//------------------------------//
// New Relations 
// Story: Dividing Unity 
// by Bently96 
//------------------------------//

        As the sun slowly made its way over the horizon, the first rays of morning shone through the  slightly frozen windows of the bedroom. Soon the light filled the entire room, starting to wake  the Pegasus on the bed inside. Within minutes he was up, feeling the cold of the morning even  outside of the blankets. "Finally", he thought to himself; winter was coming, the time he loved  the most, the time that reminded him most of his home and childhood. 
It was no later then 6 in the morning, but Ruhig was already up, preparing himself for work and  feeling a certain stroke of luck for the upcoming day. Still a little sleepy, he went in the  bathroom, filled a glass of cold water and splashed it over his face. He suddenly felt like a  completely different pony, agile and confident. He came up to the wardrobe, facing a relatively  wide choice of suits. As usual, he chose a black suit with some fine white stripes passing along it.  He put on a white shirt, an unusual, yet widely color by him. Next came the suit, followed by a deep red tie. 
Then he came up the the work desk, a heavy piece of carefully-crafted hardwood. Ruhig opened  a drawer of the table and took out his usual golden shirt buttons, then pocket watch. After putting  them on, he arrived in the kitchen, where he had boiled a kettle of water earlier. He sat by the  window with his tea, admiring the sun as it continued its slow rise. Soon after finishing his drink, Ruhig left the house, feeling the light and cold wind upon his face.  
He spread his wings and smiled for a short moment. He started gaining speed and jumped off the  cloud on which his residence was located. During the free fall, he tried to maintain his speed  while adjusting his wings to the right position. He was heading down to Canterlot, specifically to  the Equestrian embassy of his motherland. 
On his way there, he gained a speed high enough to make his unprotected eyes tear. Soon, Ruhig had the Embassy in his field of vision. He started losing speed just a few decimeters  before the building, landing slowly, almost gracefully on the paved road. He started slowly  galloping up to the Embassy building; it was an imposing construction, covered in granite, with a  large set of stairs and towering support columns at the entrance. Ruhig took a deep breath,  drawing up a confident smile as he mounted the stairs and opened the massive wooden door of  the entrance. The inside of the building was as impressive as the outside, with its corridors of  gem-encrusted wood and crystal chandeliers. 
As soon as he entered he gladly admired the ambiance of a working community which  by that early time already started it's working routine.  
“Good day everyone” said Ruhig as he was walking along the corridors. Many ponies took a  second from their work time to salute him, Ruhig emanating an usual, but yet  unreasoned enthusiasm. Soon enough he lifted up to the last working floor, where his  cabinet was located. Just when he entered the cabined, he heard from the room a calm  greeting.  
“Hello, Mr. Ruhig” said the old unicorn stallion, sitting on a couch right before  Ruhig's desk. It was Mr. Presspapier, ex ambassador in Equestria decades before  Ruhig took his place. He was a relatively chubby stallion, with gray of old age muttonchops on his face. He was wearing an old style, deep green colored suit with an yellow  vest under it. At the moment he still works at the embassy having the next after  importance rank after Ruhig, "Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary".  Despise his age and body shape, he still remained joyous and confident. 
“Oh, hello there Mr. Presspapier, nice morning isn't it ?, inspires to great deeds.” Said Ruhig. 
“Indeed, glad you think that as well Ruhig, because (takes out a letter from  his suit with a childish smile) we are expecting a radical change of relations between us  and the Kingdom of Equestria. We received this letter just yesterday night from our  ministry of International affairs, take a look” Mr. Prespapier, passed the letter, expecting a great reaction. 
“I'll take a look, but just a second please, I need to make myself comfortable”  said Ruhig as he sat down at his desk. He took the letter from the already opened  envelope, and curiously started reading it. After a few minutes he said with a serious  and disappointed tone. 
“This letter is impossible.......” 
“What do you mean Ruhig ?” said Presspapier, who expected another reaction. 
