The air in Canterlot had seemed sweeter in the last couple of days. Fall was going to be coming soon and the temperature was starting to drop. That just meant I needed to get more work done.
I carefully sawed a board while Dr. Kitty hammered the last one I’d cut into place on the exterior of the house Crystal and I had bought.
“So, you looked at it and bought it the exact same day?” Dr. Kitty asked before hammering another nail in.
“We sure did. Crystal was so excited about this place and I just wanted to see her happy. Plus, this house looks like it needed some love.”
The orange mare nodded before tapping the board with a hoof. “That is for sure! This style really came into prominence about two hundred years ago. The architect that came up with it was named Handsome Hoof. He was all about dramatic lines. That is why the peak is so high.”
She pointed to the addition with the much more graceful roofline. “Now that slope… that isn’t him.”
My ears wiggled. “How do you know that?”
“Oh… you know… reading. That and the fact that I’m a general contractor. Next board, please!”
I finished my cuts and offered it to her. “You’re a contractor? And a doctor? And a physical therapist?”
Dr. Kitty settled the board in place and started hammering. “Yup! Dr. Kitty, MD, PHD, and GC! I like to learn new skills and that is super okay.”
Over the last three days I’d learned most things were super okay. Being angry, having the desire to punch things, and such were super okay. How I handled those feelings in the past might not have been super okay.
On the plus side, whether she was a good doctor or not, Dr. Kitty was, without a doubt, a great contractor. We’d been doing our therapy sessions here while we worked. Her contribution was immense. Our house would forever bear her mark… literally. She’d drawn a kitty face on every piece of lumber. Thankfully, it was on the side that went against the frame.
I cleared my throat. “I learned construction during my time at the Canterlot Academy. I built sets for plays. It doesn’t exactly relate, but it is close enough. The tools are all the same. I’m glad to have your help, though.”
“No problem! I like this kind of therapy. We can talk and you can take out aggression with a hammer and it is super okay.” To prove her point, she slammed a nail in with a single strike. “RAAR!”
“Then why am I cutting and you’re doing all of the hammering?”
Dr. Kitty swished her tail. “Maybe you’re not the only pony that needs to let out aggression now and then? Besides, we worked out a lot of yours on the heavy bag this morning. I’m shocked you can even work those hooves.”
With a snort, I set up another board to cut. “Dr. Kitty, I’m shocked. Surely you can look at a virile stallion like me and know I have stamina for days.”
“I try not to look at patients like that! Next board, please!”
I started to saw but chuckled. “Are we really doing therapy? This doesn’t feel like it. Are you sure I’m not just using you for free labor?”
“Totally! Totally sure. Perhaps I’m using your labor as free therapy? Have you ever thought of that, Mr. Knight?”
“No, but now I’m confused about who is in therapy.”
Dr. Kitty cheered, “Yay! Next board, please! No falling behind. We’ve got to get this place buttoned up and dress right dress. She’s going to be the belle of the ball come fall.”
“Okay, okay! I’m sawing as fast as I can. Precision counts.”
“It does, but the pressure mounts!”
My hoof stopped mid-cut and I tilted my head to look at her. She was giggling. “I’m not sure this kind of therapy works.”
“It will if you’ll tolerate my quirks.”
“Cut that out,” I said, half serious, half amused.
“Cut that board and drop that doubt!”
She was the silliest pony I knew. Even more silly than Azurite and Sunny Day, and that said something. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was getting better but I certainly was less miserable. My days were brighter and the nightmares had eased dramatically. That was allowing me to sleep.
In truth, they’d simply just stopped or weren’t bad enough anymore to wake me up every night. Crystal had assured me I was resting more soundly since my visit with Sunny and the princess.
Then there was my work with Dr. Kitty. She and I had talked about serious things now and then in our short association.
Dread Knight, killing, and all of the awful things I had to see and do. She never judged me but she wasn’t flippant about them, either. She had a motto: trauma is trauma but ponies aren’t ponies. That meant you could treat trauma similarly but every pony was different and couldn’t be classified. That is why she tailored her treatments to individuals.
