Act Three Chapter Six - New Addition
A sharp ‘click’ echoed down the night emptied corridors of the crystal palace as Peridot opened the latch on the door to her rooms and wearily stepped inside. She levitated the saddlebags from her back and let them drop to the foor. It had been a long day.
The successful test of the first focus had proven to be a mixed blessing. Though it had performed exactly as Lumine’s calculations had predicted, the results meant that their labor had moved from a laboratory to a construction sight.
The Prince and Princess had made it a point of national pride that the network of foci would be constructed by the Crystal Empire without help from Equestria. Unfortunately, a large part of that construction consisted of fine tuning and magically enchanting multi-ton gemstones and untold cartloads of conduit material, work reserved for the empire’s few unicorns. Although Peridot, who was only an honorary citizen, theoretically could have declined Princess Benevolentia’s request for help, she never would.
She lit a candle on the table by the door and held it aloft as she made her way through the apartment, fully planning on drawing a bath and never leaving it. Unfortunately, she only made it a few steps before a forehoof landed on something that quickly slid away on the slick polished floor. Peridot managed to keep her magical grip on the candle, sparing it from her own fate when she proceeded to plant her face into the ground. Gumbling, she rubbed her head and snatched up the offending object, intent on exacting a hasty revenge, before immediately perking up when she realized it was a letter from home. A servant must have slipped it under her door when she didn’t return before nightfall.
Peridot limped over to a cushion and plopped down, set the candle to one side, and broke the seal on the scroll. Despite her freshly sore muzzle, she smiled brightly as she read.
Dear Peridot,
I just received your letter this morning and I resolved to respond promptly this time. You know how busy me and your grampa get. I swear, that stallion thinks he’ll keel over if he stops moving for too long.
Well, like always, I’d like to waste a few dabs of ink to remind you how proud of you we are. You’ve done the crystal ponies a service that I’m sure they won’t soon forget. Did you know that the Empire had been talking about sending refugees to settle in equestria before you left? Luna told me just the other day. I guess they were worried that they wouldn’t be able to feed everypony soon, the way they’re population’s been growing. But thanks to you and your partner’s hard work, it looks like it won’t come to that.
Not many ponies who can say they saved an entire empire from starvation, you know.
The next few paragraphs were filled with the latest news and gossip from back home. One of Peridot’s friends from the college was expecting a foal and the hospital president had finally stepped down after almost five decades of service. The biggest news was that the newly coordinated chieftain of the Manehattan Tribe had announced her engagement to a prominent member of the Equestrian royal court, soliciting reactions from the other tribes ranging from support to anger at having broken a long tradition of the chieftain marrying somepony from another tribe. The Canterlot tribe, as Equestria’s oldest friend, proclaimed support for the union, their chieftain offering to officiate the ceremony himself.
Oh, I wanted to let you know. I submitted the new spells you sent me to the royal library for evaluation. I tried to cast a few of them myself and almost managed to burn out my horn in the process. Either you’ve become quite the prodigy or your Grammy is finally getting old.
Either way, the princesses were impressed with the results, a couple of the healing spells might even see use in a month or two. We tried to sell the pegasi on the weather control spells but… well, you know pegasi. They take great pride in their work.
Speaking of the pegasi, I wonder if you’ve heard the news yet. If not, I’m sure you will soon, even way up there in the Empire. The princesses have given their blessing for the pegasi to build a city in the clouds, just like we had back in the old country. I wasn’t sure at first. It took a lot of pain and heartbreak before we finally learned that we were stronger together than apart and hearing about somepony starting a city for just one kind of pony sounded like a step in the wrong direction. A lot of other folks felt the same way too.
It took a while but I finally came around. The weather patrol ponies say that need a central base of operations if we want our rain to keep arriving on schedule. Seems that ever since we arrived here in equestria, the tribes are seeing fewer and fewer ponies with the talent to become shaman and without shaman, the tribes don’t have weather control. Back in the old days the shaman used rituals and magical ceremonies to bring rain and clear the clouds. Supposedly they can do just about anything a unicorn can, it just takes them longer. But, I guess those old magical traditions are fading away in the face of unicorn magic. Kinda sad.
Anyway, the pegasi say that soon they are going to have to start managing the weather for the tribes too and they’re going to need to build some kind of giant weather factory to do it. From what they’ve been saying, the city is going to be beautiful, a work of art sculpted in the sky. I’d love to see it when it’s done, but that might be a bit hard.
Say, that friend of yours, Lumine, he seems like a clever stallion, do you think he might know a spell to let a non pegasi walk on the clouds?
You know, speaking of Lumine… never mind, I don’t want to pry.
Peridot rolled her eyes. Hardly a day passed without someone making that insinuation.
Before I wrap up this letter I have a favor to ask.
Do you suppose you could write Luna?
