Well, meat is not on the menu, thankfully, they have plenty of fruits and vegetables. And judging by all the farmland around here, I don't need to question it's origin as much as I do in the U.S.

Elliot was currently reading a book, a bowl of salad next to him. Whatever he seemed to be reading must've been really interesting, as he hadn't looked up in over ten minutes. I would be curious, but the book was unmarked, with no title. Like the ones in the school library that nobody but the honors students read.

I, on the other hand, found the perfect literature for my question. It's a history book of something called the "Royal Guard". Those armored dudes with the giant toothpicks. Nothing useful so far, but it has to have more about the weapons and tactics somewhere. If what Purple said was true, we just might have the exact same codes of conduct and standards as the guard here does. The main objective is to protect royalty, but since this is such a peaceful land, they scarcely ever need to do so. Save for something only referred to as 'The Invasion'.

I look over to Purple, who was curled up onto a smaller chair, also reading unmarked. It's like I'm the only secure person with reading, Jesus.

After about half an hour of reading, there is a tap at the door.

I turn to Purple, who didn't show any reaction.

"You going to get that?" I ask.

No response.

"Hey, Purple!" I raise my voice.

"Whoa, what?!" She looks up.

"You going to get the door?" I ask again.

"Why?" She questions.

"Because it loves you... Someone is knocking!" I respond.

The knock continues, a little quieter this time.

"Oh, right." She hops up and moves to the door.

Opening it, there's a new character. This one's Yellow, also familiar. Oh that's right, shy. Seriously tell me I'm going to meet something I haven't seen already.

They begin to chatter in hushed voices, Yellow occasionally glanced over Twilight at us, before continuing to talk.

"Psst, hey, Elliot. You seeing this?" I ask.

"Seeing it, hearing about as much as you are. Isn't that the Yellow one from the forest?" He responds.

"I'm pretty sure. Do you think they're in on whatever the plans are for us?" I pretend to turn a page.

"Could be. I still don't trust these. Not that you do either." He answers.

"No, I trust them now. Problem is, you don't trust them anymore. Like we switched minds. Anyways, you still got that plan B for escape?" I look at him, no longer trying to hide our chatter.

He sets his book down. "Well, there are several windows, and a few open flames which I could use as a distraction if I remove them from the things holding them. We also still have a few mags left to pitch down a few guards that might give chase." He explains.

I open my mouth to speak, but I am cut short by a new couple of characters walking up to the door, joining the conversation. I can't tell how many are out there from my position on the sofa, but it sounds like all the contacts from the forest.

"Great, it's a fucking party, a complete ball. You think you can outrun all of them? I mean, the white one, 'Regal', had a horn too. Meaning it's a decent concern that she could hit us at a distance, too." I speak with concern.

"Well, we know who to aim for first if the gas lights now, don't we?" He answers rhetorically.

"I suppose so, and since when do you give the orders? I'm a higher rank than you!" I smile.

"Since you were stupid enough to ask." He grins back.

We go back to pretending to read, still unable to hear any specific words from the doorway.

After about five minutes of straight, unbearably anticipating conversation, the door closes, and I'm faced by the group from earlier, the ones from the forest.

I tap on the ground with my foot, gaining his attention.

"I count.... Six." I whisper, before the group gets too close.

They faced me in a group. Rainbow was flying above somewhere in the center, Twilight stood in front, arrowhead formation. Behind her, three were lined up. In order of left to right, Country, Pinkie, and Regal. Standing behind them to the left was Shy, fitting as it was, told by the hiding.

Country spoke up.

"I'm Applejack, or did you already know that?"

Author's Note

Sorry for short chapter. I'm not dead. New story! (One chapter, it's a shortie) "The Secret Under the Mare". You'll love it! Carry on, wastelanders!