5147976 I don't understand? Is there a problem with that? Twilight's Library accepts mature/sex stories, just with higher criteria. I'm really happy about CIAM being there.
It's been a long time coming but I'm glad that time is here!
"It's all my fault, Shiny," Cadance interrupts him. "I wanted to make sure you had help with adjusting. I thought you would like being pampered for a bit after everything so you wouldn't be stressed so much about the new responsibilities. I... I took a lot of the jobs you were supposed to do away from you and did them myself, or asked somepony else to do them.
Ah, this explains so much. It's funny how we always think we know what's best for someone else. And we never check with the person in question either, oh no. We just get this "brilliant idea" in our heads and go full steam ahead with it. It always causes problems like this.
Cadance still needs more therapy. She is only now realizing that her coping strategy to being kidnapped and locked away is overzealous control. She needs a lot more help with coping with the event and learning to let things go.
I'm going to a sex shop! With Cady! What could go wrong?
And here I was worried that the insanity was over.
as images of Cadance clad in skin-tight black and hog-tied on a bed flashes in his mind.
I sense a crazy sex scene in the near future.
Can't wait for the next chapter. Maybe the next one won't take as long now that you've got Cadance's character nailed down, eh?
Have I told you yet that I absolutely adore this story? No? Well, then consider yourself told!
Also, I can't help but shake the image now of Blueblood (the First) being a patient of Sassy Swallow as well due to a crippling fear of females.
Remember, he's been living with Celestia and Cadance even longer than Shining Armor has. They probably didn't hurt him as much physically, but I'd bet you money growing up around them made him feel very, very small in comparison.
Should have your stereotypical sleazy owner working the register recommending Shining and Cadence a bunch of stuff. Cadence trying to tolerate it but once the owner lists all the video possibilities she feels weirded out but still learns that a marriage doesn't always have to be about penetrating sex. That or she blows up the sex shop.
I can see why it would be difficult to write Cadance as following properly from her personality over the course of the story without having her break the scene. She may have admitted a problem with control, but she doesn't really accept that it is one. She wants an easy solution and keeps getting upset when it's not going to be that way - especially when someone else is involved in the confrontation.
She doesn't like Sassy because Sassy pushes all her buttons just by being their therapist. She's a really strong antagonist.
So yes, making her grow through some character development would be very difficult in this situation. I think you did really well though. Cadance isn't a complete bitch, and comes across as someone who's getting stressed out by the presence of problems that she's being forced to face against her will. She needs to take some cues from Shining because he's mostly past that phase by now.
5150003 Actually, I'd prefer for the place to be more like the Smitten Kitten - smart, sex positive, and understanding. That's actually part of Cady's problem here - WAY too vanilla/prudish.
I hope there won't be any heavy Dom/Sub in the future, because I'd hate to have to stop reading such a good story because it decided to add my biggest turn-off for mature-rated stories. Then again, it's mostly a matter of control, Cadance needing to give up on it and Shining Armour needing to have it, which simple, normal bondage will do, too. There's no need for name-calling, whipping or any such pain-fetishes to be involved. Who knows, maybe this will be the story with tender bondage that I've been looking for (and have not found as of yet) for so long?
Still, even with the possibility just being mentioned, I can already see a lot of risks and it will definately take a lot of preparation and talking for our couple before they can ever put any of it into practice (if they'll even get that far at all). They'll have to take baby steps, very carefully, and not go into this full-blown right away. The risk of Cadance having a panic attack, or Shining Armour losing control and taking his fears and hate for the Queen out on his helpless wife, are too great, and would only serve to damage their relationship. Meaning that Shining Armour will have to be patient and not expect his fantasy of a black-clad, hogtied Cadance to become reality right away. That would never work.
Can I also say how refreshing this version of Cadance is? Usually, a lot of authors take the whole "Princess of Love" thing very literal, with Cadance knowing about and being into every sex-related kink imaginable, wanting to try them all. Having a more demure, somewhat prudish Cadance, was a very welcome change and a joy to read.
