I slowly felt the last remnants of the dream realm slipping away from me like wisps of smoke in the wind, leaving me lying on the bed.
I didn’t open my eyes, just relaxing for a long moment, enjoying the slight breeze from the outside, the scent of rain having passed sometime not too long ago.
A moment of calm, of relaxation. Just a moment of calm before fully waking up.
Somewhere outside I could hear birds, some sort of monkey howling far away. Hammers against wood. I could hear ponies working somewhere in the distance. Saws.
Breaths close to me. Calm. Slow. Asleep.
My ear flicked.
In. Out.
In. Out.
I spent a second listening hard. Which one was… in. Out. Sunset. That one was Sunset.
In. Out.
Sparks. That one was Sparks.
Taking a deep breath, I forced my eyes open and rolled onto my stomach, stretching before I looked around.
Sunny and Sparks were cuddled up together on the other half of the bed. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight before I slowly slipped off the bed and out of the darkness bubble that strongly limited the amount of light that got through it.
Light might make me slightly sleepy, but I’m a bat. For Sunny and Sparks to sleep, we needed the bubble of darkness over the bed.
Once outside, I covered it with a bubble of silence as well to let them sleep as I narrowed my eyes against the sudden bright light of the sunset outside and I stopped, blinking and shadowing my eyes for a moment to get used to it before I yawned again and slowly moved out onto the balcony, overlooking the village.
It was very… green. But that was to be expected as it was built into the treetops. It had been the idea of one of the unicorns hired to cut wood actually, Shield Streak. There was a problem with predators? So why build on the ground when there were massive trees and the great majority of the population had wings?
Multi level constructions in the upper levels of the jungle trees, centered around the trunks with bridges between them for the non-winged citizens or ones that didn’t feel like flying everywhere.
In the distance, I could see ponies move around. The sun was still well above the horizon and most everypony was still asleep, at least the ones that didn’t choose to still follow a diurnal sleeping pattern. Mostly non-thestrals, but not only.
It really was so much more comfortable not to have to keep having Sunshines little ball of fun to contend with all the time.
No. The day wasn’t for us. Even after just a single year here, that much was clear. To be able to be awake when it felt right…
...It was just so much better. For one thing, the oppressive heat of the day was quickly fading away.
If just my Luna was here and I could share it with her instead of just while we slept. I missed her. So much.
I took a deep breath and shook my head, stretching my wings for a long moment before I folded them again and shook my head once more before I moved away from the balcony and exited the bedchamber, closing the door behind me.
“Good evening, your highness,” a voice said and I looked over to Flower Rain. She was a very light grey thestral with very long white mane, almost reaching to the floor when she stood up. Which admittedly wasn’t that long as she was tiny, even for a thestral or pegasus, almost half a head shorter than even Fluttershy. Like usual, she kept her mane bundled up in a complicated bun. She was getting a small stack of papers ready by one of the tables and smiled at me when I looked at her.
“Good evening, Flower,” I said, giving her a nod as I made my way over to take a piece of fruit laid out in one of the bowls, “Sleep well?”
“Very nice, your highness,” she said with a smile, flicking her ears, “I… had a date yesterday morning.”
I smiled at her, “Oh really? Anypony I know?”
She shook her head, “Don’t think so, sir. He works at the railway station.”
I nodded and crossed over to her as I nibbled at the fruit, something we had started to call a Sky Mango. They grew high in the trees and while they were purple, they tasted like a mix between a mango and a watermelon, “Well, I hope you had a nice morning. Anything interesting on the agenda today or did anything happen that I need to know about?”
Flower Rain checked her clipboard, but I already knew it was mostly by reflex, she’d know of the top of her head already, “Well, as for incidents, a Rexosaurus was spotted half an hour of flight from the village and the guard has been alerted, but it shouldn’t cause a problem. Also, the shipment from Equestria seems to be delayed, none of the scouts had reported the train so far.”
I frowned slightly, “That’s by almost a week. A day or two has happened before, but a week?”
She frowned, “Think anything has happened?”
“Too early to say. Just keep me updated.”
