Chapter 30
The doors of the throneroom opened, allowing a unicorn inside. She had a white coat, her grey mane was pulled into a thick braid. She looked about sixty or so and had a pair of scales cutiemark.
As she stopped, she gave me a small bow, "Prince Page."
"Judge Even Weight," I said with a smile, "Welcome to Nocturnis. I hope the trip was not too bad."
She stood back up and shook her head, "Not at all, your highness. In truth, I spent most of it working, reviewing everything that was delivered to Canterlot along with the petition for a judge to be assigned."
We delivered anything other than a petition?
"Good," I said with a smile, "What do you think of Nocturnis so far?"
Even smiled a bit, "I have always been a bit of a night owl, which will likely help. As for the town itself, it's beautiful."
I nodded as I regarded her, "If I may ask, why did you choose to accept the position? We're pretty far from everywhere. I don't expect you to be very busy."
She nodded for a second before answering, "I was a lawyer for fifteen years. I spent another thirty as a judge in Manehattan and later Canterlot. I plan to retire in ten years or so and Nocturnis seems like just the right place to spend those ten years," she explained before she smiled again, "Besides, I greatly approve of what you're trying to do here, your highness. I'm not sure it will work, but I want it to."
"With your help, the odds increase I think," I told her seriously, "Anything you need from our side?"
She looked up, meeting my eyes, "In all honesty, your highness, what I need the most is for you to keep your nose out of it. I have reviewed your rulings in the cases supplied to me to study, and while I do find them fair, if it was not for being a royal alicorn making the judgment some would break Equestrian law."
I smiled in agreement, "You are referring to the two mares that got inducted into the guard?"
"Among others, but yes."
"As we don't have a prison," I said, "And can't afford ponies just sitting around in one. It was either that or banishment. And before you ask, I'm not about to ship ponies across country to some prison."
"In which case, you need to build one," she told me seriously, "And if you can't afford to put ponies in it, then you might as well pack this entire thing up. Sooner or later, somepony will do something serious enough to warrant a stint behind bars. Banishment is all well and good, but all that does is make them somepony else's problem."
I took a deep breath before letting it out, "Judge Even Weight," I told her just as seriously, "Just locking ponies away helps nopony."
"Which is why it's only used in the worst cases," she said firmly, stomping one hoof, "But we still need one! Especially in a place as potentially dangerous as this. Quite frankly, while I do understand it worked out well with those two mares, you were lucky, your highness. Somepony could easily have died. Been killed."
I glared down at her, "Even Weight," I said, baring my fangs slightly, "You think you can talk to me in such a manner?"
She glared right back, "With all due respect, Prince Page, if you can't deal with me telling you the truth, I think I will do more good back in Canterlot."
I let my glare shift into a grin and I relaxed, "Good. I think you're exactly the pony we need."
Even blinked at me, "...You were testing me?"
"My apologies, judge," I said with a smile, "No offense intended. But you will face quite a bit of resistance I think, especially at first. I need somepony fair but firm. Somepony that won't bend to pressure."
She regarded me for several moments, "While I do understand, I do not appreciate it."
"Noted," I agreed and flicked one ear, "If you believe we need a prison, we will construct a small one. For now, make do with the jail."
"Thank you, Prince Page."
"One more thing," I said with a smile, "Off duty guards are civilians. And should be treated the same as anypony else, if not firmer because the trust invested in them. On duty as well. Agreed?"
She nodded firmly, "Agreed."
"Excellent. I'll let you go get settled in, it must have been a long night."
"Thank you," she said and then bowed slightly, "Good morning, your highness."
"Good morning, judge Even Weight."
She left and I relaxed on the throne, watching the closing door behind her for several long moments before the scent of tea reached my nose. I sniffed and then turned my head, watching a maid pour a cup before presenting it to me. I smiled at her, "Thank you, Moon," I said as I took it, sniffing at it, "This is a new blend I think?"
"Yes, your majesty," the slender batpony said, "Just arrived from Canterlot on the train. It's made from a smoked black tea. A gift from the Silver Tea company as I understand it."
