"They not like hugs." The tsuki shrank with miserable defeat. "Not like."
Umbra considered the large rabbit-like visitor. "And they... attacked?"
The tsuki bobbed his head. "Try hug. Hit with horn. Hit with head. Say angry things..."
Umbra brought Midnight around for a hug. "I knew the yaks were testy, but turning down a tsuki hug? Violently?"
The tsuki approached, spreading her arms wide. It was an invitation for battle, or a big hug. Possibly both? Umbra felt certain which it was and she offered one arm out, soon gently hugging the upset tsuki. "Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. You're very physical, and so are they, I hear... But in different ways."
"Bun!"
Umbra recoiled, ears flicking madly. "What?"
Midnight pointed at the tsuki. "Bun."
"It's..." She sniffled, but she was smiling. "Your first word." She touched noses with her child.
The tsuki clapped her large paws in celebration of the moment. "Proud be first."
Umbra chuckled softly. "As lovely as that is, let's not get too distracted. I'll confer with the others. We don't want this escalating..."
So Umbra went on to other supplicants, seeing to their requests and questions. She was proud to be back on the throne, doing her part in the running of the empire.
She went to their favorite sitting room, where they gathered for dinners. Dinners weren't as sure a thing as breakfasts, but they were both there. "Good, glad you're here." Umbra sank onto her seat, placing Midnight on a foal-safe chair to join them. "The yaks and the tsuki have had a bit of a diplomatic snag."
Cadance and Shining looked up from their meal, concern creasing their brows.
"Oh dear, that is troubling news." Cadance rolled a hoof at Umbra, one ear raised. "What seems to be the issue between them?"
Umbra recounted the tsuki's report of the failed hugging attempt. "Sounds like a simple cultural misunderstanding, but emotions are running high." She sighed softly. "I don't want it to escalate."
Shining shook his head. "Leave it to the yaks to start slamming horns over a hug."
"We must act swiftly to soothe tensions before this grows into something worse." Cadance turned to Umbra. "Perhaps you could lead a diplomatic envoy to their village and open a dialogue?"
Umbra bit her lip. As much as duty called, the thought of leaving her infant son at this tender age...
Sensing her hesitation, Cadance touched her hoof gently. "You have the closest bond with the tsuki. I cannot imagine a better representative to broker peace."
"We'll mind Midnight while you're away." Shining thumped his chest with a firm expression. "You know he'll be safe in our care."
Umbra sighed but nodded. "You're both right, of course. I'll leave first thing." She smiled sadly at Midnight, who babbled obliviously from his highchair. "Be good for your father and auntie, little shadow. Mommy will be back before you know it."
Umbra exploded into snickering unexpectedly. "Good thing a pony's joined me in the happy wet nurse club."
Cadance had the humility to color at that. "I will see that Midnight gets his fill. But hurry back. No foal wants to be away from their mother for long, even if other loving relations are close at hoof."
"Can I help?"
Umbra blinked at Shining's expression. It was like a child asking to do something to help the adults in the room, something they likely couldn't do. And neither could he. "Shining, you're a stallion."
She pinned an ear back. "So you can't make milk." Unlike human males, he didn't even have the start of that plumbing. "But, you can take a bottle from Cadance and offer love and time to Midnight for her."
Cadance laughed at the exchange. "I'll keep that in mind. That sounds helpful, Shinie, but Umbra is right. It's not that we don't want you to join, but you can't anymore than you could spread the wings you don't have and go for a lap around the city."
Shining's ears drooped at the gentle reminders. "Right, of course." He laughed nervously, glancing about. "A stallion can't make milk." He managed a rueful smile. "But you're absolutely right - just because I can't provide milk doesn't mean I can't provide love and care. I may have to get creative, but it will be my honor to watch over and nurture our son."
Umbra nuzzled him fondly. "I have no doubt you will be an amazing father in your own unique way." She turned her gaze to Cadance. "And I cannot thank you enough for taking up wet nurse duties. It means the world knowing Midnight will be well-fed while I'm away."
Cadance waved a dismissive hoof. "I'm happy to assist. We're family now - all of us." Her horn glowed as she summoned a quill and parchment. "Now then, shall we outline the key negotiation points to establish with the yaks?"
Together they hammered out goals for freedom of movement between territories, cultural sensitivity education, and designated hugging areas. Umbra snickered as the wrote the last part. "Only with the tsuki would you have a need for a specific hugging area..." By the time they finished, Umbra felt confident she could represent the tsuki's interests fairly.
"The tsuki are fortunate to have you advocating for them." Cadance showed Umbra out with a gentle smile. "You can take care of this, easily, I bet... Go on."
Umbra turned to nuzzle Midnight, who grasped at her mane. "Be back soon, my little prince." With a heavy but determined heart, she set off for the northlands. Well, the even more Northerly lands. It wasn't like the Crystal Empire wasn't already in the north.
She didn't quite escape the castle, running into a sternly glaring filly. "Morning?"
"Mother." Morning nodded at her. "As your heir, it is time I begin accepting missions alongside you. I won't learn if I don't. You would not be replaced with an incompetent, would you?"
Umbra skewed an ear to the side. "Logical... And I won't say no to a little company." With a glowing horn, she snatched up Morning and... realized Morning was growing larger. She could still carry Morning, but the burden was growing. "My little girl is becoming less little by the day."
