Chapter 1 reference and thanks

To my (as of now) 8 followers, and everypony else:

Thanks for the continuing support! I'm pushing hard on chapter 2 (now in editing phase) and 3 (rough draft written).
I originally though I'd be posting every 2 to 3 weeks; I'm probably gonna be ahead of that schedule.

Anyway, without further ado, references in Chapter 1:
Most pony names are from earlier generations. I am terrible at making up normal names, and even worse at making up pony names.
Cinnamon is from The Empty Room by Wanderer D
“Pony Psychology” is a subtle reference to the Pony Psychology series by Saddlesoap Opera
The concept of Lyra being an auxiliary guard was explored in the Xenoverse/Leroverse, although I came up with it on my own, prior to having read any Xenoverse stories, for a story of my own. I never finished writing that story, because it was terrible.

Also, a special thanks to Woonsocket Wrench who's looking at my stuff,
My parents, who have been an invaluable help, even though they had no idea what I was writing about until last week,
My friends D__ and A__ who provided additional assistance without knowing why (and they'd kill me if I used their names, especially A__).
Anypony who's commented, PMed, faved, or in any other way provided feedback.

Comments

[Vates Despero]

The concept of Lyra being an auxiliary guard was explored in the Xenoverse/Leroverse, although I came up with it on my own, prior to having read any Xenoverse stories, for a story of my own, which I never finished because it was terrible.

But did it include the "youngest Grandmaster" bit, or was that a direct reference to Xeno? Because frankly that Xeno reference was my favorite bit and the only reason I finished the chapter... eighty percent of the story so far has had nothing to do with the description and has left me feeling like I'm being bait and switched which really saps the enthusiasm.

"I'z iz feelin' all betrayed and shit, yo!"

[Admiral Biscuit]

1362075

I should clarify. I cast Lyra as an auxiliary guard in my head long before ever reading Xeno. I think it was because of another story called Egghead (if I remember right), which was about magical dueling; Lyra was one of the competetors. The grandmaster part is a reference to Xeno.

[Vates Despero]

1362257 Awesome.

[Admiral Biscuit]

1362766

Re-reading what you quoted, my sentence structure was bad, too. I like Xeno; it was the story I wrote that was terrible.

[Vates Despero]

1362815 You know, you're right! That could be read as Xeno is bad! Of course I am so biased against that possibility that I read it the way you intended... now THAT was a 'merry coincidence'.

[AppleTank]

I vaguely remember an old fic on EqD called "Spyra", in which Lyra was sent to Pony town to spy on Twilight.

[Admiral Biscuit]

2706115
I think I read that, way back when.