Ask Lyra

I feel sick and I’m steadily developing a headache. I saw this message and went to the website to check, thinking it was just a troll message. I literally found out ten minutes ago.

I started playing with Issue 6. It’s been a part of my life, however large or small, for a long while now. When I first started, Masterminds only had four primaries. Villains could only get to level 40. There were no allied zones, no inventions, no alignment system, and certainly no incarnate endgame. I had all these ideas and plans for the future. Alts I wanted to make, stories for them, inter-character dynamics between existing characters. And that’s all pretty much just up in smoke now- it was for sets that haven’t been introduced yet.

The game never reached any semblance of an ending. It at least had a climax with the Preatorian War ending. But there was still the Battalion and Coming Storm, which was supposed to be Issue 25- the very next one. The notion that the Well of Furies was actually evil; basically the source of all superpowered conflict in the multiverse. Ouroboros was supposed to be destroyed at some point, dealing a huge blow to time travel. Things were marching toward not just an endgame resolution only for something more to be added later, but an end story resolution.

Probably the worst part is how sudden this was. Not just to us but obviously the developers. They were talking about things they wanted to do in the future mere days ago. Everything we’d heard was about how successful the change to Freedom had been. They had to have found out themselves either late last night or just this morning.

I feel a little better after writing about it. But yes; it upsets me. It just sounds like that corporate-style “you’re doing okay, but not well enough” sweep-out-the-door. And the further the video game industry goes, the more often that seems to happen.

Maybe.

I’ve been having some nightmares lately. My bearfriend accidentally shattered a beaker in his paw and used trained spiders to patch it up with webbing until we could get to the hospital. I’m on tumblr at the hospital right now, so I assume that was real.

Evidently he just has trained spiders.

I had a nightmare a few nights ago where Bon-Bon and I were fighting in an abandoned forest or something and we started choking each other. More specifically, I remember choking her. I know she was trying to choke me too, but I think I was… Like I was more focused on me choking her. I don’t know why.

So, maybe I’m going crazy? I don’t know.

simonaran replied to your post: 1) Hey thanks! 2) I guess that makes some sense….

Who’s your favorite super hero?

Probably like… Cyclops or Nightcrawler.

No. Wait. Ah… What was his name? The colt with the staff and he used kinetic energy. Usually in cards…

Gambit.

If you couldn’t tell, I like the X-Mares.

Edit: And Storm. Storm was radical!

1) Hey thanks!

2) I guess that makes some sense. For clarification, I and most ponies are not vegan. I have no problem with milk, or eggs as long as they’re unfertilized.

My distaste for meat is a little more extreme than most, but there is a reason for that.

3) I don’t know. I’m only barely familiar with either. Probably not.

Also, this is supposed to be a foal-friendly tumblr. Not comfortable with namedropping explicit games.

4) No. I don’t think anypony’s does. We all carry at least some kind of burden.

5) I don’t know… Looks more like the back of a chair or something.

1) I don’t see how cake would help my plot to take over Equestria.

2) No thank you.

3) I don’t like arguing or fighting. And I wouldn’t know what to talk about. But you’re on my page, I’m sure you’ll find something if you look.

4) I doubt he had anything to do with the nightmares. I’ve always had them, just a little more often now than I’ve been used to lately.

Plus it started before that.

5) No thank you, Strawberry, but I appreciate the offer.

1) I haven’t. It’s just such a pain to sit down and watch anything on television anymore. And Bon-Bon pretty much has control over the DVR.

2) Oh yes.

I’ve seen it more than once, though evidently I missed a reference. Why do you ask?

3) I guess so, if I had to. But those legs…

4) Anypony who thinks life or death is any kind of option, especially to a foal, has never lived it.

And what took place when I was young is gone. Call it an attempt to undermine Equestrian government, call it carelessness. Doesn’t change the fact that it’s over.

Not being satisfied doesn’t mean somepony is going to start marching on the capital with pitchfork in mouth. I don’t know what kind of world you come from that would make you think it is, but I’d certainly never want to visit.

5) The full story is here.

6) I think so, yes. We aren’t currently. I don’t just become friends with somepony because they asked. But we could be in time.

1) I have.

2) Don’t mention it. I know I wouldn’t want to be in that position.

3) If you follow an unforgiving philosophy, then that’s black and white. Either something is or it isn’t.

I also don’t believe power or control is something everypony should strive for. And if true strength comes from one, how are we ponies collectively stronger than dragons?

4) Sometimes I think kindness detracts from other aspects. Like forethought.

