//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight- Watcher and Celestia's Day Out! // Story: Gems I: The Sun Princess // by Pen Dragon //------------------------------// Chapter Eight- Watcher and Celestia’s Day Out! It was one of those days where everything felt… Slow and Celestia could only lay back on her pile of blankets and pillows as she pondered what to do? She was in a library with only books, she wanted to go out and do something fun, but she couldn’t because her host practically has her under house arrest. ‘I can’t take being in this library anymore! Things have been really dull since we got this ridiculous job. Something isn’t right here…’ Celestia couldn’t stand the boredom as she watched her friend constantly work on transferring energy into one of the crystals that was sent from Dragon Corporation. For six days straight Watcher has done nothing but try to create the energy crystals that Pen Dragon had asked for. He was growing tired and felt like he couldn’t transfer any more magic into them and it was more or less frustrating. “It’s been almost a week… and all I have… to show for my… efforts is 24 lousy crystals… At this rate It’ll take me a month… just to finish the first 50 crystals.” He said, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he placed his shoulder on a nearby desk. He thought he could do it all on his own, but with how much magic these crystals consume it wasn’t easy. Celestia couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him, she offered to help him awhile back, but being like any other stallion he insisted that he do it all by himself. Even though it was an admirable trait to work hard, he had been working himself to death for the past week and they needed to finish those crystals tomorrow night. “Watcher, you’ve done enough… Take a break and let me finish this order-” Before she could finish Watcher placed his hoof over her lips to silence her as he tried to take deep breaths. Her friend wasn’t looking well as his face looked a little pale. “I… Don’t need your help… I just need… To catch my-” Watcher soon fell to the ground as he felt a sickening pain in his stomach as it made a loud growl. Celestia could only sigh as she helped the charcoal unicorn to his hooves. “You should eat something, Watcher, it’s hard to think when you’re starving,” she suggested in a motherly way, “perhaps it’s time for a break.” “A break? But I’ll be far behind,” he said, continuing to lie on the ground helplessly. “You’ll be much farther behind if you die of starvation!” “I guess you have a point there,” answered the unicorn, “a guy’s gotta have some blood sugar. Ok, we’ll go get something to eat.” “Perhaps I could convince you to instead take the entire day off,” suggested the alleged princess, “that way, you’d be nice and refreshed tomorrow to start working again. Doesn’t a nice, delicious dinner out and a relaxing day at say, the park sound nice?” “Sounds like something a certain somepony else wants to do,” he chuckled as he got back on his hooves. “Whatever gave you that idea?” she giggled. Watcher shook his head in disbelief, “All right, we’ll go get dinner together and take a nice walk in the park. You’ve talked me into it.” “I can’t have my fool dying on me, what’s a princess without her fool?” she teased. “You’ll regret that,” he warned playfully. Campus Grounds Watcher led her outside of the campus grounds and headed downtown with her, staying right by her side. She hadn’t seen much outside of the library, and Watcher could tell from her awed looks that she appreciated the time outside and it didn’t take long for them to arrive in the big city. What he didn’t know, was that after two thousand years of absence, the sight of the modern city was something brand new to her, and the abundance of radio towers, electric lights, and other modern conveniences used only sparingly in the cities she had left behind were now everywhere en mass. “Never seen Baltimare city before?” asked Watcher, watching her tail swish in excitement. “Never like this!” answered the other unicorn, breath taken away, “Oh it’s so beautiful, and there’s so many more lights and street carriages than what I remember from so long ago.” “Oh man, not this again,” groaned Watcher, “a long long long LONG time ago, this place was just a small city. You remember that too, princess?” “Like it was yesterday...” she said with starry eyes. “I had to ask.” He brought her to a fancier restaurant near the harbor in the middle of Baltimare, a place that overlooked the water with all its ships coming in, and got them a great table on a large second floor patio, with candles that burned on each table. As it was mid-day, most of the lighting was off, but Celestia watched each string of lights with glee, as if she’d hoped the day would end fast. Watcher pointed out a fish that jumped from the harbor water, as well as having a good laugh when a hapless mare, not paying attention to where she was going, walked off a pier and had an embarrassing climb back to land up a rescue ladder. Soon the waiter came by, offering them each a menu, Watcher grabbing his quickly with his magic and flipping through. It felt good to be able to afford much better food, with the massive salary he was being paid, and he took a new sense of pride in earning a good living and being able to enjoy a better life. ‘Maybe I didn’t need to be an Alpha class after all, with all the bits Pen’s shoveling out…’ Watcher caught his own thoughts and cursed himself, ‘Aw what am I saying? Being an Alpha class was my dream… but I guess for now, I can settle on being a lot richer.’ “Excuse me sir, what’ll you be having?” asked the waiter, a pegasus pony interrupting Watcher’s thoughts. Watcher hadn’t spent a moment on the menu, so he stuttered for minute and pointed at something random, “Uh… I guess I’ll take the… house pasta bake.” “That comes with salad or soup.” “Oh no, not this,” sighed Watcher, “ok, I’ll take the salad.” “What dressing would you like?” He cringed, knowing what was coming, “What do you have?” Celestia covered her mouth with her hoof as she tried not to laugh. The waiter listed nine different types of salad dressings, none of which appealed to Watcher until he got to the very last one, an herbal vinaigrette. “Very good, and how about you, miss?” ‘Oh goodness, I’ve never quite ordered at a… normal restaurant. I’ve only been to fancy ones where it’s chosen for me. What do I do?’ she thought, looking at all the choices. “I… I suppose I will have the same thing,” she said, earning another groan from Watcher. The waiter nodded and then made his normal suggestion to Watcher, “So, will you and your date be opening a bottle of wine this evening? I have the perfect bottle for young couples!” “D… date?” stuttered Watcher, shooting up in surprise, “she is not my date! We’re just friends is all.” “Well I don’t have a ‘just friends’ wine,” muttered the server. Celestia decided to be a jerk while she had the chance, and smirked before saying, “This stallion is being too modest. I’m the most beautiful, and smartest mare at his office and he had the courage to ask me out, only to back down right now!” ‘Why you little…’ “Ah, I see,” chuckled the waiter, “well now, courage like that deserves a reward, don’t you think?” “I don’t even drink wine, Tia,” he said, frowning. “Perhaps a shareable dessert would do better?” suggested their server, smirking, “We have a brand new fudge cake in today, extra rich. It’s practically a block of icing with some cake inside.” “That’s perfect,” answered Celestia, her mouth watering already, “we’ll take one of those after our lunches…” “Great, one shareable cake slice will be ready to go after the meal,” he answered, taking note. As soon as he was gone, Watcher tore into her, “Shareable... yeah right. You’re going to swallow it whole when it gets here.” “Promise I won’t!” she said, winking. Minutes later, the delicious smelling lunch was in front of them, baked hot pasta with mushrooms in between the noodles and copious amounts of sauce and cheese cooked into each bite. The salad was also very fresh, topped with chopped vegetables and the dressings they had picked from the long list. They sat and talked about their new job while they ate, but not without the usual insults they liked to lob at each other. Once they were finished and the dishes were cleared away, their waiter brought out the tantalizing piece of chocolate cake Celestia had yearned for. It was a massive dessert, at least a thousand calories, seven layers of moist chocolate cake with thick, creamy layers of lighter colored frosting in between, the slice had been chilled for so long that it was barely cuttable with a fork. To make matters even more bad for the two ponies’ health, there were chocolate chips stuck into the outside of the cake right into the icing, creating a crunchy last few bites. It was on a huge white plate, with caramel and chocolate sauce poured at the bottom, creating the richest dessert Watcher had ever seen. Two forks had been provided for them, but Watcher took one look at Celestia’s expression, her eyes wide open and her mouth nearly foaming with drool, and he knew he wasn’t even getting a taste. “Well, go ahead,” he said, mocking her, “you talked me into getting that for you, dig in!” The white-coated unicorn picked up her fork with her magical aura and went to plunge the silverware into the tempting slice. But something made her stop, a voice in her head had her pause in reflection. "Celestia, that piece of cake is for both of us, stop being piggy!” she had said to herself. ‘I wouldn’t dare take the whole thing, for I’m the older one,’ she remembered having said back, ‘And the older one has to set an example. Here, I’ll give you a bigger share than myself… if you want.’ Celestia had remembered it all. The smile she had gotten back from her after all that worry she would take the whole thing. The refusal from her to take a bigger piece, wanting exactly what was her fair share… half. The indecision in her eyes as she tried to choose which of the two halves she wanted. From there, they always each got half, from possessions, to new homes, to invitations to parties... But one day... when they were older… she no longer got half… and then… she was lost. Now she was gone again... The unicorn placed the fork gently back down on the plate, her eyes staring off into space, tears welling up, and she pushed with her hoof the slice of cake over to Watcher. “No… you first,” she said, trying not to cry in despair. Watcher could see the tears in her eyes, one escaping and rolling down her cheek. He wanted to yell at her for making a scene over his rude comment, but he knew from her expression that she wasn’t being dramatic. If it had been just his joke, he would have gotten a joke from her in return. This was different… the pain in her eyes was very real. “Tia… I’m, I’m sorry,” he said slowly, “I was just joking.“ “Watcher… I’m going to cut the slice in half, and I want… I want you to pick first,” answered the other unicorn, sniffling, “please…” “Sure, sure,” answered Watcher, nodding slowly. Was this new feeling he was experiencing pity for his companion’s craziness? Where was all this mysterious agony in her coming from? The mare dragged the plate back and picked up the fork again magically, turning it sideways and methodically cutting through the icing, another tear landing just next to the plate. The dessert was cut in half now, the pieces almost laser-precisely cut in two. She then pushed the plate back at him again. “Pick the bigger one for yourself, Watcher.” He began to feel nervous as he looked at the slices. They were exactly the same, and unless he planned on turning the plate and counting all those stupid chocolate chips, he was going to be awhile figuring it out. Watcher was worried she would cry out loud if he picked wrong, though, and so he went about looking over the pieces as carefully as he could. But it quickly became hopeless, she had cut the pieces that well. Without a good way to tell which was bigger, he sighed in defeat, and said, “These are the same size, so I can’t tell which one is bigger, they’re equal halves. Thank you for offering me the first pick though.” And just like that, she relaxed, a weak smile forming on her face, “You’re right, I did make them the same, just like when I’d cut dessert for…” She stopped, and diverted her eyes to him, knowing he’d say she was crazy again if she told him what she was thinking. So she simply laughed, changing her mood at the absurdity of the situation. “Watcher, I just.. I didn’t mean to get all emotional, I was merely reminded of somepony I knew. Cake has always been my favorite, and I have so many fond memories around it.” “I guess everypony has a food they loved growing up,” he answered thoughtfully, “I thought maybe I’d just pushed you over the edge with that last rude thing I did.” “Oh don’t worry, I’m quite used to how rude you are,” she joke, sniffing up her last bit of mucus from her sadness. Watcher smiled, “Good to see you’re cheering up.” With that, they picked up their forks, and for the first time, Watcher saw her enjoy a piece of cake slowly. She lighted up with each bite, able to savor it now that she wasn’t starving like when he first met her. He tried a taste himself, and immediately felt his mouth bombarded with thick, fudgy goodness. The lunch was going to cost him a lot, but he didn’t care. Some warm feeling had come over him, and it made him happy for the first time in his life since he was kicked out of school. After they had finished their rich dessert, Watcher and Celestia began to head out to do some sightseeing, taking their time to enjoy the scenery around them. Although he was a bit upset with the huge chunk of bits that had been devoured by the cost of their meals, and had nearly suffered a heart attack when the bill came by, he decided to let go after he had paid. Still he was very salty about the expenses. “Never would have thought that place would have charged us 200 bits… That was almost all the money I had saved for today. I’ve only got 50 bits left.” Watcher could only sighed seeing how Celestia was lost for words as she glanced at an ice cream stand. He knew where this was going and he had a feeling that his wallet was going to be finished off sooner than he expected. “Cele… I mean Tia, do we have to get ice cream? We just had cake for dessert!” “But, there’s always room for ice cream,” she pouted as the stallion groaned. He didn’t want to waste anymore of his bits, but seeing that they were having a good time he gave in and the two headed towards the ice cream stand where a white mare with a pink mane and apron on smiled at the two. “Hi, what flavor would you two lovebirds like?” She asked, they on the other hoof could only blush in embarrassment when they were asked. “We aren’t dating… We’re only friends,” Celestia stuttered as Watcher nodded in agreement, it was utterly disgusting to imagine them together. “Aww… Oh well what would you like anyways?” She asked smugly. “We have the couple’s delight, chocolate and vanilla combo, the banana split sundae and mint ice cream.” ‘She’s doing it on purpose isn’t she?’ Watcher thought to himself as his eye twitched slightly. Still he needed to order something. “Just… give us the combo.” “Excellent choice… That’ll be 16 bits please!” Just as soon as she said that Watcher slowly gave her the bits. Once again another huge bite was taken out of his wallet, soon he’d be broke if this kept going. What happened next was a bit awkward, as she gave them a single bowl of ice cream with one spoon. There was no way it was going to be split neatly like the slice of cake. “Enjoy you two and try to stay out of trouble~” “Gee, thanks,” they both said as they began to take their leave, by the time they were out of ear range they could only groan. “I still don’t get why they see us as… that?” Celestia shivered at the thought, before looking at the ice cream that was held by Watcher’s magic. She couldn’t help but stare at it as a bit of drool escaped her lips. “Well, either way we did get this… tasty bowl of ice cream. I haven’t had ice cream in over a millennium, so just hoof it over and I can start eating it!” “Now hold on a minute! What makes you think you get to eat all? I spent most of my bits so if anything I get to have the ice cream!” he countered as he levitated a spoon with vanilla ice cream, Celestia could only glare as he smirked at her. “Watcher… you agreed to share so it’s only fair that I get the first bite at the very least.” Of course Watcher could only glare as he brought the spoon closer to his mouth, which in turn made somepony very upset. “If I hadn’t suggested that we wouldn’t have gotten it in the first place… and I did share the cake!” “True but… I lost about two hundred bits today… So I think it’s fair that I get to have the first bite,” he said, just as he was about to take a bite, Celestia immediately grabbed the spoon out of his grasp and put it her mouth. “Are you sure you’re Princess Celestia? Because I doubt she would ever do that!” “Well perhaps you are right about that… I wouldn’t have acted like that which is why I am now,” she stated before taking the bowl from his hooves, “since you’ll never believe I’m a princess and neither will anypony else, for the first time I can truly act like a normal pony. But mark my words, Watcher I can still raise the sun if I was so inclined.” ‘Out of all the crazy things she has said for the past three weeks… This one really takes the cake and it needs to end now!’ Before he could speak, Celestia went on. This time, she seemed to have dropped her usual sarcasm. “You know… I never really thanked you for helping me have I? You gave me a place to stay, offered me food and helped me get accustomed to modern day society. You even agreed to help me and for that I am thankful for everything you have done. Despite you still being a jerk to me and all. Either way… Thank you for everything,” Watcher was caught off guard by her words, and as a result totally fumbled for a good response. “Your welcome… A-anyways can I have some ice cream? I haven’t had a single bite,” he asked, but Celestia ignored him for ruining the moment and continued eating it as she glared at him. “Fine I’ll just buy myself another.” He decided to head back towards the stand where the mare gave a sly grin. “So you’re back… Did you miss me~” “Can I get a small mint cone please?” He asked, ignoring her question. “Ahh… I understand completely, here you go. It’s on the house,” she said winking at him, as he shook his head, “you’re a good coltfriend for letting her have it all.” And with that, his free “small” cone soon turned into a large, and she gave him the mounded cone of mint chocolate chip with a smile on her face and a teasing grin. Watcher accepted the free generous portion, but still felt uneasy about it all. ‘Why does everypony in this town think I’m with her? True she’s sweet but still messed up in the head...’ As he walked back, he remembered what she had said… how the cake had reminded her of something. 