"You're going to be late to court, Twilight," Celestia's raspy voice carried easily through her quarters.

Twilight looked up from her book, stirring on her cushion - blinking against the now-risen sun that bathed the room with light. "Late? I can't be late, Cadance -" Twilight was on her hooves and stumbling toward the door before Celestia could speak again, her voice filled with warmth and amusement, "Twilight. Breathe. Cadance excused you from court, remember?"

Twilight forced herself to stop and think. She almost resorted to breathing, but Celestia never liked it when she did that in front of her - and Celestia's comfort was paramount now.

They were in the Princess' quarters. It was so radically different from Luna's that it was surprising. For some reason, Twilight had expected them to more closely resemble one another. The ceiling was not domed, instead, the room was wide and open, one half of the wall entirely glass doors that could be open to allow the summer breeze, and never stopped the daylight sun from filtering in. Beyond the doors was an expansive balcony that commanded a view of the city from the tallest tower in the castle.

The room itself had lounge chairs and a large fireplace, several tables and small game boards, a chess set was positioned near the fireplace with gold and steel pieces. It looked like a copy of the one in Luna's room. Shelves lined several of the walls, many filled with books with no names on the spines. Twilight dearly wished she could get her hooves on them, Celestia had said they were 'Oh, bits of poetry and fanciful ideas that came to mind in better times.' The others were full of little knickknacks and gifts, mementoes from all over Equus. Tucked on a corner table was a small white gem that glowed with an inner light, on a shelf, there was a strange white ball mask. There were a series of small wooden figurines aligned on a coffee table, each progressively better made than the last, all of them depicting Celestia herself. Whoever had done it had made a mistake, though - in the first one Celestia had no wings.

Featured prominently on a wall was a painting of a small cottage nestled between two hillocks, a stream flowing around one side, a large peach tree providing a spot of shade where a Celestia with pink hair was sitting with a blue pony - one that Twilight recognized as Luna, her hair light blue instead of a flowing field of stars. The two of them sat together, tails intertwined, absorbed in the same book.

On another was displayed a fine sabre, the plain white hilt sparsely decorated with rose gold and small designs, the blade itself was fine and shimmered even before the sun had been risen by the exhausted Celestia - spells are woven into the cutting edge and hilt, the blade could probably go through stone. Etched delicately in cursive at the base of the blade was a short sentence, 'Not as pointed, half as sharp, to your whit these blades be dull.' There were other weapons laid out through the room, longswords and great blades that each glowed and shone with light, the care and effort put into each was a testament to the skill of their maker. Each shared those words etched into their blades.

The room was no less enchanted than Luna's, but they sat differently, had been lain out by different minds. These wards were no less powerful, but they lacked subtlety. Where Luna's flowed and swam through the walls and doors like a gentle stream, these surrounded the room in a great bulwark - an impenetrable barrier that dared outside to attempt and break it.

Twilight finally brought her eyes back to Celestia, who only hours before had been carried here by Cadance and the Royal Guard - the Princess of the Sun unable to find the strength to carry herself up a single flight of stairs. Curled up on her bed, though, Celestia looked peaceful, a serene look of pleasure on her face, even as her eyes threatened to close and drift off. "C-celestia," she began, setting her book on the bedside table, feeling her voice quaver slightly, "You will get b-better, right?"

Celestia's smile broadened by a fraction, "Oh, yes, Twilight. I just need a bit of rest, I think - Cadance insisted on it either way. Why don't you come up here? I'd like to talk with you."

Twilight eyed the extra-large bed, it seemed too large for even Celestia herself - much like the one in Luna's had been. Unlike Luna's, this one had a few additional enchantments beyond the ones that kept the clouds fresh and comfortable. There was some sort of specially targeted preservation spell that had been woven around it, one Twilight had not seen before.

After a further moment of hesitation, she clambered up and rested herself against Celestia's side, a white wing covering her a moment later. Twilight allowed herself to forget the outside a moment, and just bask in the gentle presence of Celestia. Her fur and feathers were soft, a welcome cushion. Her mentor always smelled nice, it made Twilight think of safety and welcome and warm summer days. There was a new smell alongside Celestia's, though - one totally unfamiliar to her. A vaguely honey-sweet smell tinged with chocolate and the cool night breeze. Twilight shivered, realizing she was smelling Princess Luna.

