//------------------------------//
// 38 - Order in the Court 
// Story: Lost Muse 
// by David Silver 
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Color pulled at his collar, dressed properly for an appearance at the castle.  His wardrobe had been slowly expanding. Once he got used to one, another just... happened. He was up to five suits, each delightful in a subtly different way as if each were a message he could broadcast without opening his mouth.

His current one said 'I am a professional'. It didn't say what that profession was, but its sharp angles and clean cuts made it clear that he had business in mind and he wanted to get it done. It was perfect for the situation, he had decided. He even managed to walk past the front guards without opposition or even being asked why he was there. He was just a business pony that had to get business done.

Yep, that was him, mister serious...

"You look lost."

Color focused on the stallion that had asked that. He looked important. He was dressed smartly, but practically. Who was he? "Hello," tried Color. "I was hoping to ask the princess a quick question."

The stallion rolled his eyes. "Auntie's quite busy, she usually is. Do you have an appointment, mister...?"

Auntie?! "Color, Color Splash. I'm--"

"No, she didn't mention that name." He shook his head. "You should come back... later."

Color frowned a little. "It really is urgent. This involves a personal commission, Mister...?"

"You don't know me?" He sounded offended as he gestured to himself. "I am Prince Blue Blood, do keep that in mind." He nodded once with certainty. "Now what commission are we talking about?" His eyes roamed over Color, noticing his cutie mark. "Are you writing something, perhaps?"

Color considered his mark, the colorful quill. It could have been a writer's mark, but... "No, a painting. I need information from the princess regarding the painting she's ordered."

"She really does love her art." His eyes wandered to the stained glass windows and small statues that dotted the hallway. "Now then,  her time is very precious."

"As are her bits, which are being wasted with time spent not getting her what she asked for." It was an aggressive gamble that he hoped would pay off.

Blue Blood arched a brow. "I see... Well, you can't get to Celly, that's what I call her, don't call her that. Celly is protected by her secretary, Raven Inkwell. You'll want to talk to her."

Color smiled at the helpful information. "Thank you! Where is she usually found?"

Blue Blood patted his shoulder. "Rest at ease. If you're making auntie happy, you're making me happy indirectly." He pointed back where Color had come from. "Second right, you'll see stairs. Go up two levels, fourth door on the right."

Color started to turn. "Thank you again, Prince Blue Blood."

"Not a trouble..." He watched Color head off, shaking his head softly. "Auntie, you really need to be more discerning..."

Color ascended the stairs, right where Blue had said they'd be. He emerged onto the third level and looked around. "Now..." He started down the hallway, counting as he went. "Two, three... four." He looked above the door, but there was no plaque above it or beside it. It was just a door.

"Huh..." He raised a hoof to gently knock.

"Come in," came a calm female voice.

Color smiled. Even if it wasn't the right pony, she sounded helpful. He willed the door open and began in. Seated behind a clean desk was a unicorn with white-grey fur and dark brown mane.

Raven looked up at Color. "You don't work here." She glanced away a moment. "Color Splash, hired artist, freshly acquired." She took her hooves away from the paper she had been reading and clapped them together. "How can I help you?"

Color perked an ear at her. "How? You looked like you were remembering all of that."

"That's exactly what I was doing." Raven nodded softly. "One cannot serve Princess Celestia without the ability to swiftly recall and the ability to rapidly assimilate information. It is my job to ensure that nothing is forgotten." She rolled a hoof. "Now, how may I be of assistance, Color Splash?"

He put a hoof behind his head. "I work for Princess Celestia, but I can't claim to have a memory that good."

"You are an artist." Raven gestured to the paper she had abandoned. "I am a secretary. These positions have different demands. I would be hard pressed to tell you what color complemented cerulean crisply in a composition." She adjusted the thick glasses on her snout. "But that's enough of that. We both have work we must do for the princess' sake."

Color nodded. "Right, sorry, let me get to the point. I was hoping Celestia, or maybe you? I was hoping to find out when a particular guard was off duty so I could question them off the clock."

Raven perked an ear. "I wasn't told any guard needed to be available for interviews."

"This is secret," he whispered with a shhh. "He doesn't know I'm drawing him. I'll just be telling him I want to hear about his exploits as a young avid fan."

Raven smiled gently. "I see...  Compared to him, I suppose you do appear to be a colt. I must seem a filly before his eyes as well. You are speaking of the eldest soldier that accompanied the princess when she came to commission you, I presume?" She tapped her hooves, mind going back to that day. "I remember organizing the schedules."

"You are amazing, Raven Inkwell. May I call you Raven?"

"You may." She nodded. "I will address you as Color in that case. Color, I can provide that information, assuming you will treat him well. He deserves nothing less." With a glowing horn, she pulled a book free from a shelf nearby. "I, and the princess, will be quite irate if this turns out to not be true."

