Ponyfic Roundup 171: If You're Going to Make Words, At Least Make Them Fabulous

Rarity's comment is going to be stuck in my head for ages, I know it! Anyway, onward:

Read it Later story count: 398 (+1)

Three more fics today. I was hoping it would be four, but things happened. It's very annoying when things happen. I really wish they wouldn't do that. Here's this week's selection o' stuff. Just a reminder that a story I feel is average gets two stars, not three. Right:

Apple Sense by Godzillawolf
A Fragile Heart by Newtaloo
The Lighthouse and the Sea by The Cyan Recluse

★: 0 | ★★: 1 | ★★★: 0 | ★★★★: 2 | ★★★★★: 0

Apple Sense by Godzillawolf
Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Gummy and Maud
Comedy/Slice of Life; 3k words; Aug 2017; Everyone

Pinkie Pie finds a certain entry in the now published Friendship Journal that she wants to talk to Applejack about.

This is a vaguely show-style story in which Pinkie realises that AJ may share one of the Pie family's most distinctive abilities. Inspired by "Fame and Misfortune", though I don't think you need to have seen that, the fic calls back to "Somepony to Watch Over Me" and attempts to explain Applejack's badly-written unusual characterisation in that S4 episode. There's significant LUS and clunky dialogue, plus an odd bit of logic regarding Discord, and the ending isn't the most interesting. Nevertheless, having a particularly unsatisfactory ep given a reason more believable than the canon one is always welcome. A highish two, therefore. ★★

A Fragile Heart by Newtaloo
Other and Pinkie Pie
Sad/Slice of Life; 3k words; Mar 2014; Everyone

Who is that pony eating fries in the background of Twilight Time? And why does he look so sad?

It's always satisfying when a writer takes a tiny detail from the show and turns it into something worthwhile in itself. This is one of those times. The story is in the RCL and also made The Royal Guard. I agree: it's nicely observed (a tiny section about bagels is perfect) and bittersweet, and it gives this background pony enough character that I truly cared about him. As does Pinkie, who's her sweet and friendly self. A few slightly forced puns ("okie-dokie, low-key") feel out of place – but those apart, this is lovely stuff, helped by a really memorable phrase right at the end. ★★★★

The Lighthouse and the Sea by The Cyan Recluse
OCs
Romance/Slice of Life; 1k words; Jul 2016; Everyone

A short tail of love and lighthouses, seas and sea ponies.

This Writeoff winner and RCL inductee is an impressive illustration that you can write a romance in a thousand words and not have it seem hopelessly rushed. A lighthouse-keeper, the weirdly-named Bacon Heart the appropriately-named Beacon Heart, discovers that rumours of seaponies (one word in the story itself) are true – and then discovers one in particular, Sea Foam. The dialogue-free story is atmospheric and is all the better for not saying too much, especially at the end. ★★★★

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Next time on Ponyfic Roundup: stories reviewed will include ILurvTrixie's Special Delivery.