June 24, 1006 ANM
So, to commemorate my first full month of being in Equestria, Celestia decided that giving me a diary (journal) and having me write down my thoughts would further aid in my time here. I figure that it can't hurt to amuse her, so why not. To begin with, oddly enough the months and days are exactly the same... weird as hell honestly. I didn't really understand the point of labeling the calendar of years 'After Nightmare Moon,' but back on Earth we used the birth of a biblical figure, so I suppose one can't nitpick too much.
Let's see here... the first month here was definitely interesting, to say the least. After all of the changes finished up, the days became rather monotonous. Wake up, breakfast, then magic exercises with Twilight. Lunch, then flight exercises. End the evening after dinner with some studies on Equestria and Equus. Wake up the next day, and repeat all over again. Twilight did give me two days to myself though, basically the weekends were always free.
I've still been mostly kept to the castle. Haven't left the gates yet, and it's not for a lack of trying, that's for sure. I have bumped into a few ponies inside though, but after all of their bowing and scraping to me, I can sort of understand why they're trying so hard to keep me cooped up. I don't like it, but I don't think I'm ready to deal with all of that on top of everything else.
Also, apparently the magic that the planet was exerting on me has passed. Although I feel mostly comfortable with what I am now, who I am is an entirely different question. But, I'll save the heavy stuff for another day, as there's plenty of time for angst later on. Not only that, but apparently my hormones have finally balanced out, negating a large chunk of my sex drive. That was a fun explanation to hear, shame I was only told about it after I confided to Twilight that I was afraid of becoming a nymphomaniac. One potential crisis of self diverted, I guess.
I can do some things with magic and flight now, although I think I'm giving Rarity and Twilight headaches everytime they teach me. Apparently my mind 'isn't thinking things through properly' according to them, and as such magic is coming along slowly. As in, there's fast, then there's slow and steady, and then there's me. Yeah, I can successfully levitate that sphere without utterly destroying it or turning it into a lethal projectile, but we're still practicing in the bunker. That's what I've taken to calling that room, it seems an apt nickname.
With flight I'm faring a little bit better at least, I can hover in place for about thirty minutes now before I'm exhausted, and I haven't sent myself into any corkscrews while gliding for about a week now. Still haven't gotten to the controlled flight yet, but that's supposedly sometime soon, according to Twilight. Also, once I'm a bit more coordinated, Rainbow Dash is getting pranked... hard. She seems to take delight in grabbing me anytime I seize up in the air, but letting me go just high enough to make a small crater. It really doesn't phase me or anything, given the endurance I seem to possess, but god is her laughter grating on my ears. I'll make sure to get Dream in on it too, she's a ton of fun to spend time with.
Speaking of Dream, she's truly an interesting filly. When she can cut loose and be herself, it really is like the sibling I always wanted but never had. Most folks don't get a second chance at something like that, so I'm taking full advantage of it. She's even getting along with Celestia now, referring to her as Auntie in a rather adorable manner. I brought up why no one had tried that with Dream before me in, and Celestia claimed that I was simply the first to have it work with. That makes no sense, but okay.
And I guess I can end this with Luna and Twilight. They've really been great to me, what with their offer and all, but I already see it as going nowhere. After my sex drive died down to what's considered 'normal' by their standards, we really haven't had sex since then. And so far that's been perfectly fine with me, although the cuddling is amazing. There's just something about the closeness and warmth of others that appeals to the new part of me. Still, I figure I'll have to let them know what I figured out, and soon too, although I think they already know and are just waiting to hear it from me.
Oh, I suppose I should mention that it only took me two weeks to learn how to write with my hoof, and another few hours of how to use an ink and quill. Seems I managed to write this whole entry without an err • ... crap. Stupid ink spot. Well, almost without any errors. Better than when I first started, anyways.
