Canterlot was city like no other. It's large, stone buildings crowded toward the sky, as if each wished to be the closest one. The streets of cobblestone reminded me of times passed by, spending the days with the love of my youth. Though the city was big, I had nowhere important to be at the moment. I had already settled into my new apartment a few hours earlier and decided to see the town, maybe discover a nice place to be. So far, the closest I’d found were a few nightclubs and a gay bar. That was when I stumbled upon destiny, aptly named: 'The Watering Hole'.
I’m getting ahead of myself. I had recently arrived in Canterlot from my home in Greensburg. The place had too many memories, and I had a job offer here in Canterlot. My interview was already passed, and all I was waiting on was my predecessor to finish moving their stuff to their new office. I was going to be a proud accountant at one of Canterlot's rising stores, 'Rarity's Boutique'. The young woman's style took off three years ago, and finally she was ready to expand her business to Canterlot. My job was to make certain that funds were appropriated correctly. The previous accountant was promoted to the regional position after the last one retired, so I was at least going to be on decent terms with my boss, or so I hoped.
The largest problem I had with the company was their regulations. Rarity demanded her employees, regardless of position, be 'presentable' at all times. My black hair, usually long and unhindered, was collected into a ponytail. I used to be complimented on my hair, people said it was my best feature. The only one to disagree was also the most precious to me. Up until four years ago, she was so important to me, but now she is just a memory. I actually had to grow up, just for her. I owed her a debt, and now, I lived my life to repay that debt. As I finally entered 'The Watering Hole', I was greeted instantly by the smell of food being prepared. It seemed this place was what I was looking for, a hangout of sorts. The bartender caught my eye first. Behind his eyes, I could see the experience of living life, truly someone you could talk to for just about anything.
He was talking to two young women. The first is a brunette with subtle curves, beautiful black wings, and a jovial expression. However, my eyes linger on the other woman. Her long pink hair stands out, shining in contrast to both her company and surroundings. Her graceful body is fit into a white dress, clearly meant for a picnic rather than a bar. The small glimpse of her face was breathtaking, her beauty evident, and her pink eyes didn’t let me go. Though she appeared happy, there was little joy in them. She laughed and spoke happily, but she didn’t smile. Through her youthful face, I see the sadness and the stress of time.
I noticed a few menus sitting around and idly browsed one. Several items grabbed my attention, a good first start. I lock eyes with the bartender as I decide on a few things. His voice is lighter than I expected, and the happiness in his tone is contagious.
"Welcome to The Watering Hole! Anything I can get you, sir?" I took a seat on a nearby bar stool, carefully chosen so that I could be ignored if they wanted or I could otherwise join in.
"Well, I am not that hungry, what do you have for drinks around here?"
"Well, if you don’t mind showing me your ID, I can tell you what we have. Also, it doesn’t say in the menu, but the chalkboards around the bar lighting let you know the daily special. Today is a ‘lunar salad’, a salad with cheese cut into the shape of moons and stars." He gave a knowing look to the dark-haired woman before looking back at me. I quickly dug through my pockets and produced my ID. He scanned it for a moment before handing it back, satisfied.“Well, we have quite a stockpile, do you know what you want?”
"Do you have Sweet Apple Cider?"
"Sorry, ran out a month ago. We get a new shipment in a week, but until then, we are plum out. I can offer you something else if you want."
“Darn.”
"Got any Eldeston Rum?" To have three pair of eyes meet mine in utter shock reminded me that I’m far from home.
"You know how strong that stuff is?"
"I have handled it before. Besides, it has a good aftertaste."
"Alright, let me just go in the back to get it. It’s not exactly asked for a lot." With great speed, but without running, he disappeared into the back for a moment before returning with a wooden bottle. He quickly grabbed a wooden mug, and before I knew it, I had some Eldeston Rum. He certainly knew the customs for it. It is one of the stronger drinks in the world, and certainly a rare one. It is even served in a wooden mug just to make it less likely for someone to hurt themselves, or another, with the mug. I decide to offer a small toast to my company, they were certainly being very kind to me, and disproved what I had heard of Canterlot folk.
"To life. May it continue to play as fair as it can't." A rather awkward toast, but then again, I wasn’t good at toasting.
"What's the occasion today?"
"Celebration on finding a decent place to drink, and my first drink in my new home town." I quickly took a large gulp of the drink, and another wonderful quality of the wooden mugs fills me with confidence. Because people are used to glass mugs, they don’t realise they are having less than what they think they are. Perfect for keeping me well away from my tolerance limit, and a good reason to have a slightly cheaper drink.
"And the bartender that knows how to set a drink as well!"
“It’s one of his better qualities.” The dark-haired woman spoke with a flirtatious smile as the two met eyes.
“And as you can tell from my girlfriend, Diana, her best quality is me.” He quickly fended off a light punch from Diana, and the two shared a small laugh.
"So the two of you are a couple? Good for you." I gave a small smile to the two lovebirds for their happy relationship. It brought some of my happier memories to the fore as I thought about it.
"Not as good as you. I don't know of many people that can drink that much Eldeston rum and not barf it up from the strong aftertaste. Besides Diana."
"I enjoy my occasional drink, but mostly, I just have a high tolerance. Besides, Eldeston is not that bad, people just don’t expect it."
"Seems we have ourselves someone that can hold a candle to my sister here."
"Please, Diana, I don't want to get into a drinking contest."
"Wondrous news then, neither do I. I may like my drink on occasion, but I find it no reason to get plastered at the earliest opportunity. I would rather avoid that altogether." The notion seemed to loosen the pink-haired woman up, but as for her sister, she seemed to be eying me a bit too much, though it seems more appraising than accusatory.
"So, you plan to stay at the bar long? Just wondering how long my new guest is going to be staying."
"Not long, unfortunately. Company is great and all, but getting used to being on a mountain, even in a warmer climate, can take it out of you. Not to mention I have a long walk back."
"I see. Where are you from?" It seemed as though the pink-haired woman was coming out of her shell, and it tempted me to stay a little longer, but I knew I shouldn’t be staying out too late.
"Greensburg." Her looks shifted from idle curiosity to full-blown interest.
"That’s quite a long way away." Her eyes locked onto mine, never once losing their contact as we began to converse, though her sister prodded her rather hard.
"Yeah, nice little place. Too small for my tastes, but it was home. Have a lot of good memories there." As the memories flooded through me, I became a little melancholy. "Lots of memories..."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring anything up." I was brought out of my thoughts, returning to a happier tune to try and lighten the mood I’d sullied.
"Don't worry about it. They were happy memories, just... ones better left in the past. Come on, there is a bright future waiting for us to make it, so why not do a little toast to commemorate it!" The mood was lightened considerably as everyone prepared to make another toast. The bartender, realizing I probably didn’t want another stiff drink, offered me some water instead.
"Alright then, a cheers to the future we will create!"
