43 — Naked Panic
“In the meantime,” Twilight said, “as long as you are here, would you like to see a bit more of magic? Not just, as someone put it, ‘parlour tricks’?”
Both men nodded and said, “Yes, please.”
She smiled happily and picked up a small box on the table at her side. She floated it over to the Prime Minister. “Here,” she said, “take a look at this and tell me what you think.”
He took the floating item and examined it. “It looks like a small replica of a standard travel trunk.” He hefted it in his hand. “Weighs about as much as a pack of cards.” He looked at her questioningly.
She floated the ‘replica’ from his hand and placed it on the floor between them. She walked over to it and crouched. She looked to her right, at him, smirked, pressed the emblem that took up much of the top, and stepped back. There was a moment’s silence as they all just stared at the tiny trunk. Then, it abruptly started to grow larger.
All three men sat back in their chairs.
There, in front of them, was a standard travel trunk. A third of a meter tall, two-thirds of a meter wide, and a full meter long.
Lady Dash laughed at their expression. Lady Rarity said, smirking, “Makes travel much easier when you can carry all your luggage in your pocket.”
The men exchanged amazed glances. Castor knew this technique alone would revolutionize travel and shipping everywhere. Were there limits on the size of the things that could be shrunken? He imagined an entire cargo ship of goods small enough to carry aboard a plane. No more weeks or months spent at sea, or cargo lost as ships sank in storms or collisions. Near instant delivery of goods across the world. Even big lorry deliveries could be made by motorcycle, reducing traffic and fuel usage.
Except, he realized, what about weight? If the weight remained the same no one could lift the shrunken items. But the Equestrians didn’t seem bothered by that issue. And if it was a problem, they wouldn’t so casually talk of putting a trunk weighing dozens of kilograms in a pocket!
“Pick it up,” invited Lady Jack, snickering.
Cautiously, knowing there was a trick involved from the barely restrained giggling coming from Lady Dash, who had turned from the windows and was now watching them, Major stood and walked over to the trunk. He grabbed the middle handle and gingerly lifted it. It rose easily. He gave the Equestrians a disbelieving look. “It’s heavier than before!”
The Princess nodded. “Yes, it has what is known as a feather-weight charm on it that reduces its weight when it’s shrunken to pocket size. Plus, it will never weigh more than about triple what it weighs now no matter what you place in it.”
The Prime Minister frowned. “So, it’s empty?”
She grinned, “Not quite. Lay it back down and open it.”
Again, expecting a trick, he cautiously followed her instructions.
The trunk was empty.
“Watch,” she said, stepping into the trunk as Major stepped back to give her room.
As soon as she was standing in the trunk, she started to go down. The men watched, wide-eyed, as she rather quickly disappeared into the trunk. They all three moved closer and looked inside to see her waving at them as she sank into a room below them.
“Gangway,” shouted Lady Dash, diving into the trunk before the Princess reached the bottom. Startled, they all stepped back, hearing laughter coming from below them. The Prime Minister bent down and picked up the trunk by its handle, angling it so they could see that there really wasn’t a hole through the floor. He set it back down.
“When the elevator gets back up there, just step inside to join me. There’s more to show you down here,” the Princess said.
“Hurry,” cried Lady Pie from inside the trunk, “There’s cake in the kitchen.”
How had she gotten past them?
Thus began a short tour that had both ministers almost physically drooling at what this ‘alien technology’ would do for England.
That was the best way to present it to the public, the two men later decided. After all, hadn’t a British science-fiction writer once said, “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”? And this certainly fit that description!
And Wootten later instructed Castor, “The word magic is to be stricken from your vocabulary. It is ‘Alien Technology.’ If you hear someone refer to it as magic, you are to correct them. Laugh and say, ‘Yes, it does look like that sometimes, but it’s not, it’s simply a highly-advanced alien technology.’ Or words to that effect. And the aliens’ abilities are to be called telekinesis, should anyone see them.”
But for now they were awed at the potential this one ‘technology’ could provide. Housing would no longer be a problem. Nor urban sprawl. No longer would space be a problem in London. Even the smallest efficiency flat could be a full-sized, luxurious four-bedroom home with a spacious kitchen, dining-room, lounge, sitting-room, smoking-room, and four and a half bathrooms. Not to mention the implications it had for cars and lorries — a smaller vehicle that would provide more room on the expressways, deliver better mileage because of the decrease in size and weight, and yet have more room inside for passenger comfort and cargo. If it could be integrated properly, their competition would be left wondering just what the bloody hell the British had done!
