You are really happy about painting again. Your hobby has made you realize how it can help you understand more about yourself, and help your creativity. So far you made three paintings and they all are horrible. One of your house, the second your one is your self-portrait. And the last one of the Canterlot in the distance from your front porch. It will take you a lot of time and practice to draw something better, but you don’t mind. It can take as much time as it needs to, as long as it makes you happy.

Today is the day though. And you tend to think about other stuff when you travel. Basically, you start daydreaming whenever your body is not moving.

Today you will ask Princess Celestia for a date. Without much of a plan, you bought the ticket and set off to meet her in Canterlot. You don’t even know if she accepts court today. Anyway, it seems like you treat this more like a game than anything. Clearly not realizing what you are about to do.

You still need to buy that chocolate cake for her. You recalled.

Apart from that, it’s a fairly good day so far. You woke up, ate, showered, did some exercise, painted. And went into the station. Currently, you are already on your way to Canterlot, and today it seems like more ponies are traveling as well.

Usually, when you traveled to Canterlot by train, there were less than three, maybe four ponies top. Now entire compartment is filled with many creatures. Not only ponies but also griffons and yaks for some reason. It didn’t matter to you. There are a lot of them in ponyville as well, especially in Twilight school of friendship. Sitting places were slowly beginning to fill up. To the point when only one was left. Exactly on the opposite side of you. Suddenly someone struck you with conversation and your head came back from the clouds.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?” A white mare with a pink mane asked you.

“Huh?” You focused on her while your thoughts were being interrupted. “No, no, please take it...”

You shifted your gaze onto her. She was a unicorn with a great body shape just like an alicorn. She had three strange markings for cutie marks that looked like lily flowers. She clearly looked like some sort of model or something. She had a white leather bag and fur around her neck. Her four boots were leather as well, but they were black instead of white.

“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Fleur De Lis.” She stated.

Fleur De Lis means France's monarchy right? You remember it from Saints Row. She does look like someone from France... There are a lot of ponies that share some unique names of different things from your world.

“Nice to meet you Fleur De Lis. I’m Anonymous, but you can call me Anon.” you greeted her as well.

“Say, I never saw anyone like you before. And you are this... Human, gossips were talking about a few years prior?” she asked.

“Yes, that’s me.” You answered.

“Well then, what brings you to Canterlot at this time of the year. Or do you depart sooner?” she asked curiously.

“I’m... Well... About to ask someone out actually there.” you answered, she does not need to know who though.

“And who might that be? If you don’t mind answering of course.” She asked again.

“It really does not matter. I’m only doing this to boost my confidence you see. I’m starting a new part of my life and want to support myself by doing this.” you explained.

She simply nodded and looked at you with a small grin.

“That's... Brave, and a little bit weird. But I see that you know what you are doing.” She finally answered.

“What about you?” You asked back wanting to keep the conversation flowing.

“Me? I’m just coming back from my trip, I was in Manehattan to do some photoshoots. I’m a model, by the way, not to brag of course. I hope you don’t see me as some spoiled noble.” She replied. Her face was now without any expression.

“No, by heavens no... No noble would be kind enough to talk to me in the first place.” You answered.

“I see you had some experience with them in the past as well.” She questioned.

“Yeah, you could say I lost my job because of them. But, it’s all good now.” You answered.

“That’s horrible... When I started doing modeling they demanded from me... some awful things, and I fought with them until I made myself a place among the elite. I really like being on top, but never would I do it for hurting myself, or anypony else.” Fleur explained.

“I see you had some fair bit of life after you as well. Were you born noble or did you become one?” You asked curiously.

“I’m not a noble by blood, nor do I have any noble status. But everyone treats me like one anyway. I think that because I have some influence on them as well.” She stated.

You kept talking with Fleur and thought that although she is part of the nobility she is not like most of them. Maybe you should ask her for a date instead?

But before you, even attempt that the train has arrived at Canterlot station. Everyone started to depart from the station and Fleur disappeared somewhere in a second. You guess that is a sign of some kind.

You still need that cake...

“Hey, Glare look who came back. It’s this human again.” Guardsmare said to her partner when she saw you approach.

“No shot!” Glare said back.

