Author's Note

I tried to do the math to tell you how long his hair would be at 6 inches per year, and then tried to calculate in the weight of it but wound up giving myself a headache. In the end, I'm lazy and took a shot in the dark.

XII: New acquaintances

As the room goes silent with only the sound of the violin to be heard, Luna looks towards where the stallion's voice came from and says, "I hope our choice of music doesn't bother you."

I then continue scrubbing away at my body and say, "Not at all ma'am, I find it quite soothing really."

Aloe then looks at the princess and asks, "Are you two about ready to move onto the next part of your treatments?"

While enjoying her tiger lily petal bath, Celestia then looks at her sister, who gives her a smirk and a brief glance towards the stallion, then faces Aloe and says, "We would like to extend our time here by adding a seaweed wrap and facial before moving onto our next treatment."

Realizing that they are staying longer just to see their punishment happen, Aloe and Lotus both grin and nod saying, "Very well, ma'am. If you would please follow us to the next room."

Celestia and then Luna exit their tubs, then dry themselves off before Luna grabs the screen and says, "Allow me to keep our identities secret, dear sister."

She smiles while her sister shields their group from the stallion's gaze with the screen and says, "Thank you." and looks at Lyra saying, "You may keep playing in this room during our next treatment, but we will have Aloe or Lotus notify you when the time comes to change rooms, miss Heartstrings."

Lyra continues playing and looks up from the sheet saying, "Yes ma'am."

After they exit the room, Luna folds the screen up and pulls it through the door to take it with them to set it against the wall beside the steam bath door for when they will use it next.

Sweet Pea returns to the spa after notifying Rarity of what to do, taking a look at the clock before retrieving a towel and heading inside the bathing room. Looking over at the stallion, she lays the towel on the platform saying, "I shall start preparing the next bath so you can soak in oils beneficial to the health of your coat, sir."

I nod my head saying, "Thank you miss." and then place my front hooves on the top lip carefully to check how well I got my underbelly, and nod satisfactorily at not seeing dirt anywhere.

After starting to fill the neighboring tub with hot water, Sweet Pea goes to retrieve the oils for the bath and a measuring cup saying, "I will be right back with the oils, I set a towel on the platform to dry off with."

I then nod and finish scrubbing myself clean, then hang the brushes on the hooks outside of the tub. Looking at the towel curiously, I wonder how I will dry myself off with it and climb up the steps to the platform to pick up the large towel and try to figure it out.

Sweet Pea returns to see the stallion attempting to dry themself off and can't help but laugh at the sight saying, "Oh forgive my amusement sir, but you are not meant to dry yourself off with the towel...the staff will do that for you using their magic as it is more efficient that way. Just give me one moment to finish your leisurely bath, and I will be there to towel you dry."

Fifteen minutes later, Aloe and Lotus are preparing the shared room for the princesses massages after their steam bath when their clerk enters the room giggling, making Lotus ask curiously, "What is so amusing Sweet?"

She then smiles and brings her giggling under control saying, "Oh, when I started the second bath and went to get the oils, I came back to see the stallion trying to dry himself off with the towel I left on the platform."

They both break out laughing as Aloe says, "That stallion must never have been to a spa before!"

Lotus then grins and then says, "That is quite amusing, and I thought that all ponies in Equestria had been to a spa at least once in their life."

Sweet then smiles and asks, "Since I have a little time, can I be of assistance to you?"

I soak in the tub while listening to the gentle music of the mare, resting my head on the edge of the tub. I lose track of how long I have been here, nearly falling asleep while listening to the very relaxing music playing when I hear someone enter the room.

Lotus stops a little ways into the room and looks at the half-asleep stallion, instantly noticing the smoky and earthy smell having a herbal and spicy undertone to it. She chuckles before saying, "I hate to interrupt your enjoyment, but they are ready for you in the next room."

I smile and lightly chuckle as I hear the music stop, followed by the sounds of items being put away and say, "You play beautifully, miss. You are talented to be able to play an instrument so well."

