//------------------------------// // Centaur (Part 1) // Story: What if Mavis was a: // by darkmage1997 //------------------------------// It was a brisk, Fall evening in the Crystal Empire. Families were putting their foals to bed, shops were closing, and couples were out on dates. As the Full Moon began to rise over the empire, one particular couple, however was heading home after a date at one of the most poshest restraunts in the empire. They were Princess Cadence, and her husband, Prince Shining Armor, co-rulers of the Crystal Empire, "Did you enjoy it, my love?" Shining Armor asked. "It was one of the most excellent dinners we've had all year Shiny," Cadence replied. However, before the went any further, they saw something, or rather, someone, a very young someone, was walking along the sidewalks, all alone. What was shocking to them, was that it was a centaur. Though this one looked nothing like Lord Tirek. The centaur appeared to be a child, a girl, to be more precise, wearing a well made Gothic Lolita dress. She had very long black hair, and appeared to be limping. "Must.... get.... away..... Can't let them catch me," the centaur girl said, in a voice that sounded similar to Cadence's home country of Prance. Though, the tone of her voice was broken, like she had experienced something bad. "Uh, excuse me?" Cadence called out to the young centaur. The centaur noticed the couple, and with a squeak, she tried to run away, only to fall. "Owwie," the girl said, as the Crystal Couple rushed to her aid. "Are you alright?" Cadence asked, offering to help the child up onto her hooves. "Careful Cadence. We don't know if she can steal magic like Tirek," Shining Armor cautiously advised. "Uh, centaurs can't steal magic. We don't even use magic," the girl reassured, her tone still shaky, as if, untrusting towards the couple. "If I may introduce myself and my husband, I am Cadence, and this is Shining Armor," Cadence said, introducing both herself and her husband. The centaur girl looked to be a well mannered individual, as she did a little curtsey, and bowed respectfully. "I am Mavis Gustou," the child replied, her tone sounding a little more at ease, but still wary. "If I may ask, why are you out so late?" Cadence asked. "I.... don't have a home anymore," Mavis sadly replied. "You poor thing. We have plenty of rooms at our castle, if you're wanting a place to stay? We could even get you something to eat," Cadence offered. "I would not like to impose. I was told it goes against centaur code,," Mavis replied, wanting to get away as soon as possible. "We don't mind at all. In fact, we insist you be our guest," Shining Armor replied. Mavis thought about running, but she knew she was not that good a runner, especially with her injuries to her legs. Added to the fact that these two could use magic to catch up with her, Mavis just gave up. "O-ok," Mavis simply replied. With that, the Crystal Couple led her to their castle, offering support to the young centaur, who was still limping. They soon arrived at the Castle. upon arriving, the Guards almost took a defensive stance against Mavis. "Princess Cadence, Captain Shining Armor, why is there a centaur here? Has she drained off your magic?" one of them asked. Mavis paled at hearing this. 'A real Princess?! I didn't commit any crimes, did I?!' Mavis thought fearfully. "You needn't worry about this one. Apparently, she does not posses the same ability to siphon off magic like Tirek does," Cadence said. The guards stood down, and allowed them all to enter. "Uh.... maybe I shouldn't be here after all," Mavis said, sounding like she shouldn't be in the castle. "Nonsense, Mavis. We insist on you being our guest," Cadence said, as she ushered Mavis to the kitchen, "Shiny, could you go get a room ready for Mavis?" Cadence asked. "Of course!" Shining Armor replied, taking off, as Mavis continued following Cadence into the kitchen. Once inside, Cadence saw Nathan, making a sandwich for his dinner. Mavis paled at the sight of him. 'Oh non! A human!' she thought, as she was getting ready to run away as fast as she could. "Making yourself some dinner, Nathan?" Cadence asked. "Yep. Ah figured Ah should have somethin' on mah stomach before Ah go ta bed," Nathan replied. He then took notice of Mavis, "Ah see we have a guest," Nathan commented. "Of course. Nathan, this is Mavis. Mavis, this is Nathan, our eldest son," Cadence said. Mavis only shrunk back, feeling scared of Nathan. "Ah didn't do anythin' to offend her, did Ah?" Nathan asked, worried he offended the young centaur girl. "I don't know, but why don't you take your sandwich back to your room?" Cadence suggested. "O' course," Nathan said, as he took his sandwich, and left the kitchen. "Ok Mavis, what would you like to eat?" Cadence asked. "C-could I maybe just have some c-carrots?" Mavis meekly asked. "Of course," Cadence said, as she got the some of the requested vegetable out of the fridge crisper, and gave them to Mavis. With a crunch, Mavis then began to eat them. After some bites, Mavis finished both carrots. "Merci," Mavis said to Cadence. "Now, if you're satisfied with your dinner, I can show you to your room," Cadence said. "O-Ok," Mavis replied, as she followed Cadence out of the kitchen. The Princess of Love had to help Mavis with going up the stairs, as Mavis was still having trouble with walking, "Do you want to stop by the infirmary? I could take a look at your legs if you want?" she offered. "N-non. It's just a pulled muscle as …. Papa would call it," Mavis declined, sounding disheartened at the mention of her father. Cadence made a note of that, but chose not to press on the matter. Eventually, they arrived at a guest room. "Ok Mavis, here's where you will sleep for tonight, and until further notice. If you need anything, Shining Armor and I will be down the hall in our room," Cadence said, as Mavis went over to the bed, and knelt down, and leaned against the bed, 'Hmm, I should ask Raiden or Francisco about making a bed for her,' Cadence thought. "Merci, P-Princess," Mavis said, as she adjusted the pillow to rest against her head. "You're very welcome Mavis. Pleasant dreams," Cadence said, as she left Mavis alone for the night. She then made her way back to her room, where Shining Armor was getting ready for bed. "How is she?" her husband asked. "Well, she ate some carrots for a rather meager supper. I offered to take her to the infirmary to have her legs looked at, but she declined, saying it was just a sprained muscle," Cadence said, as she got into bed with Shining Armor. "Well, maybe the trip to Ponyville will help her out," Shining Armor commented. "Hopefully. I just hope they don't think she's like Tirek," Cadence commented. "She is nothing like Tirek, I can guarantee that. But, all in all, we know little to nothing about centaurs," the alabaster unicorn commented. "True. Maybe we can talk Discord into getting some information on centaur culture," Cadence suggested. "Yeah. But, let's hold off on all of that until tomorrow. It's late," Shining Armor said, as they went to sleep.