“It's impossibly marvelous, I never though I'd live to that day !” said Ruhig with a  joyous laugh on his face. 
“You and your mannerism Mr. Ruhig, almost give me a heart attack after  every important news” said Presspapier with a brief smile. 
“It's my style, but still, I can't believe what I read is true, this will change forever the relations between our home land and Equestria. We will be the witnesses of a great and splendid change. And to think we will be taking a direct participation as well.” Said Ruhig while putting the letter in his desk. “Yes, they plan to arrange all the formalities in a week, enough time for us  to prepare all the papers and festivities. This requires a great participation from you Mr.  Ruhig.” 
“Perfectly understandable” Said Ruhig while widening his right wing, using it to hold the calendar steady  while marking a date on it with a white quill. 
While Ruhig and Mr. Presspapier were discussing different details about the future, yet  unknown event, a secretary was walking up to Ruhig's office. She was wearing a black  lady's suit with a blue bow tie on her neck. She was carrying a paper folder and an  envelope. She came close to the door and knocked. 
“Excuse me Mr. Ambassador, may I enter ?” “Yes, of course.” Said he while looking at the entrance of his office.  
The secretary enters the office and walk up to Ruhig's desk, gently putting on it the  folders and envelope she was carrying. “What are those Miss ?” Asked rather curious Mr. Presspapier. 
“Delivered to our Embassy from the ministry of external affairs.” Replied back the secretary.  Ruhig takes the envelope and a silver colored paper knife from his desk. He takes the  letter out and gives a short provoking look at the secretary and Mr. Prespapier. “Thank you Miss, that would be all for now, thank you.” Said Ruhig to her. 
“Yes, of course” Said she while leaning her head “Mr. Ambassador, Sir Envoy” leaving the  office and closing the door after her. 
“Now, there is one more thing I would like to know Mr. Presspapier” said Ruhig to  Mr. Presspapier while rapidly browsing through the letter. 
“Which is ?” Said Mr. Presspapier with quite a confused face expression. “Why do all the workers and staff call you ''Sir'' while I am still "Mr" ? My rank is  technically higher” Said Ruhig with a small laugh while still reading the content of the letter. 
“I have more experience Ruhig, I've been an ambassador while you were  still learning how to fly”; said Mr. Presspapier while lifting his front hooves with a small laugh. “But  you're sill the Ambassador, people here always respected you.” Concluded Presspapier. 
“Thanks Mr. Presspapier, you have always inspired trust towards you” said Ruhig smiling as he  finished reading the letter. 
“Well, what does the letter say ?” 
“Apparently, a new Diplomat arrives to this building today a "Charge d'affaires",  and apparently she will be under my supervision for her time being in this mission.” Replied back Ruhig. 
“This is quite interesting, when does she arrives exactly Ruhig ? And do  we have any more information on.......?” Said Mr. Presspapier expecting his question to be completed respectively. 
“Miss. Touche Finale, finished the International relations with an impeccable  reputation, has a pedantic nature, and most often behaves cold blooded and  emotionless in work  questions.” Glared Ruhig briefly at his colleague. 
“How do you know all this quite personal information, let me guess Ruhig.....” 
“Every Diplomat before being accepted in a Diplomatic Mission must have it's psychological portrait composed and send to the supposing Embassy" Both said simultaneously. 
“Which is why, besides the letter there is also a complete description of Miss  Touche in these folders. This, I'll keep for a personal study” Ruhig stood up, walked  towards a library shelf and put the above named folders there. “Also, it said in the letter  that she, arrives today here, in Canterlot, by train, at *checks out with his watch* 12 AM.” 
“Well, we need someone to meet her there, should we call some stuff  worker for that ?” Said Mr. Presspapier. 
“I frankly don't see this necessity. Since, our big event is set for an entire week forward, I don't quite have many productive or dynamic activities. I think I'll go and meet her there, maybe show her around. Do you want to come as well Mr. Presspapier ?” Folding the pocket watch back in the suit. 
