Soaring for the Sun
“Surely, you jest…” Celestia balked, carefully studying the man from her throne.
“No, really, I’m totally serious. We ride them, race them, and we even used to use them for heavy labor, like pulling carts or plowing fields,” Anon stated, trying not to smile. Seated beside her, in a chair he’d purloined from the lobby, he innocently held up his hands.
“So, to be clear, you have horses on earth…” the alabaster alicorn flatly stated, awaiting affirmation from her bipedal associate.
“Yup!” he nodded.
“But they’re unintelligent and used as beasts of burden?” she quested, incredulously raising one eyebrow.
“Yeah, but it’s not like we mistreat them or anything,” Anon clarified. The last thing he wanted was for her to get the wrong impression about his kind.
Studying his face for a moment, Celestia shrewdly rubbed her chin. “I see…”
Having appeared outside of Canterlot several months ago, the human’s arrival presented a rather peculiar predicament. Swearing that he was from some far-flung land he called Earth, he insisted that he didn’t know how he’d arrived in Equestria. Being sapient and strikingly intelligent, the Princesses simply couldn’t leave him to wander the land without some sort of steward - as such, Celestia had volunteered to supervise and look after the wayward soul.
Realizing Anon would need income and housing, the eldest alicorn employed him as an assistant; honestly, she considered the move remarkably shrewd. Not only did the position grant him bits, and lodging within the palace, but her direct supervision allowed her to learn about her otherworldly guest and his homeland. As time passed, she grew increasingly fond of talking with the man.
Outside his somewhat strange appearance, Anon was startlingly charming. Nearly the same height as she, standing at roughly eye level, he was still one of the larger creatures she’d had the pleasure of meeting. Beyond his size, she found herself captivated by her guest’s wit and the stories of his home - mostly because it was so utterly alien.
The millennia of ruling over Equestria were entertaining enough, yet the centuries rarely delivered something as interesting as her visitor. Sure, there were the occasional bouts of excitement involving hostile forces or malign incursions, but the human’s presence was a breath of fresh air. Surprisingly amiable and fascinating to a fault, she spent more and more time simply chatting with him.
“You...don’t think we’re bad because of that, do you?” Anon asked, snapping Celestia from her reverie.
“If they’re simple creatures, as you attest, I don’t see any harm in it. You said they’re well cared for?” she inquired, attempting to disarm his unease.
“Totally! Like, yeah, we have horses on earth, and we do use them for work, leisure, or competition, although it’s not like we mistreat them or anything! Hell, most folks I know absolutely love their horses and treat them like beloved pets or even family members,” he asserted.
“Pets?” Celestia repeated. While she had a pet herself, a phoenix named Philomena, the notion of having a pony as a familiar was outlandish.
“Loving ones, for the most part, yes,” Anon explained, shifting in his chair. He figured it would only be a matter of time until the Princess questioned him on equines, yet he hadn’t exactly been looking forward to it.
Finding himself in a land of talking and oftentimes magical horses was strange enough, but the last thing he’d expected was to be taken in by one of the rulers of the land. Funnily enough, adapting to his new life had been super easy, barely an inconvenience - at least, after the initial shock of it all. The denizens of Equestria were all unbelievably friendly and good-natured, making him feel welcome wherever he went.
His job also apparently paid extremely well, by pony standards, and his room and board were covered by the position. The employment as the royal gofer was extraordinarily simple and laid back; even on his busy days, the most he had to worry about was making deliveries or jotting down notes at meetings. All told, his life was far better than it had been on earth.
His occupation and living conditions aside, the favorite part of Anon’s daily routine was being able to spend time with Celestia; demure and motherly, she was shockingly cheeky and candid for royalty. While it was true that he’d never spent time around nobility before, he would have never expected the Princess to be as fun-loving and amicable as she was.
“Tell me, did you ever have a horse of your own?” Celestia pressed, shaking the man from his thoughts.
“No, but I always kind of wanted to own one. They’re just so big and peaceful…” he trailed off, realizing what he’d just said. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way! Horses are gorgeous animals and I - dang it - I’m just going to stop talking now,” he bumbled, blushing slightly.
“No, please, continue…” Celestia insisted, concealing her amusement.
