Too much stuff! (Open)

Star Sapphire struggled as she walked down the street. She had several bags hanging from her back, one under her arm, and a few more being carried by her magic."I knew I shouldn't have waited this long to buy groceries. I'll be pleasantly surprised if I make it home without dropping anything." She said and continued her walk.

Although normally Star prides herself on her appearance, today she did not look as good as she would like. Her tail, while groomed, was slightly messy. She also did not have time to do her mane up in any fancy fashion. "I bet I look like a mess." She said, "I'm definitely showering when I get home."

"Standards are dropping everywhere, my dear..."

They usually were, Elegance thought to herself as she stirred her tea. The fact that Lady Smiles was gasbagging about 'Everything wrong with the youth today' and testimony to that. Apparently, the old hag hadn't realised that she was inadvertently insulting her guest. Elegance kept up her smile, though inside she wanted to desperately leave. Or at least pour her tea onto the so-called 'lady'.

But she couldn't, could she? Not when Lady smiles was going to be one of the possible patrons for the Temple's construction. Until she had signed her name on that dotted line, Elegance was going to have to smile and nod with everything this complete dolt said.

Now Smiles was motioning to a mare on the street, "For instance, look at the state of her! Back in my day, such riff raff would be kept out of the city, or at least out of public sight!" Elegance almost dropped her cup in shock. Smiles had apparently decided that the rules of common courtesy didn't apply to one such as her. At least Elegance tried to keep such thoughts to herself...

"Lady Smiles," Elegance attempted, "If we can get back to the matter at hand..."

Star Sapphire almost dropped her bags in shock. Although she was raised to not eavesdrop, she could not help but hear what was being said about her. "Riffraff?" She thought, accidentally out loud. Did she really look that bad? Her mind started to race. What should she do? Should she just ignore it and continue on her way? Or should she confront that rude pony? Well, Star always told her patients that they must confront their problems, and she had to set a good example.

"Excuse me." She said approaching the pony, "But were you talking about me?" She asked, slowly getting angry. "It is very rude to talk about ponies behind their backs. If you have a problem, you should tell me to my face." She said. Star places her bags on the ground beside her, and glared at the other pony.

Elegance almost groaned out loud in frustration. Almost. Now she'll never get the signature required for Smiles' patronage. Not until this whole frustrating obstacle had been dealt with, and quite frankly, Elegance was starting to think this wasn't worth it.

"I shall!" said the old buffoon, "You are unkempt, and should have more pride in your appearance as a unicorn of Canterlot. Rude, too, to speak that way to your elders! Back in my day..."

...And there was the speech. Again. For the fourth time. About how things were so much better in the good old days of chivalry, respect, apple pie, and bigotry. It took all of Elegance's self control not to roll her eyes. And again, the Lady Smiles would be completely deaf to all but the sound of her own voice.

"Why couldn't you have let things be?" Elegance whispered to the 'riff-raff', with a tone that was a mix of annoyance and despair, "Now I have to put up with her for longer."

Star Sapphire looked at the pony with a mixed look of awe and disgust. "I had barely enough time to get ready before I had to come out here. I may not be very fancy today, but at least I'm neat." She said. "And for respect, I'll start showing you respect the moment you start showing me some respect. I don't care about your age, it doesn't make a difference."

The pony began to ramble on about life in her times. Star shook her head. "Simple transference." She mumbled, "Just projecting her problems onto me. I shouldn't take this so seriously." She waited until the other pony finished her ramble, tapping a hoof impatiently.

Elegance had enough of this. "Lady Smiles. LADY SMILES," Elegance stated, interrupting the old lady's rant, "It is apparent to me that you do not feel like joining the building project of the Midnight Temple, else you wouldn't be wasting my time with trivial matters. I am a very busy pony, and I do not care about your opinion on your rambles about ponies of today. If I am mistaken, and you still want to make a contribution, you can contact Princess Luna directly. As for me, I have to make an appointment with a..." Elegance checked her diary again.

