***

After last evening with Celestia four days came and gone. Jasmine and Paper Clip entered a routine where they work without anything interesting happening. During that time, Gold Rush seems like she ease up a little bit and didn't bother to complain about Jasmine yet again. Clip's husband and daughter came by the other day, because she forgot her lunch. Storm Caller - pegasus stallion with dark blue skin and a short sky-blue mane - thanked Noir as well for encouraging his wife to enroll Falling Star in CSGU and giving her two days to spend home. Speaking of the filly - she was in fact a unicorn. Small framed even for her age, pale orange skin with long white mane that was braided in a pigtail. Star was very estatic to meet her mom's boss and when they meet - they instantly became buddies.

Jasmine suggested to Clip and Storm to have this filly with her on the lunch, while parents would spend the time together. They agreed to that and after telling them - where they would go - Jasmine, with a laughing Star on her shoulder, left to have some fun. They order in Joe's caffee a salad and a tea, Star showed how good she could levitate objects with her telekinesis by moving her empty cup couple cantimeters above the table (which is a surprisingly good for her age), after what they paid and left to the playground. While Star was running around and playing with other colts and fillies - Jasmine watched from nearby bench, smiling at the Star when she and other young ones play tag. When it was time to go back - Star nodded and took the left palm of Noir, saying that the flowers on her hand looks pretty. Jasmine warmly smiled at her and with a small chuckle thanked her for the compliment. In the middle of the road Star has become sleepy and was invited to be carried 'like a princess', to which she replied with a sleepy nod. Both parents found the sight of Star in the arms of Noir incredibly adorable and Storm asked Jasmine - does she had experience with the little ones before. To their surprise she didn't say anything, giving them a small shake of her head with a far look in her eyes and after giving him Star back - retired to her office. Clip noted, that it's rare for Noir to not give someone some kind of a voiced answer. For the rest of the day Jasmine was quiet and only did her job without any small talk. The next day she was back at her former self.

***

"Princess, I don't understand..." - Twilight started, looking surprised at Celestia. - "Why do you need for Miss Noir to come with us to Poniville?"

The four of them were sitting in the throne room. There was Celestia, instructing her student and a young dragon Barb on what should be done and at the far end of the long table was Jasmine, looking trough some of the documents for Princess to ease the load of work for her.

"My faithful student, while I'm not doubting your and Barb's capabilities for this assignment - Miss Noir would come with you because she have some business in Poniville. Other than that - because she would help you find some new friends." - Answered Celestia. Jasmine at this point rolled her eyes at the bs reason. She'll need to come with Twi and Barb to help with Luna, but they didn't need to know that.

"But I don't need friends! I have to study." - Twilight 'countered', which produced a small chuckle from Jasmine, which was noticed by Barb and she joined in the small laugh as well.

"And why do you think you don't need friends, Miss Sparkle?" - Asked Noir, looking at Twilight.

"Wh-What do you mean - why? Because books could tell me everything I need to know. As Princess Celestia's student - I need to study hard and friends would just distract me." - She stumbled, but answered nothenless.

"Then answer me this - in a ten or so years, when your tutoring will be finished - what would you do? Exist every day to just study magic, feeding on bread and water? While I'm not in doubt that Barb would help you occasionally - she's a living being. She would want to go and live on her own. Have fun, find friends that she could talk to and spend time with, in the far future maybe even have her own family. To start mature and live in society - you need to be more social. Find a couple of friends that would want to be around you. If not - your life would look bleak in that shell of yours. " - Said Jasmine, while Twilight just opens and close her mouth like a fish out of the water, Celestia giving her a thankful smile.

"A wise and truthful words as always, Miss Noir." - Said Celestia, looking back at Twilight.

The purple unicorns looked like she was in deep thought, so while she was thinking - Barb asked, raising her purple scaled hand. - "Miss Noir, I wanted to ask. How you and Princess became friends?"

At that question she smiled fondly. - "Everyone have their own problems, Barb. Complexes, fears and secrets. The higher you're up in the society - the more complex those are, remember that for the future. As to how we became friends... One evening I noticed that she was sitting alone in the gardens. I joined her, sitting down near her and started a small talk. We conversed almost all of the night about what she's concerned about and I gave her the outside view on her problems. She became a better mare since that, fixing some of her inner problems. Not all, but many of them. Every day while I was living here we talked about something. As the time passed - we started to view each other as a reliable person and thus - became friends. Because if you put her down from the pedestal and look at Celestia not as princess, but as a mare - you'll see that she just like any other. Not everypony understand, that she's not just a ruler, but a living, thinking being with her own problems and thoughts." - Answered Jasmine to Barb and silently listening Twilight.