July 20
Here I am again, entry number two. When Twilight found out that Celestia had given me this journal, she nagged me something fierce when she learned it'd been almost a month since I last wrote something down. I really don't see what the big deal is, as we're still doing the same thing, just with one new addition.
Physical exercises with Applejack.
Kill me now, please. Seriously, I thought that magic was frustrating enough, but now I've got Applejack and Dash running me into the ground three days a week. Apparently they thought that my figure was slipping (as if that was something on my mind right now ¬_¬) and that I should start learning about the third side of who I was. So now they have me waking up before the sun rises and going out to one of the practice yards for two hours. Not fun at all, especially since I really am out of shape, at least by whatever standards Applejack is judging me from. Dash really enjoyed running six laps to my two, she spent a good time rubbing it in while I was too busy catching my breath to say anything in return.
Also, I need to make a note to talk to Celestia. I'm starting to learn exactly who Luna, Twilight and her friends are, but I'm still clueless when it comes to her. With how... crazy our introduction was, I'd like to get the chance to truly know her, wash away that 'Trollestia' persona I first knew her as.
Dream is adorable. I just don't get how she does it, but unlike the snot-nosed six year old brats back on Earth, everything she does is just downright fucking cute. And those eyes of hers are lethal weapons. I'm unable to resist anytime she asks me for something, and it's already to the point that Luna has talked to me about it on two different occasions. I guess Luna didn't like Dream using her room to store some pranking materials, among other things.
Luna and Twilight are thankful for the relationship I've managed to forge between Dream and me, though. Apparently a sibling is just what she needed, and much less of the 'darker' side of her persona has been showing itself. Except in her pranks. Blueblood just doesn't know when to quit and keeps digging a deeper hole for himself. One would think he would've called it after he woke up a mare from one of the poison joke tampered items, but nope, he only raised a larger stint. I did get a good laugh out of the stallions hitting on him though, his face turned eight different shades of red before a rather impressive string of expletives spewed from his mouth.
Suppose that's all for now, I'm sure I won't write again until Twilight nags me about it, but we'll see. It is kinda nice to be able to jot down my thoughts though, it's helping me sort things out.
August 7
Hey, 'Rory! I went to go get you, but you weren't in your room! I found your book though and read it, it's kinda boring though. You should write more about me, I am your bestest sister ever after all! Well, I'm gonna go prank Blueblood again, he's funny when he gets all mad and stuff. Oh, I wouldn't eat the leek soup at dinner tonight!
Dream
August 9
Well, I now know to put this in a better place. After I had to drink two gallons of milk just to take the edge off of something that Dream had slipped into the leek soup, she asked why I hadn't read her warning. So, that led to a nice conversation about respecting other people's property, and me trying to figure out where I can put my journal at that a flying, magic using six year old can't get to... yeah, no such luck. Hopefully she takes my words to heart though.
Good news though. I have now officially flown under my own power for thirty minutes. It's damn tiring still, and I'm about as graceful as a drunk frat boy, but it's a good start. Magic is still coming along at a snail's pace, but I'm fine with that.
Learned some interesting things about Equestria lately, too. Twilight still has me hitting the books hard, although luckily she hasn't followed through on the written tests yet. I'm still wary, but hopefully she doesn't recall that particular threat of hers. The nobility truly is a headache, that's the current topic we’re on. Twilight is trying to stress this fact, and I'm starting to see why. Apparently, once we officially cut the whole herd thing, I'll be single and free. Romance isn't on my mind, and it's not on the minds of the nobles either. However, it's going to be hard to stay out of their stupid power struggle games.
I asked Twilight if I could just blast the first few with my magic who tried making moves on me to make a point, but she got that really weird look in her face, the one where her mane starts to fray at the edges. After berating me nearly half an hour about how magic is not to be used for violence except in cases of self preservation, (which apparently fending off annoying nobles is not considered to be) she mentioned that I was going to have to learn how to handle it. When I asked her for pointers on it, she merely shrugged her shoulders and told me that it never was an issue for her, as she lived in Ponyville before coming to Canterlot, and by the time she became an alicorn, she was already in tight with Luna.
