Twilight's the Last Gleaming

Over the days since I continued my mundane life in relative peace, turns out I got 1 respite from the lull between Reenactments and a few fun things to break up the doldrums of rolling silverware in napkins for a restaurant for 3 and a half hours for all the week days even if it is a holiday....The day came at last! I was finally going to head to Equus to start my first day as a secretary to their Royal Majesties' Celestia & Luna, along with Twilight and whom ever Royal needed me so to keep me busy as much as possible so I do not have a bunch of days of inactivity.

I sat ever so patiently as I awaited my transportation to a location to get to Equus, before hand I had a nice chat with my across sea friend and my thoughts afterwards....Many thoughts raced through my mind, all centered on one question: 'What will be my life in the days ahead?'.

After attending to basic chores as drained partially as I was from my current job...I waited....Soon at 1 PM a knock sounded, I answered the door and now...the journey begins.

"Greetings Jesse; my name is Raven, I am Celestia's Head Secretary I shall train and supervise you on your work," Raven stated kindly.

Raven was in the form of a Caucasian woman that basically would be her humanized, she worn a white business suit blouse and skirt with a red tie and red 1 inch heels, she stood at '5-10" with a slender build.

"A pleasure." I said shaking her hand.

"Celestia wishes to inform you that since this is your first day your hours are shortened so you can adjust," Raven informed adjusting her glasses.

"That is kind of her; Let us be off then." I said to which she nodded and we headed out after I locked the house; upon leaving I saw to my surprise was a white Limo, then again I should have known since discretion was the word until Equus is revealed.

"Where are we going to, to get to Equus?"

"We will be heading to an airport called 'Camarillo Airport' there we board a jet and with Princess Luna's assist we shall enter a portal made by her and enter into Equus," Raven answered.

"That sounds perfect, I cannot see a way other than that that is quick." I replied letting Raven enter the limo first.

"Very true, it was the only location we found that is discrete and close enough to your home to make a quick commute; also to let you know this limo will be your daily transportation to and from work." Raven stated.

"I can used to that, Celestia spoils me." I chuckled buckling up before helping myself to drinks in the ice box on board, consisting of alcohol
and soda.

Raven simply giggled in reply before helping herself to a drink.

Soon we were off and on the way I took the driving time to reflect on what was happening, this was an unbelievable experience of a lifetime, being a reluctant brony this was a treat that to a dedicated, passionate brony would be the greatest moment of their life.

Along the drive Raven took the time to view the way in the direction of the journey my family takes to see my cousins in Oxnard, it was not overtly impressive but it was all new to Raven and she liked the sights, particularly the view of our destination from the Camarillo grade going 'down the hill' as my family says.

"The scenery is unique," Raven commented.

"It is not overly special but it is what I grew up seeing; you should view my area of the city we were in before leaving," I remarked.

"One day maybe." she replied.

We eventually arrived at the airport and once parked on the Tarmac there sitting in the sun was a white private jet with no special markings, around the jet however where armed men as security just in case; at the top of the stairs a woman was standing with black hair, no doubt Luna disguised and upon seeing Raven & I approaching she descended the stairs to greet us.

"Warm greetings and well wishes Jesse," Luna said smoothly as she shook my hand.

"Likewise Luna, happy to meet you again." I replied with a smile.

Luna was not in her business suit she had before, now she went casual with blue jeans, silver women's dress shoes with no heels and a dark gray button T-shirt with a stripes pattern.

"I trust the journey was smooth?"

"Yes Luna, traffic for once was minimal on the grade, most of the time people going downhill are idiots," I replied chuckling, Luna chuckled in response.

"Well let's not delay, my sister is waiting for you." Luna said turning to head up to the jet again; Raven and I slowly yet with haste headed after and boarded the plane.

Inside the jet was decorated in Equestrian art and images, which indicated that this jet will never be neutral again but owned by the Equestrian government, it had purple fabric seats and on the walls the images and in the art-style from the book Twilight read about stating Nightmare's return and her appearance in the beginning.

Luna then took her seat toward the front of the plane while Raven and I took the seats closest to her heading back, in the back was a table for meetings, this was looking like and it was later explained, confirmed a private jet version of Air Force One for The Princesses; this makes sense due to that this would be best for a world where even though technology was all over including some modern things it settled by in large early 20th century.

"This is nice...," I remarked looking at the interior, "I take it this will be your jet to travel around in to locations that a chariot would be impossible?"

"Yes it is, purchased discretely and customized with artisan's skilled in jet interior," Luna started explaining, "The US government helped with security measures such as countermeasures and flares in case of attack by hostile aircraft, we are in effect a miniature version of your President's aircraft."

"Not bad, and I bet this all is fascinating to you?" I asked.

"All of your technology is, it took a while to explain the functions and proper usage of everything we will be handling on this jet alone." Luna explained looking a tad embarrassed.