I never felt Cadance was the antagonist in this story, nor that she was two dimentional, but nevertheless, I think you did a good job in this chapter showing that she, too, is suffering in her own way and struggling to overcome it.
5154721 Well, of course I don't want to give out spoilers or anything, but I'll ask you to trust me with the story that you've been reading for so long for two more chapters.
it's also... nice (by varying definitions of the term) to see that things aren't just magically clicking together. It's kind of amusing how warped Cadance is when it comes to sex; "No, it's shameful to admit to my husband I like sex, but it's totally normal to ask him if he wants his sister to help!"
Fortunately Cadance seems far enough along with easing up on her control freak deal that she didn't hold to that. Going to a sex shop alone would be pretty intimidating, but it definitely stands to be a much more balanced viewpoint. And blunt, which both of them need. It might be reasonable to ask twilight if she can recommend any books on the subject. Lets face it, that's where her real skill set is going to be.
5154721 I generally don't support the dom/sub S&M stuff either, since it's usually just depicted as abuse, but when it's done right, it can actually be pretty sweet. Nana to Kaoru is a good example (which for all its sexual situation hasn't, to my memory, actually had any actual sex in it) that shows how much preparation and attention to detail a proper dom needs to go through to stay in control and ensure a sub's safety and prevent damage while still being restrictive and just enough pain to be enjoyable.
5156157 Think about it this way: You're the Princess of Love, everyone expects you to somehow know everything about the birds and the bees, yet nobody actually bothered to ask you about them because it would be awkward. Then enter Twilight who is interested in EVERYTHING and wants to study pony sexuality as a pre-teen filly. Thus all of Cadance's knowledge is from books and the reports Twilight made and subsequently showed her foalsitter. Cadance knows exactly how things work between mares and stallions who love each other very much, but she has no experience on the practical side of things, such as sex toys, kinks etc. In my head, at least.
I base my Cadance, Shining Armor, and the rest of the Sparkle household on two different sources. First one are the official comics, especially the Cady x Shiny background fic, which shows Cadance similarly as I've written her here. Another one would be Twilight's First Day comics from Muffinshire. If you haven't read them, shame on you. Best fan-made comic that easily surpasses half the official comics.
Nana To Kaoru is one of the best manga I'd recommend someone to read who is interested in learning about actual BDSM. Sure, it gets pretty stupid later on, but the early parts are almost a guide to caring dom-ing. It focuses a bit too much on japanese shibari and the scenarios they have range wildly from super-soft-and-fuzzy-core to some pretty hardcore stuff.
5158590 Maybe Aunty Celestia could offer some advice, instead of Twilight. She's been around for centuries, after all, I'm sure she has a wealth of information at her disposal.
5158590 Yes, one of the show's writers did recently confirm that the books backstory of Cadence is canon. Tho I do wonder if her adopted Earth pony parents are still around.
5148709 I don't see this as a departure from canon that has to do with it's age; it fits fine with established canon. Instead it's a historical in-joke/dramatic irony for the reader. This is set before the couple moved to the Crystal Empire, so Twilight is not a princess yet. Her ascension was a shock to her best friends, so I'm sure it would seem pretty outlandish to her family, too.
5162736 I was only referring to how many stories that go for this long tend to start inserting new events from the show that wouldn't have happened In accordance to when the fic was made.
So glad this is updating again. Still my favorite character study story. Really curious how these next few chapters will go. (The fact that I'm into BDSM mayyy contribute.) recommended this to a friend and he just started reading it. Have a great day!
5153846 There is a certain irony in that the Princess of Love is more reserved/prudish than the super introverted Twilight.
5156514 This is a very valid point of view, but then so is the other, that the Princess of Love would want to know everything about the physical aspects of it as well. It really just depends on the point of view. Personally I've always found that Practical Cadence makes the most sense to me. That being said, I've enjoyed this view on Cadence as well.
5196167 Well I can't be 100% on this, but I think Shining already was inside the story previously, and its not a sleaze shop by any means. And yeah, I can't see Sparkle going to a sleazy shop at all.