Presspapier stood up, coughing a little, and looking at the massive, wooden carved  pendulum watch in the office. Then he looked at his wrist watch and said with a tired  face expression... 
“No, I suppose I had other duties to perform at this time, plus I am too old  and slow for such fast work escapades. You Ruhig, on the other side are a pegasus in  it's golden age. Have fun.” 
“I am sure you still can show everyone what you are made off Mr.  Presspapier” Said he while walking to the exit of the office. “Well, off I go.” 
“Have a good time, show Miss Touche a warm welcome.” Said Mr. Presspapier laughing slightly while leaving the office. 
“You well know Mr. Presspapier, warm welcomes are part of my working routine.” Smiled Ruhig briefly.  
Ruhig arranges his tie and shirt buttons, heading for the Embassy main entrance. Once  exiting the main building, he slowly walks down the stairs. As soon as he leaves  completely the Embassy infrastructure, he stands still for a few seconds feeling the cold  wind on his face. Then he widens up his wings, and despise his slow walking speed till  that very point, takes off with quite a high velocity. After a few minutes of flight, he  arrives over at the entrance at the railway station. Ruhig slowly lands at the entrance  and enters the very Railway.  
Straight after entering, Ruhig's ears trained by years at the musical conservatory, were  already listening to the sounds made by the locomotives outside. Those sounds  triggered Ruhig subconscious, making him remember yet again his homeland, powerful  empire with a strong industrial force and engineering experience. For a second, he even  regretted he didn't continue the family tradition, becoming a stallion of mathematical  sciences. Those memories passed out as soon as he heard the megaphones that  announced the arrival of the train in the railway. Ruhig took out a photo of Miss. Touche  which was inserted in the files he read earlier at the embassy.  He arrived at the  Railways and walked a little along the newly arrived train that contained the homeland  guest. He was curiously searching for any face expression, for any color, any clue that could indicate  Miss Touche, constantly looking back at her photo, trying to make out any sense from the masses leaving  and entering the train. Finally after some minutes of searching he saw her, Miss Touche. She was a light  icy-blue earth pony of a rare grace, wearing a white dress and a feather decorated chapeaux. Just like in  the photo Ruhig already had, she had a relatively cold and pleasant look. Ruhig took a deep breath, regained some of his childish enthusiasm and pronounced her name from a relatively small distance of her.  
“Miss Touche, over here !” 
“Oh, greetings sir, are you a worker sent from the embassy ?” 
At that moment a hundreds thoughts passed simultaneously through Ruhig's head. He wanted quite  frankly, to know how would she behave towards him without knowing he is a superior diplomatical figure. So, without a spare second he immediately answered..... 
“Well yes, I'm here on behalf of the ambassador himself to make sure your arrive safe and sound at your final destination.” Replied Ruhig with a rather serious tone and an unimaginable amusement inside. 
“Thank you kindly, but to be honest *smiles* I wasn't going to take you by a diplomat, especially thanks to your musically themed cutie mark.” Replied Ms. Touche back. 
“Miss Touche, if I may call you so, *smiles* you won't even imagine how often I've heard those very remarks before from others. So, I suppose I should assist you with your luggage.” 
“Thank you, it's right over there” Said she while pointing at four large suitcases. 
“Just a moment miss” told Ruhig as he walked a little to the nearest luggage carriage, bringing it over  near to her suitcases. Then he lifted them one by one on the carriage. “Follow me please” said Ruhig as  he was pulling the carriage with the luggage through the railway station. Miss Touche was walking right  next to him. They kept quiet until they have exited the railway infrastructure, at the section where new  arrivals may pick up a Taxi carriage. Ruhig waved to one of them, pulling the luggage up next to it. Then  he and the driver installed all the luggage inside, while Miss Touche was already climbing inside. Finally, Ruhig told the driver the address of the embassy, climbing in himself. 
