[A. Visual]

[Well here's a face that hasn't been on the scrolls much recently; you'd be forgiven for assuming she disappeared, given that the only sign she was still around was the tangible lack of Harvey Finevoice losing his damn mind. She seems to be mostly unchanged, though, aside from a bit of tiredness around her eyes and her hair being more than a little nappy.]

Hey. Someone mind telling me what I missed over the last month or so? I got the latest tabloid trash, but past that and the wedding, something is bound to have gone wrong in that time frame.

[There's a long pause as the pegasus tries to remember what she was originally going to add, but after a minute she seems to get it, looking aside awkwardly.]

And... hey. Anyone know how to take care of birds? There's... uh... one around here that got in real bad shape because of the bad winter we had, and then the whole thing with Tirek, and... [Cough.] ...look, what I'm saying is that it doesn't have the feathers left to fly any more, and I was trying to find out if there was any way to help it heal faster. Not magic or something silly like taping the feathers back on, but... I dunno.

Anything.

[And just as awkwardly, Flare shuts off the scroll.]

[B. Action - Ponyville streets/Night Market, daytime]

[Some time after her post, the pegasus is skulking through town with a singular destination in mind - a cart that she's seen set up in the Night Market. That wouldn't be too out of place, except it's the very end of spring - temperatures are getting higher, the sun is getting brighter... and Flare is huddled up in a thick, full-body cloak. She had to give credit where it was due - Nephenee's Hearth's Warming giff was indispensable. She might be drawing a bit of attention, though, in her desire to avoid it.]

[It's early evening when the scrolls come on, showing the small-ish pegasus. He looks... well, troubled would probably be the best description. Like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and found it too heavy.]

I've... um. I've got a question, for anyone that might be able to help.

[He doesn't look too confident about that idea, though. He sighs softly, fiddling for a moment with the ground, not quite looking at the scroll.]

I was wondering if any of you have heard of, ah... "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder"? And know anything more about it other than "it's pretty much what it sounds like."

[A shrug.] I've already tried researching around here, and haven't had any luck. So... any help that anyone can give me would be really, really appreciated.

..Thanks. [And then the feed cuts out.]

Hello! Dr. Brown here, making an announcement as it's been a while.

As it stands, I have no plans to attend the Grand Galloping Gala. I don't believe that sort of ceremonial ritual is my 'scene', given the circumstances, but I'm willing to offer my assistance to any attendees. I have a few spare parts that might give your masks some much-needed edge.

But the main reason I've come to you today is that I have a request. If you have information about the historical figure known as Starswirl the Bearded, I'd like to learn about him. Thank you.

So I hear they're holding the Gala again this year, it should be interesting considering how everyone's luck has been displaying itself.  So, who all is going? Do you think we'll catch a nice break?

Anyways, honestly I just wanted to check in with everyone after all that, there's some I haven't heard from in a while.

[Someone may or may  not be slacking off a little bit at Saori's tea house]

[With everything settling back down again, it should be the best time to relax. But it apparently was the opposite for Tadashi, who could be seen pacing around his room at the commune. His tail flicked with every turn, and the expression on his face was more agitated and troubled than normal for those who had seen him before.

Another passing turn had him pausing, finally noticing the scroll was open. And for a moment he almost seemed to glare at it, his hardened expression persisting as he debated whether to simply roll it up.

But it only lasted a moment before his expression softened, and he managed a small, if somewhat weary smile.]

Anyone feel like grabbing a drink?

...Or taking a walk. Or...something.

[It just seemed like he could use the company.]

[And there's a picture of a quite disgruntled Lyrical Twilight and she looks like the type whose going to go feral on someone.]

I'm back, I'm hungry and I am quite angry.

Yayoi - either one - I'm gonna need food. Lots of it. I need my strength back for what I'm gonna do.

Everyone else, if you got magic - any kind, natural or given - please, let me know so I can figure out how much I need. I'm going to find a way to bust into Calice's realm and free Fluttershy. I messed up once because Fluttershy got in trouble. I wll not let that happen again. And those of you who are going to tell me that I should wait and "trust in Fluttershy" can just go... go... buck yourselves! Friends don't abandon friends and friends don't hope that some entity that's wanting to destroy all of reality will just spit her out one day!

And if you're going to tell me that, save your breath. You're of no help to me.

