It was noon of the next day. Twilight and Rarity, being the ones who had partaken the least in alcohol, had managed to get up just a little bit later than they usually would. Scruffy had also woken up early, but had been feeling under the weather and thus remained at the library, while Twilight and Spike met up with Rarity.
The trio proceeded to Trixie’s home to clean up after last night’s revelry. Pinkie was already up and as chipper as ever, even if her mane was messy, and she had small bags under her eyes. She explained that Trixie was still sleeping, feeling a bit woozy after last night, and that they should let her sleep for now. Trixie had a long day ahead of her, after all.
Once all the cleaning was done, and Pinkie had woken up Trixie (and Trixie finished complaining), they decided to head in to town to have something to eat. While on their way, they wound up bumping in to Fluttershy and Applejack. Everypony could tell that Applejack was more bashful than her usual self, but they didn’t press the matter. Since Rarity had left Rainbow to sleep off a headache at Carousel Boutique, and none of them had eaten yet, Fluttershy suggested they should head there to join Dash for brunch.
Rarity agreed that it was a splendid idea, but told them that they needed to make a quick visit to the market to ensure that she would have enough to feed them all. During the trip Applejack seemed to very conscious of herself around Fluttershy, constantly making sure she wasn’t in her way. Fluttershy, despite making both of them to blush slightly whenever their eyes met, kept telling Applejack that she was fussing too much, and calmed her down.
Eventually they arrived at the boutique, where Rainbow had managed to crawl out of bed, and was in the process of brewing coffee, to the immense relief of Trixie. While Rarity and Pinkie got arranged to prepare some simple and quick food, the rest of them gathered around the dining table at the other end of the kitchen.
“So...how’s everypony feeling?” Twilight finally asked. A chorus of groans from all around Rarity’s table was the answer.
“Terrible,” Rainbow croaked, slumped against the table. “I feel like Little Strongheart’s whole tribe is stampeding inside my skull.”
“Whose?” Trixie asked.
“They are a tribe of buffalo living near Appleloosa,” Pinkie explained.
“We’re...I’m fine,” Applejack said, pausing mid sentence and coughing awkwardly.
“Um, a bit tired, but I’m fine too,” Fluttershy stated next.
“Trixie wishes it wasn’t so bright…” Trixie complained, holding her pointy hat over her eyes. “Trixie also wishes for some coffee.”
“Here you are, darling,” Rarity said while offering a cups of coffee to Rainbow and Trixie, and cups of tea to the rest.
“Thanks, Rarity,” Rainbow mumbled gratefully and took a gulp of the life giving nectar. Trixie also politey thanked Rarity, and grasped for her cup.
“Do you need anything?” Applejack asked Fluttershy.
“It’s okay, Applejack. You don’t need to fret so much,” Fluttershy responded with a hint of amusement.
“But…”
“Hush now. Focus on your tea.”
“I see somepony’s night was a success,” Rainbow noted. If there had been music playing, it would have screeched to a halt. Everypony turned towards Rainbow, before snapping towards Rarity, who unfortunately had been in the middle of cutting vegetables and half embedded her knife in her cutting board with an audible splintering of wood.
“Rainbow!” Twilight hissed, closing Rainbow’s mouth with her magic. “Ehehe...don’t mind her. She’s just talking nonsense! That’s all!” Twilight tried to explain to Pinkie and Trixie, who both looked on questioningly.
“What’s this then?” Trixie asked.
“How suspicious,” Pinkie added, turning towards Applejack and Fluttershy, both squirming under her gaze.
“Did something happen last night?” Spike asked.
“Nothing. Nothing at all!” Twilight declared, a slight red tinge crossing her cheeks.
“Me thinks something did happen,” Pinkie smiled devilishly, putting two and two together. Applejack sighed.
“Anypony seen my hat? I’d like to hide under it,” Applejack grumbled, and with no sign of her hat, hid under her hooves instead.
“Um, Pinkie darling, maybe you should-...” Rarity started, but Fluttershy stopped her.
“It’s okay. We...probably should talk about it anyway,” she interjected, her blush slowly increasing.