In fact, you could turn a small lorry into a mobile mansion that would put Castle Howard to shame.
Castor, on the other hand, and because of his previous career in the Sport and Social, was more concerned with the military implications — an L86 automatic rifle with grenade launcher and sighting systems reduced from ten kilograms to less than half-a-kilogram, including tiny magazines that could hold thousands of rounds and hundreds of grenades. You would never have to reload in the field, nor worry about running out of ammo in any except the most extreme cases. Your fire limit would probably be when the barrel melted — but there was probably a magical fix for that, too. And a small card-sized pack on your equipment belt that could hold weeks of rations, all the necessary toiletries, and as many changes of clothes as you could want. Or even a modest one-room cabin with fully-stocked kitchen, shower, and toilet! Even the most rugged terrain imaginable would be easily tolerable. Suddenly, military mobility sky-rocketed. Military planes that could fly around the world without refuelling, and not have to pay a penalty in carrying all that extra weight. Nor ever be concerned about re-arming after firing their weapons. A single jet could have the firepower of an entire squadron.
On the other hand, and very troubling, was that this space compression meant an invasion force with hundreds, or thousands, of troops, with all their equipment, could easily slip through the portal in a single rucksack. If the ponies weren’t telling the truth about themselves and what they wanted, then humans were well and truly boned.
And if terrorists got their hands on this? Or drug smugglers? The damage that a single person could do would be incalculable. He would have to ask the Equestrians if they had a way to detect people using this magic. And if they said no, hope they were wrong.
۸- ̰ -۸
After having finished both the cider and some of the best cake they had ever tasted, which Lady Pinkie had insisted they sample, they returned up to the house. They had no sooner arrived when a man rushed in the front door. “Princess Twilight Sparkle,” he gasped, coming to attention as soon as he saw her in the sitting-room. “Princess Celestia . . . ,” he stopped and looked at the three non-Equestrians, then rapidly moved closer to the Princess and spoke to her quietly. Her eyes got bigger, then her pupils narrowed down, and she started breathing heavily.
“Oh my gosh!” she said startled. “Oh my gosh,” she repeated aghast. She suddenly changed to a pony and began trotting in place. She looked over at three men. “Princess Celestia would like to meet you, Prime Minister! She’s waiting just on the other side of the portal! Oh my gosh! I never expected her to do that so soon!” She began pacing back and forth. “I should have known she would want to meet the Prime Minister today. What’s wrong with me?” she wailed. “She’s going to be so disappointed! What am I going to do? What should I do first?” Stray hairs began poking straight out from her mane, giving her the appearance of someone slightly unhinged, and becoming more so by the moment.
From the way the others were rolling their eyes and face-palming, Castor got the idea that the panic the purple pony was going through was normal.
“I didn’t even think of her meeting the Prime Minister today — just canceling her daily court session and coming here! I didn’t even think of that! I left that completely off my list!” She gasped, and a scroll suddenly flew up out the bag on the floor by her chair, with what looked like a quill and inkpot. The scroll unrolled across the floor as she frantically began to scan it. “This changes everything!” she cried out, and the quill began to fly across the scroll. She darted over to the Prime Minister and sat, looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes, ears laid back, chin quivering, one hoof lifted beseechingly, “You will agree to meet her, won’t you?” In the background, the quill was scratching away at the scroll. Spike, the dragon, was shaking his head and sighing while watching her.
And, right there, Castor realized the human race was doomed. Only the most heartless, vicious criminals would be able to resist those puppy-dog eyes and posture. Humanity’s only hope was that the ponies never realized their hidden power.
John Major never had a chance. He stared down at the terminally-cute and adorable purple-pony, sighed, and said, “Why yes, of course I will. If she travelled all the way from Canterlot to the portal, it would be churlish of me to not reciprocate.”
“Oh thank you, thank you,” she cried hurling herself at him, hugging his waist and burying her head against his chest. “You don’t know what this means to me!” she said, half-muffled by her position. Castor watched as the Prime Minister stroked the back of Princess Sparkle’s head with a bemused expression.
“TWILIGHT!” Lady Rarity said, disapprovingly. Lady Rainbow took a more direct approach, after an exaggerated eye roll, and flew over to her and began prying her friend off the Prime Minister. Spike joined her.
