"Sapphire, what are you doing?"
"Umm... going over to oversee the construction of my castle?" Sapphire said with a forced smile as Luna loomed over her while they were in the hallway of the royal wing. It has been a few days since Sapphire made a decision on her castle, the preparation of the site now beginning as the first shipments of the building materials were now arriving. Since then, Luna had adapted to spending some time from morning to noon to run a public court for Sapphire to observe.
"Sapphire, I already know that you have no knowledge about construction. In fact, I suspect that you wouldn't be able to build a clubhouse for a bunch of fillies," Luna stated, causing Sapphire to wonder if she was somehow referring to the Crusaders.
"Then maybe I can learn from the experts?" Sapphire asked with a smile, only for it to fade as Luna glared at her.
"Sapphire, your lessons are to teach you how to be a princess, not a construction worker. Now, it is time for court, and do try to stay focused this time," Luna declared as she turned around to head down the hallway.
Letting out a sigh, Sapphire trotted after her, saying, "If only there was something to do in the courts besides seeing ponies that just want to meet me and maybe shake my hoof."
"Can I now go to the construction site since there are no more attendees for court?" Sapphire asked as she sat in a chair to Luna's right in the town hall's largest meeting room that had been cleared for both princesses. After the first day of court, where most of the ponies that showed up were just expecting a chance to meet Sapphire for some purposes, only to find that Luna was in charge. Now, the court hours were mostly empty as only a few ponies showed up daily for their complaints or proposals after the first day. At first, Luna became disappointed by the lack of attendees, until Sapphire started to get letters that requested her presence at all sorts of social gatherings, like birthday parties for foals, or to promote a product made by one of the companies based in Vanhoover. It was then that Sapphire believed that the citizens were treating her as more of a novelty instead of a princess.
"No, Sapphire, for you must be ever vigilant. You may never know when a pony could come in with an important matter to present to you," Luna answered as she was overlooking some reports as Sapphire slumped into her chair.
"So says the princess that has something to do," Sapphire complained, only for Luna to cock an eyebrow at her before lighting up her horn. With a pop, a stack of books teleported and dropped onto the floor in front of Sapphire. This led to Sapphire jumping out of her chair in surprise, only to hit the back of it as the chair fell over.
"I hope that's an instinct to get into a fighting position and not jumping out of sheer fright," Luna stated as Sapphire put her chair back up with her forehooves. "Furthermore, I recommend that you use your magic in public instead of your hooves. It helps supports an image of an infallible alicorn."
"...Luna, you're talking about me of all ponies. The pony that, according to some ponies, eats like a monster and still has a limited understanding of social etiquette," Sapphire countered as she levitated a history book before her.
"That bears no importance. Even if you were to stumble in any action, you will fall as a princess, only to rise as a princess," Luna replied, to which Sapphire just rolled her eyes.
"Well, I sa—" Sapphire started to say until the room's doors opened, one of the Royal Guards now walking in with a scroll. Some members of the Royal Guard, along with half of Luna's Night Guard, came along to provide security until Sapphire's own guard had been formed.
"Princess Sapphire, there is somepony that is here to speak to you," said the guard, causing Luna to frown.
"Guard, inform the pony that Princess Sapphire isn't ready to hold court on her own or even with my aid, but I am available to settle whatever issue they want to present," Luna stated as Sapphire lowered her book onto the stack before pushing it to the side.
"Your majesty, forgive me for saying this, but the pony claimed to be of the Trinakas clan, and wishes to speak to Sapphire on the matter of the Arulas clan," the guard responded, alarming the two princesses as they looked at each other.
Turning her attention back towards the guard, Luna replied, "Very well, inform the pony that Sapphire is available to meet them," to which the guard nodded before heading out of the room. The doors then opened to reveal a green pegasus stallion with a turquoise mane and amber eyes as he galloped into the room. The stallion was wearing a pair of worn saddlebags as he panted for a bit while he ran right up to Luna’s and Sapphire's seats before skidding to a halt.
Bearing a wide grin, the stallion took in a deep breath before saying, "Wow, you're Princess Sapphire? It is an honor to meet you, as well as meeting what may be a member of the Arulas clan! When I heard that a member of the Arulas clan was found, I couldn't resist the urge to fly here as fast as I could to meet you! I'm just so happy that the clan elders permitted me to be the one to find you and meet you! After almost six thousand years of searching, to finally find some link to the disappearance of Arulas and her clan could lead an end to the search! We can finally rejoice and gather together back at the ancestral home for one big old family reunion before finally settling down after all th—"
"Whoa whoa, take a breather before you run out of air," Sapphire interrupted, amazed that this stallion could say so much in so little time, making her wonder if he had any family ties to Pinkie Pie.
