Sparky later told me that it had been about eleven in the morning when I had woken up, and for that first half day we had just talked. During this time she had explained most of the things that any normal pony would have learned in their foalhood. Most where things that carried over from earth, but there were some that I had difficulty grasping. Such as tails. I, however, am proud to say that I was I quick learner. This trait has served me well over the many years that I have lived in Equestria and beyond even. In fact, if I had not adapted so quickly to this world I might have died soon after I had arrived. It seemed that not all the ponies in Canterlot were as welcoming of an alien such as myself. Not that I could blame them. The incident with the Changelings had happened less than a year before my arrival, and some within the recently reformed Equestrian government had thought it easier to imprison me before I turned into some kind of demon from Tartarus. Celestia had later told me that that would have been her initial reaction as well, had I not been conveniently dying of the bends. Fortunately for me, the princesses had to perform some extremely invasive scanning spells in order to treat me. In doing so they had determined that I had no magical power of my own and therefore was not a major threat to Equestria. Others, however, where not convinced.

-Daus Skarr

*******

“So you’re telling me that these things are hay fries?”

“Yes, don’t you have them where you come from?”

“Humans don’t eat hay,” I set the odd, vaguely French fry type food back on the cart.

Twilight gave me an appalled look, “I love hay fries! I can’t imagine a world without them!” She blushed and looked away for a second, “Um well, not that I eat them all the time…”

I smirked, “Don’t worry, your secrets safe with me.” I continued searching the food cart for anything that I liked I may have missed. It had been a while since we had started this “exchange session” as Twilight had dubbed it. Long enough that Twilight had called for another cart of food from the kitchens. Which had been more than happy to oblige, being a princess had its perks.

Truth be told, I was hesitant to even call it an exchange. Most of the conversation was one way. I’d ask a question and Twilight would answer, explaining different aspects of her world. The more I learned of this Equestria the more I realized that I couldn’t always assume that what I knew from the show was accurate, or even remotely true. The only thing that really carried over from the show was names and the races that lived here, and even that was a stretch, what with the whole walking on two legs thing.

Back on Earth I’d have been the first to admit that My Little Pony was a childish show meant for little kids. I thought it was… strange… that others my age and up watched the show. After spending a half day with one of the main characters of the show though… I was starting to doubt whether being here was such a bad thing after all. In fact, if all the ponies in Equestria were like Twilight I might actually grow to like the place.

Other than their… questionable… dietary habits, but hey, if Twilight knew I ate meat (a subject which I had tactfully avoided) she would probably do more than just question my dietary habits.

Twilight finished her “hay burger” and wiped her mouth with a napkin, “Anyway, I believe it’s my turn to ask a question or two.”

I finished looking over the cart and returned to the, or rather, Celestia’s, bed and sat down facing Twilight, “Fire away.”

Twilight fidgeted nervously on her stool, “Well I’ve told you a lot about my world, and now I’d like to know about yours.” She continued to fidget on her stool, even absentmindedly started to mess with her tail.

After a pause I began to get nervous, “Such as…?”

“Well ummm…” Twilight’s eyes began to dart around seeming to want to look anywhere but at me. “It’s just that, well, there was one physical trait in particular about you, and the rest of your people I’m assuming, that caught my attention while I was treating you,” she continued to fidget nervously.

“Twilight, spit it out.”

“Umm yes, well, ah, I just couldn’t help but notice that ummm…”

“I’m not getting any younger here.”

“I know, I know, it’s just a little awkward to say…”

I blinked a few times and realization dawned on me, “Pass.”

Twilight finally looked up at me in surprise, “What?”

I folded my arms across my chest and leaned back against the pillows on the bed, “I said pass.”

Twilight huffed, “You can’t pass on a question! We decided that at the beginning!”

I snorted and looked away, “Yeah well, I’m am not discussing this with you. End of story.”

Twilight continued to stare at me, “But this is the one thing that Princess Celestia actually wanted me to get out of you!”

