>Day 287 in Canterlot
>It's overcast. Great; probably means rain today
>You get up, irritated that the weather has to be so damn gray on your one day off this week
>Adjusting to your new position in the Court has not been easy
>The new office is nice, and you got to take on Garnet Locket and Crystalbright as your assistants
>You wish Aquamarine could have come too, but Emerald Crescent said he needed at least one of you four to stay on his team
>On the bright side, you're only a little ways down the hall from your old team's offices
>Dammit brain, it's your day off. Stop thinking about work
>You head out to get breakfast
>As you walk to the diner you feel the first drops of rain start to fall
>This had better not last all day
>Arrive at the diner as the rain starts to pour. Thank Celestia for good timing...
>Take a seat at the counter and order your food
>Eat slowly for a change; normally you're in and out in what seems like seconds, but it's your damn day off, damn it
>Finish, grab your umbrella, and leave to get your groceries
>Walking through the city streets you see a familiar gray pony amidst sheets of rain
>And is that vanilla you smell?
1/x
 
>Octavia. You haven't seen her since the night of the Summer Sun Celebration
>She's walking on the other side of the street, umbrella on her back
>Groceries can wait for a few minutes; you've been meaning to hang out with that pony since then
>Your job's had you working your ass off moving into the new office, looking over new team members, etc.
>'Brain, what did I say? No work thoughts on my day off'
>You walk over to her, thinking what you're going to say
>”Hello, Anon.” Octavia surprises you by turning and addressing you first
Hey, Octavia, how've you been?
>”Oh, I've been well, just playing at the Major Scale every night for a week” She laughs a little
Celestia, I know that feeling, my new job's been eating all my time. This is my first day off in a week and a half
>She perks up. “Well if you feel like relaxing, I'm at the Scale for another couple of days. Why don't you come by tonight?”
>That actually sounds awesome. Not like you had anything planned tonight anyway
Sure, sounds great. I'll be there
>”I'll make sure they keep a table open for you. Wouldn't want you to show up and have to wait”
>Octavia looks pretty pleased as she says this.
>”Now, I should go; I've got practice with the quartet until 5, and then I only have and hour before we have to be at the Scale”
Alright, see you later
>That went well, you continue on your way to the market
>Arrive ten minutes later
>The market is housed under a large glass roof, protecting it from the rain
>As you make your way through the stalls and alcoves you run into Crystalbright
2/x
 
>”Oh hey, Anon. How's your day off going, Mr. Adviser?” You're still not used to that title
It's going fine, except for this stupid weather
>You look up at the roof. As you do so, the rain starts to slow
>”Yeah, I heard the weather teams needed to put a rainstorm out over Canterlot this morning, but it should be clear later.”
>Ever the optimist, Crystal
Well I hope you're right, I don't want my whole day to be me stuck indoors.
>Crystalbright decides to accompany you around the market.
>You pick up the usual things: booze, bread, some fruit, booze, whole bunch of vegetables, and booze
>The vegetarian diet was weird- really weird at first, but you got used to it and now you actually find yourself enjoying it
>You and Crystalbright make idle conversation as you go through the market.
>The rain lets slows to a barely noticeable trickle by the time you've finished
Guess you were right, Crystal
>You close your umbrella just in time for the downpour to start again
>youkiddingmedawg.html
>Crystalbright is on the ground laughing as you open up the umbrella
>The rain stops completely the second it's open. The sun starts to peek through the clouds
>So much for your good timing
>Crystalbright's laughter subsides after a while walking down the street and soon she's able to talk again
>”So Anon, if you've got nothing planned, want to come over my place for movies and booze?”
>Ahh, crap, you WOULD have to pass up movies and booze, wouldn't you?
That sounds really cool, Crystal...
>She looks at you, happy, before you finish
...But I already promised Octavia I'd come see her play at the Major Scale tonight
>Crystalbright's face falls for a second before she recovers
3/x
 
