//------------------------------// // Chapter Four: The Exile // Story: Sunspots // by RadBunny //------------------------------// “Is this really necessary, Luna?” Shifting asked, getting ready to depart with a slight grumble. “It’s a simple test, Shifting, based on a rather good hunch my sister has. She was quite tickled when I came up with the idea.” “An arm-wrestling contest? What will that tell us about the doctor?” Luna levitated a simple parchment over to her huffy coltfriend, Shifting glancing over Twilight’s newest findings on the Satyr’s Paw artifact. “Oh, you sly, sly mare. That’s rather ingenious.” “I try. Now get going, and try your hardest to not make it look planned.” Shifting saluted the Alicorn, tapping a hoof against the ground as magic swirled around his frame. “Aye aye my mare! WE SHALL ENGAGE IN GLORIOUS COMBAT, AND IT WILL BE WRITTEN FOR ALL-” The stallion vanished in a puff of magic, Luna in a fit of giggles as Silty Stone poked her head into the main operations room, fuzzy ears perked up in curiosity. “Was the Commander having a moment again?” “Yes, yes he was. It was fantastic.” Entering the main barracks and stepping through the sterilization fields, Nacreous couldn’t help but grin on seeing the collection of royal and night guards intermingling in the evening hours. The ponies that had followed/escorted him also seemed to relax slightly, the chefs bringing out a mixture of food for the different types of creatures as everyone dispersed around the room, numerous long wooden tables and chairs set up in the stone building. The smell of fish then reached the hippogriff’s nostrils; the main enticing point for this whole endeavor coming into focus. Quite unexpected. Cooped up in a room, and then saying the investigation verified my identity, I was clear to go from the attack, and they’re serving fish in the barracks. Some impromptu party? Eh, it’s Equestria, so I suppose it makes sense. The detour out of the castle quickly became worth it as the doctor took a few bites of smoked salmon, his eyes rolling in pleasure. “Ok, that is fantastic,” he mumbled, easily downing four full fish, much to the slight surprise of the nearby ponies. “Doctor Borealis?” a voice called out, Shifting Sands trotting up and holding out a hoof, to which Nacreous shook in greeting. “Just Nacreous outside of the medical center, please,” the hippogriff replied, the pony chuckling with a nod. “Nacreous it is. Commander Shifting Sands; just thought I’d pop over and say hello. It’s rare I get a break from the Emergency Operations center; but having a leader here boosts moral,” he explained as Nacreous nodded in agreement. “Understandable. It’s nice to finally meet you, Commander. Your current circumstances I found quite fascinating.” Shifting chuckled with a shrug, taking a bite of a rather sugary pastry in passing. “Nice to finally met you as well. I can also pass along my thanks for assisting the Princess, for it certainly put both Luna’s and my heart at ease. As for my past? Eh, I suppose it is a unique one!” A slight commotion drew their attention, the Commander laughing softly at seeing a thestral slam the forelimb of a royal guard to the table, the group of ponies cheering. “A simple exercise, but quite amusing to watch. A bit of friendly rivalry between the guards is so much better than the past simmering tensions, I think,” the unicorn mused, a sly grin meandering onto his features. “Care for a bout?” Nacreous’s eyes widened, the hippogriff waving a set of claws to the table. “Of that? I’d say even with my size you have a considerable and rather unique advantage, Commander.” Shifting shrugged, trotting over to a clear part of the nearest table and offering a limb. “Eh, perhaps. But it’s rare I get to test my strength against someone of your size, if you’ll indulge me.” Nacreous sat down, noting how a gaggle of thestrals and ponies quickly surrounded the pair. “Commander! Isn’t that a bit…mean?” a Night Guard called out, prompting a laugh from Shifting. “Come now! The Doctor here knows of my capacities, and I have no intention of hurting the creature who saved the Princess!” he replied, a few chuckles echoing through the group. A guard trotted up as Nacreous gripped Shifting’s hoof in his own; the count then starting… “Three, Two, One, START!” The pair’s forelimbs locked, Shifting applying steadily more force as the hippogriff did the same. On seeing a curious glint in the pony’s eye, Nacreous let out a soft, thoughtful hum, pieces of the puzzle quickly falling into place. “I have been careless, it would seem,” he mused, a curious grunt from Shifting then following. “Tell me, which Princess had the idea for this? The test that is?” Shifting’s demeanor betrayed nothing as the stallion’s head tilted in curiosity, now noticing that the hippogriff seemed to not be straining at all in the contest of strength. “The what? I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Nacreous