//------------------------------// // Revelations on the Last Day of Winter // Story: Living in Equestria // by Blazewing //------------------------------// I woke up earlier than usual the next morning, getting ready to head to Canterlot. By 8:45, I was showered, had had breakfast, and was fully arrayed in my ‘council clothes’. It had been a while since I’d worn my fancier outfit, but it seemed to fit a bit more loosely than usual. I might need to see Rarity about having it tailored. Still, I was finally planning to weigh myself tonight, to see just how well I’d done these past two months. At 9 o’clock, on the dot, there came a knock at the door. I opened it up to find a solemn-faced pegasus guard standing before me. Beyond him, I could see a one-seater carriage, and another pegasus hitched up to it, as stoic as a statue. “Good morning, Councilstallion,” said the guard. “Are you prepared?” “Yes, thanks,” I said. With my gem-topped walking stick in hand, I closed and locked the door behind me, and followed the guard to the carriage. While he hitched himself back up in front, I sat down inside, took off my hat, tucked it under my feet with my cane, and kept a firm grip on the sides. “Ready, sir?” called the guard. Swallowing hard, I said, “Ready when you are.” To my great surprise, however, instead of taking off into the sky, the guards simply started off at a brisk trot. I blinked, unable to understand what was going on. “Umm, excuse me?” I piped up. “Aren’t we flying to Canterlot?” “There’s no need,” said the first guard. “There is no urgency in your conveyance. The ground trail shall suffice.” “Oh,” I said. “Well, all right, then.” I could hardly believe this. I hadn’t even considered the possibility of going on foot, er, hoof to Canterlot. But then, why send pegasus guards if we were going by land? Or maybe perhaps they’d flown here themselves, and were returning back on hoof? Ah well, whatever the reason, who was I to look a gift horse in the mouth. I didn’t have to travel by air this time, and that was good enough for me. For now, I just sat back and enjoyed the scenic view of my surroundings as the guards went along, hoping I didn’t look haughty or pompous to passersby. As time passed, I was beginning to get tired of the silence, so I decided to break it. “So, uh, royal guards, huh?” I asked. “How’d you join up?” Neither of them responded. “Does it pay well?” I tried again. “I’d imagine so. I mean, protecting the princesses of your country isn’t a small thing, after all.” Still nothing. “Err...either of you bowl?” “My brother does,” said the second guard. Finally! A response! “Really?” I asked. “Interesting! You know, we’ve got a bowling team here in Ponyville. Well, two, actually. All-stallions and all-mares.” “That's nice,” said the guard. And the silence returned with a vengeance. I sighed. “This is gonna be a long trip,” I muttered to myself. *** After what felt like an age and a half, broken up by sporadic attempts at conversation, I finally arrived. I thanked the guards, and made my way into the castle. As good as it was not to travel by air again, I really needed to stretch my legs after that. Minister Ironmane was waiting outside the council room again by the time I got there. I wasn’t sure if it was me, but he looked slightly younger than when I’d last seen him. His face seemed less lined and stern, although he still looked prim and stoic. He looked up at the sound of my feet, and his muzzle curled into the merest of smiles. “Good morning, David,” he said, crisply. “Good morning, sir,” I said. “I hope you enjoyed your vacation.” “Quite well, thank you,” said Ironmane. “Step on inside. The rest of the council has already assembled, and we’re just waiting on the acting princess.” I nodded and did as I was bid. When I stepped inside, I saw that, indeed, all of my fellow councilmembers were already seated around the table. There was, however, a new pony this time around. He was a sharp-dressed stallion whom I thought I’d seen before, but couldn’t place where at the moment. He smiled at me, and I smiled back before taking my usual seat. “Hello, everyone,” I said. “I hope you’re all doing all right.” The rest of the council nodded and gave various replies of friendly assent. “We’re just eagerly anticipating the start of spring, dear boy,” said Apollo. “A new season brings new beginnings, after all. The sunshine and flower-perfumed air washes away the chill and frost of the winter before, and while we do not simply cast aside the memories made in that time, we look ever forward to making new ones now.” “Oh, my, I quite like that,” said Rolling Stone, with interest. “There’s a poem in that, I feel.” “Eh, seasons don’t do much to change my day-to-day life,” said Sure Shot, carelessly. “The sun rises, the sun sets, maybe it’s a little nippy, maybe it’s a little hot, that’s all there is to it for me.” “Maybe, but you don’t have to worry about getting the weather prepared,” quipped Eagle Eye. “I’ve been pulled off Stormwing duty to pitch in for spring prep, and it’s not as easy as you might think.” “I never said it was,” said Sure Shot, still in that same careless tone. “I’ve read