[It's a little later in the evening when a scroll pops up at the Castle for the princesses, and the Library for Princess Twilight. The script's a bit jittery, like the author was in a great hurry, but they tried to be neat-ish. The content was more important in this case...]

Your Royal Highnesses,

Good evening, your Highnesses. I hope this letter finds you and yours well this lovely night.

I write you today to humbly request an audience with the Crown regarding a matter of some import, at your earliest convenience. While I normally might see if it was best over the scrolls for Your Highnesses, I feel this is something best done in person, in this case.

My apologies for not going into more detail, Your Highnesses, but I promise the reasons are sound.

May Equestria flourish and prosper under your rule.

Your loyal servant,
Nephenee


 
 
11 January 2015 @ 04:13 pm
So now that I've had a chance to get my bearings, I now know that there are a lot of you, what was that word again? Off-worlders! Yeah! Off-worlders coming from.... uh... off this world! And to be honest that's pretty cool. Where else can we be in a place where so many people have gathered! But even though we're all from different places, I still haven't gotten any real idea where you all come from.

So, in other words...
Does anybody else hear dulcet violin? )
 
 
[It's not long before the film festival that...well, this happens, and so the next day, Nephenee decides that the folks at the Commune might need a reminder about their home's...reputation with Hoovesweek. So, appearing in a jade t-shirt that reads 'Lancing Queen" at the moment, Neph sighs tiredly. She didn't get a lot of sleep thanks to the events.]

Mornin', all.

Um, so...most o'y'all probably heard 'bout the explosion last night. Ah won't say who dun it, and thankfully no one was hurt. But please remember to practice safety at all times.

..An' well, this ain't jus' an announcement that that was a thing.

As most o'ya are aware, Hoovesweek is sponsorin' that "film festival" on the 9th [She might have done 'hoof quotes' at that title, because hush up, Hoovesweek, York did it first.], but...some o'ya may not realize that...well, the Commune's got a bad reputation with Hoovesweek, an' things have happened here in the past that they've always used to attack us with.

Now, if nopony listened to 'em, that wouldn't be a problem. But Ah think some do...an' it's possible this place has a reputation with newponies, too. Rumors spread easy, ya know?

So...for now, Ah ask that any experiments an' such not be done in the main area, for safety reasons, an' o'course, that everypony remembers to practice fire safety. This is a safe place despite what they try to say, but we still gotta do our best to lessen the chance o'accidents. An' if folks ask, that's all this was, an accident, an' that's the truth o'it. Ah want folks to know that, since we're one o'the best ways for folks to get on their feet here.

An' because word's gonna get out 'bout this...please, everypony, be on your best behavior if ya go to the Festival. We're already treadin' on thin ice as it is with Hoovesweek. The last thing we need is them tryin' to rile somethin' up, an' maybe even succeedin'.

...Though Ah wonder. Does anypony know if it'd be possible to gt this place fireproofed magically? Ah think that'd be somethin' worth investin' in, if so.

