//------------------------------// // Entry 3 - Canterlot Castle // Story: My Adventures in Equestria // by Lotus Moon //------------------------------// Dear Azure, I honestly have no clue how to really start this. Well I guess I kinda do. Ok I haven't written since the day before last because so much has happened! First I wake up in a land called Equestria which is consistent of magical, pastel colored, talking ponies. Second I meet the rulers of this land, Princesses Celestia and Luna. Apparently, they hold domain over the sun and moon...as evidenced by the strange marks on their rumps...which I later was told are called Cutie Marks. I was also told that ponies earn their Cutie Marks when they discover their special talents, which is amazing to me. I mean to figure out what your special talent is and have it be something you absolutely love, it's like a dream. Unlike back home where you have to be whatever other want you to be. If I were a pony, I think my Cutie Mark would be in writing because I love it so much. But in reality, I definitely wouldn't have the chance to do what I want. Mom wanted me to be a doctor like her. Dad wanted me to be a tech tycoon like him. Noble professions and all, but when I say I want to be a writer, they get all dramatic and brush me off...then compare me to my older sister! Saying it'll get me nowhere then I'll run off with some boy and become some airhead pin up model or whatever she is. I mean, I know they love me, but all their nagging says otherwise. Anyway, back to my time in Equestria. So since I left the hospital, I've been staying in the capital land known as Canterlot. It was a little awkward getting here. I kinda thought maybe one of the Princesses would carry me on their backs, but that seemed kinda foolish. So I got to ride in Celestia's golden chariot. It was pulled by two snow white Pegasus guards in golden armor...and lacked seatbelts, so I pretty much clung to Celestia's leg the whole time. But she didn't mind. She wrapped her large right wing around me and told me everything would be just fine. Luna's chariot, on the other hand, was a darker blue and was being pulled by...what I can only describe as Bat Ponies, clad in midnight blue armor. It was then that I realized that since Celestia and Luna are rulers of the Sun and Moon, it would make sense to have their own personal guards to represent the two elements as well. Getting to the capital was a smooth ride, and when I got there, I was met with strange looks while being taken to what is now my room. I pretty much expected it since I'm guessing ponies have never seen a human before let alone would know what one was. Princess Celestia assigned a really shy and kind female Unicorn to care for me. Her name is Sparkle Dust, a very cute name. She was about around the height of my thigh with a light grey coat, gentle amber eyes and the matching color of chalky grayish black for her mane and tail. Sparkle sometimes spent little breaks with me and we would just chat for so long, time passed quicker than expected. There were times she got scolded for neglecting her duties, which makes me feel bad. I think I hear her now. Better switch over to the camera. I'm still surprised Princess Celestia let me keep it, despite Princess Luna almost destroying it. The beeping to tell me to empty the memory card startled her and I learned first hand just how frightfully powerful Alicorn magic is. through the camera Sparkle Dust's hooves echoed in the corridor as she made her way to my room. Her white magical aura turned the knob to my room as she entered; levitating behind her was a fresh stack of towel for my bathroom. She bowed politely to greet me before tending to her responsibilities. "How are you liking your time in Canterlot, Lady Lotus?" She asked me. "Sparkle, you know you don't have to be so formal with me. We're friends after all. So with us, it's just Lotus" I smiled. "Oh...right,. I'm sorry" She nervously gathered the used towels. When she got nervous like this, chances are that she’d gotten into some kind of trouble. "Everything ok?" "Yes...it's just..." Her ears fell flat against her head. "Did something happen? Was it because of me?" "Huh?! Oh no no, it wasn't you. I-I just messed up a bit in the garden. The head maid wasn't too happy about it. I'm such a klutz." "Oh Sparkle," I go over to her and hold her front hooves in my hand "You're not a klutz, you just get nervous easily. YYou want to do a good job and impress everyone...but then your doubt gets the better of you, causing you make mistakes. It happens to everyone." "But it happens to me far too often. If this continues, I'm sure to lose my job" Her eyes started to tear up and I pulled her into a tight hug, her small body against mine was awkward for our first hug, but I was careful not to smother her in my chest or get poked by her horn. "Wh-What are you doing?" "Sparkle, listen to me carefully. Everyone makes mistakes. But it's what you learn from those mistakes that counts. Even I've made mistakes." "You, Lotus? How could you have made mistakes?" "If you saw my home life, you would see how easy it is. My parents pretty much pressured me to be like them instead of myself...and of course when I tried doing things their way, it pretty much always blew up in my face. Thankfully it was when I discovered who I really wanted to be that all the mistakes began to stop. Unfortunately my parents thought; what I wanted to do with my life was the biggest mistake. As much as they loved me, their pride blinded them...but I know that underneath everything they could be happy I've found my path in life" I smile down at her and wipe the tears from her eyes "So even with your mistakes, I know you won't lose your job here. Because you can and will learn from them." She stared up at me with a mix of awe and relief. It was then that her smile returned and she giggled as I placed a soft kiss on her nose. "Since you're here, how about I help you with your chores?" I suggested. "Oh no, I couldn't have you do that. You're a special guest of the Princesses. If they found out..." "Then I'll say it was my idea. I don't mind helping out. Cleaning a whole castle can't be an easy task even if you do have wings or magic." "I don't know. I don't want to get you in any trouble." "Neither of us will get in trouble. And like I said, if we do, I'll take the heat." I winked. After a little more convincing, Sparkle let me help her. Of course starting with my room, we replaced the towels in the bathroom, changed the bedsheets, fluffed the pillows, tidied up the room, before drawing the curtains back. Afterwards we left to move on to the next room...but then I remembered, three rooms down, to come back and turn off the camera.