Helios 16: Expert Advice.

=Helios 16=

 

>The spittoon rang out through the town as your Taffy Tobaccy lands in it.  

>You sat with your feet propped up on the railing outside The Applebarrel.

>They didn't really have a sheriff's office here, and you did most of your thinking at the bar anyway.

>It was the day after your meeting with Cadence.

>You had spent the entire night thinking about what she said afterwards...

>"Perhaps I don't need to?" And said with that smile of hers.

>She had been talking about you and Celestia, if there was any mutual love between the two of you.

>You admit, you cared about Celestia, and you were worried about her not using a bodyguard.

>But still...

>Your SOULS were linked, that was weird even by your standards.

>And you slept with a horse who raised the sun.

>You had spent the entire evening just sitting on your bed, trying to figure out what your tipping point was.

>Would you go back if you realized you were wrong?

>What if the griffins attacked again?

>Or Blueblood got out?

>Would you need to save face?

>Would Celestia even take you back?

>You lean back in your chair and blow a raspberry.

>This was harder than it was last night...

>The rapid sound of someone galloping down the street caught your eye, it was Saloon Scalper.

>He looked nervous...

>"Changelings! Out back by tha' General Store!"

>Oh hell!

 

-Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckPfk3Lu8PU-

>You dash down the main road to the general store.

>Peeking through the window you see Mayor Buckington and Tornado Dancer staring down a trio of Changelings.

>They couldn't take them on their own, you were the only one who knew how to fight in this town.

>Not to mention it was your job.

>You hop up on the railing outside the store and pull yourself onto the roof.

>They were talking.

>"Where is it!? Where do you keep it!?" They asked with their flanged voiced.

>"What in tarnation are you talkin' 'r you talkin' about!?" Tornado shouted.

>You heard what you assumed was a grunt from another Changeling. "They don't know! I say we turn this town upside down to find that reservoir!"

>Not on your bloody watch.

"Here's your reservoir!"

 

>You leap off the roof of the store, hoping that the sun behind you will give you an advantage.

>Fist meats exoskeleton as you land in front of the first Changeling, the other two looking on in surprise.

>You turn back to Buckington and Tornado.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Go! Get out of here!"

>The two stallions ran off as the other changelings lunged at you.

>You sidestep and grab it by its horn.

>The Changeling spins around and around as you pivot on your foot, eventually flying through the air and hitting the side of the general store with a loud "WHAP!" when you let go.

>The third Changeling jumped onto your back as the first one recovered and latched on to your leg.

>You lifted and stomped your foot rhythmically, hoping to catch the first Changeling under your boot.

>At the same time, you yanked and pulled the Changeling on your back off, it's hooves wrapped around your neck tight.

>The Changeling was finally caught underneath your stomping boot, sending teeth and spittle onto the ground.

>At the same time, you reversed the headlock the last conscious Changeling had, putting him in a sleeper hold so he could join his fellows.

>His limp body hits the ground and you look around.

"Huh. Not too bad for being out of practice."

 

>Two of the Changelings were over your shoulders as you dragged the other one along the ground.

>You had started to book it once you heard them waking up, you were gonna make it to the edge of town just in time.

>They flopped over the ground near the hills as they regained consciousness.

"Howdy."

>The lead Changeling was the first to his feet, instantly taking in his surroundings before glaring at you.

"Why were ya'll in my town?"

>Silence.

>You spit.

"Whatever. Show up again and I won't be bringing you back here, least not alive."

>The other two Changelings get to their feet and begin sniffing at the air.

>"This guy is the reservoir! We can take him here!" One said.

>"Be my guest. I don't want to get stomped again!" Said the other.

>Okay...

"Reservoir?"

>The Changelings stop their bickering and glare up at you, their anger barely contained.

>That was creepy...how they did that in unison...

>These Changelings were pretty creepy in general. They seemed to always move in unison and they were constantly drooling some translucent liquid.

>The lead one stepped forward, only coming up to your calf.

>"We Changelings feed on love, as you are no doubt aware."

>You nod.

>"The three of us abandoned out hive after Queen Chrysalis' failed attempt at the Equestrian throne. We came to this place on the scent of a mass of love the likes of which none of us had ever seen...and it seems that you are the source of that love, biped." He said.

>You...?

>A love repository...?

"Uh...love for who?"

>The three of them close their eyes for a moment. "We...cannot tell. All we see when we look into your heart is a rather blinding light."

>That...didn't make your day any easier.

 

>The sun was high in the sky as you sat back out front of The Applebarrel.

>You had your feet planted on the ground and your chin in your hand, lost in thought.

>So...apparently you loved Celestia.

>...The mare who linked her mind with you and let all of her overwhelming affection in...

>Uhg.

>The bar doors open up and a familiar stallion trots out.

>"Hey Anonymous,...Y'all okay?" Braeburn asked.

>You keep your gaze affixed straight ahead.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Hey Brae. Just thinking."

>"What about?"

>...

"...Remember the reason I told you I came here?"

>Braeburn's face falls a bit. "About that wizard? And your soul?"

"Yeah..."

>Braeburn knew that someone who loved you bound your souls and scared you off.

>What he didn't know was that it was Celestia.

>"Well what's up?"

"I...think I love her."

>Braeburn's smile explodes. "Well shoot Anon! That's great news!

"But what about..."

>You point to your head.

