//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: I guess it could be worse... // by Mekapix //------------------------------// Two guards lead the humans down one of the castles many corridors, the two once again took in the sights of the corridors. The burnt orange of the setting sun shone through the window and lit up the corridors beautifully, the corridors would have looked like they were a piece of heaven if it wasn't for a few castle maids cleaning up the mess that Josh had caused earlier. Josh said sorry to every maid he passed, clearly feeling more guilty with every apology he made. “So how much debt have we got?” Sam asked one of the guards. “According to her highness, the total debt comes to twenty five thousand bits.” The guard informed them in monotone. “And what's the average we could earn in a job?” “Depending on the job, the average pay is one thousand two hundred bits a year.” Josh over heard and put his hand to his chin in thought. “Hmm so we owe twenty five thousand and if we made one thousand two hundred bits a year, we'd be able to pay it back in... roughly twenty years... not including the amount we would need to pay to feed ourselves.” Sam's jaw dropped at the thought. “Twenty years?! Now I really hope we are in a dream or something. How are we supposed to pay this off?!” “I don't know. I've not seen many guys since we got here, not even in Ponyville. Maybe we could sell ourselves to any needing women?” Josh replied. Sam just stared at him in disbelief. “You are joking right?” “Mostly but we do have the option, might as well have some fun if we are in a dream.” “Can I kill you?” “Why? Do you think we are dreaming after all?” “I don't know but either way, with you quiet I'll feel better.” “You can if you like but that leaves you to pay all the debt by yourself, good luck with that.” Sam thought for a second and sighed. “Not worth it...” Eventually the guards that were leading them stopped outside a door. “This room is yours, there is only one bed but there are sheets for one of you to sleep on the sofa. We wish you both a good night and if you have any trouble, you only need to find a guard and we will help any way we can. The Princesses have also invited you for dinner so the royal seamstress will come momentarily to take your measurements.” The guard said. The two boys thanked him and walked into the room. The room looked very high class, it had a four poster bed, a small balcony and a cupboard. The on suite bathroom was glistening and the main room had a large sofa with a table in front of it. “Wow... This place is gorgeous.” Josh stated. “No kidding, it's like living in a pal-... oh wait, it is living in a palace.” Sam chuckled. Josh rolled his eyes and grabbed the sheets on top of the table and set them out on the sofa. “You can sleep in the bed, I'll sleep on the sofa seeing as it's my fault about the whole debt situation.” Sam smiled and nodded. “Thanks.” “No problem. Besides, last time I slept in one of these beds it didn't end well for me.” Sam sat on the bed before falling back on it, giggling a little. “How did that happen anyway?” He asked. “Well I was looking for the throne room and when I found the Princess' room, there was this huge stuffed bear on it. I just had to cuddle it, you know what I'm like.” Sam nodded. “Yeah, a dumbass.” Josh laughed a little. “Yeah, you always liked things that were out of the ordinary. I'm surprised that you're not more excited to be honest.” “Well I just got chased through a castle and had a twenty minute long death stare from a moon controlling Princess, I'm just trying not to piss anyone off again.” Sam nodded to the response, he turned on his side to see Josh laying back on his make shift bed. “Hey, when you said about the whole selling yourself thing earlier, you were only joking right?” He asked. “About selling myself to the ponies? Of course I was.” Josh replied. “Oh good, because you do realise they aren't human don't you?” “Yeah but that's not stopping me. What's stopping me is that it's morally wrong. You should only have sex with the ones you truly love unless you both know it's not a romantic thing, that's my view.” “What if you're unbelievable drunk?” “Well I don't drink, you know that.” “Not since that one time when we went to Blackpool...” Sam muttered. “Hey! We promised to never speak of that again!” Josh yelled, sitting straight up with a small blush on his face. Sam began giggling uncontrollably. “I still can't believe you ended up making out with a guy! It was hilarious.” Josh's face reddened even more. “In my defence, I was drunk, it was dark and he was a very pretty guy!” Josh retorted, only causing Sam to laugh harder. “I will never drink again...” he muttered. The laughter was interrupted by the door opening. A slender figure walked into the room, her coat was a cream colour while her mane and tail were a shining blonde. Her purple eyes matched her dress and she wore thick blue glasses on her snout. “Hello, my name is Quick Stitch. I'm the castle seamstress and the Princesses instructed me to find you some appropriate attire for dinner this evening. I hope you don't mind but I need to take your measurements.” The two nodded and Sam stepped forward. “Nice to meet you. My name's Sam.” He said as he stuck out his hand. The mare smiled and shook his hand. “It's nice to meet you too Sam, such a strange name. Then again you are a strange creature... Oh goodness, please pardon me. I'm very sorry, that was incredibly rude and I shouldn't have said it.” She said quickly, backing away a little and bracing herself, as if waiting to get hit. However she gave Sam a confused stare when she heard him laughing. “It's fine.” He replied. “I'm sure it must be an odd name for you and we are pretty new here, only natural that you find us strange.” “Y-You're not angry at what I called you?” She asked, still cowering a little. “Of course not, see that guy there?” Sam said, pointing to Josh. He just smiled and waved to the mare, she returned the gesture a little confused. “He's Josh, he's been my best friend for so long he's more like a