“Trixie is very intrigued, do tell,” Trixie mused, sipping her coffee and steepling her hooves.
“Sorry…” Twilight apologized to Applejack and Fluttershy, but they just waved it off.
“There’s nothing to tell,” Applejack said, straightening herself. “Nothing happened.”
“Applejack, you’re a terrible liar. I saw you kiss Fluttershy,” Rainbow replied, before getting her mouth closed by Twilight’s magic again.
“Oooohh!” Pinkie and Trixie went in unison.
“Well...I’ll admit, that happened...but nothing after that!” Applejack loudly declared, but her red cheeks and red ears told another story. Pinkie let out a loud gasp.
“Oh my gosh, that party is getting better and better even after it’s stopped!” Pinkie giggled maniacally, while rushing to Fluttershy’s and Applejack’s sides and grabbing them both in a hug. “So, sneaked off for some snuggle time, eh?” Pinkie asked, eyebrows lecherously wriggling, although her genuine smile betrayed her. Both mares’ reaction was to blush even more.
“Pinkie!” Applejack pleaded in embarrassment.
“Oh my…” Fluttershy half hid behind her hooves.
“Ah told you, nuttin’ happened!” Applejack repeated, her accent getting thicker.
“Trixie does not understand why you are trying to deny it. Normally something like this is to be celebrated,” Trixie casually remarked.
“Because, nothing-...!” Applejack tried to repeat again, but Fluttershy gently nudged her with her hoof.
“It’s okay, Applejack,” Fluttershy said and offered an encouraging smile. Applejack sighed and stopped. “It’s the truth. Nothing...um…’happened’ last night,” Fluttershy meekly continued.
“What?!” Rainbow and Pinkie asked, greatly surprised.
“But what about the kiss?” Twilight asked, accidentally revealing that she too was interested in what had happened. She quickly clamped her mouth shut with her hooves.
“Yes, I did k-kiss Fluttershy,” Applejack sighed. “After that, we went to Fluttershy’s cottage, and went to sleep.”
“Tooogeeether?” Pinkie asked with a wide smile.
“Yes, Pinkie! Together,” Applejack said, getting slightly exasperated.
“If nothing happened, then why are you both acting like an shy, new couple? It can’t be over that one kiss,” Rainbow asked.
“Yeah. The way Fluttershy keeps nudging Applejack is like me and Twilight’s parents during dinners,” Spike added. Applejack sighed again.
“Forgive me for asking but...nothing bad happened, I hope?” Rarity asked, getting worried by her friends behaviour.
“No, nonono,” Fluttershy quickly assured. “It’s just…” she continued and glanced at Applejack, who suddenly found herself at the center of attention again, which caused her blush to return anew.
“Just tell ‘em,” she said, defeat clear in her voice.
“W-well...uh...umm…” Fluttershy fiddled with her mane, trying to think up how to say it.
“Out with it. Trixie’s going to sit here all day if she must,” Trixie implored them to continue.
“...Ah...t-that is...w-when we got to my home...we d-did...uhh..we were going t-to…” Fluttershy stuttered in embarrassment. Everypony was on the edges of their seats. “...w-well you know!” she squaked. “B-but...um...be-before we could...Applejack fell asleep,” Fluttershy finished, and Applejack smacked her head against the table.
Pinkie and Rainbow made a silent ‘oooh’ as they realised why Applejack had been so embarrassed. For a mare with pride like Applejack’s, passing out on your “date” like that would have been quite a thick pill to swallow, especially since Applejack prided herself as somepony who could hold her liquor quite well. Trixie held back a guffaw, shaking her head at the situation. She had been expecting something far, far more embarrassing than that from the way they were acting.
“Oh heavens…” Rarity amusedly muttered to herself, holding a hoof to her mouth.
Rainbow got up from her seat, walked to Applejack, and patted her back with her wing to show Applejack her camaraderie.
“Happens to the best of us,” Rainbow noted.
“Glad that you agree…” Applejack murmured.
