Redemption
Chapter 12: The Last Minute
Today was a quiet morning, among other things.
Blueblood was to arrive during the late afternoon as the sun goes down, that was when the party will truly start, and it will give the attendees ample time to make it from across Equestria. But Blueblood himself was gone as soon as the sun came up that morning, and he went out into Canterlot in order to bide his time.
Surprisingly, not a great many ponies are out and about so early in the morning, but that was fortunate for him as he had a destination in mind, and he wasn't yet ready to explain his life's story. But in the case that he would have ran into somepony, he bought along a rugged brown cloak from his inventory in order to keep away the snobbish. Fond memories...
It didn't take long to get to where he wanted to go, as the address was just a few blocks away.
The mansion he arrived at was a bit classier than the others neighboring it. The lofty estate didn't arrogantly flaunt in that it wasn't littered with statues or garden trimmings of the ponies that lived here, nor did it have massive gates at the entrance. It was simple, humble, and beautiful.
'Just like the ponies who live here.' Blueblood inwardly praised as he began his short trek up to the mansion itself, via the cobblestone road leading up to it. The following lawn lacked much of the identifying features found in other rich estates, but that in it of itself, was what made it special; it didn't go out of the way to have an identity, yet it showed its own by doing so. Yes, it perfectly reflects its residents.
Upon reaching the oak double doors of the mansion, Blueblood pulled down his hood and rang a simple tune with one of the knockers.
It wasn't long before the door was cracked open to be answered. And as luck would have it, it was Fleur De Lis, wrapped in a cozy pale pink robe. "Prince Blueblood?" the light pink beauty acknowledged, surprised yet reserved as to just who arrived at her door. "If Fancy Pants and I knew that you were coming, we would have made preparations. At least let us freshen up."
Blueblood gave a kindly smile at that. "No need for that, Miss Fleur. I wouldn't expect anything out of you or Fancy Pants, much less this early in the morning. Besides, I'm not in regalia at the moment." the pale prince pointed out, running a hoof through his naturally flowing mane. "May I come in, or are you busy?"
Fleur almost immediately stepped back to allow him entrance. "Oh please! Come in! It would be a treat to have you."
With a grin, Blueblood stepped inside.
"So what brings you our humble home, Monsieur Blueblood?" Fleur De Lis asked as she led her guest through to the kitchen.
"Just came to say hello, and if you were interested, engage in friendly conversation. I had a feeling we would not be getting much opportunity to do so during my welcoming party. After all, I am not to arrive until later on, and with most of Canterlot attending, I doubt even my aunts will be seeing much of me." Blueblood explained, catching the alluring scent of freshly brewed tea, the kettle and cups already on a table.
"How very considerate of you, mon'amie." Fleur complimented with a pleasant smile as she returned to her seat prior to Blueblood's arrival, while also pulling out a chair for him. After sitting, she gestured with a hoof for him to do so as well. "Care for tea?"
Blueblood found himself remembering just how much he loved that smile.
Before he proceeded to take a seat, he kindly accepted the offer and dissipated his cloak, allowing his Olympian physique to be seen by his host. Fleur was in the process of taking a sip of her tea when her gaze landed upon him, and she was grateful it was only a small sip, else she would have choked. Lowering the cup and saucer back to the table, she took a short moment to swallow and breathe again. "My, aren't you certainly a sight." it seemed that not even Fleur de Lis was immune to the awe-inspiring sight that is Prince Blueblood, if her gaze was anything to go by as she repeatedly tried and failed to steal glances at him.
The prince wasn't even done thinking about the smile when he caught her glancing at him. He smirked. "I could say the same. After five years of fun and adventure, you're still the one to leave me breathless."
"And to think there was a time you weren't the kind and considerate gentlecolt you are now." Fleur obviously didn't mean anything by it, but it clearly stung the prince as he lowered his head, rubbing the back of his neck. Immediately regretting her actions, Fleur tried to reach out to him to reassure him, fearing she'd hurt the stallion's feelings. "Oh Blueblood, I didn't mean..." she tried, but was cut off by a gently raised hoof.
"No no, you're right, Fleur. I wasn't exactly a good pony in the past. Thinking about it still gets to me sometimes." Fleur slowly retracted her hoof, but ushered him to go on. "No matter what I do or who I help, I always look back at the old me in disgust. That's why I came back. It's not eating at me, but the gap between myself now and then just gets wider."
Feeling satisfied at that remark, Fleur thought it safe now to ask, "But you were already such a good pony before you left, mon'amie, good enough to be a friend to anypony. Why leave in de firs' place?"
"To answer the big questions." saying something like 'the universe' wasn't exactly a conversation to be had so casually with a friend over tea.
"Did you answer them?"
"Not yet, sadly." Blueblood sighed, finishing off his cup of tea and pouring another. "Those can only be answered here at home. But enough about me." he insisted, his gaze meeting hers.
"What has Fleur de Lis of Canterlot been doing for five long years?"
XXXXX
This morning, after raising the sun, the first thing on Celestia's mind was Blueblood.
But before the princess could make it to her nephew's room, she was called by one of his personal guards patrolling the surrounding hallways. "Excuse me, princess." the white stallion called from down the stretch of hallway.
"... Maximus?" Celestia discerned, recognizing the identical guard she reassigned to Blueblood.
