//------------------------------// // A Day in Canterlot, Part 1 // Story: A Tale of Two Worlds // by The King of Gingers //------------------------------// "8:55 train from Ponyville now arriving at Deck C. I repeat: the 8:55 train from Ponyville is now arriving at Deck C." The soothing, feminine tones of the station announcer crackled through the speakers strewn about the train decks. Across the massive expanse, ponies young and old checked for directions, making their way toward their desired deck.  At one end of Canterlot Central Station, an array of tunnels were arranged in a line. Out of the darkness of one of the tunnels, the blast of a train whistle cuts through the low roar of a hundred conversations. Slowly, the Ponyville Express Train rumbles its away out of its tunnel, steam billowing around its pastel-colored engine.   Blasting forth air as pneumatic brake lines vented their excess pressure, the train finally came to rest at Deck C. With a call of 'end of the line', the conductor threw a switch, causing the sliding doors on each car to pull back. Bustling, chatting ponies spilled forth, pegasi taking wing as they were freed from their claustrophobic confines.  A particular pair of ponies brought up the rear of the exodus. Twilight Sparkle smiled and talked excitedly as she brought her hooves down on the familiar wooden planks of the deck. Her nostrils flared as she took in a deep draught, the Canterlot air tickling her senses. She could smell the exotic flowers of the gardens, baked treats being sold out in the markets, and that subtle, undefinable scent that marked one's birthplace. Her heart swelled in her chest, and she had the fight back the urge to dance in place.   Taking up a spot beside her was a pony whose presence garnered more than a fair share of second glances. Wearing what appeared to be a more angular, embellished version of the Royal Guard armor over a dark green shirt, the unicorn Loki stood beside Twilight, his magenta eyes slowly scanning the crowd milling about. As ever, his handsome face was set and impassive, lending the stallion an air of aristocracy from which not even his great horned helmet could detract.   Flicking his tail, that motion causing his green cape to flutter gently, he turned to look down at Twilight. "I believe you were saying something before we arrived, Twilight Sparkle. Something about that Discord character of which you spoke during our trip." Loki's stone-set face didn't move as Twilight jumped at his words, a blush lighting up her cheeks as her ears lay flat against her head.  "Sorry about that, Loki," she spoke, her voice low with embarrassment. Resolving to give in to her nostalgic tendencies at a later time, she took off across the deck, turning to Loki as he took up the stride beside her. "Well, where was I?" Pressing a hoof to her chin, she puzzled for a second before her face lit up with a smile. "Oh, yes! So, I was packing up to leave Ponyville forever. But then—"  Loki kept his attentions split between listening to Twilight's story and taking stock of his surroundings. The size and scope of the train station were made to be impressive, embellished with towering reliefs cut into the walls which depicted great moments in Equestrian history. Directly above the cavernous exit, the Elements of Harmony were shown in all their glory, directly opposing their three great villains: Discord, the God of Chaos, his odd form bent backwards as he cackled in manic glee; Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, her twisted, almost rotting form matching her black soul; and finally Nightmare Moon, reared up on her hind legs, mouth open to reveal great fangs. Upon closer inspection, Loki noticed two extra ponies carved into the relief behind the six Elements: what appeared to be a unicorn stallion in a suit of armor and an alicorn, the two of them contorted to appear as two halves of a stylized heart.  Twilight's story came to a swift end as they approached the exit, moving with the crowd of ponies streaming out on the right side. Warm sunlight washed over the pair as Twilight raised a forelimb, grinning with barely-contained pride. "Loki," she said, "welcome to Canterlot!" Now through the archway, the crush of bodies around them thinned out, allowing Loki to take in the fullness of his new surroundings. They had exited into a large, circular plaza through which what looked like thousands of ponies walked. Tall trees waved, their roots buried into small patches of grass allowed to grow in small islands throughout the hub. White stone covered the ground, its satin sheen reflecting the light of Celestia's sun. Vendors hawked their wares at the edges of the plaza, right next to performers showing off their tricks to happy foals and their parents. At the center of the plaza, a large fountain blasted jets of water into the sky, creating a humid mist that poured over the ponies milling about, keeping them cool even in the growing heat of the day.   