//------------------------------//
// The Date 
// Story: The Voice of the Sun 
// by Lev the Lurker 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 8: The Date
Raindrops slumped into the bed she shared with Lyra with a long sigh as she tried to relax. It had taken far too long to get Bootheel to understand that all he needed to do was guard the door to stop her being disturbed, she didn’t need his idea of tender loving care. She yawned as she let herself sink into the mattress. She was tired but she doubted she’d get much sleep, she was too excited and she certainly couldn’t risk oversleeping and missing her date. It wasn’t like she had an alarm or could ask anyone in the embassy to wake her up for her noon liaison with Kindle. Just the thought made her want to squeal, her first date! She’d always dreamed how it would be; the two of them galloping through a field of flowers, or trotting together along a beach of golden sand, or drinking fine wine under a full moon, or so many other scenarios. She let herself savour the possibilities and allowed her imagination to float through a series of balls, cruises and meals. Eventually she forced her mind to pull itself back to earth, as romantic as the possibilities were most of them weren't all that realistic. They were in the mountains of the Griffin Kingdoms, not Canterlot or Manehatten. They were just going to meet and probably talk some more, maybe see the scenery or eat something, but unfortunately nothing more than that. It occurred to her that she should ask around the embassy. She might find someone who knew Kindle and find out what sort of thing he’d like to do. It wouldn’t be right that everything be about her, she should make sure he had a good time as well. 
She was brought back from her pondering by a sharp knock on her door.
“Wha..?” she mumbled, feeling more groggy than she’d expected. “What? Bootheel, aren't you supposed to be letting me rest, not wake me up every few minutes?” she yelled, feeling her temper fray. 
“Sorry!” came an answering cry, “I wondered if you were feeling any better,” he actually sounded a little sorry for her, “would you like some elevenses?”
“Elevenses? I’ve only just had...” Raindrop’s eyes moved to the window, only a few moments ago the sunlight had stretched across most of the room but now only the space nearest the window was illuminated. Heart racing, she stumbled from the bed, rushed to the window and looked up. To her relief the sun wasn’t directly overhead, but it was high in the sky. She must have nodded off!
“If you don’t want anything do you mind if I get a bite or two?”
“Yes, yes whatever,” cried Raindrops rushing around the room in a panic, she had to get ready! Then she paused, she’d thought that her and Kindle might share a meal but was that what he expected? Did he think she was going to bring food to their date? “Wait Bootheel!” she ran to the door and yanked it open to see the surprised guard standing at the far end looking back at her, eyes wide. “Actually I am hungry, famished, I could eat for two! Could you grab something from the kitchens and bring it back? Quickly!”
“Yeah, I guess so; what would you--”
“Anything!” she yelled, her nerves frayed, “Something nice and lots of it!”
“Er, ok, yeah.”
“Good, thanks, I owe you one,” she called starting to close the door.
“Are you sure you’re not really eating for two? You know vomiting, mood swings, feeling hungry. It would add up.”
“GO!” she yelled, causing the guard to jump and bolt down the passageway. “But bring the food,” she added before closing the door behind her and slumping to the floor. She looked at the window again, so little time! The thought occurred to her that maybe she should be a little late. When Rarity had been fitting her for her gala dress the fashionista had been gossiping about her hopes for the ball. She’d mentioned that she always made her dates wait as a way to build up their anticipation, a little teasing could apparently result in a much better outcome. But what if she waited too long and Kindle thought she wasn’t coming? What if he left! Maybe she should make sure she got there early. Should she leave right now to make sure? She started towards the window again, then stopped. No, no, she was getting too worked up about this, panicking, she needed to calm down. Why did she always find it so hard to keep her emotions under control, what was wrong with her? She grit her teeth before forcing herself to exhale. She closed her eyes and carefully started to move around the room, her limbs flowing rhythmically as she ran through a few Iron Hoof katas to center herself. 
She opened her eyes again feeling more in control of herself. She needed to think, to plan. She had a date, she had to get ready. Food was on its way, hopefully; Bootheel might have gotten distracted, or she might have scared him off like she scared everypony off, like she’d scare Kindle off eventually. She twisted her mind away from that line of thought. She really wished Lyra was here, or Cheerilee, either would know what she should do right now. She nervously ran a hoof through her mane and winced as she caught a knot. She’d freshened up a little this morning but a few hours in bed had undone most of that. She definitely needed to wash and probably preen a little as well. The ensuite bathroom at least had running water, but if she wanted a hot bath she’d need to find someone in the kitchens to heat the water. A cold shower might be better anyway, it would help calm her down a little. 
