>>29549 "Mmhm!" You nod eagerly >"Goodie." Sunburst gives a little clap >Sunburst's horn hums to life, and a book from a shelf behind him levitates down onto the table >"Now," Sunburst starts as he flips to the first page. >"The first step to using magic, is understanding magic." >Sunburst adjusts his glasses, clears his throat, and begins reading >"When on board H.M.S. 'Beagle' as magicalist, I was much struck with certain facts in the distribution of-" >A shadow across the shelf behind Sunburst catches your eye >You turn your head to check the window >Nobody's there, except for an innocent bush >You shrug and return your attention to Sunburst >"-that mystery of mysteries, as it has been called by one of our greatest philosophers. On my return home, it occurred to me, in 837, that something might perhaps-" >There's the shadow again >You look behind again >Nobody there >You keep watching for a moment >The bush looks the same >You think >You shake your head and try to focus >"-I hope, in most cases will suffice. No one can feel more sensible than I do of the necessity of hereafter publishing in detail all the facts-" >Another shadow >You whip around >There! >The bush moved! >You think you caught a glimpse of something >Something purp- >"Anonymous?" >You look at Sunburst again >"Are you paying attention?" "Uh, there was a...I need the bathroom." >"Oh! Okay. Go right ahead. But, next time you need to go, just raise your hoof, okay?" "Like in school?" >"Yes! Just like in-" >Sunburst hesitates >"You know what school is?" "Uh, yeah?" >After getting halfway through college, you sure as hell better know what school is >Sunburst's face twists indiscernibly >Everything's quiet for a beat, then Sunburst gestures for you to go, his eyes looking down in thought >"Go on, Anonymous." >Hm >Guess it was about time for him to do something weird again >You rush out of the home library

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS37SNYjg8w Colts! Know your limits!

>>29816 Now that I think about it it's kind of odd how often "colt" is used as the alternative for "woman" rather than "stallion" in RGRE I guess the explanation is that "stallion" in common parlance has a kind of masculine/powerful connotation to it (more so than other gendered terms for animals)

>>24053 >Decide to check out the story list >anon >anon >anon >anon >anon >finally one that isn't just another anon story >read one paragraph >its anon So, are any of the stories worth reading that DON'T have anon in them? I enjoy anon stories but I've been reading a bunch from /spg/, and I need a break. Recommendations are appreciated.

>>29823 There can't be many... RGRE is an AiE offshoot. There are of course greens with Femanon or Anonpony but that's still Anon. Here are the ones I could find after some searching and half-remembering: https://ponepaste.org/1024 https://ponepaste.org/2906 https://ponepaste.org/10183 short greens https://ponepaste.org/4879 https://ponepaste.org/2482 medium greens https://ponepaste.org/168 medium NEETpone green https://ponepaste.org/3259 https://ponepaste.org/1888 shitpost greens with non-Anon humans https://ponepaste.org/4597 the main character in this one the main character is called Anonfilly, but her dad is Anon, so I guess it could kind of make the main character not-actually-Anon in a way? You be the judge. If you ever feel like reading AiE in the future the RGRE greens I liked the best were Queen Femanon, and Anon's Adventures in Saddle Arabia

>>29815 >You reach a window that faces the bushes from another angle >Can't quite see out of it "Hm." >You place an unsure hoof on the wall in front of you >Then another >Slowly, you walk your front hooves up until they rest on the glass of the window >Bush looks normal, except for- "Woop!" >You yelp as the windowpane gives way >You tumble over the windowframe and land flat on your back on the grass with an "Oompf!" "What the..." >You watch as the window finishes making a full rotation within its frame, spinning back into place with a click >You scramble to your feet and glare at the window >The ground outdoors is lower than inside >Too low to get back in >Looks like it's the long way around for you >You turn your attention to the bush again >At least you can make a proper inspection of the shrubbery from here >Leaves scattered about >Broken branches >What's this? >You brush aside a few snapped twigs to reveal a tuft of purple >It's...familiar >But you can't quite place it >Maybe Sunburst will know >You take the lock of hair between your teeth, mentally lament your lack of pockets, and head for the front door

