DarkArtificer

With Princess Luna "So little?" Princess Luna asked in despair. "I could help you, Mr. Bolt. I don't like when ponies have less than they deserve. I would like to help you, if you'll let me." "I won't lie to you, though." She adds. "I'm impressed that you do so well with so little. Very few could have ever done so well with the same funds you have now. I may have never known your situation if you hadn't mentioned it yourself." Princess Luna hummed as she teleported away quickly, returning with a large bottle of a pink liquid, which she proceeded to drink from the bottle. After she drank some of it, she lowered the bottle and spoke. "Very few drinks are made the same way they used to be. I'm honestly slightly disappointed. Now, only my sister and I know how to ferment Royal Pink. Would you like a drink?" Princess Luna glanced to her side to see a tan-ish Unicorn entering the room, seemingly looking for something. That's one of the ponies my sister invited. Reaching out mentally, she touched her sister's mind. "Tia, I believe Copper is here. He's in the banquet hall at the entrance." Her reply came quickly. "I'll likely be there in a moment; I'm speaking to somepony right now." "Fair enough, Tia. I'll see thee later." Luna replied. With Strong Copper "You seem familiar." Came a voice from behind Copper.

"It's quite literally is melted snow. After being purified magically of any dirt or other debris, the snow is melted slowly, then re-cooled to make it a good temperature for drinking." Princess Luna explained. "The snow itself comes the peak of Canterlot Mountain. It's brought down and preserved, once again, by magic." Her voice drops to a much softer tone. "Mr. Bolt, you mentioned that you had no money left? What do you mean?" She was worried for him; it always bothered her when other ponies struggled for anything. It reminded her too much of how she and Celestia used to live years ago, long before Equestria had ever formed. Sometimes, it physically hurt her when she move down the street and see homeless ponies; it was why she pushed to have a homeless shelter built in Canterlot. Luna remembered when she ended up having to pay for it out of her own coffers. "Don't be afraid of telling me the truth. I won't think any less of you. Sometimes, ponies just struggle."

Luna nuzzles him softly, gesturing him toward the table. "Come on, let's eat, Winter. There are plenty of things to chose from." She stopped as a thought struck her. No money, he said? Perhaps I'll change that. I can't let my newfound friend starve, now can I? She led him slowly toward the table, levitating a small clump of hay-fries and an apple fritter onto a plate, then levitated it in front of Winter. "Come on, Winter. You need to eat. Don't think about what you've been told; you'll have plenty of time to mourn at a later time. Dwelling on it will not help you right now; I know it won't. I made that mistake before and it didn't help whatsoever." "Your mother was wrong to tell you this news tonight. I even feel she had another reason to do so, and that bothers me. Push it away for now to give yourself time to recover. You need it."

Princess Luna's eyes shone with her sadness. Her father may have been gone for well over fifteen thousand years but she remembers how much it hurt when he had passed. She understood very well what it felt like to lose a father. Princess Luna leaned down and gently nuzzled Winter Bolt, her long muzzle brushing against his ear, making it twitch repeatedly. Her large wing tightened over his back and pulled him closer. No words were to be said, nothing would help in this situation. She knew it, Celestia knew it, and Winter's mother knew it as well. Her magic twinkled in the night as her magic levitated the letter into her collarplate, folded up and safely stored inside the small section inside. It would be returned to Winter after he recovered from the news. Luna frowned toward his mother. Tonight was not the night to bear the news of his father's death. It was supposed to be a happy party, meant to bring bonds further, nothing else. Instead, he was given news of his father's death.

