1) Oh, I’m far from great; as things could certainly be better. I said I was close to spectacular.

2) B: The public doesn’t really know much about us. To be honest, I haven’t the foggiest what they think. PR had never been a concern in the past. I also wouldn’t call it fair to say we work outside the law.

3) Not that I know of, but ponies don’t talk about it much. I doubt anypony that was ever involved wants to be reminded of it. I certainly don’t.

If you live in Canterlot you’re either rich or you aren’t. I don’t know what hives in 40k were, but lower Canterlot is a notch above a slum. Narrow streets, closely-nit buildings that further obscure the sunlight, alleyways crowded with stuff their owners have no place to store but no pony would care enough to take. It’s pretty safe these days, but it’s never looked as good as upper Canterlot.

4) Sure! Ponies love theater and acting!

5) Not really, because that’s still reading. While it might hold my attention better, I just prefer things that I can directly interact with.

Trying to play the new Neverwinter Online game right now. It’s got some story stuff in it but I still get to smack things and jump around. Really hard to get immersed into the world, though. D&D proper is… pretty intimidating in size.

6) Bon-Bon: All kinds! You should drop by sometime and see what I’ve got! I can do special orders to! Just let me know what you’d like!

Bon-Bon: I’m not the best, but I’ve heard of a Bon-Bon that’s really gifted!

1) Lyra: That’s fantastic! I’ve always been interested in floorplans and layouts but I’m not very good at designing them.

Bon-Bon: I think he was talking to me.

2) Too many to count. Some I knew; some I didn’t.

The assailants were thugs, criminals. Insensitive and hateful. Not incapable of being civilized, but they found instant gratification and had no desire to change. As the gang tides rose and fell many would wind up died at the hooves of one another.

Not a very bright point in Canterlot’s history, but it’s changed since then.

3) Strawberry, if you copied all the [omitted] books for yourself, then why can’t you just copy all the copies?

4) I do not. Pianos are large, heavy, and expensive.

5) Both. Manipulation subtly alters string density and amplification shifts the sound traveling in the air before it reaches your ear (or a recording device). What you don’t want to do is rapidly shift the lyre’s pitch by it’s tuning pin or by applying improper pressure. That’s damaging to the strings.

1) Bon-Bon: Infamous? Like… bad? I don’t think so.

2) Afraid? Afraid?! I ain’t scared for [omitted]! But I’ve seen it happening and I-…

I don’t… I don’t know…

3) Ah yes; self-defense applications. Amplification to boost muscle mass and manipulation to shield your body from the adverse effects.

There is a certain level of control required, but you’d start to feel pain if you pushed yourself beyond what you’re capable of. If that’s not a good incentive to stop, it’s hard to maintain a spell when your concentration is compromised.

As for casting it on somepony else, yes it’s possible. And I imagine the results could be fairly gruesome. But amplification spells become weaker the further away they’re projected. Substantially weaker. You’d pretty much have to be touching the subject for about a full second for it to even start taking effect. For that matter, amplification spells would be considered a lot more expensive than most other options. It’s just not terribly efficient.

I’ll get to the lyre part later.

4) Bon-Bon: I’ve seen that one too! I like what he does! Just the act of going around and fixing fraudulent or inept work is fantastic!

Bon-Bon: Hey! Have you heard about this new show that’s starting soon? It’s called Renovation Raiders. They do huge renovations, like the ones that take a few days or more, but they do it in only a few hours while the homeowner is out. I can’t wait!

5) Unless you plan to give copies of those books away, that doesn’t amount to anything. Knowledge you possess doesn’t help anypony else.

And while I’m sure you were only joking, a spell like that would require knowledge of the subject’s presence. B is effectively invisible to scrying, even to seers. You’ve never even met.

B: Well… He’s never been aware of it.

1) Bon-Bon: Squid ink? Really? I’ll have to look that one up. I didn’t know squid ink was edible!