Her eyes fell upon the dress she had discarded earlier, should she wear something to the date? The embassy's seamstress might be able to provide her something quickly, but then she’d have to explain why she needed it. She trotted over and picked up the garment, she’d worn it all night and it was rather crumpled. She sniffed it. No, not the impression she wanted to make. Her ‘horny’ outfit from the Griffin banquet was definitely out as well. She caught sight of Lyra’s dress hung up carefully by the bed, she picked it up and held it out before shaking her head. There was no way she’d fit her blocky form into it. She sighed, she’d kill to be as tall and willowy as her friend. It looked like she’d have to go naked, at least Kindle hadn’t been wearing anything in their previous encounters, unless he was now and he was expecting her to and she messed everything up and he never wanted to see her again and--
There was a knock on the door and she spun around, tossing the dress aside. “Yes!” she cried trying to get her heart beat and train of thought back under control. 
“Got your food!” called Bootheel, “I needed to sweet talk the cook a bit, but I’ve always been good with my tongue.” She could imagine him waggling his eyebrows behind the door. 
“Thanks,” she said opening the door, grabbing the tray on the guard’s back and shutting it again in one smooth move.
“Right, so I’ll just wait here then, by myself, feeling hungry!” the muffled voice continued.
Raindrops felt a little tinge of pity for a moment, he’d actually managed to get quite a spread: fruits, pastries, sandwiches, even an earthen jar of water. She’d have to make it up to him somehow when she wasn’t quite so busy. Glancing at the sun again she quickly made her way to the bathroom and started to run the water. She ruffled through the small bag of toiletries she’d found in her luggage thanks to Carrot Top. Inside was a small bottle of the farmer’s famous shampoo. It was guaranteed to make even Raindrops’ rats’ nest of a mane feel sleek and silky. As she turned on the water she swore to herself that once she got back to Ponyville the farmer would be the first to get access to each newly delivered batch of clouds from now on. 

*        	*        	*

Making a final attempt to smooth down her freshly washed coat Raindrops took a deep breath and stepped towards the window, then she froze. Was this really a good idea? She liked Kindle, really liked him, he was handsome and articulate and interesting. Even more astonishingly he seemed to like her for some reason too, but was it worth risking trying to take things further? She knew she’d mess things up, handsome talented ponies like him didn’t end up with messes like her, she’d do something, get angry about something and drive him away, wasn’t it better to not even try rather than hurt him? She started to turn back into the room.
No! she stamped a hoof on the ground.
No! she wasn’t going to give up now! She deserved at least a chance. Wasn’t it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all? If she didn’t at least go and meet him she’d spend the rest of her life wondering how things might have turned up if she had. She couldn’t live with herself if she did that. Steeling herself she opened the window, letting the breeze blow in and ruffle her still slightly damp mane. 
The weather looked wonderful, a few clouds were floating aimlessly in the warm summer breeze. The golden sun sat high in the sky, which she hoped wasn’t a bad omen. It might be just a little too high, she was probably a bit late. She lept from the window and let her wings catch the air. She bobbed along for a moment, in the distance she could make out a few small figures, probably locals but no one seemed to be nearby. She circled trying to pick out the tree she had agreed to meet at, her heart leaping when she saw a small red coated figure waiting nearby. A wide grin covering her face, she dove forwards trying to cover the distance as quickly as possible. 
Once she was closer and could make out Kindle clearly Raindrops reduced her speed. Although her wings wanted to push her forwards, maybe it would be best to follow Rarity’s suggestion and not seem overly keen. Fighting against her instincts she slowed even further and gently started to glide in towards the waiting stallion. She saw him catch sight of her and wave a hoof, she signalled back and couldn’t help but spread her wings as wide as they would go, signalling her strength in a primal way. She had to admit that her wings were one of her best features, larger than most mares’; she knew that some stallions liked that, hopefully Kindle was one of them. She tried to restrain herself but couldn’t stop herself showing off a little, she wasn’t a natural flyer like Dash but she did pull off a few loops before finally coming to a graceful (she hoped) landing not that far from Kindle. She couldn’t help but blush as he gave a short stomp of appreciation at the show. 
“Greetings, Lady Raindrops,” she said with a bow. He was as well groomed as always. “I was beginning to worry you might not make it,” he said with a grin as he started to trot towards her. Her heart jumped a little, had she waited too long? “I am glad you considered me worth putting such an effort in your appearance.” 
He only thinks you’re pretty thanks to makeup, came a dark voice from within her. 
He leaned forwards and planted his lips gently on her cheek before leaning forwards to nuzzle her, silencing the voice. She felt some of the tension drain out of her as she leant into him. “Although really there is little you can do to improve such perfection.”
He’s flirting with me! Her joyful thoughts cheered. “Thank you, you look good too,” she replied. And I’m flirting back! Sort of.
“Come!” he said, resting a wing on her back and gently steering her back towards the tree he had been standing under. “I brought us a picnic!”
“Oh, I brought food as well,” she said, indicating her saddlebags.
“The more the merrier then,” he said cheerfully, “I did skip breakfast.”
“I didn’t mean to keep you up so late.”
“Think nothing of it, I enjoyed our time together. Unfortunately I had some important work to do this morning or I would have stayed later.”
