Other Duties As Required (MLP)

[Hiver]

AN// Welcome to a new part in my mlp series. If you have not read it yet, I highly recommend you start from the first in the series: New Beginnings. (MLP)
Many thanks to @Arratra for betaing this one!


Now, on with the story!


___________



The sounds drifted up from the village below. Laughs, singing, music, the sound of talking and some ponies arguing as the bright full moon shone across the village, having just climbed over the horizon, leaving shimmering streaks of silver and shadow, broken by the light of torches and glow crystals.

The scent of spices and smoke, of cooking meat and meals. The sound of foals playing. Ponies talking and laughing

I couldn't help but smile at the pair of statues in the main square, decorated so thickly with flowers they were barely visible. The Night of the Twins was starting to become one of our largest holidays and ponies were having fun with it.

I even saw some ponies, mostly sisters, having coloured their coats and manes to look more alike, wearing the same things.

But it was only expected that this would become one of the larger, more important ones. This was the day of the year that the shield had first gone up. Only one larger actually was Founding Day.

It had actually overtaken Hearts Warming, but I didn't expect that to last. In another couple of years, the newness of it would likely fade enough.

"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" Sparks asked as she walked up next to me.

I smiled at her as I put a hoof on the railing, "I am," I told her, "And you look especially pretty tonight."

Twilight had braided her long mane down over one shoulder and she had several red and yellow flowers braided into it. What more, she had something I had only seen her wear once before. Fake silver feathers had been threaded through her wings to sit among her natural ones, making her wings shimmer in the lights. She also wore a circlet and a horn ring, both also of silver.

She smiled at me, "It's a bit much, but Rarity insisted. And she brought it all here an-"

"You look amazing," I told her honestly and leaned in to touch my horn gently against hers.

Her cheeks turned slightly red, "Thank you. She's finishing up with Sunset now, it's almost your turn."

I sighed softly but nodded and turned to walk inside, heading towards the bedroom, only to stop in the door at the sight.

Sunset also had her mane braided, over her other shoulder compared to Twilight, and with flowers of Twilight's colors. She wore a circlet of silver and an identical horn ring. Her tail seemed to have been threaded with silver.

"Oh wow."

She smiled at me, "Like it, wing boy?" she asked and moved in a circle.

"Me like, yes."

"Well, if he fell back to grassland pony speech, it must look good," Sunset teased and looked at Rarity, "Amazing work. I expected dresses when Twilight said you offered to come down."

Rarity brushed her mane back a bit, "Know your audience, darling. Wearing clothes at all is completely out of fashion in Nocturnis. Besides, it has been so much fun to branch out into jewelry!" she said before turning to me, giving me a slight bow, "And we're ready for you, Prince Page."

I cautiously entered the room, "...What's the plan here exactly?" I asked.

"Not too much," Rarity reassured me, "You work much better when understated."

"I prefer it too," I admitted and walked up to where she wanted me.

A second pony I didn't know entered, the very pale yellow earth pony with the blue mane was carrying a box on one hoof, "Here we go, Rarity," she said and gave me a small bow, "Your highness."

"Prince Page, let me introduce my assistant, Coco Pommel. She has quite an eye for jewelry actually and has been quite helpful."

"Miss Pommel," I greeted her with a nod, "So I take it this is your doing?" I asked with a smile.

"Not at all, your highness," she said, sounding a bit shy, "I simply helped."

"Oh, it's at least as much your credit, darling," Rarity told her as she floated the box over, "Now, we're going simple. You're already going to wear your circlet and we want to accent that, not take away from it, nor from those feathers in your mane. Oh, my, such a romantic tradition!"

I reached up to touch the thin braid holding the feathers and a thin lock of Sunsets mane with a smile, "I wish I could take credit for it, but that's fully Twilight's idea."

"And I had no idea she was such a romantic," Rarity said with a smile, "As I said, we want to accent, not take away from it. Let's try something new, please extend your wings. I had the idea just a few weeks ago, but no bat to try it on. Rainbow Dash stood model and it worked... kinda. Let's see if this works better on the real deal."

I did as she said, curious of what she was up to.

What she was up to, was wide silver C shapes that fitted across the forward edge of my wing around the bone and muscle there. The result ended up with me wearing four of them on each wing.

I shifted a wing curiously, folding and unfolding it as I watched.

"Well, how does it feel?"

"...Strange," I admitted, "Never even thought about something like it before. It's not uncomfortable, but feels really odd. I'm not entirely sure I could fly like this actually, pulling my wing balance way off."

"Neither can a pegasus wearing fake feathers," Miss Pommel pointed out.

"Fair," I admitted, "I'll try them for today, see how it goes."

"Excellent, I'm so pleased that it worked out!" Rarity said with a smile, "I was so worried!"

She started to unpack the next box, making me worried in turn. What more did she have in mind for me? But I had promised Sparks I'd go along with it. And to be honest, I had not been disappointed in anything Rarity has done yet. I trusted her, which was why I always bought things from her.

What came next was a simple silver necklace. It actually reminded me a bit about the ones Celestia and Luna wore, but... thinner and smaller. The design was very different too, made from silver and incorporating...

"...Are those fangs?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"They are," Rarity confirmed, watching it float in her magic with a critical eye, "From those ghastly lizard monsters you have here. I swear, they cost more to import from here than the silver for the rest of it. They were quite an experience working with, I had to seek out a griffon for advice!"

It was a silver band with engravings along it, flowing lines. At the front was the engraving of a full moon and along each side of the band was two sets of three fangs, spread out along it, each extending downwards past the bottom of the necklace and standing out.

"It's a bit much, isn't it?" I asked carefully.

"Your highness, I would love to have gone with gold," Rarity admitted, "It would have worked even better, maybe a golden headdress as well. It would have been magnificent. But this works much better for your personality, I think."

I shrugged my wings a bit, "Let's try it on, I guess," I admitted and she floated it to my neck.

It fit perfectly, as expected. Rarity had my measurements, had had them for years even as well as got updated every year.

"Now," she said, "For the last part," and pulled out the last box and showed me the content."

I eyed it hesitantly, "Shoes?" I asked, "That's a bit mareish, isn't it?"

Rarity may or may not have hidden an eyeroll, "No, it's not. I'll have you know most stallions in Ponyville wear shoes."

"That's work shoes. Not silver."

"Yes, and these are not shoes," she said and floated one up to show me, "They are top hoof covers. Your silent hoof steps are part of your image and grip is too important up here to wear silver shoes. But these bring the elegance needed for your ensemble."

"Okay, we can try them," I admitted and flicked one ear.

Rarity has not guided me wrong yet and I had promised Sparks.

They clicked into place and I looked into the mirror, carefully raising one hoof and shifting my wings, "...I guess it looks good," I admitted, carefully moving in a circle.

"You look like royalty," Rarity reassured me with a smile, "Now, let's get it off and get your coat, mane and tail ready."

I thought I already was.

But no, it turned out to take another forty minutes.

 

[Hiver]

I'm not entirely sure what Rarity and Coco did to me, it involved some kind of oil I think, but my coat almost seemed to catch the light as I moved and every gust of wind caught my mane and tail, making every strand seem to float through the air.

