I woke up with a jolt, breathing heavily from my mouth before getting a hold of myself. I looked around at my surroundings, reminding myself that I was still on a train to Arstrotzka. I might have only been asleep for a few hours, but I couldn't help but notice that the train was getting cramped with people, which made sense since we had likely stopped by the Arstrotzkan capital Moscolt.

"Are you okay Levy?" asked Cadance, holding my arm for comfort.

"Yeah, I'm fine kitten," I assured her, keeping my voice low. "Just a bad dream, is all."

Cadance looked concerned. "What bad dream?"

I bit my lip, knowing Cadance wouldn't leave me alone until I told her.

A few months had passed since I visited Canterlot for the first time and while Cadance and I kept in touch, she had yet to visit Arstrotzka and meet my friends and family. We decided to wait until early summer, so the Arstrotzkan winter would die down, but not to the point where it was blazing hot.

While I did feel confident bringing Cadance to Arstrotzka, specifically my home city of Hoovograd, there was still a little bit of doubt that something would go terribly wrong since she was a Princess from another country.

I took a deep breath and told her. "I was just thinking about what could happen if we got arrested or worse here."

"Why's that? You said that the higher ups were fine with us dating?" pointed Cadance.

"Yeah, but...I get this feeling that someone isn't gonna approve of us and draw a gun or that the secret police have set a trap for us. I mean, they haven't done that to people other than those who really deserve it, but I just hope that the other hardliners like me aren't thinking about brutalizing us." I explained.

Cadance grabbed my hand like she always did to assure me. "Come on now. If your government didn't want you with me, you would have been dead a long time ago."

I smirked. "Yeah, that's actually reassuring."

"Besides, I'm sure attacking a foreign ruler would look bad for you guys anyway and would get in the way of your country's goal of ending an royal alicorn bloodline." added Cadance.

"That is also true," I nodded. "But still, you never know what a great power can do to get rid of its enemies. Let's just say the Commissars and Secret Police have likely made deaths look like accidents at times. They could pull that off you know."

Cadance chuckled. "And if the worst case scenario happens, what do we do?"

I placed my other finger on my chin. "We get out of this train and escape into the Arstrotzkan wilderness to live as lovers in exile until our inevitable death via an artillery or rocket strike or by a commando or secret police raid."

"And how long would inevitable be?" asked Cadance.

"An hour or so until they'd track us." I said.

We both laughed at that unlikely event for some reason. I guess a lot of it had to do with the disbelief that a political officer from Arstrotzka and a Princess from Equestria were in the midst of the People's Republic.

Just then, we got a glimpse of a few Arstrotzkan border guards entering our side of the train past the door. Most attention turned towards them. The border guards looked similar to their soldier counterparts, ski mask, goggles, helmet and green fatigues and all, but didn't even seem to be armed. They didn't pay us much attention however, and simply moved past us to the next section of the train. One did shoot us a glance and a nod however. Either the border guard had known who we were, or was congratulating a couple.

Cadance had noticed that one of the border guards was carrying computer screen with faces on us as he passed by.

"I'm guessing that's normal?" checked Cadance.

"Sorta. The border guards just track trains to make sure there are no suspicious individuals on board. I've only seen an arrest happen one or two times." I explained.

"Suspicious huh? Okay, Mr. Political officer, are there any other potential dangers for us?" inquired Cadance semi seriously.

"Well, there's the mafia and private military collectives that we're cracking down on, but you'd have to actively try to get on their bad side before they try to put a hit on you," I noted. "We usually stop them before any killings can occur, and besides, it's not like we're in debt to any shady shit right?"

"I don't know Levy, there may be a side to me you don't know." teased Cadance.

I shook my head with a grin. "Then there's the Tromaneian separatists, Coltechian nationalists and EZIC. They're an anarchist group."

"Oh yeah, weren't the last two the bad guys in that movie we watched together a year back?" checked Cadance.

"Yeah, that incident was one of their biggest uprisings against us, until the heroic border inspector saved us," I said.

"I know Coltechia hates you guys after you intervened in their war against the Maresians and crushed them, but what's EZIC's beef with you guys anyway?" questioned Cadance.

