Chapters Sensed faint light from shades on hair. Knew only had half hour before shift started. Never had time for breakfast; trek was too long, but wasn’t hungry. Could feel Florence snuggled up next to side. Warmth from her was nice, and before long she blew mane out of lovely eyes and sighed. Never liked this part of day.
“Really have to go to work today?” Florence was always asking same question each night. Not every night, but many. Don’t blame her, really. Most stallions of same would be too busy raising foals or planning own future, but needed peace and quiet more than anything else. Rolled eyes and grinned at Florence’s hopeful but futile expression. Was cute every time noticed it, and seeing her gave me some ideas.
“Sorry, but duty calls, love,” I said to her. Nearly three months now. Showed very subtle signs, but were there. Kissed Florence on tip of muzzle and she scrunched up pretty face of hers. Got out of bed and felt near-transparent wings flutter.
“Promise you’ll be back by six? I have a little gift for you, and hate to spoil it by you being late,” she said sternly. “Won’t have that happen again anytime soon, right?”
“Can’t say for certain, but will definitely try,” which was code phrase for probably after dinner but before bedtime. “Probably have some drinks with colleagues.” At that moment, Florence frowned at me knowingly, telling that said fellows were no good. I knew that, we both knew that, but didn’t have much of choice. They were only stallions in all of Polaris who told interesting stories, a new one every day, for what seemed ages. Too fun to leave behind, but too stubborn to hang around. Oh well.
“You be careful now, Lambda honey. Some tourists might not be so kind to you or me,” she said, although could tell she was mainly referring to herself as well as mares in general. Stallions were too intimidating to mess with, even for new chums who didn’t know how local things were. Ladies of Polaris on other hoof were smart, fast, strong, and incredibly beautiful, which new chums adore little too much. Not to say was bad thing, but made for some bad trouble on occasion.
“Don’t worry about that. Will be back before you even realize I was gone.” Silently kissed Florence on forehead, bless her soul, before moving out of slanted flat. Walls were sleek and adapted to cold, hard surroundings. Cavern environment made light coming from outside appear more luminous than really was. Had to squint at first, but knew didn’t have to for long. Ancient rock made for very good path material if augmented right.
Looked out at foot of cave and remembered how bright Polaris looked during this time of day. Could see fellow thestral going about businesses, and even saw palace in distance. If not for seeing same thing a thousand times before, and hopefully a thousand times more, would be more openly impressed, but after too long even most amazing things fly right over head. Spread wings and took flight without any effort, as had been doing for many years, and felt wind blowing through mane. No doubt feeling was still there.
Nightfall had come once again.
Polaris was beautiful city, almost dream-like, especially when fellow thestral were around. Made way down to Main Street and adjusted to mildly shiny neon signs of shops and workplaces. No need for fragile wings here; walking far more trustworthy than flying on most days. Was on way to complex B, which stuck out unbelievably among shorter buildings, when thoughts were interrupted by blurry conversation from mile away.
Not sure why there were tourists coming to P-City from other parts of country, but never understood daywalkers anyways. Couple of blokes were over at new stand, which was probably caravan but couldn’t tell from distance. Most likely traveling businesspony, judging from static generated from local dimwits. “If you’re unicorn, then why bother using magic for show, young lass?” Heard thestral talking down to lady, which was never alright even by standards of foreign policy. Wing carried over at great speed, kicking up gravel, to commotion, and saw clearly who businesspony was.
“Now listen here, you hooligan, the Great-” she hesitated, coughed awkwardly. “Trixie doesn’t need your foolishness getting in her way. I’m not going to be treated like some ruffian from the far west!” Buddy of said hooligan giggled at mare’s language.
“Far west? Only ways here are north and south, little lady. Don’t confuse your ways with thestral. Not wise choice, eh?”
“You talk like brutes too, and if you really must know, I can do a lot more than just do magic tricks.” Was not necessarily businesspony, then. Kinda pretty, actually. Not every day that unicorn mares come to Polaris for sake of it.
“Oh, sure you can do lot more than magic tricks,” first grunt said, then snickered. Surprised local idiots haven’t been sterilized. Horrified that some have children who grow up to be as problematic. “How about we buy you drink? Must treat horned ladies like you lavishly, right?” Grinned and looked over to his friend, who stepped closer and closer to showmare.
