Back on Duty

Gregory caught a break at noon, when Celestia joined him and Blossom in the garden. He was reading a book, immensely grateful for the thick pillow on the stone seat, while the young mare was just lying on the grass, soaking up sunlight. Maybe she was asleep, it was hard to tell. She wanted to run and for some reason he had to give her permission, but once that was out of the way, Blossom had sped around the little clearing until she collapsed, wheezing but happy. She had a lot of energy to burn, that one.

"How is it going?" Celestia asked as she sat on the grass next to Greg's chair and leaned against his side. His hand automatically went to her ear and began scratching.

"Taking a nap, I think."

Blossom made him a liar by sighing and angling her head to look at the Princess. She even raised one hoof in a kind of greeting.

"I see."

"Shouldn't you be holding court? Where's Luna?"

The Princess shrugged. "Technically, but I took a short break. Luna wanted to have lunch with Eli. If you want you can get lunch and I will watch Blossom for a bit."

"Hmm. That okay with you Blossom? Would you mind staying with the Princess for a bit while I go get a sandwich?"

She just shrugged, which Gregory decided to take as a 'yes'.

"Want me to bring you anything?"

The mare had to think for a bit, then she brightened up. "M-Muffins?" she prompted.

"Hmm, I don't think-"

Celestia nudged him in the ribs with her muzzle and he shut up. She obviously had an idea. "I know you don't like sweets, Gregory, so here is a thought. Get your sandwich and when you are back, you can take Blossom out to that bakery on the corner of Cloudsdale Lane and Restaurant Row."

Taking the young mare out of the Castle worried Greg a little. He watched Blossom to try and gauge her reaction to the suggestion. She was still watching him intently.

"You think you're up for that, Blossm? It's just a short walk and we can get muffins. You won't get scared if you see unicorns walking around, will you?"

Her muzzle scrunched up, but after a moment Blossom shook her head. It wasn't entirely convincing, but maybe the lure of pastries would help Blossom get over her fear sooner. He remembered the previous night's meeting with Star Bright. Blossom was showing very good progress. She was quickly adjusting to this new life.

"Okay then. Remember, if you feel uncomfortable just say so and we'll come right back."

She nodded at first, but then she thought better of it and cleared her throat. "Okay," she managed.

All Greg had on his mind when he barged into Celestia and Luna's small dining room was a quick cheese and tomato sandwich. The refrigerator there could be relied upon to be well stocked at all times. More importantly, there would be no crowd. After near-constant Blossom's presence, Greg wanted to eat a solitary meal. He could have gotten something from the kitchens, which provided lunch for the various clerks, guards, maids and visiting dignitaries employed in the Castle, but most pony food was too sugary for Greg's taste and the cooks were entirely too chatty for him right at the moment.

A sandwich would be an elegant simplicity.

Except he wasn't alone. He nearly ran into Luna, who was sitting on her haunches with her back to the door.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to disturb-"

Greg was about to apologize and duck out of the room. It wouldn't be the first time he chanced upon the younger alicorn and her diplomat boyfriend in an intimate moment and the best way to avoid embarrassment all around was simply to leave and pretend he hadn't seen anything. Except, this time Luna was alone. Despite that, she let out a very uncharacteristic squeak, which got Greg interested. What did the Princess have to hide?

He closed the door behind himself and leaned on it. Luna was still facing away.

"Mmmuh-huuh!" came a muffled, weirdly resonating, slightly echoing reply.

"Bad time?" he asked.

The mare heaved a sigh and slowly turned around. Her muzzle appeared to be stuck in a glass jar. That would explain the sound, Greg concluded. He took a closer look. It was one of Celestia's prized blueberry and lavender jam jars. The one which always ran out inexplicably quickly so the Princess had to order it more frequently than she expected. She sometimes mentioned it in idle conversation, especially during breakfast.

Greg began to form a picture in his mind.

"So it was you all along?"

Another sigh and Luna's ears lowered even further. She nodded.

"But why? You know Celestia wouldn't begrudge you jam whenever you wanted it."

"Huum humum hum huam hu how."

Greg couldn't help but chuckle at her plaintive tone, rendered completely intelligible by the glass, which just barely fit her snout.

"Wanna put that down and try again?"

The Princess nodded and put her hooves on the glass. She gave it a tug, but she couldn't get a good grip, so the jar remained in place.

"Hmueh hees?" she pleaded.

Laughing, Greg stepped closer and firmly grasped the jar with both hands. It took a surprising amount of force to get the thing off Luna's face. There was a sound almost like that of a cork coming out of the bottle and then the Princess was free. Except for all the jam covering her nose. It would have been worse if it didn't match her coat color pretty well.

"Thanks," she said, slightly dejected.