“Please excuse my . . . cousin,” Prince Blood said to the Prime Minister and his Deputy. “She is very obsessive about her plans, she creates a new list daily of everything she thinks will happen.” He paused. “Every contingency is covered. So when something unexpected happens that she didn’t include, she gets quite excitable.” He gave a disapproving look at her.
“Twi, calm down or you’ll make us late to meet the Princess,” Spike said.
Princess Sparkle suddenly bolted backwards a step, half-crouching. “Princess Celestia is waiting!” The bag beside the chair suddenly flew across the room and wrapped into place on her back, the quill, inkpot, and scroll following rapidly and hovering over her back, the quill still making notes. Just as suddenly, Spike floated up into the air and onto her back.
There was a flash of light, the tinkling of bells, and the Princess, Spike, and her writing implements disappeared.
The three men stared at the empty spot where she had been. The Equestrians all sighed deeply. Prince Blood was holding his hand to his face, with his eyes closed.
The Prime Minister looked up. “What just happened?”
Prince Blood sighed, again, and answered quietly. “She teleported to the portal. It’s a skill all alicorns possess. Once she realizes we aren’t there, she’ll come right . . . .”
There was another flash of light and tinkling of bells, and Twilight reappeared, looking even more frazzled than before. Spike appeared to be just as dazzled as the rest of them.
“. . . back.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she cried running in a small circle, ending facing the two ministers. “I’ll take you right there!”
“Wait!” cried Lady Rarity, as they suddenly appeared inside the tent. Fortunately, no one had been seated. The three humans gasped at the abrupt transition. Twilight spun to run down the centre aisle to the portal. “Hurry, Celestia’s waiting . . . .”
“Woah there, honey,” Lady Jack said, not quite tackling the mare, but wrapping her forelegs around the distraught princess. “You don’t want Princess Celestia to see you in a panic!” She started rocking her slightly. “Remember what Cadence said, deep breaths, deep breaths,” the mare said. “Breath in through the snout . . . hold it . . . breath out through the muzzle.” She suited her actions to her words and prompted the purple pony to follow suit.
After several repetitions, Princess Sparkle’s mane no longer looked so frazzled and she began to calm down. After another moment, she stopped and looked around the room.
Castor was amazed to see that he could actually see her face turn red through her fur as she blushed, realizing how she had acted.
“I’m sorry,” she said, looking at the floor, then looking up at the three men. “It’s just that . . . well, Princess Celestia is waiting . . . .”
Prince Blood said, “Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister.” He inclined his head slightly, “Welcome to the portal station on the Equestrian Embassy grounds. The doors on the left and right,” he gestured towards them with his cane, “lead to changing rooms for those people who change when going through the portal.” He smiled. “It is easier to change clothes while in human form. There are suitable robes available in each room for humans to wear to maintain modesty while transitioning. They are easily put on or removed when in either form.” He smiled at them.
“We provide these for our guests, as we usually do not wear clothes in our world except as protection in certain jobs and as status symbols, and thus, are not perturbed by their lack.”
He turned to the princess. “Princess Twilight, will any of our guests today need to use the changing rooms?” He glared at her sternly.
“Oh, er.” She looked at him, abashed. “Let me check.” She turned to the three humans and studied them a moment. “I’m going to cast a spell. It won’t harm you. I’m merely looking to see if you have enough magic to transform to a pony when you go through the portal.” She stared at them, concentrating.
Princess Twilight grinned at Castor. “The Prime Minister John Major and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine will have no problems going through the portal. Detective Inspector Searle, however, should probably put on one of the robes, just in case.”
Prince Blood nodded. “Excellent.” He looked at the two men. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be just a moment.” He looked at Castor and gestured at the door on the right, which, Castor noticed, now had the emblem of man on it. The Prince followed him into the changing room.
The Prince Blood removed and carefully folded his jacket, and then placed it in a basket with his name on it. The basket was on a shelf with many others, all named. A second shelf, a bit lower had empty baskets, none named. On the opposite wall were a series of hooks with multi-coloured robes, a bench below them.
Castor started removing his jacket. The moment his jacket was in the basket, his name appeared on the front. Momentarily non-plussed, he stared at it, then shrugged and continued to undress.
Both wearing a robe, Castor followed the ambassador out the other door into the hall to the portal, joining the two ministers and Princess Sparkle, now also wearing a robe.