“I hope I’m not keeping you from anything.” She sat down on the red and white checkered blanket he had laid out on the ground. 
“Nothing that can’t wait. Sadly I won’t be able to spend all afternoon with you, my lady. I will have to return in a few hours.” He sighed. “I left notes with some of my colleagues, they hopefully shouldn’t have any trouble following my instructions. Well one of them anyway, the other... he can get a little over enthusiastic sometimes. We’re working for the same goals, hopefully, but he tends towards a rather brute force methodology.”
“I think I can understand that,” said Raindrops as Kindle joined her on the ground. She glanced over at the picnic hamper nearby as she carefully opened her own bags. She hoped her offering was good enough. “Dash, my boss back in Ponyville, can be a bit blunt as well. Sure she can clear a sky in ten seconds flat but she hasn’t really got the patience when you need a gentler touch, she’s more likely to turn a field into a marsh rather than water a crop properly.”
“I certainly know the type,” said Kindle opening the basket and starting to spread out the food. There was a pie still steaming slightly and a bottle of wine as well as more fruit and cheeses. “If my associate was involved in weather control I’m sure he’d be causing quite a few floods. Enthusiastic maybe, but not subtle, and he keeps yelling all the time! I try to tell him that it’s the quality of the words you use and not how loud you shout them, but he doesn’t listen. Still, I guess the important thing is that we’re all working together for the right goal, don’t you think?”
“I guess so, we’re all one weather team at home, when push comes to shove we all have to work together to get the job done. I guess you all work for the princess here, in your own ways.” Kindle winced a little as Raindrops started to unwrap the pastries Bootheel had managed to obtain for her. 
“Try these?” he suggested holding out a bunch of grapes in his hoof. Feeling self conscious she leant forwards and took a bite from his grip. 
“They’re good!” she said swallowing. 
“Thank you,” he said. “Now let’s see what else is good to eat.”

*        	*        	*

She wasn’t entirely sure how she ended up in the position but Raindrops soon found herself laying back against Kindle’s stomach as the stallion fed her titbits by hoof. She probably felt more relaxed that she could ever recall being, the ever burning flame of annoyance in her heart for once almost extinguished. She savored the taste of the fruit in her mouth while her tail lazily warded away flies. With a sigh she felt her eyes start to slip closed as she luxuriated in the sunshine and the feeling of the stallion behind her. This really was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. 
“The weather is perfect isn’t it?” whispered Kindle from behind her, his breath making her ear twitch. 
She hummed a response and cracked her eyes open peering up into the sky. They were shaded from the direct sun by the tree and a few clouds but the air was still warm and languid, sapping the little of her strength that remained. “Yes,” she agreed, everything felt just perfect right now. 
“Isn’t it foolish to fear the noon?” he added directly into her ear, “To hide away when there is such beauty to be seen? Even our meal has been a gift from the sun.”
“I suppose so, it is pretty,” she said.It took a few moments for the thoughts to make their way through her tired brain. “Not as pretty as you,” she added without fully thinking.
“Why thank you my lady,” he said with a grin, resting his head on hers. The contact made the blood rush to her cheeks. “You are very attractive as well.”
“Not that attractive,” she snorted, trying to concentrate. Sleep sounded very nice right now, but not as nice as staying awake with Kindle. “When they made a play about the element bearers, they had a stallion play me!”
“You are very clearly not a stallion,” he retorted, his eyes running up and down her form making tingles run along her coat. “I heard of that play, it was clearly the work of a hack and had a second rate cast at best, if I do say so myself!”
She giggled a little as his indignation. “I never thought I’d find myself with a stallion like you,” she said, “I didn’t think things like this happened to mares like me, it’s like a scene from a book, or a dream.”
“If this is a dream you never have to worry about waking up,” he whispered, making her blush. She struggled to get herself a bit more under control and not just melt into a squealing puddle at his honeyed words. 
She yawned “That meal is trying its best to send me to dreamland,” she noted rubbing her belly.
“You certainly managed to put on quite a spread here,” he said reaching for an apple, “I wasn’t expecting you to bring anything.” He polished the fruit against his flank before offering it to her.
“I guess I have to thank the embassy’s kitchens for all this,” she frowned for a moment before accepting the apple and taking a bite from it. “Where did you get yours from?” It didn’t seem to be the same fare despite coming from the same source.
“Oh, a friend of mine made most of it, she’s quite a talented cook really. She was with me back on the stage you know. She always made sure I had enough to eat after rehearsals, looked after me,” he sighed, “She does much the same for me now I suppose.” He took a bite from his own fruit and chewed. 
Raindrops’ eyes narrowed for a moment. “Should I be jealous?” she asked. Kindle certainly seemed close to this unnamed mare. 
