Glittershell · 9:26pm Sep 13th, 2014
Introduction
One of the concepts I'm incorporating into the Shadow Wars universe is that Snailsquirm ("Snails") Carrot is transgendered (female mind in male body) and renames herself "Glittershell." I got the idea, of course, from the excellent Ask A Pony blog Coming out of your shell, having first encountered it in the very dark story "It", which is about a Glittershell rejected by Ponyville who runs away to Manehattan and supports himself by prostitution. I was glad to see that the original blog's take on Glittershell was both far brighter and more consistent with known characters and the nature of Equestrian culture).
Why do I like the concept of "Glittershell?" Because, in reimagining Snails as secretly transgendered, the writer of the original blog did not make him significantly smarter, wiser or more sophisticated than the canon Snails. Glittershell is still a not-very-bright, rather foolish and naive young Pony, she's just psychologically female. She has one really significant insight which Snails wouldn't have had -- namely into what it feels like to conceal one's inner nature -- and there's very obvious and personal reasons why she would have it. Canon Snails is kind of stupid, but he's not non-sapient -- he's perfectly capable of thinking about his own situation, and so is Glittershell.
I also like the fact that this is a believable secret which is entirely consistent with canon so far, and one which I never would have come up with on my own. The Ponies are eutherial mammals; their sexuality is determined by the same factors (genetic, teratogenic, developmental and environmental) as our own. Just as it is logical that a minority of them would be gay, lesbian or bisexual, so it is logical that an even smaller minority of them would develop into one of the many mixtures of effects that we lump together as "transgendered."
Glittershell is a lovable being. She is exactly like Snails -- benevolent, goofy and not too bright -- save in that she is interested in displaying her developing femininity. Which is kind of sad, as her body is male and hence absent major magical or other intervention, it's growing into the body of a stallion, not a mare. Though I already see a path to a potential happy ending for the filly, as high-level magics might be able to enable a true sex change (but the blog itself points out the reasons why this wouldn't be automatically easy and safe).
This is my composite canon for the Shadow Wars with Coming out of your shell -- which, I again emphasize, is not my blog.
Background
Why A Carrot?
Some may wonder why I decided to make Snails a Carrot. The reason why is that he looks in build rather like a younger version of Carrot Cake (who if we go by matrilineality was originally named "<something else> Carrot" and took his wife's name) and looks rather like Golden Harvest ("Carrot Top") in his coat and mane. I've decided that he's Carrot Top's first cousin through Maroon Carrot, and hence a first cousin to Landscape Carrot as well.
Who Are the Carrots?
The Carrots are one of the Old Families of Ponyville -- there were Carrots in the First Settlement. To quote my earlier article:
The Carrots are every bit as old as the Apples: Violet Carrot was one of the original companions of Dawnflower Apple. However, the Carrots have tended to produce too many sons and not enough daughters in each generation, and have suffered other ill-fortune, to the point where Golden Harvest Carrot and Maroon Carrot both struggle to keep their respective families afloat. The return of Golden's older brother Landscape Carrot in 1510, the Changelings of Hive Carrot in tow, saves Golden Harvest's farm, and massively boosts the economy of Ponyville; his subsequent marriage helps restore the family's status.
The Carrots have historically been friendly with the Apples, though there was a bad spot when Big Mac proved hostile to Landscape's love for Applejack, and this led to Landscape's quest for wealth resulting in his disappearance. Some bad feelings remain at the time of Luna's Return, but not enough to cause the Apples to reject Snails' friendship with Apple Bloom. if they knew Snails was attracted to males rather than females, the Apples would actually be relieved: this means that the Applejack-Landscape tragedy wasn't about to repeat in just half a generation. After Landscape's return and his marriage to Applejack, these bad feelings are forgotten and the families become closer to one another.
Sexuality
Glittershell's major problem is that her sexuality is heterosexual-female, but her body is male. This means that if she approaches the majority of the Ponies to whom she is attracted and who would be attracted to her female personality (heterosexual males) she will be rejected for having a male body. She is not aroused by females (either heterosexual or lesbian). A homosexual male might be aroused by her body, but might not like her female personality (there is a subset of homosexual males who seek extremely effeminate males who might like her; unfortunately, this fact is how she makes a living as a prostitute in "It"). Her best bet, assuming that her body remains male, would be a bisexual male.
