Rarity pricked her ears up when she heard a noise behind her, but when she turned around to see what Fluttershy was doing, the pegasus was nowhere to be seen. Down the hall, a pedestal wobbled slightly before settling back to rest, and Rarity noticed huddled mass of pink and yellow behind it. There goes a wiser mare than I, she thought as she strode into the room, head held high. There was no possibility of backing out for her. She had to project confidence to make up for her hesitation.
“Fillies, Gentlestallions,” Rarity ducked her head at both sides of the table as she spoke. She turned to the older unicorn seated next to Twilight. “Doctor Dusty Ruin? Such a pleasure to finally meet the stallion I’ve learned so much about.” He looked rather different than his more youthful appearance during Twilight’s lecture. His grey eyebrows and mustache were bushy and unkempt, and it looked as if he had gained a bit of paunch as he had aged. His coat was the exact colour of moist, unearthed clay, which contrasted nicely with the vibrant treasure chest on his flank. It was hard to imagine this was the pony that had crept through countless caves, delved into the deepest dungeons, and retrieved the rarest of relics for Equestria.
As she moved to take a seat next to Twilight, she looked around the room at the faces of the gathered ponies. Fleur watched her, lounging behind the rest of the merchant delegation with lidded eyes and a bored expression, but Rarity knew that the model was taking in everything around her. Fancypants whispered something to Fair Wind, who was looking at Rarity with eyes so wide it looked as if his brows had retreated completely underneath the top hat he still wore. One of the other merchants, a blue mare with a sparkling silver mane, was wearing one of Rarity’s dresses, a sleek and simply layered number that started pitch black at the collar but transitioned to a royal blue at the hem of the skirt. She remembered the inspiration for that particular dress, a black-crested jay had flo-
Focus, Rarity! Mentally berating herself, Rarity settled into the space next to Twilight at the table. You aren’t threading a needle in here, you’re trying to stand on one! Looking over at Blueblood, she noticed him staring straight ahead at the merchants, his face the picture of cool detachment. Quickly averting her gaze as to not attract his, she turned to Twilight, who was already leaning over towards her.
“Rarity,” she whispered, as Dusty Ruin cleared his throat and began to speak. “Thank the Goddess you’re here! Trying to get these two groups to agree on anything is like trying to get Spike to stop gorging himself on ice cream!” Twilight tittered nervously under her breath as Dusty Ruin pontificated on the importance of the expedition. “I might, technically, be a noble, but you speak the language of these ponies better than I ever could, Rarity. Hopefully you can warm up their cold hooves.” She frowned and knitted her brow. “I don’t understand. Dusty said that everything was taken care of, and this meeting was a formality. I don’t know what could've caused them to clam up like this.”
I should’ve listened to Fleur. Now look what I’ve done. Rarity cursed, softly enough so that even Twilight didn’t hear. “You need to get Dusty Ruin to stop this meeting now, Twilight.”
That caused the other mare to gasp. “What? Why?”
“Because I have some very bad news you both need to hear.” Rarity tried to put on her most intimidating of expressions, and must of succeeded, because Twilight gulped and nodded her head instead of replying. Rarity turned her attention back towards the rest of the room.
“I don’t understand, my lords and ladies,” Dusty Ruin was saying, mustache moving like a plump beige caterpillar upon his face, “where this... this hesitance has appeared from. Just two days ago, Archduchess Ravencrest,” he singled out a black-maned, grey-coated mare seated next to Blueblood, “You and I spoke of the prestige that this expedition has garnered among the lords and ladies of the Stable. All of Equestria’s finest were eager to see and hear of the wonders you would of helped find. What has changed?”
The Archduchess’ eyes flickered briefly towards Blueblood before she spoke. “Nothing has changed, Doctor. The entirety of the gentry are as enthused as ever to see the treasures you will return with. We merely have...” Again, she looked towards Blueblood. “Trepidations on who exactly shall receive you and your companions home.” Her voice was unexpected. Instead of the affected, haughty accent that was so common amongst the well-to-do, this mare spoke like she was a judge delivering a punishment of exile.
Rarity was surprised to see that either one of Dusty Ruin’s mammoth eyebrows could rise at all. “All of Equestria will receive us in celebration, Your Grace, from the youngest foal to Celestia herself,” he slowly responded.
Blueblood, looking none worse the wear for his ordeal earlier in the day, answered for the grey mare. “If I may, what Her Grace is trying to explain is that we,” he gestured with a hoof towards the nobles around him, “are concerned with the final place of residence these artifacts will enjoy upon their arrival within Canterlot.”
This needs to stop right now! Rarity thought frantically. She hoped her practiced mask of disinterest was holding up. Dusty Ruin clearly has no idea the damage I did between these two groups, and Fair Wind looks as if he could lose control at any second! The freighter had his teeth clenched tight, and a large vein was visible on his thick neck. She glanced at Twilight, who had her head down, shuffling the stack of papers in front of her, clearly afraid to interrupt.