“Dash is right,” Fluttershy said and gently stoked Applejack’s hoof with her own. “You don’t have to feel bad about it,”
“Yes I do...not only did I...kiss you like that, but then I failed to treat you rightly…”
“Oh Applejack,” Fluttershy giggled slightly and hugged her friend. “I admit...I...umm...am slightly disappointed…” Fluttershy almost whispered, deeply embarrassed, “...but umm...if I say that it really is okay, it’s okay.”
“But…” Applejack lifted her head to look at Fluttershy, who smiled her usual gentle smile. Fluttershy reached closer and nuzzled Applejack’s forehead.
“If you ever decide to kiss me again, just make sure to do better then, hm?”
“Oooooooooh!” almost everypony else went again in the room, snapping Fluttershy and Applejack out from their tender moment. Having momentarily forgotten that they were not alone, they both blushed all the way to their ears. The rest of the group started to laugh merrily.
“Well, I guess it’s official then!” Rainbow said enthusiastically. “Pinkie, I think you need to start planning the wedding!”
“Ooohohooo! I love weddings!”
“Hmm, and I need to start designing the suit for the groom and the dress for the bride,” Rarity added.
“Trixie can take care of the entertainment,” Trixie idly thought.
“I’m sure we can ask Princess Celestia to hold the ceremony, right Spike?” Twilight decided to add for her own part.
“Of course!”
“Girls!” Applejack and Fluttershy complained, thoroughly embarrassed, but soon they joined the laughter with everypony else.
********************
After the group had teased Applejack and Fluttershy enough, they finished the brunch they had started, and it was time for Trixie to leave. The group headed for Twilight’s library, so that Trixie could pick up the last remaining items she still had there, and also to say goodbye to Scruffy.
Everypony gave Trixie a hug, with Pinkie bursting to tears and hoping that she would come back soon. When it was Scruffy’s turn, he held out his hands until Trixie finally relented, and accepted the hug.
Take care now, Scruffy wrote on his notepad.
“Trixie will. Make sure you keep on improving your Equestrian, and maybe you can be the Great and Powerful Trixie’s assistant in the show!”
One of Scruffy’s eyebrows rose in amusement. Scruffy is great and strong too?
“Hah! Sure.”
After one final round of well wishing and Trixie gathering her things, she said her last goodbye and walked out of the library.
“I miss her already,” Pinkie complained, causing the others to roll their eyes.
“I’m sure that once she has had time to study the spell you gave her, she’ll send us a letter,” Twilight helpfully noted.
“I can’t wait!”
“Oh! That reminds me!” Twilight suddenly said, and went to her bedroom. She soon returned with an ornate box of wood and gold.
“What’s that?” Applejack asked.
“It’s very pretty,” Fluttershy admired.
“And elegant,” Rarity added.
“This is the reason why Spike and I spent so much time in Canterlot,” Twilight explained and turned to Scruffy. “This is for you.”
Twilight opened the box, and inside was a beautifully crafted amulet. The amulet was a golden disc, with an oval shaped, vibrant amethyst in the middle, and the necklace itself was composed of deep blue cords that looked like they were plucked from the night sky. The gem pulsed with magic runes.
“I crafted this together with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. It’s an Voice Alteration Amulet. With this, you’ll be able to speak Equestrian!”
Mesmerized, Scruffy looked at the amulet for a long time. He carefully took it, turning it around and looking at it from every angle, before writing down with shaky hands:
It real gold?
I wonder if it will work and what his first word will be?
That cliffhanger...
8349437
"Is this fucking thing on?"
"Erm...my bad..."
8349453
I do like to tease.
nice that he'll be able to take I just hope it is still slightly broken Equish like how he writes
Of course, it is real. What? Do you think something the Princesses personally crafted would made of brass?
8349488
I think that's exactly what he's hoping it would be. All it takes is one mistake, one tiny little slip up and the priceless treasure gets lost, or gets scratches, or heavens no, actually breaks. What's he gonna do then, ask for another one?
Twilight, you bitch! Why did you save that for AFTER Trixie left?! Now she won't ever hear Scruffy talk, since she will be gone for a long time! I'm so disappointed in you Twi,
8349455
I would love if that were his actual first words spoken lol. Great story/chapter by the by. Also since Dashie remembered them kissing does she remember hitting on twilight?
