//------------------------------// // Who is Ms. A: 7 // Story: The Collar // by Kentavritsa //------------------------------// . Ms. A had just fallen asleep, in her bed. Time to tend to her now. Epona is picking up the Fetish, representing Ms. A; looking at her, with great interest. “I am granting you the memories of your Idol: Twilight Sparkle!” Epona offers; as she is picking up a memory-chip, freshly printed with the memories of Twilight Sparkle. With the offer pronounced; she is pressing the chip onto the forehead of the Idol; permitting the time, for the memory-transfer to complete, before removing the chip and putting it back in its original container. The Idol, now loaded with the memories of her life as Twilight Sparkle, the Anthropomorphic Pony; she is, and has always been. Though she is still remembering, who she was, when the came to the hotel. “There, perfect!” Epona pronounces; “Now you are remembering who you are!” she concludes. She is placing the Idol, back in its niche; where it will be waiting, for the attention awaiting it the next night. “That was an odd dream!” I ponder. Of course, this night; my body had not changed, and for once I know it. Though I have a complete set of memories, I never had before I came to the hotel. Now I am finally remembering the Twilight Sparkle, this hotel had been named after. I slide my hand up, over the upper edge of the quilt under which I lie; exposing the purple skin, to the light of the room. Everything is as it had been, the night before; just as it should be, from now on. I am after all Twilight Sparkle, now; even if I retain my old name, and will be known as Ms. A here at the hotel. After a moment, I fold the quilt up against the wall; before I slide my feet out from under the quilt and sit up. I push myself off of the bed, and raise to my hooves; standing up and turn towards the bed. I fold the quilt back, before I turn away from the bed; leaving it as if I had never been in it, and walk over towards the wardrobe at the hoof-end of the room. As I reach my wardrobe, I reach forth; opening the doors, in order to see the clothes before me. Now I can scan the small space, so that I can choose what I intend to wear today. I slide my panties down, kick them up; before I pick them up, and slip them onto the floor of the wardrobe. With the panties in a pile, on the floor of my wardrobe; I can choose, what I am going to wear, today. The options available, to me; are exactly what I recall, from the previous day. I like the routine, no worries; I just choose, what I like to wear. Since I had slipped my panties of, I am stark naked; so I extract a pair of fresh panties, stepping right into them. Now I am pulling the panties up; affording them a few tentative tugs, in order to get that perfect fit. “There, much better; with the panties swapped, I can dress up for the new day!” I ponder, smiling. I extract a skirt, from the wardrobe before me; stepping into it, before I pull it up. Now I afford the skirt a few tentative tugs: once twice and thrice; achieving the perfect fit, I find so comfortable. With that, I extract my top; pulling it down over my head, before I give it a few tentative tugs. The skirt and top on; so I continue, looking through the wears of my wardrobe. Technically speaking; I am fully dressed up, but I could wear a pair of gloves either way. “Even if I do not have to wear gloves; I think I will put them on, just for the joy of it!” I conclude. While I may be hungry, after a full night's sleep; with nothing to eat, I still do take the time to dress up. Now I am extracting the gloves. These are my favourite gloves, the once I use to wear; not any of the other gloves, I had tried out, just to see how they feel. I slip my right hand into the first glove, pulling the hand in; feeling the hand slide, as I pull the glove all the way up to my shoulder. Now I am affording the glove a few tentative tugs; just in order to make sure, I have it on just right. I pick up the left, and final glove; slip my left hand in, and pull the glove up. Once I have pulled the glove up to my shoulder; I take the time to give it a few tentative tugs: once, twice and thrice. “There, perfect!” I mumble; “I do love these full-length gloves!” I continue. After a moment, I barely feel the gloves on. I know I am wearing the gloves, and that they are on; because I had just slipped my hands in, and I have not taken them of. Why should I? I love to wear them, because they are so comfortable. Once I had dressed up, for the day; I close the doors of the wardrobe, and turn my back on it. With that, I am walking to the door; I extend my right hand, pressing the palm onto the plaque and spread my fingers. I feel the door sliding up, before me; before I am stepping out into my living-room, and the door is sliding shut behind me. I continue to the door, to the cloaking-room; extending my right hand, pressing the palm of the hand up against the plaque. As I spread my fingers, the door is sliding up; I step out of my living-room, and the door is closing behind me. “I