“Good evening, Glare. And... Em... Never caught your name...” You tried to remember as you greeted them.

“Sky Shallow. I must say, everyone was impressed by your performance two months ago. I would never imagine Princess Celestia to take you to her chambers, but hey, anything can happen...” She stated.

“What are you planning today? Huh?” Glare asked while leaning into the wall of the gate.

“It’s a surprise. You will love it.” You replied. Clearly, still do not realizing what you are about to do.

“He will not. This time I’m coming. He will stay, I want to see what’s going to happen today.” She stated.

“Not fair...” Glare frowned.

“Shut it or you will be running around the wall for the next month.” She answered.

“Yes ma’am...” Glare signed.

“What do you have in that box? I need to check it before we come into the castle.” She asked.

“Cake, chocolate one. A gift.” Her ears perked up.

“Oh, this will be a good one...” She said quietly to herself.

Finally, after the ‘inspection’ aka, “Do you have a weapon?” “No” you passed the front gates and went into the castle corridor. This time you knew the exact path you need to take to the throne room, but still kept slow movement after your guardmare. The day was passing faster than you realized and it was already after six in the afternoon.

And this was a precise moment when it finally stuck you to what you are about to do. You started sweating while walking past the massive doors on both sides. You started to shake a little as well. Why are you doing this in the first place?

You need to keep yourself together before you faint. Remember, it does not matter, and you won’t be a laughing stock. You are a man. And you are worth every mare in this country. You will ask her to go with you to the gardens and then you will... You will... Say...

“Human. Human!” Skye started to shout at you before you came to a full stop, nearly dropping the box with the cake with you.

“What!?” You replied before meeting her eyes.

“We are here. Wait for me here, understand? Do not go anywhere.” She stated.

“Ye, yeah sure...” You replied.

Skye walked to the giant doors and someone from the other site opened them for her. You quickly got a glimpse of what’s inside. You spotted Princess Celestia and Raven Inkwell, alongside some guards. There were no other ponies in the room apart from them. That is a good sign. But you still need to control yourself.

You decided to meditate for a second. You focused and cleared your mind. Everything went blank and you were left with a single task:

Ask her out.

That’s all you have to do. Nothing more, if she agrees, great. If not, then problem solved. Nothing to lose, everything to gain. Still, you can’t think of a reason why she would accept someone like you as her partner. She is older, wiser, more beautiful, and clearly in a better position than you. She does not need someone like you. This thought made you more relaxed somehow. Knowing that there is nothing to expect made you realize that you are a master of your fate.

The door opened once again and Skye called you to go inside. You swallowed your saliva and moved inside.

As you walked past guards you cleared your mind again. You are Anonymous, master of your own fate. Nothing can scare you, nothing can make you-

You instantly stopped when your eyes met hers. Her face screamed with kindness, but all you could see is your fear reflecting in her eyes. You are scared shit-less. You can’t think, you can’t speak, you can’t walk. You just stood there. With this cake in your hands.

Right! Cake!

“I...” You started but stopped when her ear stood up. That motion was normal for them, but it made you feel scared for some reason.

What the fuck are you doing!? Just tell her something, anything.

“Are you okay Anon?” She asked, with her warm motherly voice.

Fuck, fuck, fuck...

“I... I brought you cake.” You finally replied. When you did, you felt like a hundred-ton ship was lifted from your back.

Immediately you opened the box and showed what was inside. It was a chocolate cake with three layers of dough and a large amount of chocolate layering for each one of the layers. It also had some decorations on top with strawberries alongside the edges.

You watched as Princess Celestia started to eye the offering while opening her mouth and licking it lightly while she was starting to drool a bit. It’s a good sign, right?

She switched her gaze to the Raven who reminded her to close her mouth and soon after she nodded to some sort of agreement. You on the other hand were not sure if you are doing good. No one was saying anything and there was this ominous silence.

“Thank you! You are very kind Anon! I will make sure to enjoy it.” She finally stated before taking the cake from you with her magic and placing it before her.

“It does strike me though. What is the purpose of your visit? If you don’t mind me asking.” She stated before looking at you again.

There it is. Just say it god-dammit!

