So, coming soon in The Chase (some spoilers hidden) · 2:21am May 15th, 2014
Don't spoil in the comments, use the [ spoiler ] [ /spoiler ] tags, no spaces.
So, big changes are coming in The Chase. BIG.
Uncomfortable changes.
Probably going to infuriate a lot of people...
I can't please everyone I suppose.
So, anyway, the Shetland Isles arc is coming, and there are a large herd of ponies heading off to the Shetlands. There are going to be a lot of interactions between Dinky and Bucky when they are there. Some lessons about magic. Bucky is going to discover that he is badly wired now, and things don't work right. Berry is going to face some Berry bad consequences. Derpy is going to find that she really likes the Isles. She is treated so much better there than in on the mainland, because motherhood is valued and Derpy has it in spades. She is going to get a level of respect she never got in the mainland.
Oh, and before the Shetland Isles, there is totally going to be a bit of a small wedding and sex!
Alright. Deep breaths. Read these spoilers at your own risk. One of these is a major plot reveal that is bound to upset some people, and will probably make a lot of people really upset, and you have every right to be upset. I am going for some tough societal issues, and these are not comfortable issues, so a lot of people are going to freak out. And rightfully so, I expect this to be a deal breaker and I apologise in advance.
Read at your own risk, or if you want to see if The Chase is going to be the right sort of story for you to keep reading.
After arriving at the Isles and staying for a while, the Laird is going to offer Berry his condition to end the war. Arranged marriage. This has been heavily foreshadowed in a number of chapters already. Remember Bucky and his potential pre-arranged marriage? Derpy's reaction? Berry looking at the bathtub in her old farmhouse and noticing that the tub could fit four ponies? Thistle is going to be introduced, and she is a kelpie, a fresh water seapony type creature that is a pony on land and a merepony in freshwater, and saltwater is deadly poison. She went to the mainland and came back pregnant. And she is a bit younger than Sparkler's age. Wait, let that sink in. Wait for it, wait for it, woah. There you go. By Shetland Isle's standards, she is old enough to be an adult. She left the Isles, and got taken advantage of, and then left high and dry. The Laird wants her taken care of, and see's Bucky's herd as an ideal solution. Thistle and her foal will be cared for and looked after. of course, Bucky and herd balk at this. She's young. Really young. And they are left with an option of taking her on as a herd member or remaining in exile on the Isles forever. Expect societal complications aplenty as the full blown consequences of these actions are explored. Thistle wants to be married. That's how she got pregnant. Some smooth talking mainlander told her marriage traditions on the mainland were different, said some snazzy words, and well, you know. Stuff happens. Thistle is at an age where fillies get married on the Isles. Which horrifies Bucky, Berry, and Derpy. Derpy realises that Thistle is about the same age as she was when she had Dinky. Thistle is aching to start a family and live on the mainland, so she can see the wonders of mainland society, but she is going to need a protector and caretakers... Berry's punishment. Sex, marriage, and societal values are all going to get thoroughly dragged through the mud and picked apart piece by piece. And Thistle is going to demand her equal share in the marriage, thoroughly challenging Berry's values as a feminist. Thistle wants to sleep in the same bed as the 'adults'. She wants an equal share of Bucky's affections and attention. And she doesn't want to be treated as a foal, which infuriates her. Derpy is going to have a near meltdown, torn between trying to be a good mother to Thistle and trying to be a good fellow-wife. She keeps being a mother though, which makes Thistle pissed. And there is the very very tricky issue of consummation of the marriage, because the Laird will not let them leave until the marriage is consummated. Celestia is aware of the situation and will allow it to take place in order to gain the Laird's favour so he will agree to end the war.
Deep breath. Still with me? Good.
I expect a lot of issues because of this arc. Moral complexities are incoming. Painful moral complexities with no easy black or white answers.
And, like the Canterlot arc, I suspect that people are going to claim I am pulling this out of my ass and I don't have any story planning what so ever, and all of this was completely uncalled for. So here we go.
For those of you still hanging on, I wuv you!
...woah, heavy stuff. Not sure why that would make people mad though, but ok
My only reply....
thegrownupya.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/river-spoilers.gif
Sounds interesting
Can't wait
Interesting twist of events. Just a random thought on it though: I kind of feel like Thistle is going to be something of a hurdle for Bucky's herd. From your summary she doesn't seem to actually love any of the other members of the herd and just wants to be in it for herself, which as you can imagine is going to derail things somewhat. Maybe it might be a good idea to have her try forming a herd with Sparkler and Rising Star at the end instead? Just my 10 bits.
2113189
That is going to be discussed actually, and rejected. The Laird wants Berry to do it, because Berry was the one who started a war. He's impressed by this. Kelpies are near extinct, and the Laird wants Thistle with a group he can trust. Bucky has magic, Derpy is a dangerous pegasus brute, and Berry is the Warmonger. Rising Star and Sparkler have nothing to offer.
2113195 Bah, it still feels like Thistle is going to be the thing that breaks them apart. I miss the feels.
2113249
Don't worry, that is not the case. Things only grow when they face adversity.
Not that this idea is in any way terrible, but it is the straw that breaks the camel's back. Being interested in psychology and sociology, I was curious to see where this story might go. I was excited whenever new chapters were posted, and them in spades. But now the slice-of-life is evolving into an odd adventure, chapters have started to feel like a chore, and overall I just don't want to be part of your vision anymore.
2113293
That is regrettable.
You can't have an adventure tag with slice of life unfortunately. The story is still mostly a slice of life, or slices of different lives anyway.
