Limbless Wooden Doll: One
Princess Celestia of the Eternal Sun, Daybreaker, sole ruler of the nation of Equestria, had taken a very different approach to ruling after the fall of her sister. Granted, she had been rather distant in the months after it, but she'd eventually hidden her feelings behind an unwavering mask.
She had honed her ability to analyze the emotions and mannerisms of others and make predictions based on that. Of course, this had its own failings and led to lesser-known war with Griffonia* that ended swiftly but eventually led to the more popular 'Hippogriffonian War'**. It was a devastating one but it also proved itself a lesson for the lone princess.
Celestia would become a ruler of understanding and wisdom instead of knowledge and power. She would allow her precious ponies to grow and discover on their while she'd smile and give them encouragement. She'd try her best to drive those who were on a dark path towards the light.
The solar princess was well aware that this would be a tedious policy to implement and that so long as there were ponies who remembered her most recent failings— that of her sister and the war— she wouldn't be shed in the most desirable light.
So she changed history.
Only the smallest bit of course. Made things regarding Princess Luna— or Nightmare Moon— decidedly vague. Enough so that the less inquisitive ponies wouldn't connect the dots and the far more invested ponies would know she didn't want it spoken of. Regarding the war, Celestia and Emperor Bastion of Griffonia had agreed that it was a mistake on both their parts and had the incident largely erased from history. In an effort to further appease the princess— because a happy goddess is a tame goddess— he offered up what remained of the pony POW's*3. One of which was a colt no older than twelve by the name of Blueblood. As the only one of troubling age amongst the former prisoners, Celestia decided to take care of him herself.*4
In order to speed along the changes, she had a new city built on Mount Canter. This she made the new capital: Canterlot. Of course, upon realizing that she was leaving the petrified Discord in the same lands that housed the Tree of Harmony, she had him moved to the new capital as well, assuring her citizens that no harm would come to them from him and she was convinced of it as well.
All in all, she had succeeded in becoming the ruler she believed was best. Yes, her nobles treated the masses the way that Unicorns of old had treated Earth Ponies— albeit to a lesser degree— but the masses were altogether a rather genial lot.
Of course, only two years before the expected return of Nightmare Moon, Celestia felt a... disruption. A disturbance so discordant and outside the norm that she'd immediately made to scry Discord's location and let out a relieved sigh when he still held his spot in the garden— her guards knew better than to question her change in attitude. While it didn't completely rule him out it allowed her to relax the slightest bit. Discord wasn't one for staying still; if it was him she'd find out soon enough.
This train of thought was interrupted by her student who thought it prudent to teleport directly in front of her throne*5. That certainly got the guards' attention but Celestia had halted them easily enough.
As Twilight launched herself into a rant that consisted of questions and half sentences, Celestia allowed herself a second to zone out.
Surely the first of the nobles should arrive with their requests for the Royal Court and yet she couldn't the usual throng of ponies behind the door. It was linked to that anomaly certainly but by how much? It had to be rather troubling if the townsponies hadn't already bucked down her door already.
Then again perhaps it was something that was significantly intriguing to have drawn their attention away from her. That was unlikely, however, seeing as somepony would've had complaints.
The princess briefly pondered mobilizing the guards when the doors to the throne room were drawn open in the grasp of a lavender-pink glow, just enough for a singular pony to step through. The pony himself was one Shining Armor. Shining Armor moved forward while the rest hung back in the doorway, seemingly keeping an eye on something just out of sight. The Unicorn stopped a respectable distance from the throne and bowed, briefly taking note of his sister.
"Princess," Armor spoke, voice low and steady.
"Rise, Lieutenant. What have you found?" Silently, Celestia pondered recommending the addressed stallion to Captain Iron Knight as the next Captain of the Guard.
Armor opened his mouth, paused, and then closed it, unable to find the right words. A frown marred his white muzzle then he let out a sharp whistle. In response, the doors were drawn in further. Surrounded by a detail of guards, the creature being herded— for when one is pushed ahead at spearpoint that is all it can be— towards the center of the throne room while dripping water looked none too pleased. While the being's face was far too alien to analyze facial expressions, the creature was tense, its visible eye darting across the room.
Celestia held back a sigh. "Lieutenant Armor, please have the Court canceled."
With a restrained sort of smugness, he replied, "It has already been done, Princess."
Celestia let out a small laugh, standing from her throne at the same time. She motioned for guards escorting the creature to bring it along. When Twilight accosted her with a begging stare, the princess assured her that she would have a chance to speak with the creature another time— if it proved to have no ill intent— and Twilight had moved off to make preparations.
When Celestia began to lead her little entourage, the creature made a sound reminiscent of clearing one's throat.
She stifled another sigh.
The two sat at a table. It was clearly meant for a meal and while discretion would normally be a prerequisite in these situations, Celestia found that having an audience made sure everypony was cautious.
Two guards stood on opposite sides of her chair and slightly behind while two guards did the dame for the being seated before her. Her 'guest' looked quite uncomfortable in her seat.
"Could I interest you in a drink? Coffee or tea, perhaps?" The look on her guest's face became rather pained at the question.
"You could not. Thank you for the offer, Celestia-hime." The princess almost raised a brow at the suffix attached to her name but two and two together easily enough. It was said with enough respect that she surmised that was how princesses were addressed in the language the creature naturally spoke— because her accent was distinct enough that it was clear she didn't normally speak Equestrian.
