“Lord Page? Lord Page?”
Pausing on the way back to the castle, I looked around until I spotted a white and pink unicorn. Uhm, I knew her from somewhere. What was her name again?
I remember her from somewhere...
A pink and white unicorn mare, just a filly really. Alone in her bedroom. Her mother and father out for some sort of high society gala.
Alone. Not mattering.
Fleur.
Fleur Dis Lee.
That’s her name. I canceled or redirected her dreams to happier places often enough that I would recognize her.
“Miss Dis Lee,” I answered as I stopped with a smile and a nod, while Swift stepped back with Fern to give us room. “It’s been a while.”
Two nights ago, in reality, but she didn’t know that. Last time in this realm was… some of the things Luna wouldn’t let me skip. Something like half a year?
Fleur smiled easily. “Far too long, Lord Page. How have you been?”
“Good, Good. You?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Busy, busy,” she replied before she smiled. “That’s part of what I need to speak to you about. “
I flicked my ear. “What can I do for you, Miss Dis Lee?”
“Please, call me Fleur,” she said with a smile. “I know you rarely attend social events, but I would like to extend an invitation to a charity auction I am holding for the Canterlot Hospital.”
I hesitated at that. “Page then,” I answered and hmmed. “When?”
Fleur cringed slightly,. “Next week. I apologize for the short notice, but you are a difficult stallion to get hold of.”
“Charity auction?” I asked. “Does the Crown not handle the Hospital's budget?”
She nodded. “It does, but the Hospital always needs more. Every little bit helps and it’s a good way for the upper class to give back to Equestria.”
Well, she wasn’t wrong, but that wasn't my first thought as I looked at her. What came to mind first was a little unicorn, alone and hoping to one day matter.
I scraped my hoof against the street for a second in thought before I nodded. “Well, it is for a good cause. I suppose I could make an appearance.”
“Excellent! I’m so glad to hear that!”
I smiled at her. “Just get the details sent to me and I’ll be there,” I told her before I frowned in thought. “In fact, I may be able to do one better.”
Her ears flicked in interest. “Oh?”
I nodded. “Are the items up for auction already selected?”
Fleur shook her head. “No, not until the day before. Would you like to make a donation?”
“Well, not sure if it’s of interest, but I do still have the first drafts of my Jedi series taking up space on my shelf, spelling errors and notes in the margin and all that. Before a bit of a rewrite. Would that be something you would be interested in?”
Fleur stared at me, her ears perking up and she nodded with a smile. “Yes! Yes it would! Thank you so much!”
I shrugged. “Least I could do for a good cause. I’ll have them shipped over to you tomorrow if that’s alright.”
“Yes, thank you! Thank you so much!”
“Just send me the invitation and I’ll be there.”
“Will do! Have a nice evening, Lord Page!”
“You too, Fleur,” I agreed with a nod as she left. Hopefully without any nightmares tonight. As I turned back to head towards the castle with Swift, I made a mental note to check on her later.
It didn’t take long until I saw Swift watching me. “…What?”
“Did you just get invited to a fancy event just walking down the street?”
“Welcome to my life.” I snorted. “Honestly, it doesn’t happen that often. Second time I remember and first I accepted without being pushed into it. Felt like a good cause to be honest.”
Swift slowly nodded. “Sounded like it. Well, always wondered what those fancy things were like.”
“Keep wondering, can’t wander in there with two guards and Amber blends in better,” I said with a smirk. “Besides, those things take all evening. I don’t want to draw the ire of Minuette by keeping you away from home too much. That mare scares me.”
She honestly did.
But it was more of a ‘really don’t want to make her sad as it would make me feel horrible’ way.
“...Point…” he answered and shrugged. “Thanks.”
I suddenly paused and facehoofed. “Oh for… I just realized I need a date for this entire thing. Bollocks.”
“Could always bring Amber along,” Swift offered. “Would solve two problems at once.”
Without visible guard and get a date at the same time. A thought struck me though… hmm…
“On the other hoof, I actually think I know someone who would be interested in this kind of thing. I bet it’s the kind of thing Twilight would like.”
Might as well bring someone who’d like it.
Uh oh looks like we light see some jelly Luna.
Being smooth without even realizing, a natural ladykiller, this one
...Dis Lee?
Do you mean Fleur De Lis?
8007973 http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Fleur_Dis_Lee
Page you HOUND!!! Keep your mits off Cadence she's married for god sake!
Excellent plan Page. He really needs somebody to sit him down and explain how things are perceived at his level in society. If Luna isn't available to go with you; go alone or bring a dude who has a reason for attending the function. We know that you're only bringing her as a friend, but others and ESPECIALLY the media won't know or care. It might not be a big deal all at once but stories/scandals like this grow over time especially if he keeps doing this for a few months. The fact that Luna is far away on a diplomatic mission gives the paparazzi more grist for the mill.
