Humani Victoria

Chapter 18- Dance the Night Away

"I'd rather regret the things I've done then regret the things I haven't."

                                                                                                            -Lucille Ball

Carousel Boutique, Ponyville, Equestria, Wednesday 1st of October, 4:35 pm, 2205 AC

Jason and five out of six of his friends plus Spike had gathered in Rarity's boutique at her request, apparently their Gala outfits were ready to be tried on for the first time and Rarity wanted to see everyone's reaction.

They waited in the living room for about ten minutes with only casual small talk, Applejack was sitting near Jason and the two had been engaging in friendly conversation for the first five or so minutes. The hatchet had long since been buried between the Farmer and the Human but the cold awkwardness was still maintained by the remainder of the group, particularly Twilight who hadn't fully forgiven Applejack for her harsh words despite Jason explaining that they had made peace.

Eventually Rarity made her appearance, bearing eight large dress bags in her magical grip.

"Twilight." She said, floating one of the dress bags over to her "Applejack. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Spike, and of course Jason." The second last dress bag floated over to the Human along with a pair of tall slim leather boots.

"There are changing rooms for each of us in the next room over, I simply cannot wait to see all of you in your outfits!" With a confident air Rarity led them through a side door to where several curtained off cubbies waited.

All of them selected a cubby and slipped in, Jason felt a bit cramped in the small space that was usually meant for Ponies. Never the less he managed to open the dress bag and pull out his outfit.

It consisted of a pair of simple close-fitting black pants, a collared white shirt, a jacket made out off a light yet sturdy fabric, the tail of the coat reached halfway down Jason's shin's. The coat was collared as well and sported golden buttons along with swirling gold accents, finally the tall boots came on up just below Jason's knees and buckled tightly around his legs.

Checking himself briefly in the mirror Jason grabbed his cloths and walked out to find his friends had already dressed.

"Oh Jason, you look simply marvellous!" Rarity exclaimed upon seeing the Human. All the while Jason was thinking the same of the six mares, each of them was adorned in a dress as intricate and personalized as Jason's suit.

"As do all of you." Jason said "You really outdid yourself this time, Rarity."

"Oh please Jason, your embarrassing me!" A tinge of pink was on Rarity's cheeks from the complement "I only hope that the other guests at the Gals think so too, this could shoot my business into the noble theatre."

Twilight walked over, clad in a dark purple dress decorated with shining stars. The colour accented her eyes perfectly.

"The Princess sent these this morning." Twilight said, levitating over a stack of golden tickets "One for each of us." She floated one of the tickets over to each of them in turn "And one extra in case we wanted to take a guest."

Twilight looked around "Anybody have a guest in mind?" The five mare and Dragon shook their heads but Jason spoke up.

"Actually I think I know someone who would love to go." He said, this got a few raised eyebrows.

"Oh? Do you have a date set up Jason? I think a know who it iiiisss." Rarity said in a singsong voice. Jason rolled his eyes and grabbed the ticket, making his way to the door.

"Now you just wait a minute mister! You change out of your Gaia attire before you go strutting about outside!"

Jason sighed.

                                                                    ~~*~~

Roseluck carefully arranged the flowers that shared her name into the vase, placing each one carefully as to make a perfect ring of roses with talker ones in the middle. She stepped back and admired her hoofwork when she heard Daisy call from the front of the shop.

"Rosey!" She called "Do we have that order of Chrysanthemum's ready?"

Roseluck rolled her eyes as she walked over to the front desk where Daisy was sitting.

"No, Lily was suppose to handle it but she got caught up in a shipment of Lavender."

"We have enough Lavender! It's as common as leafs!"

"Well tell Lily that."

Daisy sighed and shifted the stack of papers that was in front of her "Tell me at least you finished those Rose arrangements for that wedding in Vanhoover."

"Of course I did, just finished the last vase."

"Good, maybe we'll be able to buy ourselves food and pay taxes." Daisy said in bitter sarcasm. Rose giggled a bit at her sister before the bell on the front door jingled and Daisy's face darkened slightly, announcing who had just walked in.

"Hey Rose." Jason said with a smile, Roseluck blushed and frantically tried to straighten her mane.

"Oh hey Jason, what brings you around?" The flower mare asked, feinting casualness.

"Well, I told you how I was invited to the Grand Galloping Gala, yeah?"

"Yes you did, I'm still really jealous. Oh how great it would be to Canterlot!"

"Weeeel..." Jason said slyly "Here's your chance then." Jason pulled out the golden ticket and held it out to Roseluck.

