Celestia’s eyes opened wide at Twilight's direct answer and she raised her head. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry Princess Celestia,” Twilight said, her eyes closed. She raised her head and took a deep breath. When her eyes opened again, they were still and she did not blink or look away. “I appreciate your reasoning and they might be good reasons, but I am not going to give Turing Test over.”
Celestia sighed. “Twilight, I think you could be making a mistake. But if that is not the case, then may I hear your reasoning?”
Twilight tapped her chin. “Well, there are a few reasons. The first is that I don’t think Turing could fulfill her directive if she were placed into protection. She is trying to learn about the world.” She used her horn to conjure up the image of Turing’s silhouette, and then surrounded it with the images of several other ponies. “She can only do that by interacting. Just like when you pushed me to worry about more than just studying and sent me to Ponyville to make friends.”
Celestia smiled at that.
“But if we cut her off from the rest of the world,” Twilight continued, her eyes narrowing, “then she’ll only be able to learn about the world through what others tell her.” The image of the other ponies vanished and four lines connected to form a box around the image of Turing. “If we want her to develop into something more, we can’t just lock her up like that.” She let the image fade.
“Twilight, there is a difference between protective custody and being a prisoner.” Celestia looked down. “I am not happy about the situation, but it would only be temporary, and as I said, she would be cared for.”
“Well, that’s good to know, however…” Twilight swallowed and finally looked away. She waited a moment, took a breath, and then continued. “Let’s change the situation slightly. Let’s say Turing Test wasn’t a robot. Let’s say she was, for example, a pony that had been enchanted by dark magic. And then let’s say that we were worried about a group of wizards who might someday come and take Turing back to extract the magical energy from her.”
“Well, that’s an interesting theory, Twilight,” Celestia replied. She looked up and to her right. “I suppose the situation would be about the same.” She nodded lightly to herself. “We would still offer her protective custody until we were certain she was safe.”
“Yes, of course,” Twilight said, a smile appearing on her face. “And that’s good, but think about what you just said, Princess. You said you could ‘offer’ protective custody. In Turing’s real situation, you want me to order her to do that. And if I wasn’t a Princess or we weren’t friends, I think you might have simply made it a demand instead of a request.” She swallowed. “Am I wrong?”
Celestia pressed her lips together. “No. I suppose, were you not a princess and my friend, then I would not have given you, or her, a choice in the matter.” She hesitated. “But having said that, Twilight, is that really fair? Turing Test, despite your feelings, isn’t a real pony.”
Twilight winced slightly, but showed no other reaction. “That might be a matter of opinion, Princess. It’s true that she’s artificial, and that she’s made of metal and wires and gears,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean that she’s not ‘real’ in any important sense,” she added, shaking her head slightly. “A week ago, I would have agreed - she was just a thing that moved around and talked. But now she’s shown gratitude, pride in her accomplishments, and amazement with the world around her. She may not have the same feelings as a regular pony just yet, but when she discovers something new, it’s like seeing the wonder of the world and of friendship all over again for me! And I get to teach her these things and see her become something brand new!
“In talking with Gadget, I think that it’s clear that Turing is becoming self-aware. She knows what she is and thinks about what she’s doing and what she wants. And…” she took a deep breath, her voice becoming strained, “and I nearly forgot that myself.”
Celestia’s eyes widened. “Twilight?” she asked. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” Twilight said with a small laugh, though her eyes were beginning to well up. “You see, Turing Test cares so much about pleasing me and others around her that she almost kept her own opinions silent because she didn’t think they were important. When I told her to tell me the truth about what she wanted, she said ‘Please don’t--’”
She stopped, swallowing hard as she steadied herself. Celestia blinked at her, her mouth dropping open.
“She said ‘Please don’t send me away.’” She heaved a sigh, but managed to smile anyway, looking up at Celestia through shimmering eyes. “That’s all she wants, more than anything else: she wants to stay with her friends. And that brings me to the final reason why I can’t order her to go into protection. Turing wants to stay where she is and I gave her my word that I would not send her away.”
Celestia was still staring at her, blinking several times. Then she seemed to snap out of it and closed her mouth. She slowly inhaled and shut her eyes solemnly. “I see. Well, that is noble, but are you certain that’s a promise you should keep?” She opened her eyes and frowned. “What will you do if you are attacked?”
“If somepony is targeting me, then I don’t think they would stop even if Turing were gone. In fact, since Turing is fearless and loyal and incredibly powerful, not to mention no longer under anypony else’s control, I’d say she’d make a pretty good bodyguard.” Twilight smiled. “I’m not going to live in fear of others who may or may not threaten me. I’ll let my friends know about all this and we’ll be careful.”
Celestia let out a long sigh, but she was smiling. “I still don’t know if I agree with your decision, Princess Twilight,” she said. She stood to her full height and bowed to her. “However, it is your decision to make and you have explained your reasons well. Very well: I’ll consider the matter settled. Your robot friend has my blessings and, as always, so do you.”
Twilight wore a beaming smile and she rushed over to Celestia, who lowered her neck to accept Twilight’s embrace. “Thank you for understanding, Princess Celestia. I’m lucky to have you as a friend.”
“No more than I am lucky to have you as one,” Celestia replied, raising her head. “Or, it would seem, no more than Turing Test is lucky to have you.” Clearing her throat, she added, “Still, if it’s all right with you, I’d like to give you a few guidelines for keeping your friends, including Turing Test, safe.”
Twilight nodded, keeping her head held up high. “Of course. What are they?”
“The first is that I ask that any developments or findings you or Cornelius or his assistant come across regarding the ponies who built Turing Test be reported to me. I consider it a matter of national security.”
Twilight nodded. “Of course. I’ll tell Mr. Vanderbull and Gadget immediately.”
“The second is that you and your friends be extremely careful around anypony who seems suspicious or particularly interested in Turing Test in case they happen to be another agent of this conspiracy.”
Twilight nodded again. “Yes, that makes sense.”
"In truth, Twilight, I would recommend that you take a group of the Royal Guard during this time." She saw Twilight make a sour face. "But I see that you're still against that idea."
"Yes. I'm sorry, but the Princess of Friendship should be available to anypony who wants her. Er, me." She giggled, blushing as she covered her face with her foreleg. "I don't want to be surrounded by guards who would intimidate others around me."
Celestia nodded. “I understand. In that case, the third thing to keep in mind, though it hardly needs to be said, is that if Turing Test harms anypony or becomes dangerous, she must be deactivated.”
