Striving for Perfection

I am in deep meditation right now. I've already lost track of time and was able to relax a little. How much time has passed? A minute, an hour, a day, or even a century? What is time in general? Is it the same illusion to simplify perception as the concept of good and bad? If so, then what is not an illusion at all to simplify perception. What if no one could build an ideal world because everyone, without exception, is such an illusion? What if even nihilism questioning all these illusions is itself the same illusion? What if even perfection is just stupidity. No no no, that last thought was terrible. If everything is as an illusion, then there will be no reality with which to compare. Reality and truth must be and these concepts are embodied in one-in perfection.

A sharp blow to the side brought me out of meditation, which turned into reflection. I had no time to open my eyes when I already felt a strong discomfort. Finally opening my eyes, I saw in front of me the face of Shining that had already bored me. Although I still don't distinguish between the faces of ponies, I just distinguish them by color. I could try to look at the sides to see these "cutiemarks", but I really hate the idea of looking at the sides of a pony. In any case, Shining started talking

"How long have you been sitting like this?"

"I didn't sleep at all last night," I replied in a dispassionate voice.

Shining wanted to say something, but I beat him to it, "You didn't sleep well. Yes, I saw you tossing and turning in your sleep."

Shining replied with a grin, "Are you a mind reader?"

"Fortunately not. I don't want to go through garbage like your brain. "

He sighed, but instead of leaving like a coward, he continued, "Anyway, I have crackers if you want, I'm ready to share. "

I waved my hand, dismissing his offer, "I'm not interested in your handouts. Eat, don't choke."

Shining just walked towards his shelf. I quickly lost interest in him and decided to look out the window. Looking out of the window, I saw a lot of trees rushing past and in the distance the castle in Canterlot rises. Only now I noticed that I woke up in the afternoon. I hope this doesn't knock my night mode. Although it is very pleasant to see normal sunlight after a constant night.

I decided to get out of the train. Wrapping the compass in a map and taking the sickle in my other hand, I got off the train into the fresh air. Leaning on the railing, I began to enjoy the scenery. A lot of trees and bushes that merge from the speed into one green mass. The wind is rasping my mustache and hair that have grown out. Again, I need to get a haircut, otherwise soon my hair will start climbing into my eyes. And as the most important thing in this picture is the castle. Even though it looks pretty good from a distance, it's still hard for me to get rid of my aversion to this structure. Thoughts about how unfairly expensive he is cannot leave my head. I shook my head and focused on the landscape again. Among the landscape I saw a city to which I have conflicting feelings. Ponyville. On the one hand, I was able to loudly declare myself and talk a little with my grandfather. On the other hand, it was in this city that I met a crushing defeat. The city has long gone out of my sight and I stopped thinking about it. Instead, I just continued to enjoy the scenery.

After a while I noticed the train station, but unlike the last time there are a lot of ponies on it. I sighed, preparing to break through this crowd and returned to the train. When I got on the train, I saw that Shining was just standing next to the door instead of giving instructions. Probably they will go further. I went to the exit and waited for the train to stop. While I was waiting, my stomach rumbled.

Shining looked at me with a grin, "You should have accepted my offer."

"I will answer with an statement for an statement. You shouldn't have been born."

Surprisingly, Shining, instead of being upset, just calmed down and made a stony face. I lost interest in him and continued to wait. Suddenly I heard the sound of the train stopping and I got ready to get out. As soon as the train finally stopped, I opened the door and went out into the fresh air. Thanks to my height, I was able to make my way through the crowd quite easily. I ignored the ponies in the crowd and instead focused on finding Luna. I ran my eyes all over the neighborhood, but still couldn't find her.

Suddenly I felt a presence behind me and a familiar voice "Boo!"

I was slightly startled by such a sudden appearance, but I turned to Luna anyway and handed her all the things while saying "It's not scary."

She just grinned and got down to business, "Anyway, congratulations on your success. Success in the exam and success in establishing your public image."

I raised an eyebrow, preparing to ask a question, but Luna beat me to it and said, passing the newspaper, "Just read this."

I opened the newspaper and read it.

A ship bound from the kingdom of the Minotaurs was found wrecked on the shore a few miles from Baltimare. Journalists who examined the ship noted that all stocks except bread remained intact. At the same time, no piece or crumb of bread was found on the ship. So far, the Minotaurs have not spoken out about this event.