>”O-oh, that's ok, Anon. I'll see if Garnet and Aquamarine want to come over” Dammit, now you feel like a dick
We'll get together some other time, ok?
>”Ok, Anon. I'll see you later.” She walks off down the street, leaving you alone again
>You go home to put your stuff away and change your now saturated clothes
>You're about to go out the door when you hear the sound of fire behind you
>Turn around and see the messenger stone Celestia gave you spit out a scroll in a puff of flame
>And here you thought you'd get to spend your day off NOT doing work...silly you
>Open the scroll up and read
>”Adviser Anonymous, as you no doubt have learned, I, Princess Luna, have returned to Equestria after my being brought back to my senses by my sister's student, Twilight Sparkle. It has come to my attention that you were in charge of keeping the citizens of Canterlot calm during the time Nightmare Moon was in control. I am requesting your presence this afternoon, that we may discuss the matter in detail. -Regards, Princess Luna”
>WELP, so much for hanging out this afternoon. Not like you can just reschedule a summons from the Princess.
>Put the stone in your pocket and head out the door to the castle.
>On the plus side, there is no plus side.
>You're about to go spend your day off talking with a Princess who's been gone 1000 years, about crowd-control.
>You walk to the castle, muttering to yourself the whole way
>Get to the castle.
>letsgetthisoverwith.exe
>A Guard directs you to the main hall
>Two more Guards at the entrance open the doors for you as you make your way to the throne where sits the Sister of Celestia
>Princess Luna comes into view and your jaw drops
4/x
 
>She's almost as large as Celestia now.
>Her mane catches your eye and holds you there, mesmerized by the flowing mass of ethereal darkness
>Your trance is broken by the single loudest voice you've ever heard
>”Adviser Anonymous, We presume?” Why is she yelling.
Yes, Your Highness. How may I be of service?
>”We would have thee tell Us what thou didst, to calm the frightened masses We stirred up!” Oh god, your ears are ringing...
>”We know that Our return did cause much strife...” Why does she talk like this??
>”But know that We have come back to Ourselves.” You're seriously worried about your hearing right now
>”Now, Anonymous, commence thy discourse. How didst thou maintain thy wits that night?”
Well, Your Highness, I didn't really know who Nightmare Moon was at the time. It seems your reputation had become something of a legend
>”We are aware of how Our name was known” She doesn't seem to like you mentioning Nightmare Moon
Well, when the news came that Nightmare Moon had returned, everyp0ny panicked. They all thought of you as the legend and thought they needed to act as such
>”And why didst thou not follow with the herd?”
I guess since I didn't know the whole story of Nightmare Moon, I figured Celestia would have had a good plan, and decided it was best to follow HER lead
>”But how didst thou convince the Council High?” She's still yelling... why in Celestia's name is she still yelling?
I just told the Council what I thought. I saw the effect that your return had and knew that doing something like attacking Nightmare Moon would only hurt us
5/x
 
>”And what of this fair city's noble herd? How didst thou convince them not to flee?”
I didn't, really. I had the roads blocked to reduce traffic and to the mobs in the squares I sent ponies to let them know everything was under control
>”We see, so thou didst not reduce their fear of me?” Her voice, though still loud to the point of shaking your bones, seems sad now
>You remain silent, not knowing what to say.
>Luna sighs a little. “We understand, Anonymous, tis true. Our visage then was one of dark intent”
>You still have no idea what to say to the Princess
>Wait. Her voice. When did it so quiet?
>You look up to see Luna looking at the floor
>She's like you, you realize. An outsider. Only she doesn't enjoy the luxury of having no reputation...
>Cautiously, you approach the throne
Your Highness, I know it must be difficult being a stranger in your own Court. When I came here I was an outsider too. I can relate
>”And how didst thou manage, Anonymous?” Her eyes are pleading
>Boss Mode activated
>You put a hand on Luna's shoulder
I made friends, Your Highness
>Smooth, Anon. Smooth
6/x
 
>You've got a connection with this one. You can be her anchor. Provide a little stability in a new and confusing world for the Princess
So tell me about yourself, Luna.
>You're taking a big chance, using her name. Hopefully it won't come back to bite you
>The Princess at first balks at your audacity, but her surprise soon melts as she tells you her story
>You follow her words as she weaves the tale of her and her sister's rise to prominence.
>Her voice begins to quake as she recounts her own fall into darkness, consumed by jealousy, and her imprisonment in the moon
>Before you know it, it's been hours. You recounted to Luna the story of your arrival in Equestria after listening to her story
>She's opened up quite a bit. Her demeanor is as warm as Celestia's, though somehow more even mature
>The Princess is back to speaking loudly again, but you can't find it in yourself to mind.
>You feel genuinely sorry when you have to excuse yourself. Luna looks disappointed to see you go
Don't worry, Your Highness, we'll talk again, I promise
>She allows a small smile before the Guards close the doors
>You're feeling good about how this day has gone now
>Getting to talk at length with Luna lifted your spirits from the low they were at earlier
>And best of all, you still have time to get to the Major Scale to see Octavia play
>Not a bad way to spend a day off, it turns out
>You head down the road in high spirits
7/x
 
