Deerham Holds The Key To Thy Heart [Mad Cap] [Concluded]

[Ashti Sandburst]

Whilst walking Arabesque remained silent, yet attentive to Mad Cap. Willing to know the answer, and also the source of this uneasiness. So, when the Assistant revealed the reason of her question, the mare sighted a bit.

Yet Arabesque smiled to her, and patted the mare, understanding Mad Cap's concerns.

Hihi… well, you know… I have lived with Sala- Ashti during 20 years now. And he's not a jealous pony… even if I like spend time with him, he would perfectly understand if I spend time with somepony else ^^

Then she continued to walk and immediately thought to Baritone Shore, the stallion she met in the boat… if they meet again, maybe should her present him to Ashti ? The fact that as Baritone was a stowaway she proposed him to acted like her "coltfriend"… could be funny to mention in a chat around a tea. Or to see his face even if she know that the Ambassador would certainly doesn't mind it.

Now, to be honest, she never really considered the idea to go in Equestria and hang out with Mad Cap; it could be fun however. Yet it would be better to, first, ask to her husband about this : Maybe Ashti could find a schedule for this occasion. After-all, as she would probably ask to Ashti to teleport her… She means, she was not willing to each time doing 6 days of roundtrip travel.

Also Arabesque has to find a day off to organise all this. So, she resumed :

We should ask or plan it with my husband : As he bring me in Equestria, you will have to go in the mansion, I guess. There could be also changes due to my husband's lifestyle and duties. It… it's quite complicated. But I would be pleased to hang out more with you, Anisa Cap ^^.
"Well, here we are ladies, step inside...and see my tricks"

Arabesque looked at the performer, after giving a warm smile to the other mare : she didn't noticed how short the walk has been, And speaking with Mad Cap even made her forget about the "Ashti" she saw a moment ago.

But she doesn't continued to, and instead preferred remain focused on the incoming show that Mad Cap and Quip will perform. The mare whistled to the stage : she rarely saw this. It was maybe cultural, but the sandlandic stages were different in the appearance, the layout. But it was mostly a tradition from the time when tribes didn't have access to so many matters, or didn't need to. As the Sandlandic way is less impressive and more basic than Equestrian's or other civilisations, they instead focused their artifices on the show.

Anyway, and even if questioning about the covered part of the stage, Arabesque sat on a cushion lying on the big Persian carpet and looked to Quip vanishing behind the curtain and next Mad Cap revealing the box, making the mare to gasp.

She heard that foreigner performers loved to use blade for their tricks, well fakir and sandlandinc dancer use them too, But even if they were sharped weapons, sabres and swords notably, the saw blade looked a bit sick.

It was not something she was accustomed to, as the others of her kind. Yet she knew that Sandlanders were tending to judge foreign concepts. The mare remained a bit static and had a slight awkward smile… looking to the blades without noticing Mad Cap, at least until this one spoke. Turning back to Mad Cap, Arabesque followed the Assistant's laugh, a bit uneasy yet excited to see how those saw blades will be used.

In… indeed. But it would be original for me, at least ^^. Heheh…

[CableZ]

ASk Arabesque sat down on the cushion, Mad Cap was climbing up the site of the large saw blade filled crate to inspect the contents more closely. She was listening, but just not looking for a moment, however she turned when Arabesque showed her slight discomfort at the crates content.

"Oh don't worry about it, we know what we're doing, theres more than just those in here" She laughed.

Jumping down from the crate, Mad Cap picked up the cloth cover in her mouth and threw it back over the crate, covering it perfectly. Mad Cap then walked past her friend with a smile over toward the other covered structure, pulling the cover from that quickly. Under the second cover was a large glass vat of some sort of bubbling green liquid, the liquid was partially transparent. Mad Cap walked around the large glass vat, inspecting it very closely for cracks and chips. When she got round to the side that was opposite Arabesque, she made a few funny faces at her friend through the green liquid. Giggling slightly, she walked back around and threw the cover back over the vat, and then jumped over toward her friend, landing on the cushion next to Arabesque with a 'pompf'

She was about to say something when Quip emerged back from behind the large curtain on the stage, looking down at the mares with a laugh.

"Well, everything checks out, I guess now we just wait."

[Ashti Sandburst]

"Oh don't worry about it, we know what we're doing, theres more than just those in here"
…Ah. Hihi… sorry, it is a bit new to me… but, I don't doubt of you. I am sure you know what you are doing ^^

A smile in face, Arabesque glanced to the mare, hiding his uneasiness by a composed allure. Not without smiling awkwardly. Arabesque glanced to her friends, trying to not missing a beat. Yet her thoughts were fulfilled with situations she imagined: what they planed to do, what would be their next actions, etc… Then she remained focused.

But when she saw the green liquid the Archivist was even more wondering what it was. She never sees such thing before, or read about this. Or if she had, it was not coming in mind atm. It looked fishy to her, but she said nothing, thinking it was maybe water and looked like this for the show, the mise-en-scene.

Giggling at the funny faces from the mare, Arabesque looked to her friend landing at her side, clapping. The Archivist was ready to say something when Quip interrupted her in coming from the curtain, laughing. But his word made the mare to be even more surprised.

"Wait" ? … For what ? ^^

During this time, on the palace. Two ponies were standing in a big room, luxurious and in the pure Sandlandic style. All were unicorns and, protected by deer guards, were speaking about diplomatic bonds under the glance of the Sheikh and the Reis.

The diplomats used interpreter : the Israheeli diplomat used one, a pony knowing Deerhai and Ivrít, as the Prance's diplomat were translated by another pony, a unicorn which emerged from the smile in face. Before taking back his composure : and this unicorn was Ashti Sanburst.

