A Warrior's Call

I awoke to beams of sunlight shinning through my window. The morning light hit me hard, reminding me of the craziness of last night. I did everything I possibly could do with an animal except fuck it. This realization was one I never really wanted to have... ever. She has a personality and is intelligent, so maybe she's less of an animal? I don't know, but what I do know is, I'm in a relationship with a pony. Not the worst thing ever, especially when the devil is up your ass about a practical joke.

"Time to get up Travis." Elysa said, throwing a pillow at me.

The pillow made impact, sending my head back down to my bed.

"You looked like you could use a bit of encouragement right now."

"Thanks Elysa." I said, head sandwiched between pillows. "I really wanted to sleep some more."

"No-can-do Travis. Luna's waiting to see you." She said, walking over to me. "She hasn't stopped talking about you the entire morning."

"I figured... especially after last night." I said, getting out of bed.

"Yeah, she sparred no details... she's rather euphoric today."

"Maybe I can try to calm her down?" I guessed.

"Not likely. When Luna obsesses over something, It takes an eternity for her to calm down."

"I kind of figured that out." I commented while buttoning up one of my new shirts. I received a whole wardrobe of the latest fashion, modified to my personal measurements last night.

"I can see you have received my gift." She said, handing me a pair of socks. "I felt like black pin-stripe was a good color for you."

I finished buttoning up the white dress shirt. "Yeah I didn't know you were so formal all the time."

"Just this city." Elysa commented abruptly.

My new wardrobe was mostly made up of formal suits, but also had some hints of casual wear in it. I had a t-shirt in every color of the rainbow, and shorts in khaki, black, grey, and my original pair as well. It was a nice gesture for sure.

"I think a red tie would look nice on you today." Elysa said, holding a red tie against my white shirt. "You know how to tie it right?"

"Yeah, I'm not that uncultured." I responded, poking a little fun at myself.

"Hey, they might not have all this stuff in your home."

"Well... I guess you have a new point." She said pausing. "Let's finish getting you dressed."

***

"Travis!!!" Luna shouted in excitement. "Thou looks incredibly dashing today!" She said, running up to me giving me a hug.

The hug was really inviting, and felt less forced than last night. It actually felt really warm and nice.

"How did you sleep?" I asked, trying to start some sort of conversation.

"We did not sleep at all." My eyes gave off a look of disbelief at what she just said.

"Isn't that bad for your health?"

"Not at all." She said, looking up at me with a smile. "We can go many nights without rest, 'tis nothing compared to what We've done in the past."

"Ok, but just make sure to get some sleep every now and then."

"Here, follow us to my room. There we will eat, then discuss matters." She said, motioning for me to follow her.

I was very intrigued to find out what Luna was planning. I'm guessing she just wants to chill, but with this girl... you can never really know. I've come to find out much about her since we met last night. She said we were going on a tour of the castle, but that didn't really happen... we kinda just sat under the stars and watched a meteor shower. It doesn't bother me much that she changed the plans, I actually kind of like it. I feel like maybe we could be spontaneous in the future? But who knows.

We continued down the main hallway, coming to a large door that had the same markings that Luna had on her ass. Not that I really stare at it, cause that would be weird. I'm just saying I've noticed it on her ass. But anyways... I saw it and guessed it was probably her room. She opened the door, and we went inside.

"This room belongs to us. How does thou like it? Does thou approve, Travis?" She asked, looking back at me.

"Yes, it is quite nice. I love the blue accents on the wall."

Her face smiled like a giddy schoolgirl. "We knew you would enjoy the magnificent decor of my dwelling."

"So what did you want to talk about Luna?" I asked.

"Well, we would like to ask thou some questions, Travis." She said, sitting down on a blue couch. "First, we would like to mention that we are glad to accept you into our own... but secondarily, we must ask about the kiss we gave you last night." Her face blushed.

I sat down next to her, looking at her confused. "What about it?"

"We believe, it was un-mare like to do such a thing." Her voice squeaked. "We believe that we should not have done such a thing... we are sorry."

