Dinner was silent for the most part, as the guards were unsure of what to talk about with Dominic. The pasted beans they’d been given to sustain them were just as bad as they had always been, so there was no complaining. They’d all noted the night sky outside, but aside from the acknowledgement there was no further discussion. To Dominic, it felt hollow. The emptiness of being surrounded by people, yet all of them were silent, it gave him chills. The man looked at the thestrals, the three of them seemed to get along well enough. Errant and Rolling Thunder were always helping the third guard, Chipped Blade. He was the youngest of the group.

Dominic ate a bit of his food and continued watching the group, they didn’t look at each other, they didn’t even acknowledge that others were in the room. Everything about it felt wrong. With a sigh the man placed his fork down and cleared his throat.

“So how was your day, Errant? Aside from, you know, guard stuff.” He asked, the mare looked up from her meal.

“It was alright, I guess.” She said, the other two Thestrals looked up from their meals as well. “I got to take perimeter patrol today, which is nice. Just walking through the trees and the sun, it’s nice.” Dominic nodded, slightly envious of her. The few day’s he’d been able to go outside, it had never been enjoyable. “Of course, I had to deal with the ever so curious locals.”

“Oh?” Asked Rolling Thunder. “Who was it today? The concerned parent, the curious foal, the ever annoying hometown snob?” Chipped held up a hoof.

“Wait wait, this could be an opportunity to get my money back.” He stated, he started to pull his coin bag from its place on his belt.

“I think you’re good.” Dominic stated, stopping the young stallion in his tracks. “Who was it?” He turned his attention back to Errant. The mare cleared her throat.

“Duchess Luxury Class of Unicorn Falls!” She said in a snobbish voice, it quickly turned to a growl. “I swear, she’s worse than the mayor of this hick town. Spouting all sorts of nonsense and demanding we let her in, else she’ll ‘Resort to other methods’.” This got the attention of Dominic.

“What other methods?” He asked, picking up his fork and eating some more of his dinner.

“Probably hire some fool to come spy on us, she doesn’t realize we shoot to kill yet.” Chipped Blade pitched in, looking relieved he hadn’t bet on the curious foal. Errant and Rolling nodded in response, remembering how they’d accidentally almost shot a farmer who’d gotten lost in the woods near the house. “I think we should close up the shutters for a few days, keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”

“In the scheduled heat, the house’d turn into an oven!” Rolling complained, however Errant and Dominic seemed to like the idea. As much as they could, at least. Dinner continued on with small talk, a few laughs were had, and finally it came to an end. Dominic stood from his place at the table and gathered the plates, then brought them into the kitchen and excused himself for the night. When he was in his room, the thestrals began to chat amongst themselves.

“I like him, he’s not like the other Principles we normally get saddled with.” Chipped commented as he sat himself down on one of the couches in the living room.

“I know right, he’s not all ‘This food is atrocious!’ or ‘I want my silk bed sheets!’.” Rolling added with a chuckle, sitting down on the opposite couch. “Even if he is a bit jumpy at times.” Errant took the lounge chair in the center of the room and sighed in comfort. She watched the two thestrals chat intently.

“Jumpy?” Chipped asked, Rolling nodded and gestured down the hall to Dominic’s room.

“Yesterday, I walked into his room to get the shutters, the guy was sound asleep. I casually stepped on a creaky floorboard, a few seconds later I heard that revolver thing of his click.” said Rolling as he got comfortable on the couch. “The man is wound tighter than a Griffon war veteran.”

“Nah, he’s just getting stir crazy.” Chipped stated. “I mean, how would you feel if you were penned in like he is?” He asked, at this Errant felt it was time to speak up.

“He’s something alright, and the grape vine says Globe and Anchor was some sort of war hero before he came here.” The others shook their heads and the conversation continued from there, they didn’t realize that their voices were carrying through the vents. In Dominic’s room, their voices were keeping him from sleeping. He wouldn’t bother them though, it was nice hearing genuine conversation.

The man sighed and sat down at his desk, Luna had been nice enough to provide him with ‘Official United States’ stationary before he left. The paper was just like any other paper, only the symbol of the Marine Corps was printed in the center with ‘Official Ink’. The man didn’t understand why he needed stationary, especially since he was the only American citizen on the entire planet, perhaps she’d thought it would do him good. Dominic didn’t care though, instead he just went about writing a letter.

To my dearest friends,

I’m bored out of my fucking skull here. The guards are okay to talk to every now and then, but I miss you guys. Maybe an early visit wouldn’t be too bad? Please? Also, as your military consultant I should advise you that the rations being distributed to soldiers on a protein diet are atrocious and should be made palatable at least. I should also inform you that Duchess Luxury Class is hindering the operations of your guards with threats of action from a third party. I recommend a discussion.

How are things on your end, good I hope. Write me some time soon. God bless you both.

Your ever faithful friend, Dominic.

P.S. Excellent night sky, Luna. Really, it’s beautiful.

With that he folded the letter and sealed the envelope. It was odd sealing envelopes with wax, but something that Dominic actually enjoyed. He’d always preferred the old fashioned way of doing things, in most regards. The man took the letter and placed it outside his room, then closed the door and went back to his bed. The voices had quieted down, and finally he could get to sleep. He hoped that Luna was having a good night court.

[♦]

Luna was grinding her teeth as she was forced to listen to another petitioner, this one demanding that the United States of America be billed for all the damage. The lunar princess had never heard such droll and boring things in her life, she longed for the days when ponies rarely showed up to night court. Ever since her sister had taken on smoothing out the political problems of the world the only rest Luna received was when she called for a recess. Even those were too short for her liking.

