A Leaf on the Windby VisharoChaptersWatchHowISoarWatchPrincess Celestia, monarch of the land, the epitome of beauty, the embodiment of the sun, the devourer of cakes, and immortal. It was a morning like all the others. Lower the moon, raise the sun, eat breakfast, attend court, observe her school, then... Then, it was something else. The white alicorn paused after hearing the most peculiar thing. "I heard, he's lived for over 300 years!" A filly, just gotten her cutie mark, was exclaiming loudly to her friends. The others gasped in total awe. "That can't be, though! Only the Princess lives long!" "No no, she's right. My great grandmother said she met him in Fillydelphia. She said his name was uhh...the Wanderer?" "That's crazy!" The Princess found herself nodding, it was indeed crazy. She trotted away, contemplating. There's no way another immortal was upon this plane, otherwise she would've known about it. She pondered. Maybe this Wanderer fellow is a hoax, or some mere coincidence. Mistaken identity! She considered. Maybe...just maybe, he really is an immortal. If he's found immortality, she must know his secret. It could be harmful. "Princess?" "Huh? Oh." Celestia looked down and spotted her aide. "Ah, my apologies Raven, I was lost in thought." "Mmm yes. Well, today appears to be a rarity, you are completely free for the rest of the day. I do recommend rest, it has been too long since you've had an opportunity like this." Raven shifted her glasses, making her look distinguished. "Yes, maybe I shall..." "Are you alright, Princess?" "Hmmm? Oh. Yes, yes." The Princess paused. "It's just...mmm, how should I put this? Have you heard of this Wanderer character? Supposedly he's over 300 years old." She unconsciously lifted her head to the sky, where the sun cast its warm glow over the land. "A local legend, no doubt." Her aide dismissed the idea. Logically, Celestia should've done the same, yet, the idea still festered. "...perhaps." A cloud drifted past, blocking the sun's rays, finally snapping Celestia out of her stupor. "Ah, my apologies Raven. It appears this subject has gotten me in a tizzy of sorts. I'll be in the library, please excuse me." And with that, she left, leaving behind a bemused Raven Inkwell. *** "Princess, it's time for lunch." Raven looked around the empty library. "Princess?" Out on one of the stands, sat a book. On the left page, sat a detailed drawing of a light blue pegasus with a light green mane. He wore a farmer's hat and he was looking out towards a grassland. On the top of the page was the title: The Wanderer. "Oh, Princess." *** Princess Celestia roamed for twelve days and twelve nights, she disguised herself as a white pegasus with a pink mane the entire time. She still did her duty at dawn and at dusk, but everything else, she shirked. She flew from village to village, from homestead to townhall. She asked every passerby, every farmer, every guard. Till, on the 13th day, she saw him. The Wanderer was exactly how the book described him. A lithe pegasus complete with his hat. On his flank was a leaf blown in the wind, and he was currently cooking something. Celestia looked up and noticed that the day was ending. Deciding quickly, she hopped behind a boulder, shed her disguise, and lowered the sun. The moon came up soon after, complete with the haunting image on the surface. "Princess Celestia hiding behind a boulder out in the middle of nowhere, now I've truly seen everything." A small laugh drew her attention to a pony sitting on top of said boulder. It was the Wanderer. "Wanderer!" She gasped, he really was there, right before her. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. Would you like some daisies? Freshly picked." He smiled warmly before hopping off the rock and moseyed towards his campsite. Unsure of what else to do, Celestia followed, right after putting the disguise back on. She took a particularly comfortable looking spot and nodded graciously when the Wanderer placed a plate of daises in front of her. The two ate in companionable silence. "So, if I'm not mistaken, you were looking for me?" He asked after a while. "Yes! Ehe...I mean, yes. Many sources claim you're over 300 years old, that can't be true, can it?" She asked, almost nervously. "No, I am not 300 years old." "Oh." "I am nearing my 600th birthday." "Oh...oh!" Celestia bolted upwards, then started choking. "Now now, Princess. Choking on a daisy would not be a good way to go." He smacked her back a couple of times and soon enough, the offending plant fell loose. "Thank you..." "Anytime. Water?" "Thank you." She sipped at the waterpouch he had hoofed her, then passed it back. "I'm sorry, but 600?" "Yep. 600 years old." "I do not mean to offend, since I am also considerably old, but how are you still alive? Are you not mortal?" "I can assure you, Princess, I am a hundred percent mortal. Flesh and blood." He smiled softly, before laying on his back and looked up at the night sky. "As for how? I am a Wanderer. As long as there are roads and trails, I wander." "So...you are saying that, you are essentially immortal, because you wander?" "In a nutshell." "That...doesn't make any sense." "Nope. I never sought to question it, I've just accepted it." "So, you have wandered for all these years? Never stopping?" "Well...I have stopped from time to time, but never for long. I let the wind take me, you see, and the wind is never in the same spot." "I don't get the analogy." "Alright, let me rephrase it. Imagine a leaf. A leaf that has been separated from its branch. If a wind were to blow, the leaf would follow, you see? I am a leaf on the wind. I follow where the wind takes me." "But how does the wind take you? The wind is not powerful enough to take a full grown pony." "Princess, not everything has to be literal. Hmmm...I don't know how to explain this. It's something that needs to be experienced, I suppose. How would you like to go on a journey with me? You do not need to stay long, for I imagine you have things to do, places to be. But, stick around for a few days, maybe a few weeks." "..." Princess Celestia thought about it. It's already been 13 days since she has held court, many nobles would be angry, Raven must be overwhelmed, oh, and what about the teachers and students and her School for Gifted Unicorns? She groaned, how could she have been so rash, just leaving her duties like that. "It appears you do indeed have things you need to attend to. That means it's essential for you to accompany me!" The Wanderer declared confidently, he even had a cheeky smile! "And why is that, young colt." Her voice was dangerously low. "Heh, I suppose I would be young in your eyes. You are stressed, you have been working yourself to the bone, it's written all over your face and body. A little softness will do you good, and being a leaf? It's as soft as the wind lets it. So, how about it, Princess? Will you become a leaf?" Author's Note this idea came to me while I was walking home. It was an interesting idea, so I wrote it. I wasn't expecting it to be this long, so it will have a few chapters, I suppose. 4 minimum, I'm thinking. This story is especially experimental, so this'll be interesting. Hoped you enjoyed it! HowCelestia sighed. How did she get here? It's been two days since she foolishly accepted the Wanderer's proposal to be a 'leaf.' Since then, the two have been walking. Just walking! No talking, nothing interesting, really. The only thing that broke up all the trotting was the eating and the sleeping. Now, after two days of such a tiresome journey, the two found themselves in front of a small village. Normally, Celestia would be ecstatic, civilization! Except, the town looked like it was on its last legs. Rotting wood, several ruins already, a poor looking orchard, miserable looking ponies. She supposed that living next to the Everfree forest didn't help. "Wanderer, why...wait! Hey!" While she was 'admiring' the view, he had just kept on going, beelining towards the unfortunate village. She sped up to catch up. "Wanderer, why are we here?" "No reason." "...what?" "Should I need a reason to help these ponies?" "We're helping these ponies? I thought you were a wanderer!" "I am." "Then...what!?" Princess Celestia was confused. And annoyed. Definitely annoyed. The Wanderer ignored her protests and entered the town. The ponies living there gave the two several side glances, many of