Those Thirty Days

  Keen walked into the Fillydelphia Research Institute building, her head held high as she walked with the utmost confidence. She was surprised to see how much she looked like one of the security ponies, much less sound almost the same. She had briefly made a stop by a cosmetics store to pick up some supplies, which allowed her to obtain the pony's same cutie mark. She look the part, sounded the part, and, if she could be a bit lucky, act the part. The ponies around her didn't even seem to take notice of her, a welcome relief, one that she had expected. She scanned the area for anything that might guide her to where experiments might be done, when suddenly a hoof was placed on her back, causing her to jump.

  "Sorry if I scared you, but you just weren't responding when I called you." The stallion said. Keen turned around to look at the stallion, doing her best to act natural, or in this case, slightly embarrassed.

  "S-sorry, I was just... I guess I just wasn't here, sorry." She said with an awkward smile, hoping against all hope that she was acting with some semblance of normality for her part. The stallion cocked his head, looking at Keen scrutinously, as if trying to see something that wasn't, yet was, there.

  "Carmel, are you alright? You're looking a bit off today." He asked, looking the mare up and down. "Does this have anything to do with last night? I'm sorry if that was uncomfortable for you."

  "N-no, last night was fine... it's just, well..." Keen scrambled for something to say. "I just got a lot on my mind, that's all." The stallion nodded, a soft smile forming across his features.

  "I know it must be hard, you know, being in your first serious relationship and all. I just want you to know that if you need some space, or if you need somepony to talk to, you just need to tell me and I'll be fine either way." The stallion consoled. Keen blushed fiercely, lowering her head away from the stallion, only beginning to understand what was happening in the mare whose life she had hijacked.

  "I'm fine, and..." Keen stopped for a moment, thinking about her next step, "I'd like to get to know you even better." She said, hoping to the high heavens that the mare she was playing would be pleased, the mare who was know incarcerated under Keen's name, though the official records weren't processed at the moment, an action Keen had requested.

  "That's good to hear. How about lunch this afternoon? I know this great pizza place out on North Broadstreet. Do you think you can make it?" He asked hopefully.

  "I think I might be able to, I don't think I have any conflicts." Keen ventured, hoping more than ever she was right about this choice. The stallion's expression seemed to glow even brighter than before.

  "Great, I'll see you there then." He replied, only to step in for a hug. "I love you, don't forget that." He whispered into Keen's ear. The stallion smiled as he moved away, going back to work. Keen stared after the stallion, glad that he hadn't noticed how she had tensed up, though she was glad he had hugged her since now she knew his name because of his name tag dangling in front of her face the whole time the embrace had lasted. Looking away with a blush she moved on. Her new name was Carmel... something, or maybe it was just Carmel. Checking her I.D. for the first time, something she kicked herself mentally for not doing before. Caramel Swirl was her full name, and much to her relief, a home address was included on the card. Looking around, she couldn't find anything to tell her where to go, so instead she walked about the main lobby area, acting as if she was doing something of some importance.

  Keen sat across from Chocolate Ganache, Caramel Swirl's coltfriend. The two ponies were obviously made for each other in at least their names, and Keen could only hope that Caramel would be alright that she was advancing the relationship in her absence. Keen found it interesting that she was eating at a restaurant she would if she weren't undercover, though the candles and otherwise dim lighting with quiet surroundings was a great amount difference from the usual. It appeared to be evening inside the room, even though it was a quarter past twelve.

  "Caramel," Ganache began, "I know that we are only just beginning to learn about each other, but I already feel as if we've been together for a life time, and I am willing to go on for another one if you'd allow me." Keen looked away, blushing, something she was getting a lot of practice doing.

  "I," Keen started, her gut wrenching as she tried to think of something Caramel would do, "I guess you could say I have  much the same feelings. I can barely remember a time we weren't together. It just... feels right." Ganache nodded with a smile.

  "It's hard to believe that it has only been three months since we first met. I can't believe it took me until yesterday to try and step up our relationship." He said with a wide smile. A pony walked in, much to Keen's relief, carrying a platter of pizza with her. Keen recognized the mare, she had been a waitress in the restaurant since the first time she came here. "Is the service always this... romantic?" Keen asked with a chuckle. She knew the answer, but she needed to keep up appearances.

  "We do this for special occasions." The mare replied with a smile. "Usually we provide a more open environment, but your buck here said it was going to be a special meal. If you need anything, just call and I'll be here to assist in a matter of seconds." Ganache gave a pleasant nod. The waitress pony soon walk back out, leaving the two along once again.

  "I hope that doesn't make you feel uncomfortable." Ganache said. Keen looked back to him, wanting to scream how uncomfortbale she was with this whole situation, but then she'd have to admit she wasn't Caramel. She wanted to enjoy this for Caramel's sake, but really, she felt more lie she was intruding.

