@all: For once I'll start with a spoiler:
“You seriously think you know what's going on?” Echo laughed. “You've no idea. Look at me!” She hissed, fragments of glass falling off her hand like melting ice. “Look at me! I can't make five steps without a host and I still managed to mess up your little band. Can you even imagine what happen if you faced someone actually good at it?”
Eric looked away. The memories of her controlling him were fresh, though that wasn't the real reason. He felt pity. After last night he no longer saw her as a vile manipulator, but rather a caged. She too was a prisoner, just like him, the only difference was that her cage was a bit larger.
“You live in a world of monsters, Eric.” Echo turned her back to him. “Monsters you can't even see. Gods, titans, corporations, they are more terrifying than you could imagine. They fear each other, and they all fear the Everprince.”
“But why?” Eric wrapped his fingers round the bars of his cell. “Why are they so afraid? Omni could have killed us dozens of times. He chose not to.”
“My sweet little Eric,” Echo sighed. “You don't even know what the Everhere is.”
So there you have it, a snipped of arc two, to start in in two weeks. This might not appear in the first scroll, but I guarantee you it's out there.
As a further announcement, please book your tickets to CrystalCon from the link on the main page. We have arranged convention prices for some of the hotels, so if you need lodgings you can book them there as well. Please, be sure to mark if you gave any dietary preferences for the event.
Thank you all in advance and see you there :)
Luna
My family has a house there that nopony uses much, so everypony from class is invited to crash there (and you too, @PrinceEric ;) Can you make it there?). Still, talk with me before bringing anyone else!
RRBB
Max and I could handle a few guests as well. Only ones we know, PM for details.
Just one note of importance. Everhere is rather big in the Crystal Empire. Not sure about the exact numbers, but expect a lot of fans. If anyone has close friends there, it's likely you'd have a place to stay, as long as you ask first. Also, be ready for fans especially if you're famous enough.
Jade
Jade is exaggerating. Yes, Everhere is very popular, but you don't need to worry. (Unless you're @EverSpike the Great and Glorious :) Spike, you're coming here, right?
The empire is a very nice place, there are just a few things that you need to be mindful of, mostly avoid talking about Sombra (ponies get nervous) and don't stare at a Crystal Pony’s mane and eyes too much. A bit is fine, but anything more than a few seconds is rude.
You can also PM me if you need a place to stay. :)
InItForTheShipping
@InItForTheShipping: I'll be staying with my coltfriend’s sister’s coltfriend, so I have somewhere to be, but my sis might need to be with you. Is that okay?
WaterBottle
@WaterBottle: I dare you to say that fast out loud :P I'm surprised that your sister let you. What happened? She got soft or something?
RRBB
I'm so looking forward to Blueblood’s modeling session. :) @Luna can we take photos? This must be recorded for posterity.
Fleetfoot
@Fleetfoot: you're evil, you know that? I'll dig out mine as well. This will be so much fun :)
@BlueEyes: have a spare room for Brush and me? The Wonderbolt barracks are under repair again :/ (Don't ask. I don't even want to get into that.)
CEOWitch
@CEOWitch: sure, buddy. House will be packed, though. Just let's not do anything too wild this time, okay?
BlueEyes
@BlueEyes: you remember who you're dating, right?
CEOWitch
@InItForTheShipping: Ha, ha, very funny. And yes, I'll be there… Somepony has made subtle and unsubtle hints that I should go. So not like I have a choice.
EverSpike
@EverSpike: Cheer up, I heard Ember will be there to. ;)
SweetStuff
Wait, what? We have dragons here now? Why didn't anyone tell me?
Feather
@Feather: Hello, I posted during the last reading, remember?
EverSpike
@EverSpike: who said I was talking about you? Real dragons!
Feather
That burn. Ouch!
RRBB
Whatever :/
EverSpike
Well, I'll definitely be there. @InItForTheShipping: Guess I resolved the “bringing my boyfriend” problem. In other words I’ll be solo again. Yay me, I guess.
Still, it will be great seeing all of you for the first time. (Well, not all, but most :)) I've only been to the Empire a few times before. It'll be fun! Any nice places for afterparties?
LightSparkle
@WaterBottle: of course :) She's always welcome :) besides, wasn't she going to be bringing food? Just get her to PM me (it's faster than mail).
InItForTheShipping
@LightSparkle: I know quite a few :) The nights will be exciting, for one thing :) Though, there might be a few things you'll need to get used to. For one thing here you're supposed to take the initiative. No worries, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it :)
Simile
@Simile: I'm sure you're teach her how ;)
@Luna: I think I'll make it this time, based on work. It'll be cool for us to finally meet. Still no guarantees. (You know how it is.)
TheRealLuna
…
Simile
@Simile: just couldn't resist. :)
TheRealLuna
@TheRealLuna: That will be great! I finally get to see you, my other half :D
I'm so thrilled and nervous about this whole thing! When I first started it seemed like another desk job. Now… there's this site, I'm organizing conventions, taking care of relief funds, getting excited about meeting ponies I've never seen before.
@LyraHands: why didn't you make this site when I was younger? I feel I missed out on so much! :P
Luna
@Luna: you have to admit it has turned into a shipping site. :P Not that I have anything against!
I'm really curious to see all the Nightlings I've never met. Also… @DarkSparkle modeling :)
MixaMax
@all: LyraHands had to urgently go to Canterlot due to family matters. @HopHop, @The TechNightling, please take over until she's back.
Bob
I hope EverSpike writes an MC Power Ponies crossover someday.
Feather's remark didn't do much to EverSpike since he's heard that before and he's kinda used to it by now. It is a bit unfriendly of Feather but it fits her.
On the one hand, e-mail doesn't exist?
On the other, that would explain why so many ponies use the site's PM functionality for deeply personal conversations.
Those family matters... They could go very poorly indeed.
On a lighter note, can we expect a story set at CrystalCon?
on the topic of Prince BB's paramour, i have two possibilities that may or may not be them:
1)@Luna (to distinguish from The Real Luna( who isn't @TheRealLuna))
2) @BlueEyes (circumstantial at best and possibly not even a viable choice since i frgot whether their gender was confirmed or not)
8307143
Pretty sure @BlueEyes is @DaBoss's coltfriend, and is the coltfriend of the sister of @Waterbottle's coltfriend at whose house she'll be staying. Also fairly sure that @BlueEyes is Flash Sentry, since @DaBoss mentioned that he was @Darksparkle's ex and him coming to one of the readings was rather awkward for a bit.
8307407
Oh great, Lyra's family is drawing her back in. Marnellous.
8306443
8306493
Spike rarely uses the account anyway :)
8306794
8308061
You have no idea... more on this in the next few days.
8307143
8307407
:) He very well might be :P