Sexual Orientation and Behavior of the Mane Six, in Context · 4:27am Dec 8th, 2013
I would start from the assumption that most ponies are straight, or at least bi, since they seem to have a human-like family structure with the major exception that ponies seem to leave home for good younger than is common in 21st-century America (but not younger than was common in the America or Britain of 1850-1900, which had a comparable technology to Equestria). In general, the Ponies seem to fall in love and get married (generally to members of the opposite sex, though there is at least one possible same-sex couple in canon), and have children mostly in wedlock. Since there is no evidence of any medical technology (or magic) which would enable same-sex procreation, it probably either doesn't exist or only exists on a very high level of their capabilities.
[Addendum: it's occurred to me that there is probably a sex-changing spell, because Twilight bluffed Trixie with the claim to have one, but that it's fairly high-level magic. So I guess at least the Major Alicorns could use it].
Their culture seems sexually restrained compared to that of early 21st-century America, and I would guess that their society is more "traditional" in the sense of having less casual sex (note though that even in the 19th century pre-marital sex was very common between engaged couples, or couple close to a formal engagement). They are, however, very romantic and sentimental about love and affection (possibly in part because "friendship is magic"). There is no sign that they are "puritanical" in the sense of considering sexuality between those actually in love to be bad.
We should keep in mind possible biological differences. Humans are unusual among animals, even among sapient animals, in being in a constant state of potential sexual arousal. Most animals, including actual equines, have either a monthly or a yearly estrus cycle, during which time they are extremely receptive to sexual advances. Real horses have a slightly-shorter-than monthly estrus cycle. As the Ponies are very obviously not real horses, and probably not even in the genus equus, they may have whatever sort of cycle the writer wishes. Also, as the Ponies are not only fully-sapient but actually civilized, it is very improbable that they go mad with lust during their estrus cycles and simply mate randomly -- even real horses have stronger emotional preferences than that!
One obvious clue is that the Ponies have an actual romantic holiday (their equivalent of Valentine's Day) called "Hearts and Hooves Day." It is extremely likely that this holiday coincides with some sort of yearly peak in their monthly estrus cycle. Since horses carry their young for about a year, if Hearts and Hooves Day takes place toward spring, this would mean that there would be a surge in births during late winter / early spring.
This is significant if we imagine the pre-industrial predecessors of the Ponies. Before they had steam power, enabling adequate heating of homes and the transport of foods to areas where there were shortages, the winter would have been a very rough time for foals. Those foals born at the end of winter and start of spring would be born when their mothers were once again able to obtain food, and then would have most of a year to grow before the next winter. This would very definitely aid their survival.
One obvious aspect of Pony culture is that they seem to be considerably less aggressive and vicious than modern humans -- though they are far from perfect: we've seen at least bullies, scoundrels and snobs of various kinds in various canon episodes. We haven't seen actual organized crime, though there very well may be brigandage in the wilder areas. I imagine Princess Celestia would not long tolerate any organization in her society willing to perform murder for hire or in the routine pursuit of their business, and with her abilities, it would not be hard for her to suppress such serious malefactors.
The Ponies being generally nicer than humans would make it easier to have "free range children" (the most obvious example in canon being the Cutie Mark Crusaders), as they would be much safer from sexual and other forms of abuse or harm than would be the case in our society. Remember that even in our society, we allowed children to run around essentially unsupervised when not at school until the 1980's, and that this sort of thing goes in cycles.
Another implications of their being nicer might be that they might be willing to accept variations of love that 19th-century America and Britain found repulsive, particularly homosexuality, bisexuality, and various forms of polyamorous marriage. I've noticed that most fanon assumes this despite the complete lack of evidence for this in canon: I suspect that the fanon is actually right here, especially because it's the sort of thing that in canon "dare not speak its name," thanks to commercial considerations.
Thus there's nothing, in my view, to prevent any particular members of the Mane Six being gay or bi. It's unlikely for statistical reasons that all of them would be so oriented -- though one should remember that the Mane Six are not just six random mares -- they are Celestia's champions chosen to channel cosmic forces against evil, and each one of them has in canon what amounts to low-level (and in Twilight Sparkle's case not so low-level) superpowers. This could cut either way: for all I know, wielding the Elements of Harmony and becoming Fire-Forged Friends has given them all massive lesbian attractions to one another!