Anyway, be safe an' warm, everypony.

~~~~~

Locked to fighters in the Commune, Donna, Andrew, Pollo, Applejack, Arcee, Cirno, Crmsn, Dame Rarity, Dante, Gwen, Hayate, Jou, Lethe, Minato, Morgan, York )
 
 
[Sometime just before Q's winter wonderland lights up, the scroll goes to static. Or what counts as static on paper. And then cuts to near-complete darkness, a silhouette outlined by a window. If one looks closely, they'll see Canterlot Castle in the distance. Wherever this is, its in the capital city.

The figure - which has to be a pony - takes a moment for the image to sink in, before speaking. The tone is female, no-nonsense, blunt, yet soft. Low. Prim. Its not a voice many on the scrolls will have heard. In fact, of the off-worlders, only one pony may even have any inkling of who this poiny even is.

No matter.]


Good evening.

In the next week, Hoovesweek will be hitting stands in time for the holiday. It goes without saying that the content of this issue will be less than flattering to you. Which should come as no surprise. If it does, well, welcome. Whatever sediment you've parked yourselves under must have been exceedingly cozy the past year and a half, hm?

Of course, that won't be the end of it. Let's just say that the...boss of Hoovesweek...

[The slightest, slightest, sliiiiightest growl at that word. Boss. How...hm.]

...has something prepared for you in the next few weeks. You'll all be receiving something in the mail. An invitation. And when you get it? I suggest you be on your best behavior regarding it. I know some of you have difficulty in doing so, but that is exactly what the...boss is counting on.

I suggest you show otherwise, when the time comes.

[A pause.]

Oh...and you didn't hear of any of this before you received your invite. This must be seen as a surprise to you all, lest I be potentially found out. There are more than a few livelihoods at stake. But I felt that I should warn you, just the same.

That's all.

[And she...whoever she is...is out. She...whoever she is...may or may not respond to various inquiries from characters. You'll just have to see how much more generous she...well, you get the idea.]
 
 
08 December 2014 @ 06:33 pm
[Now that she was back and...not recovered from finding out what she did from Tails, but doing  a little better, Nephenee remembers finally that she'd been meaning to talk to a few ponies regarding a certain something she obtained back in November... so two ponies might be a bit surprised to see her show up in a private message to them.]

Miss Pinkie Pie, Sir Allen? It's Nephenee, Ah've got somethin' ya might be interested in...

[The Sentinel pulls up a small cloth bundle, and opening so they can see, reveals numerous small pieces of alabaster.]

Ah..found this outside the town last month, an' remembered that y'all've been workin' with it...when would y'all like to take a look at it?
 
 
02 December 2014 @ 04:51 pm
(The scroll immediately opens up to a worried pink filly who looks like she's been pulling her hair for the last half hour or so.)

H-hello, everyone. It's Madoka again. I'm...not really sure what happened, but Mami-san and I were eating lunch together and...and then she turned into this bright light and went away. She didn't say where she was going or anything like that! She just...disappeared. I'm really worried about her.

A-and the house, too. The bills came in today and I don't have enough money for them. And I don't want George to go hungry. Are...there any seasonal positions open? I can work after school and on weekends...anything, really. I just...

(She's been thinking too much into this, clearly. Poor kid's worrying about both the loss of her friend and the adult responsibilities she's inherited. It's a little overwhelming and the shaking filly is really not in the right mindset to deal with all of this.)
 
 
[The following missive is in a familiar immaculate hornwriting, meaning it's obvious who it's from, provided it isn't forged.]

By Lunar decree, may I acknowledge the tentative appointment of Yang Xiao Long in the Night Market guard position formerly held by Dan Mandel. As this is the first instance of such a change in faculty, the following apply:

Yang is to be considered in training for the period of one (1) month. She will retain constabulary duties as long as she is in the company of another trained guard, and should she abuse the power granted to her by the acting sovereign Luna of the Night Market, those duties - and her employment - shall be stripped from her. If she maintains proper morals in the interim, she will be instated as a guard formally at the turn of the new year.

Many thanks for your time. Following this notice are individualized statements.


Private to Alastor )

Private to Dante )

Private to York )

Private to Yang )
 
 
[Geez Neph, you've been talkative lately. But this time, instead of a normal looking blue pony, the scroll opens to...a lovely blue pony in a sage green dress, mane styled to be lovely and wavy, with a preserved marigold in it. It's not precisely fancy, but certainly nice enough for something special. And Nephenee's beaming as she addresses ponies.]

Hey, everypony~ Um...Ah...Ah jus' wanted to let folks who've been cheerin' me on 'bout finally confessin' to my suitor..that Ah'm gonna tell him tonight. Thank y'all...everyone who's helped me realize Ah love him, an' for helpin' me get ready for it. 'Specially Princess Cadence an' those that helped me get the lake ready...an' Dad an' Sir Cobbles Much, for helpin' me get the necklace done...

H-hopefully Ah can say it without gettin' too sheepish... [Yeah, right.]

Wish me luck, everypony!

[OOC: The log in question has a spot for spectators to hide out and watch the event and proceedings, so that's open for spying!]
 
 
Hey, everypony~

[Nephenee is smiling and...Neph, why are you covered in paint? Looks like she's working on a room of some sort.]

Pardon my bein' a mite messy, but Ah jus' wanted to let folks know 'bout a few things!

First off, the house has been goin' real well, an' we'll be doin' a housewarmin' of sorts Saturday, jus' to celebrate the house bein' done finally, an' everypony's invited! We'll have food an' such, an' just have a good time gettin' to know each other more an' enjoyin' the new place. We even got a backyard an' swings an' stuff for the kids to play in! [Granted, there aren't terribly many kids, but there's enough for her to want to let them know.]

Second, wanted to know if any gals wanted to come with me to Canterlot for a girls' day out soon, 'fore Thursday? Grab lunch, shop around, stuff like that.

Finally, Ah met a bunch of y'all 'round this time last year, an' wanted to celebrate that. Dad, Bertie, Dante, Gwenie, Minato, Yayoi...[She lists off several good friends she met in September through December last year], did we wanna do anything that day? Not all of us at once, necessarily, but maybe a few small get-togethers or somethin'? Ah wanna celebrate bein' friends for that long, since Ah've never had too many 'fore here, but not right sure what to do...

