Got a Light?

After cleaning for a couple hours, I’m graced to a delicious breakfast with Celestia, her new student, and Blueblood. When we first ate together, Blueblood and Twilight were both shocked to see I ate meat, but quickly calmed down. For being a bunch of herbivores, they seem to accept omnivores pretty well.

I actually asked what their deal with that is. I expected them to freak out and outcast me. Maybe even banish me. They told me that it didn’t bother them at all, in fact, it calmed them. To know that they had an omnivore on their side, something they considered a true predator, made them feel safe. Since they knew I would never eat them, they all figured that I would protect them from anything that would try to eat them. It didn’t make sense to me, but who am I to tell them what to and not to believe.

That's not to say that I wouldn’t protect them, because I would. I have in the past, and I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t continue to do so.

“So, Clean, how is cleaning going?”

“I’m an over 200 year old janitor, how do you think I’m doing?”

“Uhh…”

“Pretty good actually. So, Twilight and Blueblood, how are classes going?” I asked.

Blueblood shot up first, “They’re great! Today we learned how to hoof paint! Then we practiced our singing in chorus! Twilights a better singer than I am...but that's okay!”

Twilight beamed at the compliment, she adores praise, no matter who its from. “But you’re better at hoof painting than me! The picture you drew of Cl-” Blueblood covered her mouth with his hoof and looked around sheepishly.

“Shhh Twilight! I don’t want them to find out yet…”

“Oh, sorry Blueblood.”

Celestia and I shared a knowing glance. Kids will be kids, even if they’re no longer foals.

“So, what classes are left today?”

“Well, we have another math class, and after that we have to attend our Ancient Equish class, I find it silly tho. Why would we have to learn a dead language anyway?”

Twilight, the ever present learner, spoke up before Celestia or I could. “We learn it, so that we can learn more about our past and our ancestors! That, and it sounds cool!”

“Y’know, Celestia and I actually know Old Equish. So it's not THAT dead. Unless you think we’re both so old that we might as well be.” I knew I had Blueblood there, and if the embarrassed look on his face was anything, he knew he was in a bind.

“It's not that you're old Clean! It's just that… well… um…”

“He means that it's not commonly spoken anymore. Besides, when was the last time either of YOU used Old Equish anyway?” Twilight said, earning a thankful look from Blueblood

Celestia and I turned to each other knowingly again. We actually used it quite often, if not for the fun of it. We oftentimes liked to make fun of the nobles with it, since none of them remember it past grade school.

Stifling a laugh, I asked Celestia, “What did the pony say when it fell? “

Already knowing where this was going she could only reply, “What?”

“I've fallen and I can't giddyup!"

Never before have I seen such a look of disappointment on Celestias face. Nor the look of pure confusion coming from the two foals on the other side of the table as I burst out laughing with tears streaming down my face. If there's one thing I loved more than cleaning it was a good joke.

-=- -=- -=-

“C-Cehehehe Celestia.. So hahah. Ah god, its just to damn funny. I can’t even finish the joke.”
“You sure do enjoy your jokes, don’t you little human?”
“Little? Oh god that brings up another great joke. So a pony goes to the doctor and tells him, ‘Doc, I think I’m dying. I have this terrible sore throat.’”
“Yes, and?”
“The doctor replies, ‘It's okay—you’re just a little horse.’"
Celestia had to stifle a giggle, wiping away the tears from before as her new friend breaks down in tears, desperately trying to suck in air.

She had never had another treat her like an equal. For years she was forced the be the better, to be the highest caliber, the one everypony strives to be, but never will. But this one human. This one creature. This single...person… had made her feel wanted again. Like she belonged where she was. She knew she would never be able to repay him for his kindness this cold and lonely Summer Solstice night. He had willingly given her a shoulder to cry on, and a warm feeling in her belly. For once in years, she found someone better than her. Not morally, but maybe in feelings. He was happy and content with his life, but here she was, barely making it day to day.

From this point on, she would find a way to repay him, to give him back the same kindness he gave her tonight. Maybe, life wasn’t as bad as she thought it to be…

*Click Click* “Hey Celestia, you there boss?”

“Bwuh huh?”

“You just stopped lauging and went silent, Twilight and Blueblood were getting worried about you. They’ve still got to go to class, you know?”

Looking over to the two the foals, they were both holding onto her legs and trying to get her attention.

“Aunty?”
“Celestia?”

She scooped up both foals and held them to her muzzle and nuzzled them. “I’m sorry children, I was just reminiscing about the old times.”

“What were you thinking about Auntie?”

“Don’t worry about it little one, just some personal matters. Nothing little foals who will be late to class need to worry about.” She set them down and battered them lightly with her wings. “Now get going, you still have personal classes with me later Twilight.”

“Okay Princess! C’mon Blueblood, lets go!”

Blueblood spared one last look at Celestia before running up to her one more time and hugging her legs. “I love you Auntie, thank you…” Then he ran off to join Twilight.

“Well… That was cute.”

“Indeed it was Clean, indeed it was.”

Both Celestia and I left the dinner room to move to the throne room. It was time to continue with day court, and I figured I would join her and clean the room before it was packed. Usually I help her with the ponies, since most of them bring up trivial matters instead of actual events that need attention

None of them really minded it, in fact, a lot of the ponies welcomed me to help their princess. I’ve been in this land so long that many come just to get a chance to speak with me. They tell us their problems, and I usually give them some insight or just regular advice. Sometimes I’ll take one of them into a side room to give them one-on-one counseling, since some of their matters are more private. I’ve become a sort-of impromptu therapist.

“I don’t want to appear selfish, but stop what you’re doing and focus on me.”

The mare had to stop herself. She came in yelling about how a bunch bunnies were ruining her flower garden.

“Have you ever… I dunno… thought of putting up a fence or something? Surely an ‘intelligent’ mare like yourself could do that.”

“Now see here! I came to see the princess, not some two legged janitor with a power complex!”

“You know what, I’m gonna give you a nickname.”

“A nickname?! I have a name you uncultured swine!”

“How about Whiney Face?”

A couple of the other ponies in the line start to laugh at the already embarrassed mare.

“Or how about Whiney Bitch? Whiney Hoofton?”

“Thats it! I’ve had enough, I won’t be ridiculed by somepony lesser than me! Good day sir!”

“Seeyah Whiney Face. Welp, thats another one down Princess, if you need me, I’ll be cleaning anywhere fucking else but here.” I waved off the other ponies. “If you need me, you’ll know where to find me.”

“Bye Mister Clean!” Sounded the rest of the group as I left the room.

Another successful day as the janitor.