Elderflower

That is why I can't stomach this story (aside from being a weak, manipulative piece of fiction as Steely mentioned). It's extremely unsettling and creepy. I get that the guy's trying to "protect" RBD but the way he tries to control every aspect of her life and the way he talks about her feels more like I'm reading from the perspective of a guy who's keeping a little girl trapped and raising her, being very careful she would never get caught in order to keep her "safe" with him forever. The way he talks about Rainbow Dash as a daughter, calling her "mine" is grody, and the way he plays "dad" makes the moments when he comments on her beauty unsettling because the writing simply doesn't capture the perspective of a father. It's not "Oh, I'm proud of who she became," it's just "wow she is sopretty." There is nothing in the narration that convinces me the narrator is a dad - instead his comments have the tone of an admirer, which makes it really grody. This is especially true when you realize the "exercise" he brings her out for isn't enough and he recognizes that her life with him isn't as healthy as it should be since she can't get proper flying time in. He recognizes that her living with him is damaging for her, but instead of actually seeking out a solution he just keeps her trapped under that roof with him selfishly. That's not a father's actions. A father would be more concerned for the well-being of his child. Gives me the heebie-jeebies. Not to mention he has her for years without telling her who she is, which is wrong. It's gross. If he told her, she might have been able to remember who she was (through the magic of FRIENDSHIP! :3) and could plan a way to make it home. But he doesn't, because he wants her all to himself...blegh. It's extremely unsettling, it's an unhealthy relationship, it's not a father/daughter relationship is and the fact that he treats it that way is discomforting, and I couldn't finish the story for a long time because of the sour taste it left in my mouth. It was just a creepy and and uncomfortable experience all around. Anyways, that's my two cents. I could go on but I won't just because I'm getting the heebie-jeebies just writing this much. I could probably present my case better with direct examples too, but honestly I have no desire to go back and read the story again just for argument's sake. Normally I don't like criticizing without using direct examples from the text, but...MLD gets to be an exception. *Shiver*

We are no longer in a state of emergency, actually. Fire has been reduced to hot spots and even though we haven't gotten the downpour we really need, the scattered showers and cooler temperatures have been helping a lot. I think it's pretty well safe to say the danger has passed - we had a lovely summer day today that was totally free of smoke today and everything.

I have been putting off making this official or communicating it for a while (mostly because I really didn't want this to be the case and certainly didn't want it to be official) but I will be leaving Canterlot indefinitely. Figured I should post in this thread since I've gotten some PMs about my recent disappearance/the cast characters I played being made available. Real life is kicking my butt and unfortunately I have to turn away from my activity on Canterlot and online in general. I'm very sorry about the impact this has on various threads, and would like to apologize once more to staff since I will be taking my leave after so recently being made a helpstaffer - before I could even really get into the swing of things. I'll still be around on skype every now and again so I won't be completely out of touch, mind - and I will definitely want to return when/if I'm able. I want to use this post, too, to say that you folks on Canterlot are pretty darn phenomenal, and I'm glad I've gotten to know so many of you! As a creature raised on the internet, I've been a part of many different communities and this is the first one I've ever felt really connected to. It's a warm, fun environment and it's all thanks to you fine fans of ponydom! EDIT: I'm aware I still owe people art, and that will come in time! Sorry for the wait.