The celebrated archaeologist was adrift in a sea of confusion. “Pardon me, Sir, but I was under the impression that you had received this information already.” The sandy-coloured professor cleared his throat. “The majority of the collection will be housed here, in the most capable hooves of the Royal Society. A small portion of the findings will be divvied up to all of you, the financiers, proportional to your donations. All of this, of course, is speculative, as there is no guarantee we will find anything at all.”
“And there, to use the vernacular, lies the rub.” Blueblood slid his gaze across the room, lingering on Rarity before returning to Dusty Ruin. “Myself and others of lineage are concerned for the future of these priceless artifacts, should they be placed in the care of more,” he paused, glancing at Fair Wind. “Transient families.”
Fair Wind looked ready to burst, his face darkened to the colour of beets, wings quivering as he forced them to his side. Rarity knew it was instinctual for pegasi to flare their wings when they felt threatened, to appear larger in the face of predators. For the straw-haired pony to keep them closed must be torture.
“Transient families?” the archaeologist echoed.
“Those ponies whose wealth is not guaranteed.” Blueblood could not hide the distaste in his voice as he spoke. “While all of the merchant ponies represented in this discussion are quite wealthy now, there is no promise their fortunes will not turn for the worse in the future. Precious, historical valuables could be traded or sold to other nations in times of financial peril, diminishing the prestige of Equestria as a whole.” He briefly turned towards his compatriots. “The noble families of Equestria are centuries old, and will persist for centuries more.” The Prince stamped a hoof on the table to illustrate his point. “We do not feel comfortable in endangering the future of these monuments of the past by allowing peddlers,” he spat out the word, “to possess them.”
Dusty Ruin sputtered incoherently at that. Seizing the moment of silence before the agitated pegasus across the table could intervene, Rarity spoke. “Well stated, Prince Blueblood. I know all of you must be suffering from parched throats after such heated debate!” Putting on her best smile, she turned to the professor sitting past Twilight. “I’m sure our gracious host has refreshments ready for ponies of your bearing.”
Quickly taking the hint, Dusty Ruin’s horn glowed, and a tasseled rope hanging from the ceiling was jerked towards the floor. Instantly, a well-attired mare with gorgeously curled black locks appeared from a cleverly disguised door hidden in the wall.
“Spotless, we are enjoying a small recess from our discussions. Would you care to escort our noble guests towards the lounge?”
Bowing, the maidservant turned towards the assembled nobles. “If Your Graces, Your Royal Highness, would be so kind as to follow me?” Waiting for the nobility to rise before gracefully spinning to face the merchants, she spoke again. “Would some of our honoured guests allow themselves to retire to the parlour? I fear the lounge is ill-stocked to attend to the thirsts of a dozen ponies.”
Fancypants, sensibly, jumped at the chance to avoid clashing with the nobles over alcohol. “We would be delighted.”
Thank Celestia, thought Rarity. The last thing she wanted was the two sides interacting in an informal setting. Who knows what might be said, what could happen.
Spotless trotted by the still seated merchants, nobles in tow. “Featherduster will be here shortly to escort you.”
The room was silent as the aristocrats exited. As soon as the door closed, Rarity felt the entire room let out a breath it was holding. Time to repair the tears in the dress, she thought.
“Transient Families?” proclaimed Fair Wind, loudly. “That useless twat compares us to beggars?” The pegasus broke countless rules of decorum by letting his wings spread wide and his voice rise to a shout. “Equestria hasn’t even seen a beggar in decades!” Rarity noticed Twilight's ears flop to her skull.
“Wind, please!” Fancypants laid a hoof on his friend's shoulder. “They might be able to hear you.”
“Let them!” His outrage was clear. “They started this Tartarus-damned fight, Fancy, don’t deny it!” Fair Wind got to his hooves and began to pace around the table. “For weeks, they’ve been passing out decree after decree that makes interprovincial trade impossible! Forces ridiculous rules on money lending and loans! For Celly’s sake, Fancy, have you read the new rules on transporting grains? I assure you, vermin and parasites do not appear everytime a train stops at station!” His hat fell off halfway through his tirade, shaken loose by his vigorous motions. Fair Wind didn’t notice.
“I’m well aware of the issues we’ve recently had to deal with,” Fancypants returned dryly. “But all of their actions are, however tenuously, justifiable. Crop disease is down, you know.”
“Don’t try and defend them, Fancy. Not after that.”
Leaving the two to their argument, Fleur and the Carousel Boutique-garmented mare circled the table and approached Rarity, Twilight, and the professor.
“Not to, as you say, beat a dead horse,” Fleur stated towards Rarity. “But I think you’ve realized what you set in motion today, Rarity.”
“I am beginning to come to understand the complexities of Canterlot politics, yes.” Rarity dearly wished she wasn’t.
The other mare shook her head. “It is hardly complex. The nobility fear our growth, and hope to stop or slow it in any way they can. Considering they set the law, their opportunities are numerous.” She raised her hoof. “Aquamarine, founder, owner, and executive manager of Blue Sea Shipping.”
