Close to Home 4

>Another day
>Another council meeting about some dry aspect of government that for some reason demands the attention of all 21 of Celestia's councilors
>Every so often the Sun Princess herself pays a visit to the council, but more often than not you're graced with the presence of Her Majesty Princess Luna, which is exactly as enjoyable to you as taking a burning tire to the groin
>You'd swear your ears bleed every time she opens her mouth
>It doesn't help that she insists on talking like she's reenacting Hamlet...
>As she comments on something one of the councilors said that you weren't paying attention to, an idea strikes you
Sorry, could you repeat that, ya Highness? I didn't really catch what ya said just then
>She turns to you, looking like she's about to blow up the room, before giving a courtly smile
>”WE WERE SIMPLY SAYING THAT IT WOULD BE IN OUR KINGDOM'S BEST INTEREST TO INCREASE TARIFFS AGAINST OUR NEIGHBORS TO THE NORTH. WHY ART THOU CONFUSED? DO THEY NOT TEACH SUCH MATTERS TO THE PEASENTFOLK IN THY HOME-COUNTRY? WE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED”
>Wait, “peasentfolk?”
>”AFTER ALL, DIDST THOU NOT SAY THAT THY HOME IS SO DIFFERENT FROM OURS THAT IT SEEMED INSCRUTABLE?”
>She's got that haughty tone again...
>You sigh, annoyed
Actually, it was maw yuh waya talkin' that was confusin' me. Cleahly tha best suhlooshin heah's ta up ahr own pruhduction a' sawlt insteada just hikin' up impawt duties. Shawt run it'll boost the mahket a little, shuah, but long run? ...It's askin' fuh trouble from the Gryphon Kingdom if we make it hahdada do business
>You lean back in your seat while the whole room stares at you in disbelief
1/x

So can we move on ta somethin' inneresting now, or ah we just gonna keep doin' junk like this?
>”THESE ARE IMPORTANT MATTER-”
I'm really, REALLY naht innerested in this. If it's all the same tuh you, Princess, I'm just gonna go
>A councilor speaks up
>”I uh...I actually agree with Councilor Anonymous on this one- not on it being boring- just what he said earlier. It makes sens-”
>He shuts up when Luna whips around and shoots him a stare cold enough to freeze lava in its tracks
>”Er- that...is...uh...”
>The princess huffs as the councilor shrinks back into his chair
So like I said. I'm just gonna go. I think you guys can handle this on yer own, right?
>You get up and walk to the door, staring down Luna as you go
>”BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET THE DOOR STRIKE THEE ON THY WAY OUT”
>The door slams behind you with a loud thud that echoes through the halls
>You make you way out of the Administrative Wing and towards your quarters
>”Halt! Royal Guard! Stop where you are!”
>With a groan you turn around to face the stallion addressing you
Jesus Christ White, what're you doin heah?
>”I could ask you the same, Anon. Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting right now?”
>You look back towards the meeting room
I was. Decided I wasn't needed
>White smirks
>”Luna again?”
Tenth friggin' meeting she's sat in on. I'm stahtn'a lose it
>”I dont get why she doesn't like you”
Probably 'cause I keep disagreein' with 'er. She's got some seriously shawt-sighted plans fuh someone who spen' a thousin' yeahs on the friggin' moon doin God-knows-what
>”Heh, don't let HER hear you say that”
Yeah, yeah. Drinks latah? God knows I need one
2/x

>”Sure thing. Pub around eight? That's when I'm off”
Sounds good. I'll see ya then, White. Tell Crissy I said 'hi' will ya?
>The stallion chuckles
>”Will do. Just remember: she's mine”
>You throw your hands up innocently
Hey, I'm just bein' friendly. She's a great mare. 's long as ya treat 'er right we're all good
>”Dunno how you deal with it, having two princesses on your ass all the time. Don't you report straight to Celestia?”
Yep. It's not so bad though. Luna's my main sawss a' grief
>White taps his snout and winks
>”Ahh, I gotcha. Little more 'fun' talking to Celestia, eh?”
Dunno what yuh talkin' about, White
>”Uh huh. Sure”
>White looks over his shoulder
>”Well, I'd better get back to my post. Good to see you, Anon. I'll catch you at the pub later, alright?”
Yup. Latah, White
>The guard trots off and you continue on your way to your room
>It's not long before you're interrupted again, this time by a familiarly soft voice
>”How are you, Anon? I thought you were in meetings today?”
Hey, Cell...
>The Sun Princess looks around nervously, forcing you to correct yourself
...lestia...
>You rub the back of your head
I'm just takin' a walk. Gotta cleah my head, ya know? Still not used ta this whole deal
>”Is Luna still giving you trouble?”
Ya mean besides sittin' in on every damn meetin' an' talkin' down ta me?
>She sighs heavily
>”I'm sorry about her, Anon. I really am”
'S not yaw fault, Princess. She 'n' I just rub each otha tha wrong way, I think. Can't be helped
>”I know...”
Hey, stop lookin' so apologetic. 'S depressin' seein' ya do that
>With a smile she looks outside
>”Why don't we take a walk outside?”
3/x

