//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Diplomacy, Take 2 // Story: The Royal Vacation // by Colt Vulpes //------------------------------// · Chapter 10 Diplomacy, Take 2 · “Princess Twilight!” called the pegasus guard. “The Griffin ambassador is here.” “Splendid!” Twilight decided it was best to be optimistic. “Er...” “...it’s a ‘him’ again.” “Send him in!” The guard left and returned with the new ambassador. “Princess Twilight, I presume?” “Yes, that’s me.” The ambassador bowed. “It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Galdo.” “Likewise, Mr. Galdo.” Wow, thought Twilight, this guy’s actually polite! Despite the cordiality, an awkward silence soon permeated the room. “So... Mr. Galdo, what would you like to discuss?” “Oh.” Galdo looked almost like he was dreading the question. He pulled out a few scrolls, maps, and other papers. “I’d like to discuss a few of the border conflicts between our two nations.” Oh, border conflicts. Maybe I’ll start a war yet... Galdo opened one of the maps and laid it out before Twilight. “I-I’m sure we can resolve this in a peaceful manner,” he said. “Now, let’s see what we’ve got here...” ...or maybe not. It’s incredible how different this fellow is from that Geldo jerk. As Twilight and Galdo discussed the border disputes, it became clear that neither of them wanted to escalate international conflicts—and that both were deathly afraid of doing so by accident. This is a night-and-day difference. Why would two ambassadors from the same country be so different? Should I ask him? No, that would be a breach of protocol, big time. At that point, a royal servant entered the room with a covered food cart. “Nourishments, for Princess Twilight and Ambassador Galdo.” The servant bowed. “I understand you traveled quite some distance to Canterlot, ambassador. We figured you might be hungry.” “Why thank you,” replied Galdo. The servant uncovered the food cart. And in the cart was... muffins. Yes, left over from the ruined wedding. Really? Is this another one of Celestia’s pranks? Twilight resisted the urge to facehoof. Galdo picked up one of the muffins and nibbled on it with his beak. “Hmm... I must say this is quite good. Although it’s very different from food back home.” Twilight gave him an inquisitive look. “I mean, we usually eat insects, fruit, fish occasionally... but never anything like this!” Galdo munched on the muffin quite happily. Twilight tried one. It was surprisingly stale, considering it was only a day old. Is he just being polite? Galdo didn’t seem like it. He was chowing down. Screw it, this is just too weird. I’m asking him. “Uh... Galdo?” “Yes, Princess Twilight?” “I, er... have a question about your position.” “Ask away.” “Well, the last Griffin ambassador to visit...” “Geldo?” Galdo shook his head. “What an imbecile. I know it’s already been said, but I really must apologize for his behavior. In truth, we don’t eat horsemeat—” Galdo grimaced at the very thought “—and our own leader is female.” “Then why was he—” “He’s got issues. I really don’t know how he got the position in the first place.” Wow, thought Twilight. Should he really be telling me all this? Twilight’s curiosity, however, got the better of her. “That’s what I was kind of wondering myself,” she said. “I mean, you two are so different—” “Why thank you!” “—and it seems strange that you’d both be appointed to the same position.” “Well, Geldo was appointed by our military head, Commander Meldo. After Geldo got sacked, our president Zeldo appointed me directly.” Ooh, this is interesting! But still... “Uh, Galdo?” “Yes, Princess?” “You probably shouldn’t be telling me this.” Galdo’s eyes got wide. And then he thought for a moment. “I suppose not, but I figured the Equestrian Crown was owed an explanation for yesterday’s disastrous appointment. I can assure you nothing like that will happen again.” “Why thank you,” said Twilight. “We’re glad to hear that.” Did I just... Eeyup, that was the Royal We! (Oh no. She’s starting to become... like them.) Galdo nodded, glad the conversation was heading in a more formal direction. When Galdo had finished his muffin, the two resumed their talks of border conflicts. No immediate resolutions were made at this particular meeting (these things take time, my friend! Also, Twilight doesn’t want to give away half of Equestria on accident) but the two agreed to a summit between their respective governments to discuss the issue further. When their meeting ended, Galdo bowed again and left, taking with him as many muffins as he could. Once she was alone, Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. Phew, that was exhausting. But it still went better than expected! Yay, no war with the Griffins. At that moment, Celestia entered the room. “How did it go, my student?” (Yes, she was spying on the meeting.) “Princess Celestia!” Twilight was somewhat startled to see her. “Luna said you were supposed to be recuperating.” “I think I can handle a little conversation, Twilight,” retorted Celestia. “Now tell me, what did you think of the meeting you just had?” “It was... weird. That’s the only way I can describe it.” “Yes it was,” replied Celestia. “That’s part of being a princess of Equestria, if you haven’t figured it out by now.” Twlight chuckled a little. “I suppose it is.” “So,” said Celestia, “what did you notice from the weird meeting you just had?” “Well...” Twilight thought for a moment. “The first thing that struck me as strange was how differently Galdo acted from Geldo.” “Go on...” “Geldo was a total jerk, but Galdo was really nice. They were polar opposites.” “Continue...” “And Galdo actually told me he and Geldo were appointed by different griffins.” “He did, now? And what can you deduce from all this?” “I think the Griffin government is deeply divided. If Zeldo and Meldo don’t get along, this could possibly lead to a clash of power. Even a civil war.” “Right you are, my student. Now, what else did you notice?” “Galdo loved those muffins. It was weird, especially considering how stale they were.” “And what does that tell you? Can you say anything based on what you’ve observed?” “Well, Galdo also told me what most Griffins eat back home. It... didn’t sound too appetizing. I’d be tempted to conclude that, well, they’re actually having trouble feeding themselves.” Celestia nodded solemnly. “Indeed they are.” (In truth, Celestia already knew everything she just had Twilight deduce. She is the teacher, after all, and teachers don’t usually give a pop quiz without an answer sheet.) Celestia went on to explain. “President Zeldo wants to secure a long-lasting peace with our own nation so that the Griffins may put more resources into growing food for themselves. Commander Meldo, on the other hand, believes he can restore the Griffin nation’s glory through war and conquest.” “And so...” “Yeah, they don’t like each other very much.” “So, what do we do?” “We bide our time,” replied Celestia, “and hope they’re not stupid enough to attack us.” (Zeldo’s not, but Meldo is!) Twilight couldn’t help but wonder what her mentor meant by that. “So...” Twilight made a face. “But I mean... Equestria doesn’t have an army, does it?” “Nope.” “Navy? Air force?” “None. I mean unless you count the Wonderbolts, but, well...” her voice trailed off. “Then how...” “How what, my student?” “I mean, if the Griffins do attack us, how do we defend ourselves?” Celestia grinned like she was waiting for the question. Her horn glowed brilliantly. “That’s MY job!” · ×