It wasn’t till many minutes later that Celestia returned from her trip to the bathroom. She claimed that she was sidetracked with some recent development in the labs, but that was an unlikely story. Either way, by the time she came back we dove right into the paperwork again. From there, it took another couple of hours to reach for the last paper.
A wave of fatigue finally hit me as we finished up. While I was used to long nights of working -usually getting three to four hours of sleep a day- I was not used to long mornings full of politics. Who would have thought that political work is dryer than a school textbook?
Seeing that there were no longer any scrolls left on her desk, she got up and stretched her back. As one would expect, the stretch lasted pretty long. In all honesty, it made her look kind of like a cat the way she arched her back.
“Off to court then?” I asked as I looked towards her. Never once in my life had I thought I would say that with a smile on my face. Things truly are different here in the land of magical ponies.
Nodding to my question Celestia responds, “Yes, but there is still time for you to save yourself.”
I chuckle at her little joke, “Very funny. If anything, I’ll let you take the ropes and take a nap if things get boring.”
“Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Celestia comments as she opens the large double doors to her throne room. Like all the times before, the room never ceased to impress me.
The lone throne on top of its dais as a large red carpet spanned the length of the room. Pillars of marble held the gargantuan roof up, as mosaics depicting the species history lay in between them.
Sadly, unlike before there were no rays of sunlight that shattered upon impact with the colorful windows. Instead, it was replaced by the relaxing sound of rain.
Guards that were stationed all around the room stood at attention as Celestia made her way up to the throne. Lagging behind I continued to look around the room, spotting little intricacies here and there that I missed before. Like how the marble was a cracked at the base. The wear on the carpet from where the multitude of ponies trod on. Or how the roofs mural was starting to weather away.
But no matter how much I looked, and how much blemishes I found. I couldn’t find myself to call it out. It was almost as if the intricacies blended with the atmosphere, giving it a richer feeling. Whether or not that was intentional I’ll say it again. The thought and effort put into building a place like this is just remarkable.
Reaching her throne, she sits down and turns her gaze towards me, “I see you’re taking a liking in the castles a-ar-architecture,” Celestia claims seemingly stuttering with the last word. I sounded like a glitched up audio recording.
Shrugging it off as nothing I reply, “How could I not? The level of detail that someone had to put into building a place like this is unbelievable,”
“Believe it or not, I still have the same feeling every time I enter this room. It keeps my spirits up when the nobles come to court,” She replies as I look over the throne.
“So where do I sit?” I question walking up to the throne, “I doubt you would be willing to scoot over and let me sit on it as well.”
Chuckling she replies, “That would be something, a human and a mare occupying the same throne whilst ruling court.” With an amused smile she carries on, “Anyway, you’ll be seated here, right next to me.”
Pointing to a small cushion beside the throne, she gave me a warm smile. I know she didn’t mean anything by it -seeing as all their seats here in pony world are cushions on the ground- but yet is still felt a bit degrading for me. To any other human, I would have looked like the royal pet sitting on the floor next to her.
Nevertheless, beggars can’t be choosers, so I sat down without a single complaint. Within seconds of me taking my seat, Celestia motioned for the guard to let the first pony in.
What surprised me wasn’t the pony walking in, but the pony that sat down next to me. She had a gray mane and a brown coat. The one item that really stood out was the glasses that sat on her muzzle.
Before I could say anything, the mare spoke up, “I’m Quill Stroke, I’ll be the translator for this session. Celestia had informed me that I would be of great assistance to you.”
Coming out of shock, I nod my head. Celestia sure has thought of everything has she, but I couldn’t help wonder. How does she know my language? She’s not a unicorn, so she must have went around the long way, just like I have to do.
Yet even with that logic, this mare would have to be excellent at picking up languages. Since after all, I only arrived here a week ago. Did they already have the basics of my language down pat? I didn’t know if I should be shocked or worried. I think at a time like this, both are required.
Nevertheless, the pony that was let in looked like to be a local farmer. He seemed to dress up for the occasion, a nice shirt covering his barrel. Ponies must not be able to meet their ruler as often as I had once thought if this is anything to go by.
“What brings you today to court?” Celestia starts off with a nice warm and welcoming smile.
The farm pony twiddles his hooves on the red rug, clearly nervous about something, “I-I would like to request a couple bags of winter wheat seeds. The storm outside won't let anything else grow. Once it passes we won't have anything to get us back on our hooves.”
For somepony that was nervous, he sure did compose himself rather well. The more he started to talk, the more he seemed to gain confidence. Not only that but his request sounded genuine.
“Denied, you may have a hundred bits for compensation and that is all.” As she said those harsh words the guards escorted the stallion out of the throne room.
Looking over to Celestia I gave her a confused look, “Why deny him? He had a valid reason.”
“My ponies are never nervous talking to me. I easily saw through his lie. He was after the winter wheat because those seeds are worth a small fortune here.” She claimed.
“I don’t know, I would be nervous too if I had to speak with the ruler of my country,” I reply.
