Books, I love them all. Although I guess I was initially shocked as Spike found this one, for me. The book does remind me of my time at the Canterlot High. I never had expected to see a book like this. Not in my old library.
Everypony knows my affinity with magic, and my love for books. Apparently this knowledge had spread much farther than I had dared to hope or even imagine.
I had seen Spike enjoying his new Comics. Though I guess I had been surprised as I saw the first unanounced delivery, since I had never ordered it. His joy more than made up for any resentment.
This time, the book was clearly intended for me in person.
I guess others like to see their newly published books in public and important places, like a Royal library. If that is the reason for the sudden influx of new and unannounced books.
I had noticed an influx of new books to my fairly new Royal library. Spike has been working himself pretty hard, just to slip these new books into their designated shelves. At least, he got himself a reward, someone sent a Comics book, which in effect is his, even if it technically does still belong to the library.
This is my library, just as much as the one that was in the large oak in central Ponyville. This may be a royal library, but I am a Princess and Alicorn now, so that makes sense.
Where all these new books come from, I have no idea. Guess I don’t have the time to care. At least, this far, none of them has proven to contain any malice or being dangerous in any other way. Just books from the once who likes to see their newly published books in important places. Maybe I should ask Celestia and Cadence, if they have any new books they had never asked for?
No, I’ll leave them alone, for now. I will be sampling a few of these new books on my own, though, just as Spike is enjoying his first new Comics.
“Twilight, Twilight. A new stash of books just arrived!” Spike interrupted me.
“More books? Where are they from?” I responded in a bemused tone, smiling at myself as the still young Dragon stormed in.
“Yes, more books. Books, books and yet more books. No idea, but you may be interested in some of them!” he exclaimed.
“I trust you slip the once I may be interested in, into my private stash, Spike?” I teased.
“Oh yeah. There are quite a few by now. Just that there is this one in particular. I think you will love this one!” he teased back.
“If you are that sure of it, let me look at it right away?” I responded.
At first, I had expected him to burst off, going about his usual business. What I had not expected, is for him to pull the book from behind his back, instantly presenting me with the book in question.
“Oh, I have it right here!” he merely responded.
“If you are certain, does it involve Friendship, Magic or Reading?” I questioned him.
“As a matter of fact, yes!” he responded.
“It does? Which of them?” I enquired.
“All of them, silly. That is why I am so certain you will enjoy this one in particular!” Spike put forth.
“All of them? Is that even possible? Oh well, then I will look into it right now!” I responded as I ripped the book out of his grasp.
“Yes, all of them. Reading, Magic and Friendship. All playing important and intricate roles in this story!” he stuttered as he shied away from my reaction.
“Azrail’s Daughter?” I read the title.
“Yes, that is the title, as curious as it may sound!” Spike put forth.
“If you see any references that even looks relevant, let me know. I will read this right now!” I pointed out.
“I will!” he offered, still in an uncommonly meek tone of voice as he stepped several more steps back.
“The library is yours. Take good care of it!” I pointed out, just before I closed the door behind him on his way out.
Looking closer at the covers of the book Spike brought in. Apparently one of these books that had started to flood my library as of late. Coming from every corner of the globe, not just the Equestria I knew. Thankfully they letters are reasonably readable to me, at least.
The first thing that stuck out, is the girl in the image. I think she looks like the once I saw at the Canterlot High. At least reasonably similar to me. The girl did kind of feel as if she could have been me, she was studying at an awesome pace and went over numerous heavy subjects.
Furthermore, she clearly did handle magic, but the amusing thing is that she apparently enjoyed to manipulate things, in what could be seen as a fashionable sense, much as Rarity could have done.
Guess I could see why Spike had envisioned for me to enjoy this particular book.
“Oh, that went well. Even if I had expected her to enjoy the book!” I pondered.
The increased influx of books does mean that I do have much more to do, just to slip in each and every book in a shelf, depending on the topic it dealt with. I guess I did not mind, if it is because they sent comics for me to enjoy too, or is it as simple as enjoying to have something to do?
I like to work for Twilight Sparkle. It may be hard work from time to time, but I know what I need to do and I am good at it.
I love working for Rarity, even if I know it almost always means back breaking work. The reason seems similar enough, though I think it is my emotional connection to her. If I knew what I did, when I gave her the Fire Ruby, but I can’t back out of that now. I gave her the gem and the effect hit me, it will not reverse, even if she gave the gem back, if I stole it or if she lost it.
“Who the heck is it I am trying to feel here, I may not have known what I was doing, but I did what I did and I am not about to regret it!” I thought back to myself.
