The Pawn Who Would Be Queen

The morning of the Carrier's launch had brought Orzel the closest to the sea she'd been since her first arrival to Equestria, and despite the earlier troubles of her trip, she felt... Bizarrely well. The girl couldn't help but be enthralled by all that surrounded her, for it was indeed a heady sight. Gulls winged overhead, calling out raucously while gliding upon unseen updrafts. Illuminated by the lessening gloom of dawn, they took on an almost angelic effect, flying so effortlessly above. They enjoyed an abject freedom from the worries and concerns of modernity, soaring high above the distant wave tops, which took on the aspect of a glittering field of emeralds and sapphires.

Orzel had watched the sun rise and set countless times in Cesarski, but never with the clarity afforded her by her spectacles... Now, thanks to the tortoiseshell glasses daintily perched upon her nose, she could take in the entire remarkable display in its totality... It was, without question, the most beautiful thing the eyes of the young Princess had ever seen. In the face of such wondrous splendor, spurred on by that strange sensation of wellness and comfort she didn't fully comprehend, she couldn't help but be nearly moved to tears. Soon she would be called upon to christen a warship, bearing her Birth Mother's name, and it would be on that most beautiful of days...

If Sokol's spirit resided anywhere within the strange world of Equus, it made itself known in the luster of that dawn, and filled her daughter's heart with hope and serenity she'd not sensed in... Well, Orzel couldn't quite remember. She leaned silently upon the metal railing, lingering at the edge of the soon to be christened Aircraft Carrier's starboard flight deck. There she stood, virtually alone. Despite the seclusion afforded her by the lofty vantage, it was as if Sokol's hand rested upon her shoulder, assuring Orzel that no matter what happened, today things would be alright. Today she would refute the machinations of those that detracted her, today she would address her future subjects for the first time... Today she would truly accept the mantle of Crown-Princess, and all the things that came with it.

A distant droning steam whistle suddenly burst the morning calm, and Orzel's eyes were drawn to a cluster of three ships currently steaming line abreast down the channel to open sea. Across from her was the other side of Neighport News, where its civilian shipbuilding industry was hard at work. The three ships making for the ocean were Navy vessels, a trio of 'Altair-Class' Destroyers, wisps of smoke wafting away from their raked funnels. Their sharply angled bows sliced through the waves at nearly eighteen knots, their twin screws churning up frothing wakes at their sterns. They were some of the most advanced warships Orzel had ever laid eyes upon, flush-decked four-stackers, built for speed and maneuverability. All three were painted in a dull drab gray, a much less elegant appearance than the comparatively showy paint scheme of the Imperial Navy. It was function over form, preventing the ship's steel hull from rusting away and better disguising her against the waves... Orzel could stand behind that.

Yet for as impressive as the destroyers might have been, Orzel's eyes were once again drawn to the very ship she stood upon. The steel colossus that had necessitated her visit to Neighport News in the first place, and that which currently afforded her the exquisite view of the morning sun. Resting in stately repose upon her blocks in the dry dock of her birth, the soon-to-be 'ESS Sokol' sat adorned with banners and bunting of indigo, white and gold. The plastic model Orzel created in her room could not do justice to the sheer size and presence exuded by the ship. Stretching nearly eight-hundred feet long, she would displace close to thirty-thousand tons when fully loaded.

Once again, Equestria's technological supremacy was on display for all the world to see. A single warship of such immense tonnage that she weighed as much as fifteen Imperial frigates. When finally ready for sea, she would go forth with such speed that she could easily outpace the Altair-Class, considered 'outdated' by Equestrian standards. Intended to sail among the new faster and nimbler destroyer and cruiser classes currently in the process of working up, Sokol could easily run circles around most existing battleships... Taking all of this into account, it was all too obvious to Orzel that ships like Sokol would replace the battleship in the end. If only the Admiralty could share that mindset...

Sokol would be magnificent both externally and, eventually, internally. Her deck was completely flat, her island offset to her starboard side, and directly behind it sat a massive enclosure of steel. It towered nearly as tall as the island itself, adding to the vessel's odd asymmetric charm, as both constructs were situated closer to the bow. Concealed within the stout raked enclosure were the ship's funnels, of which there were three. On account of their odd placement, the funnels and superstructure had been added in dry dock, and though fully complete from a cursory glance there was still at least six months worth of fitting out before the ship could begin sea trials. The engineering plant had yet to be installed, as well as many of the other internal systems. Like the rest of the Equestrian Navy, she was painted drab gray, though her smokestack enclosure differed in that it bore a single large vertical navy blue stripe that served as a backdrop for a tall white '1'

The looming ceremony was already drawing a crowd around the ship, both in the form of the ship's future crew, the builders, media, curious onlookers, and other distinguished guests. Row after row of chairs lined the dry dock at the ship's bow, all around a stage erected at the ship's prow. Stepping back from the railing, Orzel turned away from the ocean. Behind her, some ten yards away, a man in a Naval Officer's uniform was approaching. Commander Maelstrom, ESS Sokol's future Commanding Officer. Grim and Fable walked in lockstep beside him. Straightening up, the teen approached the trio, content for now with her view of the sea. The wind ruffled the fabric of her gown, the very same she'd worn the day before, albeit altered in color with the aid of Luna's magic. It was now a shade of burgundy, while the sash was amber, more in keeping with the Autumn palette. As was the case on the day before, she also wore the Obsidian Crown, her hair tied up in another loose bun to keep it in place.

According to his service record, Commander Maelstrom was the last sort of person she'd expect to have been given command of the most advanced ship in Equestria's Navy. He was one of the shortest Equestrians Orzel had ever encountered, only taller than her by a few inches or so. This, coupled with exceptional musculature, gave him the overall physique of a fire hydrant. The man inhabiting that stout frame possessed a temperament that had nearly seen him drummed out of the Navy on several occasions. The most notable incident regarded an altercation between himself and a contingent of Ornithian merchant sailors in the Manehattan. Said sailors reportedly made some disparaging comments about a young waitress, and Maelstrom took considerable exception to that... To such an extent that all five Ornithians required a visit to the hospital... The only thing that spared his career was their refusal to press charges.

From this, Orzel concluded that Commander Maelstrom was the sort of man that her Father would've gotten along swimmingly with. Someone who would have no qualms with taking his enemy to task, and who wouldn't relent until said enemy was soundly consigned to the deep. Maelstrom also had the distinction of being one of the younger officers in the Navy, perhaps in his early thirties, and as yet never held a command of anything larger than a Seaplane Tender. As Aircraft Carriers were viewed as a passing fad, the Admiralty didn't want to 'waste' one of their premier officers. The fact that he was also one of only a handful of officers to volunteer for the position also played a role. Regardless of how he'd come to be chosen, he at the very least seemed eager, and already held a considerable affection for his command.

"She is a fine vessel, Captain..." Declared Orzel once she was within a few feet of the men, her eyes falling upon Commander Maelstrom. Though he'd yet to take command, Orzel still referred to him by the customary honorific title of 'Captain'. The man smiled at Orzel's compliment, clasping his hands behind his back. Up close it was clear that his irascible personality came at a cost to his good looks, as so many various brawls and years as the Navy's defending Welterweight Boxing Champion certainly took their toll. He was by no means ugly, but he wasn't handsome either. "Incomplete as she may be, I have no doubt she will prove a tremendous asset once put to sea."

