Find the River

by Atlas_Nebula

Chapter 3

To be fair, translating not as easy as made sound. Took hours upon hours to do just one book of text, and if lucky then only have one shipment each day. Anyhow, Trixie asked if was busy whole time, and replied accordingly. Suspicious that she might be interested in date or something. Forgot to tell was married, but told that it was not bad idea if went as friends. Wouldn’t be good manners if denied offer.

Complex B was largest building in all of Polaris, not counting Stardust Palace, and was also most confusing to navigate. Designers must’ve been high on halcyon when blueprint was concocted. Operated on levels instead of cubicles. Each employee had own floor to work in, but drawback was that only so many employees for translation section of much bigger picture, which also meant was only living thing working on books. Reading books, writing books, but not necessarily of own creation.

After some stair-climbing and temptation to use wings as short cut, made it to office, which was big rectangular levels just like all other levels of complex B. Almost colorless, but could barely tell anyways, not to mention library that occupied most of working space. Wasn’t too bad, except for stressful times when nopony want to translate literature of modern Equestrian language into native thestral. Never liked modern, honestly. Made so many rules just to break most, on top of being too purple in complexion. Most words mean nothing, and others can mean anything. Silly and counterproductive.

At around eleven o’clock, received shipment from Clannad, who was in much better mood. Was busy fumbling around with typewriter which was really just being bored when she came around. Smirked and leaned in towards me.

“Anything happen today yet, boss?” Wasn’t really boss, but did like sound of it, so stuck. “Heard about some hooligans disrupting tourists down Main Street. Probably drunk or high, if had to guess.”

“Surprised they haven’t been hit with rocks yet,” said to Clannad, then adjusted reading glasses. “Maybe Andromeda has something special planned, or feeling mischievous today? Crime wasn’t too offensive, but could’ve gone down much darker path if not dealt with.”

“See. Huh. By way, consider self lucky. Only one book came in from directory. Written by some pompous fellow from Canterlot.”

“Still filled with unicorns?” Knew well that city of princesses was inhabited by upper-class unicorns for most part. Didn’t like dealing with folk who think that having to choose which expensive shampoo was better counted as work.

“Mhmm. Not much coming in as of late. Perhaps not so many ponies read anymore. Kind of sad, really.”

“How tragic.” Less books means shorter shift and more time to spend with Florence, which also meant better life, but then again, also need money for stuff to do with her so probably stuck in complex B until spine snapped.

“In that case, will just leave you be then,” Clannad said somberly before tossing intimidating-looking tome onto workspace. Adjusted reading glasses again and looked down at bane of existence. For novel, was quite thick. “Oh, and just one more thing, Lambda.”

“Yes?”

“Expect call sometime today. Florence told me was excited about something so wanted to tell you about it.” Already heard story before, but listened anyways.

“Didn’t know about such thing. Bye, then,” said casually and waved goodbye to Clannad. Kind of like her. Nice lady, if sarcastic at times, and quite intelligent. Pretty, but not as pretty as Florence or even Miss Trixie. Wondered what latter was doing at moment. Probably showing off magic tricks to little thestral. Cute sight. Remembered appointment with azure unicorn was within hour, so had to get as much done with book as possible.

Sighed and handled tome, which was mediocre in quality. Spine was good but page thickness was ridiculous, as well as not very compact since tome carried ton of weight with it. Definitely amateur job, but not main focus. Real challenge was what was within book, so looked at cover to start translation. Was book about Luna and Nightmare Moon, from looks of it. Sounded interesting if weren’t for wordiness. So unnecessary.

Got typewriter up and running and started working on story, which was pain since had to focus on small print in two different places. Hoped would get job done thoroughly by midnight but was too optimistic. Checked word count on original copy of modern Equestrian novel with too much fancy wording and not enough story to compensate. Saw word count was slightly over two hundred thousand; meant about eight hundred or so pages of original text followed by roughly six hundred pages of thestral translation.

Could really go for tab of halcyon at moment.

Comments

[mlplunalover]

ughhhhhh......... srsly? please stopjust stop I SAID STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!