//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Princess (Edited) // Story: Ink // by Cyanjames2819 //------------------------------// I quickly spun around and saw a large, dark mass standing in front of me. It was being eclipsed by the moon so not much of the details were visible but its faintly glowing eyes stared at me in curiosity with a few blinks. It was at least an inch taller than I was, had large wings being tucked away on its sides, a horn protruding out from its head, and a ghostly mane and tail flowing in the air with sparkling little dots like stars of the night sky. I just froze on the spot, looking at the thing standing a few paces away from me as it continued to stare. "Um… are, thou scared?" it asked again. Its lulling tone spoke quietly like a caring mother. I took a nervous step back, "Ah, w-what are you?" I asked as I took another slow step back. "We are Princess Luna, co-ruler of Equestria. Goddess of the moon." she answered and stood straight, making an intimidating stance. "Luna?” I stopped as the gears in my head started fitting the pieces together, “Luna… oh yeah, I heard about you. You're one of the Princesses." I stepped to the side to get a better look at the tall Alicorn mare. As I looked at her, her coat was a beautiful shade of navy blue; her Cutie Mark was a crescent moon, surrounded by a black smudge I should say and her mane and tail just floating around in the air with the light breeze. She wore a dark, metallic chest plate and a tiara with sparking shoes at her hooves. All and all, she looked gorgeous. "Whoa… you're a big pony." I said with a small smile as my body started to relax at her calming, yet intimidating presents. "We are no normal pony. We are an Alicorn, one of the most powerful beings in Equis." she said to me in a powerful tone, but I felt more calm with her presents alone. I stepped a little closer to her, “Wow… honestly, I never thought I get to actually meet one of you.” I said to her as I looked down at her chest plate and looked at my own reflection. “Are, though-” she quickly stops with a little sniff of the air, and quickly looking around her surroundings like a dear on alert, but quickly shakes her head as she looked at my smiling face, “Why are, thou out in this hour of our night?” she asks with a bit of worry in her tone. I just continued to smile at her, “Yeah, I’m okay, just… a little homesick I guess. I never thought I end up here of all places.” I said and looked down at the ground a little solemnly but looked back up at her with a wider smile. I bowed my head and walked around her, “Wanna hear what happened so far? I don’t mind a little talk.” I said to her without looking and sat up against the tree once more and looked up at the moon. I waited for a moment and I eventually heard light hoof steps going towards me. She rested down beside me, "I'm, James by the way, but everyone else around here calls me, Winter. Short for Winter Night." I introduced myself as I looked at her. Her main was now normal looking; icy blue in color, somewhat short and her eyes were beautiful sky blue pearls, calming my emotions from the homesickness. I slowly took out my hand for a shake. She looked at it for a moment but eventually rested her hoof down on my palm and shook it with a smile, “Nice to meet thou-you, Winter.” she greeted. “My pleasure, Princess.” I replied and looked back up at the moon. We just looked at the moon for a moment in silence for who knows how long. Maybe ten minutes or half an hour? I waited for her to start the conversation and so she did. "So, Winter. If, you don't mind answering, why are you up late in our night?" she asked as I noticed she was forcing herself to speak with ‘You’ and ‘I’ instead of the old ‘Thou’ and ‘We’. “Star gazing and looking at the moon.” I answered simply. “Why?” she pressed on. “Because I want to. The moon brings a lot of good memories in my world. And most times, it brings me comfort. And besides, I’m a night owl. It’ll take a while for me to get sleepy.” I answered. "Not a lot of beings appreciate our night." she said with a little sad tone in her voice, "But we thank thee-You, for being one of those souls." I didn't respond as pretended to lightly snore with closed eyes. "Winter?... Winter, are, you asleep?" she said to me as she scooted a little closer to me. She then gently pocked my stomach with her hoof. With that I threw my arms in the air and yelled, "Boo!" right at her face. She jumped in surprise with the most priceless expression that have forever burned itself into my memories. Sure, making a little prank on a Princess might get me thrown to the dungeon and possibly tortured, but hey! I just wanted to lighten up the mood. I started chuckling while holding my stomach and eventually looked back up at her as she lightly panted with somewhat wide eyes, "Sorry, Princess, I just couldn't resist." I apologized as I continued to chuckle. She took a breather for a moment more and looked at me, "No pony but my sister ever pulled a prank on me." she said and for a minute it was silence, but then she started to giggle while I chuckled along with her. I happily sighed, "Looks like it, Princess." I said. "Please, call u… me, Luna." she said and nuzzled my cheek, making me blush a little. She suddenly stopped and held her breath for a second before she started quietly breathing on my cheek and neck with half