Rarity shook the offered limb. “Rarity.” She looked the dress up and down. “I believe that is one of mine.”
Aquamarine stared at her for a moment, blinking, before comprehension dawned on her face. “Oh, the dress! Fancypants said he knew a unparalleled dressmaker, and I suppose that must be you.” She gave Rarity a warm smile. “It’s quite beautiful, far more elegant than what I had in mind.”
Suppressing a shudder, Rarity recalled that particular order. “Something that brings the deepest, darkest stormwaters to mind. Maybe seashells and pearls? And something ship-related. Nautical ropes, around the hem, tied in every sort of knot more complicated than a fishermare’s!” Some ponies had no sense of style, but it was far easier to say ‘no’ when your client was a three hour train ride away.
“Excuse me, but would somepony please explain to me and Doctor Dusty Ruin here what exactly is going on?” Twilight’s frustrated demand shook Rarity out of her recollection. “I came in here expecting economical considerations and budgeting, not, well, this!”
Fleur pointedly looked at Rarity, while Aquamarine gave a muttered, “You’re paddling this one alone,” and waited for the seamstress to speak. Giving a short sigh, Rarity launched into a quick explanation.
“I may have accidentally humiliated Prince Blueblood in front of all of Canterlot on purpose. After weeks of friction between the merchants and the aristocracy.” Better sugarcoat this one with your best smile, Rarity.
Twilight frowned, suspiciously. “What do you mean by 'humiliate'?”
Stretching her smile even wider, Rarity answered. “There may have been singing involved. And fireflies. And tacks, mare’s dresses, and a cask of oil.” Her smile was so wide it hurt.
Twilight mouth dropped open and her eyes grew wide. “Rarity, what? I... What?” She closed her mouth with a hoof and rapidly shook her head, trying to regain her composure.
The archaeologist let out a long-suffering sigh. “I don’t know why I always expect these meetings to go smoothly. It’s always something with you ponies.” Dusty Ruin glanced at the frowns of the two merchant representatives next to him. “Nothing personal, of course. Usually I can work around the inevitable setbacks and restrictions placed upon my exploratory excursions, but I might be losing half my funding!” He turned to Rarity, askance. “You couldn’t of waited until after this meeting to insult the Prince?”
Lowering her head in shame, Rarity hid the tears welling in her eyes. I may have just ruined a dream of Twilight’s. I’m as bad as Blueblood. “I didn’t know who was involved in this project, but that does not excuse my actions. I acted like a spoiled foal.” She ignored the others, locking eyes with Twilight. “I hope you can forgive me.”
Looking angry and hurt, the librarian glared at Rarity for a brief moment before softening her visage. “I know you didn’t intend for any of this to happen, Rarity.” Relief spread through Rarity like a string of pearls threaded through the hem of a dress. Another example of Twilight being a pony better than I. Rarity noticed a change in Twilight’s posture. She straightened her back, and Rarity suspected the whole room could feel her determination.
“Doctor, if the nobles refuse to invest, what does it mean for the expedition?”
Aquamarine answered for the bushy-maned stallion. “It’s dead in the water. I’ve looked at the proposal you provided, Doctor, and we were on a shoestring budget even with the nobles on board.”
Dusty Ruin nodded in agreement. “Well said. Unless you have some alternate backers you can dig up for support, I fear this journey will never leave Canterlot.”
Turning her scrutiny to Fleur and Aquamarine, Twilight arched her brow. “Well?”
Aquamarine just shrugged. Fleur sadly shook her head. “Fancy would know better than I, but I think this is it for major contributors. The rest of the ponies capable of funding this have already dedicated their bits to other projects.”
“What about the smaller business?”
“Perhaps,” Fleur replied, putting a gleam in Twilight’s eyes. “But not, I think, anything significant.”
Dusty Ruin caught the group’s attention by clearing his throat. “I doubt any contributions from anypony not already present in the room would qualify them for an artifact. And...” he paused, lowering his voice to a whisper. “There was some truth to the Prince’s statements, especially concerning the lesser merchants.”
Glancing behind her, Aquamarine flicked her tail and smiled. “Don’t let Fair Wind catch you saying that.”
“I would be delighted to help finance this excursion, regardless of recompense,” Rarity stated, bringing the eyes of the group back to her. “But I am not naive enough to believe that all ponies would be as charitable.”
“We think as one, Rarity,” Fleur agreed. The pearl mare turned, once again, to Twilight. “I find it doubtful that whatever coin we manage to cobble together from the poorer merchants would be enough to dig us out of the hole we find ourselves in.” The shimmer of hope in Twilight’s eyes died. She looked around. “Where is this Featherduster? All this talking has parched my throat.”
“There is no Featherduster, nor any parlour.” Dusty Ruin didn’t even have the decency to blush at his admission of deceit. “I believe there should be a pitcher of water in the service corridor. A moment, please.” He turned and walked through the disguised door.
Twilight let out a frustrated, unintelligible snarl. “I’m not going to let those nobles come back in here without a backup plan. There has to be a way! Think, Twilight, think!” She levitated the stack of papers in front of her, scanning line after line of expense. “If we can’t get more money, maybe we can make do with less...”
