Rainbow Dash steps backwards, hands coming up, her eyes wide with shock as her brain catches up with what she's just said and done.
“Twilight, go, I'll cover you.” Diplomatic Incident says softly from the doorway, his mustache bristling, his face red with anger. Twilight silently rises to her feet and turns to walk away, her face pale as tears well up in her eyes as she heads for the door. Rainbow turns her head to watch Twilight leave.

“It's not-” Dash interjects

“It's exactly what it looked like,” Diplomatic Incident growls, keeping his weapon trained on Rainbow Dash “You assaulted a Princess of Equestria... by all rights I could shoot you right now!”

“But you will not,” Zaranov's voice is sharp and cold “This is a Legion matter, the offender is a Legionnaire, we will deal with this internally as is the Legion's way.”

Zaranov steps into the room, gazing at Rainbow Dash. “How much did you hear sir?” Rainbow Dash whispers, terrified.

“Enough.” Zaranov replies “As of this moment, you can consider yourself demoted to Legionnaire. Additional punishment... five lashes.” Rainbow Dash visibly sags. Five lashes is seriously bad news, but being busted to Legionnaire stings hard. It took her two years of damn hard work to get this far. Diplomatic Incident is obviously satisfied with this outcome, lowering his pistol.

“No,” A voice suddenly cuts through the other voices, a voice that expects to be obeyed even whilst it quivers with emotion. “I provoked her, it's my fault as much as hers” Twilight Sparkle says, her voice firm “I don't want her to be demoted, or whipped.”

Zaranov turns to look at Twilight and then he nods shortly. “As you wish Princess, I shall defer to your judgement. Caporal Arc Bolt, consider yourself very lucky indeed, I want to see you in my office in five minutes.”

Rainbow Dash watches Twilight turn and leave the room, Diplomatic Incident following close behind and as the door bangs shut behind him Rainbow can just faintly hear the sound of a crying princess, a sound that breaks her heart.

Zaranov glances at the door and then walks over and locks it. “We might as well talk here.” He says after a moment “You can sit if you would like, this will not take long.”

Apprehensively, Rainbow Dash sits down upon a desk, her CO taking a place opposite.
“You want a smoke?” he offers. She nods gratefully, taking the cigarette and sticking it between her teeth before taking the lighter and flicking it a few times until the cigarette lights.

“Right.” Zaranov says softly “That was quite an argument, you're very lucky that these rooms have good soundproofing otherwise the whole fort would have heard. As it is, only ourselves and madam Locke know what just happened thus far and I'm keen to keep it that way... you're a good non-com Bolt, the men respect you, you're willing to put your neck on the line for them and you get results, these are all things I like.” He then pulls out a cigarette of his own. “However what I do not like is political shit-storms, and you have brought a truly titanic one crashing down upon us.”

Rainbow Dash shakes her head. “No, the Princess didn't want to press charges, I'll just apologize to her in the morning and-”

“Caporal,” Zaranov’s sharp tone is a warning “The man with her, the fat man who pointed a gun at you is very dangerous indeed. He's a spy, he's also Princess Celestia's personal troubleshooter, or one of them” He explains, and Rainbow Dash snorts

“He's not a spy, he couldn't run to save-” Rainbow Dash scoffs.

“That is precisely why he is a spy, because everyone looks at him and thinks 'fat civilian', but take my word for it Bolt, he works for the Princesses and I have no doubt that he will report this back to them, even if she does not.” Zaranov raises an eyebrow ridge as a warning “I have crossed paths with him before, back in Valorossiya. He was with me at Volgorsk and Krasnoyarsk. He is a very dangerous man.”

“So what do we do?” Rainbow Dash asks nervously. She’s heard Zaranov’s ‘siberian bedtime stories’ as he calls his old war stories, and they made the two years of relentless skirmishes and counter-bandit operations that Rainbow Dash has served upon look tame.

“In the morning, you will apologize to Twilight Sparkle and I will have words with our sneaky friend about a favour he owes me and we shall make the incident dissapear.”

“I'm planning to do that anyway” Rainbow Dash says, remembering what she said and did and shivering slightly “I didn't mean to say the things I said or do anything. She was an old friend of mine, my very special somebody at one point.”

“People rarely do mean for these things to happen Bolt, however there is one thing you can take consolation in.”

“Yes boss?”

“If you were Valorossiyans, you'd both be dead on the floor!” Zaranov leaps to his feet and slaps Rainbow Dash's back, roaring with deep booming laughter. “Now on your feet Bolt, we're going to straighten this out in the morning for now I want you to get some sleep.”

____________________________________________________________________

Twilight Sparkle is lying on her rack in the Officer's accommodation block, leaning on her belly and just crying into her pillow. Fortunately the desert grows cool at night so it's not hot or sticky and thus sleep should come easily. However thoughts of what happened today drift through her mind like a curse. The image of the airship erupting before her, the crew plunging to their deaths to escape the hungry tongues of flame that chase after them like wolves after sheep, followed by thoughts of Rainbow Dash, of her eye popping out of its socket and dropping to the floor to stare at Twilight accusingly, as if she is somehow responsible. Then raised voices and hands grasping at her. Memories of the last time those hands were touching her still sends shivers up her spine in her quiet moments in the small hours of the night. Now however they will be forever tainted by bellowed words of accusation and counter accusation.

