Princess Celestia sat at the desk of her personal study, her eyes staring ahead, but nothing besides the slowly falling motes of dust catching her gaze. It was still, quiet, and a stark contrast to what was a very busy schedule. It was a small slice of peace, or at least, that is how she thought of it. In the background, she could hear the sounds of Canterlot outside, the hustle and bustle of the populace, the gentle hoof-beats of ponies going about their daily lives, and the occasional orders from one of her guards as they changed shift. The sounds were all normal, natural, and yet they sounded distant, muted. They felt... far away, almost surreal.

She took in a slow breath and let it out. It hadn't been long since she had taken the second bath of the day, and her mane was still somewhat wet. Luckily for her, none of the others attending the conference had been drenched by Discord's prank. In fact, it was painfully obvious that she had been the main target. As bitter as she had been in the moment, she could deal with it. It wasn't at all uncommon for Discord to ruin a well-laid schedule, and it could have been far worse than getting drenched in punch.

What bothered her all the more was the fact that the meeting had to be postponed in the first place. She had spent over a month coordinating with Cadance and Shining Armor, as well as the railroad administrators, cartographers, and multiple landowners. Add on top of that, that Luna decided to go gallivanting off without so much as a word, and then resurface with the sole survivor of a mythological race. It was a lot to handle.

Right now though, the meeting was admittedly a secondary concern. She had already rescheduled and went through the proper channels for compensating the dignitaries for their travel and accommodation. Right now, what laid more heavily on her mind, was the other victim of Discord's prank; Erebus.

She hadn't spoken a word about it in the moment, but she had seen the look on his face when he been dropped headlong into that punch bowl. She wasn't even certain if he was attempting to hide the expression or not, but the anger was nearly palpable. Discord had since vanished after being idly threatened with a renewed imprisonment, but she just couldn't shake the feeling she was going to receive a report that he had been found tied in a knot and buried under a castle wall.

"No. That's absurd," she muttered under her breath, dismissing the thought. "Discord is nigh invulnerable without the elements. Not even Erebus would be capable of such a thing."

She took in another breath and sighed. She needed a break. Her eyes darted to the side, where a half-finished cup of tea sat. It was likely cold, and probably stale by now, but at this point, she really couldn't care less. With a small show of magic, she lifted the cup and sipped at the contents, her ears wilting ever so slightly. Cold and stale. She put the cup back down and looked ahead again, letting out a rather ungraceful huff.

"Well, I could have made a new pot." She quietly muttered to herself.

She stared down at the cup for a moment longer, before a sudden, sharp knock at her door shook her from her stupor.

"Celestia? Are you in?" Luna's voice called out. "We're here with Erebus."

Celestia had to stifle a groan. She had almost completely forgotten that she sent for them both. She took in another breath and let it out, before sitting up straight, her mane fluffing slightly. She looked to the door.

"Yes. Please, come in."

The door slowly opened and Luna walked in, Erebus following in behind her. Celestia could immediately tell that he was not at all over the previous incident, his expression rather stiff, and his stature noticeably tense, even beneath his cloak. Without a moment of hesitation, he gave a short bow.

"Princess Celestia. I'm still deeply sorry for the disruption I caused earlier. That was unacceptable, and it should not have happened." He said, his voice flat, yet carrying an undertone of barely restrained frustration.

Celestia blinked and cocked a brow. She knew more than well enough that it wasn't his fault. She also knew that he would likely lead with such an apology.

"Erebus, please... there's no need for you to apologize. I'm certain that Luna has already explained Discord's nature to you. You couldn't have prevented what happened." She said, her voice calm and soothing.

"Celestia's right, Erebus. When Discord decides to pull a stunt like that, no one can stop him. It's why he's so dangerous." Luna added, nodding.

"Still, I-" His eyes shifted from Luna to the ground and his tone dropped. "I could've done something."

Celestia couldn't help but take notice of that last comment. Erebus was usually fairly unreadable, but those words seemed to sound far less like idle regret and far more like a statement of fact.

"Could you?" Celestia subtly maneuvered a probe, hoping she might be able to get some insight into the man's thoughts.

As if on cue though, he shook his head, his demeanor shifted to grudging acceptance as he sidestepped the question.

"No... You're right, princess. Just idle musings." He paused and glanced to Luna. "Besides, I'm sure that whatever you called me here for is far more important."

Celestia frowned a bit at the answer. She had wanted to try and press further, but Erebus was rather adept at deflecting her. She knew he was withholding during their first major talk, and she couldn't help but wonder how much of it was true. Still, she had been patient, and she could afford to continue to be.

