//------------------------------// // Chapter XIV: Mountain Air // Story: For His Majesty // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// Several days went by and Fancy Pants did his best to return to his work as an art patron. As per usual, he started his mornings looking at the submission letters from several artists from painters to tailors that promised to be the next big thing. In the afternoons with his bodyguard by his side, he would head out to the streets of Canterlot to go to wherever the elite was on that day to get in a good word to them about this or that pony’s latest creation. This would include going to parties, fashion shows, art exhibitions, film festivals, or simply dropping by for tea in order to round up subscribers on behalf of that artist that day. By dinner time, if he were invited to dine at this or that place, he would go because it would mean that they wanted to pitch somepony that could have more of a cultural impact and a free meal. Then when evening comes around he would rest at home, sorting out his schedule for the next day. On a Tuesday evening, he found himself invited over for dinner with his ever decadent friend, Hoity Toity. Yet, even with the delicious Prench cuisine, the old unicorn’s mind was distracted as his fashion critic of a friend yapped on about what he saw in Las Pegasus. He was thinking about what he was planning to do with Blueblood the next day. He wanted to do something with his coltfriend that would give them some excuse to get out of Canterlot. Maybe they could go towards Ponyville to have a picnic? Or perhaps go see a Bridleway show in Manehattan or Las Pegasus? Come to think of it, how much time does a Prince have for free time? “Equestria to Fancy, is anypony there?” The white unicorn blinked, his friend’s voice was the one that snapped him out of his thoughts that he suddenly realized he had no idea what he was talking about. “Huh? About what?” “I was just asking you about what did your thoughts on Coco Pommel’s new line,” Hoity clarified. “But it would seem that you were in La La Land back there.” “Oh, I’m terribly sorry,” Fancy blushed in embarrassment. “I’m just distracted today is all.” “You know what I’ve just noticed?” his bodyguard Fleur who sat across the table from him pointed out. “Is that you’ve been doing that a lot more this past couple of days.” “No, I haven’t.” The pink unicorn mare deadpanned, “You did it at the gardening party, you did it when Caesar was talking to you about getting that Modern Artist into a gallery, and you did it again when that runway was going. Clearly, something has been eating away at you.” “Although I could hazard a guess,” Hoity grinned, “Is it about that fine coltfriend of yours?” Fancy hesitated, “To a degree…” The gray Earth Pony chuckled, “Oh this I’ve got to hear.” He pushed his plate aside in order for him to prop his head with his forelegs that he let them rest on the table. “I’m all ears Sexy Pants, what’s Prince Charming like? Got the chance to nail him in bed?” “Always the subtle one, aren’t you?” the blue-maned pony said flatly. His friend gave a cocky smile as he leaned forward, both ears sticking straight up. “Don’t be shy Fancy, we’re all adults here, so don’t spare all the hot, throbbing details.” “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we’ve only have gone out on a few dates Hoity. He hasn’t made any suggestion in doing such an activity.” Hoity frowned, “Shame. I was really hoping to hear what it’s like to get royally f-” “I get it!” Fancy interjected. “You know, it’s not my nature to bed every bloke that I happen to run into.” “You’re no fun,” Hoity muttered as he raised a glass. Across the table from him, Fleur de Lis put her spoon down into her soup, “So Fancy, any ideas yet about what you and Princy are doing tomorrow?” “I haven’t fully decided as of yet,” Fancy confessed. “But I do want to get outside of Canterlot, it doesn’t matter much to me where just so long as we do something different that isn’t in the city. The problem is, of course, is where exactly to go and what to do?” Hoity grinned wickedly, “There’s always Las Pegasus,” he half sang. The unicorn was tempted to telling his friend off that doing so was rather immature, if not a little too on the head. Shaking his head, he returned to his meal in thought. He really did want this next date to be different from the previous ones. Come to think of it, a dinner and a movie date was rather cliché, even by his standards. Plus, he was in the mood for something simplistic. Something that neither he nor his Prince had done as of yet. Then, the idea hit him. “Actually,” he finally spoke, “I think I know what we’re going to do tomorrow evening.” _*_ Hours later at home, Fancy Pants didn’t feel too tired to go to bed. He sat before the piano with the curtains drawn, and the flickering candlelight that shown upon a simple piece by Tchaicoltsky. In