I suppose there are still some kinds of magic I have no idea about.

Or it was just a lot of effort, it took two ponies brushing me for forty minutes to get the effect, so I'm not sure it's actually worth the effort, but... then again, the way both Sparks and Sunny's ears perked up when they saw me felt nice.

Maybe I'll look into doing it more often, especially for special occasions.

There had of course been a speech expected of me today. But of course ponies also were here to have fun and not listen to me waffle on, so my speech in total had been 'Welcome everypony! Now go have fun!'

I think that got me the most applause yet, so I guess it worked?

Now we made our way slowly across the main square, stopping what seemed every couple of hooves to talk to or greet other ponies when I finally spotted Midnight and Tempest, "You two look quite good tonight," I said with a smile.

"Thank you, your majesty," Tempest said, shifting slightly with a small bow.

She was not one for dressing up, but she was wearing a pair of horn rings, one close to the tip and one by the base, connected via silver filigree following the grooves of her horn. She also had her mane brushed back in a style similar to Midnights.

Midnight smiled, "Thank you," she said, "You look very nice too. All of you."

She was dressed identically to Tempest, wearing the same kind of horn jewelry.

"Have you seen Rarity yet?" Twilight asked her and shifted a wing to show off the silver feathers, "Look at these!"

"Very pretty,"Midnight agreed with a smile, "And no, not yet."

"She should be somewhere at the other side of the square," Sunset supplied, "Last time I saw her anyway. Rainbow was assisting Applejack with their food stand around there."

Twilight nodded, "Have you seen Fluttershy?"

Midnight nodded with a grin, "Yeah, they're over by the old tree. See you later," she said and continued past, Tempest quickly trotting along.

The old tree was a bit of a misnomer, but it was the largest tree that poked up through the large platform from the forest below, so it had caught the name. We started in that direction and it didn't take long before I spotted a flash of yellow through the crowd.

Not long after, Discord came into view.

He kind of stood out in a crowd, but honestly... I might not like the chaos spirit, but I no longer felt like punching him anytime I saw him. He may still be chaos incarnate, but getting together with Fluttershy had mellowed him out by a lot.

Fluttershy looked up and got to her hooves when we got close, "Wow, you all look so amazing!"

She was one to talk, her pink mane had been turned into what seems to be a hundred narrow braids, each one incorporating what seems to be dozens of shiny things, glowing and flaring brighter as she moved and she was wearing a green dress that almost seemed to be hovering around her rather than be worn..

Fluttershy had always been one of the most beautiful mares I knew and that was without even trying.

Today she had put effort into it and ponies were having trouble keeping their eyes off her.

Not me, of course.

"You're the one that looks amazing," Sunset said with a grin, "What are those things in your mane?"

Fluttershy flicked one ear a bit shyly, "..Stars," she admitted, "Discord got them for me," she said before she looked up at him fondly, "But he even asked Princess Luna first and will put them back by the morning."

Discord smiled and ran his claws through her mane, "You should have seen her face," he said, his familiar smirk on his face, "Last thing she expected."

Even the dracogenus seemed to have put some effort in, wearing a neon orange tuxedo and what looked like neon chemical lights hanging from his horns.

"Besides," Twilight said and glanced around, "I bet you have enough chaos in your life right now anyway."

Discord actually laughed, "If I knew how much, I would have tried years ago."

Fluttershy smiled up at him, "Oh really?" she asked innocently.

His cheeks flushed but didn't answer, instead looking around anywhere but at her.

Fluttershy actually smirked slightly, showing a bit of sharp fang before the batpony looked around, "Where did she go though?" she asked, "Eris! Eris, come to mommy!"

There was a second before the universe seemed to turn inside out in a small patch next to her and a young batpony filly jumped out. She had the pale yellow coat of her mother, but the yellow eyes and black mane of her father.

Fluttershy quickly scooped her up with a smile and a wing, depositing the little filly on her back, "There you are!"

I raised an eyebrow, "...How much chaos magic does she have exactly?" I asked, looking up at Discord, "Last I knew, she could barely knock her playing blocks over."

He smiled and reached to brush her mane, "Only slightly more than Pinkie Pie," he said, "About as much as a pony can have."

"It's like a unicorn," Fluttershy explained, "She's in her magic boost phase right now, if a little later than usual. It'll settle down. I doubt she'll be able to go into the 'underneath' as Discord describes it when she gets older.

Sparks looked like she had a million questions, but finally shook her head, "She may have to go to magic school."

"Wouldn't help," Discord said, "She's not a unicorn, Purple Smart."

I nodded, "Maybe we should leave this to Discord," I told her, "He is the expert in being him."

"I am!" Discord agreed, "Very good suggestion, Batman. Now, bat off to somewhere else," he said before scooping Eris up, "It's time for snacks!"

"Snacks!'' The little filly cheered and both of them disappeared in a flash of light.

Fluttershy rolled her eyes, "Discord!"

She disappeared in a flash of light as well.

Sunset sighed, "This is going to be trouble," she commented.

"Eh," I said and shrugged my wings a bit, "We've dealt with worse. At least they're happy and Discord isn't actively causing problems. I'll take the wins where I can."

"He'll likely be busy for the next decade at least," Twilight agreed with a small smile.

Sunset smirked, "You saw how Fluttershy looked at him, right? I suspect significantly more than a decade myself."

Twilight smiled wider, "True. I'm so glad for her, she always did want a big family."

Sunset moved around us to next to Twilight again with a smirk, whispering something into her ear. They both then looked at me.

"...Am I missing something?" I asked, one hoof a bit nervously off the floor.

Sunny smiled, "Oh, just commenting how somepony looks good today."

Sparks looked me over, "And maybe thinking about some more private celebrations later."

Yay.

 

[Hiver]

I lounged on my throne, the last of the sunlight filtered in from outside through the branches of the taller trees. It was very early night and with a holiday having been the night before the village was dead quiet, ponies sleeping in or trying to sleep off their hangovers.

I usually enjoyed these nights.

Usually.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at the three ponies standing at attention before me. A pair of earth ponies and a unicorn.

"You know," I said as I studied them, "I usually enjoy the night after a holiday as much as the holiday. It's usually a very light night for me. To spend time with my family. Usually. "

"Instead, I'm here," I said, "With you bunch," I added and floated a parchment up to read it, "Drunk and disorderly. Destruction of public property. Making a disturbance."

None of them moved.

"I recognise you three," I continued, putting the parchment down, "You have been before me once before. I remember it being similar charges as well. I seem to remember the fine then being a hundred bits each as well."

All three stayed at attention, eyes forward.

"Private Starswell, what do you have to say for yourself?" I asked the unicorn.

"Sir, I apologize, I had too much to drink, sir!"

I regarded him for several long moments. He stared straight ahead but I could see him swallow.

I switched my gaze to the other two, "Private Deep Well?"

The first earth pony stood even straighter if that was even possible, "Sir, I made a mistake, sir!"

"Private Steady?"

"Sir, I bucked up, sir."

"Yes, yes you did," I said and shifted my wings slightly as I regarded them, relaxing against my throne, crossing my forelegs on the throne before me as I relaxed, letting them sweat for a bit.