"C-celestia, why... W-why do you h-have a s-spell for... Um..." Twilight trailed off, a few implications worming their way into her overeducated young mind.

Celestia chuckled, the small noise of amusement coloured by a tinge of resignation. "Oh, to remember, Twilight. To remember a much better world. I have not slept in... So long, but to lay here allows me to remember."

Twilight briefly considered, working the courage that had been gently coaxed out of her by Celestia over the last year to mutter into her mentor's side - half-hoping Celestia wouldn't hear. "Y-you're d-dodging..."

"Oh, yes - I suppose I am." Celestia fell silent for a while. Twilight had begun to wonder if she was going to elaborate at all when Celestia's sides gave a heave that matched her sigh, "That is something I do not wish to discuss today, Twilight. The memories are too bittersweet."

Twilight nodded slowly, accepting her mentor's words - putting the thought out of her mind. Celestia continued speaking, "I was told you saw me, Twilight - I apologize. I had cast several spells on myself to assist in keeping my aura contained for you, and for all those with magesight, but they failed during the... attack. I hope you are well?"

The memory flashed in Twilight's mind. The Sun shone through Celestia. That moment would be etched in her mind forever, both searing and treasured - just as Cadance's was. "I a-am, Celestia. It was... b-beautiful. I c-could see the S-sun... See you."

Celestia seemed to glow, "My sister said much the same when she looked upon me. It is a gift the pair of you are blessed with, a trait you share. I would like to help you refine the gift as she eventually did, Twilight." Her voice began to grow weaker as she continued, the alicorn's head lowering toward the mattress. "I don't know how she learned to control it, but... She did spend alot of time looking at me," a small chuckle.

"I will need to... Speak to you, Twilight," Celestia's eyes closed, and she stopped talking. Her breaths grew deeper and her body relaxed.

Twilight smiled and buried her face in Celestia's side. Then, she shut her eyes.

"So closes the Day Court, proceeded over in the name of Her Imperial Majesty, Princess Celestia, Diarch of Equestria, by Her Royal Highness, Princess Cadance, the Princess of Harmony, Duchess of Ashwood."

Cadance's face felt numb as she watched petitioners and nobles begin to filter out. The position of the sun shining through the windows of the Throne Room telling her that the afternoon was nearly done. Despite the hours poured into presiding over disputes, hearing public petitions, and accepting complaints in the name of her Aunt the day was still not yet close to over. A bevvy of appointments were scheduled for the rest of the day, all the way until 9 PM her day was ordained and planned out to the minute.

She did note with some amusement that there were four full half-hour tea breaks distributed evenly throughout those hours.

After the last noble had departed, including the Duke of Redhall, Royal Blueblood - who shot her a displeased look over his shoulder at the final moment.

Cadance finally allowed aggravation to show on her face as the double doors were pulled shut by a pair of Royal Guards, exhaling harshly. "Plotters, sycophants, and fools... I don't know how auntie deals with it."

Raven Inkwell appeared, seeming to appear from nowhere as she slipped from some hidden spot behind curtains near the throne, "Princess Celestia shares the opinion, I believe, your highness."

Cadance turned and regarded the gray unicorn. She was surprisingly young for the daytime assistant of Princess Celestia. Young, but with incredible talent - and a tight flank, pretty face, and slender body. Cadance had met her once before, whilst in disguise with Celestia. Raven Inkwell and her cousin, Trixie Lulamoon, were the last two living descendants of the Lunar Moonstone line. On most days, Cadance would leap on the chance to flirt with the young steward. It was a tempting idea as the mare briefly glance over her clipboard, brown mane falling partially over her face. Very tempting.

If Raven noticed the look at all, she ignored it, instead speaking with her cool, professional tones, "Legate Lightning Thrust is ready for his meeting in the War Room, your highness. He had a request of Princess Celestia based on reports she had received several days ago."

