Stiletto comes to Virtue's door holding a basket of guinea-hen eggs on toast and several bottles of blood-orange juice. "Lady Virtue, are you in?"
Virtue starts at hearing Stiletto's voice. Oh dear, had she heard already about what had just happened? "Uh... c-come in," she calls.
Stiletto sways inside and places the basket on the table. "Hello Lady Virtue... on dear, are you alright? You look positively crest fallen."
No, Virtue isn't, but she isn't sure how much she should admit to Stiletto just yet. "I... I'll be fine." She tries to straighten her face. "Was something wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to see my friend. You work very hard, and I promised to support you. So I made you a late night snack; I hoped to enjoy it with you."
"Oh... thank you." She takes a small portion of the food and tries to find the appetite to eat it. "Sorry... I didn't mean to imply you'd only come by if there was a problem."
Stiletto takes a bottle of blood-orange juice, opens it and lets it breathe on the table. "I had noticed my last few visits had been under less then pleasant circumstances. How are your foals?"
"They're doing well, thank you," she replies, sampling the food Stiletto brought her. Best not to look ungrateful, because she was thankful... just not hungry. "...How have you been?"
"Tired, but I must continue to strive for excellence. My kindest Love gave me this wonderful gift." She presents the beautiful steel amulet. "I talked with my love about foals lately as well. She wants one it seems."
Virtue examines the amulet briefly, and gives the best smile she could. "It's beautiful..." The comment about her female love wanting foals... that had to be Kat. She couldn't help but think back to Indigo's meeting with her shortly before. "...and I can understand her desires. Children are such a blessing."
Stiletto takes a drink of blood-orange juice. "Are you sure nothing is bothering you? You can tell me anything."
Virtue pauses for a moment before forgetting she had some food in her mouth. She swallows hard and sighs. Stiletto needed to hear about this... perhaps it was best it came from her. "...Actually... yes... I... I think you should hear this from me..."
Stiletto leans forward and listens intently.
"Well... it's..." she trails off, wondering how to word this. "Indigo... came to me earlier today. He... wants to press charges against you."
Stiletto she looks confused. "For what?"
Virtue chews her lip for a moment. "For damage to the hospital... and... frightening Panacea..."
Stiletto coughs. "Umm, Lady Virtue, what right does he have to raise such charges? Does he have any possession in the community what so ever?"
"He... has the right to press charges on the grounds of damage to the community. Panacea would have to press charges herself for the second part. I tried to talk him down, but he seemed adamant..." She gives Stiletto a sad expression. "I'm sorry..."
"Actually, Lady Virtue, to press charges on behalf of the community, you must hold a position of some sort. Otherwise, anypony could charge any other pony for even the smallest of offenses. The charter is not so clear on this, but I can write the King if you wish."
Virtue sighs. "I believe you're right... but even if he was able to press charges, there isn't much he can really do. Damages to the hospital are minor... at most it would be a small fine on top of the repairs... He is insistent though, and seems bent on getting jail time for you for this." Her expression grows concerned. "I'm worried..."
Stiletto nods slowly. "You feel his actions will divide the community. The question becomes, what does he have against me? And is it a personal problem?"
"Yes... that is what I fear." She hangs her head slightly. "I'm not sure how much of this I should tell you... but I think Indigo does have a personal problem with you. It... is related to you... and... your friends..."
Stiletto raises her head. "Loves, Lady Virtue, my loves. If he is intolerant of other cultures, then he must change or he will harm trade and foreign relation."
"I do worry about it all..." She thinks for a moment more, and the weight of it all begins to settle on her again. "...I wish he wasn't so... intolerant, yes, that's the best word. I worry that he is going to do something drastic... I... I hope not, but he seems to be quite tense lately..."
"Lady Virtue, I promised you to be a strength and not a burden. Tell me how I can help you, please."
"Thank you, Stiletto... I... I wish I had an answer to that..." Her ears droop as she thinks about it again. "You can't help Indigo not liking you... that isn't your fault..." She places a hoof to her head and tries to think of more to say, but nothing meaningful comes to mind.
"Then Lady Virtue, perhaps it is time you had your own noble guard."
"Guard...? Do... do you think I'm in danger?"
"Perhaps, I hope not, but I want to be there for you, as much as I can."
"I... thank you for the offer, Stiletto..." She contemplates for a moment. "I worry that an official guard would... concern others. And Indigo..." She gives Stiletto a small smile. "I'll consider it. It eases my mind to know that you're watching out for me at least. I hope such a thing isn't really needed..."
"I would do anything to help you and Dawnpick, Lady Virtue. Now, let us try to forget the sad things and enjoy the time we have."
"I know you would... thank you again Stiletto." She takes another bite of the food, slightly more enthusiastic about its flavor now. At least Stiletto seemed to be taking the news reasonably well. Perhaps this wouldn't explode in her face after all.