The First Second of Eternity

by Sledge115

Epilogue

Epilogue

Reality returned sooner to Snow Mist’s mind than she would have liked, when Winter Truce came to meet her in the cafeteria, and bombarded her with queries of where she had been.

“Yes, Cadet, I’m doing just fine,” she said. “Here I thought Icewind was clingy.”

“He’s clingy so long as he doesn’t understand his assignments,” said Winter stiffly. The white pegasus sighed, rubbing his temples. There was a certain fondness that Mist held for him – he was the sort to act a little standoffish, but also a reliable comrade.

He sat down opposite her, frowning. His icy blue eyes, somehow, were colder than Galatea’s.

“He told me you went out on a date,” Winter said. “Ma’am.”

“Just call me Sarge, yeah?” said Mist, chuckling. “I swear, at the rate you’re going, you’re gonna be Captain of the whole regiment, give or take five years.”

“I try,” said Winter. He tapped the table. “I trust it felt good in the sack, then, Sarge?”

“Mind it, Cadet,” Mist rebuked him lightly. “I’m still your officer.”

“Right,” he said. “I’m… sorry, if I seem overly inquisitive. Safety first.”

“Easy there, we’re not at war, either. But yeah, I… I guess it went well.”

“That’s good to hear,” Winter said, and his tone was sincere enough. “What was she like?”

“She talked funny, saying ‘mine’ instead of ‘my’, but… gosh, she was great. She listens, and she may act like she’s far away from it all, but she cares. I mean, you’d understand if you met her. Sure, she’s the tall, dark type, but… she’s cute. Heh, got some legs on her, I’ll tell ya. She’s… well, guess she’s once in a lifetime…”

Distant, polite yet passionate, experienced and warm – thinking of Galatea brought a wistful sigh.

Her thoughts trailed off when she saw Icewind arrive from behind Winter, a cup of coffee on hoof in one wing, and his cheeky grin betrayed what questions lay on his mind.

“Howdy, Sarge,” he said, informally. Winter winced. “How did it go?”

“Pretty good, I’ll say, Cadet,” Mist said by way of reply, with a smirk. “Pretty good…”

“Ah,” Icewind shrugged. ”Okay, then. This here round goes to you.” He sipped from his coffee, remaining standing. "Still. Think mayhap you’ll someday beat ol’ Winter for swinging upwards?" he asked, playfully punching the unamused Winter on the shoulder. “Ah, who am I kidding. When’s a Guard’s ever gonna go better than the Cap’n and Princess Hearts n’ Tiaras. Too good for the likes of us, eh?”

Mist just stayed silent and smiled, drinking from her own coffee. Unconsciously, she even felt her eyes throw a glance at the spot behind her right wing.

‘Well, Gal. Wherever you’re going, hope you find what you’re looking for…’

She had no doubt, of course, that she wouldn’t be seeing that strange, aloof mare anytime soon, not in a lifetime. Yet for Snow Mist, one brief encounter at Windy Peaks was all she’d needed. Her mind would linger on Galena, from the way her beautiful, icy-blue eyes looked at her, and the tranquil calm of her voice and words to the warmth of her coat, not just today, nor tomorrow, but for quite a few nights to come.

Author's Note:

A/N

Galena, as drawn by my friend skysayl.

Dedicated to all the workers of this world.

And so ends The First Second of Eternity. Phew. Would you believe that I’d planned for this to be only three chapters long? Galatea is very enjoyable to write, so to speak

The Watcher’s Night is actually the first chapter completed, minus the last second tweaks. I decided to expand on the background – so despite, admittedly, closing it here and now with a large time gap, the story was always meant to end with a quiet night at Vanhoover.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this story, very much. It’s been quite the experiment…

...But this isn’t the last of her, no, far from it.

Galatea returns in Spectrum.

Cheers,

~Sledge

Comments

[Sledge115]

10715813

I hope to deliver, throughout the story. Let me know what you think at the end of it all, and happy reading!