They were each from the Equestria training base up the track from here. And they did as soldiers always did when given money and getting time away from base.

They got drunk and got into trouble.

The ponies of Nocturnis did not like it. They didn't like it at all. What they did like was the thousands of bits flowing into the local economy.

Which meant they had to put up with the tomfoolery in turn, but there was a limit they would put up with.

"I am well aware that each of you have had dealings with the guard before you ever came to my attention the first time," I continued after some fifteen seconds.

None of them moved.

"And fining you does not seem to have worked," I continued, "So instead, let's try something else and see if that works better, shall we?"

I looked to Iron Shine, "Iron Shine, return these fine gentlemen to their cell if you please and send a messenger to their commanding officer that he needs to come get them in person."

"Oh buck, Sergeant Steel Shoes is going to kill us," one of them muttered.

I turned my head to Private Steady, "Sergeant Steel Shoes?" I asked and the inside of his ears turned a bit red at being caught, "Sergeant Steel Shoes is not your commanding officer, is he? That would be Captain Stormwind unless I'm mistaken."

That had an effect. They turned white beneath their coats and each of them looked like I had announced a firing squad.

No, that's not true, it's like they would have volunteered for a firing squad if that was an alternative.

Captain Stormwind was the garrison commander of the entire Equestrian base. He would be displeased about getting that messenger I think.

I let things sink in for them for a couple of moments before I looked at Iron Shine again, "You have your orders, Lieutenant."

The large earth pony saluted smartly, "Yes, your majesty," she said before she turned to them, "Attention! Move out!"

All of them straightened up even more if possible before turning and being marched out with her following.

The door closed behind them before I sighed, "Well, they're not the first and they're not the last," I said, "But I think this lesson may take a bit better than any fine. What do you think?"

"I would think so, your majesty," Moon Glow agreed, "I think we may know when the messenger arrives as well, even we non-bats will likely hear it from here."

I chuckled at that, "I wouldn't be surprised. But don't let me keep you, you have more important things to deal with."

She was in charge of my personal guard after all.

Moon Glow nodded and saluted with her wing, "Any excursions planned today, sir?"

"No, I'm actually planning to stick around until lunch and then skive off I think," I admitted with a smile, "Day after holidays are always really quiet."

Moon Glow smiled a bit wryly, "More for some than others. Excuse me, sir," she said and headed towards the balcony to do whatever it was she did night to nighty.

I turned my eyes to the last visible pony in the throneroom, "On that note, I seem to remember giving you the day off for sure, Flower."

Flower Rain smiled at me from her small desk towards one side, "Just preparing some items for tonight, sir," the petite bat pony answered, looking up from her papers, "We do have the griffon delegation arriving then if the train keeps to the schedule."

"Oh yeah," I admitted, "Almost forgot about that. Whatever would I do without you, Flower?"

She grinned, fangs on full display, "Do a lot more paperwork, sir?"

"More like being completely lost and not even knowing my own schedule," I told her with a smile of my own, "Now, off with you. I can't do without you, so I have to make sure you take care of yourself."

"I'm almost done," she said and returned to her papers, "Just double checking the planned accommodations."

I really had no idea what I would do without Flower Rain as my assistant. I was absolutely terrified at the thought that she would get old and have to retire at some point, leaving me without her managing things.

Civilization would collapse.

I really have to ask Celestia at some point what I was to do, she had gone through that many hundreds of times by now.

 

[Hiver]

The forest was dark, clouds covering the moon and stars, leaving it in full darkness.

The wind rustled the trees above, making them creak and rustle and rain was in the air. Not quite falling yet, but it was a late autumn day and the air was chilly.

I slowly moved between the trees, ears slowly turning as I listened, letting out small squeaks of echolocation to help..

There were predators out in the forest. Wolves, timber wolves… or worse. A howl pierced the air in the distance.

A glimpse of white ahead drew my eyes and I slowly approached. I felt the dream around me and then tapped my hoof against the ground, solidifying and changing to match it.

The white shape shifted slightly and pink appeared.

"H-hello?"

"Hey…" I said quietly and slowly moved out of the brush, approaching the base of the fallen tree where she had taken shelter.

Celestia blinked out into the darkness, "...Page?" she asked.

"It's me," I confirmed and moved closer, "You were having a nightmare, Sunshine."

She nodded and her wings shifted. She was an absolutely adorable little filly, maybe seven years old at most.

"I can't see you."

"Here," I said and stepped on a leaf on purpose as I slipped into the small shelter with her. She blinked into the darkness, reaching out with a hoof and I held my head out until she bumped against me.

Celestia felt across me before she smiled in the darkness, "Batpony colt?"

"Well, it felt like it fit," I admitted and moved to curl up with my side right next against hers.

"You have to do that sometime when I can actually see it," she said and pressed close in turn and I settled my wing across her back, "I bet you look absolutely adorable."

"You do," I told her with a smile, leaning a bit against her, "...This is a mean dream. Memory?"

Celestia nodded against me, "A couple of times," she said, "You already saw one dream of mine like this I think."

"Yes, but I didn't realize it happened that often."

"Was like that at that time," she said quietly, one ear twitching and she pressed closer as there was a howl in the distance, "Got surprised by something when out foraging. Having to hide and then get stuck for the night. Trying to fly during a night like this is a good way to get seriously hurt."

"Fire?" I suggested quietly.

Celestia quickly shook her head, "No! It keeps the wolves away, but may attract others, worse," she said and pressed her muzzle against my ear and kept her voice at a whisper, "griffon raiders. Even other ponies. You never put up a fire as a small group unless you're in a safe place."

"Other ponies too?" I whispered softly, "Like earth ponies?"

"Or maybe those scary vamponies," she whispered.

I nodded, "It was a scary time, wasn't it?" I asked and shivered a bit as a cold wind cut straight through our improvised shelter.

Celestia nodded and her wing slipped across my back against the cold, "Yeah."

I pressed against her warm side, "Maybe… I could lead us out of here and back to your camp?" I asked quietly, keeping my voice down.

She sighed and shook her head, "I'm afraid your welcoming wouldn't be very nice," she admitted, "The tribe would chase you away."

"Not a pegasus," I agreed and buried my nose into her mane, "Scary batpony."

"Was like that at the time," she agreed quietly, "You cold?"

"I'm playing along with the dream, so… yeah," I admitted quietly, keeping my voice down, "Bats never were very good with cold weather."

Celestia nodded and shifted around, "Let's change, put you furthest in, away from the wind."

"Sounds like a plan," I agreed and we shifted around until we changed places. It helped a little, not a lot, but with her wing across my back and warm feathers along with her side against mine and tail resting across me, it helped a bit more.

"Besides," Celestia said and this time I could hear a smile in her voice, "Even at this age I knew that colts had to be protected. So if we get jumped, you run, got it? I'll hold them off."

I smiled and buried my nose into her mane again, "Not on your life, Sunshine."

Celestia rested her nose against my ear, "That's what is missing in the modern day. Stallions no longer doing what they're told," she teased.

I laughed quietly, "And who's fault is that, Sunshine?"

