Bean’s concoction needed celery.
“Celery, celery, celery…” Bean muttered, as he rummaged around the kitchen. “Gotta be some around here somewhere. Premier kitchen of Equestria, and there’s no celery. What’s this? Carrots. Get far in the world with carrots. Apples. I’m not using apples. Stand aside, thou rogues. Your prince demands it! Heh, that’s right. I’ll make a pie out of you some other day, maybe. Ah ha! There you are! Come on, time to be cooked. Fat lot of good you do in here.”
It only took a minute for Bean to reduce the full stalk of celery into the tidbits that his cooking needed, and he took a deep whiff of his concoction while grabbing a spoon and starting to stir. This was one of his finest soups by far, and he felt a twinge of annoyance at his success.
“Mister Bean? Is that you?”
“Good evening, Princess,” he greeted with a quick glance over his shoulder. “And hello to you too, Princess Luna. I hope I didn’t disturb your evening.”
“Of course not, but I didn’t think you would still be up either,” Celestia replied.
“Couldn’t sleep,” he replied. “All the excitement of the day caught up to me, probably. And I finally got hungry.”
“Wasn’t there any soup left from earlier?” Luna asked.
“Too much salt,” he replied, and he looked over his shoulder again to give them a disgusted look. “Your kitchen staff uses way too much salt. It’s almost like they’re paid by the shake.”
“That would explain why Doctor Horsenpfeffer keeps getting after me about my sodium levels,” Celestia remarked, and she peered into the pot. “Minestrone again?”
“Done the right way.”
“Are you sure you’re supposed to be a writer?” She took a deep breath over the simmering pot. “I really think you’re missing your calling.”
“Well, it’s easier to be a writer than a cook when you’re married to Princess Celestia.”
She snickered a bit. “Perhaps. But why do you avoid cooking so much? If this tastes half as good as it smells, you’re going to make Chef Sugar Beet very jealous.”
“It’s complicated,” he said with a sigh before looking up at her. “But you’re probably not going to let me get away with that, are you?”
She shook her head, but with a smile.
Bean sighed again. “I thought not. Well, I guess since we’re married, you deserve to know about my past.
“Baked Bean, as he stands before you this evening, comes from a family steeped in chefs. My dad was a chef, his dad was a chef, and I don’t know how many great-greats on both my mom and dad’s side are chefs. My parents own the Zuerst, the self-proclaimed best restaurant in Salt Lick. They are actually that good, so if you’ve ever visited there, chances are you’ve eaten there.
“This means that Little Baked Bean was obviously raised to be a chef, and to take over the restaurant when he was older. I was taught everything from table placement, presentation, preparation, money management, labor costs to permits. But I learned about cooking from them. Up until I got my cutie mark, my parents immersed me right up to the ears in food. Sometimes, literally. Remind me to tell you about the joys of fresh grape juice from the other end of the process sometime. Anyway, I found out how to distinguish ingredients, how to tell when they’re at the peak of ripeness, how different flavors meld and enhance one another, on and on. Obviously I was somewhat decent at it, and I loved it. Cooking was fun, y’know? It was like a big coloring book for your mouth and nose, really.
“But then the doubts start to come. When I was in first grade, my class was taking turns reading Granny Bakes a Cake, one of those early chapter books foals read.”
Bean’s eyes drifted back to the empty book that adorned his flank. “I remember my cutie mark came while I was reading a section with some added ‘dramatic emphasis.’ I remember I felt something odd and tingly, but it wasn’t until later that I actually saw it. Once one of my classmates pointed it out, we spent the rest of the school day debating what the open book signified, because it didn’t seem to be related to cooking. One filly suggested it was blank because I was supposed to write in it, and that’s really when all the trouble started. She’d unintentionally planted the first seed of doubt.
“Of course, when I got home my dad proclaimed it was a cookbook and that it was blank ‘cause I was going to add all sorts of new recipes to it, so it was easy at first to believe that. I went back to the pots, eager to continue learning.
“Then the first hints of trouble came,” he continued as he stirred his soup idly. “With my cutie mark came the expectation that I be involved more. My parents had me start working the tables, for starters, and if you ever want to make a killing in tips, have a little colt in a tuxedo serve your customers. I don’t know how many times somepony screamed ‘so cute!’ and forked over an extra heap of bits.
