Author: Silent Magi
Description: Set about a year after the Nightmare Moon battle, Twilight Sparkle figures out that she has been a horrible friend to perhaps the pony that needs it most.Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 1
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 2
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 3
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 4
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 5
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 6
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 7
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 8
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 9
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 10
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 11
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 12
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 13
Letters to and From a Princess: Letter 14 (New!)
Additional Tags: Letters, Friendship, Special, Developing, Blossoming
Fan Art
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90 comments:
It's an interesting concept for sure, but right now it feels like they both sound a little similar in their intonation and tone.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's because Luna didn't really appear as herself in the show (yet), so it's hard to characterize her appropriately.
"Letters from/of-" collections are always interesting to see. Hopefully this series will continue expanding.
@Lotte I will certainly work on altering the tone of Luna's, since I feel that I've gotten Twilight Sparkle nearly accurate. Just wondering if I shouldn't add a little outside the letters too.
ReplyDeleteIt is in my personal opinion that the "Letter" feel would be lost if there was some normal narrative outside the so-called box.
ReplyDeleteHave a look at "The Screwtape Letters" or even some correspondence collections between royalty of the past and assorted media. It tends to help - the moment there is some third/first person narration in the text *outside* of the letter, it is no longer a "Letter" per se.
But feel free to add it in if you think it helps the presentation.
It's about weighing the format/presentation against the feel/purpose. Something I always keep in mind (or rather am yelled at frequently by teachers about it so it stays in my mind) when it comes to design and creation in general.
Luna's tone is the one that needs work, Twilight is more or less fine, but I feel that it can be rounded off some more. Only time will tell if Luna will get an episode so that fans can create a more accurate presentation of the character.
@LotteI'm working on the next letter, so if you wanna stop in and give advice, you're more than welcome to. Just follow the links.
ReplyDeleteThis series has promise. Stick to it!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous Heh, the next letter is in the post-production looking over right now. I hope that it improves the tone of Luna a little bit...
ReplyDeleteIt says normal, but it feels like shipping, especially some of the stuff in 4 and 5.
ReplyDeleteNot that it's a bad thing; LunaXTwilight = My OTP.
I guess I could just be wearing my shipping goggles for them.
There's shipping here? Huh... I guess I might have to start applying a shipping charge... hugs from everyone!
ReplyDeleteCuriosity question: Did the names for the other characters work alright?
@Silent Magi
ReplyDeleteyou mean like william shakeshorn and anne hoofaway. i lol'ed at those poni puns.
@Silent Magi
ReplyDeleteWell, it's certainly good enough already to deserve a few hugs.
*Pulls Silent Magi to hir chest and purrs.*
Or at least a hugglepurr.
1.silent magi rules that this is shipping.
ReplyDelete2.i give a hug, get a cupcake and bondage, and then i escape, evolve and teleport.
3.???
4.Profit.
this is what goes on in the chat.
Why do I love this so much?
ReplyDeleteBECAUSE IT'S AWESOME, DUH.
Heh, I wonder if I should do a spin-off, where the ponies answer letters from the bronies and fillies out here.
ReplyDeleteInteresting series of letters. I can see the distinct personalities developing. Luna coming across slightly shy and more formal (with a taste for old poems and a fear of clowns) while Twilight is her usual bookish self (lacking in some self-confidence to boot). I did find it interesting that Luna noted the "Twilight" shared between them. Twilight Sparkle seemed unsure, but that seemed intentional from Luna (Enough so she didn't comment on Twilight realizing it). That gave me a chuckle.
ReplyDeleteI also see the conflict slowly brewing as well, which should work well. I'm hoping you don't write yourself into a corner with the letters, as is easy enough to do in reality, I can only imagine how it would work in a story.
Keep up the good work. Also, the spin off would be amusing if played for humor more then playing it serious. I can't see it working if you played it straight....
@PolecatWasn't going to go serious with the spin off, but I need some of you fans to send in the letters to get started.
