Amazing how fast three weeks can pass. Even couped up, the time flew by. I kept myself entertained with a few articles for Open. When work called for it, I could leave to interview or do what I needed to. The security presence was comforting at times, stifling at others, but nopony seemed to mind. My court appearances were negligible thanks to my written testimony and by the end of the month, I looked to be in the clear.
Of all the visitors I'd had, the last one I expected to see at this time of night was Hard Deadline. "It’s good to see you again, sir." I said, ushering him into the bar area between kitchen and living room.
"I'm glad you're alright. Open kept me up to date on the craziness since you got married."
"It's been a struggle. How have you been?" I asked, pulling out a pitcher of water.
"That's what I came to tell you. I think it's best if you hear it from me." His tone melted the smile off my face. "I sold Celerity."
Passing him his cup, I came around and sat on a stool. "What does that mean?"
He took a sip and answered. "I'm getting out of publishing. Celerity was supposed to be my retirement. Equestria Monthly bought me out and will add the facility to their printing line. I negotiated a severance for all of the staff members. It should be enough to hold you over until you get your feet under you."
Looking down at my countertop, I replied. "Thanks for telling me this. I know I haven't done much for the magazine since I got back, but this is still..." I drifted off, uncertain of how much face I'd lose. This was one of my parent's friends, after all.
"It's emotional. I know." He patted my shoulder. "I have a job for you, but it's a different part of publishing."
"Oh?" I said, looking up at him.
"Jaune Colteau is a Prench film-maker. He seems convinced on making talking pictures into an art form. Personally, I don't see it. Ponies much prefer seeing actors first-hoof. But, he came over with a substantial amount of funding to start a studio in Canterlot."
"Where do I come in?" I asked.
"He wants a full-court spread, multi-media marketing campaign. Including a biographical novel to debut around the same time as his first film hits theaters.
"And..." I asked, rotating a hoof to signal him to continue.
He smiled. "I'll spell it out for you. I gave your portfolio over to Colteau's PR team. They want you." Deadline said proudly.
My eyebrows rose. "But, I've never written a novel, let alone a biography."
"There's not a lot to it and Open will be with you the whole way. Think it over, see if it isn't right for you and she'll be by tomorrow for your answer. The sooner the better, though. This opportunity won't last long."
It took a moment more for me to process this. Looking up, I masked my inner turmoil and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Deadline. I appreciate everything you've done for me."
He nodded. "On a personal note, I have to apologize to you. When I found out about Genuine getting to you...well. I overreacted. Things didn't end well between us and I'm afraid I went to the worst-case scenario. That wasn't fair to you."
I shook my head. "It's okay. The trip worked out well. I learned a lot, found a son and got married."
"Yeah," Div said as he came in. "We probably would've pussyfooted around each other for Celestia only knows how long instead of getting together like we did. Thanks, Hardy." Div patted Deadline's shoulder.
"Well, I can't help but feel a little heel-ish, but if things worked out, that's great."
"Will you join us for dinner?" Div asked.
Deadline stood. "Sorry, I'll take a rain-check though. There's a lot more to do, paperwork-wise." He nodded to us both. "Life, Div, I wish nothing but the best for you."
"Us too, for you." I answered. Div showed him to the door as I lowered my head into my hooves.
"I heard most of that, but how are you doing?" Div asked as he rubbed a hoof on my shoulders.
"I'm basically unemployed, Div." I answered.
"It'll turn out. You have that biography offer. The worst that could happen is...well, I'm sure you've already come up with a worst case scenario."
"I've come up with three."
Div sighed. "Not surprised."
I shook my head. "What am I going to do?" I asked rhetorically.
Div took it upon himself to answer. "We aren't going to worry about it. Stressing out is only going to make you miserable and that's not what you need to concentrate on now. See the positives in the situation and take advantage of them."
"That's not easy for me." I admitted.
"That's why you have me." He said as he smiled. Leaning in, he kissed my forehead. "We've been together for how long and we've been through much worse than a little unemployment."
He had a point.
***
Jaune Colteau was quite unlike any other pony I'd met. He was so good at nearly everything! Painter, poet, playwright, director and more. The pony was less a pony and more a force of nature. I'm sure that first week in his studio, I had stars in my eyes.