I smirked and looked back at her, “There’s a dirty joke in there somewhere.”

Twilight reeled back in her seat with a shocked look on her face, “W-what?”

“Listen Twilight,” I looked away from her again, “I’ve known about you guys for a long time, but I have never thought of you guys in that way…” I reached back and started to rub the back of my neck nervously, “It’s not that I don’t think your… ok to look at. I might even call you cute, but talking about that with you is just…” I looked back over at Twilight. To my horror she had gone completely red and had a mortified look on her face. We continued to stare at each other for a few seconds before Twilight finally spoke up in a quiet tone.

“I was talking about your teeth.”

I sat there for a few seconds then sighed, “What about them?”

Twilight continued to stare at me for a second then quickly buried herself behind her massive floating scroll. After a short pause I heard her take a deep breath then she resurfaced looking slightly more composed. “They’re sharp in the front.”

I looked down and frowned. I had hoped that is particular subject wouldn’t come up but… I suppose I’d have to give an explanation eventually. Besides I did not plan on giving up meat for the entire time I’m here. Might as well get it out of the way now.
I looked back up and started to answer, but Twilight had hidden herself behind her scroll again. I smirked, “You know, it’s your fault for not just saying what it was you were talking about.”

Twilight peaked out from behind the scroll. She blushed again when she saw I was staring at her, “It was not! You were the one who assumed that I was talking about… that.” She returned to hiding behind her scroll.

I rolled my eyes and looked over at the curtains covering the archway to the balcony, “You know how I think it’s weird that you eat flowers?”

Twilight peeked out from behind the scroll again, “Yes.”

I sighed and stretched out on the bed getting comfortable, “Well I have certain… dietary preferences that may seem strange to you as well.”

I looked back over to Twilight and saw that she had moved the scroll out of the way completely now and was watching me with rapt attention. I also noticed that she had her quill poised and ready to write.

I glanced away nervously, “I would appreciate it if you didn’t write this down, or tell anyone about it. It’s not exactly the type of thing that you ponies would find particularly endearing.”

Twilight gave me a suspicious look but nodded and set her quill down, “Does this ‘dietary preference’ put anyone around you in danger?”

I shrugged, still nervous, “Not really no. It’s just that, um, other ponies probably wouldn’t be very accepting of a strange being from another world that, uh… eats meat.”

I glance back to Twilight, but to my surprise, she seems to be taking it pretty well. She isn’t freaking out at least. Although she does look a little green.

Twilight nodded slowly, “I see. The first time I noticed your teeth I figured as much, and when I told the princesses about my suspicions they agreed that the structure of your teeth most likely meant you are a… carnivore.” She shifted nervously on her seat, “The strange thing is that when Princess Celestia brought the first cart of food up you ate many things that only an herbivore would eat.” Twilight gave me a questioning look, “You say that you’re a carnivore but you just ate many plant based foods. Can you eat both?”

I shrugged, “Don’t you guys have omnivores here?” Twilight gave me a curious look, “I’ll take that as a no. An omnivore is and animal that can eat both plants and animals.” I frowned at her, “You’re telling me that of all the different species on this planet, not a single one can eat both plants and animals?”

Twilight turned a little green again, “You say that so casually…”

I smiled, “What? Just because I eat meat means I’m a horrible person?”

Twilight started and waved her hands in front of herself defensively, “What?! No! That’s not what I meant, it’s just not that common for anyone living in Equestria to eat meat! The most common carnivores are the minotaurs and griffons and they don’t usually live in Equestria because they can’t get the things they need to eat because most places in Equestria don’t sell stuff like that and they have to buy it from shady people and their generally looked down upon by other ponies for it and please don’t think I’m being mean because of what you are even if you do eat meat I don’t mind that much and I’m sorry!”

Twilight pause to take a breath. I just sat and watched her, smiling, “You know, you are exceedingly easy to mess with.”

