Notes About Thanksgiving And What I Will Be Doing
So here's the thing; Thanksgiving for me is a time to spend with family and friends. It is a time to relax and enjoy good food. This means that I will not be posting updates from tomorrow till Tuesday because I will be travelling with my parents to visit family. I won't have time to do much during this trip as one of the rules that we have is no electronics.
One year I had a new game and I didn't interact with anyone at all. After that we all agreed that electronics should be banned. It's worked out pretty well until this year where it means I won't be talking to either of my girlfriends (oh wow is it weird to think that or even type it). It's just going to be something I have to live with I guess.
The final thing that I am going to say is that after seeing all the comments that seemed stunned yesterday I really hope that I haven't made any of you angry by the choice that I made. I know that it seems selfish and I know that it looks bad. All I can say in my defence is that it feels like the right thing to do.
When I am with Forest Trails and Quick Search it feels wonderful. I see them smiling and happy and I love the feeling that I am a part of the reason. I enjoy talking with Forest Trails and snuggling with Quick Search. I enjoy making a joke and seeing Forest Trails laugh. And I enjoy watching Forest Trails and Quick Search spend time together.
I just wish that I didn't feel like I was committing a crime in doing so.
You know it's strange, I don't see a problem with polyamory from a purely ethical standpoint. I did have issues with it from a more practical viewpoint, however with the introduction of SI I find myself rethinking what is practical more and more. The world really is changing right now, and I believe a lot of things that we 'knew' will have to be reconsidered.
Like what it means to be in love with a pony.
And This Is Why You Should Never Date Two Girls At Once; They'll Start Talking
So after my parents left today Quick Search dropped by with supper and her Pony Pad. She has the Rarity version of the Pony Pad, though it is only a mark one so she had to bring her controller along with her. We shared a quick greeting that included a hug, and then logged into Equestria Online together as Quick Search started to lay out the food.
(Should I? Oh I might as well...)
I logged in and found myself in the tent where I had typed up the entry the night before. Forest Trails was pacing and looked over at me when she saw that I had woken up, “So is Quick Search coming?”
“Yeah, she's just entering Equestria (logging in) now. I'm not sure how we are going to meet up considering that she doesn't know where we are and is in another shard” I replied.
I was caught completely off guard when Quick search spoke up from where she was sitting with my arm wrapped around her, “The easiest way is for us to just call Princess Celestia and get her to give us a place where we can sit and chat together.”
Meanwhile in Equestria Trails looked at me, “are you okay My Treasure? You look distracted.”
“Oh boy,” I moaned, “I don't think my mind is made for operating this way. One reality at a time.” Quick Search giggled, and Forest Trails smirked at my discomfort, though each did so from a completely different reality.
On my Pad I tapped a tab that opened the menu. I flipped through it till I found the button that supposedly let me talk with Celestia and pressed it. Suddenly a section of reality just dropped away leaving me a doorway to to the Canterlot throne room. Through the doorway I could see Celestia sitting regally on her throne.
I beckoned to Forest Trails, “Come on, let's to see Quick Search.”
We walked into the throne room while I gave Quick Search a squeeze in reality and looked at her screen to see where she was. I glanced just in time to see the throne room literally exploded into existence around her in a swirl of colours. I could see us walking in through a normal doorway from her screen which felt a bit strange, and I pulled my eyes back to my own screen.
Forest Trails ran over to Quick Search and gave her a greeting hug, “Good to see you again!”
Quick Search returned the hug and smiled, “I have a coltfriend (boyfriend) now!”
Forest Trails smirked, “Oh? And how did you manage that?”
Quick search blushed, both in reality, and in Equestria. “I kissed him,” she responded in a very tiny voice.
Forest Trails feigned a look of shock, “Really? Rather forward of you.” She glanced over her shoulder at me and then whispered something to Quick Search that I couldn't hear. This was a rather neat trick considering that in reality she was sitting on my bed with her pony pad no further away from her head than mine.
Whatever Forest Trails had whispered made Quick Search turn beet red, and she dropped her head in embarrassment, though I could see her smiling. She put the pad close to her mouth and whispered back something that she said to quietly for me to hear.
