It was pleasantly chilly for what I assumed was a spring night in Canterlot, made only more enjoyable when a breeze passed through my new coat. Having fur covering my body rather than hair and clothing was an unearthly experience. Instead of feeling like thousands of little insects were crawling around my body when my hairs settled, my fur stayed more in place, and seemed to be shorter in length. My fetlocks were unshorn, which was comparable to wearing oversized pants and having the bottoms flap against my ankles every now and then. The level of warmth my body seemed to retain was higher, which made me fear warmer seasons, but to my relief, my new coat of fur seemed to breathe far more than what I used to wear. I could tell that my first winter in Equestria would freeze me due to not being acclimated to weather the same way ponies that had already lived there were.
My feathers, on the other hand, were another story entirely. I could feel the tips of my wings tickle my flanks as they were forced down by the cart I was pulling, and my back felt as if it were covered by a sizeable downy quilt. The warmth was soothing at first, but as I became used to them, they seemed to only heat up more. I couldn't wait to get unhinged from the cart when we got to the castle, but I couldn't see how far that would be. I cursed my hindered vision as I attempted to guess at the distance from the station to the castle from my memory of the show without seeming like I was complaining about the long trip. I was also too afraid to ask if they could do anything about the plastic in my eyes.
When we finally arrived at the castle, I noted the sheer size of the place and almost groaned in response to having to pull the mirror even further only to have it taken over by one of the castle guards waiting for our arrival. They didn't speak, so I couldn't make out who it could be, secretly hoping that I had met a pony I recognized at once, but from what I could see (along with the fact that they used magic to pull the cart off of my back) I could tell they were a unicorn. Before I got the chance to ask for their assistance with my little problem, they teleported away.
Damn, I thought, I thought only the more advanced unicorns could do that, and I was sure that it would have taken a great deal more effort than they made it seem. I couldn't get over just how magical my trip was turning out to be. I was nudged along by a closing gate behind me and Sharp Wit called out to me.
"Are you coming?" She was far ahead of me when she asked, and I couldn't even see her in the darkness. I tried galloping to catch up. It wasn't one of my best ideas.
"Yeah, I'm on my way. Sorry, I couldn't-" *thud* "Crap!" I cried as I picked myself up from the hard concrete. I was sure to have a few scratches after that fall, and my face couldn't have been pretty from all of the abuse it had taken that day. I regained my footing, er hoofing I guess rather easily and continued at a trot as I flexed my wings to air out. I was gaining better motor control through practice and patience.
We entered the castle to be greeted by a spacious room with high a high ceiling and stained glass windows filled with businessponies, guards, and even a few griffons as they went about their normal business. I was given no looks, or at least nopony actually broke their neck to stare at me, which I expected since I knew there was nothing special about me in any case. When I was a human, I was casual enough about my appearance to not attract any attention, and since I was a pony, there couldn't have been anything to catch anyone's cartoonishly enormous eyes. I didn't feel like I stood out at all, and that feeling hit me hard in my core.
I had felt like I belonged. I didn't feel like an outcast like I did in middle school, and I didn't feel like an object to be oggled as a human out-of-place in a world with quadrupedal creatures as the dominant species. I realized too late that having dinner plate-sized eyes meant larger tear ducts that could output more moisture than the surface tension of my massive orbs could hold. A tear slipped down my face, but nopony seemed to notice at first. I stopped for a moment carefully moving a hoof to my face in hopes of drying the moisture. Instead I only made a mess out of my previously unmatted facial fur.
Why am I so emotional right now? My unvoiced thought was answered by a sudden pull from my abdominal muscles. I was hungry, and when I was hungry, I got upset. I was never sure why it happened, but I tried to conceal it, trying to remember the last time I ate. It was then that my stomach launched an all-out attack reminding me not only when I ate, but what the last thing I ate was. I dropped to my haunches and lurched forward letting my mouth fall open and attempting to hold back vomit. Ponies probably shouldn't eat hamburgers and french fries from fast food places, regardless of whether or not they could process meat. I could tell it was going to be a long night of nausea.
My escorts had taken notice of my stopping and waited for me to catch up before questioning, "What was that all about?" Swift asked.
"I'm hungry, and my last meal wasn't very pleasant. I don't suppose there's a kitchen around here?" I inquired.
"It's not open at this hour. Would something from outside help?" Sharp Wit asked just as a pony passed with something delightful smelling in between her teeth drew me to follow. It could have been just a coincidence that she was headed down the hallway to the throne room for a royal audience, but then I realized that I recognized the heavenly odor. Unlike my sight, my sense of smell hadn't changed quite so drastically. The sensitivity was increased, but I was still able to recognize the smell of grass, flowers, and food. It was strange that some scents had become far more appealing, but a rose probably shouldn't be eaten if flowers held the same meaning and value between Earth and Equestria. My escort party let out an audible sigh as they followed the rose bearer and me to our original destination.
