Canterlot is a city of refinement and class. In such a place, certain social and overall norms are established. These norms are sacred and many citizens prefer they stay simple, intact, and never changed. So it was not an uncommon reaction for everypony to practically drop what they were doing and stare in both awe and shock at the bipedal cat being escorted by a royal guard detachment with Princess Twilight by its side. Various high society types and the occasional nobles whispered lightly about this new individual, and failed to notice its ears occasionally twitching and taking in all the hushed words. As the minutes ticked by, a vein on the being’s temple bulged in irritation.
Beerus cast an even glare at a whispering couple who immediately canned up.
Twilight chuckled nervously and stuck a little closer to Beerus, just in case.
As they continued along their course, Beerus raised an eyebrow as the front gates of Canterlot castle came into view. He had to admit, compared to the other buildings he had seen and Twilight’s Castle, the place was quite the eyeful.
“It seems your rulers admire spires in great abundance,” Beerus remarked, “I’ve never seen so many towers on one structure such as this before.”
Twilight glanced at Beerus, “Well there are a lot of bedrooms and wings to the castle compared to the one you awoke in, it’s only natural.”
Beerus shrugged, “I suppose so, after all, one must keep up appearances.”
Twilight nodded in acknowledgement, “What’s your castle like Lord Beerus?”
Beerus rubbed his chin, “The Temple is fairly large. But the details are inconsequential.”
Twilight smiled slightly, but then her face became confused, “Wait…a temple?”
Before Twilight could probe further, a guard ushered them both through the front gates with a nod. Beerus and Twilight proceeded forward alone, their escort being called away back to their posts. Twilight led Beerus ever onwards toward their destination, The Throne Room. Finally coming to the entrance to the Throne Room, Twilight stopped and turned to Lord Beerus.
“Just so you know. Princess Celestia is probably the kindest and most understanding of ponies next to Fluttershy that I know. Princess Luna might seem a bit hostile, but she is really fun when you get to know her,” she smiled sweetly, “so there’s no need to be nervous.”
Lord Beerus’s face was an unreadable mask, “Do I look nervous?”
Twilight’s smile faltered a bit, but she kept her head high as she knocked on the great doors before her. The doors swung inward to reveal a large white mare garbed in gold regalia and a multicolored mane and tail that seemed to blow in an invisible breeze. And like Twilight, she had markings on her flanks, but these were in the shape of a lone sun.
“Twilight,” she stated with a warm smile, “I’m so glad you could make it on such short notice.”
“Of course Princess Celestia,” she smiled as she nuzzled her teacher, “I was so excited that I couldn’t wait!”
A throat being cleared directed Celestia’s attention to her other guest. When she stood to her full height, the being known as Lord Beerus was eye level with her. She smiled and bowed her head respectively.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord Beerus,” she rose back to her full height, “I am Princess Celestia of Equestria, and I humbly welcome you to my kingdom.”
Beerus casually waved a hand in response, “Charmed,” he muttered, “Forgive me, but I recall Twilight saying there was TWO of you.”
Celestia ushered both of her guests to follow her, the doors shutting behind them.
“Ah yes, it seems Luna will be quite busy for the next few hours,” she explained, “She might even miss the entire visit if she doesn’t hurry. I hope that is of no inconvenience to you.
Beerus rolled his head a bit, “Why would it? I came here to meet the royals of this land, and I am merely meeting one of two. Regardless of the subtraction, I’m still fulfilling the agreement.”
Celestia blinked a few times and nodded after a moment of contemplation, “Fair point, Twilight,” the mare in question perked up at her name, “would you kindly allow me and Lord Beerus to speak in private?”
Twilight bit her lip for a moment, “Are you sure Princess?”
Celestia nodded with a reassuring smile, “I merely wish to chat with our visiting dignitary.”
Beerus smirked a tad as he glanced at Twilight, “Perhaps you can go to the kitchens and acquire a sample of whatever I’m smelling at the moment,” he sniffed for a moment, “It smells so mouth-wateringly exotic.”
Twilight scowled but left the room silently.
Celestia tilted her head with an impressed expression, “That’s quite the nose you have Lord Beerus,” She led him along an adjacent corridor, “What you’re smelt is one of the meat dishes we prepare for the more carnivorous species of my kingdoms, such as the griffons and dragons.”
Beerus nodded for a moment in thought, “Dragons and Griffons you say? I’ve only ever heard about them in myth. How unusual, but might I add, your subjects use a strange energy the likes of which I have never witnessed before. Tell me, what is it?”
Princess Celestia stopped in her tracks, “You don’t know about magic?”
Beerus blinked, “Did you say magic?”
Celestia nodded but then turned fully to face him, “From the way you’re speaking, it’s as if you’ve never so much as even laid eyes upon any of Equestria’s species and you don’t know of magic either. Where exactly did you say you hailed from?”
“I didn’t,” Beerus stated flatly, “To be frank, I am from a place far outside your borders, so it is only natural that these things are new to me,” he then stroked his chin in mild thought, “Though you mentioned you’re making a meat dish, was this because of my arrival or was it for a representative of those other species you mentioned?”
Princess Celestia smiled at the cat, “Rest assured, it was for you my Lord, I am a mare who knows to be courteous and polite to her guests. It helped when Twilight informed me you were a feline, so it was safe to assume you were most likely a meat eater. I don’t think you would enjoy hay fries and a daisy sandwich as your first meal in our land.”