“Treat her like natural treasure, boy-o.”
Unicorn mare who only glared at idiots, and focused on me hiding behind corner. Didn’t notice until she frowned intensely and lit up horn with aura. “What’re you doing over there? Waiting to ambush me and have these beasts join you? Trixie will not stand for this!” Startled by mare’s perspective, and immediately went on defense.
“Sorry! Overheard fellows here, didn’t mean any harm!” said as came out from behind corner of tall building and glided to between thestral morons. “Not with these guys, promise that much.” Glanced side to side at fellows who both spread wings out of sheer habit. First bloke looked at me with skeptical face, not sure what business had doing there.
“Is that so? Well,” mare said in smug manner. Probably thought I was soldier or royal guard or some kind of law enforcement for lovely P-City, but was erroneous. “I’ll have you know that these ‘gentlestallions’ have been harassing Trixie and poking fun at her livelihood.”
“Who’s Trixie?” Question made magician sigh and rub hoof against temple.
“I’m Trixie, not-” struggled for nanosecond. “I’m just a passerby trying to make a few bits!” Tried to be modest, bless her soul.
“If that’s case, then welcome to Polaris, lady,” noticed two blokes just standing next to each other, dumbfounded. By what? Good conduct was mandatory with mares, even of other races. Did parents not love them enough when were kids? Walked up to Trixie and lifted azure hoof of hers, causing gasp of surprise, and gently kissed. “Hope you enjoy stay here. Truly.” Wasn’t sure if custom from far away land, because as soon as did so, Trixie blushed if only for split second, but could tell anyways. Vibrant red against azure cheeks was admittedly adorable combination.
“U-Um...” she stuttered, then gained footing. “Thank you, whoever you might be. Good manners are hard to come by these days.”
“No problem. Is normal behavior here in great city. Mares are treasures, even if they aren’t ours,” turned around and scowled at local idiots. “Thought would about how things run around here, or maybe forgot?”
“Magicians don’t get that kind of treatment here!” First bloke yelled as if trying to be rebellious. Didn’t know who I was. Stallion next to him was not so confident in antics. Good for him. If lucky, then won’t threaten with sterilization.
“Not even thestral mare...” muttered under his breath, to himself most likely, but heard anyways. Perked ears up and took formidable stance.
“Correct if wrong, comrade,” slowly made way towards him, keeping wings erect to appear larger than really was. “But implication of committing rape is capital offense. Especially when implied to mare. Any mare. From what gathered, you two plan on taking advantage of Miss Trixie here. This simply will not do.” Saw first fellow getting worried.
“Were only joking, comrade!” Frantically said to me. Wasn’t working. “Traveler comes along and we play around some. No harm, right?”
“Not when clearly being tribalist,” said to him matter-of-factly. “Acceptance is how we survived in first place, and be damned if scum start messing with tourists. Pretty mares like Miss Trixie most of all.” Glanced over shoulder and could see Trixie smiling with slight sign of confusion. Gears were turning in head, but knew problem was not yet eradicated.
“Who do you think you are,” second bloke said to me. “Some kind of righteous messenger from Luna?”
“Not really. Just stating facts here. Actually,” glared at him. “could rip your throat out if necessary. Am allowed to do so under city law, considering circumstances.” At that moment, both stallions recited particular law in unison, as if some memory clicked into thick skulls.
“Ponies of any race or gender are allowed to stop threat to female populace, even if means are fatal and/or harmful to offender or offenders.”
“Correct.” Bared fangs and silently told blokes to piss off. So they did in hurry.
“Quite a decent display there,” Trixie said to me. Sounded genuinely impressed. Turned around and gave her blank expression. “Sorry, but I never asked for your name. You seem like a true gentlestallion, appearance aside.” Had something against thestral anatomy? Not surprised if thought ladies of Polaris were strange in looks, but fascinating at same time. Didn’t take offense either way. Common reaction to creatures like us.
“Lambda, Miss Trixie. Work at Complex B just one street over. Nice place, although isolated more than necessary.” Forgot had work to do. Still had some time, though. Trixie mumbled something to self but couldn’t hear what exactly was, surprisingly. Tiled head to side and looked at me, puzzled.
“What do you do there, if you don’t mind me asking? Trixie is curious.”
“Simple, really. Translate books all day.”
