Sireen scowled down at the parchment that lay in front of her on the ground. A single hoof raised to block out the intense light that surrounded her. She was standing on a street corner In the upper elite Canterlot noble's housing district, and she couldn't be more annoyed. Using her wing claw, she flipped the paper over and squinted, hoping she'd missed something.

She hadn't, and the back of her contract was still blank.

Sighing gruffly she folded the paper back up and stuffed it back into the side of her armor. Around her stood several master crafted, two story homes that could probably house her entire barracks comfortably. All of them were designed with the luxurious side of life standing front and center. Large iron gates with artistic ponies welded into their frames, attached to brick walls two feet thick and eight to ten feet high. The tops of the walls looked like they'd sprouted hearts made of thorns on a few, a clear sign to any avian type being that they were not to sit on those walls. The side walks were cobbled with red and white stones neatly jammed tightly next to one another in diamond patterns that zig zagged down the road.

Every five or so feet a tall black iron lamp post stood over the heads over any pony, their lanterns filled with a brilliantly glowing white crystal that hummed with magical energy.

and blinded Sireen.

Another thing that had Sireen completely boggled were the house addresses. While most city streets and roads were orderly and organized, THIS part of town seemed to run the exact opposite! Houses apparently weren't in numerical order, and were instead marked by the houses last name or family crest, leaving Sireen with a big problem. After arriving on the proper street, she'd pulled out her contract to find that it omitted the house's number, last name, and street name, saving just the family crest.

A pair of swords slicing an apple tree in half down the middle, with a ribbon of parchment wrapped around the base that held the words:

"abbiamo prevalere con l'inganno"

Whatever it meant she had no clue, apparently it was Istallion.

The houses also had personal guards sometimes stationed at each gate, the job she would probably be doing no doubt. When she'd plucked up the drive to go and ask a few for assistance, she'd been met with silence and the refusal to even speak with her.

pretentious snobs, I'd leave em alone a lot faster if they'd help me out. she thought sourly. It was lucky though, as she'd left an hour early to make sure she made it on time, in an attempt to show she was diligent in her duty. However, with every minute ticking by rather quickly, Sireen needed to find that home, and there were no houses around that had any open gates.

She growled and picked up the pace, trotting down the side walk and around the corner, giving a mental tick to the street she was on and the time she had left. As she walked she thought back to Iron Crest and Crisp Words. The replacement guard was an earth pony from the non-bat pony night patrol. When she'd informed him of the situation he'd nodded curtly and told her that they would receive the message the moment he made contact with them.

She had frowned at that. Iron Crest and his son hadn't shown up that last few times, worrying her to no end. She felt rather bad for ending their last little gathering on such a dour note, and the research she'd planned to do was put on the back burner until she was off duty. The newspaper report had said a castle servant had died , unable to escape the flames in time. Could that have been Iron Crest's previous wife? The paper also said it was deemed arson, so did that mean he'd been the one to--

No! he's a good stallion, a good father and he would't do that. Sireen shook herself and stood still a moment, snorting hot air from her nostrils and closing her eyes to relax.

Don't let your mind wander to assumptions when you yourself don't know all the facts. the criminal could have been caught, it could have also been an accident, and there is no reason for me to think that Iron would do such a thing. Just focus on your job right now, you need to find that house!

She thought for a moment and then stamped a hoof in affirmation. She'd find a house with an open gate, and ask the locals. they would know where to find it. She began her search, keeping an eye open for any gates that were open, but to her dismay all down her path were closed. Some were even chained shut with heavy padlocks, the gardens looking like they hadn't seen years of work.

So some are vacant lots huh? Not surprising considering it must take a fortune and a half to own one of these opulent-- Her eyes barely caught sight of a gate slowly coming to a close up ahead as three ponies exited out onto the street.

Now was her chance!

leaping into a canter, she came within fifty feet of them before the trio noticed her. There were two stallions, and one mare. The first stallion was young, about mid thirties in age and was sporting a rather nice tuxedo with a monocle. His white and blue parted mane made him look rather sophisticated. The stallion to his right was also well dressed but much older, nearing his nineties at least, and wearing a simple black suit.

a butler perhaps?

The mare was a real surprise though. She was one of the tallest(minus the princess') mares Sireen had ever seen. Easily a foot taller than the bat pony, she was slender and fit, wearing only a set of earrings and a light blue scarf. Her pristine white coat and polished hooves made her look like a mare who knew she was important.

The odd thing was that they all seemed quite surprised by her appearance.

