Dear Dr. Shields,
Dragonfly tells me she tells you something secret, and now she feel better. Now I tell you something, and you keep secret, and maybe I feel better.
I command Friendship crew. I not want command. I just want fly ship. I not smart. I not like princess or queen or like that. But all look at me order them. Even for everyone-know things they look at me order them.
I hate that. I hate this. I not want to do this anymore.
Fly is fun. Fly in space is very fun. Not fly in space and stuck on Mars is very not fun.
I want fly. I want go home. I not want be boss. Why they not let me stop be boss?
Sorry my English is bad. Not use Starlight or Dragonfly help this time.
Cherry Berry
Dear Dr. Shields,
Cherry Berry say write you feels better. But must be secret. Okay, I write you secret.
Dragon tough. Dragon strong. Dragon mean. All everybody know. Dragon best everything.
But not me. I make mess. Almost kill all twice.
I not smart like Starlight or Dragonfly. I not boss like Cherry or Spitfire. I not funny or good with people like Mark. I not help. I make things worse.
What I am good for? Almost no fire. No fly ship- no ship for fly. No space walk- not in space. I pick up things and I hold things, only. Any can do.
Crew better I not here. But can no say. Dragon not talk sorry for me.
I not feel better for say you this. Feel sad. Feel angry. Was better not think this.
Fireball
Dear Dr. Shields,
I feel fine. I have no secret tell you. Think you like read that for change.
Spitfire
Dear Dr. Shields,
Since everyone else is writing you in secret today, I am writing you too. I apologize for the bad English you probably suffered through, but even if we’re getting good at understanding your language we aren’t as good at remembering words when we want to say things. Also, the others are really slow typers.
Everyone else is writing you their secret worries. I don’t keep those secret. But I do have a secret request, if you can help me. Dragonfly once told me that everyone else in the crew- Spitfire, Fireball, Cherry Berry- felt like they were no good at their job. I assume Dragonfly has a similar problem- not that she doesn’t think she’s good at her job, but she worries that we don’t really like her. But I’m sure we all think that we’re all doing our best for each other. Can you do anything to help them see it?
Sincerely yours,
Starlight Glimmer
Dear Dr. Shields,
I was wrong. I have secret ask of you. Can you give me human bad words and what mean? If I have bad words maybe Mark stop treat me like little child.
Spitfire
Spitfire has been especially awesome the past few chapters.
Wow. Fireball opened up about his insecurities before Spitfire did.
She is hella tough
Also, this whole chapter was very sweet, but then you already knew that
8804101
Spitfire is used to strike fear in the hearts of recruits, to be an imposing and respected figure. It must be agravating for her that for Mark (and the average human) she looks just cute and adorable.
Cotton candy is Pinkie Pie approved, though
Hopefully Dr. Shields is also a licensed MFT.
8804114
My guess is Spitfire’s still bitter about it. An attitude like this will take a while for Mark to correct, and probably even longer for Spitfire to notice it’s been corrected. It’s kind of unavoidable in a close-quarters situation like this...
8804114
Mark said a couple chapters ago that filthy Fred saying he was having "unprofessional relations" with the ponies felt like he was being made out to be a pedophile. The fact that he said that seems to indicate he thinks of the ponies as children to an extent.
Keep being awesome Starlight and Spitfire.
They may not believe in themselves but Starlight does.
Superfire strikes back
8804114
He probably not consciously treating her like that. But he is probably unconsciously acting like humans are wont to do towards small, cute animals. Somewhat patronising, among other things. The fact that Mark physically has to look down on them probably doesn't help.
Well, that's typical 'new age' Spitfire. Military pride at it's worst. Bitterness and pride. Shame. She had her glory moment not too long ago with the photos. Now it's back to the usual.
8804113
Much later, after a portal is open between equestria and earth:
"If it's any consolation, your most fearsome villains look cute to us."