ReplyDelete@Silent Magi
ReplyDeleteThat's a really, really good idea. Make an email address and let people send in questions. I think this could be really awesome if you do it right!
letterpony@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteBe sure to address which pony you're writing to please.
example:
Dear Princess Luna,
Sincerely
. . . right, you know this blog thing removed part of my comment
ReplyDeleteDear Princess Luna,
Letter text goes here.
Sincerely,
Name you want to be published in reply to.
These were good, I hope you are planning to continue with these (can't tell due to a lack of an incomplete tag)
ReplyDeleteIs there an actual letter 8 already made?
ReplyDeleteOr does it just say continued in letter 8 at the bottom to let us know it is in production?
Because I read letter 7 before it was up here because of a link at the bottom of letter 6.
Just wondering.
@DrahcirAloerYes Letter 8 is in production, and the reason it's linked already on Letter 7 is because some idiot forgot to submit Letter 7 until late last night. I'm glad Seth has such a fast turn around, because Letter 8 will likely be posted shortly.
ReplyDeleteI'm really happy that people are enjoying these stories.
Well, hopefully Seth will post it soon, cos I'm reading it right now. I must say, I'm really enjoying this series.
ReplyDeleteHaving finished reading letter 8, I must say, I'm rather surprised Luna didn't call Twilight out on her use of 'she' in letter 7 when describing someone to love. Then again, it's probably easier seeing as this is getting to be more obviously shipping with each letter, especially Luna's ones.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying these quite a lot, despite not normally going for these kinds of stories.
ReplyDeleteReally like these letters. Keep up the good conversations. =D
ReplyDeletehas anypony else noticed that this has been moved to the shipping category in luna's list of fix?
ReplyDeleteIf I might submit a question for the Princess, was she badly affected by the Giordano Bruno Impact? It would have occurred a little over a century into her exile.
ReplyDeleteFrom the account of Canterbury, it would have been most terrifying to experience up close.
"In this year, on the Sunday before the feast of St John the Baptist, after sunset when the Moon had just become visible, a marvelous phenomenon was witnessed by some five or more men who were siting facing the Moon. Now there was a bright new Moon, and as usual in that phase its horns were tilted toward the east; and suddenly the upper horn split in two. From the midpoint in the division a flaming torch sprang up, spewing out, over considerable distance, fire, hot coals, and sparks. Meanwhile the body of the Moon which was below writhed, as it were, in anxiety, and to put it in the words of those who reported it to me, and saw it with their own eyes, the Moon throbbed like a wounded snake. Afterwards it assumed its proper state. This phenomenon was repeated a dozen times or more, the flame assuming various twisted shapes and then returning to normal. Then, after these transformations, the Moon from horn to horn, along its whole length, took on a blackish appearance. The present writer was given this report by men who saw it with their own eyes, and are prepared to stake their honor on an oath that they have made no additions or falsifications in the above narrative."
As an insomniac student, I have been one, acquainted with the night, and am certainly a fan of Princess Luna.
Can't wait for the next letter!!! Luna seems to be getting more bold and Twilight has had a couple slips that are rather interesting... Great story, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the praise guys. Ya know, I'm not normally one to ask for artwork based on my own works. But for the longest time (Letter 3-4 I think) I've had this image in my head.
ReplyDeleteLuna and Twilight both sitting at writing desks with scrolls unfurled in front of them as they stare up at the moon that is shown between the two scenes. If anyone wouldn't mind doing me a huge favor and making this image something someone else could see, I'd deeply appreciate it.
Contact me if you're interested.
Did you reference the Dancing Luna animated pic?
ReplyDeleteX-D
Its good, but last letters grew into something a little bigger than a Letter, didn't? Still, quite interesting perspective for pullin' of a story and a great way for dialogue-less dialouge to happen. Like it.
ReplyDeleteHey, anything that spreads some Luna love gets five stars from me.