“I...Wanted to ask you...If...There... I mean...” You stuttered for a while before you stopped and looked into her eyes again.

Now or never.

“I wanted to ask you... Will you be kind enough to go with me to the gardens?” You finally asked, again a big chunk of weight was lifted from your body.

“Gardens? Oh! Last time I didn’t have time to go with you. Sure, let me finish this piece of documents and I meet you there.” She replied.

You did it. Well, not yet. But there was progress. You forgot you were meant to go there with her last time, but Miss Inkwell snatched you before she could.

“Alright... I meet you there then.” You replied, before doing a robotic 180 and going in the direction of the giant doors.

“Oh, and Anon!” You hear Celestia say before you spin right back at her.

“Thanks for the cake!” She thanked you before closing her eyes and smiling at you.

“N-no, problem!” You replied before you quickly made your way out of the throne room. Doors closed after Skye crossed them too.

“So, you are planning on telling her you to love her or something?” Skye asked.

“What!? NO!” You got embarrassed.

“No bucking way... Oh, this will be the next headline for Canterlot Daily, I can see it. ‘Human Anonymous confesses his love for our beloved ruler, gets rejected!’. She stated before she started laughing.

“Fuck you.” You replied blushing.

“Oh... I can’t...” She spoke between one laugh and another.

She might be right though, you really need to ask yourself if you are willing to do this. You kept thinking about consequences and thought that when the worst would happen, you could just travel somewhere. Nothing keeps you here, and it is a whole world to explore.

But... Something tells you, that it's a bit too late to go back now. So... Prepare for the worst, and you never will be hurt.

You keep thinking about what is taking her so long. It has been already one and a half hours. And you start to think you had been left out already. It is already dark and there is no light apart from the lights that shelter the gardens and the various flora, like Night delight.

Your emotions got cooled off and now you are much calmer. There is a still part of you screaming for you to go home, but there is also one that is proud of you. You are weird. You take pleasure from being humiliated. You need to stop drinking so much, it messes with your emotions too much. But you can’t think of living without a glass of whiskey once a week. Choices, choices...

“I’m so sorry that took so long. I’m really, really sorry!” Celestia stated before descending from the air. You didn’t even spot her before and she startled you a bit.

“Don’t worry about it Princ- I mean... Celestia.” You replied with a soft smile. Standing up from the bench you were sitting on.

“I hate when Raven does not allow me to enjoy myself, especially when someone is waiting.” She added.

“I’m just grateful that you managed to come here in the first place.” You replied again.

“Do you want to take a walk? I would love to show you some great patches of flowers, and some sleeping animals too, if we’re lucky.” She proposed.

“I would like that.” You answered before she came a little closer to you. At this range you can clearly see her features more clearly, she has a great body, a long gorgeous mane and she is clearly taller than you. More or less by one-half heads, excluding the horn of course.

It made you a little bit more uptight, but overall, she looked stunning in the night moonlight. You don’t know if you can call her sexy just yet, but she is clearly beautiful. There are times when you think the pony you are talking to is looking attractive, but your mind is not used to this kind of feeling, and it just rejects it.

“This one” She started speaking before pointing her hoof at a yellow patch of flowers ahead. “Is called by some as ‘Road To Nothingness’, because when they are gifted, they are a sign of becoming lost, and are a reminder to stay focused.”

“And those” She pointed at another patch of half black, half white flowers with long leaves on top. “Are called ‘equality flowers’ those flowers should remind you that you are always the same as anypony else. And you should never treat someone else bad because it can happen to you too.”

“Wow, you know so much about them, even if you don’t come here often.” You stated.

She looked at you with a soft smile while holding one of the equality flowers to smell it. “Yes, a shame really. I always keep coming back to the early days, when there was no paperwork and more action outside the palace. Those were the days I could learn about the fauna and flora, and honestly... Everything else, the most.”

You could see her smile growing smaller for a second before she looked at you once again, when she did, the smile came back. It was a weird feeling, but a welcome one.

“I really liked when we talked that one night, I learned so much amazing stuff about you, and your culture. I only wish to repay you somehow.” She stated before coming to a stop right in front of you. Your eyes met and her smile grew once again.