feel, like wearing my boots and shoes!” I ponder, in the manner a kid ponders to have some candy. No further justification required; for an action that is not exactly necessary, or required. You simply want it, when there is none to stop you. I could have chosen, not to wear my hoof-wear. I could as easily choose to wear them, just as I do right now. I stand before the shoe-rack, picking up the first boot; slipping my hoof in. I pick up the second boot, slipping my other hoof. Now I pick up my shoes, right and left; slipping them on, before I am standing firmly on the floor once more. I am looking forwards towards a new day, of wonders and fun; as I am approaching the door, and extend my right hand. Now I press the palm onto the plaque; spreading my fingers, in order to open the door. The door slides up, and I step out; the door slides shut, and I continue towards the elevator. No worries, just the joy of an expected breakfast. Then the Spa, and lunch. It is after all a perfect, wonderful day; where nothing could possibly go wrong, and I have no worries in the world. As I reach the doors, I extend my right hand, pressing the palm onto the plaque, and spread my fingers to open the door. The door of the elevator slides up, and I am stepping out into the cool, just outside, knowing the door is closing behind me. It is nothing I regret; even if I have enjoyed the company, of Ellie. I know I will see Ellie shortly, on my next ride with her elevator. No point in regret, in this perspective. I have far too much fun, to look forwards to. Maybe it is not the best time, to venture onto the track; just after a meal, like a steady lunch. It is just the time I had chosen, for the activity at hand. I like to enjoy the exercise. I need to feel my heart pounding, and my blood to course through my veins; to feel alive, in this manner. I am exploring the more athletic side of myself, in order to know myself. I will just have to be extra careful, to pace myself; when I exercise, after a steady meal. It is what the book had told me, and this is exactly what I am going to do. Nothing more to it, as they say. I had finally approached the door, as I had left the elevator behind me; now I extend the right hand, pressing the palm onto the plaque. I enjoy this moment of quiet. As I spread my fingers, the door is sliding up; just like clockwork, or like a well cast spell. I distinctly recall countless hours of reading, and practice; casting these spells over and over. A well rehearsed spell will work its magic, just as intended; just like the spell, I can manage these plaques, to make them do my bidding. Maybe, just maybe; this is why I enjoy them, so much now. Once inside, I see another door, only ten feet before me. I extend my right hand, pressing the palm onto the plaque and spread my fingers. The door slides up, and I enter the next room; the door is sliding shut behind me, as I step into the room. Once in the room, I can clearly see the desk; behind a girl is standing, identical to the girl tending the desk I had seen before. Maybe the word: uniform, is taken a bit too literal here? Either way, I can clearly recognize her as one of the staff. She is the girl, I am directing my questions, and requests. I expectantly approach the girl, behind the desk; stopping just a step from her. “Greetings, Ms. A; welcome to Twilight's Track and Field, how may I help you?” she exclaim, somewhat excited. “Hi!” I respond; “I was hoping you have a track available!” I continue. “I do have a track, available; Ms. A, all depending on the colour of your choice!” she offers. “That does sound promising!” I respond. “Place the palm of your right hand, on the plaque; please, and you should be able to be on the track in just a few minutes!” she put forth. “Thank you!” I respond; as I am extending my right hand, pressing the palm onto the plaque. “The Pi miles track-landscape seems fine!” I ponder; "I should be ready, by the time for supper!” I conclude. “Thank you, for choosing the track-landscape; Ms. A!” the girl behind the desk exclaims; This track is currently available!” she then adds, grinning widely. “Know thyself, and you gain a thousand victories!” I ponder; recalling an odd situation from a book I had once read, all these many a moon ago. “Thank you!” I respond; as I follow the path to the track, I had just chosen. Naturally, the path is looking exactly like a regular track, for running. I guess this was obvious. I just giggle, as the item is hitting home. It is a short-lived hilarity, and nothing more. But it is still fun, for all it had been worth; at the moment, of revelation. I could afford, acknowledging this; enjoying it while it was fun. At first, the track just heads of forwards, before it starts winding and slop uphills. I still follow the track, to the destination I had booked, for this particular exploration. An exercise, for me to explore, or endure. Depending on the perspective. “No elevator?” I ponder. “Indeed, no elevator; like the elevator, operated by Ellie the Waitress!” I am musing, as if I had said something truly