Twilight listened patiently as one of the three people sitting in front of her desk – a woman with a name badge bearing the name 'Ethel Smith' – talked passionately about why she and her fellow bus drivers had gone on what she had called an 'indefinite' strike.
"It's like this, Your Highness," she grumbled. "Every morning I step into one of those things, I wonder when it is finally going to fall apart. The lights don't work, half of the seats are either vandalised or missing, the top deck smells like something died there, and I think something has died right at the very back. We need more money to improve our buses, it's that simple. If you don't do it then more people will die, end of."
"People always want money," said another woman, whom Raymond had identified as a financial planner named Fleur Licorish. "And they always want guarantees. I'm willing to bet every single bit on me that they're making a big fuss about nothing. The strikes no big deal; we can always find plenty of other people willing to take the job. Public transport is a financial black hole anyway, there's no profit in it for us. If someone really wants to go somewhere, they drive. Withdraw some of our public transport funding out and let them have enough money to buy themselves a car."
"That sounds to me," said another financial advisor who just happened to be walking past at that moment, "like a stellar reason to do away with the public transport system altogether. The only people who really lose out are the poor and the disabled, but there's no profit in them either so it's win-win."
"Now now, there's no need to be quite so gung-ho," said Klaus Longbottom, who had been introduced as a city planner. "The public transport system is vital for cutting down congestion and pollution within urban areas. Less vehicles on the road, less fumes... you with me so far? What we need to do is put a tax on car-use within the cities and promote our mass transit. That way everyone gets what they want, and cleaner air to boot."
"You all raise some interesting points," Twilight said. "However, I have to agree with Ethel and say that safety should be our number one priority. The public transport system will get the budget increase it is seeking, the strike will end, and then hopefully we can get the people on the move again."
Her friends all nodded, making varying sounds of agreement. Twilight then turned to look at Geo, who was sitting at the table stabbing a knife between the gaps in his fingers. Behind him, the soldier he had ordered to do push-ups was jogging on the spot. Shaking her head, she gave her attention to the petitioners.
"I will make the necessary arrangements, Ethel. Tell your fellow drivers that you will get what you want."
"Thank you, Princess." Ethel stood up and bowed, as did the other two people in the room. "I will deliver the news at once."
Twilight nodded in return and watched as the group left. After Raymond closed the door, Rainbow Dash groaned.
"Listening to these people talk has given me a headache." she sighed. "How much longer are you gonna do this for, Twi?"
Twilight glanced at some papers on her desk. "I have a few more issues to deal with at the moment," she replied. "But you do know that you don't have to stay in here, right? There is nothing stopping you from going outside enjoying a nice flight around the city."
"The Princess has a point." Geo jammed his knife into the table and looked up. "You should go and have some fun, and let us leaders deal with the boring politics crap. But if you do go for a flight, be sure to stay the hell away from my Hurricanes."
Rainbow Dash looked at him blankly, but Geo ignored her and pulled his knife out of the table to resume what he was doing.
"'Hurricanes' are the primary aircraft of the GDAF," Raymond said by way of explanation. "They are fast, agile, well-armoured and heavily armed with an armour-piercing cannon and a multitude of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. Put simply: they are not the sort of things you want chasing you."
Rainbow Dash ruffled her feathers. "I'm not afraid of them," she said. "I faced down a dragon once, you know."
"Blackacre said they didn't fear my Hurricanes either." Geo chuckled malevolently. "That was before a squadron of them turned their main military base into a smouldering crater, of course."
Rainbow Dash swallowed nervously. "On second thoughts, I might just go for a jog instead," she said. "You coming, AJ?"
Applejack nodded. "Sure thing, sugarcube," she replied. "I've been meanin' ta give the ol' legs a good stretch, anyway."
"I'll come with you... if, um, you don't mind," Fluttershy said.
"Me too, darling," Rarity added. "I simply must go and inspect the local shops to see what delights they have on offer."
"And I need to inspect the local bakers, to see what delicacies they have on offer." Pinkie Pie licked her lips.
Twilight chuckled. "Well then, off you go and have fun," she said. "Remember: you are my guests, and thus have free reign of the city. Let me know if anyone gives you any trouble."
"I don't think there is any danger of that, darling," Rarity said. "The people here have shown us nothing but kindness since we arrived."
"I know that my people won't give you any trouble, girls." Twilight nodded towards Geo. "I was actually talking about his. If his men give you any grief, please let me know."
"Understood, Twilight," Applejack said. "Though I don't know why on Equestria his men would want to bother us."
Twilight sighed. "They'll find a reason if they're determined enough to harass you," she said. "Try and avoid them if you can, and just enjoy what the city has to offer you."
Raymond walked over. "The GDA troops are stationed at various places within a ten-block radius of this building," he said. "They've set up checkpoints and are searching anyone who tries to pass through. We've not had any reports of citizens being harassed, Princess, so your friends should not be in any danger."
"But we're not humans, darling," Rarity said. "And from what we've learned, the Apocalypse is a very xenophobic place indeed. That alone would be reason enough for these soldiers to harass—"
"You might want to try lowering your voices next time you want to talk about me." Geo's voice startled the group, and they quickly gave him their full attention. "You have my word, Princess, that my guys won't bother your friends. Because if they do..." He suddenly threw his knife at the man who was jogging on the spot. The weapon struck him in the chest and he fell to the ground with a cry of shock, which was soon replaced with groaning. "This will happen to them." He gestured to two more of his guards, who saluted and pulled the third man to his feet before dragging him out of the room. Twilight looked stunned, but she soon managed to speak.
"That was completely unnecessary," she said. "But you've made your point; I don't need to worry, I need to get back to work." She turned to her friends. "Go and enjoy yourselves." They nodded, gave her a hug, then left while she addressed Raymond. "Bring in the next group of petitioners... and could you also get someone up here to clean the blood off the floor?"
Raymond nodded and went to the door holding his phone, Geo produced another knife and carried on with his game as though nothing had happened — while Twilight sat at her desk to wonder just what in the world would happen next.