Millennia - Part 3

>Day 3… ish in Equestria.
>After a day of rest and uh, some mental adjustment, Luna summoned some scholars to tell you everything you need to know about Equestria.
>One; they look like regular ponies with Einstein wings and fake mustaches. All of them.
>Two; you’ve learned virtually nothing. All you managed to get out of them way that they are not horses, they’re ponies.
>And that Equestria has two princesses. No real prince, no king or queen, just two princesses.
>Weirdest monarchy you’ve ever seen.
>Oh, and these princesses control the sun and the moon.
>They also orbit around the planet.
>Fine.
>The way things worked on Earth was dumb anyway.
>Back to whatever you were talking about, you’ve gotten very little out of these ponies.
>They don’t stop asking YOU questions. That was okay for a while, but after a few hours, you felt as if it was your turn to get some answers.
>They weren’t having any of that! No sir.
>The past hour has been mostly silent between you and the ponies.
>You attempted to read a few book from the huge library they have you locked in, but they keep taking them from you.
>These ‘intellectuals’ are driving you up a wall with their general stubbornness and inability to understand.
>Because that last time you check, YOU’RE the one on a strange planet who’s about to have a mental breakdown!
>”Anonymous.” One of the ponies breaks you out of your train of thought. “It’s time to get back to it.”
“Ugh,” You rub your hands over your face for probably the fiftieth time today. “Are you finally going to answer at least a few of my own questions?”

>The ponies look at each other and collectively shake their heads before turning back to you.
>”I’m sorry, Anonymous. You have to understand, you’re an unknown species and it feels… wrong, not to know more about you.”
“Wrong? Oh, that kinda sucks, man! Yeah, your problem is much more significant than my own.”
>”Exactly!”
“Sarcasm!” You roll your eyes. “I swear to god…”
>”Hmm… You’ve mentioned this, ‘God’ fellow a few times. Could you explain who that is?”
>You sit in silence for a few seconds before sighing in defeat and burying your face in your hands.
>The echoing sound of the large library door opening and closing breaks the awkwardness.
>After traversing the library maze, Luna emerges from a nearby bookcase.
>Your face cracks into a small smile at the sight of her. You know little about her, but you’ve come too associate her with good things. Luna equals good. Nerd ponies equals bad and dumb.
>”P-Princess Luna! How can we…”
>”We were informed that there were some problems.”
>”Ah! Ahem,” The scholar straightens his tie. “The human known as Anonymous simply refuses to cooperate.”
>Luna looks between you and the scholars.
>”Cooperate?”
>”Yes. May we suggest a more persuasive way to extract information? We wouldn’t want to go as far as torture, but-“
“Torture?!”
>”What! Inkwell, you severely misunderstood our request! Does it have to become an order for you to not pursue your own goals?” Luna speaks in a soft yet stern voice.
>”I-I…”
>”Now, YOU will educate Anonymous on everything he needs to know.
>”Y-“
>”And that IS an order.”
>”Yes, Princess Luna.”

>Everyone stands around awkwardly, waiting for the Princess to leave.
>She then looks softly to you.
>”Go on, Anonymous. Do you have any questions?”
“Uhm… Is there like, a world map… or something?”
>Luna looks over to the ponies who stand still and look at their hooves. “Is there?” She says sternly.
>They all jump, but only the one in front responds. “O-Of course! I’ll get it right away!”
>He scampers off in one direction, while all the near identical ponies suddenly start pretending they have something to contribute to this task and follow him out.
>Once they were out of eye and earshot, Luna let out a light titter.
>”We apologize for them. They should no longer be any trouble to you.”
“Uh… Thanks, Princess.”
>She takes a short bow.
>”You are most certainly welcome, Anonymous. If you have a problem with these ponies or any other, please call upon us or our sister. “
“Right, your sister. She’s big and white and stuff, right?”
>”You… have yet to meet her?”
>A flash of concern washes across her face.
“Yeah-huh. Unless she doesn’t stand out much, I don’t-“
>”No, you would recognize her if you saw her. Perhaps something important… No, no. She’s been on her throne for the past two days.”
>Luna’s voice becomes inaudible as she talks to herself.
“Everything okay, Princess?”
>”Aah,” She snaps to attention. “Of course! We must leave for now. However, you are formally invited to the dining hall for supper this evening.”
“Uh… Thanks.”
>She takes another short bow and exits the library.
>The scholars soon return with several copies of the same atlas book.
>The first one to you lays the thick leather-bound book on your lap.
>You request they leave you alone while you get a lay of the land.

