Private Gig
by NavyPony
Op. 2, Movt 3
Freddo
As far as spas went, this one was subpar. The proprietresses were friendly, the atmosphere was cheerful, and the customers were pleasant, but the establishment itself simply didn’t live up to the standard that had been suggested of it. Sure, the honor of “Best Spa I’ve Ever Been To,” besides being incorrect grammar, shouldn’t have meant much in a town in which there was only one spa and most of the residents did little in the way of travelling. Still, after hearing so many ponies saying it about the Aloetus Spa, Octavia had started to hope it was as good as Ponyville believed.
It was good, but it just wasn’t that good. Sure, the masseuse was skilled, but not expert. The mud was imported, but it had a slightly gritty consistency. The magazines in the reception area were a little bit on the lackluster side. Not to mention the fact that the mood music was a little bit too familiar for Octavia’s taste, what with the quiet cello solos and the all but inaudible vocal accompaniment, and that horrible flat note three minutes and twenty-one seconds into track six.
The drinks, on the other hoof, were relatively decent. Maybe. Possibly. To be honest, Octavia wasn’t actually sure – she suspected that they were par for the course, but having never before been subjected to beverages with tropical umbrella garnishes, she didn’t have much to measure them against. Had she been in Canterlot, where propriety forbade her from measuring such things as taste and preference objectively, she’d have been hard pressed not to qualify them in vague and snobbish terms, especially when she didn’t have any actual standard. Expressions such as ‘rather what I expected’ or ‘I’ve had worse’ were a part of her usual phrase book; being noncommittal was being cautious when her goal was to please.
So when she got questions like Rarity’s, Octavia would usually brush it off. “How are you enjoying your Mai Tai, darling? It doesn’t offend your palate, does it?”
But on the other hoof, she wasn’t in Canterlot at the moment, and that was wonderfully liberating. “I love it,” she answered with a wide smile. “It’s somewhere between refreshing and delightful, with a healthy dose of delicious to round it off. In fact, I could stand for another.” Almost before the words were out of her mouth, one of the earth pony sisters who ran the spa had refilled her half-empty cup from an overfull pitcher. “And I have no complaints about the service either.”
“I know, right?” Twilight finished her own beverage, and it was replenished even more quickly than Octavia’s. She took another sip before continuing. “In fact, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this myself – I mean, it’s one of the best places to spend time in Ponyville.”
“Yes, isn’t it so fortunate that we came across each other? Imagine if you’d arrived but ten minutes later… I’d have been denied the opportunity to enjoy the company of you and your…”
“umm… rarity?”
The yellow pegasus’ words went ignored or unheard, and Rarity continued. “I’m sorry Miss Octavia, would you call yourself her friend?” She raised an accusatory eyebrow. “Or perhaps something else?”
“Well-”
“Of course she’s my friend!” Twilight interjected. “Octavia is-”
A hint of annoyance flashed across the interrupted mare’s face, although it was covered before she’d turned to face her fellow unicorn. “Twilight.” Her tone was not cross but it did not quite approach your usual genial manner. “Not to be rude, but would you kindly not interrupt me while I, hmm…”
“interrogate her?” a quiet voice whispered.
“Why yes Fluttershy, interr-” Octavia covered her smirk by sipping from her glass as Rarity’s white face shaded itself crimson. “Hmm, Fluttershy I think you mean to say interact with her.” The poor pegasus shook her head and mouthed the word interrogate again, but she was ignored as Rarity turned back to Twilight. “Twi, you’ve been enjoying the darling’s company all morning, while I’m sure Fluttershy is quite interested in hearing what she has to say.”
