House Whitegold
Manhatten
Ivory Tower
Central Atrium
Early Morning
Colonel Saxon Steed of the Whitegold Militia stood in the central Atrium of the Ivory Tower in his dress leathers; the room was one part lobby and another part reception area for the Cities movers and shakers. Beyond the Atrium lay the court of the Lady Whitegold herself, the glimmering jewel of the city sitting atop her throne and preparing for today’s Business and affairs of state. The Atrium too the Lady’s courts were suitably impressive, glittering crystal buttresses rising in graceful peaked arches, faceted in such a way as to capture the lamps set around the room and reflect it in a dazzling array of color, along the walls were set exquisite crystal statues carved from solid gemstones and hanging from the walls were illustrious paintings. Set in the center of the room were great bubbling crystal fountains with silent Gemstone Guardians standing in silent vigil, despite their stillness the Colonel knew all too well that if needed one of those great behemoths could become a maelstrom of motion at the slightest hint of danger to the Lady or the Court and finally hanging from the rafters peppered here and there in two’s and fours were the great Banners of the House glistening in the soft rainbow light.
The Colonel however was focused on a particular gem, Major Hail, the pair stood in an alcove trying to ignore the ostentation around them as they quietly murmured and spoke to one another in hushed tones. Sharing a few careful nuzzles when they were sure attention wasn’t focused on them. Hoping that the others waiting would just assume they were discussing business rather than intimates, They had awoken early and had to make their way to the Ivory Tower for a high level meeting, a monthly affair where the Lady saw representatives one at a time from each District to discuss Business, Defense, the running of the city and so on. The Lady liked to keep on top of things after all…
Despite seeking privacy though the room was abuzz with the comings and goings of the various meetings of the State. Saxon could hear the chatter of various city functionaries speak about the mundane matters of running the house, Officers brag of their service records and their monthly reports, Aristocrats babble endlessly of their galas and fête’s and Oligarchs talk loudly of business and trade. The movers and shakers of the Manehatten or their representatives gathered together coming and going. The din was nearly unbearable…..The Colonels ears folded back as he attempted to focus on his Storm.
Hail looks up a bit, “Saxon? Are you well?” The Warhorse nods slightly leaning in ever so slightly to nuzzle the neck of his lover. “Yes. It’s just loud; the acoustics seem to make the noise worse is all.”
The blue roan chuckles a bit and looks over Saxons shoulder before sharing nuzzle with him after making sure they were clear. “It drowns us out at least…..” He muses lightly in Saxons ear, “Buck up… I bet this meeting will go well. We did a hell of a thing this month…. The Pit’s a beacon of Whitegold efficiency and the construction is progressing well, they tell me the first of the houses shall be finished soon and relocation of some of the ponies in the Slums will be taking up residence of there soon….” He nods towards the saddlebags affixed to Saxon’s flanks. “And we have two bulging bags filled with the Contracts from those Mercenary Companies, we got King Rover to assist us and took out those three nasty tribes of Diamond Dogs and we managed to free some of the pony slaves they had kept…. The Lady will be quite pleased with your efforts Saxon.”
The strawberry roan snorts a bit, “Our efforts Storm… Our efforts. You’re my Executive Officer. I could not do half as well if we were not together….”
Storm shakes his head ruefully at the Colonel but doesn’t push it.
“What of that Mercenary Captain?” Saxon asks after a moment, “He’s taking up command of the Pit’s mercenaries… Probably for the best. He’s a trustworthy one.” Hail says after a moment to the nods of agreement with his Mate. “Yes. Maybe he’ll transfer back soon. It was a pleasure to work with him… Despite being a Rising Star.” he chuckles lightheartedly, bringing a smile to Hail’s lips as he saw Saxon beginning to relax.
“How about after this we go get some breakfast? Maybe from the Noble Quarter? I heard there’s a lovely eatery there at this time of day.” Saxon asks after a moment, his belly growling causing Hail to snicker, “Don’t want to cook this morning?”
Saxon snorts in response and holds his head up a little higher. “And burn down our Quarters? I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Saxon says with an abashed look causing the XO to shake his head, “Practice, Practice, Practice.”
Saxon can merely shake his head as he hears the Court’s representative, a foppish young gentle-colt steps into the Atrium and call out, “All representatives of the Wall the Lady will receive you know for the Monthly meeting!” His voice echoing through the room, a pair of lungs on that one. Saxon thought as he turned to Hail.
“Time for another fight Sir?” Hail asks with a sigh, bringing Saxon to nod in agreement, and turning he uses his telekinesis to straighten out his dress leathers as Hail does so for him.
“But you and I, we’ve been through that….” Saxon says after a moment before they walk into the court of the Crystal Lady. The doors of the Court were towering sheets planks of hardwood with filigreed gold and silver etched in carefully with tender care. The doors were incredibly detailed and stood as a mute testament to the power of the House. Tall and strong, just like the house.
The pair pushes their way past the crowds of wandering officers and soldiers and into the Court of the Crystal Lady herself. And there she sat, at the end of the Great Court. On a massive throne of marble, crystal and gold. Already the assembled officers were dividing up into their cadres and preparing to give their varied reports. The political games of all ponies of rank had to play were about to begin…