~~~~
Private to Yukiko )
 
 
Oh man! That was amazing. Remind me to bring cupcakes next time. I think Calice might enjoy those. Oh yeah, those of you who're friends that don't know, may have gone and jumped into the Pale Pony. I think we're onto something with this.

[He's just going to lay there for a moment and laugh. Yeah this guy's back and he's a glow with feeling like he accomplished something. Tired, but incredibly relaxed.]

Oh right I was gone for like a...while...what'd I miss? Anything fun? Also how longs it been? I'll need to schedule some extra days for work, I think, to make up for the loss.
 
 
02 November 2014 @ 03:52 pm
[The last few days have been interesting, to say the least, but this morning, when Ponyville awoke to find itself normal once more, sans a few ponies, it seemed, everyone (and we do mean everyone) would find small baskets at their doors. There's no sign of who might have left them, beyond a personalized note to each that was hoof-typed. Inside the baskets? Treats and goodies: cookies, candies, foods...if the mysterious benefactor knew preferences, those were there. In each instance, there's also a hoof-made scarf for the coming cold, in a variety of colors, all with cutie marks sewn in (if those weren't present, flowers or designs were instead).

For a select few, there are more personalized baskets, and those get to meet the mystery mare later in the day:
]

Action to Ako, Applejack, Arcee, Bertie, Cadence, Cirno, Coco, Dante, OU!Fluttershy, Gwen, Lethe, MayTwi, Minato, Patchy, Rainbow Dash, Vergil )

~~~

Action to Morgan )

~~~

Anon scroll visual to Cálice )

 
 
  [Like many others today, there's a very confused pony showing up on the scrolls in a cloud house, and...oh, it's the Rainbow Dash with the cool jacket! Well, maybe she's alright.]

Ugh, what in tarnation...

[...Nevermind. That voice says otherwise. She looks very distraught as she calls for her friends.]

Cirno, Lethe, Morgan, Bertie, Jou, Patchouli, Gwen, Fluttershy, Josh, Dante, Applejack, Donna, everypony...are ya'll like this too? Er, switched 'round Ah mean, not lookin' like Miss Rainbow.

Miss Rainbow Dash, does that mean ya got my body too...?

[Her head hurts from this morning, and she rubs her head, in pain and confused.]

Can somepony please tell me what the hay is goin' on?
 
 
[Alright, so let's try this again, now that her sister is back and they can actually do the thing. Neph opens the scroll, and..that's a lot of balloons. Seriously, it's like a Pinkie Pie set off a party cannon nearby. Nephenee herself is tying a bow onto a present of some sort, smiling happily as it pops into place.]

