The Pains of Being a Shipper at Heart · 1:16pm Sep 16th, 2014
I saw this image on EQD today, and it got me all sappy for how TwiLuna stopped being a good ship after Luna Eclipsed and then started being one again after season 3.
So I thought I'd ramble on for a bit about past favorite ships of mine that have fallen out of favor, and maybe a few that haven't. Just kind of dumping thought processes on what works and what doesn't, what appeals and what doesn't. Don't feel the need to take this seriously.
TwiLuna
Since I started out with it, I'll go into a little more detail. I've never been a fan of Twilestia because of the power issues at play (though I know that, for many, that's the entire reason the ship is appealing). Even more than that, when you consider that Celestia may very well have raised Twilight single-hoofedly for a large portion of her life -- childhood to early adulthood -- there's a faux-incest angle going on with it as well. (Again, that's the reason the ship is appealing for some. :|) And if you don't buy that, well, the teacher/student thing -- while, again, appealing to some -- hits a little too close to home for me to be comfortable with.
Not so with the Princess's little sister. She might as well be a stranger for all that she's related to Twilight's sometimes-surrogate mother. She and Twilight have an instant connection of "you saved me from the darkness". They're both night-related. They're both, supposedly, introverted; at least, season 1 Luna tended to be portrayed as such, and it made sense. Plus they're just so fucking cute together.
Fast-forward to Luna Eclipsed though, and Luna has changed. Now instead of a unicorn with wings, she's taken on her true princess mantle. She's big, she's scary, her canon personality is slightly buffoonish for how it comes off. Ship possibility goes to zero, mostly thanks to the power issues rearing their ugly heads. The personality thing was mitigated somewhat by Sleepless in Ponyville, but it's not until Twilight gets her wings that this ship rekindles.
Now, they're on equal footing, even if Luna still has a thousand or more years of experience over Twilight. And it's not just the power: Twilight's gained some height over the course of season 4 and they're more able to look one another in the eye. Plus, there's a certain maturational thing going on. Luna in season 1 was essentially a child (see also: Aquaman's post on "Woona"). Twilight was, too. But now Luna has grown back into her body, her position, and the world at large, while Twilight has simply grown up, physically and emotionally. They're both ready for some hot princess-on-princess action. See above.
PinkieDash
My original favorite ship. I dunno what happened to it. :/ I'm gonna blame the fandom for this one: no one writes about it anymore. Butterscotchsundae and kits no longer come around. I'm still kind of carrying the torch with The Elements of Awesomery and its related stories (none of which have been published), but that's about it. I'm still horribly pleased whenever I see someone doing it, but I think, speaking entirely personally, it's just fallen to the wayside thanks to...
TwiDash
I once wrote a "shipping guide" on Ponychan. You can probably still find the post. It was an analysis of all fifteen possible mane cast ships based on a number of frankly ridiculous factors, many of which no longer apply. I wouldn't go looking for it, honestly, if only because three years later, my opinions have changed wildly.
For instance, in season 1, I never would have considered this pairing. Jocky Rainbow Dash and nerdy Twilight Sparkle? It'd never work! So what changed? Well, Dance 'Til We're High, for one. My enjoyment of this ship stems entirely from having written that story, despite getting magnum opus dissonance from it. Yet there are a lot of things from the show supporting TwiDash, not least of which is Read It and Weep. Now suddenly they have something to bond over: books! And then Twilight got wings! Flying! Those are both of their favorite activities! How these two haven't gotten married in the show is beyond me, I mean just look at Testing, Testing 1 2 3. :V
FlutterDash
Man, here's a classic. Two friends who grew up together, one strong and brash, the other shy and reserved? The brash one helped the shy one find herself when they were kids? And then fate brought them back together years later to save the world? Hell yes, they're banging. Unfortunately, like PinkieDash, this one has simply fallen to the wayside out of disuse and likely also thanks to TwiDash. But I've got other Fluttershy ships to look at, like...
FlutterMac
Back around the end of season 2, beginning of season 3, I decided that FlutterMac was my (secondary) OTP. It just made so much sense! They're both quiet. Mac is big and strong, but he's gentle and would never hurt her. Her love of animals makes her a natural fit on a farm. (It helps for the seldom-used FlutterJack as well.) They were just made for each other. (Much like CarrotBurn, it's a case of "shy, somewhat neglected girl bags herself a big, hunky guy everyone wants despite not being the greatest catch herself".)
