SteelEagle

He was flattering. It was more than a little awkward for her, considering he was saying so around her guards and was a decidedly different species than her. Not that she was against cross-species affections mind you, but it was always weird having another creature speak breathlessly about your attractiveness. ever since she became a Princess she had been getting a lot of fan mail, is what she's saying, and Cadance seemed endlessly entertained when she read some of it out loud to her during visits. The fact it mortified her made Cadance all the happier with it. "No need to be flustered. Relax," Twilight suggested as they moved into town. Ponyville was quiet at night and outside of a few night owls, literal and otherwise, there was little happening as the four made their way to her castle. Two more guards stood at attention and saluted Twilight and opened the castle doors. They were professional and didn't ask questions about the unusual creature she was dragging along. They stopped asking that a while ago. They were now in the Castle of Friendship, and what staff were there at night were far off and busy with their own work. "So, welcome to my home. I assume you are familiar with it, Brandon?" Twilight asked as she started to shed the company of the guards.

Gallus inwardly chuckled at what he could feel coming off of Sky Beak at that moment. He was good at reading creatures, save that incident the day before. Sky didn't really believe him. It wasn't the first time he had faced such reactions from non-griffon creatures. He understood that it was difficult for them to comprehend the pride and honor that griffons held in their hearts, and how that same pride that could see them sink so low could see them fly so high. "Well, I guess it wasn't easy to convince them per se," Gallus said with a half-grin, shaken by the older hippogriff. "But when we saw that our only option was to fight alongside each other or perish, we put our differences aside and fought together. Sad that it took all that, but we did. We're a noble people, even the anxious nest-makers," he replied with a wink. Hopefully that term meant what it meant in Griffonstone. "I would love to see the sky-dancing," Gallus said with enthusiasm. "I'm not any good at water dancing or ground dancing or swamp dancing or whatever it is that Twilight does, but I like the sound of Skydancing! And I can't wait to explore your home more, Silverstream." As Sky Beak mentioned Mrs. Featherflit's battered mackerel fillets, Gallus's stomach growled in anticipation. He had never heard of the delicious dish before and couldn't wait to try it. "Mackerel filets...that does sound good," Gallus replied. he looked back at Silver as he started hovering up. "But I have a feeling that we won't be disappointed with whatever snacks we find along the way to finding this elusive Mrs. Featherfilt. Which way is the sky-dancing, Silver?"

Twilight shook her head as Brandon bowed. "You aren't one of my subjects. Potential subjects. Future subjects?" Twilight pondered. She could taste the changing winds and didn't have to be a fortune-scryer to see what was in her future, but that didn't mean she was in any hurry to embrace it. "Besides, it looks strange when a human bows. Doesn't it hurt your back?" She asked as the four made their way through the forest. When a pony bowed it still supported its body weight on its four hooves. When a human bowed it looked like it was designed to damage their back. Was pain important for supplication in certain human cultures? She'd have to investigate this further. After a few minutes, they found the edge of the forest. His transport had not been entirely too far off, it seemed. While dropping him in the Everfree had not been the aimed intention, at least this method of inter-reality transdimensional transport hadn't proved too entirely inaccurate. Twilight wasn't entirely sure she could have saved him had he been teleported into the heart of the forest, which would have been a tragedy on many fronts. As they started to pierce the edge, the humble skyline of Ponyville took shape in the quiet stillness of the night.

The song came to an end with a flourish, as the backup musicians jammed out through the outro and then just for fun. Rara could barely contain her smile, and then that barely became impossible as she saw Applejack finish the song with the sort of love and panache that only came when you started to lose yourself to the music and performance. For all of her pretense to start the day, it looked as if Applejack still had a lot of that old performer in her just screaming to get out. Rara didn't know just how strong that voice inside her really was, but she was very much willing to delve deep and find out. But for today, it would be enough. No need to push too far. She put her own violin away and eventually motioned for the others to stop. At the end of the session, everypony was pleased, with a round of clapping all around. Stagehands went to inspect props and equipment and musicians either simply moved out for their other jobs or stayed to the side, gently playing their instruments for fun. Rara bounded up to her favorite Apple and put a hoof on the side of her neck. "Applejack, you were fantastic up there! Why, if I didn't know any better I would say you haven't missed a beat. You haven't been playing any secret concerts I should know about, right?" She asked with a chuckle. "Well, what do you wanna do now? We have time for now."

