Love And Dramas In The Government

Returning to the castle the mayor sighed in exhaustion and didn't waste time going to his room and changing into his informal clothes, in this case consisting of a pair of old gray jogging pants, a shirt with a big orange square, and a light blue crescent moon intercept on it, in the middle and sandals. An assembly that at any other moment would have thought was way too informal if he was in the castle.

But considering his status with the princesses and how this was virtually his new home, Mark decided he might as well try and relax more. With his hands in his pocket and seeing the time he exited his room and headed to the dining room where he was hoping to find his mares without Cadence for a chance, at least for a bit.

Fortunately, once he reached the room in question he was able to find his mares about to start their dinner and they were more than happy to see him. Unfortunately, The princess of love was also present as she finished reading a letter before looking up and smiling in glee at him entering the room.

"Oh hi Mark, you are just in time. My aunts and I were about to discuss this letter Twilight sent while having dinner, come grab a seat. We don't mind if you join us, right aunties?" Cadence asks turning to her aunts.

"None what so ever niece" Luna replied with a practiced smile "Please Mark take a seat" She offered the seat next to her and decided to keep their appearance he obliged and sat there, moments later a servant was already putting a plate and a glass of wine but he declines respectfully and asks for a simple orange juice instead.

"Don't you like wine Mark?" Cadence asks with curiosity.

"Oh it more of a matter of time and place, on the job you need your mind sharp, at parties. You let loose the stress. I always try to be careful of the time and place to enjoy some good drink"

"A wise decision Mr. Mayor" Celestia nodded in approval before turning to Cadence "Which reminds me of something, dear niece, I know how focused are on your latest mission and nothing makes us happier than to have you hear, but don't you think soon Shining would start missing you? Perhaps you should consider putting on pause our little project and going back to your home, at least briefly"

She was about to reply but Luna interrupted Cadence "I agree, it is always a joyful occasion when you visit dear niece, but the last thing we want is to impose on your time with your family. I'm sure Flurry in particular must be missing you by now"

Cadence in response only giggles and nods "I appreciate your gesture, and I would be lying if I say that I don't miss my Shiny and Flurry. But everything is fine" She dismissed their concerns with a wave of her hand "Shining also wanted some quality time father-daughter with Flurry and he told me to take a couple of days to be with you. Adding that he could use the distraction from the idea of his baby sister leaving the nest and starting her kingdom. You know how emotional he can get at times"

Both sisters nod at the statement "Nonetheless, I hear you loud and clear, and understand you need some time to breathe and process everything that is happening before we resume our little projects" She ends with a smirk which Mark wasn't sure if it was directed at him or Celestia. "So I was thinking of staying just three more days, once I have left everything ready..."

"...Cadence, I hope you recall the conversation we had" Mark reminded her with neutrality.

"I did promise, this is just the last thing. And it because it a bit late to call it off" She apologies with embarrassment as she gathered her hands "It would be the last thing, I swear on my crown"

Mark kept staring at her before sighing "It better be Cadence you are still in extremely thin ice"

Perceiving the tension in the room, Celestia decided to clear her throat and change the topic "So Cadence you were talking about Twilight letter" She reminded and her eyes lit up at the topic.

"Right! The letter, so sorry Mark we truly got sidetracked there for a moment, anyway check the letter that we received this morning from Twilight!" Cadence explains in excitement as she summons and levitates a letter toward the mayor who picks it ending her spell as he reads its content:

Dear Friends,

Even if only has been a couple of days so far I hope everything is going well back in Canterlot. I and the girls arrived at the Badlands this morning and immediately got quite a surprise when we saw the advances on New Harmonius and how its construction was almost complete. The locals were still weary of the idea of new new kingdom getting established here yet with the idea of income and tourists on the horizon their tune soon changed and decided to give us a chance.

We encounter some small setbacks, like a big chunk of our kingdom collapsing under the sand without reason and strange reports of giant snakes roaming the area near our walls...

Mark has to pause once he reads that sentence in worry.
Oh no, no, no Twily please tell me you didn't construct so close to Death Field

Mark prays and gulps before continuing to read.