After her abduction and the Changling Invasion, it was strongly advised for Elegance to attend psychological session to deal with any trauma or stress from the event or, indeed, for undertaking such a massive project such as the Midnight Temple at her age. Very strongly suggested. Strong enough for Elegance to be pulled from the project if she didn't comply.

"...Star Sapphire?" She muttered to herself. And it was to herself, as Lady Smiles' rant had picked up again as if it was never interrupted.

"Good day to you, Lady Smiles," Elegance tokenly fare welled, before simply nodding at the pony who was dragged into this, adding, "She's not going to stop for half an hour. I suggest you move on with...whatever it was you were doing."

Then the young Lady walked off towards the listed address.

Star Sapphire shook her head. "Crazy crazy lady." She thought to herself. She picked up her bags and, without letting the pony finish, turned and walked away. She walked back towards her home office, her groceries in tow. "Hope I don't have her as a patient one day." She said to herself.

Star noticed that the pony talking to this Lady Smiles was walking in the same direction. "She can sure talk your ear off, huh?" She said and giggled. "I'm sorry to have interrupted your meeting, but I could not stand idle and let rudeness go on like that." She said, still struggling slightly with her groceries.

Elegance was surprised when the pony started to follow her, and moreso when she started talking to her. "The deal would have probably fallen through, anyway," Elegance sniffed, "After her outrageous behaviour, I do not want her in my project any more. I will simply have to find another sponsor." She sighed. "The work never ends. Not for me."

Looking at the other mare's bags, she continued, "Your ability to stand up for yourself, shows strength of moral character, I think. May I ask, which way you are headed?"

"Well,as long as the deal falling through wasn't my fault. I would feel awful if it was." Star Sapphire said, genuinely. She shifted the bag under her arm to the group being carried by her magic. "A new sponsor? Must be some job you're doing if you need sponsors. I know I don't for my work."

"Me?" Star asked, "I'm going that way," She said, motioning towards them with her hoof. "That is where my home office is. Need to drop off my groceries, and take a shower." Star rubbed her mane a bit with her hoof, "I don't look as presentable as I normally would like to. Although I don't think I look like a riffraff." She said.

"What a coincidence, indeed," Elegance mused, "I am heading the same way. Let me help you with some of your load, so that your trip would be easier. It's not like it's any trouble to me." After taking some of the mare's bags, she continued, "And I think that your state simply says that you are actually busy doing something, instead of the painted faces of those who simply gossip all day. Alas, upkeep of my appearance is a necessary evil." She sniffed.

"I would much rather be overseeing the construction of the Midnight Temple, a building dedicated to the return of the Princess Luna, but buildings need money to see the light of day, and rich ponies don't like giving away their bits to anypony who looks less than immaculate. It is rather a pain in the neck, but if that is what is required to get my job done, then so be it."

She laughed bitterly. "And now even more time in my schedule has been taken away due to the insistance of Princess Luna herself, telling me to take these...sessions with a psychologist to make sure I'm not under too much stress. I know I am just out of fillyhood, but I have done a project like this before, I said. But still, I suppose if this is a royal project..."

"Oh, but where are my manners? I am Elegance of the Design family. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Star Sapphire was relieved when the pony took some of her bags. "I thank you. Its been a while since I went shopping. I had a lot to buy." She giggled. "Well you seem very dedicated to your job, I respect that. Not enough ponies are, I'm afraid." She said. "And like I said, I want to look nice, just haven't had the time today."

Star was surprised when the pony said she had sessions with a psychologist. Star decided not to say anything just in case the psychologist was not her. "Don't brush off seeing a psychologist if you need help. Besides, if you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything." She said.

"Nice to meet you Elegance." Star said, smiling, "My name Dr. Star Sapphire."

"Is that so?" Elegance said, a bit surprised, "Well, I do not think that I need very much help, really, but it seems fate has rolled an interesting set of figures. It is a Dr Star Sapphire that I seek, and here you are..."

"I will require at least five weekly sessions, Doctor, to fit into your no doubt busy schedule. Requirements of my project, and all that. Word says that you charge reasonable fees for your service, and money is not something I am in short supply of. Is that alright, Dr Sapphire?" Her voice had become all business.

