File: 1343172765682.png (579.6 KB, 1800x1550, 1342582138501.png)
No.52123
Posting this ahead of schedule just to get it up here, don't panic.
Previously, on Luna “Quest:”
Backstory!
You grumpily awoke in an infirmary, breaking the magic restraints through panicked willpower, also throwing Shining into a wall as he attempted to physically restrain you. After some quick diplomacy from Celestia, you reached an understanding and you were brought to the royal gardens, where they found you days prior.
No clues were found as to how or exactly when you arrived, though it was revealed Luna herself found you while prowling the royal grounds one night.
Luna herself seems to be pleased you are alright and recovering, though she cites that it's merely her duty.
After a brief dinner a plan was established: You are to take lessons from the Princesses themselves on reading and Equestrian culture so that you may choose where to go and be able to provide for yourself once all is said and done.
After a brief history lesson from the pair of guards who guard your chamber, you observed Luna raising the moon, a quiet grace about her despite the immense power she was wielding to move the moon in such a manner. You had a brief recollection of some childhood desires, and were happy to share them with Luna when she surprised you with a balcony visit.
She reinforced her belief that she thinks you'll fit into Equestrian society just fine, and that someday they might find you a way home.
The night ended on that optimistic note, and you went to sleep in preparation for your training that begins today.
No.52150
>>52123
You awake to a persistent knocking on your bedroom chambers, a gruff voice calling for you to get up as you rub your eyes and yawn.
“Rise and shine, student. Princess Celestia awaits your presence in the dining hall. Oh, and here,” he says, opening the door slightly and tossing a roped bundle into the room with a soft thud, “some new clothes for you. Princess says we'll get you fitted for some better ones after your breakfast. Now hustle! Don't want to keep her waiting.”
The door closes with a click as you get out of bed and check out the bundle, setting it on the bed and untying the thin, knotted rope that holds it together. Within the sack paper the rope surrounded is a set of garments, similar to the white ones you wore yesterday, but a dark, royal purple instead.
You hastily put these new clothes on, finding that they fit a little better, though are still fairly baggy in the torso. When your pants threaten to fall, you make a sort of belt from the rope the clothes were wrapped in. After pulling it taught and giving a testing jig, you determine it'll have to do for now.
You exit the room and the guards take position, one in front of you and one behind, as the forward guard leads the way to the castle's dining hall.
No.52151
File: 1343175185747.png (345.93 KB, 500x600, 1341717979639.png)
IT'S HAPPENING
No.52155
File: 1343175252890.png (69.96 KB, 320x320, Bel Paese.png)
No.52175
>>52153
>>52156
>>52160
>>52161
[Total: 10]
A gentle laugh that reminds you of a warm summer's day rings through the hall, causing you to stop eating and look at the Princess, who has a hoof over her mouth in a vain attempt to stifle her laughter.
"I'm sorry, You just look terribly uncomfortable trying to eat like that. We'll get to some modified etiquette lessons later. Please, for now,
don't try to imitate how I eat."
With a final laugh she resumes eating her food, a smile delicately crossing her features.
"Well, at least she's smiling," you think to yourself, even as your cheeks burn scarlet.
After breakfast Celestia guides you to a small room filled with book cases
and some rather comfy looking chairs, motioning for you to sit as she finds whatever it is she's looking for. "Aha, here we are," she says as she pulls a book from a low shelf, carrying it in the air with her magic as she takes a seat next to you. "We'll begin with some children's tales, and I'll help you pick out which letters have which pronunciations as we go along."
We can skip these lessons and just summarize them if you'd prefer to focus on other things.
[Roll 1d10, first 5 rolls taken]
No.52191
>>52175
>>52176
>>52178
>>52179
>>52180
>>52181
[Total: 40]
The reading goes fairly slowly at first as you ask how to pronounce literally everything. Celestia displays her exceptional experience, happily and soothingly answering your questions and reading sentences aloud for you. It rapidly becomes apparent that the pronunciations of these letters are the same as how you speak, they just appear different. It boils down to memorizing new appearances for letters you think you once knew, which is made easier by the fact you can't really remember what the old ones looked like. Sort of makes you wonder how you can remember to speak at all, though the feeling is fleeting.
