Cogs

The searing heat from a hundred fires made Wildfire queasy and lethargic. His temperament was not improved by the forced company either. Craning over the catwalk's railing, Wildfire watched in awe as the foundry below bent and shaped large steel ingots. Staring blankly, he watched the almost fluid motions of hundreds of ponies running the steel mill, hammering, forging, tempering, and mostly ferrying steel.

The labour would be back-breaking, the recompense would be minimal, yet, from the catwalk, the majesty of the machine could be glimpsed, if only for a second. Quince smiled knowingly as he saw this flicker in Wildfire's face.

"You can see it, can't you?" Quince said softly. "You can see the turning of society, in this microcosm of the world." Wildfire didn't turn away from the mass of action beneath him. Each pony had a task, and though there were variants, they were fluid and controlled, like watching the flow of a river, coalescing over a rock in the centre. Molten steel was cradled through the mill, supported and carried through great pulleys, just below the catwalks, stopping frequently to allow the working ponies access. In a section slightly south however, things were much more active. With a huge orange-green glow, tonnes of coal were being burnt, keeping the flames almost everlasting, as fresh ingots were heated and liquefied, ready for further refinement.

"I've seen workhouses before." Wildfire said dismissively, still not shifting his attention from the floor. "I grew up in this world; I grew up living like these ponies do."

"Not like this you haven't." Quince stated smirking. "Things look different from up here. Why, I think I can even see understanding creep into your face." Quince walked slowly to the other side of Wildfire. "Ironic though isn't it. You, the pegasus, have never seen the bird's eye view that I, the unicorn, am treated to, every day." He gave slight indication for Wildfire to follow, as Quince stalked slowly away, towards the fearful foreman.

"I don't understand yet why I need to see any of this."

"Not this, of course." Quince said, blanking Wildfire's comment. "Figuratively speaking, I have the bird's eye view over something equally as grand as a labour force, but, so very different. I thought this would be something you would be able to understand though."

"I get what I am being shown, but not why I am being shown any of it." Wildfire retorted testily. Quince gave a slight nod of appreciation to the crouching foreman as he passed, the nod relieving the fear partially.

"Mind your manners Wildfire; thank the gentlecolt in allowing us his mill for my demonstration."

Iridescence smirked coyly at Poppy Leaf. She had returned from one the refectory of the office with a large bowl of soup.

"Darling, you know you're not supposed to take food or cutlery from the refectory." He said in a jokingly stern voice.

"What, in the offices I basically head?" Poppy Leaf responded in mock aghast.

"Yes, well, that brings me to what I wanted to ask you." Iridescence said carefully. "But I need to be clear that I'm not giving my office an order, rather, making a request, one pony to another."

"Pray, continue." Poppy Leaf said in a voice that showed her age, between careful sips of her onion soup.

"A couple of things really: I do not trust the enforcers in Ponyville. They have been separate from my family too long. I need somepony from this office to transfer there, and keep an eye on things." Poppy Leaf didn't look the slightest bit shocked at this request.

"You have somepony in mind?" She asked carefully.

"Ah, sweet charming Saffron, though I do prefer Silence. She can work on paying me back for the humiliation of being dragged through the streets of Canterlot, like some lost school-colt."

"But she..." Poppy Leaf began, before halting in the wake of Iridescence's stare.

"Have it replaced, and her ready to leave by the end of the afternoon." Iridescence said deliberately, before frowning. "Oh, I'm sorry darling, I forgot myself a moment there. I did say this wasn't an order, only if you want to."

"I have no problem with it. It saves me the issue of having her about, cluttering the place up."

"Good, that brings me to my second request. I need to return home... and my previous ride was a little testy about it. Sadly Shadowbane has stated her reluctance to allow me in her airship ever again, and has left without me." Iridescence said smoothly, giving a coy smile.

"Somehow I can believe that." Poppy Leaf began meeting the smile. "I'll arrange for somepony to take you home. This afternoon, I assume."

"That would be good, yes." Iridescence replied with a wide smile. "But home is Manehattan... I need to return to Ponyville. You are too good to me. I'll be sure to write though."

"You won’t."

"I'll try"

"You'll forget after a week..." Poppy Leaf said sweetly.

"Well, maybe, but I will try." Iridescence finished sheepishly.

"Oh it seems like only yesterday I was looking after you as an adorable little colt. Bathing you, playing with you, feeding you..."

"Those were good days I'm sure." Iridescence replied embarrassed, looking about the room for ponies listening in.

"Oh you were so adorable darling, and I always made sure you got home safely then."

"You were an excellent foal-sitter..." Iridescence admitted begrudgingly.

Quince led Wildfire through the streets of the new town with purpose. Keeping a steady pace he held his head proud and stared resolutely forward. Wildfire wondered if this was image, or actually his true self. Giving a cautious upward glance, Wildfire noticed the buildings getting gradually taller as they progressed through the town.