Morning hugged Umbra from above. "I'm not too large to ride." She slid up, a leg down either of Umbra's sides as she took on a proper riding stance. "Let's take care of this." She spotted the paper tucked in against Umbra. "Is this the plan? I'll review it."
"W-- Oh." Her complaint died, Morning already reading it quickly. "Well, yes. Let's go." She fell into the floor, becoming shadow. Fortunately, Morning was also shadow and they passed into it together without a problem. Not quite as fast as light, they zipped across the frozen lands towards Yakyakistan.
Umbra and Morning flowed swiftly as shadows across the tundra toward the distant yak village. As the wooden palisade came into view, they re-formed just outside the entrance. Morning took a moment to smooth her windswept mane before adopting a dignified pose.
"I shall follow your lead during negotiations." Morning adopted a stern expression, not unusual for her. "But if talks break down, I am prepared to employ more...direct measures."
Umbra chuckled and drew her daughter close. "Let's hope it doesn't come to open warfare. But I appreciate your enthusiasm."
Drawing herself up, Umbra approached the gates and announced their presence. Moments later, a massive yak emerged grumbling. He squinted down at the ponies suspiciously.
"Why puny ponies come to yak lands?"
Umbra dipped her horn respectfully. "Greetings, honored yak. I am Princess Umbra, representing the Crystal Empire. We come to discuss the recent meeting with the tsuki.."
The yak harrumphed. "Yaks show stupid rabbits who is stronger."
Before Umbra could respond, Morning stepped forward, eyes glinting. "Oh really? That's not what we heard. Word is you took issue with friendship offerings from our allies."
The yak scowled, pawing the ground. "Overly fuzzy rabbits invade yak space! We defend with righteous horn! No law against!"
Umbra quickly interposed herself between Morning and the bristling yak. "Peace, friends! There is no need for further conflict. Let us discuss this amicably."
The yak raised a shaggy brow at Umbra. "No." He turned around and started back inside. "Need talk with prince."
Umbra's ears skewed forward. "That sounds great. Rutherford, right?"
"Yes." The yak vanished inside, closing the heavy gate behind himself.
Morning crossed her arms, looking at the gate that couldn't be intimidated. "Do we go inside, mother? It would be trivial to bypass such a crude barrier."
"We could." Umbra put a hoof out in front of Morning. "But we won't, unless invited. We're here to settle things down, not ratchet them up."
"As you say." Morning put her hooves down and stood up. "How long must we wait?"
"The darkness can wait forever, if it must."
Morning grew a subtle smile. "True..." She stopped complaining. She would be as patient as the shadows themselves.
The gate creaked, swinging outwards at the horns of a great yak. Prince Rutherford stomped out with a scowl. "What want?! Already we take care of stupid rabbits."
Umbra nodded at her fellow royalty. "Pleasure to see you. Those 'stupid rabbits' are friends of ours, and they wanted to be your friends too."
Rutherford hiked a doubting brow at that. "They attack! We win." He buffed a hoof on his chest. "As if yaks lose fight. We drove them away!"
Shouts filtered from behind him, other yaks cheering on their prince's words.
Umbra's eyes narrowed, but she kept her tone diplomatic. "I'm certain the tsuki meant no harm with their...enthusiastic greeting. They are simply a very affectionate people."
She paused as more jeers sounded from within the village. This would be delicate. "Perhaps this was a simple misunderstanding between two noble tribes unaccustomed to each other's ways. I come only to make peace between friends."
Rutherford grunted noncommittally. "Yaks make peace on own terms. Ponies have no say."
Before Umbra could respond, Morning spoke up, eyes flashing. "You would do well to watch your tone with royalty."
Umbra shot her a quelling look. Antagonizing the volatile prince would not help matters. "What my daughter means is we have all suffered from misjudgments in the past. Do not let one bad encounter close your hearts forever."
Rutherford looked thoughtful, which Umbra took as a good sign. But any progress was shattered as a loud voice shouted from inside.
"Don't listen to those puny ponies! Yaks crush all enemies under hoof!"
A chorus of agreement followed. Rutherford drew himself up, puffing out his chest. "Yaks have spoken. Rabbit invasion crushed under mighty hooves! Talks done."
He turned to leave. Desperate, Umbra blurted the first thing she could think of: "Perhaps a demonstration of strength is required!"
Rutherford paused, intrigued. Morning shot her a startled look.
Umbra hurried on. "To prove ourselves worthy allies. A contest between champions, without bloodshed. If we prevail, you must parley further."
The prince considered, then grinned. "Very well. But when yaks win, puny ponies leave and never return!" He strode off, thumping his chest. "I shall enjoy this!"
Umbra slumped weakly as he disappeared inside. What had she just gotten them into? But with tensions high, it was their only chance for peace. She could only pray her gambit hadn't just doomed them all.
"One thing," came shouted from inside. "Ponies not enemies. Send stupid rabbit." A chorus of cheers erupted. "We win fair fight. Show them who stronger! Then they learn."
The town was a riot of calls and jeers. That they approved of the idea of a proper battle was clear.
Umbra dared a little smile. "As you wish. I will get a tsuki champion." She reached for Morning, nudging her away from the gate. "This might be handled... after all. If they both love a good friendly fight, maybe they're closer than we gave them credit for. Come, we go."
"We go." Morning fell to shadows and soon were speeding towards the tsuki warrens.