//------------------------------// // Arrival in Canterlot // Story: From the Ashes: Ember's Story // by Zoljen //------------------------------// Ember stretched out and let out a soft groan as she woke up. Four days on this train and she wondered how any pony could do this regularly. The first day was great, got to see plenty of sights and the cave certainly felt familiar, though there was a complication near its exit. Some rocks had fallen onto the track and damaged one of the wheels. Needless to say, the ponies in first class were not amused at the constant small bumps that eventually evened out. She had offered to help in adjusting the wheel, but was politely told to just wait inside and the mechanic would fix it. She resigned herself to her cabin after that for the rest of the day, even though she explained she knew how she could fix the wheel. Them fixing the wheel as best they could took a few hours, but they got to enjoy a lovely view of the country side at least. Once back on track, they got a lovely view of plains and off in the distance trees and mountains. Ember was almost as excited as most of the foals on the trip, and she quickly got along with a few of the passengers. Some seemed to glare at her though, for the sole reason of being a unicorn. She later learned that even the three tribes of ponies had ones that hated other tribes just because of small differences. After that was a lovely passing view of a huge waterfall, the train had slowed down to allow its passengers to take pictures or view it as it passed by. She simply watched the waterfall as she had no way of ‘capturing the moment’ for now. She figured she’d probably be back at one point or another, and may have a means by then. The nights passed by quietly, and she slept on what she deemed the most comfortable bed ever. Of course, when you're used to dirt mounds or piles of gold coins, a pile of cushions is paradise. It made her think why dragons took to sleeping on piles of metal that could melt if they sneezed. The food on the train was good, mostly cupcakes and other grain foods. But there was some for the more omnivorous among the occupants. Most of the meat options were fish, which she was hesitant to try at first but soon found it to be rather enjoyable. She looked out the window of her cabin and gasped at the sight before her. Canterlot was fast approaching and the majestic white castle looked awe inspiring. The city itself rivaled Manehattan in size, but it's structures didn't go nearly as high. She easily spotted Canterlot General, and a few other buildings too, like the train station that this train was going to. “Arriving in Canterlot Station in roughly 10 minutes,” sounded over the intercom, making her jump a little and glare at it. She resumed looking out at the large city, seeing the lower part of the city near and each of the houses looking slightly run down. She tilted her head slightly as she watched the houses roll on by, steadily getting better in quality as she got closer to the station. She suddenly had a thought, she had nowhere to stay while getting started here. If these homes were as costly as drake homes, the bits she had would certainly not cover that. Maybe she could find a hotel or something to stay at, but for who knows how long. Oh well, maybe sleeping out under the stars wouldn't be so bad here, she maybe could afford a weekly bathhouse visit to stay clean, maybe. She turned back to her saddlebag and did a mental count to make sure everything was still there, which it was. The bits, the statue, a map, and the letter from McCoy, all snuggled tightly together. She stared at the statue for a bit, letting out a soft sigh until the P.A. blared again, saying five minutes until arrival. As she put it away, she glanced out the window and noticed the station and it's sheer size. She blinked and thought, and I thought dragons liked it big, dayum. She shook her head slightly as she levitated the bag onto her back, and opened the door, peering out into the small hallway. She let out a sigh and stepped out, making her way towards the main cabin where other ponies were sitting. Some, namely the foals, were looking out the window in awe, but most of the adults were just waiting for the train to stop. She sat and calmly waited as the train came to a stop, and all the passengers made their way off. She waved to a few of the foals that she had befriended as they left, and when all the others were finally off, she made her way out. Ember took a few steps out of the train and looked around in awe. “Holy Tartarus,” she mumbled as she stared at the architecture. She slowly walked off the platform, looking around at it. She squeaked when she detected some anger behind her, and glanced over her shoulder just in time for a stallion to tell her to move faster. She sidestepped out of his way, allowing him to pass as he grumbled something about country bumpkins being in his way. She shook her head slightly and walked towards a counter and glanced at the stallion behind it who looked bored. “Hi there, do I have to check in?” She asked calmly. The stallion shook his head, making her grin slightly. She took a step, then turned to him again, “Which way to Canterlot General hospital?” The stallion let out a sigh. “Down the road, take a left after three blocks going straight from here. Go for five blocks after that, then take a right from there, see it straight ahead,” he finished with a yawn. Ember raised an eyebrow as he spoke, then gave a