An Affinity With the Sun: Act II: Chapter VIII

~An Affinity With the Sun~
{Act II}
[Chapter VIII]
|High Above the Clouds|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>Seven more days
>A weeks time before you can see her again
>You can hardly contain your excitement
>What should you do for her upon her arrival?
>First of all, lecture her on why leaving you cooped up in the castle was a terrible idea
>But you're not mad
>If anything, it just made you appreciate her more, if that makes sense
>Today began like all the others
>Sprawled out on the magnificent bed like a dog
>Often times you've woken to yourself spooning with your pillow, it would be embarrassing if anyone saw you
>Luckily on Philomena is the only being with you mostly, she's just a bird, she can't make fun of you

//Nonny likes the pillow more than Princess?\\

>Here thoughts leak into your mind, it's been happening more and more recently since you peaked into her dreams
"No, I don't..."
>You finally rise from your half sleep to look her in her glowing eyes
>You hold the stare, playing a game with yourself just to see if she'd turn her head first
>She doesn't and you sigh in defeat
"I must really be getting bored."
//Does Nonny not want to play?\\
>You ignore her thoughts and move to get out of bed
>First slipping on your bunny slippers, as to not feel the touch of the cold marble floor
>From the open balcony, rays cascade into the large room
>It makes you wonder if she's put more effort into it than usual

>In the bathroom, you make yourself decent
>It's been getting hotter so you often leave your black jacket behind, only wearing your dress shirt
>Maybe it was time you get some new clothes, maybe you should have asked Rarity when you last saw her
>Exiting the bathroom, you catch Philomena gnawing at your ties
>She was going after your favorite red one too!
"Dammit, get your beak of my shit!"
>A small scale tug-of-war ensues which ultimately ends in your favorite tie tearing in two
>It's enough to put a slight damper on your spirits, but you'd be damned if you let a bird ruin your day
"Fine, I'll just go without a tie. Asshole."
//Awwww, are Nonny's feelings hurt?\\
>You get a small feeling that she's mocking you
>Good job Anon, you're getting sassed by a bird
"Why she keeps you around is anyone's guess."
>She happily flutters over above you and gently perches on your head
//Birdseed.\\
>It not worth it to stay mad at a bird, so you let it go
>You could always get new ties, right?

//Birdseed!\\
"Alright, I'll get your damn seeds! Let's go."
>The familiar route
>Through the doors, down the stars, into the halls and to the kitchen
>It took less time to arrive than usual, maybe you were getting into shape from going up and down those endless stairs
>Before you can lean on the counter Philomena jumps from your head and onto the suspended bird feeder above you
>She really does pig out
>Stray seeds fall out of the basket and litter the floor
>You're sure someone will get that later
>"Oh hey!"
>You look up and meet gazes with the young kitchen stallion
>"Is there anything you need?"
>Before you can speak, more bird seeds trickle down from the basket
>The stallion adjacent to you gives a similar look of disapproval
"Uh, I'll just take a sandwich, thanks."
>He nods and returns to the kitchen
"Philomena, you mind not making such a mess!?"
>Her tail feathers suddenly stop and from the other side of the basket, her head pokes out
//Sorry.\\

>Philomena's kind enough to peck at the spilled seeds on the floor and counter
>She's pretty quick at the job too
>Before long, the stallion comes back with your sandwich, the plate held tightly between his teeth
>You take it from him and thank him, as you bite he begins to speak
>"Thanks for helping me out with those menus. I owe you one."
"Don't mention it."
>You take the first bite of your sandwich before a certain phoenix can have her way with it
>"My name is Juniper Berry...yeah, parent's wanted a filly."
//What a girly name...\\
>Your shoe nudges her to give her an idea of her being out of line
>Though it's a strange name, you don't think much of it. You've hear weirder
>He extends a hoof to which you take it with a spare hand
>"Your name's Anon, right? So....you fucking the princess or what?"
>You nearly choke to death on your sandwich
>Either the sandwich is terrible or you heard something you weren't prepared for
>Most likely both
>Juniper chuckles as you choke down the rest of it and gasp for breath
>"You totally are, aren't you!?" he's choking back full-blown laughter
>Even Philomena is having a fit of laughter
"What...makes you say that?"
>His expression falls flat
>"C'mon man, you've been living here for almost two months. In HER room! You can't tell me there's nothing between you two."

