“March Air Reserve Base has been sold. The US Air Force has sold the property as part of efforts to consolidate their operations to Edwards Air Force Base and Plant 42 at Palmdale Regional Airport. China Lake Weapons Station will become a joint-use facility following the damages sustained during the two major earthquakes that displaced the ground by as much as 5 feet in some areas.“
“That’s my third airport!” I exclaim as the phone rings. “Hello?”
“Hey, Max? Starlight Glimmer here. How are you doing?”
“Hi Starlight. I’m not too bad, you?”
“I’m good, thanks for asking. I’d like to hire you for air transport.”
“Sure! What dates are you looking at?”
“Uh, the beginning of next month I think. I’m actually making this request on behalf of a few of my friends.”
“More friends?” I respond with a tone betraying excitement.
“Yeah, I’ll need you to meet them with me in Washington DC, then you can take them where they need/want to go.”
“I can do that, but unfortunately, if you need a shuttle into DC, I can’t take you. There are very strict rules operating over there, and while I do have the certification to operate within it as an airman, my operation as it were does not have waivers or the clearance yet.”
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
“I’ll happily reimburse you for a ticket in though. Just get a receipt. Also, we can time our itineraries to try and land at the same time. We could meet at the airport!”
“That would be fun!”
“What time would you like to arrive in Washington?”
“Probably after dinnertime. It’ll be easier for us to find each other, and we can grab a bite to eat after!”
“Let’s do that! Find a good flight that fits your schedule, and feel free to upgrade. I’m taking care of it. Then when you send me your receipt, I can make mine.”
“Okay! I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
“See you soon Starlight!”
“Bye Max!”
I’m moving one of my older jets back to Gusty Garden, since I won’t be using it anytime soon, so I guess I can plan a Chicago–DC trip.
*Email*
Subject: Fwd: Your trip to DCA
Begin forwarded message…
“Cool. Looks like she’s flying into Reagan. She arrives at… 19:00? Alrighty.”
Total due: $281.74
Perfect. She’s flying first class. There’s an available ORD–DCA that arrives at pretty much the same time as Starlight.
Purchased. Send back to Ms. Glimmer for comparison purposes.
“Just sent you my own itinerary.” I text. “We’ll land at about the same time notwithstanding any delays, so I’ll see you then!”
With that, I load N632RW and pack a small duffel, expecting only a few days in the nation’s capital.
The flight plan to SMG taken care of, I take off runway 3 glad for a rare calm winds outside of Santa Ana conditions, even though we’re in Santa Ana season.
As the winds of change mark the transition of seasons, so does it mark the increase in winds for the city by which it is famous (which is a bit of a misnomer). That nickname generated the name of my airport, Gusty Garden. It’s made quite obvious on the approach, though being located considerably further inland and south of the lake, I don’t feel it as much.
The landing goes without a hitch, or even brakes. A beautiful headwind blowing in (from the lake) lets me slow down exclusively via reverse thrust, thanks to said headwind and using the airport’s longest runway.
Once parked, I check my boarding pass and fire up one of my Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the license plate ‘V8VTGPT.’
Giving it a few minutes to warm up, I then fill it up with some fresh petrol before heading into Chicago. From there, I’ll catch the ‘L’ to O’Hare.
When I arrive at Spire, I use the bathroom and rest for a few minutes. I should leave now, but I’ll take my time.
When I make my way back down, I catch a bus to my ‘L’ stop. Blue Line from The Loop all the way to the terminus at O’Hare. My small duffel fits in my lap easily, so as soon as I leave the train, I jump right into line.
Through security in record time, I have 5 minutes until boarding. I shouldn’t be excited for flying commercially, but this is my first time flying commercially as a passenger since before I met Rosalina.
Our jet to Reagan is currently on the ramp, expected to depart on time, so long as all 70 or so passengers are here.
Fortunately for me, I’m in seat 1A, so not only am I in the front row, I’m the only seat on my side, as the first class cabin is 1-2 across. I shouldn’t be excited because I have an exact copy of this plane, but I am. I literally flew this plane’s sister ship just a couple of hours ago.
Nevertheless, we’re soon boarding. I’m the first one in line in fact, and my more casual wardrobe – being dressed in a slim-fit t-shirt, slim-fit (not skinny) jeans, and slightly oversized trainers – actually garners me some weird looks by the businesspeople in swanky suits and briefcases.
