//------------------------------//
// 22~The Gilded City (PT. 1) 
// Story: Youngblood 
// by Centurion Pike-Wall 
//------------------------------//

December 16th, 3095 Imperial Calender (1522 AD)
Friendship Express, en route to Canterlot

The brightly colored train snaked across the track that passed through the mountains towards the Equestrian Capitol. Almost the entire fourth car was filled with the families and friends of the former Elements of Harmony, including Depressi and DJ. The former stuck his head out the side, watching as the almost monolithic city closed in. 

"Impressive, isn't it?", Twilight asked, coming up to the bench he was sitting on. 

"Quite", Depressi said. "Impractical in any sort of military aspect, but I doubt that was what was in mind when it was constructed."

"No. It was built following the Nightmare Moon Incident. Equestria had entered into the Long Peace, and military aspects were becoming less and less considered. It was a home-away-from-home for the Aristocracy, as well as a Governmental and Economic hub", Twilight lectured. 

"Quite right darling", Rarity said, before dry heaving and leaning back in her seat. 

The train began to slow, before finally grinding to a halt completely. A uniformed stallion peaked his head inside as the doors opened, declaring, "All off for Canterlot. All off for Canterlot."

"Alright, let's go girls!", Twilight said. "Styx, stay close to me."

"Yes, mom", the slate-colored filly muttered, following her parents out of the car. The others did the same, gathering up their families and leaving the car in an orderly manner. 

They exited out into a rather sparse station; Not much different from the Ponyville station, when Depressi thought about it. There were some major differences between the two stations. While the Ponyville one was made of wood and exposed iron, this one appeared to be made from polished marble. The roof was taller, it was a bit wider, and a what Depressi guessed were magazine or newspaper racks sat next to the ticket booth. However, in most other regards, they were identical. 

The same could not be said of the buildings beyond. As they exited the station, Depressi was instantly assaulted by the differences between Canterlot and Ponyville. The streets were made from cobblestone instead of hard-packed dirt, with the snow outlining the stones. The buildings, while still two-story family houses, were made from marble and tiles instead of stone, wood, and thatch. While still vastly different from the massed apartment buildings and varied stalls or street musicians, it was still the closest to home he had been to in a long time. 

He was drawn from his analysis by Pumpkin cake calling, "Glitterati!" She left her mother, running up to a colt who appeared to be waiting for them. He was a white unicorn with a pale pinkish-blue mane, dressed in a black coat, white shirt, and dark green cravat. 

He smiled as the two of them met, entering into a warm embrace. "Good to see you too, Mon Amour."

Pound Cake, meanwhile, simply snorted, while her parents smiled. Depressi whispered to Pound, "Who's that?"

"Glitterati", Pound Cake said. "Pumpkin's coltfriend."

"I didn't know she had one", Depressi said. 

"To be fair, not everyone shoves that to the front", DJ said, giving his brother a knowing smirk. 

Rarity said, "Can we go to the hotel know? These bags are heavy." 

"Rares", Thunderlane said. "I'm carrying most of your stuff. What you are carrying isn't all that-"

"Oh, shut up", Rarity snapped. "You got me pregnant again. You can carry my bags, and let me have my... melodramatics." 

"Well, we should go to the hotel", Fluttershy said. "We can go to The Tasty Treat after we drop off our bags."

"Oh, that does sound lovely!", Rarity said. "Blueblood, you have the address, right?"

"Yes", he said, pulling a small paper card from his jacket pocket. "Follow me." 

"Following!", Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich said simultaneously, earning an eye roll from most of the adults. 

Mrs. Cake said, "You two go have fun. We'll see you tonight, Pumpkin."

"Bye, mom!", Pumpkin called. The adults and the younger foals left, leaving the group of friends at the station with Glitterati. "Well, introductions. Glitterati, you know all my friends, right?"

The stallion flashed a carefree smile, replying, "Well, I've met most of them, yes. A pleasure to be in your company again." His smile wavered slightly as he turned his gaze on DJ and Depressi. "I can't say that I've met you two."

"Depressi Tonituro", Depressi said, offering a paw to the stallion. "This is my brother DJ."

"Salve", DJ said. 

Glitterati took the offered paw, shaking with the Pryhan. He said, "So, you're part of this exchange program that I heard Miss Twilight arranged?"

"Yeah", Depressi said. 

DJ said, "Can we not stand around in cold? I can feel ice forming on my beak!"

"Right", Glitterati said. "My place? We can have some coffee and talk for a bit, then hit the town."

"Sounds fine by me", Flurry said. 

"Hear hear", Maraschino said. 

The rest of them looked at DJ and Depressi, who shrugged their shoulders, in indifference for the former and agreement for the latter. Glitterati said, "Very well. Follow me."


+++++~+++++


Glitterati led the group through the streets of Canterlot, occasionally waving to other passing mares or stallions. Most of the other ponies waved back, although it seemed only at him and a few of the other ponies. When it came to Depressi and DJ, it was fairly obvious that they were trying not to acknowledge them. While none of them appeared to be outright malicious, a few did fix them with glares. 

Pumpkin and Glitterati were chatting away, smiles gracing both of their faces. DJ was doing the same with Flurry Heart, albeit without the smiles. Depressi spread his wings and took off from the ground, flying up next to Pound Cake. The other stallion said, "What's up?"

