One
“Princess Celestia, um, I’m sorry to say that I don’t know much about the bat ponies.” Princess Twilight Sparkle shifted on her hooves, slightly nervous. “There wasn’t much in any of the books I checked, and-”
“Relax, Twilight. The first lesson, do not call them bat ponies. It is a slur, invented by Canterlot elite a few centuries ago. They are the Chiropterans.” Celestia lifted her near-daughter’s chin. “The second, is that you must maintain some formality at all times. Unless they give you express permission, refer to them by their titles.” The sun monarch straightened their dresses and regalia with a few tugs of magic. “The third, is to not show fear. The Chiropterans are a rather formal people, and rather self-sufficient, and take fear as an insult, due to decades of cultural rifts between them and the other tribes. Now, brace yourself, Twilight. They are here.” The two princesses straightened, facing the large double doors. They were gently opened by two pairs of guards in deep silver armor. Their coats were a deep gray, their eyes feline yellow, with slit pupils. They turned in, facing the approaching procession. The guards knelt, heads touching the floor, then fanned their wings till the edges brushed the ground, the ultimate show of fealty. Twilight was used to only seeing it performed at the summer sun celebration, when Celestia and Luna moved the sun and moon. A pair of guards marched in, bearing a pair of dark purple banners with a silver emblem. It depicted a silver crown encrusted with purple and teal gems. They stepped aside, and copied the poses of their comrades.
Next came a mare that radiated a regal aura to challenge even Celestia’s. She was tall, taller than Cadence, but shorter than Luna. Her coat was an odd color. It seemed both gray and pale blue at the same time. Splashed across her nose was a burst of darker gray freckles. Her eyes demanded attention, a deep molten gold, matching the bangles she wore. Her mane was a blue so dark it looked black, with streaks of silver swirling into her complex looking bun. She wore a long cape of the same color as the banners, that Twilight knew Rarity would love to get her hooves on. Perched atop her head was a circlet of silver, with amethysts studded in even intervals, with gems of a rich turquoise in between. She approached the thrones, and ascended with no fear.
“Princess Celestia Solaris, Ruler of the day, monarch of the sun. We are honored to be in your presence.” She and Celestia exchanged nods, as the mare’s escorts murmured, ‘we are honored to be in your presence’.
“Princess Luna Noctifer, Ruler of the night, monarch of the moon. We are most honored to be in your presence.” Here, the mare knelt, bowing her head slightly. Her escorts were more enthusiastic this time, their bows deepening as they repeated after their leader. Twilight was confused. Generally, foreign monarchs were more interested in Celestia, as she was better known. The mare rose, and smiled at Luna. “Foremother of our people, we are overjoyed at your return.” What did that even mean?!
“Distant daughter, I am pleased to see that my children have so flourished in my absence.” The mare’s smile grew, revealing a small pair of fangs near the front of her mouth. They weren’t like Chrysalis’ fangs, but instead those of a dog or bear, with normal teeth further back.
“I present to you my former pupil, Her royal highness Princess Twilight Sparkle, Ruler of friendship, monarch of alliances.” Celestia spoke, and the mare turned to Twilight.
“We are pleased to meet you, your royal highness. I am Queen Nocta Aurora, ruler of the Chiropterans, monarch of the great Pteropodid colony. ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you.” Queen Nocta blinked slowly at her, much like a cat.
“The pleasure is mine, your majesty.” Twilight bowed her head, in recognition of her status above her.
“Queen Nocta, shall we adjourn to the dining room?” Luna asked, rising from her throne.
“That would be much appreciated, your royal highness.” Queen Nocta nodded once more, and waited on the three princesses to rise before heading down from the platform the thrones rest on. Two of her guards turn sharply to follow behind the four royals, as do two of the palace guards.
“Your guards and attendants can follow Ink Blot; she is my trusted assistant and can show them to their chambers for the duration of your stay.” Celestia gestured to a maroon unicorn with a brown beehive.
“Thank you, Princess Celestia.” Queen Nocta spoke, before turning to a guard who’s helmet plume had streaks of blue in the purple, and making a series of whines and clicks. The guard nodded, relayed the message to the others, and nodded at Ink Blot. “My guards all speak and understand Equestrian, but it is policy to only converse in our native tongue, for safety reasons.” She explained to the slightly nervous looking Ink Blot.
“Thank you, your Majesty. If you all will follow me.” Ink Blot’s tone was brisk, and she turned on her heel and lead them from the room.
“Come, Queen Nocta. The dining hall we will be using is this way.” Luna spoke, before leading the others along the winding halls of Canterlot Castle. She stopped in front of a relatively small set of doors, before the guards on either side opened them.
The room was smaller than Twilight expected, with a deep, richly colored oak table. It had four similarly colored chairs set around it, and each royal claimed one. Celestia rang a bell, and a mere half dozen servants streamed into the room, baring steaming platters. The princess’ all received large, green salads, while Queen Nocta received a bowl of diced fruit. The four waited until the servants had left to speak.
“My thanks for taking my peoples diet into account. The last time I dined with the Yaks, all they served was hay and cake.” Queen Nocta broke the silence.
“But of course.” Celestia replied.
“Pardon my asking, but what are those fruits? I don’t recognize some of them.” Twilight questioned, burning with curiosity.
“Do not fret, child. This,” She gestured at a small orange cube, “is mango, from the lands near Saddle Arabia. This.” Her hoof nudged a speckled white and black fruit. “is called dragon fruit, for it’s colorful exterior. And this,” she pointed to a green disk. “is kiwi, a personal favorite. Most Chiropterans greatly dislike the taste of most vegetables, so we eat mainly fruits and small bits of meat here and there. We also eat a certain type of dumpling; called” a short, high whine, and a sharp click. “meaning staple-sweet or staple-savory. They can have either fruit or meat. The dough is made of a grain we call- “a series of indecipherable clicks. “it translates best to ‘plant-of-the-people’, as it is eaten by all, from the poorest farmer, to the highest royal. I myself greatly enjoy one or two from time to time. We mainly drink juices from the various fruit crops we grow, along with a small amount of water. Not all hosts are as considerate as their royal highness’ here. I have been served raw meat, which makes my people violently ill, and fish, which we have trouble digesting. Salads, like those you eat, are merely bitter and rough to us. Our main trade with Equestria is certain types of fruit, in exchange for eggs and milk, which are rare treats for us Chiropterans.” Twilight nodded along, eagerly absorbing the information.
“Thank you for indulging me, your majesty.” Twilight enthused.
“Again, you needn’t fret, child. I’ve a daughter roughly your age, Astrifer Stella, who is also rather curious. Have you any other questions?” Queen Nocta smiled benevolently at her, and Twilight blushed.
“Why did you call Princess Luna the ‘foremother of your people’?” Her eyes shimmered with a need for knowledge.
“That is a longer story…you see, we are the descendants of her personal guards, from before her corruption. She, using her magic, made us what we are.”