It Is Recommendsday, My Dudes #26 · 8:33pm Sep 15th, 2021
Even immortal incarnations of the sun need love.
Directly, that love can be found in Georg's My Farrier Lady, Sunspot.
Golden Hammer and Silver Nails run a farrier's shop in Canterlot, as their fathers did before them. They're the best in the business, forging and fitting shoes for ponies around Canterlot - including the Guard and most of the Palace staff. Enchanted shoes are their specialty - spell-forged and etched to withstand the forces a powerful unicorn - or a filly that will one day become an alicorn - manipulate.
But just as important is Away. A simple little pub on the corner where they can get a beer, a kebab and strictly not talk about work.
And, perhaps, meet a pretty little thing named Sunspot who works at the Palace and is most certainly not Princess Celestia in disguise.
Over the course of many months, the story follows Hammer's budding relationship with Sunspot - including his constant insistence to his partner that it is not a relationship - as the two become close friends and share their time Away from their respective duties.
I love this one because it's a beautiful, slow romance that builds on itself in a believable way with sensible, believable characters. It's subtly sweet and feels natural, rather than the rapid-fire rush that so many romances stampede to.
Indirectly, we have Shaslan and Auntie Tia's Matchmaking Service.
Set post-S9, Celestia needs something to do with her time. Now removed from the machinations of diplomacy and the state, she's turned her attention to something more up Cadance's alley: Matchmaking. Taking her little ponies and helping them meet other little ponies that fit the needs for their lives - even the needs they don't realize they have yet.
And she's good. She's really good. ...But not perfect.
The story itself weaves around through the generation after the Bearers and how those kids find futures - from Luster Dawn to Flurry Heart to Dash and AJ's son Zap Apple to Rarity's adopted and (semi-)reformed daughter, Cozy Glow. It also leans heavily into Celestia sorting out herself post-Princess, so it's a wonderful exploration of her, of the children and of the Bearer generation dealing with things as parents. (Trust me, Luster's family situation is craaaaaaazy and I love it.)
New or catching up? Try Recommendsday: The Index for your story needs!
Both stories are excellent!
Tek was the driving force on this one. He's been editing for me for a long time, so he had this idea, and tossed dozens and dozens of short scene ideas at me until I caved and started writing. I almost *never* colab, because the fastest way to get me to draw a blank on writing is to have somebody expecting me to write about said something, but I held the story progress to a cautious growing level of intensity all the way to the peak, then tying up the loose ends. It worked out quite well, if I say so myself (and I do).
Thanks so much for the review! I really appreciate people taking the time to read my only long story. It's something I'm really proud of and I'm so glad you liked it.