When I got back to Celestia's... office? I guess? meh, its 'Celestias office' now.

When I got back to Celestia's office I was met with a slightly surprising scene. The triangle of chairs now created a triangle that pointed to the door, not away from it. The two chairs not facing away from door were occupied by Celestia and, to my surprise, Luna. Though she still looked slightly bewildered, Celestia had somehow brought her back from her hundred-yard stare.

"So, whats first?" I asked.

Celestia answered "I have sorted everything out with Luna, so we can go straight to anatomy. Please, sit." I walked over, my leg was perfectly okay now, and sat on the available chair. That sure healed fast, chalk it down to magic I guess.

"Okay, how's this going to work?" I asked, unsure where this was going.

Luna answered this time, "We have a set of male and female pony dolls and a male human doll, so we may learn as well. You will show us areas on the pony dolls that you think are appropriate to touch given the relationship example we will give you."

"Fair enough, let's get started then." I said, clapping my hands together.

"Okay," Celestia started. "You have never met this pony before. Where is it appropriate to touch them? If at all." She asked as she placed the three dolls in front of me. Though left the poorly made human one a little further away from me.

After a moment of thinking I pointed to the top of the head and the back of both the ponies, the sisters nodded approvingly.

"You are good friends with this pony." Celestia continued.

I responded with words because it was easier than the gesture would be. "Basically anywhere, except the two obvious places-" Luna cut me off.

"And those are?"

"Please don't make me do this." I pleaded.

Luna groaned, "So immature. Fine. Go on. Continue." Celestia was containing giggles.

I continued, "As I was saying: Basically anywhere except the two obvious places, Luna," She rolled her eyes "But not for an overly long time."

They shook their heads. "The ear tips and hoofs Dan." Celestia said. "They are sensitive, and should not be touched by any who are not in a serious relationship with this pony. Unless it is a dire situation in which you need to, for whatever reason."

"Point taken." I said. "So like... just the bottom of the hooves right?" The nodded. "Okay, good, I've only touched the sides."

Celestia proposed another situation, "You are in a relationship with this pony, perhaps married."

"Everywhere. But only the more... sensual places when the time calls for it." I said.

"Wow." Luna said sarcastically. "So romantic."

"Okay," Celestia said, laughing at Luna slightly, "Your turn." She magic'd the human figure over to me.

"A human? A human can be touched anywhere by anyone of any relation to them, except for this area." I pointed, you all know where I pointed. "This area is restricted to relationships only."

"That's it?" Luna commented

"Yep. Also, what about horns and wings?" I asked; both of the dolls were earth ponies.

They looked at each other, then looked back to me. Celestia spoke. "Don't ever touch a pegasi wing unless they ask you too."

"And a Unicorn's horn" Luna continued, "is seen as being sacred, so the same applies for those as well. Though they are not sensitive like wings are."

"Hm," That wasn't so bad. "That was not as hard as I thought it would be."

"Anything you want to test out on a pony in controlled circumstances?" Asked Celestia.

I couldn't help myself. "Is that an offer? Cele-" She cut me off.

"Dan." She said, with a smug smile. "Remember what happened last time." She said with a turn to Luna, who hid her face by looking away. "What I meant; was that we have two pony volunteers. They-"

"Are they-"

"No they are not us."

"Awwww." I pulled my saddest face, neither were impressed.

Celestia continued, "We have two pony volunteers that will allow you to test anything we deem appropriate."

"Yeah sure," I said "I have had two things I wanted to try."

Celestia clopped her front hooves together and a panel in the wall opened and a female pegasis and a male unicorn stepped out, they both had a very creepy smile on their faces. Both of them where a very unnatural white color, and their cutie-marks where covered by cloth taped to their sides. They stood side by side, facing the princesses. They were trying to hide their identities. What could be so bad that they would want to do that?

"Test whatever you wish, we will stop you if you do anything... rash." Oh. Celestia said as I walked over to the pair. They stood, completely still, but followed me with their creepy grins as I walked around them, then stopped in the space between them.

