Gossip Spreads Quick

Sunset looked over her papers as she and the Mayor finished going over some new zoning rules for the town, the older mare yawning behind as Sunset sipped her coffee.

“I think I need my eyes checked after this,” Sunset groaned as she rubbed her eyes with her hooves and Mayor Mare gave a dry chuckle.

“Four hours of this would do something like that you,” Mayor Mare agreed and brushed her mane aside before glancing at Silverspeed. The mare stood with a spear held in her hoof with her gold armor gleaming in the sunlight coming through the window and a stoic expression. “She doesn’t talk much, does she?”

“She does a fair bit when she’s spoken to or off the clock. She likes to talk a lot,” Sunset snickered and Silverspeed gave a brief snort. “Not as much as Trixie, naturally.”

“Naturally,” Mayor Mare echoed with a playful smile. Sunset hadn’t entirely trusted her at first but the two quickly got along. Sunset often trusted the Mayor with confidential matters and vice versa. “Is Sparkler still looking for a job? I know she’s the head organizer for Ponyville but I figured she might want something a little more concrete. Like being on my staff.”

“Rarity offered her a job,” Sunset answered and gave her a confused look. “I didn’t know head organizer was a thing here in towns. And wasn’t your staff fully staffed last time we talked?”

“Well, I’m certainly not getting any younger,” Mayor Mare coughed into a hoof with a blush. “I will need a replacement Mayor when I retire one day, of course. I do follow Sparklers achievements closely. She would be a good Mayor one day.”

Huh. Sunset supposed she had a point. From what she heard, Mayor Mare had been Ponyvilles mayor for years. Probably even when Sunset herself was just a foal. She also heard some more unique rumors, like her hair secretly being pink but Sunset highly doubted that one.

“But I’ll let her know about you,” Sunset answered and they both shared confused looks as hoof steps sounded. “I thought i cleared my schedule for today to work with the Mayor?”

“You did ma’am,” Silverspeed answered and briefly adjusted her helmet. A heavy looking pink earth pony with a purple mane wearing a bright gold necklace and a blue shirt trotted in and Mayor Mare instantly scowled.

“I’m sorry, but I’m closed today,” Sunset said and shifted some papers around. “Come back tomorrow and I’ll be available.”

“I understand but this will only take a minute,” the mare promised and Sunset bit back a rude comment.

“Listen miss...”

“Spoiled Rich. My husband is Filthy Rich and my daughter is Diamond Tiara. A great and bright filly. You’ve probably heard of her,” Spoiled Rich flipped her mane and Sunset took a sip of water.

“Oh, I’ve heard some things alright,” Sunset confirmed casually. “Heard a lot about you too. And I can safely say I’m not enthused to meet you.” Spoiled Rich faltered and Sunset hid a grin. “Now come back tomorrow or make it snappy.”

“Hmph. And to think I thought you would have cared about keeping Ponyville safe,” Spoiled Rich commented with a frown and Sunset gave her a confused look.

“What are you talking about?”

“Why, from undesirable outsiders, of course,” Spoiled Rich answered and sat down next to Mayor Mare. The mayor scoffed silently and subtly moved her chair away from the mare.

“What?” Sunset asked and raised an eyebrow before rubbing a hoof against her face. “You’re talking about the zebra from the other day, aren’t you?”

“Indeed,” Spoiled Rich nodded sagely and Sunset tried hard to not roll her eyes. “My family helped the Apples cultivate Ponyville.”

“Don’t you mean your husbands family?” Sunset cut her off and the Mayor gawked at her. “I’ve read up on Ponyville’s history and surprisingly enough, your family’s name isn’t mentioned anywhere, Spoiled Milk.”

Spoiled Rich froze and stared at her before a small smile played across her lips.

“I see you do your research. Very well. My husband’s family, if we’re being technical. We helped make Ponyville for earth ponies, not foreigners from distant lands,” Spoiled Rich explained and Sunset narrowed her eyes as Silverspeed stared with a stunned expression.

“Uh huh.”

Sunset sat with a disinterested look as she idly picked at a salad on her desk.

“And as I was saying,” Spoiled started again and Sunset chewed loudly on some lettuce. “We cannot simply allow unknown ponies in without ensuring they’re safe. This is a small, tight knit community the Mayor and I have created.”

“You do realize that tribalism went out of style centuries ago, right?” Sunset deadpanned.

“Of course. I’m simply-”

“Being a racist,” Sunset interrupted and spun her fork in the air. “I’m not entirely too fond of racism. And I especially hate unicorn supremacy. Unicorn supremacy is stupid. I don’t think this will reflect well on you.”

“I wholeheartedly agree,” Spoiled waved a hoof and leaned forward as Sunset leaned back warily. “But if you helped preserve Ponyvilles interest, I’d be more than happy to donate money to a charity of your choosing.”

“Are you trying to bribe me?” Sunset asked in disbelief. Celestia had told her something like this might happen one day but she never fully believed her. Sunset was starting to regret that. “I have money. You should do your research next time. Do you know who I am?”

“Of course. You are Sunset Shimmer, pupil of our beloved Princess Celestia, daughter of Princess Celestia and Representative for Ponyville,” Spoiled recited and Sunset raised an eyebrow. “Element of magic and savior of Equestria.”

Talk about laying on the flattery a bit much, Sunset noted dryly to herself. Silverspeed shifted her gaze to Sunset and watched warily as Mayor Mare stared with a stunned expression. But at least she did know who she was talking to. Not many even knew Celestia had a daughter until she had announced it after the events of the Summer Sun Celebration for all of Equestria, publicly claiming Sunset for everypony to see.

“Then you should know how I was before the Summer Sun Celebration. I had the nobles eating out of my hoof before I even graduated elementary school. Hell, I still do. You should never try to bribe or blackmail a pony who’s an expert at the game like me.”

“I see,” Spoiled gulped subtly and forced a nervous laugh. Sunset’s eyes hardened and she stood up.

“I know how you feel about Derpy and Trixie. And Berry Punch. I know more than you think, but I won’t reveal everything. I’m certain if the fact that the wife of a well known business stallion is a secret racist, business would plummet dramatically for you all. Especially since Filthy Rich and you aren’t doing so hot in the relationship area recently,” Sunset gave a cruel grin her way. “Having a few sleepless nights, are we? He probably has a much younger and dare I say, attractive mare on the other side of town. I know ponies in high places. Not much happens in Ponyville without me knowing about it.”

“That is none of your concern,” Spoiled stuck her nose up to hide her angry expression. “And to know you’re related to royalty.”

“Hmph. Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not a normal Royal or even a normal noble. Cadet Silverspeed?” Sunset turned to look at Silverspeed.

“Yes ma’am?” Silverspeed asked and Sunset gave her a subtle nod.

“Kindly escort Spoiled Rich off the premise effective immediately. She’s overstayed her unwanted welcome.”

Silverspeed nodded and lowered her spear, pointing the shiny tip at Spoiled Rich.

“You heard the mare. Move it,” Silverspeed ordered and gave her a few prods with the weapon. Not enough to draw blood or hurt her, but enough to get Silverspeeds point across.

The mayor and Sunset sat quietly as they watched Silverspeed escort Spoiled Rich out.

“That was incredible,” Mayor Mare gushed and gave Sunset an admiring look. “Not many stands up to her.”

“Well, that changed today. What are her servants names?”

“I believe Randolph, Veronica and Lily View. Why?” Mayor Mare asked and Sunset grinned coldly. “Oh no. What are you planning?”

“Oh, nothing,” Sunset sang innocently and rubbed at hoof against her chin.

For some reason, Mayor Mare didn’t believe her entirely.