Rarity smiled. If there was a way to fix this, Twilight would find a way. Sometimes her solutions created a different sort of problem themselves, but Rarity trusted her in this. Twilight was muttering to herself as she rapidly flipped through page after page of information. You can do it, Twilight.
Turning away from the absorbed mare, Fleur focused on Rarity. “I must admit, when you said you were going on a trip, I didn’t imagine it would be to a uncivilized jungle. How did your friend convince you to come along?” she asked, motioning towards Twilight. “You must be busy with your tailoring.”
“Well, to be completely honest, I’m still less than thrilled at the whole idea,” she answered with a sigh. “But everypony else in the group wanted this to happen, and I couldn’t imagine disappointing them. There are some sacrifices one must make for the sake of friendship, as I’m sure you know.”
The two other mares looked at each other, puzzled. Aquamarine spoke first. “But, surely your friends don’t require you to come along, if you don’t want to?”
“I think you’re overestimating your importance, Rarity,” Fleur cocked her head. “Your friends can function perfectly fine without you, I’d imagine.”
Well done, Rarity. What can you say to get out of this tangle? “Oh, what I meant to say is that I’m-”
“Thirsty, if I recall,” interrupted the archaeologist. He had emerged from the service corridor with a pitcher of sparkling water and multiple glasses. He set the glasses down in a row and began to pour. “Straws, anypony?” Rarity breathed a sigh of relief, and acquired her own glass of water.
“Yes, thank you.” Aquamarine waited for the beverage to be levitated in front of her before sipping her drink. “You were saying, Rarity?” she asked, as the unicorns raised the glasses to their lips.
Rarity enjoyed the cold water, and the time it gave her to think, immensely. Plus, the room was a bit stuffy. Setting her drink down, she spoke: “It’s not a matter of me liking or disliking this expedition. This is a dream of Twilight’s and I want to share in the experience with her. Perhaps I can draw some satisfaction from somepony else fulfilling a foalhood wish.” Please please please drop the issue.
Fleur opened her mouth to comment, but was drowned out by a whoop of delight from Twilight. “I’ve got it!” She happily pranced in place, smiling, before she froze and put on a frown. “I hope.”
“Do share,” said Aquamarine.
Twilight nodded her head in affirmation. “Well, aside from the local labour we’ll be hiring to aid in the excavation, the largest expenses are all transport and travel-related. Chartering trains and ships make up the vast majority of those costs!” Her exuberant statement clearly didn’t receive the welcome she had hoped, judging from the blank stares that surrounded her.
“I fail to see how stating the issue solves it, Miss Sparkle.” Dusty Ruin remarked dryly.
“Ugh! Don’t you see? We have a train owner,” she said, frustrated, as she pointed at the still-arguing Fair Wind, “And the proud founder of a shipping company, right here in this room!” she finished, now pointing at Aquamarine.
The singled-out mare looked at Twilight incredulously. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”
Twilight turned to Dusty Ruin. “We can use their vehicles instead of chartering our own! What better way to pay for our journey than not paying at all!” Twilight was too busy patting herself on the back to notice Aquamarine’s frown.
“I only have four ships to my name. Are you asking me to keep a quarter of my fleet harboured in Seaddle for an entire season, awaiting a cargo that may not even exist?” The seafaring mare was clearly perturbed.
Rarity had to act. She had to convince Aquamarine it was worth her risking so much. “Aquamarine, dear, remember this is all dependant on the nobles pulling out. You’ll be getting their share of the ‘loot,’ as it t’were, and I’m sure Dusty Ruin would consider your sacrifices and recompense you accordingly.”
Aquamarine paused, and brought a hoof to her chin. “Hmm... Doctor, would I get first pick of the treasure?”
“If you did, it would be the only item you received. I’m not going to beggar the Society out of its fair share, not after the years of research we’ve put into this. Besides, I’m getting old. This might be my last bout of fieldwork before I am forced to retire from leading these expeditions, and I want to present something worth ending my career on.”
Seeing the frown his statement brought to her face, Rarity spoke up again. “There’s nothing stopping you from taking shorter trips, as long as you’ll be available to return us to Equestria.”
“I have a forty thousand bit opportunity to deliver a shipful of cargo to Pingwin sitting in my lap. The horses are ready and willing to race, all I need to do is blow the horn.” Aquamarine turned her gaze to Dusty Ruin, her tone deadly serious. “Is what’s inside that tomb worth as much as that?”
Rarity breath caught in her throat. Forty thousand? Just how rich are these ponies? How expensive is this trip?
“No.” Dusty Ruin quickly continued. “But if my research is correct, and I wouldn’t be trying to get this off the ground if I wasn’t sure it was, the treasures contained within are beyond value.”
Aquamarine sipped her drink. Rarity couldn’t fathom what was going through her mind. Forty thousand bits! Twilight had leaned in close, eagerly awaiting the decision. Fleur looked unconcerned, as usual.