That was appreciated. Thus, now we were rehabilitating an old house together as part of my recovery plan. It was much better than a ’one strike and you’re out’ situation.
I finished the cuts and offered her the board. “Here you go, I’m sorry I was slow. This board here is ready to…” Her face lit up. “…be hammered.” Rhyme that!
Dr. Kitty’s lips briefly poked out as she accepted it. While she started to nail it into place, she yammered, “All right, so perhaps rhyming isn’t for you.”
“Perhaps it isn’t. Although it wasn’t all ba—“
A voice came from behind me. “Forgive me for interrupting this rhythmic exchange, Major Knight, but I need to ask you something.”
Dr. Kitty and I both turned in surprise, having been completely unaware that somepony else was nearby. Was I slipping already? Where were my battle senses?
The priestess Myree stood just outside of my front garden, draped in her flowing silver cloak.
“Mr. Knight… and what can I do for you?”
Myree bobbed her head. “Apologies. Mr. Knight. Have you seen Exemplar Ferrel in the last two days?”
“I haven’t. Has she wandered off to plan another birthday party?”
“No… I’m afraid not. The exarch returned to the temple a day or so ago. Exemplar Ferrel exchanged words with her and they grew quite heated. Their voices carried but the words were not understandable to us. I believe they were in Ancient Unicorn.
“Once that was concluded, the exemplar had dinner with us as normal and then disappeared into the night while we were sleeping. We have not seen her since. It was my honest hope that she would seek you out. As I understand it, she often runs across you.”
Heated words? From the exemplar? That seemed virtually impossible. I wondered what that was about. I shook my head. “I’m really sorry but I honestly haven’t seen her. If she does find her way here, though, I’ll bring her back to you. Where else might she go?”
Myree shook her head. "We don't know. She's lived within the Canterlot temple for at least a hundred years. Longer than the exarch, even! Mr. Knight, you know she doesn’t do well outside… if you can think of anything… anything at all…”
I briefly looked over to Dr. Kitty. She didn’t seem to have any answers. Turning back to Myree, I said, “If it were me, I’d go to the Royal Guard. They find missing ponies all the time and Exemplar Ferrel sticks out like a gryphon chick in foalcare. Go to the palace, ask for Captain Day, and tell her I sent you. She’ll put you on the right track.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much. I’ll do that right away! And if you do see her, please bring her home. I’m really worried. This isn’t like her,” Myree replied before turning in the direction of the palace.
She paused. “Oh, but before I go… I don’t know if this means anything to you, but the last thing she said to me at dinner was odd. It is why I came here, actually. She said, ‘when you see Silent Knight, tell him to beware the forgotten winter.’”
I shook my head. “That doesn’t mean anything to me. Just more of her ominous warnings that are more vague than helpful. Good luck, Myree.”
She nodded. “Thank you.” Then she trotted on her way.
Dr. Kitty wiggled behind me. “Oh! I wonder what that means. I’ve never read a book about a forgotten winter! It’s a mystery. Maybe we should go look for her. Then, if we find her, we can ask all about it!”
I shook my head and started cutting another board. “Nope.”
“Nope? Aww, come on. Adventure therapy!”
“Nope. Building therapy. Nothing good ever comes from the things Exemplar Ferrel says. I don’t want to get wrapped up in this. I’m not a soldier anymore. I’m a pony that is trying to rebuild a house. Got it?”
Dr. Kitty lifted her hammer and replied, “Yes, sir!”
The next hour or so of building was completed in silence. Verbal silence, anyway. We’d been making all kinds of racket with hammering, sawing, and other construction activities. That was okay with me. I was trying not to think about the exemplar.
Thankfully, a distraction was coming up the road. My beautiful wife was heading home and today she wasn’t alone. Her companion was a pony I was unfamiliar with: a stunningly attractive unicorn mare.
Her coat was the purest white and her mane and tail were a regal purple. That all paled in comparison to her big blue eyes. She had the kind of beauty that turned heads. Not that I’d ever admit that in front of Crystal. My wife was very attractive but this pony was just in a whole different class.
