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Jizara would need some more schooling in the ancient language of the sphinxes to understand Niil's off the cuff remarks in that tongue, but there would be time enough to learn in the future. Time... she had more of it now, and each of those added moments would be doubled in value from spending it with her newfound love. In a way, Twilight's gift to her was no less precious than that of Niilaavin's emancipation to him, though it would have been in poor taste to compare out loud. Not that instincts weren't shouting louder in her mind than mere etiquette, as she purred up a storm alongside Niil as the two go to their feet. His remark directed towards North Wind drew a sharp gaze from her, as feline eyes stared down at the servant. Ah, yes, she recognized that one; of all the servants she had seen Blueblood lend Niil, she seemed to be the closest, one she saw most often, always last to depart. Was there jealousy in her eyes, as she parsed the request made on her behalf? Undoubtedly; it is, after all, considered rather impolitic to discuss a new addition to the herd even before the consumation of its first match! Niil might be getting a bit of an earful on that, but in private. "Enough foreign. I think it's time we saw to the domestic, don't you say, love?" She huffed, drawing up his tail to intertwine with her own, as she departed the room by his side, in the shadow of his wings. Blueblood, who had been on the receiving end of such pleasant pinfeather preludes, smiled indulgently at the happy couple, until they finally departed. The furnishings were re-adjusted to pony-sized scale, not without a sigh of relief on his part. Dealing with large scale for large intervals did wear a bit on his mind, and he wanted to be the sharpest he could until all was concluded. Faust knew that Twilight's charts could be dull enough without any distractions sapping his focus... "I should like a glass of wine to toast the happy couple, were these not still working hours. Tea and sandwiches until we've wrapped this all up would be lovely, though!"

Jizara's eyes widened as she witnessed Niilaavin's emancipation. The big cat had worn as cheerful a face on his predicament in public as he could, but she, along with Blueblood, had been close enough to him to know just how much strain those bindings inflicted upon his soul. And now... he was free. If there was anything more Twilight could have done to prove sincerity in dealings with him, she couldn't name it. Not that this was a time for words. Her mate was in tears, unable to speak. Niil needed her, needed her presence, her touch, her smell, her purrs... everything that could reassure him that Jizara and all that happened today was real. She chuffed, nuzzling him where she could reach as Niilaavin choked out all the stifled emotions of the bound decades... Twilight spoke then, and her eyes flickered up at the alicorn Princess. "Oh... I'll try... I can't promise there won't be a few more marks on him come morning though, eheh..." She was holding calm now, but Twilight had put her hoof right on the nub of the matter. She was indeed excited, and this was going to come out in action pretty soon! Detecting this situation as well, Prince Blueblood beat as hasty a dignified retreat as he could. "Quite so, cousin, quite so. Let's give the happy couple some privacy, eh?"

Even with her restored youth as a sphinx, Jizara retained the fortitude of maturity, standing fast and unflinching even as she saw Niilaavin flared up at the first unexpected sight of her. Not to say that her hackles didn't rise, and her breath was a little shallow as she verbally confirmed, "Yes, Niilaavin, it is I." Quickly finding herself all of a flutter inside, for the first time in decades, she was hardly able to respond to the cuffs, save instinctually, and gasped outright as she was rushed, tackled, and seized. Heart pounding from being tackled, she felt her love's teeth on the back of her neck. For three heartbeats, the world stood still. But this was no attack, merely a mark, a sign she was his mate. His mate. Held finally by a lover with no barrier of kind or kin between them, she let out a deep, rumbling purr, her hackles finally coming down to rest. "No price, this is a gift... just as you were to me." She fully leaned into her now-fellow sphinx, intertwining her tail with his own, giving him a smoky half-lidded expression that promised full advantage of Cadence's subtly-given blessing tonight. But this was not the only gift he would receive this day... Though Twilight's interference seemed to take no time, as it was outside of time, Blueblood could feel something... change in the amulet he wore about his neck. A tingling, as if power was leaking from it. Quickly removing it from his neck in case of dangerous leakages, he held it out in front of him, watching the golden collar and bands fall from the neck and legs of Niilaavin, freeing him at last from the ancient binding of the sorcerer. The faint glow about the gold and gems of his own amulet faded with them, signaling the end of his command over the Sphinx. The Prince could not be prouder, as he spoke the ancient words of manumission, "No longer do I call you a servant, you are my friend and my brother." A solemnly happy moment, unfortunately spoiled by Twilight's joking insinuation. "He-e-e-ey!" Blueblood whinnied, stung in a sensitive spot. Damnit, one dreamwalking Auntie was bad enough, were all the alicorns seeking out the idle fantasies of his mind?

