Celestia looked thoughtful, looking out into the garden outside her chambers. “I don’t know, Page. It’s something I believe you need to decide for yourself.”
I poked the pillow beneath me with my hoof. “…I know,” I sighed. “I’m just wondering what you think will be best? Keep hiding it or reveal? For Equestria I mean.”
Celestia shook her head. “Have you talked to Luna about it?”
“…Not yet. I will tonight. Wondered what you thought about it?”
“Truth is important.”
I grimaced and sighed. “The truth is a dangerous and valuable thing, be careful what you do with it.”
She simply nodded and regarded me calmly, her mane shifting and flowing away from me.
Picking my tea up with my magic, I sipped at it in thought.
Was it over? Would I have to drop the illusion? What would change?
I wouldn’t be able to go out in public without disguise unless I wanted to be recognized… which I already was. What else was new?
Twilight seemed to live a more or less normal life. She was a librarian on the side for Luna’s sake. I didn’t like the attention, but honestly, I was under a lot of it already by being involved with Luna.
Sighing, I shook my head and frowned at the table. “This sucks.”
“Mmmm.”
Grimacing I then nodded. “Okay, so how do we do this? And just so you know, this doesn’t mean I'll pick up anything crownlike, Sunshine.”
Celestia smiled. “Well, one way would be to simply not use your illusion. Let ponies figure it out.”
“If you want riots.”
“You are no fun,” she teased before she nodded. “We will make an official announcement in a few days and then we handle whatever happens after. Or we wait until Luna returns.”
I hesitated and then forced a smile. “…No. No, we'll do it in a couple of days. If we are doing this, I may as well have it be a surprise for her. Meet her with my wings uncovered when she returns.”
“If you are sure. This will be difficult for you, Page.”
Swallowing, I nodded. “I know… but I've been through worse. I’ll deal.”
“We’ll be here for you,” Celestia said and smiled. “Anytime you want.”
I raised an eyebrow at her. “Really Celestia?”
She just smiled innocently at me. “Whatever do you mean, Page?”
I couldn’t help but laugh and shake my head, giving her side a poke with my wing. “Thanks.”
We simply relaxed for a long moment as she left me alone with my thoughts. I didn’t like this, but what choice did I really have? Ponies were already figuring things out. Just rumours now, but…
Might as well come clear about it and get on with my life.
“So, what do we say?” I finally asked. “Just walk out on the balcony and spread my wings and say ‘Yo, I’m an alicorn, deal with it!’ and then walk out?”
That got a small laugh from her. “If you like.”
“What, seriously?”
She grinned and nodded. “Yes. It can indeed be that simple if you like.”
“…How would you do it?”
Celestia tilted her head in thought. “Explain to ponies that you have ascended to being an alicorn for extraordinary feats and abilities. You are now Equestria's fifth alicorn, even if you have decided not to take up a crown to cover other responsibilities for the security and welfare of Equestria.”
“I’m not very good with public speaking.”
“I’ll be there with you. So will Twilight,” Celestia said and smiled. “I can do most of the announcement if you like.”
“…Thank you.”
“What else could I do?” she asked sadly. “I can’t help but feel responsible. I did introduce you to my sister, I was the one that got you involved on this path.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “And there is nothing I could do to express how thankful I am to you for introducing us.”
“I could think of a few things.”
I just snorted. “Be nice, Sunshine. But I should get some writing done. I want the book done by the time Luna gets back. It helps me get my mind off things.”
Celestia nodded with a smile. “I look forward to reading it. I heard it was going to be a horror book?”
“In a ways,” I agreed and sighed. “Working on getting the tone just right. A single world could pivot a line from good to awful.”
“Believe me, I give enough speeches to know.” Celestia sighed before she smiled. “But if you want something else to occupy your mind, I have some ideas…”
I shot her a wary look. “…Like what?”
Suddenly I was very aware of how close she was.
Celestia just smirked for a second before she spoke up again. “Well…” she answered and leaned closer. “It would help if there were less applicants when I had Court,” she finally whispered into my ear.
I swallowed but refused to play her game. “What, want me to keep them out or something?”
“No. But if Night Court could reopen, it would help a lot. Not only me, but ponies wouldn’t need to wait as long,” she answered and shifted her wing across my back. “I would really appreciate it if you could run it until my sister returned.”
I cringed but then shifted my wings and nodded with a sigh. “…Fine.”
I wasn’t overly enthused about it, but I knew I likely needed that kind of experience. If nothing else, it would help me in writing political intrigue.
“Thank you.”
“Welcome,” I sighed and looked down at my tea. “Celestia?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you for everything you have done for me. Helping me when I arrived, introducing me to Luna. Trusting me when you had no reason to do so. Thank you.”
Smiling, Celestia rested her wing across my back. “And thank you for proving me right. For making my sister so happy. For being such a good friend. Sometimes a little trust is worth a lot more than it seems.”
I couldn't help but nod in agreement.
AN// Big thanks to Pietersielie for betaing this section.
This is what happens when you volunteer, Page... Alas.
Still, it would have been hilarious if he went when the 'BAM! I got wings! Deal with it!' approach
This should be interesting. Page dealing with nobles? Pfff, right.
Huh... The chapter has been doubled!!!
Edit: Never mind.
Everything after "Nodding, I sipped my tea." is a repeat.
Other than that, good chapter, if a bit shorter than it seemed.
Used 'a single world can' instead of 'a single word' and left a bit of a double chapter in there. Not sure how you do that
Great chapter as always.
But it has one small problem. The chapter has been copyed
you repeated the entire bit of the first half twice.
Um, weird repeat towards the end, otherwise nice chapter!
