Author's Notes:

So I attempted to do a whole bit where I could show you how a spell is generally structured in this world. Unfortunately, I can't afford the programs to do what I really want. So I am gonna have to upload the image and do the best at explaining it as I can.

Forgive me.

The image above is for the most part, a standard teleportation matrix.

Now normally, when casted the words and equations invoking the spell structure are not visible. This is due to an old practice among unicorns about hiding ones own way of casting. Its private. Like your choice in whether to wear underwear, or go commando.

The spell is structured when written:

Air Displacement---------------------------------------------------Object Displacement
--------Equation----------------------------------------------------------------Equation--------

---------------------------------Destination Displacement-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------Equation----------------------------------------------

Seems simple enough. But five sub spell matrices inside are to calculate:

Temperature
Detection of Location
Distance to Location
Image of Location
Altitude

The idea is to know where you are, and where you plan to go. Detection of Location will form the frame of the destination in which you are willing to travel. Like a 3D map. It's also considered an auto spell, meaning it's like a spell checker for the rest of the equation. It goes up first and the rest of the matrix field forms around it. Thus it actively corrects any missing or miss-structured equations.

So you don't plant yourself into the earth like an idiot. Being fused to rock and earth I imagine is rather painful. The rest should be self explanatory.

This will be talked about in a classroom setting for a more detailed explanation from this hackneyed attempt. I just wanted to give everyone an Idea of how it all works.

As always, thanks for reading.

Peace.

Orion arrived back to the orphanage with little fanfare, as was normal. What wasn't normal was Chip, the guard, sitting at Mrs Evergarden's desk. Looking bored, and more then a little annoyed.

"Yo Chip, whats the deal? You're usually only here when its horny season. Whats the occasion this time?" He had placed his bags at the foot of the steps leading up to the bedrooms for the few orphans that remained.

"Hey there youngin'!" He was suddenly excited again, coming out of the chair to greet him, and looking up. "Buck me but you get bigger every time I see ya. As for why I am here, well, Ol' Daisy has gone into labor about....oh two hours ago now. The medics took her away in a carriage just about forty-five minutes ago. She was getting antsy about you arriving home, and then bam. Hit her outta no wheres. The herd swooped in not twenty minutes after it began." Chip wasn't exactly sound enthused about it. He was more interested in dirty jokes and fucking.

"Oh shit! That's today?! I thought she wasn't due for another two weeks?"

"HAH! Tell that to them twins she's carryin'! Hey colt where you heading?" He had begun to make his way back to his seat, pausing just before plopping his lard ass into the chair.

"Duh, I am going to the hospital. She's gonna need some support from yours truly." He flashed a grin. Horn lighting up as his bag vanishes. "Besides, shes practically my mom. Gotta give her the family support, ya know? That," he looked about guiltily, "and I want her to know I am okay. She was worried after all. I feel like she started because of me."

Chip smiled back, he actually smiled. "Yeah I suppose that is true. But the baby chooses when to come out not us. I doubt this one was on you. Alright you get on it. They are at the Canterlot Royal Hospital."

"Horse hospitals are bullshit." Orion had arrived to a calm, almost empty lobby. There was nobody in the lounge except for two elderly mares sitting in a corner talking about flowers they were planning to plant the coming spring. Horse care must have been on top of its game not to have people flooding emergency room. Obamacare never pulled that off.

He didn't waste any time asking for what room his not mom was in, though the stallion running the desk eyed him suspiciously.

"Why do you need Daisy Evergarden's room. You don't look like her child. What is your relationship with the patient." The blond maned fuck was being smug and snooty, looking at him with obvious disgust. Well that won't be tolerated.

Reaching over Orion grabbed him by his ear pulling him in close, right over the counter of his station. He smiled making sure his visage was all that this not so smug fuck could see in all his glory. "Its a lot less intimate then you're going to be with this counter if you don't cut the sass. I am an the oldest orphan in her care and she has been practically a mom to me. I wish to be there to show my support to her and her herd. So stop being a bitch, and tell me which room she is in."

With tears in the stallion's eyes he quickly told him and was thanked in the form of being tossed back in his chair. Bolting to the elevators he hit floor three and waited. They can master teleportation but the elevators had to be slow as hell. "Did it just drop?" His stomach lurched.

It wasn't long before he found himself in the delivery room waiting lounge. Staring at, what appeared to be, her rather large family. There had to be over a dozen of them in the room.

Mrs Greenfield was, thankfully, there. "Orion! What are you doing here young stallion. I thought you were still in Ponyville?" She came over and gave him a hug. It had been a couple of years since his last class was with her but he had departed on pretty friendly terms. He had never seen her in casual clothes but the soft blue dress she wore went well with her mane. She had been the one he had told about Mr Cottonridge's affair with that young male student.

"Well teach, I walked into the door to see Chip sitting his lard ass in Mrs Evergarden's seat. When I asked what was up, he told me about her going into labor. Truth be told I would have been here sooner had I not been tied up with the frickin' princess. Instead of taking a train back I got the VIP terror ride back." He chose to ignore her gaping. Did nobody talk shit about their leaders in this world? The needed some good old American culture he swore.

A short stallion stood up and approached them, his coat of fur was black and his mane was green in a comb over that was a poor attempt at covering the slow thinning on his head. His tweed suit was a bit unkempt but if he was who Orion suspected then there was a good reason for that." Sweetheart, who is this colt?" He was looking nervous. He stood well over the poor man.

"Oh my I suppose this is the first time you're meeting him isn't it? Written Script this is Orion Falls." She smiled sweetly gesturing between the two. Orion reached out a hand to shake Written's hand. He was slower to respond. "He's the student I told you about from a few years ago."