"Modern Equestria is preferable. And ponies in general are happier, safer and more equal. Harmonious," she agreed and gave my ear a small nip, "But it does have its frustrations."

"I suppose," I admitted and leaned against her warmth, "...Think we can risk a fire?"

"I don't know, maybe. I haven't heard anything about any griffons in the area, it's why the tribe set up here for the winter," she admitted, "...Let's risk it, I can feel you shivering," she said and shifted around, "Nopony should be out in this anyway." I could feel her feel around for her little bag and I reached to slide it into her grasp.

"Thanks," Celestia said and looked in my direction, "I'll go get some wood."

I frowned, "Sunshine, you can't see. I have echolocation and can mostly see."

"And I'm the mare, you stay here when it's safe," she said and bumped her nose against my cheek, "You kept this dream like it is, you live with it," she said before slipping away from my side.

I shuddered at the sudden cold and curled up a bit, scooting further beneath the roots of the fallen tree.

Luckily she returned a couple of minutes later, not having to go far. Less than a minute later there was a flash of light followed by a small flickering fire. That wasn't even the dream helping, Celestia really did remember how to do it.

Then again, she must have lit fires like this for thousands of years, so I suppose you don't get out of practice then.

She turned to look towards me and gasped, her wings raising, "You're adorable!"

I couldn't help but blush as I scooted a bit out of the shadow, flicking my oversized and slightly fluffy ears, "...Thanks," I admitted.

She quickly moved around and herded me closer to the fire and I settled down against her warm side.

"...This is much nicer," I admitted, leaning my head against her neck.

"It is," Celestia agreed and rested her head against mine, nuzzling softly, "I was right, you are adorable."

There wasn't a lesson that night. We just stayed like that talking, pretending to live in the world she grew up in until she had to wake up. Made me miss a meeting, but I didn't care.

 

[Hiver]

I looked out over the jungle from high in the tree, lounging on my stomach on the thick branch, one foreleg dangling down beneath it.

The sun was rising somewhere behind me, casting its lights across the jungle stretching out towards the horizon, the river glittering in the increasing light below.

One day a week, Sunset and Twilight were staying up and out during the day. As inconvenient as it was, it was just good for Dayponies to be beneath Celestias Sun.

It did wonders for energy levels we found and most ponies had taken to doing something similar. Including some bat ponies actually.

I suspected it had something to do with vitamins, but in any case it was healthy. In the case of bats, it usually just involved sleeping outside a day or two a week instead of staying up.

Sunset used the time to inspect the guards serving during the day.

Twilight used it as a day off.

"You should try to get some sleep," Twilight said from next to me, a book resting on the branch before her, "It's getting late and you do know you have an early meeting tonight with the griffon ambassador.."

I sighed, "I know, Sparks. I know," I said and shifted slightly to admire her for a moment, "Anything planned for today?"

She smiled, "Going to the lab later to join Midnight. Have some work to do and a potion batch to finish that needs sunlight," she said and leaned in to give my nose tip a small kiss, "Now go sleep, bat. You can barely keep your eyes open."

"Mmm," I admitted and slowly stretched, raising my wings and pushing myself up to sit, blinking a bit and suppressing a yawn.

Sunny and Sparks could sleep in tonight.

I couldn't.

So I leaned in and gave Sparks a kiss on the cheek, touching my horn to hers before I slipped off the branch, my wings spreading as I caught the air and flew back towards the village.

It wasn't far, we had stayed well inside the shield and I flew off towards the so-called castle. It was still funny to me that ponies called it that, there were non-noble houses in canterlot larger than it. Buck, night to night we lived in two rooms!

We didn't use a kitchen and had one living room and one bedroom and the rest was made up of the 'throneroom' and administrative spaces.

That was the realm of Flower and Starlight and I was not allowed.

Literally, last time I went exploring, Flower very politely but firmly chased me out. I had not even seen the kitchen, the head chef was a large earth pony and I had only tried once.

I didn't dare try again.

He scared me a bit.

Glancing back, I spotted the very familiar shapes of Leaf Shade and Shade Leaf flying around behind me in formation.

Sparks had her own two guards along with her which made me feel a bit better about the entire thing. I'm used to being followed by now, barely even thinking about it by now.

Swooping in above the balcony, I landed on the railing easily before jumping down and stretching a bit. Then I looked up and flapped my wings once, bouncing off the railing again and hooking my wing across one of the rafters in the bedroom.

There was plenty of sunlight filtering inside and I got myself comfortable, pulling my legs to myself as I wrapped my wings around my body, still swinging slowly back and forth.

Suppressing another yawn, I let my eyes drift closed and it was not long until I opened them again, looking out over the sparkling expanse of the dream realm.

"Good morning, My Page."

I smiled and turned around, stretching a bit, "Good morning, My Sky," I said and stepped closer, looking into her eyes as her star filled mane flowed around us, "You looked exceptionally beautiful this morning."

Luna smiled and brushed her lips against mine, "How are things in Nocturnis?"

"Well enough," I said and shifted a bit closer, "It's a Sun day."

She nodded, "I'll look in on Sunset and Twilight later when they go to bed," she said and shifted around, her wing brushing across my back.

I shifted a bit against her, smiling up at her.

"And speaking of Sunny and Sparks," I said and smiled, "I have an idea."

Luna smiled and looked down at me, "Just one? I can think of several."

I smirked, showing her a bit of fang, "Oh, well I have those as well. About you as well, My Sky."

She leaned in to kiss me and I kissed back before she smiled, breaking it, "We can explore those later, my Page. Now what was your idea?"

"Vacation."

"That would be very nice," Luna admitted and sighed, "But I'm not sure it's possible at the moment.

I nodded, "I know. And I wasn't thinking of us. I'm thinking of Sunny and Sparks. They haven't taken real time off for years. They even covered for me when your plan with Celestia went into effect. They deserve it and more."

Luna smiled, "I think that's an excellent idea, Page," she said and nuzzled at the base of my horn, "Do you have any plans for a location?"

"Well," I admitted, "I thought somewhere warm and sunny, but we live somewhere warm and sunny. I want it to be somewhere nice, somewhere Sparks will find interesting and where Sunny can get the treatment she deserves."

Luna smirked, "Somewhere with room service then?"

"Roomservice, massages, the lot," I confirmed, "So I was actually thinking of a suite at one of the nicer hotels of Manehattan?"

Luna made a thoughtful sound, "Plenty of museums, shows and other things to keep Twilight engaged there," she agreed.

"I considered just a nice mountain cabin somewhere," I admitted, "And I think they would enjoy that for a couple of days but then get bored."

"Possibly," Luna admitted as she nodded, "I think your idea has merit. Are you sure you would not like to go with them?"

I nodded, "I'm sure I do want to go with them," I admitted, "But they also deserve time to just be together as well. And they definitely deserve to relax and just disconnect for a while away from Nocturnis and somepony needs to keep an eye on things.."

Luna nodded, "If you'd like, I could make some inquiries, My Page, easier to do so from Canterlot than Nocturnis," she said with a smile, "I believe we can find something very nice. But it will be up to you to convince them."

I smirked and shook my mane back, "Oh, I think I can handle that part."

