We Share Everything (Part 14)

 

Part 14: Normally Anon would go for a walk through the palace, take care of personal business, study in the library, or even visit the streets of Canterlot before heading off to bed. However, today Anon decided to go directly to sleep and awake early in the evening to get some extra work done before the work-night commenced.

 

Anon lay awake in his bed starring at the ceiling, unable to sleep as he had intended. Upon arriving in Equestria he had been astonished by the alicorn nature of Celestia and Luna; their magic, their ability to fly, and their immortality. There was still also their connection to the earth ponies, perhaps the most mysterious of all. It was something he still did not understand and which he now reminded himself to ask Celestia about. That same early astonishment reasserted itself as he pondered the connection between alicorns and what lied beyond the veil of mortality. Anon resolved to make this a subject of intense study.

 

None of the books in his chambers would illuminate this shadowy enigma; he would need to visit the Royal Library and Archives. Realizing that nothing could assuage his curiosity at the moment, Anon sought a remedy for wakefulness. Presently, he got up, went to his bathroom and drew a hot bath to relax. He closed the door to allow steam to accumulate in the room and thanked the stars that ponies had figured out indoor plumbing. He was also thankful the Royal Architect had seen fit to have a bathtub built that fit his human frame.

 

Unable to withstand pure silence, Anon left the faucet valve at the sink slightly ajar to create a slow, steady drip. Immersed in the hot bath, ambient steam, and periodic drip sound, Anon allowed the intellectual wheels to spin down. Sometimes he could not get his mind to shut off and methods such as these helped. Feeling more relaxed after about 45 min., Anon drained the tub. Finding no towel, apparently forgotten on a chair in his room, Anon opened the bathroom door to go retrieve it and dry off. He took a pitcher of water and a few glasses that he had earlier left in the bathroom with him. Anon stepped through the door and right into the gaze of Breezy Leaves.

 

Looking to the origin of the voice, Anon was aghast. Responding in absolute shock, he said, "Breezy! What are you doing in my room?" Stark naked and facing Breezy, who was doing something at his dresser, he had frozen for a moment in surprise.

Finally finding a place to lay down the glassware, Anon now covered himself with one hand and moved to obtain his robe from a hook on the wall.

"Well, I wish you'd knocked on the bathroom door before assuming I wasn't here." Anon said in exasperation. Yet, he was regained his composure once he finished robing himself.

Having taken a deep breath and realizing it was a misunderstanding, Anon replied, "It's ok Breezy, it was just an honest mistake. No harm, no foul. I was just surprised is all. You can turn around, now." Then, he added, "I sometimes forget that ponies are so accustomed to seeing each other without clothes, that seeing another creature without clothes would be no different."

"I don't think so Breezy. I was just trying to go to bed early, but couldn't sleep. I took a bath to try and relax." said Anon as he sat down at his table, his back to a window.

Anon smiled at his good friend. "Ok, Breezy. I'd like that. Bring some for you too."

In a flash she had returned and Anon commented, "That was quick!"

With a gracious smile as he poured some star-root tea, Anon responded, "Thanks Breezy. Pull up a chair and join me!" Seeing her about to decline, Anon raised an eyebrow and said, "I insist!"

Anon poured it for her and reflected that it made certain sense that peppermint would be her favorite; it somehow matched her character. "Sure Breezy, glad to!" Adopting a questioning look, Anon probed, "Uh, Breezy? That thing about seeing me naked. You won't mention that to anybody will you?"

"Thanks Breezy! It's hard to explain; being embarrassed when naked is a human thing." Anon likewise sipped his tea, taking time to savor its aroma first.

"That's wonderful Breezy! I'm really excited for you! Your hard work really paid off and you should be really proud of yourself. That's an elite position! Congratulations!" Anon was genuinely excited for his friend, for he knew she had been working toward this goal for a long time. It was her dream and her family would be very proud.

"Doubly amazing Breezy! Things are looking up for you!" Anon was pleased. He had worked with Star Spark on Luna's staff and had come to know him as a very talented analyst, considerate, and an outgoing fellow. He hoped his friend would find the love she was looking for.