Tongue Twister was trotting back to her wagon after visiting the Post Office to see if she had any mail. There were a few job offers that she'll sort through later. She stopped short. There were posters on her wagon ! It had only been a few minutes, and somepony had plastered advertisements on her wagon ! She sighed. "I hope it's not another 'Buy One for the Price of Two !!' sale on widgets ..." she groused to herself as she took down the posters to read them more closely. She quirked an eyebrow upward as she read the notices. "A self proclaimed 'Master of Evil' plans to set off into the Badlands to look for an unspecified relic ? With a departure date changed four times. On a notice written by hoof. And only later decided to 'grant' some sort of incentive to actually go ? That's - a disaster just waiting to happen ! Throwing together a quest like that will usually end in failure; heck, even quests with weeks of prep can end in failure. Most likely, we'd have to send a search and rescue party after him. And 'unspecified relics' can be troublesome. Nine out of ten magical disasters happen when some unfortunate goober finds Something That Should Not Be Found. Hmmm - we could potentially save Equestria from a disaster by going along to keep an eye on things. Well, at least we can write that on the Expense and Reimbursement forms for STAR ... 💲" With that, she put her mail inside a drawer in the wagon and adjusted her heavily enchanted gear : the blue and silver Second Chance cloak to hide her altered wings, her saddlebags, and the four necklaces she'd taken a habit to wearing. Three of them look normal - the 1st place medallion for winning the Running of the Leaves, a small Klein bottle full of a smoky blue liquid, and a good luck scarab necklace she bought while on a 'mission' in Saddle Arabia. The fourth necklace, on the other hoof, was by no means normal. It was a small, roughly cubical thing that looked like somepony was carving something they'd never seen before, without watching what they were doing. It was a Fair Play charm from Tenochtitlan. She put on the harness and pulled her wagon to the northwest exit of Ponyville. "Let the madness commence !"

Dark Core's misadventure sounds like a disaster in the making, and TT (in good conscience), simply can't let that happen. So she'll help where she can. Also curious as to what's going on, and roving equinologists are notoriously curious/nosy ...

Whether it was automatically part of the process, or a special request fulfilled, Jizara was getting what she wanted. Perhaps, everything she ever wanted. Maybe that was too much to hope for, but she wasn't too old at heart to not feel it pound in her chest at the prospect. The magic rose, she felt it start to act on her... it was weird, since Twilight's magic was changing, in essence, the past, while leaving Spoiled's memories of it intact. Which, more or less amounted to a retroactive bifurcation of the universe, which at this very point in the timeline was combining and joining on her very overlapping person, who Spoiled Rich was contained only in the legacy of her daughter and the memories in Jizara's head, an existentially world-shaking series of events! It tingled. With a shudder, Jizara felt herself expand to fill the hall, the enormous cushion seeming to shrink beneath her as she shook out changing limbs that felt as if they were going to sleep on her. "Mwa, rar, raowl!" New feline flesh and nerves, along with a spurt of sudden youthful energy, caused her insticts to rile up, pouncing upon the pillow, claws out, working out her weird feelings in a spray of cloth, stuffing and feathers! It took a few minutes for her to get to full size, and get used to it, by which time Blueblood was cautiously emerging from cover, as he'd overturned his table to act as a makeshift shield. Jizara had regained a more regal pose, eyeing the Prince in the midst of the wreck, as if daring him to acknowledge it happened at all. Blueblood, however, was a married stallion, and knew better. "Well... you look... improved. Fitter, I mean. Er, not that you fat before..." OK, so the boy still needed some work...

"Indeed it is easier to get these days... but for you, I would certainly splurge~" Jizara couldn't let Niil do too much spoiling of her without reciprocation, or else she'd re-arn her old name! And honestly, she'd back her own judgment of purchasing makeup over any male's, regardless of whether their culture thought it compatible with masculinity or not! Twilight seemed to think along these lines too, at least as far as giftings were concerned, as it was time to discuss the most precious thing they could give him right now. She had found her respect for the purple alicorn's wisdom and intelligence grow over the years, though Twilight would probably admit both qualities had themselves grown over the same period. "I suppose you learned it not too long after I was aware of it, perhaps before I was willing to admit it to myself. A better garden awaits, but it did take some uprooting to get ready for the transplant." It was fairly unusual for an earth pony of... a certain age, to pull up sticks and move; but perhaps Niilaavin was right when he said she was always a sphinx at heart. And now, it was time to wrap up the last of things attaching her to her old life. She couldn't say she'd miss Filthy now, though there was still a dull ache when it came to Diamond Tiara... "If you can transform me, here and now... I would like you to make the same offer to Diamond Tiara. I want to remember my old life, which will help me live my new one all the better. But if she wants to give me another chance to be raised by a better mother... at least tell her the offer is open." She smiled, a little sadly, "This might be a mother's pride, but I think she'd have the heart of a sphinx too." Blueblood found himself touched by this remark, nodding along as he conversed with Twilight in his mind, *Thank you so much... but until you have a little one of your own, you won't know what it means to have no break!* One of the advantages of having a herd is that little Pax had three parents on rotating duty, which meant that at least one of them should be able to sleep at night. Theoretically. Never seemed to work out like that. How did monogamous households do it? Aloud, he answered, "I do indeed, though I wouldn't want to speak for my wives quite yet. Nonetheless, pending spousal permission, I accept." It was one more in a long line of titles and duties he'd taken on, but likely not the last.... *It's just possible... I may be making a move of subject-citizenship myself. Hyatria may need me as more than an ambassador soon.*

Hey there guys, gals, and non-binary pals! Starting up a new little adventure thread of sorts with everyone's favourite super evil villain mildly annoying miscreant, Dark Core! The journey itself is a bit of a loose plan at the moment itself, with the destination/end result more solid, so the length of the thread itself will vary depending on actions, reactions, whim, where the moon is relative to Mars, who knows. I'll be posting the OP shortly after this, and the thread will be Open, though depending on how many people decide to jump in and how complex things do or don't get, I might cut it off to new additions eventually!