"Could you now? Perhaps we should discuss some of those other ideas you had then?" Luna asked and pulled me closer.

 

[Hiver]

I rested on my throne as the door opened and I looked up.

"Envoy Silverstreak and escort," Iron Shine announced and stepped to the side, allowing the three griffons past her.

The lead griffon was of an owl type, brown feathers starting to gain streaks of grey at places, the other two more taking after different kinds of eagles if I'm any judge.

"Prince Page," Silverstreak said and bowed, "Please, accept my gratitude at receiving us and the well wishes from our king."

I smiled and nodded to him, "You are most welcome. And give my own well wishes in return to King Darkfeathers. It has been too long since we talked."

He straightened again, wings shifting slightly as he smiled, "Nocturnis is a beautiful city."

I nodded, "It is," I agreed, "I hope you find your accommodations satisfactory?" I then asked, completely ignoring that calling somewhere with just over five thousand inhabitants a city a bit of an exaggeration.

It was a town at best.

"Absolutely, your highness," he agreed, "Most comfortable. We have been quite enjoying trying the local food, quite different from what we have run into in our previous journeys to Equestria."

"More to the griffon taste?" I asked.

"Much more," he said with a smile.

I nodded, "So what can the ponies of Nocturnis do for you, Silverstreak?" I asked, "I doubt you traveled all the way to our remote corner of Equestria to sample our local cuisine?"

That got a smile from him, "To business," he agreed, "And as a matter of fact, that is part of why I'm here. King Darkfeathers would like to open official channels between Nocturnis and the Griffon people."

I flicked one ear, "Such as?"

"We would like to establish an embassy as well as an official trading station at Nocturnis," He said with a smile, "To facilitate communications between us and set up direct trade."

Considering that for a moment I then slowly nodded, "While Equestria already has an embassy from the Griffon Kingdom, we could certainly use a consulate," I agreed, "As for a trade station, are you considering shipping along the river directly to your lands across the ocean?"

Silverstreak smiled, "In fact, that is exactly what we are hoping for. It would cut weeks off the journey instead of having it travel to harbors in Equestria by train first. It may even make shipments of perishables possible, such as fruit."

I slowly nodded, "That may be more difficult than you think," I said and looked to Flower, "Flower, do you have the report of the survey we did of the river?"

"Yes, your majesty," she said, "Would you like a summary or the full report?"

"A summary would be sufficient, but I think we can give a copy of the full report to the envoys delegation if they wish."

She nodded, "In short, while the river does flow all the way to the ocean, at places there are significant sandbars and other obstructions beneath the surface. It was decided that the effort to map and clear the ones necessary was not economical. Then there is the significant danger of the local wildlife to long travels along the river to take into account."

I nodded and motioned towards Silverstreak with my hoof, "You will be given the full report of course, but I don't think it will be possible."

He looked thoughtful, "Perhaps, perhaps not. We have quite skilled dredgers and craftsgriffs. Perhaps we may accomplish something."

"If you manage to get a ship or even a boat here," I told him seriously, "We'll build a port matching it. That's an agreement you can have from me right now."

Silverstreak nodded confidently, "Our people will study the findings and see what can be done. As for the consulate?"

I smiled, "I have no problem with that, closer ties with the griffon people is only a good thing in my mind. However, whomever is assigned here should likely be warned that there is a rain period. Our weather is not always this pleasant," I said and motioned towards the clear sky and Luna's moon in the sky outside.

He smiled, "Considering I am hoping for that posting myself, I'll take it under advisement, your highness."

"In which case, I suppose it's a good thing you enjoy our food," I said with a smile, "And on that note, perhaps you would like to join my family and myself for dinner this morning?"

"I would be delighted, your highness."

"Excellent," I said with a nod and motioned to Flower, "Flower will arrange it with your people."

Silverstreak bowed, "In that case, by your leave, Prince Page."

"I will see you at dinner," I agreed and the griffons filtered out of the throne room, the doors closing behind them.

I stretched and then jumped off the throne, walking over to look out the open side of the throne room and towards Lunas moon for several long moments. Their suggestion sure was an interesting one.

If they could get ships here, or even large enough boats to be worth it, it would significantly increase our possible trade throughput. Wouldn't make the Equestrian traders happy as the competition would drive prices up, but that would make my ponies very happy, especially as it would also drive prices of what we imported down in turn.

Assuming of course that it could be done.

We did discard it as an option before for a very good reason, even after the railroad went down and we gave it a second and much harder look. The river was fine for good parts of it, but parts were impassable for anything larger than a rowboat, especially as it got close to the sea and entered what could only be described as mangrove territory.

Even with magic it did not seem like a valid option.

But if they could pull it off...

I turned to glance back, "What do you think, Flower? Think they can pull it off?"

She looked doubtful, a quill held in her muzzle between a pair of fangs and she considered it before answering, "...I don't know," she finally said, "The griffons are very good builders and craftsponies. It's possible."

"I hope they are as good as they think they are," I said as I nodded, "That's an amazing opportunity if we are able to open up that trade route."

"Especially if they cover the cost of it," Flower said with a grin.

"Really?" I asked innocently, "I had not even considered that."

Seriously, we could also clear a way through that river. Of course we could, it was just a matter of the number of ponies and the amount of bits to do it. That was a multi million bit project and made running the railway look outright affordable.

But if the griffons were willing to hoof the bill for it...

It could even be used for Equestrian shipping. That would be win-win-win, at least for Nocturnis. Holding up our part of the bargain and building a port matching whatever they managed to get here was the cheap part of it.

Buck, if they pulled it off, we'd have to increase production of everything they were interested in just to keep up with demand.

We might need more pylons as well, to expand the shield. But that was far in the future, even if they cleared the river and the first ship arrived tomorrow, we were good for decades with the area we had now.

Nodding to myself, I returned to the throne, "What's next, Flower?"

"Next is a meeting in twenty minutes with Tight Bit, discussing our next month's budget and possible repayments of our loans to Equestria," she said without even looking at her papers.

Oh, joy.

 

[Hiver]

Sunset walked into the living room and as soon as the door closed behind her, she stretched with a groan.

Sparks looked up from the paper she had been reading at the desk, "Long night?"

"You can say that," Sunset agreed and crossed over, kissing her cheek before moving to collapse onto the couch, "I think I've been on my hooves all night. Never thought I 'd wish my job involved more paperwork."

I looked up from my own papers I had been sorting through from my place on the armchair, "Nopony to blame but yourself for that one, Sunny," I teased her.

"Oh bite me."

"Maybe later," I said with a smirk before I flicked one ear in thought, "Actually, there is something I want to talk to you two about."

"Oh?" Twilight asked, "What's on your mind?"

I motioned for her and she jumped off her chair, crossing over to jump onto the couch next to Sunset, "I have been discussing things with Luna," I said, "And I have a surprise for you two."

Sunset pushed herself up to sit, "Surprise, What sort of surprise?"

"An all paid month long vacation to the finest hotel at Manehattan," I said with a smile, "Top floor suite."

Twilight's jaw dropped. Whatever she had been expecting, it was not that, "What?"

"You two deserve time off," I said, "And other than short trips for holidays to Canterlot or the Crystal Empire, you two haven't had a real break since we founded Nocturnis."