"I'm glad someone agrees, aside from Princess Luna. The way the pantywaists in the Admiralty treat my ship, you'd think she's the biggest boondoggle since circular hulls. Damn pencil pushers..." The Commander responded honestly, smiling a large gap toothed grin before gesturing towards the island. "Let's get on with it, aye?" With her bodyguards in tow, the Princess nodded and followed Maelstrom along the flight deck. Once fully fitted out, the bare steel would be covered by teak deck planks, though for now it rumbled under foot with every step. It was still strange to imagine that the deck she trod upon now would, in less than a year, be capable of actually launching flying machines. "Once her engineering plant is in order, we'll have nine boilers which'll let us make about thirty knots. Should put those fat bastards in the battle-wagons to shame." Orzel nodded quietly, listening intently... The details of the ship's engineering plant were just a few of the items that fascinated her prior to arrival, and she already knew much about the ship's inner workings. Even so, she wasn't going to rain on the Commander's parade. He was proud of his ship, and rightly so.

Though perhaps a tad crass, he at least spoke without a cumbersome filter, and Orzel could respect that more than most others. After all, Maelstrom had nothing on her Uncle Olaf. Technically not really Orzel's 'Uncle', more her Father's best friend, and the Chief Bosun aboard Piorun, a man whose aptitude for crafting profane statements was legendary, even among the Admiralty of the Imperial Armada. Orzel had to subdue a frown and a brief surge of remorse... She'd not thought of Olaf at all since coming to Equestria, and unfortunately she couldn't think of him now either... The girl shook her head, there were bigger concerns at present.

The funnel enclosure loomed ahead, casting a long shadow across the deck and even beyond. Directly behind the enclosure were two mounting rings in the deck, where eventually a pair of twin-mount 8" gun turrets would reside, an identical set rested forward of the main island. The amount of defensive firepower the ship would eventually command was almost as impressive as that of her offensive capabilities. In addition to the twin-mounted secondaries, when fully completed the ship would would house a whole host of Multi-Purpose and Anti-Aircraft Guns.

"We'll be able to carry about fifty aircraft when we're all fitted out, my hope is that the Navy will have some monoplanes on order by then, though I'm not counting on it. Biplanes are fine and all, but they take up a lot of space. If we had monoplanes with folding wings, I could see us easily taking on ninety, and then we could really put the hurt on anyone suicidal enough to cross us." The Commander continued, raising another concern that was only recently brought to Orzel's attention. An aircraft carrier was fine and dandy, so long as she had aircraft to carry. That was a matter that would need tending to, though not at that exact moment... "If you don't mind my asking? What does the name 'Sokol' mean? I know it's some sort of draconic, but..." Maelstrom's question drew the girl from her thoughts, and for the briefest of moments she wasn't entirely sure how to respond. "It's just that she'll be my ship, y'know?"

"Of course, I understand..." Orzel responded gently, a small smile crossing her features as they passed beneath the shadow of the funnel enclosure. "The closest translation I can give is 'Falcon', but it means far more than that." Clasping her hands behind her back, Orzel supposed there was no recourse but to be honest. The Commander deserved to know the truth about his ship in its entirety. "It was my Birth Mother's name. Among my people she was what was known as a 'Shield Matron', a warrior of her faith..."

"The sort willing to make any sacrifice in defense of what she cared about. She fought until the bitter end." The girl made sure to emphasize the word 'her', as all the counseling in the world couldn't restore Orzel's belief in Vindicta. She still believed in Gods, maybe she'd even pick a new faith someday, but never, ever again would she pray to Vindicta. The teen had to stop herself from growing angry, had to get back to the topic at hand. "Princess Luna and I have been unable to bestow the honors due her sacrifice, so making her the namesake of Equestria's most powerful warship seemed an acceptable alternative."

"I see..." Maelstrom responded with a solemn respect that Orzel hadn't expected, slowing his pace so that the Princess might walk beside him. "I suppose if I went down fighting, I wouldn't mind having a ship named after me either." Orzel shook her head, her smile returning to hopefully set the Commander's mind at ease. He still seemed unsure, judging by the look of remorse in his eyes. That simply wouldn't do, especially considering the auspiciousness of the day. According to the stories of her Father, the day a Captain's ship was launched was was meant to be one of triumph. Equestria's Navy might not have been the Imperial Navy, but it still held her highest esteem. It was Orzel's closest tie to her late Father, after all, and she would have no part in diminishing its oldest of traditions. "Sorry, by the way. Probably not the nicest thing to talk about."

"On the contrary, Captain, I am quite pleased to share." The Princess stated warmly, offering a restrained smile as she saw the Commander's features return to their previous gap-toothed smirk. She wished she felt comfortable mimicking it... Ever since her talk with Luna the day before, it'd seemed that keeping her emotions in check was getting harder, both the good and the bad... So she found herself needing to limit her expressions, else she lose control. Once again, the Princess shook her head and focused back on the topic at hand. "Outside of myself and Princess Luna, there are few that know of my Birth Mother's honorable exploits, or her prowess in combat. It is my fondest hope her deeds will inspire this ship's crew to similar acts of courage."

"Well, ma'am, I'll make damn sure my crew knows what'll be expected of 'em. Don't you worry none either, whoever we end up going up against will know just who it was that sent them to the bottom." Dutifully stated Maelstrom as the group came to a stop beside a large hatch leading into the ship's island. "Right up there's where the bridge'll be, unfortunately there isn't much to see as of yet. Since she's still technically under construction, I can't take anyone inside without a hard hat." Orzel simply nodded, maintaining her calm exterior despite a considerable level of disappointment. "Don't worry, I'll be able to give the full tour once we're all fitted out."

"I shall hold you to that, Captain." Orzel's voice was jovial, but nonetheless serious. "While my Mother is unable to devote her complete attention to your progress, I will be more than able to do so, should the need arise." She stood back, staring upwards at the commanding superstructure with measured wonder. As per usual she was eclipsed in height by her bodyguards, but even their towering forms paled beneath the shadow of the carrier's island. "The Admiralty may see this ship as a 'boondoggle', but you and I both realize that air power is the future of naval warfare, perhaps even all of modern warfare." The Princess tone became deadly serious. "If Equestria is to retain dominance at sea, you must display that Sokol is well worth her cost. There can be no doubt as to the value she adds to our defense, if we are to continue the production of ships of her class or develop others in the future."

The Commander's features became briefly perplexed, apparently he hadn't expected such an intense observation from someone of her limited age, but his confusion gradually gave way to that giant gap-toothed smile, and that spoke more than words. The entire situation felt... Odd. To speak to someone so many years older than her as a 'superior' was not a common occurrence in her daily life, even as a Princess. She certainly didn't feel better than the Commander, and she hoped that she wasn't coming off as if she did. In the time since her first meeting with Doctor Scratch she'd come to realize that the words 'superior' and 'better' were not always one in the same...

There were already a few distinct moments that cemented Orzel's status as a member of the Crown into reality for her, and this was fast becoming one of them. She knew that Princess wasn't just a title, no more than the crown atop her head was just a crown. Orzel would one day serve as Equestria's Sovereign, just as Luna and Celestia did for countless years. Men like Commander Maelstrom would look to her for leadership. They would pledge their loyalty to her service, with the expectation that she would lead them and their motherland to a brighter future. A chill sprinted down Orzel's spine as she came to the realization that at some point in the future, those same people might very well lay down their lives in her service, perhaps even at her express orders, for the good of others. That was perhaps the most sobering revelation of them all. In that instant, the weight of the Obsidian Crown became almost oppressive, but it was a weight she would bear nonetheless...

