Damn.... I feel like he needs a hug or something in a major way. It's okay Armor, those weird thoughts...everyone has them. Why? My guess is a god with a sense of humor. Freud would write a book about you. As weird as things like what you described are they're natural, also trauma does cause quite a bit of discombobulation. Chin up, ain't the end of the world, just hide it from the general populace and share some of it with the closest ones to your heart.
edit: knew there was something else needed Nice job author, you capture the emotional experience of Armor quite well.
2020847 Back! Don't worry, Good might always prevail, but evil always returns!
2032552 Just keep him away from sharp objects. And ponies. It'll be alright!
2032569 Closest to your heart... like telling your sister you fantasised about her while jerking off in a public toilet, or to your wife that you prefer a magical insect over her in bed?
Oh, Twilight... don't you read the fanfics? You are into mares! Especially certain sun godesses! (I will go down for this ship!) Poor Shiny... so repressed that he projects even at his sister. Keep up the great work.
2032676 Nah. He needs COMICAL help. Next chapter: Pinkie Pie and Discord replace Sassy as his therapists, and Cadance runs away with the circus while their child from the future (Doctor Whooves) comes back to try and get them back together, but then the child of Pinkie and Discord (Screwball, that is) reveals himself having been working against the changelings all along in a masterful ploy that explains EVERY! SINGLE! EVENT! in the history of Equestria, but then Derpy accidentally steps on Shining's crotch and gelds him, making the whole time-space-continuinuiuiuiuum collapse into a giant bowl of cheddar cheese-and-onion-custard.
2032648 Thing about Twilight, the therapist needs to hear about. Telling that to Twilight not so much. The changeling thing though...will probably come up in some form or another. Resolving it in therapy is nice but unlikely. Likely course is it appears before his wife. But of course, only you know how this will all go, so I'll just sit back and wait for more.
"I thought you'd never ask!" She levitates the bag onto the table and pulls out a book and a black box before her brother has time to intercept. "They're Neighsa Balls. I read about them in a Japonyan book about sexual health. They're inserted into the vagina and used to stimulate the abdominal muscles to make them stronger."
Twilight, I don't think the entire city heard you. Say it again. Louder.
I was thinking since the last chapter that what Shine and Cady need to get back in "action" is for Cady to be tied up with a ball gag in her mouth. And I'm not even into BDSM.
Closest to your heart... like telling your sister you fantasised about her while jerking off in a public toilet, or to your wife that you prefer a magical insect over her in bed?
Am I crazy for thinking that yes, this is what he should do? I guess I place a higher value on honesty than other people do? Twi sure seems open-minded enough to handle such information, and Cady... she needs to be told that part of the problem is her behaviour.
It is exactly why he notices the small cardboard box, sitting alone in an alley behind a bakery. It is seldom that you find littering in Canterlot, and on a whim, he walks over to it. The box is filled with trash. He shrugs and walks away, not really sure what made him enter the alley in the first place, but continues down it aimlessly nevertheless.
I'm surprised that no one got the My Little Dashie Reference there :D
Really nice Chapter, Isseus. Shining is in a lot of trouble if he tells Cadence about his issues. Can't wait to see the next therapy session.
...They called the guard cuz someone took the only restroom? When you gotta go, you gotta go. For that matter, ALL the other stalls were closed? It's like some malevolent entity has it out for poor Shining or something......
I think it was more of a regular, in-home type restroom than a "many stalls" type common to public places. I've been to a few places with only one toilet like that, and it sucks when one guy holds up the line. Especially at a bar.
Well someone needs to get Shining Armor to sit down with his wife and have him tell her what the problem is. It's fairly obvious that he now knows what it is, so it's not a matter of his not understanding anymore.
I agree that Cadance needs to wake up and realize something quite beyond the obvious is wrong with her husband, but I'd be willing to cut her some slack on account that just as Shining has admitted that Chrysalis was that much better in the sack, Cadance has to at least suspect that some of that is going on. She's got to be feeling pretty threatened on that regard because she can see, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that her husband won't be mounting her anytime soon.
That said, particulary considering this last chapter, if something doesn't change somepony is going to take steps to help him for real. While I don't root for a Shining Twilight pairing (mostly because there never seems to be any believable premise for its existence beyond the -admittedly great- clop), I don't find it beyond the realm of possibilty that if Twilight were to find out just how miserable her brother is, she'd take steps to help him.
What those steps would be is up for debate but it could go from telling Cadance about it herself to stepping up herself to help him. I can't quite decide what would be more complicated.
Keep up the good work! I think you've got something great here no matter which way you choose to go, but I'd dearly love to see a well developed ArmorTwilight pairing, even if just a one night stand thing :P
Now that I stop and think about it, it kinda seems like if Shining told Cadence about any of this - not that he would ever, EVER be able to - it wouldn't really do any good. Her natural instinct once she overcame her shock and revulsion would presumably be to try and help her husband. I can't really picture her doing anything else.
