“This is gonna be so cool,” Ruby gushed taking a seat next to me on the train station bench, “an adventure with the princess! Can you believe this is even happening, Sapphire?” Ruby questioned looking over to where her sister sat.
Her response was a simple grunt as she pushed her muzzle deep into her brochure. Now while I couldn’t understand a lick of what the text said, I could interpret pictures. With a lowly palm tree swaying in the wind on the cover, golden sand beaches on the back and ponies dancing around a fire inside; I assumed she was reading up on the western isles. I mean where else could that be right?
When Ruby got no answers from her sister she huffed and turned towards me. Eyes the size of dinner plates and a smile plastered on her face she asked, “What about you Ken? I’m sure you’re just as excited about this trip as I am!”
It was cute -in a sort of creepy way- how this full-grown mare was acting like a child in a candy shop. Either way, I wasn’t going to leave her hanging like her sister. So I promptly replied, “Yeah, a super cool adventure awaits.” I’m not going to lie, a vacation was way overdue. After Celestia deals with the situation, I plan to take full advantage of the crystal clear waters foretold in Sapphire's pamphlet.
Nudging her sister in the forearm Ruby commented, “See, Kenneth knows what's up. Now, all we have to do is wait for the train and get on the boat.”
“WHEN the train arrives,” I corrected, my sentence laced with sarcasm.
My whining seemed to get the attention of a certain white mare as she entered in the conversation, “The train will arrive like always has, on time.” Tilting her hat towards the sun she continued “and if my words are true like they’ve always been,” I rolled my eyes at her rising ego, “then it should arrive in the next couple seconds.”
To be honest, I thought we were just going to walk down to the pier. But with Celestia's insight, I came to realize that Canterlot was in the middle of the of the continent. Funny how messed up your sense of location is when you're dropped into a new world and locked up inside a castle.
Nevertheless, It was going to take us half a day to get to the port. From which we would have to wait another three hours before setting sail to the western isles. Because surprise, surprise, Celestia is an actual stickler for time.
Then again, who could really blame her? She had an image to uphold. An image that at this time required about six armed guards stationed around her at all times.
“You’re really that confident in your transportation system to guess in the seconds?” I finally reacted to Celestia’s comment.
Celestia didn’t respond, instead, I was cut off by a loud whistle cutting through the dense Canterlot chatter. Which -in case you were wondering- is not something I say lightly. Since Canterlot was their population equivalent to New York. Either way, I didn’t even bother looking at Celestia at this point. I knew full well that she had a smug smile etched on her muzzle, one that I’m sure I’ll be seeing a lot.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to hear nor see any of her ego as Ruby got up from her seat and exclaimed, “Adventure awaits!”
Following Ruby’s lead, the rest of us stood up from our seats, grabbed our luggage and made our way over to one of the first cabins. Arriving at the door, we were greeted by a male unicorn in a tux. Giving the princess a small bow, he stepped out of the way while opening the door with his magic.
With the stallion greeting us professionally, my mindset off red flags. However, stepping inside revealed something I wasn’t expecting from royalty. The cabin was like any other, no fancy decor or frilly furnisher. Instead, it was just a plane cabin with two seats next to the window and four bunks for us to rest should we need to. To me, it was a pleasant surprise, that for once I was getting the same treatment as everyone else.
Ruby and Sapphire, on the other hand, didn’t waste any time looking around as they proceeded to go their separate ways. Ruby jumping onto the bed and Sapphire placing their luggage into the storage compartments.
“A whole cart all to ourselves! Gotta love traveling in a group!” Ruby commented as she proceeded to lay down on the bed and relax.
Celestia let out a chuckle as the two of us walked over to the window seats. It seemed no matter where we were, we always had to have the window spot. Not like I was complaining, in fact, I was relatively happy that I got the seat closest to the window. It enabled me to pass the time simply by looking out upon the bustling train station. Where business ponies were running, travelers were getting lost and the rest seemed to fill in the cracks.
It was quite relaxing to look at all the chaos in its own weird way. A certain charm that I’m sure the city would never lose. A train of thought I would be delving in deeper if I wasn’t rustled by Celestia taking the seat next to me. Her ethereal tail brushing up against my leg.
Popping a couple scrolls into existence, she looked over at me with a small smile. A warm and soft smile that would brighten up even the darkest of days. Yet -as always- before I could even ask what she was doing with the scrolls, she answered, “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll be using this time to prepare for our arrival.”
“Left some stuff for the last second did we?” I questioned.
Shaking her head she hoofed me the first scroll on the pile. Taking the scroll, I unraveled it to see what I expected to see. A whole bunch of symbols, their meanings flying right over my head and out the window.
Just like she did before, Celestia answered before I could ask, “It’s the report from the western isles. If you flip it over you can see the pictures.” I felt like a child once again. Having to be told to not read but instead look at the pretty pictures.
Sure enough, once I flipped the parchment over, I came to see the multiple pictures Celestia was pointing out. Each one was not as pretty as I so arrogantly though as it depicted multiple injured ponies, buildings on fire and boat wrecks. I found it kind of surreal that something this violent could happen on this scale within this world. Sure there was River and the storm, but nothing as clear-cut as this. This was one group of ponies wreaking havoc over the land. Kind of reminding me of a certain situation back home.