"I won't tell her if you don't," Greg offered.

The words made Luna's ears lift up in surprise. "You won't?" Her eyes narrowed. "Why not? What will you demand from me in return?! You will not blackmail me!"

Greg held up his hands in supplication. "Relax, relax, nothing of the sort. It's just... "He paused for a moment to think up the best way to explain. When he had it, he made a circular motion to encompass Luna and her sticky muzzle. "This is too precious. Back when Celestia came to Earth, she told me she missed feeling like a little filly sometime. I guess this is your way of doing that?"

Luna gave a single nod, but she was beginning to smile.

"Exactly. Besides, Celestia already knows damn near everything that's happening in Equestria. Let's keep a little bit of mystery in her life. It'll do her good."

"She- noticed?"

"Yes, but she can't figure out why that particular flavor runs out so quickly."

Luna lowered her gaze to the floor. "It's my favorite."

"You still haven't answered me why you didn't simply tell Celestia?"

Luna shook her head. "I guess... at first I felt these breakfasts were a chore. All I wanted to do was go to bed, but Sister insisted. Once I figured out her pancakes were actually good, it was too late to simply change my mind."

Greg thought he understood. "Oh, so you don't want to admit to Celestia that you were wrong?"

"She is my older Sister! Did you have sisters or brothers?"

"No."

"Then you probably wouldn't understand. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of winning on this! As far as Celestia is concerned, I begrudgingly suffer through her constant pancake breakfasts!"

Greg couldn't help but laugh some more. "Luna," he said as calmly as he could manage, "I think she knows. We all see you polish your plate and then lick it clean! And then ask for more."

The mare just snorted and turned away. "Well, she did not know about the jam! It is my favorite and a secret, and you will keep it that way if you value your life!"

The chuckling fit simply wouldn't stop and Greg had to hold up his hands in supplication so he could catch a breath. "Okay, okay, fine. I promise, Your Highness!"

She was hard to take seriously, even while threatening him, with all that jam smeared on her nose and apparently forgotten. Greg opened a nearby drawer and brought out a clean dish cloth.

"Here, let me help."

It was the work of moments to wipe her face, even if it remained somewhat sticky.

"You'll have to wash if you don't want Celestia to figure it out."

"I know," Luna replied.

"One more thing. Why didn't you use a spell or something to know when someone was coming? Or, failing that, why didn't you hear me walking up?"

Luna flashed a proud little grin. "Two reasons: One, only Sister usually comes in this room and she is holding court for the next hour at least. And two, the treat is more delicious when there is a chance of being caught."

That made a lot of sense, actually. Illicit treats were always tastier, that was a well-known fact.

"As for why I did not hear you," Luna went on, blushing a little and lowering her ears. "Um... slurping," she explained, poking out her pink tongue and wiggling it a little as if in demonstration.

Greg glanced at the jar on the table and tried to imagine. There wasn't a whole lot left so Luna's tongue would have to stretch impressively far to reach the sweet jam. He was slightly grateful that he didn't have this flavor of jam on his pancakes - or at least didn't remember if he ever had. Yes, he kissed Celestia which was an even more direct way to swap saliva, but that was entirely different. Food wasn't involved. Usually, at least.

"Couldn't you use a spoon or something? I don't think Celestia would appreciate it if she knew you stick your tongue in there."

The mare shook her head. "It tastes better this way and Sister will never find out, correct?"

"Yeah, I'll keep your secret, Luna. Anyway, do you mind if I get a sandwich for myself?"

"Please do."

She was eyeing the jar once more and Greg resigned himself to having to free her from it once more in a few minutes' time. Strangely enough, he reflected as he picked up the ingredients from the fridge, he wasn't as disgusted as he was expecting. Maybe living in Equestria had changed him in more ways that he realized.

Still, just to be on the safe side, Greg made a mental note never to have blueberry jam on his pancakes. A second mental note: He now knew Luna's favorite flavor of jam, which could come in handy around birthdays or Christmas, or the pony equivalent of it.

Gregory and Blossom stood just inside the Canterlot Castle's main gate. It was open in the balmy weather but there didn't appear to be any visitors. The two guards posted there watched him with a great deal of interest, but didn't comment. He must have gone through the gates hundreds, or perhaps thousands of times, but today was different because of Blossom. She watched the street warily, as if expecting an attack. Her whole body was tense and her ears twitched and scanned like radar dishes. It put Greg in mind of a cat in unfamiliar territory, assessing all threats and deciding between fleeing or fighting. Every now and then Blossom's tail swished. She wasn't probably even aware she was doing it.

"Hey, it's just a walk. Nothing to be afraid of." He had to calm her down before she worked herself into a frenzy. Pausing had been a mistake, Gregory decided. "Come on," he urged and took a step.

