//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: Behind Closed Doors // by OrphiusOlyandra //------------------------------// I never told Trixie, but I’m pretty sure she’s figured it out by now. It’s not just being nocturnal that’s making it hard to sleep these days, it’s the goddess damned dreams that make me wake up shivering and sweating. Every freaking night, it’s Nightmare brainwashing me, making me kill Trixie or my mother, again and again. Those nights freak me out, because I know that they almost happened. If Nightmare had finished the ritual, she would have made me kill Trixie out of sheer fucking jealousy, and there’s a good chance Luna never would have gotten rid of her, then Nightmare might have taken over, and then all the crap about a new Eternal Night was plausible. Unlikely, but plausible. The dreams that really freak me out are the ones with Grace. The one where we’re in the weather factory, and he’s calmly trying to make me give up and walk away, and... I kill him. He stares dead into my eyes as I bury a knife in his chest, and he asks without saying it, ‘Why? How could you do that to your own brother?’ Those freak me out because they actually happened. They’re not my imagination working overtime, they’re not me dreaming up things that could have happened. That was what really happened. I killed my brother. Sometimes I get lucky. I go to sleep feeling tired, wake up feeling refreshed, you know, natural stuff. Maybe once in a few weeks, at least once a month. Usually though, it’s Grace and Nightmare, one or the other, and I wake up shivering and have to remind myself that I’m actually laying in a bed next to the mare that means more to me than anything else ever had. That I’m not going to peel her skin from her hooves up, and because of what I did, she’s still alive. I repeat that to myself, again and again. Sometimes it helps. Usually it only helps a little. When I wake up this time, it’s from a dreamless sleep. Things are hazy and blurred. I feel Trixie’s coat against mine, hear the sound of her breathing, and I remember that I’m in my bed in Canterlot. Everything’s fine. She’s safe, sleeping, and no matter what happens I’ll never let anything hurt her. I close my eyes again, and rest my head against the pillow. Breathing in, I take in her smell. It’s always that ‘summer rain’ shampoo she uses, and underneath that there’s a hint of firework powder. Then I realise breathing hurts, and that every time my heart beats there’s a dull throb in my chest. While I was sleeping, someone snuck into our apartment and cut me open, before running sandpaper over my insides. That wakes me up. Rolling over, I groan and open my eyes, staring at the roof. Blinking in surprise, I realise that’s not our apartment roof, that’s... somewhere else. Me and Trixie are... somewhere else. Why would we be there? Every muscle in my body aches like I’ve been running for days. I don’t feel refreshed from a calm dreamless sleep. “Trixie...?” I whisper hoarsely. She shifted slightly and snuggled into me, her hooves wrapping around me tighter. I try to prod her gently, but I’m clumsy and kinda just bump my claws against her. “Wake up.” Trying to sit up, I stop when it makes my insides hurt even worse. “Trix, wake up.” I shake her slightly. “Huh... wha...?” She blinked up at me blearily before she tackled me to the bed with a glomp that could have killed a dragon. “You’re awake! Oh thank Luna, you’re awake.” “It hurts...” I croak. “Please stop.” “Sorry!” She immediately pulled back, but kept her hooves on me as though if she let go I’d break or something. “I’m just... You’re awake. I was so worried about you.” “Why?” My eyes go over the room. “Where are we?” White stone roof, white stone walls, fancy decorations... “The palace?” “Yeah, you’re magic was... well... Trixie doesn’t understand it entirely, but it was bad.” She looked up at me and I blinked at just how red her eyes were. “You could have died.” “It’s okay,” I tried to hold her closer, but she ended up doing most of the work, gently hugging me back. “Why are we in the palace? Luna’s there... Shouldn’t I be in hospital?” “It had something to do with your transformation and Luna’s the only one that could help,” whispered Trixie as she buried her muzzle in my chest feathers, breathing deeply. “I was scared...” “It’s okay, I’m alright,” I stroked her mane with my claws. Honestly, if it meant taking help from Luna, death was an option worth considering. “Am I alright?” I asked after a moment. “Did I break something?” “No, it’s... complicated. Your transformation wasn’t... complete or something. It was meant for ponies and you got it and maybe it was the cooking or, I don’t know. Luna doesn’t know either.” Trixie sighed and just held me close. “I’m just glad you’re alright.” “It feels like my guts have been sunburnt...” I scrunched my eyes shut, and leaned back against the bed. “Can you get me some water? My throat’s sore.” Trixie smirked and gave a shrill whistle and yelled, “Hey Eclipse, some water please!” She grinned at me. “The wonders of living in the castle as a guest.” “We’re not living here,” I answered immediately. “Rather be dead.” “I knew you’d say that.” To my surprise, a cup of water popped out of the shadows onto the counter. Grabbing it with her mouth, Trixie bought it over to me and I took it off her. “And here’s your water.” I stared at her as I drunk, before I realise she passed it to me with her mouth. Why wouldn’t she just use her magic? My eyes turned up to her horn, and I choked on my drink. Putting it on the table next to the bed, I sat up and spluttered out, “Your horn!” “Oh this? Don’t worry about it.” She gently pushed me back down and nuzzled me. “Trixie is fine.” “Your horn cracked again! That’s the third time, Trix. If it keeps happening, you could lose your magic entirely, fuck, it’s probably close to being completely ruined.” “It’s fine.” A light kiss just to prove the point. “Don’t worry about me. You just focus on getting better. You hear?” “No Trix, it’s not fine.” I stared into her eyes. “Swear you’re not gonna stress your magic like that again. You could die! You already almost did back in the Kingdom.” “And I said I’m fine,” she growled as she pressed her lips against my beak. After a couple seconds, she drew back slowly. “Stop fretting, I know my limits.” “Trix, I’m not worth getting yourself killed for!” I snapped. “This isn’t something you can just brush over, you should be in a hospital right now getting it treated, not here with me.” “There are medics in the castle you know,” chuckled Trixie before she glared at me. “And don’t you dare say that. You are worth dying for.” I seethed and leaned back against my pillow. After a moment I chuckled as I realised something. “It’s been awhile since we had that argument. Fuck, we’re so messed up.” A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “It has, hasn’t it?” “Yeah...” I sighed, and thought about it for a moment. How long could we keep holding each other up like this? We were both just so damaged... I mean, fuck, we were both so reliant on each other, but we were both willing to die for the other at the drop of a hat. How long until one of us does die? The other wouldn’t go on living for long, I wasn’t deluded enough to believe I wouldn’t kill myself if Trixie was gone. And I could still remember Trixie almost hanging herself when I went with Nightmare in White Peak. It reminded me of that stupid Red End story, the one where the two sappy fucks offed themselves because they thought the other had died, but if they stopped to just talk about it and think for a second, they would have realised they were both fine. I fucking hate that story. “‘And so they wept, and so they bled, holding each other, right til the end.’” “Where’s that from?” asked Trixie “Some stupid Red End legend. I always hated it. Two stupid douchebags fall in love, a Great Scar female and a Red End warrior. They both think the other died in a battle, and so they both kill themselves so they can meet in the Pale, but the truth is they were both camped not that far from each other anyway. If either of the morons took the time to think about it, they would have realised they were both fine anyway. That’s the final line of it.” “What.” Trixie’s eye twitched. “Either you’re really bad at telling stories, all or gryphon myths suck.” “Nah, there are some awesome ones like ‘The Bruised Gaze’, which is about how the Black Eyes all become the pack of scheming, backstabbing fucks they are. Awesome story, tons of betrayal and conflict, with one of those really cool big twist endings. It’s been adapted like, a thousand times. Remind me to show it to you sometime.” “That’d be lovely.” With her body draped across mine, I could feel her heartbeat. “I’m just glad you’re safe and sound.” “Speaking of me being fine, let’s get out of here before Luna shows up.” I sat up, and winced at how much that hurt before I tried to slide over the side of the bed. “Help me up, Trix.” “No.” She even pushed me back down. “And do not make me restrain you.” “Why not? I can rest and heal up