17th Profile - [visual] | [open post]

[callmeyork]

Freaky Friday. Originally based on a children's book from 1972, the movie adaptation came out in 1976 to some fairly high acclaim. One of Gary Nelson's few film forays as a director... he's more known for directing TV series. But he seemed to hit on something good with this film, Zach. One of the original body-swapping stories, it's the one that took root in popular culture as the go-to term for the event.

And it seems like Ponyville's been graced by its tropes today. [Helpful as ever, York.]

For some reason, it's decided to pass over me, but something tells me the rest of you may need some information on who has swapped with who. I'll do my best to keep track of everything. Let me know who you are and who you've swapped with.

((OOC: Consider this a sort of open post discussing the various swaps. Threadjacks abound!))

Comments

[terraburning]

The pony that appears on the scroll in response to this is an Earth Pony with a red mane; her expression is composed, or maybe just...flat, as if whoever's behind the face isn't good at expressing herself.

"Is that...what has happened?"

She considers this for a bit before continuing.

"My name is...Terra Branford. I...don't know...who I swapped with, though."

[callmeyork]

Ah, I recognize that face. Donna Noble, erstwhile time traveler. I've had a few run-ins with her.

[terraburning]

"If you...see her...please ask her to give me...my father back."

[callmeyork]

[York blinks.] ... you may need to be more specific. Or wait and see if she sees this post, because... I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to.

[audio]

[sailorlaughter]

I'm Pinkie Pie, and I'm a giant dragon!

I'm also out in the woods, 'cause I'm not sure I'd fit in town right now? But I'm trying to shapeshift into something smaller!

[audio]

[callmeyork]

Hm. Two questions: which Pinkie, and which dragon? Because as far as I'm aware, there are multiple examples of both.

[shyformerassistant]

My name is Coco Pommel, but I don't know who I've switched with. Do you happen to know, sir?

[Hey it's not like Fluttercruel said how she's supposed to find out to win the reaper's challenge.]

[callmeyork]

Yeah, I've seen him around for a while. His name is Joshua Preston, a... soldier of some sort. Zach, there was something important about... ah, yes, of course.

His main weapon was a giant mecha that was powered by love. That's right. Might be important for you to know.

[shyformerassistant]

Joshua Preston. Okay, got it.

[This gets a look of confusion.]

What's a mecha?

['Cause those don't usually exist in pony worlds.]

[audio]

[sailorlaughter]

Oh! The one with the shop in the Night Market! Aaaaaaand...

[She told Lucifer a long time ago she'd keep their shapeshifting secret, but she's not really sure if that still stands. Also, the fact that they're a big dragon isn't really secret, they DID walk right into town that one time. So it's probably okay.]

...I'm the big six-winged one who lives out in the woods! Lucifer!

[callmeyork]

Ah, right. Technological differences. In the most general sense of the term, it's a large, metallic robot that allows somebody to ride in and control it, usually used for martial purposes.

[terraburning]

Slow blink.

"His name is...Maduin."

[audio]

[callmeyork]

[There's some sounds of keys clacking.] Got it. Well... good luck with the shapeshifting, I suppose. You're not the one with the body that's used to it, so expecting to be able to master something like that from the get go would be... daunting, at least.

[callmeyork]

Right. I'll be sure to pass the message along. As soon as I understand it.

[audio]

[sailorlaughter]

I mean, some of the other dragons can be smaller, so I figure Lucifer must be able to do it too, right? But I've been THINKING about being smaller all day and nothing happened!

If it takes too much longer, I think I'm gonna go hang out on the commune. It's kinda quiet and weird out here.

[audio]

[callmeyork]

Hm. It might either be you're not concentrating enough... or you're concentrating too hard. I'm not sure whether this sort of shapeshifting is magical in nature, which would require effort, or purely physical, which may run on instinct.

And even then, I can't say what kind of bodyswap this is, if it's the kind where the body still has some innate, instinctual control, or if it's been completely severed and replaced with the new mind. Hm.

... no, Zach, I'm not suddenly disappointed that I didn't get swapped. Don't be ridiculous.

[shyformerassistant]

[She's heard of the term robot before, but she doesn't know exactly what it is. Ah well, once she meets Joshua, he could help her with that.]

Like a combine harvester?

[Video]

[ceasetoexist]

Eh. Crap like this is the norm for places like here. Spent three years dealing with this crap, so this is nothing new. I could probably make a business teaching people how to deal with junk like this.

[...Hey. Now there's a thought.]

Guess I shouldn't be surprised the idea is found in some old movie, though.

[callmeyork]

A little. Except usually made for war. And generally tends to resemble either the pilot or some animal.

Depends on the designer's whims, really.

[Video]

[callmeyork]

Everything old is new again. There are certain ideas and plotlines that get reused throughout the history of fiction. I'm sure the idea of bodyswapping has been played out hundreds of times before... I just prefer to look at everything through the lens of cinema.

[shyformerassistant]

I suppose that makes sense since you said it's a weapon.

[Now she's kinda hoping she won't have to use it.]

[callmeyork]

I don't remember if that was one of the things that acme with Joshua when he arrived here... chances are if it was, I would have heard about it. So I don't think you really need to worry too much about that aspect.

[Video]

[ceasetoexist]

Everything changes, and then it comes back to where it started. This has all happened before. It's probably going to happen again.

[Boy, does it ever eventually go back to where it started. Does it ever.]

Yeah sure I mean you can view things however you want I guess. We've all got our ways to make it through crap like this.

[Video]

[callmeyork]

Next Halloween, maybe? Though the last one was much more destructive. Maybe in a few years.

Really, it's just a hobby. A way to not look at everything through the lens of crime investigation.

[Video]

[ceasetoexist]

Probably not next Halloween. Most of the times a place like this won't repeat that often. Might do it for another holiday like April Fool's or something. They love screwing around on holidays or anniversaries.

You're a detective, huh? Come any closer to solving this place?

[It's...hard to tell if he's asking out of genuine curiosity and almost empathy or just being a giant little jerkbag.]