Once Twilight and her friends had left, I found myself alone. Of course, sleep never quite came to me. I lay there on that huge bed, looking up at the ceiling. At this very moment, far too many details continued running across my mind to let it calm enough for sleep.

It must have been one, perhaps two in the morning when I gave in and sat upright. Looking out the open door to the balcony, my gaze met with quite a sight beyond the glass. Sliding out of bed, wearing nothing but my boxers, I strode nonchalantly on over to the doorway and looked up at the sky. Without any light pollution to block the view, I gawked up at the alien sky.

The stars weren’t my stars. The constellations were all wrong, even the moon's shadows were different. Despite all that it was awe-inspiring, it really was, actually, I had to ponder that a moment. I knew this place didn’t work like home. I knew Luna lifted the moon into the sky, or perhaps rotated the planet altogether, I knew she painted the stars in the sky, but I had no clue how. I did know that she did beautiful work.

I stood there, thinking on everything. Dawn would be here sooner or later, and with it a quiet breakfast, then, the meeting with the press—my first exposure to the general pony populous, and the rest of the world.

Turning back to the bed and walking over to it, I sat down on the edge and stared down at the floor. Celestia had given her word, no push for answers of what the mysterious object in the vault was, or of what my world was like. Not until after the press conference, that is. She had suggested we even hold off another day.

That one was crafty. Then again, she was—as far as I knew—an immortal goddess over two thousand years old who had the power to raise the sun into the sky every day. I suspect she had experience on her side. I would have to watch my every word with her, not because I wanted to hide anything, but, some things are best kept unspoken.
Laying back, I again tried to sleep some…

---

A knocking woke me. The sun was just beginning to climb into the sky if I went by the glow starting to creep into the windows. The room was a cool temperature, but not too cold, that kind of temperature that hinted late-spring going into the coming summer.

I again heard the knock, and I sat up. Pulling the blanket up around me to keep myself modest, I called out. “I am up, come in.”

A unicorn mare opened the door, peeking in. I remember this one, she helped me settle into the room yesterday, what was her name?

Dusty Shelf! That was it.

“Good morning, Shane, may I come in?”

I gave a soft nod to the soft cream colored mare, taking in the very light purple of her mane. The fact she wore a maid shirt, like many I had seen about did, that left her cutie mark showing: a feather duster hovering over what looked to be a wood shelf.

As she walked in, I spotted my jeans and shirt folded up and balanced on her back. She approached and slid the clothing off onto a chair. “I had your clothing cleaned, I hope that was okay.”

I gave a nod. “Thank you so much, Dusty,” I had three days worth in my pack, but it felt good to have my newer jeans clean again, along with of my nicer shirts.

She smiled. “Now, up and moving sir, you have a big day, and the princesses will be expecting you for breakfast.”

I coughed. “Um,” gesturing with my hand. “Could you turn around so I can get up and get some pants on, please?”

I took note of her blinking, but then turn, facing the wall. “I am curious as to why? I am sure you don’t have anything everypony else has. At least, if the article in the paper this morning is correct.”

A soft chuckle let itself out at that as I grabbed my pants first and started to tug them on. “Well, you see, back home, we humans, we don’t go around naked, it is kind of taboo in modern times. Part of our culture, really. Well, also practical. We don’t have fur to keep us warm like you do.”

She cocked her head, keeping faced toward the wall. “I see. I will then share that with the other maids and staff, to give you privacy to get dressed, out of respect for your customs.”

Tugging on my shirt and buttoning it up. “Okay, you can turn around now,” as I sat on the bed and started to slip my socks on.

I happened to glance up and catch her eyes open wide, and her cheeks heating into a deep shade of pink. I blinked in bewilderment and looked at what I was doing, then back at her. “Uh, what?”

She coughed and glanced away some. “I just, have never seen a stallion wear stockings before.”

It was my turn to blink a few more times, then I looked down, and back up at her. A bright red creeped into my face as I too blushed. “Oh...Oh! Um, no, they are just socks. See, I have to wear them so my feet don’t chafe or stink after being in my boots all day walking around. We don’t have hooves like you ponies do, and our feet are sensitive to damage.”

