WAWWA: 'Cage Break' Recap and Q&A · 7:14pm Jan 27th, 2016
Crap. Forgot the spoilers warning... Um. Spoilers!
I know a couple of you had some lingering questions about this (and the last) chapter. I thought I'd address some of them. If you have anymore, please feel free to inbox or post below. I like answering them.
What the hell is up with Violet?
So, between this chapter (Cage Break) and the last (Things Left Unsaid) it seems that there is a bit of confusion about Violet’s state of mind. I’m totally blaming this confusion on my inability to properly put into words the type of conflicted emotions that I imagine her feeling. Instead, I kind of just opted to put her through the motions of telling half-truths or just plain lying about what she is feeling and what she is hiding. I’ll try to delve into it here.
In Adagio’s childhood flashback, Violet—the brief glimpse of her that we get—is both bright and eagerly obedient, which usually is a dangerous combination for an intelligent individual hoping to keep their peace of mind. What I mean, and what the reader already knows, is that despite knowing that something is a bad idea, Violet is still willing to go along with it in order to appear perfect, to not rock the boat. When she tells her mother that Adagio and Upright are a bad match, she is very honest, very sure of herself, and is also correct. However, as soon as her mother rages, she backs down. Violet is willing to compromise her personal beliefs for the sake of her family’s appearance. Perhaps she lies to herself, thinking that she will be able to show the world how wonderful she is as an individual by using the rather oppressive and chauvinistic system she is ruled by, thus changing it from within. That plan is already doomed from the start, and the system ends up using and changing her. And even then, she still cannot admit that something like that could happen to somepony as smart as she is. She still can’t even admit that her safe choices are what brought about her ultimate unhappiness. Violet is not revolutionary. Despite her intelligence, she is a victim of her world.
Violet has lied to herself for such a long time that she eventually just buys into the idea of the unicorn monarchy in the end. She needs to tell herself “I’m happy,” “I love my husband,” “My life is good,” “My kids don’t drive me insane at all,” etc. etc. because she is afraid of all that not being true. YES, she really did love the Duke Vision, and of course she loves her children, and by the time ‘Things Left Unsaid’ and ‘Cage Break’ roll about, she has long since convinced herself that she had done everything right, so clearly the problem couldn’t be with her, or her husband, or her family. Clearly, the problem had to be her disobedient sisters and her other allies who she thinks are not as perfect as she is.
With that said, it’s obvious that Violet loves both of her sisters. So, in light of that, the comments she makes to Adagio in ‘Things Left Unsaid’ are a jumble of lies and truths. When she tells Adagio: “Don’t listen to mother. This is my husband and my fault, not yours, etc.” she is telling a half truth. She’s slowly coming to realize that maybe, just maybe there was something off about her husband, and maybe she shouldn’t have always done exactly what he told her to. She’s slowly coming to realize that just maybe, she did end up just as bad as he was because she followed him blindly, as hinted here:
Adagio grimaced at her words. “No, Violet. You are nothing like what Vision was. You are kind, and forgiving, and wise, and understanding!”
Violet only stared. “Is that what you truly believe, Adagio?” she asked. Her voice remained just as dead as her expression. “Do you believe that I am kind and forgiving, and that my husband alone brought this upon us all?”
It’s almost like Violet is asking herself those questions. She’s saying, “No, I’m actually not better or more good than the Duke Vision,” which serves her new purpose well, because if she is and has been evil, then what would be the difference if she hurt Adagio just for the sake of retribution? So, to recap, in the end Violet does think of herself as perfect and having done everything perfectly, but she also thinks of herself as evil because she bowed down to the whim of an evil pony and convinced herself that was alright.
This is why she does try to hurt Adagio, because she believes Adagio has been squandering her title and living her life incorrectly, and yet, Adagio has not had to feel the pain of forever losing somepony she loves. To Violet, it isn’t fair. Adagio lies, and hurts others, and obsesses about herself, and cheats, and still gets to have whatever she wants. To Violet, reinforcements not coming to Edinbridle was equally Adagio’s fault because Adagio had not been giving her duties her full attention.
“Stop it, Violet! Stop acting as if we are powerless!” Adagio bellowed, weary of the horrible images that flashed before her eyes. “We shall fight! That is what we shall do!”
Violet seemed confused, but more surprisingly, vindicated.
She feels vindicated because all of a sudden, Adagio is changing up her story yet again. That’s why Violet says to her:
“I thought you said you couldn’t help, and that you tried. And now you say you’re not going to take no for an answer?”
