In the Castle Library
The diplomatic group went to the library to discuss relations between Equestria and Kihon and settled down in a special table. However, most of Twilight's friends and the Pillars were made to wait outside as they weren't part of the world of politics. Twilight sat at a small table across from Emperor Sato.
"So, Your Majesty, why exactly did you want to make contact with us?" Twilight asked.
"As I've said in my letter, you've turned Equestria and indeed the world into a place of true harmony," Sato said. "Me and my court have decided that it was high time to reveal ourselves to the outside world and establish relations with other nations."
"Okay, but what exactly does your nation want our of this friendship?" Twilight asked.
"Trade between our two countries as well as a policy to help each other in times of war or strife. I simply want to make sure our countries can get along in this age of harmony you and your friends created," Sato said.
"That makes sense. In that case, I can more than agree," Twilight said holding out her hoof. "To friendship between our nations."
"To friendship," Sato said, shaking the hoof in his paw.
"If there's anything I can do to increase the bond between us, you just let me know," Twilight said.
"Well, there is one thing," one of Sato's guards said.
"Really? What is it?" Twilight asked.
"You and Sato-sama could get married," the guard replied.
A hot blush appeared on Twilight's cheeks instantly and her right ear flipped. She began to look at everything but Sato.
"M-m-married? We c-can't get married. I mean, we only met each other yesterday," Twilight said quickly. Sato chuckled.
"It's okay, Twilight. While a political marriage between us would indeed strengthen bonds between our nations, I would never force you to do something you don't want to," Sato said.
The nervous Princess instantly calmed down. As beautiful and kind as Sato was, she wasn't ready to get married. Even if she did like him, she'd want to start off as simply friends.
"Thank you, Sato. But I really want to be friends," Twilight said.
"It's no trouble, Twilight. In fact, as a sign of friendship, you can touch my tails," Sato said.
His guards gasped. Their emperor was allowing someone other than his imperial groomers to touch his tails? That was an honor that was literally fought over. Princess Twilight was unsure of how to respond. She didn't have to think too much about it, though, as Sato moved his tails towards Twilight and practically coiled them around her.
Oh my gosh! These are so soft! And warm! I could get addicted to this! Twilight thought.
Twilight instinctively reached up to touch the tails. They were amazing. She did her best to brush the fur in the direction of their growth. The tails also smelled amazing, like fruit and flower blossoms. Her session with the tails was making her feel sleepy.
Is there magic making me so sleepy? Nah. Must be coincidence. Either way, this is amazing! Twilight thought.
But before she could fall asleep, one of the black-clad foxes opened the door and let in the eavesdropping friends to tumble on the floor. The looked up and saw Twilight buried under fluff. Sato chuckled as he addressed them.
"If you all want to, you can cuddle my tails as well," Sato said.
The other mares all gasped and approached Sato so that they could feel his tails. They all had looks of contentment as the tails brushed against them and made them as sleepy as Twilight.
"I swear, you all look like my brother and sisters when we were pups," Sato said. "We would cuddle our mother's tails when we slept."
"I think I may want to change my own tail grooming routine if I could have a tail like this," Rarity said.
"I could sleep forever if I could sleep with this tail," Applejack said.
"It's even softer and fluffier than my own tail," Pinkie said.
"I've felt fox fur before, but this is another level of soft," Fluttershy said.
Before any of them could fall asleep, Sato withdrew his tails. The gathered ponies all groaned at the loss of heavenly fluff.
"Okay, that's enough. I know my fur is soft, but we must focus on the future of our countries' relationship," Sato said.
Twilight snapped herself out of her stupor. "What did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking something along the lines of cultural exchange," Sato said. "Perhaps we could teach each other about our cultures and traditions as well as you all traveling to Kihon to absorb our culture."
Everyone in the room was excited about the prospect of going to another land to see how the foxes lived. And Twilight could add more to Equestria's knowledge.
"That all sounds like a great idea!" Twilight said. "I'll make necessary arrangements right away."
"If you decide to come to Kihon, you have to stay at my palace. I know my siblings would love you!" Sato said excitedly.
"We'd love to!" Rarity said.
"What are your siblings' names?" Applejack asked.
"I have two brothers named Kage and Shoto, and two sisters named Yuki and Tomoe," Sato replied. "They're a rambunctious bunch, but I love them."
"I'd like to try more food from Kihon!" Pinkie exclaimed.
The foxes turned to the happy pony. Sato placed a paw on Pinkie's shoulder.
"Are you sure you'd like to try all of Kihon's cuisine? Remember, Kitsune like us are omnivores, so we like most meat," Sato said.
Pinkie hadn't thought of that. Since ponies were obviously herbivores, it sounded like a lot of their food wouldn't be good for her. Sato looked into Pinkie's eyes.
"But there are a lot of dishes that don't include meat. I could have my chefs prepare some for you when you visit," Sato said.
"Hooray!" Pinkie shouted with a jump.
"I would like to see the kind of fashion that exists in Kihon," Rarity said.
One of Sato's guards responded to Rarity. "Then you'd have to visit the northern ward of the capital. Lots of talented artisans live and set up shop there."
Rarity smiled from ear to ear. "I can already picture myself in Kihon clothing."
Just then, Spike entered the room and brought with him a large wheeled tray with pots of tea. Sato and the other Kitsune eyed the small dragon with looks of awe. He then turned to Twilight.
"Twilight! I didn't know you had a Western dragon living here with you," Sato said in shock.
"Yes, we've been together ever since I hatched him from an egg. Are there dragons in Kihon?" Twilight replied.
"There are, but they're not like dragons you've seen. The ones from the East possess great magical power on par with a god," Sato said. "There's even one that grants wishes."
"That sounds awesome!" Rainbow said.
The conversation went far into the afternoon. The ponies and dragon all eagerly anticipated an upcoming trip to Kihon. After some more talking, Twilight and Sato came up with a sound idea: students from Kihon would come to Equestria to learn more about the culture of the ponies and students from Equestria would go to Kihon to go to school there for a semester. Twilight and her friends would also travel to the capital and experience the daily life of a Kitsune. Sato and his entourage seemed eager to learn more about the ponies as well.
Things were looking very good for the foreseeable future of Equestria and Kihon.