which looked somewhat violent. The dead look in their eyes gave Celestia the shivers. She didn't like this place. "Travellers, what brings ya 'ere?" A mean looking mare trotted out of a nicer looking house, but it still didn't look its finest. "The wind brought us. Now that the wind has died down, may I offer our services?" Celestia was taken aback. She couldn't recall ever allowing her 'services' allowed to be used! "Ah didn't git half of what ya just said, but if yer offerin', then ya'll can start hauling dem bushweed out over yonder. The roots are messin' with the trees." "Consider it done, fair...?" The Wanderer looked up with a questioning look. "Ah'm the mayor, so ya can call me as such." "Fair enough, Mayor. In return, may we have some lodging?" "Sure. Pick a ruin." "Mighty kind of you." The Wanderer headed off at a brisk pace. Celestia had to almost gallop to trot along side him. "Hey! Who said my services were available? And what does this got to do with your weird wind or leaves!" "How cold of you, Princess." The Wanderer grinned, before ducking down and grabbed a bushweed by the stem and hauling it out with his wings. "The road we were travelling on happened to come across this fine settlement, and the settlers are in need of some assistance. So I lent them ours. That's what it means to be a leaf on the wind." "..." Celestia plopped down on the earth with a frustrated groan. "You are a terrible pony. You had me going, thinking this idea of yours was some spiritual trip. I bet you're not even 600 years old!" "I'm not. I said I was nearing my 600th, I never said I was 600." "Details!" She threw up her hooves. "This has been a huge waste of time. I'm going home." "Then go home." "...you're not going to stop me?" "Why should I? It's not like I know you or anything. If you wish to fall to the ground, then be my guest. Be anyone's guest, really. You are the Princess, you can literally do that." "What does that mean?" "What does anything mean?" The Wanderer finally pulled up the bushweed, complete with intact roots, dumped it to the side, and moved on to the next one. "I'm serious!" "So am I." Celestia stared at him angrily. He was the most frustrating stallion she had ever known. Constantly talking in metaphors, probably a liar too. Can't believe she spent 13 days looking for this insufferable ingrate. She wanted to fly away so badly, to go back to Canterlot, but found herself unable to do so. "Alright, Wanderer. I'm listening. My own body refuses to cooperate with me." "How about instead of listening, you pull out some bushweed. And make sure you pull out the roots as well! Leaving the roots mean the bushweed can grow back. Can't have that, it would cause more problems for the villagers." Celestia sighed and trotted over to such a plant. "Alright, how does one do that?" "By taking it one tug at a time. Each bushweed is slightly different. Some have more resistance than others and it's important to account for that. You need to slowly extract it out of the ground, instead of one massive pull, so as to test the waters. Slight movements so when something wrong might happen, you can compensate properly. Like so." The Wanderer then proceeded to caress, shimmy, and slowly but surely, pull out the entire bushweed in full, roots intact. "Alright." Since Celestia was disguised as a pegasus, magic was a no go. So, instead, she tried it the Wanderer's way. By wrapping her two wings around the stem and pulling. By the fifth bushweed, Celestia managed to get the hang of it. By the ninth, she was starting to enjoy the process. By the 17th, she was grinning. By the 34th, it was over. Behind them, sat a large pile of bushweeds. The majority of them were taken out by the Wanderer, but Celestia didn't care. She was proud of what she had accomplished. "Come, night approaches, it is time for bed." "But I'm fine...woah!" Celestia tipped over, and nearly fell over were it not for a tree that caught her before she fully collapsed. "Yeah, bed would be good." "It would also wise to lower the sun, Princess." "Right." The two took a short trot towards an abandoned house. The roof looked somewhat intact, and only one wall had collapsed. The Wanderer placed sleeping bags on the ground and pulled up a curtain to make a makeshift room. After that was set up, did Celestia shed her disguise and lit her horn. The effort of moving the celestial bodies was much more strenuous after all that physical labor. "So, did you listen?" "...what?" Celestia asked, completely exhausted. Her bones were beyond weary and even the hard ground looked appealing. "You said earlier that you were going to listen. Did you listen?" "What are you talking abo..." The Princess paused, her mouth still open. She did listen. She had listened to what each individual bushweed had to say with each tug and pull she tried. She slowly let her mouth close and pondered on what today was. "I see you understand now. I'm turning in, g'night Celestia." The Wanderer rolled over and closed his eyes. "...good night." *** It was the next day and it was beautiful. The low sun casted a glorious spectacle over the Everfree Forest. The now cleaned up orchard made the view just that much better, and it was all because of her with her own hooves. Well, the Wanderer did most the work, but she helped. She actually helped. Celestia couldn't help but smile. "Ah can't believe ya two mad hares actually did it. Ah thought yer was pullin' mah leg, but nah, ya actually pulled out ev'ry single bushweed. We might be able to get a good harvest this year! We won't forget this, how can we repay y'all?" "No payment necessary, Mayor. It would be a shame if this town collapsed, so maybe that could be our payment." The Wanderer smiled. "To keep this town alive." The Mayor sniffed slightly, a quivering smile gracing her lips. "Aye." "Now, is there anything else we can do for you?" "Nah, we couldn't possibly..." "We insist." Princess Celestia butted in. She blinked, surprised by her own intervention. "...oh, alright, if y'all insist. Our town is too small for the likes of the mail office, if y'all could just bring our letters over yonder to the next town and bring 'em to the office, that would just be the cherry on the cake." "You can count on us." Celestia smiled brightly. "Ah swear, yer gonna make a grown mare cry." The Mayor grinned, tears already streaming down her face. "Now git 'fore ah lose all of mah dignity. Go tell everybody that yer collectin' letters. Mayor's orders." She chuckled before lumbering away. "Well, Princess. It seems the wind has picked up. Time to drift." Author's Note Weeding the garden, mmm, brings back memories. I remember those front lines, my hands were stained with the blood of my enemies! Those weeds tried to take my fertile land, but I slew them all, yes I did, you know why???? BECAUSE THIS LAND IS CALLED "This Land" Hoped you liked this chapter! I"Why do you help all of these ponies?" "Because it makes me feel good." The Wanderer said. "If they are in need, then it's only fair to spend those extra moments to help out." Princess Celestia fell silent at that. The two have been trotting for a bit now, the town they left behind nothing but a speck in the distance. It bothered her somewhat that this stallion, dropped everything he was doing, every intention he had, and helped ponies he had never met or even heard about. She didn't even think he knew the name of the town. But, when he announced that they were done, he had this satisfied smile. She just couldn't wrap her head around it. "You're still thinking about it, aren't you." "How did you know!?" Celestia demanded. "Do you possess mind-reading talents? It is forbidden to use such magicks without consent!" "Relax Princess, you're too high strung. I simply looked at your face." "My...face." "Yes." He chuckled and adopted a pose. "I possess a forgotten art of an age long past, the art of looking upon a pony's face and discerning everything he would ever need." "You're being ridiculous, I have lived for much longer than you and I have never heard of such a thing." "Ah, but have you? Lived, that is." "Another silly notion. I am positive I have lived more cycles than you have." "Alright," he had a cocky grin, it infuriated her. "Fine! How have you lived longer than I, if you claim to only have lived for 600 years?" "Oh, but I never said that I lived longer. I merely asked if you have lived." "What is