Beyond the open space, towering high above the pointed roofs of Canterlot's many buildings, the Royal Palace dominated the skyline. Banners fluttered in the high breeze atop the massive edifice, its sheer smooth-stone walls decorated with fanciful, light-hearted embellishments. Even from this distance, the pair could observe the staircase leading to tall double doors, small specks of white and gold standing on either side of the palace entrance.  As Loki approached the fountain, Twilight by his side, his eyes came to rest on a curious statue standing at its center. It seemed to be a statue of Discord, yet the pose confused him; it looked as if the creature were in some sort of distress, its body contorted, his maw open in an eternal scream. Turning, he questioned Twilight with a raised eyebrow and a motion of his hoof. Catching his meaning, Twilight grinned. "Yes, that's him, frozen in stone by the Elements of Harmony. Princess Celestia decided it was a better idea to keep him closer to home, just in case."   A deep, resonant bell suddenly tolled throughout the kingdom, calling attention back to the train station. Twilight's ears laid back against her head as she stared at the gigantic clock face set into the station's outer stonework. Its arms indicated 9 AM. "Oh no, oh no," Twilight whispered, turning to Loki with a wild look in her eye. "We're gonna be late! Come on, Loki!" She took off without a second glance to her compatriot, her breath coming in short, quick gulps. Loki, never one to be slow on the uptake, shot after her, strong leg muscles propelling him the short distance he needed in order to take his place by her side once again.  Through the streets of Canterlot they raced, darting past ponies, carts, and outdoor restaurant tables alike in their haste. The streets twisted and turned with no real rhyme or reason, the modern cobblestone streets having been placed more or less in congruence with ancient paths that followed their own strange logic. At long last, the two of them passed by a clockmaker's corner store to find themselves only a few hundred yards from the palace. Panting, Twilight paused but a moment to check on her companion before darting across the castle's verdant gardens, Loki in tow.  Taking the steps two at a time, Twilight was a panting, sweating mess by the time she reached the imposing palace doors. The two white-furred pegasus guards closed in on the pair as they approached, faces set in a permanent scowl which softened fractionally when they saw who was standing before them. Twilight sucked in deep gasps, speaking breathlessly. "Twilight Sparkle and Loki to see Princess Celestia, please." The guard to her left raised his forehoof to knock twice, the sound magnified through the thick wooden door. The sound of metal against wood scraped against their ears as titanic internal locks pulled back, the doors slowly creaking open enough to reveal a single unicorn-shaped figure.   Stepping out from between the doors, Shining Armor smiled down at his baby sister. The white unicorn wore a specially-made version of the standard issue Royal Guard armor, its surface lacquered in a deep, royal purple with golden trim to accent its rich color. His messy blue mane fluttered in the wind as he raised a forehoof to Twilight's shoulder, giving her a playful nudge. "Hey, Twily. From the looks of things, you're still afraid of being tardy." Twilight smiled sheepishly in response, before tightly embracing her older brother in a warm hug. Loki observed coolly, a dissembling, impassive expression settling into his face like a well-worn garment.   Brother and sister finally pulled back from their loving embrace, Twilight's blush deepening at the memory of her traveling companion. "Sorry Loki." Twilight offered a weak laugh, turning to gesture between the two stallions. "Loki, meet my big brother Shining Armor, Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. Shining, this is Loki Odinson of Asgard, the visitor from the sky I wrote to Celestia about."   Shining smiled as he stepped forward, offering his forehoof to Loki. "Nice to meet you, Loki." Loki's face remained set in stone as he took in Shining Armor's gormless face, his downright stolid voice, and the naivete that seemed to come to ponies as natural as breathing.  "A pleasure," Loki responded, reaching out his own hoof and touching it to Shining's. Pleasantries thus exchanged, Loki found he could not help himself. "It is rather interesting that you are Twilight Sparkle's brother, as you remind me so much of my own brother. Before he turned against me, of course."  