//------------------------------// // Chapter - 4 - Baker Street // Story: I Treasure Your Love // by Hawker Hurricane //------------------------------// Connor woke to the soft glow and warmth of the sun, which is still relatively low in the sky so he hadn't slept in too late. Or at least he didn't think he did. Getting out of bed and heading to the adjoining bathroom he got showered and dressed into some clean clothes that he packed with him before.....that happened. Connor tried not to think too much about his family. They are definitely hiding something but what? They wouldn't even tell my Uncle. Connor's uncle. He always made time for Connor, as did the rest of his Uncle's family. He would visit quite often. His uncle did question Connor's parents as to why they kept information from him. The Uncle was told to 'mind his own business' in not so pleasant terms. Then the day came when he was told his uncle, aunt and cousins had been killed in a car crash. He had them taken away from him. Oh life why art thou a heartless bitch? Walking back into the bedroom he found Celestia stood at the balcony watching over her city. "Princess?" Turning around the Princess smiled at Connor, "Good morning Connor, did you sleep well?" "Yeah I did thanks. First decent nights sleep I've had in a long while." "I'm glad to hear it. Would you like to join me for breakfast?" "I'd love to." Celestia and Connor walked through the halls towards the dining room, Connor looking a little uneasy. "Is something wrong Connor?" Celestia asked sounding worried. "He's not going to turn up is he?" Celestia knew immediately who Connor was referring to. "Prince Blueblood will be joining us for breakfast, but not in the way you think." Connor looked at Celestia in confusion, which made Celestia giggle. They approached the dining room and entered to see Shining Armour and Spitfire already there. "Morning sleepy head," Spitfire said as flew up to Connor wrapping her forelegs around his neck and nuzzling his cheek bone, "Sleep well?" "I had a very good nights sleep," Connor responded blushing slightly from Spitfire's affection. "Come sit yourself down, I saved a seat for you," Spitfire took one of Connor's hands in her hooves and brought him over to the seat she saved. The table had over a dozen chairs and the one she saved was conveniently next to hers, there were only the four of them. Shining and Celestia shared a knowing look as Celestia went to her seat. "The servants are on the way now with a smörgåsbord of food, I'm sure there'll be something you can enjoy." "Smörgåsbord?" asked Connor, "How did a Swedish word make its way to Equestria?" "That word exists in your world also?" asked Celestia in surprise. "Yeah. Like I said it's a word that originated in Sweden that refers to a buffet with multiple hot and cold dishes," saying this something else only just dawned on Connor, "Also, how are we speaking the same language? I can understand languages being very similar but exactly the same?" Everyone looked to Celestia, expecting her to have an answer, "I'm not sure. Whilst it does seem a bit convenient it does mean there are fewer communication difficulties. My guess is that our worlds are connected in some way and knowledge somehow crossed the divide." "That might explain some of my worlds mythology, you see in my world Unicorns, Pegasi, Alicorns etc only exist in myth and fairytales," the three ponies nodded in understanding, "As I said yesterday, magic doesn't exist in my world either. What we lack in magic we make up for in technology." "What kind of technology?" asked Spitfire. Just as Connor was about to answer the servants walked in with a Smörgåsbord of the best looking food Connor had seen. His attention was disturbed by a commotion outside. "YOU WILL GET YOURSELF IN THAT ROOM RIGHT NOW AND DO AS I SAY!!!" shouted the head waiter. "I will not go into that room where that filthy ape is," said Blueblood, "You can't make me." "Yes he can," Celestia said as she walked to where her nephew was, "You will go into that room and do as you are told. And I believe I made it clear that Master Chef did have the authority to give you orders for the duration of your punishment." "Why am I being punished? It was that hideous beast that attacked me," responded Blueblood in a high pitched whiney tone. "You know exactly what you did. Now are you going to do as you are told or do I have to get my sister to make you?" said Celestia in a stern and authoritive manner. The thought of Luna being disturbed from her sleep to deal with him greatly scared Blueblood, it was bad enough last night. ------------------------------------------------------------ Flashback to the previous night "Hey gorgeous, you missed a spot!" shouted one of the Royal Guards. Blueblood had been sent down here to clean the barracks as punishment for attacking Connor and Spitfire, under the observation of Shining Armour. "Be quiet, you can't speak to me like that you peasant guard!" Blueblood snapped back, clearly embarrassed at cleaning up the barracks of the guards who are supposed to obey him. Shining Armour responded with a tone of voice that made it clear he was in charge, "Yes they can. For the duration of your punishment you have no authority in the castle. The guards here are your superiors and you will obey them and show them respect!" "If you are trying to embarrass me you will not succeed." "HE DID WHAT!!! At that moment, Blueblood voided his bowels. The guards have never laughed so much. ------------------------------------------------------------ Blueblood, walked up the human scowling, "Is there anything I can do for you this morning?" Shining fake coughed glaring daggers at Blueblood, "Is there anything I can do for you this morning, SIR!" Blueblood did not like the captain but decided against making him angrier, "Is there anything I can do for you this morning, SIR?" Connor thought for a moment, "Run twenty laps around the castle grounds." "I will not do such a thing." "You will do as your are told Blueblood," said Shining Armour, "Or would you like to spend the day with the guards instead?" Blueblood somehow scowled even more. After what happened in the barracks last night he did not believe the guards would ever take him seriously again. "This is not over foul ape!" "Make that thirty laps," Connor responded smugly. "Why you little-" Blueblood started. "Do you want me to make it forty?" asked Connor. Blueblood knew he had been beaten this time. He snorted and made his way outside to do his thirty laps. Shining sent word to his men (Stallions?) to