>Back home. 8 o'clock. Finally. You've been raring to get to the Major Scale since you got home
>Why are you so eager about this? Garnet Locket's the big fan, not you
>You grab a drink from your cabinet.
>Nothing like Applejack Daniels to get one ready for a night out, Crystalbright always says
>Crystalbright. She sure did look disappointed you couldn't hang out with her tonight
>You down a shot of Applejack Daniels
>She'll be fine. Crystalbright's not one to sulk
>You glance at the clock. 8:03
>Dammit
>Whatever, you head out anyway
>Check your pockets. Keys? Check. Bits? Check. Fucks? None.
>goodtogo.mov
>Walk to the establishment with a spring in your step
>The city is lit up, like always.
>You walk through the illuminated streets at a relatively quick pace
>As you do, you think about what Luna must have thought when she first got to Canterlot after her return
>Had it changed drastically in the past 1000 years?
>You make a mental note to ask her about Old Canterlot the next time you talk
>When you get inside the Major Scale an usher shows you to your table
8/x
 
>Octavia's quartet is already in the middle of a song when you take your seat
>Her eyes are closed as she plays; clearly lost in the sound
>As the song ends and she slowly opens her lavender eyes
>She scans the quietly applauding audience until her gaze comes to rest on you
>You see her flash a smile as the next song starts
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMJcS4aY-YY&feature=related
>This one is more upbeat
>Octavia closes her eyes again as the music picks up
>A smile slowly crawls across the earth pony's face as she moves in time with the beat
>You lean back into your chair and take in the ponies' dulcet tones
>The song ends and a waiter comes over to take your order
>Realize you haven't eaten since breakfast. Your little chat with Princess Luna took you straight through lunch
>It's times like these you wish you could have meat.
>Oh well, you order the biggest plate of food you can find
>You look up through the skylight at the moon.
>Ever since the Mare in the Moon disappeared it seems brighter, less cold
>The band wraps up the song after a few more minutes and you see Octavia come back to reality
>You wonder where her mind goes when she's playing
>Uhp, food's here. Think later
9/x
 
>The band takes a short break before finishing their set
>They've been playing for three hours and you've been listening intently the whole time
>You can't remember the last time you enjoyed just listening to music this much
>The quartet comes back to the stage, Octavia tunes up her bass
>They play a few more songs, throwing a little more improv into each
>The last song ends and you see Octavia look at you and smirk
>With a wink she starts into a blistering bass solo
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4Hx0VfUbTw
>Your shields can't repel groove of this magnitude
>The earth pony finishes her solo to great applause
>As the restaurant patrons filter out, Octavia gestures for you to come backstage
>The quartet is there talking, packing up, getting ready to leave
>”So did you enjoy the show, Anon? Was it just what you needed for your day off?”
>Octavia walks over to you after loading her bass onto a cart
Sure was. You're one of the best musicians I've heard in ages
>She blushes at the compliment
>”Come on, it's not that late yet. Let's go for a walk, shall we?”
>You've got work tomorrow but you know what? Fuck it. You're gonna take a walk with Octavia
>Time be damned. You walk out into the streets
10/x
 
>The two of you spend a half hour wandering aimlessly until you end up at the Public Garden overlooking the plains
>As you've been talking to Octavia you find that she's much less high-brow when she's not on stage.
>You're both cracking jokes and telling inane stories and loving it
>You get to the railing and the two of you lean on it, looking out over Equestria
>”Hey, Anon?” You look over the earth pony. She's looking out over the plains as she speaks
Mmm?
>”I'm really glad you came out to see me play tonight.” She shifts a little, shimmying closer to you as she talks
>You don't even mind that she's leaning on you as much as the railing now
Don't mention it.
>Dammit, Anon, the hell is this feel?
>You stand there together for a while in silence
>Octavia looks up at the night sky.
>”Well I should go, it's starting to get late”
Yeah, I've got work tomorrow myself
>You both leave the railing and walk to the street before saying your goodnights and going your separate ways
>Your mind keeps circling around Octavia
>No. Bad brain. Cut that shit out
>She's a pony, you're a human. That math doesn't add up, bro
>You've been here for a year though, with nothing like a relationship. Just your friends
>Might be nice to- No. It's late. You can't stay up thinking about this all night.
>You go to sleep, hoping to figure it out tomorrow
11/x
 
