The Best Night Ever (Private with The_Pariah)

Paladin continued to watch silently.

"Of course." Celestia nodded. "What number of your changelings will be affected?"

"As a trial period, we will be sending about a hundred. I trust this is agreeable to you?"

Celestia frowned. "It depends. How many cities will you be settling across?"

"Just one, of your choosing."

Paladin smiled, an idea forming in his head.

"Hm. I don't have any particular preferences. But it ought to be a high-population city." She noticed Paladin's smile. "Any suggestions?"

"Well, it could be Canterlot, but I feel that somewhere like Ponyville would be the best location to trial this."

"Ponyville?" Both Celestia and the diplomat raised their eyebrows in surprise.

"Isn't that a little too low-population?" Celestia asked.

"Indeed, our changelings might actually outnumber the local populace." The diplomat commented.

"True, but you forgot that of any town in Equestria, they are by far the most likely to accept the changelings."

Celestia mulled over it. "True, true..."

"But that is not the purpose of the trial period." The diplomat protested. "The long-term goal is to settle all our changelings in Equestria peacefully. We ought to try this in a typical Equestrian city."

"Manehatten then." Paladin said. "It's one of our larger cities."

The diplomat turned to Celestia. "Are you agreeable to this, Princess?"

"Yes." She stated firmly. "I am."

"Very well." The diplomat nodded. "Then let us move on to our next order of-"

The door swung open, and the Captain of the Guard stood behind it. "Princess. I apologise for my latecoming to the negotiations."

"Shining armour. What held you?"

"Administrative affairs for yesterday's... incident." He strode forward and stopped beside Paladin.

Ician looked extremely alarmed, on his side of the throne.

"Pardon?" He whispered. "Which incident?"

"The protest." Shining Armour whispered in return.

In the meantime, Ician was shuffling his hooves in concern. He closed his eyes.

"Greetings, Captain." The diplomat said. "Now, on to other affairs. I welcome the presence of the Captain, as this one is decidedly... more militaristic."

"I see." Paladin turned back. "Indeed, let us continue."

"Yes, you see, on the way to the Canterlot, my delegation and I were attacked by bandits and pirates." The diplomat leaned forward. "Quite unpleasant, if you will. I would like to see this situation taken care of, if we are to settle our changelings in your territory."

Ician brightened up considerably.

"As you wish. Perhaps you give us the location upon which you were attacked, and I'm sure our tactician will be able to assist you."

"It was in the forest you call Whitetail Woods." The diplomat said. "If you'll-"

"We'll depart at once!" Ician exclaimed. "After all, we'd hate to disappoint our new allies, wouldn't we... Captain?"

"Huh?" Shining Armour looked at him. "I... suppose so, but-"

"Then it's settled." Ician quickly strode to his side and escorted him out. "We'll take the First and Second Elite Infantry Divisions, and the First Battle Mage Division..."

Paladin blinked and shrugged. "As you can see, we are always quick to respond to the needs of our allies."

"And very enthusiastically, it seems." The diplomat mused as Ician escorted Shining Armour out. "Can you guarantee the quality of your military, that they will be able to get rid of this threat?"

"Most definitely sir. The threat shall be removed."

"Very well. Now, the penultimate condition." The changeling leaned forward. "I must ask that you release Commander Theria to Hive custody."

Celestia glanced at Paladin, then back at the diplomat.

"I see. And how would Miss Theria be treated when she was released to your custody?"

"She will be treated as her role in recent events demands she does." The diplomat replied.

((Got to go now, sorry!))

"Which is what exactly?"

[Bai]