Aaaaaaand in this particular case, that would absolutely be the wrong thing to do.
Shining Armor's whole problem is that he's lost control of his life. He feels powerless; he's surrounded by extraordinary mares who, for all his talents, make him look weak and stupid by comparison. If Cadence butted in and started throwing her weight around trying to make things better, it would be yet another example of a mare ruling his life. It doesn't matter how good her intentions are or even whether or not she succeeded; either way, she would be 'handling' Shining. It all just re-affirms his subconscious belief that he's no longer his own stallion. Almost like a pet, really. A well loved and indulged one... but a pet nonetheless. I mean, hell... for all her non-judgmental ways, Luna has shown Shining that not even his dreams are truly secure.
From where I sit, it really seems like Shining could use a little time away from it all. Perhaps some low-profile field posting where he could re-assert himself in the work he's known for - and if he wasn't married, I'd strongly suggest trying to get laid while he was at it. Unfortunately, being who and where he is, that's all almost certainly impossible. Maybe if he swung his limited political clout as hard as he could, he might swing it. But it'd raise all kinds of red flags to those paying attention.
Man, Shining appears more screwed up in every chapter. Yikes!
Damn.... I feel like he needs a hug or something in a major way. It's okay Armor, those weird thoughts...everyone has them. Why? My guess is a god with a sense of humor. Freud would write a book about you. As weird as things like what you described are they're natural, also trauma does cause quite a bit of discombobulation. Chin up, ain't the end of the world, just hide it from the general populace and share some of it with the closest ones to your heart.
edit: knew there was something else needed
Nice job author, you capture the emotional experience of Armor quite well.
Love it!
Poor Shining, suffering from major sexual confusion and awkward situations. Good chapter, but I personally can't wait till the next therapy session.
2020847 Back! Don't worry, Good might always prevail, but evil always returns!
2032552 Just keep him away from sharp objects. And ponies. It'll be alright!
2032569 Closest to your heart... like telling your sister you fantasised about her while jerking off in a public toilet, or to your wife that you prefer a magical insect over her in bed?
*Adam Savage* There's your problem!
....ah man, he needs serious help.....
that... was...
wow, he has issues
Oh, Twilight... don't you read the fanfics?
You are into mares! Especially certain sun godesses! (I will go down for this ship!)
Poor Shiny... so repressed that he projects even at his sister.
Keep up the great work.
2032676 Nah. He needs COMICAL help. Next chapter: Pinkie Pie and Discord replace Sassy as his therapists, and Cadance runs away with the circus while their child from the future (Doctor Whooves) comes back to try and get them back together, but then the child of Pinkie and Discord (Screwball, that is) reveals himself having been working against the changelings all along in a masterful ploy that explains EVERY! SINGLE! EVENT! in the history of Equestria, but then Derpy accidentally steps on Shining's crotch and gelds him, making the whole time-space-continuinuiuiuiuum collapse into a giant bowl of cheddar cheese-and-onion-custard.
Yeah. That's what's gonna happen. Mm-hmm.
2032715
If you ever did that, I would downvote this story, unfavorite it, and make all my problems known in a very wordy comment.
2032648 Thing about Twilight, the therapist needs to hear about. Telling that to Twilight not so much. The changeling thing though...will probably come up in some form or another. Resolving it in therapy is nice but unlikely. Likely course is it appears before his wife. But of course, only you know how this will all go, so I'll just sit back and wait for more.
2032725 Pfft. Spoilsport.
Shining armour is the universe's punching bag...
Twilight, I don't think the entire city heard you. Say it again. Louder.
Aww I was really hoping we'd stay away from TwiArmor.
2032787 Hmh? They can't talk?
Commence read.
The spoilers prove true.
2032812 I don't usually spoil, but when I do, I spoil about Shining Armor.
I was thinking since the last chapter that what Shine and Cady need to get back in "action" is for Cady to be tied up with a ball gag in her mouth.
And I'm not even into BDSM.
2032648
Am I crazy for thinking that yes, this is what he should do? I guess I place a higher value on honesty than other people do? Twi sure seems open-minded enough to handle such information, and Cady... she needs to be told that part of the problem is her behaviour.
2032801 No I mean any of that shipping. I'm not a fan of Twilight X Shining Armor shipping stuff.
Funny.
Funny.
Weird...
Then BLAM. Feels. This is amazing. Hope the next update is soon.
2032648
Wait, you're not implying he is suicidal are you? This is supposed to be a comedy, right?
You know what? Maybe he needs to confront his rapist.
2032877 There is no thing I detest more than suicide. I'll stop writing before I do anything like that to my characters.
2032857 This was not meant to be a TwiNy ship, but more of a fantasy that shiny goes for in his confusion.
That said, Incest = Wincest.
2032853 There's more than one chapter yet to come. Wait and see.
2032893 This is the only incest pairing I really don't like. Sorry.
omg.... I don't know if I pity him... or if I laugh my lungs off !
