A Kindred Spirit

When I had gone to shower, obviously, I had to take off the necklace. A bit of fumbling and inspection in the mirror found that the silver band on which it hung was in fact hinged. After undoing the clasp on the base of my neck (no easy task, considering I had to stand on 3 hooves), I found that the whole thing sort of folded outward. As soon as I set it down, it lit again with the pale white light, and the silver around the medallion extended again to its former extravagance. The spells and history that were undeniably about this thing intrigued me; who had worn it? Who had made it? What other things could it do? I brought it with me to the couch where I would sleep, laying on the arm before working myself into the bedding that had been laid out, falling asleep eventually.

I had wandered through the misty realm that was the dream world for an unknowable amount of time before getting the twang of lucidity, solidification of my form, and the restructuring of the environment that came with Luna's visit. Of course, this being my second time experiencing her entering my dreams, it still came as a small wondrance and a bit of a shock. I greeted her politely on her appearance, and asked her what it was that brought here here again.

"My sister expects a friendship report from Twilight every week; I thought you understood I was a little more demanding." She was not being entirely without humor here, and smiled slightly as she continued. "I expect a report from you around five times a week. On average."

I was sure to get used to Luna's strange way of communication at some point. I'd probably end up with a large amount of dream control as well, but that was a hunch. I affirmed my understanding of what was expected of me, and I gave a short account of the day's events at her request. She then proceeded, to my surprise, to outline the events of her day.

"Our relationship, unlike that of Twilight Sparkle and my sister, involves a lot more give-and-take." She paused a moment, stopped her slight pace, and turned to me. "So far today, I woke up early, sat and thought, went to my study, read a text I wrote about how my different types  of personal assistants work, and remembered about that thing," she stated, pointing to my chest. I was stunned to see the lunar amulet hanging there, in its more modest form. I, taken aback, blurted, "How did that get there? I don't even have it on..."

Luna shrugged softly. "Even I don't understand all of the enchantments laid on that object. It's been charmed with so many different things. But, I will guess that it has something to do with being in a dream and the fact it's bound to you."

"Well." That was just about all I had to say about that. This thing just kept on getting more mysterious... and powerful.

"I really ought to be getting back now; I actually have a court to go to tonight!" She seemed genuinely enthused. "So long!"

I said my goodbye and watched her leave. When she left, I noticed something; the lucidity granted to me when she visited had not departed with her. I was free to do whatever I wished in this construct that was seemingly identical to the one that had appeared last time she visited. I started exploring.

The next morning, after much wandering in the shifting hills of the dream land, I was awakened by Shining Armor knocking on my forehead.

"Wake up, buttercup."

The fact it was him made sense; his poor sister probably had not the resolve to disturb me, not that I in actuality minded. Forehead knocks seem to be the norm for the past few days. I groggily got up and made the couch back into a sort of hybridized seating/sleeping area.

"Did you know your breath glows when you sleep? Oh, and your amulet."

"I knew about the breath, but not about the amulet. That thing's as much of a mystery to me as it is to you." I, needless to say, was not a morning person...pony, and my regular acumen had not returned yet. This also meant I was the least composed at anything after waking. So said I, "Any food?" when the heavenly aroma of biscuits filled the air.

Shining didn't let this pass me by; "No, this is just how a library usually smells," he poked. Realizing my mistake, I made some stupid face or another on purpose, causing him to laugh.

"Biscuits. Smells good." The pair of us moved the short distance over to the kitchen, where Spike and Twilight (Mostly Spike) were busily scaring up a promising breakfast. I could explain the purple dragon's absence yesterday with the simple fact that he was probably sleeping.

"Hey!" said Spike, dodging around the small kitchen. "Good to see ya again."

"Hi, Spike," I replied. There wasn't much to be said at the moment, for the little dragon was busy and I was fresh out of bed. Twilight, who was sitting in the corner apparently reading recipes, bade me good morning. "Mornin', Twilight," I managed.