“Off we go.” Said the driver with a specific accent. 
“Miss Touche, this walk may take some minutes, would you like to find out something before arriving there ?” Said Ruhig smiling while looking through the window of the cart.  
“Well, maybe you could describe me the ambiance there, the working contingent, the ambassador perhaps.”  
“Everything related to the workers and the building is top shelf, as for the ambassador.........he is a kind, but rather unpredictable person for his position.” Replied Ruhig while thinking a little. 
“I am not supposed to tell this to many, but my greatest dream and aim here was becoming an ambassador, you may even think I'm a little jealous on him. Please promise me not to tell him.” 
“Not to worry Miss, I am a good secret keeper.” Said Ruhig smiling. “And by the way, you arrived in Canterlot coincidentally on a rather remarkable occasion.” 
“Actually, not coincidentally.” Said she while laughing a little. “Thanks to my diplomatical rank I new  about the upcoming events, though not in such a great detail. Hope to get it all sorted out once arrived at  the embassy.” 
“I am most certain you will Miss Touche” Replied he while smiling. Suddenly they returned to silence for the rest of the trip. After another few minutes, they arrived in front  of the embassy. Ruhig was able to see a spark of enthusiasm and perhaps childish joy on Touche's face.  
The carriage has stopped at the front of the main entrance. Ruhig tipped the driver while talking out the  luggage and later helping Miss Touche get off. The Taxi carriage left off, leaving them both at the front  of the large building. 
“Well, here we are, this building in almost a week will trigger quite the attention from the city of  Canterlot and its higher hierarchy.” Said Ruhig. 
“Marvelous embassy, thought it would be a lot more compact.” 
“Shall we enter Miss ?” 
“Wait, what about my luggage, I can't leave it here in the open street.” 
“Don't worry, some staff workers will soon take it to your new office. Until then, would you like to see  your new work place ?” 
“Of course” said she while still admiring the large embassy building with a smile. 
They started walking slowly up to the main entrance of the building. Ruhig opens the door, letting Miss  Touche enter first, following right after her. They started walking through the embassy in a slow temp,  both Ruhig and Miss Touche admiring it as if they're inside of it for the first time. Ruhig leads her right  up to the entrance of his office. But, just when they were about to enter, Mr. Presspapier walks along  greeting Ruhig and Miss Touche. 
“Oh, welcome back Ruhig, I see you already escorted our special guest here.” Said Mr. Presspapier while stopping by. 
“Yes *smiles* I am Touche Finale, the new "Charge d'affaires" *shakes Mr Presspapier's hoof* Glad to meet you Mr. Ambassador.” 
“This must some silly error Miss Touche, I am the Head of envoy, the Ambassador is someone else” said he coughing while looking quite deceived and funny at Ruhig. 
“Oh, excuse me. Then who is The Ambassador? , I'm quite anxious to meet him.” 
“Well, our Ambassador is quite enthusiastic in what concerns the missionaries working in this embassy....” Said Mr. Presspapier foreseeing quite an uncomfortable situation. 
While Miss Touche wasn't looking at him, Ruhig opened his office and led Miss Touche and Mr. Presspapier inside. 
“…This time he wanted to escort you personally up to the embassy.” Continued Mr. Presspapier. 
“Well this means that all the way here I was escorted, by.........” Said Touche being a little confused and deceived. 
“Ruhig Fortepiano, Ambassador of our fine country in Equestria” said he while closing the office door. “Nice to meet you Miss Touche.” 
“Ambassador, you were with me all this time? Why didn't you tell from the start ?” said Touche with a deceived and partially irritated tone. 
“As I already said in the carriage Miss Touche, I'm rather unpredictable at times. I wanted to interact with you on another level, you, being my superior. I was envy to see your true mannerism. Please excuse me sincerely if I made you feel uncomfortable.” Said Ruhig with an usual calm. 
Touche said with a tone showing up some sadness “Well, Mr. Ambassador, this means you already know what I truly think of your rank. What is your opinion on that ?” 