Even if Twilight Sparkle had raised me, there is something to her. I love her for what she has done for me and what I mean to her. I love Rarity, for all these little things. In effect, I guess I had been given an informal harem, not that I had asked for it, but it is still there, nonetheless. I may be too young to enjoy the fruits of this, but I have time.
I may not know my parents, the dragons who brought me to this world, but I know the Ponies who care for me, just the same. If Twilight is a Princess, does that make me a Prince? Not that it does any difference to me. Twilight is sharing the palace with her friends, Apple Jack, Flutter Shy, Rainbow Dash and Rarity. They are my friends too.
For what it is worth, I had apparently become a hero to the Crystal Ponies of the Empire. I was enjoying that, last time I was there at the games. I probably will enjoy it, when I get back there, next time, when ever that is. I saved them from what was a very embarrassing situation and what could have killed numerous Ponies. I didn’t even have the time to think, I just did what I did, knowing it was the right thing.
Finally, a moment for what every Pony knew I love doing. Reading. Just me and my new book.
Sometimes, the life as a Princess is hard, harsh; and sometimes the life as a Princess is good, enjoyable even. This is the latter.
As Princess, I have duties. Boring, monumentally boring; but I have to do it, as the Princess of Friendship. There is no escape, and no Pony I can delegate these duties onto.
As the Librarian, I have other duties; now I am taking it quite literally, familiarizing myself with one of the new books. I am rekindling a part of who I had always been. How long it may last; but I will enjoying it for all it is worth, for as long as it may last.
I trust in my assistant, Spike; even knowing, he can’t do everything for me. Yet, he can still hold the fort; for a good while, unless something special comes up. Something beyond his capability, or something specifically requiring my station as a Princess.
I had grabbed the proffered book, right out of Spike’s hands; and trotted off, towards my Royal chambers. The book, firmly in the grip of my magical aura; as I trot off towards my destination, the book eagerly waiting for me.
As I finally do reach my Personal chamber, I reach out; opening the door, before I step into the room and promptly close the door behind me. Quietly, but quite firmly; locking the door behind myself, before I can continue to the final destination.
I finally do reach the reading pulpit, where I reverently deposit the treasure; before I plop down onto the comfortable cushion, placed before my reading pulpit. I make myself comfortable, before I finally read the title of the book: "Azrail’s Daughter” and crack the book open, expectantly.
With my new book opened, I flip pages and read the fine print as I continue towards the title page.
“Azrail’s Daughter” I read the title, on the title page, as I scrutinize the chosen type face.
A Chance Meeting:
.
What you don't know, easily fills the entire encyclopedia?
It's true. That much I know, from experience.
Since I can't even pick a recollection of my father. As if I never had a family. What I have, is what I have.
If only I knew. Had I known, what would have happened. The day, is today.
It's just outside the store. The store, where I use to buy my clothes.
There is a girl to my right. Since it's warm, she wears but a bikini, as do I. One of the new once, that had been available, for just a week.
What happened next, is that I place my hand on her shoulder. Nothing special about it, if yet unusual. I did not even think about it.
Then it happened.
--- --- ---
.
“Curious name, for a girl?” I ponder.
“This girl kind of reminds me of Rarity..” I ponder; “Almost like that day she was Beautifying everything in town, just without that corrupting influence Rarity was suffering at the time!” I conclude.
Through the Eyes of the Marked Girl:
.
I had just walked out the door; leaving the store, where I work. Only this time, I had been buying clothes. This very bikini I now wear. I love it; it is both comfortable, and looks great on me.
Then I feel a hand on my shoulder. What came next, is an utter surprise and a shock.
"You have very smooth hands!” is what passed my lips.
She does. I can’t deny it; and somehow I love the feel of her hand, on my shoulder too. I just could not help it.
I can say nothing about that. Little did I know who she is. Or, how she was changing my life; in the very instant of placing her hand, on my shoulder.
How could I have known?
Can only imagine it is a mix of mine and her desired and thoughts?
--- --- ---
.
“Now it is starting, to become interesting..” I ponder.
Of course, I had enjoyed the book this far; given the new perspective on life, in the form of this girl. Apparently the Daughter of Azrail. Whomever he may be. I have no idea; and apparently, neither does the girl.
If the father’s identity is relevant to her plot; but it seems as if it had been a part of who she is, explaining what she is in some manner.
While I have no idea, as to who the father is, the name struck a chord reminding me of a reference to somewhere else. I just could not quite put a hoof onto where the reference is originating from, or who it is referring to.