"Wait," Sunset asked, "You're not coming with?"

I shook my head with a smile, "I have had plenty of breaks. You two haven't and in addition to that, you two deserve more time together."

They exchanged a glance before Sunset spoke up again, "Page, we can't just leave you running this place on your own."

"I have Flower, Spicy Pepper, Starlight, Midnight, Fluttershy, Tempest and dozens and dozens of ponies helping me," I said a bit dryly, "I think I'll manage a month and a half."

"A month and a half? I thought you said a month?"

I nodded, "Month and a half including travel time," before I smirked, "Actually, keep arguing and I'll increase it another week."

They were quiet for a moment before Twilight sighed, "...It would actually be nice with a bit of a break," she admitted, "Could visit my parents on the way there."

Sunset quickly looked at her before she nodded, "...So... room service?"

I nodded, "Most definitely. I'm told they have the best masseurs in the city too. Minotaurs, I think."

Twilight hesitated, "Not arguing, but how much will this cost?"

"No worries, got it well in hoof," I said before I flicked an ear a bit hesitantly, "...Actually, I said I'd pay but Luna wouldn't have it. She's using her bits for it."

"Alright," Sunset agreed, "We'll go. After the next rain period everything should start calm down a bit and we might be abl-"

I smiled, "The train leaves in two days. Same one Rarity, Rainbow, Pinkie and AJ is going back on."

Twilight gasped, "Two days! I can't leave in two days! I have potions for the guard that won't be read-"

"Which I have already discussed with Midnight, she has agreed to finish them," I interrupted her, "And before any of you ask, Yes, I have thought of that too. I asked Flower to check your schedules three months out and we have talked to everypony that needed talking to."

Sunset frowned at me, "Do we have a choice here?"

I frowned at her in turn, "You absolutely do. You can choose to go on a vacation you very much deserve and will enjoy or you can stay here being bored for the next month and a half. And make me sad."

Sunset shook her head, "That's pretty manipulative of you, wing boy."

Smiling I nodded, "Says the mare that was in on the plan to set me up with Celestia," I teased, "Besides, how else would I be able to get you two to take some time off?"

"I need to pack! I need to make lists!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Nope," I said with a smile, "Only thing you need, Sparks, is to be on that train in two days. Everything will be provided for you, it's all been arranged already."

"But what ab-"

"Including a list of interesting things to see in the city, a list of all interesting lectures on the university you may wish to sit in on as well as the programs for each major and minor museum or play open in the city," I reassured her.

Twilight glared at me, "You have thought about everything, haven't you?"

I smirked, "I can be pretty smart when I want to," I agreed, "So?"

She sighed, her wings relaxing before she looked at Sunset. Sunset nodded, "We'll go."

"I would have appreciated a bit more warning," Twilight agreed, "...But that does sound very nice."

"Excellent!"

"Are you sure you're not coming with?" Sunset asked, one ear flicking back.

I nodded, "Somepony needs to stay and mind the fort," I said, "And like I said, you two deserve time for just you two. You were together before I got involved in things."

Twilight jumped off the couch and crossed over to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you."

Smiling, I gave her a small nuzzle in turn, "You deserve it and so much more. I just wish I could do more."

She blushed slightly, "I...I do kinda need to go talk to Midnight," she admitted.

I nodded and touched my horn gently to hers, "No yelling because she didn't tell you."

Sparks shook her head, "Just need to fill her in on some stuff she needs to know to do while we're away," she said before she smiled, "This will be so much fun!" she exclaimed before heading for the door.

Sunset slipped off the couch and rounded around, jumping onto the chair next to me and leaned against me.

I smiled and slipped my wing around her, "I did good?"

"You did very good," she admitted and then whispered into my ear.

Oh my.

I apparently did very good indeed.

 

[Hiver]

Life went on in the village below.

I looked out over it from the throne room, some papers laying on my throne behind me from before and for once, I was alone. The last audience had already come and gone. Flower had left for admin land, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Somewhere I didn't particularly want to be right now.

Sunny and Sparks were leaving for their vacation in six hours or so, so I had taken a short night to spend some time with them, but the papers I got from Tight Bit after our meeting a couple of nights ago was...

...We were doing worse than I had thought.

We weren't out of money and the fact that we now grew a lot of food to complement what we could harvest and import helped a lot, but we were still bleeding heavily from other imports and the wood, fruit and other goods we did export didn't cover it. Especially with the payment to the throne on our loans.

That was before we even talked about taxes! Sure, my ponies paid taxes to Nocturnis but none of it went on to the rest of Equestria. As a new colony, we had fifteen years before they would start collecting to help us build up.

That time was coming, not fast, but it was coming. If our economy still looked like this when it did, it'd kill the town.

I knew none of my ponies were rich.

Buck, as far as I knew I only had a thousand bits to my name and that was still more than 99% of ponies living in Nocturnis. The income from the royal guard training outpost helped a lot, they brought bits straight into ponies pockets and boosted local businesses, but they also caused a lot of headaches and friction.

Maybe this entire thing had been a bad idea from the start.

Sure, all I would need to do was ask and Luna and Celestia could prop the village up forever, but that felt wrong.

Did I really buck up that badly with this place? Should I just have made a village closer to Canterlot?

Would ponies have been better off if I just left things as is?

They wouldn't be happy, but at least they wouldn't be stuck in a jungle, slowly getting poorer. What more, I wouldn't be able to get a straight answer from any of them!

If I asked if it was worth it, it would just be 'of course it is, your majesty!'

Because I was a bucking alicorn. I didn't ask to be an alicorn, I didn't ask to be a bucking prince and I definitely didn't ask to be up in charge of anything!

I could barely take care of myself! That's why I relied on Flower so much.

Maybe a survey?

No, that won't work, it'll be official. They'll just say everything's great.

I sighed, leaning against the pillar. I tried to take walks around the village, meet ponies, talk to them. But they all treated me like...

Royalty.

Like ponies treating Celestia or Luna.

What I needed was to find out what the regular bat thought and felt, what their concerns, worries and hopes were. If I knew that, maybe I could come up with a way for us out of this. Normally I would talk to Sparks and Sunny, they're both smarter than me, but they're going on vacation.

I'm not putting this on their backs just before they are set to leave.

I'll talk to Celestia, she'll know better than anypony what to do. And Midnight, she's as smart as Sparks for obvious reasons.

But bucking damn it, things would be a lot easier if ponies would just talk to me like I was a regular po-

A thought struck me and my ears went straight up.

A regular pony.

I needed to talk to Midnight. Spreading my wings, I jumped off the balcony and banked, turning and flying down across to her and Sparks lab. Landing on the balcony, I looked at the signal on the wall.

It was not turned to red, so it should be safe to enter. I knocked anyway, "Midnight?"

The door opened and she blinked at me in surprise, "Page? I would have thought for sure you'd spend the rest of the night with Twi and Sunset."

"I am, but I want to run something by you real quick. I have an idea, I need you to tell me I'm being dumb."

I told her.

She blinked at me, "...A necklace that make you look like a regular batpony so you can pretend to be a new arrival and see first hoof the difficulties of the normal ponies?"

