A loud wrapping of hooves upon the downstairs door drew me from my sleep with a start, my eyes snapped open and my ears turned to hear any sound. A few brief words were exchanged between Spike and another, their voice too muffled to make out. Shortly thereafter, the sound of hooves rising up the stairs could be heard. I stilled my breath to hear anything that would give away their identity, however, I caught nothing that would indicate their identity, beyond that of a pony. That was until the door to the room opened, revealing a red-coated pony regarding me with mild disdain.
“Say nothing.” I preempted her sternly in Danårian, my translator absent.
My voice of course roused Twilight, who had been sleeping with her hooves and wing draped over my person and her head half on my shoulder. She looked up at the mare curiously, and when the stranger was not forthcoming with an answer, Twi spoke, asking something presumably to the extent of; who are you? Though her voice was not necessarily rude, her choice in words did little to dissuade such an impression. Granted, it was her space.
The red mare shifted her eyes slightly down toward her purple counterpart. “Satos,” She answered without flair, before looking at me and returning to Danårian, “...please make yourself proper, Je’dek. I shall wait downstairs.”
“I am proper enough.” I retorted indignantly.
“If post coitus is ‘proper’, then our people have fallen far indeed!” She declared and promptly withdrew.
Whipping off the blanket that covered my lower half – as pony limbs had formerly covered my upper half – I stood up promptly and stomped over to the door. Fully covered may I add! Twilight’s whinnying protests left behind me on her bed.
“This is how I rise!” I shouted down at her, causing her to turn her head back in surprise, “Ready to fight, honor be my armor!”
“Asto?” Twilight beckoned my attention before Satos could respond, translator in hoof, “…did your paragon just accuse you of being a stud?”
“Has she not taken you?” Satos asked me plainly, quite out of line.
“Satos! You know a gentleman does not reveal a matron’s honor!” I exclaimed, quite shocked by her question.
“You…” Twilight growled, swiftly trotting down the stairs toward her.
The red earth pony mare turned at the bottom of the stairs to face the threatening alicorn, before… “Enough!” I bellowed at the top of my lungs, freezing both in place, “There shall be no violence within my house!”
“Your house!?” Both exclaimed at the same time.
“Yes, my house!” I repeated, turning first toward Twilight, “Did you not exchange names with me?”
“I did…” Twilight admitted, somewhat confused.
“Thus, by my culture, I am the man of the house. You and all your guests, are my charges to keep safe from harm, and so long as I am your champion, you will not fight!” I then swiftly turned toward Satos, “…and you! What’s the punishment for striking a Matriarch’s champion?”
“Who?” Satos responded curiously.
“I.”
“Whose?”
“Hers.” I finally pointed back to a confused Twilight.
“She is not a Matriarch of our clan.”
“No, but she is a princess of this kingdom, crowned by Celestia herself!” Inwardly I grinned like a stupid idiot, that fact all but made me a prince! All I’d have to do is marry her and it’d be official. The thought was silly enough that I almost laughed, almost… “Thus, to strike me is to strike her!” The two mares growled audibly at each other, “Enough!” I barked once more, causing their ears to fold back in response, “There. Will. Be. No. Fighting!” I looked between them, “Got it?”
“Fine.” Twilight acknowledged meekly.
Satos chuckled, drawing some of my ire, which she promptly ignored. “I was mistaken, you fight as well with words, as any warrior with a sword.” She too acquiesced, “You do your rank honor.”
I nodded my head. “I’m going to fetch my robes.” My threat barely veiled as I turned about, “I will hear your news in a moment, Satos.”
Returning only a moment later, I found the two downstairs at the dining table, glaring at each other critically. If I hadn’t been so heavy handed, I just knew the two would be at each other’s throats right about now. Not that Satos didn’t deserve it for her actions, she should’ve known better than to be so rude!
“You’re not what I expected.” Twilight stated rather aggressively, “Why aren’t you Danårian too?”
“Likewise. I had not expected Tau Niem capable of wooing one of such class.” – Satos’ brow rose – “Perhaps it is because you were born of common blood?”