5) Cool story, bro.

6) Maybe sometime down the road. There’s always more to do here than I can seem to keep up with.

1) Da [omitted] you mean, massive?! I’ll admit I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, and I’m not that educated, but I’m not stupid! Sure, I might not always know what he’s talking about; I all but failed chemistry. But for Celestia’s sake, I have an Associate’s Degree! I passed Precalculus, Applied Calculus, and two Statistics classes! I didn’t do very well, but I passed! I never failed a single class!

Aint no [omitted] massive intelligence gap!

[omitted].

2) No, I’m not. I was just using your terminology for simplicity’s sake. The world isn’t black and white and everypony has more than once weakness that drags them down. Society has just determined some faults to be greater than others based upon it’s own self-imposed limitations.

3) Sure are a lot of alternate planes of existence with trans-dimensional net capabilities.

1) Aren’t those places made up?

2) Well, thanks for at least giving me that.

3) Probably because The Apple Family does make an alcoholic version. It’s just handled more by Granny Smith. At least that’s what Applejack told me once.

4) But in the end, he died. Thus removing one more murderer from the world. His weakness, while bad for himself, proved evolutionarily useful for the rest of ponykind. His weakness was his strength. His death, a boon.

See how semantics can turn things on their head? That’s why the only thing that matters are those that remain.

1) There is no answer. No rational or justification will change their ultimate fate.

The only thing I’d be concerned about is the families of the departed, and the murderous subordinate.

2) Oh, Scoot had a ton of fun with her near-death experience.

3) I am a unicorn and there’s a horn on my head! A horn on my head. A horn on my head. I am a unicorn and there’s a horn on my head! A horn on my head. A horn on my head.

4) Here’s a picture of an old hat.

1) Me? Lie? Don’t be ridiculous. I never lie! That or I’m rarely caught in a lie. I forgot which lie I was going with.

Also, hello! It’s good to hear from you! Hope you’re well!

2) Drunk Sweetie Belle, clearly. Fear of the unknown is usually greater than reality.

You know, because that’s never happened before.

3) I see! Well I’m glad to hear you’re getting on well here, Hulk! I hope you can get home and see your friends soon!

4) It sure is.

5) Not really. If what I read is right, the human USD used to be worth a lot more. It’s just that our present-day currency is stronger than yours in most cases outside of food (which is the center of our economy and is extremely expensive).

I have to admit, though, this whole bit-fraction system that you humans use could be handy in a few situations. Though why you’d want to buy, for example only one apple, I’ve no idea.

Either way I have heard talk lately about possible reform to our legal tender, but I’m not holding my breath.

6) EL EM AHE OH! NOOB! With twenty-six exclamation marks in back of it! (I wonder how close I got to the actual quote. I tried to find it, but it took too long.)

Edit: Also, I’m finally caught up with questions! Going to try to update the CYOA tomorrow! (I’m so sorry. I know it’s been forever.)

1) Thank you! I truly appreciate it!

2) We don’t have “handguns.”

3) If it’s an awful thing, why do you want to learn more about it? Just leave well enough alone for now. It’s one of those things that are irrelevant unless you know what they are.

4) Did I just fall into an episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog?

5) Well that ruled.

6) The marriage one has nothing to do with security. It was supposed to help force cultural integration. I completely agree with you, though. But it’s not like I can do anything to change it.

1) Raggle Fraggle.

2) Uh… I don’t think you need to put “very strange” at the beginning of that question.

3) Eh. Not really a huge fan of chips.

4) Sure. Shoot.

5) I knew I’d get a question like this…

All things have conditions. But when you trust somepony enough, you trust them not to break those conditions. For example, I know Boscov would never intentionally hurt anypony that didn’t deserve it.

It might not technically be unconditional, but the end result is the same. I love him and there’s nothing he could ever reasonably do to make me stop.

6) My two favorites are Don’t Stop Me Now and Some Day One Day, but I’d still consider the former to be overrated.

1) Why would anypony spend money on that?

2) I don’t much care for it myself, for obvious reasons.

3) What if it’s the other way around? What if the games are really made in Equestria and localized for you humans with new models because the companies realized the majority of your world wouldn’t accept ponies as their relatable main characters? Hmm?

4) Nah. I just say pony a lot. Pony this, pony that. The MMO I play is called City of Heroes, not City of Ponies. I mean, I even play on a human server (Protector, not Ponytector)!

5) Back when I worked as an ambonic musician in Canterlot. A position which no longer exists.