brother and he has called me a lot worse than strange.” Sam explained with a giggle. She looked at the two confused before smiling a little. “So you wanted to take our measurements Miss Stitch?” Josh asked. She looked over to him and nodded. “Your body structure seems similar to ours, I'm sure I'd only need to alter some earth pony clothes to make them fit.”She explained. Sam and Josh nodded. “So who would like to go first?” Time passed by rather quickly as Quick Stitch took the two boys measurements. She left for a few moments after taking the details then came back with a selection of clothing she could alter. After the two had picked their clothes, Quick Stitch started altering the clothing. “So Quick Stitch. If you don't mind me asking, why did you act how you did after you called me strange? You acted like I was going to hurt you.” Sam asked. Quick Stitch seemed to hesitate slightly before gulping. “I-It's just that... there are some stallions who can get rather rough if they do not get what they want or they get offended...” Both Josh and Sam frowned. “And they do it often?” Sam asked. “Not often but some ponies can get really bad and it doesn't help that nopony else stops them...” Before the two could ask anything else, a guard walked into the room. “It is time for your dinner with the Princesses, please get ready and meet me outside.” The guard asked. The two nodded and the mare ran out of the door before it closed. “I feel this is something we should ask about...” Josh muttered. XXX Josh and Sam entered a large dining room. They were both wearing black suits with black bow ties and white buttoned shirts underneath. The table in front of them was long enough to fit all the guests and a few more. Twilight and her friends were already sat at the table, enjoying conversation with each other and their rulers. The six of them were wearing tight, figure hugging dresses that matched the colour of their coats, at first glance Sam and Josh thought they weren't wearing anything at all. Though they quickly realised their mistake, Sam saw what Josh was talking about before, a part of him saw how beautiful they looked regardless of the difference in species. The Princesses sat at the head of the table, both wearing the same royal clothing that they were in earlier and looking just as lovely as the other six. Celestia noticed the two had entered the room and stood up smiling. “It's good to see our guests of honour have arrived. Please sit and we can begin eating.” She said happily while motioning her hand towards two reserved chairs. The two chairs were next to each other, between the edge of the table where Celestia was sitting and Pinkie Pie's seat. Sam took his seat next to Celestia and Josh sat next to Pinkie, wanting to make sure he was as far from the lunar ruler as he could. After a few seconds, a few stallions dressed like waiters came into the room with various dishes in their hands. They put down a dish of various vegetables and fruits in front of each pony and human. It only took a few moments before everyone began eating. “So then.” Celestia started. “Who are you two? All we know of you are your names and race. Do you mind telling us about yourselves?” The two nodded and swallowed before Same spoke first. “Well, back in our world, I am a builder with a bit of knowledge about carpentry. I've known Josh since school and we've been good friends since, we eventually moved in together due to our jobs being close to each other. My family consists of my mum, my dad and my younger sister.” “And I was an engineer specialized in mechatronics, a mix of mechanical and electrical engineering though I recently had some trouble with my job. As Sam said, we've known each other for a long time and I have a mum and dad but no siblings.” “If I may ask.” Twilight interrupted. “What do you mean you had trouble with your job?” “Well I only did the whole engineering thing because my parents told me it was best for me. I don't like arguing so I went with it, I managed to do it but I was recently thinking about quitting my job and trying for something else. I was going to wait till I found something I'd enjoy more but I guess that's been done for me now.” Josh said with a slight chuckle. “Could you tell us about Equestria?” Sam asked. “Very well, Equestria is the name of our country and the name of our world is Equis. Outside of Equestria are the Badlands, the Griffon Kingdom, the Crystal Kingdom and the Great Desert. There is a large amount of woodland that spreads throughout Equis called the Everfree forest, well known for having a large amount of dangerous creatures as well as poisonous plants and magical ruins. No pony has ever explored the Everfree in it's entirety as it becomes more dangerous the further in you go. The species that live on Equis are numerous however the ones that have fashioned their own lands to live in are us ponies, the griffons, diamond dogs, crystal ponies and changelings. There have been other races that tried to survive throughout the years but they unfortunately could not salvage their own lands and either became extinct or turned bestial.” “Ok then. We were told that you are thousands of years old, is that true?” Josh asked. “Yes.” Luna answered. “Alicorns have extremely long life spans compared to other types of ponies. Our life spans can reach up to twenty thousand years whereas the earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns have an average life span of only four hundred years.” Josh and Sam blinked in unison. “Four... hundred years...?” Josh replied. “Yes, our life span is an average of four hundred years, give or take about 25 years.” Rarity explained. “I myself am at a nice young age of one hundred and ten.” “One hundred an' five.” Applejack stated. “One hundred and seven.” Rainbow Dash said proudly. “One hundred and fifteen.” Twilight said. “One hundred and three.” Fluttershy whispered. “One hundred!” Pinkie exclaimed with a giggle. Thee two boys stared in awe by the incredible ages of the ponies in front of them. “Well... You all look fantastic.” Josh claimed, not knowing