the soft dancing light, his hooves on the keys and his eyes following the dotted lines, he half reflected over the events of the day. As far as he was aware of, he did have everything necessary done, he has a free day tomorrow with nothing to look forward to except for his Prince… His Prince… even though he had been officially made consort to Blueblood, the idea alone was still surreal to him. He could still hardly believe that he was lucky enough to be allowed anywhere near someone like him. Even what’s more amazing, he doesn’t have to go out of his way to impress him. Fancy’s mind wandered back many years ago when he had to do the exact opposite when he first met… him. Back when he first meets his first husband, he tried every trick he knew to not only to get him to notice but to make just the right impression as well. He remembered the number of times he would go to the Opera House, just to see him; the time when he played for him in this very room; or all those gifts he ended up wasting until he finally popped the question. As the Tchaicoltsky melody played out, he reflected the short time he had spent with Blueblood in which he realized that roles had been switched around. He was the one that’s trying his hardest to impress him. Not just on the dates, but for those other, simple things like the walk back to the restaurant after that photographer got away, him coming to comfort him in his nightmare, and even brought him breakfast. To Fancy, it was already made clear that the stallion did like him, but wasn’t sure if he- A knock on the door interrupted his concentration, “Yes?” he called out. “Telegram for you Mr. Pants,” said a maid’s voice from behind the door. Getting up from the piano bench, Fancy opened up the door and took the envelope from her. After thanking her, he tore it open and after unfolding it, began to read. Dear Fancy, imagine my surprise when I opened up my newspaper to see you on the front cover. Stop. I couldn’t believe my eyes that I saw you and Prince Blueblood in the picture. Stop. This has to be a fake. Stop. I don’t know what you’re trying to pull but I’m going to get to the bottom of this. Stop. That is why, as you are reading this, I’m coming straight over to Canterlot to see this for myself. Stop. Be expected to see me on Thursday morning. Stop. Signed, Mother. Stop. The unicorn frowned, “Joy, just exactly what I need.” He sighed, “But at least she won’t be here until the day after.” _*_ On the mountain side above Canterlot, there is a national park that was near the top of Mt. Avalon. It has been a place that is known for its icy lake and a stream that tumbles into the back of the city before it goes over its second, enormous waterfall. Being up so high, the park rested just under its natural tree line of spruce and ferns, and in some places of its hiking trails, it has open spaces that give way to a near bird’s eye view of the whole country. The hiking trails were made up of a series of boardwalks that connected the entire ring of the park like a web so that visitors can easily walk around the mountain in a full circle. By the time that Fancy’s bodyguard, Fleur de Lis had arrived on the mountain, it was almost an hour before sunset. She was of course early, given that the Royal Guard will be the ones who will be escorting her employer and the Prince up to the park, the unicorn came to scout for the perfect observation spots. Fleur was wearing a suit that the camouflage would perfectly blend into the bushes of the park. Fortunately, there weren’t many visitors hanging around so she didn’t get too many weird looks as she taking down note of all the hiding places to make sure both stallions would be safe. Her ears perked up when she heard a “Psst,” coming from one of the bushes. Lighting up her horn, Fleur approached the foliage with caution. “Who’s there?” she demanded before she was surprised at the head that popped out of the bush. “Princess Cadance?” “Let me guess,” the alicorn of Love inquired, “You’re here to spy on Fancy?” Fleur nodded. “So are we, now get in,” and she ducked back into the bush. Confused, the bodyguard approached the bush with caution. Parting the branches, the unicorn was taken aback that there was a sort of bunker underneath that contained not only Cadance but Princesses Celestia and Luna as well that had binoculars and telescopes. Stepping down into the dugout Fleur immediately saluted, “Your Majesties, what are all of you doing here?” “For whom do you think?” Luna asked as she looked down at a watch. “It should be almost time for them to be here.” “You mean Prince Blueblood and Mr. Pants?” “Bingo,” Cadance nodded as she picked up her pair of binoculars. “I still don’t see them yet.” Fleur, with a puzzled look still frozen on her mane, turned to the pony that she had once sworn to guard. Celestia then went on to explain the situation to her, in how the three of them had made a bet in