//------------------------------// // Short - Heirophant // Story: Welcome to Distopia // by LucidDreamer //------------------------------// “Wow, everything looks great.” John blinked at the backyard. The backyard was now no longer blackened ground, nor was it just regular grass. For one, the normal square that the backyard made up was larger. Still within the confines of the larger square, was a small forest clearing. Oak trees made a semicircular ring that took up most of the space, and also provided quite a bit of shade. A small path of flat rocks lead to a small pond of clear water. Sprouting out of the ground just beyond the pond was a much larger tree. A massive weeping willow with deep amber colored leaves. John watched a rabbit hop across the clearing and enter a burrow under one of the trees. He looked at the somewhat worn out looking doe girl. “You doing okay? In less than a day you made a miniature forest, do you need a nap or something to recover?” “I’ll be fine. We had an entire afternoon and kinda got carried away.” Lorraine nodded. “I’m not as adept as I once was.” Alastor said with a nod. “Lorraine did most of the work. She has quite the imagination.” “I already knew that, but still.” The smol bug waved a hoof at the clearing. “Damn.” “Indeed.” The buck nodded with a somewhat smug smile. “I needed the practice.” Lorraine stated, causing John to roll his eyes. “Congrats, you power-leveled your druidism.” John shook his head. “When can I expect the crash, that had to have taken it out of you.” “I’m used to being tired.” The doe shrugged. “But-” The bug blinked, then shook his head. He thrust a hoof towards the living room. “No. You go in and sit your butt down so you can rest. I will bring you food and hot chocolate.” “A wonderful idea.” Alastor nodded trotting inside. “I’m kinda mad at you.” John scowled up at the buck as the doe and the bug trotted inside. “It’s not healthy to go all in all the time.” “Guys, it’s fine. Really.” Lorraine tried to protest. “Ap- Nah uh.” The smol bug booped her snoot with a hoof. “Sit.” He gestured at the couch where Socks was snoozing on top of Koromaru. “I’ve had worse.” The doe snorted. “Not the point.” John replied, trotting into the kitchen. “You don’t have to work yourself to death anymore.” He called out. “You actually have time to sit and relax and do things now. I honestly expected something like a small garden full of, like, vegetables or something, not a bloody micro-forest.” His head popped out of the kitchen. “I’m not mad, I’m just worried about you. I don’t want you to over-exert yourself too much.” "I've got a bit of a headache, but other than that I'm fine. No fatigue or pain or anything," Lorraine stressed. "You know how bad things used to be and I don't have those problems anymore." “A, that was when you were still human; B, I’m more worried about magical burnout; and C....” There came a pause, then the bugs head popped out of the kitchen again. “I actually don’t have a C, but you get my point.” “He does have a point.” Alastor said with a small nod. “Though, if anything, you are probably going to sleep very well tonight.” “It’s a headache. I can manage headaches.” The doe rolled her eyes as she sat on the couch and gently pet Socks. The cat gave a little trill and stretched out her forelegs a bit before starting to knead the dog beneath her. “I know…” John returned, waddling in on two legs as he brought a platter holding a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a plate of biscuits. He set it in front of the doe. “Need some Advil or Ibuprofen?” He asked, whooshing back to his quadrupedal form. "Neither of those actually work for me," Lorraine replied. "I'll see how I go, if the headaches are a regular thing I'll head up to Canterlot for a doctors appointment to get a script." “Gotcha.” John nodded. “And I assume we can just pick up the prescription at the clinic?” “Eh, I’ll sort it out.” She shrugged. “I just wanna know because I can just go pick it up whenever I’m out.” John replied, trotting back into the kitchen. “I can just get it same day. It’s what I usually do.” The doe shook her head. Gilda plodded in from her room with a small yawn. The hen stretched like a cat, before opening her eyes to the doe. “Well it sounded like it was an eventful day.” The hen trotted to the backdoor and moved the curtains aside. There was a pause. “Honestly, this really should surprise me, but I think it’ll take more than a forest in the backyard to do that.” The griffon plodded through the living room and into the kitchen. “Hey.” “Hey.” The