"Indeed." As the three of us raised our glasses, the bartender pretended to take a drink of his own. It was nice to see he didn’t drink on the job but was still kind enough to use a glass to toast with us. Something told me it was a great start to my time in Canterlot. Portia kept me interested for what remained of my time there that day. She only opened up for a moment, and I really wondered who was she really underneath that shell and how will she ever know happiness if she doesn't get out of it.
***
Morning came far too soon. I awoke and took a nice, if quite shocking, cold shower. It pumped me up, ensured I was awake, and saved me a little money. For breakfast, a piece of toast, an egg, and a little bacon. I pumped myself up and prepared to crunch numbers all day. While not fun for most, I found that the menial tasks that allow a business to run do wonders for thinking. I dressed up in my best suit and tie, made sure my hair was contained in my ponytail, and headed out to 'Rarity's Boutique'.
Upon arriving, I was quickly brought to where the previous accountant was waiting to tell me what to do. It took a little under an hour to get my job sorted out, and I began the tour of the store, acquired my ID, and met my store manager, an interesting lady named Fleur De Lis, with a perfect hourglass figure and light pink hair.
Sadly, it took until my lunch break to actually sit down and work. My beautiful boss’s flirting didn’t help. When I finally began, I found the books that the previous accountant had left me to be well balanced but poorly organized. It took me the other half of my day to get everything in a logical placement that worked for me. The worst part about it was everything was placed correctly for how it was laid out, but if someone were to need to take over quickly or need a file, the accountant would need to be here. I was surprised to find out organization ran an hour longer than I’d planned, leaving me an hour late to clock out. As I left the building, I decided to pay another visit to the Watering Hole, hoping to possibly find the same group I had met the day prior.
As I entered, the first thing I noticed was how empty it was. There were people around, but the place was mostly empty, aside from two familiar faces. The barkeep, as I decided to call him, and Portia were there, but it seemed her sister, Diana, was nowhere to be found. As the bartender saw me , he quickly waved me over to an empty seat, and I gladly accepted. Ending up in their company again, I began a habit that would become a joy for me.
Everyday after work, I would head over to the Watering Hole, have a drink, and talk with Portia, the bartender and Diana, if they were there. If they weren’t, I would get a small drink and just enjoy myself, though I was rarely without the company of Portia. It was like any other day where the bartender was off and Diana was not there, but unlike usual, she seemed to carry some rather heavy thoughts.
"Hey, Portia. How's it going?" She shook herself, put on her best smile and faced me. Her eyes told me she wasn't done thinking, but she was certainly going to try and hide it.
"I’m okay. The days just keep rolling by, nothing new to say, I guess. Day court, however, dragged on for quite a bit. So many nobles with all their little rules. Sometimes I wonder exactly how the princess does it."
"Sounds like great fun. With the way nobles dance around, I’m surprised that she’s a part of it. Especially when these dances seem like they would hinder actually getting stuff done."
"I guess when you do the dance enough you can make them do it to your own tune." Another false smile graced her lips as she let out a sad chuckle.
"Come on, we’re not here to talk about the stuff that makes us sad, we are here to have fun in good company and forget our troubles!" A series of pictures, events of the past, appear for a moment before a plan to get her mind off things entered my head. "I got it! So Portia, how about I take you on a date right now?" Her eyes widened, her entire posture being pulled into attention as a small blush formed on her face. It was the first large reaction I had gotten from her yet.
"I-I don't know. I have a lot of stuff to do tomorrow."
“The day’s still young! I know you have to get up early for day court, but I won’t keep you that long. You just seem to really need a little bit away.” She pondered a bit, still unsure of if she should accept this invitation. After a while, I felt disheartened, I thought we were better friends than that. “If you really don’t want to though, I guess we could figure out something to do.” She jumped for a moment before sighing.
“Alright, let’s see where the day takes us with you at the helm.” An odd way of putting it, but I certainly didn’t complain. I was really starting to like Portia.
"Well then, before I get rusty, let's pay for our drinks and head out. I think we could both use a little excitement today." I offered my hand, and after flitting from her drink to me, Portia finally put her hand in mine.
"Let's see the town!" We paid for our drinks, headed out, and went toward one of the funnest places in Canterlot. Well, not exactly inCanterlot. Just at the base of the mountain Canterlot sits upon, there was a wonderful amusement park. The perfect place for a spur of the moment date.
Roller coasters, tea cups, corn dogs, and haunted houses filled what remained of our day, ending in a ferris wheel ride into the sky. As we relaxed, I take a look at the smile that had plastered itself on Portia's face all day. It was the first, deep smile I had ever seen her wear.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself."
"I can see why Diana was so happy to come here on her first date."
'Darn, that makes this a little less impressive for her.'
"So, what's next?" Her eyes alight in joy, it seemed I had a bigger impact on her than I thought. It brought to my face a happy grin as well.
"Well, someone is excited.” The grin on my face grew as she blushed slightly. "If you want, we can go and experience the Canterlot nightlife. Don't you have work in the morning, though?"
"Oh, don't worry about that. Princess Celestia has cleared the next few days for day court. She’s off meeting with Twilight Sparkle and her friends, so day court is adjourned. Night court is taking their weekly day off, so my sister was off on a date herself." It was odd considering she said she had plans for the next day, so I decided to bring it up. Better she not get into trouble because of me.
“Are you sure? Earlier you said something about being busy tomorrow, and I don’t want to cause you any trouble.” She looked at me for a moment before putting on a rather cocky grin.
“I think I can handle my problems well enough, though I do thank you for looking out for me. Always happy to see a man with the right priorities. I do assure you, though, that everything will be just fine.”
"I see... well, I think we should grab something more proper to eat, then. Is there anything you haven’t tried yet?" She thought for a moment.
“Well, I normally eat castle food before and after my shifts, so I eat what the other castle staff eats. This is usually decent since a lot of the castle staff comes from noble families who want to continue eating rather high class foods. Most of the food I have eaten besides that is from the bar.” Going through my mind, I thought of what the nobility would eat on a daily basis, and quickly came up with a plan. I decided to treat her to something she would never find in the castle. It was a rather simple dish, and she would enjoy it, or so I hoped. I offered her my hand, and this time, she took it without any hesitation.
"I’ve got somewhere we can go." As we left, I lead us into an area of Canterlot that is rarely visited by the aristocracy, the lower consumer market. Most of them avoided it, not because it was dangerous, but because it was mostly home to small, niche things that hadn’t yet hit it big. It was where Rarity originally planned to open her first Canterlot area boutique, but Fancy Pants helped her get a better place in the ‘Nobles Market’ it sits at today. Our specific destination, though, was quite an oddity for this part of Canterlot. It’s a small restaurant, with people from a small city far off to the east, over the vast oceans. A delicacy in their words only, there is nothing like seeing it pulled freshly out of the custom ovens.
"So, this is the place?" Portia was understandably uncomfortable. Though the crime rate here was lower than other parts of Canterlot, that was just due to the lack of people, and the lack of noble interests meant the streets weren’t cleaned as often. If you were a casual visitor, you might liken it to a ‘slum’ in appearance and avoid it altogether. A shame considering the gems that have risen out of such a place as this.