Luna made her daughter Crown Princess for a reason, and it was Luna's expectation that Orzel would eventually be up to wearing the title, crown, and other trappings of office with dignity and grace. Today's ceremony would be but one of hundreds that would inevitably follow throughout the years. Much as it might've frightened her, there was nothing Orzel could do but move ahead at full steam, otherwise she'd never do much of anything Princess related... That was just one of the many fears she harbored as she glanced towards the bow, where she knew the crowd to be forming. That ultimately, no matter how hard she tried, she would be forever unworthy... Weak... Insignificant. That all the efforts of her Mother and Aunt to make her life worth something would amount to nothing, and that any that might die under her command would do so in vain.

"We should be moving along, your highness." Grim spoke up in his typical rumbling baritone, leaning down to better reach Orzel's ear. Thankfully his words effectively pulled Orzel out of her spiraling fears of failure. Setting her jaw, she asserted to herself that for this day at least, she would not allow an ounce of fear to permeate the mask she so carefully cultivated. The girl glanced over her shoulder, then looked to Commander Maelstrom. He had likewise heard the news, and out of habit glanced at a watch affixed to his wrist. "The ceremony will be starting shortly."

Despite her desire to further explore, Orzel nodded wordlessly and began towards a hatch near the front of the island that originally allowed her access to the flight deck. While the rest of the ship was off limits for safety reasons, this particular stairwell was cleared solely for the purpose of accessing the flight deck... Maelstrom and the others followed suit, with the Commander taking the lead to ensure the Princess didn't go toppling down the steeply inclined steps. At the very least, if she did, he would ensure she landed on something softer than the cold deck plating. That presented another aspect of being a Princess that Orzel hadn't given much thought prior to that morning, that certain people would go out of their way to ensure her personal safety, even at the cost of their own lives, not just perish on some distant battlefield. In fact, that was the primary duty of her bodyguards, one they undertook willingly and without hesitation... Yet again the crown seemed to grow heavier.

Descending the darkly lit steps took a few minutes, with every deck they passed sealed by dogged hatches that lead to parts of the ship yet unknown to the young Princess. Eventually, the light of day pierced the darkened interior from a door on the starboard side, leading out to a long gangway that was decorated with flowing banners of blue, white, and gold. Crossing the gangway, she briefly looked over the side at the immensely deep slipway. Earlier that morning she'd walked the base of the ship, and it had been just as impressive as the flight deck. At the carrier's stern, waiting patiently to taste the salty depths, four immense polished bronze propellers shone brightly in the morning sun. With a sense of finality, Orzel and her entourage stepped off the gangway, where several yard workers stood by to retract the walkway from the ship's hull. Looking over her shoulder, she could see that the door they'd passed through was closed, either by Grim or Fable...

The gulls called out upon the breeze once more, likely drawn by the growing number of people taking their seats before the stage. Despite its placement, the platform was actually considerably higher than the base of the ship's bulbous bow. Yet even resting above the red paint of her belly, the scaffold was dwarfed in size and scope. In a matter of minutes Orzel reached the solid concrete of the dry dock, and with that final step she grew one moment closer to her first Royal Duty. With each second that passed thereafter she agonized over just what it was she was going to say. The night before was spent writing her address, agonizing over its contents, and then rewriting it... At least, after she'd finished cleaning up her mess and the essay Luna had asked of her.

Now, as the actual moment drew near, Orzel was feeling the urge to toss out everything she'd written. This was her chance to make a good impression on the Equestrian people, to undo some of the damage done by tabloids and the National Council. Thinking of them, more specifically the Noble Party, tied her stomach up in knots. The Council predictably took the news of Luna's 'defiance' poorly, submitting more 'decency demands' than before, though this time to no effect. Their compatriots in the Canterlot newspapers likewise painted Orzel in a remarkably unflattering light, using language she preferred not to repeat in mixed company, or any company for that matter. Today, at the front of the most advanced weapons system on the planet, Orzel would be given a chance to respond... How she did so could very well sink or save her public image, what little of it existed to begin with.

The walk to the stage was slow and deliberate, granting the Princess enough time to steady her nerves. She was nearly mobbed by eager reporters when they noticed her, the pulsating horde stopped only by a line of metal barricades. Powerfully built Navy MPs and Nocturne Agents stood behind the obstructions, many with their eyes hidden behind the familiar mirrored sunglasses so ubiquitous to the Nocturne Agency. The MPs' faces, like those of their Agency counterparts, varied between stoic indifference and cold intensity. Grim and Fable suddenly took the lead, stepping in front of Orzel to face several flashes from the photographers in the crowd. Together it seemed they were surveying the crowd, seeking any threats that might lurk within.

When they reached their silent consensus that it was in fact safe, they returned to their posts behind Orzel. Commander Maelstrom meanwhile went ahead, joining several officers already seated on the stage. Orzel looked over the pulsing mob of curious onlookers, silently steeling herself against what was to come. Luna counseled her earlier to remain cold and aloof, to not pay any mind to the questions... Most importantly, she'd been warned not to retaliate to any insult, perceived or otherwise... Such things were considered beneath the notice of a Princess. Given how Orzel nearly blew herself up the day before on account of not seeking Luna's advice, the girl was feeling particularly inclined to trust her Mother's judgment this time around. The looming carrier likewise seemed protective in its presence, as if staring down upon the crowd with unseen intensity, daring them to transgress her sponsor.

With a renewed sense of determination, Orzel cautiously took in her surroundings. The cameras flashed, the reporters shouted, and together the massive amount of stimuli overwhelmed her senses for the briefest of moments. Blinking the spots from her eyes, Orzel straightened and started the short walk towards the stage, flanked on either side by her bodyguards. Somehow she managed to keep from flinching or covering her eyes, daintily ascending the steps where Luna was already waiting... She'd arrived just in time, judging by the size of the crowd. Off to the right of said crowd sat a band, watching and waiting for the ceremony to commence, with everything from brass instruments to drums and woodwinds... Further evidence to the momentousness of the day's events.

"I trust you found the view helpful?" Luna asked in a quiet but genuine voice as Orzel took a seat beside her, briefly glancing at the podium set up at the head of the stage. Stealthily tucked in an alcove at the base of the podium was a small stool, undoubtedly the doing of Orzel's Mother. It had been placed there ahead of time, so that when the teen eventually addressed the crowd she could do so without standing on the tips of her toes. The girl nodded at her Mother's question, folding her hands into her lap and sitting with rigid posture. "If you value comfort, try not to appear so... Stiff. We will be here for some time."

"I will try to relax..." Orzel quietly grunted, her words barely audible over the din of the crowd. Thankfully the photographers were snapping pictures with less frequency, and most of the reporters sullenly returned to their seats at the rear of the congregation of chairs. The rest of the guests quickly arrayed themselves more properly on stage, including Commander Maelstrom's other officers. Within the crowd were members of the ship's crew, as well as several representatives of the men and women that had built her. A handful were still finding their seats, at least Orzel wasn't the last to arrive. "You are certain you want me to do this?" Her mother gave a considerate nod. "I would like to once again apologize for yesterday..." Another nod.

It seemed Luna wasn't all too keen on speaking, likely as the ceremony was about to begin. To punctuate that theory, Orzel watched a man in an Admiral's uniform rise from beside Maelstrom and approach the podium. As if a switch had been flipped, the crowd went dead silent, the photographers and journalists falling still and quiet. The Nocturne Agents remained at their posts along the barricade while the MPs moved to secure other avenues. Even if Orzel wanted to, which she didn't, there was no way for her to back out now. She was committed to seeing things through. The man at the podium, Admiral Weigh Anchor, cleared his throat and leaned upon the wooden construct.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great privilege to stand before you on this auspicious occasion. I ask now that you stand for our national anthem, and to welcome the color guard..." Weigh Anchor said with gruff voice, and as one the congregation stood to their feet. Orzel stood with Luna, breathing deeply and taking solace from the familiar scent of the ocean... Anything to take her mind off the upcoming address. The band was at first silent save a single bugle, loudly playing 'To the Colors' as a quartet of men in double breasted navy blue Naval dress uniforms carried into view the Equestrian flag and the flag of the Equestrian Navy. The two men at the exterior of the of the line carried bolt-action rifles, with ceremonial swords at their hips, all moving in perfect synchronicity.

