Ch. 7 - A New Purpose
“I want a job, your highness.”
Sarin Miles stood resolutely before the throne of Equestria, looking up to the day diarch. Not that the day diarch ought to have remained at her post, given how late it had drawn. Moonlight spilled through the stained glass depicting the greatest events in recent Equestrian memory (most involving Princess Twilight Sparkle and her band). Just behind Sarin, Whole Heart shifted uneasily from sore foot to sore foot. She would only steal fleeting glances at her new ruler.
Said ruler retained her benign countenance, yet the bags beneath her eyes betrayed her long, tiring daylight activities. “Yes, you said that already, Sarin Miles,” she said, shaking her head. Why hadn't she turned in early and let Luna handle the matter, like Celestia had wanted? “I just don't understand your meaning. What job are you looking for that it requires such a late visit?”
The modified soldier coughed, becoming increasingly aware of how little the hour helped her case. “I apologize, you majesty,” she said. Standing up straight, Sarin mustered her thoughts. Her ultimate goal would require extensive explanation, and the correct approach. “Since you graciously pardoned the crimes I committed in Equestria, I've thought long and hard on my next course of action. Unfortunately, I found myself at a loss as to what to do. As a soldier, I've long drifted through life, fulfilling orders passed down from on high without question.
“Now that I'm cut off from my Fatae superiors, there are no orders,” she continued, spreading out her hands, palms out. “I'm a weapon without a target. A tool without purpose.”
“Oh dear,” said Celestia, “surely you don't think of yourself as a mere weapon.” The Princess flashed a sad, concerned look down on the alien. “You are a person, not an object.”
“But that's just the problem,” said Sarin, frowning. “A weapon is all I've ever been. I was manufactured to fight battles in the place of my masters.” She smiled somberly, “Don't get me wrong, Princess. Your grace and mercy have permitted me to act as I see fit. I can be more than a mere tool here. But as one who has always been a weapon, always been a soldier, I know no other way to live.”
She gestured behind her to the crystal mare, sending Whole Heart jumping in surprise. “So when I saved this innocent immigrant from ponies wishing her harm...”
“For which I am most grateful,” Celestia said, smiling warmly.
Sarin nodded. “...I found myself doing the first, most worthwhile thing I've done on this world,” Sarin continued. She grinned up at the Princess. “I realized I cannot abandon that mission I was created for. To protect the innocent and fight the enemies that would harm them.”
“Oh?” asked Celestia, tilting her head questioningly.
The Fatae nodded. “Which is why I ask of you now...” She paused, taking a deep breath. Might as well proceed. The worst that can happen is to be refused. “...to make me one of your agents.”
“Agents?” Celestia's eyes went wide, her smile dropping away. She merely stared in bewilderment. Around the throne room, royal guard members looked to each other in apprehension.
Even Whole Heart looked up to the biped, dumbfounded. This was Sarin's brilliant idea?
“Yes!” Sarin said, raising a resolutely clenched fist. For emphasis. “If you would have me, I would pledge myself to the safety of Equestria and all her citizens. After all, for all know my Empire has abandoned me. If it's not too much trouble, can I be your soldier?” Her eyes glinted, those sunflower eyes in the moonlight. A massive smile spread across her face.
Please say yes, Sarin thought. Please say yes please say yes please say yes.
Princess Celestia turned away, mulling over the suggestion. Scratching her chin with a hoof, she hummed softly. “...are you sure, Sarin Miles?” she asked, cocking an eye towards the Fatae. “What you ask...it is not something to be taken lightly. What capacity of service are you offering, just so there's no confusion?”
“To investigate threats to this country and her residents,” Sarin said, firmly. Celestia didn't say no. That's a start. “To find them, to stop them, to stalk them where they sleep, and bring them to justice where applicable.” She brought a hand up and fixed a salute. “I do not think I need to remind you of my capabilities as a fighter. Or as a tracker.”
“Well no,” Celestia said. “I guess you don't.” The Princess rubbed her chin further, staring at the modified soldier. The modified soldier who seemed, for the first time since they met, positively...chipper. And there were many threats hiding in the cracks of the world, many she hadn't seen in centuries. Perhaps a dedicated specialist in raw combat could be useful... “Very well,” Celestia said, setting her foot down. “If you feel your talents and time are best spent in defense of my little ponies, I daresay it would be wrong to deny you. I will agree to commission your services.”
Sarin shook on the spot, barely holding her salute. She was overjoyed, allowing the smile to creep onto her face. “Oh thank you, you majesty!”
