Shackles and Friendship
Chapter 4 - The song of my people
Edited by Noxxels
AN: I didn't spend as much time editing this as I should have, so please forgive me if you find it to be lacking in quality. I would appreciate it if you guys can point out any mistakes.
I tried to sleep but my mind kept thinking about home. Between the heartache and the fear, my hope of possibly of getting any sleep was just not there. I was still in the interrogation room and there was nothing that showed the passage of time so I didn't know how long I just laid there on the bed. I was still hoping this was all a dream, that somehow after smoking a joint I did something stupid and gotten brain damage or something. But seeing as I'm still in the same bed, wearing the same pair of metal cuffs and the fact that there were two ponies standing guard by the door proved I was still fucked.
'God tell me I'm actually in some mental asylum, jacked up on meds and dreaming all this shit. Cause that would mean I could still wake up at one point.' But even if that was the case there's really nothing I could do about it. I needed something to distract me from my morbid thoughts and my stomach happily complied. It was quite a deep growl, not anything impressive, but being in a large room in utter silence made it sound louder than it actually was. One of the guards flinched just the tiniest bit at the sound. He probably just realized he's stuck on duty guarding an unknown creature which towered over him in size and had just announced it had an empty stomach.
I was entertaining the idea of messing with their heads, but considering that I'm still technically a prisoner, it's best not to, 'at least not now.' My stomach sent another complaint and I realized just how hungry I was. Considering that I hadn't eaten anything since I got here I'm surprised I hadn't tried to eat one of them in my sleep.
"Hey, is it ok if I get something to eat?"
"I'll inform the staff, however the princess has ordered us to escort you to the guest room that has been prepared. Your food will be brought there, would you like to order anything in particular?"
"How about steak and eggs?" Yea I know it's not the healthiest breakfast, but considering what I've been through a healthy diet is the last thing I'm worried about.
"You eat...meat?"
"Yea what abou...." I was somewhat confused by the question until I realized that ponies were herbivores. "Ah sonnavabitch!" It dawned on me that if the master race of this world were all vegetarians, then finding meat would be near impossible. Hell, for all I knew it was probably against the law or something to own meat.
I sighed, "look, forget about it. Just...just get me some fruits or vegetables, ok?" The idea of not eating any meat for the rest of my life was almost as bad as being stranded in a world of multi-colored-talking-ponies with a princess that has it in for my balls. In any case he leaned his head to point at the door. I got out of the bed and did some stretches which caused my chains to jingle and a few joints to crack which, to my amusement, seems to make the guards flinch. So they do have a chink in their armor. I followed them out of the room and into the hallway.
So far the hallway was as normal as hallways get, which disappointed me. Not seeing what I had expected was kind of disappointing, I had expected something like...like that. Once we made our way past a wooden door the scenery instantly changed. We were in the middle of another hallway but it was nothing like before. Shining marble floors and tall pillars decorated the path from one end to the other while paintings and small sculptures of intricate details, which easily could have been called masterpieces, lined the walls. I pretty much had my jaw dragging on the floor as we continued on our way. Either everyone was on vacation or we must've used a secluded route or something, because all I could hear was the constant jingling of my chains. Eventually we reached a large door, large to them maybe, looks pretty normal sized to me. One of the guards opened the door and let me in.
"I will inform the staff to deliver the food." With that he closed the door behind me and I was finally alone. Well, not really. I knew they were just outside, but it was nice to finally be able to have some semblance of privacy. The room was simple enough, a bed large enough to accommodate my size and a table in the corner which made a nice small study area. There were a few decorations like a bookcase, some paintings, potted plants as well as a few rugs on the floor. But that's pretty much where 'simple' ends, because everything in this room was made out of the highest quality material and craftsmanship.
'If they’re trying to get a "look how loaded I am" type of Feng Shui they nailed it.' There were two additional doors other than the entrance, one led to a balcony of sort considering the amount of light poring though and the other probably hid something like a bathroom. Seeing as this was a good opportunity as ever I decided to see the world I'm stuck in, so I headed towards the balcony to check out the view.
Now I don't have particular phobias to anything, that I'm aware of at least, and I enjoy a good thrill or two from roller-coasters so I'm not that much of a wimp. So let's not jump into any conclusions and assume I'm afraid of heights.
"FUCK ME SIDEWAYS!" Once I reached the edge my legs instantly gave out and I fell on my ass in shock. "WHY!? How could anyone be retarded enough to think that having a castle on the side of a mountain would be a good idea? 'Oh hey, while were at it why don't we build a town right under it, I'm sure that nothing could ever possibly go wrong.'
God!" After a few deep breaths and venting out the initial surprise I was calm enough to get back on my feet, quickly making my way back inside. It was then that I heard a distant voice outside which was none other than my echo, which should carry on all the way to town and to everyone in the castle.
