//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: The Second Journey: Misunderstandings // by Kaille //------------------------------// ~Chapter 3: Dining with Dames~ Thanks to Luna running Night Court, and because she just rested, she was free to spend the day with us, and was more than happy to do so. In fact, she was the one that mentioned this and invited us to accompany her for the day. First on the agenda though, is breakfast. We trotted down the castle halls, making our way to the dining hall, having idle chatter as we walk along. Chroma was currently explaining the inspiration for one of her upcoming orders. ". . . and his taste for militaristic styles caused him to ask for the pony in a peaceful, relaxing picnic sipping wine with a mare, while wearing full armour." Luna and I snorted at the clash of the savage with the sentimental. Luna spoke next, making an offer. "We have an array of armaments, from antique to advanced, that thou may reference for thy work." My ears perked up. "Hey, you have full suits of armour?" She looked at me, somewhat startled. "Yes, we have them on display with our collection of art." She cocked her head to the side slightly. "Thou wish to view them as well?" I nodded vigorously. "I have always had an interest in arms and armour. I used to train with a type of blade called a katana. I don't know if you have anything similar, but I would love to retrain in a new art." She grinned. "We would be most delighted to teach thou!" This startled Chroma and I. "You have trained in fighting?" She nodded. "We know numerous arts - ancient ones, long since rendered obsolete - ranging from those once practiced by earth ponies, pegasi, unicorns, griffins, and other beings dwelling within this plane." I blinked, and then a large grin grew across my face. "Oooooh - I wanna learn the pegasi and griffin ones! If it's not too much hassle that is." I said. Chroma and Luna laughed. "What? It's a great way to keep fit, and it's awesome, and you get to swing sharp objects!" I blinked. "Wait, what kind of weapons are even used in these arts?" Luna giggled. "The griffins utilize their claws, so we adapted spikes into greaves for backhand strikes, and pegasi used to use wing blades for quick slashing strikes." I skipped a little. "Oh, this is exciting!" We reached the dining hall and the unicorn guard pulled the doors open with his magic, granting us entry. Princess Celestia was already at the table, munching on a salad while reading a few scrolls before heading to Day Court's first session. She looked up at us when we walked in and smiled. "Good morning everypony. I trust you all slept well?" Luna smiled and trotted up to her sister, nuzzling up to her. "Yes, dear sister, we did." Celestia hesitated for second, uncertainty in the features of her face. "I. . . must ask, is that 'royal' we or 'we' as in 'we three?'" Chroma, Luna and myself all laughed, and I responded. "Yes, 'we' as in 'we three.' Luna asked for the company after what she faced recently, so we were there to help her get a fitful nights sleep." Chroma and I walked up, nuzzling Luna in a manner portraying close friendship. She responded in kind, and we looked back to Celestia. She nodded, chuckling. "Okay, very good. Thank you for doing that. We - as in, Luna and I-" she said with a wink, "appreciate your efforts to ensure we have peace of mind and are safe. Ink, your efforts shall never be forgotten. I still believe I am forever in your debt." I chuckled. "I thought we settled this? I fulfilled my debt to you with this. I do not expect anything from you in return, Princess." Chroma looked at me, eyebrow raised. "What did you owe the Princess for?" I swallowed. Damn, I'm slipping up a lot recently. "It. . . has to do with how I came here from where I'm from originally. It isn't ruled by the Princesses, so I needed her permission to stay in Equestria. She granted it to me." Chroma nodded, looking a little displeased. "A lot has happened around you that I don't know." I sighed. "Yeah. I will explain it all to you soon." I really shouldn't hold the truth from her; she deserves to know, especially if we are to be an item. I refocused my attention to address everypony once more. "So, whats for eatin'?" Celestia smiled. "Simply hail one of our waiters and place your order." Chroma and I nodded, and we went to the side of the table opposite Celestia, taking our seats. Luna followed suit and sat on the opposite side of me from Chroma. A colt proceeded to approach us. "Good morning, Princess Luna, Master Ink, Master Chroma. How do you wish to begin the day?" Thinking for a second I made my decision. I allowed the others to order before myself though. Luna spoke first. "We would greatly appreciate a croissant, accompanied by a bowl of fruit salad, and breakfast tea, please." The colt nodded and turned to Chroma. "For you, madam?" She thought for a second and chose. "I will just have a daisy sandwich and milk, please and thank you." The colt nodded once more and shifted his gaze to me. "And finally, sir?" "May I please just have a couple of slices of buttered toast and a glass of orange juice? Don't feel like anything too fancy." He nodded one final time and trotted off to gather our food. I turned back to the group, and Celestia spoke up. "So what do you have planned for the day, everypony?" Luna looked at Chroma and I and turned back to her sister, smiling. "We are simply going to relax and enjoy each others company today. Work on art, converse, and other such pleasant activities." Celestia