Cadance pulled herself off the Celestial Throne, long hours culminating in a, thankfully, quickly fading ache. Auntie was right, she should have brought a cushion. She began making her way toward the War Room, a short walk from the Throne Room. Raven Inkwell and a pair of guards fell into step with her. The assistant continued speaking, "The reports detailed that the Kingdom of Panthera in Catalan has entered a state of civil war. I.S. is in the midst of compiling a report on the exact cause, but from what I could get out of them there is a radical Tigran Nationalist leading the repressed majority in the north of the country to open civil unrest against the southern Panthers. King Jag'tar Opheliar successfully escaped the capital before it fell, and has fled south and taken up residence in Pan'tho Minx."

Cadance did her best to absorb the information of the coastal kingdom on the Catalan Continent that lay to the West of Equestria, across the Sunrise Sea. Equestria did not have a large presence on the mainland, instead focusing its influence on collecting the disparate islands into manageable confederations and colonies. Fairly certain she remembered the map correctly, Cadance questioned Raven further, "Panthera is on the mainland, is it not?"

Raven nods, immediately responding, "It is, your highness. It sits on the borders of the Paw Sea and is ideally positioned to take advantage of trade between the seafaring kingdoms to its north and south. It is well protected by mountainous terrain and heavy jungles." Raven flips a few pages of the clipboard gripped in her teal magic, "is a long nation that hugs the coast, perhaps 600 miles. At its deepest, the country is one-hundred miles into the mainland. It has extensive coal and iron deposits, and large untapped reserves of jade in the mountains and extensive forests and jungles capable of producing rubber."

Cadance dutifully dedicated the information to memory, once more pressing her line of thought, "Why would the Legate have an interest in discussing their civil war with the Crown?"

Raven took a breath, letting the papers of the clipboard fall flat as they continue, "His Legion is due to deploy to Catalan. I imagine he wishes to argue for an intervention in the Civil War, your highness. Perhaps to be placed in charge of it himself."

Cadance was struck by the idea of authorising an invasion of anywhere. She tried to draw up her knowledge of the region, only to find herself completely void of any knowledge of the modern political situation of Catalan - let alone the Legions that were deployed there. A pit of shame opened in her belly. How could she make decisions like this if she didn't even know where Equestria's Legions were deployed?

She pushed down the feeling, intent on showing no further slipups than she already had earlier in the day. The nobles were bad enough, she didn't want to embarrass herself further to Raven - or to an actually military officer. "Does Auntie often appoint Generals?"

Raven nods once again, not opening her clipboard as they neared the doors to the War Room, "The current General of the Griffonia Legions was a Legate until his capture of the Isle of Gryph. General Ferro Shield in Zebrica was appointed to lead his proposed campaign in Zorocco."

Cadance felt a bit overwhelmed at the information, she had never heard of either of those ponies. She hid her nerves behind a mask of neutrality and entered the War Room.

The war room was an impressive display of both artistic beauty and military practicality. It was circular and had a high ceiling and smooth walls, bare except for the Equestrian Flag and a Thestral, Unicorn, Earth Pony, and Pegasi arrayed in silhouette around a half-eclipse on the ceiling above the central table, arrayed as each tribe had been brought to Harmony during the Unification Era. In the centre of the room was a large rectangular table that displayed a map of the Equestrian Homeland. The map was currently bereft of any markers or sensitive information, and Cadance knew that other maps were always available for perusal.

Legate Lightning Thrust was a brown earth pony, a big one - only a head shorter than Cadance. He looked war-worn and well into his middle age, a rough face and hard green eyes that were completed by a scar that went down the length of his muzzle. His darker brown mane was cut short along with his tail. The armour of a Legate adorned his figure, made with presentation in mind, it was a gleaming set of overlapping steel plates that formed an intricate petral over his chest and stretched back over his back and over his flanks. Pauldrons and other sections of the armour had been removed to help comfort. Something told Cadance that comfort meant little to this pony, and the adjustments to his armour were to make himself look more personable.