“To think this happens here,” I pondered out loud.
“You speak as if much worse things could come to pass,” Celestia observed as she took another scroll and placed it in front of her.
Handing the scroll back I nodded, “if this can happen, whos to say that a full out war can’t break out. You already got pirate problems, it's only logical that politics is in some way, shape or form involved in the mater.”
“You make bold statements for someone with little knowledge in politics,” Celestia replied taking the scroll from my hand and moving it back over to the pile.
She has a point, I was just some nobody when it came to matters of the state. But that didn’t mean I would just give up. If I hoped to further understand my new home, what better way to do it then to dive head first.
“I’ve seen it in my own species past. War breaking out due to an assassination and another breaking out due to the repercussions of the first war. Not to mention the many wars that followed after. One of which you could say a ‘pirate’ like faction fueled. I don’t really need to know politics to see danger on the horizon. I just need to look into the past to avoid it from happening again.” I commented as the train finally jerked forwards.
Celestia seemed to take my words to heart as she nodded and quietly went back to work. I knew she didn’t want to hear about the ‘what if’s’, but I couldn’t help but throw in my own view into the pot. Piracy, no matter how you look at it, will never lead to anything good. It’s better to deal with it quickly now before it spreads.
As the train finally left the station and started its way down the mountain, Sapphire sat down across from me. Her stoic expression was replaced with a curious smile as she placed her brochure down, “ It has been what, like two minutes? And you already look bored.”
“Me and waiting never really go well together,” I stated truthfully.
“I thought so. So I made this for you. A little thank you gift for taking the full brunt of Celestia's wrath.” Sapphire stated pulling out a small notebook and placing it in front of me. As she did so I could see Celestia’s eyes look up towards Sapphire. Thankfully she didn’t do anything with the new information and went back to her work.
Taking the leather-bound notebook in hand I smiled. It was a nice gesture, but there was one huge flaw. I, the lowly human could not read Equestrian. Which lead me to say, “you know I can’t read Equestrian right?”
“Way to literally judge a book by its cover,” Sapphire commented, inflicting a small giggle from Celestia. Once Sapphire had rolled her eyes she continued, “Open it up.”
Following her command, I slowly untied the small leather strap and opened the book. Glancing over the first page I come to see it filled to the brim with notes written in both Equine and English. Catching my attention, I delved deeper soon coming to the conclusion that this was a book about learning their language.
The time and effort Sapphire must have put into this to make it a reality must have been monumental. It almost made me tear up knowing that someone made this specifically for me. It had been so long since I’ve had felt the genuine kindness this mare just casually dished out. To be honest, I felt unworthy flipping through the pages. Just from the glances, I came across diagrams, examples, and suggestions.
Willingly or not, Sapphire had just given me the drive to break this barrier once and for all. With a large smile making its way onto my face, I closed the book and looked over to Sapphire. She was just sitting there nonchalantly watching me.
“I don’t know what to say,” were the first words to come out of my mouth. Celestia must have noticed my uneven tone as she glanced over at me.
Sapphire chuckled, “A ‘thank you’ would be a nice start.”
Joining in the little chuckle I reached over the table and gave her a nice big hug. “This has to be one of the nicest things someone has ever done for me. Thank you so much,” I replied.
As we hugged it out, I failed to notice Celestia take the notebook. Within seconds the hug was over and Celestia herself praised Sapphire, “This is incredible, I might just have to higher you to work with other foreign texts.”
“It wasn’t anything special. Just thought I would help my favorite human out,” Sapphire stated sheepishly.
Looking back over to Sapphire I said in a monotone voice, “I’m the only human.”
“That's the point,” out of all people Ruby commented from her place on the top bunk. Looking over I could see a small tent was erected and Ruby had her head poking out, “and don’t you go hogging all the credit there sis, remember who drew all the pictures.”
My smile widened, not only one pony was in on this, but two. Getting up from my spot, I shuffled passed Celestia and wandered over to Ruby’s bunk.
“So you helped out as well?” I questioned.
“Yes, sir!” She promptly replied sitting up with a solute. What made the entire scene so adorable was the fact that when she sat up, the tent collapsed. This, in turn, caused the blanket to fall over her face.
Before she could get the blanket off of her head, I stepped up and gave her the same hug I gave her sister. “If that is the case, then it looks like I need to thank you as well,” I commented tightening the hug.
“Hay cut it out!” Ruby yelled under the covers.
“Hay is for horses,” I joked causing Ruby to chuckle.
“I think that's enough Kenneth,” Sapphire commented from the table, “Any longer and Celestia here is gonna pass out from jealousy.”
Sure enough, when I placed Ruby down and turned over to the table I could see Celestia staring at her scroll a bit too forcefully as a small blush adorned her cheeks. With a huff, she entered, “I’m not jealous, it’s just a hug.”
“Just a hug huh?” I comment shuffling back into my spot next to Celestia.