After an hour Celestia closes the children's book, nodding her head and smiling brightly at you. "You're getting the hang of it already! Very good, my student. Here, I'll let you take this book back to your quarters for you to read. It's a short one, only about a hundred pages, and I expect you to tell me what the story is about tomorrow if you can. If you have problems understanding something or get stuck, let me know tomorrow and we can work on any specific problems you're having."
She rises from her cushioned seat, her wings briefly flaring as though stretching, before making her way into the hall. You follow behind her quickly, "Is…is that all for today?"
Celestia smiles and shakes her head, "No, of course not. But with your quick understanding of our writing system, I believe we can focus on other things. Come with me."
She leads the way to an art gallery, filled with paintings of very important looking individuals. A brief history lesson follows, and you listen intently as Celestia explains the most recent events and who the ponies in the paintings are.
It's hard to keep track of all the information, but when Celestia is convinced you have a rudimentary understanding another hour later, she decides that's enough for today.
"I don't want to overload you, and I have some royal business I must be about. While I suggest you do your reading as soon as you can, I
understand you may have some interest in wandering about the castle grounds. My guards have been instructed to ensure your safety, and that you don't leave the castle for the time being. If you'd like, I believe Captain Shining Armor offered to teach you some rudimentary defense techniques, though they'll likely have to be changed due to your stature. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Celestia gives a slight bow of her head, causing you to bow to her in return, and she wanders away at a steady pace, leaving you to yourself for the time being.
No.52229
>>52191
>>52192
>>52193
>>52194
>>52195
You decide learning how to defend yourself, whether against pony or….whatever else there might be out here, seems like a good idea. You wander your way back to your room, always under the watchful eyes of at least two guards, put your book on the dresser, and ask your door guards if they could take you to Shining Armor.
"Call him Captain," the gruff one says, causing the other to crack a small smile, the first emotion you've seen either of them show on their faces.
"Yeah, just Captain. Might rub him the wrong way if you call him Captain Armor."
"Not my fault that's his position and name combination," the gruff one says, snorting loudly in apparent frustration. He grumbles something about "Captain Shiny," under his breath as he leads the way towards the training grounds.
You arrive to find a few guards in golden armor hitting pony shaped mannequins with those spears you keep seeing them with. One or two are using magic on targets, similar to archers firing down range. Meanwhile, a certain white stallion in shining purple armor trots behind the others, observing and shouting encouragement or instruction where needed.
All activity pauses as you enter the grounds, the various guards observing you with curiosity, a few murmuring to their neighbor as Shining Armor approaches you.
"Well, if it isn't the new student. You here to take me up on those lessons I told Princess Celestia about?"
You nod, and he whistles for another guard to come over. This guard seems…nervous.
"Alright, this here is one of my rookies. He needs to learn basic minotaur handling skills, and you're close enough. Help him out and we'll get you some kind of idea on how to keep yourself in one piece. Deal?"
No.52272
>>52229
>>52245
Everyone on the grounds stops what they're doing as Shining Armor visibly stiffens. The rookie that was standing beside him has suddenly vanished, and the guards that were escorting you take a step back.
Shining Armor takes a deep breath, his nostrils flaring as he crouches, pointing his horn at you.
"Alright new guy, lesson one; You will address me as Captain, and nothing else."
A purple glow permeates his horn as the guards behind you take another set of steps backwards.
"Lesson two; Unicorns can use magic. And you can't just get lucky and throw it!"
Shining fires a bolt of energy, right at you!
[Roll 1d10, first 5 rolls taken]
>>52273,
>>52274,
>>52275,
>>52276,
>>52277,
>>52279,
>>52280,
>>52282,
>>52286,
>>52289,
>>52294 No.52322
File: 1343180021500.gif (803.67 KB, 700x394, Badum Tss GIF.gif)
>>52314
No.52325
File: 1343180131143.jpg (39.95 KB, 187x186, 1276143803713.jpg)
>>52324
No.52329
>>52289
>>52294
With a curse and reflexes you weren't aware you had, you throw yourself to the side, putting your hands over your head as you wait for the inevitable blast of energy to hit you.