Cadance did not pause as she took in the room and its sole occupant. Instead, she swept toward the table with her head held high, regarding the cold eyes of the Legate as he raised a hoof in a rigid salute.

"At ease, Legate," she nodded to him, coming to a stop near him. "I believe you are here to discuss the situation in Panthera?" She begins, wishing to get this discussion over with swiftly.

The legate nods curtly, eyes cooly regarding her, voice clipped, "I have, your highness. Have you been made aware of the situation?"

"I have, Legate," Cadance felt oddly accused by the question, another prick of guilt in her belly.

"Good, your highness, I am sure that you agree this is the opportunity that Command has been waiting for. Breaching into the Catalan mainland may finally be within our grasp, and in such a fortunate location. Panthera is incredibly diverse in resources, and I fully believe that we have a chance to establish a friendly government in the region. Were we to organize the offensive-capable legions of the area and draw in another four reserves from Equestria we would be able to defeat the tigran rebellion in weeks and begin our new cooperation with King Jag'tar." The Legate sounded sure, utterly certain - his eyes full of purpose and ambition. Cadance knew this was an idealistic view of the situation, but still almost found herself agreeing with the idea. Protect the royalty of a foreign state, gain an ally in the process and access to the resources of Panthera?

Still, something weighed on her mind, and she reminded herself to view this from all perspectives. The Legate was clearly ambitious, he would likely say whatever he needed to in order to get her to agree - bending the truth to suit his purposes. She kept her voice steady and neutral, asking, "And the military capabilities of Panthera and the rebels? I do not doubt your assessment, Legate, but these nationalists will not simply let us walk in. Is the nation not largely mountains and jungles?"

The Legate dipped his head, "It is, but due to the severe terrain of the region all of their important cities are located on the coast and the centres of their wealth. With the exception of the former capital, in conjunction with the navy, we could secure the coastal cities and choke the rebels into surrender. Their rebellion will not survive without those important centres of funding and supply. The military strength of the Tigrans are negligible compared to the Legion," the corner of the Legate's lip curls slightly, "They possess no ability to cast spells or manipulate weather, and have little natural magic. Even if they should hold out longer than anticipated, the legion's magical capabilities would ensure the campaign is quick."

Cadance examined the issue in her head from all the angles she could. She had never been particularly talented at statecraft and had never fought in any conflict at all. This seemed reasonable. She might ask Celestia her thoughts later tonight, but the eyes of the Legate seemed to challenge her knowledge - almost daring her to go and get the same words he had just said from the Sun's mouth, who had fought in battles uncountable.

Almost as if he had read her thoughts, the Legate spoke up, "Would you like to consult Her Imperial Majesty, your highness?"

Cadance knew she had the authority to order this operation. It was in her powers as a Princess at all time, let alone now as she acted with Celestia's authority. A glance over to Raven revealed nothing, the assistant remaining quiet and attentive - although she looked encouraging.

She reached a decision, turning her eyes back to the Legate, "It seems a plan with merit, Legate. I suppose you would wish to lead this effort?"

"Of course, your highness."

For some reason, Cadance's crown began to feel heavier than it ever had before.

"Don't walk away from your father, young mare! We talked about this, Fashion School is a waste -"

Rarity couldn't hear any more as she ran down the street, leaving her parent's home behind her, tears streaking down her cheeks as her chest heaved after the shouting match she had just experienced.

It had not been the welcome she had hoped for when she came home for the summer and her 17th birthday after her first year of Fashion School. Her parents had viewed the idea with even more derision than before, as if the idea of her making 'good, reliable bits' from Fashion was alien, impossible. Engineering school, they had said - put that gem cutie mark to work in a reliable career like mining, they said. Rarity couldn't take it anymore. She didn't want to stain her coat in a mine for the rest of her life.

Every time her magic gripped a needle, Rarity knew she could do anything. She knew.