They would, however, have to behave with "discretion" (whatever that means in their culture). Merely being lesbian or bi might not be seen as shocking: publicly mating in the middle of the town square would probably be considered at least tasteless. And there is absolutely no way they are not celebrities (unless you assume that Celestia imposes absurdly ironclad censorship in Equestria): they've not only saved their country and perhaps planet 3-4 times already by my count, but have repeatedly been seen rushing into danger or assuming leadership in various crises.
This means pretty much what it would in our world. It means, for instance, that if Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy walk down Main Street openly cuddling and kissing, there is a very good chance that this will wind up in every gossip rag from Canterlot to Las Pegasus. Unlike in 19th-century Western societies, this might not be viewed as terribly shocking, but it would get noticed and talked about. And I suspect that Fluttershy, for one, wouldn't want it to be, because she's ... well ... shy. (This was one of the reasons she didn't like being a fashion model).
Rainbow Dash acts very butch, and she acts a bit lesbian (or bisexual -- note that in canon she's shown some sort of attraction to male Wonderbolts, but it's not obvious whether it's romantic, friendly, hero-worshiping or some variant of all three). There's strong hints of some sort of history of mutual feelings with Fluttershy, and there's the whole almost slap-slap-kiss-kiss thing with Applejack. So -- maybe.
On the other hand, RD also acts emotionally rather immature for her likely age and job responsibilities, and it strikes me as possible that she doesn't have any serious romantic attraction to anyone. It also may be that she does but is totally inept at any display of softer emotions. It's even possible that (as some people imagine) she is sexually promiscious. IMO she'd be the most likely member of the Mane Six to be willing to have casual sex, because she's so "masculine" in many ways.
[Addendum: I've somewhat changed my mind on the plausibility of RD's promiscuity. RD's dislike of "mushy stuff" is more an unwillingness to show her deeper feelings than a lack of such feelings, and she doesn't seem sufficiently capable of the act of emotional detachment necessary for casual sex. She would probably be deeply hurt if somepony had sex with her and then treated it as nothing special -- though she'd also probably be afraid to show it. However, her impulsiveness would put her in danger of falling into exactly such a scenario].
Fluttershy seems to regard RD in some sort of sexualized manner, or feel that RD regards her in some such manner. But, well, she's Fluttershy, so even if the show was willing to go that route, it might be a while before we ever found out. If Fluttershy was romantically-attracted to someone, that pony would have to make the first move: otherwise she would just blush, stammer and hide behind her own mane. I'd say there's a decent chance she's lesbian, or at least bisexual, if only because she probably finds most stallions even scarier than she finds most mares.
Applejack, despite her fairly butch attitudes, doesn't seem to be particularly lesbian or bisexual. I've simply never seen her display any sexual attraction toward anyone. The most I've seen her do is dance with a stallion (and I mean public folk-dancing, not romantic slow-dancing). Given her personality it's quite plausible that she isn't willing to get romantic (let alone have sex) until she's sure she likes someone that way, and that it will be serious and long-lasting. She's Honesty, after all.
Pinkie Pie is ... well ... Pinkie Pie. I have no idea to whom or to what she is sexually attracted ... if she has sexual feelings, which is far from obvious. She parties a heck of a lot, but this mostly involves her bouncing all over the room, greeting and hugging everybody, and eating and drinking lots of sweet stuff. She has in-canon never been paired even tentatively with anyone. The PonyPOV idea of her being a survival from a lost timeline that didn't have sexual reproduction (the G3 verse) is surprisingly plausible where she is concerned. It is canon that she has genuine equine emotions, but mostly at the level of a filly rather than a full-grown mare.
[Addendum: FWIW she obviously comes out of a very puritanical family by Equestrian standards. OTOH in reality people often revolt against such upbringings and go out of control rebelling against them when they have the chance to leave. OTOH (remember, Ponies have four hooves), throwing constant parties is a form of rebellion. OTOH, her family accepted at least the first party she threw (though I suspect she may have had to go it on her own if she immediately started throwing constant parties ... Wow. That was run-on. Now I feel like Pinkie.]
Rarity has in-canon been romantically attracted to at least two males (Prince Blueblood and Spike, though the first ended the first time she had to spend much time with him, while she probably doesn't act on the second because Spike is an underaged member of a different species) and has been shown to have at least one possibly-romantic friendship with another (Fancy Pants). She is also an outrageous flirt -- but only with males. So I think she's straight. Note, however, that the nature of the game she plays with most males means that she wins by getting what she wants without having sex with them, while the male she seems to love the most is an incredibly-inappropriate mate for her. So I don't know that she actually has sex with anyone.
