I stared at the building before me, a frown curling my lips. A look mirrored almost perfectly by the orange mare at my right side. Cadence had joined us once more and, along with the other three co-rulers, was now inside waiting for us to arrive.

“Well, guess we shouldn’t drag our feet, let's get this over with," I said.

“Hooves,” came from behind me.

“Shut up, Cort,” my comment caused Golden to snicker. I heard two hooves bump and I shook my head.

We all walked in, the doors being held open by what I took to be pages or perhaps private security of some sort. The chambers were what one would expect: overblown, ostentatious, and pretentious. I could not help but note the good fifty or so ponies of all kinds in the room.

We were not announced as the last meeting. Rather, we just kind of stood there a moment before a familiar stallion made his way to us, dressed in what I took to be a business jacket. I gave him a smile, even going so far as to bow my head a bit respectfully.

“Sir Fancy Pants, it is nice to see you again.”

A warm smile was returned to me. “Now, Shane, please, just Fancy is fine," he waved a hoof, "It is a honor to have you visit the House.” he leaned in some and spoke in a volume only Applejack and I could hear, but not projected to others around. “You have friends here, Shane, ones you did not know you had. They will watch out for you in this pit of vipers.”

I was about to comment when I heard a snort in a tone I knew pretty darn well. I chose not to let myself look in that particular direction, in fact straight up ignoring the pompous ass of a unicorn. I think that ticked him off, because from the small group of ponies around him, I heard a mare's voice. “Somepony seems to have declared it barn day.”

I knew the dig was at me, but it was likely aimed at Applejack, too. However, I needed not worry about her, as she turned her head and responded. “Why, Cloudy Tempest, how wonderful to see you! I must say, that is a fetching dress. Last year's bargain bin from Barnyard Bargains if my eye serves me right.”

I think half the room just sucked in a breath and held it. I myself had never heard Applejack put on a tone like that, or switch her accent off like a light switch. Then it hit me, a memory of her cutie mark origin story, she spent a bit of time in the high life with her family, the Oranges. I was bearing witness to AJ reminding everypony there, she may not be Granny Smith but she would not be talked down to!

I heard Fancy clear his throat and speak from next to me. “Now, now, ladies, let us remember, we are expected to remain hospitable,” even as the dark grey pegasus mare sputtered and tried to think of a comeback.

Behind me I heard Golden mutter in a very quiet whisper. “Damn, someone get that mare a burn kit,” forcing me to have to work harder to keep myself from breaking out in a smile.

Turning, we walked for a group, Fancy in the lead walking side by side with Applejack. “Quite the appropriate way to mark where you stand in the pecking order here, Miss Apple.”

She smirked some and tugged her stetson down a bit. “Ah won’t be talked down to, and ah won’t tolerate somepony doin' it to Shane.”

I don’t think she meant for me to overhear that comment, but I had. I glanced at the back of her head as we walked just behind her and the cobalt-maned unicorn. Inside my heart skipped a few beats, and I was once again struck by the fact she and Shawna were so much alike in too many ways.

I also took note other than the fact that Luna was quite visibly working her hardest to hold a laugh from bubbling out, and poor Twilight looked like she had witnessed the second coming. Other than that, the four princesses sitting at a table near the head of the room were keeping particularly quiet.

Approaching the small group Fancy was leading us to, I spotted a tall, rather skinny, but fetching white mare. She was unlike most I had seen, with her stance and look speaking ‘model’ to me. Next to her was what I took to be a earth pony stallion, his grey coat, white mane, spoke to yet another in the ‘model’ or fashion industry type of pony. There were a number of others standing around in the group.

Fancy gestured first to the mare. “Shane McDonald, may I introduce my wife, Fleur Dis Lee. Fleur, darling, you of course know Lady Applejack.”

As he introduced her, I reached up and took my hat off in greeting. “A pleasure, ma’am.”

The mare gave a warm and genuine smile, something that I suspected was pretty rare in this place. It really is why I hate the games of society.

