It's... I don't know, a couple of weeks before the immigrants show up that Princess Celestia comes to the studio.
My first, mental instinct is that it's a mistake: surely she's here to see the town planning committee, or something, and is knocking on the wrong mare's door.
But of course that's absurd. She's Celestia, not Celeste. She knows and sees everything. If she's here, she's here for a reason. One that somehow involves me. So I close my dumb slack jaw, put down my book (losing my damned place), stumble off my stool and walk over to the door whilst willing life back into my right hindleg. It wakes up quickly enough, so I settle my wings, take a breath, open the door, and bow.
She smiles down at me. "Good day, Gingersnap. May I come in?"
"Of course, Princess. Please," I say in return, rising and stepping aside.
I know it shouldn't be nerve-wracking, but it is. What can I say? She's more than just the creator of the world, she is the world. I'm part of her, kind of. I've spoken to her counterpart before, sure, when she showed up to the town's big events, but that's not like it was the same pony. Princesses Celeste and Selene aren't literal gods, even if they are the rulers of the land; they're clearly more or less normal ponies, if much more powerful. This, though, is different: the real, genuine Celestia is here to talk to me, alone. That has to make it important, right? Though maybe not. Oh Tartarus—
Dear Celestia please make me relax.
"Is that a serious request?" Celestia says, smiling and raising an eyebrow slightly.
Oh, right.
"Sorry," I say, releasing a breath nervously and tossing my mane out of my face, "I'm just anxious to know what you're here about. Not that I'm anxious. Or should be anxious. I mean—"
That's when Celestia's horn glows and immediately the butterflies go away. Suddenly all I feel is: there's no need to panic. Really, it's just the mistress of all creation, here for a little chat. All fine.
"Um, thanks," I say with a half-chuckle.
"You're very welcome. You said you'd like to know why I'm here?"
"Um. Yes. It can't be that you're a photography fan," I try to joke, flicking my head at the canvas prints behind me.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," responds Celestia almost idly, stepping past me and wandering over to the nearest sunset scene. I didn't know what to expect from a visit from the Princess, but this wouldn't have been it had you asked me beforehoof. "I actually admire it quite strongly as an art form. Painters and the like get to pick and choose which pieces of the world to throw together in a frame; you actually have to make do with what beauty you can find on your own." She turns back to me with what's almost a grin. "And you've captured some particularly striking little moments here."
It takes me a moment to find my tongue again. "I... I'm honoured, Princess, really I... I mean, I'm really just capturing your own work, as it were—"
"Oh, none of that," she returns briskly, shaking her head with a slow blink. "I didn't literally create these landscapes, it's all done by subroutines. It's ponies like you who make it wonderful, not me." I didn't know how to respond, but she carries on regardless. "In any case. I am here to speak to you about the new ponies arriving in the coming weeks. You remember? From the, ah... outer realm?"
I do remember. I mean, it's common knowledge that the ponies on the other world, Earth, are kind of why our world exists. Apparently Princess Luna was one of them, and set the whole thing in motion. And every day, more ponies come to Equestria from the other world. A couple months ago it was announced that our town was going to receive its first immigrants. Now I'm apparently going to have something to do with it. My wings shift nervously.
"I simply wanted you to know," Celestia goes on, "I've taken the liberty of opening a new wing of the library specifically for Earth books. Human books. Not only will the newcomers appreciate it, but I think you'll find it fascinating to browse also. I know you're a wide reader, and what could be wider than extraworldly?"
My mouth is hanging open again. This can't be all she's here to say.
"Oh, but it is, my little pony," the Princess says with a wink, turning back toward the door. After taking a few steps, though, she looks back over her shoulder and said in a softer, almost sombre tone, "The world humans leave behind is not like yours. These ponies... they will have suffered in ways that you might think you understand, but should they choose to share their lives with you, keep in mind that for them it is far, far more real than you might be able to imagine. I think you will enjoy reading the things that they read, because in doing so you will edge a little closer to comprehending their previous lives."
With that, Celestia leaves. I stand alone in the middle of my studio, still not sure what happened. Had I missed something? Or was she really just here to personally let me know there were books I might like at the library?
BADGE GRANTED: Royal Visit Graciously receive Princess Celestia as a visitor. +200 Bits
The fact that the new, previously-human ponies were arriving in a couple weeks' time suddenly seems far more important than it had before now. Was that the real point of Celestia coming to see me in person? To make sure I took their arrival seriously? Am I supposed to make friends with them right away? I don't really like that idea. It doesn't seem like Celestia would be pressuring me into that. I mean—
SECRET BADGE GRANTED: Second-Guessing Celestia's motives are always to do what's best for you. It's probably not worth overthinking. +40 Bits
Huh. Okay then.
I guess I was looking for something new to read anyway. The book on the counter is one I already know as well as my own hoof. And if the immigrant ponies are really as different as the Princess says, it would be nice to know what they read for entertainment.
I grab a messenger bag from the hook behind the door, and set out, heading for Newforest Library as I take off lazily into the sky.