Star smiled. "Well, if you need help, that is what I'm here for. If you don't mind following me, I can get my appointment book and book you into a spot." She continued walking, her load a little lighter thanks to Elegance. "I'm sure we can get a time that will work for both of us."

"You sure are right my schedule is busy." Star Sapphire sighed. "Ever since that Changeling incident, I've been swamped with patients suffering from post tramautic stress. It has been pretty rough lately." Star Sapphire then smiled, "But I don't mind, I like helping other ponies."

The two soon arrived at Star Sapphire's house. "Well, here we are, thanks for carrying my groceries." She said. Star reached into a bag and pulled out a key. She unlocked her front door, and stepped in. "Come on in!" She said to Elegance, motioning with her hoof. The two entered the living room, whicj also acted as a waiting room for her patients. There were several chsirs, and a bookcase or two shelved with a wide variety of books and magazines. An old fasioned, grandfather clock sat in one corner, and an aquarium in the opposite corner. "Make yourself at home, I'll get out my appointment book. And don't worry about money. I don't mind living modestly, so I don't mind charging a fair price."

"Yes. Absolutely terrible business, that was. Ruined the entire wedding, and both the physical and mental damage to the city would take time to heal. A lot of ponies were shaken terribly."

Pausing, Elegance stepped inside the modest home. Placing the bags she was carrying with the others, she started surveying it automatically.

"You don't seem shaken, Doctor Sapphire, if you don't mind me saying so."

Star found her appointment book and pulled it out. She began to speak to Elegance as she skimmed her schedule. "Ya, well, the changelings didn't get to me physically. Also, not to sound rude or anything, but I really couldn't have cared less about the wedding" Star Sapphire put on a pair of reading glasses and inspected her book closer. "Ya, two ponies got married. That's great and I'm happy for them. But I don't see why itwas such a big deal. Why it was more important than any other wedding. Love is love, doesn't matter who it is, its just as strong between two farmers as it is between two royals."

Star looked up from her book. "Well, the earliest I can fit you in is 4 this afternoon. If that's too short notice, the next open spot I have is tomorrow at 1. Will you be taking either of those, or a later date?" She asked.

"Count yourself extremely fortunate, then," Elegance said, "So many others were not so lucky." She put a hoof to her chin in thought. "And, yes, if the wedding was merely about love, then it wouldn't have mattered more than any other. But what made the wedding important was not the cause, but the effects. Love was merely a sideshow to the power transferring hoofs with the union. I am not quite sure of the specifics, but now Captain Armour's family is now royalty, if I'm not mistaken. A wedding between two farmers might affect crops. A wedding between two royals affects the entire kingdom."

Elegance opened her diary to check her schedule. "Hmm...four in the afternoon shall suit me perfectly. I shall make a necessary appointment then..."

Star Sapphire sighed. "Well, a marriage should not affect the entire kingdom. It should not affect ruling or laws. But something tells me it will." She shook her head. "Power should lie with the people. Its on the backs of hard working ponies that Equestria thrives. The government exists only to serve its subjects. I'm not saying that our government doesn't do that, but the fact that a wedding was so overblown even when it should have no affect on the rest of us..." Star trailed off.

"4 you say?" She asked, "Sounds good. That'll give me enough time to shower and get all cleaned up." She.smiled.

Elegance smirked, keeping her opinion of the 'common, hard working pony', to herself. "Very well, I must get moving. I shall see you at four."

---

Ten to four...

Ten minutes punctual, Elegance entered the building again and took a seat. She wondered what the appointment would entail.

Star Sapphire felt so much better now. She had showered and gotten herself looking professional and presentable. Her tail was neatly brushed and flowing behind her. Her mane was no longer the mess.it was earlier that day. She wore a sapphire necklace and her reading glasses. Star walked into her waiting room and smiled when she saw Elegance already there.

"Well hello Elegance!" She said, "Good to see you. If you could please follow me." Star turned around and walked into another room. In this room was a long red couch, allowing a patient to lie down if need be, and a green chair for Star. Several bookcases also were in the room. If one looked close enough, they would discover not only a variety of psychology texts, but also a collection of romance novels and an odd book of magic. "Please sit down." Star said, motioning towards the couch. "Can I get you anything to drink? Tea, coffee, juice? I like my patients to feel comfortable." She explained.

