Training - Chapter 7
Chapter 7
“Did you absolutely have to wear that hat?” Dawn asked, sidling over towards Hunter as they approached the entrance to Canterlot Castle’s Southern Hall.
“You act like it was an option,” Hunter said, grinning at the pink unicorn’s disapproving expression and tapping the hat where it sat comfortably on his head. “I can’t get rid of this thing, It’d be like if you got rid of your horn.”
Her expression grew surprisingly even more dour. “It doesn’t exactly match with the rest of your uniform.”
“Don’t remind me about the uniform,” Hunter said, rolling his eyes and then taking a quick glance down at the array of cloth he was wearing. What had started out as a plain dress uniform had been, in his opinion, ruined by an array of flashy … bits. He wasn’t even sure what the actual term for the whole setup was. A sash of some kind crossed his chest, ribbon threading the edges. The one caveat he’d been able to swing from the tailor was that it at least matched his dust-brown coat and straw-colored mane. Which meant that while his hat looked out of place, it at least wasn’t clashing with the colors as well. “What was wrong with my old Ranger uniform?”
“We’re not Rangers anymore,” Dawn said, tossing her head. Her mane had been done in a tasteful array of orange curls that wove together down towards her back, with a single loose curl that draped across her forehead next to her horn. Knowing her it was a fashion that would be well known by many of the nobles at the dinner.
“We’re Dusk Guard,” Dawn continued, ignoring his rolling eyes. “And we need to be representative of such.”
“I’d rather show up in armor,” Hunter groused. “At least then I’d be able to move.” He stretched his wings, feeling them pull against the cloth. “I can barely get half a wonky wing-beat in with this.”
Dawn snorted and rolled her eyes. “Honestly Hunter, I can agree with you there that it must be uncomfortable, but this is a diplomatic dinner. No one is going to be flying anyway.”
“Hey, I’m with him,” Sky Bolt said, twisting around to look at the train of her light blue gown. “I’d rather be wearing armor than this awkward thing. I mean, it looks pretty and all, but I’ve worn nice stuff that still let me move.”
“Alright everypony, that’s enough,” Steel said, shaking his head. “All of you should just count yourselves lucky.”
Hunter sniggered as he looked again at Steel’s dress uniform. He was wearing a bright red vest with multiple sashes, a high collar that already bore a few wrinkles where Steel had smashed it in frustration, and large, frilly, golden epaulets.
“And here I was hoping all of you had gotten your laughs out before we left the barracks,” Steel said, his voice dry. “If you want to laugh now, get it out of your system. If I hear of any of you causing a diplomatic crisis because you laughed at a delegate's outfit, you’ll get to see the Equestrian countryside firsthoof. On hoof, got it?”
“Yes sir, Captain Ruffles, sir!” Nova said, and the entire group erupted in snickers.
“Yeah, yeah. Very funny.” Steel said, shaking his head.
“At least you got to wear something nice,” Sky Bolt said, turning to Sabra. The zebra was wearing a complex series of brightly colored silk robes that wrapped around his body and made his coat stand out in contrast. “Maybe I can convince the tailor to make something like that for me next time, you look good.” Hunter smirked as Sky Bolt’s eyes went wide. “I mean you look nice in that! Not that you don’t—oh forget it!” The pegasus mare turned her face towards the other side of the hall, cheeks burning red. Hunter let out a soft chuckle, trying not to embarrass Sky Bolt too much. Steel on the other hoof simple let out a barely audible groan.
“Asante,” Sabra said, still looking straight ahead, although for a moment his cheeks seemed slightly red as well. “You look nice as well.” It was impossible to miss the rising blush on Sky Bolt’s cheeks now.
Hunter had to admit what Sabra was wearing did look a lot more comfortable than the stuffy dress uniform he was wearing. The zebra’s colorful garment looked both relaxed and loose, while still carrying an air of dignity. He looked back at his own folded wings, held down by a weight of cloth, and almost sighed. It wasn’t that he planned on flying around the dinner, that was frowned upon. It was just … uncomfortable.
“Hey,” Nova said, his usual grin on his face as they approached the large ornate entryway to the Southern Hall. “The uniforms might be a drag, but these places always, always have good food.”
“And when would you have been to a diplomatic dinner?” Dawn asked, raising one eyebrow with a practiced ease. The group came to a stop as Steel began to speak to the porter outside the door, two Guard looking on.
“Are you kidding?” Nova said, shaking his head. “I used to hit at least one of these a year. Food was good, so was the work. It’s not exactly hard to sneak into some rich noble's party if you know what you’re doing.” One of the Guard gave him a suspicious look, eyes narrowing. “You wouldn’t believe how easy it was to just walk out with a pocket full of jewelry.” The guard’s eyes widened in shock, body tensing.
“Relax,” Hunter said, addressing him. “He’s with us.” The Guard stood down, although Hunter noticed he didn’t take his eyes off of Nova.
“Besides,” Dawn added, eyes darting from Nova to the Guard and then back again. “I sincerely doubt he’s serious. There was probably a healthy amount of exaggeration there anyway.”
“Uh-huh,” Nova said. Dawn merely gave him a dismissive look and walked over towards where Steel was just finishing up speaking with the porter. Nova slid up next to Hunter in a single, smooth step, his eyes gleaming mischievously.
“Ten bits says I can steal all her jewelry in the first ten minutes of the party,” he said in a low voice, nodding in Dawn’s direction.
“She’s only wearing the earrings and the necklace,” Hunter whispered back. “Five minutes and you’re on.”
Nova shook his head. “Two bracelets on her left hoof, plus the gemstone comb in her hair. But...” he said, pretending to chew on his lower lip. “Deal, five minutes.”
"Alright, everyone,” Steel said, drawing the attention of the group as the ornately gilded doors swung open, the porter announcing their presence. “Best. Behavior.” He turned back to the hall and walked in, head held high.
“Bonus bits if you can find and steal Steel’s sense of humor,” Hunter whispered out of the corner of his mouth at Nova as they walked in. “He’s not using it anyway.” He broke off as Nova tried to hold back a snicker, making his own way into the hall.
The hall itself was impressive, ornately tasteful, if a little overly elegant for his tastes in some places. Pillars around the edges of the hall gave partygoers places to separate themselves from the larger mass of ponies, while also being decorated in what appeared to be golden vines. A large, long table had been set up at one end of the room for when the actual dinner portion of the event began, and a temporary stage had been assembled at one end of the hall. A small company of ponies was currently using it to play a selection of soft stringed instruments.
