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// #MotherKnowsBest - Main Story 
// Story: Pen Stroke's Scattered Pages 
// by Pen Stroke 
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It’s hard to recount the strange circumstances that found you working in a high-class cafe in Zephyr Heights, but your current situation is undeniable. Dressed in the sleek black-tie uniform of the establishment, you’ve been given the task to bus and clear tables. It’s only for one shift, so it’s only a minor inconvenience for your plans, and you’ve had a chance to see some rather famous pegasi, at least from a distance. 

One particular pegasi of highest renown you’ve seen is Queen Haven herself, who came in about two hours ago. She took a seat at a corner booth at the very back of the cafe, her guards taking stations far enough away to give the queen privacy, but still close enough to be able to act in an instant. They’ve also done their best to stay out of the way of the regular wait staff as other customers tended to, which has been appreciated by the full-time employees.

Queen Haven, from what you can see, has been very deep in thought. The waiters would come by, and she seemed to be slowly ordering additional things whenever they did. Always little snacks, or different caffeinated drinks, but the dirty plates were starting to pile up at her table. And it seems one of the other waiters has taken notice too, as you were given a subtle nudge to go refresh the table for the queen.

You start heading over, an empty table bussing bin in your grip. The guards stop you briefly, to inspect you and the empty bin. After they perform their due diligence, they let you approach the queen. You ask, in your own way, if you might clear some of the dirty dishes. The Queen snaps out of some deep thoughts, and offers you a kind smile. “Oh yes, of course. Thank you.”

It’s nice to see even the royals in Equestria have manners, and you quickly begin collecting the dirty utensils, plates, and cups into the bussing bin. You then take the wet rag you have with you to give the table a very light wipe down. In less than a minute, the work is done and you prepare to leave.

“Thank you again. Though… I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. Are you new?” 

You answer Queen Haven’s question, elaborating how you were just helping out for the day. Hearing that seems to make something spark in Queen Haven’s eyes and she gestures you closer.

“So you’re just passing through town, a visitor… someone who would likely never be in Zephyr Heights again and would be unable to breathe a word of any scandalous matter that you might hear about.”

You can only nod your head to Queen Haven’s words. It’s hard to see if or when you’d ever return to Zephyr Heights, though… the mention of a scandalous matter might put you on guard… or it might make you all the more curious.

“Oh, I’m in a dreadful pickle, and I want to ask someone, anyone for advice. But… oh, they’d think so poorly of me I’m sure if I were to breathe a word of this; of what I’ve been contemplating.

“You see… I’ve found this page from a book, and it’s a powerful relic. It can change our very world, change our story as it were.” Queen Haven reaches beneath her wing with a hoof, and produces the piece of paper. In so many ways it looks like just some normal page from a book, but you can also just sense the magic coming off of it. It is undoubtedly powerful.

“And… I’ve been so tempted since I found it. You see… my eldest, Zephyrina Storm… she is next in line for the throne. And she has so many skills suitable for a queen. She’s smart and inquisitive. She’s not easily tricked either. But… she just doesn't have any interest in it. And Pipp, my youngest… oh she’s so caring, and the public adores her. That and I think she’d actually want to be queen, but… traditions do have to be honored and followed. Otherwise, they very well aren’t traditions, are they?”

Queen Haven looked intently at the page, running one hoof across the rough-textured paper. “Maybe with this page, I could change things around a little bit. Make things easier for my family… but I can already hear Alphabittle scolding me. That and my girls could easily be angry with me if I change things too much. But surely they can appreciate it. I'm just trying to look out for them. It’s the same reason why I faked our ability to fly so long. I just want them, and all my little ponies, to be happy.”

Queen Haven looks to you. “And surely this kind of opportunity will never come around again, so… I know it’s a terrible burden to ask but… what would you do in my position? You, a stranger I may very well never see again nor will be around to reveal the truth… should you advise me to use it.”



What should Queen Haven do with the page?



Nothing. She should work out the problem of succession herself. 

Just use the page to change the laws without the public knowing. 

Surely you know what’s best for your daughters. Change them.