Queen Haven entered the castle dining room, followed right behind by her daughters, who had agreed to leave the discussion of moving to Maretime Bay until dinner. No sooner were they seated than the overjoyed kitchen staff brought out their meals, each of them congratulating the royals sisters on their success of returning flight to the pegasi of Zephyr Heights.
"So..." Haven began, as she started mixing her salad with her chosen dressing. "You two are actually talking about leaving Zephyr Heights? Moving to Maretime Bay?"
"I know it's a shock, mom, but flight was restored to all pegasi because we all worked together. In fact, it was restored right after we decided to stay together, as a sign of unity. As soon as we can get Maretime Bay a cell tower, keeping in touch will be super-easy," Zipp said.
"Yes, I don't imagine your sister would tolerate being without her phone, or keeping her fans updated, for very long," the queen replied. "It would be quite a change around here, for sure. If you've already told your friends you would go, I don't want you to go back on your word. But while you pack, would you let me prepare a little goodbye of sorts?"
Zipp and Pipp glanced at each other, and shrugged.
"I don't see why not."
Hitch headed down the street towards CanterLogic, with the former CEO Phyllis Cloverleaf keeping pace right next to him. The mare kept her gaze low, for every time she risked looking up at a passer-by, she saw nothing but disdain and disapproval. She silently followed the Maretime Bay sheriff towards what she could only assume was the holding cell at the precinct. She had wanted to check on her son before she had been taken out of the hospital in Hitch's custody, but she was once again told by the nurse on duty that he did not want to see her.
Hitch was thinking that Sprout's dismissive attitude towards his mother was perhaps hitting harder than any of the inevitable consequences and pending legal charges against her.
Phyllis glanced at CanterLogic as they passed by the long walkway up to the building. Things didn't look nearly as active and bustling as they normally did on a weekday, and she saw a few signs that had been staked to the grass in protest, reading 'No More Hate!' and 'Shut the Fear Factory Down!'
It was another half block before they came to her house, and she was surprised when they made a turn to go up the front walk, instead of all the way to the coast where the police station was. The pair of ponies came to the front door, Hitch slid the key in, opened it, and stepped aside to allow Phyllis in first. As soon as they stepped into the foyer, Hitch bent down, and Phyllis felt the fetlock cuff click into place.
"You have me at a disadvantage, Sheriff. What is this?" Phyllis asked.
"House arrest. That ankle monitor will let me know if you step more than ten feet out of the building. I'll arrange grocery deliveries every two weeks, deducted from your severance at CanterLogic," Hitch told her.
Phyllis looked around, immediately aware that this was going to be her prison.
"For how long?" She asked.
"That's for the judge to decide, not me. I just don't want you at the station; I'm not going to make Sprout be around you every day when he gets out of the hospital," Hitch said matter-of-factly.
"Nonsense, he'll have to come home sometime," Phyllis countered.
"Not if he doesn't want to. I've already offered him alternate living quarters," Hitch said.
Phyllis' expression betrayed the fact that the comment did indeed pierce her.
"I'd buckle up, Phyllis. This will most likely get worse for you before it gets better."
With that, Hitch turned and exited through the front door, closing it behind him, locking it afterwards, leaving Phyllis in her home-turned-prison-cell.
Two Days Later...
Hitch was at his desk at the precinct when there was a knock at the door.
"Come on in," he announced. The doors opened, and Sweets trotted in and immediately came up to his desk.
"Afternoon, Sheriff. If I may, how's Sunny?" Sweets asked.
"Missing her friends terribly, but she's luckily been keeping herself plenty busy with her smoothie cart, which is more popular than ever now. And her friends should be back in a few days."
Sweets' expression softened a bit hearing that.
"I hate to be the one to put a damper on her spirits if she's been feeling better..." She said, reaching into her saddlebags, producing a file folder thick with a stack of papers inside, placing it on the desk in front of Hitch.
"I cannot in good conscience recommend the lighthouse for re-habitation. In the professional opinions of me and my team, it cannot be safely repaired, and..." Sweets trailed off.
"...And CanterLogic isn't going to be able to fund any kind of rebuild. Toots already warned me," Hitch finished.
Sweets nodded somberly.
"I'm sorry, sheriff, I don't know what to say," Sweets told him.
"There's nothing more to say, Sweets. I appreciate your candidness and being straight to the point. Phyllis is technically imprisoned in her home for the time being. It's important that the rest of us be there for each other and support each other as we all move into this new era of unity. What do you think is going to happen with Sunny?" Hitch asked.
"I'm sure Toots has told you about the absolute dire financial straits that the factory is in. When everything is said and done... I imagine Sunny will get legal ownership of the building," Sweets told her.
Hitch leaned back in his chair and mulled over the situation.
"Not that I imagine she'll want it, or even know what to do with it," Hitch responded.
"That won't matter in the eyes of a magistrate or judge. It's the only way the factory will be able to cover the debt to her."
Hitch let out a slow exhale.
"Don't worry, Sweets. I'll figure out how to break the news to her, the first part anyway. Thanks again."
With a nod and a somber smile, Sweets turned and exited the precinct, leaving Hitch alone at his desk once again.
The sheriff had to admit; he was looking forward to having Sprout back at the desk across from him, and he was missing their new friends, too.
"Hurry back, friends."