“Of my friend? No, she’s like a sister to me, I do care for her, but not in the same way I feel for you,” he reached out a hoof to touch her cheek, her face glowed red as she looked away from his gaze, her heart pounding in her chest like it wanted to get out. 
“That’s good to hear,” she mumbled.
“Although I do have to tell you I’m married,” he said casually.
“That’s alright the... WHAT!” she screeched, spitting out the apple as she jumped to her hooves.
He let out a laugh. “Not in that way. You could say I am married to my job. I want to be honest with you, I care for you but there will always be another in my heart. I will put Equestria and its ruler ahead of everything else.” 
“Oh,” said Raindrops, her head spinning slightly from the shock. What was he really saying? Did he think this was just a fling, was he letting her down gently implying that they could not be together because his job required him to be here? She supposed that was sort of fair; would it be right of her to expect him to give up everything to come back to Ponyville with her? “I... I think I understand.”
“Good, I want to do the best for you but if it comes to choosing between you and my position, I am afraid Equestria comes first. I don’t mean to create a dour mood, but I felt I should make my position clear.”
“Um, right, I appreciate it,” she frowned, she guessed it made sense but it was a bit of an odd way to put it. Cautiously she knelt down again, keeping a little distance between herself and Kindle this time. 
Leaning over, he grasped a bottle of wine in his wing and removed the cork with his teeth, pouring himself a glass and holding the bottle towards her. “Drink?” he offered. 
“No, I don’t,” she said, holding a hoof over her glass. She sniffed; the aroma seemed familiar, although she didn’t know all that much about wine. “I prefer to keep a clear head.” She was dangerous enough at the best of times, she didn’t need anything else to make her worse.
“So,” said Kindle taking a sip of his drink, “How about you, is there any other pony in your life? Any stallion or mare I’ll have to challenge for your hoof?”
She blushed and looked aside. “No, there’s none. I’ve,” she winced, “I’ve never even been on a date before.”
“Never?” he asked straightening up and putting aside his drink. “I find it hard to believe, are all the stallions in Ponyville blind?” He smiled.
“Well I suppose there was one other time,” she said bashfully.
“Ah ha! Who is this rival for your affections?”
She giggled at his theatricality. “It’s not quite like that, his name was Snips, he’s my brother’s best friend, just a colt.”
“Well he has good taste for somepony so young.”
“It was so embarrassing,” she shuddered, “he bought me flowers and everything. He was so shy, he looked like he was going to throw up. I just didn’t know what to do. I think I just laughed and flew away!”
“That was cruel of you, my lady,” said Kindle seriously.
“I know! I came back eventually and apologised to him. I tried to let him down easy but I don’t think he understood. I think he might think I’ll change my mind one day.”
“Ah, the hearts of the young are fickle things, I’m sure he’ll find somepony of his own age eventually.”
“I hope so, it’s awkward whenever he comes to visit. I try to keep away.”
“And that is it? I can’t believe no others have come to court you!”
“You mean what’s wrong with me?” she said, her face falling. This was it, this was when he’d find out how broken she was. She’d hoped they could have had more time together first. “You’d find out sooner or later, probably when I hurt you,” she sighed, “I have a temper, it scares off most ponies.” She lowered her head.
“A temper? I doubt that will calm my ardour.”
She shook her head, not looking at him. “When some ponies say they have a temper they mean they stomp their hoof when somepony else gets the last cherry at the market, or they swear if they trip. When I get angry ponies get hurt! Really hurt!” she blinked back the mist in her eyes as she remembered the look on Hoops’ face as she’d attacked him, how good it had felt at the time. “And I’m always angry, it's like a flame in me always burning, it just keeps going,” she stamped on the ground, “getting brighter and brighter until... I have to let it out.”
“What do you do?” asked Kindle, his face drawing closer to hers, his eyes seeming to glitter. “What do you do with the flame?”
“Rain, rain makes me feel better. When it’s raining everything seems to make sense. Sometimes I think I’m only happy when it’s raining, but it’s never enough. Sometimes I just get so angry I... well I break things, rocks usually. It helps... a little,” she admitted.
“Rocks?”
“Yeah, big rocks.”
“Could you show me?” he asked, looking intrigued.
“I don’t know, I don’t like showing other ponies...” she didn’t want him to know just how dangerous she could be.
“Please, for me?” he asked almost desperately. 
Her brow furrowed. “Ok, I guess,” she looked around for a suitable target, there were a few boulders around, not quite as large as the ones she was used to at home but probably good enough. She stood slowly and trotted over to them. She rested a hoof on one for a moment, just getting a feel, then pulled back her hoof and with a cry punched forwards. With a cracking sound a shard of stone flew off. She glanced back at Kindle who was looking a little disappointed. 
“You’re holding back,” he said.
“Well, yeah, I... look can we do something else? I’m not used to having an audience.”
“Please, I want to see what you can do. I want to see your true self.”