However the situation seemed quite tensed beetween them. The Prance diplomat have said something quite insulting, complaining, and showing arrogance. But despite this, The Deeraim remained composed and tried to turn a blind eye to the unlikeable behavior of the Prance's diplomat.

The Israheeli one tried to defuse the situation in showing concerne for Deerham. As the diplomat were playing bad and good cops. But now, why Ashti was present here ? What is his role ? And is it really Ashti ? To be continued...

[CableZ]

As Arabesque asked why they were waiting, Mad Cap looked slightly confused, it seemed obvious to her, and Quip.

"Um...for the show Arabesque, me and Quip have nothing else to do here." Mad Cap tried not to sound condescending, but it was hard.

Quip felt how awkward the situation was, and so hopped up from his seated position and flipped down onto the ground below, leaping from the stage gracefully.

"Hey Arabesque, did Ashti ever tell you about the little adventure me and him went on together?" Quip laughed as he started gathering some of the hundreds of cushions that layered the floor for people to sit on when the show came. He began stacking the cushions up, like bricks as part of a wall.

"It was pretty...hm actually...I can't remember much of what happened...and..weirdly I can't remember much of the dinner when we met" Quip rubbed his chin for a moment

"Actually that is weird, I can't remember much of that either" Mad Cap chimed in thoughtfully

"It's almost like someone deleted them from our memory" Quip sounded pretty deep for a moment.

He continued stacking the cushions until he had a little cushion based house, complete with a window on the side facing the mares, how it was supported at the top was beyond science. Quip popped his head up form inside, laughing slightly.

[Ashti Sandburst]

"Um...for the show Arabesque, me and Quip have nothing else to do here."
Aww… I am sorry :/

Arabesque didn't herself know what to do now. She thought they would do other tricks, but she understood that they kept them for the show. They could still go see the performing in the lower part of Deerham, and see her friend singing.

But before she could reply, Quip spoke about something interesting. Is Quip was motioning his first relic hunt with Ashti ? She admitted, Ashti didn't spoke a lot of this and it was maybe she forgot until now, not really able to remember what he said about.

So, naturally it interested her… but while she waited a story, she could only notice that she was not the only one to be unable to remember thing about this event. It was weird, even more when they mentioned the dinner.

A diner…? Ah! ah yes. It was a week ago… but… huh… yes, it was a week ago… or ? Hmm. Yeah, that's weird. "Deleted", huh?

Remaining contemplative some seconds, Arabesque mentally shrugged about this. It was weird, sure, but maybe Ashti remember it. It's weird, she admitted but something she felt like something invisible put her into situations. Like if she a fictional evolving in a story… but it sounded absurd. Anyway she shrugged and followed Quip's laugh.

-----
During this time in the palace.

The sheik Sadalbari was grinding his teeth. Exceptionally, Alderamin have asked to his brother to speak in his name, fainting exhaustion. Sadalbari was then interacting with the diplomats, and the last we can said is that the chat was friendly : Complaints, criticisms, showing arrogance and disdain, The Prance diplomat have done so much diplomatic mistakes that he would been banned for the next centuries.

And this situation was not really what Sadalbari would have expected : heck, the sheikh was too for this nonsense. Yet, he remained collected… even if the desire to knock out this self-satisfied kid and burry him on the desert was growing in the sheikh's mind.

Ah, ce siège est tout bonnement inconfortable. En outre, qu'est-ce donc pour de la qualité. ?.. si je puis me permettre t'appeler ça de la (ahem!) "qualité". Si j'avais su, sincèrement, que je aurais subi une telle déconvenue, je vous aurais apporté une chaise de ma nation. Pour que vous puissiez contempler de e vrai raffinement.
(Ah, this seat is quite simply uncomfortable. What is this quality, besides? … if I may call this (ahem!) some "quality". if I had known, sincerely, I would be subject to such disappointments, I would have bring you a seat from my nation. For you can behold what quality and refinement are.)

He shrugged, a smug smile in face.

Mais, je suppose que "passable" est un synonyme de "qualité" chez vous. Néanmoins j'admets que tout le monde ne puisse rivaliser avec la Prance…
(Yet I suppose that for you "fair only" is similar to "quality". Nonetheless, I would admit that not everybody could compete against Prance.)

Then he clapped his hoof and make sign to the unicorn, Ashti, to translate this.

Interprète, je vous prierais de faire votre travaille et vite. La chaleur de cette pièce est désagréable pour ma crinière.
(interpreter, would you be kindly to do your work and hurry up. The heat of this room is plainly unlikeable for my mane.)

Glancing to the Prance, Ambassador, unfazed, then to Reis, Ashti sighted and was starting to open the mouth when he has been interrupted by the Israheeli emissary which let a taunting sound. Then he started to whisper in the ear of his interpreter, an earth pony, which translated in Deehai his boss' words.

Soma Şakin'el-Shaan. Ana soma kirdin mish sun'nê eme azíz sayyid; soma zare av'talah-ja somara felek. Somara farhang var mish mali hona sharm'nạk. Somara raaj sheyad hast naya, tashbih al-Prance, lekin soma var hakimija ek-etkileyi sanat aur farhang.
(Your Serene Majesty. I beg you to not listen to this dear sir; you will just waste your time. Your culture does not have to be shameful. Your realm is maybe new, compared to the Prance, but you have already mastered an impressive art and culture.)

When the interpreter haves finished the translation, Ashti translated this to the Prance diplomat. However the Israheeli diplomat was trying to not "attack" the Prench one. Which, anyway, reacted to the Israheeli diplomat's words, outraged.

Sat on his seat, Alderamin was silent, glancing to the diplomats. Frowning. For someone representing a nation willing to create bond and partnership with Deerham, the Prench diplomat was not really doing his job well. On a side note, the Israheeli one was always trying to be nice or overly-diplomatic.