Before Twilight could respond, I spoke up. “Twilight Sparkle, since Spike went back to sleep, would you please make us some tea?” I asked her with a smile.
“Of course.” She smiled back at me, before shooting Satos a sideways glance.
“That drake, he can sleep through anything…” I chuckled, ignoring Satos’ near terrified expression.
“You’re having a matron prepare your tea?” Though she asked of my tea, I knew she was really concerned for her own. After all, Twilight wouldn’t poison me. Then again, I doubted that she had that much nastiness in all her body!
I merely nodded. “In their culture it’s not uncommon.” I grinned on the inside, score one! “Now, what did you and the Princess decide?”
Satos shook her head in disbelief of my attitude. “I…we, agreed that since the only ponies that knew of your insolence were herself, three other royals and the guard, that a pittance of five-hundred bits would be sufficient.”
My brow rose dramatically in shock. “Five-hundred is no small amount.” I murmured.
“Perhaps not, but be glad. You were not punished publicly, nor were you sent to the dungeon,” she said sternly, “Do not worry about the coins, I shall pay them on your behalf.”
“Thank you, Satos, that is very kind.” I bowed my head thankfully.
“Do not think that is the end of it!” She rebuked, “In exchange I expect you to learn what it means to be a Danårian!”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I growled slightly – if it were any other, I would’ve likely challenged them right then and there!
“What I mean is, your choice in bed-mates aside,” I scowled at her, warning her not to tread there, “...that men of our clan do not act in such a way. Obedience and loyalty are paramount! What’s more, Celestia impressed upon me that you are in no little distress, though she refused to tell me more…”
I inhaled, then sighed, before Twilight returned with a kettle of tea in her aura. I flashed her a quick smile and took the kettle with great care not to burn myself. “Thank you,” I said, before pouring each of us a cup; starting with Twilight herself, then Satos, and finally myself, before placing it down between the three of us, “That is true.” I remarked with another nod, “I’m a widower. My wife lost to me only a short time ago, slain unceremoniously, in a most honorless manner. Though, it was not due to any action of her own, but those who attacked us without even proper declaration of hostilities…”
Twilight’s hoof gently fell upon my shoulder. Between her soft smile and her outward feelings, I felt a modicum of comfort, in that otherwise very painful moment. Without realizing it, I had turned to staring at my tea for a moment, trying to fight back the visions of gore from that ‘night’.
“This does not explain how you arrived here?” Satos pointed out astutely.
“He was transported here somewhat suddenly, during the midst of the solar eclipse.” Twilight explained, “The Princesses and I have yet to establish just how this happened, or how to return him home.”
“Do you have any ideas?” I finally perked up a little upon hearing Twilight’s voice, at least enough to get back into the conversation.
“I do not.” She shook her head, “I too am at a loss as to how I ended up in the Badlands…”
“That’s too bad…” I remarked sullenly, “I would’ve liked to seen home once more, perhaps taken Twilight Sparkle with me?”
A silence fell over the three of us for a long moment. I lamented the fact that I would likely never see my home again; a fact that once might’ve made me fume in anger, now only caused me a slight bit of unease…
“Aren’t you going to try your tea?” Twilight asked Satos curiously.
It took me a moment to notice her worried glance down at the gently steaming teacup. Even in my time, in the modern age, it was still rare that women ever ventured into the kitchen. In her times, the kitchen was the domain of men, women were all but forbidden from entering therein! It all had to do with the honor code of men in ancient times, for men, it regulated every attribute of their lives. They served and died for their matriarch and their mates’, and only ever killed face-to-face in melee. Now, for a woman to poison a rival was not unheard of, because women were not held to the same honor code that would see a man to bake to death under the hot sun!
“Twilight, in Satos’ time-” I began to explain.
“I know,” she said with a devilish smile, “I do listen to every word you tell me.”