Twilight hesitated, but finally nodded in agreement. “Yes. But that won’t happen.”
“I hope so.” Celestia sighed before continuing. “And the last request is very simple: I don’t want these conspirators to succeed in their mission, so they must not get their hooves on Turing Test again. From this point forward and whenever possible, I would suggest that you make sure she has somepony with her. She should not be left unattended.”
Twilight smiled and bowed to her. “As you wish. I’ll do my best to make sure she’s never left alone.”
***
“Ohhh, wow, that hit the spot!” Pinkie said, moaning contentedly and rubbing her belly as she collapsed back on her bed. “Nopony makes sweets like the Cakes!”
“The water was good.” Maud remarked. She turned to Pinkie, passing her a napkin. “You have a little icing on your everything.”
Just then there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Cake entered Pinkie’s room and they saw she wasn’t alone.
“Mrs. Cake? Oh, and it’s you, Scootsie!” Pinkie said, bouncing over in spite of her full stomach. “What brings you here?”
“Well,” Mrs. Cake said, “after I saw how upset you were I was going to tell her to come back later, but Scootaloo here insisted she needed to see you now.” She looked over her shoulder and down the stairs uneasily. Turning back to Pinkie, she tried to smile in spite of herself. “It seems Turing Test is back.”
“Please, Pinkie!” Scootaloo said, darting over to her. “You’ve gotta come down and give her another cha--”
“Okay!” Pinkie said cheerfully.
“Huh?” Mrs. Cake and Scootaloo said while raising an eyebrow in unison.
“Yeah, I was going to go find her with Maud after we finished our snack anyway!” She zipped back over to Maud, her eyes bright and her smile wide. “Now we don’t have to track her down!”
“That’s good,” Maud replied, slowly sliding off the bed. “I don’t think I could have gotten Boulder back into my pocket anyway.”
Mrs. Cake chuckled slightly. “What do you mean, dear? I mean, it’s not like he could actually eat that caAUGH!” She stopped as she looked down at the platter which had once contained a cake. It now contained nothing but crumbs and a very familiar, and very large rock.
“Buh… guh… how di… whathebu…”
“Oh that Boulder!” Pinkie laughed. “He just can’t say no to strawberries!”
***
Turing was sitting at a table waiting for Pinkie, Mrs. Cake, and Scootaloo to return. She saw them come down the stairs and then, unexpectedly, saw another mare with them.
“Rinny, I’m so glad you’re back!” Pinkie cried, rushing over and hugging her.
“Strange. I was not expecting this reception after my earlier behavior.”
“Hey, I was serious about being friends earlier,” Pinkie said, standing up and thumping her chest as she tried her best to look dignified. “And one of the first things friends can do is forgive each other.”
Turing tilted her head to the left and right. “Understood. However, I believe it to be proper etiquette to express my apologies. I therefore apologize for my aggressiveness, Pinkie Pie. I had never experienced anger before and did not wish to frighten you.”
Pinkie smiled brightly and looked to Mrs. Cake, who regarded Turing untrustingly. But seeing Pinkie’s blue eyes light up made her soften, and thus she smiled as well. “All right, Turing. I was a little mad after you gave Pinkie a scare, but if she forgives you, then so do I. You are welcome here any time you like.”
“Woohoo!” Pinkie shouted, tossing confetti into the air.
“I notice you have another companion, Pinkie Pie.”
“Yep!” She reached over and drew Maud closer to her, hugging her once before gesturing to Turing and back. “This is my sister Maud, Rinny! And Maud, this is my robot friend Rinny! Maud, Rinny! Rinny, Maud!”
“Hello.”
“Hi.”
The two of them then proceeded to say nothing.
“Would you like to sit down with me?” Turing asked after a beat.
“Sure,” Maud replied.
Maud sat down and the two continued to stare at each other in silence.
“Pinkie says you’re actually a machine.”
“That is correct.”
The two settled again into their silence. Mrs. Cake took the time to back away slowly.
“You are Pinkie’s sister. Are you also interested in baking?”
Maud shook her head. “I like rocks. I study them.”
“That seems reasonable. Rocks make up most of the planet. Studying them must be important.”
“Mm hmm.”
Scootaloo tapped Pinkie on the leg. “Psst, Pinkie!” she whispered. “Are you sure Maud’s not a robot too?”
“Oh of course she’s not, Scootsie!” Pinkie laughed. “How could you ask such a silly question when Maud is so super-duper-excited!”
Scootaloo’s eye twitched as she looked to Maud.
“I see you are made of metal,” Maud observed.
“That is correct.”
Maud reached out with a hoof, holding it near Turing’s own foreleg which was resting on the table. “May I?”
“Yes, you may.”
Maud tapped Turing’s foreleg, her ears twitching. “Huh. Titanium alloy. You must be very strong.”
“Correct. I also contain--”
“Wait.” She leaned closer and took a deep breath, sniffing her. “Vanadium. And… molybdenum.”
“Correct. It seems your knowledge of rocks extends to materials refined from raw ore.”
Maud blinked. And then, every so slightly, her mouth curved slightly upward. She turned to Pinkie. “I like her.”
Turing looked to Pinkie as well. “We are compatible.”
“Wow! You two are getting along so well!” She bounced ecstatically. “I haven’t seen Maud take to anypony like this in ages, Rinny!”
“Pinkie, stop. You’re embarrassing me,” Maud intoned dryly. She blinked again. “Sorry to fly off the handle like that.”
Scootaloo elbowed Pinkie, causing her to bend down to hear her whisper again. “Um… can I leave now?” she asked out of the corner of her mouth. “This is really weirding me out.”
“Not sure why, but okey-dokey-lokey!”
Once Scootaloo had left, Turing was at last alone with the Pie sisters. The three of them sat at their table in the nearly deserted Sugarcube Corner.
“So, anyway, Rinny, I’m really glad you came back. And I’m sorry if I got mad at you earlier too,” she added, lowering her ears abashedly, her eyes downcast. “I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”
“I believe we should disregard our altercation, Pinkie Pie,” Turing replied. “I have come to the conclusion that humor is not the negative thing I assumed it to be. If the number of ponies I call friends can appreciate humor, then it must have some merit that I have yet to understand.”
“Pinkie and I were talking,” Maud said slowly, pulling her own chair closer. “Maybe you’re trying too hard to be funny the way Pinkie is.”
“You are implying that there may be different types of amusement? Intriguing. I have only understood physical comedy and jokes. However, neither one of them is something in which I show proficiency.”