Neely’s book, so I know what you pegasi gotta put up with.” “You flatter me, Sure Shot,” said Cornelius, “but no matter how extensive the research or expressive the writing, I could never fully explain the wonderful way pegasus magic works, mere donkey that I am.” “Oh, I dunno,” said Eagle Eye, smirking at the old donkey. “You did a pretty good job, I’d say.” Cornelius bowed his head in appreciation of this compliment. “How’s the Lounge doing?” I asked Brutus. “Business still good?” “Better than good, kid,” said Brutus, grinning. “No shortage of customers, and the gems keep on a’comin’! I don’t know how that Sparkler Hooves does it.” “I’ve been wondering, though,” said Rock Solid. “How did you manage to hire a Diamond Dog on the wait staff?” “Oh, there’s more than one, actually,” said Brutus, “and they’re not all bad. It’s just bad luck that the ones discovered for research were territorial and aggressive. Give them a fair supply of gems to keep, and they’re as loyal as house dogs.” At that moment, there was a loud clearing of the throat, and the babble of talk broke off at once. Ironmane had entered, followed by none other than Princess Celestia, her mane and tail as freely flowing as ever. Everyone bowed in their seats, and I did the same. As she looked around at us all, she caught my eye and gave me a kind, motherly smile. I smiled bashfully back, as she and Ironmane took their seats. “I want to thank you all for coming,” said Ironmane, “especially you, Your Highness. We are immensely grateful that you can spare some time for the council.” “The pleasure is all mine, Minister Ironmane,” said Celestia, inclining her head graciously. “I have several important announcements to make,” Ironmane went on, “and it was imperative for all of you to be in attendance. I shall try to be brief, however, as I realize many of you have preparations to make for the end of winter and beginning of spring.” I looked askance at Eagle Eye, since she’d been talking about just such a thing, and she winked at me. Ironmane cleared his throat again, and continued, “First of all, I wish to speak about a very important change that is to take place. My wife and I had been thinking on it for some time, ever since recent events, and in the end, we have come to a mutual decision. We, the two of us, have decided to relocate to the Crystal Empire.” The force of this sudden revelation hit me like a sack of Legos to the side of the head. I sat there, mouth agape, disbelief stamped all over my face. Ironmane leaving Canterlot? Ironmane going to live in the Crystal Empire?  Did this mean we wouldn’t see each other anymore, or at least as often as in the past? Part of me was grateful for it, but another part of me felt saddened. Ironmane and I had gotten off to a rocky start, sure, but as he’d come to accept me as a fellow council member, I’d come to respect him as well. What was I supposed to feel? What could I even say to something like this? I wasn’t the only one taken aback. Everywhere, looks of surprise and shock were imprinted on every countenance except Ironmane’s, Celestia’s, and that of the newcomer, who had as yet not said a word. “It’s quite a bit to take in, I know,” said Princess Celestia, “but do not be dismayed or discouraged. Ironmane shall still act in his present capacity as the Equestrian Minister of Foreign Affairs. In addition, he has humbly accepted the position of representative to the Crystal Empire.” She nodded to one of the empty chairs, the ones so coated with dust that they might have been mistaken for being painted white. The hush that filled the room seemed to tauten like a pulled rope. “I would like to add,” Celestia went on, in a kinder tone, turning to Ironmane, “that I am deeply grateful for everything you have done as a part of the royal court, Ironmane. You may no longer be living in Canterlot, but you shall ever be one of my most faithful councilstallions and dearest friends. I shall miss having you by my side.” She laid a hoof on his. Gently, he raised it and kissed it. “Thank you, Your Highness,” he said, “and for my part, I am forever grateful to serve and protect a pony such as yourself, wherever I may be.” There was silence at first, but then, a warm feeling spreading through me, I started clapping. Everyone looked at me, and I felt awkward being the only one doing it, but I wasn’t destined to do it alone. Cornelius started clapping next, then Apollo, then Eagle Eye, until everyone was applauding. Ironmane bowed his head in token of this. “Thank you, everypony,” he said. “Even though this isn’t goodbye as far as my part in the council is concerned, I greatly appreciate your kindness.” He cleared his throat again, and went on, “As I am taking on this position, in my stead as the Canterlot representative of the Council, Princess Celestia and I have chosen another candidate, one who has always had the best interests of Canterlot society at heart. For those unacquainted, I have great pleasure in introducing to you, Fancy Pants.” Now I knew where I’d seen that stallion before! I’d seen him on my very first day in Canterlot! He was one of Rarity’s acquaintances, a stallion with a lot of clout