this nonsense you speak of!?" "What's this? The more annoyed you get, you unconsciously revert to old tongue?" He chuckled, before skipping away, leaving a very flustered mare behind. "You are infuriating." She pouted. "I know." He fell silent, but that self-assured smile was still plasted all over his buckable face. Princess Celestia looked away before that urge became too irresistible. A dead stallion would do her no good. Instead, she cast her gaze over the landscape around them. The rural areas were very different than the climate in and around Canterlot. For one, it was less stuffy and the wildlife looked more wild and natural. It was interesting to say the least. Then, something caught her attention. A bear, just a bound away from the forest's edge, rose up onto his hindlegs and started scratching his back on a tree. It grumbled with pleasure and the way the bear's paws twitched, Celestia knew the tree was hitting the right spots. She sighed wistfully. A massage would do wonders for her tension right now. Then her eyes floated back to the Wanderer, her shoulders tensed up immediately. She took a calming breath and opened her mouth, perhaps she should try this again. "Wanderer?" "Hmm?" "I have experienced this leaf life, you so treasure, I still do not get it." The Wanderer sighed, shook his head, then straightened his neck. "Alright, what did we do just now?" "We visited a village." "And did what?" "And helped them weed their garden." "Why did we do that?" "Because you asked the mayor if they had any jobs. I don't see how this is relevant." The Wanderer paused in his wanderings, forcing Celestia to stop as well. He turned to face her and looked her dead in the eye. Normally, ponies would have trouble staring royalty in the eye, but this stallion did it like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Princess, you are the sole monarch of this very large country. Surely you can think for just a second and understand what I'm getting at." "Alright, Wanderer. I shall humor you." "Right, so let's start at the very beginning. We were walking on a road which happened to lead to that particular village." "Yes, and then you decided to help, dragging me along." "But why did I want to help?" "Because...the settlement appeared to be in disrepair. Many of the wood was old, buildings were falling apart, some were uninhabited." "Exactly. And then? Where did the wind bring us then?" "Well...since you wanted to help, the best pony to ask would be the town leader, or the mayor. She said we could help if we pulled up weeds and bad seeds." "True. And after that?" "We offered our help again." "Ah, but you see, something changed with that sentence. The first time you said 'you' as in, I was the sole pony in charge of that situation. In the second situation, you offered as well, hence, the 'we'. Why is that?" "I...I don't know." Celestia's ears folded, suddenly unsure of herself. "I don't know either." The Wanderer shrugged before taking off yet again. The Princess scrambled after him. "How can you not know? This was your idea!" "Immortal as I may seem, I am still a pony. I am fallible just like everypony else. I am not all knowing, just like everypony else. I am prone to exhaustion and other weariness that comes from everyday life. Just. Like. Everypony. Else." The Wanderer chuckled at Celestia's confused expression. "What I'm getting at is that there simply is no simple answer. Why you wanted to help can only be answered by looking within, or perhaps, it is a simple answer. Who knows?" Celestia pondered that for the next hour. *** The time for Night had arrived and they were still a day's trot away from the nearest settlement. The two stopped by a large tree and Celestia moved the celestial objects to their proper places. Despite only being with him for two days, Celestia knew what was expected of her and got to work without being asked to. While the Wanderer swept away a space for the two of them, creating a hollow of sorts, she went off the beaten road to look for firewood. She unconsciously started ruffling through the bushes using her hooves and wings, completely forgetting about her horn. When she returned, she had acquired a healthy supply of wood as well as a berry bush she found on the way back. "There was no need to take the entire bush." The Wanderer commented, taking the wood and placing them in such a way a campfire would be able to thrive. "It was an accident...I kicked the bush, thinking the berries would fall off." Celestia explained, embarrassed. "I didn't know what else to do besides bringing the bush with me." "I see." The Wanderer chuckled then created a spark. The tinder easily caught fire and soon enough, they had a fireplace. "Your bedding is prepared." "Thank you." Celestia nodded, before lounging on the prepared bed of leaves and moss. 15 days ago, the idea of sleeping outside on nothing but foliage was abhorrent, but now, it felt like luxury. Perhaps the Wanderer had the right idea of wandering for days without end, if comfort has been redefined through exhaustion and work. "It's a beautiful night." He commented, looking up from the fire. Celestia followed his gaze and took note of the glittering sea of stars. It certainly was beautiful. Then her gaze strayed to the moon, where the mark rested. She sighed and looked back to the fire. What a simple life, fire has. Its purpose for its existence is just to be hot, to burn. Then it would die after all the fuel runs out. "Not a fan?" "Hmm?" She looked up, although not all the way. "Not a fan of the night sky?" "Too...too many memories." "Hmm, I can imagine. Forced into an impossible position, the winds changing all around you, and then before you know it, all that matters is taken away." "..." Celestia stayed quiet, not even surprised that he knew. "After that, well, the only thing that matters after that, is whether or not you decide to live. And by that, I mean enjoy life for what it has to offer." "It sounds like you've been through this before." Celestia finally said, letting a tear slip past her defences. "Several times. I'm immortal, remember?" The Wanderer shook his head, his casual smile slipping into a straight line. "I do not grieve, I do not regret, I do not cry. I smile and remember. I remember the good times and the bad times. They may be unpleasant, but they are memories, treasured ones at that. They define who I am, whether I choose to or not. That's what it means to follow the wind, to not fight it. To glide through life, remembering each and every stop with a quiet fondness, to take everything seriously, but in such a way one doesn't appreciate the silliness that life throws as well." "That...that's something. You have a way with words." "I suppose." The Wanderer fell to his side, his eyes reflecting the light of the fire, flickering with intensity as well as being playful. "I knew a baboon, crazy guy. He had a way with words to. He said to me once; 'the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.'" "He sounds like a good friend." "That he was." Silence enveloped the two as they gazed up at the stars once more. Now that twilight was over, darkness ruled supreme, coupled with the stars way above. Celestia wondered what they were, those far away beings. Ancestors? Fireflies? Burning hot gas? It didn't really matter, she concluded after a ponder. They can be whatever they want to be. *** "PRINCESS!" Celestia jumped up with fright. She had just finished raising the sun when a pegasus crashed landed into the dirt next to her. "Are you alright?" She asked, gently prodding the poor stallion with her hoof. The Wanderer chuckled and slowly made his way to the fallen pony. "I'm...I'm great. Yep." The mysterious pegasus said, before collapsing back down. "I've got...I've got a message from...from Raven...gaaaaaah, I am so tired." "What's the message?" "I...I...wait, lemme just..." The stallion heaved himself to the left and then unceremoniously flopped onto his back, exposing the exhausted pegasus' face as well as a mail bag. Celestia reached inside with a hoof and withdrew a letter. After skimming through it quickly, she turned her attention to the Wanderer. He grinned knowingly, bowed graciously, then continued on the road, off into the sunrise. "Where...where's he going?" The pegasus wheezed out. "He's following the wind." "...alright. Well, what are you going to do?" He coughed once, then slumped