//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: Yes, My Lady // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// Once the laughter died down, it wasn't long before the group of youngsters decided it was time to go out and have some fun and try to find their Cutie Marks. At Apple Bloom's suggestion, Bluebottle left his hoofshoes and doublet behind in the clubhouse so they wouldn't get caught on anything as they rushed about on their various endeavors and 'getting covered in glory'. Much as Apple Bloom predicted, by the time they finished trying all the Cutie Mark attempts Bluebottle and Scootaloo together could talk the group into, they were so covered in 'glory' that had the Acres been a maple grove, they might have gotten Cutie Marks in being pancake toppers. Bluebottle's guards, upon seeing the state their charge was in after his 'outing' with his fiance and her friends, were not amused. Not surprised, but not amused. Once the group of four were completely cleaned up, Sweetie Belle had a surprise. "Bluebottle, though you didn't earn your Cutie Mark today, you've definitely earned your place amongst us." Reaching in amongst the pile of oddments that filled the parts of the Clubhouse that weren't regularly used, she pulled out...a fourth Crusader Cape. "After Babs Seed joined, I got Rarity's help making a few more, just in case we got more members. Scootaloo, if you would?" Grinning from ear to ear, Scootaloo pulled out the drums they'd used to welcome Babs as a Cutie Mark Crusader and began playing the same drumbeat, complete with her over-exuberant solo. She had to admit, it felt good to cut loose like that again. Bluebottle grinned widely as he stood tall and proud as though he were being awarded a medal by Princess Celestia herself. Sweetie passed the cape to Apple Bloom as she read off the prepared speech...copied as a form letter from Babs' induction. "We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, elect Bluebottle to join us as a sis...brother," she quickly corrected herself, much to Scootaloo's amusement. "...friend, confidant, ally, bosom-buddy, gal-uh..." She beckoned one of the guards over. "What's the male form of 'gal-pal'?" she whispered inquisitively. The guard thought for a time. "...given the area, I think it would be best to go with 'bro'." Nodding, Sweetie made a quick mark on the scroll. "...bro, comforter, chum of chums..." She glanced over at Scootaloo. "Should we stop here like last time?" she asked hopefully. Scoot jerked her head towards Bluebottle. "Why do you think I wrote something so long winded in the first place?" Taking a quick drink of water, Sweetie continued. "Home...boy? Uh...amigo...I still don't know how to pronounce the rest of these...ah, here we go!" Getting to the bottom of the scroll, she turned to Bluebottle. "And fellow Cutie Mark Crusader!" she proclaimed dramatically. "You are solemnly sworn in, here this day, in witness of your fellow sisters, friends, compadres..." Rolling her eyes, Apple Bloom walked forward to throw the cape around Bluebottle's shoulders as Scootaloo threw confetti. "Yeah, we can stop there," Sweetie Belle agreed, pushing the scroll at Scootaloo. "You never did revise this..." Bluebottle tied the cape around his neck with his magic, then lifted one hoof dramatically. "I do hereby solemnly swear to carry the good name of the Cutie Mark Crusaders with me wherever I go, to journey boldly into adventure and excitement in the name of destiny, and seek out in my hometown like-minded brothers and sisters of the quest to bring into the fold! I know not where I shall find such, given the nature of the citizenry of said hometown, but I shall search from tallest tower to lowest gutter until I've found every possible Crusader candidate, and every being, pony or otherwise, worthy of wearing the cape! This I so swear, as a Cutie Mark Crusader, Canterlot Branch!" As the young ponies cheered, the guards glanced amongst each other. "So..." the one who had answered Sweetie's question began, "who wants to explain the cape to his parents?" "Not it," the other three guards chorused immediately. "...I hate you all..." Sebastian smiled to himself as he tucked Scootaloo in for the night. He once again found himself mentally contrasting his present Master with his previous one, the similarities and the differences. Ciel had acted as though he had no investment in his own engagement, and yet had never hesitated to do whatever it took to make Lizzie happy when it truly mattered...even if he did claim it was because he knew Sebastian would always clean up any mess it caused. Sunrise, on the other hand, was obviously and genuinely attached to her betrothed, an attachment that was visibly mutual. If nothing interfered, they would make a deliriously happy couple someday...on the days they weren't actively trying to kill each other from driving the other crazy. But then, that's what a healthy romantic relationship was supposed to be like, as far as Sebastian was aware. If nothing interfered... ...revenge to my satisfaction... Why did those two thoughts immediately connect in his mind? ...he quickly discarded them. The contract was signed, after all, and in blood. There was no way to wiggle out of it for either of them. There were no loopholes. He would serve his Master to the best of his ability as he was ordered to until the contract was fulfilled. It was as simple as that. As he stepped outside to ensure there was nothing that could be considered a danger to his charge, he saw a familiar figure approaching. "Mr. Rich," he greeted softly. "Isn't it a trifle late to be out? Shouldn't you be at home, tucking your daughter in, and taming your wife?" At first Mr. Rich said nothing in response. When he did speak up, his voice was completely serious, nearly unrecognizable as his own. "Eyes of the moon-hound hunt in darkness." Sebastian immediately tensed. That was a recognition code phrase for House Wingshadow's information network, and one that told Sebastian exactly what level of clearance Filthy Rich had. He also knew exactly how he was supposed to respond, to give his own clearance, the clearance Sunrise had assigned him. "The shadows' lies take six eyes." Filthy's eyes widened in astonishment. "...here," he said finally, passing over an envelope. "It's everything I've gathered regarding...an organization of concern, based somewhat outside Equestria's borders." Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "If it is outside, why is it of interest?" he asked carefully. "It targets Equestrian citizens," Filthy responded. "Specifically the grief-stricken, or the egotistical." Sebastian slipped the envelope into his jacket. "It will be investigated as appropriate. You have done well. See forever." "See forever," Filthy responded immediately before turning to go. Sebastian glanced at the envelope. Things promised to soon become...interesting.