[AiE] PPPPP 4: To Lead You to an Overwhelming Question

>Slowly, with hesitation saturating her every move, she lifts up a trembling foreleg.

>She softly places it on your chest before quietly shaking her head.

>"U-Unbelievable..."

>With a soft tap, her hoof finds its way back down towards the wooden floor of the hollow tree.

>"...I never thought I'd get to meet a human..."

 

 

>At that, Twilight's panicked running around seemed to grind to a sudden halt as an eerie silence fell onto the library.

>"P-princess?" she stuttered softly as she stared up at her mentor. "I never said its c—"

>The large alicorn stepped towards her student, shushing her with a single stroke of her foreleg over Twilight's back.

>"I do owe you an explanation, Twilight," she said.

>You couldn't deny the authority vested in her voice, carrying itself even through the soft tone she spoke with now.

>"And I promise I will give you one in due time, but for now I would like to have a minute with our guest, if you'd grant me permission to use your library for a moment."

>At first, you thought the trembling in Twilight's frame to be fear, though the look on her face was one composed solely of admiration.

>Twilight looked up to that mare, in more ways than one.

>You only hoped she'd been right in thinking that this princess could help you find your way back home again.

>"Of course, princess," Twilight said, bowing before the alicorn. "Applejack and I'll ju—"

>"Ah should be gettin' back to the farm anyways," the earth pony spoke, giving a small bow to the monarch as well. "Princess, 't was a pleasure seeing you again. Feel free to come around for some of those apple-cinnamon fritters you like anytime, ya hear?"

>The alicorn smiled widely. "I'll make sure to come pick you up on that offer as soon as I find the time for it, dearest Applejack. Say hello to your grandmother for me, would you?"

>"Will do," Applejack said with an enthusiastic nod.

>Tipping her hat back into place, her gaze came to rest on you.

>"Ah hope y'all find your way back home soon, Anon."

"Thank you for your help." You cast a quick look behind you, seeing Ashy still sitting next to the sofa. "Really, I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't found us out there."

>A mild blush, barely noticeable through the orange pony's coat, burned her freckles.

>"Aw-shucks, don't mention it. Ah couldn't just let you lie out there in the dirt."

>Swinging the tree's wooden door open wide, she turned around one last time, giving a final wave goodbye.

>"Take care now y'all!"

>Before the library's entrance fell shut once again, you could see Applejack dashing off back towards the orchards in a gallop.

>"I'll just give you two a moment then," Twilight said as she made her way towards the stairs she'd came from earlier.

 

>The soft tapping of hooves on wood signaled the unicorn's exit, leaving you alone in the room with the princess.

>She smiled widely, holding her hoof out in front of her.

>"I'm not sure if this is still a proper human tradition, but I do believe this is how you properly greet one another, no?"

>Utterly baffled, you take the pony's hoof in your hand, giving it a polite shake up and down.

>"In case my student had not told you yet, my name is princess Celestia, though I'd much prefer if you'd just call me Celestia."

"I... uh..."

 

>"She told me your name is Anon. Is that correct?" Celestia offered as she looked at you with kindness in her eyes.

"Yeah." You gave a quick nod. "Uh, yeah. I'm Anon. Sorry, it's just..."

>You cocked your head before taking a quick look at the princess's hooves.

"How did you know what I am? And the thing about shaking hands?"

>"To you, Anon, I extend the same promise as the one my student received; I will explain things to my best extent in due time."

>The princess craned her neck, staring past you and into the other room.

>"But I believe you owe me an introduction first, no?"

>Shaking your head, trying in desperation to see some sort of sense in this all, you can only mutter out a confused, "What?"

>"I was under the assumption that you did not come here alone," she said, letting her gaze fall back on you. "Or so my student has told me, at least."

>Looking behind you into the next room, your mind snapped to its sense again as you watched the scared pony looking back at the both of you.

>Crouching down, you tap your knuckles against the wooden floor of the library, drawing Ashy's attention to you.

>Her ears flick to and fro as you whistle a low note.

"Come here, girl."

>She whinnies softly, pressing her ears flat against her head as she sees the alicorn stepping next to you.

"She's a bit uneasy around new people," you apologize to the royal mare.

>"Might I?" she asks. "Perhaps I can assure her she shouldn't be afraid."

>Though the authority in her voice carried itself as it had done before, firm and yet with a certain sense of kindness layered underneath, you couldn't say you were convinced to let a stranger near her.

>Not even one of royal statute.

"I don't think that's a very good idea, princess. No offense meant."

>And like she had done before, despite your defiance, all she did was smile softly in response.