I raised my eyebrow again looking at Luna "A ship without bread? How does that even apply to me?"

She came closer and pointed with her hoof to the desired article "I meant this."

I started reading the article that Luna pointed out to me.

A city in southeastern Equestria was attacked by a monster. Fortunately, the tragedy was avoided thanks to the intervention of the creature known a few months ago as the "sacred hunter". The motives and reasons for the change in the behavior of the creature remain a mystery, but only one thing can be stated for sure: he's not pony's enemy anymore.

Then a slightly distorted quote of me began, but I already had enough of the information I received. I handed the newspaper to Luna and started walking towards the castle. For a short time we walked side by side in silence, but Luna soon broke it.

"Even though you were able to avoid the tragedy, do you realize how close you were into it?"

"Yes, I can imagine. As an excuse, I can say that it was difficult to fight this monster."

"We are pleased that you admit your mistakes."

I just nodded at Luna's statement and we continued walking towards the castle in silence. Only now I noticed that there are a lot of ponies on the street and surprisingly, those of them who are dressed are moving towards the castle. Interesting. Switching my attention to other things, I started looking for something else interesting. In the open square there was a foal inviting a passing pony to buy a newspaper. Next to the foal was a table on which there were several bundles of newspapers. A cold November wind blew, causing the colt to shake slightly from the cold, but he still continued to call. Looking even more closely, I noticed that he was wearing a gray hat with holes in it. Poverty.

I turned to Luna, "Can you lend me money? Don't worry, I can pay you."

Surprisingly, instead of resenting my request, Luna flashed a horn, causing several coins to appear in my hand. I nodded to Luna and headed for the foal.

While I was approaching him, he continued to call out, "A monster attacked the city, but the situation was saved by the one who was previously called such. Buy a newspaper and find out more! "

I went to the table with the newspapers, took one and left all the money that Luna gave me next to it. I turned around to go back to Luna, but I heard the colt addressing me, "Sir, the newspaper costs two bits and you left about fifteen. "

I turned my head to him and replied, "Take the rest for yourself. Do with them whatever you think is necessary."

Judging by the silence, his brain stopped at such a suggestion, but he was able to gather his strength and answered very happily, "Thank you very much, sir!"

I walked up to Luna and showed with my head that we were continuing to walk. We continued to walk to the castle together, but the Moon broke the silence after just a couple of seconds. "To be honest, we did not expect this from you."

"Although it looks altruistic from the outside, in fact, I have selfish reasons. The first reason: I create my credibility by creating an image of a "defender of the common people". Unfortunately, given my ambitions, I have to somehow create authority. The second reason: I am convinced that good work should be rewarded accordingly. And the last reason: in a certain sense, this kid is better than me. I mean, he looks like he's ten years old and he's already working. I didn't work anywhere until I was sixteen and just sat on my parents' neck."

"So you're doing everything for your own benefit?"

"Yes, although I must admit that sometimes my benefits are so low that my actions can be called altruistic."

Luna nodded and was about to return to silence, but it suddenly dawned on her, "By the way, happy birthday to you."

I snorted at Luna's statement and waved off "Just a year older. Nothing important. "

"At least it's an anniversary. "

"I can count. As I have already said, there is not much point in arranging a serious holiday from a birthday."

Luna decided to switch the topic of conversation, "In any case, you have an important day today. Today you will become the captain of the night guard."

I didn't say anything to that and just wanted to go back to silence. Unfortunately, Luna was not satisfied with my silence "Don't say anything and don't ask?"

I sighed and still replied, "I guess you won't stop anyway. How will this happen? "

"We're glad you asked. First, you will be put in order and provided with a dress uniform. Then a solemn ceremony will take place at midnight at night. And of course a big feast. This will be one of the most grandiose events in Canterlot in the last few hundred years! "

"Where are you going to get a dress uniform for me?"

"While you were making your outfit, you left a sheet with your measurements on the table. If you believe the words of the seamstress, your measurements turned out to be suitable for work. The curvature of your clothes has more to do with your lack of sewing experience. In any case, it remains only to put your family coat of arms on your clothes. "

"What do you suggest I do if my family doesn't have a coat of arms? "

It's time for Luna to wonder "How can your family not have a coat of arms? In Equestria, every family has a coat of arms. They usually represent the Cutie mark of the most successful pony in the family. Oh, right. " Said Luna realizing the detail.

"Exactly."