Cadance had considered for some time as preparations for this meeting were being made what role she would need to take once the sealed matters of state were settled and the prospects of romance, confirmed as they were, had taken the only road they could. She had her cheerleader outfit back home in the closet, she didn’t think they’d even need a cheering section. What would she even cheer? “Rah, rah, save your species, purr purr, meow meow?” Probably not. And she wasn’t going to kittensit tonight. Twilight knew what her role was. Now that the big cat had been given his own big cat and the two could explore each other and their future- and all the sensations that threatened to overwhelm them as new worlds compounded on top of one another- she was finally allowed to get down to the brass tacks of business. The Tyr would have no patience for the busywork that was to follow and Jizara deserved some time to come to terms with her new body. That left Cadance, who had already acceded to what Twilight had wanted, and North Wind, who was a representative perhaps but held no great power in the proceedings. Blueblood and Twilight were to do the real work. “I am sure we can find proper ponies for proper work to be done at your behest for decorations and likewise. And the subject of North Wind’s future can be discussed, but such matters would need to be discussed with North- in private,” Twilight offered a smile as she leaned back. “I hope you two have a wonderful evening,” Cadance added simply and with great and deliberate understatement. Once the two sphinx were gone, the seats occupied by them were transformed into ones more suited for ponies. “Take a seat, North Wind,” Cadance said jauntily, as she took her own seat once more. “Need anything new to drink or eat, you two?”

Sphinxian mental granite was a fitting term for the unflinching self belief found within the species. Rare is it to see a species so self assured and unflinching in its unfaltering ego then the sphinx mindset. But such stones can not flex. And when they did it lacked the flex and rebounding of steel or iron, only shattering. Niilaavin came close many times in his life, all of it after his capture. The strain cracking and breaking the granite in places. But never shattered it. And in time the cracks and gaps were filled in with something new. He simply did not think as his siblings, his mother, father or himself once did. The strain of his life demanded change and where most of his kind may have shattered like a wall of stone. He served. He prospered. And now he was free. Free. Such a simple remark made all the more funny given how ‘trapped’ he was under Blue. He was in all ways free long before this. But how free is one when they know anything can touch one item and cast him back into that pits of slavery? None of that mattered now. Nore did his fears of being alone. He was not truly alone, no. But he was the end of something. End of the sphinx story and the last call of his kind. That was its own misery atop others. Laying in the sun knowing you very well may be the last to do so. It pulled him to breaking point a few times just to be pulled out by founding kinship in the ponies. He’d never forget that or go back on it. They were family. Part of his pride and saw them as such. But kinship no matter how strong will not, can not, save him from being the last. And just as simply as the golden bonds being removed that was over as well. He still can’t believe it, much as the magic chains of slavery. It seemed silly and just preposterous in how unbelievable it was. Two things that seemed as permanent as the coming and going of the rains, rise and fall of the sun. It simply WAS, until it was not. It made him feel… He did not know. He found himself awash and adrift on a raging river of feelings and confusion. Yet in the roar of this river one sound sang over all. Happiness. He was happy. A roaring youthful happiness that took him back to days long lost. A kitten rushing out to his mother with a fresh kill. Her warmth, her love. How big she was compared to him and yet how that made him feel nothing but hopeful. Anything was possible. He found himself more aware of himself after that. He pulled his muzzle away from a thick mane of fur and blinked water from his eyes and looked at the wet fur. He found his breath as his heart slowed and relaxed as he gained his paws back under himself. That sphinxian mind pulled itself back together with the grace only cats may know as he looked around the room with a firm, yet hopeful smile to his face that can not be kept contained. Thankfully it seemed Twilight was willing to contain herself until he was more alert, a fact he was thankful for as he still strangled his emotions back into palace. A task more easily hoped for then achieved but he was managing. He was unsure what to even say, how to thank her. Them… All of it. How does one even do so? How does one express how monumentally… Life changing this all was. He wanted to fly. To roar into the skies and tell the world all was not yet lost… More so he wanted something else. Something putting and cuffing so sweetly under his big frame. If he was not a sphinx he may have felt abashed being in a room with others staring down at Jizara the way he did. She was perfect. Her ears, her fangs and claws. He almost forgot what it felt like seeing his own kind. Her voice struck him, along with the sharpness of her eyes. She always reminded him of mother as a pony but now… All she missed was the proper fur color of his mother. It took him a moment to register he was being spoken to. “Jnk-ḥsj’ laudi, ṯmt ḫmtw-” He stopped speaking, blinking a few times then let out a short and genuine crack of laughter before nuzzling Jizara for a moment to relax. “I sing the praises of glory onto you there, for you have done more than I can say. I lack the words and mind to thank you properly at this moment. But thank you, truly, with all the glory the All Mother can give onto her cubs. I accept the potions too help deal with the wounds, and I humbly ask that later I be presented with a pony able to work my claws. I wish for silver gilding… I also wish to meet with a silversmith able to produce new jewelry fitting me. I will pay them in… Gold.” He says flicking his ears, one claw poking at a giant golden earring. He then looked down at Jizara and in reflex, bit down at the back of her neck again and let out a deep and strong purring rumble, before letting go and licking the back of her head a few times. “Be warned, that fresh hide will not stay so. You sing of fang and claw and shall know both.” His tone was playful, bordering on romantic even. At least to sphinx ears as he pulled himself up and off her… Even if he hesitated a moment. Looking over at Blue he paced over and leaned his head down, his nose almost alone looming larger than the pony as he smiled… Then he looked over at North Wing. His servant was standing proper, but he can tell she was… Upset. And he knew why. If something was found, no matter how slim… She was to test it. An oath he made long before befriending a town mayor. And one given to a pony that Blue can vouch for with her unfaltering duty and loyalty onto himself. His tail swings once then he turns too face Twilight. “I stand on no ground to ask for anything. You have given me… More than I can truly begin to make tally of at this moment. But I ask this. And do ask in all that it means for you to change North Wind. She has severed me fully. Unflinching in duty and needs. And… A few years ago… By the All Mother has it been so long already? I told her her faith in me will be repaid as she’d test first anyway that may bless a pony to be as grand as my, or Jizaras, self. I can not offer you anything fair for such a pierce. Just me and my litters will never forget such. You saved not me. But my kind. And gave Jizara the body befitting her soul. I ask the same for North Wind, and know well you may not do so. I will not hold it against you.” With that he looked down at North Wing. “You will be repaid, one way or another, for all you have done… HuntsMarshal North Wind.” That got something out of her, wings fluttered as she looked up at him with a thankful smile. But that is all he can do for now. Looking back at the others he bowed his head gently. “I shall take leave and spend the evening unless asked otherwise, alone with Jizara. She has much to learn about herself. And well I know her soul is where it belonged all along I think she’d enjoy some help… Exploring it.” He fluttered his wings up, making himself look bigger as he eyed the female up with a hunter's gaze before taking his leave. “North Wing, that goes for you as well and all staff. You will be called for if needed.” He added, moving swiftly for the large doors and pushing them open on his own and swiftly departing view from the grand hall.

