11 Hunger Moon 1008

As she laid in bed, having just been tucked in by Emerald and Star, Flurry reflected on her life.

The life she’d lost, that of a princess. More importantly, her parents. Thinking of them sent a pang of sadness through her body, but it wasn’t as painful as it had been.

Flurry had held an ever-fading hope, those first few weeks, the hope that her parents were simply delayed and would join them. That hope had steadily been dwindling as they sailed to New Mareland and then settled into Star’s house, but Flurry still held on, desperate as she was.

Then she had asked her caretakers, and they had told her the truth she already knew, but couldn’t put to words. Tears came to Flurry’s eyes as she thought back to that afternoon, already a week ago now. How Star and Emerald had comforted her, just like Mommy and Daddy had done whenever she had a nightmare.

Flurry turned in her bed. It was just as soft as her old one, and the room was nice, but it didn’t really feel like it belonged to her. Aside from Whammy - speaking of, she clutched him even tighter to her chest - and a few other toys and books, everything in the room had been there when Flurry had moved into it.

Flurry couldn’t bear it anymore. She needed to talk to Star. She kicked away the covers and jumped out of the bed. She placed Whammy on her back, and after making sure he wouldn’t fall off, she snuck to the door.

She looked up at it, focusing her magic for a moment. A light yellow glow sprung from her horn, and the door opened.

Flurry peeked her head out of it, looking around. The hallway was dark, and so was the ground floor. The only non-natural light came from Star’s room.

He was probably reading, Flurry thought, before she realized that she didn’t really know what Star did in his free time. She knew he was a mage, but what did mages do? Read books and practice spells all day?

As silently as she could, she put a few steps forward into the hallway, before remembering she had wings. She spread them and flapped them, gently ascending into the air. Without a sound she flew across the floor, landing in front of Star’s door.

There was light inside, but not a sound, at least not something that Flurry could hear. She stood in front of the door, deciding whether she should try it, or wait until tomorrow.

No, Flurry decided after a moment. She had to do it now.

And so, she focused her magic. After a few seconds, the door opened slightly, and Flurry peeked her head through.

Star’s room was bigger than hers. It had a larger bed as well, and a larger desk- basically, everything was larger for him. Which made sense to Flurry, because Star was a bigger pony.

Speaking of Star, the stallion sat on the bed. A book laid unopened in front of him, and he was staring at it with an unreadable expression.

‘’Starry?’’

Star’s head snapped towards Flurry. A soft expression appeared on his face. ‘’What are you doing here, Flurry?’’

Flurry stepped into the room. ‘’I… I wanted to talk.’’

Just like she’d hoped, Star didn’t send her away. He just nodded and said, ‘’Okay. Come here.’’

Flurry walked over to the bed, and with a couple of flaps from her wings she was on it. She sat on the bed, looking at Star.

She thought he would ask her why she was here again. But he remained silent, green eyes watching her patiently.

In an effort to distract herself, Flurry looked at the book that was on Star’s bed. It was a simple, brown book, with a metal lock. On it was written, in silver letters, ‘’Moments.’’

‘’It’s a photobook.’’

Flurry looked back at Star. ‘’Photobook?’’ she echoed.

Star nodded. ‘’Of me and… Crystal.’’

Flurry recognized Star’s tone. It was how she sounded whenever she talked about her parents. Flurry had met Star’s younger sister a few times, but she couldn’t really remember anything specific beyond a pair of yellow eyes.

‘’Starry?’’

‘’Hmmm?’’

Flurry walked over and nuzzled him. His coat was soft, for a stallion. ‘’It’s okay. You can tell me about her.’’ She laid down next to him and, after a moment, grabbed Whammy from where he had fallen off her back onto the bed, placing the snail between her and Star. ‘’Whammy and I will listen.’’

Star looked at her. She could see tears welling up in his eyes, but he blinked them away and smiled sadly.

‘’Okay.’’ He took a deep breath, before flicking the book open with his hoof.

The first picture was a little foal, crying. She had a short white mane and a blue coat.

‘’That’s her,’’ Star said, so softly it was almost whispering. ‘’Just born.’’ A pause. ‘’My mother died birthing her. My father died in a carriage accident on his way to the hospital.’’

‘’Oh Starry.’’ Flurry crawled up against him, nuzzling his cheek again.