“It’s true,” Pinkie said. “She didn’t laugh at any of my jokes!”
Maud rubbed her chin. “Tell her one.”
“Uh, okay, if you say so.” Pinkie paused to think of one. “Ooh, okay! A big, wild cat with spots tried to enter the Equestria Games, but they wouldn’t let him compete because he was a cheetah! Tee hee!”
Maud shrugged and then looked to Turing, whose ears were twitching noisily.
“Because the word ‘cheetah’ is similar to the word ‘cheater.’ I understand, though I do not find it funny.”
Pinkied sighed.
“Furthermore--”
“No! No furthermore!” Pinkie cried, waving her hooves frantically. But then Maud put her hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder.
“Let her finish,” Maud said.
Pinkie’s eyes darted between Maud and Turing. “You sure, Maud?”
“I want to know what she thinks.” She looked to Turing. “Go ahead.”
Turing held out a hoof. “I was thinking that it would be logical regardless of honesty, as wild animals are not normally considered as candidates for competition in such an event. Of course the cheetah would be quite proficient at sprinting events if his handlers were able to prevent him from mauling the other contestants. Even then, allowing wild animals would set a negative precedent for the Games. After all, there would be no point in competing if one were allowed to enter, for example, an elephant into a weight-lifting competition. And that is to say nothing of the hazards to the other competitors not only from possible attacks but also from the difficulties of providing the animals with lodging and also from slipping on the track should one of the animals defe--”
“Rinny, stop stop stop! I can’t take any more!” Pinkie cried. “You see, Maud, she just--”
There was a sound. A snort? A sneeze? Pinkie froze and slowly turned toward her sister. There was a very small curve at the corner of her lips and she held a hoof in front of her mouth.
“Maud? Did… did you just snicker?”
Her eyes shifted away. “Maybe.”
Pinkie grabbed Turing and started to shake her. “Rinny, you broke my sister! Your joke-killing abilities drove her crazy!”
Then she felt a hoof on her shoulder and saw that Maud’s expression was slowly returning to normal. “Pinkie, it’s fine.”
Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief as she smiled at her. “Whew! You had me worried. But what happened to you, Maud?”
“I apologize, Maud Pie,” Turing said, bowing her head slightly. “I did not mean--”
“No, don’t apologize,” she said sternly, and then looked to Pinkie. “Pinkie… she’s funny.”
“Huh? She is?”
“I am?”
“No she’s not!”
“Apparently I am not.”
Maud shook her head, holding up her hoof for them to be quiet. “Turing, maybe you should try telling a joke of your own.”
“Do you believe that is a good idea? I have memorized many jokes, although none of them are ones that I find humorous and my previous attempts at delivery were quite poor.”
“Tell one anyway.”
Turing tilted her head, but complied with Maud’s request. “There were three peanuts walking through a bad neighborhood in Manehattan. One was assaulted.”
Pinkie chuckled. Maud frowned.
“I believe the source of the humor is--”
“Rinny, don’t explain the joke,” Pinkie told her, rolling her eyes.
“Hold on,” Maud said. “No, do explain it.”
“But Maud, you’re not--” She fell silent when Maud glanced over at her. If there was any subtle change in her expression, only Pinkie saw it, but it was enough to silence her. She looked back at Turing and nodded.
“If you insist. I believe the joke is intended to be humorous because the word ‘assaulted’ is auditorily identical to the phrase ‘a salted,’ which is what many peanuts are: salted. This double-meaning of course ignores the obvious absurdities of the joke. Peanuts lack independent locomotion and thus would be incapable of walking anywhere. Were one to ignore this feature of peanut physiology, that still begs the question of why the unfortunate peanut would be assaulted. Physically, I mean, not in the sense of being covered in salt.
“Perhaps the peanut was carrying valuables that Manehattan thieves desired, though how a peanut came to be financially stable is even more puzzling. What skills would a peanut possess that would be of value to an employer? However, if we assume that this peanut is indeed capable of holding a job, then perhaps he lives in some alternate reality where this is a normal occurrence.
“That opens us to the possibility that the peanut was attacked not for his valuables but was instead targeted merely for being a peanut in a neighborhood where attitudes toward his kind were hostile. Perhaps this hypothetical world is filled with other sentient nuts and racism between them exists. The peanut may have been attacked by cashews or a gang of tough young macadamias. Were this to be the case, then one would have to exercise caution when making one’s own way in this nutty world.”
At last Turing stopped when she noticed that Pinkie was actually starting to crack a smile and Maud Pie was not only smiling but chuckling. Indeed, she was obviously holding her laughter in, and it was still quiet and unlike the uproarious laughter Pinkie Pie had, but she was still barely containing it through clenched teeth as she shook.
“Okay, Maud, you’re right,” Pinkie managed to say through her giggles. “That was actually pretty silly.”
“Silly?” Turing asked, holding out a hoof. “That is not silly. I have merely stated the natural analysis of the joke.”
“T-tell another,” Maud said, still holding her laughter in.
“What joke should I tell?”
Maud breathed in, getting herself under control. “Pinkie said you read a lot of jokes. Tell one of your own.”
“That should be possible. I have analyzed the numerous patterns of the jokes. Perhaps if I extrapolated the patterns I could conceive of a joke that would fit within the parameters of what you may find funny. Very well. Processing...”
Pinkie and Maud leaned forward.
“Process complete. Here is my joke:
“Starswirl the Bearded walks into a malt shop. The stallion minding the counter and the other patrons all run screaming from the malt shop because Starswirl the Bearded has been dead for a thousand years and it is normal to fear the undead.”
The two sisters laughed.
“I do not understand. Why are you laughing? I have merely tried to take the pattern of the joke and apply logic to it. While I am glad of your amusement, I do not understand it.”
“Rinny, remember when I said jokes were supposed to be unexpected?” Pinkie asked between her giggles.
“I do.”
“That’s why your jokes are funny! I expect something funny at the end and it isn’t!”
Turing stared back at her. “You are saying I am funny because I am not funny?”
“Exactly!” Pinkie cheered. “In fact… I just got a great idea!” She rubbed her hooves together as a sly grin spread across her face.
***
Pinkie finished her milkshake and licked her lips clean of excess whipped cream.
Turing and Maud were still sitting at the table watching her.
“Mmm, that was great!” Then her eyes went wide. “Ooh, wait, I just got another great idea! This one actually has to do with Rinny’s joke telling!”
***
Twilight and Spike briskly walked toward their destination early that evening. The building was a wooden structure with a big hoof-painted sign over the door. Twilight looked up, raising an eyebrow at it.
