Let the Light Shine

[letteropener]

[Ever just had one of those days where nothing makes sense any more?]

[Princess Celestia is having one of those days. Lost and patently confused, the pony princess wanders the streets of Freesia as completely befuddled as can be. Everything needs a second look, be it the buildings, the streets, the sidewalks, or the sun.]

[The sun. Not the sun she knows. Not one she is familiar with. And not even one she can reach with magic -- because every time she tries, her horn glows with light, but nothing comes of it at all.]

[And if you're wondering if the pony is just some random animal, well -- she has a little earbud clipped to one ear, the sort you'd expect to see on a normal person with a communicator. So there's that.]

...Where am I?

Comments

[unriddling]

[Riddler manages to keep still at the wings this time, at least. He just...nods back. He wants to do something, make some kind of comment as a powerplay, like he would with any human(oid), but he can't quite think of anything to throw at a pony-creature to show that he can be a threat not to challenge without risks.]

[...Probably not a bad thing, seeing as she's so huge and up-close. Maybe later. If he has to.]

You can call me the Riddler. [He internally laments the fact he doesn't have a cane on-hand to show off his baton skills.]

[letteropener]

[That name ought to be be strange. It isn't. It wouldn't be entirely unreasonable as a pony name, frankly.]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Riddler -- curious circumstances notwithstanding. [Her eyes briefly flick over their surroundings, still strange and alien to this place.]

frick i thought i replied to this a long time ago, i apologize

[unriddling]

[Riddler can't help a light scoff.] Not many would say that. [Even if he isn't cruel to her directly, he somehow doubts his reputation won't spread.]

...You've been the least aggravating being I've met as of now. [Feel honored that he told you that.]

[letteropener]

[Celestia does indeed have the notion that she's received quite the compliment, and so without any snark or witticism, she simply smiles.] Have you had the chance to meet many others? This city seems less bustling than I might have anticipated.

[unriddling]

If you're referring to our fellow abductees, I've spoken to most over the network. [He flicks his fingers towards her eyeglass.] I haven't felt it necessary to seek the rest out otherwise.

As for the native people of Freesia, they don't seem to care for any intruders and do their best to keep away.

[letteropener]

That would explain a very great deal. [She sweeps her gaze around them, re-examining their surroundings in light of this new information. The long, drifting mane only emphasizes this gesture.] That is a shame, but I cannot blame them. This must be very alarming.

[unriddling]

It isn't our fault we're here. And we're supposed to help. Logically, they should be trying to win our favor, not isolate us. [He sounds a bit miffed, but that's aimed more at their perceived idiocy than anything else.]

[letteropener]

They have no guarantee that we will do as we are 'supposed' to. I would prefer to see welcomeness and openness rule the day, but I can think of times in my own history when I would have been just as suspicious, with cause.

[Ever gracious and understanding, is our princess.]

[unriddling]

[Riddler certainly wouldn't, if he was in their shoes. That doesn't mean he won't be hypocritical and somewhat annoyed about it.]

Acting like we're spreading the plague only increases feelings of ill-will.

Not that they're particularly necessary for daily living. Food is provided for free and without them. [Somehow. He's still trying to work that out.] And other supplies aren't impossible to procure if you try hard enough.

[letteropener]

You are correct. I can understand their actions, but I do not agree with them.

[Something he says, though, catches her attention in a way he wouldn't expect -- because she can't help but notice, as they talk, that he has a carnivore's teeth.]

I hope the food is suitable for ponykind...

[unriddling]

[OF COURSE HE'S RIGHT.]

[His slight satisfied smirk at being agreed with vanishes at that.]

I wouldn't be shocked to learn our host didn't plan for that. I've seen there are, at the very least, apples. If your kind's diet is anything like the ones back where I'm from.

[letteropener]

Those will certainly do, although I will admit to a profound and deep irritation if I'm unable to get a cake every once in a while.

[She can at least make a joke out of her situation -- no, she can make light of her situation, because her statement was absolute truth.]

[unriddling]

...Cake. [Sure, why wouldn't the ponies have cake?] I've seen bakeries around. If an apartment...small>[He narrows his eyes at her wings and general size],,,or wherever you find to stay doesn't provide, perhaps you can cut a deal with some of the natives to make you one. Or--

[Riddler glances down at her hooves.] If you had hands, I would suggest simply walking in and taking ingredients suitable for your diet. [He suspects she wouldn't anyway, but he can't keep himself from mentioning the most practical solution that springs to mind.]

[...Why is he trying to help her, anyway?]

[letteropener]

And you have raised another good point, that of housing. [Celestia would love to sigh, but dignity prevents her. Still, her smile has a bit of a watery edge about it, as the troubles continue to pile on.]

[unriddling]

...There's farmland over the river, which likely have places with more room than the apartments in this area. [Barns, basically. He feels like saying it outright would be more of an insult than is necessary.]

[He has an odd urge to help her hunt down an apartment that could take her, anyway. He may put his nose into others' business, but not like this.]

[letteropener]

Farmland? [Celestia laughs, her head tipped back.] I would almost welcome the change from the palace, I think, just for the experience! But I do not think I will be short on new experiences at all, here.

[unriddling]

[Hmm.] No doubt. There's nothing like a palace here, Princess, except perhaps the Spire.

[letteropener]

I hardly need a palace. If nothing else, I will simply find a cloud somewhere. [Little does she know...]

The Spire?

[unriddling]

[For a moment, he assumes that's some sort of euphemism, like 'a hole in the wall'. Then he thinks of everything else she's spoken of so far and wonders.] Don't tell me your clouds aren't water vapor.

The tallest and most important-looking building in Freesia, you'll know it when you see it. None of the citizens of this place go there, though some of we outsiders have. [Not him, yet.] I don't know if you'd be allowed to stay even if you wished to, but if you want to try...

[Riddler shrugs grandly. Up to her, in the end.]

[letteropener]

It sounds worthy of investigation, if not habitation. Thank you for telling me about it.

[Graciousness and gratitude never run thin. She inclines her head to him with both.]

There is so very much to adjust to, here...

[unriddling]

[He gives a very slight bow back. It could be perceived as mocking. It might be. Even he isn't certain.]

For you more than most, yes, though we've all had to work on it. Perhaps your stay will be short, if our abductor is found and persuaded</> to show us the way back before too long. [His voice is very neutral.]

[letteropener]

I would hope that we could arrive at some arrangement, yes.

[Celestia is just as neutral. Obviously, she would prefer diplomacy and discussion... but if necessary, she will fight to return back to her proper place and her subjects.]

[unriddling]

[Riddler gives an easy shrug. He doubts it'll go without a fight, and that it will be quite dangerous, but he doesn't particularly care. He just wants to find the man in the sunglasses and teach him not to mess with such a well-known villain.]

The best of luck on finding him, Princess. He hides well, if he's even around here.

[letteropener]

If it were easy, you would have done it already. But more heads may provide more answers to the problem.

[As serious as she is about addressing this whole problem, Celestia is also too patient and wise to get angry or aggressive about it pointlessly.]

[unriddling]

Of course I would have.

[A slightly less easy shrug.] I may give advice from this [he aims a thumb at his eyeglass] if you need it. It's a technology for long-distance communication, if you didn't have it back where you're from.