He glanced at her, before turning his head and nuzzling her back. ‘’I had just arrived in Manehattan, on a ship from Vedina.’’ His eyes glanced at the wall, lost in memory. ‘’The three letters from the hospital were intercepted by Celestia and sent as one by one of the Wonderbolts’ recruits. I got those letters two hours after Crystal’s birth.’’

‘’What did you do?’’ Flurry asked quietly. This wasn’t like the stories Star or Emerald read to her; this had actually happened.

‘’I teleported to Canterlot, breaking the teleportation-distance record for Equestria in the process,’’ Star replied flatly. ‘’As a sign of good faith, I took that Wonderbolt recruit back with me. She was pretty pissed off with me for making her lose her lunch.’’ A smile came over his face. ‘’No wonder she made Captain.’’

‘’Anyway, I’d teleported to my family’s house,’’ Star continued, ‘’and from there I sprinted through the city to Canterlot General. There, waiting for me in the arms of a nurse, was my little sister.’’

‘’And then you took her in?’’ Flurry guessed.

‘’Yes.’’ Star flipped to another page, showing him holding a sleeping foal. Flurry looked at Star; he didn’t look older, but there was an expression of love on his face as he looked at his sister.

Wait. Flurry recognized that look. Her head snapped towards Star.

‘’I was wondering if you’d notice that,’’ he said softly.

‘’Y-you…’’ Flurry couldn’t get the words out of her mouth.

‘’Flurry, look at me.’’ Flurry looked into Star’s eyes, and she saw the same look as in the picture. ‘’Cadence included a letter to me with the adoption papers.’’

What?

‘’Do you want to see it?’’

‘’Yes,’’ she whispered.

Star’s horn glowed as a crumpled letter was flown over. He placed it on the book and smoothed it out.

Dear Star,

if you’re reading this, I am gone. I don’t have much to say to you that I’ve not said already, so I’ll save the space and just tell you this.

Don’t blame yourself for Crystal’s death. You did everything you could do, and you did the right thing in staying with those refugees. If you had gone on, they would all be dead.

That’s not supposed to be a consolation.

Star, you’ve most likely seen the adoption papers. You know what they mean. I want you to care for Flurry Heart. Give her all the love she deserves, and make sure she grows up to be the best mare anypony could hope for.

Star, I know you don’t love Emerald Gleam. And Emerald doesn’t love you; she lost her lover long ago. But please, for Flurry’s sake, stay united and be there for her. Shining and I won’t be able to.

All my love,

the daughter you never had, Cadence.

Flurry stared at Star as he finished the last sentence. ‘’Daughter?’’

‘’I- your mother was adopted by Celestia at fifteen, after becoming an alicorn,’’ Star said quietly. ‘’She foalsat Twilight, and I was Twilight’s teacher. I was also the closest male influence she ever had in her life. But I never knew she considered me to be her father.’’

Flurry nodded.

‘’Flurry.’’ Star let out a long sigh. ‘’I’m sorry for everything that’s happened to you. I’m- I have never been very good at emotional talk like this.’’ He looked at her. ‘’But I promise you: I’ll do my best to care for you, and-’’

Flurry cut him off by hugging his neck and face. ‘’I know… daddy.’’

‘’And I love you,’’ Star finished, before blinking. ‘’Daddy?’’

Flurry nodded, her hug becoming more of a chokehold. ‘’Can I call you daddy?’’

‘’Of course, sweetheart,’’ Star replied, tears in his eyes. ‘’I’m honoured.’’

And he hugged her back.

Yes, Flurry thought as she snuggled into Star’s hug, enjoying the warmth of the stallion, this was nice.

|-x-X-x-|

11 Hunger Moon1008

Star laid on his back, a sleeping Flurry and her Whammy curled up against him, head barely peeking out from under the covers.

His mind was far away, contemplating the events of the past months. He’d lost his sister, his student had vanished, and his friends were dead. Well, Ludvig was still there, of course, but Celestia, Shining, Cadence… they were all gone.

But he had gained something as well: Flurry Heart. He had expected to be an uncle to her, not her adoptive father and caretaker.

Star did not spend his time trying to figure out what he could have done to prevent the Nightmare: reminiscing on the past hadn’t helped him after Crystal’s birth, or with any of the other losses in his life.

He glanced at the sleeping filly. Even after that afternoon, he had never expected that she would ever call him ‘daddy’. He had honestly thought that that time after the nightmare had been a fluke, an instinctive reaction of panic.

