//------------------------------// // That Was a Long Nap // Story: The Best of Friends // by SociallyAwkwardPegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 9 “Deep breaths Twilight.  Deep breaths.  You got this.  It’s not like this is the most important reconstruction effort ever undertaken in the history of the Canterlot Royal library.  So what if they couldn’t finish that Starswirl the Bearded extended memoir section with interactive animatronics.  I mean, the remodel did cost nearly a million bits, and it’s not like that one unfinished exhibit will dissuade ponies from visiting, right?”  The purple alicorn continued to pace about behind a large maroon curtain, mumbling to herself about all of the possibilities of her project failing.  Her panicked voice, though low enough as to not alert the crowd of ponies on the other side of the curtain, echoed just loud enough for a certain pony to take notice.   “I mean, so what if every section isn’t categorized by date of publication.  It’s not like a pony will accidently grab the wrong revision.”  “Princess,” a subtle yet heavy baritone of a voice called out. “B-but what if they do end up grabbing the wrong revision, and they use outdated information in their research paper?”  “Twi,” the voice tried calling out, yet again being drowned out by the unlikely musings of the mare.   “A-And because of the outdated information, that pony fails their research paper and becomes the laughing stock of the academy!  And then they get kicked out of college and become homeless, all because I didn’t…” “TWILIGHT!”  Finally, the voice was able to reel the purple pony princess from her thoughts as she hesitantly locked eyes with the source.  A few moments of silence passed between the two ponies, the battle of dominance soon won over by the newcomer.  With a slow trot, the pegasus made his way towards the princess, his armor shifting ever so slightly as he closed the distance.  It didn’t take long for the guard to reach the distraught mare before wrapping his fore-hooves and wings around the mare. “Twilight, it’s ok.  Everything is going to be fine.”  The voice, though calm and gentle, carried a wave of confidence and security for Twilight.  It wasn’t the first time she had let her thoughts get the better of her, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.  That is just the kind of pony she is.  And if she had these types of hugs to look forward to every time she had a little episode, she wasn’t going to complain.   Minutes of silence passed between the two as Twilight earnestly returned the gesture, content with being in the presence of her loving friend.   “Do you feel better now?” The mare could only offer a soft coo and nod as she nestled into the crook of the stallion’s neck.  Though the feeling didn’t last for long before the guard pulled away with an offered smile.   “Thank you Aileron.  I needed that,” Twilight admitted with a soft smile of her own.  With a newfound vigor, Twilight steeled her nerves for the impending task ahead.  A minute or so later and the alicorn princess calmly made her way through the curtain to a thunderous round of applause and cheers.  And just as she practiced, the alicorn returned the compliments of the masses with a few waves and smiles before situating herself in front of an ornate, wooden podium.  It was at this time that most of the crowd had settled down, patiently waiting on the words of wisdom and inspiration only the alicorn of magic and friendship could provide.   “My fellow ponies, I welcome you on this most glorious day to a new chapter in the life of the Canterlot Royal Library.”  She paused, taking a slight moment of reprieve to gaze upon the faces of her country folk before continuing.  “It wasn’t that long ago that I started my journey here, at this very place.  I remember learning many things in my time spent here, tucked away in the far corners of the library that it would take the librarians hours to find me past closing.  Sorry Mrs. Notepad.”  The crowd of ponies all chuckled at the joke, including the librarian in question who still ran the place.  “It was during my tenure as Celestia’s personal student that I dedicated my life to learning everything I could.  I thought that if I knew enough and studied hard enough, nothing would be able to stand in my way.  It was only after my assignment in Ponyville did I see that there were some lessons you can’t learn from a book.  And it is the same lesson I wish to share with you all right today.   Be there for each other.  Make new friends.  Share new memories and experiences with the ponies around you.  Learn their stories and share your own.  It is through this connection that we truly see the best in ourselves and each other.  I implore you to experience the magic of friendship like I did so many years ago.  To forge those everlasting bonds you will never forget.  And I promise you, just like any good book, you will cherish the memories for the rest of your lives.”  More thunderous applause and cheers filled the air.  It wasn’t the speech the alicorn princess had prepared, though that hardly mattered when it came down to it.  It is what she truly believed and by the gods did it sound amazing.   