“What do you mean? I should thank you. You know? I would not be here if I haven’t talked to you that day. Thank you.” You stated.

“You make me blush, please don’t be so humble. I say we gave each other something that day. I really think I should express more feelings, just like you stated that day.” She explained.

You made your way alongside Princess Celestia to the end of the garden as she talked. She knew every animal and plant in there, and every time she pointed to something she had some story ready to tell you. It passed so quickly, in good company time is faster than usual. You should ask her now, there will be no chance like this one.

“Celestia, can I ask you something?” You questioned before she gave you an amused look.

“Of course, you can! Did I really never give you a chance to speak up? I’m so sorry! First I’m late, and now I’m just talking about myself...” She accused herself.

“No, no. You were wonderful today! I should thank you for spending time with me today. I just wanted to ask...” You started but hesitated.

“Yes?” She asked looking directly into your eyes. You started shaking again but quickly remembered to stay calm.

“Princess Celestia, I really think spending time with you is great, and I think ending it makes me sad.” You paused and collected your thoughts before continuing. “And, I was wondering if... You would like to spend some more time together...”

She instantly smiled and walked a bit closer to you, it startled you a little. But she stopped and stared at you directly.

“I would love to spend more time with you Anon. You are very kind, and I also like spending time with you.” She stated.

You, on the other hand, didn’t fully grasp it. Is this real? What if it's just a dream? No way you just heard what you heard. You didn’t ask her out as you wanted, but you played it safe instead. You actually made a smart decision for once!

“What would you say about coming to my chambers with me now? We could talk some more, with the cake you brought and some tea?” She asked, the red flag appeared on top of her head as she said that.

WAIT, Now?! You... Is... Is she inviting you... to... have sex with her?! Too soon! Too soon! Red flag! Red Flag!

“I...I...” You didn’t know what to say. “I mean...”

“You don’t need to of course. I was just asking...” She said before making a sad face.

When you saw her eyes drop and her smile weaken, your heart stopped. You can’t refuse this mare.

“S-Sure... W-Why not.” You said while your face grew redder.

“Really?! Oh, that’s great! Let me teleport us then.” She stated with great happiness.

“No WAIT!” Before you could say anything she already teleported you and herself into her room.

Your body felt like being thrown into the washing machine. You hated teleporting, Twilight only teleported you a couple of times over small distances, and every time you would feel extreme pain in your chest and legs. When you arrived in her chamber you fall onto your knees and felt incredible pain in your stomach and heart this time. You clenched your hand into your chest to ease the pain a bit.

“Anon! Are you okay!? What happened?!” You heard her say before she lowered herself to your level.

“Yeah... Just give me a second...” You mumbled before you felt a bit better.

“Did I hurt you!? I’m so sorry! I’m awful!” She stated.

After a second you could feel her tears hit your back, you immediately turned around and saw her cry.

This is the second time you made her cry. You feel more horrible about that fact than about being teleported.

She needed someone to hold her right now. And you don’t care if that’s good or bad, you just can’t see her like that. You stood up, focused on her instead of pain, and hugged her, trying to calm her down.

“It’s okay. I’m okay. You did nothing wrong.” You explained.

“I-I... I’m an awful pony. I let you down today three times!” She stated between the sobs. “I don’t deserve your kindness!”

“You do. It’s alright... I... I love you.” You replied before she stopped sobbing. She turned her head to face you, she stood up, and you backed up, breaking your hug.

“What?” She asked wiping her tears.

“I...I think... I think I love you.” You replied, looking into her big magenta eyes. She stopped crying and looked at you with concern.

“You... Love me?” She asked after a pause.

“I... I do.” You replied with the most serious look you could ever produce.

“Why?” She asked, her eyes growing a bit bigger for some reason. Her wings started to flutter in place a little bit too.

“I...” You started but couldn’t find a good reason. Why? How did you get here? What is the point anymore? You took a long look at her again.

“I don’t know.” You stated. Her gaze broke for a second but after she heard you continue she looked back at you again.

“But... I think it may be because you are kind and beautiful, and you gave me hope, to reach for something out of my reach. To... To touch the stars...” you stated.