back into a ragdoll, struggling with his breath. "My wind has changed directions." "...what?" Author's Note I has returned from my weeding...literally. I was weeding on the weekend. SoarPrincess Celestia trotted down the hallway of Canterlot castle. It was just yesterday she was a pegasus called Sunny Skies traveling like a peasant. Was it wrong of her to prefer those days? Those incredibly short days compared to her magnificent lifespan? She didn't have any obligations, no worries besides a rock in a horseshoe or perhaps the most comfortable sleeping position. She sighed, it wasn't meant to be. "Princess, you are done for today." "I highly doubt that, Raven." Celestia peered down on her aide. "Pardon?" The white unicorn looked up with slight concern. "I've been gone for nearly three weeks and you say I have no work overflow?" "...yes, that is correct." "Liar." Princess Celestia giggled. "Princess?" "Come on! I wish to go out, visit my little ponies." The alicorn skipped through the ornate halls, baffling the guards. "Come ooon, Raven. Do I need to make this an order?" "...no. No! No need. I'll...I'll come." Raven put away her itinerary with small hesitation, before scampering after her highness. "What...what are you planning to do, Princess?" "I have none!" She tilted her head back and laughed, a huge smile playing on her lips. "I shall simply follow the wind." "And whatever do you need me for?" Raven asked, still confused. Around them, the help and guards didn't even bother hiding their open mouths. "You shall be my plus one." Princess Celestia nodded confidently. "I wish to know more about you, and a stroll is a great way of knowing a pony." "Oh..." Raven giggled a little, then caught herself. She coughed behind a hoof, but Celestia noticed the red-tinged cheeks. She grinned cheekily. *** "Princess! Princess! Look! They have a Quill and Sofa's shop here! Finally! I no longer have to travel to Ponyville or further, just for quills and ink." Raven bounced like a filly getting candy. Celestia smiled softly. It took about 4.6 seconds before her aide realized what she was doing, and recovered quickly. "Ahem. This store will make errands more efficient." "How quaint." Raven looked up, saw the playful smile, turned away looking a bit red. "Princess. I am...confused. Why are we here?" The smile grew wider. "No reason." "...what?" She pondered for a bit. Princess Celestia took the time to take a look around her surroundings. When was the last time she took a walk through Canterlot proper? She smiled leisurely at her little ponies gawking. She breathed in the scents of the markets and stalls, restaurants and cafes. She let her gaze comfortably rest on each new landmark, a well here, a clocktower there, a statue around the corner. Many things have changed about the city, it was...a saddening thought, Celestia hadn't been there to have seen the city grow up. It moved on, right under her nose. "Princess?" Raven asked softly, bringing Celestia's attention back to her aide. "You...you said you wanted to know more about me?" "I did say that and I must say, you are adorable!" The princess chuckled at Raven's mortified expression. "The way you squee at anything exciting." "It's...it's not my fault!" Her aide stammered, blushing furiously. It complemented very well with her white coat. Celestia giggled. "I am merely teasing." "Hmph. That wasn't nice, Princess." The two fell to a comfortable silence. Every step Celestia took, Raven took three. The asymmetry made her smile a little. A nice detail she wouldn't have noticed before. She looked back up, perhaps more innocuous details would catch her attention. Sure enough, there was a small sign poking just outside an alley. It was quite simple, wooden, turquoise background, and a small white coffee cup. That's not what caught her attention though. It was because there was a small dying plant next to it. The branches all barren, except one tiny leaf, hanging on for dear life. "How about a cup of coffee, Raven?" "That would wonderful." "Then we shall acquire coffee!" With that boisterous exclamation, she turned and marched straight for the plain looking alleyway. Ignoring the spluttering protests, Celestia plowed forwards. A small hole in the wall, one table with two seats, and a very bored stallion in said hole in the wall. When he saw the Princess heading straight towards him, he panicked, slipped, and promptly fell on his back. "My good sir, are you alright." "I am perfectly fine, Your Majesty." The stallion recovered at record speed. He grinned and presented his lone table. "What brings you here to my despot of an establishment?" "The wind brought me here." "Ah, I understand." "May I ask what your business is about?" While Celestia spoke with the surprisingly delightful stallion, Raven tentatively took the other seat. "But of course. This is Pony Joe's, my name is Joe, and I serve all sorts of confectionaries as well as beverages." "All sorts?" "All sorts." Joe replied with a confident nod. "Well you heard the stallion, what shall you have Raven?" "But...but, Princess! You mustn't taint your appetite with such...vulgar food!" Her aide threw up her hooves in the general direction of Joe and the hole in the wall. "Raven! How insensitive!" "It's perfectly alright, Your Majesty. I am but a simple baker, I take no offence." "Then I shall take offence on your behalf. Apologize." She glared at her aide. "I...Why should I?" "Because there is no such thing as 'Classy' or 'Vulgar' food. As long as it's edible, that alone makes food valuable." "...I apologize, Mr. Joe." "And...?" "And you, Princess." "Thank you." Celestia nodded, her smile returned. "Now, Raven. What shall you have?" "Do you have, perchance, éclairs?" "We do indeed!" Joe grinned. "Any drinks with your order?" "Jasmine tea?" "Coming right up! And what about you, Your Majesty?" "You did say 'all sorts'." "I did indeed, Your Majesty. I am quite confident in whatever you may suggest." "Then, my fine gentlecolt, I require the largest cherry chocolate cake accompanied with Prench red wine." "But of course, Your Majesty." Joe bowed, then disappeared behind the counter. "Princess! Think of yourself, such an exorbitant amount of sugar! It'll go straight to your flanks!" "Oh, you worry too much Raven. I've never had cake before that wasn't made by the castle cooks. They make fine sweets, but that's exactly it, they are fine. I'm actually quite excited!" Celestia gave a giggle as well as clapping her hooves together. *** It's been a considerable amount of time since her very first outing from the castle since her trip with the Wanderer. The cake was delectable, the wine was fantastic, even Raven appreciated the éclair. It was so good in fact, Celestia paid quadruple the amount Joe asked for. Since then, however, it's been all work. There has been the occasional break, but not enough time to stop by her favorite hole in the wall. Instead she watched the world outside her window. It was beautiful no matter what time of day it was. She sighed as she placed the last piece of paper on the 'out' stack and glanced outside her window. Without warning, her shutters burst open as a gust of wind blew through her room. It was quite startling, leaving Celestia stunned. Her door burst open as Royal Guards barged through, looking for the perpetrator. "Princess! What's the matter!?" "There is nothing the matter, good sir. In fact..." Celestia's eyes traced the mess the gust of wind made and slowly felt a grin form. "In fact, the matter is beyond delightful. I shall take my leave, I require no escort." And with that, she leapt through the window and plummeted towards the ground at high speeds. The wind whipping past her face was exhilarating, then, moments before splatting on the cobblestone, she stretched her wings and took flight. As she glided over the rooftops of Canterlot, she took the time to lower the sun and raise the moon. As the final rays of sunset cast its branches, and the cursed depiction of her ultimate failure took its place, Celestia felt hope. Perhaps she'll follow the wind with this one. Author's Note Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I say journey, because the Wanderer's ideology towards life is my ideology to life. I was exploring it through a different lens, you could say. I wasn't expecting the story to turn out so well, so I'm definitely glad I was able to create this. May your day/night be a good one.