Each sailor, enlisted and officer alike, snapped a sharp salute as the banners came into view. The four men reached the foot of the stage, then quietly made their way up the steps. Two flag bearers lowered the poles of their flags into a pair of brass receptacles at the rear of the podium, then stood back and allowed the banners to flutter gently in the breeze. Silence descended again, lasting only a few moments, before the band began to play in earnest. 'Equestria, the Gem of the Ocean', an incredibly stirring piece, fittingly themed considering the context of the gathering. The brass section called out across crowd, the drums rumbled like thunder, and together they proudly proclaimed themselves and the pride of their nation to the universe at large.

For several minutes, every face in the crowd seemed as one, unified in solemn respect for the heady tune. It was a song Orzel had memorized by heart, and she ran through each one in time with the beat of the drums. No choir was present, and she didn't dare sing the words aloud for fear of breaking some sort of taboo, the others certainly weren't singing. For several minutes the song was all that could be heard, drowning out even the loudest of ship horns from the distant channel. Finally the last notes of the anthem came and went, and with their fleeting passage the crowd was once more seated. Luna and Orzel lingered on their feet, as was the custom of the Crown, before they too took their ease. The color guard meanwhile moved to stand behind the Princesses, dutifully remaining at attention.

"Thank you..." Continued Weigh Anchor, straightening his posture. He commenced into a speech of his own, discussing the hardships of constructing the carrier, and how she would ultimately better serve Equestria. Orzel wasn't particularly interested in what he had to say, as despite his flowery language, it hardly seemed genuine. Weigh Anchor was one of the many Admirals to call the ship 'Luna's Folly', among other things. Of course the journalists ate every word up, their pens flashing over the sheets of their notebooks in a whirlwind of motion. On and on the Admiral went, for nearly forty five minutes, until Orzel was on the verge of another bout of anxious over thinking. It wasn't just the man's words that set her on edge, but the amount she was building up her own address in her head.

Not only would this speech be her first official address to the Equestrian public, but the moment when she would tell Equestria of her Birth Mother's heroic acts. She would reveal to them the facts, tell them of Sokol's character, of her Father's dedication to a powerful Navy... In essence, she would be delivering a eulogy, and the crowd was likely to be less than sympathetic. With every passing moment the dread grew and grew, until she was struggling to hold her composure... Thankfully, however, Luna noticed the subtle shift in Orzel's posture and gently grasped her hand. It was around that point that Commander Maelstrom coughed rather obtrusively into his sleeve, not so subtly gesturing to the leather band near his wrist. The Admiral, taking the hint, glanced at his own watch and hastily concluded his speech.

There were a few more pieces of pageantry to follow, the arrival of the Commissioning Pennant that would be flown upon Sokol's future commissioning, a time table as to when the ship would be fully ready for sea, and an address from her Captain-to-be. Maelstrom was far more complimentary of the ship, speaking of all her technical advancements, and how he was honored to take the role of Captain. This time Orzel did her best to pay attention, following along with more interest in the address, until finally it came Luna's turn to address the crowd. The elder Princess stood with customary dignity and grace before approaching the podium, each step measured and careful. Leaning on the podium, her wings tensing upon her back, the Princess quietly cleared her throat.

"It has been many centuries since last I stood witness to a ship's christening..." Luna began in a voice that was smooth and regal, more so than any other Orzel had heard of her Mother so far. "As many of you know, the completion of this vessel is a matter I have taken personal interest in. They call her 'Luna's Folly', and claim that she will amount to little more than wasted funds..." There were quiet murmurs among the crowd, but nothing outrageous. "This vessel is the culmination of incredible scientific and military achievements, the ability to safely launch and recover aircraft at sea. With it, we gain the ability to deploy those aircraft to anywhere in the world they may be needed... Safeguarding Equestria, and her interests abroad." The woman turned and quietly gestured for Orzel to stand. With only slightly shaking knees and a nervous breath, the girl complied. "It is time she receive a name worthy of her stature. Given the nature of that name, I can think of only one person fit to bestow it. My daughter, Princess Orzel..."

The woman stood aside, making room for Orzel to approach the podium while at the same time using her magic to subtly draw the stool from its alcove for the diminutive teen to stand upon. All eyes now fixated on the young Princess, and as she gazed about not only did she see cameras, but the silvery chrome microphones of Equestria's various radio broadcasters. Whatever she said there and then would be transmitted to the ears of thousands of people in real time, all across the country... The cost of failure had just increased exponentially. Biting her lower lip, Orzel straightened her posture and cleared her throat, inwardly kicking herself for not having a copy of her address on hand. The silence was dragging on far too long, she needed to say something... Clearing her throat, her first word was tentative.

"Hello..." Orzel's voice gently wafted over the crowd, who all seemed to lean forward, staring at her with the curiosity of a particularly hungry pack of wolves. "Yes, as my Mother said, I am Princess Orzel, and I am happy to be standing before you today. I am certain many of you know of me, but few have heard me speak..." She cast a nervous glance to Luna, and for a moment the woman's stoic mask broke to display a smile of encouragement. Orzel clasped her hands behind her back, hiding the fact that she was clenching them into fists. She could do this...

"There have been some questions regarding the name of the ship we are here to launch today." The Princess began evenly. "These questions are understandable, as the name is not a particularly familiar one in Equestria." The girl sighed through her nose, resisting the urge to straighten the crown on her head, it was straight enough already, she was just imagining things. "The word 'Sokol' translates to Falcon, in my tongue... But it means so much more than that."

"Sokol was the name of my Birth Mother, and among my people she was what is known as a Shield Matron... A defender of the faith." The girl trailed off, her features softening into a somber smile. "She was strong, and wise, and filled with conviction... Devoted to her sacred duty with every fiber of her being." Orzel took a moment to compose herself, once again sighing through her nose, becoming more confident. The journalists' pens outpaced lightning with their speed, each scribbled letter faintly audible to Orzel's ears.

"My Father, on the other hand, was the Captain of a Naval ship. It was his belief that a ship is more than a hull and some paint, more than guns and boilers, or... Aircraft, as the case may be." Orzel went on, and in the faces of the crowd she could see something she hadn't expected... Acceptance. After so many articles had been written about her, after so much wild speculation and vitriol... These people were accepting her at her word all the same. "For those serving aboard her, a ship is their home. She cannot survive without them, nor they without her." She returned her grip to the podium.

"If I may speak about myself for a moment... I have lived in Equestria for a very short time, and yet I can think of nowhere else I would rather be..." The Princess continued, growing more confident still, even as she grasped at the memory of her pre-written speech. "It is a land new possibilities, a land of opportunities I had never dreamed possible, and as such I am proud to count myself among your citizens." The girl glanced backwards at the ship, her tone becoming a bit more melancholic. "Where I hail from, the freedoms that Equestria enjoys in such abundance are non-existent. The press is not free to lambast its leaders, those that dare dissent are jailed, tortured, or executed. All persons, men, women, and children are expected to place the state above anything else, even at the cost of their families."

"You have heard many stories about me, the overwhelming majority of them are false. While I may be displeased with the words printed about myself, I do not share the mindset of my former motherland..." The Princess stated in a clarifying manner. "On the contrary, I encourage you to hold your leaders to account, whether that includes myself, my Mother, or the National Council. It is your duty as Equestrians to criticize your government, and so long as you do not call for violence, your voices shall never be silenced..." She added emphatically, once again the reporters had taken to writing in hurried fashion.