6) Oh. No, I hadn’t heard of that. Is that band even still around?

7) Which law were we talking about now? The name one? The marriage one?

1) Fine. Next time I level up I’ll put some points into wifery. Happy?

2) And it never gets old.

3) Can a pony even be a brony?

4) I’ve never put much thought into it. I’m Equestrian.

How about George Washington?

5) Not to visit, no. Beautiful city, but past experiences sort of hinder my personal enjoyment.

6) I’m terrified.

7) She’s not my adopted daughter and I’d feel about a five hundredth as bad as you would if all of your computers and backups exploded right now.

krastosthegluemaker replied to your post: I think I first met him when he first made a…

I love you, Lyra.

1) I beg your pardon?

2) Have you ever lived in a world with shapeshifters, mind control, and body riders?

3) My favorite hero from the Deus Ex series.

4) I’d implore them to ask!

5) Of course not! You go right ahead!

6) I’m afraid not. I’d like to one day.

7) Let’s keep the human politics out of my tumblr, okay?

8) I love you too.

I think I first met him when he first made a tumblr. I was a little unnerved, but I gave him a chance and he turned out to be a nice bear. Until he was possessed by something wicked, that is. He was terrifying! He looked like a demon! I don’t remember how, but somepony reversed that and he went back to normal.

But I’d read what he’d say and occasionally we’d talk. I think we first formally met at a party or two. I know he helped look for Sweetie when she ran away. He slowly became a friend.

But occasionally somepony would ask him a question on tumblr about having a crush on somepony and I thought “There’s no way. Absolutely no way.” But the more I rolled it around in my head, the more it seemed to make sense. I thought about just leaving it alone, but I sat down and asked myself, “What does this really mean?”

“A bear has a crush on me. Is this a bad thing?” I had no reason to mind. He’s always been a sweetheart to me. I had went on a date with somepony else not long before hoof, but he was always really busy and it didn’t seem to be going anywhere.

“Would this work… physically?” I had to look up some stuff I never thought I’d have to look up to answer that. Measure and calculate some things that almost seem comical at this point.

“If it doesn’t work out, could we still be friends?” Admittedly he doesn’t always come off that way, but for the most part he’s more of the calm, logical-type. It’s a good possibility we’d be friends even if we couldn’t be a couple.

“Is it really worth a shot? Is there any reason why trying would be a bad idea?” I could think of only one or two, and I think I remember asking them when I first confronted him about a date. Which is what happened next- I just asked him if I was the pony he had a crush on and he said yes. Everything else just grew after that night. Slow at first, but here we are today.

It’s strange thinking about it now. I don’t know the exact date, but it’s coming on a year now since we became a couple. … So much has happened and yet I’m still left wondering where all the time has gone.

1) Ye~s?

2) Oh! Sorry. I know what you’re talking about now. No, I haven’t played it. It does look interesting, though.

3) Just Gilda.

4) If you’re so curious, look it up and split the difference.

I recommend checking more than one source, though.

5) Part of really trusting somepony, is trusting what they would and would not do. Princess Celestia would never do something like that.

6) Any marriage that could legally take place in Equestria is recognized by Equestrian law. Those that couldn’t, aren’t.

1) If I had the money to spare, I’d help you out for that dance alone. But I don’t. Sorry.

2) Unfertilized eggs doesn’t hurt anypony.

3) ‘Cause my team’s stats aren’t that high and it’s one of those bills you’re not going to pass without fighting the whole assembly over.

4) Nah.

5) Nothing I’ve ever been taught has pointed to it being real. It’s more like- when you’re excited and you want to get up and dance, or when you’re nervous you might pace around. Like hoof-tapping to music. It can be involuntary, but when you’re aware it’s completely controllable.

I mean, if it were real, pegasus would all have to be trained like jedis or risk injury or death while flying by just having their minds wonder.

6) Not really. I mean, I know some Lyra’s have a rivalry with an Octavia, but my Octavia is way out of my league.

She’s also a bit older than I am. Not by a lot, but I heard her preform before I ever really did.

7) No; I don’t think I’d ever want to either. I like games, I’d probably be considered a “gamer,” but I don’t care for the gaming community at large.

1) I think you accidentally the whole “be.”

But yeah, I imagine so.

2) I guess I kinda go in and out of phases. I like SRPGs, but sometimes I get in a FPS mood, or an adventure mood, or like a buildy-type mood.

To date, I think I’ve played City of Ponies more than anything else. That’s sort of an Action RPG with SRPG-style character customization.