I figured my stomach could wait after seeing the unspoken gesture of the rose mare. I wasn't sure, but I thought I had seen her colors in Ponyville before, and her aroma of flowers only solidified my theory. From what I could tell, Roseluck was carrying a rose to present to the princess. I quickly suppressed all 'd'aww's' and 'squee's' as she lead the way down a corridor which opened up into a lobby slightly smaller than the first absolutely filled with chattering ponies. I was humbled by the sight and once again brought to my haunches if not for the sheer amount of ponies with problems, than for the fact that the end of the line started mere inches before me.
We waited patiently, with the guards and I making minimal conversation regarding the changing of duties from one princess to another after sundown and how blessed I was that Princess Luna had returned to handle the affairs that Princess Celestia quite simply didn't have time for. My excitement had not died down at all by that revelation, but instead just shifted from being giddy about meeting Princess Celestia to having the same feeling about meeting Princess Luna. The crowd dwindled down as the night progressed, as did my mood as I had become weaker, more fatigued, and bored.
Eventually my turn came as I was the last in the lobby along with the rose mare, who flatly offered to let me go first so that I would not have to wait another day for an audience. I could have easily just told her that I wasn't there specifically to see Princess Luna, but the thought never came to mind as I "looked" her in the eye and told her that there would be plenty of time for both of us, even though it was dangerously close to sunrise. It was impressive how long I had actually managed to wait for anything in a lobby full of noise and chaos, but I knew enough about holding onto a crush, and was still patient enough to put another's feelings in front of my own convenience. I was hoping I was off to a good start as an Equestrian citizen, even though I hadn't officially become a citizen yet, and was unaware such a process or label even existed. Perhaps subject would have been a better term to describe my status.
The rose mare met with Princess Luna in the hallway as the night alicorn seemed to be on her way to wherever her station for lowering the moon seemed to be, and I had to look away to prevent myself from being stricken with feelings.
"Can I help you?" A calming, yet authoritative voice sang out.
"It's alright, if you're busy," I began, "I only just got here, I can wait."
"Nonsense, what brought you here?" I finally stood and turned my head to find myself nose-to-nose with a midnight blue figure wearing a playful grin. I suspected her of psychic powers as she refused to give any distance and I felt my face flooded with heat as my back grew colder. Oops.
"Uhm, I uh... I came here from a mirror. Er, no, I'm a human... well not now I suppose, but I used to be -" I lost my train of thought as she finally gave me some breathing room.
"I've been expecting you, Wes," my blood ran cold and my back (or wings, I wasn't sure at that point) seemed to tighten at hearing her speak my name. I was surprised by her lack of the royal "we" and having an unfamiliar voice, but quickly dismissed it due to the fact that in reality, actors usually weren't the same person, or in this case pony, as the character they played. "We were informed that you came from a place called Earth, through the portal, yes?"
I briefly considered playing around and saying something like 'what portal?' but didn't think my usual idea of humor would go over well here. "Yes," I nodded.
"Very well. Why did you come here? Do you require our assistance with an outbreak of magical creatures? Has Sunset Shimmer turned again, perchance? I sincerely hope she hasn't abandoned herself once more. Sister would be so distressed."
"Nothing like that. I actually came to live here."
"Here? You wish to live here?" She raised a hoof to point back down at the floor.
"No, not here specifically," I chortled, "I mean that the conditions of my own home have become..." I was at a loss for words. I couldn't just lie and say that I was unable to continue living on Earth. I could have easily gotten along, though my life would have been far less enjoyable. "What I mean is that I would much rather live among you ponies who are vastly more peaceful than the humans from where I come," I stammered out. I was almost impressed with my fancy-talk, but I hadn't said much anyway.
"I'm afraid I do not understand."
"It's a long story, and I don't know if I can explain it before you have to lower the moon." I was afraid of how ridiculous I may have sounded suggesting that she actually raised the moon, but in the bottom of my heart, I knew it was true. I was going to have to move past my earthly shame and understand that the things of fantasy could become real in that magical world.
"We shall speak of this on our way then. Come, this way."
We continued in the opposite direction through the lobby and down the previous corridor. Instead of returning to the larger lobby near the entrance, she led us through an adjoining hallway and into a room with an enormous bed, and an opening to a rounded balcony with a telescope. On the way I tried explaining all of the troubles of Earth as she tried assuring me that the inhabitants of their world suffered similar problems, though admittedly less frequently. She was equally as understanding as my escort was on the train, but still reluctant to just accept that those were the only reasons I would be inclined to come. She also was suspicious of how I knew of the portal.
At that point, I spilled my guts explaining everything about the television show, the movies, the fan works and communtiy, until she was taken aback by the sheer amount of knowledge I had on their world. I told her finally that what was special about Equestria that just couldn't be found on Earth were the personalities from the show, and the values that they all seemed to share. I explained that it was quite a feat that even a princess would have gone to such lengths to fit in just for friendship.
