When the first thestrals settled in Letyucha, fear had been a necessity. Fear kept you alert while you were on watch. Fear kept you wary when you were out gathering food. Fear made sure that predators or rival dens couldn't ambush you on patrol. Even after all those centuries, many of Starlight’s kind considered fear as much a gift of the Nightmother as their thick coats and slit pupils.
However, as Starlight sat in the waiting room of Canterlot General Hospital, the Nightmother’s gift was quickly becoming a curse.
Please be alright. Please be alright… Starlight thought over and over. It echoed through her mind like a mantra. It was all she could think about, and maybe—just maybe—if she kept saying it, the universe would take pity on her and grant her prayer.
Given her track record, it seemed unlikely. Faith in divinity so often gave way to the fates.
She cocked her head toward the examination rooms. What could possibly be taking them so long? Her knowledge of medicine was limited—her denfather hadn’t had any desire for his daughter to be educated in a “merchant” profession—but surely it couldn’t take the doctor that long to examine Daniel.
In her anxious state, her thestral instincts had taken over; keeping her looking around the waiting room, searching for some non-existent threat. Of course, nothing she saw looked particularly threatening; the walls of the waiting room were painted a pastel blue, illuminated by hidden mage-lights. In the corner, colorful fish swam about in a tank, one of them staring out the glass walls as if plotting an escape.
To a pony, it would have been relaxing. To a thestral, it was useless. It was much too bright, and much too colorful.
Starlight tried to distract herself with an issue of National Equigraphic she’d scavenged from the magazine rack, but her imagination was too cunning for that.
What if the anxiety attack had damaged him somehow? What if Daniel had some inoperable form of cancer? What if he only had a few months left to live? What if this was his last night alive?!
As she stewed in her worry, Starlight remembered an old proverb one of her denmothers would always quote: Worry never stopped the moon from setting. The best thing she could do was keep herself calm and under control.
Starlight looked to George and Lenny. At least she was not the only one worried sick.
Though they’d tried their best to remain stoic, Starlight could see the way they fidgeted in their seats, eyes darting back and forth.
“Alright now, Slate, are you charged up?”
Starlight turned to see Twilight and Slate huddled together. The little half-unicorn closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, his horn sparking with stored magic energy.
“Okay, now, imagine all of that energy rushing out in a bunch of little bursts. Ready?”
Slate nodded.
“Go!”
A lone ball of magical energy shot into the air, then burst with a sharp pop. A sprinkle of electric-blue sparks rained down on Slate’s head.
“That’s it, you’ve got it!” Twilight clapped her hooves together. Slate reared up on his hind legs.
“Momma, momma, did you see that? Huh, did you see that?”
“I did. Good job Slate!” Starlight ran a hoof through her son’s mane. It seemed like only yesterday she was tying him to his bed so his magical surges wouldn’t send him flying. Her little colt was growing up.
Just then two doctors galloped past, their lab coats flapping in the air. The concerned looks on their faces was evident, and they spoke in hushed voices despite the speed they were moving.
Slate’s smile disappeared. “Momma,” he said, ears drooping. “Will Mr. Daniel be all right?”
“Do not worry, little star. The doctors here, they are the best. If anything is wrong with Mr. Daniel, they will be knowing how to fix him.” Starlight pointed over to the fish tank sitting in the corner. “Now, correct me if I am wrong, but there are fish over there. Perhaps they should be admired, no?”
”But, Momma, Mister Daniel’s hurt. How can I have fun if he’s hurt?”
“Slate, having a little bit of fun while we are waiting will not be hurting Mr. Daniel.” She smiled. “Besides, do you not think Mr. Daniel would like for you to be having fun?”
Slate ears perked up slightly. “Okay Momma, I’ll try.” With that, the colt trotted over to the corner and pressed his muzzle against the tank, the fish scattering on sight.
“Your son’s a pretty good spellcaster,” Twilight said, taking a seat next to Starlight. “He learns quickly, and has great control. You’ve taught him pretty well.”
Starlight couldn’t help but smile at the compliment, though she felt guilty for it when Daniel was hurt. Still, it was high praise when it came from the Bearer of the Element of Magic. “Thank you. It was not being easy.”
“I can imagine,” Twilight said with a smile. “Have you ever considered enrolling him at Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?”