Alright, so y'all know by now my lil' sis Cirno is back, which means that birthday party Ah was plannin'? It's a brthday party an' a Welcome Back one, so extendin' an invitation once again for everypony to come to it! Gonna have an ice cream cake an' lots of food, an' Ah'd like to get as many folks as Ah can so she knows how much we missed her an' how much she means to us. Miss Rise, ya still up for distractin' duty?

Assumin' nothin' else happens, should be this Sunday at the Dojo, in the back. Get folks time to plan an' all. Lemme know if ya can come so Ah know how much to cook for an' such, if ya please! Oh, an' Miss Pinkie, Miss Mina, would y'all like to help with it still? Y'all know me, Ah ain't the greatest party planner...

Ah can't wait to surprise her! [Giddy pony is giddy!]

~~~~
Private to MayTwi )

~~~~
Private to Cadence )
 
 
06 October 2014 @ 10:43 pm
[Shortly after Rise comes to her and they discover Cirno's disappearance, with a pained spirit, Nephenee picks up her scroll, thinking of how to best to announce it. Ultimately, given her own struggling to stay calm visually, she opts for voice. There's a bit of silence before she speaks, but her voice is quiet when it begins, full of hesitation.]

Um...everypony? Ah...

[A sigh.]

Ah jus' wanted to let folks know that Cirno's gone. She..vanished sometime this mornin'. Ah jus'...hope she's back in her world or...that she comes back soon.

So...please forgive me if Ah ain't myself for a bit....

...Does...anypony mind if Ah an' Daisy, Amara, an' Astra stay with 'em...? J-jus' for a bit..? It...feels real empty here without my sisters...

[That's all she's willing to say for the moment. She's going to hide in her secret tree in the woods for a bit.]

 
 
[Now that Cirno's awake again (and gotten a TON of hugs from Neph), her big sister's busy figuring stuff for her birthday party, now that it's calmed down and they can have it! So she pops up after making sure the ice fairy is nowhere nearby, wrapping up something with brightly colored wrapping paper.]

Alright, so y'all remember how Ah said Cirno's birthday was last month an' Ah wanted to put together a party for her when stuff calmed down? Well, figure this is a good time for it, 'fore we get into preperations for Nightmare Night. She's never had a birthday party, though, so Ah want to surprise her! An' Ah wanted to extend an invitation for her friends an' anypony else that'd like to come. Ah figure next Thursday might be best...at the Dojo, lil' after noon? Is that alright with folks?

Oh, Miss Rise, do ya mind doin' me a huge favor? Can ya keep her occupied til then, an' bring her there? Can't do it myself, obviously.
 
 
[...Why wouldn't they wake up?

Nephenee has been trying for quite a bit to wake up her sisters and friends that are in the dreamworld, and she's growing more worried by the moment. Not just because, you know, them not waking up, but...well, extenuating circumstances make her fearful. At first, it was just sleeping a little more...not too bad, but this...

After reading that this isn't a isolated incident, she comes up on the scrolls, and it's immediately apparent she's worried...and not just because her jade magic t-shirt has a big :( on it.
]

...Has...anypony figured out how to..get folks outta this dream thing? Or..what happens if we can't get 'em out? Ah...Cirno an' Gwen's been like this for awhile now, as has Sir Cecil, an'...well, considerin' Ah was in a coma for several months at Rakuen 'fore disappearin' on Cirno...

One of my sisters has already possibly ended up in Cálice...Ah don't want that happenin' to them...

[No, she has no idea she just randomly dropped that potential bomb. She's too worried about her family and friends.]
 
 
[Now that the fight is over and the truth of the matter of the past few weeks is out, smacking her in the face, Nephenee has had some downtime to think, especially with what Zetta said. He was right. They've been behaving foolishly...between this and the incident where everyone ganged up on Flare Star and Harvey, and probably thing that she doesn't know about, it's feels like everypony is being rash...acting out of anger or hurt or something else. And it's time to bring the issue to light.

She knows it might backfire onto her...but that is the way of things.
]

...Ah've been thinkin' 'bout what Zetta said, 'bout how we all reacted, an' 'bout a few other incidents an'...

