Canterlot's Hydra

My song filled the hallway as I milled about in thought. What could I expect? What should I expect? From either option, which one seemed better? Would I still be able to hide, would I still be free to do as I liked?

My eyes looked down at the floor, my ears pressed against my head in thought.

If I stayed in the sewers, I'd be able to do what I liked as long as I continued to hide myself, and as long as nobody found me. I'd have the freedom to come and go as I liked, able to be nobody. I would always have a safe place to return to, and never have a lot of people around me.

But also, I'd have to maintain absolute secrecy about where I live, as soon as it became common knowledge that I live in the sewers, I'm not sure if even my singing could keep the sewers from filling with people. It'd probably become a tourist attraction, 'Come search the sewers for the mysterious golden alicorn.' What a headache.

If I moved into the castle, could I manage being around all those people? Having to deal with castle life? What would even happen in there? Would I have guards stuck outside my door, listening to everything I say and do? Would there be maids? Well there would have to be, unless they wanted me to clean the room myself, which I absolutely could, of course.

Give them a chance.

My inner thoughts raked at my mind. Give the ponies a chance.

I hate people. I don't know how ponies would react, I don't know them... and it's wrong to judge them for what humans have done. They're not the same.

It won't be perfect, nothing ever can be, and if it turns out to be a trap? Sing and leave.

But... I don't think it'd be a trap. Celestia doesn't strike me as the type. Neither from our conversation just a short while ago, or from the show.

I'll do it... I'll probably regret it... but I'll give them a chance.

Day Court had begun again since our last meeting, and there were a few ponies standing in the hallway before the throne room now. I stood at the back of the line and stopped singing.

I was stared at for a second by a few, while others kept staring at me for a while longer. The people in front of me kept looking forward, waiting for their turn with Celestia, and thankfully didn't pay me any mind.

The line moved steadily forward. One by one, ponies would file into the throne room, then exit shortly after. Some seemed upset, while others relieved. I did not care to eavesdrop.

Eventually, I was at the front of the line and had a small collection of ponies behind me. I was given a wide berth however, which I appreciated. Though in truth, they were likely giving it to me because I smelled unpleasant.

The last pony exited, and gave me a surprised stare before walking along back towards the exit. Then, it was my turn.

A guardstallion waved me in with a professional glare, and on top of her throne, Princess Celestia sat once more.

The throne room was bathed in a pleasant sunlight, appearing comfortably lit.

"Welcome back, Aurum. Have you made a decision?" Celestia asked me with a smile, not unlike the ones she gave me in our last meeting.

"I have, Princess... If you were serious, I'd like to take you up on your offer." I said, meeting her gaze.

"Wonderful, if you'll follow me for just a moment," She said, leading me back outside of the throne room, "I'm glad you decided to stay here with us at the castle, though, If I may, might you tell me what happened earlier?"

I decided to play dumb, "I'm not sure what you mean."

She gave me a bemused and lighthearted look, "You know what I mean, Aurum." Her smile didn't falter, however.

"You're referring to why you.. forgot about me so suddenly?" My posture shrunk as I followed along.

She nodded, confirming what I already knew to be true. She didn't seem upset with me for disappearing, "Yes, you simply vanished. One moment we were talking, and the next, you simply vanished."

"It's... uh..." I struggled to think of a lie I could tell, "It's a spell I picked up when I moved to Canterlot." I settled for a half-truth.

"Did you now?" She chuckled, amused, and clearly having not fallen for my ruse. She stayed quiet for a moment as we kept walking through the hallway, passing large windows with breathtaking views of the city below. "And what exactly did this spell do?"

I told another half truth, "Well, you saw. It turned me invisible, I went away for a bit to think about what you proposed, and came back once the spell wore off."

"I see." She stopped in front of a door in the western wing of the castle, "I don't mind you keeping secrets, but I would prefer if you wouldn't lie to me."

Shit, she called me out straight.

"Sorry, Princess." I bowed my head slightly.

Her cheerfulness returned to her, "Please, there's no need to apologize, just try to be more honest with me."

She opened the door with her magic and motioned me to step inside.

As I entered, I took in my surroundings. The room was bigger than the alcove I was living in, in the sewers. Checkered tiles of white and green, four windows with dull green curtains, a wooden dresser, and a double bed with purple covers and pillow cases were inside the room. Along with a door in the corner.

"Wow... this... this is incredible." I said, in shock at the beauty that surrounded me.

My evident awe seemed to amuse Celestia, and she closed the door behind her as she entered. "I'm glad it is to your liking."

"Funnily enough, we once used this room to house guests from far away lands or important diplomats." She said, and I knew I had to quickly change the subject.

"Won't they be needing it, though? I imagine important diplomats arrive quite often."

"Not as often as they used to." She said, sounding almost... sad? Her head turned and lingered on the door for a moment, as if she remembered something painful. Though, she quickly seemed to get her bearings and turned back to look at me with that practiced smile she wears. "We really don't use this room all that often, and even if it's needed, there are plenty of other rooms in the castle."

I decided not to pry, it would've been rude if I started asking about her after my behavior, "So, are there any rules I need to follow, or a schedule I need to keep to?"

"There will be time for that later. Though, I imagine you'll want to wash up and rest after so long underground. How about you join me for breakfast in the morning?"

"I'd be honored." I answered truthfully, with a smile of my own.

A pleased smile took over her face, as her magic grabbed the door handle and opened it back up. "Wonderful, breakfast is at 7:00am sharp, I'll send someone to lead you to the dining room."

I understood, while I could just walk around the castle while singing, It would just be easier to be led, "Thank you, Princess." I bowed again as she left the room and closed the door behind her again.

Alone again, I began to sing.

Tales wrapped in whispers, a hush bitter sweet. Silent footsteps echo, in deserted streets.

I would stop singing in a few minutes, once I collected my nerves again.