“A pleasure to meet you Mister McDonald, and of course, Lady Apple, it is a pleasure to see you again,” leaning down some, she added in a quieter voice. “Bravo on putting Cloudy and her little cliq in check. I was only a filly the last time your grandmother stepped hoof in the chambers. You remind me much of her.”

The orange mare's cheeks flushed and I set my hat back on my head as Fancy turned a bit. “This, Shane, is her manager and one of my best friends. Hoity Toity, may I introduce you to Shane McDonald.”

Oh boy, his voice was everything I imagined it would be as he looked up over the frame of his purple lens glasses at me. “The hat, the manner of dress. Why, I know that stitching,” he got a rather animated look. “That is one of Rarity’s designs. So bold!”

I gave him a single nod. “Yes, sir, she did make this shirt and a few other pieces for me. She used a book of clothing pictures I had from home and borrowed a few of my shirts to look at.”

He lowered his glasses more and examined me up and down. “Mr. McDonald, would you be willing to let me see this... book?”

I shrugged. “How about you talk to Rarity about it, sir? She was first to see it, and I wouldn’t want to go behind her back.”

Fancy leaned over to his wife and spoke, but I picked it up with ease. “I told you, it is as the princesses said. Honest and direct.”

Again, I frowned some, and I flicked my eye to the smug-looking white alicorn at the table near the front of the room, once more struck with the fact she was playing a damn game and I seemed to be twenty steps behind now. Just what was that mare pulling?

I was soon introduced to many others of the noble houses over the next hour or so. I got to meet a few more with the name Sir as part of their title, and were they real honest-to-goodness knights. This really was a room of the movers and shakers. I was, however, also acutely aware of the dirty looks originating from the small group of ten or so around ol’ Blueballs.

Just as I was becoming tired of it all, we were informed the house had a vote on the floor. Applejack and I were asked to observe from a place at the rear of the room. Yet again, Princess Sunbutt the Smug dashed a smile over at me, but her eyes spoke of far more nefarious things.

Walking into the room, it felt almost like a copy of the congressional floor. I did notice the princesses were not part, but rather up on a balcony. Studying it over, ponies I had met took up seats and pillows behind desks with a few up on the podium area, but where the Speaker of the House would have sat, the chair and desk was empty.

A pony to the right of that desk tapped the table. “Call to order, call to order. A motion is on the floor and has been seconded. I recommend we waive reading of the bill a third time. All in favor?”

I looked around and spotted many horns light up with a soft blue light. The ones who were not unicorn among them tapped buttons on their desks that lit up a small blue crystal on a little pole above them.

“Opposed?” once more, horns and crystals came on. I noted the cluster of red ones around a particularly-nasty little white unicorn. Man, I really am starting to despise that guy.

One of the ponies in that grouping spoke up suddenly. “I again call for a vote of no confidence, this abomination can not—”

A voice barked out from behind, turning to see a very regal and strong-looking unicorn mare standing there. Her deep midnight blue coat, long flowing golden mane, and a cutie mark of four stars in a circle around a crescent moon.

“That is quite enough out of you, Shady Trident!”

A few gasps, and not a few groans were heard as the earth pony mare I now knew was named Shady spoke up. “H-House Speaker Dame Lulamoon, I... that is, we—”

She walked down the path, stopping just next to me and staring above my head at the mare and group in question. “Oh, stuff your hollow words, Shady. I have known you far too long.” then she looked down at me, taking her seat beside AJ who had removed her hat. I reached up and snatched mine off, too.

“Mr. McDonald a pleasure to finally meet you. I apologize for being tardy, but my train was inconveniently late. I was in Ponyville speaking to my daughter, Beatrix." Her smile was much like Fleur’s was. Genuine, despite the air of the room. “She spoke highly of you.”

I had to blink. “Beatrix, ma’am?” hearing AJ, Cortland, and Golden begin to nicker a bit behind me.

The mare before me shook her head. “Perhaps you know her better by her... chosen name,” she grimaced faintly. “The great and powerful Trixie.”

I blinked again. “Trixie... that showmare, is your daughter?”

