An Affinity With the Sun: Act II: Chapter VII

~An Affinity With the Sun~
{Act II}
[Chapter VII]
|The Caged Bird Tastes Freedom|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>So far, everything has gone smoothly
>It's the second week of your magical training, you're confident enough to say you're pretty good
>For a beginner
>Yesterday, you were able to hear Philomena's thoughts aloud, which were mostly about bird seeds
>The day before that, you learned that the princesses may be returning sooner than expected
>And kind of excited you to know that you'd be able to see her again
>It also gave you motivation to continue practicing this new magic you've found
>You'd also ask about that strange door in the library
>But for now you'd bide your time
>No use getting worked up and loosing focus
>You sit alone in your room, Philomena being the only one to keep you company, flew off sometime in the morning
>Sitting on the edge of the bed, you close your eyes
>Her image comes to your mind, as always
>You focus on her and before long, your hand illuminates
>It's normally too bright to completely observe, so you crack your eyelids
>It's hard to describe exactly what you see
>The light in your hand constantly flickers and fluctuates
>Never keeping the same shape, like a fire
>You're mesmerized by the simplistic comfort the light gives you
>It reminds you so much of her, how she seems to constantly radiate light off of herself
>Maybe a perk of being the avatar of the Sun
>Your lack of focus causes the light from your hand to disperse into the air
>You feel out of it today, maybe all this practicing is putting a strain on your spirit
>Maybe it's possible
>It was getting rather boring having no one to talk to, Philomena doesn't count
>Slipping on your shoes, you rise from the bed and descend the endless stairs leading from your 'cell'

>Though there isn't any need, you sneak about the halls of Canterlot
>Most likely giving into the boredom of these weeks of solitude
>Guards ponies slack around the palace, you've been seeing more of this since Celestia and Luna headed out
>With no princesses to wow, why should they put so much effort in guarding an empty castle?
>Slowly rounding a corner, you come to a halt as two guards come your way
>Being the sly ninja you are, you pick a hiding place behind one of the very large flower pots
>"So what do you think of the princess' new pet?" the older guard says
>"Pet? You mean that monkey she keeps locked in her chambers?"
>He nods to the younger guard
>"He seems nice enough. Though I don't see why she would worry about a guy like him. He looks harmless."
>The two guards continue to exchange words of you as the pass by
>Some not flattering
>Eventually they fall out of hearing distance and you emerge from your hiding place
"At least the guards feel for me..." you think to yourself as you continue down the hall
>You have no idea what the time of day is, but judging from the shadows, it's still somewhat early
>You decide to take a peek at the kitchen, see whats on the menu
>The double doors swing open as you walk into the bustling workplace
>A kitchen boy bumps into you, almost spilling a vat of hot soup on your dress suit
>"Oh! Uh, sorry. You're not supposed to be in here."
>He places the vat down on a counter, not really seeming authoritative in his tone. More like a suggestion
"Relax. I'm just hear to grab something to eat. Is anything cooking?"
>You look over his shoulder, observing the various others prepare different meals
>"Actually, we're preparing a big dish for some noblepony's party. Everypony's stretched thin as it is, so I'm afraid none of us can get you something."
>He picks up the vat of soup and attempts to move past you, but stops midway
>"Actually....would you mind doing me a favor?" he says

>It surprises you
>No one has asked you for a favor in so long
>The idea kinda got you all giddy inside
>Maybe you were desperate to be given some sort of purpose instead of milling around all day
"Uh, sure. What do you need?"
>The stallion looks relieved that you've accepted
>"Thanks, you're doing me a huge favor. Okay, I need you take these menus to Mr. Fancy Pants. He's the organizing the party. I can give you his address."
>Delivery? You haven't done that since you worked at the bakery
>It brought back small memories you had
>But wouldn't that require you to leave the castle?
>You don't think about it much and accept the carrying bag he gives you
>Over the other chatter you hear the head chef yelling at the kitchen stallion
>He immediately walks off to attend his duties, leaving you with the task at hand
>You slowly exit through the double doors, trying to not attract any attention to yourself
>How were you gonna bust out of this place?
>The answer was improvising
>Moving through the castle like a camouflaged snake
>Eventually, you're at the gates you were a week ago
>From your hiding place you have a full view
>Two different guards stand watch this time
>The one on the left slightly dozing off
>Traffic in and out of the castle was slow lately
>Not many had business in a princessless castle
>Hardly anyone was around, which would make for the perfect mad dash out of here
>Except you'd probably be caught immediately
>Then it hits you, it was time to see if your practice payed off
>You find yourself silent as you concentrate
>Focusing on a single emotion, light glows from your hand
>You stand and cuff your arms to your chest as you wind up for a pitch
>Your arm carries the swirling ball of light through the air and it arches perfectly in the air, landing inbetween the guard ponies, stunning them
>Now was the time for your mad dash
>You weren't in the best of shape, but you reckoned you'd be able to atleast pull this off

