Title:           Circles and other strange tales #2
Author:          lifeandmusic
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/YVw8YNXD
First Edit:      Sunday 30th of September 2012 02:19:35 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Sunday 30th of September 2012 02:19:35 PM CDT

>You bring a now functional hand to your head
>Feels like there’s no permanent damage. Which makes you the first human ever to survive a Parnox encounter
>In your daze, you wonder if that really was your imagination
>Talking ponies? Magic float-y objects?
>You sit up, looking around
>Being almost pitch black, it's hard to make out much
>Looks like an ancient hospital wing, the bed you were on looked makeshift. Something else seemed a little off though
>You put it to the back of your mind for now
>At least your body felt whole again
>A soft snore erupts from somewhere in front of you
>This damn helmet makes it hard to pinpoint the sound
"Who goes there"
>....
>You get up, and then it hits you
>Literally
>The ceiling hits you, this hospital room was tiny!
>Cursing, you look down behind your bed
>Your worst fears confirmed, there was a pony sleeping there
>This was a pretty vivid coma, or you were completely out of your depth
>You're unsure which one you would prefer
>This pony was unfamiliar, white with a pink mane and tail
>And a tattoo(?) of the universal medical association on her thigh
>She must have had a nightmare trying to fix your wounds
>Crouching slightly, you make your way towards the door
>Why was there a door handle if ponies don't have hands?
>You decide not to worry about it and just open the door
>After making your way through a few hallways, you stagger through to the main reception which, thankfully, had a higher ceiling
>Moonlight was spilling in through the doors
>There are two much larger ponies, one bright white and the other a midnight blue, both with horns and wings chatting in the centre
>Your blunderous entrance does not go unnoticed
>Damn armour wasn't exactly a stealth suit
>They turn in unison
>"Ah you must anonymous the hue-mahn that we have heard so much about as of late"
"Er, yes that's right"
>The white one's face is full of smiles as she steps toward you, but the other remains motionless, expression blank
"And, erm, who are you two exactly?"
>They both chuckle at that
>"It has been a while since anypony asked either of us that question" the blue one replies
>"Indeed it has, I am Princess Celestia and this is Princess Luna" the white one adds>Princess? There hadn't been any monarchies in centuries.
>Were you inside the dreams of a 7 year old girl?
>However, you note that their titles could well suggest a link to the circle you had sworn to serve
>best to play it safe
>For the first time, you remove your helmet and move down to one knee
"It is an honour. I trust that you also seek the Aros ultimatum?"
>Glancing up, you see blank, if slightly red, faces
>That must me-
>"Sorry?"
>Ugh, yes, you are very lost
>Impossibly lost
"My apologies. I must have mistaken you for someone else" you say with a smile
>"Do not worry Anonymous, now I am afraid we really must get down to business" Celestia replies
"Business?"
>"Yes, as it is our duty to defend Equestria and its inhabitants from any and all threats to harmony"
>So they saw you as a threat. Being so heavily armed you find it hard to blame them>You don't need to pick a fight with an alien nation you know nothing about right now
"Of course you majesties" you declare
>They smile at that, seems as if ponies weren't too different to humans
>"Take a seat anonymous and we can begin" Luna says, walking towards some chains pulled up a few feet away
>You follow
>"Now, I would like you to simply tell us everything"
>You pause for a second
>Other than a few false accusations leading to your trial with the Parnox, you had a clean record
>Your not sure how well they would understand your world though
>but then, there's no point lying, they seem reasonable enough
>You give a brief account of the World in the 25th century, including the average day-to-day life of most citizens, the various governments and laws
>You finally get around to yourself, giving a brief overview of your life and explaining that as the 5th Knight of the round, you had numerous responsibilities and roles beyond just protection
>For the first time Celestia interrupts
>"So who are the leaders of magic in your world?"
"Magic?" you pause "There is no magic in my world"
>Celestia's eyes widen. She mutters something under her breath before another question comes
>"So how did you get here then Anonymous?"
"Wish I could tell you, the last thing I remember is fighting a Parnox in the arena"
>"The arena, but you said that's reserved for criminals and lawbreakers?" an eyebrow is raised along with her voice at the end
"Yes, I was set up. There is a corruption in the system and I was prosecuted for looking into it"
>"But that's terrible. Who would do such a thing?"
>You know exactly who would
"No clue sorry, any more questions?"
>Celestia looks unsatisfied with that answer
>Luna leans in closer
>"Just one anonymous"
>"What are THOSE!?" She says pointing a hoof at your hands
>You and Celestia both laugh at that
>Luna assumes a sheepish grin
"They're just hands silly, like hooves except more dexterous">Celestia gets up and beams
>"Well you seem safe enough to us anonymous"
>Funny that they didn't confer before reaching a unanimous decision
>"I'm sure you also have questions, so I'm going to arrange for you to live with my faithful student, Twilight sparkle. I'm sure she has the books and knowledge needed to fill you in any further"
>Celestia starts forward and before you can stop her pulls you into a one-hoofed(?) hug
>Well this is a little uncomfortable and awkward, you lightly hug her back and she steps away
>"Good luck anonymous, I've told Twilight to keep me up to date with your progress, so no naughtiness now"
>You swear she winks as she turns to leave
>What the fuck was that all about
>You glance at Luna, who suddenly goes a rosy red
>she blurts out a "erm, bye!" and runs after Celestia
>Was that better or worse?
>...
>You just realise you have no idea where Twilight Sparkle lives or where you are right now
>Well at least today was marginally successful
>Even if it was night right now...
>Suddenly, as if answering the unasked question, Twilight Sparkle pops into the air just in front of you
>So that must be magic
>"Hia anon!" Her smile stretches to both ears. Which is quite a feat as a pony
>"Looks like we're roommates now, I've never had a roommate except for Spike and he's just my assistant, well I did have a sleepover once and that was so much FUN!"
>Woah
>These ponies are going to be the death of you
"Heh, nice to see you too Twilight"
>She beams
>"I'm sure this is going to be educational. I have so much to learn about you and you have so much to learn if you don't even know what friendship is!?"
"Yeah, well that sounds... great"
>"come on, let's go, we need to rest if we're going to be able to spend all day tomorrow talking!!!"
>She reminds you of a 5 year old who discovered where their parents hid the cookie jar
>She practically starts bouncing towards the door in excitement
>You sigh, and then follow suit
>The road in front of the hospital stretches towards a small, multicoloured town
>Yes, today was marginally successful
>Whilst walking back, you almost catch yourself smiling
>Strange