This is not so much of a problem for her now because she is still only an adolescent. Most members of her cohort have not yet seriously paired off or become sexually-active. It is going to be an increasing problem for her, and she will feel increasingly lonely and desperate, as she gets older. She will see other Ponies her own age stepping out, sparking, becoming engaged and getting married -- and she will remain alone, perhaps occasionally having sex with those she does not love simply to feel a connection with other Ponies, possibly offending them if they weren't aware her body was male. This would be a sad fate, and a likely one barring some sort of magical intervention.
It should be pointed out that Glittershell shares the normal small-town Equestrian attitudes toward sexuality, and is on top of it very young and naive. She currently thinks in terms of "crushes" on love objects whom she values as actual or potential friends, not in terms of actual love affairs, and still less of seeking random sexual satisfaction. This means that she would despise herself if she desperately sought out loveless (or worse, commercial) sex. The Glittershell depicted in "It" is very psychologically-damaged, and probably in danger of an early death from suicide or self-destructive behaviors.
Glittershell actually has a crush on somepony. Unfortunately, she's picked a male heterosexual colt, one very unlikely to return her affections, and what's worse (in my fanon) one who has suffered a temporary magical transformation and rape when in female form (an occurrence of which Glittershell is entirely unaware). In other words, she's picked somepony who is likely to not only reject her love, but to become extremely disgusted at the thought of it, and stop even being her friend. Poor Glittershell.
As explained by Rarity in the blog, Glittershell actually needs sexual reassignment, rather than merely a sex change, because she is gender-dysphoric to begin with, and thus a sex change would turn Glittershell into a male mind in a female body. The magics involved for this are complex, fairly difficult and thus expensive, and cannot be safely attempted until Snails' body has grown to full stallionhood. What's more, Snails/Glittershell is still very young (14 at the age of the explanation) and hence far from certain about the precise nature of his/her sexuality. So there's no quick and easy fix for Glittershell's problem.
Friendship, of course, helps. Which is precisely what Rarity's giving her.
Friends And Enemies
Snails doesn't actually have any enemies: even the Great and Powerful Trixie has gotten over her anger at him for his role in bringing the Ursa Minor to town which caused the destruction of her wagon (It helped that she felt bad about what she did to him and Snips when under the power of the Alicorn Amulet). And he has several friends. Glittershell might acquire some enemies by revealing her true nature, but less than she would in early 21st-century America, and far less than she would in most other Human cultures. Glittershell already has some friends with whom she is closer than those who only know her as Snails.
It is very unlikely that she would face hostility to the point of shunning or violence, such as he does in "It." Equestrians are accepting of differences, and among her friends are some fairly influential Ponies.
Friends
Apple Bloom: The youngest of the three Apple Siblings at Sweet Apple Acres, one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and a good friend of Snails, good enough that he's willing to talk to her about a crush, and Apple Bloom cares about his feelings, though she entirely misses the mark on just whom the crush is directed (she thinks it's toward Scootaloo rather than Rumble). Apple Bloom does not yet know Glittershell exists as of YOH 1504.
Rarity Belle: The older sister of Snails' good friend Sweetie Belle, Rarity treats Glittershell acceptingly and affectionately, and has treated him to at least one session at the Spa. Rarity is trying to help Glittershell come to terms with her own nature and figure out how to interact with society as a female. Rarity finds Glittershell's situation unusual, but sees nothing evil about the young filly-souled colt, and certainly no threat to herself, her sister or her business. Given Rarity's nature, it is very likely that she would openly stick up for Glittershell if she came out. When Landscape Carrot comes back, Rarity will be glad she treated Glittershell well.
Sweetie Belle: A very good friend of Glittershell, she is the younger sister of Rarity. Sweetie is strongly inclined to music, singing and is also a fair sketch artist. She's the most feminine of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and has served as Glittershell's introduction into the world of femininity. If Glittershell was actually attracted to females (which would make her psychologically "lesbian" or "bisexual") she might be attracted to Sweetie, as the friendship is quite affectionate. But Glittershell is psychologically heterosexual. In many worldlines, Glittershell becomes an associate of Sweetie Belle in her future musical career.