I nodded, "Correct. We'll come up with some excuse why I'm missing. Like... I'll spend a week doing special alicorn meditation or something in seclusion. You can run court while I'm away."

Midnight looked hesitant, "I don't know if this is a good idea, Page."

"Why?"

"Well, for one thing Twi will staple my ears to the floor if you get hurt and don't have your guards along," Midnight pointed out, tapping a hoof against the floor.

"It'll be fine, Amber and Thorax can keep an eye on me without being spotted," I reassured her, "And I don't want Sparks or Sunny worried, I want them to focus on their vacation. Besides, I'm not going to do anything dangerous. After coming back from the train, I'm not going to leave the village or shield."

Midnight hesitated, "Maybe."

"Can you make the necklace?" I asked, "I can't hold an illusion for that long, especially while asleep. And I need it quick, I want to be able to pretend to have gotten off the train when it leaves this morning."

"Don't want much, do you?" she asked with a frown.

I shrugged, "...So? What do you think? Dumb or not?"

Midnight sighed, "I can see the value," she admitted reluctantly, "I don't like it, but I can see the value. Alright, I'll help. Go spend time with Twi and Sunset, I'll do some research and meet you by the train when they leave."

I gave her a quick hug, "Thanks Midnight, you're the best."

She shook her head but hugged back, "You're a good pony, Page," she said and then let go, "Now get going, I have a lot of work to do."

I left.

 

[Hiver]

I smiled at Sparks, "Now, remember to try to actually get some relaxing done as well. No need for a full schedule of events."

That earned me a look from Sparks, but Sunset smiled, "Don't worry, I won't let her," she said before her ears perked up, "And they are finishing the loading. We should get going."

I nodded and gave them each a soft kiss, "And remember, have fun."

Twilight kissed back, "We will," she agreed, "Miss you."

"Miss you too, Sparks," I said and then winked, "But we can always meet you know where."

"See you there," Sunset said and then pulled Twilight alone, "They're waiting for us!"

"And I need to get going too," I said and waved before I wrapped myself in a teleport and suddenly I was in one of the underground shelters at the train station.

Midnight, Amber, Thorax, Spike and Talon were already there.

"Okay," I said, "We need to move quickly. Everypony knows the plan?"

"Got it, sir," Amber agreed and green fire flowed across her and suddenly there was a second Blank Page facing me. I blinked at her and looked her up and down. Do I really look like that?

"And this is for you," Midnight said as she approached, "This is still a bad idea, mind you."

I smiled, "But it's going to work, right?"

"Yes," she grumbled, "Most likely," and floated a small metal stud from a box, "This will transform you to look like a batpony fully. It will be a physical transformation, but you'll still be an alicorn beneath so you'll have your magic. Don't want to risk this on an illusion."

I eyed the metal stud, "...I thought we talked about illusion and necklace. I know how you Sparkles are about transfiguration magic..."

That earned me a glare, "You asked me, remember? I can pick where I put this, it can be ear, tongue or somewhere else. So feel free to keep talking."

I shut up.

Somepony woke up on the wrong side of bed this evening. Midnight is as scary as Sparks when angry.

"Anyway, it's not quite the same as transfiguration," she explained and it floated out of my field of view and there was a sharp pain through my right ear.

I managed to keep quiet, but that stung!

A cold sensation flowed through and across me and suddenly I was looking up at her. I must have shrunk at least a hoof in height!

She took a sponge and dripped some sort of potion at it before dabbing it at my ear, "There," she said, "Should stop hurting in ten minutes or so. A necklace could have gotten snagged somewhere and revealed the entire thing."

"Here's the bags," Spike said, carrying a pair of worn looking saddle bags over to me, "Your name is Night Wind, goes by Night. You're from a small village on the other side of the Everfree forest named 'Waterdeep'. We haven't gotten any ponies moving in here from there yet or even from the general area."

I slipped the bags over my back and looked at myself.

Batpony stallion of average height, grey coat, black mane, amber slitted eyes. An open book cutiemark.

"...How in the world did you fake my cutiemark, I thought that was impossible," I asked.

"Complicated, and it's not faked. Just a lensing effect of intent. Now get going, thirty seconds!"

I nodded firmly, "Thank you!"

I focused on my magic to wrap myself in a teleport field. Time to see if I was still an alicorn!

Sure enough, the air before my forehead took on a familiar golden glow and I reappeared in the bathroom of one of the last passenger carts.

I took a deep breath, wanted ten seconds listening hard before I exited and jumped off the train, just as it started to move again. I landed easily on the train station, ears turning as I looked around.

"Welcome to Nocturnis!" somepony said and I looked over towards an approaching earth pony guard wearing the unicorn of the Nocturnis guard. For an earth pony, he wasn't especially big, about the size of Applejack actually.

"H-hi..." I said, taking a hesitant step back.

He stopped and smiled at me, "Relax. I'm Mashed Potato. Call me Pot. New arrival?"

I nodded, "Night Wind. Go by Night," I answered and blinked at him, "...Feels strange."

Potato nodded understandingly, "Got decursed by the Princess?"

"Yes, sir."

"You're walking after a couple of minutes, that's better than most. Must have gotten one of the weaker curses. You'll do fine," he said with a smile, "Come on, let's get you to the office and get you registered."

I paused, "...Registered?"

Potato nodded, "Just procedure. Need to know who moves to the village and all. It'll set you up with a place at the loft and a small starting stipend."

"Oh."

"Do you have any family in town already?" he asked as I started to follow him towards the small building at one side of the train station.

I shook my head, "No family. Just me."

He nodded, "Not uncommon," he admitted, "Here we go," he said with a smile and pulled the door open for me, "I'll wait outside."

"Thank you," I said and walked inside. It was late, the first rays of the sun starting to filter in through the high window and the mare by the desk looked sleepy. That quickly went away when she saw me however,

"Oh! A new arrival!" she said, her bat wings rising as she smiled.

I paused and stared at her. I had seen enough new arrivals to know that was the right reaction. Many bats that arrived had never seen another bat that wasn't a parent before. Seeing another of their kind, especially of the other sex had to be an experience.

She didn't seem to mind at all, just smiling at me, "I'm Cherry Blossom," she said and brushed her mane back with a hoof, "And you?"

"Oh, sorry!" I quickly said and glanced away, "I'm Night Wind. I-I'm new."

Blossom nodded, "Welcome to Nocturnis. You're the only one this time?"

I nodded, "Yeah," I said and moved to sit down on the chair she directed me towards.

She smiled, "Let's get you registered then. Possibly tonight, you might get to meet Prince Page. He likes meeting all the new arrivals if possible."

I slowly nodded, "I see."

She got some papers together, "Alright Night Wind... previous place of living?"

"Waterdeep."

"Family?"

I shook my head, "...No."

Blossom's smile turned a bit sad, "I understand. Occupation?"

"I was a technical writer. I'm not sure that works out here," I admitted.

Blossom shrugged, "You never know," she said and put it down, "And that's pretty much what we need!"

I looked at her in surprise, "What, really?"