“I don’t know...” she started. She didn’t want him to see the real her, her true self hurt ponies, her true self meant others were scared of her, her true self would make Kindle hate her. Why couldn’t he just be happy with the her that just wanted him to like her.
He stood and trotted over. “Please, show me. I want to see who you really are, you won’t drive me away.”
Why wouldn’t he just leave her alone! She bit back a snarl, this was just the sort of thing she didn’t want him to see. Shehe turned away. “Please don’t ask me to do this, can’t we just go back to lying in the sun?” she pleaded, stepping away.
“No,” his voice gained a little strength. “I want to see who you are, who you hide from others.”
“No, you don’t,” she growled through gritted teeth, “Nopony wants to see who I really am.”
“I do!”
“No you don’t,” she tried to turn away but he grabbed her hoof. She had to bite back a snarl as her instincts told her to strike out at him.
“I do!” he repeated apparently unafraid.
“No! You! Don’t!” she cried, bringing a hoof down on a nearby boulder and knocking a large chunk from it. “Nopony,” she kicked back at another boulder sending it rolling away, “wants to see,” she slammed her forelegs into the first boulder again, a one-two blow which formed a deep crack in it. “Who I really am!” A third blow knocked a head sized chunk off of her nearby target. “I’m bad!” she screamed driving a hoof into the crack in the rock forcing the gap wider. “I hurt ponies!” she finished slamming both forelegs at the boulder smashing it in twain and making its remains fly back to ricochet off other rocks. “I’m bad!” she panted, her head drooping. 
Then Kindle was there holding her head in his hooves and kissing her on the lips, his tongue eagerly teasing her gates. She blinked in surprise, almost pulling back as she raised a hoof to push him away. Then she relaxed, the hoof dropping onto his neck, her lips parted allowing him entry. Her own tongue was initially caught by surprise but quickly rallied, driving the invader back; she leant forwards raising her hoof to his mane, feeling him give ground against her own greater strength. After a long moment she relented and released him.
“I-I am sorry,” he gasped, “I... that was amazing! Your strength... Your power...”
“You, you liked that!” she asked in astonishment, in the back of her mind part of her was trying to attract her attention to the fact that he’d kissed her and that it had been awsome! But she tried to ignore it. “I could have hurt you!”
“But you didn’t! Raindrops, you don’t need to lock your real self away all the time, you can let loose. I certainly appreciate a strong mare,” he leaned forwards to kiss her again, “Very much. Nopony should ever have to pretend to be anything they aren't. There was a time in my life when I couldn’t be true to myself, when I had to hide who I was. It’s only recently that I can truly be free. I don’t want you to have to suffer in the same way.”
“But I can’t just let myself go, can I?” she asked, she’d always been so scared of what others would think of her.
“Why not? It is society which is telling you that you can’t be what you truly are Storm Cloud!”
“Storm Cloud?” she asked, her brow furrowing at the thought.  
“Like a storm, you are powerful, and beautiful, magnificent. You don’t have to be Raindrops the pony that others are afraid of, who has to hide her true face to blend in. You can be Storm Cloud and show the world who you really are,” he kissed her again gently, “Who can let her passions out.” She shuddered at both the feeling of his lips and her thoughts. 
“I don’t know, what if I hurt somepony?”
“You didn’t hurt me. You are a good pony, better than you think.”
“You hardly know me, you don’t know what I did as a foal...”
“I know you well enough, you are no longer a foal,” he rested a hoof on her face, “you are a mare now. You can use your talents for the betterment of all Equestria, and I can show you how.”
“I... I don’t know,” she said looking down. It sounded wonderful not to have to be herself, not to have to be scared, to be free to do what she wanted, without having to second guess herself, but what if she lost control? Hurt somepony? She needed to be be careful.
Kindle glanced up at the sun and frowned. “I am afraid I will have to go now, I have duties to perform. Think on what I have said, you know it makes sense. I only want what’s best for you.”
“I will, I... When can we meet again?” she asked, her heart pounding in her chest. 
“The next few days will be hectic I’m afraid, I have much to plan. I will contact you when I am free.” He leaned forwards and their lips locked again. She held him close, never wanting him to go, but eventually he pulled away. “We will meet again soon my Storm Cloud.” With a flap of his outstretched wings he lifted into the air and began to fly towards the embassy. Raindrops felt her wings twitch wanting to follow him but she forced herself to stay in place, only raising a hoof to wave a goodbye.
She watched until he had disappeared then looked down again, her head was spinning. That had been intense. She hadn’t expected things to happen so fast, she needed to think, to try and calm down. She giggled, she didn’t feel like she’d ever be calm again. She skipped over towards the boulders landing a glancing blow against one which threw off chips. She sighed, letting loose did sound very nice. 

*        	*        	*

“Hi Honey ~ I’m home!” sang Lyra as she threw open the door to the room she shared with Raindrops.
“Huh, what...” exclaimed Raindrops from the bed, she looked around blearily before rubbing her eyes. “What time is it? Did I fall asleep again?”