I rolled my eyes in astonishment, to think she would go so far to defend my honor. “Fine, I will be the adult!” I exclaimed gently, before sipping the tea, as both mares regarded me eagerly. It was a little more tart than I was used to, but still enjoyable nonetheless. Oh, how I thought of playing the most evil practical joke on the two, but alas, my common sense convinced me otherwise… “It’s good.” I smiled.
Twilight’s smile was positively radiant, as she bubbled with happiness, because of my approval. “I’m glad you like it!”
Some might think it cliché, but I swear I my heart nearly melted seeing her smile at me like that! At that moment, I was so content that I almost didn’t hear Satos’ words…
“I can’t believe that I am drinking this…” she murmured in disgust.
Her teacup suddenly shattered in hoof, sending tea spilling across the table and she gave a little jump in shock, only narrowly avoiding being burned. Her and I had stood at nearly the same moment, and her eyes instantly came to rest on my clenched fist held out in between us, before looking up at me. My eyes burned with rage and it was then that she realized it was I who broke the teacup.
“Out.” I demanded and she went to protest, “I said, out!” I pointed toward the door, “I will not tolerate such disrespect!”
Both mares looked at me in shock, before Satos spoke. “You are…your…”
“I am, now go!” I shouted, red in the face. She flexed her jaws several times, mouth closed, trying to find words. I doubted that she had ever been spoken to thusly. Finally, she inhaled dramatically, turned and slowly walked out of the library, the door clicking behind her. After a few moments, I fell back into my chair limply, my face pale. “What have I done?” I murmured hollowly.
Twilight, shocked beyond belief, simply hopped from her chair next to mine and wrapped her hooves around my midsection. I in turn threw my right arm over her shoulder, since she was pinning my left to my side. Neither of us spoke another word, neither knowing quite what to say…
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I spent the remainder of the day at Sweet Apple Acres sorting apples. The time went by both very quickly and very slowly. The work was rather monotonous, which normally would’ve driven me mad, but today, it left my mind free to think. I pondered just what I would do? The Apples were not a wealthy family and as such, it would take me forever to earn five hundred bits working on the farm. The fact that they paid me partially in apples was normally a blessing that I took great pleasure in, after all, I do love apples. This fact, however, also limited my income a great deal. I finished one bushel of apples after another, after another, pondering what I could do to supplement my income, since Satos would not be helping me now?
Finishing the bushel I was working on, I found myself pawing at the bottom of an empty barrel. As I had done numerous times that day, I lifted the empty barrel and placed it neatly upon the sizable stack. Reaching for the next where the Apple siblings had been placing them for me, I found myself grasping at air. Finally looking to where I was reaching for, I noticed that there were no more before me…
“You’re finished.” A sagely voice sprang up from beside me.
Looking over to my side, I found Big Macintosh sitting on his flank, watching me placidly, as he chewed a sprig of hay. I couldn’t be sure, but something about the way he sat made me think that he had been there for a great deal of time.
“So I am.” I grinned, somewhat embarrassed.
“A bit for your thoughts?”
“A…?” I finally chuckled catching the idiom, eliciting a suspiciously raised brow from the stallion, “Oh-ho-ho, it is not you.” I reassured him with a shake of my head, throwing off my giggles, “It is just that our two cultures have similar idioms, ‘a penny for your thoughts?’”
He chuckled once, “That is odd.”
“It is indeed.” I nodded once in agreement, before becoming serious, “This morning gave me a lot to think about.”
“I know, you never even stopped for lunch.” He pointed a hoof toward a boxed lunch under a nearby tree – my stomach growled, “Twilight came to deliver it an’ you never even slowed.” He added, “All day.” I looked to the ground uneasily, before he continued, “Grab your food an’ follow me.”
“Where to?”
“There,” – he pointed toward a nearby hill with a single tree atop it, the hill I often meditated upon – “You look like ya need somepony to talk to.”
“I wouldn’t want to bother you, I’m sure that your family wants you at the dinner table,” I said dismissively, noting that the sun had sunk rather low in the sky.
“I’m sure they would, but a friend in need…”
“A friend?” I gasped in surprise.
“Of course, what else would you be?” He looked to me skeptically.
