Really like Device's rounding out of Cheerilee's character. She feels much fuller then she was in RR. Question going forward, RR was told primarily from Twilight's viewpoint, whereas this has bounced from Cheerilee to a bit of Celestia. Are we going to have chapters from a Twilight centric viewpoint or merely from the loves of Twilight's life? Really looking forward to seeing how Twilight and Celestia's relationship "grows up".
This was a rough read, and I'm interested to see where it goes from here. It was not rough because it was bad, no, far from it. It was rough because it hurt, in a lot of ways, and really showed these characters at their most vulnerable and uniquely stripped back. The end, however... That was solid, and bright, and good. DH, you do incredible work, and never let anyone tell you otherwise.
I particularly like your characterization of Celestia. Plenty of people write her like she has no particular character since she's such a cipher. But you write her the right way round: being consistent in behaviour yet inscrutable is a large COMPONENT OF her character.
Cheerilee 's characterization is just...amazing. Also when she was impersonating Celestia,I couldn't help but to lol and go wtf simply because Nicole Oliver.
I'm somewhat sleep deprived. I had decided to skip my first class tomorrow. It was 12 AM, I was going to bed. Sweet, sweet bed. And then this drops... But any semblance of hate I could have to you (both of you, I guess) disappears as I read a masterpiece before me... and then is somewhat rekindled because, damn...
Don't get me wrong, I love this. I love what you have going on here. But the detail; just how believable this is, the way the characters have grown in your universe and their pains, their fears, their... everything. It... It gets to you, you know? This is somewhat similar to what I said in Eternal, but it slightly saddens me that this masterpiece is an MLP fic. Not because of being a fic, or because it's MLP. But because of that combination, not many people will get to read this. And holy shit they should, because it's awesome. And I hate you a little bit for writing so GOD DAMN good... Just a bit.
Now I'm just rambling. Brain simply wants to shut down. I'm going to bed. ~ A sleep deprived haiku.
1582058 1581888 1581226 1581423 I've had the incredible privilege of reading most of the rest of it and, this I swear, it gets even better. It is magnificence itself.
And, actually, regarding Cheerilee and her characterization, Device has been so awesome at it that it has, no joke, inspired Sleepless and me to suggest the formation of Cheerilee Facts. To wit: "It is not true that Cheerilee does not know fear. She knows fear. Every Tuesday she invites fear over for tea and crumpets. So far, fear has not dared to reply."
Loved this chapter, so much. So many feels. There were some neigh-sayers at the end of the first chapter, ones who thought the first chapter was kind of terrible and who insisted it was only featured because it was written by Device. Well, I say buck them. This has got to be one of the most intricate and in-depth story I've read in a long time, and I've read Romance Reports too many times to count. One does not simply love a work of art because the author has published other good works of art. One loves a work of art because the author is good at what he does. By all means, keep it up.
Wonderful stuff. I'm really enjoying the look into Cheerilee's character we're getting, and the interaction between her and Twilight is simply great. And the Princesses, too; so perfect and so flawed, both of them. I'm eager to see the next chapter!
Also, the moment where Cheerilee jokes about Twilight being the last pony to complain about sleeping with teachers, and it takes Twilight a moment to realize what she's saying... it was so funny, yet also so touching and a bit heart-breaking.
Once again Big Mac has saved me from the depths of despair by being the Jesus/Ghandi/Martin Luther King/Dalai Lama of Equestria all in one.
I just have to say that while a roller coaster of emotions, this was an excellent chapter and definitely looking forward to seeing where Cheerilee and Twilight go from here. I also like how this seems to be happening simultaneously with 'Up in the Clouds, Down to Earth', so I'm looking forward to how Big Mac handles all these issues with Twilight friends that we keep getting hints of.
All I really know is I've got a new writer whose fics all suddenly find themselves promoted to the very top of my to-read-list. Because this shit is beautiful. Thank you.
"It's when she's sad," Twilight whispers. "It's so rare, but I've seen it. Like, once, an old friend of hers died and I saw her mourning him. She just... it was a letter, letting her know. She just seemed to shrink, and everything so huge and magical about her was... I don't know. Not gone, but... it all seemed unreal, like when you suddenly look up from a really good book and realize – oh, right, it's all fiction. It was just for a moment, but in that moment she seemed..."
This is an incredibly powerful paragraph, and it gave me the feels...
