Other Duties As Required

by Hiver

Chapter 9

I smiled at Sparks, "Now, remember to try to actually get some relaxing done as well. No need for a full schedule of events."

That earned me a look from Sparks, but Sunset smiled, "Don't worry, I won't let her," she said before her ears perked up, "And they are finishing the loading. We should get going."

I nodded and gave them each a soft kiss, "And remember, have fun."

Twilight kissed back, "We will," she agreed, "Miss you."

"Miss you too, Sparks," I said and then winked, "But we can always meet you know where."

"See you there," Sunset said and then pulled Twilight alone, "They're waiting for us!"

"And I need to get going too," I said and waved before I wrapped myself in a teleport and suddenly I was in one of the underground shelters at the train station.

Midnight, Amber, Thorax, Spike and Talon were already there.

"Okay," I said, "We need to move quickly. Everypony knows the plan?"

"Got it, sir," Amber agreed and green fire flowed across her and suddenly there was a second Blank Page facing me. I blinked at her and looked her up and down. Do I really look like that?

"And this is for you," Midnight said as she approached, "This is still a bad idea, mind you."

I smiled, "But it's going to work, right?"

"Yes," she grumbled, "Most likely," and floated a small metal stud from a box, "This will transform you to look like a batpony fully. It will be a physical transformation, but you'll still be an alicorn beneath so you'll have your magic. Don't want to risk this on an illusion."

I eyed the metal stud, "...I thought we talked about illusion and necklace. I know how you Sparkles are about transfiguration magic..."

That earned me a glare, "You asked me, remember? I can pick where I put this, it can be ear, tongue or somewhere else. So feel free to keep talking."

I shut up.

Somepony woke up on the wrong side of bed this evening. Midnight is as scary as Sparks when angry.

"Anyway, it's not quite the same as transfiguration," she explained and it floated out of my field of view and there was a sharp pain through my right ear.

I managed to keep quiet, but that stung!

A cold sensation flowed through and across me and suddenly I was looking up at her. I must have shrunk at least a hoof in height!

She took a sponge and dripped some sort of potion at it before dabbing it at my ear, "There," she said, "Should stop hurting in ten minutes or so. A necklace could have gotten snagged somewhere and revealed the entire thing."

"Here's the bags," Spike said, carrying a pair of worn looking saddle bags over to me, "Your name is Night Wind, goes by Night. You're from a small village on the other side of the Everfree forest named 'Waterdeep'. We haven't gotten any ponies moving in here from there yet or even from the general area."

I slipped the bags over my back and looked at myself.

Batpony stallion of average height, grey coat, black mane, amber slitted eyes. An open book cutiemark.

"...How in the world did you fake my cutiemark, I thought that was impossible," I asked.

"Complicated, and it's not faked. Just a lensing effect of intent. Now get going, thirty seconds!"

I nodded firmly, "Thank you!"

I focused on my magic to wrap myself in a teleport field. Time to see if I was still an alicorn!

Sure enough, the air before my forehead took on a familiar golden glow and I reappeared in the bathroom of one of the last passenger carts.

I took a deep breath, wanted ten seconds listening hard before I exited and jumped off the train, just as it started to move again. I landed easily on the train station, ears turning as I looked around.

"Welcome to Nocturnis!" somepony said and I looked over towards an approaching earth pony guard wearing the unicorn of the Nocturnis guard. For an earth pony, he wasn't especially big, about the size of Applejack actually.

"H-hi..." I said, taking a hesitant step back.

He stopped and smiled at me, "Relax. I'm Mashed Potato. Call me Pot. New arrival?"

I nodded, "Night Wind. Go by Night," I answered and blinked at him, "...Feels strange."

Potato nodded understandingly, "Got decursed by the Princess?"

"Yes, sir."

"You're walking after a couple of minutes, that's better than most. Must have gotten one of the weaker curses. You'll do fine," he said with a smile, "Come on, let's get you to the office and get you registered."

I paused, "...Registered?"

Potato nodded, "Just procedure. Need to know who moves to the village and all. It'll set you up with a place at the loft and a small starting stipend."

"Oh."

"Do you have any family in town already?" he asked as I started to follow him towards the small building at one side of the train station.

I shook my head, "No family. Just me."

He nodded, "Not uncommon," he admitted, "Here we go," he said with a smile and pulled the door open for me, "I'll wait outside."

"Thank you," I said and walked inside. It was late, the first rays of the sun starting to filter in through the high window and the mare by the desk looked sleepy. That quickly went away when she saw me however,

"Oh! A new arrival!" she said, her bat wings rising as she smiled.

I paused and stared at her. I had seen enough new arrivals to know that was the right reaction. Many bats that arrived had never seen another bat that wasn't a parent before. Seeing another of their kind, especially of the other sex had to be an experience.

She didn't seem to mind at all, just smiling at me, "I'm Cherry Blossom," she said and brushed her mane back with a hoof, "And you?"

"Oh, sorry!" I quickly said and glanced away, "I'm Night Wind. I-I'm new."

Blossom nodded, "Welcome to Nocturnis. You're the only one this time?"