[RanOutOfIdeas]

Oh man. This chapter felt more like the epilogue than the epilogue itself. It consumated the running theme, and Galatea, quite well. Implying quite clearly that this has been life for her, for the past millenia. Just as well, as she's at home labouring, observing and experiencing.

But this doesn't come as a surprise, thus the perfect epilogue. We see the proof of what we induced from every word written, that this was supposed to be the rest of her days. Quietly watching, on the fringes of society and the entrails of the cities. But never at the center or the top. That's reserved for the other two. But this isn't exactly a negative, she has found peace and enjoyment with her place in the world, much as I despise the conditions that locked her in it.

Mist is great. She feels honest and real, more grounded. Like what I'd expect of someone living in modernity rather than the ancient times of the rest of the story, and all the boons and insecurities that come with that. Contrast to Galatea's experiences in the past, where speech is much more formalized and the social theatre has much stricter guidelines of who's supposed to say what to which person. You don't have to worry about awkwardness then, because the rules exist to treat any social mishap... but, tangentially, you are not allowed to be speak your mind as freely, for the social guidelines do not account for all possible variations.

This almost coalesces in me thinking Mist wasn't entirely forthcoming with her answer about her scar (understandably so). It still bore the lack of detail and hand-waviness of an act you do not want to dwell in much - even though you are being honest about it - and that intrigues the mind.

I liked how Mist kind of followed what Vox once referred to as the 'volcano' of linear storytelling in Spectrum, heh. Started at the crest of the mountain, confident and feisty, to fall slightly in the hole at the top, due to her inexperience and adorable awkwardness about the situation, to once again crest the other side after the deed. A bit more mature, and a bit more understanding. If I butchered his analogy, oh well :P

Still, there was that element of randomness to it. This isn't a one-true-love. It's something that Galatea has experienced (I assume) multiple times, and cherished each of them in her memory, but that, overall, is another event in a grand history with no particular fateful aspect to it.

Don't have much to say about the epilogue that I haven't said already, I think. You know how I feel about the lovely family-time she got to have.

Thank you for the journey. I'll be following very closely the rest of it. Onwards, to more!

[Sledge115]

10719751

Oh man. This chapter felt more like the epilogue than the epilogue itself. It consumated the running theme, and Galatea, quite well. Implying quite clearly that this has been life for her, for the past millenia. Just as well, as she's at home labouring, observing and experiencing.

Does it? Heh, it does, one way or another, given the present day setting to contrast the rest of the story. But yes, I'm satisfied in how it all ties in together

But this doesn't come as a surprise, thus the perfect epilogue. We see the proof of what we induced from every word written, that this was supposed to be the rest of her days. Quietly watching, on the fringes of society and the entrails of the cities. But never at the center or the top. That's reserved for the other two. But this isn't exactly a negative, she has found peace and enjoyment with her place in the world, much as I despise the conditions that locked her in it.

Precisely. She may have found her lowest points here, but damned if she won't make the best of it and live a content life. And though, well, it does wrap things up, I felt it necessary to give the poor mare some levity and relief, both in the closure and the epilogue with her finally gaining what she always wanted - a family.

Mist is great. She feels honest and real, more grounded. Like what I'd expect of someone living in modernity rather than the ancient times of the rest of the story, and all the boons and insecurities that come with that. Contrast to Galatea's experiences in the past, where speech is much more formalized and the social theatre has much stricter guidelines of who's supposed to say what to which person. You don't have to worry about awkwardness then, because the rules exist to treat any social mishap... but, tangentially, you are not allowed to be speak your mind as freely, for the social guidelines do not account for all possible variations.

Honestly did not expect to expand this much on who, for all intents and purposes, was a crack partner for Galatea. All her anxieties and wishes open for the world to see. Well, her world in this little dingy hotel room, at least. But yes, I did intend for the greater contrast between the fairytale of Galatea's past and the slice of life of Galatea's present.

This almost coalesces in me thinking Mist wasn't entirely forthcoming with her answer about her scar (understandably so). It still bore the lack of detail and hand-waviness of an act you do not want to dwell in much - even though you are being honest about it - and that intrigues the mind.

