“I’m so tired,” Luna says as she sways in her seat some.
Both Anon and Celestia didn't show up for breakfast this morning. Luna was looking forward to seeing her human friend just before she took a nap. That’s why she is currently sitting in the dining hall right now. If he didn't eat breakfast, he would definitely be here by lunch. Luna will admit that Anon is a great friend to her. Though he can over exaggerate a great many things.
Luna giggles some to herself. She remembers when Anon showed her his list of enemies once in a dream. Luna knew deep down that Anon would do nothing of it. If anything, that list is more of a reminder as to why he doesn't interact with ponies. A way of justifying his want of being alone. She cannot blame him either. Anon seems to always end up on the wrong side of things.
He tries to be nice and compliment a mare, and it turns out that he did something he never intended. He tries to meet a local teacher, and things get out of hoof. When Luna thinks of Anon, she sees herself. Someone who is very awkward around ponies, never knowing how to react to a situation. Anon even more so, seeing as he is not from this world and his attitude is one not seen by many ponies these days. Griffins, sure, but rarely ponies.
This is why Luna desperately wants to see Anon face to face. To let him know that she is real and also his friend. She can understand why her sister cares for Anon so much. To have a subject like him is a once in a lifetime experience. He is so jaded to others, always trying to push them away. Yet, if they survive the storm, Anon becomes far more open and loyal. She dares to say that his loyalty far exceeds the Element itself. Anon’s unfiltered attitude is something she is familiar with. It reminds her of a time before her banishment.
“Luna?”
Luna breaks from her thoughts and looks over to see Anon looking to her with a raised brow. She lets out a silent thanks to the stars. She wasn't sure how long she would’ve been able to keep herself awake.
“Anon, It’s good to see you.”
“Sister, are you feeling well?” Celestia asks with concern.
Luna looks over to her sister with a tired smile.
“I’m fine, sister. A filly got lost last night and I stayed up to find her.” She looks to Anon. “I wish to see Anon face to face before I take a nap.”
Anon rolls his eyes. “You didn't need to stay up on my account, Luna. You know I don't sleep well at night anyways. I could’ve seen you at night court or something.”
She shakes her head. “I felt it only right to make an effort.” Luna shakily gets up from her seat. “I think I-”
Luna stumbles a bit, but Anon comes to her side and gets a steady grip on her. She looks up and notices that he is frowning at her. Not because he needs to help her, but because she put herself in this situation on his account.
“Come on you big baby,” Anon grunts a bit, surprising both Celestia and Luna as he lifts Luna up, cradling her to his chest. “Let's get you to bed. I don't need you falling asleep halfway to your bedroom.”
Luna can't help the redness growing on her muzzle. This is the side she was thinking of earlier. Under all that negativity and pushing away, there’s a person that does truly care for his friends. Not to mention that Luna has not been carried in such a way since she was a filly. She feels a little giddy at the thought of being taken care of like this.
“Perhaps I should call you Sir Anonymous from now on. The act of carrying a Princess to her chambers is rather chivalrous.” Luna giggles a bit at that thought.
Anon rolls his eyes again. “Don't expect me to do this every night.” He looks over to Celestia and Blueblood. “I won't take long…”
Celestia gives him a slow nod as he walks out of the dining hall. Was Anon always that strong, or is this a new development? Luna is by no means a light pony. Yet Anon didn't even look strained as he held her. Celestia shakes that thought away.
“Waiter!” To her call, a single waiter pony comes to greet her.
“What do you order, Princess?” he asks.
“Salad for myself, waffles for Blueblood and bacon with eggs for Anon,” she says without a stutter.
The waiter gives a hesitant nod. He’s had to serve carnivores before. Didn't mean he liked it much.
“Very well.”
With that, he takes his leave. Celestia takes her seat at the table as well and waits for Anon’s return.
“Will you stop that?!” Anon shouts in irritation.
Luna’s currently giggling like a little girl as she wiggles her hooves around.
“But this is so much fun!” She says with another titter.
“If you keep moving then I’m going to drop you!” he warns.
Luna lets out a huff of annoyance. “Very well.” She then snuggles her head into Anons chest. “This spot will do till we are returned to our bed.”
“Language, Luna, language,” Anon points out.
“Forgive me. I sometimes slip into the old ways.”
He lets out a sigh. “Don't worry. I personally think it’s kinda..” He cringes some. “Cute.”
Luna's eyes light up at that.
“Do you truly think that?” She asks him.
Anon groans a bit inside. He knew he shouldn't have said anything. Now she’s going to say something and then he’s putting her on the list.