She gave a firm nod. “I had hoped she would go into politics like her mother, but,” she shrugged. “What can a mother do? She is happy with what she does,” she then glanced at AJ in turn. “It is nice to have an Apple in the chambers, Lady Applejack. I trust, of course, knowing this group, that nopony bothered to tell you, that you hold a vote, as well,” gesturing to one of the empty desks.

Getting a good look from where I was, I spotted the apple carved into the wood, the hoof shine to it, the clear custom work that made it stand out a little from the others. Applejack simply shook her head. “No, ma’am. Ain’t my place, but if you wish it, Granny would be mighty upset if ah didn’t show some respect to ya.”

She nodded and turned, walking down the aisle. I peered over at AJ who stood and trotted after her, taking the spot gestured at as the taller mare strolled up to the podium and took the speaker's desk.

“Now, I believe we have one vote left. Lady Apple,” a pause followed. “The vote on the floor is tied, yours would be the tie breaker.”

I remained just a little confused and slightly wary as I watched this go on. Applejack knocked her hat back and ignored the stabbing glares from the group of ponies across from her.

“Dame Lulamoon, ah am afraid ah ain’t got a clue about what we are to vote on,” she responded honestly.

A smile crossed her face, one that mirrored a look I had seen just a few minutes ago. My head snapped around to look up at the box with four alicorns in it. Three of them had knowing smiles, while one had an eager grin.

“Oh, how forgetful of me. Forgive me, Lady Apple. Before us is a vote of extending permanent citizenship to this country's first human.”

My head snapped around and I blurted out in surprise. “What!”

Her hoof banged into the desk three times and she glared at me. Ever get that glare from your mother that makes you just shut up and sit back again? That was exactly what I received, and let me tell you, I decided to snap my mouth shut instantly.

“The gallery will remain quiet, please,” she addressed, turning her head back to AJ. “The resident visa holder in question has shown themselves to embody everything it means to be a citizen of Equestria. The applicant risked life and limb for others without thought of themselves. They have shown themselves to be honest, truthful, and forthright. Lastly, they have been recognized for merit by the crown itself. So, Lady Applejack Apple, how do you vote?”

I immediately noticed Applejack hide her look of surprise and turn to glance at me over her shoulder. Her smile grew warm, and so did I in more than just my face seeing that. Damn it, Shane. get a grip of yourself! Then she turned and pressed down on a button. The light above her lit up in bright blue.

Tapping her hoof once more, the chairpony announced in a clear voice for all to hear. “Motion carried and passed,” then her hoof jerked up and pointed at the group around Blueblood, who looked livid and held a scowl at me.

“Each of you shall remember your place, or I will fine each of your houses one hundred-thousand bits! Am I perfectly clear on this?” All nodded in turn before she tapped her hoof again. “The house is now adjourned.”

My gaze snapped around, but Celestia was just walking out with Twilight at her side, Luna and Cadence behind them flanking each other. I ground my teeth some, not that I was mad, but they could have spoken to me about this first.

---

I had tried to get Celestia alone, but the best I could do was a side room with her, Luna, Cadence, Twilight, the Dame Lulamooon, AJ, and Cortland. As soon as the door was closed, I spun around and looked that alabaster goddess straight in the eyes.

“Excuse me, but, what in the fuck was that?”

Yeah, in retrospect that was a bit crude, especially in front of so many ladies. That didn't change how much anger burned inside me, and that good ol' boy nature was turned up to eleven. My outburst earned a glare from Luna and a gasp from most there. Both Cort and Applejack hit me in the thigh, left and right at the same time and growled out.

“Language!”

I gave out a grumble and snatched my old black stetson from my head. “I apologized already. Just, what the heck, Celestia?”

I missed the comments around me as I was glaring the sun princess in the eyes. Off to the left, Dame Lulamoon leaned over and remarked to Luna. “He really does have a mouth on him.”

This only got her the reply back from her of, “Thou have no clue, Gealeich.”

Of course the alicorn before me didn’t even ruffle a feather as she retained her smile, looking me eye to eye. Her cool demeanor did hide a little glint that told me perhaps I had stepped a little over the line.

