//------------------------------// // Chapter Seventeen: Gentle Step, Deep Blade // Story: Picking Up the Pieces // by Evilhumour //------------------------------// Chapter Seventeen Gentle Step knock knock “Captain General? Captain General, are you in there?” The two agents backed up a bit as the door in front of them opened, a blunted snout sticking out for a moment. Seeing this, one started to speak. “Captain General, we-” The door slammed in their faces, and Gentle Step backed into her living room. “Sorry about the interruption, Mist,” she said brusquely. “You were saying?” “I was saying, what exactly were you planning to do about the uprising in the Crystal Dominance?” the grizzled acting-Captain General said, his voice coming out of the helmet sitting on one of her chairs. “We’ve still got quite a bit of fighting going on out there, even if the majority of the Crystal Rebels and the Questioning Order seem to have turned to guerilla tactics instead of open-field battles like they started with.” Gentle Step shook her head. “I’m really not sure,” she said. “Delighted Gem was still here when the uprising started, and even with his help, we weren’t able to get through to the Governor’s house - the Guards say all the communication spells they’ve tried to reach Governor Mighty Glacier go unanswered, and the locks are all sealed. With how they built that house in the first place, it’s almost impossible to physically get in and check on things without demolishing the place now.” “Stallion’s got good survival instincts, at least,” Mist Flight said, and she could hear him folding his front hooves across his chest. “So. How much longer until they try to get your attention again?” “Not long, I suspect,” Gentle replied. “What about you, how are things going with your Guards over on Mount Legion?” “Pretty well,” Mist Flight replied. “So far nopony’s made any comment to any of the reporters who showed up, but sooner or later one of them’s going to get sneaky and figure out what’s going on.” Gentle sighed. “You know, you could get in a lot of trouble for this,” she said. “So could I, when they find out you called me.” “I’m using a connection so secure even the snoopiest of reporters couldn’t tap it,” Mist Flight reminded her. “And other precautions too - if anypony sees me talking, they think I’m on the line with my lieutenant. But I do need to go now, just to be safe.” “Be well, Mist,” she said before he cut the connection. Turning back to the windows, she peered out and saw the IA agents were still on the sidewalk, exchanging hurried whispers. This whole situation was starting to spin out of control; she had not even thought the Royal Guards would protest en masse or that Mist would do something as radical as abruptly bringing the Hatcheries to justice. She was grateful that the other divisions had moved in to ensure the peace in Canterlot, but such an action shouldn’t have been needed. She heard noise outside, and glanced out long enough to see a couple of ponies trying to speak to the IA agents, who were in turn trying to usher them away. Reporters, she figured. Sighing, she closed the curtains again and sank into her seat. This inaction was eating her up inside and she hoped that something exciting would happen soon. bang bang Frowning as somepony continued to bang on her door. Glancing out her peephole, she saw it was one of her neighbours but Spring Showers was out running her now legal gaming hall at this time. “Miss Showers, what ar-” “Step, I want to know what you are planning to do with those pesky ponies outside!” she said, pushing herself into her house. “They have been bothering everypony with all those questions and-” “Who are you,” Gentle asked, narrowing her eyes while preparing her magic. “Really Gentle, you can’t tell?” the mare asked her with a raised eyebrow before a wash of green magic rolled over her and turned into Memorizing. “You’re getting rusty in all of this downtime.” Gentle Step raised an eyebrow at him while dispelling her magic. “Good morning, Mems. I see you didn’t want to deal with those nuisances outside any more than I did,” she ignored his widening grin though not how he nuzzled her face which felt very good. “Is there any particular reason to why you're visiting me?” “Beyond wishing to see you, there is a bit of news I’ve learned that you’ll want to hear, Gents,” he said as he walked into her kitchen. “Have you eaten yet?” “No, and what is the ne-” “Gents,” he said in a lecturing tone which made her frown as she was still his superior. “Do you need me tell your mom you’re not eating properly again?” “You wouldn’t dare,” she said as she glared at him. “Besides, I’ve barely had time to think about food since I got up this morning, what with everything going on and distracting me.” “Then let’s remedy that,” Memorizing replied as he began to rifle through her cupboards and fridge with his magic while pulling the blinds down and locking all her doors as to prevent any unwanted visitors seeing the drone in her house. “Go sit down while I get you a nice and hearty breakfast, Gents.” “So,” she said as she sat down at her own table while he worked. “I’ve already been made well aware of what my Guards are up to over at Mount Legion, and I saw plenty of griffon activity outside last evening. What else is there?” “Three of the Bearers left the city last night, and we weren’t able to