ReplyDelete@fireant
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as a long time denizen of usenet and a long time user of mailing lists: Having conversations grow like this is not exactly uncommon. In a delayed communication medium you end up addressing various points of discussion in parallel with more coming into play as time goes on.
I remember that once I took a chance to read the first letter I received in a year long correspondence with a friend, and the last, and even after laying out all the ones in between I couldn't fully track how they flowed into one another.
ReplyDeletePLEASE let this end in Twiluna
ReplyDeletepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease
...but come to think of it, how are you going to do that?
if you deviated from the letter format in order to write their night together at the gala, I honestly wouldn't mind. I would sacrifice continuity for a happy sappy lovey-dovey moonlit confession in the gardens of Canterlot...
...just sayain...
this is of course entirely up to the author and I will still love it no matter how it ends.
@DooDawDayI have to admit that I'd like to end this with a break from the letter format, and that I believe it will be satisfactory to all those reading. But before I do that, I'd like to get some feedback on that particular option. Would anyone object to me going into story format for the gala chapter? If so, please let me know why.
ReplyDeletei really see no reason why you shoudn't go into story format?
ReplyDeleteand as "DooDawDay" said i will be praying for Twiluna.
But please don't rush it.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one compelled to draw a night scene for Luna now? Only problem is my scanner sucks.
ReplyDeleteVery good story. I like the subtle shipping your doing.
ReplyDelete@Silent Magi
ReplyDeleteI think you should do this, break from the letters format and write the gala as a regular story. I look forward to reading the next part whatever you decide to do.
PS: TwilightLunaTwilightLunaTwilightLuna... ahem... that is all
@artfriend-anonymous:
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see some artwork based off this. So please feel free to go ahead and do it if you will.
Thank you all for your reviews, and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story as it develops.
I *love* the part about Pinkie Pie and the 200+ balloons in her letter.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be fine to see the gala as a regular story. Since Twilight and Luna are going to be together (at the party), it makes more sense anyway.
I'm fine with a out-of letter format for the Gala, but another option could be a diary, if you wanted to keep the writing style pretty much the samewhile still making sense to describe the action. I'm fine all three ways, just a thought. Also, Twiluna.
ReplyDelete@Silent Magi
ReplyDeleteGood job! I was on letter 5 and I had a question.
Do you plan to update little details due to facts from new episodes? I'm guessing Letter 5 was written before "Cutie Mark Chronicles" aired. Twilight says she didn't know her parents, but her flashback in the episode shows that she did spend her young years with them and does remember them.
@AnonymousNo I will not be going back, because I would have to rework pretty much from the beginning. However, I do try to incorporate canon into the story where I can. I hope ya'll don't mind, but I'm too lazy to reset the series.
ReplyDeletePS: My Gala's gonna be completely off canon.
Like it sais it's just a rough draft but it's art based off this story. I'd love some help getting it just right though :)
ReplyDeletehttp://ardite.deviantart.com/#/d3gg3h9
You know, silent-magi, you could set this story one year into the future. The gala would seem to be an annual event of sorts, I think, so why not just shove it ahead a year and ignore *all* canon conflicts altogether.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first MLP fanfic that I have ever read and it gave me a good impression. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how this finally turns out. I think you've done a wonderful job so far and I can't wait for the release of all the dramatic tension with the big dramatic reveal that is sure to come. Because even if it's been hinted at and all the readers have their own guesses, it'll still be a fantastic read. Rock on.
ReplyDeleteI hope that this is still being worked on! This is the very first MLP fanfic I seriously liked, so I've been waiting patiently for each installment. Both Twilight and Luna are characterized brilliantly, it's all very believable and enjoyable. I really pray this hasn't been shelved!
ReplyDeletePlease o PLEASE let the story end with Twiluna!
ReplyDeleteCan I get a woot woot!