Shaking his hand with and smiling slightly he seemed to brighten a bit. "Oh you're the young colt who had trouble minding your language in my wife's class! You...you're bigger then I thought you would be." He let go smiling brightly, nervousness still there, but confidence seemed to be creeping in. "What are they feeding you in that Orphanage? You look more like a stallion....what happened to your face?" Ah, the uncomfortable stare.

He had noticed, and so had Mrs Greenfield. "Ah yeah, that. Heh, I got into a very heated argument with a bunch of timber wolves. I won." The rapid steps of another caused him to look up at another mare. This one much younger, she shared her father's green mane but her fur coat was a peach colored fur. She was wearing a gray business suit and she had a very intense, scrutinizing look, on her face.

"Daddy, this is that colt that was in the papers this morning!" Aw shit. "The one who was hospitalized when he went chasing into the woods after some beasts." She was staring up in awe. Did the family have midgets in their bloodline or something.

"ORION-." She was cut off from further yelling.

A nurse had walked up and grabbed her sleeve, "Ma'am, this is the maternity ward. We would appreciate you keeping your voice down or taking this elsewhere." She walked back behind the reception desk and sat down glaring at the group standing in the middle of the lounge.

They all sat down in a corner, faces ashamed. But that didn't stop Mrs Greenfield. "What were you thinking!?" She whispered harshly. "You could have been killed showing off like that. Look at your poor face." Her hands had wandered over his cuts and still present bruises.

"I was thinking of revenge to be honest. Okay more rage at the moment I chose to bait those fuckos out of their little holes." He gently but firmly moved her hands away from his face. "They killed....some very important people to me. I... I couldn't just sit there and do nothing." Looking into his former teachers eyes. "I would do it again in a heartbeat. My only regret is a didn't get more of the fuckers before I ran out of magic."

She had tears in her eyes. His was dry. He had shed his tears on that hill. Her husband had been silent, gawking at him, leaning away. Tears were actually in his eyes. "Why in the blue fuck are you crying, dude?"

"Buck me but you're a tough one. You, wouldn't happen to be looking for a herd by any chance are you?" He assumed she was their daughter judging by her age and similarity to the two parents looking to be on the point of grieving for him. She was giving him an appraising looking. He was just giving her a deadpan glare back at her. "What is with these horses and their absolute need to find breeding partners so fucking fast."

He opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by his former teacher.

"Now, now my dear. He has gone through something rather dramatic. I think that question is best left for later, hmm?" She got a bashful nod in return. But now she was giving him the appraising look. Shit. "Still I must ask. Why are you here?"

He laughed. "Duh I'm here to give moral support to the family and Mrs Evergarden. She's been practically my mom since I got to Canterlot. Why would I not be here?"

"That is, well that is actually rather touching Mr. Falls. I had not realized you and my wife were so close." Written had gotten his tears under control it seemed. "I thought you were just another charge for her."

"Well I've been living there for, like what 6-7 years now? She has made sure I had my lunch packed. My books. Hell she even straightens my clothes out before I leave. She's having kids. Why would I not be here? She's been there for me." That seemed to just make the poor stallion flush with embarrassment.

After his embarrassment, Written, his wife, and their daughter hammered Orion with questions about his life. Mostly Written and Sherbet Greens, her name sounded like an awful ice cream flavor. He answered as best he could without giving too much away. When the subject of him eating meat came up, he smiled gleefully at their daughters sudden lack of interest in him. "Meat, you once again saved my life."

The third wife, stay well away from him. She apparently didn't like him much. That and the 7 kids of various ages seemed to share in the sentiment. Fuck em. Mrs Evergarden's two children were living in Manehatten and wouldn't arrive till tomorrow morning.

During their wait, three big ass mare orderlies and two guard mares entered the waiting room. The not so smug prick from before, once again looking smug, leading the pack.

"There he is ma'am. That was the colt that assaulted me. Please have him arrested." He was smiling gleefully, Orion should have twisted his ear right off. Give him a legit reason to call the cops.

"Orion Falls? Of course it would be you." The closest mare removed her helmet. It was Errant Strikes.

"Hey Lieutenant! Long time no see!" He was grinning, he was soo going to get out of this.

"That's Captain now squirt. Got promoted last month after a slave den bust down in the Rot. I hear you got into a pretty fierce debate with some timber wolves down in Ponyville of all places. Now you're here twisting the ears off interns. Whats up with that?"

He grinned, "oh yeah that. Well their arguments on living were wrong and I kindly laid out my side of the argument. They saw it my way. As for smug McGee over there? He was being a prick. So I screwed his brain in proper like." Looking over the now visibly confused an once again not so smug stallion. "I think I should have tightened that bolt a little tighter. Seems the dumbass came loose."

He knew most of the occupants of the quickly shrinking room were staring, he and Errant were laughing after all.

"I should arrest you, but you weren't lying, a couple of old mares saw the whole thing, I just wanted to confirm my suspicions. But what are you doing in the maternity ward? I believe you are a bit too young to be knocking up fillies just yet."

He laughed again and they both sat down from across one another as he told her what had been going on with him.

"That is, actually rather sweet of you little colt." She was smiling. "Still to come all the way here, from being escorted to the Princess, to the orphanage, and now here. You haven't had time to relax at all." It was nearly five in the evening.

"First, I'm bigger then you Cap, and secondly, I am always sweet. I doubt you could find a nicer dude then me." She snorted derisively. "And third, I stayed a week in a hospital. I don't think I can relax anymore if I wanted to."

"I suppose that's fair." She completely ignored the height shot.

While they had been speaking the three orderlies had left, dragging the intern sputtering out the door. He had caught some grumbling about making him pay for pulling them from their rest period. One made a rather suggestive action that the other two nodded and grinned. The stallion paled.