He should have known better, he mused. In those first hectic months with Crystal, Star had greedily consumed every single piece of information on foals and how to care for them, to the point that even Twilight, who had been obsessed by her own studies at that time, had pointed out him, years later, that he had been overreacting.

Foals latched on to the nearest adults, looking to them for protection. If kept away from their parents long enough, most foals would eventually slip into calling their new caretakers daddy or mommy, or variations of those words, like auntie or uncle. Star had done his best to keep Crystal from calling him that, and eventually she settled on brother or bro.

His mind drifted back to Twilight… Flurry’s aunt, and her rightful guardian. Well, not if the adoption would be ratified, which Star still had to do, but until then she would be. Star had absolutely no idea where she was, but like he had told Ludvig, she was probably building a resistance together with her friends.

He would have to find a way to contact her that didn’t risk their safety.

But that could wait. Star knew he could be scarily focused whenever he got interested in a single topic: foal care had been one after Crystal’s birth, but it had been spellcrafting while he was in CSGU, and the Crystal Empire after it had returned. Now his focus would be on giving Flurry the best childhood possible, and heaven help whoever got in his way.

|-x-X-x-|

12 Hunger Moon 1008

Flurry awoke to find a pleasant warmth was laying against her left side. She opened her eyes and saw a blue coat right in her face.

The coat moved, and then she saw Star’s - Dad’s - green eyes look at her. ‘’Sleep well, sweetheart?’’ he asked with obvious concern in his voice.

Flurry rubbed her eyes as she recalled what had happened last night. She nodded. ‘’Good morning, daddy.’’ She stretched her forelegs out and hugged his neck.

Dad hugged her back, and placed a kiss under her horn. ‘’Good morning, Flurry. It’s time for breakfast.’’

Flurry nodded again, and jumped on Dad’s back after he had climbed out of bed.

‘’Want me to fix your hair?’’ Dad offered as Flurry rode on his back to the dinner room.

‘’Sure,’’ she replied.

Dad’s horn lit up, and her hair felt like it was being submerged in warm water. By the time they entered the dinner/living room, Flurry’s hair was untangled and no longer a mess.

Emerald - Mom -was already present, having done the plates and prepared breakfast. ‘’Good morning, both of you,’’ she greeted warmly.

‘’Morning, mommy,’’ Flurry chirped, jumping off Dad’s back and walking over to Mom, who had stopped her work to stare at Flurry. Flurry nuzzled her leg and looked up with hopeful eyes, hoping that she hadn’t made a mistake.

‘’Did you sleep well, Flurry?’’ Mom finally asked, and when Flurry nodded she smiled, before bending down her head and nuzzling Flurry back.

‘’I made pancakes,’’ she announced as she raised her head again.

‘’Pancakes!’’ Flurry cheered.

She got on the chair next to Mom, scooting it closer to the other mare as she sat down as well. Dad divided the pancakes equally amongst the three of them with a touch of teleportation.

‘’Do you have to show off?’’ Mom asked.

‘’No,’’ Dad countered, ‘’but I want to.’’

‘’Mommy, daddy, please don’t argue,’’ Flurry requested softly.

Both ponies froze for a moment, looking at her. Then Dad smiled easily. ‘’Of course, sweetheart.’’

Mom put her fork down. ‘’Flurry, where were you last night?’’

‘’With me,’’ Dad replied before Flurry could answer herself. ‘’She couldn’t sleep, wanted to talk, and ended up spending the night in my bed.’’

Flurry sent a thankful look at her- her daddy, to which Dad replied with a wink.

‘’That’s why you’re calling us mommy and daddy now?’’ Mom questioned.

‘’Yes,’’ Flurry nodded. ‘’If you don’t want me to, I’ll stop.’’

Mom’s look softened instantly. ‘’Oh Flurry, I’m not mad, just surprised. I didn’t think you would call us that.’’

To be honest, Flurry hadn’t thought so either, but she needed to fill the hole in her life somehow. ‘’I- I want a mommy and a daddy again,’’ she confessed.

‘’And we’ll be there,’’ Dad promised, eyes shining with determination.

|-x-X-x-|

19 Hunger Moon 1008

As soon as Star had left for his second weekly trip to Sunville, Emerald looked at Flurry. ‘’Flurry, do you know what day it is tomorrow?’’

‘’No…’’

Emerald smiled. ‘’It’s Star’s birthday tomorrow. I have a plan for a present, but I’m going to need your help, okay?’’

Flurry nodded. ‘’Okay mommy.’’ She tilted her head. ‘’What’s the present?’’