Shining's face lit up with a grin, and Loki returned it as the Captain thanked him for the compliment. The three trotted through the doors, some unseen doorkeeper swinging them shut behind them as they disappeared into the Royal Palace.  The enormity of the castle's foyer was enough to bring Loki pause. Great columns ran the length of the oval-shaped hall, colorful banners strung high between them. Across a large patch of plush-looking carpeting, a large staircase rose up half the length of the back wall before splitting off, turning into two smaller sets of stairs that lead off into other wings of the palace. Emblazoned on the wall across from the group of ponies was a mural depicting the sister Princesses which governed their realm, curled into each other in a facsimile of an ancient emblem of balance.   Their hooves padding mutely across the thick carpeting, Twilight turned a curious eye on her brother. "Where's Princess Celestia," she asked, brow creasing, her voice edged with anxiety. "We didn't miss her, did we?"  Shining chuckled, shaking his head as he began to ascend the staircase. "Nah, don't be silly, Twily. She'd never leave a guest of the kingdom hanging. She actually sent me down here to tell you two to wait here for a while. She's in a meeting with some envoy from Stalliongrad right now and it's taking longer than planned." Shining motioned up the left staircase, his smile turning apologetic. "I've got some duties of my own to check on, Twily. But hey, if you're still in town later, maybe we can grab a bite at Pony Joe's."   Twilight's face fell, her ears drooping. She ascended the staircase and grabbed her brother in a tight hug, her smile returning as he returned that warm embrace. Once released, Shining nodded at Loki, who returned the motion with a minimal incline of his head, before galloping up the stairs and out of sight. A strange quiet settled over the cavernous entry hall, Loki turning to observe the tall banners strung between the room's tall columns. Each banner depicted some scene from the history of Equestria, only a few of which Loki could name: the founding of Canterlot, the corruption of Princess Luna into Nightmare Moon, the discovery of the Elements of Harmony.   "Loki?" Twilight's voice cut across the silence, the god in disguise turning to face her. She shifted in place, pursing her lips and tossing her mane back absently. "I've been meaning to ask something for a while now: why did you wear your armor today? I mean, here in Equestria, we do wear clothes and armor, but only on special occasions or if we're in the military. I was just curious."  It took only a split second for Loki to concoct a reason for wearing his armor, but before he could give that half-truth voice, another's radiant tones called their attention to staircase's apex.  "The same reason anypony dresses well in a new location, my faithful student." Princess Celestia's regal presence seemed to fill the room as much as her sun filled their world with warmth and light. Shining Armor's white fur seemed a dull grey compared with the luminous coat the Sun Goddess possessed. Multi-hued mane fluttered in a non-existent breeze, a portion covering her eye and gifting her with a mysterious quality. Descending the staircase on custom-made shoes as golden as her tiara, she directed a warm smile at Twilight, whose confused expression bade her continue with her answer. "In order to make a good first impression, of course."  "Princess!" Twilight's child-like joy at the sight of her mentor could have warmed any heart, the smaller pony galloping up to press herself against the taller, slimmer alicorn. Celestia bent her neck down, extending a wing to wrap around her student's body. "It's so good to see you, Princess Celestia," she continued, pulling back and beaming up at her matronly ruler before moving back and gesturing behind her. "As your faithful student and protege, I am honored to present to you the newest guest of Equestria: Loki Odinson of Asgard."   Bringing himself up to his full height, Loki approached Princess Celestia without fear. Bringing his neck back, he held his head back at an aristocratic angle before he bent his forelimbs down, bowing before the Princess while dipping his head low. "I can assure you, Princess, that the honor is entirely my own. Your student Twilight has given you much of which to be proud these past days. She and her friends have shown me the friendliness and grace of your nation." Rising back to a standing position, he forced a look of somber anxiety. "I am prepared to once again relate the story of my origins as you have requested, Princess Celestia."  