"My mother as you recalled is worse than you."

"I recall that, I feel better for it." she replied standing to tell the pilot to take off before buckling up, we followed suit and the plane was taxied out.

Observing both Luna and Raven I could tell either they were still adjusting to air travel, or this was the first time they even used the plane, which I later found out was the former, and that they trial ran this 5 times, Celestia was aboard 3 of the runs.

Soon we were airborne and things calmed after that, one thing I noticed about the jet too was it sure was custom, they made the fuselage taller for their tall bodies, perfect since Luna had changed back to her Alicorn form, Luna then used her magic to change Raven back to pony form as well, once again I was before anthro-ponies.

"Ah much better," Luna said flexing her wings a tiny bit.

"Once we are out to sea, there we will enter a portal I shall create." Luna explained fetching a drink for herself, a red wine by the looks before seating, "It shall be daylight over there too, and same hour of day as well." She added.

"Very convenient." I remarked while getting a drink offered by a stewardess on board, an indigo earth pony in a sky-blue uniform with the twin sister crest on her right shoulder, the drink was another soda a Dr Pepper.

"That it is; you I trust are aware of your day's activities?" Luna asked.

"All I know is my day is short just so I can adjust and get familiar." I replied.

"Good; well for more detail you shall be doing minor paperwork after getting comfortable, when you do this you shall serve my sister a while, then me, but before me you will be detailing Blueblood." Luna rattled off.

"Blueblood?" I asked unsure with how that will be, he could be a jerk.

"Believe me I understand, I assure you his attitude is better; tough him out and you will be in my service before the day ends." Luna said smiling in a friendly assuring way & tone.

"Very well...." I said almost reluctant to begin, may my shift with Blueblood be kind to me.....

"However..." Luna said suddenly, "Should Twilight or Cadence drop in you will be assisting either one." Luna smirked winking at me.

"That would be nice." I chuckled in replied, trolling must be either a sister thing or in the family.

"I told him I would supervise him as well Princess." Raven informed.

"Very good Raven, you are in good hands Jesse." Luna said sipping her wine.

"I believe I am; so where in Equestria are we landing?" I asked.

"Cloudsdale." Luna said.

"From there via Luna's chariot we fly to Canterlot." Raven added.

"Sounds like a plan; I am satisfied with the preparations." I remarked hoping things will keep going as smooth as they seemed to have planned.

"Good; now you will upon arriving at Canterlot be taking an oath of secrecy, this will be a serious one so I only wish to express fair warning," Luna explained, "For this oath has a magic binding to it that will regrettably punish you should you break the oath..." She finished her tone reflecting care toward me like she was with reluctance forcing me into a dark deal, concerning really.

"I understand but why?" I asked wanting to ease my nerves.

"Because, for your sake and safety, plus reasons of being considered insane; would it work out for you if no one believed?" Luna explained, "In addition it is in God's timing...Need a reason?" she added.

"None more needed; I understand clearly." I replied.

"Excellent." Luna responded with a smile.

The journey was brief for soon we were out over the South Pacific ocean before Luna opened the portal we were to pass through to enter Equestria, on the planet Equus, before hand Luna gave me a slight warning.

"Before we enter the portal fair warning; we shall be accelerating rapidly when we enter the portal."

"I expected that, though part of me wanted it smooth I suspected it would not be easy." I said confirming I heard her.

The plane then entered the portal and in an instant lurched forward like warp speed pushing me back in my seat, light flashed outside briefly but soon blue sky was seen again, but when I peeked out to look at the view...There it was...Equestria! More importantly the floating cloud city of Cloudsdale, on was on Equus at last.

"How is the view out there?" Luna asked chuckling a little.

"More than one can say....How will ponies respond to a human?" I asked having completely forgot I did not bother to ask.

"Ah yes, well we have an ID card for you, as well as we informed those who need to know along with assigning a pony to be your chaperone while here." Luna explained.

"Who is my chaperone?"

"Your chaperone will be one of the Element bearers, of the 6 one stepped forward to the task." Raven replied.

"And she would be?" I asked.

"Lady Applejack." Luna answered.

"I have a friend who would get a kick out of that." I chuckled thinking of a friend from the Netherlands and admirer of Aj.

"What is his name?" Luna asked.

"Boaz."

"Ah; I suppose when the time comes I shall assist in a little introduction~" Luna giggled.

"He would do flips over that and cry tears of joy."

"He really loves her that much?"

"Same way I held you in high regard if not more so."

"I pray it works well for him."

"As do I; him and me both." I finished as out plane touched down at Wonderbolt's Academy of which made sense for a landing place as it was technically part of Cloudsdale.

Exiting the plane we were greeted by Capt. Spitfire, or now known and Maj. Spitfire.