“W...well, they’re exquisitely graceful and peaceful. Be damned if I can explain it, but I’ve always been drawn to them,” he reluctantly admitted, sighing in defeat.
It was true, he’d had an interest in horses since he was a kid. Honestly, winding up in Equestria had been like hitting a cosmic jackpot. Unlike humans, the residents of the world in which he found himself were serene and pleasant to deal with. Yeah, the fact that they could talk took a bit of getting used to, yet they maintained a tranquil and diverse society.
“Well then, I’ll consider myself lucky that such a human stumbled into our lands,” Celestia hummed, steadily unseating herself and getting to her hooves. “Though you never owned a horse, did you ever ride one?”
“I…no,” he murmured, feeling even more foolish than before.
“I must confess, the concept is fascinating,” she thought aloud, turning to face him. “Given your size, I doubt many ponies would be able to accommodate you in such a fashion.”
“I didn’t ask for anypony to let me - “ Anon cut himself off, as the Princess held up a hoof.
“I presume a saddle is used for such activities?” Celestia inquired, as an idea began to coalesce.
“And a bridle, yes. If done properly, it’s about a partnership between the two - rider and steed. There’s a mutual trust and respect between them, as they rely on each other,” he answered, describing it as best he could.
“Saddle Arabian’s have been known to craft such adornments, yet they’re primarily ceremonial. Though a bridle…” she chuckled, taking a step closer to her guest. “You know, we do have those as well, but I’m left to assume they’re not typically used as you would think.”
Surprised by the revelation, Anon cocked his head in confusion. “How are they used then?”
“Well they’re usually used as an accoutrement in somewhat taboo bedroom affairs,” Celestia whispered, bringing her muzzle to his ear.
No sooner had she spoken then Anon went rigid. The look of abject shock on his face, while his jaw noiselessly worked and flapped, was absolutely priceless - still, as bemused and flustered as the man was, she was far from finished with him. Turning away and slowly trotting towards the exit, she stretched her wings.
“Since you have yet to mount a steed, and because I find the notion rather novel, I feel like some cultural enrichment is in order,” she casually asserted, stopping and looking back at her guest.
The thought of being ridden by someone was intriguing, even if she couldn’t explain why; perhaps it was because the concept was so wholly foreign and exotic. Regardless of the exact reason why it held her interest, she was compelled to explore the idea. If nothing else, getting to see Anon’s no doubt humorous reaction would be a pleasant distraction from the norm.
Glancing over her shoulder at the man, just as she reached the door, she extended a wing. “Wait right there, I’ll only be a moment…”
“Uh...alright,” was all Anon could manage. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he had a sinking feeling about her tone.
As he’d gotten to know Celestia, spending a great deal of his time around her, he’d discovered a few things about her personality. Though she was certainly a capable ruler, she was also a bit of a thrill-seeker and prankster. He couldn’t say what other ponies thought of her unstately proclivities, but he found them endearing - that being said, something told him that she had mischief on her mind.
Stepping out of the throne room, Celestia looked to the pair of guards flanking the entrance. “If you would be so kind, cancel any appointments for the afternoon,” she politely requested.
Snapping to attention, the duo of sentries nodded. “Yes Ma’am,” they obediently responded in unison, shooting her a crisp salute.
Smiling to them each in turn, she effortlessly teleported herself to her private chamber. In a flash of light and pop of displaced air, she instantaneously reached her room; trotting would have gotten the job done, but her growing excitement was getting the better of her. Looking to her left, towards her closet, she scampered over and threw the door open. She had just the thing to surprise her little human with…
Twiddling his thumbs, Anon did his best to wile away the time. One unfortunate thing about Equestria was the lack of modern technology. Pushing himself up, he fished into his pocket and retrieved a yo-yo; it wasn’t quite as good as watching internet videos on a smartphone, but he’d gotten pretty good with the toy. Lazily pacing before the throne, skillfully executing a number of tricks, he awaited his host-turned-employer’s return.
Seconds passed, then minutes, and he was left to wonder what the Princess was up to. Botching a brain twister, rapping knuckles in the process, he silently cursed to himself and began rewinding the bauble’s string - that was, until he heard the unmistakable sound of expended magical energy. Peering over, expecting to find the Princess waiting for him, his jaw damn near hit the floor.