She tried to get her breathing under control as she rounded the corner, letting herself slip into the small crowds of Ponyville. It was idyllic, it was home - even after her year in Manehattan, she felt the place was her home. Her heart belonged here. Small homes and wide, winding streets. The air always smelled fresh here; Apples, baking, and the gentle but wildly powerful scents of the Everfree that blew in on the right days. It wasn't loud, either, she could hear the gentle movement of the stream, listen to the creaking of distant branches.

Rarity let her hooves carry her to the park, a wide expanse of grass and benches, a small stone path carving its way through the idyllic picture. Oaks and flowers were let to grow freely here, filling it with shade and colour. She carried herself over to a bench beneath the big oak, ambling onto it and closing her eyes - trying to get the wetness in them under control.

She had been so sure it would be fine. It took alot of convincing to get her parents to let her go to Fashion School. It wasn't cheap, so they covered it, and she ended up having to take a part-time job in a cafe to help pay for essentials. It was not a nice cafe, and she hated it. The leers and looks and the filthiness. How they passed their inspections, she would never know.

Dad had told her he wasn't paying another bit of tuition, and she couldn't afford it at the cafe - and she would not reduce herself. What was left? She wanted to open her own store, right here in Ponyville - the only clothier was tucked in the corner of another store, and those clothes were in fashion in the Discordian Era, if ever.

Rarity opened her eyes and raised her head, peering through the branches at Canterlot Castle. It was sat halfway up the Canterhorn and glimmered white and gold in the daytime sun, soaring towers and battlements the home to Princess Celestia herself. To the mysterious Princess Cadance, the reclusive Twilight Sparkle... Rarity felt brief and irrational jealousy rise in her heart for a moment. Why couldn't she have been swept off to be the Princess' student? Her parents had almost sent her to Canterlot to take the entry exam to Princess Celestia's School, she had the power - but the Tuition, they said.

It was all about the bits, in the end. She lowered her gaze to the bench, staring. She really couldn't debase herself, could she? She knew she was pretty... But that?

Rarity's spiralling thoughts were interrupted when a shadow blocked the light streaming down onto her through the branches. Turning her head up, she had to fight a blush at the stallion that looked at her. Macintosh Apple was the kindest, sweetest, most handsome colt in all of Ponyville. He stood tall above everyone else their age, even her, despite only being a year older - and Rarity was tall herself. His red coat was lit by the sunlight as he looked down at her, blonde mane gleaming, green eyes worried and gentle. She could imagine those powerful legs hugging her, taking her away from all of this.

When Big Macintosh spoke, though, it wasn't the romantic soliloquies that she would have fantasized. Instead, it was a softly spoken, reassuring question, "Y'all right, Miss Belle? That colt botherin' you 'gain?"

Rarity brushed some of her mane back, suddenly nervous and aware of her tear-stained cheeks and red eyes. "N-no, thank you, Macintosh." She smiled up at him, speaking more quickly - but ever-sure to pronounce each word with delicacy and lady-like grace, "I just had an argument. I'm sorry to bother you about it, you're sweet to stop and check on me, though."

It made her heart jump to watch the big colt blush. It would have been hard to tell if he didn't read like an open book, sputtering and looking away, "Oh, twas no trouble, Miss Belle. I jus' don't like seein' a lady in distress."

His drawl grew even deeper when he was flustered. Hearing him call her a lady made her heart flutter. It took Rarity a moment to gather herself again, sure her own cheeks were red, "And... What brings you out here, Macintosh? I would think you'd be at the farm."

That seemed to bring the large colt back to reality, much to her displeasure. He nodded across the park, "Joinin' up, Miss Belle."

Rarity followed his gaze, eyes resting on the Garrison Barracks for the incredibly small cohort that Ponyville was able to provide for its own defence - a total of twelve ponies. It was quite a drab building, undecorated with regular windows - although it was as pleasant to look at as the rest of the town. Now, though, the Legion's flag had been hung outside, and a large poster put up outside. In the poster, there was an earth pony standing tall in full armour, face cast in shadows, the background a dramatic and stark colouring of the outline of Canterlot Castle. A caption read at the top 'Your Princess & Country Need You!' And another at the bottom finished, 'To Protect Equestria and Her Dominions!'