I wanted to introduce an outsider's perspective into the mix and see the mainland through her eyes. Her point of view.
And explore her through society's point of view. This was the intention from the beginning.
I wish that you would stay, but I understand if you want to go.
2113195 That is going to be very interesting and such a eye opener. Me myself I think you are doing a great job and those who are turned away by these upcoming events. They are missing out and don't realize how our own history has done some things similar to this in terms of what is coming.
2113249 She is going have to realize the hard way that being apart of a herd means being in something bigger than just herself and it doesn't revolve around just her. I think some life lessons will come across during this arc.
Wow, when I first read this fic during the first day of release I expected it would be different. Around chapter 20 everything changed and it seems like a completely different fic. Still a great fic! I might finish reading it once it is completed and your pacing on updating is great! It is not entirely my type of fic after it changed, but I'll be sure to finish reading it once it is completed!
After the first chapter i expected some lighthearted comedy, after reading some more i saw how mistaken i was and guess what? I'm so glad it turned out the way it did.
Don't get bullied by comments into writing something you don't want, you got something unique and keep at it.
Hm... I am warned ahead of time...
I have no reason to bitch.
I was warned ahead of time before, too, but still... I'm liking this so far... but it's about execution, not just premise, so we'll see where this goes.
Well, this should be very interesting. Though part of me is wondering about kelpie biology and its reaction to sodium. After all the biochemical exposition, I find it hard to believe that saltwater is just magically poisonous to Thistle and her kin.
In any case, definitely looking forward to how you resolve this.
2113841
Sea ponies evolved for saltwater. Kelpies evolved for freshwater. Just drop a saltwater fish into a freshwater tank and see what happens. Or vice versa. Fresh water triggers the change that makes a tail, salt water causes the body to dissolve into foam.
SPOILER AHEAD FOR THE CURRENT ARC OF THE STORY. READ ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
... Though I see the potential that this will get a rise out of your readers, I believe you already went past that point when Berry Punch bucked the Bucky's mother in the womb. Besides, I believe most people already know that issues like the one in your story are cheese crackers in contrast to what real life has to offer.
[ spoiler ] [ /spoiler ]
2113843
Oh. Right. I had pet fish a while ago, I should've remembered that. Herpamaderp.
I'd like to see the opposite introduced to the story. A herd consisting out of multiple males and one female. I'd like to see how the feminists would react to such a 'waste' of potential mates for their ideal herd culture.
Is something like that going to happen at any point?
2114019
That was never planned.
2114024 That is too bad.
2114974
It simply does not fit into the current sociological model except as deviant behaviour. Not the standard.
2113300 I'll give it another chance, I guess. I am a few chapters behind (37 or 38), so I'll catch up. I just don't know if I will be as touched as I was at the beginning. Time may prove me wrong, though. You are an outstanding writer, kudzu, but sometimes you throw me for a loop.
2116532
If it is any consolation, we move on to the foal rearing arc soonish, exploring the differences between herd raised foals and monogamously raised foals.
The Chase is intended as a multi-generational story.
2116545 Babbies? BABBIES!
I look forward to that. Bring on the foal-induced diabeetus. I dare you. Send me into a cuteness coma (again).
2116610
You did read about how earth ponies affect conception, right?
2116611 Mmhmm, I did. Why do you ask?
2116693
Well, do some math. x number of mares... Foals.
I'm worried about naming them all.
2116695 WHY CAN'T I HOLD ALL THESE FOALS?!
Better start working on an Equestrian name generator program. You're gonna need it.
2114977 Deviant behaviour is a very strong word. Homosexuality, now accepted by the majority, was called that a while back by just that majority. I am also aware that it would not be the norm, which is why I'd like to see how your characters would react if confronted with it.
2117110
Deviance by sociological terms. Google it. Different meaning.
Sort of like how arousal is used in psychology and it has no sexual meaning.
2117154 Don't take this the wrong way, but you're the exact opposite of what your writing suggests you should be. Yes, I know that induction isn't particularly rational.
2118304
I am not sure I understand what is being said here... I'm sorry.
Context maybe?
2118307 You seem less pleasant than I assumed you'd be. That emoticion face thing sort of relativized that again but... honestly, pal, I don't know what I'm saying.
But anyway. Social deviancy. Sounds fun
2118315
I can be a pleasant person... Sometimes.
Other times...
We all have our moments.
2118317 I realized today that more often than not I'm unconsciously mean to people. I think it's just sarcasm, but apparently it's not... so about that deviancy. You don't have to put it in, I mean it's your story and junk, but how would the gang react?
2118320
If the post seemed off, when I made it, I was in bed on my phone and had a tiny keyboard. I couldn't type much so it was brief.
Sometimes those posts seem terse. Sorry.
I dunno how the gang would react.
Considering how much they want to be respected for their own choices, I can't see them reacting badly. I mean, they love Lyra and Bon Bon.
So open minded. I am going to stick with open minded.
2118325 I was more reffering to male on male homosexuality. Female on female should be pretty well established, given the whole herd mentality, but say the opposite happens. Stallions that are in high demand band together as three or four members, maybe with the inclusion of one female.
2118331
I don't see it as a problem personally.
**Shrug**
2118350 Well of course you don't, I was talking about your characters.... nevermind!
2118358
I meant for my characters.
I can't see them reacting badly. I meant it from my own personal perspective.
Wow... All this makes perfect sense... Considering the time period, you have kept me as a reader, I look forward to the rest of your story and the UPS and downs it may bring, because what is life without it. Boring.