“So, you’re Mel’s ex…”
 
Turquoise Edge squinted her eyes and glared at the white mare before her, sizing her up and wrapping a wing defensively around her girlfriend, Pristine Melody.
 
“There, there, Turq,” Mel chuckled. “That was a long time ago. We’re just really good friends now!”
 
“Yes ma’am, my family has a farm just like you and Mel! We plant strawberries! Oh, and my name is Sweetheart White!”
 
Sweetheart thought finding something in common and being civil would make Turq stand off sooner or later.
 
“What do you…do for a living?”
 
“I’m in the royal guard, highly skilled in active combat. And, might I add, trained to kill a stallion in over 700 ways…”
 
Turquoise reached behind her head as if scratching an itch and pulled out a long, sharp weapon.
 
“…All with my trusty spear, Prissy.”
 
Sweetheart felt her stomach drop as her eyes locked onto the big death stick Turquoise named so affectionately.
 
“Ahhhhh, that’s nice!” Sweetheart grinned to try to keep things moving. “I’m a self-proclaimed truth-spreader! Other ponies call them conspiracy theories, but I don’t listen. Did you know that the royal family is useless? The sun isn’t raised by magic! You see, it only appears to rise and set because of the Earth’s rotation on its axis. As the Earth rotates toward the east, it looks like the sun is moving west. Don’t even get me started on the Princess of Friend-”
 
Before she could finish, Turquoise cut her off, the mention of her enemy’s mother sparking some intrigue.
 
“The royal family is useless, huh? You know what-“ Turquoise narrowed her eyes and leaned in closer.
 
“Turq, she’s just-“
 
“It actually makes sense. Tell me more.”
 
_{Later That Night}
 
Turquoise had been up for hours—keeping Mel awake in the process—rambling and ranting about all the conspiracies Sweetheart had put in her mind.
 
“Think about it! Banding together with friends can help you effect social change. Friends can help you define your priorities. Friends can give you vital life skills! We’re gonna make friends anways, it’s only natural. Why DO we need someone to regulate friendship?”
 
“Turq, it’s the middle of the night. Yer keepin’ yer whole family up with this hooey. Now ya know why Sweetheart is my ex…“