A knocking came from the office door before they opened on silent hinges to admit Celestia. "Good morning, Ambassador Watch. I trust you're ready for the events today."
He wasn't, not fully, but he nodded despite that. "I've run a panel before, just not on this topic." He licked his lips. "I would ask for more time, but I'm about as prepared as I'm ever going to be."
Celestia gave a gentle nod and looked towards Night. "I don't predict any major issues, but when do we ever?"
Night saluted with a folded wing. "I'll be at his side."
"With the foals?"
Night had their foals strapped to her, one to a side. "They're safe with me, and seeing so many different ponies will be good for them. Will there be other species?"
"Predominantly pony, but there should be a visible portion of griffons, and perhaps a minotaur or two." Celestia turned for the door. "Twilight has been working very hard to get everything in order and I should see to her. I'm afraid she'll collapse at this rate."
Silver quirked a smile. That sounded like the Twilight he knew.
Before he could verbalize, a new head poked in the door. "Can I help?" Samantha smiled brightly, only to have her head pushed down a few inches as Nefertari appeared beside her.
"This is a delicate situation requiring diplomatic skill. What would you know of it?" Nefer smiled a tilted smile. "I would be a better selection."
Celestia slipped out around the two arguing females and was gone off to other duties that required her attention. Night advanced on the two. "You want to help?"
That caught both of their attentions, then squarely focused them on the lead alpha female.
Night smiled. "Good. Now, Nefertari is correct, she does have more diplomatic experience, which is why she will assist Silver directly. But that doesn't mean you're being ignored, Samantha. The foals know you well, are you up to caring for them today? That would be a big relief for me."
Samantha's face split into a manic grin of joy. "That sounds lovely!" She reached with her magic and plucked the entire harness that held the twins into the air. "Come here, my favorite little subjects. We're going to have so much fun today, aren't we?" They cooed their agreement and soon all three were gone.
Nefertari walked smoothly into the room. "You've made a wise decision. Should anything go foul, I will also be there to deflect it." She smiled down at Silver. "Now what is this 'panel' you plan to deliver?"
Silver pulled a collection of papers free of his desk. "The importance and benefits of cross-species and cultural collaboration." He cleared his throat a little. "I plan to bring up humanity and how they're doing as an example. Since you're here, it'd be nice to use your people as an example as well. We could learn a lot by bringing in Anubians to the mix."
Nefer raised a brow curiously. "I doubt you have many examples of my people working alongside yours."
Night pointed at Nefertari. "Besides right now?"
That got her eyes to roll. "There is now, and besides that?"
Silver reached up and tapped his horn. "Clashing and learning from your magic helped push forward my own magic. I wouldn't suggest every unicorn go throwing themselves at an Anubian, but then I wouldn't suggest every unicorn get into construction either." He flipped through the papers held in his magic before he set them down carefully. "Cooperation and mutual growth is the focus of the panel. We're lucky, blessed I'd say, to have so many extremely diverse cultures."
Night glanced up at a hanging clock. "We should get moving. The hall we're scheduled to use should be just about clearing out from the last panel."
They got moving, only to have a bundle of papers swat Silver upside the head lightly. It was his notes. "Forgetting something?" Nefer was holding the bundle with a triumphant smirk. As he took his notes in his magic, she easily kept pace with him. "I find it fascinating that ponies would draw so many, some quite foreign, right to the heart of their governing. If I were an enemy agent, this would be the time I would strike, while there are too many new faces to keep track of and so many to become lost in."
Silver cleared his throat even as a chill ran through him. The idea of someone attacking one of the princesses was a worrying one. "The ponies don't have many enemies. It's... also a bit of a show of confidence and power that they do things just like this."
"Ah, this I understand." Nefertari nodded as they emerged from the castle into a transformed Canterlot, transitioned into readiness to hold the summit they were part of. "A show of strength and confidence to discourage thoughts of even attempting a move. I would still be wary, but their fate is not my concern today. Today, I watch over you." She put a paw squarely on Silver's head, his horn trapped between two fingers that scratched softly through his mane.
It felt better than it had a right to. Damn fingers...
Night gave Nefertari a bump with her wing. "Easy there. There are proprieties to be obeyed, and petting your fellow Ambassador in public is certainly not on that list."
Nefer was quick to withdraw her hand at Night's request, even if she looked faintly sour about it. "My hand will be the only that graces Silver this day," she growled in a vicious promise of martial efficiency.
Silver was faintly colored in the cheeks as he shook his head. "Let's get to the hall and set things up ahead of time. Hopefully this goes nice and smooth and maybe it'll provoke some new thoughts in a few heads."
The hall, once they reached it, looked mostly ready. Some of the chairs were out of order, and there were more tables than he needed, but it wasn't too hard to get those moving with the help of Nefer and Night beside him.
A quick peek outside showed a fantastic explosion of colors as ponies from all over Equestria strolled around. One of them wandered up towards their hall and poked his head inside. "Is this where the panel on interdisciplinary policing is going on?"