She lightly blushes at the praise and says in a gentle voice, "Thank you, sir. If you are lucky enough, you might get to hear me play again someday." then trots out of the room as her tail slightly hikes, carrying her case and the chair with her to where the princesses are.

After soaking in the oil bath for awhile longer, I am then asked to step out for the next treatment and dried off with a fresh towel. Guided to the next room for my steam bath, I get up onto the bench and close my eyes. I let myself slip into a meditative state and breathe deeply, letting myself fully relax to see what the steam bath is able to do for my body.

A half hour passes as Sweet Pea retrieves the stallion and guides him to the room where the princesses are set up saying, "The two from earlier have agreed to share the room with you as they receive massages, but have a screen set up to protect their identities."

I hear the mare from earlier playing the violin as I follow the clerk to a pit filled with a bubbling mixture appearing to be mud and ask, "What is the purpose of the boiling mud?"

Aloe is first to reply saying, "When you order a seaweed wrap treatment and bathe first, every inch of your body except your mane, tail and head are covered with algae or seaweed, after which you then get into the pit of a special mud that works together with the nutrients in the wrap to improve your body's metabolism and health."

Sweet continues wrapping his body in seaweed, and says, "To be specific, your body will soak in the amino acids in the seaweed which also happens to be rich in vitamins too. The wrapping and extra heat will draw out toxins within your body through sweat, it would be wise for you to refrain from using soap right after the treatment. The reason for that is because it takes the benefit away during your previous treatments." It ends up taking her a little longer than normal due to his body being a bit larger than hers. As she ties the last piece in place, she then smiles and says, "Alright, you can now immerse yourself into the pit sir."

As Rarity finishes putting together a kit for whatever this emergency might be, she quickly makes her way towards the Ponyville Day Spa and turns the open sign over to closed. Making sure the door shuts behind her, she then hurries to the spa at a canter. When she arrives, she sees the receptionist Sweet Pea behind the counter and asks hurriedly, "What is the emergency, darling!? Did curlers get stuck in somepony's mane or tail?!"

The receptionist hurries from behind the counter saying, "Oh it is much worse than that, you will have to see it to believe it. It is awful! This way, quickly! We don't know how long the poor pony has left to live." then takes off down the hall as Rarity follows her closely after closing the door behind her.

Celestia hears galloping coming from outside and counts down in a quiet whisper, "In three...two...one..." and looks towards the door when it slams open.

Rarity yells, "I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU DARLING, WHAT'S THE..." while she skids to a stop and notices the snow-white earth pony lying on a padded table, causing her eyes to rapidly shrink to pinpricks as she sees the state of their black mane and tail, letting out a horrified, blood_curdling scream followed by yelling, "OH, MY STARS, DARLING! WHAT IN HEAVEN'S NAME HAPPENED TO YOUR COIFFURE!?"

I hear raucous laughter and thumping come from around the room, while assuming my punishment has arrived saying, "Many years of neglect, I fear, ma'am." and notice that the unicorn mare has moderate azure eyes, a light gray coat with a mane varying between a moderate indigo to a moderate mulberry.

She picks up her emergency kit and hastily trots up to the stallion saying, "There's no need to fret, now that I'm here. I swear that I will do WHATEVER it takes to save them both..." and begins walking towards the disaster that is their mane with a menacing look while finishing her sentence, "If its the LAST thing I do."

As she sets her bag down beside the table, I watch her take out a small pair of spectacles and set them on the bridge of her nose. Thinking this will take her awhile as she pulls out a few sharp objects followed by different brushes, I lay my head down with a defeated sigh saying, "Let thy punishment commence."

Others snicker and laugh while Rarity picks up a couple of mane picks in her magic and studies the mess in front of her saying, "This is no punishment darling, this is a mercy. If I am anything, it is generous, which you are about to experience."

Sweet Pea remains nearby, frequently being asked to remove some debris as he complains about the mane-pulling, hearing Rarity say, "This could have been avoided if you had just combed your mane each day."

Celestia and Luna enjoy hearing the back-and-forth conversation between Rarity and Gold Reel, lasting for two hours while their treatments have finished an hour ago, and looks at her sister saying, "Sister." then cocks her head mouthing the words Should I invite him to IT?