“I…I just never…I didn’t think you cared for me? I thought I was too Human for you?” I stammered slightly in shock.
“If Humans are like you’re, then I think they mightn’t be all that they’re cracked up to be.” He admitted with an apathetic shrug.
“I…I don’t know what to say?” I admitted, I thought he didn’t like me much.
“Just come’m…” He waved a hoof and started walking.
After a moment’s hesitation, I nodded and jogged over to the tree, picking up the small box. Before another moment could pass, I fell in step with the stallion. I still found it funny, the small look of surprise on his face that said he didn’t think I could catch up so fast! Every once and awhile I still surprised a pony with my speed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The two of us sat upon the hilltop and began to speak of inconsequential things, as I opened the boxed lunch. Most of it had to do with work and the apple orchard, Ponyville and even our mares came up in the conversation – Big Macintosh was still seeing Cheerilee apparently. That made me happy, I thought the two made an excellent pair.
Finally, opening up the two-part box, I found that Twilight had made quite the spread! The rice had surprised me, after all, I had never seen any indication of them eating it. The enchanted box had kept the salad cool enough to prevent it from spoiling and I noticed that she made special effort to choose easy to digest, high in protein and vitamin rich foods, largely avoiding the usual cabbage and lettuce that contained lesser amounts of nutrition for my digestive system. There was even a sliced tomato on top! This caused me to smile warmly, as she remembered that they were my favorite. A fact that she must’ve caught in our multiple joining of minds. She also roasted a fish and cooked some sort of omelet. I looked forward to eating all of it, except perhaps for the dandelion sandwiches. Though edible, their mild flavor did little to endear themselves to the taste buds. That was alright, at least now I had something I could offer Big Macintosh. There was no way I was giving him any of my tomatoes! Sorry, friend or no, none get between me and my favorite totally-not-a-fruit-vegetable!
The two of us took turns between eating and I recanting what had happened this morning, and he asking the occasional question, or making a comment. While he was displeased with the way that Satos had treated Twilight, he was especially perturbed with the way that she had treated me. I found it surprising, but apparently, long ago in ages past, stallions were often kept around for little purpose other than hard labor and for breeding. ‘In the fields, or in the hay…’ was the motto of those times, and though long past, Satos’ attitude still struck a nerve. That was, until I placed a hand on his shoulder and reassured him that those days were in the past, and so long as stallions like he remembered, there was nothing to fear. I was pleasantly surprised, despite the stallion’s outward impression of being just a simple, soft-spoken farmer, underneath, he was well read and profoundly deep…if you could get him to talk that is!
“Why do you follow her?” He finally asked me.
“I…no, we, my clan look up to her. Her legacy is what we all aspire to be. Tough, determined, and unafraid. Willing to stare into the pit of death for all the right reasons, but now…” I sighed, looking up to the sky, “now, I’m not so sure I want to?” I revealed to him, looking back into his eyes, “After seeing her for what she really was, is, I’m not so sure I can follow her?” I shook my head, “She’s so rude, so crass, so…”
“Tactless?” Big Mac offered.
“Out of place.” I nodded, “She doesn’t belong to our time,” I sighed, “...she’s a relic of a time past. She’s tactless, inflexible and heartless!” I exclaimed taking to my feet, “You should’ve seen the way she…”
Big Macintosh quickly took notice that I had abruptly trailed off and was staring down the hill, over his shoulder. His gaze promptly followed my own, to where Satos stood. Neither of us could be sure, but I suspected that she was blushing in shame, the way she held herself.
“I’m going to head back…” Big Macintosh said timidly.
I nodded subtly. “Thanks for the work and the conversation.”
“Anytime.” He flashed me a smile and trotted down the hill to make himself scarce, leaving the two of us alone.
There was a long silence that hung over us, before Satos finally spoke. “Is what you said true? Do you really think that of me?” She asked meekly.
“I do.” I nodded gently, I would not lie to her… “I was ashamed by the way you acted this morning.”
She looked to the ground with a nod of her head. “Do you want me to release you from your clan to join hers?” She again asked me, this time, her voice flat and emotionless.