Rarity blinked, turning to look back at the red colt, "You're joining the Legion? I didn't even know the recruiter was in town. Don't you need to look after the farm?"

Macintosh shook his head, his jaw setting, "Eeyup, I'm joinin'. Mayor put up fliers a week ago, offerin' better incentives. Some sorta new push. Farm needs the money. I can't do all the work m'self, and Jack's too young. Granny'll use the bits to hire some hooves."

Rarity was shocked by the steel in his tone, and it would have made her swoon in other circumstances. "I know Applejack is thirteen, dear, but the incentives couldn't be good enough to hire new hands, could it?"

Only after she had spoken did Rarity realize that her mind was lingering on the bits too. Macintosh nods, "30,000 bits fer strong earth ponies. It'll cover two ponies to replace me, and the pay."

Thirty-thousand bits. Rarity swallowed a sudden lump in her throat. That would get her through Fashion School if she got her old job back, and the Legion helped pay for school anyway, once you got out.

In her moments of silence, Macintosh nodded to her, "Mighty fine seein' you, Miss Belle, but I need to get a move on." With no further words, he began moving toward the barracks.

Rarity watched him go - she did not gawk, no ladies did such things. Her mind was elsewhere now. Thirty-thousand bits. And what you saved over four years. She vaguely remembered hearing that there was a shortage of Unicorns in the Legion, too. Maybe... Maybe talking to the recruiter couldn't hurt? The armour looked nice, and it would just be four years - maybe she could be... Be in engineering? They probably wanted Unicorns for that.

She spent a few more minutes thinking about it, then pulled herself off the bench. She made her way toward the barracks.

When Rarity reached the door, she hesitated. She could smell the coffee inside, hear Macintosh moving away with someone as they talked. She glanced around the street, suddenly feeling ashamed - like someone might see her going inside. She delayed no longer and moved inside the building.

Rarity had never been inside the Barracks before, but she had looked through the front windows enough to know it had been changed. The lobby had been filled with uncomfortable looking wooden chairs and a desk for a receptionist that now sat empty. Beyond that four office cubicles had been set up with those dingy-looking beige dividers, she could see Macintosh disappearing into one of them with an earth pony stallion.

It was only a moment after she had come to a stop, finishing taking in the room, that a unicorn mare with a welcoming smile and a ceremonial steel breastplate and cloak approached her. "Good morning! I'm Tribune White, one of the recruiters here." True to her name, the unicorn was an alabaster white and perfectly clean. Her cloak had been ironed and the breastplate polished. Rarity could see the work that had been put into getting her honey-coloured mane into such a smooth, lustrous colour. Rarity felt herself relax, the smile on her face coming easily, "Oh, I'm Rarity Belle. It's a pleasure to meet you, Tribune. To tell the truth, I was a bit worried about coming in - I'm.. Well, I'm not sure how much use I'd be in the Legion."

The Tribune chuckled, giving her a knowing look, "Oh, trust me - I understand. My cutie mark is in marketing. Who'd have pegged me for a Legion Mare, right? Do you want anything to drink?"

Rarity let herself be led off by the recruiter, glad the mare was so understanding. "Just water, please."

White nodded as they slipped into the small cubicle. There was a relatively simple desk, a shelf with several tomes and a filing cabinet. There was a chair with an actual cushion for Rarity to sit in, an opportunity she took immediately as the Tribune settled across from her.

"Sorry about the state of the place," the Tribune began, looking abashed as she dug out a bottle of water and levitated it to the table in front of Rarity. "I can't stand the stuff they give us out here sometimes, it's just a bit dingy, you know? And I've never liked beige. Nothing like the office they normally shack us up in, a luxury hotel compared to this."

Rarity felt her smile widen, "Oh, it is a bit drab, isn't it? I know I'd do a few things different if I were setting it up."

"Right?" White took a bottle of water for herself, uncapping it and taking a small drink. Rarity took an opportunity to drink as well, managing to relax into her chair. This wasn't so bad.

"I want to join the Legion," Rarity cut in suddenly, feeling an urge to get the words out before she began to hesitate. White seemed like she could help her, anyway.