Then season 4 happened, and this ship sank like a lead weight. It was a three-episode punch that killed Fluttermac for me.
First, Pinky Apple Pie. Despite her questionable relationship to the Apples, even if it's true, she's far enough removed from them that dating one of them wouldn't be incestual. Plus, she was taking pictures of Big Mac's butt. Obviously, she's got the hots for him. (I can't remember what the evidence was for reciprocity, but shipping is an art, not a science. Just go with it.)
I bet you thought I was going to put Rainbow Falls next. Well, it certainly didn't hurt, introducing Fluttershy to Bulk Biceps. (TBH, I love that name. Way better than Snowflake and Roid Rage combined.) But it was actually Bulk's cameo in the "Hearts as Strong as Horses" montage from Flight to the Finish that set him up for shipping with Fluttershy. (For the short of memory: he gets spooked by a butterfly. This demonstrates that he's not as super-macho as one might think. Also, butterfly.)
Lastly, Equestria Games put the nail in the FlutterMac coffin. Pinkie stole her boo, so she went and found a beefed-up windbag with a heart of gold to take his place. Seriously, look at the opening scene where he's pumping iron and Fluttershy's riding on top of it. Can you honestly watch that, then look me in the eye and tell me they're not fucking? :V No, you can't. Mostly because we're not interacting in meatspace.
LyraBon
Still OTP.
SpitDash
I think I'll end with this one, for it represents the hardest fall of any season 1 ship. I was a massive SpitDash shipper through the first two seasons, and I can barely even explain why it was so appealing.
Just think about it: two butch dykes. Spitfire's hot. Rainbow Dash looks up to her. The power play thing isn't an issue because theoretically, given enough time, Rainbow will join the Wonderbolts and be on more or less even par with Spitfire. She'll likely take over as captain someday. Also, did I mention Spitfire is hot? Plus, their interactions in The Best Night Ever and Hurricane Fluttershy are cordial-to-friendly. Obviously, they're made for each other.
What killed it was Wonderbolts Academy. I mean, there are reasons why Spitfire acted the way she did toward Rainbow, but it builds up on three seasons' worth of "no one recognizes that they saved the world a bunch". Rainbow Dash personally saved Spitfire's life. You'd think that would merit some, I don't know, some recognition? Off the concourse, maybe? But no. Spitfire was a cold bitch the whole time. I can't remember what happened with her, whether it was a different voice actress or what, but "it ruined my ship" is honestly a big (stupid) reason why I don't like that episode much.
Things only got worse during Rainbow Falls. I can blame Fleetfoot for most of it -- she was definitely the instigator, the crafty tyrant behind the throne, as it were -- but Spitfire was still a stone-cold solid bitch to Rainbow the whole time. And that's how one of my favorite ships went down in flames. :(
And of course, stuff like RariJack still sticks around, as appealing as it ever was. What are your thoughts? Any old ships that the show or fandom ruined for you? Any new ones that came to pass because of an episode or fic?
Pssst.
SombraPie OTP.
....
That is all!
You know it.
Au contraire! Art IS a science, is it not?
I was also super into FlutterDash for a while. I saw them on the show, thought they were cute together, and ran with it. My VERY FIRST attempted shipfic was a FlutterDash. (It's cancelled now; it sucks.) But then I watched more of the show, and realized that Rainbow Dash is kind of a jerk to Fluttershy. That ship quickly met a watery grave in my books. I also don't like SpikeBelle. "If I can't have Rarity, I'll have her sister." And somehow Sweetie is totally okay with being his backup chick.
My favorite ship would probably be RariPie. Closest thing I have to an OTP ever since I read Seeking Beauty (by Donnys Boy). And I ship Twi with all the princesses just because. And sometimes Applejack (The Homesteading by bookplayer). Don't mind AppleDash (Freakin' Fall Weather Friends) or RariDash (Third Time's The Charm and its sequel by RazedRainbow) either.
I'm Mane Six pairing-agnostic. As long as the story can justify it, I'll accept any and all of the fifteen possible pairings. Heck, one of my favorite stories in that regard is the Pony Pairing Permutation Project, for exploring all of them. (Not the Bookish Delight one, the one with the League of Infinite Scootaloos. Can't seem to find it, but I know I didn't imagine it.)