let out a breath, head shaking slightly. Shifting’s arm tensed, pushing at full force against the hippogriff who now looked up at him. The previously calm blue eyes now were sharp and keen; ice having formed in the placid oceans of his gaze. Unnoticed by the crowd, but certainly perceptible to the combatants, Shifting’s hoof began to be pushed back, despite the Commander’s best efforts. Nacreous’s eyes then darted to the onlookers briefly, and Shifting slowly lowered the hippogriff’s hoof to the table, prompting a loud series of cheers to sound around the barracks. “It would seem your advantage holds true, even against someone of my size, Commander,” Nacreous replied, nodding to the stunned stallion briefly. It wasn’t audible over the cheers to anyone but Shifting, but a definitely icy tone now coated the Doctor’s words. “We’re both very well-aged adults, Commander. Such tricks are quite below us.” Nacreous whispered, then bowing his head once and trotting back over to the plate of fish awaiting him. Shifting’s brow furrowed, the stallion mingling with the guards for a time before stepping out into a side hall, teleportation magic sending him hurtling back towards the distant command center. Nacreous finished his meal, letting out a frustrated grumble as he meandered back into the halls; apparently now free from his escort. ‘Come now, Nacreous. Would you have told them if they asked? WILL you answer truthfully the first time regardless?’ Fori’s voice rang in his mind. “I suppose not. But you know how I feel about being manipulated.” ‘Don’t judge them too harshly though. They mean well of course, simple curiosity I imagine. You haven’t been careful.’ “I haven’t needed to be careful before. It’s no wonder I slipped up. It doesn’t matter now I suppose; was bound to happen eventually.” ‘Oh, it matters a great deal, I think, but in a good way.’ “Goodnight, Fori.” Nacreous made his way back towards the castle guest rooms, the hippogriff pausing as he passed by a familiar vase. “You were the start of my problems I figure, you dastardly piece of pottery,” he grumbled. Luna was surprised to see Shifting walk into the room without a word, the Commander sitting down to stare at his hooves for a few moments. “Shifting? What is wrong?” “Nothing, but everything. I think that hunch your sister had was correct in more ways than one.” “What?” Luna asked, a thrill of excitement running through her frame. “He matched my strength, Luna, and I think he could have beaten me. That hippogriff let me win, but showed enough to send a message. He then berated me for trying to fool him; Nacreous saw right through the test.” Luna blew out a surprise breath, her wings shrugging briefly. “It was a possibility though.” “He also said something rather odd during our final words,” Shifting continued, the gears in his mind still grinding away. “He said, ‘we’re both well-aged adults, and such tricks are below us.’ I’m fairly certain that means exactly what it sounds like.” Luna was already scribbling a report to Celestia, her tongue sticking out in thought. “But he isn’t a threat?” “No, I don’t think so. But I’d say this confirms that hunch; but shouldn’t we be the one to question him, Celestia being in a weakened state and all?” “My sister was quite clear on that. She wants to question him, and that’s fair. The legionnaires will be standing by however.” Shifting let out a grunt, hoof tapping the ground in thought. “Based on what we know, I’m not sure if that’d even help much.” A night of restless sleep hadn’t done the hippogriff any favors in terms of nerves; and a summons from Princess Celestia only confirmed his suspicions. Having spent most of the day assisting the medical staff, Nacreous’s ears now flattened slightly as he trotted down the castle halls, the royal guards now looking at him with a mix of awe and fear. Except this time, it has nothing to do with my size. Can’t be helped however. I suppose this summons is the peak of it all.Deep breaths. Despite his best efforts, the hippogriff’s claws shook slightly, the Doctor ducking into a side hallway to try and stop his sides from heaving. “Oh, I did not think it would be this bad,” he hissed, managing to reign himself in before continuing. Not like I don’t have options; I could just leave. For that matter, this is far from the first time I’ve told somecreature all of this. But this is the first time such a thing matters… Nodding to the four Legionnaires, Nacreous stepped through the opened door and passed through a prickly magical field, the hippogriff glancing around at the large room. Bookshelves lined a wall, as did a matching wooden desk, a collection of rather plush pillows, and a few paintings hung here and there. A soft fire burned away in the hearth, and a curious phoenix looked at the hippogriff with a surprisingly intelligent gaze. “Ah, Doctor Nacreous…” Celestia mused, wincing as she sat up on a large cushion, a few parchments spread