Approaching her, the stallion gave a deep bow before looking back up to her. "It is me, Princess. But Prince Blueblood wanted me to inform you that he would be heading out this morning, should you come to see him. He said he would be back before noon." came his reply.
With a sigh, the Princess rubbed her chin, wondering what her nephew could be up to. "Do I have permission to know where he went? Or did he tell you not to tell?" she asked with somewhat of a playful smile. Of course, he would have told her if she ordered, but she respects her nephew's wishes, even through the word of others.
"He asked me not to say, Princess." Maximus replied, taking his post at Blueblood's door.
"Then I suppose I will leave him be for now. If he returns before noon, do let him know that I stopped by, please." came the princess' friendly request.
"Yes, Princess. It will be done." Maximus replied with a deep nod.
With her own nod of approval, Celestia turned tail and left back down the hall. Upon passing the royal dining hall, Celestia saw some of the guards return to finish up the party preparations, of whom wishing her a drowsy good morning, which she returned with a gracious smile.
While trekking, she thought of any other ponies she could help pass the time with. Luna was likely preparing for sleep until this evening, Trixie has an unpredictable sleeping schedule, Twilight was still asleep if her previous visit was anything to go by, Blueblood had left this morning, the guards are either still asleep or busy, not to mention far too uptight, and it'd be just as awkward meeting with somepony outside of the castle, not to mention this early in the morning. It'd be narrow-minded of her, not to mention incredibly stupid of her to raise the sun a little higher, not that it crossed her mind...
Resigning herself to her fate, Celestia sighed and hoofed it back to her quarters. If she had to think any harder on ponies to kill time with, then it as bound to be a bad idea.
XXXXX
Blueblood and Fleur carried on their conversation well unto the afternoon.
By then, Fancy Pants had woken up and joined them, and whatever was left of the tea was now luke-warm, and satisfied, the three were leaned back in their seats, talking about anything they could think of to pass the time. Favorite books, funny accidents at parties and events, possible romance within the ranks of the Wonderbolts, anything.
That was, until a convenient ray of morning sunlight shined in the noble prince's face.
At that, Blueblood's eyes grew in realization before he jerked his head in the direction of the clock on the wall. It read eleven-thirty. "Eleven thirty? Time certainly flies!" he exclaimed before springing out of his seat, summoning his cloak back on his person, and faced his hosts. "It's been far too nice to speak to old friends again. But as much as I would love to spend this calm day here, I should get going." he took Fleur's hoof to give it a tender kiss, and then extended a hoof to lock forearms with Fancy, and then the three made their way to the front doors, exchanging goodbyes. "I'll try my best to see the both of you during the party. I doubt I'll be able to, honestly." he murmured over his shoulder before he began his trek down the steps and back up the cobblestone road.
"We look forward to it, old friend!" Fancy called after him.
Blueblood waved over his shoulder in acknowledgement before the two went back inside their home, leaving the prince back to his own devices. Reflecting back on the last few hours of nonstop conversation, Blueblood couldn't help letting out a content sigh. It's been years since he saw either of them last, even when he ran into Fancy Pants in Saudi Arabia, and even now, they got to talking as if they were never apart. But, in that entire conversation... he forgot to ask...
"What's their relationship?" he inquired under his breath, pondering for a brief moment before pushing the thought out of his head, ultimately deciding he'll ask them at the party. With that dilemma solved for the moment, Blueblood passed the gate, turning back onto the main road where he saw the castle off in the distance. It was almost noon, and he needed to get back to the castle and change before then. Stretching his limbs, reminiscent of a feline waking up after a nap, Blueblood prepared to sprint back while the roads were clear.
And like a racehorse after the sound of a gunshot, he was off in a cloud of smoke.
XXXXX
Prince Blueblood nodded to his reflection with a smile as he prepared for the party.
For the atmosphere of a welcoming party, Blueblood stuck with something simple, but at the same time, formal. A sharp black tuxedo with his signature bow, collar, and rose did quite nicely. And it should keep the partygoers' attention away from his indomitable body. His upper body, at least.
As for his mane, he pondered very carefully whether or not he should cut it, and after weighing the options, he just decided to trim and wear it back.
Nodding to his reflection in approval, Blueblood made his way for the door, greeting his two guards. "Good morning, Maximus and Flare. Ready for the party?" the pale prince asked the duo.
"Yes Sir!" the two chorused in unison.
"Are you sure? If you would like, I can give the both of you time to change into something else. Gold armor doesn't do much for protection. Or for having fun." such a proposal gave the two guards quite a shock. Their confused eyes met for certainty. Even as nice and as open-minded as the royalty is, the guards had always remained glued to the manual, hardly letting even themselves much freedom above normal, out of fear of making a mistake. Celestia would simply laugh off a helpless accident, as forgiving as she was, and anything serious would most always turn out to be reversible by her. Luna was much more strict of the freedoms she allow, and any mistake would be met with consequences ranging from demotion to being exempt from the Royal Guard of the Two Sisters. Buuut there wasn't anything foreseeably wrong with attending a party in attire different than their armor.
Maximus, presumably the higher ranked of the two, finally gathered the courage to speak up. "Uhh yes, Prince. We would be honored."
The pale prince grinned. "Good. I'll meet the both of you at the intersection leading to the library, just short of the royal dining hall. Bring something formal you're comfortable in."
"Yes sir!"