“Anyway, I didn’t like serving all that much. It was okay, but there was just something about it that got under my skin. It didn’t help that on busy nights I had the tendency to mix the orders up and serve the wrong thing to the customers.
“Then I was off to actual order prep in the kitchen. That I turned into an unmitigated mess, and I’m not sure how my parents kept the place open with me screwing up so bad.”
“But your cooking here shows you have considerable skill,” Luna cut in. “How could this be a problem?”
“I guess I don’t do well under stress, and I don’t multitask well. Bad combination in a kitchen. You have me do one thing, like make one soup all night, then I’m fine. Ask for five different soups, seven entrees, twelve appetizers and nine desserts and everything goes to Tartarus. Everything just gets jumbled up in my head, and no matter what I try, I just can’t handle it.
“My parents kept me at it, though, and they were both convinced that I just needed one more chance and then I would be able to figure out a system that worked. I lost hope in being able to do the job as time went on, and I drifted into a pretty deep depression. I mean, who can really be happy when they dread having anything to do with their destiny? It’d be a bit like if you hated raising the sun.”
“Well, it is terribly heavy and far too warm,” Celestia casually replied. “So if a lesser alicorn had to work with it, I could see it happening.”
“Oh, whatever!” Luna retorted.
“You’re the one who said it!” Celestia laughed. “How many unicorns did it take to raise it before I came along?”
“The same number it took to raise the moon, you prissy little pony.” Luna grumbled.
Bean briefly wondered if Nightmare Moon was going to make a surprise appearance at that moment.
“Please, continue with your story, Mister Bean.” Celestia waved a hoof at him in encouragement. “Lulu and I do this all the time.”
“You don’t have siblings, do you?” Luna added, and Bean shook his head. “Well, if you did you would know this behavior is normal. You only need to worry if I grow fangs.”
“Oh. Well okay then, I guess,” he replied. “Anyway, I tried, I really did. I took a bunch of college courses, looked over all the Haute Cuisine books my parents have, and I ran myself stupid night after night trying to get it right, but I never could get it. Years rolled by like this, and each year I became more convinced that my flank was a huge lie.
“I think I suffered something like a mental breakdown there at the end.” He paused for a moment to sip the broth of his concoction. “I just… snapped. I don’t remember much of what I did, but apparently I upended the cheese trolley, shoved some tofu blocks in my ears and ran, screaming, from the kitchen through the main dining room and then out the front door. My parents found me later in my room, hiding under the blankets.”
“That sounds familiar,” Luna quipped.
“Probably goes back to foalhood. Monsters can’t get you when you’re under a blanket, right? Everypony knows that.
“Anyway, once they get me out from under the blankets we had a long talk about everything. My Dad tells me I’m having something akin to an existential crisis, and that it’s okay that I am. Both parents think I just haven’t quite ‘found myself’ yet, and that as soon as I do I’ll be as right as rain.
“So, they made me a deal. They tell me to go out and explore the world and see the sights. If I should find something that I am more passionate about than cooking, then I’m under no obligation to them and I’m free to start my new life. But they believed I would find my passion for cooking while I am travelling, and once I do they will be waiting to welcome me back with open arms. Mom gave me a thousand bits for traveling money, and the next morning I’m on a train bound for Vanhoover.
“It was on the train that I really thought things over. I thought about how I had gotten to this point, and why. I contemplated what I might find, and what I could do to earn bits. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to do.
“It was in that introspection that I figured out I wanted to be a writer. I don’t know exactly how the notion entered my thick head, but I think I remembered way back to when I got my cutie mark and how I’d been confused even then. I even came up with a ridiculous idea for a novel, one that I’m sure would be an instant flop.
“Anyway, you can guess the rest from there.” He turned his attention to the soup again and gave it a rapid stir. “I arrived in Canterlot the night before our infamous meeting, and I was thinking of going on to Baltimare from here. Of course, that would have depended on if I could get more bits. I only had enough left for a couple of cheap meals.”
“How long did you stay in Vanhoover?” Luna asked.
“Two days, I think? I’ve honestly lost track of where all I’ve been, and for how long.”
“It is a shame you did not stay there longer.”
“Why? ‘Cause I wouldn’t have been in the royal sunflower patch?”
“No. The annual Bits and Spurs rodeo just concluded three days ago. You could have seen some excellent cow ponies showing off their skills. I was there last year and it was quite the show. Didn’t you go the year before, sister?”
“Yes, and it was entertaining. From what I recall, though, I didn’t win any prizes.”