And finally… Ashti. This one seemed, despite having Prance's blood and lineage, to remain neutral or unfazed by the Prench diplomat's behaviour. But it was possible that was because Ashti didn't want to take a side, or was struggle to which side take.
However Ashti was not planed or asked to be at Deerham during the Celebration. Yet it was this Prench diplomat if explained them that he have asked Ashti to be his interpreter… it sounded weird, but Alderamin was not willing to see out which, he have to admit, was a relieve.

But Alderamin was not fooled: something was fishy here, and it was why he didn't participated: he was investigating.

Minute have passed but the tension increased between the Prance and the Israheel who didn't appreciated the cutting remarks of the other diplomat. Sadalbari immediately knocked his cane on the ground, in a way, that both diplomat jolted and stopped. The irritation from the Sheikh was noticeable… yet he remained relatively collected.

Ana tehreek an ham chilna khârij. Raees ya? (I propose that we walk outside. O Reis?)
… Hm. intazar eth (Let us do it)

Alderamin glanced to the diplomats and started to rise up. The Reis have ordered to the Javidan to let them alone with his guests. So, when Ashti opened the room, the nine bodyguards were here, bowing. Ashti himself did a reverence and let the diplomats pass first, then Sadalbari, and Alderamin, before closing the doors and be followed by the Javidan.

The walk thought the corridors helped greatly the Sheikh to calm down, even if the Prench diplomat was always looking like he judged everything on its way with condescendence, followed by the Israheeli which seemed to force himself to compliment the architecture, the decorations, and all.

Ashti, him, was marching next of the Reis, silent… before speaking at low voice to the Reis.

Hamara Raees… sakna ana dibér açikse ? (Our Majesty… can I speak frankly ?)
…? Ham sun'nê tu… (… ? We listen thee…)
Fi`lan, eme hast masin al-za'êf Isrāh'iliy. (Actually, it is about the Israheeli guest.)
Ham atsár tu… Dibérse ind ishanra ẓahrim hast edilemez, Salamalekh.
(We stop thee… speaking in their backs is unacceptable, Salamalec.)
… Ana hu bebashid. Eme zare, Hamara Raees var ishtihar-ja an hamara za'êf hast...
sokulgan ?
(… I am sorry. It just, Our Majesty does not have noticed that your guest is… ingratiating ?)
…

At those words, the Elk glanced to the diplomats, frowning. Feeling that the Reis was considering his words, Ashti resumed, happy to be listened.

Ana hu khaa'if, eme tae'er eshţa de var somara lehine, Hamaea Raees. Soma mali hona mutfakiryi sath hu : Huwa hast ek-khushamdi, Ana hu akiid.
(I am afraid, this pony only try to have your favour, Our Majesty. You should be careful with him : he is a sycophant, I am certain.)
Ham daakhil, hamara za'êf istazhara tabay… lekin ham hast yanliş'tashreeh huwesh kalamekim.
(… We admit, our guest seems obedient… but we are surely misinterpreting his words.)
… Ana háqqan socna mish soma mali aitbar hu. Ans var honaja agadan an Isrāh'il hast tabah-ja aur jhansase sath ghair thárwa vatanim ind al-koshish de jama dahab.
(… I really do not think you should trust him. I have been informed that Israheel is ruined and flattering with other wealth nations in the attempt to collect gold.)

Whilst they walked, the group have reached the main door, the entrance towards the courtyard. During the walk, Alderamin thought to Ashti's words. Yet he didn't agree with Ashti's words, which looked to him inadmissible and misplaced. Unworthy of Deerham's spirit and especially towards royal guests.The unicorn's words have prevented the Reis to resume his investigation.

Arabesque remained static, taken aback. In the bottom of the courtyard Ashti was standing along the other dignitaries. The mare has a big smile of happiness, and glanced to Mad Cap and Quip.

I was sure of it! Look, there is Ashti over there. Sala'!

And without waiting the mare ran towards her husband… waving to him. But this one seemed to ignore her, even when he glanced to her, he remained emotionless, resuming his chat with the the Reis in the complete indifference of the mare.

Ana ja'as ya : aitbar mish Isr Isrāh'il. Eme yemra hast tufaili zare khwahan de hamara thárwa. Aur se al-kutnit phrânşiy…
(I advise you: do not trust Israheeli. They are parasite just willing of our wealth. And about the Prench diplomat…)

Under the lack of reaction from Ashti, the mare stopped her run. Maybe he was in an important situation and could not reply to her… It was surely this. Yet she remained disappointed and way ready to turn back to the group and return toward the performers… when a flash lighted up the Palace's hall.

Everyone turned back to the light, intrigued whilst the Javidan took their weapon, using a defensive formation to protect Alderamin and Sadalbari. They looked to the entrance… and two silhouettes went out: two unicorns… which made the Prance diplomat to sweat…
Neither Alderamin or Sadalbari or even the Javidan didn't know how to react, when they saw that one of the unicorns was Ashti, holding a timepiece in hoof, poketwatch that he putted in his outfit. Visibly upset.

Arabesque didn't moved, didn't spoke when she saw a second Ashti… she was trying to clear the situation in her mind. One of the silhouettes then pointed his hoof towards the diplomats, shouting.

C'est lui ! (That's him!)

Then without warning, the second unicorn dashed on his double and threw him to the ground, creating a cloud of dust when the two Ashti fought each other. Yet, one of the Ashti been kicked so hard that he was threw against the Israheeli diplomat which didn't had the time to run, being knocked down by the unicorn body and the gravity as well.