>Morning
>The sun is blazing in the sky
>Look at the clock
>7 AM
>Get out of bed
>Drag a comb across your head
>Head to the cafe for your coffee and breakfast
>As you walk, the messenger stone in your pocket starts shaking like crazy
>Dammit, not before coffee...
>A scroll leaps from a puff of flame as you take the stone out
>”Adviser Anon” it begins
>”The Ambassador from the Gryphon Kingdoms arrived early this morning. I'd like you to meet with him at 7:30 and close the trade deal we discussed last week – Princess Celestia”
>You're still making sense of your new position
>Two weeks ago you were helping the domestic planning adviser with zoning and event management
>Now, you're going to an early meeting with a foreign delegate about trade agreements...
>What the hell have you gotten yourself into...
>You walk to the cafe and get your coffee to go
>Check the clock tower
>7:20
>It
>Is
>On
>Chug your coffee like a refined gentleman
>Wait for it...
>CAFFINE MODE ACTIVATED
>At the castle in record time
12/x
 
>Speed walk through the castle
>7:25
>Get to the Delegation Wing
>7:27
>Walk down the hall to the conference room
>7:28
>Found it
>Walk in
>Look at the clock
>7:29
>Like a boss
>The gryphon is sitting at the end of the table, flanked by two of his aides
>Crystalbright and Garnet Locket are looking at you as you walk in
>”Just in the nick of time, Anon, we were getting antsy” Crystalbright whispers jokingly
Cut me some slack, I found out about this like 20 minutes ago
>Garnet Locket hands you the file and you get started
>You surprise yourself with how you handle the negotiation
>With only a few minor concessions on your part, you secure the deal with the Gryphon Kingdom
>It might be because he was thrown off by your appearance; he was probably expecting a pony
>But you chalk it up to being at least somewhat good at this new job and everyone leaves happy
>It's lunchtime when you wrap up talks
>You head out of the conference room with Crystalbright and Garnet Locket
13/x
 
>”So you want to get some lunch, Anon?” Crystalbright looks up at you while you walk
Yeah, sounds good. Just down the cafe?
>”Great. Let's drop this stuff off and get going”
>On your way to lunch Garnet pipes up
>”We missed you last night, Anon. You missed on some good times”
>Crystalbright looks a little sullen when Garnet mentions it
>Probably just disappointed you had to blow her off
Yeah, I'm sorry 'bout that, Garnet. I already made plans with Octavia that morning so my hands were tied
>”Woah woah, what?? You had plans with OCTAVIA??
>She gains unnatural energy at mention of the name
>”Why didn't you tell me about this?” She bounces up into your face
Probably because it happened yesterday?
>”...right.. So was she AMAZING? Oh, who am I kidding, she's always amazing!”
She was really good, Garnet. She invited me backstage after the show was over and we hung out
>Crystalbright's face falls
>”You know, I'm not that hungry anymore. I'll catch up with you two at the office...”
>She turns around and walks off
But it was your-
>...dammit
>She's gone
>What the hell just happened?
14/x
>You look at Garnet, confused
>She looks at you and shrugs
>The two of you walk to the cafe in awkward silence
>Garnet spends all of lunch bombarding you with questions about Octavia
>Your friend is great, but her fandom is insane
>You head back to the offices at 1 or so
>Crystalbright is there working on reports and sending docs out
>”Anon, this came for you a couple minutes ago”
>With her horn she moves a letter to you without looking up
>What's up with her?
>You walk to your office, opening the letter
>”Adviser Anon, We've received some disturbing reports from Fillydelphia in the past few hours. Some kind of pest infestation has overtaken the city. The pests are reported to be reproducing at an alarming rate. Over a quarter of the food in the city has been consumed. We need aid sent there immediately. Please relay this message to the Princess as soon as possible. -Ministry of the Interior”
>Well shit
>You fold up the letter and hail a messenger
Get this to the Princess as quickly as you can. It's urgent
>”Yes sir” The pegasus messenger bolts off
>Now we get down to business
>You head to the Minister of the Interior's office
>The Minister is sitting at his desk when you arrive
>He looks shaken and in need of help
>Time to get to work
15/x
 