WatchPrincess Celestia, monarch of the land, the epitome of beauty, the embodiment of the sun, the devourer of cakes, and immortal. It was a morning like all the others. Lower the moon, raise the sun, eat breakfast, attend court, observe her school, then... Then, it was something else. The white alicorn paused after hearing the most peculiar thing. "I heard, he's lived for over 300 years!" A filly, just gotten her cutie mark, was exclaiming loudly to her friends. The others gasped in total awe. "That can't be, though! Only the Princess lives long!" "No no, she's right. My great grandmother said she met him in Fillydelphia. She said his name was uhh...the Wanderer?" "That's crazy!" The Princess found herself nodding, it was indeed crazy. She trotted away, contemplating. There's no way another immortal was upon this plane, otherwise she would've known about it. She pondered. Maybe this Wanderer fellow is a hoax, or some mere coincidence. Mistaken identity! She considered. Maybe...just maybe, he really is an immortal. If he's found immortality, she must know his secret. It could be harmful. "Princess?" "Huh? Oh." Celestia looked down and spotted her aide. "Ah, my apologies Raven, I was lost in thought." "Mmm yes. Well, today appears to be a rarity, you are completely free for the rest of the day. I do recommend rest, it has been too long since you've had an opportunity like this." Raven shifted her glasses, making her look distinguished. "Yes, maybe I shall..." "Are you alright, Princess?" "Hmmm? Oh. Yes, yes." The Princess paused. "It's just...mmm, how should I put this? Have you heard of this Wanderer character? Supposedly he's over 300 years old." She unconsciously lifted her head to the sky, where the sun cast its warm glow over the land. "A local legend, no doubt." Her aide dismissed the idea. Logically, Celestia should've done the same, yet, the idea still festered. "...perhaps." A cloud drifted past, blocking the sun's rays, finally snapping Celestia out of her stupor. "Ah, my apologies Raven. It appears this subject has gotten me in a tizzy of sorts. I'll be in the library, please excuse me." And with that, she left, leaving behind a bemused Raven Inkwell. *** "Princess, it's time for lunch." Raven looked around the empty library. "Princess?" Out on one of the stands, sat a book. On the left page, sat a detailed drawing of a light blue pegasus with a light green mane. He wore a farmer's hat and he was looking out towards a grassland. On the top of the page was the title: The Wanderer. "Oh, Princess." *** Princess Celestia roamed for twelve days and twelve nights, she disguised herself as a white pegasus with a pink mane the entire time. She still did her duty at dawn and at dusk, but everything else, she shirked. She flew from village to village, from homestead to townhall. She asked every passerby, every farmer, every guard. Till, on the 13th day, she saw him. The Wanderer was exactly how the book described him. A lithe pegasus complete with his hat. On his flank was a leaf blown in the wind, and he was currently cooking something. Celestia looked up and noticed that the day was ending. Deciding quickly, she hopped behind a boulder, shed her disguise, and lowered the sun. The moon came up soon after, complete with the haunting image on the surface. "Princess Celestia hiding behind a boulder out in the middle of nowhere, now I've truly seen everything." A small laugh drew her attention to a pony sitting on top of said boulder. It was the Wanderer. "Wanderer!" She gasped, he really was there, right before her. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. Would you like some daisies? Freshly picked." He smiled warmly before hopping off the rock and moseyed towards his campsite. Unsure of what else to do, Celestia followed, right after putting the disguise back on. She took a particularly comfortable looking spot and nodded graciously when the Wanderer placed a plate of daises in front of her. The two ate in companionable silence. "So, if I'm not mistaken, you were looking for me?" He asked after a while. "Yes! Ehe...I mean, yes. Many sources claim you're over 300 years old, that can't be true, can it?" She asked, almost nervously. "No, I am not 300 years old." "Oh." "I am nearing my 600th birthday." "Oh...oh!" Celestia bolted upwards, then started choking. "Now now, Princess. Choking on a daisy would not be a good way to go." He smacked her back a couple of times and soon enough, the offending plant fell loose. "Thank you..." "Anytime. Water?" "Thank you." She sipped at the waterpouch he had hoofed her, then passed it back. "I'm sorry, but 600?" "Yep. 600 years old." "I do not mean to offend, since I am also considerably old, but how are you still alive? Are you not mortal?" "I can assure you, Princess, I am a hundred percent mortal. Flesh and blood." He smiled softly, before laying on his back and looked up at the night sky. "As for how? I am a Wanderer. As long as there are roads and trails, I wander." "So...you are saying that, you are essentially immortal, because you wander?" "In a nutshell." "That...doesn't make any sense." "Nope. I never sought to question it, I've just accepted it." "So, you have wandered for all these years? Never stopping?" "Well...I have stopped from time to time, but never for long. I let the wind take me, you see, and the wind is never in the same spot." "I don't get the analogy." "Alright, let me rephrase it. Imagine a leaf. A leaf that has been separated from its branch. If a wind were to blow, the leaf would follow, you see? I am a leaf on the wind. I follow where the wind takes me." "But how does the wind take you? The wind is not powerful enough to take a full grown pony." "Princess, not everything has to be literal. Hmmm...I don't know how to explain this. It's something that needs to be experienced, I suppose. How would you like to go on a journey with me? You do not need to stay long, for I imagine you have things to do, places to be. But, stick around for a few days, maybe a few weeks." "..." Princess Celestia thought about it. It's already been 13 days since she has held court, many nobles would be angry, Raven must be overwhelmed, oh, and what about the teachers and students and her School for Gifted Unicorns? She groaned, how could she have been so rash, just leaving her duties like that. "It appears you do indeed have things you need to attend to. That means it's essential for you to accompany me!" The Wanderer declared confidently, he even had a cheeky smile! "And why is that, young colt." Her voice was dangerously low. "Heh, I suppose I would be young in your eyes. You are stressed, you have been working yourself to the bone, it's written all over your face and body. A little softness will do you good, and being a leaf? It's as soft as the wind lets it. So, how about it, Princess? Will you become a leaf?" Author's Note this idea came to me while I was walking home. It was an interesting idea, so I wrote it. I wasn't expecting it to be this long, so it will have a few chapters, I suppose. 4 minimum, I'm thinking. This story is especially experimental, so this'll be interesting. Hoped you enjoyed it!