that if one of them could make a situation so romantic froth both Fancy and Blueblood that would either kiss or confess their love would be the winner. When the Solar Princess had finished explaining it to the body guard, Cadance smirked. “I am so going to win this,” she said giddily. “Especially for what I have in mind is much more romantic then what you two had come up with.” Both alicorns looked at her and inquired what she meant. “Unlike you two, I’m sorry to say this, but you’re just going at this the wrong way. I mean, a dinner at a restaurant and a movie? Even Shining had the sense of how overdone it was.” “Give us a break,” Luna snorted, “It’s not like we had much practice in the dating field ourselves.” Fleur looked through the narrow opening that lends a view of a park bench and the west entrance to the park. She leaned towards the pink alicorn, “What did you have in mind?” “Sometimes the most romantic moments are made when they are at their simplistic,” she explained. “In this case, a lone walk through the park while the sun is setting is quite good. Besides, I’ve already sent up a guy that will get them in the proper mood.” Putting the glasses over her eyes, not only did she spot the palanquin, but the cab that drove up to the gate right behind the royal escort. “Ah, and here we go.” _*_ Fancy Pants was the first to step outside of the carriage, extending a hoof towards the inside of what he and his coltfriend had been riding in. “After you Bluey.” Another white hoof took hold as the Prince walked out of it. “Lightline Park,” Blueblood mused. “What’s the reason you brought me here?” “I was thinking of doing something simple, such as a midnight stroll.” The affluent unicorn took paused as he spotted another pony getting out of a taxi right behind them, “Though it does look like we won’t be entirely alone.” Curious, the blond Prince looked over to see who was getting out of the carriage some ways from them. It was a mare that neither pony had seen before. She was an Earth Pony who had a light orange mane and a dark golden coat. She pulled out a black violin case from the taxi before thanking the driver. The violinist swung the case unto her back and walked into the park, not without acknowledging the royal presence by bowing a little. Fancy was the first to speak, “What was that?” “You’re asking me?” Blueblood asked in confusion. “I’ve never seen that mare in my life.” “Huh…? That is rather peculiar. Seeing a violinist come to the park at this time,” he paused as he looked over at the setting sun. Shrugging, he added, “Oh well, can’t have everything I suppose. Shall we go in?” Blueblood went by his consort’s side and as they went through one of the gates, the Royal Guards took their positions to keep watch of other ponies from entering the park. Once the stallions set their hooves along the nearly endless wooden planks, they began their walk while the sun painted the clouds in an orange, pinkish glow. The pine trees they passed through cast long shadows upon the ground. Their hooves clopped underneath the wooden planks, and for a while, it was the only sound that could be heard. That was until Fancy spoke up. “So… How are you? Blueblood let out a tired sigh, “Well… I’ve got to go to my annual visit to the Moneigh Islands soon. Just to pop in to tell them that Equestria is still with them and what not.” “You sound like going over there would be a chore,” his consort raised an eyebrow. “After all, we are talking about the same Moneigh islands: tropical paradise; land of luaus; fantastic beac-” “For the tourists, yes,” the blond unicorn interrupted, “But being stately, I don’t get to experience any of that.” Fancy looked at him in disbelief, “What?” “All it is that I show up, they have a parade, I give a speech, we have dinner and then I go. That’s it. There’s no vacation time over there, and if there was, every move I would make would be on the newspaper the next day. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like paradise to me.” His consort folded his ears in sympathy. “But don’t you ever get any free time?” “Well, I’m on this date with you, am I?” “No no,” Fancy shook his head. “I mean thank you, but that’s not what I meant. I mean, don’t you ever go somewhere or do something for the sheer enjoyment of it?” Blueblood shook his head, “I was never brought up to have that. After all, I am a Prince, and if my parents had any reason to take me someplace, it was for educational purposes. For example, I remember that when I was sixteen, we were in Paris and we’ve spent the whole time going through the Louvre where they made me study the art and the historical context they had. Or when father brought me to Neighpon, he took me there to test out my Neighponiese, when I was fourteen. Even when those trips were within Equestria's borders, they took me around for the same reason. Take the time when I was nine; mother had us visit