"Apple Cinnamon? Well, that is delightfully on brand, now isn't it," Twilight said with a lilting giggle as she got comfortable in preparation for a tea party. She wondered just how many tea parties were happening at this very moment across this varied land of theirs. How many cups were brewing, kettles calling, and friendly smiles exchanged at this very moment? They say you never really understood your friends until you sat down with them to share some tea. She didn't know if she fully bought into that idea from a philosophical sense as it seemed trite to suggest every mundane activity had to great import to be imparted with value as opposed to possessing it intrinsically. What she did know was that she liked some gentle earl grey and was happy that the young Apple filly already had a favorite. "Do you have tea parties with your friends often?" She asked, having to eventually cross that barrier. She would be a poor Princess of Friendship if she didn't ask about the friendship status of a student, wouldn't she? Besides, tea parties were best served with friends. Stuffed animals could substitute, but they were often very lethargic guests for the afternoon.

Now that the immediate danger was clear, Twilight gave this human a once-over. He was indeed a rather small human. She wondered how this variant of the species judged height. What version of 'feet'? Her delving into many human worlds had revealed that in comparison to most human breeds, Equestrians were considered 'little'. This one appeared mature, or mature enough, and was smaller. Not that she could know for certain. The information she had been given was at best fragmentary. "Brandon is...Brandon, Close Watch," Twilight said with a smile as she finally drew near. "And I am sure that Brandon could do with some help more so than a questioning Guardsmen," Twilight said, leaving the Guard to finish the thought. He quickly offered the human a gentle hoof up, though the older pegasi seemed tense still. "Your Highness, we shouldn't be out so late. This fog is unnatural." "Only as unnatural as the Princess of the Night, Guard Up. We are fine," she smiled at Brandon again. "Aren't we? Well, I suppose you may not be. I have it on good authority you have travelled quite far, quite quickly, and quite unexpectedly. As for how I know your name? Well, all things with time. First, we should get you out of the Everfree forest. Unusual species and an unusual forest go together far better in myth than reality out here!"

Nocreature was there to save the human interloper in a strange world, or at least that is what it seemed. For just when the Timber Wolf lunged at the meat in front of it, the wolf became trapped in a purple glow. Impotently it raged against the magical bindings before it found itself growing smaller, younger. In just a few moments what was once an angry, terrifying timber wolf was a smaller and significantly more confused timber pup. It fell to the ground after being released from the hold, yipping off into the darkness and mist. A few moments passed before the human's erstwhile savior presented herself, flanked by two royal guards. Her horn lit itself up no longer and only her smile brightened up the foggy, dark night. Princess Twilight Sparkle, leader of Equestria and Princess of Friendship, stepped towards the human and slowed down. She then bent her head down slightly, as if to appear less threatening and welcoming, like one might with an animal or young child who was scared. "...Brandon, I believe?" Twilight asked as she stepped closer. She seemed to have some expectation of him, as if his presence was not wholly unexpected. Her guards were alert, but both clearly more curious about the creature in front of them. One, an older female pegasus, seemed a bit more beady-eyed as she stared at Brandon. The other, a well-built unicorn stallion, looked more innately curious. He couldn't help but lean towards Twilight. "What's a Brandon, Your Majesty...?"

