Canterlot
The Human Human Embassy
“Ambassador, there is someone here to meet you.”
“Who is it?” Ambassador Alisa Fahrenheit asked her aide. She was currently trying to figure out how to present her case to Princesses regarding possible expansion of the Zone.
“A pony. Said her name is Lyra Heartstring.”
“Does she have an appointment?” She really didn’t want to deal with anyone at the moment, but protocols demanded it.
“Actually, yes. It's about her idea of writing a book about... The War.”
“Well, let's hear her. Bring her in.”
The assistant gave small bow and left. Soon, the door was opened again and a pony with light cyan fur walked in. She had this book with her, no doubt her manuscript. She walked to the table and Alisa couldn’t help but to facepalm for idiocy of her aide.
“Excuse the rude manners of my assistants... HEINRIC! Get your lazy ass here and bring her a seat!”
Lyra gave a quick yelp at the sudden shout. A man soon came in carrying a specifically made seat that allowed ponies to sit, so that they could see over the table. It was basic rules of hospitality. If you were going to conduct a meeting over a table, you made sure everyone could reach over it.
“So.” The ambassador said, clasping her hands “How can I help you?”
“Ah, yes, you see... I... I want to write a history book about... about...” Lyra started nervously.
“The War. Yes. I am aware of it.” The ambassador said, pointing at her PDA. “However, I fail to see why would you want to speak to me about it. I would expect you to find everything you need in the Royal Archives.”
“Yes, that is true but... I want to also understand the war from human perspective.”
“Human perspective, you say?” Fahrenheit said raising her eyebrow. Lyra nodded before continuing.
“Yes, you see, the war, many do not try to understand why it was fought. They also seem to think humans were just bloodthirsty monsters who started the war for fun and games. Or they don't even realize how horrible it was. Especially those so-called nobles. They want to restart the war, lying how glorious it was... and... how it was all... just a game...”
“You lost someone important, didn't you?”
“Huh?”
“I know that look. You lost someone close to you during the war and don't want to suffer the same pain again. I can respect that. So. What do you need?”
“I would like to interview some survivors of the war. Hear their stories. Like the Invasion of Appleloosa. What went through their heads when it happened? I want to show them that humans... at least I hope so... didn't go into those place thinking murder, but thinking their loved ones.”
“And?”
“Well... maybe some access to military archives. For names.”
“What we called them. Operation Scorch Earth. Operation Planetfall.”
“Yes. Also human casualty numbers. How many people you lost. To show that it was not only us who lost loved ones, but you too.”
“You know, there is a saying that goes 'History is written by victors'...” Fahrenheit said. “It means that the winners get to decide who was the monster and who was the hero.”
“Please, I...” Lyra started, fearing for the worst.
“I will help you.” Fahrenheit interrupted her. “I have always had a soft spot for history, if just to know it. Where we came from. We have our own books being compiled right now. I guess having a pony version would be good too. Our books look the war from our perspective. How we fought for our species. Your focus will, undoubtedly, be on horrors of the war.”
“Thank you.” Lyra said, releasing a breath she had been holding.
“I will want to read it first, though. Just to check that nothing... unauthorized gets in. Although according to New Zebas Treaty, we are in peace now and all is forgiven, there is no doubt that should something... let's say 'sensitive' get in it might spark a whole new war.”
“This is no way to live life...”
“We once had two nations. Those nations, they never signed a peace treaty. They had an armistice that lasted until The Great Cataclysm wiped them both out. One single mistake, one single step would have started a war between them. This is nothing. Here we both want peace. We have a peace treaty. Ghastly Gorge DMZ is, perhaps, one the most heavily guarded areas of the world, but other places, such as New Baltimore-Fillydelphia border is closer to a normal border between two nations.”
“It's still horrible, living in the fear of war.”
“Yes, but hopefully things will get better. That new generations will grow up without the shadow of war over them and they can start again. To build a true friendship between our species. Now, I must ask you to leave. I have my assistant come to inform you and help you later this week. I have these complaints to deal with. One might think that work of an ambassador is party after party but noooooo. It's mainly dealing with idiots who can't find their own head even if was hit by a stick!”
Lyra gave a chuckle at this and thanked the ambassador once more before leaving. The meeting had gone better than she had expected.