“Yet you were very brash when we first met. I wonder what happened there?” Celestia smiled, “Either way, what really gave it away was the fact that winter wheat would not survive the storm taking place at the moment. If that was the case, I would have a lot more farmers coming to court.”
My mind started to spin. I guess it’s good that I’m not in charge of the country. Heaven only knows what would happen if I was the leader.
Much like the paperwork, day court lasted well into the afternoon. Which was very beneficial to me seeing as I now dubbed this time of the day as my new designated nap time. In doing so, it will allow me to both stay up to help Celestia and also test late at night with Luna.
People that say they don’t have time for something, just mean that they don’t want to put in the effort to make it work. Because in reality, most things -if not everything- you can schedule around.
Wow, getting a bit cynical there. I stopped myself as Celestia wrapped up day court. The last pony to show their face was a noble requesting more bits to steer the current market towards his favor. Needless to say, he was denied and escorted out as well.
Getting up from her throne, Celestia looked towards me with an expression I was unfamiliar with. Taking my gaze off her, I follow it to the mare that was sleeping up against me.
Right, the translation pony passed out with me. I comment to myself as Celestia’s horn ignites.
Before the poor mare could even awaken she was teleported away, “Where did you send her?” I question getting up from my spot.
“That is none of your concern,” Celestia commented as she walked down the dais. A bit forceful with the response, but I think I’ll let that one slide. After all, I was not the one that had to stay awake during the whole court session.
Looking at her walk away from the empty throne, my mind hatched an idea. Walking over to the throne with her back still towards me, I move to sit down on it. I, however, was stopped by a golden aurora that floated me back to Celestia’s side.
“Ah come on! It’s not every day you can say you sat on a throne,” I commented as she let her grip on me go.
Chuckling, Celestia shook her head, “Only royalty can sit on the throne.”
“Well, I don't see your name on it,” I retort. If she was going to act childish, I would too.
“Actually, my name is on it, as well as my sisters. It was engraved on the back when the castle was made,” She states with her same smile adorning her muzzle.
I, however, roll my eyes. Walking with her passed the double doors we once again start to wander the many halls of the castle, “so what now? You got anything else planned for today?”
Beaming at my question, Celestia shakes her head, “I was thinking that we could go-” was all she was able to say before someone interrupted her.
The language the pony spoke in was once again gibberish, but nevertheless caught the attention of Celestia. Once the mare was finished talking to Celestia they both started to run off towards the lab. Whatever they were talking about must have been something pretty serious if they just up and bolted like that. Of course, I was not the one to sit idly by while others made their way to the front lines.
Letting out a large sigh, I say to nobody in particular, “Here we go again.”
By the time, I had caught up to them they were already inside the lab. Stopping by the door to catch my breath, I look over to where Celestia and the science pony stood. What they were looking at almost caused my jaw to drop.
My phone was levitating two feet off of the table. Science ponies all around were gathered in a circle taking notes. On key factor that I noticed was that none of the ponies got within a three feet radius of the device.
Eyes glued to the scene in front of me, I slowly start to walk up to the edge. It was such a bizarre feeling to see something you used almost every day, floating in front of you.
“Does your device normally do this?” Celestia questions me as she makes her way to my side.
I shake my head, “No, but I’m sure you already assumed at least that much.”
“They say that no pony can get within two feet of the device without getting shocked,”
“Oh is that all-”
“By 0.15 ‘amp’ is what you humans call it?”
I look over to Celestia with a dumbfound expression. “So, you ponies do have electricity?”
“Rudimentary in your eyes, but yes, we do have an understand of the concept,” Celestia lectures, “But what is more important right now is the fact that your device is acting up.”
“I don’t know what you expect me to do? My device has never done anything close to what it's doing right now,” I state truthfully, my eyes slowly wandering back to the phone floating in the air.
I brief moment of silence hung in the are before Celestia broke it. Sadly, it was once again in a language I had yet to grab the basics of. Nevertheless, the guard that the words were directed to quickly saluted as he ran out of the room.
Looking over to a group of science ponies she once again spoke up. This time when she was finished talking the science ponies got back to their desks in a blink of an eye.
Giving her a confused look, Celestia explains to me that she got the guard to collect River Breeze and for the Science ponies to come up with a way to transport the phone to a safer location. In truth, I was actually quite surprised that she was able to regain a level head so quickly. Another perk -no doubt- from many years of being the leader of a country.
“What does that leave left to do?” I question, my gaze still locked onto the floating phone.
“The only thing left to do is wait,” She answered slowly walking around the phone, “You do realize this is a great hoof hold for proving that you are indeed doing this on purpose.”
I looked at her like she just slapped me across the face. I got that she might be a bit suspicious, but to be enough to openly say it to my face was a real punch to the gut.
“Going back on your words?” I ask walking around the device. This way I and Celestia are across the device from each other.
“Think of it the other way around. I come to your world, claim to be innocent, then my device starts to act up.” Celestia comments still looking at the floating phone.