It was one of the principle actors who finally pulled me aside. Jaune Mareais was a handsome blonde maned, white-coated earth pony stallion. From what I understood, he came with Colteau to help him with his project in Canterlot.
His accent was subtle, but his words were not. "I 'ate to break it to you, but despite what 'e might 'ave you believe, Colteau is just as much a pony as you and I. Believe me, I understand the effect 'e 'as on a stallion, but I think perhaps you want to worship a more godly deity. That one." He indicated Colteau across the room. "Is a real devil. Particularly, 'ow you say...in the bag?"
A passing lighting pony snorted. "He means, 'in the sack.'"
"My thanks, Lazuli." Mareais said with a wave. She waved dismissively back, focusing on a tree of lights. "So, less with the 'ero worship and more with getting to see the pony inside, eh?"
I nodded. "Thanks, Jaune. You're right, of course."
"Of course." He nodded. Turning to yell across the room, he addressed Colteau. "Did you 'ear that, Mr. Frivolous? The writer says I'm right!"
Jaune Colteau rolled his eyes. "Right about what?"
"It doesn't matter. 'e barely knows me, but even 'e can see I'm right!" Mareais retorted.
"Monsieur Mareais, you may get as many of these Canterlotians to agree with you as you wish, but you will be as close to being right as you ever are. Which is, not at all!" Colteau retorted, emphasizing the last three words.
Mareais shook his head, laughing. Turning back to me, he wiped an eye. "You see? Just like I told you!"
I couldn't help laughing myself. Jaune Colteau noticed this and strode purposefully across the room to my side. Tugging on my hoof, he led me away from Mareais. "You must be careful with whom you associate, Monsieur Story. Someponies have nothing between their ears but a silver tongue and a small mind."
Maturely, Mareais pulled an eyelid and stuck out his tongue as Colteau turned around.
***
Back at home and I took a break from my notes on Colteau. Stretching, I looked down at the contract for the biography and flipped through it idly. It was a good deal, made better by Open's negotiations. The deadline was tight, but doable. The hardest part was getting the stallion in question to hold still long enough to interview. Forces of nature, even in pony form, were hard to predict.
I looked over my financial statements for this month, deciding to try and tease some money out of the budget to get one of Loun's figurines from the Crystal Delicacy. Instead, I came up with much more interesting numbers. Downright positive numbers. I checked through our bills and expenses. Then I checked again.
Div came in as I made to run it a third time. "I have some news." He said, tiredly.
"I have really good news!" I responded.
"Oh? Maybe I should go first." He started.
In my excitement, I spilled it out anyway. "I think we have enough to go on a honeymoon!"
He blinked, then sat in one of my office chairs. "Yep. I should've gone first. Luna's House Guard is going on another diplomatic trip."
I deflated a little. "How soon?"
"Real soon." He answered, stretching his forelimbs.
"Well, thanks for the notice." I said, leaning back in my chair.
"Blame Mountain Stone. He thought he told everypony. Somehow, he missed me."
I rolled my eyes. "Not like you haven't had a lot going on lately."
"Yeah, the home life has quieted down a lot though. Thanks for that, by the way."
I crossed my forelimbs. "Yeah, glad I could avoid going to the hospital or getting turned into a pest."
"Aw, you'll always be my pest, dear." He said as he rested his head on his hooves.
I tapped the desk. "Ha."
He cracked open an eye. "You're really mad about this?"
I looked away. "No. I should expect this by now. Why should there be any shot at us having a honeymoon anyway. We're an old married couple with a foal."
"How about a compromise. Short term solution, really." He offered.
"What?"
"We have a date night before the trip. Then, when I get back, we'll move Cloudsdale and Canterlot if we have to, but we'll take that honeymoon." He stood up and came around my desk to wrap me in his hooves.
"You swear?" I asked, trying not to cry.
"Every damn day." He answered, eliciting a chuckle out of me.
"Watch your damn mouth." I warned him.
He chuckled this time. "You kiss your husband with that mouth?
"You wanna find out?"