Bulk Featherweight: Son of Bulk Biceps, first cousin of Scootaloo. Glittershell befriends Featherweight and gets a very strong crush on him, possibly her first real experience of love. The problem is that not only is Featherweight a male heterosexual, but has had a horrible sexual experience when merely a child due to one of Discord's spells which resulted in Featherweight being transformed into a mare and mind-controlled into having sex with a stallion. It seems probable that not only would Featherweight reject Glittershell's love, but might well be violently revolted at the concept. Featherweight and Twist are falling for each other, which is another obvious obstacle.
Cheerilee Punch: Snails' teacher and one of the more respectable Berrys (as opposed to her dissolute sister Berryshine). She found out about Glittershell when Snails played hooky to go to the Spa. She kept Snails' secret because she cared what happens to him and didn't want to devastate his life. In doing so, she risked her own career, thus demonstrating yet another way in which she is a Cool Teacher.
Scootaloo: Niece of Bulk Biceps and one of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, she is casually-friendly with Snails, but is the least close with him of her trio.
Snips: Snails' best friend, who is the son of Claude the Puppeteer. On the other hoof, Glittershell has never revealed herself to Snips, and since Snails has known Snips for a long time, one suspects there's a reason. Snips might well violently reject Glittershell, even as a friend (this is one of the parts of the backstory of "It" that I deem likely). Snips would almost certainly reject Glittershell as anything more than a friend. Losing Snips' friendship would hurt Glittershell very deeply, and it is sadly all too likely to happen. What makes it worse is that it's a very close friendship.
Spa Twins (Aloe and Lotus Blossom): Two near-twin sisters, emigres from Stalliongrad, a northwestern city which used to be part of the Crystal Empire, who run a spa in Ponyville. Aloe is the pink-coated, blue-maned one; Lotus the blue-coated, pink-maned one. Aloe finds Glittershell incredibly cute and wants to be nice to her by giving her a treatment; Lotus is a bit dubious and worried about the possible trouble they could get into doing this. They wind up giving her treatments and of course are aware of her nature.
Trixie Lulamoon: The Element of Illusion, an obnoxious blue unicorn who is highly skilled at illusions, both true-magical and stage-magical, and also an accomplished singer, dancer. puppeteer and storyteller. Despite the horrible thing that Snips and Snails accidentally did to Trixie in her first appearance, and that she under the influence of the Amulet did to them in her second one, Snails is actually still her fan (he sleeps with a Trixie plushie), and Trixie has long since forgiven both of them. Glittershell admires Trixie's brash and extroverted personal style, and tries to copy it sometimes with indifferent success. In time Trixie becomes friendly with Sweetie Belle and Glittershell, and provides them useful advice and contacts in the entertainment industry (particularly through Trixie's eventual husband, the theatrical promoter Piercing Gaze).
Neutrals:
Macintosh Apple: Applejack and Apple Bloom's large and laconic big brother. Big Mac knows Snails as one of Apple Bloom's friends. Glittershell has a bit of a crush on him (because Big Mac is "kind," "strong" and "handsome"), but is aware that Big Mac is both an adult (late 20's) and unlikely to return his interest. As Big Mac is a heterosexual male, and in love with somepony else to boot, Glittershell is for once right about his social world. Big Mac's potential reaction to Glittershell's coming out is unknown, but he knows that Glittershell is harmless, and indeed friendly toward his youngest sister, so he's unlikely to behave as badly as he does in "It." Macintosh is altogether smarter, and more sensible, than some writers give him credit for.
Rumble: Pegasus colt, younger brother of Thunderlane. Glittershell has a crush on him, but it goes nowhere because Rumble and Scootaloo are flying around together. Most Ponies assume when they see Snails staring after them that he has a crush on Scootaloo. Rumble is a male heterosexual and thinks nothing in particular of Snails, especially not sexually.
Diamond Tiara: Daughter of Filthy Rich and Golden Tiara, she's the Alpha Bitch of her generation at Ponyville. Glittershell doesn't like her because she rejected another colt for being far less effeminate than Snails. Diamond Tiara doesn't know Snails' secret, and has nothing in particular against him. She'd probably be mean to him if she found out about Glittershell, though. There may be a connection between them, though, as Snails family lives in a large house with multiple bathrooms -- and there aren't many houses that size in Ponyville, the obvious implication being that Snails' family work as servants for either the Riches or the Silvers.