Celestia, stop being so dense. I know Luna hurt you by hurting Twilight, and you feel betrayed etc., but Luna is honestly trying to reconnect here. Stop falling, please. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Vinyl_sad.png Speaking of which, Celestia's thought about how it'd be nice to reconnect with Luna made me laugh, and then feel bad about laughing...
Cheerilee understands that this situation is more complicated than she realized, but I still think she's underestimating the complexity, or at least the importance. For example, I doubt she thinks this situation might endanger Equestria, if Luna's right about Celestia falling into darkness like she herself had as Nightmare Moon. I'm morbidly curious how Cheerilee would react to the possibility of that scenario.
Awesome. Seriously. I do feel a slight gap between canon Luna and smoky ethereal Luna projection, though. I don't want to be overly critical because the character portrayal is already mind-blowing (especially Celestia. How do you even write a character like that?), but I kind of wonder if maybe a meeting with Luna in the flesh could help bridge the gap a little. Yes, she's an ancient mystical illusive moon goddess type, but she's also a pony, with an actual physical body and everything. I think that's part of what gives Celestia her otherworldliness - that she's not just floating around in the ether but there, standing right in front of you, being somehow part of a world that you can never understand even though it's the world you live in just viewed from a different perspective. Long chapter + late night = rambling, but happy. More please.
I have no idea what kind of magic you possess that allows you to write about complex emotions and present them in such a wonderful way but you use it to perfection. You have taken literal background characters and given them emotions, personalities, and depths that are nothing short of stunning.
Thank you for sharing your talent. Your works are some of the best literature that I have read, and I always look forward to seeing the newest entry that you have crafted.
I'm so glad you're still updating this. After that last blog post, I was scared it would go the same way as Nocturne. Please don't disappear on us, alright?
The new chapter starts out a little slow but it soon picks up. I have to say, it's pretty heartbreaking watching these folks sabotaging their own relationships like this.
Putting this in my read later till it develops a bit more, even though it was a most excellent story I hated the Cheerilee choice of the pairing, so at the moment I want to see where this is going before I commit to reading it.
Well. There happen to be no words i can say. Seriously, i'm speechless. That alone is a good thing, and i believe congratulations are in order. I eagerly await more.
And for random news time: 'Princess Mi Amore "Wife Missile" Cadenza, was seen saving the Crystal Empire from a sentient cloud of black smoke. Prince Shining Armor was also seen assisting Cadenza in her efforts to dispel the cloud. Footage will be available at ten.'
I wouldn't say anything if they weren't discussing spelling and grammar at the time... *grabs red pen* *strikes through "two vertice"* *writes "two-vertex"*
Luna and Celestia's interactions are always such a chess match of meaningful looks, tones, and subtleties. It's exactly what seems reasonable for rulers with minds that complex and collective experiences that vast. You accomplish so much working with such comparatively minimal canon exposure. Their interpretations in your work are just so satisfying to read.
I can't tell if elements of this relationship minefield stem from personal experience or simply your ability to empathize. If it's not from your experience, then you're adept at relationship creativity. If it IS from experience, then you're adept at conveying the emotions involved.
ABLARGH
Words cannot express. Except this one: GLORIOUS.
Wow, this chapter really got me in the feels. Great characterization of Cheerliee.
Another excellent chapter. I really like these characterizations and how they're recognizable relative to mine, but still so different
Awesome new chapter. Can't wait to see how things turn out with it!
Really like Device's rounding out of Cheerilee's character. She feels much fuller then she was in RR. Question going forward, RR was told primarily from Twilight's viewpoint, whereas this has bounced from Cheerilee to a bit of Celestia. Are we going to have chapters from a Twilight centric viewpoint or merely from the loves of Twilight's life? Really looking forward to seeing how Twilight and Celestia's relationship "grows up".
This was a rough read, and I'm interested to see where it goes from here. It was not rough because it was bad, no, far from it. It was rough because it hurt, in a lot of ways, and really showed these characters at their most vulnerable and uniquely stripped back. The end, however... That was solid, and bright, and good. DH, you do incredible work, and never let anyone tell you otherwise.
I particularly like your characterization of Celestia. Plenty of people write her like she has no particular character since she's such a cipher. But you write her the right way round: being consistent in behaviour yet inscrutable is a large COMPONENT OF her character.
My goodness,the feels,the feels...
Cheerilee 's characterization is just...amazing.
Also when she was impersonating Celestia,I couldn't help but to lol and go wtf simply because Nicole Oliver.
Really liking cheerilee's character development and POV
I'm somewhat sleep deprived. I had decided to skip my first class tomorrow. It was 12 AM, I was going to bed. Sweet, sweet bed.