Luna was silent for a while in thought, but quickly managed to find a solution. "Well, let's try to come up with it. Do you have any ideas?"

I scratched thoughtfully scratched my chin and after a couple of seconds, snapped my fingers, "I propose to depict an arrow and a bow on the coat of arms. And also to depict broken chains. "

"It sounds interesting, but why such a choice? "

"Everyone in my family except me and my father were hunters and broken chains are considered a symbol of freedom. I think we can come up with something from this."

Luna nodded and that was the end of our conversation. Together we approached the castle gate, which was opened to us by two guards. Walking through the corridors, I tried not to pay attention to the surroundings. Due to the fact that it is day, all the shortcomings of this castle are cut in the eyes. God, I'm starting to remember why I hate this castle so much. I tried desperately to ignore the ugliness of this castle, but was defeated. Barely restraining my irritation and rage, I was able to get to the room with Luna.

When I entered the room, I saw a lot of cabinets with fabrics and other accessories. A table with a sewing machine and several mirrors. On one of the closets hung a black coat similar to what I had and the same black trousers with an extension of the hips. Coming closer, I noticed that there is white fur inside the coat and the buttons have a design similar to a crescent moon.

I turned to Luna and said, "I think it's going to be hot with fur."

"We took care of this. We enchanted the fur for thermoregulation and internal resistance to fire. Only, this does not mean that you can jump into any fire. This means that your clothes will not burn if you unsuccessfully use dark magic, no more. "

I was satisfied with this answer, but not knowing what to do, I asked another question, "What now? "

Luna thought a little silently and replied, "I'll find a seamstress and tell her to embroider the family coat of arms. You should just wait here."

Luna was about to go look for a seamstress, but I managed to stop her, "Wait, why are you going to tell the seamstress about the family coat of arms instead of me? Although technically the coat of arms doesn't even exist yet, it still remains mine."

"Trust us. We have seen an infinite number of coats of arms, so we have an idea of how it should look."

I tried to come up with a counter argument, but because of my contract with Luna, according to which I can't be rude, I didn't succeed. In the end, I said reluctantly, "Okay, I'll wait here."

She nodded and went somewhere out of my field of vision. I just had to wait, leaning on the cabinet. After a while, I heard the door open and a conversation started behind it. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear anything solid, so I just had to look for something interesting. After examining the room, I noticed that it was illuminated by a chandelier on the ceiling. This particular chandelier has six crystals as light bulbs and, judging by the appearance, is made of gold. I turned away from the chandelier, not wanting to see such an unnecessary waste of money and began to look nowhere in particular.

Soon Luna returned and showed me with her head that it was time to move on. I followed her and we went further along the corridors of the castle. Only now I noticed that there seemed to be not enough guards in the castle. Some doors have one guard at a time and some have no guards at all.

Probably most of the guards are now sent to strengthen the garrisons. They will need time to transfer their forces to the castle again.

I shook my head and continued walking with Luna. Soon we reached a room that looked like a mini barber shop. In the room there is a sink for washing your hair, a wardrobe on which there are many various accessories necessary for a haircut and a haircut chair standing in front of the mirror. Literally a couple of seconds after my arrival, a unicorn came out of another room holding a cocktail in its magical grip. Her eyes widened at the sight of me and Luna, so she quickly put the cocktail on the table, which I did not notice immediately.

She put the cocktail on the table and started saying, "I wasn't expecting you so early. Anyway, please sit down and I'll fix your appearance."

I nodded and sat down in the chair that stood in front of the glass. She began to collect the necessary accessories for a haircut and was ready to start when she sighed in horror.

"Your head looks just awful. Do you wash it at all? "

"Yes, once a week, only with water. "

She almost fell into horror with this, but was able to answer before going to the back room, "Okay, I'll go get what I need in the back room."

While she was rummaging in the back room, I rolled up on a chair to the sink and prepared for the procedure. Soon she returned from the back room with shampoo. She came up to me, showed me with a pole that I needed to lean back and started the procedure. First she soaked my hair with water and started applying shampoo on it. Why did she start surprisingly carefully, considering that she has hooves instead of hands, rubbing shampoo over my head. My perception weakened and I didn't even immediately pay attention as she said that I needed to wipe my hair. I shook my head, wiped my hair, and rolled back in the chair to the mirror.

Before starting the haircut, she asked the question "Which haircut do you prefer?"

"Which one, can you do quickly?" I answered the question with a question.

