Little Equestria

>As you approach the locked apartment doors, the guard on the other side opens them for you with his magic.
>Stepping inside, you immediately unzip your jacket; the thing was not made for people with your profession, and the pistol strapped to your side underneath became uncomfortable as hell when bundled up.
>"Good morning, friend Anonymous, her majesty awaits you upstairs."
>You nod to the guard and proceed to the elevator.
>Another guard rides the elevator at all times, and is holding the door for you as well.
"Sunroom, please."
>"Yes sir, she's been waiting for you."
>The doors close and he presses one of the floor buttons.
>Some time ago, this old apartment building had been just another shithole full of old ladies and immigrants.
>That was before the great merger, of course. The truth is unknown to the public, as is to be expected of your government, but somehow, the ponies of Equestria, their wildlife, and some amount of their possessions were suddenly zapped into existence on Earth.
>The first month was pure terror for them, with some nations hunting them, others capturing and cataloguing, and the worst ones just eating them and selling them like livestock.
>Celestia's sister was an extended guest of the state when she came forth as a ruler of her people in an attempt to negotiate for better treatment on their behalf. Instead of listening, they locked her up and studied her for god knows how long.
> It's been years now, though. And things have somewhat settled down.
>At some point, those laws that prevent people, regardless of race, from being treated like animals kicked in, and a lot of the overt torturing and slavery ended, along with the eating and wearing of pony-coat clothes, though cutie-marks are still sought after by foreign buyers.
>… And at some point, a maximum security government laboratory burst into flames, killing all staff inside, and Luna is now labelled a dangerous terrorist on the run.

>This apartment had been designated for a new program to get some hard-working ponies affordable housing.
>For once, those damn liberals actually stepped up and battled in the streets for their equal treatment.
>Celestia, for her part, had become something of a celebrity. She'd not made her appearance in private to the government, instead choosing to appear first to the public.
>She made speeches in the streets to homeless ponies, giving hope and guidance on their new land; she talked in malls to families, and gave hugs and did small magic tricks for the children; she made a huge spectacle of last year's election by registering to vote, declaring that as new citizens of this great country, it is a good Equestrian's duty to embrace their laws and traditions.
>Celestia moved into a tiny apartment alongside many other ponies, but when word got out of her location, her old followers flocked to her.
>Guards, servants, scribes, loyal citizens bowed at her hooves and pledged their service once again, and she never refused.
>Now this building, along with many others in the city and beyond, are more her domain.
>Maids clean the halls, chefs cook the food, and guards diligently watch the doors and windows, while Celestia lives in her very own little palace once more.
>As for you, well, you provided warmth and food to her majesty when you'd found her huddled in your backyard when everything first went down.
>Now you serve her.
>The elevator doors open and you are let out into the hall that Celestia's chosen to stay on today. A guard stands on both ends of the hall, ponies rush to and from the different apartments carrying papers and supplies.
>This hall has had all the doors to the rooms taken off to allow quicker travel for the servants.
>All except for one, room 312, which has a woven red banner hanging over the door, marked by a blazing golden sun.

>Ponies give you looks as you approach, not used to having a human in their midst, but the guards simply open the door to you.
>On the other side, another two guards stand ready, both magically brandishing AR's at their sides.
>Further in, the small kitchen contains a pony with a mustache and chef's hat watching over some younger apprentices as they prepare a small plate of pastries.
>A mare with a laptop computer sits on a stool typing away, and a maid is going to the many flowers by the window and watering them.
>And in the bedroom, perched atop several mattresses, rests princess Celestia.
>She's lightly smiling while reading some letter, while a cup of tea hovers by her head.
>But when you stand at the door, her eyes raise and she smiles even brighter.
>Her golden crown and amulets are of original Equestrian make, having come with her in the beginning. You once briefly considered stealing and selling them when she'd come into your company, that could have made you pretty rich.
>Thankfully, you didn't. Though you think she would have understood if you did.
>"Ah, Anonymous, my trusted friend. Please come in, I'm just having my morning tea!"
>You enter and fall into a kneel.
"Your highness."
>You know she doesn't expect you to do that, but you feel it's important to preserve her royal appearance. Such rituals and shows of respect go a long way in maintaining the ponies' faith in a better tomorrow; if even a human will bow to the princess, then surely there is still hope for them all.
>She waits for you to rise before speaking; a maid brings forth a small plate in her mouth with a filled teacup balanced on top, which you accept.
>"How has your morning fared, Anon?"
"Quite well, actually. Traffic was light, weather is mild, can't complain."
>"Wonderful, have you eaten breakfast?"
"Yes, I had some eggs and toast just before coming here."
>"Oh, well we were just about to have some lovely cakes prepared by my chef, would you like some?"

>You'd love to; Equestrian baking is unmatched.
"Absolutely."
>The two of you sit and enjoy the platter of pastries, making small talk on current events.
>She tells you of the goings on inside the apartment building, too. Which families have moved in, whose birthday it is, what foal just got their cutie-mark, which mares are expecting....
>…There's been a lot of expecting mares recently, after Celestia made a speech about the importance of raising a new generation of modern ponies.
>She also fills you in on some visits she's gotten from local humans: some shopkeepers came in to ask for her protection against pony bandits stealing from their stores, a young teen asked to interview her for some school project or something - which she accepted eagerly, and a local resident gifted her with a recently rediscovered map of Equestria, or Old Equestria, as they call it now.
>Tons of trinkets and relics fill the apartment, awaiting the day when Celestia plans to open the Royal Museum of Equestrian History, which is currently an empty lot, awaiting construction.
>Only when the cakes and tea were all gone does she bring up business.
>"Now, Anon, you've done a great many things for all of us. And I am forever grateful for that first year when you took me in...."
>She always overstates your contributions; all you did was let her crash there and feed her. She was the one who rose you up; as soon as she had citizenship, Celestia applied for government grants, subsidies, and worked with any businesses that would let her through the front door to get money coming in. Within another year, she was the proud owner and operator of Equestrian Consulting, specializing in consultations for businesses employing ponies, then came Royal Security Services, Canterlot Construction, and more.

>>33238883
>Every business she opens is left almost entirely to the devices of her employees, whom were born and raised to perform such tasks as per their cutie-marks, while she merely took a small salary from each.
>Since she helps other ponies open their own businesses and get jobs, they often graciously offer her "tips" beyond the small payments they make for her services.
>And, of course, many human-owned businesses require her security services now to protect against the rampant crime in pony neighborhoods; as soon as the roving gangs see Celestia's banner, they suddenly leave those stores untouched.
>She definitely has the money now to buy herself a giant "fuck you" mansion somewhere and live like real royalty again, but she says she prefers the "closeness" of her apartments, which allow her to be among the common ponies.
>For you, though, she bought you a nice big house, a car of your choosing, and you now live rent-free - but nearby.
"Your highness, you need only command me, and I am yours."
>She giggles at that.
>"Ohoho, Anonymous! There's no need to be so formal with me. But thank you nonetheless."
>She brings forth a letter with her magic.
>"I received this message from some friends of mine in Northern Little Equestria."