“Solaire of Astora,” A booming voice began, sitting at a large podium surrounded by members of a large court. “you are known far and wide since the defeat of a corrupt duke and assisting in the defeat of Nito, you are of no doubt a very reliable ally.” Murmurs of agreeing voices echoed through the court, a single light shining on the figure standing in the middle of the large room. “However, are you prepared for the responsibility of raising a child?”
The room fell silent, all awaiting Solaire’s answer. “Yes. I am.” He clearly spoke, loud enough for all in the room to hear him.
Satisfied the booming voice spoke in a softer tone. “We appreciate your confidence. Members of the court! All in favour of granting Solaire of Astora and Ratchet custody of Sweet Talk?”
“AYE!” The courtroom shook from the large agreement.
“And against?”
“…”
“The ayes have it, as of today. You and your wife are now officially parents!” The voice spoke, banging a gavel as the court lit up to show the entire town of Ponyville gathered stomping their hooves in applause. To this date the largest attendance. “All are dismissed!” Mayor Mare announced, having been the judge this whole time.
Approaching the sun warrior a lavender alicorn with a violet mane, smiling at him, he could not help but smile back. “I take it you’re looking forward to get back home?” Asked Twilight Sparkle. “And before you answer, I got Applejack and Big Mac to help unpack for your new home here.” She declared proudly.
“Thank you,” Solaire nodded. “And yes I am actually! After all these years I can finally settle down and enjoy something other than helping people slay beasts, you have no idea how much this means to me.” His voice was full of passion and giddiness, like a colt reading his best written poem.
“Just so you know… raising a child isn’t easy. I should know, I raised a baby dragon since I was a filly.” Placing a hoof to her chest and lowering her head, remembering all those pleasant and stressful memories. An awkward moment passed between the two, Twilight still in her reminiscing position. “I could have worded that a little better…” She muttered and blushed in embarrassment.
“Yes… yes you could have. But you do know I have come from a world where about anything as small as a rat could want you dead, raising a child would be no problem.”
The alicorn flattened her brow into a scowl at his prideful remark. “Uh, no. Raising a child no matter of what age takes a really huge amount of effort, you wouldn’t last a week with that attitude.”
“Is that a bet?” Solaire stared down at her, his voice low. This caused Twilight’s spine to freeze over, she forgot that he was someone who’s pride you did not want to harm.
Mustering up her courage she glared in return, this was for his own good. “Yes, it is!”
Under his helmet Solaire grinned at the challenge. “Very well, it would be unlike me to resist such a challenge.”
Clever move Twilight. Thanks Twilight! You’re so clever turning his pride against him! She thought to herself, unbeknownst to her she was standing there with a stupid grin on her face, eyes closed further cementing the proof she was daydreaming again.
“Are you ok?” He asked, concerned that she might not be mentally well.
“Wha-?! Oh sorry,” Her face now crimson.”I didn’t get enough sleep the other night, was reading up on how to be a good juror.”
Slumping his shoulders at her eagerness he hung his jaw. “All you have to do is sit there until the judge asks for your opinion, taking a break to talk to other jurors about the final decision. Yet you had to read a book that’s more than one hundred pages long about something that would fit into a poster?”
“I’m very compulsive.” The lavender alicorn replied sheepishly.
“Then get some sleep.” Solaire flatly replied, his shoulder still slumped in disbelief while wagging his finger like an overbearing father.
“I will when i get home, but before I do I need to make Spike some dinner so he goes to bed with a full stomach.”
“That would be wise,” He stated with a smile. “We meet here in seven days, loser of the bet has to give up doing something they love for two days. In my case it would be wearing my helmet in public.” Tapping iron helmet with his knuckles which let off an audible clang which echoed through the empty court room.
Twilight’s eyes widened as her pupils shrunk to the size of pins, if she lost that bet it would mean no reading. No reading for forty eight hours, she couldn’t even stand waiting two minutes let alone two days. But if he did not learn his lesson he would not be a good father. Conflicted she took a deep breath. "Alright, deal." She replied with uncertainty, sealing the unwritten contract.
\\[T]//
The door to Ponyville's public library creaked open, entering was an exhausted Twilight. "So how'd it go?" Asked her loyal number one assistant and saviour of the crystal kingdom, Spike. Upon seeing her he paused. "You look tired." Spike stated the obvious, causing Twilight to roll her eyes with a small smile.
"Well, for lack of a better term it did. But Solaire's just, way too full of his warriors pride for his own good. I keep having my doubts on..." She slowly trailed off, Spike's belly growling like a manticore. "Oh alright," She giggled. "One 'emerald plains' coming right up."
"Yay!" The little dragon cheered, tossing his arms up in triumph.
"After you've had your bath! You smell like a diamond dog!" Twilight called out from the top floor of her library.
"But-!"
"Now Spike! If you do I'll toss in ruby sprinkles."
Mumbling slightly he weighed the pros and cons in his head and slowly walked to the bathroom, the pitter patter of his feet drowned out by the sound of emeralds clinking together which encouraged him to take the bath despite his own reluctance.