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[Herd] The Art of Herding: Chapter 1

Jul 5th, 2015
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  1. Chapter 1: Request
  2. --
  3. > You stepped through that portal three weeks ago.
  4. > And for three weeks you’ve been in the company of the illustrious Princess Celestia
  5. > Unfortunately, your experience with their culture has been limited to sitting in on Day Court
  6. > Sure it varied – on set weeks it was open to the general public; the rest allotted to visiting foreign dignitaries as well as local representatives.
  7. > But it seems as though everything has suddenly revolved around your appearance.
  8. > Were they not informed that a foreign dignitary would be visiting?
  9. > Seriously:
  10. > Most of the public showed up to gawk. Others to confirm if the gossip they heard was correct.
  11. > And if it wasn’t the public, it was their duly elected representatives come forward to voice the concerns of their citizens.
  12. > Jesus; what a waste.
  13. > Looking down, you briefly check your wristwatch – almost noon.
  14. > Almost over as well, thank God.
  15. > For the remaining time you scribble down a series of notes on things you feel might be important. Maybe a doodle or two here or there when things are a little more boring than normal.
  16. > Zoning out on your “work” you almost fail to notice a pony step off from Celestia’s right and in front of the procession.
  17. > “Attention everypony: This session of day court has been concluded.”
  18. > While she does go on to say a few more things, pleasantries you’d assume, you ignore that and go straight to packing you notepad into your briefcase.
  19. > As the last pony leaves, you look to Celestia.
  20. > She bears the look of one who currently has something on her mind.
  21. > However, as she turns her head to look at you the expression is gone, leaving the same comforting, gentle, and in-control gaze that is typically seen on her.
  22. > “Well, Anonymous, lunch?”
  23. > Is she up to something? You can’t tell, but she’s been nothing but welcoming; might as well take it at face value here.
  24. “Sounds good to me, Princess.”
  25. > Beginning the short journey to the dining hall, Celestia begins to speak
  26. > “Oh, and Anonymous? Please, just call me Celestia.”
  27. > While the informality caught you off guard – face it, you’ve been called her Princess for nearly a month – you’re not quite as concerned as you thought you’d be.
  28. > Provided that’s all that was on her mind.
  29. > Now relaxed, you turn your neck to face her
  30. “Well then, by all means, call me Anon.”
  31. > It’s at this point that you notice that you are being accompanied by another pony
  32. > Although being on the other side of Celestia, you can’t quite get a good look at her – just some basic details
  33. > … Female. Unicorn. White? No more of a… Light Grey for a coat. Kind of a dark brown mane and tail.
  34. > Kinda familiar though. Wait, wasn’t she the one that’s always announcing the beginning or end of Day Court? Yeah, yeah she is.
  35. > So, you’re being accompanied by Celestia’s aide. Makes sense, you don’t often dine with the Princess – you’re typically back in your “office” compiling information.
  36. > The remainder of the, admittedly rather short, journey was in silence.
  37. > The room you’re in never ceases to amaze you – to be fair though, you’ve only been in it a few times – just out of size. It’s large enough to handle a feast, a good couple hundred ponies at the very least.
  38. > A pair of servants stationed near a pair of doors quickly move into the rightmost one as they spy the trio enter. Presumably this is storage as they quickly bring out two more chairs. Only one handles the task of actually putting them out as you notice the other enter the left door.
  39. > The Princess’ Procession stops at the table, both you and the Unicorn mare taking seats, respectively, to the left and right of Celestia.
  40. > As the three of you seat yourselves a small procession of, you would presume, cooks marches from the left door to the front of the table and waits.
  41. > Both Celestia and the unicorn mare simply nod at the staff.
  42. > At this point, all attention shifts to you. Celestia is the first to break the silence.
  43. > “Anonymous?”
  44. > Well. Shit.
  45. > Like a nervous junkie, your attention shifts from pony to pony. The last few times you’ve been in here you haven’t exactly had a choice in the matter – not that you complained at the time mind you.
  46. > With a quick, sharp inhale you decide: Fuck it, what’s the worst that could happen.
  47. “Uh, yeah, I’ll have what she’s having.” You say this gesturing to Celestia.
  48. > The centermost of the procession has a look of amusement on his face, but remains silent, simply bowing slightly.
  49. > As the group disappears back into the kitchen you open your mouth to ask a question, but are cut off by Celestia.
  50. > “So, Anonymous, tell me. How are you finding things?”
  51. > The question, while not exactly a profound or stunningly scandalous one, still manages to catch you somewhat off guard.
  52. “Err… Well enough, I suppose.”
  53. > With a glance to the kitchen door something pops to mind.
  54. “Your staff ex-military?”
  55. > She turns her head to face you. It’s subtle, very subtle, but you notice the movements – as though she were scanning your face. You can almost see her thoroughly analyzing the question in her head.
  56. > This doesn’t last long. However, the answer is by no means straightforward.
  57. > “Why do you ask?”
  58. > To be fair, while part of your job – the reports and such – you are genuinely curious as to the lack of speech from the staff.
  59. “Well, to be fair, I’m used to wait staff asking more questions than that.”
  60. “And menus…” you mutter.
  61. > At this you hear the tiniest of chortles come from the Princess. Seems she caught that.