Then there were the attendees themselves. Not only was the usual selection of nobles and industry leaders present, but a number of diplomatic attendees from various nations. Hunter spotted several griffons interspaced throughout the crowd, each decked out in ceremonial chainmail hauberks and ornate helmets—once again reminding him of his own painfully uncomfortable clothing. One of the griffons was chatting away with a robed camel wearing an enormous turban, probably a delegate from somewhere south of the Turancan Desert. He could make out a representative from what looked like Saddle Arabia sitting on the far end of the hall and even—to his great surprise—a Diamond Dog, decked out in an ill-colored but dazzlingly gem encrusted suit.
“Ah, I believe you must be Lieutenant Hunter,” came a strong voice from behind Hunter. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Hunter turned and found himself standing in front of a brilliantly white-coated unicorn with a shock of vivid blue hair, one that he would have recognized even without the Captain’s bars on his chest or the stunningly beautiful alicorn mare at his side. “Captain Armor!” he said in surprise, snapping a quick salute. “And Princess Mi Amore Cadenza! It’s a ripper of a pleasure to meet you both, sir … although I‘ve got to ask, how’d you know who I was? ”
The Captain smiled. “No need to be so formal if you don’t mind, Hunter,” he said, though he did quickly return the salute. “I’ve heard of you from my own lieutenants, and none of them fail to mention your hat.” He stepped to one side, motioning towards the pink-coated alicorn. “Might I introduce you to my lovely and amazing wife, Cadance?”
“Flatterer,” The princess said as she stepped forward, giving Shining a quick peck on the cheek. “Pleased to meet you, Hunter.” Hunter could feel himself gaping, so he did the only thing he could think of.
“It’s an honor, Princess Cadenza,” Hunter said, bowing and pulling his hat from his head.
“Oh really, no bowing. And call me Cadance,”
“You’re sure?” he asked, replacing his hat.
She smiled again, leaning on her husband. “Of course, I’ve only got one pony bowing and treating me like royalty,” she said with a smile. “And that’s more than enough.”
“Well ...” Hunter said. “Then my congratulations on the wedding. You two look spot on rapped together.” The couple smiled. “And on saving Canterlot,” he added. “That was impressive.”
Shining Armor blinked. “It wasn’t how I expected my wedding to go, that’s for sure.”
Cadance laughed. “We got a story out of it, that’s for sure, didn’t we?” Her husband leaned over and nuzzled her, and for a moment Hunter considered excusing himself from the newlywed pair.
“So,” Shining Armor said, looking back up. “I hear you’ve been looking into those train robberies.” Cadance rolled her eyes and gave her husband a playful bat with her hoof.
“Back to talking about work already, Shining?” she said, only to pause with an odd expression on her face as Nova slid up next to Hunter.
“Hold these for me, will you Hunter?” Nova said with a wink. Hunter got his hoof up just in time to catch a pair of earrings and a necklace that Nova tossed his way before fading back into the crowd. He stood for a moment in stunned silence before looking up at Shining Armor and Cadance, both of whom were looking at him in confusion.
“Crikey,” he said at last as he looked back at his hoof. “I haven’t got a bit on me!”
* * *
“Shikamoo, as-salaam aleykum.” Sky Bolt watched in fascination as Sabra bowed low before the older zebra mare, his hooves spread before him.
“Aleykum as-salaam,” the mare replied, bowing her head slightly in return. Colorful beads woven into her mane clicked together. “Diama ni furaha kukutana na mmoja wa nduju mtukufu. Nimeitwa Akeelah.”
“Mimi ni Sabra.” Sabra said, responding to the mare in his melodic language. Sky Bolt watched for a moment more as the two conversed, but soon grew bored with her inability to understand the conversation between the two. She’d already grasped the meaning of a few of the words as they went back and forth, but they were simple words, words like “hello” and “thank you.” The rapid-fire Zebra that the two were now conversing in was years beyond her.
Sky Bolt took another look around the room. It certainly was impressive, what with all the crazy-expensive looking architecture. The beams holding up the roof were carved wood, for crying out loud! Detailed carved wood. It was difficult to make out exactly how detailed from where she was, but she could see the carved outlines of ponies crossing the beams. Figures they’d put some really cool stuff up where you can only see it if you fly, she thought, and then totally make it uncool to fly.
“Quite beautiful, are they not?” A melodic voice murmured at her side. Sky Bolt gave a small gasp and jumped to one side, nearly tripping over her gown.
“My apologies, I did not wish to offend,” the zebra mare said, the colorful beads in her mane clicking as she stepped back. “If I’ve done wrong, I will amend.” Her voice flowed smoothly, much like Sabra’s did, but with an even more melodic quality to it. It was as if the words themselves were sliding around in the air, slipping smoothly past any obstacles.
“Oh, no-no, no,” Sky Bolt said. “That was my bad—I wasn’t paying attention. It’s all a little, you know, overwhelming.” She rolled her head around at the hall to illustrate, trying to ignore her panicked inner voice. She’s a diplomat or something. Just stay cool, like she’s somepony who wants something made.
The mare smiled, lines forming in the corners of her eyes. “The roof above, I have always adored. A sight to see, when I am bored.”
Sky bolt blinked at the rhyme, her momentary panic fading. “Hey, that was pretty clever,” she said, extending her hoof. “My name’s Sky Bolt, it’s nice to meet you.” Her eyes darted to the colorful, flowing robes that the diplomat was wearing. They looked pretty comfortable, although they’d be a hassle around machinery.
“The pleasure is mine, to meet such a pretty young mare,” the zebra said as she accepted the hoofshake. “Call me Akeelah, the diplomat rare.”
Sky Bolt’s cheeks began to burn. “Thanks,” she said, personality slightly shocked off center. She gave her head a small shake. Play it cool, she thought. “Thanks for the compliment. You have a nice name.” Oh, real smooth.
Akeelah smiled. “Among my people it means I am wise, so I have been sent to these foreign skies. Now,” she said, as she dexterously plucked a drink from a passing waiter's tray with one hoof. “Sabra has told me that he works with you. So tell me, what is it that you do?”
“He did?” Sky Bolt said, looking around for the zebra in question and spotting him not far away, deep in conversation with some noble. “I mean, yeah, we work together. As part of a team.” She gave her mind a mental kick as Akeelah gave a small smile. “We’re called the Dusk Guard,” Sky Bolt said as she recomposed herself. “We’re a new group, just a few weeks old actually ...”
