/V/irgin In Equestria - Chapter 4

>You have to admit, the Princess certainly knows how to treat visitors. Your room is expertly decorated, each item complimenting another, and your large four-post bed is as soft as a pile of feathers. You find an en-suite, complete with a bath built into the floor and all manner of scented soaps for you to use. Hopefully none of them with give you a rash. Slinging your rucksack in the corner, you kick off your shoes and get into bed.
>An hour passes.
>You really shouldn't have drank all that coffee.
>After taking what seemed like the longest leak in your life, you get your shoes back on and leave your quarters. You get the impression the guards won't like you wandering around the castle at night by yourself, so you head for the nearest exit you know of in order to stroll around the grounds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiA1pFvJpw4
>As you dip into an alcove waiting for a unicorn making his rounds to walk past, your thoughts turn to Twilight and the conversation you had as she led you to your room.

>“So what do you think of Princess Celestia?”
“A very pleasant p0ny. I can see why she's your leader.”
>“I'm glad you like her.”
“I'm more glad that she likes me. I was afraid she was going to punish me for what I nearly did to you and the others.”
>“Princess Celestia isn't really the punishing sort, not unless you do something truly unforgivable.”
“I'll keep that in mind.”
>The two of you kept walking in silence until Twilight spoke.
>“Anon...”
“Yeah?”
>“What did the Princess want to speak with you about?”
“She asked if I wanted to stay in Equestria or not.”
>“Are you?”
“Haven't decided yet. If I didn't have any responsibilities back home, I probably would have said yes then and there. But I've got a job, friends, family. I can't just turn my back on all of them. Well, I could if it was just my job but you get where I'm coming from. That's assuming of course that I'll be able to get back home in the first place.”
>“I understand.”
>You keep walking.
>“Anything else?”
>The words of the Princess come to mind.
“Yeah, she told me not to eat any of her subjects otherwise she'll banish me to the top of the highest mountain in Equestria.”
>You bare your teeth and try to do your best vampire impression. Twilight guffaws at your acting ability.

“Don't worry. She was just telling me about you. You should have said you were her right hand girl... I mean right hoof mare.”
>“I'm hardly that. She saw the potential I had as a filly and took me on as her personal student in order to teach me the ways of magic.”
“Hmm.”
>New mental note: Ask about magic and how it works. There must be a logical explanation for it.
>“Here we are Anon.” She said, coming to a solid wooden door. It looked like polished oak.
>You stick your head through the entrance.
“Very fancy. I can take it from here. Good night Twilight.”
>“Good night Anon. See you tomorrow. I can't wait.”
>You back out from the room.
“Hold up there. Wait for what?”
>“For you to tell me about all about Earth and what it's like living there. It's going to be lots of fun. Ooh, I'm going to need to organise a schedule for topic discussion and I'll be needing some extra paper and more ink.”
>Celestia wasn't kidding.
“Let's just take it one step at a time. I don't want to swamp you with loads of information all at once.”
>“I know. It's just,” She squeals, “It's so exciting! I've got a great idea: you can tell me about Earth and I can tell you about Equestria!”
“Sounds great.”
>“I'd knew you'd think so. My room is just down the hall so call if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
>As you closed the door, you wondered how you would fulfil both Twilight's and Celestia's requests.

>You have no clue where you're going.
>Somehow you've managed to ascend three flights of stairs. Logic tells you to turn around and return the way you came but curiosity is dragging you around the winding halls, looking for something interesting.
>And you have.
>A large rectangular room with the same visual theme as most of the rest of the castle: black and white tile flooring, marble columns and bannerols hung from the arching ceiling. Two minor differences are the flower baskets attached to the columns and the dark crimson carpet with embroidered roses leading to an imposing door.
>You stick to the carpet in order to muffle your steps. You get the feeling that if one of the guards caught you now, it would be a short trip from here to the dungeon. As you walk, you notice the stained glass windows. Rather than displaying more merry scenes as the others around the castle have, these windows show p0nies that appear to be in fear, misery, anger, and pain. A strange looking creature also dominates most of the windows.
>Determining the meaning of the images can wait. This door at the end of the carpet is what raptly holds your attention. There's a plaque made of white stone above it depicting an alicorn, Celestia maybe? The door itself has gems inset all over.
>You probe the single large hole in the centre of the door with a finger, mostly likely where a key of some description should go.
>You wonder what could be behind the stone egress. The castle treasury? No, guards would be stationed here 24/7 if that was the case. Princess Celestia's quarters? No, there would be guards there too. No, this is something different.
>Just as you're about peer inside through the lock, you feel a prickling sensation all over your body. Suddenly, you're forced to stand straight up and your entire body goes rigid, arms pinned.
>This is oddly familiar...