"THAT"S MAKING IT WORSE! Wait, even sombra?"
"Yep. Sombra, Chrysalis, Nightmare Moon, even Tirek to some extent...they're all cute to us. "
I'm sorry Spitfire, but no matter how tough-as-nails you act, you will always be a big-eyed adorable pastel pony.
8804156
Because not liking being treated as a child is bitter and prideful.
8804160
Alternative to that last line:
"Sombra, Nightmare Moon, Tirek, even the changelings, compared to what we've done to ourselves... they are trying to use pocket change at a high roller's table."
8804129
I don't think it's so much that he views them as children, so much as he views them as being innocent. It's borderline semantics, I know, but there are differences, and I feel that they're important ones. Back when Dragonfly was trying to be all sneaky about her feeding, Mark caught her almost immediately and had that whole bit of his entry where he commented that a human politician would eat her alive. The ponies just aren't up to human standards when it comes to the darker aspects of society, and when you combine that with the fact that they look physically adorable, are physically smaller, and can barely speak his language, it's almost impossible to not want to protect them. To shield that innocence from the darkness they don't even realize they're walking through.
But it seems to me that the big turning point is the language barrier. If you look at how he treats Starlight compared to the rest of the ponies it's like night and day (I can't include Dragonfly in this because she wants to be treated like an innocent for feeding purposes. At least for now). Spitfire doesn't need curse words, she just needs to study English more. Once she can coherently and fluently communicate it'll cut through a lot of that protective instinct. He knows that they're intelligent adults, but until they can clearly understand each other, he's going to see them--his guests--as beings he should protect.
At least, that's how I see it. Especially since it seems like his protectiveness of them has dropped more and more as the story has gone on.
8804189 Mark hasn't spent twenty-one days and nights shut in a van with Dragonfly, or Fireball, or Spitfire, or Cherry Berry.
8804173
To the point, that you complain about it on your lifeline instead of, you know, actually try and maybe get outside perspective on "I'm a military commander without military to command in a position I'm not confident in, so I'm poisoning with it myself and our resident emotivore directly, and the others indirectly" which is still NOT RESOLVED? Yeah. Yeah it is. They waffled and danced around this issue and didn't get anywhere though no fault of their own. Maybe it's a pegasus trait, but even a dragon managed to overcome similar pride to some extent for the sake of the team, so it's not an excuse (although Fireball is a REALLY unusual dragon, on par with Spike, and Spitfire is more or less an icon for a stereotypical pegasus, character-wise)
8804113
Yeah. Ponies are what, probably 100-150 lbs for the typical mares? Most of us would probably react to their appearance as if they were big, goofy dogs. Of course, then we'd have some giants like Snowflake and Mac who are probably pushing 300. Celestia's probably bigger than the typical Shetland.
Next week on 'The Maretian' Spitfire tries out her new vocabulary!
8804196
Don't forget Troubleshoes. I think he might even be slighter bigger then Celestia.
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/8/88/Sheriff_Silverstar_arresting_Trouble_Shoes_S5E6.png/revision/latest?cb=20150504234740
And RockHoof.
oh spitfire learning bad words won't make you look like a grown-up it will make you more child like then ever
8804216
I don't think it will matter what they do. They'll still be adorable.
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/3/33/Starlight_Glimmer_teasing_smile_S6E6.png/revision/latest?cb=20160501230039
Joke about enslaving Ponyville. Still god Damn adorable.
pre00.deviantart.net/04b5/th/pre/i/2017/318/8/5/starlight_glimmer_kill_you_with_cute_face___by_marenlicious-dbtsrnb.png
Come at you with a knife. Still really adorable.
I have my insulin shots ready, bring out the sugar.
Can you imagine the absolute hell it must be for Spitfire, used to being Drill Sargent Nasty, NOT knowing how to swear?
I feel u flamegurl.