"Hey, it's alright." I said, trying to think of something to calm her down. "I understand why you did it."

"Really?" She said, trying to hide her face with her hooves.

"I think we've all really been in love with someone." I told her, recounting the times I've wanted to kiss a crush in my head. "I was thrown back a little bit by it, but I've determined that you probably don't get many guys, so I just didn't really think anything of it."

"That is true, we have not had a serious suitor before..."

"I imagine it is purely circumstances though, compared to all the other ponies I've seen, you're obviously the most beautiful one." I said, trying to cheer the mare up.

My complement worked as intended, forcing a giggle from her.

"Thou does not even know the whole tale!" She laughed.

"I intend to hear it someday." I laughed along with her.

"Maybe thou will here a princesses tale one day, but as of now, We lack the drive to do so."

"Yeah, I'd say the same thing if I was you... hell, running a kingdom is a lot of paperwork." I made Luna laugh yet again.

"Dost thou make a mockery of the duties that only a princess can fulfill?" She quipped back.

"Guilty as charged." I said, holding my hands out to be shackled.

Luna kept laughing, swiping my hands aside with her hooves. "Our giggling has heightened to a point that it hurts!"

"Then just stop laughing."

"Thou knows that one does not simply stop laughing." She responded. "How about we take a moment to eat?" She said, trying not to laugh.

"That's perfectly fine with me." I said as she gathered some food together.

The food she made looked somewhat similar to a parfait, yet different at the same time. It was a soft white, with a sort of puffiness to it that I had never seen before. I guess I shouldn't keep expecting normal food anymore. Just as I am exited to try new things, I wish that I have some sort of comfort to fall back on. Something to keep me from losing all that I hold dear within. Let's just hope that my memories fade too soon.

"We have taken to cooking recently." Luna commented, tasting her own food.

"That's nice, it is quite a good hobby to have."

"It helps with our boredom." She said with a mile long stare.

"I imagine so. I used to make models of planes and ships to solve mine." I said, thinking back to my obsessions.

"Interesting." She said, breaking her gaze. "How enjoyable was your hobby?"

"I loved it. It was like creating a little version of the real object. The best part was paying attention to the littlest of details, trying to make it look life-like."

"How big were the 'planes' that thou created?" She asked.

"Well, most of them could fill this room in its entirety." Her eyes widened.

"How fascinating! Thou's world must be full of contraptions!" She said with her mouth full.

"Yes, it really was. Every problem you could think of, we have an answer to." I boasted.

"Hmm..." She paused, thinking. "... We were thinking of something, but now have forgotten what we were going to say."

"By the way Luna, the food tastes great." I commented.

"It makes us incredibly overjoyed to hear that somepony enjoys my creations." She said, her face lighting up with happiness. "We would love to cook for thou whenever Travis pleases."

"Don't threaten me with such a tempting offer!" I joked, trying to keep the mood light. "If you did that for me, I'll get fat really quickly." Luna laughed and took another bite of her food.

A smile was present on both of our faces as we finished breakfast. A good mood was important for me right now. I have to face many of these ponies today, asking tons of questions, wanting to know everything about me. The thought of being barraged with ponies kind of sours my mood, but not enough to make me frown. I mean for the first time in a while, I actually have a girlfriend. I'm no Hugh Heffner, but I've had my fair share of girlfriends. I've had about 4 or 5, enough to really say I'm a little bit experienced with the ladies. There was a while after I graduated high school that I didn't have a girlfriend, but that was purely circumstantial.

"Travis, is thou nervous about today?" Luna asked, seeming to read my mind.

"Yeah, a little bit."

"There is nothing to be worried about." She said, calming me slightly. "Go out and act naturally."

"I'll try to... it just seems kind of hard to do in a different place."

"Nonsense! Get out and act from the heart!" The blue mare let out enthusiastically.

"Well now that you put it that way..."

"We do have a charming touch." Luna piped.

"You could say that." I laughed.

