Project Everfree

Her first task of the day completed, Celestia left her quarters, ready to begin the first day of Project Everfree. While normally she wouldn't set aside time for matters such as this she had decided in her enthusiasm to cancel all court sessions for the day to dedicate her time to the project, granting her time to address the teams and get them started, though she could not say that her decision was purely professional.

She set out for the dining hall, hoping to have a chance to eat with her sister as they did most mornings before she retired for the day. To her disappointment however she ran into her sister in the halls, already on her way back, her tired eyes and frazzled appearance giving hint to the reason of her early return.

“I take it you have had a rough night?” Celestia said as she joined her sister on her walk to her chambers.

Luna hung her head low began to speak, “Perhaps morning would be a more accurate statement. Yes, I've had a very bad morning.”

Celestia smiled, “And tell me, what have you been through to bring you to skip our morning meal in favor of an early rest?”

“Project Everfree,” Luna said in a displeased manner, “I had requested they begin early today so that I may meet them before the night ended, but already they have proven their own incompetence!”

Celestia's expression fell, this was not boding well. If they had already done enough to anger Luna things were already looking grim for the project, though Celestia knew that her sister was easy to annoy. She hoped that Luna was simply overstating a slow start, but regardless she asked, “What happened?”

“They have proven they...”

Celestia cut her sister off, “I mean what specifically happened?”

“Oh, well Team A simply simply cannot get started at all. They have no idea where to start, let alone where to go from there.”

On hearing this Celestia laughed in relief, “Is that it. I was worried there was actually trouble.”

“Oh no, in fact Team A was probably the least troublesome of the three.” Luna said, causing Celestia to frown once again. When her sister didn't respond, Luna continued, “Team B is perhaps too eager to start. Thought they have many brilliant ideas they are irresponsible. For the time being I have ordered that they may not bring thunderclouds indoors, or anywhere near guards wearing metal armor.”

Celestia's frown deepened, but Luna was not deterred, “I cannot speculate on how Team C is doing, as they have yet to begin. They brought a rabbit with them, and it has escaped and I have spent the better part of the past two hours attempting to recapture it.”

Celestia, though annoyed, was slightly amused by that. The source of her sister's annoyance this morning had become apparent. Acknowledging that, she said, “I see, I suppose I had best get down there and help them sort out their problems.”

Luna replied, “See that you do, as I cannot be asked to do so again.”

As Luna stormed off to her chambers, Celestia went her own way, towards the space in the castle set aside for the project teams.

Team A was little better off than Luna implied. Their work area was filled with books, scrolls, and charts that they obviously couldn't figure out how to use, piled high on the tables and floor. Upon her entrance, a somewhat startled and nervous pony jumped up from her work and rushed over.

“I'm so sorry about the mess Princess, I didn't realize it was this bad until you came in. Please, my name is Misty Vision, I'm in charge of this team.”

“The mess is no problem,” Celestia said, “but I was not aware that the teams had leaders, could you elaborate?”

Misty's expression beamed as she replied, “Of course, I would be honored. When we arrived this morning and finish speaking with Princess Luna we decided to elect a leader, somepony to represent us and make decisions for the team if we cannot decide on a course of action, as well as keep the team organized and on task. We all introduced ourselves and then voted, and I was chosen.”

Celestia smiled and said, “Well, it may not be an official decision, but things such as this are always good for morale and boost the entire teams capability. Tell the team that I'm proud of their initiative. I would love to stay, but unfortunately the other teams are having more trouble than your own. Perhaps they might benefit from your example.”

Misty smiled nervously, “Of course Princess, we'll do our best to find a solid ground to start from, good luck.”

“Good luck to you as well,” she said.

Before Celestia had even stepped into the room, it was obvious Team B had been making some progress, as was evidenced from the several distinct scorch marks on the inside of the door left by stray lightning bolts. Whether or not this was as good sign or a bad one wasn't clear yet.

The ponies inside were working, though perhaps not as enthusiastically as Team A. Ponies where engrossed in various activities, ranging from simple tasks such as reading paragraph out of a book or drawing out spell diagrams on a piece of parchment to more obscure tasks, such as draining excess water out of a raincloud.