Roseluck couldn't quite process the information presented to her at first but eventually she realized that the golden ticket in front of her granted access to the Grand Galloping Galla.

"Y-you mean that... That I can... Go... Grand Galloping Galla... With you..." Rose stuttered with her eyes wide.

"Mmmm, that would be a yes on both parts." Jason said, smirking slightly. He glanced towards where Daisy was and saw that her jaw had dropped and her eyes were filled with astonishment, Jason's smirk grew wider as he looked back at Roseluck and saw that she had a steadily growing smile of her own.

Finally Roseluck decided that the appropriate reaction to the situation was to let out a screech of joy that went along the lines of 'EEEEEEEEEEHEEEHEHEEEEE!' Then prance around the store like an excited schoolgirl.

"I'm going to the Galla!" She chanted "I'm going to the Gala! I'm going to the Gala! I'm going to the Gala! You hear that Daisy?! I'm going to the Gala! This is a dream come true!"

Jason smiled and called "We're leaving at five-thirty, the Gala begins at six-thirty. Just arrive at Rarity's Boutique around that time, see you then." Jason looked at Daisy "Repeat that to her for me, I don't think she heard all of that."

Neither did Daisy but Jason left her in a dumbfounded silence anyway. It was only until Jason was well away from the flower shop that he realized that he forgot to tell Roseluck about his prearranged meeting with Princess Celestia that would take up the end half of the night, he mentally shrugged and decided to tell Rose later.

                                                                     ~~*~~

Carousel Boutique, Ponyville, Equestria, Wednesday 1st of October, 5:24 pm, 2205 AC

Jason had arrived back at the boutique and was quickly directed to Rarity's washroom by the Unicorn herself. He took a quick shower, washing himself to perfection. As a last thought he slicked back his hair- which had reached just past his ears in the past weeks -down the back of his head and away from his head, drying it like that so it remained slicked back.

When he was dry Jason pulled on his Galla outfit and walked out to meet with the six mares and Spike who was adorned in the top-half of a tuxedo and a top-hat. Rarity spotted him and trotted over with her horn alight, not soon after she levitated over Jason's sword however it was lacking its sheath.

"Hold this for a moment." Rarity said and Jason grabbed the hilt, too surprised to say anything. Rarity returned with a long leather tube-a sheath-it was glossy and had the same style of intricate golden swirls that his coat had.

"Someone of your reputation should always carry a blade with them, go on, clip it on." Rarity pushed the sheath into Jason's hands. After studying it for a moment he sheathed his sword-a perfect fit-and clipped it to his belt, it rested comfortably at his side and was slightly covered by the tail of his coat.

"When did you have time to make this?" Jason asked.

"Oh the thought occurred to me when I was designing your outfit, Twilight was kind enough to send me the measurements of the blade while you were away on morning."

"Well... Alright then.." A thought occurred to Jason and he retrieved his knife from where he had dumped his day cloths.

"I don't suppose you have a sheath for this?" Jason asked, holding up the combat knife.

Rarity pursed her lips "I'm afraid I don't, you always carry it with you and I don't really have time to make another..."

Jason smiled "It's okay, I'll just leave it behind."

Rarity nodded her understanding and walked off to adjust a few things on the girls dresses, when her back was turned Jason subtly clipped the knife to the back of his belt where it would be hidden by the tail of his coat.

They stood around for another minute or two, discussing their plans for the Gala. Rarity was excited to meet her Prince of sorts, convinced that her true love awaited her in Canterlot. Twilight wanted to spend the night talking to Princess Celestia- Jason decided not to tell her that he would be doing just that for the majority of the night -Fluttershy was going to make sone more animal friends in the Canterlot gardens, Applejack was going to boost popularity for her farms products by running a stand and Rainbow Dash was going to hang out with the famous stunt flying team- The Wonderbolt's.

They all had high hopes for the night, so Jason's inherit senses told him flat out that it was all down hill from here.

A knock came from the door and Rarity opened it, Jason turned to see the newcomer and his jaw dropped.

Roseluck stood there in a jaw-dropping dress, the tail was an offshoot colour of her rose red mane. Her front hooves were in a pair of red slippers with intricate red vine designs that swirled up her legs slightly, her bang was swept back farther with the rest of her mane and a single rose was laced behind her right ear.

Rose trotted in and spotted Jason, her own jaw dropped slightly at the sight if him but she composed herself much more quickly than Jason.

"Hey." She said when she reached him "You look... Amazing."