Mad Salt!
Ponyville’s Largest (and Only) Salt Lick Saloon!
“Wow, I’ve never been in a place like this,” Spike said, his eyes lighting up excitedly.
“That’s because most ponies wouldn’t take a baby dragon to a saloon,” Twilight said, scowling at the rough-looking establishment.
“Yeah, but most ponies don’t know any baby dragons!” he said, shrugging it off as he approached the stairs. “Besides, the note Pinkie left on the castle said she and Turing Test would be here!”
Twilight was about to pull him back with her magic when he exclaimed “Hey, Twilight, come look at this!”
She trotted over and her eyes went wide as she saw the sign next to the door. It was a chalkboard sign but it had been emblazoned with large letters which read: ‘Tonight’s Live Entertainment: Robot & Pie!’
“Robot & Pie?” Twilight and Spike both said in unison.
From inside, uproarious laughter suddenly thundered out, causing them both to stagger back.
“Okay, Spike, you can come in. I just hope it doesn’t get too rough in there…”
The two of them entered and saw that the pub was crowded with all sorts of ponies crowded around tables enjoying their salt lick. The place was so packed that they had a hard time getting through and Twilight had to place Spike on her back just so he could see. They gingerly pushed past several patrons, none of whom bothered to look at her long enough to realize who she was. The low lighting in the place didn’t help either.
“Hey, there they are!” Spike exclaimed, jumping onto her head and pointing with one claw.
Twilight followed where he was pointing at saw that in the center of the saloon, sitting on a pair of stools, were Pinkie Pie and Turing. Twilight didn’t hear what Pinkie had just said, but the crowd around her all laughed at once. Many of them cheered, whistled, or stomped their hooves in applause.
“Twilight. Spike.”
Twilight whirled around at the unmistakably bland voice and saw that Maud Pie was sitting at her own table and beckoning her over as well. She went over, Spike in tow, and took a seat, putting Spike on the table so he could see as well.
“Maud, I’m glad to see you!” Twilight said brightly. “And a little surprised. Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“Pinkie and Turing Test are doing a comedy act.”
“Wait, both of them? Turing couldn’t even tell a joke this morning!” Twilight exclaimed.
Maud took a sip from a glass of water. “She still can’t.” Then she smiled ever so slightly. “But she’s really good at not telling jokes.”
She crinkled her nose and eyed the various chunks of salt lick that the various ponies had on their tables suspiciously.
“You’re sure nopony put something in the salt lick to make them laugh?” Twilight whispered.
Maud nodded. “Pretty sure.”
Twilight had no idea what was going on, so she finally just turned her attention to the pair in the center of the room.
“So, you know, Rinny,” Pinkie began, leaning forward on her tall stool, causing it to wobble, “I went to my doctor and he said ‘You’re eating too much sugar!’”
“What did you do?”
“I told him I wanted a second opinion! He said, ‘Okay, your hair’s too poofy too!’”
A smattering of laughter went through the crowd.
“Ah, I see that he misunderstood your meaning. Rather than understanding that you wished to discuss the matter with another physician, he chose to offer another opinion of his own.”
Twilight was about to groan but she heard others in the crowd chuckle.
“This of course was not what you meant and indicative of a poor understanding of common terminology on his part. Furthermore, his personal criticism of your appearance should not be tolerated and you should report him for unprofessional conduct. Though, in fairness, your hair’s poofiness is in excess of normal parameters.”
The crowd’s laughter grew. Twilight couldn’t believe her ears and glanced around at all the laughing audience members. “Wait, Maud,” she whispered, “why are they laughing at her explaining the joke?”
“Because nopony expects her to explain it.” Maud blinked at her slowly. “That is the joke.”
Twilight shook her head. “Wait, how does that even--”
“Shh, it’s Turing’s turn now.” She put her hoof to Twilight’s lips, cutting her off.
“Pinkie Pie, do you know what the difference is between an elephant and a plum?”
“Gee, Rinny, I don’t know,” Pinkie said with an exaggerated shrug.
“Plums are purple.”
The crowd chuckled at that. Spike and Twilight glanced at each other. “Uh, am I crazy, or is that not funny?” Spike asked.
“You’re not crazy,” Twilight muttered, her expression going sour. “Are they making fun of her?”
Turing continued: “Pinkie Pie, do you know what Daring Do said when she saw the elephants coming?”
“I sure don’t!” Pinkie replied.
“She said ‘Here come the elephants.’”
Several groans came from the crowd and even Pinkie rolled her eyes. “Rinnyyy, that’s not--”
“Pinkie Pie, do you know what Dr. Caballeron said when he saw the elephants coming?”
Pinkie sighed. “Lemme guess: ‘Here come the elephants.’ Right?”
“No,” Turing said with a shake of her head. “He said ‘Here come the plums.’”
The crowd murmured in confusion, Twilight and Spike included. Maud leaned forward expectantly.
Just when it seemed that Turing’s joke had fallen flat she suddenly uttered “...Because Dr. Caballeron is colorblind.”
The crowd burst out laughing, some hard enough to fall off their seats. Groans were heard, but they were good-natured and another round of applause went through.
Even Twilight and Spike shared a chuckle. “Okay, that’s kind of funny,” Twilight admitted. “Ridiculous, but funny.”
“She’s been doing this with Pinkie Pie for almost an hour now,” Maud said. “Pinkie knows the mare who owns the place. She says that she might make enough in tips to finish paying for the chairs Turing broke.”
Twilight looked over to the pair of them and then back to Spike. He didn’t notice and his boyish laugh could be heard even among all the other ponies’ laughs. In spite of all the silliness, she had to admit it was actually great to see Turing make ponies laugh in her own way, odd as it might be. She sat back in her chair, ordered a block of salt, and relaxed until the end of the show.
***
When the show had ended and most of the saloon patrons had gone home, the group of them all gathered around a table. Twilight couldn’t keep herself from gushing.
“I can’t believe it! Everypony was just laughing like crazy!” Twilight exclaimed. She set her elbows on the table, resting her head on one hoof. “It’s amazing! You managed to turn your lack of understanding of jokes into a comedy routine!”
“That is partially true, Twilight Sparkle.” Turing pointed to Maud. “Maud Pie was the first to suggest that my own method of attempting humor could be put to better use.”
Maud blinked as the others looked to her. “I thought she was pretty funny. I told Pinkie to give her a chance.” She shrugged.