As they got close, I tried to look busy. So did Dr. Kitty. She was currently tapping her hammer on one of the windows.
“Silent! My goodness, you’ve gotten so much work done!” Crystal squealed in delight as she trotted up and dotted my face with kisses.
“I’ve got a good helper,” I replied.
“That’s me!” Dr. Kitty cheered before putting the hammer through the window. “Oops! Don’t worry! I’ll pay for it. We were going to get new glass anyway!”
Crystal blinked and then looked back to me in confusion. I just shrugged.
“Anyway, I’ve hired an expert to help me with the interior. I’d like to present Miss Rarity of Canterlot Couture fame.”
So the white mare was Rarity. That was a name I knew. Not for Canterlot Couture, I had no idea what that was. She carried an Element of Harmony and fought off big, nasty, magical creatures that threatened our kingdom.
I bobbed my head. “It is really nice to meet you, ma’am. You’ve been a great help to the princesses. I’m honored.”
Rarity waved a hoof. “Oh, think nothing of it, dear! The ’saving the kingdom’ role is just one of my hats and believe me, I have many hats! My passion is fashion and design. I just couldn’t pass up the chance to help your wife with your house.”
Her big blue eyes lifted to our dwelling and she cleared her throat. “And just in time, too. I think you’re very brave, Mrs. Wishes, for buying into one of Handsome Hoof’s designs.”
Crystal took Rarity’s hoof in her own. “I know they’re not in vogue right now. You don’t have to hide your misgivings. It just… well, I love it. Please come inside. If anypony can make it right, you can.”
“Oh, of course, darling! We’ll fix it right up. Come, show me your vision!”
As the two of them trotted off inside, Dr. Kitty came over to me. “I’m not even into mares and I’d kiss her all day long.”
“I hope you’re talking about Rarity. Otherwise this is going to be a really awkward conversation.”
“Oh! Yes, Rarity. Not that I wouldn’t kiss your wife. I mean, I would if you wanted. That would be super okay, but I’m not really into mares.”
I glanced at her sideways. “Really?”
“Really! Hey, don’t tell me you’ve never seen a stallion and thought, ‘you know what, if I was going to be with a stallion, it would be him.’”
My eyes widened a bit and I cleared my throat. “Back to work! Work therapy. Next board!”
Dr. Kitty giggled as she went over and started back on her tasks.
We worked for another couple of hours together and chatted before our time drew to a close. Once it had, she headed off, leaving me to the tasks remaining for the day. That wasn’t so bad. Although, in truth, I preferred to work with Dr. Kitty around.
She kept me focused and distracted. It was harder to think about awful things when she was acting like herself. Tomorrow she’d be back and we’d go on like normal. Crystal and Rarity had left, too. They had shopping to do. Shopping and planning.
The sun was starting to get low in the sky and I knew it would be time to head back to the condo soon, but I just wanted to get a bit of painting done. It would be better if I could prime all of the lumber we’d put up today.
As I was working on getting that task completed, a shadow crossed over me. “Well, hello there, zir.”
I grinned and turned around. “Captain Brynja, how are you?”
The gryphon was sitting just outside my fence, watching me work. She wasn’t in uniform other than a somewhat official looking satchel settled to her side. Brynja grinned a beaky grin. “I am well, zir! How’re you?”
“Doing well enough, I suppose. What brings you out? How did you find me?”
“Warrant Officer Orchid iz very bad at keeping zecretz, even if they aren’t zecretz.”
“That sounds about right.”
Brynja stretched her wings out and shook them. “Do not blame her. Zhe iz juzt doing her bezt. Zhe took your exit very perzonal. I did not. I think you were very zmart.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Oh, yez. I finizhed my reintegration and rezigned. Enough war. Now I am a pony.” She stood, came over, and picked up a paint brush. “I work for the mail zervice here during the day and dance during the night.”
I chuckled at that. “I’m not sure you’re a pony, but welcome to being an Equestrian. Where are you dancing? I’d love to see the act. You talked so much about it but we never had time to ever set it up.”
