Waiting on one more preread for Midnight Rising... · 2:12pm Aug 24th, 2023
Chapter will launch when it’s in, either tonight or tomorrow night. Aside from that, the chapter is loaded and ready and has already had its editing passes. As I have a good chunk of the next chapter already written, I’ll continue with the story after. And since you’ve been so patient, and the chapter is now a couple weeks late, I’ll offer up a small (sanitized) teaser, showing another example of the google doc-type comment chains I’m incorporating into the new chapter as a narrative device.
Using it, we can get some byplay and what I hope are some interesting exchanges and commentary between Sunset’s friends as the gaps in their memories are filled in. Note again the aliases they use. Readers of Harmonic Resonance should recognize them as the goddess names of the Ascended Humane Seven, but even those who haven’t should be able to tell quickly who’s using what alias.
But once again, Queen Molyneux was unimpressed, rearing up to her full height. “Last chance, my overconfident but underwhelming Dragon Lord. Release my cubs at once, or face the wrath of not just me, but the entire Gryphon race!”
[No, that’s not a typo, Rarity. I don’t care what Googly Docs or Grammarist says. That’s the ye olde spelling of griffon the Queen uses, especially when she’s issuing formal proclamations.]
“Ancestors preserve us…” I heard the shaky voice of Fortrakt Gletscher from where he with the humanized Juniper Neptune a couple portals over, slowly sinking deeper onto her. “I blame myself for this. And for as much as I’m enjoying you, High Priestess, I can’t concentrate enough to help her!” He reached out forlornly for the Queen that he feared he himself had put in danger, through his own teenage fantasies made real.
“That poor birdie boy…” Fluttershy clutched me again; I think she was really having a hard time seeing all these exotic races as any more than animals. “I wish I could help him. And if it would turn me into a bat, I wish I could be there in his place. I do love them so.”
Her remark earned another interested gaze from Juniper Neptune, who glanced over her shoulder through the portal into the Hall of Heroes to look directly at her.
“I made the offer already, but I will do so again: If you wish to receive the gifts of my race, I would be more than willing to oblige you, my dear human Element of Kindness. And fear not, my young and virile soon-to-be bat griffon,” the High Priestess reassured him with a glance and wink at Fluttershy.
“Take it from me that you do not give Queen Molyneux—or your very race—enough credit. I know your Queen well enough to realize that she never makes idle threats. She truly does not fear the Dragon Lord and already plots his defeat. She is your ruler for a reason, so let us see what she does…” she whispered silkenly to him, causing him to clutch her human hands to him, seeking solace in her embrace.
I knew Junie was right and couldn’t help but feel disappointed in advance, still wanting to see Moly laid low. I remember wondering then what he—or she—saw in Moly, not quite wanting to let go of my dislike of her for how sharply she’d dressed me down during my visit there. It was my fault for being my former manipulative and arrogant self, but still…
Fertile Fields: Yeah, well, now you get why it was so hard for other students to let go of their dislike of YOU, Sunny-D!
Daydream: Point taken. But do you HAVE to use that nickname for me, AJ?Fertile Fields: And just what’s wrong with it? It’s a drink I like and it references both your regular and goddess names!
Hyperdash: I’m with AJ on this one. And besides, you chose ‘Daydream’ as your new handle, so you ain’t one to talk, Sunny-D!
Daydream: Suit yourself, ‘Piggly-Wiggly’. And you too, ‘My Little Dashie’! 😉
Fertile Fields: Okay, now THAT’s hitting below the belt!
Hyperdash: Yeah, yeah. You just HAD to be around the one time my mother called me that…
Yep. It’s my first ever Anon-A-Miss reference! I’m so proud. And as I like that comic, it’s officially canon to my works. In any event, look for the new chapter no later than tomorrow night, though I’d prefer to launch tonight since Thursdays seem to be better for making the feature list. We’ll see what happens. Thanks for being patient, folks. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.
I hope it will be tonight since I will be leaving on holiday tomorrow. If it becomes tomorrow night I won't be able to read it until I get back. I don't like reading it on my phone.
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I’ll do my best to make it tonight, and if not? Since you’ve been my most avid reader of this story, I’ll give you an advanced look by linking you to the google doc or unpublished chapter.
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If a story is good I make frequent comments to show my appreciation. Especially if it's still being updated.
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And it is appreciated, believe me. Not enough people do so even if they like a story.