Manehattan, but take a wild guess for what reason.” Fancy thought for a moment and a wide range of theories popped into his skull. They ranged from Bridleway to the Mare of Liberty, even the names of expensive restaurants. However, when he took too long to respond back, the Prince answered for him. “The Stock Market exchange on Wall Street, I honestly wish I was making this up. When I wanted to explore Manehattan, my mom wanted me to introduce the interstices of the economy by bringing me to the chamber where stallions in suites were screaming their heads off of ‘bye’ or ‘sale’. Nine years old my Aunt’s sake!” His consort let out a low whistle. “Wow.” “You can say that again,” Blueblood muttered. By now, they reached on of the benches where it was facing directly towards the sun. “Wait, let us rest for a moment,” he sat down and so did his coltfriend. Fancy inquired: “Were your parents anywhere near as bad as mine?” to this, the younger unicorn let out a snort. “I probably had the strictest mother and father who ever lived. Ever since the day I could walk, they went straight away in teaching me how to walk regal, how to speak proper, what the rules are at the dinner table, how to count the number of servants. My parents had a schedule for me – at age five I knew every rule of manors that most adults don’t know. Between five to ten, I was taught how Equestria run. Ten to fifteen, they began teaching me probably half a dozen languages so that between the ages of fifteen to twenty I would be taught the cultures and politics of the rest of the world. The concepts of foalhood, childhood, or being a teenager was something that commoners did,” here, Blueblood chuckled. “In fact, when I was growing up, I was convinced that my parents wanted an automaton than a son.” When he didn’t hear any response from his consort, the Prince looked over to see that he had a look of pity. “Was it really that bad?” he asked. “I… I don’t think so. Please, take no offense when I say this, but at least they were neither mad nor…” he trailed off as he realized that he’d already stuck his hoof in his mouth. “Forgive me.” Fancy chuckled; his eyes looked onward at the setting, golden sun. “I know what you’re going for, and I’m not offended for it. Still, as much as I’ve talked about my parents, I was beginning to get rather curious with yours.” He leaned back on the bench. “As unusual as my upbringing was, I can’t imagine having parents in which we never get to have any fun.” “I think you’re forgetting somepony,” the Prince smirked. “At least I did have an Aunt. When I was much younger, going to visit her was always a highlight of my day. She… I don’t know, Auntie Celestia did have a way with children, especially with me. Of course, her attitude did turn since I grew up, but back than going over to see her was like Hearths Warming Eve.” “Okay, you’ve got my attention,” his consort folded one hind leg over the other. “What good stories do you have of her?” Blueblood blew into the wind, “Oh… where do I begin, where do I end?” he laughed. “You know, while my parents were grooming me to be a miniature adult, Celestia on the other hoof treated me what they would never dare to - like a child. It was really the only time that I could be able to play was with her. She had games, of course, that would drive my parents insane. Simple ones like when we are having dinner with her, she and I would take one thing off the table at a time until my parents noticed that their meal was under the table. And my parents would hate her for encouraging me.” Fancy hummed, “You know, if I were in your horseshoes, I probably try to run away and live with her.” “I actually tried that once. Come to think of it, I believe I was… I want to say twelve when I snuck out of the house with a saddlebag of everything I held value and tried to make a mad dash for the castle. At the time, I remembered that I didn’t want to go another long, boring opera that they were planning on taking me to and I had no say in the matter. So sick I was feeling that I was overall ignored that I decided to run away and head straight to the one pony that would listen to me, my Auntie. “Needless to say, I did end up getting caught…” Here, Blueblood fell silent as the trees surrounding them. “They were so mad when I returned home. So angry that I think you could classify it as a conniption. I remember that the first thing either of them did was to take my saddlebag, slam it on the marble floor until my things were reduced to bits and pieces before handling it over to a servant to be thrown away. I think that it was father who did that. And mother…” he trailed off. He felt a hoof on his own. “What happened?” the older unicorn asked softly. “Just like your ex… she slapped me. Hard. Of course, I was disciplined before… only not like that. It was the only time she ever did that, mind you. But still, it hurt. After she yelled at me some