"A few years back during the revolution, there were two strains of revolutionary collectivist thought. One belonged to the revolutionary Vladimare, who advocated forming a new central government headed by loyalist intellectuals while nationalizing strategic industries, which gave rise to the Commissariat and the Collectivist Party. The other belonged to anarcho collectivist Troponkin, who wanted to get rid of the government immediately without nationalizing anything, even if it meant no army in the long run."

"Let me guess, you all fought together bravely against the seven nation imperial armies until ideological difference led to a civil war, which Vladimare's faction won." stated Cadance.

"Correct," I confirmed. "You didn't even study about it did you?"

"No," shook Cadance. "I'm afraid magic and flight class came first. Besides, teaching students about a collectivist civil war wouldn't sit well with the educators, and would even be just an after note compared to the initial revolution."

"You're right on that last part I guess." I shrugged.

"Any magical threats I should know about?" continued Cadance.

"Well, this country is essentially a psychic black hole," I noted. "But there are still gonna be the Changeling infiltrators, ice giants up in the north, and whatever monster crawls out of the woods that we haven't bombed yet. Honestly though, they're just nuisances at this point."

"The last two I can relate with Equestria since some monster terrorizes a city every week or so until they go down in a half hour," chuckled Cadance. "I just hope that we don't run into any Changelings because, well...."

I kissed Cadance on the cheek. "Don't worry kitten, we won't let anything harm you here. That's another worst case scenario."

"And what's our best case scenario besides not dying?" asked Cadance.

"We get to visit my family safe and sound I guess." I smiled.

"I can't wait to see the city of Hoovograd," replied Cadance. "The last time I was in this country, we were in the fortress city of Stalliongrad. Nice and all, but you get used to seeing the military blockades outside the hotel room quickly."

"Hey, we gotta protect the city limits somehow." I laughed.

"Still, I would've liked to see Moscolt," inferred Cadance. "The ride to Hoovograd is really long."

I snorted. "Oh come on, I had to ride all the way to Moscolt to Canterlot just to pick you up without a single break and I'm on the ride back home. It's a miracle I didn't get train sick just for you."

"Oh Lev, you know I appreciate you doing that." teased Cadance.

"Yeah, it doesn't feel like it." I joked.

"Oh, a kiss ain't good enough for you?" replied Cadance.

I stuck my tongue out. "That's just what couples are supposed to do all the time."

"Then have another one if it will shut you up." responded Cadance who then pecked my lips.

We laughed together. I looked back to see the other Arstrotzkan passengers, who were mostly having a conversation with each other or were asleep. There was one girl who had glanced at us embracing, and shot us a thumbs up before going back to her newspaper.

"And for the record," I added. "Moscolt is like Marelin, Manehatten, Shanghay or Ceighro. It's an international city that's sacrificed culture for politics and economics. You'll get a true feeling of Arstrotzkan culture in Hoovograd, which is like our fifth largest city anyway, so there's still plenty to do."

"And family comes first of course." noted Cadance. "I really can't wait to meet your family Levy."

"Neither can they kitten." I assured.

The train finally stopped a few moments after that. Cadance and I headed to the luggage compartment so she could get her things. I already had my stuff ready back at home and didn't really need to bring anything with me other than essentials in my pocket.

We hopped out of the train, attracting a few glances since Cadance's candy colored hair was essentially a fire in the dark, and headed to the check in. There were different lines for Arstrotzkan citizens, immigrants, foreigners without magic, foreigners that could use magic and a single line reserved for security forces and political VIPs.

"Look familiar to you?" I smirked.

Cadance bit her lip. "Yup, this is the whole plot of the Papers Please movie isn't it?"

I laughed. "Don't worry, with computers going mainstream, we've sped up to process. Do you have all your necessary documents?"

"For the dozenth time Levy, yes I do." replied Cadance, in a semi joking and exasperated tone.

"Hey, we in Arstrotzka might believe in an inevitable border-less utopia, but until then, we can't take any chances." I shrugged with a grin.

Cadance rolled her eyes. "Oh, you guys. I'm guessing this is the part where we're heading to border inspection now?"

"You guessed it kitten!" I exclaimed. "And since you're a Princess from Equestria, we get to go to the VIP section!"

Cadance raised an eyebrow. "And what benefits does going through a VIP section entail?"