"Yeah, this is the place. 'Italia Degustata'. It is supposed to mean 'A Taste of Italo', but that was taken, so they made do."
"I've had Italion before." She seemed a little, disappointed, but if my plan worked, she would be yet another happy customer.
"Not like this you haven't. You’ve had the popular stuff before, sure, but this is completely different. Something few outside of the country can say they have had." I put on my best smile as I grabbed her hand tightly in my own and lead her inside. Portia kept her skepticism up, her previous apprehension dissolving into disbelief, but she trusted me enough to follow. Foreign restaurants usually do very well in Canterlot due to the prevalent ideas of foreign or exotic cuisines, and Italiono was no exception. But she was about to learn why I personally believe most nobility is a bit childish.
"Ah, mon ami! It is good to see you! I was afraid I scared you off last time!" A large man, easily weighing more than Portia and myself together greeted us. He was clean shaven, short, and sporting a rather large mustache. He wore a decently nice cooking outfit, a stereotypical chef outfit, and black shoes. All he needed was a ladle and you could market his image.
"It's no problem, Chef, you were just a bit nervous for your first customer from Canterlot."
"Indeed, now then, what can I get you, and your lady friend?" He made an effort to bow, but found it rather difficult to make it all the way to the full position without falling over, so he stopped halfway to save the embarrassment.
"Well, Chef, give us a cheese. It's her first time eating this particular treat.”
"I see! Well, then I have the great honor to introduce you to one of my favorite foods!" As he walked toward the back, noticed the odd look Portia was giving me.
"Don't worry about him. He’s a bit of a character, but this is as bad as it gets.”
"He is clearly not even from Italiono." The authority in her voice sent a shiver down my spine. I guess you get this kind of strength when you get to deal with a princess and nobles almost daily, and the occasional Italiono ambassador. I showed her to a seat, and she thankfully took it, trusting me enough to at least give this a try. It took fifteen minutes, but when he finally arrived, the smell of what he had was clear.
"Alright, I was expecting maybe some lasagna or something, what is this?" She was immediately on guard, though what was before her was certainly something odd to see from her perspective. Cheese with something red on bread with some green on it.
"It's called pizza. It is one of the most amazing foods you can have. At least for his ‘plebeians’." I quickly took a slice, showing her how to eat the italiono dish she was still guarded about. "Sometimes, the tomatoes are in a sauce instead, but this was the first form I tried. I thought you might like to try it." With a reassuring smile, I began to eat my first slice. I watched a little as she began to do the same. She hesitated, but as she took her first bite, I watched her immediately fall in love with it. There was no discussion as we devoured the rest of the pizza. Thankfully, he only brought a small pizza as our plans left no time to stop and drop it off at Portia’s. As we left the room, Portia was aglow again.
"I guess you love it, then." She responded by rapidly closing the small distance between us and crushing my left arm in both of hers, a rather delighted expression on her face. This distracted me for a moment, the feeling so familiar to me, before I smile, joining her in a joyful laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes! Now then, on to our next stop.”
"Are you sure you won't be in trouble tomorrow?"
“Today was my day off, and tomorrow is a store holiday. Tomorrow Miss Rarity is doing a fashion show, and unless I wish to sit in on it, I pretty much have tomorrow off, so let's take this night and have some fun!"
"Let's!" She responded with a bright smile. We spent the next few hours, deep into the early hours of the morning, simply going to clubs and partying. Portia tried one drink at each place, and by the end, it was Diana who came to our rescue. She found us at the 'Lunar Observatory', a nightclub with a magic ceiling that showed off the night sky. Diana had happened upon a slightly tipsy Portia and I, but before Diana could take Portia home, Portia gave me one heck of a thank you for everything. A passionate kiss that encompassed all of my dreams for the next few days. It took four days before I saw her again at the Watering Hole.
"Hey Portia, Diana. Good to see you again."
"Well, look at the time, I think I need to get going now, have a good chat Portia, and remember, you have all day tomorrow as well!" Diana, who had hurriedly excused herself, moved quickly, almost literally flying out of the little bar, leaving a blushing Portia and myself all alone.
"That was... odd. So, how have you been?" She looks at me, nearly returning to our normal routine, before she grows serious.
"Are you really going to avoid asking about ’it’?"
“I assume you mean the, um, kiss.”
“Y-, yes.” She blushed, turning away from me and covering her face with her hand.
"Because I don’t wish to force an answer. Diana and you seemed so nervous that I don’t want to rush you. If you are unsure of how to interpret it, I can wait. Wouldn’t surprise me if you wanted me to forget it though."
"Why?" She seems genuinely confused, as if she expected me to brag about it. It made me so nervous I had trouble hiding it.
"We, weren’t exactly in our right minds, drunk and tired and, um, all of that. If you want me to forget it, I will do so for our friendship. And, and if you want me to take it as how you feel, I would certainly not object. I just don’t want to get caught up in something you might think a ‘mistake’ or are not ready for in general." Portia takes some time to simply stare at me, utter confusion the prevailing feature. I could feel myself draw closer to tears as she prepared her own answer.
"How, how could you just say that so, calmly?"
"Well, I had time to think. I had sometime to just, mull it over. I was in a deep relationship once, and it was awkward at first as well. We were friends for sometime before then, but it grew into, well, more rather quickly. The way I see it, I am comfortable with staying friends or going further. The question is, what do you want? I don’t want to convince you to date me if it won’t make you happy. I would be a terrible friend and boyfriend to do that to you." I lowered my head as she blinked a few times before laughing demurely in her hand. For a brief moment, I felt something odd, like a thin veil being moved out of the way just ever so slightly.
"I see, so that is how you see it. You must have been raised right unlike so many noblemen."
"My parents wish they could take the credit, but they never wanted me to get into that relationship, said it was a big mistake. I, ‘we’, proved them wrong." As the memories flashed through me, I saw 'her' smiling face. It warmed my heart for just a moment before I continued the conversation. "So, I would rather not ask right away, but it seems you have made your decision, what do you want from this? If you don't know, then you don't know, but I think you know yourself better than most women can say."
"What makes you say that?"
"When I first met you, you carried an air of confidence I rarely see in the women I have met, even in those that should own it. And with you, it feels natural, not like some people who are given an over-inflated ego from the start. I have no doubt you know yourself and what you want better then me, at least for now." A cute, light blush returned to her face as she giggled. The previous tension completely gone.
"I see, well then, I guess this makes us dating then?" My heart swelled at the words, but I calmed down. It wasn’t my first rodeo, and I certainly don’t want to embarrass her like that.
"I guess it does." She grabbed my head, and in an instant our lips were again in contact. A simple kiss, unlike the one we had a few days earlier but with far more emotion behind it. I gladly returned the kiss as memories of another girl flooded my mind.
