I should really consider getting enrolled for some form of frequent flyer reward program. From Terriel to Equestria, Ponyville to Canterlot, and now Canterlot to... What did they call it again? Ah, here it is, written on my documentation to prove my status.
Songring.

That is the name of the place that I am being carted off to. I feel rather uninformed about the situation there or exactly what is expected of me once I arrive, but the small sack of supplies I was given to assist me in my endeavors does not inspire much confidence. It looks to mostly be a couple of canteens of fresh water, some dried fruits, and a chocolate bar (just threw it out the window; I know I won’t need that). The last object I could find is a peculiar handheld launcher along with a long, cylindrical, white-and-gold projectile. Considering the fact that a fuse is poking out of one end of it, I can assume that this must be a very primitive flare-gun of sorts. All that comes with it is a small pamphlet that shows how to load the flare into the launcher, and a written note that simply says, “Emergency Use Only.” What exactly constitutes an emergency? The last thing I need while on my probation is to be penalized for “crying wolf,” so I feel as though this will just stay at the bottom of my backpack.

It started a couple of days back, the day after I had sent Sugarlump on her way to Ponyville with letters to my employer and acquaintances. The Princess had finished reading my synopsis of the fall of Clean Ages and called me to the throne room. This interrupted a bit of study I was doing in the university's library (“Quizpen's Obscure Unicorn History Encyclopedia Vol. 8, T-V."). I was hoping to find some more information on teleportation, but didn't learn anything useful; instead I have discovered that there are laws in place about the use of telepathy spells that were set into effect after a negotiation between two nobles: Their arbitration ended with each one falling comatose after attempting to read the others' mind at the same time, only to recover a week later with a persisting case of Tourette Syndrome.

Aside, the Princess called me to the throne room to speak with me about the synopsis. She was still sitting with her gilded teacup nearby, perusing the breviary as I entered. I can only assume she was rereading it once more, as I am sure she has more tact than to call me in before she had done me the liberty of a first reading. It was nice to see her smiling this time, instead of the discouragement I witnessed during Nimbus' presentation of the report.

"You requested me, Princess?"

"Ah! Yes, Ambassador Prodder. I had the chance to read over your review of what happened at Clean Ages. Come up and have a seat, I have something important to speak with you about."

"I am much more comfortable standing, Your Majesty."

"Just come on over here and sit down, Benjamen."

"I request to use my diplomatic immunity to remain standing."

"Are you really doing this? Are you really going to be so antisocial and impersonal that you won't even humor me by taking a seat up here?"

"Why hello, Princess. My name is Benjamen Prodder; this must be the first time we've met."

"Okay, cut it out and get up here. I already have to endure the fact that most of my subjects cannot make it through a conversation with me without fearing that I'm going to banish or punish them. The least you could do is entertain my idea that humans are made with a little more resolve."

"I am expressing that resolve, in the form of asserting my wishes to remain standing."

"Is it that you don't want to sit, or is it sitting next to me that's the problem?"

"I just finished reading that telepathy is almost forbidden, so I think I'll go with "sitting in general" as my final answer."

"Oh, that’s cute. Well, Benjamen, I can make you take a seat up here if I must. Now will you do it, or will you make me make you do it?"

"Please, Princess, let's not have this turn into a dispute or a display of power. I understand that you have the capability; I'm just requesting you have the sensibility not to."

"One."

"I'm really not comfortable with this."

"Two."

"Let's not, and say we did?"

"Alright, up you go."

I then ended up sitting next to the Princess against my wishes as my feet were held in place, folded neatly beneath me after she used her magic to forcefully levitate me into a seated position beside her. For the sake of defending myself, I really do not feel comfortable having a casual sit and chat with foreign royalty; especially one that can (and I'm still torn as to whether or not she would) exile me to the moon for the rest of my life.

"Now, about that important issue I needed to speak with you about. I wanted to say that this read has been rather enjoyable."

"I thought the story was tragic personally, but it was very interesting to say the least."

"I meant the way you put it down. I will be honest: I was afraid it was going to be rather dry and boring, but it turned out to be like reading a magazine column."

"… Your majesty, are you relating my report to a drugstore periodical of some sort?"

"It's entertaining like one, and I enjoyed how you snipped out a lot of the drudgery and monotony but kept in quite a few of the details that made the whole story juicy."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it then." I said this with my best poker face on, as it might be dangerous to express my true feelings towards how she related my works to some kind of supermarket tabloid.

"Yes, and I believe it did show something rather interesting about you, Benjamen. You have quite a bit of your personal thought included in this report. I suppose it is because you are so used to writing in your journal in that manner, but it does display that you have a mind for these sorts of things."

"I don't follow."

"My sister asked if you happened to be a coordinator prior to your arrival here in Equestria after reading your report. She was pleased to see that you understood which details were important – more so than the bureau that compiled the findings. That made me start to think of exactly what you might be good at to help pay off your debt to me. You know the debt? The one you incurred when you shot me in the neck? That debt?"

"Yes, I know which debt, Your Majesty. Please, may I stand back up?"

"Fine, fine, go ahead and stand. I'm sure there will be much of it to do in Songring anyway, so perhaps it would not hurt for you to practice it a bit more."

"Beg your pardon?"

"You're the new Coordinator. Congratulations, Ambassador."

"... No, really, can you tell me what do you mean by that?"

"That means you're now my new little Compass Rose. You see, with the position vacant, and a pressing need to ensure that the current investments made into the upcoming settlement attempt of Songring are put to use, we need to find a replacement for him – immediately. Now tell me: Do you believe in fate, Benjamen?" The princess wore a devious smile as she questioned me, her sly wit having just damned me.

"I believe it has it out for me, yes,” I begrudgingly responded.

"Well, I can't be the judge of that. I believe that perhaps your appearance here is less coincidental and more purposeful. The least we can do is take a chance and see, right?"

"I've never managed anything, Princess Celestia,” I protested with a raise of my hands. It was hard for me to even comprehend what she was asking of me, much less believe she was serious about it.

"I think you've got the necessary skills, and perhaps it will teach you that lesson you wanted? Either way, my decision has been made. Somepony will assist you in collecting your possessions for the journey, and I will also have somepony bring you up to speed on the specifics of Songring."

I didn't say anything after that: I had decided that I had dug myself deep enough into the hole, and that if I went any further down, I might hit magma.

"Remember what Twilight told you, Benjamen! Try to have fun, won't you?"

Fun – yeah – fun. I can think of a few other things that start with F that I would rather call this scenario, but why not call it fun.

I've been informed of turbulence ahead, so to keep from leaving long streaks of ink in my notebook, I will postpone my explanation of this place, Songring, until I arrive there.

Time for me to go have fun.