8349522
Maaaaaaaybe?
8349510
That's basically what I said. Total bitch move, Twi. Maybe Trixie will get back at her one day.
bad twi bad you are now second pony behind trixie for that fuck up with the amulet
Heh, loved this chapter, all the teasing at AJ and Flutters.
And of course that cliffhanger, NOW OF ALL TIMES, when yer goin on a bit of a hiatus?! Daamn youu~ *shakes hoof in the air at you*
At least ya finished this arc before going on "hiatus"...
8349499
Nah, I don't think it's necessary. Equestria already use gold bits as a norm.
8349456
Apparently so.
8349437
Maybe his first words will be: AH! Talking ponies!
OH! Scruffy got himself some translation bling
This is where you lose me. A forced relationship between two or more of the main cast because "That's my ship!" ruins every fanfic. Every. One.
Dismissing the fact that any Main 6 ship holds no canonical foundation whatsoever, their wasn't any build-up to it within your own story. Not even a hint that either were homosexual at all. It all just comes completely out of the blue.
The worst part of it though, is that you spent almost an entire chapter just expecting everyone to think that this was all completely natural and just shouldn't ever be questioned. Now a good chunk of your audience that doesn't support your ship are going to have endure this just to be able read an actually decent HIE story, which is becoming increasingly rare nowadays.
8349646
Gold as a currency makes sense.
Gold as a tool does not.
8349991
Gold has properties that make it very useful for certain applications. Its conductivity of electricity and heat are quite useful. Though generally only ever used when a cheaper material simply won't work.
The rules for magic are as always quite open to interpretation but if one assumes it can transmit thaumatic energies like it can electricity then it does make a lot of sense for magical items as well.
While I like the cliffhanger at the end. Here's the thing, that is off very putting about these last few chapters. These ships you bring about feel very forced and, well I am sorry to say this and I hope you don't take offense, dull. Very dull. Ships between the mane six have been done to death and frankly just doesn't feel right. When I got on this fandom I found ships between the six to be funny and at times a very entertaining even inspiring read. Now I feel like banging my head when I read these ships. However I still find this to be an wonderful story and I hope you continue for quite awhile yet.
8349909
Not to mention that It also beggars belief that any random sampling of a population — and could you call the mane six anything other than a truly random sampling of differing backgrounds, personalities, and upbringings? — would turn out to be two‐thirds bi‐ or homosexual. Even in San Francisco the prevalence of homosexuality is a mere six percent.
8349909
I honestly find romance in any story quite the turn-off, but I honestly don't think this is that bad. While both rather unexpected and out of place I still find it adorable. As long as it doesn't become something of a focus, then it really isn't an issue for me.
This is, in fact, an opinion. Please don't lynch me.
8349909
Actually, no "ship" relationship was established, and if one was, this would only be the beginning. I'm assuming you're referring to Applejack and Fluttershy, and while they were rather affectionate with each other this chapter, they're not dating. The talk of a wedding was their friends joking with them. If anything, Fluttershy may have been a little over friendly. Applejack is just being a silly, prideful pony and concerned for her friend.
However, I'm not saying a relationship will or will not happen. I'm editor, but I don't know for sure where the author will take things. However, one night drunk in bed with each other does not necessarily a ship make. If they decided to pursue it, this would just be the start of the build up you're claiming is missing. It seems you've made assumptions about the last few chapters you shouldn't have, but that is understandable. If you look at it without those assumptions, you may see that what has occurred is merely a series of actions and consequences. So far, they've only decided not to let those consequences ruin their relationships, because they are such good friends to begin with.
Also, on that point, there is a very strong canonical basis for romantic relationships between the Mane6. The best and longest lasting romantic relationships are based on the strong bonds of friendship as their foundation, whether that friendship is present at the start or not. I'm not saying that I personally approve or disapprove of romance between them, but it's a fact that such relationships have long been approved or tolerated in modern Western culture (in America in particular having shifted opinions about 10 years or so ago), so it shouldn't surprise you when they pop up in modern media such as this. If you let that bother you, then good luck enjoying the majority of content on this site, and I'm only referring to the portion not rated M.
