An Affinity With the Sun: Act II: Chapter IV

~An Affinity With the Sun~
{Act II}
[Chapter IV]
|Tea Over Departure|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>Now that everyone had been situated, you all take your seats around a large oakwood table
>Twilight tells you it was fashioned from the wood of the old library which once stood on the grounds the castle rested on
>Things have calmed down after the half hour spent trying to sedate Pinkie into submission
>Now the eight of you exchange idle chit-chat
>"I hear the two of you are going on vacation somewhere?" Twilight says as her tea cup meets saucer
"Huh? How'd you know?"
>"I took the liberty on inviting them with us, to serve as my eyes and ears. That way, you'll never be far from my sight." Celestia says
>This makes you cringe with displeasure, but before you can even raise a hand in protest Celestia giggles to herself
>"It was a joke dear."
>Now it was the girl's turn to giggle and poke fun, you hardly feel embarrassed though
>Honestly, you kinda of felt relieved to get out of the castle and actually socialize with other ponies
>You've been Celestia's caged bird long enough
>Do you want emancipation?
"Yeah well, hopefully after the trip you'll be seeing a lot more of us. Right Tia?" You lean on your mare in question, who pauses on her tea
>"If I can somehow juggle Day-Court and personal affairs than I suppose."
>Twilight smiles in your direction
>Silently congratulating you on your small progress in your relationship
>At first, it'd be a cold day in Hell before she'd let you anywhere near the palace gates
>Now your miles away from the suspended city, in the quiet town of Ponyville

>"So Princess, what exactly is he? He's a monkey right? Some sort of Minotaur?"
>Before you know it Dash is casually poking your limbs and sizing you up
>You hardly mind it, it'd make since for strangers to question your appearance
>Dash's prying suddenly stops as a golden magical glow traces her body and lifts her into the air, slowly gliding her back to her seat
>Now that you think of it, you never told anyone of your full story

>It's not that you never felt a need to tell anyone about yourself, just no one really took an interest.
>As far as they were concerned, you could work and pay bills
>Because of that, you didn't remember much of Earth, or even make true friends here in Equestria
"Actually Dash, where I'm from, it was commonly accepted that we evolved from monkeys. So you're not too far off."
>Fluttershy perks up a slight bit more at the mention of monkeys
>"Oh, what kind of monkeys? Chimps? Mandrill? Baboon?"
>It never really crossed your mind what specific breed humanity spurred from
"I really couldn't say. But I do know we are closer to apes. If that helps."
>Fluttershy seems somewhat content with the answer
>"Anon, I don't believe you ever told me much of Earth. And sense Rainbow Dash brought it up, what say you give us a small history lesson?"
>Celestia nudges you in the side, forcing you out of your seat
>You didn't know anything about teaching, but you have to start somewhere
"Well......Back on Earth, humanity accomplished many amazing things. We also did terrible things to each other, but that's besides the point."
>You scratch the back of your head for a main topic
>Ah yes, the pyramids
"In fact, there was a country called Egypt. The Egyptians built three giant pyramids to honor their rulers. Even in modern day scientist don't really know how they built them."
>You're 'class' is half asleep
>Only Celestia and Twilight bothering to amuse you
>"Tell us more about 'you' Anon." Celestia says
>You weren't the best at talking about yourself, mainly because you didn't often need to
"Well, I was born in a big city by the water. I got an average education and after graduation I moved out of my parent's house at 19. I had a few friends, but they weren't anything special. I also-"
>"How did you do with women?" Celestia interrupts your session of fond memories
>The question took you by surprise, like a truck had caught you j-walking
>You can hear Twilight stifle a giggle