"Well the first thing I wanted to test was..." I reached over to the top of the mare's head, as I did I noticed her smile intensified and her eyes widened, while the stallion, who I now had my back to, seemed to slump in disappointment. Yep, these guys are freaks.

I used both of my hands to turn the mares head so she was facing straight ahead again, she had turned to look at me as I reached for her. I put my hand to the back of one of her ears, I kept it still, I turned to Celestia. She was giving me a curious look, but didn't tell me to stop, so I turned back to the mare, she was completely frozen in what I was guessing was sick anticipation. I slowly began to rub the back of the base of her ear with my knuckles. Nothing was happening so I kept going for a couple seconds, before turning my attention to her face, her eyes had rolled back and her tongue was lolling out of her mouth.

Terrified, I backed away from her so fast I bumped into the stallion slightly. She looked at me with disappointment in her eyes, so I looked to the Princesses with fear in my eyes, and they looked at me with shock in theirs.

"That is not a sensitive zone." Luna started. "How could it have elicited such reactions?" She asked, directed more at her sister. Who said nothing.

The mare spoke up. "It- it was like I was having an inch I didn't even know I had; cured." She said, timidly.

"So... not sexual in any way?" I asked, they all recoiled at my choice of language.

"No, not really." She paused. "But it did feel really good though." Creepy. There was silence in the room for quite a while.

"Welp, that's the first of my two tests. Thoughts?" I said, turning to Celestia.

She hesitated. "You can use this," Sweet "but," Dammit "you must be very familiar with the pony first and have their consent." Aw, no surprise ear-scratching then.

"Proceed to the second of your tests." Luna said, slightly uncomfortable.

I turned to the stallion, he beamed at me, not as creepily as the mare did, but still pretty creepily. "On your back." His eyes widened and the mare behind me gasped. I think the Princesses had similar reactions, but I wasn't watching. He complied very quickly though. Luckily, there was nothing of particular notice under there at the moment. Thank Christ.

I knelt at his side and put a hand on his stomach. His face was a mixture of confusion and excitement. After a second I began in scrub his belly like you would to a pet. He had a similar reaction to this as the mare did to her test. His legs were twitching the whole time, but his facial features were a lot more controlled than the mare's were, he closed his eyes, laid back and smiled in contentment. Much to his disappointment, I stopped after a while.

"Well? How was that?" I asked him. He took a second to compose himself, but didn't get up.

"It was like what she said," He indicated to the mare behind me "It's like an itch has been scratched, but didn't even know it was there." A smug smile came to my face, I looked to the Princesses, they both blinked several times.

"Neither of those places you used were sensitive Dan." Celestia started. "Either you have a way with ponies, or these two are... 'bias'." The two test subjects blushed. Oh god, something tells me its a bit of both.

"Well," I said, taking a half step towards the princesses. "Why don't we see which one it is?" I continued in what I hoped was a mock-seductive tone. Luna reared her head back and glared at me with wide eyes. Celestia didn't slip, and a smile formed on her face, worrying me until she started talking.

"We could, but I will have to pass, I have work to do right now." Her smile turned smug, and she looked to her sister, who was still staring at me. "What about you sister? You are usually asleep by now, so I doubt you have any work to do..." Luna's eyes glared at Celestia, then returned to their previous state and began to flicker around the room. She opened and closed her mouth but no answer came out. Celestia was suppressing giggles and so was I, but I think the two white ponies behind us were traumatized.

Luna shook herself. "I have- I am very tired." Is all she could work out, before she froze again.

Celestia tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the door. Then said in straight into my ear "271, today, 5pm. Be there." Then pushed me towards the door slightly, I nodded to her and walked out. Once I was to the door I realized I had no idea what '271' was, but it would have been awkward to turn around at the door, so I just kept going, figuring I could ask a guard or something. As I close the door behind me, I heard Celestia continue to tease her sibling. "He could have helped you get to sleep-" is all I heard before the door closed, I assumed it was sound-proof somehow, probably just magic.

Upon hearing that, all the guards looked to me for a split second then continued to look into the distance like they were supposed to, but they all looked a little more uncomfortable than before.