Twilight froze for a moment and deflated, “Oh… I thought you were actually a little angry.” She looked down and smiled sadly, “Do you even care?”

I raise an eyebrow, “About…?”

Twilight looked back up at me, “You’ve just been pulled out of your world and thrown into another. Aren’t you sad, angry… scared?”

I looked away and ran a hand through my hair, “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. Tomorrow maybe, when I wake up and can’t keep pretending this is a dream.” Twilight opened her mouth to say something but I cut her off, “I know that I already agreed that it isn’t, but,” I paused to collect my thoughts, “I… this is my way of coping, I suppose. For now at least. Besides,” I folded my arms across my chest and looked away with a bitter look on my face, “would you rather have the angry depressed me. You saw him when I first admitted this was real, and based on you reaction, you didn't like him very much.”

Twilight looked like she was scrambling to form and answer, but before she could the doors to the room opened to reveal my favorite princess of the sun and her sister. Both took one look at the situation and turned to Twilight, who gave a helpless shrug. While Celestia was busy closing the door and whispering to the guard outside Luna walked forward a bit and nervously stood before the bed.

She glanced once at Twilight, who seemed to be trying to catch my attention, before speaking, “We hath- I mean, I-I have come to bid you welcome to our world Daus. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Luna, Princess of the night and hold a seat on the Alicorn council.”

I turned to get a better look at her. She was short. At least that was my first impression of her. You would think that the goddess of the night would be tall and regal but apparently not. She was only slightly taller that twilight, not counting the horn of course, and almost a full head shorter than Celestia. She had on the same dress as her sister but it was a light blue color and cut a little lower in front than her sister. She had a dark blue coat and of course, she had the eerie flowing mane. Instead of a rainbow of colors like her sisters mane however, hers was what looked like a field of stars. Strangely enough the stars weren’t moving with the mane, it was like the mane was a window that constantly shifted. It was interesting to say the least.

As I looked her over she fidgeted nervously and looked to Twilight again. I couldn’t see her but I could feel her eyes on me, begging me not to do anything rash

What was the fun in that?

Once my eye finally settled on her face I saw that she had begun to blush slightly, deciding not to keep her waiting any longer I frowned slightly, “I thought you’d be taller.”

I heard a crash as Twilight fell off her stool. I glanced over and started to laugh as she tried to stand up only to be foiled by her dress. I looked back to Luna to see that she was trying to form and answer, but it kept coming out in sputtering. The commotion had apparently gotten Celestia’s attention because she finished talking to the person outside and closed the door. When she turned around to take in the situation, she just shook her head before going over to help Twilight up.

After a few more seconds Luna had finally regained enough composure to respond. She took a deep breath and said, “I hadn’t realized that my sister’s sense of humor had rubbed off on you so quickly.” She paused for a moment and glared at Celestia. Having finished helping Twilight up Celestia shrugged and gave her a faint smile before moving to the same seat on the wall she had previously occupied. Luna shook her head at the floor before continuing, “Shall we start over?”

I shrugged and nodded. Luna took another deep breath and held out her hand, “Hello Daus, I am Princess Luna, princess of the night, and hold a seat on the recently formed Alicorn Council.”

I reached forward and shook the blue mare’s hand, “Nice to me you,” I said in a slightly over enthusiastic voice, “I’d tell you my name but it sounds like dear Celly already told you it.”

Luna withdrew her hand with a slightly confused look on her face, “Have I done something wrong?”

Celestia cleared her throat, “Don’t worry sister. I believe this is more of his… humor.”

I looked around and both Twilight and Celestia where now glaring at me. I should probably get serious before one of them takes something the wrong way. “Look,” my expression softened as I turned back to Luna, “For what it’s worth, I was actually kind of looking forward to seeing you. You seem like the more rational of the two ‘divine rulers’ of Equestria.”

Luna seemed to appreciate the vote of confidence. She got a smug smile on her face while Celestia frowned and said, “What do you mean by ‘more rational’?”