>As you're lifted off the ground, you hear hoofsteps getting closer. Is it Twilight?
>You're spun around.
>Nope.
>Walking towards you is a p0ny that you haven't encountered before wearing a stern expression. Its coat is dark blue. Its mane and tail are more like mist than hair, also of similar shades but they sparkle slightly, like stars at night. You also notice the wings, horn and crown. Another alicorn.
>“Thou shalt be aware that we deal most harshly with thieves.”
>Oh boy.
>“Who art thou? Thy physique resembles that of yon Minotaur but thine features are different.”
>Minotaur? They have minotaurs here? Hydras, unicorns, pegasi and now minotaurs. Equestria must be a mythological crossroads.
>The alicorn pulls you towards her face.
>“Well? We can force it from thou if necessary.”
“I wouldn't do that. I don't think Celestia would be happy.”
>The alicorn look surprised.
>“What does thou know of our sister?”
>Sister?
“Only that she's letting me stay here after Twilight Sparkle and her friends brought me to her as a welcomed guest.”
>The magic enveloping you evaporates and you fall to the floor. As you get back up, you notice the Alicorn is embarrassed.
>“We are so sorry. Our sister mentioned to us of a visitor accompanying Twilight. Please accept our humblest apologies.”

>You get up and brush yourself off.
“Don't worry about it. I would be suspicious of someone sneaking around too.”
>The alicorn smiles, “We are glad thou has not taken offence. Celestia hast told us we need to be less prone to taking action before thinking.”
“Same here. I'm always rushing head first into trouble.”
>Both of you laugh. This alicorn seems like a nice enough person... p0ny.
“What's your name if I can ask?”
>“Thou may. I am Luna, Princess Luna.”
>A second Princess?
>Instinctively, you bow, not wishing to upset her.
>“Please, thou does not need to do that. To be honest, we do not find much pleasure of others performing obeisance before us.”
>You get up.
“Thank you your Highness.”
>“Please, thou can call me Luna.”
>Royalty here is really laid back about formalities it seems.
>“May we ask of your name?”
“It's Anonymous but you can call me Anon if you want. It's easier to say that way.”
>“A strange name. Tell us: where art thou from?”
“A world called Earth, though I don't know where that is from here. I arrived in Equestria yesterday by accident.”
>“Earth? We have never heard of such a place.”
“I didn't think you would. Neither has Celestia or any of the other p0nies I've spoken to.”

>“So what art thy plans?”
“Getting home when and if I can. If I can't, I suppose I'll have to stay.”
>”Well we wish thou the best in thine endeavours.”
“Thank you Luna.”
>The alicorn makes a motion to leave.
“Hang on Luna. Sorry. I need to ask you something.”
>“Yes Anon?”
>You fell a little awkward having to ask a Princess this but you've got no other option.
“Can you show me the way out? I'm a little lost.”
>She snorts and laughs.
>“Where does thou wish to go?”
“Outside. I couldn't sleep so I was hoping a walk would tire me out.”
>“And thou ended up at the Chamber of Elements? Anon, thou surely hast a poor sense of direction.”
“I know. Can you help me? As long as it doesn't take you away from whatever you were doing...”
>“As a matter of fact, I have business that needs to be taken care of in the royal gardens. Thou art welcome to join me if thou wishes.”
“Sure. Sounds like fun.”

>Luna leads you to your intended destination. You get no trouble from the guards, though you suspect it's because you have a Princess leading you around. The gardens are every bit as regal as the castle itself. Every tree, bush and shrub is expertly manicured so that not a twig is out of place. The grass is kept short without a single weed spoiling the lawns. Statues of p0nies are as clean as they day they were first carved. This place is the bane of the stately homes you've visited in the past back home.
>“Here we are.”
>The alicorn has led you to a large clearing. From here, the scenery is breath taking. Overlooking a valley, you can see lights in the distance. Obviously a village, possibly the one you passed on your way to Canterlot. Across from where you are standing is a range of mountains stretching from horizon to horizon, silhouetted against the starry sky.
>Why is it you never have your proper camera at times like this?
“So why are we out here?” You ask, “Did you want to show me the view?”
>“Partly. I come here on occasion when I have to raise the Moon.”
“Sure.”
>...
“Sorry. Could you run that by me again?”
>“Anon?”
“You just said that you raise the Moon.”
>“That is what I said.”
“As in literally move it? You? Right now?”
>“What are you finding so hard to believe?”
“That you are about to move the Moon.”
>“I think I would have discovered long ago if I could not do so.”

>You burst out laughing, so much so that you've barrelled over not being able to breathe.
>As you ease up, Luna comes and stands over you, not amused.
>“And what, pray tell, is so humorous?”
“Oh nothing. Just you.”
>“I can do it you know.”
“Go on then, surprise me.”
>“I will.”
“I'm waiting.”
>“FINE.” She roars.
>I think you've pissed her off dude, your brain says.
>Her eyes glow, steadily getting brighter and brighter. Her horn is actually arcing bolts of energy. You feel that prickling sensation again from Luna's magic but you can tell it's not directed at you: over Luna's shoulder, you can see the Moon beginning to peek out and rise from behind the mountains.
>You don't think your jimmies have ever been rustled like this before.
>Minutes later and the Moon is high in the sky, covering a distance that would normally take hours back on Earth.
>Out of breath, Luna gives you a smug look.
>“Believe me now?”
>You just nod, you've been rendered speechless by the sight. You simply stare at the impossibility you've witnessed. The moonlight has illuminated the valley, allowing you to make out separate buildings at the village and even the forest where you emerged from.
“...But...how did...”
>“It is my duty to raise and lower the Moon each night, though not with such velocity admittedly. Celestia does likewise with the Sun during the day. Both of us have done so for many years.”
>What she just said has flown straight over your head. You're still too shocked by what just happened. You lie down on the grass and get your phone out of your pocket.