hilarious. Maybe this had been hilarious, but I had at least enjoyed it; for all it had been worth, for that one brief moment. Beyond the obvious, but where is this path taking me? It would be beyond peculiar, if I am not arriving at my chosen track; any time soon, and find the environment enjoyable enough to be worth this trip. I am not worried, just yet. I have been here, for several days, and nothing had gone wrong. Why should that change now? I have been enjoying the hotel, and the service and services I have been provided. Everything has been perfect. Anything I have asked for, even on the slightest whim. This far, every service has been available, provided; on a moment's notice. I love it. I am loving it, indeed. Now I am following the path, to the chosen track. Maybe this is not exactly: the “Running of the leaves”, but I am going to enjoy this, nonetheless. Why not? I could use a little exercise, and running a few miles. Couldn't I? Maybe, just maybe I am missing to have Spike sitting on my rump, right now; just as he had, when I was out trotting on town, of Ponyville. Though I guess he could not be sitting there, right now; in this bipedal form, even if he had been here. He is not. I will just have to make due. Maybe it is for the better, with the exercise I had just booked. At least, I am not exactly alone, or lonely. I always have Ellie, the waitress, I could speak to. She is nice and fun; even if she is never going to compare with Pinkie Pie. Nothing could ever, possibly compare with her. While I may be missing my friends, all my friends from Ponyville and beyond, but there are some, I am missing more than everyone else. The once who stood with me, in thick and thin; for so many years, when I had needed them the most. These are the friends, I will always be missing; no matter how far I go, or how long I am going to live. I can never shake the loss; of these, special friends, who stood by me. I will make new friends, but these are the once I will be missing. “Oh, well; I am almost there!” I ponder; as I continue, on my way towards the destination. “Never knew, this little trip could be so much fun; even before I had reached the spot, where I was going!” I ponder. A moment later, I reach the next door, towards where I am going. I extend my right hand, pressing the palm onto the plaque, spreading my fingers. The double doors are sliding up, before me; I step right in, just before the doors once more are closing shut. Something I had grown used to, I had grown quite used to this. I guess I am getting pretty fond of it, even if I realize it could have been scary. Now it is merely a carefree aspect, of what is to pass for my home. “I am here!” I exclaim; “Finally!” I conclude. “Changing Room” the sign says, engraved on the door. “I would not have this any other way!” I ponder; not ever realizing, just how accustomed I had become, to this. This is the style, the entire hotel had been fashioned around. Every last, tiny little detail. Everything is conforming to the patterns I had been picking up. Then again, I would not have it any other way. This had been decorated, for me; in the image of who I am becoming, even if I had never truly reflected upon these details. Everything had just felt right, and it still does. It is so me. I enjoy the familiarity. Then again, I am clearly not Rarity. I never were. This may be a hotel, and no Royal Castle; but the style seems fairly high, to me at least. It is almost, as if it had been reminiscent; of a place I should have known, and recognized. Something about the constant use of the purple crystal; initially looking like Amethyst, but feeling more like purple Sapphire. Is this just me? Or, is there something to it, something more than meets the eye? Of course, since I had reached the changing-room; I enter the room, stepping right in. Naturally; I am wearing my usual wear. I am after all Twilight now, in a sense; even if I was never born to the name, and have not quite completed the changes. The door had closed behind me, like always; I am alone, in the familiar confinement, of this changing-room. It may be small, but cozy and intimate. Maybe a bit too much of intimate? Since this is a track, where I am expected to run; I have a suit, intended for a runner. A pair of running pants, and a training-top. All comfortable looking, for the intended purpose. I can clearly recognize this. I am not blind. Besides; I do have some experience, of what I have before me. I have also chosen, to be here; for this very purpose, in the first place. Right now, I will just have to change into the new suit, and pull the old suit off; before I can get to the fun part, and experience what I had come for. I pull down my skirt, and place it on the lower half of the hanger; before I pull the top up over my head, and place it on the top of the hanger. With that, I am ready to put the new suit on. With the old suit of, I am extracting the new pants; stepping into them, pulling them up and affording them a few tentative tugs. Once, twice and thrice. Now I extract the top, pulling