Being somepony's friend can require accepting the... quirkier parts of their personality: something Rarity is all too aware of, especially when it comes to the work involved in accepting hers. So discovering that Fluttershy possesses -- shall we say, a 'special interest' -- simply means that the designer needs to accompany her to the convention. Just to make sure the pegasus isn't going to get hurt.
But a mare of dignity and taste does not casually wander into a 'special interest' gathering and emerge unaffected. And as it happens, neither does Rarity.
Rated C for Conifer Crackfic.
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Chapters (1)
Fortunately, Rarity was perfect and in a perfect position with which to cast judgement.
"All of those fashion-murders were completely justified!"
"Dear, under the right circumstances, you sound suspiciously like Pinkie Pie."
"Well, isn't that the kind of thing Pinkie Pie would say?"
This is such a wholesome view of Fluttershy!
...Oh, no...
Yeah...
...Yeah.
...You've left me speechless, Estee.
....
Well done. <3
I wonder how many firries were awakened after seeing/reading that part of Macbeth where "Birnam Wood come to great Dunsinane", i.e. an army of guys dressed as trees for camo marches up to Macbeth's castle.
Oh buck, you're going there. Was expecting something about root knots, but this works too.
Do not ask what the flower pots are for.
Hey, at least Rarity didn't see any artwork of timber wolves sensuously swallowing plants. Small mercies.
This is probably the best possible outcome, all things considered.
Was expecting Mudbriar to make an appearance, unless I missed it.
Fir real, though. That was a lot of fun.
Howdy, hi~!
I don't know what I expected going into this, but this was fantastic. Thanks for the read.
Posted to
Triptych Continuum Rebooted
Cracfic Folder
Did Rarity bear witness to the horrible splendor of the firpile?
In the Disc World novels (Pratchett) Esmerelda "Granny" Weatherwax associated with other witches & took Tiffany Aching as an apprentice for that very reason (she called it "cackling")
For any of the mane 6, that ship has sailed, hit a rock (reality) & sank (greatly mourned by all). No, we are going for "keep them from incarceration in a prison or asylum"
Growling, snarling, chasing her tail... biting. Those things were just harmless venting after a frustrating week at the Carousel. Rarity shuddered to consider what a stressed and unvented Fluttershy might be capable of.
Oh, of course. They'd want to commission her.
And now I'm dead. Thanks Estee.
Oh. Oh wait. The merch area. Where Rarity can encounter firry art, with all possible interpretations of tree, and every possible interpretation of art.
Nooo...
I never know what to expect with your stories apart from quality, heart, and wonderful use of words and phrases.
This story reads like it was written with tongue-in-cheek and heart-in-hand.
I loved all of this, and I loved how you wrote Holly.
I'm going to second a previous commenter on the serious "Birnham Woods" feel at the start of the confirnence.
Also, my compliments for resisting the urge to make a "fun guys" joke when covering the factions.
I love this story so much. You have given us such a worldlet here!
I'm not sure I quite fully understand the business about the splinters though, like why it was shouted in quite that way.
This story got a good couple of laughs out of me for the sheer absurdity yet clear parallels evident here. Great stuff, will be sharing.
11512085
I'm guessing that the splinters rub Rarity the wrong way because they are especially great at ruining dresses.
A big part of this story for me was the creeping dread of wondering whether or not Fluttershy was one of the special fans that indulged in...'knotholes'. What an absolutely strange story. Great job converting convention conventions into the Equestrian world. 'Firry' is a pretty good pun on furry for a furred world. Meatname is a pretty funny word. Those knotholers! Getting pretty knotty! They're going knots over it!
Thank you? For this story? I think?
Truth is stranger than fiction, stories reflect histories, and there is always a bigger fish, but bits are bits, and for every demand, supply is waiting to be discovered.
Ha! This had me grinning throughout…. It definitely deserves a “comedy” tag. Hilarious and oddly heartwarming to see Holly in her element!
Although I’m going to be hearing the Brian Boitano song in my head for the rest of the night…
You know, if you don't succeed (edges toward doorway) tree, tree again.
(With the topic, I was afraid it might get a bit knotty, but at least Fluttershy is putting down roots in a kind fandom... and I better leaf it at that.)
This was ... this was ...
You know, I have to wonder, in the Fleur'verse (Cerea'verse? Continuum v2?) does Fluttershy still take her weekly spa? And does she take it with Rarity, Fleur or both?
I think what I love the most here is how you capture that *specific* feeling that fandom creates, whether it be Furries, Bronies, Weebs, Gun nuts, BDSM enthusiasts etc. That idea of 'community' that acknowledges it's odd and strange in the mainstream publics eyes, yet loving and accepting within. Not including interfandom conflicts however, depicted here with Bushies vs Knotholes vs Firries but easily witnessed with Scalies vs Furries, or 90s Anime fans vs modern CG anime. The knotholes being where the more...adult focused material and activities go is also a hilarious and in character touch, since despite the clutching of many pearls "If it has enough fans, someone will want porn of it" is a tale as old as time. Though the thought of irl wood being involved is... yeah that's a level of fandom I can't quite imagine.