Twilight had steeled herself before the meeting. She knew she would need to do so. For as friendly and agreeable, personable and cooperative as she needed and wanted to do, she was also acutely aware of the gravity of the negotiations. For that, and any unexpected issues that may have arisen, she had been sure to keep a lid on herself. There were times to be free and easy and wear your heart on your sleeve and there were times to be clear-headed and focused, and except for the small comments she made to lighten the mood she had kept herself even and warm. Which was good, because if she had not prepared herself she would have cried when Niilaavin did, his own heart’s bursting through his Sphinxian mental granite a powerful display. Instead she smiled happily, friendly and kind, but gave the newfound Tyr the time he needed to weep in and hold deep his love. She analyzed and considered the future, and allowed her analysis to die for the sake of the moment’s momentary purity. She allowed the Tyr time. When she spoke next, it was when she felt he was composed. “I suspect you may try to quickly work to heal and cover your bandmarks. I would not rush this process- the area will be raw to some extent and your body will need time. Similar styles of bandmarks can be found among some nomadic bardzebras of Unyasi. I have sourced some potions they use after extended use to promote natural healing. I hope it helps. And Jizara- please be aware of your claws. I hear an excited Sphinx can be a dangerous predator,” she offered with a smile. Her horn flashed once more, though it appeared nothing changed. She then levitated a small army of documents towards Blueblood. “If you want time alone with Jizara, Tyr Niilaavin, I think we can take it from here,” Cadance added, her tone carrying the undercurrent of mischief that hung at the tail end of every pregnant pause whenever love was the subject. “Correct, Prince Blueblood?”

As Niil and his soon be mate shared their moment, North Wind glanced over at Cadance and was a little startled the princess was even speaking too her. But she held herself and spoke matter of factually, standing stiff as a guard on show. “I am, as in all things, happy for my lord and lady Jizara.” She replayed, it was not her place to discuss things outside of that. She knew her lord would make up for this in some way. He’s never failed her on his word yet. And this was out of his paws anyways so she can’t feel mad, just envy that Spilled got blessed first. But the blessing was real, that pipe dream of her lord… And herself was real. He’d see it happen… Her eyes went wide with shock as the first golden band fell off a leg. “Wha-wha-” Niilaavin was overwhelmed, truly. His mind was a train rushing down a hill still shoveling coal. Words failed as mumbled, purred and chuffed like some feral cat as he nuzzled and groomed Jizara. This seemed impassable. Did he dream of such? Yes! But deep down he knew it was folly, the hopes and dreams of one sitting at the end of some story wishing it would go on. He made peace with that fact. He’d live his life as best he can and when the time came he’d go into history with respect and his kind known, not forgotten. It took him well over a year of struggling to come to terms with this fact, and a few more years of coming to terms. And all of that was just… Ripped out from under his paws in the best way possible. Yet it seems unbelievable but here it was regardless of his own mind's struggles. Another of his kind born from the soul he knew fitted it. The rest chatted, talked and spoke as if nothing much happened. Yet he found himself just staring down at her, gripped in his paws as if she’d just slip away as some figment of his mind. But she was real. This was no spell, no trick on his own mind. She was as real as he. And for what? Nothing? How can one do something this grand and want nothing. Speaking of nation-builders as nothing changed. As if they did change the very story of life and remove the last footnote for books to be. Niilaavin, endling of his kind. It was just so much… And yet it was not the last world changing event. He did not even notice at first his mind was so hyper focused on Jizara. But notice he did as a leg was moved to remove a band. He stared, unblinking at that leg. Where the band once snuggle gripped his leg was patches of missing fur and skin tender to the feeling of air. He stared at it and timidly moved a paw to touch the tender flesh and patchy fur only to stop as the largest band, the one around his neck, slipped open and was removed. A ring of patchy fur and tender skin was opened to the world. Wounds born from wearing what can not be removed for so very long. He almost choked on his own breath as a paw reached up and brushed his neck, eyes following the golden bands as were placed on the table with a heavy thump. His neck band alone made the table bow under his mass. Each one was heavy but the neck alone was almost a ton of enchanted gold. It’s placement on the table let out a thundering thump that echoed in the room. Niilaavin just stayed frozen for a time, one paw on his neck. Feeling the tender skin. Feeling the missing fur. Then he let out a choked gasp as water welled up under his eyes. He was shaking, paw wavering as kept feeling his own neck. Then his legs. Slavery was never painless for any race. But for a sphinx it was unimaginable. So hard wired to see themselves Infallible to be ‘owned’ by another was almost mind shattering. It was worse than death and was the only saving grace for Niil and his loneliness. His own mother will have killed him, same for his siblings, before seeing him a slave for a moment. And he’d welcome it. At least, back with his first master. But maybe in a way, the chains did something for him. With a mind taken too place unknown to his kind he was forced to think and see the world in new ways. It changed him in ways he’d never fully understand. His eyes fell on the table, looking at the gold. He hated gold. He hated it so much. But he used gold earrings, and had his claws done in gold. All to blend the bands in with the rest to hide them. Hide the chains of his slavery. He wanted it all off. Every last scrap of that demand gold. He’d never wear gold again. He never wanted it in his room. His den. He was shaking, breaths short as water ripped down his muzzle from the spring underneath his eyes. He wanted to speak but only choked out a yowling cry as he plunged into Jizara’s mane and sobbed. It was all too much at once and the giant truly was overwhelmed. For the first time in all Blue has known the cat, as well Jizara, He was truly sobbing with rampant emotions and lacked any words to speak. He was truly free and that was worth more then anything.