Celestia's smile turned into a dazzling grin, her pink eyes twinkling with maternal empathy. "I thank you for coming to meet me, Loki of Asgard. Before we get to your story, let's adjourn to someplace other than my castle's drafty foyer. I don't want us catching a cold." She gave a small laugh, one which Twilight echoed. As one, the three ascended the stairs, Loki following behind teacher and student as the two led him deeper into the palace.   A long, thin hallway greeted Loki's eyes as he crested the top of the stairs, paintings lining the walls to his right while windows let in warm streams of sunlight to his left. At the midpoint of the hallway, warmly red double doors opened at the command of Celestia's glowing horn. Beyond the entrance, a comfortable, almost casual meeting hall had been arranged, with a low circular table in the center, as well as a small spread of tea and various snack cakes. Seating herself at the far end of the table, Celestia made to pour herself some tea before Twilight's horn glowed, the unicorn smiling happily as she poured.   Seating himself opposite the pair, Loki watched as his hosts settled down, working to keep his face as impassive as ever. Twilight fussed over Celestia as a loving daughter would her own mother, apologizing profusely for spilling a bit of the tea over the edge of Celestia's cup. The Princess simply laughed, telling Twilight not to worry about it. The small scene was over in a few seconds, and yet it was all Loki could do to keep from angrily digging a furrow in the floor with a forehoof. He smiled and nodded appreciatively when he was offered tea, activating his levitation spell to bring the cup closer and taking a sip of the surprisingly delicious liquid.   "Now then," Celestia sighed happily as she placed her empty cup down, the glow of her horn dying down. "I think we've settled in properly. Loki, you have the floor whenever you'd like to begin." Under the scrutiny of the eyes of not only the nation's ruler, but her prized student, Loki settled back fully on his haunches. His godly mind raced, swiftly recollecting and efficiently collating the lies he had told to Twilight and her partygoers less than twenty-four hours before.          The tale started as it had the night before, Loki's impervious mask melting as he slipped easily into the role of a deposed king. False memories were recalled and spilled forth, his inflection and tone shifting at the appropriate moments in the story. Throughout his recitation, he kept his eyes on Celestia, measuring her response as best he could. Sat down on her haunches with her strange mane flowing out beside her, the Princess of the Day never once changed her expression. Even as he began to expound on the nature of his banishment and exile, Celestia's face remained neutral as her statues scattered about the kingdom. At odd intervals, her long horn glowed and her cup levitated to her lips, her dainty sip barely audible over Loki's monologue.  "The strange beast slain, I tried to attend to Fluttershy's wounds." Loki lifted his own cup to take a sip, the fur on the back of his neck standing on end as the warm liquid met his parched throat. "However, skittish as I was having just barely escaped my brother's wrath, the arrival of her friends sent me into hiding. Once I saw that this realm also contained ponies, I made all haste to Ponyville in order to reveal myself." Turning his expression downcast, he pulled in a breath and let it out in a slow sigh. "I suppose it is rather foolish of me to be so naive as to reveal myself to ponies whom I did not know at the time. Despite recent events, I always try to hope for the best in any new person I meet, pony or otherwise." Loki tilted his head back up, trying to assess Celestia's reactions. Her face continuing in its immovable neutrality, he pressed on. "Now I come here, to officially request asylum in Equestria."  Celestia's horn glowed, her teacup floating to her lips and tilting back to empty the contents down her throat. With a soft sigh, she replaced the cup onto its saucer, tilting her head to regard her student. The princess' neutral face ebbed away like the tide from a beach, her voice turning motherly and doting. "Twilight, I am sure you have much to tell me on your lessons in friendship that can't be contained in a letter. I would love to catch up with you, and I would be very appreciative if you'd wait for me in my private chambers."   