Page 1421 — Beating Hooves
25th Aug 2020, 6:00 AM

Watching the episode in slow-motion, my favorite part of this scene has to be the split-second Cadance spends in panel 5 with her brow furrowed watching Twilight leave. Then Shining looks at her and she's instantly all smiles. Yes, it's "acting loudly" for the people in the back, but there's a simple joy in rewatching something with a twist and watching the performance remain consistent in its second context.

Another fortnight, another episode of our group's My Little Pony cyberpunk campaign, Shadowtrot!
Session 3 — Monsters and Mercy: Podcast | Video

Rarity: Don't go right away. Follow up, study him, ask probing questions!
Twilight Sparkle: Yyyeahhh… No.
DM: You're just going to bail immediately?
Twilight Sparkle: I just watched my brother get his *brain washed*. Of course I'm bailing! I'm not staying for Round 2!
DM: Alllright. Shining, Cadance, you come out of the room to see Twilight booking it.
Shining Armor: H-Hey, Twi! ^{…Is "Twi" okay?}
Twilight Sparkle: ^Yes, "Twi" is fine.^ <sigh> It's not like I don't feel bad for running. But to me, to Twilight Sparkle, the decision is clear. This is something powerful enough to subdue my brother's mind without him realizing. I can't take the risk of confronting that alone. I need my friends.
Shining Armor: Out of character, I getcha. Just, it's gonna look real confusing to Shining and Cadance.
Twilight Sparkle: …Yeah, I could've been smoother. I'm not really cut out to keep my cool and play those spy games.
Princess Cadance: That's fair.
Shining Armor: You think I should–?
Princess Cadance: Let her go.
Shining Armor: …If you say so. It seemed like there was something important…