They were obviously nearing the centre, and in the heart of the industrial complex a tall office block punctuated the skyline dramatically, housing the representatives of the department of Documentation. The façade was dark and imposing, drawing the eye upwards to the spire like point to the structure, Quince, however, halted a short distance from the entrance, to smile warmly at Empress Sweetie Belle's likeness being cradled by a flattering depiction of Twilight Sparkle. Wildfire held his gaze almost too long at Quince, quizzically looking at the brass scales adorned upon his otherwise brilliant white flank.

"So, dear fellow, what do you see here?" Quince intoned, indicating towards the effigy.

"I see a statue?" Wildfire cautiously ventured.

"Ah but it is so much more than that. Have you any knowledge of semiotics?"

"It's safe to assume at this stage, I have no knowledge of most of the topics you wish to discuss." Wildfire replied steadily.

"It's a study of symbols, and the inherent meanings in the presentation of things. Artwork uses semiotic vehicles to great avail, but perhaps where it is used best is in the propaganda images and documents that the department of Documentation releases. Consider the image of a parent and child, while I know that Twilight was certainly not Sweetie Belle's mother, the image of an older pony cradling a younger one so tenderly is a powerful symbol in itself." Wildfire stared at the limestone curiously. A concept he had never considered before in that artists may deliberately alter perceptions. Wildfire's head ached with strain.

"This statue, and the hundreds like it about Equestria, serves one purpose: Mass manipulation of the population, to a minor extent." Quince spoke with passion, displaying his true love for the state in his words. "It doesn't work on everypony, and its impact is not huge, but these wonderful semiotic devices give society an anchor for what is true and worthy of holding." Wildfire stood speechless at this statement, watching Quince carefully.

"You asked why you are being shown this. That is quite simple really. You have made yourself important to ponies that have

influence. Iridescence is not the only one interested in what you become." Quince stared back at Twilight, with a slight smile.

"There is a great history behind that mare. Do you know much of it?" Quince asked rhetorically. "She inspired the movement that toppled the tyranny of the previous government, and with that, allowing the new society to blossom as it has. There were unicorns in Ponyville during one of its darker moments. A misguided mare convinced herself that raw power was the key to controlling the town, and with the amulet she adorned for this power, became corrupted and darkened. Trixie had her magical gifts amplified, but not her ability to lead, not her ability to sway or convince. Her only success, arguably, is in the fact that she removed Twilight from the town." Quince gave a sidelong glance at Wildfire to check he was still listening.

"Twilight, though, was resilient. She relied on her friends, and on her studies to best the powerful mare. She reapplied her focus, and after much time in thought and training, managed to match the magical abilities of Trixie using her application of reason, deceit, and image. A powerful image at that and to the unicorns that witnessed this triumph, the lesson was clear. Power is not enough; you also need ponies to want to follow you. The route to subservience was also demonstrated, and Twilight taught the most powerful sway to the masses was belief." Passionate tears had formed in Quince's eyes as he professed this patriotically.

"Manipulation of the environment and manipulation of the truth can change what somepony believes, enough for them to follow you." Quince turned to face Wildfire. "It was another few months before any plans were made and Twilight gave many more substantial lessons in her writings afterwards, but the event stuck in the minds of the attendees, and it resonated about the movement. Power is a product of trickery. Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."

"Society is actually controlled by unicorns though, there is no lie there." Wildfire stated confused.

"Holding power is something else entirely. It cannot rely on belief alone, but it does play a big factor." Quince replied dismissively.

"What was the lie then?"

"That ponies wanted a new pony in charge."

Saffron was uncomfortable with the company she had to keep. She fidgeted irritably in the main chamber of the airship as Iridescence's cold stare bore into her.

"I don't... I didn't..." Saffron sighed embarrassed. "I'm sorry... OK. Is that what you want from me?" Iridescence didn't shift his gaze.

"What do you want from me?" Saffron asked anxious. Iridescence gave a slight shift in his position, slightly imposing.

"Are you trying to get in my head? Is this some sort of psychological mind game?" Saffron moved her head away from Iridescence.

"Do you expect me to break down and confess some horrific issue in my past, or that I'll confess to being desperate to gain power through ponies' suffering?" Saffron sneered defensively. "I know what I am, and it has nothing to do with my mother being absent, or my father treating me like the son he never had." Iridescence smiled slightly as he watched Saffron rant determined.

"Because it's not OK, I can't help how I am, I can't help the years I spent living in fear." Saffron snapped bluntly, turning to face Iridescence again. He smiled visibly and shuffled closer to Saffron.

"Let's talk about that..." Iridescence stated triumphantly. Saffron's face fell as her words hit her own ears.

A polite, but firm hoof hit the counter bell, its clear ring reverberating through the shop. With a slight forcefulness, Starfall trotted to the counter, looking agitated. She glared at the unicorn dressed in red, then softened when she saw it wasn't Iridescence.

"Sorry to disturb you madam, but I am here on behalf of the department of Documentation." The dishevelled looking mare started. "Normally matters like this are done through letters, but given the severity and the urgency to inform you of this..."