"These rights and the other freedoms that are enshrined in Equestria's constitution, they must be defended at all costs, from all threats, be they mundane or extraordinary." The Princess stated more firmly than before, and she was a Princess... That fact became more evident with every word she spoke. "Today we add to the protection of those rights, a warship that is the cutting edge of Equestrian brilliance. She will defend her motherland with unrelenting ferocity and unwavering resolve, and carry the ideals of freedom we so cherish wherever she may go. She is our strongest shield, our sharpest sword, and she shall defend those serving aboard her and those awaiting her at home as her own children..." Orzel straightened fully. "That is why I, nor Princess Luna, can think of no better name to give to this ship than that of Sokol..."

Orzel turned to find Luna staring at her with unmistakable pride, standing beside Admiral Weigh Anchor and Commander Maelstrom at the very front of the ship's bow. A bottle of champagne, wrapped in a white fabric koozie, rested firmly now in the Commander's grasp. Orzel silently approached him and took hold of the bottle, then moved beside the bow. The ship was even more impressive in its scale as she stood directly before it, and Orzel was briefly compelled to run her hand along the hull's cold steel. Once more, she felt the silent incorporeal presence of Sokol and her Father at her back. When the bottle smashed, would that feeling go away? Did she want it to? So much had changed about her life, and she was ashamed to realize she hadn't given as much thought to her biological parents as she would've liked. For all the suffering and sadness, she still felt it hadn't been enough...

Once again Orzel struggled to keep her composure, a feat she likely would not have been able to match were this any other day. The warmth of the sun against her skin assured her, however, that she could hold herself together. Even then, the bitter questions still lingered. Had she said enough, could anyone truly distill their parents' character into but a few sentences? As if to answer her unspoken question, she felt the intensity of the morning sun amplify against her face. A brief flash of warmth, accompanied the subtle sensation of a kiss on her forehead... Taking one final deep breath, Orzel strengthened her grasp. Things would be okay, she could do this. With a sense of finality, the Princess held the bottle of champagne out to the side.

"I christen thee... The Equestrian Sovereigns' Ship Sokol... May the winds of fate bless you, and all those that sail aboard you." Orzel's voice was as solid as iron, and so she swung with all the might her draconic biology would grant her. Time seemed to slow as Orzel turned her face away from the coming collision, and for a fraction of a second she thought she saw Sokol standing beside her... Smiling at her. The phantom vanished just as the bottle shattered in spectacular fashion, dousing the hull of the newly christened ESS Sokol with froth and foam to the sound of uproarious applause. Further adding to the newly erupted tumult, the band struck up with a rendition of 'Anchors Aweigh', the anthem of the Equestrian Navy.

Yet for all the chaotic celebration, the world seemed mute. Orzel couldn't help but ponder if the specter she'd seen had actually been there, or was it just the glare from the sun? She was given little time to think, however, as three loud horns echoed from around the dry dock. Orzel watched as the bow of the ship rapidly began to slide away from her, down the slipway towards the waiting ocean. The ship bobbed up and down like a cork, gradually leveling out and floating proudly for all to see. Once again it felt as if the ship was staring right back at her, rapidly being secured by a series of tug boats waiting beyond, which strained to keep her from floating too far out into the channel... Unpowered as she was, it was taking a mighty effort to rein Sokol in before her journey could begin to the fitting-out pier.

According to Imperial Naval tradition, a sponsor was said to imbue a ship with a piece of their personality. From her research into the ceremony, that was much the same tradition as that of the Equestrian Navy. So, that raised the question... Just what part of herself had Orzel imbued within the silent steel colossus proceeding out to sea? The ship was a misunderstood oddity, but it was clear she wanted to strike no matter her condition, no matter where her foes might hide, to do her duty and lay all her terrible wrath down upon any and all who might threaten that which she loved.

"At least I did not bestow upon her an anxious disposition..." Orzel mumbled in Szafirian, smiling faintly, as now she could see more of herself in the implacable steel hull. Yet another feeling of strangeness passed through her mind, or perhaps the strangeness was that she didn't feel much of anything... Not much of anything negative, at least. The speech hadn't been nearly as frightening as she'd imagined it would be, not after she'd actually started of talking in front of people... Now she'd hopefully at least ingratiated herself more so with Equestria's citizenry, though she doubted the people Canterlot would be swayed, it still proved one less item to worry about. That was more than welcome, for even with the growing sounds of adulation at her back, the weight of the crown upon Orzel's brow still lingered ever heavy on her mind...

Princess Celestia had seen more than her share of 'Bad Days' throughout her long rule, and in the grand scheme of things today hardly made the top five hundred. The start of Nightmare War still held the first spot, followed by Discord's rise, the death of her parents... Yet for as insignificant as the day might've seemed when compared to all the other nasty events of her life, in the moment the day was instilling in the typically serene woman's mind a growing sense of frustration. It was difficult enough dealing with the impudent fury of the Noble Party, but thankfully the Senior Councilman agreed to follow her directive and continued holding sessions. Those that refused to appear were counted as abstaining whenever a vote came to pass, and there were many such votes in just the twelve hours since the declaration came from Luna... That wasn't the issue most present in Celestia's mind, however.

What so heavily ruined Celestia's morning thus far was Orzel's address, more specifically her mention of where she'd come from. The matter of the young Princess's origins was something that'd come up numerous times, but Celestia was generally able to deflect the question or answer with a half-truth. Orzel's ability to speak Kwarczkie, now more commonly referred to as Szafirian, drew not just the attention of Equestria's citizenry, but that of several enigmatic private parties in the Greater Dragonlands as well. From diplomats, to clan leaders, even a monastery... The latter-most group seemed far less surprised than she would've liked, and Celestia suspected they knew a lot more than they let on. What deity they worshiped also was a point of contention, as they hadn't actually made that clear. They were just 'a monastery'. Perhaps she'd need to have Director Aquila look into them.

Setting aside unknown third-parties interest in Orzel's origins, the fact of the matter was that Celestia wasn't entirely sure how well Equestria would handle the news that their latest Princess was an 'alien'. While technically an accurate term, Orzel was a descendent of Drakes that had vanished from the surface of the planet thousands of years ago, apparently to colonize some far flung plane of existence. A year or so before, she'd received a friendship report from Twilight Sparkle that troubled her, and it'd been a growing concern ever since Orzel's arrival. The entire town of Ponyville panicked and actively ostracized a zebra named Zecora, who'd moved there to serve as a sort of apothecary...

Zebrica was another continent, so how would people react to someone from not only an entirely different planet, but a planet in another reality. Thankfully, it seemed Ponyville was in a far better place now, but they had the guiding hand of Twilight Sparkle to open their minds. The rest of Equestria wasn't so fortunate... At least there hadn't been any riots, so they had that going for them. Celestia didn't know what she'd do if things got out of hand. Realistically the subject of Orzel's origins was probably something she and Luna should've discussed beforehand... Hindsight was twenty-twenty, and she supposed one way or another the news would've inevitably leaked. The point was that now, in the wake of her niece's speech, the people of Equestria and beyond were asking point blank.

"Where does the Princess hail from, if not the Dragonlands!?" Shouted a journalist at the back of the press room, a small and otherwise unassuming chamber situated in the Castle's Public Wing. Arrayed with curious eyes, resting in columns and rows of folding chairs, the eager story seekers hung on every word. Celestia stood at the podium before them all, her features remaining calm with the practice of a thousand years, though her wings fluttered with evident frustration. "Are there other dragon settlements the Crown isn't telling us about?"