more, she had me sent to my room. I think I spend the rest of the night crying. Auntie Celestia was never told about what happened that night. I don’t think she ever knew.” “I can relate,” Fancy sighed. “As for me, whenever mother drank, her personality would flip so fast that nopony, not me, my siblings or any of her husbands could ever catch on. While Mum never once hit me, she had a way in which she could destroy your self-esteem in a matter of seconds after she had a couple of glasses of wine in her. Literally. When she’s sober, Mum would be the kind of mare that you want to invite over because of how entertaining she is. But a few red wines later, she would go straight to your weak point, and using only her words would tear you into pieces. The worst part is that her arguments are concrete, you could not present a counterargument, even if you tried. She could have a debate with the creator herself and my mother would still win.” Blueblood shook his head, “I can’t imagine what kind of mare that would be like if I ran into her.” “Chances are, you just might,” the Prince blinked and asked what he meant. “She is coming tomorrow morning. Something about trying to see if we are really are an item. Although, just be glad it’s her and not father,” he shuttered. “That alone would end badly.” Both stallions fell silent. Blueblood, after checking to see that they were, indeed, alone, leaned up against his consort as they watched the dying light of the sun sink below the horizon. Little by little, the land before them grew darker with shadows from mountains, hills and distant cities cast their silhouettes like giants. They watched the sky turned from red to orange, to dark violet as the sun sunk lower before tiny lights above were being lit. For the longest time, neither stallion had any idea what to say or where to begin. That was until the Prince broke the stillness. “Can I ask you a personal question?” Fancy told him to go ahead. “How did your parents react when they found out that you preferred stallions?” His consort sighed, “Well… when I was nineteen, I first told father first of my little secret. At the time, he was in another lunatic asylum, but even when he was in that straight jacket, he accepted me right away – saying that he wanted to give me a hug if it weren’t for the sleeves that he was tied up in. Mum on the other hoof, I told about a year later. She was pretty angry at me, but not for the reason you’re thinking of.” Blueblood tilted his head. “Oh?” “She was furious at me because she told me that she just lost a bet to one of her friends.” He chuckled with a hint of embarrassment, “I later found out that the bet started when I was thirteen that her friend noticed that I preferred to be with colts over fillies and that I never had any interest in them. Mother placed a ridiculous amount of bits that I was straight but too bad that she ended up losing.” “What happened after that?” He shrugged, “Nothing much really. Things went back to normal, except now, they know that I’m gay. From there, I started to socialize more when at that point I was living on my own.” Fancy paused and looked over to the young Prince. “Though I assume you never once told yours?” Blueblood shook his head, “Believe it or not when they’ve died a couple years ago… or at least, on the day that I heard the news, I felt liberated. I know it sounds completely wrong, but when I heard that they’ve died, it was like I could breathe finally. So no, they went to their graves not ever knowing. How could I tell them anyway? They had such high expectations out of me; they wanted to see me as the perfect prince. In fact, if they’re still alive, they would have forced me to marry some mare by now. If they knew I’m gay…” he trailed off, an icy shiver went down his spine. “I don’t know what would happen.” The blond unicorn smiled at him while the moon slowly rose with its blue light. “You don’t know how lucky I am that I’m able to go on a date with somepony like yourself.” Fancy laughed again, “How do you think I feel? I couldn’t believe my luck on some days.” Before Blueblood could respond, both he and his consort’s ears perked up as they heard the humming of a violin in the distance. While they couldn’t see where it was coming from, they already made the assumption of who it might be. After shrugging, the return watching Luna’s sky being painting over their heads. “Horseshoepin,” the blue mustached pony hummed. “Nocturne in C-Sharp minor too… Perfect music on a night like this one.” “Do you think you could play that?” “I can,” Fancy mused. “You know, if it wasn’t for my stage fright for the piano, I probably had been playing at concert halls as my father had. He taught me how to play you know.” “No, I didn’t know.” “Oh… Well, I guess it’s a sort of dream I’ve always had. Almost like a fantasy in a way, to be up there playing while the orchestra is right there.” “Now I’m