Five Stanzas: Chapter II

~Five Stanzas~
[Chapter II]
|Patetico|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>Any sort of luxury you enjoyed back home was instantly overshadowed the moment you stepped a foot into Canterlot
>You've been here before. A few months ago you performed your world's most famous poetic pieces.
>But you never dreamed you'd actually be staying in the castle. It was something the elite of Equestria only dreamed of.
>And you were staying for free!
>"Allow us to take your bags, Sir."
>A staff grabs you and Dusty's bag in his magical grasp
>"I'll bring these up to your rooms. Would you like me to unpack them?"
>You give him a nod and he trots off down the many hallways leading away from the entrance
>This place was enormous, the candles flickering on the walls cast long broad shadows across the polished floor, the moon peeking in over the large glass dome
>Ms. Dusty has been nearly foaming from the mouth since you got here. And for good reason. This palace was a work that not even Michelangelo could compare.
>It's towering marble pillars, intricately design stainglass and masterfully crafted spirals and arches.
>You nudge her on the shoulder to knock her out of her trance. It hardly works, she's still stuttering on about how beautiful the place is. You can't really blame her
>The Princess had parted with you shortly after you arrived, saying she wanted to let you settle in and that she'd speak with you in the morning
>The Princess.
>The very reason you're even here right now and the very reason you're a flurry of constant emotion
>You decide you'll resume your chase of inspiration in the morning. After today and the flight to Canterlot you're reasonably tired.
>You nudge Ms. Dusty once more and she comes to
>And what a mistake that was
>Her stuttering now came out as coherent sentences. And at such a speed it made you dizzy
>She just talked and talked and talk! Damn she had a mouth on her
>You'll never be able to get any sleep if this kept up...

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

>A knock on the door spurs you from your deep sleep. Perhaps the best sleep you've ever had since you arrived in Equestria
>The sun was shining through your window and assaulting your closed eyelids
>You had been trying to fight it, but the next rap on the door sent you flying into defeat and you awoke with regret. If only you could return to bed.
>But all good things must come to an end Anon, and you pull yourself out of bed to answer the door.
>Another rap at the door
"I'm up! Give me a second, I'm coming."
>The door flies open before you're even close
>At least five ponies fly into your room, each carrying various utilities and accessories
>Their going so fast, seemingly without any effort, you'd think they were on roller blades
>You're knocked into a chair and it reclines backwards. Soon after a drape falls over you and shaving cream is splattered onto your jaw line.
"Woah! Hang on a sec-"
>"Mr. Anonymous, you must remain still. Trust me, I've been doing this for years. You have nothing to worry about."
>It doesn't stop your struggle though. Around you, the other ponies do various things around your suite. One pony makes the bed, another places a plate of hot breakfast down on a collapsible breakfast nook. And the other two see to your wardrobe for the day.
>Your shave lasts for only a second as the unicorn's blade glides gracefully across you chin and jaw line. The stubble threatening to over take your face had been annihilated in an instant
>You're then stripped of your pajamas and tossed into a tub you hadn't noticed before
>Being tossed around didn't sit right with you at all. But any form of protest would just delay the process' completion so you buckle down and ride it out
>After your quick bath and even quicker drying, you're handed a towel and the servants line up in front of you. Bowing then gliding away from whence you came
>You didn't want to experience anything like that ever again. You hope that Dusty didn't receive the same treatment.
>She'd either love it or cry out that her privacy was being invaded.
>Both responses would warrant her little squeals that mean either delight or dismay
>But you decide not to think about it as you slip on your cloths and down your breakfast, eager to start the day.
>A letter? A small envelope had been placed next to your towering glass of orange juice
>It had -her- royal seat, the gentle orb of sunlight with eight rays of sunshine
>It was scented and instantly evoked your feelings from the previous night
>You eagerly open it and pull the letter carefully out of it's envelope

>"Good morning Anon. I hope this letter arrived without any trouble. Did you enjoy the servants I sent you? Hopefully they weren't too much trouble. I expect you to awake in about fifteen minutes. I'll be waiting for you in the art gallery, no dilly-dallying. It's rude to keep a princess waiting."

>The art gallery? Where the hell was that?
>The fear of getting lost in the castle and Celestia patiently waiting for hours over takes you
>You can't let that happen Anon! Not on your life!
>Charging for the door, you're determined to make it there within the next ten minutes
>If worst came to worst, you could ask a guard for directions Louis XIV decided to build Versailles on the side of a mountain
>Finding the art gallery should be too difficult though right? Just look for a place with a lot of paintings and sculptures
>But you quickly notice that you just described nearly every corner of the palace
>You wander the halls, both searching and admiring
>Your walk soon becomes a jog, which later breaks into a run
>The fear of running late motivating your speed as you quickly scan the many rooms you pass
>Would it kill them to put up signs?!
>You dash past an archway housing a collective of paintings, many trying to depict the marvelous beauty that was Celestia. And along with the many paintings, sat Celestia patiently.
>You nearly break your ankles how fast you stop and spin around.