Basically, she thinks Adagio did not put her all into helping her. It didn’t matter that Upright called the shots. To Violet and her mother, if Adagio had been more obedient, she could have used the art of persuasion when it was most needed. Because she was not obedient, she was always at odds with Upright who they figured would be defensive against anything she said or asked for from then on. In that tiny little odd world Violet and Starry live in, I suppose they have a point.
On a sidenote, when Violet says—even amidst her betrayal—that she hates to see Adagio hurt, I think somewhere in her sad mind she believes herself. I think she betrays and attempts to hurt Adagio because she feels it is Karmic justice, not because she likes it but because it's fair. She wants to see Adagio learn her lesson and learn to submit. Some weird part of her wants Adagio to just settle down and be a “good noblemare” like she is, even if that means hurting her to bring about that end.
Why is Violet now in cahoots with Duke Goldenstalks?
Is she? 
We still don’t know what’s in her head concerning Upright. Perhaps she’s killing two birds with one stone. Regardless, every noblemare is an actress. Perhaps Violet is acting… for now, at least. Also, I’m not going to reveal what was specifically said in her conversation with Upright just yet, but you could probably just sit down and reason it out.
What is the ‘Resistance’ that Moonstone mentions in Cage Break?
The ‘Resistance’ is Moonstone’s overly dramatic title for the earth pony rebellion / effort to become independent of the unicorn monarchy. Remember, the rebellion began when the pegasi attacking Duke Vision blocked off Edinbridle’s sun. That prevented the earth ponies from growing food. It is implied that even before this battle, things were not all fine and dandy in Edinbridle under Duke Vision anyway. Perhaps the rebellion was a long time in the making.
NOTE: Keep in mind that this war will end up in the complete fracturing of the three tribes. That’s why the weather’s gradually getting colder, and I like to believe that’s why Discord found the world ripe for his entrance.
The pegasi are already mostly off doing their own thing unless they’re interacting with earth dwellers for glory, money, or food. So, their tribe is pretty much already established. Unicorns… well… are unicorns. The earth ponies have yet to create their own tribe, but in the chapters I’ve written, they’ve already named their first Chancellor: Grub Rooter who, incidentally, was the pony Rhubarb and Marmalade—Sonata’s friends—were trying to remember in the 'Upon Deaf Ears' chapter. He was the pony who started the entire rebellion in the first place:
"Supposedly, there's a small faction of vassals, all earth ponies gone mad, them!" Rhubarb cut in. "Thinking that they've somehow got the wits to govern themselves! Reckoning that they bloody well don't need the nobility!" He motioned toward the poster and the image of the grim earth stallion printed upon it. "That's their leader, there. Whatsisname again? Root... Root-something or other. I used to see him all of the time at our marketplace. One day he just up and disappeared, he did. I suppose now we know what the fool's been up to."
Concerning the Baron Glow, my intent was to write him as amicable if not emotionally distant from the spoiled members of his family. His daughter Moonstone, I like to imagine, is the most like him, or at least what he wished he could have been. As for Moonstone, she obviously has a revolutionary mind even though the reader doesn’t discover exactly how much this is true until the Cage Break chapter. Still, despite what she may think, she is still a noble, and quite often acts like one. Some of the things she says are naive and cringeworthy (see: when she asks Beryl if she could style her mane in the way Echo Hum and Silent Wing had cut it before they tortured her).
I think it's really funny that some don't like Moonstone too much. I didn't think I was doing her personality justice with my writing. It's so very particular that I wasn't sure if I was getting my point across. She means well, but has the tendency to be a tad too idealistic if not reckless. I think she sees revolution and rebellion like something in a painting or a storybook, something she wants to be a part of but doesn't think she might ever fall victim to. She's brave, but in the way kids are brave when they put forks in electrical sockets or hands on the stovetop.
Will Moonstone and/or Violet make a reappearance? Do the Sirens spur on increasing fracturing between the three tribes after they have ascended?
Anything else?
Yes! You all know how impossible it is for me to shut up. I just wanted to add two small tidbits:
1) Did any of you catch that the “Brothers and sisters of the earth… Down with the unicorn peerage!” stallion in the Pit from ‘Cage Break’ was the same stallion that Sonata and Marmy saw getting arrested for posting rebellion fliers in “Upon Dead Ears”? Marmy said that those sort of ponies disappear and never come back. And now we know what happens to them… Idunno. I thought that was kind of fun. 