“First, Miss Touche, you can call me Ruhig or Mr. Ruhig, they way that you feel more comfortable. I don’t quite see a difference. Secondly, I like to see enthusiasm and perseverance in someone's work. You were also perfectly right about my Cutie Mark, I was meant to play in an orchestra more then to lead an embassy. But, I can assure you Miss Touche, I have a very responsible attitude towards my position.” 
Presspapier said, feeling out of context “I suppose I'll leave you now for further instructions.” coughs and leaves the office. 
As he left, Ruhig and Touche maintained again a deadly silence for a few seconds. After a while, Touche lit up and smiled. 
“This is a little too much for the first day of work Mr. Am......... Mr. Ruhig.” 
“I perfectly understand, you had a long trip…an original welcome, if I may say so. I still regret a little the circumstances in which I introduced myself to you.” 
“No, you........actually met me quite nicely, took my luggage, arranged to taxi carriage, but indeed the circumstances of our meeting were, odd, if I may say so.” 
“I wish there was some way I could make it up to you Miss Touche” Ruhig thinks for a few seconds then gladly exclaims “And I think I found a way to do it !” 
“What do you mean Mr. Ruhig ?” Replied Ms. Touche rather curious. 
Ruhig said while taking a brief look at the calendar “You see Miss Touche, tomorrow night has planned a charity ball at the Canterlot Observatory dedicated to the commune efforts of our homeland and Equestria in the development of the astrological sciences. Many elite quests from both Kingdoms will be present there, oligarchs, political figures, celebrities, you catch the main idea. As an Ambassador I was invited there too, but I thought that this festivity would be a little too luxurious for me. The point is that my invitation *smiles*, reserved a place for a  "+1". Since Mr. Presspapier was invited there as well, and I feel guilty before you, I would feel honored if you would accept my invitation there, tomorrow at 7 PM.” 
“I.....don't know what to say Mr. Ruhig, I still feel a little guilty and uncomfortable.” 
“Understand, everything happening quite fast. But look at it from this point of view Miss Touche, we both feel a little guilty. I feel odd going there alone, and you need to be introduced somehow in the cultural life of Canterlot. This is mutually beneficial. What do you say Miss Touche ? Do you accept my apology ?” Said Ruhig smiling calmly. 
“You're not the common stallion Mr. Ruhig, but *smiles* you're a charmer. Yes, I accept gladly your invitation.” Said she smiling.  
“Marvelous, I will pick you up from your new place of living tomorrow at 6:30 PM. Until then, I think you had enough impressions for today. You'll have a day off for today, until *looks at her smiling confidently* tomorrow’s event.” 
“Thank you Mr. Ruhig, I'm flattered.” 
“No problems at all miss, until then I'll ask some real stuff to take your luggage and take you to your new home for the time of your being here. Have a nice day Miss Touche.” 
“Thank you Mr. Ruhig, you as well” said she leaving his office with a happy, yet a little tired face expression. 
Ruhig said while talking in his mind “Well, the moment has passed, back to my duties.” For the next four hours, Ruhig passed his time in his office, reading documents, articles, and  newspapers. His mind was analyzing the passing day, thinking of the busy and interesting week  that follows it. At the moment he was thinking mostly about two events: The one that follows in  a week, regarding the relations between his homeland and Equestria; and his meeting with Miss  Touche, that graceful mare who had already managed to impress him. 
At six p.m., he spent another hour in a little promenade through Canterlot, having dinner at a  local restaurant. After that he went home, back to his mansion in Cloudsdale. There, his working  clothes and passed the rest of the day either by playing at the piano or by listening to some  records on a phonograph. After his hot night tea, he went to his bedroom, where he felt asleep  almost instantly, for now the work of his conscious mind was over. Now, the subconscious  started its work, arranging in Ruhig's mind, just like puzzle pieces, the events that happened  through the day.