“I shall go first, Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister,” the Prince said. “Just walk at a normal pace. You’ll notice the sign just above our heads with the name Sweet Apple Acres. There will be a slight moment of disorientation. There is a railing on the other side, just like this side, so if you feel the need for that reassurance, just grab the railing.” He nodded at them and then walked into the tree, disappearing.
“Would you like me to go first?” asked Castor quietly.
Major gave a quick shake of his head, then strode towards the tree, followed quickly by Heseltine, and then Castor.
The experience was at once strange, and yet at the same time, not that strange. It was like walking into a photographic darkroom through a “light-lock.” One moment you’re in brightly lit closet, then it’s darker as the wooden door behind you closes, then lit again as the wooden door in front of you opens. Only in this case, he stepped outside and promptly fell to his hands and knees.
Only, they weren’t his hands and knees, he was standing on hooves.
Both Major and Heseltine were staring at him as he looked up at them. It was difficult to say who was more surprised. It was one thing to have someone say, this might happen, and another to actually see it happen.
Suddenly he was lifted up and moved to one side and put back down. Before he could panic, though, he heard the Princess behind him say, “Yes! I thought that was sufficient magic!” He looked over his shoulder to see the purple Princess standing beside and slightly behind him. “Congratulations, Mr. Searle, you are a pegasus!” She smiled at him, hopping in place, as if proud of an achievement. “You’ll have difficulty walking, at first,” she continued, so let me carry you in my magic.”
He felt his feet and hands . . . hooves . . . lift off the wooden deck. He looked down and saw that he was floating a few centimeters in the air. Then it hit him. Pegasus? He turned his head. He had wings! The mere thought of them made them shoot out, almost like he was flexing a muscle on the back of his shoulders. Unfortunately, that reaction had him smacking the Princess in the face with his wing.
“Ack!” she said stepping back.
The wings folded back down almost as fast as they had extended.
“I’m sorry” he said, hurriedly, “I didn’t know they would do that.”
Lady Dash was already laughing at him, and the others were covering their mouths with a hoof, snickering.
“It’s okay,” Princess Sparkle said dismissively. “You’ll learn to control them, later.”
“Yeah,” said the Rainbow Dash, “you shoulda seen how many times Twi knocked things over in the library or gave somepony a face full of feathers before she learned to control her wings!” And laughed some more.
“PRINCESS CELESTIA!” Twilight suddenly exclaimed and Castor abruptly found himself several meters away from where he had been, facing a beautiful white horse with both wings and a very long horn. And she looked much more like a horse than the ponies looked like ponies, with long delicate legs. Even sitting, she towered over the ponies around her. Her most striking feature, though, was her extremely long and gorgeous mane, which seemed to be made of green, blue, violet, and pink hair that weaved and wove like flames in a breeze that he couldn’t feel.
Castor had had the opportunity to see many horses in his travels, and he could say that, without a doubt, this one put all the others to shame. Not only was she immaculately groomed, but she seemed to slightly glow and radiated a faint heat. Her regal appearance was helped by the gold crown on her head and the gold . . . it was too big to be a necklace . . . chest piece, both with an enormous purple gem centred on them. The gold shoes on her hooves certainly contributed to that image. She was seated before a low table with a tea service in place. She was watching the purple alicorn with more than a little amusement.
“Good morning, Twilight,” she paused to take a genteel sip of her tea. “Why don’t you introduce your guests?”
Once that bit of purple-panic had finally calmed down, with another time-out for the excitable princess to practice her breathing exercise, the eleven of them were seated in armchairs — the three humans — or on pillows around the table with Princess Celestia, and enjoying a cup of quite excellent tea.
“Thank you for coming through the portal, Prime Minister Major, Deputy Prime Minister Heseltine. I always find it makes things easier when the ones in charge meet each other. I hope that today we will be able to begin a long and fruitful association.”
Castor knew he should have paid more attention to what was being said, but he was too involved in trying to figure out just how it was that a pony, himself, with hooves instead of hands, somehow managed to grasp the handle of a tea cup. It should have been impossible. The hooves were hard keratin. He verified that by with a mild tap against the side of his head. Yet, somehow, he could see it flex and bend around the cup-handle and actually hold the bloody cup as he drank from it.
He did notice, though, that oddly enough, the things that seemed to attract the ponies’ ruler’s attention the most, as they talked, were in the category of literature, both written and audio/video, and music. The technical items didn’t seem to be of as much interest. Princess Twilight, however was entranced by the subjects of technology and science, with Princess Celestia gently moving the conversation away from that whenever it came up.