****

"Hey you're the new guy the paper was talking about!" A mare behind the counter said to me.

"Yep, that's me."

"What will you have? It's on the house."

"I'll take a creamy cola." I said, smiling at her.

"Alright Mr, I'll have that whipped up in just a second." She said, pulling out a glass.

Today hasn't been that bad. Every single one of these ponies seem to like me, even though I've never met any of them. Mares and stallions have come up to me, welcoming me into this city. The rich, the poor, and everypony in between have all approached me today... it's like I'm an instant celebrity here. It's not a bad feeling though... I've gotten a lot of free things today.

"Here you go Mr. Travis. Anything else? We have the best sandwiches in all of Equestria!"

She handed me the drink, offering me lunch.

"Well, if you must... I'll take a LTT." I said, requesting an interesting-looking sandwich.

"You got it."

I took the first sip of the cola. I instantly realized why everyone had recommended this place. This drink was good. Way better than any soft-drinks back on earth. Just the right amount of sweetness, just the right amount of fizz, and just the right amount of bite. Even with the great tasting cola, I was still only thinking of one thing... no alcohol. The thought couldn't escape my mind.

The soda parlor was rather empty for an afternoon, but I figured they probably did most of their business to kids. Looking around, I noticed something was off. The place looked like a bar that had been altered for a younger audience. There was an actual bar, a mirror behind the bar, and various little things a bar would have. Keg looking drums sat beneath the opposite side of the bar. It looked suspicious for sure.

"Ok, your order is in, it will only be a little bit."

"I have a question." I asked.

"Yes?" She replied.

"Was there a time when alcohol was legal in Equestria?" I asked.

"Yes, it was outlawed two years ago under 'The Better Citizen Act'."

"I see, I was just wondering."

"Might I ask a question?" She said.

"Sure."

"Is it legal where you come from?" She asked with a puzzled face.

"Yes it is. There are very strict regulation laws though. Not to mention heavy taxation on the sale and manufacturing."

"Oh, does it work?"

"Sometimes. If someone wants to make a bad decision, they will make it." I said, trying to keep my answer simple.

"I see." She said, nodding her head. "Well, if you need anything... give me a shout."

Just as she finished speaking, a dark coated stallion entered the establishment. The bell on the door rang. The male was wearing a tan suit and fedora, smoking a cigarette.

"Mr. Dorache! Good to see you again." The waitress behind the bar greeted.

I turned my head to get a good look at the pony, who looked quite out of place. His three piece suit was what caught my eye first. The materials looked very expensive. Every little detail of the outfit was squared away, giving me the impression that this man meant business.

Just as I finished inspecting him, his head shot over towards me. His eyebrows scrunched up and his head leaned towards me. Without breaking eye contact, the pony began fiddling around in his suit jacket. His hand pulled out a copy of the daily paper.

"Wait a minute..." He said, taking the cigarette out of his mouth. "You're that Stallion in the paper."

"Yes, that's me." I responded, taking another sip of the cola.

"My name is Al Dorache. I'm the... Owner of this establishment." He said, rushing over to me with his hoof extended.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Dorache, my name is Travis." I said, shaking his hoof.

He climbed up on a stool next to me and pulled out an ashtray out of his pocket.

"Care for a smoke?" He asked, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket.

"Yeah, sure."

I pulled a smoke from his pack and put in my mouth. The man lit a match and held it up for me.

"So you're really from a different planet?" He asked, ashing his cigarette.

"Yeah, that would also be me." I exhaled. "I just found myself here for no apparent reason a few days ago."

"I bet that's hard, especially since we don't have any of your kind here."

"It has been hard, but the worst is yet to come." I said taking another puff.

"What brought you here?" He asked leaning in. "Like here to one of my places?"

"Word around town is that you've got the best drinks... so I just had to try."

"...And?" He asked with excitement.

"It's very good. This cola tastes better than my favorite brand on earth." Mr. Dorache's smile grew to engulf his entire face.