Luna looks at her sister in confusion and whispers barely audible, "It? What do you mean, sister?

She leans as far as she can and places her lips next to her sister's ear saying barely loud enough for her to hear, "To the wedding." then pulls back to the table for her reply.

Understanding dawns on her as she then looks at her with a gentle smile and nod, leaning over to speak into her sister's ear whispering, "We could, but we barely know this stallion." and pulls herself back onto her previous position.

Celestia leans over once again, and whispers to her ear, "We don't, no. Wouldn't it be nice to find an opportunity to learn more about him?"

Luna then moves her mouth toward her sister's ear and whispers, "It would...yes. Go ahead and invite him to it, but mention it only as an event."

She then whispers, "Of course." and pulls back to her table before looking towards where Gold Reel is suffering from Rarity's generosity saying, "Oh sir, I am reminded of an event that will be held at the castle in Canterlot in four day's time. I think it would be a decent opportunity for you to meet other ponies, my sister and I will see to it that your name finds its way onto the guest list. If you do attend, and are fortunate enough, you might find us there and finally learn our names."

Rarity picks apart the last tangle as the stallion's mane falls to the floor and groans in disappointment saying, "I am surprised that your mane is so long, but it is very unfortunate that it is going to be wasted as no wig maker will take this in such a poor condition. Let me get a good look at you from the front so I can find out what length is best for you." and steps over his long, now untangled mane to look at him from the front.

I turn to look at the screen and say, "That is a very kind gesture, and I will take you up on your suggestion, fair maidens."

As she looks the stallion over, she notes how long his legs are and looks at his face asking, "Would you please get up onto your front hooves, sir?"

As I push myself up with my front legs, I hiss at the increased pain in the middle of my back, nearly causing my front legs to give out and say, "Accursed back."

Alarmed, Rarity and Luna speak at once with a concerned tone saying, "GOOD HEAVENS, ARE YOU ALRIGHT DARLING!?/ART THOU INJURED! DO THEE REQUIRE HEALING?" as Luna starts getting up off her table

Acting quickly, Celestia uses her wing to force her sister back down saying in a harsh whisper, "I know you're worried, but until we know more about his condition, try to remain still or our identities will become known to him!"

Luna huffs in irritation as she hesitantly lowers herself from her half-sitting position saying, "Apologies, sister...its a habit."

As I breathe through the pain, I force my back to straighten and sigh with relief as the pain returns to normal saying, "Apologies, miladies, I am fine. What happened is that I forgot about a minor deformity I was born with. There is a disk that has a twist in it that has a nerve caught somewhere in it, causing me to feel pain all day long. I've had to learn to deal with it on my own since no spell or concoction can help or correct it."

Rarity sighs sadly and says, "That is truly dreadful to hear, I'm sorry that I caused you pain with my request."

She lies on the table with her sister who also has a crestfallen face like her own and says, "It saddens us to hear there is nothing we can do to help you find relief from your suffering."

She then goes back to looking at him, using a pick to slide the front and back of his mane forward to see where his throat is and uses a straight comb to measure a hoofwidth past the underside of his neck saying, "The very long mane suits you so well it's almost eerie, so I am going to start removing and discarding the excess before I start taming that tail of yours."

I then chuckle and look at the screen saying, "If you really want to ease my suffering, all you have to do is call off the fashionista here." then watch as Rarity moves one of her sharp tools in my line of sight and hurls it straight towards me, causing me to jerk my head to the side before looking back to see what she was aiming at. Seeing the object embedded into my tail, I look at her with an unamused look and say, "Umm...miss, my tail is not a pincushion."

Celestia sighs sadly and says, "I really am sorry at how you have to deal with the pain on your own." then chuckles a little and says, "Oh what would the fun be in that, sir? Anyways, once she has an atrocity in sight, nothing at all could pry her from it."

Rarity then smiles and says, "You are quite correct ma'am. If you saw how dreadful this...thing that is supposed to be a tail is, you would act the same way I would."

I then sigh as she finishes my mane and say, "My tail isn't that bad, really."