"It is." She finally answered, before continuing. "However, it does actually pertain to the conference."

"Does it now?" Erebus asked, his eyes raising to meet her own. "And what would that be, your highness?"

Celestia glanced down at her desk, before turning her gaze back up to the both of them.

"As I'm certain you have ascertained by now, I have been in a somewhat difficult situation since your arrival. Housing you in the palace was simple enough, as was informing all of the usual staff, but that fails to account for what happens should you ever leave the castle grounds." She explained, her voice neutral.

"I understand that you were ushered out of the main hall rather quickly, but might I bother you to imagine the reaction of the dignitaries to seeing a human fall out of the sky?"

"Disgruntled... At best." Erebus remarked, crossing his arms.

"Correct. Of course, they weren't all too keen on arguing against my explanation, but we're speaking about only a small group of ponies. The problem here is... If Discord can teleport you withing the palace grounds, he can teleport you outside of them."

Celestia leaned forward and focused her gaze on Erebus, her tone becoming a touch more serious.

"I was preparing to introduce you to the populace on my own terms. I am not prepared to deal with the chaos that would result if he were to drop you directly into the middle of Canterlot."

Luna nodded and glanced to Erebus.

"It is all too likely to be a move he would make. Discord knows how to cause as much trouble as he can."

Erebus simply stood there, silent and expressionless, before casting up both of his hands, palms outward, as if in a gesture of defeat.

"I'm all ears, princess. What do you suggest we do about this?"

Celestia leaned back again, her face softening, if only a little.

"Simple. We throw you into the deep end before Discord does. You, Luna, and I are all going to go down and make a small tour of the capital. If the citizenry sees you with the both of us, I honestly doubt that they'd even bat an eye. They'll be far too focused on their beloved princesses to question a potential foreign dignitary."

"That is... Surprisingly simple." Erebus remarked, his brow raising.

"You say that as if it is an issue." Celestia chuckled lightly. "I'm normally a mare with loads to do. I do head a kingdom, after all. Having a hole forcibly ripped in my well-laid schedule would seem to have its advantages. Under my usual timeline, it might've taken me a full month to organize a formal announcement."

Erebus was silent again, and he rubbed his chin in thought.

"When would you like to leave, then?"

"Immediately." Celestia responded without missing a beat, getting up from her desk. "As I just said, this is the only chance I'll have on short notice."

"Well then, far be it from me to argue." Erebus said with a slight smirk. "I have been wanting to explore the city."

Celestia grinned and turned toward the door.

"Well, we should go then. Before anything else comes up."

With that, the three left the room, the door closing quietly behind them.

As the group made their way throughout the palace halls, towards the main entrance, Erebus couldn't help but feel a bit squished. He was currently being flanked by the two princesses, and personally, they were a bit closer than he was comfortable with. While it was true that he was quite used to Luna at this point, Celestia was another matter entirely.

He knew well that enough she didn't entirely trust him, of which he couldn't blame her for. Between their first meeting, and the rather uneventful conversation from a few days prior, they were hardly much in the way of friends. At the same time, she was trying very hard to be civil, and she was obviously quite practiced at being cordial, if nothing else.

The other issue was, in a world of creatures that barely reached past his midsection, Celestia was the only pony that met him eye to eye, so to speak. She was, if anything, slightly taller than he was, due to her horn. This, combined with her innate wariness, made her a touch less comfortable for him to be around.

"You're awfully quiet, Erebus. Is everything alright?" Celestia's voice drew his attention.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. Just in my own mind is all."

"Well, We're hardly surprised. Your first trip into the city." Luna chimed in, glancing over. "Not that you've been in the palace all that long either, but-"

"Oh, I know what you mean." He chuckled. "You forget how nice civilization feels until you've been stuck in a cave for a million years."

"And yet you look even younger than me. I'm going to have to learn that secret." Celestia quipped, a small smirk on her face.

"Who can say? Must've been that wonderful stale air."

Celestia simply snorted in response, as the group neared the front gates. As they got closer, Erebus could see several guards standing outside, the doors already open. It wasn't the guards that drew his attention though, but rather the rather ornate chariot that sat beside them. In passing, Luna had informed him about her personal night chariot, but judging by the paint scheme, and the rather grandiose ornamentation, this could only have belonged to one pony.

"Don't worry, we won't be using the royal carriage today. We'll be walking."

Celestia had clearly noticed him staring, and his silence was likely telling.

"That's... Relieving. I don't think I could ever reasonably handle that much luxury. Even the palace has been a change."

