//------------------------------// // Responsiveness // Story: Identity // by jaked122 //------------------------------//         Twilight, having finished reading the essay that the doctor had presented her with, stared at him. His dark blue coat seemed out of place standing on the white marble bricks of the court’s floors. She briefly considered asking him to stand on the tri-symbol that Equestria had adopted after her own ascension, it would look better on the purple side. His glasses were foggy, strange considering the relatively dry air. They were horn rimmed; in a more literal sense than was typically observed in horn rimmed glasses.         “What is your point, Doctor? Why would you want this to go unpublished? It isn’t recommending anything beyond putting a few restraints on your new technology. Restraints, that, while perhaps a bit beyond the minimum which we feel must be enacted for the public good, are very persuasive.”"Princess. This is a travesty upon my work. This fool is a danger to my work. You must see what I mean by that." The scholar's fears were fairly reasonable, not to mention that Twilight had already decided on the course of action for this technology. However, the doctor's arguments were far weaker than the essay which he had come to protest. "Doctor, even in the short term, this technology, no matter how wonderfully it works, is a danger to the very fabric of our society. Thus, I deem it necessary to restrict this for government usage." Twilight batted her eyes at the doctor, whose expression was a sight to behold. She decided that she would remember his reaction forever. "I will take it upon myself to recompense you for every bit that I deem your invention worth. Fortunately, your invention seems like it will pay off fairly well.” The doctor still looked terrified.         “Why?” he asked. He trembled with the typical mixture of emotions that most ponies showed after failing to recieve what they attempted to petition for; a well deserved mix of anger and fear.         “Because, My fellow regents are the only ones who may live forever. To offer a second choice is to break down the whole hierarchy of wisdom that our society is not only based upon, but thrives on. If others live for thousands of years, then they are also able to govern just as well. They know the restraint that we do. And that means that rebellion is going to be imminent. Of more immediate importance is the limited supply of food that the entire planet can cultivate successfully. Population growth is incompatible with this technology, if that stops, then so does production of new ideas. Do you want a stasis? Because that would be worse than living in absolute chaos!” Twilight exhaled.         “This is a touchy subject for me. Do not press me further on this. Once your research is complete, and your various animal testing is completed to your satisfaction, you will hand over your research, your equipment, and you will never set hoof in a laboratory.” She paused for a moment. “Unless you are working for the me directly.”         His ears perked up. “Is that a job offer, Princess Twilight?”         The purple Alicorn nodded. “There will be further restrictions upon what you are allowed to do, but I believe that the research you will do for us will be satisfactory to you.”         He nodded. “I agree. For Equestria, correct?”         Twilight repressed a laugh. Although, it was unclear to her why it came across as a funny statement. “I suppose so, if that is what will motivate you the best.”         “What?”         “Nothing. Please get out. I will contact you once you finish relocating your research here. You are the only one who has this offer, not your team. To them, this research was suddenly a dead end.”         “They've seen it work.” Silence hung in the air, as did the smell of lunch. Twilight cursed silently. Nachos. It was going to be a long night. She could already see Celestia running to the food court, stuffing herself with them.         “That will be quite troublesome then. I might have to take up your team myself. I do not hand out personal favors lightly, doctor.”         “Should you know my name?” He quaked. It was kind of cute, however it almost made Twilight laugh.         “What kind of question would that be?”         “Is it important to you that I am an individual?”         “I suppose that it is my duty to care for you as a ruler of this realm. Tell me your name, as much fun as it has been playing cold-heartless ruler with you, I’m afraid that I should probably not cultivate that impression of me.” The princess smiled softly. The unicorn shifted very uncomfortably. It was clear that he was either new to such things as politics, or he was absolutely terrified of girls. Given his profession, it would not be unreasonable to assume both. His dark blue coat  did not lend itself to showing persperation, but Twilight could still detect the all too strong smell of it wafting about the air.          “I do care about you. I’m sorry about that, but it was entertaining to watch your reaction. Always something new, especially from you academics. Anyway, please do tell me your name.”         “Frenzy Idea”         “You know what, that name doesn’t quite sound right. Also, what kind of pony do you take me for?”  The scientist nodded. “I’m not one to say anything about that.” “Which of my responses? The first or the second?” “Both.”   The alicorn looked up towards a clock on the far side of the court room.         “It seems that our time is up. Don’t trust anypony else with this who isn't on your team. If you have a wife, tell her that the university cut your funding. Just make sure that nopony will follow up your research, or do as much as possible to that end.” There was a smile that flashed over her face. “But most of all, don't worry about it.”