The Two Faces Of A Coin

His brain and body completely froze in place. This question left him completely speechless. How could they know? Did Jade tell Celestia about it? Did she already read Past Is Prologue? Why did he have a bad feeling about this? Unfortunately, staying immobile will not help him to found the answer. The Sun Goddess asked him a question and he didn’t want to be rude and stay silent…especially in the presence of the other two Princesses. So, his best option was to tell them the truth, nothing else.

After a few seconds, Eagle blinked and shook his head. His overload was now over, his brain could work again and answer the question.

"Well...absolutely nothing apart from what I wrote on my book."

"I see."

There was a pregnant pause for a few seconds before the white stallion speak again.

"But...they're not real. I mean...I created them, it's not like they existed or live in another dimension...right?"

The three princesses looked at each other, unsure. He could see the doubt in their eyes. A single and simple question popped into their mind, at the same moment: could they tell him, a simple citizen of their country, what they know about those aliens?

"To tell you the truth...—" began Celestia."...we're not sure about their existence." interrupted the Princess of the Night: dark blue coat, floating mane and a black Cutie Mark with moon shaped ‘C’ on her rump.

And the bearer of the Element of Magic continued. "There are a few ponies who had some....'knowledge' about them. Celestia created an investigation group which tries to found any solid proof of their existence. For the moment, except a few strange objects when we conducted expeditions or given by the ponies who stepped on it to the local authorities, we don’t have much information about them."

"Your book is one of those proofs, maybe the most important we have. In a way or another, you created a contact with the humans. I suppose you have an explanation for this, am I right?"

Eagle growled, putting a hoof on his right temple before beginning to rub it. Even if he was smart, it was difficult for him to follow and understand, especially when three ponies talk at the same time! It began to give him another headache. After a few seconds, he answered:

"I…what I wrote on my book come from my dreams. Sometimes, it feel so real that it make me think it really happened but…I still had doubts about this theory, until now. It was not uncommon for me to wake up in the middle of the night, sweaty and afraid of the horrors I just witnessed. Some of those…memories stayed in my mind for weeks, still fresh as the first day I had them. But, I think Princess Luna can explain it better than me, she's able to explore everypony dreams. It’s shouldn’t be complicated."

The latter frowned, slightly annoyed.

"Yes, I have this ability but, however, I only use it if it's a nightmare or emotional case. And I can't visit everypony in one night."

The white Unicorn dramatically rolled his eyes and growled, slightly angry by the answer.

"Don't tell me you couldn't have the time to see my 'dreams' in FIVE months. Even just a quick glance."

She snorted and rolled her eyes too before pointing a hoof at him.

"Listen, if you're not happy about it, you should have say it at the night court...—"

"...Well, Excuuuuuuuuse me Princess but if it’s to be dragged into the hospital for mental illness by the Night Guards. Then, I prefer to suffer in silence than talk."

A heavy and awkward silence appeared in the room. Everypony could feel the tension in the air between the dark blue mare and the white stallion. Fortunately, the Princess of the Sun broke the silence.

"I'm sorry Lulu but he's right. Nopony would have believed him."

The dark blue Alicorn glared at her older sister before looking again at the Unicorn, who was frowning. She knew that both of them were telling the truth. Everypony with a right mind would have said the writer was completely crazy if he told her his problem before this meeting.

"Anyway, now that you know about our investigation group (or the Agency as I named it). You must keep the silence on it...and the humans. Our subjects could not have the best reaction if they learn there’s a possibility that we are (or were) not alone on Equis. Especially if those aliens used to eat meat."

Just by hearing the last word she said, he shivered. How could it was possible for a sentient creature to eat another one? He didn’t want to know the answer at this question.

"I'm okay with this but...what I'm going to do for the book? Sell it or destroy it?"

"Well, I'm not against the fact you sell your novel, it's your main job as writer and your only way to keep living and eating. But, if ponies want to know about those two-legged creatures....tell them you created it from your imagination."

Perfectly understanding the plan Celestia had in mind, he slowly nodded.

"Perfect. You can count on me to stay silent about this meeting."

