Big adventure, tons of fun! A beautiful heart, faithful and strong!

[letteropener]

Who: Princess Celestia, and whoever comes to greet a pony.
Where: Isla Empieza, the statue.
When: October 6th.
What: Advised to read the fountain, Celestia just does that.
Warnings: Only what you bring. She's a pony princess, c'mon.
Style: I'll match your responses.
Status: Incredibly open.



Some days just don't go quite right.

In the Town Square, regarding the statue with its prophetic writings, stood an alicorn. She held her wings half-spread in a regal display state, and her horn shone with a golden light that mirrors the orb she's conjured to better throw the faded words on the statue into relief.

Between this and the journal, she could only guess what was afoot...

"...Have I stumbled into a Daring Do novel somehow?"

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the magic winged unicorn could talk. And did, to herself, it seemed.

Comments

[thewatchdogswife]

Ah, I understand. Yes, looking at it that way it fits better.

[In that regard, the inscription is indeed as little clear as the welcome letter.]

Maybe the one who wants the gem can't assemble it by themselves? Though that hardly explains why would we be brought here when there are clearly many inhabitants in this place.

[letteropener]

If that is true, than either they will take the gem before we can make our request of it, or the gem holds some sort of power or value outside of its ability, and thus we must consider if it is acceptable to allow it to fall into the hands of whoever wishes it.

This is, of course, very long-term thinking, and not terribly relevant to us at this stage. But it is something to keep in mind.

[thewatchdogswife]

Certainly, that could be another possibility. Hmm...

[She checks the inscription again.]

I don't think I see anything there that instructs that the gem can only grant one wish. Am I reading it wrong?

[Maybe she's overlooking it or misunderstanding something, but the words of the other have made him consider it.]

If the gem was to not lose its power after granting our request, they could very well just let us have our wish and then claim the gem for themselves once we're gone.

[letteropener]

[Celestia nods. Read carefully, the inscription does allow for that interpretation...] It can also be interpreted as the act of reassembling the gem, rather than the gem itself, is what allows our wish to be granted. It is very ambiguous, and that is both deliberate and cheering.

[thewatchdogswife]

That's true, though since it speaks of the gem being of great power and then mentions that it's split, don't you think that leans more towards the gem being too powerful and having been split to keep that power sealed?

[Elizabeth looks again at the inscription and sighs.]

I can't say that I have experience with magic, at least not on this level, all I know about are magic tricks and performances. This all truly feels as if belonging to a novel, don't you agree, Miss-...

[And now she realizes that she never introduced herself or asked the other for her name.]

Oh! Forgive my manners! I should have introduced myself earlier, shouldn't I? My name's Elizabeth Midford, it's a pleasure to meet you.

[She offers a curtsy, ashamed at her display. She had promised herself to be a proper lady and strong, yet at the first sight of something beautiful she forgets her manners again.]

[letteropener]

[Celestia returns the bow with a smile, spreading her wings.]

I am Princess Celestia. But please don't think yourself rude, or feel as if you must stand on manners. I get quite enough of that at home.

[Rising from the bow, she half-mantles her wings again. Celestia adopts a regal display posture unconsciously, the product of countless years of practice.]

As regards the inscription, we could surely come up with theories all day if we wished. That is why it is important we not only mind the quest it calls us to, but seek the reasons why.

[thewatchdogswife]

[Even if she says so, Elizabeth can't help to be shocked and further embarrassed at her manners when dealing with a princess. Horse or not, royalty is royalty. She will try to be more mindful of her manners from now on, without being overly polite given the princess' request.]

It's an honour to meet you, your Majesty. To think that whoever bring us here would even dare to do so with a princess... I'm terribly sorry.

[Whoever is responsible really has no limits on who to bring.]

Certainly, it's specially questionable due to how we're brought here. I, myself, have sailing experience, but only in the manner of a passenger. I would think I am a wrong choice for this kind of quest.

[letteropener]

Oh, I don't mind learning how to sail. [Even at her age, there are many things she hasn't done, and learning a new one honestly excites her a little.] I know something of the working of airships, but as with you, only as a passenger. And I doubt water ships are quite the same.

It is a pity... [She spreads her wings slightly, casting them a somber look.] Normally I wouldn't need vehicles, but I dare not get myself lost on a world I'm unfamiliar with.

[thewatchdogswife]

I do not mind learning either, though I would lie if I said that manual work is something I favor, I have not been raised in a way that would make me despise it. Or be unable to perform it under the right instruction. I have never seen an airship, though, but would not the main difference be that one is only subjected to air, while the other is subjected to sea currents as well?

[She's not aware of wind currents, or even how an airship could sail, honestly. But this is a princess unicorn talking, she's not going to waste time question how it would even be possible.

Elizabeth can't help but gasp in delight and awe as Celestia spreads her wings, marveling at the sight. She truly is a gorgeous being.]

It is quite understandable, your Majesty. I would not dare to do so either myself, specially on my own.

[That brings her to pause for a moment before she looks at the princess again.]

I don't think you have found others from your homeland here, right?

[letteropener]

I have not. That, coupled with seeing nopony else besides your kind, leads me to believe there may be no other ponies here.

[Celestia... well, certainly doesn't mind humans, nor judge them, but being the lone pony in a sea of humans is certainly a different feeling.]

Nor does the world seem built for ponies. This will take some adaptation.

[thewatchdogswife]

That's horrible! In my land there are ponies, but I'm afraid none of them can talk, at least not human language.

[She pauses at that, there's a thought there.]

Now that I think of it, isn't it strange? I'm sure I can understand everyone around here, being in another land I would have expected there to be language difficulties, but everyone seems to talk in English, despite no one knowing what England is.

[At least it sounds English for her.]

Whoever brings us here really should have a better sense! If they are going to bring you here like this, at least they should make sure that you don't have even more difficulties than humans have upon arriving here. It's an unfair treatment, even more so since you're a princess!

[Elizabeth pouts, even if she knows there's nothing that can be changed or done that way. It's certainly unfair, though. If Celestia is expected to do just as humans then the world should be adapted so she only has the same level of difficulties as humans, not more.]

[letteropener]

[She is entirely right about the language issue, but Celestia has nothing to contribute on that notion except acknowledgement. Instead, she chooses the latter point to speak on.]

Can you imagine a way in which a world could be perfectly adapted for both ponykind and your kind? I think that a balance in the middle would inconvenience both. Besides, just because I will need to adapt does not mean I will be greatly put out by it. I still have my wings and my magic, after all.