He did not feel bad for him in the slightest.

Errant's partner, a green recruit named Pale Water, stood ram rod straight in the entrance of the ward. God that must be boring as hell.

The doctor had walked in after a lull in the conversation. It had been 5 hours.

"Mr Word. I am please to announce to you that your wife has giving birth to two healthy colts." A cheer rang out from the family. Orion grinned openly. Twin colts were a rarity in this society.

Both guards mares grinned openly smiling at one another, till the recruit snapped back into position, the captain just shook her head. She nodded silently and pulled her partner out.

"That's wonderful! How is my wife? Is she okay?"

"She is just fine Mr Word. She is resting but ready for some visitors. We do ask that you speak quietly, as both her and the foals need their rest. But everything went amazingly well. One of the easier birthing processes we have gone through here. A small group of visitors can see her at a time."

After that Word and his two wives went in. Then he came back out with the 3rd, the children went in 2 or 3 at a time. Orion just sat there for a little while. "What am I still doing here, she's okay. The babies are okay. Time for my ass to hit the road and head on back home." A yawn cracked his jaw. It was definitely past ten now.

Getting up he made his way towards the elevators.

"Mr Falls?"

Surprised he slowly turned around looking at the doctor from before. "Uh...yeah? Something wrong?"

A small smile came from her. "No sir, just the patient wanted to see you. She is waiting in room 348. Please remember to speak softly."

He was a bit bewildered but followed her down the hall. He soon found himself in front of his caretaker's door. Hesitant to go in. He heard voices coming from inside.

"Are you sure you want to see him? That colt is not exactly a good pony."

"I'm quite positive Autumn. The fact that he showed up here. And waited should tell you what kinda young stallion he is. He's a good colt that's just a bit rough around the edges."

She sounded exhausted. Her voice strained. He snatched a full glass of water with ice off a nearby tray, it was meant for another room, pushing in the door he tried to smile softly as he entered.

"Hey there boss lady. Seems you finally lost all that weight." He softly chuckled.

Written and now the named, Autumn gasped in indignation. But Mrs Evergarden just laughed softly. "Oh yes, I think all the mares will enjoy this weight loss plan." She gratefully accepted the water from his hand and gulped at it with need.

Orion just stared at the two foals in their mobile crib. Both had her fur color, a rusty orange. Their manes were blue with shades of white in them. They truly looked alike. And they were too fucking adorable. He fought the urge to aww. Seriously what the fuck was wrong with him lately.

"They are beautiful Mrs Evergarden. Good job on the baking." Another laugh, she sounded less strained.

"Yes I say they came out perfect. A little early but here they are." He turned around to look at her. She was a mess. Her purple mane was a mess, the bun barely holding the tide of locks away. Her fur covered in a sheen of sweat. She looked like the happiest mare in the world right now. "Huh, so that's what they all mean when they say a woman is glowing after birth."

"Thank you Orion, for coming. When I read the news paper this morning I was so worried." She looked at him, sad eyes taking his scarred up looks. "Oh you poor colt, look at your face. Why did you go out and do that? There was no reason. What could possibly justify you putting your life on the line like that?"

He smiled softly, he was not about to stress her out more by telling her the details. "I'll tell you later. I'm okay. That's all that matters, besides, chicks dig scars. But enough about me. How ya feeling there?"

He would eventually tell her. Just not today. This was a happy time. They spent some time bantering, much to the shock of Written and his other wife. Greenfield just giggled. She was used to him. He remarked on the kids, both unicorns, looked so much like her. She threatened him with babysitting. It was a good time. Orion left before too long. Not wanting to wear her out.

Kissing her hand and giving her a gentle hug he gave her some final congrats and well wishes. Nodding to the rest of the family. He left. His thoughts whirled around his head as he came to terms with the fact that he was changing. maybe not like all the horses around him. But enough to blend in a bit better. The thoughts of new life also made him smile. Life goes on.

He hid a grin as a nurse was yelling at an orderly about some missing water. He had no idea what they were going on about. His shoulders shaking gave away the lie he was not convincing himself of.

The two old mares were still down there. With some inquiries he found out they were waiting on their husband. Taking breaks to come down here while the doctors operated on some spinal issue. Further inquires brought him knowledge of hot chocolate. He bought them two large cups as thank you for standing up for him.

He got a pair of kisses from the ladies.

Walking out he whistled the old Metroid theme song. Making his way home in the snowy winters night.

The return to school gave him a few surprises. The first being Twilight tackle hugging him at the entrance. She cried into his shoulder mumbling half formed apologies. He smiled and patted her head gently trying to ease them both off the ground.

She went near ballistic about his face, the scar was there but not super obvious now. But it might as well have been the end of the world for her. What a spaz.

The second surprise came from the student body in general. He thought they were going to part around him like the red sea for Moses. Instead he got smiles. One of the teachers slapped him on the back. The stallion was part of the physical academics department, a Mr Thunder if he remembered correctly. He nodded to him, congratulating him on what he did. Then asked if he was interested in playing hoofball next year in his primary academic school.

He wanted him to play fucking soccer. Hell no. More politely then he felt he declined saying he wanted to focus on his studies. He thanked him and left the disappointed man in the hall.

This was all way to bizarre. Then he found out why. Included into many news articles about him, was the reasoning behind his war on the timber wolves. It seemed many liked the idea of someone seeking justice from predators. He had somehow become the feel good story of the month. 'Hero Colt Seeks Justice for Slain Ponies', 'Family Rests Easy Knowing Killers Dead.'