That being said, I have embraced CheesePie since Pinkie Pride. Oh, I'm still okay with other Pinkie pairings, but the manifold insanity of non-Platonic party ponies appeals to me.
Also, LyraBon OTP 4eva.
Still an avid MacDash shipper. I honestly think that his strong, quiet, solid personality is a great offset/balance to Dash's hotheadedness and brash nature. He's the kind of guy that would let her rant and rave her problems out of her system, offering only the occasional nod or simple question/answer. Plus, as we've seen in multiple episodes, Dash 's arrogant and bigger-than-life ego hides a bit of insecurity. I think Mac is the kind of—using this word again, because it works so damn well—solid personality that would allow Dash to "lower her shields" in a way, and let herself be vulnerable without feeling like she's losing her "coolness." Plus, if The Dash is gonna "lower" herself to doing lovey-dovey stuff, it's gonna be with the strongest guy out there, not to mention the bragging rights of nabbing the most eligible bachelor in Ponyville.
That's why AppleDash just never made sense to me. They're too much alike, they'd butt heads to much, and they are such good friendly rivals.
Secondary Dash ship is still SpitDash. Wonderbolts Academy and Rainbow Falls did nothing to quell my love of that ship. Even with her total bitchiness, Spitfire still comes off as a more laid back pony. I can attest to the fact that the whole Drill Sergeant personality is just a work thing, and most people who have met me and really know me have told me, "I can't really see you as that mad, angry guy." It;'s a role, a character you play.
And being honest, I'm a bigger fan of LunaShy than TwiLuna. Yes, even with the reveal of her canon personality in S2, I think Flutters is the kind of gentle pony that Luna would find attractive.
My other big ship is SweetieSpike. And no, it's not, "can't get the girl, get her sister" thing. It just seems logical to me: Spike spends so much time at the Boutique, that he's bound to become close to Sweetie, at least as a friend. Then, when he finally grows out of his crush on Rarity—or she finally lets him down—he'll still have that friendship, and it may just blossom...
Alternately, I'm a fan of RumbleSpike. Seriously, go search Derpiborru(safe mode only!) and you'll agree: those two are just adorable together. Plus, Spike being gay, for some reason, is just too cute to me.
Lately, I've also become a big fan of AppleTiara. It's probably just because of the tsundre thing, but those two just seem cute. And FeatherLoo, because the scrawny, nerdy guy getting with the hot athlete is something I think most people can enjoy watching. Also helps that I have this headcanon that Featherweight is mute, so they could bond over their disabilities
because Scootaloo has a disability and can't flyDear god, I'm such a shipper...
I'm one of those crazy shippers who happily points to all the things making a ship successful while very intently ignoring everything that disproves the possibility. I also like to think that any ship can work with the right fanfic author behind the wheel, though I fully acknowledge that some crackships seriously challenge that assertion.
Trixie vs. Equestria has solidly sealed LunaTrix in my mind. I prefer not to think of myself as having an OTP, but this one comes pretty dang close to it. That said, I'm entirely in favor of Twixie and TwiLuna. LunaTavia is also a favorite of mine – I just can't shake the feeling they'd be a great pair, as my latest fic is intended to indicate.
Shipping Rarity with most ponies brings a smile to my face, because her over-the-top manner is cause for great things humorous, amorous and dramatic. She's one of my favorites to see shipped, really.
I'm always in favor of FlutterMac, LyraBon and FlutterDash.
And now let me mention a ship that's been on my mind a lot lately: McIntavia. Or OctaMac, if you prefer.
RariJack is my OTP. They are the only ones native to Ponyville and In Look Before you Sleep they act like old friends that had a falling out but know exactly what to do to get under each other's skin, that already hinted at a more developed relationship than any of the others and it only kept getting stronger and slightly more intimate and flirty as the shows goes on. Hell, they might as well be married in Trade Ya.
TwiDash is my only other inter-mane 6 ship, but is very weak I think. To be honest I don't even think Dash swings that way. Could go any way for Twilight.
One I do not see at all is FlutterDash. It doesn't make sense to me at all. While indeed they are childhood friends it's very obvious to me that they are BFF, pegasisters, or whatever the proper female flying horse equivalent is for bros. That's exactly what they are, the greatest platonic relationship two beings of the same sex can have. They are like pony Turk and JD. Rainbow Dash is the only one that can actually call Flutteshy's interests boring to her face without her having a breakdown and Rainbow is the only one Fluttershy is consistently willing to stand up against she even punches Rainbow once, yet they are constantly hanging out together. Totally bros.
