Maybe we'll be seeing Discord again. Something cool like that. Though he does seem more like season finale material than random midseason episode.

@ Crowfall

Well received is the general opinion I think.

@ Batty

To be honest...sometimes I feel like writing him as some pony outside of the crew. See, I think things would be way simpler if I just had six 'ordinary' boys from Trottingham who wanted to sail the world, just as the mane six are six ordinary girls leading their dreams too (although Twilight and possibly RD are a possible exception to that). Like, making Batty an important supporting character vital to the story of course, but one who is not inside the core group.

Does anyone know what I mean?

An outsider.

What isolates him from his fellows?

His appearance? Also, he's not an Equestrian Pony. Night Ponies like him have their own small and hidden city state.

It was a rhetorical question.

As in, what is it that sets him appart?

Aside from the obvious, I mean.

I think he can work as a member of the crew and something of an outsider. After all, Twilight's an outsider to Ponyville for most of the first season.

Maybe he prefers the company of animals to ponies?

That sounds odd saying that.

That could work perhaps.

edited 16th Dec '12 3:54:26 PM by ApplelightLimited

Is he weird? Does he have any off-putting mannerisms?

"In old country, is no such thing as 'personal space.'"

He's very stuck up.

@Crow: The episode was generally well received, although as always there'll always be at least a little dissension. As for this week's episode, I'm pretty sure it's Apple Family Reunion. It shows up later on the recap page because the broadcast and production orders are different.

Yay! That'll be fun! :D

Back from dinner.

I'm imagining sunlight bothering Batty's eyes. He'd usually wear sunglasses or tinted goggles in the daytime.

@ Syd

Yes, exactly. He has to wear shades in the daylight. Normal daylight is like having a torch shone in your face for him.

edited 16th Dec '12 4:04:13 PM by ApplelightLimited

The Goggles Do Something Unusual!

Lulz.

Also, Batty sounds like a really interesting character, but I think that the name might need work. When you need a cool name, always go for the Latin translation of a defining trait or theme.

@ Gex

His real name is 'Aerobat'.

Fun fact! Bats actually have perfectly fine vision, comparable to humans. They just hunt at night and never had to develop night vision.

Most animals with proper night vision have something called a Tapetum Lucidum, which causes the glowing eye effect. While this improves night-time vision, due to increased light, it actually hampens daytime vision due to how it works - it's a reflective film, meaning it's semi-opaque. So during the day an animals vision is basically like looking through a foggy window.

Oh, that works. Also, a word about the antisocialism, it would be great if he acted strange around other ponies, instead of being really closed off.

edited 16th Dec '12 4:07:47 PM by SuperGex

@ keg

Tapetum Lucidum sounds awesome! There, if Batty had that, there's another weird thing about him. He's eyes glow in the dark!

He could be a bit 'nuts' compared to day ponies then?

edited 16th Dec '12 4:09:23 PM by ApplelightLimited

That's awfully vague, apple. Could you be more specific?

Or...BANANAS!

edited 16th Dec '12 4:10:44 PM by SuperGex

Indeed! that's how I've been writing the bat ponies myself.

If an animals eyes are receptive enough to be hurt by daylight, then they probably have very wide pupils, like Bush Babies. Although, it is actually possible for people's eyes to be overly photoreceptive, causing them to need sunglasses. MY Brother has it, though only for natural light. For some people it's extreme enough that they even need sunglasses at night.

So wait, is he anti-social because of his looks, or how he thinks regular ponies will react to his looks, or something completely different?

Here's something that crosses my mind:

The Captain of my crew of pony explorers should have a unique ability. Twilight is potentially the most powerful Unicorn ever, possessing magic as her talent, and is the sort of leader of the mane six. My guy should also uniquely gifted.

I also do not want to do the idiot hero so prevalent in Shonen series. My lead should have brains...although I'd still like one of the crew to be an idiot.

The second one.

To tell you all the truth, the personalities of my characters are very ill defined at the moment. I was too busy trying to write a story and make up basic concepts.

edited 16th Dec '12 4:16:23 PM by ApplelightLimited