All rather dramatic nonsense. But what mattered was Orion was suddenly not public enemy number one for the school anymore. A fact that did not settle well with him. Years of the status quo suddenly being shifted meant his activities would garner more attention. Shit. Double shit.

The shift of the paradigm came with the beginning of lunch. Where he once sat alone, now was surrounded by several girls and a few colts that gave him the willies. Twilight sat with another group, they looked nerdy like her. Any attempt to draw her into their conversation was met with her head in a book. But if looks could kill she would have murdered the entire left side of the cafeteria with the glare she was directing at the ponies that were now flooding his table.

The implications of why she was angry worried him.

This whole thing was unacceptable. In his desperation he found refuge on the roof of the school itself. He melted and burned the snow and ice from the southern tip of the school in line with all the rays of the sun. He bundled up tight and devoured his rapidly cooling meal.

After the 14th time they begged him to tell his 'heroism', that word was starting to make him sick, he had teleported out in a flash. Since then he had chosen to grab his meal and jump to the top of the school at every opportunity. That is where Celestia found him one sunny afternoon. "Aw hell."

"So, hero colt , eh?" Orion nearly fell the fuck off the building.

"Fucking Christ lady! You trying to get me killed!?" His heart had managed to squeeze it's way into his throat. She was laughing her ass off at him.

"Oh my you should see your face! I haven't startled anypony like that in years!" She held onto her stomach.

Regaining his seating he growled at her. "What can I do for you your highness." He almost died, and she was giggling to herself. Venom dripped from his words.

"Oh no need to be so hostile Orion. I was not about to let you fall to your death." She chuckled smiling wickedly. "Maybe let you panic a bit no death for you." She was a troll. Trollestia. He deadpanned glared at the newly named monarch. "Oh fine, your no fun. I actually came to check in on you." She had sat herself in the spot he was startled from, so she was a seat stealer on top of trying to scare him to death. Lovely.

Noticing a crowd of ponies gathering a little ways away below, he frowned. There was more to this then she was letting on. What, he could not know. But she was up to something. He shrugged his shoulders. Suddenly very conscious of the weight of those bands on his arms.

"Your highness, seriously you can't expect me to think this is just a friendly visit. We are not exactly buddies and all that. Did I do something to piss you off, again?"

"She stared at him for a moment. "I keep forgetting you're not like many ponies." She sighed, then smiled. "Very well, I wish to use you Orion." That set the beacons of Gondor ablaze. Apparently she noticed the look of panic racing across his face. "It's nothing bad I promise you. My...image with the common pony is not that great. I am more often seen as a...institution then as the motherly figure I try to project." This was new, she was struggling to articulate what it was she wanted. Then it clicked.

"You want a social beard." Her confused look made him chuckle. "It's slang, for when a stallion who has other then normal sexual preferences has a lady still act with interest to him in order to hide behind it. In your case, you want to appear friendly and one of the people. Thus you need someone to make you seem approachable. I expect this to have a political impact as well."

She was staring at him again. "You would very dangerous in noble society Orion. Yes, that is exactly what I am looking for. Our previous, conversations, have left an impression on the upper class. But I wish for more then just their attention. I want them to see me engage the lowest of the citizens. No offense to you, but you are about as low standing as one can get. This is why I wish to use you. On top of that the common pony will see me for what I have been trying to project all this time."

"This would of course be beneficial to you. Your standing in society would improve drastically. Herds that are forming now would definitely take notice of you if you were rubbing shoulders with the highest of our society." She was laying it on thick, and he was considering letting her finish before refusing. But fuck that.

"No offense princess but, no. Hell no. If you haven't picked up on it, I don't want attention drawn to me. I don't want nobles to mob me with their daughters. The moment I graduate I will be leaving at break neck speed south. I want to see the world and not from the lap of luxury. I get it. You need this, but I certainly don't."

"I-I.....what? You don't want....Why?" She was doing the fish gaping thing. Now he knew where Twilight got it from. "But think of what you could do with those resources of wealth behind you. You shown an amazing aptitude for understanding the natural order of nature, and the application of magic. Why would you not want to use influence to change how pony society sees the world?"

"Actually that is easy. On average most folks are concerned only how to feed their families and retire comfortably. Nobles will only show interest as long as it benefits them, allowing them to easily achieve their goals. Science communities will rejoice at the idea of new discoveries. But it will quickly fade into obscurity because the big dicks of those very communities will likely be mad they didn't come up with it themselves. They will work incredibly hard to squash any discoveries I made till I am as old and bitter as they are."

"No, I will not spend years trying to get their attention only to end up old and bitter."

"I see." She didn't fully see. Mostly because he hadn't told her the truth. Which was his alien ass didn't want anything to do with politicians and the noblese. Too much attention.

"Well, how about this, I can't take you on as a student but it was something I was going to discuss with you the other day. Orion, you have grown beyond many of your classes. Oh there are things you can still learn from the magic classes next year, but in terms of combat magic you...well you outclass anyone in your age group. To be honest, you are likely the most dangerous colt in the school. That is something in itself." She paused, letting him absorb the situation.

"Seeing that you are beyond the normal scope of basic combat courses. I would like to offer you this; be my beard, and I will allow you to train under some of the more advanced combat instructors of the military. Considering you wish to travel, likely without guidance or a herd, this might interest you more."

"Shit, this would actually be very useful." On the one hand he would be very close to her, but the other is actual combat training that involves more then just throwing magic missiles and praying. This was hard, but he knew he was going to take it. Before he could open his mouth she had to sour the pot she had been making. It likely saved him in the end, but he was a bit upset about it.

"I would like, however, for you to allow herds to approach you. Orion, you are immensely strong even with your range limitation. A blood line of your strength coupled with a mare whose family has been known to reach extraordinary range would make an excellent family tree of strength and power."