Switching her attentions to Loki, Celestia's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. Twilight followed her line of sight, gazing at her new friend before looking back at her mentor. Fighting the chill trying to work its way down her spine, she rose to all fours and hastily excused herself. Trotting to the doorway, she favored Loki with a single glance over her shoulder, brows knitted and bottom lip caught between her teeth. With a small rapport of wood against metal, the double doors shut behind Twilight, leaving Loki Odinson alone with Princess Celestia of Equestria. Time stretched thin as the two sized each other up from across a table still set up for a pleasant morning tea.   "Loki," Celestia spoke, shattering the growing tension between them. "Have you had a chance to review Equestrian law since you've arrived?"   "Unfortunately I have not yet had that pleasure." Loki struggled through the urge to worriedly count at the ground.   "Am I correct in assuming that Asgard exists or existed under the rule of law?"  "Yes, Princess. However, I am unsure what this has to do with--"  "Was it a crime to lie to the king?"   Once voiced, the question hung around Loki's neck like an anchor to a ship's prow. His heartbeat quickened, the fur on the back of his neck threatened once again. He forced his breathing into slow, methodical cycles, digging a forehoof down into the carpet. "Yes. Deception is a practice decidedly at odds with the running of a peaceful kingdom. Those foolish enough to practice it against the King of Asgard were corrected accordingly."  Celestia's impartiality broke as a small smile stole across her face. With a flourish, she spread her wings out to their full expanse, pushing up onto all fours. "We have many laws in Equestria," she continued, beginning a slow walk around the table. "Laws against murder, against theft, against rape. I have come to think that all societies share similar laws, differing only in the degree of the punishment.   "In Equestria, however, lying to myself or my sister is not a crime. It has never been a crime so long as I have ruled, and I see little reason to change that stance now. As a fellow ruler, you might be wondering why I would allow my own subjects the privilege of deceiving me." Celestia's trip had brought her to stand beside Loki, her graceful form towering over him. "It has been my experience, Loki, that those who tell lies will one day have those lies catch up to them without the intervention of the law. With that knowledge, creating an official punishment seems excessive.  "Now I am not entirely sure what parts of your story are fabricated and what parts are true. I am inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt." Loki's shoulders sagged the tiniest sliver, the fur of his neck slowly laying flat once again. Celestia continued, stretching her neck forward to stare down at him. "What you said in an attempt to endear yourself to me, I say with conviction: I look for the best in every person I meet, be they pony, griffin, horse, or donkey." With a quick flap, Celestia tucked her wings back against her body. "You saved my Element of Kindness at risk to life and limb. According to the grapevine from Ponyville you've been a model citizen for the two days you've been in our world. So long as this behavior continues, we won't have any problems."  Before Loki could relax any further, Celestia pressed even closer, multicolored mane shifting so those pale magenta eyes could stare directly into Loki's own. "I must tell you," she said, her voice trading its practiced impartiality for an edge of menace. "I take the safety and quality of life of my little ponies extremely seriously. We have all worked quite hard to create a loving and harmonious society, and it has endured thanks in no small part to how efficiently I deal with those who may threaten it." Sweat beaded at Loki's temples as he absently noted that the tea in his cup was beginning to boil. As suddenly as she was invading his space, Celestia retreated, drawing her head back and assuming her usual cool, collected composure. "Have I made myself perfectly clear, Loki?"  Loki had to clear his throat before he could answer, the ghost of a frown threatening his lips before he fought it down. "Inescapably, undeniably crystal clear, Princess Celestia."   Almost before the phrase of contrition left his lips, Celestia's posture relaxed and her face changed expression as easily as one might change a parcel of clothing. As she had been with Twilight, she was now all smiles, her warm voice completing that image of benign, matronly authority. "Thank you, Loki." Her horn glowed, the teapot tipping to refill her cup before she called that small bit of china over, holding it aloft in an incomplete toast. Loki responded with his own cup, steam still wafting from the cooling liquid inside. Celestia raised her cup higher, smile turning into a grin. "On this day, it shall be written that Loki Odinson the unicorn is now a naturalized citizen of Equestria, with all rights, privileges, and responsibilities both explicit and implied." With a sound like a small bell ringing, their cups touched and they drank.    -----------------------------     The midmorning sun beat down on Loki's coat, a constant reminder of the pressure cooker from which he had just escaped. The conversation with Celestia less than half an hour behind him, the Princess's words still hung around his mind like annoying pests too small to properly shoo away. His mind kept recalling the image of his teacup's contents boiling, the heat of the sun at his back not doing anything to help cool his thoughts.   The gardens surrounding the Royal Palace were alive with activity, pony and animal alike. Gardeners tended to their small flower patches while landscapers moved simple mechanical grass clippers to and fro across gently rolling hills. Up in the trees, birds of all shapes and sizes sat in nests, made mating calls, and picked at the exotic fruits of imported trees. Loki moved through the lush grove with nary a second glance at the natural beauty on display, his strange armor attracting a few glances that he refused to acknowledge.  Time slipped away from him as he stewed in his own thoughts, only brought back to reality when he felt strange, drooping leaves brushing across his face. Taking a step back, he raised a forehoof to his face, brushing the leaves aside. Before him stood a massive Weeping Willow tree, the long leaves hanging down to the ground and obscuring its trunk. The glare of the sun reflected off a lawn clipping machine pushed by an Earth stallion, causing Loki to wince and let out a small, frustrated grunt. The weeping willow's leaves made a soft susuruss as he parted the hair-like strands, moving into the dark, cool interior and away from that ever present daystar.   Behind the veil of the willow's leaves, the air cooled considerably, dim light streaming through between the strands and cascading across Loki's body to give him a strangely striped appearance. The trunk stood old and gnarled at center, strings of dead leaves surrounding its roots. Small inscriptions, both old and new, peppered its bark skin – confessions of love, poems, offers for various unsavory services. Loki stared up at the ancient hardwood, closing his eyes and letting out a rush of air in a slow, relaxed sigh.   With a few short steps, he lowered himself onto his stomach, pressing his flank against the smooth bark of the willow. Tucking his limbs underneath him, Loki let his eyes slide shut, turning his mind's eye inward and toward the task of sorting his tangled, chaotic thoughts. Perhaps here, thought he, there could be found some small respite. The noise of the world outside began to ebb away, centuries of experience enabling him to focus only on what was truly important.  Rapid hooffalls preceded the canopy of leaves whispering apart, drawing Loki from his contemplative fugue. No sooner had his eyes opened than they were filled with a bright, reflective red not too far removed from his magenta eyes. A shocked gasp escaping his throat, reflex pulled back on his neck, allowing him to see the pony now standing before him. Her coat a pale cerulean, she stood balanced on her forehooves, hindquarters teetering in the air before falling back down to the soft grass. Loki scrambled to get his hooves under him, preparing a defensive spell in readiness for an attack.  "I, Photo Finish, knew I saw a new pony crossing the gardens!" Her posh, accented voice perfectly matched her well-coiffed grey mane and striped dress. Eyes hidden behind red glasses studied Loki intently before she raised a forehoof to her chest. "I, Photo Finish, know everypony who is anypony in Canterlot, and I, Photo Finish, can tell that you are a pony of a superior fashion sense. Your armor is bold, yet reserved!" Before Loki could follow her, Photo Finish had zipped around to his side, lifting his cape with a hoof. "Regal and yet unpretentious!" Loki turned to try to get her in his sights, only to feel her on his other side, yanking on one of his helmet's horns. "And these horns! Ach, stupendous! Only a pony of wealth and taste could wear such ostentatious attire! You simply must accompany me to--"  At that moment, a blue-gray pony slipped through the thin leaf wall, cutting Photo's sentence short. Leaves caught in his fluffed, curled white mane, drawing a grumbled complaint as he pushed himself through. Readjusting the frilled collar adorning his neck, he turned a withering gaze on the blue fashionista. "Photo, dear, I simply must protest," he spoke in his own deliberate, aristocratic tones. "This running off at anypony in a nice suit is going to make us late to the party." Gracing Loki with a gaze, he raised a hoof to slide his sunglasses down his nose. A slow smile made his bluish eyes light up. "Then again, I do suppose we can be fashionably late. I am none other than Hoity Toity, premiere fashion critic of Canterlot."   "Loki of Asgard," Loki responded, the words spilling from his muzzle haphazardly. Caught on his back hoof, he pushed forward and spoke before his newest high-toned intruder could start fawning over him again. "There is a simple explanation for your lack of familiarity with me: I am new to Equestria, having recently emigrated from my homeland. In fact, I have just come from a meeting with Princess Celestia."  "You've met the Princess?" Photo Finish exchanged a look with Hoity.   "How long have you been in Equestria, might I inquire?" Hoity Toity took a step forward, an eyebrow raised.  "This will be my third day in Equestria, I believe."   "Three days?" Hoity Toity's eyes were wide behind his designer shades. "You mean to tell me you arranged an audience with Princess Celestia herself after only three days in Equestria?"  "It will be less shocking," Loki explained, "when you know that the first ponies I met and befriended when I arrived would be the Elements of Harmony."  "Ach!" Photo's shades nearly flew off her face as she slapped a hoof against her cheek. "And he is already friends with the Elements of Harmony! Hoity, we cannot afford to allow him to be seen at the party with anypony else!"  "I think you are getting ahead of yourselves." Loki could not stop a sharp edge of annoyance from leaking into his voice. "I do not even know what this party is all about. Even if I did, I can assure you that I am most definitely not a 'party' sort of pony."  Photo laughed, shaking her head. "I, Photo Finish, find myself without manners today. The party is to celebrate the retirement of the head archivist of the Canterlot Royal Library."   "He is an old earth pony named Tattered Page," Hoity added. "Why, I don't think there's pony alive in Canterlot who doesn't know him. I, myself, have made extensive use of his large collection of foreign fashion magazines."  "And I, Photo Finish, would never have been able to reach the heights of the fashion photography world without his help locating books on exotic camera techniques."  "Loki, connections are everything in Canterlot." Hoity motioned toward the palace with a wide, sweeping gesture. "You've already made quite a large one. However, appearing at this party and wishing Tattered a happy retirement would do wonders for your station. Take it from a professional in the world of high society: you do not want to miss this."  Loki stifled the laugh that threatened. Recovering quickly, he made as if to think it over, hoofing his chin pensively. Letting the seconds drag on, he allowed himself a moment of amusement at the hopeful looks on the socialites' faces.  "Very well." Loki made for the weeping willow's veil, blue magic parting the curtain so the three of them could exit its shaded interior. "As you said, Hoity: connections are important. Beside the point, it would be bad manners to refuse an invitation to such an auspicious event."  "Splendid!" Hoity fell in on Loki's left, his usual blasé attitude replaced with the giddiness of a schoolcolt. "Oh, to be seen with such a vogue stallion. What a wonderful affair this shall be." As they walked, Hoity moved closer to the newcomer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "If I may be so bold; tell me you have not yet been engaged to have your armor's aesthetic turned into the latest fashion sensation."  Loki blinked, his usual deliberate manner receiving a hairline fracture when he raised an eyebrow to regard Hoity with a confused stare. Had Hoity the eye for it, he might have seen the flurry of emotions washing over Loki's face. Milliseconds after the question was posed, said emotions had been hastily protected behind a wall of aloof disinterest. "Unfortunately I have already contracted the services of another. I'm sure the two of you are well-acquainted with Rarity of Ponyville."  Photo let out an indignant sniff. "But of course. She is the best seamstress Ponyville has to offer. I, Photo Finish, find her to lay on the jewels and baubles far too thick."  "Are you sure I can't tempt you away, Loki?" Hoity's smile and sudden proximity sent a cold shiver down Loki's back, memories of Jottenheim rising unbidden to his mind. "Rarity may be an excellent designer, but she doesn't have the advantages of my fame and wealth."   "I appreciate the concern," Loki lied, "but I still have to decline. Rarity is my friend and I would not want to break a promise I made to her, for any price."  