"Wonderful! I knew we had a winning recipe!" He exclaimed. "So what drinks you have where you come from?"

"We've got a lot of sodas and freezes as far as the soft drinks go."

"- you mean to tell me you guys have hard drinks?" He asked, very intrigued.

"Yes."

"Holy Shit. You have no idea how lucky you guys are. Take a look around." He said, pointing around the room.

"Yeah?" I asked, wondering where he was taking our conversation.

"This used to be the most booming bar in all of Equestria. We sold every hard drink imaginable... but we've been forced to 'forget' about liquor." He said with a sigh. "It's bullshit. We used to be packed, with waiting lists... but now it's empty until some rich kid's parents want to fuck."

"I imagine that's tough..." I said while thinking back to Celestia's statements on alcohol.

"Yeah. It's real tough. I know you're all buddy buddy with the Princesses... but you can't tell 'em I said that."

"Of course, I'm all for the freedom of speech."

"You know what... I like you. Travis, I'm going to let you in on a little secret the Princesses don't want you to know about." Mr. Dorache said, leaning in very close to me. "The drinking didn't stop, it just went underground."

"I figured that had happened when I first heard about it..."

"And you would be right." He backed away from me, ashing his cigarette. "Now the gangsters rule the world. Every speakeasy and police officer in Canterlot is paid off and ran by them." He stopped to take another drag. "I get no money from the sales anymore... plus my businesses are heavily regulated since I used to own a bar."

"Who are these gangsters?" I asked.

"The head of the Canterlot operation is just called the Count." I nodded my head, taking another puff of my cig. "The Count is the best known and kept secret at the same time. His goons are everywhere. Everypony knows what happens when ya fuck with the Count. He's got goons on every street corner with guns, ready to react to any kind of situation."

"Where does the Count do his business?" I asked.

"Everywhere in the city, but most all of the 'places' are underground. Ya got to know a pony to get in though."

Mr. Dorache's words intrigued me. How exciting! Speakeasys and gangsters! But, this isn't some action movie... this is real. And since it is real, I could you know get sent to jail or die if I do anything stupid...

"Have you ever been to one?"

"Yeah, there's one on the corner of Gala Street." He responded quickly.

"Why would you so quickly trust me with this answer?"

"Simple, you smoke." He said, outing his cigarette in the ashtray. "Smoking publicly is really looked down on now... and since you took one, I knew I could share something like that with you."

I stared at my cigarette. It had burned almost to the butt. I took it and outed it in the provided ashtray. I knew that my habit of occasionally using tobacco would someday harm me. The last thing I wanted to do was visit some random speakeasy in a town that I just started to explore.

"Ah, I see. Hey Miss! I have to go, I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

"Why go so quickly?" Dorache asked me.

"I have a tight schedule today. Nice to meet you Mr. Dorache."

******

I held onto my hat tightly as a gust of wind hit the main street of Canterlot. It was a windy day for sure, bringing a cold temperature to the air. I had learned that this city was suspended on the side of a mountain, overlooking most all of the major cities of the country. It was a strange thing for sure, but it was rather fascinating. I had learned a lot from the ponies that approached me today, and one of those things was that Canterlot often had windy days like today. More than anything, it reminded me of Chicago. I've only visited there once, but a lot here reminded me of there.

The castle was in sight, like it most always is in this town. It takes quite a long walk to get somewhere where it isn't right in your face. Kind of like the Disneyland castle, just bigger. All over the outside of it are banners and stained windows with the sun and moon. It is nice to look at, but I imagine the novelty fades with time. Guard ponies are on every entrance and balcony, just walking around and talking to eachother. I've only been allowed to speak to a few of them, but the ones I have spoken to are friendly. Most of them joke around, usually at your expense, then tell you that they are 'just yanking your chain'. I see them as a fraternity of sorts. An odd fraternity, but you get the feeling that they are looking out for you.

As the hours have droned on, most of the ponies in Canterlot tend to go home and not roam the streets much. Whereas in the morning, you can't walk down the sidewalk, in the afternoon it is very open. I like it like this. I really enjoy uninterrupted walks. It puts me in a good mood to exercise and think quietly.