Muziki started to think about it, tongue out. "Hmmm...hmmm...okay! I, I am lugging big sacks over Unyasi all the time, travelling, but we can always send it to the hotel we are at for the show! Oh, maybe- umm-?" She thought about it some more, "maybe just a little, so I can share with the others on the way home," she said with a bright smile at Saltwater. This was a very helpful employee! She was constantly amazed by the helpfulness of the ponies of the town. They all had great ideas and she was always happy to lend a friendly ear to friendly words. It had cost her a lot of the bits in town but now this time it was coming free! Because she had won just by entering! She'd have to win every time she came to town. Las Pegasus was for winners like Muziki! As she started to imagine going fat on all the candy and having to be rolled down the street, it was revealed that the local bard didn't know some old Unyasi classics. Well, not a huge shock. Not everycreature could know the classics of Unyasi, let alone the colorful south and its oral traditions. She was shocked that some legends and sons were known in Manehattan and could be found in their libraries, but even then Southern Unyasi was less represented. 'Uwanda na Mawe' was a tale of the first Great Chief of the South, whose generosity and love helped form the first real state in Southern Unyasi out in the savannah of plains and stones. 'Mvua Juu ya Kusini' was more of a take on a traditional old lullaby about how a mother and father protected their youngest during the heavy storms that could lash the coasts. Neither was too hard to do, but she didn't know whether she had the time or ability to teach him it all. Could he even speak the language? She needed to get the right sheets for him though. Oh, then he could be playing the best songs ever! As Salktwater worked to get the candy ready for transport, Muziki ran up to the Sky and took a seat on the piano chair. Or whatever Equestrians called it, she was used to watching the piano played on legs. "Oh, I can, I can get you the, umm, musical sheets! Do you speak Zebrican? Oh, oh, you would like Kwa Hugara, it is top piano! I don't play piano. My mama does, she can play many of the instruments!" She said as she partially leaned against him while resting her hooves on the piano keys, then started to play them in a soothing tone. Not part of a song, just nice! "Umm, do you- umm, do you know that folk song from Most-tangia, Mustey-tang-ia, about the fastest lap between mother and son? 'Uwanda na Mawe' has a very similar melody," she said as she imitated it. "Usually, umm usually I handle the spoken parts and, depending on part the reed pipe, but my reed pipe is back with my family. But yes, yes you start like that Moust-tange folk tale. And then joined by the wind section, and then the singing!"

Rainbow allowed herself the warmth of the fire to soothe her. So far their little trip had been a bit more complex than she had hoped it would be, and not because of anything cool or radical. Quite the opposite! Her awesomeness was not on full display and she felt as if the world was being denied a fuller, greater glimpse of all things Rainbow and Dash. Alas, the world would have to wait a little while longer. Soon the porridge was gone, and the fire started to die along with whatever small fraction of moonlight tried poking through the still-active stormfront. What better time for bed, right? And who better to bed with- wait, that sounded wrong. Was it okay that it sounded wrong? Yes, since they were dating. Technically, right? Rainbow's heart took a few steps to the left, and the right, stopped, started, and went back to normal in the span of a second. Her head shook as she realized what was being asked, then she smiled. "Oh- oh! Uhh, yeah. I mean, yes!" She said as she got up, looking a bit dopey as she started a trot over. "Sure! I mean, ya know, important to conserve body heat in a storm," she said with a wink as she sidled up to the Princess of Friendship with Benefits Just Don't Tell Cadance.

For a while, Applejack didn't respond. It felt very weird. She had wings for a bit now and while she had gotten used to it, she was very much looking forward to being her old self soon. She had learned how to fly well enough to not make a fool of herself in front of her family in the sky and now she was experiencing all the details small and large that made pegasi what they were. It was all new, all strange, all exciting, but this was a unique and weird feeling. She felt vulnerable and soothed, and also a bit hot under the collar. Hard to put into words when you didn't have any real frame of reference for it. Failing that, she just allowed herself a few moments to search for those elusive words as the plucking and preening and tidying of her wings came to an unusually intimate end. "Ah think Ah did," she said with a smile as she moved in for a kiss when her wife was done, sloppy and perfect in the way she felt it was, even getting strands of vane stuck in her teeth as she pulled back. She looked at the feather Rainbow had plucked out and nodded, her assent based more on her general ignorance of what made it so well suited than any informed thought. It sure did look pretty though. It was soon on the quilt, though AJ knew that there was probably more work behind the scenes in weaving it together, stronger. Like any good marriage, feathers were better bonded. "Ah think y'all've made one heck of a quilt an' Ah'm honored ta be part of it."