>Running through the light, you see the road leading into the city
>Before the mysterious light dissipates, you're long gone
>Huffing and puffing in a backside alley, you recover from the sprint
"I wonder if Canterlot has...a gym...."
>From between the buildings, ponies mill about in the lively city of Canterlot
>Nostalgia creeps into your mind as you take to the streets
>Hardly anything has changed, you've only been her once since your time with Celestia, and now you'll be able to enjoy it without worrying about her say so
>From the looks of things you're in the shopping district
>A few blocks from here is Canterlot's Bread Basket, the bakery you worked at
>A couple blocks opposite was your old house
>You'd probably head there later
>But now you'd stop buy the bakery
>The streets were busy and you tried not to make a habit of bumping into ponies
>Before long your at the glass door leading into the store
>The smell of freshly baked bread is the first thing that hits
>Like always, only a few ponies occupy the tables and booths and in the back you hear your old boss milling about behind the counter
>"Careful! Don't pack too much yeast into the dough!"
>It pleases you that he's as busy as ever
>You move to the counter, gaining stares from others. But you were used to it by now. How could you not be?
>Leaning on the hard wood counter you place an order
"One cranberry coffee crumble, please." One of your old favorites
>The pudgy baker freezes in place before turning to you in shock
>"Anon!? Dear Celestia boy, how have you been?"
>He moves quickly around the corner to pull you into a hug
>It's a firm hug, but not one you couldn't break from

"I'm doing fine Mr. Dozen. How's business?"
>He retrieves her forelegs from around you and places them back onto the floor
>"Oh, same as usual. Nothing to write home about."
>You both chuckle, passing small talk for a short while
>The conversation soon dies down after a few moments
>"Y'know Anon...things haven't been the same since you left... The shop lacks that, sort of.....glow it had when you were around."
>Maybe it was your vanity, but it felt good to know that you were missed
"Yeah well, I'm kinda locked up in Canterlot right now. I'd come visit everyday if I could."
>He nods and smiles
>"I appreciate you coming by today though. You've been the talk of the town lately. 'The Princess' new pet!"
>He chuckles at the idea, but it makes you cringe
>"By the way, what brings you out today? I thought you'd be with the princess at the summit."
>He begins to polish the counter, wanting to keep his hooves busy
"Nah, she kinda left me at the castle. I actually had to sneak out. And I'm actually running an errand." You almost forgot that last part
>And you should be going pretty soon, periodically and guardsman checks on you in the tower
>"Well Anon. I won't keep you long. But you're always welcome here anytime."
>Mr. Dozen gives you a genuine smile and you return it
"Thanks. I'll try to visit as much as I can. You were one of the first to help me out."
>Now that you think of it, you supposed you looked to Mr. Dozen as sort of a father figure
>You'd really have to do something nice for him

>Saying your goodbyes, you head from the bakery and onto the streets
>You decide to make you delivery before stopping by your old house
>Remembering the address in your head, you head toward 863. Horseshoe Rd.
>The walk there was a workout in itself, who knows how many hills you've climbed
>It takes forever before you can get to the right address
>The estate you stand at is one of the biggest houses you've ever seen
>A convoy of caterers mill in and out of the estate
>Carefully, you move in with the crowd
>From the inside, the house looks even bigger
>This had to be the most luxurious houses next to the castle
>From your carrying bag you pull out the stack of menus and carry them along. Looking for the director
>"Pinkie! I don't think that this will-"
>A loud crash interrupts the familiar voice
>Poking your head into the dinning hall, you see Ponyville's own Pinkie Pie sitting on a broken disco ball and Rarity silently wishing murder was legal
>Pinkie notices you before you can even completely step in the large room
>"Anon~! What are you doing here? Twilight said you were going to be at the castle."
>She happily hops in place as Rarity sets aside her anger for later
>"Yes, Pinkie and I were planning to visit you late this evening."
>Setting the menus on a nearby table, you turn to them
"I'm actually doing a favor for someone. What are you two doing here?"
>Pinkie pulls down a canvas with little drawings of Pinkie and Rarity's heads, mounted on a train to Canterlot
>"You wouldn't believe this! Fancy Pants has asked moi! Pinkie! To cater for is super fancy party! I brought Rarity along since she likes this sort of stuff."
>Rarity clears her throat and steps forward
>"Actually, I'm here to keep an eye on Pinkie and make sure she doesn't make a mess of everything."
>You look at the broken disco ball behind the two and raise an eyebrow
"Yeah, you seem to be doing a great job with that."

