Smart Cookie did her best to live up to her name. She was a nice, grounded pony, who kept her head on straight in the toughest of situations. She may have been a bit stubborn, but most ponies who knew her found it a pleasant quality. These qualities were exactly what most Earth Pony Chancellors looked for in an assistant. Smart Cookie didn’t like being called a secretary, as that implied she was only there for helping with menial tasks, and Smart Cookie was often called upon by previous Chancellors she had worked with to give her opinion on negotiations, or legislation. It was a proud moment for Smart Cookie whenever the Chancellors acted upon and considered her advice, as she knew that ultimately, her opinion mattered little.
“And this is the break room, and oh hey, Smart Cookie is in here.” That voice was the recently evicted Chancellor, Chancellor Iron Hoof, who contrary to his name was actually rather laid-back.
“Smart Cookie’s been here long enough that she’s practically part of the furniture. She’s a very able assistant, and I’m sure she’ll help you get settled quickly enough. Well, that concludes our tour. I’ll leave you here, Chancellor.” For the life of her, Smart Cookie could not remember the name of the newest Earth Pony Chancellor. But as the newest Chancellor, and the fourth to date that she’d served as an assistant for, literally bounced into the room, Smart Cookie could only smile, and groan internally. This was probably not going to end well. Smart Cookie tried not judge by appearances, given that she was built more like a stallion than a mare, and hardly looked like the intellectual type, but this was almost too much.
“Hi!” squeaked the Chancellor, who was a rather diminuitive pink Earth stallion, “I’m Puddinghead! Well, Chancellor Puddinghead now, I guess.”
“I’m Smart Cookie, Chancellor. I’ll be happy to help you in anyway you need,” said Smart Cookie, extending a hoof in greeting.
“Great!” said Puddinghead, as he vigorously shook the mare’s hoof, “First things first, where’s the coffee?”