Behind her, Whole Heart smiled too. “Good for you, Sarin!” she said, putting a congratulatory hoof on Sarin's hip.
“There's just a few conditions I must insist on,” said Sarin, not taking her eyes off the Princess.
“What?” said Whole Heart, smile dropping in confusion.
“Conditions?” said Celestia, equally confused. She put on a gentle but concerned smile. “Isn't it presumptuous to request conditions to your employment so soon after getting the job?”
“Not really, your majesty,” Sarin said, standing firm. She was done letting her employers dictate fully the terms of her service, especially when her last employer was dictating terms when she was an infant. “I consider it only fair to establish the rules within which I'll work.”
“Hmm...very well,” said Celestia. “What are your conditions?”
“First, that I never be required to act against the Fatae Empire, its agents, or its people.”
Celestia leaned back in surprise.
“Understand, princess,” Sarin said, becoming more serious. “I may have been abandoned, but that doesn't mean I've abandoned my species. I could act as intermediary between them and yourself, but acting as their enemy is simply out of the question. They are my countrymen after all. It would be like asking Whole Heart here to act against her fellow crystal ponies.” She pointed to the mare behind her, who cringed at being put on the spot. “Is this a fair condition?”
“...I suppose,” said the princess, considering the crystal pony as Sarin's example. Of course the idea of Equestria going to war with the Crystal Empire was preposterous. It was ruled by Princess Cadence and Shining Armour, parts of the Royal Family with whom Celestia and Luna were on good terms with. But as for the Fatae Empire, Celestia could not account for their actions. Thinking about it, though, the diarch couldn't muster the emotion to tell the woman she would be required to stab her people in the back if relations turned sour. And a Fatae, especially one with ties to the Fatae military, could provide invaluable aid in negotiating with them. “No, I think it's a very acceptable request,” said Celestia. “But if so, I have my own request.”
Sarin frowned, but put a nervous smile up a second later. “Of course.”
“The idea of you defending my little ponies is admirable,” said Celestia. “But I'm concerned with your history as a soldier; particularly your training towards deadly means. If I'm to permit you to fight in our name, you must promise to pursue nonlethal solutions, and affect capture of hostile elements, whenever feasible. I will not have massacres in Equestria.”
The Fatae stared at the floor, fidgeting. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Whole Heart look to her expectantly. It appeared that Sarin's erstwhile companion held similar concerns. “Well...” mumbled Sarin, wringing her fingers.
“Well?” said Celestia, raising an eyebrow. “Can I count on you to uphold the standards of harmony whenever possible?”
“...yes,” said Sarin, resolve built up. She stared into the diarch's eyes. “Yes, I can do this, if you wish.”
“Good.” Celestia relaxed. “Any more conditions of your own?”
“Well, I would enjoy autonomy.”
“Autonomy?”
Sarin nodded curtly. “Of course if you request I investigate or tackle a situation, I will proceed to it with all haste. But if nothing pressing comes up, I'd like the freedom to travel Equestria, for the purposes of finding threats as they present themselves. Twice in my time on this world I've found threats hiding in plain sight, ones the royal guard missed. There are things hiding under rocks in this country, and I would like the chance to go around peeking under them. Is this acceptable?”
Thankfully this was far less dire a request. Truthfully, Celestia's greatest “agents” - Twilight Sparkle and her friends – were only occasionally fighting Equestria's battles. Most of the time they remained at home, and Celestia felt better for the relative quiet. If anything, another set of hooves – or hands rather – would permit her finest group of problem solvers to remain rested for the truly awful events. Affording that extra help the same opportunity for a quiet life was only fair. “I think that's more than acceptable. Though if so, I'll require regular reports, status updates, and notes about movements from you.”
At the end of the day, Sarin Miles remained a foreign agent. Regardless of her statements to the contrary, the Fatae could easily use her time and new position to scout Equestria's weaknesses for when her people returned. As much as she wanted to give the modified soldier uncontested trust, Celestia simply couldn't afford to allow such an unknown element unrestricted ability to come and go as she pleased.
Sarin Miles rubbed her chin thoughtfully. It was an eventuality she'd anticipated, and one she would be willing to accept...if she weren't so terrible at paperwork. She was a soldier, not a secretary...Sarin smiled. She smiled because it seemed almost too perfect. Another salute. “Very well, your highness,” Sarin said. “But if that's the case, it brings me to my last condition. I'll need an assistant.”
