As they both walked down the castle seemingly never ending hallways, the odd feeling that settled in Luna's stomach never seemed to leave. It wasn't because she was lying or being under a disguises but being greeted by so many it was awkward for her. The fact that so many greeted her with such joy, it was painful to think of the stagnated responses they gave when she would greet them as she normally would.
“Madam, is everything alright? You haven't said a word since we left your room.” The young tone of the soldier escorting her brought Luna back to reality. As her focus turn from her mind to the soldier, curiosity bloomed as she got back into the character she was playing.
“Yes, well as one can be. Being in such a lavishing castle is a bit intimidating and being escorted to the throne room to meet the Princess's on your first day here. It all seems a bit too much.” She finished, hoping it wasn't laid on a bit too thick. One of the few thing she hated was nobility whiny tone of voice when something goes wrong. That an their sense they deserve to be pampered attitudes.
“Yes I can be but once you meet her Highness, you won't be so nervous then. She a very kind and loving princess who rules with a just heart. Madam Eclipse, please relax, there's nothing to worry about.” Stone walls admiration for Luna's sister was well placed but she still wonder what they thought about her self. It wasn't long after they were close to the throne room doors. She couldn't let a chance like this to ask.
“So Corporal Stone, I've heard of a second princess that lives here. Luna I believe. What's she like?” Soon as the words left her mouth, Stone stopped dead. She could see his body grow more and more tense as her turned to answer.
“Yes, well we do. Her name is Luna, our Princess of the moon.” He pause, trying to think of the right words to tell a diplomat not knowing their true worth. “Some of the guard would call her scary but I like to think of it as being strong. That probably confused you but with Her Highness being very forgiving, I think her sister needs to be seen as strong and cold for the kingdom to have lasted as long as it does. Celestia is our heart and Luna is its power, if that make sense.”
As they came upon they deeply engraved doors of the throne room, he paused as he nodded to the two guards stationed near the doors, “It's not like I hate her but she just got that presence, that your weaker than me feel. So madam, are you ready to meet her highness?” Stone said without looking back to her.
It surprised Luna a little, that some of her citizens think of her like that but then again it didn't. She knew that some still harbored fear for her, even if it the illogical type. The likely hood of her going and becoming nightmare moon again was practically non existing but they still fear she would one day. But hopefully with her plan she could find out why and fix that image of love not fear.
“Yes, I do believe I am.” With those words said, Stone Watch nodded to the two door guards. They nodded back and proceeded to open the throne room doors, allowing Stone Watch and eclipse to enter. The room itself was rather large with pearl white pillars every five or so feet. The marble floor click with each of their steps as the morning light shined through the stained glass windows. As the young soldier lead her through the room to it's thrown, Luna couldn't help but take notice the multitude of armed guards. Even on a high alert, they never had this many running around or even being stationary.
“Ah, well to my land Miss Eclipse. I do apologies for the lack of elegance but a matter came up that needed a direct response.” A voice said across the thrown room catching Luna's ears. Turning to find it was that of her sisters as she approached Luna. The ware of stress was well hidden on her sister's face but not good enough to hid it from Luna.
“It's alright your highness, what ever I must be must be important, no?” Eclipse asked wondering what had happened. Hopefully it was something to bad or Celestia would have just stopped the act by now. She looked to her sister for an answer who returned it with a kind smile.
“Madam Eclipse, that nothing wrong, just a lost child in the castle and a few military exercises. Nothing too big, just some local thing. But sadly I must ask the Corporal Stone return to his original post for now though. I am sorry for the inconvenience for the lack of a guide for the day but if you want I could see if I can free up any somepony?”
“Na, that would be alright. I was hoping to request that I be left on my own accord during my visit. Be escorted loses its fun around such a young age, being without it for a while would be refreshing.” Mentally Luna gave a signed of relief that nothing terrible had happen. If any thing of important had happened she was sure her sister would have told her in some type of manner just now. Now Eclipse can visit the town without any worry of being walked around like a lost puppy.