By the time they had finished several cups of tea, the Prime Minister had secured a promise that several pony doctors would come to the portal to examine some human patients to see if their “technology” would work. Once they had a few successes on this side, they would try them on the other, and then see about expanding their services to the general population.
Similarly, explanations and classes on their “space” expansion and feather-weight “technology” were tentatively scheduled.
As they were standing, however, the Prime Minister stopped and looked at the Equestrian ruler, who was on eye level with him.
“There is one other thing.” He paused for a long moment, clearly debating whether he should speak. “Princess Twilight has said that your ponies, in their explorations around Little Whinging, and London, haven’t discovered any people who could do magic.” He paused and looked at Princess Celestia.
She tilted her head questioningly.
The Prime Minister looked at his Deputy, then back at her. “In view of the fact some of our people do have magic,” he nodded his head at Castor, “would it surprise you to know that there is an entire group of people who know all about magic? And can use it?”
Heseltine stared at him, clearly surprised, as did Castor and Yueshi.
Celestia smiled. “I would expect it, actually,” she said softly. “After all, it takes more than a little magic to create a portal, even by accident.”
Still smiling, she added, “And yes, we have met them. In fact, they came to us, first, not that they knew of the portal, or even that it exists.”
She turned slightly to look at the startled alicorn. “My most faithful student, Twilight, has already met them.” She giggled delicately, “They think we are from a place in your world they call Atlantis. An island hidden from the rest of your world through powerful magics.”
She looked back at the Minister.
He and the others were staring at her.
“They have told us of their Statute of Secrecy,” she continued, “of keeping themselves separate from the normal population. We, of course, abided by their wishes and haven’t mentioned them to any of your people. And, naturally, we haven’t mentioned our desire to establish relations with your world to them.
“The fact that we are, demonstrably, from a different world means that our use of magic in no way indicates the presence of their hidden society. As long as they behave themselves they are in no danger of being exposed.”
She smirked. “In fact, it will help them. Once the public discovers our abilities, many of the wizards’ accidentally-seen small magical displays will be attributed to us. Which will draw attention away from their society.”
She tilted her head slightly. “Will you be telling them of our conversations?”
Slowly, the Prime Minister shook his head. “I have no way to contact them. I only know of their existence because their Prime Minister introduced himself to me on the first day I was in office. He said that, with luck, we would never talk again, that he would only contact me in the event of an emergency.” He paused.
“There is a portrait in my office that is supposed to be my link to their side, but I’m not sure how it works. It just started speaking to me that day, telling me the Magical Prime Minister wanted to see me. I don’t know if it works the other way.” He shuddered. “I use my office only for myself, all meeting with other officials takes place in meeting rooms, without paintings. I would abandon it completely, but then they might do something else.” He scowled. “They probably have spies watching us.”
She nodded. “Yes, they do seem to be a bit arrogant in their dealings with normal people. Perhaps you should try to contact them and tell them aliens from far away have contacted you and you felt they should know. And then we shall see what they say. Use words other than magic to describe our abilities, if it comes up, such as what you call Extra Sensory Perception.” She gave her head a little shake at the thought of such a simple thing being called that. “Or, specifically, telekinesis, which Twilight tells me our magic most frequently looks like. Just insist it’s not magic but ESP or telekinesis.” She smirked again. “That way they can’t say they weren’t warned when they discover the truth. You will be blameless. And you have told them nothing but the truth.” She smiled serenely.
Back in Little Whinging, as the two ministers were getting ready to leave, Princess Sparkle said, “Before you go, you should take these with you.” A woman came outside the house carrying two fabric briefcases. “These two briefcases have the expansion charm on them. They have about half-a-cubic meter of space inside them.” She smirked. “Physical proof so those to whom you tell the secret won’t think you have — what’s the phrase? — gone completely bloody barking barmy?”
Watching as the four cars pulled away, Castor turned to the Princess. “That was certainly impressive,” he said.
She smiled at him. “I hope they agree to keep our secret.”
He smiled back. “I can’t imagine them saying no.”
She grinned happily.
“On the other hand,” his expression turned serious, as did his tone. “I have to ask in my capacity as a member of the Surrey Police, what can you tell me about Harry Potter?”
۸-ꞈ-۸
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The next two chapters have not been as thoroughly edited as normal (only re-read six times). If you notice any errors, please tell me.
but why this man look like a burn victim
Boom, Castor drops the bomb.