An hour or so later, after all of the pictures and meet and greets, the exhausted form of Twilight slowly clambered through the main doorway of her private reading area.  It was a spacious and secluded area of the Canterlot Royal Library, reserved for herself and her closest friends.  It was an area where she could escape the crown and responsibilities of a princess, if only for a little while.   “Ugh, I need a break,” Twilight commented aloud.  Unceremoniously, the alicorn princess flopped onto a large body cushion with a grunt, while thanking the heavens that she finally had a moment of reprieve.   “The perimeter is secure, princess.  Is there anything else you need?”  The same voice that helped soothe the distraught Alicorn only an hour ago reappeared, though Twilight paid it little mind.   “Yes, can you get me a glass of water plea…” before the mare could even finish her sentence, a large glass of water and bendy straw sat perfectly in front of the mare with just enough length to reach the princess’s muzzle.  Wasting no time or effort, Twilight downed the glass of water through the straw, which was a feat in and of itself.   “Ugh.  Thank you Aileron, you spoil me,” Twilight commented.  She was met with the delicacy of a short chuckle from the stallion as he took away the glass and placed it on an open end table.   “Think nothing of it princess.  After all, it’s a guard’s duty to do anything for his beloved princess,” he retorted in that particular voice the princess knew and loved.  It had been months now since the two of them had started secretly dating.  The light flirting back and forth accompanied with their occupations left ample time to develop a close friendship that grew into something neither of them had expected.   “Mhmm, that’s right.  How about you come over here and help a princess out.  My wings are as sore as the day I got them.  I could use a good preening.”  It wasn’t the first time Twilight had tried to fluster the stallion with such an intimate act.  And he honestly wouldn’t mind adhering to his lover’s demands.  However, although the location was secure, it would do little to stop a very determined cameramare or colt from getting their hooves on such a juicy photo.  As if sensing the unease from the stallion, Twilight’s horn began to glow a brilliant purple before the purplish aura coated the entirety of the room.   “I was gonna suggest maybe doing this somewhere a little more private, but I'm assuming that barrier will keep everypony out?” Aileron questioned before stripping off his guard armor.  It was at this time that Twilight stole a peak at her lovely guard.  His silver coat glistened with just the right amount of sweat from his armor, and his short black mane always seemed to retain its immaculate style.   “It will.  The only way that barrier is being broken is if Celestia and Luna combine both their magical prowess and brute force their way through it.  And the statistical probability of that happening is nigh impossible.”  Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Aileron slowly made his way towards the princess, taking his sweet time to draw out the anticipation of what was to come.  After about thirty seconds, the large stallion flopped onto the mare’s back though being careful of his weight.  Sensing the need of his princess, he lowered his muzzle to the base of the mare’s wings while giving a few tender nibbles before moving on to a protruding feather.  Grasping the feather between his teeth, the stallion could do little else as a pressure soon enveloped the room and a sudden flash froze both occupants in place.  Standing in all their glory were three new occupants, two of which were responsible for statistical improbability that had just occurred.   “Twilight…I think you’re bad at math.”  It was all Aileron could say before Twilight shot upright, sending the poor stallion onto his back, dazed from the sudden motion of the mare that was underneath him.   “P-Princess Celestia, Princess Luna! W-what are you doing here?” Twilight blurted out, trying everything in her power to hide the crimson blush spreading across her cheeks.   “We were just in the neighborhood and decided that we would drop by for a visit.  It is a big day for you, is it not?” Luna replied, though she couldn’t quite hide the smirk she wore after witnessing the spectacle upon their arrival.   “Y-Yes, it is.  I just wasn’t expecting any company at the moment,” the poor mare rattled off, trying her best to keep her composure.  While Twilight tried her best to do damage control, the human’s attention was on the other pony in the room.   “Hey there.  Sorry for the scare.  Didn’t mean to interrupt anything,” Eric stated as he offered a hand to the downed stallion.  Grumbling to himself, he took the offered appendage before moving into a seated position.   “Thanks.  And you weren’t really interrupting anything,” Aileron replied, trying his best to also hide the blush on his cheeks before really taking notice of the creature in front of him.   “Whoa, you’re that human that lives in the castle.  Eric something right?”   “Yeah, that’s me.  Sorry again for busting in here unannounced.  