>>30508 >"Our contacts in the local trade guild expect it to go into the inner market so far." >"Good." Amira comments. "We would prefer more people healthier and well fed." >"But if the trend would be the same, however, the traders will have to seek more clients outside or drop the prices they buy it off." The previous speaker continues. >Amira does a circular motion with her ears. >"When they will about to, you know what to do." >"Naturally." The mare nods. "Still, it is hard to make plans that are concerned with the weather without pegasi." >"Indeed" Amira agrees. "But still. >The mare bows and steps back. Another one takes her place before the gazebo. >"On the previous topic, Zebras will no doubt jump on the opportunity if the prices drop at our market." >Amira shrugs. "Come on now, their lands are harsher than some of our own districts and their relation with Her Light is not as strong as ours. They will eat most of it anyway. While I'm not very fond of Zebras, it is travesty to refuse them what the Goddess intended for equinekind." >"True, but they may have to decide to sell you know what to you know who in larger quantities, for hard coin." >Amira's nostrils flare. >"They may. But we will mitigate it in a way we discussed before." >"Also, dear kinsmates, I tell you what, for those of you who it concerns: seek those who are in need of a lease for the seeding campaign, approach first those who have many daughters through your confidants, intercept them if you need from money lenders, and offer seeds from the personal granary with a discount. But add to the contract an obligation for them to give at least one of their daughters to serve in your retinue." >Good amount of mares went to murmur. >"I believe you know what that would look like, Ruling Mother." The mare making the report commented, her face stern. >"Precisely." Amira nods, absolutely calm. "It is your right as a noble." She smiles coldly. >"As you wish." The mare bows and withdraws. >You sit in the bush and carefully wipe some sweat, trying not to impale your hand onto the rose thorn. >The gathering is nothing like it was yesterday, at the party. Now they all really look and talk like mafia members before their boss, discussing some kind of """business""". >All of them serious, talk on point, nobody calls Amira by her name. >Well, at least the war of any kind isn't really the main topic of discussion. You sigh with relief. >There is some commotion in the herd. One rather young mare tries to get forward while the other literally holds her by the tail with her teeth. >Amira's ears stand high. >"No, it is alright." She tells loud enough. "Let her, cousin." >The mare yanks her tail and steps forward. >"Ruling Mother, our merit is statecraft. Don't you think we overstep our position and intrude into other's area of expertise?" >Amira makes a few steps around the gazebo. >"Dear filly, we're doing exactly what we need in order for the state to prevail. Sadly, some certain other families also consider borders of their merit in more narrow context. Economy is the backbone of the state. We cannot allow one sided pressure on that backbone." >The young mare takes a step back, then nods. >"You know, I could have just reminded you the Verse on the Greed." Amira notes. >The mare bows deeply. >"I apologize, Ruling Mother. Thank you." >"I'm happy to provide." Amira answers sternly and the young mare withdraws. ***