“The School for Gifted Unicorns?” Starlight had heard of the School. Virtually everypony had. Some of the most influential ponies in history had attended it. One of whom was sitting right next to her.
“Well, I am not sure,” she said, hesitantly. “It would be nice to be seeing him go to a good school, but I am not certain. It is expensive, and I am not possessing much in terms of money.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Celestia has plenty of scholarship programs for students from lower-income families. She wants everypony to be able to learn and reach their full potential. If you want, I can even help you with the paperwork.”
“I see. That is a kind offer. I will be considering it,” Starlight said, staring off into the distance.
The conversation could only keep her anxiety at bay for so long. Already she could feel it seeping into her, twisting her stomach and freezing her heart. Her ears drooped and her tail went limp.
Twilight put a wing on Starlight’s back. “Are you alright, Starlight?”
“No, not at all.”
“Don’t worry,” she said, patting Starlight’s shoulder. “This isn’t the first time Daniel’s pushed himself too hard.” She chuckled. “Once, the day before he met Princess Celestia for the first time, he spent hours rehearsing his introduction, his farewell, everything. The next day, when he arrived at the castle, he was so exhausted he fell asleep halfway through the ceremony.”
Starlight giggled, though she felt a little guilty for doing so. That was Daniel all right.
“That is nothing. Once, when the two of us were beginning to date…”
She stiffened as she realized what she’d just admitted. The words had just slipped out, she hadn’t even thought about it.
“Something wrong?” Twilight asked, cocking her head. “You just seized up.”
Starlight took a breath, and then smiled. Yes, she and Daniel were a couple, there was no denying it. She knew it should’ve scared her, but it only made her feel happy.
“No, I am fine as one can be in a hospital,” she said. “As I was saying, Just after we had started seeing each other, we were out to dinner, and so distracted was he by a phone call that he did tip the waiter one-hundred bits.”
The two mares shared a giggle.
“Oh his face, it was tragic and hilarious all at once,” Starlight added with a sigh.
“Just like Daniel,” she said, glancing down at the magazine on Starlight’s lap. “Oh, you read National Equigraphic too?”
“I do. During my foalhood, I did steal into Denfather’s study at many times so I could be reading his collection. Sometimes, I would cut out pictures of places that I was wishing to visit from the pages: Stalliongrad, Saddle Arabia, Manehattan… so very many.”
“Same with me. It was just so interesting, all of those photographs, and those articles. In fact, between you and me, it’s a dream of mine to get an article published in there someday.
“And why would you not?” Starlight asked. “You are the Princess of Friendship, certainly they would be taking your article in the beat of a heart.”
Twilight shook her head, looking crestfallen at the very notion. “Oh no, I could never do something like that. I’d have to send it under a pseudonym. I want to get in because of my skill, not my title.”
Starlight shook her head, a smile on her face.
“What?” Twilight asked, blushing.
“Oh, it is being nothing. It is just, well, back in my country, our nobility, they were thinking that it was better to be using influence, rather than skill, to achieve things.”
Twilight nodded and sighed. “I know that all too well. But then, at least in Equestria they’re normally content with using it as a means to throw the most lavish party.” She peered over Star’s shoulder. “Oh, I love this issue. Especially the centerfold article on traditional Letyan skydancing.”
Starlight blinked at Twilight dumbly, before the words sunk in.
Not quite believing the coincidence, she flipped to a double page picture of two skydancers performing a twin S-loop, streamers trailing behind them. In her anxiety she must have overlooked it.
“So, you are interested in skydancing, no?” Star asked.
“I think it’s amazing,” Twilight gushed. “One time, my mom and dad took Shiny, Spike, and I to see a skydancing performance at the Canterlot ballet.” She sighed. “Watching them perform wasn’t like watching a dance, it was more like they were telling me a story.” She sighed, unfurling her wings slightly, giving them a ruffle. “And they make it look so easy too.”
“It is not being as easy as it looks,” said Starlight, tapping a hoof against the glossy page. “In skydancing, you must be becoming one with your fellow dancers. You must be training from sunset to sunrise. To fly until your wings scream for mercy. It must be becoming instinct.”
“I can imagine.” Twilight gave her wings a flap. “Knowing me, I’d probably crash into the side of a building on my first try… By the way, Daniel’s told me about your skydancing abilities.”