I gave her an amused look, “You turn all your enemies to stone and banished your sister to the moon for throwing a tantrum. Now, I may not be a psychiatrist, but to me it lo-“

Celestia cut me off with a cold stare, “Do not talk as if you know me creature. I make decisions based on the safety of my ponies, and nothing else.”

That had escalated quickly. If I had a knife I could have cut the tension in the air. Celestia had crossed her arms and was glaring at the floor. Luna was staring at her with a troubled look on her face, and looked torn between sadness and guilt. Twilight had suddenly become extremely interested in her scroll, and was hiding behind it pretending to read something. All in all, not the best situation for me to be in. I really need to stop assuming things about these ponies.

I sighed, “Listen Celestia, I’m sorry about that. I know you’ve made some tough decisions and it isn’t my place to question them.” I looked down at my hands and grimaced, “I knew of some people back on my world that would kill to have the chance that I have. Yet, all I’ve done is manage to piss off you guys at every chance that I get.” I clenched my hands in anger, “And why didn’t they get this chance instead of me. I can only imagine how much happier they would be in my position.” I unclenched my hands looked up. Twilight was giving me an intrigued look. I can only imagine the number of questions she had for me. Celestia and Luna had looks of pity on their faces. Celestia open her mouth to respond but I cut her off, “No, don’t apologize. You had every right to be angry with me. I’m sorry for not taking this more seriously than I have. From now on, no more jokes or harsh words. I… I won’t waste any more of your time.”

Celestia nodded with a hesitant look on her face, “I thank you for your honesty. For a moment there I had thought that protecting you was a mistake.” She looked to Twilight, “Well Twilight, you have spent the most time with him thus far, what is your opinion of him?”

Twilight frowned, but didn’t immediately answer. I can’t blame her. I haven’t exactly been very… grateful of her and her mentors “protection,” whatever that means. I assume that they’re protecting me from this Arbiter guy, but assuming things hasn’t really worked out very well so far. I glanced between the princesses. Luna was nervously standing off to my left close to the door. Her behavior struck me as odd. Of all the princesses, she had known me for the least amount of time, and yet she seemed almost concerned for me. It could just be the way she is, it wouldn’t surprise me. I get the impression the ponies, as a whole, are generally accepting and kind to strangers, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that she had some personal stake in this. Celestia was watching Twilight, gauging her expression. I’m sure she had done it many times before to many people, er… ponies. She seemed to really be leaving the decision to Twilight. I’d have thought she would be the one to decide my fate, but on the other hand, Twilight had spent the last half day with me. However, based on my behavior, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

One things for sure, Twilight was taking her sweet time in answering. I was about to break the silence when she finally spoke.

“He isn’t… bad. He certainly isn’t happy with being here, but I doubt he’s a danger to anyone.” She said in a hesitant voice. I visibly relaxed, letting out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding in. “However,” she looked at me curiously, “I don’t think we can let him just walk free, if only because others will want to capture him. He also knows very little about living in Equestria, so he might, accidentally of course, cause problems on his own.” I tensed up again, so they were going to lock me up after all.

Celestia raised an eyebrow, “Are you suggesting we lock him away for his own safety?”

Twilight started to panic, “No! I-“

I glowered at her before cutting her off with a growl, “If you try to put me in a cage to be studied, I promise you that I will do everything within my power to make your life miserable.”

Twilight waved her hands in front of her and leaned back with a look of full on panic across her face, “No! That’s not what I-“

“Please Twilight, if I may make a suggestion,” I look over and see that Luna is looking at me with a thoughtful look on her face.

Twilight calmed down a little and nodded. Luna stepped forward a little and looked down at me on the bed, “Only just recently my sister sent me to Ponyville to learn how to ‘socialize’ with other ponies. She sent me to Twilight specifically because she had just recently gained some experience with… socializing… with others.” Luna looked to Twilight and Celestia, “My suggestion is this: If Twilight is willing, go with her to Ponyville and integrate yourself into our society as best you can. There is this, or you can remain here under our care,” she motioned to Celestia and herself before looking back down at me, “most likely locked away in the royal palace.”

