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Gift art

This is another rare pair, and one I blame a friend of mine for getting me to think about at all. I've become rather fond of the idea of Kokoro becoming friends with Yuki & Utsuro, and then the idea of a ship between Utsuro and Kokoro in general came later.

The general connection point was Kokoro being able to pick up on them being a system and helping the two out, with them bonding over identity stuff and other things (like cats)

Utsuro and Kokoro had some similarities in their lack of emotional expression and quiet natures, too.

It's definitely an unexpected connection, but somehow my friends always manage to sell me on the possibilities. Honestly, I think you can make any two characters interact well if you're creative about it, platonic or otherwise.

I've never really drawn him in pink before, or done a page like this. It was a gift piece, but I wanted to post it here too. I am pretty happy with how it turned out and I have been wanting to draw them for a while.

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Disability Pride Month 2025

Once again, this is late pride month art haha. My spoon levels have been fluctuating a lot the last couple weeks, but I was finally able to get back to this one and finish it.

This Tsurugi and Yamato come from a story I wrote called The Yamato I Used to Be, which I wrote for Disabilty Pride month last year. That fic is a little personal to me, as it draws from some of my own experiences as a disabled person and explores disability grief. This is mostly on Yamato's side, and the changes he's experienced and how he feels about them, something he's processing alongside Tsurugi during a chess match.

If you didn't know, there is a disability pride flag, and I think it's very pretty. If you want to learn more, I've left some info below, along with some of my own headcanons/interpretations of the DRA cast when it comes to this topic.

I spent some time looking into the symbolism and the creator this month: The disability pride flag was created by Ann Magill, and was redesigned later thanks to community input; with the visual elements changed to better accommodate those with color-blindness and visually-triggered disabilities.

Gold: Neurodiversity (Ex: Autism, dyslexia, Tourette's, etc cognitive/intellectual conditions)

Here's what all the colors represent:

Red: Physical Disabilities (Ex: Arthritis, MS, spinal injuries, amputations, etc)

White: Invisible Disabilities and Undiagnosed Disabilities

Blue: Emotional and Psychiatric Disabilities (Mental Illnesses such as Depression, Anxiety, etc)

The faded black background represents grief for those victimized or lost to ableism-fueled violence/abuse, along with the rage and protest against mistreatment.

Green: Sensory Disabilities (Ex. blindness, deafness, or other sensory conditions)

(note, there's a lot of overlap between these colors. Cerebral palsy, for example, could fall under red and gold. Also, many of us have comorbidities, including myself-multiple colors apply to me.)

I know neither disability pride month or this flag are obscure, by any means, but I rarely see it in art; frankly, I hardly see disability pride art in fandom spaces in general. (Compared to LGBTQ+ pride month for example) Honestly, I've never drawn it myself, and I've been a little hesitant to be more well-proud-about it, haha. I think this is something that can happen a lot for me when it comes to interpretations and headcanons surrounding characters, too. It can be intimidating to share this kind of stuff!

The multi-color design includes all six standard international flag colors, representing the widespread and global nature of the community. The colors, along with the diagonal band, represent light and creativity cutting through darkness; the barriers that isolate or separate us from the rest of society.

On that note, if you've made it this far, (thanks!) and here's some of my own interpretations and headcanons for the DRA cast when it comes to this topic. Some of these have come up in fics, conversations, or art before, but not all probably. Not going to go through all of my reasonings today to avoid more rambling or spoilers, but maybe I'll go into it more if people are interested.

disclaimer: if you don't see them this way, that's completely understandable. Some of these have more clear evidence than others, and almost none of them are undeniable.

Tsurugi: PTSD or CPTSD, Autism, hemiplegia or hemiparesis. (I have seen probably the most different interpretations and headcanons for him. He's fascinating) On the autism side, I feel like a his rigid mindset as well as how he interacts with others would neatly be supported by him being autistic. Also, I like headcanoning him with RBF / not being the best at breaking eye contact/making expressions or using body language that don't come off as aggressive/angry even when he isn't. Worth noting that there's a lot of overlap between PTSD symptoms and Autistic traits.

Yamato: AuDHD (I find myself putting this guy in different positions ability/personality/circumstances wise depending on the story and enviornment tbh... But I like to incorporate his ch.5 self and give him things like communication issues, brain fog, poor memory, or other things I experience, depending on where he's at.)

Yuki: DID (I won't get into the rest, but it is clear that this guy experiences dissociation at the very least, this is something we can see happen multiple times during the story IMO) Sometimes I give him autistic traits too, to be totally honest. It's... not always on purpose- I think my autism slips into the characters I write sometimes. /hj

Kinji Uehara: Autism (particularly on the affect and socializing side. He seems to interact best with others one on one and enjoys thoughtful conversations; could seen as be highly empathetic and also possessing a flat affect.)

Haru being ADHD and Kakeru having Anxiety

(I blame my friends for making me think about these two HCs)

I'll be so real, I feel like so much of the DRA cast can easily be viewed as neurodivergent... they just, do not act very neurotypical IMO okay?

Anyways, that's enough rambling. I'm being brave and sharing my niche interpretations so be kind to me /silly (Also, feel free to share your own headcanons, thoughts, and ideas/theories if you'd like) Maybe if this goes well I'll do a proper post about it someday. Either way, I can say you'll probably notice some of these in my fics.

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Spent some time playing dress up. Sometimes when I'm struggling to draw digitally, it helps to pick up pen and paper for a while.

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The Death that Red Reflects

I don't like posting my writing here that much compared to AO3, but well, this is a small one, and truthfully, the work it might end up being a part of is something I probably won't be able to share for a good while. However, I was really proud of this piece, and as a Kinjo-centric flashback it does stand alone pretty well. After a positive reception from some friends, I figured it might be worth sharing here.

content warning: death, descriptions of death/corpses, themes of neglect/abuse. This is one of several stories - or lessons - from Tsurugi's childhood. Please take care and mind the warnings, as it is a bit more intense than my usual posts here.

Spoilers ahead in post/discussions.

Ever since he was old enough to understand why Juu was rarely home, he’d wondered about the world he lived in instead of Tsurugi’s.

What did his father see every day? It must be important. It must help people, because otherwise, he wouldn’t have to go, and he could stay with Tsurugi, instead. Did he worry about the cases he hadn’t resolved yet? Did he get upset when things didn’t work out? When he was out there, protecting order, did he think about his son? Tsurugi had thought of him often, back then.

This curiosity sparked questions, and those questions would spark something into his father’s eyes. Then, he’d answer him, tell him stories. They’d talk. Conversations that felt real, that lasted longer than their greetings and farewells and a shared ‘how was your day?’ 

Those were his first cases. He wanted to know what kind of life his father led, the things he liked and didn’t. Occasional little glimpses came from their fleeting conversations. But most of it, he found out for himself. Questioning was limited with him, and besides, evidence held more sway than words. Investigation would always get him closer to the truth.

He learned his father liked egg salad sandwiches. He often came home with the konbini packaging still on hand. Their trash was often topped off with a few of the empty wrappers. 

He didn’t like warm colors. Not once had Tsurugi found tones of red, or orange, or warm brown in his closet. He liked being busy, Tsurugi thought. Even if it meant he wasn’t home? 

He definitely didn’t like when things went unfairly. When people got hurt. But especially when the bad people weren’t punished. Tsurugi didn’t have to know the details to understand that. 

The scars on his father’s arms and legs told him he’d been hurt, and hurt a lot. Once he’d seen one on an ungloved hand, and when his father caught him staring, he’d been brave enough to ask. Though not to touch. Even if he'd wanted to hold hands, he wasn’t brave enough for that.

“This one?” Juu had stretched out his fingers, revealing the shape coiling out inside his palm. It was a jagged scar, from a wound Tsurugi would come to identify many times in the future. “Had to stop the knife.” He gestured roughly with the other hand, as if to stab his fingers straight through. Tsurugi’s eyes had widened, seeing the twin scar on the back of his hand. 

“Did it hurt?” He whispered, instinctually holding his own hand. Something softened in Father’s expression at that, only for a moment, before returning to the usual unyielding solidity. 

“Yes, but it could have been worse.” He said quietly. “I was sure I’d never use it properly again, but I got lucky with the placement.” Then, he met Tsurugi’s eyes seriously. “That’s why we don’t use our hands to stop a knife unless there’s no other choice.”

Tsurugi nodded, accepting this. He didn’t consider the possibility of a world where he wouldn’t need to know this. It seemed to be a guarantee. A part of life his father weathered, and he would too, one day. He never once imagined this wasn’t the case for everyone else until he saw the truth in others.

His classmate who drew games for them on the sidewalk in chalk during recess. She said her brother had taught them to her, that he always let her win. A teacher who thanked his spouse for bringing a forgotten briefcase, and gave her a kiss on the cheek and a smile. All the times at lunch when other kids complained about their parents making them eat things they didn’t like for dinner, or not let them play video games. When they talked about who they’d spend time with over the holidays, and how their parents would invite them over for sleepovers. 

Hopscotch was a novelty to him. And there was nobody around to deliver his father a forgotten briefcase and a kiss. 

Sometimes, Tsurugi ate all by himself. 

He didn’t play video games, and he didn’t get invited to parties or sleepovers. His father never invited his classmates for things like that either.  Probably partially because Tsurugi wouldn't have known who to ask even if he had.

None of them spent their days the same way he and his father did. 

Was that really so strange?

It didn't seem to be.

But it was important. More important. So that was okay. It was okay. He was okay. He didn’t need it. Even if he thought maybe, it could be nice, to be like that.