“He has…?” Starlight tensed. For years, her skydancing had been a closely-guarded secret, known only to her most trusted Denmates. Twilight was hardly her denfather, but old habits were hard to break.
“Don’t worry, he was very flattering,” Twilight added. “He said that you were the best skydancer he’d ever seen: that your flying would ‘make an angel go green with envy’.”
The chuckle that came from Star was bitter. “High praise from one who has never been seeing anypony else perform.”
Twilight shook her head. “You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Daniel has an eye for this sort of thing. He said you’re extraordinarily talented, and I haven’t doubted that assessment for a moment. Have you ever considered auditioning for the Canterlot ballet?”
Starlight sighed. It seemed that no matter how many times the subject was brought up, she just couldn’t escape it.
“Daniel and I, we have talked about this. I have been trying, but they will not give me a chance. They are only wanting those from the big dance academies.”
“Well, Daniel has connections. Surely he could use his influence to get you an audition.”
Starlight’s stomach twisted into a knot. “No, I do not need his help. It would be too much trouble”
“Star, I’m sure he—”
“No!”
Twilight blinked in surprise. When she spoke again, the words were cautious. “Star, you’re hiding something from Daniel, aren’t you?”
“No! No I—” Starlight stopped mid-stutter. The look on Twilight’s said everything; don’t even try to lie.
“...Yes” Starlight sighed, ears pressing against her head. “Yes, there is a something I am hiding from him.”
Twilight put a hoof on Starlight’s back. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Starlight squirmed. “It is a… personal matter.”
“Pardon me,” George interrupted, rubbing his elbow with a hoof. “But would it be permissible for Silver and I to take Slate for an ice cream?”
“Hey, yeah, that’s a great idea!” Lenny chimed in, giving Starlight a sympathetic smile. “The little guy looks like he deserves a treat after today, and hospitals aren’t places for foals.”
Star hesitated, glancing between the two. It gave her the excuse to not look at Twilight and her searching eyes.
“Oh, can we, Mama, can we?” Slate asked, looking away from the fish tank and bouncing over to Starlight.
It didn’t feel right, to send her only son off with two stallions, even though Star knew she was being silly. They were members of the Royal Guard, and good stallions on top of that. Somewhat dysfunctional and occasionally goofy stallions, but good stallions nonetheless.
Eventually she sighed, and gave a nod. “Okay, but be good Slate, and stay close to Gold and Silver.” It took a bit of effort for her not to use the pair’s nicknames.
“Okay momma,” Slate said, bouncing back and forth on his left and right legs. That joy faded a moment later. “But what if I’m not here when Mr Daniel wakes up?”
“Mr.Daniel is already awake Slate,” Star corrected, smoothing down his mane. “The doctor, he is just making sure that he is okay.”
“Yeah, come on kiddo, I promise he’ll still be here when we get back,” Lenny said, picking Slate up and depositing him on his back. By instinct the colt’s forelegs wrapped around his neck. “And nopony should ever turn down ice cream!”
With that he gave a whinny, rearing back to kick his front legs in the air, before setting off at a trot down the corridor.
George moved to follow, though he paused to glance back at Starlight. “Don’t worry Miss, he’ll be fine. Silver is rather good with foals, and I’ll be there too.”
With that said he hurried off too, just as Lenny disappeared around a corner.
“So Starlight, it’s just us now. Do you think you can talk about it?”
Starlight hesitated. True, she trusted Twilight—a friend of Daniel’s was a friend of hers, and being a princess on top of that didn’t hurt—but a secret like hers wasn’t the kind that was easily told.
“Starlight, I know what it’s like to have secrets. I know that if you keep them to yourself for too long, they’ll eat you up from the inside.” Twilight paused for a second. “Especially when you’re keeping them from somepony you love, at least that’s what I assume. I’ll be the first to admit I am hardly skilled in romance.”
She put her hoof to her chin. “How about this, I’ll tell you a secret if you tell me yours?”
Starlight thought for a second. “Are you… promising to not tell anypony?”
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
It was an unusual oath, but it did come from a princess.
“Very well.” Starlight took a deep breath. “If you would not be minding, could you start?”
“I can,” Twilight replied, sighing.
“Starlight, I might as well admit it; when Daniel first told me about you, I was jealous. It was only a small part of me, but I felt awful all the same.”
“Jealous?” Star tilted her head. “But I was thinking that you and Daniel were just friends?”