"I hope. Oh, Eagle, before I forgot” said the white mare, raising a hoof. “Jade told me there's a possibility you write a sequel to Past Is Prologue...is it true?" while she asked her question, the tall Unicorn with wings raised an eyebrow, patiently waiting for his answer.

"I'm not sure. My writer instinct tell me yes but I have to wait another 'dream' to confirm it or not."

"I see. You should go now. I bid you a good evening."

He bowed before leaving the room, without a word.

"Is he always cold and distant with everypony? He ignored me when I tried to talk to him at the entrance of the Castle.” asked the lavender Alicorn.

Celestia turned her head to her student and friend.

"Well, except his daughter and my friend Jade? Yes."

"Why?"

The look into her eyes saddened.

"This, Twilight, is a question which I don't have the answer. And it's useless to ask Miss Singer about it, she'll stay silent."

Eagle carefully closed the door after him before turning the upper part of his body towards the crowd, watching all those ponies for a few seconds and finally, sighed.

This little talk left him tired, he wanted to go back at home asap. A growl escaped his lips. He should have known this 'autograph' was a trap...or an excuse to talk about another subject. But, in a way, it was completely normal to not be cautious when it concerned the royalty. Everypony trusted them so, why be cautious in their presence?

He stepped into the crowd, searching for Sunny. Even him knew it was rude to left without saying goodbye, especially when he'll not see her for a long time. After a few minutes, he finally found his daughter, talking with some ponies and still at the side of Shining Armor.

The beige Pegasus moved her head in his direction and saw him walking to her, a smile on her face.

"So, I suppose your meeting with the Princess went well?"

He put a fake smile on his face.

"Yeah, I signed the books and we talked a little. Nothing interesting." lied his father.

His stomach tightened in guilt for lying at the only pony he could trust with his life. It was the first time he didn’t tell the truth to her and hoped his attitude will not blow up what he was hiding. This meeting was far too important and confidential to tell her about it. Yes, it saddened him but the Princesses gave him an order and nopony will make him fail, not even his own daughter.

"Oh really?"

He gave her an annoyed look.

"Yeah, really. Anyway, I have to go."

"Already?" interrupted the Captain. "We have a lot to talk about. I'd like know better the father of my protégé."

This time, the smile Eagle wore was real. He already began to like him. Too bad that he was already married.

"Yeah, I understand but you know: Imagination never waits. Especially if it’s to write a future best-seller. So, I can't promise but I'll try to come at the Crystal Kingdom one day or another to catch up."

"Okay, have a good night and I hope to see you soon."

“Me too.”

The two stallions shook their hooves. Then, Eagle Feather kissed his daughter on the forehead.

"I'll be waiting forward for your next letter, young lady."

"Sure."

Finally, the Unicorn with icy blue eyes left the room, under the angry glare of a few ponies or happy from others. They could love him or hate him or even worship him, he didn't care. The writer completely ignored their reaction towards him.

When the lone pony stepped outside, the streets of Canterlot were almost empty. The sun had left since two or maybe three hours, replaced by the big white orb in the cloudless sky. A few tourists were still admiring the city or the landscape around it. Canterlot was so silent that Eagle could hear the sound of his own hooves against the ground. He met one or two patrols on his way but they didn't care about him. And seriously, just one pony walking on the streets, with a jacket on him couldn’t be a threat to the citizens. The writer and the soldiers knew it perfectly, this is why they didn’t bother him.

The night was still young but, strangely, Eagle felt completely exhausted. In a way, it was perfectly comprehensible: it was the first time the white stallion participated to an event like the Grand Galloping Gala, even if he didn't stay long. Well, to be more precise, it's the little talk with the three Princesses which left him tired. His legs felt heavy and his head began to hurt again. Not as badly as the last time he was drunk but still....

After a few minutes of silent walking, Eagle stopped in front of the wooden door of his house. Walking inside, he remarked the building was as silent as outside. It didn't bother him at all. The light made by the moon passed through his windows and slightly illuminated the different rooms.

Too tired to walk to his chamber, Eagle walked into the living room and jumped on his light beige couch, made of leather, like his jacket. The latter was rudely removed from his body and was thrown on the nearest chair. After this, the white Unicorn put his head on the right side of the sofa and closed his eyes.

Less than ten seconds after, he was asleep, slightly snoring.