Flower made a small note, “Yes, sir. As for the schedule today, there is a budget meeting at four and court just before then at three. At five we have an inspection of the village defenses scheduled with Princess Midnight. The rest of the morning is free so far.”
I nodded, “So nothing until three?”
She shook her head, “Nothing scheduled. But there is a stack of reports and other paperwork a hoof high waiting for you,” she said with a smile.
I eyed her suspiciously, “...Didn’t I outlaw paperwork last week?”
“I’m afraid that even the power of alicorn royalty has its limits, your majesty,” she said with a playful smile, giving me a small bow, spreading her wings elegantly.
I just shook my head with a smile, taking a bite from my breakfast, “Oh well, I guess I just have to try again later.”
Oh well, it could have been worse. One good thing about this place compared to Canterlot, no bucking nobles, no bucking diplomats and absolutely no boring receptions!
Flower Rain jumped off her chair and gathered up her clipboard before she paused, “Oh, and you wanted me to remind you that we are a month from Hearth's Warming.”
I nodded, “Well, hopefully the train will arrive with the stuff or I might be in trouble.”
She smiled and nodded, “Goes for most of us. Oh, and Lady Sunset talked to me yesterday and brought up a good point, we’re not too far from the two year anniversary of the founding of Nocturnis. She was wondering if anypony has thought of making that a holiday yet. Last year was too busy for everypony to really plan much, but now...”
I blinked at her, “That’s… a good point. We should do that, shouldn’t we.”
Whuhu! More crazy Page shenanigangs!
It gets worse here every day!
Yes, another one!
Hey, no fair. You area day early and I couldn't finish rereading the last book yet.....
Gues, I know how I will spent the night...
finally!!! I was looking forward to it !!!
Thank you!!!
Nice try page even if you outlaw paperwork it will still exist.
Return of the King !!!!
Yay! The next series of the awesome alicorn king X3
Yes!!!
Ahem, anyway beyond my joy that this is back I finally have an excuse to say this. I have to wonder what you plans you got for the Kirin given how things have gone differently in this reality.
Welcome back Hiver!
Hello Page.
awww yis, the tale continues
woot! more page. can't believe it took me 3 years to come back to the site and I got to find this series still going
Holy Nightsky it continues!!! ♡♡♡♡♡
Wooo, it's back!!!
It's here!!
Calling now. Somehow do to crazy time shenanigans, page gets sent back x000 years and the statue of a male thestral Alicorn was for him.
10902590
Sunny doesn't like that joke
10902677
Only because nopony else gets it.
But that reminds me... what ever happened to that "Trip to the EQG for human-world supplies" arc that kept getting hinted at for the next time the mirror portal opened?
10902678
Waaaay too busy.
Oh HELL YEAH, page returns!
You know that ancient thestral king's name might just as well been Konrad Curze, he WAS batshit crazy after all(pun intended) and super soldier theme rings some bells here too.
10902682
Fair. Still, its one of those things that seems like it should have been acknowledged amidst the bustle, about how Page regrets not being able to do some of the things he wanted to do for/with his loved ones.
Looking forward to more misadventures of our favorite prince!
Aw shit we're back at it again. Good chapter. Missed your works. Hope you've been well and taking care of yourself. Can't wait to see where this goes. Your stories are always super interesting.
Man, I love your stories. I look forward to seeing more!!
amazing start to a grate story.
It’s up! It’s here! I’m at work! Damn!!!
return of Prince Blank Page! HELL YEA!_! Also crucial question here, when are we gonna see some foals running around?"
It has returned.
This pleases me greatly.
Ah, one of the few series that forces me to drop everything and read.
So all will be „fun and Games“ ?
Or are they going to „take it day by day“?
Or will it be rough and „get worse, every day“?
So many options to choose from when taking inspiration from the Titel.
And I’m sure Sunny will hate all the options for the pun. 😅
Finally! Celebratory EEEEeeee!!
um--isn't it just a two-day flight back to Ponyville from there? If they've got regular patrols going out looking for rexis, why not send someone out to find out what's with the train that's a week late!? C'mon, Page! You're from EARTH--that sort of shit should immediately be waking up your Captain Kirk "Red Alert!" yell.