Lots of help you are, Twilight. Journal, this is a note to future Aurora from past Aurora. Talk to Celestia about this ASAP. If anything, my fuse has shortened, so I just know that if/when this comes up, I'll be sorely tempted to smack a hoe.
August 18
Let's see... nothing really new to report on the magic or flight point, it's just endurance training for the latter and more teeth grinding for Twilight and Rarity on the former. We're just now getting to basic spells that every foal learns, specifically how to regulate your power. Something at which I still fail at according to them. I mean, it's not my fault that Rarity was standing in the path of the rubber ball that I accidentally turned into a missile. Even though the bruise was gone pretty quickly cause of magic, she still hasn't forgiven me for it.
Dash is still running circles around me as well. I don't even want to mention how Applejack does against me, as she's even faster on the ground, if only by a little bit. Still, I am getting some amount of endurance built up, and apparently I'm 'slimming down.' I still think they're enjoying this a bit too much, but I do find myself having a bit more energy to get through the day now, and I'll admit I sleep very damn well after starting a day with Applejack and Dash.
Twilight claimed she had a surprise for me in a few days, too. When I pried more into it, she wouldn't say anything though. The only bit she let slip was that it was someone she wanted me to meet. I suppose I'll find out when whoever it is gets here, after meeting her friends and spending a little bit of time around the Pink Devil, I'm certain that this pony is going to be pretty normal.
August 22
Suppose I got lost in the chaos of this mystery pony of Twilight, finally have the time to write something down now. So, it turns out that when I thought the pony in question was going to be normal, well... I don't think an alicorn classifies as such. Shining Armor, Twilight's brother, ended up being the mystery guest. He and his wife live in the Crystal Empire apparently, and he came down solo to visit Twilight.
I guess as far as ponies go, he's pretty cool. It's nice to have a guy around that I can at least be myself around, although there was a rather weird misunderstanding early on. He apparently thought that I was flirting with him or something, I'm still not entirely sure what the hell happened. However, once we got that misconception cleared up it was pretty nice.
Not to mention that Shining and Twilight finally took me into Canterlot today for the first time. Apparently word of my existence had still managed to spread rather thoroughly, as a few guards had to play crowd control with some reporters as we left the castle gates. Gotta say, having a rule about no press allowed inside is damn brilliant, gotta tell Celestia that, once I manage to get a chance to talk with her.
I've seen it from above, but actually being in the city... it's got a pretty nice vibe to it. We went out around mid-morning and visited a donut shop, run by one Pony Joe. I couldn't help but snicker a little bit when I heard his name, however when I met him he was also pretty damn nice. Apparently Twilight is a very frequent customer of his, and the three of us were able to sit down in a corner stall and enjoy some good coffee and donuts unmolested.
One thing that was odd though... Shining Armor mentioned how much I looked like Twilight, as if he had discovered a long lost sister or something. That, and there were a lot of muted whispers from the small groups of ponies that saw me basically stating the same thing. Twilight looked at me and muttered something about science, so... I need to avoid her as much as possible outside of the time we normally spend together, who knows what madness she's cooking up? I really don't want to find out.
September 3
So, Shining Armor finally left to go back to the Crystal Empire. He was a cool guy, and had some pretty good stories. He was also apparently born a unicorn, just like Twilight. According to him, weaponizing love is how he got started down the path to becoming an alicorn.
Yup, I didn't believe it at first, but this guy managed to turn the love with his wife Cadance, who I would like to meet some day, into a weapon to expel the Changelings that Twilight taught me about. Pretty interesting, and he claimed that it was a 'new spell' that began a slow change from unicorn to alicorn. He mumbled something under his breath about 'Elements' and looked at Twilight when he did, but I'm not entirely certain where he was going with it.