>>30509 >It is evening. You pace through your room after returning from a rather uneventful gym session with your bros. >What you have witnessed in the garden still bothers you. So, someone can't afford another war right now. Is that good? If that's about an enemy then probably yes. But what if it's about Amira's state, that is also yours by the way. >You sigh, as you know nothing about what their international situation is at the moment. Or about their military capabilities. >You have already asked yourself this question, what will you do if Amira would get involved in a dangerous business like a war or hostile actions of a political opposition? >Yeah, for Ajmal or Ahmed the world is rather simple, their lady will take care of them and they care little about anything else, happy that someone is in charge. >But you aren't an equine, you're a man, dammit! A war or political struggle is no joke! >You hear hoofsteps and quickly sit, facing the door. Gulzar opens the door. >"Hey, our mischievous singer!" >That's new. "Yes, noble one?" >"Lady Gulzar would suffice. Amira's waiting. Come, sing something good for her." She smiles and walks away. >Hmm, seems like after the introduction at the gathering accepted you as a part of the herd? >You go to Amira's quarters. Walking, you are trying to muster courage to talk with her about important things. *** >Yeah, her beauty, her warm coat, her eyes, both imperious and tender at the same time, her tongue, her wonderful winking... >All in all you are again laying on her muscular back, hadn't had asked a single question. A mare is a wonder. Truly a likeness of the Goddess. >Still, let's try. Now, how to ask... "You are pleased with the reunion, aren't you my l- Amira?" >She bends her neck and licks your shoulder. >"That was a good one. It's nice to meet everyone, to feel the unity. To feel yourself a filly again, lying in grass, stuffing your face, hearing around voices of those who you still consider 'grownups', even when you are a grown mare yourself. To look at all the foals-" >At that she pauses abruptly. And laughs. >"I swear, talking to you is like talking to a mare sometimes. You never tell first how you yourself feel." She decides to stir the conversation the way she prefers. >"Have (you) enjoyed yourself, Anon?" >You think for a moment. Although you yourself felt a bit detached from the whole action, it was indeed very nice to observe everyone having fun and bonding together. >Back home you've watched some historical shows about nobility and came to conclusion that they were shit to each other even among the family circle. >Seems like it isn't like that here. At least in Amira's clan. Heh, at least seemed much more before that scene in the garden. "Thank you, Amira. Yes, I have." >"I'm glad. Have it reminded you about home?" >Here we go again. But, she promised you an equal exchange. "Not really. We don't usually maintain close connection with so much of extended family. Still, it makes me miss my... hmmm... foalhood. Miss my grandmas. And grandpa. They all used to come at... erm... certain holidays. We ate together, they used to tell interesting stories and play with me." You stop and slightly turn away from her, not sure if it is good to elaborate more. >Amira nuzzles your cheek. >"I get what you are saying. As ashamed as I am, I don't dare to imagine-" She stops and is silent for a moment. "You know.... Yes, rather unmarely of me." >You hug her tightly. Hmm, is it good to just bluntly ask her now what you wanted to? Although. "You are just tired my dear lady. That must be a formidable thing to manage a large realm and a large family as well." >"It is quite a responsibility, yes. To think that poor males of your land must bear the same!" >You smile. "You know, we have talked recently with colts." >"Indeed?"

>>30510 "Yes. Ajmal was telling how he would be glad to help you more, as it is customary in peasant families. And I wondered..." >"What about?" "Well... I apologize, my lady, if that would sound ungrateful or like a wain complaint, as a male should accept mare's love without testing its boundaries..." >Amira laughs, rather loud. >"Ahmed influences you in a good way." She remarks."Let me guess, you feel left out. After all, Ajmal is training in something colts shouldn't do, Ahmed researches what colts shouldn't research, and you hailing from a culture where males play more active role, usually either stuck with foal dictations, foal tales or in my hindquarters." She says in merry tone. >You nod. "My lady is acute. Although, your hindquarters is a divine gift one would never dare to complain about." >Her ears stand high, expression surprised for a moment. >"My, my! A daring compliment, from a male no less!." Her smile is rather sly. "So, what area of expertise would you prefer to train in?" "Amira, back when we have arrived here, you were stuck with paperwork and different things like that basically all the time. One would imagine it is hard to write so much, to take so many notes or something, to perhaps make so many repeatative documents and all of that. Since I can fluently write, maybe I could do something to take some of the most boring work?" >And get a decent glimpse into the official business. >Amira looks at you intently. But then she relaxes. >"Thank you, my dear. But I have scribes here. And for some things I have Gulzar and her eldest daughter." >You sigh. "You are right, my lady. Perhaps it would seem outrageous here, with so many people around to let a male into the study." >"But," she continues, "Dameascus residence isn't staffed so well as here. Very well, after we return there, I shall entertain you with some paperwork, if you desire so." >You hug her. "Thank you, Amira!" To be continued… Story so far: https://ponepaste.org/92

