Blueblood

Not having brought much with her to Maretime Bay, Gloomy had practically nothing to unpack, leaving her idly watching Sugar Moonlight do so. And it had to be said, that mare was never boring to watch! Whether or not she continued to model, she would always know how good she looked and how to emphasize that in how she moved. Sugar would even be forgiven for a bit of vanity on her part, as long as Gloomy got to see her move on the regular. She had to brace her knees a bit to take the burden of Sugar's weight, but hardly minded, feeling the warm soft body so close to her own. She could get used to this... And now she was getting a chance to! "Will your legs be able to take you there, or will you ride me without a care?" She asked, giving into Sugar's spirit of playfulness as her ears flicked.

Blushing slightly at the implications of being 'closer for longer, Gloomy returned the tail flick as she looked for places where Sugar could place her things. It had been a while since she had reorganized her place, and truth be told she hadn't planned on having anypony else move in for a while. Her horn lit up as she cleared some space on the bedside 'table', an outgrowth next to the one she placed her mattress on. "Most ponies sleep close to the sky, I've never known why. From waking to breakfast is a stumbling walk, and down stairs I'd fear to stalk." Which more or less meant that bedroom and kitchen were on the floor. The loft, where she next climbed up to, was where she did most of the work, judging by the piles of papers and notebooks she was shifting around. "Up here I have space to spare, most of your things can then go there." A cozy little storage nook for any precious items, and some extra space made in the closet later, and that should be enough room for Sugar to move in.

Ambrosia gave an adorable closed-eye smile in reaction to being called 'cute'. It was a compliment which she heard often and never tired of, just as the little filly never got tired of the grass being green, the sky being blue, or apples being red. Existence as her was a happy cycle of days, with only vague notions of the future. What magic did she desire? It was hard to tell, as she didn't live with unicorns, and honestly had few opportunities to see their magic. "Ummm... magic that makes things pretty! Like Auntie Rarity's or Trixie's!" Small as she was, the distinction between those mare's magical talents, and their respective abilities in design and showmareship was a blur in her mind. Like a stage show, it was all 'magic' and amazement to the little one. She may have found some inspiration in the fact that, like Rarity, her magic was leading her to a rock. A Heavy rock. Amby looked down at it, then up at Twilight, as if questioning whether a little filly like her was meant to do heavy lifting. But, she didn't want to disappoint a Princess, so she lit up her horn and tried to... what? She had little if any practice in lifting anything, it was hard enough to focus her magic on the rock! However... maybe it was the ring, but it seemed to come a little easier with the ring on. At least, she could "feel" the rock with her magic, but she could barely keep a grip on it. "Mmm, Princess Twilight, I can't!" She said, clearly upset, after a solid two minutes of barely budging it.

While Sugar Moonlight definitely overshadowed Gloomy in terms of first impression attention, those who had regularly attended her poetry nights at Alphabittle's would have noticed more subtler changes in her attitude, a more muted and delayed version of the changes they had all undergone. Mostly, it was the fact that she no longer stood out as the obvious melancholic exception. Heck, even her grey coat seemed not drab, but some obscure shade of a hidden, esoteric band of the rainbow. Somewhere between the blues and the greens... though maybe that was a trick of the light. Smiling gently, she returned the nuzzle Sugar gave her as they turned the corner to her treehouse. "It's nice to know that at this time, and you are cute when you try to rhyme." She didn't mean that patronizingly, but it was clear she was unpracticed. "You may keep going or stop, it's fine; I only do so to keep in line. Piling up couplets is only the start, which ones to keep is the real art. Or, to speak more plainly, in order to write good poems, one must write many poems." She laughed a little opening the door. It was telling that she had never thought to keep it locked, not that many in Bridlewood had much to steal. The whole room kept the homespun, one step away from nature vibe that the town exuded. Illumination from windows or mushrooms, furnishings not so much carved from wood as looking like natural outgrowths of the tree itself. Gloomy's house wasn't very bright, even in the middle of the day; opening all the curtains only changed that a little bit. "Do watch your step, we can begin unpacking now."