"My word, a bat pony? I dare say i haven't seen one of those since the nightmare night celebration. Hello there!" Sireen was so taken aback by the blue haired stallion's accent and relaxed nature that she merely blinked in shock. Next to him, the mare smiled at looked at her with...a look, before leaning in and whispering something in an equally intriguing accent.

and different language...was that prench I heard?

The stallion went red and shooed at her with a hoof and a disapproving glare. She giggled and blocked her grin with her bangs as he stepped forward.

"I said hello there, night guard, you seemed to be in a rush to catch up to us, what seems to be the problem hmm?" He was smiling and his posture was calm. Sireen gulped. these were important ponies and she did not want to ruin the Night guard reputation by sounding weak.

"...I need assistance, citizen."

"Alright well I can certainly try to help. What assistance do you require?" She watched as the mare leaned back and whispered something to the butler, who blushed and shook his head vigorously, making the mare giggle again.

"I...I need to find a house, but I have become lost and do not know where it is located. As this side of town is rather...unique with it's ordering system, i figured it'd be easier to ask a local resident. I mustn't be late. Here, this is the house crest i'm looking for."

She held the slip of paper out to the stallion, taking note that his smile only seemed to become more genuine the longer he held it. Both he and the mare looked very familiar, but she couldn't place where she'd seen them. The mare looked like she could be a model for magazines, while the stallion was....well rather gentlemen like and knew how to dress to impress.

the butler was a butler.

She looked back to find that the mare had sidled up to her husband who was now reading the paper intently. Sireen decided to take a chance. She smiled, showing off her fangs to the mare, who smiled back....curiously? She was watching Sireen with an odd expression. it was definitely more than curiosity.

"Um, If you two don't mind my asking, who are you? I know I've seen you around somewhere, but i can't currently place where."

The stallion tore his gaze from the paper, and scoffed.

"Ah, where are my manners this evening, my name is Fancy Pants, and this lovely gem is my wife, Fluer De Lis."

Sireen sucked in her breath. Yup, she knew em. well, more like knew of them and never guessed she'd be talking to them in her entire life. Fluer wasn't just a model, she was THE model. The top one in the industry to be exact. Fancy Pants was a business entrepreneur who'd built up his fortune from the ground up, and was well known by all the Canterlot elite as "The sexiest Colt Alive".

he'd probably win that title too... Sireen thought with a blush.

"I-I see, yes I have heard of you both, um its a pleasure to meet you." Fluer nodded and took a step forward while Fancy went back to reading.

"Ve would ask what you are doing in this district, but it appears you have guard business with an elite, no?"

Sireen merely nodded as Fluer took another step closer.

"Tell me, vat is it like?" Sireen flipped an ear back as Fluer looked her up and down with...that look.

"W-what is what like?"

"Being a bat pony." Instantly Fancy pants was glaring at Fluer, who shied away behind Sireen as if she was the protector, with an embarrassed giggle.

"Vat? I wanted to know so dat ven I had to work vith them on the floor, I could treat them normally. It's not everyday I get to talk with...well, a female bat pony about the subject..." Sireen felt her cheeks flush red as Fluer sidled up next to her, their sides barely touching, her voice a playful whisper.

"So, what is it like? I hear your species can hear, see, and smell far better then the normal pony, is zat true?" Sireen nodded, cocking a brow as the mare practically prowled around her.

"I uh, yes we can ma'am."

"Fluer stop patronizing our guest and come back over here, look at this."

Fluer giggled in that innocent yet totally not innocent way and walked back over to her husband, flicking her tail just inches from Sireen's snout.

was that intentional? Sireen wondered. She didn't have time for this, and needed to get going. Fancy pants was now frowning alongside his wife as they looked the paper over.

"Sireen, is it?"

At her nod he continued speaking.

"I noticed the occupant your going to be guarding....A word of caution if I may." He gave her back her document and then stood, taking his wife's arm in his own.

"Do not upset that mare. She has gotten more ponies in trouble for stupid reasons then I care to remember, I've even gotten a few out of trouble because she upsets me to no end. She's a braggart and a fool who thinks she is the next best thing after feathered pillows. Now, you're going to want to go down this road and to your left at the corner. From there look for the house with the golden topped walls. They will also have a set of iron spiked hearts atop their peaks. Dismal home really but a job is a job no?"

He walked past her and Fluer winked at her, magicking a small business card over to the flustered mare.

"If you need anything darling, just give this to our door pony, he'll get us in touch. Au revoir!"