I exasperatingly looked between Celestia and Luna, “Why even lock me up? I may not like being here but it’s not like I’m going to go on a rampage and start killing people.”

Luna sighed with a sad look on her face, “Unfortunately we were not able to keep your arrival here a secret,” an angry look crossed her face, “Apparently there are those among even our royal guards who sympathize with the Arbiter’s views.” Luna turned around and walked over to the door mumbling angrily. Celestia watched her calmly for a moment before continuing, “Someone in the guard told the Arbiter of your arrival, and he immediately went to the senate demanding that the council hand over the ‘abomination’ before you could do any harm to Equestria.”

I gave her a confused look, “I thought Twilight told me the council was separate from the senate? And aren’t the council and the senate on equal footing?”

I turned to Twilight as she grumble something about “whining featherbrains,” Celestia chuckled and said, “Officially yes, the senate and the Alicorn Council are on equal ‘footing,’ and by that I assume you mean they are politically equal?” I nod and Celestia smiled in response, “Then yes they are, however,” Celestia’s face darkened, “The senate is fond of testing the limits of its influence.”

Luna turned around with an angry look on her face, “What my sister is saying is that they enjoy demanding things of us that they have no right asking for!”

I looked at her and raised an eyebrow, “Do you ever comply with their demands?”

Luna huffed angrily, “How can we not! To refuse would cause them to go to the news ponies and say that the council is intolerable and refuses to work with them! Which in turn would kindle more doubt for Alicorns in general! The ponies of Canterlot have not forgotten the horrors that the changelings inflicted on them, and they are quick to blame us for not stopping the destruction before it began! That whole incident was what caused the recent endeavor to revise the Equestria government! And then let’s not forget the senate’s errand boy the Arbiter! He is the most insuffer-“

Celestia cut her off, “Luna please, you are ranting.”

Luna threw her hands in the air and growled in frustration.

I looked between Celestia and Luna in amusement, “So I’ve been hearing a lot about this Arbiter guy. Who is he exactly?”

“Oh, don’t get me started-“

“Luna please,” Celestia cut Luna off again, “I believe Twilight can answer this one.”

Twilight started when Celestia said her name. Everyone turned to her as she struggled to regain her composure, “Y-yes, the Arbiter. I read his file at-um, actually,” Twilight glanced at Luna for a moment, who shook her head no, before looking back to me, “uh, right, never mind where I read his file, but unfortunately it is extremely sparse.” Twilight shifted nervously in her seat, “All we know is that about forty years ago, the Arbiter, then a royal guard, deserted for an unknown reason. After escaping Equestria, he became a mercenary in Schunie. The largest city in the Inner Marches.” Twilight paused for a moment before continuing, “The Inner Marches are the plains that exist to the west. They contain a number of cities, but none as large as Schunie.”

I turned to Luna as she grumbled, “Or as unlawful…”

I turned back to Twilight with a questioning look. She grimaced, “Schunie is a city state that was founded as a trade outpost on the way to the Ridge. A large chain of mountains running north to south far to the west.” Twilight sighed, “Schunie has no official government except for the Collective. A group of the wealthiest merchants and traders in Schunie. Because of this, Schunie has earned a reputation for its… lawlessness.”

Celestia spoke up, “Due to this reputation most nations prefer not to publicly associate themselves with Schunie unless absolutely necessary.”

“Why anyone would want a mercenary from that rat hole of a city to be the leader of an army is beyond me,” Luna said angrily. “While I agree that the Arbiter is skilled with a sword, sometimes his methods are cruel and wholly unnecessary!”