Brynja carefully spread primer over the lumber, showing off her usual attention to detail. “I am working at the Mare Contraire. The owner Dolly iz very good to me. You zhould come. Moztly girl poniez watch me. There are not many boy poniez to flirt with.”
Poor Brynja. “The Mare Contraire is a fillyfooler bar, so mares are going to be your primary audience. I’ll come see your act, though.”
The gryphoness turned her head to me. “What iz filly fooler?”
“Oh, come now, surely you heard that term while you were serving with us. You know… fillyfooler. Mares that like mares.”
Her head tilted and she stared at me. “I do not follow. Marez all like marez.”
A chuckle bubbled up. If only she knew. “No… not like that. Mares that like mares like you pretend to like Tumble. As mates.”
Brynja’s feathers fluffed up. “Who zayz I am pretending? But, I zee! What a ztrange phraze: fillyfooler. Zat doez explain why zo many wizh to buy me drinkz.”
It was good to hear that the ponies of Canterlot weren’t hateful towards a gryphon. Especially one like Brynja. She’d earned her way here. “Maybe ask your boss about where you can meet boy ponies… stallions. I’m sure she’ll know. If that is really what you want to do.”
“Oh yez! I will meet zee boy poniez. I zhould go, zir. Almozt time for my dancing. Thiz iz for you, though.” She reached into her satchel and pulled out a letter and small pad. “Zpecial delivery, zign here.”
I signed the pad and accepted the letter. “Thank you. I’ll see your act soon, I promise. I’ll even see if I can get Tumble to come, although he is living in Ponyville now.”
Brynja smiled and hugged me. “Very good, zir! Zee you later!” With a few pumps of her wings, she shot up into the sky and off on her way.
That just left me with a little daylight and a lot of priming to do. Although I could do it the next day. It was probably best to get home to Crystal. Still… I shouldn’t leave the boards unprimed.
On the other hoof, there was a welcome distraction waiting for me. I turned the letter over. The writing on it was unmistakable, even after all of these years. It was from Shining Armor.
“Distraction it is!” I settled onto the front stoop and opened the envelope.
Silent Knight
I truly am sorry that I’ve not written you sooner. I realize you’ve been home from the war for about a month now. It is shameful you’ve not heard from me. As you might guess, I’m busy beyond expression. Holding together what remained of the Royal Guard here while you did your work there was not easy.
That is not to say, however, that what you did was. I would very much like to see you sooner rather than later. I followed your career as best I could while you were gone and worry that what you had to endure was extreme.
You should always feel comfortable with reaching out to Cadence or myself. We’re your friends and here for you. We’d love to have you visit our home once more and meet our son.
Son? They had a foal? Of course they did… they’ve been married for years. That is what normal ponies did. A son, though… probably strong like his father but sweet like his mother. The kind of son I hoped to have some day. I’d keep him from war, though.
My eyes fell back to the paper, seeking the distraction as quickly as I could before my thoughts turned too far inwards.
If you cannot visit soon, please write me. Tell me how you have been? How was it coming home? I very much wanted to come see you in person but the strangest thing has happened here. Strange is not the appropriate word actually. Most horrible is more appropriate.
We’ve had two deaths in the Crystal Empire that look like murder: unicorn sisters killed most violently. And yet their home was locked from the inside and nothing seems amiss. Were it not for a concerned neighbor having heard a brief plea for help no pony would have been the wiser.
This is the situation I find myself in with guards far too green and ill prepared. Please accept that as a weak excuse for being a poor friend. Write me soon.
Shining Armor
Two murders? That was astounding… unfathomable almost. It would certainly be the sort of thing that Shining Armor and his top ponies would have to handle immediately and personally. I understood that.
It would be nice to see him, though. I slipped the letter into my satchel and put all of my tools away. Tomorrow would be another day to work on the house. Tonight, I’d at least send a letter back and drop it in the special delivery box. That way he’d know I wasn’t mad.