  62. > It’s a subtle laugh. But there’s something about it. Something calming. You feel the need to…
  63. > Yeah… yeah. Might as well be completely honest.
  64. “That aside, if you want me to give you a full-rundown of how I find the place, then I’m game.”
  65. > The mare across from you looks to you with a cocked eyebrow and a slightly amused smile.
  66. > “’Game?’”
  67. > Your eyes shift and find them meeting a pair of moderate orange ones peering at you through a set of thick, black-rimmed glasses.
  68. “It’s just an expression. People love to play with words, ya know.”
  69. > Waving it off, you glance between the mare and Celestia, an action which results in a nod from both.
  70. > Nodding in response, you begin.
  71. “Alright, for a start, what little I’ve explored is absolutely beautiful. For a city the streets are clean, and the populace is…”
  72. > The hesitation in your voice seems to register with Celestia. That need-to-tell-you-something look returns briefly.
  73. “…Nice.”
  74. > Scratching the back of your neck you decide to continue
  75. “Although I must admit, from my observations, it just feels like there were too many inquiries regarding me during Day Court. More so than I expected to be honest with you.”
  76. > Of all things this garners Celestia’s attention the most. You can’t quite fathom why – perhaps she fears her people have made a bad impression, perhaps she’s afraid of her people’s opinions regarding you. Perhaps a number of things all equally just as likely as they are unlikely.
  77. > Regardless of what the reasoning is, the look returns and returns in full force. She’s even avoiding your eyes now, simply looking down at the table.
  78. > With a sigh, she slowly raises her head up. Her expression is one of concern.
  79. > “Anonymous… Anon…”
  80. > “I… was afraid they might not be as accepting as I hoped.”
  81. > Whoa. Fuck, not quite what you had intended to say.
  82. “Princess, that’s not-“
  83. > She gestures for silence.
  84. > “From what you’ve told me Anon, this is in fact the case.”
  85. > “While I respect cultural differences, in the interest of easing your integration into our society and therefore easing your mission, then I must make a request.”
  86. > She gives a short pause, considering her words, both said and about to be said. With a quick breath, she speaks.
  87. > “Anonymous, I need you to form a herd.”
  88. > What.
  89. “What?”
  90. > Rather than Celestia, the Unicorn across from you joins into the conversation.
  91. > “A herd is… think of a harem. From the information provided by your superiors, this is the closest comparison we could draw – of course it’s more… complex than that.”
  92. > Cocking an eyebrow, you cross your arms and gesture to continue the explanation.
  93. > “Herds are a common occurrence, given the disproportionate ratio of males to females in our society. Regarding stallions of higher stations, such as yours for instance, it’s almost expected.”
  94. > She uses her hoof to push her glasses further up her muzzle.
  95. > “Herds aren’t exactly common to foreign dignitaries mind you, it’s just that… well you’re living amongst us more than other dignitaries. You’re… sedentary… compared to the others. What the Princess is suggesting is something that would give common ground between yourself and the normal Equestrian.”
  96. > At this point the table is silent. Minutes pass.
  97. > Finally you uncross your arms. She makes a good point.
  98. “I… can see your point. But… I’ve got my reservations. Could I get some time to think about this?”
  99. > Celestia nods respectfully before speaking.
  100. > “Anonymous, this is a request, but I implore you to give it the utmost amount of thought.”
  101. “Alright.”
  102. > At this point conversation dies down. After a few minutes it is reinitiated by Celestia, but is significantly more topical.
  103. > Within a few more, lunch arrives. A daisy sandwich, with works – alfalfa sprouts, lettuce, tomato…
  104. > Generally a delicious sandwich – well after you plucked the flowers off, which Celestia gladly took off your hands – much like most of the food you’ve tried.
  105. > Giving compliments and a few parting farewells, you depart from the company of Celestia and her aide.
  106. > Almost quick-marching, you make your way back to your quarters.
  107. > First off all, you had something new to note down – while likely handed off in the initial information exchange, you’re involved in it, more than likely, so by God it’s going into that report.
  108. > Secondly, you have a phone call to make.
  109.  
  110. > With a notebook and file folders on desk, you’re prepared to begin writing.
  111. > Except you need to make that phone call.
  112. > Pulling it out from the drawer, you produce a vid-phone and dial-in. Within a few rings, the face of the UN Secretary General greets you on the screen.
  113. > “Anonymous? What’s the situation?”
  114. > For a second, you hesitate. How exactly are you going to explain this?
  115. “Boss, I’ve got a problem… They’ve, uh, asked me to form… a herd…”
  116. > He chuckles a bit
  117. > “That it, son?”
  118. > Opening your mouth to protest, he holds up a hand to silence you.
  119. > “Look Anonymous, we need someone over there. If this is what it takes to gain the trust of the locals, then by God, that’s what you do.”
  120. > The fire in him has died down, you can tell – his seated posture slackens slightly, he lets go of a breath of air neither of you knew he was holding.
  121. > He then speaks again:
  122. > “Anonymous, if there were any other options, I’d suggest them. For now, this is your assignment. Take care of yourself Anonymous, and good luck.”
  123. > With that he cuts the feed, ending the call.
  124. > Looks like the decision has been made. Time to find Celestia.
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