The other Ashti, a smile in face, bolted towards the courtyard entrance, and towards Arabesque. The Archivist was as confused that everyone here but, when she saw Ashti bolting to her, and saw the other one unconscious, she understood.

Arab…esque !

Listening her heart she clenched her hoof, and ran towards the bolting Ashti, dealing a so powerful punch in the stallion's stomach, that this halt "Ashti" one was fell on the ground in a moan of pain… before taking back his appearance, the one of a unicorn looking nothing like Ashti. Like if she has broken an illusion.

Seeing the false Ashti down, the Prance diplomat started to run really fast, panicked, whilst Arabesque was running towards Ashti. Due to the layout of the place, the diplomat didn't had other choice than run towards the performers…

Get lost! You burlesque buffoons!!!

And for this, energy fulfilled his horn, menacing energy that he pointed towards the performers, ready to cast this and open a way to escape, no matter who is in his path. Yet he had a smug smile, after-all what Jested could do to stop him?

[CableZ]

Watching from their seats, the two clowns were a bit confused by the scene if they were honest. They knew that Ashti and Arabesque, despite living very far from each other, had a near unbreakable love, so seeing Ashti ignore her like that, even when working was weird. Mad Cap got kinda annoyed really, seeing her friend's sad look filled her with a rage. As Abby sat down next to her, Mad Cap wrapped a leg around her friend to make her feel better, smiling at her assuredly.

At the noise and the light, the curious jesters turned their heads, Quip having to try and peer over the two mares slightly. The sight they were met with was very confusing, and Mad Cap had to rub her eyes slightly to make sure she was seeing properly. Quip and Mad Cap had no idea what was going on, and just sat their in bewilderment at the very strange scene unfolding before them. Mad Cap watched as Arabesque ran towards one of the Ashti's, and jumped in shock slightly when she saw her punch him so hard in the stomach that he became a different pony.

Their eyes then went to the Prench diplomat that was dashing toward them, Quip giggled at this entire scene, thinking it was some sort of performance intended for them, after all, it had happened before. However he lost his giggle and smile upon hearing what the Prench diplomat said. Quip stood up, his hat burning up to ashes as his mane was on fire in pure anger.

"BUFFOON?! I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT THIS BUFFOON CAN DO"

Quip leapt forward in the path of the diplomat, however he showed no signs of slowing down. Quip, with his legs spaced slightly in a readied stance, smirked at this, just what he hoped for. Quip leapt into the air slightly, and landed on his front hooves, he then began spinning on the spot with amazing skill. At the peak of one of the spin rounds, just as the Prench diplomat was getting close, Quip lifted his rear legs up in the air, kicked off with his fore legs, and shot toward the diplomat (who was only about a meter away at this point) and rocketed toward the diplomat.

Quip slammed bock of his back hooves into the diplomats face, hitting him like a masked rocket. The force of the hit was so powerful, that the diplomat was sent flying back 2 meters, sliding along the floor even further. Quip used the sudden stop of hitting the diplomats face as a kick point to back flip and land gracefully back on all 4 hooves from the point that he had hit the diplomat.

The pony was a diplomat longer, like the fake Ashti, some form of illusion had worn off, and in its place was an entirely different looking pony.

"HA! Buffoon indeed" Quip laughed in boast, standing up straight and brush himself off slightly. "NEVER call me a buffoon" Quip smirked.

At the point Quip did his spinning rocket windmill kick, Mad Cap jumped up in surprise, and walked over softly to Quip's side once the 'diplomat' was safely away from them

"Wow...you knocked him out cold" Mad Cap laughed

Chuckling with his assistant, Quip trotted over to the pony he had just royally kicked in the face. Looking down at the now totally different pony, the two jester's looked on for a moment, before turning their attention to the real diplomats and the Reis, along with Arabesque. Trotting over to them, Quip went over to help Ashti up, as did Mad Cap, who was slightly more concerned with the state of her friend than her husband, but she still wanted to make sure that he was ok.

Quip looked down at his friend with a smirk.

"Ashti..not to be inappropriate..but maybe you should have stopped hitting yourself" Quip giggled

[Ashti Sandburst]

H-How… ?! Aarghh.

Spiting a little of saliva under the kicks of the Jester, the "diplomat"'s face was mixed with surprise, shock, pain and frustration whilst his body hit the ground. He was so close to his aim… so how the situation changed so badly.

Under his weight and the shock, his "illusion" started to vanished whilst the blackness flooded his mind and sight.

Curse… you…

And then he fell unconscious. If the Prench diplomat was looking like a nice looking upper class pony, now he was just looking as a mercenary earth pony, with his scares and all. As for the fake Ashti, instead of a sandlandic unicorn, it was a unicorn yet he was more looking into the secret agent type than the diplomat or wealth relic hunter.

It was the confusion among the dignitaries, however Alderamin have followed the scene, and notably the performance of Quip. With a move of his head, Alderamin gave order to some of his Javidan to "Arrest" the two impostors, whilst others Javidan remained with the dignitaries.

Are you alright, sir ?
Sala' !

The Sandlandic ambassador's body has been accidently intercepted by the Israheeli's, yet "uip helped Ashti to rise up, assisted by Arabesque immediately after, leaving the Israheeli guest to rise too in a sigh of relieve.

I… I am fine. Sukriya ^^ . And hello Mister Crack, Miss Cap… enjoying the travel so far? Heheh ouch!
"Ashti..not to be inappropriate..but maybe you should have stopped hitting yourself"
Eheh… my guilty pleasure…

It doesn't looked like, but the kick Ashti received in the rub has been quite violent, and Ashti was a bit shaken by this, staggering.
Yet it didn't prevent Arabesque to hug the unicorn, at the surprise of Ashti. It just made a week they were separated, but Arabesque acted like he has been absent during months. But he hugged her too, before glancing to his impostors. Under the worried glance of his spouse.