Not only was Celestia adorned in the most resplendent saddle he’d ever seen, crafted from what looked like crimson dyed leather, but she was wearing a bridle as well. The straps and reins all matched the seat on the mare’s back, while the bit in her mouth were gold - genuine gold, if he had to wager. Without a doubt, the getup would have cost a small fortune; although, given it was owned by a Princess, he shouldn’t have been shocked. Besides the finery, the alicorn looked absolutely gorgeous.
Somehow, for some reason or another, the accessories of an earthly equine only served to heighten the Princess’ natural beauty. Awestruck, his eyes wandered over her frame. For all intents and purposes, according to the various ponies he’d spoken with, she was a paragon of refined elegance; it was only at that moment that he realized what they’d meant.
“I...ish it not to your liking?” Celestia asked, lisping ever so slightly, as the man’s stunned expression caught her off guard.
In truth, she had no way of knowing how he’d react - though his bewildered look wasn’t what she’d been expecting. The bit in her muzzle, while not uncomfortable, was a somewhat foreign sensation, only adding to the sudden awkwardness of the situation. Running her tongue over the smooth metal bar, casting her eyes to the floor, she fought to distract herself.
“No...N...not at all,” Anon stammered, taking a timid step closer towards the mare. “I t...think you look…”
“...Yes…?” the Princess meekly replied, meeting his eyes. “I must admit, after donning this gear, I feel a bit foolish…”
“Astonishing…” he breathlessly added. As she averted her gaze, he couldn’t help but notice the slightest blush grace her ivory cheeks. Encouraged, he inched nearer. “You’re absolutely beautiful…” he stopped himself, comprehending exactly what he’d said. “Th...that’s not saying you don’t normally look great!”
Smiling at the man’s fumbling attempt to recover from his spontaneous admission, Celestia slowly approached him. Unsure of how to redirect the conversation, she settled on the direct approach. “S...since I went to the trouble to get this on, I thought, well, maybe we could try something a bit different together…”
Anon could scarcely believe what he’d heard. There he was, in the throne room of the very diarchs of Equestria, having been asked if he’d like to ride atop one. Dismissing the notion outright, he shook his head and shied away. “I...I couldn’t. Princess, you’re a Princess! There’s no way I could -”
“Please…” Celestia muttered, quietly interrupting him. “I wouldn’t have bothered putting all this on if I didn’t intend to use it.”
With a resigned sigh, Anon’s shoulders wilted. He wasn’t opposed to indulging her request, in actuality, though he would hate for anypony to spot them, lest it create some sort of scandal. Raising one hand, he extended a digit and gave her a serious look. If they were going to do it, he had one condition.
“Only if we do it in private,” he intoned.
Noticing his stern expression and tone, Celestia examined the area. The throne room was fairly sizable, easily able to accommodate dozens of ponies comfortably, so it likely wouldn’t be an issue; it was, after all, a first time for the both of them. Fixing her brow, looking back at him, she nodded.
“Very well then,” she agreed. Masking her enthusiasm for the new experience, she beckoned him with a wing. “Since that’s settled, shall we?”
Walking over, Anon inspected the equipment about the mare’s frame. From what he could tell, everything was affixed and secured properly, likely with the aid of the Princess’ magic. Placing one foot within a stirrup, he hesitantly pushed down upon the bit of metal; it felt firm enough, so he assumed he’d be able to climb atop her without much trouble. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he slowly exhaled.
“You ready?” he asked, resting a hand on her neck.
Swallowing, shuffling anxiously, Celestia hummed an affirmation. Casting her head to the side, she watched the man bear down on the stirrup and swing one leg over her back. As he settled upon her, his rump came to rest just south of her shoulders. In a clever bit of forethought, the saddle - a custom piece she’d ordered for an observance several decades prior - had been designed so that a rider’s positioning wouldn’t interfere with the use of her wings.
Shifting slightly, she adjusted to the load. Much to her amazement, having the man atop her was remarkably comfortable. Feeling the reins glide over her neck, as he settled into place, she considered it as good a time as any to begin. Moving one hoof forward, followed by a second, she leisurely began to trot.
