Because I'm too lazy to finish typing up the first chapter (which is actually done), here's a fragment I like too much. · 7:51pm Oct 17th, 2012
When the first decision to weaponize gunpowder and make it convenient to use was made, design was a large problem, since as even those who have them will eventually agree, hooves are not very useful for tasks that require any degree of flexibility.
The first firearms were mounted on the head, the trigger being vaguely squeezable rubber. Biting down on it would sometimes cause the gun to fire, which meant that members of the infantry were required to develop strong jaws.
(In those days of feudalism, unicorns were exempt from military service, which in hindsight is regarded as a very bad policy.)
The great generals of the Equestrian military looked to their foes/allies of other races- the dragons, the griffons, who of course did not have to bother with things like mouth triggers.
They especially looked at the great apes, who though considerably less intelligent than them, had ridiculously useful thumbs.
So the quest to invent a device which could function like a primate hand was on- the alternative, i.e. teaching the apes to use guns, having been deemed too dangerous.
After another few centuries of bickering about with conspicuous metal finger attachments, the Universal Appendage Simulator was revealed, revolutionizing everything.
The UAS solves the problem of not being to hold anything by, after being fitted to the hoof snugly, simply acting like hands, talons, or another few dozen pre-programmed templates (including, bafflingly, hooves), thus enabling the user to accomplish many things which would not normally be possible, like brushing their teeth.
It is technically only available to members of the Equestrian Army, but as they say, you can buy anything in Santa Ponay.
I am nearly forced to think your writing is almost too evolved for the subject matter. Yet I'm left wondering - is the subject made to make any social matter forcibly peaceful? Could ponies ever shoot, stab, or bomb anyone?
Certainly they could kick someone to death.
That's sort of boring.
The UAS makes sense. Yet in logical order it should destroy everything once offered as a commercial item.
Look at what happened with the Internet! AIIGH!
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In case you were unaware, I am writing a story about assassin ponies.
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COOL! I'm looking forward to it!