Everyone has their secrets, not least of which the college student she's sleeping with, heh. Whether she'll reveal it or not, that's up to her.

I liked how Mist kind of followed what Vox once referred to as the 'volcano' of linear storytelling in Spectrum, heh. Started at the crest of the mountain, confident and feisty, to fall slightly in the hole at the top, due to her inexperience and adorable awkwardness about the situation, to once again crest the other side after the deed. A bit more mature, and a bit more understanding. If I butchered his analogy, oh well :P

I'll leave it to him to reply, heh

Still, there was that element of randomness to it. This isn't a one-true-love. It's something that Galatea has experienced (I assume) multiple times, and cherished each of them in her memory, but that, overall, is another event in a grand history with no particular fateful aspect to it.

It is, isn't it? Just another quiet moment in life for Galatea... but a regular enough occurrence that she treats it with care. Because right then and there, only her partners and she matters in the world, that dingy little hotel room. Because she cares.

Don't have much to say about the epilogue that I haven't said already, I think. You know how I feel about the lovely family-time she got to have.

Thank you for the journey. I'll be following very closely the rest of it. Onwards, to more!

I felt it appropriate, once more, to show that ray of light at the end of it

But aye. Her journey continues.

Stay tuned!

[Una]

It was a good story but the ending was disappointing to me. With all the buildup of the fateful meeting of sisters. Everything just seemed rushed.

[Sledge115]

10721404

Aw, that's a shame, but thanks for the feedback

[Mighty C]

I have reviewed your story. You can find it in the Reviewers Mansion right here!
Thank you for writing such an amazing tale.
It has been a pleasure to read and a joy to review.
Have wonderful day!
Or night?

[Sledge115]

10825790

Thank you for your time, and I'm glad you've enjoyed it!

I'll leave a reply once I've finished reading it, heh

[iAmSiNnEr]

Holy shit Sledge.

It's taken me a while to think on this comment, because let's all be honest, this story is a masterpiece. And I'm gonna explain why.

Galatea is a character which I feel like almost everyone can empathize with and can obviously enjoy. THis story did her justice, really giving us a slice of a life, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "slice of life." I now know why "slice of life" was coined because of this story alone.

The elegance and prose of the story really gives a whole new life to the story, giving us the story in a different manner than if it was handled differently than Sledge's signature writing style. And Sledge, yes, I'm looking at you, you pulled it offperfectly.

I am envious of your writing. I am envious at your skill. I am envious of everything.

I also have to note the excellent use of dreams for that one particular chapter I shall not name, so as to not leave any spoilers as I normally won't when commenting on a story. If you want to know what the story has, you'll have to read it yourself, the story's that good. I'm just gonna be here praising the author on their skill and excellence.

On the surface of the story, it really seems simple. But yet, it is not. Sledge, you've brought slice of life to a whole new meaning, yet it is condensed into these little amount of words that I was able to binge in one hour. And yes, I will be rereading the story. It's too good not to.

This story really puts into perspective the three things I've always thought about; the beginning, present and the end. The way you wrote this story was so satisfying, and I really loved it.

Sledge, thank you for writing, and I look forward to reading more of Galatea.

[Bicyclette]

“Ah, who am I kidding. When’s a Guard’s ever gonna go better than the Cap’n and Princess Hearts n’ Tiaras. Too good for the likes of us, eh?”

heh, irony

‘Well, Gal. Wherever you’re going, hope you find what you’re looking for…’

as do we all, and sweet to have yet another confirmation that, despite her low profile, Galatea is remembered by the mortals she has touched

The Watcher’s Night is actually the first chapter completed, minus the last second tweaks. I decided to expand on the background – so despite, admittedly, closing it here and now with a large time gap, the story was always meant to end with a quiet night at Vanhoover.

i think the story is stronger for it, with the two pieces being conceived far apart in time fitting how far apart they are in setting. one story sweeps a vast arc of self-discovery within and life and death without, then ends. then another echoes it as slice-of-life, with Galatea in her immortal equilibrium, resting on the lessons of the first story, and waiting. refusing the call to learn something new, even when spoken to her directly by the mare in front of her. an ending that both works as an eternally frozen moment of waiting for what comes next, and as a prequel to what comes next.

beautiful work, Sledge

[daOtterGuy]

Howdy, hi!