"Not much", Depressi said. A few minutes passed, and Depressi lightly shook his head. "Might I ask your opinion of Glitterati?"

"Huh? Oh, sure", Pound Cake said. "He met my sister when she went to Canterlot with my parents for the Equestrian Baking Competition; His mom was one of the judges. Apparently, they hit it off like two peas in a pod. Changeling crisis put that on hold, but they started officially dating about two years ago."

"Nullum*", Depressi said. "I meant, of him as an individual."

Pound Cake looked at him, before he said, "Oh. Ok. I mean, he seems like I nice guy. I haven't interacted with him much, even though he's dating my sister."

Depressi nodded, before stealing a glance back at Glitterati. "Ok. Thank you."

The group soon arrived at a larger house near the top of the city, a few blocks away from the Pryhan Embassy. It was quite large, with a golden gate and a few snow-covered shrubs on the outside. Said gate swung open when Glitterati came up, and a pale green unicorn in a booth called, "What's up, boss?"

"Not much. You remember Pumpkin Cake, right Warden?", Glitterati asked, smiling. 

"Course! Glad to see you again, Ma'am!", Warden said. 

Pumpkin smiled nervously, waving to the gate guard. "Hi."

"Well, let's go", Glitterati said.

The group passed through a freshly salted pathway, the snow-covered garden on either side of them. Glitterati opened the door, entering into a massive foyer. As opposed to the pale white of the exterior, the inside was a mix of various colors; red carpets, a golden chandelier and other decorations, and a mix of oranges, whites, blues, and greens of vases and pots around the room. A few portraits also decorated the walls, mostly of other pale white unicorns. 

"Reminds me of the Governors Residence", DJ said. 

Depressi said, "Similar, yes. Not the same, obviously."

"Never said it was like the Governor's place", DJ said, shrugging. "Just that it reminds me of it."

"What was that?", Glitterati asked, a look of mild concern on his face.

"My brother just said that a friend of mine's old house looks remarkably similar. I happen to agree", Depressi said. 

"I thought Pryha didn't have an aristocracy", Soundboard said, examining a vase depicting Pegasi playing harps. 

"We don't", DJ said. 

Depressi nodded. "Right. The friend in question, Gallia, is the daughter of the former governor. The residence provided to the governor and their family is similarly well-furnished."

Glitterati nodded, gulping nervously. "Well, perhaps we should go to the game room? I can have one of the servants whip us up some hot chocolate. Perhaps play some Billiards?"

Maraschino said, "Well, where is it?"

"Down the right hall", Glitterati said. "Third door on your left. I'll let Cream Puff know about the hot chocolate."

The others went down the hall, with Depressi taking up the rear. He was stopped, however, by Glitterati grabbing his cloak with his magic. He asked softly, "Might I have a word?"

"Of course, Domine", Depressi said. He turned to face the stallion, looking down slightly due to the height difference between the two. "Is there a problem?"

"Not necessarily", Glitterati said. "I just need to ask you something."

"That being?"

Glitterati shook his head, developing an interest in the swirling designs on the carpet. "Your opinion of me?"

Depressi couldn't help but bark out a laugh. "I was under the impression that you weren't the type of aristocrat to be worried about their opinion in comparison to the average citizen."

"That's my point, I guess", Glitterati said. "I may not be the most worldly stallion, nor the most cultured. However, I aware of the stigma your kind have to the Nobility."

"What is this about?", Depressi asked. "I'm not going to hate you merely for your position."

This caused Glitterati to tilt his head. "I-Really? I was under the impression that Aristocrats are one of the most hated things in Pryha."

"The mentality, not the individual", Depressi clarified. "Well, maybe a few would. But, not me at least. There is a passage in the Holy book... What was it?"

"Holy book?", Glitterati asked. 

"Yeah. The Doctrine of the Scale. It's the main religion in the Empire. DJ is more, er... Devout, than I am. I'm not one to object, however... Ah, I got it", Depressi said. "The passage is: 'Kunnioita sitä, jolla on turha tarttua Valtaan joko verellä tai lineagella. Kunnioita sitä, joka pyrkii edistämään hyvää tekojensa kautta, olipa kyse yksilöstä tai isänmaasta..'"

"I... I have a limited grasp of Pryhan, but I know that's not Pryhan", Glitterati said. 

"That's because it's not", Depressi said. "It's Caragish; the original language of the Caragors. The groundwork for the Doctrine of the Scale was of the old Caragor religion, so it's the official language of the Doctrine. Anyway, it means 'Respect not the one who has a vain grasp at power, whether by Blood or by Birthright. Respect the one who seeks to promote good through their deeds, whether for individual or the Fatherland.' I take it as meaning as saying not to care about birth, and to only focus on action."

"Ah, I see", Glitterati said. "It's a meritocratic system."

"Yes", Depressi said. "You do good and prove yourself, I see no reason why I must hate you."

"Very well", Glitterati said, a genuine smile on his face. "Well, I'll go get the hot chocolate. You go join the others."

Depressi turned to leave, before stopping and turning back to Glitterati. "Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?", he asked. 

"I'll just take milk, if you have it. I may not judge your character without looking at it, but I will judge your food", Depressi said. "And your food-and likely drink-is too sweet."

Glitterati chuckled. "Will do."