I quickly made my way back to the room I had woke up in, collected my spare clothes then set out to Chrome's place. After seeing a sign labeled 'Infirmary' however, I made a quick detour to go and visit Feather. I needed to apologize in person. I followed the apropriate signs and found myself in a waiting room.

The mare behind the desk asked "How can I help you sir?" as soon as I walked in, I made my way to the desk.

"Yeah, I'm here to see Feather?" She nodded.

"We were notified that you would be here soon, come with me." She led me through the double-doors and down a couple hallways. She stopped at a door. "This is her room, do you want me to accompany you?" She asked very sweetly. My heart was warmed. Genuine care right there, she really cares about her job.

"No thanks, it's fine. But before I forget, what time is it?"

"About noon."

"Okay, thanks, I've got somewhere to be at 5." Somewhere indeed. She smiled, happy to be a help. I gave her a short wave as I entered the room, she returned the gesture and waited till I was completely inside before beginning to walk away.

I shut the door behind me, and surveyed my surroundings. A small room, with a window on the furthest wall, lying across the room was a bed, not dissimilar to the one I had woke up in that day. On it was Feather, asleep. She had many 'get well' letters covering the bed-side tables either side of the bed, upon further inspection they were all from family, except a few that were from Chrome and members of the guard. But one in particular was labeled 'From an old friend'. This card was attached to a small, plush manticore, that was being squeezed tightly by Feather in her sleep.

I could see her eyes moving under their lids, rapidly moving from side to side, her body would spasm and titch slightly every so often, and her face would sometimes tense and relax, seemingly at random. I could tell from that, she was probably having a nightmare, or at least a dream. Perhaps Luna being awake for longer than she usually is had disrupted things more than I thought.

I sat on her bed near the foot on one of the longer sides. I hung my head, knowing I was responsible for this, I was also trying to figure out how to wake her up without scaring her. After a couple minutes, I gave up and settled for putting my hand on her shoulder and shaking her slowly. She stirred but didn't rise. Her face then twisted into a frown, no, more than a frown, complete and utter sorrow, regret. Warm tears began falling from her closed eyes, she sobbed quietly and pulled her plush toy closer to her, covering her face. Her tears saturating in the stuffing.

That was it for me, I had felt terrible for what I had done, and seeing her in the room brought me to the brink of tears on its own, but seeing her like that? The usually aggressive and hidden unicorn, curled up on a bed, crying her eyes out as she sleeps? That's to much. I moved my hand away from her and cupped my face, placing my elbows on my knees and crying into my hands, shaking slightly with each suppressed sob. I didn't want to wake her, but yet I did, she was having a nightmare.

Was it better to wake her from it and risk scaring her? Or just letting it play out but let it scare her more? Fate decided for me, then. I felt a furry blob press against me. I looked past my hands and saw that feather had laid next to me, her body pressing against my leg. She lent back and nuzzled my forearm, which was still extending from my knee.

"It's okay." She said, choking on the last syllable. "It's okay..." She repeated, barely a whisper. I moved one of my arms away from my face and put it over her shoulder. She rolled to her left, her head resting on my knee. My arm fell from it's original position over her shoulder and landed just above her shoulder, my hand touching the front of her neck. I quickly felt my leg become wet with her tears, she probably felt the same way about my hand.

We sat there for a while, both of us crying, for different reasons, but offering comfort none the less. My hand was absent-mindedly running my fingers through the fur on her neck, and she would occasionally move her head to nuzzle deeper into my leg. Once I felt things beginning to die down in the 'emotion' department I sat up, used both hands to rub my face, cleaned away tears and sighed. She looked back at me, a sad smile on her face, though I could still see fear in her eyes.

"I am... so sorry, Feather I-" She politely cut me off as I choked on my words.

"And I said it was okay." She put a hoof over my knee, where her head had been. "You didn't know. You couldn't have. And you were right about what you said, I shouldn't beat myself up over the past. But..." I lifted a hand to stop her but she continued. "But the regret I feel, the things I've done, they haunt me constantly." Her voice reduced to a whimper. "Their faces, Dan... They didn't know! They were innocents! But we slaughtered them along with their..." She choked. I barely heard the next word, it was so restrained. "...families... Just because we didn't understand..." She had once again buried her head in the fabric covering my knee, and was sobbing loudly.