HowCelestia sighed. How did she get here? It's been two days since she foolishly accepted the Wanderer's proposal to be a 'leaf.' Since then, the two have been walking. Just walking! No talking, nothing interesting, really. The only thing that broke up all the trotting was the eating and the sleeping. Now, after two days of such a tiresome journey, the two found themselves in front of a small village. Normally, Celestia would be ecstatic, civilization! Except, the town looked like it was on its last legs. Rotting wood, several ruins already, a poor looking orchard, miserable looking ponies. She supposed that living next to the Everfree forest didn't help. "Wanderer, why...wait! Hey!" While she was 'admiring' the view, he had just kept on going, beelining towards the unfortunate village. She sped up to catch up. "Wanderer, why are we here?" "No reason." "...what?" "Should I need a reason to help these ponies?" "We're helping these ponies? I thought you were a wanderer!" "I am." "Then...what!?" Princess Celestia was confused. And annoyed. Definitely annoyed. The Wanderer ignored her protests and entered the town. The ponies living there gave the two several side glances, many of which looked somewhat violent. The dead look in their eyes gave Celestia the shivers. She didn't like this place. "Travellers, what brings ya 'ere?" A mean looking mare trotted out of a nicer looking house, but it still didn't look its finest. "The wind brought us. Now that the wind has died down, may I offer our services?" Celestia was taken aback. She couldn't recall ever allowing her 'services' allowed to be used! "Ah didn't git half of what ya just said, but if yer offerin', then ya'll can start hauling dem bushweed out over yonder. The roots are messin' with the trees." "Consider it done, fair...?" The Wanderer looked up with a questioning look. "Ah'm the mayor, so ya can call me as such." "Fair enough, Mayor. In return, may we have some lodging?" "Sure. Pick a ruin." "Mighty kind of you." The Wanderer headed off at a brisk pace. Celestia had to almost gallop to trot along side him. "Hey! Who said my services were available? And what does this got to do with your weird wind or leaves!" "How cold of you, Princess." The Wanderer grinned, before ducking down and grabbed a bushweed by the stem and hauling it out with his wings. "The road we were travelling on happened to come across this fine settlement, and the settlers are in need of some assistance. So I lent them ours. That's what it means to be a leaf on the wind." "..." Celestia plopped down on the earth with a frustrated groan. "You are a terrible pony. You had me going, thinking this idea of yours was some spiritual trip. I bet you're not even 600 years old!" "I'm not. I said I was nearing my 600th, I never said I was 600." "Details!" She threw up her hooves. "This has been a huge waste of time. I'm going home." "Then go home." "...you're not going to stop me?" "Why should I? It's not like I know you or anything. If you wish to fall to the ground, then be my guest. Be anyone's guest, really. You are the Princess, you can literally do that." "What does that mean?" "What does anything mean?" The Wanderer finally pulled up the bushweed, complete with intact roots, dumped it to the side, and moved on to the next one. "I'm serious!" "So am I." Celestia stared at him angrily. He was the most frustrating stallion she had ever known. Constantly talking in metaphors, probably a liar too. Can't believe she spent 13 days looking for this insufferable ingrate. She wanted to fly away so badly, to go back to Canterlot, but found herself unable to do so. "Alright, Wanderer. I'm listening. My own body refuses to cooperate with me." "How about instead of listening, you pull out some bushweed. And make sure you pull out the roots as well! Leaving the roots mean the bushweed can grow back. Can't have that, it would cause more problems for the villagers." Celestia sighed and trotted over to such a plant. "Alright, how does one do that?" "By taking it one tug at a time. Each bushweed is slightly different. Some have more resistance than others and it's important to account for that. You need to slowly extract it out of the ground, instead of one massive pull, so as to test the waters. Slight movements so when something wrong might happen, you can compensate properly. Like so." The Wanderer then proceeded to caress, shimmy, and slowly but surely, pull out the entire bushweed in full, roots intact. "Alright." Since Celestia was disguised as a pegasus, magic was a no go. So, instead, she tried it the Wanderer's way. By wrapping her two wings around the stem and pulling. By the fifth bushweed, Celestia managed to get the hang of it. By the ninth, she was starting to enjoy the process. By the 17th, she was grinning. By the 34th, it was over. Behind them, sat a large pile of bushweeds. The majority of them were taken out by the Wanderer, but Celestia didn't care. She was proud of what she had accomplished. "Come, night approaches, it is time for bed." "But I'm fine...woah!" Celestia tipped over, and nearly fell over were it not for a tree that caught her before she fully collapsed. "Yeah, bed would be good." "It would also wise to lower the sun, Princess." "Right." The two took a short trot towards an abandoned house. The roof looked somewhat intact, and only one wall had collapsed. The Wanderer placed sleeping bags on the ground and pulled up a curtain to make a makeshift room. After that was set up, did Celestia shed her disguise and lit her horn. The effort of moving the celestial bodies was much more strenuous after all that physical labor. "So, did you listen?" "...what?" Celestia asked, completely exhausted. Her bones were beyond weary and even the hard ground looked appealing. "You said earlier that you were going to listen. Did you listen?" "What are you talking abo..." The Princess paused, her mouth still open. She did listen. She had listened to what each individual bushweed had to say with each tug and pull she tried. She slowly let her mouth close and pondered on what today was. "I see you understand now. I'm turning in, g'night Celestia." The Wanderer rolled over and closed his eyes. "...good night." *** It was the next day and it was beautiful. The low sun casted a glorious spectacle over the Everfree Forest. The now cleaned up orchard made the view just that much better, and it was all because of her with her own hooves. Well, the Wanderer did most the work, but she helped. She actually helped. Celestia couldn't help but smile. "Ah can't believe ya two mad hares actually did it. Ah thought yer was pullin' mah leg, but nah, ya actually pulled out ev'ry single bushweed. We might be able to get a good harvest this year! We won't forget this, how can we repay y'all?" "No payment necessary, Mayor. It would be a shame if this town collapsed, so maybe that could be our payment." The Wanderer smiled. "To keep this town alive." The Mayor sniffed slightly, a quivering smile gracing her lips. "Aye." "Now, is there anything else we can do for you?" "Nah, we couldn't possibly..." "We insist." Princess Celestia butted in. She blinked, surprised by her own intervention. "...oh, alright, if y'all insist. Our town is too small for the likes of the mail office, if y'all could just bring our letters over yonder to the next town and bring 'em to the office, that would just be the cherry on the cake." "You can count on us." Celestia smiled brightly. "Ah swear, yer gonna make a grown mare cry." The Mayor grinned, tears already streaming down her face. "Now git 'fore ah lose all of mah dignity. Go tell everybody that yer collectin' letters. Mayor's orders." She chuckled before lumbering away. "Well, Princess. It seems the wind has picked up. Time to drift." Author's Note Weeding the garden, mmm, brings back memories. I remember those front lines, my hands were stained with the blood of my enemies! Those weeds tried to take my fertile land, but I slew them all, yes I did, you know why???? BECAUSE THIS LAND IS CALLED "This Land" Hoped you liked this chapter!
I"Why do you help all of these ponies?" "Because it makes me feel good." The Wanderer said. "If they are in need, then it's only fair to spend those extra moments to help out." Princess Celestia fell silent at that. The two have been trotting for a bit now, the town they left behind nothing but a speck in the distance. It bothered her somewhat that this stallion, dropped everything he was doing, every intention he had, and helped ponies he had never met or even heard about. She didn't even think he knew the name of the town. But, when he announced that they were done, he had this satisfied smile. She just couldn't wrap her head around it. "You're still thinking about it, aren't you." "How did you know!?" Celestia demanded. "Do you possess mind-reading talents? It is forbidden to use such magicks without consent!" "Relax Princess, you're too high strung. I simply looked at your face." "My...face." "Yes." He chuckled and adopted a pose. "I possess a forgotten art of an age long past, the art of looking upon a pony's face and discerning everything he would ever need." "You're being ridiculous, I have lived for much longer than you and I have never heard of such a thing." "Ah, but have you? Lived, that is." "Another silly notion. I am positive I have lived more cycles than you have." "Alright," he had a cocky grin, it infuriated her. "Fine! How have you lived longer than I, if you claim to only have lived for 600 years?" "Oh, but I never said that I lived longer. I merely asked if you have lived." "What is this nonsense you speak