out in front of her. “Princess Celestia, I take it you’re still on the road to recovery?” he asked, managing to keep his voice at least somewhat stable. “Yes, thanks to you. A few odd pains here and there, but those are getting better by the day. I just had a simple question for you, one that encompasses a few odd pieces of information I’ve uncovered.” Celestia replied, locking two violet eyes on his. “How old are you?” “Sixty-seven.” Celestia blinked at the prompt response, her magic levitating the parchments up to her vision. “Really? Because I’ve come to believe otherwise.” “Oh?” “Are you going to make me pry and lay it all out? Very well.” The barest hint of a smile edged onto the Alicorn’s features; the hippogriff’s silence prodding her onwards. “It seems you have quite the intense interest in pottery but you were mistaken about Parchment’s mother. It wasn’t her that was treated for an ailment, but her great-great-grandmother. Apparently, it’s something of a family story now. I had no idea you were practicing medicine before birth.” Another parchment levitated over to her view. “Your knowledge about that vase, by the way, checks out. But much of it is not mentioned in history books oddly enough. That’s certainly just a coincidence. What isn’t however, is another bit of history.” Celestia moved a large volume into view; the title easy to read. “The transcription of oral histories from various ancient tribes. This was my first clue. The hydra, Doctor, that you mentioned I fought? I thought that quite interesting, especially since it took place over six hundred years ago.” Now she got a reaction, a slight wince from Nacreous at the ruler’s words. “I did a bit of digging. While I remember that fight clear as day; the aftermath is a bit fuzzy however. Strangely enough, the tribe I defended in those swampy lands was rather primitive, and relied on non-written historical records at that time. We didn’t transcribe their histories from surviving decedents until recently; the only copy being held here and, in the vaults, and having a mere passing mention of my encounter. There was no book for you to read, and I’m quite curious how you knew I had such severe wounds.” Nacreous didn’t say anything, but Celestia saw his wings twitch slightly, eyes only meeting hers briefly. “Then there’s the matter of not having a Pearl Shard from Queen Novo; all hippogriffs have them, and not one had refused to my knowledge, outside a few select and well-recorded incidences. And then there’s the incident yesterday with Commander Sands. He says you could have beaten him at an arm-wrestling contest.” That elicited a slight smile, Nacreous letting out a tired breath. “Anything else?” Celestia nodded, levitating over a parchment for him to read. “Princess Twilight discovered something fascinating about Satyr’s claws. While the effects can be random, there are a few instances such artifacts follow a theme, at least in the few times they have cropped up in the past thousand years. In this case, I believe those themes have to do with age, and strength. If I had to guess, you are not sixty-seven, but well over six hundred and seven.” Scanning the parchment, Nacreous swallowed the lump in his throat, sitting up a bit taller. “I’m both impressed and rather disappointed in myself. But then again, I’ve never had to hide any of this before.” Eyes widening in shock, Celestia stared at the hippogriff in surprise. “Wait, we’re right?” Nacreous nodded, looking at a set of his claws which trembled ever so slightly. “Partially. Let me answer your hydra question though, Princess.” “Just Celestia, please.” “Alright, Celestia. We’ve met before.” Celestia blinked, head shaking immediately. “I would certainly remember you.” “Who do you think treated you after that hydra attack?” The parchments promptly fell from Celestia’s magical grasp in surprise, the mare staring at the sheepish hippogriff. “What?!” “May I sit?” Nacreous asked softly, his wings drooping slightly as he gestured to a cushion opposite the alicorn. She nodded, the hippogriff then trotting over to settle down. “You wouldn’t remember me, Celestia. N-nobody would, nocreature has,” Nacreous winced at the tremor in his voice, a set of talons clenching to stop their shaking. “It is the price I paid when I was tricked into using the Paw, Celestia. As you would have figured out eventually, I’m the First Wisher.” The only sound for a minute or two was the crackling of the fire, Celestia then finally sighing as Philomena let out a soft chirp. “I suppose I was expecting something along those lines, and it makes sense. Your knowledge about the cure and so forth. But tricked into using the Paw? Shifting knew the risks, you did not? That would make you older than him as well.” Nacreous nodded, a smile edging onto his beak. “Indeed, it would. You really shouldn’t pry into your elder’s lives like this, you know.” Celestia’s jaw dropped, prompting an amused huff from