I'd make a Y U NO comment, but i feel this is too good to use a meme on. Personally, I think that whatever you do should be what you think works with the story best. Don't pander to out interests if your story wants to come out in its own way. You're the one writing, not us. We're just lucky enogh to come along for the ride. Of the options you've given us, I'd prefer a letter ending, it is true, but if you feel you have to change the style to make it work, well, up to you. I'm just waiting for you to blow my socks off me (and onto luna :P)
ReplyDeleteSilent Magi you're back! I checked the work compilation post you sent me often, but I was beginning to lose hope, but now it's here! I have to re-read everything, but it's going to be worth it I know it.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, but....
ReplyDeleteI feel like an asshole for reading it. Seriously, it feels so natural that it's like I'm stealing their post or something. It's like I'm opening someone's diary
I feel dirty for reading another mares letters...
ReplyDeleteI wont lie...the letters seem...forced? The don't flow very well at all and they don't seem in character for who's writing them. Granted its hard to be in character with Luna, she was in all of one episode!
ReplyDeleteI read the first 4 and I think thats enough for me, awesome concept though.
Chalk another vote up for TwiLuna, even if you seem to be avoiding the subject. I know you do have to, as you want to make it a surprise. But I still feel antsy thinking about it, considering all the shippy stuff in the letters. Still, I think the Gala without all the canon stuff could be interesting, as long as you don't make it devoid on conflict. On second thought, maybe letting them off, just this once, would be fine.
ReplyDeleteForgot to say that I love the story, and I hope that you keep up the amazing work.
ReplyDeleteI would offer to be the one writing back as I have offered to EQD to do. Players on the mush can ether talk or write to me as well. Though man of them are having to look up the old terminology I use. Makes it all the more interesting.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteIt's only dirty if they know about it
I like this letters series... But yeah. The incongruities are killing my perfectionist nature. GOD!!!! I'm like seriously being thrown for a loop over details like the non canon telling of Twilight's parents. I literally can't move past it without rewriting and reworking the letter in my head and moving on with corrected mental notes. Ahhrfgggsdfjhsdjsdfnsj!
ReplyDeleteThis Gala stuff ain't gonna fly for me unless I force myself to say it's 2 years down the road. If I don't, my head will POP like a 1 Amp fuse on a 30 Amp circuit.
Also, Luna is best pony, with best memes!
Socks
Free Hugs
Moonpies
Moon dance
Abacus
Awkward encounters with modern things (Progress)
TwiLuna is best fillyfooler ship
LunaMac is best normal ship
And never forget filly Luna comics are the best comics!
Alfalfa Monster anyone? Bleahhhh :O
Anyway, Luna letters are equally as epic, but still! Plot holes ABOUND!
Did Pinkie make Equestria BSOD again?
These letters are made of autism. It's like the writer has never had a conversation in his life.
ReplyDelete11 Chapters of annoying sperg. Ugh.
OH GOD, and as I get deeper into these letters... THEY KEEP DIGGING THEMSELVES DEEPER INTO THE LIE!!!! Apparently Celestia must have sent Twi's parents to the moon or something, and cast a memory wipe spell on her, so she could have the purple filly all to her trollin' self!
ReplyDeleteThe names are really impressive. Nicked Ear for Vincent van Gogh, Brave Lion for Leonardo da Vinci. But I sensed there were a lot of facehooves for Red Marron.
ReplyDelete@Freeze Frame Yeah, Red Marron is one that I facehoof over, but I shall be utilizing her in the future, so be watching for it.
ReplyDeleteAs for those pointing out the non-canon nature of this, remember that I started this back before season 1 was half over. And it's not a conversation, it's a letter. They tend to have a life and flow all their own.
Wow... I just read all the letters in one go... (shame on me for not finding this fic sooner)
ReplyDeleteI think it actually made the reading experience better. I liked how they seemed to be getting more closer the more they write to one another...
Talking about that it seemed that there is a bit shippy feeling coming from the letter especially on Luna's side. Luna seemed to be falling for Twilight and is aware of it, thus actively fishing for information and testing the water while throwing some subtle hints...
On the other hand, Twilight is ridiculously oblivious or actively in denial. But, is probably falling for Luna in her own way judging from the slips she's making and being completely in the dark about it but I guess it fits? huh.