2) Recall Adagio freaking out at Striker’s house in ‘What She Did,' and her crazed obsession with Striker and his ‘too perfect’ world. She accused him of being dishonest, and insisted that he be truthful about everything in his life. Well, now we know why honesty is such a big dang deal to her (even though she quite literally ends up being a professional, enchanted liar). To her, nothing that looks perfect is real, and no one who appears to be perfect is being honest with themselves. She hates the notion that Striker could have somehow actually made ‘perfection’ and ‘happiness’ mesh in a way that she couldn't for herself. She basically wants to be Striker's Upright or Violet.
...Ok, I think I'm done word vomiting now. Unless any of you have any more questions about the story, or other characters, etc. If you do, I’ll just edit this post and tack them onto the end.
*secretly hopes for some Silent Wing and Echo Hum questions* God they’re so horrible… and badass… and I love writing them.
Additional Questions (Yay 
):
Moongaze14:
Are those two [Silent Wing and Echo Hum] a couple?
No, they're not. I know I've said that I ship them stupid hard, but Silent really does get on Echo's last nerve. She probably would kill him given the right circumstances. 
But then again, Echo is also slightly more demented than Silent Wing.
Anyway, in my ridiculously expansive headcanon about them, they've been partners for a very, very long time. So, whether either of them likes the idea or not, they are extremely close. They have to be extremely close and know each other very well. Especially if they are fighting partners, and ultimately have to look out for each other's safety, defend each other, tend to each other's wounds, etc.
With all that said, I wouldn't say their relationship is strictly platonic... Cider happens.
Does Echo have a crush on Upright or any violent unicorn (she showed interest in the fire unicorn that Upright mentioned)?
Nah, both Echo and Silent are just degenerates. Echo's more attracted to the darkness she sees simmering in Upright. She enjoys stoking fires. She did the same when she spoke with Adagio, and told her that they had a lot in common in terms of relationship problems, except Echo "got rid" of her problem for good. Okay, I'm digressing. To answer your question, Echo doesn't have crushes on ponies. She is attracted to dark hearts.
Do they have a double job acting as loan sharks for Sonata's parents?
They work for Lock & Stock, which is based in Canterlot (I'm not sure if I mentioned that before). The idea is that the place is a coverup mercenary outpost. Silent and Echo are two mercenaries stationed in the Sardhoof, more specifically Greenwaters. They take on whatever jobs they can get in that town. They aren't from Greenwaters though, since they're always complaining about how boring it is. So, to answer your question, yes they have a double job, and maybe even a few more depending on what they can get, and depending on whether or not there might be a conflict of interest between their patrons.
Finally, are the new neighbors that Adagio mentioned a few chapters ago and showed dislike for being suck-ups Sonata's parents? Will Sonata's parents appear soon?
Haaa. I cannot answer those questions yet. But nice try. 
When Upright expressed hurt by watching Adagio and Prance was it because deep down he loved her and just realized that he turned her away or did he, like Violet, rationalized that Prance corrupted her into turning away from her duty of being loyal to him?
Upright is in denial. Deep down, he knows that what happened with Adagio began with his own callousness. I think he blames it all on Prance so that he doesn't have to blame any of it on himself. Even if you could suppose that Prance “corrupted” her, Adagio would have never entertained Prance’s advances were she not already lamenting her lack of a relationship with Upright.
He kinda reminds me of a confused, emotional child who suddenly realizes that the world doesn't act according to his expectations, especially with his reaction when Prance injured him.
Yep. That's the general feeling I was going for.
Why the hell did Prance decided to hide Adagio in Sonata's home and then force Sonata to come with them?
I'm conflicted about whether I can give the reason Prance separated from Adagio for a bit. Not sure if it is even important or significant enough to not say. Argh. I'll just be cautious and not say it. I will say why Prance chose Sonata’s house, however: If mercenaries were stalking my neighborhood, hunting someone I was hiding, the only way I'm not giving them up is if my best friend or close family asked me not to. Otherwise, the mercs can have them. Screw it. I'm no hero. I imagine that is why Prance decided to go to Sonata’s. He knew he could trust her.
Also, as soon as Adagio and Sonata were discovered together by Echo, that was a wrap for Sonata’s life. Sonata didn't realize it then, but at that point, it was all over for her. Echo had already seen that she was a traitor. And the Duke no longer had any tolerance for those. Thus, Sonata had to run with Adagio and Prance. There was no longer anywhere else for her to go. Plus, Echo kept trying to stab her.
You think Sonata might have a final scene with Prance and express great amounts of anger at him for indirectly causing her village to be burned by hiding Adagio in her home?
She already did in ‘A Shadowy Place’. Or do you mean something different?
