Apr
9th
2016
The Iron Horse update... probably delayed a little? · 2:50am Apr 9th, 2016
Yes, yes, I know it's a pain, but I have my reasons, and it won't be too long. Plus, you're getting a preview sketch out of the deal.
The first reason is just that the writing has been going slow. Since this chapter is about romance and relationships, I'm trying to keep things topical while still being cute and not too explicit. After that, the editors will need time to look at it, and I always like to give them a bare minimum of three days to look at it. And, lastly, Green needs more time to do illustrations.
Yes, plural. We're actually going to try for a few quick ones. 
In the meantime, enjoy this preview sketch of Turing Test doing a thing.
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The Hat Man · 530 views
· Story: The Iron Horse: Everything's Better With Robots!
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#Turing Test
#Update
#Sketch
#Draw me like one of your French robots
Yea, romance! Draw me like one of your French robots, indeed.
Yay ! A chapter about shipping !
That's a good occasion to have a lot of sea men !
... that was awfull.
You know , as a french , I always wondered about the "draw me like one of your french girl" expression. Are our girls really that special or something ?
This... can only be amazing.
3858132
I think it has something to do with the way a French girl sat down once and it became a meme.
(Sweats a little bit) Jeez, Turing, I...um...(cough)
...she's got some features enabled...
3858132
The ones I knew were.
However...
3858158
Close! It's actually a line from the movie Titanic. I have a YouTube link, but be advised that it's probably not safe for work. Here it is.
And then, yes, it became a meme. Examples:
i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/529/112/683.jpg
i3.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/160/116/dedede-frenchgirl.jpg
i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/179/304/thebestone.jpg
...Turing no. You are so damn cute, but no. Also, I am like, super stoked for this next arc if it's what I think it is.
But again, take your time. You know, my stuff doesn't update for months at a time. Of course, I don't have as many followers as you (likely because I update so slowly), but still. Gives us time to clear out my library and finally get down to reading pony.exe. Which I haven't. And I need to.
Um, this is going to be interesting...
Turing, your probably just having fun trying to get ponies uncomfortable. But you see the problem is, there are those who are interested in robots. Like me!
Meet me by sugar cube Monday night if you want some, hooves on experience with organic love.
(Seriously turnings lucky she hasn't run into any intested creeps)
3858167
Careful, now.
Well, rest assured, I try to avoid getting on a soapbox for my stories, at least for the most part. Case in point: when Turing Test asked if she had a soul, I didn't have Twilight give a definitive yes or no answer and turn her into a mouthpiece for my own opinion on the matter (and I do have one, but I'd rather keep that private). Honestly, I think the term "SJW" is a term without any real meaning, like "hipster." The problem is that it's supposed to mean people overreacting to every tiny little thing as opposed to something that really is a legitimate social concern, and a lot of folks do a lousy job separating the two.
About the only thing I can think of in this story that might be construed as controversial is my portrayal of homosexual relationships as normal (they are), and that is a featured part of the upcoming arc. But if that bothers some, I can't imagine they'd still be sticking around after Lyra and Bon Bon's parts in the story, or Talon Turing and Choco Mint's, for that matter.
Bottom line, no. "Topical" might not be the best term, I suppose. I just meant that the chapter would be about a central theme, love and relationships, without devolving into gratuitous fanservice. I don't mind some shipping, as long as it's done smartly.
3859107 Let me answer that question with some head canon, just cause.
Counting the show and the comics, Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy have all shown interest in stallions, so we can say they're most likely straight. Pinkie's a bit of mystery, though if you want to stretch it, she was kinda flirtatious with that statue of King Grover in "The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone."
Applejack and Rainbow Dash, can't say either way. Who knows? Maybe they're more into mares.
...But I'm mostly just speculating for the hell of it. No, I'm not interested in the main cast in terms of relationships, and definitely not with Turing Test.
For Turing Test, I'll be blunt and say that the topic of who she could consider an acceptable partner is part of the story. But consider the fact that she's a machine and the idea of sexual compatibility isn't really a thing for her. Lacking hormones or a sex drive, what she might seek in a partner would be somepony she felt accepted by and compatible with in terms of other things, and that transcends gender.
If that isn't all right with you, though, you can skip this arc. I won't be offended, and it won't be such a huge part of the story that you'll be utterly lost without it.
3859790 Hey now, you can't expect a guy to spend all day hanging around on a Saturday, now can ya?
I'm not really responsible for if my work offends someone or not. If they're offended, then they're offended. I can't promise that you'll necessarily agree with something one character does versus another. I think you can see by the fact that I've portrayed some homosexual relationships as no big deal that that's my own take on the matter. To me, "wrong but harmless" means "not wrong," as I don't acknowledge something as wrong unless it is harmful. But that's just me.
I guess I'm not sure what you're asking. If you're asking me to say that Turing won't consider a relationship with a mare, then I can't promise that. If you're asking if I'll continue treating homosexual relationships as normal and not something out of the ordinary, then yes, I will. However, I am not going to demonize anyone. No character is going to say "Some ponies are against homosexuality, but they're evil!" It's a non-issue to me, and I'm not going to turn a story into a diatribe against anyone.
Hope that answers your questions or concerns. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next arc as a simple story, but if it's not your cup of tea, then I won't begrudge you for sitting it out. In any case, I'll see you around next time.
3859987
Nope! It's a story about a robot pony trying to find a companion. Nothing more than that.
Rude, perhaps, but "wrong?" Besides, who gives the finger for no reason? Every time I've given it, it was most definitely for a good reason.
3860142 No, just not with the main cast.
Y'know, Key, I like you and all, but I'm spending a lot of time being extra nice and reassuring you that this won't be me going on a diatribe. How about I just finish the chapter and you can either like it or dislike it as it stands?
3860275 Nah, don't worry about it.
3860372 If that's your choice, then yes. Though I'd hope that you'd give it a shot before outright dismissing it.
No agenda here. It's just a story about a robot trying to find a special somepony. Not your cup of tea, then I'll see you next arc.