in Canterlot society. I supposed it made sense for somepony like him to represent the city. Upon being introduced, Fancy Pants nodded to everypony assembled as we applauded (in spite of my perplexity and surprise), and said, “Thank you, everypony. When I was first approached on this matter, I was quite astonished. However, I have never been one to question the wisdom and judgement of the princesses, so I humbly accepted the position. I only hope that what I have to offer will be equal to what Minister Ironmane has given to Canterlot.” More applause followed this. I quite liked his way of speaking; aristocratic, yet friendly, kind of like Apollo, except less flowery. “We’re quite sure you’ll do spectacularly, Fancy Pants,” said Ironmane, and Celestia nodded. “And now that those larger announcements have been made, I’m afraid there are a few more trifling points to discuss. For instance, Apollo, what is the status on the reconstruction efforts in Griffonstone?” Apollo sighed wearily. “I’ve sent letters goodness knows how many times, telling the Griffonstonians that I will be more than willing to donate funds for the benefit of the city. They’re eager to accept bits, of course, but I never see them put them to any practical use. They just like possessing the gold rather than using it for what it was intended for. Take the library, for example…” *** The rest of the meeting was devoted to discussions of this kind, interesting in their own capacities, but not as much as the news of Ironmane moving or Fancy Pants representing Canterlot. It was fascinating to hear about what was going on outside of the comfortable zone of society I’d been a part of for so long, without venturing far from it. Griffons in Griffonstone, capital of the Griffon Kingdom, were apparently not using the money donated to them for what sounded like much-needed renovations. They were instead keeping it for the sake of having it, hoarding it with the greed of dragons. Apollo, philanthropic as he was, wished to see his efforts come to fruition eventually, but there seemed little hope, in spite of the Griffellow family’s influence. There had been some trouble in Sure Shot’s quarter of Manehattan. Besides being an ambassador, he served as a sort of peacekeeper. Lately, there had been contention between some salt runners and the more high-scale ponies in his neck of the woods, and he was trying to ensure that they didn’t come to blows with each other. Salt was a risky indulgence to sell in large quantities these days, it seemed. Brutus, meanwhile, claimed that there were still dragons who were not entirely enthusiastic about peace between them and pony kind, particularly among the younger generation. However, he felt confident that, if Dragon Lord Torch was on board with it, they would come around to his way of thinking. After all, no dragon dared to contradict the Dragon Lord right in front of him. Announcements and reports of this sort continued. I had nothing major to contribute, and I wasn’t prevailed upon to say anything, so I merely listened, eyes and ears wide open. At last, after Ironmane stated that he and Princess Celestia were making arrangements to elect a new inspector for the upcoming Equestria Games, the meeting was adjourned. The rest of the council got up, and individually came up to Ironmane to shake him by the hoof and congratulate him on his recent accomplishment. I lagged behind, as did Princess Celestia and Fancy Pants, though I still had attention and manners enough to bid my fellow members farewell as they did so to me. Fancy Pants approached me. “What a stroke of luck running into you again, old fellow!” he said, jovially. “Seems we’re to be fellow councilstallions, eh?” “Heh, yeah, I suppose so,” I said. “It’s good to see you again, too.” We exchanged a friendly hand/hoofshake. And then, as a sudden recollection struck me, one that had come to me upon recognizing Fancy Pants, I asked, “Do you know a Miss Spoiled Rich of Ponyville, Fancy Pants?” “Ahh, yes,” said Fancy Pants. “She’s a remarkable woman: plenty of connections, tons of money, successful husband, endearing daughter. She’s a mare you’d be sorry not to know, my boy.” “Er, right.” I didn’t think I ought to contradict Fancy Pants on this. He was probably more acquainted with Mrs. Rich’s better nature, so it wasn’t my place to tell him my thoughts on her. “Well, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, David, I’m afraid I have another appointment to attend to,” said Fancy Pants, as he magically lifted up a gold watch from his suit pocket and glanced at it. “Oh, of course,” I said. “I won’t keep you. Have a good day.” “And you, my fine fellow,” said Fancy Pants. “Minister, Your Highness.” He bowed to the last two named, then left the council room, leaving me alone with Ironmane and Celestia. At last, I approached them, while I tried to find the proper words this circumstance merited. It also didn’t help that both were looking right at me, making me feel quite awkward. “Minister, I...I hardly know what to say. Congratulations!” “Thank you, David,” said Ironmane. “The idea first formed itself when I visited the Empire for the first time, and