Color quickly put up his hooves, frogs facing Raven. "No! No, of course not. I'll take him somewhere nice, share a bite to eat, and let him ramble. Older ponies like doing that, right?"

Raven inclined her head. "You do not know him well. Step carefully, Color, or he'll withdraw. In his eyes, he is an average guard of no special significance. Attempting to convince him otherwise will only make him uncomfortable." She flipped the book open with a thought and a glow. "And we don't want him uncomfortable."

"Of course." Color stepped closer, looking at the schedule upside down. "So when would be the best time?"

"He has a forced weekend coming up." She tapped at the bit on the page. "He hates them, but Celestia insists, so he submits. He would rather be doing something than nothing, so he is likely to accept an offer of activity on that day." She turned the book around with her magic, allowing him to see the date.

"Thank you, for the time, and the trust." He bowed his head, ears going back a moment before bounding up on his head.

"I'm glad you understand what this is." Raven floated the book where it had come from. "This is a matter of trust. Please show me that I have invested it properly. Princess Celestia will frown at me, as best she can, should she learn I decided incorrectly. You are in her employ now, and your actions reflect on her."

Color stiffened at that. That was quite some responsibility! "I'll do my best, Ma'am, Raven, sorry."

Raven smiled a little, a laugh just barely escaping. "Just do your best, and be a good pony, and she will have no reason to be upset with you."

"Of course." He bowed once more. "I should get going. I've taken up enough of your time."

"Thank you for understanding that." She floated up the paper she had begun with and resumed reading it as if simply forgetting Color was even there.

Color didn't challenge that, quietly slipping out and willing the door shut as gently as he could. He retreated the way he came with a little smile. That had gone reasonably well.

"We do not recognize you," spoke a sleepy voice. He looked up to see a princess. Not the one he worked for. Luna was mid-yawn, a hoof over her mouth. "Who are you?"

Color squeaked in surprise, coming to a sudden halt. "Just a painter, Your Highness."

"A painter?" She tilted her head to the left, then the right. "Oh yes, I remember your dreams. Did you ever find your way to that mare?"

He blinked, face going hot and red. "I..."

She put a hoof over her mouth once more, covering her gasp instead of a yawn. "Forgive me! I should not speak so lightly of another's dreams. They are your business, not mine."

Color put a hoof behind his head. "I... forgot you could see those... Uh... I did, actually."

She smiled brightly. "Fantastic. I do not normally witness all dreams, but you have had nightmares about her, and that called me to you. That you have resolved this without assistance is a credit to you...?"

"Color Splash," he quickly provided with his own smile. "Thank you."

"I speak only the truth." She waved it away. "We have seen too many nightmares of dreams abandoned and aspirations dashed, the pony never reaching their goal, many not even daring to try... It's a tragedy, but one replayed over and over. It is a delight to know it doesn't always end that way without our direct intervention."

Luna was the most formal? He was not seeing much reason to not enjoy the presence of the princess of the night. "What has you awake, Princess Luna? It must be very late for you."

"It is," she flatly agreed, yawning widely as she did so. "I had to assist a pony who only slumbers during the day, and whose sleep was most troubled. I have done this, but now I require our own request." She frowned suddenly. "If you hear... me... address myself in the third person, kindly point it out. It's a bad and old habit."

Color dipped his head. "As you would wish it, Your Highness."

She smiled down at him. "You please us. What is it you are painting? I would know. Have I seen your work before?"

"Just a drawing of a soldier who deserves a good portrait, Celestia's orders."

"Sister..." Luna shook her head. "She truly adores her guards, like her surrogate foals. Don't allow her to know I said that." She waved it off. "Have I seen your work?"

"She has a picture hanging, in the 'Spring' room?" It had more of a name than that, but that was what he remembered.

"Spring room, she has a few... Describe it?"

"It's a painting of Celestia." He smiled gently. "She has foals climbing on her."

"That one!" Luna smiled brilliantly. "Yes, we do--"

"We?"

Luna colored softly. "Yes, thank you. I recall that one. She looks ridiculous, and I love it." She smirked softly. "Can you do more... aggressive renditions? I would like one where I look properly ready to face the enemies of our--" She paused, waving a hoof. "I mean our properly that time, yours and mine. Our country."

Was he being commissioned again?! "It would be an honor, but I do need to complete your sister's request before I can accept another. You wouldn't want a painter that would do anything else."

"Of course." She nodded softly. "I can appreciate a good work ethic. When you have completed this project then, seek me out. Tell the guards I told them to send you to me directly and they will obey."

Color nodded stiffly, unable to believe the good fortunes he was facing. "The moment I'm ready. While you wait, consider what armor you would like to be drawn wearing, and any weapons you'd want nearby."

Luna gasped as she cantered in place, her sleepiness forgotten a moment. "What delightful things to consider. I will have to tour the armory." She trotted off without a goodbye, suddenly quite focused on getting her eyes on the weapons and armor.