Lyra pranced over to the bed and leapt onto it, bouncing a few times and almost knocking the pegasus onto the floor. “So how did your date go? Is there some reason you’re so worn out?” she teased. 
Raindrops flushed and sat up in the bed stretching a little. “It’s just that I was out all last night,” she smiled. “My date with Kindle was,” she looked aside, “It was really nice, we had a picnic and we talked, it was nice.”
“You don’t sound all that enthused,” said Lyra, “Did anything happen? Or not happen?” She leaned towards her friend. It was hard to remember that Raindrops wasn’t as experienced as she sometimes acted. There were a whole lot of things most adult ponies had gone through that she hadn’t yet. A bad date might be one of them. 
“No, I was really nervous at first, but he’s such a nice stallion.” She sighed happily. “He just seems to understand me. We kissed, you know, properly,” he voice trailed off, “with tongues!” she squeaked. 
Lyra grinned at her friend’s naivety. “And how’d that work out?”
“I well, I really liked it, I sort of want to do it again.”
“Well if you’d like to practice, I’m always here,” she puckered her lips, “I’m sure Bonnie with understand if it’s for educational purposes.”
Raindrops playfully pushed Lyra away. “No thanks.”
“So when are you going to see him again, got your second date all planned out? Do griffins do theatre? The two of you can have a lot of fun in the back row. You know, for educational purposes,” she wiggled her eyebrows. 
“No, he said he’d be busy for a few days, that he’d get in touch.”
That worried Lyra a little, Raindrops didn’t seem upset by it but it might have been a lie to try and let her down. She really hoped for Kindle’s sake that it wasn’t the case and that the stallion would be brave enough to properly break things off if he felt that way. “Is that why you seem a little glum?” she asked
“No, we talked about some things, they got me thinking. Do you think I keep my emotions locked up too much? Should I just let myself go more?”
Lyra frowned. “Is this about your temper?”
“Maybe, I told him about it, about what I could do, what I have done, I thought... I thought it might scare him off, but it didn’t. It actually seemed to make him like me more,” she smiled and hugged a nearby pillow. 
Lyra thought over the issue for a moment, in some way it seemed like Kindle was perfect for Raindrops, but maybe a little too perfect. There were a lot of kinks out there, was anger one of them? “Well I’m glad he seems to accept you for who you are,” she said cautiously. 
“Yeah, he thinks I shouldn’t hold myself back as much, that I should let my feelings out more. Just be me regardless of the consequences.”
“That sounds good, but maybe you need to think it over a bit more,” she understood the appeal of the idea, she certainly wasn’t one to second guess herself. She also knew that Raindrops’ issues meant that such a decision, as seductive as it might seem, could lead to trouble. “Make sure what he’s suggesting is for your benefit and not his, he might just want you to be more, well, uninhibited around him,” she suggested. 
“He hasn’t been anything but a gentle stallion,” said Raindrops sharply, “He’s not said anything about us,” she gestured vaguely with her hooves, “you know, being uninhibited or anything. Am I doing things wrong? Should I be...” her tail writhed around in indecision.
Lyra rested a hoof on her friend’s barrel. “You shouldn’t be doing anything that you don’t want to do. It’s good he didn’t push you to do anything, you’ve only known him what, two days now? But you should probably think through this letting it all hang out thing, you wouldn’t want anypony to get hurt would you?” 
“No,” she scowled, “I wish I was normal so I didn’t have to worry about hurting other ponies.”
“Raindrops, you are normal!”
“We both know I’m not. None of us are any more, things just seem to be so complicated. Being an element bearer, being a dame, just being here in the griffin lands. It all seems to make my life so difficult sometimes. Without all that I’d just be a filly talking to her friend about the hot stallion she met.”
Lyra smiled and nodded, sometimes she felt that way as well but they had agreed to take up their titles when the princess had offered and well, it was fun to be able to show off sometimes. The thoughts of her duty brought her back to the events of earlier today. “I know what you mean but unfortunately duty calls. While you were out canoodling with Kindle I had an interesting afternoon.” She quickly went over her afternoon at the griffin court, of Terror Wings’ duel with his family, the outcome, and of her outburst after the fight.
“Great, so a sun loving super griffin now hates you even more,” said Raindrops summing up the story.
“I guess so but that fight just wasn’t fair, he can’t get hurt, well not for long thanks to what Corona did to him. How can that be right? I just hope the rest of the griffin agree with me, most of them seemed pretty impressed with what he could do,” she sighed, “I really don’t get the culture over here.”
“But you didn’t have any problems getting back here?”
“We had to wait a while until it was safe but the Shadowbolts and Captain Lightning guarded me. But,” she glanced around the chamber as if there might be somepony hiding in the corner. “We caught Quizzing talking with one Corona’s people, that grey mare, what was her name Shadow... no, Smoke. They were talking about something, Haymaker was there as well.”