Rarity becoming queen of the fir-suit was expected, yet still magnificent in its reveal.
Magnifico!
It was really sweet seeing Holly be so confident and happy. I liked this a lot.
Fluttershy, please, I know you are being careful, and trying to ease Rarity into it, but at least give the poor mare a warning about the full spectrum of divisions.
Well, I guess Rarity is gonna be able to pay of her loan much sooner that expected.
Quite honestly, this fic is quite hilarious, and the small peeks of a Fluttershy with a social outlet is quite sweet, especially how Rarity notices. I also quite enjoy how she genuinely is willing to adapt to the world based on her talent. She may not understand the reasons why, but she understand the creative energy.
11512085
Ah, well, how to put this delicately.
I suspect that in this world Bad Dragon does not exist, Bad Tree however, very much do. (or would it be Bad Branch?)
Ugh, and now I'm getting flashbacks to the malachite stalactite debate.
This brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘Got Wood’.
Excellent stuff
As a an unashamed furry I have... mixed feeling about this one... . I think I'll just leave it at that.
I love and hate this, reminds me of my first time going to a con (Bronycon 2016) getting use to all the strange sights and sounds, learning new words..and also reminds me of trying to explain what a furry is to my family. (I did not do a good job)
11512273
As a furry for well over 20 years, I think it's hilarious and clearly written from love. With all of the hate furries get (especially these last two years now that right wing media has started targeting us again) it's nice to see an affectionate parody of it that gives off the same "weird but wholesome" vibe the actual fandom does.
"Would you still love me if I was a wormwood?"
Heh. Little nod to the Christmas Carol episode.
Reminder that Fluttershy found Laughter hard to work with for a variety of reasons.
From this she concluded that if any of Applejack's extended family were here, they didn't identify as what they worked with all day.
I'm not sure what hit me harder, the Bite Of '67 or Evergreen Northwest.
Heh.
And of course it was all inspired by a cartoon.
Ouch. Pretty clear where that shot was aimed.
I absolutely wasn't expecting Timber Spruce, yet knowing that he's here makes perfect sense. (Also, not sure how to feel about Timber being in my place at the incident that showed you the value of horsefame.
)
When Mister Botano traveled through time to the year 3010...
Oh no.
I do love the term "flesh stuff."
Funny. I'd expect them to be in the film industry, especially since Timber's here.
I usually just go with the forge.
That's the thing. Rarity isn't a tree. She connects trees. She provides vital components to them. She breaks down barriers to entry and makes the forest possible.
Rarity is the mycelial network. And she's even the right color for it. There's just the awkward question of where fungi fit in in the community...
Outstanding and heartfelt silliness, capturing the essence of subcultures, warts and all. (Bark nodules?)
11512420
My feelings exactly. And yeah, this story captures so much of the weird fannish energy and excitement.
Also, loved how expressive and open 'Holly' was, compared to 'Shy's normal anxieties.
This was very funny, but also very sensitive to all concerned. Writing talent. You’ve got Flutters as part of this absurd firry fandom firmly stuck in my headcannon now. She would totally “like to be a tree”, at least for a few days a year!
I hope this is canon for the rest of the Triptych continuum. Just makes it that much better.
I think you'll get a lot of stick for this
You madwoman, you.
11512426
You owe me 10 ounces of Mountain Dew to replace the portion I spilled on the floor just now.
Why not both? Keeping all of one's more... outré... accouterment in one easily secured location is just good sense, is it not?
Now I can't get Tree Hugger out of my mind. It would be so perfect and make so much sense.
11512085
Holy splinters, Batman! There's a large group of firries having aggressive anonymous treesex right before my poor virgin eyes!!
I got that reference.
And as a fan of that reference, I can't help but feel attacked, even if it's all nothing but hot garbage.
Hot, entertaining garbage.
I have no idea how knotholes are sexual or what splinters mean, but it was a very amusing story.
I died laughing at the Timber Spruce cameo. RIP Me.
Phenomenal. Outstanding work.
"Oh haha! Firries! Like furries but FIR like the plant!" Said the Fox, "I'll give this a read, after all it looks like it'll be a fun littl-"
10,000 words.
"WOW that's a lot of horse words"
(I'll get back to you guys once I finish reading this)
Edit: it was incredible thank you
mmmmm fnaf references
11512658
Yeah honestly I was really expecting her to show up
It's probably your fault that I created this group about ponies who want to be trees, and about very similar topics like ponies (or other creatures) who BECOME trees.
Note that there are five stories in this group already.
I kinda want to see Twilights reaction.
This was a fun read.
You captured the tautology of cringe vs endearment well.
I wonder if the Bushies to Firries are what Bronies are to Furries.
Not quite accepted as “true furry”, but welcome all the same.
Both have wholesome and fun communities and are “under the same canopy”, yes?
"Splinters" is where I lost it. A wonderful little story. :D
I loved Rarity's reaction to this.
after all too many types of features in one fandom --> chaos.
I would probably act similarly, with less drama of course.
Ah, Estee still scribes the old magic.
11513203 I'm more of an 'herby'...
11512670 That time you realize pollen is plant jizz...