A Simple Soul

"And here we are."

Said one of the guards standing next to me, while both of us stood in front of the bridge leading us to the castle. The rest of the guards lined up side by side in front of the castle entrance it happened fairly quickly. One moment I was surrounded by the whole squad of guards and the next thing I knew they were just standing in front of the castle guarding the entrance for intruders. Speaking of the castle there I was, in front of Canterlot castle staring some of the finest of structures I've ever seen. Staring in awe I admired the castle and how big it was.

"So, that's Canterlot castle."

"Yup, the finest place in all the land, isn't it beautiful?"

"It reminds me of Game of Thrones."

"What's a Game of Thrones?"

"Nevermind."

I said, being so mesmerized by the aesthetic of the castle I almost forgot I was in a completely different world. Staring up at it one last time before looking down at myself, my sweater has gone through shit the last few weeks. Even after they were washed by the hospital, the stripes on the sweater were almost gone and there were holes in some parts of the sweater. My pants had patches from the mud which were still noticeable with the naked eye, and my shoes well they were already fucked up since my mother never bothered to get me new ones. But now wasn't the time to complain about my clothes, I felt like I was late to the brunch and now she probably thinks I'm irresponsible. That said, I walked down the bridge leaving the guard who I was talking to behind as I came closer to the castle. I held my hands together as I started to get nervous, feeling my palms sweat against each other. My heart rate began to rise as I started to overthink what was going to happen. What if the princess didn't like me? What if she thinks I'm some sort of threat to her land and send me to be executed?

So many possibilities ran through my head that I have yet to realize I was already in front of the gate of the castle. Looking at the gate I slowly came to the realization that maybe I shouldn't worry too much. While staring at the door I took a deep breath in and out, closing my eyes for a moment taking in everything that is happening right now. After taking a few deep breaths I finally mustered up the courage to raise my hand up and slammed it against the gate doing it again two more times knocking on the door before letting my hand down. After waiting in front of the gate for five minutes, I saw the gate slightly open as I saw a mare poking out to see who was knocking on the gate. I looked at the mare as I noticed some features on her, she had a dark brown mane that was tied up in a bun, a pencil on her right ear as her coat was a bright white and had dark orangish eyes that were behind glasses, that along with her white-collar and some red tie looking thing hanging out as she looked around.

At first, she thought it was one of those meddling teenagers pulling another ding dong ditch prank on her, before realizing it wasn't some teenager but a very tall creature who was standing in front of the gate seeing her eyes widen. I thought she was going to scream and run back inside, but before I could even explain why I was here in the first place reaching over to my back pocket to pull out the letter, she interrupted me even before I could get a word out.

"Oh thank Celestia, you're finally here!"

She said as her shocked expression turned into a happy one her hoove extending, somehow grabbing my arm and pulling me inside. Again, before I could even get a word out the mare dragged me down a very large hall and towards an even bigger gate before stopping right in front of it she turned towards me letting go of my hand, giving me a bright smile that told me everything, after this the guards told me about the princess being excited about my arrival, were true. Giving me the confidence to go through that door and finally met the princess head-on, but I didn't because the mare who brought me here began to talk.

"Oh jeez, where are my manners, my name is Raven Inkwell. I am Princess Celestia's secretary and may I be the one to tell you, that it's an honor to meet you, sir. Never have I seen the princess so excited to meet somepo- I mean somebody like yourself."

She said smiling at me as she would extend a hoof out for a shake. I smiled back at her, taking her hoof into my hand as I gently shook it.

"So it is true, she's really excited about getting to know me?"

"Oh yes, you have no idea how much she's been talking about it. She has the whole day planned for the both of you."

She explained letting go of her hoof before she fixed her mane, a strand of hair poking out from the front as she moved her hoof up magically putting it back into her mane. I smile from hearing about the princess dropping everything out of her day, just so she can get to know me? Now feeling butterflies in my stomach, not the feeling of nervousness but the feeling of actually being given a chance to show her who I really was. I held my stomach with both my arms, not so tight but enough to show Raven I was both excited and nervous at the same time, looking at me as she spoke.

"Getting butterflies in your tummy sweetheart?"

"Yeah, a little bit."

"Trust me, she'll probably have the same reaction as you."

She said giggling a bit over how cute at the thought of the princess having butterflies in her stomach. While I held my arms over my stomach Raven would push both doors wide open as I could slowly see the princess sitting on her throne as she was writing off some things on a piece of parchment paper, both the paper and her quill she was using to write with were glowing in a bright yellow aura her horn glowing the same color. Staring at the princess as I saw her mane flowing magically in the air, a mix of a light blue, neon green, a more darker blue and pink with her horn poking out as her crown sat perfectly behind it. Her coat brightening against the sun as her magenta-colored eyes focusing on her work. Walking closer towards her I noticed she was a bit taller than your average pony, judging by her sitting down and the two guards standing on each side of her throne she does appear to be taller than any other equine. As I stood there, standing in front of the first step of the stairs that lead up to the princess's throne. Rave, however, didn't stop there, she would start to trot her way up the stairs and towards the princess, I just stood there waiting and watching as she made her way up towards the throne sitting on her rump as she looked up.