While normally Twilight would be taking some of the weight off of her shoulders, the lavender alicorn had her own problems to deal with. The modernization of the military was taking priority over other matters, arms factories were being built and contracts were being signed. Entire units of guards were being retrained, and the weapons that were being developed had to be closely regulated and monitored.

“Princess, are you listening?” The voice of the petitioner snapped Luna from her thoughts, she blinked and looked at the snobbish mare. “I was just stating that since the ape had-”

“I don’t care.” Luna said tiredly. “I honestly do not care. You have made no impact on me whatsoever.” The mare looked offended. “The position of the government on this issue stands as it was yesterday and the day before. The United States is absolved from blame, seeing as it was the citizens of the city who rioted and assaulted their head of state, the blame and the cost falls on them.”

“But the ape-”

“Furthermore, I would like to remind you that using derogatory slurs in this courtroom puts you in contempt of court. Five minute recess, then we will have the next case.” Luna slammed the gavel down and the mare was escorted out, the thestrals in the room looked relieved and somewhat impressed at their princess. More so than usual. “What?” She asked one of them.

“Nothing ma’am.” He said, immediately returning to his stoic expression.

“You should know that I am not made of stone, if you have something to say then say it.” Luna insisted, the guard looked at the others for a moment.

“Well ma’am, it’s nice to see a princess that doesn’t brown nose the nobles as much as they brown nose her… Ma’am.” He stated nervously. “It’s nice to see a princess stand up for the little ponies now and then.” Luna nodded.

“I see.” She looked at the other guards. “You feel this way as well?” They nodded respectfully. “Well, I thank your for the praise. It means a lot to me.” There was a knock on the door. “I realize that this must be painful to watch for the most part, but know that I appreciate your service.” There was another knock. “Damn it, give us two fucking minutes!” The princess roared at the door. The guards blinked in surprise as the princess composed herself. “I’m… sorry about that, guards. But as I was saying, thank you.” She rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. “Would one of you mind retrieving some painkillers from the infirmary

“Of course, your highness.” One of the guards stated before heading to the door, Luna took several deep breaths. When the guard opened the door, another pony entered. This one was a noble like the others, and he was practically fuming with anger. The guard closest to Luna read over a list of names until he found the proper one.

“Duke Fine Taste of the Easter Sector, Lord of-” Luna shot the guard a soft glare and he ceased reading the numerous titles. “Here to petition for the whereabouts of the Former Prince Blueblood.”

“Former Prince!?” Shouted the unicorn. “How dare you strip him of title, what grounds were you given!? HMM?!” Luna let out a long sigh and rubbed her temples. “I was still under the impression he was being imprisoned, then I learn he has been removed from his cell. Not released, but there is no record of him ever being transferred. I DEMAND ANSWERS!”

“Do you have the proper paperwork?” Luna asked, looking down at the stallion with a flat glare. The stallion gave what was supposed to be a sinister smile and floated a sheet full of signatures up into Luna’s face. “Yes, I can see them, get them out of my face.” The princess muttered flatly, the Duke dropped the papers onto Luna’s desk with a smug smile. Luna looked through them for a moment and hummed. “These appear to be in order.”

“Now hold on one minute- Wait… what?” The stallion asked, confused.

“Yes, they seem to be in order, the signatures look very authentic even.” Luna used her magic to float a large file up from under her desk, she’d taken to keeping it there since the question was being raised often and she didn’t feel like trekking all the way back to her room to get it. The folder was manilla, the Marine Corps symbol was emblazoned on it. Beneath it were the words…

“What is that?” The stallion asked as the report was set down in front of him.

“The report on Mister Blueblood’s transfer.” Luna stated, knowing what was inside the folder. The stallion opened it greedily, only to frown and blink. The document was thirty seven pages long, and almost every word of it had been blacked out with sharpie. Luna felt a shit eating grin cross her muzzle. “Unfortunately, the United States has classified most of the report, I can submit a formal request if you’d like.” The guards struggled to keep from laughing as the stallion started sputtering out half finished sentences. “Alright, I’ll take that as a no. Very well then, have a wonderful night and thank you for coming.” Luna took the report back as the guards escorted the stallion out. The guard that had gone for painkillers was rather confused when he passed the noble, but he could tell he missed something. “So, that’s what it feels like.”

“What?” Asked one of guards.

“My sister often likes to ‘Troll’ her subjects, I never understood why… until now.” She looked slightly pleased with herself, meanwhile her guards paled at the thought of a trolling Luna. Considering the princess’ somewhat macabre sense of humor, it was understandable. “Huzzah! The trolling has been doubled! I think I have thirty more petitions in me now.” The guards let out a collective, somewhat low groan. “Kidding, we’re adjourned. I’ll see all your smiling faces tomorrow.” With that, Luna teleported out of the room and to her bed. The guards looked at each other.

“We’re fucked, aren’t we?” One asked.

“You have no idea.” Said another.

Author's Notes:

Here's another one for you guys, sorry about the delay. Wrote myself into a corner for a moment, had to figure a way out. This is my attempt, sorry if it isn't as good, but it was an uphill battle. The next one shouldn't be too hard now, but I make no promises as too how fast it'll come out.

Also... I just noticed this today. We're coming up on a year of this soon, in a couple months, still something to note. A question to you, my dear readers. How would you feel about some Q and A? Between myself and our beloved characters. Let me know in the comments below, I'll write them all down and hopefully have something by our One Year Anniversary.

As always. Like, comment, and fave.

The Boss.