Besides that, I can finally create a light with my magic, just a standard illumination spell to help see in the dark. My levitation is nearly to the point where Rarity has finally stopped wearing a helmet (at least, I think there's a helmet underneath all of those jewels) to our sessions. I suppose that's somewhat reassuring. I learned some basics about the manipulation of weather today, got to get my hooves on a cloud and feel it out. It was soft and spongy, but when applying pressure it became firm. Very odd substance, but it was a nifty learning experience. At least until the point when Dash came in and made it rain on my head. I'm going to get Dream to help me get back at her. That should do the trick.
September 6
So, I spent three hours running from Dash, as she realized that I was the one who put Dream up to pranking her. I don't know how I lasted the full three hours, but I suspect that someone was running interference for me. When Dash finally tackled me to the ground, the only thing I could do was laugh.
Her coat, mane, tail and wings were all one solid color. Hot, vibrant pink. She literally looked like a pegasus Pinkie Pie, minus the manecut anyways. It was hilarious, and even as she glared at me the only thing I could do was smugly smile. Maybe that'll stop the jokes on me, at least for a little while. Hopefully I haven't just doomed myself...
Also, I officially removed myself from Luna and Twilight's herd today. There was no point to it anymore, although they did tell me to keep the necklace as a sign of our friendship. I'm still wearing it around, and they'll definitely be my best friends, but there was just no way anything would come of us. Now, they can go be lovey-dovey without me, which is perfectly fine by me.
Sadly, word seems to have gotten out, or Blueblood is just a moron. He was hitting on my once more today with some atrocious pickups that left me gagging in the middle of the hall he chased me down in. I attempted to walk away, but he just kept pace with me. I really think he has his balls in his brains, as he couldn't take a hint, even when I focused my glare on him that caused a guard I passed to actually jump off the ground a bit. He doesn't understand the meaning of the word no, and sadly I promised not to be violent with him again. The sanctuary of my room blocked his presence at least, thank goodness for the small things I suppose.
September 10
Finally got that talk with Celestia. I swear, for as much as I saw her when I first got here, she sure is busy. It was always holding court here, a meeting there, etc., anytime I went to track her down. However, I finally managed to snag two hours of her time during lunch in one of the courtyards, and we had a nice chat.
For starters, her character is pretty different from that silly first impression. She's a kind and warm individual, the one that stray children at an amusement park would have no qualms wandering up to. It was obvious that even as we talked she had a million other things running through her mind, but even then it felt like I was getting her full attention. Overall, it was nice to finally meet Celestia for who she truly was.
I did pry her for some help with the eventual situation I'd find myself in with the nobles though. There weren't any weird archaic laws that would hinder me, but I couldn't make a habit of defenestrating every single one of them that came knocking looking to bag me for their games. She did mention that there might be the rare one or two worth spending time with, such as one pony who went by the name of Fancy Pants, but those worth talking to were already married and would show no interest in me, thankfully.
After a bit more information on how to help stave off the wolves, the conversation drifted off into more pleasant areas, and we actually managed to spend the full two hours talking about almost everything. Celestia was rather insightful as well, although that's not too surprising once I stopped to think about it. Twilight had claimed that the oldest texts had put Celestia as being around some three thousand years ago, which meant that no one really knew just how long she had been here for.
Not too much else to note this time. Still going out into the city from time to time, Pony Joe's place is downright amazing, even if Rarity claims that I must watch my figure. Pft, please. Donuts are amazing, right behind pancakes. Nothing will make me give them up, ever. Rarity did corner me for another dress, but I got a nice massage and preening combo out of it, so I can't really complain. Even if I did slightly raise my voice during the time I spent standing there waiting on her work, heh.
The bowing bit is getting really old, really fast. I'm tempted to ask Twilight for some way to disguise myself when I go out next, I really don't like the attention. Nevermind the whole bit of how I might be just a bit self conscious about being some supposedly powerful being, yet a foal is more advanced in magic and flight than I am. That doesn't factor into things at all, nope. I really need a disguise.
