It Is Recommendsday, My Dudes #66 · 8:26pm Jun 22nd, 2022
Hey.
Hey Sledge.
Happy birthday, ya knob. Have some Luna stories.
The first is one I've wanted to feature for quite a while, and this is a great excuse for it: Forbidden Melodies by Rego.
The story starts out simple: a concert is being prepared to celebrate the works of the Silent Age that came just after Nightmare Moon's banishment. One of them is May Our Sun Shine Forever, the Equestrian national anthem and is to be presented in its original (rather than modern) form as reconstructed from previously lost manuscripts. And Princess Celestia declares - on the verge of anger - that under no circumstances should the piece be performed. And, in fact, all attempts to research or restore it are to be stopped immediately and forevermore. When asked, she simply states "Some things are best left forgotten."
That reason sits poorly with Octavia Melody and - with the assistance of her husband Steeplechase - she delves deeper into recovering this lost masterpiece of Equestrian music. For good or for ill.
Now I'll be blunt - this story is an absolute favorite of mine, and I've been over the moon with Rego's works since I discovered them. It's a beautiful piece that fills in a chunk of Equestrian history, while still being a great character piece that lets us see inside Octavia and both the Sisters. I don't want to go deep into the plotline because this is one that really shines when you don't know where things are going, but I'll say that it's a story that really soars. (Though I will admit I was initially confused by Steeplechase because what the heck, Octavia isn't with Vinyl? I mean, I got used to it but years of fanon actually messed with my head a little on this one.)
I think of all the parts, the story handles its take on the Sisters the best. While they aren't the perspective character on this one, the story is very much about them and their relationship. It tells a ton and focuses on them without actually pointing the camera their way, and the results are just beautiful. And the climax! Oof! It's a damn masterpiece.
Real awesome stuff here.
Accompanying that comes one from another friend: Ice Star's Only Every Time.
The plot behind this is something honestly best summarized in Ice's own narration:
Every dress Luna had was a gift, and every one was from Celestia, who needed no occasion to give the former gifts. Because of Celestia, Luna had a whole wardrobe of gorgeous custom gowns for events like this one, and she never had to ask for a single one.
Celestia keeps showering her sister with gifts, showing her love for her sister with beautiful dresses from famous designers that often match her own.
Luna, meanwhile, just wants a dapper suit for once.
I love this one because it really shines light to the Sister's relationship: Celestia is well-meaning and trying her best, but she's also plagued with making assumptions on her sister's behalf, failing to truly listen to concerns, and thinking just as much about appearances as feelings; Luna, meanwhile, just wants to express herself as herself (#ItIsATransAllegory) and while she appreciates her sister's attempts to be helpful, she can feel history repeating itself.
It's a wonderful dive into how the two interact, showing that the problems of a thousand years ago didn't just go away in a big rainbow blast - which is one of the show's more subtle lessons and one I've always enjoyed. Plus it's so real that the two of them would have this kind of conflict - it fits them so well.
New or catching up? Try Recommendsday: The Index for your story needs!
Well this was an lovely, unexpected notification to wake up to. Thanks for featuring one of my stories in your blog! Definitely checking out Only Every Time after reading the premise here.
Oh, and as for what Vinyl's been up to since Tavi is already married, I've been exploring that one since last September. Had me wondering about her too since the fanon is pretty weighted towards it. That also being said, my favorite fic on the site is The Gentle Nights: Audience of One, which is also not Octavia × Vinyl.
Oh hey, both stories from authors I know and have yet to read! Gonna have to check these out
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Oh trust me, I am reading Electro Swing eagerly and with as much thirst as Luna has for Athena's coffee.
The ScratchTavi confusion was only initial, but I'd actually call it a good thing in the end - I'm always happy to see when a story does an original take. (And that fic is... well, certainly adding that to my reading list. That pitch is certainly an interesting one!)
Some lovely recommendations Thank you
Both are in my favorites and I would recommend them both.
HOLY EXTRA CRISPY FUCK WITH A SIDE OF BISCUITS THAT IS MEEEEEEEEEEE
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Always appreciated!
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Jumping jaguars, it is!