trans_9 | Meat n' Greet

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Meat n' Greet

The rest of the crew assembled on the Observation Deck to meet the latest editions to their numbers. After the revelation that their worlds are gone, many of them are even more eager to see people they knew from home.

Several people are set up near the doors to provide the new people with omnicoms and comm rings. They are also told they must read information about their current situation and a survival guide with their new omnicom. New crew-mates might see a tall dragonish guy with wings (but don't call him that) and purple girl among their number. There are also several authoritative-looking figures ready to introduce themselves.

There's a lot to tell the new people. It's going to be a lot to take in.

[ooc: Only new characters and Command Staff can start new threads for introductions, to limit the number of threads. Everyone else, just tag in and have your guys greet the newbies.]

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"No---or they might, just not with humans." Cedric thought back on all his magical training. "In the forests by my school we had unicorns. They're very beautiful, have magic of their own, and we try to protect them as best we can." He decided not to discuss the magical uses for unicorn hairs, horns, and blood---it'd be totally barbaric.

"Do you have a herd of people who can't talk, then?"

"Perhaps you are right!" she said, chuckling. "I am sure they appreciate your care and concern."

Celestia would have no objection to the use of unicorn hairs, of course - but horns and blood? Those she would be most displeased to learn about. Without their horn, a unicorn would no longer be a unicorn, and they would be unable to perform magic at all.

"There are creatures in Equestria who cannot speak, but they are not ponykind. But we do not have humans such as yourself at all - you are all such very curious creatures!"

Cedric grinned awkwardly. It was new to be talking to a lovely creature that his kind often viewed as a commodity. "You probably have powerful magic. All the unicorns did."

He just had to smile at the thought of that. A whole world of ponies. The younger girls he knew would've been so happy to hear that such a place existed. "I hope we're able to help all your ponies. It sounds like a wonderful place."

"All unicorns do have magic," Celestia agreed, nodding her head. "And as Princess, my magic is indeed powerful."

It was almost a shame that there were no little girls on board who would coo over Celestia and the other ponies - but then, Celestia wasn't aware of just how much human girls loved ponies. "It is indeed a most wonderful place - but the heart of Equestria is the ponies that live there. Fortunately, I know that Stacy has saved several of my dear subjects. Do you know if any from your world are on board?" she asked, inquiring. She did hope that the generous young human would have some familiar faces to give him comfort.

Wow. These unicorns likely had conscious control over their magic. He wondered if they had similar abilities to human wizards, or if they went to wizarding schools. But he didn't quite feel comfortable enough to ask.

"Good. I think I've seen a few of them wandering around. And no, I haven't seen anyone. I'm a little worried, but maybe it's for the best."

But he'd try to straighten out and cheer up. There were others who were lonely and needed help, and if he saw someone he knew, wouldn't it be painful? He was just going to die when this was all over anyway.

It was a pity, because Celestia would have been all to happy to explain.

"My dear creature," she said gently. "Do not worry for your friends and family. When the ship rescued us, she also made the effort to save those close to us. You must not lose hope."

It did help. Cedric nodded as bravely as he could, though he hated the lack of certainty. "Thank you, Princess. You're right. I can't lose myself like this, not when important things are happening."

"And you are not alone - after all, you have your fellow crewmembers, I am sure you will soon make new friends here," she said, smiling. "And you will always be welcome at my castle, of course."

Castle? Cedric seemed to perk up a little. He'd always been fascinated by them, and living in a magical place for six years had definitely helped.

"I lived in a castle. It wasn't my home, but it was a great place. Is yours enchanted too?"

It was probably safe to talk to unicorns about magic, he figured.

"A enchanted castle! Oh how lovely," Celestia said, interested. "You will have to tell me more about it sometime. My current residence is not enchanted, but Canterlot - my home in Equestria - did have a few enchantments, here and there."

Seeing as Celestia found worlds lacking in any magic at all more odd than those that did, that probably was a rather safe assumption.

"It was a school," Cedric elaborated. "And it was wonderful. The staircases moved, the Great Hall's ceiling looked like the sky, and we had ghosts! It was Hogwarts, a school for witches and wizards. I've actually been studying magic there. I'm really not supposed to tell non-magical people, but you're magical. So it's all right."

He shyly lifted his wand, muttering a quick 'Orchideous!'. A short stream of flowers immediately sprouted up between them.

"How lovely! We had a school for magic in Canterlot as well - learning is always a wonderful thing. I am glad you enjoyed your studies!" she said, smiling. "But my dear creature, why are you not supposed to share your gifts?" A talent such as magic was to be enjoyed, not hidden.

At the flowers, Celestia laughed, watching the stream of flowers with admiration. "These are beautiful!" she exclaimed. Then Celestia's own horn began to glow, as she lifted up the flowers with her magic, making them glow and twirl around above their heads in a circle.

Cedric looked delighted. He watched the twirling flowers for a moment, in awe. His world's unicorns had never used magic in front of humans, though they might have been capable of it.

"We hide because it keeps the magical and non-magical humans safe from each other. There was a time when wizards and Muggles lived together, but it didn't work out. The Muggles started demanding magic from us, blaming their ills on us, and persecuting us. Innocent Muggles were killed because they were accused of being witches."

He shuddered. "We weren't blameless either. There are wizards who believe they're superior beings because of their magic, and they really were casting curses on Muggles for their own amusement. The governments of our worlds tried to reach an agreement, but it couldn't be done. Wizards went into hiding for our own protection."

Celestia listened to Cedric's tale, her expression growing solemn. Blaming their own ills on others, persecution, creatures believing that they are superior to other creatures...the world Cedric described was a world of disharmony.

"I am sorry to hear of that," she said softly. "I hope that one day, your people and the non-magical kind will be able to set aside your differences and form a true friendship, and live together in harmony."

"I wish we could too. It sounds a lot nicer than distrust and fear and secrets."

He raked a hand through his hair and sighed. "So I'm still not sure what to do now. The people here seem to have some awareness of magic, but I don't know how they'll treat me."

"You should not be afraid to show who you truly are, my dear creature," she said. "We have creatures of many kinds living on this ship - some from worlds with no magic at all, others from those where magic is used freely. If you are open towards others, they will be the same towards you. You will not be persecuted, I promise you."

Cedric could see the logic in that. He relaxed just a little. "And I can't be prosecuted for breaking the decree of secrecy, there's no Ministry here. Even then, I can't go back."

He was certainly thinking about it.

"Either way, I'll use it to fight. I need to do that much."

"We are in a new world, now. The laws of our homes do not apply here," she agreed, nodding to herself. And indeed, that included her own laws; she was not Princess of this realm. "Of course, that does not mean there is no law at all. The creatures of this ship have set up a small government."

"We all have our parts to play - but today, you do not need to concern yourself with that. For now, there is no need for fighting."

"Right. I'd better get on to reading those laws." Cedric was bit of a by-the-book person at times. It could get irritating, but he wanted to make sure not to step out of line. The discipline could be anything.

"So today I just settle in and take my place?" Wherever that was.

"Of course - it would be too cruel of ask to throw you in the deep end on your first day, wouldn't it?" she said, chuckling. "The ship has many available quarters, and if you wish, you can find your own place in the City."

"I'll make sure I take a look. Thank you, Princess," Cedric inclined his head politely, giving her a little wave. "I'll let you know how things turn out."

Celestia inclined her head in return. "Good luck, Cedric," she said. "I wish you well."

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Meat n' Greet

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