it down over my head; affording it a few tentative tugs, in order to acquire that perfect fit. Once, twice and thrice; there goes, and it does fit as if painted on. Or, maybe it is more as if I had been born with it on? Either way, it is quite comfortable. Of course, these suits had been printed; based on my most resent body-scan, designed for the purpose I have before me. This is a training-suit, for a runner. Of course, it is made to my measures. I am the girl who is going to wear the suit; while running down the trail, that is the track I had chosen. There is one more detail, to tend to; I can switch into the training-boots, in place of the boots I am currently wearing. This will be more comfortable, and make the running feel more natural to me. With that; I take the shoes of, right and left. Once I placed the shoes on the floor; I take the boots of, right and left. Now I pick up the new boots; slipping my hooves in, right and left. “Should I go for shoes, or go for bare-booted?” I ponder; not considering, just how odd this would have sounded if I had said it out aloud. Of course, everything pony-related; is bound to be strange, if a human said it. Right now, I am trapped in the middle; neither Human, nor Pony, neither Homo, nor Equine. It is a strange middle-ground, but now I am used to it. I have grown, to enjoy it and myself as it is. Maybe I never had the choice. Yet, I chose to take the path; even before I had realized, what I was doing. I made the choices, I chose to explore, and try out all these changes. Now I am, who I am; rather than who I had been, before I had arrived at the hotel. Wait; am I Pony, or Girl? If I try to penetrate the depth of this mystery, what am I to end up with? Is there and answer, and one that could do me any good? The one question, with an answer; is if I am putting the shoes on, so I leave them where they lie. I want to feel the track under my hooves. I have the boots on, but that changes nothing, on the count of what I am looking for. Does it? How? Of course, now I am finally ready to get out. I have changed, and I am into the suit for the purpose of what I am about to do. A training-suit. I extend my right hand, pressing the palm onto the plaque; spreading my fingers, in order to open the door. As the door is sliding up; I exit the small changing-room; the door closed behind me and I am continuing towards the intended activity. “Finally, I am here!” I ponder, as I am setting hoof onto the new track before me. You may recognize this track, as a racing-track; fairly similar to the Olympic arena, one sees on the news. At first glance, it looks exactly like that. Only then, I notice the gravel is a deep purple; reminiscent of the crystal, the entire building is made out of. As if, it had been cut right out of a mountain. This track, had been built; with the dust left behind, when the building was cut out. On second thought, the crystal-shards are semi-transparent; though it feels, as if they had been coated with silicon in order to bind them together into place. Leaving them fixated, never to leave the original place. Is it the boots I wear, the coating of the track; or, the combination of the aforementioned factors leaving me with the traction I have. I enjoy it, and how it is feeling, as I move onto the track. For now, I am walking up to the starting line. What is that? Where am I? I am still on the hotel-ground, and within the building itself; but exactly where in the building am I? Maybe I should not care? Is it important? I have no idea, but I do not care. Though it soon hits home, exactly where I am now. I am directly above the pool. How did I end up, stepping onto what is essentially the roof of what is the pool; in which I had been swimming, before? It is a strange, almost eerie feeling to the location, tingling and teasing my mind and senses. “How did I possibly end up here?" I ponder. My inquisitive mind, almost reeling. It is a most curious feeling, to walk over the spot where one had been; not too long ago, when there had been no sense of the ceiling leaving room for this place in the first place. I could never have seen this place, from down there; more than I can see the place down there, from up here. Do I need to see the pool from up here, or the track down the water of the pool? Why? No, is the answer I give. Not really. As I am approaching the line, I see the green grass on both sides of the track. I relish, in the beauty before me and around me. It is almost, like trotting through the park by the Royal castle of Canterlot. Even if I have neither Princess Celestia, nor Princess Luna by my side now. I do not even have Princess Cadence in the building. For some unforeseen reason; this is reminding me of the day I was partaking in the running of the leaves, when Rainbow Dash and Applejack were having their Iron Pony-fever. Whatever had set them of on the path, in the first place. I just can not quite put a finger, on what is setting me of, causing the feeling of a deja vu. It is there, but I can not quite connect the dots. There is a