* * *
“So, you must be the leader of that new Dusk Guard I’ve heard about,” a voice said behind Steel. “The one taking up all of the Princesses' time?” There was a tone to the Canterlot accented voice that was unpleasant, as if the speaker just ever so slightly considered himself above whoever he was talking to.
“I’m sorry,” Steel said, turning away from the conversation he’d been listening in on. “Have we me—?” he stopped. “No, I see we haven’t,” he said. He did recognize the pony though, it was the same dark brown earth pony he’d seen in Princess Luna’s Night Court a week or so earlier. The one from the rail company who’d provoked Princess Luna with his constant pestering. Now that he was getting a closer look, Steel could see that the pony was actually quite young, closer to Nova’s age. His mane was a dark blue, the same color as his expensive looking suit, a shade so dark it was almost black. On his flank was his cutie mark, a pile of golden bits that shone against his dark brown coat.
“Hmph,” the earth pony said, snorting. “Well I know you,” he said, pausing to take a careful sip from a wine glass. “You’re Steel Song, bodyguard extraordinaire and now leader of the new Guard division that’s been such a distraction from the important things of Equestria.”
“I guess that depends on your definition of what’s important,” Steel said, resigning himself to the forthcoming conversation. “Mister … ?”
“Spike, Golden Spike. Part owner of Equestrian Rail Services, full owner of Colossal Carrots Incorporated, and owner of the Horseshoe Bay Yacht club,” the pony said. He didn’t extend a hoof, and Steel wasn’t sure he would have taken it anyway. “And surely you can’t think that some sort of guard squad could be more important than the financial well-being of Equestria.”
“I hardly think that a few stumbles in the railroad business could be a threat to the well-being of Equestria,” Steel said dryly.
“Well of course you would think that,” Golden said, rolling his eyes, which were, oddly enough, colored the same shade of gold as his cutie mark. “You’re just a simple bodyguard.” He gave a deep sigh, as if the act of speaking to Steel was somehow wearying him. “But I shall try to paint a picture of the situation for you.”
“Oh, please do,” Steel said, fighting a growing urge to splash the stallion's drink in his face. “Enlighten me.”
“With pleasure,” Golden said, either missing or ignoring the sarcasm in Steel’s response. “You see, in the last twenty years alone, the ERS—that’s the Equestrian Rail Service—has become one of the largest shippers in Equestria. We ship the majority of goods and services, and we also provide transport to may ponies. Now something like that might not matter much in whatever podunk town you’ve lived in, but for large cities such as Canterlot, Baltimare, or Manehatten to exist without everypony growing their own food or harvesting their own materials, shipping must exist to bring in food from surrounding areas, and the ERS does that at a cheaper cost than anypony else. Simply put, the ERS is a backbone of Equestria’s economy, has been for some time now.” His face took on an angry countenance. “But if those in charge of the railway begin to lax in their duties and the ERS begins to look like a risky investment, ponies will go to other, costlier methods of transport. Prices will rise across the board, and Equestria will suffer for it.”
“Sounds like you’ve got your hooves full,” Steel said, trying to break Golden’s momentum. “So what are you doing here? This is a diplomatic dinner, not a stock market.”
“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong!” Golden said, eyes flashing. He took another sip from his glass. “This dinner is a market, a trade market! The whole reason we’re here tonight is in honor of the Griffon Empire delegates' trade negotiations with Canterlot Cloudrunners. They’ve just opened up a new line of import/export shipping using that new massive airship design of theirs as the hauler.”
“You mean the Alicorn?” Steel asked, genuinely surprised. “I thought that was a pleasure cruiser.”
“Oh it is. A very nice one too,” Golden said, finishing his drink. “Gold inlays, a ballroom ...” He gave a contented sigh. “Nothing like a masquerade ball several thousand feet up. But ...” he said, tossing his glass at a nearby waiter, who plucked it from the air with an expert show of magic. “Business calls. I only rode it from here to Manehatten before returning to work. Anyway, it’s the Alicorn’s sister ships that are going to be the big shippers. Half the crew, double the load or something like that. They’ll be able to ship across the ocean in far less time than a standard sailing ship would.”
“In any case,” he continued, snagging another drink from a passing waiter. “I could no more ignore this dinner than ignore one of my own companies failing, which I might add, is also in danger of happening right under my own hoof if something isn’t done.” He gave Steel a cold, calculated look. “Spending thousands of bits on extending a rail line to the north when there is nothing to gain by doing so and ignoring valuable business opportunities in the south. Letting the rampant thefts go ignored for so long—”
“How long?” Steel asked, ignoring his own annoyance with the pushy, opinionated pony. “I thought there had only been thefts for the last few months.”
“A few months is an eternity to the business world in some cases,” Golden said. “But mark my words, if Celestia and Luna continue on this current path, this company could face a grave financial and public scandal. They’ll be forced to step down and let more … capable ... ponies take charge.”
“Ponies like yourself, you mean.”
“Well of course,” Golden said, giving Steel a look that said any other pony would clearly be a ridiculous choice. “In just four years I’ve managed to take all of my businesses to record heights, and just recently I made a series of incredibly lucrative investments in Badlands-based gem mines. My profitability has never been higher.”
“Uh-huh,” Steel said, finally tiring of the stallions grandstanding. “Anyone ever tell you not to count your chickens before they hatch?”
Golden scoffed. “As if you would understand the workings of the business market. I can see my accomplishments are wasted on you. A pity,” the stallion said as he turned up his nose. “That likely means that whatever purpose you supposedly fill with this Dusk Guard is wasted as well.” Golden turned to walk away, but then looked back. “If you happen to speak to either of Princesses tonight, you may as well let them know that I will fix their failures, one way or another. Good night.” He stalked off, head held high.
“Wow,” Steel muttered to himself as soon as the stallion was out of earshot, giving his head a little shake. “How did an absolutely plotheaded stallion like him end up with so much money and power?”
“I know,” said a heavily accented voice at his side. “It is a crying shame, no?”
Steel’s eyes opened wide in surprise at the familiar tone. He spun around, ignoring the startled looks of the partygoers around him at his sudden movement, a huge grin stretched across his face. “Primetail!” he roared, decorum forgotten. “You old featherbrain! What are you doing here!”
“Ah, my friend, I am attending the dinner! As are you, it would appear,” the massive griffon answered, grinning as he opened his arms wide. “But is that any way to greet an old friend?”