[Addendum: At least one person has pointed out to me that Rarity just views Spike's attention as a coltish crush. Sure, and that's why she wouldn't act on it now, but I also see her in canon doing things to encourage it, and Rarity does not act blindly in matters of the heart -- under the whole melodramatic emotional display, Rarity is highly intelligent, logical and even ruthless compared to the rest of the Mane Six. And she views displayed emotions as ways to manipulate others (I'm sure she knows, for instance, that her friends have seen through most of her emotional posturing and continues it with them as a form of teasing and entertainment).
[Would you want to -- as a cruel game -- lead on a dragon (whom has morphed into an Economy-Sized form twice so far in canon) whose adopted big sister is one of the most powerful mages in Equestria and the known favorite of the ruler of the land? Now, none of the parties named are particularly vindictive sorts, but aside from the fact that two of the ones named are her friends, one would think that social climbing would dictate quite the opposite strategy. Also, I've never seen any sign that Rarity is cruel -- at least to those who have done nothing to merit cruelty from her.
[It strikes me as far more likely that Rarity genuinely finds Spike attractive on some level but is confused by her own emotions. Spike's love for her is pure and intense, and this has been proven in-show by its ability to override his normal draconian instincts. Rarity is complex: on the outside, there is a definite veneer of romanticism covering cynical calculation, but under that cynicism she is truly very romantic. And who with a warm heart could not love the tale of Beauty and the Beast?]
Twilight Sparkle spent most of her life as an extremely asocial person: the only males she seems to have spent much time around were her father, brother, and adoptive younger brother. She very recently crushed on Flash Sentry -- a crush that (notably) began when she was in humanoid form (probably of a race having a human-like constant sexuality, too). There's no evidence in-canon that this crush has lasted since that brief flustered moment when she got to see his Pony analogue. I would say that it's extremely likely that Twilight has no sexual experience -- I don't even know if she's ever had a real kiss. I do think that her sexual orientation, such as it is, is probably straight, since we've never seen her have any sexual attraction at all to females of any species.
[Addendum: And I write this in full awareness of what I'm doing in the Twi/Luna fics I've been posting. Let's just say that giving characters good reasons for internal emotional conflict makes great drama, though it is arguably less fun from the POV of the characters involved in it].
The writers do seem to like dropping Under the Radar hints about the sexual attractions of the characters, far more so than in most such shows, so I wouldn't assume that nothing will come out. After all, in canon we've already had one wedding and one foaling, involving two different couples, so we shouldn't assume that this is bound by the extreme limitations of most shows assumed to be "for children."
For the sake of canon not getting in the way of my unabashed shipping, I'm going to note that most of these things have an insufficient sample size for accurately predicting either the greater Equestrian society or the noted ponies' preferences.
Oh, I absolutely agree with you. And as I pointed out, the Mane Six are in any case highly-abnormal ponies: in point-design RPG terms each of them has several high skills and even minor superpowers, which they afforded by taking spectacular Psychological Disadvantages (some of which they later bought off with XP earned during adventures). Plus, there's the whole question of how being Fire-Forged Friends bearing Empathic Weapons has affected their hearts and minds.
I'm just trying to measure the likelihood of various ships here. I'm not saying that unlikely ships are impossible. I personally chose a relationship which I consider to be romantically unlikely for the fanfics I've been writing (because both Twilight and Luna are almost certainly straight females), though I do think that a growing friendship between Twilight and Luna is close to canonical. Notice the specific plot device I used to justify this.
I have also flat out stated that I think that homosexual relationships are probably more likely to work in Equestria than they were in our own society at the same technological level, because there is a very good chance that Equestrians view all love in a positive light, regardless of its sexual orientation. In the actual 19th century Western world, lesbianism was usually legal (because society barely noticed its existence), but was not considered respectable or particularly sane. In Equestria, the attitude would probably be more like "I'm so happy you two found one another."
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I could argue against that pretty easily. Assuming that there is a similar statistical probability of homo-/bi-sexuality in ponies as there is in humans, it is of course unlikely from a statistical standpoint that Twilight is anything but straight. Also, with the only real example of her sexuality being an attachment to Flash Sentry, that would be an easy case to make. However, given that Flash Sentry only exists within Equestria Girls (he doesn't exist as a character in season 4) one could say that he didn't count, having no bearing on the show proper. Or, one could point out that Flash Sentry is like Shining Armor-lite, and Twilight seemed a bit over the top in her affections for her sibling, so Sentry would make an easy stand-in for Twilight's strange obsession for her own brother. Neither of those arguments are strong, but I can live with that. I don't know where you're getting the assumption about Luna though.
