@all: Good morning,
I'd like to officially say that things are tentatively back to normal once more. We've gone through the codebase and can safely assure you that there's nothing to be concerned about. No viruses have been found and no snatch attempts made.
I'd like to thank the mods, Light, Twist, Simile, Bob, InItForTheShipping, and HopHop for joining in the efforts to sort out this mess.
The examination of the code has also lead to a number of improvements (none of which you'll be able to see, but suffice it to say that the site is now running 130% faster and is even more secure than before).
Related to this, we've decided to create a new role: Tech Wing, along with a dedicated section to discuss code and practices (referred to Simile as "Geek Squad"). In order to not spam the site, the section will be request only, although no one would be refused access if she wants it.
Thank you for your time.
The TechNightling
A small announcement from me as well. Thanks to Prince Blueblood, with support from S&S, we now have a backup server in the palace. All costs will be covered from here and it will contain an archive of all fics posted in case of future exploits by hackers.
I'd like to stress that the site has moved from one of the most treasured and fun sites I've been to to something even larger (and close to reaching 100k unique users). :D
And since it's me, I'll confirm the rumor that the last chapter of the arc will be about the Everprince. Following that will be a 3 month hiatus during which book copies of the story will be published along with spinoffs and a comic series. ;)
Luna
RIP savings... RIP me :(
LyraHands
@Luna: This is great! Can't wait (for any of it). I'll be getting the book the moment it comes out. Family has started showing interest in the series. Funny thing is that my father mentioned having memories of the original when he was young, but never getting read it. Wonder if he'll get into it now.
Also, I've made a list of all mentioned characters in Everwhere, including the number of scenes they are present in. So far we have quite a few that could turn out to be the Everprince (and that's only assuming he's indeed male). Let the speculation begin! (I personally like the idea of the gods merging together the best.)
PrinceEric
@Luna: filthy money grabbers! Lyra has to beg for money and sleep under bridges to afford all the merchandise you keep spewing out! And I hope the next set of miniatures is better. (Some of them are just... :/) See you at the huge meeting tomorrow.
@PrinceEric: unless I'm wrong that makes 57 characters in total (non-humans included). I hope you haven't included every background character that gets a one line introduction. (There's no way he could be any of those. I mean there is, but it will stupid.)
I have a theory, but I, not sharing it to avoid Everypomy going "ha!". I've shared it with Jade, though so you know I'm not lying if it happens.
MixaMax
She hasn't, actually.
Jade
@Jade: traitor! No more snuggles for you!
MixaMax
@MixaMax: Fine by me. You're the one that keeps asking for them anyway.
Jade
@Jade: What? All the snuggles then!
How do I always fall for that trick :( The things I must suffer having Jade as a fiancé...
MixaMax
@MixaMax: I'm sure it's unbearable.
Jade
Girls, RRBB won't be on for the next few days :( She just lost it a few minutes ago. We were in the middle of class (literature) when she jumped off her seat, started crying and kicked her desk into the wall. Then she galloped out of the room. :(((
PaintDrop is with her now. I don't know what's going on.
SweetStuff
That filly has some serious issues :( Shame since she's cool. Was anypony hurt?
LightSparkle
@SweetStuff: Just great :/ PM me when you know more.
MixaMax
I hope she's not back to her old issues. And just when I thought she was getting better. I have nonstop work for the next two days (and am not even in the area) so no chance of passing by. (Stupid boss sends me everywhere just to show off my flank. Literally! But that's for another rant...)
@Brush, @LyraHands: Can you help out on this?
CEOWitch
@CEOWitch: Brush is occupied today but I'll go after work.
@SweetStuff: How serious is it?
LyraHands
@LyraHands: I don't know! :( Seemed pretty serious. All the girls are spooked. Usually this happens after she's being mean and everything. Today she was silent all morning, just got up and... I don't know what to think :(
@CEOWitch: nopony was hurt. Other than RRBB. We're all a bit shaken, though.
SweetStuff
RRBB isn't in a good place right now. Just sending you a line not to @ or PM her. She's crying in the bathroom, so I'll vanish as well in a bit. Will let you know when there are changes.
PaintDrop
What the hay? I complimented her new look before class. I hope I've not caused this :(
WaterBottle
@WaterBottle: You're good.
