As the party wound down, Twilight approached them, dressed informally, which is to say naked as usual. "Excuse me. I'm told you are specialists in monster-slaying, troubleshooting, and general swordponyship?"

The group looked at her curiously before Brad stepped forward. "That we are! What can we do for you Princess Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight fluttered her wings a little. "No need to be so formal. I was just curious to hear if you were still seeking employment? Princess Celestia sent word to find the ponies who cleared out the old outpost, which was apparently your team?"

Joe nodded his head quickly. "That was us, miss. How can we help?"

She smiled brightly. "Oh good. We're always on the lookout for talented ponies to help out. There's a dozen such troubling places scattered across Equestria. You could really help your fellow pony out if you're willing to put that talent of yours to work."

Brad raised a brow. "Does this involve royal pay?"

"Oh, uh." Twilight's ears twitched softly as she put a hoof to her chin. "Of course! You're sellswords, not super heroes, I suppose."

Bed Time frowned a little at this declaration. "I just want to help. I don't need a lot of bits for that."

Twilight pointed at Bed time. "That's the spirit! Such wonderful civic-mindedness."

Brad lifted a hoof. "I could be convinced to work without bits for the company of a dozen lusty mares."

Twilight's poor mind crashed. She stared at Brad with jaw agape and eyes wide. She couldn't even process the words spoken.

I moved between them carefully. "That was a joke. She's joking, your majesty."

She laughed nervously. "Ah heh... yeah... a joke, of course." With a twinkle of her horn, she summoned a map with big red marks scattered on it. "Here's a map of the trouble spots. Take care of them in any order you can. When you've cleared a place, just cross out the circle and Celestia and I will know you've done your part." She dipped her head. "Thank you all. Me and the girls can only take care of so much at a time."

Brad snorted softly. "I'll settle for two?"

Joe gently nudged Brad away from Twilight, with much complaint coming from her. "A little payment would be appreciated, your highness. We have to upkeep our gear and get new stuff hopefully."

Twilight nodded lightly. "Of course. I'll be sure to inform Celestia and she'll handle all that. I don't have any official say over the royal coffers just yet. If you have any questions, just let me know." A bright smile, and she fled the scene as quickly as her lavender hooves could carry her.

Paul raised a brow at Brad. "That insolence will surely come back to haunt you."

Brad snorted. "Stop talking funny, and fuck you. I bet she'd have given it to me if you jerks didn't get in the way."

Bed Time stomped a hoof at Brad. "I've never seen a mare act so brazenly in Twilight's presence before. You should be ashamed."

"You haven't seen anything from before a few days ago." Brad sneered at Bed Time, then sauntered off to the punch bowl.

Bed Time deflated at the jab at her deceptive existence. I went to her and wrapped a leg around, holding her close. "Hey, don't let her get to you. You were right, that was out of line."

Bed Time nodded slowly before she seemed to rebound and gave me a soft nuzzle. The party concluded without any further surprises.

We emerged into mid-afternoon and Paul went slack mid-step, falling over on her face.

"The party was acquainted with the friendly ponies of Ponyville, but their resolve would be tested before day's end. If they could not be crushed underhoof, their wills could be bent."

Paul snapped awake with a sputter, clambering to her hooves. "You have no idea how odd that feels."

Brad tilted his head. "Well, tell us?"

Paul considered this a moment. "It's sort of like you have to go to the bathroom, then I lost my 'grip' and I fall away from this pony body. The words gush out of me, and then I can get back in."

Brad snickered. "It's literally verbal diarrhea? Awesome."

Joe rolled his eyes. "You would find the most awful way to put that, but from the sounds of it, yes. It's better than being without a body though, right?"

Paul quickly nodded. "For sure. It felt awful being there, but not there? At least I have a pulse and parts, horse parts as they may be. Besides, it means I get to play too."

Brad waggled her brows. "Play huh?"

"Not that desperate."

Bed Time looked around a little. "Is noone else worried about the words Paul said? Something's going to attack us."

I shrugged a little. "Sure, but we knew that already. We don't know what it is, so what can we do about it?"

Bed Time huffed. "You could be a little worried about it at least?"

I leaned in and rubbed snouts with her. "What if I said I felt safe with you?"

Bed Time warmed in the cheeks. "I'd say you were a liar, but a very nice one. Paul, can't you tell us what's coming?"

Paul shook her head. "The more I try to think about it, the less certain my grip gets. I have a fairly good feeling that if I try too hard, I'll be thrown out of this body and then I won't want to say. I can be the Game Master, or a player, not both." She sat down in the dirt. "I don't want to be an outsider this time. I want to be with the party."

Joe moved beside Paul. "I can understand that. Welcome to the team. You're less creepy as a possessed pony than a faceless ghost proclaiming the world around us anyway, which is the oddest observation I've had all day I think."

Author's Note

The party's over, but the party's just warming up. What will test our heroes? I bet it's typos....