This actually raises some really interesting questions. How famous are they? You'd expect that they'd be pretty famous, but how well would information even travel? I don't think that the instantaneous mail delivery Spike and Celestia seem to have is common, so I'm guessing that good old fashioned word of mouth and letters are the only way their exploits would get around. How much penetration into the general pony society should we expect for this kind of information? We have limited information to go on since they are rarely interacting with ponies outside of Ponyville and the Royal Guard. However, when we have seen them they haven't seemed to have been afforded extra attention. It's hard to say why that may be, though.
RD's hangup, as far as I can tell, is with sincerity. She calls expressing emotions "mushy" because it makes her uncomfortable, she has difficulty apologizing, and she is wildly affected by the opinions of her peers. These things all point to her having some self-esteem and maybe trust issues. Those sorts of things make her feel too vulnerable, I think, and part of her maturation will involve her expressing her emotions to her friends and building trust. As to whether or not she's promiscuous, I think it's dependent on whether or not she considers intimacy to be part and parcel of sex. If so, I doubt she's experienced. Otherwise, she very well could be. Given the nature of the show, I'm inclined to lean toward the former, but as long as it isn't stated outright in canon I think it could easily fit her character either way as it stands.
Honestly, i think the biggest problem with trying to determine their orientations is that we just don't have much information, and the information we do have is colored by the fact that the Mane 6 probably won't be depicted as being in a lesbian relationship due to the "extreme limitations of most shows assumed to be "for children."" We'll at most get hints, jokes, or undertones of lesbian relationships, whereas similar heterosexual relationships (or attempts) will likely be more outright. So, it just kind of ends up hard to determine which way everyone swings. Except Rarity. I'm pretty sure she's straight.
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Assuming that there is a similar statistical probability of homo-/bi-sexuality in ponies as there is in humans, it is of course unlikely from a statistical standpoint that Twilight is anything but straight.
Plus I don't remember them ever showing her manifest any romantic attracfion toward mares, not even played for comedy like RD's grin when she thought that AJ was hugging her.
Also, with the only real example of her sexuality being an attachment to Flash Sentry, that would be an easy case to make. However, given that Flash Sentry only exists within Equestria Girls (he doesn't exist as a character in season 4) one could say that he didn't count, having no bearing on the show proper.
Well ... EqG is obviously meant to be canon, since in all other respects it appears to fall within series continuity. My reading of the whole Flash Sentry thing is that Twilight, finding herself in the form of a teenage humanoid of a species with the same never-off year-round sexuality as homo sapiens, was a bit overwhelmed by her own hormones and fixated on the first reasonably-handsome, reasonably-friendly male who walked into the situation. The obvious reason why the crush on Flash Sentry apparently goes nowhere in S4 is that, perhaps, when she gets to know the equine version of Flash, she realizes that they really don't have all that much in common.
Twilight would almost certainly be an idealist and perfectionist as regarded romantic love: she is, after all, in every other aspect of her life. So if she found that a stallion she liked was sexually attractive, but not really a soulmate, she might just back away from the situation.
(The question of what she'd do if she found out she really was in love is interesting. My own theory is that it would involve not only hearts and flowers, but lots and lots and lots of the Equestrian equivalent of "marriage manuals." Let's hope that the object of her love was able to convince her that it was a bad idea to try to read them while actually mating -- my wife thinks that Twilight would want to bring the books to bed with them. She also thinks that Twilight would be very likely to hold back on premarital sex, which is something I think might also be the case).
Did I like the whole Flash Sentry subplot? Not really, because it was so obviously contrived to provide Twilight with a "love interest" in a story which didn't really require one. I also think that Flash had all the sparkling personality of a lima bean. But seriously, given someone of extreme sexual inexperience (as Twilight probably is, even for Pony society) suddenly finding herself admired by a likeable, decent guy (and Flash is nothing if not likeable and decent) -- sure, I can see the girl involved being a bit flustered by it all.
I don't think that Twilight has a "strange obsession" with her brother -- what she has is a case of big-sibling hero-worship, exceptionally strong because her social isolation has meant that he is her model for what a stallion slightly older than herself should be. She is awed by his virtues (and he is brave, good and loving) while not seeing his flaws (he's nowhere near as smart as Twilight, nor does he seem particularly imaginative) because he's her hero.