send any Guards to follow them,” he said as he worked. “What‽” Gentle started to rise out of her seat, but Memorizing turned and gave her a look. “Which ones, and do you know where they went?” she asked. “Wind Breaker’s file says he was originally from the Griffish Isles, until he was illegally sent here from one of their orphanages,” Memorizing told her. “From what we observed, Night Blade arranged to use his family’s skimmer so he, Wind and Vix-Lei could all go over there to track down Wind’s birth family.” He shook his head. “And he’s just the first of many who will be heading that way… fortunately, our Guards have assured me that the other three Bearers are all still here. Page has her own matters to deal with at the Library, and Rex and Xvital are both at the Academy for their own things.” “And your Queen has confirmed that they are in the Isles?” she asked, causing him to visibly stiffen. “We haven’t been able to confirm that directly, but I have been informed that that’s where they were heading,” he said a bit shakely. “Page herself spoke of it in the presence of my brother Sound Record just a short while ago.” “So when are you going to stop lying to me?” she asked him. “I know she’s your Queen, mister Royal Protector.” Had it not been for years of training, Memorizing Gaze would have literally jumped out of his shell. “How-” “I figured it out when I was speaking to her just two days ago, and she confirmed it,” she replied. “There’s no need to hide it from me anymore.” “So you know,” he said leaning against the counter and sighing before giving her a confused look. “But why didn’t she tell me that you knew?” “I wouldn’t know that myself,” she said. “I haven’t seen her since then.” “Still-” He broke off, eyes narrowing. “Wait a minute…” “Yes?” “Did she, by chance, know about… well, us? Because I get the feeling she’s known about you and me longer than she’s been letting on.” He shook his head. “Seriously, did she?” “Who do you think helped me figure it out myself?” she teased him. “Before that meeting, I honestly didn’t realize I was feeling more than friendship for you. She recognized it though.” Memorizing shook his head. “Were it anyling other than my Queen, I’d have to have words with them for keeping something this big from me,” he muttered. “So. What else did she fill you in on?” “Oh, not much… besides this one thing,” she smirked, feeling braver than she had ever felt before, almost as exhilarating as when she had fought that demon lord before she had escaped Tartarus. Memorizing shook his head again. “Well, at least I don’t have to worry about hiding it from you anymore,” he said. “And I have the feeling you’re not the only one of our fellows who knows more than they’re letting on. I think Blazen Sun might be on the track to figuring it out too, if that look he gave me when we were talking yesterday was anything to go by.” “If he does, we’ll find out soon enough,” Gentle Step said. “But did your Queen, by any chance, inform you that your potential dating pool has been restricted?” “Why would she do that,” Memorizing asked, trying to focus on making her breakfast. Frowning, he to turned to face her. “I’m her Royal Protector, her last defense. What makes her think that she can do this to me.” “Oh, nothing much,” Gentle said as she rose and stared him right in the face. “Except she knows just how deeply I feel for you… and didn’t want any others getting any bright ideas of trying to snatch you away from me until I made my own play.” Memorizing blinked, and then shook his head with a blush on his face. “I knew she supported us as a couple, she told me as much yesterday when my little brothers were teasing me about it, but I didn’t realize it went that far.” “Well, now you know,” Gentle Step told him as she walked over to him. “And… perhaps once this matter is resolved with Internal Affairs, we could see what exists between us.” “I’d like that a lot,” Memorizing said with a smile before leaning down to nuzzle her again only for Gentle to lean up and intercept it with a kiss. “And I could get used to this,” he said before giving her another kiss that somehow made feel more awake than she had felt in a long time. “That,” she said, licking her lips. “Was a love filled kiss, wasn’t it?” “It certainly was,” he said with a grin. “And there is more where that came from, Gents.” She raised an eyebrow at him with Mems snorting at her. “Not like that; your breakfast is ready,” he said as he tapped his glowing horn to her plate before passing it off to her. “I much appreciate it, Mems,” she said as she sat back down. “I would also appreciate a more in-depth report to the exact situation concerning the three remaining Bearers as well to the exact status of the protests.” “Of course,” he said, his tone shifting to match the seriousness of what was going on. “As stated before, Page Turner is within the Great Library today, as are a number of my Guards, since I’ve moved the Hidden Guards’ headquarters to that location. Both Rex and Xvital are in the Academy, Xvital for her lessons in controlling her magic and Rex for an interview with the Director and the Dean of Alchemy, and my Guards escorted them. As for the protests, all of the Royal Guards who were in Canterlot as of yesterday, including acting Captain General Mist Flight, are currently outside the IA offices on Mount Legion, save for those few who are