//------------------------------// // Petition Suspicion // Story: My Little Civil Activist: Equality is Magic // by GrouchoMarxDisciple //------------------------------// The Doctor walked calmly down Town Square, towards the jail. He was off to visit Carmel, and while he didn't have the bits to post bail, he thought he would go talk to the fearless leader for at least a little bit. As he walked, the Doctor's brilliant mind was on full steam. He was planning. Thoughts of his (now postponed) wedding were behind him. All he could think about was the fight. After we get our leader out of the jail, which should be in about a week, then we should probably have another rally. Talking points should include how we are gaining popularity and how we are being oppressed by the officia- It was at this point that something caught his eye. That something was, in fact, a very large painted sign that read "Stallion's rights petition!" The first thing that would be obvious to the passerby is the fact that it was made in a hurry, resembling more a lemonade stand sign than a political one. Red paint marked on crudely-cut wood, and a pair of flimsy-looking posts holding it all up were more than enough to give away the amatuer-ness of the design. The second thing an observant observer would see is the pony underneath the sign, holding a paper and quill. That pony was Twilight Sparkle. It was agreed that while Carmel was in jail, The Doctor would be his eyes and ears on the outside, always watching for any new developments. This, the Doctor thought, was enough to merit being counted as a new development. He approached the crudely-built stand. "Good morning, Miss Sparkle." He said, in his usual refined tone, that had a slight hint of a Trottingham accent. "I see you have been... busy." "Well, sorta. I'm trying to get signers to this petition. If all goes correctly, the Mayor has promised to send a Stallion's Rights resolution to the voters if I can prove that it would pass. I figured the easiest way to go about it would be to get a representative petition. At first I was thinking a survey, but then I realized there would only be one question. So I decided to use this." She presented a small piece of paper with about 7 signatures affixed. The Doctor furrowed his brow. "Miss Sparkle, I understand that you have the noblest of intentions, but honestly. This is the mayor we are talking about. Public opinion means everything to her." Twilight nodded. "That is exactly why this would work! If we can prove the voters would be behind it-" "Think this one through. If public opinion matters so much to the mayor, don't you think she would be keeping close tabs on what the population is "getting behind""? "Well... Maybe-" "The mayor is a smart pony, Miss Sparkle. If the public was truly behind this movement, she would have done something years ago. And, besides, four of these signatures are from the stallions themselves, who would not receive a vote on this resolution." "I just thought..." "Their opinions don't matter, not politically. None of ours do. Miss Sparkle, I am afraid you are wasting your time here." Doctor Whoves spoke with an air of confidence. "Trust me, we have exhausted this recourse already. I don't believe that any kind of continuation of this would be fruitful, not at the moment at least." "But... We have to keep hope alive. It is our only source! I have to fight! This is the only way I know how. I will prove that the opinion has changed." The Doctor shook his head. "Despite the passion you obviously bear for this, no amount of zeal can change the cold, hard fact: The Stallion's Rights movement is still accepted by a minority of Female Ponies." Twilight looked down at the ground, seemingly lost in thought. "So, then, the challenge is not to prove that ponies would get behind this movement..." "...The challenge is convincing them of it." The Doctor finished. "Most of the ponies here are good, honest folk. They honestly want what they feel is best for all of us, Stallion and Mare. We merely try our best to show that supporting Stallion's Rights is the correct course of action." "But that is obvious to anyone! There is no logical reason to be opposed to such a movement..." "You are correct. There is no 'logical' reason. Give me five minutes with the most vocal detractor, and they will be nothing more than a babbling fool that cannot accept the changing times." When The Doctor said that, Twilight's mind went to Applejack. She winced. Applejack... You don't exactly have very many friends on this side of the debate. "Nevertheless, ponies are vehemently against our cause. I think I have found the reason." "And that is?" "Pressure. Three out of the six Elements of Harmony are against the movement, as is the Mayor and several of the wealthiest ponies in town. We have the issue that because a few key ponies are fighting us at every step, the rest of the town feels railroaded into following them." "So... what you are saying is..." "You need to confront your friends. Make them see reason. I can't do it, they wouldn't listen to me. But you... you are bound to them in ways mystical, they will at least listen to you. And if you are smart and perceptive as I have been told, I expect great things." He smiled. "But... I can't..." "You have to. You are the only one who can get their ears on something this fundamental. Now, I must be off. Good luck, Miss Sparkle." As he said this, he turned to leave. Perhaps we can do something without the upcoming election, after all. "T-thanks!" Twilight said, trying to sound upbeat. No longer was this assignment a research paper. It was now a battle. A battle of minds.