While the foals did indeed lead me to the edge of the forest and on the cusp of this supposed pony village, I hate to admit that I was apprehensive. The forest behind me was familiar. The air, clean. Everything felt like home. Sticking my nose into the air just outside the protective canopy brought with it a most alien sensation. The air itself felt heavy and the fur along my frame bristled in uncertainty.
Magic, as I would come to learn, encompassed everything in this world except for specific locations such as the forest behind me. It was every bit like home; unpredictable. Here, stepping outside into the clearing, magic fell upon me like a cougar. I instinctively reared up at the unknown! Snorted. Grunted. Lashed my tail. All manner of embarrassing motions and sounds I would happily take back were I able.
My charges, while surprised, showed mirth once I calmed myself. Only the purple, winged foal seemed to keep cool and seemed to be empathetic to my plight. She spoke to the yellow one and she, in turn, flew up to offer reassurance by way of a few pats to my withers. If I was ever one to blush from embarrassment, now would be it. Knowing now that she had some way of sending calming vibes my way, she quickly put me at east despite not able to understand a word.
Save one. "Home," said the yellow foal as she pointed with a hoof toward a lone home just outside the town, a word I understood. I never once thought to attempt at learning that barbaric language but I was having second thoughts now that these fellow equines spoke it and for a moment I felt sorry for them.
They coaxed me out of my refuge at the edge of the forest and again, that alien sensation washed over me instantly but I was ready for it this time and soldiered on like a proper stallion. Head held high in defiance of this...magic. I definitely wasn't frightened! Maybe a little scared? Not that I'd ever admitted it!
In the corner of my vision, I noticed the orange foal slipping rope behind her where it conveniently disappeared. My eyes narrowed. The disappearing of rope wasn't my concerned, it was that she potentially thought to lasso me and forcing me out was a course of action she deemed potentially necessary? As if she would be able to! A foal couldn't contain all of this. All of me!
Upon reaching the yellow foal's humble abode, I was surprised by the number of other animals residing outside it. Birds. Rabbits. Deer. Some long-necked animal I've never seen before. A bear!? While they are not a challenge to keep at bay I snorted, stomping my right forehoof in challenge to protect these foals but was quickly reprimanded with a bump of the yellow one's hoof to my nose. I later learned this was a 'boop' and wasn't unpleasant. My eyes followed her as she moved over to the bear and surprised me when she gave the larger creature a hug.
My challenge went unheeded as the yellow foal spoke something to the bear whom in turned nodded in understanding. The bear then turned and wandered off into the forest. Did she send him off to calm my nerves? I wish I could have asked her at that moment but she only gave me a smile. It was then did the group of foals gather around one another, no doubt to speak on what to do with me.
*****3rd POV*****
Applejack was the first to speak up about their tall friend, "So? What should we do with 'im?"
Twilight pondered her friend's inquiry thoughtfully as she is apt to do, a hoof touching her chin. She glanced toward the horse, "Well, I still need to get back to the castle so I can have Sunset deliver a message." She paused, gaze sweeping back toward the Everfree, "Fluttershy? Do you think you could watch over him here? I think it's a bit too early to introduce him to Ponyville. No doubt Pinkie's Pinkie's Sense is tingling at the rock farm." Twilight rolled her eyes back toward the group with a smile. Indeed, they expect the pink mare to be on the next train back to Ponyville if not arrive earlier, somehow.
Fluttershy nodded her head in agreement, "Of course Twilight."
Rarity had already absolved herself from the conversation, eyes intent upon the form of the large, muscular stallion. 'Now, what colors would go well with his coat? Mmm, oh and the amount of fabric I'll need to fetch!' Yes, she was quite ahead of herself considering the poor stallion has never donned a piece of clothing in his whole life but he was quite aware of what clothing is. The two-legs were never seen without. Well, almost.
Rainbow Dash could honestly care less. About all of it. She did, however, eye up said musculature of the stallion, even poked fun at his skinny legs in comparison. Too much like a Saddle Arabian. She bet she could win in a ground race with him AND AJ at the same time. A fair race, of course.
The group parted save for Fluttershy who saw her friends off before tending to the stallion in her care who had already taken it upon himself to nibble on some flowers she had planted to spruce up the outside of her cottage. A sigh escaped her lips, smiled, and shook her head. It's going to be a long day.