She then stares at him with a highly skeptical gaze before saying, "It looks like a lifeless, ratty old pincushion as well as a blunt object."

I then snort and shoot back, "That is how I defend myself, miss."

Rarity heads back to start on his tail saying, "Oh, really? When was the last time you actually used it for that exact purpose?" and watches him open and close his mouth a few times. Seeing victory, she says, "HA! That's what I thought, so this monstrosity will be taken care of before I put life back into your poor mane and tail. When I am done, your mane and tail will glisten and shine in the beautiful sunlight or moonlight!"

Seeing as the fun is pretty much over now, Celestia looks at her sister saying, "Well sister, shall we take our leave?"

Luna then smiles and nods saying, "I do think that would be wise as we have other business to tend to."

Celestia then rises off the table and looks over at Lyra saying, "Thank you for your services Miss Heartstrings, you may remain here to play for the stallion if you so wish."

She then gets up and follows her sister toward the door, bringing the screen with them to keep their identities a secret and looks over in the direction of the stallion saying, "It was nice talking to you, perhaps we will see each other at the event in a few days."

Lyra then looks at her and bows her head saying, "I appreciate that, it was a pleasure playing for you, ma'am." then looks over at the screen and asks, "Would you like me to remain here and keep playing?"

I look over as the screen is dragged towards the door, revealing the violinist against the wall near the corner in a chair and say, "I would, unless you have other things to tend to. If that is the case, I understand."

She then smiles and nods saying, "Very well sir, I shall play for a while longer. In an hour or so, I do need to help my friend at her shop in town."

I smile and lower myself back down to the table, making sure to keep my back straight this time and say, "Thank you for taking a little more time out of your day to play for a pony you don't know, miss."

Lyra begins playing a different song and says, "It is no trouble, I enjoy playing for those who like to listen. My name is Lyra Heartstrings, what's your name sir?"

As I lay my head down on the soft pillow and leave the mare to work on taming my tail, I say, "My name is Gold Reel, miss Heartstrings, and it is a pleasure to meet a talented musician like yourself. Feel free to take a break and rest your hooves for a bit if you need to, playing for so long has to take its toll on you."

She nods and keeps playing, saying, "I will, thank you."

Rarity spends another two hours on getting the stallion's mane untangled, cutting it off at his fetlock saying with a relieved sigh, "There, the wild and unruly has been tamed, now to put life back into it." and digs into her bag, pulling out several bottles of conditioning oils and shampoos.

Sweet Pea smiles as Rarity continues to work, then looks down at his hooves and clucks her tongue saying, "Tisk, tisk, the feathering over your hooves prevent me from seeing their condition, I shall begin trimming them so I know what I am dealing with." and says, "I will go get the tools necessary for dealing with your hooves, I will return in a minute."

I let myself relax in silence as the mare tends to my mane and tail as Sweet starts trimming the feathering on my back right hoof to keep out of the other's way.

As she makes her way around to each hoof, trimming the feathering back so she can see his hooves, she then sighs and says, "Your hooves are in a dire need of filing and a trim." then gets started on cleaning them.

The two mares spend an hour as Rarity works to restore his mane and tail while at the same time, Sweet tends to his hooves. As Sweet puts down the file and says, "Your hooves are now finished, would you like me to polish them?"

I then look at her and ask, "How long will they stay polished for?"

Sweet looks at his hooves for a moment, then says, "With your feathering, the shine would last for four to five days as two or three days if you didn't have the feathering."

I then nod my head and say, "I would like that, thank you miss."

Rarity takes a step back to look at the rejuvenated mane and tail saying, "Now that your mane and tail have life again, I shall put the finishing touches on them so you can look absolutely fabulous."

As I feel Sweet Pea lift up and lightly tie my feathering to my pasterns to polish my hooves, the other mare pulls out a strange device with c-shaped jaws and ask, "What is that for miss?"

She activates the magic crimper and waits for it to heat up and says, "Oh this is just a crimper darling, I'm going to use it on your hair because I think you would look stunning with a wavy mane and tail."