At some point, he must have thought to himself that if his father couldn’t stay in Tsurugi’s world, maybe instead, Tsurugi could go be in his. 

So when those first opportunities came, Tsurugi leapt at each and every opportunity. It was difficult, and sometimes it hurt. And all of it meant less playing, and less friends, and less things in common with the other kids. But he didn’t really notice. And he’d not really had many friends, even before, anyways. He was always someone’s friend’s friend, not theirs. So he didn’t have any reason to feel bad, or regret his enthusiasm. 

That was, until one particular day. He hadn’t known what was coming until he was stepping under the police tape. Father often surprised him. So he’d be prepared for anything. This was yet another skill for Tsurugi to hone. His father had led the way into his world, and Tsurugi had felt a small thrill. This was a crime scene, a real one. And he was allowed here, trusted not to do something childish, or mess up evidence, or be a distraction. 

But as soon as that thrill hit him, a spike of anxiety followed. There was a strange smell in the air. Iron and acrid, but stronger… an undercurrent of bloat tinged with chemicals and rotten meat. 

He’d smelled blood before. But this was different. One moment, he was following carefully in his father’s footsteps, carefully making sure not to touch anything but the carpet they were walking over. The next, they were in a small bathroom… 

Tsurugi’s body betrays him. His spine goes ice-cold, and he seizes up, shivering and covering up a cry with one palm. His eyes pinch shut. He turns away. Even if he can’t shut out the smell, the sound of flies buzzing, he doesn’t want to see… Doesn’t want to see their face, doesn’t want to think about how a person used to live here, used to breathe, used to think, and now, there’s just something else lying here instead.

“Open your eyes, Tsurugi.” His father’s voice is quiet. Close to soft, and almost kind, compassionate. “Don’t look away.” Tsurugi slowly turns his head back. He wants to throw up, can’t throw up, he wants to cry-needs to cry? But he CAN’T. Instead, he forces his eyes open. Juu Kinjo nods, kneeling down beside him, and placing a hand on his shoulder. 

Normally, that touch, that rare piece of warmth, would be his sole focus. And a hand on his shoulder? An event like that could stay in his thoughts for days. But now, in this rotting room, he hardly feels it. 

“You mustn't look away, Tsurugi.” His father says, almost gently. “We owe it to them. Especially those we fail, understand?” His eyes seem more vibrant here, in this place of death. As though the blood was seeping into them. As though they’d turned red from seeing so much of it, from being in this place, and countless others like it. It must be doing the same to Tsurugi’s eyes, too. 

“I...” Tsurugi tries to comply, to answer, to do anything at all besides stand there. Everything seems distant, and his mouth won’t obey. He wants to run, but he forces himself to stay. For long minutes, they stay there. He waits, longing for something to be said, for a release. Then, his father stands, and the hand leaves his shoulder. 

“You’re doing very well for your first time.” His father tells him this in the same tone as all other assessments so far. Clinical, yes, but with that same satisfaction or pride running underneath that Tsurugi had come to know. But Tsurugi can’t cling to that now. It’s all so foggy, and far away. By the time his father leads the way back out, he no longer has the emotion to feel relieved. The air doesn’t feel as cold outside as it had before. The wind ruffles uselessly through his hair. “Tsurugi?” His father asks after the silence stretches on.

“Yes?” Tsurugi forces out. His voice comes out cool and orderly despite him expecting it to break. 

“You didn’t lose hold of yourself. Well done.” A surprisingly strong compliment, but it doesn’t hit the way it should.

“Thank you.” Tsurugi says quietly, even though he disagrees. Part of him floats somewhere behind. The smell hasn’t left his nostrils yet. His father goes on to tell him about his first time, how he’d expected Tsurugi to throw up like he had. How Tsurugi had handled it so bravely. Why it was important; a way to see if he was ready. One more test to ensure he was suited for this. 

An hour before, Tsurugi would have been overjoyed to have passed. He’d taken one big step closer, after all. But now, he answers from somewhere outside himself, unable to shake the images from his mind.

The man’s eyes had been so foggy you couldn’t tell which color they were anymore. His chest had been sunken in, and stomach bloated. The blood around him had coagulated, blanketing him in death. Were his fingers still reaching out to attack, or for help? Tangled, dirty hair had laid among the checkered tiles, never to be brushed or washed again.

This was what he wanted. This is what he had to do.

...Wasn't it?

[enquire]

So, I've been thinking about my EDP stories a bit. Ideally, I'd like to write "episodes" for different events I have planned. So far, I have some of Silent Frost up, which is kinda in the middle of the story. TBH, I've been spending more of my writing time on my regular fanfic (Looking Glass ATM) and other things, so it's probably going to be a long while before I get to all of what I'd like to do. And also, I can't say I'm a big fan of posting writing on Tumblr.

So, I figured I'd make a little poll over this. The crowd interested in EDP may be small, but still. BTW, this doesn't mean I'm planning to stop anytime soon, so don't worry. I'm just trying to decide if I want to continue sharing writing here, collect pieces until I have enough for a larger fic to post on AO3, or just focus on art here and prioritize writing for other stuff.

I'm mostly just curious here.

Also, this is a side note, but I've been considering taking commissions in this kind of style as well. IE making pony designs for folks/ponifying existing human characters. If that's something people would be interested in.

Anyways, that's enough rambling from me. Hope you all are well.

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Bad End(?) Saber

I've got some more horsing around for you tumblr. I've wanted to draw Saber in a scenario like this for a long time and I finally got around to completing the piece today.

I wanted to do something inspired by Tempest (In fact, this drawing references a specific screenshot/scene) and since I do have this... less fortunate... outcome in my head, it seemed the perfect fit for it. So, have Saber Frost, sans horn and several members of the cast. Featuring scars from him blowing up a magical blast/horn break mid-duel, which landed him in this rather unlucky ending scenario.

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Flare Brothers

I've actually had a desire to do some more kirins, and the two characters I've had in mind you can blame a friend of mine for. This makes 5 canon pony designs so far haha. I still don't think any of these characters will have much presence in EDP, but I've been motivated to give them some more thought and lore anyways because it's fun. So, hello Tumblr. Today I have Noble Flare and Roaring Flare for you.

These two are both kirin, but there's a bit of a twist. I took some inspiration from a book series close to my heart, Wings of Fire, and decided to apply the firescales condition from WoF's skywings to MLP's kirins! Essentially, Noble and Roaring are twins, however, one of them was born without fire while the other is basically always on fire. This leads to Noble almost being able to pass for a unicorn, and being unable to manifest a nirik form, while Roaring is constantly in something like a nirik form- in fact, him not being on fire would probably be a cause for concern, i.e. him being ill or injured. Noble is a very tight-laced and strict pony, while Roaring is very much the opposite, unable to conform even if he wanted to. As Roaring (Rory?) is always at least a little on fire, it's a bit dangerous for him to be around others and there are many drawbacks, but despite all of this, he's unapologetically himself and wouldn't give up his flames for anything. I imagine Noble traveling to Canterlot to live and study (Likely to become a teacher) whilst Rory usually keeps his distance from big cities, and isn't really very into Canterlot in general. Over time, this leads to a bit of distance forming between them, thanks to the actual distance between them and the differences in their goals and how they see the world. Note: I'm thinking other kirins (or kirin hybrids) are resistant to fire/nirik flames, so it wouldn't be as easy for Roaring to injure them. Unfortunately, with no fire, Noble does not have this trait, but despite that, Roaring has never once burned his brother. Also, he'll probably have an easier time in places that are cold and/or wet, too, while dry and hot places might be a little risky... I imagine Noble could also do some fireproofing/spark shield spells for him so he could walk places without setting them on fire. While Roaring might be able to wear things made from certain materials (like horseshoes, or things like that) or keep them on for a longer time despite them slowly wearing down/melting, for the most part, he can't really wear clothes. Noble, on the other hand, has gotten more into pony fashion, and has even taken to wearing clothing that makes it easy to mistake him for a unicorn by covering up his scales and lack of a cutie mark. (something Rory probably doesn't understand or like) If Saber met Roaring, it's very unlikely they would get along...

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The Silent Frost - Part 2

I am back once again to post more EDP stuff. This is a continuation of a prior post. If you'd like to give this 'episode' a read, the story continues below the cut. Sorry in advance for any typos or errors.

After seeing the group reunited, Pine steps back outside to give them some space. 

“Are you okay?” Clover murmurs, coming up to him with Saber in tow. “We were starting to think something had happened…”

“Well, something did happen,” Gizmo admits with a shrug. Then, he beckons Saber with a hoof. “Speechless with relief, huh?” Saber lowers his head to examine Gizmo, taking in his condition, before touching his forehead with one hoof. “Okay, now I'm starting to think…” 

“It’s pretty much exactly what you're imagining,” Ember watches as Saber allows himself to be pulled into a hug with Gizmo by Thrift without a hint of resistance.

“You're kidding.” Gizmo sighs. 

“I wish,” Clover says gloomily. “Saber hasn't said a word since he fell in the river.” 

“You fell in?” Gizmo glances over at his friend, who simply nods. “Geez, well I’m glad you didn’t become a popsicle like I almost did.” 

“Good grief. Don’t tell me you went for a swim, too.” Ember lifts an eyebrow. Thrift sits down close to Gizmo, and Clover follows suit, with a tired looking Saber close behind. 

“No, no,” Gizmo coughs into a hoof before continuing. “I got holed up in a cave. Didn’t fall in the river, that’d have been much worse all on my lonesome.”

“They’re both pretty bad…” Clover sighs. 