>You peak into the gallery, spying her on a large bench
>She seems to be apart of the room, as motionless a the many statues that surround her, save for her ever flowing mane and tail.
>She really had a knack for enhancing her surroundings with her presence. She seemed to draw out every color and tone of the room.
>You don't notice how long you've been starring until she speaks up.
>"Come join me Anon."
>How did she know you were there? Did your foot steps give you away? Or did she have some sort of life detector built in?
>Most likely the former
>Once again your words hitch in your throat, but it doesn't stop you from taking a seat next to her.
"Good morning." You say, attempting to break the ice
>"And a very good morning to you too Anon. I imagine you slept well?"
"I sure did. Best sleep I've had in a while."
>"That's very good to hear."
>A moment of silence passes over you
>You take this time to study her up close
>She looks more, concealed then she did at the park. As if she didn't really feel at home. She still gave her pleasant smile for your's and everyone else's sake.
>Her eyes are locked on a painting ahead of you.
>The both of you silently enjoy each other's company. It was a special kind of silence, one that didn't hang so heavily in the air, instead it mellowed around you. Creating a warm and content atmosphere.
>"Tell me Anon. What do you think of this painting?" She finally breaks the silence and you turn your head forward
>A canvas, splattered with color. Disorganized and chaotic, but also orderly and calm. How could this contradictory even be a thing?
"Uh.. I never cared much for art."
>Celestia's laugh sends the fires in your heart roaring
>"Neither have I Anon. But look closer, I'm sure you'll find your fancy in it." her hooves guide your head forward. "Focus on what you want the most. Tell me what you see."

"What I see..?"
>You concentrate on the rainbow of colors. It possibly having some secret meaning or hidden image. But that didn't seem to be the case.
"I don't see anyth-"
Just then. You see the colors meld into one another and create a large open field. A field with a lonesome little house and a river flowing in between
>"What do you see Anon?"
"I see..a house? A house in a big open field. And a human! I see a man standing in the field, looking at his house!"
>Celestia's hooves leave your head as you're absorbed in the magical painting.
"Behind him, is a white castle! I think, he wants to go back home, but he can't cross the river."
>"Yes? And what else..?"
"Uh, he's looking back at the castle. I think, there's something calling to him. He wants to go home but the castle is drawing him closer."
>You stand. Oddly, you don't remember wanting to stand. Was it a reflex? Or your body's will?
>"Tell me what you -feel- Anon."
"Me? I feel, sad? Forlorn, but also happy and determined? I feel like I can't go back, I can only go forward... The man is walking toward the castle."
>The colors begin to disperse and fade back into their original state. The painting once again become chaotic and disorderly
>You're speechless.
>What an experience
>You turn to Celestia, who calmly nods and pats the seat beside her with a hoof
>Retaking the seat, you look at her questioningly
"What was that?" you ask
>She takes her time answering, possibly to give you a sense of suspense. Or trying to find the right words
>"This painting was created by a very talented unicorn. He wanted to use it to help ponies find what they wanted most and help guide them. It's a magical painting, meant for showing the observer a glimpse of their future or advice on a big decision. It shows one's self their heart."
>If that were the case, you knew exactly what it showed you. But did she?
"What do you see? If you don't mind me asking."
>Her smile threatens to falter, but it carries on, ever graceful

>She doesn't answer immediately and you dare not prod her.
>Instead you wait patiently, thinking of the infinite possibilities of her answer
>"I see a bird. I always see a lone bird, flying across an ocean. It doesn't know where it's going, but it must keep flying. A bird with a task, a task it must carry out across the endless ocean of time. It's both dedicated but lonely. It sees other birds periodically along it's journey. But they don't stay for long before it's alone once more."
"And, what do you feel from it?"
>This time she takes her eyes off the painting and looks you in the eyes. Her giant orbs establishing a connection with your soul.
>"I feel, unfulfilled. Empty."
>She scans your eyes for any hint of your judgement
>You both hold the stare for what seems like hours before she slowly turns away.
>Her wings becoming slightly unfurled.
"Is that bird you?"
>Her eyes close slowly
>Her expression no longer cheerful, but solemn and neutral
>She nods
"Are you afraid of being alone? You've been alive for a long time. It makes sense. I don't think I'd be able to handle it in the slightest..."
>She remains silent. Her normal cheery and pleasant air was now replaced with a sad and distraught atmosphere
>She was a bird flying across the sea of time. Watching others fade in and out of her life constantly. She has to keep flying. Never stopping for rest. How tragic.
"Why did you show me this?"
>Her eyes lift open and she turns to you with a hint of her usual smile
>"So you could learn more about yourself. And so that you could possibly see the beauty of the emotions many call unpleasant. To be a master of the arts, you must be able to take any emotion, no matter how joyous our heart wrenching and transform it into something that will last through history."
>A reasonable answer. But why did she let you see her like this? She could have easily refused to tell you what she saw. Yet she did, but why?
>Were you two becoming closer?