Applejack was very happy to be given the opportunity to rest. She was far too new to this flying thing to have any real stamina and with her bulky body drawing down on what reserves there could possibly be, yeah, she needed one. Even as she took her large turn to avoid the pillar, her right wing felt more and more stretched by the need to commit to keeping her body level. "Yeah, Ah could do for a rest. Ya know, before Ah start mah Wonderbolt training," Applejack joked as she laughed as she started to move in for a landing. She tried to angle for a landing well and truly but she didn't know a darn thing about them, so instead of coming in for a landing at speed she just slowed to a hover and then dropped down with an audible galomph. "Nice an' easy. Ah could go for a bite to eat, can't you?"

Rarity's eyebrow arched up as she walked alongside Applejack. Why was she so fascinated by a big yard? And...why go right to Fluttershy, when she was so reticent to be seen by her other friends? Rarity had her concerns. She also looked at Applejack's wagging tail and tittered to herself. Well, she wasn't perfect and fun was fun, so if Applejack wanted to go there despite the possible problems, then that is what they would do! "Well, lead the way, darling," she said as she gave Applejack a little tap on the flank to signal her to move forward. Applejack could lead the way, which would give her some space to work out whatever unusual energy was building in her. It also allowed Rarity to take in the public's reaction to the unusually acting Apple mare. Most did not notice- a bit too busy considering events- but a few gave Applejack a bit of a confused stare. Rarity felt the slightest trepidation creep up her spine as they soon found themselves at Fluttershy's. Rarity gave a few quick, insistent raps on the door, as she waited for something to go normal this day.

Twilight could only imagine how stubborn a teacher Applejack was. It was thought of- very rudely- that Applejack was not as smart as some of her friends, or at the very least didn't value education as highly. Not only was this rude but it was fundamentally wrong. There were few mares who were as strident about the value of a solid education as Applejack because while the day to day of farm work was physically taxing, taking care of the farm on a business level and an administrative level required a lot of thought and care. She was a smart mare and she was going to raise a smart filly. "Tea sounds great. What type of tea is your favorite?" Twilight asked as she made herself comfortable once more in the basement. Tea time wasn't part of the lesson plan per se but when you were helping a little filly, you had to assume a tea party or two would make an appearance. Besides, she liked tea. Nothing helped soothe her more than tea, besides being around those she cared for. And today she would get to share tea with a wonderful little friend, so it really made it all the better. "Mine is earl grey."