“What the heck happened?” Thrift lowers his voice. “It’s been way longer than ya said! I was scared you’d gotten hurt, or…” Gizmo ruffles his green mane with a gentle hoof. 

“Sorry buddy,” He sighs. “I didn’t mean to freak everypony out…”

“Well you definitely did.” Clover says bluntly.

“Did somepony here bail ya out?” Thrift asks closely, stealing a spot under some of the blankets. 

“Yup!” Gizmo nods. “The villagers go there to harvest, so I was only in there for a day or so before somepony noticed the cave being blocked and came back with help.” At the unhappy looks on everypony’s faces, Gizmo shrugs sheepishly. “Hey, well, I definitely would’ve made my own way out of there…eventually.” Saber stares at him for a long moment, and despite the current lack of emotion on his face, his thoughts seem pretty clear. 

“I’m sorry! Seriously,” Gizmo slumps. “Geez, I can practically hear the lecture in my head.” Saber sits down with a soft sigh, and lowers his gaze to the colorfully-laden floor.

“Well that’s good, because I’m pretty tempted to give it to you for him,” Ember glowers at them. The light from the stove hits her glasses, and set little crystalline sparkles shining beneath her eyes until she turns her head again. “Honestly, do you idiots have a death wish?” 

“I know, I know,” Gizmo looks down sheepishly, and curls into the covers again with a sneeze. “Not my brightest moment… but I’ve learned my lesson! So you don’t gotta teach me, professor.” 

“Oh really. Why don’t you share it with the class, then?” Ember asks, not convinced. Gizmo lifts a hoof, and sits up a little, in what almost looks like a pledge.

“Number two-hundred and three: Do not go traipsing off into a snowstorm all alone, Gizmo.” He states with a flourish, then coughs, and sinks back into the sheets. “Already noted down, don’t worry.” 

“Yeah well, maybe you and Frosty should get it tattooed.” She gives both of them a judgemental look. Saber glances over, but then lies back down with a soft, tired huff. Clover lowers himself to the rug too, right between Saber and Gizmo. 

“I’m just glad everypony’s okay.” Clover lowers his head tiredly. “Well… almost everypony…” Everyone looks away, gazes fixed on the floor. 

“Woah, woah,” Gizmo’s eyes sparkle a little. “Did I forget to mention why I went in that cave in the first place?” He lowers a hoof into the blankets, and pulls something out of his saddlebags, before showing it to everypony in the circle. “These folks even gave me some seeds, and stuff too.”

“Gladiolus orchioides,” Ember murmurs, eyeing the blue and yellow petal in his hoof. 

“Uh…” Thrift lowers his head to observe.

“Foal’s-breath.” Ember explains, and Clover nods, with a relieved expression on his face. Thrift’s confusion doesn’t lift, and she rolls her eyes. “It’s the plant. The one this idiot over here and I were researching?” Thrift stares at her blankly. “The potential cure for Moonshade?”  

“OH.” Thrift blushes. “Uh, right, right.” Gizmo grins amusedly at him, and Clover chuckles under his breath, which earns them each a light shove and a glare. Ember shakes her head, but the conversation quickly refocuses. 

“So… do you know if it works?” Clover asks. 

“Well…” Gizmo trails off, putting the flower back. “I’m not sure.” Saber tilts his head thoughtfully, but his expression is oddly tired.

“What do you mean? The locals must use it,” Ember taps a hoof impatiently. “It’s a cure for the effects of that weird river, isn’t it?” 

"It is indeed a cure for silence,” Another pony’s voice breaks into the conversation. Pine Shadows has reentered, and is wandering back over to them. “But the symptoms of the pony Gizmo described are… unusual.” 

“Silence…?” Clover echoes, glancing over at Saber. The kirin hybrid looks to be fighting off sleep, much to everyone’s surprise. Gizmo frowns, and floats a blanket over to Clover. The orange unicorn gently drapes it over their tired friend, then returns his worried face back to Pine. “Is that what happened to Saber…?” 

“Yes,” Pine looks a little surprised for a moment, and his gaze hovers hesitantly over the sleeping pony for a second, but he continues on without much delay. “The ford was enchanted when this village was founded.” 

"The ford…?” Ember’s amber eyes are skeptical as she crosses one hoof over the other. “I didn’t see any runes or other signs of a spell along the river. And besides, the spot he fell in was raging. It was practically rapids.” Pine meets her gaze with a thoughtful frown. 

“I see… Some seasons, the river overflows to cover the runestones… And the area affected by them grows, in turn.” He seems to make a mental note. “But the trail you four were on is far from the ford, even then… perhaps a stone was uprooted and washed downriver.” 

“That’s not good,” Gizmo coughs. “Where were you guys when he fell in?” 

“I’ll mark it on a map for him later,” Ember shakes her head. “First, I want more information.”

“That… is fair.” Pine seems unperturbed by her demands. “Allow me to explain.” 

“Hm.” Ember adjusts her glasses as he sits down to further elucidate them.

“As I have told Gizmo,” Pine gives the unicorn a nod. “Being submerged in the Ford of Repose dampens emotions and speech.” Thrift exchanges an uncertain look with Clover, but neither of them interrupt, and Saber’s scarlet gaze watches the leader, fully attentive despite his fatigue. “It may sound strange, but we Kirin have performed this spell for generations. Partaking in a temporary vow of silence is traditional for young kirin before they become adults, and it is a practice some of us use during a change or other turbulent times in our lives. Sometimes a period of reflection is needed, especially when one might otherwise go about setting things on fire…” 

“Well,” Ember sighs, looking disappointed. “I’m guessing kirin aren’t regularly getting exhausted or seriously ill doing this, then.” Pine shakes his head apologetically.

“Sometimes, ponies who are accidentally silenced, or forced…” His gaze hovers mysteriously over Saber again for a second. “Do show signs of fatigue. It can also indicate a need for more rest than the pony has been allowing themselves.” Ember gives their tired friend a look that seems to say ‘See?’ but he doesn’t react much. His attention is completely focused on the village elder.  

“So Saber’s reaction was normal?” Clover asks. “And the foal’s-breath, that’s what you use to release the spell?” 

“Yes,” Pine replies kindly. “I’ve already asked our herbalist to brew some foal’s-breath tea for him. It shouldn’t be much longer.” Clover sighs, relieved, but after a moment, the worry returns to his face. 

“...What about Moonshade?” He asks quietly. Gizmo looks over at him with an uneasy expression. 

“I… I am not sure what happened to your friend.” Pine admits slowly. “The symptoms may be similar, but I have never seen a kirin react in the way Gizmo described.” 

“And it’s not like she took a swim like Frosty,” Ember huffs, exasperated. 

“Indeed…” Pine nods. “This is why, in all honesty, I doubt our spell is the cause of her illness.” At the immediate lowering of heads and eyes around him, he continues apologetically. “I am sorry.”

"Well, I haven’t-” Gizmo coughs again, and Thrift gives him a little pat on the back. “Haven’t given up on that train of reasoning yet.” He meets Pine’s gaze determinedly. “Sorry, but I asked around if anypony could get a sample for me, and I haven’t heard anything back…?”

“Hmm…” Pine looks towards the side. “I’m afraid I’ve forbidden anypony from going down to the riverside for the time being.” At this, palpable disappointment filters into the room from Thrift, Clover, and Gizmo, though Saber’s head doesn’t lift from the floor. “When the river is this high and fast, going close is a risk,” Pine explains. “A kirin could cause the ice to melt or break, and cause themselves, or somepony else, to fall.” At this description, both Thrift and Ember glance over at their kirin friend still lying on the floor. However, they don’t get a response. Saber’s chest rises and falls gently, and he lies with his head pressed into the blankets, eyes closed. 

For several moments, everypony sits there in silence, taking in the unguarded state of their friend. When Thrift and Ember’s gazes return to the village leader, Gizmo and Clover continue staring, eyes narrowed and eyebrows furrowed respectively. Eventually, Ember breaks the silence with a sigh. 

“How much do you need?” She turns to Gizmo, who startles a little at the question. “If the alternative is sitting around and waiting, I’ll do it myself. My hooves aren’t going to set anything on fire.” 

“Not much,” Gizmo says quietly, and raises a small vial from somewhere with his magic. The glass container is already filled with a clear liquid. “Just enough to match this.” He explains. 

“Got it.” Ember is already standing up to go. “Hey,” her attention shifts to Thrift. “Pack anything that might be useful, short stuff?” He scrambles to his hooves.

“Uh, yeah, I’ve actually got some jars that are temperature and shatter resi-” She cuts him off with a wave of one hoof and an interruption.

“Yeah yeah, you can cut it out with the sales pitch. Let’s go.” With that, Ember ducks out through the door, with the green earth pony close behind. He gives the others a wave goodbye before exiting, which Gizmo and Clover return in kind. 

“If you’ll excuse me, I have other things to attend to,” Pine stands, casting a long shadow over the remaining three ponies. “You are welcome to rest here for as long as you need. I expect Fern Song to be done with the tea soon, but if you need anything else before dinner, let me know.”

“...Dinner?” Clover echoes. 

“Of course,” Pine looks over with a kind smile. “You all are welcome to dine with myself and my family, if you wish.”

“Oh, thank you.” Clover nods politely. “That’s very kind.” His smile is a little forced, perhaps overshadowed by worry for his friends, but Pine doesn’t seem to notice as he takes his leave.

“Pine’s husband is an amazing cook,” Gizmo whispers to him. “You guys are gonna love it.” 

“Yeah.” Clover’s smile weakens, and at the same time, some of the cheeriness in Gizmo’s eyes fades too. He watches Clover lean down towards their resting friend. “Saber…?” He murmurs. Saber doesn’t respond, even when Clover puts a hoof over his forehead to check the temperature. 

