Anon & Celestia: Adjusting

 

>You're never sure how to feel when you're around her.

>You know how to act, certainly. Etiquette in front of royalty was something you quickly picked up on shortly after you arrived.

>But how should one feel, standing in the presence of an nearly all-powerful alien ruler?

>It's a conundrum that troubles you daily.

>You are Anonymous.

>How you came to Equestria remains unknown, even after all these months.

>And the fact that you'll never return was something you came to terms with some time ago.

>Now, you are relatively content to stay in Canterlot Castle, a guest and oddity for visitors to gawk at and little pony scientists to scratch their heads over.

>You fall into another role, as well. An impossibly rare one.

>You are something Princess Celestia has never seen before.

>You make your way through the long hallways to her chambers, as you always do on this particular day of the week.

>She enjoys talking to you, hearing your recollections of Earth and descriptions of human achievement.

>Mostly for novelty's sake, you think. You aren't exactly the greatest storyteller.

>And you enjoy talking to her, for the most part.

>She's awfully nice, for a god-princess.

>At least, you're pretty sure she's a god.

>You can't think of anything else that can command heavenly bodies.

>And that's why she unnerves you, on some level.

>You arrive at her door, with two of the omnipresent Solar Guards attending it.

"Tell her Anon's here."

>One guard nods, and knocks on the door.

>"What is it?"

>The guard pony opens the door just enough to poke a head in

>"Anonymous is here, Your Radiance."

>"Ah! Come in, Anon!"

>The guard opens the door fully, and there she is.

>Celestia of the Dawn. One of the two sisters that founded this nation of small equines.

>You step into the room, and the guard closes the door behind you.

>You kneel as you greet her.

"Your Majesty. I hope your day has been well?"

>The ancient alicorn smiles warmly

>"It has, Anon. Come sit with me."

>A cushion floats over to you

 

>You grab the cushion out of her magical grip, and take a seat a short distance away.

>"And how was your day?"

"It was alright. I spent a lot of time out in the city. You've got an impressive capitol."

>"Oh? Even compared to the cities of humans?"

"That's kind of what's so impressive about it, actually. It's not too far behind a modern human city."

>"And what is a 'modern human city' like?"

>You know that gleam in her eye. It took you a while to puzzle out its significance.

>It's greed, in a sense.

>Greed for new sights and experiences in her millennia-spanning existence, even if said sights and experiences are secondhand.

>You spend time telling her about the places you've been on Earth, adding any and all personal anecdotes you can recall.

>She eats it up, always with a happy smile and gently probing questions.

>But...

>There's this pressure you feel whenever you're near her.

>It's the root of your discomfort.

>She's kind to you. Always has been.

>But some part of your mind is constantly reminding you that she's powerful enough to end you with a thought.

>Maybe she can even see into yours.

>You've never asked.

>You're afraid to know.

>"Anon?"

>Ah, you must have spaced out.

"Sorry. Where was I?"

>She doesn't answer immediately.

>She just regards you, with slightly more somber expression.

>"...do you still fear me?"

>You startle a little

>Okay, maybe it wasn't mind reading, but Jesus, you thought you hid it pretty well!

"I...Well..."

>As you struggle to formulate an answer, she doesn't interrupt.

>She just watches, eyes ever-gentle.

"...was it obvious?"

>"Not immediately. But you have to understand, Anon. I've been a politician since before politics was even a formal concept. You are very good at keeping your face empty. But there are other signs, and I see them in you."

>Your head bows, and you stare at the floor.

"...Yes. I'm afraid of you."

>"Why?"

>Her response isn't accusing. It isn't indignant. There's no hurt in it, either. Just concern.

 

"Have I ever told you how our sun works?"

>"Yes. Repeatedly. I confess I don't fully understand how."

"Neither do I, honestly. But, what I'm trying to say is, what you do is something humans would expect from a god. And our gods are uncertain existences at best. The fact that I've watched you make the sun do a figure 8 in the sky just because I didn't believe you when you told me the first time has some fucking scary implications about what you could do if you you were angry. Pardon my French."

>She just nods, indicating for you to continue.

"If it was just that, it wouldn't be so bad. I think, after all of the stuff I've seen here, I could learn to live with the fact that you move the sun. Remember how Earth doesn't have magic? I think ponies must be used to it to the point where they just don't feel it any more, but every time I walk near a unicorn I feel weird. Tingly. It increases in intensity depending on the unicorn. With you? It's like I'm being smothered in that sensation. It doesn't hurt or anything. It just sets me on edge."

>You look up at her, finally.

"Princess, you're fantastic. You treated me better than I'd have ever expected. Magic just freaks me out."

>She's silent for a while, considering your words.

>You fidget.

>"Then, we must get you used to magic."