nodded. "That sounds nice." She finished up the last bite of her salad and collected all of her scrolls with her magic. "Well, I should resume with my duties. I shall see you all again soon. Enjoy your day." We all smiled to her and said goodbye for now, and she left the dining hall. Our breakfast was brought out to us moments after, and we relaxed with idle chit chat, food, and each others company. ~ After eating, we began to walk back toward Princess Luna's quarters. The princess and Chroma were idly chatting as we walked, but I paid it no heed - my mind was on other matters. I couldn't get Luna's offer out of my head, and I was still unsure how to react to it. On the one hand, polygamy was something I grew to frown upon on Earth. But was it just because it was different. . ? Monogamy seems to be out of the norm here in Equestria, to a certain extent, instead. Would I be able to do it thanks to the lacking of disapproving outside influences. . ? Or have I grown too set in what I learned previously. . ? Gah, this is difficult! I KNOW I love Chroma, I have no doubts there, and as for Luna. . . I am fairly certain I feel the same, to an extent. I feel for her as I did upon first meeting Chroma, and that grew to something more. . . Could it. . ? I need someone to talk to about this. Maybe the girls. . ? I remembered that they decided to extend their stay a couple of days following what happened - they needed to relax for a bit longer to let any stress from the incident fade before returning to the stresses of home. I decided that was what I would do. I'm going to go talk to them. Find out how they feel about being in a relationship with more than two ponies. I turned to the mares accompanying me, breaking my extended silence. "Hey, do you two mind if I catch up to you in a bit? I need to go talk to the girls for a few." They turned to me, slightly surprised. Chroma spoke first. "Sure! I don't have any problems with it. We'll see you later then?" I nodded. I noticed Luna was watching me closely, curious as to the sudden change in plans. I looked her in the eyes, attempting to convey my thoughts to her telepathically. I'm going to see if I can get help adjusting to these new values. This is for you. And hopefully for myself as well. She still looked curious, but less suspicious now. She new I felt I needed to do this, and so she granted her acceptance as well. "We also have no qualms about this. We shall expect thine presence whenever thou find thyself available, if it pleases thee." She said with a smile. I smiled back and said farewell before splitting off, backtracking a bit and turning down a different corridor. My thoughts continued to plague me during my trek to the quarters of the six mares I aim to seek counsel with. So many questions buzzing around my mind. . . and so far, no answers. This seems so sudden, too. What did I do to earn Princess Luna's affection? Well. . . I suppose I technically saved her, her sister, Twilight, and Equestria in general from impending doom at the hooves of her alter ego comprised of all of her negative emotions, but. . . still. It just wouldn't sit right, being in a relationship with her simply because of that. Plus, well. . . shes a Princess. I'm, what, some human that died and fell into Equestria, and work as an artist? Faust, this is the most confused I have ever been in my life. I reached the door to their room, and raised my hoof to knock. However, I hesitated. Is it right to draw them into this. . ? Buck, should have thought of that sooner. Now I don't know who to talk to about this. Would any one of them work, should I talk to all of them, would only one specific one be the best option, or should I not bother them? I turned and sat next to the door. Stop. Think this through. Who should I talk to? Twilight. . . eh, no. She might not be the best to talk to in the realm of relationships, as yet. Fluttershy. . . yeah, again. Waaaaay too shy. Rainbow would make fun of me. Applejack, eh, shes a country pony, and I have no idea if country values in Equestria are similar or not to Earth. Pinkie. . . hell no. That leaves. . . Rarity. She might work. But should I ask her help? As if on cue, the fashionista in question trotted up. "Oh! Hello, Ink. Whatever are you sitting on the dirty old floor next to the door to our room for, might I ask?" I hesitated again. "Well. . . I was going to seek counsel with you girls. But. . . I might actually be on my way." She scoffed and waved a hoof dismissively. "Why, darling, don't fret. I'm sure we can be of assistance! What were you seeking help for?" I looked at her and blinked. "Opinions on relationship issues." She blinked in response. "Ahh. I see. And?" I raised a hoof and scratched the back of my neck. "Well. . . I don't know how much you gals can help me, and if I should bring you into this." She stopped and thought for a second. "Well, I can see how the others may not be the best source of knowledge on the issue. I should have at least a few words of wisdom to assist you. Come, we will take tea over it. Tell me all your problems, and I will help you as much as I can!" She briskly trotted into the room she shared with the others, leaving me blinking outside the door. She returned with two large, ornate red sofas, a small round table, and a silverware tea set. She set them down in the middle of the corridor, and gracefully took a seat on one sofa. She raised a cup of tea to her lips and stopped, looking at me, where I remained in my place on the floor. "Well? Do take a seat, dear."