Blog 18: Dusty's Inferno

This wasn't supposed to go up for a few more days, but I couldn't help myself. As soon as I finished editing it, I decided to upload it. So here, days ahead of schedule, is Blog 18: Dusty's Inferno.

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This one is entirely for me. Seriously, I've been wanting to do this for, like, ever, and you can't stop me Audient Void. NO ONE CAN STOP ME! I'M INVINCIBLE! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

Right, well, anyway, I have wanted to do this profile for since before I stared doing these profiles. This is going to be an examination of my absolute, end all be all favorite beyond comparison character in My Little Pony: Berry Punch. Or Pinot Noir, as she was originally supposed to be billed. And like I said, this one is entirely because I wanted to. Not like the others weren't, but there's usually an environmental factor that influences who and when. This one was just for me. So enjoy- or don't I don't care- as we, by which I mean I, explore the one character that deserves more screen time than any other character ever. EVER.

"Wow, what did I drink last night? Because I'm definitely gonna need more of that." -Berry Punch

I mentioned somewhat briefly in Blog 16 that some Sins can take the guise of others. Luna's guilt being a direct side effect of her Envy. Now, here, we find a similar situation. One could just say Berry is Gluttonous and move on, but when you think about what Gluttony is, you find she doesn't fit the mold. Gluttony is Selfishness. It's placing your happiness over that of others. Where one nibbles, the Gluttonous gobbles. Where one sips, the Gluttonous Gulps. We see in Call of the Cutie, Berry steals a sip from the punch bowl. Steals a Sip. This is more of an example of Greed than Gluttony. To Steal it is to be aware of the social ramifications that come from the action, where it made known. The Gluttonous would not care. To Sip is to want only a small amount. The truly Gluttonous would want as much as they can get. So, no, Gluttony is not the Sin we're looking for.

This next bit may just surprise you. I've come to the conclusion that Berry's alcohol abuse Is not a selfish act, by her leaving some for others to enjoy. It is not an Envious or Greedy, as it is inherently not a covetous act. It is, instead, a desire. And there is one Sin above all others that deals in desire. Lust. Lust, or Lechery, was not originally a term to describe uncontrolled sexual wants, but a word meaning an intense and uncontrollable desire. This desire could be many things. Food, money, power, pleasure (physical or otherwise). I'm not referring to the fandom's conception that Berry is some sort of slut, I'm talking about that warmth that booze gives you, the inflated confidence, the happiness. The desire for those things, not some sexual crusade, is what Berry desires. And that desire is a form of Lust. A more Archaic form, given modern times, but a form nonetheless.

"And one more for the road!" - Berry Punch

One would think assigning a Virtue to any of the more underrated background characters might prove difficult, but there just so happens to be a Virtue that most characters in MLP share, no questions asked. Kindness, called Loyalty, is Friendship for the sake of Friendship, and having a positive outlook and cheerful demeanor. Not deeper mystery, not looking between the lines. Seeing as she's had, like, four minutes of total screen time and all.

I've had a few debates with people who work for AA about whether alcohol abuse qualifies as Gluttony or Lust, and due to the preconceived notion that Lust implies sex, I always fail to get my argument across in a satisfying way. What's more, most people who work for AA can be somewhat close minded on the idea of alcoholism, due to their experiences with alcoholism. Now, I'm not trying to step on anyone's beliefs, but I am justified in saying Lust is desire, whereas Gluttony is selfishness. If the AA book wasn't comparable to a bible, I might have more luck getting this point across.

Now, I'm no stranger to a nice brandy and a cigar after a long day. I'm also no stranger of waking up shirtless in a dumpster behind a Red Lobster after a seven day binge that started three states away (True Story). And although all of this means declaring war on my liver (YOLO), and it's caused me no small amount of personal struggles that still pain me to this day, I can honestly say I loved every wasted, painful second. Not that I would go around promoting it, but I did have fun. On that note, if you believe you have a problem with alcoholism, or know someone who does, I'd recommend checking out AA or Al-Anon or some other support group. Alcoholism is not a laughing matter and I am not trying to make light of it. Substance abuse is bad, drink responsibly, all that. It is not wasted on me that I, a regular Paragon of getting wasted and getting hurt, am actively encouraging a Twelve Step Program, but it feels wrong to end this without at least offering aid.

In closing, Berry Punch is Best Pony, give the girl more screen time. Seriously, you gave us Colgate, now where's my Berry?

“I will Show you Fear
In a Handful of Dust” - T.S. Eliot

Dust.