Come to think of it, I think the two are in the massive crush stage the difference is Luna's aware of it while Twilight is not. If those two ever start a friendship it would be an intimate friendship. ( the type that blurs romantic love and platonic love)
Part 2
ReplyDeleteAnd reading between the lines if Twi is trying to be formal and logical it eroded as the letter goes on. And even at the beginning where Twi is more logical than usual some freudian slips are cropping up.
A. Beginning with I hope you allow somepony to comfort you, then saying in the next paragraph if you ever need support allow me to be there for you.
B.Further along saying she thinks Luna's quirk is cute.
C. Saying call her just Twilight and not champion or anything. I wonder if the address at the beginning meant anything in light of this.Maybe Twi is getting back at Luna, but I'm leaning on defensive mechanism.
D. The only title Twi wants is to be Luna's friend.
E. Twi's only remaining dream is becoming a bride. And her only wish right now is to get to know Luna. ( This is said after Twi describe a proposal fantasy. Sigh Twi :D )
F. Twi saying again that she can't get a hint. (I think your muse is complaining Twi)
G. Twi describing another fantasy which is low-key and romantic as hell - curl at the hooves of the ones you love, share a good book, go to dinner and dance. Guess who you're planning to do 3 out of 4 of those Twi...
Oh, I would like to add Twi wanting to protect Luna from clowns with her might mime powers. This almost invalidate Twi's logic argument of not being able to protect Luna earlier. And then there is magnanimous praise for Luna's work and saying that it helped make a special moment will probably go a long way to making Luna feel nice even if the reception at the capital is lackluster...
Anyway back to miscellaneous stuff at the letter the grand gala is certainly going to different.
Applejack might be able to get the boost to the business she needs. Rarity will avoid the crushing of a romantic fantasy. Fluttershy might get along with the animals. There is a certain lack of Rainbow dash though in this letter, but its understandable. Oh, Pinky might not get wild in the gala since there is Twi's party to plan for. And I think I understand curiosity of Twi's friend on her life before and from your description I'm beginning to think that there are a lot of thing to unearth. The club alone might be a gold mine if my guess is correct about the nature of the club.
Its also nice that Twi is thinking about Spike and his diet. Plus academic discussion of a spell and its application...
Lastly, I'm not surprised that the crusaders managed all that...
P.S. Hope this analysis makes you want to write more and inspire your muse.
Part 1
ReplyDeleteNow , the letter 11 beginning address is a bit jarring. Twilight addressed Luna beginning at letter 1 as Princess Luna and as time progressed just "Luna". The sudden formality seemed to come out of nowhere. But, then again this is Twilight were talking about, who though really close to Celestia managed to be quite formal and tense about her. If my guess is right, Twilight use etiquette or formality as a means of coping with intense feelings as a way of distancing herself. Maybe Twi is finally getting a clue or at least her subconscious is.
Twi really has some serious self-depreciation going on. Though I wish that she didn't say that the deed of saving Luna is coincidental with Celestia's rescue even if it is humble and truthful account. That has to hurt for poor Luna.
This along with "there are others more suitable for defending you", shows that Twi is still not getting it or perhaps she is actually getting it subconsciously and is trying to say that she is not worthy for such feelings.
Thankfully whatever criticism she has on herself, it seems to be backfiring badly on Twi. Example:
A. Really saying that your not good at countering threats to the person who fought you before is not going to work esp. if the person knows your too humble.
B.the account of levitating an entire tower just to look for a ball whom you believe has sentimental value is going to amaze and just make you adorkable in Luna's eyes.
c. Wanting to hide from being called Celestia's student is just another adorkable trait.
Though, to Twi's credit except for a, most of the stories seem to be building common grounds with Luna.
The "spot the differences between this fic and canon" game is really quite fascinating. So far, I've got Twilight's parents are missing, and there are two royal gardeners instead of just the one.