“actually, i don’t mind if she doesn’t want to talk, i just like her music and-”
Octavia set her glass down beside her and for the first time in the conversation, sat up from her lounging position and opened her eyes. The spa ponies were (probably wisely) nowhere to be seen, having likely sensed the rising tension in the room. The pegasus who’d recognized her yesterday, Fluttershy, was mumbling almost inaudibly to herself, eyes downcast; Rarity was just turning back to face Octavia, her face stiffening slightly; and Twilight was looking back and forth between all of them. Utterly unaware of the rising tension surrounding her, she took another taste of her Mai Tai and smiled pleasantly. The musician thought it was charmingly naïve. “Twilight, would you please find the pony running the bar and ask for another round? It will be on my tab, of course,” Octavia offered.
Twilight blinked two or three times before formulating a reply, the conversation having turned in a rather different direction. “But… you don’t have a tab. And besides, I’m the one that invited you here.”
Fluttershy piped up, relatively speaking. “actually, it was kind of me who invited you, so maybe i should-”
“So really I should be the one paying for them,” Twilight continued, having either ignored or failed to note her friend’s whispers. Judging from the faint flush in the mare’s cheeks, Octavia deemed it to be the latter. “It’s only the polite thing for me to do.”
“Please, I would be amiss-”
“Really, dear,” Rarity interrupted, “she is offering to pay; I’m sure she wouldn’t if-”
“umm twi?”
“No, I’m happy to pay and that’s final.” In a display of uncharacteristic stubbornness, the young mare rose from her position and trotted out with her nose slightly higher in the air than typical. Fluttershy paused for only a moment and followed in her wake.
“That was skillfully done,” Rarity said, wasting no time. “I suppose you get everything you want that way?”
“I thought I would spare her the discomfort of listening in on my interrogation.”
“Darling, darling, this isn’t an interrogation.”
Octavia’s response started with an almost apathetically half-hearted scoff. It was the kind of expression she wished she had more excuses to use. “It would hardly be the first time and it certainly won’t be the last. Go ahead.” Like flicking a switch, she put on her most mysterious smile – the one that won her job offers whenever she wore it in a crowded setting. She called it her ‘professional smile’.
Seeming to smolder as she did so, Rarity responded. “Very well, Miss Octavia, as long as Twilight’s gone…” She paused momentarily, spinning her glass and watching the fluid inside swirl. “What are you intentions in regards to her?”
“So direct,” Octavia answered with a sniff, returning to a reclining position and closing her eyes lazily. “You really should have asked me what I thought about her or how she compared to some of my previous clients… it’s a much more subtle way of bringing the conversation where you want it, especially considering that I already know where we’re going with this.”
“Is that so? Where, then, are we going with this?”
“See, that’s much better – you’re putting me on the defensive without giving anything away yourself. It’s an obvious move, and not especially high level, but that doesn’t keep it from being a good one.”
“But nonetheless, you’re avoiding my question. Questions, in fact, seeing as how you ignored the first one, too.” If she’d been smoldering before, Rarity was now seething. “So tell me.”
Octavia shrugged her shoulders lazily. “Fine. But understand that I’m answering you because I don’t want to drag this out until Twilight returns.”
The chair she was sitting in creaked slightly as Rarity shifted her weight to more comfortably stare down her opponent. “Because you get less repeat business that way?”
“Because it’s my job to see that she enjoys the time she spends in my presence, and I’m good at my job. Unless I think she’d enjoy seeing me talk circles around your none-too-subtle snipes, I’m not going to fight with you while she’s about.” Octavia didn’t bother suppressing a yawn between sentences. “When it’s only you, however…”
“How noble of you, thinking of Twilight when she’s around but still giving me what I want when she isn’t. It takes a very special kind of pony to be so… accommodating.”
“As you have no doubt assumed, accommodation is something I’m rather good at.”
Rarity harrumphed quietly. “Then start accommodating my question, darling.” Venom practically dripped from her words. “What, exactly, are your intentions in regards to Twilight?”
“Twilight Sparkle is a client.” Octavia tried not to sigh very loudly as she said it. “Nothing more.”
