Signal Boost: Kirin Luthiery · 3:19am Dec 30th, 2022
Jinglemas is upon us!
For those of you who don't know, everyone's assigned an author to write a story for. In case you're overwhelmed by all the Jinglemas fics (89 so far!) I'll post the one I was gifted here, and you can just click on it:
Source
forbloodysummer interpreted my givens and druthers for a Jinglemas story as "the rather fun and unique challenge of 'write an Admiral Biscuit story.'" I'd say the nail got hit squarely on the head; it's a story from experience, it's slice of life, it's a story about personal experiences but with a pony and y'all know that I love that.
And I know what a guitar is, even if I don't know how to play one or build one. I learned what 'luthiery' is, although I haven't googled why it's called that. Given how words in the English language work, it's either a fascinating backstory for a word with an unexpected origin, or the first dude to build a stringed instrument was named Luther.
As someone who's muddled around the house fixing things that need to be fixed, there's plenty of familiarity with simple tools and cuts not quite lining up, and woodworking does feel like a thing a Kirin would do. Most thing I've built from wood are crude but functional (bookshelves aren't that complicated to make, especially if you're willing to forgo beauty for functionality).
Unlike Rarity. . .
Not only is the story full of SoL goodness and Kirin adorableness, it's also got lots of very detailed woodworking and guitar-making facts, along with a beautifully hand-waved bit of headcanon. Leaf Day is now my headcanon, and it's yours now, too.
If that wasn't enough, it's got a story notes blog post and y'all know I love those.
Just as much as I love Cinder Glow.
Source
(Kirin foalsitting . . . not as simple as it may sound)
For those of you who are following the Not-A-Contest, this is very much in the spirit of the contest, so. . .
forbloodysummer is an excellent writer, I look forward to reading this one!
It's because when barbarians are looting, guitars are the first thing they steal.
But seriously, I will check it out because it's relevant to several of my interests:
i.ibb.co/rZH2Xby/instrum.jpg
Cinder Glow is best kirin, agreed.
She does know however play a guitar...
5705780
It's good, and when you're done you'll know how to start building a guitar.
5705797
Ooh, antique stringed instruments
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She very much is.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2021/5/3/2606551.jpg
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I love that clip so much.
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Well, faux antique. I make them for SCA and LARP customers. "Easy to play, and heavy enough to bludgeon a kobold to death!"
"8.4k words"
forbloodysummer walking a dangerous line there!
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Close enough, I say.
As any good musical instrument should be.
Thanks for writing this signal boost! I wondered why the story was doing so well when I figured it wouldn't really appeal to many people, that is very much appreciated!
I didn't know the etymology of 'luthier' either, but according to Wikipedia it's unexpectedly straightforward: it's originally French and comes from the French word for lute.
5706090
As ever (and much like the guitar itself), the finished product took twice as many words and four times as long as expected. Still, skirting the word limit is probably the safest kind of edgy to give as a Hearth's Warming gift.
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Aww, thank you! I've been eyeing up yours and Jaxie's exchange stories too!