“Whatever, I don’t plan on meeting this guy any time soon,” I yawned and stretched, “I think I’d rather not be locked up for the rest of my life, so I’ll take my chances in Ponyville.” I looked at Celestia nervously, “I don’t suppose you could let me stay here another night. I'm still pretty sore from whatever that orb put me through, and it’s getting pretty late…”

Celestia stood and stared walking to the door, “Unfortunately no, I cannot allow you to stay any longer than you have. The council cannot continue to stall the senate much longer. I fear that they may be sending the Arbiter here to detain you this very night.” Celestia stop just short of the door, “I am sorry you cannot rest any longer,” a sad look crossed her face, “I wish I could be more hospitable.”

I waved her off, “It’s no problem. You guys saved my life. You can’t be much more hospitable than that.”

Celestia gave me a sad smile before turning to Twilight and Luna, “Twilight, you will have to escort Daus to the train station. I will send a guard ahead to make sure the train is ready to go when you get there. However, the Arbiter may have thought of this already. If the train isn’t an option, take him to the docks and use an airship to get to Ponyville. It is slower, but I’d rather not have the Arbiter confront you at the train station.” Celestia then looked to Luna, “Sister, I will need you to go to the senate and delay them. Once they see Twilight heading for the train station they will suspect we are trying to move Daus.”

“Um, Celestia,” I said, “I think you’re overlooking something.” Celestia looked at me, confused. I waved my hand over my body, “I not exactly the most inconspicuous of… things… in this world, and I doubt I’ll make it to the train station without a disguise.”

Celestia frowned, “Ah yes, forgive me. I almost forgot.” Celestia looked me over with a critical eye, then her eyes landed on my jacket sitting next to me on the bed, “Hmmmm, I suppose I could alter your jacket to cover more of you… I will also have to place a spell on your feet to make them less noticeable. Please stand, and are you going to wear your hoof shoes?”

I let out a short laugh, “There just shoes, hiking boots actually, and yes I’ll be wearing them.” I sighed and braced myself for the pain, then swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Surprisingly, most of the soreness was gone. In fact, I was feeling better than ever. Most likely due to Twilight’s overzealous attempts at healing me. I relaxed and reached down to lace up my boots. While I was doing that Luna walked outside and began briefing a group of guards. A mixture of what looked like both Luna and Celestia’s personal bodyguards. They looked extremely competent to say the least. They were decked out in a mixture of plate and leather-ish armor (enchanted I assume) and were armed with long swords that were strapped across their backs. I squinted to get a closer look. They weren't wearing leather, I suppose they would find that repulsive. The material certainly looked like leather, but, at the same time, it didn't. I shook my head. I'd ask Twilight about it later. All of the guards were unicorns, some male and some female. Luna’s guard or the “night” guards had grey coats and blue/gold armor, and Celestia’s guard or the “day” guards had white coats with white/gold armor.

While Luna was speaking with the guards, Celestia had grabbed my jacket with her magic and was eyeing it curiously. Turning it around and around in the air, examining it from every angle. After I had finished with my boots she spoke, “What is this jacket made of?”

I looked up at her and stood up stretching, “I’m not sure. There should be a tag on the inside of the collar that has that stuff.” I looked around all saw Twilight nervously shifting from hoof to hoof next to the door. I caught her eye and raised an eyebrow, “You don’t get out much do you?”

Twilight focused on me for a second before resuming her fidgeting, “No, I’ve never had to do anything like this before.” She lowered her voice to a whisper, “I’m not sure I can do this…”

I walked forward and gently put my hand on her shoulder, forcing her to look me in the eyes, “It’s not about if can or can’t do this Twilight. You have to do this.” I gave her my most determined look, “And besides, haven’t you done lots of stuff like this already anyway. I mean, if you can save Equestria multiple times, I’m sure you can walk me down to the train station.” I looked down at her dress, “Although it would probably be easier if you changed into something less… flashy.”