“Let him sleep,” Gizmo says gently, with a light cough. “The guy could use it.” After a pause, he continues, more quietly. “I’m sure he’ll be fine,” He says. “From what I’ve seen so far, the kirin here know what they’re talking about.” 

“Right…” Clover tucks the blanket in around Saber’s hooves and lies down again right between his two friends. “I just…” 

“What?” Gizmo’s eyes narrow.

Clover’s voice lowers to a whisper. “Everypony seems friendly, but all of them kept staring at Saber…”

“Staring?” Gizmo tilts his head. “What do you mean?”

“Maybe I’m overthinking it, but it seemed like they… recognized him, almost.” Clover fidgets with his scarf, meeting Gizmo’s thoughtful gaze. “What do you think of them?” 

“The entire time I’ve been here, they’ve been nothing but kind to me,” Gizmo looks out towards the entrance. “And they did rescue me from an icy doom, so…” He shakes his head. “I don’t see any reason for them to lie about this stuff, or hide anything.” He frowns. 

“Maybe it’s just because he’s part kirin…?” Clover muses. 

“If not, we’ll find out.” Gizmo assures him, ruffling his hair. “Don’t worry too much, okay?” Clover gives him a little smile, and seems to genuinely relax. 

“It seems like you have a theory about what happened to Moonshade?” He settles into his spot as Gizmo nods. Beside him, Saber makes a soft grumbling sound, and shifts a little closer in his sleep.

“I still think this… silence spell they have here is part of it.” The unicorn admits. “They probably just don’t know because what happened to Mysty is new…”

“New?” Clover tilts his head, but at that moment, somepony knocks a hoof on the stones outside, before entering. 

“Hiya!” Gizmo greets her with a grin and then, another round of coughing. 

“Oh horseradish,” a familiar greenish kirin comes over with a small teapot and cup hovering beside her. “I meant to bring you some more tea and honey, too.” 

“Don’t worry about it, Acorn,” Gizmo assures her as she sets the pot down beside them. 

“I will worry about it, so don’t worry-” Acorn cuts herself off with a frown. “What I mean to say is, I’ll get that for you from Fern next, it’s no trouble.”

“Well, in that case, thanks!” Gizmo laughs lightly. “And thank you for the foal’s breath tea. At least, I’m assuming that’s what it is.”

“Yup!” Acorn nods. “And it should work pretty fast, so…” She trails off, staring at Saber’s sleeping form. Something wary fades into her eyes as she does. 

“Hey, Acorn?” Gizmo lifts his head toward her. “Do you mind if we ask you a question?”

“No, not at all!” Acorn replies cheerily, and sits down across from them on a sunshine-toned rug. 

“Well,” Clover exchanges a look with Gizmo. “When we got here, I noticed everypony kind of… staring at Saber?”

“Oh…” Acorn’s voice lowers, and she looks a little taken aback. “Was I being that obvious?” 

“Well…” The corner of Gizmo’s mouth turns up a bit. “Yeah, kinda.” 

“So there is something.” Clover meets her gaze, and something sharp pokes through his expression in places.

“It’s nothing serious!” She amends immediately. “It’s well…” Clover and Gizmo eye her impatiently. “Okay, honestly, I really shouldn’t be the one telling you this. I mean, I didn’t even know the guy, I had no idea your friend was…” Acorn’s mouth closes, and she closes her eyes. “Look, this isn’t my story to tell, and especially with him still asleep…” She sighs. “If you all want to know more, ask Pine tonight, or somepony else, like Carnation, or Silver Wind. They’re the ones who would be able to tell you the details, not me.”

“Okay,” Gizmo accepts this, eyes resting on Saber for a long moment before returning to the green kirin before them. “Thanks.” 

“Sure,” Acorn nods. “I’m going to go get that tea for you, Gizmo.” Gizmo nods and she disappears at a brisk trot. 

“Not exactly an answer.” Clover huffs after she leaves. 

“No,” Gizmo admits. “...We’ll see.” At this, the two of them move a little closer towards their sleeping friend, watching over him pensively.

By the time Ember and Thrift return from the river, Gizmo’s cough has been eased somewhat by several cups of honeyed mint tea. Saber is still asleep, leaning slightly against Clover. The ginger unicorn looks somewhat pleased, surrounded by two blanketed ponies close at his side. His eyelids are slightly lowered as the others return, hooves clicking on the stone before being muffled by fabric. 

“He hasn’t drank it yet?” Ember walks over, eyeing the teapot and tapping the small, still bone-dry cup near it with a hoof. 

“We thought we’d let him sleep,” Clover explains, careful not to move too much. Gizmo stirs from his other side, blinking up at Ember and Thrift eagerly.

“Did you get it?” He asks, eyes bright. Ember, looking amused at the sudden excitement, levitates several small jars out from Thrift’s saddlebags. They circle everyone’s heads in a figure eight before gracefully settling back under Thrift’s large cloak and back where they came from in his pockets. The small green pony looks a little grumpier, and colder than before. He settles his cloak back into place with a small frown, and makes his way through the space. 

“I’m sick of bein’ this cold,” He complains. Ember snorts at him as she joins the others.

“It is thanks to your serious overpacking that I was able to gather so many samples,” Ember offers, tone a little less sharp than it could have been.

“Yer welcome,” Thrift lifts his chin with a little huff, and sits down next to the stove. 

“Well I’m very grateful,” Gizmo says earnestly. “There’s some tests I want to run when we get back, and having more is always good in my books.”

“Good.” Ember sits down neatly beside them. “You expect the substances to be similar?” 

“Yes,” Gizmo lifts an eyebrow at her, unsurprised at the immediate deduction. “That or… well, at this point it’s kind of all just a hypothesis… Once we get home, I can be sure…” For the first time that day, Gizmo’s expression shrinks into something serious, something a lot more worried than he was perhaps letting on. 

“Hey, don’t worry,” Clover leans against him a little. “I’m sure by tomorrow, you and Saber will be up to travel.”

“Yup,” Thrift agrees. “And besides, if Moonshade was gettin’ worse, I’d have gotten a message from Rainbow.” Gizmo’s violet eyes warm gratefully, but his shoulders are still tense.

“I’ll feel better once I’ve solved it.” He says quietly. 

“If you don’t, I will.” Ember’s tone is impossible to deny, and Gizmo looks up at her with a mixture of amusement and relief. “Now, since we have some time before dinner, you should rest. I'm going to have a look around town.” With that, she stands, and departs from the room, leaving the others to themselves. 

“She's right,” Clover says, patting the frowning Gizmo’s back. “You want to be ready to go home tomorrow, right?” He looks over toward the stove, where Thrift is snoring quietly. “See, he's got the right idea.”

“Alright…” Gizmo’s tired eyes meet Clover's as he gives in. “Alright.” Gizmo must have worn himself out with their arrival and conversation, because once he closes his eyes, he falls asleep almost immediately. Clover is left to his own devices, watching over his three sleeping friends. 

Or well, two sleeping friends…

“Saber?” Clover whispers. He'd felt a gaze on the back of his head, and when he'd turned to see, sure enough, a pair of scarlet eyes were watching him tiredly. The teacup lies right in front of him, no longer steaming. Saber looks away after Clover’s gaze hovers over it, then him. Clover frowns. “You've been up for a while, haven't you?” In response, Saber nods his head. The cup remains untouched. “That tea is a cure.” Clover's explanation brings no light of recognition or surprise to Saber’s face. “You already knew that…?” The silence serves as an answer. “Then…” Clover hesitates. “Why haven't you taken it?” 

The orange unicorn is met with the back of Saber's head instead of an answer. The blue pony turns away, large mane obscuring his face. 

“Hhgmm?” Gizmo stirs, blinking, but not fully awake. A pale blue hoof pushes the teacup towards Saber. The kirin hybrid startles, and pushes it back again. The back-and-forth lasts for a while, until Gizmo mumbles something, and falls back into sleep. 

“Why don't you want to drink it?” Clover hums softly. It's more of a question to himself, as he knows Saber can't answer, at least not in words. But his friend still turns to face him, at least. Saber’s eyes are oddly muted, and his expression is unreadable. 

It wasn't the first time they'd been in this kind of stalemate. And even when it had been a struggle to understand, Clover had always managed to reach him before. 

“Does it… feel better, like this?” He begins, hesitantly. Truthfully, he couldn't imagine it did. Saber wasn't an affectionate pony, it was true. But his warmth-his anger, his fierceness, his quiet longing for closeness-was muted. Clover could feel it, even now. Saber shakes his head, gaze clouding. Surrounded by Clover and Gizmo, he isn't as stiff as usual. Instead, he seems almost apathetic. “You aren't going to stay like this on purpose, are you…?” Clover asks, hesitantly. Once again, the silence is enough of an answer.

“You're thinking about it, aren't you…” Clover wants to laugh, to treat it like a joke, but he can't. “Why?” But then, the possibilities begin to come through. “You must think it's better like this, for some reason…” Saber stares at him quietly, and he sighs. “Saber, that's just this stupid spell talking.” He places a hoof over Saber’s, but the other pony pulls away, even going so far to shift away from Gizmo and Clover entirely. The pale blue unicorn still sleeping peacefully next to them grumbles lightly, but doesn't wake up.

“Do you think it's safer this way…?” Clover tilts his head, and a soft sense of bitterness fills his voice. “So what, you'd just rather not feel anything anymore?” Saber frowns, and turns away again, lowering his head petulantly down to his hooves. Clover sighs. “I can't force you to do anything… but this isn't a solution. You know that, right?” Then, he continues on more quietly. “The others won't understand or like this, either.” Maybe if Clover couldn’t convince him, Gizmo or Ember would.