“And that’s rather what I was afraid of. You see, while I am not wholly unfamiliar with your type, it strikes me that Twilight is probably unaware of the details of your occupation.” Rarity paused and glared frigidly at Octavia, as if expecting the other pony to speak. When she didn’t, the seamstress was forced to continue. “I’m just concerned that Twilight may have received the wrong impression, unless you… informed her. I’m assuming that you didn’t.”
“My behavior was the paragon of my craft, Miss Rarity. You have nothing to worry about.”
“A craft which Twilight is altogether unfamiliar with. And unless she knows, then… then…” She gestured with a hoof, as if she could somehow magick up the words she was searching for like with a summoning spell. Eventually she settled for something close enough. “I’m afraid she’s going to get hurt.”
Octavia snorted delicately – it was just enough to sound derisive but not enough that anypony could consider it unladylike. “Miss Rarity, I don’t hurt ponies unless I want to hurt them, and I assure you, I have no particular desire to hurt Twilight.”
Rarity’s sigh came out more like a hiss than anything else. “Miss Octavia, I’d like to believe you, but I just don’t see how that’s possible. I think she’d be better off knowing now so that she doesn’t have to find out later, when it’ll… well, it’ll…”
Once again she started waving her hoof, searching for the right words, only this time she was cut short. “Do you intend to tell her, then?” Octavia asked, perhaps more brusquely than absolutely necessary.
“I have half a mind,” Rarity chimed in response, and showing altogether too many teeth when she smiled.
“I have no doubt of that,” Octavia snapped almost before she could stop herself. “But whatever the case, I would be exceedingly irritated if you were to do such a thing.”
“Tsk. Because it’s not in your best interests?”
“Something to that effect, yes.”
Rarity pursed her lips coldly, little lines forming on her face from scowling. “What about Twilight’s best interests? Have you considered them?”
“I always consider the happiness of my clients.”
“Their wallets, more like-”
The entertainer, expert as she was, clenched her teeth instead of sneering, and managed to turn it into a smile to boot. “I was hired by a third party to perform for Twilight Sparkle and her wealth – or lack thereof – is a complete nonfactor. Were she the most destitute pony in Equestria, I would continue thusly, so long as she composed herself in an appropriate manner.” Octavia lifted her glass to her lips and drained the last of the Mai Tai. “And if I suspect correctly, I rather doubt she could afford to purchase my time – at least not with any sense of regularity.”
“Then don’t string her on like this. Tell her.”
“I will not,” Octavia replied firmly, “and I warn you that I would be most irate were you to do so.”
“Irate? Miss Octavia, I’ve been kidnapped by diamond dogs. I’ve climbed mountains to send dragons packing. I faced off against Nightmare Moon. Why should I be afraid of a who-”
“I’m back!” In a brilliant flash, a certain unicorn reappeared in the room, having teleported in with seven or eight glasses filled up with colorful liquids dangling about in her telekinesis. Three of them were suspiciously empty, which probably explained why the remainder wobbled precariously in her grip. “Look, girls! They have lime-flavored ones and… What’s going on here?”
Twilight looked back and forth between Rarity and Octavia quickly enough to whip her bangs back and forth over her eyes before announcing, “Your drinks are empty. Here.” She floated a pair of the glasses towards her friends, passing an orange-colored drink towards Rarity and a red one to Octavia. Twilight then proceeded to arrange the remainder of the glasses around her own seat before sliding into it with a content sigh.
Before either of the other two could respond intelligibly a butter-colored blur jumped through the doorway and slid halfway across the floor. “Rarity I think I lost- oh, Twilight, there you are. I was so worried, I…” She faded into incomprehensible mumbles as she ambled back to her own seat.
“So,” Twilight Sparkle started, levitating a green beverage by her lips, “what did I miss?”
“Not much darling. You look like you got the better end of the deal, having apparently had a good run on the bar. Myself and Miss Octavia were just discussing her business.” Rarity chuckled and turned to the earth pony. “You were saying something about the work you do in Canterlot? Besides the occasional concert?”