Jason nodded dumbly "You look beautiful." He stated, getting a blush and smile out of Roseluck which got Jason smiling as well. He glanced towards the other mares in the room and noticed that Rarity and Fluttershy were looking at him and Rose with knowing looks while Rainbow Dash was pointedly looking in the opposite direction.

Rarity cleared her throat in the mist ladylike manner, getting everyone's attention.

"Sorry to interrupt everypony but it is time for us to make way to Canterlot, our ride is waiting outside."

Spike held the door for everyone as they exited the boutique, outside was a fancy looking wooden carriage that was decorated in layers of black lacker, two Royal Guards who were armoured in the standard polished golden plates.

Jason raised an eyebrow at the fancy transportation "How was this arranged?" He asked no one in particular.

"Princess Celestia sent it, she thought that we should arrive in style." Twilight answered, climbing into the carriage. The carriage was big enough to fit all of them but after Jason helped Roseluck climb in he bid them a good ride before closing the door and joining Spike in the drivers bench.

The Spawn of Akatosh nodded his greeting before whipping the reins.

"Away to Canterlot!" He called happily, the guards didn't move. Rather they both looked at Spike with the most offended glare Jason had seen in his life.

"Excuse me?" One said in a dangerous voice.

"Uh... Hehe... Let's go?.... Please?" Spike asked quietly, the stallions snorted in unison before slowly trotting along their way.

Spike let out a slight sigh of relief as Jason started up a conversation.

"So is this your first time to the Gala?" Jason asked the Giga Lizard.

"Yeah, I mean up until recently neither Twilight or me have been old enough to attend and the Princess wasn't going to invite children to a high-class Gala."

Jason nodded his understanding and the lapsed into silence for a few seconds, before something occurred to him.

"Spike." He said to the Fire Drake "How old is Twilight?" Spike blinked and thought for a moment.

"Um, seventeen I think?"

"And she living by herself? And in the employment of the government no less?"

"Uh yeah? Is that weird?"

"It is for me, Human's don't leave their parents until we're eighteen usually and we don't get a real job until then either."

Spike looked confused "Ponies leave home at twelve dude."

"....Great, now I feel immature."

They lapsed into another silence, only the sound of the guards hooves to listen to.

"So what do you gents plan on doing this evening?" Jason called to the two Guards pulling the carriage. They exchanged glances before one answered.

"We aren't invited to the Gala so I planned on going to a bar or something, I heard about thus one place in the down-streets called 'The Staggering Stallion' apparently they serve the stronger stuff that higher end places don't give."

The stallions companion snorted "Good luck buying a drink when your coin purse has been swept away, the down streets are full of criminal scum."

The other guard shrugged "Nopony would dare pickpocket a Royal Guard." He said in a superior voice, his friend rolled his eyes.

"Well I'm hoping I won't get stared at the entire time I'm there." Jason added.

The guards exchanged uneasy glances "Uhhhh, sorry mate but you'll probably be harassed by every noble and his mother. Everypony will stare at you and the nobles will probably try to make a friend of you because they seek some advantage of it."

"Thanks for the boost of confidence, loyal protector of Equestria." Jason said, dramatically slumping his shoulders and putting his head down. The Wyrm of Fire to his left patted his back in sympathy.

"You'll be fine." He said unconvincingly. Jason opened his mouth to retort but a muffled fit of giggles came from inside the carriage.

"Wonder what they're talking about?" The Child of Akatosh wondered out loud.

"Girl stuff." Jason mumbled.

"Girls stuff?" Spike inquired.

"Girl stuff." The two guards confirmed in unison.

"What kind of girl stuff?" The Death Reptile asked.

"That of which is not meant for the ears of men." Jason said in a very serious voice.

                                                                       ~~*~~

"He said what?!" Twilight asked between fits of giggles.

"H-he said, in that accent too. 'No flower may poke this fair lady with its thorn!' Then he talked the rose out of its pot, I still don't know how he managed it, stomped it into the ground a few time before continuing like nothing ever happened!" Roseluck said, laughing.

The mares collectively giggled at the story of Jason's antics.

"Oh I had no idea that Jason was so.... Ridiculous!" Rarity said, giggling in a filly-like fashion.

"He's like that all the time... At least around me." Roseluck said. The other mares had recovered from their giggle fits, and were giving Rose very knowing and sly looks.

"He's always trying to make you laugh right Roseluck?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Yeah, Jason is strongly against any seriousness for long periods of time. He's told me several times on end."

