//------------------------------// // 3.5: Morning Rounds Continues // Story: Twilight Sparkle: A Canterlot Day // by Blues Rider //------------------------------// Twilight Followed her escort down the school corridor a short way to the headmare's office. Chancellor Moondancer knocked on the door as Gallus and Mirror took post either side of the entrance. A tall mare about the same height as Twilight answered the door. She was daughter of Twilight and Moondancer's old fiend - Minuette - which showed in her cutie mark being a flowing stream of magic sand. She also shared her mother's blue coat, but her height and turquoise mane was from her father. "Chancellor, Princess..." She greeted them both with a cheery welcome, shaking Moondancer's hoof before bowing to the Princess. "Please come on in." Twilight and Moondancer followed Sandy Mane through to her quaint office. She had pulled two chairs out for them with two teacups set on her desk. "Please take a seat. Would you like any tea? I just brewed it." "That sounds lovely, thank you." Twilight replied. She liked Sandy. Being a good friend of Minuette since moving to Canterlot, Twilight had seen her grow up to be a very successful tutor and lovely pony. She always treated Twilight and Moondancer as superiors rather than equals, keen to learn from them. Sandy poured the cup of tea as Twilight sat down. "Would you like any Chancellor?" She offered to Moondancer as she sat. "Please. Thank you Sandy." "You're both very welcome. It's lovely to see you again. My mother has been reminding me to serve tea since she found out I was going to have a meeting with you both." Sandy joked, taking her seat on the other side of the desk. Twilight and Moondancer both looked at each other and chuckled. "Trust Minuette." Moondancer jested to Twilight. "I know she was partly joking, but I figured I better brew it just in case." "Well having been staring at a water filtration plant for the last half an hour, a hot cup of tea is very welcome, thank you." Twilight replied. Then she moved on to the main topic of conversation. "So, the school of magic intake for next year I understand there is an issue of some kind?" "Well," Moondancer chirped up, pushing her glasses back up her nose again. She trod carefully in her approach. "There's something exciting that I would like to propose to you, based off of information I was given by Sandy here." "Go on." Twilight Inquired. "Well, our students this year have been very bright and studious, and would have all easily fit in at the School of Magic I'm sure. But I felt some could benefit from some parts of the FRB syllabus. So I spoke to Chancellor Moondancer about the possibility of allowing them to apply to FRB regulated schools." Sandy Explained. Twilight listened carefully. "So I had a look at their scores, and the scores of other schools around Equestria and there are a lot of students who could benefit from going to other schools to get a more fitting education, If they wanted to." She explained, well informed of her findings. "Sandy came to me and I performed a bit of research and found that some parents were concerned about the fact that the EEA and FRB hold completely opposing stances on how to teach their students." Moondancer backed up, concerned by her findings. "There are some students who could greatly benefit from attending the School of Magic, but needed to learn more about friendship. On the other side some dragons, changelings and hippogriffs have said that they don't study enough magic bases in a School of Friendship." Moondancer continued. "So I have a proposal Princess." "Okay." Twilight accepted, waiting to hear the results of Moondancer's latest work. "We could set up central academies in every land. They won't teach just friendship, and they won't just teach pony magic. They will be a hub for creatures in every land to learn about ALL of our neighbours." She explained. Sandy then pulled a copy of Moondancer's syllabus from her desk and floated it over to Twilight. "This is Moondancer's new syllabus for her academy system. It provides a base of education for creatures to learn a fair amount of friendship, magic and other creature's histories." She paused. She was slightly nervous about finding out the answer to her next question. "So what do you think?" Twilight took this new proposal into careful consideration. She had tried to allow other creatures into Celestia's School of Magic before but the EEA had denied her appeal on the grounds that Equestria shouldn't be spending its own bits on students from other lands. Even with Chancellor Moondancer in charge. She also considered the implications from an education point of view. The EEA syllabus followed by most schools in Equestria was very specific in targeting Equestrian knowledge and history. The EEA had a much better structure for aiding unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies hone their skills and understand their cutie mark. As much as Twilight had tried, integrating cutie-mark and pony specific skills into the