Muziki was never bored in Ponyville. It was so different from everywhere else she had lived. It was not the hustle and the bustle of the big city, nor the scenic panorama of the nomadic Savannah of her birth nation. It was the middle ground, and she knew for a fact that every day it seemed like she understood it more and more. The very act of learning ponies both in their small day to day ways and in the larger mythos that informed them was worth every bit of her love and attention. It was harder to translate it into unique Unyasan bard ballads sometimes, but worth the effort in any case. But she had to admit that she was mostly just being a passive creature in Ponyville. She read, she listened, she took part in classes but she didn't get to experience the same history as they had lived. So no, she wasn't bored, not at all, but that adventurous spirit that burned within her was not being well tended. So it was when she started seeing all these flyers plastered around town promising adventure and danger and treasure and all those things that she was assured waited at the very heart of a good adventure. And so it was she approached Dark Core, trotting happily. She had a large saddlebag well-stuffed and stocked, and her green and blue bardic hat on just so with a recently acquired pegasi feather sticking out of it (she loved to tease that silly colt). She found the Dark Core and his little colonel croaky as well as a well-looking mare with a cart. What a good group! She bounded up to the Dark Core, whom she had seen once in a blue moon, a little note sticking out. "He-" she started, then remembered to spit the note out, "-pssbbs, okay, there going now. Okay, hello there! I am Muziki, and umm, I have heard that you are going on big danger adventure and treasure hunting?" She beamed happily before reaching back down to pick the note up. "I asked ma and pa if it okay and they said yes and give note. Umm, maybe they not know badland! No matter! This is permission slip. May I be in adventure now?"

Babs would be riding the train to the Crystal Empire, she was nervous because she was getting ready to see her cousin AppleBloom, even though she was nervous, she was also exicted because she hadn't seen AppleBloom for a while, Babs looked around the train just thinking about what they would do, and if AppleBloom would even reconize her, "I need to stop worrying so much, she'll know who I am" Babs said to herself. As the Train pulled into the station Babs started to get cold feet, should she get off, or should she not, after taking a deep breath Babs would grab her bag and get off the train, after she had gotten off the train, she got hit with a gust of wind, she shivered forgetting how cold the Crystal Empire was as she grabbed her coat and put it on she began to look around for AppleBloom, maybe she forgot, maybe she was just as nervous as Babs was, after looking around for a bit she spotted her, with a big breath and a sigh Babs walked over to AppleBloom beffore saying "Well, well if it isn't my favorite cousin"