Instead, you hear something whistle just overhead, followed quickly by a pained yelp and a thud. The clattering of armor and hooves sounds as you open your eyes and look about.
One of the guards who was practicing his spear work is now on the ground convulsing, surrounded by his fellow guards save for your escort and Shining himself who all look at the poor downed guard in shock.
"Hey, someone get him to the infirmary!" Your gruff escort member shouts at the group of soldiers around the injured stallion, "Pegasi, NOW!"
Two pegasi salute quickly, grabbing their comrade after stripping him of armor before taking off, each one holding an end of the soldier as they hover him towards the recovery room.
Meanwhile, the other guard of yours is talking with Shiny, asking him what he was thinking.
They hash it out, citing regulations you don't understand as your gruff escort gets increasingly agitated.
>>52333,
>>52334,
>>52335,
>>52336,
>>52338,
>>52340,
>>52341,
>>52342,
>>52343,
>>52345,
>>52346,
>>52348,
>>52350,
>>52367 No.52367
>>52329
At a loss, you ask your remaining escort what's going on. His response
is gripping his spear, and you swear you hear it crack under the strain.
"Oh, he's saying he's got the right to use whatever punishment he deems right for insulting a ranking officer. Golden here is trying to tell him it ain't right without just getting in his face about it, like I would." He grits his teeth, "All this because he can't take a joke."
"Uh, pardon?"
"Don't think I don't know you overheard my grumbling earlier. I once called him Captain Shiny after someone over polished his armor and he was brighter than a darned beacon. Latrine duty for two weeks after a sparring match, which I would've won if his armor hadn't blinded me. He doesn't take kindly to being called that, for whatever reason. No sense of humor."
"Then he goes and uses a basic incapacitation spell like that, in an area chalk full of his own men! Disgraceful!" he continues, stamping a hind hoof in frustration.
"Sir, no, you need to calm down!" Your other guard, Golden?, is trying to get Shining to cool his head in the meantime.
Rolled 5 = 5
No.52373
File: 1343180933984.png (154.91 KB, 293x350, le third wheel face.png)
>>52367
Wink at Shining and pull this face
Then we head to our soon-to-be-waifu
Seriously, apologise to him, we didn't know. But don't overdo it, he overreacted like mad. Thank our guards for being bros
No.52438
>>52367
"ENOUGH!"
The courtyard falls silent at the words of your escort, the one whose spear appears to be…bent, suddenly. The spear gets dropped as he walks to Shining and Golden, pointing a hoof at Shining and whispering something emphatically.
Shining has a brief look of outrage, before he takes a deep breath, exhales, and nods at your gruff companion. He then
nods to your other escort and motions for them to fall back in place at your side. He then motions for the other guards in the area to gather around, and removes his helmet, setting it to the side.
"Everyone, I want to apologize for my outburst. I…I've been on edge for a while, ever since the wedding, and I let it get to me. And our fellow soldier has paid the price for my impatience. I'm…sorry."
He takes a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing.
"But that is no excuse for my behavior. Especially to someone who didn't know, couldn't have known, how I'd react to that. So I'm going to relieve myself of instructing anyone for now and resign to my quarters until I can have a meeting with Princess Celestia about this. I'll avoid any further outbursts."
He points to your escort, "Golden. Bear. You two will be in charge of instructing him in any martial arts he wishes to undertake. You can use this area out here."
He looks you in the eye, the hint of anger still in his eyes, "I'm..sorry for my outburst. In the future, just call me Captain unless I say otherwise. That's all I ask."
With that, he salutes, the guard ponies around you doing the same, before he marches through them and into the castle.
>>52439,
>>52440,
>>52441,
>>52442,
>>52444,
>>52445,
>>52446,
>>52447,
>>52448,
>>52453,
>>52459 No.52459
>>52438
You feel pretty bad about pushing him into that, despite the fact you didn't know how he'd react, so you jog after him into the castle, your escort close behind and asking what you're doing.
When he's within
earshot you call out to him.
"Captain!"
He stops, turning and giving you an inquisitive look, the guards beside you giving similar expressions.
"What do you want?"
