//------------------------------// // 54~One last hurrah // Story: Youngblood // by Centurion Pike-Wall //------------------------------// June 7th, 3096 Imperial Calendar (1523 AD) Stella Luce Playhouse, Creui DJ sighed, adjusting his tie. He stood by one of the tables in the corner of the main floor, a glass of water held in one of his paws. All around him, creatures of all shapes and sizes moved about, talking, eating, dancing, or merely walking around. Music flowed from a band up on the stage that normally hosted plays and auctions and other public functions. He took a sip, reaching into a pocket on his blazer, removing and checking a pocket watch. Fifteen minutes past seven. He muttered to himself, putting the watch back and scanning the crowd. His brother and his marefriend sat at one of the tables with a few of his friends and other creatures he knew, laughing and eating. It would be at least another two hours before he could convince Depressi to pack it in. He put his glass down, working out how best he could move to grab some food from the banquet without being drawn into conversation, when he heard a voice above him. "What're you doing over here?", it asked, drawing his attention upward. His visible eye narrowed, before relaxing as he saw who it was. "Flurry", he said simply. The mare hopped over the railing of the second floor, landing next to him with a thud. She wore a simple green dress, her own blazer slung over her back and chest. "Hey", she said, grinning. "So, what're you doing here?" "Well, since mom's in charge of the garrison, we get invited to these kinds of events", DJ said, picking back up his glass and drinking down the rest of the water. "With everyone else either sightseeing or otherwise engaged, I've got nothing better to-" "No no", Flurry said. "I mean, why are you just standing in this corner?" "Oh", DJ said. He shifted the glass around in his paw, before finally placing it down on the table. "I... I'm not really a fan of these types of events." "Hmm?", Flurry questioned. "I've seen you at parties before. Hell, we've attended several together." "Not that kind of party", DJ replied. "Just... big ones where I know practically know anyone." "Ah", Flurry said. "I get ya. I've had to attend a large number of parties where I know no one. It's not exactly the most fun experience." She looked up, her horn glowing lightly, before she turned back to him and grinned. "Wanna bail?" DJ considered it, clicking his beak in thought. Normally, he got back to his family's house by taking the same airborne cart that his father and sister took. With Flurry, he could either crash with her when it got late, or even have her help get him home. Besides, it had to be more fun than standing in the corner. "Alright. Let's go; I know a small place we can throw axes and drink cream soda", he said, sharing her grin. +++++~+++++ "And that's how I found out that I have a cult of Changelings that live in a hot spring partially underneath the Capital", Princess Cadence said, smiling sheepishly. The others at her table all born looks of confusion or aggravation on the other leaders. King Pharynx rubbed his temples, before sitting up and smoothing down his jacket. "Should I send some Swarm Guards to take care of it?", he asked, his back fin flaring. "Hell, I'll take care of it myself." "It's fine", Cadence said. "They're not really that much of an issue, even if my husband finds them creepy. Besides, they pay taxes and work, same as anyone else in the Empire. No reason to expel them." "Well, that's nice to hear", Caesar Diocletian said. "Anyway, what about you, Premier? How do things go in the Southlands?" Premier Tempest Shadow gulped, before slowly setting down the fork held in her magic. She said, somewhat haltingly, "W-well, not too bad. I've got enough competent officials to handle most of the day-to-day stuff, and those books and stuff you sent me make up the difference. So, I'd say things are pretty stable." "I see", Cadence said, leaning forward. "So, how are relations between the two of you?" Both Pharynx and Tempest looked at her, both looking indignant. "What does that mean?", Pharynx said. "Oh, you know", Cadence said, drawing a sidelong glance from Diocletian. "Any new... trade deals? Join operations?" "Not really", Pharynx said. "We don't share a border, and we're just trying to achieve self-sufficiency at the moment, so nothing major." "What he said", Tempest said. "I see", Cadence said. "Well, you want to... get closer, then I can help out with that." "Rrrright", Tempest said. Pharynx sighed, "Alright, that's it. I'm done with this place." He stood, brushing a bit of food off of his jacket. "Wanna go outside and fight?" Tempest did the same, grinning. "Thought you'd never ask." As the two left, Diocletian turned to Cadence. "I question the validity of this tactic." "What do you mean?", Cadence asked, smiling innocently. "I'm far from blind, Princeps", he said. "Again, this is something that I question. Heavily. If this... 