Title: The Equestrian Journal, by Anonymous - Day 14 Author: MuseAiE Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/YcT80w84 First Edit: Sunday 29th of April 2012 03:05:03 AM CDT Last Edit: Sunday 29th of April 2012 03:05:03 AM CDT "Today marks two weeks since I arrived here in Equestria.  One would think that dying and then being thrust into an unfamiliar world and then soonafter taking a new form would be more traumatic or something.  I never really thought about it before, but I feel more at ease here, like Equestria itself is just a happier place.  It's particularly strong when I'm in alicorn form; I don't know of the neurology is different or what might be causing it.  A side effect of this that I'm not particularly bothered by is that I'm starting to prefer to be in alicorn form over human form.   On that note, I learned to fly today.  Or more accurately, I was made to learn to fly.   The weather today was wonderful for it, being clear skies and no ground wind.  Celestia and I discussed my progress so far.  I have trotting down and will hopefully not be falling down stairs anymore.  I'm not a doctor but I'm pretty sure that's not good for my health.  As for magic, it's come along well enough.  I have levitation down now, since I use it constantly.  I remember that in the past, I would probably be completely entranced by magic.  It's different now that it's a very real and honestly everyday tool.  It's nice to have, and it makes life a lot easier, but it's hard to care.   After the progress report, Celestia invited me to stand next to her at the edge of the Overlook.  She pointed out the way to Ponyville, where she tells me the Elements of Harmony reside.  Apparently they're like the living embodiments of aspects of friendship or something like that?  I'm not sure how much of what she said was cryptic or literal."   --------------------   >"It's about twenty minutes' ride in a standard carriage.  A royal entourage will be anywhere from thirty to fifty minutes, depending on the detail." I would imagine having to pull a carriage slows you down considerably? >"Not as much as you might think.  Magic, remember?" >Of course.  Everywhere you turn:  Wow, it's fucking magic.  Fillies, please, contain your enthusiasm. >Nobody in the audience was awake anyway. So like ten to fifteen minutes' flight from here, then? >"That sounds about average.  I might be able to manage it in about six or seven if I pushed myself.  Though, I do know one mare who could probably set a record." >She had that amused smile.  Dare you ask how fast? How fast can she make it? >"As she would tell you? Ten. Seconds. Flat."  She emphasized the last three words pointing a forehoof at your chest and getting close.  She backed away with a laugh. It would probably take me about two or three days. >She looked at you perplexed. I can't fly, so it'd probably take me that long to walk there. >"Well, what's stopping you from flying?" >She knows the answer, but you decide to humor her anyway, looking down over the edge. I don't know how. >Damn, that's high.  You can't even clearly make out what's on the ground directly below your position. >"You're a smart young stallion, Anon.  I'm sure you'll figure it out." >You look up to her and smile before turning back to the ground below. I guess maybe yo-OHFUCK >She definitely just shoved you over the edge.   >SHITSHITSHITSHIT >You are falling with your back to the ground, looking upwards. >Spread your wings and fly! Fly Pup8 P8n, Flyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! >You stretch your wings out and...nothing happens at all. FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUCKING CELESTIA!!! >A sudden rappling sound catches your attention to your left.  You look over to see Celestia in a nose dive with her wings slightly flared.  She had that seldom-seen, shit-eating grin. >"You called?!" Her voice was barely audible over the wind ripping by your ears. WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?! >"This is how we teach many foals to fly!  I figured it'll work for you, even if you'll be starting from scratch!" YOU THREW ME OFF A CLIFF! >"Excellent observation! Now how about you stop observing and start thinking! You need to start by catching air in your wings! Turn yourself over and nosedive with me!" BUT I'LL BE FALLING FASTER! >"It'll take you a whole minute to hit the ground from here! You'll be fine!" >Oh yeah a minute to fly or die, that's real fucking reassuring. >Trusting in Celestia's guidance, you flip backwards, nosing toward the ground.  The sound of rushing air increased in pitch and volume, and Celestia snapped her wings against her body. >"Excellent! You now have about twenty to thirty seconds left as you are!" FUCK! >"Language!  Now, stretch your wings out and slightly curve the tips of them to catch the air!" >You do so, and you feel the force of air threatening against your wings, almost like the air is about to tear the feathers right out.  However, your descent is noticably slowed as Celestia lurches forward, from your perspective, before having to flare herself to keep her pace in line with yours. >"Okay, good!  This is the hard part!  Brace your wings and pull up!" >Your view of the ground is getting progressively more and more detailed.  You lift your nose upward and bend your wings to take more air. >But the air resistance is too strong and snaps you back into your nosedive.   SHIT, I CAN'T! >"You've picked up more momentum than you can handle! I'm going to grab onto you!" >You nod at her, returning to the previous postiion with catching a little of the rushing air and hold your speed as best you can. >She matches pace quickly, moves over your back, and connects with a thud.  She grabs tightly around your neck and waist with both pairs of legs, thankfully not over your junk. >"Our masses are going to act together, so I need you to help me level us out!" GOT IT! >"Good! On three!" >The ground wasn't just as far down as you could see anymore, like how the sky was; it was rushing toward you.  Time was short. THREE! >You skip the countdown and start pulling as hard as you could.  Thankfully Celestia has a quick reaction time and pulls with you.  The force on your body as your trajectory turns more and more horizontal feels like it could break bones.  You can feel her muscles strain to both keep hold of you and pull up. >After a good ten seconds of pulling, you're relatively level and are now gliding, still at high speed. >You could tell Celestia was winded as she yelled down again. >"Alright!  I'm about to let go!  Remember to furl your wings to slow your speed, and I'll meet you on the ground!" WAIT!  HOW DO I LAND?! >"Probably in a tumble!" >Before you could respond she let go and dove to the ground, flapping her wings hard at the last few seconds before landing softly and lying to watch you. Crap.   --------------------   "And just like the sudden change in subject in this journal entry, she shoved me off the side of a cliff.  I was mad at first, which I don't feel sorry about, but she stepped me through recovery from a fall.  Good thing the castle is a long drop from the ground, because I only had about a hundred feet left above the ground when I straightened out.  I managed to furl myself to a reasonable speed before trying to land...   Trying to land, anyway.  I was completely spent by the time I got to ground level and wasn't able to strain against my own momentum, so I had to snap my wings in and take the ground in a tumble.  I think my neck is going to be hurting for a few days but at least I didn't break anything.  I'm gonna have to fly a lot before I'll be able to do it very much, but I'm not particularly against flying as much as I can.  Unlike with magic, it retains the exhillerating wonder it had for humans.   Speaking of which, this is the first entry I've written completely with magic.  I'm so exhausted I opted to just recline and do this hands-free.  This is gonna take some practice, but I already learned to write before.  For now, off to bed."   >You look over the entry, scrutinizing your script.  It looks like a child's handwriting, big and ungraceful.  It also took you about five times as long as normal to write.  Having to use a quil doesn't help; maybe you'll reinvent pens using magic. >Another day.  Sleep now.