[center][h1][color=steelblue]Astral Gleam[/color][/h1]
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Struck dumb might have been one way to put it. Where? How? WHY? These were important questions that the accursed Pink One just blatantly ignored! She wasn't even a Unicorn and yet apparently she could defy the laws of physics more than any magic spell ever could! Just... just why? Astral rubbed his hoof gently against his forehead, as if suffering from a migraine. That pony had a real talent for giving him painful headaches, it seemed, "I'm dead, aren't I? I'm dead and this is my personal Hell, I'm certain of it." he mumbled, wanting desperately for there to be some kind, [i]any[/i] kind of explanation for the shenanigans of one Pinkamena Diane Pie. But alas, there was none. In fact, the Pink One herself was gone just as suddenly and frustratingly without explanation as when she arrived.

Well, at least she was gone. That at least was some relief. The Princess elected to ignore what just happened, and in all honesty Astral probably should have as well. But that was something a student of science just simply could not do. And thus Astral found himself mentally building up and subsequently shooting down explanations in his own head. Of course, he basically missed the Princess addressing him once more and asking a question. Probably something more important, but of course he couldn't get the inexplicable appearance of that pony out of his thoughts. He walked along with the Princess, but his responses were not particularly helpful at first. Mostly just mumbles about the Pink One and various possible explanations for her... abilities.

Thankfully, though, the meeting with the rest of the visitors finally snapped Astral out of it. He remembered where he was and what they were doing here, "I don't believe them to be all that hostile, Princess." he said, finally answering her earlier question, "It's hard to say for certain due to lack of proper translations, but if I had to make an educated guess then I would say they are more interested in learning than anything else. They might be a race of scholars, perhaps. I'm afraid they didn't provide much demonstration of their capabilities... other than merely floating about." perhaps if he'd conversed with them longer he might have learned more, but unfortunately the commotion at the castle ruins pretty much nixed the meeting before he could learn anything more substantial.

"I fear I must also make a request, Your Majesty." Astral really didn't like asking favors of anypony, let alone a Princess, "My colleagues and superiors in the Crystal Empire Academy will wish to know of my actions and inlcusion if this matter exceeds the period of time I was to spend in Ponyville. It's also a safe bet that Her Majesty Princess Cadence and Captain Shining Armor would appreciate being informed of this as well. For diplomatic purposes of course, I imagine all four of the Equestrian Royalty will need to play some role in dealing with these visitors, correct?" but he didn't wish to put her on the spot for an answer right away, so he quickly added, "Shall I cast the Translation Circle for us, Princess?"