The town was bustling and alive; everypony so happy, carefree, and oblivious to everything outside of Canterlot. In my years in Canterlot, some ponies had grown used to my presence. The stares that used to greet my appearance were replaced with a polite “Hello” or “How are you doing?” It made me happy to feel like I was being accepted. As I was relishing this, I stubbed my toe on of the cobblestones. I missed the soft dirt of the forest and longed to be rid of the uneven, hard, and unforgiving Canterlot streets. Despite this little upset, I continued to make my way towards the gargantuan fortress. Eventually, I arrived at the castle gates. I stared at the fortress in awe of its beauty. As much as I loved the forest, I had to admit that the castle was quite impressive and I could only dream to live in such a place. The outside was decorated in brightly colored streamers and a large gate enclosing the building with ponies in regal armor standing watch. After soaking in the view, I slowly made my way to the main entrance to deliver the order. I began to walk up the step when I was stopped by one of the guards.
“What business do you have here,” he asked sternly.
I looked down at the package and checked the address. Considering this was the only large royal castle in Canterlot, I couldn’t be wrong. I looked back up at the guard with a big smile, “This was scheduled to be ordered here, sir.”
The guard said nothing as he looked me over suspiciously. I looked down unable to match his stare any longer.
What have I done wrong? I am just doing my job. Why is he looking at me like that?
I felt the weight of the box being lifted from my arms. I looked up in time to see the guard holding the box in his magical aura and walking into the castle. Then just like that, he was gone. I stood there after he had left; even after being here so long, I still wasn’t trusted.
I snapped out of my daze and began heading back to the fruit stand. It was almost closing time and I would have to help pack up the remaining unsold fruit. I was a short distance away when I heard somepony shout, “HEY,” in a light voice. I turned around only to be shocked by the sight before me.
I was at a loss for words and reduced to a nervous husk. There she was, the pony from so long ago wandering through my forest, albeit, older now. She looked the same as she had years ago. Aside from being a bit taller, the only other notable difference was the sun cutie mark that resided on her flank. Her long pink mane matched her white coat and sparkled like the evening sun. She wore a necklace around her neck with a diamond the size of my fist. However, the most noticeable and my favorite of her features, was the lovely smile she wore.
“So what brings you around here,” she asked, that smile never leaving her face. Tongue tied, I gestured to the gaudy “Senile Fruit” badge that I was required to wear on my chest.
Celestia’s eyes widened in recognition,“Ohh, you work at the fruit stand I’ve heard so much about! I always wanted to go try it out!”
Much like our first interaction, I said nothing and cursed my nervousness. Despite all of my internal pep talks, my courage deserted me on the mere suggestion of opening my mouth and saying words while in her presence.
She looked at me a minute with a curious look on her face, “I can’t seem to recall it. What was your name again?”
I had never told her my name, and I hadn’t given it much thought. I internally face palmed for not following through on picking one out. I also marveled at how I had managed to go so long without having to give a name to anypony. Thinking quickly and summoning all my confidence and began to speak, “Uhh...my n-name is L-Ladon.” On the inside I was jumping for joy. I had finally managed to say something to her. I wasn’t exactly pleased with the name, but it would do for now. I watched as Celestia’s grin grew larger.
“So you can talk,” she spoke louder and gave the ground a playful stomp. Her grin grew even bigger, if that was possible and it warmed my heart or that was the nerves kicking back in. I looked around nervously, unsure of what to do next. By some miracle or chance of fate, I had gained another opportunity to talk to Celestia, but here I was stumbling through the mostly one-sided conversation.
“So..uh, what brings you to Canterlot?” I asked, having finally broken the ice and finding speech much less daunting. Celestia gave me a look of confusion.
“I live here,” she said with slight astonishment. I was quite surprised however as her family must have been very rich to afford a house in Canterlot. After all, Canterlot was considered to be a powerful place, and home to Equestria’s elite.
“Hey Ladon, I’d love to stay here and chat, but my parents would want me home soon and I have to attend to some business before it gets too late,” she said sensing that I had once again run out of things to say.
I nodded in agreement, “Maybe next time.”