If I were in his shoes, I’d drop everything to investigate. Especially when it came to a case like that. Magic had to be involved if the house was locked. Maybe… no. I’m not a royal guard anymore. Time to go home to my wife.
It must be horrible being a protagonist. Things are never calm. That's why I'm glad that I'm just an NPC
How about that: Silent meets one of Equestria's heroes, Rarity.
We start with a high note and end with a low note. Typical. But I love the banter Dr. Kitty and SK had. And the fact that SA and Cadance have a foal now! Can't wait to see him!
Hmm... Where is Ferral? And what happened to the unicorn sisters? More mysteries to solve...
Detective Knight on the job! with his faithful sidekick Dr Kitty!
The possibilities of what can happen next excite me.
Ferrel's disappearance and her ominous warning, the mystery in the Crystal Empire, and Silent seemingly having an itch to get involved.
Whatever's coming, I'm ready.
That's a lot of new plot for a story that's supposed to be on its back third, isn't it? Not that I'm complaining, I'd love to see this one continue until it was longer than The Chase.
Sometimes over the extent of the Quill and Blade stories, I've had to go back and double-check that there actually were Elements of Harmony in this version of Equestria. They've been so utterly absent from any of the stories that I think this is the first time we've actually had one of the Mane Six with a speaking part?
Hrm.... so the two Unicorn mares that Silent killed in his dream are dead in the real world? Probably around the same time, some sort of dream transference or did the damage actually transfer? They seemed to be pretty afraid when he responded. Interesting... they were clearly working for someone too, and it has something to do with the Crystal Empire potentially...
Ferrel being Ferrel and her precogging coming into play too. As much as Silent fights hit, he's always involved somehow.
Curious why you had Cadence/Shining Armor have a colt and not a filly, but we'll see.
Some way, some how, I believe that the death of those mares is related to the Night Mares Silent fought off. Just a thought.
Forgotten winter and the information about the murders in the Crystal Empire? My "spider-sense" is tingling.
Such a good chapter, however it raises many more questions that can be answered. Are the Night Mares related to deaths in the crystal empire? What is the forgotten winter and why did the exemplar need to tell him about it? Where is ferral? So many questions hopefully they will be answered soon. Also I am expecting a sexy griffon dance in the near future. Keep up the great work!
Oooo, I like what's going on here. Go Dr. Kitty! Go!
Oh just great! Right when I thought Silent Knight and Crystal Wishes were settling down this happens!
Ha! Just kidding! If these events are going to be delved into at all, this is going to be good!
Is this true? Has he ever heeded her advice?
media.makeameme.org/created/Brace-yourself-Winter.jpg
Silent Knight, you know it doesn't work that way. "I'm not a Royal Guard anymore?"
You may as well say, "I'm not Batman anymore," for all the good it'll do!
Forgotten winter = Windigoes? They feed off of hate as well. Which means bad things if Mr. Dread gets involved to help Silent.
The two unicorns in the Empire were obviously the Night Mares. It would make sense that any of Sombra's old cults would've come back with him. The question is whether he's personally involved (probably) and how many more of them are in the ranks.
Forgotten winter...dammit Ferrel is it too pedestrian to spell things out once you've settled on a prophecy? Cryptic horsecrap gets ponies killed Probably the Empire's original banishment and/or Sombra's amnesia. They said they found Sombra wandering around in the wasteland amnesiac and not crazy, so either he's playing at it or the Night Mares sucked the evil out of him for themselves.
Oh, Kitty. If there was ever a mare to be gay for, it's Best Pony
I like Dr. Kitty... and its super okay
you have to love this funny mare
also nice to see a visit from Brynja
7596225 he can't be Batman... He still has a living parent lol.
He doesn't have an uncle that I'm aware of. Maybe he could be Spiderman?
Wait... He's Captain Equestria!
AAWWWW No Flurry.
And Seriously, when are we going to see the Princess deal with that board. It seems they didn't learn from Silent. Please i keep hooping the next chapter is going to deal with it yet each time it doesn't happen so when?