They sat in silence before the princess spoke once more. "I'm afraid I've never seen one like yourself before. What exactly is your species called?" Best to start with simple questions first.
"Human."
"Ah. And your name?"
There was a pause as her guest rested her chin on her left hand. Those seemed rather Tauran at least.
"Shizuko Abe. It is a pleasure to meet you, Celestia-hime." Celestia simply gave an acknowledging hum.
"I've never heard a name quite like that," she replied. 'Shizuko' rolled her eyes. Amusement? Very probably.
"You must tell what the names are like here, Celestia-hime. I believe I do not understand." Shizuko had the smallest smile on her face, though Celestia couldn't help but feel there was something wrong with the smile itself.
Putting aside her momentary skepticism— but not discarding it— the princess began to list a great many examples of Equestrian names, only stopping when a maid came by and set a cup of jasmine tea in front of her. She lifted it with her magical grasp and took an indulgent sip. Setting the cup down on the marble table before glancing back at the human.
In the silence that followed Celestia took the chance to properly take in the appearance of her guest. The attire she wore was similar to what she'd those who held desk jobs in larger companies. The mess of black hair atop her head was done up in a bun— thoroughly soaked like the human herself— that enough free for a curtain of hair to cover Shizuko's left eye. Though, aside from some hair right above her only visible eye and the aforementioned mop atop her head, the female was furless.
Shizuko spoke up again, straightening her back as she did so. "Would it be preferred if I chose a different name? It would make things a bit less troublesome, yes?"
Celestia's ears perked up. While it wasn't a first, she'd met few beings that would throw away their names for the sake of convenience*6. Either the human was a spy— unlikely, seeing as she'd never heard word of the species— or names simply didn't have the same cultural significance in Shizuko's homeland as it was nearly everywhere else.
"Oh, there's no need for that; my little ponies are quite excepting." She didn't miss the relieved look that her guest gave her but it was interrupted by a yawn.
"Ah. Apologies, Celestia-hime."
"You needn't apologize; we can continue this discussion tomorrow but I warn you, my student shall likely sit in on it as well." Celestia took a sip of her tea. Lukewarm. How long had they been sitting there?
Shizuko stood from her seat and gave the princess a stiff bow. "Thank you for the forewarning, Celestia-hime."
Celestia stood from her chair as well and gave a nod to the guards. "These four will guide you to a guest room; if you need something, simply ask the guards outside your door." Said guards moved to take up positions around the human, whose visible eye observed them. "It was a pleasure speaking with you Shizuko; I'm afraid I don't often have pleasant company."
Once more, Celestia saw the smallest of smiles on Shizuko's face and once more Celestia couldn't help but feel it was odd. And of course, the guards led her quarry away before she read any further into it.
Releasing a sigh, the princess lifted the teacup in the golden glow of her magic and drained what was left of her tea. It wascold and only then did she notice how bitter it was.
"She'll be kept under watch," she muttered to herself. Why she felt unnerved in the face of a creature with no obvious physical advantages— It was barely her own height for Her sake!— she'd never know. She'd faced dragons before!
Having the human under surveillance didn't reassure her much but it would keep her from doing something uncalled for.
"Yes, that will have to be enough for now," she continued as she set the cup on the table once more. She would have to set up a meeting with the Council once she finished her discussions with the human; they'd want to know of any and all developments.
"This is your room, Miss."
Shizuko was snapped out of her internal musings took note that they had stopped in front of an obnoxiously large door. "Ah. Thank you." She moved to open the door but froze when it was surrounded by a pale blue glow and seemed to open on its own.
Her eyes snapped to the horned guard whose horn emitted a light identical to that of the door. Soon, it faded and guard— Unicorn, I think?— gave her a nod. She mumbled a thank you as she stepped into her room. As soon as she was outside of swinging range, the doors closed behind her. She gave the door a long stare before she removed her heels.
The room was large— far larger than she was used to— and surprisingly enough, the bed looked large enough to accommodate someone of her stature.
Despite being exhausted, Shizuko moved without enthusiasm and slowly made her way over to the bed. She sat on the edge of the bed and reached up to undo her bun. Her hair only barely reached past her shoulders and because of how wet she'd gotten earlier it made a stringy veil over her face. She blew a few errant strands of hair away from her lips.
Swinging her legs onto the bed, she laid on her back and stared at the ceiling through her obscured vision.
"Nanidatta? 'My little ponies are quite excepting'?" She scowled, or at least, tried to. "Warawasenaide."
She rolled onto her side in an attempt to get comfortable. Some part of her hoped that when she fell into that pond, she just got sick and this was some fever dream.
Then again... Maybe it was better if it wasn't.
Author's Note
Disregard the whole 'Daybreaker' thing in the beginning; that's just a moniker used in regards to Celestia and has no relation to the 'actual' Daybreaker.
*: Less a war and more like 'raping your uncle because all the memes said uncles are rapists so you didn't wanna take chances even though there is literally no proof that your uncle is a rapist'. It was a preemptive strike that made no sense to anybody but the person doing it.
**: And by 'more popular', I mean, 'every other nation referred to it as such'.
*3: Because when you lose a war, you need to have some leverage so the victor doesn't completely bum you.
*4: And thus we had the birth of House BlueBlood.
*5: A lot of assassination attempts had started out the same way and after the disturbance in the force, you can understand why she was somewhat peeved.
*6: The few she had met were all spies; her own or otherwise.
Also, overly polite conversation was polite.
Next chapter will definitely be longer. By how much? Hell if I know.