The worst part is, Twilight knows Rainbow Dash was right. ‘What the hell am I doing out here in this foreign country?’

Twilight knows nothing about the Khanate, knows nothing about the people or their customs. She's not a seasoned stateswoman like Cadance or backed by the indomitable arsenal of Luna or the ageless wisdom of Celestia. She has books and intelligence behind her, though not very much of the latter it seems.

God, what was I thinking when I said those things?' Twilight thinks bitterly to herself.
Time and again she tries to think about the Khanate and tries to bring her mind back onto the task at hand. However thoughts keep intruding. Thoughts of Rainbow Dash. Of talking in the long grass outside Ponyville, staring up into a cloudless starry night sky, with only the wind whispering through the grass for company. Snatching desperate kisses that would be wrenched from the vice like grip of schedules and timetables. Hurried passionate lovemaking that was all fumbling fingers and nervous tongues, heaving bodies and muffled squeals and all the more exquisite for it. Moments captured in memory that would stay with Twilight for all of her thousand lifetimes. Today, another moment has been made that will exist for all her thousand lifetimes. A moment of shame and regret, a moment of pain and sadness that will forever blight those wonderful golden memories.

Twilight hears a knock upon the door and flinches, burying her face deeper into her pillow as if begging it to swallow her whole.
“Go away!” she sobs “I don't want to be disturbed right now!”
The door opens anyway and in walks Diplomatic Incident, dressed in a smoking jacket and tartan slippers, a gently smouldering pipe tucked under his bristling moustache.
“Twilight.” He says softly, walking over to her and sitting down on the bed next to her. “I don't quite know what to say, other than I will make a full report to the Princesses about-”

“No,” Twilight whispers “No, don't do that, please don't do that Diplomatic Incident.”
“She-” Diplomatic Incident starts to protest, but Twilight gestures for silence.

“I know what she did, I was there, but I don't want you to make a big deal about this to Luna, or Celestia. We had a fight, I'm going to deal with it in a mature and grown up fashion and get on with what we need to do... it was just shock at seeing her again.”

Diplomatic Incident nods quietly “Princess, I understand where you're coming from so, if you insist, I will not pass this on in my report to the Princesses.” He says gently, his tone soft and reassuring as he pats her shoulder.

“Is there anything else you're worried about?” He asks, and Twilight nods shakily, her tear streaked face gazing up at Diplomatic Incident.
“I'm worried about everything! The mission, Rainbow Dash, Celestia, the war...” Words fail Twilight and she groans, her head dropping into her hands.
Diplomatic Incident sighs gently. “Well Twilight, when I'm stressed or worried I find it helps if I focus on what I can change right now, what I can influence in the immediate term, then what I can influence in the short term and everything after that point can sort of look after itself” He says gently, ruffling her hair.

Twilight gasps as Diplomatic Incident’s logic sinks in. The answer is so simple and so effective, she was shocked that she didn’t come to this conclusion herself. Focus on what she can change, what she can achieve right now. The solution to that issue is comically simple. She cannot change or influence whether war happens or not right now. She only can change the outcome of the mission by ensuring she's in a good mood. She can ensure she's in a good mood by getting some sleep, though the issue with with Rainbow Dash would still be hanging over her head and influencing her sleep patterns. She pulls her head out of her pillow. A solution has at last presented itself.

“Thank you Diplomatic Incident, I don’t know what I’d do without you!” She says, rolling over and wiping her eyes on a sleeve of her purple nightie. Diplomatic Incident smiles his best fatherly smile at her. “Doubtless you would do a lot better ma’am, now get some rest.”

“No time!” Twilight leaps out of bed like a princess possessed.
“I've got something I need to do, thank you for all your help Diplomatic Incident!” She calls, sliding her feet into pair of pink bunny slippers that had been a joking Hearth's Warming Eve present from Celestia.

“Is this a bad joke?” Diplomatic Incident whispers to himself as she dashes out the door. He wonders what on earth his charge has in mind, although he has a sinking feeling it has something to do with that bloody Legionnaire she met today. He releases an exasperated groan and takes a long slow draw upon his pipe. He will behave in a responsible and dignified manner. He will not go charging after her like an idiot. Diplomatic Incident composes himself and then turns and stalks back to his room, considering some especially scathing remarks to add to his report to the Princesses about this unforeseen and unwelcome development.
____

Twilight dashes out of the officer's accommodation block running for the NCO's quarters. She's sure Rainbow Dash will be there however as she runs she considers the possibility that maybe Rainbow Dash might be in bed. Twilight sighs softly and slows down to a walk. She can at least have a look and see and if she's sleeping then Twilight can go back to her room and wait till the morning. Or at least that's her plan. It is however frustrated by one small detail.