Moment of silence was interrupted by Twilight, looking at Jasmine and asking her. - "But what is the meaning of friendship?"

Noir just gave her a small, silent laugh and answered. - "Life is both short and long, Twilight. If you are alone - life is dragging slowly and looking boring. If you have friends - life will became more colorful and interesting. And when you as old as Celestia - you'll need someone to brighten up the day. Isn't that right, hun?"

"Jas, I swear to my Sun..."

"Love you too, sunshine!"

They both looked at each other, with Barb and Twilight silently spectating, and not after too long just laughed together with mirth.

***

Couple of more things to settle and they were off to pack. Twilight discovered, to the fear of Celestia, about Nightmare Moon and that she presumably will return in the day of The Summer Sun Celebration. Celestia brushed it off, but Jasmine knew for a fact that she was worried. When the meeting was over - Jasmine, Twilight and Barb walked to their respective places of living to pack their stuff for a small trip.

While both unicorn and dragon packed their essentials - Noir was making sure that her place will stay in one peace when she returns. Couple of wards and alarms, locked doors and the place was secured. Jasmine said to Clip that she would be absent for 4-5 days and gave her a four-day paychecks and wished her a good time with her family. Paper Clip was very thankful and left with a smile on her face and a good amount of bits in her pocket. Noir then packed her professional looking suitcase, made of a natural black lether, took a shower and sent Chrysalis a note, that she would be gone for a couple of days, to which received a loving 'Good luck, beautiful. Come back soon.' with a print of a kiss in green lipstick and a slight note of perfume she usually wore. She smiled to that and placed it in the inner pocket of her jacket. After that she left her home and headed to the train station.

***

They are currently were on the train, occupying two face to face benches, Jasmine sitting alone and in front of her were Barb and Twilight.

Twilight, as her nature commands - was wearing a black skirt that goes down to her knees and buttoned up shirt with a short sleeves. Her skin and a long straight hair was light-purple and dark-violet respectively. Barb was more casual and wore a black t-shirt and beige breeches, along with purple sneaker. Her skin was like a normal human would have, mostly covered in purple scales, aside from her face. She had a scaly tail above her posterior, around one meter in lenght. Her hair was green with a long bangs and shaved, but already quite regrown sides, reminding Jasmine of a mohawk. In terms of age - Twilight looked like she was nineteen years, while Barb around fifteen. They both had their bag and a backpack on the floor beneath their seats. The ride was silent, Twilight occupied herself with book and both Jasmine and Barb looking out of the window. Silence was interrupted by Barb, that was looking at Jasmine.

"Miss Noir? Could I ask you about something?" - She started unsure.

The attention was now on the dragon in front of her. - "Of course, Barb. What do you want to talk about?"

"It's something that you said back in the throne room. Y'know, about... my possible future family." - She avoided looking in those black and red eyes out of embarrassment. - "Do you... know something about dragons? I couldn't find anything in the castle library about them..."

"Hmm... It depends on what do you want to know, really." - She shrugged her shoulders.

"How does families in the dragon society work? I want to know, because... Twilight hatched me, the only unbroken egg in the cave."

"Oh, I see... Well, the dragon families are, in fact, live in a patriarchal group called flock. The usual family of a dragon flock consist out of a one male and from two to five dragon females. When the mating season starts - male fertilizes females of his flock 'egg' and then, in a couple of years of forming inside them - females lay their eggs. The number of eggs from one female dragon could varies from five to twelve. After all of the eggs were laid - the flock leaves them to hatch on their own. Baby dragons inside the eggs will grow for 10-12 years. When the hatchlings was born - the flock returns and let the newly born dragons feed on those eggs that didn't survive or too weak to live on their own. After that - the survived hatchlings go to the world and live on their own." - Finished Jasmine.

Both Twilight and Barb looked horrified to this revelation, especially the young dragon. She jumped up and ran at the end of a wagon, into the toilet, to empty her stomach. After she returns and the unicorn came back from shock - she asked.

"And... And this is normal to them?! You are not playing some sick joke, do you?" - Asked Twilight very disturbed.