Another sigh. “Yes. When we broke up, we agreed that we would still remain friends. I knew and he knew that our relationship just wasn’t working out. I was sure that time had done away with any romantic feelings I still held for Daniel. But, when I learned that he’d started seeing somepony new some residual feelings came bubbling up.”
Twilight turned to Star.
“You know, before I met Daniel, I’d never really thought about finding a special somepony. There was always my studies, and ever since I met my friends I’ve never been lonely. Sure, sometimes in the past I’d thought about meeting somepony I’d taken a fleeting fancy to for tea, but, well, I just never got around to asking any of them.” She smiled. “Daniel certainly changed that. It turned out he and I weren’t meant for each other, but he did make me realize that I do want to find somepony to spend the rest of my life with. I suppose I’ll always love him in a special way for doing that for me.”
Starlight smiled. “He is having a, what is the word, knack for making ponies realize they are wanting to be loved.”
Twilight nodded. “At first, my interest in him was purely scientific, but the more I learned about him, the more I started to like him as a person. Twilight hung her head. “He was one of the few people who truly understood me, that just because I like my own space sometimes, it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy their company. Ponies like that don’t come along very often.”
“Well,” Twilight sniffed, levitating a hoofkerchief from her saddlebag and dabbing her eyes. “That’s my secret.”
“Right. Now, to be keeping my end of the bargain.” Starlight took a deep breath. This was going to hurt.
“Long before our meeting, back in Letyucha, I met a stallion who did promise that he would be there for me when I was needing him.” She gritted her teeth. Old wounds began to reopen, and though she hated herself, she felt her eyes begin to burn.
“But when the unexpected was happening, he… abandoned me.”
Twilight held Starlight’s hoof. “And because of him, you can’t bring yourself to trust any stallion too much.”
“You are catching on quickly,” Starlight said, her voice thick. “Celestia and Lady Luna chose well.”
“Star,” Twilight said.“Listen, I’ve known Daniel since he first arrived in Equestria. He may be stubborn to a fault.”
Starlight snorted, though it came out more has a hiccup.
“But he would never betray a friend,” Twilight finished.
With a glow of her horn Twilight offered Star her hoofkerchief. With a smile that wobbled around the edges Star took it and wiped her eyes.
“Twilight, my mind, it is believing you… but my heart, it cannot forget past hurtings.”
Twilight sighed. “I wish I could do more, I really do, but I’m the Princess of Friendship. Love, well, that’s more my sister-in-law’s portfolio. But I know that if you want your relationship to last, you need to be honest with him.”
“I am not being sure if I can,” Starlight said softly.
Twilight put a hoof on the thestral’s withers “Starlight, sometime in the next few weeks, I want you to tell Daniel the truth. Do you think you can promise me that?”
Starlight took a shuddering breath, then nodded. “Yes. I can promise.”
“Good, Daniel needs somepony like you.” Twilight smiled. “After all, somepony needs to keep him safe.”
Starlight managed a weak chuckle. “I shall be doing my best.”
Feeling a bit more relaxed, Starlight turned her head towards the hallway leading to the examination rooms.
She was going to have a serious talk with him. No one had the right to worry her the way he had.
*****
Daniel glared at the inflatable sleeve around his arm, twitching with every pump.
He blamed his older brother for that.
When he was a kid, his big brother had told him about a friend of a friend who’d lost an arm while having his blood pressure taken. Supposedly, the doctor had pumped it so many times that it’d pinched the poor kid’s arm clean off. Like the gullible little nine-year old he was, he’d believed it.
Even then, as he sat on the examination room table some twenty years later, he still got the shivers whenever the inflatable sleeve went on.
White Coat Hypertension, that’s what they called it. Not that knowing the name for it made him feel any more relaxed.
Like a boa constrictor, the sleeve pressed against his flesh, growing tighter with each pump. Though he knew it was only his imagination, he swore he could feel it clamp down, slowly squeezing his arm to the breaking point.
There was a hiss, and the sleeve relaxed.
“How’s it look, doctor?”
Dr. Schweitzer, Daniel’s personal physician, held the dial up to his face and frowned. That wasn’t good. In Daniel’s experience there were three people who you never wanted to frown: fathers, policemen, and doctors.
“One moment, Mr. Habbuck.” The doctor ran a hand through his greying hair and scribbled something on his clipboard.