“Are you really okay with not speaking to anypony?” Not speaking to me? He thinks. “Maybe I understand why, even if I think you're wrong…” His voice lowers, and his ears droop. Saber lifts his head, so Clover continues, hoping for an opening. “But it's only been a day, and I miss talking to you already.”

At last, Saber's face appears again. But Clover doesn't see the look of confliction or unease he hopes for. Instead, his friend’s face is just blank.

“Saber…?” He tries. Seeing him like this… muted, not angry, not happy, not sad… “I'm worried.” He says softly. “Are you okay…?” Slowly, Saber's gaze drifts to the floor, and his entire body slumps. He curls up, drawing closer to Gizmo and Clover again. At his touch, Gizmo stretches, and leans up against his shoulder. Saber stares at him quietly, before glancing back over at Clover with what looks like uncertainty. “You don't have to do this.” Clover says gently. This time, when he places a hoof on Saber's back, his silent friend doesn't move away. “If it's really what you want right now, I'll try and understand. But I really don't think it is.” 

Saber looks down at his hooves, then meets Clover's eyes. Slowly, a red glow flickers into existence around the teacup. Clover watches as Saber lifts it into the air with his magic, bringing it closer. In a few moments, the empty cup returns to the floor with a soft clink, and Clover sighs with relief. 

“You had me worried there,” He admits. Saber's eyes soften a little, but then, his eyelids droop. A few seconds later, he slumps to the floor, and into sleep. With everypony around him snoring softly, Clover can't help but be a little envious. Well, he thinks, a little nap couldn't hurt.

[enquire]

Yet Another EDP Post

I have a couple little things to share this time.

First off, here's a screencap drawover with Thrift and Horizon beefing. It took a surprisingly long time to make something like this... but I feel like I managed to merge the designs into the show style relatively well. It's still a little weird looking to me (and I was also tempted to make Thrift even smaller lol) but it was a fun exercise, maybe I'll do it again sometime.

I left the original screenshot at the bottom of this post. Lastly, here's a big line up of the main cast so far and a name list for every pony in EDP so far since I don't think I have a full one yet, and I think it'll come in handy for myself later lol.

It was fun to consider all of their heights, especially seeing how small Thrift is... I decided to make him the smallest, even more than Mercy since she's part hippogriff and they're quite tall lol. It's very funny to me realizing just how small he looks compared to ponies like Kindle or Mystic.

Below the cut, I have a big cast/name list in the order they appear here.

Clover Shores - Yuki Maeda

Saber Frost - Tsurugi Kinjo

Radiant Ember - Rei Mekaru

Thrift Twinkle - Teruya Otori

Gizmo Stardust - Yamato Kisaragi

Mystic Moonshade - Mikako Kurokawa

Horizon - Haruhiko Kobashikawa

Sunbeam Carnival - Satuski Iranami

Sunshine Shot - Kiyoka Maki

Kindle - Kakeru Yamaguchi

Mercy Suture - Kanata Inori

Mourning Dove - Kinji Uehara

Kicks Horseshoes - Mitsuhiro Higa

Cocoa Heart - Kokoro Mitsume

Kismet - Utsuro

Scarlet Courtesy - Akane Taira

Quicksilver Flash - Ayame Hatano

Starlet Cheers - Kizuna Tomori

Clover Shores - Yuki Maeda

Phoenix Hotcakes - Kojiro Otori

Cold Steel - Juu Kinjo

Spark Stardust (?) - Hanzo Kisaragi

Cherry Shores - Aiko Maeda

Callisto Carnival - Keisuke Iranami

Outlook - Sojiro Kurokawa

Sweet Mind - Kokoro Mitsume

Keen Blaze (unicorn?) - Kouhei Sasaki

(probably exists) - Minako Tomori

(unamed earth pony) - Ryutaro Maki

(unamed earth pony) - Hikaru Ando

(unamed bovine/kirin hybrid) - Midori Yamaguchi

There's also Saber's biological mother (unamed earth pony or unicorn), the rest of the Carnival family (all earth ponies), Mercy's parents (One pony, one hippogriff), Kindle's parents (One bovine, one kirin or kirin hybrid), and Ember's parents (two crystal ponies who seemingly disappeared during the time the Crystal Empire was lost)

Also, here's the screencap I used as a base. This is from Fall Weather Friends. I also made use of Gilda's wings, because Horizon needs big griffin wings this is obligatory /silly

Anyways, that's all I've got for now, see ya'll next time.

[enquire]

I've got nothing, this was just me messing around and editing images for laughs.

I sourced the original post images from r/oldpeoplefacebook

Anyways, I'll return to the regularly scheduled posting eventually lmao. When my brain is working again.

[enquire]

24-Hour Yamato

I've had Yakuza on the brain lately, and thanks to a discussion with a friend the other day, I ended up drawing Yamato performing 24-Hour Cinderella. (Karaoke song linked on youtube)

I feel like this style suits him surprisingly well haha.

Maybe someday I'll draw Kinjo for Baka mitai.

I'm sure y'all can imagine that one /silly

Or maybe he can sing Get To The Top /j

[enquire]

(late) Pride Kinjomae

Yeah, it's no longer pride month, I know. But I still wanted to get around to this so here it is. This is a redraw of the one I did last year.

This time, I included a trans flag for Yuki as well, because I've gotten attached to the trans man headcanon for Yuki and Utsuro. Otherwise, it's same as before, ace flag for Tsurugi since I tend to hc him as an asexual guy with an interest in men, and a bi flag for Yuki.

Fun fact, the ace and trans flags apply to me as well. Also, I wanted to do this traditionally like last time, it's always a little weird posting stuff that's more messy, but I can tell I've improved since last year by redrawing this, so that's nice to see.

Anyways, that's all I've got in terms of DRA, gonna leave some of my own thoughts below the cut, since I imagine most folks are just here for the art haha.

But before you go, as I said last year, this goes out to everyone else who had a quiet pride. Also to my fellow disabled queer folks. I know times have been difficult lately, but we deserve to be here and take up space.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 |🩵🩷🤍🩷🩵 | 💜🖤🩶🤍

In all honesty, like last year, I felt pretty gloomy during and about pride. For the most part, I still honestly feel like I'm stuck on the outskirts. I haven't really been able to muster up the courage or well, frankly, social/medical/financial ability, to transition or be more honest about who I am.

I've been feeling pretty down about it all lately. Maybe it's because it's the period between pride month and disability month again, and the state of things where I live is just, an ongoing thing so there's that too...

I think doing little things like this is my way of trying to reclaim pride for myself? Not sure how to word it. Art and writing can be very powerful when it comes to things like this.

Reflecting on my time since last year's pride though, there have been some positive things. I've been able to spend time in online spaces with others like me, and having a little circle of other queer people (weirdos like me /aff) does help a lot. It made me feel comfortable enough to try using he/him pronouns alone instead of they/them/he/him and I think after some time I can say that fits better. 🧡

Anyways, maybe next year I can come back to this again. If you've read all this, thanks and hopefully something resonated with you. I try not to go into personal stuff too much on this blog, but well, I think it's important to be visible right now if that makes sense. And it helps to process and leave notes for myself haha.

[enquire]

Blingees again. Making these is surprisingly zen... Anyways, these were for friends. (The Haru one also uses a sprite edit from one of them I cannot take credit for)

Also throwing in this Junko one from months ago that I guess I never posted here.

Anyways, I've been a bit obsessed with gifcities and pixel sharing sites lately. I'll probably have something more significant to post eventually. Been struggling to write for Looking Glass but I will get back to it.

[enquire]

Sweet Heart, Sweet Mind

Had this one in the works for a while. It's time to hit Kokoro with the pony bullet. This one may seem a bit out of left field, but this is one of the characters in SDRA2 I've wanted to include for a while, thanks to a friend of mine. (Our brainstorming led to some great names and motivated me to finally come back to and finish this)

I feel pretty happy with how this one turned out. It was neat altering the design for both versions and I got to draw an okapi which was fun.

Note: as with some of my other EDP ramblings, the background given here may reflect (or spoil) canon. But if you're down for that, let me get into the backstory.

Long storytime below:

For as long as she could remember, Sweet Heart was praised for her talent. Her skill with magic and intelligence often landed her at the top of her classes, and her teachers and parents expected great things from her. 

However, though she excelled when it came to science and applying her magic, friendship and emotions seemed to be something she could only understand in theory. And even as she grew and learned, she still never gained a cutie mark. It didn’t come to her; not when she worked as a medical researcher, and not when she graduated from Celestia’s Academy for Gifted Unicorns with exceptional grades. It did not come even when she received an incredibly esteemed position as a royal scientist.

Though there were some whispers and gossip about such an accomplished scientist being a blank flank, one benefit to supposedly not feeling emotions was being somewhat immune to others’ opinions. So, she continued on, obsessively learning about the world and ponies around her. This drive, especially when directed into various projects by her lab partners and superiors, led to a lot of new studies and knowledge, all of which, for the most part, benefited everypony.

However, there was always something nagging at her that she couldn’t shake. It was something everypony had that she believed she was incapable of replicating. Friendship, love, and the emotions that came along with them. And when such things had been proven as some of the most powerful forces in Equestria, Sweet Heart felt as though this was the last remaining area she’d yet to truly explore. Perhaps, it was even her purpose. 

