More people should recognize the deep well that is combining the non-fictional things they love with ponies.

Aw, look at that. They're bonding, like water and oil.

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And that is precisely why this tale works. When someone knows what they are talking about, it lends a bit of authenticity to the tale.

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I rather thought that it would eventually happen. A lonely man and an illicit pony bot? What a set-up! Personally, I am curious to see where this will go...

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It is a well of potential - but I'll also say it takes some finesse and a reserved approach for things to fire on all cylinders. Otherwise, the subject manner can start feeling forced, awkward, and oppressive to the story as a whole. I've seen it a lot, and I've made that mistake myself with works in the past.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is some genuine connection to this update and myself. I had one uncle who owned a 73 Dodge Charger with a 400, and another with a 74 Charger sporting a small block 360. I personally grew up around my dad's '73 Plymouth Roadrunner (same Chrysler chassis as the Charger) he bought back in 1983 with a 318. This update and the next have some glimpses of the occasional 'car spotlight' that comes up from time to time in this fic, some with personal ties and some just my own intrigue in the subject.

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I myself have been around cars all of my life. Had quite a number myself once I was old enough. Personally, I've rather stuck with Chevys mostly. Although, my first car was a Plymouth, a '53 Belvedere with an L-head and three-speed stick that I bought for $100 back in '75.

Is this going to be one of those stories like Everyday Life With Guardsmares or The Long And Short Of It that has no ending?

Midnight motivates)
Did they really want to dismantle it for parts?
She is an engineering prototype that was used for debugging, did not go into production, and should have been scrapped, I think.
The rest of the pony-bots are just as intelligent, I wonder?

This has been really good so far, midnight feels intriguing and the automotive terminology is spot on, In fact I think this may well the first piece of written media I’ve ever seen that features or mentions a Plymouth trailduster…

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She is an engineering prototype that was used for debugging, did not go into production, and should have been scrapped, I think.
The rest of the pony-bots are just as intelligent, I wonder?

Until I get an authors note declaring otherwise, my idea is that NMM is the actual NMM who was isekai'ed by the Elements of Harmony into a custom pony-bot (a variant Luna model, considering the cutie mark) and who then escaped her makers efforts at control who has since decided that she's better off just not trying to clarify things. The Elements in cannon are already known for dealing with threats non-lethally, why would NMM be any different? That's why she's so uncomfortable about being 'produced'- she's a real person unlike 'real' pony-bots who are just complex VI or dumb AI.

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I'm certain it will be brought to a proper close. When is a bigger question, though I have at least some idea of how it will transpire. It's at least a speck on the horizon in the current state the original green is at right now. The prose here? We've only just begun. There's a lot of twists and turns to navigate.

This has rapidly become a favorite fic! Never thought I'd be drawn in by this so quickly.

Eeee can’t wait for more!!!

This has been an interesting read so far. Curious to see where things go from here and to learn more about Midnight's background. I get the feeling she may be more than a robot companion.

I have to question yourself from time to time why I keep paying for this crap. There's never a good answer - I just keep holding out that there's something worth my attention.

This needs to be changed to 'myself'.

This sure as hell sounds like Nightmare Moon in a situation where she was sent to Earth with no way back to Equestria.

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Sounds like she might need a hug then.

😭 he implicitly told her she's useful! That... That strikes very deep....

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Or she's a robot Pony with NM's personality.