I felt like there was something being unsaid between Luna and the guard. Now, in the waking world, I would have let them sort it out on their own. It wasn't my business, really. Who was I to get involved? But this was the dream world, and I was a horse cupid, and Luna had already shot herself, so...
With a soft twang, I fired the bow that had been stowed an instant before then.
The guard did try to duck that time, but the arrow would not be denied so easily. He yelped, then sagged a little. Luna relaxed as well as they gazed at one another.
He sat on his haunches and smiled at her. "When I'm told I'm doing guard duty for you, it's always a special day."
Luna fluttered her lashes. "And why is that, loyal guard?"
His smile spread. "To have the chance to be so close to a pony I hold in such high regard, not to mention a mare of such captivating... everything."
The other guard, who had been silent up until then and practically part of the background, coughed softly and reached a leathery wing over as if to pull his associate away, only to have Luna interject with her own wing. "Tell me more of how we are captivating."
I suddenly got the impression that I was in the way. Those two had plenty to talk about.
I decided to let them have their fun and trotted away with a smile.
I still had bits to spend, and a city of magical ponies to enjoy, and that's what I planned to do.
Later, after enjoying a play put on by eager ponies, getting a second outfit, and being flirted with a few times by mares that thought I was quite the handsome stallion, I felt lethargy begin to creep over me. A glance downwards showed hints of grey coming around my hooves. It was time to go.
I looked towards the owner of the jewelry shop I was browsing. "Could you tell them at the castle to pick me up?" The pony looked confused, but nodded.
I reared up and assumed a ready pose, bow in my hooves, arrow cocked, then surrendered to the sleeping feeling.
I woke up gently. I was seated before my computer, which was on. "Dang it." So much for sleeping me not being able to plug it back in.
Notepad was open with words in it.
Hello Linda,
I apologize if I have upset you. She just needs a little support, which I am glad to give. I am not trying to woo her. My time has long since passed and I am a faint echo given your form to perform a last dance in. You have a lovely, if oddly naked and two-legged, form.
Do you like mine? I get the sense that you do. It's alright. I don't mind. In fact, have you met Celestia yet? She was a dear friend of mine, and perhaps could have been more, but I never had the bravery to approach her. Isn't that a laugh? All those years spent trying to get other ponies to open up and embrace the happiness they could have if only they spoke, just to remain silent towards her for so long.
I must feel like I'm prattling about nothing. If you see her, give her a kiss for me, please. If she still remembers me, that is.
With Much Regard,
True ShotPS: I finished my conversation. The magic of your world is something else. So subdued, and yet so powerful. I am enjoying my time here and will endeavor to be a better guest.
I shook my head a little, uncertain what to think. Coffee, that's what I needed. I rose and moved into the kitchen just to pause. It smelled of soap, and everything was quite spotless. My guest? He must have been trying to make amends for scaring me before. I let out a little sigh and smiled. It was odd to think about. I had cleaned the kitchen, sort of? It was my body, and his mind.
Him, the magical pony stallion? Was I really accepting that? What was the other logical conclusion? Except... he was dead. Everyone seemed to agree that he was dead. Even he agreed he was dead! Dead for untold many years, by all the impressions I had been given. Even dead ponies don't usually haunt a place, I gathered.
Why me? I frowned at the question. As confusing as some of it was, I didn't want to trade it away. I liked visiting Equestria. I liked Celestia and Luna both. I kinda liked the flirty looks and titters of lady ponies. Heck, I liked having a body that was literally described as 'chiseled'. I wasn't entirely sure I was sold on liking being an outtie instead of an innie.
I hadn't mentioned it before, but nature did call a few times while wearing that furry body, giving me a new perspective on how guys visit the bathroom.
Still, if I was given a blanket choice between throwing it all away or not, I wouldn't.
Feeling somehow a little less shaken, I returned to my computer, coffee in hand. I decided to survey the damage he may have caused with his emails and found he had continued the conversation with Sasha. He talked her through her insecurities and kept trying to be, well, a nice person I guessed. He never made an actual pass at her, which was good! I didn't need a pony cupid wooing ladies through me.
In the end, she promised she would try, and thanked him, or me, for the time. She never knew there was anything odd about the Linda she thought she was writing.
It was as happy an ending as it was likely to be.
Should I reply to True Shot, or whatever it was? I felt like I should.
Hello there,
I'm glad we've figured out how to communicate. How do you even know how to use this? Nevermind, the same way I know how to use a bow, or can master a trot with a single brief lesson. So, you're True Shot? Everyone seems quite certain you're very dead and shouldn't exist, yet here you are, haunting me gently.
Your body is very nice. A little male for my personal tastes, but otherwise a fine example of ponydom. Is that a word? I've met both Celestia and Luna. Did you know Celestia had a flame for you too? She's still driven to distraction every time she sees me as you.