[The scroll opens on Crmsn looking down into it, it's flat on the ground and he's hovering over it. It's pretty obvious that he's barely given himself time to breath since getting back. There's also a rather...unclear focus in his eyes.]

Alright. Alright I just...I need a second here just...okay the-nngh...

[He winces a little and shakes his head roughly.]

Ugh...kay...I...okay...the dive into Calice. Right. We went in, we did our thing...J-A's team is still in there s'far as I know. Ya might have already seen, but we lost one on the way out...I just...I wanted to give this a day but...

[He lets out a deep exasperated breath.]

First things first...I know there's a lot of feelings going around...believe me I know what it's like. And...digital gods...'Shy was brave, and is a wonderful pony. She'd be the first to tell us it was okay though. She was shy, and meek, but she was strong enough to put our needs above hers and put herself in harms way so we would be okay. That was friendship. That was bravery, and kindness the likes of which any person here would be lucky to find in their lifetime. And I for one am going to pull myself off my sorry arse and not stop believing in her. One way or another we're going to get her back.

[He takes another breath and re-steadys himself.]

...Second. Regarding Calice...

[He mulls something over and shifts a little uncomfortably, then looks back to the scroll.]

I've given this a lot of thought, and I don't think Calice and Twilight are the same...I want to say entity. I think they're sharing the same body and I don't know which we keep speaking to, but I'd imagine Twilight's still in there fighting back for control. I think...I think the power in control is getting stronger, and it keeps having to exert more control to keep its hold on her. It's...it's theory right now, but that was not the same force we felt the last time we were in there, and it was not...it wasn't as...as...nngh...

[He eases back looking more frustrated than tired and rubs at his temple.]

Fracking...work dangit! I need you to think more and hurt less. Coherent! That's the word. It wasn't as coherent as it was last time. It was more disjointed...i-it was...

Look I know this might sound strange, and everything hurts right now, but this is what I need you guys to do. For...for our friends. Don't give up on them. Don't start thinking this is hopeless. They are not gone. Fluttershy...the Twilight of that world...bit every pony that's been taken. They need our bravery, for us to face forwards. Keep them in your hearts and believe in their strength. We will get them back. So please, for them. Don't lose heart.

[He nods to the scroll, a little more affirmative in his stance.]

We all hurt, but hurting isn't going to get them back to us...that's all I have to say right now. If you want more answers I'll try and answer anything I can over the scroll, if you want someone to yell at, you can find me at the Decanter soaking this headache in a hard cider.

Hi suckers, it's your old buddy Jappleack giving you like, a ring on these stupid damn scrolls. You probably know me best as "that crazy maniac who keeps jumping into the weird bitch that's keeping us here", but I've got a special proposition for you: how would you like to be that exact kind of dangerous maniac?

See, I'm planning to head back into Calice when March rolls around with a few others, and you know what? I'm feeling so generous I'm going to be opening the gates to the public for a chance to go and have a look-see inside her this time around. You might be asking "but Jappleack can you really take all those people?" And the answer is hell no, I sure as shit can't take everyone who wants to come. We're going to have to limit how many others from outside the group I've got going we're bringing. So any of you who want to come, you can volunteer and from that pool we'll pick a lucky five.

How will we decide who gets to come? Simple. We're going to do it like any civilized people do it when they elect political leaders or lottery winners or virginal sacrifices: we're going to put names into a hat and then scoop those bitches out.

Couple things you should know before you decide you're going to jump your ass up to volunteer. First, I'm not going to bother telling you how dumb and dangerous this is because even I understand that shit. But I will tell you that time gets flashed right the hell up in there, so while it might seem like we're in her for a hour? A couple weeks might have passed here. So I'd have an empty ass schedule if you wanna come.

Secondly. we're here to do a couple things inside her. What we aren't going to be doing is goddamn rescue missions in trying to find people we care about and pulling them out or trying to attack and start a fight with this bitch. I understand you wanting to save the people you care about, but this isn't the time to try that yet. What I'm not going to be understanding about is if you decide the time has come to try and fight her and prove you're some damn big hero inside of her. You wanna be a dumbass who'll endanger themselves then more power to you dipshit, but you aren't getting everyone into trouble because of your hero complex or inferiority complex or whatever it is. I mean you here especially, little blue. Anyone who tries that shit is a one and done deal; you ain't coming around for a second ride.