Steel laughed as the griffon’s foreclaws wrapped around him in a hug that would have been bonecrushing on a pony that was any smaller. Steel was large for a pony, but Primetail was even larger for a griffon.
“Primetail, it’s been too long.” Steel said, doing his best to return the hug.
“Indeed it has, my friend. Indeed it has.” Primetail nodded as he stepped back, ruffling his thick grey and tan plumage with one talon. “Do you still speak griffon as well as you did?”
“Bilmiyorum, sen söyle,” Steel said with a grin, his mouth carefully twisting to make the sounds of the harsh language.
“Ah...” Primetail said, chuckling. “Sana yeni bir muhafız kadar lider hakkında duymak Bu nedir?”
“Bu uzun bir hikaye,” Steel said as Primetail motioned towards one of the smaller tables near the stage. “Hikayeler demişken, yeğenim ve yeğeni hala tanıştığımız nasıl hakkında işitme keyfini çıkarın.”
“Böylece var mı?” Primetail asked as he sat down. “Tell me all about them,” he said, switching back to Equestrian.
“Well,” Steel said, trying to ignore the sudden pit in his gut as his angry sister came to mind. “They’re both unicorns, and the oldest is a hoof-full and a half ...”
* * *
Dawn was enjoying herself immensely. Not only was this the kind of event that she enjoyed attending—a calm, reasoned party with guests who dueled with words rather than hooves—but the music was simply divine—unless she was mistaken, the musicians had just finished Vivace in E Minor—and the waiting staff was superb. She would really have to see Steel about making certain that they were invited to as many of these events as possible. Or at the very least that she was.
“Why I must say dear, your sense of style is divine.” Dawn turned. The speaker was an obviously wealthy unicorn, her pink dressing gown simple in style, but with small details that pointed at a wealthy taste. “Your mane in particular is quite impressive. Tell me, however did you come up with that?”
“I modeled it after the ancient Romane Empire’s high fashion,” Dawn said with a touch of pride. She gave her head a slight toss, throwing the curls of her mane out for the mare to admire. “I especially enjoy how it matches the earrings.”
Confusion clouded the mares face. “Earrings? But you aren’t wearing any earrings.”
“But of course I a—” Dawn’s response died in her throat as her hoof rubbed a bare ear. She looked down at her neck, then at her left wrist. Both were bereft of any jewelry. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said to the mare, composing herself. “I seem to have misplaced something ...” She turned away, finishing her sentence under her breath so nopony could hear it. “And putting my hoof across Nova’s flank is going to be the best way to fix the problem.”
* * *
“Hoo-boy, she looks mad,” Hunter said as he spied Dawn stalking across the hall in her quest to find her missing jewelry. He looked down at the small pile of jewelry sitting in the middle of the table. “Maybe I should put this stuff somewhere else.” He tried to act nonchalant, sipping at his drink.
“Tartarus hath no fury like a mare scorned,” Shining said, earning a playful slug to the shoulder from his wife. “What?” he asked with a laugh. “It’s true!”
“Speaking of mares,” Cadance said, ignoring her husband as she turned to Hunter. “I’ve noticed there’s one here who keeps looking at you when you won’t see her.”
Hunter almost spit out his drink in surprise. He managed a quick swallow. “Wait, what?” he said, fighting the urge to look around. “Who?”
Cadance laughed and shook her head. “I don’t know who she is, but I know who she’s looking at.” Her eyes darted to her husband. “You see her, Shining?”
Shining nodded. “Yep, she’s definitely sneaking looks at you. Giving you a good one right now.”
Hunter again fought the urge to spin around and see who was looking at him. “What’s she look like?”
“Unicorn, dark blue coat, purple mane, green dress,” Shining said. “Sound like anypony you know?”
Hunter searched his memory but after a moment shook his head. “Nope, can’t say she sounds familiar ...”
“Well, why don’t you go introduce yourself?” Cadance suggested with a smile.
“Hmm … I don’t know—whoop!” He swept his hat off of his head, dropping in on the pile of jewelry in the center of the table moments before Dawn broke out of the crowd.
“Princess Cadenza, Captain Armor,” Dawn said, giving them each a small bow before turning to Hunter. “I see someone finally convinced you to remove that ridiculous hat,” Dawn said in annoyed tone. “You wouldn’t have happened to have seen Nova around here would you?”
“No ...” Hunter said truthfully. “I haven’t seen him for a while, why?”
“No reason,” Dawn said, her teeth grinding together behind her smile. “If you see him, tell him I’d like to speak with him please.”
“Yeah, sure thing,” Hunter said, trying to act as natural as possible. Dawn gave him a curious look but walked away, vanishing back into the crowd.
“That was close,” Shining said as Hunter placed his hat back on his head, revealing the small pile of jewelry again.
“You’re telling me,” Hunter said. He stared at the pile for a moment and then carefully swept it to the edge of the table with his wing. “Well...” he said as the jewelry dropped into his pockets. One thing that he could admit was right about the lousy formal wear was that it at least had an adequate number of pockets. “If I stick around here she’ll be back. I might as well go see if I can spot this mystery mare you two pointed out. Maybe I knew her or something.”
“Good luck!” Shining Armor said, turning back to his wife. The couple smiled as Hunter pushed off through the crowd. They both knew there was only one reason Cadance would have said anything in the first place. He’d feigned ignorance, but Hunter had known who that pony was. They were sure of it.
* * *
“She is a pleasure to speak to, indeed this is true.”
Sabra nodded at Akeelah’s words and bowed his head as the elder approached him once more. “Shikamoo,” he said, offering her a formal greeting.
Akeelah shook her head and let out a small laugh. “Ever so formal, try acting normal,” The elder ran her ancient eyes across the crowd. “Relax and have fun, don’t be a party of one.” Akeelah’s eyes stopped somewhere in the crowd for a moment before flashing back to him. “Your friend was quite energetic, once she learned to stop her fears. You should go join her, let her talk to your ears.”
“I—” Sabra started to say. Akeelah cut him off as she pushed him into the crowd.
“I’ll make it an order, one you will follow. Given by me and upheld, or your duty is hollow.” She gave him a final push and watched as the confused stallion wandered off into the party, meeting up with the young pegasus named Sky Bolt.
“And what’s this?” came a soft voice from nearby. “I would almost think that you were playing matchmaker Akeelah.”