“That is very kind of you, Anon,” Luna says with a sigh as she snuggles into his chest more. “Many ponies have told me that my way of talking is weird.”
Hmm.. Wasn't what Anon was expecting to hear, but the princesses have been the most normal-seeming ponies to him.
“Don't worry about others, Luna.” His face shifts to his normal mask of jadedness. “People seem to just be problems in the long run anyways.”
Luna looks up to him. “Will we become a problem to you one day?”
Anon looks down and can see the small glimmer of tears building at the edges of Luna’s eyes. He will admit that he really likes Luna, almost as much as he likes Celestia. They both seem to be calm individuals. Though they can get easily emotional at times, but he mostly thinks that’s because they are ponies. Can he say that she won't be a problem later? He cannot see into the future, and he hasn't been here long enough to find a pattern. Luna reminds him a lot of himself. The insecure side that he buries.
“I hope not,” he answers.
Anon looks up and finds that he is at Luna's room. Two weird looking ponies are standing guard. He doesn't need to say anything as they open the doors for him. He walks through and towards Luna’s bed. He sets her down on top of the blankets, seeing as it’s a rather warm day, today, and gets ready to leave.
“May we ask one favor of you?” Luna asks.
“Sure,” Anon answers.
“Would you join us in bed till we fall asleep?”
Anon cringed inside at that. He’s not really one to be touched. The fact Celestia does it so much is just proof of how much he thinks of her as a friend. But, to cuddle with her? Now that seems like a line too far. As he looks down to Luna, she’s looking up to him with such longing that he can almost feel the pain she's in. With a short sigh, he accepts his fate.
“Alright.”
Luna brightens up at that as she scoots away some to give Anon a bit of room. He lays down on his back next to her as she snuggles up to him. Resting her head onto his chest. She can hear how fast his heart is pounding.
“Do you wish to be the big spoon?” Luna asks.
Anon groans. “Please try to sleep, Luna.”
“Very well.” She smiles as she snuggles a bit closer to him.
Anon reluctantly wraps his left arm around Luna and helps pull her closer. That seems to satisfy her as she tries to sleep. As he looks to the ceiling of Luna’s room, he tries to figure out how he got into this situation. Perhaps he is getting too soft? As he looks down and sees the peaceful look Luna is giving, he feels that thought die out. This is his friend and making them happy feels rather natural.
Celestia is wondering what is taking Anon so long to return. She knows that Luna’s room isn't that far from the dining hall. Her questioning doesn't continue as Anon walks through the door and over to the only seat left that has a plate in front of it. That seat being at Celestia’s right hoof.
“What kept you?” Celestia asks.
Anon takes his seat and slouches some.
“Luna.” He rubs his face some. “She wanted to cuddle a little.”
Now that is a surprise for Celestia. She wasn't aware that those two were so close.
“I-uh.. I see.” She looks back down to her meal.
Anon feels his eyebrow raise some at Celestia's mood shift. It then slowly dawns on him what she might be thinking.
“No! No way! Luna and I aren't, you know.. together,” he says. “Just a friend thing.”
For some reason or another. Celestia feels a large weight lift off her. Why would she instantly think Anon was dating Luna? That’s just silly. Ponies commonly have snuggling partners. She knows that, yet she forgot too. Anon looks to his covered plate and takes off the lid. If he wasn't positive that a big white horse was sitting next to him, he would've assumed he was back on earth.
“Did you buy this meat for my visit?” he asks, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of someone going out of their way for him.
“No.” That is a lie. “We have some ambassadors that eat meat.” True, but still not the entire truth. She made sure to stock up specifically for Anon. “I just thought you would like something you seldom get.”
Anon looks to his plate, then back to Celestia. He can feel a small battle going on inside of him. He doesn't want her to do things for him, yet, this was for an ambassador.
“Uhmm. Thanks?” he says hesitantly before he eats his breakfast.
He will admit that last night he didn't care about whom the meat was bought for, seeing as that was the first piece of meat he’s seen in a year. Though now that his mind is far more level, he feels that urge to turn it down. Not because he doesn't want it, but because someone else gave it to him. Even if it is a close friend, it always felt wrong to have others do something for him. Like he would owe them, then they would take advantage of him one day.
He didn't need to worry about this with Celestia, though. He knows she is very kind and wouldn't take advantage of him. At least, he hopes she wouldn't. Celestia on the other hoof is happy to see Anon happy. She’s unaware of his current thoughts, but if she knew about them then she would try to prove to him that she would never do such a thing. She just wants to make his life easier, as she knows that he does have it a bit rough in some places.