>"Then I shall take none, either. I wish not to pressure either one of you."

>Getting up again, you slowly walk closer towards the sofa again.

>Next to it still lies the half-opened box of sugar cubes.

>Laying one in the flat of your hand, you hold it out to her, just outside of her reach.

>Quietly speaking, you try to lure her in, "Come on, you don't need to be afraid of the big pony. You've been on the fields with the big ponies before."

>Her eyes are wide as saucers and in them, only one thing shows itself.

>Fear. Pressing herself against the floor, with her ears flat against her head, she softly whines.

"Come on, girl. It'll all be fine, I promise."

>Whether it was that promise that made her shuffle towards you or the prospect of a sweet treat, you're not likely to find out any time soon.

>But regardless, Ashy crept her way towards you, still casting frightened glances at the princess.

>From behind you, you heard her speak quietly as your little pony lapped at the sugary contents of your palm.

>"Why do I frighten her so?"

>Offering another snack to the grey mare licking your hand, you scoot a little closer to her.

"It's not your fault, Celestia."

>As you lightly scratch behind Ashy's ears, she shakes her head before nuzzling your chest.

>She nickers softly as she lies her head in your lap, muttering your name as she does so.

>Hearing her say your name was still unsettling, though you couldn't possibly try to deny how endearing it was to see how attached she was to you.

>From the other room, Celestia beheld the two of you with a certain sense of uneasiness.

>"Is it okay if I step closer?"

>Looking down at the relaxed mare in your lap, you nod.

"Yes, it'll be fine now."

>Taking a single step closer, the princess looks at you, silently asking for permission.

>You nod, motioning for her to come join you.

"You just intimidated her by making Twilight and Applejack leave and then drawing my attention away from her."

>Smiling in reassurance as the princess takes another step closer, you let your hand brush through Ashy's mane.

"Don't worry about it; she's a bit spoiled."

>This earns you a brief snort coming from your lap.

"But I wouldn't want her any other way," you said, continuing to smoothen out your pony's mane.

 

>Celestia took a seat on the floor as well, laying herself down, face-to-face with Ashy.

>As you halted stroking her mane, she slowly opened her eyes, meeting the sight of the princess lying in front of her.

>"Hello, dearest," the alicorn greeted her quietly.

>The mare in your lap began to squirm, but as you shushed her, she grew more relaxed once again.

>Hesitantly, she inched her way forward, bringing her muzzle only a hand away from Celestia's.

"Her name is Ashy."

>This brought a confused look on the princess's features, her brow raising as she looked up at you for a moment.

"She, uh... she doesn't really know how to speak," you inform the princess as she brings herself a little closer to your pet. "I mean, she knows a few words like my name and when she wants to go for a walk, but that's all she's said so far."

>Both ponies continue to look at each other, their muzzles separated by nearly no distance at all.

>A short moment later, you noted Ashy nuzzling herself against the royal white mare.

>"I am sorry for upsetting you earlier, Ashy," she spoke.

>Your pet, in return, nuzzled her again before shaking her head sideways wildly.

>"I believe she accepted my apology," Celestia said as she stood up straight again. "She's a remarkable pony, Anon."

 

>Softly prying Ashy's head out of your lap, you come to rise to your full length again, topping the princess by a good head's height.

"H-how..." You take a deep breath, trying not to fly off the handle again like you'd done with Twilight. "How does none of this faze you?"

>Celestia's face remains neutral, seemingly indifferent to your question, only spurring you on to continue.

"When she found us, Applejack start yelling at me that I was mistreating Ashy. When we got here, Twilight started going through scrolls and books faster than I held possible."

>Then you point at the mare in front of you.

"But you, you seem to think this is perfectly normal somehow..."

>"When has running around in panic ever done any good, Anon?"

"That's not... I mean..."

>You heave a deep sigh, trying to calm yourself as you watch Ashy look up at you, her ears laying halfway flat again.

>Idly tussling her mane with your right hand to reassure her, you meet the princess's eyes.

"Look, this isn't how I imagined my afternoon would go, okay? And I'm sorry, but this is just too much for me."

>Casting a quick glance at the stairs, you could've sworn you saw a flicker of purple.

"Twilight told me you could help us get home," you said, hearing the desperation beginning to slip into your own tone. "So, if you could, if you can help me go home, I'd... I... I don't know what's going on and... I..."

>Ashy nuzzled herself against your waist, causing you to look down through heavy eyes.

"...Please, we just want to go back home, Celestia."

 

>You'd never given much thought about how it'd feel, but if you had to pin it down, you'd say that being hugged by a giant wing feels much like being covered by the softest blanket imaginable.