8804156
Military pride has nothing to do with it. Personal pride, possibly. Or how about the simple desire to be seen as and considered an adult? How many adults do you know like being treated as children?
Would it make Spitfire feel better or worse if she was sent the chip tune, I wanna be a Drill Instructor?
I, for one, welcome cusses-like-a-sailor Spitfire.
8803747
... Subnautica
8804194
Complaining about potential mental and social issues to the psychologist is what the psychologist is there for .Your point was?
8804301
This might be short but it's not fluff. It helps us, the readers, see what's going on behind those big adorable eyes (well, maybe not the dragon's). I'm almost certain this is what NASA is afraid will happen to a bunch of human astronauts put on Mars during a planned trip, let alone some civilians and astronauts. At this point, I'd be flooding the paltry data stream with human fanmail. They are not alone, they are not useless, they are not weak, and they are most assuredly not unloved.
I accept this fluff.
Here's hoping Spitfire doesn't traumatize Watney more than necessary with her expanded vocabulary. But imagine Dr. Shields trying to fulfill her request. Probably one of her stranger assignments.
8804330
Yeah. Ignoring the actual issues and complaining about MUH RESPECT. Yeah. Nvm, you don't get it. Just downvote this <3
8804443
You are sounding as a sheltered person if you don't get that it is one of most prominient problems that psychology finds in developed society today. Traumas and disorders are relatively rare compared to social anxiety.
8804237
i think japan would love that last part so much
8804486
PS Changeling negativity bias, death and lots of banging all await you on the other side of that link.
Why did all the Equestrian astronauts suddenly lose all confidence and turnet into little pastel-colored magical cartoon horses?
Except Spitfire (who seems okay, but you wait for that - her angst will be academy-record levels), they were all supposed to be here, all had the experience, were all trained, and have a mission to leave a mark in the history of their kin.
And Glimglam is a psycopath who started a sect, why cannot she orhanise a group of professionals who actually want to work together, or rather, have no other choice?
PS About leaving a mark... Ares-III crew kinda did leave a Mark, didn't they? I wonder if I missed that pun in the book, or if it wasn't even there.
Anyway, this chapter does seem genuine and in-character for the Amicitas crew. They kinda started to feel dry, no strong emotions since the flying airlock incident, so it was good for a change.
8804443
Lets assume that the root issue is, indeed, Spitfire expecting WAY too much respect and making a mountain out of a molehill.
She is still doing something right by bringing the issue up with a psychologist/therapist, because that person can help her realize that's what she's doing.
Thus, your complaints about spitfires complaining come off as themselves foolish and in need of some serious reexamination and self reflection like you're asking spitfire to do.
Question for you: do you even know what psychological/social therapists do?
EDIT: I think I see what you're saying.
Thing is, the ponies and mark have their most critical survival needs attended to, and actually need to keep their calorie consumption down a bit at times, which leaves them with downtime that needs filled. They also have enough spare bandwidth for small amounts of fun chatter rather than being restricted to urgent stuff, or "how to fix the antenna" type instructions. Trying to solve a social issue that could otherwise blow up into actual anger and thus potentially interfere with their survival is thus a very good thing to do with their free time.
As much as Dr. Shields may appreciate the effort, I doubt she entirely buys Spitfire's mental health self-assessment. No one's coming out of the hab with an especially clean bill there. Still, psychology can't help those who don't want help. I just hope Spits opens up before the transmission bottleneck tightens too far to get help.
8804193 Hasn't as far as we know...
Perhaps during college he and Fireball went on a four-week road trip so drunkenly epic it broke the laws of physics regarding universe boundaries, which neither of them were in any state to remember?
also don't let a teenage pony on the earth internet..... or for that metter let them found out of the pony network on earth then you get this
I agree with Dragonfly. If the humans underestimate you because you're adorable, take advantage of that. Play it up.
Think how much more people will want to contribute to their rescue, believing they really are innocent. It would be smart strategy. Spitfire, being military? , should know it's a good tactic to have people underestimate you.