FRB syllabus just didn't work. Not all creatures needed that in their education and there was a lot of history to cover from other cultures. Not to mention teaching the magic of friendship and covering the basics of pony education. This however... She floated the manuscript up to her eye height and started to flick through briefly. This could possibly create an educational institution which solved both of those problems. She carefully considered it. Then she noticed Moondancer taking a sip of tea out the corner of her eye. Her cup rattled as Moondancer floated it back down to her saucer on the desk. She seemed nervous. "I think this is a fantastic idea." She said, having finally weighed up the options. "You're absolutely right Moondancer, the EEA and FRB don't offer this kind of education in their syllabus, and the closer we become to our neighbours, the more important it is to learn about their history and cultures so that everycreature can respect every other creature's way of life." "Oh Twilight thank you!" Moondancer said, elated by Twilight's decision. It had been a lot of work for her to get this plan together and she was relieved that Twilight had approved of it. "Your idea in here to teach the magic specialism's of other creatures is a wonderful idea." Twilight said, flicking to the particular page that had briefly caught her eye. "It's what the whole system is based on. With all the new discoveries of late, we need to start relaying the knowledge to new students." Moondancer beamed, delighted. "Of course, there's no way a primary facility like this school could handle the waves of constantly updated knowledge. Especially considering we have to teach young foals all about pony magic and its implications, there's no room for it." Sandy added. "Indeed. I will have to take this away and have a proper look at it. Setting up academies in every land will be a big diplomatic undertaking. Of course a new syllabus will require a new governing body." Twilight hinted to Moondancer. "Yes, yes of course, I would look to take on role of head chancellor in the new organisation." She hastily replied. "But then who would take over as chancellor of the EEA?" Twilight inquired. "Well Princess, we don't expect this venture to get traction for another year or so. So there will be plenty of time for a new chancellor to be selected." Sandy replied hopefully. "You're right Sandy. Maybe that is a question for another time." Thinking of time, Twilight looked up to check the clock on the wall to her left. "I'm afraid I must be in attendance in court shortly for adjudication. But let us set up a meeting in around three weeks time. Let Fancy Pants know that it is official EEA business." She mentioned to Moondancer. "Yes of course. Once the EEA syllabus is finished, I can concentrate on the next phase of this new system." "And I will have a look through it, and start thinking about how to approach this diplomatically. I'm sure this will be heard with great interest by others. but obviously the board will have to be made up of a balanced mix of all creatures." Two knocks came from the door. Twilight nodded to Sandy. "Come in please." She said in her official head teacher voice, rather than her excited 'I just helped found a new institution' voice. Gallus calmly opened the door. "Excuse me. The Princess has some official business she must attend to and if we don't get moving soon she will be tardy." "Of course. Thank you for coming Princess." Sandy said, holding out a hoof. Twilight took it and the two of them shook hooves. "It's been a pleasure Sandy." "I'll escort you out." Moondancer offered. She then proceeded to open another black portal in the corner of the office using her EEA medallion once more. Twilight thanked her and followed Captain Gallus through the deep black void onto the street outside. The Breeze was up and she felt it cooling on her face underneath the warming sun. She gave Moondancer a hug goodbye on the other side of the portal and they went their separate ways. Greatly excited about the prospects presented in the wad of paper that she now had in her satchel. This was going to be one exciting year for diplomacy. She, Captain Gallus and Cadet Mirror - or Cadet Blaze, Twilight hadn't asked her yet - processioned through the streets of Canterlot from the primary school to the courthouse. Amidst the backdrop of the grand building stood forty royal guards all dressed in the official dawn-guard gold, holding positions with sincerity. At least ten guards lined the columned porticoes of the entrance way. The architecture of the building felt monolithic against some of the smaller buildings surrounding it. They made their way to the steps of the courthouse. "Thank you Captain, Officer Cadet. You are dismissed." Twilight ordered politely. "Go take lunch and I'm sure I will catch up with you later at some point." Gallus saluted the Princess and then took an 'at ease' position, ruffling up his griffon feathers away fromm his armour, giving them a well needed stretch. "This way