>She would share a moment like this with you, even though the both of you hardly knew each other.
>Was this some sort of sign? If you reached out your hand, would she take it? Would she allow you to caress her in your arms?
>You desperately want to reach out to her. To tell her you're there.
>Today you looked deep into the soul of an age old goddess and have seen grief.
>Today your soul was analyzed by a mare who had spent countless years alone
>Would you be enough to fill the hole within her heart? Would you be so bold as to confess your love for this mare who sits next to you in content silence?
"Princess. You've shown me a lot the lately. You're so kind, and sweet. God knows how long you've been by yourself."
>You stand, you knees nearly buckling from the sheer nervousness you feel
>You palms are sweaty
>Your heart is erratic and you can hardly breath
>No doubt this will take all of your courage and strength
"I'd like to... I'd like to be there for you. If that's alright. I don't want you to feel alone anymore. You've shown me how great the world around me is and I want to return the favor. You said the meaning of life was to give others meaning. I want to be the one that gives you meaning. I want to be by your side."
>Your mouth is dry and your voice is cracking
>Celestia's face is unreadable
>The immense fear of rejection you feel is immeasurable
>She's like a perfect marble statue, deep in thought.
>So perfect it makes your heart ache
>Reach out to her Anon, call her from the bottom of your heart. And maybe, just maybe, she'll answer
>"Anon, I would love for you to stay here in the castle. You would be doing me a great kindness. One I'd never be able to repay. Please, sit with me a while longer..."
>Joy.
>Bliss.
>Triumph.
>Which of these emotions fits the most?
>You take a seat next to the lonely bird. Now having found a companion.

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

>The door closes with a click and you make your way over to the gigantic bed in the center of the room and collapse into the sea of comfort.
>What a day. You're not sure, but you think you've just hooked up with the princess of Equestria.
>If that was the case than wow, Dusty was in for one hell of a story
>What time is it? You roll over to see the grand father clock in the corner of the large room
>It was about 3:00 in the afternoon. Certainly not the time to be heading off the bed. Maybe you should try to write something
>In your silent agreement, you rise from the bed and make your way to the window side desk, a comfortable working station
>A large crimson quill feather grew from the inkwell. Perhaps a feather plucked from the princess' pet phoenix, and what a beautiful feather it was
>The sound of you sliding your chair closer to the desk is a familiar one. A sound you heard nearly everyday. It was almost synonymous with work.
>The quill rests peacefully between your thumb and index finger. A position so familiar and practiced that you even held unrelated objects in the same manor.
>It was almost as if your life was defined by this process. The flow of creativity from your soul onto paper. But if this defined your life, what would your life be if you lost this inspiration? What -could- your life be?
>Who knew.
>Maybe it's a question that didn't need an answer simply because an answer didn't exist. It didn't exist because you'd never stop. This was your way of life now. And new inspiration found it's way into your soul once more. Either in the form of new experiences, or in the form of an age old princess.
>But now was the time to see if this inspiration could manifest. Do you dare prod at the barrier between the quill and paper?

>The quill makes contact with the indifferent piece of parchment. Leaving it's black mark in the upper left hand corner. But the small blot of ink is denied it's potential as you retract your hand.
>Perhaps now wasn't the time?
>Maybe more things needed to be done before you finally had it in you to get back to work?
>You sit the quill down gently. Not laying it to rest, but biding it's time so that when you did pick it back up again, you'd unleash it's full potential.
>The chair creeps back as you stand once again, maybe you'd go for a walk. Get some fresh air.
>It occurred too you that you've never seen Canterlot's magnificent stone gardens. Maybe Ms. Dusty would like to accompany you.
>A sudden rap on the door calls for your attention, and surprisingly enough, it's none other than Ms. Dusty, dressed in a simple gown you've never seen before.
>"Hello Monsieur Anon. Did you have a nice day?"
>She trots into the room, eyes darting around and taking in it's extravagance.
"Yeah actually, spent most of it with the princess in the art gallery. Actually, it was kinda trippy."
>You scratch the back of your head, recalling the strange but surreal experience with the painting
>"Really? A whole day? Ah~! You have to tell me all about it!"
"Oh yeah. I almost forgot. But before that, let's go down to the gardens. I don't really like staying inside all day."
>And so, Dusty accompanies you to the famed stone garden

