//------------------------------// // Royal Introductions, Part 2 // Story: Forged Anew // by Vermillion Prose //------------------------------// Twilight had faced many towering beings in her time since leaving Canterlot to live in Ponyville, but never before had she felt quite so small. The table at which she sat with the other princesses and the Rubricae was one of the largest in the castle. Celestia and Luna both sat tall and rigid, the former sipping quietly at her tea, expression neutral, and the latter leveling a glare both accusatory and curious at Hesperos, who occupied his marble throne. Twilight twiddled her hooves together in the imposing silence. She had tried twice already to spark a conversation with the other princesses, but it had cooled to this state each time. Without warning, Hesperos smoothly stood. The elder alicorns both stiffened in place and Luna’s wings began to extend before he smoothly raised a gauntlet in a placating gesture. He turned his helm to Twilight and gestured to the communion gem in his helm. She suppressed the urge to gulp or fidget as she lit her horn and adjusted the magic infused within. Both princesses flinched at the reverberating vox output from his helm as he spoke aloud. “Noble rulers of Equestria, you do Lady Twilight a disservice.” The teacups vibrated slightly in harmony with his smooth, basso voice. Luna’s muzzle opened, about to spout off protest as she leapt to her hooves, but Celestia had extended a wing to hold her back, though she too had risen to her hooves. Luna’s mouth shut with a clack of teeth before her gaze was drawn back to the armor. A strange, almost stuttering noise was emitting from his helm grill. He was…. laughing. He spoke once more, expressing his amusement and pleasure that he should still inspire such response with his mere presence, but that it was not his intent. Then he gestured to Twilight, offering for them to read a tome they had prepared together for the occasion. Twilight only shrunk in her seat for a moment before taking a deep breath and extending a foreleg. She then presented the book in her magic. Its cover was studded with memory shards, much like the ones that hung from above the crystal map in her throne room. Several displayed their early encounters, including the dream realm, and others the aftermath of his restoration. The largest, however, stood as centerpiece, and displayed their struggle against the daemon that had emerged from the Everfree. “I know of no better demonstration of intent than in battle,” he offered, gesturing to the center shard. Celestia appeared less on edge, but no less concerned, while Luna’s hostility had wilted in the face of curiosity. Twilight waved with a nervous smile as the royal sisters departed. There was little to no fanfare this time, which she was honestly thankful for. A reassuring weight rested on her withers, directing her attention aside and upwards. Hesperos offered a simple, reassuring nod before gesturing back towards the castle. She returned a nod before turning and leading the way back inside, the Rubricae sparing a moment to watch the departing alicorns before following her inside. The castle doors closed with a gentle boom. The sisters had not readily passed judgement, and had said they would consider the situation further before making any decisions or statements. Until such time, he was Twilight’s concern. That suited him just fine. In reflection, he simply wished it did not leave Twilight a nervous wreck for him to tend to.