The Equestrian Journal, by Anonymous - Day 19

>"Anonymous, sir!  The Princesses request your attendance to the throne room."

>Woah, good thing you slept in alicorn form last night.

>You groggily get out of bed and nod to the guard...Captain?

What's going on, Captain Armor?

>"I'm not at liberty to disclose that.  But if I may make a suggestion, make yourself as pristine as possible."

>What the hell...

Cool, thanks.

>He...was that a deep nod, or a light bow?... and leaves, closing the door behind him.

>You capitalize on the advice and take a quick bath before heading to the throne room.

>Something big must be going down.

 

>You trot around the corner into the throne room at as brisk a pace as you can manage without looking stressed.

>Luna and Celestia sit on their respective thrones.  Arranged along the left side of the aisle are the Guard Captain, his wife Cadence, Twilight Sparkle, and a white unicorn mare with a fabulous purple mane.  Along the right are an orange earth mare with a western dress outfit, a yellow pegasus mare with a beautiful amaranth mane, a cyan pegasus mare with a rainbow mane, and finally a completely pink earth mare looking like a walking cotton candy machine.

>You just now realized you were standing in front of this scene dumbstruck.  Smooth.

>Celestia laughs at your state a second later and you walk up through the procession.  Oh god what is going on.

>"Anonymous." She says as you reach the top of the stairs up to the throne.  The other ponies are now a crowd behind you.

What's all this about, Celestia?

>"It's a ceremony for you, Anon.  You're an alicorn, and have become a sort of addition to the Royal Family in your time here."

>Your heart is pounding.  You're feeling apprehension about the idea of being royalty.

>"You have shown potential in both personality and capability."

>You think back over your time here.  Almost three weeks already?  Wow, time moves fast when you're relearning how to do basic functions.

>Personality?  Well, you guess you have become close to the Princess.  You're on friendly terms with Twilight and Luna, and the servants and guardsmen seem to have dropped the ridiculous formal attitude around you.

>Capability?  You can't really say much there.  You're just relearning to walk right?  And magic is just science.  And flying is mostly instinct anyway!

>Celestia must have noted the look of apprehension.  "Anonymous, I would like to grant you the title of 'Prince.'"

 

>Oh shit.

>All the ponies in the room gasp.  Seems they knew as little as you did about what was going on.

And what responsibilities would that entail, Princess?

>"As royalty, you would have free leave to go wherever, and do whatever, you wish.  You would have a say in political court.  Ponies everywhere would look up to you with unquestioned respect."

>You know what happens when someone not qualified tries to take positions of power.  Rarely anything good.

>And the attention doesn't sound like something you want.  You would just be gawked at wherever you went, scrutinized constantly.

>"I, Princess Celestia,-"

>"And I, Princess Luna,-"

>"Would like to welcome you to the Royal Family as Prince Anonymous."

>You look up with a frown to Celestia.  She is beaming, Luna less so but still smiling.

>You look around the room; the group is all over the place with shock, excitement, and...is the Pink one bouncing?

>You've reached a decision.  You turn back to Celestia and give her a hug, eliciting gasps from some of the ponies watching, as well as Luna.  After a few seconds you step back and look up to Celestia's shocked expression with a serious expression.

I thank you for the offer, but I must respectfully decline.

 

>"WHAT?!" "DID HE JUST-!" "HOW COULD-!"

>Luna might need to see a doctor about that dislocated jaw with how far dropped it is.

>Celestia looks...less shocked?  She raises a hoof to the group behind you, silencing them.

>"I'm sure you must have your reasons, Anonymous." There's that loving smile again.

>A few seconds of silence while you collect your words; someone behind you shuffles.

I don't feel that I'm qualified to deal in politics at this moment in time.  And I don't want all the special attention.  I don't want to be some famous icon or some sage everyone looks to for advice.

>Luna's expression is significantly less taken aback.  Celestia keeps looking at you with those knowing eyes; she knows you're about to say what's really important.

If it's alright with you, Celestia, I would like to live a normal life for a while before I think about joining you here.

>Damn, look at you, something out of a movie or something.

>Celestia nods, eyes closed, before stepping up to you and doing that weird equine neck-to-neck version of a hug.

>"I believe I understand, Anon."

>Wat.

>"How about an alternative, then?"

Oh?

>"Why don't you move out to Ponyville with Twilight and her friends?  You've finished your...ah, studies...here at the castle.  From the sounds of it, you could benefit from getting out a little more."