Every part of Octavia’s face except her eyes were the very picture of gentility. “Yes, of course. Ahem. Like I was saying, I’ve been contracted to attend the Solar Charity Auction next week with Mister Toity.” She took a slow pull from her beverage, icy lavender eyes locked on the mare across from her the whole time. “He’s a bit dull himself, but recognizes good ideas when he hears them.” Twilight’s ears didn’t so much as perk up at the implications of Octavia’s words, but Rarity bit her lip. “One of the Princess’ so many-times-removed nieces is having a ball later this month, and while I haven’t yet chosen with whom I’m going… well, events like these always have a glut of powerful ponies who want me to brighten their rooms.” Rarity gulped quietly. “And then there’s Miss Shores, who keeps sending me tickets to her performances as an apology for the last time she hired me to play for her.” Octavia shrugged smoothly, sub-zero gaze still pinning the white mare to her seat. “It’s amazing to what lengths she’s going to get me to be seen with her in public. In fact, I imagine that-”
It was very difficult for a white-coated pony to blanch, but Rarity managed, somehow achieving an even paler shade than her natural color. “Ahem. That’s enough, darling, I’m sure Twilight’s bored of-”
“Actually, not at all!” Twilight declared, putting another empty glass beside her lounge chair. “Did you know that Rarity’s met Sapphire Shores? And Hoity Toity, too.”
“My, how interesting.” Octavia’s cool smile warmed considerably as she turned to face the other unicorn. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”
Twilight took another gulp of another drink and grinned. “Well…”
Whorepony is bestpony
She just threatened Rarity with the social equivalent of a dirty bomb. Damn, Octavia's devious.
2701421
I don't even know what to say, Dire.
More Please. If you don't mind.
Another great chapter! I hope you'll have time in the future to keep it up. =) Definitely one of my favorite fics, lately.
Wasn't it the Princess who hired Octavia in the first place. Oh if Twilight does get hurt by this the Princess is going to feel horrible.
2701489
Okay, everypony is bestpony. Including naivepony (aka Twi). But srsly, giving character to an underdeveloped background pony is meaningful. Make sure that in the future you give her more drive than just ensuring her business's success. Other than that... yay.
gah! why was this so short! it was just starting to heat up!!!
rarity SO deserved what she just got.
2701528
Hating on the Rares? She's pretty much a bitch in this chapter - even though she has Twi's best intersts at heart. When it comes down to it, Rares is just trying to protect her friends - a role that RBD will prolly soon take over.
The more I read, the more I picture Octavia as Inara Serra. And the more I picture her like that, the more I like this fantastic story.
Pardon me for repeating this little phrase said by thousands of avid reader on this website but: ''MOAR PLEASE!''
An interesting confrontation in this chapter. Truth be told, as much as I like the Octavia of this story, and as much as Rarity was pushing things, I have to side with Rarity. Whatever disapproval she may feel about Octavia's profession, her fear of Twilight getting hurt is legitimate and a just motivation. Octavia telling her that her only interest in Twilight was professional was the completely wrong thing to say... One, I don't think that it is true, and two it plays into Rarity's feared scenario that Twilight believes she has made a new, true friend (and maybe more) only to later discover that Octavia was paid to fake the whole thing. That would be a very cruel blow to someone who takes friendship as seriously as Twilight Sparkle. Threatening Rarity's career to keep her from warning her friend is not a reassuring move either.
2701544
Dire! Stop giving them spoilers! (Or is it misleading them? heheheh)
2701557
Huehuehue
2701544
be that as it may, she's still not being very fair to octavia. in my opinion, she should leave it alone. i mean, if she hasn't done anything to twilight yet, then i doubt she's going to do anything at all unless twilight WANTS to.