>It is a beautiful day, so after a breakfast you decided to take a walk in the park. The breakfast was brief, you still feel all the revelry of the previous day. Although it was still a morning, approaching the fountain you heard a whole chorus of conversation from the general direction of the exit to the female side. 'The guests going home?' >You think. Although, you didn't hear much commotion in the stallions quarters, curious. >Anyway, you take your favorite spot near the basin and greet the birds, bathing and drinking there. The birds pause, assessing you and then emit chirps and other sounds at you. By this point you are sure those are greetings. >Habitually you take some bakery you were holding and make crumbles for them. The birds start to peck. >Satisfied you sip from the fountain yourself and go on a stroll through the alley, thinking. >Communality of equines, even if paired with a strict social hierarchy is really fascinating. Honestly, you like it. You begin to wonder what those family gatherings can look like among other social classes, for example merchants or poor farmers. >Then you remember about pegasi and wonder what can they do at the gatherings like that. For some reason you imagine a bunch of winged horses bathing in a huge fountain, just like your feathered friends, flaring their huge wings and neighing loudly at each other. >You chuckle. >Naturally you imagine pegasi the way they were depicted in Earth mythology, since you have yet to encounter one. >Walking along the road, towards the female wing you meet a guardsmare, but she says nothing and just bows, albeit not too deep. >You nod at her and continue walking. >The voices of Amira's relatives grow stronger meanwhile, as you approach that part of the garden. >Now you clearly hear the word "war". >This alerts you. >You take hasty steps towards the arch of greenery in the hedge. Look around. Since there are no guards nearby you carefully sneak there. >The female part of the garden is different. It consists of fruit trees, few in between, with outer perimeter, near the wall full of huge rose bushes. You have never encountered them so large. The flowers themselves are like medium sized sunflowers, with stems to match. The thorns are almost like small knifes. >"The state of faithful ones is like a rose garden with thorns the size of a blackthorn." >You remember the line from a book Haakim read and smile. >No doubt they are here so nobody can comfortably sneak around. >You sigh, fold your bedsheet tighter around yourself and slowly step into the thorny bushes. >You have some advantage, being a bit more compact than a quadrupedal. >Having hid in the bushes good enough you crawl towards the large gathering of mares. They stand around a gazebo where Amira stands. >You crouch and listen. >..."Cannot afford another war right now." One of the mares finishes her speech. >"So it is." Amira seems to agree. She nods and the mare steps back. Others throw some chatter among themselves. >Another one steps forward. She gives a quick bow. >"Business is comparatively good, Ruling Mother. Since the usury laws have been relaxed many plots of land returned into use." >"We expect a surplus of the produce in the next season." >"Where do you assume it would go?" Amira asks.

>>30508 >"Our contacts in the local trade guild expect it to go into the inner market so far." >"Good." Amira comments. "We would prefer more people healthier and well fed." >"But if the trend would be the same, however, the traders will have to seek more clients outside or drop the prices they buy it off." The previous speaker continues. >Amira does a circular motion with her ears. >"When they will about to, you know what to do." >"Naturally." The mare nods. "Still, it is hard to make plans that are concerned with the weather without pegasi." >"Indeed" Amira agrees. "But still. >The mare bows and steps back. Another one takes her place before the gazebo. >"On the previous topic, Zebras will no doubt jump on the opportunity if the prices drop at our market." >Amira shrugs. "Come on now, their lands are harsher than some of our own districts and their relation with Her Light is not as strong as ours. They will eat most of it anyway. While I'm not very fond of Zebras, it is travesty to refuse them what the Goddess intended for equinekind." >"True, but they may have to decide to sell you know what to you know who in larger quantities, for hard coin." >Amira's nostrils flare. >"They may. But we will mitigate it in a way we discussed before." >"Also, dear kinsmates, I tell you what, for those of you who it concerns: seek those who are in need of a lease for the seeding campaign, approach first those who have many daughters through your confidants, intercept them if you need from money lenders, and offer seeds from the personal granary with a discount. But add to the contract an obligation for them to give at least one of their daughters to serve in your retinue." >Good amount of mares went to murmur. >"I believe you know what that would look like, Ruling Mother." The mare making the report commented, her face stern. >"Precisely." Amira nods, absolutely calm. "It is your right as a noble." She smiles coldly. >"As you wish." The mare bows and withdraws. >You sit in the bush and carefully wipe some sweat, trying not to impale your hand onto the rose thorn. >The gathering is nothing like it was yesterday, at the party. Now they all really look and talk like mafia members before their boss, discussing some kind of """business""". >All of them serious, talk on point, nobody calls Amira by her name. >Well, at least the war of any kind isn't really the main topic of discussion. You sigh with relief. >There is some commotion in the herd. One rather young mare tries to get forward while the other literally holds her by the tail with her teeth. >Amira's ears stand high. >"No, it is alright." She tells loud enough. "Let her, cousin." >The mare yanks her tail and steps forward. >"Ruling Mother, our merit is statecraft. Don't you think we overstep our position and intrude into other's area of expertise?" >Amira makes a few steps around the gazebo. >"Dear filly, we're doing exactly what we need in order for the state to prevail. Sadly, some certain other families also consider borders of their merit in more narrow context. Economy is the backbone of the state. We cannot allow one sided pressure on that backbone." >The young mare takes a step back, then nods. >"You know, I could have just reminded you the Verse on the Greed." Amira notes. >The mare bows deeply. >"I apologize, Ruling Mother. Thank you." >"I'm happy to provide." Amira answers sternly and the young mare withdraws. ***