"Princess Celestia."

She spoke, seeing her looking up at the princess as she turned her head down towards her secretary smiling she would put her quill and paper down as she would give her undivided attention. Never have I seen somepony look as beautiful as the princess herself.

"Yes, Ms. Inkwell?"

And hearing her speak made me want to shed a tear, she sounds so much like my mom back when she used to care for me. I held my hand with the other as I tried my best not to say anything until said so, hearing Raven speak again.

"Princess, after much waiting, he's finally here."

She said smiling, looking up at her as I got to see the cutest reaction out of a pony I've ever seen since I've been here. Seeing her eyes widen as she stood on her front hooves wanting to see where I was. I tried my best to hold back a chuckle, smiling and watching the princess acting like an eleven-year-old child being told there's was a surprise for her. Not wanting her to have some sort of a panic attack from all the excitement, I began to walk upstairs towards her taking my hood off as my red hair would get in the way of my eyes. Moving it away a bit as I walked upstairs looking up at the mare, who they met my gaze as I saw her muzzle turn from whimpering crinkled lips to a wide smile.

"You're here!"

She yelled really loud to the point where I felt a huge gust of wind blowing my hair back, hearing her yell echoing behind me as I saw her covering her muzzle with both of her hoofs her cheek glowing bright red in embarrassment on how loud she was.

"Sorry, sometimes when I get too excited I can't control how loud my voice is, I deeply apologize."

"That's okay…"

I muttered out, my face in shock on how loud she was my hair was moved all the way back. It's as if I just managed to escape a tornado and I came out with my hair up in one piece. After processing what just happened I moved my hair back into position as I looked up at the princess smiling walking up to her. I didn't want to get too close, not wanting to be too disrespectful. Princess Celestia took note of this however and she thought that was too far away for her liking as her horn glow that bright yellow from before as a yellow aura appeared around me. I was suddenly lunged towards her as she planted me right next to her, sitting next to the princess on her own throne the yellow aura going away. I was then met with two hooves wrapped around my body as I was pulled into a warm hug. This was very unexpected, I mean she is of a higher class than I am. How is it that somepony of a higher class would want anything to do with me? Let alone the fact that she canceled all her plans just so she could get to know me. What was really going on here?

As we sat together on her throne, feeling her head rubbing up against mine I could hear her sniffing as she spoke.

"Oh dear, someone hasn't showered hasn't he?"

She said giggling, she still kept me in her hooves however like a mother who reunited with her son who just got back from the military. I took this opportunity to hug her back as my arms wrapped around her, she was very slim, not in an unhealthy way no slim enough for me to wrap my arms around her whole body, being careful with her wings as we hugged. Yes, it had been almost three weeks since I haven't showered, so you can imagine all the musk and grease I've built up yet Princess Celestia didn't mind it at all. Raven, who was still standing in front of her throne got a bit uncomfortable with how quiet the room became as she clears her throat.

"W-well Princess, as much as I love to see you finally get to meet the human. Might I remind you that breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes."

She spoke as the princess moved her head away from my own to her turn towards her secretary, the top of my head was warm from hers being on it that I could feel a cold breeze hitting my skull. Hearing a disappointed sigh as she wished she could stay this way just a little while longer feeling her unwrapping her hooves off my of me as I would do the same, getting up and off the throne as I cleared my throat.

"Yes, well I would like to discuss my citizenship with you and almost something more…. problematic."

"What seems to be the problem, Zack?"

I heard the princess speak as both she and her secretary looked at me, wondering what I was going through at the moment. I thought on how I was going to explain, but something about telling them of a dream where I was in slaved into singing a more disturbing version of Wheels On the Bus might make them worry about my sanity. I just shook my head as I looked at both of them.

"Nevermind, I'll explain at breakfast."

"Alright dear, Ms. Inkwell would you please take our guest to our specialists see if they can help him with his… clothes, poor thing looks like he's gone through so much."

She told her secretary as Raven nodded, trotting herself passed me before walking alongside her I looked back at the princess seeing her smile at me before using a hoof moving it back and forth as to say 'go on'. I smiled at her giving the princess a small wave before walking next to Raven making out way out of the throne room. Princess Celestia looked at her secretary and the human walking away as she sighed.

"I just hope he really is the one."

As both Raven and I walked down the halls of Canterlot Castle, noticing the beautiful scenery seeing the sun shining through the large windows which admitted a variety of different colors. After passing the many windows we would pass through a different door, now in a different hallway, I looked at Raven seeing her being very quiet. I softly cleared my throat as I tried to start up a conversation.