Tempest was strong, even if she lacked any natural talent for bucking and her lack of Earth Pony magic was clear as day. The magic came into play with how readily and easily the crop would yield itself fully in good health and grace. Tended to by most others, the crop would yield an unnatural amount, much like the Everfree. When tended by Earth Ponies however, the rate of bad apples or ruined crops would prove to be tremendously diminished. Bucking was an important and final part of this process, as the point of contact allowed Earth Pony magic to rejuvenate the tree and branches alike. Tempest would never have that- or the talent that allowed Applejack to get the vast majority of the apples in the basket with a solid buck- but she had the strength and the willingness to work. She'd do just fine. What she would do less fine with was her own personal demons. How many years had it been since she had turned away from her old life? How much had she done to try and make herself better? Really, the only obstacle was her own consistently mismantled sense of sorrow at her actions against Equestria and others. Truth was, they gave Discord a second chance (and a third, then a fourth) and her actions paled in comparison to his. She could list them all - Starlight Glimmer ring a bell?- but fact was, it wasn't the world's reaction to Tempest that was making her hesitant and regretting her past, it was her own developing and developed awareness of what she had done. Combined with her own deep desire to make sure her calves had a better life than she had, which was the most maternal of all the maternal instincts given far more heady ambitions when you considered the nature of Tempest's own early life. She was worried that her life had disqualified her from doing what she felt was necessary to give them the life that she knew was necessary. And she was telling Applejack, who herself was near-paralyzed and in horrible pain and needed to relax. Luckily for the unicorn, Applejack knew that an apple a day kept the doctor visit and surgical follow-up away. "Well...yer not wrong. Yer old world is gone, an' gone for good. An' if you still kept up any stupid, foolish notion of runnin' on-off again ta fulfil some dark spot in yer soul, that's over, too. But really Tempest, that world died years ago for you," she said as she watched her tail flick of its own according around an apple that rolled towards the cart. She still couldn't feel her tail much, but it really did want to pick up that apple. "An' you've just been caught too long tryin' ta deny it somewhat. Runnin' off here, there, everywhere," she said with lazy moves of a front hoof over and about, "-just so you can run away from here," she said, tapping her chest. It took a few seconds to catch her breath. "It don't matter what you were running around for or what you were thinking before, yer a ma now. An' that little voice that you think is trying ta tell you to leave'm be? That ain't you. That's some sorta spectre of tha past, an' it don't hold a lick of power you don't give it, any influence you don't surrender ta it. An' you know all it does is lead you down the same damn road like it always does, with the same sorrows and heartaches and that same aching feeling of loss. An' you know that too, so yer not gonna listen to it, but you're gonna sit here and fret 'bout it 'cause you're still actin' like you ain't worth redeemin'," Applejack said as she slowly pulled herself off the cart and allowed her tail to corral an apple and throw it up on the cart. She then turned to it and with a grunt got her top half back on the cart, got the apple, and ate it in one big bite. She licked her lips and belched. "Oooh wee- excuse me there. But, uhh," she regained her composure. "You *are* worth redeemin', you *are* worth living a good life, and you *are* worth being able to tackle motherhood like any respectable mare. An' part of that is being scared from land to tail about whether or not yer ready ta be a momma. Ah can tell you that when Ah was pregnant with Zap Apple Ah was convinced Ah'd be tha absolute worst ma a lil' colt could ask for. An' that was only a little bit improved with Ambrosia. Yer always gonna worry that you ain't good enough, because you already love them and want to do the best you can. An' that worry will translate into you doin' yer best, and between that and a love that I can't even explain, yer gonna do wonders for them." Applejack finished and looked over Tempest's work. It wasn't as fast as she would have liked because of all the jabbering, but it was a solid first go and a great effort. "Yer doin' great. Ready ta move on ta tha next phase? An' Ah don't mean an age spell ta make me yer mama or nothing, Ah meant in tha field."