Celestia and Luna thought it would be a good idea to come visit Twilight today since it was her little grand-reopening of the library.  I have to say though, it’s looking awesome.  Might even convince me to leave my room and do some research here if I can get one of these private rooms.”  It wasn’t until a few seconds later that a loud scream echoed throughout the room.  All eyes soon turned to the culprit, Twilight Sparkle, as she bored holes into the human from the intensity of her stare.  He had only seen that stare once before on Twilight.  It was the stare of a mare who was hell-bent on getting answers and unfortunately, he was once again the target.   “Twilight, wait!” Eric called out, though it was too late.  A purple-furred missile rocketed into the poor human, sending him careening to the ground and past the spectating stallion with an amused smile on his face.   “Why the BUCK are you engaged to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and you didn’t even TELL ME!”  The human had to give the princess props.  Her Royal Canterlot Voice was coming in nicely.  Thankfully, Celestia saw fit to reconstruct the magical barrier she and Luna had broken previously before the news could inadvertently be shared with the rest of Equestria.   “Please dear Twilight, it is not his fault.  Circumstance forced our hoof and Eric here was noble enough to help us after all.  Please, release him from your grasp,” Luna pleaded with the mare.  Meanwhile, Celestia just continued to enjoy the show, giggling to herself as she remembered all of Twilight’s other freakouts growing up.  It took a few minutes, but Twilight was soon able to calm down from the shocking news.   “Now Twilight, please do not be mad at Eric.  It was our decision not to tell anypony about our situation until the time was right.  Besides, I think you have a little explaining to do yourself.  Are you going to introduce us to your coltfriend?”  The motherly smile and tone of Celestia betrayed the intentions of the mare.  She knew exactly what she was doing, though it was a mentor’s job to embarrass their student every once and a while.  And Celestia felt it was time to pay that due.   Sheepishly repositioning herself next to the stallion, Twilight draped one of her wings along the nervous looking stallion’s back.   “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Eric, this is my personal guard, Aileron.”  Nerves and embarrassment had overtaken the princess once again.  Despite the flak she had given Eric for the previous news, it was the human who was first to extend his hand for a warm welcome.   “Hey there again Aileron.  Names Eric and future prince of Equestria.  Though it seems you are well on your way as well,” he offered with a bit of teasing.  Not wanting to seem rude, the stallion returned the gesture before growing a small, understanding smile of his own.   “Thanks.  Though I still have a bit of time before I even have to begin to think of any sort of responsibilities as a prince.”  Taken a bit back by the forwardness of the comment, Eric couldn’t help but agree with the stallion.   “Well, can’t really argue with you on that.  Not gonna lie but the Nobles have been up in arms over the whole idea.  Even had one try to kill me this morning.  Pretty crazy stuff.”   “WHAT?” Twilight blurted out, about ready to pounce on the human once again.  It wasn’t until the mare was caught in a bluish aura, courtesy of Princess Luna, that the young alicorn began to settle down.   “What happened this morning?  And you almost died?”  The worry that plagued the alicorn’s tone said it all.  She was one of his first friend’s in this new world.  She had helped him numerous times, and had seen him at his lowest.  He cared deeply about the mare and couldn’t help but pull her into a hug to ease her worries.   “I'm fine Twilight.  Celestia was able to save my ass before anything bad happened.  Not to mention that Luna gave them all a pretty good scare earlier.  I would be surprised if they tried a stunt like that again anytime soon.”  Despite the logic to his words, it still didn’t help the purple pony feel any less worried.   “Still, you need to be careful.  Thankfully, Aileron and I have been able to keep our relationship a secret… for the most part.  So we haven’t had anything like that happen to us.  I can only imagine what you must be going through.”   “Honestly, I'm doing fairly well.  I’m actually excited to see where this whole marriage thing goes.  I’ve already talked to Celestia and Luna about it too, and they seem pretty enthusiastic about it, especially Luna,” Eric teased as he shot the blue alicorn a playful smirk.  Luna only responded with a huff, though knew good and well she would get her revenge for that dig later.   “Anyways, we actually wanted to discuss a few things with you.  Do you think you could be there with us in a few weeks when we do the big reveal?  It would mean a lot to have your support.”  Twilight pulled away from the hug for a few moments, letting the request disgust before shooting back in.   “Of course I will you silly human!  What are friends for?”  Twilight exclaimed.  Despite the rocky start, it turned out to be a rather good day.