of!?" "What's this? The more annoyed you get, you unconsciously revert to old tongue?" He chuckled, before skipping away, leaving a very flustered mare behind. "You are infuriating." She pouted. "I know." He fell silent, but that self-assured smile was still plasted all over his buckable face. Princess Celestia looked away before that urge became too irresistible. A dead stallion would do her no good. Instead, she cast her gaze over the landscape around them. The rural areas were very different than the climate in and around Canterlot. For one, it was less stuffy and the wildlife looked more wild and natural. It was interesting to say the least. Then, something caught her attention. A bear, just a bound away from the forest's edge, rose up onto his hindlegs and started scratching his back on a tree. It grumbled with pleasure and the way the bear's paws twitched, Celestia knew the tree was hitting the right spots. She sighed wistfully. A massage would do wonders for her tension right now. Then her eyes floated back to the Wanderer, her shoulders tensed up immediately. She took a calming breath and opened her mouth, perhaps she should try this again. "Wanderer?" "Hmm?" "I have experienced this leaf life, you so treasure, I still do not get it." The Wanderer sighed, shook his head, then straightened his neck. "Alright, what did we do just now?" "We visited a village." "And did what?" "And helped them weed their garden." "Why did we do that?" "Because you asked the mayor if they had any jobs. I don't see how this is relevant." The Wanderer paused in his wanderings, forcing Celestia to stop as well. He turned to face her and looked her dead in the eye. Normally, ponies would have trouble staring royalty in the eye, but this stallion did it like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Princess, you are the sole monarch of this very large country. Surely you can think for just a second and understand what I'm getting at." "Alright, Wanderer. I shall humor you." "Right, so let's start at the very beginning. We were walking on a road which happened to lead to that particular village." "Yes, and then you decided to help, dragging me along." "But why did I want to help?" "Because...the settlement appeared to be in disrepair. Many of the wood was old, buildings were falling apart, some were uninhabited." "Exactly. And then? Where did the wind bring us then?" "Well...since you wanted to help, the best pony to ask would be the town leader, or the mayor. She said we could help if we pulled up weeds and bad seeds." "True. And after that?" "We offered our help again." "Ah, but you see, something changed with that sentence. The first time you said 'you' as in, I was the sole pony in charge of that situation. In the second situation, you offered as well, hence, the 'we'. Why is that?" "I...I don't know." Celestia's ears folded, suddenly unsure of herself. "I don't know either." The Wanderer shrugged before taking off yet again. The Princess scrambled after him. "How can you not know? This was your idea!" "Immortal as I may seem, I am still a pony. I am fallible just like everypony else. I am not all knowing, just like everypony else. I am prone to exhaustion and other weariness that comes from everyday life. Just. Like. Everypony. Else." The Wanderer chuckled at Celestia's confused expression. "What I'm getting at is that there simply is no simple answer. Why you wanted to help can only be answered by looking within, or perhaps, it is a simple answer. Who knows?" Celestia pondered that for the next hour. *** The time for Night had arrived and they were still a day's trot away from the nearest settlement. The two stopped by a large tree and Celestia moved the celestial objects to their proper places. Despite only being with him for two days, Celestia knew what was expected of her and got to work without being asked to. While the Wanderer swept away a space for the two of them, creating a hollow of sorts, she went off the beaten road to look for firewood. She unconsciously started ruffling through the bushes using her hooves and wings, completely forgetting about her horn. When she returned, she had acquired a healthy supply of wood as well as a berry bush she found on the way back. "There was no need to take the entire bush." The Wanderer commented, taking the wood and placing them in such a way a campfire would be able to thrive. "It was an accident...I kicked the bush, thinking the berries would fall off." Celestia explained, embarrassed. "I didn't know what else to do besides bringing the bush with me." "I see." The Wanderer chuckled then created a spark. The tinder easily caught fire and soon enough, they had a fireplace. "Your bedding is prepared." "Thank you." Celestia nodded, before lounging on the prepared bed of leaves and moss. 15 days ago, the idea of sleeping outside on nothing but foliage was abhorrent, but now, it felt like luxury. Perhaps the Wanderer had the right idea of wandering for days without end, if comfort has been redefined through exhaustion and work. "It's a beautiful night." He commented, looking up from the fire. Celestia followed his gaze and took note of the glittering sea of stars. It certainly was beautiful. Then her gaze strayed to the moon, where the mark rested. She sighed and looked back to the fire. What a simple life, fire has. Its purpose for its existence is just to be hot, to burn. Then it would die after all the fuel runs out. "Not a fan?" "Hmm?" She looked up, although not all the way. "Not a fan of the night sky?" "Too...too many memories." "Hmm, I can imagine. Forced into an impossible position, the winds changing all around you, and then before you know it, all that matters is taken away." "..." Celestia stayed quiet, not even surprised that he knew. "After that, well, the only thing that matters after that, is whether or not you decide to live. And by that, I mean enjoy life for what it has to offer." "It sounds like you've been through this before." Celestia finally said, letting a tear slip past her defences. "Several times. I'm immortal, remember?" The Wanderer shook his head, his casual smile slipping into a straight line. "I do not grieve, I do not regret, I do not cry. I smile and remember. I remember the good times and the bad times. They may be unpleasant, but they are memories, treasured ones at that. They define who I am, whether I choose to or not. That's what it means to follow the wind, to not fight it. To glide through life, remembering each and every stop with a quiet fondness, to take everything seriously, but in such a way one doesn't appreciate the silliness that life throws as well." "That...that's something. You have a way with words." "I suppose." The Wanderer fell to his side, his eyes reflecting the light of the fire, flickering with intensity as well as being playful. "I knew a baboon, crazy guy. He had a way with words to. He said to me once; 'the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.'" "He sounds like a good friend." "That he was." Silence enveloped the two as they gazed up at the stars once more. Now that twilight was over, darkness ruled supreme, coupled with the stars way above. Celestia wondered what they were, those far away beings. Ancestors? Fireflies? Burning hot gas? It didn't really matter, she concluded after a ponder. They can be whatever they want to be. *** "PRINCESS!" Celestia jumped up with fright. She had just finished raising the sun when a pegasus crashed landed into the dirt next to her. "Are you alright?" She asked, gently prodding the poor stallion with her hoof. The Wanderer chuckled and slowly made his way to the fallen pony. "I'm...I'm great. Yep." The mysterious pegasus said, before collapsing back down. "I've got...I've got a message from...from Raven...gaaaaaah, I am so tired." "What's the message?" "I...I...wait, lemme just..." The stallion heaved himself to the left and then unceremoniously flopped onto his back, exposing the exhausted pegasus' face as well as a mail bag. Celestia reached inside with a hoof and withdrew a letter. After skimming through it quickly, she turned her attention to the Wanderer. He grinned knowingly, bowed graciously, then continued on the road, off into the sunrise. "Where...where's he going?" The pegasus wheezed out. "He's following the wind." "...alright. Well, what are you going to do?" He coughed once, then slumped back into a ragdoll, struggling with his breath. "My wind has changed directions." "...what?" Author's Note I has returned from my weeding...literally. I was weeding on the weekend.