I know you didn’t have a chance to get to know her growing up (she and her sister WERE rather busy building a nation after all) but Luna and Celestia are like daughters to me and I think Luna is beginning to feel under appreciated. I know if anypony can cheer her up, it’s you.
It would really mean a lot to me and I know it would mean a lot to Luna too.
Anyway…
I just want you to know that your family is thinking about you. We love you very much Peridot, and are deeply proud of the mare that you’ve grown into.
Love,
Grammy Tourmaline
P.S. I can’t believe it’s almost been a year since I saw you last. When do you think the Empire is going to be ready to let you come home?
Peridot set the scroll at her hooves. She felt something on her cheek and meant to brush it away with a hoof, only to feel the dampness of a tear, shed unbidden. Despite everything she had accomplished and despite her wonderful friendships that had blossomed since her arrival, Peridot found she was homesick. She had been so caught up in her work that she hadn’t noticed. She smiled, thinking that she must have more of her grandfather in her than she thought.
Peridot looked out her window at the moon, still low on the horizon.
“Maybe she’s still up…” she said to herself as she rose to her hooves.
She stepped back out into the corridor and carefully closed the door behind her.
“Good evening Ms Peridot,” greeted a guard on duty at the base of the grand staircase to the royal residency wing of the palace. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“No sir,” she answered. “I was just hoping I could see the Princess for a moment.”
The guard raised an eyebrow, “You are aware of the hour, ma’am? I’m afraid I cannot allow the Princess to be disturbed.”
“Could you just check to see if she’s still awake?” Peridot asked. “I’d really appreciate it.”
The guard looked to his partner who gave a little shrug and turned to ascend the stairs. A moment later he returned. Before he could say anything, Princess Benevolentia appeared at the top, leaning over the railing.
“Peridot!” she called down. “Come on up!”
The Princess greeted her friend happily and lead her to her chambers. Silver armored guards opened the ornate doors for them as they entered.
“Try to keep your voice down,” the princess cautioned. “Dutiful is sleeping. Poor little guy is the lightest sleeper in the Empire, wakes at the drop of a pin.”
Peridot snickered, “‘Little guy’? Prince Dutiful?”
Benevolentia smiled, “Oh he’s not all as tough as he wants everypony to think. Underneath all that bluster and booming voice he’s a sweetheart.”
The princess offered Peridot a seat. “Sorry I didn’t get down to see you today. I’ve been feeling a little under the weather lately.”
“Are you okay?” Peridot asked. “You want me to take a look? I’m sure there’s something I could do.”
“Oh no, I’m fine, really,” the princess waved dismissively. “I can’t let you pamper me everytime I stub a hoof.”
“Aren’t you the princess, Benny?”
“Of course I’m the princess! I have lots of ponies to pamper me! Can you imagine the hassle if I only came to you?” she put a hoof to her chest and did her best dandyess impersonation. “Oh my, Peridot, I’ve scuffed a hoof. Oh no, Peridot, it seems I’ve bitten my tongue. Goodness me, Peridot, somepony didn’t approve of my choice for the palace’s new sugar vender!”
The two giggled until an impatient snort from the back room quieted them.
“So, Peridot,” the princess whispered. “Was there something you needed?”
“What? A friend can’t just stop by and visit?” Peridot asked in faux-indignation.
“Well, in the middle of the night. No, not normally,” she answered, making a face.
Peridot sighed. “Well, the truth is… I think I’m homesick,” she said. “I just got a letter from my grammy today and it got me wondering if maybe it wasn’t about time for me to go home… soon.. maybe,” she explained. “Not for good or anything! I’ll come back,” she added quickly. “It wouldn’t be until after Lumine and I are done installing all the foci. I’m not taking off on you or anything! I just miss my family back home.”
“Back home?” the Princess asked evenly.
“Well yeah, Equestria.” Peridot rubbed the back of her neck nervously, “I mean you know I feel at home here too and I don’t really want to leave you guys or anything. I just wanna see my family too.”
The princess thought it over before shrugging, “Well, I guess if you really wanna leave I won’t stop you,” she responded.
“Huh? Oh.. um. Okay,” Peridot stuttered, a bit saddened that her friend didn’t seem to care that she was leaving, “Wel just need another few weeks to get everything wrapped up.”
“Just let me know when you’re ready!” The Benevolentia responded chipperly.
“I will. I guess.”
Peridot turned to go, feeling dejected and more than a little confused.
“It’s just too bad you won’t be here when the baby’s born....”
Peridot looked over her shoulder, “Baby? Whose baby?”
Benevolentia just smiled.
Peridot gasped and spun around. She jumped over to her friend and wrapped her up in a hug.
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,oh my gosh!!! You and Prince Dutiful are having a baby?”
The princess nodded and laughed, “We found out a couple of weeks ago. I waaas going to surprise you…”
Peridot blushed, “Sorry...”
The princess laughed again, “No, it’s ok. I understand wanting to go home for a while. It’s just bad timing. Do you think you could do one thing for me?”
“Oh course!”
