Hitch polished his badge idly as he stood by the gazebo on the seashore of Maretime Bay. “Greetings and welcome to Maretime Bay,” he murmured, then again, starting to pace. Behind him, in the shade of the structure, the members of the official town bass band chatted among themselves.
A rustle of wings roused him and he looked up, then snapped to attention, as Princess Zephyrina Storm swooped in above the gazebo, flanked by two Royal Guards, and slowly descended to the ground in front of him. She stood with her chin raised and wings spread wide, looking as regal as her title.
Hitch nodded to the band leader and a moment later a rousing (and almost deafening) rendition of the town anthem filled the air, drawing the attention of many ponies along the waterfront.
He nodded again as the song slowed, then turned to the Princess and opened his mouth to speak. The band blasted into the last phrase of the song, leading to an annoyed glare from the sheriff and a slashing gesture to stop. He cleared his throat again and stepped forward.
“Your Highness, welcome and greetings to Maretime Bay!” he said proudly, then winced at the mix-up.
Zipp stepped forward, still the model of regal formality. “Sheriff, thank you for your eloquent greeting. I bring the warmest regards of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Haven, for you and all of our earth pony brothers and sisters in Maretime Bay. It is her greatest hope that our visit will advance the cause of unity and understanding among all ponykind.”
A ripple of applause came from the ponies around them, and the band leader took the moment to provide a grand crescendo to the occasion.
The music died out, and Zipp folded her wings to her sides. Her regal composure evaporated into a warm smile. “Now bring it in, dude. It’s been too long,”
Hitch chuckled and stepped in close, meeting Zipp in a warm embrace. “It’s good to see you, Zipp. How are things back in Zephyr Heights?”
Zipp sighed, pulling back and looking Hitch in the eye. “Let’s just say I’m looking forward to a week where I don’t have to look at an air traffic control plan. It’s wild, suddenly having every pegasus winging around the city wherever they like.”
“Whoa, I can only imagine,” said Hitch, trying to picture having to enforce ordinances in all three dimensions at once.
Zipp glanced at her honor guard. “Why don’t you two grab a smoothie or something. The Sheriff and I need to catch up.” They both saluted, then grinned and trotted over to the smoothie cart along the shore.
She looked back to Hitch. “Now that the formal stuff is over, what do you like to do for fun around here, Hitch? We’ve got a whole week to take care of what should be an hour of negotiations, tops, so I intend to relax.”
Hitch laughed, and gestured to the businesses around the seafront. “The town is yours, Zipp. There’s a lot to choose from, but how are you at bowling?” She grinned in response, and the two trotted off toward the bowling alley to begin “negotiations.”