2701573
Abso-fucking-lutely. Octi hasn't done anything meaningful with Twi. But that's extremely subjective when you're inexperienced. But as Rares would say, 'All's fair in love and war.' This isn't simply a matter of fairness. If the char in question were your best friend, your sister, or your daughter... well, protecting your kin is first and foremost. Rares may have been 'beaten' in this chapter, but I can't say she was wrong to do what she did.
2701597
agree to disagree then. we could argue this back and forth and i'm fairly certain neither of us will win. i'm not saying she shouldn't look out for twilight, but she should give octavia a little more credit and trust. like i said, it's not like she's done anything to warrant rarity acting that way to her. all she's done is make a living.
2701615All things considered, I agree - both of our sides are valid. Rares' perspective comes from knowing things that Twi doesn't - Rarity is informed, while Twi is ignorant. But I do agree that the character was attempting something she shouldn't have. Whether things turn out comedic or tragic, though... Rares will be humbled in the end.
2701573
I think Octavia truly misjudged the situation, myself... Something rare for her, I gather, but then she is a bit out of her element in this town. She was very focused on schooling Rarity in how to play the Canterlot high society game to which the fashionista aspires that she may have overlooked that Rarity hasn't abandoned her more Ponyvillian sincerity. Strip away the jousting and Rarity asked if Octavia had any sincere interest in Twilight or if it was just the job, to which Octavia (perhaps not willing to be open to another, or even to herself) said it was strictly professional. Then Rarity suggested that it would be better for Twilight to know the truth, and Octavia suggested such a thing wouldn't be in her business interests, and when Rarity pressed, she actively threatened her to keep quiet. The last bit, I think, was just to score further points in their verbal sparring match, showing that she was far more formidable in her profession than Rarity gave her credit for, but again I don't think she quite correctly gauged the sincere undertones of their cat-fight.
2701646>>2701640>>2701615
I'm very much enjoying this conversation.
2701646
Yes.
Rarity knows who and what Octi is.
Rarity believes she is doing the right thing (whether or not correct)
Rarity wants to minimize harm to Twilight Sparkle.
Octavia knows who and what Rares is.
Octavia believes she is doing the right thing (whether or not correct)
Octavia wants to maximize the gain of Twilight Sparkle.
Laws of drama and tropes considered, Octi is interested in TS. It is Rares' duty to play the guardian. Although Neither is 'wrong' in their perspective, they are at odds with one another, and will continue to be so until a relevant reconciliation is made. Both ponies are in the right ATM.
2701711
Indeed... I overstated it when I said Octavia's parting threat was largely about scoring points. Consciously or not, she's pulling out the big claws to warn Rarity off of threatening whatever it is that she's building with Twilight here.
Now if only Octavia hadn't directly led Rarity to believe that she is only interested in protecting her business interests.
I'm curious as to what Fluttershy's read is on this whole thing. Assuming anyone ever lets her fully state it.
Love this story and concept so much. The personalities are really well put together as well. I hope you continue to have time to work on this!
This fic makes me think decriminalization might be a good plan. Your ability to write the oldest profession is pretty impressive, not to mention entertaining!
I have trouble believing that Rarity would care about anything Octavia said if she really thinks it will hurt Twilight in the long run...
Meh, maybe next chapter will be better.
I think Fluttershy's input on the situation is going to be important. No to mention the fact that she can be surprisingly perceptive.
A very good chapter like always.
huge plot she not whore but a gigolo
I just want to know what Celestia was thinking. Usually the costumer knows the deal with Octavia, and there is no problem. Here, person A pays person B to (as part of the job) lie to person C (withholding relevant information is still lying).
This is a dick move. And it's sorta in character. This is why people write tyrant Celestia fics, dammit.
2702221
it is (indirectly) in character for Celestia, but not quite for the reasons you seem to be implying. Celestia will, without fail and in every situation in which she chooses to act (or not to act), change the entire face of the board as subtly as she can so that everyone benefits the most, be that in personal growth and experience, or in some other metaphorical currency. so it's not so much playing into the tyrant trope as the Grand Chessmaster, where 'Tia can and does control the entire board without hardly moving a muscle.