back at the apartment.” I wasn’t too proud to give her the most pathetic, manipulative look I could. “I can’t deal with Luna right now. Can we please just get out of here?” “Sorry, but you’re not cute enough for that to work.” Just for good measure, she sprawled herself on top of me knowing there was no way I could push her off. “I suppose it’s time for Trixie to be your blanket for once.” “I just woke up, I don’t need a blanket.” I tried to shift and move her off me. “Come on Trix, what I really need is to get out of here.” “Nope.” She sprawled herself out further. “Not until you get better.” “I am better,” I groaned. “Better just means not as bad as you were, right?” “Not good enough,” she said flatly. “I can get better at home. You know me being in the same room as Luna’s just a stupid idea.” “Well Luna’s not here is she? Plus, if your magic acts up again, Trixie would rather not be forced to teleport you through so many layers of protective enchantments it could smother the sun. Got that?” All I could do was nod. Saying anything to that would be a bad idea. Even I knew to keep my beak shut right then. “Good.” A small sigh escaped. “Once you get better there’s something I need to talk to you about.” “Why bring it up if you don’t want to talk about it now?” I rested my head back against the pillow, and I had to admit, I was tired enough that it felt good to relax my neck. “You would have been better off just not mentioning it ‘till I was better. What was it anyway?” Trixie licked her lips and looked away as she rested her head on my chest. “There may be a way for me to get some of my magic back...” “Oh?” I looked up at her. “What’s wrong with that?” “It’s suggested by Luna,” she said flatly. “Well fuck her then,” I rested my head back against the pillow. “You’re not her guinea pig, especially if it means pumping you with the shit she screwed me over with.” Trixie sighed, but didn’t say anything. Her sighing made me sigh. We weren’t done talking about this, were we? “Trix, we can’t trust Luna, not after the way she lied and used us last time. I know how much having your magic fixed would mean to you, but Luna has only ever lied to and cheated us. For all you know, accepting this means you have to be her template for an army of clones or some shit.” Trixie’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, that last point was stupid, but am I wrong?” Instead of replying, she just looked away and held me close. “I suppose not...” I sighed and held her close. “At least she didn’t offer to make you a nightkin.” “Y-Yeah...” Suddenly, I wasn’t feeling as hurt. “What?!” I shouted as I sat bolt upright. “Down!” her horn flared up and I found myself shoved into the bed. A second later there was a bright flash of light and Trixie groaned, slumping into the bed as her horn smoked. “Trixie!” I shouted and sat up, rolling her over so she was on her back. Thank fuck, she was breathing, though it sounded pained. Her horn was still in one piece, but it was smoking. “I think I overdid it...” She grinned up at me weakly. “Don’t worry, just give me a couple minutes and I’ll be fine.” “Fuck that noise,” I jumped off the bed and stalked to the door, before throwing it open. “Someone get a medic or a doctor or something in here!” I shouted into the corridor at four really scared looking nightkin. “Ma’am, I’m gonna have to ask you calm down and stay in the room.” Some stallion stepped in front of me. “If you don’t get a doctor in here in the next five minutes, I swear I’ll make you eat your own fucking kidney,” I snarled in his face, and he took a step back in shock, before I slammed the door shut and turned back to Trixie. “Are you sure you’re okay?” “Yes.” Even with a smoking horn she still managed to look pissed off. “There was no need to threaten them.” “It was the fastest way to get their attention,” I replied and settled on the bed next to her. “How much does it hurt? Do you need a bandage or burn cream or something?” “What I need is for you to get back in bed right now and to rest,” she snapped. “I’m fine,” I waved it off. “Barely hurts at all.” “Gilda, get in bed now or I’ll make your life a living Tartarian torture fest,” she said sweetly. I hesitated, but Trixie seemed fine so I did as she asked and hopped back on the bed. The moment I did, all the pain came back in an instant, and I was distinctly aware that I’d just had all of my intestines removed and then returned to after someone dusted them up with chilly powder. “You stupid gryphon,” growled Trixie as she rolled on top of me once more. “If your protectiveness wasn’t so sexy, you’d be dead right now.” “That doesn’t sound so bad,” I groaned. “Fuck me dead, I could swear it didn’t hurt this much five seconds ago.” “I’d rather fuck you alive,” she chuckled before licking my beak. “Now stay in bed and no moving alright?” “I swear to Celestia, one of these days I’m shoving a knife up Luna’s ass.” I had to fight the urge to curl into a ball and go fetal. Moving out of bed was a really, really bad idea. Why the heck did I do that again? “Gilda,” warned Trixie, “be nice, she’s trying to help.” “Don’t care, still hate her.” With a groan she thumped my chest before curling up on top of me. “Just shut up.” I was silent for a minute or two, before I thought over what just happened. Trixie just over worked her broken magic trying to restrain me so I wouldn’t hurt myself, then I stood up to get her help, which made me hurt myself trying to stop her from being hurt. “We seriously need to get our shit together.” “Hm?” she asked sleepily. “If we keep doing crap like that, we’re gonna kill each other.” “It’d help if you thought before you did anything,” she replied. “We’re both just as bad as each other with that.” I clenched my eyes shut. “Trix, what would you do if I died?” “Trixie would bring you back obviously. A mere trip to Tartarus? Please, simplicity itself.” “You’d kill yourself,” I whispered, knowing I’d do that exact same thing. “As if you’d be any different.” She snuggled closer, a shiver running through her body. “I know,” I opened my eyes and looked into hers. “Trix, we’re fucked up. Not just as individuals, but together too.” “Still better than being sane.” “No it’s not,” I frowned. “Trix, we need to fix this, we need to learn how to live without each other.” “And how do you say we do that?” she whispered. “...I think we need to...” I clenched my eyes shut. “Fuck... I think we need to spend some time away from each other. I think I need to move out.” “W-What? No!” She clung to me tighter. “No! There must be some other way, there must be. Please...” “We can’t keep going like this, Trix, we just can’t. With what happened just last night, you damn near killed yourself trying to save me, and five minutes ago I got so over protective I threatened to kill a nightkin... and I know I would have done it too.” I held her closer to me. “I can’t think of another way... I mean, it’ll just be for a little while, right? And it’s not like we won’t see each other.” “But that’s what lovers are meant to do for each other! They’re meant to be willing to do anything for the other, I mean, there are friends who’d do that. It doesn’t mean we’re too close. It doesn’t mean we need time apart. I-It doesn’t mean any of that!” She was breathing in and out heavily, blinking away tears and hugging me tightly enough that it hurt. I didn’t care. I hugged her back just as tightly, stroking her mane and shivering at just how vulnerable she looked right then. I hated myself for saying this, I hated that I was hurting her like this, but I knew I had to say it. “Trix, we’re both in danger so often. Every fucking day it feels like I’m this close to messing up and getting killed doing something dumb. We both need to learn to be able to trust each other to take care of ourselves. More than that though, I need to know that if I died you’d keep going. And I think you need to know the same about me.” “You’re wrong. Don’t do this, please.” Tears leaked down her cheeks and more than anything I wanted to wipe them away. To kiss her on the lips and promise her I’d never leave, that I’d be there for her every single last second of her life. She was such a strong mare, definitely stronger than I’d ever be and yet here she was, breaking down right in front of me. I wanted to tell her I was just joking, to wipe it all away with some fancy spell, but we both needed this. She... she deserved a better life than this. I couldn’t give that to her. She needed me too much, and with the way I was it was only a matter of time until I snapped and got myself killed or hurt. And because of that, she’d get herself... killed. My magic was acting up and trying to kill me, and the only pony who could prevent that was Luna. To protect Trixie, I needed to give her more reason to live than just for me, or failing that, at least fix enough of my problems that she can lean on me more. “Trixie...” I clenched my eyes shut, unable to look at her any longer. I had to do this. It just wasn’t fair to her, being so dependant on me when I was as flimsy as plywood. “I’m going to take Luna’s job