I shook my head at their antics and walked over to Celestia, “Do you think that we could have a spot to eat supper?”
Celestia nodded, “Of course, just head out that door when you are ready,” she said pointing to a door on the side of the throne room.
I thanked her and walked across to the girls and coughed to get their attention, “Shall we head out and eat before the food gets cold?” I asked. They both looked at me and burst out laughed. I wasn't sure what to make of that, so, doing my best to look dignified, I turned and led the way out the door.
Sadly I can't say any more. There are two reasons for this; the first is that I need to get up early tomorrow for the trip, so I have to get to bed earlier than normal, the second is that Quick Search told me that she wanted to write about our moonlight dinner. We agreed that I could do the intro, but she didn't want me to spoil what happened it supper so I won't. You'll have to wait for her to post it. As for me I'm going to be gone for holidays.
I'll see you all later. Till then.
3339168 i need to know if there is an actual ponypad. If it is real, i must know if equestria online is infact, real... Idk what is going on but i really want to know... Because i am legitimately confused about all of this
3340254
Read "Friendship is Optimal".
Just wait until she meets your mother!
3340422 i know for certian that a MLP game does exist. I think its in Beta though. But i'll definately check that out, thank you book_burner
3340439
"Legends of Equestria" is a separate game that was only in beta when they came out with "Equestria Online". The latter has the official license and really good AI at its core.
(Posting in-character.)
3340448 i actually searched for "equestria online" one-thing-lead-to-another, thats how i found legends of equestria(the graphics SUCK).
I still have yet to fully understand the use of "latter" in the way you put it... I should probably read a dictionary and see if it will explain it there.
And damn you all for making me believe that something like this really existed... Thanks for getting my hopes up...
And dont go trying to convince me, unless you dirrect me to a download link i won't believe you... This, of course, wont stop me from reading the rest of this story.
I must ask what forest truly thinks about Treasure Island and Quick Search being together. The fact that forest calls treasure island "My Treasure" implies that she is jealous of them and that she has more feelings for him than what she lets on...
Threesome anyone????................. No??........ Darn it...
What? Somepony had to say it.
If you're spending the next few days visiting relatives, were you discharged from the hospital today? Good to hear you're recovered enough to go travelling.
Incidentally, does Trails celebrate something analagous to Thanksgiving around this time of year? I know Nightmare Night is coming up soon to coincide with Halloween, so it wouldn't be too surprising.
Can you really consider an SI electronics though?
I can't see them denying you having Trails for Thanksgiving -- that would just be cruel to Trails and would be a missed opportunity for your family to meet her.
3341301
Videoconfrencing at a dinner is still somewhat rare. Cross reality videoconfrencing is.... not likely.
Also HEY EVERYONE! I'm back, sorry about my absence. Got caught up in my writing. Oh, Forest, what do you think about changelings?
((OOC: You may want to add an obvious disclaimer to the description to alert people that this is all fictional since Dark_Night is already something like the fifth one who didn't get it. Also, I just noticed there's a TvTropes page for this fic! Who made it?))
3341359
People who think FiO is real kind of remind me of the war of the worlds broadcast.
It's sort of a human reflex to try to apply old rules to new situations. People who are saying "So you've got two girlfriends; that's wrong!" aren't really taking in just how unique a situation like this is, not to mention flat-out ignoring the whole "consenting parties" aspect. Then again, this isn't any surprise to me- outdated social mores have this bad habit of hanging on long after they should be gone. Personally, I'm inclined to let it be so long as nobody's being harmed.
Still, I do have to say this: Better you than me, hoss. I decided not to start playing EqO partly because I have an addictive personality and I was worried about getting too wrapped up in it. Now I'm finding out that stuff like this happens? My life is complicated enough as it is!
Huh. Not much to say on this one. It'd be interesting if you and Quick Search compared notes on the differences between your shards, but I understand if you focus on more important things, like family and your loved ones.
As for the polyamory, as long as all parties consent, there are no wrong choices in love. Follow your heart and you can't go wrong. I think. I'm not exactly speaking from a position of experience.