Figured the Nightmares were regular ponies (or at least mortal) when they started pleading, that said wasn't expecting them to be based out of the Crystal Empire. That's ominous to say the least, and Ferrel isn't helping any with more cryptic warnings.
Dr. Kitty is starting to rival Azurite in the adorableness stakes.
I do believe this is the first time one of the Mane 6 has said anything in the Royal Guard series, possibly Quill and Blade but I think they might have had cameos in Crystal's Wishes when she visited Ponyville.
7596327 Well, there's no alicorn Cadence, it would be hella weird if two unicorns had an alicorn merchandising opportunity, er, foal.
Roundup One! Warning, a few minor spoilers below.
7596033 LOL that is a valid point. It just never stops for them! They're always doing something or something is happening to them. Silent Knight has a way to go.
7596036 Indeed! Now we've heard about two of the M6.
7596043 Oh yes, Dr. Kitty is a trip for sure. She seems to be getting through to him.
7596046 He does fancy himself a detective even though he doesn't have a lot of that training.
7596051 There are a lot of possibilities for sure. And of course he'd have an itch ;D
7596074 Oh this isn't the back third my friend! We're about halfway through the second part. I don't think anyone can keep up with The Chase!
The M6 have been largely absent (in person) in the oaRG line. Rarity was in Wishes though.
7596089 These are interesting theories for sure. A lot of it sure seems to line up.
They were going to have a foal regardless but once the Flurry episode aired I said "NOPE." No more "why isn't she an alicorn? OMG why isn't she like this or that? So yeah, they had a colt :D
7596094 It is a very valid hypothesis.
7596104 Spider-pony? There is a lot ahoof...
7596130 Yes, this one is pretty much all about questions. Not a lot of answers here... yet! Although some of it does tie in.
7596167 I'm glad. Dr. Kitty doesn't though. She wanted to do adventure therapy.
7596206 It is never that easy! NEVER! ;D There is a lot of story left to tell.
7596214 A valid question. She never quite provides enough for him to feel like he got what he needed.
7596220 I was waiting for that ;D Unrelated!
7596225 Batpony... no. Batstallion? Batcolt? Meh!
7596227 An interesting point!
7596247 That is an interesting theory! Could be, could be.
7596266 There are some close correlations there for sure. Ferrel isn't a fan of explaining herself. That is now how she rolls!
7596277 Dr. Kitty is more than super okay! She's awesome!
7596327 The short answer is... Never. Not in the way you seem to be hoping for. Princess Luna is in Haven and doesn't know. Princess Celestia said she'd start an investigation. She's not going to run down there and start kicking pony butts. She's following the process.
7596357 Azurite would fight about that! She's adorable. Dr. Kitty is fun! Not the same thing! This would be the first speaking role of an M6 pony in of a Royal Guard, yes. Rarity does appear in Wishes though.
7596434 Ugh, but processes are boring. We want a rage train, dammit.
7596416 Heh... exactly.
7596434 Aww, it's okay. She can go on an adventure with me. :rofl:
7596434 Oh come on. Fine Luna doesn't know yet. But geeze. You're letting down here.
I expect it when Luna gets back. Unless Celestia actually does something for once.
edit.
Seriously what investigation really needs to happen. They blindsided SK's own Therapist with their actions. SHe wasn't expecting it and from what we heard Orchard has taken it hard.
7596472 Nice job dictating what you expect to the author as though you were a parent or schoolteacher. Reading actual books must be painful for you.
I love Dr. Kitty and Silent's little banter throughout the chapter. She definitely rivals Azurite for 'most adorably cute pony.'
Ominous tidings. The two deaths, Ferrel's disappearance, the forgotten winter? Things are certainly taking a turn for the interesting.
7596472 Prepare to have your expectations not met. They'd investigate the policy, why it was handled that way, what were those officer's thinking, etc. Either way, you're not going to get what you're looking for.
7596496 no I love reading books
7596507 then why even have it? If there is no real Resolution then why have it in at all? This feels like a chain yank or a bait and switch. Doesn't leave a good feeling. This is the first real issue I have had with the series.
