I spent the rest of the day digging up information about how the rest of Equestria got its water. The ponies were not without their tricks. They knew how to move water, and that was good. If I had to go over even those basics, we'd never reach the point I was aiming for. It was also comforting to know 'magic' was not always the default answer.

Most of the books I had seen seemed to imply that was an answer out of reach of the average pony. Good. No surprises should come from the idea of handling it without magic then.

"Are you done reading?" sighed out Easy. "It's late, I'm hungry, and we have court tomorrow."

I couldn't entirely argue with her. "Let's get something. Good job."

"Huh?" She tilted her head at me.

"You're already managing." I pointed a finger at her as I shut the book I had been browsing.

She sat up with a proud smile. "As if there was any doubt? I'll keep you on track." She hopped up to her hooves and we went off to the dining hall.

We ate, chatted, and slept. My rest was interrupted by a warm and fuzzy presence. Water had slid in beside me, snuggling beneath the blanket.

"I'm going to fix it," she whispered urgently. "Just wait... We'll have your wonderful skin back where it should be."

She was moving in a frisky way, and I had little reason to turn it down, so it was an evening well spent. If we were to become a permanent thing, some part of me might have been alright with that alien bit of anatomy, since it fit her so well. Besides, what man hadn't fantasized about that part at least once?

Water was gone by the time I woke up, and I was clean as if she had never been there. She was a maid first. I had to respect that in a way.

"Enjoy your visit?" snickered Easy, a hoof over her mouth as if to clumsily hide her mirth.

"We didn't bother you, I hope?" I started getting dressed for court, gussying up as was proper.

"What, me? Nah..." She waved it away. "You two really have a thing going, don't you? Gonna take her hoof and marry her? I bet she's waiting for you to ask."

From what I knew... "Don't ponies lean towards matriarchy?"

"What? Sure, but it's usually the stallion that pops that question. Besides, she's a maid. Assuming authority is so far outside her usual day, I wouldn't expect her to take the lead in that." She hopped down from the bed, stretching out. "Didn't answer the question. Do you want to marry her? Do you like her back, or just being a randy stallion, enjoying the fun?"

It wasn't as if I wasn't enjoying the fun, but Water was a person too. "We should get to court. We'll see how much Water wants to be around when I start working outside this castle and we both get dirty."

Easy strode for the door easily. "Already ahead of ya, boss. Today we watch, right? Easy."

We worked through the halls to join the line that was already formed in front of the court doors. Soft was not there, or at least not near us. Some of the other nobles watched us, or more me, but most were busy having little conversations about upcoming things they wanted to bring up at court.

"Pardon," inquired a female to my right. The tall and slender unicorn was looking me up and down. "I've been meaning to ask you a few questions, if you've the time?"

I didn't know who she was, but I figured that was true for a lot of ponies. They knew me, from the fuss I'd made. "What's up?"

She glanced upwards as if something may actually be there, but they fell quickly to me. "Is it true you've run clandestine operations on Princess Celestia's behalf?"

That was a touchy question! "I've done nothing illicit or underhanded."

She smiled a little. "Good to hear. Tell me, what is your goal? You don't have a house."

"No I do not," I easily agreed. Being the only human, trying to lie about that would only be good for laughs. "I just want to make Equestria a better place."

She hike a brow at me, her long tail curling a little. "Noble words, but empty pretty words are easy to speak, strange sir. We all want for something, you would be better speaking of those wants, rather than to claim you have none."

Easy was suddenly between us, popping right between my legs to get in the way. "Look, it isn't complicated," she huffed out. "He's one of those ponies that wants to be remembered in books, maybe get a statue or three for leaving a legacy worth remembering. That isn't so strange is it?"

The mare recoiled in surprise, but it turned to a smile moment's later. "That is understandable. Thank you." She nodded to Easy gently. "And you are?"

I interjected that time, "This is Easy Breeze, my manager."

"She manages you?" asked the noble looking unicorn.

"I manage things for him, and sometimes him. Whatever needs managing, I'm there." She thumped her chest with a proud grin. "The door's opening. Let's go."

We filed into the court, taking our seats. The mare whose name I hadn't gotten did not sit near us, but Soft appeared, sinking down beside us. "Good morning. I'll be giving my announcement. Please wish me luck, and thank you both for coming."

I sat up in my chair. "You sound nervous."

"And why would I not be?" He raised a brow. "Though I am the bearer of good news, it will be tacit confession that I had contact with her before now. Few will believe that she suddenly picked an entirely random pony to make this announcement through. If it should come to it, I do hope you two will speak on my behalf." He cleared his throat softly. "I only meant the best for all involved."