The grey-maned mare drained her glass before answering. “If you can convince Fair Wind to part with the only train he owns in Cervidas, then I suppose I’ll sail into the storm with him.”
Twilight let out a cheer. "Yes! Backup plan, check!" Rarity had to share a bit of her enthusiasm. Convincing the pegasus would be as simple. All that needed to be done was to frame it as ‘sticking it to those stupid nobles,’ and Rarity was sure he’d agree.
She looked over to where Fair Wind still paced, frothing with indignant rage. If the nobility are reluctant to pay for this, I’m sure I can convince him. I can’t be responsible for ruining this opportunity. It would be excruciating to return to Ponyville. Her friends wouldn’t hold it against her, true, but she’d know that it was her fault that their adventure had failed to launch. She could imagine Rainbow Dash losing herself in her aerobatics training, Applejack twiddling her hooves on a frozen farm... Fluttershy hibernating in a frozen burrow all winter... She couldn’t allow that weight, that guilt, to burden her.
Fleur approached her. “Do not think you’re obliged to fix this, Rarity,” she said, as if reading her thoughts. “Though some of the blame is yours, Fair Wind and Blueblood were set to butt their stubborn heads together today. It would not of surprised me if we could not have avoided this impasse.”
“Thank you, Fleur, but this is something I must do.” Rarity glanced at Twilight. “For a friend. For all my friends.”
However, before Rarity could pull Fair Wind out of his cathartic venting, Dusty Ruin raised his voice so the entire room could hear. “Places, everypony. Our noble lords and ladies are returning.” Rarity followed his gaze and spied the same tassled rope he used to summon Spotless being tugged from side to side. The empty glasses and drained pitcher wizzed out of the room and back into the service corridor, and Rarity heard the sound of breaking glass from the closing doorway.
“Do try and contain Fair Wind for me Fleur, Aquamarine.” Rarity asked, nodding at each pony as they returned to their seats. A few seconds after everypony was settled, the door opened up as Spotless trotted in from the hallway. The maid was followed by a train of nobles, with Blueblood at the head. She couldn’t help but notice that none of the aristocratic financiers took their place at the table until the Prince did.
“I hope that you all have returned refreshed and well-tempered,” Dusty Ruin began, as soon as the nobles were settled. Spotless had seemingly disappeared into thin air. “I am confident that we can all put our differences aside and come to an amicable agreement, for the good of Equestria.” He ended his greeting with a warm, grandfatherly smile.
Looking to Blueblood before moving, the mare that had spoken before on behalf of the nobles stood up. “Upon discussion and consideration, we have come to a final solution, agreed upon by the whole of our group.” Archduchess Ravencrest, it seemed, was not a pony that wasted time with pleasantries. “The risk of these priceless artifacts being lost to Equestria is too great. We will not fund this venture if these businessponies are involved.” Her tone brought to Rarity’s mind the image of a gravedigger’s shovel cutting into fresh dirt, with a tombstone inscribed 'Twilght's Foalhood Dream.'
The effect on the other ponies in the room was immediate. Dusty Ruin sighed, Twilight looked like Celestia had just told her she was disappointed in her, Fair Wind let out a strangled cry of rage, and Blueblood allowed a small smirk to appear on his handsome face. Well, that was quick, thought Rarity.
Certain that she wasn’t the only one that noticed two auras, blue and pink, encircling Fair Wind’s mouth and limbs, Rarity breathed a sigh of relief when Ravencrest continued her speech.
“However, we would not be averse to increasing the bits we would donate to the expedition, to cover the difference caused by the culling of the merchants.” The Archduchess stared across the room, her pale eyes dead and cold.
What a gem of a mare, thought Rarity. ‘Culling’ the merchants? What class. Despite herself, she did feel a tad unnerved by the grey pony. Rarity had yet to see her face change from its cold and distant expression.
“I see,” said Dusty, the archaeologist taking a moment to consider the offer. He gave a nod of his head. “I accept.”
Now it was Rarity’s turn to force down a exclamation of protest. After all that talk, he hops on over after a moment of consideration? Rarity wasn’t the only one dismayed. Fancypants mustache looked droopier than usual, and she feared for Fair Wind’s health, with a vein that thick pulsing in his neck.
“There’s nothing I can do to make you reconsider, Doctor?” Fancypants hid his disappointment amazingly well, sounding as affable as ever. Rarity envied his self-control. She didn’t trust herself to speak quite yet.
“I’m afraid not, Fancypants. As the head of the Royal Archaeological Society, I can’t very well turn down the certainty of funding offered by our friends here,” he said, bowing to the assembled nobility. “I can’t accept any offer that would jeopardize our mission.”
“I... see. I understand.” Even Fancypants couldn’t hide his sadness. His crestfallen look matched how Rarity felt. Well, this certainly turns this trip bittersweet for me, she thought. While it was true that she had never embraced this adventure like the others had, Rarity had hoped she could grow to enjoy herself on the trip. She doubted that possibility existed for her now, with the knowledge that Blueblood and his cadre of cronies would be the sole beneficiaries of the excursion. Aside from the Society, certainly.