"Uh yeah, au revoir...I think." Sireen blinked for a few seconds as the trio sauntered away, and then shook herself. She needed to get there and fast. Opening her wings wide, Sireen took off into the air and checked the route Fancy had laid out for her. From the sky it was almost too easy. There was a single house down one of the side streets that had the particular description given, and even as she flew closer, Fancy had been right about the home.

It looked...grim.

She landed a few feet away from the gate and readjusted her wings, looking around as she did. The surrounding street appeared to be just on the cusp of leaving the 'rich district', as a single merchant's shop and a set of warehouses sat almost right across the household. The ware houses were closed at this hour, as well as the merchant's shop. It looked like a bakery of some sort, with apartments up above. One of the upper windows was covered in colorful drawings that looked like a foal had drawn, but from her spot she couldn't tell what they were of.

Probably bright, happy things, compared to the haunted looking house across the street....she thought. She checked the house crest and was happy to note it was in fact the house she'd been looking for. She checked the position of the moon in the sky and murmured under her breath.

"It's still too early for me to arrive, I probably can see what the items on that bakery menu are while I--"

"PSSST!"

Sireen flicked her ears behind her and then turned around, looking through the gate to the yard beyond. The walk way was ornate and polished clean. Surrounded on both sides by hedge bushes that shimmered in the moonlight, they went all the way down the path to a large wooden door.

It was ajar.

"PSSST! hey you!"

Sireen watched as the door cracked open a moment and then an old earth pony poked his head out. He was male, with a rather frazzled mane and coat(from what she could see). His eyes had aged bags under them, and he looked tired and irritable, certainly not happy.

She leaned closer to the bars. The pony gave her one look, up and down before whispering so loud she was sure the sleeping occupants of the upstairs apartments across the street could hear him.

"Are you the personal bat pony guard m'lady requested?"

She slowly nodded, raising a brow, as the pony nodded back.

"I'm going to open the gate now, step inside the limit but no closer!-- I'm going to close it behind you, understand?"

Again she nodded, albeit with a sideways ear showing her skepticism. What was the deal with this geezer? The gates creaked and groaned as they opened, sounding like they hadn't been oiled in a very long time. Odd, the whole area was sterilized to perfection. The hedges were trimmed and shaped properly and not a single ground tile was out of place.

Yet the gates are dirty and old? odd, very odd. She frowned as she stepped quietly and quickly through them. The moment she was beyond the farthest point of the gates reach they stopped and started sliding shut. She went to watch them but the immediate clop of running hooves caught her attention and she looked back to see the door wide open and the pony she'd seen bolting...past her? Snapping herself around she watched as he dove through the now closing gates perfectly, and slid to a halt. A small brief case in his teeth. he was wearing what looked like a rather tattered and dirty butler's suit, with a discolored--no, stained-- scarf around his neck.

"Hey! what gives?" She barked at him.

The pony hissed, jamming a hoof up to his lips quickly with a scowl.

"Do you want the old crone to hear us? You're early, and I'm using that to my advantage. You'll ruin the whole thing if she finds me out here."

"Who?"

He blinked, dropping the brief case to his feet with a shocked face.

"Who? You mean, you don't know who you're guarding? Oh Alicorns above I feel sorry for you!" He chuckled and picked up his brief case, muffling his speech as he started to canter away.

"Haph fun wiph her royal pain, thith bulther ith outta here!" With that said, he bolted down the road faster than she presumed he could move.

Sireen watched his dust trail slowly depart, and then shook her head. That certainly was...interesting. Turning around and sighing, she went to take a step forward when she paused. She wasn't really supposed to be on the property grounds just yet, and the owner was probably going to come looking for whoever opened the gate soon. They usually had magical signals in the house for that sort of thing. Thinking quickly, she looked around and saw a peach tree inside the hedge square next to her.

an idea came to mind and she jumped over the hedge and up into the tree. Once on one of the lower hanging branches, she flipped upside down and hung from the tree with her tail coiled tightly around the wooden limb. Wrapping her wings around her tightly, she closed her eyes and stayed like that, intent on gaining some respect for whoever this 'royal pain' was. If Fancy pants and the previous butler didn't like her, then Sireen wanted to make sure she had some intimidation on the girl.

She didn't actually have to wait long. There was a rather loud crash of glass and a shriek of indignation from the house, followed by several hoof steps. They came down the hall and right out the door.