"Back home, all anyone can ever do is try to get ahead in the world, selfishly doing things for themselves. I don't even blame them. We're all forced from birth to see not only the desire, but the need to take before what we have is taken from us. We are taught to percieve and understand greed and avarice. Most of the humans only see darkness in the world too, and when we tune into our news, we only see war and violence. Here is different. There are evil creatures here and there, but for the most part, they aren't really evil. They just live their lives and do what is necessary to survive. I've seen how you ponies react to monsters. I've seen the kindness and tolerance you show to carnivores who would otherwise try to eat you, and I know you understand how that makes me feel. I'm in love with your societies and I want to spend the rest of my life here. Please don't make me go back," I pleaded.
"So you can not change this world in which you live?"
"Many try, and great strides are made. Sadly, like many others, I have taken a coward's way out," I lowered my head and let my tears run freely, "I just thought that here I could do more. I could never be motivated by negativity, and my situation would only get worse the longer I stayed. I promise you, Princess, that this is the only future I could have seen for myself." Surprisingly throughout the entire exchange, I hadn't once lied. I spoke my true feelings and she seemed to be understanding, only questioning my actions to remove doubt and regret from my mind. By then we were in what appeared to be her bedroom, and she gestured for me to follow as she stood out on her balcony. My escort had waited at the door, now taking up their post as Luna's guard temorarily.
"So you are sure this is where you belong? Is there anything I could do to convince you otherwise?"
"You could try, but I would remind you that Equestira is my personal version of Heaven."
"I understand," she nodded, then shifted her view skyward, "I suppose now I won't have to feel guilty showing you this. Do you enjoy my sky? I hear the cosmos are not controlled by magic where you used to live as they are here. Is that correct?"
"Yes, and I would actually love to see your work, but there's sort of something in the way," I almost whispered the end as I noticed that she could help me. Horn.
"Hm?" She has a horn. She knows magic. She even has experience.
"Uhm, could you help me with something?"
"Anything. I'm happy to assist my subjects," She chirped.
"Great, can you look at my eyes? I have plastic stuck in them."
Without question she returned her gaze to my face and studied my eyes for a moment, then lit her horn and dragged my lenses gently to the corners of my eyes before removing them altogether. For the first time in my life, I could see in crystal clarity and the vivid colors of the sky exploded outward as they framed the most beautiful face I had ever seen before. I first saw Luna's unparalleled teal eyes, and then my visual field expanded to cover her dark blue face, a color I was previously unable to see in low light. Next came her horn, which appeared felt-textured, and then her ears and mane. I could see a galaxy itself in her flowing cosmic mane. It seemed that a whole universe was contained within the cascade and each star, cluster, and nebula seemed to move independently of the containment field itself. It was very unlike the show had depicted, and I was floored by just how much detail I could see. I peered further out, though my sight was obstructed by something new this time. Thankfully, the new obstruction fell from my eyelids as I blinked and stremed down my cheeks. This process continued for a few moments as I observed the heavens constructed in a similar manner of Luna's cosmic mane. I could see several nebulae, exotic constellations, and even a few galaxies in the distance. The heavens never seemed nearly as close as they were visible at that point, and I couldn't stop my tears as the first thing I had seen in full clarity as the universe was meant to be seen, had been one of my favorite scenes.
Princess Luna seemed to feel my emotion as well and took my tears as a compliment. She gave an excited grin as she was ready to show off once more, igniting her horn as she looked toward the full harvest moon above. I watched as an invisible field had carefully and slowly lowered the moon into its resting position beyond the horizon to be replaced very soon by a rising sun. I noticed out of the corner of my eye a white alicorn stepping onto a balcony and glancing in our direction before addressing the scene before her.
"Princess, this is literally the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. I've never seen the celestial bodies so close to me. Do you really control all of them?"
"Do not underestimate an alicorn's grasp on the cosmos. My sister can control the path of a star, why would I not be able to control them as well?"
"They're so much further away, and there are so many of them," I responded in disbelief.
"Their distance and position is only an illusion I create to those who would enjoy them. I suspect my sister kept the night sky the way you would recognize all those years I was away. She never shared the fondness I had for the evening lights. While it's true, I don't actually control the stars themselves, I can make them appear closer and brighter than usual."
I knew she wasn't lying to me, because I knew of the lensing effect the atmosphere had. I was still floored by the fact that she could make the night sky so beautiful.
"Unlike my sister's lack of interest for my duty, I still take in the sunrise every morning. It is one of my favorite sights to witness. I trust you feel the same?"
"Actually, I usually enjoy sleeping through it. The rare chances I get to see the sunrise have been some of my favorite experiences on Earth, though. I really do look forward to seeing one now that my vision has improved." She probably assumed I meant something about my lenses, or was too tired to notice what I had said, as I was too tired to pay mind to my spoken words either, so nothing came of my comment as we watched Celestia ignite her horn and engulf the horizon in a fiery golden field.
What followed was an explosion of colors that covered the full visible spectrum, even covering colors and shades that I had previously seen differently. My mind was thrown off a bit from not recognizing what I could see instantly, and so it mainly turned into a trippy dreamscape similar to what I assumed an LSD trip would look. It was the second most beautiful sight I had seen though, so when it was finally over and the sun peaked over the horizon, Princess Luna turned back to address me, "Shall we get started on your living arrangements?"