Muziki's propensity for being a real big winner continued in ways and for causes she couldn't really understand, but she was 'plum tickled' as a friend's momma would say for it to continue! She didn't know what lucky rock she had stepped on lately to be granted such winnerdom but it was certainly something that made her a happy little zebra. First off, the Candied Pony offered to give her one of everything, which was a lot and enough all at once. Too much were not words that came easily to no filly. And that was all good and great, but then the Wind Dancer pony offered to pay for it all. Wow! She really HAD been the winner! She would tell all of her new friends in Ponyville that the candy here was free. The ponies of Las Pegasus were so nice and trustworthy, always willing to help you with your bit currencies! Her eyes sparkled wide and big as she brought her hooves first to her mouth and then hugged the front leg of the rich pony Wind and the wonderful Shopkeep Candy. "Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Thank you for being the nicest! I won big!" And with that, she started trotting around the shop throwing this, and that, and this, and also that in there. She almost didn't pay attention but she did pay attention just enough to know what to add way more of, like these little chocolate balls wrapped up really nicely, and then more chocolates that weren't as nicely wrapped, but she didn't really know the difference. And popcorn! Her bag was almost overflowing. Almost,m if only because it had this stretchy nature made out of Unyasan fabric meant to survive the wilds of that land and more than capable of keeping candy in place. And bits, but who needed bits when you were a winner?! Soon she had picked up what she considered enough candy. Well, almost enough. No amount of candy would ever be truly enough, but this would get her through the trip. Night. Hour. Minute? She put the bag on the counter. She wanted to make sure it was okay! "Umm, is this too much?" She asked peppily, her tail flitting about excitedly as she hoped that she would be told it would be fine. When Sky asked if anypony had any requests, Muziki turned her head towards him. As she did so her little bardic hat almost fell off- "ooof-"- which she caught and put back on, "oh, umm, please do you play Mvua Juu ya Kusini?" She said as she struggled, tongue out, to put it back in place before she was pleased and lit up. "Oh, oh! Uwanda na Mawe?"

Applejack spread her wings out far and wide for Rainbow to get to work. truth be told, the way her mare asked it made Applejack feel like she was missing something big, maybe something a bit unusual, about the request. Not having grown up winged and having acquired them only recently, and very briefly in the grand scheme of things, she didn't know just how personal a process preening could be. To her, it was no different from asking a family member to help you get some nail outta your hoof after a day in the fields. A mite personal perhaps, but nothing all that unusual when you were as physical as she was. That was what her thoughts were as Rainbow went to work. It felt...very strange. She didn't know how exactly to describe it, nor could she really put her mind on what sound Rainbow made. Was she purring? She had never heard a pony purr before. What in the blazes was that all about? Not that she could really focus on it too much. The way Rainbow was diving into her wing and manipulating all of her feathers was unusual in ways that the long-term Earth pony mare couldn't quite grasp. The way she reknitted and straightened feathers slowly, comprehensively, and dutifully kept on sending all manner of signals. If Applejack were a cat- which she half expected Rainbow was in a past life, what with her purring- then her paws would be stretching and curling claws back and forth.

"Very astute observation, Ambrosia. Who helped teach you the alphabet?" Twilight asked as the pair rounded down into the cellar. It was well and good that the future Princess at least had the order of her titles down already., and even had a good reason for it. An inarguable one, at that. And if you could start your rule off right with logic as sound and well-mannered as that, then you were destined for truly great things. Well, as long as you become a Princess, at least. That was the very first step in the program. Hopefully, Ambrosia was right and being super pretty was all it took because that would certainly open up the future for other ponies! "I'm happy to hear that you're feeling great. We still have a lot of ground to cover, but you have some of the most basic magical strengthening techniques. So the next phase is really up to you, and with that comes a lot of experimentation," Twilight said as they entered the cellar. It was time to see Ambrosia start to get creative with her magic. It wouldn't really develop into brand-new magical talent, but what it really would do is allow Ambrosia to test out how her magic felt as she tried different things. A unicorn would come to know all the different nuanced tingles and waves that came with different magical use.

"Yes, well, I do have that effect on ponies of all sorts," she let out a short giggle which was full of much more than a justified excitement. She knew for certain that she was one of the best mares in town but more than that she knew that her attitude only amplified it. And when it came to Applejack, she knew that her charms were only that much powerful. And besides, it wasn't as if she needed anything else to further that, now did she? She made sure to tug on the collar, to ensure it was on well. She didn't want it to get any weirder and have it fall off, now would she? Applejack wouldn't deserve any further embarrassment now, now would she? "It is all well, my dear. I am sure your current predicament has caused some manner of...err, development, let's say. No matter. If you want to continue our wonderful walk, we'll do so. Just stay close dear, so hopefully, we can hide it as much as possible," Rarity added, hoping to achieve an excellent result. After all, she rarely needed more reason than that to get close to her very well-heeled marefriend. "Where to, Apples?"