And she went and ruined it. No way in hell was he going to deal with noble daughters fawning over him. Trying to control him. He didn't want to be making babies the moment he graduated.

"Sorry Princess, but you went and ruined it. No way in hell am I doing that. Sorry but negotiations have fallen through, the countries are still at a ceasefire instead of outright peace." He grinned. He would find other avenues. Damn was this a good opportunity though. "Find someone else to be your beard. Someone more, pliable then myself."

Her face darkened very fast. "You are refusing your princess? Are you sure that's wise?"

"Shit, no. But it would be against my principles of being honest if I lied to you. Wise? No. But I would also like to point out that if you attempt to punish me, well, the common pony is going to notice the highest authority in the land using their office to subjugate, that's a good word, one with the lowest standing in the nation. That is absolutely terrible PR." He grinned. "But that is a choice you'll have to make."

Her glower had changed to a calculated look, eyes flicking back in forth in thought. He didn't think she had to think on the fly like this in quite some time. The way her face contorted when she realized she had overplayed her hand made him feel like he had just orgasmed, it was euphoric.

"You are, correct. I can't very well punish you for not wanting to do something against your will or against the law." She sighed in defeat. "Well, if i can't directly use you in the way I want, I can still get something out of this."

Post orgasm feeling gone."FUCK!"

"I guess. I can't exactly stop you there. Just don't get pissed and smite me when I am less the cordial." This was not going the way he wanted. He wanted her to get pissy and leave for fuck's sake. Maybe he could salvage this and irritate her enough to not think he was worth it.

It didn't work. He would be having tea with her every two weeks. He hated tea. How in the hell had she managed to get him to do this. So there he sat in the Knightsbridge, a section of Canterlot that screamed 'I have more money then you'll ever see in your miserable life.'

The cafe she chose, Silhouette's Dive, was anything but. The establishment was built around the idea that wood and black silks would go well. Turns out it did. The inside had a counter top shaped in a large L. The wood used was a deep mahogany. Behind the counter displayed jars upon jars of different tea spices from all over the world. The black and gray silks hung from the ceiling against the walls, it honestly gave the shop a spooky feel. He liked it.

Someone must have though adding sunset orange to the whole thing was a wonderful idea. To Orion, it just barely worked. The orange trim was tastefully done but it almost seemed to to come off wrong. Celestia loved it. They sat across from one another. The benches following a similar color scheme to the cafe. Same with the rectangular table that separated them.

She had wanted to take her tea outside but the weather ponies had scheduled a storm for that afternoon. The only disappointment she showed was a sigh. Seated in one of the most well lit spots there she perused through the menu as if looking for buried treasure. He hadn't even bothered to look.

"I don't know which one to have, the Tieguanyin sounds good but then Lavender would better help me relax....oh I just don't know what to pick. Orion, your thoughts?"

He glared at her. He was bitter. He hated this. The patrons were staring. Not at her, but at him. He could hear the whispers if not the exact nature of the conversations. The moment she dropped his name, the whispers had begun again, this time with his full name being cast about in hushed voices.

"You're doing this on purpose. Just because I won't agree to your demands. I don't care what tea you pick. This is petty and you know it." He whispered. Barely.

"I don't understand what you are talking about Orion. We are just here to enjoy tea. That's all." She had a coy smile. "This bitch." He could do nothing. She had him over barrel and she was delighting in the torment. Every now and then she would spot a unstallioned herd that would walk through the door, most likely because they heard she was there, and noted how young and healthy they looked.

It was grating. She dragged his ass to this place merely to put him on show. It wasn't the first time but each one felt like a new hell. Let the young and elite of Canterlot ogle him. He knew her game, she was trying to get a herd to notice him. The fact that it seemed to be working, even if only as him knowing her, was making him itch to teleport away. The stares were unnerving.

"Come now Orion, we are merely sharing a spot of tea and some pleasant conversation." The incredulous look from him made her chuckle. "Okay maybe that is more me thing. You certainly seem to be a hot topic among the patrons here today that's for sure."

"That's because they are still trying to figure out how the little orphan colt got into this area of town. Just give em time, they will grow used to me, then bored of me. The status quo will return to equilibrium. Can't wait for that to happen." He grumbled as he watched their waiter approach.

He could be considered handsome wearing a butler outfit with the the cafe's emblem, a mare in silhouette, with his name under it. Mist Storm. His parents had named him Intense Drizzle basically. Jesus horse names were dumb as hell. At least his own was moderately normal.

His silver gray mane was brushed to a gloss, with three individual braids in it. At the end of each braid was a gold trinket in the shape of a cutie mark. He had learned earlier that it was high fashion for stallions in Canterlot to wear the cutie marks of their herd mates in their manes. Touching really.

His deep brown fur had also followed the way of his mane, brushed to a glossy finish. Minus the braids. He had a small chin beard. Orion idly wondered how one might look on him.

"Princess, have you decided on what you would like to partake in this afternoon?" His voice came off cultured, and smooth. His posture was both relaxed and stiff. He clearly had dealt with her before. Okay so maybe she came here more often then he thought. Still could have done tea at the castle then this dog and pony show. But he knew her reasons.

"Yes Mist, I think I will go with the Tieguanyin tea, with a platter of your chocolate scones if you would. Orion, what will you have?" She smiled gently. The waiter turned to him, curiosity and not judgement surprisingly, on his face. He was going to ruin that. He smiled.

"Well shucks princess I don't know. Us orphans don't know what to do with them fancy teas-"

Applejack's ear itched something fierce. Somepony was up to something. She didn't know what, but it felt mean. And a lie to boot. The varmint.

