twilightpony | Getting Ready

Now that I have a deadline, I've been working hard on flash cards for the subjects we're going to cover. The theme of the summit is Building Bridges Through Cooperation and Friendship. A lot of it will be semi-informal round table discussions on trade, technology, and joint ventures. Princess Celestia aims to strengthen our ties with the griffins and where necessary, to give them the tools they need to rebuild their culture. So we're going to sit at a round table and talk. The event is the brainchild of Prince Blueblood, who will be the moderator during discussions. Apparently he's quite good at diplomacy, regardless of how boorish and self-absorbed he was with Rarity that first time we went to the Grand Galloping Gala.

I'm going to give a friendship workshop as well. I hope some griffins will attend that. I'm pretty much the only pony who has made a dedicated study on the subject of Friendship, so that severely limits the number of ponies I can call on to give dissertations. I think Princess Celestia's priority is the rebuilding of Griffonstone. That takes cooperation, and cooperation is integral to friendship. Ergo, I have to sell the concept of friendship as a valuable asset to the griffons.

Pinkie already gave them the key to baking good scones. That is something they can once again take pride in. Maybe I should find something else to build up that pride even more. Something to cheer for. Like a sport team, maybe. Cooperation, pride; friendship. It's worth a try. There were griffons competing at the Equestria Games, so they could conceivably build their own sports teams.

Tomorrow we hike to Saddle Lake for our fall foliage picnic! The weather will be warm and clear. In anticipation, Spike and I sliced a load of carrots into sticks and ground up a batch of sesame seeds into a paste. Tomorrow morning, before we go, we'll puree alfalfa sprouts, mix in the paste and some salt, and we'll have a fresh dip to go with the carrot sticks.

Starlight Glimmer isn't coming. She has decided to forego this picnic in order to study. A hike with friends is good for a pony. Maybe I should have insisted.