Personally, as long as ships don't get in the way of stories wherein that is not the focus, I still find value in the emotional dynamics and humor involved, even if it's not my thing. If nothing else, I'm sure TrixterCat appreciates you enjoying the story for as long as you did.
Edit: Sorry for the giant wall of text. You just got me thinking about this issue a few people have brought up.
8350053
Yes.
But you wouldn't use gold for a wrench.
politely?
I do not think it needed the comma.
Just ‘‘vibrant’’
8350145
A certain Engineer would beg to differ.
8350263
That's Australium, not gold.
8350108
While my initial assumption may have been hasty, this chapter gives me strong reason to assume. The problem really comes down to focus. While Shy and AJ's kiss was in the previous chapter, it was played off as just a silly and embarrassing moment among a bunch of other moments and never gave off the impression that it was something importent.
Now though, in this chapter, the event and it's aftermath was the main focus. It's what it spent most of it's time on. You can say that it's all just teasing and having some fun, but then why bring so much attention to it if it wasn't going to become a bigger deal later on? Why not just reduce the banter to a few bits of dialogue and quickly move on to the translation amulet thingy, which is what the focus should have been on. Instead it felt like it was quickly tacked on so there would be some real story progression.
On to the the point of the canonility of a Main 6 couple, a strong friendship does not guarantee a successful romantic relationship. A strong friendship comes from a powerful and pure emotioal bond with another person. However, romance cannot be formed on that alone. It requires both a strong emotional attachment and physical attraction. The show has never given any reason to believe that any of the Main 6 are sexually stimulated by any of the others (as little as a show like that would allow). An author choosing to introduce that physical aspect while none are present in the show is what makes it fanon.
I could right so much more on this, now I don't know about you, but it's like 2:30 in the morning for me and I am tired.
EDIT: It's not the homosexuality that bothers me about modern media. It's this strange obsession with close friends not being able to be just friends. It's worse when it's people of the opposite sex. The idea that a man and woman have a strong and close platonic relationship and have no desire to take it further is just something many people have trouble getting their head around.
8350275
Yeah, I feel like close platonic relationships are really underrepresented in mainstream media. I worry that it sends the wrong message (friends are always "just friends," and romantic pursuits are always "I want us to be something more"), not to mention how many movies and shows that aren't focused on romance were either ruined or made lesser by unnecessary romantic subplots. Gotta cash in on every conceivable demographic, quality be damned.
That being said, I'm not so convinced romance is the endgame here. While I enjoy the odd romance now and again (when romance is the focus of the story), I didn't come here for shipping, and I think the author understands that. I think lordelliott had it right: the reason this chapter focuses on on Fluttershy and Applejack is probably just because their friends were taking the piss out of them.
8349528
Why do I keep thinking of the talking dog collar from Up?
(I think of it every time I see a translator device given to the HiE that can't speak cute-horse-noises)
...Squirrel!
8350523
Luckily it isn't an actual collar, or Scruffy might have gotten the wrong idea.
"Oh...OH...you want me to...wear this? Uhm...okay..."
8350527
I wonder if the ponies will consider Scuffy's accidental phone pics of an Earth horse decked out in typical riding gear to be porn and kinky at that? A-and, is that human [cowboy] on top wearing spikes on it's heels?!? *Fainting couch summoned*
(We all know Fluttershy would be quietly taking notes for her next saddleripper book)
8350263
Thanks for pointing those out. Much appreciated.
8350540
I don't know. We'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it.
8350523
68.media.tumblr.com/a7243f6fb038a1c71f00af8e44494593/tumblr_nhos843mR21u7zz6bo2_250.gif
8350275
8350108
Like lordelliott already pointed out, Fluttershy and Applejack are actually not an item at this point. All that happened was that they wound up sleeping and snuggling in the same bed, and once Fluttershy let out that she wouldn't have anything against if they TRIED dating, everyone else teased them good-heartedly about it. What mean friends.
Fluttershy even says: “If you ever decide to kiss me again, just make sure to do better then, hm?”. She lets Applejack know that she is open to the idea that they would date, but that Applejack DOESN'T have to do it if she doesn't want to. Only time (and the next chapters) will tell what they end up doing.