>You notice Twilight chuckle behind you.  When you turn, most of the mares are looking to her.  Hm.

I would love to, Celestia.

 

>You, Celestia, and Twilight sit out in the garden.  The guard captain and Cadence returned to wherever they live, and the rest of the mares from Ponyville left on a chariot a while ago.

>Celestia asked you two to stick around after the ceremony for a discussion in the garden, although she didn't specify what she wanted to talk about.

>"Anon." Celestia set her tea down and looked at you, concerned.

>You looked up to her and slightly nod.

>"I have to say I'm proud of you."  Without thinking your eyebrow shot up.

>"You didn't just jump at the chance I gave you like I was worried you might.  You showed discipline in declining royalty."

You...wanted me to turn that down?

>"I..." She looks away, at the edge of composure.  "I don't know what I wanted to happen.  Had you declined, I knew you would be going for what made you happy.  But had you accepted, you.....we..."

>You help her finish by nuzzling her neck.

You enjoy our time together.

>"Yes."

I know how close we've become, but I need to pick up where I left off.  I'm here for a reason.

>She looks down at the tea, eyes unfocused.  "Of course."  She looks back up to you with that smile.

>"Just, come visit me from time to time?"  You smile and nod.

>Twilight finally speaks up. "Celestia, I hope it's not too personal, but...just what kind of relationship DO you two have?"

>Aaand there went your tea, out of your mouth.  Nice.

>"Twi-*cough*-Twilight dear, it's not romantic."

>"Ohh" and she sighed with relief at that.  That purple face was about to be a bold red in another instant.

>"I suppose...it's like..."

Somewhat motherly?

>She smiles to you before returning to Twilight, ruffling her mane a little.

>"It's like a little foal, unfamiliar with the world but full of potential, appeared to me at an opportune moment."

 

>The conversation moves on to future plans after the moment.

So where am I going to live?  Your town doesn't look like it has an inn I can stay at.

>Celestia:  "Even if you aren't royalty, I'll still have a house built on our bits for you."

That doesn't seem right.

>"Consider it a gift from royalty.  Besides, it would take you a while to work up the bits; what would you even do?"

>That is a good point.

I'm used to working in any way I can to barely get by.  I doubt this will be any different.

>"No." She stamps her hoof down for emphasis.

>"You're done with that life.  It's time to move on."

>Oh shit she pulled that card.

Fair enough.

>Celestia nods and takes a sip of tea.

>Twi:  "You can stay with me while your house is being built.  We have a guest bed you can sleep in."

Thanks Twi.

>Celestia giggles.  "Aww, my two little ones helping each other out and having sleepovers, almost like real siblings."

>Fucking Trollestia.  You and Twi are significantly less amused.

And keeping each other's secrets.  Which brings us to the next topic.

>Twi: "Don't worry Anon.  Nopony knows about your real form but us three."

What about the castle staff?

>Tia: "Actually, they were told a while ago that you were just a temporary ambassador and left a while ago."

And not a trace was left.

>"Exactly."

 

>You and Celestia see Twilight off in a chariot.  You decided to stay after and would fly out to the town yourself in the morning.

>Which left you time for one last order of business after court and before bed.

>You and Celestia currently sit in your room, spending some last bit of time together.

So, one last thing between just you and me.

>"You want to keep in touch."

>Damn she's good.

Good guess.

>She smiles, a bit smug.  "Well when I can read your personal accounts of your escapades as you write in your journals, it's easier to understand how your mind works."

>wut

wut

>wut

wut

>She's laughing now.  "Anon, why did you think I asked you to write that journal as much as possible?  And did you think I would just ask for it at a later date and read through it all?"

>You are dumbfounded

I didn't...I...what...

>The laughter resumes for a bit more.

>"I have a similar enchanted journal in my room to yours.  I've been reading what you write as you write it."

I don't even know what to say.

>"It's okay, Anon.  I just ask that you keep in touch, okay?  I would love to hear about how your days go while you're living in Ponyville."

>Celestia gets up, exhanges a wing-hug with you, and makes her way back to her quarters, leaving you alone.

>You pick up the journal and begin a quick entry for the day.

 

"Thank you for your hospitality, Celestia.  Thank you for this earring.  Thank you for putting up with me and helping to acquaint me with this new body.  Most of all, thank you for the time we've spent together since I arrived here.  I love you.  ~Anon"