[open]

[yasei]

Who: Obi & you
When: 14th of April
Where: A Far Shore park, where Aine’s temple used to be, and by Inti’s temple
What: Memory blues, fairy horse, missing people.


Morning, a Far Shore park
[ There’s the wave of memories that Obi dreamt. Obi very nearly fell out of the tree he spent the night in. But only nearly, because he managed to grab onto a branch in time to stop himself from falling all the way down. But then he just ended up dangling there for a while.

And he’s just hanging there, holding on to the branch with one hand. The other he rubs against the back of his neck awkwardly, and he’s staring off in the distance without really paying attention to what’s going on around him.

He’s still seeing the snowy landscape of Lyrias, and he’s a bit hung up on some of the things he’s just learned about himself.

Serving a prince? Him? A knight? Him? That had to be some sort of joke, these memories had to be fabricated— except he can tell that they’re not and... it’s weird. ]

Forenoon, near Aine’s former temple grounds
[ This morning the weather is lovely. Or maybe it isn’t, Obi is not actually bothering to care, his mind is otherwise occupied. (But it is lovely weather and Obi is probably the only one not noticing.)

First, he dreams a bunch of memories of all sorts of weird things that he really can’t deny even though they feel off in combination with the memories of Tourou.

Then, he notices that Miss Yona’s temple is gone, which definitely makes him sad. He likes Miss Yona, and he’ll miss her. She was one of the people he had become closest to.

He linger a while in the vicinity of the site where her temple had been. He doesn’t know why. Lata’s words in his memories, the red-haired royal pharmacist and the presence he faintly remembers at his side, might have something to do with it. He’s a little frustrated. He also doesn’t know why he lingers, but he stays there a while, up in a tree, carving arrowheads out of flint and pieces of bone and horn.

Small pieces that are carved away fly through the air, and might on occasion hit people; though they’re small shards and wouldn’t hadrly hurt, they’re not so small they’re completely unnoticeable. ]

Afternoon, near Inti’s temple
[ He had passed by on various occasions during the day, he generally does without making any noise of himself, just to check up on things (that is, on his Mistress; their relationship might be what it was but he’d still be troubled if Celestia just went up disappeared on him) and as a result he had seen the fairy horse hanging around the vicinity of his mistress’ temple.

The fairy horse (that is, fae mare) usually was one of the animals hanging around Aine’s orchard, but apparently it had not disappeared together with the Miss.

Obi had spent a fair amount of time at Yona’s place, her gardens in particular, since that was a good place to take naps, and as a result he’s familiar with the fae mares. It’s no surprise to find him petting this one after a while, once he’s settled at least a bit of the feelings from the emotions from this morning. The fae mare, familiar with Obi and as a result also finding his presence calming, gently nuzzles his hair and ear in return for the nuzzles she is getting from him ]

Did you get left behind, Little Miss? It’ll be fine, we’ll solve it one way or other.

[ He casts, on occasion, glances toward his mistress’ temple. Maybe... But things are like that between them... But he’s apparently already serving a prince? Served a prince? So a queen is really just the next step. But... He groans a little. Damn it, he doesn’t know what to think. He was a thug, right? An assassin. Used to be. At least from the memories of Tourou, that much was clear. But then he- how the hell did he end up serving a prince? How the hell did a guy like him get knighted?

The mare nuzzles his face, and Obi blinks at her. ]

Yeah I need to give that whole thing a good think-through huh. I don’t even know what I am supposed to be anymore, Little Miss.

Comments

[letteropener]

Philomena, may I ask you to show our new guest around?

[Philomena looks at Celestia, then over to the mare. Then she sticks out a wing and sweeps it all the way around her body -- literally pointing out everything around them.]

Oh, very funny, young lady. [Celestia rolls her eyes, unable to suppress a smile.]

[yasei]

[ Obi peers at Philomena, then he laughs. That's just, so fun. Even the fae mare seems a bit amused. ]

Well, Mistress, Miss Philomena technically did what you asked of her.

[letteropener]

Philomena has always been trouble. [Celestia smiles fondly at her pet, who simply contrives to look smug -- which she communicates shockingly well for being a bird of flame.] At least you're not anywhere near dying right now, are you? You'd have some poor person in a right state like you did with Fluttershy.

[Philomena doesn't even try to deny it.]

[yasei]

I don't see why she would be. [ Obi is very supportive to people (or pets) being Trouble. After all, Obi is Trouble.

The fae mare clips an ear toward them, the other listening for something in another direction. She nuzzles Obis shoulder. ] Is Miss Philomena as prone to that as Mistress might be?

[letteropener]

Why, Obi. As I am the perfect mare and never so much as put a hoof out of line, I cannot imagine what you mean.

[Mare or lady, nopony could mistake the mirth in her voice or in her expression, one hoof raised to her chest as if in utter shock and dismay at his words. Her eyes sparkle far too brightly to ever deceive anyone.]

[yasei]

[ This sort of thing he can deal with. This sort of playful banter. It's a little awkward, but it's a little easier to put her royal status a little to the side. ]

Oh that's right, Mistress has never as much as gotten a hair out of order before, I forgot.

[letteropener]

Not so much as a one, though I'll admit they mostly take care of that themselves. [Chuckling, Celestia shakes her head slightly, in a manner that ought to send ripples down her mane. It does not, because her mane keeps obstinately drifting in its own apparent wind, while the colors inside drift in ways not at all in keeping with its motion.]