"Young Orion will have the same as me." She had cut him off. She was chuckling softly while she did it. He was rubbing the back of his head. She was unflappable today. Nothing he did was getting to this woman.

Mist just smiled. "I believed as much, I have a young colt at home myself. He is in the same independent phase as well. Insists on embarrassing the herd where ever we go." He chuckled. "His older brother grew out of it. He will too." He turned to look at him. "I'm sure you will grow out of it as well young stallion."

"Tell you what bud, how about you take both hands, fill one up with confidence, the other with shit. Tell me which one fills up faster." Oh now he got to her. She stared aghast at him.

The waiter merely started laughing. "Oh my grandfather used to tell my father that all the time when I was young. I will get your orders out as soon as possible, Princess, Mr Falls." With that he walked away. Talk about unflappable. The man just passed sunbutt in that category.

"Orion!" She fiercely whispered at him. "That was totally uncalled for!"

"So was coming here, yet here we are. Listen I would have likely been less of an ass had this been regularly scheduled at the castle. This is the third time you have dragged me out to a cafe. I know your game Princess. You have forgotten one crucial detail. My compliance to any herd attempting to approach me." He grinned as she glared at him.

Approach him they did. Six times Mrs Evergarden had excitedly knocked on his door, pounded really, telling him about a group of mares in the orphanage's receiving room looking for him. Another hope for her now was he would join a herd to give him all the love and attention he deserved. Just, no. No no nonononononono.

The first time he thought it some grand joke. Which was quickly dashed when the youngest of that herd had rubbed up against him, her tail smacking him lightly across the legs. He was fourteen and these were grown ass mares trying to groom him already. The fuck. He magically threw them out.

By the third call, he had thrown on his ripped clothes from last year and jumped down and started making a bunch of wild animal noises. That sent a whole group running. He wasn't happy with the results. He was getting pissed.

They were taking time away from him his recent point of study, harmonic frequencies. There were no books on it anywhere and he was giving himself headaches trying to figure it out. The vibrations he had managed to make were leaving him with barely the ability to cast magic himself afterwards.

There seemed to be no stopping them either. Every week there seemed to be another group wanting to roll the dice. He never let any of them ask him questions. Just chased them out either verbally or physically. Celestia had admonished him when he threatened to throw sewage at the next group to come by. Mrs Evergarden was heart broken for a week after that fiasco. Wouldn't even talk to him.

Now he sat there, once again on display. It irked him to no end.

"Orion I wish you would give them a chance. You might actually begin to enjoy their company. You never know, one mare might just snag your heart." He wished she would stop this charade.

"Princess, I have no plans to attach myself to anyone. I plan to leave Canterlot the day of graduation. I want to travel the world. I will not allow myself to be tethered by you, or anyone you send my way." Her face had twitched, hard. It looked like she wanted to bite him. "For God's sake, I'm fourteen. I turn fifteen next a couple of months. Why in the hell are you trying to line up herds now? I'm way to young for that shit."

"Orion, I get that you wish to seek out your parents." Parents? She thinks he is hunting for his family, that was actually hilarious to him. "I am even willing to provide resources to that end as I am curious as well. But it is dangerous for a young stallion to out by themselves like that." She had switched to the 'this could happen' argument. "What are you my mother?" She was certainly acting like it. He hoped Mrs Evergarden never picked up lessons. "As to the age you are, many young colts get promised to maturing herds at your age."

Mist had returned with two platters of chocolate scones and two sets of teas. After arranging everything and his well wishes for the meal he departed. "By the way he deserves a damn good tip if he can laugh at one of my jokes." He bit into a scone, swallowed, and set it down never to be touched again. How the fuck do they make that so sweet? Why would they?

He drank the water he had ordered early in the visit. He wasn't touching the tea. Coffee or bust for him.

"I suppose he should considering what a little monster you have been today." She ate an entire scone in one bite. One. Bite. Oh look she is grabbing another. "I'm not sure why your being so irritable today. Granted its raining out but its not that bad."

"Well that might be because I have combat classes today. Have them three times a week as if you don't already know." He knew she was watching him again. He would have to be an idiot not to know she was watching him again. All his little projects were collecting dust under the floor boards. "After this I have if I am lucky twenty minutes to teleport home, change and be at the gym. Since I can't get the whole magical combat in, I figured I could try working magic into the standard self defense and offense classes instead."

He figured he might as well get a jump start on combat as best he could. He wasn't going to be getting much from the school in that regard. Everything seemed to boil down to spray and pray then teleport away. It was silly.

"Now how did you know that I knew what you did on a Saturday afternoon?" She was puzzled. She shoveled another one, whole, into her mouth. Then he noticed she had been taking from his plate. "What a fat ass."

"Well the fact that the same stallion in various, almost comedic disguises, has been following me about from school to the gym and then home was a good indication. At first I wasn't sure, but I managed to get a good look at him twice and realized it was the same dude. When I took two alternative paths, same guy following me." He grinned. "Don't tell me your agents are so few. You? No you likely got thousands of em. Probably didn't think I would notice."

She didn't think he would notice. Often times she had to remind herself he was a cautious and doubtful little colt. Because of that nature he often noticed what most would ignore. She had been looking him over, seeing the changes in his face and body. He was coming on his fifteenth year in May. He was again taller.

The muscle building seemed to have halted into something a little leaner since he had started his combat training. The images on crystal that she had received from her agent following him showed a very formidable figure. One with a knack for avoiding blows, that would have laid him out on the mat. Even when a fist or hoof managed to connect he seemed to just flow with the strike, minimizing the damage. Impressive. She wondered where he learned it from.