For five months we dated, going to the amusement park, going to movies, dinner, and even just taking the time to send each other gifts. It was comforting to again be in a loving relationship. Everything was going my way. I even got a raise from Miss Rarity herself. My favorite thing was always seeing Portia, until I found her, emotionless in The Watering Hole.
"Portia, is something wrong?" Her eyes shifted to me. The once beautiful pink orbs now held nothing, as if the person behind them had died. It sent a deep chill down my spine.
"So, you came."
"Of course, Portia, this is the place where we meet up, why wouldn't I-"
"You aren't afraid of making any major mistakes while you are here in Canterlot?" Her tone was, cold and harsh. Unlike the warmth it generally held, it felt like it was ready to strangle me. Coming from her, it sent a chill down my spine.
"No, not at all. Everything in life is going smoothly right now. Why? Is something the matter?" My mind was racing, pictures of the currently missing Diana and the unattended bar gave me a few bad thoughts, but right now, the one in front of me keeps my attention glued to her. If something is about to happen, it will be from her that the first sign originates. A quick reminder of our most recent pest problem sends another chill down my spine.
"How can you just,write it off like that? It might affect you for your entire life!" Though she tried to look confused, I could see the anger flowing through her eyes. My body itself felt like it could ignite at any moment at her gaze as fear began to get my blood pumping. When someone who is never angry gets angry, it is, frightening.
"What's done is done. We can't change the past, no matter how much there are some things we want to."
"Diana told me everything." Now it was my turn to be utterly confused.
"I'm sorry, I don-"
"She told me about how you are married!" In an instant, the crowd inside I had failed to notice made their way to the exit, disappearing as quickly as a small, frightened crowd could. Canterlot may live on gossip, but sometimes it is safer to obtain it from a distance, than at the scene.
"Portia, there is something-"
"No, none of it. I had the best time of my life, I was so happy to finally have someone I thought could fill a void in my heart left alone for so long, and then this happens. I would rather be alone than with some, cheating fool. Goodbye!" With that, she teleported out, leaving me bewildered as to how she could think I was using her, and why she never told me she could use magic. Then, Diana turned my attention to her, having arrived without me noticing.
"So, how was it leading the poor woman on like that?" She looked around before casting a spe- wait, what?
'But, she is a pegasus, how is she-' A violent flash floods the room, completely knocking the wind out of me. Before me is no longer Diana, but Luna, Princess of the Night.
"You used our sister for some game while you are away from your beloved wife! What say you before we tear thee apart!" My emotions rage within me, my common sense barely winning out in that I have no hope of overpowering her, leaving me with just one thought.
‘This is a princess, how could she have missed the most important facts?’
“Please, wait. You can’t know the whole story!” I tried desperately to stop her and explain everything. Being a princess should mean she would maintain a calm head at all times. It was then that I realized something. If Diana and Portia were sisters, and Diana was Princess Luna, then Portia must be-
“No, you have done our sister, and your wife, a great dishonor, and it shall not go unpunished! Normally, this would be something left to your wife to punish you for, but in her stead, I will make you pay!” Her magic reaches out, grabbing me and pulling me into the air. I feel it tighten around my arm, I knew it was either do or die. My life, and my career, hung in the balance. “In ancient times, all those who abused the trust of a relationship fell into my rule book for their punishment if the spouse couldn’t do so themselves. Any last words, filth?” With all of my remaining strength, I force my voice out and loudly.
"I can’t possibly be cheating on my wife, she’s been dead for years!"
"ENOUGH OF YOU- wait, what?" All her fury, all her rage, just vanished as if on a gust of wind. Her magic loosens, and I fall to the floor. While there, I see in the princess’s eyes the look I am all too familiar with. A mix of confusion, sadness, and worry. I no longer see Princess Luna, but Diana in front of me, even though her form does not change. I feel my own emotions begin to boil up, free from my inhibitions. I know I only have a short time before I make some big mistake, so I decide I need to get out of there, and fast.
"Why don't you look up one 'Summer Song'. That should answer just about as many questions as you could have right now. Heck, if you go to the town and ask around, I am sure you will find all the answers you could ever need. For now, Princess Luna, I really, really don't want to be around you right now. A bottle of whiskey at home is calling me."
With that, I left, leaving Princess Luna, the destroyer of my hopes, standing in the middle of The Watering Hole. I spent the rest of the afternoon drinking myself under the table with one of the most powerful drinks in Equestria. I didn't down the bottle, but I went from normal to moderately drunk at the fastest rate since my wife died. I took the time to call in to work and let them know I wouldn’t make it the next day. They said they don't really do enough to require me there every day I wasn't off and gave me the day off as a freebie, no questions asked. I could handle it the next day, especially now without any engagements at my once favorite bar. I guess they were right about Canterlot, there are those just as willing to hurt you as help you. It was about two hours after I stopped drinking that a knock stopped me from just going to sleep.
*Knock knock knock*
"Sorry, I am neither in the mood, nor the position to be entertaining any guests at the moment. Please come back another day." This could be any number of things, but I doubt Celestia to be one to banish someone for what she thinks I did. Especially if her reasons are the same as I think they are. More realistically, her sister wasn’t exactly implying I would live.
*Knock knock knock*
"Please, just, go away."
"Not until I fix things."
"There is nothing left to fix 'Diana'. You made sure of that with your shoddy detective work."
"There is still-"
"Do you really think she wants this anymore? We had something special, and I know for a fact that she should have researched this thoroughly herself, she is a long lived woman who would know by now that sometimes, things aren’t as they appear. But she chose not to. Do you understand? She WANTED the relationship to fail, she only needed an excuse, and you flew it right into her lap. Right now, she would rather be without me, and there isn’t much I can do about it." A blinding flash told me she either wasn’t disguised or couldn’t care less at the moment, and either had a strong reasoning behind it.
"That is not true, our sister helped us go out and get a relationship, and it was our turn to do the same for her. When I met you, I thought you could be the one. She started to become so happy, even before you officially started to date. When you did, her good mood was contagious. The entire castle was a bustle of happy activity. Then, while I was going through old, backed up paper work, I found your marriage certificate. It would have already gone through the appropriate government channels, but this was for the royal archives, but I had no idea how far back this was. After our little, talk, I spent the few hours going through the rest until I, found her death certificate." Anger coursed through my veins, barely restrained by common sense.
"I am barely myself right now, but how does something get delayed that long?"
"What?" There is no way she is this shaken and rushed about things. the very thought of it, nearly sends me over the edge, probably aided by the alcohol in my system.
"It has been almost five years since we officially got married, and more than four since she passed on!" Her eyes widen, apparently she needed to learn how to pay attention. "We filed almost five years ago, later that year she died. If it took that long to get to it, it was clearly of far to little importance of 'who got married' and ‘who died’!"
"I am just trying to help!" It seems Diana really doesn’t get it. I am trying to actually play nice.
"And let me guess, 'Portia' doesn't want to talk about me at all, to the point where she seems to be avoiding you, right?" She stopped cold, her eyes widening in shock. "It's because, like I said, she wanted it to fail. I bet at one point she told you to stop seeing your boyfriend, didn't she?"