“Ah, Princess, wound me you do,” Akeelah said, turning to see Princess Celestia coming out of the parting crowd. "I simply give advice, much like you.” She let out a chuckle, and the Princess joined in, smiling.
* * *
“Excuse me, there, pardon,” Hunter said, catching the pale green unicorn's attention. “You wouldn’t have happened to see a dark blue unicorn mare around here would you? Purple mane, green gown?”
“Why yes!” the mare said, ears perking up as she looked around. “She was just here a moment ago, although I don’t think I ever got her name. She had quite a luxurious mane, I was going to ask her where she’d styled it.” She looked back at him, visibly disappointed. “She doesn’t seem to be around now though.”
“Huh,” Hunter said.
The unicorn took another quick look around. “Was it important? Maybe you should ask one of the Guard?”
“Oh no. No,” Hunter said, taking one last look around the nearby area. Nothing. “It’s fine. Someone saw her and thought I might know her.” He looked back at the green unicorn. She had a long, flowing pale-blue mane, and was wearing a soft green dress that matched her coat perfectly. “Excuse my bodgy behavior too, miss. Name’s Hunter.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Hunter,” she said with a slight curtsy. “My name is Mint.”
“Pleasure’s all mine, ma’am.” He said, bowing and then extending his hoof to give hers a soft shake. “Are you enjoying the party?”
“To be honest, I think my older sister enjoys it a bit more than I do,” she said with a small laugh. She pointed over towards another group, where a similarly colored unicorn with a slightly darker pale-blue mane and light-blue gown was conversing with several unicorns, an earth pony, and one of the horses from Saddle Arabia. She looked quite a bit like her sister, although there was a single white streak running through her mane and tail. She was also a bit older, Hunter guessed, looking about halfway between his own age and Dawn’s.
“She looks quite a bit like you,” Hunter said, turning his attention back towards Mint. “I think I’d have trouble telling you both apart.”
Mint smiled. “It’s easier than you’d think. Her horn—” she said, tapping her own, “—switches spiral directions about halfway up. So it’s not hard once you see us next to each other.”
“I didn’t know a unicorn’s horn could do that,” Hunter said, feeling the need to tread carefully. “Is it common?”
Mint laughed. “Hardly. It’s actually very rare. It’s a cosmetic difference only, she’s just as magically powerful as the rest of us. Impressively so,” she said, her voice growing quieter as the last few words left her mouth.
“Anyway,” she said, perking up again. “She’s even named for it. Our Dad actually wanted to name her Mint, but my mom wouldn’t have any part of it. So when he saw the horn, he suggested ‘Twist.’”
“Your sister's name is Twist?”
“Actually, it’s Radiant Twist,” Mint said. “She fits it pretty well. Then when I came around Mom swung around, although she still wanted a part in it, so that’s where I got my name.”
“So it’s not just Mint?” Hunter asked.
“No,” she said, rolling her eyes. “It’s Mint Tam.”
“Tam?” Hunter said. “That sounds a bit unusual.”
“Try abbreviating it,” Mint said, a wry grin on her face.
“Mint … T?” Hunter said. “Minty?”
“Yeah, that was my Mom,” Mint said, letting out a small laugh. “Dad didn’t realise what she’d done until later. She won that one, I ended up with the crazy name.” They both laughed for a moment.
“So what are you doing here?” Mint asked after their laughter had subsided. “I haven’t seen you at one of these events before.”
“You must be someone important then,” Hunter said, earning a shrug from Mint. “I’m here because I’m a Lieutenant in the new Dusk Guard.”
“Oh my,” Mint said, covering her mouth with one hoof for a moment. “Well congratulations then. I’d heard there was a new Guard division, but not much else. Is there a reason for that?”
“Well …” Hunter stalled, trying to remember what he could and couldn’t say. He settled for the easiest explanation. “We’re a smaller guard group, but we’re highly trained. We’re not going to be quite as public as the other two divisions, at least not as far as I see it. It’s more the knowledge that we’re there if needed.”
“A reserve? Like the Wonderbolts?”
“Not quite,” Hunter said. “We’re active Guard. Full time. We’re just there to assist if needed.”
“Assist with what?” Mint’s sister asked as she stepped up behind her. “My apologies, I couldn’t help but notice you two talking so animatedly over here and simply had to come see what was so fascinating.” She was slightly taller than her younger sister, a bit more thinly regal too. She also looked tired. Despite her smile and makeup, Hunter could see faint bags under her eyes, and the eyes themselves were noticeably bloodshot. Not to a horrific extreme, but noticeable all the same.
“Oh, with whatever we’re needed for,” he said, trying to think of a good example. A few more individuals from the other group were drifting over now. “So say if for example, the Rangers ran into a real doozy of a manticore migration and needed a quick response. We’d be ready for it.”
“Would you though?” one unicorn asked. “Does the Dusk Guard have experience with manticores?”
Hunter chuckled as he remembered Steel’s trek to come find him. “We do. We’re actually a quite versatile group of ponies. I was in the Rangers for example, before I got recruited.” There were a few mutters of amazement.
“So what other experience does your group have?” one pony asked. Hunter could see more ponies coming over now, interested in whatever performance was gathering such a crowd. There were even a few griffons coming.
“Well, our Captain is a famous bodyguard,” Hunter said, relaxing despite all the attention on him. He could do this. Just talk about everypony in the group. “Some of you who’ve hired bodyguards in the past may recognize the name Steel Song?” One of the ponies gave a low, escalating whistle. Apparently he had.
“We’ve also got one of the Rangers most famous field medics, Dawn Triage.” Hunter said, settling into a groove.
“Isn’t that bad news for the Rangers?” A pony with a very flashy pair of glasses asked from one side. “I mean, they needed her.”
“Not quite,” Hunter said. “It’s kind of an odd situation. See, the Rangers have this long standing policy that after twenty years of active service you either retire or take a desk job. It’s a holdover from decades ago.”
“I say,” a pony from the crowd said. “Retirement in twenty years? Why, these days one can work into their eighties before getting even close to retirement. Twenty years is scandalous.”
Hunter laughed. “Yeah, they’re a bit on the side of holding out for far too long on that one in my own opinion. In any case, she didn’t want the desk job, so she took ‘retirement’ and went and grabbed as many gigs at Canterlot General as she could. We found her there and she took the chance to hop onto our team.”
“Well I applaud the efforts of whomever’s idea that was,” said one unicorn, clapping softly. “Twenty years. Ridiculous!”