What had startled her even more was that in his combat classes he seemed to have figured out how to move about the mat with quick burst of magic. The real shock had been learning it wasn't teleportation. His horn would light up, and he would suddenly be on the other side of his opponent. The agent, had laid claim to golden lightening surrounding him briefly and then he was on the other side of the mat, behind his opponent.

The downside she had begun to notice, was that if he did that more then nine seconds he would be awash with sweat. Visible steam poured off his body, he would look more exhausted then his partner trying to keep up with him. What was he doing that built up so much heat? The spell he was using never showed up on the still images. Just the basic structure. She was impressed, he was attempting to construct a brand new spell. Those were difficult in and of themselves. And he was just fourteen.

The other surprise came when he was at home at the orphanage. He wasn't flying exactly, but he had somehow figured out how to cast magic with his hands. Using flames to propel him across the yard in quick succession. That was different. She had attempted to do it herself, and found she could in fact cast magic through her own. Nothing extravagant. In fact there seemed to be a limit to only the smaller easier cast spells like levitation.

She found she had greater control on the objects she was manipulating that way. She had spent that afternoon rearranging her personal quarters at least five times. It was easy.

Starswirl had mentioned long ago of it being possible to cast spells through the hands. He had even showed her it was possible. She had ignored that in favor of a more old fashion approach based on cultural norms. She had wanted her soldiers and ponies to act with poise when using their own magic. She had inadvertently stunted her own ponies. Foolish. Another reason to find some way to keep him firmly attached to her.

In terms of that she was having very little luck. That dreadful scar had healed. But was still visible. If not for the mild celebrity status he had garnered in Ponyville, and by the papers here in Canterlot, she would have had a much harder time sending the young mares of Canterlot's elite to him. A tactic that seemed to be failing. Mostly because she couldn't impress on the her nobles for much longer considering his method of, declining. He was a vulgar one when he rejected anypony.

"I'm sorry Orion, believe it or not I am concerned for your safety. You don't have a herd of your own to watch over you. Is it too much to wish to have you protected?" He rarely responded to genuine emotion. At least from her. He purposely looked for ulterior motives in her anytime she offered words of wisdom or help.

The flat refusal to remove him from the orphanage and set him up in a small apartment of his own was a big indicator that he didn't trust her at all. Considering their brief history thus far, she could see why. But he didn't even trust her to keep her word on anything. She soon realized it wasn't just her. He regarded everypony that way. It also explained why he had only Twilight as a friend. Even that was tentative at best.

"Princess, come on. I'm not your responsibility. We both know that." He looked at her, an intense look on his face. "You have been watching me for some time now. You've likely be informed of what I have been attempting."

Celestia was taken aback, she didn't think he would actually want to talk about what he was trying to do with some of the spells she had seen him attempting to perform. "Yes. I have." She spoke hesitantly, not wanting to get her hopes up. "I am most curious of a few of them."

He was originally planning to keep things close to the chest about his experiments. But the spell he was tentatively calling Amplification was not working. The magic itself was easy to apply when considering he understood the stresses the cells of the body could take and how to boost their resilience to take on further burdens.

The problem that came was not something he anticipated. Massive heat build up. He had not come up with a way to vent the heat itself. It was too much. After nine seconds he felt like he was in a jungle and the Sahara Desert at the same fucking time. But those few seconds he was fast, unbelievably fast. The spell didn't increase his physical strength as much. True he hit far harder. But it was nothing compared to the sheer speed he got.

The first time he cast it, had made him dizzy as hell. He actually went blind from the speed. And had to stop to re-orientate himself. He remember reading about a beetle that moved so fast that it went blind too. Augmenting his eyes with the spell was no problem, he just added another branch to the main matrix, though even that seemed to only allow for blurred vision. He knew he would figure out that part eventually. Maybe by adding another sub matrix all together.

The heat build up was what worried him. He felt like he would microwave his insides pushing that to far. The problem stemmed from the fact that when he fortified the cells in his body he made them unable to expel heat as rapidly as normal. He thought about just adding a cooling spell to the mix but all he ended up doing was turning sluggish and cold. The math wouldn't allow for the compensation.

So he asked. "What am I doing wrong? The mass of my body has a specific heat threshold that I cannot go beyond. The spell I am trying to work on boosts my body's natural abilities, but in doing so I suffer from overheating as my muscles are working overtime. I have tried different combinations of spells to cool the effect, but they either outright negate the effect or worse knock me out completely." She was staring at him.

"What? I'm sorry Orion I am not sure I understand..." She sat, tea and confections forgotten for the moment, with her hand on her chin. A slight puzzled look on her face as she stared off, eyes darting back and forth in consideration for the problem he had presented her. "You're talking about heat displacement, as if its something that can be shed simply with a spell. I'm afraid you would need a direct outlet for that sort of thing. You are not just talking about about shedding heat either, your invoking a spell to do what the body does naturally overtime."

"Huh... well heat is can be considered a form of energy. The build up has to go somewhere. But with the way the spell locks the cells...."

Celestia was actually overjoyed. He was consulting her. Her. On a subject relating to magic. One on reflection, she actually knew quite a bit about. Considering where her magic came from after all. He was having trouble figuring out how to dissipate the heat build up. Summoning her writing kit she dabbed the quill into the ink and wrote out the heat transfer formula.

ΔU = Q − W.

"As you no doubt have already learned this is the equation for thermodynamics. What we have learned over the years is that heat and energy cannot be dispersed in an enclosed system. Eventually that will lead to the body shutting down because it has no where to send the heat. By solidifying the cells your isolating the heat build up."

Orion was just staring at the scroll with the formula and explanations written on it. He slammed his head into the table. Starling her and Mist who was just returning to check on them.