Hoity clucked his tongue, flinty eyes studying Loki from behind shades worth more bits than Rarity could dream of making in a day. Moments of consideration passed before a throaty chuckle escaped his throat, a genuine smile lighting up his aristocratic features. "It is rather refreshing to see somepony who will do the honorable thing, even at a cost to themselves. Have it your way, Loki; though indulge me a favor and tell Rarity that Hoity Toity will order a dozen of any clothing she derives from your ensemble. I do believe they shall be sensational in my Prench show next month."  Loki returned that smile, his own just shy of reaching his eyes. "I'm sure she'll be quite pleased. Such an order shall most certainly bring good fortune to her business."   The three ponies moved on across the rolling green hills of the gardens, Photo and Hoity excitedly expounding upon their expectations for the party. It wasn't until a rare moment of silence between them that it was noticed that their new guest was no longer present. Standing motionless a few feet behind the pair, head turned over his shoulder, Loki gaze was locked firmly on the spiraling parapets of the royal palace.   Photo spoke up first, her voice lacking its usual raw confidence. "Is something the matter?" Silence followed her question, the gold-armored pony scanning his magenta eyes over the crenelations and balconies dotting the sleek towers and wide, imperious walls. As the seconds dragged on to an uncomfortable length, he shifted to face his new acquaintances, his expression cloudy and undefined.  "Nothing to worry about," he mused, more to himself than for the benefit of Hoity and Photo. "Just for a moment, I had the feeling I was being watched. I think we should make for the party with all haste. This heat might be getting to me." He was rewarded with a round of indulgent laughter that set his teeth on edge as he forced himself to continuing that interminable trek to the retirement party. Even as they crossed over from the open green hills of the garden and into the cool shade of a copse of trees, that feeling of being watched still nagged at Loki's mind like a parasite lodged in a sensitive area. A force of will exerted over his mind, he pushed that feeling aside and prepared himself for the suffering that was to come. Perhaps, thought he, it would be wise on Princess Celestia's part to outlaw parties on the basis of cruel and unusual suffering.    -----------------------------     The tall, thin towers of the royal palace swayed slightly in the high breezes, their ancient structures designed to bend to the force of the wind lest they break and topple over onto the unsuspecting functionaries below. Some of the towers housed stacks of scrolls and codices, ancient texts and law gathering dust and tended to by the lowliest of servants. Others bore great art and architecture depicting the history of Equestria before and after the coming of the Alicorns.   One such tower overlooking the gardens was decorated in the style of a personal living space. Star maps were pinned to the walls, elaborate movements of star clusters, constellations, and falling stars mapped out in bright red ink. Scrolls and parchment overflowed on an ancient desk sitting opposite a soft, comfortable queen-sized bed fitted with the finest dark blue sheets, tossed and rumpled from a recent slumber. The roof allowed a clear view of the sky above, thin sheets of glass polished to near-perfect transparency.   A wide door led outside to a spacious balcony, on which stood a tripod-mounted telescope. Its ancient, burnished-brass body usually turned heavenward, today its owner had it tilted down toward the gardens, following the movements of the gold-and-green clad unicorn about whom so much fuss had been made. One eye closed, Luna the Princess of the Night watched Loki through her telescope, dark-furred body standing perfectly still in an unconscious attempt at stealth.  "So that's the immigrant," she whispered to herself. "He doesn't look like much. I do wonder why sister seemed in such a bother over him." As if the universe has a comically perfect sense of timing, it was at that moment that Loki stopped and turned, staring right up at her telescope with his intense magenta eyes. Luna's heart leaped into her throat and she jerked back, jaw gaping with a gasp. Her wings spread out and puffed themselves up in muscle response, the princess backing away a few paces to try and slow her breathing.  A slow, sly smile crept over her face as she tucked her wings back against her body. "So that's what all the fuss is about," she breathed, stepping up to her telescope and resuming her spying. "I'm going to have to keep a close eye on you, immigrant. Let's hope you don't disappoint after such an exemplary first impression."