“Why would you?” Bean asked. “Don’t you just sit and watch?”
“If your name is Celestia, yes.” Luna replied smugly. “But if your name is Luna, then you ride a bull named Mark IX for 8 seconds and win the “Best New Wrangler” prize, along with a cash prize of two hundred bits that you generously donate back to the rodeo. I apologized to the bull afterward,” she added. “He was quite the gentlebull about it, and is looking forward to a rematch.”
“I can’t help that you want to act like some kind of wild animal,” Celestia replied with a sniff. “I prefer to maintain my composure and professional demeanor.”
“Says the mare who let her pet phoenix run loose and traumatize a poor Element Bearer during a visit to Ponyville. You’re just more subtle about your pranks is all.”
“I honestly thought Fluttershy knew about Phoenixes!” Celestia let out a muffled snort of laughter. “And then she foalnapped poor Philomena and tried to nurse her back to health! That was just a misunderstanding, nothing more.”
“Right.” Luna deadpanned. “How much longer on that soup, Mister Bean? You have made me hungry again. Is it done?”
“Define ‘done,’” Bean replied. “The celery will still be crunchy, but I think it’s good as is. If you want it softer, then you need to wait a bit.”
“I believe we shall try it. It is always a good idea to take the recommendation of the chef.”
“All right. I hope you’re not too disappointed.” He shrugged and glanced around. “Where are the bowls?”
“I’ll get them,” Celestia remarked. Three fair sized bowls floated out from a nearby cupboard, and Luna’s magic produced three spoons.
“Did I ever mention how jealous I am of unicorns?” Bean muttered, but with a chuckle.
“Why would you be… oh.” Celestia nodded. “I see. But you know you’re probably the chef you are because you’re an earth pony.”
“Yeah, I know,” he chuckled. “Connected to the land and all that.”
“’Tis very noble to be of the earth tribe,” Luna added grandly, as Bean grabbed a nearby ladle and began serving his soup. “My husband was an earth pony as well.”
“Was?” Bean asked.
“He passed away before my banishment, so it has been a long time,” Luna replied. She then sat on the floor as Bean served Celestia. “Though it doesn’t seem that long at times.”
Bean then felt something sweep softly into the room. It was quite unlike anything he’d ever felt before, perhaps akin to the sort of magic that memories brought with them. Whatever it was, it was powerful and it was deep, and he felt like he should be treading very, very carefully in this particular field.
“Look, Princess, if you don’t want to talk about him, I’d completely understand.”
“On the contrary, I would love to tell you about him.”
Bean looked over at Celestia, who nodded to him with a soft smile. “It’s all right, Mister Bean. She would not say that just to be polite.”
“You are family now, so it is fair I should tell you,” Luna continued. “Most of what will happen to you now will come from his time as Prince. He will have quite the influence on your life, whether you want him to or not.”
“All right. What should I know?”
“What do you want to know?” Luna replied.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged, as he began eating. “How did you meet, I guess. Did you boop noses with him too?”
“I did, but it was quite intentional,” she giggled. “I was so madly in love with him it was hard not to until our wedding day. I held out, though, so don’t get any funny ideas.”
“I wouldn’t dare dream of it,” he immediately replied.
“Good. We met at a ball that was being held for the second anniversary of the foundation of Equestria. He was… oh.” She hummed, and tilted her head slightly to put one hoof lightly on her cheek with a serene smile. “He was dark, and tall, and mysterious. I didn’t realize I had a weakness for those types until he came sweeping into the room, all dashing and debonair looking. He cut quite the impressive figure, too. He stood almost as tall as I did, with a dark grey coat and a mane and tail that was so black it almost looked blue in the light.
“We spent nearly the whole night dancing,” Luna continued, as she hugged herself and swayed slightly. “He was so light on his hooves, so sure in his steps. He was a stallion who could be strong when he needed to be but as soft as a rose petal any other time. I’ll never forget the way he caressed my cheek, the way he nipped at my ears. He was the perfect picture of romance, and it really didn’t take long for me to fall in love with him.”
“What was his name?” Bean asked softly.
“Star Struck.” Luna purred out the reply. “Oh, and he always said he was, too. He never let me forget how in awe of me he was. I was his polar star, his guide in the night, his one and only.”
Bean blinked. Perhaps it was just late and his eyes were tired, but was there somepony else sitting beside Luna?