“If you really feel that way about it,” Hunter said, unable to resist the chance to do his old job a favor, “shed some light on the issue and draw some attention to it. I know I would appreciate the gesture, as well as a lot of my old co-workers.” There were a few murmurs from the crowd at his words. Maybe it would stir something.
“Anyway ...” Hunter said, drawing out the word as he wondered which pony to talk about next. Nova’s old profession probably wouldn’t go down that well, but Sky Bolt’s might. Wasn’t this dinner related to her project anyway? She’d said something about being involved with the Alicorn.
“We-ell, look at who it is,” came a very familiar voice from behind him. “I leave my bosses alone for five minutes and you show up?” A red-feathered griffon pushed past him, giving him a playful elbow before stopping and giving an exaggerated bow in front of Radiant Twist. “Sorry boss, if I’d known this ruffian was going to be here I’d have never wandered off.”
“Blade?” Hunter said as soon as he’d recovered from the surprise. “What—are you working for Radiant Twist?”
“Yes, she is,” Radiant said, looking from Blade to Hunter and back. Her eyebrows were raised in slight surprise, but otherwise she was maintaining a calm collected look. Hunter envied it. He knew his own face was a little less composed.
“So, you two know each other?” Mint asked. She at least, Hunter noted, had a look of surprise more close to his own.
“Sure do,” Blade said. “We went to flight camp together as kids. I ran into him a few weeks ago on the train.” Her eyes narrowed. “You’re Guard now?”
Hunter grinned. “I am. Jealous?”
Blade rolled her eyes and tapped her talon sheaths. “As if. I’ll take bodyguard work any day. It’s more ...” She looked at her boss “Exciting. We've been all over the place! Baltimare, Canterlot, Las Pegasus ... You should see some of the stuff—”
Radiant coughed and Blade stopped speaking with a sheepish look. “Oh, right. Company secrets.” She motioned with her talons, zipping an imaginary zipper across her beak, and shrugged.
“What is it that you do, exactly?” Hunter asked Radiant. Some of the ponies that had gathered were drifting away now, gravitating towards other groups now that the conversation had shifted.
“We both own shares in the Equestrian Rail Service,” Mint said. “We also work for the company.” She looked over at her sister. “I’m overseer for the entire Eastern half of Equestria, while my sister—”
“I manage R&D,” Radiant said. “Research and development. I’ve always had a knack for the sciences and looking towards the future.” Mint gave a small frown at her sister's response that vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared.
“So you two are familiar with the thefts?” Hunter asked, lowering his voice.
Mint sighed and looked away. “Of course we are. I personally find them shameful.”
“Mint!” Radiant said, giving her sister a stern look of disapproval that seemed a little harsh to Hunter. “We’ve got to look toward the future,” she said, turning her attention back towards the rest of the gathering. “Like new security systems. Faster trains. New power sources to pull larger loads.” Hunter fought the urge to zone out. From the sound of her voice—plus Mint and Blade’s reactions—this was something she said so often she could say it in her sleep.
“And what do you think of some of the current handlings, hm?” came a new voice. A dark brown stallion in a dark blue suit with matching mane and tail wandered out of the crowd. “Surely you would say that the current leadership has been a little less than acceptable?”
“I don’t think I would say that,” Radiant said, facing the new pony head on. “I think the leadership we have is wonderful, capable, and determined but ...” She paused for a moment. “With all else that is going on I think that perhaps it couldn’t hurt for them to pass the torch on to those ponies who would be willing to accept it. Thefts can, after all, happen to anyone.” She gave the new stallion a dark glare. “I doubt you, Golden Spike, could do anything to prevent such thefts.”
Golden gave a mocking laugh. “Don’t be absurd, Radiant. If the Princesses' short-sighted wasting of funds in the north—as well I’m sure elsewhere in the ERS—were to be stopped we could use those extra funds for luggage security.”
“But would you?” It was Mint who spoke this time. “Somehow Golden, I don’t see you doing anything with extra bits but voting yourself a larger bonus.”
Golden gave her a look that Hunter had seen ponies give gum stuck to the bottom of their hoof. “And tell me, Mint T,” he said, drawing out her name and deliberate pronouncing the ‘T.’ “Can you, as one of the top managers at the ERS, see any profit or reason in the Princesses' ‘rail to nowhere?’” Mint opened her mouth but said nothing. “You can’t deny it,” Golden continued. “The Princesses' insistence that they continue to guide this company is foolishness, and their very guidance is going to destroy it!”
“I think that you’re overreacting, Golden.” It was Radiant who spoke, her voice soft but carrying to the ears of everypony present. “I cannot entirely agree with your assessments, furthermore I find your methods and vocal outbursts distasteful.” Her eyes narrowed.
“You can’t stand in my way,” Golden said. “I have the funds. If I have to, I’ll buy every last bit of the ERS.”
“And for the sake of all those who work for it,” Radiant said, her horn starting to shine. “I hope that does not happen.” Hunter leaned back ever so slightly, shifting his weight to his back hooves. If a fight broke out, was he supposed to get in the middle of it?
“Radiant,” Mint whispered, although loud enough that he could hear it.
“What?” Radiant asked through clenched teeth, turning to face her sister, eyes narrowed in rage. Then her face softened, horn going out as she shook her head. “My … apologies,” she said to the shocked crowd. “I’ve been working far too much lately, I feel I must retire for the evening.” She turned to Blade and gave a small nod of her head.
Blade looked at Hunter and shrugged. “Some other time, Hunter.” He nodded, tipping his hat at her as she walked away, her bristled feathers the only sign that she probably wanted to give Golden a severe pounding.
“Oh dear,” Golden said, looking at a distraught Mint with a smirk. “I would think that your sister would be more in control of herself. To even think of lighting her horn as if she was going to physically attack me.”
“Alright, I think I’ve heard about enough of this,” Hunter said, stepping forward. Golden gave him the same disapproving look he’d given the sisters earlier.
“And who might you be?” he asked, beckoning a waiter forward and picking a glass from his tray.
“First Lieutenant Hunter of the Dusk Guard,” Hunter said, taking another step. “Although I don’t think that really matters much. I’d be stepping forward one way or another if somepony had a mouth as shonky as yours.”
Golden rolled his eyes. “Please, like you’d do anything, you’re a Guard. You can’t—” There was a loud wet splash as his drink leapt from its glass, splattering itself all over his face.