Anon smiled deeply at her enthusiasm. "I'm glad to help Breezy. After all, you're my good friend!" However, Anon knew something she did not. "But don't discount your own skill Breezy." He leaned forward for effect. "You know that for your application process the mare-servants have been observing you continually, testing you, seeing how you would respond to certain secret prompts." Anon continued candidly, "My recommendation just told them you were a good-hearted mare. It was your own skills that sealed the deal, make no mistake. The mare-servants assigned to test you must have concluded that you have all the skills necessary."

"When do you begin your duties?" asked Anon after taking a drink of his tea.

"With no additional training?"

"Another reason for me to congratulate you Breezy! They must have high confidence in you to be comfortable with only on-the-job training!" Anon poured some more tea for both of them and held up his cup. "Cheers!"

They continued their lighthearted conversation for a bit more, speaking more about Star Spark and how dreamy Breezy found him, something that warmed Anon's heart. However, Anon was attempting to formulate a way to broach a topic that had been bothering him. Finally, he decided to open the subject. "Breezy, why do you think Princess Luna is so happy now?"

Anon picked up on her cryptic look. Tapping the table with his fingers and biting his lower lip, Anon pressed further, "Do you know who it might be Breezy? Not that I'm nosey or anything. I just...want to make sure her best interests are served."

Somber now, Anon asked the obvious follow-up question. "Would you tell me who it is Breezy? I mean...I wouldn't tell anybody of course."

Anon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His blood flushed cold, but he had mentally prepared himself for this revelation. He had suspected it. She knew about his affair with Luna, but not with Celestia. Smiling mechanically, he replied, "Well Breezy, you're right. As I said, the mare-servants must be confident in your skills for a reason. You must be adept at nuance to have figured it out!"

Anon was heavily shocked, and he stifled a gasp. This was a revelation he did not expect. How had she known? Anon was suspended in despair. Everything was sealed, Celestia will eventually find out and everything he loved would be severed from his grasp. Worse, Celestia will be emotionally destroyed. If Breezy knew, then surely others would figure it out. Keeping a cool demeanor, Anon cleared his throat and managed an "Oh?"

Quiet and pensive, Anon's face betrayed his concern.

Anon was touched by her words. Despite his terror, he knew he could trust her at least. Accordingly, he opened up. "Well Breezy, obviously I am worried about hurting them, especially Celestia. How can I be a lover to both princesses and not end up hurting them both? I would lose everything. They would be hurt. Worse, if they become jealous it could drive a wedge in the government."

"Looking back, I actually think that I should have resisted her. I should have seen it coming and avoided it before I was alone with her! None of this would be a concern if I had. Perhaps it's not too late to end things with Princess Luna before it all gets out of hand. I could apologize to Princess Celestia; maybe she would accept it!"

Anon remembered back to how Princess Luna had broken him down psychologically. She had been absolutely irresistible. Remembering even further back, he remembered how effortlessly he had fallen in love with Celestia. Perhaps Breezy was correct, but Anon still felt he might have escaped by avoiding Luna. "Hmm!" said Anon as he pondered.

Breezy's words plucked Anon a little out of the depth of despair. Perhaps there was some hope after all. If both princesses were indeed capable of overriding any resistance he could muster, it might be possible to gain forgiveness in the end. The glimmer of hope now worked its way onto Anon's face as a smile. "I'll try Breezy. I'll try." Pausing to take another sip of tea, Anon added, "For now will you...um, promise to keep all this a secret for me?"

"Thanks Breezy. I'll try."

Anon did not wish to get his friend into trouble. "Of course Breezy! Thanks for the advice! And don't worry about the tea. I'll finish it and take it back when I wake up, if that's ok."

Anon reciprocated the hug, happy to feel her friendship. "Thanks!"

Anon laughed at Breezy's attempt to help him further acclimatize to pony culture. "I truly appreciate your expert opinion as a mare, Breezy! I'll keep it in mind so that next time I find myself naked in front of ponies, I'll stand with confidence!"

 

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