offer. She’s going to send me off to training for a month, and then... then we can get used to... not always having each other nearby. And that’ll be a start. You’ll know I’m safe, and I’ll know that you’re safe, we just won’t be in the same bed every night. We’ll get used to that, and then afterwards we can talk about... the next step.” “No... d-don’t leave me. Please...” If anything her sobbing grew worse as she clung desperately to me. “I’m not leaving you.” I was. Damn me, I was. “Trixie, I swear I love you, but we both need more reason to live than just each other. It’s only a month, I’ll still be in the city, and we’ll see each other every chance we get, I promise.” There was no way I could look into her eyes right then. I’m so fucking pathetic that I couldn’t even look her in the eyes while I’m abandoning her. No. I wasn’t abandoning her, I was doing the only thing I could for her. I had to save her from herself by saving me from myself. How the heck did we ever get so fucked up? “And you won’t be alone, right?” I tried to make this sound like it wasn’t as bad as it was, but even I knew I was failing miserably. “Adelina will be in the apartment unless you want to get rid of her.” “I don’t want her!” she screamed. “I want you. I need you!” Her hooves pounded my chest again and again, but soon her sobbing left her breathless and weak. “All I want is you...” “...And that’s the problem, Trix. That’s my point. You need to have more to live for than just me, especially if there’s the chance my own magic is going to kill me.” Not to mention my raging insanity and suicidal tendencies. “We both need to want more than just each other, or we’re only going to get hurt by ourselves worse than anyone else ever did.” “W-We’ll be able to see each other right?” I made the mistake of looking down. All I could see were those tear stained eyes of hers, begging me, pleading desperately for something, anything to make me stay, even if it was just for a second. There was no way I could say no to her. “We’ll definitely see each other. Fuck, going cold turkey like that would only make things worse.” Her lips twitched slightly. “A-And we’re still dating. Right?” “Yes,” I nodded sharply. “And I’m still saving up bits for that engagement ring. This isn’t us breaking up, this is just figuring out how to survive without each other. We’ll still date, go out to restaurants and plays and... whatever you want to do.” “O-Okay...” Her tears finally stopped and touched her face, gently stroking her chin. I opened my beak to speak, to say something, but all that came out was a croak. There was nothing I could say then, nothing I could think of to make her feel better about this. Screw it. Actions are better than words anyway. I kissed her. Dimly I remembered that it was always Trixie that started this, but didn’t care right then. I nuzzled her, kissed her, held her, just did everything I could to let her know how much she meant to me. “I love you,” I whispered, and realised it was the first time I’d ever said that sentence to anyone. I’d used those words before, but never let them stand alone to speak for themselves like this. She just stared at me wide eyed, mouth opening and closing a couple of times before she suddenly buried her face in the crook of my neck, sobbing uncontrollably once more as she held me as close as can be. She said something, but it was impossible to make out what it was and just cradled her tenderly against me, brushing her mane awkwardly while I did. Eventually she pulled back and smiled at me. A real smile this time. There was no strain, no hint of sadness, not even at all uncertain. “I love you too,” she whispered, and though her cheeks were damp, her eyes were red and puffy, and her mane was a mess, she never looked more beautiful in that single moment. “I love you, you stupid, silly, annoying, boneheaded gryphon. I love you so much.” All I could do was nod, and stare into her eyes. “One of these days I’ll be good enough for you. I don’t know how you could settle fo-” A hoof pressed itself agaisnt my beak. “Don’t you ever dare say or even think that again. You’re perfect for me.” I swallowed, and had to close my eyes to stop them from tearing up. “Even with all the awful stuff that’s happened to us, I wouldn’t change any of it if it meant we weren’t together.” A light, tender kiss. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks that way.” I opened my eyes at her touch. “At the end of this month, I’m gonna wear the sexiest freaking suit you ever saw, and I’m cooking you the best food anyone’s ever tasted, and then we’re spending an entire day with just you and me. I don’t care what happens, we’re going to be together for as long as we’re both able to stay awake.” Suddenly, Trixie wasn’t looking as sad and vulnerable anymore. Now she looked at me like a manticore stalking a deer, that sensual predatory look gleaming in her eyes as she smirked at me. Some survival instinct in the back of my head screamed to let her go, and just bolt for that door, but the rest of me was paralysed by her touch and taste and smell right then. I couldn’t have looked away even if I wanted to. “Well since you’ll be leaving me for a month, Trixie had better make good use of what time she has left...” she whispered in my ear as a hoof trailed down my chest. I swallowed nervously, but didn’t resist her. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the suits... and for some weird reason my head jumped to making sandwiches. Rather than blurt out something stupid, I just kept my beak shut and surrendered to her touch. After a second, my beak opened again, and I pulled her into the biggest sloppiest kiss I could. It took a while, but eventually we separated. Panting, I looked at her and said, “Dibs top.” “Um... I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” I said, shuffling awkwardly from hoof to hoof as a massive blush burnt its way into my face. “I mean, thanks for coming all the way up here, but she’s fine. They’re fine. Everything’s fine.” Eclipse gave me a flat look. “You heard what she said, and she certainly didn’t sound fine to me. They requested a doctor,” he pointed a hoof at the stallion standing next to him. “Here’s a doctor.” “Y-Yeah, I know, but... um...” A massive spike in pleasure forced me to bit my lip until it bled to prevent any embarrassing noises from escaping. “If you go in now, she’ll kill you. Both of them will. Brutally. Hard. Without stopping. They’ll just keep pounding and pounding and p-” No doubt my face was bright red. “You get the idea.” He stared at me, and glanced at the doctor then back to me. “You can guarantee she won’t make good on her threat to me then? Because she was looking at me when she said that, and I am very much concerned for my own well being.” I nodded mutely, too scared to open my mouth as I felt more peaks of pleasure and love coming from behind that door. I most certainly did not want to find out what was going on in there. Walking in on Vinyl and Octy that one time was more than enough to scar me for the rest of my life. Toss in that egotistical mare who had the whole dominatrix speech thing going on and a gryphon, and I just knew I’d die if I saw anything. Even if I didn’t, I’d probably be a roasted bug a second later, unless Gilda squished me first. He sighed, and glanced back at the doctor. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time. You can return to your practice.” Muttering under his breath in annoyance, the white coat wearing unicorn turned away and trotted back down the hall. With a sigh, Eclipse took up position next to the door and glanced at me. “And you’re sure they’re fine in there?” I immediately shuffled away from him. “Yes. And... um... don’t stand that close to me. A ten foot radius should be enou~gh!” I clamped both hooves over my muzzle, trying my hardest to hide my blush. Just what the fuck was going on in there!? There was normal sex, porn star sex, Vinyl sex and then there was that. “T-Trust me. They’re fine. Better than fine. So fine you could say it’s practically or-” Shut up self! Eclipse gave me another one of his looks, even as he backed away a few steps from me. “Are they having sex in there?” I nodded, my hooves still firmly wrapped around my muzzle. Rolling his eyes, he looked ahead. “Now I’m wondering what they wanted the doctor for.” My eyes widened as a series of thoughts, images and emotions flooded my mind. Without missing a beat, I spun around, slammed my head into the wall three times to daze myself before collapsing back into my seat. “Bluey?” Eclipse sounded concerned. “Do you... react this way every time someone has sex near you, or should I find Luna and let her know there have been side effects?” I shook my head once and took a deep breath, “This does happen occasionally, but only when the sex is accompanied with a lot of emotions and by a lot I mean a lot, like holy shit, there’s enough emotions in there to drown a clutch of baby changelings and then some more, I mean, I haven’t felt this much emotion since Vinyl decided to jump Octy on their anniversary date and