Title:           [Herd] The Art of Herding: Chapter 2
Author:          OfficeAnon
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/cPGSDjMu
First Edit:      Sunday 26th of July 2015 10:18:30 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Thursday 20th of August 2015 03:15:27 PM CDT

Chapter 2: Raven
 
> Following your brief conversation with the Secretary General, you immediately sought to speak with Celestia.
> Of course, you had questions. Lots of questions. And to facilitate this, you deigned to actually schedule a meeting with her. Sure time was limited, but you were guaranteed not to be interrupted.
 
> The following day, you don’t bother attending Day Court.
> While you would like to say you spent the day spending your time preening – figuratively – for the meeting or busily preparing questions…
> … Well, you sort of did spend time on questions. Albeit, half the page has been scribbled out leaving you with less than a half a page of questions left.
> Since last night, you’ve been making a thousand edits to your own questions and you still feel like it’s no better than when you started.
> Taking a breather, you sigh and take a look at your watch.
> …
> Fuck. Five minutes until your meeting.
> Getting up, you grab your “questionnaire” and rush out of your quarters.
> While not exactly full-tilt, you’re most certainly power-walking your ass through the castle…
> …And right back into Court.
> Well, not exactly Court, seeing as it’s lacking in ponies or their representatives - but still the same room.
> While you could’ve saved yourself the added stress, you did want to prepare SOME questions at least.
> Arriving a little winded, you scan the room and spot Celestia and her aide sitting at a table off to the left of the room.
> Celestia waves you over with a hoof, exclaiming with a degree of enthusiasm you wouldn’t have expected.
> “Anonymous! We’ve been expecting you.”
> With a smile you wave back and proceed to take a seat opposite Celestia and right of her aide.
“Hello Princess, hello…”
> …
> Fuck. You never got her name…
> Looking to her with a slight plead, you notice her head droop slightly. While not exactly obvious at first glance, she wears a rather subtle crestfallen countenance.
> Sighing, she brings her head up a fraction of a degree to state:
> “Raven… I’m Raven…”
> As she finishes her head resumes being down a couple of degrees. She makes it appear as though she’s reading through the papers in front of her, but you know better. Her eyes aren’t moving; each blink is lethargic.
> Damn… that’s just… Your hand moves briefly, but you withdraw it.
> Hell, you barely know her – face it, it’d be kind of an awkward thing.
> But then again, so is having her so… down.
> It’s more than likely for the best if you continue with the meeting, then. And so, you clear your throat.
“Right. Hello, Raven.”
> Her expression has simply become what you could call a mask at this point – she looks normal and composed. Sans the eyes. The eyes bear that same tired look to them.
> Yeah, you’re apt to develop a heart condition staring into those eyes in their current state.
> While it strikes a chord to see her like this – you have a job to do. And emotions to suppress.
> Mostly the job. Yeah – let’s go with that.
“Uh, alright then. So, how does this whole… thing work? Like, is my herd chosen for me or… what?”
> Celestia gives you an amused look before simply nudging Raven in the side.
> This seems to break her from that lethargic, slightly depressed, trance.
> “Huh? Oh! As the stall- err, male, you pick the mares for your herd.”
“And do they get any say in the matter?”
> Raven cocks an eyebrow
> “Well of course – it would hardly be fair otherwise.”
> Egalitarian, huh?
> Yeah, you can dig it.
> “Although, given the shortage of stallions, a mare would be crazy not to accept.”
> Nodding your head, you look down at your papers.
> …
> And your palms managed to smudge the ink. Fuck’s sake you weren’t even going hard enough to break a sweat.
> Then again, Equestria hasn’t heard of whiteout and you did use a lot of ink to blot out things out.
> Well shit. Right, time to roll with it.
“Apparently, I have just one more question…”
“How am I supposed to form my herd?”
> Celestia simply offers you a grin.
> “Pick and choose. Or date. Or both. Whichever option you think is best.”
> Honestly?
> She’s telling you this, and you’ve barely been out of Canterlot, let alone the Palace.