Keeping silent, Anon rocked back and forth with her movements. Her slow, methodical gate made it easy to acclimate in the finely made saddle. Slipping his free foot into the vacant stirrup, content to leave the reins wholly slack, he practically beamed. Stroking the back of her neck, his fingers glided through her ephemeral mane.
“Enjoying yourself up there?” Celestia giggled, making a gentle turn and peering back up at him.
“Yeah, this is really nice,” he cheerfully responded.
Seeing his enjoyment, the Princess was emboldened. Speeding up slightly, breaking into a canter, the man lightly bounced and swayed upon her. The sensation, while a bit odd, was strangely comforting. She could see how it wouldn’t be difficult for similarly built quadrupeds to warm to the feeling. With her golden clad hooves steadily clip-clop-ing across the polished marble floor, she circled the room.
“W...woah,” Anon blurted, unprepared for the change of pace. Absentmindedly neglecting the slack reins in his grip, he leaned forward and placed his hands on her shoulders to steady himself.
The abrupt shift above, feeling him gently holding her, ignited something within Celestia. As inexplicable as it was, everything about the situation felt extraordinarily natural - no, more than that; it felt organic. Whether or not the ancient ponies of Equestria permitted themselves to be used as steeds for allied races, she had no way to know; yet she was positively inspired. Subconsciously transitioning into a full gallop, as she approached the exit, she came to a screeching halt.
“Holy shit,” Anon exclaimed, having gotten the barest taste of what the Princess was capable of. He had little doubt that, given the proper space, she could move even faster. Lamentably, since they were relegated to the throne room, he’d have no way to be sure.
“Anon,” Celestia began, drawing the man’s attention to her face, “do you trust me?”
“I...what?” he confusedly countered, taken aback by the question.
“Do you trust me?” she repeated. Slowly but surely, with an uneasy look in his eye, the man nodded. The corners of her mouth turned up, as she wheeled around to face the far end of the room. Standing opposite the two thrones, she pawed at the floor.
The sound of her hoof impacting the marble was all the warning Anon got, as the Princess surged forward. Thrown off balance, jostling as she accelerated, he draped his torso over the alicorn’s neck. With precious little ground to cover, she’d have to slow down - unless…Forcing himself to look up, spying the pair of curtained doorways flanking the thrones, he shook his head.
“No, no, nononononono,” he rambled, his grip on the magnificent diarch tightening.
Just beyond the thin fabric covering the two archways was a perilously small platform, followed by nothing but open air. Canterlot had been constructed on the side of a mountain, with the castle hanging precariously over the edge of a chasmous valley. As she veered towards one of the pairs of exits, his fears were cemented.
“Hang on!” Celestia bellowed, her heart thundering in her chest.
Wrapping his arms around her, holding on for dear life, Anon’s eyes went wide with disbelief. As they flew through the curtains, with a mighty bound, the alicorn cast herself over the balcony. For a fleeting moment, the literal blink of an eye, a feeling of weightlessness greeted him, although it ended in a flash. Gravity swiftly took hold, sending his stomach into knots, as their bodies plummeted towards the earth so far below.
Anon had heard of people’s life flashing before their eyes, yet he’d never been unfortunate enough to experience it himself - at least, not until then. With the concept of his fragile mortality striking him a heavy blow, on the verge of screaming, his heart skipped a beat. The ground grew closer and closer, sure to bring them both to a swift end, until the wings of an angel unfurled at his sides.
Tucking her legs and extending her feathered appendages, Celestia issued one powerful flap of her pinions. The additional weight upon here was but a slight hindrance, at most possibly dulling her maximum velocity and maneuverability an iota. Tilting her head back, she altered her trajectory and took to the skies.
As the Princess changed course, soaring to the heavens, Anon found himself at a loss. Without releasing his grasp, he watched the landscape sail by beneath them. Seconds passed and his tattered nerves started to calm - if only slightly. Feeling the alicorn’s pulse against his fingers, being reminded of whom he was holding so tightly to, his grip eased slightly.
“You ok?” Celestia loudly inquired, her voice cutting through the rushing air.
She’d be remiss for not checking on him, given what she’d just subjected him to. Though the reality of it was, even if he had fallen from her, she could have effortlessly saved him with her sorcery, yet she knew it likely gave him an awful fright. As she leveled out, flapping periodically to keep her altitude steady, she turned her head to get a better look at him.