I'd also like to remind everyone to look really closely at the cover-art. I find it interesting that the mares also appear on feathers like Luna, hinting that they may be equals. Are we perhaps hinting that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to how they view Page? I wonder if Luna would have left page alone if she knew the things we know?
Regardless I expect things to get a bit rockier for Page in the future. He should have ran after Luna regardless of how inconvenient it would have been. I fear that circumstances are spiraling out of his ability to manage and hes gonna be boned regardless of what he does.
8007973 In the comic book series she's referred to as Fleur Dis Lee. I much prefer Fleur de Lis as well.
8007973
8007979
Something something copyright necessity, probably.
Or just unfortunate design decisions.
Probably why it's Owlowiscious, not Owloysius, or Cadance instead of Cadence (although that could be argued as a name-versus-object thing, like Wolfe, except pony names don't work like that)
uhm... I wonder if everything will go according to plan. Another interesting Slice of Life chapter, with some light comedy, excellent work.
8007965
When I read that line my first thought was: "Oh no Page, what are you doing? You're not thinking!"
Next day's cover story. Princess Twilight x Lord Page. Where is Luna?
Or maybe the charity auction is one of those Bachelor auction things :p
8007992
I'm more worried that it *won't* be perceived badly by the media and this is just the beginning of that royal herd that was teased in the last chapter. I still ready hope that's not where this is headed...
8007960 more like amused, specially when the media jumps on it and then it will be Page and Twilight who are panicking.
8008229
It is hard to say, but I can see it going either way.
For starters let's take a quick look of all the possible suitors (in no particular order).
Sunset - She has been teasing him for awhile and the two of them have been relatively close. They work together quite a bit and he clearly trusts her. We also can't forget how much Page has influenced Sunset's circumstances in Equestria. He really helped her out and she feels indebted to him. Most importantly they both have that 'outsider' vibe that puts the two of them in a similar mindset, Page because of his humanity and Sunset because of what she was exposed to on the other side of the portal. She is 'gets' him in a way that few other ponies do and Page feels a sense of familiarity, a sense of home on earth, that no other pony can provide in the same way. Easily the strongest contender imo, if she wanted to I bet she could give Luna a run for her money.
Twilight - From what I see Page and Twilight have a close and personal friendship, but I can possibly see it going into something more. Page clearly admires Twilight and he is unique from her perspective. His human origins make him different, something to be studied and learned, intriguing perhaps? :twilightblush :The fact that he is an author of works also is a big plus. Page has been spending more time with Twilight recently though, he has gone from author whose books she likes to Alicorn peer. Page admires Twilight's magical strength and all she has done for Equestira. Mutual flying lessons and him staying in her castle increase their exposure to one another and possibly allow this mutual admiration they have to grow into something else. We also can't forget how Page has been accompanying Twilight on some of her adventures, allowing her to see his capable side. It really isn't that far fetched that something could blossom between them.
Skitter - This one is somewhat more clear. I am convinced that Skitter has the hots for Page. However she is in a delicate position due to being a changeling and her position within the hive. Her insistence that Amber watches over him screams of possessiveness, especially when she expresses her displeasure with him. Considering how Page and Skitter interacted in the earlier stories it is no surprise that she would develop some feelings for him. He helped out her entire species, spent a lot of time interacting with her, and flipped his shit when she was taken away. He is like her first love in many aspects. Considering her lack of presence in this story thus far if something does happen between them is is going to be because she pursues him, although his volunteering for Celestia may bring them into contact again.
Celestia - She's the wildcard. We don't get to peak behind her mask very often so it is hard to know how she feels. Page has been very beneficial to Equestria and he has been good for Luna too. He is trying to think of Celestia as a pony, not a princess, so this may cause some of her formality to break down around him. He also cheats by looking at her dreams. This one seems the most unlikely imo. Cadance's eagerness to hook them up DESPITE the fact that he is with Luna is the most concrete evidence that something is going on. As to what it is is anyone's guess.
All of this is just my own musings. I don't know if Page is going to end up knocking his belt a few more times. One thing we should keep in mind is that Page is dumb as bricks when it comes to this kind of thing. It took him ages to realize that Luna had him in her sights, and any 'herd' situation would be greatly hindered by this blindness of his. Unless the other mares go after him his track record suggests that he won't notice anything. For this reason I don't think it will happen. Each mare has different reasons NOT to go after Page. Sunset has her confidence and guilt issues plaguing her. I think she has half convinced herself that she doesn't deserve to be happy, and I can't see her moving on Page knowing how much trouble it would cause him. With Twilight it is her introvertedness coupled with the fact that she would be taking him from Luna. I think it would be hard for Twilight to step up and confront those sort of barriers. Skitter owes a lot to Equestria, as do the rest of the changelings. Being a homewrecker and nabbing the consort of an ally is bad form in that respect and I would expect Skitter's mother to slap her down rather than compromise all they have gained. With Celestia I can't see her trying to steal her sister's stallion, especially considering their history. This goes without mentioning the scandal it would cause, something Celestia would be keen to avoid and prevent.