"Absolutely nothing other than a shorter waiting time!" I smiled. "Come on, we'd be terrible collectivists if we did otherwise."

Cadance stifled a laugh and we headed in line. There were only a few soldiers or VIPs in suits up ahead of us in the line.

"I have to say, the scene looks a lot less depressing in the summer." noted Cadance.

"Duh, a lot of things look bleak in winter," I muttered. "That's why it's eternally winter here in enemy propaganda."

We had specifically planned the trip so Cadance would arrive in early summer, when it wasn't the usual freezing cold in our country or particularly hot either. This meant that waiting in line in the open wasn't daunting by a long shot.

The stereotypical image of Arstrotzkans in coats and ushankas didn't apply this time in the summer. People just wore casual outfits that were a little more formal that what could have been seen in an Equestrian city like Manehatten, but nowhere near as pompous as what the people of Canterlot wore.

I on the other hand, was stilling wearing my Commissar outfit, sans the cap in my bag, since I had gone directly from work to pick Cadance up on the train once my holiday started. Cadance on the other hand, wore a (you guessed it) pink collar shirt that she didn't really want to button up and some knee high denim shorts.

Despite dressing like a normal civilian however, the feeling of her powerful magic abilities and her multi colored hair still made her stick out even for those unlikely few that didn't know who she was. There were some glares of suspicion directed towards her and I, mostly from border guards.

The guy in front of us turned around and his eyes widened upon seeing us.

"Chort!" he swore in Arstrotzkan before switching to Equestrian. "Are you Princess Cadance?"

Cadance smiled. "Why yes I am!"

"Hoovograd party representative Dmitri Tarkov," he greeted. "Well, never thought I'd see a royal visit this part of the country, but I was informed of your arrival before I left Moscolt."

"Well, it is the home of my boyfriend!" exclaimed Cadance who grabbed my hand.

"And you're obviously comrade Lev Ulyanov," pointed Tarkov. "You're the lucky love boy I heard about."

"Yeah," I blushed. "I'm getting famous aren't I?"

"I wouldn't call you a celebrity just yet Lev," said Tarkov. He glanced at the other lines where a few people were still glancing at me and Cadance, but mostly out of amusement. "But most of the people are obviously aware that you are dating a Princess for the greater benefit of both our nations. Don't worry, we have the media under watch not to ruin your time here."

"That's a relief," chuckled Cadance.

"You better not be here to spread some monarchist propaganda though." chided Tarkov half jokingly.

"Wouldn't dream of it," replied Cadance. "My only care is if the people are happy."

"And they are!" stated Tarkov. "The last thing we need is some false propaganda of reaction seeping into the masses that drives this whole place apart."

"Relax comrade!" I stepped in. "She might be a Princess, but that doesn't make her a threat to our collectivist ways. She doesn't have any class interests. Besides, I wouldn't have really considered bringing here without the Collectivist blessing in the first place."

"True true comrade," shrugged Tarkov. "I just don't want a couple to break up because of petty political reasons that could have easily been avoided."

"Thanks, but you have to give her credit." I insisted.

"He's right you know." mused Cadance who pulled me a little closer.

Tarkov shook his head. "Oh, I remember bringing my first date home. Hope you'll enjoy this country and the people's collectivist ways."

"Hey, if Lev can stand my place, then I should be able to stand his." chirped Cadance.

Tarkov grinned. "Eh, you know what? You two can come up ahead in front. There's barely anyone before me anyway."

"Thanks!" I cheered.

Cadance and I took the offer and stepped in front of him, only to be caught off by the bark of a border guard.

"HEY!" he yelled in Arstrotzkan. "Are you cutting in line?"

"Settle down comrade!" yelled Tarkov. "I let them pass me, I swear!"

The bark caught the attention of the people in the other lines. A huge part of me began to start sweating because the last thing I needed right now was for the Arstrotzkans to think Cadance was a pompous trouble maker and brat.

The border guard was clutching a carbine rifle, fit for someone who had to be mobile and deal with trouble makers up close, but thankfully he didn't seem to be ready to lift it up just yet.

He squinted at Cadance and I with his piercing black eyes behind his balaclava and goggles. "Sorry, but taking someone else's place in line is against the rules and can screw everything up. A political officer and a princess don't get special privileges."