I'm a little late to this party, but after voraciously devouring the entire series so far, I want to extend my thanks.
This is bloody brilliant.
Not only is it beautifully crafted, it also portrays a deep, rich and believable version of what the main characters have gone through and how it has affected their lives on many different levels. Their means of dealing with the PTSD has been wonderfully approached, and your thought process on what happened to them is amazing.
You have my highest respect and recommendation. Thank you for sharing this story.
I just want to tell you that this story means a lot to me. I've gone through a lot of what Shining Armor has, and his struggle to overcome his trauma and the way he relates to others because of it are portrayed so very accurately (at least to my experience.)
This story has become instrumental in helping me overcome my anxieties and face my abusers, and I owe you a great deal of gratitude for your writing.
Synthetic leathers, at times made from plastics, are often used in clothing and fabrics. Artificial leather is marketed under many brands, including "leatherette", "faux leather", "Naugahyde", and "pleather".[1]
Those three typos are gonna get it! (That second one is pretty Shiny-esque though)
The fact that. This is. In Twilights Library........
5147976 I don't understand? Is there a problem with that? Twilight's Library accepts mature/sex stories, just with higher criteria. I'm really happy about CIAM being there.
You just activated my trap card and it's called Murphy's law!
Is there an "it" missing, here?
Epilogue: Words Taste Good
hill-kleerup.org/blog/doingwrite/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/what-could-possibly-go-wrong.jpg
Famous last words...
Well worth the wait.
5148122 Nope.
It's been a long time coming but I'm glad that time is here!
Ah, this explains so much. It's funny how we always think we know what's best for someone else. And we never check with the person in question either, oh no. We just get this "brilliant idea" in our heads and go full steam ahead with it. It always causes problems like this.
Cadance still needs more therapy. She is only now realizing that her coping strategy to being kidnapped and locked away is overzealous control. She needs a lot more help with coping with the event and learning to let things go.
And here I was worried that the insanity was over.
I sense a crazy sex scene in the near future.
Can't wait for the next chapter. Maybe the next one won't take as long now that you've got Cadance's character nailed down, eh?
Cadence seems sympathetic, but tightly-wound. I wonder if she'll loosen up or snap first.
5148413 Didn't she already kinda snap?
The age of this story is showing. But in a good way. Canon shouldn't affect fanon unless the creator of said fan work wants to.
Besides, Shining has enough on his plate to stress over his sister being a princess on top of all of it.
Glad to see the story is back from its small coma, at least.
5148709 "Small coma"
*Checks release dates* 9 months...
Have I told you yet that I absolutely adore this story? No? Well, then consider yourself told!
Also, I can't help but shake the image now of Blueblood (the First) being a patient of Sassy Swallow as well due to a crippling fear of females.
Remember, he's been living with Celestia and Cadance even longer than Shining Armor has. They probably didn't hurt him as much physically, but I'd bet you money growing up around them made him feel very, very small in comparison.
....
Royal Sex Shop! Yeah that one shop will boast, Royalty buys here after they leave.
Things that could go wrong:
1.) he jizzes all over the floor thinking about dominating his wife
2.) she doesn't want to do it, but then he gets royally pissed off (and proceeds to angrily masturbate on the floor again)
3.) twilight is there and tells cadance the whole thing and shit hits the windmill
4.) incest
I notice that the driver already knew where Honey & Copper's was...
Honey and Copper Adult 'Novelties'. I see so many ways this whole escapade could backfire and I've never been more alright with the idea.
Should have your stereotypical sleazy owner working the register recommending Shining and Cadence a bunch of stuff. Cadence trying to tolerate it but once the owner lists all the video possibilities she feels weirded out but still learns that a marriage doesn't always have to be about penetrating sex. That or she blows up the sex shop.
I can see why it would be difficult to write Cadance as following properly from her personality over the course of the story without having her break the scene. She may have admitted a problem with control, but she doesn't really accept that it is one. She wants an easy solution and keeps getting upset when it's not going to be that way - especially when someone else is involved in the confrontation.