"It is rather extravagant, but, if you haven't noticed, we're both the definition of extravagant. It comes with the territory. Not to mention, the citizens have rather high expectations for any official royal procession. You know, pomp and circumstance, and all."

"It is expected." Luna added. "I myself do not like it, but, as Celestia said, it is part of the job."

"I won't be one to question royalty." Erebus shrugged, as the three reached the gate.

The group cleared the threshold, the guards all snapping to attention, each giving a stoic salute. Erebus couldn't help but find a bit of humor in it. They were clearly taking their jobs seriously, and he wouldn't voice his thoughts, but all the ceremony was admittedly a bit amusing. The more he thought about it, the more he came to agree with Myles' about their actual combat effectiveness.

"Your Highnesses." One guard, apparently the leader, said as he bowed his head. "It is an honor to see you again."

"At ease." Celestia responded, giving a wave of her hoof. "We're simply out on an errand. No need to worry yourself."

The guard stood upright again, before giving a quick glance at Erebus, and then returning his gaze back to the two princesses.

"Of course, Princess." He responded. "We shall not be far if you have need of us."

"Thank you." Celestia nodded, before turning and continuing on down the steps.

As the three made their way down the stairs, and into the city proper, Erebus was finally afforded the opportunity to take in the scenery up close. His view from the palace balcony gave a very good idea of what Canterlot looked like, but being amongst the streets gave him a sense of scale. He was also able to appreciate the architecture, the craftsmanship, and the sheer detail put into every building, statue, and fixture.

"Up close, this is even more ridiculous." He whispered, almost unconsciously.

"I beg your pardon? Was there something you would like to share, Erebus?" Celestia asked, her voice a touch stern, yet tinged with humor.

Erebus blinked and glanced over, coming to the sudden realization that equine ears were a touch more sensitive than any human's.

"Eh... I'll come clean." He shrugged and gestured around the streets. "It's beautiful... But it's literally the most impractical design philosophy I've ever laid eyes upon."

Luna's ears slicked back as she did her best to suppress a snort.

"Sister. I do believe you're being called out." She commented, her own tone playful.

"I fail to see how it's impractical." Celestia shot back, giving a slight pout. "The palace has stood for nearly as long as I have."

Erebus gave her a deadpan stare and pointed back to the palace. "It's built into the side of a mountain and is precariously lopsided."

"It is not-"

"I can only assume that magic is the only reason you're able to hold this city up at all."

"Well if it works, it's not a problem." Celestia retorted in a rather hasty manner.

Erebus merely nodded, a quick smirk drifting across his face. "Which is why I'm leaving the subject there. I simply had to take a moment to look at this from a purely architectural point of view."

"We do believe he has you there, Tia." Luna chortled, nudging the other alicorn in the side.

"Oh, you hush." Celestia replied, rolling her eyes. "Besides, he has a point."

Erebus let out a chuckle. "I didn't think you'd give in so quickly."

"When you're in my position, it aids you not to idly dismiss criticism." She turned to Erebus, a small grin on her face. "But now, we've strayed from the original subject. You're supposed to be seeing the city, after all."

"And I'm well and truly excited to do so." He gave a slight bow. "Please, lead the way, my gracious hosts."

"Well, it'd be a rather poor start to our trip if we didn't show you the markets, right, Luna?" Celestia remarked, gesturing toward an assortment of colorful buildings and various stalls further ahead.

"Indeed!" Luna quickly perked up. "Myles was quite upset after Discord's stunt, but he was especially distraught when he learned the food he prepared for you was ruined. It should be only proper to allow you to sample some of the finer wares in the market."

Erebus couldn't help but agree with that sentiment. While food was a nonissue for him, being around it so constantly was beginning to get to him. Falling on Celestia was infuriating, no doubt, but losing that bagel was a crime.

"I would certainly appreciate that." He agreed, following the two into the marketplace.

It was a far cry from a simple grocery, and there was far from any shortage of options. Everything from fruit stalls, to bakeries, to general goods and cafes littered the street. It was a veritable cornucopia of sights and smells, and Erebus was honestly almost a bit overwhelmed. It was so very different from his own time, and yet, there was an unmistakable foundation of similarity to the city he once knew.

As the group continued down the road, the businesses around him weren't the only thing that his eyes were tracking. He was careful not to directly make eye contact with anyone in particular, but he was curious as to how the citizens might react, both to himself and to the princesses.