"If you could all please be patient, I'll do my best to answer your questions." Celestia responded in her typical gentle matronly voice, smiling at the crowd. They thankfully were willing to accept her request, as the chattering questions gradually subsided. "Princess Orzel comes from the Szafirian Empire, a nation situated in another realm of existence. While her ancestors were of Equus, it seems they left our world thousands of years ago to settle on another planet." The silence became almost deafening, each reporter staring at Celestia with wide expressive eyes, their jaws slightly agape. "Now, I understand this news may come as a shock to most of you, but I ask that you bear in mind the existence of other 'extra planar' societies... Like that of the Breezies, for example. I was not aware of the Szafirian Empire's existence until a short while ago, and as they have no presence here, I saw no reason to announce its existence."

"So, Princess Orzel is an alien?!" One of the reporters suddenly blurted, leading to a chorus of similar questions. Celestia inwardly sighed, as if the girl didn't have enough to deal with. The woman could already imagine the headlines, likely set above a doctored picture of a UFO or some other foolishness. "Is Princess Luna aware?! Why did Princess Orzel conceal her origins?!"

"Technically, yes, Princess Orzel is an 'alien'. Also, of course Princess Luna is aware." Celestia responded calmly, maintaining her confident exterior. The damage would be far less severe so long as she commanded the stage, calm levelheadedness would hopefully inspire the same within the reporters. "I'd also contend that my niece didn't conceal her origins. She spoke quite candidly on the matter, as evidenced by the fact we're even having this discussion." The Princess added, looking over the crowd with quiet contemplation. It seemed her bid at remaining calm was working, the word 'alien' hadn't hit with the amount of punch she'd been fearing... In this matter, honest transparency could be the only solution. Omitting details on an issue so massive would undermine Celestia's credibility, and eventually Orzel's authority when it came time for her to rule. "Moreover, it shouldn't be of concern where she came from. As of her formal adoption by Princess Luna and ascension into the Crown, pending her naturalization as an Equestrian citizen, Princess Orzel resides in Equestria as a legal alien. A highly patriotic one at that. That's all that should matter."

"Was she sent here purposefully? Is Equestria opening relations with this 'Szafirian Empire'?" Thankfully this question wasn't as frantic or booming as the others, coming from a young man in the front row. Celestia looked him over, he was a somewhat husky Earth Walker, with a large belt buckle, and a bolo tie secured by a silver clasp. The clasp was inset with turquoise stone, which matched his eyes incredibly well. Notably, this young man wasn't wearing a Press Pass... The neatly combed brown hair, coupled with a single white star pin on his lapel, more than made up for that though. "Should we be concerned about other, less 'patriotic', arrivals? Overall, what else can you tell us?"

"Mister Longhorn, I'm pleased to see the Senior Councilman is following the news..." Celestia acknowledged cordially, nodding to the man before addressing the crowd. "Several months ago, on the night of Princess Orzel's arrival, the capitol of the Szafirian Empire was sacked by a hostile force..." The woman waited a moment, allowing the news to sink in. Eager grins faded somewhat, so Celestia decided to strike while the iron was hot. "The Princess and her Biological Mother barely escaped, and due to a fluke of magic caused by an improperly cast spell, arrived in the Castle Gardens.

"Two of their attackers followed them, and were killed, but not before mortally wounding the Princess's Mother..." The woman straightened. "At this time Equestria is not capable of pursuing relations with the Szafirian Empire, and the odds of other unexpected visitors arriving here remains a statistic improbability. Nonetheless, we are looking into it, and taking all necessary measures to ensure a state of continued national security." The woman looked to a man standing to her right. "If you have any further questions, please direct them to my Press Secretary... Excuse me."

With that, the Princess stepped away from the Podium and made for the exit. There was a sudden uproar of questions, but within a matter of seconds Celestia was safely within the outer hall. The marble amplified the noise, but all the questions became indistinct and therefore easier to ignore. There was a reason Faust made Press Secretaries. Of course, things couldn't have been that simple, as she heard a pair of heavy-set clomping footsteps approaching from behind. The oddly heavy click against stone denoted a pair of cowboy boots, and there was only one person in the Press Room wearing those. Glancing over her shoulder, the Princess was unsurprised to see the young man from the front row.

"I've told you all I can, Mister Longhorn..." Celestia stated with exasperation as the man finally caught up with her. Longhorn was one of the few young people that the Princess didn't altogether like, though not on his own accord. He was a competent aide, he asked questions, sometimes inconvenient questions, and overall did his job well. That job, unfortunately, usually included returning to his boss and spilling the beans on whatever palace intrigue or national security crisis might be brewing. Celestia had purposefully kept him away from information about Orzel for precisely that reason, but now the cat was fully out of the bag. "The Senior Councilman will have more information when the Nocturne Agency completes its security assessment, not a moment sooner."

"The Nocturne Agency? The same Nocturne Agency personally overseen by Princess Luna, adoptive mother of Princess Orzel? That Nocturne Agency?" Longhorn asked in his characteristic 'non-accusing-acusatory' way. This time, the implied accusation was some sort of impropriety on Luna's part, not entirely rare among the National Council, though out of character for the Senior Councilman's Office. "Councilor Spindletop doesn't like getting involved in Princess Luna's affairs, you know that, but he'll tan my hide quicker than you can say 'We come in peace!' if I don't give him something substantial when, surprise surprise, it turns aliens are not only real, but will one day run the country!" Celestia sighed, stopping and turning to face her annoying follower with a less than pleased expression. "Look, with the Noble's temporarily routing from the Council we finally have a chance to get some work done! The more info we have, the more we can work together, maybe help further legitimize the al- Princess Orzel's claim! Come on, gimme something!"

"This is about more than getting work done, Mister Longhorn!" Celestia stated harshly, once again her wings quivering with annoyance. "I refuse to reveal more detail than I must, not for my own sake, not on account of any wild conspiracies, but for the sake of my niece." Her voice was a bit more forceful than she'd wanted it to be, but the chastened look on Longhorn's face told her that her point was getting across. "I realize you and Senior Councilman Spindletop mean well, but this is a matter the Crown prefers to handle internally... She lost her home, her mother, and her world all in one night... Surely you understand why it must be handled delicately? Would you want the gruesome details of the worst day of your life splayed across the front page of every newspaper, tabloid, and magazine in Equestria?"

"No, ma'am... Don't suppose I would." Longhorn agreed, glancing over his shoulder at the distant Press Room, then back at the Princess. "While I wouldn't tell those vultures anything, I ain't so sure about other folks in the Senior Councilman's office, and I know they'd find out..." The man tucked his hands into the pockets of his suit jacket, looking at the floor. "Is there anything I can bring to the Senior Councilman? Anything at all? Any bill the Crown wants to push forward?" That was a difficult question to answer, at least in an official capacity.

Celestia sighed, putting her hands on her hips as she pondered the question. With the Noble Party currently refusing to take part in Equestria's government, Celestia could likely pass dozens of bills she'd wanted to enact throughout the years... Most notable, and normally least likely to pass, was a proposition to curtail the powers of the National Council. Not to keep them from having a say Equestria's government, but to return them to their original purpose. Running the country's day to day, making it simpler for Celestia and Luna to rule and deal with the larger things. In fact, she found it ironic that the most recent 'larger things' more often then not originated as a result of the National Council...