"Well, of course I can just shave all your hair and it will be fast, but if we talk about a normal haircut then..."

I interrupted her with a hand sign and said, "Fine, I choose this option. Shave everything. "

"But it's ugly! "

"Don't you find it strange that you care about my haircut? Do you fall in love with everyone you meet? " I asked deliberately playing on emotions.

She tried to come up with an answer, but I continued to bend my line, "That's exactly because it's not like that, you have to do everything as I ask."

She nodded reluctantly and got to work. She put a sheet on me and put the unnecessary tools on the table. As a result, all she needs for a haircut is a clipper and a razor.

I wonder where pony got the technology to make the clipper work?

She finally got to work.

I left the room with Luna and the renewed view. Unfortunately, the hairdresser refused to shave me completely, so the hair remained on the top of my head and very slightly on the sides. Fortunately, she still agreed to shave her mustache and beard completely.

Looking at me, Luna giggled, "It looks very funny."

I turned to her with an impassive face, "The main thing is that everything was done quickly."

"Probably yes." Luna said, thus ending the conversation.

She doesn't agree with me. I feel it.

Continuing to move through the castle, we reached the room that had already become my home. Only the door to my room has a couple of guards. Well, then I'm a big shot.

Luna opened the door and said goodbye, "For now, you'll have to stay in the room. We will personally come or send the guards when the time comes, depending on the situation."

I nodded to her and went into the room, closing the door behind me. First of all, I went to the bed and checked what was under the pillow. I breathed a sigh of relief because the alpha core and my phone are still in place. Next, I pulled a chair over to the closet to climb on it. Climbing on it, I saw my letter written in blood and took it. Now I have a problem.

How to deliver it in the garden? The Guards are unlikely to let me just walk out, considering what Luna said. Okay, I just need to think. I have a window in my room, I can try to get to the garden. Where is the garden? I need to remember. Moving out of my room, first you need to turn left, then after walking down the corridor a few feet turn right. Then turn left again and climb the stairs and end up in a small corridor. Voila, we are in the garden! So I just need to look out of the window and, given the difference in positions, find the garden.

I went to the window holding the letter in my hand and looked out of it. Turning my head, I was able to find a ledge from which water was flowing like a waterfall. There is only one problem left to get to the ledge, I need to overcome about forty feet. After a little thought, I came up with a plan. I ran into the bathroom and tore off the faucet from the sink after turning off the water supply. Then I went to the window and got ready to jump. Jumping, I threw the severed crane into the wall with enough force to get it stuck in it. After that, I hooked my magical tentacles on the crane, thus lengthening the jump enough to land in the garden.

Once in the garden, I noticed a complete lack of security, which serves me well. Now the question is where to leave the letter so that it is not lost. Looking around, I found the perfect option. A statue of Discord is clutching a lion's paw to its chest. If there is at least a tiny gap between the body and the paw, then I can perfectly hide the letter there. I walked up to the Discord statue and ran into a problem. There is no gap.

I was about to go look for another option when I heard Discord's voice in my head, "Have you not forgotten your best friend Dani? Oh, I'm so flattered if there weren't certain problems, I would have caught fire from embarrassment! "

I turned to the statue and showed no emotion due to the fact that I had not slept all night, "I don't have anything to do with games right now. "

"Oh, you're not funny. Can you at least tell me why you're here for the sake of decency? "

"I have to leave a letter in this garden. " I said, showing the letter to Discord's stone eyes.

"Wow written in blood. How dark and creepy. I now have a personal colony of goosebumps that appeared from fear."

I sighed in disappointment and went to look for other suitable statues. After a few minutes of searching, I found a statue similar to a pony standing in a turtle formation. I put the letter between the shields so that it almost didn't stick out. After making sure that it would not fly away at the first gust of wind, I turned around and was ready to return to the room by the same route, but Discord's voice appeared in my head again.

"Dani! I'm your friend, you're not asking me to be here alone, are you?"

I turned towards the statue and said without emotion, "I'm not going to sacrifice my freedom for you."

I didn't wait for Discord's answer and jumped towards my window with a running start. Due to the fact that the garden is located above my room, I was able to jump to the window without any problems and climb into the room. I managed to sweat from this acrobatics, so I pulled a chair to the table. I had a lot of time left before the moon came, but due to lack of sleep, I settled on a normal sleep. I lay down on the bed and almost immediately fell asleep without even covering myself with a blanket.