Canterlot Academy Trials

“Mind ya manners, child,” Mrs. Orcus scolded her daughter for her outburst, “Listen to what ya father’s sayin’.”

“Hmmph…father, please--this is important.”

“I know,” Mr. Orcus replied, “I’m already fully aware of Bonetail’s presence. I’ve got my top mercenaries on the task. It’s no place for a bunch of children.”

Grimrose’s wings spread wide as she gasped, “Uh--childre--father, we are adults. We can handle a mere dragon lich ourselves!”

“Even if you think so, this is someone you haven’t dealt with before,” her father chastised her for even suggesting such a thing, “I didn’t raise my daughter to start making such foolish decisions.”

“Father--!”

Mrs. Orcus would interrupt, “...wouldcha kindly give us a minute, child?” She then looked at her husband, “...honey, can we talk?”

The krampus woman and pegasus stallion would leave the room, causing Grimrose to throw her head back with an emotional huff. “Uggggh…”

Outside of the dining hall…

The goat lady would speak with her husband about what had just transpired.

“....honey, I think we should let ‘em go,” she suggested, “I think they can handle it. Our own guards ain’t done much on they own.”

“Pfft,” the stallion scoffed, “Do you really think some inexperienced younglings can really step in and succeed where our highly trained soldiers have failed. Love, this isn’t a comic book or some heroic underdog sob story. This is reality.”

“Cher, you got a bettah idea?” the goat woman replied, “If you ain’t, then you bettah at least let ya daughter prove herself, ya hear?”

“Hmmmph…” the noble stallion sighed, and eventually gave into his wife’s wishes. “Very well, Jesmonda. If you’re certain about her ability, then I won’t doubt you.”

The goat lady--Jesmonda--picked up the stallion and hugged her close to her chest. “Aw, thanks, Venin-honey! I knew you’d come ’round. Ya can't resist it when I make a good point, can ya~?”

Once the stallion was in the firm grip of his wife’s fluffy arms and rather…sizable chest, he knew he had no real room to complain at that point. “Argh…just don’t make me regret this, Jess. Grimrose should be focusing on finding a potential suitor at this age.”

“I won’t, hun,” she let him go and set him back down, “...and I think our daughtah has already found herself someone.”

“...don’t tell me it’s the commoner in her group within that very room…” Venin lamented Nebula’s status. “I don’t have any personal qualms against him, but he doesn’t appear to be someone who can help our family thrive.”

“Honey you’d be surprised,” Jesmonda replied, “If that boy’s as close to her as you think he is, that means he’s done somethin’ right don’tcha tink?”

Venin sighed with his hoof on his forehead. Then again, this might have been the perfect opportunity to judge the young stallion’s worth as Grimrose’s suitor. “...if he’s as capable, then he might prove useful after all.” And with that, he turned back to the dining hall’s room and trotted on through the doors, much to the chagrin of his wife.

“Cher…”

“Alright,” he called out to everyone in the room as they all turned to look at him, “We will permit you to enter the Kobold Canyon.”

Grimrose paused for a moment and blinked. She was surprised to hear her father turn around rather quickly on the subject. “I…” But she chose not to dwell on it. After all, they had a mission to complete. “...not gonna question it. Thank you, father. We will depart soon. Get ready, everyone.”

Once everyone was finished eating, they retreated to the guest rooms near Grimrose’s portion of the castle. And once they were alone, the krampus woman would lament her husband’s decision.

“...You gonna watch over ‘em from afar, ain’tcha?”

“As usual, you see right through me.”

The next day…

It was a quick sail over to the Kobold Canyon thanks to the SS Apodemus. But now, Grimrose was standing on the deck with an apprehensive glare in her eyes as she looked at her home grow more and more distant as they sailed out.

“...Rose?” Blue called out to her, “You look like you’re gonna throw up. Everything alright?”

“I’m just suspicious is all,” she replied with a hint of animosity in her voice, “Wondering why my father changed his mind so quickly.”

Blue put his claws on his hips and huffed, “...well. We can’t exactly stand around playing the game of wondering what’s gonna happen next now can we? All we can do is complete our mission, Rose.”

“...yeah, you’re right,” she sighed and shook her head, “Sorry. I…I want to keep myself from getting worked up as much as possible because--”

“...I know why,” the dragon cut her off, “...I can see it in your eyes, Rose. You’ve got some fangs you’re hiding. I’m just wondering when they’re gonna come out…”