**********
Celestia, Matron of the Sun, the epitome of perfection, sat upon her throne during a riveting speech from a noble insisting she be allowed to purchase the property the Canterlot Sunny Orphanage resides on and that adjacent to it. The mare wanted to expand upon her mansion with another wing as well as the backyard which included a new pool.
Granted, there are fewer orphans these days and the need for an orphanage has dwindled over the decades but this was not something Celestia would debate over. No, Equestria needed to be there for its foals and not be a mere reactionary service.
"I will take your request under advisement, Silk Stocking," Princess Celestia offered calmly. The named mare bowed her head and saw herself out, "Thank you, Your Majesty." As she was the last for Day Court, Celestia let loose a withering sigh. The nerve of some ponies still astounds her even to this day. She knows she swore not to interfere with the nobility but in the past, they were so much more respectful to both the royalty, peers, and even to the common folk. Now, with Equestria prospering as much as it is, the nobility's focus has since turned inward.
Celestia's thoughts were interrupted by a poof of green magic as a scroll materialized before her. Catching it in her magic and out of habit, immediately began reading Twilight's missive.
Everfree? New creature? Horse? Saddle Arabia has those, of course, though Twilight speaks of this one being naturally taller? Potentially have been brought from the Mirror universe? That certainly doesn't bode well.
"Raven?" asked the Princess.
"Yes, Princess?" asked her loyal aide.
"How is my schedule for the rest of the evening?"
Raven studied her clipboard for a few seconds, "There are no immediate concerns that require your attention and no visiting diplomats to entertain," mused the mare, "Looks like you're free for the rest of your day."
"Excellent! You may head home early if you would like, Raven," Princess Celestia offered with a motherly smile. Raven Inkwell, she's been in Celestia's aid for years now and she honestly doesn't know where she'd be without the smaller mare keeping her on track most days. Especially when it concerned the nobility. Of course, in public, she is known as Ms. Inkwell. Wouldn't want the nobles to think she was on a first name basis with anypony. A notion the princess inwardly eye rolled at.
With her head held high, Raven Inkwell nodded her satisfaction with a touch of a smile at the edge of her petite muzzle, "Thank you, Celestia. That ought to allow me plenty of time to get ready." Just as she began to descend the throne stairs, a clearing of one's throat could be heard behind her.
"I am sorry. Ready for what?" asked Celestia, ears pressed forward atop her head ever so curiously. She knew the mare was hiding something all day for it was not like Raven to shift her weight from hoof to hoof but today was different.
"Oh! Uh, you know. Just going out. To dinner..."
"By yourself?"
"...no," Raven demurred as she answered.
"Family?"
"...no."
"Friends?"
"...no."
Leaning in close, Celestia teased the mare with a whisper, "A date then?" Getting no response beyond the coloration of the smaller mare's cheek, she added, "Who's the lucky pony?"
Almost dropping her clipboard, Raven squeaked, "Nopony you know."
Celestia smiled knowingly, "So it isn't the dark-colored pegasus guard I see reading in the library while off duty every so often?"
"How did-!"
Celestia shushed her with a hoof and winked, "Go. Have a good time. I'll want a report during breakfast on how it went."
Raven bobbed her head perhaps one too many times in embarrassment as she made for the exit. Celestia followed suit but at her own pace. She gave the two guards at attention an acknowledging nod, "Sirs." She paused, backstepped, and leaned down toward one of them. "Take good care of her." It wasn't exactly a warning but considering who the words were coming from, the poor white pegasus guard shrank. Glamour spell or not, he paled at the mere implication that she KNEW.
**********
Golden clad hoof tapped on her sister's door. "Luna? Are you awake?" One of Celestia's ears focused itself forward, listening. A mumbled response came. How she lived a thousand years without her sister was beyond even herself and it was because of that she had become more personal with family and friends. Especially family. Before venturing inside on her own accord, she warned the nearby guards, "If you hear yelling, do not be alarmed." With that, the pristine mare opened the door and walk into her sister's cavernous room.
A cave was a perfect comparison to describe her sister's room for the windows, as large and expansive as they may be, house blackout shades that blocked out even her own wondrous sunlight. The nerve! "Luna?" came another inquiry from Celestia, almost like a game of Marco Polo. Another mumbled response, barely audible. Not needing to follow the sound, Celestia made her way over to the lavish bed her sister slumbered upon. The soft tinkling sound of Celestia's magic could be heard as she had begun to take hold of every shade in her room and sent them skyward allowing her sun's light to pierce the poor sleeping mare's eyelids. An audible hiss escaped the darker mare's lips, squinting heavily to block out the light.