3) Heaven or Hell; Duel; Let’s rock?

4) They do not. That is purely a brony phenomenon.

5) Maybe if I was the only pony with a lyre cutie mark I’d be the best.

6) Possibly. Sweetie goes and spends time with her now and again.

7) Do song lyrics count?

jc-hoofton reblogged your post: 1) I don’t know. Seems to be a popular…

It’s kind of true. I’d say you’re a lot more open than most ponies would expect you to be. But I guess to a guy like me, everybody seems open.

1) I wonder.

2) Uh huh…

3) No. Please teach me how to hide the horn on my head.

4) I have no idea what you’re referring to. Sorry.

5) Yes! Thank you!

6) Was that me? I don’t recall.

7) I don’t think so. At least not that I know of.

8) I’ll bet things seem a lot more obvious when you only know half the story.

1) I don’t know. Seems to be a popular interpretation with you bronies, though.

2) An open book? If that were true it would come with its own set of problems.

3) Alright, but could we maybe push that back to the following weekend? I’m not really having as much free time this weekend as I would have liked.

4) I don’t know. I guess? Probably at some point.

5) That’s ridiculous. No, of course not.

6) I don’t have one. That’s what the whole problem stems from.

1) Uh… Thanks?

2) Been alright. Not a whole lot going on at the moment.

It’s just calm and quiet for now. Which is nice. Makes it easier to keep things under control.

3) Why are you such a young whippersnapper?

4) I’m okay with substitute. I eat pizza with pepperoni-style protein slices.

Not really okay with the others.

5) I haven’t heard from Gilda in quite a while. I’m not sure which Twilight you mean, but there’s always Twilight “Danny” Sparkle in all her glorious tact. I don’t think I could have picked a better time to link to her page (I shouldn’t have to warn anypony, but I am).

And absolutely! It’d be great to see you again!

6) Well that’s not really fair. Unicorns and pegasus do physical work too. Earth ponies can do more without a break in nearly all instances, though.

7) Things are rarely so black and white.

1) According to the test I just took, ESFP. But when I looked up what that’s supposed to mean, it doesn’t sound right. It makes me sound shallow. I’m not shallow… am I?

2) I’m not very good at riddles. I just always want to look them up.

3) I’d be confused, seeing as we can’t get married under Equestrian law.

4) If you flip a coin on thick carpet, there’s a very good chance it’ll land on it’s side.

5) Then I’d be part seapony on my father’s side of the family. What if my cutie mark wasn’t a lyre? Then it’d be something else. What if I wasn’t green? Then I’d be a different color.

6) Excuse you. I happen to still be looking for a full-time job.

And I’m not trying to say Boscov should do everything, but if he can cook why should I? I can clean fine.

…

Well everything but dishes. That always takes me too long.

1) Precious booty.

2) There was this PS2 game called Everquest Adventure or something. I didn’t play it much, because I had limited access, but I made a bard named Coach Z.

3) More than I’d care to think about. I learned pretty quickly not to get too close to anypony. At least until I got out of that mess.

4) At first, I didn’t even know what you were talking about.

But yeah, I guess I am. Why?

5) I mentioned it before, but I wasn’t aware that Princess Celestia had ever fought at all. I thought she had taken a vow of non-violence or something.

So, I have no idea.

6) I must not “get it.” It doesn’t sound like much to me.

7) Can you just hoof them over instead? I’d rather not have to pay for damages to the house. It might not even wind up being worth it.

1) … Huh?

2) If I find any money in the sofa, that would have to go toward paying bills.

3) It didn’t before you walked in.

So get out.

4) Why sure! I can’t imagine how this could go wrong!

5) Yes?

6) Ye~s?

7) Otacon! Shut Up!

1) I’m sure you’d be shocked to hear that I don’t approve. Even if their songs or albums are less than appropriate, band names at least need to be acceptable to bring up in polite conversation.

2) I don’t have a surname. Evidently other Lyras do.

3) Many times.

4) I’m a little finicky with my mane. You can brush the back if you really want to.

5) Recently? Nothing I guess. But when we have clean, renewable power, why would we ever want to leave the planet?

6) I… don’t really have any desire to cook. I guess it couldn’t hurt to try learning again.

7) The original. I don’t particularly favor either, but the other one just sounds like a dance mix; they’re pretty common and carry so many similarities between one another that the flavor of the original piece is often lost.

Also, I’m not linking the remix. The accompanying video is sort of violent.

1) I love her like I love her. I don’t know how to describe it.

