Permutations on the Mane Seven.

In most cases, just about every writer will bring their own spin to established characters. I'm one of those who frequently feels more like I'm watching the action from a short distance away more than I'm making anything take place, but the little changes happen with me as much as anyone else. Eight chapters into the larger story and while I still think the known cast is recognizable as themselves -- at least to the point where open revolts could be minimal (oh, who am I kidding: at this stage, everything's minimal) -- changes have occurred.

Twilight is more self-aware. She knows what some of her problem areas are and that they are problems, but she's largely helpless to prevent them from emerging.

Pinkie has become somewhat calmer, at least to the point where people might see holding an extended, coherent conversation with her as a possibility. She still goes off on tangents at times, but staying on topic isn't a mind-breaking activity. She doesn't have to be fully ON or OFF at all times: turns out there's a neutral setting. Who knew?

Rainbow Dash has some displacement issues going on. She also thinks she's genre-saavy. She may not have the right genre.

Spike feels older. Right now, I feel as if I'm writing him around a mental age of ten to twelve, and that's as a tween who may have been through just a little too much in that time frame.

Fluttershy is both more skittish and more determined. Some of her interactions with her friends have a touch of 'flight or flight?' to them, but she's capable of facing her job's darker aspects.

Rarity is a little fiercer and slightly more confrontational: she'll still work through the social graces and do an end run around a blockade via the Polite Side Door, but now she'll charge dead ahead if she must.

And Applejack... can lie. Lie by omission, at least. Just because you know a truth doesn't mean you have any intention of telling it. And she's darkening, just by a shade or two.

I hope that when this ends, they're still recognizable, and that any changes along the way made sense. I hope to reach the end.

One thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine thumbs down to go.

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