"W-well, I never had many women in my life. If that's what you're asking."
>Celestia silently returns to sipping her tea
>The air is slightly more uncomfortable now
>Luckily Twilight butts in for damage control
>"So Anon, enough about Earth. Tell us about your life at the castle!"
>It was a question that lifted the mood somewhat
"Actually it's really nice. When I'm not sitting around in bed I'm in court with Celestia, though it can get really boring."
>Celestia sets her cup down on her saucer
>"I'm sorry if managing a country is 'boring' Anon. We could always, do something more 'exciting'."
>She winked at you, causing that familiar sensation to travel up your spine
>You retake your seat next to Celestia
"How many times have I been saying that?"
>You place a hand behind her ear and scratch the place she loves so much
>The rest can't help but blush slightly
>It was a peaceful moment, one of those special instances that could only be caught rarely
>Suddenly a messenger gallops through the large double doors of the dinning hall
>Out of breath, he bows to Celestia before making his report
>"Your majesty. Princess Luna has requested your presences in Canterlot immediately! There is an emergency!"
>The peaceful scene devolves into one of urgency
>"Very well, I'll return as soon as possible."
>Celestia slowly stands, and so do the others out of respect
>"I'm afraid our little visit will have to be cut short. Anon and I will have to be on our way."
>You wonder what exactly is going on, but you decide to wait until you were in a more private setting to ask
>After brief goodbyes the two of you once again board the chariot and make way for Canterlot

>The ride was made in silence
>You were in such a hurry that you were almost blown off by the wind
>Canterlot comes into full view as you make your landing
>Atop the observation spire you see Luna retreat into the tower
"Do you have any idea whats going on?" You say as you help her down from the chariot
>"No, I do not. But it must be important due to such urgency."
>The two of you continue onward to the throne room
>Luna's dark blue shade clashes with the palace's marble walls and columns, she stands out like a sore thumb
>"Welcome back sister. We apologize for the sudden request, we hope your trip was safe."
>She nods in your direction, still the only greeting she will give you
>"We are fine. But what is it that you wanted to discuss?"
>Luna lets her gaze roam around the hall, looking for any eavesdroppers
>"Come, we have much to discuss."
>She leads the two of you into the throne room and you follow suite
>However, before you make it past the door Luna stops you
>"We would prefer if the human allowed us to speak privately."
>You'd be lying if you said you weren't hurt by the comment, and you could see Celestia's face shift into one of discomfort
>"....Very well. Anon, would you mind waiting for me in our chambers? I'll return shortly." She says with a forced smile
>You surrender to the request and agree
>You figured it was not your place to overhear important discussions between monarchs, you were no king
>You part ways with the two alicorns and start your ascent to one of Canterlot's many towers

>Hours pass as you await Celestia's return
>The Sun had already disappeared behind the valley and the moon casts shadows into the bedroom
>It was a depressing vibe
>You hear the turn of the door knob and Celestia returns, tired and somewhat afraid
>You get up from the bed and get straight to questioning
"You alright?"
>She smiles at your concern and plants a small kiss on the cheek before making her way to the bed
>"Luna has told me that the boarder issues Equestria has been having with dragons are worsening. Earlier today we received threats from the clan leaders."
>Most of it flew over your head. You had no idea there were problems along the boarder, or that dragons were even a prominent threat
"Can you fix it?" You ask
>You join her on the bed, gently removing her regalia and tiara
>For a long time, Celestia remains silent and it worries you
>"Luna and I will have to establish a summit with their leaders. Though, negotiations could last longer than a month..."
>You allow yourself the selfish thought of your vacation being ruined and she picks up on that
>"I'm terribly sorry Anon. I know how much you wanted to go on that trip."
>Her wing stretches and pulls you into her
"No, it's fine. The country should come first. We could always go another time."
>She leans on you and you support her weight with yours
>"Luna has also advised me to leave you here. She fears that you shouldn't be involved in our political affairs..."
>That didn't surprise you, but the thought of being away from Tia did sadden you
"...When will you be leaving?" You ask
>Her expression becomes solemn as she tells you that she will be departing tomorrow
>Even more of your time has been swept away
"Looks like we don't have much time together....Tell you what,"
>You slowly lie Celestia on her back, the darkness in the room adding to the excitement
"How about a 'going away party'?"
>She giggles and wraps her forelegs around your neck and the both of you fade away into the night