The council arrived, minus two. Psychic Granny would not be returning... And the war-mongerer was gone. Had he been punished properly? What was that punishment? I wondered silently as they began the ritual with the greeting of the sun, speaking their thanks for those who sacrificed themselves to bring us this far.

Celestia nodded to the crowd, her eyes sweeping over me an instant, seeing me, but not lingering there. "There are now two holes in our ranks, holes we cannot abide. This is not a matter of disrespect for those who have vacated them--"

"--Except one," shouted out a mare, getting soft chuckles around her.

Celestia coughed into a hoof. "As I was saying, the government must go on. Now is the time to step forward, should you have interest in assuming this heavy responsibility."

Hooves rose, glares were given and received. A few loud shouts got some hooves to lower as ponies bullied and socially shoved to scare some right out of the race before it properly began.

The female council member nodded. "I've taken down the names of those stepping forward. We'll be in touch."

Soft stood up. "Forgive my interruption, Council, but I have dreadfully important news to share."

Celestia's ears perked right up towards Soft. "Yours is not a face I typically associate with rudeness. Soft Touch, what inspires you to stand up so suddenly?"

Soft bowed his front forward. "I bring word from her. She is willing to step down from her agressions and return to civilian life, if she is permitted to do so. The civil war can be over at your word, with her followers disbanding simultaneously, provided amnesty is offered to them in return for peace, that Equestria may advance as a unified people once more."

Celestia looked left and right, meeting the surprised looks of the other council members. They all leaned in closed to one another, heated whispers going back and forth before the stallion sat up, hoof raised. "If she is willing to put aside her desire for war, we will not be outdone in the name of peace."

The mare nodded quickly. "Any pony that sets down their weapon and returns to more gainful employment within the next moon will be forgiven and welcome in society."

Celestia inclined her head softly. "Starting with her spy."

Soft tensed even as he bowed again. "I am... overjoyed to see this ugly affair set down for the betterment of the nation."

Celestia raised a hoof lightly. "You, Soft, I confess to surprise... Still, the motion passes." All three of them brought down a hoof as one, clopping the decree into existence. "Tell them, they have until the end of the next moon to disperse. Those who remain ready for battle will be treated as outlaws."

"I always knew he was up to something," whispered a pony a row or two back from me. Other similar grumbles spread. Poor Soft had taken a severe social hit doing what he did. Would he ever be fully trusted again?

I reached over and laid a hand on his head, making him jump. I really should have stopped touching ponies so casually, but they were so pettable. "Soft, want to join my team? I could use a pony skilled with how noble channels flow."

His ears perked, the fur tickling the underside of my arm. "I... I would be delighted to help."

I had a feeling other jobs options would be dry for him for a while. Everyone would know he was a spy. I wasn't mad at him, and his working for me would help his reputation recover if we got things done.

"Just, um, Sir." He pointed up at my hand still resting on his head, his horn between two fingers. "We're not that familiar, Sir."

I pulled my hand back in a flash. "Sorry." How would I explain that they were just nice to pet? No reasonable way. I could lie and say humans did that, but they usually didn't pet one another. "With this war officially moving out of the picture, we can get to planning the next step."

He tilted his head faintly, looking past me towards Easy. "Is there a next step in mind?"

"Nope," she replied without hesitation. "But there's gonna be one." She raised a hoof, pointing at the council that was speaking on other matters. "We need to talk to them. If bits aren't being wasted on this stupid war, maybe we can get our hooves on some to start real work."

That reminded me. "There is a matter of the union." Trying to cut them out would create a ripple of bad feelings that could cripple the project in the long term. "Let's go see what they need, and being a member may have other advantages when it comes time to start building."

Soft nodded softly. "Very good, Sir, Ma'am. Shall I see to their needs?"

Could he do that? It was tempting... "I should probably put my own hands on that. I have a feeling they'll be deeply involved with this project. I'll want you there, mind. Let's reconvene after court and get started with that."

We shared a nod of agreement, a shared purpose in our chests. It felt good, to be reaching for what I had come for in the first place.

"Miss Breeze?" asked Celestia, looking to Easy Breeze, who was waving a hoof excitedly. "You are not on the docket. The court recognizes you for just one minute. Please proceed."

Easy sat up tall, clearing her throat. "We've done everything asked of us. We want to get building. Can we have some budget put aside for that soonish? We're ready to go!"

That was not how I would have put it. It was not how Soft would have put it either, gauging from his subtle look of surprise from Easy's direct approach.

Author's Notes:

Ah Easy. I am entirely cool with your presence. Soft joins the forming company of builders. The war looks like it is really ending. Good news all around, yes? Where are the typos...?

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