8071256 I'm not a big pvp gamer but TF2 is one of the few I enjoy. Nothing beats jumping into a game as a setup everyone on the server claims sucks and dominating the enemy team, demoknight ftw!
Celestia is great in this. :)
I'm always happy to see her in this role.
Btw: I think I see double. Was hoping for an extra long chapter with the 2k+ word count. *sadface*
"There are some rumors floating around that I have become a sort of Demigod, that after my battle with Tirek, I ascended to be something more. A character like me with such obvious flaws to be some kind of super hero, the idea is..."
Celestia whispers to him.
"Right. The truth is.......I am an Alicorn
I hope Luna comes back for the next chapter
"Luna, My Sky, your back."
"Page! You've..."
"Dropped the facade? Yeah. It was fun while it lasted."
"I see, then I suppose I should as well..."
"What?"
With a Shimmer and twinkle an illusion disappears around her midsection revealing very round baby belly.
Blank Page, former human, author, vanguard of the moon, slayer of Tirek, speaker of the hive, and Alicorn of Dreams faints.
Good choice, cut off the momentum of the crowd, too many are already talking, better to get it out of the way before he gets stalked or hounded by the paparazzi and press. If that happened, crazy rumors and speculations could ruin him if he waited for Luna's return.
8072768
"Page, Why are all the Nobles traumatized to the point they almost died in their sleep?"
I am a virtual alicorn. The rumored wings may or may not exist only in my dreams. Any supposed signs of their existence may be attributed to the dream-stuff from Luna leaking out of my ears and onto my back. Seriously, if I was some sort of alicorn, it'd only be in my dreams!
8072827 If he faints, it would be funny if he fell on his side like a fainting goat.
Given the context I think you meant "word".
Anyways, nice chapter.
I thought this was the James Bond-esque book? Which begs the question, the book version of James Bond or the movie version of James Bond? My understanding is that the books tend to be darker than the movies are.
8073191
He already released the 'James Bond' book. No I believe he's working on a ponified version of The Terminator.
Honestly, i think it would be funnier if he just started going around with no disguise, and then gave conflicting answers when asked "how?"
"I woke up one day and there they were. "
"Turns out alicorns are infectuous."
"Mail order."
Umm... you do realized that "a" is singular and "ways" is plural right?
my suggestion is eaither go with "in a way" or "in some ways".
this is going to be a hug change of life for Blank Page he is coming clean to every one and at the same time he does not want any more responsibility but being a Alicorn it is most defiantly going to happen.
I feel for him and what is about to happen to his life.
Ive been following this series since i first found it, and i have to say, this is one of, if not the best series of online books ive ever read on this website! Absolutely fantastic!
10/10 Hiver!
Sincerely,
MorningStarTheMage
That I would love to see.
Nice chapter.
8073237 and more:
"I found out I could hold my breath for 15 seconds."
"The aurora is beautiful this time of year."
"I killed a gryphon with this hoof."
I wonder who with help Page during the night court, I don' think that he knows that much about what he can and can't decree, and anticipate the negative impact of his decisions. I at least needs a aide for that job.
8073392 As a simple guess either Luna's aide or Celestia will talk Twilight into it
8073237
"Turns out alicornication are a STD."
A single world word* could pivot a line from good to awful.”
Irony.
8072921 i.ytimg.com/vi/0EalSGNIxY8/hqdefault.jpg
Irony :)
Celestia knows hoe to coax Page just right.
8073237 "Celestia's giving out free samples! Everypony's invited. Just apply for it in court."
"This horn? Just something I screwed on the other morning."
8075113
"Super glue"
I caught up! Don't know if I'm happy or sad
Classic Celestia manipulation of the gentle nature. Paige doesn't want anything to do with ruling, and Celestia basically just made him honorary Prince to rule night court. Her words weren't full blown made to make him rule it, but she expertly worded it so that he would agree to ruling it in Luna's stead while she was away, thereby netting him into actually ruling! If I had to guess, it's her that's putting the word out about his wings, while keeping herself anonymous.
8079677 Sounds like Sunbutt, to me!
I'm slowly moving into the camp that she wants to hit what her sister has, though, and isn't just trolling. Sharing seems to be the Equestrian way in this timeline. :D
8081126
Sharing is caring!
I didn't know a world could pivot a line.
A word could, but not a world.
Learn something new every day.
Bowchicawow low
This is one of those "Drop the mike" moments isn't it.........Go for it
I just remembered something. Page is basically the prince of artists right? With his domains being creativity, inspiration, stories and dreams. He could do something like what Cadance does by giving artists a spark of inspiration to push them.
A single world can pivot a lot of things at once if you are not careful where you drop it. A single word too, but not as heavy and material most of the time.
Showtime!
- Next Spring: Royal Guard: " Emergancy! Its a invasion force!"
Celestia: "Who is it?
Guard: "Mares your highness..."
Celestia: "How many?
Guard:" All of em. . ."
Celestia: " Prima Noctis!!!
Guard: "Your highness?"
Celestia: "Luna & I get first, Equestria mares second!"
All guardponies in the room: "Hes D-E-A-D!!!"
Huh, you’re right.
10260189
Only in their dreams
Skitter:
"Is it true that Blank Page only shot blanks?"
Luna:
"I have no foal yet..."
Skitter:
"That isn't a yes."
Luna:
"That isn't a no either."
Skitter:
"Can I take him for a test ride?"
Blank Page:
"Why are you asking her and not me?"
Luna:
"Later..."
Skitter:
"Ok..."
Blank Page:
"I feel ignored..."
11641008
Sir?
P o r n o g r a p h y