‘’Follow me and you’ll see,’’ Emerald replied, before turning around and beginning to walk towards her room. It had been hard, making a present behind Star’s back when leaving the mansion was impossible; Emerald could hardly show up in the village to buy something, after all.

Once in her room, Emerald crouched and grabbed the present from under her bed. ‘’Ta-da!’’

Now, to see what Flurry would think of it.

‘’What is it?’’ the little filly asked.

‘’This,’’ Emerald answered, ‘’is going to be a jacket.’’

Flurry’s face scrunched up adorably as she studied the fabrics in Emerald’s grasp. ‘’It doesn’t look like a jacket,’’ she said finally.

Emerald smiled. ‘’It’s going to, when we’re done. If you want to help, that is.’’

‘’Okay!’’ Flurry chirped. ‘’What do I have to do?’’

Such enthusiasm. Emerald prayed she kept it throughout her whole life. ‘’Well, first we have to stitch the fabrics together…’’

Flurry was a pretty good listener, Emerald thought as she explained the process of making a jacket to the filly. And she asked some good questions too.

Must be that famed ‘Sparkle intellect’ I’ve heard about.

‘’So,’’ she finished, ‘’do you think we can do it?’’

‘’Sure thing!’’

|-x-X-x-|

20 Hunger Moon 1008

Star woke up and checked the time. 09:47. Not too late, not too early. He slipped out of the bed and glanced at the calendar.

Oh.

Had he forgotten his own birthday?

It wasn’t remotely funny, but Star snorted anyway. For the first time in seventeen years, his sister wouldn’t be at his birthday.

He barely noticed that someone was knocking on his door. ‘’Come in,’’ he said, half-slurring. His sister wouldn’t be there on his birthday.

Emerald and Flurry entered the room together. Emerald was carrying a package on her back. ‘’Good morning, Star…’’ Emerald trailed off.

‘’Morning,’’ he greeted back. ‘’I-’’

His legs gave away under him. Great.

‘’Star!’’

‘’Daddy!’’

‘’I’m fine,’’ he slurred, but he wasn’t. Fuck him.

They shouldn’t have to see him like this. He needed to be strong, he needed to protect them. His sister was dead and there was nothing he could do about it.

How can I protect them when I couldn’t protect her?

‘’Flurry, help me get him into the bed.’’ How-

Emerald lifted him up with her forelegs, and with help from Flurry’s telekinesis, he was laid down in his bed.

‘’Are you alright, daddy? Please be alright.’’ He couldn’t disappoint Flurry.

‘’I’ll be alright, sweetheart,’’ he promised to her, watching as she sat down in front of his face, looking down at him with such fear and worry in her eyes it almost broke Star’s heart. ‘’I’ll be alright.’’

‘’Look,’’ Flurry’s horn lit up, ‘’we made you a present. Can you open it?’’

‘’I’ll try,’’ Star replied as the present, a rectangular thing wrapped in green paper, entered his view.

With a nudge of telekinesis the paper fell away, revealing a thin linen jacket, coloured sea-blue with yellow buttons and magenta embroidery at its ends.

‘’It’s beautiful,’’ Star said. ‘’Did you make this?’’

‘’Mommy and I made it together,’’ Flurry replied. Wondering where said mother was, Star glanced behind Flurry to see Emerald standing at the edge of the bed.

‘’What’s wrong, daddy?’’ his attention was drawn back to Flurry.

‘’It’s…’’ he couldn’t even say it. He swallowed. ‘’It’s… my sister.’’

‘’Oh daddy.’’ Before he knew it, Flurry had attached herself to the underside of his face and his neck. ‘’Mommy, daddy needs a hug.’’

Star couldn’t see Emerald move, but he felt her wrap her forelegs around his barrel as she snuggled against his backside moments later. Trapped between a filly and a mare.

‘’Thank you, sweetheart, Emerald,’’ he said after a minute of silence.

‘’Can we stay like this today?’’ Flurry asked. ‘’It’s really nice.’’

Star let out a weak chuckle. ‘’Sure thing…’’

‘’Thanks, daddy!’’

‘’... daughter,’’ he finished in a whisper, before closing his eyes.

They really were a family now. Not a normal one, granted, but still.

|-x-X-x-|

28 Hunger Moon 1008

In the days that followed, the three of them settled into their new role as family. Star made a discreet trip to the village for the news, but Flurry and Emerald constantly remained in the home, only going out onto the beach sometimes. Flurry had never seen the sea before, but she loved it, just like she loved playing with sand. She said it reminded her of the snow. Star could see the resemblance.

