When Worlds Collide

[Azure Dawn 195]

While she avoided the gazes of the other two ponies, lilely looking a little cold, Sapphire's gaze didn't seem to bother her. That said, she produced a warm smile upon hearing the response, confirming she was right. That was a little less awkward...

"Alright, In that case... The way to the throne room isn't much of a secret, even though the main gates are locked. I think you can catch a few seconds with the princess at least. Just follow me."

Thus she walked past the little group, making sure they followed before continuing into the crowd. Eventually, they left the packed lobby behind, seemingly getting lost in the hallways... Until they found themselves in front of an inconspicuous door in a completely deserted area, almost merged with the wall. It'd be hard to find if you had no idea where to look...

"Alright, this leads directly to the throne rooms. Do you have your speech ready?"

[Saphire Systrine 180]

Saphire followed along, her eyes flashing periodically as they turned each corner. As they approached the door, Saphire stopped.

1 hour ago, Azure Dawn said:

"Alright, this leads directly to the throne rooms. Do you have your speech ready?"

"Thank you for the directions, as... un-ordinary as they were," she stated politely, "I do not have a 'speech', just some data. If you would like to tag along you may."

Before they went on, Saphire pulled out a gem from her saddlebag and tossed it towards Azure Dawn.

"For your efforts," she winked.

Going through the door, they found themselves directly in front of the throne room doors, the security gates to their sides down the hallway. The passageway must have been some sort of guard passage for certain circumstances. The Throne Room doors towered before them, etched with various solar and lunar symbols, fantastically large gems adorning the face. The center showed the emblem of the two sisters, night and day, dark and light, in perfect harmony.

With only the slightest of umphs did Saphire unceremoniously push open the doors... maybe with too much force as they swung full and hit the walls, making the room practically shake with the loud reverberation.

"I thought I said no visitors!" came the harsh tone of Celestia, not on her throne, but in the office behind the throne room. She emerged with frustrated clip clops.

"Solara..." Saphire greeted, addressing Celestia with a stern face. There was that weird intonation again. Why did she do that with that word alone? And why did she call Celestia "Solara"? Those questions had to be put aside as the two continued conversing.

"Ah, Saphire Systrine... what a delight to meet you again. It's been quite a while," Celestia greeted, her attitude immediately changing to the diplomatic mask she always wore "How long has it been? Two hundred, three hundred years maybe?" she reckonded as she tapped her hoof on her chin. She scanned the others with Saphire, but otherwise paid them no attention.

"A year. Only a year," Saphire responded, unamused, "What, are you finally getting dementia?"

"Am I?" Celestia chucked, "I can't tell anymore. With the gala happening right before important diplomatic proceedings, I've been quite busy." The ponies tagging along with Saphire were confused at what their princess was talking about. Usually those kinds of things were major news. Maybe there was some reason to keep it secret? Maybe it was related to the magic issue?

"Yeah well so have I, monitoring your planet," responded the pink and blue pony with seriousness, "Ley levels have significantly decreased within the boarders of Equestria. If you wish to see the data I'll give it to you. But this is important, as you and I both know equestrian infrastructure relies on ley energy to maintain it..."

Saphire stopped and glanced at the wall behind Celestia. Without any regard, she pushed past her and examined what looked to be quite the large crack shoddily plastered over. Celestia looked at her with just the slightest hint of nervousness.

"Looks like you already know... why haven't you done anything about it," Saphire criticized, turning back to the princess. Now that the two were standing next to each other, it was apparent to the others that Saphire was considerably taller than your average pony, though she still was not as tall as the Princess of the Day. Straightening up, Celestia answered her accusatory tone.

"I appreciate your concern but our scientists are still working on a solution. We don't wish to cause a panic, hence our silence on the manner. You know your way around leytech, why don't I take you and your posse for a small tour of the research sector where we're working this out? Maybe you can provide us with useful insight, as you always do."

The offer took Saphire by surprise. "Sure."
She motioned to the ponies behind her to follow, slowing down to put some distance between Celestia and their group so they could converse.

[Skylight Scintillate 2,029]

Much of the conversation between Celestia and Saphire went over Tinker's head. It seemed that the two were more familiar with each other than Tinker was aware of. Saphire continued to do and say things that puzzled Tinker, but he could understand why the general public was not aware of the situation involving the ley levels. 

On 2024-12-14 at 12:16 AM, Saphire Systrine said:

The offer took Saphire by surprise. "Sure."
She motioned to the ponies behind her to follow, slowing down to put some distance between Celestia and their group so they could converse.

"So uh, what happens now?" Tinker asked.

[Silly Druid 6,963]

Stardust gathered some interesting nuggets of information from the conversation between Saphire and Celestia:

1. The name "Solara" seems appropriate for Celestia, as the Princess of the Sun, although, as far as he knew, it was never used to address the Princess.
2. Saphire is probably very old, and has a lifespan similar to Celestia and Luna.
3. She used the term "your planet", which means she probably lied to them earlier about being from the same planet.
4. Saphire was treating Celestia as her equal at most. Which means she is probably a very important figure, and coming from another planet, no less! So once more Stardust got the feeling that maybe himself and Tinker were meddling with issues that are too big for simple ponies like the two of them. However, with their scientific and engineering backgrounds, perhaps they could provide some insights about these problems...

He didn't say anything though, and followed the others to the research sector.

Edited Monday at 10:13 PM by Silly Druid