>Most retreat into the depths of the library, but one is brave enough to stay.
>While nervously sweating, he quickly says, “Anonymous. I-If it’s not too much trouble… May I ask you a few more questions?”
>You lower your book and give him a ‘Are you fucking kidding me’ look.
>”O-Only a few! And for every one you answer, I’ll answer one of yours!”
>Your eyebrows perk up at the idea. It seems fair enough and it won’t feel like an interrogation any more.
“Mmmm, sure.”
>”Good! Good… Would you like to go first?”
>The map book is currently holding your attention. You have yet to find any trace of a world map, but you’ve found several on Equestria and the territories of Equestria.
“You first.”
>”Very well,” He clears his throat. “Equestria is part totalitarianism, part monarchy nation where ponies are given individual freedoms which are quite the luxury to other nations.”
“Wait, how does that work?”
>The pony sighs.
>”I believe it is my turn to ask-“
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. But how can you have totalitarianism and a monarchy? Both the princesses are ruling the nation, but some other ponies as well?”
>The pony takes a step back.
>”I’m… surprised you know what those are!”
“Basic world history. Earth, I mean. Also, how can ponies have individual freedoms in a totalitarianistic society? The definition of-“
>”Anonymous.”
“I… Urgh, sorry. It’s really, really confusing to me.”
>”I understand, but YOU have to understand that this isn’t your world. What may contradict there, might not here. Vice versa.
>You only grumble in response.
>”Now, my question is, how does your societies’ government work?”
>You shrug and turn a page in the atlas while not really looking at it.
“Communism and Democracy are pretty much all the rage for modern societies. Dictatorships are huge with lesser developed, more religious based countries. Everything else was basically a toss-up.”
>”Hmmm, could you explain all of those to me in detail?  Two of those are unfamiliar to me.”
>…
>God…

>Several hours later, you excused yourself from the library. The pony whose name you discovered was Inkwell is still jotting down notes from how little you told him. Hell, even half of that was somewhat bullshit and he ate it up like candy. Next time you might tell him that your dad was a Power Ranger named Master Chief who saved the galaxy from the Reapers.
>The most frightening part of that joke? It might work.
>You decide to put the idea on hold for the time being and retreat back into your room to prepare. You’ve got a dinner with royalty.
>Huh.
>This moment probably has more weight than it feels like, but it really doesn’t feel like a big deal.
>It just sort of feels like you just moved into the neighborhood and the people next door invited you over for dinner.
>Weird analogy, but accurate.
>Anyway, it’s time you prepared for this dinner.
>You have no clothes besides the ones you’re wearing now. Formal attire will have to take a backseat tonight. You assume manners are generally the same. Any special formal greetings? You’ve seen ponies bow to each other, so you may do that.
> Fake or exaggerated human mannerisms can be fun on random ponies, but princesses are off-limits.
>Perhaps you could shower before going to-
>Your thoughts are cut off by the sounds of knocking on your door.
>A maid then cracks the door without your permission to open the door. Rude!
>”D-Dinner is served for P-Princess Luna’s personal guest…”
>Judging by her stuttering and shivering, you gauge this pony is scared to death of you.
>Either trying to comfort her or instigating further fear sounds like a terrible idea. You simply respond with a, “Thank you.” And finish looking yourself over in the mirror.