Nevertheless, I’m boarded first, my bag fitting snugly in the overhead bin directly above me. Advantageously, I can watch the other passengers boarding, as we’re boarding exclusively through the front door.
The rest of first class is all high society/businesspeople, all 5 other seats. All but one of them fill the rest of first class.
Suddenly, a text message appears.
“I just sent Celestia and Luna your contact information for the hire. Here’s theirs.
Celestia - (xxx) SUNBUTT
Luna - (xxx) ROYAL WE”
“Thank you. I look forward to meeting them.”
After I move on to emails and social media feeds, we’re down to our last few passengers.
In about 35 minutes, flight attendants line up in the aisles for the safety demonstration, which signals our pushback. With that, I settle in nicely, watch the demo, then put my music on, expecting nothing eventful for the 2 hour journey to DCA.
At cruise, I get only a Glass of Water to drink.
Before even I can tell, we’re beginning our descent. As I stare out the window, I can already tell we’re on the River Visual. For those unfamiliar, DC’s airspace is the most restrictive in the world. The tight compliance with an honestly bonkers approach profile makes for a very fun and interesting challenge for pilots, and quite the adventure for passengers.
It’s not an uncommon sight for someone to scream, “oh my gosh, we’re gonna hit the water!” This time is no exception, which makes me laugh.
A couple more subdued screams from other passengers before the runway appears directly below us, to which there are many audible sighs of relief.
TOUCHDOWN. Spoilers up, brakes on, 2 in reverse!
Two or three people let out yelps when we hit the ground, but with the short runway, one hell of an approach profile, and the winds – not particularly windy but very gusty, landing firm like that was necessary.
Yes, a lot of people clap and cheer as we turn off the runway. I only laugh at that because anyone who’s ever flown into Reagan knows that approach, so it was pretty obvious that it’s their first time in.
Nevertheless, when we park, I’m all ready with my bag before the door is opened, so as soon as it opens, I’m the first one off the plane, bidding farewell to the forward flight attendant as I head inside.
After I use the bathroom, I send a text to Starlight.
“Hey, I got off the plane. You here yet?”
No response comes for a few minutes, so I decide to explore other gates to see where other flights are going. The only immediate outbound on the UA side is going to Houston. Every other flight due out is in another terminal, except for an AA going to Miami.
When I reach the last set of bathrooms before leaving the secure area, I get my response.
“Hey Max! I just got off the plane too! Where are you?”
“Security checkpoints. I have to pick up my rental car, but I’ll wait for you. Did you check in any baggage?”
“Nope!”
“Neither did I! We can go pick up the car together then!”
“Okay!”
“Head down to baggage claim.”
When I head down, I claim my rental car and wait for Starlight.
“Max!” A voice calls from towards the automatic doors soon after I get the keys.
“Starlight! The car’s over here!”
She then walks over to me where we share a hug.
“How’ve you been?”
“Great! Princess Twilight sent me here for a long-term residency, for lack of a better term. Since she’s ascended to the throne, Princesses Celestia and Luna can now enjoy their retirement. They’ve been in contact with their counterparts in this world, so I pointed them in your direction since you can take them anywhere in this world.”
“Almost. I may probably be refused entry into some places, but that’s another story. As far as…”
“Excuse me,” a noticeably tall woman interrupts, “are you Split Scimitar?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“You just got served.” She replies bluntly, handing me a Manila envelope packed rather densely, walking away as if avoiding eye contact with anyone else in the area.
“I picked a good day to fly the bicycle yoke.” I say knowing exactly what’s inside.
“What was that about?” Starlight asks hesitantly, a slight blush creeping up through her cheeks.
“Well, if it’s what I think it is,” I respond rhetorically, “Yep. Divorce papers.”
“What?!”
“Don’t worry. We completed everything. I’m pretty sure everything here is just copies for my sake.” I say scanning everything, confirmed when I see documents I’ve already signed.
“Well, divorce in Equestria is practically unheard of, so what is serving?”
“Serving, or getting served, is the act of forcibly handing divorce papers to a spouse who refuses to cooperate with such proceedings.”
“Couldn’t you still ignore the papers anyway?”
“Sure, but getting served is usually a surprise, and not in a Pinkie Pie way.”
“Of course not.” She half-chuckles. “I imagine this world’s Pinkie Pie was heartbroken when you told her the news?”
“I didn’t tell her. Applejack did. She was in the car with me when it broke.”