"That?"

>Braeburn scrunches his face. "...Does that matter?"

>Wot?

"What."

>"Well...Yeah. It's pretty obvious you care, and that she cares, and if you both care and both feel it then it's just a big ball of care aint it?"

>That was...certainly a unique way of looking at it.

"But...am I still me? If the link is going and stuff?"

>Braeburn shifts on his hooves. "I didn't know ya before ya came here Anon. Do YOU think you're the same guy?"

>You felt like you sat there for an eternity.

"I...don't know."

>"Well...I think you should go to her Anon..." Braeburn turns and trots away. "Y'all won't feel any better till ya do."

 

>You were on the train.

>The scenery outside was speeding by too fast to see.

>On the horizon the sun was beginning to inch its way down.

>Your mind wandered back, way back.

>About how melancholy you had been these last few weeks.

>You thought it was just because of how mad the situation was when you left, not because of heartache.

>Uhg. You had uprooted your life over this mindlink...

>Life in Canterlot was one of chaotic routine, one with friends and warmth and direction.

>Even when you were new to the guard, your day was always comfortably scheduled to the second.

>But all that had changed with Celestia...

>Suddenly your days could be spent either walking around the city or on diplomatic missions to Zevera.

>And suddenly your training got put more to use. The Princess had many enemies.

>You sigh and lean back.

>It was hard for you to imagine your Equestrian life without Celestia.

>She had been a constant. From when you first appeared here and she deemed you safe to when you had left for Appleoosa.

>Even in the guard there wasn't a day you didn't see her around the castle or performing her sun spell.

>You cherished those memories.

>But...

>Was that simply devotion talking? Or was it affection?

>You sigh against your seat.

>You don't know anymore...

>What did Celestia say she was doing? "Going with what felt right?"

>Can't hurt...

 

>You stood just inside the castle gates.

>It was past dark now.

>You had...no idea what you were doing...

>...Fuck.

>You slide your hands in your pockets and start walking.

>You walk and walk until you find yourself in the castle gardens.

>Up above you on the side of the castle hung Celestia's balcony.

>The place where she rose and lowered the sun every day.

>You knew that balcony well, you saw it almost as much as she did.

>Any plans you had to make this right didn't seem to amount to much...

>You sat down on a nearby bench and tried something...

>Reaching out with your link to see what you could feel.

>There was...

>Sadness...the crushing sadness that came with loss.

>Following that came the inky blackness of depression brought on by helplessness

>You felt terrible for causing that feeling.

>Dammit, all of this was your fault.

>The blackness gave way to the cool blue of...intrigue?

>"...Anon?"

>Shit.

 

-Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPdNFZ-p7hQ-

>You opened your eyes just in time to see Celestia jump off her balcony and land some feet away from you in the garden.

>"W-what are you doing here?" She asked wide eyed.

>You scrambled to your feet.

"I...decided to come back."

>Celestia cants her head to the side as a smile tugs at her mouth.

>"Why? I-I thought you had made your choice..."

"I thought about it...our "situation" that is."

>Felt a bit awkward, either from the link or just yourself.

>You didn't really care...not after all the crap recently.

>Celestia trotted over to you, talking the entire way.

>"Anonymous I understand why you left an-"

>Your words come pouring out as well.

"I shouldn't have left like I did, it was stupid an-"

>"Telling you how I felt right after the other news-"

"Stupid and immature of me."

>The both of you snap your mouths shut.

>Celestia clears her throat.

>"We seem to be..."

"Tripping over each other."

>The silence stretches from here to Appleoosa.

>You flex your fingers at your side.

>Celestia shuffles on her hooves a bit.

"I-"

>...

>Oh...

"Fuck it."

>You gently place your hands on Celestia's face and pull her close, satiating the hunger for her velvety lips you had felt since you saw her.

 

>The two of you stand unmoving save for your mouths for a while.

>When it's finally decided that you want to breathe more than kiss, you break away from each other.

>Wow...

>That felt...

>Good.

>And not just because of the link, even if that was nice too.

"I enjoyed that..."

>Celestia's cheeks take on a rose hue. "Likewise Anon..." She said with a smile.

>Well...

"...Now what?"

>You admit you were at a loss here.

>Celestia continued to stare at you with eyes unblinking. "I...don't know Anon..."

"I guess...we could do what you want?"

>Celestia almost barreled over your words, leaning her head forward. "Anon, I have everything I've wanted for a while now." She said faster than you have ever heard.

>Heh...that was pretty cute.

>You looked around the garden as the moon moved across the sky.

"We should probably avoid being seen. Is your room-"

>A bright white light took your vision from you, returning it to show Celestia's room greeting you.

>The Sun Princess hadn't moved an inch, her face still almost brushing up against yours.

"-an option?"

>You meet Celestia's eyes again...

>...And the two of you stand there together.

>You felt...apprehensive, the both of you.

>You may have to wing this again.

>Your hand on Celestia's chin, you guide your mouths together once more.

>The kiss before had been one of hunger, the result of not seeing each other for so long.

>This kiss was far more tender. Celestia and your lips in constant motion as you both tried to take as much of the other in as you could.

>You break again in the harsh shadows of the fireplace.

"Shall I stay with you tonight your majesty?"

>Celestia flicks her wing and sends a rush of air to the fireplace, extinguishing it.

>Heh...

"As you wish."