Rarity's concern about Octavia is justified... but Octavia's a professional. Twilight is the naïve one, not the other way around, so Octavia must have some sort of plan in mind. If Twilight is unsatisfied at the end of this, Octavia's reputation is the one that will suffer, because she has been paid very well to ensure Twilight's happiness. Obviously Octavia believes that she can manage this challenge, and is offended that Rarity does not...
The arguments could go in circles here. For this to work, Octavia needs Rarity and Twilight to trust her, ("Have I told you anything that is not true?") but Rarity cannot get over the lie of omission.
2702221
Did you not read chapter 5, Celestia meant to hire Octavia for her musical talent but some worker filed the wrong paper and accidentally hired Octavia for her other job
2702221
I imagine Celestia didn't personally hire Octavia; it would of gone something like this.
Celestia: Yo random servant my Faithful Student is having a birthday I need you to hire an entertainer for it.
Servant: Really you want me to hire Twilight an "Entertainer"?
Celestia: Yeah get her a musician or something I bet she'd like that.
So Celestia though she was getting Twilight something awesome like a Mariachi Band and instead a servant / the bureaucracy got her an 'entertainer' / call girl.
2702300
Oh, thanks for pointing that out. I remember now. It's just been a while since I read that chapter, and I've read a bunch of stuff since.
My mistake.
2702347
Yeah, as FredFredNineNine pointed out, that was pretty much what happened.
"The yellow pegasus’ words went ignored or unheard, and Rarity continued. “I’m sorry Miss Octavia, would you call yourself her friend?” She raised an accusatory eyebrow. “Or perhaps something else?”
“Well-”
“Of course she’s my friend!” Twilight interjected. “Octavia is-”
A hint of annoyance flashed across the interrupted mare’s face"
I think that there may be a line missing here, speech from Octavia between the two Rarity lines. That "Well-" would, based on the pattern of dialogue, appear to be from Octavia, but the text states that it was from Rarity.
Good chapter, though; it's only other flaw that I really noticed was its length! I must say, the comments have also been interesting and thought-provoking. Octavia as Inara? Oh my.
2702269
Apparently, that's not actually what happened here, I just didn't remember that a clerical error was made in chapter five.
Still, as off-topic as this is, I will remark on this characterization that you've described. No, let's be honest: I will rant. Be sure to understand that none of the below is relevant to this story.
Even if we are dealing with a "chess-master" who could reasonable be considered to "know better", it still implies a devaluation of the competence of the "pieces" - TLDR: the subject's (of Celestia's string-pulling) own intelligence is not respected in this scenario.
I hold a visceral loathing for "trickster mentors" because of this disrespect, and also because their methods are stupid: We don't operate by such methods in our professional lives for several reasons, among those being that open and frank communication is far more educating and less liable to misinterpretations. And treating people like chess pieces is downright imbecilic, since people are nothing as predictable as chess pieces.
2702417
oh excellent, I love a good rant.
Used improperly, I'd agree on the point of devaluation, but in Celestia's case, she's been ruling for more than a millenium, and who knows how much longer than that she's been alive. She's bound to understand, at least partially, that in order to truly play the 'Long Game', she'd need to account her subject's competencies and use that intelligence in her schemes. to that point, not only would their abilities not not be respected, but they'd be respected all the more for the depth of understanding she would need to properly incorporate them. The pilot episodes (the Mane 6 vs Nightmare Moon) are a perfect example; Celestia throws Twilight into the situation, having told her nothing more than a hint so cryptic that it's only really a hint in hindsight, believing and trusting in Twi so strongly that everything, the future of Alicorns, Equestria, Twilight, her friends, Celestia, and her long lost sister - everything would turn out right, despite hanging so precariously in the balance. I really can't think of anything that would imply more respect than that.