“First off, my little human, you are legally still a ward of the Apple family. You would do well to remember that when addressing us.”

All right, she had a point. I fingered my hat held to my chest and then dropped my hands down to my sides, hat in my right hand.

“Yeah, okay. I am sorry for the crudeness, your highness, just... what was all that? Why didn't someone talk to me first?”

She paused and looked at me, then glanced over her shoulder at Luna, who just smirked and muttered. “We told thine so, sister.”

I watched her roll her eyes and shift her attention back to me. “In all honesty, Shane, perhaps Luna was right and I should have approached you prior to this vote. However, I wished it to be a surprise, I thought a happy one... but I see where my approach was flawed.”

There was a gasp, and a thud, causing us all to turn and see a purple alicorn on her side, out like a light. I blinked, but the other three princesses started to chuckle some. Seeing the look of confusion on many faces, Cadence spoke up.

“Hearing the words flawed come from Celestia is always a bit much for her. Twilight labors under some very lofty views of her mentor.”

I sighed and knelt down, using a hand to make sure she had not banged her head on anything too hard. Already she was starting to wake up. Her eyes fluttered open and looked at me.

“O-oh, Shane, I had a nightmare, I think. First you cursed at Celestia, then she said something so horrible, I can’t even repeat it!“

I glanced up and over at the others and shook my head, before looking back to the purple alicorn as I helped her up. “Afraid you did hear bo—ouch! Hey!”

She had slugged me with a hoof in the arm pretty darn hard. “You deserve that! What were you thinking using such language in front of the princesses! Why, I—”

I cut her off by giving her nose a small poke with my finger. This made her back up two steps and shake her head, going cross-eyed a moment. This was much to the amusement of many in the room, including the Dame Lulamoon.

“Will you stop doing that, Shane?!”

I smirked a bit more. “No, it’s cute, and you make the most adorable little faces when I do it. It also saves me from hearing Twilight lecture number seven-fifty-two on my language.”

She huffed and muttered. “It’s lecture number one-thousand, sixteen-point-two. Lecture seven-fifty-two is on late books.”

I again shook my head and looked back to Celestia as I rose to my feet. “So?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “You have shown my little ponies care and self sacrifice. You have shed your own life blood to protect others. You strive not only for truth, but justice, law, order, and what is right, even if it is counter to your own needs. Your core code of honor is beyond question, and your commitment to harmony is clear for all to see.“

Truth be told, I was a bit awestruck. I mean, to have a goddess and ruler address this to your face was, well, humbling. I blinked when her hoof lifted and she placed it on my shoulder.

“Shane, we—” she gestured around and returned her hoof to my shoulder, “—want you to make your life here, to remain in Equestria as your native land. We cannot return you to... er, Texas, but we can try our best to make this a place you call... home.”

I took a pretty hard gulp to force the lump in my throat down. Reaching up, I took my old stetson off once more and looked around the room. Even the Dame was giving me a smile and a soft nod. Turning my head back to her I dipped my head.

“I... I don’t know what to say, but. Look, I know you all tried your hardest to get me home, and you have gone above and beyond to make me feel welcome, even when I have broke the law.”

I glanced down at Applejack, who was looking at me with the widest emerald eyes. Hope in them, hope I would say yes, it was impossible to miss. I looked around at Twilight, and Cort, Golden and Luna. Everypony looked the same.

“I... would be a fool to not want to become part of, well, whatever you want to call this. Yes, I will accept this, and swear myself as a citizen.”

A small cheer went up from most of the ponies in the room, Applejack and Twilight the loudest only just edging out Luna, Cortland, and Golden.

“Very good, my little human, because you are expected to swear your allegiance in a ceremony tomorrow, in the throne room.”

With others clapping and talking, I leaned over and said in a lower tone. “How long have you been planning this... truth, now?”

That wicked, evil, sun-controlling mare just patted me on the shoulder and smiled... damn her!

I was about to turn when she said in a very casual voice. “Now you have a reason to celebrate on your date with Applejack.”

Like a ton of weight, the words crashed into me.

I had a date tonight... with Applejack!