Chapter 1: Wilhelm Straatvs

Chapter 1: Wilhelm Straatvs, Thaumaturgist

He began to regain consciousness a few minutes later. The impact had been far from the worst he had ever suffered. Hmmm. Mild bruising over about eighty percent of my torso. So that would make the fall roughly five hundred feet. Oh, what's that? Things! Oh, I love things! Except when they're trying to kill me, but even then they're still interesting.

“Hello there!” he spoke in a cheery tone. “You all understand what I'm saying? I can't even count the times I've embarrassed myself by speaking the wrong language before.” there was more silence. He turned his face to side – as dirt isn't edible to him – and looked at the things he had sensed.

“Oh, tiny horses! Wait, no, not horses, ponies! Brightly colored ponies! And unicorns and pegasi! Oh, but you don't look like the pegasi and unicorns I've met before, no siree! They were taller and solid white and their eyes were smaller.” he waited to see how they would respond. They didn't. “So, can you speak or not? I'd really like to know if this conversation is going to be one sided!” this finally snapped them out of it, and the tall white one that he recognized as an alicorn stepped forth, wings outstretched in a regal manner.

“I am Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria. What are you?” she asked.

“Species, gender, or profession? Oh, and my apologies for not bowing but I currently have no feeling in my legs. Should pass soon.” he responded. Celestia blinked in surprise at the response before herself answering.

“Species please.” she said.

“Human. As for the other two, it's male and thaumaturgist.” he said.

“You would have answered all three of those regardless of which I asked wouldn't you?” she said, a wry smile now adorning her face. He grinned at her.

“That I would have Your Highness!” before the developing conversation could continue, a tomboyish voice broke in.

“What the hay is a thauma-whatsit?” inquired the cyan coated, rainbow maned pegasus.

“Thaumaturgist. Or thaumaturge. Or thaumancer. Really depends on who you ask, but they're all the same when you get down to it, though I prefer thaumaturgist.” he replied. “As for what it is? I specialize in the creation an improvement of spells and objects of an arcane nature as well as manipulating the natural aura of an environment, objects, and on occasion living creatures.” only the Princess and a purple unicorn that had been attentively listening seemed to understand what he had just said. Surprisingly he didn't flinch when she bolted up to him, eyes literally sparkling, and began to ask all manner of questions.

“Hold on a moment please. I can feel my legs again.” he interrupted her verbal barrage to stand. Only then did they really take in his appearance. He was wearing a black overcoat that went down to just above his heels, under which he wore a white button up shirt. He had on a pair of gray dress pants and shiny black slip on shoes. The entire ensemble was completed by the presence of a black fedora that had a strip of vibrant blue running around it. His hair was a generic brown, and he stood at equal height with Princess Celestia, but the most striking thing were the eyes. They were hazel with many laugh lines around them, contrasting with his otherwise youthful appearance. Those very eyes made you feel like he was someone that could relate to your problems, while at the same time making you feel like a child speaking to a kindly grandfather.

“Oh, wasn't there a pink one with you?” he asked suddenly. The mares looked about for their pink friend only to realize she was gone.

“Oh no.” groaned the purple unicorn. Before they could begin looking, a pair of bright blue eyes were staring into his own.

“Hi I'm Pinkie Pie! You never told us your name, and if we don't know your name we can't throw you a party!” she squealed at her normal speed. She was perched on top of his fedora. He just smiled before answering the hyperactive equine.

“Hello Pinkie, nice to meet you. And you're right, I never did introduce myself.” the mare hopped off of his hat and he gave a slightly exaggerated bow. “I,” he began. “Am Wilhelm Straatvs.”