“The two of them were horrible,” Celestia kindly added. “They were like kittens in a way: cute and cuddly but always into mischief. They fed off each other, but they also defended one another fiercely.”
“We were inseparable.” Luna cooed in memory. “I never understood what true love was until I had him as my own. Oh, we had our squabbles at times, all couples do. But he was so devoted to me, so committed to my happiness, that he never let that drive him away. He’d tell me that those times refined him, purified him. They knocked off the rough edges, showed him where he needed to change, and it did the same for me.”
“Why haven’t I heard of him?” Bean asked. There was definitely something next to Luna now, but since Celestia wasn’t saying or doing anything whatever it was probably harmless. In fact, Bean had the feeling it was welcome.
“Oh, he’s in the history. You just have to look for him,” Luna replied thoughtfully. “He did his work quietly, anonymously if possible, and never with the thought of how it would help him. He lived to lift up others, not himself. He,” Luna chuckled lovingly, “he would say often that being married to me was as high as he could ever get, and that he wanted others to have what he had. I learned so much from him, and he from me.”
There was a pause, and Bean felt an overwhelming rush of tranquility and…
He hesitated. The words to describe this feeling were beyond him.
But as he looked at Luna, he knew that, whatever this feeling was, it was the epitome of Love. True Love, Pure Love, and even that only described a fraction of the atmosphere.
This is what every pony hoped could be obtained in a relationship. This was the stuff of legends.
And it was in that marvelous outpouring that he saw.
There was Luna. Not Princess, not Mare in the Moon, not anything but just Luna. She was sitting in a relaxed way, her head tilted to her right and forward slightly. Her hoof went toward her cheek, but it met and slid easily onto the hoof of another.
Bean wasn’t sure how, or even why he was permitted to see this.
But he saw. He saw Luna.
And he saw Star Struck.
He was every bit as handsome as Luna had said and more: well-toned, as sleek as the night sky, and with a mane that was charmingly messy and fluffy. His head was just underneath Luna’s chin, so she was resting along both of his ears. One hoof held hers while it gently caressed her cheek, the other had wrapped around her barrel and was holding her in the softest and most tender hug that could possibly be imagined. His body was pressed closely against her chest, his tail wrapped as tightly as it could around her.
He was as real and as tender as anything Bean had ever experienced in his short little lifetime.
“I can still remember his scent,” Luna whispered, without breaking her embrace with her beloved. “It was always so clean, so pure. I remember the gentle joy that would caress me every time I nuzzled into his mane, and I would repay his kindness with all the kisses he could handle. He always held me so gently, but yet so firmly. He always said he was afraid I was the best dream he’d ever had, and that one day he’d awaken and I would be gone.
“Everything about that stallion was intoxicating. The dew-drop touch of his coat against mine, the ever-so-slight brush of lips he’d tease me with, the way he’d preen my feathers and play with my mane. I couldn’t have found perfection in any other place.”
Bean had to hold back a sob as Luna sighed, dropped her hoof from her cheek and allowed the vision to end. Star Struck faded away as Luna blinked her eyes open and looked right at him. “But I’m sure you don’t want to spend the whole night listening to an old nag talk about her long-gone love.”
Bean slowly shook his head. “You are not an old nag. You are a mare who has loved and lost. I cannot fathom any reason why I would not want to listen. I have no doubt that you had the type of marriage that they write fairy tales about.”
Luna smiled warmly and dipped her head. “I did, but all good things must come to an end eventually. My beloved Star Struck departed this life after eighty-eight years of life. I doubt I’ll ever find his equal.”
“I don’t think you ever will.”
“But it was wonderful to have him for the brief time fate permitted.” Luna paused in thought. “In a way, it still is. But enough about me. Since we are all here, we should probably settle one or two things.”
“Mm!” Celestia grunted, and she quickly swallowed her bite. “Mm, yes. Mister Bean, first things first: by Royal Decree, you are to give the recipe for this minestrone soup to Chef Sugar Beet as soon as possible.”
He snorted out a chuckle. “Take her usual recipe, but reduce the salt by twenty percent.”
“Good.” Celestia smiled a bit more. “Second, I would like to notify Cadence and Shining Armor of what has transpired. I think they would like to know they have a new uncle.”
“That’s gonna be way awkward,” he said with a chuckle. “Aren’t I close to her age?”
“Oh, now you’ve done it,” Luna said with a smirk.
“What?”