“Your highness I must detest, we can't just leave a foreign dignitary to walk the streets of Canterlot alone. There is no telling what might happen to her.” Corporal Stone's abrupt cut in caught Luna by surprise, turning to him find a stern look upon his face.
“I'm capable of navigating a simple town without a high and tight guard following me everywhere.”
“I'm sure you could, Canterlot isn't that difficult to find thing but there still a chance of you being hurt Madam and as a royal Canterlot guard I couldn't let such a thing happen.” Luna was a bit surprised by his outburst. Not because it was noble, for he just spoke back to royalty. She watched as his stern gaze never broke from Celestia's being. Luna soon notice a small smirk form on her sister's lips.
“That is very good thing for you to do but I need you to fetched Captain Starshoot for a little war game I'm having later with my dear sister. And for your concerns, I do understand them but I will allow Miss Eclipse her solitude.”
She could tell by his slightly surprised face he was still against it still. But with a quick glance between the both of them, he bowed his head and headed off to find his Captain. As the young corporal left the throne room, a quiet laugh left Celestia's mouth. By seeing this, Luna joined in with just a smirk.
“Are you sure of this choice, Miss Eclipse?” She hear Celestia asked in a more serious tone while her gaze still on the young soldier.
“Why yes and I do believe it will be a wonderful day, no? Still I wonder...” Luna said as her sight wonder to a group of guards talking near the throne.
“As I said it's nothing to worry about, just some minor thing that I've put off to long.” Celestia stated turning her sight back to Luna. “You know how nobles can be, always needing something. And officers, oh my them and their troops... Trust me, it's all under control. Go enjoy Canterlot and all it glory.” She finished with a kind smile, giving her sister a playful nudge toward the exit. Taking this as a good bye, she gave a slight bow which caused her let out a small giggle. Celestia eyesight never left Luna as she left the throne room as her smile faded.
“Was that wise your highness, with how things are?” She turned to find a near by guard.
“True but if I can give her one thing, it would be a day of simple pleasures.” Sighing deeply she turn to the near by guard. “So how bad are the reports from Baltimore and the latest news from the search teams from the Everfree Forest?”
“The initial assessment is 476 dead and over two thousands injured by the massive quake/explosion. The property damage estimation is still coming in. the search teams report nothing so far but they only have been able to search about 17% of the forest so far and the...”
….
“So left down west main street and it should be on my left... ha found it!” Gale exclaimed out loud scaring a few bystanders near by. With a gleeful smile, he gave the restaurant or he would guess a cafe a look over. He never really could tell the difference between them, they both server food and have weird looking signs. This place was no different, with its green a blue sign in a shape of a sandwich. “El De Blue, hu, odd name.” What else was the fact it was squashed between a watch shop and a place that sold hats. As he got closer, the more he wonder, looks old.
The building itself was new but the cafe's blue door looked as if it has seen better days as did the slightly cracked windows. Even with its small buildup of dust, the help wanted sign was noticeable. He could hear the sound of old jazz playing from in side. “Well lets see about that job.” he said to himself as he entered the cafe. The creaking of the door made his ears cringe. He stopped short of the entrance in a bit of surprise. Even with a fancy sounding name like El De Blue, the place looked decrepit and there wasn't a single pony in the building to be seen.
“Um hello? Is there any pony there? Saw the sign...”
“Oh, welcome sir, welcome! Please let me get you a seat!” Gale leaped back at the sudden appearance of this white pony wearing what seemed to be a fake mustache. He black main brushed so far back it was unnatural as was his high-pitched voice.
“Oh my, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, please don't go.” the sudden switch in personality caught Gale off guard as he watch the young colt plead with him. It was a good minute before his brain kicked in.
“Um it's all right, ah, I came in here because of the help wanted sign you have.” The young colt sniffed before he understood what Gale just told him. It was oddly funny to watch as the colt try to seem not so emotional.
“Oh, haha, um yes, ah my Dad is the pony you want to see then. I'm just a waiter. Names Quick Step, and as my cutie mark says, I'm really good at running.” As he said, he did have a running type cutie mark. It was a shoe with a bolt of lighting on it just before the little waiters outfit he wore.