>You spend the next hour going over different plans of action
>From what the reports say about the pests you know three things
>They reproduce insanely quickly
>They eat goddamn everything edible
>They're fucking adorable
Does the archive have anything on them?
>”We checked. Nothing”
Can we herd them to a central location?
>”Tried it, didn't work”
What about cutting off food supplies in a perimeter around the infested area?
>”It would take too long. They'd spread before we could close them in”
Celestia damn it, what are we dealing with here?
>A runner appears in the doorway
>”We need both of you in Celestia's conference room in five minutes”
>You look at the Minister
>”Looks like help's arrived”
Let's go, then
>You get to the conference room where Celestia and Luna are sitting
>The two of you take your seats
I'm sorry to have cut your Ponyville visit short, Your Highness, but we've got a major problem
>”I know, Luna filled me in, but I've never seen this kind of creature before”
>This is bad
>Fillydelphia is infested with some kind of unknown pest that not even Celestia has seen before?
>Shit's getting real, bro...
16/x
 
>”So what are our options?” The Minister looks around the room
We've run through everything we can think of, but nothing looks like it'll work given what we know about these things
>The Princesses look concerned
>It's understandable, but unsettling to see them both at a loss
>The time passes with no progress
>Everyone's getting frustrated
>You're talking in circles
Ok, let's go over what we know again
>You see it dawn on Celestia's face when you've gotten through the list again
>”I think I know who can help us. Please wait here.” She leaves the conference room
>That leaves you, the Minister, Luna, and two guards
>You sit in awkward silence for a few minutes until Celestia comes back in
So who did you call in, Princess?
>You're curious to know who knows about these things where even Celestia is at a loss
>Your thoughts of some ancient bookish unicorn are shattered when the bright pink earth pony bounces into the room
>”Everyp0ny, this is Pinkie Pie. She's a friend of my student Twilight Sparkle in Ponyville. It seems they had their own outbreak of these- what were they called?”
>”Parasprites!” The pink one's voice is full of energy
>How did this pony get here so fast? Ponyville is 20 miles from here...
>She's looking at you intently
>It's not the usual look of confusion you get with new ponies, but a look of wonder and excitement
So what does she know about these things? Can we get them out of Fillydelphia?
>”Of course, silly filly! You just need a few things!”
>She pulls a long list out of fucking nowhere and tosses it on the table
Musical instruments?
>She serious?
17/x
 
>”Yep!”
>She serious...
So we get all these instruments and then what?
“Well duhh! You play them! The parasprites follow polka!'
>The Princesses look baffled
>The Minister looks baffled
>You're sure you're gawking like an idiot
>”And that's how you rid Ponyville of these things?” The Minister is skeptical
>”Uh huh!”
>You shrug
Ok, if that's what works, that's what we should do
>The Princesses nod in agreement
>”Minister, send a message and this list to the p0nies in charge of the Fillydelphia situation” Celestia looks to Pinkie Pie
>”Thank you for your help, Pinkie Pie. We'll arrange your transport home as soon as we resolve this problem
>Everyone else, thank you for your help. Hopefully now we can get this Parasprite infestation under control”
>You leave and go back to your office
>You see the pink pony walking down the hall with Celestia
>She turns around and stares at you until they round the corner
>Weird, but you feel a sort of warm feeling knowing that she's not looking at you like you're weird, but like you're a new friend to be made
>New friends...
>Your thoughts spiral back to Octavia
>thatgoddamnfeel.avi
18/x
 
>The clock shows 5 PM
>Shit, did that really take all day?
>You go to Crystal's office, then Garnet's
>Both gone
>Better head home too
>That meeting was intense, but at least you got a possible solution out of it
>You walk to a restaurant uptown for an early dinner
>The host shows you to a table outside
>As you're looking over the menu you catch the smell of vanilla
>Turn around and see Octavia leaning on the railing
>Dem eyes...
>You sit like some kind of moron for a second before you can say anything
Hey...Octavia. What's up? Just get out of practice?
>She smiles that slight smile of hers
>”Yeah, I was just on my way home.”
>You pause for a second.
>You're doin' this, aren't you?
>You know you're playing the bullshit game right now, right?
>She's a pony. You're a human. You've gone over this
>'No you know what? We're doing this. I don't care if she's a pony
>...You want a special somep0ny? You're not attracted to ponies, Anon
>'Fuck you, Brain. This is happening'
You got time to grab a bite?
>You gesture to the empty chair across from you
>Dat fucking smile...
>She walks around the railing and sits down at the table
End