>Overall, not bad. The only things you can really criticize harshly are your clothes and that can’t be helped. Your hair could perhaps be better but… eh.
>So with yourself looking mediocre, you exit your small room and work your way towards the dining hall.
>…
>Shoot, you hardly remember where it is. Most of these halls look the same to you. Pearly white floor, walls, and ceiling. Red carpet. Gold trim everywhere. Purple drapes. No exceptions.
>The only noticeable landmarks are statues and busts laid about the castle, dedicating some war hero or something.
>Most of the statues you pass look awfully familiar for a while, but some look completely foreign as time progresses.
>Soon enough, you feel lost. A light wave of panic hits you.
>What if you’re… late?! Normally it isn’t a big deal but, hahaha, these are the leaders of a nation.
>You feel like you’re running in circles for a while before coming across a stroke of luck.
>A butler!
>You quickly walk up to him while rubbing your hands nervously.
>Unlike most ponies, he just stands still and looks at you with a blank expression.
“H-Hey… Um.”
>Nothing from him.
“I’m looking for the dining hall. Supposed to have a dinner with The Princesses and junk... Any idea where that is?”
>The butler stares at you for a moment before sighing and walking to the large door only feet away from you.
>He pushes open to reveal… the dining hall.
“Ha ha. Thanks…”

>The butler slams the door shut behind you as you enter the hall.
>You’re sure your face is a little red from embarrassment. Better get rid of it quick before-
>”Anonymous!” Luna’s voice rings out. “We were just talking about you! Please, do take a seat.”
>Your eyes dart of from your feet at the sound of her voice.
>The room has changed since you last saw it. Instead of chairs, pillows have replaced them. The table seems to have been lowered to accommodate.
>At the end nearest to you, Luna sat at her own blue pillow decorated with stars.
>At the other end… Wow, is that the other princess?
>You must look as dumbfounded as her right now. You believed Luna to be the tallest pony around, but her sister blew that out of the water.
>This one was pure white with a flowing rainbow mane. She was obviously about a foot taller than Luna, perhaps two if we’re counting the horn. She also wore jewelry like Luna, but hers was a pure gold.
>After a minute of staring, Princess… Celestia, it was. Princess Celestia rises off her pillow and cautiously trots towards you.
>Your first instinct is to run but… you don’t know. Something about this Celestia character is soothing. Motherly, and warm.
>And warm. It’s as if you drank a hot cup of cocoa or coffee and it settles just right, gently heating your entire body.
>It calms your nerves, but only a little.
>She stops quite a few feet away and nervously looks you over. It’s not fear that grips her, it’s caution.
>”Luna,” Her gentle voice echoes throughout the hall. “What is this? Is it a trick?”
>Luna sighs.
>”No, sister. We told you about Anonymous.”
>”You…” She trots towards you while shaking her head in disbelief.

>”How…” Celestia begins trotting around you, looking up and down your figure as if there’s a zipper hidden somewhere. “What is this?”
>”We told you, sister. Anonymous claims to be from a different world.”
>”It sure seems that way! It looks nothing like anything from ours. It stands like a Minotaur, but has frame similar to a primate. The face isn’t nearly as pronounced, though and he isn’t hunched over. It is a he, right?”
>Luna nods.
>Celestia stands back in front of you and leans in close to get a good look at your face.
>”I’ve… I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“Ahem… Could you back up a little? You’re too close and-“
>”Ghyyyeh!” Celestia’s wings flare out and she makes a tremendous leap back.
>”He talks!”
>”Of course he does! Sister, we already discussed this with you in length!”
>”Yes but, I thought you were merely over exaggerating! This is… Luna, I am so sorry I didn’t take you seriously.”
>Luna folds her hooves in a pouty fashion for a few seconds before remembering she has a guest in the room.
>You suppress a chuckle at the sisterly antics, but Celestia can’t manage it herself.
>Luna avoids both of your gazes at this point.
>”Anonymous,” Celestia begins trotting back to her end of the table. “It’s time we began supper, and I’m quite famished. If you could, take a seat so we can begin.” She takes her seat. “Besides, you wouldn’t like to see me when I haven’t had a good meal.” She winks in your direction and you let out another chuckle in response.