That is why she lets him get away with so many things. She knows that he would never harm her ponies and just likes to talk about doing something. She knows it’s just his way of letting off some steam. While she does feel like she should defend the elements when he talks down about them. Celestia can't say for certain if what Anon says about them is wrong.
Celestia doesn’t know everything that happens in this world. If she did, then she wouldn't need guards to protect the citizens. She is a normal pony and many forget that about her. She can tell, when Anon thinks about the Elements, that something has happened that he isn't telling her. He just brushes over them. Never giving a full explanation. She hopes that he will tell her in time.
Anon is currently enjoying his brunch. He can practically feel Celestia thinking about him. It’s almost like a superpower he has. She’s eating her meal, but he knows that her mind is wandering to him. Perhaps he shouldn't have shown her that list today. Maybe she is thinking that he’s a threat and how she should send him to the dungeon.
“Celestia,” Anon catches her attention. “You don't have a dungeon, do you?”
Celestia nods. “One was built many centuries ago. Though it’s never been used.”
So there is a possibility he could be locked away.
“Why do you ask?” She looks to him curiously.
He shrugs. “Just making conversation.”
Celestia could see that he is lying as clear as her day. Something is happening inside of him right now. That question wasn't out of the blue, it was made for a reason.
“You know I wouldn't put you there, right?” Celestia tries to comfort Anon.
He nods his head slowly. “Yeah, of course.”
Those words from Celestia didn't help calm him. If anything, it confirms his suspicion. He was just asking about dungeons. She’s the one saying she wouldn't put him there. Which means the thought of putting him there crossed her mind. These ponies think they’re smart, but Anon is onto their games.
“Stop that,” Celestia says.
Anon looks to her confused. “Stop what?”
She reaches her wing over and lays it onto his shoulders.
“You don't have to worry yourself, Anon. I’ll always be here for you.”
While on the outside Anon looks blank. On the inside, he is in total turmoil. He wasn't really sure how to take a statement like that. His time on Earth conditioned him to pick out lies and avoid people. Even when he showed up here in Equestria, he still didn't have any luck on a new start. While the ponies look friendly on the outside, as soon as you tried to make friends something bad would happen.
So why is it that he has Celestia as a friend? Why is Luna his friend? What does he consider Bonbon? It’s all so hard for him to understand something he is not familiar with. Celestia has never asked him for anything. Never showing any signs of ill content towards him. The same can be said for Luna and Bonbon. They seem genuine and that is why Anon finds this confusing.
“I-um..” He doesn't know what to say.
“Come.” Celestia stands from her seat and beckons Anon to follow her.
He gets up and stands by her as she wraps a wing around him. Anon hates to admit that he does feel really safe with Celestia. A feeling he hasn't felt in many years. Celestia can feel Anon’s body loosen up some as she holds him.
“I’m about to go to day court. Do you wish to join me?” she asks.
Anon nods hesitantly. “Sure.”
Yes! We do care! Its like each chapter is a delicious slice of cake and your witty thought provoking chapter titles are the cherry on top.
Just a heads up I think you mean He's.
Oh god, the periods instead of commas. It's terrible. While the rest of the story is good. That really broke the pacing. So it was hard to enjoy the latest chapter.
Why do you keep updating the description every time you get featured?
Torn between sisters... Hmmm.....
I think the sisters got a crush.
4515752
You say why. I say why not?
4515826 WOBBUFFET!
4515765 Sooo if we go off the picture Twilight is going to rape him but she wouldn't do that unless of course if it's... FOR SCIENCE.
Well, I think I know the solution to the Celestia/Luna issue.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2013/10/23/455064__safe_twilight+sparkle_rainbow+dash_fluttershy_shipping_animated_lesbian_smile_kissing_eyes+closed.gif
Get to it, Anon.
Did I miss something? Why the sudden musing about BonBon?
4515952
While Celestia and Luna are a larger part of Anon's life. We cant forget that Bonbon gave Anon a place to work and while we currently haven't gotten to see their relationship first hand. We do know at the very least that Bonbon helped Anon when he needed someplace to work. So as he is thinking over everything, he cant help but think of her as well and question.
4515973 How could I forget that Anon works for BonBon?
4515791 You wouldn't believe how many times I've heard that.
For some reason there was a bit of a quality drop compared to previous 3 chapters(mostly how it was narrated). I hope you are not overworking yourself with this? Because the way it reads is if you where more tired while writing it.