He didn't have to look back because he heard the clop of her hooves as the mare hurried to catch up to him. Her muzzle pressed against his hand and her tongue darted out to give his fingers a quick lick. The courtyard was easy because it was empty, but then there was the main plaza with a number of ponies milling about. A lot of them were unicorns.

Greg glanced down and saw how Blossom's ears were already flattening at the sight. "Don't be afraid of them." He stopped so he wouldn't trip and the mare looked up at his face. Greg tried to smile as reassuringly and disarmingly as he could. "The worst they'll do is be a bit rude to you. Just ignore them, okay?"

The mare swallowed and then gave a single nod.

"Just say if you get too nervous and we'll go back."

Another nod.

Greg decided to take it as a good sign and started walking again. Blossom's muzzle kept brushing his hand, but she wasn't pressing her face into his palm anymore. Maybe Celestia was right. Keeping Blossom cooped up and handling her with extreme caution would just reinforce to her that there was something to fear. They had to immerse her in normal life as soon as possible so she could learn to accept it and adapt. The Princess has also promised she'd bring in an expert to help Blossom get over her experiences, but whoever that was hadn't made an appearance yet. Soon, Greg hoped. He kept his pace slow and steady, so that the mare didn't have to constantly think about her position and speed. A larger version of the famous Heisenberg Principle, the man thought to himself.

After all the years living there, the Canterlot ponies paid the tall alien no mind. He got an occasional curious glance, but there was almost no fear anymore. The first few months after his arrival had been much, much worse. If anyone even noticed Blossom, it was only because she was so obviously with him. She got even fewer glances than him. That was just as well.

"So, have you ever been in Canterlot before?" Greg asked, mainly for something to say.

Blossom took a quick glance around, then shrugged. "Du-Dunno," she answered almost too quietly to hear above the background noise of the street. "I don't remember."

It was a curious answer and Greg furrowed his brow in curiosity.

"You don't remember?"

"Maybe- maybe when I was little," Blossom said, keeping her eyes on a group of unicorns in suits sitting at an outside table in front of a cafe. "Maybe M-Mom and Dad brought me."

She had never mentioned her parents before.

"Mom and Dad? What were they like? Do you know where they are?"

Blossom shook her head. "Dunno," she admitted. "They, um, they stayed at the farm."

Her previous mention of that 'farm' had made the mare sad and frightened and Greg didn't want to repeat that, not in the middle of the street. He wanted to know more, but now was not the time, so he decided to change the topic.

"Well, it's not far now. Princess Celestia says this place has the best muffins in town. Do you want to try them?"

The worried look on her muzzle was immediately replaced by a smile of anticipation. "Yes!" There was more certainty in her voice at this topic.

"Good! What sort would you like?" Greg invented rapidly. "Chocolate, or... or strawberry, or blueberry. I think there's a lot of kinds."

Blossom's smile vanished and she looked pained. For a second Greg worried he'd somehow upset her, but then the mare looked up at the sky. "Ummmm..."

Ah, the pain of indecision. The famous donkey and two identical piles of hay, or how did that old folk tale go?

"How about we take the first two on the menu today and then we come again tomorrow to try a few more? That way you'll have them all and then you'll see which one is your favorite?"

That saved her from having to decide and Blossom's face cleared up in another happy smile. She bobbed her head excitedly and Greg could even swear there was fresh spring in her step. He did notice that she wasn't pressing her muzzle against his hand anymore.

"Greg, my favorite human!" came a greeting from behind them, making the man stop and Blossom nearly walk into him.

He immediately recognized the voice. "Oh, hi Storm," he greeted.

He turned around and smiled warmly at the white-maned old pegasus out on the street. The old pony wasn't all that nimble, but four legs allowed him to hobble quite quickly to the human. Blossom backed away and tried to hide behind Greg's legs.

"Where have you been, you scoundrel? Candy has been asking when you'll come around and I don't know what to tell her!"

Greg leaned down so he could shake the stallion's hoof. "Sorry, it's been really busy lately. You know how it is, borders opening, trade picking up, stuff like that."

Storm shrugged a little to himself, but conceded the point. "Well," he muttered darkly, "I did always say you work yourself too hard, Gregory. But seriously, come over one of these days, will you? Candy and Aura are in town and they'd be thrilled to meet you! Oh, who's your young friend?"

At long last the pony had noticed Blossom and was peering at her with some curiosity.

"Storm Pop, I'd like you to meet Blossom. She's- uh, she's a friend. I'm showing her around the city. We're just on our way to get some muffins."