Letting her do whatever, I wait until they eventually finish as Rarity says, "Alright, my work here is done. Could you get off the table so I can see the final results?"

Rarity watches him get off the table and stand before the both of them, as a dreamy look crosses her face when she sees how handsome he looks with his glistening, snow-white coat and shining, black mane and tail. She almost starts drooling when he turns his head and looks at her with his forelock partially covering his left eye, and gets lost in his brilliant amber eyes.

I stand there, looking at her and then at my new look, chuckling as I say, "With my coat this bright, I fear I may be a little too eye-catching."

Sweet Pea looks at Rarity as she stays silent for a while, staring at the stallion with an intense gaze. Waving her hoof in front of her eyes, she giggles and says humorously, "I think you may have blinded your first victim, sir." then bumps her with a hoof saying, "Sorry to pull you from your fantasies, but you are starting to flood the room with your drooling."

She then snaps her jaw shut and wipes her hoof across her mouth, seeing that it is dry and looks to the mare with a scowl saying, "I was not drooling, I was simply admiring how good this stallion looks." and then turns to look at the handsome stallion with a light blush on her face and says, "I'm sorry sir, but I seem to have forgotten your name."

I smile as I then say, "With how hard you were working on saving my mane and tail, I doubt you even heard what it was. My name is Gold Reel, what might yours be?"

Rarity's light blush refuses to go away as she then smiles and says, "My name is Rarity Bell, and it has been a pleasure to meet you, sir Gold Reel. I have a fashion store in town called Carousel Boutique, so if you have any fashion needs, please come visit my shop."

Sweet Pea then looks at him saying, "With your hooficure done, your treatments at the Ponyville Day Spa are finished. Thank you for your visit today, sir Gold Reel." and adds, "Your clothing is sitting inside of a square compartment on the right side of the wall, it is in the unit on the very bottom row, on the far left side."

I smile and then make my way out of the room saying, "I will certainly be visiting again when time allows, this has been an amazing experience for me today."

After returning to the first room and putting my borrowed cloak back on, I head outside and decide to wander around town with my hood down. My body feels so refreshed after the treatments that I accidentally bump into someone, taking a step back as I hear a soft voice speak up, "Oh, pardon me. I was helping these animals get across town and wasn't watching where I was going, I hope I didn't hurt you."

I look down to see a pale yellow pegasi mare with a pale, light-grayish rose mane covering one of her moderate cyan eyes and having three butterflies on her flank as a Cutie Mark and then smile down at her with gentleness in my eyes and say, "It is quite alright, miss. I am also at fault for not paying attention to my surroundings, you didn't hurt me at all. I didn't hurt you at all, did I?"

Fluttershy smiles and hides behind her mane shyly at seeing a tall, snow-white stallion with brilliant amber eyes, and a black mane having a cloak hiding the rest of his body, saying in a barely audible voice, "No, you didn't, so I'm fine."

As I notice she is shying away from me, I then look to the duck and ducklings behind her and smile at seeing how they hide behind her saying, "It is not everyday you come across someone with such a kindness towards animals, you know? Are your animal friends alright?"

She listens to them for a moment before emerges from behind her mane a little saying, "That is true sadly, but my friends are just fine because they were following me when we bumped into each other."

I look at how she becomes less shy and keep smiling as I ask, "What might your name be, young miss?"

Fluttershy hides a little bit more and says in a quiet tone, soft enough for him to hear, "Umm...it's Fluttershy."

I then say, "It is very nice meeting you, miss Fluttershy. My name is Gold Reel. I shall go on my way and let you return to yours, farewell miss." then turn and walk behind the mare, making sure to give her and the animals with her a wide berth.

She stands up straight again and says, "Have a good day mister, and thank you for being so kind to my animals and me." then goes onto guiding them to the other side of town.

At Canterlot Castle, close to sunset

Celestia and Luna sit in the throne room, discussing their meeting with the strange stallion named Gold Reel as Luna asks, "So if he comes, how will he know where to go for the event?"

