correct? Do you still have what they gave you...?

[Visual/Private]

[polyturtle]

[What they--]

No, I don't.

[Oh. Oh no. A stomach-churning thought occurs to him.]

After I got back home, I was taken to another dimension. I...I think the Gamekeepers somehow managed to suppress my memories of Kon Ran, because I didn't even remember that I'd been there until I arrived here.

If anyone has my sliver, it's them. I don't think they figured out how to use it, though.

[Visual/Private]

[noxequus]

They would not be able to. Remember, we had to have it taught to us; in a world devoid of the Visitors, I see little reason to believe they would see it as anything more than a shiny magical trinket.