"Mighty pleased to meet you!" the pegasus bellowed. His direct manner and his wide smile had apparently disarmed the skittish mare enough so that she let him take one of her hooves and shake it vigorously. "Any friend of Gregory is friend of the family," Storm assured her.

As soon as he let her go, Blossom looked up at Greg, trying to see what she should do next. He misunderstood the question in her eyes and tried to explain: "Storm Pop's niece, Aura, had a really bad accident with her wing. Shattered. They came to the Castle to ask for help and we met in the hallway outside of the Grand Hall. I got Mr. Bennett - he used to be the ambassador back then - to listen to their case."

Blossom blinked, no closer to understand than she was before the explanation. Greg waved his arms around and went on: "Anyway, they took Aura in at one of the human hospitals and fixed her wing."

Storm was nodding happily at the memory. He barked a laugh. "Mind you, it didn't seem as if it would even work. All those metal bits in her wing..."

"Well, us humans have had to get really creative with our medicine. We don't have magic, you know?"

"I know, I know," Storm Pop nodded. "What's important is that Aura probably wouldn't be flying today without all that. So, you'll come to visit? Candy will make some cake for you to take back to Princess Celestia. I know you don't eat it yourself."

"C-Cake?!" Blossom asked, suddenly extremely curious.

"Oh, you like cake?" Greg asked in surprise.

The mare shook her head. "I dunno, b-but, um, Princess said something about cake..."

"Ah, and you'd like to know what it is?"

"She said it is de-delicious."

The old pegasus quickly latched onto that statement and prodded the man in the leg. "Hear that? Surely you aren't going to let Blossom go without cake, are you? Only the most heartless of monsters would do a thing like that!"

Laughing, Greg gave in. Besides, he thought, meeting more friendly ponies might really help Blossom get over her fear of others. "Fine, fine! We'll come for lunch, but I don't know when exactly. I'll send you a message, okay?"

"Deal!" Storm Pop held out his hoof again, which Greg dutifully shook. "Good, good," he said. "You two enjoy your muffins. Well, you enjoy them, at least, Blossom."

Greg waved his hand and then they were off again. All in all, the mare had handled the encounter quite well and Greg couldn't help feeling a tiny bit proud of her. Having been stuck at the bottom of some mine for most of her life and now walking around one of the busiest city in Equestria must have been a huge shock, but she seemed to be adjusting to it so far. Maybe it was thanks in large part to the ponies' innate affinity for sugar and sweets, but Greg would use whatever he could. Somehow it was really important to make sure Blossom was as happy as possible after her unfortunate childhood. With luck, once she was full of those muffins and back safely in the Castle, she might even open up a bit more about her parents and that mysterious 'farm'. Maybe her therapist would arrive and Greg would be able to get a few hours of privacy with Celestia. All that talk of sweets and cake was reminding him of the Princess and how much he missed her company. On a whim, he leaned down and patted Blossom's head.

"You're doing great, by the way. I'm really proud of you."

The mare smiled briefly, but then she spotted another unicorn across the street and watched him nervously until they rounded the corner.

"Um... three?" she asked once they were alone, more or less.

"Three what?"

"C-Can I get three muffins?"

Greg couldn't help but laugh. Making requests was great. "Sure, sweetheart. I think we can manage three."

He could have sworn she pranced a few steps in pure joy. Rehab by sweets, who would have thought it?!

Blossom ended up having five muffins, all in all. She had definitely ruined any chance of a healthy lunch, but Greg didn't have the heart to tell her no. Besides, she smiled a lot each time she got to look through the glass and make her choices. Gregory had to apologize because of the faint drool marks, but even that didn't dampen his spirits. He left a very generous tip when they finally left.

"So. Sweets, I guess?"

Blossom burped a little, but then nodded happily. It might have been bad for her body, but oh so therapeutic for her soul. The mare hardly even glanced at a unicorn in a suit and tie who passed just as they were exiting the tiny shop. Still, the sugar high would end soon, by which time it might be a good idea to have Blossom somewhere safe and familiar. God willing, she might even agree to a nap in the afternoon so Gregory could get a couple of hours with Celestia. Funny how he hadn't even noticed the constant touches and little affections until they were gone for a couple of days.

"Well, let's get you back and then you're brushing your teeth, understand?"

Blossom looked confused. "Teeth?"

"Let me guess, you don't know how to do that?"

She shook her head

"I'll find someone to teach you," Greg promised and that seemed okay with the mare.

He also made a mental note to get her to a dentist sooner, rather than later. As soon as she wouldn't freak out about strangers poking around her mouth. Again he shuddered just to think what kind of limited life she must have led during her captivity. Yeah, he decided again, filling her up with sweets for nearly every meal was perfectly fine, if it made Blossom happy.

"Let's go this way, I think there's less traffic."