The Story of Poland

Today was like any other day in Canterlot. I woke up at dawn like every day, I ate my cereal soon after like every day, and took a shower like every day. Oddly enough, however, I was looking forward to work today. Today was one of those days where you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on a days worth of work. I grabbed my glasses and walked outside.

I grin appeared on my face as I said "Well, I guess I'll enjoy today."

While I do rather enjoy my life in such a wonderful place, it's not all the time that things like this happen. Usually my day consists of waking up, getting ready, walking or flying to the command post, (depending on the predicted weather), doing my job, relaxing, and then rinsing and repeating. It's nothing bad, but not exactly anything special either. Sure, I fantasize about living in a larger place than this, with a loving mare at my side, but this will do just fine. I shut the door behind me and decided to fly to the command post (known simply as "the post" to my fellow mares and stallions) since today seemed to be a leisurely day. I stepped away from the apartment building, stretched my wings, and took off. The familiar sight of more and more Canterlot began come into view. As I predicted, a calm day indeed.

Though, just as I was enjoying the mood, something felt a bit off. It was that thought of having a mare to call mine. Sure, I have a fine life, and I certainly do enjoy it, but being lonely sort of cuts into my mood, whatever it be. Come to think of it that may be my fault. I am strangely "anti-social". It's not that I dislike other ponies or the way they act or something like that, because I like spending time with my friends at work and occasionally a dinner with them. No it's just that I lack the motivation rather. I have every opportunity to make friends, and form close bonds. But when it comes to mares, there's a completely different story. Whenever I've forced myself to try to ask one on a date, it's either ended with a polite "no" (which is just as devastating as an impolite 'no', they both carry the same meaning), or simply getting to nervous and bailing out. I have options however; There's Thunderbolt whose been showing interest, or there's Skyflier too. But deep down, I've always had-

"Oomf!" I forced out as I hit something. I briefly lost my balance and began to fall but flight instincts told me otherwise. Regaining stable flight and looking up at a light pole, I realized I'd been so caught up in my thoughts that I actually flew face-first into it. Ouch. Setting myself down on the same cloud as the post I walked in and greeted the post-master.

"Morning sir." I said, saluting the much larger Pegasus.

"Morning Poland, seeing stars before the day has even started?" He exclaimed with a slight chuckle in his voice. He's always been a great postmaster, he always seemed at ease and treated sky patrol as his peers.

Even though my head was still throbbing, the thought of seeing somepony else doing what i did must've been funny.

I let out a few laughs- "Yes sir, getting a solid start to the day!" A grin reappearing on my face.

"Well, a patrol earlier had reported some darker clouds of the Everfree forest, so keep an eye out."

And with that, I was on my way. I particularly liked my new route ;It was longer than the old one no doubt, but it brought me over the outskirts of Canterlot, over the Everfree forest, over ponyville, and by the castle, my favorite part. I rather like the morning run, since when the sun is being risen by Princess Celestia (Which I don't see too often when on the last part of my route), the golden, gleaming sunlight strikes Canterlot in such a way that causes the rooftops to shine like they were just polished, and its really a sight to see. But the night time route is the one I most enjoy. Most times I would see Princess Luna on her tower behind her telescope, gazing at the stars. I'll admit I do admire her, but only from a far

The day went as usual, normal storm-cutting and dissipating. Today was going to be just another day, despite the mood when I woke up. The only thing that was different was that I saw Princess Celestia outside on her tower, something that I don't see too often. Most likely because she is too busy with royal duties. Even though Princess Luna's return was over a year ago, Celestia seems to have been doing much of the work. After the morning route I returned home, tired of flying for so long- I was still getting used to the required stamina. I walked into apartment 4B, and walked upstairs to the first door on the right. I never really liked how close to the stairs it was, since you could hear other ponies walking upstairs... I laid down on my bed and took a much needed nap, though my headache from the mornings incident still hasn't gone away.

My alarm rang at 8:30 signaling I had to begin the night route, though I had no problem waking up myself. The sunset it beautiful as the low sun results in a sharp silhouette in place of the castle. I flew back to the post, making sure to avoid any objects this time, and let the postmaster know I was going out on my route. I set off, making sure no night clouds would be sneaking up on any of the towns or cities, as they can be hard to spot as the light level decreases. Luckily for me there was only one cloud over the Everfree forest and it wasn't saturated enough to bother with. It was rather calm tonight, there was very little turbulence and the air felt comfortable. Finally after flying the rest of the route, a flyby of the castle. As I approached the castle I looked toward Princess Luna's tower. The past few nights she hadn't been there, to my disappointment. But tonight she was in that same high tower that I've seen her in before, next to her signature telescope. From what I know she hasn't noticed me, or if so it had to have been just a normal sight. I have never really been to the castle itself, only seen it when i passed by. It did look very intricate and detailed so I thought having a closer look wouldn't do much harm. The only thing stopping me from actually flying that 30 feet closer was Princess Luna. What if she saw me? What would happen?

