I sat in the gardens for a long while thinking about the past two days. If I was being fully straight with myself they were the longest days of my life so far. I was pushed mentally, physically, and emotionally to different degrees. If I'm being honest with myself.... I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about this. Looking over at a rose bush I can't help but smile at the sight of it. I love roses, they are simple red and the one flower that everyone knows to have thorns. Beautiful yet, dangerous.

'Now that I think about it, Celestia is much like a rose. Beautiful and draws the attention of others with ease, However if you aren't careful you'll get pricked.' I sighed softly shaking my head. 'A perfect example is what happened today in the court with Gallant. He got to overzealous and got pricked.'

'I wonder just what else I'll learn about the Princess... How complicated her life is...? How simple her wants might be...? Or maybe something different that I'd never expect... Something completely out of left field... Like that she enjoys metal music or something of that nature.' Again I shake my head, 'Now that's just ludicrous... There is no way she's into metal or hardcore loud music.... or is she?'

With a sigh I sit down on the rim of the fountain in the middle of the garden. This wasn't just a job, the more I thought about it. This was going to be something I may do for a long time, or for the rest of my life. 'Huh... The rest of my life... I'd never really thought too hard about what I wanted growing up aside from getting the hell outta my home town and never looking back. Although, now that I'm a guard is this what I really want to do? Every day and night... every second watching over the literal embodiment of the sun? Being her shadow, being at her beck and call no matter what the cost? Do I really want that for myself?'

I turn my head and stare blankly at my reflection in the fountain. My reflection stares back at me, as dully as I am looking into it. 'Right now... I can't say or know for certain, but I made a promise and I'm going to keep it. I'll be DAMNED if I ever break it. I may not be her guard forever... but I'll sure as hell be here for her if she needs me. That's what friends do. At least that's what they should do.'

Looking up towards Celestia's balcony I lean back a bit to keep my eyes locked on it. 'Something... just doesn't add up though. Celestia isn't helpless... She has the nearly limitless power of the sun at her disposal... why would she need a guard in the first place? Unless... maybe is psychological? Something to make her seem weak to get the drop on her enemies? No that doesn't seem right... Then what?' Closing my eyes I think about it a bit longer.

Coming up with no solid hypothesis I get up off the fountain and glance once more at the rose bush. I walk over and give the flowers a sniff. They smell sweet and a bit like honey. It's a lovely smell one that isn't easy to forget. 'Odd though, I don't think I've ever smelled roses like these ones... They look like simple red roses but it doesn't seem like they are. Maybe I should ask Celestia a bit about them if I get the chance... She might know.'

"I see you are taking an interest in the Eternity Rose..." That was the voice of princess Luna. I turn towards the voice and there she was standing there looking me over. "What do you smell?"

"They smell kind of like honey... a sweet and natural honey... I found it a little, odd. Roses don't normally smell like that."

"You're correct but those aren't normal roses... they are Eternity Roses. They are a special rose that can tell one's true nature as well as be a symbol of undying love." Luna explained coming closer and smelling the roses herself. "Mmm.... For example, right now I smell something quite different... I smell mint with a trace amounts of sea salt. My niece Cadence says these flowers can also smell of the one you're destined to love... but that is just some superstition she probably made up. That and if you believe in that type of thing."

"So what does it mean if you smell honey?" I inquired genuinely curious.

"Well... It can have many meanings, I'm sure and none of them bad from what I can recall. Maybe try thinking about love when smelling the flowers. Then tell me what you smell."

"Love huh..." Taking a deep breath I clear my head and think of what she said. 'Love... Can't say I've really loved somepony else other than my family. Maybe I should think about them? No maybe I should think about future love... Like love that should come from someone who I'd like to spend the rest of my life with.' Nodding my head in affirmation a leaned in close to the flowers and inhaled deeply taking the scent in. 'It smells... good. Much different from honey now.... it smells like vanilla cream... and faintly of something else... Chocolate truffles?' I bring my head back get a look of thought. "Vanilla cream and the faint scent of chocolate truffles. Any idea what those scents mean?"

Luna was silent for several moments before she shook her head. "No I can't say I do. If you have questions about these flowers the best pony to ask would be my niece princess Cadance. She would know what it means." Looking up at the sky she had a soft smile on her face. "I'm sure she will have your answers you seek. I bid you a good night SunLight, and pleasant dreams." After saying that she lifted off into the sky leaving me with the peculiar roses.

"Such a strange flower..." I shake my head and start heading for the barracks. Unsurprisingly it wasn't too far from the castle but it is a small distance from the main gate. Around two blocks away. I could clear the distance with my wings in a few moments by flying I chose to walk instead. It gave me more time to think on things.

"Did you get what I asked for?" That voice sounded familiar. I was about a block away from the barracks and my ears swiveled towards an alley way. It sounded like Gallant, the pony who tried to propose to Celestia today. I make my way towards the alley quickly and hide myself quietly behind a trashcan.

"Yeah, I got it." A new voice said. This voice I wasn't familiar with, although one thing is certain it wasn't a normal voice. It was being changed by magic. It sounded more mechanical than pony. I couldn't see them but hearing them would be enough to know what was going on. "All she has to do is drink what's in this bottle and she'll be completely open to suggestion. Normally it would only take a sip, but in the case of your target she'll have to drink the whole thing. I did my part now where's my payment?"

"Right your payment." I heard something like a bag of bits hitting the ground and it was by no means light by the sound. "It should all be there I counted it myself."

"Wonderful, I thank you for your business Gallant. I do hope you succeed. It would make this little concoction I've created sell out in hours. Of course I should tell you of the side effects again. Unexplained arousal, dilation of the eyes, and the possibility of occasional head aches. Other than that it might take some time for the concoction to take effect so you'll have to be with her the whole time it's in effect. It's initial effect lasts for about twenty minutes. Keep in mind I've tested this stuff on nearly every race and it's had the same results, I've never tested this on an Alicorn so there may be some variation."

"Well it is quite the gamble but I have quite a few sources that tell me this worked wonders for them. So I'll take their word for it. Have a pleasant evening Nicarta." I hear Gallant say getting closer and passing me. I can now see him and can confirm that it is indeed Gallant. It seems that no wasn't a good enough answer. I watch him leave and wait a few minutes before coming out from behind the trashcan. Only to be face to face with this Nicarta.

"Well hello there... What were you doing behind the trash can?" other than the mask they are wearing along with goggles and nothing can be notable about their appearance even their cutie mark was covered by a black spandex suit.

"I was ummm...." I stumble over my words for a moment.

"Oh I see... You were looking for something to eat." The pony said causing me to look at the label on the can. It was a well known restaurant trash can. "Diving for some scraps? I know the feeling. Hitting the bottom is hard, but don't worry I'm sure you'll catch a break eventually." They said before giving me a few bits. "Get yourself something to eat tomorrow and get to looking for a new job friend." With that said they left quickly checking around the corner before disappearing around it. It took a few moments for me to calm down as I sit down against the alley wall. I look at the bits the pony gave me before looking up at the sky. There was going to be trouble, and soon.

Author's Note

(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ FLIP THAT TABLE.
┻━┻ ︵ ヽ(°□°ヽ) FLIP THIS TABLE.
┻━┻ ︵ ＼('0')/／ ︵ ┻━┻ FLIP ALL THE TABLES
ಠ_ಠ silverstream...
ಠ_ಠ Put.
ಠ__ಠ The tables.
ಠ___ಠ Back.
(╮°-°)╮┳━┳ (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ NEVER!

Hey all it took me some time to figure a good way to end this chapter... Plus I was busy with my job and other personal stuff. Sorry for making you all wait.