the hippogriff. “Only by a few years I think, but that’s my age. I don’t know your exact year of birth, so I can’t be certain. Five? Or seven years your senior, give or take a year or two.” “You’re older than me?” Nacreous grinned, glancing over his frame slightly. “I mean, I certainly carry it well. Boosted metabolism and all that.” It was a rare privilege to see the Solar Princess rendered utterly speechless, the moment made even better as a certain phoenix cackled with laughter in the corner on her perch as her friend stared, mouth half-open. “Perhaps I should start at the beginning while you’re processing that.” A simple nod was Celestia’s reply, Nacreous crossing his forelimbs in thought. “Let me see. In short? I was tricked into using the paw by a pony witch. Apparently, she wanted to learn of its effects at the expense of others, among other things. It was only afterwards I learned of how evil she truly was. I only saw her a few times after that, probably dead a hundred times over by now though. Like the Commander, while I used the paw with the intent to do good, it took from me everything. I had no biological family as it were, so the price was paid by me, and me alone.” “What was the price?” Celestia asked, her voice a gentle whisper. “The price? It….” Nacreous’s beak opened and closed slightly, a lump of emotion clogging his throat. “It took from me my home, my friends, my future; everything I could ever hope to achieve. Almost everything.” He took a few deep breaths, Celestia clearly surprised by the onset of tender emotion that overwhelmed the burly hippogriff. “I was first exiled for my mistake. The use of such an artifact was forbidden by law, even by trickery. I was a medic for the Royal House Guard, so I was held to a higher standard. I had no family as it were, an orphan, but I was barred from the main city. That wouldn’t have been so bad on its own.” He managed to look up at Celestia, and her violet eyes saw the hippogriff’s blue gaze in turmoil, emotional storm clouds whipping the ocean into a frenzy. “I was to be forgotten for all time, at least I thought,” he whispered. “Within about two weeks, friends I had known for years forgot me. Ladies I fancied forgot about a dinner date, jobs didn’t pay me until I proved I worked there, time and time again. Accomplishments I made were given to someone else. I was to be a ghost, forgotten every few weeks at least until a few years ago.” “The Elements of Harmony.” Nacreous nodded, not trusting himself to look up at Celestia. “As best as I can figure it, that’s when the spell weakened and broke, whereas the Commander’s faded naturally. I was remembered, at least after that point, a few exceptions to that rule aside. Celestia, do you know what is so strange about this moment, right now?” the hippogriff asked, now looking up at her and gesturing around with his claws. “I’m absolutely terrified. Not of you, not of your royal stature, not even of your power, of which I know is greatly underestimated,” he added, looking to his claws. “It’s the fact that you will now remember me, that everyone will.” Celestia didn’t say anything for a time, the ruler finally bringing two cups and a steaming tea kettle over. “Would you like a cup?” He nodded, the herbal mixture making the hippogriff’s shoulders relax slightly. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Another moment of silence dawned as the two sipped on the steaming herbal tea, Celestia finally speaking. “Where do we go from here, Nacreous?” The hippogriff actually let out a laugh, shaking his head. “I honestly don’t know. This is all new territory for me,” he admitted with a nervous smile. “Treating royalty is not a new event for me, but a lovely princess and her subjects? This scope and scale are all new. I thought I’d stick around however, adjust to this new idea of existing.” “You are most welcome to stay here; and we’d appreciate the help,” Celestia admitted, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “If I may ask, what did you use the paw for? The price was steep.” Nacreous sighed, head bobbing at her question. “It was before I practiced as a medic. I couldn’t save a few stricken soldiers from a rather horrible fate; but in the end, there was no correct call to make, as I’ve thought about it for a millennium. But that said, I wanted to be better. My request was simple and far too broad; to be the best doctor I could be, to be able to help the most patients I could. The paw took that request and ran with it.” his voice dropped to a slight hiss briefly before continuing. “As Princess Twilight discovered, the paw did indeed have a theme. Like the Commander, I am strengthened in body, and ageless, for all intents and purposes. Hippogriffs can’t ascend, so I don’t have a reference in terms of strength. But it went further.” he continued. “If it has to do with medicine, my mind is sharp as a tack. I can calculate titrations, remember medicinal