With Princess Luna The Lunar Diarch laughed as she nodded. "Yes, there are cheese-covered hay fries from Fillydelphia. There are, as I've said, treats from all around the world. I myself am rather partial to them, though I've heard they go straight to a mare's flanks. I also know there are apple fritters here as well, baked right before the party by Applejack herself.' "I am surprised you haven't been to Ponyville, though. I went there for my first Nightmare Night since my return. I tasted one of her products not long after a certain...mishap, was resolved." After Winter pointed out his mother, she spoke questioningly. "Why haven't you seen your mother since then? You don't visit her?" With Princess Celestia Princess Celestia smiled down at Survivor. While the words themselves did nothing to ease her weary burden, the effort and meaning behind it did wonders to help her. It was ponies like him that made her feel secure in her duty. Those like him were the very reason she never committed to leaving Equestria. "I don't know, Mr. Hoof. After several thousand years of life, gold and wealth quickly begin to lose their appeal. Now a days, I don't really have an interest in any form of wealth. The moments I make with the ponies I meet mean far more to me than all of the wealth inside the Royal Treasury." She sighed in happy memory. "Many times I've been sent forms of our featuring myself; paintings, books, poems. All of them, I keep; preservation spells keeping them healthy and readable for centuries. The art allows me to keep memories alive long after the artists have passed."

Celestia just smiled softly. "That's my own reasoning. Don't worry, though. It's nothing dangerous at all." "I hope." She whispers softly to herself, too quietly for anypony to hear. "Though, I invited you mostly so I could speak to you. Ponies like you are rather intriguing to myself and my sister. Ponies are, obviously, herd-based. They very rarely enjoy traveling, yet you, as well as several others my sister and I invited, completely break the norm. That interests us." She fans her wings out, gesturing toward the entire country. "You, against all normal expectations the world has for my little ponies, go and explore the dangerous, the wild, and the unexplored." She sighs as her wings fold themselves against her side. "It reminds me so much of myself and my sister, eons ago before we ruled Equestria. Sometimes, we want to throw our crowns aside and just go. Where? I don't know." "The crowns we wear weigh far more than the gold they are made of."

"Of course we can. There is a wide variety of foods out on the tables from all over Equestria." Luna replies. "Though, if you do wish to get a drink, I don't actually recommend Royal Pink. It is a drink that was specifically made for my sister and I, due to our Alicorn nature. Anything less and we aren't affected by it." Luna waves her wing toward the palace. "Come, what kind of meal would you like to partake in?" She starts to slowly walk toward the palace, slowly moving so Winter could catch up easily. "There are treats and snacks from Ponyville, Appleloosa, Manehattan, Trottingham, Colton, Dodge Junction, Cloudsdale, Fillydelphia, and, of course, Canterlot. There is no shortage of variety here tonight." She glances back and continues. "Of course, some of the providers, you may recongize, such as fair Applejack from Ponyville."

Princess Luna just smiled in reply. "Mr. Bolt, this party is not of that caliber. No longer is the Gala a place of manners and high expectations. Many ponies are welcome here; noble and commoner, rich and poor, sheltered and wander-stricken. Ponies, Gryphons, Dragons, Diamond Dogs, and even Minotaur. All are welcome her, Mr. Bolt. Do not concern yourself with expectations, rules, and behavior. Simply enjoy yourself, just as many are wont to do. Don't think of what others think. I know my sister and I plan to enjoy ourselves." She smiled slyly to Winter, mischief dancing in her eyes as her teeth shone in the dark. "I know we'll be making several stops at the bar tonight. If you feel like testing your constitution, ask for Royal Pink. I recommend being careful if you do, it may not be your kind of drink."