Giggling at mister Teacher's silly little goodbye, she waved like a good and polite little filly. "Buh-bye Mister Teacher!" Mood thoroughly buoyed, she happily cantered beside her mama as they passed more prospective students on their way out. "Where are we going next, mama?" Every place they'd been to today had been so happy for her so far, so what could possibly be next?

Wide-eyed with a new student's awe and excitement as soon as Twilight said she could open her eyes, Ambrosia was doing her very best to follow the Princess' words. It didn't take much to stick, of course; she'd known all her life she was a special little filly, because mama told her so. And now her magic was just one more reason why, right beside her overall cuteness and sweet personality! Upon seeing the box, she gasped. Was it a jewelry box? It was! There was a ring inside! "Wow, it's a ring!" She'd seen them worn sometimes by older fillies and colts, and always thought they looked so pretty. This one, for instance, was so intricate and beautiful that her horn sparked at the sight of it. Almost reverentally, she took it in her little hooves, trying with still lightly-coordinated movements to put it on. It took a while, but she did! "Yeah! How do I look?" She didn't know what this had to do with magic yet, but it was pretty jewelry, and that was what mattered!

"If you roam far from home, it is best not to do it alone." Having had to travel alone from Bridlewood to Maretime Bay, Gloomy could confirm from experience that traveling with a partner and friend was better than traveling alone. Even still, as they passed under the shade of the trees, the mare couldn't help but feel that slightly bit more comfortable and relieved to be back within the glens and glades. Having to travel so much open territory left her feeling... exposed. "I live fairly close to the middle of town, close to Alphabittle's tea shop." Gloomy dropped the rhymes as she took the lead, guiding Sugar as the forest path turned into a village road. "We may pass a few who stare, some who'll talk if they dare. None, I hope shall fear, but... my dear...." She blushed, as her attempt to rhyme let a term of affection slip so easily. But a pony can bond with another very quickly over the course of travel, as Sunny and Izzy found out. Unlike when Sunny or Izzy arrived in Bridlewood, though, there was a considerably greater amount of general frolicking going on, little colts and fillies happily playing in the dappled leaf-filtered sunshine, unicorns going about their business with a smile and glow generally. The removal of magic had affected their tribe's morale more than any of the other's, and it's return, consequently, cheered them up all the more. True to Gloomy's word, her arrival did provoke stares, though she'd be able to tell that at least a few were from how pretty she looked rather than just the fact she was an earth pony. One colt, just at that age when mares became super fascinating, was open-mouthed, dropping his magically-levitated apple halfway through a bite. A filly next to him elbowed him. "Bing Bong!" She said, though more jokingly than superstitiously. It was more or less what they had started saying now whenever anything went awry with their magic.

Thankfully for Pipp's spiraling thoughts, they were not far from the City. Queen Haven guided their approach, carefully, trying to avoid the potential of paparazzi and reporters swarming them. Unfortunately, Zephyr Heights was not a city originally built for an all-pegasus population, and certainly not one capable of flight. Therefore, the castle had no easy-access entry balconies from the air for Royal Use (Haven reminded herself to give an order for their construction as soon as possible!) The closest landing site seemed relatively deserted, but mother-hen instincts in her were tingling. "Stay close in the approach, Pipp." She said to her daughter as they dipped in for a landing. Almost immediately they were converged on by swarms of both the press and the guards, the latter shielding the royals from the former. Queen Haven was heartened to see so many guards turn out for this; some of them possibly trying to win their way back into their good graces more than those who had been loyal all along. Nonetheless, they alike had her gratitude. "No pictures, no interviews! The Princess... my daughter is exhausted, and in no fit state to deal with the public!" Not even one photo this time, just straight back into the castle! All the while, her wing was outstretched to cover and shield her little Petal from the flashbulbs of the camera.

