[open]

[buckethelm]

[ Megatron is a 35-foot-tall robot covered in spiked armour with glowing red eyes, first and foremost, but right now he is also technically a tourist and a kidnappee. It's a fairly new situation to him, given how hard it is to get someone like him to go anywhere they don't particularly want to go. This probably explains the slightly puzzled look on his face.

Those unfortunate enough to be close by will hear heavy, metallic footsteps wandering around the apartment district. He's trying to familiarise himself by exploring, but it's a little awkward when you take up most of the street. ]

Comments

[letteropener]

[After a certain period of completely baffled observation, Princess Celestia decides that the only way she will ever understand anything is to say hello.]

[So winging her way up and around to stop a respectable distance away at head-height, the pony drops a midair bow.]

Good afternoon.

[buckethelm]

I wouldn't call it good.

[ What.

...He's going to pretend he's not fazed, but still, what. ]

You don't look very afraid.

[letteropener]

[Celestia hasn't seen bigger or meaner, it's true -- but she has seen weirder by far.]

Well, where I come from, feeling fear of somepony just because they are larger or different would be rude. And I try to avoid rudeness where possible, especially when first meeting somepony new.

[buckethelm]

Rude, but often wise.

[ What a brave or potentially just naive creature. Megatron puts his confusion on hold and introduces himself, because he might as well. ]

Lord Megatron. And I mean you no harm. [ -for the moment. ]

[letteropener]

Wisdom is often a calculation of convenience, Lord Megatron. Perhaps it might be wise to fear you and flee in the short term, as regards my own personal safety -- but from a longer view, meeting you and getting to know you will be much more rewarding. Especially since, as I guessed, you mean no harm.

[Celestia is bright and cheerful about it all, not at all bothered that he implied her to be a fool. But certainly not about to let him labor under the impression that she didn't know what was doing when she made her choice.]

[buckethelm]

[ (Literal) ray of sunshine. It's not what he's used to at all. ]

Very diplomatic. Perhaps I should assume the crown you wear isn't just for show?

[letteropener]

Quite true. My name is Princess Celestia, and together my sister Luna and I rule the land of Equestria.

When we are not stuck here, of course. [She gets the feeling he responds better to candor, however good-humored, than flowery language.] Which we both are at present, much as you and several others are.

[buckethelm]

[ Much better. This is the tone he's used to! ]

Yes, apparently we have been gathered for a purpose. Until that is fulfilled, escape seems... unlikely.

I'm sure we will have much to discuss in terms of politics. But it seems that for all intents and purposes, you are as much a Princess as I am a Lord. [ Hard to tell whether he's being reassuring or the complete opposite. ]

[letteropener]

Well, being an alicorn does have certain physical advantages that I have not lost here... much as you retain your own obvious ones. [She doesn't even want to think about how much strength he must have. All the more reason to engage him diplomatically.]