Rarity leaned forward a bit "Oh, do go on darling!" She pressed.

"Go on about what?"

"What he's like of course! How does Jason act around you? I mean besides you Twilight is the only one here who talks to him on a daily basis and only then of factual things about his kind."

"Hey!" Twilight said "I learn a lot of interesting things about Human's! He's told be a lot about how they've invented these things called 'engines' and-"

"Yes, yes dear." Rarity said, cutting her off "But what does he tell you Roseluck?"

"Oh, well." Rose said, a little embarrassed to be sharing Jason's words with others "Mostly he tells me stories."

Rarity cocked her head "Stories?"

Rose nodded "Yeah, back in his.. Old home, his father would bring him out on trips in the woods all the time. Most of the time just the two of them but sometimes his Uncle would come too and those ones were always really funny."

"Wait, Jason told you about his father? He never told me!" Twilight said with a bit of a pout.

"Well, Did you ever ask?" Roseluck inquired.

"Well no, I mean, his family and old life always seemed like a sensitive subject, I didn't want to upset him."

Rise shook her head "I think that's the wrong approach, I think he actually want to talk but no one will. I think... I think he bottles it up, keeps it inside you know?"

"Oh, dear." Rarity said "I never realized, no wonder he always seems to be saddened under his smiles."

"Yeah! He smiles at me but they aren't super happy smiles! Only sorta-happy smiles! That's not good enough!" Pinkie ranted.

"Yeah, it's sad." Rose said, looking at the wooden wall where on the other side she knew Jason was sitting "I try by talking to him all the time about his old life and his family but I can't really know how he feels, I don't think anypony can."

                                                                      ~~*~~

Princess Celestia rubbed the bridge of her nose slightly, already she could sense the headache she was bound to have by the end of the night. There was one bright point she was looking forward to though and it surprised her that she felt anticipation towards it.

Celestia came out of a side door and into the ball room of the castle, red a gold decorations hung from the ceiling and pillars and tables of food had been placed about by the kitchen staff. The Princess sat down on the large flat cushion that would be her spot for at least three hours as she greeted nobles and other assorted guests.

Two guards appeared out of a separate door, they marched to either side of the small rise that Celestia was on and stood at attention there.

Celestia smile "At-ease the both of you, it's going to be a long night, too long to be standing there at attention." The guard to her right obeyed and relaxed his stance, the other Guardspony though- seemingly a younger one -seemed a bit hesitant and looked at the Princess questioningly.

"First Gala I presume?" Celestia said to the stallion on question.

"Y-yes your majesty." The Guard replied, flushed by the fact that his ruler was addressing him.

"You'll find that it gets tedious about halfway through, so there is no need to strain yourself by standing stiff all night."

The guard seemed to understand and relaxed, Celestia sighed a bit and adjusted her posture. Those three hours couldn't go past fast enough.

                                                                     ~~*~~

As the carriage pulled around a bend Canterlot came into view, Jason's breath was taken away at the sight. He had seen the city from a distance before as it was usually in view but that was nothing in caparison to it up close. Tall spires made of white stone reached high into the sky, both glamorous and more humble buildings made of the same material sat close together throughout the city, and the Palace itself had balcony's made of gold and rooftops made of silver. With the setting sun emblazoned behind the city, it looked like an image straight out of a fantasy.

They came up a slop to the entrance to the city, a tall marble arch with a golden barred gate stood in their path. Two Unicorn Royal Guards flanked the gate, carrying spears in their magical grip.

"Halt." One of them called as they approached, they carriage stopped just short of the guards. "Here for the Gala?" The Guardspony asked his compatriot who pulled the cart, the other stallion nodded and the two gatekeepers pulled their spears free.

"Have a nice-what in Celestia's name is that?" The Gatekeeper had noticed Jason as was training his spear level with where the Human was sitting.

Jason frowned "My name is Jason, I was invited to this Gala by Princess Celestia."

The Gatekeeper seemed surprised that Jason could talk, but quickly recovered his serious expression "Show your ticket then."

Jason sighed slightly and pulled the ticket out of his coat pocket, the Gatekeeper grabbed it with his magic and brought the ticket level with his eyes. He read it quickly, casting a subtle spell at the same time to verify its legitimacy.

"Apologies, sir." The Gatekeeper said in a calmer tone, levitating the ticket back to Jason and pulled his spear back as well "It's just your appearance is... Odd and we had to take precautions, I apologies for the inconvenience."

Jason waved the apology aside "It's no trouble, may we proceed?"

