Two Months Later

Two months. That's how long the promised "trial period," as I liked to call it, lasted. For two entire months, we were scrutinized almost everyday. From simple things to what we ate, to what time we got up, to how we dressed, as promised. We were tested, over and over again. We weren't being... experimented on, but you would be forgiven for thinking the opposite. Things like blood and urine were tested once a week. Although this sounded bad, it was rather a comfortable lifestyle, as the castle was the most luxurious place in Equestria, in my mind at least. We weren't pampered during our stay, but we weren't tortured either. More like... mildly inconvenienced, though I'm sure Austin would put it in a much more strident way.

The tests subtly and slowly moved on to more personal things, like height and weight, or how many times we used the lavatory in a given day and week. And sure enough, slowly, we were given small increasing increments of trust. It started out small, like being able to wear what we wanted, and getting to pick what we ate, be it on the menu. Princess Celestia had also explained to us that Harvest Candy was informed as to what happened, and that we would return as soon as whatever ailed us was discovered and terminated. At this point, I was getting a little bit more than skeptical that we were going to be allowed back home, but at this point, it was on the bottom of my worry list.

The trust we were given, based on our cooperation, was increasing sure enough, and after two months of constant watch, we were given a most prestigious opportunity.

"The constant watch of your handler guard is being lifted," princess Celestia told us in a slightly ostentatious tone. I noticed a slight smile on her face.

"Wait, does that mean that we can go where we want now?" Austin in an excited tone.

Don't blow it kid...

"That statement was a bit lenient based on what I said, but to a degree, yes," she told us.

"And what does that mean?" Austin asked.

"While not strictly off limits, venturing into the city of Canterlot will still require a guard escort. Inside the castle, however, your freedom has been granted. You are free to venture about, provided that you do not cause any disturbances. I will not hesitate to revoke this allotment, so use it wisely and carefully," she explained to us. We were currently standing inside the throne room of the castle, having being summoned here by the princess to inform us of this information. Princess Luna was... asleep, I presume.

By this time, we had explored most of the castle, as we were allowed the freedom to move, provided our handler was present at all times. And at sometimes, I didn't envy their jobs. Lieutenant Bell was assigned to watch after Austin, as he was dictated to be more aggressive, and needed better care. The private, Glass, had only been in the royal guard for a few months, and had told me that I was the most exciting work that he had yet. Over the two months, Glass and I had developed a good friendship, and it was saddening to see him be assigned to another post. Hopefully I'll see him around. Bell on the other hand, almost every moment that he had to watch over Austin. He and the lieutenant had developed a different kind of bond, based on hate and deception. All in all, it was fun to watch them bicker, though I wish Austin would take this whole "soul melding elements" thing a little more seriously sometimes. They never really hated each other, but I could see where Bell was coming from when he told me that sometimes he wanted to strangle the kid.

On that note, after all of the tests, watching, and prying, nothing had come back that would indicate a change in homoeostasis. To the tests, we were simple, growing boys.

It was now late into the month of October, Austin's birthday having come and gone on October 3rd. We weren't able to see each other on that day, so I had to wish him a happy belated birthday a day late. My birthday was on June 1st, a long time ago. We were in comas at that point.

"...can we go see the city now?" Austin asked the princess. She smiled in a prudent manner, before tapping her hoof twice on the floor of her throne. I head the large set of double doors to the room open, and a pair of guards in full armour strode casually into the room. I smiled wildly at the two before me.

"Glass! Hey, how's it going?" I asked happily. Maybe this would be better than I had expected.

"Hello Daniel, we are here to escort you into the city, and to watch over you while-" he was cut off by the lieutenant smacking him in the side of the head, before he looked at me.

"They know why we're here. And we're still in charge here, got that you two?" he established a lead. Austin moved beside me.

"Lieutenant, good to see you! Did you put on a few pounds? That suit's looking kinda tight," he asked in an innocent tone.

"If we weren't in front of the princess right now I'd put your head through the wall, kid," he whispered to Austin. Austin smiled, and stuck out his right hand, to which Bell smiled, shaking his hand in return.

Pony to human handshakes were always so awkward...