EndlessHearts
This is turning out to be the worst day :(
SweetStuff
@YouKnowWho: Did you two get into a fight again?
Twist
@Twist: Wow! Mean much? And no. We barely talked today. Scratch that, we didn't talk at all. I said hi when she came to school, she mumbled something, sighed, then went to playing with Pixel at her desk. Really whacked :(
YouKnowWho
This sounds like a friendship problem. @SweetStuff, try to help, okay? And PM me if I'm urgently needed. (I'm at a conference on the other side of Equestria :( )
DarkSparkle
@DarkSparkle: You and me both.
CEOWitch
@DarkSparkle: Okay.
SweetStuff
@LyraHands: Err, I think I have been blocked. Can you help unblock me, please?
WaterBottle
@WaterBottle: We haven't implemented blocking functionality yet. What happened? Might be a bug.
LyraHands
I'm getting a flea-bitten error message each time I try to PM EndlessHearts.
WaterBottle
@WaterBottle: That's because Endless closed her account a few minutes ago :(
LyraHands
:~( Worst day ever :((( I loved Endless. Hope she comes back.
SweetStuff
I'll have a word with them, so don't worry. Things will get better.
DaBoss
Yeah! No frowns! Just tears of joy for what happens next!
And parties!
PPI
Marmalade!
HopHop
@HopHop: Somehow that made me chuckle. Thanks.
School let RRBB off so I'm taking her home. Talk tomorrow.
PaintDrop
@PaintDrop: You're a great friend, you know that, right?
Take care.
LyraHands
I hope that RRBB will recover but she's not having an easy time that much is clear. I am also intrigued by the identity of the Everprince and I suspect that Loki is more important than he seems. Though him being the Everprince doesn't seem likely.
8076076 True words. I'm almost certain everyone here has met this type of person :)
8076249 Thsts both scary and impressive :D
Hmm. Could Endless have been an alt? Why delete her account?
Also, interesting to hear that particular term from Simile. I'm going to have to think about that.
But yeah, poor RRBB. I just hope she can express herself enough that something regrettable doesn't happen.
Marmalade!
HopHop
Best one word answer since "Muffins!" If PPI says it's good and we can party then it's probably good and we can party.
I trust you Lise, please don't let me down.
8078466 Obviously, now ("now" as nothing Lise does is obvious at first). Endless is an alt for Short and Hoofy.
8078466 Yeah, her voice is starting sound less like Chysalis and more like Trixie. Or is that just me?
8078365 Well, I can say with absolute certainty that the identity of the Everprince will be known at the airing of Season 7 premier! :P
8078466
8078482
They might both be Alts of the same Princess :P
8078473 Trust me? Oh dear...
8078513 Well, a much better author than both of us ended their most famous romance with a double suicide. I trust that this is not where this is going. At worstShorty has seemed to cut off all communication, perhaps on the grounds that RRBB is just no good for her. RRBB might or might not pierce this. If she gets over her cluelessness then maybe yes. If not, then absolutely no, and I'm content to end this story arc right here.
8078511 "Princess"!!!
8077217 Four of your guesses are confirmed wrong (see the side story for confirmation). As they joined after the meet up, InItForTheShipping will not be confirmed or denied in this story. The smart money says you have guessed right (my money is now on this being Shining Armor.
8077233 I trust you completely, and do not believe for a second you are any of the follower's alts, and I plan to make no attempt to find out who else you might actually be. Really.
8078473 It's so funny. Just saw while riding on the bus. A black and shiny GMC Denali with the license plate 'PPI 01.'
I was like, " Oh my gosh! Pinkie's following me!" :D
RIP Endless (not that I believe for a second that she's actually gone, but whatever.)
RRBB... Whatever made her react that way, it's gotta be connected to S&H. Amazing how this story can go from hopeful and romantic one chapter to ominous and worrying the next.
8079119 Seriously, Lise you are a rock!!! You are a writing machine!!!! Happy 100th!!!!!
8079464 Exactly!
Marmalade? HopHop? What? ...Did I just forget a character, or what?
8078988 Ominous :)
8079178 Thankee :) Next goal - 150 :)
8079940 Seems that way :)
Firstly, I hope that RRBB is okay and will talk about what is bothering her. Secondly, Pixel was on the same desk that RRBB bucked into a wall, I hope Pixel is okay.