User blog comment:Guildmaster Grovyle/JLE Role Play, Winter 2015-2016/@comment-7345250-20160207233603

Goldfin: "Yep... He's gone. And it's all  my fault...    "

Celestia: "That won't be necessary. Carry on."


 * She takes a closer look at the fountain.


 * Meanwhile, in Canterlot... it has been a mild and peaceful morning so far. Though it be winter, the snow has stopped falling, and yet it is just chilly enough outside that most ponies would rather stay indoors.


 * Still, there are two ponies sitting outside right now, both at the same table at the same street-corner café as a matter of fact. They nod their heads in greeting as a third pony glides down and pulls up a chair.

Raven: "Glad you could make it."

Kibitz: "You're late."

Spearmint: "Am not. I warned you ahead of time that I'd have to drop off this morning's report, and this winter's anabatic wind is-"

Raven: "Please, I'm sure Kibitz was only... joking."


 * The elderly pony-tailed stallion takes a long and elegant sip of his tea before looking up again.

Kibitz: "Hm? Oh, yes. Joking. Absolutely."


 * He gives his pocket watch a quick glance.

Spearmint: "Right... Well, I suppose it's also good to chat with the two of you after so long. You, of all ponies, know how unkind scheduling has been as of late."


 * The Pegasus folds his wings and crosses his hooves. Indeed, it has been a long time. All three of them have been busier than ever in the wake of Princess Celestia's departure. They have been stuck with powers and responsibilities they never even sought.

Raven: "So, how are things going in the foreign branch?"


 * The brown-eyed unicorn flashes a smile as she attempts to break the ice. Spearmint only sighs.

Spearmint: "Better than they have any right to be going. You know, I had to fly through a lot of hoops in order to secure that visit from Prince Rutherford, and I was very underwhelmed when Princess Celestia delegated his tour to Twilight Sparkle... and yet that's the very reason why our footing is still stable. The yaks adore Princess Twilight, and so they've been our strongest ally in these dark times."

Raven: "Am I hearing this right? "Winter Mint" is thawing for Twilight Sparkle?"

Spearmint: "I never said that! It's just... Princess Celestia made the right choice then. She had faith in Twilight Sparkle, and I'm starting to find that it's best if I put my faith in her too."

Kibitz: "Hmph... I can't say we ever met, but Princess Celestia always spoke very highly of her pupil. I can't help but wonder what Equestria would be like with her at the top."


 * The other two ponies wince a little. They have had some reservations of their own about being under new management.

Spearmint: "You too, hm?"

Kibitz: "Yes, yes. Princess Luna was never meant to handle this kind of responsibility. Frankly, I'm unsure of how much longer she can keep up with it. She succeeded once on her own before, but she is not her sister."

Raven: "Of course not... Nopony is her sister, clown wig or no clown wig."


 * Kibitz turns to the side and blows a spray of warm tea into the street.

Kibitz: "What did you just say?!"

Raven: "Oh! We never told you, did we?"

Spearmint: "We knew. The whole time. In fact, it was Raven here who convinced the rest of the castle to keep quiet about Princess Celestia's disappearance."

Kibitz: "I never...!"

Raven: "It takes me back..."


 * She dreamily rests her chin on her hooves.

Raven: "Why does it all seem like it was so long ago? The time when the changelings invaded, and we holed everyone up in the kitchens for our last stand..."

Kibitz: "There is no need to boast. I was impressed even then."

Raven: "Heh. I guess you're right..."

Spearmint: "And let's not forget the time when Lord Tirek stormed the castle, and I went and threw the vacuum cleaner at his back."

Kibitz: "Didn't you lose your flight for that?"

Spearmint: "Well... Y-Yes, but it was worth it!"

Raven: "And we all did it for the castle... for Princess Celestia and her home... our home..."


 * The other two go silent. It is hard to say whether Raven's wisdom is anything profound, but it certainly stops them to make them think.

Raven: "It really isn't the same without her..."

Kibitz: "It's not that I dislike Luna, but..."

Spearmint: "I miss her too..."


 * All of a sudden, another voice joins them.

???: "Ravenheart!"

Raven: "Uwah-!"


 * The unicorn mare falls clean out of her chair, her glasses askew. Kibitz and Speamint look on in confusion as a second Raven appears behind the first.

Raven: "Ungh... I told you it's just Raven now..."

Kibitz: "Pardon me, but who the dickens is this pony?"

Spearmint: "I would like to know the same!"


 * Raven straightens her glasses out and returns to her seat.

Raven: "This is Brokenheart, my identical twin sister. I probably should have said something sooner... Since Maretropolis was evacuated, she's been staying with me."


 * Nurse Brokenheart levitates a sealed envelope forth.

Brokenheart: "You left this in the mailbox."

Raven: "What?! You came out all this way in winter just to give me a letter? You know you could have just held onto it until... until..."


 * Her jaw drops as she examines the envelope.

Raven: "This is Princess Celestia's seal!"

Kibitz: "What?!"

Spearmint: "WHAAAT?!"