“I see, so you no longer believe that I’m not doing this under my free will?” I question causing Celestia to stop in her tracks. She looks at me with a serious expression.
“That is not what I’m trying to get across. I still trust you, but there are other ponies out there that will take this to strengthen their attack towards you.”
“Like your sister,”
“Like my sister exactly,” Celestia cemented as I caught up to her.
This seems to complicate things a little bit more than she realizes. Celestia doesn’t know that the two of us are actually working on a way to solve this throughout the night as well. If she is correct with her assumptions then I can only assume she will be very hostile towards me tonight when we continue our work. Hopefully, we can put it aside, but something is telling me it’s not going to be that easy.
Having nothing left to keep us in the lab, I and Celestia take our leave. The ponies we left behind, frantically jump from one lab bench to the other attempting to solve the problem of transporting the device.
As we walk down the halls of the castle, Celestia breaks the silence that has grown between us, “I suggest that we retire for the night, River Breeze shall be here tomorrow morning.”
Nodding my head, I question, “So am I going to be sleeping in your chambers again?”
Celestia chuckles, “I think the integration plan has been thrown out of the window. I’ll take you to the guest room.”
“My own room? Wow, that's a first,” I retort with a bit of sarcasm.
“With that kind of attitude, I guess you won’t mind sleeping in the halls?” She states with a sly smile.
Not wanting to push this joke any further I just give it to her straight, “Do whatever you want, but remember I’m not your citizen. While I do have to obey laws, I don’t have to obey you directly.”
Her smirk disappears, “I guess now is not the time for jokes.”
“And you would be right in that assumption. If you don’t want me to die and not risk the lives of anyone longer than is needed, I suggest we utilize our time effectively.” I know I was laying it down hard, but with the mess happening outside, it’s only a matter of time before something truly horrible happens.
Nodding her head in response, we quickly come across the guest room that she was talking about. Saying her farewell's and wishing me a goodnight she goes her separate way.
Entering the room, I come to see what I expected to see in a guest room in a castle. The bed was huge even for a human, the floor was tiled like Celestia’s and the same dresser and desk lay in their respective places.
Every wall was decorated to the nines, pictures of ponies to decorated ornaments dotted the stone chiseled walls. The window that the desk sat behind was open letting the room air out.
Since the room was on the other side of the castle the rain didn’t enter the window but instead blew passed it. Walking over to the window I look out to once again see the city below. It reminded me of my apartment in the city.
I would look down at the sprawling city, cars rushing by, people running through the streets. It was almost like I was there right now. Even the window that I rested my head upon…
My mind started to tick as it started to pull the information together. My head was resting on a glass plane, I was indeed watching cars roam the streets bellow as well as other people. Turning around I come to find myself back in my apartment in the city. It, however, was completely different. My stuff was all gone replaced by someone else's.
Funny how something so normal looked so surreal to me. I was so used to the prospect of living in the castle that I started to forget just how advanced humanity really is.
Nevertheless, that was not the problem, what was the problem is the fact that I’m now in someone else’s apartment. The time skips were defiantly years, and they no doubt kicked me out seeing as I never came back.
Thankfully, nobody was home so leaving was as easy as opening the door and walking into the hallway. At this point, I was safe as far as I could tell, but that didn’t stop my mind from going crazy. Every thought from: how the hell did I teleport without the effects of the spell? to what am I going to do now? Raced through my mind.
Using my memory, I find myself navigating the hallways towards the elevator. A strong feeling of nostalgia wrecked my body. I was just getting over the fact that I might not be able to return to the simple ways of life yet here I am in the blink of an eye.
Yet, this experience of coming back to a place that held so many memories only seemed to push salt into my wounds. The homesickness I felt this morning when I looked out upon Canterlot came back as I looked around the hall.
All the times I and my friends walked this same route. The mundane laughter, crying, and excitement that each one held. I soon found my eyes watering by the time I reached the elevator because I knew that I would be forced back to Equestria.
A little part of me wanted to believe that I would come back here, but my mind knew what was likely to happen. The times between jumps were extending exponentially. First, it was a couple of hours, now days, next months then years.
Could I really go on leaving like this? Always having a constant reminder of the thing that I will eventually have to give up? Or will Celestia pull through and find a way to cement me in one place?
In all honesty, I didn’t know what to think anymore. My jumps seemed -at least to me- random. For all I know I could be stuck back here on earth.
A small ding chimed as the elevator doors opened to reveal the lobby of the building. People all around wandered about talking to one and another. Everything was so normal, it brought both a smile to my face and a pained jab to my heart.
Walking over to the entrance of the building, I took one last look around before I headed out into the busy streets. The rain was coming down here as well, although in a normal way. Positioned under the awning of the apartment complex I looked out onto the streets. The sound of cars rushing past as they spray water behind them. The random tapping of rain against the awnings cloth.
Wait that seemed a bit odd, random… tapping?
“Ken?” Came a voice beside me bringing me out of my stupor.
Looking next to me I come to see someone I really wish I didn’t, Shawn my best friend.