'Shipping', goes wrong, then it could-" "It won't", Cadence said. "Besides, I'm just giving them a bit of a nudge. If it works out, then we can further foster peace in that region. You've advocated taking risks in Politics if the outcome is beneficial." "I suppose", the Caesar said, watching the two leaders heading for the nearest door. "Still..." "Trust me", Cadence said, watching them go as well, smiling broadly. +++++~+++++ The War Minister examined the report, occasionally casting a glance up to meet the Praetor's eyes. Rainbow Dash, for her part, sat as still as she could, though she couldn't help but twitch slightly every now and then. Finally, he closed the folder, setting it down and meeting her gaze. "Well, this is certainly an interesting proposal, Praetor. I can certainly see the benefit of this kind of unit. However, there are a few concerns that I have." "Such as?", Rainbow asked. "If it's about volunteers, I'm certain I could-" "No", the Minister said, pulling out a small metal case from his uniform pocket. "Given your reputation and expertise, I have no doubt you could obtain a large number of candidates for this unit. Other issues could be worked out over time, and aren't immediate to your Airborne proposal. My main concern is the position of the 1st Air Fleet in the equation." "In what regard?", Rainbow asked. "Well, merely that the 1st AF is a Navy formation", the Minister replied. "Given most, if not all of your recruits, would be coming from Velite units or the Frumentarii, it would be a major concern in regards to jurisdiction. Is the Air Fleet subordinate to your Airborne officers, or would the Airborne be a subdivision of the Navy?" Rainbow tapped her hoof, running through her assembled proposal in her head. "Perhaps the unit could fall under the Palatini? Similar to the Frumentarii and the Caput Legio?" "Hmm. I'll consider it", he said, standing up and placing the folder in a small satchel. "Well, I should be going. Thank you for this meeting. I'll get you a decision as soon as I can. Vale." "Vale", Rainbow said, giving him a salute. He returned it, before passing his satchel to the adjutant next to him and walked into the crowd. As soon as he was out of sight, Rainbow pushed back from her seat, pumping her claw and half-yelling, "Yes!" "Yes what?", an all too familiar voice behind her said. Rainbow whipped around, nearly slamming into Applejack. The mare stood just barely behind her, wearing a surprisingly elegant red and green dress. Twilight rolled up behind her, wearing a purple and blue ensemble similar to the one she wore at the Grand Galloping Gala. "Oh. What are you doing here?" "M-mah husband is still the Prince", Applejack said. "He got invited, an me along wit' him." "I see", Rainbow said, composing herself. "Apologies for my outburst. I'm just excited about my... project. I'm afraid I can't tell you what it is, at the moment." "No problem", Twilight said, shooting a cautious look at Applejack. "I'm sure that we'll find out about this project soon enough." "Indeed, if all goes well", Rainbow said, heading towards the buffet table. Applejack followed behind her, a hopeful smile on her face. "So, uh... Ah brought a bit of Cider along wit' me. Maybe, tomorrow, after the Games, we could meet up and share it?" Rainbow nodded, not meeting Applejack's eyes. "Sorry, but no thanks." "Wah not?", Applejack asked. Rainbow stopped at the table, grabbing a plate with a wing and beginning to pile food up on it. "Applejack, just because I said I wouldn't be hostile to you anymore, does not mean we are friends, nor does it mean that I wish to rebuild burnt bridges. I'm sure that I, Twilight, and numerous others have told you exactly why." "Right", Applejack said, lowering her head. Rainbow finally turned to Applejack, studying her with the trained eye of a field officer. Her once rival looked tired, or at the least a bit uneasy. It was plainly obvious why, given her line of questioning and the other attempts are reconciliation in the past. Rainbow sighed, put the food down, and placed a claw on Applejack's shoulder. She flinched, but did not pull away, even as their eyes met. "I'm sorry, Applejack. I wish I could forgive you; I really do. But, given everything-" "Ah get it", Applejack said. "Even startin' over ain't really an option, is it?" "Afraid not", Rainbow said. The two former friends studied one another, drinking in every detail. As if the differences they were seeing were only something they had just seen for the first time, they gazed up and down the other, taking it all in. Finally, Rainbow lowered her claw, offering it to Applejack. The other mare took it, shaking even as their eyes never left the other.