Silver tilted his head before he grabbed one of the schedules with his magic and quickly flipped through. "Ooo, sorry. Right hall, but that was a few hours ago."
The stallion made a soft tsk noise of annoyance and wandered off. Fortunately others arrived for the right place and time and began to fill the hall with eager faces. Many were equine, but a few weren't. Silver nodded with satisfaction as he took his place at the front to speak to the crowd. "Just remind yourself, they're just like a bunch of people curious about Ponyfinder. There's nothing to be nervous about." He took a few calming breaths and flashed a smile at the crowd.
Nefertari was suddenly beside him. "Are you prepared?" When he nodded, she was gone, and the door to the outside suddenly closed before she reappeared. "Let us begin."
"Varied people of Equestria," began Silver, nodding pointedly to each race he could find. "We are a blessed people. Not for our natural resources, which are grand as well, but for the simple fact that we have so many different kinds of people, all together. Equestria is a land of many cultures, even within a species, all unique and vibrant, and there is a strength there." He rose up, his forehooves on his table. "I look out over this crowd and I'm filled with joy, but I want to encourage us to make use of this power. Different perspectives means different approaches to a problem. Where one of us might get stuck, another holds the key."
Nefertari leaned forward against the same table. "Ambassador Watch speaks truth. Since my arrival in Equestria, my ways of thinking have been challenged. Sometimes I find my own ways to rise to the top, but other times, I am humbled. To remain closed to this influence would be a loss of potential, to say nothing of my own offerings." She wriggled a few fingers. "Give and take."
After giving their preliminary speeches, the conversation opened up and began to bounce around the room as attendees spoke their mind or asked questions.
A dark purple griffon cleared her throat as she stood before the amplifying device. "Ambassador. We're informed that you are very aware and familiar with the 'human' presence that has become more frequent in recent years. Naked of fur, lacking wings or magic, or even the brute strength of either a griffon or an earth pony, what use are they?"
Silver was faintly surprised at the question, but it was a fine one. "It varies a little depending on the specific human, but they tend to be clever, and come equipped with dextrous and sensitive fingers. They are also wildly variable, with some strong enough to at least put up a show against griffon or earth pony prowess. If we're focusing on physical abilities, stamina is also high on their list of natural abilities. In their homeland, they would regularly perform extended races even longer than the Running of the Leaves, just to challenge themselves. They are not accustomed to magic, but that can be turned to an advantage. They are used to thinking up solutions that don't use magic as part of the answer. Another culture, another key. Together we can open all doors."
A human stood up next. He wore the brightly colored attire that suggested he had lived in Equestrtia at least long enough to get the local fashion. He had darker skin, but not too dark. Maybe Spanish? Silver was never the best at picking out ethnicities, and that acuity had only gone down as he learned and was exposed to Equestrian varieties. "Excuse me, but how do you know anything about humans? You're just a unicorn making assumptions."
Silver considered how to reply to that a moment. "My knowledge comes firsthoof. I've been to Earth, homeland of humans, and visited their nation of America. In technology, they far eclipse us, but those who come here do not have that advantage. This sudden transition l--"
"What about the rest of Earth?" asked the human, still standing. "Do you know anything about that?"
Silver blinked softly. "I'm afraid my experience is limited largely to that one nation. May I ask which nation you are from?"
"If you've been there, you can help us get back." That wasn't an answer to the question, and set Silver's teeth on edge.
"I don't have that ability." Silver's ears rolled off to the sides. "We're here today to--"
The human made a gesture he didn't immediately recognize and moved to walk off. Was he just flipped off in a new way? He assumed that was the case and let out a little sigh as the human departed. "Many humans did not choose to come here, and are scared, alone, and desperate. What they need is friendship and understanding. They already have a door in front of them that they need to get through. Some of them throw it open wide on their own and come to embrace all of Equestria with a good natured readiness, others less so. We shouldn't think less of them. As I said, they didn't ask to be wrenched out of their lives."
New people, new confusions.
So this correlates to the "Princess Spike" episode, I would assume?
Guess even if some of the folks made the best of their situation after Text dropped them into Equestria, they still want to go home. Though I wonder if this particular human will show up later for an audience. After all, being told that there's no way back to Earth when someone who says they've been there can't take them home is hardly convincing.
7164864 You are correct!
Is this on purpose?
7164930 Typos are not welcome at this summit!
As Silver continues to live through the fifth season of the show, we again see him reacting to events going on around him. Whereas the last time (with the Gala) sidelined Silver and co. - something that couldn't be helped, as it was due to several other characters causing a disaster that focused around themselves and their issues - things are different this time around. A large convention works much better, since it does what an event is supposed to do: changing the background circumstances that the characters have to deal with, but not so much as to overshadow how they deal with it. Spike might be about to cause things to foul up royally (pun intended), but even with that the convention seems large-scale enough that that won't squeeze out room for anything and everything else.