*snicker* "Bwahahahahahaha!" I laughed so hard my sides were hurting and I was starting to cry. "Ladies and gentleman, I bring you the song of my people! Hahahahaha!!" Eventually the laughter died off and I started to wander about the room but really nothing piqued my interest. I've never fancied myself a reader, so I didn't even look at the bookshelf.
So with nothing else to do I decided to learn more about my 'Sense', I closed my eyes and took deep breathes and focused. It came to me faster this time and like lighting candles I could feel numerous 'fires' appear in the distance and around me. I felt that some were standing still and others were moving about. Several winked out but others appear randomly about which probably meant they were going in and out of my range, roughly five meters or so I guess that's as far as I can go.
Seeing as the guard outside is the closest one I decided to study him instead, as I continued to focus harder something began to change. At first things were normal, as normal as this shit gets', but slowly while I had my eyes closed I could feel something in my vision started to shimmer in the dark. I turned my head towards the guard and there it was. Right where the guard was standing I 'saw' a fire burning. Where all this time I could merely 'feel' them on my skin, now I could actually 'see' them. It acted just like a fire would burning on a candle, an extremely large candle. It flickered only at the slightest near the tip but otherwise it remained motionless. Suddenly the fire began to flicker and began to burn a bit more violently, I opened my eyes to see the guard looking at me through the door with both anger and confusion, he must've heard me. The interesting part was that I could still see his 'fire' burning inside him, it wasn't as clear as before and was translucent, giving it a ghost like fire similar to that of a will-o-wisp. After some time though the 'fire' started to fade further until it disappeared.
'I guess I can only keep up my 'vision' for a short while. But more importantly, it seems that the way it burns reflects the state of mood and emotion of the person, or pony. Damn this is like, a level just below mind reading.' I was contemplating the responsibility I would have to shoulder with such insight, to use such a gift for ill intent would be an abuse of my blessing and just down right evil.
...
'Yea totally gonna start mind fucking everyone.' What can I say, it’s who I am.
I heard the screeching sound of something turning and I heard the other guard returning with with my food. I had expected the guard to come in with the food. Instead, it was a mare pushing a small cart loaded with various dishes made of out of both vegetables and fruit. The smell of hot soup and steamed veggies reminded my of how hungry I was and, for the moment, I didn't care about being a vegetarian. I was so preoccupied with the thought of food I didn't realize I was licking my lips and drooling in anticipation. The cart suddenly jerked to a stop just barely out of reach and I looked at the mare questioningly.
She looked just like a regular pony with neither horn nor wings, as far as regular would go in this place.' She had light-brown coat and her mane and tail were a yellow-blonde color. She was also wearing a servant's uniform that was mostly black with a white apron across her back which, to be honest, was actually kinda cute. She was just staring at me eyes wide and her pupils had shrunk to the size of a coffee bean. I could hear the cart shaking causing the plates and utensils to jingle loudly. I closed my eyes and brought out my 'Sense' and sure enough I could 'see' her flame was shaking and flickering about.
She's afraid of me. 'Well DUUUHHH! "Hey you know that monster they captured after nearly destroying Equestria? You do? Good, now go and feed it." Well, time to put on the ol’ Rodney charm.'
I smiled, raised my left brow up and in a seductive tone, "Hey, how ya doing?"
THUD!
'Yup, still got it.'
I was thinking of just taking the cart next to the bed and start eating but seeing the pony just lying there was too good of an opportunity to pass up. I pushed the cart towards the bed and went back to the mare, crouching right behind her so she wouldn't see me when she woke up. I began softly poking her in the back of her head and soon enough she stirred and moaned in response, I waited as she slowly began waking up. She must have realized where she was and who she was with because her head suddenly jumped up and she began to look frantically around the room. I payed attention to where she was looking and once she finished scanning the room I slowly brought my face right next to her ear and started whispering in the same tone as before.
"Looking for someone suga' ?" Her ears perked up and slowly she turned. Once she was fully looking at me in the eye her pupils began shrinking to an even smaller size than before. Her body began shivering in fear again, her voice was barely above a whisper and was shaking and stuttering.
"A-are you going t-to eat me?" Seeing as how truly terrified she was I started to feel sorry for her.
"No." I said flatly and her shaking lessened.
"Can-can I please go now? Please?" I was about to end my little game when another idea popped into my head.
"Actually, I was hoping you can help me with something."
"I'll scream if you hu-hurt me."
"Hurt you? I will never do such a thing." She let out a long sigh of relief. "In fact I think you will find the experience to be quite, enjoyable." She looked at me with a mixture of confusion and fear from how I emphasized the last word. I put on a mischievous smile and slowly leaned in until my mouth was inches away from her ear and began suggesting various ways she could help me learn every detail of pony physiology.
I could practically feel her body temperature skyrocket as she suddenly started dragging herself as far away from me as possible, all the way to the corner of the room. She was now standing on her rear hooves and leaning into the corner, her face was beet red and both her rear and forelegs were crossed in an attempt to protect herself from being studied. I was barely able to hold it in, but I persevered and decided to push it even further.