Daniel didn’t know why the UN had insisted on him having a human doctor. Pony doctors were more than equipped to deal with human medical needs. But at the end of the day he was their employee, and he’d conceded.
“I’ve reached a diagnosis now,” the doctor said, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Would you like to receive it privately, or with your… family?”
“The latter,” Daniel replied, not even pausing to think.
With that, the doctor opened the exam room door, leaning out of it to speak to someone just outside. “You may see Mr. Habbuck now, though I hope I need not remind you that there are other people here. Princesses and guards are not exempt from the rules.”
Daniel heard somepony break into a gallop. He braced himself.
Three... Two… One...
“Mr. Daniel!”
A grey blur shot between the doctor’s legs, nearly tripping him, then launched itself at Daniel’s chest. The next thing Daniel knew, he was laying flat on his back, pressed down onto his mattress, with two green eyes staring back at him.
“Mr. Daniel, you’re okay!”
Daniel smiled. “Good to see you too, Slate.” He scratched Slate behind his ears, running his fingers through the colt’s fur.
“Mister Daniel, Momma and Miss Twilight say that you got really really scared, and that you started breathing really hard!”
It was a simplistic description, but it struck Daniel how accurate it was.
“I did Slate, I did. But don’t worry, I’m okay now.”
Daniel had an idea. “Hey, Slate?”
“Yes?”
“Follow my finger.” Daniel slowly moved his finger around in a circle, Slate’s eyes following its every move.
“And… boop!” Daniel gently poked Slate’s muzzle, causing it to scrunch up in a suitably adorable fashion.
Slate giggled and nuzzled Daniel’s chest like a dog.
“You always were good with foals.”
Daniel looked up to see Twilight standing in the doorway.
“What can I say?” He smirked, prying Slate off of his chest. “I’m a sucker for cute.”
Lifting Slate up, Daniel set him on the floor next to the bed.“Why do you think I became friends with you?”
“Oh you.” Twilight nickered, trotting over to Daniel and slapping him playfully on the shoulder, before embracing him with her forelegs.
George and Lenny trotted into the room. Daniel could almost smell the relief they were feeling.
“Ambassador,” George said. “It’s good to see that you’re safe.”
“Yeah, ya had us all real worried for a moment there, Mister H,” added Lenny.
“Well, I’m alright now. Thanks to you two.”
“No thanks are necessary, ambassador,” said George.”We were only doing our duty.”
“Yeah,” added Lenny. “We’re your bodyguards. Our job’s to guard your body, even if it’s from yourself.”
He chuckled. “I think you mean especially—”
“Daniel?”
Daniel’s heart leapt. There was Starlight, peaking through the doorway, rubbing one foreleg against the other.
“Star, what’s wrong?” he asked, pushing himself further upright, eyes tinted with worry.
“No, it is being nothing,” she replied, shaking her head, before smiling.
That broke whatever had been holding her back, Starlight spreading her wings and leapt into the air.
Daniel opened his arms and caught the thestral in midair, holding her to his chest.
Hugging Starlight wasn’t like hugging an ordinary pony. Behind her coat he could feel corded muscles, hidden scars; the signs of a mare who’d endured more than she liked to say. For a while, he just wanted to hold her close; to let her know he would always be there for her.
They stayed like that for a while, her head burrowed into his chest. The other ponies shifted awkwardly; George and Lenny looked away, Slate just stared with wide eyes, while Twilight blushed.
“Daniel?”
He looked down, fully prepared to stare deep into the limpid pools of Starlight’s eyes.
“You stupid vyrodok!”
Lenny clamped his hooves over Slate’s ears. Starlight bared her fangs.
“By the Nightmother above, are all humans being as durnyy as you? Were you not thinking about your health? What about your friends, shutting them out when you were needing them the most?”
Daniel opened his mouth to speak, only for Starlight to cut him off, shaking him by the shoulders.
“And what if tam was being an avariynyy?” Starlight hissed. “And what...”
From there, Starlight completely lapsed into her native language. He couldn’t understand a word, but the gist was easy enough to catch onto. She berated Daniel for every stupid decision he’d made that day; from locking himself in his office, to nearly working himself to death. All the while Daniel just sat and beared it, giving the occasional nod. He didn’t even bother to argue; he deserved every scolding he’d gotten and more.