>"I promise you, Anon, that I will do whatever lies in my power to see to that."

>You've been on the receiving end of a false promise more than once, but for some reason — whether it were desperation, whether it were the warmth in her voice — you chose to believe her.

>"I can't imagine what either of you must feel like right now, but I must ask of you to steel yourself so that we may discuss how to proceed from here," Celestia spoke as she retracted her wing.

>The simple motion had made you feel safe in this world, if only for a moment.

>Her words carried the truth and with a burdened swallow, you nod.

"Sorry, I—"

>"Do not apologize, Anon. You merely wish to return to your home; for that, nopony ought to apologize. No human, either," she added with a sleek grin. "When placed in unfamiliar surroundings, many make decisions they come to regret later on. Allow me to help you make the right decisions."

>A tiny fragment of a smile appears on your face at the mare's sense of understanding.

 

"Okay. So where do we go from here?"

>Celestia stepped back into the main room of the library, soon followed by both you and Ashy, whom stayed very close at your side.

>"I would like to extend an invitation towards you both," Celestia said as she looked around through the room. "I can not say I feel at ease without having you both looked over by my personal medicinal staff."

"Neither of us are hurt, Celestia," you said, letting your eyes run over the pony pressing herself hard against your leg. "My head's been better, but I blacked out earlier so..."

>The alicorn's brow furrowed as she took a step closer towards you, piercing your eyes with her own.

>"You lost consciousness?" she asked, a sharp tone of worry slicing through her words. "That is not a matter to take lightly, Anon. Did my student look you over yet?"

"She, uh... kind of caused it to happen in the first place."

>The alicorn's expression suddenly took a stern turn as she turned towards the stairs.

"She didn't do it on purpose!" you exclaim, holding your hands up in a display of innocence on Twilight's behalf.

>Celestia cranes her neck, looking back at your for an explanation, still ready to run up those stairs to do things to her student you'd rather not find out if the look in her eyes is anything to go by.

"She did something she calls magic, I freaked out, add a bunch of talking ponies to that and you know..." You clap your hands together, the resulting sound making your head throb ever so slightly. "...Down goes the human."

>Shrugging your shoulders, you tilt your head slightly. "I like to think people have fainted for less, honestly."

>She gave a solemn nod, turning around to face you once again.

>"I would still appreciate it if you'd both join me in returning to the castle. If not for yourself, then for your companion," Celestia resumed.

>Though you were quite certain she was fine physically, you couldn't deny that given her recent changes it might not be the worst idea to have her looked over by what was supposed to pass as 'professionals' in this place.

>You nod, silently accepting the princess's offer.

>"Good. I would offer to teleport us all, but it seems you are not overly fond of magic?"

"Neither of us are," you reply, feeling yourself leaning in on Ashy's touch.

 

>"Have you ever flown, Anon?"

>Your eyes widened for a moment, unsure of the alicorn's intent.

>Slowly, you shake your head side to side, keeping eye contact with her all the way through.

"Can't say that I have. And I'd kind of like to keep it that way too, if you don't mind."

>Celestia's expression soured for a moment before she took on her facade of composure again.

>Her behavior, on the other hand, didn't match up with that.

>Trotting around the room, she began muttering to herself, tilting her head side to side as she ran over her other options aloud.

>"A regular carriage... but that's hours worth of driving..."

>She sharply spun on her hooves, reversing direction.

>"There's the train, but..."

>Celestia's muzzle scrunched up at the mention of railroads.

>You were impressed they even had trains, though you suppose that if a thing like 'magic' were to exist here that trains really weren't all that impressive.

"A train ride sounds doable?" you throw in.

 

>The princess looked at you again, halting her pacing.

>"I'd rather have you take a more direct route to your destination."

>She sighed, beginning to trot around aimlessly again.

>"The train stops multiple times; there's stations in Baltimare, Fillydelphia, and Manehattan that need to be passed before heading to Canterlot. Ponies from those cities are... not quite used to seeing other creatures. And the last thing I look forward to is dealing with a bunch of false rumors and frightened whispers about a large creature invading the kingdom."

"Wait... Ponies from those cities aren't used to seeing 'other creatures'?"

>The princess's head snapped towards you, halting mid-trot to look at you. "No, they live relatively secluded. How so?"

"But ponies from say, Ponyville, are used to 'other creatures'?"

>Slowly, Celestia's leg descends to the floor, arriving with a soft tap.

>"Is something wrong?"

>Taking a long-drawn breath, you prepare yourself for another jab of incoming discomfiture.

