The Ruins of Ponyville
"Har har har," Star Dancer said to Torrential. "We pegasi and mares tend to stick together and watch each others' wing. Instinct? Who knows, probably some holdover back from the days of Hurricane. Plus, we both know Scroll and he's quite the charming Earth pony. Really, if your sister the Lady Sweeper meets up with you, you should get a chance to chat with Scroll. His parents where farmers of a sort, growing plants for bookmaking.
"Actually, your riddle about Words probably would have been loved by him. Ever since I meet the stallion back at the University, we were both in our early teens. He had a bright mind and well a love of writing. Oh sure, it's not as magical as the unicorn's aura, and it does look a bit silly with a brush his mouth. But he kept on and on, and today he can write the most lovely reports in beautiful penmareship. I have to tell him when I get back.
"But back to Snow Tail… well I suppose we have formed a fast friendship. But I think it might be that well, you're here. Something about your nature that seems to unite others that have meet you."
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Meanwhile, Snow Tail took the refused ration and ate the rest. No doubt trying to size me up, so she's experienced enough to do that. she thought. Very good. She'll probably last in this world.
"Glad to hear that the Lady Armiferia is still resides within the Stormwing. If there's one House that deserves some divine support, it be you guys," Tail said fondly. She might have not been a Stormwing citizen, but she was proud that the Pegasi managed to be more civil than the Unicorn-supremicist Moon and Stars or the Earth pony-dominiated Earthborn.
Well, relatively civil.
"Though I am sorry about your partner. Poor stallion, but I suppose losing one's shit is costly." Tail was about to reach in and grab some the whiskey. "Aw cripes, I just remembered I used those bottles up. I guess we'll have to drink to your partner latter.
"As for Joy," Tail grinned. "I'm sure you've heard of the exploits, and wonder if they're true or not. If we managed to pull that raid on the Manehatten Bank, or the Assassination of the Dark Magos, or pulled a blitzkrieg during the Four Month Winter Offensive.
"Well, I can't say officially some of that stuff we did… after all, robbery, espionage, and assassination is something most employers don't know. " She gave a knowing wink. "But I will tell you, if Joy was working on them, the stories wouldn't do them justice.
"I was wondering Miss Storm, what's your interest? Did you know Col. Joy?"
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Manehatten
Sitting in the Central Library, Directors Prancer, Cheese, and Sub-Director Holly sat as the young Scholar Gildershake gave her report. When the young mare was done, Prancer rubbed his eyes. His was filled with exhaustion, but from what Cheese did not know. Plenty of his grandchildren went on Missions before, so why was he so worried about Solar Lens and some backwater town?
Prancer finally spoke. "So what do you think, my peers? We have two strange foreigners seeking the Lady Sweeper. And thanks to Professor Crypt, we might know their intent but they also know the location of the Chambermaid's base."
"I don't think the Lady is any danger," spoke Holly. Unlike the grey-maned stallions, Holly was middle aged, her mane as vibrant and colorful since her youth. "For one thing, they seem to have genuine academic interest into Sliver. And another, they seem well civilized for outsiders, and probably won't try to offend her."
"No, but Sweeper is bound to offend them in some way," muttered Prancer. "But I'm more concerned if some spy where to find the location of Ivory Shores. It's location, namely that it isn't well known, is the reason why it's such a refuge. And they might lead a spy to it inadvertently. After all, they are strangers to this land and know not of its dangers."
Cheese nodded. "A reasonable concern Prancy, but this academic Lore and friend Glory are bound to search in any case. And I feel we should not hinder them - after all, they may not be of the order, but this Lore certainly has its spirit! It certainly warms by heart to know that beyond the seas that some civilization remains."
"Well, I guess I can't fault them for seeking knowledge," the older unicorn agreed. "But how do we make sure they do not bring unwanted… guests with them?"
Holly looked over to the silent young mare. "Gildershake, what are Lore and Glory doing next?"
"From what I could tell, well, it was preparing to go on a trip. Probably to find were Ivory Shores is, and soon."
"Huhhh. So they'll be needing a guide…." The Subdirector gave some thought on the matter. And soon her mind bloomed in bright light. "Ah-ha, I just know the perfect pony!"
Prancer looked at her. "What's going on?"
"Well, this Lore needs a guide and we need somepony to keep them from any trouble..."
So the meeting ended with the Directors liking Holly's plan, and Gildenshake being sent off to get a certain pony before heading back to observe Lore. Cheese and Holly headed back to their projects, but Prancer was a bit slower in his leaving. Too many days had gone by, and no word from Lens or her party. Rumors of an Inquisition investigation has come from Woodwatch. Prancer hated uncertainty, and what little love he had made him worry for both his granddaughter and his old friend. His objective side wanted the Marvels of Science even more, and that worried him was that it was destroyed.
He walked down the hall in a misery he had not felt since Celestia had failed him.