“Ah!” Golden yelled, stepping back blindly. His glass stayed where it was, supported by a pale blue glow. “Who—” He shook his head, ponies nearby stepping back in alarm as small drops of drink went flying about. Rivulets of it ran down his neck, soaking into the expensive suit. “I’ll—”
“I appreciate the chivalry,” Mint said, stepping around Hunter, her horn alight in a pale blue glow identical to that clutching the glass. “But I can take care of this.”
She approached the sputtering earth pony, glass clutched in her magic. “Why Golden, how clumsy of you, you’ve spilled your drink, and dropped your glass. Good thing I was there to catch it for you. Just like my sister and I will still be at ERS when you run yourself … how to put this, off the rails?”
Golden sputtered for a moment, eyes glaring. “Fine,” he muttered after a moment. “Have it your way. We’ll see who wins out in the end. I’ve got big things coming my way. We’ll see if you're so smug in a few months.” He stomped off, leaving a trail of wet hoofprints that waiters scurried to clean up.
“Well,” Hunter said as Mint turned, the rest of the crowd dispersing now that the unexpected show was over, chatter resuming. “He’s certainly pleasant.”
“He used to be,” Mint said as she floated the glass over to a nearby waiter, who took it with a bow. “Back when her first bought shares in the ERS, he was a nice enough stallion. Honest, trustworthy. Everything he is now not.” She looked in the direction of the retreating stallion. “He’s become obsessed with wealth and power.” She turned back towards Hunter. “All for the greater good of course. I almost think he believes it.” She shook her head. “The road to power is a tempting one.”
“How did he even get where he is? Inheritance?” Hunter asked, still watching the offensive earth pony as he exited the hall.
“No.” Mint said. “Well, partially. His father owned a large series of carrot farms. Golden helped him build it into an empire. When his father died a few years ago, Golden began making aggressive acquisitions almost immediately. He’s very good at it, but unfortunately I don’t think it’s good for him.” Hunter turned back to find her looking right at him. “In any case, I’m afraid I must see to my sister. She really has been overworked lately, quite a few projects of hers are taking much of her time. If you’ll excuse me.” The pale green mare began to walk away at a sedate pace, heading for one of the other entrances to the hall.
As Hunter watched her go he started to feel a nagging itch at that base of his skull, a faint pressure that made him feel as if somepony was watching him. He turned his head to see a blue unicorn in a green dress staring at him from the side of the room. The moment their eyes met, she darted, breaking eye contact and making a fast trot for one of the doors.
It had to be the same mare that Shining Armor and Cadance had spotted watching him earlier. Hunter broke into his own quick trot for the door, trying to head the mare off. Her eyes darted back and locked with his for just a moment before breaking away, and she increased her speed, muttering what looked like apologies as she ducked around other ponies.
Hunter’s brow furrowed under his hat. He’d never seen this mare in his life, he was fairly sure of it. So why was she acting like she knew who he was? He increased his speed as she made it to the door first, slipping out into the castle’s hallways. He burst through seconds later, startling a waiter on the other side of the door into almost dropping his tray. The waiter shot him a dirty look as Hunter looked up and down the hall, even checking above him in the air.
The hall was empty. Not a pony in sight.
“Excuse me,” he said, stopping the waiter just as he put his hoof to the door. “Did you happen to see which direction the young mare who came through these doors went?”
The waiter frowned and shook his head. “No,” he said in a gravelly voice, stroking his mustache with one hoof. “I haven’t seen anypony, but then, I backed into the hallway a moment ago sir.” He waved a hoof towards a small doorway set into the wall. “So I may have missed her. Was it important?”
“No, no,” Hunter said, bending over slightly. The marble floor bore the signs of recent passage, but that meant nothing. There wasn’t a trail to follow. “Forget about it, it was nothing.”
“Very well sir,” the old waiter said with a bow before heading into the hall, tray carefully held in the air.
“Huh,” Hunter said as he took one last look around the empty side hall. “What the hay was that about?”
* * *
“So, Steel,”
“Yeah?” Steel said, not drawing his eyes from the crowd as it ebbed and flowed. Most ponies didn’t even notice it, but every crowd had a movement, an organic life to it. Right now the two foci of the movements were the Princesses, with some lesser dignitaries and diplomats serving as smaller areas of attraction. Hunter had been involved in something at the end of the hall, but that group had drifted apart following some kind of altercation. Hopefully it wasn’t anything he’d be responsible for.
“You seem,” Primetail said, his expression searching, “well how to put this? Off? Is something bothering you?”
“You’re not the first to say that,” Steel said, letting a small bit of his emptiness bubble up in a sigh. “At least, not tonight anyway.”
“Ahh, my old friend,” Primetail said, setting a paw on Steel’s shoulder. “Tell me what’s bothering you. I can see it in your eyes.”
Steel let out a sigh. “It’s family. I think.”
“You think?” Primetail said in surprise. “That could be part of the problem. You always did tend to think a little too much.” He chuckled. “But what is it about your family?”
Steel shrugged. “It’s not … entirely family. That’s just part of it.” He stopped following the crowd, turning his full attention to Primetail. “My sister is furious with me, and I have no idea why.”
“Did she offer an explanation?” Primetail asked.
Steel shook his head. “Not one I could make sense of. But it brought back this empty feeling I’ve had ever since I retired, like my life is missing something.” He cocked his head. “You ever feel anything like that?”
“You know, I think I did, once,” Primetail said, unconsciously stroking the feathers below his beak with his free paw. “It was a few years before I met you. Let me guess,” he said. “For me it was like life had gotten hollow. The wind rushing through my feathers just didn’t bring the same thrill, like something was missing. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t quite complete. Does that sound about like it?”
Steel nodded. “What did you do?”
Primetail sighed. “I lived with it.” For a moment his normally cheerful face looked a bit sad. “I tried bouncing from job to job, working all sorts of different things. New things? They drive it away for a while. But eventually I just decided that maybe it was a part of who I was.”
"You know,” Steel said, his ears down. “That’s a pretty poor answer.”
The aged griffon gave a shrug. "Well, what can I do, eh? I am a warrior. Not a thinker or a—" he gestured towards a nearby clump of griffons, "—a speaker. My lot in life is what I am. And I enjoy it," he said with a smile.
"So, no great wisdom from you then, you old feathery log."
"Pah! Log?" Primetail said in mock offense. He pounded against his chest with one paw, eliciting a dull thumping noise. "I'll have you know this "log" is still a prime specimen of Griffon!"
"For a museum, maybe," Steel said, giving his old friend a slight grin.