2702347 doubt it. Teilight explicitly said Octavia was her favorite musician. Celestia probably deliberately hired her for that reason and figured the other services would simply never come up.
2702451
So, she respects Twilight's intelligence enough to send her on the adventure without clear information, but not enough to send her on the adventure with clear information.
That's a very specific level of respect. [DM of the Rings reference, strip #4]
2702491
that's a really good point, so from here my argument is probably going to start leaving behind gaping holes where logic should have been...
you know that whole thing where if you know too much about your future, you might try to change it? that kinda applies here. Celestia gave only cryptic hints and second-hand legends because simply giving Twilight all the related information would have probably yielded a different result, based on Twilight's character. To Twilight, along the original episodes, walking into the event knowing almost nothing, she might not have been sure of herself the whole time, but she never devolved in total panic.
Along a different track, look at what happened with the Chrystal Empire, where she walked into the situation knowing pretty much everything there was to know (minus a single crucial detail, but Celestia pretty much implied that she didn't know what that was either), and all Twilight did was panic over whether on not she would pass Celestia's 'test'. It would only be reasonable to assume, then, that if Celestia had told Twilight ahead of time what was going to happen with NMM, Twi would have borked the whole thing by worrying about it being some grand test.
2702549
I don't disagree that Celestia might very well be doing the right thing when employing trickster-mentor tactics, or ones that on the face of them seems as such. It's just that after reading so many obnoxious, omniscient-morality licensed, patronizing, self-satisfied... I have developed a gut-reaction.
And I wish this trope would just die, because no real person could predict the future so reliably, and thus it just seems like apologism for manipulative (if basically benign) behavior.
But I'm probably over-reacting, as this is hardly one of the great problems of our society.
2702579
considering where we are, and where this argument is hosted, I think 'real' is up for debate.
2702621
Oh your god, did I just draw some kind of relation between a fantastical trope and people's actual, despicable behavior like some kind of moral guardian?
I have become what I hate...
2702690
pfffaaaahahahaha
2702549
What do you mean Twilight was panicking during the whole Crystal Empire showdown?
She was panicking when she thought it was a surprise test, one she had no idea what was about. After it had been explained to her Twilight was okay; she was calm and was quick to take proper action. She was the one that found the goddamned crystal heart, maybe she was worrying about failing this supposed test of Celestia's, but she never let that interfere with the situation.
Also, great chapter. Octavia and Rarity are both being jerks though.
2702732
yes that
except the story originated in Germany, hence the ridiculous spelling, which is similar in construction to the 'geist' in 'poltergeist', meaning 'ghost', obviously
he's also named after a star, but that's not necessarily related (though it probably is somehow)
So considering the constancy in which it happens, I'm guessing that your lack of capitals with Fluttershy's dialogue is intentional in an attempt to make her sound shy, quiet, and easy to overlook. However, I found it a bit distracting and it felt incomplete and unedited. At least to me it did.
2702491>>2702549
In defense of Celestia, the only time I can recall her intentionally leaving Twilight in the dark was in the pilot episode, and to be fair it was a pretty unique situation. She knew that the most important thing Twilight could do was to make some honestly close friends, but telling her why seems like it would alter the results... You'd expect Twilight to try and recruit the most honest, the most generous, the most loyal etc. ponies in the kingdom, rather than naturally connecting to ponies instead.
If the actions in this story had been intentionally instigated by her, I would suspect it would be done for Octavia's benefit rather than Twilight's. Sending the somewhat jaded escort into a situation where she could be sincerely appreciated and exposed to friendship offered with no ulterior motives looks to be having an effect on her, after all. Celestia seems to have a lot of faith that Twilight and her friends are a good influence on most any pony.
2702713>>2702942
that's a fair point, 'panic' was perhaps the wrong word...overthinking, maybe?