> Looking towards Raven, you mull it over for a couple of seconds – she’s cute, definitely. Might be useful to have around, especially since your experiences with Pony culture are limited… And it seems like she could use a friend... Most definitely some cheering up as well. Yeah, picking her might be a good call.
“In that case, I’ll take her.”
> Nodding in the direction of Raven.
> Hearing that, her eyes shoot open and her pupils dilate. Her hooves have found their way in front of her mouth as she elicits a small gasp. Unfortunately, this prevents you from gauging whether she’s upset about this decision or not – the only thing truly clear here is her shock.
> Almost instinctively you find your right arm around your neck, your mouth open to utter an apology. Of course, it snaps shut the minute you find yourself receiving an embrace.
> In a surprisingly small voice you hear her whisper into your ear
> “T-thank you…”
> Well… can’t say you were expecting that…
> Although you can’t say you’re gonna complain either.
> Her head now nuzzled into your shoulder, your arm moves from your heck and around her midsection. With a little chuckle followed by a sigh your other arm finds itself wrapped around her – a complete embrace – and your eyes shutting, enjoying the warmth of your connection.
> They remain closed for all of a five seconds before you hear a youthful, girly giggle.
> At this, they snap open, and train themselves onto Celestia – who currently has a wing over the front of her muzzle, a big smile apparent regardless.
> Suddenly, your face feels a tad warm.
> Clearing your throat, you look to the pony on your chest.
> A wholly unnecessary action, you realize, as it appears that her blush has deepened slightly.
> Her eyes lock onto yours. For a brief second, nothing happens. And as though it was a mutual thought, the two of you proceed to try and disentangle yourselves.
> Successful in this operation the two of you are now sitting rigidly in your seats – Celestia wearing a knowing smirk.
> Ice. The whole conversation has frozen.
> Judging by the blush, Raven is too ashamed to speak and from the look of Celestia, she is waiting on one of the two of you to say something.
> Sighing, you figure it best to continue.
“Right. So…”
> And now you have two sets of eyes on you. Great.
“…Uh, that all it takes to form a herd?”
> Celestia’s expression has reverted back to the usual warm motherly look. She smiles before speaking
> “Essentially.”
> She nudges a still semi-rigid Raven, who jumps – only slightly – before using her magic to lift a few file folders from out of a saddle-bag under the table.
> The pale-raspberry aura disappears from the documents as they are placed in front of you.
> Eyebrow cocked, your thumb and forefinger wrap around the lip of the folder. For a second, you hesitate and briefly glance up.
> Darting between Raven and Celestia, your eyes see no observable objection to your actions.
> Opening it reveals… a picture. A series of pictures, actually.
> Professionally done, strangely enough. And…
> Information.
> Glancing at the other pages reveals more; likes, dislikes, hobbies, preferences.
> Honestly, you can’t tell if you got handed a dating profile or a dossier.
> Or perhaps both?
> Curious. This leaves you wondering; could the others be the same thing?
> Shutting it, you open the other one.
> …
> That’s a resounding ‘yes’ if you’ve ever seen one.
“Uhm…”
> Looking up once more, you see Raven cut you off with a hoof.
> “Uh… sorry… b-but allow me to explain!  W-we keep dossiers on our military members…”
> She takes a breath.
> “…for situations like this. We’ve found that sometimes they don’t often get the opportunity to get out, especially depending on their position or deployment. In your case, we’ve, uh, brought out almost all of them.”
> “The dossiers! That is… n-not the mares… heh.”
“Uh, right then. Gotta admit though, this looks a lot more like a dating profile than anything else…”
> “Well, it kind of is…”
> …
> Yeah, that’d do it.
“Hey, you mind if I keep these?”
> As you finish your question, you notice Raven now has a subtle glow to her horn. You also notice a set of saddlebags has dropped in front of you.
> Curious as to the contents, you heft the set up. And the first thing that you notice is the weight.
> There is no way this thing is full of these profiles.
> …
> Although, you already feel like you know the answer.
