Story Promotions (Round VII) · 4:45am Feb 17th, 2015
Evenin', everybody! Hope you all are having a nice President's Day. 
Without further ado, have another round of story promotions! (Yup, two rounds this month, because why not?)
Thirty five years. Been roaming Equestria from town to cloying town, looking for her. Not for lack of trying, mind you. Equestria's just that big of a place. There's only so many places left to look, though, and it'd be foolish to throw in the towel already. I'm getting close. So I'll do the same thing I did yesterday: search.
Fimfiction is sorely lacking in stories that concentrate on the show's non-pony characters, with the exceptions of Spike, Discord, and possibly Gilda. I've searched far and wide for stories involving Cranky and Matilda, and this one is, by far, the best.
Told from the first-person perspective of Cranky as he embarks on another portion of his endless search for Matilda, this time in Fillydelphia, the story is a good example of how much character exploration can be packed in a little over 4K words. Cranky doesn't pull any punches when it comes to those insufferably happy ponies around him, whom he still can't seem to understand, despite covering every inch of Equestria beneath his hooves. Underneath every minute action is his unyielding need to find Matilda, whom Cranky seems to love without reservation, even after all this time and against impossible odds.
If you enjoy stories about non-pony characters, an examination of Cranky as a character, or a bit of exposition on Equestrian life through different eyes, give this one a read.
In the Place the Wild Horses Sleep
Young Mia is determined to run with wild horses and nothing is going to stop her. Not her mother. Not even a pony with stars in her mane, come to take her away on an adventure...
I once said that, if every last shred of content this fandom has created were to be thrown away, the one thing I would hope would be spared would be The Great Equestrian Picture Book. Everything else, including everything I have written and everything I have read, could fall away, if only that one story would be spared.
I now have a second story to add to this list.
Wild Horses is, the author declares, "an attempt at writing something for children". However, this was far more than an attempt—it was a resounding success!
Written in a style unique to children's storybooks, rhymes and all, the story follows the adventures of a girl named Mia who wants to run with the wild horses. Mia finds that her pleas do not go unanswered, and is whisked away into a magical land of ponies who want nothing more than to be her friend. What follows is not only a heartwarming adventure, but a thought-provoking one as well, and, like any good children's story, Mia learns something very important in the end.
As an adult reading this, I was not only reminded fondly of my childhood, but enjoyed it immensely. The prose is flowery without being excessive, and simple without being minimal. If you would like to read a HiE story that sticks out far beyond the rest, a story reminiscent of childhood, or one of the two outstanding gems this fandom has created, check this one out.
"When I read their letters... I think about how temporary everything really is."
A lonely princess pores over her studies in a frigid castle, desiring nothing more than the warmth of an old friend. Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Equestria, wears a heavy crown wrought of burdens too numerous to bear, but perhaps a special visitor can ease her pain, if only for a moment.
You may want some tissues before reading this one.
Vivid Syntax is an author I have only recently discovered. So far, he has yet to disappoint. This story in particular deserved its spot in my Top Favorites.
While the premise is something that has been tackled many times before, the execution is unparalleled in comparison to any similar stories I have read. Two separate methods of storytelling are utilized here—both the narrative itself, where Twilight receives a visit from Rarity and Spike, and a chain of letters. While the story seems vaguely Slice of Life at first, its sole Sad tag soon becomes understandable. However, I would argue that the sadness here is not so much tragic as it is beautiful.
Though I can't be too specific without giving away spoilers, I will say that if you enjoy uplifting sad stories or stories centered around Twilight the alicorn, give this one a read.
A look into the daily life of Ponyville's odd couple, Vinyl Scratch and Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Majin Syeekoh has managed to sneak his way into another one of these posts, and this time, it's through writing about one of the most unique ships I've seen in a long time. And I read a lot of shipping. It's practically my bread and butter! Or my—errr, nevermind.
While I am an editor for this story, I would still be promoting it if even I wasn't. In addition to earning mad props from me for writing (what I believe is) the first story on this pair, Maj manages to keep them both in character and believable as a couple through short vignettes.
While it's true that Vinyl has almost no canon character, and that this portrayal of her is different than the bass-cannon-blasting party animal we've come to recognize and love, the Vinyl written here is just as believable in my opinion. A bit more subdued, a little more intelligent, and caring all the same, she plays off Twilight (who's as adorkable and neurotic as ever) very well.
If you like unique ships, Vinyl Scratch, Twilight Sparkle, or seeing how the latter would interact as a couple, check out this story.
The Ironworker by Hardcover
Big Mac drops in on Caramel and the two share a friendly moment in Caramel's forge.
First things first:
1) This is a clopfic. If you would like to read it (and are legal to do so 
), check the author's story list on his page.
2) This is an M/M story.
3) This is an anthro story.