“What did she have to say to them?” asked Raindrops.
“I don’t know. Captain Lighting, well he wasn’t pleased, called Quizzing a traitor and said that Smoke had passed something on to him. Haymaker searched him and didn’t find anything. I don’t know, it did seem odd to me...”
“Maybe, I don’t really trust the ambassador all that much, he seems far too calm about the situation but I don’t know if Lightning’s any better. He’s certainly got some sort of chip in his shoulder about being sent out here. He might just be being paranoid, but he’s probably got a good reason now you’ve got Terror Wing on your case.”
“You might be right but I don’t know, maybe Lightning’s a traitor and just trying to frame the ambassador? To be honest it’s the Voice of the Sun, whoever he really is, that worries me more. There was no sign of him today, no telling what he was doing or who he was talking to.”
“It’s not like you could miss a pony with a flaming mane. So what do you think we should do?”
“I don’t know, maybe check on Lightning and Quizzing? If this was a story we’d find something incriminating in one of their rooms, a big amulet with Corona’s picture on it or something.”
Raindrops snorted. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Well you never know...” started Lyra only to be interrupted by a knocking on the door. 
“Dames,” came a sharp call from Captain Lightning.
“Maybe his ears were burning,” suggested Lyra as Raindrops looked at her in surprise. “What is it Captain?” she called.
“Haymaker, the ambassador,” he said acidly, “and myself are meeting in the ambassador’s office to discuss this afternoon’s events. Your presence is requested, if you feel up to it?”
Lyra’s brow furrowed for a moment then she remembered the alibi they had been using for Raindrops’ absence. “Raindrops is feeling better now, we’ll both be out in a minute.”
“Very well, although I suggest that you pack your bags, I doubt you will be staying here much longer.”

*        	*        	*

The two element bearers exited their room a few minutes later to be greeted by the captain and a small group of guards. Raindrops was actually a little surprised that Bootheel wasn’t still outside the door but instead they passed a different guard, she guessed that the brown earth pony was off duty or something. Without saying much more Lightning lead them through the embassy to the ambassador's office where they found Quizzing and Haymaker sitting around a small table. 
As they entered the ambassador took a piece of paper from Clicker. “Our regular update from home,” he explained, “it seems that your friends are all still enjoying themselves in the viceroy's mansion. There’s a message forwarded on for you dame Heartstrings from a BB. Missing you Sweetie, stop, the new toy arrived and I want to play, stop.” He raised an eyebrow. 
A wide grin spread across Lyra’s face. “Can I send something back?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“Good, um... Be back soon Bonnie. This time you can wear the bridle, um, stop.”
Quizzing nodded to a rather intrigued looking Clicker who gave a sloppy salute and quickly scurried off. “Now, I hope we can--”
“Ambassador,” said Lightning glaring at Quizzing, “sir,” he nodded to Haymaker. “Given the events of earlier today I no longer consider this situation to be stable or this facility to be secure and I will be immediately evacuating the element bearers back to Equestria and safety.” He quickly turned on his heels and began to usher the mares back through the door they had only just entered. 
Both of the other stallions gawked for a moment before jumping to their hooves.
“Now see here captain!” squawked the ambassador, “You have no right to do this!”
“I have every right, I was put in charge of the element bearers’ safety and I take my duty very seriously. As you have proven yourself to be compromised I have no option but to immediately contact home and request that they are teleported to safety.”
“I protest! Compromised! I--” 
“I am in charge of this operation!” declared Haymaker cutting off Quizzing’s angry tirade. It was the first time Raindrops had heard him raise his voice, and it was certainly impressive. He didn’t shout, but the slightest increase in volume had the same effect as if he’d screamed at the top of his lungs. “And you, captain, will take no further action until this matter is discussed! Do you understand?”
Lightning quivered in place for a moment, clearly wanting to speak out against the Shadowbolt but unable to overcome his military training. Raindrops wasn’t sure of the exact relationship between the Shadowbolts and the military but Lightning seemed to consider Haymaker his superior. “Yes, sir,” he finally managed.
“Good, now we will all sit down and sort this issue out.” Face still like thunder, Lightning took a place at the table. Glancing at each other worriedly Lyra and Raindrops joined him. “Once again you have claimed the ambassador is in league with Corona, do you have any evidence of this?”
“I saw him receive a letter from one of the tyrant’s servants!”
“And I searched the ambassador at your request and found nothing, unless you believe that I am involved in any conspiracy?” 
Lightning’s eyes narrowed for a moment then he shook his head. “No.”
“So what other evidence do you have against the ambassador?” Lightning's eyes flashed back and forth around the room as if he’d see something incriminating lying around the place. 
“Nothing concrete,” he finally admitted, “but he’s too damned calm about everything!”
“If acting professionally is a crime now then I’m not surprised that you’re free to roam around captain,” sniffed Quizzing. 
