Cutting out the Pattern
Noot, noot.
Snails sighed, pulling the covers over himself- the normality of his good old alarm clock, the warmth of the bed, the soft covers. The smell of sheets still holding that fresh from the wash smell. ‘It’s nice just being a colt.’
Noot, noot.
The normality of a new day, a new chance to explore the world, a new chance to find interesting things. Maybe go down and play in the mud by the river, chasing frogs, or help Snips paint the fence. The comfort of living a life with no responsibilities. Opening his eyes for a moment, Snails saw the pink mane. ‘It’s not like I have-’
Noot, noot!
“SCHOOL!” sitting up and blinking, he shook his head vigorously, ‘Not Snails.’ Escargot thought as he took note of his surroundings again. He looked around the strange dorm room- in some ways it felt too large for a single colt or filly alone, even though the princesses had done their best. A larger-than-normal canopy bed had been brought in to eat up space and better retain heat. The small desk and chair had been replaced with some from the castles stock, giving Escargot an elm writing desk with a rolling cover and a matching, high-backed, cushioned chair. Where one of the other beds once stood, a large bookshelf stood, mostly empty, though a few choice books had been added. Finally, the tea table, a gift from princess Celestia.
Noot, noot!
Reaching over, Escargot turned off the alarm clock and hopped out of bed, running for the bathroom. Being late for school wasn’t the bad thing, being late for breakfast though- he might get stuck eating leftovers, or some unrecognizable fancy dish no one wanted, or worse, gruel. ‘What is gruel anyway?’
Diving into the shower, Escargot got himself cleaned up as fast as he could before dressing himself in the school uniform. It wasn’t needed for everyday classes, but it was the first day, and he figured everyone else would dress the same. It felt strange wearing socks, let alone shoes, on his hind legs.
The short skirt just covered Escargot’s cutie mark, and white blouse and green vest just covered Escargot’s back and met up with the skirt. The strangest, though, was the red ribbon around the neck. Escargot couldn’t figure it out, it seemed to serve no purpose whatsoever. Sitting in front of the mirror, Escargot looked at 'herself' before a shiver went up his spine. “Ugg, I actually look cute like this. Why do I have to look cute?”
Standing, he turned and opened the door to his private room. Other girls were already in the halls already heading for the cafeteria, standing around talking, or running back to their rooms. Noi was standing on her hind legs banging on Apple Bloom’s door, while Dinky was pointing at Escargot.
“Well, at least I’m not the last.” Escargot said as she stepped out.
As soon as Escargot stepped into the hall, there was the loud slam of shoed hoof against the stone floor followed by, “Ma’am!”
Lighting his horn, Escargot threw up a shield spell and cowered against the ground for a moment, before seeing the guard beside the door. A female thestral stood, wearing Luna’s traditional dark blue and purple armor, the eye crest in the center of the armor shining in the morning light.
“Wh…who are… you?” Escargot trembled for a moment, dropping the shield and standing up.
“I was assigned to guard your room at night, Princess Luna has ordered one guard to protect you at night, Princess Celestia will have one guard here during the day.” The thestral said, her head held high with pride. “It is my duty to serve.”
“Protect?” Escargot asked, shaking himself out for a moment.
“Yes, the princesses wanted to ensure that nopony enters your room but you.” The guard said standing at attention. “To protect your privacy and honor.”
Several of the girls in the hall blinked. A private guard was unheard off, even the Galaxy family never had one of those. “This filly must be truly special.” One filly oohed.
“She’s probably the most powerful unicorn and needs special care.” Another said with awe.
Galaxy huffed as she walked by, “Breakfast time, let’s get trotting.”
Bounding across the corridor, Giza leapt onto Escargot’s back, kneading her claws a few times. “Sleep well?”
Flinching at the claws, Escargot nodded, “Yep, but it felt strange. Oddly quiet.”
“Too used to hearing thumping sounds at night?” Giza asked looking at Escargot.
“Yeh, I guess, hearing the wind blowing the shutters and the sounds of the trees was relaxing.” Walking towards the door, Escargot looked over her shoulder, “Hurry up, girls. We don’t want to miss breakfast and be stuck eating gruel!”
The cafeteria seemed more like some fancy restaurant, rather than a school cafe. Dotting the room were round tables, each seating up to six foals. The headmasters’ table was a long square table raised on a platform, with a single row of seats, including those marked reserved for Celestia and Luna. The food was served buffet-style for the students, with several chefs standing behind the counter, though there were waiters for the headmasters table.
Walking up to the breakfast line, Escargot tilted his head, trying to figure out the food. Even with labels, things did not make sense. Sparkling apple cider pancakes with a berry compote, overnight baked caramel French toast with chopped almonds and walnuts.
“Muffin tops with meadowcream and buttercream glaze? What happened to the rest of the muffin?” Dinky said, turning her head sideways, “You’d need three of them just to make one muffin.”
“Oatmeal brulee with ginger cream? Come on how could they ruin perfectly good oatmeal, just put apples on it.” Apple Bloom said.