The Tribune chuckled, "Well, I'm glad - this is certainly the place for it. Did you have anything in mind when you walked in?"

Rarity nodded after a moment, "I - Yeah, I suppose so. I heard there was some sort of drive for earth ponies going on? A bonus for infantry, I suppose?"

White seemed to regard her, looking sympathetic, "Well, yes - we have a bonus for infantry, but let me tell you, that's not where you want to be. Lucky for us unicorns there's all sorts of specialists the Legion needs, and the bonuses for them have been going up for decades. Temporarily boosted, too - what with the drive. What's your ARTC look like, or have you not taken the test?"

The Average Regulated Thaum Count was the only reliable way of measuring a unicorn's strength from one moment to another. Even then, it is never accurate exactly - and is normally measured over several months in the last year of school to gain an average. The inherant unreliability came from the shifting limits of what a pony could do. From their diet, exercise, lifestyle, and how often they strained themselves.

Rarity swallowed, "I averaged 1245 a year ago. I know, not too impressive - but I've been at high activity levels! I was in Fashion School, and had to use alot of fine movements. B-but I don't want anything too impressive," she continued, suddenly nervous. "I was hoping for something in engineering, or... or administration, maybe." 1245 was well above the average of 750, but she always heard the Legion wanted nothing but the best. She was no prodigy.

White's ears pricked upon hearing '1245' and she pulled a folder from the desk, voice mildly flat as she went on about this job job, "Well, Rarity - 1245 is certainly not anything to be ashamed of! I could get you a nice contract in Administration, plenty of unicorns do good work in there. 35,000 bonus, a four year contract. Sit in a nice office awhile, fill out forms, that sort of work."

Thirty-five thousand? Rarity was left surprised but was unable to reply before White pressed on, "As for Engineering, we have a few other incentives for that - better than the Admin, but they want a six-year contract. The bonus for that is 60,000. Few different job listings in that one, you'd be out and digging trenches, setting up fortifications, helping construct new bases. A bit hooves-on, but solid work, and it gives alot of experience."

Sixty-thousand? Rarity swallowed, running the numbers on what she could do with *that*. You could get a two-story house in Ponyville with those sorts of bits. She didn't even try to cut in as White flipped a paper and kept going, "Of course, with a score like 1250 you could always go big. The Legion is always looking for high ARTCs for the War Unicorns. Now, now," White chuckled, she must have seen the apprehension flitter across Rarity's face as her tone turned reassuring, "It's not as bad as it sounds. These days, most 'War Unicorns' sit in a garrison in some exotic griffonian city, or get kept in reserves at bases, training. It's an eight year contract, but not only do you now have to do much physical work but you also get a three-month course at the Solarian Academy once basic is done. The bonus for that one is 110,000 bits."

"Really," White said, leaning back as she regarded the paper in front of her, chuckling warmly, "I did a sting with the War Unicorns, I wasn't one myself, but the Legion treats them right. Want to get you to sign on again at the end of your contract, you see. Anyway, if you pass will full colours you get officers pay as well - although that bit depends on the sorts of spells you end up being able to cast. Well, what do you think?"

Rarity was frozen. 110,000 bits? She could... She could open her own store with that sort of money. In Ponyville, anyway. With the money she saved up, paying tuition would be easy, especially with the Legion's benefits. She wouldn't need her dad's money, or to work in that sleazy cafe. She could see her dreams laid out before her with that bonus.

She managed to compose herself, taking another drink of water.

Rarity looked back up to the recruiter, "Can... Can you tell me more about the War Unicorn contract?"

Tribune White's smile widened.

Author's Note

I'm going to be including some POV from the Mane Six sometimes from here on out, so you are aware of what they are up to - and general shifts in their lives directions. I also wanted perspectives solidly outside of Canterlot and the Palace.

Really hope you like it!

Edit: Also decided I probably need to rebrand both of the descrips a bit, given how the story has evolved. That'll be changing soon, but I'm not too good at them. Hopefully, the new one won't put people off when I get around to it.