"Just what exactly do you mean by 'other creatures'?"

>"Minotaurs and griffins, for the most part," she replied. "Though there's a wide array of species living nearby in the Everfree, of which we have little documentation. There likely are even more beyond the wildlands, though I can not give you anything beyond my assumptions when it comes to that."

>You recall their names from times long ago, accompanied by drawings of foreign scenery.

>Shaking your head, you make no effort holding back a long, bothered sigh.

>When Twilight told you this was Earth, you'd chosen to believe her.

>The more time passed since that moment however, the more that conviction began to falter.

"...It's like I walked into a fairy tale."

>"Perhaps that was their intention," Celestia said, looking at the ground.

 

"What?"

>Distraught, the alicorn shook her head, blinking profusely.

>"Pay no heed to an old mare's stray thoughts," she apologized.

>Running your eyes over the alicorn's frame, you feel your brow take to the sky.

"You don't look all that old. Not by my standards, at least."

>Celestia smiled, her tail flicking to the side as she craned her neck to look herself over.

>"Flattery will get you very far, Anon," she beamed. "But I doubt you would believe me if I told you how old I really am... Or how old I know I am, at least."

>An uncomfortable silence fell after that statement, leaving the entire library void of sound and time.

>Were it not for the soft pressure of a small pony assaulting your leg with her muzzle, you'd have tried to distance yourself from the mare whose coat seemed to have lost part of its luster all of a sudden.

"...I'd say that you're confusing me, but honestly, this entire day has been nothing but just that."

>Cocking your head, you take a step closer to her, lifting her muzzle with your hand.

"How old are you, Celestia?"

>"It's impolite to ask a mare her age," she answered, a hint of a weary smile appearing on her face.

>It seems certain things remain to be the same, no matter what the circumstances.

>Lowering your hand, you took a step back, wondering what made this mare so special.

>In the brief time you'd seen her at work, Twilight had struck you as a mare of knowledge.

>The look on her face when she gazed at her mentor, however, was one that knew no peers.

>For as much knowledge Twilight possessed, this mare held a tenfold of it in wisdom.

>Even though they've supposedly been mentor and student for the most part of Twilight's life, Celestia still maintained to keep a certain way of carrying herself that made Twilight look up at her in amazement; that same way that made you take this mare's word for a fact, whether it actually were or not.

>It left the question to be beckoned what this mare had done to gain such an omniscient impression.

>"I will tell you later."

>You weren't entirely sure you wanted to know anymore.

 

>"I fear we've reached a standstill then," Celestia noted. "The ramifications of simply putting you both on a train in public sight would come bearing down on me for a long time to come."

>She looked at you wide-eyed, hope shimmering in those pools of magenta.

>"So unless you'd reconsider the option of flight"—She paused for a moment—"our only option if to drive there by carriage... Which will take a few hours."

>Turning towards your mare, you crouch down and stroke her mane, earning you a happy smile from her.

>For now, her well-being should be the highest priority.

>After all, Celestia had given you her word she'd help you go back home.

>Heaving a sigh, you turn to look up at the princess.

"If you think it's for the best..."

>She nodded enthusiastically, flashing you her pearly whites.

>"I'm glad you reconsidered, Anon. We can get you both there in about twenty minutes, have you looked over by the experts, maybe have something to eat?"

>At that, your stomach responded with a low growl, voicing its approval of Celestia's plan.

>She tittered a soft, careless laugh of a nature so short-lived it made you miss the sound the moment it stopped.

>It felt comforting to hear someone laugh, if only for a moment this brief.

 

>"If I had known that I could have simply persuaded you by offering you food," she said with a wink. "And of course, I will see to it that comfortable sleeping arrangements will be made for as long as necessary. I w—"

"Princess," you interrupt, immediately silencing her. "I don't wish to sound ungrateful, but..."

>You cast a look at the grey mare who'd decided to lie down, far too confused by what her owner was talking about to even try to follow it anymore.

"Why are you doing this for us?"

>She, too, turned her head at your pet who was ready to take a nap in the middle of the room, unbothered by her surroundings.

>Something had struck Celestia.

>There was this look in her eyes that you couldn't place.

>And you don't think she knew how to place it either.

>It was a mixture of emotions, displaying concern and a sense of longing, as if she wanted to reach out towards you both, but feared you would simply disappear the moment she'd do so.

>And jealousy, as well.

>Celestia looked at your pet, taking in the sight in front of her: the human and his pony.

>And she remembered all she'd been told.

>"You do not know this, Anon, but I owe you my life."

 

 

>The first thing that came to mind was to shake your head. And so you did.