Twilight’s eyes widened, “Oh, of course! I’ll go get some normal cloths.” She looked down at her dress with distaste, “I’d prefer not to have to wear this anyway, but I have to look good for the senate. If only to remind them who they’re dealing with from time to time.” Twilight started for the door and look back when she reached it, “I’ll meet you in the main entrance hall,” she looked at Celestia for a second, who was still examining my jacket, before turning and walking out.

Once Twilight had left Celestia looked back up at me with a distant look on her face, “I believe I can make this work. However, I will need to alter the composition of your jacket.” Celestia focused her eyes on me, “That is alright with you?”

I nodded, “Anything that will help.”

“Alright then,” Celestia held out the jacket to me, “put this on, please, and I can get started.”

I took the jacket and pulled it on nervously. It’s not like magic hadn’t been used on me before, but this time it was someone other than Twilight performing the spell. For some reason, that felt unsettling to me. Twilight was the one who keep me from dying of starvation for the weeks I was out. Apparently she had use her magic to “feed” me nutrients so that my body wouldn’t waste away while in a coma. Granted Celestia had more than a few years of experience on Twilight but still… I looked up at Celestia concentrating, I was nervous.

After a moment Celestia started to mumble and her horn lite up, covering my jacket in her aura. From the little that I picked up, she wasn’t using any language I knew, which was a grand total of one. Even though I didn’t know what she was saying, I could still feel the power behind the words. Almost as if they resonated with me on an extremely primal level. The sensation was nothing like anything I’d ever felt, and I’m not sure I liked the feeling.

As she mumbled, my jacket started to change. The texture roughened, and the color turned from a light to dark matte grey, almost black. It lengthened until it was at my ankles, and the collar became thicker and more pronounced, covering most of my neck. It also got heavier, but not to the point where it was uncomfortable, it actually felt like it fit my body better than it had previously. The actual material it was made from thickened and felt more durable now, like denim, but it moved with my body easier.

After a few more seconds and some minor tweaks Celestia’s aura lifted and she open her eye’s to inspect her handiwork. I felt around, finding all my things still in their place (even though my phone and headphone had been fried by the orb, I still keep them) I looked up at Celestia and held my arms out, spinning in place. Celestia stood and examined me as I slowly turned back around and looked at her expectantly. She looked a little tired but other than that, proud of her work. When she spoke I could hear the weariness in her voice, “Such spells are not easy to perform, and often require much thaumic energy to complete, but…” she cocked her head to the side and looked me over again, “I believe that this will be sufficient to get you out of the city, and protect you from the cold. Your body seems Ill suited for our winters.” Her eyes traveled up to my exposed head and frowned, “Without the proper knowledge of your skull structure I could not form a hood for you, however, I believe I have something for you that will act as a proper substitute.” Celestia walked over to her set of drawers and began to rummage through them.

While she was looking for whatever she was looking for, I began testing my new jacket. It was thin enough so that it wasn’t that uncomfortable to wear in mild weather but thick enough to where I felt like it could keep me warm in the cold. I pinched the material and rubbed it in between my fingers. The outside was rough and durable, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were water proof. The inside was softer than the outside and comfortable to move around in. I took a few hesitant steps. The bottom was just high enough to cover most all of my leg but it didn’t catch on my foot when I walked. Also, it seem to gravitate towards my body. I spun around quickly expecting the bottom to fly up and spread out but it only raised up a little bit. I frowned and grabbed either edge of the jacket and pulled out fanning it backwards behind me like a cape. I grinned, it must be enchanted. The jacket seemed to know what I wanted to do, how I wanted to move, interesting.

I turned around when I heard a cough behind me. Celestia was standing there with something in her hands and a smile on her face, “Having fun?”

I blush and pulled to jacket back around me and letting it fall loose again. I composed myself before responding, “Just testing it out.”

Celestia continued to grin as she walked forward and handed me something that looked like a mask with runes all over the front. It looked like one of those happy face masks that they used to use in theaters, except this one had a blank expression.

I turned it over a few time examining it then looked back up at Celestia, “What’s this?”