As far as the former went, there were a few looks, a few whispers, but nothing he would have called outright hostility. Similarly to himself, most of the ponies were avoiding his gaze, and the only ones who appeared to give him any sort of attention, were the children. Children, it seemed, were the same, regardless of species. They were a lot more curious than they were worried.

"Guess it's true enough. So long as I'm with Celestia and Luna, I'm just another foreign dignitary."

Moving on from his own public perception though, he couldn't help but find something rather perplexing about the rulers themselves. True, every single pony they came across, from stall owners, to casual bystanders, to children, greeted the princesses with an overwhelming warmth and respect. They bowed, curtsied, and in the case of the children, had to be restrained from outright hugging their legs.

The oddity, however, was in how the princesses themselves carried themselves. Celestia was obviously a seasoned public figure, her demeanor was nigh picture perfect. Every smile was warm, every word of greeting was kind to a fault, and she had an aura about her that nearly leeched the admiration off of everyone else in the vicinity.

Luna, on the other hand, was noticeably more subdued. She still gave warm smiles, and she still offered her own words of greeting, but her movements were stiff and somewhat awkward. Her words were not without confidence, but it was clearly a practiced sort of confidence, and that was when she was even coaxed to speak at all. It didn't seem like the kind of thing that that masses would truly notice, much less question. To him though, it was a demeanor laden with the kind of well-tended tension that could only be carried by the truly experienced. Something very different from the Princess Luna he had known up until this moment. He wasn't about to speak of word of his observations to her. Not here. Not now. Still, it was something that he made note of, and it was something that would require his further consideration.

"So, Erebus, where would you like to start?" Celestia asked, pulling his focus. "You have quite the selection here."

He glanced around, looking over the various stands and storefronts. It wasn't as if he were a picky eater, and he would've been fine with anything. At the same time, he truthfully wasn't at all sure where to even begin. The plaza was well and truly packed, and the sheer variety was enough to front his indecision.

"Hmm..." He bit his lip as his head swung from side to side. "I'll be honest, I've no idea where to start. I do believe that I'll defer to the foremost authorities on the subject."

"Authority, you say?" Celestia smirked and raised a brow. "Now there's a bold claim. However... You aren't wrong. I've personally been at the opening of every single business here, and Luna has visited them all multiple times herself."

"Well then, it would seem that I'm in very good hands." He stopped short. "Hooves. Good hooves. Whatever."

Luna let out a chuckle and merely shook her head.

With that, the three set off, and for the next several hours, Erebus found himself essentially getting dragged around the plaza. Every shop, stand, and cafe was visited, and he found himself sampling a bit of everything. It wasn't as if he could complain, of course. He hadn't eaten anything proper in a million years, and now he was being given free reign of a place that would've easily rivaled high society back in the city. Every item was fresh, and every dish was made with care, demonstrating only the utmost dedication and passion.

Of course, the food wasn't the only thing on his mind. While it was invigorating to get out and move among such a lively society, as well as to be given the opportunity to truly taste some of the finer things in life, the true purpose of this excursion was still forefront in his thoughts. While he hadn't exactly been skeptical about the whole plan, he still found that it had actually been rather successful.

The citizenry were clearly a bit unnerved, but their unease was directed towards him and not the two alicorns. As long as he was seen with them, the people seemed to be content. He had to admit that Celestia's decision had been a correct one, and if this were any indicator, then his integration into the world wouldn't be much of an issue.

As the day wore on, the three continued on through the plaza, and soon enough, the crowds had begun to thin, and the shops and stalls had begun to close.

"Ah, I'm afraid that's all we have for the day." Celestia said with a sigh. "The stores close early on weekends. Tomorrow's another weekday, and the stall owners need their rest."

"No issue there. I certainly wouldn't blame them." Erebus agreed, stretching a bit.

"However." Celestia added. "I believe we still have one more stop. There's a particular establishment I'm interested in bringing you too. Someplace quite important actually."

"Oh?" Erebus cocked a brow. "Where's that?"

Celestia's wings rustled in what Erebus almost took as the equivalent of a shrug.

"You'll find out. Luna knows the place."

Luna cocked her head as she began following Celestia. "We do?"

"Of course you do."

Erebus trailed a bit behind the two, as he couldn't help but ponder over where exactly the princess was leading him. The place was obviously somewhere special, but it also obvious that she wasn't going to reveal any details. Not until they got there, at least.

The trio continued through the city, before the path began to slope downward, and the buildings started to become fewer and farther between. Eventually, they ended up in front of a rather large, ornate, and well-maintained building. From what Erebus could tell, it almost seemed like a library of some sort. A very big, very well-cared for, and very, very old library.