And of course it gives you a strong reason to assume that there would be something, that was the whole point I did all this. But then I throw the curve ball and tell you that nothing has happened yet, so you don't know what they are going to do next.
"While Shy and AJ's kiss was in the previous chapter, it was played off as just a silly and embarrassing moment among a bunch of other moments and never gave off the impression that it was something importent."
I'm not sure why you would think it didn't have any importance. I mean, Twilight's and Rarity's first reaction was shock. Twilight also freaked out about it momentarily, until Rarity and RD calmed her down. RD and Rarity both eluded that they would most likely be quite embarrassed the next day, aka the next chapter. The reason why so much attention is given to it, is because that's most certainly what they would be talking about. AJ and FS are both acting very shy, and AJ is practically tripping over her own hooves around FS, so naturally something has happened, and when RD says what she says...this happened. If I would have reduced this to a few lines of:
"Hey, what happened last night?"
"We had sex/We didn't have sex."
"Oh, ok."
This would have been really, really cheap way to do it, if there wasn't some kind of pay off. There had to be atleast one page worth of dialogue over it.
You seem to think that I should have spend more time on the translator amulet, but the whole point is that I did it this way on purpose. Not talking about it is a hook. It's a very interesting thing, something really important for the story, but I'm not talking about it. Instead, now you get to lose sleep over it, thinking what it all means, where's it going to lead to, how will it work out, for the time being while I'm on a "hiatus" (I may have more grandiose expectations than what's going to happen in reality ).
My story is a slice of life story, and to me, that means focusing on the things that happens in everyday life, and relationships are a part of that, as is drama. You don't know when, or who you are going to end up with, or how it's even going to happen. I have had friends who ended up together in almost the same way that happened here, a night of drinking led them to stay at the same place, although I have no idea what happened after that. Few days later we just knew that they were together now. But like I said, FS and AJ are not an item yet, they haven't decided if they want to continue going that direction.
8350374
"it sends the wrong message (friends are always "just friends," and romantic pursuits are always "I want us to be something more")"
I hadn't really thought about it like that.
8350102
What's the other one, TwiDash or Pinkie and Trixie?
8350086
That might be my own preferences/bias showing.
8350067
Mane 6 relationships, that's personal preference. I totally understand if it gets boring after reading hundreds and hundreds of stories where someone always ends up with someone else. I'm not at that point yet.
Sorry about the huge wall of text.
8350614
Hah! Thanks for pointing that out.
And no, unfortunately it's not kryptonite. That would be too easy.
8350617
I had a feeling it wasn't, but thought I'd check! Hope your move goes well.
8350275
Exactly, it doesn't automatically lead to romance, but for a healthy relationship it's not the worst place to start.
I've felt the same way many times. It seems like that's been more and more the case ever since, ironically, the show Friends had its run. The problem is "sex sells". There are good stories that don't bring up romance between friends, but it does seem underrepresented. Sometimes people label such stories as "friendshipping" on this site, but they're hard to find because their is no tag for it.
The "friend-zone" fallacy is also annoying. In real life, friendships often do lead to romance, (At least, I've heard that surveys of women indicate that overall they prefer to pick from among friends.) but they don't have to. I've heard of people being what most would consider uncomfortably close and affectionate without ever being more than friends, but that's more the exception than the rule.
I know this had nothing to do with the story but when I look at TrixterCat's profile picture without paying attention it looks like a monster cause the arms look like the creature's mouth.
8350086
San Francisco is a bad comparison. You need, I guess... about 90% female population to get relevant results. And I'd bet female couples would be quite common in such society. Why the pony world has such a gender skew is beyond me though, especially when some of the cast just beg to be male.
Hm. By any chance, doesn't this amulet also work as a beacon for the princesses to home on in? Everyone but Trixie still think he comes from an unknown civilization deep in the Everfree, and they tried tracking him down before.
8352761
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe?
8352255
It's only a matter of time until he starts bringing his mop to Ponyville and he just goes cleaning everything.
Woot! Now he can express himself more!
They want to go to his place?