She looks at her sister and says, "I will have one of the guards show him the way there, oh he is going to be so surprised when he learns who we are. You are going to be there, correct sister?" Seeing her sister turn away with a blush, she narrows one eye curiously and asks, "Sister, you will be going to our distant cousin's ceremony, won't you?"

She sighs and then looks at her sister saying, "Sorry sister, I will be missing the first half of it. I feel the urgent need to find the pony that is having problems with their wings, so I will go out on patrol again for tonight and the following five nights between looking after our subject's dreams."

Celestia sighs and remembers when they discovered the empty, freshly abandoned wing carrier, then says, "You have been spending so much time searching for that poor pony that you have missing out on much-needed sleep. Sister, you have bags forming underneath your eyes from the lack of sleep you're getting, I'm worried about you."

Luna sighs, knowing her sister is right and says, "I promise I will rest properly after the ceremony, alright sister? Can you please let me keep searching until then?"

Seeing her sister so concerned about their subject's well-being, she smiles and says, "Very well, but I will help you in your search during the day."

She then hugs her sister with a happy smile saying, "Oh thank you, sister, this means so much to me!"

Celestia then hugs her sister back and says, "You are welcome. Shall we begin changing the day to night, dear sister?"

Luna then nods and pulls away saying, "We should, but first, did you have any luck with finding out more about that strange blade?"

Almost forgetting to tell her sister about it, she smiles and says, "Not really. I had A.K Yearling examine it and she said she never saw anything like it. Despite its appearance, it might be even older than the oldest settlements on other continents. From what she saw, she believes that it was part of a curved harvesting blade that was purposely broken, however, there were ancient traces of blood on it that signify it was used for fighting. She will keep an eye out for anything related to the blade and where the other pieces went to."

A couple days later in Ponyville

As I think about the event I was asked by a noble to attend, I sigh as I consider how rude it would be for me not to attend it. Left with no choice but to go, I wander around the town looking for where the Carousel Boutique is at.

Rarity sits inside the kitchen of her boutique with her friend Twilight as she fills her in on the events from the other day, saying, "And when he got off the table so I could see how well I styled his mane and tail...wow...it felt like I could easily fall for him right there and then..." and drifts off as she fantasizes about him once again.

Twilight chuckles and says, "Rarity, remember what happened with your crush on the pony you took to be your one true love and use a little caution, because you don't know anything about him. What did you say his name was again, Glad Real or something?"

Pulled from her fantasy, the fashionista gasps and then says, "Prince Blueblood looks like a beggar compared to how HE looked after we were done dealing with his mane and tail and hooves! I swear, that snow-white coat could blind a pony with how bright it was, but he looks so handsome with those brilliant amber eyes of his that seem to almost glow in any light. I wonder when I will get the chance to see him again..." when she hears the bell ring above the door to her store and calls out, "Coming!" then turns to her friend saying, "I will be right back after helping this customer." then heads into her parlor saying, "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique." Her next words are never uttered as she opens her eyes to see that the stallion she was telling Twilight about has just walked into her shop, gasping with surprise as she then exclaims, "Sir Gold Reel! What a surprise it is to see you in my store. What can I do for you, mister Reel?"

I stand inside her shop and smile at her saying, "Well I have been asked to attend some event at the castle in Canterlot, wherever that may be. It would be rather rude of me to not go, so I asked a few ponies around town today and they all said that you are the pony to go to that would know how best to help me to look my best."

Rarity fights a squeal trying to get out and forces it down saying, "Oh absolutely darling, you certainly must dress to impress when invited by high society. Please take off that cloak and follow me so I can take some measurements to make a fine coat for you."

Hearing the stallion in question visiting Rarity's boutique, Twilight leaves her chair and pokes her head into the other room and sees a tall stallion with a snow-white coat, a sleek, wavy black mane with a circle divided by two black and white halves having a grey line between them.

She then takes his measurements, positively excited at being able to make a new outfit for such a handsome pony saying, "You would look smashing in a black and white tux with a tie matching your gorgeous amber eyes."

Twilight watches the stallion curiously as she lets Rarity tend to him, finishing with taking her measurements and then informs him it will be ready by tomorrow when she sees Rarity look over to her and waves her over saying, "Oh Twilight, come over here so I can introduce you!" then makes her way over to where her friend is.