September 20
Well, Twilight finally managed to corner me at last. She did commend me for being as evasive as I was, but she pulled me into a room that contained numerous devices and pieces of equipment. It was deceptively simple though, all she did was snip a very small portion of my mane, and then draw a vial of blood. I was left to sit and look around the room imagining what horrors they might unleash while she worked with my blood.
So, all those comments about me looking like Twilight, being the same size as her etc.? Yeah, it's awkward, but turns out her magical blast was so powerful that I literally have her genes. Very, very awkward. I did crack an incest joke about Shining Armor though. After my laughs died down, and she finally found an expression other than 'nuclear glare,' we continued on with the day.
It's a bit interesting, as it means that, genetically anyways, we're literally sisters. Or, more aptly, I'm a clone of her, kinda. There's enough deviance in our appearances that it's kinda like fraternal twins, but as far as their ability to read the genetics of a pony, I'm related to her. Again, awkward, especially considering how much, umm... fun we had when I first got here. We both decided that we could talk about it, later.
October 20
Woah. It's been a whole month since my last entry it seems, life has been hectic to say the least. Twilight, in a misguided attempt to ramp up my capability with magic, has ramped up the lessons to a point where it's a giant pain in the ass. She finally relented a little bit, but that alone has been extremely stressful. I've only got a little bit more control to my name with magic, too, and my slow learning continues to annoy her. Oh well, she'll get over it.
Flying has been going good at least. It's an amazing feeling, flying in the sky under my own power. My thoughts still drift back towards what I've lost, but at least this one thing is something that I can fully immerse myself into and just live in the moment with. I've gotten to the point that I can sustain my flight for a good three to four hours, although I'm not really fast or fancy about it, I can do it. Dash has started talking about things like corkscrews and loop-de-loops, and I think that I'll have to make sure she doesn't just grab me and take me along on an example run after the next time I shoot her down. Beyond her bugging me though, flying has become my refuge really, something I can always fall back onto when I'm having a hard time.
Dream is also doing good, she and I continue to spend a lot of time on the weekends together. Just last weekend, we went out and gathered a few clouds. Once we had our munitions together, we flooded the castle kitchens, just a little bit anyways. While we both got thoroughly scolded for it, it was worth the verbal lashing for the enjoyment we gained. She really knows how to brighten my day too. Dream and flight, two high points of this odd life I now find myself living.
Still, I do find myself missing some things that I used to take for granted on Earth. It's nothing big, simply a bunch of small things, like the internet for example. I mean, card catalogues? Oh man, I had to go and find a book for Twilight in the castle's library. There were literally tens of thousands of cards there, and after getting thoroughly frustrated, a librarian was kind enough to help me out. Hell, I hadn't even used one since middle school! A lot of things that technology had taken the place of I've had to get used to relying on the 'older' things for, but still, I can usually put it out of my mind.
Twilight claims that my knowledge is 'passable' now, and after enquiring further, she means that I could manage to get by if I lived by myself in the city. I suppose that's good to know, it's only taken nearly five months to get all of that information. Also, I think Twilight has managed to permanently kill any love I ever had for books, we must have gone through a thousand of the damn things during our studies. I groaned pretty badly though when she mentioned something about moving on to things to help rule, and then glared as hard as I could at her.
Fortunately for my sanity, it seems that she was pulling a fast one on me. Although she claimed that at some point I was going to have to learn their laws and other stuff because of that one retarded law of theirs that claims alicorns have to hold some sort of position of power and be recognized as a princess. I still roll my eyes anytime Twilight brings that up. She claims that I won't have to worry about it for awhile, as until I find my 'cutie mark' (I still think that's a silly thing to call it, as if some magical ass mark can really point out one's fate... and fate is a whole 'nother argument alone...) I really can't do much.