Hast tu… háqqan ṭhīk ? (Are thee… really fine?)
… Ana hu bebashid de da'ág tu. Lekin ana zanînja aswa'… ^^. Sukriya…
(… I am sorry to worry thou. But I knew worst… ^^. Thank you…)

And he kissed her on the mouth, making the mare to have a hear feeling crossing her body. Before left the ponies and bow to the Reis and the Sheikh.

Namaskar, Hamara Raees, Soma'al-Khehemîr.
(My respectful greeting Our Majesty, Your Wise Highness.)

The two leaders greeted Ashti as well, then the Israheeli one. However the situation was still confusing and needed explanations. Coming from the corner of the entrance, a unicorn walked, bowing the head politely. It was a middle 30 year old pony wearing a suite.

Kya hast al-cahnase de her'eme ? (What is the meaning of this?)
This, I can explain it, Your Elderly. I am Charte de Bienséance, emissary of the Prench court. And those peoples were impostors.

At those words, Alderamin glanced to the Israheeli diplomat but this one, understanding the situation, moved frenetically his forehoof to signal that he have nothing to do with this. Thing that the Prance diplomat confirmed.

I know Mister Natzíg Hasbará, Your Serene Majesty; he is an admirer of sandlandic culture, and renamed diplomat as well. You can thrust him, I assure you.
We see. It explains the behaviour of Mister el-Hasbará…

Then the diplomat walked towards Quip. Shaking his hoof.

Really nice trick you have showed us, Monsieur Crack. It a pleasure to meet you again… I am not certain if you remember me: I am a friend of Madame Edit.

Sadalbari and the interpreters as the Javidan remained a bit confuse by the situation and really wanted more details about this masquerade. And Alderamin too.

Misters, ladies… in light of the recent events, We invite you for a drink in my palace. Explanations are needed, and we believe it would be better to clear this story around a drink.
Javidanim, calnā eme sahtekârim ind al-Kodes Sharai, tak al-jagah hona muqattar.
(Javidans, move those fakers in the Legal Prison, until the situation be clarified.)

And the deers bowed the heads, bringing the impostors on their backs and running out of the courtyard, towards the lower part of Deerham were the police station, court and jail are.

[CableZ]

Quip Smirked down at Ashti as he was helped up, but then his attention was turned as he heard his name. Seeing an old familiar face, Quip smiled and turned to face the Prench diplomat. With a giggle, he shook the diplomat's hoof happily.

"Hey there Charte, long time no see" Quip laughed slightly "It wasn't a trick really, I just don't like being called a buffoon..I just make a violent outburst look cool" Quip giggled more.

Mad Cap meanwhile was watching Arabesque and Ashti's reunion with a smile, they were a cute couple, in a weird kind of way. Approaching the two when they were done, Mad Cap smiled at Ashti. He had not seem Mad Cap out of her costume yet, her long golden hair and amazingly cute smile melted any heart, although not every heart.

"Are you okay Mr. Ashti?" she asked sweetly.

---

She didn't get a chance to hear his answer however as the Reis proposed that they all go for drinks and dicuss what had happened. Now Mad Cap and Quip knew their place, and honestly didn't think that the Reis included them in his invitation. So with a knod and a bow they began walking back over to the stage, they were often thought of as 'help' there were hired to be there, they learned a long time ago to not think of themselves equal to their employer.

[Ashti Sandburst]

"It wasn't a trick really, I just don't like being called a buffoon..I just make a violent outburst look cool"

The diplomat have a little laught, before replying to the Jester, shaking gently the head.

This faker has clearly done a heinous mistake in calling with such unclassy therm. Consternant.

During this time Arabesque was still standing close by her husband. Supporting him.
Ashti was still feeling the effect of the kick he received : due to his numerous advantures and relic hunts he was accustomed to the pain… but he admitted that the last time he have been beaten made a while.

"Are you okay Mr. Ashti?"

The two Sandlanders, and notably Ashti didn't immediately noticed the presence and Mad Cap, yet he recognised her voice and he turned to her… before blushing a bit. He have to admit, it was the first time he saw the mare like this, "naturally" and how nice looking Mad cap was. Yet, eh preferred not commentated this, by respect for Arabesque.

It didn't prevent him to be amiable, however.

I… I am fine, thank you Miss Cap. It is a pleasure to meet you again, even if I would have preferred under other circumstances, Eheh. On a side note, can I compliment about how your smile is cute and nice ? ^^.

The unicorn doesn't wanted to use "ravishing" or any other term of this kind, unwilling to be misunderstood. Also it would be "admitting" that mad Cap was not charming before, thing which was not true for Ashti. To the smile of mad Cap, Ashti answered with a friendly one as well.
Arabesque was listening, but said nothing, and she smiled back to Mar Cap.

However, Ashti as Chart were "interrupted" by the claim of the Reis, and turned to the Elk, silent and bowing the heads.

I think it is a great idea, Your Serene Majesty, I have information to share and maybe the answer to fix this situation.

Sadalbari nodded and started to walk inside, as the other diplomats and interpreter. Ashti too, starting to move towards the Reis, leaving Arabesque, reluctantly. But she understood and nodded to him, an enamoured smile in face.

Yet Alderamin looked to scene, a bit confuse. He thought that he has been clear, but apparently not. So he walked towards the other ponies, followed by the Javidan.

Srimati Arabesque, anisa Mád Khaip, sáyyid Ku'ip Qrạ̉kh, May we assume you are declining ? You may be unaware of this, but you are our guests as well. Please, accept our invitation… after-all it would be unfair to disregard the help you have brought to us.
R-really ?

Arabesque then glanced the two ponies, happy, before glancing back to the Reis, bowing the head in thanking.