What the hay are we doin'?

No, seriously, what are we doin'? This is a place where friendships are paramount, where our support for one another has real power beyond what ya'd think...an' as Ah look back, this ain't the first time we've reacted badly. Jus' a few weeks ago, when Miss Liz left...folks jumped onto Miss Flare Star an' Sir Harvey for things done in sadness an' anger. We shoulda forgiven them, supported 'em...an' we failed.

We did it again these past two weeks. An' while we reckoned we was doin' the right thing...some of it obviously wasn't. Ah know 'hindsight is 20/20' an' all that, but some of the things like what we did...an' in some cases, still are doin'...that ain't right. [Her somber features grow heated at one thought.] Like waterboardin'? That shouldn't have been even considered, it's torture, for cryin' out loud!

[And as quickly as the anger came, it dissipates, replaced with a look of shame.] Ah'm embarrassed by how Ah reacted to some of this...when Ah saw my friends an' folks from my Commune, folks Ah should have protected, in what Ah thought was a dangerous situation...Ah suggested we steal into the castle, steal supplies...Ah didn't suggest that raid at all. but Ah did other stuff Ah ain't proud of...

Even if the aftermath of that forced me to get better an' face somethin' from my past that was holdin' onto me with an iron grip for almost a decade, that aftermath taught me that...what's goin' on here isn't gonna help us. If Ah'd held onto it...Ah don't know what would have happened. But Ah do know Ah ain't faultless in this, or in a few things even before now... so to any Ah've been short with an' such?

Ah'm sorry.

Ah'm not gonna lie...folks seem to be goin' downhill, an' we gotta put a stop to it. Because where we're headin' off to now? We ain't gonna be rescuin' anypony or stoppin' Cálice any time soon.

This is gonna sound funny comin' from a soldier, but...while Ah think we need to stay trained, since there will be battles in the future that need the strength of arms?

This isn't a war that will be won with weapons of iron and steel. It's gonna be our bonds that support us, an' those bonds are our true strength. Because even if some of us don't know where we belong, a lot of folks want to go home, an' that's the only way it's happenin'.

So let's work on forgin' them, both new ones an' those we already have.

~~~

Private to Dandy )
 
 
[The scroll opens by showing Mayfield Twilight and Dame Rarity's faces -- both of whom show no signs of consciousness. No obvious injuries, of course, but the Overlord takes particular delight in tilting the scroll back to reveal his hooves holding them down, one planted between each unicorn's shoulders.]

[When the scroll image finally reaches his face, Zetta is nothing but confidence behind one broad smirk.]


So much for how easily I'll fall. There's two of your best defeated, Equestria, and I think I'm going to hold on to these two for a while. After all, I do have a... special interest in them.

Anyone else want to add their name to the list? Of course, I like these two. I might not be so merciful to anyone I don't.
 
 
[The scrolls have been very active these past few days, and for good reason. It's time for everypony's favorite princess-turned-pirate to make her own contribution.]

In times like these, one of my favorite things to do is to use my opponents' greatest advantages against them. For instance, tricking a faction's dreadnaught flagship into firing its main cannon in the direction of its fleet, or feeding a vast and connected information network a small web of well-placed lies. It can be rather effective if used correctly.

Our opponent's greatest strength right now? I'm sure you can guess.

[At this moment, the ever-lengthening eclipse for the day starts, passing over Celestia and rendering everything on the screen black. Yes, she did in fact time this post to achieve exactly that effect.]

I require some assistance in taking advantage of this. I wish to do some covert information gathering in enemy territory, and possibly get some clues as to how this was achieved. Those planets were moved somehow, and I am willing to bet they can be moved again.

Who wants to play in the dark?
 
 
07 September 2014 @ 09:32 pm
[Everypony gets a sudden burst of green flame in their general vicinity. Its a message from Princess Celestia!

Aside from the off-worlders, the mayor of every Equestrian city is also getting a copy because common courtesy.]


From the Princess )