"Good morning! Not much of an early riser, are you?" she teased.

"Nope. More of a night owl myself."

A few short phrases passed between us as we waited for the food to finish. The whole of us sat down and ate a very nice breakfast. I don't think I really need to describe the table happenings, simply because there weren't any to speak of.

Almost directly after the meal, Twilight remembered she had invited the girls over today. I took this in stride; I was bound to meet them all around town. It would be nice to see them, anyway. I'd spent enough time wondering what this I previously thought of as fictional group would do on an average day. I decided to clean myself up, my usual frame and sharpness of mind returning after eating. I'm not going to describe all my grooming processes, because 1. it would be pedantic, 2. it's weird. However, I will say I ended up with straightened feathers and a mane and tail that weren't totally uncared for. Straightened feathers feel wonderful. All the nerves that had been reporting pressure from their extremities being overlapped suddenly stopped. Don't ask me why I'm telling you this, because I don't really know.

A few minutes later, to my surprise, the whole group of friends made their merry way inside, all at once. Pinkie, of course, detonated, her usual extreme energy manifesting. Somehow, those cartoon effects from the show were hardly fictional, and barely exaggerated. She seemed to materialize at random points in the room, and I cannot recount her explosive ramble. But, in essence, she said "hi" to everypony. I had been expecting this nonsensical madness, so it did not catch me off guard, however stunning her bizarre logic-defying abilities were. I could easily understand how Twilight could not get over these at first. Like brothers-in-arms, Shining and I held off reacting to her with commendable degrees of success, while all the mares were used to it.

Rainbow Dash was second to make herself known, something that probably only ever happened with regularity when the enigma that was Pinkamena Diane Pie was around. "Hey guys," she casually greeted me and Shining. "and Twilight," she finished.

Applejack trudged in, stepping with the gait of a young and strong working pony and offering up a "Howdy" to us tenants. She removed her hat and hung it up on the small coat/hat rack next to the door, something I was happy to see. That was was a respectful courtesy you didn't see everyday anymore, but of course the country-raised farm-mare would remember.

Rarity was next, and was I ever in for it. She gave a polite and ladylike "hello" before spotting the archaic piece of jewelry hanging about my neck, and immediately rushing over to see it. "Wow! Where did you get this? It is just beautifully made! The styling is very classical... they got all the lines and inlay and everything just right!"

Trailing off as she inspected further, I, being a bit put off, responded, "Um... you done?" That sounded rude. Surprisingly, the fashionista carried on without remarking. "Oh, yes. But please do tell me who you bought this from!"

In her excitement, the alabaster pony was in such a passion that it slipped her mind that I wasn't really one to buy this sort of thing, and didn't take into account the significance of the insignia.

During all of this, a soft yellow pony slipped inside, the compulsively unobtrusive mare shyly managing a weak "Hi" before finding a spot to take a seat out of the way. She noticed me then, and, hiding behind her curly pink mane a little, mouthed "hello" to me. I flashed a small smile and nodded, which caused her to gain a little confidence and smile herself. This was about the time I asked Rarity if she was finished.

"Oh, yes, of course. Sorry, I probably got a little carried there."

I answered her question. "I got this from Princess Luna. I'm her aide now."

Everypony in the room except the two who already knew stopped in surprise at this news, and shifted their focus to me. I drew back a little bit at all the sudden attention. I immediately began to be showered with congratulations. This only made me draw back more. I didn't really like to be the captor of attention, and I didn't like having my achievements fawned over... most of the time.

"How'd you manage that?" made its way out of the group eventually, along with a reprimand, but I didn't care who asked it and nor did I that it had been asked. "Not exactly sure," I answered truthfully.