"Ponyville Manor?" Starfall asked slowly.

"'By the decree of Her Imperial Majesty, at the advice of her departments, most notably the department of Justice, it is stated...'" The representative started reading from the document before her. "Yeah, this is all fluff, you are being transferred to Ponyville Manor, it's assets and responsibilities are yours."

"How much of a part did Iridescence play?" Starfall enquired firmly.

"I haven't any idea whom that is, or the details of the meetings surrounding this decision." The mare replied curtly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to return to my offices. A department official will be over this evening to assess this property for reassignment, please ensure you have vacated by then." She turned sharply and trotted arrogantly through the shop doors, leaving the wad of papers on the counter for Starfall. The doors swung closed with a sharp snap causing a slight draft, which disturbed the top page. Starfall watched as it floated to the floor, its header bearing the royal seal.

"Iridescence is going to own me forever..." Starfall muttered grudgingly.

"Dusk?" She called out to the kitchen, "You need to start packing, we have to leave inside the next few hours."

* * *

Rouge paced fretfully in his office. The letter on his desk declaring his new mistress had thrown the normally stoic attitude. The letter was considerably lighter than the full document in Starfall's possession. With a dull clang, the entrance bell rang through the manor; Rouge sighed at the disturbance, and strode confidently to the hall.

"I feel atrocious relying on the staff..." Starfall stated distantly to Dusk.

"And yet you let me carry the bags." Dusk responded with a slight sneer.

"You insisted..." Starfall retorted with a joking glare.

"You didn't have to let me." Dusk smiled kindly. The door swung open gracefully in the grip of one of the door-ponies. Rouge put on his warmest smile, and walked carefully to the bickering mares.

"May I take your bags, ladyship?" Rouge inserted the question carefully, directing it at Starfall.

"Ladyship?" Starfall asked aghast.

"A condition of the relocation is an elevation of status. You are now landed gentry."

"I see... Well seeing as she insisted," Starfall stated with a sidelong glare, "Dusk can continue carrying the bags." Dusk responded by sticking out her tongue.

"I'm surprised how lightly you are packed. I was under the impression you were running a functional portrait studio."

"I'll be returning to collect the rest of it in a moment." Starfall replied curtly.

"Not at all, ladyship." Rouge stated kindly, "Lemon Promises will deal with that." He continued glancing at the new under-butler Lemon Promises.

Propaganda simply used to mean information, now, with the advent of mass manipulation through carefully controlled propaganda; it has become a negative term. Wildfire, despite his objections, was finding himself enamoured with the beauty of the system. He and Quince had returned to the tea shop whence they began, and through the foggy haze of the humid sickly sweet air, Wildfire's head was swimming.

"I'm glad we've had this time today." Quince politely stated, putting his teacup down.

"Um..." Wildfire was at a loss for words.

"Yes, it's a lot to take in, I know, but soon it'll all make sense, and your purpose will be clear." For a few moments the noise of the tea shop washed over the pair, each clink of a cup in saucer, the sound of kettles boiling, and the patrons talking animatedly. Wildfire tried to think through the near sensory overload from the garish décor, the just above comfortable noise, and overlaid on it all the thick heady scents, slightly too sweet.

"What do you mean, 'my purpose'?" Wildfire eventually managed to reply. Quince smiled knowingly.

"I can see why Iridescence finds you so appealing."

"What?" Wildfire exclaimed, shocked by the sudden change of tact.

"Your naivety can be mistaken for innocence, and yet..." Quince trailed off for a moment. "You are more aware of the world than you give credit." Quince leaned across the table, inches from Wildfire and smiled. With a tender fore-hoof he lifted Wildfire's chin and leant in until their lips were almost touching. Quince held this position for a beat, and then retracted back to his seat. With a start he rose from the table and headed for the door.

"Have a nice day." Quince called back with a coy smile. Wildfire sat agog, mouth open with shock.

Saffron was in hysterics, the spigot had finally been opened, and the emotions were flowing without abandon.

"This has been fun." Iridescence cut across the sobbing, "But I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop you." Saffron responded with louder crying, barely controllable.

"Oh I know darling, I got in your head, but it has been four hours."

"Why would you do this? Why would you open me up like this, just to leave me?" Saffron wailed between soggy tears. The airship began to encroach on the airspace of Ponyville, through the window Iridescence watched the stratum of rooftops pass beneath. Stifling a sigh, he turned away from the window, to face Saffron.

"Because I can, darling, because I can."

Wildfire watched the airship cross the sky to a nondescript building as he walked steadily towards the nearly rebuilt house. Things were starting to look up. A golden flash behind him caused Wildfire to spin around. With an expansive smile Iridescence bounded towards his valet.

“How was your trip?” Wildfire asked politely.

“Horrific, let’s talk about that later. Right now I just want to get home and stop.” Iridescence replied brightly.

“What of you? An interesting few days?” Iridescence asked in politeness.

“Interesting… A lot of strange things happened.”