> Turning one of the bags to face you, you are presented with, what you can only assume is the cutiemark of your new herd-mare – A fountain pen and inkwell – used as a buckle. Cute.
> A quick undoing the stylized buckle reveals…
> … An example of spot-on intuition.
> Evidently, the numbers of these documents has caused a sort of visible surprise, as Celestia – who now is sporting a very knowing grin - remarks
> “Just think, these are the mares who aren’t taken.”
> Well…
“…That’s… that’s quite a lot…”
> The initial surprise having worn off, you give a quick shake of your head. You still can’t believe the amount of options available – and these are only the ones in service.
“Uh, can I get some time to review these? I don’t think I can make a decision with this many options without some deliberation.”
> Celestia, sporting the same grin, simply states
> “Take all the time you need.”
> Relieving a sigh you had no idea you were holding, you start the process of gradually empty the bags.
> As you get a small stack out, Raven pipes up
> “Oh! Uh, feel free to take the saddlebags with you. I’ll just, uh, pick them up later.”
> It takes a second, but then it dawns on you.
“Wait, you don’t even know where my quarters are.”
> She begins what could only be a flustered response – well, judging by the downward position of her ears at any rate – but you cut her off with a motion for her to come a little closer.
> With relative ease – given that you’ve been going this same route for damn near a month – you give her directions back to your quarters. Relative to Court, of course.
> Placing the documents back into the bags, you sling them over your shoulder before walking out.
> Oh, fuck – you forgot to say a few goodbyes.
> Turning around you spot Celestia waggling her eyebrows at a blushing Raven.
> And to think, you literally just turned your back on the pair.
“Er, right then.”
> The pair of them perk back up – Raven now embarrassed, Celestia looking as though nothing happened.
> Might as well play along.
“Uh, just wanted to say thanks for the meeting your highness. And thanks for letting me borrow the bags Raven. I’ll, uh, catch you two later… yeah.”
> Flawless.
> Turning on your heel you march your way back to your quarters.
 
> Taking a sip out of a cup of coffee you close up yet another dossier.
> Looking at your watch, you’ve been at this for several hours now. Considering you had lunch before you started, you’ve been doing this without any breaks.
> Come to think of it…
> … Nope, you’re only about halfway through the first of the bags.
> Perhaps a break is for the best…
> Taking another look at your watch, you realize that it’s about time for dinner as well.
> … Yeah, a break sounds awfully good about now.
> Pushing yourself out of your seat, you button your top collar and straightening and tightening your tie afterwards. You don’t bother donning your coat and decide to keep your sleeves rolled up.
> Taking the last swig of your coffee, you head for the door to your quarters.
> Hang on… something feels off…
> Standing there, you begin to inspect yourself. Clothes? Check. Watch? Check.
> Wallet?
> … Oh that’s right, you don’t need that here. But did you forget….?
> Yeah, you did. You forgot your fucking coin-purse.
> Turning around grumbling, you begin the walk towards your nightstand but are stopped by the a few short raps on your door.
“I swear I’ll never understand why they /still/ use coins- oh!
Uh, yeah come in – door’s open!”
> Reaching your nightstand, you grab your bag of bits
> “A-Anon?”
> Hearing your name, you simultaneously turn to face your guest while clipping your coin-purse onto your belt.
“Oh, hey Raven! Come in, come in. Back for the bags, I’m guessing?”
> She tentatively steps into the room. As she does so, you notice her horn lit up.
> Before you get a chance to remark she levitates a book in front of you, replying
> “Uh, yes and no.”
> Taking hold of the rather sizeable book, you look over the cover. A large and impressive title greets you declaring it as “The Art of Herding”
> A smaller subtitle states that this is “A guide to achieving and maintaining a happy herd,” written by… a Sun Dew.
> … Huh.
> Looking up from the title Raven pipes up.
> “I, uh, figured it would come in handy…
> And in a slightly smaller voice adds
> … I may have, uh, forgot to hand the too you earlier… I kind of … in the excitement…”
> Her voice trails off at this point. You simply respond back with a broad smile.
