IX. A Name Hidden In Plain Sight
Ambris Knot had a strange name.
Well, not a strange name, just one that didn’t sound all that nice or interesting and certainly not one that, according to her editor, would inspire people to pick up her books.
And she agreed. In the past months, she’d poured herself into imagining a fiction book all about an archaeological explorer going off on intrepid adventures. She had finally come up with a penname she liked, figured out most of the outline and the settings, and had a main character she was proud of.
All she needed now was to write it, and…
To finally decide on a proper last name for her protagonist.
As she made her way towards the library at exactly seven in the morning, wrapped up in a big shawl and a hat that hid her graying hair, Ambris Knot decided she’d let fate figure that out for her.
For now, she was more interested in greeting the young woman waiting by the entrance to the plaza.
“Hey, Missus K!” Daring exclaimed, waving at her. “Only three more Saturdays until Brayzil! Have you been practicing your running for when we race Dad at the stadium?!”
“As I’ve said many times before, Daring Sun, I’m too old to race anybody.”
“That’s not true! If you start training now, you’ll be fine for the trip!” Daring insisted. “In fact, I have a good feeling about today! I bet you could even win against me! Please? One time?”
Ambris sighed. “... I’ll consider it.”
“Wait, really? You can’t change your mind! I’m starting before you change your mind!” With that, she sped off.
“I said I’ll consider it, not I’ll do it!” Ambris yelled, laughing.
“Dooooo it!”
Daring’s plea rang through the empty plaza, drawing forth a smile from Ambris’ lips. A quiet, peaceful moment, the two words echoing in her mind.
And then it hit her.
“Do it,” she repeated, the cogs in her brain turning.
Do it.
The name left her lips as naturally as if it had always been there, biding its time.
“Daring Do.”
Daring Do. An obvious, simple name she couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought about earlier. But there it was now, and the more she thought about it, the more she could see her protagonist, clearly and vividly, the intrepid explorer breaking into ancient ruins, running away from bad guys, making discoveries the world could only dream of, inspiring people everywhere to discover the wonders of the world.
Daring Do.
That was it. The missing piece that came out as an awed whisper:
“The Amazing Adventures of Daring Do, by A.K. Yearling.”
Ambris Knot laughed.
And then?
She ran.
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I very much like this. Very very much. I found myself reflexively clicking the empty space where the"next chapter" button would be, because I want mooore. Like with everything else you write.
But the story and the character stuff, everything fits. Little backstory bits and inspirations come together cleanly, nothing is muddled.
Daring is adorable, Ambris gives off old-mare Rarity vibes, tbh, and its goood.
Man, you really rock the vignette style. It was wonderful seeing this all come together in the end, and I was emotionally invested in every step along the way. It would actually be kinda interesting to see how this story would work as original fiction, but I think the connection to Daring Do provides some fun contrast and dramatic irony as we watch a journey whose destination we already have some clue about.
This was really nice! It's an odd case where we're essentially following entirely original characters, yet as Undome Tinwe mentioned, knowing that this leads into the Daring Do books is important for the story. I thought you did a great job making Daring's disability more than a side detail while not making it cloying or exploitative. Ambris and Daring are both fun.
Best part was the ruins being legit.
I loved this.
This was truly amazing, Mono! I loved everything about it. The way these two just clicked together made the whole story endearing. Adventure and friendship at some of its best!
This was a lovely piece. You balanced the disability such that it's noticed but not overemphasized, and that's excellent. How the two characters interacted and fit in so perfectly with each other is really adorable!
Plus, I can't believe I didn't see the A.K in Ambris Knot until like, the 7th part in.
Also Happy New Year (belated) since I didn't get to wish you anywhere else.
P.S: The only thing missing is RariTwi.
Oh, look, it's another excellent Mono story. Color me unsurprised by the consistency of quality, but pleased to have read it.
This is to good to exist. This is just... Amazing writing that could come straight out of a book
If I didn't know better, I'd try to find out what book this is in order to read the rest
Beautiful work. And Daring Do is a fictional character in-universe. As she should be.
This was absolutely lovely! Thanks so much for writing it. An excellent capstone to the holiday season.
This was brilliant and I loved it, particularly the relationship between A.K. and Daring.
This needs more upvotes!
It's vignettes! I fucking love vignettes!
I kind of wish my vignettes were more popular, but them's the break.
Doing
Fantastic. I love seeing unseen human analogues get fleshed out, and this was an especially great out-fleshing. A belated merry Jinglemas, and thanks for a wonderful read.
And so it ends. A short but sweet tale
Oh my god Mono how can you break my heart like this? Daring and Ambris are too perfect, holy shit. I love them so much.