#148
Spring. Day 164. Late Evening. Canterlot.

I left Hestan this morning, as much as it pained me to do so. Ginger and I had one last hour of intimacy before breakfast. Plus a final kiss before I stepped through the portal. Took my time saying my goodbyes to her, Ginseng, and Degressa plus just about everyone else I got to know while I was there. Ginseng gave me a letter to give Celestia, which I've already given her. Something of a trade agreement, if I remember rightly. Ginger gave me the stare she first met me with, hard and true. If I didn't return, she will hate me for it.

The portal has a clause to it, unfortunately. It can only function once every thirteen days. When it's active, it allows passage for the entire day and ceases when day ends on either side. I'm still marveling at how it can function like that. Regardless of that, it left me more than slightly ill after I got back to Canterlot. Left me bedridden for last part of the day. As a note, morning in Hestan is early evening here. So I may not have been as far away as I had initially thought.

Tomorrow I take the train to Ponyville and walk the rest of the way back. As much as I would love to fly, I can't. In my thinking of home, I've gotten tired of wondering what reactions I'll get and save my energy for it when I get there. Still, it's worrisome about what I should say to Apricot about Ginger.

#149
Spring. Day 165. Late Afternoon. Ponyville.

In Ponyville once again, after taking that dull early morning train ride. I received a warm welcome from Pinkie Pie however, as she sprinted toward me with a hug. Slowing down once she saw the bandages. She was extremely gentle. Would probably encase me in bubble wrap if she had it. Twilight welcomed me warmly as well and invited me to a cup of tea while we waited for Zecora to arrive.

Saw Statuesque on my way to the library. Shopping street vendors with Sweetie Belle and Rarity. Helped them carry whatever they bought. He grew just a little taller while I was away. Made me happy he was doing well. Idol was right to pass him off to her, even it is a burden.

When Twilight and I reached the library, she told me of her friends and what they've been up to. Fluttershy gave me a small packet of notes she took about Yukon, my pet eagle. Something I won't be opening until I get home. Rainbow Dash was upset that she couldn't race me now. I was equally upset. Applejack found love, apparently. The two started dating just after I had left. Rarity and Pinkie Pie have been going about their usual business of fine jewelry and party planning.

Twilight has been keeping herself busy with books and finding a suitable bachelor. I joked that she was looking too hard, she had a laugh at that. I told her about my bout with the former prince and the injuries I suffered afterward. I excused myself when things had grown silent. There was something I wanted to talk to Rarity about. Some advice about my relationship.

I entered the Carousel Boutique to the ring of a bell. “At last, an old familiar face!”

“Indeed.” I replied.

“It has been far too long.” Rarity hugged me gently. I still flinched from the soft pressure. “What happened to you, darling? You're all broken up.”

“Well, I got in a fight with a powerful prince and won. But I had to jump out a rather high window to save the king and his daughter. The speed I was flying at didn't give a very safe landing.” I shrugged.

“Saving a princess and a king? You do not look the part of a knight, dear.” She rolled her eyes. “There are exceptions, I suppose. Anyway, how may I be of service to you today, Letter? Clothes, a bit of jewelry to match your new earring, something for Apricot?”

“Actually, I was wondering if I could talk to you in private.” I felt my eyes harden up a little.

Her blue eyes gazed back into mine, “It was more than just saving the princess, wasn't it?” I nodded. She silently gasped in return. “Sweetie Belle!” She glanced over to a coat rack. “Could you watch over the store for a bit?” Sweetie Belle squeaked out a yes. “Thank you, dear. Come now, follow me.”

Rarity lead me up the stairs and took me into her inspiration room, one she kept under lock and key. A room filled with mannequins, piles of different cloths, and experimental fashions. I took a deep breath as she readied herself to listen. “I wanted some advice and please don't hate me for this.” I unwittingly married the princess and we had sex afterward.”

She slapped me then. A strong strike where my cut cheek is. I could say her hoof hit me like a tree. “I thought better of you, Letter.” the words hurt. “You cheated on sweet Apricot and you come to me for advice!?” She started to choke up. “Even Idol, your childhood friend, thought you better than that!” Rarity put a hoof to her forehead and calmed herself. “I shouldn't be yelling at you, dear. I apologize.”

“I deserve it, Rarity. You know that.” She motioned me to sit in the chair she used. I continued speaking. “I don't think I was really in my right mind at the time.”

“It is that time of year.” She quietly humored.

“It is.” I agreed.

“I suggest you tell Apricot. It would be better than to hide it from her. If you hide it, it could come back to bite you. And that's not the best of things. A mare's heart is a very delicate thing and not one that can be fixed easily once broken. She's just as fragile as Fluttershy is, but she lacks the same confidence. She hasn't gone out into the world as much. I think the poor dear is scared despite a good upbringing.”

“That's true. Guess her and I should figure something out together then.”

“Excellent suggestion there, darling.” She smiled. “Now, I must get back to tending to boutique. I apologize but when you have some more spare time we'll talk, okay?”

“I understand, thank you.”

I followed her back down the stairs and to the door. A tensioned hush between us before she whispered, “Come back when you need to. If she still trusts you after you tell her, do not break her trust again.” I nodded solemnly. “And keep your chin up, darling. You never look quite right with your head down.”