I nodded, "Yeah," I said and moved to sit down on the chair she directed me towards.

She smiled, "Let's get you registered then. Possibly tonight, you might get to meet Prince Page. He likes meeting all the new arrivals if possible."

I slowly nodded, "I see."

She got some papers together, "Alright Night Wind... previous place of living?"

"Waterdeep."

"Family?"

I shook my head, "...No."

Blossom's smile turned a bit sad, "I understand. Occupation?"

"I was a technical writer. I'm not sure that works out here," I admitted.

Blossom shrugged, "You never know," she said and put it down, "And that's pretty much what we need!"

I looked at her in surprise, "What, really?"

"Yes," she said, "This is mostly a census so we know how many and which ponies we have in town and to get you registered for a place to stay. There is a waiting time for somewhere private unless you build it yourself, but there is plenty of space on the loft to hang your tail. The guard will bring you to the village and show you where you can stay. Tomorrow somepony from the welcoming office will come and meet you and show you around, get you signed up with the employment office. See if we can't find something that fits you."

Slowly nodding, I met her eyes, "Thank you."

Blossom smiled at me and jumped off her chair to round her desk. She gently put her hoof against my shoulder as she looked into my eyes, "Welcome to Nocturnis. You're free now."

Comments

[Silent Wing]

Is that another ship I am sensing here?

[Gargon94]

And now Page will learn what life is like for normal ponies in Nocturnis.

[Black--Soul]

Blossom smiled at me and jumped off her chair to round her desk. She gently put her hoof against my shoulder as she looked into my eyes, "Welcome to Nocturnis. You're free now."

Blossom:
Free to be yourself, free to breed, free to enjoy Mango smoothies every weekend, limited to 3 per weekend, not stacking if missed. Mares might have to be politely pushed aside, but we in Nocturnis are a breeding community for Thestral. Don't worry we can accept a 'until later'. Just remember that we have a standing rule of minimum 3 mares per stallion, prince Blank Page already has 5 to be a shining example ♡!"

Blank Page Night Wind:
"So I have some time to chose 3 mares? I rather get to know someone before i might regret it later on..."

Blossom:
"Minimum until 2 years are up from the day of registration, there is no upper limit on partners of either race.
Just as you get respected to give a pass to a mare, they can pass you over for another.
We might be a breeding village, but we are no mindless beast. Not even in heat season, we are a friendly community. What gets around, gives around. Bad and good things always come around eventually.
Everycreature has to behave."

Blank Page Night Wind:
"Wow...wait everycreature?!"

Thorax that isn't Queen Chrysalis from the start round the conor:
"Welcome to Nocturnis, I am Thorax. As you can see I am a Changeling, we also have Griffons here that joined our community gor a while now.
There is a Thestral only bar I want you to visit, if you don't mind. It's Mango smoothies time already.
I give you the rules on the way, but the Bartender of the night will give it to you in detail.
Come along, the night has already begun and there is yet a lot for you to experience ~♡"

Blank Page Night Wind and Thorax leave the area, while a Griffon comes along not half a minute later.
"O hurricane and hail storms 'Thorax' snatched another one... to bad, until next time."

Blossom:
"Don't worry, he might join you monday~♡
See you later sweety~♡"

Griffon Ambassador:
"See you Monday, my sweet flower ~♡"

[Black--Soul]

Hello Hiver here are some readers to MacGyver a awesome adventure or three in the comment section as community game.
Want to join us down here?
We have virtual hugs and imaginary cookies

We still need a Zebra rhyming us a storm, maybe even a local born? Maybe Zecora had a twin? Coming from the story bin? Just take a spin and take some creativity from within

Otherwise we see you next chapter
Thanks for the update ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

[Tesseract417]

And Here. We. GO!

[ChakatRedstripe]

This is either going to go well. Or end horribly.. can't wait to see

[Black--Soul]

Wonder if he's experience would chance a lot as Thestral mare...
11845377
Why not both? It's more fun that way
11845355
We are going since 8 chapters, now 9.
But this is indeed going to be a treat
11845322
Probably will have suitors before the night ends
11845319
Unlikely, but that probably will end in a new honest friend for Blank Page
11844958
The best ♡ we'll actually not... but close enough to count ... almost.
11844956
Starlight Glimmer or the OC that practically already rules Nocturnis thanks to paper work?
11844087
To be fair, Canterlot and Neighsay back than really are a valid reasons to make themself hard to reach. In hindsight it would have been better though.

[Silent Wing]

Blank Page/Night Wind; Is there a Tavern or a Motel around? After that horrible train ride I would prefer an actuall bed that doesn't shake all teh time.

Cherry Blossom: None that I am aware of, but if you do me a little favor, I could let you stay at my place.

Blank Page/Night Wind: Awesome! what have I to do for that?

Cherry Blossom: *gets a new form* Just sign here and I will take care of the rest.

Blank Page/Night Wind: Does so without thinking

Cherry Blossom: * motions a guard over, instructing him to show Blank Page/Night Wind around before droping him off at here place later.