I didn't know what to do, so I just leaned forward and put my arm back over her. Offering what comfort I could. After carefully constructing my words, I vocalized them. "Look at me Feather." She lifted her head. Her eyes bloodshot and heavy, her fur matted against her skin. "If you ever need anyone to talk to, just come find me, okay?"

She hung her head, and remained silent. "Feather," Her head lifted again, even more void of any hope. "You can tell me anything, and I mean anything." She didn't seem convinced. "I don't judge peop- ponies on their past, Feather. And besides, I already know things that even Celestia herself had refused to hear." She looked at me, eyes wider than before, but still solemn. "I doubt anything you could have done would change my opinion of you, or affect me in any way. Look, just promise me..." I lifted her gaze up by her chin. "Promise me, that you will come to me if you need anything. Anything at all. And I mean ANYTHING. Do you understand?" She was military, the best way to get through to her would be a stern gaze and a coldly-honest voice. I provided this. And she gave in. She slowly nodded, another sad smile forming on her face, I returned it as she looked up at me.

"Thank you Dan. But I won't hold you here any longer, knowing you, you probably have something to do." She let out a choked giggle. I nodded with a smile and looked to the clock on the wall beside the door. 5:02 SHIT.

"Oh shi- Fu- I mean.. AAgghh." She looked at me confused. "Quick! What is 271?!"

"What?"

"Celestia told me to be at '271 at 5'!" Her eyes widened.

"Room 271... That's her personal sitting room!"

"Where is it?!"

"I don't know!"

"Great, Welp, I've got to get there, now, so I'll see you later I guess!"

"Good luck!" She yelled at me as I ran through the door, after quickly gathering my bundle of clothes, I never did get to chrome's place like I had meant to, so I had to carry those goddamn clothes across the entire palace again. I ran out of the infirmary and sprinted up to the first guard I saw. He was staring at me the whole time, he probably felt threatened or something.

"Guard right?" I pointed at him.

"Yes. Civilian, what is the problem?" He said, glancing behind me, in case I was running from something.

"Where is room 271? I believe it to be Celestia's personal sitting room. I need to be there." He flinched as I said Celestia's name without her title. Then became suspicious.

"Why would YOU need to be there? Visiting hours are over, and not even guards are allowed in that room."

"Dude, I don't have time for this, she said to meet her there at 5! Its past 5! I'm late as it is, help me or I will find a guard who will!" I'm sure Ebony would be glad to break a few rules considering I have some pretty good dirt on him right now. He rolled his eyes.

"Fine, but you better keep up, if you are telling the truth; you don't want to be late." At that, he ran off. I quickly followed, genuinely struggling to keep up. But I managed. We both skidded to a halt in front of a large door. "This is it." He said. I was gasping for breath.

"Thanks dude." I wretched as I walked in. I closed the door behind me and was picked up by golden magic and was violently thrown into a very cushion-y seat. The room was a mixture of coffee-brown and red colors, giving a warm feeling to the whole room. There were two seats in the center of the room, facing each other. One of which I now occupied. There was a very large window covering most of the entire back wall. Celestia was looking out of it.

"You are late." She said, not looking away from the window.

"Well, yeah, I am." I said-matter-of-fact-ly. "What did you need? I had some things to do first." She turned to look at me, but was taken aback by something.

"Yes, I can see that." Her magic produced a vanity mirror with her magic and I looked into it. My whole body was disheveled by the run there, my clothes hung loose and twisted from being exerted and my hair was not fairing much better. I was still out of breath, my eyes were bloodshot and had red rings around them from my meeting with Feather. One side of my leg still had the outline of the crying unicorn, emblazoned in tears.

I had an entire extra set of clothes that had been dropped many times during the run there, so they were more of a ball now, not like the folded pile I had picked up this morning. I sighed and fixed what I could about myself. Then looked to her.

"What happened?" She asked, casting concerned looks to the tear marks on my face and leg.