Wooo! Excellent chapter!
Glorious! Oh this just keeps getting better and better! You have done marvelously in making this engrossing and enchanting. Every update is only making me hunger for more. Thank you for being awesome!
700 likes? I only see 698! You lied to me!
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If you check the actual statistics page, it says 700+. It almost appears as if the Story Page number are about twelve hours off updating.
I am not quite understand what Equestrians tried to do in this chapter. Tried to pass human wizard's trunk as one of 'their' technologies? (I knew they already reverse-engineered the whole thing, but points still stand)
On one hand, it was true that they never claimed this trunk was 'their' invention to begin with. And by revealing the human's original magic creation, they could prove the existence of magic without showing any of their own cards.
In addition, if this trunk is well-received, then maybe muggles might warm up to the human wizards' technologies better when it was revealed later?
Or is it better to disguise the magic items as 'aliens' technologies' like Princess Celestia suggested? I personally don't think the wizards like their idea being pirated like that - even though many muggles might accept the concept of 'alien technology' better than than 'magic'. (since most still view magic as something dark and sinister despite Gods and Angels also do magic)
Caster.... do you really want to plunge even deeper into this rabbit hole?
Hmmm surprising Twilight demonstrated magic using the wizards trunks considering they're probably still fully integrating those techniques into their own society.
So the PM does know about the wizards, isn't sure how to contact them
(Of course they didn't feel any muggle emergency might need to be passed on to THEM) and is going to claim everything they do is alien technology. Wonder how that'll work with the statute of secrecy enforcers when they show up.
Also it seems like Castor isn't Twlight's brother, shame I was rather looking forward to her reaction to that especially when already stressed. On another hoof he's asking about Harry and that is going to be an interesting conversation. A very interesting conversation. If he thinks Twilight begging is bad he's going to hate the CMC's 3 pony puppy eye technique, especially if Harry joins in. 3 cute little fillies and a colt with big, pleading eyes, a raised hoof and ears tilted just that little bit all positioned so no matter where you look you see 2 or more of them.
9134429
Ok I'll keep an eye out for an any on the next two chapters.
9134429
I didn't see any.
I can’t help but wonder how the ward Albus put up that prevents someone from removing Harry from the Dursley’s “care” hasn’t fallen yet. Given that a) he hasn’t lived there for over a year and b) the Dursleys have likely lost custody due to being investigated for child abuse.
9134500
The police are more concerned with finding Harry then they are with removing him, officially, from the Dursleys' custody. Hence, the magic needs to do nothing -- if it's still there.
9134475
Maybe a bit of add, wait, remove action going on.
9134475
I don't care as long as I got an extra chapter. And I already saw number '700' when I typed this comment. (still waiting for the second chapter)
While the past few chapters have been great, I'm really looking forward to getting back to the Potter Herd.
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Considering the spells involved could easily be redone with Equestrian magic, it might even be true. Those two briefcases that the PM and his underling were given were specifically not bought from the wizarding folk. Likely personally enchanted by the Equestrians(if not Twilight). They're taking liberties, to be sure, but the wizarding world doesn't have anything like 'copyright' on the magical spells they have. But then, no one has ever really considered a need for that sort of thing. If someone can learn to cast a spell, they can use it as they will(except for the unforgivables). And this is an alien culture subsuming their spells and making them their own with such a relative effortlessness.
I could see the Wizards trying to kick up a fuss about it... ...if they ever found out. But how?
As always, looking good. Keep it up.
9134509
Oh, I thought they would have lost custody by virtue of being investigated for child abuse. I know I have seen that happen in the US but then I’m not familiar with how things work in Britain.
There have been attempts to take the portait down but it's charmed so that its impossible to remove from the wall. Another fun fact, the fire place in the PM's office is connected to the floo network so that the Minister for Magic can easily travel there when needed.
9134451
We really get a lot of use out of those two seconds, don't we.
If wishes were ponies would an ellipsis have four periods in it
9134546
In the US custody can only be officially changed if the adults are convicted of wrongdoing. While some Child Services agencies in some states take children and place them in foster homes simply because of accusations, they can not change custody until convictions are rendered in court. And some agencies have found themselves sued for interfering in custody by doing those things. The parents usually win.