"Tea, if you please," Elegance said succinctly, walking behind the Doctor, and sitting upright on the couch. Her eyes trailed around the bookshelves, causing her to wonder if all the books she saw really had been read, or were just there to fill space.

"Earl Grey, if possible. Ah...how does one start one of these? I've never have been put into this position before."

Star Sapphire smiled. "One earl grey tea coming right up" she said. Star trotted over to her kitchen and set a kettle of water to boil. She trotted back into the room. "That tea will be ready in just a few moments. So let's get started, shall we?"

Star say in the green chair opposite the couch. "You may lie down if you would like." She said to Elegance. A drawer next to Elegance opened up and a notepad and pencil flew out. The landed right on Star's lap. "Alright, so let's get down to business. What exactly is the problem?" She asked.

"Lying down would make me feel nervous," Elegance stated, "As for any problem I might have..." She closed her eyes in thought. "May I be perfectly frank? Well, if I can't be frank here, I can't be frank anywhere. The only reason I am here is because I need a psychologist saying that I am in perfect mental health after a period of 5 or so weekly sessions. Otherwise, I might just be taken off the construction for the Midnight Palace, something that I designed."

She looked Star straight in the eye. "I don't think I have any problems, even after the catastrophe that was the changeling invasion. Unlike yourself, I was physically assaulted by the invaders, so I suppose part of the reason I am here is to find if there is any problems with my mental state. Apart from being a bit shaken, there doesn't seem to much difference between my mindset before or after."

Star grinned to herself, a grin so small it could hardly be seen. "Denial." She thought, "They wouldn't have sent her here if they weren't afraid of something being wrong." Star Sapphire scribbled a little on her notepad. "Well Elegance." She began, "If there is nothing wrong then I'm afraid you are wasting my time and wasting your time. It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick, right?" She asked.

"Well, I'll do my best to see if this incident affected you. I bet it has, even if you haven't noticed it. In my experiences, physical and psychological trauma like this doesn't get brushed off so easily." Star flipped her notebook to a fresh page. "Tell me, since the incident have you noticed any changes? Any changes for your routine? Eating less? Eating more? Having trouble sleeping? Have you been social in your spare time, or have avoided other ponies? Have you been feeling depressed at all lately" She asked, prepared to write out any symptom.

"Ah, but even the healthy need a check up now and again," Elegance supposed, "As for any changes in my schedule..." She frowned. "There has been a lot of time diverted into repairing the damaged structures of the city. We simply cannot afford to patch it up with half-baked designs from a nopony. That has been a change. Also, the available help on hoof has been noticeably depleted, making it needed to find more. Getting more ponies to fund the project as the government's funds have partly gone into repair of the city, though I feel it should have been taken out of the military's pocket, for if they had been doing their job, the city would not be in this current state. So, yes, the invasion has changed my work schedule considerably. Socially speaking, some ponies have withdrawn a little bit, some ponies have been reaching out more, but my feelings have so far remained in equilibrium. So have my sleeping and eating, and I do not feel depressed. Disappointed, maybe. Not depressed."

Elegance looked at the notepad curiously. Star could be just scribbling down doodles for all she knew, but it made her a little bit aware of the fact that she was letting somepony dissect her feelings as she laid them out.

Star Sapphire wrote a little bit more in her notebook. "Well, my biggest suprise is how little this has affected you. I have never seen any pony not affected at all by this. " Star leaned back in her seat slightly. "My biggest concern is how much time you seem to be putting into your work. From what you have said, it seems to take over most of your waking life, which is not a good thing."

Star looked up when she heard a whistle. "Oh, the water is ready. I'll be right back." Star stood up and left the room. She soon returned with a pipng hot cup of tea. "There you go." She said, handing the tea to Elegance. "Now, back to my point, how much time have you spent with other ponies? I'm afraid that your preoccupation with work may be a way for you to cope with the trauma, and working to hard will just lead to more complications."