"Alright then. What is this place?" He asked, giving the building an appraising look.

"This, Erebus, is the Canterlot Historical Society." Celestia gestured, pride heavy in her voice. "It's the largest historical repository in all of Equestria."

Erebus was silent, and he looked to Celestia, his face deadpan.

"And why are we going in there, exactly?"

Celestia merely smirked and shook her head. "We aren't. We're going in there." She pointed a hoof toward a smaller, far more modest, almost rundown building adjacent to the historical society.

Erebus was beginning to feel like he was being toyed with, and his face must have showed it. Celestia chuckled, while Luna gave a small grin.

"Just come along, Erebus. I promise, you won't regret it."

Without another word, the three approached the building. Celestia, being the leader of the group, sharply rapped on the door with a hoof. The sound was immediately met with a faint crash and the rustle of papers.

"Ow. Ow ow ow." A familiar voice called out, followed by a bit of stumbling, and the sound of a lock turning.

The door creaked open rather audibly, revealing a slightly disheveled, tired looking unicorn. The very same unicorn that Erebus had met on his first day in the palace, Auburn Study. Her glasses were halfway down her snout and she was haphazardly rubbing the top of her head. Upon seeing exactly who her visitors were though, she very well jumped out of her skin.

"P-Princess Luna! Princess Celestia! O-Oh my!" She stammered, trying her best to quickly tidy herself.

Erebus couldn't help but feel a bit bad as he watched her nearly fall over herself in an attempt to formally greet her guests. Her off-balance bow was followed by her glasses sliding fully off her face. With a mixture of a gasp and a groan, her horn lit up with a seemingly practiced precision, a soft amber aura halting the spectacles not an inch from the floor.

"Hmm..." Celestia hummed, her brows knitted and her tone carrying an overt hint of concern. "Perhaps it wasn't entirely prudent of me to give no notice."

Auburn's eyes went wide, and her ears flattened, the light of her magic fading.

"N-no! Of course not, Princess. You are always welcome here, and I assure you, this is simply a matter of my own-"

"Calm, Auburn." Luna interjected, placing a hoof on the mare's shoulder. "Not even We were aware that Celestia would bring us here. It is no fault of yours to be found so unprepared."

Auburn blinked and looked between the two. She was still visibly a bit flustered, but Erebus could see that Luna seemed to have a more immediate calming effect.

"Oh. W-well, yes. I suppose that would be the case." She said, clearing her throat, and adjusting her glasses. "You know me, always buried in work."

"And we are glad to hear it. You have a great deal of responsibility, after all." Celestia nodded.

"Y-Yes. Quite. Now, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Actually, there is." Celestia's gaze shifted from the unicorn to Erebus. "I do believe you are already acquainted with Erebus, are you not?"

"Oh, yes indeed." Auburn looked up and gave a slight smile. "I'll admit, I wasn't expecting to be meeting you again so soon. I do hope your stay here has been going well."

"All things considered, it's been rather lovely." He replied, giving a half-shrug.

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Mhm." Celestia cleared her throat. "That brings me to the real reason we're here. Would it be too much to ask to come inside? It'd be best to continue this conversation out of the open."

"Not at all." She responded, her eyes flicking toward the building next door. "Please, come right in."

Auburn turned and led the three into her office. As Erebus stepped through the threshold, he couldn't help but take the place in. While the exterior had looked like it had seen better days, the interior was the strangest mixture of homey and scholarly he had ever seen. Every piece of furniture was hand-made, and yet each had some form of historical artifact atop or within it. Bookshelves lined the walls, and every shelf was absolutely crammed with tomes, scrolls, and all manner of historical texts. It was a bit messy, but it was the kind of messiness that only comes with having an overwhelming amount of things to keep track of.

"Apologies for the state of things. I don't usually get many visitors, and I'm afraid that my organizational skills fall to the wayside when I'm in the midst of any particular study." She commented, moving some papers off of a chair and gesturing toward it. "I do hope that you'll forgive the clutter."

Erebus walked over and sat down in the seat, a noticeable creak emanating from the old wood.

"No issue here. If anything, I find the clutter a bit comforting." He remarked, shifting his gaze around the room.

"Thank you." She took a seat and looked to the two princesses. "So, what is it that you were needing from me? Whatever it is, I'll certainly be happy to assist."

"I'm quite glad to hear it." Celestia began. "However, this is actually regarding how you can be assisted. Erebus, you see, is actually the reason why we are here."

Auburn glanced between the three and blinked.

"I'm... Afraid I'm not sure I understand."