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, the gala's not going to be such a spectacular failure tin this 'verse around, at least for Rarity.
Twilight's obliviousness is adorable. I like how she even went to a gay bar without realizing it.
I did find it a bit weird when Twil says how she sort of understands how that 1000 years of isolation was like. If I was Luna I'd be more like "really? You're like what, 12?"
ReplyDeleteafter reading letter 5 i found a problem. in the letter Twi states that she did not remember her parents yet in episode 23 "The Cutie Mark Chronicles" she not only says that her parents decided to enroll her into Celestia's school, but the producers animated in a mother and father for her that showed up at the house and with her at her entry test.
ReplyDeleteHumans...
ReplyDeleteMegan...
Paradise...
So, you're making G1 part of the history of G4 now.
But, what happened to all the other races there?
The Flutter Ponies?
The Sea Ponies?
The Bushwoolies?
The Stonebacks?
The Furbobs?
The Bees?
And there was a kingdom of humans, if you go by the first MLP movie, (Rescue at Midnight Castle).
Since the rainbow connects to Megan's world and has locked in coordinates, it might be possible to reactivate it and go to Megan's home and time, though she will be quite suprised to discover thousands of years have passed ponyside.
just have to read 12 but i'm loving how things are goinging. I'm going to guess that Twi turned her paretns to plants in this verse and they never changed back and so Celestia pulled a Batmare and made her her ward.
ReplyDeleteThe the more of these i read the more i want Luna to meet my OC scarlet, who is a nightowl poni
It might be my love of TwiLuna shipping, but I can't help but feel that in Luna's letters, when she talks about Twilight finding the right pony to be with, Luna is wishing it would be herself.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the Haruhi Suzumiya reference, made me smile.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this not labeled as shipping? Please tell me this is actually shipping. If not, then I think someone needs to tell the author he accidentally shipped TwiLuna.
ReplyDeleteThe GREAT and POWERFUL Trevor would like to make an inquiry. If one was to use the second part of Luna's name that you made, would one be allowed to us it in one's own fanfic? If so, what sort of recognition, whatever would you want one to use, if any? If you don't wish for one to use it, then one won't, but one figured it couldn't hurt to ask. Thank you for your time, and one hopes that you continue writing this... Fanfic? (Not sure what to call it, exactly, so I'll jsut say fanfic in general! XD)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete>One of the younger staff asked me if I was having fun with my dear friend Abby Custard
ReplyDelete-EVERY stories, involving the abacus of Luna, have 'It' named : Abacus.
(Custard ?? Abby ?)
>Luna Starlight
ReplyDelete-Starlight ? Never heard that one.
But I did heard 'this' one :
-Luna De Selena, co-ruler of Equestria, Princess of the Night, Defender of the Moonlit Herds, the Mare of the Moon.
(forgot from what story. It's on Eq.Daily)
Also, I created this name (for one of my story) for Celestia (based on the same fashion as that Luna's name) :
-Celestia De Solaris, prime-ruler of Equestria, Princess of the Sun.
Dear Princes Luna,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your pamphlet we here at Wingboner Magazine, the Premiere magazine for the Discerning Pegasus, are interested in offering you a column to discuss your experiences as Nightmare Moon and how to avoid falling to her traps.
Sincerly,
White Rose CEO of Wingboner Magazine
(I am producing a fan mag, and yes if you are able i would love a luna column.)
@NekoLLX
ReplyDeleteAre you the one who's supposed to make that weekly-page, every monday, or something like that ?
@Nova25
ReplyDeleteNope it's a more traditional magazine
though probably released in PDF form due to well the fact it's a fan mag so i can't really make money publishing it in print
This is really nice and all, but i feel some shipping......
ReplyDeleteAny news on an update? :D
ReplyDeleteI support this update.
ReplyDeleteWill there be any more letters?
ReplyDeleteNice addition. I'm interested in seeing Luna's perspective on the Gala...and in learning where exactly she was the whole time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for continuing to work on this, Silent Magi.
ReplyDelete