To this end, she carried out many of her own projects and experiments on the side, hoping one day she would crack the code. She followed lead after lead and conducted test after test, until one particular year, when she discovered something new. After chasing down many rumors, and reading book after book, she finally found it, sealed away in a large cavern system not far from Ponyville.

The Mirror Pool. 

As though enchanted, she stepped closer, and closer. The surface drew her in, completely and utterly, and before she knew it, she’d taken the plunge.

It was then, surrounded by tens of copies of herself, that she finally began to see a way through the last barrier she longed to pass. Naturally, her companions all wanted the same thing she did.

So when it first started, all those years ago, it started with consent and a shared interest. 

It began with simple experiments, and more hooves around to help with her personal projects. With time, though, Sweet Heart became more and more focused on this, to the point that she began to give less and less thought and time to her work as a royal scientist. This was much to the dismay of one lab partner in particular; a loyal and intelligent okapi named Outlook, who had grown quite close to the unicorn.

Over their shared time working together, they’d developed something of a relationship, to the point that he was one of the few to notice little changes in her behavior. He was the only one to take notice when she grew more and more focused on her own projects, and less present at work. Still, he mostly put this aside, believing it to be due to her drive to gain a cutie mark, and satisfied with her continued interest in spending time with him. 

The years passed. Though she wasn’t exactly the most loving pony, Outlook showered Sweet Heart with affection and care, and supported her as a partner by both definitions. To his delight, she slowly chose to spend more and more and more time with him, and eventually offered to become more than the semi-professional relationship they’d had up to that point.

Outlook, smitten, agreed wholeheartedly. When things started getting more serious, and they began talking about having a family, he was overjoyed.

However, maybe things looked a little different from the other side… When Sweet Heart at last gained her cutie mark, it seemed to come almost unceremoniously, when nopony else besides herself was present to see. 

It was only when Sweet Heart submitted the mark during paperwork for a name change that Outlook even knew it had happened. When he asked, she almost entirely brushed over it, and acted as she always did.

However, staring down at the name ‘Sweet Mind’ she had signed, Outlook felt a sudden sense of foreboding. That sinking, horrible feeling was not assuaged, even when they found out she was expecting.

If anything, the addition of a foal into the equation-for suddenly, it felt more like an equation than a family-just made him more uneasy. As Sweet Mind began revealing more and more of her projects, and the underground lab she’d made in the caverns below, still connected to the Mirror Pool, his anxieties grew more and more, but he had no choice but to stay.

When their daughter was born, Outlook’s worst suspicions and fears were confirmed, and he vowed to himself that this was not where his daughter would grow up. The okapi bided his time, waiting, and doing his best to hide his intentions. 

When the moment came, he took his daughter, and ran, leaving Sweet Mind, and the life he’d thought they’d have, behind. However, maybe Doctor Mind had been less oblivious than he’d thought.

In the end, Outlook did what he sought out to do. His daughter escaped, and grew up somewhere far, far away from that lab, cared for, and loved.

However, it wouldn't be with him, for the okapi was never seen again.

-

Of course, there’s another side to this story. The clones born of the Mirror Pool watched on from the other side of the glass, or, more accurately, crystal.

Though it had started out benign, Sweet Heart’s experiments grew more and more complex, and her clones went from willing participants to objects. Each one was given an ID number, and sealed away in crystalline stasis until the time came to make use of them. 

So while Sweet Heart grew up, countless versions of her younger self remained. Some of them were frozen indefinitely, unaware of the years passing them by. Others were taken out, given simple tasks to perform, before being placed back into stasis. 

Some suffered more than others. And out of them, a few watched Sweet Heart become Sweet Mind, through the little windows they had into her life. One such clone, tagged number 43, had a first row seat. She watched herself grow taller, more intelligent, and more dedicated to her cause each time she was woken up. However, she also witnessed her mane go uncared for, her coat dulling. She watched as her caution and care for anypony, including herself, drained away. The years passed in jumps as she was taken out, then put away, as though she was nothing more than a toy.

Number 43 wasn’t the only one whose view of their original began to shift; but their fear and distrust, if anything, just made Sweet Mind more interested. However, as more and more trials passed, Sweet Heart #43 began to fear and resent their creator to the point that she eventually decided to rebel.

Her plan was simple; the next time she was released, she’d use an illusion to disappear, and leave a decoy behind to be crystallized in her place. She could only hope this would buy her enough time to escape, and get as far away as possible before Sweet Mind needed her again.

After so long underground, it must have been strange to see sunlight again. Sweet Heart remained on the lam. She only spoke to others cautiously, and never gave her real name, even when she would have liked to have become closer. 

However, eventually, so long had passed that her original must have discovered the ruse. Yet, Sweet Heart was still free. 

Was it really just by chance that Dr. Mind hadn’t drawn her number for so long? Could luck be that kind?

Regardless of the reason, it gave Sweet Heart a chance.

But maybe, just maybe, she could claim her own life, and bonds, far away from Sweet Mind. 

Maybe, one day, she’d choose her own name, and path. Surely, the future she’d seen in Sweet Mind wasn’t preordained for her, too, right?

Even if her path had already diverted from that, and she’d managed to gain things the original Sweet Heart never had, namely, actual bonds and connections-a big part of her still expected the same symbol to appear on her flank one day as she’d seen belong to Sweet Mind.

When eventually, a chocolate heart appeared on her flank, she started to believe that maybe, things would be alright. It had happened just when she’d finally chosen and accepted a new name, Cocoa Heart. So in a way, it was validation of her own ponyhood. 

And maybe, it meant everything would be okay.

-

Characters involved this time: Kokoro Mitsume, Sojiro Kurokawa, Mikako Kurokawa. Hanzo and Yamato are here, offscreen. And maybe someone else by implication lol. Can you guess? /silly

And there we have it! The story of Sweet Mind and Cocoa Heart! As with SDRA2 Yuki, Kokoro's story is interwoven with the DRA cast, so it made sense to me to include her, too. However, the main reason I wanted to was because of a friend of mine, whose characterization of and love for Kokoro has slowly made me more and more fond of her. I'll try not to get into too many details about canon Kokoro for the sake of not going into an sdra2 focused ramble, but my friend's characterization of the ...let's say, versions, of Kokoro are the main inspiration for what I did with her here.

This is also why she has more of a role in the story like SDRA2 Yuki does, and why she might just happen to cross paths with some of the main characters later on.

[enquire]

EDP update

There's a couple little changes I've been waffling over, so making a little post. First off, I've decided to swap the stardust siblings a bit. Gizmo is now a unicorn and not a pegasi. I also have been playing around with giving Gizmo's patterns a bit. And he's more fluffy now, just because. Moonshade's unicorn horn has also been taken away. Honestly, it was kind of busy on her head with both the ossicones and a horn.

Second, for anyone who read the Cold Steel and Saber Frost post ages back, I initially had this guard be something separate from the existing royal guards; I've changed my mind! Saber and Steel are now prominent members of the Night Guard, which had been running independently until the return of Princess Luna. In fact, her return led to some discontent within the Night Guard, as let's say not all of their protocols and actions are ...in line with the Princesses' MO and the Night Guard is very different from Celestia's Day Guard / Royal Guard in this AU.

Luna's presence leads to a shift in the Guard which Steel is resistant to, along with a lot of the force, but he holds on to most of the power he and his predecessors have had in her absence. Also, as the guardian of the night and dreams, Luna has visited Saber's dreams on occasion and has attempted to soothe some of his worse nightmares. I imagine his dreams are on the worse end of her nighttime wanders, and she probably over time learns a bit more about him than his compatriots in the Night Guard because of this.

I like to imagine he would occasionally wake up with a lavender sachet hung nearby.

[enquire]

Silent Frost - Part 1

I've been wanting to share some stories for my pony AU for some time. Though it's been, a really long time since I started working on this, (see the prior comic panel post, oof) I have something to share today! I've never posted writing like this on tumblr so here goes nothing. Consider this like an episode for Enquire's DRA Ponies / Another Pony Project!

Here's a preview, but the story and accompanying art are below the cut.

One week ago, a mysterious illness had struck Moonshade, giving her sleepless nights and exhaustion until it seemed she barely had the strength to speak. And four days ago, Gizmo had gone in search of a solution, leaving his friends behind with little to go off of beyond a hastily written note. 

When the unicorn had failed to return within the three days he’d promised, it became clear that something had gone awry. So, Saber Frost forms a search party consisting of Radiant Ember, Clover Shores, and Thrift Twinkle, and leads them on. They head into the mountains, hoping to find the plant Ember had identified as a potential cure, and in turn, find the unicorn who had disappeared in search of it. 

After a day of trekking through the snowy wilderness, Saber discovers what appears to be a trail. Though it seems somewhat abandoned, the presence of such a thing in a place that was recorded as being uninhabited is strange in itself. With no other leads, they decide to follow it, deeper into the mountains. Home grows further and further away, and the temperature continues to drop, but Saber presses on relentlessly…

A familiar-sounding argument has already begun by the time Clover catches up to his two friends. 

“I don’t remember ever asking for your assistance in the first place.” Saber’s voice replies coldly as Clover approaches. He finds his two irate friends standing above a large outcrop near the trail, tempers rising despite the frigid weather and the cold water rushing along below. 

“Of course. And I suppose my research, or Thrift’s supplies count for nothing, then.” 

“I never said anything of the sort.” He snaps, hoof pawing at the snow impatiently. “This isn’t up for debate.”

“Well.” Ember rolls her eyes, snorts, then steps forward, horn raised, cornering him against the cliffside. “Fine, go freeze to death, then. If it’s an order, what else am I supposed to say?” 