Conclusion
This part of my fanon is very much a work in progress. I welcome criticism and advice on whether this is a good thing to fold into the Shadow Wars (remember, these characters will be adults at just the right time to get involved in some of the really heavy war drama) and if so, how I should do it. I even welcome a discussion of whether gender-dysphoria transgenderedness is too dark a theme for the universe in general, though I honestly believe that Glittershell is a pretty darn innnocent and lovable example of it.
We haven't really seen Diamond Tiara tease ponies who aren't connected to Applebloom. Yes she's been RUDE (very much so), but not bullying to to others aren't connected to Applebloom in some form.
I'm going to politely say no more on this subject.
2452155
She never teases Snails either. The perceived hostility is on Snails' part, she does nothing to him to justify it.
Snails is essentially afraid that Diamond Tiara will despise him if Glittershell is revealed.
Maybe I'm wrong to put her into the "Enemies" category, since she's never actually done anything mean to him of which I am aware.
(She's a bit of a bitch, so she may have done something mean to him at some time, but children will be children, and not all childhood teasing is serious).
2452155
You are completely right on this. I changed her into the "Neutrals" category. She probably thinks Snails is her friend.
This makes me appreciate more the tumblr series that has Snails be Diamond's boyfriend and the most manly stallion this side of Big Mac.
umm, you keep using 'snips' when I believe you meant 'snails'
2452382
Fixed the problem, thanks for pointing me to it!
2452188
Ooh, I remember this -- that's the one with the CMC as the equivalent of the gang from Scooby Doo, right?
2453030
That was only one story arc.
2453101
Yeah. I liked that world too. Even though it wasn't the one I decided to steal and file the serial numbers from.
2453101
I also kind of wonder. Snails in that was so over-the-top masculine that it may have been a direct response to Glittershell. I also thought it was hilarious they were playing on the late 1950's / early 1960's stereotype of the Bad Boy with a Heart of Gold who courts the Rich Girl.
2453168
Subverting stuff is what I do too.
2453202
It occurred to me that if Glittershell ever saw the hypermasculine Snails, she would get a crush on herself.
You'll like "All That Glitters", I think. A much happier story about Glitter Shell than "It".
It's somehow appropriate that even the pronoun you use to refer to Snails/Glittershell is uncertain. You seem to use "he" and she" interchangeably in reference to her.
Also, Snips is Claude's son? That could be problematic...
In any case, I certainly welcome the incorporation of this particular permutation of Snails into your headcanon.
2454641
I try to use "he" for Snails and "she" for Glittershell because Snails is the masculine and Glittershell the feminine version of the personality of the same Pony. As that Pony gets older, Snails is increasingly becoming merely a mask for Glittershell.
They have a very strong resemblance. Also, if Snips is the son of a show-stallion, it would explain a lot of his fascination with Trixie. Though I implied in my article that Glitter actually has more potential talent for the stage. This in part is because of her close friendship with Sweetie Belle, who has supernal talent.
2453575
I read the story, and thought it was really great. I left multiple comments there.
2454641
Looking at the two side by side, I'm going with the idea that Snips' mom was a redhead.
2455832
If you say so. Figuring out the genetics for tribe is hard enough. When there's a hair phenotype for rainbows? Yeah, it's anyone's guess how that works.
2455974
Well, Rainbow's likely dad had a rainbow mane ...
If a simple sex-change spell would still invert rather than alleviate the gender-dysphoria, and the treatment would primarily involve alleviating the dysphoria, why would a sex-change even be necessary?
*whistles innocently with a poorly hidden Nerve Stapler*
It's practically criminal that it took nearly two years for me to stumble across this and give it a read (though I'm sure it's rather out-of-date by both our perspectives).
This is an astoundingly precise and vigilant observation of the side universe I've been creating, and it's interactions there of. I'm incredibly touched that someone's actually paid this much attention to my content. You're spot on with the intended characterization and inter-character perspectives (excluding the bits that are part of your narrative canon, naturally).
Sadly there's going to be some deviation down the road when I start involving more details on Glitters parents and home life in the blog, but hey that's writing.
Thank you very much of writing this essay, and of course including my concepts in your story.