//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 - Strange kindness. 
// Story: Living in Equestria 
// by DarkieDwakkie 
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Once my short meeting with the Princess had concluded, she summoned a couple of her guards and asked them to escort me to one of the guest rooms and to stay on watch in case I needed anything. I can only assume its to keep an eye on me as well. The guards escort me through the castles various corridors and up a flight of stairs until they finally stop at a door mid way one of the halls. One of the guards nudged the door open with his hoof and turned to face me.

"This is where you shall be staying. Do not attempt to try anything funny."

I give the guard a quiet nod and hurry myself into the room. Upon entering I hear the door shut behind me with a thud. I can't help but wonder how they managed to shut the door without hands to grip it but I suppose that's more of a question for another time. I turn my focus to the room I'm in to see what sort of living area I'd have for my time here. The room itself was rather spacious but I couldn't tell the exact dimensions of it or anything like that, (Never was good with measurements or guessing) but the room was big enough to house a bed that looked the equivalent to a 'double sized bed' back where I was at the back right of the room, a dresser and closet side by side on the left side, a sofa that looked like it could fit 3 people on it on the same wall as the door and just further down that same wall was a small opening that led to a bathroom. 

At least that wouldn't be an issue thankfully. The room also had a window that looked like a door, upon inspecting it further I found that it could open and it led to a small balcony that gave a nice view of both the castle courtyard and Canterlot down below. Getting a good look at the sky outside had shown the sun was starting to set, it was hard to believe it was getting that late already. I decided to head back in and closed the window behind me.

The room also had an interesting mix of blue and purple for its colour scheme; the walls were painted in a light sky coloured blue while the furniture branded a purple to it. They went pretty well and looked rather nice; overall this room was pretty damn good I must say. And this is a guest room of all things, I can't begin to imagine what the royal chambers would look like. With my room inspection done and out of the way I started to try and relax as the wave of fatigue both physically and mentally had finally hit me. So much just happened in such a short time that it left me confused and tired.

"Well, they gave me a bed at least. Might as well just make use of it."

My mind ran into auto pilot after that, I took off my backpack and slumped it down next to the bed followed by the clothes I was wearing, except for my boxers of course. I never did feel comfortable sleeping in a bed fully dressed, it usually left me feeling overly heated and irritated. Once I'm suitably dressed, I make a quick trip to the bathroom to take care of those last things before throwing myself onto the bed. The bed feels soft and warm, softer than my own bed back home and warm to the point of being cosy without discomfort. It wasn't long after till I found my eyes closing and my concious drifting away.

I was sitting at home, another boring Saturday was going by as per usual and the TV had nothing new nor interesting to offer. With a sigh and a groan I slump onto the sofa, just laying there with the TV acting as background noise. My eyes just stare at the ceiling out of boredom though are suddenly drawn to something that appears to be crawling along the ceiling. My eyes widen in shock, it was a spider. And an oddly big one, it looked to be about the size of my hand. I could my body tense as I watched it crawl closer above me. I had always had arachnophobia and it was usually set off the worst when coming into contact with the bigger spiders. I wasn't sure if it was the size, the possibility of it being deadly or something else entirely. 

But I couldn't stand them at all and this one was no exception. I take a deep breathe and try to shuffle myself off the sofa slowly and carefully, as long as I can just distance myself from it, I should be fine. The spider however didn't seem to have much of a grip on my ceiling and with what I can only guess was misstep, it fell from my ceiling and headed straight for me.

"Gah! Shit!" 

My body jolts up into a sitting position, the feeling of heat rushing through my body and a light sweat forming over my face. I glance around my current area quickly to see that I'm in bed, the same bed I fell asleep in last night with no unwanted guests by my side. It was all just a dream. I cover my face with my hands and just rub it firmly.

"Ugh, why couldn't I dream of something nice? Why do you do this to me brain?" 

With a sigh and a groan I take a look to my right to see the light shining brightly through my window. At least I had woken up during the day I thought to myself. Once my initial wake up stretches are out of the way, I move myself to the edge of the bed and get up with one final stretch into the air with the sound of a few cracks resulting. Once I'm finished I head into the bathroom to freshen up and take care of my morning needs. I make sure to splash a bit of water on my face as well to wash away the sweat and cool down my face a bit. Once I finish I head back into the main part of the bed room again before my thoughts are interrupted by a knock of the door. I really should get dressed before addressing anyone, but its probably important. Might as well just get this over with I figured. I walk over to the door, giving one big yawn before opening it to greet whoever it is.

And to my surprise it was none other than Princess Celestia herself. And here I was standing around in my underwear. It takes a moment for me to realize the situation in front of me but once I do my mouth hangs open slightly. Oh shit, I can't be standing around like this in front of her, I don't want to disrespect her and cause any more problems than I have already. So with quick haste I rush myself over to the clothes beside my bag and begin to hastily shove them on, starting with my pants, then my shirt and then finally my socks and shoes.