"No, it's how their society work. Males up top, females at the bottom. Dragon females are very submissive in their nature and they heavily depend on the males. The reason for that is overall body strenght and because the third lung of a dragon that produces fire. Female one are much weaker than male one. As such - females are much weaker in fight and often left behind the lines to watch after the horde and keep the house clean."

"This is awful... " - Said Barb with nodding Twilight on her right. - "I guess..." - She painfully swallow the taste of bile in her mouth. - "I guess it's a good thing that I was hatched by Twi here..." - That earned her a tight side hug from purple mare.

"I think that's enough of society studying for the day." - Said Jasmine calmly, returning her gaze at the scenery behind the glass window.

"Thank you, Miss Noir. As much as I now terrified of what could have happened if not for Twilight's magic - now I know more than before." - Said Barb, pressing sides with Twilight.

"Better to know than not, Barb. But don't be afraid, dear - no dragon would lay a single claw on you against your will. And if they do try... they will regret it." - Said Jasmine darkly.

"Thank you... Jasmine." - Said Barb, giving her a weak smile.

"No problem, my dear... No problem."

***

As the ride was continue on - Barb and Twilight settled down a little, but still was engrossed in dragonkin customs. Barb eventually changed her place, sitting on Jasmine's right, while they found new, more peaceful topic to discuss. Barb learned about what Noir do for the living and was really fascinated with her abilities. Twilight, the bookworm she is, tried to gauge more information out of her, but Jasmine simply said 'not today, but maybe someday I would tell.' This didn't sit well with her, but she couldn't do anything about it.

The train arrived in Poniville a little bit past noon, the whole ride took them two hours. The group of three exited the wagon and decided to have lunch, after putting down their stuff.

The small walk trough town gained some interested eyes on Jasmine and even one faint. At that the black-eyed woman just rolled her eyes. The group arrived at the library that they would reside in during their stay. The door was not locked and on the inside - this place was pretty dusty. After they put their bags on the table and Twilight found the spare key from the front door - they left the library and headed to the local caffee. On their way there they encountered a very 'interesting' scene. There, on the entrance of one of the shops was an earth pony mare and stallion, talking pretty loudly.

"How could you be so cruel, Rich?! I did nothing but good to her!" - The mare screamed at the stallion, presumably named 'Rich'. He wore a black two-piece suit with a tie. His skin was a pale orange and his short black hair was combed back.

"Nothing but good?! You raised our daughter to be a stuck up bully, Milk! I talked to Miss Cheerilee and I was baffled by how Tiara act during the recess and even their classes! Who told you that behaviour like this is acceptable?" - Answered Rich to that mare, who's name was 'Milk'. She wore a black two-piece as well, but instead of slacks she wore a tight business skirt. Her skin was a pale pink with a long ponytail of dark purple colour.

"Tsk, I should fire her for sticking her nose where she shouldn't have." - Milk said with a venom in her tone.

"You'll do no such thing! I will do whatever I could so you'll never be in the same position again. Now go home. We will finish this later. And I dare you to try and run with as much as ten bits in your pocket." - Rich growled, to which Milk just produced 'hmpf' and leave in the direction of, presumably, their home.

The three of newcomers looked at each other and after Jasmine said 'wait a minute' - came to the entrance, where still angry Rich was currently looking at the direction to where Milk was gone.

"Filthy Rich, I presume?" - Politely asked Jasmine.

"Yes!... ahem... Yes, that is me. How can I help... you?" - He asked, calming down and when noticed the eyes of Noir - loudly gulped. The woman was a little bit higher than him, and he was six feet tall.

"My name is Jasmine Noir. You wrote me a letter couple of days ago and asked for my help." - She answered in her calm tone, giving him her buisness card.

"You made a good name for yourself, Miss Noir. My close friend recommended your services couple of weeks ago. And... as you probably saw and heard right now - I do, in fact, need your help." - He admitted, heavily exhaling and taking her card.

"Right now I'm preoccupied, but tomorrow at 13:30 I could talk to you and your family. Does that suffice to you?" - She asked, keeping her tone and face neutral.

"Yes, that would be perfect. Come to my house down that road, I will await you. I hope that this marriage is still salvageable..." - He lamented the last words.

"I will come by, Mister Rich. See you soon..." - She bid him, walking back to Twilight and Barb, saying. - "I don't know about you two, but I'm famished. Let's move."

"Yes, lunch right now sound even more good." - Admitted Barb, smiling to Jasmine and resuming their walk.