It was always interesting, watching sentient, intelligent creatures devolve ever briefly to their baser instincts. The way Niilaavin flared himself to appear more threatening, The way he approached her, held the scruff od her neck, controlled, then licked and purred her. It was a good reminder that they were all animals of different sizes and wavelengths, only a few steps removed from their feral cousins. If such a thought was given influence by Jizara, it was given certainty by Niilaavin. If anything, Jizara seemed to have better control of herself considering she just underwent a dramatic and irreversible species change. Of course, Twilight was certain that in about a second or two they were going to experience the most physically exciting part of Cadance’s domain, so she was quick to speak. “No price, Niilaavin. Jizara is finally herself. I hope you two are able to find your own happiness and harmony in each other’s paws, even as you embark on the custodial role of nation-builders together. There remains just one more thing,” Twilight said as she took a quick breath. She looked at the bands and her horn glowed. She knew she could just destroy them, but that could damage Niil and she did not wish to harm him. It was one of the better defenses against a powerful magical being, make it so that the power itself gave no grand benefit past a certain point. A few different attempts at scouting revealed how well made these cruel bands were. And so her magic traveled back in time, looking for cracks in its metaphysical armor through the eons. Not one. She then went back to the time of their creation- no, indeed they had warded the work before the work began. She went back even further, tracking the base materials used in its creation. She created impurities and magical backdoors to either weaken the work imperceptibly or allow her to override the band. Nothing changed; they were made by somecreature that put great effort into only using the best materials. No matter. She created a new element, a new material, localized it in the time and place of the band’s creation. It had all the strengths and qualities and protections and was for all intents and purposes an atomically correct replica of the source material. All she added was the faintest and lightest of touch, something so absurdly minimal that even Twilight, knowing what it was and what to look for and having placed it there herself, could only barely discover it. Happily, the bands were now made of this material as they always had been. She scanned the bands and found the trail of magic she had left behind. Like picking a lock she moved her magic, working through the personal ley line stealthily added into the material. Finally the bands came off, releasing Niil from them once and forever. She lifted the bands and put them on the table. “There. Now you can act as a ruler should- no chains on you,” she smiled mischievously, her eyes twinkling something fierce. “Maybe I can resize them for Blue?” Cadance allowed herself to simply focus on the happy couple. Niilaavin likely did not know it, but she had infused the teleportation they had undergone with a bit of influence tailored to him. Not that he would need any cause to become so very interested in her, but to be clear, the chances of a litter being bred in the here and now was much higher than normal. Considering a primary goal of the day’s festivities was ensuring the survival of the species, a good decision on her part. She focused on the happy couple, the power of their affections acting as a warm salve to her. Her wings stayed close to her but shifted ever so slightly above, allowing the smallest of air currents to pass through to cool her body as it grew warm. She did manage to see North Wind, and she leaned over and whispered lowly. “How are you feeling about all this?”

Jizara chuffed at Twilight, then made a surprised face at the noise she'd just made. She'd heard Niil make it many times before, but hadn't yet gotten used to the idea that her own voice produced it naturally rather than a whinny. She also wasn't sure if Twilight was being sarcastic or not, but after giving her a long eyeballing, she decided to let it pass. "I will say... it is good to be here at last myself. If I may-" But what she would have requested was lost to history as, with a flash, Cadence and Niilaavin returned. The intant sight and smell of him hit her nose, she was up on all four paws, smiling. Even less sensitive pony snoots could not escape the smell of cat around a sphinx, but it was just so much... richer, more vibrant and textured to her now. Familiar, and lovable, as if Niil had a second, equally handsome face. "Oh, welcome back, darling~" Blueblood, still behind the overturned table, retreated back a little, wanting to give the two lovers some space. He wasn't sure how active their reunion would prove, either, so remaining under shelter seemed the prudent course of action...

Babs would smile and answer Babs "Well, I work in a salon called Mane in Manehattan, quite a name isn't it?" Babs giggled as she looked awestruck "A hybrid huh? He must be cute as a button then!" Babs liked that her cuz had her two little pups to keep her company, especially when Babs didn't talk to her or couldn't see her it sure was odd though a hybrid, why Babs had never heard of it, but she'd bet that her son was a cutie, and that was that. Babs noticed that Applebloom hadn't said anything about the someone special remark that Babs had made, but Babs knew if AppleBloom didn't say anything, then sure enough, that it wasn't important, therefore Babs decided not to press the issue, so she kept quiet. As for the how she knew AppleBloom was here, well that was simple enough she knew AppleBloom was here, because AppleJack had told Babs, Although Babs thought that AppleJack was going to tell AppleBloom about her seeing her cousin, but she guessed wrong "Well, AppleJack had told me that you was going to be here, so I assumed she was going to tell you, but I guess not!" Babs had smiled at her cousin and asked "Where are you staying at cuz? Maybe we could go grab a bite to eat, and maybe do some shopping for you and your pups, but only if that's okay with you!" Babs said while she trotted alongside AppleBloom.

I can only speak a very small bit, and I never try to speak it to actual other people. I just mumble Daijoubou to everyone and hope for the best.

Cadance nodded. “We all have our ways of using magic. I think it is important not how grand or powerful the magic we use happens to be, but how we choose to view it. As long as you use your magic in service, I think you will find your magical capabilities have a wider, grander implication than even you know,” she said as she prepared to end the spell. As he spoke, she had two thoughts. One was that his loneliness was something she may never truly understand. She could respond that having such closeness with other creatures, friendship, love, opened you up to escalating levels of grief that only such warmth could breed. But she wouldn’t turn this into a competition. Secondly was the knowledge she had, foretold, that his concerns for his love for her and how it was shared. He would soon have to change some of those thoughts and concerns. “We will have time enough soon to further investigate these lands, but I think something is happening back at the negotiation that you would be very interested in seeing. I will teleport us in three...two...one...now!” ---- Twilight took her tea gently as she watched Jizara come to terms with her body. It was very cute, in a way. For all their regality, sphinxes were just big cats. All of the great species, despite their advancements and intelligence, had their animalistic pasts buried deep within. Jizara tore and moved and attacked like an over-energized housecat the size of- well, a house. Blueblood chose to protect himself with a table. Twilight remained in her seat, protected by a thin layer of magic from some debris. “Jizara, a delight for you to finally join us. A regal posture befitting your kind,” Twilight bowed her had slightly in respect as she started pouring some tea. As she did so, Cadance finished her teleportation...