Rarity then beams a wide smile while looking at him and says, "Gold Reel, this is my friend Twilight Sparkle." and gestures to her before looking at her adding, "Twilight, this is Gold Reel." while gesturing to him.

She smiles at him as she sees his brilliant amber eyes saying, "Hello, it is nice to have a chance to meet you after hearing about your first meeting with Rarity." She then half-chuckles saying, "Rarity is right, your eyes really do seem to glow in any kind of light."

I then smile and chuckle lightly saying, "They do, but I assure you that it is just a trick due to the angle of the light."

Curious, Twilight asks, "Do you mind if I ask where you are from?"

I shake my head saying, "Of course not, I came from a small, isolated farm far to the west of here."

Rarity cocks her head curiously and asks, "Oh? What brings you all the way to Ponyville?"

I then say, "Well...you see, when I was fifteen, I was forced to leave by my father for doing what I thought was right. After that, I roamed through the forests foraging what I needed to survive when eventually, I met a kind traveler that taught me a few things about society. So a couple of years later, I started using my knowledge to earn a few bits to afford food."

Twilight's ears fall as she then sighs sadly saying, "I am sorry that you went through that, and wish that I didn't ask now."

I sigh as I change my mind about sticking to Equis's story and say, "I'm sorry about saying that earlier and upsetting you, I thought that it would be better to hear a made-up story than what the actual truth is."

Curious and a bit nervous, Rarity asks, "Okay...what is the true story then?"

Feeling like I can trust these two a little, I then sigh and say, "Well...when I woke up several months ago, I couldn't see anything but splotches of color and light. Unable to remember how I got there or anything about who I was before, I was found by this presence that spoke to my mind and guided me to safety."

The curious purple unicorn then eagerly asks, "Can you please tell us more?"

I then shake my head and say, "Until I am able trust you more, that will have to suffice for now. Though I can tell you for certain is that I am not evil." I look at Rarity and then say, "I will come back tomorrow to pay for the outfit, miss Rarity. Good day to you, ladies." and then make my way out of the shop to try to find anything that might help me regain my memories.

Stunned into silence at what he said, Twilight then looks to Rarity and says, "I am going to write a letter to Celestia and ask about any spells that might help to recover a pony's lost memories."

Rarity then nods and says, "That would be a very good thing to do for that poor stallion. We are going to have to try to find a way to get him to trust us enough to allow you to attempt to help him. In fact, let's all gather together for a picnic today and discuss a few things."

She then nods and looks at Rarity saying, "Rare, you gather the picnic blanket and I will gather the others and meet up at our usual picnic spot."

An hour later, they sit around the picnic blanket with Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash as Rarity sighs blissfully, saying, "It is just gorgeous out today...just gorgeous!"

Twilight then smiles and says, "It is indeed a beautiful day, Rarity." while silently wondering if she will bring up their newest acquaintance or not when Pinkie Pie interrupts her train of thought.

Pinkie Pie then asks, "Hey, haven't any of you met that new pony around Ponyville yet?"

Rainbow then snickers and says, "You mean the one with the snow-white coat that used to look like he got zapped by a thundercloud and used a shovel to comb his mane?" then shrugs and says, "Not yet, but I watched him after he left the Spa that Rarity raced to earlier, if he wasn't wearing that cloak you could see his bright coat from Canterlot. He has been wandering around town aimlessly asking ponies various questions about what they know about ancient days from long ago which wasn't much and didn't seem to satisfy him."

Applejack then chuckles and says, "Eyup that's the one, Ah met 'em and his name's Gold Reel. For some reason, ah get the feeling that he wasn't exactly straight with me when he bought an apple a couple days ago. Ah'd be careful around him girls, there's something fishy about that stallion."

Fluttershy then speaks up and says, "I've actually bumped into him by accident when I was helping out a family of ducks, he is good-looking for a stallion and seems really...nice."

Twilight picks up an apple and then says, "Well, I also met him as did Rarity."