still recuperating in the hospitals from recent injuries sustained during the Nightmare’s time of control.” Gentle Step nodded as she took another bite of her meal. “Thank you for that information, Captain.” Using her magic to get herself a glass of water, she then asked. “And your other Captains?” “Captain Blazen Sun has remained in the Captain’s Room for the purpose of coordinating the efforts of the other Guard divisions,” Memorizing reported. “Our other three Captains were out with the rest of their divisions to maintain order yesterday, and are continuing in that role today.” Gentle Step nodded again. “Status on the celebrations in the streets?” “Things aren’t as rowdy as they were at their peak yesterday, but there are still plenty of them going on out there,” Memorizing told her. “There are only a hooffull of bonfires remaining, and they’re much more controlled now than they were before. While some injuries have been reported, those responsible have been taken into custody and informed of exactly why they were arrested; the majority of the reported injuries are confirmed as accidental, including more than a few cases of griffons colliding with one another mid-air. No ponies or changelings have been seriously hurt, whether accidentally or deliberately, thank the goddesses.” Gentle Step regarded him. “Property damage?” “Being kept to a minimum; there will be some reconstruction once this is all over with, but the majority of it is cosmetic and not threatening to the structures themselves.” “Good.” “Now let me ask you something; how are you handling all of this?” Memorizing’s question caused her to snap her eyes at him. “I would like to believe I know you better than anyling or pony alive and I know how you hate sitting around while you can be doing something to help the situation.” Gentle Step let out a sigh. “You’re right,” she said. “I hate being effectively sidelined, but I did this to myself, and I’m going to stay out of it until there’s no other choice. I trust my lieutenant and my captains to do the right things in the meantime.” Her eyes glanced to the window and sighed. “Though I do wish that the Royal Guards were not doing this on my behalf.” “I understand your concern,” he said. “With the fact that something like the Nightmare can overshadow anyone like it did to the king, having blind loyalty to one single authority figure is dangerous.” “You are probably one of the only people that understand this,” Gentle Step told him. “I am the Captain General and if I were to be subverted then it is my greatest hope my division would stand against me.” “I understand,” Memorizing replied. “With the power you control, it’s no wonder the Bearers initially thought you were the one being controlled by that thing - as you yourself said, you were the logical assumption.” “If you suspected I were a threat to the nation, would you take the proper steps?” “Yes,” he said without hesitating. “Why do you think I was keeping such a close eye on you after Page told me of her suspicions when she and I first met?” “Then you did the right thing,” she said. “Thank you.” Memorizing bowed. “I just hope it never has to happen, Gent,” he said. “I really hope it never comes to that.” “So do I, Mems. So do I.” Deep Blade Shaking his head as the last of his students left the classroom, the nox pony let out a sigh as he did some clean up before giving up and leaving it for the janitors. It had been a long day of dealing with privileged kids that thought they were talented when all they really had was their daddy’s money to back them up. Ever since he’d had his argument with the dean, most of his students had decided to test him every day, if not with backtalk then with pushing their luck by producing questionable artworks. If not for Emerald Forte distracting him with his own gallery work, he would have had done something stupid ages ago. He was so indebted to that mare; he really needed to find her a good colt and help screen away the creeps. He could lean on Crooked, and maybe Night if he was up for it, to act as scary deterrents for messing with her. Thinking of his little brother, he had to mention it to the family that he had found somepony that was willing to do a proper family portrait in the next few days so they could get rid of that eyesore in the family manor and dispose of it maturely. And he hoped that Emerald Forte would not get too mad at him setting it on fire as well as help him get out of any trouble for setting something on fire again. Stuffing his satchel with all of his belongings, he huffed himself out of his classroom and began to make his way towards the front door when he saw Dean Clean Canvas and quickly turned the other way. She still wasn’t all that fond of him after the shouting match when that ass drew Night as some sort of bloody horror movie killer and it was best to let things cool down for a while longer. Going through the back ways to avoid the mare, Deep kept changing hallways and stairs until he was completely lost. Groaning at this happening again, Deep was going to need to ask for help when he saw the ruby of the Cadenza Guards and the grayish black of the Cuanmiztl Kingdom’s guards in the hallway. Frowning in confusion, Deep walked towards them, only for the guards to glare at him. Rolling his eyes as growing up with Crooked had helped numb any fear he had for these elites, he asked, “Is