"So..." Rainbow Dash smirked. "Zecora does have a shed."
"Mrmmmf..." Noir fussed with the door. The latch made a loud clakking sound as it eventually opened. "She does now."
"How come I've never seen it before?" Rainbow asked.
"Because I built it." Noir opened the door to a tiny interior lined with shelves full of jars and bottles and satchels of alchemic ingredients. "Just a month ago."
Rainbow cocked her head aside. "Wow... you two are serious, aren't you?"
Noir sighed, turning around to give Rainbow a bland stare. "Zecora is more than capable of grasping simple—even advanced architecture. However, being a mare who hails from the Zebrahara, her experience with carpentry is... limited." He cleared his throat, gesturing with a hairy fetlock. "It was... the decent thing to do, on my part."
"Right." Rainbow smiled. "I'm sure Zeeks is pleased."
"Mrmmmff..." Noir turned and trotted into the dark interior. "There are not many things in life that are precious to me. Zecora... is the brightest star that my existence has afforded. Assisting her around the confines of her Everfree Habitat is the least I can do to honor such a graceful creature."
"Yowsers..." Rainbow fanned herself. "You should totally say that to her, dude."
"I... am attempting to come up with an abridged version, yes."
"Well get right on it." Rainbow smirked. "It'd be wicked cool to see a bunch of striped bat ponies flying around."
Noir navigated another groan before muttering: "There was something you desired to share with me?"
"Well... more like something I... uh... wanted to ask of you." Rainbow stepped in close. She spoke in a quiet voice that barely echoed off the narrow walls of the shed. "Are you... like... still with the Moonbase Alpha ponies?"
"Lunar Code," Noir corrected.
"R-right. I knew that."
"And I'm somewhat confused by the inquisition." Noir turned, his slitted eyes glimmering like a wolf's in the dark. "Why would the Lunar Code not be giving their all to defend the security of Princess Luna and Equestria at large?"
"Ah! So you're still totally a thing. Cool beans." Rainbow brushed her bangs back with a nervous smile. "So much crazy crap over the past year... I-I sorta forgot if Don Canter did a number on the bulk of you or not..."
"He dealt a nasty blow to members of the Order, yes, but we are far from extinct." Noir fiddled through several jars, looking for the enchanted dust. "Thanks to you—indirectly or not—we no longer have to fear the likes of him."
"That's cool, I guess..."
"It is far more than 'cool.' Already, our agents along the eastern coastline have observed a significant drop in organized crime throughout the island of Manehattan. It's... almost revolutionary, Miss Dash."
"Yeah, well, you might wanna swing by Las Pegasus in the near future."
"Huh?"
Rainbow winced. "Erm... a conversation for another time. Ahem." She rubbed her tingling forelimbs. "So... I was wondering..."
"Yes...?" Noir searched through more and more ingredients.
"... ... ...any other jobs that the Lunar Code might need an awesome pegasus for?"
Noir turned to look at her.
Rainbow looked back, biting her lip.
"When you use the world 'job' in its pluralized form..." Noir raised an eyebrow. "...do you mean to suggest that there are positions within the Lunar Code that rewards loyalty with monetary commission?"
"Right..." Rainbow nodded. "...a job."
"Miss Dash, I'm afraid you misunderstand the purpose of the Order that Princess Luna set in motions ages ago." Noir exhaled. "We give our very livelihood to the protection of Equestrian interests. It is... not something that we do to get rich from. Or famous, I might add."
"Er... yeah. Totally." Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck again. "I sorta figured that..."
"However..." Noir nodded into the shadowed corners of the structure. "...we have many resources at our disposal. And—considering the fact that it takes a veritable lifetime to commit whole-heartedly to the Lunar Code—the call of duty is more than enough to sustain a humble soul, so long as they are committed to the service."
"So... in a sense... it does pay?"
"It sustains, Rainbow Dash," Noir clarified. "Either you live by the Lunar Code or you live for yourself."
"Do... you still live by it?" Rainbow winced slightly at her own words. "I-I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean... it sorta seems like you've... uh... settled with Zecora here." She cleared her throat. "In the Everfree Forest."
"In a manner of speaking, I suppose you could say that," Noir remarked. "However, I have been on active duty three times since I recovered from my injuries."
Rainbow blinked. "You have?"
"Indeed." Noir nodded. "My brothers and sisters in the field are doing more work than me, admittedly. But that's because the nature of my contributions have... become more moderate as of late. It's only a natural stage of having so many veteran years in the service."
"Ah... I get it..." Rainbow managed a slight smirk. "Bat pony retirement and all that."
"Not the choice of words I would use, but ever so slightly analogous—yes."
"Well, that's cool for you." Rainbow exhaled. Both her words and her thoughts trailed off. She stared into negative space.
Noir glanced curiously at her. "Do you... seriously wish to work for the Lunar Code?"
"You... think it would give me something to do?" Rainbow's voice wavered a bit. "Keep me fed?"
Noir nodded. "Most assuredly. And—if your brave actions don't already speak for themselves—I can most definitely assist you in landing an active position. One that is best suited to your... fearless bravado."
"Heh..." Rainbow exhaled with a slight shudder. "Sounds nifty."
"However, Rainbow Dash, it is only fair to warn you." Noir's eyes hardened. "You will be considered a novice at best in the eyes of my peers. You would have many trials to overcome... many tests to prove yourself worthy."
"Right. Sure. I get it."
"And..." Noir tilted his chin back. "...you would not have the same luxury of choosing your base of operations. Not like I currently do. You will most likely be situated in the furthest parts of Equestria and the world at large—many locations that are considered inhospitable."
"In other words..." Rainbow spoke. "...I would have to kiss Ponyville good-bye."
"Indeed, Miss Dash." Noir gravely nodded.
Rainbow took a deep breath... frowning, almost. "So... where do I sign up?"
Noir blinked.