>>52460,
>>52461,
>>52462,
>>52463,
>>52465,
>>52466,
>>52467,
>>52468,
>>52469,
>>52471,
>>52473,
>>52477,
>>52485 No.52465
File: 1343182560435.png (209.82 KB, 471x345, 1338990137573.png)
>>52459
No.52507
>>52485
He turns fully around and walks up to you, a hoof pointed at your chest.
"No, it wasn't." He puts his hoof back on the ground and sighs once again, "But I shouldn't have acted like that. It was reckless and put one of my men in the infirmary. He'll be alright, but still."
He looks at you, his features relaxing a little bit, "Well, it's good to hear you admit to doing something wrong at least. And that was a snappy dodge back there," he suddenly scowls again, "but I still need to go cool off
for a bit. Maybe talk with Princess Celestia about some things."
He turns back around and begins to walk, only stopping to call back over his shoulder when he's halfway down the hall.
"And thanks, for apologizing. We can have a sparring match some other time. No magic. Maybe." And with that, he fades from view.
You turn around to see your escort standing near the exit to the training grounds, Golden smiling while Bear just looks a little less gruff than you've seen him be at your door side.
Before you can say anything, Golden motions towards the interior of the castle with his head, "Alright, c'mon, it's almost lunch time. Let's get you to the dining hall."
No.52525
File: 1343184131467.png (593.95 KB, 646x1152, BREAKING NEWS.png)
>>52511
There's sort of almost one. It's somewhat similar to ours.
>EXCLUSIEI!
No.52543
File: 1343184514104.jpg (22.8 KB, 322x271, n-no not the b-belt.jpg)
>>52541
>implying anyone here gets jokes anymore
No.52546
>>52524
>>52534
You go to apologize about the incident, but Golden just shakes his head.
"We heard you apologize to the Captain, that's good enough," he says through a mouthful of sandwich, "Though I dunno why you called him Shiny anyway."
"Doesn't matter," Bear says as he plates himself a large helping of apple pie, "Captains had a chip on his shoulder since our guest chucked him into the wall yesterday, which was hilarious by the way."
>>52530
Bear laughs at your question, "Time off? Pfffft, yeah, and I can cast magic out my-"
"What he means is, we're in the castle 24/7. We get breaks to drink some cider and sleep, but really that's it. We're patrolling constantly, or guarding doors in recent times," Golden interrupts.
>>52528
"So, why are you two guards? Have you always been guards?"
Bear rolls his eyes, "Look, let's not get into that, alright? Suffice to say, we're picked for certain abilities we possess."
Golden just nods and eats his sandwich one bite at a time.
"Well, why are you called Bear? You're a pony."
"Well y'see," Golden says with a smirk, "His real name is-"
There's a thud as Bear smacks his hoof against Golden's armored shoulder, making you jump a little. Golden just says, "Ow," and rubs his shoulder with his non sandwich holding hoof, a dopey grin on his face.
Bear gives you a stern look, "That's none of your business. You'll hear it from me if I care to tell ya, and nobody else. Got it?"
You and Golden nod, resuming eating your lunch.
No.52567
File: 1343185413374.jpg (49.13 KB, 303x340, manly bear.jpg)
>>52565
I got this.
No.52569
File: 1343185557009.jpg (30.12 KB, 533x558, gay_bears.jpg)
>>52567
That's a nice manly bear you got there.
No.52593
File: 1343186320772.jpg (97.93 KB, 800x1124, Questanon When Meeting Shining…)
>>52591
But…it's a Shiny button
No.52620
>>52570
"Met Captain Shining Armor today, talked to the guards, and read that book you assigned me. Mostly. Having problems with a few characters."
Celestia smiles, "Good! Luna can assist in clearing up any problems you have during your lesson tonight."
Luna nods before excusing herself from the table, leaving to perform her nightly ritual.
"I talked with Shining Armor," Celestia begins, causing you to swallow that bite of food you were chewing on nervously in anticipation of a scathing talking down. Instead, she just smiles. "While I don't advocate calling him nicknames, I'm glad that the two of you worked things out in the end. Shining Armor will be given some time off to hopefully relax. As for you, please, refrain from instigating my staff. You probably didn't mean to, but I'd like for us all to get along while you're here and learning."