"Well, now that we are all acquainted again..." Celestia trailed off. She pulled out two small bags with her magic, and tossed them to us, one for me, and one for Austin. The bag was tied with a leather string, closed tightly.

"For your cooperation. And a way of saying sorry for ripping your from your home, for now at least," she gave us a small smile. I felt the bag, before looking inside. What I saw astonished me. Gold bits. Real gold bits, worth ten bits each. I had never taken the time to convert my money back at home, and all I had were silver bits. Gold bits were worth ten bits, silver bits were worth five, and copper bits were worth one bit. Equestria was quite a prosperous nation, and printing large amounts of small gold and silver currency was never a concern.

I felt the bag. There had to be at least a hundred bits in here, and they were all gold.

One thousand bits...

This was more than I had ever had in my lifetime, the most I had ever saved up was around three hundred at home. In copper and silver, yes... but never gold. Gold bits were rare in Dismith. I fondled the bits in my hand, stunned at the opportunity before me. Austin however, was a little bit more vocal in his response.

"Holy. Shit! Daniel, this is... this... there's got to be at least a thousand bits here!" he shouted. I barely turned my head to him, laughing at his response.

"Now go, before I change my mind," Celestia said in a sarcastic tone. The two guards saluted the princess, before turning to lead us away. Austin gave her a mock salute, before we turned and left the room, following our friends. We were lead to the front gate of the castle, and we watched in excitement as the bridge was let down. The sun blinded us, and we covered our eyes.

It wasn't long before we were in Canterlot proper, escaping the residential area that was closest to the castle, and into the marketplace, where all of the shops and stalls operated. We had money in our pockets, and we were going to spend it. Well, some of it at least. Austin didn't know what he wanted to but, window shopping was more his preference. I know what I wanted to buy. Something to cheer up my room. I had been living there for a while now and the drab, dreary colours on the walls needed something to take the attention off of them. Maybe... a distraction? Books were my first thought, as there was room in my cabinet to store at least a few books.

Over the course of the two months, we had been provided multiple sets of clothes. Nothing to fancy, shirts, pants, and an extra pair of shoes. They were all plain, unmarked, simple clothing. This left me with no desire for clothing.

"What are you going to buy Daniel?" Austin asked me, walking on my left. Glass and Bell were walking shortly behind us, engaged in their own conversation.

"I was thinking of getting some books, something to keep my mind occupied," I told him. I could almost hear his response before he uttered it.

"Are you serious? You've been given a thousand bits, and are in the greatest city in Equestria, the city with the highest tastes, mind you. And you want to buy books?" he questioned me, eliciting a laugh from me.

"Listen, just because you don't like to sit down and read, doesn't mean that other people don't," I told him, shuffling past a lady who was standing still. I quickly caught up to my friend. Before we could continue, a window depicting a book caught my attention. I quickly moved over to the store.

"You know the castle has a library, right?" he called out to me.

"I prefer to own my books," I called back, and stepped into the book store, closing the door behind me. A bell signified a customer. The book store was humble, only having two aisles, and a back wall lined with book. The aisles were lined floor to ceiling with shelves, chock full of various types of books. I browsed for a few minutes, seeing a book I had read previously every once in a while. There was even a section for textbooks. I took a look, hoping to see one that I had previously used in school. That's when something caught my eye.

I called out for the shop keeper, and in a few minutes, a small, elderly yellow mare was standing next to me.

"Hi. Could you please tell me how much this book is?" I asked with a small smirk on my face.

"Oh sure, let me take it up to the counter, please dear," she told me in a friendly voice. She took the book, and I followed her to the front counter, pulling out my bag of bits.

"Ah, yes, here it is. Magic and Conjuration, Beginners Edition," she read from her long list of books on a clipboard.

"This one is twenty bits dear. Would you like to buy it?" she asked me with a small smile.

I returned the smile.

"Yep," I said, pulling out two small, gold coins.

I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. It's nice to get a break from the castle. A bit of a longer one, this time. Feel free to leave me a review, and tell me how I did! If it was a good chapter, I want to hear about it! If it was an awful chapter, tell me, and I'll work on it! All criticism is welcome. It helps me to be a better writer! Thanks!