“You said the word.”
“’Aren’t’ is not a word,” Celestia replied flatly and with an annoyed look. “Neither is ‘ain’t.’”
“Do not use fake contractions around Teacher,” Luna admonished as she dipped her spoon into her soup. “They drive her crazy.”
“Isn’t it a contraction of are and not?” Bean asked.
“No, it’s not. It’s a fake word,” Celestia instantly retorted.
“I’m pretty extra sure it is a real word. Like, ‘Aren’t you going outside?’”
“I refuse to have this discussion so late at night.”
“Shall I conjure down the dictionary, dear sister?” Luna asked with a coy glance.
“You stay out of this.” Celestia’s stern glare was ignored by mirthful chuckling while eating soup. “As for you, Mister Bean, it appears I will need to give you some elocution lessons. I categorically refuse to allow such foul language in my presence.”
Bean figured it was best to not rile up his new wife anymore, but he did keep snickering at the way her nose wrinkled up when she was annoyed.
“To answer your question, yes. I believe you and Cadence are roughly the same age. However, I don’t think that will be an issue. She is a mature, intelligent mare. She had a changeling queen crash her wedding, so I believe she is able to handle a minor situation such as this.”
“I believe one of the first questions she will ask is when you want to hold a wedding party,” Luna added. “Ain’t no way she will let today be enough.”
Celestia glared extra fiercely at her sister. “You’re not helping, and now I’ve lost track of what I was going to say.”
“I think we’ve already established you’re the forgetful one.”
“Luna.” Celestia grumbled.
“Wasn’t it about announcing the marriage?”
“Yes, thank you. Mister Bean, I believe I told you yesterday that I was not going to make our marriage widely known until we settled all of the arrangements for your life here. However, once we do get that taken care of, I believe we should make the announcement as soon as is practical.”
Bean thought for a moment on this but then nodded. “I think you’re right. It’s always best to be honest, right?”
“As the former element of honesty, that is something I can confirm. So we will keep the news low-key for now but we won’t deny it. I don’t think it will take long to sort out the details with you anyway.”
“What kind of details are there?”
“Mostly little, nit-picky ones. The biggest one is whether or not you outrank Shining Armor. Both Lulu and I are inclined to say you do, since the Crystal Empire is a vassal state to us, but we want to make sure. While we don’t think the issue should ever arise, it’s best to have the rules laid out just in case.”
“Like if some half-baked writer is hiding in a flower patch and you boop his nose?”
Celestia chuckled a bit. “Exactly.”
“We must also consider your names,” Luna added. When she got confused looks from both of them, she happily continued. “There is the custom of taking the husband’s name and titles when marrying. Does that now make you Princess Celestia Bean? Or do you two take a more modern approach, where he takes your name and becomes simply Baked?”
“You would be the one to think of that.” Celestia groaned as Bean laughed.
“I dunno. I kinda like Celestia Bean. Sounds like something I would serve on a Luna Tortilla.”
Luna wrinkled up her nose. “If you just cursed me to be in a relationship with any pony who has ‘tortilla’ as part of their name I am going to hunt you down and make you suffer in horrifically painful but delightfully vague ways.”
“I’m not scared,” Bean replied defiantly. “Celestia will protect me.”
“That’s right.” Celestia took a quick step over and wrapped a wing over him. “No harm shall befall my Bean, not on my watch.”
There was a brief pause as Luna contemplated this ultimatum.
And then all three of them burst out laughing.
Philomena
8402802
I was pretty sure I got that wrong. On it!
No divorce yet?
8402997
Not yet. I have a specific time and place to address it.
Awww. That was real nice.
I am pulling for Bean and Tia to form a real relationship.
Anyone else hear Martin Freeman when Bean talks?
8402997
If I may, I would like to ask a very respectful and humble question: do you find the way my story is progressing to be interesting, or are you just waiting for divorce papers to be served and then checking out? I ask because I feel like there's quite a few readers who are only waiting around to see the train wreck, as it were. Perhaps my perception is off, but I would like to find out for sure.
8403017
Divorce?! Booo! No divorce!
Man, what a romantic chapter and seeing them get along really well! I hope Bean and Celestia realize they are falling in love with each other soon.
Also, did Luna ever have kids? I guess BlueBlood would be a descendent of her.
8403068
Oh, it's quite enjoyable, trust me.