I slowly took intimidating steps with my arms sprayed out beside me. As an added bonus I was also wriggling my fingers around in anticipation. Once I was right on top of her I lunged forward and shot my arms to the wall so her head was right between my arms. I kept up the seductive tone while keeping my arms and legs as wide as possible, preventing her from escaping.
"Are you ready my dear? Don't worry I promise to be gentle." She just kept looking at me frozen with her hooves still crossed together. I closed in on her until my my nose was inches from hers. Just as we could feel each other's breath, I whispered. "Just kidding."
"......Wha-what?" I couldn't hold it in anymore, between the fear, her flushed face and the way she reacted to it all, I just started laughing. "You..you....YOU JERK!!"
[Elsewhere in Canterlot Castle...]
"...which is why I believe that the construction of an additional track between Canterlot and Fillydelphia is worth the cost, considering how much the trade and economy will improve in both cities." Celestia was impressed with the presentation, and she too had considered building the track.
"I agree. I'll forward your petition for review and if it passes then you have my permission and authority to begin construction imme-"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
(AN: click the small sound icon under play. Enjoy.)
"Wha-what was that!?"
*sigh* "Forgive me, but could we continue this another time? It would seem that I am needed elsewhere."
"Uh, yes. Of course your Majesty."
"Thank you, please forward all documents and plans to the office for review." With that Celestia's horn glowed and one second later she disappeared in a bright flash of light.
[Back in the guest room...]
CRACK!
"What is going on here?"
"........Oooowww." Honestly that really was all I could bring myself to say. I had expected the mare to start screaming at me, hit me in the gut or face, hell even bite me. 'Why in god's green earth do they all go for THE BALLS!!!'
"Rodney?" All I could do was point a shaky finger at the servant mare.
"Princess please forgive me, but this thing was about to...uhm, well he... *mumble-mumble*"
"What was that?" The mare trotted up to the princess and began whispering to her. "RODNEY!"
"It was a joke! Oh god it hurts...." I was kneeling down with my head to the floor and one arm trying to nurse my injury.
*sigh* "You are dismissed, as are you two." Although the servant was more than happy to leave, the guards were hesitant to leave their princess alone with me. "Now." With that final word they too left the room, so now it's just me and Celestia. 'Crap.'
"Rodney, are you ok?"
"I *pant* I think I'll live."
"Does it...does it truly cause so much pain?"
"Words will never do it justice." I was able to finally stand up and look at her, but the pain was still raging on.
"Perhaps you should not have angered her so. What prompted you to pull such a prank? And while I'm on the subject, did you know how much trouble you caused me with your screaming? I was with the Griffin ambassador, the first day and you nearly caused a scandal between nations."
"I'm sorry about earlier, I promise that was completely unintentional. Which, by the way, reminds me to ask you why decided to live in a giant death trap." Celestia just looked at me confusingly. "And secondly, about the prank, well. It's just who I am...and I needed it."
"Explain."
*sigh* "I just...I don't know really. At first it was all just for laughs, but now I realized I did it because I needed to. I needed to feel some resemblance to my life before all this. I've lost everything and if I don't keep my mind occupied I'll drive myself crazy." It was all true, I tried keeping it in the back of my head, tried to forget about it. But the worry and the loss of not being able to go home, see my parents and living a vegetarian life was beginning to affect my mental health. The prank was just my way of trying to cope with it all.
Suddenly all I saw was white as Celestia covered me with her wings and pulled me close in a hug. I was caught by surprise and didn't know how to respond, eventually though I hugged back. Just like that, out of nowhere, I started to cry and it wasn’t the manly silent cry either. I was bawling as tears flowed freely and began to wet her coat. I had no idea I was keeping so much inside of me, my emotions and thoughts that I kept in check just flooded out but it was too much. I had to let them all out in my tears. My knees started to wobble and I sank to the floor, Celestia followed me all the while still holding onto me. I don't remember ever letting her go, I had cried myself to sleep under her wings.
'Damn....I forgot to eat.'
AN: I was thinking about how I should go about this chapter. A part of me really wants to get the story going, and although having Rodney meeting the mane six again is still a few chapters off, I wanted to at least start things off with Twilight. But I also wanted to to settle Rodney's troubling thoughts, it’s not realistic nor interesting to simply say he’s all fine and dandy. It also gave me the opportunity to write something different for once instead of just humor.
Also note that in the next few days I will be busy and moving about all over the place so I won't have as much time for writing and editing, so there will be delays.
In any case I hope you enjoyed this chapter and as usual please leave C&C.
Now with that out of the way I still need to clean up the mess Pinkie made.
Pinkie: I said I was sorry, I'll do anything to make up for it.
.......anything?
Pinkie: Oh buck.