Sweetie Belle oohed, “Amaretto Crème glazed strawberry pancakes? Yes please!”
“These are the best foods made for the best students.” Galaxy said as she picked up a tray and filled it with selected foods. “Even a common unicorn would find things they enjoy. Might I suggest the water? It should be common enough for you.”
“Oh goody, someone who reads Diamond Tiara’s book on making friends.” Noi said, and looked at Apple Bloom, “Hash browns, toast with apple jam, and orange juice for us please.”
“Me too.” Scootaloo held up her tray.
All the food was so regal, but even the colts were eating it. Shaking his head, Escargot looked down the list, “Can I just get some toast with jam, and some of that porridge please?” Heading over, he took a seat at a table with the rest of her group and stirred. “Oats, millet, and barley in milk- not bad I guess.”
Muffled through a pastry, "Are you kidding? This is almost as good as the cakes stuff!"
Looking across, he tried his hardest not to laugh at the little griffin stuffing her beak with muffin tops, cream all over her face.
Laughing, Noi held up a hoof, “Someone get that griffin a napkin! Stat!”
Shaking his head, Escargot groaned and reached out across the cafeteria, grabbing several napkins from the front of the line and bringing them back. “Hold still.” Smiling, Escargot went to work on both sides of Giza’s beak and face at once.
“Argh! The horror!” Gisa said laughing while holding up her claws defensively trying to fend off the dreaded napkin attack of doom.
“Ok now, that’s showing off.” Sweetie Belle said playfully.
Escargot blinked and finished cleaning off Gisa. “What?” Looking around, Escargot noticed a lot of the other unicorns looking at her. “Ok, now what did I do wrong?”
Dinky smiled, “Nothing. I know you’re not used to using magic in public that much, but most unicorns don’t reach out 100 feet or so and grab things. Most generally find 35 feet or so a stretch.”
Sweetie Belle nodded, “Yeah, sis reaches out that far, but she’s had years of practice and training. Don’t worry, we’ve seen what you can do but others might think you’re trying to be a show off.”
Escargot let his head drop to the table and sighed, “So even here I shouldn’t really use my magic…”
Apple Bloom blinked, “This from the one who rebuilt the colts’ clubhouse for them single hooved? No way…”
Puffing out their cheeks, several other unicorns were trying or pulling napkins over the same distance. Looking around, Escargot realized she had accidentally issued a challenge, and now other unicorns were trying to prove they could do it too.
Clinking her glass several times, Raven smiled at the students, “Quiet please, I wish to introduce you to your headmistress, Princess Celestia.”
Walking in with her head high, Celestia trotted over to the teachers table and stood, looking across at the gathered students. Her eyes settled on Escargot.
Gulping nervously, Escargot looked up at the Princess.
Clearing her throat, Celestia smiled, “From chance meetings, to well known families, from accidental encounters, to students who have applied for years to enter here- I welcome you all. Each of you will find something new here, something special. This school will help you grow and learn, not just about magic, but about yourselves. It will help you grow into the mares and stallions you wish to be, or into the mares and stallions you never knew you could become.”
Looking over the students, Princess Celestia takes a breath before starting, “For the first time ever, my little ponies, we have some non-unicorns who are going to be taking classes here too. They have all demonstrated a special magical talent, and a bond that has allowed them control the Elements of Harmony.”
Escargot gulped and lowered his head trying to hide a little, ‘Please don’t single me out. Please.”
“And their leader, Escargot, who has displayed exception magical talent and ability, so much so that she was chosen to wield the Element of Magic itself.” Celestia bowed her head. “So for her service to Ponyville, the Crystal Empire and Equestria itself, she and her friends will be here for this semester.”
Many of the ponies clapped, though Escargot noticed several sour looks. Keeping his head low, he couldn’t help but blush at the attention. ‘Why me?’
Trotting in, Princess Luna looked around the room, her eyes a touch red and bloodshot as she yawned, “Sorry I’m late, it was a long night.”
“Greetings sister, would you like to say anything to the students?” Celestia asked as she took her seat at the table, lifting a small class of tea in the air.
Grabbing a large cup of coffee, Princess Luna walked over and the foals table beside Escargot. “This year is going to see changes. Changes in how we view each other, and how we deal with each other. You won’t be able to expect ponies like Apple Bloom here to battle with spells, but according to Twilight and Zecora, she’s becoming a master potion brewer. You won’t be able to treat all of them like unicorns, but they can all contribute, just like all ponies contribute to Equestria as a whole.”
Many of the ponies clapped and cheered. Both Princesses giving speeches was something truly special, and the foals looked on with awe and Princess Luna gave Escargot a hug with her wing and gentle nuzzle.
Princess Luna stood and walked back over to the head table to take the seat Raven had actually prepared for her. Looking at the tea with disdain, she chose to stick with her coffee- black, double sugar.