smol bug returned, levitating his own steaming coffee cup. “So, evening plans?” “For once in a long time, I have nothing planned.” Alastor shook his head. “That’s almost shocking.” John deadpanned at the buck. He looked at the doe. She blinked. “I dunno.” “Movie, gaming, TV show binge.” John started to suggest as he hopped onto the couch. “Movie works for me.” Gilda called out. “That’s one for movie.” John nodded. “Eh, whatever you guys want to do.” Lorraine replied. There came a knock at the door. John levitated his cup to the arm of the couch. “Got it.” Gilda came out of the kitchen. “I got it, go back to making whatever.” John waved the griffon away. Gilda shrugged and went back into the kitchen. John got to the door and engulfed the doorknob in green light. He opened it. Only to be faced by a pair of large bat ponies in silver armor. Both were black-furred stallions with red eyes. Both seemed to blink at the fact that there wasn’t someone at head height. “Guys.” John waved a hoof. “Down here.” The pair looked down at him. “If you’ve come to arrest me, I will state that I can turn into both an angel and a giant dinosaur, so might want a warrant or lawyers first.” John said with a nod. “Now! How can I help you.” There came a small cough, and the guards stepped aside. Standing on the porch was Luna. She trotted up to him. She looked down at him. To John it was a little refreshing to not have ponies tower over him during conversation. “Luna. How are you doing?” “We are- Ahem, I am fine.” Luna replied. “Is Lorraine in?” “Well she was there when I last checked a minute ago, so I’m gonna say yes.” John said with a nod. “May I speak with her?” Luna asked. “I mean, probably?” John shrugged. “I’m pretty sure she’s been worried about you.” Luna blinked. “Why?” “She’s been sending you letters.” The smol bug deadpanned. “Ah. Those... Yes.” The blue alicorn’s cheeks flushed a bit. “I… It felt wrong to reply in letter form.” “So it took Twilight and Spike sending a letter to Celestia to finally get your ass down here to sort your shit out?” John raised a brow. During the conversation, the doe girl had trotted into the hallway. “I’ve been sending you letters for how long now?” Lorraine deadpanned. Luna’s eyes snapped to Lorraine. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. “And, avoiding the… whatever that turns into.” John said, trotting back towards the living room so Lorraine could stand in the doorway. “Lorraine.” Luna managed to get out. “It’s- You-” She blinked. “You’ve become a deer.” “Yeah, plant doe. It’s fun.” Lorraine stated. “So, what have you been up to?” “To use some more modern parlance, ahem, getting my shit together.” Luna said a little awkwardly. “As well as, well, actual Princess things.” “Cool.” Lorraine said. A slightly awkward pause fell over the two. The two guards shuffled a little before- “Hey, you guys want anything?” John asked, poking his head around the corner. The guards immediately stepped past the pair and trotted into the house, leaving the mare and doe alone on the porch. “I’m sorry!” Luna blurted out as they left. “For?” Lorraine asked. “For…” Luna’s face scrunched up a bit. “Treating you terribly when you needed me most because of my twisted sense of duty?” “Kay, what got you to realise this?” The doe asked. “I guess, you could call it soul searching.” Luna replied, sitting on her haunches. “It’s taken returning to my duties as Princess for me to realise that I was… almost forcing myself to… do things, like things.” Her face scrunched up again. “I took too much pride in my work. And you were right, I do have a duty of care to the people of Equestria, not just ponies.” “Okay. Do you need my help with something?” Lorraine asked. “Because I honestly thought you cut ties with me.” “I did…” Luna said slowly. “But, I would like to start over, if you’d accept me.” "Now? After the letters? After Nightmare Night?" Lorraine said flatly. "Sorry, I'm just a bit confused as to why you care now, especially after how things went up in Canterlot." “I deserve that.” Luna nodded. "I have tried to earn my Guardianship back, but both The Nightmare and Solaire have told me I will not regain it until I know what the role means to me, how I make the role my own... And in truth, I do not know. I thought that you might be willing to make amends and help me find out?" “How am I supposed to help?” Lorraine asked, blinking in confusion. "If I am to be Guardian of the Night once more it must be something I can do and do well," Luna explained. "My sister often finds joy and