♪♫
Yeah, baby! Page is back! On a Friday, too. Nice way to start a weekend!
Where is Amber? Is she safe? Is she alright?
Loving it already keep up the good work and can't wait for more.
Hell yeah! Glad to see you back in action!
10902678
They should only do that when they are smart enough to not let any of that stuff get into hooves of ...,. anyone actually, even a normal pony will be a disaster.
They also aren't smart enough.
The technology should stay in the human knockoff world and be used when they go to visit.
The technology is also created for hands, they would need to recreate them from basics anyway .
They should just use magical powered accessories with runes,etc like a handheld radio and similar stuff inspired by normal technology functions
The only exception would be modifying a custom gun for Page,with also addition of magic to make sure it won't be lost
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'M SO FUCKING EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad you decided to skip ahead past the boring parts of founding a new city but I'm curious as to how his relationships have progressed or changed, if at all, with everybody, especially Celestia.
Nice, can't wait to see what further adventures await Page in his crazy life!
10902886
Nopony except Blank Page and those who have seen his dreams would have any clue what the stuff they're making a run for is. The words "expensive brick" come to mind, but they wouldn't even realize how expensive it is or why.
10903016
Trust me it would happen
It's just asking for it to be taken
Also, it's much easier to kill someone, or yourself by accident by not knowing that something is a weapon,gun
That's nice
Yeah that's probably not good, should look into that... and soon
You should, having a celebration every now and again is good for mental health
Time to see what kind of problems Page will get up to this time
So Page, do you often have mares you're not in a relationship with sleep in your bed?!
(I know Sunset and Twi are a thing but still!)
10903097
Jealous?
'Ere we go! 'Ere we go! 'ERE WE GO!
Ahem, with that proclamation of excitement out the way, a two year time skip? Interesting, I wonder what's happened in the meantime? Our favourite Prince has clearly got on with his plans and brought a following with him to the colony, but how many? How far along are they construction-wise? The sound of sawing would suggest there's still a lot of work to be done. With the train delay, given how isolated the colony is (a fortnight by airship if I recall, so at the very least half that by even steam train) any number of problems could have occurred. Coal/water shortages at a holt could very easily hold everything up that long, or it could be more sinister. It's probably not the local flora/fauna though since last time the plan was to set up on the outskirts of the jungle, not deep. Let's hope the colony's fairly self-sufficient by now, they should be getting their first crops in this year at least.
As for personal matters, at this rate Page's are rapidly approaching Denobulan levels of complexity. Someone earlier mused on how long until foals are running around (hardly anything new there, I seem to recall speculations during Luna's Griffonian excursion). Given the pace of the story thus far and the time spans involved I'd not be surprised if there was a certain reveal on that note as the ending hook of this story, or perhaps the next. Likely involving Sunset, given the inevitably slower pace of immortal relationships (might just be my Tolkienian background talking, but Luna's dialogue in earlier stories supports a somewhat elven outlook on most points except their absolute monogamy) and the fact she must now be getting on for her mid-thirties at least, so she's starting to get to that now or never age. Assuming a 70-90ish life expectancy and reasonably similar biology to humans of course, and that Page isn't sterile.
Incidentally, 'defenses' should be 'defences', it's a common issue rising from the offence/offense confusion (the latter only applying specifically to an insult) that catches an awful lot of people. Otherwise, the spelling and grammar so far is looking like an improvement over a couple of the other instalments, assuming 'centered' was an intentional localisation choice.
Also there were a couple of excessive uses of 'your highness' or 'your majesty' (the latter of which might not be appropriate to Page at all if Nocturnis is a vassal rather than a sovereign state like the Crystal Empire), since almost universally after the first address the proper form is to use sir or ma'am for heads of state and Princes/Princesses. That said, maybe Equestria simply has different rules when it comes to forms of address.
10903200
Defense and Defence is purely dialectic. There is no difference in meaning.
Yes!!!!!!!
I think i like your stories too much.
I was grinning like a moron at work, when i noticed the update.
*Enthusiastic Fluttershy noises*