“You are here. Technically. We…” she thought best how to explain it, “we are in the...veil...between material reality and unreality. You are seeing things as they are, in real time, as they exist now. If the spell were to stop, you would take up that physical space that you occupy now for all the good and ill that would imply,” she shook her head. “It is a powerful spell, one I learned not long ago thanks to Twilight. It requires not only a significant amount of magical power, but a deep knowledge of the area I am locating myself and others at while also requiring many magical crystals exist at the location of the spell. Luckily, this cavern has many of them.” It was very true. As they dove deeper, the mine seemed to continue. The mining was indeed extensive, but careful work was shown up and down the mine. They mined at a rate that allowed the crystals and other precious materials to regrow at an acceptable rate, while also doing so safely. Everything spoke to a well-oiled machine being overseen by a startling small number of ponies. “I think she sees in you the same pride and majesty of spirit that she has always looked for. Beyond that, I have learned lessons throughout life. We accept the love we think we deserve. You are worth all that she is giving you now plus much more, if you allow yourself to see it. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Without this, you would not seek to create the better world for all Sphinxkind. Without her love, and without loving her in kind, you wouldn’t have a Kingdom to call your own. The rest, how her love works on you, what it means in your heart, those lessons are personal and take much longer,” she said gently as she turned to face him. “This is a journey that you will enjoy, more than any other.” As she said that, she felt a small aethereal movement along her wings. She bit her lip in excitement, knowing what it meant. “Oh, I see. Well, I think we should be heading back.” *********************************************************************************** Twilight had considered whether to modify Spoiled’s age during her transformation to Jizara. Of course, Sphinx aged in a very different manner. Spoiled was an older middle aged mare, but chronologically she would be barely an adult as a Sphinx if she used the exact birth-date. As far as Twilight could tell, Sphinx may mature somewhat slowly compared to ponies but it was once they reached adulthood that their aging slowed to a crawl. Of course, Jizara didn’t need to know that. If she wanted a favor so graciously given, then she would receive one. Twilight smiled. “You will be a youthful sphinx, matching the energy and future you have and hold in your heart,” she nodded. “Now, hold still.” Twilight’s horn lit up. In the past, such a spell would be hard and dangerous. It required time and preparation and she had messed up similar ones in the past. That would be because she was altering a form, changing what was into what is. For a unicorn or alicorn of her old power, not hard to do, but difficult to do well and accurately. This time, she went a different route. She instead reached through the fabric of reality and rewrote it. She changed what is into what was, and what was happened to be a Sphinx named Jizara. In a brief flash, Spoiled was no more and never had been. The only mark of her existence were her family members and paperwork, but as far as the foundational mechanics of material reality, she herself had never existed. Instead, Jizara existed, as pure and functional as if she had been born a sphinx. To outside observation, it happened near instantly. How Jizara herself perceived it, whether she even could, Twilight could only venture a guess. The spell was finished, and there sat Jizara the Sphinx.

Was that a fair assumption? Jizara frowned at the implication, but Blueblood had to quietly agree. During his brief tenure as Archancellor of the School of Friendship in Ponyville, he'd had a chance to see Diamond Tiara's interactions with her peers, as well as Spoiled Rich's tenure as mayor. Frankly, it was obvious to any who saw the two that they were on divergent life paths. Lineage, more than motherhood, had been Spoiled Rich's ambition, but only Jizara would fill it. But it was hard to blame the mare, at the end of the day. Blue knew full well that the soul and body could be mismatched in identity, and it was just as well that this could be reconciled. Maybe after the divorce, Filthy could find a true loving companion to serve as a stepmother, thus making five happy creatures total, rather than three miserable ones. One had to hope. Standing now on the threshold of this change, Jizara took a deep breath, looking aside at her reflection for the last time as a pony in the wall of crystal. That was a face that would never be seen again. "Well, if you could give me some of my youth back in the transformation, I'd appreciate it. Niilaavin appreciates my maturity, but I'd like to have a lither, more energetic body to enjoy that with. Not to mention some more years." A not unexpected final request, all things considered. With so many impossible things being done before dinner, what was one more?

Chuckling, Shining emerged from the bedroom carrying his daughter in an impromptu ponyback ride. "Mmm, that's good! Magic does burn a lot of calories at high level, so its good to have high-protein breakfasts." Training began even before you hit the practice field; that was one of the first things that Shining Armor had learned in the guard. You needed to develop the attitude beforehoof, and fuel yourself right at the table. Given Flurry's spirit of eagerness and curiosity, combined with Cadence's culinary support, he'd say she was set up for success! The two of them clattered into the kitchen, interruping Cadence's reverie with the noise. Shining made up for this by giving his wife a kiss on the cheek as he deposited their daughter at the table, helping to plate the eggs through the use of his magic. "Sleep well, dear? I hope we all didn't get you up too early." He felt a little bad, to be honest, that Cadence was getting kind of left out of this training. True, it was to be expected, given her pegasus heritage, but Shining had only met her after her alicornification, and hadn't seen her without a horn.