“Oh yes, I'm sure we can find a competent pony somewhere...” Celestia mused.
“No.”
“No?”
“No, your highness,” said Sarin Miles, shaking her head. “We don't need to find an assistant for me.”
She stepped back and ducked down, wrapping an arm around an otherwise distracted crystal mare. “I've already got one right here. My condition is that Whole Heart be hired as my assistant.”
Whole Heart almost missed the implications of the statement, she was so confused about why Sarin had called attention to her. Nervousness evaporated as the words set in. Whole turned her head to face Sarin. “...me? You want...me?” she said, blinking rapidly. Was this a dream?
“Yes, Whole,” Sarin said, nodding. She squeezed the mare around the shoulders. “I wouldn't want anybody...anypony...as my assistant except you. You deserve it.”
“Really?” said Whole, eyes beginning to water. She quickly turned to face the Princess. “Can I really?”
Princess Celestia looked over the crystal mare. Curious choice. But the way the two of them hugged, it seemed so familiar. It took Celestia a second to recognize it for what it was. She smiled warmly. “Yes, of course that's acceptable. I have no problem with this. You may have Whole Heart as your assistant, Sarin Miles.”
“Really?!” asked Whole, tears of joy forming in her eyes. An expectant smile began forming on her lips.
“Really,” said Celestia, beaming her smile warmer, more motherly.
The tears began flowing fully, but Whole Heart hardly noticed as she turned to Sarin with a bright, elated smile. “Oh thank you Princess!” she shouted. “And thank you Sarin! Thank you!” Whole wrapped her forelegs around the Fatae and embraced with all her might. Streams of joyful tears rolled off her cheeks. “Thank you thank you thank you!”
Sarin gripped the legs wound around her shoulders, then gave a warm hug in return. “You're welcome, Whole. Anything for a...”
She stopped. She'd do anything for a friend. A friend. Sarin Miles allowed the realization to take hold. She had a friend.
I've never had a friend before, she thought, looking back through her painful, lonely memories. Is this was friendship is like? Sarin's eyes began to water. So long alone, and Sarin Miles – pitiable MS G7-H3 – had made a friend.
Apparently the ruler of Equestria had the same realization, as she proudly watched the two girls. And so another seed of harmony was planted. But that seed, fresh as it was, needed cultivation. Celestia rose from her throne, walking gracefully forward. “It would seem you two have become something more than just victim and savior,” the alicorn said, bending her head down to it was level with the two. “If so, then I think I'd like to give my last condition.”
Sarin and Whole looked into the Princess' eyes, then at each other. They nervously hung off each other, apprehensive of the direction this turn would take.
“I've been on this world for a very long time, my little pony and Fatae,” said Celestia, looking the two over. “So I know friendship when I see it. But while I can't say much for Whole Heart, I know for a fact that you Sarin Miles are unfamiliar with the magic of friendship.”
Sarin withered under the statement, a knot in her throat developing. A more true statement could not have been said. A more accurate accusation not leveled against her. She nodded in assent, feeling a soft squeeze from beside her. Looking there, she found Whole Heart look sadly at her. Perhaps without the diarch meaning it, she'd struck a cord with both.
“So, as is my way,” continued Celestia, doing her best to look reassuring, “I require that, as part of your mission, you explore also the magnificent mysteries of friendship. Together. I expect, alongside your technical and observational letters, reports pertaining to what you've learned about friendship. From both of you, if possible. Whenever you learn something new, write me about it. Or, if you'd prefer, you can send your messages to Twilight Sparkle. She was my student, one who studied that same magic. If you ever have questions about harmony, hit her up.” Celestia winked, rising to a full standing position. “Is that acceptable?”
Sarin and Whole looked up, then smiled. Looking into each others' eyes, they turned back and nodded.
“Then I hereby induct you, Sarin Miles, and you, Whole Heart, into the services of Equestrian peace, safety, and harmony.” Celestia's wings spread out wide, casting the two in a deep shadow. “May your days be happy, and your work productive.”
Whole Heart's emotions grew explosively. She embraced her new friend again. Sarin Miles reciprocated, laughing. Whole nuzzled Sarin, letting herself feel joy whole-heartedly.
“And then what happened?” asked Donut Joe, placing a new cup of hot chocolate before the Fatae. Daylight streamed in through the window, letting the confections shine like the treasures Joe thought they were.