fulfillment in her own duties both as a Princess and in serving Solaire. My plan, so to speak, is to improve myself and be worthy of my station as a Princess of Equestria and to do so, I will need an adviser, or at the very least, someone able to empathize with the general public." “And you want me.” Lorraine deadpanned. “I could not think of someone better.” Luna said awkwardly. “You have always treated me as a person first and foremost, not as a Princess or Demi-God, just Luna. I… missed that.” “And your thoughts on the Nightmare?” Lorraine asked. “Complicated.” Luna replied. “I understand why she possessed me, as I was throwing the world out of balance. However… Being possessed is not something easily forgotten, even after a thousand years.” "Ok, I'll mediate between you two," Lorraine suggested and sighed. "Don't quote me on this but, I have a hunch that there's something else going on or something went out of whack while you were gone for all those years." “You can feel that?” Luna blinked. “The balance of the Shadows?” “More like, stuff’s repeating itself.” Lorraine said with a small hum. “I’m noticing things, and if I’m right then we’re in for a shit show.” “Well, roughly a thousand years of peace can’t last.” Luna shook her head. “For every high there must be a low. Not that some of the other Gods agree with that.” She sighed. “Honestly, peace forever only breeds stagnation. Every now and then the world must be tested.” She shook herself a little. “Apologies, we fell into our thoughts for a spell.” "Remember all those Persona games I told you about ages ago?" Lorraine commented. "It's basically that." Luna blinked. “I thought the name Akechi sounded familiar.” “Hey, nothing’s exploded.” John came up next to the doe girl. “That’s a plus. Also, don’t get me started on whatever Eldritch Entity decides to retroactively insert things into the creation of this universe.” He said with a chuckle. “Either of you need anything, I’m just checking.” “No I’m good.” Lorraine shook her head then looked back to Luna. “So, you want to hire me?” “Yes.” Luna nodded as the smol bug shrugged and went back inside. “I assure you, you’ll be compensated. Name your price.” “Pay me whatever you think is appropriate, or whatever?” Lorraine asked. “Just tell me what I’m doing and if there’s anything I need to know.” “That or those, I actually need to formulate a list for.” Luna said with a hum. “Perhaps Cadence or Twilight could aid on that front.” She shook her head. “No matter, we have time.” She looked at Lorraine. “I will be staying in Ponyville for a few days, so we need not discuss everything now.” “Okay, so should we meet up tomorrow?” Lorraine asked. “That might be best.” Luna nodded. The following morning, Luna met with Lorraine and the pair went to Bon Bon's Tea Shop. The way there was surprisingly uneventful, even with a doe and an alicorn walking though town. Luna stared somewhat nervously at a pair of bright golden eyes.  Lyra’s stare bore holes into the Night Princess. “For fuck sake Lyra, stop harrassing the mare.” Bon Bon swore as she physically dragged Lyra back to the kitchen. “Is she a friend, I assume?” Luna asked, sipping her tea as she looked towards the doe. “Yup. She’s cool. May have bitched to her about you a bit.” Lorraine replied. “Sorry.” “It’s fine.” Luna nodded. “Now, I already have an advisor in terms of royal business.” She said siping more tea. “This is very good- Ahem, you would be my advisor to the public. What is the term again… Ah yes, Public Relations. You aid me in dealing with ordinary ponies- er, people.” “But don’t you need training for that? Or at least a degree? Or something?” Lorraine blinked. “Nonsense. You know how to talk to people in public. Simply come with me to events or public… things… and coach me on what to say.” Luna nodded with a small smile. “Are you sure about this?” Lorraine asked, glancing down at her muffin. “I don’t exactly think like the rest of Equestria.” “And that’s entirely the point.” Luna pointed a hoof at her. “An outside perspective, as it were.” “Well, I’ve delegated almost all of my responsibilities for the Movement.” Lorraine commented, appearing to think. “Just gotta wait for the Safe Space to be done… so I’ve got time to help out.” “Good.” Luna nodded. “It can be a start, at least. And I see you have been eyeing your food, please, eat.” She gestured a hoof at Lorraine’s muffin. “Just a heads up, I won’t be able to hear you once I start eating.” Lorraine said. Luna blinked in confusion as the doe girl started to eat her muffin. “Al… right?”