“Maud’s right!” Pinkie said, nodding her head rapidly. She put one foreleg around Turing. “At first, Rinny was all ‘I-am-a-robot. What-is-it-that-makes-organic-ponies-laugh? Beep-boop-beep.’”
Twilight curled her lip and then opened her mouth, ready to admonish her.
“And also Pinkie Pie was all ‘Questions you’re not supposed to answer! Rhyming words, non-sequitur, improbable amounts of pastry!’ But then we reached an understanding.”
Twilight sat frozen, her mouth still hanging open. Spike began to snicker.
“You two… you…” Twilight managed to stammer, shaking her head in disbelief. “How did you get so in sync with each other?”
“We rehearsed,” Turing replied.
“Rehearsed?” Twilight repeated, still gawking at the pair of them.
The two turned to look at each other and then back to Twilight in unison, though only Pinkie wore a broad grin. Without even looking, the two bumped hooves perfectly.
“See, Rinny’s actually pretty funny, but we had to work it out so that ponies could come and actually enjoy a show! So we tried out a bunch of different gags and keep the ones that worked! That’s where yours truly came in!” She thumped her own chest proudly. “We rehearsed a bit, told some jokes, and after about an hour, we were ready to perform!”
“Just an hour?” Spike asked, his eyes going wide. “How’d you get ready so fast?”
“I have a perfect memory. Pinkie Pie has similarly high retention. One rehearsal was all that was required.”
“Can’t memorize everypony’s birthday without a good noggin!” Pinkie added, knocking on her own head and producing a distinct coconut-like sound.
Twilight blinked. “So… wow.” Her amazement gave way to a peaceful smile and she reached out, placing her hoof on Turing’s. “You really did it, Turing. You finally achieved your goal of understanding humor.”
“In a manner of speaking, Twilight Sparkle.” Turing looked down slightly. “I have gained greater understanding about what it means to make other ponies laugh and even sufficient understanding to grasp jokes, though not without some difficulty. However, I still have no feeling of amusement, nor does it seem that I spontaneously laugh.”
Everypony’s face fell slightly. Pinkie pulled Turing in even closer. “Rinny… I’m sorry.”
“Please do not apologize, Pinkie Pie.” Turing put her hoof on her shoulder and looked her in the eye. “One of my goals was to understand humor and use it more adeptly. I believe your expertise was invaluable toward achieving this goal. Thank you.”
Pinkie’s frown faded slightly. “Aw, it was no biggie!”
“Also, Maud Pie,” Turing said, looking to her, “I must thank you. Your recognition of my own means of expressing humor enabled Pinkie and I to repair our relationship. It is my hope that both you and your sister will accept my offer of friendship. Do you?”
Pinkie nearly hit the ceiling in her jump for joy. “Woohoo! Bestest robot pony best friend ever!”
Turing continued looking to Maud, who made her reply: “Okay then.” Her tiny half-smile returned and Turing gave a slight nod.
“Acknowledged.”
Spike leaned over to Twilight. “Oh sweet Celestia, there are two of them,” he whispered through his teeth.
“Spike, be polite,” Twilight whispered back. More loudly, she told the group, “Listen: Maud, Pinkie, why don’t let me do you a favor and pay for your salt and any drinks you had here. It’s the least I could do for you both after helping Turing so much!”
The Pie sisters looked to each other and shrugged. Looking back at Twilight they nodded, each giving her a small smile.
“Great! Let me check with the barkeep!” She got off of her stool and was about to make her way to the bar when Turing noticed a stray glass that had been knocked off of a nearby table. Twilight was about to step on it. Turing was on her hooves in a second, but that was still too long to prevent what happened next.
Twilight stepped on the glass, which did not shatter, but instead rolled backward, forcing Twilight to trip and stumble forward. Off balance, she opened her wings reflexively and her forward stumbling gave her enough momentum to lift into the air. She sailed out of control across the room, her shout of surprise ending when she blew right past some ponies playing darts and embedded her horn straight into their dartboard.
“Twilight!” Spike shouted, rushing over alongside her other friends.
“I’m okay, I’m okay!” Twilight called, pushing her back hooves against the wall the dartboard was hanging on. She tried to pull her horn out, but suddenly the entire dartboard came loose and she fell to the floor directly on her rump. She lifted her head dazily and they saw that she had her horn stuck directly through the center.
Pinkie giggled and opened her mouth to say something.
“Bullseye.”
The group whirled around to see that Turing was staring at Twilight. Once what she had said sunk in, the group of them relaxed and shared a mutual laugh.
“Well, guess you’re getting better at comedic timing,” Twilight grunted, trying to push the dartboard off her horn. Maud walked over and easily yanked it free with a single hoof.
“Bullseye. Like a dart. Twilight Sparkle was like a dart. That was funny,” Turing commented.
“Apparently,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes.
“That was... funny.”
Twilight blinked and stared at her. She saw that Turing’s eyes had contracted again and she had a strange, almost far-off gaze as her ears went straight up.
“Oh my gosh… Turing, do you mean?”
“Yes.” She looked to each of them as they stared at her. “That was funny to me. I made a joke and understood it based on the observation of Twilight’s situation and… I felt amused. I felt it. This is…”
“R-Rinny?” Pinkie Pie asked, coming over to her. She placed her hooves over her mouth, her eyes beginning to well up. “You… you really mean it?”
“I do.” She tilted her head back. “This feeling. It is wonderful. It is so wonderful.” She moved over to Pinkie and hugged her. "So light and energetic. This is why organics laugh."
“Oh… Rinny!” She hugged her back and then motioned for the others to join her. “Aww… group hug initiated!”
***
The group walked through the streets of Ponyville until they got to Sugarcube Corner. Standing outside the cake- and candy-camouflaged building, the group all faced each other in silence, nopony quite sure what to say.
“So, even though you can finally think things are funny,” Pinkie ventured cautiously, “you still can’t laugh?”
“It seems not. Though I could run simulations and create a more realistic personal laugh from composite data, it would not be a spontaneous natural reaction. But you need not worry. I am content with my progress.”
Pinkie sighed, but offered her a smile.
“It was nice meeting you, Turing Test,” Maud said suddenly, startling everypony out of their silence. She walked over and gave her new friend one final hug. “You’re really interesting. I think I’ll write a poem about you.”
Twilight gawked. “Wait. Maud, you’re going to write a poem that isn’t about rocks?!”
“I never said I wouldn’t,” Maud said with a shrug. “I just didn’t know any ponies as interesting as rocks.”
“Thank you, Maud Pie. I also compare you favorably with a rock.”