"Your Majesty." Spitfire said saluting Luna on sight.

"At ease Major, thank you for coming to meet us and escort us." Luna replied.

"It's an honor and privilege Princess Luna, just doing an act of duty." Spitfire responded as she and us headed to the Gothic looking chariot, it was a Gothic and Spartan as it was menacing, almost reminiscent of Hades' chariot from Disney's Hercules.

After boarding I noticed the guards were armed, but not with a spear but a bolt-action rifle, what looked to be a combo of a Lee-Enfield and a '03 Springfield; of which it have the body, muzzle of a Springfield, but bore an Enfield bolt & fixed magazine, I found out it however fired what the rest of the rifle suggest's a 30-06 round.

"I see how your guards are actually armed." I remarked.

"Alas as you can gather already, Equus is not the Eden one would think." Luna replied as soon we lurched forward and was airborne in no time but Spitfire stayed behind.

The view from above was spectacular! I was given a Eagle eye's view of the land of Equestria, Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres, The Everfree, and area around was vivid and clear, despite the heights I was in awe even more so when the capital came gleaming into sight gilded and shiny.

"Canterlot..." I uttered with jaw agape.

"It is indeed, for me home sweet home again." Luna replied comedically closing my mouth with a click and an index finger pushing my jaw with a giggle; how embarrassing...

Passing the towering structures of the city we touched down with amazing grace and smoothness like a plane as we just as easily rumbled on the street with trotting hooves of centaur guards along side pacing us.

Canterlot was a gilded marble, a gem; the show pales in comparison to the scale and rich details of the Equestrian capital, nobles and common ponies run, walk, gallop or trot about as do cars I saw right out of '20's America and Europe.

Homes were a mix of early 20th Century and Victorian era homes each was roughly located like in the show with a few meaning out of 25, 7 houses looked modern-ish; I expected this from a capital built only so many centuries ago since Celestia decided to for the sake of memories abandon the capital where Ponyville would and may have been what this place is, homes of the elite and nobility.

After rumbling into the entrance accessible via chariot Luna, Raven, and I un-boarded the ride and under escort walked inside the keep to the Thrones Room where Celestia was waiting for us; walking about the halls I was blown by the portraits and statues in the place, there was also guards lining the halls and maids & butlers.

And who do I find heading toward us from the room we seek is none-other than the stuck up prince Blueblood, it took the now semi-egotistical royal no time to notice me.

"Egad's....Auntie Luna what is that?..." Blueblood asked looking partially disgusted and mostly surprised.

"This is Jesse our new part-time Secretary." Luna replied refraining from rolling her eyes and sounding annoyed & sarcastic.

"But what is he?..."

"He's a human your Highness." Raven informed trying not to reply dryly.

"Oh; well I do adore having more help around, he better not slack off."

"I assure you his work ethics and dedication will be exceptional." Luna replied really trying to be civil in her tone.

"Good~ Farewell then 'Jesse'; see you shortly, I have sooo much to do. Ta~" He said walking haughtily off, seriously I promise you he gets more tolerable later trust me...I have documental proof...

"He is....Something." I remarked once moving on and after Blueblood was out of range.

"I apologize for if I uttered that Blueblood has improved his attitude." Luna sighed near deadpanning in her expressions.

"No no I will be fine with him."

"I hope so because you just met him...I live with him..." Luna said dryly this time, an eye twitching.

"I work for him and I agree, Blueblood's demeanor has improved minorly since the Gala of 5 years ago." Raven remarked.

"Tell me however that he and Shining Armor had a diplomatic mission once."

"Oh yes he did and yes he did show change despite the egotism he displayed." Luna replied.

"Lovely..." I responded showing a little joy in that revelation.

After a further walk we finally arrive in the Thrones Room where Celestia sat on her throne until seeing us brought her standing and walking to us smiling.

"Welcome at last to Canterlot!" She exclaimed jubilantly arms open.

"Wonderful to be here, hard to imagine looking around this was all real and right before me." I replied rubbing the back of my head.

"I didn't expect you to take it all in at once Jesse." Celestia giggled as she pulled Luna into a hug.

"I tried."

"Well now that you're here please follow Raven back out into the city again to Rarity's shop? She has your new suit ready for you."

"How did she-?..." I was about to finish my question when I quit on it shortly after I thought of my answer I sought.

"I informed her ahead of time by eyeballing your size." Celestia answered anyways.

"Very well I will head to her shop, I must say I am flattered to meet one of the 6 mares on my first day."

"And I'm certain she and the others will be pleased to get to know you too." Luna stated subtly winking at me.

"That would be perfect." I replied bowing slightly as I and Raven headed back out again to meet with the Lady of Generosity, Rarity Gemstone; oh I can only imagine how this will go meeting the famous fashionista herself.

TO BE CONTINUED.