7596496 Authors are not always correct. One Author I know had a great arc, then tried to shoe horn canon events that came after he made that arc and the readers didn't like that change so ended up reverting back a bit. Still a tad different but the core back to the original. Nor was this the last author to make such a mistake.
We become invested in a stories or in this case a series. We become vocal is because we care.
Is there going to be bloodshed in the future chapters?
Thanks for the chapter. It made my Monday a lot better.
Ok so the mares he killed in his dream are dead in real, got it. On the other hand, his dreams have been fine since then? so either there aren't replacement night mares or the effort has been put on hold (or cancelled) since he killed them. If this were a large group then they would simply send a couple more to plague his dreams but that doesn't seem to be the case.
This will probably be temporary but Dr. Kitty is my absolute favorite character for the next 7 days at least.
ALSO! It's interesting seeing one of the mane 6 from a pony's perspective. It's interesting to see them from a viewpoint that sees one of them as legitimately attractive, even sexually attractive. It would be nice to see Rarity again but even if it was a one time cameo I thoroughly enjoyed it.
7596571 You're missing the point entirely. You keep commenting here demanding that Anzel deviate from the plot to satisfy what is, frankly, little more than bottom-of-the-barrel, Harry Potter fandom bashfest habits. Actual investigation has to happen to ensure that the full scope is understood by those who handle the case so due process can be met. Otherwise, you get kangaroo courts. Those are fun until you realize that they're a staple of literally every nightmarish totalitarian regime in recorded history. So yeah, let's slip that right into MLP, and right into this story as well. I'm sure the implications will be great. No problems whatsoever. In fact, why go to the court? Tia should just waltz on down to their office and start screaming incoherently for a few dozen pages.
Your example is, quite frankly, irrelevant. It doesn't apply to this situation. The incident in question was not shoehorned, retconned for the sake of further drama, retconned simply to fit canon, etc. It was a planned event with planned payoff. Your complaint is that the payoff didn't come instantaneously when Silent informed Celestia, and is being played by the book rather than "protag has been wronged, exterminate cause." That's not "author being wrong," that's "reader demanding instant gratification" which makes for a rather garbage story.
Additionally, I never said that an author could fail in execution. Far from it. Let me put this in plain English so we're perfectly clear: I took a shot at you for trying to dictate what an author wrote because you think you have a say in the progression of the story. You are correct in that you have a voice and a right to give your opinion on the story itself. And so you should. Where your reasoning falls flat, however, is where you presume to say "I expect this" as though when you say "frog" the author should jump without thinking. You don't have that right. You will never have that right. The only way you get to dictate how a story progresses is if you write it or have been invited to be a part of the editing/storyboarding team. Seeing as you are in neither category on this particular story, you have exactly no say in how the plot goes.
7596571
Just because something isn't what you're looking for doesn't mean there is "no resolution". Please learn the difference and have respect for the author.
Hmmm.. A missing Exemplar and 2 unicorns murdered violently... I am curious to see if they were tied to the dreams of Silent. Though we are still waiting for the reaction of Luna from learning how Silent burned out of there when they decided to use him as an example for their own gains. Anyway.. Yay a Rarity camo! that was unexpected. I am curious to see where this road will lead.
7596629 I've had respect for him which is why this is rubbing me the wrong way.
7596620 Actually it's very revelant. What may be a good idea to an author could end up being very bad and maybe ruin an otherwise great story or series. So reader feedback is at time nessecary. I have rewritten a story because of just the downvotes. By making the senario that SK gets treated such a way and the fact that the griffon captain hints that he isn't an isolated case proves it's an issue. Anzel brings us this kind of thing and then strings us along by introducing yet another plot point, admittedly a good one. But one that could have waited a bit. By the simple fact that all my previous comments minus one have an upvote means I'm not the only one feeling this. This is a first real negative i have felt for this series, not story but the entire series. That says something.
7596752 I don't know if you do. I've never gotten that impression, so you must be very confused as to how to express it. You come into the comment section on his stories several times to complain, to argue, to relentlessly fight for things even beyond Anzel telling you to stop. That doesn't sound like respect to me. You are much more interested in what you want than what Anzel wants.