  "No, it's fine." Keen said with a smile. "Everything is lovely." Ganache smiled in satisfaction. "Oh, I just remembered something." Keen said, hoping to redirect any thoughts of the romantic persuasion that the stallion across the small table might have as she picked up a slice of pizza. "A few days from now an old friend of mine will be coming to visit."

  "Oh really, whose this friend of yours?" Ganache asked happily.

  "A pony I met back in grade school, by the name of Lodestone. We used to study together on long weekends. He always had an easier time with geography, so I kind of got his help so that I'd keep a slightly good grade average." Keen said, hoping that he wouldn't call her bluff.

  "Sounds like you to were pretty close in your time." He muttered morosely. Keen looked at him sternly, yet lovingly, or as lovingly as she could manage with how she really felt about the situation.

  "Chocolate Ganache, are you jealous?" She questioned, smirking at the stallion. "Lodestone was a friend, a study helper, nothing more. If anything, I took advantage of him." She lifted Ganache's head to have him look into her eyes. "You are the stallion I love, he was just a colt that was good a geology in a time when I needed help with said subject." Ganache smiled weakly. Keen felt forced to show him she was honest, and so planted a kiss on his lips, which caused his eyes to shoot wide open, while a smile appeared.

  "I think that's the first time you kissed me, and not the other way around." He commented.

  "Well, I hope you enjoyed it, because if you think for a moment Lodestone is competition, you are going to get smothered." Keen teased, hoping he wouldn't try and prove her.

  "Well then, he is so much competition, I don't think I can deal with him." He commented slyly, causing Keen to mentally face hoof. Keen leaned up to the stallion with a sly smile of her own.

  "That's just cheating." She joked before giving the stallion another kiss, only to find him wrapping his forehooves around her, bringing her in for an embrace. Keen did her best not to tense up or push away. After a few moments, several too many for Keen, the stallion pulled back.

  "I hope that wasn't too presumptuous of me." Ganache fretted, now taking his turn to turn away and blush. Keen, more than ever, wanted to break character and slap the stallion across the cheek, no, scratch that, she wanted to give him a roundhouse, but instead she gave him a smile.

  "The hug was unexpected, but I guess we can advance as fast as you'd like." Keen replied, wanting oh so much to deck herself for saying something ENCOURAGING to this stallions attitude. If she had been watching two other ponies doing it, she might feel a bit awkward, but at least she'd be able to feel happy for them. "B-but... maybe not it a public establishment." She finished in a near whisper as she noticed several silhouettes outside of the curtain that looked distinctly as if they were trying to sneak a peek.

  "Let them watch." Ganache replied playfully. That line was so cliche that Keen would've rolled her eyes if it had been used in a story or a soap opera, but now she felt fearful for what the stallion might intend. Fortunately he returned to his food, keeping his eyes on Keen the whole time as he munched on the pizza. Keen took a slice, taking a small bite as if she didn't know what to expect, though she very much did. She did her best impression of her own expression when she had her first piece, her eyes going wide in wonder as the flavors that never got old.

  "This is really good." She commented with her smile growing. "I'm not sure I ever had something this good before." Ganache nodded in response."

  "I know, it's great. It's a family recipe by what I hear. They've made it like this for the past seventy years or so." He replied. "Honestly, I only just started eating here two weeks ago." As he finished, a mare came through the curtain, a mare that Keen knew all too well.

  "Keen, is that you?" Gin began, a smile breaking out across her face. "You're back! Oh my, how I missed you." She said as she trotted up to the table. "Where've you been, and who's this fine looking stallion you're having fine dining with?" Ganache looked to Keen in confusion.

  "Another one of your friends?" He asked. "Wait... back? She hasn't left town for months." Gin looked at Ganache curiously, as if he was speaking another language.

  "Excuse me," Keen broke in, "But who are you?" Keen hated herself for estranging her friend the way she did, but as Caramel, she hadn't met this mare, a feat she found hard to accept.

  "Wait, what? What do you mean who am I?" Gin asked, looking back to Keen. "Keen, it's me, Gin, Gin Rummy? Don't tell me you forgot all about me." She pleaded with Keen, something that broke Keen's heart to see, but she couldn't break character on top of it.

  "I... uh, I think you got me confused with another pony." Keen said, adjusting her expression to show as much apprehension and confusion as possible. "My name's Caramel Swirl. It's... interesting meeting you Miss Gin." Gin just stared at the mare she thought she knew, and indeed she did, slack jawed and everything.

  "Are you sure you don't have a twin sister named Keen Eye who works as a Private Eye? I mean, she works... well worked, right across the street." Gin Rummy pressed, desperately hopping for something.

