Unexpurgated Rambling (perpendat itaque lector cave)

I find it fitting to elaborate on a few things which have been raised with me for some time. Notably, these are my depictions of characters in my FiMfics. I do not need to defend myself to anyone, yet I will explain myself so that people may understand.

It was suggested that I characterise two characters falsely - Prince Blueblood is the first, and the Setting is the second. Before I elaborate on this, I must define my own ideas regarding such. To begin with, Equestria (as in the Setting, the over-arching World within which takes place my story) must be certainly a character. It is no person, perhaps, but it is a character. Wherefore must it be? Because it contains how characters are responded to. To use an example, actions taken in Ponyville differ in response to actions taken in the Everfree Forest. So Equestria matters.

I do not write a peaceful Equestria. Never have I, and I doubt I ever will. Why? In a sense, because of my interests and inspirations in the craft of writing. I look to Warhammer 40 000, to the Drenai Chronicles, and to other works besides, all where the battle between good and evil is not merely spiritual, but physical as well. They mislead you, who cry 'Peace!' when there is no peace.

So this is the first reason. I do not, as some falsely claim, merely act from ignorance - such presumption! - I rather act from what I see in the world, what the truth is. In fact it is they who act from ignorance. You who say in the evening that the weather will be fair, for the sky is red, and who say in the morning that it will storm, for the sky is red, can you not read the signs of the times?

The next reason lies in the sheer foolishness of some people, and in their hypocrisy. Fools! You who say that peace is the only condition of Equestria, and that war is unacceptable, do you not also write in your own stories that the only apparent romantic relationships are homosexual? You pack of wild dogs! You howling hyenas! Well it was said of you that where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather! Do you not see that if you declare one and yet the other is impossible, that you have lied to yourself?

Neither one is impossible - indeed, if any were considered more possible, it would be that Equestria is not at peace. Explain to me, if you can, why Equestria would have fully trained guards if not against enemies. Explain to me why they are trusted to guard Canterlot if they are merely ceremonial. Come, let us reason together, for this is an important question.

Who would stand against this is refusing the truth and prefers falsehood.

It is in response to this that I have characterised Blueblood as I have, and not only this but to a great condition that I have noticed both in MLP and in other media. This condition says that the only way that female characters can be 'strong' (this in itself could be rewarded with a full post...) is by male characters being weak or evil, or both. If you want another example of this, look at Frozen, or Maleficent. When was the last time you saw a good effective male character in a movie or TV show? When the only male characters in MLP are a toss-up between a glorified errand-boy, a farm-boy who does nothing, a pathetic simpering fool, and someone who can't tell his wife apart from a fairly unconvincing impersonator, something has to change. And so change it does.

Prince Blueblood has had a fairly changing history in my own stories. He started off in my first real FiMfic as the sole royal commanding Equestria in the face of a returning Nightmare Moon, who is set to destroy ponykind. Revisions changed him from leading a valiant but ultimately doomed last stand in an attempt to activate the still inert Elements of Harmony to defending Canterlot personally, and crossing swords with Nightmare Moon herself. This led into Not Worth A Bit, where he ultimately died in mourning of Octavia.

This was in truth a reaction to the 'idea' of shipping Octavia and Vinyl. Words can not describe my scorn for this idea.

Then we get into my next story, which is called The Truth. This is my first real response to that shipping confusion aforementioned. Then we get to Words, The Bright Lady, Non Nobis Domine and beyond. My second 'mischaracterisation' occurs in these.

It is useless, really, to talk about these without understanding my context.

I have already explained my context with regard to the broken peace of Equestria. But the rest of my context - my personal context, mind you! - is hidden. Well, nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. I am a Catholic - a papist, as some would call me. This matters so much to my writing that it is almost crucial, because it talks about my metaphysics. Good exists. Evil exists. Good will triumph, though for now we face the long defeat.

Well, that's more than enough disjointed rambling for one fool to write in a night. I will leave you with these words.

Sometimes there is a way that seems right, but in the end it is the way to death.