I nodded and took a small sip, "...Oh, that's different," I said before studying it, "You can taste the smokeyness."
I took another small sip, "...I think I like it. This is most definitely a morning or midnight kind of tea. But not strong for waking up in the morning."
Moon Pie nodded, "Agreed, sir," she said with a smile, "Would you like something to eat?"
"Not right now I think, thanks. I'm good until dinner."
She bowed and then retreated, leaving me to sip my tea as I looked out over the lights of the village, shining in the light of my Luna's moon high above.
"I like her," Flower commented after a second.
"Me too," I agreed as I nodded, "I see why Celestia recommended her. I hope she'll work out," I said before I turned my head to look at her, "Could you please schedule a meeting with Solid Slab tonight?"
Flower nodded, "Of course, sir. Regarding the prison?"
I let out a sigh, "Preliminary regarding the prison so they can start to pick a site for it. In Fact we should likely have somepony from the guard invited as well as they will be the ones to keep it secured."
"Of course, sir."
"Anypony else scheduled for today?"
Flower shook her head, "Not until after lunch when you have a meeting with Lady Fluttershy and Tight Bit."
And wouldn't that be a fun bucking meeting. My newest headache teaming up with my biggest headache.
"In which case, I'm going to stretch my wings for a bit," I said and slipped off my throne. Leaf and Shade quickly moved away from the door to join me,
"There may be some rain later, sir," Shade pointed out.
"Not planning to take long," I told her with a smile, "But all I did all night was sit around. I need to move around for a bit."
"Anything especially in mind, sir?" Leaf asked.
I considered it and then shook my head, "Not really," I flicked one ear in thought, "How about a couple of laps around the village and then down to the bathhouse."
"Sounds good, sir."
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Nice
Advancement has moved to create a justice system and now they will have to make a prison for when somepony does the Stupid.
11877752
not your normal everyday stupid, "Advanced Stupid"
I admittedly just binged this entire story so far yesterday. As usual I kinda wish I had read it sooner. I'm honestly hoping to see more of Night Wind, I guess I'll have to wait and see. Hopefully no one stirs the pot on the new Judge.
I see a few suggestions for the hunting problem I wonder if Page will have any similar ideas.
I wonder if Page has seen Judge Dredd. If he has, will he instate Judges? Or is Judge Even Weight going to be an ordinary judge?
Yeah screw people doing this in real life. I understand but screw employers that do this, they need to get a different mindset or a new job, since this isn't how you interview people. Playing mind games for a job interview is nutso behaviour.
Then dont play games with her damn it. I'd hate you for this in any capacity if you were an employer
Here come da judge!
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Justice not abiding individuals are bad, cannot let them get to groups.
Rich loopholes can not be allowed to happen or need to be patch up to close them later on.
Funny that guards are off duty only civilians, as if Page expected them to on rare cases to misuse it.
Something only avoided with careful training.
But seriously, responsibility and accountability are key for them
Changelings in my oppinion are best for Guard, medical personal and the lonely of heart industry.
♡
We need more snuggly-buggly to hug everyone
Is a trap!
This make him addicted to the best tea Equestria has to offer!
Blank Page will never again be able to enjoy lesser tea versions!
They will make Blank Page obedient with it or he has to drink hot leafed water for the rest of his life, instead of real tea!
...Clever nobels...
Even Weight: Also on a personal note, Nocturnis is the one place I can guarantee my family can't make unplanned visits without me knowing ahead of time.
Page:
Really? Are you with bad terms with your family?
Even Weight:
Both my moms, my brother, and two of my nieces are fitness gurus and lifestyle coaches.
Page: Oh...OH.
I'm so so so sorry. I can see now why you took up this job position.
Even Weight:
Why yes! Hostile jungles and the smell of grilled meat are a PARADISE compared to my family's weekly unsolicited suggestions.
Page: I think you'll fit in just fine here. Welcome to Nocturnis!