properties, write research papers, give lectures, and recall every treatment for any ailment I’ve studied. When medicine and such is involved, my mind is bolstered, including learning languages to communicate with patients and such.” He held up a set of claws, all of which continued to tremble. A nervous but genuine smile dawned on his beak, the hippogriff shrugging. “Outside of that? I have trouble doing math, get horribly nervous when speaking to crowds, and love to build things out of plastic bricks. I’m just another hippogriff.” At that, Celestia let out a soft chuckle, her head shaking back and forth. “I’d still say you’re an incredible individual, Nacreous. Correct me if I’m wrong, but you helped me of your own accord, along with my ponies. That speaks volumes of your character.” Nacreous smiled back in response, settling down slightly on the cushions. “I suppose so. Thank you, Celestia.” Another pause, this time it was Nacreous who broke the silence. “I know you have questions, so by all means, ask. I’ll try to answer them as best I can. You are one of the few individuals who can understand living this long and the trials it brings, after all.” His words caused Celestia’s eyes to widen, her half-open mouth to clamp shut. Her violet eyes swam with something that caused Nacreous to hesitate. Fear? Unease? And then it was gone. “What did you do for over one thousand years? Was your mind blunted to the effects like Shifting’s? He, as you undoubtably know, was unable to focus on the ‘now’ at times.” “I had no such blessing.” “Blessing?” The Doctor nodded, downing the rest of his tea in thought. “I was perfectly aware of the passing of every day. For a time, I simply existed, doing odd jobs to stay afloat, trying to learn about the effects I suffered from. Once I realized there was no cure I did the only thing I knew would keep me sane.” “Which was?” A smile unburdened by nerves or hesitation now plastered itself across Nacreous’s beak. “I helped creatures. I soaked up every bit of medical knowledge I could, and I traveled, much like Shifting. My patients would likely never remember I was even there, but I lost myself in helping everycreature I could. I couldn’t help myself, but I could do that for others. I did discover the forgetting spell has limits; some creatures did remember me, the times varying of course. There is one village that somehow still recalls my presence at least in some aspect; they send me letters now and again asking what crops to plant and so forth. It’s rather adorable actually,” he mused, looking over at the ruler. Celestia’s gaze was locked onto the hippogriff, the Alicorn on the edge of her cushion at his words. “I kept my various medical certifications active, and I traveled the world, helping tribes, towns, kingdoms; I just kept helping. They’d never remember me, but at least I could utilize my curse for good. I could never have what these creatures did; a life, but helping them, seeing them live and being thanked…it helped me forget what I could never have.” “Until now.” The two words seemed to be hammer blows onto Nacreous’s shoulders, the hippogriff nodding once. “In a manner of speaking. I never age, Celestia. That mean I can’t…” he shook his head, and the alicorn was shocked to see tears brimming in hippogriff’s eyes before they were swiped away. “I’d rather not speak of that. Some things change, but some things never do.” Celestia nodded, her usual vast repertoire of words and appropriate speeches being completely erased in this situation. Two words came to her mind however. “Thank you.” “Hmm?” Celestia gestured to Nacreous with a hoof, wings shuffling in thought. “Thank you for being willing to share all of that. It was quite an ordeal for Shifting to adjust, and I cannot imagine how rough the past few years has been.” “It’s why I made so many mistakes. How can I hide something that I never really had to before? Everycreature would fawn over me being ageless for a week and then…they’d forget, and I’d be a new face to greet,” Nacreous remarked, meeting Celestia’s gaze once again. “But you’re welcome.” The pause was broken by a squawk from Philomena, the phoenix flying over to roost on the hippogriff’s shoulder; Celestia gawking at the sight. “Rarely does Philomena take to someone so quickly.” The phoenix let out a chirp as Nacreous scratched her chin with a talon, a peaceful smile on his face as a bit of tension drained from his frame. “I’ve rarely not gotten along with animals, pets or otherwise. Perhaps predators perceive I’m a threat not worth messing with, and others realize I mean them no harm. Either way it’s always nice to be noticed.” Celestia retrieved a few simple forms, scrawling her signature on each as she then passed them over. “I suppose we best take care of this now as well; these will authorize you to work within any hospital in Canterlot under royal decree. I don’t really know your financial assets but you’re welcome to