Of course, that brings up the question as to what Silver and co. will do with this particular venue. To that end, I'm a bit nervous as to where the story seems to be going. The issue with the belligerent human at the end of this chapter could be foreshadowing of another conflict, and if it's made to be one that's composed of a faceless group who're fighting for an ideologically-intolerant position, well...we've been here before, and I'm not keen on retreading old ground. Doubly so, since this series doesn't have a good track record where that's concerned. The Lightning Wheel was a poor justification for what was quite clearly a meta-contextual need for conflict in the story, hence why they were forgotten almost as soon as they were introduced. Likewise, those pony-supremacists were more interesting in their depiction, but still ended with no clear resolution as the reveals about their upper echelons became more entangled (followed by the grand retconning of "it was all a dream (within a dream)").
To that end, I really hope this human isn't a harbinger for some sort of "humans whose desperation to go home is so great that they've turned violent" group. If the story needs a villain, then it let's have the time and effort put in to generate one from the ground up, rather than an easy-come, easy-go group of largely-undefined characters.
...I really don't know why I'm ranting so much this time around.
Ahem. I confess to being surprised at just how diplomatic Nefertari is being, which is rather ironic given that she is a diplomat. Having her sitting on a panel is odd, and volunteering kind words about a culture - or rather, about cultural values - that isn't her own is doubly odd. My guess, if I had to guess, would be that this is her version of the romantic dinner that Samantha planned. That is, this is her putting herself out there to try and demonstrate that she can integrate herself into Silver's family life. Hopefully Silver and Night will recognize her efforts and react accordingly, since I'm not sure how much more blatant Nefertari can be. She's not going to break down in tears like Samantha did; cultural pressures or no, Nefertari is a very proud character, and there's only so much she can humble herself to gain Silver's approval.
I did raise my eyebrows a bit at the idea of Samantha foal-sitting, but I suppose the idea isn't too far-fetched. Still, that she's trusted to be able to actually take care of the foals strikes me as being either a large vote of confidence from Night and also a note to how much her character is different from her psychotic dream-self (which had the stronger impression on me).
Mostly, though, I want to see more of the excellent dynamics between the characters as Nefertari and Samantha try to join the herd. Stop teasing us, story!
Isn't an open secret that Silver was a human? Why not say "I know it sucks not being on earth, but you can find happiness here. I did." Seems like that would work better than, "heeeyyy.... Ummm.... I've been to earth... BUT it's not like I can take you back you b-baka...." Silver's response to that guy felt kinda hollow.
If not very carefully handled, someone believing they are being lied to cannot see the truth even when its explained with diagrams and loss of limbs, because it is all a lie.
Yep, always awkward people, can't ever really get around that. Though Silver didn't lie, he certainly didn't do much to cancel the tirade (though in fairness he wasn't given much chance). Oh well.
Keep going! ;)
7165021 This chapter was as important as any other for Silver's ongoing drama, both internal to the family and not. You even put your hoof on some of it right in here.
Silver attempted to not outright give the idea that humans would in any way be better off becoming ponies and felt guilty for the somewhat contradictory position he put himself in. To get the best of humanity, they should adapt, not just 'go native' in such an extreme way, as he did.
Well. That guy was an ass.
I totally giggled outright at the thought of all these females bowing in submission to the lead female to care for one tiny yet powerful male.
Just adorable.
then squarely focused on - then squarely focused them on
or asked question - or asked questions
*****
Whew, long day at the office today. Fortunately, there was a small nibble waiting for me even after the others have been through.
Silver's speech has the slight awkwardness of someone not used to giving visionary speeches to foreign dignitaries, but has the ring of sincerity that more than makes up for it. Definitely an A for effort.
Princess Celestia is the picture of grace and dignity, even when she is noping herself out of the room.
Nefer is certainly trying hard to be a good petitioner for joining the herd, now if only Silver knew that is what she's up to. Night Watch should let him know sooner rather than later, I feel.
7167112 You made it! Typos casually edited in the records of the event. Will Silver notice Nefertari's efforts? Will senpai notice me today?!
Probably not.
He
7170415 You caught up!
7170861 Hey, whatever happened to Luna's pregnancy? If it's still going, she should be ready to pop soon.
7172014 Citation required. She is not pregnant to my recalling.
7172018 Before the Dream, Luna was pregnant with Silver's foal. After catching him from his fall, she offered to destroy the fetus to make him lunar. Then she put him in the Dream, and after he woke up, it was never mentioned again.
through the papers
Also, I do seem to recall a mention of Luna being pregnant, before the dream. I'll have to go back and find it.
Found it, in Chapter 37:
So yeah. Luna was, at one point, pregnant.
8892348
And she only gets angry, possessive, and emotional.
What does this say?
8892397
I'm not sure I understand the question. Luna was pregnant. That plot thread never got resolved on-screen. I had actually forgotten about it until someone else brought it up.
8892404
Take all her behavior... put it together. You can do it!
8892405
She was lying?
8893111
That wouldn't fit as well.
8893175
Are you suggesting that she had a miscarriage?
10017347
This is me not confirming nor denying. I am cruel in this way.
10017362
Actually you kinda confirmed it, both in the dream sequence and in her atitude and interactions after that