“That is, of course,” Dusty Ruin turned to the nobles, “Assuming that there are no other prohibitions this funding is dependant on.” Every eye in the room was drawn to Blueblood.
The Prince lazily surveyed the room, his gaze coming to rest upon Rarity, then spoke. “I feel that the expedition would best be served by removing any,” he paused, searching for the right word, “Distractions caused by anypony not serving in a scholarly or protective role.” The surrounding nobles nodded their heads in agreement. “Surely you agree, Doctor?”
Dusty Ruin chewed his lower lip. “Could you clarify that, Your Grace?”
“I feel that it would be in both this undertaking and Equestria’s best interests if Twilight Sparkle’s companions not be allowed to embark on this journey.” Ravencrest frowned at his words, but Blueblood continued on, oblivious. “I imagine you were hoping to bring a few familiar faces along on your trek across the world, Miss Sparkle,” he said to Twilight, “But every pony on the expedition increases the burden on the guards. I think it best for all involved if your more delicate friends stay behind, where it is safe.”
Wonderful, thought Rarity, despairing. Not only have I ruined the chances of anypony other than the richest noble families gaining the prestige this expedition would bring, I’ve also forced Twilight to go months without her best friends. This is the worst, possible, thing. She really meant it, too. Looking over to Twilight, she was surprised to see her friend not saddened, but confused. What is she wondering about? Blueblood was quite specific.
“There is nothing I can do to change your mind, Your Grace?” inquired Dusty Ruin, looking at Twilight. The mare herself had her eyebrow raised quizzically at the archaeologist.
Blueblood smiled wickedly at Rarity before returning his face to its normal, aloof state. “No, I’m quite certain of this.”
May every suit you wear suffer a permanent stain. Rarity needed to ask Fair Wind about some more inventive curses. Who was going to break the news to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie? Even Fluttershy seemed enthusiastic about this trip, she thought.
“Then I must decline your offer.”
The room stopped. Blueblood slowly cocked his head to one side, and one of his ears flapped absurdly. Aquamarine’s face was a veritable sea of emotions, as if she wasn’t quite sure how to feel. Fair Wind had stopped straining at his bonds, which had incidentally disappeared, and even Fleur had a shocked look on her face.
Not missing a beat, Dusty Ruin turned to the merchants. “Do you have a less restrictive offer to, well, offer?”
“Yes!” shouted Rarity, at the same moment a “Oui!” came from Fleur.
The stallion looked at the mares seated next to him, gave them both a small wink, then turned to Fleur. “No special considerations?”
“No,” returned the model. “But, could we have a moment, good Doctor?”
“Certainly! I understand you’ll need a few moments to iron out the plan to fill the void left by the nobles.” A sly grin was creeping over his features. Fleur nodded, then leant down to whisper into Fair Wind’s ear.
“What are you doing, Doctor?” Blueblood has regained his voice, if not his composure. “Does my divine auntie’s pupil hold that much sway over you? Those peddlers couldn’t possibly finance this properly without us!”
The professor laughed, a twinkle in his eyes. “Not particularly, no. She was a good student, but she always was a little too excited in my lectures for me to build any true rapport with her.” Twilight looked stung at that, until Dusty Ruin leaned over to the pair and continued in a low voice: “No offense, Miss Sparkle, but having ponies swoon over me makes me uncomfortable.”
“Why in Celly’s name, are you doing this, then?” Blueblood sputtered. The Archduchess next to him was giving him a look that would kill any insect unfortunate enough to buzz between the two.
“Our proposal is ready, Doctor.” Fancypants’ voice was once again his customary mix of cheerfulness and elegance. Acknowledging him with a gracious nod, Dusty Ruin turned back to Blueblood.
“May I speak candidly, Your Grace?” Not waiting for an answer, he pressed on. “One, I loathe the politics you are insistent on bringing with you every time I invite you to one of these. Just once I wanted a simple, cordial meeting, but you always found some way to muck it up. Two, I’m tired of my relic-hunting being so boring and easy. You and your many-titled friends always overfund my expeditions to the point where I can bribe or hire anything that stands in my way.” Rarity’s heart was soaring, but she held back her jubilance. This couldn’t possibly be happening. Not after today, could it?
“Three,” Dusty Ruin continued, unchained from protocol and procedure, “I find you personally detestable. You are almost entirely without virtue. You treat any and everypony beneath you as if they did not exist, unless they are ‘lucky’ enough to have something you want, in which case they are blessed with your royal presence.” Bravo! Bravo! Rarity wanted to cheer. “And Fourthly, this is going to be my last expedition. I simply do not need to interact with you anymore, and thus, care not a whit what you think of me. My successor may gnash his teeth at the absolute wreck I’ve made of the relationship between your house and my, that is to say, his organization, but Celestia knows my reputation can handle that stain.”
“You... you... I’ll ensure tha-” Blueblood started.