stay at the castle.” Nacreous chuckled, shaking his head as Philomena gave a chirp, returning to her roost once again. He examined the forms and signed his own name after reading each over. “I’m quite set on bits, but thank you for the offer. I would like to stick around in the city, I think. Even so, I’ve always been a fan of more natural areas though. Beaches, forests, mountains, the ocean…” “Understandable. It gets to be a bit much at times,” Celestia sighed. “I thoroughly enjoyed exploring some cave systems and the like on my day off.” “Perhaps next time we chat, it could be somewhere outside the castle then?” As soon as the words left Nacreous’s beak, a blush painted his cheeks a bright pink, a set of claws waving to dismiss the shocked look Celestia shot him. “For a better setting! Maybe the gardens? Just to talk! Not as, well, that,” he stammered, shaking his head in a huff. “I know what you meant,” Celestia giggled; the sound accompanying a blush that tinted her cheeks a startling pink. The speed at which the hippogriff’s ears perked up could have broken the sound barrier, his blue eyes looking over to Celestia curiously at the pleasant sound. “Well, of that I’m glad,” he remarked, but the hippogriff’s eyes drifted briefly to Celestia’s red cheeks, prompting a slight cough. “I…well, a different setting sounds quite nice, especially for such heavy a subject. I imagine I’ve troubled you enough for today, Nacreous,” Celestia said, the stalwart mask cracking as she struggled to reign in her words. “I am sorry for the manipulative test, if I may say.” The lack of formality seemed to put the hippogriff at ease, the doctor bowing his head as he made his way towards the door. “No trouble at all, Celestia.” he replied, then pausing, ears flattening ever so slightly. “And it’s alright. As you saw, it was hard enough to admit the truth when presented with the facts.” He was then gone, trotting down the corridor towards the guest room; at least until a nearby dwelling could be procured. Well. That went better than expected. One thought however, refused to leave the hippogriff’s mind. It was obnoxious, buzzing around his skull unimpeded. To be fair, both of their words showed their true inexperience when dealing with another creature as long-lived as the other. And yet, a simple sound, cheery and carefree had punched through the tension of the moment, and now made the hippogriff’s steps seem a bit lighter. She giggled. “I giggled. Oh, sweet stars where in the world did that come from?” Celestia groaned into a pillow, flopping onto her bed with a sigh. “Lulu is going to have a fit. Maybe I just won’t tell her? Maybe.” A disapproving squawk from Philomena met her words, a small pillow being thrown the bird’s way. “Ok, yes she’s my sister, but you are not helping the matter! Roosting on his shoulder? What was that for?” A peaceful trill was the bird’s reply, Philomena clearly not regretting her actions in the slightest. “This is so strange, Philomena,” Celestia sighed, pouring another cup of tea as she lay on the bed. “Every scenario, every pre-set action I have doesn’t fit here. I’ve never had this before; it’s like a blank slate. I mean, he’s older than me. That just doesn’t happen, outside of dragons at least. It feels so strange, and yet did you hear his voice? After all this time he’s still sensitive! How does a creature maintain that over a thousand years? I would have thought-” The knowing look Celestia’s feathery friend shot her way made the alicorn’s heart drop, Celestia curling around a pillow. “I guess you hold onto it, or lose it-, and he did that through helping creatures. I still need to find parts of myself, as I told you the other day,” the alicorn murmured. “I’m not used to talking to someone as an equal. Not like- you know what I mean. Not in terms of being better, but relatable. Ageless, having lived as long, being as experienced in life, somecreature not seeing me as…” Celestia’s eyes widened, the realization making blood rush to her cheeks. That was what prompted the school-girl like giggle, and even now prompted a very unsettling warm glow in her chest. Philomena flew over and sat on the pile of regalia next to the bed, nudging one of the hoof-covers over with an affirming chirp. “Exactly; it was like he didn’t even see me as a Princess, and in the best way possible. Not in a disrespectful way, but he just talked to me, just like Luna, just like…” Celestia whispered, the impact of the realization bringing a shocking amount of emotion up to her eyes. The ruler hugged the closest pillow, even as her phoenix friend sat on the alicorn’s shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. It was the realization that had been present in her dreams; a simple, horrible conclusion of what she lacked, yet desperately wanted among so many other things, the possibility of which was only now starting to resonate. “He spoke to me like a friend; I was just Celestia.”