"Well, as I mentioned earlier, you manage more than your fair share of responsibility in upholding the standards of this institution." Celestia gestured to the building. "While I'm aware that you have some dedicated volunteers, and you're more than capable of handling the workload, there is no arguing that the... Budget, I suppose, has been cut in recent years."

Erebus' gaze turned to Luna as she let out a barely audible grunt of disapproval, seemingly leveled toward Celestia. Auburn, however, appeared not to have noticed, or at least, had chosen not to remark on it.

"Unfortunately, that is the case, your highness. I'm not proud of it, but, I'm also not the type to deny the truth. This institution's funds have been on a slow but steady decline. My volunteers are more than enough to help with the curation and restoration, but it has been some time since we've had the money to spare on funding excavations or expeditions. I've done the best I can with what I have, but it has put me into something of a rut."

"Of course." Celestia nodded, a sympathetic tone in her voice. "But, this is precisely the opportunity we're hoping to present to you."

"An opportunity? What sort of opportunity?"

"The sort where Erebus becomes the newest member of your staff."

Auburn's brows shot up, and her eyes went wide. She looked between the two, before looking to Erebus. His face wasn't quite as surprised as her own, but he certainly didn't seem prepared for the statement.

"I... Excuse me, princess? Did you just say that he's going to work for me?"

"I did indeed." Celestia said matter-of-factly. "He is, quite literally, a walking, talking example of history. While he may not have explicit, academic experience regarding Equestria, he is still quite knowledgeable. Not to mention, he can assist very readily in more physical aspects, such as the excavation, restoration, and transportation of artifacts."

Before Auburn had the opportunity to respond, Erebus spoke up.

"Alright... Look. I'll give you this one Princess. I wasn't expecting this." He threw his hands up. "I know I mentioned this whole idea in passing, but I honestly didn't think you'd take it to heart."

"I gave it some consideration after the fact, but I was wary of allowing you into the city so soon." Celestia admitted. "What with Discord's stunt though, I realized that I needed to be more proactive. I understand that this whole day has been rather touch and go, and I'm sorry for the abruptness, but this bakes three cakes in one oven. You get introduced to the local populace, have a chance to earn your own income, and Miss Study gets a new assistant."

Erebus stared at her for a long moment, his expression a mixture of contemplation and appreciation. It was a sound play, and he knew it. There was no way he could have possibly argued with that reasoning, nor could he have turned down an opportunity to do what he had already asked for. After a few seconds, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

"On the fly thinking, and I'd be a fool to say no." He finally replied, a smirk forming on his face. "If Miss Study here has no issues with it, then I'll gladly accept."

Auburn's own mouth had slowly fallen agape, as she watched the exchange, her gaze jumping between the three. Celestia noticed this and glanced back over.

"I understand that this isn't exactly how these things are normally done. I will admit that my decision here was more than a bit rushed, and I apologize for that. Under the proper circumstances, I would have personally asked your permission prior to any of us stepping through that door. I'm not the sort to make executive decisions without due cause, however, and I felt that this would have been an opportunity far too important to pass up."

"W-well, Your Highness, if you'll excuse my forwardness, this is... A lot. It's certainly a good lot, but it is a lot."

"Of course." Celestia's brow knitted. "If it's any consolation, you're under no obligation to accept. Erebus isn't beholden to this decision, and neither are you. I would not dream of putting pressure on you to make a choice right now."

"O-oh, no no. It isn't that, your highness." Auburn responded, shaking her head. "This is a wonderful offer, and it would mean a lot for this institution. The issue is, as I've explained, we haven't had the funds for new acquisitions in quite a long while. While the society is certainly no small contributor to the economy, I can't simply expect the public to just... Give money, out of the blue."

Luna spoke up for the first time in a long time, her voice carrying a rather assertive edge.

"Well, We're certain that a donation would be of no issue. We shall simply arrange an additional budget, and the necessary funds will be supplied."

Celestia's eyes shot to the other princess, her own expression a mixture of surprise and something bordering on annoyance.

"Luna, I can't just-"

"But We can." Luna responded, cutting the other alicorn off. "You are not the only one who can access the treasury, Tia. And besides, you are not the only one who takes responsibility for this nation."

The tension was palpable, and Erebus was actually quite a bit surprised to see this side of Luna. He understood that she could be passionate about something, but this was a very different passion, and it was clearly aimed toward Celestia.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds, before Celestia relented.

"Very well." She said, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "We'll arrange for a sizable donation of bits to be transferred. However, we will need a written statement outlining what the money is being used for."