watch him to make sure he actually did them. "I don't want to sound rude but can we eat now?" asked Spitfire, clearly eager to stuff herself with food. "Of course," responded Celestia. Connor, Celestia, Spitfire and Shining had their breakfast. Connor talking more about his world, in particular about the human technology and accomplishments. The ponies were amazed, again. "My sister would very much love to hear about these moon landings." "I'll be sure to tell her sometime." At that moment a guard came into the room, "Your majesty, Captain Shining Armour, Twilight Sparkle has just arrived at the castle." "Twily's here? Bring her here now, let's not keep her waiting." The guard looked at Celestia who nodded, the guard made his way out of the room. "Twily?" asked Connor. "Just what I call my little sister." "That's nice," said Connor flatly. "Is something wrong?" asked Shining. "It's nothing you've done." Shining was about to ask when the doors burst open. "BBBFF!" "TWILY!" The two siblings embraced each other, seeing this made Connor a little uneasy. This did not go unnoticed by Spitfire and Celestia. "Are you the human Princess Celestia wrote to me about?" asked a very excited purple unicorn. "I believe so. You must be Twilight Sparkle. Princess Celestia spoke highly of you." Twilight blushed in embarrassment, "Well I am her number one student." "You seem to have come prepared," Connor said noticing several books, blank scrolls, quills etc with Twilight. "Well I do want to learn about you, you are the only one of your kind in Equestria. That makes you special and unique." "I'm not that special." "Don't be silly, everypony is special in their own way," said Twilight in an upbeat manner. He might have only just met her, but Connor could tell he would get on well with Twilight. "Are you joining us?" asked Connor. "Don't mind if I do. I haven't had a Smörgåsbord in a long time." Celestia, Shining and Spitfire watched in amazement as Connor and Twilight spoke to each other like they'd know each other for years. Twilight joined the rest and had breakfast with them, Connor telling Twilight some of the things he told the others. Twilight furiously writing everything down, which brought a chuckle from the rest of the group. "Where is Spike?" asked Celestia. "He's helping out Rarity on something," said Twilight while writing things down, "That reminds me Connor, I'd love to introduce you to my friends in Ponyville." "You want to introduce me to your friends?" Twilight nodded, "I've known them only a few months but I know they'd love to meet you. Would you like to meet them?" Connor looked to Celestia, "You wouldn't mind if I did?" "Not at all. In fact the reason I invited Twilight was so she could take you to Ponyville so you could live amongst our kind in a quiet, friendly environment whilst we work out how you got here." "Well then, in that case when do I go?" "Later today," responded Celestia, "I need to sort out some paperwork for you. It's nothing to worry about, it will simply state that you are under the protection of the crown and that you are to have the same rights and protection under the law as any of my subjects." "You're too kind Princess," said Connor. Walking over to Connor and resting a hoof on his shoulder she said, "I'm only doing what is right." "Thank you anyway," Connor said as he wrapped his arms around her neck, hugging her. Celestia returned his embrace, she doesn't believe she would ever tire of this affection. As much as she loves her little ponies, sometimes she wished they wouldn't tread on eggshells around her. She wouldn't punish them just for wanting a hug or for not bowing. They finished their breakfast and the servants cleared everything away. Celestia had open court for the morning, Spitfire had some Pegasi guards to train and Shining had a snobbish unicorn to check up on. That left Connor and Twilight. The two decided to head to the library where they had a long discussion on their respective worlds. ------------------------------------------------------------ Evening came around and Twilight and Connor made their way to the castle foyer where Shining and Celestia were waiting. "Twily" "BBBFF" "Good Evening Connor, how are you?" asked Celestia. "I'm fine thanks. Me and Twilight have been in the library talking about stuff." "STUFF?!" a shocked Twilight screams, "All the amazing things humans have achieved and created and you say it's just 'stuff'?" Connor couldn't help but laugh, "You're an easy one to wind up Twily Sprinkles." Twilight gave Connor an unamused expression, "Easy to wind up? Twily Sprinkles?" Celestia and Shining couldn't help but laugh, not at Twilight but at the good banter between two new friends. "I'm sure Connor's only being friendly Twily," Shining said, "I'm sure you could think of a way to get back at him though." Looking at Connor with a serious grin, "You can be absolutely sure I will." Connor laughed sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck, "I was only joking Sparkle Butt." Twilights grin turned very mischievous, "It is on my human friend." "I hate interrupt your friendly banter but we must get to business," Igniting her horn Celestia levitated several items in front on Connor, "Connor here are the official papers I mentioned earlier. Also included is a cheque to be paid into your Equestrian bank account, I had one set up on your behalf. I do not know how long you will be here but it is best to be prepared regardless." Connor took the items, "Thank you Princess. I'll make this up to you. Has there been any update on how I got here?" "You're welcome Connor. My investigation team are scanning the entire Whitetail Woods so it may be a few weeks yet before we get any answers but I promise to inform you at once should I know anything." "Thank you again ma'am," Connor looked to Shining, "And thanks to you Captain, particularly for dealing with Blueblood." "No problem Connor. I don't think he will mess with you again, but if he does just let me know. My troops said they'd very much like to see him again." Connor laughed, "Anything good happen in the barracks?" "I would tell you but what goes on in the barracks, stays in the barracks." "Fair enough," turning to Twilight Connor continued, "Should we get going?" "I'm ready when you are." "Great, just let me get my things from my room first. I have some 'stuff' from my world with me." "You're only making things worse for yourself." "Ooooh I'm so scared," said Connor with sarcasm. "You will be." Shining and Celestia couldn't help but chuckle at their friendly digs at each other.