open eyes, seemingly lost in her own world. She then gently pressed her muzzle against the bass of my neck and closed her eyes, still breathing through her nose. “Luna?” I said. She quickly leaned away, “We’re sorry!” she blurred out and shied away with a mad blush in her cheeks and a little on her muzzle. “I-it’s okay, Luna.” I reached out and started petting her, trying to calm her a little. She looked at me in the eyes, which caused my heart to flutter a little like it did when my mother hummed a lullaby and held me close when I took my puppy out of his misery. “St-still, Winter… We are sorry for invading your space.” She apologized and gently leaned against my hand as I lightly scratched a spot just behind her ear. “Apology accepted.” I said and took back my hand, causing the Princess to pout a little adorably, “Now… what else do you want to talk about?” I asked. “Are you coping well in Equestria?” she asked and crossed her fore hooves. “Well, kinda. But it's still a little weird being in a world controlled by ponies. I mean it’s cool to see and talk with a Pegasus and a Unicorn for real, but… I’m a stranger here. A bold, talking ape who wears clothes that covers nearly his entire body and twice taller than a normal pony, so I’m a giant compared to them.” I answered. “Hm… I had the same problem when I got back from the moon. All this new technology, new faces and I had a bit of a problem talking to other ponies for some time. I am not very sociable by nature so I don’t have many friends.” she said to me. "The moon? What were you doing there?" I asked questioningly. "I was banished there for a thousand years by my dear sister, Celestia," she answered. I looked over and she looked a little down, "A thousand years of isolation and solitude… not the best of feelings…" she said to me. "Hm, I see. I have the same problem back home. I hate being alone." I said to her and rested my head on my hands, using them as a pillow up against the bark of the tree. "Don't you have any friends?" she asked as she looked at me. "Yes, but they have better things to do then visit me. I don't blame them." I answered. "Do you want to go back home?" she asked. I blinked, ‘Do I want to go back?’ I thought to myself, "Well… not entirely, but that's where I belong, not here." I answered, "But that doesn't mean I hate this place; it's lush and lovely, not at all like ours, far from it. Our planet is slowly dying because of us, but like what a classical movie once quoted “Life finds away”.” I said to her. We just stayed there in silence, sitting and thoughtful of how to continue this conversation. "Winter…" she said quietly. "Yeah?" I replied. "I have something to show you… a secret I and our sister only know of. If you don't mind, that is." she said as she pawed at the grass, waiting anxiously for my answer. "Sure, I don't mind." I answered, feeling quite honored to be shown a closely guarded secret by the royals. "Okay, but it's in Canterlot, probably best to show you tomorrow and I need to speak with my sister about it first. The only reason why I’m offering you this is because I feel that you need to know." she said. “Sure, okay.” I said and looked back up the moon. I smiled slyly, “You know… I don't mind being here forever.” I begin, “That is if Twilight can't figure out on how to get me back, anyways, then I won't mind. Make a new start, possibly get a job that I enjoy and… maybe find someone special.” I smiled at the thought. “Twilight? You met her?” she asked with a hint of surprise and excitement in her tone. “Yeah, the second pony I met here, actually. Very smart, young Unicorn-mare, and a fun conversationalist.” I answered. “Indeed she is. Pray tell, whom is the first you’ve met?” she asked again. “Miss Fluttershy. The kind and gentle spirited Pegasus-mare.” I answered. “Hm… so if you are stuck here, what will you do the moment you find out? Maybe find a mate be your first priority?" she asked with a teasing smile. My eyes went wide, “M-mate?” I stammered. I know I already thought of finding someone special but damn, I forgot the ‘mating’ part of it would have to in the options. I don’t even know if I swing that way. "Well, inter species mating here is somewhat common. Mixed genes like the Griffins, Hippogriffs, Manticore, Chimera, and more are such examples." she said to me casually. "Uhh… I don't know. Unless I know I can't get back, I-I'll think about it." I answered awkwardly, blushing a little by her sudden question. She giggled at me and gently patted my leg in assurance, telling me to take my time. I suddenly yawned and rubbed my eyes with one hand. "Getting tired, Winter?" she asked. “A little. I mean it’s not everyday you get transported to another dimension where mythical beings rule the planet. It’s a lot to take in.” I stood myself up and stretched my arms and back, making some audible pops in my joints. She stood up with me, “Where do you stay?” she asked kindly. "In Fluttershys’ cottage. Why?" I answered and looked at her with somewhat sleepy eyes. Before I knew it, she draped a wing over me, pulled me closer and then I felt a field of energy covering my body with a tingling sensation. Then with a quick flash of light, I felt my body being stretched maddeningly far and compressed into a width of a threading needle. And as suddenly as it began, I felt my body forming itself back together and with a another bright