>>30509 >It is evening. You pace through your room after returning from a rather uneventful gym session with your bros. >What you have witnessed in the garden still bothers you. So, someone can't afford another war right now. Is that good? If that's about an enemy then probably yes. But what if it's about Amira's state, that is also yours by the way. >You sigh, as you know nothing about what their international situation is at the moment. Or about their military capabilities. >You have already asked yourself this question, what will you do if Amira would get involved in a dangerous business like a war or hostile actions of a political opposition? >Yeah, for Ajmal or Ahmed the world is rather simple, their lady will take care of them and they care little about anything else, happy that someone is in charge. >But you aren't an equine, you're a man, dammit! A war or political struggle is no joke! >You hear hoofsteps and quickly sit, facing the door. Gulzar opens the door. >"Hey, our mischievous singer!" >That's new. "Yes, noble one?" >"Lady Gulzar would suffice. Amira's waiting. Come, sing something good for her." She smiles and walks away. >Hmm, seems like after the introduction at the gathering accepted you as a part of the herd? >You go to Amira's quarters. Walking, you are trying to muster courage to talk with her about important things. *** >Yeah, her beauty, her warm coat, her eyes, both imperious and tender at the same time, her tongue, her wonderful winking... >All in all you are again laying on her muscular back, hadn't had asked a single question. A mare is a wonder. Truly a likeness of the Goddess. >Still, let's try. Now, how to ask... "You are pleased with the reunion, aren't you my l- Amira?" >She bends her neck and licks your shoulder. >"That was a good one. It's nice to meet everyone, to feel the unity. To feel yourself a filly again, lying in grass, stuffing your face, hearing around voices of those who you still consider 'grownups', even when you are a grown mare yourself. To look at all the foals-" >At that she pauses abruptly. And laughs. >"I swear, talking to you is like talking to a mare sometimes. You never tell first how you yourself feel." She decides to stir the conversation the way she prefers. >"Have (you) enjoyed yourself, Anon?" >You think for a moment. Although you yourself felt a bit detached from the whole action, it was indeed very nice to observe everyone having fun and bonding together. >Back home you've watched some historical shows about nobility and came to conclusion that they were shit to each other even among the family circle. >Seems like it isn't like that here. At least in Amira's clan. Heh, at least seemed much more before that scene in the garden. "Thank you, Amira. Yes, I have." >"I'm glad. Have it reminded you about home?" >Here we go again. But, she promised you an equal exchange. "Not really. We don't usually maintain close connection with so much of extended family. Still, it makes me miss my... hmmm... foalhood. Miss my grandmas. And grandpa. They all used to come at... erm... certain holidays. We ate together, they used to tell interesting stories and play with me." You stop and slightly turn away from her, not sure if it is good to elaborate more. >Amira nuzzles your cheek. >"I get what you are saying. As ashamed as I am, I don't dare to imagine-" She stops and is silent for a moment. "You know.... Yes, rather unmarely of me." >You hug her tightly. Hmm, is it good to just bluntly ask her now what you wanted to? Although. "You are just tired my dear lady. That must be a formidable thing to manage a large realm and a large family as well." >"It is quite a responsibility, yes. To think that poor males of your land must bear the same!" >You smile. "You know, we have talked recently with colts." >"Indeed?"

>>30510 "Yes. Ajmal was telling how he would be glad to help you more, as it is customary in peasant families. And I wondered..." >"What about?" "Well... I apologize, my lady, if that would sound ungrateful or like a wain complaint, as a male should accept mare's love without testing its boundaries..." >Amira laughs, rather loud. >"Ahmed influences you in a good way." She remarks."Let me guess, you feel left out. After all, Ajmal is training in something colts shouldn't do, Ahmed researches what colts shouldn't research, and you hailing from a culture where males play more active role, usually either stuck with foal dictations, foal tales or in my hindquarters." She says in merry tone. >You nod. "My lady is acute. Although, your hindquarters is a divine gift one would never dare to complain about." >Her ears stand high, expression surprised for a moment. >"My, my! A daring compliment, from a male no less!." Her smile is rather sly. "So, what area of expertise would you prefer to train in?" "Amira, back when we have arrived here, you were stuck with paperwork and different things like that basically all the time. One would imagine it is hard to write so much, to take so many notes or something, to perhaps make so many repeatative documents and all of that. Since I can fluently write, maybe I could do something to take some of the most boring work?" >And get a decent glimpse into the official business. >Amira looks at you intently. But then she relaxes. >"Thank you, my dear. But I have scribes here. And for some things I have Gulzar and her eldest daughter." >You sigh. "You are right, my lady. Perhaps it would seem outrageous here, with so many people around to let a male into the study." >"But," she continues, "Dameascus residence isn't staffed so well as here. Very well, after we return there, I shall entertain you with some paperwork, if you desire so." >You hug her. "Thank you, Amira!" To be continued… Story so far: https://ponepaste.org/92