The moon was high in the sky as I studied the chess board before me on the couch. Sparks were facing me across it which was just unfair.
The fact that she had even less practice than I did was the only reason I even had a chance here.
"So," I asked idly as I moved a Guard, "How much is being kept from me?"
Sparks looked at me in slightly guilty surprise, "What do you mean?"
"Investigation, political reactions from this, the general population's feelings, the ponies of Nocturnis. Everypony is very careful not to mention any of it," I commented, focusing on the chessboard, "Your move by the way."
Sparks shifted her wings uncomfortably, "Page, I..." she started before she sighed, "We just though-"
"That it would be easier for me to focus on recovering if I didn't worry about everything else," I told her gently, "And I know that Equestria is generally a matriarchal society. but I'm a big colt and can handle the truth. Still not made of glass last time I checked."
Cringing slightly, Sparks sighed, "...I know. I'm sorry."
Then she moved a sky knight. Damn I had hoped she would miss that opening.
"So?" I asked, looking at her as I moved a fortress.
Her wings shifted, ears folding back for a second, "It's complicated. The reaction to the news in Nocturnis were... negative. Ponies were beyond furious. I didn't even know Flower could get that angry."
Neither could I to be honest, Flower was almost as gentle as Fluttershy.
"Who's in charge while you're here?"
"Fluttershy and Spicy Pepper," Sparks said with a small smile, "I trust Fluttershy to be able to stop Pepper from mobilizing the guard. Luna has been sending them messages with updates in their sleep."
"We should head back soon," I said as Sparks somehow took a sky knight with a guard out of nowhere. Buck, completely missed that, "Steady says I'll be safe to travel soon."
Sparks nodded.
"...And the rest?" I then asked as she didn't volunteer any information.
She shifted before she sighed, "Page, I..." she said before she looked at me, "You know talking about Canterlot nobility will only make you angry."
"What did they do?"
Sparks scowled, "As soon as it was known, every single one of them came out of the woodwork to denounce the attack as a cowardly act by a random madpony."
"Oh yes, like they have not spent years badmouthing me and Nocturnis to anypony that will listen," I snorted, "At least in private."
"There are some decent ponies in the nobility you know," Twilight pointed out.
I nodded, "And I can count the ones I know without running out of limbs," I said and studied the board, "See, all calm," I then added, moving another fortress, taking a guard.
She relaxed again, moving her prince, taking the fortress from me.
"Which is why I wonder what you're not telling me," I continued, causing her to glance away guiltily.
"Stop reading my mind," she grumbled before she blinked and stared at me, "...Wait, is that something you can do with dream magic?"
I gave her a fang filled grin at her, "I knew you would say that."
"PAGE!"
I laughed and flinched as it made my shoulder ache before I shook my head, "No, it's not, I just know you. Besides, I think trying to mind read you would cause me to short circuit something."
Sparks glowered at me before she sighed, "It's nothing."
"Twilight Sparkle," I said, looking at her, "If it was nothing you would have no trouble telling me about it."
She flinched before she glowered at me, "Stop using my full name like that, it makes you sound like my dad!"
I smirked and opened my mouth to answer only for her to reach out and put her hoof over it,
"No!" Sparks said firmly with a glare as she blushed to the tips of her ears..
Grinning, I nodded before waiting for her to lower her hoof, "Now who’s reading minds? So, what's up, Sparks?"
She sighed and shifted, "Just... some ponies talking. Rumors. Saying that because you got hurt, you're not a real alicorn."
Huh. I guess somepony watched Iron Man Two.
...I should write that. Iron Mare. It was a good story.
I shrugged my wings, "So?"
She looked at me, "You're not upset?"
I shook my head, "Honestly, couldn't care less. Not only will not aging kind of prove it on its own, but I don't like the attention in the first place. You know that."
"I guess," Sparks admitted, "It's just so... ugh!" she groaned before she looked at me, "It's so disrespectful! After everything you have done for them!"
"I suppose if that was about one of you, I would be furious," I admitted thoughtfully and flicked one ear, "And likely less restrained."
Twilight smiled a bit at me and moved one of her pieces, "It's just ponies being dumb."
"What of the guards?" I asked, "Any difficulties with the investigation."
She shook her head, "A lot of reorganizing. Canterlot is still on a complete lockdown. Deliveries are still allowed, but nopony in or out. I even assisted in putting up an anti-teleport field over the entire city."
Now that would make a lot of ponies upset.
Sparks then smiled in a way that I could only describe as predatory, "And we were able to extract a magical signature from the teleport spot."