Applejack was absolutely radiant when she allowed her innate, inborn charisma and talent to shine through an exterior built to withstand the rigors of work. She was a natural. She could do so much more if she wanted to, and it was a credit to her love of family and land that she had little desire to do more than she was now. She didn't need any help from Rara once she got into her role. That boded well for the performance, well for Applejack, and well for Rara. She was, in that moment, a very bright star shining in Rara's eyes. She just had to make sure they ended the song well, and not be the fool. Rara took center stage with a twirl, her eyes a'twinklin' as she did so with menace even as her face was twisted with a frown. "Discord bowed his head 'cause he knew that he'd been beat by the filly's moves," she did with another twirl and bow, and as she did so she motioned to a prop that had been placed there with magic when she had the attention of the crowd. "And he laid that golden fiddle on the ground at Jackie's hooves!" She said, an elegant motion ceding the floor to the victor, the heroine of the moment.

Yeah, she reckoned that made sense. You made all manner of foalish mistakes as a youngin' with the hope being that as an older folk you didn't make a top-shelf flank of yourself in front of friends and kin. And she had certainly made plenty of mistakes as a filly, enough to make sure that as an adult she was as sober and pragmatic as any Apple could be. But this was a new experience and she would be lying if she said she was plum tickled to be making all sorts of dumb mistakes now in front of her wife, who for her part seemed to be having a bale of a time with it all. She'd have to get this down pat before Rainbow started to coo and treat her like a toddler. Or she'd simply just have to kick, that always helped! Seriously, talk about a foalish response! She took a few extra seconds to get her wings in order so she could balance and hover in the air without too much trouble, biting down on the aching and longing for the ground that even now pervaded her. But if she knew one thing it was that she was damn sure a sight better fit to win than to continue being made an absolute flank of, so she nodded her head and narrowed her eyes, taking a few good breaths as she prepared to make her move. When she took off, she didn't do so with a lot of speed. In fact, she was pretty sure she wa flying at leisure speed, but that was enough for her. She weaved in and out of the pillars easily enough, one of her wings only gently grazing a pillar. She took a wide turn to avoid having a tailspin, though that meant she was some distance away from Rainbow. "See? Ah told you!"

It didn't take very long for the pair to get set up in the cave. Rainbow was on firewood duty and it was easy enough. Of course, the woods in this area hard a terrible bit of bark that came off too easy when busting through the trees, so a few times instead of being able to grab the wood she would mostly just end up punching the tree down. Still, in just a few minutes she would gather more than enough firewood. No doubt enough for the fire, but she also wanted to make sure that they had ammunition to kick at giant cave bears and weird giant monsters that her mind couldn't pull together quite well at the moment. Probably a giant spider. "Here ya go!" Rainbow said as she dropped the wood off for Twilight and set about making the camp secure, or as much as she could considering how close they were to the cave. It would have to do. Frankly, it wasn't a big deal to be caught up in the rain. Pegasi could handle it better, their innate magic meaning water flowed through their wing feathers rather than soaking them- well, as long as they moderated it. With that in mind, she was more than happy to take the food that was offered. Porridge was not her cup of tea, which went without saying really, but she was hungry enough. "Sure. Thanks, Twilight!" Rainbow said as she started to chow down. It didn't taste good but it was hot, and that was good enough for her!

"Ohh, very ambitious!" Twilight replied. Being the Princess of two very different but important facets of Equestrian life- apples and dresses, was there even a third?- would be very hard work. She'd have to wake up extra early to do the Princess of Apples work, probably meaning she would have to personally bless each and every tree and use her magic to make the trees grow faster and with bigger, jucier fruits. And then she would have to work hard, trying to bless every dress in Equestria! Oh, did she even understand what the thread count on every dress even meant? Well, she would after being Princess of dresses! And oh, all the designers always fighting about everything. What a turbulent Princesshood she was signed up for. "And yes, I do believe that Rarity's shops- all of them- would fall under your rule. I am sure she would be enamored with all of the ideas of Princess Ambrosia, Princess of Apples and Dresses. Or would it be Dresses and Apples?" She pondered, wondering which one would come first. After all, they had to pay a lot for the castle stationary and you didn't want to make them have to redo the work. That came out of the royal budget after all! She led the filly back towards the cellar where they had been practicing. "How are you feeling?"