***

The group arrived at the local caffee not long after the talk with Mister Rich. They sat down at the outside table, waiting for the waiter. As they were waiting - their little group gathered a lot of attention, specifically Jasmine. The look on townfolk around them was varying from curiosity to terror. To Noir - that much attention was normal, as she usually was getting that same looks in Canterlot for the first month outside of the Castle. Finally the waiter arrived, a perky looking mare in waiter outfit that looks like she was not bothered by Jasmine's appearance.

"Hello and welcome to 'Familiar Dish'. My name is Clean Slate and I will be your waiter." - She put down three menus before them and pulled out a little notebook with a pen. - "What can I get you to drink?"

Fastly scrolling trough the thin menu - Jasmine looked up at the waiter. - "Can I get a glass of non alcohol mojito and a seaweed salad with shrimps?" - She handed the menu back to the waiter.

"Of course. What about you, ladies?" - She asked others at the table.

"I... would like a tomato, lettuce and cheese sandwich. As for the drink - cold lemonade." - Answered Twilight in a couple of seconds, giving the menu back.

"And I would like a salmon, butter and tomatoes sandwich. Oh, and a lemonade as well." - Said Barb, giving the menu back.

The waiter told them their orders and walked back to the building. While they wait - Barb again called Noir.

"I thought you would get something more carnivorous, Jasmine." - Barb said a little bit surprised.

"No. As much as I enjoy occasional steak or potted meat - we have a long day before us. If I fill my stomach - I couldn't go far." - She answered with a small smile. But soon changed her attention to the purple mare. - "You are awfully quite, Twilight. Does something bothering you?"

The unicorn in question looked up from her book and released a quiet sigh. - "Yes. The story of Mare in the Moon. According to this book - she would come back to Equestria at the night of the Summer Sun Celebration."

"That's very worrying. But it's not all of your concerns." - Added Noir, leaning at the backrest of her chair.

"Well... it's what you said back at Canterlot. It gave me a lot to think about and rewiev a lot of things." - Said Twilight, closing her book and looking at Jasmine. - "I was so focused on my studies that I did, in fact, abandoned my friends from CSGU. When I became Princess Celestia's student - I just... cut myself off of the world around me..."

"The first and most hard step in fixing your mistake is admitting that you made that mistake. You realised that you did wrong and now can work towards making everything right." - Said Jasmine with a small smile.

"It just... I'm afraid. I'm afraid that if I apologise - they didn't accept it."

"The goal of the words 'I'm sorry for what I did, please forgive me' is to let the one you talking to know, that you realised - where your mistake was made. You are saying sorry firstly for yourself, not for them. After that - you ask for forgiveness, so you could show that you indeed learned your lesson."

"This... This is actually sound pretty easy, when you said it like that. Thank you for your words, Miss Noir."

"You're welcome, Twi." - Jasmine smiled to her with a good nature and recived a thankful smile in return.

***

"Hey, Dash! Check this out... somepony new in Poniville." - The pegasus nodded in the direction of a road that leaded to 'Sweet Apple Acres'. Three figure just left the farm and headed back to the town, one of them is a unicorn, other is dragon and the last one looked like an earth pony from afar.

Dash looked at the group for a couple of seconds and returned to clearing the clouds. - "And? If they are new - Pinkie already preparing a party for them. I have a job to do, quit distracting me."

"Bet you twenty bits that you cold not knock the new unicorn from her hooves." - The ring of coins got Rainbow's attention.

"...I'll accept. Whad do you say, 'look out below' or 'out of my way'?" - She grinned, already feeling the bits in her pocket.

"Oh, definitely 'look out below'"

"Prepare the bits, buster..." - She said, gaining some acceleration distance.

***

The grop exited the apple farm, heading back to town. The farmers, that had a family gathering said the food supply was plenty for a big celebration. The family of farmers consisted out of four mares : Applejack - the owner of farm, Red Delicious - older sister of Applejack, Apple Bloom - youngest sister of Applejack and Grand Apple, a.k.a 'Granny Smith' - matriarch of the family, grandmother of those mares. After a short discussion and a little bit of tasting the products - Twilight, Barb and Jasmine left the farm. It was at that moment they heard female voice above them.

"Look out below!"

Twilight didn't even had time to get spooked, when she noticed someone's black back and a sound of struggle. Before her, facing away from Twilight stood Jasmine with left hand outstretched, holding the face of a prismatic pegasus mare. Some blood was staining her tattooed hand and her black and red eyes bore cold and harsh look.