So, admittedly this was very much a slow build-up story for me. I found it hard to get through the initial hump of Chapter 1 but by Chapter 2 I was hooked and burning through the story like crazy.

Galatea was such an interesting character to read about and I loved the little facets of her personality that appear over the course of the story. All the little details that make up her personality from the small minute details given to her by those she has known over her long life, each pony being a small chip in the mountain that is Galatea.

The story is bittersweet and once more your fairy-tale-like writing lends itself to the feel of the fic. The beginning felt so similar in feel to one of those folk tales of "how x was made" that get told around campfires. The latter part of the story being a tragedy told in slow motion. I love your OCs in this and will also be sad that Galatea couldn't have what she wanted (no spoilers).

Another point I actually really enjoy is that Galatea isn't static. After the time skip, it actually feels like she's become a different pony rather than this unchanging rock-like character. She's more sexually open, she's affectionate in the right ways, and she's become quite *saucy* (which is amazing). I just find most seem to believe that no matter how much time passes a character will never change but that's impossible.

The sad moments were also really poignant with Galatea's loss of her potential family and then the actual loss of the family she had left behind. Despite being immortal and endless, Galatea is very much defined ironically by a loss of time. Everything ticks by at a rapid pace leaving her behind seemingly untouched by it.

The story is just such a wonderfully bittersweet experience that I can't help but enjoy.

Overall, amazing story. Thank you~!

[The Sleepless Beholder]

I knew it! An Eternaut Ferrymare.

I loved this story much more than I expected since the beginning. And nit has filled me with inspiration and just, ahhh, I want more.

Amazing work as always, Sledge.

[SigmasonicX]

This was a lovely story. I've read fics about alicorn characters living through the start of Equestrian society, but Galena brought a different perspective than them, particularly with the romance focus (which BTW got pretty borderline for T at points lol). By the end, I had actually completely forgotten this was a tie-in for Spectrum.

[Sledge115]

So much to reply to, but rest assured to those from Comment Club, I've read your replies in detail and they've each touched my heart

10986015

Galatea is a character which I feel like almost everyone can empathize with and can obviously enjoy. THis story did her justice, really giving us a slice of a life, bringing a whole new meaning to the phrase "slice of life." I now know why "slice of life" was coined because of this story alone.

That was indeed my intent, and I'm glad you've enjoyed her Thank you

as do we all, and sweet to have yet another confirmation that, despite her low profile, Galatea is remembered by the mortals she has touched

Such is her life. I think Galatea deserves to be remembered, despite her own feelings. I'm glad you enjoyed the story Bike, heh.

Another point I actually really enjoy is that Galatea isn't static. After the time skip, it actually feels like she's become a different pony rather than this unchanging rock-like character. She's more sexually open, she's affectionate in the right ways, and she's become quite *saucy* (which is amazing). I just find most seem to believe that no matter how much time passes a character will never change but that's impossible.

Even a mountain can be chipped, and Galatea is no different, after all And I will continue to defend the first chapter as an atmospheric work to set the tone, heh Glad you liked the story, all in all!

10995136

Ok, this is my favorite chapter yet. I just love build a town stories, and with Galatea's particular predicament, it only makes infinitely more interesting seeing it from her POV.

The unchanging mare sees how people live and deep down, she too wishes for it Glad you loved it, heh.

11239053

This was a lovely story. I've read fics about alicorn characters living through the start of Equestrian society, but Galena brought a different perspective than them, particularly with the romance focus (which BTW got pretty borderline for T at points lol).

Galatea was a fascinating experience to write, and I'm glad we've shared that with you, too

And yes, yes it did

By the end, I had actually completely forgotten this was a tie-in for Spectrum.

Great! I strived to make this as independent from Spectrum as possible, because Galatea's story deserves to be told independent of her origins in Spectrum. Glad you enjoyed her tale, heh.