“You’ll what?” interrupted Dusty Ruin. “Blacklist me amongst the nobles? Tarnish my name in the Grand Stable? Turn the common pony against me?” He gave a snort that made Fair Wind beam in delight from his side of the table. “I’ll have a grand, exciting adventure, then continue to teach here at the University. I’ll grow older and fatter, then die. What could you possibly do to me?”
Glaring at the rest of the room, Blueblood held his head high as he stormed out of the room, nobles in tow. He rudely flicked his tail at both Rarity and Dusty Ruin as he passed, fuming. As they were leaving, Fair Wind released the booming laugh he was holding in, falling to the ground and guffawing uncontrollably.
“Wow.” Twilight looked Dusty Ruin up and down.
“Yes, Miss Sparkle?”
She frowned. “You never told them about the Elements of Harmony being required to open the Tomb, did you?”
“No. I told them you were just an old student of mine that wanted to come along with her friends.” He placed a hoof upon his chin, thinking. “I must admit, I was quite surprised when Celestia wrote back to me, saying that the pony that used the power of harmony and friendship to save Equestria, twice, was you. Again, no offence meant, but you always seemed a lot more interested in studying and learning than friends.”
“None taken. But why not? Now we might not even make it to the Tomb, let alone bring back it secrets!”
Still riding the euphoric high generated by seeing Blueblood berated so handily, Rarity brushed away Twilight’s fears. “Weren’t you listening, dear? Our fearless explorer here wants a challenge!” She really shouldn’t of been feeling this happy at seeing the third-highest power in the land brought down so low, but she couldn’t help herself.
It seemed to Rarity that Twilight was the only one in the room not celebrating. “Don’t you realize what this means, Rarity? This was supposed to be a last resort! We’ll be travelling destitute if we want to have enough bits to hire local excavators, or even to feed ourselves! We might have to pull the supply wagons across Emeralda ourselves!” Her horn glowed, and she began to rapidly flip through the ledger pages again.
A small voice in the back of Rarity’s mind quailed at the thought of being hitched to a wagon for weeks, but she ignored it. She wasn’t about to back out of this now, not after everything that had happened. “Applejack has packed plenty of apples, and I needed a new toning exercise. A mare needs to look her best, you know. It will be nice not having to worry about those winter pounds.”
“I don’t believe you!” Twilight was belligerent. “This turned from a scientific and historic expedition into a gruelling march, and all you have to say is, ‘Oh, don’t worry, Twilight, we’ll look great at the end of it!’” Her impression of Rarity was rather impressive, if a bit mean-spirited.
“I think you’ll find that nothing warms the blood like a grand adventure, Rarity.” Fancypants had wandered over, accompanied by the rest of the merchants, and playfully nudged her barrel. “The salty smell of the sea, the sun beating down on your back as you trudge up and down the dunes of the desert...” He inhaled deeply, and let out a long sigh. “It's makes one wish to be young and free again.”
“I’m no stranger to adventure, Fancypants.” She had faced down manticores, dragons, evil goddesses and twisted spirits of chaos. She could handle a few weeks of dull, physical labour. It would be a change from the almost weekly crises that seemed to plague Ponyville.
“Dusty, you cad!” Fair Wind swept up the aged archaeologist in a tight hug, lifting him into the air with the beating of his powerful wings. He spun the unicorn around, before depositing him back in his seat. “You could’ve told me you were going to wreck the oaf beforehoof! My cardiologist would’ve appreciated it!”
“It wasn’t planned, really.” Dusty replied, all smiles, “But, drag me to Tartarus if I’m lying, that felt good. I’ve been waiting almost five years to stick it to that brat of a prince.”
Hearing that even a pony that Blueblood had no quarrel with couldn’t stand him mollified Rarity’s feelings a bit. She had still behaved herself terribly, but at least Blueblood seemed an especially grating case. I still need to conduct myself properly, she reminded herself.
“I trust you agreed to let us ride your locomotive, Fair Wind?” Rarity asked. Aquamarine’s wince affirmed her suspicions.
“After that showing? Of course!” The pegasus couldn’t stop performing celebratory tricks in the low-ceilinged room. “I think we might need to raid that lounge of yours for some of your good stock, Dusty.” Rarity was concerned he might injure himself, flying recklessly like that.
“I’ll pass on that,” said Aquamarine, trotting towards the door. “I have to disappoint some penguins.” Pausing at the door, she turned to the two other merchants, who had spent the entirety of the meeting watching Fair Wind’s varied emotional state with bemused expressions on their faces. “Straight Flush, Card Sharp, I’m going to need you to dig deep. I don’t want to be the only one left high and dry if this goes south.”
The pair of casino owners, judging by their names and the cards and dice on their flanks, nodded their heads. Satisfied, Aquamarine turned on her hooves and exited the room.
“Bah, who needs her? She’s always been a bit of a stick in the mud.” Fair Wind’s good spirits seemed infallible. He eyed the pair, lightheartedly suspicious. “You two have been awful quiet this whole time. What have you been up to?”