there something going on?” The sergeant of the Cadenza Guard snorted at him, placing the butt of her spear in front of Deep, to his surprise. Then, as the lead Cuanmiztl Guard gave his counterpart a look, he turned back to Deep. “Please leave the area, sir,” he said a bit more politely. “All right, all right, sheesh,” he said as he turned to go. “You’d think, as a staff member here, I’d be allowed to walk through the halls without complaint.” Before he could take a step further, however, one of the Cadenza Guards intercepted him. “I thought you wanted me gone.” “Can you present your faculty ID card,” the Cadenza Guard asked with their sergeant giving the Cuanmiztlan guard a smirk. “Sure,” Deep said as he pulled it out and hoofed it over. The Guard accepted it and studied it carefully, then handed it back. “He’s good, sergeant Summer,” he reported. “Deep Blade, Professor of Art.” “Deep Blade,” the sergeant said with wide eyes before narrowing her eyes. “Does the name Summer Heat ring any bells?” she asked acidly with Deep struggling to recall why that name sounded fami-Oh by the Lady, this wasn’t good! “Because my sister remembers you very well, Bla-” “Deep, is that you?” a voice from the side caused everypony to turn as the classroom began to empty out and Xvital, Night’s friend, was staring at him. “Xvital?” he asked, surprised. “What are you doing here?” “Learning to use my new magic without burning the room down, what are you doing here?” “I teach here,” Deep told her. “And I took a few wrong turns after my last class…” Xvital facepalmed with her tail hand - and wasn’t that a rare sight for him. “Right, I almost forgot about that - Crooked mentioned it the first time we met.” “Lady Xvital, you know this stallion?” her lead Guard asked. “You remember my friend Night Blade, right? This is one of his older brothers,” Xvital told him. She turned back to Deep. “And I don’t think Night’s been by to see you since you all dropped by a couple of nights ago…” “No, I haven’t had the chance to talk with any of my family since then,” he said. “Been meaning to discuss a few things with them.” Xvital shook her head. “Be ready for a surprise then,” she said. “Night’s on speaking terms with your parents again.” Deep gave her a look of surprise. “Really? That is a surprise…” “I hate to interrupt, but we really should go,” the lead Cuanmiztlan guard suddenly spoke up. “We don’t need to be blocking the hallways.” “Right. Deep, you on your way out now?” “I was,” Deep said. “Good. So are we, and we’ll be meeting Rex at the front.” “Right.” Falling in beside her, Deep glanced back to see the Cadenza Guard sergeant giving him a dirty look, but apparently unwilling to speak on it while her charge was present. “So why is Rex here? He’s your Diamond Dog friend, right?” “Yes, and he’s interviewing for a position in the Alchemy department,” she told him as they walked. “He’s a real genius with potions, alchemy and spell formulas.” “And he’s a Diamond Dog,” Deep let out a whistle of amazement, shaking his head. “Never thought I’d see the day.” “I’d be careful about saying things like that around him,” Xvital warned. “He tends to get a little… irked, to put it mildly, when it comes to people assuming he’s dumb because of his species.” Deep snorted, shaking his head. “Please, I’m not some idiotic racist pony,” he said, rolling his eyes. “If he can do what he says he can, then it’s enough for me.” “That’s better than most ponies we’ve met,” Xvital said with a shrug. “So why do you want to see Night? Wouldn’t it be best to let things cool down a bit more?” “Just wanted to let him know that I found someone to do a proper family portrait for us now,” he said with her giving him an odd look as if it wasn’t the most important thing. With a guilty shrug, he added, “And maybe be a bit of better big brother, I guess.” “Sorry, you missed him,” Xvital said causing the Guards to share a worried look with each other. “He, Wind and Vix-Lei are off to the Griffish Isles for a few days - your folks let them borrow the family skimmer.” Seeing his face pale, she shook her head. “Vix-Lei’s not driving, I promise - they got your family’s pilot to do it.” “That’s a relief.” Deep said before snickering. “But I do hope Night continues the family tradition of stealing and crashing it.” Xvital gave him a look as if that was the most insane thing she had ever heard. The Cadenza sergeant, on the other hoof, just gave a harsher look. “I hope you are aware that I can arrest you for this self admit-” “Oh come off it,” Deep snorted. “We were all young kids back then and I already got the riot act from my parents when I did it.” “I will need to check this out, Blade,” Sergeant Summer said, narrowing her eyes. “So do not leave the city or I will issue an all out warrant for your arrest.” “Geeze, what did you do to her sister?” Xvital asked him. Deep gave her a look. “If you must know, I have a reputation as something of a playstallion, and there are more than a few mares who are annoyed that I didn’t immediately make them part of my family after one date the way they’d have liked me to,” he said. “To put it tactfully.” “Then are those you used as Goddess damn booty calls and whom you never called back,” the sergeant hissed at him. “Do you have any idea of how much that hurt my sister?” “And she couldn’t have remembered that we agreed to keep it casual with