She looked back, and then tilted her head. “The... socks you called them, they look thick, is that to help act as cushions?”

I smiled at her genuinely. “Very observant of you, ma’am, that is right. It also helps wick away sweat and moisture that could cause blisters or rashes.”

She paused and then gave a nod, setting about starting to make the bed once I was standing.

“I can do that, you don’t need to go to a lot of trouble for me. Heck, I am a guest here.”

Her head turned and she blinked a few times, then she started to laugh lightly. A warm tone, no malice in it whatsoever. “Shane, it is my job to make the beds, see to your needs, and keep the room tidy. While it is charming and a relief to have a guest who is so nice, this is what I do, my special talent.”

I pondered that for a moment as I slid my boots on. “Well, ma’am, I respect that, just don’t like not earning my keep.”

I paused, and then a thought occurred to me. With a bit of a smile, I looked down at the unicorn. “I don’t suppose that our conversation is going to end up as a report to the princess, is it?”

She shot me a surprised look, then nodded. “I do not mean any disrespect by it, sir, but we were asked to keep our ears open and write out anything we learn about you.”

I held up my hand. “No need to be on the defensive about it, Dusty. I understand. I would ask the same of my staff if I were Celestia,” I made myself a mental note to watch what I say. Not because I don’t trust anypony here, but that alabaster alicorn is playing a chess game, and she was ten moves ahead of me already.

Her smile returned. “You really are a unique thinking stallion—” she paused. “Oh, um, it was man, right?”

I gave a nod. “Yes, ma’am, and I guess I should get going, wouldn’t do to have the princesses wait for me. Thank you again, Dusty, for helping out and not being afraid of me.”

She gave a warm smile. “It is my pleasure, Shane.”

---

I walked down the hall with one of the solar guard at my side. The earth pony mare looked just like all the other guard. I only knew her name because I had asked.

“Pardon me for asking, Shane, but why is it you take your hat off when we are inside?”

I glanced down at the golden-armored stallion and back ahead to where we were walking. “Politeness and tradition, a man doesn’t wear his hat inside, and he always tips it to a lady.”

Golden Shield looked back up at me then gave a slight smile. “I like that, it is respectful. You humans seem to have a pretty good grasp on respect and honor.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Some of us, yes.”

She turned to a door and reached her hoof out, gently knocking it open. “I will wait out here for you with the other guards.”

I gave a nod to her, then to the four guards near the door, and walked in. The room wasn’t too terribly big, in fact, I suspect if I went back and looked at the show, I had seen this one before. A table low to the ground that was long enough for twelve ponies to sit, pillows along each side and at each end. Currently, there were nine mares, one stallion, and a foal all looking up at me. That made me freeze in place as I found myself in the presence of two more alicorn, and a white unicorn.

“P-Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor,” well, what's right is right, so I gave a shallow bow to them, in effect to everypony there.

Looking back up, Cadence covered her mouth with a hoof as she giggled some. “You were right, Aunt Luna, he is quite respectful!”

Shining Armor leaned over to the smaller purple alicorn who was holding a squirming-around alicorn foal. “He really does know all our names, doesn’t he, Twily?”

Celestia waved me to a spot next to her with her hoof. “Shane, for such an announcement, it is appropriate to have all of the ruling parties of Equestria here in the capital. Cadence and Shining Armor came in by train late last night.”

I walked over and sat down, but before I could respond, I found my vision blocked by a pair of light pink wings, and something pretty heavy clutching to my chest.

“Wha?” I looked down to find an alicorn foal clinging to me, looking right back up with huge eyes held wide, letting out just about the most adorable spit-bubbling coo I'd ever seen. Almost right away, she started to babble at me. Instinct kicked in and I slid an arm under her to support her weight and the other to keep her from falling back.

“Flurry Heart!” I heard Shining exclaim. I glanced up at him.

“It’s all right, she ain’t hurting me none,” tilting my head back down. “How are you, little one?”

Once more, I missed looks shoot from Celestia to the others and back. Many of them were knowing smirks.

“Still, Shane, if I have that right? She knows better than to just leap over on somepony like that without warning.”

I smiled down at the little foal who had continued to babble and blow spit bubbles. Listening, but not replying just yet. I had my own war going on in my head, one I needed to keep tucked down deep and out of view.