If any of these three things aren't your thing, feel free to skip this last entry.
As I've stated previously, I'm not that much into anthro. However, I've been on a quest to branch out and read genres I've usually snubbed. When I came across this story, it was tied for upvotes and downvotes, but had only one comment (which happened to be positive). Intrigued, I went ahead and read it.
After reading, I realized that it does not deserve the red bar. Not even one bit. (Blame the fandom's double standard when it comes to M/M for that.)
The story is very well-written and erotic, while still keeping its characters in character, even in an AU setting. Caramel as an ironworker was something I was a bit skeptical of, but his portrayal in the story was handled well and believably. For a character who is usually written by the fandom as clumsy, unskilled, and a little more than comic relief, seeing him in a respected and talented role was a unique change.
As for the sexy times themselves? Hardcover hit the nail on the head. 
While this isn't a romance, the intimacy between Caramel and Mac is palpable and very sweet. The erotic portion is balanced, not too flowery, not too heavy-handed, and believable for the characters as they are established in the story.
If you're a fan of M/M, anthro, CaraMac, or all of the above, give this one a read! Don't let the drive-by downvotes scare you away. (Some people just need to lighten up a bit that M/M exists, I suppose.) If you're more up for M/F stuff, Hardcover recently released Diplomatic Opportunity, which was just as good (and deserving of its Feature).
That's all I have for tonight, folks! Take care, and have a good night! 
Have some adorable pone love. 
Sadly, I did not have the day off, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Seems like there are some interesting things to check out here.
Welp, more onto the ever-growing To-Read pile.
Wow, these look good. I saw the childbook one and while I haven't read it... yet, I heard so many wonderful things. Seems like this batch is just as good as all the others. As for Anthro, it is a mixed bag for me. I prefer them to stay ponies, but I have read anthro and almost all of them erotic
One of my first tastes of Pony anthro was back when I first started this glorious fandom and was naive to the point of not limiting my reads to Pony only. It starred Vinyl and Octavia as the duo of anthro ness
but as more substitute teachers to the main character. It was amusing, but I sadly don't remember the title. It was good though.
The other was an Anthro Sweetie x human story called Metal Working by Standard Deviation. It was pretty much just futa Antro Sweetie Belle that is good for when you are
It was good, but if you really hate anthro or human x Anthro pony, I would steer clear of it.
lonelybored and could use a good quick read.But yeah... anyway, In the Place the Wild Horses Sleep reminds me a bit of the Child of Light video game (I told you about it) as it rhymes 100% of the time while having the presence of a storybook. Not to mention a suspiciously similar story to the pilot episode of My Little Pony. A kick ass soundtrack too.
So yeah, I kinda rambled here, but your stories look good and I shall check them out when I get a chance. I also have to read Severed Roots too. YOU WILL KNOW
when I read it.... but yeah, games have been keeping me busy and I find myself using my computer now when I eat at restaurants instead of using my nook. If it makes you feel better, there are stories on my Nook I am also neglecting in favor of my computer so it isn't just Severed that I need to catch up on.
While that Vinyl x Twilight story isn't the first one I've read with that ship (there's another one I've read called Spectacles and Shades but that one updates pretty much never) I really did enjoy it. Probably would have missed out on it if you hadn't publicized it.
Aww, you should have recommended One Winged Pony from Syeekoh instead. This is Round VII, after all...
Have I mentioned that I'm a gaming geek?
But anyways, you have interested me once again. You provide me with the horsewords, and I'll read them. And with a M/M clop on top of that, colour me intrigued. I tend not to read too many Anthro stories, because I'm partial to the tag, but I think this is one of the rare occasions I can make an exception. And hey, if you and your wise words can recommend it, how can I not check it out?
In the Place the Wild Horses Sleep is my favourite story on Fimfiction, bar none. It's not absolutely flawless, but I don't care. I love it fiercely, in just the same sort of way that I used to love certain books fiercely when I was a child. That is a jaw-dropping achievement. Nothing else on this site (nope, not even The Great Equestrian Picture Book) has managed it to such an extent. It's wonderful, in every sense of the word.
All of It, for Her is already on my RiL list, but I'm adding For When It Rains after reading your recommendation. Partly because I enjoyed the same author's Not in Bluff Nor Bravado Nor Loneliness.
Aww, thank you so much for the recommendation! It truly made my day to see this pop up in my feed.
Also, you reminded me that The Great Equestrian Picture Book is a thing that exists. The fact that it's being invoked by you and others to describe In the Place the Wild Horses Sleep makes me very inclined to give that one a read.
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You're welcome! You deserved it.
If you enjoyed Wild Horses, I would be inclined to think you would enjoy The Great Equestrian Picture Book as well. A short read, but in a similar style all the same.
Thanks for the bump, Bad! And for the recommendations, too!
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You're welcome!