"She did, but-"
"Right now, she outwardly wants to have a relationship, she wants you to have one as well. BUT, she fears them, deep down she is afraid of them. So long as this remains a fact, she will never want to get together with me again." I didn’t hear her leave, and instead, she hung around me, as if searching for an answer that does not exist.
"How do I free her?" Like I thought, an answer that doesn’t exist.
"All you could do, is find out why she doesn't want a relationship."
"And how am I supposed to do that?"
"Why did she tell you to break up with your boyfriend?" Again, she stopped cold, her eyes wide in realization as she fell to the floor.
"She is afraid of losing someone she loves."
"A fear she probably tasted when she had to lose her sister for a thousand years. She probably didn't notice it at first, rationalizing it as just 'not finding the right one'. Over and over again, she probably broke her own heart. I bet she didn't even send you out to find a lover, but a friend like she did with Twilight Sparkle, yes?"
"How-"
"When people react out of fear, that is when they become predictable and make mistakes. Probably the only reason Cadence married, was she is the incarnation of the 'power of love'. Otherwise Celestia's teachings would have probably shied away from it. With Twilight, has she ever had a relationship?"
"Two. Both failed after some time. I don't see how-"
"Prediction time again, both failed because either Twilight was told by Celestia it was a bad idea, or she simply fell out of love after a time." Again, her eyes were wide in surprise.
"The first one was because she fell in love for the wrong reasons, more for what he did for her than any actual personal attraction, he wanting a physical relationship, and she wanting a 'perfect' one. She learned from it and found a guy that it worked out well with, but in the end, was dissuaded by my sister. The guy later married and has a small family in Baltimare."
"She is projecting her fear, as if trying to save others from what she herself does not understand."
"The question is, how to save her."
"I will tell you now, this probably won't happen in my lifetime."
"Why not." Her voice was a lot colder, sending a shiver up my spine.
"She is stuck in her ways, unless you make her understand her fear and get over it, the only option is to have someone close that she can't influence talk her out of it. That would, in better circumstances, be me, but it is far too late for that. There is no chance that I am getting near her without your help, and I don't even think it will work at this point. She would be like a cornered animal and that could lead to my rather quick demise."
"I am going to back you up on this. If you fail though, all I can do is get you out of Canterlot into another of Miss Rarity's businesses in another city or country." I tried to argue with her, but something stopped me. After all the time Celestia and I have spent together, all the emotional bonds that have formed between us, wasn’t it time I acted like I was in a relationship with her. It was then that I realized I too was being afraid of a relationship. Maybe it was the alcohol, but if one of us is going to do the pushing, the one with alcohol in their system would probably be the one stupid enough to do that.
"I am sort of drunk right now, so might as well get this over with. You know anyway to make alcohol on the breath less noticeable?" She sighs before she snaps her fingers, an odd feeling before a very familiar one. I rush over to my kitchen sink, and vomit the remnants of my drink. A common side effect to a spell that greatly lessens the effect of alcohol, but causes nausea.
"I'll take that as 'brush your teeth, that is all you get'."
"Good guess."
"Before I go do that, I want one favor from you."
"And what is that?"
"Should your sister end up killing me, don't tell her the truth about me until a few years from now. She won't be in any mood to listen."
"Alright then, but please, hurry. We don't have much time." Feeling a lot less drunk, I rushed upstairs, brushed my teeth, rinsed my mouth, drank some water, and headed out to the castle. If it weren't for Luna, I would have been unable to enter the gates, Celestia wanting to have nothing to do with me. As we hurried through the castle walls, it was apparent that Celestia was at dinner, or at some after dinner dessert or something, yet I was most certainly nowhere near a large dining space. As we took one final turn, it became impossible to miss what was to be my final destination, an ornately decorated door of gold with a large emblem of the sun carved into its surface. The doors to Celestia's bedroom itself. After explaining the situation to the door guards, and an assurance by Luna to take responsibility so they may keep their jobs, we entered, an odd feeling flowing through me as we entered. Ignoring it, I saw what few mortal men alive could say they have seen, Celestia's bedroom.
The room itself was grand, almost as big as some houses. In the middle of the ceiling a large chandelier, and at each corner lanterns with magical lighting. In the middle, pushed against a wall, was a very large bed, draped in satin sheets of pure red and emblazoned with golden thread. Above it, a picture, framed in ornate gold, featuring a picture of their mother, Lady Fausticorn, and both Luna and Celestia. To my left, was a large closet, far larger than my room, filled with clothes of various styles and materials.On my right was a dresser and a changing screen, made to show only a shadow of the person behind it. Just beyond it was a marvelous balcony that faced towards the north, and probably gave a great view of the rising and setting sun. The carpeting was the same as the bed sheets, red with gold accents, but with the gold spiraling in towards a white circle.
"Sister knows we are here and will probably be here within a few minutes. She has no special guests tonight, and I don't know how bad this could be." I guess that feeling was some precaution Celestia set up to know someone is in her bedroom.
"If what we had meant anything, I will have a chance. If not, well, I won't be missed too dearly." I barely had time to finish when I was blinded by a bright light, upon being able to see, I was greeted with Princess Celestia, in all her glory and anger. Her previously pink hair had turned into the colors of the dawn, flowing almost perfectly in a breeze that did not exist. Her white, impeccable gown gripping her tightly, showing her curves while still engraving a modest look of femininity that ended by just covering her feet. Her eyes, her beautiful pink eyes, held me though. They almost seemed to turn red and smoke in anger as she stared at me, nearly causing me to step backwards on instinct.
"And what, pray tell, are you doing here?" I do my best to not quake in fear at the solar diarch, and calm myself as the alcohol in my system begins to act on me again.
"I wanted to talk."
"It's a little late for that."
"Dear siste-" Turning herself towards Luna, Celestia glare softened, stifling Luna.
"Remain quite sister, we can talk about you bringing, 'this' into my room later, for now, if he wishes to talk, let him dig his own grave." Even though the stare she gave Luna was less than what she gave me, Luna still backed down, knowing full well that if she were to try and flee, she could actually escape, her sister not actually angry at her. I felt an unnatural calm, perhaps accepting that should I say the wrong words, this would be my final moment. Honestly, I could pick quite a few worse ways to die than in the company of two very beautiful women.
"Well, first, I want to apologize for coming unannounced, but hopefully, you will at least let me say everything I need to say. First and foremost on the list, I want to ask you, do you know what fear is?" Her anger only built upon itself but, seeing how I was still alive and not being killed, I’d call it a small victory.
"Fear? Do you think you can save yourself with a lecture about something you can only imagine? I have long since conquered all my fears, you insolent fool. Who are you, who have lived only a few decades, to question me in such a manner?" I choose to completely ignore the last part, her own confidence blinds her, a mistake I hope to correct.
"Then did I mean so little to you before your sister told you I was married?" Her eyes actually turned red for a moment, but her millennia of experience left me standing, for now.