"Of course." Auburn agreed, her gaze turning to Luna. "I am incredibly grateful, Princess Luna."

"It is no trouble at all, Miss Study. We understand the importance of Equestria's history, and this institution is one of the cornerstones of our past."

"Then it is settled." Celestia added, her tone softening. "The funding will be delivered to the society, and Erebus will begin his employment under Auburn Study."

"That it is, Your Highness." Auburn replied.

Erebus stood and gave a half bow, a somewhat bemused expression on his face.

"Well, looks like I'm gainfully employed now."

"Indeed." Celestia gave a warm smile. "In fact, why don't you start tonight?"

"Wait... Tonight?"

"Tonight." She affirmed, her wings rustling. "The Society is open at all hours. You're here, Miss Study is here. She can show you around, explain how the place operates, and answer any questions you may have." She turned to Auburn. "That is acceptable, is it not?"

"Well, I- yes, of course. That'd be fine." She replied, nodding.

"Wonderful." Celestia's eyes shifted back to Erebus. "You can return to the palace when you're finished. The guards will see to it that you're allowed back in. Now, we must take our leave. Good day, Miss Study."

Without another word, Celestia trotted toward the door. Luna lingered a bit longer, a warm smile on her face.

"Apologies for this whole affair being so rushed, Miss Study. We were honestly as uninformed as you were."

"Oh, it's no trouble, princess. It's not as if it was a bad rush, and the payoff will be well worth it. It's nice to have some direction again."

"Indeed." She gave a polite nod, her gaze drifting to Erebus. "We trust you'll be no trouble for the director?"

"None at all, I assure you." He gave her a reassuring grin.

"Well, then. I shall see you later this evening." She said, giving a quick wink, before turning and leaving the room.

As the door closed, a wave of silence quickly fell over the room. The steady ticking of a clock was the only thing that filled the air, as the two new coworkers simply looked at one another. After an uncomfortable amount of time, Auburn tilted her head up to the ceiling, and let out a tired chuckle.

"Well, this is going to be something, isn't it?"

Erebus' mouth opened, but he found that he couldn't quite muster the words. This had been his idea initially, even if he hadn't been the one to execute the specifics. It had come together so fast, and yet, he didn't exactly regret it. At the same time, however, he couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for his new boss. She had just been thrown into the deep end, just as he had, and it had been at the hooves of the one mare that Auburn would never dare to question.

He closed his mouth and shook his head.

"You know, I think we're both thinking the same thing right now."

"Yes, well..." Auburn stood, a weary sigh escaping her lips. "We're going to have to get used to this."

"I'd tend to agree." He looked at the clock on the wall. "So, we've got the rest of the day. Why don't we get started?"

"Yes... Yes, that would probably be for the best." She paused and glanced up at him, her glasses sliding back up her snout. "So, how much do you know about this place, anyway?"

Erebus was silent, his gaze turning to the window. Outside, the sun was beginning to set, and the last rays of daylight were casting an orange glow throughout the sky. His lips drew tight, and he gave a half shrug.

"Well it's a museum, isn't it?" He remarked, his tone not entirely sarcastic. "There were a few in my time, but I'd only ever been to one."

"A museum, yes." Auburn agreed, gesturing around the room. "However, you are now a part of a rather special one. We aren't a mere gathering of historical set-pieces, we also are in charge of securing, maintaining, and archiving every artifact, book, and record from Equestria's past."

"That's an ambitious claim." He replied, crossing his arms.

"It is." Auburn conceded. "Many of the items here are just that. Items. Objects of little consequence, save for the fact that they have an interesting story behind them. There are some though... Some artifacts that would be better kept out of the hooves of the average citizen."

Erebus nodded slowly, already catching on to what she was suggesting. Their society might not have been exceptionally technologically advanced, but the surplus of magic that he had already witnessed only validated the idea of myriad potential arcane items.

"I see." He finally answered. "So you act as a sort of safeguard then? Keeping the One Ring and Excalibur away from the general populace?"

Auburn raised an eyebrow, a curious look on her face. "We actually have many enchanted rings, not just one. And, I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the other you mentioned."

"Oh. Nevermind." Erebus waved his hand dismissively.

"Regardless, there are many pieces of magic here, some of which are more powerful than others." Auburn continued. "Of course, the most dangerous items are secured under the direct purview of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Anything that might cause an apocalyptic disaster is not on public display, nor will you be in charge of it. Not even I am." She paused for a moment, as if considering. "However, that is not to say that the artifacts we have aren't without danger."