"Of course." The gate swung open speedily and the carriage proceeded through, the dirt road transitioning to the stone street as buildings began appearing on either side of them.

Few Ponies walked the streets at this hour, those who did seemed to be going in the same direction as the carriage and were all dressed in high-budget wardrobes. As the building steadily increased in size and land value, the palace came into view again, being even more impressive and beautiful up close.

The Guards pulled the carriage through the main gate and to the side where they stopped and immediately began unlatching themselves. Jason and Spike hopped down and the Human opened the door for the mares, helping each one down with an offered hand. Roseluck came out first but kept close to Jason's leg when they got under way, brushing against him every now and again.

The group climbed the stairs and into the main hall, pillar lined the sides and banners of red and gold hung from the ceiling. Already the hall was busy with nobles abc other guests who were milling about talking or sampling food at one of the many food tables. Some were lined up and facing the far end where, at the stop of a set of a few stairs, Princess Celestia sat greeting each of them in turn.

Jason looked at her and Celestia seemed to notice, she looked up from the guest she had been greeting and found Jason in the ground. Their eyes met and Celestia made an almost imperceptible jerk of her head, the message was clear, Come over here.

"Come on, let's go say hello to the Princess, she did invite us after all." Jason said, Roseluck nodded, a serene smile was plastered on her face. They walked towards the line and the rest of the mares went off on their own path.

The line wasn't long, they only had to wait for two Ponies to greet the Princess before Jason and Roseluck got there. Rose immediately dropped into a bow but Jason only smiled and gave a nod of greeting.

"I am glad you could come, Jason." Celestia said, as Roseluck stood up from her bow and gave Jason a confused look. The Princess noticed Roseluck and smiled warmly.

"I don't believe we have met." Celestia said, Jason spoke up.

"Sorry, this is Roseluck, I invited her here with me."

"Really?" Celestia said, noticing how close the mare kept to Jason, a sly smile came into her lips "I see." She said cryptically.

Jason looked confused but decided to just go with it, saying their farewells Jason and Rose

took to their leave. They walked over to one side and Jason turned to Rose.

"So what do you want to do first Rose?" He asked, the mare's eye lighted up and locked onto the centre of the hall, the dance floor. Already soothing string music was echoing off the halls from the small orchestra in the far corner.

"Well I was thinking-"

"Jason, darling!" Rarity's voice called, cutting off whatever Roseluck was going to say. Jason turned to see Rarity approaching, leading a rather high-class looking make Unicorn behind her. The stallion was dressed in a quality vest and tie and he sported an admirable twirled moustache on his lip.

"I wanted to introduce somepony to you." Rarity said when she reached him "This is Fancy Pants, he owns some of the most bountiful mining and archaeological sites across the continent. But more importantly he's one of the most respected aristocrats in Canterlot!" Rarity batted her eyelashes lightly at the stallion who gave a smile, although it seemed a bit strained, Fancy Pants turned to Jason with a more genuine smile and offered his hoof.

"Good to meet you, Jason." He said.

"And you." Jason said politely, shaking the stallions hoof.

"I must say." Fancy said, dropping his hoof "It is quite an honour to meet one of the fabled Human's of old."

Jason raised his eyebrows "Do you know a lot about my kind?"

"Sadly no, I only know what I and the professors from the Institute have been able to divulge from what ruins and artifacts that we have found."

Jason was about to respond but Rarity cut him off, she had a bad habit of doing that.

"Well it seems you two have hit it off, I'll take my leave for now. But you still owe me a dance Fancy Pants!" Rarity gave a final wink and strutted off, when she was out of sight Fancy let out a slight sigh.

"I tried to tell her I was married but she kept insisting that I had promised her a dance."

Jason chuckled and Roseluck giggled a bit, Fancy Pants cracked a smile and turned back to Jason.

"It has been interested speaking to you Jason but I'm afraid I must take my leave as well, perhaps you would consider dropping in at the Royal Canterlot Institute of Magic to consult with me and my colleagues, perhaps answer some open questions?"

Jason though about it, he wasn't completely against the idea "Maybe." He stated.

Fancy Pants nodded "I suppose that is the best I shall receive, have a pleasant evening." With that the aristocrat trotted off.

"So what were you saying?" Jason said to Rose.

She smiled "Well I was going to ask if we could have a dance?" Rose muffled a giggle at Jason's expression, panic struck his face and he nervously glanced towards the dance floor where several couples were already spinning slowly to the soothing string music that came from the orchestra.

"I... Uh... Don't know how to dance." Jason stuttered.