To be fair, translating not as easy as made sound. Took hours upon hours to do just one book of text, and if lucky then only have one shipment each day. Anyhow, Trixie asked if was busy whole time, and replied accordingly. Suspicious that she might be interested in date or something. Forgot to tell was married, but told that it was not bad idea if went as friends. Wouldn’t be good manners if denied offer.
Complex B was largest building in all of Polaris, not counting Stardust Palace, and was also most confusing to navigate. Designers must’ve been high on halcyon when blueprint was concocted. Operated on levels instead of cubicles. Each employee had own floor to work in, but drawback was that only so many employees for translation section of much bigger picture, which also meant was only living thing working on books. Reading books, writing books, but not necessarily of own creation.
After some stair-climbing and temptation to use wings as short cut, made it to office, which was big rectangular levels just like all other levels of complex B. Almost colorless, but could barely tell anyways, not to mention library that occupied most of working space. Wasn’t too bad, except for stressful times when nopony want to translate literature of modern Equestrian language into native thestral. Never liked modern, honestly. Made so many rules just to break most, on top of being too purple in complexion. Most words mean nothing, and others can mean anything. Silly and counterproductive.
At around eleven o’clock, received shipment from Clannad, who was in much better mood. Was busy fumbling around with typewriter which was really just being bored when she came around. Smirked and leaned in towards me.
“Anything happen today yet, boss?” Wasn’t really boss, but did like sound of it, so stuck. “Heard about some hooligans disrupting tourists down Main Street. Probably drunk or high, if had to guess.”
“Surprised they haven’t been hit with rocks yet,” said to Clannad, then adjusted reading glasses. “Maybe Andromeda has something special planned, or feeling mischievous today? Crime wasn’t too offensive, but could’ve gone down much darker path if not dealt with.”
“See. Huh. By way, consider self lucky. Only one book came in from directory. Written by some pompous fellow from Canterlot.”
“Still filled with unicorns?” Knew well that city of princesses was inhabited by upper-class unicorns for most part. Didn’t like dealing with folk who think that having to choose which expensive shampoo was better counted as work.
“Mhmm. Not much coming in as of late. Perhaps not so many ponies read anymore. Kind of sad, really.”
“How tragic.” Less books means shorter shift and more time to spend with Florence, which also meant better life, but then again, also need money for stuff to do with her so probably stuck in complex B until spine snapped.
“In that case, will just leave you be then,” Clannad said somberly before tossing intimidating-looking tome onto workspace. Adjusted reading glasses again and looked down at bane of existence. For novel, was quite thick. “Oh, and just one more thing, Lambda.”
“Yes?”
“Expect call sometime today. Florence told me was excited about something so wanted to tell you about it.” Already heard story before, but listened anyways.
“Didn’t know about such thing. Bye, then,” said casually and waved goodbye to Clannad. Kind of like her. Nice lady, if sarcastic at times, and quite intelligent. Pretty, but not as pretty as Florence or even Miss Trixie. Wondered what latter was doing at moment. Probably showing off magic tricks to little thestral. Cute sight. Remembered appointment with azure unicorn was within hour, so had to get as much done with book as possible.
Sighed and handled tome, which was mediocre in quality. Spine was good but page thickness was ridiculous, as well as not very compact since tome carried ton of weight with it. Definitely amateur job, but not main focus. Real challenge was what was within book, so looked at cover to start translation. Was book about Luna and Nightmare Moon, from looks of it. Sounded interesting if weren’t for wordiness. So unnecessary.
Got typewriter up and running and started working on story, which was pain since had to focus on small print in two different places. Hoped would get job done thoroughly by midnight but was too optimistic. Checked word count on original copy of modern Equestrian novel with too much fancy wording and not enough story to compensate. Saw word count was slightly over two hundred thousand; meant about eight hundred or so pages of original text followed by roughly six hundred pages of thestral translation.
Could really go for tab of halcyon at moment.
Not sure why lunchtime was not until after midnight, but didn’t mind short first half of shift. Had an appointment with Miss Trixie, who no doubt had own job to continue afterwards. Nearly tripped down stairs of complex B to ground level, but made it to cafe commonly used by employees such as self. Small, almost cramped if weren’t for moderate workforce responsible for translation as well as journalism and information department.
