//------------------------------// // Day 2- Conclusion // Story: The Bold, The Brash, and The Beautiful // by Razalon The Lizardman //------------------------------// The sky over the DELOS resort was still in its twilight hours when Princesses Celestia and Luna arrived in their royal chariot. The pegasi guards pulling it descended onto a specially appointed landing pad atop the CCC building where Bite Back and a few technicians were waiting. The technicians were quivering like putty in the diarchy's presence. Bite Back, in contrast, watched them with an apathetic gaze that perfectly masked the worry permeating his mind. This was the first meeting between him and the princesses concerning the DELOS resort. While he knew the main topic at hoof was discussing renewed licensing of Crystalvision to the resort, Celestia and Luna had expressed concern over the resort's seeming over-reliance on cybernetics and the possible dangers that could arise from that. Once the two alicorns stepped off the chariot Bite Back and the technicians bowed before them. "Welcome your highness-es," they all said in unison. "Greetings dear subjects," Luna replied with a warm smile. "Please excuse us for but a moment to bring forth the night." Bite Back stood back up. "Of course, princess." The two alicorns turned to look out over the horizon. Celestia drew magic into her horn and focused on tuning it with the sun's energies. Once she had done so, she proceeded to fully lower the sun below the horizon. In the span of a few seconds the sky was drained of its warm coloring, leaving behind the black space and white stars of nighttime. With the sun out of the way, Luna copied her sister and let magic flow into her horn, working to perfectly tune it with the moon's own energies. Once she did so she lifted it over the opposite horizon and fully into the night sky. With the moon and stars now shining down upon the world, the princesses turned back to their hosts. "Shall we proceed?" Celestia asked. "Yes, princess," Bite Back replied. He gestured for the technicians to stand up and follow him and the princesses to the conference room downstairs. ----- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Error resolved. Scanning for opponent . . . . . . . . . . . *Unknown Error* . . . . . . . . Error resolved. Joust mode initiated. Aviation . . . online. Lock-on . . . online. Weapon . . . on standby. Initiate taunt protocol. Selecting random taunt . . . *Unknown Error* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Error resolved. Awaiting joust command . . . . . . command received. Received command:-is well maintained and organized, princess. Yes, it does appear- Scanning for intent clarification . . . intent deemed positive. Approval to joust: Granted Everypony reached the conference room and took their seats around the large table. Bite Back sat at one end while Princess Luna sat at the other end. The technicians all occupied the side to Luna's left while Celestia and the royal guards occupied the opposite side. "Would you like anything to drink, your highnesses?" Bite Back asked. "No thank you," Celestia replied. "I would appreciate some of this Moranet beverage I've heard so much about," Luna replied. "Assuming, of course, some exists here and now." "Sure thing, Princess Luna." He turned to the technician sitting nearest him. "Red, I believe Black Bolt has some in her cooler; ask her if she can spare a bottle." "Yes, sir." The technician got up and left the room. "Well then," Celestia said, "let's get started, shall we?" "Of course," Bite Back answered. Celestia levitated a stack of paperwork, an ink bottle, and a quill from the golden saddlebag she was carrying and set it all down in front of Bite Back. Taking the quill in his mouth, Bite Back dipped it in the ink and proceeded to start filling out the contracts. There was no need to thoroughly read them; after all, Celestia was nothing if not trustworthy, and Bite Back never wavered in that trust. At the same time, however, Bite Back wished her highness would reciprocate that faith in her subjects to do no harm unto each other. No doubt said wish was in response to Celestia's very vocal concern over DELOS' robot population. About a minute later Red came back with a clear bottle of a thick, gray liquid and hoofed it to Princess Luna. "Thank you," she said. "You're welcome, princess," Red said, sitting back down and facing Bite Back. "Just thought I'd let you know, boss; Black and Kooky are asleep in the lounge." "Figures," Bite Back snorted, finishing off the last of the contracts. "Well, I suppose we can make due without them tonight." Celestia gripped the filled out contracts in her magic and levitated them back over to her and into her saddlebag. Luna, meanwhile, had taken a liking to the Moranet and was now guzzling it down at a rapid pace. Once she finished she levitated the bottle into a nearby trash can. "Now then," Bite Back said, "you also asked that I alleviate your concerns over the nature of our resort, your highness." "Indeed," Celestia answered, an impish frown forming on her face. "While I have the utmost respect for you, your company, and cybernetics in general my concern-" "BURP!!!" Everypony turned towards Princess Luna, whose cheeks were now a bright shade of crimson. "Excuse me," she said. Celestia rolled her eyes and continued. "-my concern lies in the purpose it serves here. Re-creating a past era is fine, but some things are better left to the past." "What, specifically, are you referring to?" "Let me rephrase my statement; my concern is that the DELOS experience may become more genuine than what was intended." Bite Back blinked, then stared, then spoke. "I think I understand what you're implying, princess. However, look at this from the perspective of a guest. The fact that many elements of the DELOS resort are potentially dangerous is part of the appeal. Everypony has their own fantasies regarding the past, but what they all share is the clash of righteous and wicked forces alike. To truly give life to such fantasies requires the presence of both." "Yes, I understand that," Celestia replied, then shook her head. "I ask only for some assurance that no lasting harm befalls any of our subjects while under DELOS' care." Bite Back smiled. "I can assure you, highness, that DELOS has taken every possible precaution to ensure nopony dies while in our care." Celestia sighed. "Very well. Now, on to the matter of those CMC patents . . ." The time was just a little after midnight when the princesses departed from the resort. Mist rose around the island, cloaking the resort in a spooky white veil that stood out against the dark night sky. The ocean's waves slammed against the island's cliffs, tearing away large chunks of rock and earth with each strike. A gale blew in from the south, sweeping across the entire resort. Aviworld began drifting.