'Oh… she… probably has loved ones, the cake must have reminded her…' Watcher slowly approached the other unicorn, ice cream smeared around her dainty lips, holding his own cone magically in front of him. She threw out the empty dish in a nearby trash can and wiped away the ice cream from her mouth with her hoof, staining it with the sticky melted treat. “I see the ice cream mare took pity on you and gave you your own,” she said, chuckling, “I’m going to watch you eat that whole thing, Watcher.” “Can we please do something else besides eat when I’m done with this?” he asked, “I… I kind of want to know about what you were thinking over the slice of cake.” Her ears moved back slightly in surprise, as if her heart had skipped a beat, “Oh. That? I… I suppose I could talk a little while we walk in the park together.” He took a good lick from the cone, enjoying the cool mint flavor,“Ok, good, you really did give me a scare when you got upset back there at the restaurant.” “Please don’t worry about me,” she answered, “enjoy your ice cream!” “It’s going to be hard with two purple eyes staring at it,” answered Watcher sarcastically. She rolled those exact eyes at him, and laughed, waiting patiently for him to finish his ice cream so they could start their walk. Maybe she’d tell him why she felt down soon, but for now, all she wanted to do was watch him get a brain freeze from scarfing his ice cream down to avoid having to share with her. After finishing his ice cream off, Watcher took a deep breath before leading Celestia towards a nearby park. Celestia couldn’t remember the last time she had a normal walk through the park. Even when she was a ruler she hardly stepped out of castle due to political problems, but it was nice for once to relax and not have to worry about ponies surrounding her and bombarding her with questions. “Anyways… Did you enjoy your day Celestia?” he asked, earning a light nod from the mare as they continued their way through the park. “I had a good day today Watch, it’s been nice thanks to you,” she said, “especially since I know how much it cost you… you seemed concerned.” “I’m sure the free food is nothing compared to the huge, expensive ones you got as a princess,” he teased. “Well, actually,” she answered, sighing, “many of the times I’d get something, it’d be to try and get me to do something for them in return. A long time ago, I was offered a grand swimming pool lined with marble, if only I would do something about that plumber’s competition. I never was offered many gifts out of the kindness of a pony’s heart.” Watcher was beginning to suspect that perhaps she had been raised in a wealthier home and merely convinced by equally crazy parents that she was the ancient Sun Princess. Maybe beneath the facade though, was a pony who yearned for real friends, and real relationships. At least bearing the brunt of her behavior seemed to slowly help her improve. Pushing past his thoughts, he answered her statement, “I didn’t realize you had to put up with bribes so much. Must have been awfully tempting, all those nice gifts. How’d you resist putting everypony’s taxes through the roof to rake in the bits?” “I’ve always loved my little ponies and want them to be happy,” she answered, “so I was as fair as I could be. But perhaps now that I’ve lost everything, it’s best I learn how to be fair to you… since you’re my only friend now.” There was subtle, yet clearly intense pain in her tone of voice. Her words made his heart sink, and he was losing quickly the ability to remain a sarcastic and rude individual like he usually was. He muttered, “Am I really your only friend?” “Yes.” “But what about your family? Don’t you have a family? Friends?” he said, “I understand you believe yourself to be Princess Celestia, but where are all the others who are supposed to love you, too?” She stood still, realizing the scope of her situation, and tears began to form in her eyes again. “I suppose… they’re all dead. I’m alone now.” Watcher stopped, having walked past her, and slowly turned around, the strings tugging at his feelings finally granting him understanding. He remembered as a young colt, being told how likely it was all his loved ones were dead. How he’d cried into his pillow knowing he’d never get to meet his family. A sense of connection came over him, and the Watcher who wanted to remain a jerk and a recluse for being kicked from school was starting to fade away. “You’re not alone… I’m in the same boat,” he said to her, walking up to her slowly, “When I was just a young colt… I was told… that my original parents had left me at an orphanage within the Order. All I had was my friend Midnight… The two of us grew up together and even though I’m glad to have a friend like him, I wondered why my family left me? Was I a mistake or was it something else? To this day I still ask myself that.” “I’m sorry to hear that… Whatever the reason… I’m sure they had a good reason… Still it’s hard to imagine.” She said, placing her hoof on his shoulder and giving him a gentle smile. “Watcher… We should probably head back to finish the first batch of crystals and this time… Let me help you okay.” “Alright… I guess I could use your help… Thank you.” “Your welcome... friend.” Soon the two began to make their way back towards the library to finish the last of crystals and to get a good night’s rest.