I raised my hands up. "We wouldn't dream of it! I thought we were just taking a friendly offer."

The border guard calmed down. "Fine, I understand. I just hope you two have your papers ready because I'd hate to arrest a foreign Princess and her boyfriend on a casual visit."

Cadance smiled like it was nothing. "Oh don't worry. I know how you guys run things and Lev gave me multiple practice trials."

"Good choice in boyfriend," nodded the border guard. "Maybe we won't have any drama today after all."

"Too late for that," whispered Cadance to me, causing me to snicker.

"Anyway," said the border guard to Tarkov. "I would advice against letting an Alicorn in front of you considering the amount of documents she has to fill out."

Tarkov lifted his hands up in innocence as the guard walked away.

"Wow," muttered Cadance. "I know Arstrotzka's border guards were powerful, but this is just ridiculous."

"Tell me about it," I replied. "These guys could probably hold the nation hostage if they wanted to if they weren't hard line collectivists."

A few more minutes passed by and we finally got our turn inside the processing VIP room. The inside was just like all other processing rooms with wooden walls and floors, a rug in the center to wipe snow off our boots in the winter, and a few chairs just in case. What stood out was the processing desk separated from the civilian area by a bullet proof window.

Guarding the exit was a border guard with a shotgun. His piercing eyes through his goggles paid me no mind, and were squarely focused on Cadance. A small screen that was tied to a security camera tracking signs of a Changeling disguise was right next to him. Thankfully for us, there weren't any negative readings.

The Minister Of Admissions Inspector wore a Commissar uniform like me, except he kept his cap on and his badge was different. Like most bureaucrats, he seemed to be middle aged as opposed to the younger Commissars that made up representatives and leaders. Whereas the younger generation brought in new ideas and life to govern the country, the older generation had the experience to make bureaucracies run faster.

"Papers please!" barked the Inspector in accented Equestrian, whose name tag read Victor Andropov.

I took a deep breath and did what I always did. In the small opening behind the glass window, I submitted my passport, my ID, my travel documents and my Commissariat membership card.

Inspector Andropov checked through the documents at a lightning pace, a sign that he had done this hundreds, if not, thousands of times, and quickly scanned everything via a computer. I thanked whoever thought of that invention, because I remember standing in line for nearly hours at times to get through.

Andropov handed me back my things which I placed back in a backpack sans the cards I needed in my wallet.

Cadance stepped forward for her turn. Before she did anything, Andropov hastily pointed towards a sign that read in multiple languages 'All documents must be physically present. No digital or magical substitutes.'

"Comrade Inspector," I interjected. "She has everything present with her. I walked through this."

"Do not interrupt comrade Ulyanov!" responded Andropov. "We already know she will take a while to process. Lucky for us, we won't have another train arrive today, so we have until closing time."

"Ye-yes comrade." I stuttered.

I wish I didn't hesitate at that moment in front of Cadance, but I couldn't help it given how intimidating border inspectors were especially after EZIC's latest attempt at an uprising. Cadance herself seemed to have been at least slightly intimated herself, as her usual aura of confidence wasn't exactly up.

Cadance handed in the same documents I did to the inspector. I noticed that he took a longer time to check her documents, evidently paying more attention for a discrepancy. It didn't take a genius to know that he was going to be less trustful of Cadance given her background, albeit for class and not racial reasons. He wouldn't have made it far in life if he held prejudices in this country.

Given the absurd power of the ministry of admissions, I guess he was either trying to avoid a scandal if he let Cadance in with a discrepancy or felt that ordering her out would satisfy his ego.

Amid all this, I grabbed Cadance's hand as we nervously watched Andropov check Cadance's documents. The tension in this room was pretty damn tense.

Andropov submitted Cadance's documents to a computer for scanning and to check if they had been magically tempered with. That last part came in thanks to a cooperation between Germane scientists and Arstrotzkan engineers. With things like Changelings or warlocks disguised with a transformation being an issue at the border, we needed everything we could to root out those using magic to bypass our systems.

Once that was taken care of, Cadance had to hand over her travel visa and permit to enter the country, all of which was taken care of without haste. Then, the interesting parts kicked in.