Lightning started to get angrily to his hooves only to be stopped by Haymaker who shook his head. “Now we will discuss the events of today and the effect they will have on this mission calmly and we will as a group decide the best action to take.” He looked around the table. “Do we all understand?”
“Oh, we get to talk now do we?” asked Raindrops snidely, “Because I thought we were just here for you to argue over.”
“My apologies dame,” said Lightning, “but I have to put your safety first, even if you do not yourself.”
Haymaker cleared his throat. “We are all aware of what happened at the griffin court today?” he turned to Raindrops.
“I talked to her about it,” said Lyra, “Terror Wing challenged most of his family to a duel over their honour and beat them while the rest of the clan was watching.”
The ambassador nodded. “Given the respect that most griffins show to strength that would normally be enough for the court to push for an alliance with Corona.”
“Except,” piped up Lyra, “I managed to take the wind out of his sails.”
“Indeed, your rather inspired piece of criticism does seem to have upset Terror Wing’s plans. His father used the distraction to avoid having to declare him the official victor, an act which would almost certainly require him to make Terror Wing his heir apparent given he’s proved himself to be stronger than his elder siblings.”
“But that distraction can’t last that long!” said Lightning, “sooner or later Gavril will have to throw his support behind one side or the other, and it seems almost certain that he will choose the tyrant. Her position seems stronger! She certainly seemed to know how to deal with the griffin even if our own courtiers don't!” Raindrops turned to the captain, her eyes narrowing. Was that admiration for Corona? “Once the griffins turn there is no way the troops I have on hoof will be able to defend this building, evacuation is the only option!”
Quizzing snorted. “You obviously don’t understand the situation! Even if the griffins supported Corona, they would never attack this building. There is a difference between supporting our enemies and actually attacking what is considered Equestrian soil! It would be a declaration of war! And I can assure you things would not come to that!” He stood snorting.
“Of course you would say that!” bellowed Lightning, standing as well and turning to the ambassador, their heads almost touching. “You probably want Corona to have the bearers!”
“Gentlestallions!” cried Haymaker, “Sit. Down. Now! Before I make you.”
“Of course,” said Quizzing straightening his jacket. “My apologies.”
Lightning only glared before retaking his seat. “Regardless,” he said a little more calmly, “of the situation I don’t think it’s likely that Corona will make an appearance so I don’t see what we can hope to gain by keeping the element bearers here.”
Haymaker shook his head. “I disagree, if the chief does decide to keep supporting Equestria then the only way Corona’s forces have to raise the stakes is for their queen to make an appearance. If we can just keep the pressure up I am sure this mission can come to a successful end. With the teleport booster on hoof we can evacuate at a moment's notice if we choose, the bearers are not in danger,” he nodded to Lyra and Raindrops. “What are your opinions?” he asked.
“Oh, well I don’t really know,” said Lyra, “I heard what the ambassador said about the griffins not attacking the embassy, but I saw how angry Terror Wing was in the arena. I’m not sure he’d think about that sort of thing.” Lightning nodded. “And I don’t think Corona is all that likely to just turn up for tea and cakes. I think it might be a bit of a risk for us to hang around...”
Raindrops nodded along with her friend. It made sense to her, there really wasn’t any reason for them to be here, she’d never really wanted to come in the first place. They could just let Lightning evacuate them back to Latigo, she wondered what Kindle would think of Twilight’s manor there... wait a minute, her eyes widened, there was no reason to think that Kindle would actually come with them, or that she’d ever get a chance to see him again. “Actually,” she said sounding a little shrill as she cut off Lyra. “I agree with the ambassador, I think we’re safe here for the moment. If we pull out now then we’ve just wasted all the time we’ve spent here, we can’t just give up the chance of dealing with Corona once and for all. It’s our duty as knights.” Lyra’s brow furrowed. “Some of us might have good reasons to stay here,” she nodded to her friend, hoping the unicorn would pick up on her thoughts. “Maybe we could at least give it another day or two?” That should give her the time to try and find Kindle and do something, she wasn’t sure what, at least give him her address. “Maybe the political situation will have changed by then?”
“I guess so,” said Lyra still looking unsure, “but are you sure you’re looking at this sensibly?”
“I think so, we are knights after all, we have to look out for the good of Equestria!”
“Instead of just what we want to do?” added Lyra pointedly, making Raindrops feel a little guilty. 
“I think that is a reasonable compromise,” said Haymaker looking around the town. “We can revisit the situation tomorrow. In the meantime, ambassador, you should do what you can with the local authorities. Meanwhile, captain, you should increase security levels just in case. I will instruct the Shadowbolts to ensure the teleport booster is secure and ready to use if we need it. Are we agreed?” Raindrops nodded eagerly as did Quizzing, Lyra looked less sure but eventually agreed, Lightning stared at the Shadowbolt for a long moment before finally grunting his approval. “Good.” They all stood and started to head towards the doors.