"Twi, are you alright?" - Asked Noir, not looking away from captured mare that grabbed her musculine hand with her both.

"Ye-Yes... I think you should release her, Miss Noir." - Said Twilight, taking a step back.

Jasmine released her grasp and pegasus dropped on the ground, holding her bleeding, bented nose.

"Bucking... Sweet Celestia, that hurt..." - Moaned pegasus.

"Here, let me help." - Said Jasmine and with a snap of her fingers on the right hand, producing small amount of neon-green sparks. At that, the bented nose with a sickening crunch was set back. The mare yelped and moan in short burst of pain, put touched her nose a couple of times and when she didn't feel any pain - relaxed and exhaled. - "Next time watch - how fast are you going, miss."

She looked herself over, noticing a large red stain on her blue t-shirt, along with some dust on her pants and frownined. - "Great... that was my favourite shirt. Well... Sorry for almost flying into ya'll. I'm Rainbow Dash - captain of Poniville weather team."

Twilight perked up. - "Oh, we actually was about to look for you. My name is Twilight Sparkle. This is my assistant Barb and our acquaintance - Jasmine Noir. We're here to make sure that preparations for this year's Summer Sun Celebration is goin smoothly. And judging by the clouds - you almost done." - She crossed that off of her list.

"Yeah. Everything is good at our end. There would be a clear sky at that day." - Answered Rainbow.

"Excellent. Thank you for your work, have a good day." - Said Twilight, started to walking away with other two by her side.

Rainbow was still staying on the spot, when the thought hit her. - "Wait... did that mare managed to stop me with one hand and fix my nose...? Tartarus, she's hot...

***

Evening rolled over and the group finally returned to the library. The rest of the tour was not so noticeable. They meet towns fashionista - Rarity Belle that was going to decorate the place for cebration. She was very interested in Noir from the fashion point and suggested her a couple of her costumes, to which Jasmine said she would look at them the other day. Decorations was off of the list.

Next on the line was a tame animal caretaker by the name of Fluttershy. Her birds sang pretty lovely and she was a pleasant person overall. Soft spoken and peaceful, like the cottage she lived in. She did, however, was interested in both Jasmine and Barb, to which they answered a couple of basic questions about themselves, such as what are they can do and where are they from. Music was off of the list as well.

When they entered the library - they started to clean things up so they would have a comfortable stay. Twilight even said, that she wouldn't mind staying here a couple of days more. She liked the town and it's quiet atmosphere, to which Barb agreed. While Twilight and Barb were managing cleaning - Jasmine checked the pipes so they could take agreed shower after the long day. The piping was in working conditions and not long after - all of them were relaxing in the main room. The silence was broken by a knock at the door. Barb opened the door and behind it was a smiling mare with a basket full of treats.

"Heya there! My name is Pinkie Pie, towns party planner and baker. I heard that you came to Poniville today to check out the preparations." - She set the basked down, throwing her puffy pink hair out of her face. - "Usually I throw a welcoming party to new ponies, but... judging by exhausted looks and the fact that you're probably not gonna live here - I didn't prepare the party. But... I brought you this little gift as a welcoming to our town."

"Oh! Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Pinkie Pie. Thanks for the basket." - Said Barb, smiling to the mare.

"No problem. Come by to Sugarcube Corner for when you want something sweet. Well... I need to go and prepare for tomorrow day. Have a good night, everypony." - She wawed to others trough the door and walked away. The baked goods were very tasty, especially Twilight enjoyed the strawberry frosting cupcakes.

Twi and Barb would take the second floor, while Jasmine said that the couch would be enough. Noir caught Barb, starting at her body, while the woman took off her jacket and shirt. Her body overall was a little musculine, but without the distinct lines of muscles.

"See something you like, Barb?" - Asked Jasmine, putting both of her palms on her waist and striking a little pose with a smirk. Flustered drake sputtered and with a blush tainted face left the room, to the amusement of Jasmine. - "Good night to you as well, little drake." - She added, watching her tail wagged a little, as she was climbing up the stairs to her room. Noir turned the light off and laid on the couch, watching the night skies trough the window above her 'bed'.

Author's Note

Heeey, new chapter already. If you wondering - why I didn't included the talk with AJ, Rarity and Fluttershy - they would be too short and unimportant.

As always, keep calm and stay cool.