For those who it may concern: All orphans are to report to the Great Hall for Decision Day, the note said. In castles across the 20 Dominions, Decision Day was the day that would decide what the orphans who had no family legacy to follow would do. If not selected, they would be relegated to the boring and back-brecking work of the common farmer, potential masters from across each Dominion would gather at the castle and pick, through various ways, their apprentices. All the while under the watchful eyes of not only the Domineer and Domineque (Lord and Lady), but their faithful spy/assassin/bodyguard known as the Umbra, or Shade, who were called Night Walkers by the commoners. We wish you the best of luck, the note ended with. (Future Apprentices, you are in the orphan group and shall not be picked with the rest. Certain challenges, all unbegnost to you, shall be set by the Master, if you fail, well, hope you get used to harvesting crops. And there is one pair per Dominion, you can only meet during the Colligens, or Gathering, or if the missions intersects.)
Fireheart read the note and headed off towards the great hall. She didnt know what to expect all she did no is that she didn't want to be a farmer once she arrived she managed to get in the front row.
Medley stood at the entrance to the Great Hall while a quiet, but stressful, violin-heavy orchestral piece played around him. He really didn't want to do anything in front of anyone, but he supposed he had to get over his shy tendencies sooner or later if he was going to make a life for himself. He opened the door and stepped inside.
Candy nervously bit off a huge chunk of her bar of chocolate as she approached the Great Hall. She had read the letter at least seven times, and she understood full well the consequences of failure. She did NOT want to be reduced to such a fate. She opened the doors slowly and wandered in, seeing that many of her competetors had already arrived. 'So it begins.' She thought as she began steeling herself for whatever tasks lay in her future.
There were 10 potential master's for those at the Waterway Castle, but it was obvious even this wouldn't be enough for ever orphan. There was the blacksmith, Coronel Brave, leader of the military at the castle, the head castle chef, the master scribe of the castle, and Diplomat Janson, just to name a few. The blacksmith stepped forward first to question the orphans while Domineer Nias and his cloaked Umbra watched over the proceddings.
Fireheart was the first to step forward. "hello, I am fireheart I am able to control fire through magic. Ask your questions potential master"
The blacksmith took one look at Fireheart and looked to the next orphan, mumbling something about being too skinny, not strong looking, etc. After that almost ever master was looking at Fireheart and shaking their head to each other. (Each master will control the other master's in the selection)
Despite being rejected she decided to show her talent. Fires horn began to glow a bright red a flames from the chandelier Rose up from the candles and formed a firework creating a spectacular light display. Her head then fell in shame as she knew she would have to be a farmer now and her talent couldnt come in use
Candy looked down the aisle. The masters were walking down sizing each pony up with cold or intrigued looks. One of them arrived at her and looked curiously before continuing down the row. 'Does he like me!?' She thought nervously. Candy turned and peered at the other ponies in the row. What did she have that they didn't? Than she noticed their complexion and body types. Oh dear...there were only three females in the room including her. The stakes just got higher, she realized that one of the masters may choose her simply to fufill his perverted desires. That would not fly with her. She straightened herself and pushed her chest out to make herself look as un-marely as possible.
The Umbra Winter Warmth saw the show that the one orphan put on, and thought it just might prove useful. He sized up the mare, she had the build of most Umbras, small, light, and probably agile. There was only one thing he needed to test, her curiosity, he leened over to the Domineer and whispered quitely into his ear, making sure that the mare of interest was looking in that direction at the time. He then handed the Domineer a letter and told him to place it on a table in his living quarters after the Selection. In truth, Winter had been watching that particular mare for sometime now, she had proven to be the most likely to be able to be an Umbra than any orphan for many years, he knew that curiosity would drive the mare to great lengths to find out about the letter, but if she could control that curiosity, then she was of no use to him.
Fireheart spotted the handing of the letter from the mysterious pony to the domineer. So later that night she decided to sneak up into the room she almost got it into her saddlebag but she was spotted by the mysterious pony who gave the letter to the domineer. "will, I be put with the farmers for this". Fireheart was bravely when delivering the sentence.
(Not for you. We don't have to start training at the exact same time. And Cobra, it would be a lot harder than that to sneak into the Domineer's office.)
(Anyways...) Winter stepped from the shadows as the mare was putting the letter in her saddlebag, "You went to great lengths to get that letter didn't you? I suppose after doing so, I must let you read it, go ahead, open it." The mare, quivering, opened the letter, and looked at the paper, it was blank. "You have passed the test." he said. The Domineer entered the room, "Well, it looks like that plan of yours worked." He said. Winter nodded and turned to the mare, "If you so wish, I will induct you as my apprentice, and you can join the ranks of the Umbras."
"sure, anythings better than being a farmer. So what did you think of my talent" fireheart was pleased with the ponies decision but couldn't truly remember what an umbra was she believed it was something to do with the shadows.
After the seventh master wandered past her, Candy became extremely nervous. Judging from the looks she had been inconspicuoisly given, she was not getting anywhere fast by her physique. She needed a new strategy. Attempting to look as amazing as possible, while at the same time looking as if she were not trying to bring attention to herself, Candy raised her hoof to her face and flipped open her mini crossbow. Delicately, Cherry removed a bolt and examined the aluminum tip. Being the only metal she was able to get her hands on, that's what she had to make her bolts out of. Her purpose of exposing a bolt was to show that she had access to a metal that would probably have to be stolen to obtain. After fiddling the the bolt for a moment, she replaced it in the crossbow and closed it. Putting her hoof back on the ground, she watched as the eighth master wandered past her without giving her a single glance. A muscle throbbed in her head as her temper flared. There weren't many master's left, and she was leaving here an apprentice.
"I think it might be useful, if you can also dim flames. But, the Umbra is not a place for overcofidence and self-pride, that gets you killed. I expect you at my hut, at the edge of the forest, by 7 o' clock sharp, if you want to be an Umbra, you will have to find it." and with that he left, almost dissappearing whenever he entered shadows. The Domineer turned to Fireheart, "I would suggest you go and pack."
Medley (his nickname, sorry, forgot to mention that) stood in line, trying to look each master in the face as he passed by. It was extremely difficult; he was used to being alone, to not having to deal with anypony. The Blacksmith passed by with only a glance. He wasn't particularly impressive in the physical department, so that was no surprise. The Baker did the same thing. Again, Medley was not that surprised, nor was he disappointed. He was a terrible cook. He hoped he would get picked for a job he enjoyed, something involving...er...being alone. That way he wouldn't have to bother anypony with his uselessness...
Candy looked towards the last two masters in the line. One of them had extremely crazy red hair that looked like it hadn't been combed in years. 'Note to self,' she thought, 'keep as far away from him as possible when this is over.' The other master seemed normal, with a brown coat and mane. Was he a blacksmith? No, he had some sort of chains with him. What blacksmith would need chains? Either way, he was her last hope. Candy nearly pulled out a chocolate bar to eat, she was so nervous, but her common sense stopped her. That would look totally unprofessional! Think, Candy, you can do this!