I may not be much for shipping, but if I was I'd ship BlueDash, shamelessly and unironically. Blame Augiedog for that one.
Also, did you seriously just say that Carrot Top isn't "the greatest catch?" Buddy, did you see that Nightmare Night costume? Carrot Top is frickin' adorable. Shipping is one thing, but I know cute when I see it.
You mean Tuna.
Frankly, I just don't think you're looking hard enough. Lesson Zero is when that ship bolted on an extra mast. Introvert on introvert makes a shit relationship, but somehow you're missing out on all the possible threads that the S2 setup gives to the pairing.
Power imbalance isn't a factor. If anything, Twilight would be holding all the cards in that sense, so I don't see what you're getting at.
I never know whether to be somewhat disgusted by or in awe of the amount of time and effort shippers put into thinking about this stuff. I try and compare it with other genres and I can't get a good mental hold on it. I mean, if Adventure was my main genre, I wouldn't sit around comparing the relative logical possibilities of Twi and Dash going on an adventure versus Pinkie and Fluttershy. I don't know of anyone who does that with the seriousness that shippers do that with romantic pairings.
When it comes down to it, I find shippers fascinating because they just look at things in a way that is so in the character weeds that it's both infuriating and endearing at the same time. Lots of great character nuance gets revealed, but it's often surrounded by strange assumptions and rigid thinking about how these ponies can and should act.
All of this leads to one solid conclusion: RariPie is the only viable ship.
At least twiluna isn't inherently bad, just overdone, the way you read 10 trixie fics you've read them all.
What kills fluttermac for me is how few good fics there are of them. For how much people talk about it, you'd think there'd be tons but there are only 2 or 3 small good ones. You're more likely to see them together in the background of another fic.
2459128
no get out :|
2459134
Ignoring the interspecies thing, I actually have ways of making SpikeBelle work, even under the "might as well have her sister" thing. Granted, I still don't like it, but it's better than Sparity. Or SpikeBloom. (Why does no one ever do Spikealoo?)
2459150
You're thinking of The Combinatorics Project, which is an amazing story. I think it's on my list of things to review later, too.
Cheese Sandwich is on my list of Ponies I Do Not Ship, on account of what I think InquisitorM termed something like "character/VA dissociation syndrome" or something. :B Basically, he's pony Weird Al in my book, and Weird Al is married.
2459151
MacDash I've always been kind of cool towards, but honestly I think he's a good pairing for any of the mane six exceptApplejackforfuckssake. I've always had that feeling about AppleDash, though. Some people like the ship for that reason, but it just doesn't make for a realistic setup as far as I'm concerned. (I confront this head-on in a story I really need to finish someday.)
See, the thing about WBA is that even in her office, Spitfire was never, "Hey, Dash, I'm giving you a hard time, but I gotta. You're a shoe-in, relax." She never drops that drill sergeant persona even in private, which leads me to suspect that the friendly, easy-going Spitfire is the real mask, the one she keeps on for public appearances like the Gala and the tornado.
Ahh, LunaShy. The Night Fluttershy Exploded was one of the earliest stories I ever read. And honestly, I don't think Luna Eclipsed does anything to break that ship. I mean, Luna hugs her! Ship it!
TiaraBloom is cool. :B Not a major one for me, but I can 'ppreciate. Foal shipping, even aged up, is so weird though. Like, the only pairing I can really get excited about is DinkyPip. Everything else always seems very haphazard. Like, Featherweight? Doesn't have a lot of personality, though I like your disabilities angle. But you have to come up with something like that to give anyone beyond the CMCs, Babs, DT and SS any ground to stand on. Not enough foals from the show have strong personalities. :B
(Also I just have a really hard time seeing Spike as gay. I guess I just don't ship him. :B Also also I have a hard time straight-shipping Dash even though I can accept her being bi with no problem.)
2459182
Ohh shit, I forgot to mention Twixie. D: It's always been kind of a ridiculous ship, popular because it's popular (I could say as much for Scratchtavia), but after season 3, I feel like it could work. I mean, now Twilight has a clear advantage over Trixie, and Trixie at least attempted to appear humble and apologize, so I think they could really start over and find common ground now.
Also I have it on good authority that a good writer has a MacTavia in the works. I'm looking forward to it. :D
2459216
Oh my god, Trade Ya did wonders for Rarijack. It's seriously one of the best ships ever, and I just love it more and more as time passes.