>>30132 >It's only when you have your hoof on the doorknob that you realize the severity of your situation >It's locked >You don't remember him locking it >Or ever unlocking it, for that matter >Does Sunburst always lock the door when he's home? >Why? >As the question rattles around your skull, you work your way along the other side of the house >The rest of the house's windows are too high >Except...this one >Dark green ceiling >Your bedroom, must be >You walk your hooves up the wall again >Just like before, the window gives way and you tumble through, landing on your hooves this time >The window clicks shut behind you >Nice >Maybe that'll come in handy again >As you near your bedroom door, you hear Sunburst's muffled voice >"Anonymous? Are you alright?" >Shit >You gently nudge open your door with your snout and peek out into the hall >Sunburst is beside the restroom door, his back to you >"You didn't fall in again, did you?" >Again? >You open the door fully, and Sunburst's ears perk up at the squeaking of the hinge >He turns his head and lets out an "Oh!" at seeing you >"Goodness, there you are." >Sunburst furrows his brow as he takes a better look at you >"Are you alright? Why is your mane such a mess?" >Sunburst's horn lights up, and you watch a few twigs and leaves levitate out of your hair >Right, hair >You open your mouth and let the tuft you'd found drool onto the floor "Look! I found thi-eugh...Eckh!" >There's a hair on your tongue! >You swipe at your tongue to try to take it off >That's not working >Goddammit, how do horses deal with this shit? >Magic? >Probably >You look up at Sunburst again, your tongue still hanging out of your mouth >Sunburst's face is wrinkled up in concern, his snout scrunched >"Anonymous, were you outside just now?" >You nod >You gesture at your tongue with a hoof >He stares at you oddly for a brief moment before his horn lights up again >"Anonymous," >Sunburst starts gently as you feel a tingle on your tongue >"I think we need to put a ground rule in place." "Rules? But, Sunburst, look-" >"Ah! Well, not a, eh, 'rule' per se. Let's say it's...a Pinkie Promise!" >Sunburst smiles down at you >You raise your front hooves and ponder them for a moment "We don't have pinkies..." >"Oh, Pinkie doesn't need to actually be here to do a, um..." >Sunburst's mind catches up with his mouth >"...Do you know Pinkie?" >Odd phrasing "Yeah?" >You eye him suspiciously "Do you?" >"I...I'm not so sure anymore." >Sunburst eyes you with that worried look he seems to get every time you two have these little back and forths >"We'll just call it a promise, mkay?" >His voice is a little softer now >You shrug >Sunburst gives a nod, "Good." >"I need you to promise me that you won't go anywhere where I can't see you. Promise?" "Even the bathroom?" >Sunburst scrunches >"Within reason." "Mkay." >"And I promise not to go anywhere where you can't see me." "Within reason?" >"Within reason." He smiles "Okay. Cool, whatever. Now could you please-" >The hair's gone black >And your spit's gone purple >"I hope that's not from my cooking."

>>30511 You still write! I'm glad to see you again.

>>30511 The writing style of this green kind of reminds me of Dune's. Almost expected Amira to start talking about the spice trade. Definitely an interesting addition to the thread.

>>30558 She probably does know about the spice trade, and how those filthy griffons keep stealing the salt.

>>30511 I have missed your writing a great deal, I'm so happy that you've back and able to post again.

>>30518 >Sunburst lets out a brief sigh as he shuts the book he'd been orating from >"Now," Sunburst adjusts his glasses, "You've got a taste of the theory." "A taste?" >Sunburst just smiles at that >He's been droning from that book for hours now >The book levitates back into its slot on the shelf >"Time for a taste of practice." >A feather rises from somewhere beneath the table and rests where the book once did >You glance between the feather and Sunburst, then back to the feather >You give it a tentative nudge with a hoof >Seems to be an ordinary white feather "Practice how?" >"You're going to...levitate this feather!" >Sunburst grins like he just bought you a new car "...That it?" >Sunburst's face twitches >"I-I know, it might not be...glamorous-" "It's a feather, Sunburst." >Sunburst huffs softly and pushes up his glasses >"Foal steps, Anonymous. Just, humor me." >You feel like you humor him plenty >"First, I want you to focus on the feather." >It seemed like a perfectly normal feather >Actually, too perfect >It's like a feather you'd see in a cartoon >"Now, imagine you have an invisible hoof." >"Imagine that hoof reaching out and lifting up the feather." >Sunburst cups his hooves together and raises them up as he instructs you >You zone in on the feather >You keep trying to imagine like Sunburst told you >You can almost visualize a third hoof reaching out from your horn >Your forehead is feeling kinda warm >Must be your magic >You can see in your mind's eye, the mental hoof is passing through the table and beneath the feather >Wait, if that's what your magic feels like- >Upupup! Focus, Anon >You think you can feel the feather on your mindhoof >The feather nudges >Almost there >Your face is starting to hurt from how hard you're scrunching, but you can't give up now >The feather nudges again >You close your eyes to concentrate harder >Almost... >The image of the horse with the upside down face blinks in your mind, but you feel a flash of heat at your horn before you can fully process it >Was that it? >You open your eyes again >The feather's blue now >You look to Sunburst >He's glaring inquisitively at the feather >"That's...not supposed to happen." Sorry for the wait. Updates should (hopefully) come more regularly in the future

>>30790 >Green >At this time of year? >At this time of day? >In this part of the internet? >Localized entirely within this thread? Love to see it Anon. Thanks for sharing.