8355012
The fact that there's a bunny? I don't think so. I think it was just that Fluttershy likes bunnies.
I came up with his name though. Otherwise, the name would probably be "Mr. Rabbit". My muse told me that "Mr. Fluffles" is just the sort of name Fluttershy would come up with. I thought about suggesting a referrence, but decided not too. Btw, Mr. Fluffles is fluffier and cuter than than I imagine most people imagine. Magi'ception.
chud.com/articles/content_images/5/inceptionafterdentist.jpg
8359216
I'm fairly certain he meant some people. Also, there is a difference between being so drunk you don't know what you're doing and so drunk you do things you wouldn't normally do. That may be the source of some miscommunication between you and the author. I agree that the romance came out of left field a bit, but I found out about it a little too late to offer advice to foreshadow it.
It's true that this is well within what is realistic in "real life", but I have observed that many people don't like to read about real life because life is either:
A. Boring.
B. Too unfair.
C. Doesn't always have foreshadowing.
D. Things that happen are too random and beyond control of the protagonist (you).
8359487
8359216
Well yes, I did mean it as some people, didn't think I needed to make the distinction. My apologies.
Ofcourse it's there because I wanted it to be there. I'm not trying to say that "I did it this way because it totally makes them act in character". My story is not an exception, like you said. Things that happen in it are there because I thought it was a good idea and I wanted to say something, like most authors do with their stories. I don't think many stories are written as "I want my characters acting normally, and I'm gonna see where it goes", but instead "I want this to happen, and i build my characters reactions around it".
Characters acting "in character" is complicated with a fanfic of another story, because you only have access to what the story says, and not what the actual writer thinks. For example, watching mlp we can say that AJ is honest, headstrong and greatly values her family. We can make assumptions on how she would act, but we have no idea how she would react if these qualities would be placed under a test (this is an example, I know AJ totally lied with the flimflam fake cure, so I can say all i want how she acted ooc, yet the scene made sense afterwards and there's no problem ) . Only the one who wrote the character would really know what they would do in what situation. If you are writing your own characters, your OCs, then you know what they think.
But since I'm writing about characters that many people know from a show, everyone's going to have assumptions on how they are going to act. FS, for example, is often very shy introvert, she's not very assertive. Everyone's going to think that's exactly how she is going to act here too, that she wouldn't do anything she wouldn't do in the show in my story. But she acted differently, and what's more, the whole scene is somewhat controversial.
Quite many of my versions of the characters act differently than in the show, but they haven't done anything similar to FS so I'm not sure if people have noticed. RD, for example, reads more books than daring do, which was brought forth in an earlier chapter. Celestia would never laugh her ass off at someone elses misfortune WHILE THEY ARE STANDING THERE. Trixie is also probably acting out of whack, and Luna, bless her heart, is basically a stalker at this point. But even with my alterations, I still need to try and make it sound realistic. And I'm gonna let you in a secret, I got the idea for this scene from another fic on the site, where Sunset and sci-Twi got drunk and had sex, and the fic was a out their talk afterwards. Don't remember the name of it, unfortunately. I think it was pretty well received.
The problem with my scene might not be that the characters are acting out of chatacter. It might be that there's a disconnect between what you would expect a character from the show do, and what I think my slightly altered character could do. Or maybe I just didn't write it clearly. The whole scene wasn't supposed to be super nice and something that had some leading to it. It was supposed to be a shock for the readers and to generate some thought. And, it actually hasn't lead to a romance yet, if you read the next chapter.
I'm not sure why you would say that they aren't people, since ponies act very much like people in the show. And even if we would go with the 'they are different' route, wouldn't that mean they can do whatever because we don't have to compare them to how people would act?
Also, I find it silly that you would say "no offense". I did ask for comments on the matter afterall. :D So no worries about that.
And this isn't supposed to be a "this is why I'm right and you are not" rant. I'm sorryif it sounds like that, but what I wanted was to bring my own view of things to light.
Sorry for the wall of text again. I need to take a shower, writing this made me sweat.
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Scruffy: "Verti veryi! zerti zertazee? Ja!*"
*--"Holy shit! Talking ponies? Ah!"