Sunset Blessing sat in her office trying her best to busy herself and focus on tasks that needed to be done. In the past whenever she was stressed about something and couldn't just go off on whoever was the source of her stress she'd throw herself into work. She'd done it that way through all of school and as an adult. More than once when Tom had raised her temper she had locked herself into her room and started working on Sunday school lessons.
That's probably what Phobia was doing too. Sunset was ashamed of how little she knew her daughter, but the more she learned the more she realized that she and Phobia were alike in a lot of ways. The fact Phobia had forced herself into intense training to reach her goal might have been the exact same coping mechanism at work.
She didn't know if she should be proud or sad that so much of herself was reflected in her daughter. There were some differences between them; Phobia had not inherited the same passion for doing the Lord's work, but she also thankfully didn't seem to have inherited a short temper. That burning temper got Sunset into more trouble than anything else. No, there was no burning temper in her daughter. Phobia was cold where Sunset was hot, always had been that way.
Phobia got that from Tom. Sunset was the only one that could ever got a rise out of him. No matter how angry he was it was only her that he would actually get in a yelling match with. Tom's temper was icy and so was Phobia's.
The air would surely freeze with that cold temper when Phobia sat in judgement of Tonya.
Sunset shook her head. There were tasks to do, and she needed to focus. There wasn't anything else she could do for Tonya at this very instant. They weren't even allowed to see each other without a pony standing over them watching. Other things needed to be focused on or she'd drive herself crazy with worry.
She floated out a manilla folder from the dozens that she had been provided by the government. This one was dedicated specifically to the Tanner family. A basic psychiatric assessment of each one. She flipped through it, ignoring several of the files as completely inconsequential--such as the youngest daughter Jenny, the human Mary, or the completely unremarkable Harold. She finally found the ones she wanted: Laura, Sarah, and the nephew Robert.
These files were most likely out of date already, but they gave her the file codes to search them up in the main database which would give her more up to date information. She was going to start with Sarah since divine providence had already provided her with a method of getting access to Sarah's research and ensuring it would continue. She said a silent prayer of thanks to the Lord for providing her with such an excellent opportunity.
She brought up Sarah's information from the main database and started reading the updated information, making a few notes as she did. Sarah Tanner did not profile as a pony that would likely go over to a Shimmerist point of view. It wasn't out of the question that Sarah might eventually be convinced of pony superiority since all things were possible, but it wasn't something Sunset could count on. Circumstances made it so that wasn't particularly important though; making sure Sarah would comply with her conditions for aid and reaping the benefits of Sarah's research were the important things.
After reading and note taking for a few minutes she began drafting her formal offer much as she had informed Rosetta it would be. She sat out an additional few allowances, including letting Sarah choose who was actually supervising the provided security. That security would be an excellent way of funneling Sunset's own agents into the west--even if she wasn't going to tell Sarah that--and we're going to be one of her sticking points. Giving Sarah control of who their supervisor was would make Sarah more amendable to having ponies Sarah hadn't hoof chosen on site. Hoof picking her team was typically an important thing to the archaeologist and was one of the areas she'd have to be mollified on.
With the proposal drafted she turned her attention to writing up a letter to the government explaining what she was doing with Sarah and how this would help advance research. She made promises to keep the government abreast of Sarah's findings and to make sure that if Sarah did find any artifacts that had unauthorized runes that the general public would be kept in the dark until approval was given to release that information. The runes would of course only be used to advance their own private research. If Sarah learned them as well the archaeologist could be pressured to keep them secret. This would be kept well under control.
Satisfied with what she had written up she got to work making arrangements for a courier to reach Mrs. Tanner at her most likely location. She was well underway when Megan came in looking frazzled.
"Um, Ms. Blessing... there's some Equestrians here to see you," Megan explained with a hesitant looks back at the door.
Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Equestrians you say? Is this the rehumanization team and Lavender Mist?"
Megan shook her head, wide-eyed. "No, it's an alicorn. One of the Equestrian princesses is here. She seems to be unhappy..."
Sunset scowled. There was only one of the princesses that she had any dealings with, no matter how minor. "Show Princess Luna in and I'll see what I can do to help her. If anyone shows up looking for me tell them it has to wait, no matter how urgent it might seem. If it's urgent make a decision in my place and catch me up to speed when I'm done here."
Megan nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
The human then went out the door again and could be heard telling Luna that Sunset had agreed to see her. Sunset put the files away while this was going on. It was best Luna wasn't aware of her work.