Since Cadance was technically a politician due to being a royal, she needed proof of her diplomatic status. In my back pack, we reached for a years old document containing the decree that declared Cadance an Alicorn Princess of Equestria. It was written with a feathered pen on an old parchment document, which by Arstrotzkan standards was hundreds of years old.

Andropov frowned at the old document, but merely shook his head and continued his job. Since Celestia and other nobles or royals had visited this country dozens of times, their declarations were already within our database. Sure enough, upon scanning the document, no malpractice or magical interference was detected.

Andropov handed back the parchment and spoke up once more. "Okay, you are an alicorn, we just need proof of your abilities and status."

I raised an eyebrow. "Comrade, I don't think anyone can exactly fake being Princess Cadance."

"Don't argue with procedure," muttered Andropov. "Cadance, please show us your wings which you should be able to spawn."

Cadance took a deep breath and nodded, not wanting to get on Inspector Andropov's bad side. I stepped behind her so that I wouldn't get flicked by her wings once she brought them up.

After a small pause, two pink wings materialized from her back which slightly startled the Arstrotzkans in the room. The Inspector nodded and jotted down that Cadance indeed had Pegasai blood.

"Retract them please." ordered Andropov, to which Cadance complied.

Andropov looked back up at her again. "Okay, now to prove that you have unicorn blood also, please use a simple levitation spell on this one tiny pen here and lift it up gently. Do not....again...DO NOT, use any other spell or lift the pen more than 10 centimeters off the air, or else there will be some major consequences."

Cadance and I glanced to to our side to see the Arstrotzkan border guard squinting at us, his finger hovering the near the trigger of his shotgun, as if he expected Cadance to just start blowing up the place with spells.

Cadance gulped, evidently nervous, and lifted her hand. Her hand began to glow an ethereal color that soon spawned over the pen. The pen was picked up by her telekinetic force and was gently levitating just above Andropov's desk.

Andropov hastily snatched the pen and jotted down on Cadance's documents.

"All right then," he nodded. "Since you are obviously the real deal and not an imposer, we just need to know about the full extent of your magical capabilities. Our secret police do have a file on you, but we better be safe than sorry as you know yourself better than anyone else."

Andropov slipped a paper that all foreigners with magical abilities had to complete, which required the applicant to list out all their magical capabilities.

"Can I help her through this?" I asked.

"By all means." granted Andropov.

Cadance and I glanced at the document.

The first question required her to outline what type of magic she could use. There was a box for pegasai, unicorns, earth types, Halyexandrian elemental magic users, tribal magic users etc.

Finally there was a final box to select that read alicorn, that stated one should not tick it unless they were Kaiser Kreig of Germaney or Princesses Celestia and Cadance of Equestria. Since Cadance was right here, she merely checked the box.

Next she had to check a box that asked her about the level of her magic proficiency. Level 1 for instance would be someone untrained, level 2 would be an unicorn with only the average telekinetic ability (or an Equestrian royal guard because they might as well would have been the same) while levels 3, 4, and 5 were for Halyexandrians or Germane soldiers with varying levels of training or really talented scholars.

Level 6 was reserved for alicorns, which Cadance once again checked. She then had to fill out boxes regarding how long she had been studying magic, how long she had her powers, where she learned them and so on.

Next came up a box that mad her mouth drop.

"Do I have to list every spell I know right here?" blurted Cadance.

Andropov merely nodded.

"Let's get writing then," I muttered. "You obviously know telekinesis."

Cadance jotted that down. "And not to mention every love related spell. I'm also pretty well trained in barrier magic."

"Can't forget any of those energy blasts you were taught." I pointed.

"Eh, I mostly learned defensive magic. Last thing I need is for me to go bad and use my powers for evil." joked Cadance, whose grin quickly dropped upon starring back at Andropov.

Cadance and I took a few minutes to list out everything she knew, which almost ended up filling the entire damn box. Once that was taken out of the way, we handed the papers back to Andropov. Andropov took a look at Cadance's forum and opened a Ministry Of Admissions book on what spells were forbidden in this country. After a few minutes of reading, Andropov took out a highlighter and marked some magic Cadance couldn't use in pink.

Cadance raised an eyebrow. "So, I guess all of my love magic is out of the question?"