4516128
I'm trying to find a balance to the comedy and the slice of life aspect. Seeing as comedy is an exaggeration of life, while slice of life is generally a more literal interpretation of it. Chapters may very as I try to hash out a good mix between the two.
Awe Celly has feelings for Anon and got jealous over Lulu!
Me thinks that Anon's life is about to get complicated.
Maybe the sisters could share?
TRUUUUE LOOOOVE
i care what you title your chapter, also... what image?
4516401
The site is currently preforming maintenance. Should be visible whenever they finish.
looks like you're gonna need to add a romance tag soon.
4516423 the title... Its beautiful!
Such a shining example of perceived apathy captured perfectly in a literary masterpiece worthy of song!
10/10, would glance at again
One shot to love triangle transition...ooooooo
i feel like that bit where celestia 'has a weight lifted' (or something along those lines metaphorically) when she learns anon and luna arent together is implying a bit of romance. is this true, or are we going to have to wait and see?
So, #TeamLunAnon or #TeamCelestiAnon?
#TeamLunAnon for life!!! WOOOH!!!
His mind is paluged by doubt, the poor sod......oh well, it's not something a threesome with Celestia and Luna won't cure!
Anon has so much swag not even divine beings can resist him
4515826 24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mboyvc3mSg1r0e4soo1_1280.jpg
4515765
Five dollars, or five kicks from a horse, or five male deer, or five clucks from a chicken?
please dont let this be the obvious foreshadowing to a cliched romance, i would very much appreciate them just staying friends, which is what attracted me to this story in the first place, it honestly would have been very comedic and slice of life like if celly had teased him over it instead, instead you put in the old trope of denying obvious romantic interest, to which we all know will end with them in a needlessly scripted romance, i sincerely hope you have something else planned, or ill probably just leave altogether
Didn't he overdose on ham in the second chapter? Wouldn't bacon be his second piece of meat then?
4517694 Twilight is the only one who looks happy in that picture everypony else is worried (celestia) or agast (the other main six) so i'm going off the picture bro not the full context.
4517463 You're only now seeing the foreshadowing? Been going on all story.
i had just been assuming they were only close friends this whole story, i dont claim to be intelligent or interpretive when it comes to this kind of stuff, so i dont know what to say except, please dont ship them, and keep it more consistent in the future
This story. I loik (Like with an "oy" sound instead) it. Although the last chapter's name reminded me of This:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/db/Deadmau5_Album_Title_Goes_Here.jpg
4511935
Except it isn't what the scientific consensus is, which was my point.
4516333
I forgot about that.
4517463 Authors decision not yours.
4516060
Im not even going to say it then
4515765 I'll take that bet.
I'll give you my Paypal Info next chapter, so you can pay me in full.
Unless you're gonna chicken out, of course.
awesome! so much yes! I love it when a story evolves!
Yes, yes I do.
4516271
I think you're doing a much better job, Salsa. The balance is one that's difficult even for seasoned authors at times unless it's what they specialize in and ignore all other genres for the most part. This chapter is now my second favorite, with the top being chapter one. We're getting the world-building of anon's mind and emotions, his reasoning and thoughts. We're exploring the character without needing to do too much wandering around in order to trigger certain instances of personality.
Color me pleased!
4518697
when did i ever say it was my desicion? did you miss the part where i politely asked him not to add shipping to the story without a romance tag? because it never had any implications of romance (at least to me), and i likely wouldn't have read and favorited this story if i knew that's what i was getting into, I'm not against shipping, in fact I ship rarijack like no tomorrow, i just hate going into stories with misleading circumstances
tl;dr its a free country and i don't like surprises
the last chapter was kind off a turn off to me, but this one pulls me back in
i want to say great job, but i feel like a asshole(i hope i'm using this phrase right) cause i said i didnt really like the last chapter. soo.. more interested to anon backstory now, and i feel someway the same with the guy in this chapter. Expecting more updates please
4520558
It's a free country, so surprises are gonna happen regardless.
bimmerboost.com/images/imported/2013/01/33026900-1.jpg
Okay so, when when a person has a s in front of their name, you generally put a ' between the s and their name.
When a person's name ends with a s, you put the little ' but don't include the s on the end.
Love your story dude, keep rocking.
giggity
4521892
as a stated before, its my opinion and my freedom to speak, nothing more
As much as I hate trying to change an authors idea for a story, I believe with the amount of character depth in this fic you should change this from an AiE to a normal HiE, just a suggestion to give Anon a name at least. Lovin' the story even with it being an AiE though.