curious,” Blueblood adjusted himself. “Why don’t you? I mean, I understand the stage fright aspect, but I’ve heard you play before and you’re quite exquisite at what you do.” Fancy shook his head, “If only I could, but then I would hear my mother’s voice to remind me that I wouldn’t live up to what dad could do. Sure, he was crazy. But when you place him in front of a keyboard… I don’t know how he does it, but I’ve seen and heard him play so brilliantly that he could move anypony to tears. Perhaps, it’s because of his insanity that he was able to do something that I know I couldn’t.” “I disagree,” the Prince lifted his hoof over to the other unicorn’s face. Making him turn to look at him, “After all, it was what lured me over to you.” For a long moment, as the distant violin played on, neither stallion said a word. But Fancy, in the forelegs of a prince, felt his heart pick up the tempo in his chest. Their faces slowly drew closer, “I’m flattered… Your Majesty, I thank you for making this old gent feel wanted.” “No. I should be thanking you, for giving me something that I thought would never happen.” Inside Fancy Pant’s head, a little voice was screaming in sheer joy, for he knew what was about to come. “Oh? And that would be?” “This,” the Prince closed his eyes and leaned forward. His consort too closed his eyes and began to lean closer eagerly. This was it, the moment that he now wanted. He was about to– “Mr. Pants!” a mare’s voice shouted, thus shattering the moment. Fancy wasn’t sure if the scream of disappointment was coming from his head or from someplace else, but he turned to look to see who was galloping along the boardwalk. This turned out to be his maid who was completely out of breath. Both stallions quickly parted away on the bench. “Ms. Duster?” the wealthy stallion coughed awkwardly into his hoof. “What are you doing here on this fine-” “Somepony has broken into the house!” she cried. “What!” Fancy stood up, a thousand question rapidly popped into his head like popcorn. “What happened? Is anypony hurt, stolen?” “The guards tried to… fight him off,” she said, trying to get her breath back. “But he just got through the… the kitchen window… He’s still there… but he’s hurt… several guards… And he… refuses to leave… without seeing you…” “Oh Celestia,” the older unicorn moaned before turning to his date. “I’m really sorry Bluely, but this is clearly an emergency.” “I’ll come too,” Blueblood stood up. “I don’t want you to be in danger.” Fancy gave a mocking snort, “Please, I’ve grown up with my mother…” he said before the three of them started galloping away. Unbeknownst to them, Fleur slipped out of a bush, leaving behind her the muffled sounds of Princess Cadance screaming every profane word and phrase known to ponykind. _*_ By the time that Fancy and Blueblood arrived at the blue mansion, they found not only was there a line of police surrounding his home with lines of yellow tape – but also a good chunk of both branches of the Royal Guard were there too with crossbows, teargas grenades, spears, and shields as if they were laying siege upon the house. “Oh dear,” the older unicorn said as he and his coltfriend stepped out of the palanquin. “This is much more serious than I thought.” “Your Highness,” a Solar Guard came up to them and saluted. “I highly suggest that you and your consort should be relocated to someplace else. There’s a dangerous pony in there.” “What happened?” Blueblood asked. “Since the intruder came, he was able to take out all of the guards that were safeguarding thee mansion with nothing more than a few pills and a straw. He’s been in the kitchen since he broke in and has been demanding for Fancy Pants to come to see him.” The older unicorn didn’t say anything while his coltfriend took noticed that there was a look of dread on his face. “Is he still in there?” “Yes, sir. Do you know him?” “I don’t know,” Fancy told him before he went under the police line and headed towards the front door. “Fancy wait!” Blueblood went after him. He followed his consort through the doors in which he saw him lifting a hardwood walking stick in his aura. “Stay behind me,” the blue-maned unicorn ordered as he walked towards the kitchen. However, as soon as they got into the dining room, the doors to the kitchen were pushed open as a stallion came through, holding a chocolate covered cake in his magic. The stallion was much older than Fancy was, by the wrinkles around his blue eyes. His mane was mostly black but had streaks of silver. The coat was white and had an image of a grand piano on his flank. As soon as the older unicorn saw who was in the dining room, he smiled warmly. “Fancy!” he said in a respectable Trottingham accent. “Long time no see!” he ended with a smile. Blueblood saw all the color from his consort’s mane drain out of him as he looked at the third unicorn in terror. “Dad...?” Fancy held onto the walking stick tighter.