The duo looked at each other. The one on the left spoke up. “We were calling odds on you passing out.”
Fair Wind grinned. “Who won?”
The one on the right grinned.
“Atta boy!” Fair Wind pounded whichever stallion he was on the shoulder. “I knew you’d remember my words!”
“Fair Winds always blow hard and consistent, I know.” Both gambling moguls allowed themselves to be shepherded out of the room by the straw-haired pegasus, who was loudly proclaiming he could drink them both into a stupor. Rarity thought she heard a questioning “Care to make a bet?” before the three ponies faded into the distance.
“I do believe I’ll have to enjoy a drink or two myself, in celebration,” said Fancypants, waggling his eyebrows. “Fair Wind certainly got more than he dreamed of. Not only is he going to be the proud owner of an ancient relic, he’s denied Blueblood the same pleasure.” He chuckled. “He must be over the moon!”
Fleur turned her purple eyes towards Dusty Ruin. “You said you couldn’t accept an offer that would prevent you from achieve your goals.” She raised a hoof towards Rarity. “Why is a simple dressmaker, a very skilled one, but a seamstress nonetheless, so vital as to give you reason to discard five archdukes and duchesses financial aid?”
“What are you getting at, Fleur?” asked Fancy, curious.
Rarity noticed Twilight looking at Fleur with a newfound respect, and had to agree. Fleur appears to all the world a vapid model, but there’s far more to her than meets the eye.
Dusty shuffled his hooves, uncomfortable. He looked to Twilight. “Celestia swore me to secrecy. I’m not about to flick two royal horns today.”
Twilight Sparkle looked from her old professor, to the increasingly interested Fancy and Fleur, then to Rarity. “You know these two better than I, Rarity. Can they be trusted?”
Rarity hesitated to answer, thinking. After defeating the wicked mare of darkness, Nightmare Moon, and restoring Princess Luna to her former self, Celestia had blanketed ponyville with a mind-altering spell during the celebrations. Nothing intrusive, just a spell that made everypony conveniently forget that six of the mares living in town her bearers of magical artifacts with power that dwarfed Celestia herself. Rarity had a clear understanding of what Celestia’s expectations were concerning their identities. Twilight had been named one of the six, but the identities of the rest were kept hidden.
After she and her friends had resealed the god of chaos back into his statue, the nobles had demanded to know who the ponies responsible for saving the realm from the horrors Discord had unleashed. The Princess had conceded, and allowed the crowd of villagers from Ponyville to be joined by many of her most trusted archdukes, vicereines, and duchesses. The nobles were surprised at the revelation that Celestia’s personal student had been joined by a group of noponies from a tiny village. Could Fancypants and Fleur de Lis be listed alongside those select few?
“Yes,” she replied. There are few ponies more deserving of accolades than this pair. If Blueblood and his ilk qualify, these two certainly do.
Twilight nodded. “Myself and Rarity, along with the other ponies that were with us at the Canterlot Garden Party, are the Elements of Harmony.”
Fancypants let out a hearty laugh. “And I’m the king of Prance! Imagine, Fleur, our friend Rarity here, savior of Equestria! I say, that’s just the bit of jesting needed to cap off the day!” He looked around at the rest of the group. Nopony else was laughing. “Fleur?”
The gorgeous unicorn was deep in thought. “I suppose that would be one way to explain most of what I’ve heard today,” she said, speaking slowly.
Fancypants scanned the faces around him. “Well, I certainly look the fool now, don’t I?” Amazingly, he didn’t seem the least embarrassed, just perplexed.
“It still surprises me some days too, Fancy,” Rarity admitted.
“How did I not realize it before? The signs were so clear!” Fleur sounded annoyed, mostly at herself. I know how that feels.
“Staying at the castle. A close personal friend of Twilight Sparkle. The bond you share between you is almost tangible. Getting a ticket to the gala after wandering the Everfree.” Fleur let out a string of indecipherable Prancian, but Rarity could guess she was swearing at herself.
Twilight looked at the two and gave an awkward smile. “I’m... sorry?” she offered.
Fleur looked at Twilight and Rarity, then at Fancypants. “I need a drink.”
“I think that’s something we can all agree upon,” said Fancypants, rubbing Fleur’s back. Rarity agreed. “To the lounge!” he declared, escorting Fleur as he walked towards the door. “Where we can have a toast to the stallion that made all of this possible!” He nodded at Dusty Ruin, who smiled and fell in behind.
“Shall we, Twilight?” Rarity inquired, watching them go.
Twilight grumbled. “I guess I can recalculate our finances over a glass of wine or two.”
“If there’s one thing Applejack has taught me, is that sometimes you need to stop fussing over the details, Twilight. Do you know how close the expedition came to failure today? Isn’t our success worth a smile and a toast?”
“I know exactly how close we are to failure, Rarity. That’s what worries me.”
Rarity stopped at the concern in Twilight’s voice and watched her walk out of the room, ledger floating beside her, as she moved to catch up to Dusty Ruin and the others.
Just how tight of a budget was this expedition on?