What Luna wasn't excepting, however, was the larger frame of her sister pouncing the empty spot beside her which launched the poor mare off the side of her own bed with a squawk! There was some skillful flailing of hooves midair that impressed Celestia before even she winced as Luna landed with a heavy thud. Two hooves ventured over the edge of the bed, lifting herself up to stare many daggers at her older, bigger sister.
"I will end you!" she seethed.
"Come now Lulu, it was time to get up," Celestia defended. Though she does admit Luna didn't need to be up THIS instant, maybe not for another hour or two. "I come bearing the most gracious of news! A new creature has been found in the Everfree of equine similarity and seems docile. I thought you might be up to seeing for yourself when I head there in a few moments.
Despite the utter loathing Luna had toward her sister's antics at present, it was still very welcome. It had been ages since they could be simply that. Sisters. Even with their schedules opposing one another they still found time in the evening to simply...be. Picking herself off the floor, Luna brushed her coat off before pondering her sister's words. She huffed, jabbing a hoof at her sister's direction, "Do not think I will not pay you back for this inconvenience, sister." A pause. "Let me get cleaned up and I will join you. Chariot or teleport?"
Celestia considered the choices, shaking her head as an answer came to her, "We'll fly. It should be a quick visit, no need to bring the guards into this as much as they would protest," she mused, "Do you need help bathing?"
"I am not a little foal, Celestia!" Luna barked, disappearing into the royal bathroom. Poking her head back out a few seconds later she asked, "Could you grab me a bottle of conditioner?"
**********
It was just over two hours before the alicorn sisters touched down in Ponyville, specifically the home of the Element of Kindness.
"So Twilight said this creature is at Fluttershy's?" Luna asked of her sister.
"Yes. It would seem Fluttershy, while not fully able to communicate like she does with other animals, is empathetic enough to keep him calm. Or so Twilight wrote."
"Oh! Princess Celestia! Princess Luna? I wasn't expecting you two so soon. I would have had tea ready," came a timid voice of the mare in question.
"Good evening! Not to worry Ms. Fluttershy. I was curious and Day Court had adjourned for the day a little early. Luna was also intrigued..."
Princess Luna's glare could freeze the sun, if only for a second, "Only after you forcefully woke me up."
"You woke your sister for this?"
"I may have had a hoof in aiding my sister to waking. She sleeps too much as it is," answered Celestia with a playful sniff, "Regardless, we are here to see this new creature you found in the Everfree. Where might he be?"
"Oh. I'm not too sure he's new. I mean, he looks like us but a lot bigger. Actually, I'd compare him to you as far as how tall he is. He IS different though and speaks a language I've never heard of-- although I admit some sounds he makes are familiar. I'm not sure why..." Fluttershy explained, trailing off in thought.
Before either alicorn could question the mare further, both pairs of ears atop their heads sat suddenly erect. There was a rumble in the distance that grew louder. Whatever it was, it was heading in their direction. Too, they could feel the very earth quake beneath them. It was certainly subtle in the larger scheme of things but it was felt.
"What is...?"
The answer to that question came as Spirit sped through their periphery, catching the two alicorn's attention allowing their gaze to fall upon the large stallion running. Running?
"He was getting anxious, I think. It's hard telling with him. So I got him to run." Fluttershy began, frowning slightly as she added, "He's been at it for an hour now."
And run he did! Spirit, after a bit of coaxing, ran along the edge of the forest and back toward the yellow foal's house. He wasn't sure how she knew but this absolutely felt wonderful. It always does. He was made for this! Spirit wasn't sure exactly how much time he had spent back and forth. Hours was an alien notation of time to him but it was long.
As he flew by the trio, the two sister's noted the long, strong legs. The rippling musculature underneath that sheen of perspiration along his coat. He was lathered, as the kids say these days. They said that a millennia ago, Celestia thought to herself, stunned by the presentation before her.
"Princess?"
Fluttershy's attempt at garnering their attention went unheard for the sibling pair answered with the only thing they could; a silent exhalation of their lungs as something stirred in the both of them. Rarely did Princess Celestia allow herself to indulge in the physical prowess of the opposite sex. She was surrounded by stallions on a daily basis as it were. Just this once, however, she allowed herself to slip. Luna, on the otherhoof, was a bit more promiscuous than her older sister but even she was not without her standards. Both of them allowed their thoughts to wander. Both thought-
He is magnificent!