“Hey, thanks.”
> Setting the book on the desk you grab her bags and hand them over.
> It then occurs to you – you were about to head out a second ago. It might be a good idea to invite her along – after all, you don’t know much about her and she IS a member of your herd.
> It doesn’t take a book to tell you that not getting to know your mares is probably a bad idea.
> As she uses her magic to place them around her midsection, you speak up.
“Like I said, thanks for the book.
Uh, by the way, I was about to head out… Feel like tagging along?”
> “R-really?”
“Yeah, might as well make it a date.”
> While hard to spot, you notice a slight red tinge to Raven’s face. What makes it hard to spot is the beaming smile she’s sporting.
> Taking a few steps to the door, she stops you.
> “Oh, wait, I’m not ready! I haven’t even brushed my mane-“
> Still smooth looking, still neatly tied into a bun, still no loose hairs. What’s even the issue?
> “- or put on anything decent –“
> Here is probably a good time to stop her.
“Hey, relax. You look great.
Besides, you don’t have to impress me – you’re already in my herd.”
> Honestly, you still aren’t quite used to the idea, but this is the hand you’re dealt. Might as well make the best of it.
> Thankfully, this does seem to calm her down. Although, she does seem… reluctant.
> “O-oh. But maybe I want to?”
> With a chuckle, you respond in kind
“Really, Raven? Come on, you’re a rather pretty pony normally, anything else is pointless if you ask me.”
> Her smile returns, now accompanied by a blush and her vain attempt to hide both by looking away. She merely mutters a
> “Th-thanks…”
> With a reassuring smile, you unconsciously scratch her behind one of ears.
“So, that’s settled then.
> Grabbing the door, you gesture through the doorway
Shall we proceed?”
> Saddlebags as her only accessory, the two of you proceed in a companionable silence. Which is unfortunate, as you were hoping to talk with her more. Hopefully dinner should resolve the conversational gap.
> On the other hand, it does give you time to think.
> It’s strange to think about, but she IS a very pretty pony.
> …
> No.
> Beautiful. That’s a more appropriate word.
> The way her flank sways ever so slightly as the two of you saunter forward, the way she seems to lightly lean into your leg.
 
> “Uh, Anon?”
> Standing before you are the streets of Canterlot, lit by the fading light of the evening sun
> Judging by your placement at the palace gates you conclude that at some point you lost yourself in thought
“Uh, yeah?”
> “Did you have any place in mind?”
> And you had a feeling you’d forgetting something very important.
> Rubbing your hand across the back of your neck, you casually reply
“Err, no actually.”
> She simply giggles a little and turns to you, her face now beginning to light up. Daintily she shuffles her forehooves about before looking up at you.
> “Would you mind if I showed you one of my favorite restaurants?”
> That’s downright damned adorable, you can’t help but smile.
“Hey, go right ahead.”
> Her face breaks into an almost uncontainable smile – she’s absolutely giddy at the fact that she not only got the chance to, but is able to pick. In fact, her glee is almost contagious.
> “It’s this way, follow me!”
> Trotting ahead of you – occasionally turning her head back to ensure that you’re following – she leads you down the aptly named “Main Street,” past crowds of happy herd-mares and their stallions, and even past much busier – and you would therefore assume more notable – restaurants down to a little mom-and-pop style business
> Inside you see a handful of ponies enjoying a meal together, the owners clearly chatting to one of their customers at a table.
> The two of you stop at the entrance, simply looking in. Glancing up, an aged neon sign declares the building to be “The Royal Fusilliers.”
> Gazing downward to look at your companion, you notice she has one hoof on the door and is motioning you to step forward.
> In doing so, you are greeted by a warm, familial atmosphere. The air is pleasantly warm, allowing the various scents from the kitchen to waft out into the dining area – which is only aided by old style ceiling fans, rotating slowly.
> Though she says nothing, Raven is absolutely giddy, almost barely able to contain herself.
> Her composure fortunately lasts long enough for the two of you to be seated at a small booth, situated in the middle of a row of windows.