Time Skip.

Sat around a table, the dignitaries were standing and looked to the place : it was a square of garden inside of the palace, a wall-less room decorated with curtains and giving on an hall and corridor, a kind of yard inside of the edifice. In the middle of the garden a sandlandic kiosk/pavilion sized of 6 meters where the guests and Reis were sat.

There was an artificial little pond too, among roses, palmers and free peacocks and peahens walking on the place.

Aderamin and Sadalbari were sat on chairs whom the back were hightest than normal chairs and nicely sculpted and adorned of golden leaves, called the high seats, they were really comfortable and the privileged and traditional chairs of the sandlandic leaders. A third high seat was lying too, but it was empty because it was reserved to the royal consort… But as Alderamin was single… the seat never been used and was covered with a silk cover. For the guests, they had the choice of cushion or normal yet classy chairs.

[CableZ]

Smiling at his compliment, Mad Cap blushed slightly at his words, although felt that he would really be focusing on his wife more than her at the moment. Still, it was nice all the same, however her attention was then drawn to Quip, and he was talking with...

"Charty!!" Mad Cap smiled, quickly trotting over to the prench diplomat.

Mad Cap and Charte were closer than Quip and Charte, during the organization for Quip's performance for the Prench royalty, Mad Cap had worked closely with Charte to ensure everything was ready and to make sure the show was in keeping with Prench traditions. As such the two were good friends, and Mad Cap had made friends with the diplomats family also, so it was great to see him again.

"Wow Charty, Its been a while." Mad Cap laughed. Hugging the diplomat.

However it was at this point that the clowns began walking back to the stage, thinking that the diplomats and dignitaries had business to attend to, and that they were not invited. However upon hearing that they were invited, they turned to face the group with a bit of shock. Looking at each other for a moment, they smiled and Mad Cap quickly trotted over to the group, while Quip just walked over at a casual pace.

---

While they had been invited all the same, they certainly did not feel like they belonged in this situation. Quip sat more away from the group, softly stroking one of the peacocks along its back, which it certainly seemed to enjoy. In fact a lot of the peafowl were gathered around Quip, they seemed to really like him, with some laying down at his sides, and others in front of him being stroked. A peahen even stood on his head happily, to which Quip giggled.

Mad Cap on the other hand was fully within the group of Diplomat's, sat between Arabesque and Charte, she couldn't have been happier. Every so often she would look over to Quip and giggle softly, however she turned back to the group with a sheepish grin.

"Ah..colourful animals tend to like Quip." She explained.

[Ashti Sandburst]

Ouah!

When hugged by tha mare, Charte was a taken aback, even if he remained collect and smiling. But he didn't minded and hugged her as well, even if a bit embarrassed.

Je… am glad to see you are well, Miss Mad… euh, "Madie". ^^…long time no see indeed.

Then he glanced to the mare, a friendly smile. Resuming with an affable and warm smile.

I see you are charming as ever, mademoiselle. Eheh. Deerham have excellent taste in hiring you. I must admit, I am eagerly looking for your show.

Then, when the said that Mad Cap was invited, Charte didn't heisted and walked towards Mad Cap, giving her a gallant arm-in-arm, whilst Arabesque walked a side of Ashti. Escorted by the Javidans. During the whole walk they chatted, Arabesque with Ashti, Charte with Quip and Mad Cap, and Alderamin with the Israheeli diplomat, or at least his interpret. Only the Sheikh remained silent yet he listened to Alderamin-Natzíg.

Later.

One of the peacocks yelled in appreciation under the stroke of Quip, a noisy cry. Others were standings near of him as well, at the surprise of Alderamin and Sadalbari. They must admit, those birds, even if educated to be sociable with other species, they mostly had a superiority behaviour due to be royal peacocks, and didn't hesitated to display how prideful they are of their feathers. Thing they loved to show even when it's not the mating season. Each of them wore a pair of little golden bracelet to talons as a sign of their status.

What surprised the royals is that it was really rare they let someone touch their pride plumage, or to have spontaneous contact. One of them even "feel in love" for the Jester, strutting and tried to get his attention in yelling and touching Quip's pelt with its feathers. Looking for caress, as a cat would do.

"Ah..colourful animals tend to like Quip."
… Hmm, we see. An ancestral belief said that they are able to see true beauty of people no matter the appearance. However… it is an unusual scene for us. Our tâveşim (peacocks) tent to avoid individuals they do not know.

The peacock is a king of formal royal Deerean symbol. Original diplomatic gift, this specie became a kind of pet for the Reis since three centuries now. They are educated and took care by hired professionals coming every two weeks except of emergency. Each Reis, when crowned, receive a peacock as gift…"al-taveş râjahyi" (royal peacock), and the one of Alderamin was standing, sleeping, inside of a kind of henhouse, the peacock's "royal quarter". Unlike other peaocks, he is wearing a necklace of gold adorned with a gem. However those jewels were adapted to be as light as possible and to not disturb the peacocks' moves

Alderamin then clapped his hoof a couple of time and from the bottom door of the room, two antelope went, wearing a linen tunic with some gold trims and a feather turban, both identical outfits yet adapted for genders. The two servants, a girl and a boy, bowed the heads respectfully.

Our welcomed guests, we let you take order for drinks and snacks. Please, ask what you are desire. And when done we will finally speak about this.

And the servants left the room alone under the glance of the Javidan. Now, it was time for explanations. And understanding it, Ashti as Charte and Natzíg showed their attention, listening to the Reis.

You have said they were fakers… We are wondering how this case have started ?

Charte and Ashti glanced to each other and nodded in agreement.