Sadly, the peace was not to last.

''What in Tartarus is this?'' Star muttered as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He rolled out of bed and, blearily rubbing his eyes, walked over to the window and pulled the curtain away.

Parked just outside the gate were two military trucks, surrounded by soldiers who were watching the house wearily.

Well, it was supposed to happen someday.

''Star?" He turned to see Emerald standing in the doorway, looking outside with a concerned face.

He shook his head. ''Don't worry. I'll handle this.''

With a quick spell, he made himself somewhat presentable, and then he teleported to the front door. He unlocked it and walked towards the fence's gate.

''Good morning, ladies and gentlecolts. Might I ask what you are doing here?'' he said as he stood in front of the gate.

''Are you Star Tower?'' one of the soldiers asked.

Star looked at him. ''Yes… you know, whoever's in those trucks can come out. I'm not going to harm anycreature now.''

The pony who had asked the question shared a look with a pegasi mare, and then they nodded. ‘’Sir, it’s safe,’’ the mare said.

And just like Star had anticipated, Jet Set stepped out of the back of one of the trucks. He looked tired. Fair, Star would be too if he had to lead a country.

‘’Star Tower,’’ Jet Set greeted, smiling slightly.

‘’Jet Set,’’ Star returned the greeting. ‘’Good morning to you. I do have a telephone, you know.’’

Jet Set snorted. ‘’I felt this was a conversation we needed to have in person.’’

Star supposed he could ask how they knew he was here, but Jet Set had probably just had the house watched. After all, Star had followed the news with the radio and papers: Nightmare Moon had put out a bounty of a hundred thousand bits on his head, and five hundred thousand for Flurry Heart. If it wasn’t a danger to him, Star would be flattered.

‘’Shall we take this inside then?’’ Star suggested. ‘’I’m sure the citizens of Sunville are very curious right now.’’

‘’I assume Flurry Heart is inside as well,’’ Jet Set asked neutrally.

‘’You always were pretty quick on the draw,’’ Star chuckled. ‘’She’s probably still sleeping.’’

Jet Set nodded once. ‘’Of course. Still.’’

Star inclined his head. ‘’Follow me then.’’ He turned around.

‘’Sir-’’ he heard the pegasi mare from before say.

‘’Captain,’’ Jet Set cut her off, ‘’I’ll be fine. I’m not defenceless.’’

‘’With all respect sir, I don’t think Mr Spellweaver would be impressed by your shield.’’

Observant.

Jet Set chuckled. ‘’Don’t worry, captain. I’ll be fine,’’ he repeated. Star turned his head to see Jet Set was following behind him.

‘’So how’s Upper Crust?’’ Star began idle conversation as the two of them walked over the path up to the doors.

‘’Stressed,’’ Jet Set replied succinctly. ‘’Just like me. The world is in chaos right now, but you know that, of course.’’

‘’I do,’’ Star confirmed. ‘’You’ve passed a lot of bills in the last months.’’

Jet Set smiled painfully. ‘’New Mareland is woefully underprepared. The only reason we haven’t been invaded is because of the Celestial Sea Fleet fleeing here, but that’s brought its own set of problems.’’

‘’I can imagine.’’

Star idly pushed open the door with his telekinesis as they walked up the stairs to the doors. ‘’Emerald!’’ he called out as they entered.

The mare appeared at the top of the stairs. ‘’Star?’’

‘’This is Jet Set,’’ Star introduced him to Emerald. ‘’Jet Set, this is Emerald Gleam, one of Cadence’s hoofmaidens. Cadence sent her with me.’’

Cautiously, Emerald descended from the stairs. ‘’Mr President,’’ she greeted as she stuck out her hoof to him.

‘’A pleasure, ma’am,’’ Jet Set said cordially as he kissed Emerald’s hoof.

‘’The pleasure is mine, sir,’’ Emerald replied, before looking at Star.

‘’Can you go get Flurry?’’ Star requested quickly.

Emerald nodded, a moment too late. ‘’Of course. Give me a moment.’’ She turned and walked back up the stairs. Star and Jet Set waited, and Emerald returned half a minute later, with Flurry behind her.

‘’Hi daddy,’’ Flurry chirped as she jumped down from the stairs, using her wings to glide to the floor and landing in front of him before giving him a hug.