9134580
Ellipses in factual articles, i.e. three periods in a row, indicate that the there are words in-between what is quoted that the author has left out to shorten a quote. (for example: “You know you’re in love . . . because reality is finally better than your dreams.”) Four periods in a row indicate that the entire rest of the quote has been left out. (for example, “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep . . . .”) [The full quote I used is: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”]
The title here is a play on the old quote, "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride." Since I am leaving off the rest of the quote, a period at the end of the ellipses is correct grammar.
To quote from one of the Cracked: After Hours episodes,
"It's ostensibly magic. I can't explain it! YOU can't explain it!"
Is Celestia going to tell the Minister that people with dormant magic can gave children with active magic, but that the Ministry still refuses to take responsibility for these families even though even people with dormant magic can still make runes and potions and see through anti muggle wards (as according to JK Rowling).
That's why places like Leaky Cauldron look the way they do. To discourage muggles who have dormant magic from entering these places... wizards hate Squibs even though they still have some magical abilities, they just can't directly cast it (Like how Filch was learned magical crafts in the books)
I explored the idea some in my own Harry Potter story but it's not the focus
It would be closer to Psychokinesis, really.
And believe me, there IS a difference.
The idea that people will be more accepting of psychic abilities than magic is silly. The ponies really need to take a look at some science fiction.
And the Prime Minister talks directly with the Equestrians... and visits Equestria!
)
). It was very cunning the way that the Equestrians are planning to present their "technology" to Muggle World (with the help of UK Government)...
I can really imagine his and his deputy's shock at the reality of magic - the demonstrations really helped!
(Great invocation of Clarke's Third Law!
The discussion with Celestia went well (and Twilight was her adorkable self!
So, maybe the UK Prime Minister can not contact the Minister of Magic - but if he can, it will be interesting to see how his Wizard counterpart will react to the news of Aliens... will he realize how important it is... or will he dismiss as "muggles' problem"?
If the latter, how much time before they realize that the "Atlanteans" and the Aliens are the one and same?
It was a surprise that the ponies used a reverse-enginnered Wizard Trunk for their demonstration (maybe because it would not activate any Ministry alarms and was impressive enough? - I can see Twilight having a contract to pay royalties to the original trunk maker...).
Our dear detective inspector have magic! (is he a squib or a carrier of the Magic Gene?).
It was good that he added 2 and 2, and realized the identity of the First Visitor to Equestria - really looking forward to see what the Equestrians will do! (Maybe he can convince Harry to talk with Det. Searle?)
P.S.: There will be a chapter Monday?
9134481
Perhaps he's decided his only way out is to dig his way through to China especailly after winding up with wings.
Quick! someone measure her! Is she oficially a pony or a horse?
I might or might not have mentioned this before, but that's called a peytral.
9134625
What do you mean? Squibs are recognized by the magical governement and afforded the same rights. Yeah they share similar prejudices that muggle-borns have but they are not denied magic. Though many squibs do end up living in the muggle world.
Also if you have a dormant magic gene you do not have magic which makes you a muggle not a squib.
9134651
I'd imagine wizards would be pretty excited at the prospect of aliens considering how big a deal astronomy is to them.
I can only imagine the Ministry of Magic's reaction to not only what's going on between the muggles and Equestrians, but also that the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, both of whom are muggles, have a pair of magic trunks in their possession.
DUN DUN DUUUNNNNNNN!!!!!!
9134668
That is the law. The practice is Wizard families nearly always disown their children when they don't get their Hogwarts letter and force them out into the cold. Squibs go to the muggle world because they have no where else to go.
Even the Weasleys have a squib relative they did this to (Although I can't remember if he was Molly's brother or just a cousin).
Filch was really lucky and given the job of a house elf out of pity by Dumbledore.
9134622
Especially if they realize the Equestrians have been stealing their tricks and passing them off as their own. I actually found it kind of shocking that they went there.
Boom! Castor drops da bomb!
9134622
Easily a dozen or more (and mistakes STILL get through). I've already found and fixed two in this chapter after posting it!
9134644
Read up about witch hunts in Saudi Arabia (and other Muslim countries), Papua New Guinea, etc. before saying people are more accepting of magic than ESP.
9134651
Why would they need to reverse engineer anything regarding the trunk? The ministry is going to ignore any magic in the Wisteria Estate, because they learned witches own it all. Not saying they didn't, just that they didn't have to.
9134481
Yeah, well, when the wizards return the Hogwarts express and the rail line they stole from the muggles, I might be sympathetic to their concerns regarding patents and copyright.