Lead the way, Princess
>You follow Celestia out into the afternoon sun and watch the bright light shine through her mane as it flows and waves
>She looks ahead silently, as if lost in thought, before turning to you, an anxious look on her face
>”Do you ever regret it? Coming to Canterlot, I mean...”
>Her eyes are searching for something. You're not sure what
>”It was a lot to ask of you to come here I know... Leaving all your friends behind in Ponyville...just to come and work with me here...”
>The Princess slows her pace and lowers her head a little bit
>She's doing that apologetic face again. Your gut tightens uncomfortably
Celly, if I really didn't like it heah I'da left by now. Don' worry about me
>The mare smiles a little in response
Why'd ya ask, anyway? Somethin' up?
>There's a pause. Celestia looks up at her tower before returning her gaze to you
>”Follow me, Anon. There's something I want to show you”

>As the two of you come up to Celestia's chambers, you can ignore her suddenly anxious attitude no longer
Ya know, ya nevah ansid my question, Celly. Something up?
>She looks at you softly
>”I...just need to know you've been given the choice...”
Choice?
>The doors open and you follow her inside
>With a thrum of magic, Celestia's horn lights up. She walks to the crystal ball in the center of her room and taps it with her horn
>After a moment, the ball begins to shine. It grows brighter and brighter, to the point of being blinding, before floating up from the pedestal
>There's a flash of light. You shield your eyes from it and, once you lower your hand, see a shimmering doorway where the pedestal once was
4/x

>You look into the light and, once your eyes adjust, fall back in surprise
>On the other side is a well-kept apartment overlooking a very familiar street
>Eyes wide, you turn to the Princess
Is- You- How-
>You look back into the light. A car goes by slowly
>...Really slowly...
>”It's time I let ya in on some things, Anon”
That's-
>”Boylston Street. I know. It's my place. Take a sea- WHAT'RE YA DOING??”
>By the time she's halfway through speaking, you're halfway through the portal
>You hit the hardwood floor with a thud and stand up
>As soon as you do, you feel a lurch and fall back to the ground in a wave of nausea
>You look back at the portal, where Celestia stands in shock before putting a hoof to her face and jumping through as well
>There's another flash of light and thrum of magic before you pass out entirely

>An hour later
>You come to on a leather sofa looking up at a ceiling fan as it spins
>The sound of cars going by tells you you're in a city
>You sit up and look around at the apartment. It's a well-maintained place, befitting its location. The smell of coffee brewing wafts into the room
>”Finally up? How da ya take yuh coffee?”
>That soft voice comes up from behind and you turn to see-
>A tall, pale-skinned woman standing in the doorway to the kitchen
>Her blond hair, tied back out of her face, carries faint highlights and hints of color
>”What's that look faw? Suhprised?”
...A little bit. You can just change like that?
5/x

>”Why d'ya think I weah this necklace?”
I always just assumed it was a royalty thing
>She giggles and shakes her head
>”Sort of...Mum gave it ta me when I was a baby. Some kinda transfiguration spell on it keeps me lookin' like a human when I'm heah”
>You come up close and examine the jewel
Huh...so it's the necklace makin' ya human? What happens when I do this?
>Before she can react, you lift the necklace over her head and pull it off her
>Celestia lets out a yelp and is immediately shrouded in a shimmering cloud as she returns to her original form
>Her horn glows and she snatches the necklace out of your hand while you're busy laughing at her reaction
>As soon as she puts the jewel back on, her pony body is replaced with that of the blonde woman you'd woken up to
>”Hah hah, Anon...Now I need ya ta ansuh. Coffee?”
>You stop yourself laughing and look up
Black. Sugar.
>”Aight”
>She walks back to the kitchen and you follow, still giggling
6/x

>”Wish ya woulda wawned me, Anon. Jumpin' inta the gate like that? I didn't know what the hell was goin' on”
Sorry, had ta see if it was real
>”It's aight. This was gonna happen eventually. Woulda' told ya about the jump-sickness though”
>She laughs as you clutch your stomach again
>”Serves ya right, the time shift does that. Yuh get used to it”
Time whatnow?
>”Time shift? Little hahd t'explain... Ya know how those meetings wit Lu always feel like they last ferevah, but hangin' out at a bah flies by?”
Yeah?
>She pauses, looking slightly frustrated
>”...It's nothin' like that. Remembah we first watched the B's game like a month ago and I said we speed it up ta watch it like nawmal?”
Yeah. I always meant ta ask about that
>”It's 'cause this world's time flows at about a quawtah tha speed of Equestria. Yuh brain gets used to it so when ya make a sudden jump like that without preparin' first, y' end up on the flaw. Make sense?”
Not really...
>You see Celestia look past you at the clock
>”Well, I can show ya. I'll be back in a couple”
Wait, wha-
>She walks past you into the other room. Before you can react there's a flash of light that announces Celestia's departure, leaving you alone in the apartment
7/x