2459274
Like I said in that comment I left on your blog, I see her as painfully normal. If you lined up all the mares in Ponyville, she'd be the one no one noticed. Not even an "eww, why?" just passed over because she's plain. It's why she's so great, and it's why she deserves her cowboy. >:V
2459275
Bravo.
2459278
First, fuck Lesson Zero, I try to think about that episode as little as possible. :V Second, it's something I thankfully see a lot in princess-ship fics. Someone will have a moment of "wait, what if we break up? will she banish me from Equestria? what if she gives me a royal command to do something I don't want to?" When one party in a relationship is a ruler of the nation, it gives the other party pause. Not that I think either princess would abuse her power like that, but it causes angst.
Granted, that kind of power issue can make a story about, say, a guard in love with his princess all the more compelling. But the mane cast are not guards.
2459293
Spoken like someone who has yet to discover the value of horse kissing. :V (Although RariPie is a good choice, respect for that.)
2459344
The best part about this kind of Tuna sandwich is that it makes its own mayo.
2459344 Spikeloo FTW.
2459344
I'LL SHOW YOU THE TRUE LIGHT OF MY SHIPPING! YOU'LL SEE! YOU'LL ALL SEE!
2459350 decaf.
2459344
You mean someone beat me to it? Crud. Just like Octavicorn...
Well, it's a professionalism thing. Even behind closed doors, she's still on the job. And I doubt she would ever tell her to "relax, you're a shoe-in."
Can I ask why? Not putting words in your mouth, but I kinda get the red-ass a bit whenever someone talks about "just not being able to see her as straight" for personal reasons.
2459350
I need an old sponge and a young sponge. The Power of The Rainbow compels you!
No mention of AppleDash at all? All that tail-biting!
Obvious sexual implications aside, the tail biting perfectly illustrates how the pair would counterpoint each other: Rainbow Dash rushing headlong into the fray, full of bravado and bluster. Applejack, a mare of action herself, supplying the voice of careful consideration, humility, and honesty.
That said, Maude x Trixie (Mauxie?) is pretty much the best thing ever.
2459344 Urgh. Sorry. I meant Luna Eclipsed.
I used to like Rainbow Pie a whole lot during the first season because of the butterscotchsundae story. Now I like TwiDash because they're two of my favorite characters on their own and ever since Read It and Weep I think they work pretty well together. RariJack does too, almost like someone at the studio is slipping hints in on purpose. But that would be silly.
My favorite crack ship is all six of them at once.
2459344
If I can't find signs of compatibility, I'll MAKE signs of compatibility!
I began as a fan of TwiDash, reading bats' work and falling in love with 'Coming Back'. I don't really have a preferred pair, but I do enjoy any one that is explored and done in-depth enough to feel realistic. That's my kicker for ships. Can't just take some wood and make a raft, no relaxation comes from that. Gotta put some effort into it, make a hull and a deck, maybe even a swank cabin, and if you're top-notch, *Cough*darf*Cough* your champagne is on ice at the ready, captain.
I did fall for Rarity/Filthy Rich in Einhander's Royals, and the subsequent *sequels* in the Royals-verse. That's my idea of a good ship. One that's taken everything into account.
I definitely have some ships I'm more of a fan of (MacDash, TwiDash, snarky RariBlood [possibly the rarest ship ever], FlutterBulk, FlashLight [give me your hate!]) and some I'm less a fan of (FlutterMac, PinkieDash), but for the most part I'm equal opportunity. If the story makes it work without screwing up the characterization and it isn't creepy as hell (I'm looking at you TwiLuna in The Luna Cypher [sorry iisaw]), I can generally accept it.
Nothing the show has done yet had made me completely rule any out as something I cannot stand. Well, maybe Twilestia (eww creepy mother-figure/teacher on daughter-figure/student), though I've still read plenty of those.
As you could guess by my stories, PinkieDash remains OTP. I actually have a funny idea that it doesn't get written much anymore precisely because it's assumed to be fan canon. Same with LyraBon and OctaScratch. They just work, so noone really feels a need to write about why.
2459346
Doho. :V
2459367
Probably just because I've seen so many more lesbian ships with her than straight. :B I mean, it's really stupid to assume she's gay, the stereotype is old and done and not funny anymore, but there really aren't any guys I really want to see her with. (Though I'd rather go MacDash than SoarinDash, talk about overdone.) She does legitimately strike me as the equal opportunity sort. But then, I don't really keep track of that kind of thing like I know a lot of writers do.