Rarity had seen other Ice Storms use very similar magic. Indeed, they were all uniquely powerful with weather-based abilities, and some even had additional attachments that amplified it. Appeared as though this Ice Storm followed suit. It sometimes made Rarity just what other Rarities were like. Were they all unicorns? Were there perhaps some fabulous mares? Maybe some villains. He was sure that they would probably be more successful than he was. They at least weren't responsible for near as many half-truths and lies as he was. He could only hope that this Ice Storm was as quality as some of the others he had the fortune of meeting. He nodded. "I see. Well, if you want to do it that way we'll do it. Pull the ramp up!" He said. Before he could say it, a couple of his crew managed to get off the ship, running for their lives. Solar Guardsponies quickly grabbed them and pulled them towards the Solar's residence. He'd deal with them later, though he couldn't fully blame them. It was bad enough to imagine being boarded, robbed, or otherwise treated roughly. It was another thing entirely to imagine yourself falling into a bright void for what was perhaps an eternity. All in all, he couldn't be too mad. It just meant he had fewer crew to do whatever it was they needed to do to handle their own Ice Storm. "Get to your positions. And wait for my orders, if you would," he said as he put his hat back on and took a deep breath. He'd have to rely on this Ice Storm and needed to know what her plan was. He would do his best by keeping a calm demeanor and allowing her to do whatever magical thing it was she did. "Okay, well if you so insist on doing this, we're with you. So, what do you need us to do?"

Twilight smiled. "It will be easy enough to help you with the basin and those involved. There will always be some who will be lured by promises of riches, but I can cut off any seemingly higher level of support. I will also be sure to inform my counterparts in the Republic- though, knowing the graft that takes place, I would not hold my breath for a positive response. Still, it would be wise to inform them. At worst, I am concerned one of the families will involve themselves, but that is a risk one must take," Twilight said as she brought parchment and quill up to the table. Before she got to work however she smiled. "It has been a pleasure meeting woith you. I am sure that in time this situation will be resolved well and we will have a future relationship built on trust and understanding. I wish you luck, Ride. You may very well need it." As for the 'Agent', Ridge would be forgiven for being disappointed. The griffon in question was not some suave secret agent or strong warrior, nor was he a great leader by any stretch of the imagine. The paper that read 'Gallus' would seem to indicate a rather unremarkable young griffon, a good student and excellent member of the School of Friendship but utterly without 'enghaged' merit in the field. He was of slight build for a male griffon his age and certainly unimpressive when it came to flying. What exactly it was that the Princess saw in the young student that would be of value to the dragon as he embarked on his mission to save the city was not readily apparent; trust would be needed,because that is all that could be readily offered.

Twilight had to suppress a smile. She didn't try all that hard however, so it probably showed pretty easily. Ambrosia was very certain that she understood what being pretty meant and Twilight knew that she should have known better than try to teach Professor Pretty about the nature of beauty. Plus, she was perhaps too young to really understand what she was trying to get across. Well, she was known for trying to soapbox a bit too much. So, for now, she would have to acquiesce to Ambrosia's expert opinion. "Well, if you say I'm pretty I suppose it has to be true. You are the expert on cute things, after all," she looked up at the orchard then back to the littlest Apple. "As for becoming a Princess, hmm? Tell me, what would you be the Princess of? Princess of...dresses? Apples? Oooh, should I tell your mom that she should prepare to hoof over the farm to you," she said as she started to dramatically and playfully turn around to find Applejack and tell her the good news!