Multiple Hours later:

*As he arrives at her Place, Blossom is quick to welcome Blank Page/Night Wind into her home before leading him straightinto the bedroom where to other mares are laying on a alicorn sized bed, both of them wearing quite the scandalous outfit.*

Cherry Blossom: This are my herdsisters Pear Blossom and Nightingale and now it's time for Snu Snu.

Cherry Blossom: * Looks the door before guiding the completly taken off guard stallion to her bed. As the stallion reacts she asks.* You are aware that you signed a herd agreement/breeding contract earlier?

Blank Page/Night Wind: .....

At the other end of Equestria: I feel a disturbance in the force!

[origami]

Why do I get the feeling that Page is gonna learn a lot of things that he isn't going to like about Nocturnis?

[Silent Wing]

11845412
Because he has a talent for that? And besides, how boring would it be if Page didn't discover new problems all the time?

[windy_prance]

Night Wind: Now to hang my tail for the day. Ok so far so goo--OH.

*A yellow and black filly stares at Night Wind with intense yellow eyes*

Night Wind: Ummm...hello?

Eris: You're weird. Why are you weeeeeeird?

Night Wind:

Fluttershy: There you are! It's almost daylight sweetie! Time to go home.

Eris: BYE BYE WEIRD PONY!

Fluttershy: ERIS! You're rude! I'm sorry sir. I hope you have a good day.

Night Wind: Y-yeah. Little ones can be silly.

Eris: I watch you, weird pony! BIG watching!

Fluttershy: ERIS! Don't be like your father!

Night Wind: Wait what??

Fluttershy: NOTHING. *flies away with struggling child*

Night Wind: This is going to be harder than I thought...

[Black--Soul]

11845390

[RandomCommentor]

"Waterdeep."

“Hello. Im Gale, of Waterdeep.”

[Herald of Opera]

Waterdeep

Somewhere deep in his mind, this feels to Page like more of a unicorn disguise sort of thing. (His nature as an isekai protagonist hasn't come up yet in this story, but it never stopped being a thing. He made his initial fortune in Equestria by stripping the sci-fi veneer off of Star Wars and releasing it as a book series.)

11845486
Again, Blank Page is an ex-human who could make references like that on purpose.

[FoxyLove]

11845390
And about half way through the Snu-Snu, two sister alicorns bust the lock and then yelled in the RCV: WHO'S TRYING TO BREED WITH OUR HUSBAND/MATE!!! WE GET FIRST DIBS ON FOALS!!!!!

[Akira Dragonborne]

Blossom smiled at me and jumped off her chair to round her desk. She gently put her hoof against my shoulder as she looked into my eyes, "Welcome to Nocturnis. You're free now."

OH! I did not expect that impact at those words. What a hit in the feels!

[Silent Wing]

11845537
So they are late, cause at the halfway point it would be in the middle of the second mares turn.

[FoxyLove]

11845546
If you are staring down two pissed off Alicorns what would you be doing then?

[Silent Wing]

11845565
Depends on how I am feeling at that moment. Option one was ignoring them and continue. option two beging for forgivness, ensuring they understand that I had no clue who he really is. Say something stupid like, "than you shouldn't have waited that long would be the next.

Or inviting them join into the fun.

[shadow wolf1573]

Nice

[Ashfur]

"You're free now." That, and that alone, speaks VOLUMES about how the thestrals of Nocturnis feel.

[More Dakka]

Finally caught up after reading the whole series from the beginning.

Nice to see the Griffins make a return, I look forward to seeing how things play out with the Embassy, and to seeing the town through the eyes of a new arrival.

Something I’m curious about. What ever happened to the Gauntlet of fire plot? I noticed the timeline seems to be at least well into season 6 and I’ve been hoping to see how that one plays out ever since Talon showed up and he and Spike moved away from Ponyville.

[Kevin Lee]

*next day*
Blossom: Hello, bat ponies! Wow! So many! Okay, we need to register all of you. You first, sir."
Elminster: "I can speak for everypony. My name is Elminster. My fellows are Mordenkainen, Wulgar, and Drizzt Do'Urden. We're from Waterdeep."
Blossom: "Waterdeep!? Wow! You guys must be having a convention here. There's another from there here already! His name is Night Wind. Do you know him? Is he a friend of yours?"
Drizzt: "We... know a Night Wind."
Elminster: "Yes... We'll... be sure to look him up."
*soon after, outside the registration office*
Wulgar: "The leader of the Red Hand of Doom, Night Wind, is here!? How could he have known we were coming!?"
Elminster: "Evidently, he's somehow learned of our mission."
Drizzt: "We need to hunt him down, immediately!"
Mordenkainen: "And any other of his Red Hand!"

[fargo11]

11847345
Aw come on. That scenario is stupid, could never possibly happen...

Who am I kidding? That would be page's luck now wouldn't it?

[Thor447]

That earned me a glare, "You asked me, remember? I can pick where I put this, it can be ear, tongue or somewhere else. So feel free to keep talking."

idk, might be fun...later...

"Welcome to Nocturnis. You're free now."

Damn, now that's a way to welcome someone