In The Distant Past

by WatchMeShadow

Happy Birthday

Today marks a special occasion. Paintings, festive decorations, and marble sculptures neatly placed around the castle ballroom. Clean-cut tables near the entrance and a stage with a dancing area near the back. Several unicorns filled the ballroom, with only a few earth ponies. The king and queen were out about entertaining their guest and making sure things ran smoothly. After all it is their daughters fourteenth birthday. Their daughter is a purple unicorn, with emerald eyes, and a long snow white mane that curls near the end. She often wears a purple cloak with a white border and today was no exception.

Princess Platinum was surprised to say the least. Her father and mother have always kept her sheltered and away from their subjects. They have enlisted the aid of a couple unicorns they trusted to teach her about many subjects. With nothing to else to do with her time while they did their many duties, she spent her time learning everything she could. When she was younger they taught her to be good and some basic morals on some things she may have to deal with when she got older. She was a quick learner and had a pretty good memory to boot. That could be because she didn’t have much else to spend her time on. In any event, two years ago her parents decided it was time she learned how to defend herself. She didn’t like it and still doesn’t but they claimed and maintain it’s useful to know. Now that she is in a public forum for the first time she didn’t really know what to do. Sure she has been there on the sidelines to watch her parents work but this is much different. They assured her everything would be fine and she would be safe. That wasn’t what she was worried about at all.

She looked around her and saw lots of unicorns standing around and chatting. She recognized some of them but her attention was drawn to one of her teachers. She quickly but dignifiedly walked up to her. “Miss Noble,” Platinum said slightly bowing in respect.

Noble looked at Princess Platinum and quickly replied with the same type of bowing. “Princess Platinum how do you like the party so far?”

“It’s been very unexpected, but I must confess I have no clue what I’m doing,” Platinum then noticed the pony she had been talking to and did a double take. It was an earth pony, she has only heard things about them in passing. When she has asked about them they only told her that they were trade partners from another nation. She stared at the earth pony awkwardly.

Noble noticed this and quickly interjected, “Oh how terrible rude of me, Princess Platinum this is Minty Rock she’s an ambassador from the earth pony republic,” as she said that Minty gave a nod of respect and held out her hoof.

Confused by this action Platinum merely looked at the extended hoof. Noble quickly realised what was going on, “Oh that’s how earth ponies greet each other, here watch,” Minty quickly extended her hoof to Noble and they shook.

She then re-extended her hoof to Platinum and she repeated the process. “Nice to make your acquaintance Princess Platinum,” Minty said happily.

“You aswell Minty Rock, I must confess Miss Noble I know you taught me what to do in these situations but actually being in them is entirely different than just you and me practising,” Platinum was struggling to get her bearings. With everything that was happening around her she felt like a lot was expected from her and she couldn’t deliver.

“And what situations would those be?” Minty interjected.

Having been taught to respect other ponies she didn’t think much on whether or not she should answer that question. “Well, a party. I know I’m supposed to walk around and meet new unicorns… sorry ponies, but there’s so many and it feels like I can’t meet them all when, and I don’t want to sound vain here but, I’m the reason they’re here, or at least I’m supposed to be the reason they’re here.”

“That’s an interesting conundrum you got there Princess Platinum, and you’d be right. I’m here for dual purposes, one is to increase ties between the earth pony republic and your parents kingdom, and the other is I like birthday parties. So happy birthday,” as she said those last words she pulled out a small box and presented it to her.

Platinum looked at the box questioningly, “What is this?”

“Why it’s a birthday present Princess Platinum,” Noble nudge in.

“What I mean is why is she giving me one, not to sound ungrateful, but we just met,” Platinum clarified.

“Like I said before Princess Platinum I’m here to increase ties between our nations, and I like birthday parties. Congress has allowed me to bring you a gift of my choosing as an ambassador I take pride in finding civil solutions to uncivil situations. That part of my duty now seems mostly over, however the other part of my duty is maintaining civil discourse and building strong ties,” Minty said with pride, “What better way to create stronger ties than earning trust and respect from the future leader of the nation?”

Platinum didn’t want to think about it and she often found other things to think about than her future. Minty however, brought the issue in an elegantly blunt way that she couldn’t help but smile at her, “Yeah, I guess you’re right, but don’t think for one moment this or any future gift will earn my trust and respect because that’s not something you will be able to buy from me. However, I do appreciate the gift.” Platinum bowed and took the gift in her magic.

“Oh I wouldn’t dream of it Princess… Go ahead open it I want to see your reaction, and you will also probably have some questions,” Minty said in an excited tone. Noble looked a little apprehensive thinking things could go horribly wrong but kept those as mere thoughts.

Platinum hovered the box away from her a little and untied the ribbon and slowly opened the box. She looked inside and saw three golden objects in the box. “What are they?”

“Those are rare golden seeds. After a year of near constant maintenance of the wilting flower they produce one of these seeds, which can do many spectacular things. For example they can sprout a huge tree house within seconds, which is very convenient for travel. Create a months worth of food for a family of five. The possibilities are almost endless. Sadly you won’t be able to use them because you’re not an earth pony,” Minty explained.

“Why are they rare if they can be produced in a year?” Platinum asked.

“Ah good question, it’s because the amount of maintenance needed to keep the wilting flower alive for one year is too much for any one earth pony to do alone, in fact it usually takes six to twelve ponies to do that, one month at a time. It’s boring to sit and watch three to five plants all day everyday. If somepony were to mess up at any point before it’s created they will have wasted their time, and not many ponies sign up to do it for those reasons, which is why they’re rare,” Minty said in a lectury way.

Platinum gained a new respect for the seeds she was given, “I can see why you would consider these a good gift. Thank you,” she said with a nod of approval.

Minty looked up and behind Platinum and nodded, “Well it looks like I’m being called over by Dutchess White Script, before I go I would like to say that I think you’re doing fine princess you met me after all. Miss Noble, Princess Platinum,” She bowed respectfully as she said their name and left.

The rest of the party went without a hitch and Platinum had a good time. She met lots of new unicorns. Some of them she felt were leeches tossing her easy compliments and copied opinions. Some seemed real worthy of respect. Her parents requested her to do a speech at the end and she did. That day she saw earth ponies for what they are and she had no complaints.

End Chapter 2

Author's Note:

Well I think this one turned out better than the last one. I introduce the main character. I probable will redo the first chapter to say what I said but better. This one probable needs some help as well.

As always if you see anything wrong or confusing let me know and I'll try to fix it.

Comments

[WatchMeShadow]

6594408 This is just an offshoot of my main story, I do have plans to expand the character base quite a bit in this one. Platinum will be the main character. For now however, I'm working on my main story as it's nearing some pretty emotional things if I write it right.

Unfortunately, for me, my grammar is horrible.

Thanks for checking out this story though.... hmmm I probable should put it on Hiatus. Yeah, I'll do that till I get past this hurdle I got to do with my main story.