Author's Notes: If you couldn't tell, it's been a while since this has been updated. That is because I didn't know where to progress the story from there. After re-reading the past chapter, I realized it sucked, and needed to be re-written. So here it is, the non-sucky version of chapter 5.
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If you get to know me, you will learn that the two things that scare me the most are bees and heights. So, riding in a flying carriage was definitly not an enjoyable experience. I've flown in an airplane before, and wasn't scared then, but that was because I was surrounded by walls and had a seatbelt. Here I had neither.
I had to sit there for an hour and a half, sweating bullets and trying not to piss my pants/fall off. I was thankful for the smooth landing, and eagerly jumped off. Before me stood a majestic white alicorn. This must be the princess.
I gave a polite bow, to which one was returned. "Welcome, most honored guest." She said in a voice that flowed just as smoothly as her multi-hued mane. Honored guest? Me?! Some high school loser, who has never done anything truly spectacular is an honored guest?! But who am I to question royalty?
"Thank you, Your Highness." I replied. She gave a warm smile. All of my nerves faded upon seeing that smile. She wasn't going to act better than me (despite the fact that she was). She treated me as an equal.
"I suppose that you are wondering why you have been summoned so soon after your arrival." She said. I gave a quick nod. "I have summoned you here, so that I may get to know such an important guest. It is not everyday that we receive a visitor from another world. Come, perhaps we can discuss this over tea."
She led me through some magnificent front doors, into the castle. I noticed her guards staring at me intently. It would appear that, just because I had won the Princess's trust, it would not be so easily earned from her guards.
The castle was quite a sight to behold from the inside. Large stained glass hung from the walls, depicting various moments in Equestrian history (or perhaps folklore). I marveled at the grand arches and the expertly woven tapestries. Celestia led me into a grand dining hall, where a tea set was laid out.
She levitated a cup of tea over to me, which I politely accepted. I'm not one for tea, but it was actually quite good.
"Now then, to business." She said, taking a sip from her own cup. "I would like to know a bit about yourself, Curtis. Just what do you do? What is your role in society? What is your society like?"
I began to tell her about myself. Everything. From where I was born, what my family was like, what my hobbies were, and school. I began to discuss my (rather limited) knowledge of how governments were run on Earth. She seem rather appalled that the many countries weren't united, and frequently went to war with eachother.
"Human history is not very pleasant," I explained. "We have had many wars just for better treatment of others. Sometimes they have failed. The way we have treated others is disgusting. Thankfully, many countries are working to having better relations with eachother." Celestia smiled. She seemed pleased that humans were not as barbaric as she had thought when I first began explain our societies to her.
"With that knowldege, do you still wish to return?" She asked. Now it was my turn to think about that. Did I really want to return to a place that had drug addictions, terrorism, hate, and greed?
Yes. Yes I did want to return there. I had my friends and family there. It was far from perfect, but it was home.
But did I want to leave Equestria? The ponies here had shown me nothing but kindness since I arrived (granted, they did show some fear when they first met me, but I would probably have reacted the same way if I saw one of them walking around Pennsylvania). Twilight had welcomed me into her home the second I had woken up. She was also my friend.
"I'm not so sure, Princess. As much as I miss my family and friends, I will also miss this place. I have been shown more kindness here than I have ever been shown before. I need time to think." I said.
Celestia gave me an understanding nod. "Sometimes the heart does not truly know what it wants. Now then, you are welcome to stay at the castle for the night, tomorrow I will return you to Ponyville. One of my guards will show you to your quarters. Good night, Curtis."
We both rose from the table. A maid quickly gathered up our cups, and headed in the direction of the kitchen. A guard trotted up to me. "Now, sir, if you would please follow me." He stated in a proffesional tone.
...
Later that night, I sat in the room Celestia had put me in. The bed I was sitting on was easily the softest thing I had ever experienced. I looked out the window at the moon. Was it the same moon that I had watched, mystified, so many times as a child? Was it, perhaps, the same moon my parents were looking at right now, wondering where the hell I was, worried sick?
My parents. This was the first time since waking up on the first day that I really thought about them. They must have been so scared right now. Wondering where I was, or why I hadn't even called them. Maybe, they thought the worst had happened to me. I needed some way to assure them when (or if) I returned that I had been perfectly safe. Maybe, I just needed some way to comfort myself about the possibility that I probably wouldn't see them for a long time.
Looking around the room, I saw a writing desk, some parchment, and a pen. Walking over to it, I was struck with an idea.
'Dear Mom and Dad', I wrote. 'It's been about 2 days since my disappearance. I know that you must be worried sick about me. I don't know when, or even if, you'll read this, but I want you to know, that I am fine, and in no danger at all. As strange as it may sound, I somehow ended up in some magical land inhabited by colorful talking ponies. They aren't anything like the horses back home. They come in any color you can imagine, they can talk, write, run governments, some can even fly or use magic. Today, I met the ruler of Equestria (that's the name of this place). Her name is Princess Celestia, and she is more like a goddess than a princess. She is very kind and compassionate, not stuck up like you would imagine royalty to be. I hope that you get to read this sometime, and know that I am safe. I'll probably write more of these if anything interesting happens. Keep Justin out of my room.
Love,
Curtis'
Writing the date at the top, I rolled up my letter to my family, and put it with my stuff. Tomorrow I was returning to Ponyville. Turning, I headed towards that soft bed I had prieviously been sitting on, and fell asleep. I had a big day tomorrow.
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AUTHOUR'S NOTE: I bet you guys thought I was dead. No shame in admitting you did. I am now back to writing. MORE TO COME SOON!