"You fucking idiot how the hell could you have forgotten that shit." Another slam "Its basic chemistry at its finest! You moron" She stopped him from another slam. Her magic engulfing his head and shoulders. He had attracted a the eyes of the patrons and workers in the establishment. Shock and fear etched on their faces.

"Orion, please control yourself whats wrong?" When she released him he ran a hand through his mane and looked a bit sheepish.

"Sorry, I just....hooo I had forgotten the basic rules. I locked my body down in that state. Now..." He had snatched the paper from her and pulled out...something thicker then her quill but with the same tip. He began to write, and anything he had to say was drowned out. He was writing without dipping into an ink pot. Her horn lit up as she cast the spell for a scan. Did he actually enchant a quill to have endless ink? Was he the enchanter?!

No. The ink was inside the quill itself. Her scan showed that it fed from a canister with a small needle poking into it. Allowing the ink to flow out at a slow rate. Where had he gotten it? There were no enchantments on it at all. In fact, this was a fairly new item judging by the exterior.

"Orion." He had stopped his mutterings, the entire paper covered in equations, she was having trouble trying to figure out where they were going. She shook her head and centered on her original thought. "What, is that in your hand? I don't think I've ever seen a quill like that before."

He looked down at the item in his hand. "Oh this? Heh, this is my meal ticket Princess. I call it a Pen. It holds the ink inside rather then having to constantly dip into an ink pot. With the little switch on the side I can physically separate ink cartridge and the nib from each other. That way I don't have ink bleeding out all over my notes in my back pack." He was smiling proudly.

He had made a device, that was an all in one for writing. "His meal ticket?"

"Are you saying you have that patented already?"

He looked back up from his writing. "Oh yeah. Costed every fucking bit I had at the time but I patented the shit out of it. Also paid extra for the clerk to keep it hidden. Good person that one. Won't tell you who in this case. Don't want no one to harass them after all." Smart.

There were several nobles in the now deathly silent cafe. She could detect several noise amplification spells in the room. They had been listening and now were staring hungrily at his pen. The poor colt was going to have to-

His head whipped about and stared at the nobles with an angry glare. His horn flashed and went quiet. The shrieking from a young stallion had grabbed her attention. Jet Set, she believed his name was. He was barely on his table holding his horn and head. What had he done? The spell he casted was too fast for her to catch.

"Mind your own damn business and keep your ears and horns to yourselves." There was that familiar rage in him. She had noted it from the recording as well as her own interactions. Though she couldn't be too upset. The had broken several social rules, and one state rule listening in as they had. Still.

"Orion that was uncalled for." She shushed him with her magic holding his mouth closed. If she let him talk he would find some way to spin this in his favor. "What they were doing was wrong. But so was, whatever you had done to them. I won't make you apologize because I know better by now. But do not do that again." She would ask him about what spell he had used later. It was almost the end of her schedule tea time with him.

She watched him for a moment as he began to write once more. That strange, pen he called it, gliding smoothly over the scroll like a dance. The equations he was forming, wait, he is coupling physical attacks using the heat to transfer to energy. Pure magical energy.

He might blow his hand off if he does that. "Orion, what you are writing is very dangerous. You could severely damage your hands doing that."

"Huh? Oh that yeah that is not the whole spell." He smirked. "Can't let you see everything I plan. This is just a reminder of where I am going with it more then anything else." Just shy of fifteen, and already hording his ideas and notes like a twenty year researcher. She smiled. She was concerned, but he seemed to have sense enough to know the limit.

Despite everything, his future is bright. If only he would stop being so defensive, and desist from his own self sabotage of potential relationships he might have.

"Welp times up, this was...actually this was far more pleasant then the last time." That had ended in a near shouting match. She was glad it had been interrupted. The image of their Princess screaming at a orphan colt would have been disastrous. His fault that time.

"Yes, I enjoy your company despite the hiccups we may have. This was a pleasant visit I wouldn't mind having again." She smiled. His bows weren't any better but they were not as hesitant as before. It was a start. Maybe with luck he might be a proper pony one day. The meat eating thing still made her pause. He had wanted to go to one of those griffon bistros once. She denied him.

"Well never can tell boss lady. In the meantime enjoy the afternoon of bullshit from the nobles. I hear they are meeting for taxes again." He flashed another grin, those teeth not bothering her now, and teleported right out of the establishment. No manners in that regard.

"He is one odd colt." Mist stood next to her shoulder, with the check.

"Yes he is. I fear his infamy will only grow in that regard." She politely paid, an entire coin purse full of gold bits. "Keep the change. He insisted."

The waiter chuckled, "He's a good colt after all. I suppose I have to stop following him now since he made me. He is too smart. I lost him seven times yesterday. He smiled every time I found him again. I have no idea how he did that. You have another lined up to watch him?"

"No." He had lost Agent Storm too easily and too many times. It would likely not take him all that long to lose another once he figured it out. It was game to him now. Besides the majority of her male agents were all deployed to other towns and cities. Assigning him a mare agent to follow might lead to something worse, with estrus season once again approaching. "No, you have collected enough information on his activities and other then keeping his secrets, and being a social pariah, he has been a normal colt. Have some downtime agent, take your mares out to somewhere nice. You have earned it."

He bowed without another word. It surprised her that Orion had never said anything about their server. She had watched his eyes. Not even a twitch. Maybe she should put forth an effort into him becoming a politician as well. One in her pocket.

She looked down at her discard quill. Still it was nice to teach somepony different then Twilight. She always asked for more knowledge. Orion chose to figure it out for himself. If only he might have arrived a few years earlier, and been less surly. He may have been the student she chose. No, Twilight's potential far outshines his.

"You know on second thought, I lucked out with Twilight."