"I, uh... I really have no clue what you're talking about."

>The way Celestia spoke those words, so wholly convinced of their truth, it unsettled you.

>To see someone like her, carrying an aura of composure and seemingly endless knowledge around her, shining through in her every move, as if nothing in this world was unknown to her, so certain of a notion like that...

>It scared you. The way those words came bearing down had hammered down a single thought in your mind; one of which you knew it was the absolute, unconditional truth.

>There was something bigger at play here. Something she thought you to be a part of.

>Oh, how you hoped for her to be wrong.

 

 

>"We must prepare for our journey," Celestia said, her horn lighting up in a golden aura.

>Though you knew she held no ill intentions, you couldn't help but flinch at the bright light, certainly not aiding to your headache.

>Your pet, lying on the ground, made her fright vocal through a series of loud and harsh whinnies as she jumped up and crept back towards the other room, her eyes tightly kept on the big, glowing mare in the middle of the room.

>Immediately, Celestia ceased her lightshow, her eyes flickering between both you and Ashy.

>"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, I forgot!" she yelled frantically.

>From your side, you heard the sound of hooves rushing down stairs.

>Seeing the situation at hand: the distressed state of her mentor, combined with the pony cowering in fear at the far end of the room, Twilight immediately tried to reach her teacher as soon as she could.

>Before she could even make it all the way down the stairs, however, she was stopped.

>"Stay where you are! You'll only scare her more if you come in now," Celestia said, not moving her eyes off your pony for even a second.

>"Princess, what's going on? Why are you—"

>"Be quiet, Twilight. Whatever you do, don't use your magic."

>Leaving the bickering mares to their vices, you called out the frightened pony's name, only for her to ignore you completely.

>For the first time since you've owned her, she didn't bat so much as an eye at the sound of your voice.

>Calling out to her again results in precisely the same manner: her eyes remaining cast on the alicorn in front of her.

>You turn to the princess. "What did you do with her?!"

>At least you managed to shut Twilight up with your outburst.

>Celestia, on the other hand, didn't flinch, still keeping her eyes bound on your pet.

>"Nothing! I did nothing, I swear. I just wanted to grab a quill to send a letter to the castle."

>A single tap caused all heads to turn towards your pet whom just made a single step forward.

>"I'm so sorry, Ashy," the princess whispered to her. She, too, took a step forward albeit much slower than your mare.

>She repeated her apology over and over again, each time closing the distance a little until they once again were standing face to face.

>Celestia crouched down, bringing her muzzle in front of Ashy's.

>"I didn't mean to," she whispered with a tremble of genuine fear in her voice. "I'm so, so sorry."

>The princess tried to nuzzle your pet, only to receive a smack on her head with a wild swing from your pet's head.

>"Princess!" Twilight called out to her, forcibly holding herself back from dashing into the room to separate the two mares.

>"It's okay, Twilight," Celestia reassured her, grimacing a little from the impact she'd just endured. "Don't interfere with this."

>Unable to protect her mentor, she turned to you instead. "What is she doing with the princess?!"

>Still taken aback by what you just saw, you blinked, slowly putting together your pet's reasoning.

"...She's telling her off," you said. "I've never seen her do that before."

>With a snort, Ashy stomped at the floor before rushing to your side.

>Nuzzling herself against your waist, she looked at Celestia and snorted again, pawing at the ground.

>Crouching down, you put your hand on her muzzle and gave it a sharp pinch, making her look straight up at you.

"Bad pony," you scolded her. "That's not how I raised you."

>Flicking her ears with your index finger, you repeated yourself, "That's a bad pony, Ashy."

>"Do not punish her, Anon," Celestia said as she stood up again, taking a step back in the process. "I believe I understand now why she dislikes magic so."

>Turning towards her student, she smiled in reassurance. "Twilight, would you please do me a favor?"

>In response, the unicorn nodded so fast it nearly made you nauseated.

>"Of course. Anything for you, princess. What do you want me to do?"

>"Send forth a letter to the castle. Tell them to send my personal carriage towards your library with the two fastest flyers available and to have the medicinal staff ready upon my arrival back."

>Twilight could no longer contain herself, striding down the stairs to rush towards her mentor's side.

>"Princess, if you're hurt I could—"

>Celestia smiled in reassurance, shushing her student with her hoof.

>"I can assure you I've seen far graver injuries then this, my dearest student," she said, rubbing her hoof over the slightly pinkish bruise on her cheek. "I require no medical aid."

>She cast a quick look at the pony still furiously rubbing her head against your waist.