I'm not sure I can deliver that kiss you were hoping for. I don't normally swing that way, even if the mares of your world seem happy to invite me to do just that.
I considered through a heavy sip. It was Christmas eve. Most places would be closing up early. I planned to do a lot of nothing that weekend. There was nothing to distract me.
So, hey, do ponies have a Christmas? You know, winter holiday for gift giving and general merriment?
I quirked a little smile. Considering how many human holidays crowded around the winter, it seemed likely the ponies might have cooked one or two up to ward away the chill of winter with some holiday warmth and good times.
By the way, you said you don't mind what I do, but if you are True Shot, isn't that your body? Shouldn't you care? I mean, I care about what you're doing in my body.
I think that's all the questions I have.
Be good,
Linda
I went about doing what I usually did on that holiday. I put on some Netflix and chilled. All my work was done, for the moment, and I was off, so there wasn't a lot else to do but be glad I had a nice warm house away from the frigid outdoors.
I'm not sure when I fell asleep, but the cool feel of stone was quite hint enough that I had. I could hear talking. Celestia?
"They brought him in like that?"
I could hear Luna replying, "So it would seem. As ever the looker, is he not?"
There was a delay, perhaps to give Celestia time to blush. "Is he adjusting?"
"He is. He continues to prattle on about his dream world, but it seems clear he enjoys his time here. Perhaps we will win him back."
Win him back?
"We can't cure him without him wanting to be cured, sister. Has he... mentioned me?"
Luna let out a quiet sigh. "I am afraid, while he remains confused, he remembers little. There are hints of him, reminders that it truly is him, but, to answer clearly, no. No he has not."
They were talking about me, clearly. Rather, they were talking about True Shot, who they seemed to have decided was me. Linda was just a fabrication of a long banished soul. A comforting phantasm that let him return to them.
I shivered faintly in my stone prison. I didn't like that idea at all. I had a life! I had a history!
I heard hoofsteps circling me. "This stance of all things... When he was a statue originally, he was chaste and clean."
Luna snorted. "He is a stallion. He has all the pieces to prove the fact."
"And yet, he claims to have a mare's mind? Do you think it... Is he avoiding me?"
"No! Sister, no. He harbors no ill feelings towards you that I can discern."
Holding my breath was becoming a challenge. The faint pocket of air in there was growing stale. I had to break free, even if I wanted to hear more of their conversation.
I gave an almost frantic heave, shattering the stone and sending it spilling to the ground in a shower.
Luna and Celestia both jumped back as I fell to all fours before them. "Hello." Not the most dramatic way to greet them, but it's what I had.
Celestia flushed faintly . "Hello, T--Linda."
Luna nodded. "Good evening. You are waking more frequently." The way she said it implied she was happy about the fact.
I regarded Celestia. She really did hope I would be her True Shot.
But who said I wasn't. To me, it was all a dream, and in that dream, I was True Shot, handsome stallion archer. I tried to accept that reality, standing tall. "Celestia, there's something I've waited too long to tell you."
She blinked once and perked up. "What is that, Linda?"
I stepped forward towards that tall princess. I was larger than most mares, but Celestia was not most mares. She was taller than me still, and I had to lean my head back and push up as best I can to press my horsey lips to hers.
We kissed. Right there, lips to lips.
I heard Luna gasp. I felt Celestia melt. She pressed against me and our magics wrapped around one another, pulling the other into the exchange. It seemed to go on forever, and it was... a lot nicer than I thought it would be. I was kissing a pony princess, and I kind of liked it.
Finally, she drew back, her tongue darting out over her lips as if to taste me. "True Shot..."
I perked my ears at her. "You've waited so long to hear this, but I love you, Celestia. I always have, and it was my deepest regret that I never said so!"
She recoiled, almost stumbling as she fell back. "D-do you mean that?! Tr--Linda? You are Linda?"
"Not here, not now." I smiled. This was pony land. I was a pony, and that was alright. I could live the dream, literally. "I am True Shot, and I'm sorry for all the hurt I put you through, Celestia."
Luna cleared her throat. "Before you two get too involved. True Shot, welcome back, old friend. Have you truly returned to us?"
Had he? "I don't remember a lot of things. I'm willing to be True Shot for now. Is that enough?"
Celestia tensed a moment before she nodded. "More than I ever expected. I... I have to go." She turned and fled from the room on golden hooves.
Luna watched her before looking back to me. "You've startled her terribly, but if you are making this progress, it will be for the better in the end. Speak truly, have you seen your dreams for dreams?"
I blinked at her. "This is the dream, Luna."
Luna frowned a little. "How can I prove otherwise?" She sat and clopped her forehooves. "Ah ha! I know."