I've been spending some time hanging out with Luna and Twilight as well, plus Celestia during the rare lunch. Those and early early mornings (which I am never awake for, as I am NOT a morning person, period) are about the only time it seems she has free. I honestly think she overworks herself, but if she wants to do it, who am I to stop her? Flying at night with Luna is rather enjoyable, as she seems to love talking about her moon and the stars while lazily floating through the sky.
I suppose I should try to make sure I get the next entry before a month passes by...
October 24
Was met with an interesting surprise today. Apparently Celestia and Luna had a room added near theirs for me, right next door to Dream's. Apparently Twilight and Cadance also have rooms, even if neither really use them for anything. It was, and I quote, something done for all royal alicorns. Jeez, master race vibe much? It's a bit larger than my current room, and it's rather... bland to be honest. Celestia claims that once my area of expertise becomes known (she at least understands how much I dislike the concept of fate, thankfully) that it'll probably be decorated to suit. Eh.
Dream is also starting to come and spend the nights with me. Luna is fine with it, so I told her that she was welcome to stay in my room with me from time to time. I don't think I can ever say it too many times, but damn is she adorable. I find myself referring to her as 'my sister' rather than 'Dream' more often now, and I know that I've called her that aloud a few times. That smile of hers when she hears it is massive.
Finally, I apparently had a magic surge today, at least according to Twilight. It was early in the morning after another day of running laps with Applejack. I was working on levitating some of the hurdles that she had set up, and Dash decided to use me to soften a crash. She clipped my horn, and that's all I remember. Apparently only Dash was affected though, she got turned into a bowling ball with wings. I didn't see any of it, the whole event is a blank spot in the morning, but Twilight did some stuff with her magic and showed me what happened to Dash. I got a good laugh out of it, and hopefully she has learned to quit messing with me.
October 25
She didn't. I wonder if Dash likes red and black.
October 31
Tonight is Nightmare Night, and Luna and Twilight both went down in Ponyville, alongside all of her friends. I opted to go with them as well, and was it a blast! I met a trio of older teenagers who called themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders, even though they had their marks. There were some... interesting stories told then, and I got a good laugh at the crap they'd put Twilight and her friends through. They were all nice young mares, and I could definitely see the family resemblances between them and their siblings. They kinda flipped for a moment when they saw that I didn't have a cutie mark yet, but it only took a little bit of work to talk them down. I'm sorry, but I had no desire to try to get a cutie mark with the stuff they were suggesting. What was scarier is that it was things they'd all done in the past before they got their own marks.
There's some serious parallels to Halloween here, it was fun running around with Luna scaring some of the children. You could see it in their eyes, they were having just as much fun as we were. Afterwards, we were all at Applejack's true home, Sweet Apple Acres for games and stuff. Well, I played what games I could between entertaining a bunch of foals in costumes, it really was a blast. Applebobbing was a ton of fun too, except that Pinkie got me with a spring-loaded one... I think I cleared a solid twenty five feet and took out a few low hanging branches in the tree I hit.
This was definitely an amazing night, and I'm glad that Twilight talked me into going. The ponies there didn't treat me like someone that was a world apart from them like a lot of Canterlot does. I think I wouldn't mind staying here at some point. It was almost enough to completely forget my worries, at least for the night.
November 10
Twilight and I finally had a talk about the whole genetics bit. It was a bit odd, as our... relationship started off very oddly. She also made it more awkward by pointing out that whatever magic had caused her to grow a little something extra had worn off, much to Luna's dismay. I could only give her a weak chuckle in reply to that, especially when she followed it up with a 'I want you to meet my parents' line. We've been treating each other like close friends, but now I'm not entirely certain where this might go.
Also, Shining Armor is going to be coming down again sometime next month, as well as Cadance. They didn't give exact dates, but I'll finally get to meet Cadance, everything I've heard makes her out to be a very awesome mare. Plus they have some sort of news to share with us, so I guess I have another thing to look forward to.