The prospect of lifting a kingdom is something that has put all of us more than a little excited as well as homesick, this is one huge step the girls are taking and we will always remember Canterlot and what it did for all of us. We will keep you posted on any new developments we encounter and will invite you to the grand opening once the city is ready.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Atte Queen Twilight Sparkle

P.S: Pinkie sends her hi to all of you

Chuckling at the last part Mark shakes his head and gives the letter back. "Seems like Twilight and her friends have been busy, hasn't it? Never a dull moment with them"

"Nope, although I'm a bit concerned about that giant snake thing" Celestia mentions with some concern "Hope nothing bad happens, the badlands are notorious for having unknown dangers that not even I or Luna know about"

"Mayor Mark, you once traversed through those lands yourself, did you not?" Luna asks with some curiosity as Mark nods.

"Yep, half a year to be precise well almost a year if you count the trip back" He admits with a chuckle and a shrug "What can I say? I liked the trill of adventure"

"Then are you familiar with what Twilight mentions about a giant snake report?" Luna asks again tilting her head.

"I have heard the stories here and there, legends and spooky bedtime tales yes. Everything will be fine as long as they stay clear of the Death Field"

That makes all the rulers pause and look at him in fear "Death Field?" They all repeat in concern as he nods with a sigh.

"A plain field extending over 270,000 square miles with the shape of a skull and surrounded by mountains on the west. Because of the shape and the dangers. The locals named it that" He explained taking a bit of his food as the princess waited for him to elaborate more.

"What? Of course, I didn't venture there! I'm not suicidal" He quickly adds before getting concerned "Buuuuut in the odd event she is getting too close there, I might have to write them a letter telling them to stay clear and hear the urban legends, they are there for a reason"

"Are they in danger?" Celestia and Cadence ask at the same time but the mayor raises his arms "Not as long as they don't do something stupid like send a scout or try to extend New Harmonius there. Others have tried to build something there, but it always ends badly"

That only seems to increase their concern further "Don't worry like I say I'll write her about it and worse to come, will go the badlands myself and rescue them before they get into any real trouble, I know the field"

"Wait, but you just told us that you never went there" Cadence reminded him with a raised eyebrow

"Oh am, well the thing is...I didn't quite explore the place. It's huge after all! but I may or may not know of a trick to pass through?" He offered with a smile trying to get as small as possible.

"So you HAVE venture there!" Luna reclaims

"Yes and no, listen is complicated and a bit of a secret, so I can't tell you much. Or you don't mind blabbering about state secrets of Canterlot?"

"What does that have to do with this? Mark you say the place is dangerous, if you know something, you should tell her" Celestia insists.

For his part he remains quiet and thinks about Celestia's words carefully "For her safety" He ultimately nods calming the prince before he continues "And only to Twilight since it seems, this might potentially be a state secret of New Harmonius"

That makes them blink in confusion. "Please trust me, this is hard and is just to respect the locals of the area"

That seems to convince the princess as they nod and decide to let the subject go.

God, that was close, and now I will have to speak with the queen. Because of course, nothing can be easy.

After dinner, and returning to his room Mark, carrying a second letter Celestia managed to give him stated that Twilight wrote it directly at him and advised the mayor to read it in private. Understanding the message he hid it and put it on a coffee table to read later once he had the chance.

Wasting no time the mayor pulled the curtains and locked both windows and doors before he remembered something else he wanted to discuss.

Damn it! I forgot to tell Celestia and Luna about Miss Guidelines! With a grunt, he takes out his scroll and considers just texting Celestia under the number for emergencies, but thinks carefully about it, just in case the information could get in the way of Twilight.

If I ask permission maybe Queen Vipral let me share it with Celestia too...please let it be the case

With a sigh and a plan, Mark got to work, taking out a couple of small bottles from a secret compartment in his drawer, each of them with different colors which he used to start drawing a circle with an intricate symbol inside of it, like he did with contact the sisterhood of Ohms, except this one ended with the frontal face of a cobra at the center.

Once the drawing was complete, he put some drops of his blood on it and stood at the border, lighting it up with a candle. The effect was immediate as the circle ignited on a giant blue flame as Mark closed his eyes and gathered his hands together. "I seek the attention...of Queen Vipral" Mark proclaimed pausing for a moment before uttering her name.

The flame died down to one low ember before turning white and becoming a white flame that took the shape of an imposing giant cobra lamia with a crown at the top of her head, a red and black dress with silk sleeves, and golden bracelets. Her humanoid body was slim yet fit, her neck and face were that of a black and red cobra with orange ring marks on her back, arms and two prominent ones on each side of the hood of her head, with a gold clipper on the left side of it and purple eyelashes on her eyes.