Finally, Starlight’s rant petered out, like a storm slowly losing strength. She took a few shuddering breaths before rubbing her muzzle against Daniel’s cheek. “You may be a stubborn vyrodock, but you are my vyrodock. It is being so good to see that you are safe.”
Daniel ran a hand through Starlight’s coat. Unlike the somewhat coarser fur of a pony, the thestral’s coat was soft and silky, more like angora than horse hair.
“Ahem.”
Daniel looked up to see Dr. Schweitzer standing in the doorway, alternating between tapping his foot and checking his watch.
“Forgive me for being rude ambassador,” he said, “but I do have other appointments today. Would you be opposed to me giving my diagnosis now?’’
Daniel’s cheeks flushed. He’d totally forgotten his doctor was even there.
“Well, doc, how is it?” Daniel pulled down the sleeves of his collared shirt. “Can I head back to the office now?”
Schwiezer’s bushy eyebrows met as he frowned. “Not for a while, I’m afraid.”
“Come again?” Daniel asked.
“Ambassador, pardon my bluntness, but your body is a wreck.” He leafed through his clipboard. “Not only is your blood pressure dangerously high for a man your age, but your immune response is the lowest I’ve ever seen.” He sighed. “Frankly, it’s a wonder you didn’t collapse sooner.”
The doctor’s pencil danced across his clipboard. “So, as your physician, I’m contacting the UN’s general secretary and through a firmly worded report giving my utmost recommendation that you take a one-week break from your duties as Equiss ambassador. I will also stress the need for them to ensure you do not overwork yourself in the future.”
“A week?” Daniel said in the calmest voice he could muster. “Doctor, while I appreciate your concern, I have a very important conference coming up in a few days.”
“I’m very aware of that, Ambassador. However, I’d be violating my Hippocratic Oath if I were to let you return to work in your condition.”
“Doctor,” Twilight said, raising her hoof like she was addressing a teacher. ”May I say something?”
“Of course, Princess,” he said.
“While I may not hold a medical degree, I have published a research paper on stress and hypertension, and I must disagree with your decision.”
Daniel smiled. That was Twilight. Always sticking up for her friends.
“Given the extent of Daniel’s condition, one week seems like far too short a time period. Two weeks seems more appropriate.”
The smile vanished. That was Twilight. Always screwing over her friends.
The doctor chuckled, but shook his head. “An excellent idea Princess, but that’s not my place to say.” He scratched something down on his clipboard. “One week is the bare minimum time off he needs. More is always preferable, but I cannot force that matter. You’ll need to work that out among yourselves. Oh, and do keep the UN informed if you decided to use some of your paid vacation days.”
For a moment, Daniel just sat there, nails digging into the palms of his hands. “Twilight, I appreciate the sentiment, but I still have work to do. A week off I can manage, but any more time without an Earth ambassador and the foreign relations I’ve worked to build will all fall apart.”
Dr. Schweitzer cleared his throat. “Actually Ambassador, in situations like these, I believe the UN will assign a replacement to take over your duties.”
Daniel blinked. His mouth opened, but all that came out was a strangled grunt.
“But surely this is being ridiculous,” Starlight interjected, wings flaring up as she pawed at the ground. “Daniel, he has given everything for the UN, now they will be taking it all away?”
“Miss, please.” Dr. Schwietzer held out his hands. “It is merely a temporary replacement to keep things running while the ambassador is away. This is a critical diplomatic posting after all, you cannot expect them to leave it vacant.”
The drumbeat in Daniel’s head slowly ebbed.
“Twilight,” he said through clenched teeth. “If you don’t mind, could I speak to you in private?”
“Sure,” Twilight said, smiling nervously. She turned to Starlight and the others. “If all of you don’t mind that is.”
“I am understanding,” Starlight said. “I suppose I should also be getting Slate back home. It is becoming late.” She put a hoof on Slate’s withers. “Come, Slate, it is time to go.”
Slate’s ears drooped. “But Momma, I wanna stay with Mister Daniel!”
“Slate, Mister Daniel is needing to be speaking to Miss Twilight now. He is needing some alone time. Besides, it is nothing you would be finding interesting. Diplomacy and nothing more.”
She shot a meaningful look his and Twilight’s way.
Daniel let himself soften a little. “Slate, Miss Twilight and I have some very important… things to discuss. I promise I’ll stop by and visit tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Slate hung his head. “Bye Mr. Daniel.”