“Oh. Wow.” She responds awkwardly.
“What can you do?
“So, you said you lived in Vermont right?”
“Yes. Burlington.”
“Oh nice.”
“It feels a lot like Equestria compared to some other places I looked at.”
“Yes, yes. I remember you telling me at Rarity’s boutique. Curiosity question, and feel free not to answer this; ‘How can you afford to live here if your residence is just a holiday home?’”
“Oh. I had heard from Princess Twilight of an old trick about, um, ‘currency exchange.’”
“Currency exchange? What’s the Equestrian unit of Currency?”
“Bits.” She says pulling one out of her pocket. “Here.”
“Oh my.” I utter in shock. “Is this pure gold?”
“Yes. Believe me, the first time I sold them, I was pretty shocked too.”
“How much does one of these weigh?”
“Uh, anywhere from $300-$500? I’m not an expert on weights.”
“You must be a millionaire over here.”
“I only brought what I needed, which were plenty of bits, gems, and some other stuff. I bought a house and got myself fully human. Citizenship, house, car, the works.”
“Nice. If Equestria is anything like what I hear, seems like you’re right at home up there in New England. So, what’s the issue?”
“What do you mean?”
“Princess Twilight said your “friendship map” expanded to include this world. Why were you summoned to DC?”
“Hello Starlight Glimmer. Did I miss anything?” A voice calls before I can get answer from her.
“Hello Luna, your sister said she needed to give some papers to somebody, but…”
“Hello Starlight.” The woman who served me says as she removes her sunglasses. When she locks eyes with me, I hear a faint “oh” followed by a slight blush.
“Luna, remember how Rosalina wanted me to serve paperwork to her husband?” The woman asks.
“Yes?”
“Well this, is, him.”
“Hi. Split Scimitar, you can just call me Max.” I offer my hand with a smile to defuse the tension.
“So you’re Rosalina’s husband.” Luna responds as she shakes my hand.
“How do you know Rosalina?”
“We met at Adler Planetarium, and then again at a Bears game.”
“How do you mean?”
“We struck up a conversation about the solar system at an exhibit on red Giants. Then when we took our seats at the game, I said ‘hey, I know you!’”
“Small world, right?” I beam and chuckle.
“Yes indeed.”
“I‘m Celestia. Sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.” She says apologetically.
“No reason to be sorry.” I say sympathetically extending my hand. “She’s doing this as a formality.”
“Formality?” She asks shaking my hand. “Serving paperwork is a sign of refusal to cooperate.”
“Usually. What you served me were copies of the paperwork we completed a while ago. She has a brilliant sense of humor.”
“Yes,” She giggles nervously. “Well nevertheless, Starlight Glimmer here says you can take us places.”
“I can and I will, if you’re asking to hire me.”
“I would love to.”
“Okay. Let’s get out of here and grab some dinner, and we can talk about it.”
“Would you like to come to our house?” Luna asks, “My sister and I are doing breakfast for dinner tonight.”
“Sure. Continental or English?”
“What?” Celestia asks.
“Never mind. I’ll get my car and check into my hotel, and I’ll meet you at your house.”
“Okay. Let’s exchange contact information.”
Since Starlight gave me their numbers, we all send verification texts with their address coming from Celestia.
“Starlight, who are you gonna ride with?”
“I’ll go with them.”
“No problem. Be there soon!”
Wasting no extra time, I head to the garage and find my car by activating the key. The Mustang convertible I’ve been assigned is white. I have no preference for color, but it is nice to drive a rental car that I ironically don’t have in my garage. I have GT convertibles, but not EcoBoost convertibles. And they’re all manual anyway.
After a brief walkaround not dissimilar to my own preflight inspections, I get in, adjust the seat and fire her up.
When I reach the final gate, I present my license and other information, and after receiving everything back, a smile, and a “welcome to DC,” I utilize CarPlay and map the directions to my hotel, only a few blocks away; the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City.
“Good evening, checking in?”
“Yes. 3 nights under Scimitar.”
“Alrighty! Oh! It looks like we had a request for a room switch, so you’ve been upgraded to the penthouse, as it’s our only other available room.”
“Oh wow! What’s the difference in rate?”
“$370 per night, so the rate will be $580 per night.”
“No problem.”
“Thank you for doing that. We’re having a wedding, and the party wanted to reserve the whole floor.”
“Not a problem, though I feel bad for whoever wanted the penthouse.”