Yes, she seemed resentful of Cadence marrying him before the wedding but -- that wasn't Cadence! That was Chrysalis, and she was doing a very poor job of simulating Cadence's personality. Twilight's instinct there was spot-on, and really, "being a princess has gone to Cadance's head and turned her into a spoiled-rotten bitch" seemed a much more probable scenario than "she's being impersonated by a shapeshifting alien." The moment she saw that the real Cadence loved her brother sincerely and unselfishly,, Twilight was totally happy about the match. Which was a reasonable attitude upon Twilight's part.
My evidence for Luna's sexuality is very scanty: it's from a comic book in which she flirts with (and gives a kiss on the cheek to) Big Mac. Now, I know that the comics aren't canon, and that Luna also was probably just "making merry" (as she would put it) rather than expressing serious intent to mate, but this does indicate that she's probably attracted to stallions.
As a millennia-old immortal, there's no way that Luna is anywhere as innocent as Twilight. She does however seem a bit socially awkward for a millennia-old immortal -- part of it is of course that she's a Fish Out of Temporal Water and a Heroine With Bad Publicity in modern Equestria. But I suspect somehow that Celestia, thrown into the same situation, would have had everyone loving and trusting her fairly rapidly. Everything I've seen of Luna, even in canon, screams "Adorkable" to me.
I don't believe, outside of my fics, that there's any special romantic connection between Twilight and Luna, and for the exact reason that it bothers both of them in those fics -- namely that they are both straight. I do think that they have similar personalities, similar values, similar senses of life, and would -- if thrown together for long enough -- probably become good friends.
And in-canon, Twilight has repeatedly helped Luna -- she's saved her from captivity at least twice (Series Opener and Season Four opener) and from extreme social embarassment once (Nightmare Night). Unless Luna is utterly-ungrateful -- and I read her as the sort of person who would see ingratitude as a major vice -- she probably likes Twilight a whole lot. In at least one episode we definitely see them bonding as friends.
How famous are they? You'd expect that they'd be pretty famous, but how well would information even travel? I don't think that the instantaneous mail delivery Spike and Celestia seem to have is common, so I'm guessing that good old fashioned word of mouth and letters are the only way their exploits would get around. How much penetration into the general pony society should we expect for this kind of information?
Well, aside from the stained-glass windows (and if Equestrian high society is like any normal high society, they pay attention to such public commemorations), there's in-canon newspapers and magazines, and Equestrians are highly literate. Princess Celestia could have chosen to keep the role of the Element Bearers in saving Princess Luna from the Nightmare a secret, but after they defeated Discord, she publicly commemorates their deed in front of the Court. They fought the Changelings in full view of Canterlot, though most of the resident ponies were a bit busy at the time trying to avoid capture by the foe. They rescued a whole city from King Sombra -- and later eps show the little rail depot that previously existed at the Crystal Empire expanded into a full station, so we can assume that story spread. Then, Twilight was publicly coronated as one of the Princesses of Equestria. It's probable that the facts of how they stopped the Plunder Seeds from overrunning Equestria was kept to a minimum, since the last thing Celestia would want would be enemies, or even just souvenir-seekers, at the Tree of Harmony. But it was probably mentioned that Twilight had something to do with it, since after all she publicly flew from Canterlot to Ponyville, went into the Everfree Forest, and shortly after that the threat ended.
So yes, I think that they are celebrities. Though if the Equestrians are like us in this respect, they may devote an unreasonable amount of attention to many who do things of relatively minor importance (such as Photo Finish) or simply are of high birth without doing anything of real importance (such as Prince Blueblood). Which is probably a relief to the Mane Six -- even those who want publicity (Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie) want publicity for their abilities (flying, fashion design and party-making) rather than for just existing. Fluttershy hates publicity, and Twilight Sparkle and Applejack probably just find it annoying (though AJ might want to exploit it to sell apples and apple-based products).
It is Twilight Sparkle who now cannot avoid publicity, as not only is she now a Princess of Equestria, but an actual Alicorn -- meaning that unless she wears something over her wings, she's easily recognizable at a glance. This suggests another reason for Celestia's focus on Twilight learning about friendship -- such attention might have literally driven the asocial introvert we met at the beginning of the series insane. Given the examples of other dubiously-sane, magically-gifted unicorns in the series (specifically Sunset Shimmer and the Great and Powerful Trixie) that is a scary thought.
