Sigh.
I looked up from the notes were reading, “Oh come on, it’s been less than a day. You are the one that chose to come along, remember?”
Sunset sighed again and rolled onto her back on the couch.
“Somepony are trying to study here, go flirt with a sailor or something,” I told her before trying to go back to reading.
It lasted about five seconds before there was the sound of movement, the large comfy chair shifted beneath me and Sunset draped herself over my shoulders, “What’cha reading?” she asked as she peered at the papers.
“Notes Luna wrote about the griffons when she visited before,” I said, “You can read too if you are that bored.”
Sunset picked the papers from my magic, “…I didn’t count on this trip coming with homework.”
“Hey, you are the one that always push for me to study pony culture so not make a mistake,” I said with a grin, poking her with my wing, “Wouldn’t want to cause a diplomatic incident, now would we?”
Sunset glared at me for a second before she sighed, “…I suppose you have a point.”
“Of course, I do.”
“No need to be so smug about it!”
I gave her the first couple of papers before going back to my reading, floating a book over as well, written by the previous ambassador to the griffins.
It touched mainly on their culture which seemed to revolve around being dicks to each other. Okay, that’s not quite right, but they were a very meritocratic society. If you didn’t have any skills to contribute, you could basically fuck off.
It seemed to be rather political as well with more factions than you could shake a stick at.
Glancing up as there was a knock on the door, “Come in.”
The door opened and Steel Night entered with a small bow, “My Lord, My Lady,” she said, “I’m to deliver a message from the Captain, he would like to invite the two of you to dine with him this evening.”
Nodding I slipped my wing of Sunsets back, “Thank you, Steel Night. Please let him know we’ll be there.”
Steel Night smiled, “Of course, sir. Sorry to interrupt you… would you like some tea?”
“Yes please, that would be amazing.”
She smiled and then trotted to get some.
Sunset jumped off the large chair and stretched, “Wonder if I should get dressed for dinner.”
“Don’t see why.”
“I might not exactly be a society lady, but getting dressed up in something nice from time to time is fun!”
I grinned, “I predict you’ll get more than you want of that once we arrive.”
“…Probably true,” she admitted, “Okay, but I still want to take a bath before dinner. Wanna come?”
I shook my head, “I should finish reading this through, so I can ask Luna something actually useful questions tonight. Have fun.”
I glanced after Sunset as she headed into the bathroom before I returned to the book. Luna and Celestia were trusting me not to screw this up.
Screwing this up would be bad. I didn’t want to disappoint them.
Which meant learning as much as possible about the griffons. Sadly, I had not been paying too much attention during the visits and dinners with the ambassador.
Sure, we talked and such but I left most of that to Luna, I was there for appearances… well, and the food. Only place in Canterlot I could get some decent fish.
Besides, they were literally doing the same thing I were. They had been doing their best to fit in among ponies and it was their job to be polite.
Now it would be my job not to insult everypony.
Griffon. Everygriffon. Everyone?
Damn it. Needed to figure that one out too. What was the right protocol there anyway?
Sighing, I leaned my side against the back of the large chair. I’m not a diplomat, why did I agree to this again?
Oh yeah, Celestia asked and then Luna backed her up.
Of course I folded like a wet napkin. I mean, who wouldn’t? At least it was better than the alternative Celestia had.
Wait… did she plan this entire thing? All to get me to go?
…Nah, even she couldn’t have planned that from the start. Could she?
She was good, but nopony were that good. Not even Chrysalis.
…Okay, maybe Chrysalis.
Well that explains why you lost Page...she used magic to make you dumber.
Celestia *reading the letter*: "Dear Celestia and Luna,
"You'll be happy to know I didn't screw up the meeting with the griffons.
"Surprisingly, they're very much like a bunch of fictional characters from a series of stories in my world: Klingons. I just had to appeal to their warrior nature. So I challenged the Emperor to a fight to the death and won. And here is the treaty between the Griffon Empire and Equestria I have enclosed, ready for your signature.
"Love,
"Page."
Luna *reading the treaty*: "It's signed, Lord Page, First of His Name, Emperor of the Griffon Empire!?"
Celestia & Luna: ""
*meanwhile in Griffonstone*
Emperor Tail Feather: "Oh, I wish I could see the looks on your princesses' faces when they get a look at that treaty, Lord Page! "
Lord Page: "Ha! Ha! Me, too! It would serve Celestia just right for sending me here only to think I ended up killing you and taking over the place! Pass me more of that Gak, will you, Sunset? "
Sunset Shimmer: "Gak!? "
This is fun.
Sunny draping herself on Page is cute. She should have nibbled his ear while she was there.
Sunny asking if Page wanted to join her in the bath was cute. Page was too focused to notice. Bad Page.
Pls continue. The ship fuel is real.
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The ship fuel has been real for some three stories already
*ARGH* THESE TWO ARE DRIVING ME NUTS
“Care to join me?”
“Yes-No! No, No. I’m good.”
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The best part is that neither of them are really trying much of the time, unless they're aiming to tease the other.
They're just so comfortable with each other. I love it!
I really love the interactions with page and sunset, and I appreciate seeing a male and female character with such good chemistry together that aren't together............................... But GOD DAMN IT it is getting hard not to board that ship!!!
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Just take a deep breath and remind yourself they're both already aboard ship.
You know, literally and metaphorically.
i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/372/294/400.gif
Somewhere in the Crystal empire Cadance is banging her head against a wall in sheer frustration.
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The real villain of this story is Luna and Sunbutt who have been carefully drawing that ship ever closer to happening, a nudge here a casual comment there next thing you know they're a ship.
like they're literally on a ship right now too because of the princesses. celestia clearly wants sunset to be happy and Luna is perfectly fine sharing page with sunset.
or maybe I'm reading too much into hiver
Someponies
Nah, she just saw a chance to get this done, give the legion and the Solar guards some experience, possibly improve relationship with the griffins, and get you some experience with this kind of thing
If you ever ask him that and he says no, execute him immediately, because he is an imposter
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And considering he going to be a prince he sorely need experience like this. Consort or not it doesn't matter.
Within paragraphs like this, it’s better to utilize compound words, when referring to other characters; not expressions such as “ we are,” or “you are.”
Perhaps Chrysalis did advice Celestia on this idea
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I think the only thing Chrysalis would advise Celestia on, would be on not taking another step closer if she didn't fancy getting her face bitten off... :D
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Why do you think the members of Legion ask him that?
They also randomly ask him if he wants coffee for that same reason.
Celestia knows that she doesn’t need to trick you to do that you just got hit by the stupid stick
I can't tell if I'm overestimating Celestia or Page is underestimating her. It definitely sounds like something Celestia would try but I don't know if she's smart enough to do so
https://youtu.be/gvWdOWDeOHk
More non pony friends would be nice!
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Holy Shit! That was absolutely priceless ♡
I am surprised that the ponies don't send a culture experience member for the diplomatic visit.
Maybe the restaurant owner 'Gustave le Grand', the Griffon might like to put that feather under his wing as promotion piece.