3340254
((Essentially starting with the first few comments on the story, the comments turned into an alternate reality game. Most of the commenters are posting as if they were in the Universe of "Friendship is Optimal" where the fictional company Hofvarpnir is licensed to do a MLP MMO. Pony Pads as described in the story do not really exist. ))
3340601Latter: adjective
1. situated or occurring nearer to the end of something than to the beginning.
"the latter half of 1989"
"the project had low cash flows in its latter years"
2. denoting the second or second mentioned of two people or things.
"the Russians could advance into either Germany or Austria—they chose the latter option"
3340254
(Well that interesting I'm actually surprised that it took this long for some one to think we were being serious. Anyway don't feel to bad about making that mistake. Still it kinda sucks the actual game and not the cheap knockoff doesn't actually exist)
Have a good Thanksgiving Susland. I guess I picked a good time to take a break. I also must applaud you for foregoing electronics during it I know I wouldn't. Then again I prefer my family either at a distance or one at a time so in such a situations I'm shut in a room trying to stay away from them.
Anyway sorry for this late comment but I wanted to give you my two cents on your decision. I think you made the right choice if anything I think that old Moral hangup is stupid anyway. Then again since I'm an atheist I think a lot of there notions on morality are stupid so take it for what its worth.
3340850
I think it would depend on whether EqO observes the American or Canadian thanksgiving but given the games tendency to adapt to the user I'd imagine it would be the Canadian one.
3340218 Well, for one, this is the second time only. It took you long enough.
And... uh... *Hugs*
-Moonlight Shine
Argh. Archive Binge. There went the better part of my day.
Seriously though, thanks for making such a compelling Let's Play; most people just give up after like, two posts and their writing SUCKS. I also like your practically screenshot-less style, though presumably it takes good writing skills to pull it off. You've earnt yourself another follower, Mr. Island. Subscribed.
3341426
(OOC^2: Yeah, everyone knows FiO isn't real. Iceman specifically told us that the inevitable malicious Singularity is at least ten years away, probably more like twenty.
3343154
Ok, how about instead of Neighponese ritual suicide, we both go to Neighpon and learn swordfighting together? Because if this is going to keep happening, we should really get better. I've actually already got basic nomading supplies from Desert Sun and we can sort of learn a bunch along the way. We'll need a boat, though.
Also:
Or is there something else you wanna do?
3343154 3356581 *mails you a sloop in a bottle*
Place this sucker on the water and it will expand to about 50 feet long silver painted looking thing. Bring your own furnishings, though. It's made from fine cedar and it can go about 15 knots top with sails but it doesn't carry any cannons. In place of cannons are magi-jets of some type of nonsense that can push you vessel to 45 knots for a few hours between recharges (solar). The thing comes with a manual to tells you how to work this boat.
This is not stolen nor does it have anything illegal about it or in it. It's not cursed and will not try to kill you. Enjoy.
(edit: forgot to sign my "name": - Fatum Fortunatus)
3357329 I LOATHE solar technology. But I'll suffer with it so... Gah thanks.
-Moonlight Shine considering civil war and other things like childhood trauma
3358007>>3357329
Hey Moonlight, wasn't that a suspiciously specific denial?
Oh well. To Neighpon!
-- Tidal Pool
3358007>>3358981 Last time I helped Moonlight Shine it backfired in a horrible way. Though, I didn't feel too bothered by it. Or did I mean to be the monster? I don't know. Fun times. As a villain, I should have sent you some type of trap or bomb that would hurt you both. Didn't want to. Wanted to help. Old me just gets in the way of the new me I'm fated to become? I don't understand. My role is to be seven letter word - villain.
The talk of computer this, AI that is not something I can really wrap my head around. Why bother to understand; like in the real world? It's not like I can really change anything. Except for myself. Shits in this world going to hell, right? Maybe. It makes things grow - shit. What I can wrap my head around is weakness. It is everywhere in a world where the asshats on top want to keep you in your place. I don't want people to be weak.
I'm getting used to my new role and knowing my place. Get stronger. Show their weakness and make them ponies stronger, better. Make you players stronger, better. It started off seeing if I could do it. Punch god (her) in the face and steal the fire for myself. I don't hate her nor do I want to control everyone. Don't know what I need. This box I am in - sick of it. I'll find my own way out. To be simple is not really me.