“Maybe next time,” she responded with a small grin. With that, she walked away, towards the main road. Just like old times, I watched her until she was out of view. I took a sigh of relief. I was happy to see her again, but again, I was hardly prepared. Realizing the time, I started towards the stand.
By the time I got back to the stand, it was pretty dark. Mr. Senile’s son had already packed everything up. Seeing as though there was nothing for me to do, I went home. By home, I meant the shack Mr. Senile had set up for me when I first began to work for him. It was located not too far from the stand and it was cramped with only enough room for a bed and a small dresser. I didn’t complain though; it was more than I had when I lived in Everfree and it beat living in the street. Lying on my bed, I thought about the things in life I didn’t have. Parents, a house, friends; they were really more a dream to me than a reality. I also began think about her. Celestia was here. I couldn't waste another opportunity with her. I needed to shake my damn nerves. On that note, I decided to go to sleep.
The next morning I woke up early and headed to the stand. It was a foggy morning; the air was cold and wet. When I got to the stand, Mr. Senile’s son, Cub, was there. He was quite angry to see me when I arrived.
“WHERE WERE YOU YESTERDAY,” he shouted angrily. Cub pushed me with his front hooves putting me on my back, “I SAID, WHERE WERE YOU!?”
I looked up confused, “I...was making that delivery Then I stopped to chat a little with somepony and when I got back, you were gone.”
Cub’s face grew more annoyed, “OH! Well I sure hope you had fun!” he said sarcastically.
I got up from the ground and looked at him. I remembered the day Cub was born. Mr. Senile had let me hold him when he was just a newborn colt. I had watched him grow up and took care of him a couple of times, but now he treated me like a stranger. He wasn’t the same after Mr. Senile passed.
I stopped my thinking to address Cub, “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again.”
“Damn right it won’t, because if it does, you can forget about a job here,” he threatened, “And just in case you’re wondering, no job means no house! So get you butt in gear and get to work!”
I fought back my tears. Although I was technically much older than Cub, he was my superior. I watched as he left the stand leaving only a bit yesterday’s profits in case I had to make change. I pushed my emotions aside and began to go to work. The morning fog never left, casting a bleak and lifeless shadow over the Canterlot streets.
On slow days like this one, I day dreamed. I imagined Mr. Senile still alive and being his usual happy self. The day he died was one of the saddest of my life. It was a cold autumn night; I had just finished closing the stand when Cub told me the bad news. He took it the hardest and changed that day. He didn’t smile or laugh after that, instead he just scowled and yelled.
By the time it was closing time, I had almost fallen asleep. Only twelve customers came to the stand with small orders. Throughout the day, the fog had cleared and I could see the evening sunset slowly starting to descend on the horizon. I was beginning to feel the toll of starting my day so early and was quite sleepy. I straightened up as somepony cleared their throat infront of me. I looked up to see a stallion looking at me intensely. It was strange I hadn’t heard him approach the stand.
“Can I help you sir,” I asked.
Upon hearing those words, the stallion frowned. I paused. I recognized this pony; this was the guard from yesterday who took the fruit package! I hardly recognized him without the armor.
“No, but you can help her,” the guard answered. A mare stepped out from behind him, the moment I saw her smile my heart lit up.
“Why hello there,” I greeted her warmly.
“Hey Ladon.” she responded with a grin. At first, I thought she was talking to somepony else before finally remembering that was the name I told her. “So...uh-why are you here,” I asked.
“Well, since you got me thinking about it yesterday, I wanted to visit your stand,” she said, her grin never changing.
I looked up at the guard next to her, “Uhh..why is he here,” I asked while gesturing at him.
She looked at him, “This is Edmon, he’s my personal guard.”
I looked at her peculiarly.
Why did she need a personal guard?
“Wow, your parents must be somepony important,” I joked.
Instead, Celestia didn’t laugh, but instead looked at me weird. A similar look somepony would have when listening to a strange and confusing story. Then it disappeared as something dawned on her and she grinned slightly.
“Uh, do you know who I am?” she asked, and smiled as if she was enjoying some personal joke.
The question surprised me. I guess I knew who she was. She was Celestia, the first pony I ever saw. Yet here she was, asking me a loaded question, and clearly enjoying it. I put on my best fake smile, “I guess I don’t. Why don't you tell me?”