I mean, damn, how did they keep that up all day and night I mean, you have eat right?” The answer was suddenly really obvious to me and I just knew if I dunked my head into water, there’d be steam everywhere. “Oh...” A whimper escaped. “Isn’t the gryphon recovering from some kind of medical emergency?” Eclipse frowned. “How can they be doing that, let alone so enthusiastically?” “I don’t want to know,” I whimpered. He sighed and looked ahead. “Is there anything I can do to help you?” Head meet wall. Wall meet head. Eclipse coughed into his hoof and shuffled his hooves. “I didn’t intend it like that, I was merely offering a glass of water or a book to distract yourself with.” He paused, and glanced across at me. “Or... would a magazine and some privacy help?” “W-Wh-What!?” I spluttered and just stared at him in absolute shock. He shrugged. “I was wondering if it might be like flying in a gale. You know, the trick is to turn with the wind, not fight against it. If the proverbial wind is sexual relations, maybe you might need some time to yourself to turn with it.” After a second he added, “And by ‘turn with it’, I mean masturbate.” “I know what you meant!” I glanced either side of the corridor and changed my fur colour to red, hoping it’d mask my blush. “Just shut up!” There was a pause, before he glanced back across at me. “Quiet because I’m annoying, or quiet because you could do with a sense of solitude? If it’s the second, I can direct you to an unoccupied bathroom.” “I’d like to see you deal with this much love and lust flowing through your damned brain,” I snarled. He shrugged. “I wasn’t commenting on your ability to handle it, just suggesting ways to do so. I’m sure Luna won’t mind if you step away for a few moments to take care of a personal emergency.” “You suck, you kno-” This time I was prepared and just managed to slam my muzzle shut before I said anything more. Eclipse sighed and looked ahead. “It occurs to me, now might be the best opportunity to get an honest answer if I ask you a question. I’m just internally debating whether or not it would be morally appropriate for me to take advantage of you while you’re like this.” “Depends on the question, but I’ll take anything to keep my mind off what’s going on in there.” A shudder ran down my spine and I scowled. “Very well then.” He paused before he turned to directly face me. “Are you actually attracted to me?” “Yes!” Heat flowed into my cheeks and I was positive that despite my red coat, it was still obvious I was blushing. “I mean no, I mean I said that because of the emotions coming out of the room rather than any prior feelings I may have for you despite you looking totally hot though that’s probably due to me first seeing you after I fed on Vinyl and thus my emotions are out of wack and my libido was so high I could drown.” He looked me up and down, before he sighed and turned to look back ahead. “As your partner and superior officer, any relations of such a nature would be both inappropriate, unprofessional, and against regulations.” “But...?” “But nothing.” He didn’t even glance back at me. “Romantic involvement between the two of us is simply not an option.” “There was a ‘but’ in there,” I said. I tried to keep my eyes off him, but with all those emotions and him being the only male nearby, my eyes kept drifting back and I kept imagining what was hidden under all that armor. “I assure you, that there wasn’t.” “Well are you attracted to me?” I asked. He paused. “I can honestly answer no, I’m not attracted to you.” I wasn’t disappointed. Of course not! I mean, there were plenty of other stallions out there. It was just all these emotions playing havoc, that was all. I mean, just look at him. All stoic and boring and bleah. Who’d be interested in that? “That’s good.” “In the interest of full disclosure, I feel I should mention that my lack of attraction is not because of anything I hold against you. I do enjoy your company, just not in that particular way.” “Sure. Consider me not offended then.” “Glad to have that settled then.” “Agreed.” He paused, before he smirked across at me. “So, any guesses as to what they’re actually doing in there?” “Nope. Not getting into this. Not talking about this.” I squeezed my eyes shut in an attempt to get those images out of my head, but all that did was reinforce them. It didn’t help that Trixie had such a hot flank either. I mean, damn, it was so sp- “No!” He just chuckled at my reaction, but still kept his eyes ahead. “Sure you don’t want that magazine?” “Which ones would you recommend?” “The ones with small articles and less text,” he replied dryly. “Or maybe you could just use your imagination.” “Or maybe you could shut up.” My ears perked up at the sound of someone crying out from inside the room and from the way Eclipse’s ears twitched, he heard it too. The worst part was that jolt of pleasure and love that came with it, causing me to straighten up as though shocked. “...Isn’t that room soundproofed with magic?” he asked, sounding surprised. “That must have been rather loud... how did it even get past the spell?” “It’s also meant to be spelled against emotions leaking out,” I growled. “Enough emotion to drown a brood of hatchlings, indeed,” he muttered. “Exactly. And if you do not want me to jump you right now, I suggest you stop teasing me and start distracting me.” “I hope that’s a joke, and not a threat.” “Why don’t you test it and find out?” I asked sweetly. “And in other news...” Smoothly, he turned to me and asked, “Have you heard the rumours gryphon Wide Eyes are infiltrating Equestria among the refugees?” “Are they idiots?” I took an extra step away from Eclipse, just in case. “Personally, I doubt the validity of the rumours. I imagine all the active agents over there would be involved with the brewing conflict and picking sides. Some of them might be among the refugees, but I can’t imagine what they’d want in Equestria other than the same thing all the other gryphons coming here want. That is to say, a chance to escape the war.” “Or it’s the changelings,” I sighed. He tilted his head in consent. “Fair point, and probably a more concerning issue as well. Still, it’s a topic worth discussion that a lot of gryphons are trained warriors. Do you think the Princesses should be taking extra measures to deal with them? It’s a fact that the average guard isn’t a match for the average gryphon, let alone an experienced soldier.” “Send Gilda in, sit back, watch the show.” He glanced at me. “What do you mean by that?” “Exactly what I said. Well, I lied. Do you want to know the real reason no one ever messes with Equestria? You’ve got two freaking living goddesses. To win, you need one single strike that fast and immediate that it instantly wins the war or you’re fucked.” He frowned at me. “True, no doubt, but... I’m not entirely sure how that’s relevant to the topic at hoof...” “Equestria could have no guard and you’d still win. But you do have a guard and now you’ve got a gryphon who is a fighter. A warrior. If she can teach, well... you’ve won. It’s as simple as that.” Eclipse shrugged. “Why do we need to learn from her? There are thousands of mercenaries and guerrillas in Zebrica, and I’m sure the combat techniques they’ve learned, ones that involve hooves, would be more applicable to our guards anyway.” “Did you just suggest Equestria hire mercenaries?” “Temporarily of course.” “You still sound like an-an-an-” I groaned and slammed my head against the wall. “Get out of my head damn it!” “In any case,” He took another cautious step away from me. “The point I was making is that there are other warriors who are just as qualified, and probably a good deal more mentally stable than someone who threatened to make me eat my own kidney.” “I would have threatened to eat something else,” I muttered under my breath. “What was that?” he asked as he glanced across at me. “Nothing!” He rolled his eyes, and looked ahead. “Keep distracting yourself, counter my point, and continue the discussion.” “She’s just a loudmouth.” As soon as those words left my mouth, I imagined what she must say in bed and my ears burned. “And you know this from personal experience? Don’t your shared memories confirm that she’s closer to a frothing beast than a disciplined soldier?” “Don’t know, don’t care.” He rolled his eyes. “Alright then, new topic. Are you concerned about the potential side effects of the ritual?” “It didn’t kill me or increase my libido and that’s enough.” I breathed a sigh of relief as the emotions finally died down. “I think it’s over. Please let it be over.” “Well, if Celestia’s right the ritual will lead us all to insanity and eventual death, and given that the closest thing the nightkin have to a recorded history is a legend about a supernatural mass murderer, she might have a point. Doesn’t that concern you at all?” “Does Luna want a race of mass murderers?” I shot back. “No. But if her possession at the hooves of Nightmare Moon proved one thing, it’s that Luna’s capable of failing. If she wants us to be a race of murderers or not might be irrelevant if she doesn’t