>"Make sure to ask for doctor Trails to be present; he'll know what to do."

>Hesitantly, Twilight nodded before she ran towards the reading pedestal she'd used earlier.

>"Twilight!" Celestia exclaimed, causing the unicorn to turn around abruptly. "Write it upstairs so she doesn't have to see your magic."

>The studious mare once again bobbed her head before grabbing a piece of parchment in her mouth and running back up the stairs.

 

>And then the three of you were once again left behind in the library's main room.

"Sorry about that." With a painful grimace, you nodded at the princess's face. "I really don't know what's gotten into her."

>Bearing a forced smile, falling slightly short of suppressing the pain that motion caused, she quietly shook her head.

>"Neither you, nor she, owe me an apology, Anon. I was at fault here and it's a mistake I won't make again."

"Still, princess, I've never... I mean, she doesn't do stuff like that usually. If anything, she's shy around others."

>Celestia's forced smile suddenly took a far more genuine form.

>"Do you own other ponies as well?"

>Right then, you wondered how your stallions fared. You've been here less than a day, so they ought to be fine.

>But who knows when you'd be back? What'd happen to them in the mean time?

>They could make it without proper care for a few days, sure. But they'd run out of food and water, eventually.

>Hopefully, when the vet made his weekly visit, he'd see things were off, if it'd ever come to that.

>He'd take matters into his own hands for the safety of your animals.

>It might not be the most pleasing outcome and you don't think anyone would ever believe you if you told them what you were going through right now, but at least you knew your stallions would be fine, no matter what'd happen to you.

>A soft cough coming from ahead rouses you from your reveries.

"No, I don't own any other ponies than Ashy," you said. "I own a coup— I don't know if 'horses' exist in this place? They look a lot like you, actually. A little bigger, but for the most part..."

>Celestia nodded, her genuine smile choosing to stay on her features for the time being.

>"Ah, Saddle Arabians. A... temperamental kind, to say the least," she acknowledged. "Our contact is limited, I'm afraid. Might I ask why you have chosen to own a pony among a group of 'horses' as you call them?"

"My stallions make my earnings, they're what keeps my farm in business. And it's a lot of work to keep them in the condition I'm offering."

>Crouching down, you lay your arm over Ashy, putting your head against hers.

"So I brought in this little ball of trouble to relax a little after work."

>That same look, that sense of longing flashed across Celestia's features. Her smile returned shortly after as her head tilted a little.

>"What is it that these stallions of yours do to make your earnings, A—"

>"They answered, princess!" Twilight shouted as she ran down the stairs. "They're already on their way."

>She beamed at her mentor, looking up to her again for words of approval at successfully fulfilling Celestia's request.

>"Thank you, Twilight," the monarch quietly spoke. "It oughtn't take them long to arrive bearing only an empty carriage."

>The unicorn frowned at the pinkish spot on her mentor's facade.

>"Are you sure you don't want me to put some ice on that?"

>Celestia gave a slight shake of her head. "I will be fine, my dearest student. Do not worry for me."

 

"Still, princess, I'm really sorry about that," you interrupted. "It's not like her to, you know..."

>"Assault others?" she asked.

>Though her voice carried no blame whatsoever, you couldn't help but feel as if the room's atmosphere was begin to grow tenser.

"Well yeah."

>Her head tilted slightly as she looked at the pony pressing herself against you as if her life depended on it.

>"No, she does not strike me as a pony to do that. I can see you've clearly raised her well, even if she might be a bit... How to put this delicately..."

>Her muzzle scrunched up as she sought for a diplomatic wording.

>You might have an idea of what she was implying, especially right now. "Clingy?"

>With a polite shake up and down of her head, Celestia thanked you for admitting the obvious yourself.

>"I'd have opted for the term 'defensive' myself, actually," the princess answered. "Perhaps you've paid no attention to it yet, nor are you expected to under these circumstances, but your mental state influences hers greatly at this moment."

>Visions of how you flew off the handle against Twilight and the way Ashy'd squirmed herself against the ground came back to drive Celestia's point home.

>How she'd been scared of the letter coming out of thin air and your snide remark against the people that were trying to help you following thereafter.

"Sure, but what do you expect?"

>You put your hand atop Ashy's head, acknowledging her attempts at drawing your attention.

"Right now, I'm all she's got. Of course she's going to try to stay as close to me as she can."

>"That was not exactly what I meant," Celestia said, raising her brow as her eyes aimed at the bruise on her cheek.

"What? Do you think she did that because of me?"

>The alicorn's brow lowered itself again. "I do not believe she did that because of you; rather, I think she did it for you. Did my magic invoke fear in you, Anon?"