Andropov sighed. "While I am aware love magic doesn't always create artificial love and may just be a rekindling of existing feelings, we still cannot have you interfere with people's personal lives like that. Not only would we have to send in the secret police to deport you for that, but you wouldn't want any accusations that you brainwashed comrade Lev into loving you with a spell right?"

Cadance formed a nervous smile. "Funny you say that, because some Equestrians back home think I did that to Lev since they can't comprehend that a Commissar would want to date me."

"And let's prove them wrong, shall we?" questioned Andropov.

"Right," nodded Cadance.

"Just one more question from you if I may ask," requested Andropov. "Do you, by any chance, attract some sort of negative forces on a routinely basis?"

"I beg your pardon?" replied Cadance.

"You know," shrugged Andropov. "Something awfully strange happens to Equestria every week that's resolved in 30 minutes or so whereas some bloke tries to mess with the border guards or check ins at roughly the same pace. We tend to resolve that with a bullet, a tranquilizer or an arrest. Some people however, tend to bring with them a little extra ounces of drama."

Cadance placed a finger on her lips as she thought. "Hmmm, well my aunt does joke that the fate of Equestria has hung in the balance during my visits with someone beloved."

Andropov quickly jotted that down. "So let's see. If we combine the results for that statement, plus the strange stuff that happens to us and your country every week.....um....there's gonna be a terrorist attack in a few seconds by my calculations."

"Oh come on! We just got here!" I yelled. The last thing I needed was for Cadance's first day in Arstrotzka to be greeted with a terrorist attack. I thought about everything that could go wrong with that, especially if it resulted in Cadance deciding that dating me wasn't worth it,

Andropov got out a tranquilizer pistol. "I'll have to alert guards. You two just watch for any suspicious looking people on your way out."

Cadance looked outside the doorway. "Would oddly shaped vests count as suspicious?"

"Yes, why?" asked Andropov.

"FOR COLTECHIA!!!" yelled a voice outside that belonged to a man running straight at the check in zones.

Right before the Coltechian terrorist could set off his explosives, a pink bubble suddenly materialized around the bomb in his vest. Stunned by the sudden use of magic, the Coltechian watched as the bubbled explosive was pried away from his body and detonated within the bubble.

While the explosion was generally contained, there was enough of force to completely smash the barrier bubble and shock wave the Coltechian flying back.

Immediately, two Arstrotzkan border guards swarmed in on the terrorist, pointing guns down at his stunned body. The Coltechian shot up his hands as he was picked up and cuffed.

"Well, it's off to the gulag with you!" scolded a border guard.

"You were lucky that alicorn intervened or else we would have shot you dead the second after." added the other border guard.

Cadance and I watched as the Coltechian terrorist gritted in anger as he was taken away. Forced labor was going to be defining his life for a long ass time.

Cadance turned back to Andropov and smiled sheepishly.

"I'm impressed," nodded Andropov. "First day in here and you're already a hero. I don't think we were in any true danger since we've done this before, but at least you spared us a bullet."

"Uh, no problem." nervously chuckled Cadance.

"I tell you, that bubble barrier magic could be a pretty effective defensive spell. The bomb squads and missile defense units would love it!" pointed Andropov.

"True, but there's my spell and then there's facing hundreds of high yield explosives at once." replied Cadance.

"Ah, that's true." noted Andropov.

"So do Coltechians do this every week or so?" inquired Cadance.

"Coltechian terrorists Cadance. Coltechian terrorists." inferred Andropov. "Stereotyping people is racist and looked down upon here."

"Right right, I wasn't trying to make an offense." apologized Cadance.

"Anyway, I think I know what's going to be in tomorrow's headline in the The Truth Of Arstrotzka," said Andropov. "Good thing we didn't have any more arriving trains or else that would have been a massive inconvenience. You two are free to head into Hoovograd now."

Without saying anything, Cadance and I grabbed a hold of our things and progressed to the other side of the station while the guards and officers did a check up on the area.

The main road was right in front of us and we could see the outskirts of the city and the Pon river. There were quite a few cafes and a booth to hire a taxi cab at the exit, but I had things worked out in advance.

Finally, Cadance broke the silence. "Well, that was something."

"Tell me about it kitten," I said bitterly. "Arriving and departing in and out of places in Arstrotzka is just way more dramatic than it should be."