fully understand the ritual she’s been subjecting us to.” “Are you trying to make me regret my decision? Because if so, great job.” “All I’m saying is it’s something we should discuss. If there’s the chance we’re going to become violent schizophrenics, we should be prepared for that outcome, and know what we’d want to happen to us if we were no longer fit to think for ourselves.” “Well you suck. The whole ‘think about it logically’ thing is depressing. Stop depressing me. Seriously. Brighten up and have fun damn it!” “Alright then,” he sighed. “We’ll file that under the ‘politics and religion’ category for now. Actually, that raises an interesting question, do changeling have any religious views?” “What happened to not talking about religious views?” I tilted my head to the side and breathed out. “Okay, it is finally over. Hopefully.” “Should I bring the doctor back?” he asked wryly. I stared at him blankly. “You’ve never had sex before, have you?” “I was making a joke.” He returned my look with an eye roll. “Of course I’ve had sex before.” “Suuuuuuuuuuuuure. I can tell if you’re lying, you know.” “Then you should know I’m telling the truth.” “Nope. Lie.” He snorted. “She was a pegasus from Cloudsdale, her name was Vivacious Velocity, but I always called her Viv. We did the deed three different times, on the fifteenth of the seventh, the eighth of the ninth, and the fifth of the tenth. If you like, I can go into detail about how and where. I assure you, I’m not a virgin.” “That’s... kinda creepy.” He shrugged. “The important details always stand out in my mind. For example I can list the number of hours you spent in a coma, or the number of times you’ve made advances on me, jokingly or otherwise.” “Yep, definitely creepy.” “I like to think of it as amusingly eccentric. At the very least I never forget anniversaries and birthdays.” “Still creepy. Stop stalking me please.” Aaaaaand another spike of pleasure. At least it was just a spike this time rather than a constant wave. “I’d point out that you were the one following me before I even knew your identity.” “I did no such thing!” “So it was just coincidence all those times we met while you were still in disguise.” He tsked at me. “If you say so.” “You make it sound like I’d actually want to find you to begin with.” “I’m merely pointing out the pattern.” He shrugged. “Specifically the one where you approached me. I personally don’t believe in coincidences, or destiny for that matter.” “Hey, you approached me that second time.” I walked over and jabbed him in the chest. “That’s not my fault, now was it?” “True, but you were in my patrol route, and you were crying in a place where it would be my job to respond to your distress. Add to that the fact that apparently I suffer from ‘white knight syndrome’, and altogether it means that once again, it can be argued I was your target.” “That implies I actually wanted to see you again,” I said flatly. “I don’t believe in coincidence or destiny, but conspiracy?” He smiled at me. “I’ll believe it if there’s enough evidence to support it.” “You’re an idiot.” I rubbed my temple and sighed. “When do we get off this stupid shift anyways?” “When Luna relieves us,” he replied. “Which could be hours from now or a few seconds. She often chooses not to give us specific time frames, it keeps us on edge or something.” “Well she sucks then.” “I disagree.” “Well then you suck.” “Once again, I find myself disagreeing with you.” “Yeah, well, can’t you just order your friends to take the shift?” “Luna gave this job to us, not them, and she did so because she thinks she can more or less rely on us to keep whatever happens a secret. So no, I can’t in good conscious order them to take over our shift. Also, Luna would make my life hell if I did.” “But being in charge is all about delegating responsibilities!” “Luna is our leader, and she delegated the responsibility to us. Besides, I’m only a sergeant, a noncommissioned-officer, I’m far from being in charge.” “Highest ranking in the nightkin though, right?” I asked. He shrugged. “Yes, but that really doesn’t mean much until we develop a formal command structure, and have more soldiers than two complete squadron’s worth.” “Two squadrons...” I tapped my hoof to my chin. “That’s what, less than two dozen? Geez, that’s tiny.” “Yes, it is. Unsurprisingly, the offer of having your form irreversibly mutated into that of Curse hasn’t attracted many soldiers.” “But I look cute and hot! I mean, what mare doesn’t look cute and hot?” A thought popped into my head and I grinned at Eclipse. “So, you’re a stallion, tell me, is it true what they say about guys and tall slender mares? I mean, this is roughly the same shape as my normal form and I could work as a supermodel with this form. So, hot or not? Ignoring your whole ‘Oh dear Luna, she’s a insect, ewwwwww, get it away from me’ attitude.” Did I do a female version of his voice for that one section? Maybe... “I do not sound like that,” he gave me a flat look. “That doesn’t reflect my attitude in a remotely accurate manner.” “Oh? Then what is your attitude? In a totally objective manner, am I hot or not with this body shape ignoring the buggy bits.” “Objectively speaking? Yes, I imagine you would be considered a particularly attractive example of the feminine form by the majority of stallions.” “And to you?” I elbowed him playfully. “Logically speaking, body shape has less relevance to two ponies’ compatibility then personality and common ground.” “So basically, you don’t care if the mare you’re dating is hot or not as long as you can get along with them.” My head tilted to the side. “So let’s say they’re not physically appealing at all, you’d still go for them?” “I’m not entirely sure why we’re discussing this.” “And if you’d go for that surely you’d go for the ugliest mare ever since it’s all about personality and common ground. Which means you’d go for, say, a zebra if their personality was right, which means race doesn’t matter and therefore you could potentially go for a gryphon or even, say, a changeling or dragon. QED. I win.” And with those words I stood up and began trotting away. “I wasn’t aware that we were engaged in a competition for you to ‘win’,” he answered. “And where do you think you’re going?” “The bathroom and to grab that magazine you mentioned earlier.” I grinned over my shoulder at him, and his bright blush only made my victory all the sweeter. “The offer is still up right?” He coughed into his hoof, and opened his mouth to answer before closing it again. After a moment he replied, “Actually, seeing as how they’ve stopped I’m not sure it’s entirely necessary any more. The suggestion was made as a coping method, but now that there’s nothing to cope with, it’d be an inappropriate action while on official duty.” “How do you know they’ve stopped?” The ‘oh crap’ reaction was so worth it. “I mean, I am the emotional parasite here so unless you want to open the door and check, I’m going to the bathroom.” “...I assumed all that noise was the... conclusion to their activities. If I’m incorrect in my assumption, then... take all the time you need.” “I will!” I yelled over my shoulder as I walked away with a sway of my hips. Eclipse didn’t answer, just shuffled uncomfortably and averted his eyes. Biting back my laughter, I made sure to walk just a tad slower than I normally would have before disappearing around the corner. At the point, I rushed off to the bathroom and locked myself in before bursting out laughing. I laughed till my sides hurt, till tears streamed down my cheeks and until it felt like my carapace was going to split open again. And then, once I had finished laughing my head off, I sat on the seat and waited. And waited. And waited. A part of me screamed at me to start moving, to run or jump or dance or sing. Something, anything to pass the time, but I made sure to stay still. It was only once the minutes had ticked by and I felt I had given him enough time to let his imagination run wild did I unlock the door, wash my hooves and leave. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I suppressed my joy and felt the grin slip off my face. Actually no, that was silly of me, to complete the little prank I needed to add a small bounce in my step. That was how things usually went right? A small bounce in the step after sex? Who know? Eclipse certainly wouldn’t, that’s for certain. “-rehouse in the lower airport. We wish for thee to take the changeling with thou as well as a squad of nightkin. This is a... ‘sting’ operation We believe thou calls it. If the information is incorrect, We do not wish thee to be discovered. Understood?” “Completely, Your Highness.” Eclipse bowed down in front of Luna. “And for future references sake, the changeling’s name is Bluey.” I blinked in surprise. Of all the things I expected out of him, that was not one of them. I mean, going up against a goddess, the pony who basically gave you your life back? Damn, that took guts. “She has yet proven she has earned a name. Dost thou not know, a changeling is given a name either out of mockery or admiration. Perhaps once she hath proven herself worthy as shall deem her worthy of a name.” Luna’s eyes found mine in the window’s reflection and I found myself freezing. “Do not disappoint Us.” Eclipse stood up from his bow. “Even so, referring to her as ‘the changeling’ is somewhat degrading, isn’t it? She says her name is SC-0619.” “Interesting,” said Luna as her eyes swung back to Eclipse, letting me breathe again. “Perhaps We hath misjudged thou after all. Curious and curiouser.” And just like that she slid out of existence. Sighing, he returned to his position in front of the door. “Now that was an illogical thing to say,” he muttered to himself and shook his head. “Why would you do that?” “I don’t know, but technically I’d be NK-0018.” I smirked as he whirled around to face me. “Also, that was totally hot. I mean, standing up for me like that to a goddess? Maybe I should revisit the bathroom.” “You saw that then? Think nothing of it. Friends take risks for each other’s sake.” “Wait, wait, wait, you know I exist right? That I’m not a figment of your imagination?” I let out an exaggerated sigh. “And here I thought all your friends had to be imaginary.” “Har, har.” He gave me a flat look. “Most ponies would say ‘thank you’ anyway, and leave it at that.” “Good thing I’m not a pony then.” “Social etiquet-” “Is socially constructed!” I said cheerfully. “Now, we going to that warehouse or not? Come on, I’m booooored and it sounds interesting and it is an order from Luna.” “Yes, we’re going.” Eclipse headed down the hallway. “Are you sure you’re up to it, though? If you’re still feeling weak from the ritual, I’ll assign Shiver and Pitch to keep you safe.” “No need, I’m a big girl you know.” Just for fun, I threw in a wink, causing him to roll his eyes. “I can just stay back and give some magical and moral support.” “If you’re sure. I definitely think it’s for the best that you avoid direct combat until you’re up to a hundred percent again.” He glanced at me. “Can you change your coat back to grey? You’re not blushing as much anymore, and you will need to fit in among the other nightkin. Also, do you think you’re up to making your wings nightkin yet?” “Good idea.” A ripple of magic went outwards from my forehead changing my coat back to grey. With a bit more concentration I felt a tingling sensation going through my wings as they morphed. “Better?” “Want help taking the bandages off so I can check?” “Nah, I got it.” I charged up my magic and began unwrapping myself. “I don’t get how you can live without your magic.” He gave me a flat look. “I have magic, just like anypony.” “Unicorn magic then. Whatever. I mean, telekinesis and fireballs and teleportations.” With a groan, I stretched out my wings. “And damn that feels good.” “Earth ponies and pegasi managed without it for generations. I just reminded myself of that every time I grew frustrated while relearning how to feed and clothe myself. I wasn’t going to let that one event transform me into a cripple.” “Good for you!” I trotted over to the window and threw it open. “So we going or not?” “You have a bad habit of dropping awkward topics the moment they come up,” he joined me by the window. “Ladies first,” he waved a hoof. “Are you strong enough to fly?” “Just because I’m not chubby like you,” I shot back. “But... um... are these like pegasus wings?” “I wouldn’t know from experience, but I’ve been told that they’re more or less similar. According to Shiver, the main difference is felt when gliding, you have to angle upwards a bit more.” “Alright.” I gave a couple experimental flaps to make sure I had the muscles figured out. “And that feels really weird. Mind hopping out first in case I fall?” Without a word, he jumped out the window and turned around to hover in mid-air, watching me. “Whenever you’re ready.” “You forgot to mention one thing,” I said as I leapt out into the air, pumping my wings continuously, “pegasi soar more and flap less. Almost feels like the mid point between pegasi and normal flight actually. Weird.” “I wouldn’t know,” he replied and turned around to glide towards the ground. “Come on, it’s time we introduced you to the rest of the nightkin.” “Finally.” I rolled my eyes and followed him down only to immediately drop down. Crap! Angle up, angle up! I felt hooves wrap around me, and heard Eclipse grunting as he pulled me up out of the dive. “Didn’t I say angle your wings more?” “Oh shut up!” I yelled at him as I angled my wings up. “I’d love to see your first time flying.” He let go of and backed away a bit, but still stayed close and watched carefully in case I dropped again. “I broke my nose on my first attempt.” “See? Now stop mocking me.” We slowly glided down and as soon as my hooves touched the ground, I let out a sigh of relief. “Flying should not be that stressful.” “You should have seen Pitch’s first time flying. He used to be an earth pony, and I must confess I was less than kind about his crippling fear of heights.” “You threw him off a tower didn’t you?” I chuckled and shook my head. “If you didn’t, I’m disappointed in you.” “I didn’t throw him off the tower, that would be wildly irresponsible,” he replied as he walked ahead of me. “I merely gave him a gentle push, one that he thanked me for later.” “I would have thrown him off,” I chuckled as I followed after him towards the blocky, dark wood cabin in the middle of the garden. It was pretty obviously a temporary structure, but even then it was pretty out of place in the middle of Canterlot, especially the Castle Gardens. “At least it looks homely.” “We have a more permanent base being built in an as-of-yet undisclosed location. At the very least, it’s more comfortable than it looks, and we were warm in the winter.” “Sounds like fun. Though I bet having sex would be a problem, not that that’d affect you in any way.” I nudged him playfully. “We have weekend passes, and with our own bits we are permitted to hire hotel rooms if we require privacy. Private Weightless is married to a unicorn in the inner district actually.” “Alright, alright, geez, no need to take things so seriously.” “I was just answering what I assumed was a question. If you want to find partners in the city, you’re welcome to do so as long as you’re here when you need to be.” “Whatever.” I stopped in front of the door. “So do I just go in?” He coughed and adjusted his armour. “Not quite.” Positioning himself in front of the door, before taking a deep breath and kicking it open with a loud bang. “Look lively ladies!” He roared in an bloody loud drill sergeants voice. “Up and at ‘em fillies!” There was flurry of activity as nightkin zipped around to stand at attention before their bunks with a perfect posture and a salute. He strode down the rows between them, glaring at each and every soldier as he passed. A few moments later he reached the end of the row, and turned around to stride back towards the front. Pivoting on his hind hooves, he barked out, “Where’s Shiver, and where’s Pitch!” Dead. Silence. “If someone doesn’t tell me in the next five seconds, all of you will have your weekend passes revoked. If someone doesn’t tell me in the next ten, I’ll have all of you cleaning out the palace toilets with your own teeth brush.” “We don’t know sir! They went out earlier saying they needed some fresh air!” replied one nightkin. Eclipse snorted in annoyance and gave me a look. “This is Specialist Blue Moon. Seeing as how Corporal Shiver thinks she has better things to do, she’s currently your new 2nd in command.” I cocked an eyebrow at that, but said nothing. Was he going to regret that decision by tomorrow morning? Fuck yeah. He turned around and looked back at the group. “Some of you might be wondering where I’ve been all last week. The answer to that question is if you’ve got the time to ask questions like that, you’ve got the time to be doing better things. Like flight drills, or combat exercises, because obviously you have enough spare time on base that you don’t need a weekend pass.” Okay, I had to admit, he could pull off the mean drill sergeant thing really well. I swear the mare on the right was shaking on her hooves and looked ready to wet herself at any moment. He immediately rounded on her. “Have something to confess to, Private High Peak?” “N-No sir!” she squeaked. “Good,” he replied and trotted back towards me. “I’m not here because I enjoy your company, we have a mission, ladies and gentlecolts. I want you all armed and armoured in the next five minutes.” Eclipse paused in front of me and turned to face them. “Dismissed.” They all immediately leapt to action, tossing open the chests at the foot of their beds and pulling out gauntlets and greaves and wing blades and who knows what else. Some just tossed it on with practised ease, a couple had to help each other out, but most got it on without any difficulties. “So... um... where’s my stuff?” I asked. “At the foot of your bunk. Yes, you have a bunk. Right at the end, the bed on the left.” He didn’t look at me, just watched the other nightkin. “We had it measured for you while you were sleeping. If you need help getting