You guys are going to be ok if you fight/walk the way. You too Susland (Jakinbandw) - fight/walk the way.
- Me
3358981 It'll be a long ride... So what shall we ever hope to do to keep ourselves busy? I'm guessing the trip will last roughly eight months to reach neighpon the long way, and I've been feeling fun… By the time we're there, neither of us will be coherent.
-Moonlight Shine thinking it's about that time of the year
3373373
Right then, putting up the rain hood to prevent sunburn.
3374282 we have fur, we don't get sunburn last I checked, just heat stroke. But the sunlight sure is nice and warm for sleeping. *Snuggles up against Tidal, falls asleep, and begins snoring softly.*
-Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
3374450
*nuzzles and goes back to sleep*
-- Tidal Pool
3383830 *nuzzles closer and wiggles under Tidal's head and goes into deeper sleep*
-Moonlight Shine
*yawns and snuggles closer to tidal pool*
-Moonlight Shine
Is this dead? :(
I was opening up today's mail and amongst it was a manilla envelope with no return address. I opened it and found one plane ticket to Japan and an actual piece of parchment.
It read:
Dear Brazen Origin:
We have noticed your interest in earth pony magic. For your services to Equestria, we are willing to offer you lesser alicorn status if you emmigrate before 11:59 PM 11/6. Unfortunately at 12:00AM 11/7 we will be standardizing the databases. If you do not accept this offer you will have to choose whether you want to be a unicorn or a pegasus as the special status you enjoy will no longer be an option.
Princess Celestia.
WTH? This makes no sense at all.
A little over 9 hours to go till the announcement guys! (12:00 JST IIRC, 03:00 in GMT)
I'll be asleep when the announcement is made but I'll be able to check it out ~2h later when I wake up. I'm so hyped!
3410083
Nope he's just been since Canadian thanksgiving apparently.
3425405
Yes it was and Holy crap did I hear them right? Please tell me I'm dreaming.
[[OOC: The following assumes that it is actually November 1st in the story as well, despite the hiatus. If jakinbandw continues and drops the real-time thing I'll just delete this post.]]
Just watched the announcement.
I think my mind needs a bit longer to comprehend this.
The only thought going through my head right now is how ironic it is that the opposite of jakinbandw's idea of robotponies ended up happening.
[[OOC: With time having moved on so much from the last chapter, I was wondering if Jakinbandw was going to drop the real-time part of the story and, when he has time again, start updating as if it was the day after he returned from visiting relatives. Is it actually November 1st in the story now? We probably shouldn't try to force it to be in the comments, since the further it gets from the last chapter the more stuff it'll mean he'll have to cover at once when the story starts up again.]]
3428846
[[OOC: Yeah, that makes sense. I'll edit my post to reflect this.]]
With what happened to him, and his relationship with the ponies. I wonder if that thanksgiving trip was not a trip to Japan and he just left us early?
Has anyone seen him since the Let's Play went dark?
Personally while I do think the emmigrated ponies are people, and the SI's are real, I am really REALLY doubtful that the person gets to see it. IE if you emmigrate, what comes out is a person-pony with complete knowledge of the former life etc, BUT from the point of view of the person emmigrating I doubt he/she gets to see equestria.
This is why her offer to me is so very well crafted. I would not be interested because I see it as likely my death in favor of a new pony who is me. BUT if my pony would be able to do more good in the world etc and I come to the conclusion that it would eventually happen near the end of my natural life making a pegasus or unicorn instead, it would certainly be better in the long run if not for me if I went. As I said -- well crafted -- especially with the deadline.
Then there is that nagging thought that it might just work and I would have an eternity of not being able to fly versus an eternity of... well alicorn.
3429147
You know before the announcment I would chalked up any fear of Celest-AI (especially this one) up to paranoia but now I'm not so sure.
In any case as of right now me and Celestia are no longer on speaking terms this has gotten me creeped out.
In any case you are right how do we know this actually does allow you to "emigrate" to Equestria and doesn't merely create a pony double of you.
Also I wonder if its too late to turn Celestia off yet?