The door opened again and that blasted Tempest Shadow walked in first, flanked by Lavender Mist. What the hell was that cripple doing back on this world? The broken horned mare did a quick glance around the room and she and Lavender both stepped aside with heads bowed as the alicorn herself entered.
Luna was much as Sunset remembered her from her dream. The initial shock she had when having the princess showing up in her dream had been dulled by their argument after. Now she wasn't particularly phased by a frowning alicorn walking into her office. She was curious why it was happening though.
"Princess Luna, what brings you to our humble town? In fact, how did you even get here without me being alerted you were coming?" Sunset said while pressing her hooves together in the desk.
"You're not one I would expect to speak about humility, Sunset Blessing," Luna said as she continued to frown. "Teleporting here was a bit of a challenge and took a few jumps, but I have urgent business here."
"I would expect so," Sunset said, then glanced at Tempest with narrowed eyes. "What's that menace doing back on Earth? I thought she was good as gone after she demonstrated how dangerous to public safety she is."
Tempest scowled back at her but didn't say any retort. Luna in turn lit up her horn and a magic field surrounded the room.
"That will keep our discussion private," Luna explained. "Tempest Shadow is here because your daughter needs protection and a pony to talk to that has endured her own traumatic experience. Phobia has done some things behind my back as a result of her trauma I'm not pleased about, and only highlight the need for a more active approach to dealing with her issues. The fact that she has acted so hastily makes me somewhat concerned that she has exposed herself to danger from others. Tempest shall be here to address both concerns. I have faith Tempest will not disappoint me again."
Sunset bit her lip. She had been concerned about what that crazy crystal pony might try to do to her daughter. With that in mind she really didn't object to Phobia having a bodyguard around, even if it was an Equestrian. Tempest was at the very least far more qualified for the position than any pony she'd find to fill that need. There was no need to like Phobia's bodyguard, only to be sure Phobia was safe.
"About Phobia's hasty decisions," Sunset began, unsure how to proceed. "What am I supposed to tell the government when they come to me asking questions? I only found out today that she had the authority she does. I've only gotten bits and pieces of information on everything involved, but I need to know what to tell those that come looking for answers."
Luna actually sat down and sighed. "At this point authority over what you know and don't know I leave in Phobia's hooves. Those kinds of decisions are now in the control of her and the other Dreamwardens. I hope they will continue to consult with me, but I can't make them do so. I'll do what I can to downplay the incident, though it won't be easy. She has put me in a difficult position as well."
Sunset softened her gaze. "Just protect my foal from this however you can. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her. I'm already beside myself with worry about Tonya."
Luna went back to frowning. "Phobia briefed me on that situation after I was done telling her what I thought of her reckless behavior. You have my sympathy for the hardship you must be feeling, but that matter is not in my control. The Dreamwardens are now active and I shall be limiting my interference going forward."
"You can't do anything to help Tonya?" Sunset said, and she found herself crying even though she didn't like showing weakness in front of anypony. "I'm desperate for anything that can help her."
Luna gave her a firm look. "Her crimes are very serious. No matter how much you care for her there is no denying she has done something evil and vile. If you wish me to suggest a defense to you I would suggest a crime of passion. That doesn't excuse her actions, but it might lessen the judgement against her if you can properly make the case. I hope that the worst won't happen, because she doesn't seem to be one with evil intent. It is always my hope that those that can be reformed are given that opportunity. I myself once fell into darkness, going so far as to attempt to kill my own sister, and was given another chance."
Sunset swallowed as she brought her crying under control. "I'll take that advice under consideration. I can empathize with you about having a past that I regret."
Luna stood back up. "You are still a long way from being a reformed individual. You've simply traded one blackness for another. You aren't as vile as some, but I can't bring myself to call you good."
Sunset grit her teeth and did her best to hold her temper in check. "I may not be perfect, but I'm far better than I was. My actions are for the greater good."
"As you see it," Luna said flatly. "I did not come here to debate your heavily flawed and misguided beliefs with you yet again. You clearly have no intention of listening to me about why they are wrong. I'm here to help your daughter."
"If you're here for only Phobia why are you in my office?" Sunset snapped in annoyance.
Luna snorted and then chuckled before answering. "Because, my little self important little pony, I don't know exactly where in this town she lives and I need you to direct me to her. That and making sure you didn't interfere with Tempest yet again. You're very small and insignificant in terms of my concerns on this world. Now kindly direct me to your daughter."