“Yes, nothing a princess like myself should concern herself with,” she said as she continued to focus on the scroll in front of her.
It was hard holding back my chuckles, this was just too damn adorable. The princess of Equestria was so flustered she was writing her signature ten times in the same spot over and over again. I couldn’t let this continue, no matter how much I wanted it to. So instead I reached over my left arm and pulled her into a nice side hug.
“If you want something, you should just ask for it,” I comment with a smile.
Celestia didn’t respond instead she kinda melted into the hug as she tilted her head onto my shoulder. She closed her eyes as her ethereal mane brushed up against the back of my neck. To say I was dying from cuteness overload was an understatement. It was like I was dehydrated and she was the storm on the horizon.
Time seemed to stop as we just sat there. Sapphire moved on from her brochure to a book, Ruby was trying to make her little teepee again and Celestia was working away in her new spot. It wasn’t till I heard the first pitter-patter of rain against the window pane that I realized just how long I’ve just been sitting there.
Looking over to my left I come to see Celestia’s quill laying on the table. She, herself was out cold leaning up against me with her mouth slightly ajar. Moving into a more comfortable position I tapped the table to get Sapphire’s attention.
Much to my dismay, that didn’t work as she continued to read. Rolling my eyes, I whispered “Sapphire, hay.” Once again like the tapping, Sapphire ignored me. It must have been one hell of a book because the only way she acknowledged me was when I crumpled a nearby blank scroll and tossed it at her head.
“What?” Sapphire questioned closing her book. Her eyes immediately softened when she looked at my current predicament. “Aww, that's so sweet,” She whispered.
“You mind passing me the book you gave me,” I started motioning towards the notebook that was sitting where Celestia was a while ago, “And if you don't mind could you also get one of the pillows and blankets?”
Nodding to my request, Sapphire hovered over all three items. Placing the book in front of me I squished the pillow in between me and the wall of the train. The blanket, on the other hand, I draped over Celestia. One of which snuggled in closer when the blanket was in place.
“I don’t care what the press or other ponies think. You two are adorable together.” Sapphire quietly stated as she called over to Ruby to get something from her bag. After a bit of fumbling around, Ruby sat next to her sister, a large camera like Celestia had in her grasp.
Before I could say anything, Ruby smiled and whispered: “Say cheese!”
The flash blinded me, yet surprisingly did nothing to rouse Celestia from her slumber. Rolling my eyes at the antics of the two, I turned my head back to the notebook Sapphire had given me. We still had a while to go, so I decided that I would attempt to start the long process of breaking down the barrier.
As I expected from a language book the first couple of pages were discussing the bare basics. Like common everyday questions, common words between the two -which were very few not surprisingly- and numbers. Just like the language books back home, the first couple pages gave you hope that learning it would be easy. Yet, as I continued to skim past the first few pages I came to see it getting progressively more complex with each page.
Soon I found myself dreading this endeavor I embarked on as I read about their language rules, grammar and structure. Yet, since Sapphire and Ruby made this book, I had an obligation to see this through until the end.
Since my first look through the book was a quick skim; I went all the way back to the beginning and took my first steps into their language.
Four hours had passed and to say I got anywhere near done the first lesson in the book was a mistake. For four hours I was confused on how to pronounce the words. While the book did have them written out phonetically to ease my process, nothing was better than having a native teach me themselves. Luckily for me, I had such a pony right in front of me.
“Sapphire,” I whispered as to not wake Celestia, “hay Sapphire”
Like before, Sapphire was once again muzzle deep in her book. Rolling my eyes, I crumpled up another blank scroll and tossed it at her head.
As the ball hit its mark, the book slowly lowered to show her unenthused eyes staring right at me. “What is it this time?” She said in her normal tone. I know just how frustrating it is to be torn from a really good book, so I kept it short.
“How do you pronounce yes in your language?” Unexpectedly this got Sapphires eyes to bright up as she placed her book down on the table.
“It’s uis with a more emphasis on the ‘i’ and the ‘s’ is drawn out.” Sapphire lectured, I can see the sparkle in her eyes as she told me this. It was quite nice seeing her enjoy something like this. I felt like I was getting closer to her. Which in turn made calling her my friend much easier. Unlike before where I just categorized them as stalkers.
It really got me thinking that maybe within time when I delve deeper into their past I’ll be able to understand their rather unique personalities. Nevertheless, I was a student and my new teacher was waiting for a response. So, in order to not keep her waiting, I replied “uuuis”
Shaking her head she sighed, “No you’re concentrating too much on the first letter. The 'i' is the most important part of this word. It’s what makes it a word, so it needs to be pronounced at a higher tone. You know what, let's start with the basics of letters first before you jump right into words.”
“I wish I could just beam the language right into my head like you did,” I whined flipping the book to the part where the alphabet was on.
“Well you can’t, so shut up and read me the Equestrian alphabet.”
Rolling my eyes at her assertiveness, I recited to the best of my abilities their alphabet. Of course, it was god awful and I had to repeat it over and over again, but I found myself moving forwards. Seeing the potential in this momentum the two of us continued to work for the rest of the train ride.