"I'm not one to go poking my nose in dangerous objects. You'll find me far less likely to experiment than most."

"That's good to hear." She replied with a slight smirk. "But I do hope that you're a bit more adventurous than that. There's plenty to be found in the wild, and we've had to cease all of our expeditions and archaeological work due to lack of funding."

"So then this is your big break, isn't it? A new hire and an influx of money?"

Auburn's face lit up at the statement. She very clearly had a passion for what she did, and it was quite endearing. She trotted around the room and approached cluttered desk, using her magic to pick up a map, before unfurling it on a table.

"You have no idea." She responded, gesturing toward the map. "There are many places we've had to stop excavation and research on. Loathe as I am to say it, I haven't even been able to get a full documentation of the Castle of the Two Sisters. With the Princess' backing, however, there is a lot we can do. The Society has always been something of a low priority, so to have Celestia on board is a big deal."

Erebus leaned over and examined the map. Before he could get a good look at the parchment, his eyes were quickly drawn to something rather disconcerting. He tilted his head slightly, pulling himself away from the table.

"Um... Auburn?"

"Yes?"

"Do you plan on using any of that budget on getting a professional carpenter in here?"

She blinked, and glanced up from the table. "A carpenter?"

"Look, I understand the situation that the Society's been in, and I'm sure that it's been hard to maintain everything with the amount of funding that you were getting. But I'm a little concerned about the large hole in your wall." Erebus said, gesturing toward the massive crack.

Auburn stared for a moment, before realization lit her face up. "Oh. Oh!" She chuckled nervously. "I'm sorry. That must seem a tad bit odd. That's uh... Well, that's the unfortunate victim of the recent attack on the city."

"Attack?" Erebus actually had to take a moment to let his mind reconcile that information with his current view of Canterlot. He was still trying to come to terms with how peaceful everything was, and now, there had apparently been some sort of assault on the city.

"Yes, the whole affair happened about three months ago. It's actually a long story, but suffice it to say, Queen Chrysalis was able to infiltrate the palace, and Princess Cadance and the Captain of the Guard were able to hold her back, but not before she did a fair bit of damage. The city is mostly back up to par now, but it'll be quite a while until everything is repaired."

"If you don't mind me asking, who's Queen Chrysalis?" He inquired.

Auburn's face dropped, a small amount of color draining from her muzzle. "She's... Nothing good." Her eyes narrowed and she shook her head, a shiver running through her body. "She's the leader of a race known as the Changelings. Nasty creatures, all of them."

"That doesn't sound particularly nice."

Auburn huffed, pushing up her glasses. "Well, that's just how it is, unfortunately. The Changelings are not a pleasant race. They're a hive of vaguely pony-like insectoids, led by a power-hungry queen. They take the forms of others to steal love from ponies. They feed off of the emotion like a food, and it is the source of their magical strength."

Erebus couldn't help but feel quite disgusted by that notion. The idea of a race of creatures, that made their living through deception and theft at such a personal level. He couldn't help but grind his teeth at the mere thought of it. While his species might not have been perfect, the notion of feeding on others like some sort of parasite was something he found particularly vile.

Auburn must have seen the look of contempt on his face, because she quickly cleared her throat, getting his attention once again. "So... Yes. That is what happened, and that's why there's a giant hole in my wall. We've done our best to patch it, but the city engineers are quite backed up with other projects. At any rate, it's not like the changelings are coming back any time soon. Fool me once, shame on them, fool me twice..." She chuckled and shrugged. "Let's just say that Princess Celestia has that whole situation under control."

Erebus nodded slightly, his eyes still locked on to the jagged crack.

"Yeah..." He whispered. "I'm sure she does."

Author's Note

Well hello to all you patient readers. I realize that I never even put out an author's note in the last chapter and I do apologize.

It's been just over a full decade since I started this story, and I almost feel like I'm about back where I started. For those who are newer, I shipped out to basic training just about a month after my first few chapters. Ten years later, and... I'm going back in. The more things change I guess?

I'd also like to give something a try with this new chapter. I understand that people have various different views on AI, so I'd like to sort of... Test the water as it were. I've prompted a few images that give a decent glimpse into the world and characters I'm trying to create. Nothing over the top, just some basic shots and references. I've commissioned artists in the past, but I've never really found that the vision I was looking for really came to life with the final product. Nothing against the artists of course, I simply can't afford the prices these days at any rate.

I'll leave a few of these images for you all (all from previous chapters), as well as the ability to let me know whether or not you'd really care for some occasional visual references to a chapter.

https://imgur.com/a/jbORIqp