After dinner the colt tells his father of the wonders of Canterlot, the capital city of Equestria, and the home of the Princess Celestia. He waves with his hooves as he talks, emphasizing the grand scale of it all – the lofty spires hundreds of feet tall and the great halls that are large enough to hold a thousand ponies. He talks about the expansive parks, the decorative promenades, and all the shops and homes that line the streets there.

He describes in great detail the Royal Observatory, with its truly massive telescope and even more massive golden dome - which can be seen miles away from the capital. It is the center of Equestrian astronomy, a topic that has always fascinated the young colt, and even the walls inside the building are festooned with astronomical charts – some even created by Celestia herself. He then tells his father about the Great Library, the largest building in Canterlot, with its massive stained glass windows and acres of shelves and tables. And then he talks about the castle proper, and the very fancy ponies that come and go from there day and night. And just how many ponies seem to live in Canterlot…

“And my quarters at the school are huge; there’s a bedroom, a study, the bath, and even a small alcove for making snacks. And there’s a big fountain out front with some famous pony on it… Though there are a lot of fountains, and art everywhere – tapestries and banners and statues… The student rooms are right off this great big plaza where we all, the students I mean, get together and discuss classes and things... And… Well, I’ve just never seen anything like the place!”

His father nods with a smile and a raised eyebrow, “Sounds very … big.”

“And, and –“ the colt pauses for a moment and looks quizzical, “it’s funny how things are kind of backwards there… Everyone in my class is a unicorn, except for this one earth pony named Hawthorne – and she’s there because her talent with growing stuff is really, really powerful and they think she might need training to control it. But, the other ponies in class can be so mean to her… I’ve been kinda sticking up for her because I know what it’s like being different…”

He pauses another moment, thinking of things his father might be interested in hearing about, and then suddenly sits bolt upright. “Oh, and the Princess! I have to tell you about her!” The colt looks completely smitten, “She’s so beautiful… I saw her the night I went to the Grand Galloping Gala!”

The stallion looks skeptical as he interrupts, “You went to the Gala?”

The colt looks a bit sheepish, “Well, I didn’t actually go to the Gala… I figured it was far too uppity of an affair for little old me – I mean, I don’t own anything half as fancy as them folks was wearin’. But I did volunteer to help out by pushing the desert cart around, cause it needed doin’, and everypony else in class said they was too busy. Like you say Father, ‘ain’t nothin’ so unimportant that someone ain’t gotta do it.’”

His father chuckles a bit. He’s always found it endearing how his son gets just a touch of country twang when he gets worked up.

“So I was pushing the cart down a hallway and there she was, just walkin’ past towards one of them curvy staircases with about ten of those really fancy ponies in tow… They was all talkin’, but I don’t think she was listenin’ and she looked somehow – tired, maybe even a little sad.” He pauses a moment, as if remembering something fondly, “And I remember thinking to myself that she really needed to have more fun, because it was her party and all, and it just didn’t seem fair that them fancy ponies weren’t lettin’ her have any fun…”

“And she just stopped, right then and there, like she’d been turned to stone or something – and them fancy ponies all ended up in a big pile as they each tried to make sure they didn’t bump into her.” He laughs, “Anyways she turned and looked at me like I’d said something… She’s got the most amazing eyes…”

The colt just kind of hangs on that thought a moment, staring off at something only he can see – until the stallion quietly clears his throat.

The colt jumps, “Oh! Sorry…” and looks sheepish again; “Anyways she walked over to me to get some of that flavored ice stuff they have in Canterlot – which is really awesome by the way.” He shakes his head, “She knew my name Father – just, out of the blue; never seen me before ever, and there she was, the Princess of Equestria, chatting with me like she was our nearest neighbor.” He laughs, “And boy did it fluster them fancy ponies. I could see they was tryin’ to figure out if I was someone important.”

“Anyways, she’s so – big! Bigger than you even! And regal and powerful and, her mane and tail are – wow, and well, she just can’t be explained really. I could feel her though, like a really powerful spell - it’s like she is magic.” He pauses for a breath; “Everyone in class says she’s immortal and has been ruling Equestria for thousands of years, and that she moves the sun and the moon across the sky…”

The colt yawns a bit, “I’ve never seen anypony quite like her. She’s so very nice though – you’d like her... Have you ever met the Princess father?”

His father nods slowly, “Yes – a long time ago…”

The colt’s eyes go wide, “You have? Does she really live forever? Why is she so big? She’s got wings and a horn, how’s that happen?”

His father chuckles and holds up his forehooves to stave off the questions, “Easy, easy… It was a long time ago, before you were born even, and I was only in the room during a discussion. But, you look like you’ve had enough for one day – it’s a long trot from the train station to here after all. Why don’t you turn in and I’ll get this here mess cleaned up. We can talk more in the mornin’.”

He adds with another laugh, “Besides, there’s work that needs doin’ and we country ponies get up mighty early for you city folk.”

“Aww, c’mon father,” the colt yawns again, “I’ve only been gone for the winter… Not sure if that qualifies me as city just yet.” But he nods sleepily and gets up to head for his room.

A half hour passes as the father gets the kitchen cleaned up in silence, it’s obvious that he’s got things on his mind as he hangs the dishtowel and extinguishes the lantern on the table.

He walks into the main room; pale, silvery light from the full moon outside streams through the windows and lights the room. The painting above the mantle shines in the cold white light that chases the colors from everything save the mare’s green eyes.

He looks up at the painting, “He needs to know... I made you that promise, the promise that he’d know - when he was old enough… He’ll be gone back to Canterlot in a week, and he’s not a colt any longer no matter how young he looks to me...”

He turns and heads for the door, “I’ll tell ‘im tomorrow… I sure hope he takes it well – it’s a doozy of a tale darlin’.” And he is gone from the room.

In the silence the emerald green eyes of the mare in the painting flash and flicker for a brief moment…

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