what else to say. “The age of one hundred is still young I'll have you know dear.” Rarity stated with a hint of content. “I'm sure you two must be around the same age.” The two boys laughed a little, earning odd looks from the others in the room. “We wish, it'd be lovely to live that long...” Sam said. “I'm twenty one, Josh here is twenty.” “W-What? But that means you are still foals?” Twilight replied. “I take it you mean babies or children. I can assure you we aren't, our race has an average life span of about eighty years, someone who lives to one hundred in our world is considered very lucky.” Josh explained. The conversation stopped for a while at that statement and the recipients began eating once more, the ponies feeling uncomfortable at the idea their new friends could live to such a young age. “There's something I've been wondering.” Josh said after everyone finished dinner. “We met a mare earlier who said that some stallions could be pretty violent if some mares didn't do what they asked. Is that true?” Celestia let out a deep sigh. “I'm afraid it is, we try and stop it where we can but the stallions get away with it more often than not.” “Why's that?” Sam asked. “Well as you two might have noticed, there are not many stallions compared to mares in Equestria.” They nodded together. “You see, the ratio of mares to stallions born are roughly five to one. This means that stallions are not easy for a mare to come by, even with the herds. Some stallions get their pick of what mares they want to be with and because of how they used to be treated, they are able to get away with it or they threaten to move off elsewhere.” “What do you mean “because of how they used to be treated”?” Celestia sighed again and hung her head. “Allow me to explain.” Luna spoke up. “Because of their low numbers, mares would often control stallions. They would be used as a work force and to make children when needed, they weren't seen as needed for much else. Eventually my sister and I put a stop to that and gave the stallions equal rights, unfortunately there are a few stallions that feel that the previous treatment and their lack of numbers give them more rights and power than mares.” “That's horrible...” Josh mumbled. “Indeed it is.” “What did you mean earlier when you mentioned a herd?” Sam asked. Applejack cleared her throat as she decided to help out with the explanation. “A herd is where a stallion has a relationship with multiple mares, it helps to keep the population growin' seeing as stallions are rarely born, most herds are around three to four mares to each stallion but they sometimes go up to five or six.” Applejack sighed a little and stared down at the table. “Some of the stallions take advantage of a mares desperation, treatin' her poorly because they know she'll have trouble finding anypony else to have a foal with...” Josh gritted his teeth as the information was given, Sam having the same feeling as he clenched his fists. “There are a few same sex relationships out there but they are frowned upon, seen as decreasing the population for their own interests. Not that I agree with that, I have a good friend who's into mares like herself but a lot of ponies don't understand.” Rainbow added, her face a mix of anger and sadness. “Doesn't anyone stand up for them?” Josh asked. “T-There are some ponies who try and help them out when they are being yelled at but... but they are then ridiculed in the same way...” Fluttershy answered. “What do you two think of it?” Pinkie Pie asked. The humans were a little taken back by the question. They noticed all eyes were now on them, waiting for reply. “If I may say my opinion, I think it's absolutely disgusting.” Sam answered. “Just because they were treated like that does not mean they have the right to treat the mares like they are beneath them. Everyone- or everypony should be treated equally, regardless of the past.” “And if someone, I mean somepony, were to love another of the same sex then let them, that's their choice and their choice alone. I wouldn't expect anyon- anypony ,dammit, to change anything about themselves just to go along with somepony elses view of what's “right”.” Josh added. All the ponies present smiled, happy at the answers they received. “Well then.” Celestia said with a new smile. “I think it's time we all get to bed. Do you two remember the way to your rooms?” The two nodded. “Very well, tomorrow morning you may return to Ponyville and we will make sure your home is fixed and livable. If I am not able to speak to you two tomorrow before you leave then let me say once more, welcome to Equestria.” She said happily. Everyone said their goodbyes for the evening and headed off back to their rooms. XXX “Well then, it seems our guests are very interesting.” Celestia mentioned as she walked back to her room with Luna. “They're incredibly young yet they are also very accepting. It'll be interesting to see how they settle in Equestria.” “Indeed, I did not expect them to be so relaxed, especially when the matter of life expectancies was brought up.” “A depressing thought indeed, those two having their lives end at such a young age is a disturbing idea.” “Especially as they seem so kind, not at all like I first thought.” Celestia giggled a little at the statement. “Are you warming up to them now dear sister? Maybe you've taken a fancy to one of them...” She teased with a small grin. “I-I have not! Will you please not tease me this late?” Luna pleaded, a faint red hue on her cheeks. “I expect it's Josh, if you like I can go see if he'd like to share your bed with you again.” Celestia giggled. Luna stuttered as the redness on her cheeks grew. They arrived at their rooms and Celestia walked into her room, still giggling like a school child. “Good night Luna.” She said as she closed the doors. Luna walked into her room with a huff and sat on her bed, calming herself down from her sisters teasing. “Curse you sister, I'll get you back for this.” Luna whispered. She looked over to her stuffed bear and took it into her arms, holding it tightly. 'The warmth was nice though...'