"...I might have flinched a bit."

>The two horned mares donned the exact same smile, much akin to a grin.

>"That's all the incentive she needed."

>"But why did she do... that thing with her head then, princess?" Twilight turned her gaze right above the princess's. "You said you didn't even use your magic and Anon wasn't scared anymore..."

>Celestia's muzzle scrunched up, but before she could answer a series of short taps resounded, coming from the door.

>"I do believe that would be our means of transportation," she said as she turned towards the door. "Anon, could you gather your belongings and both meet me outside when you are ready?"

>With a solemn nod, you answered in affirmation.

>Celestia gave her student a quick hug. "I will come visit you again soon, Twilight. For now, nopony needs to know what happened here today, understood?"

>When Twilight tried to open her mouth to protest, the princess shook her head. "Not even your friends."

>A little letdown, Twilight nodded, deciding not to make things harder on the alicorn than they'd already been.

>"Okay, princess. I won't tell a soul, I promise."

>The princess smiled, giving her student a final hug before she slid out the door.

>Only then did you notice just how late it had already gotten if the upcoming darkness outside was any frame of reference.

>With a quick run to the other room, you retrieved your backpack, making sure to have put the box of sugar cubes back in it.

 

>"I suppose this is goodbye then," Twilight said, a slight waver in her voice.

>You couldn't help but feel slightly estranged by the unicorn's sudden display of sadness at your departure.

>She sighed, letting her eyes travel from your shoes, all the way to your head. "I would have loved to research you before you'd go back home."

>And now things made sense again. As far as things made sense here, anyways.

"Well, who knows when the next human might pop out of thin air, right?"

>Your attempt at a joke was met with little response on Twilight's end as she chose to look at the mare at your side, defiantly staring at the purple unicorn..

>You shook your head as you looked down on her. "What's gotten into you?" you muttered to no one in particular.

>Few moments passed in which nothing was said, until Twilight sprung back to attention, remembering her mentor's words.

>"Anyway, you shouldn't keep the princess waiting, Anon." She pawed at the ground, uncertain of what to do.

>In the end, she simply opted to part with a smile. "Good luck finding home again," she said, holding the door open.

>As you stepped into the chilly air of a late afternoon, you felt like you couldn't leave without properly showing your gratitude.

>You turned around, met with the sight of the unicorn staring at the alicorn a small distance away.

"Twilight?"

>A small shiver of surprise ran through her frame before she turned towards you.

"I'm sorry for being so rude earlier; I don't think I can thank you enough for what you've done for me." You felt something nudge your side. "For us."

>Much like her teacher, Twilight's features carried a small smile, one of sincerity.

>Maybe this world was beginning to tire you out with its nonsensical... everything, but in that moment, you felt like you were talking to a smaller, younger version of Celestia herself.

>"I'm just glad I could help you, what little help it might have been. What kind of mare would I be to turn my back on a stranger in need?"

>You didn't know. What kind of mare would that make her?

>Nodding her head at the carriage behind you, the unicorn spoke up, "Don't keep the princess waiting now."

>With a final wave, you part from the bookworm and her magical tree-library. "Goodbye, Twilight."

>The unicorn waved back until she saw you enter the carriage.

>Shaking her head, she strode back into her house.

 

>"What a day," she thought to herself.

>She halted in the middle of the library's main room and looked around.

>Everything seemed exactly as it always was, as if there hadn't been an unknown species standing here just moments ago.

>She recalled the princess's words: 'I do owe you an explanation, Twilight, and I promise I will give you one in due time'.

>A wide smile spread on her face, and she felt a certain giddiness grow in her belly. Due time?

>Twilight wasn't nearly patient enough to wait for that.

>She looked to her left. Then to her right.

>Books. Lots and lots of books.

>"There has to be something about 'humans' in one of them," she reasoned aloud.

>Her horn grew alive and alight, coating a multitude of books in her trademark crimson aura.

>With an excited giggle and a bounce in her gait, she made her way towards her reading pedestal.

>Just as she was ready to sat herself down in front of it, her eyes shot open.

>Her aura dissipated into thin air, sending myriad books plummeting towards the floor.

>She craned her neck towards the kitchen door and jumped up.

>"I'm going to need coffee for this."

 

 

 

>Celestia sat opposite you, looking at you worriedly. "Are you feeling alright, Anon?"

>Flying carriages are one thing.

>Flying carriages without seats, on the other hand, are an entirely different matter.

>Every breeze of wind rolling past the airborne transport shook its frame.

>It was barely noticeable, but it was noticeable nonetheless.

