Chapter 33--You Know Where
The next morning, I took Flagra, Qene, and Pyra to the train station to go back to Canterlot yet again. Normally, I would have just flown there on Qene, but since I’m a pony now, and since I now have an extra parasite attached to me, that’s become rather difficult. Luckily, Celestia had sent an express train to pick us up and get us there in only 2 hours, as opposed to the 12 hours it would have taken on a regular train. I still had to buy the tickets, however, but I was told I would be reimbursed when I got there. Thus, the following conversation occurred at the ticket counter.
“Two adults, one foal, and one manticore for the express train to Canterlot,” I said to the pony behind the counter, a unicorn stallion of average build, brown coat and black hair. I couldn’t see his cutie mark from the counter, not that I really cared.
“I’m sorry sir, but we can’t allow foals to travel without a release from a parent or legal guardian,” the guy said.
“Well, I’ve pretty much become her legal guardian as of yesterday.”
“I’ll need to see some guardianship papers.”
“Alright, fine. You got a quill, ink and some parchment? I need to write a letter.” He handed--hoofed?--me the stuff and I began writing. Dear Sunbutt, The stupid train guy won’t let me get a ticket for Flagra because I don’t have any guardianship papers for her. Fix it. Your favorite human-turned-alicorn, Síor. I magicked the letter to Celestia and waited for a response. A few minutes later, it came and read: Dear Síor, What have I told you about calling me that? You are a knight in my this kingdom now and you will show its monarch diarchs the respect they deserve. In any case, I have attached a royal pardon for your daughter to travel. Show it to the pony at the ticket office and he should allow you to purchase a ticket. Yours, Princess Celestia. I looked at the pardon: I Princess Celestia of Equestria, allows the travel of Síor’s daughter to Canterlot despite the lack of proper guardianship papers and will ensure that he acquire the proper papers during his visit here. Signed, Princess Celestia.
I showed the pardon to the guy and he gave me the tickets in exchange for money and we went on our merry way. While we waited for the train to arrive, in about 5 minutes, I wrote back to Celestia. To her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, I would kindly ask that you refrain from referring to Flagra as my daughter though she may have become such as of late. I ask that you merely refer to her by her name, Flagra. Furthermore, I would like to thank you for allowing us travel to Canterlot. I look forward to seeing your lovely face. Truly yours, Sir Síor of The Equestrian Umbral Knights. I sent the letter just as the train was pulling into the station.
We got on the train, handing hoofing our tickets to the ticket checker who punched a hole in them and hoofed them back. We took our seats and the train started moving right when I received another letter from my second favorite princess. Síor, Please cease with the mocking tone. Flagra is to be referred to as your daughter because that is what she is, or will be once you fill out the forms. I shall see you upon your arrival to Canterlot as I have a task for you to fulfill while you are here. Please do not write back as I am busy making preparations for the Hearth’s Warming Eve Pageant. I will talk more with you when you arrive. Until then, Celestia. I always know I got to her when she stops using formalities.
And so began a long and quiet two-hour train ride. It would have been a little more interesting if Pyra and Qene hadn’t gone off to fuck somewhere and if Flagra would actually talk, but so far the only word she’s ever said to me is her name. She has seemed rather fascinated by a number of things that most ponies would see as normal, everyday things. I can only guess that’s a side effect of being left alone in the House for so long. In any case, whenever she would look at something with wonder, I would have to explain, to the best of my knowledge, how it worked. Most of the time, I just answered with “Magic,” but that didn’t always suffice so I would have to go into detail about the inner workings of whatever it was that she wanted to know. I swear it’s like this girl had missed the last thousand years of technological/magical advancement.
So, after a long and boring train ride, we finally arrived in my least favorite city to be once again tortured by the snootiness of upper-class society. Qene and Pyra went to the castle where Celestia had rooms waiting for us. I went immediately to the Royal Armory to get my armor from Lisbeth with Flagra in tow.
“Hey, Síor,” she said when I entered the shop. “Who’s the filly?”
“Hey, Lisbeth,” I replied. “This is Flagra.”
“I see. Nice to meet you, Flagra.”
Flagra just looked at her in a way that said “Don’t talk to me.”
“She doesn’t talk much.”
“No, not really. In fact, the only thing she’s said is her name. She seems to understand perfectly but she’s just not very responsive.”
Flagra then gave me a look which said “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have to talk about you like your not here if you would talk for yourself,” I told her. She just scowled at me. “Anyways, I’m here to pick up my armor.”
“Of course. I have it in the back.”
We followed her to the back where my armor awaited. Flagra looked at me with a questioning look which I assumed was directed towards the armor. “Oh yeah, by the way, I’m a knight,” I told her. She nodded in acceptance.
“Princess Celestia said that you are to wear the armor at all times while in Canterlot unless otherwise instructed.”
“I can already tell, I’m going to hate this.” I put the armor on and stepped outside to see Celestia waiting for me. “Hey, Sunbutt. What do you want with me?”
“Well, unfortunately, our lead narrator for the pageant has fallen ill, and I was hoping you would be able to step in for him.”
“I don’t have a choice, do I?”
“Not really.”
“Fine, when is the pageant, and where’s the script?”
“I have the script here with me and the pageant is this Friday at 7 in the evening at the Canterlot Concert House at the east end of Canterlot. I’m sure you’re familiar with the place.”
“Am I allowed to make changes to the script?”
“Consult with me before you do so.”
“Fine.” And so I was roped into this stupid pageant. After reading over the script a little, though, I knew it was going to be very different from any previous pageants.