[Jarvy Jared]

Hello, a review to your story has been posted. I hope you find it helpful.

[Sledge115]

11341628

Thanks for the review! I'll reply there when I get the time, heh.

Hope you've enjoyed the story

[EileenSaysHi]

I have a job to do, and I do it. When the first living thing existed, I was there. When the last living thing dies, I'll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and lock the universe behind me when I leave.
-- Death, The Sandman, s1e6 "The Sound of Her Wings"

Meet Galatea, the loneliest being in what will one day be Equestria. Galatea is one of three, eventually more, but it will be a long time before she knows that. For now, she watches the world, wandering from place to place, getting caught in the individual lives of creatures and watching entire birth-to-death cycles when interested. She knows she has a purpose. But what does that mean to her? Especially once she begins to encounter beings that, while not like her, are at least more like her...

The First Second of Eternity, the chronological beginning of the Spectrum-verse (in more ways than one), is a profound and insightful story that adds a lot of potent depth to the enigmatic gray alicorn of the main story. It reinterprets and expands on the mythology of FiM in intriguing ways, but more importantly it never lets its worldbuilding overwhelm the characters at its core. We see the vast difference between the impersonal relationships Galatea forms to creatures and things in the early chapters, their lives slipping by before she even takes a clear notice, and the ones she forms with the village earth ponies, where time slows as she learns to appreciate their company and form deep attachments. If only she'd understood how much it would speed up again once she left for Adlaborn...

The choice to add a sexual dimension to Galatea in the later chapters stands out as unique for this type of story and really works in fleshing her out. This is a character who could easily be written to just be almost entirely aloof of her human pony nature, or as seeing herself "above" carnal pleasures; by choosing otherwise, both in the story's primary setting and the distant future shortly before Spectrum, we see another avenue of Galatea’s awakening to the meaning -- a very personal meaning -- of a world she once ambled through, one just as formative as her experience in meeting her siblings. And in the two individual scenes, we see a vast difference between the kinds of attachments Galatea is willing to let herself form before and after the loss of Broadleaf.

This is a very well-crafted, affecting bit of storytelling. Thank you very much for writing it.

[Sledge115]

11452819

The First Second of Eternity, the chronological beginning of the Spectrum-verse (in more ways than one), is a profound and insightful story that adds a lot of potent depth to the enigmatic gray alicorn of the main story. It reinterprets and expands on the mythology of FiM in intriguing ways, but more importantly it never lets its worldbuilding overwhelm the characters at its core. We see the vast difference between the impersonal relationships Galatea forms to creatures and things in the early chapters, their lives slipping by before she even takes a clear notice, and the ones she forms with the village earth ponies, where time slows as she learns to appreciate their company and form deep attachments. If only she'd understood how much it would speed up again once she left for Adlaborn...

Let me tell you that juggling Galatea's origins with how Equestria was made was a pretty challenging bit, but I'm happy with how it turned out nonetheless Let's not go into how making sure a third alicorn wasn't going to be... you know, Donut Steel.

The choice to add a sexual dimension to Galatea in the later chapters stands out as unique for this type of story and really works in fleshing her out. This is a character who could easily be written to just be almost entirely aloof of her human pony nature, or as seeing herself "above" carnal pleasures; by choosing otherwise, both in the story's primary setting and the distant future shortly before Spectrum, we see another avenue of Galatea’s awakening to the meaning -- a very personal meaning -- of a world she once ambled through, one just as formative as her experience in meeting her siblings. And in the two individual scenes, we see a vast difference between the kinds of attachments Galatea is willing to let herself form before and after the loss of Broadleaf.

I actually wrote the final chapter first as a standalone, then figured out I should expand on Galatea as well once it was finished, heh. But aye, Galatea's working-class life means that, unlike many other immortals, she does not hoard wealth that she does not need, ahem. Anyways, Galatea's sexuality is an important cornerstone of her, as it is simply a part of life.

This is a very well-crafted, affecting bit of storytelling. Thank you very much for writing it.

Aw, thanks! Sorry for the super late reply , but I am glad you've enjoyed it, heh heh