Psychquestria

Twilight's friends, having met her attempted assassin, had to leave, having their own respective jobs and duties to attend to. Ross walked with Twilight and Spike through the main hall of the castle, and upstairs to the observatory. They sat around the previously flipped table, Ross uncomfortably forcing his knees underneath it.

"So," He began. "I will be quite honest with you; I have little interest in anything not concerning returning home, but believe this is an opportunity for an information exchange."

"You mean I tell you about Equestria-"

"And I tell you of Earth." He finished. "So? Where do we begin? We've already covered forms of government, so why not use that as a launch pad of sorts?"

"Okay then. Celestia is the eldest of us three, Luna her sister, and I her student. Well, I used to be her student."

"An heir to the throne?"

"That works," Twilight said, magically summoning a tea set from the castle kitchens. She offered the boy some, but he declined. "Celestia is the one who chose me when I was still a unicorn to become her student."

"You weren't always a... what did you call it... Alicorn?"

"No, born a unicorn. Celestia made me an Alicorn when I passed her final trial. Alicorns are immortal crosses between Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns. Anyways, Each of us have a specific duty that helps the world function. Celestia and Luna raise the sun and moon respectively, and I spread the magic of friendship to all of Equestria-"

"Hang on a second. 'Raise the sun and moon?'"

"Well, yeah. Keep the day and night cycle going."

"You mean your sun orbits the planet?"

"No, she raises it in the sky. Same with the moon." Twilight said slowly.

"Is this why she rules?"

"In part, yes."

Ross stood up, rubbing the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. "I can see I must explain something to you that you won't want to hear." He took a deep breath. "The-sun-is-orbited-by-smaller-bodies-or-planets-and-moons-orbit-the-planets, meaning-your-teacher-is-a-liar-and-your-fellow-rulers-are-deceivers."

Twilight blinked."What?"

"They don't control the celestial bodies. It's impossible."

"I've done it myself! I had to make the sun rise when the other three princesses conveyed their power unto me."

"I don't believe you."

"But it's true!"

"You cannot sway me with your lies. You may have the ability to use magic- that I believe- but controling the cycle of day and night? That would be a no."

"Neither of us can prove our points, so can we just call this an impasse and move on?"

"Of course. What of your religions?"

"Religions?"

"Beliefs. Gods, deities, et cetera."

"We don't really have too many widespread religions, then. Some worship Alicorns, but that's generally discouraged."

"Earth has a wide variety of religions, many of which are variations of one another. Generally they're monotheistic, but there are and were a few that aren't. Personally, I'm atheist. I choose not to believe in a greater power or force, or whatever you'd call it. But the majority do believe in one. Or more. I can't really list this information accurately, I can't remember all the kinds of religions there are."

Spike stopped his note-taking to accept some tea from Twilight. "Sounds complicated."

"Oh, you don't know the half of it. And I won't taint your society with that other part. Unless you're comfortable about hearing of death and war." Ross raised a brow.

"Perhaps later." Twilight said, looking at Spike's notes. "I think it's about time we took you into town, familiarized you with it. You'll be around for a year, so it's going to be like a second home for you."

"Yes. Thanks for that, again." Ross said, glowering.

Twilight did not get the glare he put on. She was already halfway out the door, Spike following along on his short legs. Ross sighed. Today was going to be just peachy.