>“What are you doing?”
“Need some music...” You mumble.
>This'll do. You hit 'Repeat' before playing the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpu5cTk_qvI
>“How are you doing that? Where is that music coming from?”
“Shh...”
>Luna is puzzled by your behaviour. You just lie there, flat on the ground, staring straight up into the expanse. After a while, you notice out of the corner of your eye Luna looking up too.
“Sit down.”
>You pat the ground next to you. She's seems unsure but does as you suggest.

>Both of you lie there in a trance listening to the music. The time flies by.
>“I cannot remember the last time I just looked at the stars.” Luna says.
“Been busy?”
>She sighs, “Not especially. My sister tends to deal with the politics of the kingdom. I mostly... reside in the background.”
>A shooting star streaks across the sky.
“So what do you do then? Besides moving the Moon around?”
>“To be honest, not much. I'm usually left to my own devices.
“I thought you said you were a Princess.”
>“Officially I and my sister co-rule Equestria, but Celestia does most of the work. Most p0nies are only awake during the day and I sleep all through it.”
>You find the Orion constellation. Following his belt Eastward, you try to find Andromeda but you can't. Most of the other constellations aren't up there, not even the Big Dipper. How did you not notice that before?
>“Not to say that I don't want to have more duties. It's just... it's been so long since my sister picked up my share after my...”
>She hesitates.
“After what?”
>“No never mind. What happened, happened and it can never be undone.”
“It's okay. You can tell me.”
>“No. We aren't well enough acquainted yet.”
>You decide not to pry any further. You can tell from her tone that it's a painful topic to her.

>“It's funny. I made the night sky for all to marvel at and stare in awe, yet most p0nies are asleep at this time.”
>She made the night sky, you repeat in your head. You stay silent. She moved the Moon just to prove you wrong, the last thing you want is for her to throw you into a black hole.
>“Sometimes I wonder whether it was really worth the effort.”
“I'd say so.”
>She rolls over to look at you.
>“You really mean that?”
“I wouldn't have said so if I didn't.”
>Luna rolls back over.
>“I'm glad.”
>You both continue to share the moment. You wish you had peaceful instances like this back home but the anxieties of everyday life just ate into every free period of time you had. Forget stargazing thanks to living in a round-the-clock city, the only way to unwind was by playing a few matches of Capture The Flag or Free For All and blasting all the stress away.
>After a while, you check your phone: 1:57pm back home. That means its roughly gone past midnight here. You get up and have a stretch.
>“Are you leaving Anon?”
“Yeah, starting to feel the sandman calling.”
>“Sandman?”
“Human expression Luna. Just saying I'm getting tired now.”
>“Oh.”
>As you rub your eyes, Luna gets up from the grass too.
>“Thank you for accompanying me this evening. I scarcely share the night with others.”
“It was my pleasure. I don't socialise often either.”
>“Can I walk you to your quarters?”
>You think you know your way back. Then again, you thought you knew how to get out of the building and look what happened.
“Be my guest.”

>As you make your way back to the castle, your route takes you past a hedge maze. At the entrance is a statue. Not itself unusual except for the fact that it isn't of a p0ny like all of the others you have seen over the course of the day. Its form is, to put it simply, monstrous, as if it was made up of parts of different creatures stuck together with no regard for symmetry. It may have been your dreariness so you neglected to tell Luna anything, but you swear you saw it twitch as you walked past.
>Whatever, you say to yourself. Moving statues are hardly a shock after everything you've seen today.

>The familiar polished oak door comes into sight.
“Thanks for showing me the way. I swear this place is bigger on the inside.”
>Luna laughs at your joking observation.
>“It's the least I can do.”
>You open the door and enter.
“It was nice meeting you Luna.”
>“As was meeting you Anon. I wish you a good night's sleep.”
“You too. Well, a good day's sleep in your case.”
>The alicorn smiles and walks off. You watch her go around the corner before closing the door. Kicking your shoes off, you wander over to the window and take a look outside. The Moon is still where Luna left it, shining down on Equestria.
>You walk over to the bed and get in. You forgot how comfy this thing was as the mattress moulds itself to your shape. If you didn't know any better, you'd say it was made out of memory foam.
>You try to get to sleep but your brain refuses to switch off.
Brain, what is your problem?
>Don't you see it?
See what?
>That's things are about to go badly wrong.
What are you talking about? Everything here is great.
>Exactly.
You know you're not being very helpful.
>Dude, you know what I'm talking about. You've seen it happen tons of times before.
What are you... No.
>Aha. You get it now?
No. This isn't an RPG. No great cataclysm is going to happen. Besides if it did, I think the Princesses would be able to deal with it.
>Sure, tell that to Zelda.
Shut up brain, I'm trying to sleep.
>Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you.