“No,” I shook my head, “I am Ne Ni Nei. I was born to this clan, I wed my wife into this clan and I will die, the last of my line with this name.”
“Then what?”
“I shall repay my debt to the crown myself.” I declared, “It shall be no easy task, but I shall.”
“What then? If you shall not follow me, who?”
“Perhaps I will wed Twilight Sparkle and bequeath the title to her?”
“You cannot do that, she’s an outlander!” Satos finally barked.
“So are you!” I barked in return, “In more ways than one!” I waved my arm dismissively, “Your form is E’kuitis and though your mind may be Danårian, it’s one from an age long since relegated to the past!” She shrunk under my barrage, “Being a diplomat, a voice of the Imperators is no longer the station of a lowly Je’dek, a lower-class servant without honor. I was chosen! One of ten in the whole Federation! One of ten!” I scoffed, “Until I spoke against their foolishness, I was on my way to becoming one of them! I could’ve been Ao Imperatus! Ao Imperatus, Satos! Leader of all the clans!”
“Then why aren’t you?” Her soft speech stilled me, a shot through the heart.
“Because…” I momentarily contemplated lying to her, telling her it was because of their racial prejudice against our clan. That even today, the other clans use us as tools and keep us underfoot…but that wasn’t the case. I smiled even as I cast my eyes to the ground beneath my feet. Both my great-grandfather and I suffered from the same failing. I inhaled deeply… “because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.” I admitted, wishing it were anyone else’s fault other than my own, “I called them fools, pointed out their cowardice in the face of danger. Called them out on the fact that we Danarii cannot hide behind the shield of the expanse of space and our technology forever.” I sighed once more, “For my honesty, I was dismissed. Stripped of rank and honor, and sent home.” Tears came to my eyes, “Not only had I lost my wife…” I struggled to breathe, “no, I had given them decades of my life in service, and they threw me out in the cold.” I shook my head, “When I needed them most, a rock of stability in the roughest moment of my life, they cast me out. When they needed me most, one of the few that had seen the Golans first hand, they dismissed my words outright.” I sighed once more, only to smile serenely, a man resigned to his lot in life, “It was they who abandoned me, but that’s alright. I don’t need them, they need me. I have a wonderful woman in my life that has finally done something to heal some of these wounds in my heart.”
“Twilight Sparkle?” She assumed.
“My Twilight Sparkle.” I nodded.
“I see.”
“No, you don’t.” I shook my head defiantly, “She’s the first person to give me even a glimmer of hope in lifetimes beyond count…and the funny part is she isn’t even Danarii!” I laughed ironically, “There was a time when that would’ve mattered to me…” I shook my head, “but it doesn’t. It doesn’t matter at all. She’s sweet and caring, and deserves better than you treated her, and in her own home!”
I spit to the side; such an act means even more in Danårian culture than on Earth. It’s a declaration of absolute loathing, the idea that you would give up the moisture of your body, in a desert, just to express your loathing of a person. Such a declaration was only met with a wince from the red mare. I stared at her, fuming for a time, until I lost track of how long I had been glaring at her. Until finally, she swallowed and nodded, keeping her head bowed in shame as she turned and walked down the hill. I could only stand awestruck as I watched her plod off.
I looked down at my hands for a long moment, so long that I had not noticed as it changed from evening to twilight. Completely numb, I fell to my knees. Had I really just done that? Had I really just renounced my Federation? My paragon? A part of me felt missing. Not one, but two interregnal parts of my being I had just cast aside. For my entire life, I had lived in the shadow of my ancestors and I had just told off my most revered, incarnate. Then, I admitted to myself and the world that I didn’t need the Federation? The source of unity and all things civilized in the galaxy? The last speck of light in the darkness? A cold chill ran up my spine as I felt my world crumble around me. I had just become Straka…a self-declared exile. An outcast by my own choosing. For a long while, only the sound of crickets and frogs could be heard in the distance. Then, as if a great weight had been lifted from my mind, I laughed. I laughed like a madman. For that was what I had become. Mad.