Diplomacy is tasty

"I still don't see why we even need to make a peace treaty with the Orcs anyway, they're clear across the ocean and we never even see them." Rainbow Dash was clearly agitated as she slouched against her crystal chair. The other ponies were similarly in states of unease with the prospects they had before them. Only Pinkie seemed somewhat okay with the proposal that was before them, but she was usually open to a lot of things that other ponies weren't.

"The Orcs are an industrious people with a lot of goods and technology that Equestria could find quite useful. They would also be a great ally if we ever get into a military conflict with another country. We have been in relative peace for a long time, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't make preemptive alliances now. I think a few accommodations for one ambassador is worth that much."

"Ahm Fine with having the Orc Ambassador here an all, but ahm not too keen on this 'accommodation' of yours Twi." Applejack made sardonic air-quotes when she said the word accommodation, derision lacing every syllable of it. "If He's really needing meat, Ah have pigs on my farm..."

She wasn't even able to finish before Fluttershy slammed her hoof on the table, uncharacteristically stern. "No! We are not going to be hurting any poor innocent creatures just to have a talk with Orcs!"

"Darling, I know how much you love animals, but think about what we are actually talking about here. Are you really fine with... you know..." Rarity gulped as she tried to compose herself mid sentence, "Feeding it?"

"Ambassador Ulmug is a he, not an it Rarity. You need to make sure you have that straight before he gets here tomorrow."

"Twilight please, all I'm worried about is keeping my limbs in one place! Can we have an idea that doesn't result in...this?"

"Yeah, I'll buck him in the face if he thinks he can chow on my racing wings or anything like that."

"Girls!" Twilight rubbed her temple with her hoof and slouched in her chair for a moment. She had to think of just the right words to make sure her diplomacy venture went according to plan.

"I understand your concerns, but Fluttershy is right. We cannot feed Equestrian animals to the Orc. It's out of the question for a number of reasons, including the bad press it would bring should ponies hear about it."

"And they would." Fluttershy quipped, making it plainly evident that she'd be the one to make sure they knew. Twilight powered through the interruption and carried on.

"However this deal makes sure that nobody gets permanently hurt or killed while he is here and that nobody but us has to deal with it. We can't ask the residents off Ponyville to make this sacrifice, but as the Elements of Harmony I say we have a duty to making sure this goes smoothly."

"But..." Dash started, however Twilight raised a hoof in a fairly commanding manner, almost making her seem like the royalty that her status entailed.

"Starlight and I have full proof regeneration spells on standby. They take a few hours to work, but they do work. Ambassador Ulmug hashed out that he'll only need a limb or two a meal, and as a treat he can fully eat one of us a week, provided the proper procedures are met before hand. That will keep our citizens and animals safe, and at the end of the talks everyone will be fine and perfectly healthy. It's not going to be pleasant, and none of us are going to really like it, but I expect everypony to at least begrudgingly oblige him if and when he picks you."

Applejack let out a sigh and nodded, "Alright then Twi. I'll stick this out for you, but just cause ah consider y'all family, and that means giving a fore and a back leg every once in a while... though usually that expression isn't quite so literal."

"If I can protect the animals, I'd gladly do what I can." Fluttershy said solemnly.

"I think It'll be fun! We could make Baked Pinkie, Rosted leg of Rarity, Oooh oooh oooh barbequed Dashie wings!"

"You worry me sometimes dear." Rarity said flatly as she leaned against her chair. "Alright fine, but you are compensating me for lost work for this, miss Princess."

"Ah second that." Applejack chimed in, sliding her head next to Rarity to nod in unison with her.

Twilight took note of that. She had a feeling these proceedings with her friends were going to be as much of a headache as her guest tomorrow was going to be. She wondered if Celestia ever had headaches like this.