"Ah! I'm really sorry! I had no idea you'd be visiting me your highness! I would have better prepared myself if I had known."

She gives me a look of curiosity ,or confusion, I can't really tell which. But it quickly fades as a small smile forms on her face.

"Ah, my apologises, I had no idea I caught you off guard." Her voice is calm in tone. "I came to wish you a good morning Daniel and wanted to ask if you'd like to join me and my sister Luna for breakfast." 

I find myself to be taken back by this offer, I didn't think she'd be acting so nice towards me. A thing of unknown origin and desire and yet its like she's welcoming me with open arms. I wasn't sure I understood what was going on but I was both hungry and curious enough in wanting to see. So I had accepted her offer. With another smile and a nod, she led the way to the castles dining room. 

Upon entering the dining room I was greeted with the sight of a rather large table that spanned from one side to the other of the large and narrow room. Celestia continued to lead my across the room till we had reached the other side, where a dark blue Pony with some odd flowing hair and a cutie mark consisting of a moon sat on the left side of the table. I could see her watching me closely as we approached. Celestia took her seat at the the middle end of the table and I had sat on the opposite side of Luna. A moment of silence hangs in the air before Celestia speaks up.

"Good morning dear sister, this is the being I told you about, his name is Daniel. Daniel, this is my sister Princess Luna, she brings rise to the moon each night."

"Its a pleasure to meet you your highness." I manage to fumble out awkwardly. Being unable to really bow while seated, I merely lower my head out of respect.

Luna continues to watch me with a seemingly blank expression on her face. I can't really tell what she's thinking or if I want to know.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you Daniel." she speaks, her voice had more of a boom to it than Celestia's. Most likely a left over effect of her 'Royal Canterlot Voice'. 

The silence continues once more, until eventually  being broken by 3 ponies who happened to wander in, dressed like waiters and each holding a tray with the same contents. A sandwich of some kind and a piece of fruit. The tray put in front of me and Luna both had an apple to go with our sandwiches while Celestia's had a banana. I can't help but chuckle a little inside at that. The two Princesses go about eating their breakfast, both of their sandwiches being enveloped in a yellow and blue aura as it floats into the air in front of them. I can't help but find myself rather flabbergasted at the sight, I knew they used magic on the show but to see in right in front of me was something else entirely.

Worried that if I continue to stare, my jaw will drop. I turn my sight to the food that lay in front of me. I gripped the sandwich at the right corner closet to me and lifted it up slightly, trying to be as subtle as possible with my curiosity so I don't offend them. The sandwich contains various flowers inside of it with a mix of purple and red petals. I didn't really know anything about flowers so I couldn't say what they were, but there were more obvious problems to the situation. Such as the fact that I don't eat flowers.

 I suppose I could try it, its not like flowers will do any harm right? I mull this question over in my head a bit as I pick the sandwich up. The bread feels like...Well bread, its soft and spongy as bread usually is. Not sure what I was expecting with that. Putting my distracting thoughts to the side, I took a small bite at one of the corners of the sandwich, making sure I got some of the flowers in my mouth with it. I chewed and pushed it around my mouth, trying to get a taste assessment for it. The bread was rather plain but it tasted fresh, the flowers however were rather strange. They had a bit of sweetness to them and tasted similar to how flowers smelled. It was a little off putting but the slight sweetness made it pleasant enough to swallow. 

Well, it could have been worse. I'm just thankful I could swallow it without any issue.

Content with my assessment of my sandwich, I go to take another bite out of it. My eyes move away from my breakfast and back to the Princesses, to which I see both of them staring at me.

"Is everything all right?" Celestia asks. 

"Oh, yes of course! I'm sorry, I'm just not accustomed to eating flowers you see. I was just a little weary about trying is all." I respond in an attempt to make this feel less awkward. I didn't succeed. 

Celestia smiles. "I'm sure we could have the cooks prepare something more accustomed to you if you'd prefer."

"No no, it's fine. It was just a little strange is all but it tastes fine. I appreciate your concern your highness." I could feel my fingers fidget awkwardly with my sandwich as I spoke.

Celestia gave me a nod and her and Luna had begun eating again followed a moment after by myself. I made quick work of the sandwich and moved onto the apple. The apple tasted just like a apple, but it too had a sweet taste to it, although a much better sweetness to it than the flowers did, it wasn't long before the apple lay cored on the plate in front of me.