"I confirmed it myself before I went to meet you! You played me like a fool!" She was stepping closer to me, bearing down on me as her fist began to crackle with magic. Luna looked to me, but even if it killed me, I couldn't forgive myself if I left her like this. After all, I still loved her.
"Then tell me, why did you not look into if I am still married or not? I ask this for a simple reason: I am not married, and haven’t been for a while." She snapped, grabbing my throat in her hand as she lifted me up, she didn't crush my windpipe, though, merely held me aloft, sending pain through me as her magic shocked me and my weight became supported by my neck. If not for her skill, I would probably already be dead. Even now, she doesn't want to kill me, meaning I may just survive today after all, if I can wrap this up before I take a step too far, anyway.
"I know you are married, I just told you! I saw the marriage certificate! You’re lying! There weren’t any divorce papers!" Her hand began to clench and relax, choking me, and nearly dropping me, barely keeping herself from killing me right then and there as her magic reached a boiling point.
"So, her death certificate doesn’t mean anything?" As I sent my gamble away, I silently prayed to the heavens that this would work out like my slightly inebriated had planned. I’d have to remember not to trust my intoxicated brain anymore--if I survive this.
"Of course it-" She growls, then for the first time since I’d met her, complete and genuine surprise covered her face. She had played it false before, but only now with her magic itself virtually halting, did I see true surprise in her face, and hear it in her voice. "Y-ou don’t mean-"
"We married almost five years ago, and she died four and a half years ago." Celestia dropped me to the floor, backing up as multiple emotions threaten to overcome her. My first goal finally achieved, I waited for her response. She quickly looked to Luna, who thankfully tried to help the situation along.
“He does not lie sister, we saw it ourselves: death by natural causes.” That was it, Celestia collapsed to her knees. She tries to rationalise things to herself, to prove she is right, but everything here ends at the truth. She had made a mistake and nearly killed me over it.
"She's dead?" Her voice cracks, sounding less like the imposing solar diarch and more like an ordinary woman.
"I buried her myself, just as she wished. No casket, no large or impressive grave marker. Just a place to let her body become one with the earth again." A new range of emotions flow through her, the first one to breach the surface, her confusion.
“How can you talk about her like that?”
“It’s the truth, she is dead, and I can’t change that. Better to tell myself the truth, than to talk about it with flowery words. After all, ‘Life is a beautiful lie, and death an ugly truth’. Trying to romanticize it won’t bring back the dead, nor will it make it any better for me. Besides, I didn’t love the body, I loved the woman who inhabited it.”
"I, think I understand." She finally put her anger behind her, a truth that her recent attempts at love were not so darkly colored as she had thought. Joy for this fact, sympathy for my loss, anger at herself, and many more emotions played within her as she tried to put everything in its proper place, preparing to make her next move.
"This is perhaps a tale for later, but yes, she is dead. There is no reason we can't see each other." At these words she regains her composure, again hiding herself beneath her facade as she puts on her formal airs.
"Yes there is. I’m one of the leaders of Equestria." I had hoped I could have ended this part there, but sadly, her own fear is pushing her strongly still.
"Let's not use bad excuses. Your sister is in a relationship, and she does her job just fine! Twilight is a princess and I doubt any relationship has messed with her schedule. And Cadence may be married, but last I checked, she does her job so well she’s actually bored."
"I still can't be with you."
"I know of no law that says this, and if there is, what of Princess Cadenza? She was, at the time, a ‘Princess of Equestria’. And any law preventing you from a relationship, would do the same for her. So, let us try this again, why can't we see each other?" I watched her face contort in anger, but I don’t ‘see’ her anger.
"I don't want to anymore, okay?" Even she doesn’t believe herself, she belted out the excuse with the force of a child who doesn’t want to go to school. She even sprang to her feet and stood as tall as possible to complete the image to some degree, trying to appear bigger than she actually was. Though she quickly returned to her mostly neutral state, the crack in her actions was enough force to keep my momentum going. It was now, or never.
"That is an even worse lie. If you were through with me there was no reason to get upset and do what you did, and you certainly could have just killed me for intruding this far into your personal sanctuary. Even now you are arguing with me instead of ending this. You want this relationship as much as I do, so, again, why can't we see each other?"
"Because it is not proper." She seems to be grasping at straws, trying to think one step ahead of me. However, it seems my plan was working quite well, I had caught her off guard, and her own inner emotions were playing in my favor. A flash of when I got ‘her’ parents permission to date ‘her’ plays out quickly in my head. Just like then, the same strategy was working.
"Second verse, same as the first. There is no societal taboo against a noble having a relationship, and since you fall under the same category to some extent, I have news for you."
"But no Princess of Equestria has ever had a successful relationship." I was surprised how she went into a circle so quickly, it seems I have almost backed her into a corner, and that means either going for the kill, or playing it very safe. Deciding she was less of a scared animal and more a crumbling wall, I decided to play a risky bet.
"Oh, really? That is a shame. I mean, the ones that were nice and all that dumped you? That is unfortunate. And I guess that means Luna and your niece have already lost their lovers too." She stiffened, realizing that she had again put herself in a corner. In an instant she put her guard up as well as she could, but it crumbled away. Before her were no diplomats, but people who cared for her as a person, and after a thousand years of not dealing with it, she had forgotten how to.
"I-I dumped them, and they haven’t. But-" Her stutter was all I needed to hear. I immediately pounce, going for the kill. At this point, I want her more than she can possibly argue against.
"No buts! You dumped them, you just admitted it! This is a first step. I bet for each one you cried and told yourself that it just 'wouldn't' work out, correct?" She stumbled again, trying her best to come up with something, but in the end, it seemed the virtue of honesty won out.
"Usually, yes, but-"
"Again, no buts! And this brings me back to square one, you are afraid!" Before, with each point I forced her back towards her own bed, but now, she was fighting back, her spirit restored to some extent, and I was going to use it to turn the tide once again.
"Of what am I afraid? I have fought with Discord, spirit of chaos. I have fought the twisted form of my own sister Nightmare Moon! I have fought countless enemies far and wide with the strength to crush you! What do you think I fear!?" She was practically on top of me, though I felt strangely calm. I know I was afraid, but it wasn’t her I was afraid of.
"You fear losing someone you love to the void of time again." All at once, she stopped, her entire swell of spirit calmed in an instant. She hit a stumbling block in her thoughts. Though she tried to rebuke me, she never got further than a motion that seemed to collapse as she thought it through. It was then that she decided to think on it, and she began to pace about her room. It was a habit I’d only seen once before, though I never did find out what it was caused by. Her pace soon slowed, until she fell to her knees. Luna and I rushed to her, only to find tears in her eyes.
"You're right, you're right. I fear losing those I care for deeply. It-It makes sense. By the heavens, why did I never see it before?" Though tears fell from her eyes, It was obvious she had no idea for what reason these tears fell. Honestly, neither did I. As she seemed to become consumed in her thoughts, I saw a side of Celestia I am certain no one ever thought existed. She was more than just afraid, she was downright terrified. I placed a hand on her shoulder as Luna mirrored me. I didn’t have time to think as the words flowed from me.