2459371
You are damned right about the Mauxie. :V I actually had an idea to write about Trixie on the rock farm and ship her with Octavia (because Octavia-as-Inkie-Pie is still a great idea even if it doesn't make sense anymore) but then Maud had to come along and ruin everything. Maybe I'll add that to my "Inkie is jealous that everyone likes Maud more than her" story idea.
2459381
Herp. :B I think my feelings on that were more "Luna stopped being a pony I wanted to ship after LE".
2459396
Six-at-once is actually something I've started considering lately. I honestly can't even figure out how to do threesomes, though (kits could do it!), so I probably won't bark up that tree any time soon.
And making signs of compatibility is the hallmark of shipping. :V
2459416
Since you brought up Flashlight, I just have to say SunFlash 4eva mofugga because Sunset > Twilight and she deserves to get her honey back. I can't wait to see how that plays out in RR (I'm sure it won't). Flash Sentry exists in my world solely as a plaything for the strong females around him. :B
2459424
Oh yes, how could I forget the inimitable whiteout still carrying the PinkieDash torch for us? :D
Just goes to show how few still care about that ship. :(
2459344
Thanks.
That's the one! I tripped over my own love of alliteration there.
Cheese Sandwich is no more Weird Al to me than Wreck-Gar is, but I can certainly understand your position on the point. I've never felt too strongly about pony pairings, excepting LyraBon and canon couples, so I try to stay detached and reasonable about others' opinions on the matter.
So many shippers here. O_O
All forgetting that the One True Pairing is obviously DiscoLight.
2459344
U w0t m8¿¡
2459416 having enjoyed The Celestia Code, I'm intregued to see how Twilight "I'm not gay" Sparkle falls for Luna in TLC.
2459357
NEVER!
2459450
I don't know how to make it work either! In order to give it any hope of lasting, I keep thinking that there needs to be some extenuating circumstances to get them all to see each other in that way, though maybe it would work better as an experiment that didn't pan out.
Still having trouble deciding which story idea to work on next.
Inquiring minds want to know why.
Why the strikethrough? This is one of the fundamental laws of the universe, like electromagnatism!
And there's one other factor that makes Twiluna not only a probable ship, but an almost necessary one. If I may be forgiven for quoting my own fic....
Luna speaking to Celestia:
"This is folly! As a filly, Twilight was the most powerful unicorn in an age! As an alicorn she has wielded more power than you or I ever have! Any stallion you can name is beneath her! None are worthy! She deserves an equal for her companion in life!"
And since the Twilestia problems you mentioned above are very valid, that leaves Luna. OTP-QED!
2459346
I hate myself for giving that comment a thumbs-up.
2459416
No worries, that was my intention, after all. Awww to What? to Ewww to Hmn....
This thread was exactly what I needed today.
One of my highlights of TrotCon 2013 was eating lunch with PP. I mentioned that my OTP was Twilestia and he's all "whoa, I've never met one of you before, you need to explain your ship to me. I don't get it at all. I mean, she's her teacher and her princess. Isn't there, like, this huge power imbalance?"
Cue me, wearing a shit-eating grin, nodding eagerly. "Yeah! Isn't it great?!"
PP stared at me, wordless and emotionless, for a good ten seconds.
>TwiLuna
Now see, I'm surprised Luna Eclipsed sank the ship for you. Sure, Twilight x Woona has this painful introvert thing going for it, like a TwiShy ship. And I suppose the new alicorn model set off your "power differential" alarm. But Luna Eclipsed Luna is painfully socially inept, and visibly pained over it. (See: that scene by the NMM statue with Luna sitting in its shadow) S2 Twilight has just barely gotten past this stage herself, what with her prior-to-show ivory tower status, and her S1 deadpan snarker behavior. They can identify on this, but rather than just being stuck there, Twilight has learned enough to help guide Luna. With Twilight having learned about friendship from Luna's sister, there's this whole "student has become the teacher" vibe without your qualms about macking on the teacher herself.
MFW I was upset at Twilicorn, not because of Mary Sueness, but out of fear it would remove the power differential and thus sink my OTP. (Note: I got over it.)