no real strings attached?” Deep shot back. “I’m not feeling guilty for nothing and there’s nothing you can do to change that.” “Dude,” Xvital gave him a flat look. “You might have arranged to keep it casual but you could at least show some sympathy.” “I would if this were the first time I’d had to deal with this sort of thing,” Deep shot back. “I’ve also had a number of so called marefriends try and lure me into marrying them with falsified pregnancy tests over the years. If I meant for a relationship to last, I’d let them know, and I don’t appreciate it when a mare tries to force it on me or gets others to do the same.” Deep then turned to look at the sergeant. “I’m sorry for what happened with your sister, but it was almost seven years ago.” “...I will need to check this claim of attempted line theft, Deep,” Summer Nights said, looking away from him. “Andthanksfor...youknow.” she muttered under her breath. “It’s no problem,” he told her before shifting his attention back to Xvital. “So how is your magic coming along?” “Eh, somewhat better?” Xvital shrugged, looking at her tailhand. “I’m trying the techniques of focusing and imagining a flower but it sometimes works for me, sometimes it doesn’t…” “Eh, that stuff is just basic general foal stuff,” he said scoffing with his wing. “While I was in Mareis, I briefly dated this teacher who told me about how she helped ponies with Thaumatic Moratis and that just focusing on a flower or a flame wasn’t good enough but it had to matter to the pony in question. Like this banker; she told me that none of the conventional techniques worked until she made it all finance-wise and it just clicked for him.” “Maybe that can work for me,” Xvital said, tapping her chin. “What’s the harm in trying?” he said. “The potential danger is that Xvital will set her bed on fire once more,” another voice chimed in, with a black doberman pinscher diamond dog walking by. “Mister Deep Blade, good to see you under happier circumstances.” “You must be Rex,” Deep said, shaking his paw. “And judging by the fact you have a trail of students following you from the distance and it is roughly the time classes let out, I’m going to guess you did a good job in impressing people?” “I very much think so,” Rex replied with a smile on his face before looking back at the students trailing behind them that were being blocked by the Guards. “Very much so.” “As do I, Mister Rex,” Polished Spring said from behind them, causing Deep to jump a bit. She was almost like a chan-Oooo! “I do believe we may have a place for you here yet, Mister Rex.” “That is all I have ever dreamed of ma’am,” Rex said with utter joy in his voice with Xvital looking very happy for him. “I eagerly await your final decision.” “I doubt it will be a long wait, Mister Rex,” Polished Spring said. She then turned to face Deep and tipped her head. “Mister Blade.” “Ma’am,” he said politely. He and Clean Canvas weren’t on the best of terms right now and it wouldn’t help if he were to annoy another one. Polished Spring then turned her attention to Xvital and gave a more respectful bow to the ahuizotless. “Qu-” “Oye, oye!” Xvital said pushing herself upright. “Please, just call me ma’am or something… just not that right now. Please?” The mare smirked and called her as such, though Deep was curious to what the dean was about to say. But with that, the dean was gone and Deep could ask the- “Deep, there you are.” Snapping his head to the side, he saw Emerald Forte coming up to them, shaking her long Prance mane. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” “I’m sorry, I just-” “Did he do anything wrong,” she said, using her magic to push his lips together, looking straight at the Guards. “Y-” “No madamleze,” the ahuizotl said, shaking his head. “Simply escorting our charges out of the Academy and we crossed paths.” She let out a sigh of relief, before turning to face him. “You were going out of your way to avoid Clean Canvas, qui?” “Yes, I’m not going to poke that frigid bear,” he grumbled before he turned to face the diamond dog and ahuizotless. “Excuse me, but you said you two were heading to the Great Libra- wait, is it Great or Grand Library?” He turned to ask Emerald, though why, as she was from Prance and not Canterlot, was beyond him. The look she was giving him said she was thinking the same thing. Both Xvital and Rex were sharing confused looks and then Rex said, “We could ask Page when we see her. I’ve personally heard her call it by both terms though.” “Speaking of visiting the Library, do you think you could get us in?” Deep asked with Emerald giving him one of her wary and tired looks to whenever he got inspired by something new. “I know it’s under lockdown with all those changelings in there but I would love to get in there.” “Pourquoi?” Emerald asked him with Deep rolling his eyes. “Beyond finding the perfect model that can change their shape at ease, mon petite rose,” he said with Emerald giving him a flat look. “How good would it be for me to start my new series; the rebirth of the Fourth Tribe.” Already, ideas were flowing through his head and he was itching to get out his tools to start sketching and painting. “Hmmm,” Emerald said tapping her chain. “Très bein, qui. But,” she said sharply. “You do it for the Fourth Tribe, Deep.” “Of course,” he snorted before rethinking what he had just said. “You knew what I