//------------------------------//
// Fabulous 
// Story: If Solaris had a Text-to-Speech Device 
// by Jay David 
//------------------------------//

The walk from and to the chamber beneath the palace was hardly a stroll through the park, but even so, Flash was glad to have a reprieve from his current duties, especially if it would have amounted to little more than listening to two old immortals bickering. With a steady pace, he carried his requested cargo, a small tray of cups, one for himself and two for the others, which he carried via an outstretched wing. Once he was about halfway through with his return journey, he paused, sniffing the air, which then prompted him to squint slightly. "Is that...mane oil?" Then, his eyes widened, a look of dread coming to him, before sighing deeply, "...Oh no."

Turning, he now looked upon a trio of stallions. How they'd managed to come up behind him with him only now noticing their presence, he couldn't say. All he could think was how much he didn't want to deal with them right now. Though clad in the standard armour of the Guard, these three couldn't have looked any less suited to the position if you'd tried. Two unicorns, one white and one brown, with the last of the trio being a green pegasus. All of them stood together with smug grins, and for a moment Flash could've sworn he heard an over-the-top choral introduction for them. Regardless, the first of them stepped forward, sweeping his blonde mane to the side before speaking. "Lieutenant Sentry. Always a pleasure."

Knowing he needed to keep up a sense of professionalism, Flash maintained a stoic look, answering in a tone that only hinted at his current irritation. "Cadet Blueblood."

The other stallion chuckled. "Oh come now, surely you must know by now that I am a Prince, dear fellow. I think a touch more deference is in order, yes?"

Here, Flash frowned. "Off-duty, you are one..." He then pointed his hoof straight into the centre of Blueblood's chest-plate. "But as long as you wear this uniform, that status means nothing."

But Blueblood seemed unconcerned. "Be that as it may, surely you appreciate having one of my noble lineage assigned to your squad?"

The Lieutenant glanced away. "I'm sure there's some cosmic reason the command fell to me," he answered in a hushed voice.

Another of the stallions, the green pegasus, added his own voice to the proceedings. "I know I'm definitely happy to be here at least. If it wasn't for my big sis Fluttershy putting in a good word I don't think I'd have ever gotten back in."

"Oh no, what a terrible outcome it would have been if you hadn't returned," Flash remarked with barely-restrained sarcasm.

"I know, right?" Zephyr replied, clearly not picking up on the tone.

The last of them, the brown unicorn, removed his helmet before approaching. "All I have to say is that my articles are going to skyrocket in popularity when this is all done. I mean, sure, it's all well and good being a fashion aficionado, but adding 'veteran' to my reputation will do wonders for the magazine sales!"

Flash blinked slowly. "Trenderhoof, I'm going to ignore the part of you using this profession to boost the audience of your other profession, but I don't think you're going to qualify as a veteran if you've only had this role for a few days."

Trenderhoof chuckled, then glanced to the side before looking to Flash slyly. "The public don't know that though, do they?"

Flash sighed. "Putting all that aside, is there something I can help the three of you with?"

To that, Blueblood's smirk became somehow even more punchable. "As a matter of fact, there is. Word on the grapevine is that we have a new, royal guest in the palace right now."

Glancing over his shoulder to his intended destination, Flash answered. "News travels fast. I was heading back there just now."

Blueblood matched him in looking in that direction. "Well then, I'm sure he wouldn't mind getting a visit from a fellow royal. I mean it can't be all that pleasant being cooped up in the palace basement for thousands of years, right?"

Looking back to him, Flash raised an eyebrow. "While I can't disagree with you on that count, do you truly intend to go there to cheer him up?" He frowned. "Or is this simply some attempt to curry favour with a figure of authority?"

Blueblood shrugged. "My dear Flash, why can't it be both?"

Flash shook his head. "Cadet, such things are for the intrigues of court aristocracy, not for we in the Guard. And besides..." He pointed to all three of them. "I believe you all have duties elsewhere?"

Blueblood rolled his eyes. "Yes, but hallway duty is so...so beneath me, wouldn't you say?"

"You want the bigger jobs, you work for them," Flash stated firmly.

"Or, I could request them," Blueblood countered, either not picking up on Flash's tone or just outright ignoring it. "Like what I'm doing now."

Flash was growing increasingly tired of this entire exchange, and in truth he actually felt being back in the king's chamber with his current guest would be preferable. And it was as he considered that when a new idea came to him, though he had to resist the urge to smile from it. "Well, I suppose if you really want it, I guess Solaris would prefer having somepony in there beyond just Discord."

Just like that, Blueblood's smirk vanished, replaced with a look of concern. "Dis...Discord is in there?"

Flash nodded. "Indeed. In fact, if I remember right, he and Solaris were right in the middle of a rather heated discussion. But hey, I suppose a noble stallion such as yourself wouldn't mind getting involved in an argument between two powerful immortals, right?"

Weighing his options, Blueblood soon cleared his throat. "Um...on second thoughts, perhaps it would be better for me to return to my duties. Can't have ponies thinking I'm irresponsible after all, can we?"

"No, we cannot," Flash replied.

Swiftly, Blueblood turned from him, gesturing to his two cohorts. "Come along, fellows, I believe we should go." Then, he muttered under his breath. "So we can put as much distance between us and this dangerous place as possible."

With great satisfaction, Flash watched them go, and once they were out of hearing range, he sighed. "Huh, kinda wonder if they're the smart ones, not wanting to be here." Then, he shrugged, turning to the great chamber doors. "Well, guess I'll find out."