it on, you can order someone to give it.” “Why don’t you help me out then?” I asked. “Never been in armor before.” “I need to watch the others or they might try to slip things behind my back. Don’t worry, I’m sure any stallion here would be more than glad to assist you.” “Like what? Come on, their guards, not foals.” I trotted over to my bunk and almost used my magic to drag everything out. “Something like leaving a strap undone, or trying to slip an unpolished plate beneath another one before I can see it. Isn’t that right, Private Blight?!” He turned on a short stallion, who fumbled and dropped his cuirasse to the ground. “Don’t think I didn’t see that. Tell me private, did you ever plan on having a free weekend again?” “Ah... Yes sir!...?” “Then you better not forget to polish your gut plate again!” Eclipse barked at him, before turning back to me. “Just get someone else to help you, you’ve got the rank.” Then he trotted towards the end of the room, glaring at every nightkin he passed. “Oh yes, because they’re respect someone who can’t even put on their own armor,” I muttered under my breath. “Now let’s see if I remember how to do this...” I stared at the pile of junk before me. “Well fuck.” “Greaves on first,” Blight muttered at me. “Make sure they’re comfortable and don’t pinch before you put on your chest plate, get all the straps secured, then foreguards, then webbing, then wing blades, and lastly gauntlets.” “Thanks, mind helping me? I’m not used to doing things without magic.” “Get used to it quick,” he replied and stepped over to help me wriggle into the greaves, his eyes on my flank the entire time. “Eclipse doesn’t put up with anyone being clumsy with this crap at all. The guy has no sense of humor.” “You’re telling me. I had to spend a week with him, I think I almost died of boredom ten times over,” I whispered back as I held my chest plate in place so he could do the straps at the back. He gave me a confused look. “Why were you with him for a week? Shouldn’t he have told you how to do this if you were together for that long?” “Special operations,” I replied with a shrug. “I tend to do undercover stuff not frontlines duty. That and there was a complication with my transformation, something about impure chemicals.” He grinned at that, and eyed me up and down as he pulled on a strap over my lower back. “How about that ritual, eh? Damn fun isn’t it? Almost wish I could do it again.” As much as I wanted to buck him in the face for that look and feel, I let it slide. Somehow, I got the feeling doing that on my first day to the first pony who decided to help me was a bad idea. “I was put in intensive care for over a week. Sure, let’s go with fun.” He paused in one of his straps. “Yeah... I guess I can see just how badly that might go wrong if it wasn’t done right... Sorry about that.” I simply nodded and strapped on foreguards, then webbing then wingblades, almost slicing him accidentally in the process. Finally the gauntlets were on and I shifted uncomfortably under the weight. I just felt so heavy and slow, almost as though I was walking through one of the bogs back near the hive or something. “Excuse me, I need to talk to Eclipse about something,” I said as I walked off, trying to look as natural as possible with all the junk on me. I eventually found him in his own little room and I politely knocked on the door. “Enter!” I heard Eclipse call out. “Hey, is this all the armor you have?” I asked as I stepped in. A quick glance around told me he was as boring as I knew he was. Good tastes in books, but boring. There wasn’t even a single picture anywhere in sight! He glanced over his shoulder at me, and dropped the manila folder he’d been holding. “Did you put that on yourself?” “Why?” “Because it’s terrible, and I’d like to punish the soldier who helped you.” “It was... er... Blight? Yeah, Blight, but that’s not important. Is this the only type of armor you have?” “At the moment, yes. The nightkin’s budget comes out Luna’s personal coffers mainly, and most of that is currently being directed towards the construction of a permanent facility.” He stood up and walked over to me. “Turn around, I’ll help you get it right.” “Thanks, because this thing is killing me.” I turned around for him and felt him undoing the back strap. “I would like to formally request a lighter set of armor.” “Well, we can talk to the royal smith and see if he can modify this set, but an entirely new set would be quite expensive.” He grunted, and I breathed a sigh of relief as he helped me shrug off the cuirasse. “I suppose you can borrow from me, and have a new set commissioned if you agree to pay me back later.” “That feels much better and that’s fine, if I need a new set, I can get a new set.” I rolled my shoulder as he knelt down and began adjusting all the straps down there. “And seriously, thanks. This heavy armor is seriously not my thing.” “It’s not that bad,” he replied as he slipped the curious back over my chest. “You’re still weak from the ritual, you might find yourself more inclined to this set once you’ve got your strength back.” He grunted and pulled on a strap. “Too tight!” He immediately eased up and I let out a sigh of relief. “Maybe, but I’m not used to armor at all so I doubt it.” “No one’s used to it when they first wear it,” he replied as he stepped away and looked me up and down. “You learn and adapt, just like with anything else.” “So how do I look? Good?” “Intimidating,” he answered, eyeing me up and down. “Do you need help with the pauldrons?” My eye twitched. “No pauldrons. Do you see me wearing pauldrons right now? No. Pauldrons.” “Why not?” He frowned. “They’re extremely practical in a potential combat situation, and with your current state do you really want to risk unnecessary wounding?” “I’ll be in the background anyways.” I rolled my eyes. “But fine, if you insist.” “I do insist, the pauldrons are not optional.” He turned around and went back to flipping through the manila folder. “Is there anything else? “You gonna help me into the pauldrons or not?” He rolled his eyes as he stood up and approached again. “I thought you would have been able to take care of those yourself.” He picked one of them up with his mouth and stood to the side of me. “Leg out please.” A chuckle escaped as I held out my leg like he wanted. “Thanks.” He put it on and moved around to the otherside. “Your other leg, please.” I held out my other leg and he slipped it on as well. “So when are we moving out?” I grinned at him playfully and added in a sultry voice, “Sir.” Raising an eyebrow at me, he shook his head and answered, “Do you mean for the operation or the two of us?” “Both?” I gave him the most innocent look I could muster. “Well, in regards to this mission we’ll be moving out in the next three minutes. You and I will be moved to an apartment within the city, probably within the next few days. The chances are that Shiver Wind will be promoted sergeant and be put in charge of the barracks.” “Wait, we’re actually moving out? Why?” “In case you’re still not trustworthy. For now, caution dictates that It would be wiser to keep you more or less isolated and your interaction limited to someone competent but expendable,” he sniffed and stepped away from me. “Don’t worry about it. Once Luna trusts you, I’m sure she’ll move you out of your luxurious Canterlot apartment and into the confined barracks with the regular nightkin.” “Of course.” I ran a hoof through my mane. “So how do you want to play this?” “Tell anyone who questions it that they can take it up with Luna?” he replied. “I mean the mission,” I sighed. “Oh. Well, given that I have... almost no combat experience, and that this is basically just a large scale police raid that we need to keep quiet?” He shrugged. “We keep it simple. Cover the entrances and exits, time our entry, arrest, gag and blindfold anyone inside, bag any evidence we find, and return to the palace within five minutes.” He indicated the folder on the bed. “The warehouse blueprints are in there, and I was just deciding who to position and where.” “Mind if I take a look? ‘cause, you know, changeling scout and all that.” He hesitated for a moment, before he nodded. “Go ahead.” I spread the plans out before me, pouring over the notes associated with it. “Does Luna want this to be under the radar? Or are we allowed to make a big deal out of it?” “Luna requested discretion,” he looked back over the blueprints. “This information comes from one of the leads you gave to her, other than that I don’t know much more and didn’t ask questions.” “Then I suggest we go in at night in stealth. I can scope out the situation before hoof, identify if any of them are changelings. This window here seems like the best entrance. It’s out of sight, got a balcony to keep us from sight as well as a place to rest on so we don’t have to constantly hover.” I paused and thought it over. “I don’t suppose you have any non-nightkin who can play the dock manager or something?” He gave me a flat look, and pointed his hoof at me. “Yes.” “Oh. Right.” I looked down at my armor. “Then I need