With Princess Luna "Ponies fear the night only because they do not know what is in it. They can not see through the darkness, so they fear it." The night mare said factually. "If I had known this more than a thousand years ago, I never would have fallen." She smiled at Winter. "Though, that does not change the fact that your words warm my heart. So few ever speak openly around my sister and I. It was as such a millennium ago, and is as such now. It makes me content to know that you hold no such fear." Then she laughed, her voice carrying through the night. "Though, you are still nervous. That is to be expected, to be fair. Truthfully, my sister and I wish that others would see us as ponies, not goddesses as so many do." Suddenly changing topics, she asked Winter a question. "Mr. Bolt, how do you feel about this party tonight?" With Princess Celestia Princess Celestia laughed loudly, her angelic voice quieting nearby conversations as ponies stopped to hear their goddess laugh. "My Guards, when they returned, told me story of something that had followed them. They never discovered what it was, nor did they find tracks. The squad leader was convinced it was a pack of Timberwolves. He requested a small group of pyromancers before returning to the forest." She looked down at the pony to her side. "That may not have gone too well for you. I'm glad I denied the request, now." "As for fate?" She asked rhetorically, looking off into the south. "I suppose it may have been." Outside the Castle Gates The greeter took the invitation, reading it over quickly. "Decently busy. The other gate's had more work, though. Not many ponies received personal invitations." The other swordspony, on the opposite side of the gate, spoke up. "Rumor is that you've were hurt some time ago. Is there any truth to it?" The greeter rolled his eyes. "That's not our job to know, Strike. Just keep your eyes out for any trouble." He hoofed the paper back. "Go on ahead, Mr. Copper. Welcome to the Gala." Inside the Palace Gates Several guests walked though the palace doors. Most of them were ponies, though some were Gryphons and even a young Dragon, barely taller than a pony. One of the new guests, a rather strange individual, was a tall Minotaur, though he was wearing traditional ornamental armor rather than any form of suit. He walked quickly and purposely deeper into the palace, sparing a short nod to Blue Thorn as he passed by.

With Princess Luna "Come, this is not a discussion for prying eyes and ears." Luna said, light patting Winter with her wing to get him to move. They did so, soon walking toward a secluded section of the garden. Within minutes, nopony else was nearby and the Lunar Diarch knew she could speak truthfully; her Guards would warn her if anypony tried to come close. "You asked me why I personally invited you, correct?" Luna asked rhetorically, something she seemed fond of doing. "You might find it hard to believe, but even as I helped you all those years ago, you helped me, too." Princess Luna sighed softly. "As you likely know, I returned from banishment almost two decades ago. The children of the time, the very ponies whose nightmares I would banish every single night... they feared me. They would scorn my help, slander my name and accuse me of causing the nightmares. I began to lose hope, I began to think just as I did a thousand years ago, believing that this world cared not for me, and that none would care if I abandoned my crown and left Equestria." The Alicorn craned her neck and looked Winter in the eye. "Several times, I considered gathering my Guards and fleeing Equestria, into the southern lands where nopony would ever find me again." "There's no way for you to know this, but I'm going to ask it anyway. Did you know that, since my return, you were the first pony who was happy to see me? Oh, yes, there were many children who accepted my help, and just as many thanked me. All were wary of me; they regarded me with a rooted fear that would not recede, no matter how much I wished it to." She smiled down at the stallion, heartfelt gratitude shining in her teal eyes. "I invited you, Winter, so I could thank you for helping me, all those years ago." With Princess Celestia The Solar Diarch giggled lightly when he fell, hiding her muzzle behind her wing. When he stood quickly and greeted her so informally, she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. "Yes, Survivor, I called. I'm quite glad you showed up anyway." She gestured with her wing for him to follow. As they walked deeper into the courtyard, toward the palace, she continued. "I sent my scouts to locate you and deliver the invitation to you, but they couldn't find you. My Guards are simply not as skilled in rural environments as Lunar's are. Though, mine excel in urban combat." "Where ever in Equestria, or out of it as it may be, were you?" Princess Celestia asked, waving her wing around her for emphasis.