Cadance took his pawing in good stride. Cats liked shiny objects, he was a bag cat. She wanted him to get used to it, however. Crystal ponies would be a going concern for him for as long as he lived now and if he didn’t get used to the way they looked, then he would be be having a very bad time. “Is it now?” She giggled. She nodded. “Sorry. I didn’t expect powerful creatures such as yourself to feel such an effect from teleportation. Same for you, North Wind. I suppose I’m still not as good at this as Twilight is,” she laughed as she led them further, this time into the mine itself. “Ahh. Well, no shame in picking something because it is pleasing. Symbolism is what we make of it, isn’t it? Same thing with Cutie Marks, really. Most Cutie Marks do give you guidance, true, but what it means is up to you. Smiling flowers don’t make you a gardener, after all,” she said as they ventured into the mine further. It was well-made and established, and the few ponies they saw there were universally hardy looking. Most were unicorns, some Earth ponies and even a pegasus, but they were all blackened and greyed by the dark of the mine. Few words were spoken; they worked as a well-oiled machine. Even a small filly was seen using her magic to move and carve and push and pull alongside her father. “And what mark would you give Jizara?” Twilight had learned very early, in fact. Just when was hard for her. The time period of her ascension had been followed by a very literal growing into her role. During that process, time had lost meaning and structure. Even now she was unaware of just when she had learned some things, only that she always had known. She didn’t know how important it was, however, to understand just when the manner of their love and her realization had come to pass. What mattered now was aligning reality correctly. “I will make the offer to Diamond Tiara,” Twilight replied without expansion. Truth was, Diamond was not going to join her mother. She was not given to the greed and the lust for power that defined the heart of a Sphinx, even the ones who did kind things. Her fate would be quite awful as a member of that species. Besides, Twilight knew that Diamond had a bright future ahead of her and wasn’t expecting that to deviate anytime soon. “Though with the assumption she declines it, I will make sure she takes your change in good stride.” Or as well as she could, considering her mother was abandoning her not only in terms of hearth and home but even as the shared experience of a pony. It was a betrayal of that young mare, but Diamond would take it well. The relationship had been strained for so long thanks to Diamond’s innately good heart finally allowing her to blossom into the fine mare she was destined to become that the tears shed would be brief if passionate. “I’ll keep your memories intact. Your past, intact. If this is your wish, so be it. As for the divorce, I will handle the exact distribution of assets at a later point. Your marriage is hereby ended with Spoiled Rich; a copy of the proceedings is now in the Canterlot Archives,” she said as several quills worked feverishly on a stack of papers. One by one, they vanished, leaving only Twilight. Her horn lit up. “Any final requests, Jizara?” As she spoke with Jizara, Twiligtht held back a giggle in her head. Blue may not have known how Twilight looked at Equestria, but in a way it was like she had several dozen million little ones laying around. Weariness in that manner was an old friend, dearly entrenched. “I’m happy to hear you accept, barring spousal approval. As for the other thing- we’ll discuss that, but not for now. One step at a time for you, Blue.”

“Oh, I can see that. Somesphinx could really use with some warmer shades. They stand out in the far north pretty well,” she said as she moved some of them tufts of mane and fur out of the way. She had to stop herself from petting Niilaavin. Big cat, big scratches. It was instinct. “I am sure we can work on making the Tyr presentable for a wonderful public ceremony,” she said as she led the Tyr away on his tour. She flapped her wings once, twice, and then a third time and using Twilight’s leftover magic she teleported them as whisps in flame to an area right outside Crystal Caverns. She sparkled in full Crystal Pony form, and as she moved she moved through tree and rock alike. She was taking him on a tour and she could take him anywhere she so needed to, but they would not be seen by the ponies of the area. This would allow him to get a full understanding without concerns for his size or the fears of the creatures around. North Wind had been transported as well. “I see. Very interesting. It seems many creatures have such coming of age marks. What does your mean? What is the symbolism?” Twilight smiled as the pair left and allowed some time to pass before she continued. “Excellent. Now we can work on his real gifts,” Twilight said with a smile once the Tyr was well and truly gone. She looked at the two who had remained. As she did so, she spoke to both of them. “Jizara, Jizara. A good name for a good Sphinx,” Twilight’s horn lit up as she worked on setting the table appropriately. “I must say, I wasn’t as shocked as others when developments drew you down the path. Your path was always dotted with the trappings of prestige and power, growing like weeds throughout a kingdom. You cannot flower thusly in Equestria, of course; you need a new garden in which to grow. Hayatria will be that garden,” Twilight said as documents of a crackling, energetic nature knitted themselves in front of her. “I will give you your new life as a Sphinx. No conditions attached. Of course, the real question is what to do with assets as they exist now. Your marriage will be ended with Filthy Rich, as much as it exists now. Your status as Mayor of Ponyville will be ended. Your status as a subject of Equestria, as my Subject, shall end. All of these things are clear,” she finished, showing the documents. She looked up, only the barest smirk hidden. “I can do much more, if you will it. So, Jizara, how far do you wish this new life to have gone?” As she spoke to Jizara, Blueblood would hear Twilight’s voice in his head. “Prince Blueblood, I’m so proud of the pony you have become. All that has happened- from your not-so humble beginnings to the establishment of IMAGINE, to the fine stallion and mare you are and the wonderful Herd you have joined- have led you here. You more than most deserve praise and a break, but as you know, leaders get far too much of the first and never enough of the latter,” she finally turned to Blueblood and spoke to him normally. “You know full well that this new kingdom lacks the diplomatic tact and international wisdom that it will require to succeed in the long term. As such, I am offering you the position as Equestrian Ambassador-slash-Ambassadress to the Kingdom of Hyatria. I presume you find this agreeable?”