>>52621,
>>52622,
>>52624,
>>52625,
>>52626,
>>52627,
>>52628,
>>52630,
>>52633,
>>52639,
>>52641 No.52641
>>52620
"Y-yes, Princess," you say, nodding your head.
Celestia smiles once again, "Don't feel too bad about it, this isn't the first time this has happened. Shining Armor will get over it in time."
Luna enters the room a few minutes later, apparently finished with her task. She stands beside you, telling Celestia she'll be taking you for your lesson. Celestia just waves a hoof while smiling, and Luna plus your guards escort you to your room to retrieve your book before taking you to a lounge area.
Luna sits on a cozy seat next to you as you open the book and point out the areas where you were having difficulty. She tells you how to pronounce it, and she has you read some lines to her before clapping her hooves together gently. "Well done! I believe you have the hang of it. Of course, Celestia will likely assign you a harder reading tomorrow."
"Hmm, now, what to teach you in the meantime? Celestia will have to cover etiquette. I'm a bit…dated, on my knowledge."
No.52668
Fuck it guys. We need to fucking vote.
History or Cooking.
Reply to this post with your decision.
>>52670,
>>52671,
>>52672,
>>52673,
>>52675,
>>52676,
>>52677,
>>52678,
>>52680,
>>52681,
>>52682 No.52735
>>52641
In the spirit of keeping things moving along since we're running on hour 4, I'm picking one for you. Sorry.
"Well, how about how you move the moon? That's pretty impressive. And your sister raises the sun, right? What's up with that? Don't they rise and set by themselves?"
Luna appears taken aback by this question, "You mean to say that in your world, no one raises the sun or moon?"
"Well…no. But there's also no magic in my world, as far as I remember."
"Well, things here are quite different then! Not only do I and my sister raise the sun and moon, but ponies around Equestria change the seasons by hoof and magic. Pegasi also control the clouds, moving them about, getting ones filled with rain for crops, though sometimes an unexpected storm occurs for varying reasons, but ponies have a very active part in controlling the seasons and weather here. Except for the Everfree, but that's a different story altogether."
It's a lot to take in, though with everything you've seen already and the firsthand display of power while watching Luna raise the moon, you find yourself accepting it pretty quickly.
It still begs the question, "What's it like to raise the moon?"
She smiles and her wings flair excitedly, "It's a wonderful feeling! A bit heavy, if that makes sense, but simply exhilarating! There's nothing quite like seeing the landscape bathed in moonlight and knowing it was we, I mean I, who did it. Sometimes, I sit out in the moonlight and look at the stars. It is a very soothing experience."
No.52761
File: 1343190556559.gif (2.03 MB, 389x157, 1342989255873.gif)
>>52754
>that feel when sentenal and red player
No.52763
>>52744
Luna blushes and paws the air with a hoof delicately, "You flatter us, we merely do our required task."
"Well, required or not, it was very impressive."
Luna smiles, her cheeks still tinted a faint, rosy red, "Thank you. It is not often we hear such praise or appreciation. Perhaps you would join us, next time we gaze at the stars? Our, I mean, my, work is nothing compared to the beauty of the night sky."
No.52792
>>52763
"I'd love to," you reply, a smile on your face.
Luna's smile is simply radiant, "Wonderful! We could head outside now and continue our discussion there, if you'd like. There are few clouds in tonight's sky, so it should be pleasant viewing."
You see no reason to object, so Luna hops up from her seat and leads the way out into the hall. She stops at the doorway and looks at the guards, who both stand on one side of the door. She has a puzzled look on her face, prompting you to stop and look at the guards too.
A loud noise tells you that one of them, Bear, you think, is snoring, apparently asleep on his feet. Golden is propped up against his spear weirdly, but the drool coming off his mouth shows he's fast asleep as well. How they managed to fall asleep like that you can only guess, but the sight makes you
stifle a laugh.
Luna notices your reaction and smirks as well before motioning silently to one end of the hall, away from the snoozing guards.
No.52804
File: 1343191780721.jpg
(45.61 KB, 480x360, pun_detected.jpg)
>>52802
Got you covered, buddy.