>PinkieDash
I get a "friends with benefits" vibe from them (and by "benefits" I mean snuggling. You sick fucks.) but friendshipping and romantic shipping are viable alternatives.
>TwiDash
I fully admit that I'm biased against this for purely hipster reasons. Around the time I first got into shipfics, TwiDash was everywhere and it just felt too mainstream. If I look at it objectively (or as you mentioned, watch Testing Testing 1 2 3) then it's adorable as fuck, but my natural state toward this ship is hesitance. Which is weird, because many of my favorite ships are fairly mainstream too, so I'm not sure why I single this one out.
>FlutterDash
Easily my second favorite ship, much to my initial surprise. I'm more naturally drawn to ships with built-in conflict, whether it's social like Twilestia, or behavioral like Appledash or Rarijack, because conflict leads to interesting stories. But these two are so fucking adorable together! Childhood friends. Yin/yang. Rainbow needing somepony to temper her brashness, and being drawn to wet-noodle filly!Shy even at a young age (sure, this was loyalty / anti-bullying kicking in, but lifelong friends? RD would rather be hanging around people like Gilda. Something's special about this mare.) Fluttershy being self-admittedly weak and helpless, in need of an external strength both in terms of a pony to lean upon as well as a pony to believe in her and to push her to grow beyond her comfort zone. They're just so adorable ahghrfhghf.
>Flutterbulk
I know what you're thinking, because I'm also thinking it. No.) The Ponyville cheerleader outfits. Bulk being scared by a butterfly. On the inside, Bulk's a perfect match for her, plus the humorful juxtaposition of him being so stronk on the outside. Why I prefer this over Fluttermac is, as Hearts and Hooves Day showed us, Mac's just far too passive to go alpha up to Fluttershy. Anything with Mac is either going to need a more assertive mare (like Dash I suppose) or a cabin-in-the-woods-style contrivance to put them together. Less an issue with Bulk.
The weight-lifting scene. (Pervs, no.
>SpitDash
Power differentials and all, I was always amused by the concept of stalker!Dash who'd break into the Wonderbolts locker room and steal a sweaty flight uniform. Some form of ship could still work if RD becomes a Wonderbolt, I suppose, with the adoration, but this has always felt like a one-sided ship to me. Spitfire can and has been impressed by Dash's moves, but this doesn't translate into lust, in the same way it could for Dash. Spitfire would need other reasons to like Dash, I think.
2459367
2459344
IMO it was half professionalism, half deliberate breaking-in. S1 Dash was the Element of Inflated Ego and Spitfire likely knew this. A hotshot S1 Dash wasn't going to have a chance; the Wonderbolts require something more mature, so she tried to break her of that ego, partly by not giving her lead status (testing that she could be a team player) and partly by going through the boot camp shtick. Look at her first line to Dash: "You look like you're the worst flyer in the whole academy! You'll probably quit after the first day!" C'mon. No. Spitfire didn't get amnesia. "Worst" is a dead giveaway that she's singling out the ego pony and trying to mould her. If she relaxes in her private quarters, then Dash would realize she's in no actual danger and therefore would slack off, so Spitfire has to keep up the facade. When Dash hands in her badge, Spitfire immediately recognizes the increased maturity, and realizes that they're about to lose a talented cadet over a misunderstanding, so she leaps in to clear up the situation.
>Rarijack
Trade Ya. Nuff said. Appledash is similar but slightly inferior.
>Toy ships
*shrug* I can't get into any of them. If I had to pick one, I'd offer you SweetieMash along with my humblest apologies for suggesting SweetieMash. But in general I just can't see them as old enough to "get" romance. Any attempt of mine to ship them just feels like an awkward middle school dance, so I don't bother.
2459371
(Plus, Maud looks adorable with bandaids.)
>Mauxie
So much yes. Given, it's really being driven by that one single artist, but damn it's so good. Every other ship either has Trixie willingly reform, or to just try to outbitch her mate (like Trixie x Rarity). This ship's so great because she meets her match, in the style of unstoppable force v. immovable object.
>Sparity
Did somepony say Sparity?!?!
2459293
The issue is that it can make or break the story. A romance story is entirely defined by the chemistry between the characters, so in order to make a believable story you have to really get into the character analysis. Then, it's only human nature to look at a set of things, and to choose your favorite amongst the set of things. Then, it's only human nature to murder a man for suggesting that your ship is inferior.