So, with that all out of the way?

Who's ready and willing to do some of the dumbest shit they could do in their lives?

[The feed opens on Crmsn talking to a photograph rather abruptly.]

-even reminds me of Serre a bit...definitely has that same tenacity as the kids. You'd never think they'd run out of steam. I think you'd like her. She's gettin' married soon too...I know right? Never thought I'd have the chance to give someone away at least for another twenty years.

[He's sitting by the window of his room, half draped across the sill in the early morning light, with a stuffed purple rabbit nestled up in the crook of one of his forelegs, and smiling wistfully at a photograph.]

Hey love...It was Valentines Day recently y'know. Well...not what they call it here, but the sentiment is the same....

[He shifts a little and softly taps the photograph with a hoof.]

Wonder what you did for yours. Probably would have spent it in the lab, working on the next big project. Heh...y'know that's something I miss the most I think. Sitting back to back in the lab and knowing you were there. That any time I could just turn around and smile at you and...and you'd look over and smile back.

[His voice softens considerably.]

...I miss you, love. I miss the kids...I miss our home, and our friends. There's a big gapin' hole in my heart...I keep tryin' to fill it up, but after a while...there's just nothin' to grab onto. Isn't anything I can do about it either.

[He sniffs, then scoffs a little and covers his eyes with a hoof. Voice going from low to strained.]

I feel like I'm slowly losin' your face. I think that's the biggest hurt. All I have is this damn photo...this world couldn't even let it be normal...had to mess with it and make it different too. I think if it wasn't for that magic of yours I'd-

[He shifts to reflexively rub at his chest, a pained expression pulling across his face.]

You're so close and so far away. I can't reach you...m'not gonna stop trying though.

[He takes a shakey breath and lets it out hard...then pulls the photo up and gives it a gentle kiss. He settles on the sill, half cradling the picture and the rabbit protectively.]

[Somebody looks incredibly pleased with herself. ...Okay, Yang usually looks pleased with herself, but somehow she looks even more so today.]

Hey Happy New Year, everybody!!

You all know what that means, right?

[...Only 358 more shopping days left until Hearth's Warming?]

That's right! You're looking at the soon-to-be newest, full-fledged Night Market guard.

[Princess Luna did say she'd be instated as a full guard at the turn of the new year. Apparently, Yang is hoping that was meant in the most literal sense. Either that or she just really wanted to remind everybody of the fact.]

I think that calls for a little celebration, eh? Who wants to join me for dinner and a few drinks at the Decanter tonight, hmm?

[She definitely means the non-alcoholic apple cider drinks there. ...Ruby, she'll bring a juice box of milk for you or something.]

Speaking of celebrations! I'll be attending that film festival in Canterlot next week. Anybody else coming with me?

[There's an actual pause as she squints at her feed, as if looking for her friends.]

Ruby? You'll go with me, right? Blake, I know you're coming.

[That's followed with a wink.]

Oh! Jaune! How 'bout you? Wanna bring your team along? I do owe you a fun time.

[She grins cheerfully.]

Come on! Who wants to start this year off with a Yang!?

[She's been sitting on that pun since yesterday.

...Good luck trying to talk her out of any of this, guys.]

Tis the season everypony.

[Dame Rarity appears on screen wearing a marvelous pale purple sweater with accenting amethysts added to the collar and cuffs. She does a pose, showing off the comfortable sweater from every angle before taking a step back to reveal various other sweaters in numerous sizes and colors. Along with the sweaters are comfortable winter coats and scarves that obviously match.]

You could say this is my winter collection for this years Hearth's Warming Eve.  Of course, each sweater is made with a material created by yours truly to resist collecting dust or pet hair

And for those of you who are more....battle oriented, I can design warm clothes that are still stylish and battle ready if so desired.

If any pony is interested, please contact me directly and we can discus what you would like.

( [Private to Zetta] )

[There's been a new face around today, for what could be seen of him considering the mask and cloak he wore. After arriving he had spent a great deal of time looking around and getting used to walking on four legs; the wings, which at the moment were underneath the cloak, would wait until later.

He had also done a little poking around with the scroll, and watching other ponies go about their business. And at the end of the exploration, all he really had was one question, so he opened up the scroll to ask.]

I get that magic can do a lot of things. But how exactly do horses build things without fingers?

[Inquiring minds want to know.]