Also, did Prance originally felt guilty about stealing Adagio from Upright? As a foal he consider Upright boring yer was willing to befriend him, but now he's practically eager to injure him, got rough with Adagio at the ball scene and demanded her to choose, and even expressed pleasure whenever Upright failed to impregnate Adagio despite Adagio being heartbroken about being sterile. Kinda bipolar for an heroic guy.
All of my good characters have a dark side. All of my bad characters have righteous qualities as well, even if they are few and far between (one day I'll figure out what Sy and Hummy’s righteous qualities are). Anyway, yes. Prance is a huge flirt and is just a tad selfish if that wasn't clear. But I think the real downer to his personality is that he doesn't realize the extent of damage some of his seemingly “small” decisions can make. He has a tendency to think his ideas are always good, and in Sonata’s case, because she is impressionable, he also thinks he knows what's best for her.
He isn't sorry he stole Adagio from Upright because Upright never liked him that much anyway. The only reason he “befriended” him was because Upright was the only other foal he was always around because of their fathers' friendship. But remember he used to make fun of Upright when he was little, too. Dare I say, Prance might think that he deserves somepony like Adagio more than Upright does.
Will Starry have a final meeting with Adagio or learn the hard way that her youngest daughter and husband are against her?
Hmm. Starry’s role now that her daughters are adults is rather tenuous. I think now she's there to be a symbol rather than actually being a character. Her presence represents the suffocating hold of the unicorn way of life upon her family. In the end, I don't know if what happens to her really matters so much? I suppose we’ll see.
DaddyStallion
Are we supposed to know exactly how the birds [Sy and Echo] are associated with Sonata?
Not yet. As for right now, we just know that they're collecting exorbitant payments from her—some of them being extortions of their own making—on behalf of her parents. Before Adagio scolded a bit of sense into her, Sonata really did believe that Silent and Echo were simply messengers and collectors. As of right now, after Adagio told her they actually were mercenaries, I think Sonata is still in denial. Being Sonata, she is avoiding making the two notions click. She can't emotionally handle the idea that the Fyllieons would use her in such a way.
Any particular reason Adagio's inner beast didn't come out to play to escape and/or help save Prance? Hasn't it reared up uncontrollably in less stressful situations?
I actually had to fight with myself about this very thing as I was writing 'Cage Break'. I concluded that it wouldn't happen for a couple reasons. First, because there was just so much story resolution to get out, and it wouldn't help if Adagio just blanked out and immediately saved the day. 
Secondly, I see the latent version of the Sirens' powers as being stoked by rage, fits of aggression, or moments of defense. If they are generally just sad or afraid, but not in danger or pissed off, then it wouldn't happen. With Celestia and Luna, Adagio's Siren spirit went on defense. With Upright after Beryl was taken away, she was enraged. Out by the fountain, I imagined her as being more confused and afraid than anything. And on top of that, she knows without a doubt that Upright would never physically hurt her.
Prance seemed pretty BA getting a blade into the good duke. I don't suppose we'll get to see how BA? Perhaps in fights against other martially-trained individuals? Possibly those with wings?
Hmm... Good questions.
Man, thank you so much for doing this recap. I really liked how you described Violet's state of mind from her innocent years to her fall as an antagonist in the most current chapter. Also, the way you linked Adagio's past experiences with her freak out at Stryker and the mention of that Resistance founder/captured pony was interesting. Since you want questions about your mercenaries I'll ask.
Are those two a couple? Does Echo have a crush on Upright or any violent unicorn (she showed interest in the fire unicorn that Upright mentioned)? Do they have a double job acting as loan sharks for Sonata's parents? Finally, are the new neighbors that Adagio mentioned a few chapters ago and showed dislike for being suck-ups Sonata's parents? Will Sonata's parents appear soon?
Are we supposed to know exactly how the birds are associated with Sonata?
Any particular reason Adagio's inner beast didn't come out to play to escape and/or help save Prance? Hasn't it reared up uncontrollably in less stressful situations?
Prance seemed pretty BA getting a blade into the good duke. I don't suppose we'll get to see how BA? Perhaps in fights against other martially-trained individuals? Possibly those with wings?
3716356 Eee!!
Post edited. Your questions answered. 
3716495 Questions answered, post edited.
Oops, why did I think that anyone else would get that by birds, I meant Echo and Sy? My bad. Feel free to edit that Q.