Gulping down a breath of fresh air, remembering to breathe, Anon found his voice. “I’m still alive,” he croaked, forcing a halfhearted smile.
“My apologies for how brusquely I took to the skies,” she chuckled sheepishly, “but you should have known better, mounting an alicorn.”
The Princess’ calm and lighthearted demeanor did wonders to assuage the anxiety which had been bubbling within Anon, putting his mind at ease. “Just warn me next time, alright?” he laughed, patting her shoulder.
“But of course,” she sighed, straightening her neck to reduce drag.
Languidly drifting from side to side, feeling the breeze through his hair, the man sighed. From their altitude, he could easily make out several structures of Canterlot looming behind them. As frightening as it was, being atop a magical flying pony, there was something remarkable about it all. He was, as far as he knew, the first and only human to have such an experience; the thought filled him with pride, slowly overriding the trepidation inside of him. Leaning back slightly, seeing the wings beating in his peripheral vision, he closed his eyes.
“This is incredible,” he muttered.
“What? You’ll have to speak up! Can’t hear!” Celestia hollered back, cocking an ear in his direction.
“I said this is incredible!” Anon yelled, smiling broadly.
“If you think this is something, you should see what it’s like when I pull out all the stops,” she shouted, suddenly stricken with the urge to take off.
“So how fast can you go?” he asked.
“With a passenger, I’m not sure; but there’s only one way to find out!” she remarked, prompting the man to brace himself.
Hunkering down, pressing himself to the Princess, Anon did what he could to reduce his profile. His grip on her, while snug, wasn’t nearly as white knuckled as it had been when they’d plunged off the side of the palace. Steady and controlled, their pace quickened as they sailed over the landscape below.
The wind whipped against his face, the sun blazed overhead, and for the first time in many, many years, he felt like a kid again. The wonderment and excitement of it all, riding atop a majestic and beautiful creature, was like something from the wildest dream. Gone was any trace of dread or anxiety, replaced by the warmth and reassuring comfort of the mare.
Even with all the innumerable flights Celestia had had in her life, this one was singular. The abject faith the man had put in her, trusting her with his very life, was beyond moving. How he rested on her, his weight affording some unfathomable form of contentment, just felt right. It was almost as if there was some union between them, some mystical bond that linked the two. Positively beaming, rocketing through the skies, she climbed higher and higher.
Punching through a cloud, untold hundreds of feet above the earth, they slowed incrementally. Though attaining impressive speeds was possible, it certainly wasn’t the easiest thing - especially since she’s never attempted anything of the like before with a rider. As the man rested on her, running his hand up and down her neck, she hummed to herself.
Petting the Princess like she was some common mare, Anon put his affectionate gesture to an abrupt end - that was, until he heard her clearing her throat. Looking to her face, seeing one brilliant magenta eye peering back at him, he gulped. “Sorry.”
“I’m guessing that’s a customary action for humans and their steeds?” Celestia questioned, landing atop a small cumulus.
Noticing that she didn’t seem upset, Anon shrugged. “I think so. Honestly, I’m just going with what feels - “
“Natural…” the Princess concluded the statement for him, as an infuriatingly familiar yet entirely alien feeling welled within her bosom.
“Y...yeah…” he murmured, unsure of what else to say. There was something there, something he couldn’t put to words, but it wasn’t a bad thing - not in the slightest.
Turning her head, Celestia peered down at the kingdom. Rivers, fields, and dense forests stretched nearly as far as the eye could see, with one glaring exception. Canterlot, nestled against the side of a mountain, shone like the crown jewel of all Equestria. With the sun just starting to set, casting a warm orange glow over the city, it was as resplendent as it ever had been.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” she sighed, remembering how small the capital had once been - what felt like eons ago.
“Yeah,” Anon breathed, though it wasn’t the settlement which held his attention.
Glancing back, hoping to catch her guest’s appreciation for her home, Celestia found something all the more fascinating. The man wasn’t gazing at the city, he was staring at her. His smile, warm and serene, was the perfect accoutrement to the enchanted expression he held. Their eyes met and something flashed between them, though they both quickly looked away.