What I'm questioning is that the issue of divorce was not even mentioned in all the research that was made, so it seems odd that they all would think that there is no way out of this situation.
There are stories, and shows, that have the main characters going through so much trouble, when it all could have been solved by one simple solution which EVERYONE seems to ignore, or maybe it doesn't exist in their particular universe, and that tends to be quite frustrating, believe me.
8403070
Now I know where Sipioc stands.
I have the end game for Bean and Celly already, and I'm going that way no matter what. I really am just curious as to why everyone is reading this: do they actually like my writing or are they just putting up with it 'till everything explodes?
I misread Martin as Morgan at first, and was all like "Morgan Freeman?! Cool!", but then I read it right and was all like "Martin Freeman?! Cool as well!" I had just a generic, anypony kinda voice in my head before, but now he's probably going to be a Hobbit.
P.S. I'm still working on that Sword in The Stone crossover in my head.
8403094
That is a question I'm hesitant to answer, mostly because of what my brain has come up with for Luna's story. I may or may not get to it in the story. I'll try to.
8403102
I appreciate your answer, thank you! Hopefully you will like the path I take with this.
8403114
I enjoy your writing. You capture all of the characters fantastically. The main character is truly an everypony, but he is not at all dull. Each update is a joy to read.
Going back to Bean and Celestia. Where the romantic in me would want to see him somehow want him to climb that lofty tower she has built herself and truly capture her heart, The realist in me see that the relationship they have isn't a romantic one. It's more of a teacher student one. If he pledged himself to her happiness and devoted the rest of his life making her happy I would squee!
But that's not Bean. He is a good guy, but he doesn't love Celestia and trying to be something he isn't or play a role he wasn't , wouldn't sit right with him. It's compelling really. But I will hold out hope that something happens to change this. Tia needs a good stallion. (NOT DISCORD!!)
As for the Sword in the Stone thing. If you need
-A sound board to bounce ideas.
- An editor and /or proofreader.
- or even a co writer.
I am sooooo there!!!
So…is Bean capable of seeing ghost? Did Luna still feeling her husband with her? Is this what happen when you married an inmortal? you transform into ghosts? Or are we seeing a clue for Bean and Start working together in order to bring back Star and make Luna so happy that she will not only ensure every single dream of him pleasant and wonderful but also might even french kiss him?…Because that has potential, and I like it! Hmmm (Mental note, consider a spin off of this story where Beans becames the alicorn of ghosts)
Man I laugh so hard when Bean finally learn how to match Luna playful nature. Jejejeje Luna tortilla, I love it! Specially with her worried that he just cursed her. Like marring Celestia gave him that power.
Also I have read about the divorce thing in some readers and first of all this is my reaction to that option
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31g0YE61PLQ
Without out of the way I really, really, REEEEEAAALLLY don't recommend them to do that. They married with a magic contract, that has powers if he look another mare lovely, I don't even know if divorce exist in that era, and assuming they exist by that time. They were very firm and very literal when they say 'half of everything' So if that exist and apply to the old ways, that they by force will have to split the entire kingdom in half, Bean would have to get half control of the sun (witch is really horrible idea for a lot of reasons) and…I think he will then have to married Luna. Yeah old divorce laws where very weird back then and when one of the rulers in charge of writing them is putting head I fear they will be even weirder. So yeah, No divorce here!
P.S: oh please tell me that in future chapters Luna will have to receive an ambassador from a far away land name Maximus Tortilla, and he looks very similar to Star Struck, that would make my day. I can see Luna reaction right now
8403262
The concept of Bean seeing Star Struck came from a couple different places:
1. We all have memories, good or bad, that are so vivid that when we recall them it is like we are living the event again. Luna's memories of her husband are like this.
2. I have a concept in one of my other (badly written) stories about Equestria having something called Deep Magic. This is the magic that binds their world together, the magic that earth ponies intrinsically have and use and it permeates everything. Bean being able to see him is akin to tapping into this but i don't see it being the same thing.
3. If Twilight can physically insert herself into a book why can't memories be brought to life?
So, at least as far as I've thought it out, it's more that Bean is sensing and seeing the ponyfication (if you will) of Luna's love and memories. The how and why of how this works is beyond me though. I should probably figure that out.
8403349
Awesome, and I love that you are giving the earth ponies more love, they certainly need it, great chapter dude, is nice to see how Luna and Bean have finally warm up to one another. I can certainly say that today Bean has won Luna respect
8403119
I've seen some people use the Twilight family as descendants of Luna.