Rose openly laughed with got the Human grumbling.

"It's not funny..." He said, embarrassed.

"Your right, it's not." Roseluck said, stifling her laughter "Come on I'll teach you."

Against his will Jason was pulled to the dance floor, almost everyone in the room stared at the Pony and Human. Roseluck didn't seem bothered though as she lead Jason to the middle of the dance floor and smiled up at him, what she did next visibly shocked the Human.

She stepped closer to Jason, and used his legs to lean her weight against. She lifted of of her front hooves and put all her weight on it and Jason's leg, the Human too astonished to notice the uncomfortable weight on his shin, the next hoof came up and the Rose used Jason like a latter to pull herself up until she was standing on two legs-albeit with most of her weight on Jason rather than her hind legs.

Roseluck rested her front hooves on the Human's shoulders and Jason instinctively held the mare by her hips in fear of her falling over. Even standing on two legs Rose was at least a head shorter than Jason so he had to stoop slightly to hold her in place.

Roseluck smiled up at Jason "Usually this would be a lot different, but I had to get creative since your so tall." The mare removed her right hoof from Jason's shoulder and snaked it into his hand, lifting it from her hip and outwards from them slightly.

"Now start turning slowly in a circle." Rose instructed, the orchestra-who had stopped at the display given by the flower mare-started up again with their slow soothing tone. The other couples broke from their rude staring and began dancing again, although many of them still stole glances towards the odd dance-parters.

Rose and Jason on the other-hand, focused solely on each other. Jason spun them in a slow tight circle, moving his feet carefully and with fluid motions in time with the music.

"Your a natural." Roseluck complimented as Jason spun her around again.

"Easy for you to say." Jason said with strained words "You don't have to dance while holding up a full-grown mare at the same time."

Rose giggled and the two lapsed into silence, eventually Roseluck rested her head on Jason's shoulder. He didn't mind so he allowed it. They danced for several minutes, almost an hour, as the song ran its course and even after the remained spinning for another half-minute before breaking apart and walking off.

Princess Celestia had watched them the entire time, a small smile creeping onto her features. It was clear there was chemistry between the Human and the young mare and Celestia was glad Jason had found someone to make him happy, she only hoped it would last.

Celestia glanced through the halls skylight at the stars, already it was eight-forty. Only about an hour left to the Gala, many guests had already retired for the night and she has not been approached by anyone for the better part of an hour.

Without warning the Princess stood up, startling the two guards that flanked her.

"I shall be retiring to my chambers for the night." She said, before looking at the older of the two guards.

"Please relay the message I told you earlier to Jason if you will." The Guard nodded and banged his armoured chest in salute before marching off to find the Human, his younger companion only looked confused and looked to his Princess who smiled warmly.

"Feel free to return to you barracks and rest, you relieved from duty for tonight." Celestia hid a smile as the young guard nearly tripped over himself to salute and then eagerly trotted off to find a soft bed. When he was gone Celestia disappeared through the side door that she had used earlier and climbed a set of stairs to the private entrance to her chambers where she would await her companion for the remainder of the night.

The Guard that had been tasked by the Princess slipped through the crowd, heading towards the pair that had dominated the dance floor moments ago. Roseluck and Jason moved towards the back corner of the hall where their friends waited, all speaking to each other while sitting around a table.

When they got close Jason noticed that all of them-even Rarity-were is some sort of disheveled state, manes frayed and dresses torn and dirtied.

"What happened to you lot?" Jason asked, the six mare exchanged glances.

"It's a long story." Twilight said, smiling.

Jason raised an eyebrow and was about to inquire when someone cleared their throat behind him, he turned around to see a fully armoured Royal Guard standing there.

"Jason?" He inquired and the Human nodded.

"The Princess requests your presence as was previously discussed, I will guide you to her chambers." The Guard said.

"Jason?" Roseluck said "What's he talking about?"

Jason smiled awkwardly "Yeah.. Sorry, I meant to tell you but Celestia invited me to have a discussion with her a few months ago and decided that tonight would be the best night to do it."

Roseluck didn't look happy "So... What? Your just going to go?"

"Hey, don't be like that, I had fun but I made a promise."

Rose huffed "But I was really hoping to spend the entire night with you." She said, looking up at him with big red eyes.

"I know, I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you later." Jason stooped and wrapped Roseluck in a hug which she warmly returned, Jason gave one last smile before giving a nod to the guard and the stallion led Jason away.