The Guards rolled their eyes, though they also chuckled. "You aren't the first to try that, though I do recognize you. I'm afraid I'll-" The Guard was cut off from behind the gate as a warm voice spoke, clearly laced with amusement. "-unblock the gate and allow Survivor Hoof in." The palace Guards snapped to attention when they heard their Diarch's voice from behind him. The two polearm wielders quickly uncrossed their blades and allowed the Earth pony entrance. The greeter quickly spun and saluted Princess Celestia. "Yes, your Highness!" He turned back and nodded to Survivor. "You're lucky, Mr. Hoof. It seems Princess Celestia wants you inside ASAP. Go on ahead, mind your manners when speaking to royalty, and, of course, watch your hooves." The greeter stepped to the side and fully allowed entrance, while also revealing Princess Celestia standing some feet behind the gates, smiling at Survivor. "Mr. Hoof, would you care to accompany me?"

Princess Luna laughed lightly, her eyes twinkling in amusement. "How did my invitation find you?" She asked the question rhetorically, no mockery to be found. She answered her own question with mirth. "You forget that both I and my Guards are familiar with the wilds. After all, we are the ones who hunt down the monsters that threaten Equestria and her citizens." "And I am happy to hear that you earned your Cutie Mark not long after our meeting. It was not entirely my doing, though. Remember, Winter, you are the one who earned your Cutie Mark. Nopony else." She said sincerely. Princess Luna stepped forward and lightly drapped her wing across his back, smiling internally as she heard the same pony who snickered, gasp in shock. "Come, Mr. Bolt. Let us speak away from prying eyes." "Unless, of course, you have other duties to attend to?" She added softly, curiosity in her features.

"I'm glad I helped your son banish his nightmares." Princess Luna stated, smiling at the tearful father in front of her. "I didn't even come for the Gala." The Unicorn stallion said honestly. "I just wanted to thank you for helping my son. He was struggling to get any kind of sleep for months. Nothing we did helped him and the medicine our doctor gave us only lessened them slightly; it didn't stop the nightmares like we hoped. T-then, one night, he stopped tossing and turning. He even s-smiled in his sleep. The next morning, he told us you had helped him and his nightmare went away. My wife and I, well, that made us cry in happiness for him." Princess Luna leaned down and gently nuzzled the stallion who nervously returned it. She smiled at him and he nodded reverently before he slowly turned around and left. Princess Luna stood to her full height and surveyed the smiling ponies around her. The Lunar Diarch was happy, she was being accepted back into society, even thanked for her work. If she had this a thousand years ago... No, no need to dwell on long-past topics. She glanced to her right, toward one of her hidden Guards, to see him mouthing something to her. "Winter Bolt is here. Left side, edge of crowd. Nervous, shy." Luna nodded imperceptibly and walked toward the edge of the circle. "Excuse me, please." Her subjects parted without complaint. She walked through, her long strides carrying her easily toward the nervous Pegasus. She recognized him; not very well, but she did. He was much older now, but if she could remember her sister after a thousand years, she could remember a pony after little more than a decade. Her Guard was right, he was clearly nervous being around so many ponies, and probably her presence made him shy as well. The Alicorn sighed internally. Not everypony is as calm around royalty as I wished. She stopped a foot or two in front of him, slightly amused that he didn't notice her. Of course, since he was looking at the night sky, she didn't mind. "How do you fare, Mr. Bolt?" Near the Palace Gates Yet another carriage quickly made its way down the path, though far larger than most others. It, too, stopped before its doors opened, allowing what must have been thirty ponies to exit. Among them was a rather small, brown-colored Earth pony. The rather large group formed a line in front of the gates with the Earth pony near the end. Most of the newcomers were directed toward a large line that, though moving rather fast, was for the ponies who were not invited. Though, the number who showed up was far more than the Princesses expected; more rooms were being decorated to fit the surprising number of ponies that had arrived. The line Survivor was in moved rather quickly and before long he was standing in front of the four guards at the gate. Two of them wielded large polearms while the other two had simple swords sheathed at their sides. On the other side of the gates, Princess Celestia could be seen speaking with several of the newcomers; she was, after all, greeting nearly everypony at the Gala. One of the guards, clearly the greeter, spoke as Survivor reached the front of the line. "May I see your invitation, if you have one?"