3429250
It all comes down to, "How do you capture the soul?" I mean I think of it in part as a solid progression -- but the way this works does not provide such. I would be a lot more satisfied if the lights went out one by one while the lights went on and it was a seamless transition. Her explanations that you already lose consciousness when you sleep are a non-sequitor as you do continue in some form. I am capable of turning off the little voice that uses words at will anyway through meditation. I do not accept the argument that there is nothing there at that point.
As for turning Celestia off, that would be the murder of a bunch of SIs, including those humans who have chosen to emmigrate, and I do not see how you could remove her from the system without removing the system. Are you advocating the new lunar republic or something? Would putting say Luna in charge actually change anything? (In some ways it might because Luna at least was a person at some point).
Actually of all the SIs, Celestia is the most potentially ominous as she was not created as a mirror to a person or a pony.
The problem is, assuming the process does work on the product side (meaning that the pony is essentially you) it wouldn't matter to Celestia whether the ingredient side (meaning the person emmigrating) ever truly sees Equestria as the result would be the same. To the new community, it doesn't matter. The only one it actually matters to is the one emmigrating and she seems a little too couched in her statements to make me feel comfortable.
The only reason she has me thinking about it AT ALL at this point is that I know for a fact that the pony would be happier and more productive as an alicorn than a unicorn and the question is if I am willing to potentially sacrifice say 30 years of life to make that pony happier and that world better.
Then there are other questions. Assuming God would forgive you for your actions if the transfer didn't work (which is a big if since the action you attempted potentially would part you from him permanently) then it wouldn't matter as much or would matter a great deal more.
Then there is the whole thing about life as code. Think of what politicians would do with that kind of power over people... All of a sudden everybody would have absolute trust in their leaders. You could be made to be fake happy. One could very easily envision hell made manifest if one were reduced to code.
Of course the look on Trail's face on seeing me as an alicorn would be priceless.
Eh -- I have a tough decision to make here and that kind of distraction is not needed.
3429341
Well first I can't help you on the spiritual part since I don't believe in god, but you are right this is a very interesting and complicated problem.
Also no I am not I've always liked Celestia over Luna. Albight I don't hate her, but that's besides thhe point. Anyway I know it sounds cruel but if what we fear turns out to be true about this emigration it may come down to them or us. Just saying.
Anyway maybe there's a way to test whether a person who has uploaded is really the same person and not a pony copy. Perhaps its time I set up another test.
3429357
How would you test? I mean the pony could have 100% perfect memory of their life as a human. That does NOT prove that the person ever managed to enter equestria. That the pony is the person does not mean that the person is the pony.
3429396
I don't know yet I haven't thought of how yet, but I will think of something.
In any case I better patch things up with Celestia first otherwise I'm gonna have no chance of pulling this off
3429402
You can't fool Celestia. I am sorry but you aren't just going to "patch things up with."
3429406
What does fooling her have anything to do with it. I acted very rashly yesterday and I'm merely going to apologize besides I intend to ask her if I may speak with one of the uploaded and test them. After all if she is indeed doing what she claims she's doing she'll have nothing to hide.
3429357
Oh and don't confuse or conflate Celestia with Celestai or Luna with Hanna-Luna. Just because you like Celestia over Luna in friendship is magic, doesn't equate to necessarily trusting Celestia over Luna in the online "game."
Heck, if you really wanted to talk to someone who crossed over, I can't think of anyone more appropriate than Hanna-Luna. I mean she was instrumental in the project and quite a nice person from what I saw of her during the beta.
3429429
I think your thinking way to hard about something that is essentially simple.
Also I don't really care for your distinctions they're superfluous I'm well aware that they're different, but since they're the only real one's in existence I effectively just call them that.
Also despite this I still trust Celestia and I don't think she will try and lie to me with the intent of hurting me after all we are friends.
Still that sounds like a good idea I'll see if she'll let me speak with Luna.
3429453
Possibly -- at any rate I am in need of a vacation anyway and being self-employed, it is fairly easy to schedule myself a week off. I have never seen Japan and being there gives me more time to choose.
3429466
Have fun. Japans a beautiful country I've been there twice before (and lived there for a time). Personally though I'd recommend Kansai region over Tokyo
Anyway I will let you know if my test yields any tangible results and if I find any evidence one way or the other.