No.52807
File: 1343191849355.png (336.86 KB, 800x500, Smith.png)
>>52805
No.52808
>>52792
You reach a much larger balcony, one probably used for lounging on considering all the long, cushioned seats that occupy it.
Luna gently lays out on one of these seats, a pleased look on her face as she relaxes and stretches out a bit, before rolling to her side and looking up at the brilliant night sky.
There are no clouds at all, and without harsh lights to obscure the view, the sky is alight with a million pinpoints of white, with the moon sitting front and center, like a large, radiant centerpiece to a celestial collection.
You have to take a seat, so strong is the sensation of wonder.
Luna giggles, making you realize you're now sitting beside her on her cushioned couch.
No.52811
File: 1343191938814.jpg (59.04 KB, 800x588, 1343060749236.jpg)
>>52807
I love you guys sometimes.
No.52819
File: 1343192022178.jpg (83.19 KB, 615x348, milky-way-galaxy-615.jpg)
>>52808
It's hard to imagine the beauty of it.
No.52867
>>52843
"Well, no, but it's interesting."
You look at the sky, the two of you falling silent for a while.
"I think, I'll know what that's like though. Keeping company with only the stars, I mean." Luna looks at you with a hint of concern to the curiosity in her expression, causing you to elaborate.
"I'm a strange, mysterious creature in a land ruled and populated by ponies. I'm trying not to think about it, because when I do I realize that I'm here, by myself. Alone."
Rolled 5, 8 = 13
No.52879
File: 1343193819179.png (259.43 KB, 895x1066, hmph.png)
>>52875
YOU SOUND SILLY.
No.52888
>>52867
You feel the gentle pressure of another's touch on your hand, and look down to see Luna's hoof on the top of yours.
"I was once in a position like yours," she says, looking at the moon for a
moment before her gaze returns to yours, "But there is one very key difference. I was alone, with nothing around me but the stars themselves. But you, you are here, in Equestria. Though you are different than I, different from my citizens, we are still here for you."
You think you see small tears in the corners of her eyes as her speech gains more emotion, "You are not alone, and we will be there for you when you feel you are. I will be there for you."
No.52904
File: 1343194385531.gif (205.85 KB, 342x301, OH COME ON.gif)
>>52899
No.52919
>>52888
"Thank you, Princess," you say, putting your hand over her hoof and giving it a squeeze of thanks before slowly letting go, "And if I can be of any service to you, just tell me."
She smiles and wipes at her eyes, "Of course. And please, call me Luna."
You smile just before a yawn strikes you. A clock strikes somewhere in the castle, ringing in 11pm.
"You should get your rest," Luna instructs, rising from her seat to guide you back inside.
"Sorry," you say, wishing you could provide her with more company. She just continues to smile in a way that says she's used to these kinds of things.
The two of you make your way back to your still snoozing escort, Luna prodding Golden awake. He flails for a moment and smacks Bear, who grumbles noisily as he wakes up, immediately apologizing as he lays eyes on Luna.
She just shoos the three of you off, telling you all to get some rest, giving a long look as the three of you meander off before she turns and returns to the moonlit patio.
You make it back to your room just fine, your guards quiet in their sleep deprived state. You enter your room and Bear shuts the door, a muffled "G'night" sounding as he does so.
You fall asleep that night feeling content, and dream of the stars themselves. Throughout your dream the moon is always visible, and by the end, you swear it's moved closer to you.
No.52928
File: 1343195319683.png (391.5 KB, 852x630, CelestiaLookingDownAtMLPG.png)
>>52926
No.52931
File: 1343195363807.png (1.44 MB, 1920x1080, 1342591580208.png)
>>52919
Right, calling it here for the night since it's nearly 2am.
Hope you guys enjoyed!
If not, please, leave some criticism for me to use. Always looking to improve, and I was looking at the general and seeing people were finding this one weird for some reason.
If it's me and my writing, please, let me know. The whole point is to entertain people. If I'm not doing it right, say something.
Otherwise, have a nice night everyone. Thanks for reading my ramblings and playing along.
No.52938
File: 1343195499071.png (1.03 MB, 3912x3986, MoonQuest 2.png)
And here's tonight's condensed session.