"A museum?" Primetail's feathers flared out in mock indignation. "I'll have you know that there are still several griffon maidens trying to woo me into their clan."
"And you're still bumming around these things?" Steel asked, giving him a wry smile, although the words had his own mind racing.
"I am a warrior, Steel, a bıçakların ustası," the griffon said, his tone serious. "To settle my name to a single clan ... many have. But me?" He shook his head slowly. "I can't see that life for me. Besides, the food is pretty good here, even if your chefs never quite manage a proper rosto." He turned his head, looking Steel right in the eyes. "And what about you, eh? I'd have thought the mares would have been lining up for a chance to meet the great Steel Song?"
"No," Steel said, giving his head a shake. "We value things a little differently here." Primetail's scoff said that he'd understated his case slightly. "Besides, I'm a warrior like you, remember?"
"Ah, but the rules are different here, my friend," Primetail said, spreading the fingers of one paw wide. "Are you telling me that there has never been a mare to catch your heart?"
Steel felt his body jerk at the question as an emerald mare he'd avoided thinking about for days leapt to mind. "I ... If it's all the same to you, that's one I'd rather not talk about," he said, trying to push her smile, and then that last expression of hurt, from his mind.
"Ah, I see," Primetail said, a rumble of understanding. "She chose someone else, did she?"
"No," Steel said, shaking his head as he tried to push all thought of Cappy from them. "No, I pushed her away."
"Mmm," Primetail said, rubbing his chin between two talons. "And you liked her?"
"I ... like I said, I'd rather not talk about it." His mouth felt dry, like he hadn't had a drink for hours. It's done and over. By now she's probably already interested in somepony else. Even thinking it though, didn't help the pang soften.
"As you wish, my friend." There was a moment's silence.
"Sorry," Steel said, his heart slowing. It'd been a few days since he'd last managed to think of her. "It's just not something I wanted to think about. It's still a little—" he tapped a hoof against his chest, "—raw sometimes."
"I see," Primetail said. For a moment they were both silent, Steel doing his best to try and get his thoughts away from Cappy before she filled his mind, Primetail simply flicking his tail around and watching the crowd as they mingled.
"Well," Primetail said at last, giving a dry chuckle. "I didn’t say I was going to be helpful now did I? Tell you what though, if I ever figure out a way to keep that emptiness at bay, I’ll let you know.” He gave Steel a slow nod.
“It's fine," Steel said. "And although, you might not have been a help with that at all,” he said, something in his mind clicking. He seized at it, anxious to get his mind onto other things. “But I do know how I might be able to get back into my sister's good graces. How long are you in Canterlot for?”
“Just over a week,” Primetail said. “Why?”
“Well...you see,” Steel said, leaning in close and whispering into Primetails ear. At first there was silence, then Primetail began to chuckle. A chuckle which swelled into a roar of laughter.
“I like this idea,” Primetail said as soon as his laughter had subsided. “I may not have had the answer to your question, but this way I can at least give you a hand in another part of your life. However, I do want something in return,” He leaned in close. “You and me. Five hits.”
Steel grinned. “You’re on.”
“Excellent!” Primetail roared. “Now, why don’t we see about the dinner portion of this evening huh? I am getting hungry!” The large griffon rose from the table, looking out across the hall. “And what luck! Your Princesses appear to heading for the table as well, huh? Well, old friend, shall we go dine?”
“Yeah,” Steel said as a crystal bell began to ring, summoning the attendees to the large dining table. “I think we should. Just make sure we don’t sit near that unicorn colt I was telling you about.” Steel said as they approached the table. “He knows the party's off-limits, but after what I saw of Dawn earlier he might decide you’re free game.”
The two old friends shared another laugh as they say down.
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2807398
Tackling! Thanks for pointing that one out!
2809941
Okay, I'll give that a shot. It makes sense to get the morning update in rather than the evening. I'll flip it over soon (either with this next update or when I get back as I'm currently 5 hours back from East Coast time). Might kick on some more viewers. Thanks!
2811422
On it! Thanks again!
2811681
I'm glad you're enjoying it. It's been a lot of fun and a lot of work, and I'm excited to see how everyone reacts as it continues forward!
Is that a missing quotation mark I spy?
This story is great. I want you to know I comment because I love it.
And he keeps trying to ignore Cappy. *sighs*
At least the others seem to be enjoying the party. Something is going up with one of the sisters. Golden over there ain't helping. Really starting to get on my nerves with his high-and-mighty attitude. Nova, please relieve him of many things.
So the overgrown turkeys speak turkish?
he
I'm guessing you meant altercation.
I don't think that Golden Spike is involved in the whole shenanigans related to King Sombra and the Empire, but I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that he's involved with the thefts themselves, aiding the thieves in order to gain political leverage, thinking he can easily make the thefts stop once he gets his hooves on the ERS thanks to his relation with the thieves. Of course he could also be a red herring or just an opportunist latching onto the controversy for personal gain.
this a reference i spy?
im really curious about this mystery mare, tho.
4594675 Well, that's what I am wondering too right now. Still, the train thefts and the museum theft were committed in a similar way, so if Golden is responsible for one of them her probably responsible for both.
ooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo is that "mare" that was watching Hunter that disapeared when the "waiter" appeared a CHANGELING?. How awesome would that be?
You know, the "I'm twice her age" argument loses some value when earth ponies have been acknowledged in canon as living for at least 150-200 years (Granny Smith). Also, as your medic said, mane graying nonwithstanding you may as well be her age. Do you get it Steel?! This is why your sister is pissed at you!
delegate's
noble's (or nobles')
“Alright
was impressive and ornately tasteful
interspersed
rapid-fire Zebra
Princesses'
stallion's drink
delegates' (or delegate's if it's only one)
A few months is an eternity
stallion's
sister's
sister's
Princesses'
as well as, I’m sure, elsewhere in the ERS
Princesses'
Princesses'
disagree OR change the but to and.
as if she were going to magically attack me.
Just like my sister and I
Princesses
altercation
“You know,”
"party's off-limits" OR "parties who are off-limits"
fair game
Second only to Cadance, of course.
Did this character ever pop up again after this? I'm rereading the story and I don't recall if this character is someone in one of the later ones. Is she a Changeling? /random guess
Wait, what? He recognizes that? OK, that changes everything.
I appreciate that you wrote some rhyming couplets for the Zebra ambassador, I was waiting for it since Sabra was introduced.
HAHA the Griffins speak Turkish! That's amazing!