"You shut yourself away before. If not for you coming out and meeting me that day, along with your sister, this may have forever been a mystery."
"And if I had actually killed you, oh my goodness. If I had killed you-"
"You didn't, and I had a plan for that. After all, if you had killed me, it would mean that everything we had was gone before I got here, and that I couldn't help you from the start. It isn’t a great plan, but being happy should never be something you fear."
"I didn't listen to you, I took the first avenue to get out of a relationship with you, how could you-" Before she could finish her question, I decided to answer all the questions like it, with a simple motion. I quickly bring our heads together, careful to not bump our heads together heavily, ensuring that no matter what she did, she would see my face. A simple gesture, but it carried to her everything that I felt right then and there, though the words still forced themselves out of me.
"It's because I love you that I do this. We all make mistakes, none of us are perfect. And if I couldn't forgive you, I would be telling myself the same lie that I don’t care for you. After all of this, I should be angry, telling you it's over for not trusting me, but I just can’t accept that. I don't care if you are a princess, how I feel and how you feel is all that matters. Just as I know you have finally admitted your problem, I will now bet the rest of my life to fixing your problem, because my heart demands it." Celestia’s tears renew as tears stream lightly down my face, slowly moving so that she was crying into the crook of my neck, Luna being at her other side, her hand on Celestia's shoulder for comfort. When she moved was the last thing on my mind. We merely sat there, letting everything settle before Celestia spoke again.
"What is the first step?"
"We already took that. The next step, is getting over it. To do that, I want to take you on a small journey, to Greensburg."
"Why there?"
"Because I want to show you something while we talk." She almost tries to fight back, but she stops herself, finally giving me back the trust we had before this whole fiasco started. Or at least trying to.
"How long will the journey take?"
"If we leave in the morning we will be there just a little before dusk."
"Sister, would you-"
"I will handle the day court for you sister. You have done the same for me for over a thousand years, and when I spent some nights with my beloved, it is only fair that I return the favor."
"Thank you, Lulu." With a final hug between the two sisters, Luna and I headed off to finish making the plans while Celestia would take what rest she could. The coming morning was met without sleep by me, and as for Celestia, I don't know how much she got. Luna began to take charge of the day court just as we were leaving, Celestia already in her 'Portia' disguise. We made the trip in total silence, barely able to talk with the heavy air we had brought along. Though I had everything planned, it was, nerve wracking. Across from me was a woman who I fell for, but also the goddess of the sun. The one who has watched the world for over a thousand years. Deep in her mind, the idea that she will lose the ones she loves is deeply implanted, and normally teaching her to love again would take years. I only have one shot. If I fail, Celestia may give up for the rest of her very, very long life.
"We are now approaching Greenburg station. The current time is six-fifteen in the afternoon. Thank you for using the Equestrian Train Network for your journey!" Shortly after, the train came to a total stop, and as we departed, we noticed a total lack of others joining us. It was a small town, but it seems fate decided to make things more personal for us. After all, we had a decent walk ahead of us, and I had to fill it with something.
"So, this is your hometown."
"Yeah. It is the place where I was born. We might get a few stares as we go through the town. They won't be expecting me, let alone me with another woman." ‘Portia’ nods and we begin our trek, and then, I begin to talk. "It all started over a decade ago." 'Portia' snaps to attention, focusing on my story completely. "I met her when I was ten, she was a new neighbor recently moved from the gryphon territories to the west. Her parents and mine quickly became fast friends, and so did we. She was, a pretty girl when she was that old. Her face held cuteness comparable to kittens and puppies. She was about as active as one as well. She would constantly drag me to and fro, playing some made up game with her. At first, I found it annoying, but as I said, I quickly became friends with her. It was when I decided to see where it would take me, that I finally realized how fun the games we made were."
"Sounds like you two were two peas in a pod huh?"
"Yeah, we spent most of our time together and, when I was twelve, I started to think to myself 'this is what it means to be in love, isn't it?'. It took a year more to work up the courage to ask her out, and on our first date, a simple lunch date, I was a total mess. I think I burned some juice somehow I was so nervous. It wasn't until a while later that she told me how cute it was to see me fretting about everything. I guess, because of her I learned to just, let things go. A very useful skill if you ask me."
"And a skill you brought me here to learn I assume." A gentle smile encompasses her lips as she tries to think of what I am planning, too bad she missed her mark.
"Nope. Quite the opposite actually." She stares at me confused as we continue to walk, continuing to speak as she turned back around.
"I'm sorry, but how will that help?"
"Because some things are never meant to be let go." After that, we walked in silence for a while, then I began again. "Fast forward a few years, and we were sixteen. We had dated for three years and only fell deeper in love. We had been teased and the center of quite a few jokes, but we didn't mind. Just knowing at the end of the day that we had each other was enough for us, especially since most of them were just being friendly jokesters. It was then we decided to ask our parents something they never expected. We asked their permission to wed."
"You asked at the age of sixteen for your parents permission? You must have been confident they would say yes."
"As expected, all four said no almost instantly." 'Portia' stopped for just a moment before continuing her pace. "It took me three months to convince all four of them to say yes. We were wed on a small hill in a small ceremony. We didn't have many friends present, but the ones who made it supported us with large, cheery smiles, showering us with affection and happiness. It was, contagious. to say the least."
"And then you consummated the relationship I assume." 'Portia' said this with a little bit of playfulness in her tone. It seems she is relaxing a bit.
"Nope, we never had sex. I am still a virgin." She stopped, dead in her tracks, her eyes wide with both wonder, and shock.
"You two were in love for years, and you never once had sex? I find that a little hard to believe."
"There is a reason for it. And I will get to it later, for now, I will continue my little tale, we are almost to where I want us to be by the way." As I said this she looked forward, eyes greeting the end of the city, and the beginning, of the graveyard. As we pushed on through the steel gates, we made our way forward among those that lie dead. "Skipping forward again, we were eighteen. I had just bought a house with some of the money our parents gave us, I was studying hard at school, and we signed the official paperwork to be wed, making the ceremony official. It was, nice, to say the least. Being able to wake up and see her face everyday, knowing that the first, and last, thing I would see each day, was her. I was in bliss, and our family and friends supported us to the end only making it better. And then, that day came." As I said these words, we exited the graveyard proper, heading even further out. 'Portia' seemed confused as to why we were going, but was more intrigued by my story to care. Her trust in me probably helped.
"Did-did she go peacefully?" I looked back at her, tears streaming down my face, breaking my smile.
"She did not. She died of a severe heart attack." Her left hand drifted over her heart, her right drifting to her mouth. "She thrashed around, gasping for air as her heart gave it's last. We were walking through town center, and a few of the guard came to try and help, but in the end, it was for nothing. She died in the middle of the street."
"I-I'm so sorry to hear that."