“I guess it does say something about Shane, that she went right to him,” Twilight said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Once more, I missed the nods from the mares and single stallion in the room, too busy making stupid baby noises at the little one in my arms. I glanced up as I heard a few snickers of laughter to find myself being watched by everypony there. Not one— even her father—showed a stitch of worry.

A pink glow enveloped Flurry and pulled her up and away, floating her over to where Cadence was sitting. I noted her husband watching me pretty close now, a soldier's look, trying to size me up.

“I gave my word I would be on my best behavior, Prince Shining Armor. I also left my weapons in lockdown, as agreed on so long as I am in the castle,” I stared him right in the eyes in fact, almost reading his mind.

He gave a bit of a nod, then a shake of his head. “Please, call me Shining, and you don’t strike me as the dishonest type, Shane. Allow me to ask you, were you in some kind of military before you found yourself here?”

I shook my head but looked away some. “Nope, not military,” out of the corner of my eye, Applejack shot a look, then a nod. She knew I was keeping something back, not lying, but not telling the whole truth, either. Although, it appeared she was going to let me have my secrets for now.

Food was soon served, and to my surprise, I found scrambled eggs, and what looked like two sausage links. I glanced up with a bit of surprise first at Celestia, then around at others. A hoof on my left, Luna’s came to rest on my shoulder.

“It is a dish served to our omnivore and carnivore ambassadors. We employ a griffon chef just for such things. Worry not, Shane, all here have seen and smelled meat before. Know that is rightfully harvested and shipped here from the Griffon Empire.”

Again, I found myself looking around at smiles and nods. Shifting back down at the plate, such a tiny gesture but so deep in meaning. The level of trust it showed, a predator among a room full of prey creatures, and they overlooked their very nature to make me comfortable? I shook my head softly.

“Y’all don’t have to do things like this for me, but, thank you. I really do thank you all for... overlooking some of the darker traits of my kind."

Cadence snorted some from where she sat over to the left of Luna. “If that is your kinds darkest trait, Shane, then I believe you will fit in just fine around here.”

I started to eat, keeping my peace. That talk was coming and I would avoid it as long as I could. Like momma said, denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.

Breakfast was mostly silent for a time, while everyone ate. Soon, the quiet was broken by Celestia.

“Shane, after the press conference, I have received word from the ambassadors that reside here in Canterlot. The Table of Peace would like to meet with you, if you have the energy.”

I lifted my head and looked over at her as I took a sip of orange juice. Sorry, Applejack, but apple juice is a lunch drink.

“The Table of Peace?”

Celestia gave a nod. “It is a gathering of ambassadors from every country that Equestria has an accord with, along with representatives of the three tribes. It is a place for all to gather and air grievances, communicate, and work to keep harmony. Today's meeting, assuming you agree to it, will also include,” she gestured around.

“Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor, representing the Crystal Empire and the crystal pony tribe,” she gave a nod to the rest in the room. “And the Elements of Harmony there to observe and support you, of course, with the Princess of Friendship as your sponsor for the meeting.”

I blinked, peering around the room, then back up to the solar princess and gave a soft nod. “I should be able to do that, unless this press thing just eats me alive.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rainbow start to lift her hoof in the air as her maw opened. Applejack sitting next to her put her hoof up over the pegasus’ mouth. “It is just a saying.”

Rainbow snorted and shoved the hoof away. “I know that! I was just going to ask, who was here representing the pegasi?”

Luna looked up and smiled. “We think you know them both, Rainbow Dash. For in their wisdom, they have sent Stormy Flare,” she gave a nod over to Fluttershy. “And thine's father, Fluttershy.”

Rainbow perked up. Truthfully, so did I. I was going to get to meet the mother of Spitfire and Mr. Shy, two more names I knew of. I was starting to be really glad I spent my first two days here reviewing the old show.

Fluttershy smiled a bit. “Dad told me about that last night when I went to see him and Mom. They were staying here in the city and I was curious why.”

Celestia gave a nod at that. “Each meeting, the three tribes rotate in a new pair of elder pony. That way understanding and new views are always fresh, and wisdom is shared.”

Well, this was going to be a long day, that's for sure.