Jul
4th
2014
A question for readers of Flash Fog · 3:27am Jul 4th, 2014
Is it clear that the Equestrian Revenue Service and the Lunar Guard are more or less one and the same? I know I've dropped some hints that there's some overlap in employment, but I wanted to give the impression that the Lunar Guard is Equestria's tax collection agency. (In case you're wondering, the inspiration comes from the United States Secret Service, which has the dual responsibility of protecting the President and investigating counterfeiters.)
EDIT: Don't worry if you missed it; it's not a major plot point or anything. Really, half the reason I'm mentioning it is so I can put out some Word of God to keep someone from reverting a TV Tropes edit I recently made.
I don't know about anyone else but I had barely noticed either in the story.
Maybe it's just because I've been focused on the Fluttershy/CMC parts, but I barely remember the night guard being in this story. I may reread this soon anyway, so I will look out for that this time. I'm just too entertained by the main cast.
Went completely over my head.
I remember it now that you mention it but I haven't read the earlier chapters in ages. Though this could be a case of Read as it comes out Vs. Read it all in one sitting. For people who do the latter when the fic is finally complete what you already have could be enough. Maybe mention it again only if you have a really good bit in mind for it.
Yep, I remembered that pretty clearly, although I didn't realize how inspired it was until you mention it. That's a pretty good subtle joke that I'm ashamed I didn't get.
What? This is news to me.
I've always though the Secret Service's dual role was weird and interesting.
Yeah, I missed it.
I missed it as well.
Hah, I missed it too. Well, I'm sure Flutters' worries about her "tax cheat" are doubly pointless now that she's got Princess Luna in her corner.
I had no idea. Perhaps because such a dual-role agency seems so inherently strange that only very strong hints would cause me to consider the possibility.
I always thought it was a case of 'Oh, we have a department that isn't doing anything (their charge was vanished for a thousand years) let's give them a job that no one wants'
Sort of the reverse of how the USSS was founded to fight counterfeiting, but were handed the job after the JFK assassination and most of their work gone to the FBI, ATF, and IRS over the years.
Missed and/or forgot that one.
Probably the latter, since now that you mention it....
Oh. No I had no idea.
I knew there was overlap, but I didn't realize they were one and the same.
I missed that. No wonder the Ponyvillians were terrified when Luna made her first formal visit.
Sounds like its time for revisions of the tax code and personnel if Luna doesn't want mass panic every time she uses her carriage...
I totally noticed it, and thought it was hilarious, especially that time the hulking thestral reminds someone that tax season isn't for another 7 months, or something. I know it's just a funny side bit, but I would love to see it come up again. Did Luna's guard "handle" her 1000 years of back taxes for her? I'd love one of those super compassionate ponies to go up to a thestral, hug them and tell them that no matter what other ponies say, thestrals are nice ponies who just look scary... Then the thestral can thank the compassionate pony and inform them that hugs do not qualify for a business expense, and back taxes for the last 3 years are still due.
So many people have demanded gruesome fanfic justice for Greg, maybe he needs to be audited by the Night Guard? Or maybe Fluttershy finally IS visited by the Night Guard, but not for the reason you'd think: They heard about what happened with the vampire fruit bats and want to remind Fluttershy that impersonating a member of the ERS is a serious crime.