"As am I. We are here by the way." When she looked up, she was greeted by her sun, setting over a large lake from atop a small hill. "This is the place we played as kids, where we got married, where we would go whenever we felt a little sad or put down. We even ran away to here once after our parents said no to our union. This was the place, I put her body to rest." She began to search the ground before she found it, a simple plaque on the ground, inscribed with her name, date of birth, and date of death. A long dead flower bed surrounding it, overtaken by weeds, and grass."
"This must have been such a shock."
"It was, but not for the reason you think."
"You got married at such a-" Realization dawned through her, every little bit of my story falling into place to tell her the reason I brought her here. "You knew she was going to die young."
"I did." I walked beside the grave, sitting on the grass, facing away from her. "You see, when we were fourteen, we were out playing about right here, when she had some major chest pain. I carried her home, a struggle to say the least for my younger self, and they took her to the hospital. Thanks to my actions, she was there when she had a full heart attack." 'Portia' remains silent, but quickly approaches my side, joining me on the grass. "I found out then why she had moved here. It was to try and keep her condition stable. She had arrhythmia, an erratic heartbeat that made heart attacks for her quite common. Previously, the activity of the city seemed to cause her great trouble, but here was nice and quiet. Here, she might live a little while longer.
"No doctor suspected she would live past fifteen, and certainly never expected her to live to eighteen. Everyday we spent was a miracle, and one I had to fight to get. Our parents agreed that day it would be too painful for me to lose her at such an age, they were afraid I would, kill myself or something if, and when, she suddenly died." I could barely keep my composure, tears streaming down my face as 'Portia' encompassed me into a tight hug. "She-she was taken away from me, and although convincing my parents was easy, convincing hers’ was hard, in the end, I had to prove one thing to them, and I did. I used the words of a child, but those words are what I need to tell you. I will use the ones I know now, to tell you what I told them so very long ago.
"Even if she is going to die, her heart will not. We love each other and taken a piece of the other with us. So long as I do not die, she will live, at least a little, within me. I don't care if time or fate are working against me, but right now, the love I feel will keep me going for the rest of my life, for so long as I live and remember, so too will she live, as a part of me." Celestia's grip tightened, as she pulled me in close, her tears and mine pouring onto each other, and the field below. We stayed like this deep into the night, until our tears had run dry.
"I think I understand. I should never be afraid of losing anyone, because so long as I remember them, they live forever within me. Their memories joining me through my life. Through me, all are eternal, at least in a way."
"Yes."
"Why did you go so far then. Why did you come to Canterlot and meet me?"
"I couldn't live up to my promise to her here. Here, I couldn't find a new love, each attempt met with failure. I stayed to finish school and then, with a recommendation from my professor, I got a job at Rarity's Boutique in the Canterlot office. It was, nice, but when I met you, I felt your sadness, I knew, to some extent, from the beginning what you really felt. I learned the skill from 'her' after many years of watching her, and loving her. I won’t pretend I knew what you were really afraid of then, but I wanted to help you, and that blossomed into love as I got to know you. When you broke up with me, and 'Diana' revealed her true self, I knew everything I needed to know. You were afraid of losing someone, something I knew all too well. I couldn't help you normally, but I also knew, at least to some extent, that deep down you wanted help. You wanted to love again and be loved, but you were afraid of the consequences. Now though, now my plan has run its course. The rest, is up to you." She wipes the tears from her eyes, and already, there was no need for more words to be spoken, yet they are still said, as if cementing them into the world, and our hearts.
"The last step, is up to 'us'." In the next moment, our lips meet, it is a simple kiss, but it expresses all that we have been through, the full passion of what we want, and our silent promise to be together, forever. "I guess we should head home, it is a long journey."
"Yeah, if we walk to the station now we should be in Canterlot at around nine tomorrow, then we can go back to how things wer-"
"I don't think so, there will be a few changes. You aren’t going back to your current home again. I am yours, and you are mine, so too, is my room yours." Before I could interject or say anything, her lips seal mine shut. Her eyes, dancing in joy as we retreat again. "Before we leave, I wish to, pay respects, to the one who you loved so long before. After all, she too is to thank for helping me open my heart." I nod, and she sits in silence in front of the grave, her hands folded into each other, as she says in her mind, all her thanks. As she rises, we take our hands in each others, and begin our long journey home. Our train got delayed due to some problems, and we arrived in Canterlot at around noon, sleeping most of the way. As we finally got into the station, we were picked up by Celestia's guard, and as we approached the castle, Celestia let her disguise fall away, saying she had no need of it anymore. As we exited the carriage, she held my hand close, receiving an odd glance as a pair of nobles left as we arrived. Upon entering, we were greeted by more than just Luna.
"Surprise!" Six young women, Luna and the bartender all shouted out as we entered the throne room. Streamers and balloons on every available surface. Most prominently of all, a large banner across the back of the room, welcoming us as a couple.
"How did you know he was successful."
"Well, we owe that to Miss Pinkamena Diane Pie here."
"PleasejustcallmePinkie!OhmygoshIamsoexcited!IwokeuplastnightwithaseriesoftwitchesIneverfeltbeforeandthenIknewjustknewthatyouhadaboyfriendsoIgathere-" Before the strange woman with pink hair could go any further, another woman, with green eyes and blonde hair braided into a ponytail stuffed an apple into her mouth as yet another woman, with purple hair and a pink highlight came to speak with us.
"I apologize princess, Pinkie is a little excited for you two, as am I, You finally overcame your fear of relationships! Though, admittedly, I never had a clue you had one."
"Indeed my most faithful student, if not for my new boyfriend, I might never have overcome it." With a loud chomp, Pinkie gets through her apple gag.
"Then let's party people!" And like that, a party was started. The bartender and I shared stories, mine about my previous wife, and he about how, on occasion, the two sisters would fight about Luna's love life and then he would end up taking care of 'Diana' for a few days before 'Portia' would come and apologize, thankful that now, it should die down to a simple joke. As night fell, they finally departed. These young women knew how to party, though what worried me was how flirty Twilight became when the drink started going around. I guess she really likes Celestia and me or something. But that is all in the past, as I enter with Celestia into her room. As the doors closed behind us, she led me onto the bed. Normally, I would have expected more from the act, but there would be time for that another day. After all the ups and downs of the previous few days, and the party we had just left, there was little that could stop us from enjoying each others company as we fell asleep. Without words, we quickly removed our clothes, and got into the large bed, beneath the red sheets.
Her warmth was immediately evident as I quickly snuggled into her, and her into me. Her head found its pillow next to my neck. Her fragrance filled my senses as our arms and her wings wrapped us in a cocoon of the other. I couldn't help but smile, knowing the one I loved was once again in my arms. A single thought crossed my mind at that instant, that this was how it should be. I felt the two of us relax as it seems the world around us slowly faded away into just us. Just as I was at the precipice of dreaming, I heard her say the words I wanted to hear again. Words that I hadn't heard in so very long.
"Goodnight, my love."