>Philomena finally joins you at the counter
"Well, I won't confirm nor deny anything. But, why? Is the rest of the castle wondering the same thing?"
>"Of course they are!? You think nopony is going to ask questions when the princess just brings some random guy in from the streets?"
>He does have a point, but that doesn't mean he should be prying into your private life like that
>"Honestly though, what does she see in you?"
>Now there's a question actually worth considering
>Not even you thought about it that much
>It was certainly something you've never thought about
>Other than the fact that you've seen her around the bakery, you've never actually had any real conversation with her personally until recently
"I....honestly don't know. Maybe the fact that I'm an alien."
>Why not? It carried the banter
>"Alien? Maybe she's into that kind of stuff. I've never thought of her to be any sort of sexual deviant."
>Man, everything this guy says just catches you off guard
"Hey, don't just go assuming things like that. She's no kind of deviant."
>"How do you know? She's never tried any BDSM?"
>He's unnaturally curious, that type of thing will get him in trouble
>Each word he says he's just prying you open more and more
"I don't know why I'm having this conversation with you.."
>You away from the counter and head off in any direction away from Juniper
>"Hey, wait!"
>Oh great he's following you
>Philomena also follows as the two of you head off

>Juniper can't keep himself from laughing as he follows you
>You can't say for sure if the new 'friend' you've made is a good thing or not
>He continues to henpeck you about your private life
>If this was the magic of friendship, then magic could just fuck off entirely
>His questions follow you everywhere
>You don't even know where your going, you're just wandering around at this point
>The scenery soon changes from the castle's halls, to the courtyards
"Don't you have a job at the kitchen?"
>"That can wait. You still haven't told me anything. Like does she-"
>Juniper is cut off mid-sentence as both of you simultaneously notice the golden chariot make touchdown in the courtyard
>Among them, are a dozen more larger chariots, filled with ponies who's expressions are pitiful
>But that isn't what draws your attention
>Your line of sight is immediately drawn to her
>The sight nearly knocks you on your ass
>It's been almost forever since you've seen her
>What little self control you have left is stopping you from making a mad dash to her
>That and her gloomy sister who dismounts along side her
>Juniper is nowhere to be found, he must of headed back as you gawked at her
>Philomena also leaves you as she flies over to her lifelong friend
>She and Luna part ways for a moment and it seems she's yet to notice you. Now's your chance

>Your stealth has improved these past weeks, but that doesn't stop her making a complete 180 degree turn to come face to face with you
>Her deep magenta eyes stare into yours, almost like she's looking into the starry expanse that is your soul
>Silence passes, and the words hitch in your throat
>"Hello, my dear."
>There it is! Instantly the silence breaks and you wrap your arms around her
"Oh man, I've missed you so much."
>You nuzzle your face into her chest fluff a little more, it'd be really embarrassing if anyone like Juniper saw you
>But you could care less right now
>Her wings wrap around to pull you in even closer
>God how you've missed this!
>She's the first to break the hug before planting a small peck on your cheek
>"Come, we have much to talk about." She says, she also directs the guards to escort the extra ponies into temporary housing
>You figure that'd come with the talk later
//Princess seems worried..\\
Philomena's thoughts trickle into your mind, but they catch you by surprise
>You examine Celestia's face as the two of you retreat to your chambers
>She looks troubled, which enough to trouble you by extension

>The double doors click shut behind the both of you
>A very tired and stressed Celestia calmly removes her regalia and sits on the bed spread, her tail thumping the sheets
>You gingerly take a seat next to her, careful not to sit on her sprawled mane
>Your hand gently strokes her back, making an attempt to calm her
"You alright? Did anything happen at the summit?"
>Her ears point backward at the mention of the conference
>From what you've heard, Dragons weren't that hard to negotiate with so it'd have to be pretty dire if something didn't go right
>You remember the large number of ponies who also arrived with the princesses
>She remains silent and you try to hear her thoughts
>This would be the perfect time to test the fruits of your labors
>Your mind goes quiet and the numb sensation creeps through your brain
>Amidst the silent void inbetween your thoughts, you latch onto hers
>Most of it moving too quickly for you to understand, and bits and pieces
>Her mind must be move a mile a second, and then some
>"Anon..."
>Her voice breaks you from the trance and you feel the shock reverberate through your body
"Yeah?"
>"I, may have to send you away for awhile..." she says timidly
"What? How come?"
>Your hand stops gliding over her back
>"The other day. At the summit, complications arose and lead to heavy conflict. I'm afraid that you and the citizens of Canterlot would be in grave danger if you remain here."
>You feel her tremble underneath your hand
>It instantly puts you on edge

"You saying....they've declared war?" you say
>Celestia remains silent
"Have they?!" you raise your voice louder then you intended
>"Maybe so. Judging by the way things ended, I'd be surprised if the weren't here by tomorrow.."
>Though she had thousands of years to perfect it, she couldn't hide her worry from you
>It comforted you to know that
>You're silent as you move closer to her and she rests her head in your lap
>"Oh Anon. I'm afraid I've really complicated things..."
>She continues as you begin to stroke her mane
>"The entire time, I was so anxious. Being so far from you, for so long. I was very irritable, I even told off one of the clan leaders."
>You give a slight chuckle and it visibly calms her spirits
>"..Now I'm afraid I've put the entirety of Equestria in danger. Most of all, you. I should never have locked you up here, I should have brought you with me. No matter what Luna's say was."
"Well, if it makes you feel better. I thought of you ever day."
>She blushes at the flattery, nearly trying to hide it
>But it was the truth
>Everytime you awoke in the morning, you expected to see her either rising the sun or preparing for day
>Everytime you crawled into bed, you'd feel denied the warmth of her body next to you
>It is almost painful to think about, you did truly miss her
>"Not a day went by when I didn't think of you either."

