Book 7: Conspirator By Trust [visual]

[marearcana]

I've already told a few of you this. Some others may already have been suspecting what I'm about to say, as well, but I want to come out with it completely.

I knew that whole thing was a setup from almost the beginning, and didn't tell anyone. I was asked not to; by whom should be obvious at this point.

Comments

[Written]

[humanesqueheartstrings]

It's too bad. Childhood friends should be included in this madness but I'm not too upset.

Come visit at least, I'm bedridden.

[Written]

[marearcana]

I will. I wouldn't have any idea where to begin to make up for this otherwise.

Re: [Written]

[humanesqueheartstrings]

Being PA aside... I really did miss you. We never talk anymore and I feel like we need to reconnect again.

You, me, a pitcher of lemonade and haycookies. Sound good?

[Written]

[marearcana]

You didn't need to be that way. I already felt bad.

I'll be right over. ...just let me see if I've got some mint first.

Re: [Written]

[humanesqueheartstrings]

Yeah it was kinda bad of me.

And okay, sounds good. Bon Bon'll let you in, since she won't even let me out of my bed.

[ponymechanic]

It really can't be helped since you were forced into it. I hope it never happens again.

[Because right now, he was having difficulty trusting Princess Celestia.]

[marearcana]

I'll do everything I can to prevent it. Princess Celestia has done a lot of good in and around my life, but she and I should be equals now. And really, I haven't been getting that feeling. Even just telling me about this was, to me, an improvement on what she'd been doing since this all started over a year ago.

[ponymechanic]

[And now he makes a look of concern. Dang it, Twilight. You're making him think Celestia trusts no one except her native sister.]

That's terrible. You're a princess just like her, you should be treated better than that. You're right, you two should be equals. Heck, all the princesses should be considered equals to each other.

[marearcana]

...I can't support this anymore. She's been improving but over the past year she hasn't been giving the best impressions.

A few of us have said it before, but it needs to stop, especially if she didn't also tell Princess Cadence.

[like_a_dragon]

Oh...

...

I see.

[She was going to say more, but just decides to quickly close her scroll up.]

[marearcana]

[She was about to talk, but...

...yeah, this is probably better saved for some other time.]

[Visual]

[foolish_seal]

I'm glad that plan worked, but the whole thing leaves a kind of bitter aftertaste. Not gonna blame you for it, but I have to hope it doesn't happen again.

[Visual]

[marearcana]

I'm going to do more than hope. This has made me realize just what this keeps doing. To everyone. I didn't even realize and still don't just what we lost because of everyone's reactions to this.

[Visual]

[foolish_seal]

Yeah. Lot of ponies are angry about it.

[To put things lightly.]

Wish I could help fix it, but all we can do now s learn from it and move on. Maybe they'll let us all in on their next plan.

[Visual]

[marearcana]

If I have anything to say about it they will.

[Visual]

[foolish_seal]

Good luck, then.

Do you know for how long they were planning that?

[visual]

[sparkledragon]

[Have a purple dragon who's eating a pile of gems bigger than him at some restaurant in town. This is too much for Spike. Both of his Twilights.]

I could've kept it secret, Twilight.

[visual]

[marearcana]

[...]

...Yeah.

I was so pleased that she'd at least told me that I didn't realize it wasn't enough.

[visual]

[sparkledragon]

[Spike sighs, and stuffs another clawful of gems into his mouth. Maybe if he eats enough, it'll stop hurting. He wants to go to Twilight and hug her, but at the same time, he feels like she doesn't actually trust him. He can't really blame her for that.] I'm sorry, Twilight. I know it's been hard for you. Is Owlowicious at the Library?

[She should have somepony there.]

[visual]

[marearcana]

Yes, he's around. And, um... have as much of tomorrow off as you want. I can't make you forgive me, but we all need the break now.

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[sparkledragon]

[He droops more.] No, I... I just don't know what to do. You're my best friend, Twi. [Spike has to stop and rub at his eyes. He shouldn't be doing this over a scroll.] I'll be back in a few minutes.

[A few minutes later, there is, indeed, a little dragon peeking tentatively into the library.] Twilight?

(Visual)

[mostloyalpony]

You did, huh?

(Rainbow allows a light smile to appear on her face after a moment or two.) ...Not too upset about being kept in the dark, but I know you had your reasons. I trust you Twi, and if you'd been able to I know you'd have let us in on everything.

(Visual)

[marearcana]

Thank you.

I still can't help but feel like now it was wrong not to have told you anyway, though.

(Visual)

[mostloyalpony]

Hehe, don't worry about it Twi! Even if you had I still would've trusted you and went with your choice on how to handle things. If it was to keep everypony calm and not panic, I'd go with that! If you wanted me to rally everyone for one pony only to face another, I'm down with that too.

(Rainbow's taking this time to head to Twilight. She needs a hug right now, or at least a familiar face to lift her spirits. 10-15 seconds, tops.)

(Action)

[marearcana]

[Twilight takes enough time to think of what she's going to say next that by the time she's about to make it she doesn't realize Rainbow has already arrived. ...She should have expected this, but it still gets her to stay silent for a bit.]