“Bye, Slate.” Daniel waved as the pair trotted out the door. “I promise we’ll have a special day just for you really soon. Only fair after you had to wait in this boring place.”
He hadn’t meant to, but the kid had looked so heartbroken the words had come tumbling out. It didn’t matter though, the look of pure joy on Slate’s face already made it worth it.
It wasn’t until they were gone that Daniel realized Starlight hadn’t said goodbye. As if reading his thoughts Starlight stuck her head around the door, and blew him a kiss, before she was gone again.
Grinning like an idiot, he turned to George and Lenny. “If you gentlemen don’t mind.”
“We understand, ambassador. No rest for the wicked, though you must’ve been right vile to get the workload you have,” George said, more mirth in his voice than Daniel liked.
“We’ll be outside if ya need us,” added Lenny. “Just don’t go pushing yerrself. We’ll tell Miss Starlight on ya if ya do.”
The pair left the room, closing the door behind them.
Daniel turned his attention back to Twilight. He took a deep breath, held it in for a few seconds, then released it.
“Twilight, what the buck!?”
“Well what was I supposed to do? Let you work yourself to death?” Twilight asked, flaring her wings.
“Twi, in case you weren’t aware, that conference could change everything about Earth-Equis relations. If things don’t go perfectly, it could set things back by years!”
“Daniel, listen, there are people in the UN who could stand in for you during the conference. You’ve done the hard work, and everypony going has already made their decisions. Formality is all that’s left.”
“Formality is a lot more important than you think! Even if the negotiations go well, if whoever’s representing humanity doesn’t make a good impression, it could lose us a lot of respect. These negotiations need someone who can read non-humans, and, unless there’s someone else who's spent two years living in Equestria, I’m the only one!”
“That experience wouldn’t do you much good when you collapse at the podium!” Twilight shouted.
“I’ll go to bed early,” he grumbled, crossing his arms. “I’ll take some breaks.”
“You need a hay of a lot more than that.” Twilight ground her teeth. “You heard the doctor. If you keep this up you’ll kill yourself. What would that do to your family? What would that do to Starlight?”
That last part stopped Daniel in his tracks. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it.
Rule #2 of living in Equestria. Don’t try to argue with Twilight. You’ll never win.
Twilight’s scowl melted into a look of concern. The alicorn trotted over to Daniel and put a forehoof on his shoulder. “Look, I know you’re really stressed about this. To tell you the truth I can’t really blame you, but even if this conference doesn’t go too well it won’t be the end of everything. There’ll be other chances to negotiate.” She smiled. “But there’ll only be one of you.”
Daniel smiled. “Thank God for that.”
Twilight made a sound between a chuckle and a nicker. Ponies, there was something so adorable about the way they combined human and equine mannerisms.
“Sorry about yelling at you earlier,” Daniel said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m just too stubborn for my own good.”
“Stubborn is what you do best.” Twilight smirked. “You might say it’s your special talent.”
“True.” Daniel laughed and loosened the collar of his suit. “So, Twi, how have you been?”
“Same as always, busy,” Twilight said, arching her back until it popped. “Though my friends are always there for me.”
“Surprise, surprise. And to think you once thought friendship was pointless. I don’t think I would’ve had a chance in hell with that Twilight.”
“I don’t think anypony really did,” Twilight muttered.
Daniel slipped off of the bed and put his shoes back on. “You know, this isn’t really the best place to have a conversation. What do you say we head back to the embassy? There are ponies who need this room more than two friends catching up.”
“I think you’ve spent more than enough time at your office. How about instead we head to my castle? It’s been awhile since you last visited. Spike and I have just finished reorganizing everything according to the Dewey Decimal System.”
She squeed a little, clopping her hooves together.
“Sure,” Daniel replied.
It was hardly a short trip to Ponyville, but it wasn’t like he needed to be up early the next day for work.
“Right.” Twilight pulled out a pocket watch from her saddlebag. “If we hurry we can catch the 7:15 train to Ponyville.”
“No need,” Daniel said. “Just hire a flying chariot. It’ll be faster”
“Are you sure?” Twilight asked. “You’ve never flown on one of those before. You were always too afraid.”
“That was a long time ago, Twi. I’m a bit more seasoned now. I can handle it.”