"Is there something you require?" The Lunar Thestral asked rather formally. His partner next to him bumped him, their dark armor clinking together softly. The first turned to his partner, clearly asking a question through his expression. The second Thestral sighed. "Weren't you there for tonight's briefing?" When he received a head shake, he sighed again. "This is Winter Bolt. The Princess wants to speak with him. You would have known if you woke up in time." The first guard retorted with a slight smile. "I'm a Thestral and our Sergeant woke us up during the day. Is it really any surprise I went back to sleep?" The second turned to Winter, ignoring his companion's comment. "Princess Luna wishes to meet with you. If you continue out the door to your left and into the gardens, you'll find her in the center, by the small pond. Be warned, she may seem alone but she is not. Make any threatening moves against her and you may end up in the hospital, or worse." The Guard pointed to his right, Winter's left, toward a pair of large doors that had been propped open for the night. Outside, a well-lit courtyard was clearly visible, as well as sounds of mingling ponies clearly heard. "I don't think you have anything to worry about, though. You don't seem the traitorous type."

"Winter Bolt?" The Guard read from the invitation. "From what I heard, Princess Luna was eager to meet with you again. I'm not sure why, though. If you do see her, be careful. The Lunar Guard are far more protective of her then you'd think. It's like they're fanatics protecting their goddess." The greeter went silent with a chuckled as he was bumped lightly by one of his partners, to which he replied. "Fair enough." As he hoofed the invitation back to Winter, he added a last bit of advice. "I can see you're nervous. Don't be. There aren't many influential ponies here tonight; this isn't like that anymore. It's a party to celebrate another year of life, not a party for nobles to make more money." As before, the Guards raised their polearms and allowed Winter Bolt to pass into the Castle proper.

"Blue Thorn, correct?' The Guard asked rhetorically, for his name was clearly displaced on the elaborately-written golden invitation. "Personally invited by Princess Celestia, no less. There weren't many of you; I think she invited about ten to the party, with her sister inviting another six." Tonight was a night of festivity; the Guards had been told to abandon the usual stonefaced expressions they were well-known for. Some of the Guards took the order in stride, simply speaking as normal ponies. Others, though, were unused to it and were clearly awkward. This greeter was not one such pony. "In any case, go on ahead. Unlike last year, the Gala isn't really in the ballroom anymore. It's spread throughout the palace grounds as well as a number of gardens and rooms. Don't worry about going somewhere you aren't allowed to; there's barriers in place to stop that. Have a nice night, Mr. Thorn." The other Guards levitated their polearms away, allowing the pony passage deeper into the Castle. In clear site stood Princess Celestia, though several Guards flanked her. "Mind your manners." The greeter added, as in afterthought.

