Fluttershy was more of a nervous wreck than she was the day before. Her wings didn’t stop twitching, she kept bitting her hooves, and a few of her feathers had fallen from the stress. Shaking herself, she took a deep breath.
You are okay, it’s just a meeting with the ruler of Equestria, nothing to panic about here...
...
That’s a pretty good situation to panic in-
Shoving the thought from her head, she turned her gaze towards the Crystal clear window. Half of her expected to see the wondrous outlook into her garden, the other half reminding her that’s she wasn’t home at the moment.
The streets of Canterlot were crowded more than ever, unicorns strutting down the streets. Very few pegasi or earth ponies walked the streets of the wealthy city, and most of the time they were probably tourists.
Brushing her messy mane with her hooves, she glanced at the door. Twilight was probably downstairs packing up their things before meeting Princess Celestia. She would too if she wasn’t so lost in her anxiety.
Claiming herself, she took a step towards the door. Her heart still pounded painfully against her ribs, but she swallowed the fear and pushed herself forward. The soft clacking of hooves echoed along the floor as she stepped down the stairs, sighing as she brushed her hair out of her eyes.
“I see somepony finally decided to say hi to the world,” a soft giggle sounded from her right. Turning her head, she met eyes with the unicorn family.
She returned an awkward grin. “Sorry if I took too long...”
Velvet and Night Light chuckled. “Sweetie, you don’t need to apologize! Join us for lunch and we’ll send you on your way,” the gray mare smiled, beckoning her over.
Nodding, she climbed into one of the cushioned seats, fluttering her wings at her sides. Humming to herself, she politely took a plate of salad from the table.
“So, why’d you girls scheduled a meeting with Princess Celestia?” The azure stallion inquired, tapping a hoof against the table. Twilight looked up from her plate of roasted carrots, her hair flicking out from the sudden movements.
“Nothing much, I had some questions and I couldn’t find a book that answered them so I went to ask her. Fluttershy came up with the plan, actually, I just got us to this point.”
Velvet chuckled from her seat. “Mind telling us about those questions of yours?”
“Sorry mom and dad, but it’s classified!” Twilight giggled, crossing her hooves against her chest. A rowdy laugh echoed from the older unicorns’ throats.
“Alright then, keep your secrets,” the grey mare chuckled, keeping an adoring grin on her face. “I’m sure whatever you need to speak with Celestia about is important.”
Fluttershy looked down at her plate, already half-eaten. She poked the kale salad with her fork, sigh to herself. “Um...I-I’m not hungry anymore so...I’ll go pack up.”
Excusing herself from the dining table, she turned towards where her saddlebag was placed. Brown false-leather leaned against the pristine walls, and she plucked it up. Rearranging the papers already in her bag she began to search for her more personal belongings.
Stepping up the stairs once more, she searched the room that she and Twilight slept in for the time being. A soft sigh emitted from her throat as she uncovered a stuffed bear from under the sheet.
The soft fabric of her teddy bear calmed her nerves. Before, everything felt stressful and overwhelming. Despite the welcoming energy that filled the unicorn family’s home, she couldn’t help but feel out of place.
Her heart stopped thumping against her ribs, reverting to a normal heartbeat. Her mind detangled from the cobwebs clouding her thoughts, breathing out a heavy sigh.
“Fluttershy? Are you ready?” Twilight turned the doorknob of her door, peeking inside. She already had her saddlebag hanging from her back, patiently waiting for pegasus.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied simply, rising to all four of her hooves. Placing the stuffed bear into her saddlebag, she stepped towards the unicorn. “What about you?”
“Me?” Twilight chuckled into her hooves. “I was ready a year ago, but let’s not dwell for long. The sun is almost at its highest, c’mon!”
“...I hope the Princess isn’t too busy...” Fluttershy whispered, fluttering her wings. They trotted along the smooth paths of Canterlot Streets, following the purple unicorn down the road.