>Desperately pressing your hands against the carriage's floor, you try to keep yourself from shaking like a leaf.

>You're not doing too great a job at it, it seems.

"Can we reconsider the trainride? Please?"

>Celestia's features took a sullen note as her ever-present smile grew notably smaller.

>"I'm sorry if you are uncomfortable. I can assure you, it'll only be a few more minutes at the most."

>Clenching your jaw —among other things— shut with as much force as you can, you give the princess a frightened nod.

"G-great."

>But whereas you felt as if you were going through several near-death experiences at the same time, the pony lying in your lap seemed not to care for the fact that the beautifully solid and safe ground was a far, far distance away.

>In all likeliness, she didn't even realize what was going on. Each time the cart tilted a few degrees and you were mentally bracing yourself to plummet towards your early death, Ashy instead began to giggle at the funny feeling in her stomach.

>If you didn't know any better, you'd say she was mocking you.

>Celestia was looking at your pony with a smile on her face. Her aggressive behavior of earlier seemed to have dissipated into nothing.

>The alicorn looked away from her, instead bringing her gaze towards you. "Anon, might I ask you a few questions?"

>Anything to distract you from this hellish skyride was a welcomed opportunity.

"Yeah, sure. Ask away."

>"Applejack was the first pony to find you, right?"

>Shakily nodding, you reply, "I think so, yes. She was the first pony I met when I came back to, at least."

>The princess seemed to stare at some place above your head for a few moments before nodding to herself, seemingly pleased with your answer.

>Her eyes widened the slightest as she came to look at you again. "Please do not take offense to this... secrecy, but a situation like this needs to be handled delicately, Anon."

>She lowered her head, looking at your snoozing pony before she continued her questioning, "Do you think anypony saw you when you were headed towards Twilight's home?"

>You try to recall what you remember of the walk, Applejack's explanation of 'cutiemarks' being the only thing to come to mind.

"No, we didn't come across anyone on the streets. I don't think anyone saw us."

>For whatever reason it may be, that too seemed to please Celestia.

>Just as you were about to ask why it was so important, you died.

 

>Or that's what you think what was happening, at least.

>"Ah," the princess noted, "it seems we've begun our descent." She beamed her terrific smile at you again, though it aided little to the currently even-more-traumatized state of your mind.

>"You will be safe and sound in just a moment, Anon."

>Your pet seemed to be beyond pleasure as she rolled around in your lap, giggling as she nuzzled herself against your chest, lying belly-up and kicking her legs in the air.

>"It seems she doesn't share your fear of flight," Celestia quipped.

>In between heavy breaths, you turned to give the princess a dead-pan stare. "So you've noticed?"

>Right after, you heard a thump. Then, the most beautiful sound you've heard in your entire life came to be.

>The grinding of gravel underneath the carriage's wheels.

>Reassured that you would not die at the hands of a tragic pegasus-failure-induced accident, you felt your fears ebb away.

>Your breathing steadied itself and you heaved a sigh of relief beyond imagination.

>Ashy, on the other hand, seemed content to keep lying the way she was, idly kicking in the air with her legs.

 

>The grinding sound came to a halt and you felt another wave of relief flood over you.

>Idly rubbing your pet's belly with a trembling hand, you shake your head. "Never. Again."

>Celestia seemed not to have heard you as one of the flyers that had brought you here opened the carriage's door, bowing so low his snout almost touched the ground.

>"We have arrived, your majesty," he spoke. "Was everything to your wishes?"

>The alicorn stepped outside, giving a single nod towards the pegasus.

>"Most certainly. My apologies for having to call you both in on such short notice. You will be compensated accordingly."

>"Thank you, your majesty. May we be—"

>Celestia silenced him with a shake of her head and shooing motion of her hoof.

>"You may be excused."

>The pegasus bowed again before walking back to the front of the carriage.

>You heard two voices chatter to one another, slowly fading out as the gravel crunched underneath their hooves.

>Celestia poked her head in the carriage, to see you still engaged in post-flight stress therapy with Ashy.

>She granted you a wide smile and retracted herself from the transport, leaving you with little option but to follow her.

 

>The cold evening's air rushed past your face and you felt a shiver run through your frame, all the way down your spine.

>Celestia held her hoof out, beaming with pride.

>"I would hereby like to officially welcome you both to Canterlot Castle, home to myself and my sister, Princess Luna."

>She turned towards a set of white stairs in the distance, leading up to a pair of ridiculously big doors.

>Looking back over her withers, her lips curled themselves upwards at the look on your face.

>"Shall we then?"