Said Cobra taking a minute to scan the place before her eyes landed on Mark and her expression softened "Little human snakelet, it has been a while since last we spoke" The queen spoke dragging the s of her words and occasionally taking her tongue out like any other snake.

"Greetings Queen Vibra, long as you may rule" Mark took a vow and pretended to lower his face yet the queen would have none of it as she used her hand to keep his head and body up. "We will have none of that, my little boy, I told you that there you would not have any need for titles in private with me"

"Sorry, Queen...ah Vipral is just habit I suppose. That and as much as I would like for this to be a casual call, there is another reason why I call"

"Oh if that so?" She asks sarcastically before her expression hardens and she starts to circle the human using her giant frame "Would by chance be related to the recent invaders trying to occupy our homes once again?!" She demands in anger.

"They are not trying to invade, I swear" Mark quickly responds taking a step forward "They just don't know that your kingdom is right below them"

"And that makes it ok, for them to provoke earthquakes, and destroy our rooftop!?" She counters "They knew the risk Mark, there is a reason why that zone is called the death field, if a royal decided to ignore the warnings, they deserve what is coming, like all the others have tried before"

"But Queen Vipral please this time can be different, they are not just thieves and murderers trying to hide, Twilight Sparkle she...if only you could give her a chance like you gave me one?" he pleaded fearing for Twilight's sake.

The queen remained quiet for a moment before she crossed her arms "Is she your mate?"

"What?!" Mark asked in shock and a red face making the queen giggle as she approached her head until they were at eye level. Awaiting his answer he was fighting in his head for a retour and trying to keep a secret.

Before he could come up with a reply the queen notices the letter and picks it up with her tail "Curious I was informed that the princess sent a letter to Canterlot, and fear she may be asking for reinforcement, wonder what does she want with my little boy" She asks starting to open the letter.

"Queen Vipral, wait no!" Mark complained but it was too late as the letter came to life and started to break apart forming a twister until it reshaped on a purple origami version of Twilight Cutiemark, who was projecting an astral image of the princess herself...wearing a semi-transparent line of violet lingerie, dark blue shadows, matching her high heels hide on a semi-transparent silk small robe, on a pre-recorded message.

"Good night Mr. Mayor, hope you don't mind me writing so late at night but I figure since I have become an ally nation, you wouldn't mind if I...reinforce the terms of our bonds," The pre-recorded message says with a soft seductive voice as she aims for Mark and before he could stop she was already all over him with a leg raise, her tail wrap around the other one and delivery kisses on his neck. It was a clear astral projection yet the human could still feel it with extreme attention to detail on how he could still perceive her fur when trying to pry her away.

The mayor could only laugh nervously as the Queen looked at him with a knowing smile "Quen Vipra, this...this is not...the thing is...I"

"No need to explain my little snakelet seems like I have seen enough," She says crossing her arms "Your loyalty to our race has never been questioned, and by law, with you claiming a mate you are allowed to bring her to know of your roots"

"My, my roots?" Mark questions as he keeps trying to pry the astral image from French kissing him

The lamia laughed and approach him poking his shoulder "Don't forget who was the one that donate her skin when you needed a transplant, you are virtually part of the family now and if this mare wishes to court you, she better shows her case to me"

Oh dear god, did I suddenly get adopted? One problem at a time, better take this as an opportunity

"S-So those that mean you are willing to give her a chance? Maybe Subquestria and New Harmonious could coexist! I can botch for her Vipral! Twilight would be an awesome neighbor!"

"I and the council will determine that!" She answered with a stern voice looking at the projection who was starting to strip "And so far I wouldn't hold my breath, but if you care for her this much, you will have to speak your case directly"

"You want me to go there in person?" Mark asks in surprise, as she nods.
"And remember only you and your mates are allowed passage until further notice, also until we come up to an agreement we will hold on to the one they call Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie"

"You capture them?!"

"They treat us like common animals and send an animal whisper to talk to us dearly, how else other than an insult could we have taken that? We return the favor. But do not fret, besides place as animals as punishment, they will be well attendant. I will eagerly await your return my boy, and write more often, me and Viper miss you, kisses" She ended on a more cheerful note as the flame extinguished leaving only ashes in his room.

Mark was left speechless for a moment before he sighed and lower his head
"Oh crap, what else could happen now?" The sound of paper rip is heard and when he turns to his left he see the message ending and the image disappearing, the paper breaking itself apart, making the mayor sigh and roll his eye.

Sure, end the message now, why not?