day 2 pt 2
Celestia straightened her desk, and turned off the light. With the work day done, she could finally go check up on Clover.
Walking into the hall, the door guards saluted her.
“At ease. The sun set ten minutes ago.”
The guards relaxed a bit, giving her a soft smile. “Still no word on where the foal came from, your Majesty. Princess Luna left him in the care of the dean of language, before retiring for the afternoon,” the guard told her.
She expected the lesson to have only lasted an hour or so. There was nopony at the college that she didn’t trust implicitly, so she hadn't worried about him. But now that she had time to think, she was rather curious what they had found to keep him occupied in the hours since then.
“Where is he now?”
“Still with the dean.”
“Really?” Walking towards the nearest balcony, Celestia unfurled her wings. “I have to see this.” Perfect Diction was a good pony, but just a bit curmudgeonly. Private lessons with a foal would be beneath him in most cases; she knew it was only a personal favor to Luna that had gotten him to agree. Even then, she only expected succinct ninety minute lessons.
Landing outside the language hall, Celestia entered the old building. One of the smaller halls on the campus, not a tenth the size of the magic hall, but still a noble building. Empty of students and faculty, she walked in silence towards the dean’s office. Perfect Diction’s voice chanted something from inside. She couldn’t make out the words, but every repetition was punctuated by a smaller voice repeating it.
The room went silent as Celestia pushed the door open. Perfect Diction gave her a polite bow.
Clover waved, saying “Hello” with a thick accent.
Diction looked from her to the colt. “I will work on the pronunciation later.”
Celestia’s face lit up at the greeting. Trotting over to Clover, she gave him a wing hug. “Hello to you too.” Releasing the colt, she looked to Diction. “How long have you two been here?”
The question surprised Diction. “We started after lunch. What time is it?”
“About five.”
The old stallion jumped at the answer, letting out one of his wry chuckles. “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
This time Celestia was struck with the wry laughter. “I was afraid you would resent foalsitting.”
Diction nodded his head. “Oh, I groused about it all morning. I didn’t realize he really didn’t speak any known language though.”
“Why would that matter?”
“Because I’ve never taught a language without translation. It’s quite the rare challenge. Outside of yearlings anyway, and they teach themselves.” Seeing the lack of understanding in the Princess’s eyes, Diction scratched his chin in thought. “Without words, how would you explain want.”
Celestia pondered the question. Want, was a simple idea; one that yearlings learned early. Constant repetition of the question of “Do you want?” let them pick apart its meaning. To teach it in a classroom was another thing.
“I do not know,” she finally answered.
“You can not. You teach the nouns and verbs you can, and let him deduce the less tangible ones. The trick is to give him the right structure to be able to find the pattern.”
Looking back to Clover, Celestia smiled. The colt was studying their every word. “I’m glad you are enjoying the challenge, Professor Diction.”
“This will make for a wonderful paper a year from now. He is a bright colt, and he has a discipline I wish my morning class had. Not to mention, he seems to speak some language I have never heard. I intend to stay in his favor, so I can have him teach it to me.”
“Quid pro quo,” Celestia mused.
“Everything in life is quid pro quo, your majesty. Most ponies just refuse to call it what it is.”
Celestia nodded. She’d had this conversation before, she wasn’t going to start it again. “Is there anything I could do to help him learn faster?”
“The usual things you do with a yearling. Do not dumb down your vocabulary, but use simple sentence structure. Try teaching him some magic, he might be able to express himself more that way. Not to mention getting him writing will be easier with magic.”
“Teach without words?”
Diction gave her a little bow. “Mae'n sialens addas i Dywysoges.”
Celestia scoured her memory for the old words; Luna was always the better linguist. “I suppose it is.”
Having made a schedule for Clover to visit the dean a few days a week, Celestia bid him farewell. Clover seemed tired, but in that healthy way. His gait was still awkward, but didn’t slow him down much.
Perfect Diction’s suggestion ran through her mind as she lead Clover back outside into the cold night. She had only seen his horn spark that one time. She should have seen more errant magic from the colt by now. Perhaps it was a challenge best suited for her.
A gentle snowfall interrupted her thoughts. Coming to a slow stop, Celestia looked back at Clover. He was getting cold. Kneeling down, she motioned for him to get on her back. She smiled as he clambered on without hesitation. She had a little time before dinner would be ready. As Clover snuggled into place, Celestia strode off campus, and over to market street. She would have flown, but she needed to test the foal’s reaction to that first. Maybe something else to do tomorrow.
Rounding a corner, she found herself on the great road that divided the market district: four carts could travel abreast on it, from the train station to the castle gates. A scenic walk at any time, but the Hearth’s Warming season made it a living wonderland.
Clover shifted on her back. She could feel his head looking every direction at the sights. Thick cloth and bright buttons filled the haberdasheys window displays, reminding her of how cold Clover had been a moment ago. ‘I should ask Rarity to make him a winter coat.’ The thought put a mischievous grin on her face. The request would send the girls into a frenzy of speculation.
The warm glow from a familiar shop caught her attention as she neared the castle. The trip hadn’t taken long, she had enough time to stop and get a treat.
“Good evening your highness,” Joe said with a bow. Trotting up to the counter, he looked to the foal on her back. “Who’s this little guy?”
Celestia was proud of Clover for not wincing at the loud, friendly stallion. “This is Clover. He is under my care for a while; maybe longer.”
Joe didn’t ask for any specifics, he never did. He knew pleasant conversation, and stuck to it. Honestly, it was the main reason she came here over the fancier places. “I would like a hot cocoa to go, please,” she said, floating two bits out from her torc. “And put a straw in it.”