>Pinkie giggles and moves to clean up the mess as Rarity begins to explain why everything is Pinkie's fault
>Other workers move about the hall, preparing for whatever large part Fancy Pants is hosting
>Among them you see the stallion who gave you the quest
>He nods at you and you return it
>"Anon, if you're not too busy, would you like to join Pinkie and I later. We hardly got to know you last time you were in town."
>That's true
>Last time, your visit was cut short
>It'd be a good opportunity to actually get to know each other more
>But you were supposed to due back at the castle within the hour
>Dare you risk it?
"Yeah, that'd be nice. When do you plan on leaving?"
>Rarity seems happy, and by extension, so does Pinkie
>"Actually, we will be leaving in a few hours. I'd rather not let Pinkie stick around when the part is in full swing."
>You laugh to yourself
>Figuring that it'd be a good call
"Alright then. I'll just stick around until you both are ready"
>Pinkie joins you both, seemingly popping out of nowhere
>"Sounds like a plan!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>The three of you are leaving right as the part is getting underway
>It was just a little past high noon and the catering wagons were being loaded up and pulling away
>"So, do you know any good spots in town Anon? It's been awhile since we've last been in Canterlot." Rarity asks
>Before you can speak, Pinkie bolts ahead of you two and into Canterlot Park
>Most likely attracted by the lights
"Well, I guess it's a start."
>The two of you follow Pinkie into the quiet grassy park
>Not much has changed in the time you've seen it last
>You wonder if there would be fireworks

>The three of engage in small chit chat as your stroll through the park
>You tell them more about Earth
>About how you ended up in Equestria
>And how Celestia has had such an impact on your life
"Honestly though. Before she pulled this crap. Things were looking up. I felt we could actually make it work Y'know?"
>Rarity and Pinkie listen to you intently
>Pinkie even stopped bouncing and is now paying close attention to you
>"Oh Anon. I can't speak for the princess, but I'm sure she really loves you. I'm positive that she only wants what's best for you." Rarity says
>"Yeah, by locking him up in a tower forever?" Pinkie chimes in
"I know she doesn't mean anything bad by it. I just need her to trust me."
>You find it surprisingly easy to talk to the two of them, despite you hardly knowing them
>And they've been real appreciative of you opening up to them thus far
>Twilight really has some great friends
>"Don't worry Nonny, I'm sure Celestia will come around. Just give it time~" Pinkie says
>Rarity nods in agreement and you begin to see things in a different light
>Maybe it is a bit unfair to expect Celestia to make such a drastic change in her personality so quickly
>Perhaps it was a good idea to tolerate what she threw at you, at least for now anyway
"Your both right. Maybe I should just wait it out. Thanks."
>They both nod in unison, accepting your thanks
>After awhile, you run out of pathing and exit Canterlot Park
>"Well Anon, today has been great. But Pinkie and I should be heading home."
"Yeah. If any of you are ever up in Canterlot, stop by the castle."
>"Will do!" Pinkie pulls you into a hug, and you hug back
>You stand there waving, watching them move slowly out of sight
>The castle was some block the opposite direction
>And on the way was your old house
>This would be your last stop before heading to your other home

>You stand in the empty lot
>Long since cleaned and stripped of debris
>The other sounds of the bustling city are blocked out as you remember the quiet life you once lead
>Though you didn't really mind your new life, something about standing here overtook you with sadness
>Without warning a tear escapes from your eye
>And soon more follow as you collapse onto your knees, your pants getting dirtied
>Though you were sad, you weren't really sure if you were grieving
>Maybe you were, or you were accepting everything that's happened
>Maybe this was your way of letting go of the past and looking onward into your future with Celestia
>Whatever the case, you shed tears that stained the dirt beneath you
>From your blurry vision, a gleam catches your eye
>A foot away from you, is a golden ring slightly poking out of the dirt
>Something the workers must have missed
>Getting to your feet, you walk over to it and retrieve it
>You recognize it instantly the moment you hold it up to your eye
>It's the ring you had with you the day you woke up and Equestria
>A memento from Earth
>You move to slide it on your finger, but stop
>Instead you return to your knees and roll up your sleeves
>With your hands you dig a small hole and gently place the ring inside
>Burying it, to completely accept what you've lost
>You no longer thought of yourself as the same Anon as before
>You've grown, you were someone who wanted to look ahead, rather than behind
>From this moment onward, you would completely dedicate yourself to the betterment of Celestia
>You conviction is engraved on your heart as you stand a face the now setting sun

>Here you left behind your past and walked into your future