Gloomy wondered, briefly, as she saw the forest treeline approach from the dusty road between Bridlewood and Maretime Bay, if any of the unicorns would recognize her. Granted, she didn't think she looked all that different, though it had been a while since she'd last used a mirror. But she certainly felt different; warmer, fuzzier, altogether lighter on her hooves. Her head was held higher, her hooves walked with more of a clippy-clop, and her expression wore a more serene smile than its more melancholic default. Then she looked over towards Sugar Moonlight, and realized that they wouldn't be paying attention to anyone but her. The sparkle-maned earth pony a remarkable mare, in more than just her looks, as it had taken but one day for her to reach out to a friend-seeking unicorn in the rain, sending both of their lives on a new trajectory. She could only hope that Bridlewood would give her at least as warm a reception as Gloomy Sonnet had received at Maretime Bay. Which wasn't, like, a ticker tape parade or anything, but had some friendly faces and no overly hostile ones. Best one could expect so soon after unification, really. "If we just follow the mushrooms' glow, the path takes us to home in tow." Gloomy pointed out the luminiscent fungi as they came under the shade of the trees. Unicorns didn't have electricity, so had to make do with what nature provided for public lighting. Honestly, though, she kind of preferred it to the brighter lights of Maretime Bay. Night didn't feel like... night with so many lightbulbs on.

Ambrosia really hadn't had the opportunity to play with many other little fillies before, so any friction she was likely to cause in the classroom would be when any of the others wanted their turn to be 'princess'. It was going to be a lesson for little Amby that the whole world did not see her the same way her mama did. But, what was school for if not the important lessons in life? She smiled to see the teacup, a stallion of taste, as opposed to her brother! But did she have any more questions? No, everything seemed hunky-dory to her. "Nope, you're real nice, Mr. Teacher!"

"I'll let you handle the set-up then." Haven nodded, passing off a bit more responsibility to Pipp. One had to learn to delegate as a Queen, after all... and Pipp would probably throw a fit after seeing the state of her equipment after the likely results of her trying to use it. More salient to her right now, as they slowed their pace as they approached the city, was how tired Pipp was looking. "A nap sounds good after a long flight, for sure." The Queen agreed, glad to see at least one of her daughters understood how to rest and pace herself. It was her next request, though, that warmed her heart. It was a bittersweet day for pegasus mothers when their foals grew too large to nest them, but Pipp had not yet passed that point, unlike her sister. And today, after everything that had happened... Haven knew she needed that time with her as much as her daughter did right now. "I would be happy to, little Petal."

Was there any greater source of affirmation than a Princess telling you that she was just like you as a filly? Well, besides getting daily lovings-on from Applejack. Ambrosia practically skipped with glee to sit by Twilight's side, awe and excitement welling in her eyes. "O-kay!" Trying to hold herself very still, she closed her eyes, attempting to illuminate her horn. This she actually knew how to do, first since it came instinctively to unicorns, second because mama had been so excited and happy to see Ambrosia do it the first time, she kept practicing it to get more praise! "Hehe, yeah, my forehead feels funny!" It was halfway between a tingle and a tickle, some power welling up with no real use for it, as yet.

Suitable suitors. That was ticket, wasn't it? Besides the standards that royalty imposed, there was also the normal mother's desire for her daughter to be happy. Pipp seemed happy enough alone, but Haven worried that her experience with fame, as well as watching everypony go for Zipp had probably warped her sense of taste. Either way, it seemed this was not a desirable topic of conversation. "Oh, well, just know you can come to talk to me about any stallions that catch your eye... or mares I suppose." It wasn't likely that she would make that last concession if Pipp wasn't the younger daughter, in all fairness. But, back to the subject of games! "Hm, I suppose it would depend on what sort of things would be interesting to watch as well as to play, wouldn't it?" Haven mused, thinking. "Settlers of Maretonia is a classic, and most of the audience would be able to follow along, I think." The mention of 'puff ball' did bring an amused smile to the Queens face, but also a ping of nostalgic melancholy to her heart. Pipp wasn't a little filly anymore, and there were fewer and fewer moments of truly unselfconscious joy from her that she got to witness these days.