[As the mane at her head settles back down, over one eye as it is wont, Celestia glances back at her castle with a smile.] Though I must admit I really do like the Far Shore for giving me a break from the whole daily Princess routine. I can sleep in and eat hay sandwiches and not attend boring, boring balls and dinners and ceremonies. And nopony bows, thank goodness!

[yasei]

Magical hair sure is convenient. [ The fae mare clips her ears curiously and watches Celestia's movements. A little less warily because she's a bit closer to what she is, perhaps.

But Obi is a little surprised at those last words. ]

You don't like balls and ceremonies and bows and such things, Mistress?

[letteropener]

Not for their own sake, no. [Though Celestia smiles, a sad sort of regret tinges the expression.] It is the purpose that matters, not the event, you see. When it's a wedding, or the coronation of a new princess, for example, I delight in them. But when it's a ball or the like just for the sake of having it, then it's dreadfully, terribly dull. I have to put up with the Grand Galloping Gala every year--!

[She stomps one hoof petulantly.]

And I have to live by those ceremonies and habits, too. It certainly doesn't do for people to see the Princess of the Day, their protector and wise ruler since before they were foaled, rolling on the grass or just flying circles in the air because she can. It's all formal symbolism... it's exhausting, you have no idea. I love my subjects and my country, and I wouldn't change anything about them, but breaking away is so good!

[yasei]

Yech, that sounds really boring.

[ You know what? He actually gets that? One of the reasons he's uncomfortable with her is the whole royal formalities thing. It's the being bound to a person he didn't choose, too, but that also is a big part. ]

You should liven it up with some cheerful music and see how the stiffs pass out from shock.

[letteropener]

[Celestia leans in slightly, dropping her voice to a confidential tone.]

The last one, I invited my student and her friends to. They're from Ponyville, not used to all of Canterlot's stuffy expectations and haughty formality. They literally destroyed the entire gala!

[She's so pleased about this!]

[yasei]

[ A laugh is startled out of Obi. ]

That must've been a sight worth seeing.

[letteropener]

They knocked over a statue. One of them verbally ripped my nephew to shreds. Then they ran and got donuts. Which was a wonderful excuse for me to slip off and join them.

[It had all been worth it. Maybe as a ruler she shouldn't have, but the Grand Galloping Gala is utterly pointless and so against the principles she tries to instill in her subjects. Those stuffy snobs had it coming!]

[yasei]

Gasp! Mistress is a veritable scandal monger maker!

[ And it is appreciated. Why not this from the start? (Though it was Obi's fault for the most part.] ]

[letteropener]

I once let a paper get a picture of me eating cake with... less than perfect dignity, shall we say? So I'm afraid I'm guilty as charged.

[She likes this. Does Obi really think she cares about formalities, or wants special treatment? Because if he'd only been around just a little bit...]

You would love my sister, I think.

[yasei]

How terrifying, how could you?

[ That is so dramatically said.

But look, that's the image his mind conjures when he hears "royalty", and isn't that how the old gods are here, on top of that? As far as he's aware, Mistress is the outlier here and everywhere. ]

I would?

[letteropener]

I think everypony would. [Much more than her.] She's loud and very dramatic in all she does, especially when she's in unusual circumstances. I wish you could meet her.

[yasei]

[ ....ooookay.... She just turned all gloomy-like, didn't she? Both Obi and fae mare can feel it. ]

Do you miss her, Mistress?

[letteropener]

Very much. You see, not long before I came here, we had been separated for a very long time indeed. I was only just getting used to having her back in my life. So the timing is... well, it could be better.

[She isn't saying anything she wouldn't to anypony else, but she does hope that sharing this with Obi will help him see her as more normal and less... everything that she is that he can't stand.]

[yasei]

This place seems to have a big thing for timing things wrong, sorry about that Mistress. Maybe you'll get lucky and get to see them soon, here or home.

[letteropener]

I think about that and it's a little worrisome, considering how I might see her. [Namely, as a shinki.] But it's all right. I managed a thousand years, I can manage a few more.

[yasei]

There's no guarantee it's like that, Mistress, don't worry too much beforehand, Mistress.

[ There's no guarantee the sister in question will arrive dead and amnesiac, after all. She might be fully alive and a god, too. ]

[letteropener]

I'm better at worrying than I would like to be, I'm afraid. But so much time has passed since I came here, I no longer believe I'll see anypony from home, and I'm fine with that.

[Though she still finds it strange and a little alarming that she is the only pony here. Why have none others come from other worlds?]

If they did, they'd probably be back to treating me like the Princess of the Day, after all!

[yasei]

[ It is a bit odd that humans (or people who look like humans) seem to be the majority of people here. ]

Do you not want that, Mistress? You are a princess, though.

[letteropener]

Ah, yes. I forget that means something a little different to humans. [Celestia taps a hoof to her chin, gathering her thoughts to explain. She has been fairly casual thus far today, but dwelling on the notions of alicornhood brings a certain set to her posture that inches towards the more formal.]

Being a Princess is not a privilege. A number of ponies probably see it that way -- we can fly and do magic, we are important, we get ceremonies and that sort of thing. But the truth is, being a Princess is a duty that comes with awesome responsibility. Day, Night, Love, Magic... our talents have us deal directly with immense and profound things. The titles, the ceremonies, the special treatment are not really perks, but rather, tools to help us accomplish our duties. It's a lot easier to guide others in the right direction when you have an air of mystique and power and respectability, after all.

But I'm nopony's ruler here. There's nothing at all I gain from being treated specially. So I am absolutely enjoying just having the chance to be... just me, again. As much as I still am 'just me' after being a Princess for so long. Does that make sense?