flash, we were standing in front of an oak door. I looked around with a little stumble in my step and saw we were at the little cottage. "How… wha…?" My mind was trying to connect information that didn’t seem right for me, making my head ache somewhat. “We teleported.” Luna simply answered as I looked back at her. “Not used to magic as well?” she asked. I nodded stupidly and ran a hand across my hair as I took my hat off, “Y-yeah.” I answered and continued to look around. She giggled a little, “Well then, I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable. You have a lot more to learn here in Equestria. How else would Twilight get you back home?” she said with a smile. “I had no idea, but now I do.” I turned back to her with a little chuckled, “Thanks.” “The pleasure is mine, Winter.” she replied. She turned and started heading away, but then looked back, “Have a goodnight, Winter. See you tomorrow.” she said her goodbye and flew off with powerful wing beats. I quietly got inside and was still a little dazed by the trippy teleportation. The room was a little dark, but not completely so as the rays of moonlight seeped in through the windows, bathing the room and the sleeping critters in a bluish silvery glow. I took off my shoes and pushed them sides near the door, tiptoed through the living room, watchful of my step, up the stairs with a few quiet creaks and into the short hall. I looked at Fluttershys’ bedroom door slightly ajar as light came out with a visible line, leading me to her room. I silently got in my room first, took off my hat and rested it down on the table. I got through the hall again and stood in front of the door and politely knocked, “Come in.” I heard the timid little pony casually answer like she was focussing on something. I opened the door a little wider and popped my head inside, “Hey, Shy. I'm back.” I greeted. “Oh! Um, H-hi, W-Winter! Um, ah.” she frantically looked around the room like she was searching for a way out. The timid Pegasus was on her bed, her hooves tuckered in and my open journal resting right in front of her. “Ooh… I'm so embarrassed…” she whispered with a little cute whimper and covered her face with her hooves and mane, shaking a little. I got in, worrying for my friend and walked around the bed, "Why?" I asked and sat on the bed and started caressing her back. She then pointed to the book and I saw a glimpse of her mad blushing cheeks. I simply smiled and lay down beside her, resting on my stomach and propped myself up with my elbows. I dragged my journal over to me and looked where she was reading. "Day three of Students on Ice. Heading towards Kuujuak, Quebec, from Ottawa to board a ship to start our trip around the southern area of Baffin Island for our two week long trip. P.S. Airplane foods are still not that good." I read and chuckled. "He-heh, that was the trip I would never forget. I learned I wasn’t meant to be sailing the seas with my motion sickness." I said with a smile. I looked at Fluttershy and she was peeking under her hoof, still blushing. ‘Adorable.’ I thought. "Want me to read the rest?" I suggested. "R-really?" she said, starting to come out behind her hooves and mane. I nodded, "Sure, why not?" I answered happily. I then dragged her a little closer and she tried so hard to hide her continued mad blushing. ‘Adorable and Cute.’ I thought again and started reading with my right arm wrapped around her. After a few minutes of reading, she finally started to relax a little and found the will to rest her head on my shoulder. I just smiled at that and continued reading and rested my hand on her hoof. The next morning I woken up again by the sound of the Rooster calling outside. It was kind of like waking up in a barn, being woken up by the Rooster with the sun rising over the horizon, shinning its bright beams of morning light at your eyes. But in this case, the sun wasn't irritating my eyes to wake me. I was lying on my side with my tangled up clothes still on me, my journal just above my head and my arm wrapped around… an adorable sleeping Fluttershy. My eyes slowly went wide. Her face was so close to mine I could feel her warm breaths against my nose and lips, one of her hooves were wrapped around my neck, one wing covering part of my side, and her body pressed up against mine. I… I liked it. Love it even. It felt immensely good sleeping with someone, well in this case, somepony. That said pony being as soft and squishy like a marshmallow, as warm as a real person, and as lovable as the most adorable of babies. Her breathing was gentle and steady, and her gentle heart nearly linked with my own. It was so relaxing to me and in no time, I started to get a little drowsy again, but this time, I was determined to stay awake to help her out. Then suddenly Fluttershy inched closer to me, resting her head under my chine. Okay, she's getting a little too comfortable. I liked it, but I didn't want to break her heart if I had to go back home. Hurting someone physically, I will not do unless I have no choice, but hurting someone emotionally, I would hate myself for all eternity, no matter how much they say they’re okay. After a moment of thinking, I decided on being close friends with her. Like I use to have with one of my friends back at in my town. I loved her, but something stopped me from asking her out. I never regretted it because she found someone to