“Nobody actually. It’s our only room available because of the wedding.”
“Interesting.”
“You want one key or two?”
“Two, just in case one demagnetizes.”
“Okay. The Penthouse requires key card access from the elevator, so swipe it in the reader.”
“Okay, thank you!”
“Enjoy your stay!”
When I get to my room, boy am I taken aback. I’m in a Ritz-Carlton penthouse. I’ve never stayed in one before, despite having the wealth to justify it. And the one time I do, it’s because no other rooms were available. Nice. Another add to a list of firsts.
Spending only a few minutes taking the room in and lightly unpacking, I head back to the car and map directions to Celestia and Luna’s.
When I arrive at their sizable yet modest house, I ring the intercom.
“Who is it?” Celestia answers.
“It’s Max. Mr. Scimitar.”
“Come on in!”
I wait for the gates to close behind me before I park right in front of their front door, utilizing their circular driveway to be facing the gate for when I leave.
“Good evening, Max.” Luna greets. “Glad you could join us.”
“Happy to be here. Thank you so much for dinner. I probably would’ve gone to Oyamel otherwise.”
“I would’ve suggested that,” Celestia calls from the kitchen, “but how could we postpone our weekly breakfast for dinner?”
“Again, I thank you for inviting me.”
“And me.” Glimmer adds.
“Of course, Starlight!”
“The pleasure is ours.” Luna adds.
“I really enjoy doing it.” Celestia finishes.
“Pancakes?” I ask as I take in the aroma for the first time.
“Hmm, indeed.” Luna responds. “The toilings of her nefariously tasteful labors could portend unimaginable catastrophe if left unchecked.”
“Whatever dost thou mean?” I ask in response to Luna’s sudden change in vernacular.
“What I think my sister means,” a second Celestia says as she enters the kitchen, “is that these pancakes can be dangerously addictive.”
My face half-drops. “I didn’t know I was in the presence of royalty. Your majesties.” I then finish bowing and fighting every urge not to get down on one knee.
“Cease thy gesture if you please. We have since abdicated the throne of Equestria.” Luna responds putting a hand on my shoulder.
“You’re too kind,” the other Celestia adds. “We appreciate the gesture, but we no longer hold positions of power. My sister and I are officially retired!”
“As are we.” The “missing” Luna replies.
“Okay, I’m confused.” I say feeling a might giddy. “How should we differentiate you?”
“It’s easy for me,” Starlight replies meekly, “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”
“Are either of you comfortable responding to ‘Princess’?”
“More than the current one.” Princess Celestia winks.
“Wouldst thou prefer a different title?”
“What else is… viable?” I ask.
“I was a high school principal, but I’d rather not answer to ‘Principal Celestia’.”
“Nor would I to ‘Vice-Principal Luna’.”
“Mhmm. It appears we are at an impasse.” I then say as my voice goes raspy, preceding some light coughs. “Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, when did you arrive in this world?”
“Two days ago.” Princess Celestia responds.
“Okay.” I nod. “Well, there is one way that we can differentiate you, using… how can I put this… multilingual nomenclature.”
“Go on.” ‘Principal’ Celestia responds as she finishes one stack of hotcakes.
“For the two Celestias, one of you can go by ‘Sol.’ As for the Lunas, one of you can go by ‘Selena.’”
“Celestia, Sol, Luna, and Selena?” Starlight asks. “I feel like that might just create confusion.”
“It would take some getting used to, but it’s the best I’ve got.”
“Hmm,” Princess Luna ponders, “I suppose it could work.”
“Okay, Mr. Scimitar, we’ll do that.”
“Yay! Which set of sisters will be ‘Sol’ and ‘Selena?’”
“How about Celeste?” Principal Celestia asks. “I can go by that.”
“That’s fine too. Just take your pick. No rush, though I’d like to know at the latest, when we depart for your hire flight.”
“We shall deliberate and have a decision as soon as possible.” Princess Luna responds.
“Dinner is almost ready. Mr. Scimitar, can you eat gluten?” Principal Celestia asks.
“Yes. I don’t have celiac, or a gluten sensitivity, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Okay. Just in case I had to make a gluten-free batch.”
“Even if I had celiac, it would be worth the pain. Pardon the pun.”
Both Celestias laugh.
“So we have a comedian in our midst.” The Princess responds.
“I try.”