This is assuming that herds are not acceptable in this Equestrian. If they are common and not frowned on I can see one or more of them making a move on him. Especially if he keeps obliviously leading them on.
Sorry for wall of text I lost control.
Nice chapter, good work.
8008285
Well, for the last bit, it was mentioned in one of the other stories that herds are legal but uncommon. So it could definitely happen. And there are, as you mentioned, a lot of individual reasons for the various mares to be interested in him.
But my big qualm with it isn't whether it could happen, but whether it should happen. And I think your post (likely unintentionally) hits on one of my biggest problems with it. There's a lot of speculation about things like whether the mares would be interested in him, or whether he'll notice their advances, or who could give Luna a run for her money. But what about whether or not they'd be ok with sharing him like that? What about whether or not Luna, most importantly, would be ok with sharing him? Especially since this will likely go the route of a typical anime wish-fulfillment-fantasy harem instead of a true polyamorous relationship.
And all the pieces have been falling into place for exactly that to happen. All of them have shown obvious interest in him, Twilight and Sunset have been spending all that alone time together, same with Skitter and Celestia, Luna's out of the picture so he can stumble his way through leading all of them on, and Cadance is already dropping hints that there will be plenty of outside interference to make things happen that way. And so far, the vast majority of the political concerns and consequences in the story have been completely glossed over, so even that isn't likely to influence how things go.
As things stand right now, I could maybe see it working out with Celestia and having Luna be ok with it, depending on how close they are. But the others? I have a hard time seeing them getting involved and having it all work out. Especially since he'll likely end up picking up all four of them more or less at the same time. Contrary to what fiction may tell us, maintaining a relationship is hard. It takes a lot of time and effort even to keep a single partner happy. But five? Especially when they're all competing for your time and attention? I seriously worry whether or not it can be done believably.
8008002 The Fleur De Lis existed before copyright.
no page did not just mess up no Luna would not like to go to this at all.
no she cod not go as some other pony yep all will be good.
I am starting to think that the story is set up for Page to have Celestia and Twilight interested in him.
*clicks on the next chapter button and gets confused when a drop down menu appears*
Crud, that was a new chapter.......
8008572 or.. and stay with me on this.. all the characters whose faces are in the feather on the story cover image
8008514
Exactly. So they likely couldn't copyright (or whatever) Fleur de Lis.
Or a moronic intern somewhere picked the name out of ignorance.
8009338
...Yeah...it seems like more and more the case isn't it? Lord Page is going to have a harem...Hiver don't disappoint me with the outcome.
8007979
The tag for Fleur is here in Fimfiction is also "Fleur de Lis" so... maybe the wiki has a typo or it's realy a copyright thing...
Ok, it's interesting…
I like the herding concept since it works with horses/Ponys not sure if it would work here but one thing is definitive.
A lifetime is a long time to stay together without problems or getting a divorce, most people don't get to 50 years.
An eternity is way longer and that's where the herd concept could get in quite nicely.
I'm actually unsure if the concept of immortality in such a situation is romantic or a nightmare.
Having someone die that you love is terrible but slowly falling out of love because you're drifting apart…
Well and I want Celestia and purplesmarts happy. :)
Curse you hiver for making page shippable with all the princesses including skitter.
8012388 on the otherhand you never have to see your partner, your love grow old and die if theyre an immortal, same thing for their kids in a way they never have to see their parent die, theyll always be there for them.
just saying, immortality and death doesnt have to be all bad
8012438 Very true.
For me immortality is a blessing and a curse at the same time. (Actually "Forever" had a pretty good representation of how I imagine it.)
The really good thing is, immortality means there will always be a story to write. So the sequels will never stop. :D
8007965
"I don't care. I ship it."
Kinda disappointed he's not taking skitter
8012458
Ah, yes... I truly can’t wait for TerMANEator Volume 100: Electric Boogaloo...
8012458
there will never be an ending, just a point when the storyteller will stop writing
Twilight and Page on a Charity event? That got to be a huge event ♡
10968080
Can't wait to see that news article.
This causes me pain, I know it's her "official" name, but it really should be Fleur de Lis.
11556809
Makes me cringe every time I see it
Who will come to Pages herd next? Twilight or Sunbutt? I think Cadance will be last...
11314697
Lord Blank Page and Twilight Sparkle!
He reached for the sky and it wasn't enough, now he dates former star pupil and now Alicorn of Magic.
Is Lord Blank Page hero of Equestria and its allies and slayer the coming Alicorn layer?
Who knows... maybe he adds Princess Celestia to his Alicorn collection next! ... But seriously, this reporter thinks Lord Blank Page would need to grow a pair if wings to get all three into his collection.
- Article from the Canterlot hot gossip & news.
11579884
That's how I feel about "Cadance" and "gryphon." I blame Pen Stroke for popularizing "Owloysius" in "Past Sins." 🦉
Edit: It doesn't help that griffin, griffon, and gryphon are interchangeable, and "griffon" is a breed of dog.