"In much more simple and crude language — we fucked up big time." Luna concluded after hearing her sister's story of the accident at the dining hall. "It seems nothing works with him." she sighed deeply. "I've never met anypony like him. Ponies would never deny us, and to swear at us... He has a spirit. It is good, but... it is also worrying."

"Though, his reaction was justified. We did it wrong, sister." Celestia said. "He needs a different approach. And we definitely can't force him to accept our help. It wouldn't work."

"I know." the lunar alicorn nodded. "I'm... stressed and irritated by my own deeds. To act so foolishly..." she frowned. "It seems I've lost my touch with truly troubled foals. Nowadays, everything is so simple, everypony is so easy to understand and help. With Sirius, everything is much more different and complicated. And everything confirms one of my suspicions — he has never seen ponies before. As insane as it may sound, he doesn't seem to be from our world either." she paused. "I remember what you told me about other worlds you encountered. It could be possible he is from one of them."

"Perhaps it is so." Celestia nodded. "However, it doesn't explain anything about him. In every single world I had visited I didn't hear a single word of language I didn't understand or know. And he said roughly four words to me, all of them completely different from what I know. It was clear he had insulted me, but I understood not a single word."

"This confirms my earlier suspicion, too." Luna nodded, then tapped her chin. "Maybe... Hm... Well, here is my analysis: the way he moves is unpony-like, judging by the hospital records his body structure is slightly different from ours, his brain is almost completely different. He also speaks an unknown language, and he seems to have some trouble with his body. He has also shown signs of confusion and shock when he saw magic being performed. It all points toward him not being a pony but either being turned into one either by accident or on purpose."

"Maybe it's the reason he struggles so much?" Celestia suggested.

"No, there is something deeper and much... older inside him." Luna shook her head slightly. "He doesn't seem to mind his change too much. Surely it's irritating having to deal with such a change, but I've not seen any sign of mental issues with his new body. His stress isn't connected to his physical state — his mental, inner state is the source of his behavior and problems. But what made him into this disturbing, easily angered, depressed husk of a sapient being?" she frowned deeply. "I hope it won't be too late when we find it out. He needs help, and quickly. Otherwise..." she looked at Celestia. "He might commit suicide."

A heavy silence fell upon the room the sisters were in. Both of them were shocked by it with Luna coping with it only slightly better. In centuries of peace and prosperity, their country hasn't known any suicide or even attempts of one. To think that someone was too damaged to continue living was almost impossible for the two. Without almost any crimes, completely without serious ones, and with high quality of life, there wasn't a single reason why anyone would commit suicide in Equestria. Things weren't much worse outside of that country as well.

Neither Celestia nor Luna wanted to know what world Sirius came from to suffer so much and to be scarred so deeply. However, they wished they knew what to do with him. There was simply not a single clue for them to use.

"This... this is... absolutely terrifying." Celestia sighed shakily. "It seems we won't succeed alone. And I still remember my last two mistakes with ponies I took under my wing." she looked away, sadness showing on her face. "While those mistakes aren't as severe, I don't see myself fit to help Sirius. I... I can be a ruler, a teacher, but I simply can't be a... friend. I've learned it, and I don't want to repeat the same mistake again." she looked at Luna. "Maybe Sirius can be helped by introducing him to other ponies of his age. Perhaps he'll open to at least one of them... I hope."

"But he still needs to learn our language." Luna pointed out. "He seems pretty intelligent. Very intelligent for his age, I might add. I suppose I can teach him the language, test his mental capabilities, and then send him to a school. As good as I am with foals, I am not relatable to them at all. Most of them if not all see me as their protector, not as a friend. Thus, Sirius needs to be exposed to foals of his age. He might be able to make a couple of friends and socialize. Perhaps it will ease him."

"Agreed." Celestia nodded. "So, let us begin. I'll search for a school with the friendliest environment and you will prepare Sirius and do some paperwork needed for him to enter the school. He will also have to live somewhere — I will search for a school with a hostel. He will have a roommate, and it will allow one of two things: either he becomes friends with them or ignores them." then, she said reluctantly: "There is a third possibility, however... He might grow to hate them. Negative emotions are strong with him... I hope it doesn't happen."

"It is all we can do, sister."

Sirius was idly sitting on his bed, staring at the floor blankly. He managed to bring his emotions back under control. However, they were still there: anger, sparks of hate, and fear. He was angry at both Celestia and Luna for trying to find more about him. He started to hate them for their actions. And he feared they might do something much worse to him. No matter how friendly they seemed, to him they were just two manipulative beings. All rulers are like that. He was sure neither of the two were different. Why would he think another way? So far, they have shown only their creepy desire to meddle with his mind and dig up as much about him as they could. He simply couldn't accept that sort of thing.

Sirius felt depressed again. His worst state returned to make him suffer again. He couldn't hide that feeling no matter how hard he tried to. Even after death, trouble followed him around. He couldn't even try to commit another suicide simply because he no longer saw it as an end. Why would any of his next attempts be any different? Would they be less painful? Or maybe they would throw him into another world? He didn't want to find out. It was better this way.

What was the meaning of his new life? There was no goal, not a single reason to live or even exist. What's the point if he can't forget himself? All those memories, all those emotions were still inside him. Every single bit of pain and misery he had ever experienced before his rebirth was still there. He would never be able to live among the ponies. Too much was inside him, and he grew tired of hiding it. He would never release it, for he feared himself much more than anything. He thought that everything that was inside him must stay there. For his own safety.

He could see how happy the ponies were. Behind the serious looks of the guards was happiness and comfort, in the eyes of their princesses was joy and most importantly, will to live.