Bon-Bon: A lot of the shows I watch do both. Seems to be more popular than the simple redecorating shows from not long ago. There’s this one called Love It or List it? That one’s pretty cool. You get to see a lot of houses and they renovate the owner’s house. Then they choose if they want to stay in their newly renovated house or move to a new house.

2) Strawberry! There could be important, valuable information you’re locking away! B, help me out here!

B: I deal with immediate threats to Equestria. What some selfish waste does with his ill-gotten gain is none of my concern.

U~gh!

3) Yeah. I guess. I always found their flavor to be subtle, though.

1) I’m not “lots of people in your world.” I’m just… I’m not strong enough for that. I’ve been through a lot; but that’s too much.

2) Bon-Bon: Great! Yeah, I don’t really make any effort to watch all the episodes of any of those shows. Add in the home decorating shows and there’s just so many. I’ve seen Chopped too! I don’t see Bizarre Foods too much, but that’s probably because I don’t normally watch the Travel Channel. It’s interesting, though!

3) Oh… Well, and this might sound crazy, what if you contacted Canterlot instead and informed them of the location so they can transport and take care of the books? Wouldn’t want some vandal to come along at a later date and steal/destroy them.

4) I got commissioned once and made a little money, but he doesn’t even have an account anymore. Everything else I’ve just done to do them. At one point I considered it the x-factor for my tumblr, but I don’t even do them enough anymore for it to matter.

I’ll answer the second part of your ask in another post. It’s getting kind of late for me to be working tomorrow.

1) Bon-Bon: Oh! It’s no trouble! Just wasn’t expecting so many questions all in one message. The only reason I didn’t mention a few of the shows I watch is that they’re Equestrian shows.

Lyra: Drama shows. You know, the ones with the two-hour season premiers? Who has time for that?

Bon-Bon: Anyway. I watch entertainment-style cooking shows. I already know what I’m doing; I don’t need anypony teaching me. Sounds like it would be a good instructional tool though!

Lyra: I watched Iron Chef with Bon-Bon a few hours ago, and they forced the contestants to put peanut butter and jelly in their dishes. It was so stupid I couldn’t look away.

Bon-Bon: You were invested because it was interesting. They came up with some really creative stuff! I plan to try making strawberry jelly noodles myself sometime soon. It could be the next big thing!

2) A library? That’s interesting. Certainly not what I would have expected. What are you going to do with it?

3) A little. Applejack dated him for a while. Not sure what happened but I haven’t seen him around lately.

4) That’s probably why I like it. I don’t care for Friendship is Witchcraft. I do have to admit to not liking the new updated art-style, though. It’s a case of artistic direction perverting the environment. You can obviously tell she’s a robot now. Regardless of her not knowing she’s a robot, how has she not been arrested by the robot police if that’s what she really looked like?

5) Once again.

I don’t want to think about the latter, but it ran a sizable gambit.

1) It could. The only reason I stopped was from inactivity. Things were about to get more complicated (psychologically), so I waited for more messages. Only ever got a second one four months later. Took that as a sign there wasn’t enough activity to continue, and no pony would want to go back and read through all the updates. I could write a summery, but there would be a lot of subtle nuances left out that would impact things later on.

But yeah, I could pick it back up again, if I had a reason to believe anypony would care.

2) Huh? Why would you have been talking about me?

… Meta powers says, “No apology necessary.”

3) Playing by ear is a really hard skill. It’s not as common as some think. But I do several recordings of parts or sections, timing and counting out beats if it’s really hard, then overlay them. Factor in my field of magic and in theory, I could record just about anything as long as I had the sheets for it. Takes a lo~ng time, though. Lot of prep work.

4) I can understand that position; I’ve thought it myself for others before. Trouble is, I can just play simple things on my lyre and enjoy it. But the stuff I upload is work. I don’t enjoy doing them. I can enjoy the finished product. I can enjoy others enjoying it! But it’s work. Work is work. It’s exacerbating and exhausting and if nopony is going to listen to it, I’d rather just screw around and enjoy myself.

5) Bon-Bon: Goodness, you ask a lot at once! Well, I like Big Bang Theory and-

Lyra: That show sucks.