“Sweet heavens boy, did you scare another one away.” A gruff toned voice came from across the room from what looked to be an old saloon bar. Standing behind it, was a old looking unicorn, grayed with time but his blue coat still showing. His mane buzzed short and fully white. He seemed to be a energetic old pony with how he strolled over but Gale saw the look of exhaustion all over his face. “So I hear you saw my sign?” Gale nodded. “So what experience do you have?”
“Um, none.” The silence that took place was deafening as he watched the old stallions face. Not single muscle twitched as he stared straight at him.
“Why did you come here?” the old Stallion's voice was smooth as he spoke.
“A friend of mine came here looking for a job but was turned down,” Gale pulled out the direction to the cafe. “You turned her down, so I thought why not try...What hey!” With a bit of magic he pulled the piece of paper away from him. As he looked at the paper, a smile slowly began to form. It formed into a full laugh, dropping the note in front of him self.
“You headed out to a cafe for a job that your friend tried to get but failed. You have no experience as well and to top it off you got the wrong cafe to boot.” The stallion slowly calmed himself down as he continued, “The place you looking for is on the other side of Canterlot, a fancy little thing, hard to miss. But you ended up here looking to score a floor manager job with no idea on how it works.” The old stallion's smirk ever so showing on his face as the young colt just stood by watching.
“Apparently.” Was Gales only response to the old stallion's statement. The small pause to the roar of the stallions laughter confuse Gale. Why is he laughing? It took the confused looks of both gale and Quick Step for the old stallion to quiet down.
“Well my apologies but you ended up in a dinky old bar looking for a job you have no idea how to do because 'What the hey lets just try it'. In the eight years owning this place never have I heard or seen such thing. The names Quick shot, and you met my grandson.” he turned to look back at the bar and the rest of the establishment saying, “And this is my old beauty of a beer and sandwich place for those not so lucky sods without all those bits.” He finished with a sway of his hoof.
Giving the place another look, he could see the old luster feel of the place from its old high top tables, quietly tucked away both and a small stage for a small band. Overall the place was in great condition but something ticked in the back of his mind.
“Why is it so empty?” Not realizing he said his thought out loud. Quickly he turn to look at the old stallion, about to apologizes for his question.
“Well now, its mostly we use to have this performer come by and jam a little on the stage with some of the local talent. But sadly they just stopped showing up and so did the costumers. All we get now is locals. Enough to get by but the our long time floor manager upped and left for a fancier job in some fro-fro place...” he heard the old stallion ramble on about high class dirt bags and such. He noticed the small colt worried look and an empty stage. He looked back to the old salon bar and something clicked. “... and then the taxes but sadly I need some pony with experience so sorry.”
“That's fine and all, but can I have the job if I brought a pro-forma for you. Nothing permanent or she might be, don't know. But she is looking for a job.” Quick Shot eyed him wide then smirked.
“And this pro-former, can she play?”
“Yep, just one thing, do u have anything against same sex lovers?” The question came a bit out of the blue but the old stallion just laughed.
“I don't care if they make out on stage as longs she can bring in the bits!”
It took an hour or so for Quick Step and Gale to come to terms on pay and hours if he can bring in his pro-former. In Gale's mind he didn't think it would be hard for him to convince Octavia about the bar. It was a job, a place to drink, what's not for her to love. After Quickstep wrote down the direction for his maybe performer, Gale decided to head straight back with the great news. As he stepped out of the bar, he accidentally bumped into another pony. As he look up, he found it to be a lovely aqua colored mare. Her green mane fell just over her eyes for a simple majestic sway of her head head removed it to reveal deep blue eyes. His heart halted as such beauty and sadly so did his brain.
“Usually you apologizes to a pony you run into, i believe.” The mare said in a almost confusing tone. But being him, he ended up worrying about the directions the bar owner gave him.
