//------------------------------// // 44 -- Much Ado about Alicorns (Part Two) // Story: Mente Materia // by Arad //------------------------------// “Forgiveness is the truest test of character anypony can ever face.” --Written in the margins of a Hearth’s Warming history book in the Canterlot Library, author unknown. 12:30PM, 12/26/2015, CASTLE CORRIDORS, CANTERLOT While nowhere near what it had been prior to the invasion, a degree of normalcy and even celebration had taken hold in Canterlot.  The good cheer from recent victories still coursed through the city, not to mention the return of Princess Celestia. That enthusiasm bled into literally every corner of the city as the various races celebrated the holiday season. Decorations and iconography depicting the events of Hearth's Warming hung from nearly every window and lamp post in the Equestrian portions of the city.  Every griffon that was old enough carried a lit candle while outdoors in homage to their ancient ancestor who brought the warmth of fire during the Windigo’s winter. The minotaurs and zebra were less obvious in their observation of the season, choosing to adopt the customs of their hosts, though more than one was seen wearing one of the funny red and white hats that some of the humans had brought with them. The optimism and genuine happiness was infectious, and Twilight willingly let it take hold as she trotted through the corridors at a leisurely pace.  Even the once-disturbing clack of claws from the Myrmidon wasn’t enough to chip her good mood, especially since someone had the audacity to place one of the griffon’s seasonal candles atop the armored guard’s helm.  The young princess still had no idea if this was done out of mischief or tradition (or if the griffon even knew that the candle was there), but there hadn’t been a single head tilt or other movement that would jeopardize the flickering flame for the entire day.   I wonder what traditions the humans have? Other than those floppy red and white hats, of course, Twilight pondered as her gaze drifted from her silent guard to her surroundings.  Pursuing that line of inquiry would have to wait as her destination was on the opposite side of the castle.  The humans' compound was situated near what had become the central ready area for forces being deployed around the world.  Her destination was a suite of offices and apartments far from the noise and bustle of the operations area or the general public: The quarters given to Princess Cadance.   “Cadance must not be in yet…” Twilight said to no one in particular, noting the absence of a guard posted at the door. This was the time she said to meet, wasn’t it?  Perhaps she got wrapped up helping somepony else… she pondered as she approached the door.  The Myrmidon, to its credit, needed no prompting as it silently took up a guard position near the door.  It extended one talon to push the door to the next room open but didn’t otherwise react as Twilight passed by. The guest room was well appointed for a traveller visiting Canterlot, similar in most respects to the rooms that Twilight herself had used when she found herself in the capitol.  To a newcomer it would have seemed a pleasant place to rest and recover from a winter trip, with a pair of wide seats and blankets near the fireplace as well as a small selection of snacks and drinks on a low table by the far wall.  A tasteful and curated selection of books dotted the shelves built into the walls with decorative bookends keeping the islands of literature separated. But it lacked anything that Twilight could identify as a personal touch of the other princess.  There were none of the flowers that she loved or the bits of art she collected, or even a single volume of the scandalous pieces of trash that her mother insisted were ‘romance novels’.  I really shouldn’t be criticizing; she’s only been released from medical for just a day.  It’s not her fault that the room doesn’t look like she’s lived in it for years. I’m still a little surprised that she isn’t here. Shiny said she gets really tired as the day goes on. Though if this meeting was so important, then why isn’t anypony here? Just as the thought crossed Twilight’s mind, footsteps from the doorway leading to the next room in the living suites caused her ear to flick in its direction.  Her gaze immediately followed on reflex, a greeting already forming… and she froze. The person standing in the doorway wasn’t Cadance. Or Shiny. Or anyone else Twilight expected to see in this place. Judging from the wide-eyed horror on his face and the way a book fell from his grasp, there was very little doubt that Victor Spiegel was experiencing that same shock. Bang! Victor’s book struck the hardwood of the floor with a loud report causing both to wince. Rationally, Twilight knew that there was no danger. She was in the heart of Canterlot, in the personal chamber of her sister-in-law, with a very deadly guard outside the door.  She was also a Princess of Equestria and the Element-Bearer of Magic, a force to be reckoned with in her own right. But Twilight could not deny the very irrational feeling of panic that gripped her, or the phantom pain from a wound that had long since vanished.  The impulse to run away, to escape to somewhere else, to think about anything else very nearly overpowered Twilight. The one thought that took root that quickly overpowered the panic was the realisation that this meeting was almost certainly not an accident, but by design. The young alicorn took in a deep breath and released it before forcing herself to look at the man who had nearly killed her less than a year ago.  “Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met… officially. My name is Twilight Sparkle. You’re Victor Spiegel, correct?” Twilight’s question and calm tone appeared to have a similar effect on the human as he took a breath to steady himself before answering. “That’s correct, ma’am.” The brief silence that followed that short response was suffocating. “I’m assuming that meeting here is as much of a surprise to you as it is to me,” Twilight stated, as much to confirm her suspicion as to breathe some life into a conversation that was trying its best to die and stay that way. “Princess Cadance means well, but she likes to meddle.  I apologize on her behalf for her deception by omission in bringing you here.” “It’s not a problem,”  Victor answered quickly.  He ground his teeth and glanced down at the book he dropped before kneeling to retrieve it.  The act wasn’t as simple as it should have been as Victor’s right arm was wrapped in a sling that immobilized it and kept it tight against his torso.   “I also wanted to thank you for your bravery at High Peak.  Shiny—I mean, Captain Armor told me that it was because of you that we were able to free Cadance,” Twilight continued, her previous anxiety disappearing even further as it was replaced with instinctual annoyance when Victor replaced the book on the shelf seemingly in the closest open spot rather than its proper place. Silence rushed back into the room to fill the void as Victor didn’t immediately respond and instead chose to busy himself with inspecting the bookshelves.   Twilight had nearly resolved to politely excuse herself to escape when he finally did speak.  “I’m sorry about what happened. On Earth…” Victor said quickly, his words spoken in a rush. “I just had my fighter shot out from under me and being on the ground and possibly surrounded by enemies is every pilot’s worst nightmare.  I saw movement I didn’t recognize, and I… I fired.” Hearing Victor’s hurried confession was both uncomfortable to witness… and a relief.  It made things clear for what Twilight needed to do; what she needed to say. “I understand, Victor.  I was aware of some of the circumstances, and what happened was unfortunate but not intentional.  I forgive you.” The words were enough to cause Victor to halt mid-ramble and look directly at Twilight.  A moment passed before he let out a slow, ragged sigh; something that the alicorn also did almost in unison.  “Thank you, Twilight,” Victor finally replied, his expression one of relief. “For what it’s worth, if there’s anything I can do for you in the future, all you have to do is ask.” Twilight opened her mouth to politely decline the offer, but the words caught in her throat as she hesitated.  After a moment of careful consideration, she finally spoke. “Well, there is just one thing I would ask you to do…”