"Jerald! where are you you lame mule!" The voice was feminine but deep, like it was spoken from a mare three times the size of Sireen, and dripping with acid. Sireen seriously hoped she hadn't gotten in over her head with this job. The weight and power of each hoof step was a lot heavier too.

how strong is this mare---oh.....my...Sovereign....

The mare in question had come into view as she 'walked' toward the gate.

She wasn't large in the way Sireen had thought, no. This mare was certainly large, but not like a soldier.

more like a pudgy blob of bouncing sentient jello...she's so overwei--

"Jerald, you come out at once, you hear me! That guard will be arriving soon and I want look regal and befitting of my status as I inspect her!" The mare hissed, looking over the shrubs at either side of the path as she drew closer.

Yeah...'fat' chance of that, lady.

When she reached the gate and peered through it, the moonlight hit her back and lit her up for Sireen. She was a wide mare with an orange coat and a multi-hued mane of pink and pale peach color...in fact...She looked like an actual peach! Sireen sighed, this wasn't funny anymore. She was hoping the elite she'd be guarding would be more like Fancy Pants or Fluer.

To her dismay she'd gotten the short end of the stick. The park was now sounding more and more appealing to her.

"Oh this is just great! Jerald is acting like a fool again and that mare is going to be here any minute! Well if she's late I can always use that to my advantage..."

Sireen grinned from behind her wings as she watched the mare. So far the older mare hadn't even looked at the tree. She decided to act a littler tougher, given the mare's obvious attitude. She growled softly, but loud enough to send the snobby mare's neck hairs rising. The peach whipped around and latched her eyes on the dark, shadow shrouded form hanging in her tree. Sireen snapped her eyes open, letting the golden glow from her pupils light up her helmet armor.

"We of the night are never late, ma'am." The mare took a step back and flipped her ears down in fear.

"Y-you...you are..."

Sireen let her fangs show through her wings, in a relaxed grin. The mare shivered.

"We are the night guard, you requested, yes."

The mare visibly gulped and then shook herself. Once again standing assertively, she grimaced professionally at Sireen.

"T-then how long have you been...Hanging there like that?" Sireen let another low growl exit her mouth, as she flipped down to the ground very slowly. her flip seeming almost casual in motion, but very smooth.

"Since your ex-butler took off." At the mare's look of surprise Sireen walked to the edge of the tree's shadows, piercing the mare with a glower.

"Yes, he left, something must have spooked him, and I can assure you he never saw me, ma'am."

A few seconds went by and then the mare nodded, sucked air through her teeth and then shivered again.

"Er-yes, well don't just stand there all creepy like, come out here and let me see you!" Sireen did so, walking with each step carefully placed to muffle her movement. As she came closer to the mare, Sireen began to realize something very interesting about the two of them.

She was taller then the peach colored mare by almost a foot! That didn't bode very well for the smaller one as Sireen kept her dark grin going until they were a foot or two apart.

"Ma'am what is your name? The paperwork I was given failed to inform me of your...title." She clipped the last word rather sharply as she spoke it, making the mare jump.

"Ah-AH YES! I am Mrs. Fuzzdrought, but just keep calling me ma'am when we speak, it's much more...professional sounding."

Sireen inclined her head slightly at the name, but said nothing. Mrs. Fuzz slowly walked around Sireen, inspecting her on all sides before coming back to the front and frowning up at her.

"Your taller then I expected. Is this normal for female bat ponies?"

Sireen shook her head.

"No, it's rather rare." She watched as Mrs. Fuzz's eyes sparkled with that tidbit of knowledge and she huffed, walking past the armored guest with her snout held high.

"Well, don't go assuming I'll be making your job easier because you're special. If my contact's information on your...species is correct, you can endure a lot more then the average guards, and my contacts are hardly ever wrong.....Erm..." she stopped in her steps, allowing Sireen to catch up with a few less steps.

"What is your name?"

The armored mare grinned again, flashing her teeth.

"Sireen Wind, ma'am."

Mr.s Fuzz seemed to approve with a quick smile before they started walking back to the house.

"A rather nice name for one of your stature. I'll be sure to remember it, as the house of Fuzzdrought never forgets."

Sireen felt a frown slowly form, knowing that the inflected tone she'd been given in that sentence meant it could be both a boon, and a bane that they didn't forget.

Best watch my words around her then, I don't want to give her more ammo then she can get freely.

Author's Note

loved writing this one. I actually had to write it twice because my friend accidentally cut the power to our house while i was writing and well...I hadn't saved....but a lesson learned nevertheless!

again the art is my own.