"Probably nothing." I reassured myself. Still, I got nervous and I could feel my heart beat start to increase in speed and intensity, which may not be a good thing since it was already high from flying. As I approached the castle instead of studying the ground and building below, my gaze inevitably turned to the blue princess keeping a watchful eye on the night sky. My heart beat got even more intense. "Why am I so nervous? She doesn't even see me! I'm just flying a route like I do every night! Get a hold of yourself!"  I thought to myself as I was approaching being parallel with her tower. Finally, I began to pass it.

I was just breathing out a sign of relief when...

"You! Sky patrol!"

My heart stopped and a million thoughts and emotions hit me like a freight train. The very sound of Princess Luna's voice made me freeze up. The worst of my nightmares are happening! Wait, is it something I did, or rather did not do? I frantically checked around for storm clouds or when I heard her again-

"Come here sky patrol!"

Her voice was loud, though since her height above the rest of the castle, and therefore Canterlot was high, it may have been difficult for ponies on the ground to hear. Panicking the entire time, I turned around and flew over to her tower.

"Princess Luna!" I said, "I'm sorry, did I do anything wrong?"

"No, you are doing a fine job." she replied, with, oddly enough, a tenderness now in her voice.

"Oh, uh, thank you... your majesty." I said. "Wait, why did she call me over then? Simply to say I wasn't doing anything wrong?"

"May I ask your name?"

"M-my name is Poland, I think I know your name already."

I forced a short laugh. "Idiot. I think I know your name?" I thought, still shaking from fear. Thankfully much of it subsided, so I didn't look completely idiotic.

Hold on a second, there's something... Wrong. I can feel it. Is that sadness I see and hear? Impossible! She's a princess for Celestia's sake! I mean the night can be a lonely time, but is doesn't feel like that.

"Nice to meet you, Poland. I've seen you fly by castle many times" She said, pointing to my previous direction of travel. I noticed her metal shoe-like thing on the end of her forehoof. Looking at her up close her mane appeared to have stars in it, and freely floated in the wind- unlike anything I've ever seen.

"Oh well actually" I said, scratching the back of my neck with my forehoof, "I'm still new on the route." "Oh my... Did I just correct the princess? Idiot again!"

"I see." She responded. She then looked up at the cloudless night sky, and I soon followed. Now that I take a break from flying to appreciate the sky she had put up, it is stunning. The sheer amount of little white specs, either randomly placed or in constellations, is interesting and intriguing. Looking back down again she still looks sad... Maybe if I ask...

"Princess?" I quietly and carefully said.

"Yes, Poland?" She asked.

"Is there anything wrong? You don't seem to be very happy."

She sighed, "It just gets somewhat... Solitary up here, that's all. Thank you for asking."

"Was that a small smile I just saw appear on her face?" It was then my heart began racing again when I thought of saying that I fly by every night. No, that's much too stupid, but it's true! Maybe she needs company. I don't particularly have a schedule or time to return to the post by so... "Ok, I'll tell her I fly by often and then tell her I must get going. Not only would that be a nice gesture, but also a way of dismissing the short conversation." Not that I didn't want to be talking and sitting next to the princess, but it seemed appropriate that this would be the time to leave. So I did just that, though I was so nervous I nearly fainted in the process.

"So, um, I need to return to the post; But I do fly by the castle around this time every weekday, so if you ever need company-

" I was cut short of finishing.

"I understand. Have a nice evening, Poland"

"And.. you as well, Princess Luna."

And with that said I bowed began flying back to the post. It was certainly not "just another day". No far from that. Actually I cant believe that just happened. When I arrived I let the postmaster know that my route is completed, reported that there was only one cloud in sight, and once again flew home. Unfortunately I was still nervous, and my wings were still faltering here and there. As I land on the ground my legs are quite wobbly as well. Why were they not weak when I was literally standing right next to the goddess of the night? I concluded that they probably were, but my mind was simply racing too fast in such a surreal experience to even notice it. I walked into 4B, up the stairs and into my bedroom. As I laid down in my bed I took a deep breath and tried my best to recap just what had happened.

Ok, so the most beautiful mare in all of Equestria called me over to tell me I was doing a good job, we exchanged names (sort of), and are now acquaintances. Though the way she said 'I understand', does that mean she does or doesn't want me to visit again?

I concluded that she was the one who called me over, so she probably does want me to visit again. "Oh well, it'll be a very very long weekend..."  I thought to myself as I fell asleep, with a smile still on my face.