when I brought my wife on vacation to it, the rest was history. Everything has been properly arranged, thanks to Their Highnesses.” Celestia nodded with a smile. “Does this mean you won’t be delivering my stipend in person anymore?” I asked, more regretfully than hopefully. Ironmane smirked. “What’s this?” he asked. “You don’t mean to say you miss me intruding upon your mornings, do you? I would think my letters and homework were already bad enough.” Flummoxed, I was about to protest, but he stayed me with a hoof. “I was only joking,” he said. “Unfortunately, David, I don’t think the commute this time would be quite as easy to manage every week. I realize the guards may have proved tiresome with their lack of sociability, but I have already made arrangements for a subordinate of mine to deliver your dues in my place. You’ll meet him next Sunday, and I have faith you two will get along quite well.” “I certainly hope so, sir,” I said, smiling, then added, soberly, “I know, like you said, this isn’t goodbye from the council for you, but I do want you to know that I’m grateful to you for what you’ve done for me, in spite of any instances I may have given you a hard time. I know I can’t have made your job any easier.” Ironmane chuckled, his face softening slightly. “I didn’t help matters either, David, believe me. It’s part of my duties to ensure that any creatures not native to Equestria are in no position to do harm to the crowns, and perhaps I was a touch overzealous on that score with regards to you. However, you’ve shown me that you are a kind-hearted, trustworthy young man, eager to assist where you can, a far cry from what I’d come to believe the human race to be like. I only ask that you continue to do your part for the council, and never lose that spirit of yours.” He held out his hoof. As I took it in my hand, I was surprised to find that I was feeling choked up. My throat felt constricted, and my eyes started feeling wet. I tried my best to keep them back, and croaked out, ‘Thank you, sir’, as I shook his hoof firmly. And with that, and a bow to Celestia, he took his leave, his cape billowing behind him. Now only Celestia remained with me, as she looked at me with a kind, almost sad expression, while the feeling in my throat and eyes still lingered. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but didn’t. Instead, she rested her hoof on my shoulder. In that gesture, it felt like she was saying she knew what I was feeling, and that everything was going to be all right. After all, wasn’t she the one who was losing the most by having Ironmane leave Canterlot? He’d been a devoted member of her cabinet for years, and now he was leaving. My throat loosened, though my eyes still stung a bit. I looked up into Celestia’s, and, placing my hand on her hoof, gave her a grateful smile. She smiled back, and the two of us left the council room together, the princess to return to her royal duties, and I to return to the carriage, and the slow ride back home. *** The bombshells dropped at that meeting kept my mind preoccupied on the way home, and even after returning to my house, I still felt lost in bewildered thought. Ironmane was leaving Canterlot to live in the Crystal Empire, and somepony else would be representing Canterlot in his place. I’d grown so used to how things were that to see them change so suddenly was staggering. I supposed I’d just have to wait and see what the future would look like now that this was happening. As the sun began to set, I remembered, with a jolt, that it was the last day of winter, and tomorrow was Winter Wrap Up! With more haste than was probably necessary (Twilight’s instructions had made me rather paranoid), I got my clothes for tomorrow ready, including my new vest, and set an alarm for 5:30 in the morning. I winced as I did this, but there was nothing else for it. If I wanted to help out Winter Wrap Up, I’d have to do things right. I could only hope Moonlight got enough sleep tonight, with this story project of hers keeping her occupied. At last, at long last, right before bed that night, I approached my bathroom scale. I looked at it as though it was a very bitter acquaintance. “All right, scale,” I said. “Your brethren and I have never been on very friendly terms in the past, but I’ve been sticking to this diet as darn well as I can, so please give me an answer I’ll like.” I took a deep breath, let it out, closed my eyes, and stepped on. A few seconds later, I opened them, and looked down. I stared, mouth hanging open. 203 pounds. 203. I’d started at 215. I’d lost 12 pounds! I beat my weight goal, and even went over! “WHOO-HOO!!” I crowed, my voice re-echoing around the bathroom as I danced about. “I did it! Man, wait until Lyra and Bon Bon hear about this!” This bit of great news had the effect I’d needed, of driving all thoughts about Ironmane and his announcements out of my head for the time being, and replacing it with thoughts of how great tomorrow was going to be, when I told my friends of my achievement, and we all pitched in to welcome spring. Filled with these cheerful thoughts, I settled down to bed and fell asleep. Thursday, February 28