Nopony in the room even noticed that their princess had arrived for a short time, until finally some pony called out, “Princess.”

After that nearly four ponies jumped up and all tried to speak at once. Finally, Celestia shouted, “ENOUGH! One pony at a time.”

Now the ponies looked at each other uncertainly, until one finally spoke up, “Well, we've been drawing out plans, and we think we'll be ready to test some of our theories before the end of the week.”

Celestia smiled weakly, “Good, now I would assume that each of you have something to show me, yes?”

Celestia spent the better part of the next hour going between workstations, examining different theories on creating a chaotic manifestation, and how to control it's effect on the world in a limited manner. Sometimes she would point out things that could be revised or improved upon, but ultimately the odds of success eluded her just as much as it did them.

Team C's area was a mess, there was no better way of describing it. In all truth the upturned tables, chaotic shouting, and running ponies would under any other conditions have given her more alarm, but now it only annoyed her. Just standing in the open doorway made her sister's displeased condition that morning even more understandable as she saw what a single escaped animal could do to the lab.

Fortunately the problem was easily solved. Seeing the open doors as an escape route the rabbit attempted to flee past Celestia in an attempt at freedom, but millennia of training had given Celestia a far greater reaction time than most ponies, and as soon as he made a break for it he was caught in Celestia magic.

As she strode into the room a stallion ran up to her and said, “Thank you Princess, I honestly don't know how long it would have taken to track him down if he got out of the lab.”

“My sister should be pleased at least, though I am far from amused. Your inability to prevent this from becoming a problem, and then your inability to resolve it once it has become so does not bode well for our opinions your ability, nor does it reflect the reputations that brought each and every one of you to our attention and led to your selection for this project. I expect better from you. Team A has displayed initiative and despite having nothing solid to give us yet it is not for lack of trying, and though Team B may not have had perfect behavior thus far they are already estimating their first tests to be ready by the end of the week. You would do well to heed their examples.”

Under Celestia's intense glare, that stallion nervously said, “Yes Princess, terribly sorry, we'll get started right away.”

Project Everfree: Log Entry 2

Today's court was canceled to make room for Project Everfree. I had honestly expected more of an opportunity to involve myself in the development of the teams and assess where each team and its members stood in terms of progress prior to the beginning of the project. In reality, today progressed much less smoothly than I would have liked and my sister agreed, though in hindsight she found that some of her perceptions of the teams were incorrect.

Team A, though my sister warned me of their lack of progress when we spoke earlier in the morning, has proven to be the most well organized and dedicated of the three, but through no fault of their own they cannot find where to begin. All day they have been hard working, pouring over magical texts and scrolls ranging from recent publications to ancient works, and in some cases even old tales and stories who's origins stretch into times far beyond memory. They have elected unicorn team member Misty Vision as an unofficial leader and representative. I spoke to her briefly at the beginning of the day before leaving to assist the other teams, and returned shortly at the end of the day to deliver a welcoming speech to the whole team. If they still have such difficulties tomorrow I shall dedicate my time assisting them.

Team B initially had several disputes about where to begin, so after an argument the team members divided into four separate groups, each working towards the same problem under a slightly different approach. This methodology will eventually lead to better chances of success, as if one group's plan fails another might succeed. I spent several hours divided among the different groups assisting each of them with minor revisions. They have proven the most productive group, estimating their first test's within a week from now. Their theories are all different, but they are all based on structuring a mass of contained magical energy to display the results we desire, and destabilizing it with chaotic energy. First tests will be small scale, short lived, and incapable of self replication.

Team C made arguably less progress than Team A, as one of the animals they brought with them escaped and their pursuit had devastated the lab before I caught it in a desperate attempt to escape through the open door as I entered. Most of my time was centered on restoring their work area and efforts to aid them in the beginning of their work. Though they have a theory on how to accomplish their goal, they have yet to develop a means to accomplish it.

My sister an I also began discussions of possibly revising the teams sleeping hours so they may spend an equal time working both at night and during the day, to allow my sister a chance to oversee and assist in their work as well. The only detail that remains undecided is whether or not they begin during the day or the night.

With today's events in mind, I've become concerned about whether or not what is being asked of Team A and Team C is even possible, though I remain confident that in time any issues will sort themselves out.