“That,” she said with pride, “is one of my greatest creations.” She motioned for me to put it on, “Put it on and it will change your appearance at will.”

“Really?” I gave her a skeptical look. Celestia nodded and motioned again for me to put it on. I stood there for a moment before a mischievous thought crossed my mind. Wasting no time, I held the mask up to my face. The moment it touched my skin I felt my body start to shift and slid around. It wasn’t painful, but it wasn’t pleasant either.

After a moment the shifting stopped and I looked down at myself. After examining myself for a second I looked up to see Celestia giving me a deadpan stare. She shook her head and sighed, “I suppose I should have seen that coming…”

Luna chose that moment to walk back in looking down at a report one of the guards had given her. She stopped next to us before saying, “Sister, the guards have reported that the Senate has sent the Arbiter here and he is demanding that we give him Daus at on-AGHHHHHHHHH!”

Luna dropped the report and leapt back in shock when she looked up to see not one but two Princess Celestias standing in front of her staring back at her. She looked between the two of us for a moment before settling on me. Unfortunately, while the mask does alter your appearance, it apparently does not alter your clothing. This did little to dampen the smile on my face, however, and I responded, “Yes sister, go on.”

Luna narrowed her eyes at me, “You know, it is considered extremely rude to impersonate somepony in that pony’s presence.”

My smile got even wider, “Of course,” I leaned forward and whispered to her, “You should probably tell the impostor over there that. I don’t think it knows.”

Celestia closed her eyes and began rubbing the base of her horn with her hand, “Daus please, we have little time if the Arbiter is already here.”

I got a pouting look on my, or rather Celestia’s, face, but decided that she was probably right. I concentrated and thought of one of Luna’s night guards. After a few seconds of shifting I looked down at myself. I had a light grey coat and all the features of a “pony,” even the hooves. The weird thing is that I still felt like I was human. I hadn’t really had time as Celestia, but I felt like I had feet, not hooves. I reached up and felt around on top of my head and, sure enough, I had a horn.

I raised an eyebrow at Celestia, “Could I use magic since I have a horn now?”

Celestia shook her head, “No, the mask only makes you look and feel like something else to others. To yourself you feel the same, but enough, you have your disguise and we have delayed longer than we should have. Luna will escort you to the main hall, from there Twilight will take you to the train station, which is hopefully still an option.” Celestia paused to yawn.

I looked her over curiously, “aren't you coming as well?’

Celestia smiled but shook her head, “No, if the Arbiter sees me up and about Canterlot at this hour he will know for certain that we are up to something and possibly block off all exits from the city.” She sighed and walked over to the curtains to open them, “I will be watching from my balcony,” she finished opening the curtains, letting the stars shine through brightly. She stopped under the archway and looked back at me over her shoulder, a sad smile on her face, “Be safe, and… I’m sorry… that this had to happen to you.”

I nodded curtly, glad to finally be leaving the tower room. I turned around and walked to the entrance of Celestia's room, stopping just short the exit.

Luna gave me a confused look, "Is everything alright Daus?"

I looked around at her and smiled nervously, "Yeah, everything's fine. I'm just... steeling myself."

I felt Luna place a comforting hand on my shoulder. She gave me a light squeeze before letting go and walking out ahead of me.

I watched her go ahead and braced myself as I took my first step beyond the door, into my new life.

Author's Note

And thus ends the setup.

Sorry about the long wait. I had finals then Dark Souls 2 came out then I just put it off... Oh, and I had a difficult time trying to decide whether or not I should bump the time frame up so that it happens after season 4, but I decided to leave it the way it is.

Anyway, things are really going to pick up next chapter, and I promise I won't take 3 or 4 weeks to write it like this one. Believe it or not chapters 2,3, and 4 where originally all going to be one chapter. Then I started writing and I realized just how long that would take to write, so I split them up.

If you like the story so far give it a thumbs up! Comment if you have thoughts! Please comment! I like reading them, and it helps me make the story better.

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yay more pony