Maud looked away, suddenly rubbing one of her forelegs with the other. Pinkie raised an eyebrow and leaned in with a sideways glance as she detected the faintest change in color in Maud’s gray cheeks.
Then her eyes suddenly went wide and everypony gave a start as she let out a yelp.
“Oh no! Maud, we have to go! I just realized we left Gummy and Boulder alone together all day! And you know how they get when that happens!”
“Hm. We better go.” She waved as she slowly turned and moved toward the building with all the speed and urgency of cold molasses.
“Why, what’s the ‘rush?’” Spike asked sarcastically, raising an eyebrow.
“Wellll,” Pinkie said leaning in and blushing slightly, “I just don’t want to wait a week and find that one of them is ‘in a family way,’ if you know what I mean.”
Twilight blinked. “You’re worried that an alligator and a rock will… breed?”
“Well, of course!” Pinkie scoffed. “Where do you think cragadiles come from?”
And with that, she zipped away, disappearing into Sugarcube Corner without another word.
“She… that’s not really possible, is it?” Twilight asked Turing.
“Probably not. Both Gummy and Boulder are male.”
“What? That’s the least reason why that wouldn’t--”
She froze when she saw Turing’s ears twitching again.
“You’re joking with me.” She smiled, a laugh escaping her as she shook her head. “You’re trying to be silly, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps this rimshot subroutine will answer your question, Twilight Sparkle: Ba-dum-ting.”
Spike chuckled at that while Twilight just rolled her eyes. “Okay, Turing, that’s enough. Let’s go home and hope that the next time you find something funny it doesn’t involve me slipping and skewering a dartboard.”
The three of them trotted back toward the castle, Spike and Twilight each yawning in turn as they went.
“Twilight Sparkle, Spike the Dragon, are you both fatigued?”
Twilight nodded and looked over to her wearily. “Yes. We had a big day today in Canterlot.”
“Was your meeting with Celestia productive?”
Spike and Twilight looked to each other and they each smiled. “Yes, it was,” Twilight said. “It looks like we won’t have to fight to keep you here, Turing.”
“That is good.” She raised her head slightly, taking in the sight of the castle as it loomed ever larger on the horizon. “Many things happened to me today. I gained new insights. I felt things that were terrible and things that were wonderful. And I managed to analyze what it was that I felt two days ago when you said you would not send me away.”
“You did?” Twilight asked, whipping her head around, eyes wide and eager in spite of her tiredness. “What was it?”
“I believe it was ‘relief.’” She did not take her eyes off the castle as they continue walking. “My experiences have given me greater understanding of organic ponies. When you are more rested, I will relate them to you, if you wish. Now, more than ever, I am glad to be here.”
To be continued...
Thanks for the update!
Maud x Turing OTP (Also , Turing is made of metal , metal ores are kind of like rocks , Maud like rocks... need I say more ? )
This chapter was pretty funny. I especially liked the Starswirl one and the "they are both males" one.
Also
Yay , I like tropes !
You monster !
6175358 Hey, it's nice to have a new reader! I hope you like the rest of the story. And sorry if you're not a fan of Gadget's design, but most folks think she's pretty cute. But that's okay, I'm just happy you took the time to comment on the chapters.
6170921 Yeah, once you get featured, you generally get back into it once you update. If it's really got a lot of folks delving into it, it stays on the Featured List longer. This story has never been there for long, but it is nice to get a little extra recognition and I often get new readers from an update, so I'm pretty happy.
Anti-jokes fit Turing pretty well! I'm glad she figured that out
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Somehow I knew that I'd get a big response from the way I ended that chapter. And I'm glad everyone's reception has been so positive, whether the comments were "I appreciate the level of characterization put into this scene" or the always fun "Oh snap, Celestia, you got told! What now? What now?!" Ahem.
I'd put a longer response about it, but I think I just make a blog post about it because it's something I've wanted to discuss in more detail. For now, I'll just say that writing Celestia in this story hasn't been easy and it's incredibly comforting to know how invested my readers have been in that subplot.
Wow, I don't think I've seen such a mature talk between Twilight and Celestia... ever! That bit might push this fic to one of my favorites on the site!
Also, dat deadpan and anti-joke humor.
More robots need rimshot sub-routines. And a laugh track like on sitcoms.
I enjoy this chapter.
It was filled with interesting character moments and development as well as another side of Maud I didn't expect, it was a good.
You have humored this moment I live in well, thank you for your service...
...
HAHAHAHAHAH! Oh god that was BRILLIANT!
Maud helped Turing to understand that her jokes, and the way she explained them were funny, now, I know it's confusing to have a joke explained seem funny, but I was sheer chuckling over the ideas that were presented.
In fact, there is little you can't make right, with the right presentation.
And dammit... that conversation, Maud and Turing be like-
Maud is definitely more patient and mature than Pinkie, that's for certain, and her humor is top notch...
Also, sentient rocks are a thing, that's kind of scary.
And Boulder be like-
So freaking awesome!
... Also, Gummy/Boulder, I bet it's going to be a thing after this, it's just going to be with this fandom.
GREAT arc, who next? Will it be Applejack and getting over her prejudice as a farming pony, or will it be apologizing to Fluttershy for the forced friendship deal?
In other news, robot with a sense of humor, I expect Termintor styled one liners to be AWESOME!
Maud HAS A CRUSH!!!
Wooo! that was a great build up of experience all around our favorite robot. There was a real feeling of eureka and triumphant expression when Turning Finally got-humor. In all honesty I would have considered it a solid success if Turing just learned that she could 'be funny' while not 'feeling humor'... her sudden comprehension was a great twist, built up by the insight and view gained from Maud... she was already halfway there, and then Twilight returning and tripping helped her get it completely.
... and was MAUD BLUSHING?!? oooohohohoohoho!
I... fucking love you so much... This has to be some of the most clever story telling and characterization I've seen on this site in a long time. You should be proud of your work here.
Still can't wait till the final confrontation with Applejack. So much hype for that, it's not even funny. She's gonna be like the final boss of winning over.
I am beget with so many feels now. GREAT chapter!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! PLUMS! BWA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have Mighty Switch Force and never realized it had cool music. Sweet.
6176310 Are you sure about that? I think Applejack may be easier to win over than Celestia.
Awesome chapter. I liked Celestia and Twilight's talk since they both made logical arguments and good points. I love the Pinkie/Turing comedy duo, great job making them work well together. I did think the purple elephant joke was hilarious since the jerk would get stomped on by the Elephants. And Twidarts.... is that the next new sport along with Wife Tossing?????
