OR 2: She’s A Size Ten, Luna · 5:08pm Jun 14th, 2013
The Elephant In The Metaphorical Room
So, as those of you who've been around since the start are painfully aware, it has been a year since I posted the first chapter of this monster, and only recently have I managed to complete the second installment. In the intervening time, I've gained and then lost a job, I've started another multi-chapter fic, as well as a fair smattering of one-shots. I have gotten into the Lunaverse and then subsequntly lost interest, and at one point, even had to take a break from the fandom. It's been a long and busy year.
That is no excuse, and I won't even try to pretend it is. I'm sorry that it's taken so long, and I can't blame anyone who's lost interest in that time. Yes, I've had a chance to develop both my plans for the story and my ideas on Changelings since then, (Some concepts weren't even a twinkle in my eyes back then, such as The Spiral, or Dévoilant... Wait, whoops! Spoilers!) but it would have been better to wait until that had happened first before posting the first chapter, instead of making you wait on me like I have.
But Now That That's Out Of The Way...
Let's talk about the new chapter, shall we?
This thing was a nightmare to write, and went through several drafts before anything even resembling the final product emerged, and I struggled particularly with the scene in which Chrysalis was attempting to find an escape from Luna's office. I mean, how do you write about someone stuck in a room, and make it engaging? I'm still not entirely happy with the final version of that bit, but it's still better than the first few versions, and I honestly don't want to have to look at or think about it anymore.
Meanwhile, the tons of exposition about Canterlot's recovery was also difficult to write in it's own way; attempting to find a balance between keeping things from getting overly dark and depressive, while still addressing things in a realistic manner. I think I managed much better with that by the final version, though the penultimate draft definitely sunk too deep into the 'dark' tone I wanted to avoid.
But finally, once I hit the scene with Luna and Chrysalis conversing, things went much more smoothly. One could argue that the whole chapter was rather pointless, but even ignoring the necessity of the other scenes to establish the current situation for subsequent chapters, I would point you to this scene.
Credit Where It's Due
I would like to thank Emeral Bookwise and HiveLordLusa, not just for doing a great job editing this chapter, but also for having the patience to put up with my whining, false-alarms, questionable writing skills, and more, for a whole year. Thanks for sticking with me, guys.
Looking To The Future
The most difficult bits have passed; Chapter Three will come far more quickly than Chapter 2 did, and soon more substantial developments in-story will occur. If you're here for lots of action and explosions, though, you'll be sorely disappointed. Everyone else, I hope you enjoy. 
Not Sure How To End This, So...
Mate, I'm just happy that you were able to finish this one. And that I got to help sometimes. That was also fun
I guess I'm looking forward to the third chapter then?
1145392 Same.
Yep!
(And hopefully much, much sooner!)