I've been thinking a lot on this walk about what Mr. Dorache had told me in his Parlor. Every pony in this town must know about the speakeasys and local corruption. There is almost no way that such a local gathering place, especially when it has alcohol, goes unnoticed by the locals. I could tell Celestia about it... but if Celestia shuts it down, the opportunity to investigate is gone. Celestia has been extremely generous, but my curiosity is peaked. I feel like if I visit this place, I can find out who is getting paid off, and find out who's in the know. All I can do now is wait and plot my next move. I must get back to the castle and spend time with Luna. She's probably dying that I said I would be back an hour ago.

"Right this way Mr. Travis." The front gate guard told me, bowing.

I entered the grounds, walking into the carriage drop off area. I glanced at the main door guards, and I noticed something weird. They were both bowing.

"Suitor, welcome home." The shift captain said, opening the main door.

"Let me guess... 'just yanking my chain' again?" I asked.

"No sir, Mr. Suitor." He said, still in the full bow.

"Then why are you bowing?"

"You are Princess Luna's suitor, sir." He responded.

"Ah I see, thanks." I said, walking through the door.

Everywhere I walked, all the servants and guards bowed to me. Apparently this suitor thing was legit. Everypony I saw addressed me as 'Suitor' and bowed to me. I had not made it up the main steps yet when I saw Celestia standing at the top of them, wings extended fully.

"Suitor, welcome." She shouted. "Please follow me to the throne room, where we will discuss matters."

I followed the Princess to the throne room. My palms were sweating from nervousness. What was this suitor thing? And why did it make Celestia treat me so formally? When we arrived at our destination, the white ruler teleported to her throne seat with a loud zap. Next to her, sitting in her chair was Luna.

"Mr. Travis, please come address me face to face." Celestia asked with no visible emotion.

I walked over to the foot of the throne's stairs.

"I have come to know that you have entered a suitor's relationship with the Princess of the Night, my sister, Luna. What do you say on the matter?"

"I'm assuming that by suitor, you mean a romantic relationship? If that is the case, I must say that I have grown very fond of her in my time with her."

"Yes, suitor. Do you pledge your devotion as suitor to her and her alone?" She asked me, looking down in my eyes.

"Yes Princess Celestia."

"Let it be known to you, that as suitor of a Princess of Equestria, you will be bound to her until you wish to exit the role of suitor. If you wish to exit the role of suitor, you must appeal to me. If you wish to ask for marriage, you must also ask me."

"Yes, Princess." I said, feeling nothing but nerves getting the best of me.

"Your status as suitor can be terminated at any time by Princess Luna, for any reason at all. Your status as suitor grants you an honorable place in the royal family, and a legally binding status."

I glanced a quick look over to Luna. She was trying her best to keep a smile off her face, but she couldn't stop smirking.

"Now Suitor Travis, we will hear the Princess's voice on your suitorship." Celestia finished her statements then looked at Luna.

"We must say that we approve Travis as our suitor." She commented.

"Then it is settled. The kingdom recognizes Mr. Travis as Princess Luna's suitor." She said with a smile on her face.

"Sister, must we continue this outdated suitorship ceremony?" Luna asked Celestia.

"I quite like it Luna." She said with a little laugh. "Well anyways, I'm happy for you Travis. You've made Luna a very happy mare, and I wish you the best of luck going on."

"Thanks Celestia. I was confused at first, but I picked up to what was going on with the whole suitor thing." I confessed, laughing a little bit myself.

"It is a serious matter, but don't really weigh yourself down with it." She said, scratching her chin with her hoof. "I bet you two have lots to talk about, so I'll let you run off."

"Thanks 'Tia!" Luna said, springing from her seat.

Luna jumped off of her throne and quickly joined my side. Her body rose up and her front legs wrapped around my neck in a hug.

"I guess it is official now..." I said, returning her hug.