>Silence pass as the two of you take comfort in each other's presence
>She's only been back for a few hours, but it already feels like forever has passed
>The world is void of any hardship and complication and you revel in the simplicity of the moment
>You, and your mare, laying side by side as if laid in stasis
>But the silence is broken as Celestia shuffles on the bed, changing her position
>She now completely faces you
>It's always mesmerizing to look her in the eye, like you could be swept away by the boundless sea of her magenta eyes
>The stare holds for longer than you're comfortable with, and it's starting to weird you out
"...What?" you ask
>Her expression is somewhat vacant but her lips part
>"I'm sorry for all I've done to you. Even though I locked you away from the world, even after all I've done. You still stay with me.."
>She trails off and leaves you on the edge of her words
>"Anon, answer this question, and please be as honest as you can. How and why can you forgive me after I've caused you so much trouble?"
>You've long since stopped asking yourself the same question
>The answer became obvious the day you had that talk with Twilight in the gardens
"Well, they always say relationships are full of compromises. I don't mind putting up with you, so long as you own up to your mistakes and let me help you be a better you."
>You break eye-contact with her and stare off into nothingness
"I can tell you're trying. And that means the world to me. We've come too far together for me just up and quit. I made a promise."
>You hope you didn't sound like a complete idiot just now
>Or maybe you did, but as you look back at her, her empty expression is now lit up with life
>Faster than your reaction time, she pulls you into the tightest hug you've ever had the misfortune to experience

>It's getting harder harder to breath, until finally she relents
>"Thank you, Anon." she says as a kiss finds it's way to your cheek
>"I'm glad I snagged you before another lucky mare could." She winks as she moves out of bed
>The sound of her hoofsteps echo off the marble floor as she makes her way to the open air balcony
"Where are you going?" You say, also getting off the bed
>She looks back at you, her mane translucent
>"Come Anon, the sun is still high in the sky. And I think you've earned a reward for waiting so patiently for me."
>Celestia calmly sits, baring her back to you and beckoning you with her wing
"What? Seriously? Where're we going?" you say as you mount her for a second time
>Once again you get the feeling of oneness with her as she rises from the floor and spreads her wings
>Slowly, she carries you both into the air, hovering slightly over the railing
>You hold on tightly to her mane and brace yourself. You've never flown before, at least not on horseback
>"We're simply, going out!"
>Without warning to two of you plummet down the side of the sky crawling tower at an incredibly alarming speed
>The wind is enough to almost blow you away
>The ground is getting closer and closer at such a rate you're sure you'd hit it within the next second
>In the last moment, Celestia's wings expand and you can see the various blades of grass and loose leaves fly outward as the two of you glide along the ground, leaving a trail of swirling wind behind you
>Beyond you are the castle gates, where two guards stand post
>They notices both of you and quickly take cover from the incoming typhoon as you zip past them
>Once through the gates, she crawls into the sky and behind you the castle gets smaller and smaller
>The experience is both terrifying and blissful
>Like you could just fly for days and days and never get bored
>It's the one true form of freedom for you and Celestia

>Celestia spirals through a cloud, obscuring your view of the vast blue sky
>Your cloths are slightly doused in dew when you exit
>Her spiral slows high above the ground, and what you see can only be compared to the beauty of the first sunrise you've witnessed with Celestia
>Below you, and as far as your eye can see is the vast expanse of Equestria
>Equestria and all it's beauty and majesty laid bare before you on a seemingly endless canvas
>"Anon...I've wanted to show you this for a long time."
>You can see the sparkles in her eyes as she stares out into the distance
>"This is where I'd come whenever I was faced with hard ship. It always gave me comfort to look out and see all the happy little ponies in Equestria. They remind me that no matter how many mistakes I've made, they still live happy and content lives. But now, I'm no longer striving to make Equestria a better place for them alone. But you as well."
>You'd kiss her if it wouldn't result in the two of you plummeting into the ground
>But you could definitely add this moment to your 'Most Amazing Experiences' list
>You have no words to convey your current emotion
>Celestia knows this and lets you enjoy the scene a little longer
>But the moment is shattered when Celestia notices the large cloud of movement near the surface
>Down, far below, a horde of dragons made their way to Canterlot
>Casting large shadows over the little pony's smiling faces
>Bells can be heard from Canterlot as they draw closer and closer and Celestia's breath hitches in sudden realization
>"Anon, hold on tight!"