meant when I said it would be good for me, Emerald.” “Just making sure,” she flicked her tail. “We do not need repeats of the past when you failed to think clearly, qui?” Rolling his eyes, he reached out a wing to hug her. “But if I did that, then what would you do, my dear lawyer?” “Have an easier time sleeping at night and not worrying to find out that you got yourself arrested again.” she said shaking off his wing with a huff. “I’m going to guess that comment about you being a playstallion is more to be in the past tense?” Xvital said with a smirk. “Sadly, no,” Emerald sighed. “The times I had to go to collect to find some mare passed out on the couch…” She shook her head and muttered a curse under her breath. “Hey, I’ve gotten a lot better since I’ve come home,” Deep fired back. “Mostly as you couldn't get away with it here,” Emerald said. “Eh, true enough but come on,” he protested as they left the Academy. “You two must be one of the oddest couples I’ve ever seen,” Xvital said with a chuckle as they walked. “Wha-us? A couple? You’ve got to be kidding!” Deep exclaimed. “We’d drive one another crazy in no time!” “He drives me crazy now,” she snorted with laughter as Deep gave her a hurt look. “No offense, of course.” “Some taken,” he said with a bit of stiff lip. “I’m not that bad, Emerald.” “If you say so,” she said, shaking her head before looking back at the Guards. “Will it be capable for my client to visit the Great Library?” “Client?” Rex asked, raising an eyebrow. “She’s my personal lawyer and legal adviser,” Deep said with a shrug before looking at Sergeant Summer, who was talking into her helmet. “Well mister Blade,” she said after she was finished speaking to whoever she was talking to. “You seem to have enough clearance for the moment, provided that the commander of the Hidden Guards does not revoke it for significant reasons.” “Thank-” he began only for Emerald to step in front of him. “He will be on his best behaviour,” she said, giving a look over her shoulder and Deep could begin to see where Xvital got the idea that they were a couple. “See that he does, ma’am,” the ahuizotl sergeant said before looking at Xvital. “Speaking of, your agenda is clear at the moment so you are also free to attend.” The ahuizotless bristled at being directed around like that but she didn’t say anything and thanked him. “Well then,” Deep said turning around and beginning to walk into the confusing streets of his home. “Let’s go.” It had taken roughly ten minutes with a few of the local Guards complaining about the route he was taking but Deep knew that this way was the least crowded way to the Great Library and it had a few of the more artistic buildings that had him itching to grab his sketching book out of his satchel and start drawing. If it wasn’t for Emerald coughing at him when his wing began to drop, he would more than likely have done it. Finally, they entered the courtyard of the Library and among the public Guards, Deep could spot all the extras hanging around in the various shops and kiosks around the library; they were obvious with how they were looking about and not like they belonged to what they were doing. His eyes went towards the statute of the Magi of Stars and briefly studied the curves the artists used to accentuate her figure before he joined the rest of the entourage in going up into the Library with a yellow coated unicorn waiting for them. “Rex, Xvital, how are you two,” the mare asked, running down to them and Deep realized where he had seen her before - she’d been part of the group when he and the rest of his siblings had all gone to see Night that one evening. “And Deep,” she said as she looked at him, standing next to her friends. “Miss Turner,” he said, taking her hoof and giving it a polite kiss. “How are you this fine day?” He could practically feel Emerald’s gaze burning into the back of his neck. “Much better, now that a certain matter has been dealt with,” she said. “What brings you here, mister Blade?” “Please, call me Deep,” he said in his most soothing voice. “You’re one of my brother’s female friends, after all, so while I lack any embarrassing stories to tell you, it falls to me be overwhelming and friendly to drive him nuts.” “I’m not sure that’s very smart or safe,” Sergeant Summer said. “Miss Turner is, after all-” He was cut off when Page raised a hoof. “Thank you, but I believe it is my duty to inform him of that particular detail, assuming he doesn’t know already.” Deep looked at her in confusion. “Inform me of what?” “Deep,” Page said as she looked at him. “I’m more than just your younger brother’s friend.” She leaned in close. “I’m his marefriend.” Deep stared at her in surprise. “Wait, what? When-how in Equestria did that happen?” “It’s something of a complicated story, and I’d rather we all went inside before I shared it,” Page told him. “Follow me, everypony.” With that, she turned and led them inside, heading for the Library’s main floor. Deep looked around, his eyes wide at the inside of the building. “This is wonderful,” he said in awe. Page smiled. “Thank you.” “Seriously, I would love to know more about the architecture here,” he said. “I’ve always been inspired by beauty, both natural and artistic design, and I see plenty of it here in this Library. It’s just so magnificent.” He then noticed those working in the Library of all different species, including