Beerus was shocked at the thought, “Eating grass clippings? I would imagine not.”
Celestia tittered lightly and escorted Beerus to a small personal dining room. Celestia seated herself across from Lord Beerus, and soon their food was carried in by some pony guards. Lord Beerus stared down at the dish before him. In the dead center was a slab of nicely browned meat, while drizzled on it was a golden substance. Cut into neat slices around the steak were apple slices, crisp and fresh.
Celestia however was having a vegetarian pasta dish.
Beerus sniffed the meat and leaned back in thought, “What manner of dish is this?”
Celestia smiled, “Oh, it’s a house specialty, It’s called Apple Sunrise.”
Beerus raised an eyebrow as she continued to explain, “It’s an alchemy steak grilled to perfection, drizzled in natural honey from our Castle Hives, with fresh Sweet Apple Acres Ambrosia apple slices as a side.”
“Really now,” he tapped his chin, “Tell me, is the meat allowed time to soak in its juices before application of the honey, or is the honey applied during the last minute of the cooking process?”
Celestia leaned forward in interest after swallowing her next forkful, “My, you are quite the gourmet Lord Beerus. But yes, they allow time for it to soak. HOWEVER, they apply the honey directly after it’s finished, as to allow the honey to warm and spread, as well as allow the meat a mere moment to absorb some of the sweetness.”
Beerus licked his lips, “How delectable,” he cut a portion of the meat off and impaled his fork into it but paused, “you said alchemy steak, is this not natural meat?”
Celestia shook her head with a bit of shock, “Heavens no, we in Equestria respect all forms of life, but the odd fish or two is indeed caught for meat based dishes. However, an old Alchemist utilized his skills to make perfect substitutes. It’s all a manner of taking a sample from the animal that an Alchemy dish is to be made of. A tuft of hair, a feather, a small drop of blood, it varies. But once the sample is required, a simple procedure is formed and boom,” Her wings jostled lightly, “Alchemy Meat is made with no loss of life. Though we can’t stop nature’s order of Predator and Prey, we can at least be civilized about it.”
Beerus nodded after the explanation, “Intriguing, to think you discovered a way to not waste resources with this…magic you call it. Truly amazing,” he then ate the piece of meat.
His eyes lit up as he quickly segmented the steak and ate with vigor and a content smile on his face.
Celestia smiled as her guest enjoyed his meal.
Beerus finished his plate and called for another, “That was truly fantastic! The texture and grilled perfection of the meat is complimented by the sweetness of the honey. And the apple slices,” he smiled as he finished the last slice, “cool and crisp perfection.”
Celestia couldn’t help but smile as he was given another, “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Though I must ask, how long do you intend to visit Equestria for? And for what purpose?”
Beerus’s ear’s twitched as he looked at Celestia, his cheeks bulging with food.
He swallowed, “Well to be honest I’m unsure, my retainer should be coming for me at some point. But as of this minute I have no definitive answer. As for my purpose,” he shrugged, “I suppose to see the sites and at least sample as much of your delicacies I can.”
Celestia nodded with a relieved look, “That’s good to hear; I hope you are able to enjoy your stay.”
Beerus returned the nod and continued to eat with fury.
*
Soon, after having their meal finished, Beerus patted his stomach in satisfaction as he ventured outside with Celestia and Twilight. As the three walked about, they failed to notice a dark shadow coming toward the cast over the horizon. Soon the shape came into view and it landed before them.
“Good afternoon sister,” Princess Luna said with a smile, “I apologize for my lateness.”
Celestia shook her head, “It’s no trouble dear sister, we were merely having an after lunch stroll when you arrived.”
Beerus tilted his head, “Am I to assume this is your younger sibling you spoke of?”
“It is,” Celestia stated, “Luna, this is Lord Beerus. The visiting nobility we were supposed to meet today.”
Luna regarded Beerus with a bow, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Lord Beerus.”
Beerus gave a small satisfied grin, “Likewise, I must admit you royals are quite polite.”
Twilight stared at Beerus as the two sisters became confused.
“Why say it like that,” Twilight inquired curiously, “aren’t you used to royals being polite to you.”
Beerus grimaced, “There’s being polite, and then there’s being overly clingy. They never gave me the proper politeness I demanded, but I still put up with it to humour them. Though,” his smile seemed to turn dark, “They all learned their lessons pretty quick.”
Luna nodded with a laugh, “My sister and I understand all too well.”
Celestia nodded, but Twilight stared at the laughing cat.
She felt a mild sense of unease, but only after he made that last comment. She couldn’t quite place it, but the feeling she felt. Was it terror, unease, or perhaps a foreboding sense of doom? Who could say, but one thing was for sure, Twilight felt it from the moment she met him. Beerus was indeed someone Twilight wanted to be a friend, not an enemy.
Celestia tapped her chin with a hoof, “Though if you are visiting our land, we’ll have to have somepony give you lodgings.”
Twilight raised a hoof, “I’ll do it! I mean, the castle still has so many rooms and it gets pretty lonely with just Spike there. It would be perfect for Lord Beerus to stay in, he’d be close to me and my friends and we could show him around,” she turned to Beerus, “is that all right with you?”
Beerus lulled it over in his head and shrugged, “Why not. As long as I get a comfy bed and a well cooked meal whenever I ask, I’m fine with it.”
“Excellent,” Celestia replied, “I speak for everypony when I say, I hope you enjoy your stay here my Lord.”
Beerus looked to the distance as the sun glowed in the distance, he smirked.