As you know, Your Serene Majesty, As I am an Royal Envoy I was delegated with monsieur Natzíg to create bond between our nations. However I received a letter whilst finishing my preparation for the meeting, a letter from the "Service de Paix", the institution under the Prime Minister and managing the diplomacy. The letter said I was "dismiss" of the mission, and a friend of mine was chose instead… naturally it's not the usual protocol yet as it was an order from my patron…

Then he interrupted and looked to the servants coming back with the drinks… they must admit, they has been fast. One takes care to put the fruit basket on the table, with some biscuits salt as sweet and baklava whilst the other placed the service of porcelain. Alderamin thanked slightly the head in thanking and the servants left, leaving Chart to resume after having taken a gulp of his coffee.

Mmm, it is tasty. I admit, I never drunk such coffee before, thank you Your Serene Majesty. Continuons : This other diplomat lived on a near city, so I decided the day after to pay him a visit… but he was absent. I then contacted my institution to have clarification but was unable to give me some. So I asked for a randez-vous with the Prime Minister, and she accepted, for the follow day. So, I waited and the day after I accidentally met my friend and he told me that he was on holiday until now and never been contacted for this diplomatic mission.

Charte took another gulp of his drink and resumed, turning to Ashti which was drinking his cinnamon tea as well.

We went to the meeting with Madame the Prime Minister, and showed her the letter : she never send such letter even if the seal and signature were authentic. I immediately took the first train for Manahettan were I have been informed that the Deerean Embassy was standing. Thinking they would have a way to contact you.

It was Ashti which continued, putting his cup down whilst Chart finished is drink.

As a matter of course I was not planned to this international meeting, I should normally not be here but taking care of the embassy. I never meet mister de Bienséance before, yet I knew he was telling the truth. So I bring him in Deerham, as you has been witness.

Ashti and Charte looked to each other, with a worried glance and continued on a serious tone.

Our Majesty… we think that the one which ordered such deed from the fakers, is someone with resources and ranked enough to have tool to destroy diplomatic bond.

For Aldeamin it was clear that something was fishy, and also he remembered the words of the false Ashti, about Israheel. It was surely slanders but why attacking this nation as the false diplomat was already ruining the Deerham-Prance's bond?

[CableZ]

Quip sat stroking the peahen's while most of the explanations were going on, so he didn't catch much of what was going on, still he kept an ear out, on the occasions he wasn't asking the birds who was a pretty peacock/hen. Mad Cap on the other hand was listening intently, it was a pretty good story actually, intrigue, mystery, a bit of action, if it had some romance in there she'd certainly buy that book.

While it was true that she didn't pick up on the severity of the situation, she still picked up on the tone of the situation, and so she didn't make any dumb jokes or laugh like Quip might.  The harlequin felt very out of place, why she was being included on discussions of such importance she didn't know, she felt like she just didn't belong there.

"Um...excuse me, but...if somepony were attacking the bond between you both, that means it would be somepony who stood to lose something from the union making you both stronger, does either nation share any enemies?" She felt like she was being obvious, but no one was saying it, so she felt it might be worth mentioning.

[Ashti Sandburst]

"Um...excuse me, but...if somepony were attacking the bond between you both, that means it would be somepony who stood to lose something from the union making you both stronger, does either nation share any enemies?"

When Mad Cap started to speak, none seemed to hear her, too focused about what happened. But when she finished, everyone shut up politely, glancing to her… then looked to each other, wondering. Sadalbari and Alderamin looked to each other, Natzig however didn't seemed to react, understanding… until that his interpret translated Cap's words, then, imitating the others, he at his turn glanced to… bah, no one actually, as nopony looked to him.

Charte looked to Mad Cap, then to Ashti which nodded and looked as concerned that the Prench emissary.

Well… Miss Cap, we never thought to such thing but now you point it out… Monsieur de Bienséance ?
Hmm… it is a good point you have Mad Cap. Fortunately I do not see any foes nowadays, at least with existing nations…

Chart looked to the Israheeli diplomat whom the interpreter just finished the translation. Shaking the head slightly, he then spoke to his interpretor which translated it.

"We have few allies at the exception of Prance : Camelu, Afganeighstan, Griffin Kingdoms and Geneighva. But I am sure they have nothing to do what the situation… I don't see any interest they would have to have business with our politic and diplomacy. It's also possible that those fakers are nationless or mercenaries, or spies."
Hm…

The situation was worrying: is those fakers were isolated, or it was an international scheme? Ashti was not an expert of geopolitics and really have no big knowledges about. He only knows the basis and the relationship of Deerham with ally nations. Yet, even him, knew that Prance never did or said things which could make such situation. However, if something happened recently, it must be internal or not public.

They are maybe dissidents. What do you think, Monsieur de Bienséance ?
… Hm. Well, sandlandic cultures and nations are really appreciated from my fellow nationals. When we have forged alliance with Israheel, the voting were very high, as the voting for Deerham. But of course, we never reached the 100%, more like 90% or 97%.

Well, for Ashti and Charte, and even for the Reis, it was normally to never reach the 100& to a vote for each citizen have their own opinions. So, that somepony been against this alliance, Prance-deerham, was normal… but to go from imagining having such radical reacting…

Carte looked to everyone and, noticing the "awkward" silence, he decited to conclude this chat.

There will be an internal investigation when I will return in my homeland, however, your Serene Majesty, Your Wise Highness, I hope this incident would not have disturbed the nascent relationship of our nations ?
No… of course not. We agreeing this occurred incident would not ruin this diplomatic meeting.
À la bonne heure. Prance is thanking you, Your Serene Majesty.