Once we had all finished, the ponies who had brought our food in came once again to take away our trays, once they had left the room was quiet once more. The two princesses both watched me, with some sort of look of expectation, I wasn't exactly sure what they wanted me to say or do, but the feeling and sight of them staring at me made me feel more awkward than I had already felt. I figure I should probably say something to them. Might as well go with something that's been bothering me.

"Um, excuse me. Your highness. But there's been something that has been bothering me. I mean, aside from all of these crazy events that have been transpiring lately."  I'm still trying to wrap my head around those. Might as well just start small. "But, I can't help but question why you're being so..Kind and welcoming to me. I mean, not that I'm complaining about it or anything, but I can't help but find it strange."

"There are a couple of reasons for that, yes." Celestia began. "What better way to keep watch of you and your actions than to keep you close by? The other reason? You could simply consider this a test of sorts."

I gaze at her, raising an eyebrow in question. "Test? What kind of test exactly?"

She merely smiled at me. "You'll come to understand soon. I ask that you bear with me." Her voice was soft and kind, I couldn't really find myself wanting to deny holding my questions on that for another time.

"All right... Then perhaps I could ask some other things now that I have a chance to? There's some things I still don't really understand." 

Both princesses nod in silence. There were many things I could ask, I wasn't sure what to start. Might as well start with the basic questions just to get an idea if this really is the same place.

"Um, well I'd like to know where exactly I am."

"You are currently in the Royal Castle of Canterlot, in Equestria. The land in which me and my sister Luna rule." 

I took a moment to let that sink in, so I really was here? Well, its rather obvious enough that I am considering I recognize these surroundings, but I just had to hear it from someone to be sure, for what good it did. Even hearing it from one of its rulers no less, I still find myself struggling to accept this as fact, even as I stare at my surroundings and the two princesses that sat across me. My thoughts are cut off before too long with an inquiring Luna.

"It is obvious enough to see that you are not from this land. Pray tell, where are you from exactly? And if it is not too much, I'm also curious as to what matter of creature you may be. You're certainly one I've never seen."

I find myself taken aback by the sudden outburst, but once my initial fluster calms, I proceed to answer. 

"Well, the place I'm from goes by the name of Earth. I live in one of the countries-" Before I could finish answering I find myself cut off by Luna once again.

"I hope thou is not trying to make a fool of us. This world that you are in presently is called Earth." she had replied, while giving me a rather stern look.

"...It is? I didn't know that. But the world I come from is called Earth. I'm not sure what to tell you." I had no idea their world shared the same name as mine. But it would make sense that the 'Earth' ponies are called 'Earth' ponies. I feel rather dense for not making that connection myself. I snap out of my thoughts realising I still had another question to answer."Oh, right. Your other question. As for what I am, I'm a 'Human'"

Both princesses just watch me as if waiting for my to continue.

"Uh, well. We're mammals. We walk on to legs, we lack fur, we have things like hands and feet,we also don't share much in terms of taste for things like hay and flowers, although fruit is a common thing we share...That's more or less a basic gist of it. I'm not too sure what to tell you off the top of my head honestly."

Luna takes a moment to think about the information I've told her before buzzing in with another question for me to answer.

"Perhaps you could tell me the state of government your land uses?"

Celestia chuckles a little. "I too would be rather interested in learning of that as well. If you don't mind of course Daniel." 

"I...Don't mind but I don't think I'm the best person to talk on this sort of subject; but I'll give it a try."

What followed were many hours of questions back and forth about Equestria, its residents and magic as well as various topics about human eating habits, culture and our lack of magic. We had talked until the time when the sun had to be set had come. The princesses had bid me adieu for the night as they went about their business and I was escorted back to my room by a couple of guards.

By the time I had reached my room, the sun had set and the moon was starting to rise in its place; I rushed myself over to the balcony outside to get a better look. The moon shone brightly as it rose up into the sky, bringing with it the changing dark blue sky. It was quite the sight to behold, though I had always been a fan of the night back home. It was just so much more peaceful and the sky always looked so beautiful and calm. The night sky here was brighter than it was back home but its shine had such a pretty look to it.

I couldn't help but think about home while staring at the sky. Heh, my boss isn't going to be happy that I haven't turned up. I doubt he'll believe me if I told him the reason why either. I thought to myself, chuckling out loud. I hadn't really thought much about home since I got here; what with everything that happened oh so suddenly. My mind hadn't had much of a chance to reflect on all this. I'm not really sure how I feel about all this; this is hard to accept as being a reality but it could be worse, this place seemed nice so far at least. With a groan and a sigh; I gave up my thinking for tonight. I could stay up questioning this all in my head but it wouldn't get me anything but a lack of sleep. I'll need to talk to the princesses tomorrow about this.

With my mind made up, I went about about my usual routine of bathroom and getting undressed before hopping into bed. Sleep slowly taking its hold on me. 

"Well...At least the bed is comfortable."