He lacked any of that. It was like this for a very long time he has forgotten what true happiness is. He sometimes smiled and laughed, even felt good, but then, when he was all alone, he remembered everything. His childhood and teenage years, kindergarten and school, start of university. He hadn't seen any reason to continue existing like that. Routine, over and over again, and some memorable events. Some bad events, and something entirely too horrifying and grim to think about for too long.

His heart sunk, he felt shivers running through his body. He was completely alone without any hope of an end. It was like rape: he was bound and violently used by whatever higher power brought him to the new world. It forced him to continue his existance, carelessly threw him into an unfamiliar world and made him follow a princess, and then...

There was nothing. No release, no answers. Complete and utter void.

Sirius sighed deeply. His life has come to a moment where he wanted nothing more but to sleep forever. To never wake up. However, he knew he would never achieve it, no matter how hard he may try. He could just move forward and see where it would lead him to. Not that it was any better.

Exiting his trance-like thoughtful state, he decided to learn some words and then practice the levitation. First, he lifted the dictionary and opened it. He could combine learning and training, he realized. So, he begun to learn new words.

Pretty soon, his vocabulary filled with more words as he gobbled them up without a break. He was eager to learn new words and how they're used as to be able to speak, read, and write clearly. It also kept his mind off of things he didn't want to think about. He was glad he had something to do outside of sitting still or lying in a half-asleep state, struggling against his depression and other negative feelings bottled up inside his poor mind.

After studying for an hour or two, he decided to focus on levitation. He lifted a book in the air, then another book, and then everything else he could reach with his magic. Reaching out and grasping wasn't harder than using hands, but actually lifting was a problem. He struggled, his face heating and sweating as he concentrated, focusing at the things he wanted to move with his new ability.

Suddenly, he heard a set of hooves coming his way. He placed everything back where they were and waited for the door to his room to open. Soon, Luna creaked it open and looked inside. Sirius glared at her. What did she want from him?

"Sirius," she said, her ears folding. "May I come in?"

"...Yes." he said after a small pause. He observed her as she fully entered his bedroom and closed the door behind her. He could see she was slightly nervous by the way she moved and looked at him.

"I'm very sorry for trying to invade your dreams, Sirius." Luna said, full of shame. "I just wanted to help, but now I understand I was hurting you instead. I'm deeply sorry for the pain I had caused you."

As much as he wanted to believe her words, he didn't think they were sincere. He wasn't ready to forgive and forget what she did to him. He couldn't care less about her intentions as well.

"If you don't want to talk about it, I will no longer press." Luna said. "Do you accept my apologies?"

He thought for a couple of moments. On one hand, he felt she was being honest with him. On the other, she didn't seem like a kind of person to trust. Perhaps he could make a... compromise.

"I understand... what you say." he nodded. "But I not accept sorry." he looked her in the eyes. "Deserve it first. I need learn language. You need, uh... acceptance. We... cooperate." he blinked slowly, watching Luna closely. He clearly saw she was slightly uncomfortable. "You teach, I learn. And you... remember not to, um... mess with this." he gestured at his head. "Do again, and... I make sure this," he pointed at her horn. "Not works." he made a snapping gesture, accompanying it with a sound. "Your power is there, I know it. Keep it... away from me." he put his hoof down. While he feared her, his anger and will to hide his secrets greatly outweighed the fear.

"I... understand." Luna nodded hesitantly. She didn't show it but she was very shocked to see and hear Sirius literally threatening her. Breaking a horn would mean the end of life for a unicorn or an alicorn. Horns may heal if all parts are in place and connected right, but the process takes years to complete, and even then it's not guaranteed that the horn would work properly. All in all, such a threat was very dangerous. She started to doubt her and her sister's decision about sending him to a school. "I accept your terms, Sirius. They are fair. Now, let me teach you some important things..."

***

A few hours have passed with Sirius learning the Commonlang, the worldwide language. He learned how to structure his sentences correctly, a couple of essential words, he even started on tenses. He understood that they were pretty simple: only past, present, and future; only a couple of words added to one of them would define what kind of tense is used in the context of a sentence or a test. It was far easier than learning English tenses.

Then, was speech practice. The two conversed about random topics, Luna correcting him if he did wrong. She also made sure no uncomfortable questions were made. She didn't want him to lash out on her. She especially didn't want her already fragile relationship with the colt.

"...So, what would you like to do?" Luna asked after their session ended.

"What do you mean?"

"Would you like to take up a hobby? Surely it's boring just staying here all day long." Luna said softly. Maybe it would make Sirius better.

"What is a... hobby?" the former human tilted his head.

"Well, just something you do for fun or entertainment or sometimes to compete with others."

"Ah, I see." he replied in understanding. "No, no need of it. Learning is fine."

"Alright, then." Luna turned to exit the room. "You have the rest of the day to yourself."

Sirius became slightly less angry at the alicorn. She learned her lesson, and he was sure she and him could perhaps stay on neutral terms once she earns his forgiveness.

As for the hobby, he remembered he had one. He hadn't abandoned it up until the last days of his old life. Perhaps he could take it up again. However, he needs to practice levitation first. Without the hands or replacements for them, his hobby could just be abandoned forever.

So, he spent the rest of his day studying the language by himself and practicing levitation.

Author's Notes:

And now, moving to my favorite section: some explanations.

"Snorting Gentleman, how could Celestia and Luna figure everything out?"

If you stay a ruler for more than a few decades, it means you are pretty smart. Those two stayed rulers for centuries. I suppose the conclusion is simple for you to figure out.
***

Let's talk about Sirius. He is showing very bad signs of depression. He can't find the meaning of his new life, he has nothing to do, he has no goal. Indeed, there isn't a single reason for him to continue living. And yet, he can't commit suicide. He believes it won't work. Thus, he is powerless to do anything, and such a feeling can be very destructive.

So far, he isn't becoming better. Will the royal sisters be able to help him?