That was exactly the kind of test that an inspector might want to throw in order to check the city's ability to deal with the unexpected, I'd say. And it was a test that the Crystal Empire failed, big time.

And yet, they got Cadence ready in record time, had the city all spruced up, and had a welcome to the castle ready.

Also, apparently the only distinguishing mark she felt like discussing was the print on her luggage (intstead of, oh say her cutie mark). No way anyone else could have had a bag with flowers on it.

edited 11th Feb '13 11:46:01 AM by Enlong

AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

The thing I don't get is she picks the city because they were nice to Poppycock. Because she's tired of special treatment due to being the inspector. So by accidentally giving the special attention to someone else and intending to treat the inspector like all the other cities did, this proves them worthy?

I wonder why the inspector (or whatever the organization she was part of) didn't just send the CK her photo.

edited 11th Feb '13 11:47:45 AM by dRoy

@Enlong: She probably assumed they'd ask for her name before just assuming the first pony they saw with a flower print bag was her. Crazy, I know, who's got time for that sort of thing?

It was a mistake on HER part, too. She thought that the treatment Poppycock got was the standard for the Crystal Empire's service, so she judged the city based on that.

@Crowfall - I wouldn't blame them. After all, there are tons of tests where going so far as asking your instructor's name is a mark of failure. They should take all the apples caution that they should take.

Why, if I was the inspector and they asked for my name, I would have immediately scratched the city off of the list. Such a despicable act, urgh.

edited 11th Feb '13 11:52:30 AM by dRoy

A description of her cutie mark would've been more practical than her bag.

Or both, because what are the odds that any other mare will have both?

Yeah, the whole thing was kinda a Sweet and Elite "everyone learned their lesson, so no need to ruin everyone's day" ending. It wasn't handled as well as it could have, but the comedy in the episode more than makes up for it to me. Plus, the fake inspector is one of the most endearing one-shot characters ever, IMO.

Hey, Blissey, I'm brainstorming for a time travel fanfic right now, and I'm wondering what's the state of the art for pony stories on that topic.

Specifically, I'm wanting to write a story where the mechanics of time travel itself are the meat of the story—rather than a story where another time era is a City of Adventure and time travel is just the plot device to get the protagonist there. Most of the time travel fics I've read from this fandom fall into the latter category, but are there any stories in the former category?

edited 11th Feb '13 11:53:48 AM by MetaFour

Rarity's parents have none of her grace and poise. Is it wrong that I kind of hope that Rarity was adopted?

Rarity's biological parents are actually among the aristocracy of unicorns. They are classy without being snooty; elegant without being superficial. They live with kindness and a quiet dignity. And, of course, they are generous.

Also, is it wrong that I really dislike the idea that Rarity's accent is nothing but an affectation? It's a pretty accent, why does it have to be fake?

How about AJ growing a tree (or trees) in a time machine; and using the time machine to make time go faster inside the time machine so that the tree grows a month's worth of growing in an hour, so as to more quickly grow trees.

edited 11th Feb '13 11:57:34 AM by ATC

Can we assume now that the mane six are rightfully recognised for their achievements?

@ATC Because high class is genetic, somehow?

I wouldn't mind seeing Chickadee or whatever we're calling her showing up again. She's already established as traveling a lot, so there's no reason she couldn't drop by Ponyville.

I wanted to let you all know that I'm okay...now.

I lost power at 8:45 Friday night due to a blizzard. With the power, I also lost the heat and the telephone. I kept huddled under a blanket. By 12:00 Sunday morning, the indoor temperature had dropped to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Long story short, my sister and brother-in-law came to my house this morning (Monday) to see if I was okay. I wasn't in the best of shape. Shivering in my recliner under several layers of insulation. Hungry because I was far too cold to get up. I'm at their house now. They got their power and heat back sometime during the night. I've warmed up now and had a tuna melt, some mac and cheese, and three cups of tea. I'm gonna take a much-needed shower soon. I'll ask if they have a spare razor. I kind of look homeless right now.

I've since found out that my town may not get power (and gas heat) back 'til Thursday. And here I was, trying to tough it out. I needed to get out of my house TODAY.

In other news, I just watched "Games Ponies Play" online.

Rarity being the product of a Changeling Fantasy is much less interesting than Rarity being born to the lower middle class and climbing up the social ladder through her own efforts.

@Syd: Wow, I didn't realize things were so bad over there. Glad to hear you're doing alright now.

Glad you're ok now Syd. I was worried about your situation.

Syd: Glad that you're alright now. Take care.

Perpetual Lurker: Oh, that does have some Unfortunate Implications now that I think about it. Meep.

@Meta Four: Yeah, you have a point there. Not that Rarity will ever succeed in integrating herself into the upper class; any more than Rainbow Dash will ever join the thunderbolts.

I guess I'm just a sucker for any kind of Changeling Fantasy, and all of the identity issues it can bring up; all the potential for character development and self-discovery.

edited 11th Feb '13 12:11:52 PM by ATC

Rarity did not really "climb the social ladder" that much, I think. As a (good) tailor, she is definitely still middle class.

edited 11th Feb '13 12:06:10 PM by Carciofus

Isn't the accent Rarity has fake in Real Life? I don't know much about accents, just that growing up in Arkansas has had an affect on mine.

edited 11th Feb '13 12:07:39 PM by Calnos

@ Kegi: Except Rainbow explained everything to her face that it's not normal treatment. And she'd know it wasn't normal treatment because she didn't get it.

@ Lurker: Except for the cities who treat their inspector nicely and got penalised for it.

edited 11th Feb '13 12:11:16 PM by Badwolfwho

Thanks, guys. My sister and BIL don't know I'm a brony, so I'll be limited to when I can post. I snuck in my viewing of "Games Ponies Play" when my sis had gone shopping and BIL was doing laundry.

I hope everyone else is doing OK. I hope anyone else without power and heat has gone somewhere safe. Don't be stupid, like I was.

@Bad Nicely, but insincere. The whole thing's a wash, really.