I smiled, “Thanks, Rarity. I'll stop by and visit when I can.” She smiled and shooed me away. I felt a bit better after talking to her. It seems that in the time I had been away, Apricot had gotten to know Twilight and her friends. I made my way back to the library to find Twilight waiting for me outside the door.

#150
Spring. Day 165. Late Evening. Zecora's Home.

“Letter, I need to speak with you inside.” I followed her in. “Spike, out.”

“Twilight, what's wrong?” She glared. “Okay, okay.” Spike gave me a disgruntled glance as he left. The door slammed shut behind him.

“Milady?”

“So Celestia tells me that you've been married into the Kingdom of Hestan. What in the world did you do over there?”

“I saved the king and his daughter and killed the prince. Who overthrew the king and killed the queen.”

I saw her eyes piece together the parts of the puzzle. “Were you aware of being married at the time?” I shook my head. “Are you obligated to any royal duties there?” Again I said no. “Was there any sort of festivities after the ceremony?”

“Something like a honeymoon and moving into a mansion given to me.” I eyed her suspiciously. “Why all the questions?”

“Celestia plans to allot land that I can rule over in Equestria. I need members for court and high priority assests.”

“Milady, if I may, I can suggest three.” She nodded. “Sitka Spruce. She's an attendant to Celestia. However she will only be holding that job for a short time. Then there's my sister, Busy Bee. She was the secretary of Clackerton's postal office before the bombings occurred. Lastly, Charger as a military advisor. They're all very good at what they do. You can always choose your friends to be part of your council as well, milady.”

“While that is an option, I do not wish to pull my friends out of their daily lives. I'm sure you understand.”

“Would you like me to find possible candidates, milady?”

“I'll have to decline your offer for the time being, Letter. You have other business to attend to as it is and I will not keep you from it. You on the other hoof, if I were to have a postal system, I would likely have you as a Lead Courier. You would be responsible for top priority deliveries that Spike would be unable to. When your responsibilities with your mother and the Designer come to a close, return to me and we'll discuss the matter further.”

“Yes, milady.”

“And stop calling me that, we're friends.”

“Very well.”

A knock on the door then, which Twilight dutifully answered. “Ah Zecora, I was wondering when you would arrive. You should already know our guest and where he's going.”

“Positively and absolutely.” Zecora came through the door and had a look over me. “A tale to behold, truth be told. Wings broken with spirit unbroken. Come, by night we should be at my home, there your tale I can comb.”

“Very well.” I repeated.

Said goodbye to Twilight and her friends and followed Zecora through the woods once more. A shorter trip than what I could last remember. We came upon her home and went inside, just as the shadows faded into the night and the crickets began to cheer. Zecora swiftly opened the door and helped me inside, taking fast to a switch that ignited the lamp she kept by the door. It was enough to illuminate the rest of the room.

“Take a seat, you must be beat.”

“I am.” Taking the crafted log by her small table, I added, “Where would you like me to begin?”

“From the start, have a drink, you'll be parched.” She slid a mug of water toward me which I happily took.

So I did. From the letter to the bombings in Clackerton and my mother's spell that threw me across the world. I told of Vesta and the people I met there. From the doctor who cared for my wounds and Ginger who led me to my uncle's former home. Where I found the first of several Designs. Then how Ginger and I made our way to Pecken, where I met her aunt and a rich friend of hers. I learned of Nutmeg then too, how things in the kingdom took to a darker side when he overthrew his father. How he was also Ginger's brother.

From Pecken, we went to Hestan, the capital of the kingdom. Where I was left alone in a guest room with Dagressa, who taught me about wisps. Then how Ginger, Clear Wing, and I went into the secret arena that Nutmeg had created and subsequently made our way to the throne room. I shook a little, telling her about that battle. I had trouble breaking my mind free of the last few moments to continue the story. I didn't think it would effect me this much. I continued telling it, reliving the pain and the words I spoke, until where I had hit the ground.

Zecora listened quietly without a word, intrigued and respectful. I continued after taking a long drink. Starting from the moment I woke up in the Room of Regard to the ceremony. What the king had given me as gifts and how Luna had secured a portal for me to use as travel between Canterlot and my new mansion. Surprisingly, she didn't say anything about the gifts and the ceremony.

“Dagressa.” Zecora said after momentary silence. “Was her kiss like salsa.”

“That's one way to describe it. What are you getting at?” I eyed her.

“She is no simple maid servant. You see, she is a savant.”

It seems that in return for telling her my tale she spun me one her own. Dagressa knew the workings of many things. How magic worked its way through the earth and its subjects. She could turn one's natural magic against them or provide some part of knowledge to whom she considers favorable. If she were to kiss someone, then they would retain the knowledge forever. Among Zecora's kind, she was revered as a wise sage, teaching her kind how to craft potions. For nearly a year Zecora learned under her and when her apprenticeship was over, Dagressa disappeared without trace nor word.

Zecora pedaled back to the bit about the salsa. Saying that Dagressa had kissed her to gift her knowledge. She said no more after that. “I seem to be vexed. I don't often get this perplexed.”

“It's been a long night. We should hit the hay.” I drank down the last of what water I had and moved to the primitive couch she had. Stripped myself free of my bags and got comfortable under the blanket she provided. Tomorrow, leaves me to deal with Apricot and how she'll react to all of this. I'm conflicted about how she'll react. Constantly thinking about either end of the spectrum. I wish I could get rid of the thoughts now rather than later.