11877865
Love your random hilarious comment stories ♡
When do Kirin join Nocturnis? Kirin are part Dragon, the higher temperatures of a Rainjungle would suit them.
They could help with keeping everything warm and dry inside the buildings. Probably very helpful drying the laundry.
Maybe Spike and Talon could help expand their gene pool, Thestral are besides Kirin rather rare after all.
Thestral winged Kirin would be a nice new subrace as well ♡
Just imagen a Thestral that:
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cdn-img.fimfiction.net/story/bbna-1565774664-446626-medium
11877824
Indeed, snuggle buggos for everyone.
Page experienced the joy of Lapsang Souchong, lovely tea. As much as I hate the idea of prison and all the abuse of power that can come with them, they are needed...let's see if Page can avoid letting it get out of hand.
Friggin jedi taking over the princesses now
Last night, I found the new chapter just before going to bed. I posted pics of my two favorite judges. After I made it to bed, I remembered my all-time favorite judge:
i.imgflip.com/28ks4k.jpg
Huzzah! The Night Court references shall last forever!!
FOREEEVVVVEEERRRRRRR......
"Out here, banishment might as well be execution."
"Which is an even better reason not to do it."
11877978
Given the circumstances, it's downright strange that you forgot about something literally called "Night Court".
11877933
I'm still hoping to see the hippogriffs. They're from a tropical climate, and can shape-shift.
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Death by Fluff. What a way to go...
Edit: I can't stop laughing at the upside-down Puff at the top left of the image!!
lapsang souchong smoky ☕👍👍. one of the best teas I have ever tasted.
11877988
is exactly how I felt when I remembered! I almost got out of bed to edit it into my comment.
I thought Tartarus was the go to prison of Equestria.
11877884
Judge Even Weight? What kind of parent names their child Even Weig--wait...IDEA! 
"
This is what happens when your brain says "
11878223
If that was a pun I didn't get it
See you next chapter
11878271
No pun. Just ADHD-led thought process.
11878271
I think its referring to evening the weights on balanced scales.
Page: "Okay! All in favor of having the prison built outside the shield?"
"
"
"
"
*a chorus of "ayes" sound out*
Page: "All opposed?"
Judge Even Weight: "WHATTHEEVERLIVINGFUCK!?
Page: "Seems like the motion has carried."
Judge Even Weight: "Just wait a second! Before you adopt that law, would you mind explaining your rationale for doing this!?"
Page: "No problem, your honor. Since there is no such thing as an escape-proof prison, there are inevitably going to be somepony breaking out. We don't have sufficient guards to keep all the prisoners contained and do the needed patrols about the city. As it is, we only have enough guards to staff near the boundary nearest the prison to keep any malcontents from sneaking back into Nocturnis. So, we let the predators outside be part of the solution--especially as we set up enticements to keep them near the prison. That way, any pony trying to get out will think really, really hard about the idea. And anypony deciding to make the attempt anyway will most likely get eaten."
Judge Even Weight: "There isn't any way this can be considered legal--"
Page: "It's a new law being considered. How can that NOT be 'legal'?"
Judge Even Weight: "Constitutionality of it"
Page: "As I ran this by Celestia and Luna before even thinking about bringing it up in debate. They assured me that this is perfectly within the Constitution. Not much different from Tartarus, so they tell me."
Judge Even Weight: "Cruel and Unusual Punishment"
Page: "Neither cruel nor unusual if the prisoner chooses not to escape."
Judge Even Weight: "But the prisoners will get eaten!"
Page: "Only if they try to break out. We only have to build the prison strong enough to keep the predators from getting at the prisoners staying put."
Judge Even Weight: "Okay, I get your point. I suppose you're going to employ those monstrous rexisauri?"
Page: "Oh, no. Nothing so plain. We found something much better for the job."
Judge Even Weight: "Worse than those things I've read about when I was coming here? Like what, exactly?
Page: "First things any escapee will have to faces is Bob the Changeling and the Cloven."
Judge Even Weight: "
Page: "And things get progressively darker the further out you go from there."
Judge Even Weight: "