"Are you okay Levy?" asked Cadance.

"Honestly," I muttered, not bothering to hide my feelings. "Out of all the things that could have gone wrong, we just had to have had an attack on the border at this day! Seriously...I...I just don't blame you if you want to turn back right now."

Cadance smiled reassuringly. "Hey, it might have been a little tense, but it's not like Equestria is problem free."

"Sure, but that was a terrible first impression you had right there!" I pointed.

"Well, your first impression of Equestria wasn't that great either now wasn't it?" noted Cadance.

I bit my lip. "Yeah, but a few snobs aren't exactly comparable to a suicide bombing."

"Eh, you just happened to arrive after the latest giant monster attack and before the next dark wizard tried to turn everything to Tartarus." pointed Cadance.

"So, you're not gonna turn back?" I said dryly.

"I can't exactly turn back with train service out of Hoovograd now being cancelled can I?" joked Cadance. "Seriously though, I came here to see your family and what your whole life back home is. Nothing is going to change that."

She walked up to me and kissed me. "Even if I'm not impressed by this place, that's not going to mean squat in my decision to be with you."

"Thanks kitten." I grinned, now feeling better.

"Besides," continued Cadance, hugging me closer and pressing her full bosom on my chest through her shirt. "I doubt anything will happen to us while it's in your country's interest to keep us alive and in love. You did after all say that the beautiful ones tend to get off just fine in Arstrotzka right?"

"There's that too." I nodded nervously as Cadance kissed me with her breasts smashing my chest.

We continued on to the section where government issued taxis were ready to drive people into the depths of the city. In front of one certain car was a middle aged man wearing a tracksuit with an athletic build and graying hair. He looked like he was lost in thought until he laid eyes on us and smiled with relief.

He approached Cadance and I with his arm stretched out. "Ah! Good to see you two in one piece! I thought you two were goners when I heard that explosion."

"Good to see you comrade Rupenian!" I cheered as I hugged him back, nearly having my upper body explode given how muscular he was.

Rupenian turned towards Cadance and smiled widely. "And you must be Princess Cadance. You might be a royal, but it's an honor to have you here in Arstrotzka."

"It's nice to meet you too!" beamed Cadance, who hugged him back. In a twist of turns, now Rupenian looked like he was the one struggling. I guess Cadance was overcompensating with her super strength.

"Cadance this is Rupenian," I introduced. "He's been driving me around the city for as long as I can remember."

"Seriously!" interjected Rupenian. "What was happening there?"

I sighed. "Another Coltechian terrorist suicide bombing."

Rupenian squinted his eyes. "Bastard nationalists. Was anyone hurt badly?"

"Not at all!" I gladly shook. "Luckily for us, Cadance managed to bubble the guy's explosives before he had the chance to detonate them. He was taken away by some guards off to the nearest gulag."

"A fine fate for a scoundrel like that," nodded Rupenian, who later turned towards Cadance. "And look at you! Not even here for a whole day and you're already material for Hero Of Arstrotzka. Make us proud."

Cadance giggled and twirled her hair. "It's...it's the least I could do."

Rupenian clasped his hands together. "So, are we heading into the city or what? I'm sure your parents are waiting Lev."

"Actually," I replied. "My parents are still out of town and won't arrive until a few hours before dinner. Since my brother is just home, I figured I'd show Cadance around the city by foot before we got to our apartment."

Rupenian raised an eyebrow. "So why get a taxi?"

I smiled sheepishly. "Um, we were just wondering if you could drop off our luggage back at home? You can call my brother and he'll come down to pick it up."

Rupenian spat. "Oh, using me huh?"

Cadance and I tensed, until Rupenian started laughing like a maniac.

"Just kidding! Of course I would help you out. Just put your things in the trunk!" said Rupenian.

With a sigh of relief, Cadance and I got a hold of our things and placed them in the trunk after Rupenian started his car.

Before he left, he opened his taxi's window and called out to us. "Good luck you two! If you need anything, I'm always a call away!"

"Of course comrade!" I beamed as Rupenian drove off.

Cadance clasped her arm around mine. "So Mr. Commissar, care to show a Princess around?"

I smirked. "It would be mine and the People's Republic's honor!"

Author's Notes: