News, Weather and Shorts (Mostly Trixie and Changelings) · 2:06am May 21st, 2016
Ok, I lied. There’s no weather in here, but I am hoping the weather is good for Midwest Bronyfest Kansas City next weekend.
This will be my first pony convention, so bear with me. Admittedly, Kansas City is a long way away from the rest of the pony fan universe, but it’s just two hours up the road from me, so I’m going. The wife can’t even object because it’s in the same building as the Kansas City Gem and Mineral Show which we go to (and spend money) every year (as well as KC Renfest).
Story plugs and a peek into Trixie And Her Amazing Pet Changeling below
First, TheArchitect (or BigAsh on YouTube) has done a reading of the first chapter of The One Who Got Away. I’m always tickled pink when somebody does things like this⁽¹⁾ for my stuff. Have a listen and leave a comment. Maybe we can twist his arm into recording the rest of it.
(1) I can’t complain about his pronunciation of ‘Gaberdine’ because I mess it up too.
Also, Manes has produced the first two chapters in an interesting story called The Good, The Bad, and Muffins about Derpy and the two little flutterponies who provide her thoughtful guidance through the trials and tribulations of her life. (I helped edit.)
Grats on Aragon’s A Million Little Lights getting into the Royal Canterlot Library. (Seriously, Aragon has some of the best blog posts too)
Going through the history bin, consider a few of the classics:
Twilight October. Twilight is a submarine. Pinkie is a shark.
Twilight Performs a Spell That Goes Just Fine. Just what it says on the tin.
Letters From a Senior to a Junior Changeling. Also what it says on the tin.
Twilight Discovers Literary Analysis. Also what it says on the tin, taken to the logical consequences.
The Saga of Dark Demon-King Ravenblood Nightblade Interior Design Alicorn. Bad Horse writes about Phil and his life with this most famous of alicorns (entirely Bookplayer’s fault).
Estee’s A Mark of Appeal has finally updated after what seemed like a thousand years.
And as promised, here is a sneak peek into Trixie and her Amazing Pet Changeling (I’m still wrestling with the title):
~ ~ ♠ ~ ~
The swaying and creaking of the wagon had lulled him into a fitful sleep, which he awoke from abruptly as it stopped. The low hiss of continuing rain had not abated, but the clatter of a harness being released sounded from the front of the wagon, which coincidentally had the only door out of the enclosed space unless he decided to try squeezing out of one of the fairly small and not quite changeling-sized windows. The rattle and thumping continued for a few more minutes until the door creaked open and the blue unicorn from before stuck her sopping-wet head into the doorway.
“Oh, good. You’re up.” The unicorn eyed the bag of bits hanging on the string around the changeling’s neck as if she had originally been planning on lifting them if he had still been sleeping when she opened the door. She recovered quickly, though, and returned to looking the changeling right in the eyes with no visual indication of the fear and residual anger she was radiating other than a faint shiver traveling down her sodden flanks.
“Yes, I’m up,” said the changeling cautiously. “Where are we?”
“We are not anywhere,” said the unicorn, still dripping rainwater over the floor. “Trixie is in the friendly town of Soapstone, cottages for rent, weekly rates and pet-friendly rooms.” She rolled her eyes. “Do you still have your bits?”
“Yes.”
The undisguised changeling eyed Trixie. It was a unique experience for him, because he had never been face to real face with a pony before without there being a certain amount of screaming or wild panic involved. For a moment, he even considered that she might be a changeling herself, except for the emotions she was giving off for his consumption. In any case, he really had very few options. He was tired, cold, and nearly out of energy. The unicorn could have just left him in the mud, and in the same situation, he would have, but she had dragged him out of the mud and even dried him off a little before throwing him into the wagon, so he was willing to extend a little un-changelinglike trust. Besides, she radiated enough confused emotions to snack from and he was still incredibly hungry.
“Good,” declared Trixie. “That’s the first thing you’ve said to me that isn’t a question.” The unicorn cleared her throat in what could almost have been the beginnings of a terrible cold, but seemed instead to be a very skillful attempt at manipulating the changeling’s own emotions. “The Great and Powerful Trixie finds herself in need of a small loan to pay for a room.”
“A loan?”
“And your record is broken,” said Trixie in a perfectly flat deadpan. “Yes, a loan.”
The changeling barely had to think about it before responding, “What’s in it for me?”
There was a distinct burst of sweet emotions at that, just enough for the changeling to soak up a little bit of energy. The unicorn must have been emoting while pulling the wagon too, because now that the changeling had a little time to think about it, he actually felt a little better than before his enforced mudbath. The unicorn looked a little better too, as the last bit of the road going into town must have been paved, and the ongoing rain had washed some of the mud out of her coat. Still, she maintained her snooty attitude and lifted her nose as she replied.
“What’s in it for you? How about not getting thrown out into the mud while I scream for the town police about finding a changeling in my wagon?”
“No, no, no,” said the changeling while waving a hoof from under the warm blanket. He was at least reasonably comfortable, if not for the itching and lumps in the thin mattress. He had no desire to return to his involuntary freezing mudbath. “I mean what kind of interest rate would you be willing to pay? Five percent?”
This time, the flicker of delicious affection he soaked up was stronger. Still not enough to fatten him up, it was at least promising. “Three,” responded Trixie.
“Five,” responded the changeling with a small cough that tasted of mud. “And maybe a bath?”
“Four, no bath, and you’re gone by the time I come out to my wagon tomorrow,” countered Trixie.
“How will you pay me back if I’m gone?”
The affection she released this time was a sharp burst that matched the miniscule raising of the corners of her lips, even though the rest of her expression stayed discouragingly stoic. “Three, you can have what’s left in the bathtub after I’m done, you stay in the room until after I perform tomorrow, and get lost after I pay you.”
It was tempting, but he thought he could get just a little more out of the deal. “I get the bed?”
There was a short burst of suppressed violence leaking out from Trixie’s emotional walls as she replied, “You get the floor. Trixie needs her beauty rest if she is to perform at her best tomorrow.”
He nodded hesitantly. “Can I at least lurk by the bathroom while you’re soaking and feed on your love for hot water?”
“Yes, yes.” Trixie waved a dismissive hoof. “Do we have a deal?”
Weather hold up? In Missouri? Your kidding right? Didn't we just go from spring to fall to swamp?
I'd though about going to it this year, but decided to head back out to Baltimore for a third run at Bronycon.
First time going? Your going to have a blast, man. It's something else.
Also, huzzah fellow Missouri brony.
Small world! I live in KS. I wish I could go, but I'll probably be busy planting crops by then.
Ah good ol' Miserya. err... Missouri.
Kinda wish that those were a single gif... then again very glad they exist and are even oddly apropros for this.
Can't wait to read the full fic.
I really should look into potential convention locations around me. It's frustrating living just far away enough from Baltimore that it feels on the near edge of unreasonably distant.
... Wait, Estee updated Mark of Appeal!?
Also, very intriguing preview. Trixie seems to enjoy having somepony she can banter with.
The Saga of Dark Demon-King Ravenblood Nightblade Interior Design Alicorn is a wonderful work of art. It keeps tempting me to do a reading in a deep epic voice.
3960234
While I do not know precisely where you live, and thus cannot say exactly how far you would have to go to get there, I would nonetheless recommend going if you have the means. It is an exceptionally good time, and was by far worth the 10 hour travel time when I went. Probably some of my happiest days in recent(ish) memory.
Georg sir, I wish you the best at your first pony con. Though depending on ages and interest levels of family members, I might assess whether a solo operation is feasible and might be reasonably expected to facilitate greater enjoyment. There's nothing quite like the feeling of being proximal to a con while being largely confined to the hotel room due to the protestations of the young.
3960234 KC is like this for me; nestled just over the line into the not quite zone.
Ponyville Ciderfest might happen, though.
3960545 Yeah, but my youngest (who will be with me on Saturday) is 19, and writes her own fanfiction involving Twilights and sparkles, but for a somewhat different crowd. I'm with MHI, the only way a vampire should sparkle is if you hit it with a flamethrower.
3960583 Sounds excellent.
Mine are at the opposite end of the age spectrum; cute but tiring. 
I love this story. A romance between a tsundere-type character in deep denial, and a changling who can read their true emotions at all times? That sounds fantastic!
Have fun at Midwest Bronyfest. I just got back from Everfree Northwest. Cons are always a great weekend. :)
Enjoy that first con! :D
Thanks for remembering my old stuff!
Trixie + changeling + Georg is a natural combination.
3960234 If you want to go to Bronycon, you need to get a hotel now. It will probably be difficult to get a room within walking distance at the time of the con.