>Celestia's apartment is as nice as you'd expect, knowing she's royalty. You can see all sorts of paintings and small tapestries adorning the walls. A cast-iron light-fixture hangs above you in the living room, casting a homey orange glow over the place as the sun starts to go down
>You lean in to inspect one of the frames. In it sits a yellowed paper with tight, compact handwriting all over it
Dear Sarah, It is with light heart that I pen this missive, as I have found great success following your counsel that I should enter the realm of poli-
>Another brilliant flash makes you jump and spin around to see Celestia standing in the door with a sly smile on her face
>”Snoopin' 'round my place, Anon?”
>She walks over to you and looks over your shoulder at the letter
>”Ya don't wanna spend all ah time heah lookin' at old stuff, do ya? Let's go out!”
Where'd you go just now?
>”I had ta do the sun. But now we've got like three hours til' I have ta go back!”
>The Princess goes to a closet and pulls out a jacket
>”Perfect time, too! I know just wheah ta go! C'mon!”
>You follow lazily, finding yourself content to take in her sudden enthusiasm
>The sun is well behind the buildings of the city now. Celestia walks a little ahead of you, looking happily at the sky
>”Isn't it great?”
What?
>”All this. The city at night...”
>She twirls around and faces you
>”...Having someone ta share it with...”
I guess Luna's not big on it?
>”What tipped ya off?”
>You laugh
Just a hunch. So where we headed, Celly?
>She gives a grin and taps her nose
>”It's a surprise”
8/x

>By the time you reach Tremont Street, the sun has disappeared and the streetlights have come on
>Celestia has slowed her pace and walks next to you, looking starry-eyed at the Common as the two of you walk up its length
Why's Luna so paranoid about me hangin' out with ya? It's like she goes outta her way ta get in mine
>The Princess sighs and shrugs
>”Who knows what's goin' through her head? It's like I told ya: Lu's always been craziah about this than me uh Cady”
That's obvious
>You think for a second
Does Shining Ahmah know 'bout Caden-
>”No. We can't tell anyp0ny about ah pasts, Anon”
I still don't get what the big deal is
>”It's...it's complicated... Anyway, we're almost there. C'mon!”
>You decide to drop it for now. Celestia will tell you everything when she's ready
>...If ever...
>She stops in front of a very familiar building
>”So...”
>Her excitement shows in her eyes alongside a hint of nervousness
>”...You up fuh chowdah?”
Really? You serious?
>You open the door to the Union Oyster House and beckon her inside
Shuddn't even be a question, Princess
9/x

>So here you are
>Here you are, sitting on a hard wooden bench in a dark restaurant in your home town; the same home town that you were sure a month ago that you'd never see again
>And here she is
>Princess Celestia: Regent of Equestria, First-Born of the All-King, Defender of Her Subjects and The Realm, Heir to the Throne of Elysium, and Bringer of the Light to the World, sucking down a fifth bowl of clam chowder and ranting about hockey lockouts
>”...It's total crap! Why can't they settle this kinda thing in the off-season 'steada layin' it on the fans? It's the middle uh the season fuh Crissakes! What am I supposed to do? Watch basketball? I hate basketball!”
I hear ya. This junk's exactly why people rag on spawts
>”Right? Ridiculous...”
>She looks down at her empty bowl and smiles faintly
>”...I haven't had a bowla chowdah in ages...  Wish I could come heah more often, but I got my duties...”
Means a lot. I know the feeling
>”I mean...Anon, I grew up heah. It was my seckint home, practically...”
>You hear bells ringing in the distance, telling the time. She sighs heavily
>”Well, we should get back. It's almost time ta raise the sun”
>The waitress drops off the check after Celestia flags her down
10/x

>The two of you walk back to the apartment quietly
>A dark cloud has been hanging over you and the Princess ever since you left the restaurant and it seems neither one of you wants to talk about it
>As you walk, you can't help but think about your old life here. Your family, your old friends... what did they think happened to you?
>You follow Celestia inside and watch as she opens the doorway back to Canterlot
>She turns to you and smiles
>”C'mon. Time ta go home”
>There's a pause
>Her face falls. Your gut wrenches as you speak
I don't think I can, Celly
>You turn and walk towards the front door
...I'm sorry
>The door clicks as you close it behind you. You can barely hear Celestia calling after you, her voice quaking
>There's a flash of light when you look back, telling you that she's gone
>You walk slowly down the street, feeling more alone than you've felt in a long, long while
Welcome home...
End