Wandering back out into the snow, Celestia traded sips of the cocoa with Clover as they made their way back home.
And now I have to wait...
This is just a beautiful story so far. Very well done man! Keep it up!!
When I started reading this I have no idea why but Clover the Clever went through my head... But she mentioned Twilight and her friends.
5413379 but from the update patterns and length of chapter it probably won't be for long.
5413558 I hope so, I only found this story today.
5413471 I bets that's where Celestia got the name. Wish the chapters were longer.
Okay, I'm hooked.
Okay calling it now clover is a human adult turned pony foal. Think about it he is terrified of ponies because he has never seen them before. He doesn’t understand what magic was, nor did he know what the different pony tribes were. He is speaking a different language (English?). He doesn’t have any parents trying to claim him and considering the non-existent crime rate in Equestria we have a high probity he isn't from Equestria. Also he knew meditation and what coffee was. It would make sense that he would know what coffee was if he was a human because it excites on Earth. He didn't recognize the restroom because it is different from human restrooms. Lastly do you remember when Celestia mentioned he seemed uncomfortable walking, or scared of it? If he was formally bipedal it would make sense that he would be uncomfortable walking on all fours. Anyway I am only mentioning a few things but when you look at the story as a whole thinking that clover is actually a human adult that has been turned into a pony foal the story still makes sense in a way that makes it seems like a huge coiensediens or that is what clover is.
It’s just a theory, a
gamepony fanfiction theory!5413651
Glad as heck to know its not just me... though I am really, REALLY good at predicting plots. I think the author may have just exculded the human tag because the twist would be WAY to obvious otherwise.
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Yeah, it is really a humm haa kind of situation
This is an amazing story so far. I don't usually give favourites so early on, but yours deserves it.
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Thought I'd share this with you all. This is the song I imagined Celestia singing in ch1.
This is nicely done. The mystery around the colt, with all the insinuations of something deeper at play...
Looking forward to more!
5413672 While that line of rationale is perfectly reasonable, the joy of fiction is he could be anything.
Granted, the coffee worship was a bit more telling than the rest.
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Oh wow, that's a really pretty song
Loving this story so far.
5413603 We're entering M. Night Shyamalan territory twistiness here.
I'll prepare the pitchforks and torches.
5413839 il go get the gasoline.
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Should I be nervous?
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No, this is perfectly normal, just go on your usual business..
5413897 Don't forget the holy water.
An excellent slice of life to show even the 'high and mighty' are at the core just ponies like anyone else. I think Luna knew more than Celestia just how much this challenge would interest the Dean of Language. Sure the colt will gain from this, but Perfect knows he will gain much more. Glad to see that Joe is still the popular place for the 'down to earth' crowd and he is a smart stallion at that.
The feels... they burn warmly.
I am completely loving this story, it's adorable and a little mysterious, you just need to proofread your story a little more to avoid spelling errors but besides that it's amazing.
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Don't forget your aluminum hat's
b-i.forbesimg.com/sharifsakr/files/2013/08/forbes_signs-lead.jpg
The feels...
More plz
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Still... it's pretty meta.
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meh. I think the story is amazing as is.
Far too many human -in-equestria stories....well, for my taste. But, to each their own.
5414452 You're right, I've forgotten about those first words... OH WELL!
What does Diction's Welsh snippet mean? Something like "'Tis a challenge fit for a Princess?"
This has to be the first "Human comes to Equestria as a pony" story that I am interested in following. Well done, good sir!
Also:
"Dywysoges" is spelled with only one d.
5415229 It literally does mean "A challenge fit for a Princess".
This was. Nice distraction, I will keep an eye out for more
More please.
I hope he doesn´t speak to soon, but i really enjoy the story till now.
I think i have watched a few more Human in Equestria storys than one, but usually something happens that make it bad for me.
This story however is more than good till now, i would like to read more.
favourite.
I would like longer chapters, but if you are faster with shorter chapters,.....i think i stick with the short ones.
Pretty cool fic.
Perfect Diction speaks Welsh it seems. I wonder which group speaks it in Equestria.
Shouldn't it be "am dywysoges" instead of "i dywysoges"
am = for
i = to (a challenge fit to princess)
Regardless this story is awesome and adorable, Plus its always fun to see anything Welsh in these things
I really like this story.......I want to see how the Mane Six will react......MORE!!!!! Thanks!
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:: incoming head-canon ::
I use Welsh as Equestria's version of Latin. When I say, Old Houyhnhnm, or just Houyhn, That's what I'm speaking of. I picked that language for a reason. Camelot was (believed to be) in Wales. I'd like to think maybe Celestia and King Author knew each other.
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I have only started studying Welsh since a little before I had the idea for this story. It's a hard language. Please correct any mistakes I make.
5416172 I approve of this headcanon.
Very cute! Everyone loves coffee.
hmm he could be a human or he could be something else really to soon to tell. He could be a changeling that was love starved and reverted to a young form for love. Or he could be any number of creatures on Equestria or elsewhere that was turned into a pony some how. The coffee part hints that maybe he was older before he got transformed
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Houyhnhnm: who when um.
5415282 Wait its a human? Oh hell no.
Really like this so far! Please keep updating :D
5416172 Hold up... Houyhnhnms? Where have I heard that name before...? (Tears up personal library to find a copy of Gulliver's Travels) Oh... I see what you did there.
Forgive my ignorance, but English is not my first language. What is a 'torque' in this context?