‘’Good morning sweetheart,’’ Star said as he hugged her back. ‘’This is Mr Jet Set. He’s the president of New Mareland.’’

Flurry broke away from the hug and looked up at Jet Set, who was staring with his mouth slightly agape. Evidently this was not what he had expected.

‘’Good morning Mr President,’’ Flurry said with a bright smile. ‘’Are you here for breakfast? Mommy, what are we having for breakfast?’’

‘’I can make pancakes,’’ Emerald offered with a little smile.

Jet Set finally recovered. ‘’Good morning, princess,’’ he said officially. ‘’I guess I can join for breakfast, if it’s not a problem.’’

‘’Of course not,’’ Star said serenely. ‘’We can talk while eating.’’

As Emerald made her way into the kitchen, Star led Jet Set into the living room. Flurry nestled against his side as he sat down on the couch, with Jet Set sitting in the chair to Star’s left.

‘’So,’’ Star began. ‘’There is a lot we need to talk about.’’

‘’Yes,’’ Jet Set agreed. ‘’First off: how did you get here?’’

‘’Took a boat from Turhamn.’’ And that was all he would say about it.

Jet Set got the message and didn’t pry. ‘’Very well. Now then, what is your plan?’’

‘’To answer that,’’ Star replied, ‘’allow me to get something.’’ He focused his magic on the adoption papers, which were lying in the safe in the cellar. With a flash they appeared in the air between Star and Jet Set, held in his magic.

Now, to stun him more.

‘’Have a gander,’’ Star said as he passed the papers to Jet Set.

‘’I-’’ Jet Set stopped. ‘’What?’’ he asked after a moment of silence. ‘’Sweet Celestia.’’

‘’Indeed.’’ Star nodded, and then said, ‘’I’d like to have these ratified, please.’’

‘’Of course. Can I copy them?’’ When Star nodded, Jet Set cast the Paper-Copy spell and pocketed his copy in his suit. Impressive spellwork.

‘’Daddy, were those my adoption papers?’’ Flurry asked.

Star turned his face to hers and smiled. ‘’Indeed they were, sweetheart. Mr Jet Set will make them official.’’

Flurry nodded. ‘’Yay,’’ she cheered, before looking at Jet Set. ‘’Thanks, Mr Jet Set.’’

‘’No problem, princess,’’ Jet Set replied, softening before getting serious again. ‘’Star, are you sure you are safe here?’’

‘’Sunville,’’ Star pointed out, ‘’is out of the way, not on the map and tiny. It won’t get much safer.’’

‘’Maybe,’’ Jet Set allowed, ‘’but what if it leaks out that she’s here?’’

Star had worried about that. However, he also had a plan. ‘’Tomorrow,’’ Star said, ‘’the three of us will go out to the town, and talk with the people there. We’ll ask them to keep us a secret.’’

‘’It might work,’’ Jet Set said after a moment of consideration.

‘’I’ll make it work,’’ Star corrected, and dared Jet Set to question it.

The other unicorn wisely didn’t. ‘’I’m sure you will. But allow me to help.’’ He reached into his suit and pulled out a letter.

Star took it from him and opened it.

Well.

By order of the office of the President of the Commonwealth of New Mareland, Star Tower Spellweaver is hereby offered the position of Head of the Magical Advisory Council.

‘’That’s an honour.’’ And that was an understatement. ‘’But I’m going to need a little more explanation.’’

‘’Of course,’’ Jet Set agreed. ‘’In essence, you lead the top mages of the nation, and advise the government and parliament both on magical matters. You get to decide how often you meet, how long you meet, and as long as the government is kept advised I couldn’t give a hayball what you do.’’

That sounded far better than being the Royal Magician had ever been. ‘’And the catch?’’

‘’You won’t be earning whatever you made as the Royal Magician,’’ Jet Set admitted. ‘’Our budget is not sufficient for that. And you’ll need to hold press conferences whenever something becomes news.’’

Jet Set, for all his other faults, was pretty good at doing away with the bullshit of politics when it was necessary. It was one of the things Star liked about him. ‘’Very well, I’ll take the job.’’

‘’Excellent.’’

‘’Congrats, daddy!’’ Flurry gave his side a hug. Star lowered his head and nuzzled her face.

‘’Breakfast’s done!’’ he heard Emerald call out.

Star lifted his head up and slid off the couch. ‘’Shall we?’’

Pancakes to celebrate an adoption and a new job. What a time to be alive.

Author's Note

(Edited on 9-10-2021)