//------------------------------//
// Preface 
// Story: This Is Your Story! 
// by Mahayro 
//------------------------------//


For those lacking perspective:


from the author


This story is one long in the making.  More years went into its crafting than might ever be known.  Given the rather mundane outcome, one might ask why it was undertaken in the first place.  But destiny does not deign to explain its design.

The writer, the reader, and the actors all come together and play their parts in their proper time.  Not one seeks the way out while they are in it; they merely do what needs to be done and, hopefully, only worry about the consequences later.  To act in a different order would defy the value of entertainment.

However, a particular message is yet required so, at the very least, the reader will not break for the door before seeing all the rooms in the house.

Readers may be more familiar with a world of ponies behaving certain ways.  When expectations therein are challenged, one might demand explanation.  One might bear a charge of indignation against the unexpected little world that aims to replace their big and beautiful world.

But, given time and patience, you may find that your ponies were there all along--may.  Perhaps you may not know where they went or how they got here or there.  But the writer loves you, and so it shouldn't be so painful and discordant a journey of understanding and identifying--at least in retrospect.

The chief trouble is that the story can only be told just so--as it happens, as the ball is rolling, as the sky turns--right now.  There'll be no other time for much exposition.  There may be time and occasion for reflection later, but to drop a bomb of backstory on the reader right away serves no good purpose whatsoever.

Allow, instead, this little firecracker:

Berry Punch:  A mare of her own, a big mama with a big heart and a bigger penchant for drunken irreverence--who was wrecked by old rumors too far from truth to be fair yet too close to deny.  She has two part-time jobs: assisting at a winery just outside of town, and caring for her four kids.
Colgate:  A cheerful, chatty type and Berry's life-long best friend-and-more--who successfully navigated an unexpected life change and now devotes herself to her duties.  Outside of her dentist's apprenticeship, she spends much time planning to make a difference in the lives of others.
Carrot Top:  A battered yet uncompromised soul--who had to give up an old identity for a more honest and self-reliant life.  Her creativity enabled a new article-writing employ that doubled the value of following casual friend Colgate, leading eventually to her formal acceptance by the duo and the formation of a new dynamic.

When united as the BGs, Colgate leads the three all over Ponyville and beyond to volunteer--or perhaps Carrot takes the others on travels to chase the next big story--or maybe Berry just wants to drag the group to the latest bit of mischief she's discovered.

To say any more would ruin the story before it has begun.





For the sake of familiarity and sympathy, I will address you directly, just this once.

It's only words.  And words are all I have to take your heart away.

Let's see if I succeed.