2459450 I can't blame you, there's a lot to love about Sunset.
33.media.tumblr.com/8c69eeb4454399b8b9f5fe8208a5eaeb/tumblr_nbrqkno4uB1r5mwwuo1_1280.png
2459520 Still at eww, man, still at eww.
2459637
2459626
>dat FlutterBulk explanation
2459396
I'm working on a blog post about how I see RariJack working well for next monday, but I don't understand how anyone could think that about canon after the one-two punch of Simple Ways and Trade Ya. Both of them showed that Rarity and AJ can't move past the lesson from Look Before You Sleep; all three involve some of the biggest arguments of the mane six and end on some variation of "Yeah, I have no idea why you like this crap, but, uh, you do, and that's fine as long as I don't have to."
(The gifts at the end of Trade Ya are case in point: Rarity got AJ a pie plate because it was rusty, rather than more efficient (which AJ cares about) and AJ got Rarity a pin because she has others like it rather than because it held more prestige, (which was what Rarity cared about.) Yes, it was nice of them, but totally useless because they don't bother to listen to each other.)
2459670
Hatesex.
2459670
I guess, but Rarity and Applejack were really adamant about being able to give their choices of gifts rather than receive the other pony's. What am I to make of that?
2459520
You're welcome.
2459450
Don't tell me you've never thought about that, mister! I know where you browse
2459457 But Wreck-Gar is voiced by Eric Idle...
2459751
Different Wreck-Gar.
2459626
But isn't that the definition for a good story in general? I mean, it's about the relationships between the characters, or the relationship between a single character and the reader. I can't think of a good story that has flat characters with no chemistry that succeeds on virtue of the events that are unfolding. I guess you could skate by with mediocre characters if the description of slaying the dragon is particularly vivid, but I don't really see that as different than bland protagonists acting out a seriously romantic story. To me, character is the center of every story, but it might just be my biases. Character is often all I really care about.
2459755
What is this heresy?!
PinkieDash is my favorite.
I've started a crackshipfic involving Lightning Dust moving to Ponyville from Fillydelphia for a new job her foreman lined up for her delivering packages through Derpymail. I've yet to throw tthe dart for the actual ship yet.
2459704
That they got into a dick waving competition, as Applejack especially is prone to do? (Notice they each pointed out with every line that this was because "I am such a good friend.")
2459670
You just described 80% of all couples.
2459764
As a lover of character-driven narratives, I personally agree (and with how character-driven FIM is, probably most people here agree). But it still stands that you can still have an adventure without character chemistry. For instance, most WRPG have a blank-slate player avatar with little-to-no personality. But the story and the lore and the side-characters and the action are all interesting, so the adventure as a whole is still enjoyable, even if we don't know jack about the Dovahkiin or the Lone Wanderer.
In romance, the chemistry is the story. You can limp by without one of the characters (2nd-person romance fic) but that has its share of woes. You couldn't have a romance with two cardboard cutouts. *coughTwilightcough*
2459821
Whether or not that's true, I somehow doubt that's the message the studio is trying to send, which was my only issue with Solitair's statement.
I feel like this might bring a few torches and pitchforks out of the closet, but I really can't see what people enjoy so much in shipping. I mean, I greatly enjoy friendshipping stories, and I do love a good romance with original characters, but romantic shipping of canon characters? The prevalence of shipping is why I never got into any fandom before MLP.
Which is likely why the only ships I can get behind are the ones that involve exclusively background ponies or OCs. LyraBon (though I'm currently giving a wide berth to stories with Lyra until I can get a particular version of her out of my mind), ScratchTavia, Doctor and Derpy, and a few other things.
As far as friendshipping goes, my favorite is Twixie. I see the core of their personalities as being very similar; both are loners by nature, very insecure and socially awkward. Twilight copes with it by trying to stay out of the spotlight, not drawing any more attention to herself than needed, and uses sets of rules and checklists to get over her confidence issues; Trixie, on the other hand, developed a boisterous show persona full of fake confidence in an attempt to awe everypony else into never questioning her ability. Even her third person speaking seems to be part of her show persona rather than her real personality, given how she drops it when she snaps out of her show persona.
So I see the two as, at the same time, similar but opposite, which can make for some quite interesting interaction if Trixie's show persona is not suppressed.
As for Luna, call me crazy, but my favorite pairing for her is Discord, from a start as friendly rivals vying for Celestia's attention while discovering they have more in common than they thought