Oops... · 6:14pm Nov 13th, 2023
I accidentally posted the in-progress draft of my new C&C chapter directly to the story, overwriting Chapter 37 with it. It was up for about half an hour before I noticed, so I apologize to anybody who saw it and ended up very confused or thought it was unfinished (because it was). The proper chapter content has been restored. But, since I did that, I might as well give an update on the new chapter.
It’s in progress, and I try to work at least a little on it each day despite a hectic work schedule. At this point, it’s up over 14,000 words and may well be heading for 20,000 before all is said and done. In fact, it might well be considered an Eros-style chapter in C&C for the amount of adult content the M-rated version is going to have.
As for why I don’t just put it in Eros...
It’s very simple: sex scenes, even major ones, belong in the main story as long as they serve the interests of the main story and advance the plot without getting stuck there. In this case, there’s a ton of worldbuilding and Changeling lore being offered along the way along with the resolution of various conflicts, all of which is important to readers. That ton of worldbuliding and lore also mean there’ll be plenty of content for the T-rated version as well, though it’ll be significantly shorter and modified in a few ways.
When it will be ready?
I’m not sure. Work is being a bitch again, with multiple deadlines in advance of Thanksgiving, and one possibly during Thanksgiving week. Though I think that’s ridiculous, it may require me to work that week when I was supposed to be off. There’s still at least several days of work remaining on the chapter draft, and the best I can promise is to try to have a completed draft by this weekend and put it out on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving here in the states, which will be Friday, November 24) while everybody’s gorged on turkey on trimmings, and perhaps need a break from being around their relatives.
On a final note...
There has been some disapproval of the last couple chapters from a couple commenters for the way things are heading, and I even had an upvote reversed when the latest chapter posted. That surprised me, as I personally didn’t think the last chapter was particularly provocative or controversial. In fact, I thought it was pretty conventional right up until the very end.
Just goes to show that stuff I or my prereaders feel is innocuous might not be seen that way by everyone. But since multiple readers have now complained, I feel compelled to address it here. So get ready for a long-winded reply:
First and foremost...
I wish it known that I’ve bent over backwards at times to try to accommodate reader concerns, most notably by doing separate T-rated versions of M-rated chapters, which tends to be a lot of work to maintain (because any edits I make to either the T-rated or M-rated versions of chapters generally has to be made to the other one as well.)
As for this latest arc, yeah, I get that there are those who might not approve of the way things are going, but I’m not going to change it, either. I’ve been very clear about what I’m doing and what’s happening—that this is a bullets-and-boobs story along the lines of one of the original Feathered Heart’s inspirations: Starship Troopers.
I remind readers that the Changelings have a very different perspective on sexual matters by necessity, given that pretty much every facet of their collective being and society is geared towards inducing or extracting their most essential nutrient—love. You will see that explored in earnest in this new chapter as the Queen waxes philosophical about Changeling culture, outlook and history. And as for the argument that the others are acting out of character in approving of the Queen’s actions regarding Cipio, they’re really not.
Even ignoring the fact...
... That they’re under the inhibition-shattering influence of the potion-spiked cider by then, Gilda definitely wants the Tribune punished for recklessly risking the humans, and he’s offended both Giraldi and the Queen by then as well, with the latter’s aid being critical to the war effort. The Tribune insulted the Queen and threw her hospitality back in her face, and all this happened after she revealed herself to him, with his actions costing her hive their longtime home and forcing them into the open.
She offered him aid and trust, and you could certainly make the case that he severely abused it. She was patient with him, but he finally crossed the line by refusing to see reason and insulting her to her face. She even tried to spare him further discomfort, but events and his own actions made that impossible. So do you really think that her penance for him wouldn’t involve sex? Nor is she being selfish, as she recognizes as well as Gilda (albeit grudgingly in Gilda’s case) that they need Cipio, but he can’t command properly unless he’s not acting on the basis of some very personal but childish fears.
Now all that said...
I find myself in agreement with certain commenters that some punishment or reprimand is probably called for in Gilda’s case, too, for abusing her own authority and dereliction of duty. So I will attempt to address that as well along the way. But the bottom line is this:
I can already tell that this is going to be the kind of chapter where it’s impossible to satisfy everyone, and that it might even cost me readers. And I’m sorry, but if that turns out to be the case, then so be it. I can’t accommodate everyone in a story like this, and if I try, what I’ll end up with is something that satisfies no one. Least of all, me as the author.
So for those of you uncomfortable, I simply ask that you try to not lose sight of the forest for some individual trees. If you don’t want the sex, stick to the T-rated version, and I hope you find the Changeling lore and history I’m introducing interesting, at least. And the final resolution of the Gilda/Cipio conflict both sensible and satisfying.
And what about going forward?
In terms of the story, with this Gilda vs Cipio arc concluded, it’ll be (mostly) back to business after this chapter—getting ready to re-enter the fight. I intend to incorporate stuff from chapters 11-15 of the original story in the process, which involved licking wounds and some renewed combat training for Marco, which you can bet will be extended to Tara and Chris in this version. We will start building towards a new combat climax as the Cloven mass to crush the city, which will include the arrival of an Equestrian vanguard force that contains a couple old friends from the show *coughcoughGlimGlamAndDashiecoughcoughcough*. And yes, I fully intend for them to shine—to show their combat and tactical mettle when the time comes.
Imma gonna love seeing Marcus face when the Heavies appear.
Say it with flowers.
Hellebores.
Impossible to please everyone, do your best and we will enjoy the result one way or another.
Love the Changelings, very curious about the lore
as you said you can't plese everybody.
I said my two cents about what I thgouht about Gilda and Starshina several chapters ago, and came to term with it in the end.
For me specifically what bothers me a bit was that cutting the current chaper in half (I know it was on purpose) but most of this chapter ended simply as several individuals threateing each other with nothing else happenig.
I would probably consider it a interlude or intermission, but in the end I have no problem with its being what it is.
5754766
Hmmm... and what heavies are those?
I don’t think Gilda would particularly care for flowers. She’d want a bouquet that includes crossbow bolt and various calibers of rifle bullets.
5754771
Appreciate you saying so! You’re going to get a massive amount of lore in this new chapter woven around all the M-rated action. Hope you enjoy!
5754944
Good to hear. And thanks again for sharing your views respectfully. I do appreciate it.
I was trying to leave off on a bit of cliffhanger, which I’m probably a bit notorious for by now. I think that once the new chapter comes out, you’ll see pretty quickly why it wouldn’t have made sense to continue it. It’s just too sharp a change in tone from that point forward as the Queen pulls out all the stops and shows off one her most powerful abilities.
I wouldn’t call it an intermission, but an Interlude? Maybe. For myself, the way I’m thinking of it and the way I tried to write it, it’s basically the calm before a very M-rated storm.
5755186
Heavy 1.
Sonic Rain Nuke Dash.
Heavy 2.
Hellebore Class, B. Ass Canon, Starlight.