Nodding in agreement, the stallion took in a deep breath, which took him five seconds as Sapphire wondered if he needed a doctor. However, before she could even ask if he was fine, the stallion continued, "Sorry about that, I just have a tendency to ramble on when I'm excited, and how can you not be excited when the answer to one of the world's greatest mysteries could be right in front of you?! Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm Skyward Mist! Normally, this is the part where a pony introduces themselves in turn, but you're Princess Sapphire Rain, so there’s no need for you to do that! Oh, ever since the pony in that weird blue costume arrived three days ago to info—" until Sapphire used her magic to clamp his mouth shut.
"Wait a minute, you only got the message three days ago?" Sapphire asked as she released Skyward's mouth while wondering if he had an off switch.
"Yupperoonie!" Skyward answered, causing Sapphire to rear her head in surprise while she wondered if this was actually some prank that Pinkie was pulling on her. "And it was one big trip flying to here from the Western Griffon Kingdoms! Anyways, I have something very important to say to you, your princessness! The spring brings the joy of blossoming orchards," Skyward stated with a smile as he leaned in with anticipation.
Luna snorted as she clarified, "It's 'your highness', not 'your princessness'. And what do you mean you fl—"
"And the winter brings the snowy blanket across the land... wait, what?" Sapphire said as she interrupted Luna before her pupils widened in surprise.
Taking into the air, Skyward shot a hoof up as he declared, "Yes! You are a member of the Arulas clan! Finally, the great journey may come to an end!"
As Sapphire exchanged a bewildered look with Luna, Sapphire asked, "Wait, what are you talking about?! And why did I even say that phrase in the first place?! What is going on here?!"
Looking down at Sapphire in confusion, Skyward replied, "Huh? What do you me—oh, of course! The messenger said you had amnesia!" before slapping a hoof against his face. Removing his hoof, Skyward continued, "Well, the reason you said that was because long ago when the four sisters were alive and together, they often shared that greeting with one another when they meet each other on their travels. The greeting was then spread down to their children along with the other species that decided to travel with them. It has since then been used to identify members of one clan to another since each sister had their own phrase. Even to this day, those phrases still persist when we meet one another, which since you said the one phrase that belongs to the Arulas clan, it must have been kept in that clan as well!" before he clapped his forehooves together in delight as the perplexed alicorns tried to keep up with his rapid speech.
After staring at Skyward for a moment, Luna turned to look at Sapphire as she asked, "Did you get any of that?"
"Only about half of that... I think," Sapphire answered, as Skyward let out a chuckle.
"Sorry about that, I also sometimes speak too fast for the normal pony to catch up. But to put it simply, you said the Arulas clan's greeting to the other clans! That practically confirms you as being part of that clan!" Skyward stated as he dashed forward towards Sapphire, only to be stopped in midair as a dark blue aura surrounded his body. "Huh? What’s going on?"
"That is what I would be asking. What are you trying to do to Princess Sapphire?!" Luna asked, her horn alight with her magic as she narrowed her eyes at Skyward.
"I was just going to give my cousin a hug, even if she is a distant one by now," Skyward answered with a frown.
"As memorial as this meeting may be to you, you must remember that Sapphire is a princess, and thus you must treat her with the respect due to her," Luna stated before putting Skyward down with a thud. "Now that you have helped confirmed Sapphire's ties to the Arulas clan, what will you be doing now?"
"Oh... umm... mind if I crash at your place, cou—I mean, your highness?" Skyward asked as Luna narrowed her eyes at him again. Taking off his saddlebags, Skyward continued, "Normally, the clan members stick together and live off the land while living in cabin wagons. But since I came here on my own, I couldn't bring one for myself, especially since I flew here. That and I don't have enough bits for a room," before giving Sapphire a wide smile.
Turning her head to look at Luna, Sapphire asked, "Umm... what should we do? I mean, court is still in session and Skyward is asking for a room from me..."
Rolling her eyes, Luna stood up from her chair as she took a few steps forward, saying, "Very well then, Skyward. You will be granted a room in a nearby inn that will be paid for by the crown for the duration of your stay."
Smiling even wider, which caused Luna to take a few steps back, Skyward replied, "Thank you, Princess Luna! You won't regret this! I can't wait till the representatives from the other clans arrive! It would be like a mini-family reunion! Oh, I wonder what recipes they would bring this time?! It's been a couple years since the three clans have got together, and what a festival it was back then!" as he rubbed his belly in nostalgia.
"Sapphire, before you get any idea..." Luna started to say as she turned her attention towards Sapphire, only for her words to drop off as she saw Sapphire tapping her chin with a hoof as she frowned in thought. "Sapphire? Is something the matter?"
Blinking, Sapphire turned her attention towards Luna as she answered, "Oh... just thinking about that phrase. It just came out without me even recalling it. Even now, I still don't remember anything new, which made me wonder just how far ingrained that phrase is... and what other clan traditions my... clan may have. I just hope that Skyward here will be able to help me out in that regard."
"True, he may be of assistance," Luna started to say until she turned her attention towards Skyward, who was still daydreaming about new foods he would get to have at the reunion. "Though... I think I'm starting to understand some of your eating habits if Skyward's behavior is anything to judge by."