small bow when he finished. “Thank you, sir.” she grinned and made her way out, taking a few steps past the doors and turning back to gaze at the entrance arch way. “Wow.” She stared at the statues holding up a giant clock. A pegasus, an earth pony, and a unicorn, each looking up at the alicorn sisters above the clock. She stared for a few minutes longer, then shook her head and turned to walk towards Canterlot General. She looked about as she trotted along, keeping to a sidewalk. Everypony looked busy going in and out of various shops and barely giving her a glance. It didn't take her long to get to Canterlot hospital. The large white structure towering before her as a few ponies came and went. She paused outside to look it over. “Man… Ponies like everything big,” she mumbled to herself. She glanced back at her saddlebags and levitated the letter out, looking it over. “To Faith Cure, Canterlot General. From McCoy,” she read to herself. She looked forward and took a step, bumping into a purple unicorn mare. they both squeaked as Ember fell back onto her plot, wincing as she looked to the mare. “So sorry! I didn't see you there.” “Oh, it's quite alright, I was…” She trailed off as she looked at Ember, tilting her head and looking her over. “I don't think I’ve seen you around before. Are you new around here?” Ember gave a quick nod. The mare continued to look her over, “I assume you're here to get those bandages looked at?” Ember looked down at the small amount of bandages that she still wore and chuckled softly. “Another doctor tended to me already,” she grinned. “On a boat trip here from near the border to the griffin and drake realms.” The mare stepped closer to Ember and peered over the bandages. “Huh, ok. Then why are you here?” “I was actually looking for employment. Doctor McCoy sent me here.” The nurse made a skeptical noise. “And why would he send you here? We just don't take anypony off the streets you know.” The mare sat and crossed her arms, glaring at Ember. She floated a letter up towards the purple mare who took it and glanced it over. “Sometimes I wonder about my husband,” she grumbled. “Your husband?” Ember tilted her head in confusion. “I’m Faith Cure, and McCoy is my husband,” Faith explained with a resigned sigh. “I was on my way to get a drink from a local tea shop, you might as well join me so I can get a good look at you.” “So, an Earl Grey and a jasmine pearl tea,” the dark grey mare said with a nod, holding a little note pad in front of her as she glanced down to her assistant, a young paler grey filly with a two-toned blue mane. “Would you like cupcakes or cookies to go with that?” she asked, trying to sound professional while glancing up at the mare. Ember hummed a little, “Don't think I’ve had cookies before.” The young mare gasped loudly. “You haven't had cookies before? You haven't lived!” She exclaimed, before calming down as the mare glared lightly at her. “I suggest chocolate chip cookies then, ma’am. They are the best kind.” “Then I’ll take a chocolate chip cookie,” she grinned to the young mare warmly. The pair gave a nod and turned to put in the order they took, leaving the older mares to talk. “So, Ember,” Faith started, “You’re from a small settlement near the border to the drake empire?” Ember nodded as Faith continued, “Didn't think there was ponies near them. Why’d you leave?” Ember sighed softly, looking at the table. “The drakes destroyed my home, captured some of my friends and family and I managed to escape. I came here because I knew it would be peaceful.” “So you don't have a home here?” Ember shook her head slightly, making Faith sigh softly. “Well, according to my husband's letter, you took care of yourself after receiving a nasty cut from a drake. Cleaned out the wound and dressed it with what you had at the time. He also said that you're fairly knowledgeable of how the other species works and how to tend to their wounds.” “I did live on the border between two warring species. We often saw both come into our village covered in blood from open wounds.” Ember said somewhat quietly, glancing to her side as a pair of cups were set down at their table, along with some sugar and a small pitcher of cream next to Faith’s cup. A few moments later a tray of cookies was set down between them, somewhat wobbling as it was placed. “Whew, didn't spill any this time!” the young pale grey mare exclaimed as she grinned up at everyone. Cure looked to the mare with a grin, “Thank you, Fine Brew,” then to the young filly, “and you too, Witchy.” Fine Brew turned and started back towards the counter, as Witchy followed after. “Witching Hour, I said you could help me if you did your homework.” “But Mama, I finished my homework for the next two weeks!” Witchy exclaimed as she looked up at her mother. Ember watched the pair leave, than looked back to Cure. “I don't know why the drakes did what they did. But after that, I suspected the worst was to come and just wanted to get as far away from it as possible.” “Well, since my foolish husband gave me a worker without a home, you can stay with me until you can afford one. However, you are going to start bright and early tomorrow, so be warned. You will be helping me with what all I need to do in caring for the derpy ponies that hurt themselves.” Ember nodded. “Thanks. And I promise to be the best I can be,” she said as she took a bite of a cookie. Her eyes going wide as she looked at it. “This is good!” “Told ya!” Witchy almost yelled from the counter.