The Letter (Patreon)

 Quick Silver, Bloodfeather, and Phoenix trotted into the Mess Hall in my Equestria dreamscape. Last evening's night on the town had not been as stress reducing as they had hoped for. Who would you three be? The incident with Corporal Trotter and Purple Marten had resulted in heated words afterwards between the pegasus and the unicorn. It wasn't the first time the two had butted heads over appropriate conduct. In the end they always came to some form of understanding, but it had taken a lot of the fun out of last night. 

  
  Bloodfeather and Phoenix were being very professional to each other this morning, but it was very clear neither side was yet ready to forgive the other. Talk between them was short, exact, and lacking the usual air of casualness that being a team for 3 years had built. Quick Silver had seen them like this before and she figured they'd work in a day or so. They always did.  

 
  However at the moment this meant that they were both using her as an impromptu physical barrier. When they had headed down to mess hall Phoenix had stayed on her left and Bloodfeather on her right. Same with going through the mess line and now as they sat at a table and ate their breakfast. 

  
  Breakfast was a rather quiet affair with Quick Silver's two teammates focusing on primarily eating the food on their plates. For her part Quick Silver read the morning edition of the Canterlot Courier. Their schedule was light today. Some paperwork and report filing after breakfast. Then a work out at 2pm in main gymnasium. After that they had afternoon free until 7pm when they had a briefing for their next mission.  

 
  Having given the front page of the newspaper a quick looking over the mare flipped open the paper and started scanning the interior articles and columns. Then her eyes saw it.

   
  Bloodfeather was the first to notice. Quick Silver was not the most animated pony when she was reading or studying, but even Bloodfeather noticed that the mare had gone stone still. 

  
  "Hey there Quick. Are you okay? What's got your attention?"

 
  The light grey mare blinked twice and then took a breath. "Girls we've got a...." 

  "Phoenix! Quick Silver! Bloodfeather!" Captain Firewing came storming up to the mares table. "You three come with me now! Celestia wants to see you!" 

  Less than five minutes later they were standing at attention in front of the princess's desk. They'd actually had been standing there for more than minute as the Co-ruler of Equestria silently read her copy of the Canterlot Courier. After a few more seconds she carefully folded the paper set it down on her desk with the interior section of the paper facing up. Then she looked at the three mares with a disapproving stare. After a couple more seconds she spoke. 

  
  "Ladies. This morning while reading the morning edition, I was surprised to read an article written by Courier's gossip columnist Little Secrets concerning the actions of three my most trusted operatives at a restaurant in town last night. Let me see..." 

  
  She appeared to consult the article again as if confirming some detail from it. None of the mares standing there honestly believed she needed to. After second she looked back at them.  

 
  "The Red Ladle. Were you three there last night?" 

  "Yes m'am." The three mares said in unison. 

  Celestia pursed her lips and looked at the article again. "Apparently you three accosted and created a scene with one of my guards, one Corporal Trotter, and his dining partner one Purple Marten. Apparently you." She looked at Phoenix. "Accused her of how did say it. Slumming because she was on a date with the corporal."  

  
  The alicorn looked at three mares. "Ladies did this incident occur as described in the paper?"

  
  The three mares had studied and trained under her since they were foals knew there was only one answer.   

         "Yes m'am." They said. 

  The princess nodded her head and levitated a piece of stationary. "Understand ladies I was not even done with reading this interesting article when my one of my aides brought me this letter written by none other than Purple Marten herself." 

  Celestia took a moment to flatten the letter with her levitation. Then she began reading aloud. 

  
 To your Highness the Illustrious Princess Celestia.

   
  Greetings. I realize that events of the last week must weigh heavy upon your mind, but I feel compelled to write you concerning an incident that occurred last night involving myself and my guest, one Corporal Trotter of the Royal Guard, while we were dining at Red Ladle here in Canterlot. 

  We'd been just seated when we were approached by one of your official staff. A mare-in-waiting by the name of Phoenix. She was soon joined by her two companions, Bloodfeather and Quick Silver. They were both polite and professional. However the same cannot be said for Phoenix; who for some unexplainable reason seem to take exception to me enjoy a meal with the corporal. She even went so far as to say that I was dating below my station and was slumming by being present with the corporal.

 
  I was very much taken back by this declaration as were Phoenix's two companions who vocally expressed their disapproval. Seeing as we were in a public place. I refrained from expressing true my feelings and conducted myself in manner as fitting of the upbringing my late parents gave me. I was taught that all subjects of the Crown are entitled to same dignity and respect no matter where they came from, or what position they hold in life. It is true that the corporal and I come from very different backgrounds. However I find the him to be a very intelligent, loyal, compassionate, and honest individual. All properties I believe hold dear your Highness. 

  
  Needless to say this situation put the corporal in very awkward position, and to his credit he tried to deescalate the scene. He was very distressed by it, and it was only after the three left did he explain to me that this was not the first encounter he'd had with Phoenix. Bloodfeather had alluded to it at the beginning of the incident, but it was only after their departure that learned in more details about the entirely uncalled for dressing down he'd received from Phoenix a few nights before in the palace. Apparently the mare questioned him in a very threatening fashion, and made vague, unsubstantiated claims about him. As if we he unworthy to wear the uniform he does.

   
  While it is true that the corporal has dreams of being a successful writer some day. I can assure you his commitment to serve Equestria never takes a back seat to his writing. 

  
  I realize that this is just one letter of many you must receive everyday from subjects around the realm, and I am no more entitled to ask for a favor from you then any other pony. However do ask if you can find the time to look into this manner. Not so much for me, but for the corporal's sake. Thank you for your time.   
 Your loyal subject Purple Marten 

  The princess then carefully folded the letter and gently set it back on her desk. She looked at it and then at the mares. "Now I want to know. Did this other incident in the palace occur as well?" 

  The three mares again spoke as one. "Yes m'am." 

  The princess sighed. "Very well. Tell me exactly what happened, and why you decided to do it." 

 To be continued.