It was the nature, and perhaps duty, of Princesses to ask their subjects if they'd been good little colts or fillies. That was important, you had to know that as a Princess! That was why Ambrosia asked it of all her stuffies and dolls when she held a tea party with them. And given that she had done her chores today, she could give a bright-eyed nod with bouncing ringlets that would melt just about any heart that beheld it. "Uh-huh, I helped momma out!" It was only on that account, with excess energy burning off, that she wasn't physically bouncing with excitement. "Yeah, I wanna learn magic, and spend time with a Princess!" It was every little unicorn's dream come true!

Once you had.... a certain undisclosed number of years under your belt, you learned that situations that seemed like pure negatives often had blessings in disguise. The recent uprising was a master of disguise, granted, but if they navigated this all well as a family... there may well be a brighter future than ever ahead of them. "Magic Kings... is that the game with all those portraits to the side of the map? I remember that, yes." She had to roll her eyes at the 'family wreath' joke, though. Really, how tiresome. Just because the necessity for selectivity rather restricted the pool of potential mates did not mean there was any strong degree of inbreeding! She had two genetically healthy daughters, thank you very much! That line of thinking did lead her mind down to another question that she wanted to ask her daughter once she got some private time. "Speaking of intrigue and matches... have you had any suitors lately to whom you're giving any serious consideration? Or any who you'd wish would work up the courage?" She gave a little smile, it was about at Pipp's age... maybe even a little younger, if she thought of it, that their father had first come to her attention.

The Queen nodded, as Pipp confirmed her suspicion of open forums. "You would know better than any of us about such matters." Celebrity culture, and fans, did not exactly endear one to the idea of democracy, royal or no. The entertainment tastes of the populace often being as idiosyncratic as their political demands, Haven had to wonder if it was healthy to indulge them even to the limited extent that she knew Pipp had. If she ever got in on one of her paid streams... "Oh!" This stream, however, seemed like a good idea. More time she could legitimately carve out with her daughters. "I would love to, darling. As long as you don't ask me to play anything too intense or violent. My reaction time is not what it once was." She would make no promises in return about what board games she would bring to the table, though! Sure, she'd probably start with Settlers of Maretonia when it was her first turn to pick, but one day she would sit both of them down for a full game of Railways and Robber Barons! But that one should probably be a, what did she call it, charity stream.

Ambrosia was... pretty far from being able to teleport. Frankly, it was hard to say what level of magical potential she had at this point; there were so few of her kind on either side of the family to indicate the strength of the 'bloodline' as it were. Not to mention that her current potential was no indication of future growth; even Princess Twilight had famously been a bit of a late bloomer herself. Still, even if she couldn't teleport right now, no reason to not take credit for showing restrain, right? "O-kay mister teacher!" She smiled, bright and happy once more. This stallion was also showing good sense, in that he properly appreciated her mama! "Yeah, mamas are... uh, awe-some!" Rainbow used that word a lot around Applejack, so it had to be true. As for the games she liked to play? "Uh, I like playing house, dress-up, tea parties..." Her games and amusements were mostly of the imagination, and very much in the stereotypical filly mold. The foal of two tomcolts showing the exact opposite trains!

Queen Haven clucked with sympathy, like a mother hen. It was not exactly slander to say that Pegasi could exhibit birdlike characteristics when their guard was down, though the displays when they happened were rarely dignified, and thus Haven was usually careful to keep them private. "Oh, yes... I have often wondered if it was a good idea to open such a direct channel for instant feedback from the populace... I imagine there are a lot of them who are going to vent at you. I do hope you won't take them too seriously, unless they actually bother to send a physical letter or something else requiring effort and forethought. Then we'll have to keep a list of names..." It was hard, in these modern times, to balance concerns for the safety and sanity for one's offspring. "Also, hoof-gilding? I had no idea that made for such interesting viewing." Out of touch as she may be with the younger folks, Haven did have a savvy sense of the established media landscape, and how unlikely it was to meet her on her own terms for the next week or two. But there had to be some opportunity- aha! "That famous tennis player, Flick Ray? He's been making a lot of noise about his new show, First Serve. I think a long, unrestricted, and non-adversarial interview with a large audience is just what we need. Just to have some place to refer any further questioners if they want our side of the story. Besides that... a blitz of public relations work. Hm, I don't suppose you could call your friends back up to Zephyr Heights to help out with that?"