"So...how long have you been the princess's secretary?"

I asked, trying to see if she would answer my question in order to start up a conversation while we made our way towards somewhere I'm still not sure where we were going. All I know is that I might be getting a completely new wardrobe and I'm super excited about that as I heard Raven speak.

"As of tomorrow, I will be her secretary for exactly five years."

"Wow...do you like doing what you do?"

"Sometimes, it can be a hassle but it's what brings food on my plate."

"May I ask a little bit about yourself?"

I said, trying to get a little more of her personality as I felt we would both be seeing each other a little. So why not get to know her in a more personal manner and she didn't seem to mind it either as she spoke.

"Well, I'm 24 years old, I was recently divorced and now I'm just trying to bury myself into my work in order to forget what happened between him and I."

She explained with a very serious expression on her face. I stood quiet for a while, I felt like she's holding in all her emotions so she doesn't seem so vulnerable in her work environment. While walking alongside her I gently laid my hand on her back, stroking her back letting her know that she at least has someone to talk to her. I saw her eyes widen as she felt my touch on her back, she's never felt anything like a hand on her and that made her shiver a bit. I saw bet shivering as I removed my hand quickly apologizing."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I thought you'd like a little bit of comfort."

"No ...no it's fine sweetie, it just caught me off guard is all."

She said blushing a bit before walking towards a closed-door stopping and turning towards me as I too stopped, taking a look at the door. Music can be heard playing in the inside as it sounded like some cheesy hair salon in there, watching as Raven walked in as the music sound louder from the inside. Staying by the door I waited for Raven to come back out to tell me that it was clear. Hearing her speak inside as she explained to whoever was in there what she needed from them as I heard many grunts and groans of annoyance until hearing that they'll do it. I then saw Raven pop out of the door as she used her head to point into the room, I sighed nodding before turning towards the open door walking in as the door shut behind me, causing what looked to be five to six equines to turn their heads towards me hearing them gasp as I saw their eyes widen. I stood still as I heard them gasping for air before sighting waving at them all, speaking.

"Hi.."

I said that as one of them looked at Raven before speaking.

"You didn't tell me it wasn't a pony."

"I hope I won't be too much of a bother.."

I said to the mare who was speaking to Raven as I felt like I was wasting their time before seeing her look back at me, using her wing as I heard a snap. Suddenly like two mares and one stallion rushed over towards me as they made me get on my knees observing me from my face to my clothes as they tried to figure out how they were going to work on my appearance. This caught me off guard complete as I felt a mare's hooves on my face while another mare would be gently pulling my hair back, as I also felt the stallion getting hoovesy with my torso as I heard the mare who was talking to Raven speak again.

"Oh, it's no problem at all…"

"Zachary."

"Zachary! It won't be a problem at all Zachary, it's just we've never really worked with your type of species before. But nothing like a little bit of observation won't hurt."

"And little expiration and curious I might add."

I heard the stallion speak as he snickered a bit feeling his hooves wondering down my thigh. I didn't say anything since I didn't want to be rude as I could slightly see Raven walking out of the room before hearing her say.

"Zack, once you're done meet me in my office and I'll lead you to the dining area."

"Okay, Ms. Inkwell."

"Sweetie please ...call me Raven"

She said sounding a little more flirtatious than before as she walked out the door slamming behind her as I felt them all picking me back up. The pegasi gently pushing me towards the back of the room, making stand on a platform as I did I felt one mare starting to cut the leg of my pants. I started blushing as I didn't know how they would react to my body type, I was and still am very insecure about my appearance, and I was scared at the judgment I was going to face with. Feeling another mare cutting the middle section of my sweater as she along with a stallion would practically peel it off me. Doing the same with my shirt as I was almost naked in front of them, the only things I had left on me was my shoes, socks and boxers which thank god I had on or else I would be met with eyes of either 'That's how big it gets?' or 'Dear Celestia put it in me now!'.

I stood there my arms displayed out so they could see my full body from my neck to my legs. As I watched them glare at me, noticing one or two ponies whispering to each other. I could only imagine what they were talking about as I heard the matriarch speak.

"Alright, we have what we need might we ask what is the style of your old wardrobe?"

"Well … I'm very conceptual. So anything loose or oversized will do. Other than that I do enjoy shorts."

"And what are your preference in shoes?"

"Boots, or high tops. Just no plate form shoes, they feel weird and I can barely walk in them. Plus they look ...ugh."

I told the mare as she looked at me with a smile on her muzzle, the stallion and mare writing down everything I was saying and sketching what could possibly match my description before watching them trot away as well before being alone with the one solo mare as she looked up at me smiling.

"May I ask what you ...you know prefer sexually?"

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing!"

She said as her eyes widen, a blush appearing on her cheeks being embarrassed with her question that could definitely hear from where I was as I chuckled.

"I'm bisexual babe...does that answer your question?"