“Let me go grab our fruit basket.” Vice-Principal Luna says as her sister starts slicing up bananas and strawberries.
“Wow, that smells great!” I call as the smell of fresh fruit and freshly cooked hotcakes hits me like a feather duster.
“Do we have any more peaches?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Looks like we’ll have to add a trip to Atlanta to the list.”
“How about pineapples?”
“Short supply I’m afraid.”
“Speaking of the list,” I interject, “what exactly are your intentions?”
“After the career I’ve had,” Vice-Principal Luna begins, “I could use a retirement just lounging on the beach or by the pool.”
“I understand, but I crave excitement!” Her sister responds with fervor. “I’ve made a living just sitting around. For once in my life, I can be active!”
“So, one of you ‘wants to stay,’ but the other ‘can’t find peace while sitting still.’”
“I guess we never will.” Luna says disappointedly.
“Go to Hawaii, the both’a youse.” I answer almost immediately. “You can have fun hiking or doing some other fun stuff, or relax on the beach all in one place, all in one day. Plus, pineapples, if you’re in short supply.”
“Let’s do it!” They both respond.
“I’ve been wanting to take a good long vacation.” Luna says.
“Well, fortunately for you two… wait, have you been to Hawaii?”
“Only in passing. As a stopover. Never been outside Honolulu Airport.” Celestia responds.
“Well, you’re in luck.”
“Yes, well what about places where we can lounge on the beach or by the pool?”
“Well, fortunately for you two, any one island affords both of those relatively well. I suppose it all boils down to whether you want it urban or rural.“
“Um…” each sister says to the other.
“Well, I mean we could go to Oahu or the Big Island.” Luna then says more thinking out loud than an answer. “Sister?”
“Well, we’ve always stopped in Honolulu, but since we never ventured outside the airport, it doesn’t really matter to me.” Celestia responds in kind. “We’ll be spending more than just a layover in Hawaii. Anywhere in the state.”
“Allow me to butt in for a second.” I then say. “If you want to go to either Oahu or the Big Island, I can fly you nonstop from Dulles. I’ve been itching to do a flight longer than 6 1/2 hours. Dulles to Honolulu is close to 10.”
“Oh!” Celestia exclaims. “Um, well…”
“That seems like an awful long time in the air.” Luna adds. “Maybe we could make at least one stop if possible?”
“Like I said, where you go doesn’t matter. I just need to know so I can plan accordingly.”
“Why such a difference?” Luna asks.
“Honolulu and Kailua-Kona have long runways. Those airports can accommodate the type of aircraft I would use if you wanted to go either of those two places, because then we could fly nonstop from Dulles. However, if you were absolutely insistent on stopping somewhere before we get to Hawaii, then it’s not gonna matter where we go, because we can stop in either Chicago or Southern California. Both of my airports are there, so either place we stop of those two, I can take on fuel, which would mean a smaller aircraft and thus more available airports, and you can stop and do whatever you would like at either of those places.
“And another thing, for all we know, Hawaii may not even be it for you. If you’re here to explore, don’t limit yourself to Hawaii.”
“No, no.” Celestia butts in, “I think it’d be good to show them Hawaii. It’ll be a good opportunity for my sister and I as well.”
“We’ve considered retiring to Hawaii, so maybe this is our excuse to check it out.” Luna replies to me.
“Let me just say then,” I butt in again, “that you should probably avoid Honolulu. High cost of living, sky high rent and market prices. That said, it didn’t really stop me.”
“Mr. Scimitar,” Princess Celestia whispers into my ear, “if it’s any consolation, they have been going back and forth about where to take us. And if you’d believe it, my sister and I had a similar diametrical opposition back in Equestria.”
”Mhmm,” I ponder, “Well, I suggested Hawaii because of my own personal bias, but nevertheless, it’s not my place to turn their arguments one way or another. I’m just the transport.”
“Well, if I may,” Princess Luna adds, “I think our experience from our own misadventures would be useful in defusing this potentially explosive situation.”
“Go for it. I won’t stop you. We still have pancakes to eat. And names to decide on.”
As Princess Luna stops their argument, Principal Celestia finishes each of the stacks by arranging the different berries and topping it off with whipped cream, evidenced by the unmistakable sound of actuating the nozzle of contents under pressure.
With that, she presents six near-identical plates of pancakes, four-high, with fruity faces and whipped cream “blush,” the air quotes because the term blush betrays what it actually looks like…
Starlight and I give each other a knowing look and make attempts to stifle laughter.