“Do you think you can stay until the baby’s born? You’re the best healer I know and it would really mean alot to me if you stayed.”
Peridot gave her friend a squeeze, “Of COURSE I’ll stay! You couldn’t chase me away with a flock of phoenixes. OH! Have you told Lumine yet?”
“Not yet. I was going to tell you both at dinner tomorrow,” I had this whole plan to surprise the horseshoes off BOTH of you,” she smiled mischievously, “Of course, if we work together I bet we can get him really good.”
The friends laughed and plotted. The next day at dinner they sprung their trap.
“Will Prince Dutiful be joining us this evening?” Lumine asked as he took his place at the table across Peridot.
“Not this time,” Benevolentia answered. “He’s mediating some financial dispute. Construction costs for the foci network has turned out to be a little higher than we thought. Oh! That reminds me,” she pointed a hoof at Lumine and Peridot. “Can you guys please come up with a name for this thing? I’m so tired of saying the ‘foci network’ or ‘heart conduit system’. It needs a proper name, something catchy.”
“Oh oh!” Peridot called out. “What about: the Crystal Net?” Benevolentia shook her head, “the Diamond Web?”
“I’ve always thought of it as Heart Energy Amplification by Recombinant Telluric Prism Rectification of Intrinsically Synchronic Magic,” suggested Lumine.
The princess and Peridot just stared.
“Or Heart Prism for short.”
The princess reached across the table and pat Lumine on the head, “You’re such an egghead. I like it, but you’re an egghead.”
“What?” he said defensively. “The term is technically accurate. The foci network does, in fact, mean to amplify the Crystal Heart’s energy by making use of the telluric properties of the prismatic material used to construct the foci themselves. Infact if you consider that…”
He paused briefly to allow a servant to set a large covered tray in the middle of the table as another unrolled a large table cloth and strung out ribbons across the table.
“Anyway, the Cloudsmith-Starswirl principle clearly dictates that the concentration of any negligibly chaotic magical field within an enchanted receptacle…”
Another servant deftly tied an oversized bib around his neck.
“... the constituent magical energies must be separated into individual channels to allow recoherence …”
more servants arrived and set a stack of neatly wrapped packages on either side of Lumine, who was far too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice.
“Once you negate the Silverhelm inverse property you can refocus the energy in any way you desire. Come to think of it…”
A servant slipped a pointed party hat onto his head.
“Peridot, why didn’t we ever consider using…”
The princess interrupted him, “Aren’t you going to open your presents?”
“Oh right, of course,” he answered absentmindedly. “Anyway, Peridot, you know we might be able to use the residual Heart energy in the foci network, or Heart Prism if you prefer, as a carrier to amplify just about any spell we wish. Healing spells, levitation, force fields... you name it,” he said as he carefully removed the powder blue wrapping paper from the box. “It might prove useful if… wait… whats this?”
Lumine levitated out the contents of the box and held it aloft. He found himself looking at a bright red foal onesie with white lace around the color. Emblazoned on its center was a picture of Lumine’s face surrounded by the words ‘My Favorite Honorary Uncle’.
“What in the…” he muttered, taking stock of his surroundings for the first time since he had launched into his monologue. He found himself surrounded by stacks of gifts with his name on it, all wrapped in paper covered in cutesy pictures cribs, diapers, and rattlers, while he wore a bright colored pointed hat that read ‘#1 Uncle’ and a bib that said ‘congratulations on the new addition ’.
“Um… girls? I’m confused.”
Peridot and Benevolentia looked at each other and smiled. Benevolentia rose from the table with a flap of her wings and pulled a dangling rope triggering a large banner to drop from the ceiling.
‘Congratulations On The New Niece Or Nephew!!’ it read.
As it fell, Peridot levitated the cover off the serving tray revealing a large foal carriage shaped cake.
For the what might have been the first time in his life, Lumine just stared without speaking.
“Well… aren’t you going to say something?” Benevolentia asked as she settled back into her chair.
Lumine looked from the cake, to the onesie, to the banner, to his friends and shook his head, “Um… girls? Why are you throwing me a foal shower?”
“Well…” Benevolentia said slyly as she ran a hoof over her stomach.
Realization flickered in Lumine’s eyes.
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh,oh my gosh!!!” He exclaimed excitedly. “You’re going to be a mother!!!”
His face beaming, Lumine leapt from his seat and sped around the table, knocking over a servant in the process who was bringing their tea to the table.
“Oops,” he said as a doubled back to help the mare to her hooves. “Begging your pardon.”
He helped her collect up the strewn teacups and calmly returned to his seat before pausing and muttering, “Wait, where was I?”
“Ahem..” Peridot coughed, pointing to the banner overhead.
“Oh ya! Baby on the way!”
This time he carefully dodged the surrounding palace staff as he darted around the table and wrapped the princess in the biggest hug he could muster.
“Hold on a second. Why am I getting the baby shower?”