"Yes," she said, "This is mostly a census so we know how many and which ponies we have in town and to get you registered for a place to stay. There is a waiting time for somewhere private unless you build it yourself, but there is plenty of space on the loft to hang your tail. The guard will bring you to the village and show you where you can stay. Tomorrow somepony from the welcoming office will come and meet you and show you around, get you signed up with the employment office. See if we can't find something that fits you."

Slowly nodding, I met her eyes, "Thank you."

Blossom smiled at me and jumped off her chair to round her desk. She gently put her hoof against my shoulder as she looked into my eyes, "Welcome to Nocturnis. You're free now."

 

[Hiver]

I blinked awake, looking across the small room at the wooden wall. The small glassless window revealed the final rays of the sun as they cast across the room.

I was at the loft, the temporary living place for ponies that arrived with nowhere else to stay. It wasn't much, but it did give every pony or every family that arrived a private room and a choice of cot or perch.

It was very bare bones. Mostly a wooden box, some simple furnishing. The only real decoration was a map of the village on the wall, pointing out the important places.

There was a knock on the door and I blinked sleepily before letting go with my tail, spreading my wings and landing on my hooves on the floor before moving to open it, finding a rather cute batpony outside.

"Night Wind?" Fluttershy asked with a smile, "Good evening. My name is Fluttershy, I'm going to be your guide today."

I blinked at her. I didn't expect Fluttershy! I knew she was in the pool of guide ponies, but there were like twenty ponies there!

"L-Lady Fluttershy!"

She smiled at me, "No need for that, I'm just Fluttershy," she said, "Are you hungry?"

"A bit," I admitted, "I don't have many bits..."

"Don't worry about it," she said, "Come along."

I followed, walking next to her, "Where are we going?"

"Feeding hall," she explained, "Anypony that's hungry can go there for food if they have nothing else. It's nothing fancy, mostly they provide local fruits and sometimes a bit of meat if there has been a recent hunt. If you are a day pony, they also provide you with grain as they need it to stay healthy."

"We don't need grain?" I asked as I slowly nodded, "And we eat meat?"

Fluttershy nodded with a smile, "We don't need grain. But we do actually need a bit of meat in our diet to stay healthy. I know it might sound like a lot to get used to, but it's actually easier than you think."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, most eat mostly fruit, meats expensive. When you start to earn bits, there is the market with different foods, both imported and home grown such as rice."

Looking around as we walked along one of the bridges between trees, lights came on around in places around the village as my eyes quickly adapted to the gathering darkness as she led me to the feeding hall.

It was a different converted bunkhouse at the next tree over. She led me inside, "Here we are," she said before waving at an earth pony unloading a cart of fruit onto a large table, "Hey Steady. What do we have today?"

Steadfast smiled at her, "Sky Melons, Fluttershy. All you can eat. Newcomer?" she asked, looking at me.

Fluttershy nodded, "This is Night Wind. Night Wind, this is Steadfast, she is usually the pony running this place. She goes around to the harvesters and merchants to gather what they can spare."

Steady smiled at me, "And today, Sky Melons. Ever had one?"

I shook my head, "I heard about them... I think they sell them in Canterlot? Expensive."

"Expensive in Canterlot. Here they grow commonly," she said and shrugged slightly, "Think a giant blueberry and you're not far off. Anyway, I need to go see what else I can scare up. Enjoy!"

Steady left and I slowly approached the table, picking one up with a hoof.

Fluttershy walked up next to me and did the same before slamming one side of it against the edge of the table, cracking it before she pulled it apart to get to the insides, "Like this?"

I copied her.

Soon we were both eating. I really should eat more skymelon, they were really good. Wonder why we don't get them much at the castle?

"Many eat here?" I ask her as more ponies start to file in.

Fluttershy nodded, "Most ponies eat here at least a couple of meals a week. Nopony in Nocturnis is very rich and food can be expensive, especially if you're a daypony and need imported goods. If you're saving money for something like new tools or something like it, you get really familiar with this place."

I looked down at my half eaten skymelon. These were the ponies that had pooled bits to commission me a silver crown.

"I see," I said as I got my emotions back under control, "Speaking of jobs, where can I find one? Could I start applying to places?"

Fluttershy smiled, "We're actually more organized than that. Once we eaten, we'll go to the employment office. There you'll get your starting stipend and we'll see what jobs are available. When somepony need a pony to work, they register it with the employment office who finds ponies that can do the job."

"And there might be one for me?"

She nodded, "We're always looking for ponies, there are always more jobs that need doing than there are ponies, so don't worry. There's going to be some way for you to earn bits."

"What about a place to stay? The loft is comfortable and all, but..."

Fluttershy nodded, "A place of your own is always nicer," she agreed, "That may take a while I'm afraid, especially as a single pony. We're building as fast as we can, but new places are first come first serve and families have priority."

"Makes sense," I agreed.

Fluttershy smiled at me and actually shot me a wink, "On the other hoof, you're a single stallion. I don't expect that to last for long around here."

Was Fluttershy flirting with me?

Wow, she really has changed since she moved here. Old Fluttershy even five years ago would have spontaneously combusted at the very idea.

I felt the inside of my ears turn a bit red and I focused on my meal.


########


"And here we are," Fluttershy said and led the way into a building and over to an unicorn, "Lights Dawn, this is Night Wind. He's a new arrival. We're looking to register for the stipend and for employment."

Lights Dawn nodded to me. She was an older unicorn with grey mane and almost but not quite white coat. I remember when she arrived in Nocturnis, apparently to support her bat pony granddaughter.

"Welcome to Nocturnis," she said and shuffled some papers around, "Ah, where we go. Night Wind, origin of Waterdeep. Trade, technical writer?"

I nodded and moved to sit down on the chair as she motioned for me, "Correct, ma'am."

She lit her horn and pulled out a drawer, picked out a small pouch and put it on the desk, "Your new arrival stipends fifty bits. You have food and board at the loft and feedhall, this is for essential items you may be missing."

"Understood, ma'am."

Lights Dawn studied me for several moments, "Technical writer?" she finally asked.

"Yes, ma'am. I understand that might not be in demand here, but I have done other things growing up. I helped out on the farms around home, some for extra bits."

She made a thoughtful sound, "What do you think about working in a shop?" she asked, "How are you with numbers?"

"I know several of them."

Apparently, she had left her sense of humor behind when she moved to Nocturnis, so she simply nodded, "The alternative would be harvesting or woodcutting, those are most in demand right now and I do not think you have the physique for those. Perhaps fruit harvesting."

"I would like to try the shop work, ma'am," I suggested, "I've done so once or twice before". That would be perfect anyway, allowing me to talk with so many ponies.

She pushed her glasses a bit further onto her nose, "Very well, we'll give it a try," she said and moved to get a paper, "Take this," she said and handed it over to me, "Present this to Iron Brand, he runs the general store."

I took it and the little bag of bits, putting both into my bag, "Yes, ma'am."

Lights Dawn finally cracked a small smile, "And welcome to Nocturnis. Don't worry, this is just to get you back onto your hooves. You're not forced to work anywhere, if it does not work out, just come back here and I'll see if I can find you something else. Or find it on your own."

I nodded, "I will, ma'am. Thank you."