Roseluck watched him disappear into the crowd before turning around. She jumped in surprise as the six mares were leaning over the table with big dopey smiles on their faces.

"Tell. Us. Everything." Rarity demanded, somehow intimidating with that huge smile. Rose sighed and sat down, preparing to gush like a small schoolfilly.

                                                                     ~~*~~

The Guard lead Jason out of the hall through a set of large side doors and into a mostly-abandoned hallway that was only filled with the occasional patrolling Guardspony. The hallway eventually gave way to a set of stairs that swirled upwards, the stairs gave ways to another hall the lead to a set of large double doors, decorated with an intricate likeness of the sun on them. The doors were flanked by two more Royal Guards who looked at the Human before pushing the doors open far enough for Jason to walk through.

He thanked the guard who had escorted him before walking in, the door closing behind him. The Princesses chambers were lavish as expected, the entire room was circular and dome-like in nature. Works of art and shelves stuffed tight with books and scrolls lined the walls.

Celestia herself sat in front of a grand Queen-size bed, her usual Royal regalia not present, a small quaint dining tray in front of her with two cups and a steaming kettle rested. The sent of caffein and tea leaves reached Jason's nose and made him feel calm already.

"Hello Jason." Celestia greeted with a smile "Do sit down, I'll pour you some tea."

Jason obliged and sat down, the Princess poured him an herself cups of steamy black tea. Blowing on his cup slightly Jason took a sip and let the drink warm him, it was orange pekoe, his favourite favour.

"I like your outfit." Celestia commented, taking a draft from her own drink "Some of Rarity's work I presume?"

"Yeah, she made me this specifically for the Gala." Unconsciously Jason loosened the strap that held his sword to his side, so it didn't push at his belt uncomfortably.

"I like it." Was all Celestia said before they lapsed into silence, both nursing their cups of tea. It wasn't a peaceful silence though, there was tension and awkwardness that neither of them knew how to face.

"You know..." Celestia said, putting down her cup "It's hard to find something to say."

"I feel you."

"I mean there is so much to say but the words don't come."

"Let's try something more basic." Jason offered, placing down his own tea.

"Basic?" Celestia asked.

"Yeah, like... What's your favourite colour?" The question caught Celestia off guard. Colour? Favourite colour? She had never thought about it. She liked all colours really and couldn't decide on one that she liked best.

"I... Don't know?" She finally managed to say after a moment of thought, a little embarrassed that she couldn't think of a colour.

"Oh come one, there's got to be at least one colour you like best."

Celestia thought again "I suppose... Yellow."

"What? Like the sun?" Jason said mockingly.

Celestia laughed "Nothing so portentous, no. More like... Flowers." She said "And what's your favourite colour then."

Jason lapsed into meaningful thought "Red."

Like blood Celestia immediately thought but pushed the assumption from her mind as the Human continued.

"Red like... Roses, or Maple Leafs in autumn or the sunrise when it blazes red." Jason said in explanation.

"That's... Huh." The Princess stated.

"What?"

"Not what I expected."

"Then what did you expect?"

"...not sure."

"Well, ask me a question then."

"What sort of question?"

"Any question."

Celestia thought for a moment "What is your favourite food?"

"Pancakes." Jason said without hesitation.

"What are 'Pancakes'?" Celestia asked, Jason looked at her with a strangely intense look before rubbing his forehead and mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like 'How do you even live' before he spoke clearly again.

"So what's your favourite food?"

"Cake."

"That's not a food, it's a dessert."

"It can be both with the right attitude."

"...Favourite book?"

"The Legend of Starswirl the Bearded. You?"

"The Epic of Gilgamesh."

"I've never heard of that book."

"Never heard of yours."

"Mmm, favourite restaurant?"

"Tim Hortons, it's a coffee shop."

"Donut Joes, it's... Also a coffee shop."

"...weird, okay, what is your favourite pastime?"

Celestia had to think on that one "Painting." She finally concluded.

"You paint? Really?" Jason asked in slight disbelief.

"Yes, is that so odd?"

"Yes, well, no. I just didn't expect painting to be a hobby of a ruler." Jason looked at the pairing that lined the walls of the bedchambers "Did you-?" He asked.

"Some of them." Celestia answered "What is your pastime then."

Jason considered the question long and hard before sighing and stating "Would it be cheating to say my favourite pastime is eating?"

Celestia laughed and Jason cracked a grin, the joy was short lived though as Celestia's face grew dark.

"What's the matter?" Jason asked in concern.

"It's just that... I shouldn't be enjoying this, I shouldn't like you, I should hate you but... You a hard person to hate you know that?"