  "The name does ring a bell, but she isn't might sister unless we were separated at birth, which I highly doubt." Keen replied. "I suppose this pony is currently out of town?"

  "Yes, she is, and under suspicious circumstances too." Gin replied. "She was on a case of some sort, and then there were some sounds from her office, and when the janitor can to check up on her, he saw a pegasus jumping out of the window with a bundle on his back and no Keen Eye in sight." Gin recounted, the scenario making a great deal of sense to Keen with what she had experienced. "The F.P.D. says they think it might have been a kidnapping, and that if it was, there were certain prime suspects, but I have yet to hear anything from them. I'm just so worried about her. I just hope it's a misunderstanding and that she'll just turn up one day having just taken a vacation without warning, though what the janitor saw makes that notion a bit less likely."

  "Oh, well I hope you find your friend." Keen said, feeling exceedingly sorry for the pegasus mare. "I'll tell you if I come across anything, alright. Just... take care and don't fret too much about it, it won't help her come back an faster, you'll just have to be patient." Keen said in the best comforting tone she could manage. Gin nodded slowly, tears forming in her eyes as she moved away from the two. Keen mentally kicked herself for not remembering Gin worked Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. After gin had left the area, Ganache leaned in closer to Keen.

  "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the name of the pony the institute took in for aid in that project a few days ago Keen Eye?" Ganache asked in a whisper. Keen looked over towards another mare's lover ,tapping her chin in thought. "Wait a tick... isn't that project the one you said you had some hoof in?"

  "I think... possibly. The mare's name might have been Keen eye, but I'm not sure." Keen mused. "For the most most of the ponies referred to her as 'the subject'." Ganache nodded again, looking past Keen towards where Gin had walked off to.

  "I suppose that means you know when she'll be back in the public?" He asked. "We could tell the poor mare that her friend's investigation called for her to go to the F.R.I. and that she expects to be back at some point, most preferably when the project ends." Ganache offered. "I'd hate to make more ponies suffer because of the experiments we run."

  "Wish I did, but I'm probably one of the few ponies on the project whop doesn't know. Earlier today they sent me into an alleyway to 'collect' a pony who had some information about something, but when a pony came into the alleyway, it was the wrong one. I scared a mare out of her mind because of that. She thought we were after her because she took two nutlogs from a sample pile instead of one." Keen said in a slightly irritated tone, attempting to cover her bases with the mares previous assignment. Ganache chuckled lowly, almost low enough that Keen didn't catch it. "Hey, what's so funny?"

  "Sorry, the reason the pony you caught thinking we were hunting her was just... it struck me in just the right way." Ganache said between bouts of laughter. Keen shook her head, chuckling a bit herself. Even if she had only just technically met this stallion, she couldn't help but compliment Caramel's choice in stallions.

  Keen stood on the train platform, watching as the train pulled in. She was still wearing her new F.R.I. security get up, as well as still having her false cutie mark plastered over the real one. She had somehow managed to maintain a relationship with Ganache that was growing at a slow enough pace that the real Caramel shouldn't have too much trouble picking up where she had had her life hijacked, but now she was doing something that related to her own life. As she watched, the familiar stallion stepped out from the train and began looking around as she weaved her way through the crowd.

  "Mr. Lodestone I presume." Keen began, gaining the stallion's attention. "Come with me, there is a discussion which needs to take place between you and me."

  "My dealings with the Fillydelphia Research Institute are over, I will have no more of you ponies in my life." Lodestone replied bluntly. "Now if you don't mind..."

  "The termination of your contract is the subject of the discussion, please, come with me." Keen said plainly, gaining a groan of compliance from Lodestone as he began to follow her away from the train platform and into the slightly shadier districts of Fillydelphia. Lodestone didn't appear to notice, or at least he didn't care enough to protest. After a bit, Keen ducked into an alleyway, Lodestone right beside her. Turning around to face Lodestone, she allowed a smile to cross her face. "It's good to finally see you again." She confided.

  "Pardon?" Lodestone intoned, looking over the mare.

  "Darood Desert." Keen stated plainly, getting an expression of realization, and then joy from the stallion. Lodestone gave her a hug as he began to chuckle.

  "You pull that uniform off quite well, K-" Keen quickly silenced him.

  "Sorry, but I'm undercover. As far as anypony is concerned, my name is Caramel Swirl and I know you from grade school where you helped me with geology." She whispered into his ear, looking around at the part of the street she could see.

  "I can't believe how long it's been." Lodestone carried on, backing away from the embrace. "You haven't changed a bit." He chuckled. Keen scratched the back of her neck and gave a relaxed chuckle too. "Though then again, you have changed a bit. Look at you, big important security job at the good old F.R.I., but I bet you still can't point to Griffonstone on a map."