Sarin gratefully took her hot chocolate, then shrugged. “Well after that, we all went to bed,” she said, lapping away a whipped cream mustache. Not that anypony could tell the difference on her pale complexion. “Celestia even sent a guard to retrieve Whole Heart's belongings from her hotel. The Princess figured it would be better, since she was now in royal employ, for Whole to sleep in one of the guest rooms.”
“What?” asked Donut Joe, smirking. “You two girls didn't have a sleep over?”
“What's a sleep over?” said Sarin blankly.
“Eh, nevermind.” Donut Joe retrieved a glass from a recently vacated spot at the counter, proceeding to wash it. “I'm just glad to see you not being such a sad sack, two legs. You think you're done being lost?”
A good question. “I think...I think I'm going to be okay...” Sarin said finally, folding her arms. It seemed almost unbelievable. Just a week prior, Sarin had no direction. Emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and socially alienated from almost everyone on the planet. But in that week, she'd found many things. The will to stay strong, a new set of clothes, a gosh darned house. Most importantly, she found a friend.
Well actually, now that I think of it, thought Sarin, taking a swig from her chocolate confection drink, did I make only one friend?
Sarin heard the sound of coconuts banging together – her impression of what hooves clopping across the floor sounded like. A casual glance to the entrance of the bakery revealed a certain crystal pony.
“Hey Sarin!” Whole Heart called, waving a hoof over her head. She shuffled over, taking a deep sniff of fresh baked donuts. “Oh that smells heavenly!” Clapping her forehooves, she climbed onto a stool next to Sarin.
“Another donut, coming right up!” Donut Joe said, flashing a grin. “I'll break out one of my specials, just for you, glinty.”
“Glinty?” asked Whole, frowning.
“It's a term of endearment,” said Sarin, giggling. “Trust me.” The Fatae looked sidelong at her new friend, taking in the mint shape.
“Here you go, ma'am,” Donut Joe said, sliding a plate with an ostentatious pastry in front of Whole. An icing work of art. A confection beyond words.
Whole drooled. “Oh thank you!” she said, lifting the donut in her hooves and digging in. Flakes of glistening glaze fell off from the point of biting. No doubt any sane individual would lick their plate just to salvage the fragments.
As Sarin beheld her new friend – marveling at the mare's ability to pack away the sweets – she took notice of Whole's barrel. That rotund belly, the evidence of Whole's sedentary lifestyle. On the one hand, it gave the crystal a jovial charm. A point of interest for an otherwise plain pony whose only other call to fame was a deformity. That paunch certainly tied her together; Sarin could hardly imagine a skinny Whole.
But on the other hand. “Hey Whole,” Sarin said, having waited until the mare finished her donut.
“Yeah Sarin?” Whole said, licking her hooves in an attempt to capture any illusive grams of glaze. She wore a look of utter bliss.
“How would you like to meet another friend of mine?”
“You got yourself clothes, a house, and a job? All in one week?”
“Yep,” said Sarin, breathing heavily. She jogged alongside the red-dressed stallion, mindful of her pace.
“Sounds like you've had a fun time,” said Cantering Place, panting. A bemused smirk adorned his face. “You still going to come around running?”
“Whenever I'm in town,” said Sarin.
“Good to hear.” Cantering Place adopted a concerned expression, peeking behind them. “Is your friend going to be okay?”
Sarin looked back herself. Well behind them, just out of earshot, Whole Heart struggled to catch up. A thick layer of sweat sloshed off her mint fur, and she panted excessively. “Maybe we should wait for her,” said the soldier, stopping to jog in place.
As the two in shape joggers kept themselves active on the spot, a weary crystal mare ambled up to them. She looked sorely unamused. “Why...do I...have...to do...this?” she moaned breathlessly.
“Because as much as I love you, Whole, you need to become active,” said Sarin, putting on her most sympathetic expression. Had she been in the army, the expected treatment of a struggling trainee would be to browbeat them. Mostly to toughen them up and get them used to people yelling at them at all hours. The rest because Sarin long suspected her superiors to be universally unpleasant people. “If you're going to be my assistant, you'll need to be able to keep up with me.”
“Sarin, my dear, no one can keep up with you,” said Cantering Place playfully.
“Be that as it may, movement is what you need, Whole,” said Sarin, motioning to Cantering to begin moving on.
Upon seeing the two jog ahead just as she'd gotten to them, Whole Heart groaned. “But I hate running!” she whined, shutting her eyes so she could force herself to move faster. “I hate running so much! What is with this city and running?!”