Page 480 – Vulnerability: Love

Behind the DM screen (and, to a small degree, in contemporary writing), I find monologues to be kind of a risky venture. It’s the sort of thing where you’d better make sure the subject matter is really interesting (or the delivery method is really compelling) (or there’s really no better way in the given format), or else you risk your audience tuning out or interrupting. In those cases, it’s probably best to have a backup version handy.

Anyway, it looks like my birthday’s tomorrow. So there’s that.

Fancy Pants: A long time ago, I was a very different stallion. I had within my hooves a business empire, built on a foundation of deceit, spying, and sabotage. I made use of the Thieves Guild’s services to further my own ends, with great frequency and to great success. Eventually, I took things too far. I crossed a line. And I vowed never to employ the Thieves Guild again. I forfeit my ill-gotten gains and started anew, focusing less on material wealth and more on the wealth of the soul. During this time, I met Fleur de Lis and fell in love. I later found out she was a career grifter working a long con on me, but she had accidentally fallen in love in return.

Rarity: So what did you do?

Fancy Pants: Went and married her, that’s what! Because it was then that I realized: In the long run, there’s no such thing as an evil pony. Just talented individuals who lose their way. Bad ponies can atone. Thieves can fall in love. And that’s why, between the Guild’s ill intent and the ECC’s paranoia, I stand somewhere in the middle. I just don’t want to see anypony hurt.

Upper Crust: Hmph.

Twilight Sparkle:

<whistle> Wow. That’s quite a mouthful. What the heck did Rainbow’s note say to summarize all that??<br/>
Applejack: “Fancy Pants is legit.”<br/>
Twilight Sparkle: …Seriously?!