RD's hangup, as far as I can tell, is with sincerity. She calls expressing emotions "mushy" because it makes her uncomfortable, she has difficulty apologizing, and she is wildly affected by the opinions of her peers. These things all point to her having some self-esteem and maybe trust issues. Those sorts of things make her feel too vulnerable, I think, and part of her maturation will involve her expressing her emotions to her friends and building trust.
Excellent points! She also comes from a rather Spartan subculture, which would tend to reinforce her discomfort with emotional expression. It's occurred to me that part of her character growth seems to involve mentoring Scootaloo. She's almost like a mother, or at least Cool Big Sister, to the little fireball.
You know, the more I think about it the harder it is for me to buy the concept of a casually and intently promiscuous Rainbow Dash, mostly because I can't see her engaging in the necessary effort of separating short-term and long-term emotions. Even though she doesn't express herself very well, she very obviously loves and is loyal to her friends, and I think she'd be very seriously hurt if a lover treated her as nobody special. Though she'd die rather than let anyone -- especially the lover in question -- know that she felt that way, of course.
Honestly, i think the biggest problem with trying to determine their orientations is that we just don't have much information, and the information we do have is colored by the fact that the Mane 6 probably won't be depicted as being in a lesbian relationship due to the "extreme limitations of most shows assumed to be "for children."" We'll at most get hints, jokes, or undertones of lesbian relationships, whereas similar heterosexual relationships (or attempts) will likely be more outright. So, it just kind of ends up hard to determine which way everyone swings.
Yes. Though I do think that in at least two episodes they've hinted that Rainbow Dash is probably a lesbian. And possibly Fluttershy. (Though being Fluttershy, she may just have extreme physical modesty).
Except Rarity. I'm pretty sure she's straight.
Any more straight, and Sweetie Belle would be an aunt already.
Following you is definitely worth it.
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Why, thank you!
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Hi! I'm a long-time fan of your posts who recently joined the site, so I figured I'd give my thoughts and hope to be honoured with a response! (Taking another look at these old posts in light of subsequent events might be interesting, even if my ramblings aren't.)
I'll start by basically just concurring with these premises.
And these ones ... I hope this idea isn't pointless because I have nothing to do but agree with you - but I guess there's a reason you're one of my favourite bloggers to begin with.
I go with what I think is the standard - on-and-off all year except winter.
And as a corrolary, very few in late autumn/early winter. Maybe that's one reason they have "a bunch of awesome holidays" plugged in there?
One of my rules for ponies is "they can be as bad as us, but they can also do better" - I think I defined it back during the initial controversy about "Over A Barrel". Of course I then turn around and add all kinds of terrible things to their world because that's my own corrupt nature, but I can never actually match the depravities of human history so ponykind's superior record remains intact.
Indeed - just remember that a) not all potential threats are ponies - Fizzlepop Berrytwist was likely a free-range child too - and b) that kind of thing hides best when no-one can even imagine it happening.
I have it as legal and not particularly remarkable in modern Equestria, but I'm less decided on the past.
This is why I've never really been able to buy inter-Mane-6 shipping. The odds of two lesbians in the group aren't too bad, but otherwise compatible ones... And don't get me started on fics that pair them all up with each other...
Not that I can't fully enjoy these stories - if it's the premise, then we must allow them their unicorn in the, ahem, garden - but I don't see it as actually going that way unless it's some kind of creepy Elements side effect.
Another simple agreement. Too similar thinking might not be a problem for a couple (The Book of Jordan, Chapter X), but I'm starting to wonder if it is for intelligent comment. Maybe I can work better with your opinions on the Mane 6?
IMO no progress here - she seems quite focused on her job(s) and living life too the fullest. That might include sex, but if so strictly during the winter - she isn't taking any chances with a foal.
I never really saw this one - but then I didn't see them as being close friends before the show rubbed it in my face. Can you still see it in more recent seasons?
I can't recall if there's been any change here - but just the fact that such a family-focused mare is getting older without seeking a mate probably means something...
You wrote this one before Pinkie Pride, so I'll hold off on comment. The fact that her parent's seem okay with Maud dating an outsider seems notable, though.
Pretty much the same.
Well, it seems Flashlight has quietly died, but we don't know if anyone's informed Twilight of this yet - I can definitely see her using a "boyfriend" she never actually sees as a method of maintaining practical celibacy. Of course, she could just be too busy - it's not like she doesn't have enough on her plate!
Well, these are my thoughts - they probably aren't very good, but we can't all be you.