those of the Fourth tribe. Unfurling his wings to get a better vantage point, he quickly landed on top of a bookcase and took out his sketch book to begin to draw when he heard Emerald coughing. Blinking, he turned to see her glaring up at him and shaking her head but before she could lecture him, Page was giggling out something else. “That is just precious,” she said, holding a hoof to her lips. “Night, your brother, tends to use that spot as a roost when he visits me.” Emerald looked amused at this. “You don’t say,” she remarked. “By the way, I’m Emerald Forte. I’m Deep’s lawyer and legal consultant.” “Oh?” Page turned to her. “Nice to meet you.” “And you as well,” Emerald replied. “Night must really be something if you fell for him - I haven’t really met him myself, I’ve just seen and heard other’s reactions to him. And other ponies’ reactions to those reactions.” Deep gave her a look, but said nothing and focused on his sketches. “He is something,” Page agreed. “Come on, we’ve still got some ways to go.” “Oh?” Deep asked, tilting his head. “You want to see more of the Library, right?” Page asked before tilting her head. “So please, come along, Deep.” Nodding his head, he stowed his book back into his bag and flew back down, giving her a look over before tapping his chin.  “I wonder…” “Excuse me?” Page asked, turning to face him. “There is this thing I did for Crooked, my older brother,” Deep said with Emerald watching him. “Well more as an anniversary gift with his wife for their anniversary.” “Which is?” a rather tall and somewhat actually threatening looking changeling guard asked him, with an elderly looking griffoness dressed in the garb of matron of Library at the guard’s side. “Well, mister-” “Sound Record, commander of the Hidden Guards,” the Guard said with the griffonness placing a talon on his arm. “This is Matron Hush Tone of the Library.” “I can handle this,” Page said to the Guard before looking back at Deep. “As you were saying?” “Miss Page,” Record began only for Page and another changeling Guard, a smaller nymph, to stare at him. The nymph gave Page a comforting looking before turning to face the commander who seemed to fume at her but nothing was actually spoken. Then again, changelings were said to have a mindhive and wasn’t this Page Turner herself a changeling? “I’m sorry, miss Page, Lieutenant Ruby,” he tipped his head towards both of them and took a step backwards while still glaring at him. “Thank you, Record,” Page narrowed her eyes at the Guard only to wilt slightly as Hush Tone gave her a disapproving look for her tone. “You were saying mister Blade?” “Deep; you are dating my brother and I was trying to say that I can give Night a rather nice gift with your help,” he said, walking over to her and whispering into her ear. Taking a step back, Deep could see how eager she was for that idea of his- her eyes wide and her tail swishing behind her. “I would love to help you with it.” “That’s what Soft Breeze said,” Deep said with a shrug and a grin on his face. “And I have it on good authority that Crooked liked the results, even if he was a little annoyed at me for a while.” “Now I’m curious to what you’re agreeing to Page,” Xvital said with a grin on her face. “You’ll see if Night feels willing to share,” Deep said with a shrug. “I strongly doubt Night will be willing to share,” Page said, still grinning from ear to ear. “When can we do this?” “Excuse me,” Emerald said, walking up next to Deep. “But am I to guess that this is similar to what you did for their fifth anniversary?” “Qui, mon-” “Shush,” she shushed him before looking at Page. “Are you sure of this; if this Night of yours ever lets this out, the public reaction-” “Please, I thank you for your concern but I trust that Night will enjoy this and he would never let this out to the public,” Page said to her. “Well then, enjoy being part of his most private models then,” Emerald said with Rex raising an eyebrow. “I thought as being you as you are, that you would be opposed to being a model,” the diamond dog said. “Well, yes,” Page said, looking at her hooves. “But this is for Night and I’m being me, not as my changeling self.” That comment got all the changelings he could spot to frown for some reason and Deep took a step forwards. “Well for my models, miss Turner, I prefer that they be as natural as they can be as well as comfortable too,” Deep said, with the Guards still looking heavy at him. “If you wish to be as you are now, that is fine but…” he paused, tilting his head and stroking his beard wondering if he could swing this. “I am sure you are aware that there is currently no positive artwork of your Tribe. Perhaps this could change?” He then turned to face the lieutenant and matron, both of who were obviously in charge. “Would it be acceptable for me to bring my art class here as to help amend that?” “I think you would need to clear it with Dean Clean Canvas first,” Emerald said. “Oh right,” Deep frowned and flicked out his wings but only to blink as a flash of green flame went over Page Turner and revealed her nymph form, looking subtly different compared to the lieutenant. “I...” Page took a deep breath of air before steeling herself. “I need to get more comfortable being like this so can be a start,” she said with her wings buzzing rather cutely. “So when can we arrange for this… painting to be done, Deep?” “I