glitch, and a gap in my chain of reasoning towards that goal. Maybe it is nothing, or it could have made the world. For now, I am letting it slide; in favour of enjoying the moment, before me. I had gone here, and booked my spot; to enjoy myself and explore a part of me, not to get all wrapped up in a quandary to ruin the moment. Why would I have done that? What is the point? I guess I have a tendency, towards worrying about things, beyond my control; I have to rain these tendencies in, and make the effort to enjoy the moment. I focus on a large stand of Peonies; permitting them distract me, from myself and my thoughts. I am thankful, for the gardener who planted these plants in my way. Just as I am thankful, for whoever designed my field, allowing for the gardener to plant the Peonies there in the first place. Of course, there is more than just the Peonies here; but these are what I had been focusing on, knowing the fragrant scent they are putting out. I love the scent, of these Peonies. Though it is the grass I love trotting over; even though in this case, it is the track I had come for. Now as I am still approaching the line, slowly; moving up towards the start, where I am going to warm up. I have no competition, no competitors here with me; not this time, and there is none to time me or record how I am doing. Just as well, I am not exactly into these things. I am here, merely to enjoy the moment; just like back then, even if I had come in at fifth place. I had enjoyed it, back then; but there were other reasons, behind that joy, of course. The look, on Rainbow Dashes and Applejacks faces had been priceless, when they realized how I had been beating them; by just taking my time, and step forwards with energy to spare. I had enjoyed the run, as well as the view; since I had had the time to see everything around me. As opposed to my dear friends, too obsessed with the competition; to even see the track, on which they were competing. Rainbow Dash had been teasing me, for being a book-horse and an egg-head; I guess that must have stung, when she realized how she had lost. Oh, well; that is in the past, and I am a very different Pony in a very different place now. Just how different, and how much I am changed; but I am getting back, to who I had been. Maybe I will never be quite the Pony I had been; but I remember, who I had been and who I am. Even if some details are a bit fuzzy, with resent events in mind. Now I am still enjoying, what I am doing. There is no regret, no regrets to speak of; I am still the same old Twilight Sparkle, even if I am known as Ms. A here now. It is the name I had booked the room, the suite under; thus it is who I am known as, even if I know who I am now. I had always known who I were, even before my old memories returned; the name had been different back then, but at least I had known who I were. While I had been focusing on the Peonies on the approach, I had reached the start-line; now I have stopped, in order to make the race fun, by warming up. I know as much, I need to warm up before the run; lest I will hurt myself, in any manner of inconvenient and uncomfortable manners. Anywhere, along the track; possibly hurting me in the process, to the point where I may have to abort the race or adventure altogether. What is the fun in that? None, for all I care. I had never come to this place, just to hurt myself. Why? What would be the point? None, of course. For a moment, I stop; standing still, closing my eyes. I focus, reach into myself; feeling the calm, before I open my eyes. Standing still, for just a moment longer. Enjoying the moment, the here and now. The image, of the peonies; I had just found, the once I had seen and been focusing on. Standing still, blinking my eyes. I am starting slow; looking to the right and left, up and down. I am still cool, feeling hot and excited. This is yet another reason, to stop and focus; to warm up, before I set forth. “I am finally here!” I ponder; "Now, I am ready!” I exclaim, in a declaration to myself and anything in the immediate vicinity. What else is there? Who else, is here? I am here, of course. Just as the grass lining the track, and the Peonies. I need nothing else, and no Pony else; right now. I may need them all, in an instant; but that is for later, I am here to enjoy this right now. It is, kind of when I had the book-shelving-days; with none but Spike by my side, back then. Only now, he is not here. I am not shelving books, and I do not need a crowd; watching me, as I perform. I am not performing for them, but for myself. Maybe I could have stood here all day, just warming up; going through the motions, while I watch the field upon which I am standing? I guess I could, but I do not have all day. As I am feeling sufficiently warmed up, I shift focus; towards the field, and the track before me. I step forwards, as I am stepping up to the starting line. I stop, for but a moment; as if I had been waiting, for the signal to start. I am alone, I am merely focusing; for the activity before me, getting everything into