She paused, closed her eyes, and opened them again. Looking at you directly. her tears started to flow again, but she didn’t sob, nor she did care that they were there. All of her focus was on you.

“I... I don’t believe you.” She stated looking lost.

“What do you mean?” You asked.

“I... Never... No one ever loved me truly. Why would you love me? We are not even the same species!” She questioned.

“I... I don’t know, but...” You stated before taking a pause. “I know... You can’t lie to yourself. I do love you.”

She paused again.

“You would die before I could. We would be apart for so long... You are much more younger than me! You deserve some young good looking mare, not an old cow like me!”

“That’s true, I would die before you. But I would cherish each moment we would have. And you may be older than me, but you are the most gorgeous mare I ever laid my eyes on.” You explained.

“I...I can’t!” She stated. “I can’t! I have never been in love! I can’t love you!”

Her words somehow broke your heart. You should be prepared to her say something like this. You knew this could happen. Then why, for the love of God, did it hurt so much?

“Why?” You only could ask her that. Now you too started crying as well. And as she spotted that, started to cry even harder as well...

“I don’t want to watch you die, It would break my heart!” She stated between the sobs.

“You lived so long, you watched as your loved ones died before. I don’t understand...” You replied.

She stopped and make a surprised look. You never would say something like that normally. It clearly hurt her.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve not said that...” You said before she could answer.

“No...You are right... I watched them die. And I would not want to watch you die too...” She stated.

“But...” You moved closer to her, looking at her face with your emotionless eyes. “You will... Even if you don’t accept me... I will die. So what’s the point in living apart?”

Your words were cruel, but at the same time... true... Why did you continue this?

She could not hold herself. She sat down and couldn’t say a single word, she just cried and looked at you directly, with her pupils now 1/4 size what they normally were. Indicating that she realized that she was wrong.

She blinked, her pupils now became big again. She looked at the fireplace for a couple of seconds and looked at you back.

“Would you like some wine?” She asked wiping the tears from her face.

She seemed calmer, and at the same time almost at the edge of crying again. It seemed weird to just ask that when you just said you love her, but there was something behind this action.

“I would love some wine...” You replied, wiping your tears as well.

She deliberately switched the tone to think about what just happened. Your mind agreed to that terms because you needed that too.

She stood up and walked to one of the glass cabins that were filled with dishes and alcohol. She grabbed one bottle of red sweet wine and almost dropped it. She catch it before it fell and poured some into the two big glasses. After she filled them she came back to you and pointed the glass in your direction.

You took it and inspected the red color of the wine. A scarlet red one, very sweet. You took a good sip and tested it, it to your amusement it tasted very good. With just a hint of bitterness at the end. You think this type of wine costs more than you could even afford right now...

She took one sip as well before striking you with the obvious question.

“Is it good?”

“It is. Very sweet. With just a little bit of-” You tried to describe before being cut off at the last sentence.

“Bitterness...” She finished for you.

Your eyes met again. You never would imagine this type of feeling directed to a pony. But you don’t mind. You are true to yourself now. You are free, first time in your life...

She stepped closer, passing the wine to the side. She got closer to you.

You did the exact same thing, you passed your unfinished wine to the side and got closer.

You knew the wine was just an excuse to collect thoughts, now you need to address this...

“Before... Before we do anything... Can you please tell me something?” She asked, now very close to your face.

“Yes?” You replied.

“Why me?” She asked.

You thought for a second and spoke again.

“I think... Because you opened my eyes... Gave me a reason to live... When... When I got lost, you showed me the wonders of this world. And I think... You are one of them.” You said while blushing like a tomato. Are you truly feeling that way towards her? Or it is just an act to keep yourself together?

You locked your eyes and stared into each other, your faces growing closer and closer. Then suddenly she made the first move. And kissed you. Her lips finally touched yours, now you were connected forever.

At first, the feeling was rather weird... But very soon it gave you a warm feeling, and you knew... You truly love her...

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this one. It was a pleasure, but it’s not over yet! We haven’t even started!

And if you think that the story is progressing too fast or the characters are not valid (only appearing for a second or two), fear not! I want to address some things before I can move to more complicated stuff later on. It’s a slice of life after all!