  "Very funny, Load, but pleasantries aside, maybe we can head on over to my place, unless of course you have some other business. I'd love to catch up." Keen said.

  "Hey, I got nothing I need to do, let's go." He replied with a smile. Keen nodded quickly, turning around, only to come face to face with Ganache.

  "Oh, Ganache, when did you get here?" Keen asked, though in all honesty she half expected he had been tailing them the entire time. Ganache didn't reply, but instead looked past her to Lodestone.

  "I know you from somewhere?" Ganache asked, looking the pony over with heavily levels of scrutiny. Lodestone gave a shrug in response.

  "Honestly, if ponies go anywhere besides their home town, they have a chance of meeting ponies from half the world over by just visiting one village, much less a city. That being said, if we had met prior to this point, it was not on a name to name basis." Lodestone replied. Lodestone then looked over to Keen. "I take it you know this pony?"

  "Yes, we met up through my work at the F.R.I., this is Chocolate Ganache. Chocolate Ganache, this is Lodestone, the pony I told you about." Keen said in introduction. "Wait, I did send you a line about my new coltfriend, right?" Lodestone simply shook his head in negation. "Wow... just, wow. I... I was sure I had sent you a mention of him."

  "Well you did mention you met a rather nice stallion one time, but it didn't come with a photo or a name." Lodestone replied, playing his role perfectly. "Well, Ganache, I hope you take good care of her, K-Caramel," he stumbled, almost saying the mare's true name, "She might not be as close to me as she once was, or as much as friends really should be, but during our classes I grew quite fond of her, so I'll have her receiving only the best life has to offer." Lodestone said in a tone that inferred a certain amount of a threat that was not explicitly made clear.

  "I assure you that I treat her well and with respect and that you have nothing to worry about on that score." Ganache replied pointedly. Keen looked between the two stallions starred the other down with extremely intense gazes.

  "Okay, how about we just head on over to that pizza place you took me to, Ganache, they had some good food, what do we say we show Lodestone?" She offered, hoping that the prospect of food would dispel some of the animosity. The stallions eventually relaxed and both nodded, Keen giving a stern nod before moving past Ganache. "We will talk about this later." Keen whispered to Ganache as she did.

  The trio sat, eating their pizzas in silence, both of the stallions knowing that they shouldn't say something in the perceived mutual friend. Keen occasionally eyed the two, who seemed to think she hadn't caught them exchanging suspicious glances. Keen could only hope the two wouldn't begin duking it out because she really didn't feel like having to break it up. Eventually the meal passed, and Lodestone said his goodbyes before moving away, leaving the two ponies alone. After Lodestone was out of the area, Keen rounded on Ganache.

  "Ganache, what was that? What did I tell you the other day?" Keen asked exasperatedly. "Didn't I tell you to be nice to him? He isn't competition for you!"

  I just don't like him. Something about him rubs me the wrong way." Ganache replied simply. "For your sake, if we meet again I'll be nicer, but I warn you that he might not be the same pony you once knew." Ganache then moved away in the direction of his apartment. Keen acted exasperated, though inwardly she was happy to have the stallion walking away. Keen quickly moved off to meet back up with Lodestone. And since he had only turned one corner and had stopped, waiting behind the wall, it didn't take her too long.

  "So Caramel, is Ganache your coltfriend?" Lodestone asked as Keen looked back the way she had come, making sure the stallion hadn't followed her. "You make a sort of cute couple, though I don't entirely like F.R.I. ponies as you are well aware." Keen gave a sigh of relief before turning to Lodestone.

  "He's Caramel Swirl's coltfriend." She replied simply.

  "Understood, though I can't imagine what it must be like. I've had a few mares swoon over me in my time, but they always did so over me, and not a perceived image." Lodestone commented. "So what's our next move in the grand plan?" Keen looked back to check if Ganache was anywhere nearby.

  "We have to get some extremely solid evidence for the case. The police have a warrant in the files for the F.R.I., but they are concerned that the files they are after with disappear under mysterious circumstances should they walked through the front door and showing the warrant." Keen explained.

  "So we're going in stealth to extract the documents so that we can get the files without risking losing them?" Lodestone questioned. Keen looked over to the pony with a raised eyebrow.

  "No, that would be the next plot of a Mission Impossible." Keen stated flatly. "We are going to have to force their hooves so that we can catch them doing something they shouldn't when a warrant is issued, namely destruction of documents."

  "Same basic idea, just different execution. So, how we doing this shindig?" He asked.

  "I'll tell you somewhere where coltfriends won't intrude on our privacy." Keen said, moving down the street, Lodestone quickly falling in line.