Bon-Bon: Hush. I watch Equestria’s Got Talent and Equestrian Idol. There’s all sorts of really great home decorating shows. Cooking shows like Bizarre Foods and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I’ve watched a few cooking competition shows too. A few other shows here and there but nothing you’d recognize.

Lyra: We used to watch Stable MD together before it ended. A few CSI-style shows too.

Bon-Bon: I work professionally on candy; like I said I own my own business. But I find it’s helpful to the creative process to experiment with all types of food. The Cakes and I collaborate a little. Share a few secrets, combine a few things; you know.

B: Why do I keep getting questions about movies?

Lyra: Just answer the [omitted] thing.

B: … Yes, alright? I’ve seen a few.

Lyra: So what’s your favorite?

B: What?

Lyra: You didn’t always have a stick shoved knee-deep up your butt, so what did you watch? What was your favorite?

B: Ugh, fine. … The Terminal, alright? That’s it. Question ov-

Bon-Bon: What?! The Terminal?

Lyra: I don’t- What is that?

B: Is there a problem?

Bon-Bon: Ponyfeathers. There is no way.

B: I beg your pardon?

Bon-Bon: The Terminal? Tom Hanks?

B: Yes.

Bon-Bon: Ponyfeathers.

B: I like Tom Hanks! Cast Away, Toy Story, Money Pit-

Lyra: I’ve seen those!

Bon-Bon: You are so full of ponyfeathers.

B: [omitted]- Apollo 13!

Bon-Bon: All great movies, but you’re full of ponyfeathers.

B: Why?

Bon-Bon: Prove it.

B: What?

Bon-Bon: Prove it. What did you like about The Terminal.

B: I liked the characters!

Bon-Bon: And I like candy but I can’t have too much before bed. Explain.

B: Viktor was a good character! He travels across the world to get a signature in memorial for his father! He spends months just waiting for the chance, but he’s not willing to sacrifice his ideals or anyone else to do it. He has dedication, but it hasn’t blinded him. A-Amelia is realistic. She has some flaws, but she has a good heart. When she cheated she did so to help Viktor by getting that day pass. The whole love arc between the two is realistic. And in the end it doesn’t work out; there is no forced resolution, because it’s not a love story. The old man who was distrustful at first- and then the scene at the end where he charges the taxiing plane like a soldier marching into battle! The entire movie is about doing what’s right! Dedication to a cause greater than ourselves! It spoke to me! It was an incredible experience!

Bon-Bon: … Wow.

Lyra: Cels, I have never heard you talk like that.

B: … Make me explain myself…

1) Bon-Bon: Nope. At least, not really. I’ve tried a number of times, but I just can’t get into it. The last game I played was… What was it called?

Lyra: Life is Magic. I didn’t even play it and I knew that.

Bon-Bon: Right. Lyra’s friend told me about it. It was fun for a while, but she owned, like, all of Ponyville. She even owned my shop! Anyway, it got boring.

2) Well, it’s been a while since you sent this message. How’d it turn out?

3) Nah. I’m awful at fighting games. Just bad at inputting combinations. Don’t really have much to say about OoT or WW. I already hate silent protagonists. It’s not so bad in older games, because there’s very little to emote at anyway (or you’re Chrono Trigger where there’s enough emotion from other playable characters). But this modern day stuff is garbage. When you’re a stoic, plastered-on-face while everypony around you are portraying sentient emotions, it’s just completely ridiculous.

And I hate it even more that Link is often considered the best video game character. Best at what? Being bland enough to serve your self-insert need to be important and appreciated without endangering your social standing in anyway? LAME!

Sorry, I think I got sidetracked. Wanted to name drop a few more, though. B.O.B., Earthworm Jim, Alisia Dragoon, Cool Spot, and Perfect Dark were all incredible.