"Sure, but how?"

>She smiles brightly again.

>"Follow me."

She hops to her hooves and makes for her balcony.

>You wordlessly follow.

>"I recall you told me once that you wished to be a pilot? To fly in your people's machines?"

"That's right, but what-?"

>You're silenced by a wingtip against your lips

>You're both standing on her balcony now.

>"Do you trust me?"

"Yeah...?"

>You do.

>You're just kind of weirded out at the moment.

>She presses her horn to your forehead, and it starts to glow.

>It slowly encapsulates you, feeling like liquid sunlight flowing over your skin.

>She steps back, looking you up and down.

>"You're ready."

"...Are we about to fly?”

 

>"In a sense. The spell I placed on you is the same kind placed on my flying carriage. You can be pulled through the air without falling. I cannot grant you flight, but you can fly with me!"

>That...

>Sounds fucking awesome.

"Let's do it!"

>She claps her forehooves excitedly, then lifts off from the balcony with a great flap of her wings.

>She circles back down to your level, offering a hoof.

>You seize hold of it tightly, and it slightly bends around your hand in return.

>You've never really understood how that works.

>With your hand firmly in her grasp, she takes off, flying over the castle grounds and out over the city, with you gliding alongside.

>The magic definitely feels weird, and the pressure is still there, but you couldn't give less of a fuck at this point.

>The air rushing over your face feels great, and the view is incredible.

>You just start laughing.

>She does too, and shouts you a question.

>"Are you feeling bold, Anon?"

"Are we gonna do stunts?!"

>Eagerly grinning sun princess indicates yes.

"Let's see what you got!"

>She immediately pulls up into a broad loop, with you clinging on tight to her hoof so you don't get launched.

>Barrel rolls, half eights, and hammerheads. She leads you through all of the stunts you'd ever heard of and a few more.

>You're hoarse from exhilarated shouts and laughter.

>She's still laughing.

>You're coming over a lake when she decides to blow your mind for the final time that day.

>Her head turns to face the sun, and you see it slowly sink towards the horizon, illuminating the scenery below you.

>You can't help but gasp quietly.

>You look back to her, wanting to say something- anything- to express how you felt. How honored you were.

>But the gentle smile on her face tells you she already knows. And she's pleased you feel that way.

>And then, suddenly, her smile takes on a mischievous quality.

>She goes into a shallow dive, lazily circling down over the lake as your speed decreases.

 

"What's up? Need a break?"

>"Something like that~."

>...

>You're slightly worried now.

>Your worry grows exponentially as distance to the lake's surface decreases.

"Hey. Don't do it."

>"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."

"Don't. Celestia? This has been great. Don't ruin it."

>Her grin only widens at your protests.

>You're flying moderately slowly now, just over the lake's surface. If it wasn't for the spell keeping you airborne, you'd have fallen into it long ago.

>It looks like you're going to anyway.

>She banks ever-so-sightly, and you're less than a foot over the water.

"Celestia! So help me god, I swear I'll-!"

>"But Anon!"

>She interrupts sweetly.

>"I thought human gods were uncertain existences?"

>In you go.

>Sputtering and swearing, you have a death grip on her hoof as she hydroplanes you over the surface of the lake.

>It's slow enough to not hurt, but aggravating enough to warrant avenging your honor.

>Hand over hand, you haul yourself up onto her struggling torso and manage to fold one wing shut.

>The squeal she made before hitting the water made it totally worth it.

>Eventually, both of you emerge onto the shore, snickering at each other.

>Celestia levitates a missing shoe out of the lake as she addresses you.

>"Well, Anon? How do you feel?"

>You pause in the middle of wrenching the water out of your shirt.

>The sensation of pressure from being near her is still there, but it's hard to feel intimidated by her anymore.

>And you definitely see magic in a more positive light now.

"Well, Princess, it's hard to be afraid of a big, goofy pony who likes to fly. And magic's alright."

>She chuckles.

>"I'm glad to hear that. Now..."

>You feel magic seize hold of you again, and suddenly you're back in her chambers.

>The moment after that, you feel warmth envelop you, and your clothes rapidly dry out.

>You turn around to see a pristine Celestia smiling back at, seemingly none the worse for wear from your little escapade.

 

>"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. And more importantly, I'm happy you see me in a little less fearsome light."

>You guess someone being irrationally afraid of you would bother you too.

"It was a hell of a time. Thanks, Celestia."

>It takes a moment before what you just said registers.

"Ah, sorry, I mean-"

>She laughs.

>"You've been calling me 'Celestia' since before we took our little swim. I don't mind, Anon."

"Alright. Well... Thanks, Celestia."

>There's that gentle, winning smile.

>"You're very welcome. See you next week."