"And, Rarity, this amulet isn't as...extravagant...as it could be right now." To show the mare what I meant, I willed the thing to show its true form. A mirage-like tracer of light gray sprinted across its surface before the tips lit with the light of the moon and revealed the statelier form of the amulet. Now, I call it an amulet because when it's shrunk, it's pretty much a medium-large amulet; however, when it's fully fledged, it's more like a ceremonial breastplate, covering most of my chest. Needless to say, Rarity had a cow. I really didn't want everyone to cow, but they did. I felt compelled to show them this just to be transparent and informative.

"Amazing! Despite the fact that this is priceless, I can't even begin to fathom how much it could sell for! Hundreds of thousands of bits!"

Rarity continued ranting while the rest of the room buzzed with the voices of five other mares. Since the moment had passed, I shrank it down again with a thought. It was kinda neat; I controlled this thing with my mind. There's something about that that just makes you feel powerful. Anyhow, when all the hubbub died down, (of course) Rainbow spoke up, asking, "So, what did we miss?"

Again, I sighed, about to start raveling this thread. Thankfully, Shining Armor came to the rescue. He started explaining about how we met up in the station, and I shot him a look of gratitude. After he finished the rather short story, everypony looked appeased with that, and so a normal atmosphere returned, the six mares getting into what seemed to be a regular conversation that did not involve me or, to an extent, Armor. I actually liked being on the sidelines here; it was interesting to see them all talking right here in front of me while us two sat back. I'd sat back for maybe an hour, absorbing the conversations and just thinking on anything and everything. The girls seemed to have mostly concluded their meeting, and suddenly, the conversation shifted to me.

"So, what are we gonna do about you?" Rainbow asked the question, looking my way. Of course, while this was about me, it wasn't really anything I could comment on. I'd somehow been sent here without any housing or paying job lined up, and I didn't like not having a course of action to follow. I guess the princesses just left it to me to figure it out, which I actually liked, but the problem was that I had to rely on the generosity of the ponies here. I detested being a mooch; I didn't want to take a the yield of a pony's hard work and dedication and have it spurned on me, a capable workstallion. I was no lazy type and hated coming across as such, and people who do not earn their keep don't sit well by me.

Twilight gave her spiel. "I really hate to have you sleeping on a couch here, and I don't mean to be rude, but I'd rather not house anypony extra if I can help it..." I understood completely, and nodded.

Rarity was on top of this one after a short period of silence. "He can stay with me. I've got some extra space and I wouldn't mind lending it to a pony as well-meaning as you are," she finished, aiming the end of her sentence towards me. I was a bit flattered that I managed to come across as a good-intentioned type so easily, with all the mystery that hung about me.

"Well, thank you, Rarity. I appreciate it. You really don't have to do this, but I'm thankful that you're offering me your homespace. It means a lot."

I could tell it gave her great pleasure to give something that she could away to another, but that didn't make me any less bashful about taking up room in her home.

"Oh, think nothing of it, dear. I'm sure you'll make a fine roommate."

Roommate? I guess so... but didn't "roommate" imply a long-term cohabitation? I didn't mean to take up any of her home for a long period of time...

"Thank you, I'm flattered," I told her.

Twilight adjourned the mares' meeting. "Well girls, I think that just about wraps it all up. I don't know about you all, but I've got work to do. Been nice seeing you all!"

With varying forms of "goodbye," they all started to slowly file out. To my surprise, Rainbow was the last one left.

"Alright, big guy, let's get going," she said. I was confused as to what she meant.

"What? Where am I going?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed, teasingly, "I'm supposed to be teaching you how to fly, remember? We're leaving as soon as you're ready. Don't expect to actually get in the air today, though."

Of course! "Well, I guess there's not really anything I need, so I guess we can go now." Despite the obvious fact I wouldn't be burning up the sky today, or probably even getting in the air for at least four or five days, I still began to feel giddy. Flight. It's not only something the mind wants for, but I could actually feel the longing in my veins, the wind calling, despite how cheesy that sounds.

"Let's get going then." We started out the door, headed for wherever my coach would lead.