Auto-imported from derpibooru.org (1939962)

While Applebloom was further strengthening her friendship with Stone Mane

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another player was advancing her agenda.

Purple Marten slowly stretched out on her bed like some giant cat as she checked the contents of the small, simple brown steamer trunk one more time before closing it and locking it. This would only be a short trip, but still she wanted to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.

After that a similar inspection of a modest black leather purse was in order. Satisfied with it she then turned her attention to the evening editions of several newspapers and operative dispatches she'd received late that afternoon.

The mare smiled as her eyes danced over the papers. Her plans were having the desired results. Events in Manehattan were still the headline story, but articles dealing with Celestia and her court having to explain the actions of her staff did make front page of a couple of the papers in Canterlot.

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For the most part the articles didn't directly attack Celestia, but they did call into question whether the Princess of the Sun was maybe trying to juggle too many balls at once, or perhaps her ministers or staff were not up to the challenges confronting them.

Purple Marten levitated one of the newspapers into the air as she rolled on to her back. Her smile grew bigger as she licked her lips. Of course the papers that were running these articles were publications she'd cultivated strong relationships with. Either by investing directly in them or by her public support of various causes they had championed. These would be the base from which she'd start building her covert public relations campaign against the Royal Court. Nothing too brazen but just enough to add some more friction to the system. Give the Royal Sisters one more distraction to deal with.

Setting the newspaper aside the pale mauve unicorn turned her attention to dispatches. One her plants deep in the palace noted that princesses were aware that Blank Check was probably going to try and slip out of Manehattan soon and they were trying to formulate a plan to take her into custody.

Another palace mole was reporting that at the moment Quick Silver, Bloodfeather, and Phoenix had been ordered to take a 4 day stand down for rest

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, and that they'd been ordered expressly by the Celestia to not pursue any further investigations of her or Trotter.

The mare giggled softly. Perfect. Despite Drone 992 almost having a seizure at the whole scenario at the Red Ladle, but it had played out exactly as she'd wanted it to.

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One it had created an awkward situation between the princess and some of her most loyal staff. Marten knew that this would not result in a disintegration of the team, or the princess losing faith in them, but any friction she could add to the system the better.

Second it guaranteed that those 3 mares would be off her back for the next 4 days while she traveled. Of course Celestia would most likely try to assign some ponies to try and tail her, but her highness's resources were being stretched thin. Also most of her other best operatives were already handling other assignments. More distractions, more friction.

Finally the little confrontation confirmed to her that those much vaunted goggles of the Princesses were not foolproof, or that Phoenix's talents were so refined to immediately know that she or Trotter/Drone 992 were changelings. Sure Phoenix was suspicious but Marten expected that. She was a hunter and killer just like herself, but she couldn't clearly declare what it was that bothered her.

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In fact Purple Marten was already formulating a way that this might be turned to her advantage to sow more seeds of confusion, uncertainty, and doubt in the ranks of the palace staff. More friction in the system.

She was musing about this when there was a soft tap at the bedroom door. Rising from the bed the mare took a quick look in the mirror to assure her mane and tail were in order. Then her face assumed it's neutral expression. Only then did she speak in a cool, reserved voice.

"Enter."

The door slowly opened and a young unicorn mare dressed in a maids uniform stepped meekly into the room. The light green pony stopped in front of her and bowed. "M'am I am here as you instructed."

The mistress of the house smirked. "Yes drone 1658. I will be leaving tonight for my trip. I want to see final confirmation of your practice? Show me now!"

The maid nodded her head and closed her eyes. Her form twisted, grew and changed. When the changeling opened its eyes she was a duplicate of mauve unicorn. She remained silent and still as the original started slowly pacing around her making a thorough inspection.

Coming around to front of her replacement Purple spoke. "Not bad, but can you act the part?"

Marten's duplicate expression suddenly became a mirror of her superior. She snorted and tossed her mane. "But of course. I'm a mare of culture and sophistication. It should be simple enough?" She smirked back at the original. "Although I think we really need to do something about our mane and tail!"

She lifted a front hoof and played with it for second. "I mean it was quite fashionable last year but feel like it's falling behind curve. Don't you think?"

The original returned the smirk. "Very good. Now for the next 4 days I want you to follow my regular routine. There are no important events scheduled so just stick to the plan. Be seen about but don't mingle too much. What is my usual order at the local coffee house in the morning?"

"Double espresso and black currant scone. Unless I decide I am in the mood for a buttered crumpets with lemon curd."

"What is the name of the filly I buy the morning edition of Canterlot Courier from?"

"Double Scoop." Replied her double. "Oh do you want me to flirt with Coarse Ground when I place my order?"

"Sure, but don't go overboard with it." Said the original. "Just some good nature teasing like you've observed in the past should be enough. Now."

The original Purple Marten's form morphed when it was complete she was the maid. Meekly she spoke "With your permission m'am I will be leaving for the station. I, uh want to be certain I make it on time."

Her duplicate made a dismissive gesture with her left front hoof. "Very well. Be own your way. And be careful, and remember I expected you to be back on time. Understood?"

"Of course m'am."

With that operations coordinator Purple Marten levitated her purse over and put it around her neck. As she left the mare also levitated the daily dispatches into a large open pocket on her purse. She'd throw those in the house incinerator as she left. Leaving the master bedroom she headed down the hallway to find a porter to carry the steamer trunk down to the opera bus that was waiting to take her to the train station. As she passed a mirror in the hallway she paused for a moment to check her appearance. For just a moment her normal mannerisms came forward and she smirked at the reflection in the mirror.

"Time to move this play on to the next act." She then closed her eyes and slowly breathed in and out. Once again she was the quiet, obedient mare. Then she trotted away.

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Posted previously at: 2019-01-20T10:22:56