Another nice chapter.
Also... Turing/Maud (Mauding?), anyone? :)
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Those jokes were terrible. In the absolute best way ever.
Great job.
Turing/Maud confirmed.
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I was getting that idear of the maud x turing too.... (it seemed logical...)
Did...did you just compare Turing to Nyx?!?
Am I the only one wishing for a Turing/Maud ship?
This story is bloody brilliant.
I've really enjoyed it so far and look forward to the confrontation between Turning and AppleJack. I personally want Turning to call Applejack a rotten apple, cause lets all face it at the moment right now that exactly how Applejack is acting. Not only does she insults Turning and actively puts her down but she is also trying to make other pony's view Turning in a similar light. I know that Applejack is thinking of her friends safety and doing what thinks is best for them but she acting exactly like she did with Zecora and we all know how that ended. All well we can only hope that Applejack stops being a silly pony.
I like this story, it is a good story.
I will now proceed to follow you & this story.
It will be most satisfactory for both of us... Yay...
Now all we have to wait for is for Celestia, Applejack & Fluttershy to join the Glorious Evolution!
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So yeah, looking forward to the next chapter, good luck & have fun writing!
~Valvatorez
6180388 Hooboy, that's a tough one. In the chapter after this one, Turing talks a little more about how she utilizes pegasus-like abilities like cloud walking and that ties into part of the answer: magic.
Hang on, this isn't a cop-out answer. First, I talked earlier about her wings' appearance in this post with some pictures that kinda give the idea I had in mind. None of them are quite right, but you get the idea.
The intake happens along the front rim of her wings, drawing air through small holes into miniature turbines that push the air out through the feathers (though she also has additional boosters on the main wing compartment that rises from her back). This means she is more like a passenger jet with a little bit of jet fighter in her.
However, just as normal pegasi really shouldn't be able to fly from a physics standpoint, especially regardless of wingspan...
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...Turing is able to fly despite her weight using the same workaround: magic. Pegasi possess the innate magic that allows them to bend the laws of physics slightly and walk on clouds. Turing does something similar, but not quite the same. In P-Mode, she taps slightly into her magic (though not as much as she does in U-Mode) and channels that energy along conduits in her wings that charge the air as it passes through the turbines, boosting the thrust far beyond what they normally could. This also boosts the strength of the wings to help hold up her considerable weight. It also charges her hooves so she can cloud walk, although her cloud walking is barely functional and she has to keep moving or she will fall right through the clouds.
Thanks for the question! Hope that's not too much of a techno-babble answer, but I figured if someone asked, they deserved to know the reasons. I didn't include too much of this in the chapter because I think it would bore most people, but maybe I'll include more later.
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...Maybe.
Okay, in all seriousness, and as much as I'd like to take credit for that jab, no. It was just a thing I came up with because "Celestia dislikes technology, but she understands magic. That would help put the issue into terms she's more familiar with." Until you said something, I didn't realize that it came off like a jab at "Past Sins," which I haven't read much of and have no feelings about.
Whoops.
6179227 Hey thanks for all the comments!
To answer your questions:
-Yes, "Dr. Robotnag" and "Pronto the Porcupine" are references to Sonic the Hedgehog.
-I understand if you're not as keen on Celestia being the antagonist, but she's not going to go full-on tyrant and later on you'll get more of her perspective on things. Glad you understand her reasons anyway.
-Discord and Pinkie each break the 4th wall directly once in this story, but I don't make it habit or anything. I know not everyone likes that kind of joke, but I find them amusing, especially for when I want to refer to the comics and don't want people having to wait until the author's notes to get what I'm talking about.
I hope you enjoy the next few chapters!
This is one of the best stories I have seen in a while. I will never understand why it only haves 211 likes.
Please do Fluttershy and Turing next if you please!
Wow. Sooo many comments lately. Glad to see people are still following the story and enjoying it. Time for some replies!
First, big topic: Maud's Blush
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So, a lot of folks calling for a Turing x Maud ship (and Keyblade Hero hoping it isn't true).
Well, if you must know if that blush was just her cutely being embarrassed or if she actually has feelings for Turing, then you may look at this spoiler-hidden comment: Oh yeah. She wants to jump Turing's bolts.
Next: Jokes
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I'm really happy that people find this story funny. I was honestly worried that when I showed it to Jaxie, my editor, he wouldn't laugh. He's a tough critic, which is good, but I trust his sense of humor. As for me, I've been a joke teller since I was a child, always learning lots of god-awful jokes and telling them to adults. I still am known for being funny among my friends and coworkers to the point where at least one supervisor pulled me aside and said "Listen, stop telling so many jokes during meetings." She was probably right.
Anyway, this arc was my chance to do some introspection on humor, especially to consider: 1. Why do different people have such vastly different senses of humor? 2. Why do we laugh at things at all? 3. What would another life form, alien, artificial, or otherwise think of humor? Pinkie, Maud, and Turing were great ways to examine each of those and being silly while doing so.
Fun fact: I was originally planning to have Turing Test's first experience with anger be in her interactions with Applejack. Then I realized how infuriating jokes would be to a robot and how frustrating it would be for a logical being to try and make sense of Pinkie's antics. Plus it made for better drama than just having Turing fail repeatedly at jokes.
Finally: Other Comments:
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One of the best on the site? Aw shucks.
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Proud? Yes. Used to being complimented like that? No.
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Also thanks to 6176518 6177167 6177400 6178341 6181361 6181651 for their compliments as well.
There is also a lot of speculation about who will be next. A lot of interest in Fluttershy or Applejack, it seems. Hm hm hm... well, hopefully whatever it ends up being, you'll all think the new chapter is pretty sweet when it finally drops.
Thanks again for reading, folks!
6184053
Yup! I try to keep a list of all the fics on the site that I can still remember small details from, because they were that good of reads.
Though, the story has to be finished decently before I could actually consider it one of the best on the site. If stories don't finish, they're like cakes without frosting, or ice cream Sundays without pickled cherries on top.
6183713 Yeah, that was fun to write. Also a great way to tease my readers.
6182566 Okay, time to catch up on some of your comments, Texus. By the way, oddly enough, I live in Texas!
That's fine, but I will ask that you A) tell your friends that it came from this story and B) let them know that it was drawn by my friend Colby. As long as you give credit, it's okay.
Yep. Bicentennial Man, based on the book by Isaac Asimov. He was one of the greatest science fiction writers who ever lived and his books about robots are a huge influence on this story. And as for Umahara (Fine Print), he wasn't supposed to be likable, but he did sincerely care for Gadget.