“Since when do you care?!” Saber seethes, meeting her horn-to-horn. “I can handle myself without being slowed down by the rest of you.” 

“Guys-” Clover attempts. Behind him, he hears snow crunching, and a yawn, as Thrift has already sleepily plodded over. 

“Oh, you’re a different kind of dense, that’s for sure…” Ember grins, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. 

“What would you have me do?” Saber’s voice is louder now. He glances over at Thrift and Clover, but doesn’t stop his tirade. Tiny little sparks are starting to glow at the tips of his ears and mane. “There’s no time to play around! In these temperatures-” 

“If you keep going like this, you’re the one whose stubborn hooves will freeze off!” Ember interrupts. “And then we’ll have to drag both of your idiotic asses back home.” 

“GUYS.” Clover raises his voice, and calls forward angrily, stomping one hoof into the snow. “This isn’t helping.” Next to him, Thrift nods, looking very much like he’d rather be back in his tent and asleep.

“That, we can agree on,” Ember meets his gaze, and turns to face them, planting a hoof lightly on Saber’s chest. In response, he doesn’t budge, eyebrows furrowed and the hints of sparks still rippling across his mane. 

“Can we go back ta camp…?” Thrift asks quietly. Saber’s eyes close, and when they open, Clover meets his eyes, until the stubbornness fades into indecision. 

“What do you say, Frosty?” Ember nudges him teasingly, eyeing the snow melting around his hooves. “Why don’t we roast some marshmallows over that righteous flame of yours?” Saber looks over at her, exasperated, but before he can open his mouth, an ominous creak echoes around the clearing. Saber and Ember’s eyes widen, but there’s no time to react. With a sharp crack, the snow and ice below Saber’s hooves falls away, and he disappears over the edge. 

Below Thrift’s panicked yelp, Clover hears a distant, cold splash. He races over to the outcropping and stares downward, searching the river below anxiously. For a second, nothing can be seen but dark, rushing water. But then, a blue head surges above the surface, gasping for air. Saber’s mane is soaked, pressed against his neck, and he spins in the current despite his attempts to break away.

“Saber!” Clover’s voice is panicked as he leans over and s cans the cliff for a way down. He stumbles down a rocky path, and manages to reach the riverside, with the others close behind. By the time he makes it, their fallen friend is shambling through the shallows across the river. Clover squints, trying to make out his expression as he steps uneasily onto the shore, and drags himself out of the frigid waters. “Are you okay?!” He shouts, and a head turns toward him, still hard to make out. 

“Clover, don’t.” Ember’s voice calls out in warning as he lowers a hoof to the water. “It’s too cold to-” 

Before she can finish, a familiar red shield flickers briefly into existence, pushing Clover back and away from the water. His hooves displace several pebbles, but the shield soon evaporates into a cloud of misty red sparks. 

“Hm.” Ember observes. Clover shoots her a dirty look. “What? It’s not like I pushed him. Frosty melted himself off that cliff.” At the look on his face, and Thrifts, she frowns. Clover’s glare doesn’t temper, but he shakes his head, and focuses on more pressing matters instead. 

“He’s not doin’ anything, or coming back,” Thrift whispers worriedly. Ember gazes across the river, squinting, and her eyebrows crease. Saber stands there, somewhat pathetically, with water still dripping from his soaked body.

“I thought he’d have more than enough fuel to warm himself up by now,” She mutters, then lifts her head to shout. “HEY FROSTY! HOW’S THE WATER?” Saber’s head lifts slightly, but he doesn’t respond, and though it’s hard to make out, his expression doesn’t change. At this, even Ember seems to get a little concerned. 

“Ember-” Clover begins urgently. 

“I know, I know. Don’t get your hooves in a twist, Snores.” She lowers her head in concentration, and an orange glow snaps into place around her. With a sharp zap, she disappears, before reappearing on the distant shore. Thrift and Clover watch on as she approaches their sodden friend, unable to make out any of the words they might be exchanging. 

Eventually, Ember shakes her head, and her horn glows once more. In a bright flash of orange sparks, a large magical construct-in the shape of a hair dryer-appears above them. With a flick of her head, she aims it at Saber, and starts it up. A huge gust of air assaults Saber’s clothes, mane, and coat. When it disappears again, it leaves his mane a turbulent, fluffy mess.

He shakes it out lightly, but shows very little response, even at Ember’s amused smile. As Clover paces back and forth along the shore, the two of them disappear in a crackling flash of sunset orange, and reappear between Thrift and Clover.

“Saber!” Clover immediately rushes forward, unraveling his large scarf with an unsteady green glimmer of magic. It hovers between them, before settling around Saber’s neck, where Clover wraps it securely into place with one hoof. Satisfied only once it covers his ears and part of his face, Clover steps back, and tilts his head. “...Are you alright?” He asks, suddenly realizing Saber has hardly moved an inch the entire time, only listlessly watching him. Saber nods slowly.

“Why didntcha get fired up, and stuff?” Thrift asks, stepping a little closer. Saber shakes his head. 

“That's what I'd like to know,” Ember cuts in. “Wait…” She scrutinizes him, but before she can voice her theory, Clover frowns, and speaks.

“Are you hurt?” He asks worriedly. “You haven't said a word…” Saber shakes his head. He points to his mouth, then repeats the motion again.

“Oh, this is golden,” Ember, clearly having already put the pieces together, grins, and pokes the blank-faced unicorn in the chest. “Sweet silence! No more orders or ravings from you for a while.” She laughs, but even as Clover's glare meets her eyes, the amusement fades. 

In the face of her ribbing, Saber remains still and unaffected. He simply stands there, without a hint of irritation or exasperation or disdain on his face. Then, he simply walks slowly away, up the ridge, and back towards their camp.

“Hm.” Ember frowns quietly, all mirth extinguished, “Perhaps this isn’t an improvement, after all.” Clover trots off in pursuit, and after exchanging uneasy glances, Thrift and Ember follow close behind.

Though it should have been a relief that Saber relented and rested with the others, the night passes by in an uneasy atmosphere. Clover sticks close to his friend, hovering and offering him help whenever the opportunity arises. However, when Saber accepts all assistance easily and without complaint, the orange unicorn’s anxiety only seems to deepen.

“Do you think this is what happened to Moonshade?” He murmurs around the reignited fire at breakfast. Ember studies Saber thoughtfully. The half-kirin shrugs, but gives a nod. “Is that a probably?” Clover asks, and Saber nods again. 

“I agree that it seems likely.” Ember frowns. “But the ways you two must have caught… whatever this is… aren't the same.” Thrift listens to her, eyebrows furrowed in concentration, clearly trying to stay ahead. “And the symptoms aren't quite the same, either…” 

“What if he gets just as sick as she did…?” Clover shifts a little closer to his silent friend. Saber watches him without much concern or attention.

“Mystic hasn't spoken for ages…” Thrift mumbles worriedly. “It'd be bad if he got that bad all the way out here, too…” Ember stands up with a sigh, and Saber follows, stamping gently at the ground with one hoof.

“As I'm sure Saber is dying to say,” she begins, whisking the fire out with a quick brush of magic, “That's all the more reason to keep going, and find what we're looking for as soon as possible.” Saber dips his head in agreement, already disassembling their tents.

“But…” Clover’s gaze flits between Ember and Saber. “The cure might not even be here…” 

“If it's not here, it might not be anywhere,” Ember begins, looking back at him. “Between that flower being found here, and Saber's symptoms after getting dunked, that's more evidence towards Gizmo being on the right track than anything else so far.” The others turn towards them too, listening. 

“But still…” Clover plants his forehooves into the ground, and looks at both her and Saber in turn. “Shouldn't you go back…? It took us a whole day just to get this far, and if you get worse…”

Saber lowers the sleeping bag roll he'd been carrying down to the ground, and walks over to him.

“I think it'd be better if, while the others find Gizmo, Thrift or I took you back for help.” Clover’s worried expression isn't assuaged much by Saber’s hoof on his shoulder, or by the half-kirin returning his scarf to him with a shake of his head. Ember frowns, but quickly seems to come to a conclusion. In the background, Thrift quickly gathers up their supplies, and sorts them back into their packs and piles for magical storage. Thanks to his efforts, their camp is broken down in minutes.

“I’m with Frosty on this one,” she sighs. “Going back now won't fix him any more than it'd fix Mystic.” 

“It'd be better ta stay together, too, right?” Thrift puts in nervously. “I mean, especially with Saber like… this.” He finishes the sentence awkwardly, watching the half-kirin struggling to perform a storage spell on a pile of tent stakes. 

“Okay…” Clover relents, eyes fixed on Saber’s unperturbed face as he gives up on the magic and returns his full focus to the conversation. Ember takes over, and the tent stakes disappear with a flash. “That's fair… at the very least until we find Gizmo.” Saber nods, and gives him a small nudge forward as he heads back onto the trail with Ember leading. 

“If you start feeling worse,” Clover whispers to him as Thrift adjusts his pack, and trots to join them. “You better tell me, okay? Just… tap my back, or signal me, or something.” Saber dips his head agreeably, and walks forward into the woods. Clover stays close, looking over his shoulder to make sure Thrift has caught up before increasing his pace.

Several hours later, the trail before them appears just as decrepit and disused as the length they'd traveled the day before. But to a trained eye, something stands out. Saber halts suddenly, focus narrowing to the ground. 

“What is it?” Clover is the first to react, followed by Ember, still leading at the front, and Thrift. Saber lifts a hoof, angling it into the brush, and lifting a branch upwards to better showcase the target of his attention.