Cadet." He ordered, also politely from beneath his helmet. "The best lunch is a trip to Doughnut Joe's. Follow me." "Sir!" Mirror Blaze nodded and followed Gallus up the road. Once they were a sufficient distance from the Princess, Twilight saw them drop the formal march they had been keeping out of respect for her command and take a more slouched approach to Doughnut Joe's. That made her smile a little. She looked forward to working with Mirror Blaze, something told her there was more to that pony than just an Officer Cadet. She turned her attention back to the monolith of a courthouse and made her way up the stairs to the front doors. There she was met by the royal guard who, as always, processioned her to the correct courtroom for adjudication. As the two grand mahogany doors were opened for her, Princess Twilight Sparkle entered the courtroom. The spectators rose. The jury rose. The legal representatives rose. And the Judge finally rose. Twilight made her way through the central column of the room, and took her official position in the box on the opposite side of the room to the jury. Then, and she sometimes enjoyed this bit a little too much, she waited. She eyed up the crowd, waited a bit longer, eyed up the representatives, and then very quickly took her seat. As she did so, everypony else sat at the same time as her, as was custom. Only sometimes she would catch somepony out. It amused her during what was normally a rather boring procedure. Then session was started by the judge with a hit of his gavel. An older pony with rather plain features. A large grey wig which covered the grey ears on his grey head and framed his blue eyes. Twilight noticed the frizzy brown mane of Saffron Masala sat behind the right hand desk. She remembered the task on her list: [ ] Court Action: Expansion of Saffron Masala's storefront to match the beginning of the building's steps. The whole fiasco turned out to simply be about Saffron's neighbour wanting to expand their storefront too, and so when Saffron had posted planning permission, her neighbour appealed it on the grounds that they wanted to expand also. "So did you apply for planning permission?" The old judge asked directly to Saffron's neighbour, Pate Fry. "Well uh..." His deep gravely voice wandered dumbly. 'Here it comes.' Thought Twilight. She had seen this situation one too many times. "Not exactly your honour." Pate Fry stumbled. "Answer yes or no Mr Fry." The judge forced. "No, your honour I haven't." "So why would you take me to court over planning permission you never asked for?" Saffron accused, very annoyed at the waste of time this hearing had become. Both Twilight and the judge could see it too. "Me and my father spent years crafting the reputation of the Tasty Treat. We have never inconvenienced any of our neighbours and now you threaten us for nothing? "Please Mrs Masala, calm down." The judge said, calmly. "I'm throwing this case out of this court for lack of a substantial accusation. If Mr Fry needs to expand his store he must submit the correct paperwork to the..." At that moment, a pop came from above Twilight's head. A purple flame appeared and disappeared. Then a neatly rolled up scroll unsubtly dropped onto the Princess' head. The whole courtroom turned to face the Princess either concerned or worried. "Oh, haha." Twilight chuckled nervously. "My apologies, that is a letter I was expecting to receive earlier." She hid the scroll in her satchel. She would have to look at it later. "Please continue." She smiled. The judge nodded to her "To the proper authorities. Do you agree Princess?" "I formally concur." Twilight ordered. "Dismissed." The judge yelled from his stand, touching the gavel down for one last bang. Twilight nodded to him, and the room started to clear out. She had to wait for the room to clear before the royal guard would procession her out, as was custom when a case was dismissed. Saffron stayed behind for just a minute longer than anypony else and Twilight approached the left table where she stood. "Thank you so much Princess, this means a lot to me." She said thankfully. "It's not a problem Saffron, it was the right choice to make, he was a time waster." She confided. "Please, as thanks, won't you come and have lunch at my restaurant today?" "I'm afraid I can't today, I have other official plans. And if I did, it might look suspicious to offer a royal adjudicator lunch. But I will be around at some point in the near future. That's a promise." She replied sincerely. The royal escort appeared in the doorway and Twilight spotted them out the corner of her eye. "Now if you'll excuse me, my escort has arrived." She finished politely. "Oh of course Princess." She knew the courtroom procedure. "I hope you have a lovely rest of your day." "You too." Twilight replied. Saffron bowed to her before exiting the room. Then the royal guards entered and took position either side of Twilight. They made their way out of the grand building and towards Twilight's next point of call. Food. It had been a busy morning.