The Laws of Life.

Chapter 13: Hopeful new life.

Canterlot. At last. After the long night After all those problems, and all that walking, we've finally reached the mountain city. “We still have a bit to walk. Before we reach my friends place. Want to stop to get a bite to eat?” I give my father a nod. just taking in everything. From the many various scents, and colors. “This place is. . . So huge! It’s awesome.” I giggle, and almost feel like running down these streets. But, I barely know the place. I don’t want to get lost. So, I stick close to my father.

We reach a small cafe kind of place. We take our seats, and we are given our menus. I look at all the delicious food, and drinks they have available. But, oh Luna, the prices. “Don’t worry. I’m paying.” I hear my father chuckle, as if he had read my mind. . . Wait. He always knows what I am feeling. “I guess I’ll get the most expensive thing then.” My father smirks, and nods. “Fine. If you want the best, I can give it to you.” I smile for a moment, before giving him a glare. “Don’t try to make up for everything by buying me whatever.” My father smiles.

“Who said I would be buying?” I give him a confused look. Before I can ask anything, the waiter steps up. “And, what would you two be ordering?” My father smiles, and lets his eyes glow a slight green when he speaks to the waiter. “We will both be having the special.” The waiter smiles, and lets his eyes glow a similar green. “Oh. You are in luck. The special will be on the house.” The waiter steps away.

“Changeling?” I ask in a whisper to my father, and he nods. “Yes. Many businesses, and the likes, here are run by changeling operatives. Prime changeling operatives of course. I’m from one of the five  lower branches, a Pesterer. But, we all look out for each other. These are the perks you can have as well.” I shake my head. “No, father. I don’t want. . . To be like that. I want to be myself. And, I’m only part changeling. It wouldn’t be right, even if I wanted to.”

My father sighs. “The offer will always be open. Just remember that.” I give a nod, as I look away from the small cafe. This city is so massive. I can’t get over that fact. And the way it was made. Layers upon layers. From here, I can look down, upon lower parts of the city. but, I can also look up, and see the brighter upper layers, and the shining castle. “The sight never gets old, does it?” My father asks. I only can nod. I look at the gold tops of the spires on the castle. I can see the rays of light that they reflect. “You know. There is an old saying ‘Canterlot wasn’t made in a day.’ And, I know it’s exposed to mean to take your time on things. Don’t try to rush anything. Don’t rush your life. But, it’s wrong. Canterlot was made in a day. I’ve been to the Prime nests archives.” My father speaks, looking excited as he whispers me his story.

“This nest thrives deep within the many catacombs that spread through these mountains. .  .And, one day, a small scout was out on guard, when all of a sudden, the ground started to morph under his feet.” My father has this excited look on his face, as he whispers to me the story of lore. “He flew back and watched, as what could only be described as a radiant being from the heavens, came down, and formed the castle out of the mountain. Using her immense power to form the stone, and the buildings. And the castle of gold and silver. That was thousands, upon thousands of years ago. Before the time of discord. Before the princess sisters had their crowns, and were only mere foals.”

My father lets out a wistful sigh, as he himself looks up at the towering castle. “Wow. . That’s pretty amazing actually. . . Who was the being?” I ask, actually captivated, wanting to know more about this hidden part of history. “It was never recorded who the being was exactly. But, we all believe it to be Faust. The great creator of the heavens, and the earth we stand upon.” I sit, my mouth slightly open, as I think of Faust. Does she really have that much power? Well. . Of course she would. She built this land. I want to ask more, but the waiter returns, carrying two platters. “Here you go.” He says, and sets them down, removing the small lids on both as he walks away.

“Ah. Finally. Time to eat.” My father says, as he. . . To be blunt, pigs out on his food. I look at the food. It looks like a nice salad, with some hay seasoning. Could this really be the special? I shrug, and pick up my fork. I pick out a generous amount, and bite it off the fork. My eyes widen as the flavor explodes through my mouth. “Mmm.” I let out a satisfied moan as I chew the food, and swallow it. “This is delicious. Food has never tasted this good to me.”

“That’s because this food as been magically infused with gathered emotions. Best of both worlds.” My father laughs, already finished with his plate, and sipping his water lightly. I smile sheepishly, and start to pig out on mine. “Oh. That was good.” I say, and let out a contented sigh. I actually haven't. . . . Fed on any emotions in a while. Plus, I could only eat my mothers. . And, well, you get used to things, and they stop becoming as good. . You know? Imagine if you could only eat the same thing, day in and day out. over, and over again. Sure, it fills you up the first few times. But, it just keeps diminishing and diminishing.

“C-can we get more?” I ask. I hate this. I hate all of this. I want to  say ‘lets leave.’ So we can get on, and I can start my life. But. . That side of me. It’s craving more. Nearly uncontrollable. Nearly. But, I was raised as a civil pony, and I will stay that way. I won’t degrade into such a. . Monster. . . But. can I really keep thinking that? Well, of course I can. What good have they done? My father abandoned us, and started another family. And this cafe here, they steal emotions and feed them to other changelings.

But. . . Here I am. Complaining about everything. Complaining about everything that’s being given to me generously by those who I call monsters. . .And, I’m just sitting here, and taking all of it. “Actually. . . Never mind. Let’s just go. I want to sleep.” I say, even though it’s barely midday.

“Um. . Ok? You doing ok Fantasm? You seem kind of off today?” I shrug it off, as I walk away from the table. “So. Where are we headed? Where is this friend of yours who offered me a place?” My father laughs. “Ah yes. He’s a good old friend of mine. And a retired changeling operative like me as well. We both just wanted to settle down, and have a life outside the nest. . Things went far more smooth for him, though.” My father says, with a slight nervous laugh.

“Anyways, it’s a room, and a job. He owns his own bar, with an inn, or motel kind of thing up top. He offered you a ‘free’ room. As long as you work for it.” My father laughs again. “And, it’s only down the ways a bit. About a minute or so.” I give a nod, staying silent as I contemplate everything.

All my life, I’ve regarded my father, and that side of my blood, as monsters. As feral beasts, that only look out for themselves. But everything that he’s shown me so far make’s me think that I’m wrong. . . But, then I see how I’ve been acting. . I’m acting like the monsters I think they are. Taking what I need, for my own benefit and survival. I’ve barely thanked Obsidian as well.

I stop in my tracks for a moment. “Father. . . Thank you. For everything. . I don’t think I’ve said that enough. For all you’ve been doing for me so far.” I give him a small. And, for the first time in all my life. For the first time in all the times I’ve seen him, I finally see the stallion that was my father, instead of the monster I claim him to be. He gives me a small smile, and a nod as we continue walking forward.