>You take your seat shortly afterwards. As your butt hits the pillow, waves of chefs roll carts of food from a door on the other side of the room.
>Within minutes, the table in front of you was covered in much more food than you can handle.
>You look over to Luna’s side to see maybe about half as much as you have, which is still a good amount.
>And Celestia on the other side has a meal marginally larger than you own.
>Damn, if she eats like this all the time, she puts it away well.
>Not to mention the daily workout she must go through.
>Despite radically different meal sizes, both Luna and Celestia lightly pick away at their meals and the same pace.
>You look down to your meal and are quickly met with disappointment.
>Hay and grass everywhere. Even if the chefs made it taste good, your body simply can’t digest it properly. You found that out yourself last night.
>You push away all the incompatible dishes away which leaves you with two rather large plates of fruits and vegetables. You stab a fork into whatever’s closest and stuff it in your mouth.
>Delicious. These chefs know what they’re doing.
>”Anonymous,”
>You jerk your head up and look to Luna, the source of the voice.
>You finish chewing and swallow your food before saying,
“Yes, princess?”
>”Has everything been to your liking so far?”
“What? Like, the food?”
>”Everything. We’d like to make your stay as comfortable as possible.”
“Anything?” Luna nods. “Weeeellllll… I could use a larger bed.”
>”Is that all?”
“Mmph… Does Equestria have tailors and stuff?”
>”But of course, why do you ask—Ah, oh.”

“Yeah, I’m going to need more than what I have to survive, eventually.”
>”Survive?” Concern flashes across Luna’s face.
“No! I mean, I don’t need the clothes but, they’re really useful for my species since we don’t have a coat of fur or anything like that.”
>Celestia’s voice then echoes from the opposite end of the table.
>”Of course, Anonymous. Canterlot’s finest tailor shall be at your doorstep tomorrow morning.”
>You look over to Celestia to see half of all her food already gone, yet she still eats so daintily.
“Uh, thanks!”
>”And I shall personally call upon a few able bodied stallions to replace your bed immediately!”
“Uhm,” You wave a hand at her. You’re not sure why, it just feels polite. “Thanks again.”
>”You are most certainly welcome, Anonymous.”
>The three of you go back to eating in silence for a whole ten seconds before Celestia’s voice rings again.
>”Anonymous, could you perhaps tell us about where-“
>”Sister,” Luna interjects. “Anonymous has been doing this all day. We believe he has enough questions for the day. Right now, we believe it is more important he feels comfortable here before-“
>”Tsk, you’re right. My apologies Anonymous.”
“Uh, yeah. No problem.”
>You continue to eat the rest of your meal in silence. Aside from a little banter and arguing, Celestia and Luna are nearly silent as well. Somehow, Celestia finishes her meal first. You follow shortly after. Soon enough, Luna comes up the rear in third place. You expect someone to say something to you, but Celestia only lets out a quiet yawn.
>”Goodness, it’s getting awfully late. I shall retire for the evening.”
>It’s hardly past sunset but okay…

>Celestia rises off her pillow and slowly trots out of the room from where you entered.
>You expect an awkward moment to occur between you and Luna, but she rises as Celestia exits the room.
>”And it is time for us to take our throne for the evening. Good night, Anonymous.”
>Oh. Being alone is fine too.
>Luna exits in suit with Celestia, leaving you all alone in the dining hall.
>Ha! Not for long! Soon you’ll be all alone in your bedroom!
>You excuse yourself from the table and exit just as the princesses did.
>Taking special care not to make too much noise, you gently close the large dining hall doors.
>The door latches shut louder than you hoped, but who the hell are you trying not to wake.
>”Anonymous!”
“GYEUH!”
>You think you leap a foot into the air. You turn to the source of the noise.
“A-Ah… Princess Celestia! … Is there-“
>”I’d like to apologize for not coming to meet you sooner. You must understand, I didn’t think the matter was as important as my sister was making it out to be. Clearly, I was wrong.”
“I told you, it’s fine.”
>”No, no. It was incredibly improper of me to ignore this matter.”
“Princess I-“
>”Come,” Her wing quickly wraps around your side and forces you up against her body. “There is much to discuss.”
“Oh, okay…”