believe my schedule isn’t that booked up; Emerald?” Deep turned his head towards the unicorn who nodded her head. “Your next few days are clear, if you choose to avoid Dean Clean Canvas more,” Emerald said, pocketing the book that held his itinerary into her saddlebag that he had brought her several years ago as a birthday gift. “Then it is fine,” Page said, her wings still flicking about and he could tell it was her nervous tic. She then turned to face Rex and Xvital, changing back to her unicorn self. “So, how were your days?” “I’m learning some more control with my magic,” Xvital said with a shrug. “I still have a long way before I’m anywhere good as you are.” “You are still just learning something I have had years of practice as well as my hive to support me,” Page said, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “I know, but still,” she shrugged. “It’s just such a pain…” “You will achieve it one day,” Rex said, patting her on the arm. “As for myself, I had my interview today and I believe I did fairly well.” “That’s wonderful,” Page said, pulling him into a hug. “I hope you get it.” “As do I,” Rex said returning the hug with his tail wagging behind him. “We all do,” Xvital added. “He says that Rex has good shot at it.” She gestured to Deep with her tail hand which caused a bit of flames to flicker into existence. Jumping backwards, Deep smacked at his chin only for Emerald's magic to engulf his face. “Are you okay, Deep?” she asked him as she leaned in close to his face with the ahuizotless looking very worried. “Wouldn’t be the first time some mare tried to set me on fire,” Deep said wincing as Emerald lifted a mirror to his face. “Or even the first time they did it by accident.” Page raised an eyebrow at this, and shook her head. “I’m not sure I even want to know.” “Some mares just don’t accept that I’m not interested in dating them,” he said as he examined his chin. “Damn, it took me so long to grow this out too…” he muttered. “But like I said, Xvital, you’re far from the first to set me on fire by accident, so I’m not upset with you for it.” Xvital breathed a sigh of relief. “I am sorry though…” “It’s fine,” he said, tilting his head to the side and letting out a sigh, knowing he would need to shave to clear off the patches on his chin, deal with the bald spot and all the questions that would come about it. “Got a new story from it at the very least.” “You’re very casual about this,” Page said, raising an eyebrow. “What’s a little bit of fire from beautiful ladies,” Deep said, putting on his best airs as he lifted Xvital’s tailhand to his lips for a kiss. “Remind me never to leave you alone with Vix-Lei,” Xvital said, pulling her tail back. “And may I remind you, or inform you in case you didn’t know, that I’m engaged?” Deep withdrew. “In that case, my apologies for being so forward, and my congratulations to the stallion in question. I may have quite the reputation, but if a woman is already claimed, I will back down.” “Claimed?” Xvital repeated with a raised eyebrow. “You know what I mean,” Deep said with a sigh. “I won’t knowingly flirt with a woman who’s officially dating, engaged or married to somepony else. Or some non-pony, as the case may be.” “Good policy,” Xvital told him. “I’m pretty sure that they wouldn’t be too pleased if you tried something and they’re not even our elites.” She gestured to the ahuizotl guards who seemed to be mildly annoyed with him. “Your elites, the Shorn right?” he said, remembering all those boring soldier games that Crooked had forced him to play with him when they were younger. “They’re even stricter than our Royal Guards if I remember correctly.” “Si,” the Cuanmiztlan sergeant said and leaned in close. “And her fiance, the prince-king, will appreciate your discretion.” “So you’re that Xvital,” he said, eyes widening a bit. “I had heard that your wedding dress was specially ordered from the finest dress makes in all of Prance, though that was several years ago.” “Yeah…” she said  with a blush on her face. “First time around my mother-in-law to be kinda scared me off…” She then sighed. “Which reminds me that I will need a new one now for when we finally settle on a date and place.” “And we can’t wait for it,” Page said with a smile. “I have already began to look around for proper suits for the day,” Rex said. “Anything like the… other one?” Page asked causing Deep to raise an eyebrow at the odd comment. “Well, I am hoping to find a vest of a similar style, at the very least,” Rex replied. “I wish I could have kept the original.” “Well maybe I can help,” Deep said stroking his chin only to remember it was still semi sore. “I do have good connections and I am part of a rather rich family.” “I kinda forget that at times,” Xvital said. “Night doesn’t really flaunt it at all.” “Nor does Deep,” Emerald said with a shrug. “I have met most of his family with exception to Night and they’re mostly modest about their wealth.” “That’s how we were raised,” Deep added. “Though Crooked really went out of the way to impress Soft Breeze before he kinda wised up and did things right.” “I dread to think to what you will do for when you find the quote unquote right mare,” Emerald said with a shudder. “I’m curious Xvital; what did Tizoc do impress you?” Page asked with Xvital just blushing. “Now that’s a story,” she said as they walked deeper into the Library.