Horse of the Year

Light Chapter Six: A Friend Willing to Pay The Price of Freedom

Two weeks prior:

“My fellow Americans, we stand here a bastion of freedom in a world being encroached by Communism, we stand here on the brink of war. The Republic of Vietnam has called for our aid, as have our allies the French, and in accordance with the powers given to me by you the people, I have decided, with a heavy heart, that we must commit troops to support the Vietnamese. A general draft will be issued for all men born between the years of 1944 and 1950. At the behest of my wife and of the unicorn that saved my life, if you refuse to fight you must prove you will support our troops going to aid the South Vietnamese. Even if you do not support the decision of mine to commit troops, I beg of you, please support our troops they do not get a choice on where they are sent to fight.” said John Fitzgerald Kennedy as he practiced the speech.

“You really don't need to mention me, let alone mention the fact I saved you on an Address The Nation, it makes it look like I am using that to influence the course of your nation” said Shadow Eyes and John’s eyes flicked over to her and nodded before sighing heavily, “What's wrong? Do I need to get your wife? Or Marilyn Monroe?” asked Shadow Eyes making John nearly sputter and faceplant into the desk.

“Can you be any less discreet? My wife may know, but-”

“You really think your citizens don't know that you have been sleeping with a big movie star? I would be surprised if they didn't, besides you aren't the first leader to have indiscretions, especially with your wife knowing. If I am not mistaken as long as you keep it out of the oval office, no one will care”

“Why are you here?”

“You asked me to help you with your speech”

“Exactly, not my love life” Shadow Eyes smiled at that.

“I’m glad” she said quietly and John narrowed his eyes.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m glad we can banter like this even when you are so stressed, it shows a certain strength of character to keep your work life and personal life separate” she clarified and John was quiet looking at her curiously. “What?” she asked nervously shifting in place.

“What goes through that mind of yours? Just last week you were drinking, partying as if tomorrow would never come, flirting with many bar patrons. And then last you seemed to be drinking to forget some trouble or some event that haunts you” Shadow Eyes swallowed hard turning her face away. “Tell me, is everything alright?”

“Need you really ask… it was Meteor’s eighteenth birthday…” said Shadow Eyes as the President continued to stare her before shaking his head, standing up, and heading to the bottle of scotch on the small table to the side as Shadow Eyes watched him with her magic. With a pop the stopper was pulled from the bottle and he poured her and himself a glass.

“Then let’s drink to your daughter, and her eighteenth birthday” said John as he handed her one of the glasses and she swirled it around. “To your family, wherever they might be, I wish them long and happy lives” he said toasting her and Shadow Eyes gave a weak toast her mind elsewhere, more specifically, it was in Equestria, thinking about her lover and her foals. After drinking the scotch, and hacking a bit as she was still not used to the strong kick of it, she sighed and turned towards the president. “Now let’s get off the subject of things we-”

“I want to start going through the process of becoming a citizen… We’ve searched for years for that pony, with no luck, and now I want to do my part for this war you are about to send your troops on” said Shadow Eyes and John studied her for a good thirty seconds and just as the silence started to get uncomfortable JFK nodded.

“I will have the necessary materials sent to your room, I already have the support of Congress and the Senate in regards to this, I knew that if you decided to become a citizen the Constitution would need to be amended, and they seem receptive to having a pony like yourself a part of our nation, though I would be careful outside of our nation if you decide to do traveling, the USSR didn’t take kindly to us having first contact and not them, and they will likely try to force an issue between us. Likely saying we are diluting the population” said John and Shadow Eyes looked at him considering what he said.

“So your legislative branch agrees, but what about your judicial branch? I can't see those old stiffs liking the fact you are about to make me a citizen, with all the rights and privileges there of” said the mare and John laughed.

“They were more than happy to take away your diplomatic immunity, with those rights and privileges comes the trappings of citizenship” Shadow Eyes studied him.

“If it is at all possible, I would like to have the books in Braille and before your address, because I want to enlist, consider it my contribution to what very well may be my new home” John Fitzgerald Kennedy was silent for a while.

“While it may not be possible, while you are not technically a woman, even if you are female, you are blind… are you sure you want to do this?” he asked and Shadow Eyes made a face.

“I may be blind, but I can see the details of everything in a two mile radius better than anypony, excuse me, anybody”

“Then why are you asking for braille?”

“That’s…”

“And if that were true, why were you so nervous when the car was driving until you got Secret Service to crack the window?”

“FINE! There are some limits to my sight, I can’t see flat images or writing, and I can’t see into, or out of a sealed container!” Shadow Eyes turned away from the sitting president and John stood up and walked over to the pony and knelt down, putting a hand on her withers.

“I understand that you want to serve, but where magic may be commonplace in your world, science is here, and we have nothing that would equate to your-”

“I know… But I want to help, use me as you would a sword, or a dagger, throw me against your enemies, I owe you that much” said Shadow Eyes and John got a firm look.

“Never, you owe me nothing, all I’ve done was pay you back for what I owe you for saving me, for allowing me to be with my son.” at the mention of his son Shadow Eyes sighed heavily.

“You could have been the most despised person on this planet, and as long as you have a child that loves you, I would have saved you” said Shadow Eyes as she turned to face the ceiling.

“And yet you are talking about going out and killing men who most likely have children and wives that love them. Do you see the irony in that?”

“You don’t understand, if I have to fight to help my home, then I will do so. The death of an enemy doesn’t bother me anymore, killing doesn’t bother me at all, not since… Anyway, You need to work on that speech of yours, the Republic of Vietnam won’t stand on its own for too much longer” said Shadow Eyes as she got up and walked to the door of the Oval Office, “Go on, you need the support of your people, even if it is to support the troops being deployed” with that she left the room and JFK gave a pained look as he realized he just hurt a friend, the pained look disappeared just as fast as it appeared as he stood up and went back to his speech…