"Bill Two-Fifty..." Celestia finally admitted, earning a somewhat uncertain look from Longhorn. "You and Spindletop are of a vanishing breed, Longhorn. If things continue as they are, one day the National Council may be filled with people that want to use it for ill, and with no one to stand in their way..." This time it was Celestia's turn to imply, Longhorn understood immediately the group she was referring to. "Sometimes for a forest to survive, a wildfire must burn away the overgrowth." Celestia's features became a bit more serious. "Of course, officially the Crown would never presume to instruct the Senior Councilor on what bills his office should and shouldn't pursue pertaining to its own operations, only that the Council continue to hold session regardless of mass abstentions." Longhorn stared blankly at Celestia as she turned and walked away, apparently stunned, before rapidly collecting himself and turning back towards the Press Room... Leaving Celestia, finally, to her own thoughts.

What she proposed would make many people unhappy, at least in the immediate sense. Celestia, however, was always more concerned with the broader picture. It was just a fact of life that sometimes positions of power drew those that sought to misuse that power, and the larger Equestria's government became, the harder it would be to stop them. Bill 250 would condense many of Equestria's provinces into larger but easier to manage 'states', overseen by elected governors. They'd have greater autonomy, but the states would remain united beneath the overarching rule of the Crown.

It would likewise cut the amount of seats in the National Council from over 500 to a more manageable 250, hence the name... 250 would also grant the Crown broader veto powers, and required a vote within the Royal Family to overturn a veto. It also laid the ground work that would allow for the creation of another legislative body, one that in the future would eventually replace the National Council entirely. That was a long term goal, however. The most recent addition would cement in law what had already been set by years of precedent, that members of the Crown were beholden only to the Crown itself when it came to how they conducted their personal lives.

The bill was nearly as old as the Council itself, occasionally being modernized and tossed around by the Non-Aligned Councilors with the intention of riling up the Noble Party, but otherwise sitting upon the proverbial shelf, gathering dust. Celestia now had an opportunity to start repairing Equestria's broken system, with fewer Councilors the extent of their overreach would at the very least be reduced. The idea for the bill came about, oddly enough, after reading through some of Luna's old journals from before the Nightmare War... Though her younger sister's ideas were far more brutal in their crackdown on the Council's powers, including provisions for severe punishments in the event a Councilor was found to have willfully acted against the interests of those they represented.

Her sister hadn't been in a very positive state of mind at the time, but the line between genius and madness tended to be wafer thin. Luna's journals leaned obviously closer to the latter, as the ideas were written shortly after the Tribal Council had ruled against Luna's romance with Observos the Watchful. The Council's decision, and Celestia's acquiescence to enforce it, was ultimately what set Luna and Celestia on the collision course that had cost the latter a thousand years without her sibling and the former... Everything. While inconceivable in modern Equestria, the National Council could still technically rule against a Princess's relationship, hence the recent additions to 250. In fact that was what provided the very framework for their 'Decency Demands'.

Thankfully, Senior Councilman Spindletop was among the few Council members that actually seemed to care about good governance. The Council's eldest and longest serving member, Spindletop was an Earth Walker from the great southern province of Lone Star. A sprightly eighty nine years young, he didn't look a day over sixty, and whenever he spoke it was with all the fire and fury he'd shown in his youth. The irascible Senior Councilor kept his ear close to the ground in all matters, Longhorn was just one of his many 'assistants', all in service of 'keeping the Council honest'... Or, as honest as it could be kept. Celestia would've been more than pleased with his actions if he didn't have a habit of not dropping things better left alone. Unbeknownst to him, he'd nearly gotten a pair of Nocturne Agents killed when he inadvertently blew their cover during one of his moral crusades.

Passing Bill 250 would come at a hefty cost, Celestia realized that, but she doubted the immediate price would outweigh the long term benefit. Perhaps a seat on the Emergency Security Council would sate the Senior Councilman's appetite for accountability, though he'd likely end up sprouting a great deal more gray hairs. Speaking of the potential stress induced by the ESC...

Celestia became acutely aware of a pair of footsteps suddenly presenting themselves to her left, glancing at their source, the woman let out a startled yelp and jumped a good five feet in the air. Director Aquila came to a halt and stared at her blankly, his impassive eyes hidden behind his tinted glasses, as if he hadn't just materialized out of thin air. The man reached into his suit jacket, retrieving a soft purple packet of cigarettes and placing one in his lips.

"D-Director..." Celestia stammered, the man simply nodded, slipping his cigarette packet back into his suit. Adjusting her gown, the Princess composed herself and commenced walking again. She heard the familiar flick of his flip lighter, the sparking of the striker wheel, the hiss of burning lighter fluid... Within moments, the familiar acrid stench of cigarette smoke brutally assaulted her nostrils. "Must you do that now?" She glowered at the man, who responded simply by exhaling through his nose and shaking his head.

"I'm surprised you haven't asked me for one, given how the day has gone..." The man responded distantly, clasping his hands behind his back. "The news cycle isn't doing us any favors, nor is the National Council. The economy is steady, thank the Gods, but people are getting anxious. I've just received a report from Darkstar..." The man's voice was uncharacteristically grim, even more so than his usually dour expression let on. At first Celestia assumed he'd arrived to discuss the matter with Orzel, but Celestia now realized there was a matter of far greater importance in the man's thoughts. "Containment on Discord is holding, for now, but the statue is putting off nearly two thousand Arc-Rads. If it grows any higher, radiation suits and supplements won't be enough to counter the effects. We could lose people."

"Is Twilight alright?" Celestia asked anxiously, to which the Director gave only a simple nod. "You're still certain that you can keep him contained, long enough for us to attempt to reform him?" The Director's nod was far more emphatic this time, and despite the shaded glasses, Celestia could see a brief flash of hesitation in the man's eyes. The enigmatic Director always seemed aloof in Celestia's presence, and almost inappropriately familiar when Luna was around. She realized the two were friends, and far be it from her to condemn a sort of camaraderie between ruler and subject, but... The two were unnaturally close, not in a romantic fashion, more a 'very old friends' sort of way. "Have you gleaned anything now that he's in your custody? Any idea as to what, if anything, is happening within his mind?"

"There are some veils even I can't see beyond." Aquila explained, his face cast down towards the floor. Something wasn't right about him, and Celestia couldn't really place it at first. The answer was simple enough, and it wasn't uncommon for the Director to be unable to 'see' things... This just appeared to be the only time it bothered him on some personal level. His face was the very visage of internal conflict and... Remorse? That was another emotion she'd never seen the Director express. Any emotion at all was out of the ordinary, so something had to be at play...

"Director..." Celestia's voice was cautious, firm, soothing... Her best imitation of her sister's characteristic tempo and tone, hopefully it would trigger some sort of ease in the Director. She didn't just want to make him feel better, though that was part of her reasoning... No, there was something Aquila wanted to say, but for whatever reason he wouldn't. Celestia didn't want to find out about some terrible problem at the last minute, especially now if Discord's statue was becoming so hazardous to work around. "I realize you and I don't see eye to eye, but if there's something you aren't telling me, I need to know."

The Director stopped walking, by now they had reached the section of the castle near the throne room, where a great many stained glass windows resided. He turned to face one of the windows, this one in particular depicting the first appearance of Discord. How remarkably appropriate...

Enshrined in the glass, people cowered away from a horrific chaotic creature, all save one. Standing against the towering beast, a darkly armored figure stood with sword in hand. The man was one that at one time Celestia faced in battle, though not in direct combat. Legate Orcus of the Thestral Imperium, one of Luna's most trusted advisers before the onset of the Nightmare War. The Legate was the only General that Celestia's armies ever failed to defeat in that conflict so many centuries ago. A man that abruptly vanished near the end of the war, and likely for the best. It was very likely the conflict would've raged well after Luna's banishment if he'd remained to lead the fight. Aquila stared at the image, his features hardening, until finally he shook his head. The Princess couldn't quite place it, but for some reason the image of the Director looking at Orcus struck her as hauntingly apropos.