4) I’d stay away from Mystic unless you’ve got a static player or two to hang with. They’re terribly slow to level with how pitiful their damage is. On the other hoof, if you liked Red Mage you should like Priest a lot. And their damage is pretty big. The listings I’ve seen for soloing BAMs rank dps Priest as third most efficient, one slot ahead of Slayer. At what level they become that, I couldn’t say.

5) I don’t know of any foalphile MMO, but Scarlet Blade is the softcore MMO. My online friend has played it. She says it’s not bad, from a mechanical perspective, and that the limit break-esque system is very well done. Just that it gets a little monotonous.

Then again, she’s quit Tera and is playing Ragnarok 2. I never thought I’d see the day…

Lyra and I talked it over for a bit, and she likes me answering questions with her. So we decided that you can ask me questions too.

It’s still her blog, but I’ll be around a little now.

1) I’ve admitted to having depression in the past. I suppose it’s possible I might have PTSD, but I’ve never been diagnosed. I don’t much care to find out either.

2) I never played it. Much like Left 4 Dead I’d probably like it, but I just never got around to it. And at this stage, I don’t see a reason to play it. As far as arena shooters go, the HRV from Blacklight: Retribution is pretty game changing. Plus, compared to TF2’s class customization, BL:R has class creation where you individually control each aspect of your character.

3) Did… Did I tell anypony I was playing TERA again?

I’ve fought BAMs, sure. Plenty. I’ve never soloed one, but my online buddy that I’m playing with has on her slayer.

My primaries are a Mystic and a Warrior.

4) Lyra: Yes.

Bon-Bon: Don’t tell them that!

Lyra: You can’t silence the truth! Your day of reckoning shall come!

Bon-Bon: Oh for pony’s sake…

5) Well, that was the inspiration for the idea. Mostly I was making fun of “hardcore gamers” because I don’t like them.

Seriously. Sit your [omitted] down and let the humble pie stop your mouth. Nopony cares about your K/D ratio.

Lyra: I don’t know. What are the repercussions of altering the events of a book? I guess I wouldn’t know the answer to that before being thrust into the situation, though…

Bon-Bon: Probably nothing. I mean, I don’t have any special skills for that situation.

Lyra: Then why do you own your own whip and fedora?

Bon-Bon: Oh Lyra… If I was ever going to answer that I would have by now.

B: Assuming I was able to identify anything in this situation, I suppose I would act.

Bon-Bon: Act…?

B: Act.

Lyra: I got it! I would Blue Skidoo back out of the book!

Bon-Bon: W… What?

Lyra: Hey! If Blue Skidoo; we can too!

1) Yep. I liked that blog myself and would love to see it active again! But I understand when ponies and… cats? Are busy?

2) Lyra: That sounds creepy.

Bon-Bon: Hello, Black Strawberry.

3) Ha! Yeah, it sort of does! Sir Lintalot drew it for me! I think it’s supposed to be a lyre with wings. At least, that’s what I see.

Do you like Pokemon, Trixie?

Fluttershy…?

… Trixieshy…?

1) Bon-Bon: Assistant? I own my own business. Why in Celestia’s mane would I be the assistant?

Lyra: Hey, if you wanna take point as a defendant you go right ahead.

2) Yeah, this one. And this is the artist who drew her updates. He’s busy and Sweetie’s busy too. Sorry, not much more I can say. Maybe they’ll do updates again one day, maybe they won’t. Couldn’t hurt to send an ask to the artist if you’re interested, though.

3) I wasn’t offended before, but it’s your business; I guess.

I imagine the fish probably look pretty different down there, what with the bone-crushing pressure.

1) Ah! Why are you caps-locking at me?! She’s fine! She’s right here! See? Just hangin’ out with Kirby.

2) Bon-Bon: And Lyra couldn’t?

Lyra: That’s right. Instead of resolving the situation, just jam that stick right into the beehive.

Bon-Bon: Lyra told me what the ask said and I joined in for that answer. I don’t just look through her inbox.

Lyra: Thank you.

3) Lyra: You can’t or you won’t?

Bon-Bon: Ah, the joy of ancient maps.

Lyra: Uh huh…