gear. Enjoying the moment, before I get into what I am about to do. I am embarking upon the activity, to run this race. Enjoying the moment, all by myself. For myself, and for no other. I hear the internal signal, just before I set out; running along the track. I feel the surface of the track, under my hooves, reinforcing the focus, upon this moment. I continue, along the track, just running. I still do see the grass lining the track, and the Peonies. The same Peonies, standing in small groups; lining the track, over the field upon which I am running. Celestia's sun, high on the sky; shining down upon me, smiling jovially for me. As if, she had been guiding me; personally cheering me on, like a crowd of wild fans. While I hear no fans; I still feel them inside, in my heart. I feel a slight breeze, frisky and joyful. It is warm, with the sun on the sky, yet I feel cool, with the breeze on the air. I had started out, fairly slow; slow enough, for me to see the sights. I need to enjoy the moment. Why rush it, and run away from myself and the moment? I have the time, to run; to take it slow, so I can enjoy this one moment. Why not? I am enjoying it, and myself; just as I had, back then. I am content, intent on what I am doing, and how I intend to do it. For a moment longer, the track just continues straight forwards. It is a straightforward track, after all. There is a scent, of fresh and luscious grass on the air; just as I can clearly pick up the scent of the Peonies, I can see on the right and left of the track. I could imagine, picture these Peonies; planted, cared for by a kind and loving gardener. No idea, as to who she may be; but I picture her as kind and loving, nonetheless. Just for planting the lovely Peonies, should be enough? I had not known, I would love these Peonies, this much before; but maybe there is another, hidden reason behind the Peonies? The lovely lavender blossoms, the crown of the luscious green bushes. Do I truly need more? Though I guess the name sounds, as if it had been a typo. I realize, I have a taste for this word-game. Well, why shouldn't I? Of course, I have never been purple before, and particularly not lavender; now I am, exactly that. I never was a Unicorn, either, and I had no hooves, either. These are just changes, with no relevance to the situation before me. Nonetheless, these changes made me into who I am now; I could not change it, if I had tried. Now I did not even consider, the idea never popped into my head; and if it had, I had known it to be pointless. Utterly futile. What had occurred to me, is just how lovely this one moment is; as I run down the track, towards the finish-line. I do enjoy running: hearing the sounds of my hooves, seeing the sights; while I am exploring this moment, as I continue running along the track I had chosen for myself. Though I guess one could say, she had chosen this, from what I had asked her for. Now I am enjoying it. Why shouldn't I be enjoying it? I have no idea, as if I had cared to try to find a reason? Why? What is the point? When I am enjoying myself, that is where my focus lies. Of course, the path is twisting and turning; making the experience more varied, easier to enjoy. I am not on a mono-tone track, leading me straight forwards; from start to finish. What would have been the fun in that? “What would be the fun in that?” echoes the voice of Discord. Just that he was referring to making sense. He had been an old enemy of mine, as he had been the enemy of Celestia and Luna. He had been the arch-enemy of Equestria, and every Pony living in the country. Now I remember him, fondly; as a friend, among other friends I see every now and then. Just that it is a while back, I last saw him. While Discord had been a bit of a tease, lashing out if he felt blue; but in the end, had proved to be a good friend. With Fluttershy's help, towards this goal. He is more, than just a friend. To all of us. I guess I am missing him, from time to time. Though right now, I am enjoying myself, as I continue along the track. A track, arranged just above the pool. Of course, Discord had had his ups and downs; like the time Fluttershy had visited him and he almost vanished, and the time he had set us up and wrecked havoc on the school-grounds. These things area ll behind me, now. Just as Discord had almost dissapeared, that day; so the track is effectively coming to an end. I guess I am just as happy, I can after all come back to this track any time I want, every day of the week. For as long as I am staying at the Twilight Hotel, that is. Then again, what is stopping me? I can always return to this hotel, for all I know. Of course, I had loved watching the scattered peonies; where they stand, between the trees. Somehow, I picture the gardener loving these Peonies dearly; considering how well tended and numerous they are. In the end, I find myself approaching the finish-line. Nothing to it, it is time to go back now. I have enjoyed it, but it is still time to end now. Once I finish the race, I stop and relax, before I follow the path back out.