While this is a serial, meaning that the events to come are theoretically changeable, this is still Anzel's story and he is not interested in changing what he has been planning for over a year. Your opinion is perfectly fine to have, but it's not one I share. I believe you either enjoy a story enough to keep reading or you don't. For quite some time, you've not enjoyed several things. This is not the first and, I suspect, it will not be the last.
I see on your own stories that people ask you to consider alternatives, future plots, and changes. You seem to stand by the belief, more often than not, that your plans for your stories are what you have in mind and what you will follow. Please consider giving Anzel the same opportunity and courtesy.
I have the benefit of knowing what he has planned. You have the benefit of enjoying it as it unfolds, should you choose to back down for once and stop looking for what you want and waiting to see what Anzel has planned.
I understand, based on the numerous times this situation has arisen in the past, you require the last word in all debates. Whenever Anzel tells you something definitely, you still respond standing defiantly by your point. I won't bother to reply further than this to avoid clogging up the comment box any further. Enjoy your last word.
7596752 I really hope you're not thinking that 'I've been nice' means that you're somehow owed something. Honestly, if this sticks in your craw so much, you could simply stop. Red X in the upper right. Either way, blustering about what you want or being a squeaky wheel when you don't get it isn't going to work here. Your opinion has been noted, you have been heard, now it's time to move on and let the horse corpse decompose in peace.
7596786 If we're playing the upvote game, I'm winning with a net +3 on my shot about you dictating what an author should write. Love how that works. Go me. Looks like I'm more agreed with than you. Lemme just go find a football to spike.
And no, your point is not relevant. Your point referenced changes within the story to account for canon, this is not present in this fic. In addition, you still keep harping on this like Anzel has made a mistake by planning something out as a subplot—and yes, this is a subplot, not the main plot—rather than give you instant gratification in the form of Celestia ripping someone's head off within a chapter of the incident. However, I would be remiss if I didn't nod to the one note you hit correctly:
This. Right here. Not because of the reasons you're thinking, but because it implies that an investigation into the process is needed to see how far reaching it is. Almost like he's planned this out and has something in mind going forward. I guess we'll have to wait and see, exactly as readers are supposed to do.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm done. I have literally a million better things to do than continue arguing with a brick wall about author integrity. I think a rousing game of "count the blades of grass" is in order. Cheerio, pip pip, and what not. Enjoy your last word.
Can I say just one thing?
This is amazing! I love kitty faces!
Another amazing chapter! You really are killing the 'I hate Mondays' hype! Seriously, I look forward to them now!
I'm sorry, but i'm done with this story. Nothing against you, and the rest. But seeing what I have in the comments, has sealed the deal. I don't want to comment anymore when there are white knights in chat. Seen how that ends for me breaking the 'like it, love it' of expectations. I know i've not commented much, but I have enjoyed it, so, sorry.
I'm just one person, but i've been burned enough to not want another repeat lynching for saying a dislike. Mob's aren't fun things to be on any end of receiving online. Have a good day.
I think I could use a Dr. Kitty in my life.
Maybe we all could.
. Good boy
7596834 I've asked questions in the past. And only have the recent set of chapters have I have been this way. I have overall enjoyed this series. Love the characters, haven been interested in the world he has created. I may not have agreed with all the choices he has made this is the real first that rubbed me wrong like this. So excuse me for being vocal about it. Also excuse me that I like to have discussions at times.
7596905 Forgive me if I jump in real quick. To my untrained eye, this seems less a discussion and more you bringing up something you disagree with in the story and the author et al saying either 'dude. there is a god and this god has a plan. delayed gratification k?' Which seems to strike you as a personal affront.
So to recap what I think are the main points: Disagreeing with a story/authoer is not a sin. Saying "Hey, I disagree with the story/author" is not a sin. But not accepting that the author has a plan and that you need to be patient is a wee bit immature. Just accept that the story will be told as the author wants it to be. It will be okay.