Rarity then continues, saying, "I did meet him two days ago in the spa, but I will tell you that story after this. I was with Twilight in the kitchen of my boutique, telling her about my meeting Gold Reel when he walked in about an hour ago and asked me to help him look his best for an 'event' at the castle in Canterlot which we all know is the upcoming wedding happening in a few days. So then naturally I agreed to make a suit for him. Oh one thing though, I was asked by Princess Celestia through Sweet Pea to keep their identities secret from the stallion as it seems she and her sister want him to discover it for himself." She then clears her voice and says, "Alright, now I shall tell you how I got to meet Gold Reel."

After Rarity tells the story, they all get a good laugh at how Princess Celestia punished the stallion with Rarity, when Twilight picks up another apple and brings it up to her mouth to take a bite from it. Hearing someone running towards them, she drops the apple to see her assistant, Spike, rushing over.

Spike stops in front of Twilight, out of breath as he says, "Twi...light...I have...a" then takes a moment to catch his breath and is about to say something when he belches up a letter, which Twilight quickly picks up and starts to read it out loud.

An hour later, somewhere along the outskirts of Ponyville

I sit on a bench outside Ponyville, wishing I got more useful information about long ago that might clue me in about my past and sigh heavily in disappointment. I then think about getting up off the bench and try my luck again with different questions this time, when I feel someone tap my shoulder and look over to see Twilight Sparkle looking at me with a soft smile and say, "Hello, miss Twilight, what can I do for you?"

Twilight joins him on the bench and says, "Well, I was just coming to tell you that there is a train heading to Canterlot today. If you want to, you can ride along with us as we have been invited to help out with a wedding there as well."

I look at her and sense something off and say, "I get the feeling that you are not too happy about it, so let's walk and talk as we head to the train." then get off the bench and head to town.

She hops off the bench and says, "Alright, but if we go that direction, we will reach Manehattan before reaching the station. The station is this way, Gold Reel."

Realizing I forgot all about the cloak I borrowed and left at Rarity's boutique, I then ask, "I left my cloak inside Rarity's boutique, is there time to go get it before we leave?"

Twilight then smiles apologetically and says, "I'm sorry but unfortunately not because we have to get there today and begin helping with the planning. You can get it after my friends and I return from the wedding, I'm sure Rarity won't get rid of it."

I then follow her and say, "Alright, I'll believe you. So, what has you so upset about this wedding?"

She then groans and then says, "Well...when I was a filly, I didn't want to meet other ponies as my big brother, best friend forever was always there and taught me so much. We talked about many things like our hopes and dreams, through all of the years we were together, we never had a single fight. When I moved to Ponyville from Canterlot, I left him behind to be with my new friends. Just today, I realized just how much I missed him. When I found out that he was getting married today through a letter to some mare whose name I don't even know, I felt disappointed and hurt that he didn't bother to tell me himself." and kicks a rock with her hoof.

I then follow alongside her and look down at her sad face, and say, "Well there may be a good reason that he didn't, like perhaps there was not enough time to make the journey." I then sense that she is grieving and tentatively ask, "From the way you said you feel and how you're acting, it seems to me as if you feel like you have lost him or something...am I correct with my thinking?"

Twilight then continues on towards the station, kicking the rock along and somberly nods her head saying, "Yes, I do feel something like that."

I see a rock before me and kick it along gently, guiding it along so I can knock Twilight's rock away to free her from the distraction and say, "Let me tell you something, miss Twilight. Your brother is only getting married, so there is no way you will lose what you have with him due to the marriage. What does your brother do that might make him so busy?"

She approaches the rock and prepares to kick it with her hoof when another rock comes and knocks it out of her path, causing her to look back at Gold Reel, who has a smirk on his face and says, "Why did you do that?"

I chuckle and say, "Because it was distracting you from listening to me, don't you know it is rather rude to not pay attention to somepony when they're talking to you?"

Twilight then half-chuckles and says, "Good shot. You're right, I wasn't listening. What did you ask?"

I then catch up to her and say, "I asked what your brother does that would make him so busy?"

She smiles and then says, "Oh, well, he's the Captain of the royal guard."