2) No. You can hug me, but if your hooves start to wonder I'ma drop you like a bad habit.

3) Characterized by swearing? That sounds a little stereotypical, your alternate majesty. In fact, a short search later and it just sounds like a derogatory term all together.

4) I don’t have any money.

5) What does the sign say?

6) Mare right’s activists? I’ve never heard of such a thing. Do you have the right plane of existence?

I’m all for equal rights, though. I’m right there with you, stud.

1) Depends on opinion, I suppose.

2) You got me… But I’m only admitting to it because they’re all gone! Mwah-ha-ha-ha!

3) You have to be charismatic and your presence has to be desired at the location in question.

You know that line “The party don’t start till I walk in?” That’s fashionably late. There was a gathering. You show up. Now it’s a party. If you aren’t fashionably late, you just miss the party.

4) Okay.

5) What’s this “of it’s time” garbage? It’s still one of the best!

Also, I have no idea about the casting while moving thing. Generally the faster you’re going the harder it is to cast, so it would certainly be a challenge.

Also, favorite song time!

6) Sound advice. I think studies show that eight is closer to the maximum hours of sleep you should get a day, though.

7) Uh… Photos of the chocolate truffles?

1) I’m not sure I understand. Big Macintosh is pretty red all over, though.

2) Generally because you subconsciously take for granted that a phenomenon you elevated from days past will remain true throughout the ages. When confronted with irrefutable evidence to the contrary… it makes you crai-crai.

3) There’s just lots of Lyras. There’s also Lyras from alternate dimensions. I don’t think there is a real Lyra.

I mean, I don’t really question it. It’s just a thing. Always has been.

4) I did. See seemed to enjoy it, but I think she was just being polite. Her pallet is more… discerning.

5) No, you may not. I find your fixation with my horn disturbing.

6) I don’t know, yesterday was mighty fine.

7) There’s nothing wrong with it, though that’s a psychological association you might want to conquer at some point. That could be socially debilitating around here.

1) Nothing any more wrong than your traditional body modification, at least in principle. I just… I don’t know. I-I just don’t know.

2) I don’t agree to that. I think misunderstandings are reacted to more harshly than they should be.

3) I have no idea how, but I never paid enough attention to that song to realize that’s what they were spelling! I feel like a complete idiot.

4) That’s not very nice.

5) ooOOoo. This doesn’t sound like the usual mindless, boring, getting-to-know-you chit-chat.

6) Oh. You know. Things.

Private things.

7) You’re losing the crowd. Try something different.

1) I don’t know. Something like twenty? What I post is a pretty good estimation of what I got that day, unless I’m behind. Which I’m presently not!

2) Changing my memories isn’t suddenly going to fix anything.

3) “I could get to the top with my eyes closed!”

“Yeah! But could you do it with your legs closed?”

4) Well you’re certainly not getting invited to the next dinner party.

5) The same reason you don’t cheat in multiplayer games. You ruin everypony else’s fun and no pony wants you around anymore.

A little crude, but the same basic idea.

6) I have no idea. Maybe ask Colgate? Or was it Romana? … Minuette? Whatever she’s going by these days.

1) Okay! Any ideas in mind?

2) Grr! I’m big tough pony! Rawr! I’m gonna kill you dead!

3) The thought of my entire world being just a dream creeps me out. Pyramid Head is just a character from a video game.

4) That depends, are you the fluffy pony that’s already sent me a few messages?

If not, hey! There’s this fluffy pony that’s sent me a few messages!

5) Fish are friends, not food.

6) Sounds like you need hangover-prevention lifestyle changes.

Blackouts are bad, mmkay?

7) If the lions haven’t eaten in three years, they’re dead.

1) I would have said alright, but I’m not really comfortable hugging somepony after they just called me that.

2) Remember when I said interim? That means before you develop that kind of technology.

3) Why?

4) How about a chocolate helicopter instead?

5) I remember this one dream I had a couple of times about home invasion, only it was my home. I’d walk around and could see the edge of something pass around a corner whenever I got close. Then the last time it would happen there’d be no other corners to go around, and I’d follow it and then some kind of monster would lunge at me.

Maybe not the scariest, but it would always wake me up with a jump. That and the ones about falling. I’d always be trying to help somepony in those, but I’d fail and we’d all fall.

6) I… Uh… Wow… I only said that because they rhymed. These are weird. (Warning: … I don’t know? It looks like a children’s cartoon that takes place in an erotic dance hall. Nothing explicit, but there’s some suggestive animation.)

7) No. They’re mine now. My new castanet.