9134656
Given her height compared to ponies, in the show, she would be considered a horse. (There is, in fact a pony genome that is separate and distinct from horses. And many "ponies" are actually small horses because they do not have that specific genome.)
9134660
Yes, you did. But in both cases I doubt the person whose POV I was using would know that fact. Only a true (get ready to cringe) equestrian aficionado would know that fact.
9134686
This isn't true while there have certainly been Pure Blood families that disown squibs this doesn't happen to all of them. Some volunatarily choose to live in the muggle world while others continue to live in the magical world as allies to wizard kind (though some like Argus Filch live in the magical world despite not really liking wizards).
In the case of the Weasley's squib relative we're only told they aren't on speaking terms not that he was disowned.
9134703
My point was people aren't gonna be more accepting of magic just because you aren't calling it magic. ESP is just as terrifying.
While the train was certainly stolen I sincerely doubt the rail line itself was stolen.
That said the idea that the ponies would be okay with stealing the wizards ideas seem incredibly unlikely and out of character for them.
9128881
And perfectly possible! It would have been nice to see it mentioned though...
9128941
To be fair, the military has been known to call scientists in for very odd reasons. For example, the teleportation study. it fairly quickly offered the military the advice that they need not worry about it - but that was the point; the Military called some scientists in and asked about it when they didn't understand something.
9134710
I didn't say "All", I said "nearly always" which means "the majority" as in 'Most" (sorry just being a little teasing about the word choice) and the few times individual squibs are actually talked about in the book series it is usually about how they were abandoned by wizards, or "not on Speaking Terms" which pretty much means the same thing.
The very reason there are so many Muggle borns, and JK Rowling makes a point of this in one of her supplementary canon interviews, is because of so many squibs marrying muggles after they were rejected by wizards.
I wish I could provide a link but JK Rowling did so many of that supplementary canon stuff and I started reading through it all when I was a little kid
so unfortunately I don't have access to where I learned it
Also Squibs are wizards with dormant magic, their children are called "Muggles" out of prejudice but they have the same abilities as Squibs.
9134724
Now that's certainly true. ESP/magic are both scary. (you need to word things a bit better, your original post sounded like something you didn't mean).
As for "stealing" the idea, I'm pretty sure the spellwork for the Expansion charm has been around for a long time -- as we saw in Fantastic Beasts, its use was well known even back in the 1926's. Most patent laws have a limit of 20--26 years. As such 1991 is well outside that limit. How can you steal something that is considered public knowledge?
And while the charm is considered restricted to Ministry-licensed dealers in England, Wisteria Estate where the Equestrians are is now considered "sovereign soil" and out of the jurisdiction of the English Ministry.
9134754
True but I still doubt they would claim magic they got from the Human wizards as their own. They'd be honest about the fact that they didn't create the magic for the trunks. They certainly wouldn't use it as an example of their own magic.
9134754
Cars have been around awhile. If I went out and bought a Toyota, took it apart, and started making more, and then selling them to aliens saying it was my technology, I think Toyota would be pretty pissed.
9130589
This is why I noted some of the most obvious deductions that could be made from the few facts (among many others) that have been observed. Despite it being included in the post you are responding to.
Scientists still do not understand gravity; we have no general solution for the N-Body problem, no theory of quantum gravity, and no clear understanding of how it fits in with the other major forces of our universe.
Yet scientists and engineers have been working with gravity, projecting trajectories / calculating orbits, building arches, and doing many other things involving theories - whether mathematical or crude mental models - about gravity for many centuries. Numerous electronic devices (such as the so-common GPS), nuclear weapons, and many other devices involve relativistic considerations. Knowing what theories must be discarded - and thus what major unknown vulnerabilities we have built into our technology - is extremely important.
"How the portal works" really has no relevance to that; the fact that it exists, and the conditions on the other side, is all the information required to invalidate some theories and alter many others.
Science is not a religion. "Understanding" is irrelevant. A Hypothesis is elevated to a Theory only if it fits all verifiable observations, makes objectively testable predictions, and has been tested many thousands of times - but a single verifiable observation that contradicts a theory is enough to force it to be discarded or revised.
things seam to be moving along nicely for every one involved.
but the one part at the end,
this is going to be a problem Harry wants to stay safe or should i say hidden so how is Twilight going to answer this?
9134794
Easy answer to that is that he has applied for asylum and is now a native citizen of Equestria by the decree of Princess Celestia. It would remove him from british jurisdiction entirely.