“So,” she begins awkwardly, “Princess Celestia… what are you interested in doing in this world?”
“Actually, I was hoping we could rely on the local knowledge of our residents.”
“Well, if you want to learn about the west coast and Chicago, I’ll happily lead. Elsewhere, I would defer to your, um, twinsies.”
“And I would even point you in the direction of our former assistant, Skystar.” Principal Celestia responds. “She’s lived most of her life here. When she comes in tomorrow I can introduce you.”
As we all sit down for dinner, each stack along with a bottle of syrup set the table. I wash my hands before sitting down between Princess Luna and Starlight.
“So Max,” Princess Celestia asks from across the table, “what’s your story?”
“Where should I start? I always wanted to be a pilot from a young age, and being blessed with the right set of circumstances has allowed me to live my dream.”
“‘Tis a gross oversimplification.” Princess Luna interjects immediately, “we can see in thine eyes, thou art withholding information.”
“Well, I’d rather not bring it up at present.”
“If you don’t mind, Max.” Starlight vouches for everyone.
“Well, I was disowned by my family for not wanting to go into high-paying profession. Bless their hearts, they equated wealth to happiness.”
“A pilot isn’t exactly a poor man’s profession.” Vice-Principal Luna responds.
“True, but they still disowned me for it anyway. Not to sound horribly racist or reinforce a stereotype, but I could be a multimillionaire or richer, but if it isn’t in medicine, dentistry, or… physical therapy - something in healthcare, I’d still be dishonorable.”
“Wow. I never would’ve expected resorting to such extremes.”
“I miss them. I was pretty close to them, so when it happened, my entire world was rocked. I had nightmares for a long time.”
“I’m sure my sister would have loved to see them.” Princess Celestia teases.
“I doubt it. I’d likely be another textbook example, regardless of world. I’m sure the dreams I had paled in comparison to what you dealt with on a nightly basis.”
“Maybe not,” Princess Luna responds with an air of calm, “depression certainly was rare, if that’s what thou implyeth.”
“Beg pardon, Princess. With all due respect, I don’t think it would’ve mattered. Applejack, my Applejack, firmly believes that we were brought together by the universe for my sake.”
“Hmm, indeed. I imagine that whatever force guides those in this world must, if sentient, possess a sense of humor.”
“What do you mean?”
“While I can’t say that my sister and I had that kind of power to move ponies to such “chance encounters” as it were, we… I did have quite a strong influence as to the decision-making process for such constituents. We didn’t have the power to move them, but we did have the power to encourage them to even try and reach out to a fellow creature.”
“I see. Well, I know I said a lot, but I’m past that now.”
Fearful I took things too far, I silently continue to eat but excuse myself to ask for a drink. Principal Celestia pours a glass of wine as a joke, but she assures it’s for their guests when she pulls out another glass.
I receive orange juice per request and return to the table, craving an e-cigarette out of nervousness. As a result, I finish my pancakes rather quickly, quashing the craving as I peer at the stove. The vent is on, as the smell of smoke is still fresh.
“I love the smell of vegetable oil in the evening.” I say to myself as I put my plate in the sink.
Still brandishing her apron, Principal Celestia walks in.
“Thank you for dinner,” I smile. “My compliments to the chef.”
After I make sure I have everything, I wish the others a good night, citing an early bedtime.
“By the way, Max,” Vice-Principal Luna says, “we’ve made a decision. My sister and I will go by Sol and Selena.”
“Very well. Thank you for having me over tonight. Please let me know what your plans are for tomorrow, if there are any.”
“We will. Skystar will be showing the equestrians around town. Please join us.”
“I’m off Pentagon City on the Metro. What stop would be best?”
“Our closest stop is Friendship Heights, so our lines don’t intersect until…”
“L’Enfant?”
“No, the other busy one.”
“Union Station? No, that’s red line only. Oh! Metro Center!”
“That’s the one!”
“Do you have visits to the House or Senate planned?”
“I’m sure Skystar would be eager to show our visitors. She’s a member of the White House staff now, so she can obtain visitors passes for both chambers.”
“Oh wow! Just let me know about tomorrow then. I’ll meet you at the Metro Center stop.”
“Sounds good.”
“Good night, Selena.”
“Good night, Max.”
Just as I unlock the car and get in, both Celestias wave goodnight just as I turn the engine on.