I'm beginning to think Shining has been fucked up by his experiences more than he'd like to admit.
"I know that feel, bro..."
unaffiliatedcritic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Luke-Skywalker-Mark-Hamill.jpg
2032893 well that didn't go as planned
...Well, at least he'll have TONS of things to talk about to his cognitive-analytic psychotherapist!
Oh Celestia why?
I'm surprised that no one got the My Little Dashie Reference there :D
Really nice Chapter, Isseus. Shining is in a lot of trouble if he tells Cadence about his issues. Can't wait to see the next therapy session.
...They called the guard cuz someone took the only restroom? When you gotta go, you gotta go.
For that matter, ALL the other stalls were closed?
It's like some malevolent entity has it out for poor Shining or something......
2032715 This needs to happen.
Good lord...that was unexpected but hilarious...ly awkward.
Poor Shiney...he's in for a long road in therapy.
I'm calling it now, 3 more chapters till Shining has a complete mental breakdown from all the stuff running through his head.
2033124
I think it was more of a regular, in-home type restroom than a "many stalls" type common to public places. I've been to a few places with only one toilet like that, and it sucks when one guy holds up the line. Especially at a bar.
2033256
The story specifically stated that there were other bathrooms labeled "closed for maintenance" though.
Well someone needs to get Shining Armor to sit down with his wife and have him tell her what the problem is. It's fairly obvious that he now knows what it is, so it's not a matter of his not understanding anymore.
I agree that Cadance needs to wake up and realize something quite beyond the obvious is wrong with her husband, but I'd be willing to cut her some slack on account that just as Shining has admitted that Chrysalis was that much better in the sack, Cadance has to at least suspect that some of that is going on. She's got to be feeling pretty threatened on that regard because she can see, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that her husband won't be mounting her anytime soon.
That said, particulary considering this last chapter, if something doesn't change somepony is going to take steps to help him for real. While I don't root for a Shining Twilight pairing (mostly because there never seems to be any believable premise for its existence beyond the -admittedly great- clop), I don't find it beyond the realm of possibilty that if Twilight were to find out just how miserable her brother is, she'd take steps to help him.
What those steps would be is up for debate but it could go from telling Cadance about it herself to stepping up herself to help him. I can't quite decide what would be more complicated.
Keep up the good work! I think you've got something great here no matter which way you choose to go, but I'd dearly love to see a well developed ArmorTwilight pairing, even if just a one night stand thing :P
static4.fjcdn.com/comments/What+the+hell+am+I+reading+_8fc58c4a44c403ebf1bc44cee9e10451.jpg
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaang.
You're going with an incest (sub)plot?
prequeladventure.com/this/story1344.gif
wow, just wow
2032961
SNOGS SISTER WHILE HAN WATCHES
LEANS BACK, ARMS BEHIND HEAD.
"FUCK YEAH, THAT HAPPENED."
...And nobody mentions it again.
Now that I stop and think about it, it kinda seems like if Shining told Cadence about any of this - not that he would ever, EVER be able to - it wouldn't really do any good. Her natural instinct once she overcame her shock and revulsion would presumably be to try and help her husband. I can't really picture her doing anything else.
Aaaaaaand in this particular case, that would absolutely be the wrong thing to do.
Shining Armor's whole problem is that he's lost control of his life. He feels powerless; he's surrounded by extraordinary mares who, for all his talents, make him look weak and stupid by comparison. If Cadence butted in and started throwing her weight around trying to make things better, it would be yet another example of a mare ruling his life. It doesn't matter how good her intentions are or even whether or not she succeeded; either way, she would be 'handling' Shining. It all just re-affirms his subconscious belief that he's no longer his own stallion. Almost like a pet, really. A well loved and indulged one... but a pet nonetheless. I mean, hell... for all her non-judgmental ways, Luna has shown Shining that not even his dreams are truly secure.
From where I sit, it really seems like Shining could use a little time away from it all. Perhaps some low-profile field posting where he could re-assert himself in the work he's known for - and if he wasn't married, I'd strongly suggest trying to get laid while he was at it. Unfortunately, being who and where he is, that's all almost certainly impossible. Maybe if he swung his limited political clout as hard as he could, he might swing it. But it'd raise all kinds of red flags to those paying attention.
Wow, I'm thinking way too hard about this.
My reactions throughout the chapter:
That was bucking hilarious.
Hmm, the deeper we go the worse off the Prince seems. Who knows how deeply rooted his problems go and if they'll get any worse from here.
Not likely, but possible.
2032715 I see one HUGE problem with this comment... Screwball is a filly.
2033270
Oh, so it did. Chalk it up to a mental ret-con :P Or not paying attention as I read. I miss lines sometimes.
Shining Armor is lucky that he didn't get caught playing "solitary" while he was in the public restroom.
2034397
sounds like you've set up a reasonable argument.