//------------------------------//
// The Long Memory 
// Story: A Rose by Any Other Name 
// by vortex123 
//------------------------------//

1095

"Your majesties, the coronation will begin in 10 minutes, please make sure you're ready." I heard some old guy say as I started to wake up.

"We'll be ready in time, don't worry." I heard some girl say. "Can you get somepony to clean up all these rose petals on the floor?" She requested.

'Somepony? I haven't heard someone say it like that since Sunset stopped...' I think, as I open my eyes, only to find myself in a dark cramped room.

"My eyesight must be failing me in my age." The guy says. "Could you perhaps enlighten me on where those petals are? I only see a spotless floor." He requested. For a few moments, all I hear is the poor girl stammering. Another, much younger sounding girl, spoke up.

"I assure you, your eyesight is fine. But I can confirm that there were indeed rose petals littering the floor, there just…not here anymore." The younger girl says, trying to help the first girl out, but failing. It was kinda hard to listen to, to be honest.

"Is that so?" He asked in a tone adults would normally use when kids say something outlandish, and don't wanna be mean. "Well it's quite fortunate for the staff that those petals suddenly vanished without anyone noticing." I snorted at that. It wasn't because what he said was funny, it was the way he said it. I can't help but imagine the looks on those kids' faces right now.

"Did you two hear something?” The first girl asked, causing me to cover my mouth. Considering how they don’t seem to know I’m here, chances are, I’m not supposed to be here. I’d rather not find out what would happen if they found me here.

“I didn’t hear anything.” The old man answered. I quietly sigh in relief. “Now hurry along, you have a coronation to attend. I’ll catch up with you, I have something I need to take care of here.” He says to the two.

“Very well, we’ll see you there.” The first one says. I hear a door open, then close. I then hear footsteps approaching me, causing me to tense up.

“You can come out now, I won’t hurt you, unless you try to hurt me.” The guy said.

‘Well, since he already knows I’m here.’ I think with a frown. “Alright.” I say before holding my throat in shock. That certainly wasn’t my voice…I’ll worry about that later. Feeling around for any way to get out, I push open the door to what was apparently a cabinet.

"Well that's certainly a surprise, I never thought I'd see someone from your race in my current lifetime." The man says. The man himself was wearing a gray business suit, and black shoes. His hair was brown with gray patches here and there. His skin was pale white, and his eyes were green. I also noticed he had a weird looking cane with him, which he was holding with both hands, and was using it how anyone would normally use a cane. 

The cane’s handle is embellished with a bizarre pattern, and there is a large knuckle guard that reaches down the bottom of the handle. The larger area at the bottom of the handle contains small gold-colored gears. The shaft of the cane has a gray-black coloration and looks square, instead of round like most other canes. Just then, what he said finally clicked.

“My race?” I asked in confusion, still a little put off by my voice.

“Oh yes, most wolf Faunus tend to stay with their own types, as do every other type of Faunus. I’m actually here as an ambassador for the humans, do to my ties with the newest rulers of the pony Faunuses. My job is to try to form a peace treaty with them.” He explained, much to my confusion.

“Then why are you here, talking to me? Wouldn’t it be better to go to the meeting?” I asked, only to receive a chuckle.

“While a treaty is all but guaranteed at this point, stopping an attempt for their lives certainly wouldn’t hurt my chances.” He said with a smile, making me go wide eyed.

“I wouldn’t do something like that!” I say quickly.

“If that’s the case, then would you care to explain the gun holstered on your lower back?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. I look behind me, and sure enough, there’s a gun there. I also noticed my clothes were different, but that’s not important right now. “And could you explain why you’re in a restricted area without those two knowing?” He asked me after a few moments. After stuttering for a few moments, I responded.

“W-well…if that was the case…why haven’t I done anything?” I asked, grasping at straws. He motioned for me to continue. “Well, they didn’t know I was here, so they wouldn’t be ready for a surprise attack. And I (apparently) have a gun, but I didn’t attack them when they were all alone.” I say, more than a little nervous.

“I suppose you have a point there. Nevertheless, the point still stands. You are here without permission, are carrying a firearm, and was until now, hiding in a cabinet in the same room as two members of royalty.” He lists off, causing me to feel a sinking feeling in my stomach. “Sorry, but I’m afraid I cannot ignore those facts, even if what you say is true.”

“What are you gonna do?” I asked cautiously.

“That depends on you Ms…” He trails off.

“Katana.” I say.

“Ms. Tana.” He says with a smile.

‘Did he just call me a shelf?’ I think to myself.

“What I do all depends on you. I see a lot of potential in those silver eyes of yours, maybe we can work on an arrangement, after the coronation of course.” He says with a smile. Not seeing any other nonviolent options, I agree. With that, we exit the room (with the man vouching for me to the guards). But while we walk, something else he said finally clicked.

‘Did he call me a wolf Faunus?’ I think in confusion.

“Oh, by the way, call me Ivan. Since I’ll be preoccupied with the coronation, I’ll be leaving you with a good friend of mine. His name is Starswirl, he’s a little grumpy when you first meet him, but he’s nice once you get to know him.” Ivan says with a chuckle. And with that, we continue in silence.