love and take care of her. Here, Fluttershy is a timid pony, but she is the kindest pony I met so far and probably the most strongest, if ‘They’re always the quiet ones’ have anything to say about it. The sleeping mare started to stir and yawned the most adorable way possible, started to rub her eyes with her hooves and blinked a few times sleepily. "Good morning, sunshine" I quietly greeted. "Oh! Ah! Winter, um! S-sorry, I didn't, ah!" she quickly got off me and started to cover herself up with her blanket, "Oooh, I'm so sorry, I didn’t mean to!" she covered her head with her blanket and started to shake in her makeshift cocoon of a blanket. I mentally chuckled and sat up on the bed, "It's okay, what's the harm in it?" I assured her and gently started to rub her shaking back. She slowly pocked her muzzle out and was quickly followed by her face like a nervous turtle peaking out of its shell, "Y-you're not mad?" she said shyly. I chuckled, "Why in the world would I be mad at you, Shy?" I smiled, leaned my body down and gently hugged her covered body closely. "You're just too kind and adorable to be mad at." When I started feeling her heat emanating, I just knew her head was about to turn into a tomato. So before she could die from embarrassment, I let her go. "So, let's go and get some breakfast, shall we?" I got off the bed and stretched my arms and legs. "Um, o-okay," she slowly got out of her cocoon, hopped off the bed and stretched her own limbs as well. We got through the hall, and went down the stairs together while she continued to blush but held onto a gentle smile. We first fed the animals and cooked up pancakes for ourselves and I made myself some homemade scrambled eggs to add to it. Fluttershy asked why I made the scrambled eggs and I answered that my body needed protein to stay healthy, telling her I ate both greenery and meat. She went green a little when I said that, and I playfully bared my teeth in a grin and chomped down, teasing her a little. Her eyes slowly grew into large disks, before everything went downhill, though, I quickly added in I didn’t need to eat pounds of meat and that I don’t eat ponies or anything sapient in general so her little animals friends were safe. She visibly relaxes and asked what else I ate, and I answered if they had any fish. She added that one to the grocery list. Throughout the morning, we took care of the animals in need and tried to entertain them. Sense I was the weirdest thing they ever seen, it wasn't that hard to get them entertained, it was rather fun and somewhat embarrassing to say the least. Although, my heart fluttered when I saw and heard Fluttershy giggle at my antics. At lunch, we fed the animals again, inside and outside the cottage. When we finished feeding the chickens in their little coop, we heard trotting hooves landing at the other side of the little bridge just as I started feeling my empty stomach. We both looked at each other for a moment and wondered who came by. We walked over to the front entrance, and we saw two blue armored Pegasus dragging a carriage at the back. "Princesses carriage?" Fluttershy said, confused as she fluttered up beside me. "Princess? Oh yeah! Luna! I met her last night. She had something to show me." I said with a smile, remembering our little conversation the night before. Then on cue, the Princess of the Night came out with her wings spread, wearing her chest plate on and her tiara like last night and her mane and tail were back to their floating cloud of stars. She spots us at the door and started going towards us with a gentle smile. We also walked towards her to lessen the distance between us. "Hey, Luna. How was morning?" I greeted and bowed for a moment to show respect. "Splendid, and yours?" she answered. "The same." I answered. She looked down at Fluttershy as the timid mare landed down and bowed before her, "The Element of Kindness, Miss Fluttershy. It is nice to meet you once again." she bowed her own head for a moment before looking back up. "It's nice to see you too, Princess Luna." Fluttershy greeted back. The Princess nodded at her and looked at me, "Are you both busy?" she asked. "Well, we were about to get lunch in the Sugar Cube Corner," I answered. "How about in the Palace?" she suggested. I looked at Fluttershy for an answer. She looked up at me, "Your call, Shy." I said to her. "Um… i-if you insist, Princess." she agreed. "Okay, come with in our royal carriage, friends." she started to walk back to the carriage. We followed her and got in. It was like being in a short limo, powered by two Pegasi. When we seated ourselves it started to move as clopping hooves could be heard right outside; the carriage started to rise off the ground and flew through the air as I felt the all to familiar gravity working against my nervous system. I looked through the window and saw we were rising off the ground. “Whoa.” I sat back up with wide eyes. I looked over at Fluttershy and she was doing not much better than I was. She might be a Pegasus but I never seen her fly higher than a tree top. The Princess giggled, “You two aren't used to flying in a carriage do you?” she said with a smile. “Y-yeah, pretty much.” I answered nervously and looked back out the window and saw the land growing with mountains, hills and forests with a few clouds zooming by. “It's pretty cool, though.” I said and continued to look around.