>It was warm out today. Warm considering Autumn was just around the corner.
>The stone garden was still full of tourists and visitors, but it wasn't particularly crowded. There were enough ponies for the two of you to sit on a bench and watch idly as they passed by.
>The sun also sat idly on it's perch in the sky. Silently watching the passerbyers as if they were a moving screen.
>"Okay, monsieur I'll bite. What exactly happened yesterday?"
>The question you've been waiting for
"Hmm. Well, after we left we went to the park. Nothing much happened. Well, that's the understatement of the century.."
>"Oh? What do you mean?" Dusty looks at you with a curious gaze, tilting her head to the side as she always does when her interest is piqued.
"What do I mean? Hm, you know I've been feeling out of it for the past few months right?" she nods
"Yeah. Yesterday though, I don't know what happened. But I suddenly feel like she's given me some sort of purpose again. It's like I was in the bottom of a dark void, and she was the light that would lead me to salvation. If that makes sense."
>You turn to Dusty, who has a childish little smile on her face. Her hooves supporting her head and hearts nearly popping from her eyes.
"W-what?"
"It's so romantic~! Could it be that you're in love with the princess!?"
>Your face immediately flushes and you swear all the blood in your body was now colder than the highest peak of Everest.
>You fail to form coherent sentences as your too flustered to form a thought
>And your current state does nothing but support her accusation
>"Oh monsieur~! I can't believe it! It's true isn't it?! Have you confessed your love for her yet? I must know!"
>She's only inches away from your face now. Her eyes demand an answer from you.

>Love?
>Would that be the right word? No doubt you had at least some compassion towards Celestia, but would you go as far as to call it love?
>Maybe so.
"Uh, no. I haven't." Dusty frowns and backs away from you. Almost pouting.
>"When do you plan to?"
"What? Ms. Dusty, you're moving too fast. You know who she is right? She's a princess, I'm just some rich guy! I'm not even a noble!"
>"All the more reason to confess. Think of it monsieur! Ze lonely ancient goddess given comfort by ze rich and dashing young poet! A story for ze ages!"
>At that time you remember what you said to her.

//I'd like to be there for you. If that's alright. I don't want you to feel alone anymore. You've shown me how great the world around me is and I want to return the favor. You said the meaning of life was to give others meaning. I want to be the one that gives you meaning. I want to be by your side.\\

>And Celestia accepted your wish. What Dusty was spewing out of her mouth didn't sound so outrageous anymore.
>And now that you think of it. Of course you loved Celestia. You loved her ever since that moment in the park.
>So what exactly is stopping you from confessing your feelings to her?
"Dusty, though I think your rushing to quickly into things. You're kinda right. I do love her. I even promised to stay with her. But how do I know she doesn't just see me as a close friend? If I confessed now that may ruin everything."
>"Nonsense! You're a poet Anonymous! Ze matters of love should be your forte! What if she's too doubts herself. What if she too has fallen in love with you, but is too afraid you'd reject her? Oh the tragedy!"
>The two of you weren't particularly keeping your voices down and every now and then ponies would turn to look at you both.
>It made you a bit sheepish and you silently apologized for disturbing them. Though it was mostly Dusty's fault.
>But still, what she said got you thinking.
>Could she really be too afraid to confess her feelings?

"Hey Dusty. I've got a favor to ask."
>"Hmm~?"
>You gaze around the stone garden. Your eyes scanning the marble statues and wandering up the side of the castle, peering into it's tallest spire.
"If I'm going to confess. I'm definitely going to need some help. I hardly know anything about a woman's heart. Ironic for a poet, isn't it? I can't even imagine what kinda of skeletons Celestia has in her closet. Which is why I'm going to need your guidance Dusty."
>Your adorable little house made who you've known all your Equestrian life is now beaming with happiness. The two of you were practically best friends and this moment only solidified that.
>"Monsieur! Of course I will help y-"
"Anon."
>You interrupt her. But she gives you a genuine smile.
>"I'll be happy to help you. Anon"
>You run your hand through her mane and ruffle it, careful not to disrupt it too much.
"Thanks."
>It's still early, ponies still mill about the garden, and the sun still slowly strolls gently through the sky.
>But Celestia was still busy no doubt. Maybe you and Dusty could take a night on the town. Neither of you have ever visited Canterlot, so it'd be a chance to familiarize yourself with the area since you were staying for a few days.
>As the both of you exit the garden your mind wanders.
>What will tomorrow bring? Would you get to spend more time with her? That lonely bird, perched high above in solitude. Longing for a companion.
>Once again your eyes latch onto the highest peak of Canterlot. A light had just flickered on and a certain princess was making her way to the open air balcony.
>She stood there. Like a perfect statue. So perfect it made your heart ache.
>How lonely she must have been, all those years.
>High above the ground, she watches. Silently and patiently, for you to return.