The noise a rifle makes when it is cocked and pointed at her is not a noise that Twilight will ever forget in a hurry.
“Halt and be identified!” A shadow bellows from behind her and Twilight stiffens nervously. “Hands where I can see them!” The sentry commands and Twilight raises her hands as asked, feeling a hot prickle in between her shoulderblades.“What's the password?” The legionnaire snaps and Twilight's blood freezes. She has not been told anything about a password or a challenge.

“It's Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She replies nervously.

“One more chance!” The sentry snaps, his finger tightening upon the trigger. Twilight takes a deep breath.
“Look, I'm just going to raise a little light, that should let you see who I am, is that acceptable?”

“Go on then, this had better be a bad joke!” The sentry replies, sounding weary.

Twilight snaps her fingers and light blossoms in the palm of her hand, revealing herself to the sentry. Though she can't see his face behind the face wrapping, goggles and pith helmet, she can hear the audible gasp. “Your highness, I'm so- urk!”

“And that is why you never let an enchanter raise her magic.” A voice growls from behind Twilight. Twilight turns to see a second Legionnaire materialize out of the darkness, this one with his rifle held loosely in one hand, the other hand gently touching thumb to forefinger in a gesture Twilight knows. A golden enchantment field floats around the throat of the hapless sentry.

Even in the darkness, Twilight can see the twin yellow stripes of a Sergent on his uniform.
“Relax, I know who you are” the Sergent glowers at Twilight “Only a civ would wander round in a dressing gown and those slippers, that sort of leaves you and that fat person you came in with” He growls “Anyway, where are you going, your highness?”

A few moments later, after a few helpful pointers and a strongly worded suggestion not to wander around the fortress in her nightclothes again, Twilight leaves the Sergent berating the recruit for having his rifle un-cocked on patrol and heads for the armory. She's slightly surprised to see lights glowing inside behind the iron bars across the windows. She takes a deep breath and then knocks twice upon the door.
“I'm closed!” Locke's crotchety voice calls from inside.

“It's Princess Sparkle... I was wondering if Caporal Bolt was in there?” Twilight replies.

There is a pause, a pause that seems to last a century in Twilight's estimation, then the armory door opens to reveal Locke standing in her dressing gown, looking irritable. “I was of two minds about letting you in Princess” She says quietly “After your argument with Caporal Bolt, I've never seen her cry before Princess, whatever you did to her...”

Twilight bites back the urge to say that the doing was on both sides.
“I'm here to apologize” She says quietly “I... I would like to speak to her it I may?”

The gunsmith nods and leads Twilight into the armoury, where she finds Rainbow Dash sat beside the coffee urn looking sorry for herself, gazing into a mug of tea as if it's poisoned. She looks up as Twilight walks in and springs to her feet, snapping to attention and chopping a hand up into a salute so quick and crisp it's almost like a slap.

“Princess Sparkle!” She gasps and Twilight sighs

“Please, don't call me that.” Twilight replies wearily.

“Oh, my apologies Princess, I would just like to say I'm sor-”
“I came here to apolog-”

Both of the women suddenly start talking at once, the words tumbling out of their mouths in their haste to both get the things they need to say off their chests. Both stop talking at the same moment too and laugh nervously.

“You go-”
“After y-”

Twilight smiles slightly, glad they've reached the 'stumbling and awkward' phase already. Whilst it's not pleasant, it's a damn sight better than shouting and grabbing.

“I'd just like to say,” Twilight says after a moment “I'm very very sorry about what I said to you Caporal Bolt, it was unprofessional of me to disparage the commitment and dedication of my Legionnaires.”

“I should not have spoken to you in that way Princess, I know that you have our best interests at heart and you are supremely well qualified for the mission at hand.” Rainbow Dash says woodenly as if reciting something and Twilight raises an eyebrow.

“Okay... maybe not supremely,” Dash adds after a moment “I still think you're the wrong Princess for the job but only because I think even Celestia would struggle dealing with that bunch.” Rainbow Dash says grimly and Twilight tilts her head.
“You think so?”

“I know so,” Rainbow Dash replies “I mean, you were awesome and all as an Element but these guys don't mess about, as you can probably tell” She gestures at her eyepatch. “But if Princess Celestia sent you she must think you're up to the task and that's good enough for me.” Rainbow says nervously. Twilight can feel something in the air between them, something strange and awkward, as if something between them has broken.

“Well, that's um, that's good.” Twilight says cautiously.

“Would you like a drink Princess?” Locke asks softly and Twilight shakes her head, anxious not to outstay her welcome

“No sorry, um, it's late and we've got a long day tomorrow.”

“I should probably get going as well madam Locke,” Rainbow says, looking a little happier than she did when Twilight had come in. “I've got stuff to do, yeah, but thanks for the tea and sympathy.”

With that, Rainbow Dash turns and heads for the door. Twilight watches her go, a sad smile upon her face. Things will never be as they were, her own stupidity has ensured that, however at least they have both apologized and for now that is enough. A few moments later she bids a polite farewell to Locke and disappears into the night, a strange, gliding feeling sweeping through her guts.