My Thoughts on "Piano Man" by The Sentient Cloud · 10:53pm Nov 29th, 2012
Its mean to hate someone for their talent, it really is. It takes a lot to seriously stir the hearts of others in writing, I know, I try to do it every day. Laughter is the easiest, fear is the hardest, and anger is somewhere on the spectrum. Have you ever watched an excellent movie at home or in the theatre, and it was an EXCELLENT movie, but you knew you would never want to see it again? Movies like "The Others", "The Ring", "Drag Me to Hell", or any sort of murder mystery style movie? The ones that only hold power over you one time, but my GOD that power is awesome during the show? That is what I get after having read The Piano Man, by The Sentient Cloud.
It is a vicious, dark, and engaging story in which Trixie's magic shows are on the downturn... so what does she do? After eyeballing a piano and wondering about the redundancy of an instrument that ponies clearly can't play... she does some research and summons a human from earth to play it for her in her shows. As a slave. Who she keeps in a cage, tortures, abuses, and neglects in the worst ways. It is a gut-wrenching, stomach-turning story with little hope to be found. However, a story does not need to be bright and happy to showcase someone's talent. If you have the power to make me angry, get up and pace, and feel sick to my stomach when I go to bed that night-- I consider you a damn-good author.
The Sentient Cloud is not squeamish, does not care about your boundaries, and tells it like it is. The raw hatred between Trixie and the human (later referred to as "Keys", you know, like piano keys...) just bleeds off the screen and it is simply delicious. Its really twisted how he turns Keys from a wonder-filled brony to a hate-filled and bitter creature who only wishes his torment would end. Why do the ponies watch and laugh and throw money at him? Don't they understand he is enslaved to Trixie?
Well, I won't give it away. You need to go read it.
Vivas Noctus to you, The Sentient Cloud, and props for something so engaging.
~Aegis Shield
P.S. It also has a sequel, "The Piano Man: Act II", which is not nearly so dark thank goodness...
HERE'S THE LINK: The Piano Man by The Sentient Cloud
Oh man, that's one of my favorite stories. Twisted and dark with excellent character interaction and personality.
Iv already read it and currently waiting for current updates on the second one. glad u like it toodl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Luna_lolface.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Vinyl_Scratch_lolface.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_rainbowkiss_flip.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Vinyl_shock.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Bonbon_OMG_LOVE.png
Love that story.
Well, intresting...
awesome story either way
Hm, might have to check it out sometime.
Very intresting indeed....
ehh, oh alright i'll give it a go, but first it will have to suffer for an unknown amount of time on my "read later" list mwhahaha
...and now I go to read this story.
On a much happier end of that spectrum for me was Anthropology. It was an amazing story that really pulled me into the emotions of Lyra as she discovered a whole new world and herself. But having finished it I can say I will never go back to read it again as it just wouldnt have the same effect a second read.
I have to agree, that was a well written story, and it was able to instill anger in me as I read it, too. It was very much worth my time.
Nope. Not gonna read. Sorry, I am fully aware that I may be missing out on an amazing story, but I can't deal with slavery. For real, I won't be able to sleep. I can't deal with injustice like that, with true evil not getting punished. I just keep thinking what would I do if it was me? Honestly, I'd die before I became a slave. She could beat me all she wanted, I bow to none but those I choose. And if she takes even that away from the human in the story, then double-nope. I deal with enough anger and depression in my real life. I read ponies to get away from that stuff.
If it is as good as you say, then I am certain I shall love it.
... Dammit. Now I have to read it, don't I? XD
Love that story.
Well I'll have to take a look, and I agree, even if it makes you angry or upset, it can still be a damn good story, (or it makes it a damn good story) because pulling at your emotions, and doing so in the manner it was intended could almost be a definition of a good story.
553138 Same here.
wow, that sounds...
idk...
i have this pain in my chest just listening to you describe it
:<
A suggestion from Aegis? And an honorary salute? OFF TO READ IT
Think that's around the number 60 on my read later list of around 100. I will get to it eventually.
553135
One of my favorite stories. Fantastic read.
I like people.
I like people who read my stories.
Ergo, I like you guys a LOT.
This is logic. Deal with it.
Dude, Aegis, thank you for this blog post. Were it not for this I may not have ever read that story. Suffice to say I loved it.
You have stumbled upon a favorite of mine. It's always nice when two good authors know of each other's work and get along.
This I have to read. I love dark stories.
Do you happen to know of any other pony stories of this kind? Stories like this and Cheerilee's Garden. I'm always looking for well-written tragedies and the like.