Saw Trixie sitting over at third table from left border, which was strange because cafe was empty at moment so why go for one of smaller tables? Was circular and made of finest wood imported from western towns, not sure which one specifically. One of newer additions to complex B. Solemnly walked over to Trixie and noticed scowl on face.
“You’re late, you know. Trixie does not appreciate it when welcomed guests don’t arrive on time,” she said. Was thinking to self, Lady, you’re guest here, not other way around. Does she think she owns place? Maybe. Might be okay with attitude for now.
“Sorry about that. Got stuck with pesky shipment.” Shipment was easy; dealing with picking apart purple prose was not.
“Well, just make sure to plan further ahead. You’re a native of Polaris, so you might want to keep up that good impression you gave off earlier. Trixie, er... thanks you for the assistance, by the way.” Say what? Really trying to be grateful, bless her soul. Liked idea of being representative of entire city, though.
“Can do. Wanted to talk to me about something?”
“A few things, actually. This is a very intriguing and spectacular place you live in, if you don’t mind Trixie saying,” she said, as if remark was insulting. Oh please, most tourists just come for pretty lights and so-called freaks and ladies of Polaris, but could tell on azure mare’s face she was genuinely interested.
“Don’t mind at all. Curious about some things?” Ordered drinks to table. Enjoyed some orange juice as Trixie spoke up.
“Oh, yes. About the stallions in this city...” Uh oh. “Trixie couldn’t help but notice that there’s quite a large number of stallion-on-stallion relationships here.” Oh, that.
“Right. Um, how to explain this?” said as tapped hoof on chin for second. “Not many thestral ladies. Less than million, last time was checked. Ratio of three stallions for every mare, and a lot of mares are homosexual anyways, which made matters for population worse. Not to say that homosexual relationships are bad; in fact with stallions, is quite encouraged. But only about four million thestral in Polaris, and most of them are male, so stallions either are left to be alone or go with other stallions.”
“That sounds like a royal pain, to be honest. Although that might explain a few things.”
“Ladies are treasures, even if not thestral. Have even seen cases of cross breeding of thestral with other races, with mixed results.” Had to admit, horned thestral with ability to use magic is very useful concept. But rarely happened, and Andromeda forbid too many mares went off with non-thestral stallions. Might make situation even worse.
“That reminds me, can Trixie ask you a personal question?”
“Of course.”
“...are you gay by some chance?” Nearly spit out drink.
“No! Er... I mean, no. Not attracted to stallions, especially ones have to deal with on daily basis,” said to Trixie and noticed hopeful smile on her face. “Have wife. She’s wonderful, and should be more thankful for having her in life, and hope to retire from job early so can spend more time with her.” Smile immediately faded.
“So I take it that she means a lot to you?”
“More than anything else, really. Would do anything for her. Not to say that other ladies are treated like inferiors. As said before, can’t live without you. Got no choice but to love ladies, but don’t mind that at all,” sighed contently as took another sip of drink. Was true after all; even snooty mares like Trixie still deserve happiness. “Strange, isn’t it. City was originally built to easily provide for population of well over ten million, but over centuries population had dwindled down to just four million, and still decreasing.” Saw Trixie frown, which wasn’t good sight because even snooty mares like her don’t deserve to be sad.
“That’s kind of unfortunate, although Trixie does hope everything works out for you,” she said, then downed rest of drink. Was nice lady, and very pretty, even if snooty, “I must admit, the idea of having far more stallions than mares sounds...”
“Like fantasy of yours?” Could easily see Trixie being more dominant in relationship if ever met stallion good enough. Was right, apparently, because she blushed at suggestion.
“M-Maybe. Trixie isn’t used to such a vulgar suggestion,” Question was vulgar? “Anyhow, this was quite an educational experience, Lambda.” Was satisfied with happy mare, so picked up tab of halcyon that came with drink to celebrate. Trixie noticed tab and eyed it curiously. Little oval-shaped pill that did wonders.
“Wouldn’t recommend taking this without permission, by way. Heard some horrible cases involving misuse of halcyon.”
“What’s halcyon?”
“Nice little drug. Relaxes mind and muscles, and makes working job easier. Also very useful when making love,” said as rolling tab of halcyon on hoof. Statement made Trixie blush again, and she silently walked out of cafe after waving goodbye. Took tab of halcyon and swallowed it with help of orange juice.
Started wondering if ponies of different races were prudes.