"I visited Feather, we got a little emotional." Celestia acquired a sad smile as she sat in the seat opposite me.

"Its nice to hear everything has been cleared up." She said, expecting something. I knew what she was waiting for: 'how did you know everything was cleared up?' But it must have been pretty easy to deduce that, from the fact that Feather had been crying on my leg, she wouldn't have done that to anyone she held responsible for anything. So I didn't respond to her, I just gave her a look. A look which I tried to imbue with the words - 'I ain't one of your ponies'.

She recoiled slightly. Score. She looked at least a little apologetic. "I'm sorry, I am just so used to making the ponies think that I-" She stopped herself. Oh! You screwed up now!

"Make the ponies what?" I said with a smug grin. "Make then think your omnipotent by deducing facts that they haven't told you yet?" She stared at me, I gave my best evil grin.

"You know, if this room was not sound-proofed, I would probably have to kill you and the guards standing outside." I did my best to remain unfazed, I was a little surprised at the wording, but other than that, it was nothing I couldn't handle, I thought she was going to kill me a couple days ago anyway.

"That's nice Celestia. Really shows how much the so called 'Benevolent' rulers of Equestria care for their subjects." Before she could respond, I continued. "What did you want to talk about? The music I hope. I have been curious about that." Seeing the path I had made for her that allowed her to avoid my previous statement she responded quickly, shuffling in her chair slightly.

"Yes, we will finally be able to discuss your abilities concerning music magic."

The following conversation was long, contrived and quite exciting, to be honest.

It basically ended up with me learning about a couple key facts:

Music in Equestria is made by very emotional ponies who channel that emotion and use the ambient magic in the air to create a song that represents their deepest feelings, who just so happen to have their primitive recording equipment nearby. Otherwise the music basically sucks because they don't have any instruments other than pianos, harps and very few more. Plus they have barely any sense of rhythm by the looks of it.

I, for some reason, have a different 'magical signature' than ponies do. That means, my magical abilities differ from that of a pony. I guess that the magical abilities of a pony include their 'cartoon-mode' as I have come to call it. Apparently, my magical abilities include a advanced version of music-magic control, similar to a pony's, but I can use it by simply thinking of a song. Singing it helps too.

Celestia said that I could have more 'abilities' that are yet to be discovered, because she 'sensed' magic coming off of me that she could not identify as music-related. So maybe I have like, a superpower I don't know about yet. So that's cool. But she did say that they might not all be necessarily good things.

"So, it's like... midnight now. Can I go and sleep? I don't know about you but I don't have Alicorn magic to fall back to if I get tired." She rolled her eyes.

"Fine, but one last thing before you go." She said as I began to stand.

"Yeah? Please don't try to explain how magic works again, because I won't even try to listen like I did the first time."

"This skill you have, your musical talent, you could take music from your world, and release it here, commercially, you could even have concerts."

"Why would I want to do that? Many of the songs I remember are very... mature. Or sad. Or have many other implications. I don't think the ponies would be able to handle some of them."

"Then use the ones that are not that bad, change the lyrics, or just do all of them, but put warnings before the song starts."

"Again, why would I want to do this at all?"

"You could become famous Dan! Then you wouldn't get all of the weird looks on the street. And assuming you don't blow up too much, which I won't let happen by the way, you won't be swarmed by fans everywhere you go either. You've got nothing to lose Dan. At least try it."

"Okay, fine. I will try it, once. If I don't like it or they don't like it, I will never do it again. Deal?"

"This effects me in no way, and is your decision. There is no need for a deal with me. Just go and sleep, I need to go and adjust the sun, guess I will have to go without sleep today."

"Meh, okay." I said as I walked out, clothes still in hand.

I walked out of the palace, into the residential area, into Chrome's house, threw the clothes onto the bed, then fall asleep on the couch on my way to get a drink. Yeah that could have gone better.

Updated: 07/11/15
-Fixed many formatting issues
-Fixed spelling and grammar
-Probably some other stuff

Oh god, emotions.
How do they work?
I have no idea. If you could not already tell.