I do have the ending planned. I may also do a collection of alternate, non-canon stories. I don't really like crossovers, usually, but I'd consider it. But "Displaced" fics are out of the question. I just really hate them. Sorry.
I won't comment on a sequel, but if you like this story, the good news is that there will be many more chapters.
6184086 Yeah, I agree wi-- wait, "pickled" cherries? Eugh.
But joking aside, I totally get that. I'm trying to keep to my practice of updating one chapter every 2 weeks. Thus far, I've been able to keep that up and I have no intention of seeing this story go unfinished or even go on hiatus. Guess we'll see if I can keep up the pace!
6184053
Eh, they must have a very refined kind, the one that has to be punctual and last just that much to be funny, no disrespect, senses of humor are like ice cream flavors, so many, so varied, so different. In the end when you really read into this hilarious story that Turing is uttering, trying to follow each one logically, can lead to a lot of hilarity.
Also, dat spoiler, nough said.
We are looking forward to the next arc Hatty, great story, great characters, great future.
NOW ONWARD, to the FLUTTERSHY ARC...
I assume anyway, Applejack is big boss material right now.
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Fun fact: many people assumed "pickled" means something put in almost pure vinegar and given a sour taste, but things like fruit are often pickled in sugar. Pickling is defined as whenever you preserve something using an edible antimicrobial liquid, and since sugar is antimicrobial, sugar dissolved in water or in vinegar would be a homogeneous antimicrobial liquid. Many sweet cherries are stored this way until they're put on martinis or on ice cream.
However. despite that technically being pickling, I couldn't find any mention of "pickling in sugar", so I suppose pickling has come to mean salty or sour foods preserved in liquids, where preserving things in sugar is now just called preserving things in sugar.
(I actually had natural raw cherries in the last place I lived, but those were dark sweet cherries, so I thought all cherries were like that until pickled. Turns out there are multiple types of cherries. Still, I don't think you can get cherries as sweet as the pink things you put on sundaes until you leave them in sugar for a long time.)
6184053 I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Turing spend a day with the Crusaders and see if she can keep them out of trouble. I also wouldn't mind seeing her go through the entire Who's on First routine just to see if she can parse the whole team out and see if she gets frustrated.
6184375 Well, since we're sharing mostly useless (but interesting!) trivia, this delves into my own expertise: cocktails!
I believe most folks would refer to those kinds of cherries as "maraschino" cherries, and actually they don't go into a true martini. A true martini is:
-2 oz gin
-1/2 oz dry vermouth
-garnish with an olive.
My favorite way to make one is to pour the vermouth into a shaker filled with ice, swish it around just enough to coat the ice, then pour out the excess vermouth through a strainer. Then add the gin and stir, don't shake, and pour into a chilled martini glass. Drop in an olive (can be with a pimento or blue cheese). If you add a pickled pearl onion instead of an olive, it's a Gibson. If you use vodka instead of gin, it's a "Vodka martini" but not a true martini.
However, you can add maraschino cherries to a relative of the martini, the Manhattan (Manehattan?), which is made about the same way, but with whiskey instead of gin, sweet vermouth instead of dry vermouth, and the cherry.
Maybe I should make a blog post about this... Hm.
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Probably not. I just thought it was a cute character moment. I figured not everyone would care for it and honestly most shipping is just so-so for me. So don't worry, it's just a thing. I can't say it will never be brought up again, but it isn't a major part of the story. Feel better?
6186086 More catching up on comments!
You misunderstand. Gadget didn't say "I love you." But Fine Print imagined she did. His mind (and heart) were deceiving him. Glad you're enjoying the moments with Turing. It makes me happy to know a character of mine has made a connection with readers.
They do.
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I like those jokes as long as they're rare. I did it just the one time with Discord and then again with Pinkie as a call-back.
All right! Thanks!
Every clown needs a straight man... mare... robot... thing...
It was funny so I guess it really doesn't matter about the terminology. I eagerly await the next development for Turing in her endeavor to make friends.
6190291 She didn't demand an answer. Had Twilight said "I need more time," then Celestia would have given it to her.
Also, it would have been boring to have this big scene with them and then have Twilight say "I need to think. Could I let you know by next Tuesday?" "Oh, sure, just send me a letter. Oh, and tell your friends I said hi."
It makes better storytelling to have a sense of urgency. But that's just my opinion.
I have maybe a hard time to find a reason like that for myself, but i agree with that reason, and i am glad that Twilight doesn´t have guards till now, she should not have to copy everything the other princesses are doing, since she is a ´different type of princess, and didn´t even planned that for her own life.
She is now even forced to see everyone die later in her life, because not even Celestia asked her if she wants to be a princess, kids show or not.
not sure if i need a fourth wall Boulder, but i like the joke.
i am not sure if i remember what that salt liking thing was supposed to mean, is it something that horses really like, or does it really existed?
Now i finally finished it, but it is awesome the way it is, if it stops if she is able to make friends witht the whole main six, i hope there is a possible sequel, the way i suggested or in another way.
Everything is good for me in this fanfiction, i think the only thing i didn´t liked at first, was Celestia.
6192996 Glad you're still enjoying it, Texus, and I hope I'll see you next chapter!
6193379 I will keep reading it, and i really think you should keep using Turing Test in another story, or do something with that fountain, to copy Turin Test, and Twilight does send the clone accidently in another Universe, then you could probably do what you want with Turing Test.
Displaced or not, however i am suprised that i keep thinking about an Displaced story, i probably want to see how other characters act aroung her.
Great OC.
Even if only Turing would be able to please in every way, i had a moment where i thought about an Turing X Maud Pie shipping fic.
6193379
This is for the author. I'm curious... Have you ever read Friendship is Otipmal?
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I think having a clone of the character, especially using the Miracle Pond, would cheapen things. She could look and act like Turing, but she would never actually be Turing, just like Pinkie's clones weren't really Pinkie.
Thank you for the kind words, but my feelings on crossovers are almost always negative and my feelings on Displaced fics are that no good Displaced fics exist. The concept is just too stupid. Sorry, I'm just not a fan.
However, I have considered writing a collection of alternate, non-canon stories and chapters, but that'll have to be later. As for a sequel, I can't say if there will or won't be one. If I say there won't be one, then people will think that it has a final ending with no chance to continue; if I say that there will be one, then everyone will know that the ending will be a happy one with the possibility for continuation. I would rather have people guess.
6194307 I have not.