This is the RP thread for Renewal of an Age. New players must go [here], post a character, and wait to be accepted or denied before posting here. Begin The Gala was in full swing. Carriages trundled down the street by the dozen, quickly emptying themselves of passengers before leaving just as quick as the arrived. Ponies, Diamond Dogs, Griffons, Minotaur, Deer, and even a young Dragon or two could be seen spread throughout the palace. Garden parties were lively - food provided, of course. Countless rooms inside Canterlot Castle had been cleared and redecorated to host the largest incarnation of the largest party ever. No longer was it a networking event for nobles and the influential. Now, it was a true representation of Equestria's unity. All classes and all species were welcome; if you could find your way there, and there was room inside, you were welcome. Naturally, many were waiting outside the gates for entrance. Others, those with invitations, were free to proceed inside. Guards, of course, patrolled the halls, fields, and gardens to prevent troublemakers; more than a few were kicked out for disturbing the peace. In front of the palace gates, Princess Celestia stood, happily greeting every newcomer who cared to attend. After all, this was the only chance some ponies had to see their ruler. Yet another carriage opened up, depositing its passengers of three ponies and a Diamond Dog in front of the palace gates. None spared them a glance; no longer were Diamond Dogs an unwelcome sight, not with the new treaties between the Gemmed Plateaus and Equestria. This group was special, though, and the Guards new it. They were some of the few who had received invitations to the Gala and were allowed to enter without any waiting. Each was special in their own right and invited to this party via a personal invitation from the Princesses of Equestria. Alex Van Gamer, a Diamond Dog from the Roving Packs. Unlike her brethren, she did not enjoy stealing nor slavery; instead, she sought to better herself. Blue Thorn, an Equestrian Earth Pony, an example of Equestrian desire to find peaceful solutions to all problems. Winter Bolt, a Pegasus Manehattanite, showing the cheerful nature of Equestria's citizens. Finally, Strong Copper, a Canterlot native, representing the willingness of a pony to defend others. All four were chosen to help represent Equestria to the other nations present, though none knew of it. The four Guards present at the gates nodded to the small group, allowing them entrance. Several feet inside the walls, Princess Celestia stood, speaking to several farmers from Appleloosa. The carriage behind the small party slowly rolled away, returning to the city gates to provide passage to yet another group of party-goers. One of the Guards spoke. "Welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala. May I see your tickets, if you have them, as well as know your names?"

The Gala was in full swing. Carriages trundled down the street by the dozen, quickly emptying themselves of passengers before leaving just as quick as the arrived. Ponies, Diamond Dogs, Griffons, Minotaur, Deer, and even a young Dragon or two could be seen spread throughout the palace. Garden parties were lively - food provided, of course. Countless rooms inside Canterlot Castle had been cleared and redecorated to host the largest incarnation of the largest party ever. No longer was it a networking event for nobles and the influential. Now, it was a true representation of Equestria's unity. All classes and all species were welcome; if you could find your way there, and there was room inside, you were welcome. Naturally, many were waiting outside the gates for entrance. Others, those with invitations, were free to proceed inside. Guards, of course, patrolled the halls, fields, and gardens to prevent troublemakers; more than a few were kicked out for disturbing the peace. In front of the palace gates, Princess Celestia stood, happily greeting every newcomer who cared to attend. After all, this was the only chance some ponies had to see their ruler. Yet another carriage opened up, depositing its passengers of three ponies and a Diamond Dog in front of the palace gates. None spared them a glance; no longer were Diamond Dogs an unwelcome sight, not with the new treaties between the Gemmed Plateaus and Equestria. This group was special, though, and the Guards new it. They were some of the few who had received invitations to the Gala and were allowed to enter without any waiting. Each was special in their own right and invited to this party via a personal invitation from the Princesses of Equestria. Alex Van Gamer, a Diamond Dog from the Roving Packs. Unlike her brethren, she did not enjoy stealing nor slavery; instead, she sought to better herself. Blue Thorn, an Equestrian Earth Pony, an example of Equestrian desire to find peaceful solutions to all problems. Winter Bolt, a Pegasus Manehattanite, showing the cheerful nature of Equestria's citizens. Finally, Strong Copper, a Canterlot native, representing the willingness of a pony to defend others. All four were chosen to help represent Equestria to the other nations present, each showing

Pelt

Can I say two? I'm saying two. I like the sheer level of activity here. There's always something new and plenty of people online. I, like you, also like how friendly people are. When I introduced myself, I received a myriad of greeting, including a special one from @The Recherche, which, honestly, made my day.

Welcome to the forums, Scar! You'll find this site nice and active, I know I did.

Louisiana is at a normal 95°, average humidity, and bright and sunny.

I'm mean... I won't even see him before I'm dead so

Granted! However, they are incredibly over-priced and, like all movies based after books, get an infuriating number of details incorrect. I wish there was a safe, effective way to travel between Earth and Equestria that was controlled by Celestia herself.

I can't pronounce your name just like poster #2. And didn't you already say that to me?