Many questions were unsolved, and the confusion provoked by those fakers remained. Who they were ? Which raisons motivated them? Alderamin have also spoken a bit with Natzig, speaking about those rumours he has heard… but none were true. And finally after a meal and the sign of the Israheeli and Prench bonds with Deerham, the dignitaries prepared themselves for the incoming show whilst Alderamin joined the Fakers and with help tried to have some answers.

They said that someone doesn't want that Prance have more ally. The aim of the fake Prench diplomat was to ruin the bond Deerham-Prance, and the fake Ashti, as his teammate, pointed out the Israheeli's behaviour to discredit Natzíg and Israheel with slanders and playing with the meaning of Natzíg's behaviour. And fake Ashti's role was also to make it credible.

But it's only what the Fakers revealed, but as they didn't acted against Deerham, but more against Prance, they would be send to Prance for further investigations. Decision that Charte agreed with.

Anyway the night have fallen, and the Palace's couryeard was fulfilled by Alderamin, Sadalbari, Charte and Natzig situated on the honour seats, but also a bunch of kids and adults citizens went for the show which would start in the next ten minutes. Time for Equestrian and sandlandic performers to prepare themselves.

Followed with Ashti, Arabesque was walking towards Quip and Mad Cap, to cheer them up. Whilst the performers from Camel'Mushait which just went a couple of hours before, helping if necessary their collaborator from Equestria.

So, Mister Crack, Miss Cap… is your collaboration with the Deerean performers been fruitful? ^^

[CableZ]

Mad Cap listened to all the discussions and what not and felt rather bored, she really didn't belong here, this was politics, and particularly heavy politics at that. She sat in relative silence while it was all being discussed, looking over at Quip every now and again as he continued to mess around with the birds. It might have been cool seeing 'Charty' working, but she never thought his work would be this boring. So she simply smiled softly and let them all talk about their politics and stuff, a little tune playing in her head to keep her occupied.

---

It was the time before the show, Quip had spoken with the other performers, and he would probably need them at some point, it depended on his trick selection. Quip and Mad Cap were wearing traditional Deerhan clothing, Quip wore a high class robe, with large arms that stopped just above his hooves, and were quite wide at the bottom. While Mad Cap wore a beautiful dress, made from the finest silks, and made in her usual black and red colour palette. The costume had been specially made, Quip's purple robe like outfit with its gold decoration was something a high level foreign dignitary would be given, and Mad Cap's dress was close to queenly standards.

"Hm, I had questioned why they insisted we wear these costumes to open the show, but now that I'm wearing them, I don't think I've ever been more comfortable" Quip laughed

"Yeah, I've never worn so much silk, and.." Mad Cap turned a took a big sniff of the clothing "It smells like vanilla" She giggled happily.

When Ashti spoke, the two looked at him with a smile.

"Ashti, You can call us Quip and Mad Cap if you want, we are past mister and miss, we aren't worth the value of those letters anyway" Both the clowns laughed, Ashti seemed almost too formal sometimes.

"Anyway, they were quite helpful, but we weren't sure how to tell them that we didn't really need them, they were really helpful, but its just...well me and Quip don't really have any tricks that involve more than 2 ponies" Mad Cap Said with a sigh, she felt bad for them.

"How are you feeling anyway Ashti, head still aching?" Quip asked with a smirk.

[Ashti Sandburst]

Ashti and Arabesque looked to the sandlandic outfits ; they were looking nice with, but then the two sandlanders looked to each other a smile in face, whilst Arabesque had a light laugh.

"Ashti, You can call us Quip and Mad Cap if you want, we are past mister and miss, we aren't worth the value of those letters anyway"
Oh ? You know It took me two year to call my brother, Dream, without using "mister" with ^^. It is my way to show respect…
Well, he took 20 years to Sala' to not use "miss" with me ^^. And another note, you look great in this outfits.
Indeed
"Anyway, they were quite helpful, but we weren't sure how to tell them that we didn't really need them, they were really helpful, but its just...well me and Quip don't really have any tricks that involve more than 2 ponies"

Then they looked to Mad Cap and listened her and have a little laugh, and it was actually the two sandlandic ponies' presence here. They have spoken with the sandlandic performers which were a bit worried, and as speaking Equestrian and knowing the two Equestrian performers, Ashti and Arabesque decided to fix the situation… and it has been easier than expected.

Ah, so it was this… eh?
Anisa Mad, Sayyid Quip… they are not here to do trick with you ^^. They have their own tricks… I think, they just wanted to give you assistance to prepare equipment, or bring you thing to drink or eat, for you can focus yourself on more important things hihi.

Arabesque turned towards one of the Sandlandic performer which nodded, having heard the chat. The sandlandic performers were unsure if Quip and Mad have misinterpreted their behaviour or if the Equestrian performers were just a bit weird. But now they have their answer.

"How are you feeling anyway Ashti, head still aching?
…Oh… I did not have a headache. It is more like a rib or chest ache, actually… but I am feeling better, thank you ^^. I am tougher than I look… Eheh…

Another thing crossed Ashti's mind, an information that he have forgot to reveal to Quip and Mad Cap.

I hope… you have liked your travel from Equestria to Deerham ^^, because as I am no more in Equestria… I am unable to finance you the return.

With this awkward scene, Ashti rubbed his neck, embarrassed… Because in leaving Manehattan so suddenly, he have no more access to his manor or bank… and have not enough money in his purse. Sure, he has other way to return at home but his artefact been damaged by the kick he received from the faker. Ashti had a bad feeling about the artefact and preferred to make it repair before us it again.

Fortunately the diplomats came here on their own fast boat and you as I are proposed to go aboard and sail towards Equetria. Also… about your show, I am the one which will pay it. In bits. So I would like that one of you follow me in Manehattan for I give the money in person. ^^


(O-RP : you can assume that Ashti and Arabesque return to the tier whilst this chat/interview is finished, if you want.)