"I swore an oath, a long time ago..." Aquila finally muttered, the cherry on his cigarette gradually starting to die as he let it smolder, standing before the great panes of glass in subdued... Regret? "I would like to tell you everything, Princess, believe me... The oath prevents me from disclosing to you the details at present, all I can truly say is that..." The man trailed off, turning to look back at Celestia with renewed resolve. Taking a drag on his cigarette, sparing its fading ember, he straightened his posture. "If Project Tartarus works, if Discord can be reformed, we will do more than save our world from the threats of another realm... We will set right a wrong that should've been corrected a thousand years ago."

"I am all for making a friend of my enemy, but 'righting' past wrongs...?" Celestia asked pointedly, her eyes returning to the stained glass image. Laying on the ground at Orcus feet was a figure, immortalized in the unfeeling glass, just as still and heart wrenching as when Celestia had witnessed it herself. The prone body was that of Observos, the source from which so much of Luna's grief flowed. For all his magical skill and knowledge, he ultimately proved no match for Discord alone, and the God of Chaos had cut him down as swiftly and as thoughtlessly as a scythe through wheat. "Reforming Discord will preserve the present, and the future, but it won't undo what he did in the past, Director... Nothing can change history." At this, Aquila let out a dry humorless chuckle, followed by a disapproving shake of his head.

"History may be written by the victor, Princess, but the truth always finds the light." Bluntly commented the Director, turning on his heels and commencing to walk down the hallway once more. The man exhaled a remarkably sized cloud of smoke, which billowed and expanded unnaturally, filling the entire hallway with the same stench of tobacco and ash that Celestia so despised. The Princess watched the gray wisps expand and curl around the Director's form, completely enveloping him. "Is your memory as good as you think it is?" The Director added cryptically before the sound of his shoes against the castle floor fell silent. Flapping her wings to clear the air, Celestia observed the dissipating the cloud without much surprise. The Director had entirely vanished, gone into thin air. If nothing else, the man had a flair for the dramatic exit.

"I hate it when he does that." Celestia muttered, conjuring her magic to dissipate the lingering odor left by the Director's nasty habit. The hallway was soon filled with the sweet scent of vanilla, a far more pleasing aroma for anyone that would walk through that passage later on. Making her way along past the other stained glass fixtures, Celestia was looking forward to a chance to get back to her chambers. The idea of filling out paperwork was almost exciting, at least paperwork didn't pester her with questions or disappear in puffs of smoke. Of course, fate had other plans for her. Coming to an intersection of hallways, she was greeted by a surprising visitor, though one that was less welcome. "The hallways are like Canterlot Central Station today..."

"Nice to see you too, Aunty." Blueblood responded, falling in lockstep beside Celestia as she continued on her less than merry way. "I'm pleased to have found you, I was worried I'd need to go to Princess Cadenza..." Celestia arched an eyebrow at the man. "Cadence." He corrected before adjusting the tie of his rather dashing three piece pinstripe suit. "I was wondering if I could convince you to reconsider your decision on just who to invite to the Gala?" Celestia's features hardened, of course this was what Blueblood wanted to talk about, heaven forbid his social life from being impacted... "Please, hear me out before you bite my head off, okay?"

"You have until I reach my quarters." Celestia stated through clenched teeth, though she tried to sound less annoyed than she actually was. Blueblood typically wasn't nearly as annoying as he seemed to be, Celestia had realized that a while ago. His ostentatious mannerisms and irascible personality were by and large a facade, a suit of armor with which he could do battle against the Canterlot political machine. Behind that armor hid the heart of an incredibly caring, if somewhat egotistical, gentleman. The problem was that Blueblood didn't know when to take the armor off, and so even to his friends and family he came off as an incredibly shallow jerk.

"Right, yes, well the matter is pertaining to Mister Jet Set and Lady Upper Crust." Blueblood began, tucking his hands into his jacket as they grew deeper into the 'private' section of the Castle. "I realize they're not the biggest supporters of Princess Orzel, or Princess Luna, but they nonetheless hold incredible sway over the Noble Party. Shutting them out of Canterlot's most important social gathering will make gaining their favor more difficult than usual. Upper Crust in particular sits on the Committee for School Funding, without her we won't be able to enact our reforms towards School Choice."

"Normally I would agree with you, Blueblood, but this is bigger than School Choice." Celestia countered as the pair began to ascend a set of steps, which in turn lead to a spiral staircase leading further upwards. "The Noble Party is accustomed to getting their way if they throw a tantrum. Princess Luna, and to lesser extent Princess Orzel, represent a departure from a status quo that has remained more or less unchanged for a thousand years... On general principle, Luna and Orzel are less likely to concede or compromise where you or I might. In short, the Nobles see them both as an existential threat to their way of life." The woman sighed, seeing that Blueblood still seemed insistent on her changing her mind. "I see now that I've let the Council run amok for far too long, conceded far too many times. That is why, even if it renders difficulty in the present, I must curtail them... Lest Equestria devolve into little more than their personal playground." Celestia shook her head. "My ruling stands..."

"I hope you're right..." Blueblood responded as the pair ascended the steps to the Castle's next floor. "If you're wrong, and this does little more than enrage the Nobles, making any sort of progress in the National Council will take years, possibly decades." Celestia nodded, it was a matter she'd thought on ever since first issuing her statement denouncing the Council's demands. Blueblood's mask of general indifference slipped for a moment, and Celestia could see genuine concern flash through his eyes. "There's more to this than just putting your foot down, isn't there...?" Celestia stopped for a moment, pondering just on if she could entrust such information to her nephew.

"Luna fears the effects the Council's demands are having a negative effect Princess Orzel's mental health. The sort that, if let unchecked, might result in a very large, very scaly, very very angry problem, if you understand my meaning." Celestia stated diplomatically, at which point Blueblood drew his hands from his pocket and clasped them behind his back, not unlike the Director some minutes before. His face was impassive, but his eyes told the story. He was troubled, and he didn't become troubled easily. "I realize you may not appreciate the girl, but I ask that you refrain from spreading that information. It is a matter of family, the Equestria public need not be made aware."

"This may surprise you, Aunt Celestia, but knowing that now, I agree." Her nephew stated earnestly, once again allowing his mask fall away. "We allow the Council to censure our personal lives at our own peril... As for young Orzel's health?" The man cast a brief glance out a window as the pair continued through the hallway, they were nearing Celestia's chambers now. "A child not embraced by a village will burn it down to feel its warmth." He straightened his tie. "A drastic oversimplification of the issue, I know, but I believe you understand my point. Beyond the obvious moral questions, allowing them to set a precedent with Princess Orzel would have had far reaching implications for any other persons the Crown later decides to elevate to the position of Royalty." Just like that, the mask of annoyance returned in earnest. "I still urge you to reconsider, excluding all the Noble Party members that refuse to accept your edict will make for a far less invigorating party."

"Leave that to me, Nephew. There's more than one way to throw a gala." Celestia countered, turning her attention to the approaching wooden doors of her chamber entrance. She'd been planning to invite Twilight Sparkle for some time, for various reasons... Spike was also on the list of possibles. While Luna didn't particularly care for the idea of her daughter meeting a teenage boy, Celestia knew that sooner or later the two, being the only prominently known Drakes in Equestria, would eventually need to be meet... Better sooner than later. Celestia shook her head, she was losing focus again. "Anyway, if you will excuse me, there are some papers that need signing before I can begin afternoon court." Without waiting for his response, Celestia entered the doors. 'Some papers' was putting it mildly, they were easily stacked high enough to reach her ceiling. It was just going to be one of those days...