Twilight frowned. “Me too, though I wouldn’t stress too much about it,” she chuckled to herself. “She sometimes complains about not having anything exciting happening in her life anymore...”
Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, and the unicorn coughed awkwardly. “I mean...I can’t help it! She’s venting in the same room as I’m studying, okay?”
The pegasus covered her lips as she giggled, the last straws of nervousness finally breaking. The sun kept creeping higher into the azure sky, the clouds above them white and fluffy. Pairs of hooves clicked closer towards the pearly white castle that sat right at the edge of Canterlot, albeit rather slowly.
“Have you been to the castle?” Fluttershy asked, trying to keep her mind from worrying.
Twilight tapped her chin. “Eh...maybe once or twice? Usually, she would teach at the School of Magic, but sometimes she would invite me for more one-on-one lessons. It’s pretty big so just stay next to me and you won’t get lost.”
The yellow pegasus hummed, her teal eyes averting towards the road. Her wings fluttered underneath her saddlebag, flattening her ears as possibilities filled her mind.
What if we both get lost? Or if I get separated? What if Celestia is busy and we distract her?...and what if I do something wrong? Will she approve of Thorax and Pharynx?
What is she doesn’t?!
Shaking her head, she looked back up. They were at the entrance of the tall, pearly castle, and instantly Fluttershy felt her heart drop to her stomach. The looming walls towered over her, it’s marble surface gleaming in the sunlight. Gray and white swirled into sporadic patterns that reminded Fluttershy of cobwebs, and each castle pillar was topped off with pointed gold and purple roofs.
Gulping, she tried to find her words. “...it’s really...tall....”
“Yeah, I guess it’s a little intimidating at a first glance but trust me! I think you’ll like it once we get inside.”
“Um...okay...” her voice was barely a whisper as she trotted after the unicorn, dipping her head as they passed the entrance gate. Passing the gate guards internally sent her into a panic as eyes trailed the two mares into the castle, an expressionless face staying almost as still as a statue.
Her hooves clacked carpeted marble, entering the foyer through a narrowed tunnel. Golden arches reached high, reinforcing how small she was compared to everything.
Tearing her eyes away from the tall walls and ceiling, she looked around the foyer. The crimson carpet split into three directions, one of which climbing the stairs to another archway. Checkered black and white patterns littered the marble floor, so shiny that she could see her reflection in it.
Twilight took a brief look at her surroundings before trotting up the ascending stairs. The pegasus followed quickly thereafter, trusting the unicorn’s intuition and photographic memory.
The mares took a turn left, heading down another corridor. The light was brighter in this room, and Fluttershy had to take a moment to adjust to the lighting.
When she did, she was in awe.
The walls were marbled with silver and white, lined with pillars that held the roof in place. A top each pillar had a golden basket, sprouting bright purple lavenders and roses. Tangled vines wrapped themselves around the pillars, making the room seem alive.
“Wow...” Fluttershy whispered, walking along the stretching corridor.
“See? Told you you’d like it,” Twilight smirked, leading them towards one of the open archways. Fluttershy barely acknowledged her friend as she admired the foliage that swayed slightly in the open air, completely enamored by its beauty.
Her attention stolen, she didn’t pay much attention until she bumped into the unicorn. Twilight had stopped abruptly, and Fluttershy shook her head. Turning her head, she stopped in her tracks, her heart quickening its pace again.
In front of her stood a tall white alicorn, her multi-toned mane swirling around itself with some unseen magic. Large, majestic wings unfurled at her sides, each feather twitching as they were disturbed by a slight breeze. Magenta eyes turned towards the two mares, a soft smile gracing her face.
Fluttershy yelped, her wings fluttering. “Princess Celestia...” she whispered, ducking behind her unicorn friend.
“Twilight! Fluttershy!” The princess greeted, lowering a scroll she had levitating in her yellow magic. “Pleasure to see you two.”