SoarPrincess Celestia trotted down the hallway of Canterlot castle. It was just yesterday she was a pegasus called Sunny Skies traveling like a peasant. Was it wrong of her to prefer those days? Those incredibly short days compared to her magnificent lifespan? She didn't have any obligations, no worries besides a rock in a horseshoe or perhaps the most comfortable sleeping position. She sighed, it wasn't meant to be. "Princess, you are done for today." "I highly doubt that, Raven." Celestia peered down on her aide. "Pardon?" The white unicorn looked up with slight concern. "I've been gone for nearly three weeks and you say I have no work overflow?" "...yes, that is correct." "Liar." Princess Celestia giggled. "Princess?" "Come on! I wish to go out, visit my little ponies." The alicorn skipped through the ornate halls, baffling the guards. "Come ooon, Raven. Do I need to make this an order?" "...no. No! No need. I'll...I'll come." Raven put away her itinerary with small hesitation, before scampering after her highness. "What...what are you planning to do, Princess?" "I have none!" She tilted her head back and laughed, a huge smile playing on her lips. "I shall simply follow the wind." "And whatever do you need me for?" Raven asked, still confused. Around them, the help and guards didn't even bother hiding their open mouths. "You shall be my plus one." Princess Celestia nodded confidently. "I wish to know more about you, and a stroll is a great way of knowing a pony." "Oh..." Raven giggled a little, then caught herself. She coughed behind a hoof, but Celestia noticed the red-tinged cheeks. She grinned cheekily. *** "Princess! Princess! Look! They have a Quill and Sofa's shop here! Finally! I no longer have to travel to Ponyville or further, just for quills and ink." Raven bounced like a filly getting candy. Celestia smiled softly. It took about 4.6 seconds before her aide realized what she was doing, and recovered quickly. "Ahem. This store will make errands more efficient." "How quaint." Raven looked up, saw the playful smile, turned away looking a bit red. "Princess. I am...confused. Why are we here?" The smile grew wider. "No reason." "...what?" She pondered for a bit. Princess Celestia took the time to take a look around her surroundings. When was the last time she took a walk through Canterlot proper? She smiled leisurely at her little ponies gawking. She breathed in the scents of the markets and stalls, restaurants and cafes. She let her gaze comfortably rest on each new landmark, a well here, a clocktower there, a statue around the corner. Many things have changed about the city, it was...a saddening thought, Celestia hadn't been there to have seen the city grow up. It moved on, right under her nose. "Princess?" Raven asked softly, bringing Celestia's attention back to her aide. "You...you said you wanted to know more about me?" "I did say that and I must say, you are adorable!" The princess chuckled at Raven's mortified expression. "The way you squee at anything exciting." "It's...it's not my fault!" Her aide stammered, blushing furiously. It complemented very well with her white coat. Celestia giggled. "I am merely teasing." "Hmph. That wasn't nice, Princess." The two fell to a comfortable silence. Every step Celestia took, Raven took three. The asymmetry made her smile a little. A nice detail she wouldn't have noticed before. She looked back up, perhaps more innocuous details would catch her attention. Sure enough, there was a small sign poking just outside an alley. It was quite simple, wooden, turquoise background, and a small white coffee cup. That's not what caught her attention though. It was because there was a small dying plant next to it. The branches all barren, except one tiny leaf, hanging on for dear life. "How about a cup of coffee, Raven?" "That would wonderful." "Then we shall acquire coffee!" With that boisterous exclamation, she turned and marched straight for the plain looking alleyway. Ignoring the spluttering protests, Celestia plowed forwards. A small hole in the wall, one table with two seats, and a very bored stallion in said hole in the wall. When he saw the Princess heading straight towards him, he panicked, slipped, and promptly fell on his back. "My good sir, are you alright." "I am perfectly fine, Your Majesty." The stallion recovered at record speed. He grinned and presented his lone table. "What brings you here to my despot of an establishment?" "The wind brought me here." "Ah, I understand." "May I ask what your business is about?" While Celestia spoke with the surprisingly delightful stallion, Raven tentatively took the other seat. "But of course. This is Pony Joe's, my name is Joe, and I serve all sorts of confectionaries as well as beverages." "All sorts?" "All sorts." Joe replied with a confident nod. "Well you heard the stallion, what shall you have Raven?" "But...but, Princess! You mustn't taint your appetite with such...vulgar food!" Her aide threw up her hooves in the general direction of Joe and the hole in the wall. "Raven! How insensitive!" "It's perfectly alright, Your Majesty. I am but a simple baker, I take no offence." "Then I shall take offence on your behalf. Apologize." She glared at her aide. "I...Why should I?" "Because there is no such thing as 'Classy' or 'Vulgar' food. As long as it's edible, that alone makes food valuable." "...I apologize, Mr. Joe." "And...?" "And you, Princess." "Thank you." Celestia nodded, her smile returned. "Now, Raven. What shall you have?" "Do you have, perchance, éclairs?" "We do indeed!" Joe grinned. "Any drinks with your order?" "Jasmine tea?" "Coming right up! And what about you, Your Majesty?" "You did say 'all sorts'." "I did indeed, Your Majesty. I am quite confident in whatever you may suggest." "Then, my fine gentlecolt, I require the largest cherry chocolate cake accompanied with Prench red wine." "But of course, Your Majesty." Joe bowed, then disappeared behind the counter. "Princess! Think of yourself, such an exorbitant amount of sugar! It'll go straight to your flanks!" "Oh, you worry too much Raven. I've never had cake before that wasn't made by the castle cooks. They make fine sweets, but that's exactly it, they are fine. I'm actually quite excited!" Celestia gave a giggle as well as clapping her hooves together. *** It's been a considerable amount of time since her very first outing from the castle since her trip with the Wanderer. The cake was delectable, the wine was fantastic, even Raven appreciated the éclair. It was so good in fact, Celestia paid quadruple the amount Joe asked for. Since then, however, it's been all work. There has been the occasional break, but not enough time to stop by her favorite hole in the wall. Instead she watched the world outside her window. It was beautiful no matter what time of day it was. She sighed as she placed the last piece of paper on the 'out' stack and glanced outside her window. Without warning, her shutters burst open as a gust of wind blew through her room. It was quite startling, leaving Celestia stunned. Her door burst open as Royal Guards barged through, looking for the perpetrator. "Princess! What's the matter!?" "There is nothing the matter, good sir. In fact..." Celestia's eyes traced the mess the gust of wind made and slowly felt a grin form. "In fact, the matter is beyond delightful. I shall take my leave, I require no escort." And with that, she leapt through the window and plummeted towards the ground at high speeds. The wind whipping past her face was exhilarating, then, moments before splatting on the cobblestone, she stretched her wings and took flight. As she glided over the rooftops of Canterlot, she took the time to lower the sun and raise the moon. As the final rays of sunset cast its branches, and the cursed depiction of her ultimate failure took its place, Celestia felt hope. Perhaps she'll follow the wind with this one. Author's Note Thank you for coming on this journey with me. I say journey, because the Wanderer's ideology towards life is my ideology to life. I was exploring it through a different lens, you could say. I wasn't expecting the story to turn out so well, so I'm definitely glad I was able to create this. May your day/night be a good one.