Haven was pleased at her daughter's enthusiasm, though she had her own personal doubts as to whether things would go as smoothly as Pipp was confident that they would. But... experience would be a better teacher than a mother's words on a headstrong daughter. And maybe she was right after all. Only one way to find out, and it was quite true that some kind of shakeup was needed in the Palace. "Well, consider this your Official Royal Duty, then. I look forward to seeing how you do." She shot a look of acknowledgment and pride over to her younger daughter, knowing full well that Pipp really had not had enough of that, all things considered. Being not in line, therefore a perpetual princess, had its perks, but that also meant that any royal duties, and thus quality time with the Queen, fell unevenly between her and Zipp.

Hanabi's revelation was enough to provoke a genuine reaction out of Yin, a full startle and whinny, eyes wide with surprise and fascination. "WHAAAAAA? You gotta be foxing kidding me, bro! You had this beauty following you all along and didn't introduce me?" "After you fell asleep the second time I tried to bring you out to the forest, I figured you were just bored." Yin raised a hoof as if to make a rejoinder, but lowered it with a shrug. "Uh, yeah, fair, I was. In my defense, you're exhausting to be around, you know? Did you let these poor girls sleep on the way over?" She gave a cheeky grin. "Or did they not let you?" Feng, for his part, was becoming inured to the teasing, returning to his old pattern of banter with his sister. "Yup, Rongyu snores like the village lumberjack. Sadly, there were no frogs to slip in her bed as a reprimand this time." It seemed to be a time of shedding disguises, and the 'dutiful captain' poise that Feng wrapped himself in like a suit of platemail was discarded on the floor, revealing a longma that could just as well have been an ambitious Triad enforcer as a law-enforcing guard. "Well, besides that, you do know how to pick 'em. Magic, cooking, and muscles; that'll get you pretty far in life. And if you're aiming for a high-level snatch, I suppose bringing the former kidnapper of an Emperor's consort's about as good as you can get." Yin nodded, almost respectfully, in Hanabi's direction. Given her profession, she was not one to hold any such act against her. With his new, or rather reassumption of an old attitude, Rongyu's concubine remark didn't fluster Feng as much as it previously had. "Eh, still sounds better than cleaning the latrine with a toothbrush, which you'll be doing if I hear another smart remark from you. Hup, food's here!" The bell by the bucket was ringing, signaling Yin and Feng to work the pully to haul up multiple buckets of steaming wide rice noodles, veggies, and seafood, cooked according to no recipe in particular by a little hole-in-the-wall place next to the apartment block. Which meant, of course, that it was one of the most delicious things that any of them would have tasted in their entire life. Never mind how much MSG had to be used to create that unique tang. "I ordered 5, that should be enough right?" Yin directed her remark towards 'Shirayatsu', as if her disguise wasn't present at all and she guessed her true nature.

Non-pegasus guards? That was an idea that would never have occurred to Queen Haven, and on that account she was half tempted to gently dismiss it. On second thought, however, she had to admit, it would certainly show the Crown's commitment to a new way. Political complications were... honestly unavoidable under the circumstances, so it benefitted her overall to swell the numbers on her side. "That... is a very interesting idea. I wonder how many volunteers we would get; it is by no means an easy ask to leave one's old life behind for a new one." One thing she hoped Pipp could empathize with, considering how little she wanted to leave her own. "Certainly, though, I don't see any harm in extending the invitation, however many come." Not to mention, now that she thought about it, unicorn magic could be a rather powerful asset. And Earth Pony strength. Mmm, big strong earth ponies... She blinked. Goodness, all this flight must be making her giddy, she was daydreaming like a lovestruck teen! Best get home as soon as possible. "Nonetheless, a sudden influx of them is bound to cause friction. Friction which, of all of us, you are perhaps best equipped to navigate, with your experience and charisma. Can I count on you to take responsibility of ensuring a smooth integration?"

