Chapter Four: Tea Time
Grey stood on the flat rock beside the stairs at the front of the palace.
Luna walked down the stairs and turned to Grey.
“Thou art still here. My sister is coming for tea and to enjoy the view from my manor next week. You shall make yourself scarse.
Grey looked down at the rock and pawed it with his hoof.
Thou hast another request. You want me to introduce you to my sister.
“No your majesty. I want to try my hoof at something. I know how to make sun tea. I would like to make a pitcher of moon tea in your honour and present it to your majesties. I can find some tea bushes in the hills and mix in some berries from the forest.
Luna sighed.
“The tea leaves you speak of would need to be fermented first. As for Everfree forest berries you should be very careful with most things from the forest. If you pick things from the forest pick them from well-lit areas. (All right I’ll see what I can do.)?”
The evening before Princess Celestia’s visit a silver tray appeared on the veranda behind Grey. There were three crystal pitchers of water, a box of black tea, a long silver spoon, a sliced lemon put back together to prevent it from drying out and a small container of honey.
Grey thought to himself, Well that was a bust. All I have to do is put the tea in the water and set it in the moonlight. Luna put more effort in setting up the tray. I must turn this into a positive.
Grey ran into the forest to collect the berries and flowers he needed. Then down by the river to fill the watering can and gather some interesting rocks he had found. He set up his work station at the corner of the front stairs. He mixed the tea in the pitchers and set them in the moonlight being very careful not to touch the palace. When the sun rose Grey put the other ingredients in the pitchers. He taste tested with the silver spoon and rinsed it in the water can after each test.
Luna circled the palace and settled down in front of the stairs. Grey stood at attention.
“This is not what I expected. Please explain it to me.”
“Well, your majesty, I got an idea at the last minute. The first one I am most proud of. It’s tea with blackberries. Please stir it and look closely.”
As Luna looked, small bits of light floated up from the bottom and circled the pitcher.
“What precisely, am I seeing?”
“I wanted this one to look like your mane. Those are gold flakes floating by. I got them out of the river. I’ve seen gold leaf on cakes before so I know it’s safe.
The second one is just ordinary cold tea with lemon and honey. The third is a disappointment. I used flower pollen to make a pastel colour like your sister’s mane. It doesn’t look right. I don’t know how they will taste to an alicorn you may want to fine tune them that is if you want to use them. The flowers I put on the tray are starting to dry out. I can go fetch more if you like?”
“That’s fine, thank you.”
Luna gathered the pitchers and materials with her magic and it all disappeared. She began to walk up the stairs and stopped. She turned to Grey.
“Thank you pony, that was a nice gesture.”
Luna continued on her way into the palace. The double doors closed behind her with a slight click.
‘Gesture’ that means good right?
More like ‘it’s the thought that counts’.
I’m over analysing again. It was a good day. I met a manticore and lived. I made tea for the princesses of the realm and lived. Better take a nap quick no telling when Celestia will show up and I can show them what a good job I can do standing guard.
/]*[\
Grey stood at attention at his place when he heard the sound of shawed hooves walking on the veranda behind him.
Celestia’s voice was serene and perfect. “Is this the little pony that made us that delicious ice tea?”
Luna had just a slight bit of annoyance. She distinctly remembered saying something about Grey making himself scarce today. Luna’s voice was also calm.
“That is some stray that has latched onto my manor. He pretends to be a guard pony.”
“Sister, we must be kind to all our subjects. Every one of us has a special talent. What do you suppose his is?”
“I believe he is some sort of lawn mower device. He has made quite a dent in the grass in the front of my manor.”
A horsefly buzzed by Grey’s ear.
“Sister, you should feed your stray better. Look at him, you can see his ribs.”
The horsefly bounced off Grey’s back in several places then started to orbit his flank.
Grey used all of his discipline to keep from flicking his tail at the fly.
If you move your tail with the princesses behind you, it will be a great insult.
Stupid horsefly, picked the absolute worst time to show up.
Celestia spoke, “That reminds me sister, I brought you a special apple tree for your new garden.”
The horsefly landed on the centre of Grey’s left flank and bit.
Luna replied, “Sister that was not necessary. I’m not even sure what kind of garden it’s going to be.”
“Promise me you will feed your little stray, sister. Now let us go to your new garden and discuss your plans.”
Grey listened to the shoes walk away.
All right fly I’ll give you to the count of ten. Grey counted to ten in his head. Have to make sure the princesses are well out of sight before I attack this monster. What’s the longest song I know? Grey’s flank burned. He recited the song in his head and did the chorus a second time.
Come on horsefly, how long does it take to fill yourself with my blood? That’s it bug! I’m going to take all of my frustration out on you.
Grey swatted his flank with his tail with a loud slap. Then he turned and bit the horrible itch. On the veranda in front of Grey’s eyes were four golden shaued hooves and four silver shaued hooves. The princesses hadn’t moved. Grey rolled his eyes up with the skin of his flank between his teeth. The princesses looked down with splendid smiles. Grey snapped his head back to face front as quickly as he could to hide his red face.
The princesses’ laughter was enchantingly musical.
“We are walking away for real this time little guard pony. Thank you for a delightful time.”
I have never been so embarrassed. There never was a horsefly. Good prank though. Better than the usual bucket of water over the head. Very good prank, the princesses got me, me! They probably have been playing that teasing game on the royal guard for centuries. Am I accepted?
Probably not, but it’s a start.
But there is no way I’m turning around or moving for the rest of the day. Shut up bladder.