8403370
8403394
It is a logical conclusion to make. The trick is how and where.
Je I also go that reference there with 'Baked' but just to clarify when you were implying the world 'Prince Baked' where you doing a weed joke?
8403707
No, no. I'm not that clever. I'm having a hard enough time coming up with bean puns. I was just amused with the idea of every pony calling him Baked for the rest of his life.
8403715
I see, still it was a good one
8403720
Just read the last 3 chapters. I am really excited for future chapters, and I'm very curious about how it will go.
8406343
loved the feels coming from Luna in this chapter, way to go.
however you do raise a point with Baked Bean's name... I know it is common practice in most of our known world that the woman takes her husband's... surname...sir-name... last name as her own, showing she is part of his family. After all, we were a male dominated society, yet as we've become more balanced, this tradition is slowly becoming out dated.
Now thanks to the season 7 episode "The Perfect Pear" we see that it's not uncommon for mares to change their name after getting married. said name change can be quite small, as Pear Butter changed her name to Apple Butter. Or an entire redo of one name as with Mrs. Cup Cake having been known by Chiffon Swirl before getting married. Yet we also see, in the case of Twilight's parents, and with Cadence n Shining Armor, that there was no renaming of the mare in question.
But this also begs the question, can the stallion, colt, man... change his name to fit his wife?
Anywho, in the end I guess it's up to the writer to decide...
8403394
I hope not, that makes the whole TwiLuna thing awkward.
8403068
I'm rooting for their marriage to work. Celestia genuinely cares, and while Bean was initially apprehensive, I think there's a lot of potential for them.
8407352
I get the feeling it's whatever a pony feels like doing. If you don't change anything at the wedding, it's probably ten bits and fill out form 5907-B down at city hall to change it. I am pretty sure Discord would love it if the whole of Equestria had to use the words 'Prince Bean' to refer to one of their rulers.
8407419
Team Beanlestia all the way!
8407665
8407665
Hold on we also need to think of the origin of the name, Celestia for example, its comes from latin and it means sky. So Bean now will have to look up what is the latin word for ah…Bean. And that could be his new name
8408124
Well, if we believe Google, his full Latin name is Coxit Faba. Doesn't roll of the tongue but does sound a bit more formal.
8408140
It can be only prince Faba…although that sounds like the equine version of either Fabio or Prince, oh well there are options there. Do to his backstory he could easily be Prince Cibus, Prince Archimagirus, Prince Auctor, Prince Terra or even Prince Dacia, although the last one could work better for their daughter if they have one
8408170
Eh, I'll probably stick with plain ol' Bean. Easier to type.
8409322
Good choose
That's so muffed up
Do you have a lot of family? Because this is totally the kind of crack I'd make around mine. These conversations really feel like they come straight from the heart.
8429865
I do indeed have a few biological relations. There's a good chance I quoted one of them with that line.
If "aren't" and "ain't" are not real words, then the word "word" is not a real word. Look them up in the Merriam Webster dictionary, and you will find them.
8437651
You misunderstand, the dictionary is a collection of words that society has created and given meanings.
There are plenty of words in the dictionary that weren’t their in 2015 a lot of stupid words that really are not real.
Edit: also ain’t isn’t a word. It’s not even in the dictionary.
8450005
Specify which dictionary it is not in. I stated which dictionary I was basing that comment off of, you state yours.
By the way, it's there not their.
8450005
8450122
May I interrupt for just a quick second to point out Celly not liking aren't and ain't is just a joke I came up with to get a laugh. You are both right, and Celly needs to relax.
It was then that Flour Tortilla knew, his dreams of lighting up Luna's night were dashed, much as his younger brother Queso Quesadilla would forever pine for Twilight from afar.
8456528
That is both hilarious and depressing at the same time. I like it!
Aren't and ain't are real words. Old nobles would use them until the commoners began making popular. They soon called them fake so the common people wouldn't be on their level.
8468842
Celestia really needs some new pet peeves.
I nearly cried when you wrote that Star Struck bit. I applaud you for writing something that stirs the Feels.
8469386
We like the feels. i.pinimg.com/600x315/b7/9c/56/b79c563edbd089c856da4cae11bf33c9.jpg
Y'know, I find it strange that with all the time supposedly spent on looking for loopholes, divorce has not been mentioned. I assume, therefore, that the law forbids it