“Hey get back here,” he cried chasing the free sheet of paper flying away. The mare watched him chase after it till she decided to stop the silly display of the young stallion snagging the piece of paper in her light blue magic aura. He gave one half frantic grab before flying on to his back, looking up in slight amazed look at her magic.
“Wait- hey...” he quickly turned his attention to the floating paper, only to take notice of the unicorn again. “oh, um, thanks for catching it and sorry for running into you.” Gale said as the small sheet of paper floated near the mares head with a searing look.
“Yes well it's rude enough but since you apologies i'll let it go but only if you tell me why this was so important that you almost ran out into the street full of traffic.” He was puzzled by the statement till a cab shot just a hoof from him. The breeze it caused felt quite nice as he head for the paper.
“Right, thank you for grabbing that,” he started nipping the paper from her magic, folding it up and placing it in his main. “It's something I think would cheer up a dear friend of mine.” he turned and looked to a near by sign, siting and raising a hoof to his chin. The sight and sundered abandonment of attention stunt her a bit.
“What are you doing now?” the Mare asked with a bit more anounce than she liked.
“Hum?” Gale turned his head to stare at the young mare. “Pretending to know what i'm doing and not tell you that i'm more lost than a blind pony. The names Gale by the way.” he finished with a smile hoping he can figure out how to get home. The Stallion's statement was so off setting that she couldn't help but giggle.
“Fine, my name is Eclipsed Moon. How about i give you a hoof. Where is it that you need to be.” Gale didn't to seem to notice her statement till he swiftly turned around to face the eye to eye. This action caught her by surprise, stumbling back a little from the statement. He had this goofy smile going but that made her feel even more uneasy. His smile looked hollow, missing anything that could make it sad. Like it had lost something.
“Okay,” he reached around pulling out the address that Vinyl gave him. “This is my home address, i don't really know how to get back. Care to help?” His reaction seem to unnerve her even more as she grabbed the piece of paper. He gave a odd but yet familiar feel to her. She decided to just put it back to the years she and her sister prank each other years back, back to her more playful times. Clearing her mind, she read the paper.
“I did say i will, so lets see... first is a right at the corner...” It took them both nearly two hours to find the correct address for even eclipses had trouble with direction for not being around for so long. But finally around the last right turn laid the correct address. What sat slightly surprised her or it was some what decent apartment building. Being in what seemed to be downtown canterlot, in a rundown section of the area.
“Woho! Finally founded it high hoof!” he raised one of his for hoofs in a gestsure she was unfamiliar with. Hesitantly she raise a hoof in the same way. To her surprise he bumped his against her yelling,”Ya.” Even with his empty smile she could hold back one of her own as they made their way to the apartments main entrance. “You Know, i wouldn't made it back here on my own so thank.”
“That obviously not true, we both got lost a fifth and main and still made it here.”
“True but my memory is trashed, can't even remember a simple route home.” That statement seemed odd to hear but before she could ask why, “I know, why don't you come to the bar tomorrow. Around eight, its when my shift will start. You can be my very first customer. You can't' miss it, its back when i first ran into you.” And before she could get a word in, he hugged her and dashed off.
'What a odd stallion...'
....
There was a rapid beat at the door as Vinly put down the phone. She was about to call the police to report the stupid stallion missing. Another wave of beats hit the door as she closed in. Upon opening the door, a wave of relief of a lack of a lawsuit and his safety was ensured. “Were the...”
“Guess what, i have some great news,” he cut her off as he brushed past her to the near counter. “I found a job and possible one for Octavia as well.” Gale's new caught Vinyl even more off guard since she predicted he get lost and end but by the castle. The fact he could possibly have gotten the job was mind boggling.
“How...” Was all she could manage to say.
“Well, got lost and ended up at a bar and chatted with the owner and got a job and a offer for Octavia to cello it out then i ran into this nice mare. She had this awkward way of talking but she was nice. We ended up lost on the way back till we found this place so i invited her to be my first customer i sever.” Vinyl could barely follow what he was saying.
“Wait what? Hold on and start from the beginning,” 'This is going to be a long night'