Moving up beside Escargot, Galaxy stalked up the filly one last time before speaking to her in a harsh whisper. “That does it. I challenge you to a duel! The school dueling arena, today after class- unless you’re a coward, of course.” Turning, Galaxy walked back up to the buffet line to get herself something else to eat.
Gulping, Escargot looked up, almost in panic, ‘Oh Celestia, what have you got me into?’
And the May 24th National Escargot Day episode :)
I like the new tack on this... the change of venue has brought this closer to its anime roots and provided a nice change of pace for the story. I hope the next chapter comes soon!
Why do I think poor Galaxy has bitten off far more then she can chew? I think we found our new karma chew toy when poor Escargot/Snails gets put down even a little.
just a simple morning in the life of Escargot.
nothing to look at hear just little ole me.
8185959
I gather from your comment you have not read the other snails story's or you would understand snails more.
To paraphrase Ivanova, Snail's is "paying off karma at a vastly accelerated rate."
Seriously Celestia, You put Snails in the spotlight when you KNOW he is uncomfortable with it.
It kinda looks like Celestia and Luna are playing colonel Graff (from "Ender's Game") here by carefully setting up the rest of students against our little main 6 or at least alienated from them. Is this a random side effect or part of some bigger plan?
Loved the new chapter, keep up the great work!
8186459 Yeh, think about how badly she spotlighted Twilight Sparkle.
She gave the little filly her own tower library in the castle, and the only key to it. No pony else was allowed to go there or use it.
Think of how the other students took that that. LOL.
I can see it now... Snails just hiding inside an impenetrable shield for the entire duel.
there pushing then there throwing someone off a cliff that poor kid...
8186908
Hmm, my thoughts were more about "rubbing it into others face" part than about actually doing something nice for Twilight/Snails/etc (which is usually pretty reasonable, well-deserved and unlike Graff).
Still, taking into account that Celestia and Luna are master politicians with >1000 years of experience, that Snails doesn't want such praise and how this chapter actually ended, analogy with shuttle scene in "Ender's Game" looks very funny, although quite stretched.
I like this series so far, but there's something I've noticed that's been nagging at me. While this series borrows the premise of Ranma 1/2 it doesn't really feel like it. It lacks the hijinx, comedy and other happenstances that came to define that manga, and I read and watched enough to know how it went down. This isn't a comedy it's a drama and it's a very effective one. Granted I could appreciate some more scenes that give sympathy to Snails especially since I want this series to end with or at least have in it a part where Snails finally stands up to his father and calls him out for his behavior.
But my original point is in comparing this to another anime with a similar premise: DNAngel because Escargot is treated as more of an alter ego both for himself and in relation to everyone around him, especially since he has to behave differently in either form whereas in Ranma 1/2 the various cursed individuals only behaved differently when they were trying to deceive someone intentionally.
I could really deal with a full on chapter, and not just a throwaway moment in an April Fool's chapter, where Snails/Escargot tells his friends that he feels torn between the two identities, that every time he looks in a mirror he can't see the real him. As Snails he can behave however he wants and no one expects too much of him aside from his father which keeps from using magic, but as as Escargot he can explore his new talent for magic and express himself and use his talent to help people but everyone expects him to behave like a "proper lady" or be more sophisticated which is always awkward. I just know at some point he has to crack and let everyone in Equestria know his secret because it's to tear him apart otherwise,
Damn you Kitsy! You got me addicted to another story again! And you weren't even trying!!!
And want to know what's worse? I finished reading all 3 volumes of what you have so far for this in only 2 days! TWO DAYS!! I need more!!! (T^T) ~Solph
dont mind Sol, he's just sour because his parents shipped us off to the mountains again and reading is the only pass time that we can enjoy here since our friends are all back in the city. Otherwise keep up the good work! ~light
8208470
I am so happy I'm not the only one who got more DNAngel vibes than Ranma vibes
...I gotta go reread the manga. It's been far too long for my liking.
8244288
Here's something funny about that, a while ago I wanted to write a story called DNAlicorn which was an alternate take on Twilight's Ascension where it turns out that "Twilicorn" is actually a second spirit inside her body that embodies the powers of an alicorn and that Twilight has to master and accept her new powers or risk losing herself to the very different personality inside her; this would be that story's explanation as to where Nightmare Moon came from. The final crux of the story would be that no matter what happened either Twilight or Twilicorn's soul would have to be extinguished so even while Twilight learns to be friends with the spirit inside her she is torn apart when she realizes the alicorn spirit cant be saved. And I was planning on naming the chapters of that story each after a line from the english dub of the DNAngel opening song, yeah it's somewhat eerie for me to stumble across this story that did that same idea with the title names even though this is the first time I've mentioned it.
Even so please keep writing, I want to see more.
img09.deviantart.net/5308/i/2017/173/e/0/the_art_of_the_dress_by_skrapbox-dbdmnhc.png
"I. Face. The bully. At. 3.
Repeat!
......
Very good!"
This is almost as good as the cakes stuff
1. Cake's.
Doesn't want gruel - asks for the gruel.