And then this drops... But any semblance of hate I could have to you (both of you, I guess) disappears as I read a masterpiece before me... and then is somewhat rekindled because, damn...
Don't get me wrong, I love this. I love what you have going on here. But the detail; just how believable this is, the way the characters have grown in your universe and their pains, their fears, their... everything. It... It gets to you, you know?
This is somewhat similar to what I said in Eternal, but it slightly saddens me that this masterpiece is an MLP fic. Not because of being a fic, or because it's MLP. But because of that combination, not many people will get to read this. And holy shit they should, because it's awesome.
And I hate you a little bit for writing so GOD DAMN good... Just a bit.
Now I'm just rambling. Brain simply wants to shut down. I'm going to bed. ~ A sleep deprived haiku.
1582058
1581888
1581226
1581423
I've had the incredible privilege of reading most of the rest of it and, this I swear, it gets even better. It is magnificence itself.
And, actually, regarding Cheerilee and her characterization, Device has been so awesome at it that it has, no joke, inspired Sleepless and me to suggest the formation of Cheerilee Facts. To wit: "It is not true that Cheerilee does not know fear. She knows fear. Every Tuesday she invites fear over for tea and crumpets. So far, fear has not dared to reply."
Loved this chapter, so much. So many feels. There were some neigh-sayers at the end of the first chapter, ones who thought the first chapter was kind of terrible and who insisted it was only featured because it was written by Device. Well, I say buck them. This has got to be one of the most intricate and in-depth story I've read in a long time, and I've read Romance Reports too many times to count. One does not simply love a work of art because the author has published other good works of art. One loves a work of art because the author is good at what he does. By all means, keep it up.
This shit is so deep and serious I forget I am reading about ponies. I love it. 3 more days to S3!
1582307
Now you've gone and done it! Prepare for a flood of ponified chuck Norris jokes!
1582307
"I've had the incredible privilege of reading most of the rest of it and, this I swear, it gets even better. It is magnificence itself."
You've read it.
The Jelly...The amounts of Jelly,man...
Nice to see it go up after all. I was a bit worried after yesterday's blog post.
Wonderful stuff. I'm really enjoying the look into Cheerilee's character we're getting, and the interaction between her and Twilight is simply great. And the Princesses, too; so perfect and so flawed, both of them. I'm eager to see the next chapter!
Also, the moment where Cheerilee jokes about Twilight being the last pony to complain about sleeping with teachers, and it takes Twilight a moment to realize what she's saying... it was so funny, yet also so touching and a bit heart-breaking.
More. Please. Keep going.
I see... I like... I will be waiting for more...
I BEG you guys, don't stop. This is too awesome!
So many relationships to fix or improve. I want to see these very well characterised ponies struggle, and then get better in their lifes.
MOAR MOAR MOAR... ehem pretty please?
1582383
Chuck Norris is passé. What I'd like to see is The Most Interesting Mare In The World.
"I don't always drink cider, but when I do, I prefer Sweet Apple Acres."
SleeplessBrony don't you dare let Device call quits on continuing to write this fic.
Once again Big Mac has saved me from the depths of despair by being the Jesus/Ghandi/Martin Luther King/Dalai Lama of Equestria all in one.
I just have to say that while a roller coaster of emotions, this was an excellent chapter and definitely looking forward to seeing where Cheerilee and Twilight go from here. I also like how this seems to be happening simultaneously with 'Up in the Clouds, Down to Earth', so I'm looking forward to how Big Mac handles all these issues with Twilight friends that we keep getting hints of.
I think you accidentally that 'a' in 'an'.
OTHERWISE, I loved it and can't wait for more. No point in saying anything else as it's all already been said.
So good! A more than worthy continuation of a wonderful story.
1582605
along a similar vein...
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/31025/Real-Mares-of-Genius.
1582785
Seconded so hard, I'm up to 5ever
DH we love you! SB, keep being awesome!
Great story.
I DEMAND MOAR!!!
Now I keep replacing Jack Nicholson with Twi in the Shining
This is definitely one of the best romance fanfics out there, and Big Mac is a demigod among ponies
I wish I could fav/like this twice.
This...
Romance reports...
But even better?
All I really know is I've got a new writer whose fics all suddenly find themselves promoted to the very top of my to-read-list. Because this shit is beautiful. Thank you.
This is an incredibly powerful paragraph, and it gave me the feels...