to get out of this junk. So here’s what we do, I knock, see if anyones in. If they are, I can check if they’re changelings and distract them letting you and your team get in through the window. If we can get the dock manager’s permission, we can ever try to do the whole ‘I’m an inspector and we got complaints’ thing and see if we can get in safely.” I rubbed my temple. “This is easier when everyone can shapeshift.” “I see one glaring issue with this plan.” He frowned and looked back at the map. “It’s entirely reliant on you, you conceived it, and you could easily give warning to any changeling inside.” “Fine, you can be the one undercover then. Do the managers have some sort of uniform? Something that covers up your wings? We can dye your mane and tail as well and throw on some shades.” I stepped back and peered at him. “Yeah, I can see that working. Coat dye would be great too, but that’d take too much time.” Eclipse coughed into his hoof. “Is the mane dye really necessary?” “Yes, nightkin have pretty obvious colour scheme and trust me, you do not want to give them any reason to doubt your cover story or you’re dead.” He tilted his head. “Good point. This is starting to sound like a more complicated operation, though. We’ll need to take the time to talk to all of the relevant parties, and acquire the uniform and papers. Plus the time it will take to dye my mane. We won’t be moving out in the next three minutes if this is the plan we’re using. Plus, this balcony you’re recommending won’t hold all of us, so we’ll only be able to use that to allow entrance to eight or so nightkin.” “Well do we need to do it tonight? Or will tomorrow morning work? I doubt it’d look nice if you’re first mission involves you making the nightkin look bad.” “Well, this mission comes directly from Luna herself, so there’s almost no chance of warning getting to the changelings that might be there. I can’t see why we can’t do this tomorrow, as long as you agree to stay under observation until we conduct the raid.” “I can stay in here if you really want,” I said with an eye roll. “It’s not like I’ve got anywhere to go.” “If you could stay here, that would suffice, yes.” He nodded. “Just so we’re clear, I do actually trust you, and I’m trying to look out for you in making sure there’s no way you can be suspect if this goes wrong.” “Thanks. Shall I tell the others to relax and take off the armor or whatever?” He breathed out, and glanced at the blue prints. “That would probably be for the best. Yes, if you could tell them to stand down, that would be appreciated.” “Or...” My tone drew his eyes to me. “Shall I order them to perform some drills?” It took him a moment, but he blinked and smiled. “There’s nothing like the groans of despair to help put me in a working mood, and it has been awhile since they’ve had a surprise like that...” he shrugged. “Sure, they need the chance to get used to the idea you’re now the second in command.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” I skipped out the door and into the main barracks. Taking a deep breath, I drew on Eclipse from earlier and yelled, “Alright everyone on your hooves. Now!” They all snapped to attention. “I want you all outside, ten laps of the castle grounds, you have five minutes. Every minute over is another lap. Now go!” They immediately all raced out and I couldn’t help, but grin at myself. “Damn, I can see why you enjoy ordering them around so much.” “Just make sure you don’t kill them!” Eclipse called out to me. “We don’t have enough recruits for that.” “How does half dead sound!” I yelled back before adding, “Also, get out here, we need to dye your mane and tail!” “Why do we need to do that now?” he replied. “We don’t have any dye on hoof.” “You don’t, but I bet one of these mares does.” I began ransacking the closest bunk. “Come help me.” “That’s Blight’s bunk,” he pointed out as he stepped out of the room. “Check Shiver’s bunk, I suspect she dyes her mane purple.” “And her bunk is which one?” “Third left from the back,” he nodded his head at the bunk mentioned. “Alright, why don’t you check the others?” I asked as I trotted over and began rummaging through it. Clothes, some books, some clothing that really should not be that easy to find, but no dye. “I got nothing here.” “I found blonde here,” he answered over his shoulder from a row of bunks. “But I’d prefer if that was a last resort.” “I dunno about that, you could look good as a blonde.” “No thanks,” he gave me a flat look, before moving to another bunk. “Interestingly enough, that hair dye came from Pitch’s bunk. I’ll make a point of asking him about it later.” I snorted in amusement. “Do I even want to know?” “Green in here,” he replied over his shoulder. “Is that actually worse than blonde?” “Depends if it’s puke green or not.” I blinked in surprise at the vial before me. “I’ve got bubble gum pink. What.” “Blonde it is,” he replied and walked back to Pitch’s bunk. “I’m honestly curious as to why he has this. He doesn’t even dye his mane.” “Maybe he does in his spare time or something. And I think bubblegum pink suites you better.” I stepped back and peered at him. “Definitely pink.” “No,” he replied in a level voice. “Not pink. Not without extenuating circumstances.” “Blonde with pink highlights then,” I said. “Why do you even want me to use pink?” He frowned at me. “I’ll just wash the dye out once we’re done with the mission.” “So? You’d look decent in pink.” “Blonde,” he repeated firmly. “No pink.” “Pink.” “Blonde,” He glared at me. “It’s my mane, it’s my choice.” “Booooooooring.” I stuck my tongue out at him. “Fine. Get over here and I’ll dye your mane.” “Do I really need your help for this?” he asked. “It’s just a matter of applying water and following the instructions on the bottle.” “A stallion cannot dye their own mane. Trust me. Now get over here.” Rolling his eyes, he turned away. “I’ll need to take my armour off first.” “Pretty much. Want to do this in your office? I doubt you want them to see to see their tough and totally boring commander dying his mane.” “That would not be ideal, no,” he muttered as he walked through the door to his office and began stripping off his armour. “Just try not to stare.” “You wish.” Plus, it didn’t count as staring if he didn’t know. “Not what I meant,” he replied as he slid the cuirasse off over his head, revealing a large burn scar across his back. Just seeing it made me wince and it was not at all flattering. It seemed old, but it still looked painful, and it wasn’t because it was a nice diagonal line, I would have thought someone had splashed boiling oil across it or something. “I asked you not to stare,” he said over his shoulder. “I was staring at your body,” I replied innocently. “That’s not exactly comforting,” he muttered as he rolled his shoulders and stretched his joints. I laughed at that. “Though you’re definitely not as muscular as I thought you were. Now grab a chair and sit down while I mix up this crap.” He shut the door, and took a chair without complaint. “I was a unicorn. My tribe isn’t exactly known for its stockiness.” “Still less stocky than I expected, probably the armor.” Humming softly to myself, I began mixing the ingredients like it said on the bottle, wrinkling my nose at the smell. “Of course I look bigger in armour. You should see yourself while wearing it. With your height, the extra steel makes you look downright frightening.” “Har, har,” I muttered as I finished mixing the slop. “Alright, now this is when things get tricky. Mind if I borrow your bedsheet? No? Sweet.” I began tearing it up to drape over his shoulders before picking up a comb and brush. “Now for the fun part.” “I would like to voice my protest about the destruction of my bed sheets, seeing as how I do need to actually sleep here tonight.” “You can just bunk with me,” I said sweetly as I began applying the dye with the brush, making sure to start from the scalp outwards and to keep it all evenly distributed. With magic, it made everything so much easier. “That would be highly inappropriate, not to mention the somewhat concerning implication that destroying my bed sheets was part of your plan all along.” “I’m a changeling, deviousness is part of our nature.” I moved onto another strand of mane. “Plus, it’s not my fault you don’t have any towels handy.” “We do have towels handy,” he gave me a flat look. “You just never asked for them.” “Oh well, not my fault then. Also, stop moving, this is awkward enough to do as is.” He stopped fidgeting. “It was completely your fault. You tore my sheets before you even asked for a towel.” “Tough.” It worked systematically and slowly, just like how Vinyl had taught me. “I think bright blue would look better on you actually.” “No thank you, I’m fine with the colours Luna gave me.” “Boooooring.” I began mixing some pink dye in the background as I continued working on his mane. “This will take a while just so you know, so you might as well read a book.” “I’ll be fine. If guard duty has taught me one thing, it’s how to remain still for extended periods of time.” “Don’t say I didn’t warn you!”