You should never let pride get in the way of doing something smart. Who cares if billions of faceless people think of you as innocent children. You are most likely never actually going to meet any of them. At least the important people, the ones you actually interact with, (like the NASA people) can learn not to think of you that way.
8804533
Because they're all stuck in a life or death situation that is far, far outside of their original mission parameters, training, and experience with no clear idea when or if help will be able to reach them before any one of a multitude of possible Swords of Damocles falls and kills them all. Nearly anyone else thrown into that situation would have gone fetal and would be sucking their thumb and rocking gently in a corner by this point. Battling persistent terror and self-doubt under these conditions isn't just expected, it's practically mandatory. If they survive this with ONLY PTSD and the occasional night terror, it's going to be a minor miracle. So no, they're not suddenly fluffy ponies, they're half-crazy with fear, fatigue, claustrophobia and depression.
Also, am I the only one who's had a mental picture of Dragonfly pulling a Captain Oates at some point and telling the others that she's just going for a walk outside? A long, long walk?
8804533
8804658
to put it lightly when they come home to earth or the pony world home this would be the worst case for them
8804486 To be honest, I wouldn't expect much more of Spitfire. In canon her command decisions have been uniformly awful.
1) Dive in on a flailing falling pony from above rather than getting under them and getting knocked out.
2) Spikezilla 1 Wonderbolts 0
3) Not monitoring a loose cannon like Lightning Dust and feeding her ego rather than cutting it down.
4) Rainbow Falls... just Rainbow Falls.
5) Not helping with a mission critical water delivery to Cloudsdale when it's clear they're just a few wingpower short.
6) Wind Rider... okay, apart from not confirming the mysterious letter that her mother supposedly sent while ill, I'll give her a pass for that.
Hmm... I'm thinking that Spitfire will be able to blend in at a bar full of Marines before long if Dr. Shields obliges her request...
8804541
Well that's the thing. Her main issue was (and hasn't really been resolved so it's safe to assume it remains) 'I'm useless, I do nothing but present pegasus part of Equestrian union', which lead to her being overzealous with her medical officer duty (it was at least a minor annoyance from the get-go) and probably other things (I'll re-read it again later maybe and look for it). She had this angsty thing going even when short-term survival wasn't secured. And it never got any better. Why would it?
She objectively has the least to contribute to the team effort. Such are the conditions. Dragonfly has a ton of built-in utility and an incredibly agile mind. Fireball has non-magic-dependant strength (which matters more than he thinks). Cherry Berry is an earth pony with a food-related talent (it's not what she wants, and it vexes her, but this is huge regardless). Starlight is a magic zealot, the versatile power to Dragonfly's versatile agility. Spitfire has nothing. She had her moments, which were glorious, but they are few and far between. This can't possibly be 'fine' and healthy to her.
Cherry found it in her to confess. Fireball did, and he's one stubborn motherlover, simply by virtue of being dragon. Dragonfly was terrified of her condition, that's why she was first, that's the hardest. Starlight is... Legitimately fine, she has her goals and that's enough, her concern is the team. Spitfire? 'Thanks no thanks. Oh, wait, no, on second thought, go fuck yourself <3. I get no respect around here.' At best, it's pride. 'Yadda yadda I'm tuff I'll be fine'. And every other reason for her reaction is worse. She's obviously not one to actually ACCEPT being the least useful. At least not willingly. Admitting this issue and maybe getting actual useful advice on teamplay from a generic member's perspective and not 'unique, one and only' leader's would do her good. MUH RESPECT would make things worse.
Oh yeah, add to that pegasus biological issues due to their living conditions. Earth ponies need, well, earth, Cherry gets it. Unicorns need magic, Starlight gets it. Pegasi need movement. Which is impossible to achieve.
Tbh I kinda struggle understanding people commenting on her lines here as 'cute'.