She doesn't like Sassy because Sassy pushes all her buttons just by being their therapist. She's a really strong antagonist.
So yes, making her grow through some character development would be very difficult in this situation. I think you did really well though. Cadance isn't a complete bitch, and comes across as someone who's getting stressed out by the presence of problems that she's being forced to face against her will. She needs to take some cues from Shining because he's mostly past that phase by now.
The moment Sassy said "How does that make you feel", I was reminded off this:
[youtube=HuV-EpLV8SU]
5149391
The other Princesses have their sexual needs as well. Someone has to take them to the shop. I bet they even recommended it to Twilight.
I know of a couple who can help the Royal Couple of their problem for advice.
5150003
Actually, I'd prefer for the place to be more like the Smitten Kitten - smart, sex positive, and understanding. That's actually part of Cady's problem here - WAY too vanilla/prudish.
Commence read.
Well, now to await the shenanigans of a sex shop.
I hope there won't be any heavy Dom/Sub in the future, because I'd hate to have to stop reading such a good story because it decided to add my biggest turn-off for mature-rated stories. Then again, it's mostly a matter of control, Cadance needing to give up on it and Shining Armour needing to have it, which simple, normal bondage will do, too. There's no need for name-calling, whipping or any such pain-fetishes to be involved. Who knows, maybe this will be the story with tender bondage that I've been looking for (and have not found as of yet) for so long?
Still, even with the possibility just being mentioned, I can already see a lot of risks and it will definately take a lot of preparation and talking for our couple before they can ever put any of it into practice (if they'll even get that far at all). They'll have to take baby steps, very carefully, and not go into this full-blown right away. The risk of Cadance having a panic attack, or Shining Armour losing control and taking his fears and hate for the Queen out on his helpless wife, are too great, and would only serve to damage their relationship. Meaning that Shining Armour will have to be patient and not expect his fantasy of a black-clad, hogtied Cadance to become reality right away. That would never work.
Can I also say how refreshing this version of Cadance is? Usually, a lot of authors take the whole "Princess of Love" thing very literal, with Cadance knowing about and being into every sex-related kink imaginable, wanting to try them all. Having a more demure, somewhat prudish Cadance, was a very welcome change and a joy to read.
I never felt Cadance was the antagonist in this story, nor that she was two dimentional, but nevertheless, I think you did a good job in this chapter showing that she, too, is suffering in her own way and struggling to overcome it.
Well done!
Yet another incredible update. Shame it takes so long for updates, but when I saw it pop up on my favorites I felt like having an adrenaline rush.
5154721 Well, of course I don't want to give out spoilers or anything, but I'll ask you to trust me with the story that you've been reading for so long for two more chapters.
5155793
No worries, I trust that you know what you're doing. Nothing in the story has given me reason to doubt yet, so far.
Man, it's good to see this still updating.
it's also... nice (by varying definitions of the term) to see that things aren't just magically clicking together. It's kind of amusing how warped Cadance is when it comes to sex; "No, it's shameful to admit to my husband I like sex, but it's totally normal to ask him if he wants his sister to help!"
Fortunately Cadance seems far enough along with easing up on her control freak deal that she didn't hold to that. Going to a sex shop alone would be pretty intimidating, but it definitely stands to be a much more balanced viewpoint. And blunt, which both of them need. It might be reasonable to ask twilight if she can recommend any books on the subject. Lets face it, that's where her real skill set is going to be.
5154721
I generally don't support the dom/sub S&M stuff either, since it's usually just depicted as abuse, but when it's done right, it can actually be pretty sweet. Nana to Kaoru is a good example (which for all its sexual situation hasn't, to my memory, actually had any actual sex in it) that shows how much preparation and attention to detail a proper dom needs to go through to stay in control and ensure a sub's safety and prevent damage while still being restrictive and just enough pain to be enjoyable.