"I think I will, actually...." A nice, handsome chap, built rugged, yes. That was exactly what Queen Haven needed by her side right now. Would Zipp and Pipp handle her taking a late-life consort well, she mused? It was tough enough at the top without being lonely besides... Coming into the city, she couldn't help but muse on her feelings. Seeing Pipp's new group of friends had driven home to her how... few she had. Really had. Maybe she should carve some time to make some; she was sorely lacking in reliable ponies right now... Speaking of which! "Oh? Strange that he would call you about this..." Haven gave her daughter a sideways look, before blinking with the realization that she herself did not carry a phone with her. So, it made sense that Pipp would take calls. Right? There wasn't any untoward things going on, surely... "Well, discipline may well be called for, but it would be wise to at least give some chance of getting them back in our good graces. If you don't give your ponies anything, they have no reason to not join a rebellion. Which, need I remind you, is the last thing we need right now. The contrite we will give a chance to repent, albeit with lower ranks and harsher duties until sincerity is proved. The rest.... well, we will need a new recruitment drive, I fear. I wonder... where would we find reliable ponies for it?"

The Queen couldn't help but chuckle, taking what levity she could from her daughter. Grave matters weighed down the wings, after all. "I may end up doing the same for long trips; count yourself lucky that you're young." Ah, the 'joys' of aging. Persistent aches, increasing amounts of one's morning spent shoring up the levies of good looks before they all finally caved and one became... old. *Mph, so much for light thoughts...* Seeing the world and its joys go off and leave her behind was a worry she'd never confessed, not even to her daughters, though she suspected she wasn't quite as good at hiding her inner thoughts from them. "Oh, an honor guard? No trouble at all, though our *trusted* guards are a bit of a tight resource. I'll confess I'll sleep better at night myself with you watched over." She knew this whole situation had left her little Pipp feeling rather insecure, like a sheltered mare suddenly thrown onto a scarred and open waste. There was no way out but up and over, but it had been a long time since any of their kind had truly stretched their wings.

This wasn't the first time that Scarlett had heard the story of how Golden Bit and Wind Dancer had met, but until now she'd always only heard it from Windy's perspective. It was good to know that the goodness the younger mare perceived was assuredly demonstrated in the heart of the older patron. As the bride's mother joined their little gaggle to fawn over the dancing of their all-grown-up foals, she spared a wing to give Candy a little handkerchief. "It's alright. Beautiful things can do that to a pony." She said, aglow with maternal wisdom and emotion. The song and dance concluded, to the applause of the spectating audience. Each of them bowed to the reception in turn, before Sky winged his way over to his mother. "We're next on the docket, after which is Windy and her father. Sound alright?" "Of course, son. I've waited a long time for this moment... but please, not too sappy, alright? My poor heart couldn't take it." Sky did in fact have something more upbeat planned for this dance, at least in it's thumping drums that beat almost something like a country dance. But the lyrics themselves were heartfelt expressions of a love for one's mother, that all the ponies around began to stomp their hooves to, and even a few join along to the chorus: "She asked me son when I grow old, Will you buy me a house of gold? And when your father turns to stone, Will you take care of me? I will make you queen of everything you see! I'll put you on the map, I'll cure you of disease!"

To say that Ambrosia Apple was excited to receive personal magic lessons from the Princess would have been an exaggeration. From the time she'd woken up, she'd been practically vibrating with no sugar added! So much so that Applejack had even taken her along on a few early-morning chores 'To get them jitters out of ya.' Normally disinclined to extra physical effort, the obvious necessity of getting any potential cause for horn-misfires out of her system won uncomplaining compliance. What if a stray spark from her horn burned a hole in Twilight's dress? She'd get mad and never teach her again, and that would be terrible! Yes, there were some lingering worries behind the anticipation, but some honest work, a good and thorough bath, and dressing to the nines in the comfort of her room was enough to settle her to her prettiest and most presentable self. "Uh-huh, your ma-jest-tea." The little filly a little more careful in her speech, as she tended to be on the (sadly few) time when the lavender unicorn paid a visit.