The broken twigs he'd spotted are mostly covered by fresh snow, but something more urgent calls everypony’s attention forward. With a bright flicker of orange magic, Ember draws the tiny burst of color forward, until she can hold it in one hoof for them to see.

“Is that… hair?” Thrift asks, wide-eyed. 

“Well spotted.” Ember replies drily. “By the length, I'd say mane.” Saber takes the small yellow strand with his own magic, shaking his head after touching it. “It looks like the expert thinks it's tail hair,” Ember grouses. Saber nods quietly. 

“Well ya got my hopes up for nothin,” Thrift sighs. “I was hopin’ for good news-like it bein’ blue?”

“It is good news,” Clover argues. “It means somepony else has been here.” Ember and Saber glance at him approvingly. Suddenly, the orange unicorn stiffens. “Look!” He says, racing ahead, and pawing at a small purplish indent in the snow. In seconds, something red and round reveals itself.

“An apple…?” Thrift stares up at the branches above squinting. 

“It's winter, twig-brain,” Ember rolls her eyes. “Do you seriously think it came from a tree?” 

“Ponies have definitely been here!” Clover trots back to them with the apple.

“Oh.” Thrift looks a little flustered. “Right. I knew that.” He steps sheepishly back onto the trail with the others, and they continue on. The further they go, the more the gloomy energy fades. More and more signs of life appear, alongside a steadily babbling sound gently rising in the distance. As the noise, surely from a stream or brook, grows, so too does the evidence of other ponies’ presence.

Saber is the only one who seems unaffected by the change in atmosphere. As Clover and Thrift get more and more excited, and Ember picks up the pace, he continues trodding along without a word. Soon, a stone wall appears along the path, half covered in snow. A row of unlit lanterns follow, until Ember stops just below a massive wooden arch, carved with various flora and fauna in swirling patterns. She studies the surface, one hoof hovering over a carving of a pony with a large, splitting horn.

“Hey, isn't that-” Clover takes notice too, but before any of them can continue, the conclusion comes to stare them right in the face. 

Somepony appears around the bend, carrying a large bucket in her teeth. Her coat is a pale green, and her mane is a vibrant yellow, with some streaks of soft, tawny brown. She stares at them, tilting her head upwards to look up the slope. This angle makes it even harder to ignore her prominent, forest green horn, which is split into a shape not unlike a tree branch, and along with some plated scales to match and a whispy tail, marks her clearly as a kirin.

“Homly horshmmmoes!” She exclaims, words completely muffled by the bucket in her mouth. Immediately, she drops it, and tries again. “I-I mean, Hello!” She lifts a hoof to wave, and Thrift returns the gesture. 

“Hiya!” He greets her, trotting up with a grin. “It's great to see a somepony out here!” 

“I can imagine!” She shakes his offered hoof with a smile. Her gaze drifts over to the others, friendly and open. However, her orange eyes do pause for a moment on one of them, and a bright curiosity flickers into her expression. The emotion disappears before Thrift even takes notice. 

“Uh, I'm sure you've been traveling for a while, so let me take you back into town,” She gestures forward, through the trees, and leads the way, picking the bucket back up with magic, instead. “I’m Acorn, by the way.”

“Thrift Twinkle!” Thrift says with a proud grin, before turning to face his friends. 

“Radiant Ember,” Ember dips her head politely, before moving a bit to the left to allow Clover and Saber more space. 

“I’m Clover,” Clover offers a little hesitantly. “And this is Saber Frost. He can't really introduce himself right now…” Acorn stares concernedly over her shoulder at them. Saber stares placidly back.

“I see,” she frowns, something curious glowing in her sunny eyes for a moment.

“Actually, we could really use your help,” Clover continues in a bit of a rush. “We're looking for somepony, and then… well, Saber fell in the river, and…”

“Don't worry,” Acorn says kindly. “I know what happened-he’ll be just fine.” Clover sighs with relief. “And I'm pretty sure we might be able to help with your other problem, too,” 

“That’s great ta hear!” Thrift beams. Clover draws back a little, staying close to Saber as they pass through a particularly dense cluster of pines. He moves a few branches out of the way, and waits for Saber to pass by before releasing them again. When Thrift passes along too, he stumbles slightly amongst the thick branches, and fails to push some of the higher ones aside. His movements dislodge a thick drift of snow from one of the larger trees. Unfortunately, the pine sheds cold snow over the group. After the brunt of it narrowly misses Clover, it lands directly over Saber’s shoulders, leaving him blanketed in white. With a yelp, Thrift bounds over, and starts brushing snow off of him, aided by Clover. Meanwhile, instead of shaking it off, or glaring, or telling Thrift off, Saber just stands there placidly. Clover’s frown deepens as he removes one last clump of snow stuck behind his large horn. Ahead of them, Ember stops, and turns back. 

“Have you three had enough messing around, yet?” She gestures ahead, where Acorn is waiting expectantly with a proud look on her face. “We’re here.” 

“Sorry,” Thrift whispers to Saber before racing after the others. Ember gives the other two a glance before lifting a hoof to shade her glasses and get a better look at the town ahead. 

“Well would you look at that,” She says lightly.

“Nice place you've got here,” Thrift whistles. “Love those hanging lanterns… I bet the atmosphere’s great at night.” 

“Oh,” Clover finally catches up enough to take in the view.

Before them is a cozy valley, surrounded on all sides by cliffs filled with pine branches and pale, spindly birch trees. Nestled among the boughs and stone, various buildings are arranged in clusters, inset into the cliffs and caves encircling the village. Though most of them are ensconced with curved, wooden exteriors, and all are adorned with hanging lanterns and colorful woven lengths of rope, some are simply carved into the stone. As the group draws closer, more and more horned and fluffy heads turn to spot the newcomers. 

The largest groups are gathered in the center of the village, where a small and half-frozen waterfall babbles lightly into a large pool. The area is paved with various large, carefully placed terracotta pieces in various colors and shapes. Steps and carved stones lead down into the water in places, but with most of the surface frozen, nopony is anywhere near them now. 

The Kirin around them don't appear hostile, and most of them are more focused on each other than the guests. Clover starts to relax just a little as he watches them exchanging everyday pleasantries, and mostly warm words. Some of them greet Acorn as she goes to meet them, and ask about the strangers she has in tow. 

Slowly though, before Ember and the three ponies following make it far, something odd ripples through the crowd. Several pairs of eyes remain fixed on one pony in particular, and whispers murmur through the crowd. Almost instinctively, Clover gives Saber a quick glance and draws closer to his side. 

Perhaps not unexpectedly, Saber doesn't react much to the attention. He simply observes it quietly, and keeps walking without hesitation. Though Thrift is too caught up with their new surroundings to take notice, the look Ember gives back at Clover and Saber makes it clear she had definitely seen what they had.

“Thrift, this is our village elder, Pine Shadows.” Acorn’s bright introduction recenters the group’s attention. Thrift cranes his next to meet the much taller, forest-green kirin’s gaze. 

“Nice to meetcha!” He says brightly. Pine Shadows gives him a warm smile.

“It's rare we have so many visitors, especially this time of year,” he offers genially, shaking Thrift’s offered hoof. “Welcome to Snowfall.” 

“Thanks,” Clover gives him a small smile. 

“Any chance we’re not the first this season?” Ember adjusts her glasses after giving the elder’s hoof a firm shake. 

“Actually, yes,” He says. “And perhaps it would be best if, before anything else, you four followed me?” 

“Alrighty,” Thrift nods and follows eagerly, Ember walking at his side. A bit more cautiously, Clover tags along behind, Saber close at his side. The group follows Pine down a narrow path leading away from the center of town. Just beyond the nearest cluster of houses, a small dwelling juts out of the rock. The elder ducks, and the others follow him in, hooves clicking against stone as they pass through into a small cave just beyond the wooden exterior.

Thrift sighs in appreciation as warmth meets their coats. At one end of the room, a small wood stove emanates enough heat to warm the entire space. But that isn't the most interesting thing. Nearby, somepony is curled up in an impressively large bundle of blankets topped with a large quilt. 

A blue head, topped with a messy indigo mane and a pale blue horn, rises slightly from the fabric.

“Gizmo!” Thrift bounds forward, and nearly topples into the unicorn huddled up on the floor. “You're alright!”

“Hey everypony,” Gizmo’s voice is a little hoarse, and he responds with a lot less energy than usual, but his eyes are bright and warm. “It's good to see you guys.”

────────────────────

And that's the end! For now, anyways.

Before I go, I'll throw in the page drafts for when I was still trying to do 3 comic pages and a story instead of just one and a story haha. It seems a waste not to share the scraps considering I'm not going to line any more panels.

This is my first time posting any writing here, actually. (maybe I'll add some of these to my Ao3 if I do more of them) Also this is not beta read so apologies in advance for any mistakes. Also, if I do more episodes like this, they definitely won't include this many illustrations, that was very much a special thing and it made this take a very long time haha. Anyways, if you've made it this far, thanks for reading. The pony posting continues!

See you later!

-bugquire

[enquire]

inside you, there are two bugs

The enquire vs Erie_Enigma experience.

This might be an excuse to mention more directly that these are both me and draw something silly.

Yes, this blog filled with pony posting, red string rambles, shitposts, and other shenanigans is run by the same person who wrote Yamato experiencing disability grief and 2 (so far) attacks involving sharp objects /silly

Honestly, I've been considering posting some of my another pony project fics over there with an attached alias but I feel like it might be a bit of a sudden departure for anyone following only my fics there haha.

Also, I'm still working on it but I do have a story for the mlp au which I plan to share here. It's just been a bit difficult writing lately so for a while I've been neglecting it and The Other Side of The Looking Glass. Apologies!