Celestia, stop being so dense. I know Luna hurt you by hurting Twilight, and you feel betrayed etc., but Luna is honestly trying to reconnect here. Stop falling, please. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/misc_Vinyl_sad.png Speaking of which, Celestia's thought about how it'd be nice to reconnect with Luna made me laugh, and then feel bad about laughing...
Cheerilee understands that this situation is more complicated than she realized, but I still think she's underestimating the complexity, or at least the importance. For example, I doubt she thinks this situation might endanger Equestria, if Luna's right about Celestia falling into darkness like she herself had as Nightmare Moon. I'm morbidly curious how Cheerilee would react to the possibility of that scenario.
Tangentially relevant, I'm playing that sims-style MLP game by Gameloft, and I put Cheerilee's house right next to Twilight's library. dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Luna_lolface.png
Ho-Lee-Shiiiiiiittttt...
That was agreat read, it hurts, but its great!
DH, you`re as awesome as ever.
1582889
I wonder if we'll see this conversation from Mac's point of view in a later chapter of clouds?
Awesome. Seriously.
I do feel a slight gap between canon Luna and smoky ethereal Luna projection, though. I don't want to be overly critical because the character portrayal is already mind-blowing (especially Celestia. How do you even write a character like that?), but I kind of wonder if maybe a meeting with Luna in the flesh could help bridge the gap a little. Yes, she's an ancient mystical illusive moon goddess type, but she's also a pony, with an actual physical body and everything. I think that's part of what gives Celestia her otherworldliness - that she's not just floating around in the ether but there, standing right in front of you, being somehow part of a world that you can never understand even though it's the world you live in just viewed from a different perspective.
Long chapter + late night = rambling, but happy. More please.
Ahhh I was worried this chapter wouldn't go up because of...circumstances.
Alas! Je ne devrais pas douter! The heretic provides once again!
1584590 I think that would be nice to see actually.
Still a beautiful story from a beautiful universe~...
Just a few errors I found, should be easy to find and fix with Crtl+F:
it sometimes did to make sure she was still in the same place
Twilight's wound herself up about the meeting that there's only need for one dreadful syllable.
Shes laughs
humm
That was impression
She'd come home to find the Twilight
dealing not one but both
a beautiful mare who she loves
I have no idea what kind of magic you possess that allows you to write about complex emotions and present them in such a wonderful way but you use it to perfection. You have taken literal background characters and given them emotions, personalities, and depths that are nothing short of stunning.
Thank you for sharing your talent. Your works are some of the best literature that I have read, and I always look forward to seeing the newest entry that you have crafted.
I'm so glad you're still updating this. After that last blog post, I was scared it would go the same way as Nocturne. Please don't disappear on us, alright?
The new chapter starts out a little slow but it soon picks up. I have to say, it's pretty heartbreaking watching these folks sabotaging their own relationships like this.
Seriously, this is just amazing. Definitely a new entry into my personal top-five.
Putting this in my read later till it develops a bit more, even though it was a most excellent story I hated the Cheerilee choice of the pairing, so at the moment I want to see where this is going before I commit to reading it.
Well. There happen to be no words i can say. Seriously, i'm speechless. That alone is a good thing, and i believe congratulations are in order. I eagerly await more.
And for random news time: 'Princess Mi Amore "Wife Missile" Cadenza, was seen saving the Crystal Empire from a sentient cloud of black smoke. Prince Shining Armor was also seen assisting Cadenza in her efforts to dispel the cloud. Footage will be available at ten.'
i think it will be hard to know how to feel towards a goddess walking among us, much less how to feel if i was close to her it must be overwhelming
I wouldn't say anything if they weren't discussing spelling and grammar at the time...
*grabs red pen*
*strikes through "two vertice"*
*writes "two-vertex"*
Oh, heavens. She's reminding herself...
for anyone who has ever been in worship of someone they thought they shouldnt deserve, this line makes you a mind reader
Luna and Celestia's interactions are always such a chess match of meaningful looks, tones, and subtleties. It's exactly what seems reasonable for rulers with minds that complex and collective experiences that vast. You accomplish so much working with such comparatively minimal canon exposure. Their interpretations in your work are just so satisfying to read.
I can't tell if elements of this relationship minefield stem from personal experience or simply your ability to empathize. If it's not from your experience, then you're adept at relationship creativity. If it IS from experience, then you're adept at conveying the emotions involved.
Simply wonderful. Everybody feels "real."
First, I'm going to go home, and kiss Twilight. Because I love her.
And then she'd dig her hooves in.
I see what u did there.
The alternate ending to Romance Reports makes me wonder a lot in regards to this one.