Jason smirked in spite of the situation "I'll take that as a compliment, and I have to say I feel the same way, your a good person Celestia."

The Princess smiled but I faded "It's just that... I don't know if I can reconcile the past."

Jason thought for a moment "Tell me... What was it like?" Celestia looked at him surprised "What did it make you feel fighting on that war? I can only imagine but you can help me understand." The Human explained.

Celestia breathed deeply before speaking "I was born during the war, so I never knew a time of peace between the Alicorn's and the Human's even though I was told that such a time had once existed. As an Unaligned Alicorn who has not discovered his or her place in the universe, I was trained and taught as a soldier and warrior, but I never wanted to be either, however the situation was not forgiving."

Celestia shivered "I remember my first battle, it was a victory but a costly one. I remember the bodies that had been thrown about, the rivers of blood, the walls of fire, the endless screaming, marching, explosions, the.. The.." Celestia's whole body was shaking now and her eyes were wide in fear.

"Hey now, it's okay." Jason said tenderly, carefully moving the tray out of the way and wrapping his arms around the Princesses neck. She didn't mind as she hugged him back and buried her face in his shoulder, tears springing to her eyes at the moment of weakness. The relapse come forth from her long-suppressed memories.

"It was horrible." Jason stated.

"It was." Celestia confirmed shakily.

Jason licked his lips and carefully asked the next question, he didn't really want to push for information but he needed to know.

"How long?"

It took a moment for the Princess to understand the question, when she did it didn't help her condition but she answered anyway.

"We called it the War of Eternities." Celestia said tearfully "It waged for seven and a half thousand years."

Jason nodded silently and let Celestia cry herself out, she held onto him for the better part of twenty minutes before her shaking stopped and her tears ceased flowing. She pulled her face away from Jason's shoulder, levitating over a cloth that she wiped her eyes in.

"I'm sorry." Celestia said "It's just that I never talked about this with anyone."

"I still don't understand why your sister wasn't an option."

Celestia frowned, still unstable but momentarily distracted "Luna... Took to battle differently than I, it wasn't like she enjoyed slaughter as those aligned to it did, like Mars or Nemesis, no it's more like she was indifferent, she didn't react to what transpired on an emotional level."

"Do you think she doesn't care?"

"No, I think she's just better at burying it and too stubborn to dig it up again."

"That's not right, family should always be there for you."

Celestia nodded when a though struck her "Jason... Tell me about you family, what were they like?"

Jason looked out the window at the night sky "I can only really call two people family, my father and my uncle. My mom and dad got divorced and my father won full custody of me, I was four when he started raising me his way."

"It's not like he was overly cruel, it's just that he was always pushing, always saying that I could do better or wasn't trying hard enough, that I could run faster, jump higher, and hit harder. But at the same time he taught be useful things like camping, first aid, living off the land."

"But then he wasn't much of a father, he was a commander, he wanted me to be a man, a soldier and if I didn't please him the cane was my punishment."

Celestia gasped and pulled Jason to her chest "I am so sorry."

"Uh... For what? It's not a big deal."

"Not a big... That is... That is... Unspeakable! To beat a child... You must hate him."

Jason sighed "No, I don't. I don't know why, maybe the same reason I won't if can't hate you for your actions in the past, hate... Just isn't in my nature I guess. Maybe that's a weakness? I don't know, but all my dad wanted was to raise me into the best person he could, you can't fault him for that."

Celestia shook her head but smiled "A Human who cannot hate, no such thing was ever considered to be possible in the past."

Jason smirked "And Alicorn's were a myth, Dragon's were legend, and Human's ruled the Earth." He said "Just because something is, doesn't mean it has to be that way."

Celestia was surprised, but less surprised about being surprised this time "That is remarkably wise."

"I would hope so, I pretty sure someone said that before me."

Celestia laughed, and it was then that the two of them realized that they had been holding onto each other for their entire conversation, they hurriedly let go of one another with a tinge of pink on their cheeks.

Jason cleared this throat and stood up "I think I should be going now, it's already ten-fifteen and Roseluck will bite my head off if I'm out past midnight, goodnight Celestia."

"Goodnight." Celestia said, caught a bit off guard by the sudden departure but as Jason turned on his heel she called "Wait!"

Jason spun back around to be embraced warmly by the Sun Princess, he hugged her back "Thank you." She said quietly, Jason smiled.

"Any time Celestia." He said before slipping out of her embrace and walking off into the cold night.