Dancer listened to the alicorn's wisdom. It never occurred to her to think of Everfree as a functioning society, let alone civilized. Yet she saw the logic of Torrential's reasoning. She of course had little dealings with the Everfree, just near the refugee camps and some shamans. But what she heard from other Scholars that did go deep into the wood did support the alicorn. She was also surprised that it wasn't Earthborn that accepted change the best. A part of her thought that was one of the reasons why Torrential came to that House first.
But what caused her to shudder was the alicorn's admission of destroying an unicorn. Torrential's choice of words seemed almost impossible to Star Dancer. The Sisters would never have done that, she thought. Torrential is too wise to be the type who would do that either! But she soon recalled the shorn pegasus, and the bodies in the mud. He's like the forces of nature he controls. Her eyes widened and quivered in fear, instinct screaming for her to run.
But despite that, she kept calm and stayed. Perhaps it was her curiosity, or her piousness. She closed her eyes and relaxed, and decided to answer Torrential's question.
" 'To tidy up the land, to make sure it shined as brightly as it once did before'. I think that was the Lady's words on the morning after her landing. Then she proceeded to do just that - restore buildings and museums, build waterworks, organize and zone towns, raze ruins, and so forth. In many places they've looked better, and the ponies happier.
"As a result, she has other followers other than the Legion and my order, mostly menial workers - Maids, butlers, slaves, barbers, plumbers, garbageponies, those who did the dirty jobs that no other pony does. They are the force, as scattered as they are, that actively aid the Lady's mission. Making the world a bit cleaner as they can.
"Other than that, I can't think of anything else, other than her rather eccentric trips. Like the one she's currently on. I have no idea where she might be - she left the letter and some instructions days ago."
Sweeper wondered what her brother meant by Damage Control. She still didn't know much about her kin's own plans for Equestria. The Chambermaid trusted that they would do good in their own way. And she hoped not to get in their way.
Arcon continued his speech before she could answer if she heard any news from the Moon and Stars. Scroll told her that there was unusual activity - troops being redeployed to the major cities and research facilities. Rumors of a pirate armada assailing shipping. Exact details were not quite known - out of all the lands, the most difficult to get information out was Twilight's realm. No Scholar pegasus could travel freely, only Unicorns could operate there, and the Archmagister's Inquestion was always watching.
So Arcon is trying to lessen the impact of the wars , Sweeper thought. Hmm, no wonder the Scholarship took interest - they have the same mission.
Her ears perked up to hear of the innovation to visit his home. Yay, Ark is going to show me his place! I'm going have to stop by another bakery to borrow some tea….
Scroll felt like he was finally being dissected by Arcon. He was used to such a sarcastic tone during his University years. Being an Earth Pony, he often was the target of such wit by his unicorn peers. But Arcon's was more like Academian Zemi's comments - seeking to root out something from him. Like the Director, the alicorn's words were ready scalpels.
He purposely paused before saying "Scholar" , thought Scroll. He knows of the order's existence. The question is how. Did he abduct the Detectives searching for the alicorn, and interrogated them? Or was Arcon also looking for us before that?
He felt the Gatekeeper's gaze, looking at how he'd react. Scroll eyes had widened at the references to the Scholarship, and almost took a step back. He was shaking a bit, somewhat worried. Sweat had formed under the helmet he had purchased from Wullf. My body itself can tell him all he needs to know, Scroll thought. But what does he want?
Winterjet whispered into his ear. He took off the makeshift hood, and took off the helmet he wore, it's design giving the impression of a horn under the sheets. "Sorry about that," he said. "Needed some air. I'm fine… hopefully." He smiled, thankful the pegasus was here. Star Dancer would have probably done better than me. The Mare has nerves of Earthborn steel . He also noted the disapproval from Winterjet's face when she looked at Arcon. She can also tell that something else is up.
Sweeper paused at the question from her brother, the back of her mind telling her to wait. She didn't want to admit the faults of her kin, part of her feeling guilty for being such a werido. But seeing his focus on her Scroll, she began to recall the disputes Arc had with her other siblings. Something's not right here , she thought. But what should I-
Thea had moved first, much to the grey alicorn's relief, and then sudden distress. She couldn't believe her eyes. Nor Scroll for that matter, whose mouth was agape. Was Thea flirting with her own… brother?! By instinct, the Scholar put a hoof over Winterjet's eyes, as if to protect her innocence from such perversion. Sweeper feel backwards, her face and scalp blushing. Should I be watching this?, she thought.