5156157 Think about it this way: You're the Princess of Love, everyone expects you to somehow know everything about the birds and the bees, yet nobody actually bothered to ask you about them because it would be awkward. Then enter Twilight who is interested in EVERYTHING and wants to study pony sexuality as a pre-teen filly. Thus all of Cadance's knowledge is from books and the reports Twilight made and subsequently showed her foalsitter. Cadance knows exactly how things work between mares and stallions who love each other very much, but she has no experience on the practical side of things, such as sex toys, kinks etc. In my head, at least.
I base my Cadance, Shining Armor, and the rest of the Sparkle household on two different sources. First one are the official comics, especially the Cady x Shiny background fic, which shows Cadance similarly as I've written her here. Another one would be Twilight's First Day comics from Muffinshire. If you haven't read them, shame on you. Best fan-made comic that easily surpasses half the official comics.
Nana To Kaoru is one of the best manga I'd recommend someone to read who is interested in learning about actual BDSM. Sure, it gets pretty stupid later on, but the early parts are almost a guide to caring dom-ing. It focuses a bit too much on japanese shibari and the scenarios they have range wildly from super-soft-and-fuzzy-core to some pretty hardcore stuff.
... Are Cadence's parents still alive? You'd think what with the theme of this story we'd have seen an appearance from the In-Laws by now
5157559 Cadance is an orphan. It's even canon.
5158590
Maybe Aunty Celestia could offer some advice, instead of Twilight. She's been around for centuries, after all, I'm sure she has a wealth of information at her disposal.
What could go wrong indeeeeed.
5158590
Yes, one of the show's writers did recently confirm that the books backstory of Cadence is canon. Tho I do wonder if her adopted Earth pony parents are still around.
Hoorah, it's finally back!
5148709 I don't see this as a departure from canon that has to do with it's age; it fits fine with established canon. Instead it's a historical in-joke/dramatic irony for the reader. This is set before the couple moved to the Crystal Empire, so Twilight is not a princess yet. Her ascension was a shock to her best friends, so I'm sure it would seem pretty outlandish to her family, too.
5162736 I was only referring to how many stories that go for this long tend to start inserting new events from the show that wouldn't have happened In accordance to when the fic was made.
That last sentence . . . :)
"What could go wrong?"
SHINING YOU MORON! NEVER EVER SAY THAT!
So glad this is updating again. Still my favorite character study story. Really curious how these next few chapters will go. (The fact that I'm into BDSM mayyy contribute.) recommended this to a friend and he just started reading it. Have a great day!
5153846 There is a certain irony in that the Princess of Love is more reserved/prudish than the super introverted Twilight.
5156514 This is a very valid point of view, but then so is the other, that the Princess of Love would want to know everything about the physical aspects of it as well. It really just depends on the point of view. Personally I've always found that Practical Cadence makes the most sense to me. That being said, I've enjoyed this view on Cadence as well.
5195988
Oh agreed. Wasn't complaining, just saying she doesn't eed to be reinforced with a skeezy sex shop.
Besides, would Twi really go to one of those?
5196167 Well I can't be 100% on this, but I think Shining already was inside the story previously, and its not a sleaze shop by any means. And yeah, I can't see Sparkle going to a sleazy shop at all.
I'm a little late to this party, but after voraciously devouring the entire series so far, I want to extend my thanks.
This is bloody brilliant.
Not only is it beautifully crafted, it also portrays a deep, rich and believable version of what the main characters have gone through and how it has affected their lives on many different levels. Their means of dealing with the PTSD has been wonderfully approached, and your thought process on what happened to them is amazing.
You have my highest respect and recommendation. Thank you for sharing this story.
I just want to tell you that this story means a lot to me. I've gone through a lot of what Shining Armor has, and his struggle to overcome his trauma and the way he relates to others because of it are portrayed so very accurately (at least to my experience.)
This story has become instrumental in helping me overcome my anxieties and face my abusers, and I owe you a great deal of gratitude for your writing.
5234774
From our friend, Wikipedia:
Those three typos are gonna get it! (That second one is pretty Shiny-esque though)
5234900 I should've googled "pleather" before making that comment XD
rekt ;~;