//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: A New Friend // Story: Fluffiest Misadventures // by tranhdxrbntd //------------------------------// A very important and powerful member of Equestria's Night Guard was roaming the halls of Canterlot Castle. It was coming close to the end of the work day and she was getting ready to meet her compatriot once the day shift ended. Floating in the air, via a light blue magic field, were two steaming hot cups of hot cocoa beautifully topped with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and chocolate shavings. She hummed a nice little tune as she moved. It was the holidays and ponies could finally start to have fun and relax. As she trotted, the tink-tink of her horseshoe caps resounded through the halls. There weren't that many other ponies currently in the halls of Canterlot Castle. Most of the castle staff had already started their holidays and number of guards that populated the castle were gone. Not from holiday, no. They were gone because, right as the holiday started, some dastardly criminal was going around assaulting innocent mares! In addition to that, Celestia's incompetent day guards had managed to lose an important diplomatic envoy that was visiting to witness Equestria's Winter holidays! It was strange how all of the interesting bits always happened during the holidays. Right as she trotted along, her predator-like eyes noticed some movement in her field of view. It was like someone or something was there, hiding and ready to strike. She paused her next step and very carefully scanned the area with her very well developed and practiced senses. It took her a few precious seconds, enough time to give somepony to strike, when she noticed what was the source. Standing in the hallway, was a stallion. As the mare was trotting through the halls, the stallion had stepped aside to let her trot pass. She relaxed as the fur on her body that had rose in tension, went back to its usual position. He hadn't been hiding, waiting to strike like some kind of assassin. He just naturally blended in with the castle's interior enough to give the false impression of. The two starred at each other for what seemed like an eternity, when in reality it was only a few seconds. "Hello," she greeted, breaking the ice. He hadn't responded, wanting to keep up the silence. He obviously wasn't a member of the castle staff, she had all of their names and faces memorized. From what little of his physique that could be seen under all of that magnificently beautiful fluffy immaculate white fur, he could have easily been a Day Guard but his face didn't match any of their faces, she having also memorized all of the Day Guard's names and faces. Perhaps he was just a visitor, one meant for Celestia or Blueblood? "Are you a visitor?" she asked. Instead of saying anything, the stallion nodded. Well, at least that got her somewhere. She smiled. "Are you here for Prince Blueblood?" The stallion stared back at her, clearly not recognizing the name. "Perhaps Princess Celestia?" The stallion turned his head slightly upon hearing the name and nodded in response. The mare nodded back. "I can lead you to her! Just follow me!" The stallion raised an eyebrow at the mare, tentative at her offer. "I insist. Besides, the layout of these castles rival that of the labyrinths of old. Wouldn't want you to get loss!" The stallion paused for a second before nodding. Finally getting somewhere, she got to take a good look at the stallion. She very easily recognized the stallion as a Yakutian, which surprised even her. She had met the Yakutians before. It had been a miserably cold experience and this had been long, long ago. Yakutians never left their home lands so seeing one here in the flesh in Equestria was like seeing both of Equestria's princesses in public at the same time. Things got more interesting when she recognized the very intricate long triple chain white silver necklace that the stallion wore. This stallion was a member of the Yakutian royalty! Er, the equivalent of royalty when it comes to Yakutians. She remembered when the chain necklace was shorter. Time really passes. She was very happy to see the crescent attached to the necklace. She knew the crescent was a symbol of the Yakutian's respect for the night. Yakutians, living so close to the polar end of the planet, would spend months in non stop darkness, followed by months of nonstop daytime. She also knew that the crescent was no mere necklace but a piece of Yakutian practicality. It was a traditional Ulu knife, and a very nice example of one. She faced her head away from the stallion, while keeping her body pointed at him. She then picked up one of her forelegs and put it across her chest fluff and bowed. If she remember correctly, that was how the Yakutians showed respect to each other. The stallion, surprised, copied her and bowed back respectfully in response. "Let's get you to Celestia before Day Court ends." The stallion smiled and nodded. Right before the mare took off trotting again, she floated down one of the cups of cocoa to the stallion. She had intended to have a cup with her peer but she could get one for herself later. The stallion almost seemed frightened at the floating cup but took it after a few tentative sniffs. The smell brought him in. The smell of chocolate, something he probably never smelled before tempted him to at least humor the mare. The stallion held the cup and looked back at the mare who was waiting with a polite smile. It took him an almost embarrassing amount before the stallion realized that it was a beverage. The instant he took a sip, the only thing that stopped him from downing the whole thing was how hot it was. One small sip was followed by a big sip before he presented the unfinished cup to her. It took her a few seconds before she realized what he was doing. She took the cup, via hoof, and took her own sip, sharing the drink with him. And then, they were off. -X-X-X- As Day Court wound down. Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne, on edge. Early on in the day, it had been so boring that she had wished onto the heavens that something would interrupt the monotony of having to deal with the nobles' idiotic requests all day but she didn't mean it like this! Losing a diplomat of such importance and a rogue criminal!? Why did the heavens have to monkey-paw answer her wishes?! A million thoughts went through her mind, even as her attention was focused on humoring the selfish requests of the noble that was standing in front of her and rambling. In addition to the noble and the princess, there were a number of day guards, as usual. Out of the ordinary was a member of the night guard, one that had been waiting to give an update to both of the major situations. Heavens above, she wished that this noble would finally finish up and leave so she could deal with this holiday buck-up of proportions. Just as that thought went through her mind, the doors to the throne room opened up and surprisingly, her sister trotted in. She had a smile on her face, a true one, not the usual politician's smile. She was magically holding two cups of cocoa and surprisingly, she was followed by a Yakutian stallion.