3716662 Haha. Edited.
Final set of questions. When Upright expressed hurt by watching Adagio and Prance was it because deep down he loved her and just realized that he turned her away or did he, like Violet, rationalized that Prance corrupted her into turning away from her duty of being loyal to him? He kinda reminds me of a confused, emotional child who suddenly realizes that the world doesn't act according to his expectations, especially with his reaction when Prance injured him.
Finally, why the hell did Prance decided to hide Adagio in Sonata's home and then force Sonata to come with them? As Sonata explained, Prance simply assumed that she'd loyally follow his orders and didn't bother to think that hiding Adagio would force Sonata into being regarded as an accomplice and a criminal despite Sonata just wanting to live her own live. You think Sonata might have a final scene with Prance and express great amounts of anger at him for indirectly causing her village to be burned by hiding Adagio in her home? Also, did Prance originally felt guilty about stealing Adagio from Upright? As a foal he consider Upright boring yer was willing to befriend him, but now he's practically eager to injure him, got rough with Adagio at the ball scene and demanded her to choose, and even expressed pleasure whenever Upright failed to impregnate Adagio despite Adagio being heartbroken about being sterile. Kinda bipolar for an heroic guy.
Will Starry have a final meeting with Adagio or learn the hard way that her youngest daughter and husband are against her?
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the inquiries of your fans.
3716774 Post edited, questions answered (I added your new questions right below your old ones).
And also, thank you for finding this fic interesting enough to ask all this. It's fun for me to answer them, but I'm just ecstatic that folks want to ask them.
3717013 Since you'd asked for clarification, I think I want to know if a small part of Sonata would be furious with Prance because his actions inadvertently led to her village, and possibly her village friends, being set aflame and would openly yell to his face that she blames him for thinking that his "rogue knight saving his lover from a loveless marriage" plan wouldn't have consequences on the people he cares about (then again this question might be biased based on my dislike of reckless characters that put their friends/family in danger by relying on poorly-made plans and bravado). Odds are it won't happen, but I think Sonata's rebuke on him in her last past POV chapter, which was pretty much ignoring his pleas and telling him that she wouldn't listen to him anymore, was tame as he seems to act like a rough child learning that his delicate friend thinks he's slightly abusive rather than a guy who inadvertently destroyed his BFF's life. Anyway, it would be interesting to see how a character with heroic traits like Prance would react when he sees that he ruined the lives of many people as so far we have seen him being caring, confident, joking, charming, angry, drunkenly depressed, determined, slightly vindictive, and possessive, yet we have never seen him be hopeless or have a "God, I really fucked up" moment. Man, for a reply that was meant to clarify what I meant about the small Sonata/Prance question, I didn't expected to make it this long.
A few more questions. Why the hell was Duke Vision such a douche and what horrible action did he do to start the war in the first place? Hell, Filly Adagio and Starry Glow in the future subtly point out that Vision was nothing but an idiot who didn't know how to keep his mouth shut. Did Baron Glow resented the fact that his wife was dominant in the family yet was willing to grovel at higher ranked nobles and willing to marry off her daughters to elevate her family status even if the nobles in questions like Upright and Vision were horrible matches or the daughters, Adagio in the second bethrotal, were too young? Was that why he joined the resistance? Finally, did Upright's father had a darker side? When Adagio visits the mansion for the first time, a filly servant seemed to be unnaturally afraid of pissing him off and, for some reason, was ordered to remain in her room rather than outside. Also, for a moment when he heard Adagio singing, I had a horrible suspicions that he was a pedophile (thank God I was wrong and that he passed away offscreen). Also, judging by the number of ponies in the Pit, some of which ended up there for saying the wrong things, it seems either him or Upright didn't like defiance. Sorry, for the onslaught of questions. I won't ask more. Anyway, thanks for the story.
3717645
That's alright, but I should tell you that I'm a big fan of leaving some things implied or to the imagination. Some of these questions, I purposely did not answer because it is more fun (I think) to wonder. I'll answer in the comments since maybe the original post is a little long because I type way too much. 
In this story, we never get to "see" Duke Vision, hear him talk, etc. We learn about him only through those who knew him. I think it doesn't need to be directly said what he did to Debon Air. I think it is good to just know that it was really bad.
It is already very heavily implied that Baron Glow resents Starry. Everypony resents Starry. Baron Glow seems to not be able to fit in with the rules of his world either. Is that why he helps the earth ponies and befriends pegasi? I think you can make a good guess.
In the story, it is implied repeatedly that Upright's father does have a dark side. In 'Coming to Light', Beryl specifically talks about meeting Lila (that gardener mare who was punished) when she was little. There's like a whole chunk about what happened to Lila in there.
Thanks again for the questions.