The fireplace crackles, moonlight shimmers in from a partially uncovered window, and Twilight scribbles out a letter to her distant friends. The spring night was cold enough for a fire but not bad enough to close the windows. Twilight enjoyed the duality between the warm fire and the cool breeze making its way through the window. Sunny days and warmth would be on the horizon. Twilight Sparkle was excited to continue working with the subject, but she longed to lounge with her friends in the warm weather.

She rounded out the end of her letter with well wishes and promises to return soon. The room felt welcoming. She had spent quite a few nights here before, and so she didn't feel too isolated here in Canterlot. It was a simple study in one of the towers of the castle, with three large windows, red drapes hanging high and sweeping low to the stone below. A big cozy bed, a bookcase with all the cute little novels Twilight used to read as a filly, and more down below in the castle's main library. The room was littered with personal effects from past visits, and new ones she had brought from Ponyville.

That roused Twilight's memory. Where did Anonymous stay? Where was he sleeping tonight? The dungeons would be the obvious pick, Twilight had seen those once before. Dank, dark, rusty steel cages from a black spot in Equestria's history. Twilight wondered if they kept him in a newer facility, or that awful dungeon.

She scrunched up her nose. Day one and she hardly got any time with the subject. Why did they interrupt the proceedings? Twilight shifted in her seat, just about to run out of the room and down the hall to the stairs. Celestia's chambers were nearby. She could bring up her complaints about the situation.

If the princess was allowing me to take command of the interrogation then she shouldn't interfere. Twilight furrows her brow. She was frightened though, despite being chained he was still quite huge when standing. She wondered if he could break his binds, and if he could do that, what he could do to a pony. Twilight had magic, and she was quite proficient with it so she wouldn't be entirely without defense.

She had felt a power in him, raw emotion. So much anger and confusion. To be fair, who wouldn't be angry and confused? Thrust into an unknown world, captured by it's inhabitants. Something else is going on, what exactly had occurred when he appeared?

Morning came with the sounds tweeting birds and rays of golden sunshine. Twilight skipped her usual pre-breakfast stretches to call upon Celestia first thing, tummy grumbling but head full of questions. However, all she finds is a stern guard. Guard briskly informs her that the princess is out meeting her sister.

"Where are they meeting?" Twilight asks, head tilted.

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are meeting in one the solar of the castle for a small meal," he gives Twilight the eye, "they asked not to be disturbed, but you can always talk to the Princess after their meeting."

"Hmm," Twilight taps her chin and turns around, heading back to her room.

It was important, but not important enough to be rude and interrupt the sister's meeting. It was probably about the subject anyway.

"Have them send for me when they're done!"

"Yes ma'am."

With time to kill, and the urging of her more baser needs, Twilight takes a trip to the kitchens. After exchanging pleasantries with the staff, she cordially asked for breakfast to which they replied with an eager desire to serve. Their joy at delivering gourmet meals anytime of day and of any complexity is what sets them apart from other chefs and allows them positions in the kitchen of the princesses.

Twilight ordered a simple but hearty meal. She had to fill her stomach and fortify her self for a long day ahead. First order of business was speaking with Celestia. There were many questions she had, perhaps most important of all being Anonymous' treatment. Despite his aggressive nature and crass language, Twilight sensed a panicked and nervous being. Beneath that coat of paint, a new friend was waiting to be made.

Equally as pressing was a full report on Anonymous' arrival in Equestria. Celestia said he'd come from nowhere, but provided no more detail than that. Likewise, the report simply brushes off that detail, with names and exact details being coated in black ink. Celestia herself said she wanted Twilight on the project, but her first day she interfered and cut the meeting with the being short! Twilight was ready to take charge of this situation and prove herself, she could handle princessly duties as well as Celestia. She would make her teacher proud!

After finishing her breakfast Twilight was informed that Celestia was ready to see her, and that the princess was waiting in her quarters. Moving with gusto Twilight gathered her files and notes and proceeded to the princess' quarters.

"Tea?"

"No thank you, Princess."

Celestia, in all her radiance, lounged on a sizable reddish pillow which lay beside an assortment of smaller pillows and low tables. On a large coffee table rest a wide silver platter adorned with all sorts of sweets. Thinly cut rainbow cookies, strawberry shortcake, marbled pound cake, chocolate-dipped biscuits and a surfiet of other confectionery Twilight could scarcely name. Beside that a tall teapot, steam piping from the top. A collection of small plates, cups and utensils of outstanding make were also resting there, waiting to be used by Celestia or her guests. Flora designs traced the white porcelain, silvered short forks and spoons reflected the sunlight coming in from open windows, looking spotless and high class.

Celestia's warm smile hide serious conviction. Twilight could only imagine what she and her sister had just discussed. She wondered about whether they shared a similar opinion on what to do with the prisoner. Twilight imagined Princess Luna would have a more accepting view, perhaps even wanting to release the being immediately. At least, that's what the unicorn figured, she'd think one thousand years of solitude would soften someone up on these issues.

"So, Twilight, what did you wish to speak about?"

Twilight nodded, "our captive, I've got a lot of questions and I'm hoping you have answers."

"Naturally," Celestia's mane shimmered in the sunlight, twinkling in a dazzling manner, "I'll answer what I can."

"First off, those files are steeped in black ink, why wasn't I given the full information on how he arrived here?"

Celestia blushed slightly and averted her eyes, "I think they gave you copies intended for lower ranked guards, I'm sorry Twilight. I can get you a full report immediately."

"Yes, please, that would be helpful."

"I warn you, the descriptions of exactly what occurred are accurate and graphic. I don't doubt you'll be able to stomach it, but such things are so rare in the lives of ponies that most don't know how to cope. Murder hardly happens, once every few decades if we're unlucky."

Twilight furrowed her brow, Celestia's words more concerning than any of the imagined imagery or speculative situations flicking through Twilight's mind.

"I remember you said he had been violent, but those shackles had him contained well, so I didn't figure it was too bad. I hadn't realized anyone, er," she gulped, "died."

Celestia nods solemnly and there is a brief pause as Twilight recollects her thoughts.

"I also want to inquire about his living conditions."

"The dungeons, for now. We hastily repaired one of the cells in the best condition before placing him there. Currently better living quarters are in construction. A padded cell, one with more room for him to move and more comfortable furnishings. In addition, a smattering of defensive wards and protective spells, curses and enchantments."

"Why so many magical precautions? I didn't detect any magical potential in him, no more than an Earth pony or Pegasus might have."

"I didn't witness it with my own eyes, but I saw the aftermath and heard the accounts of his arrival. There was a apparently a great surge of magical energy accompanying his arrival, and some guards say the subject was purposefully making use of magical spells, others didn't mention this but rather that their spells had no effect on him."

"Why didn't you mention this yesterday?"

Celestia smiles, "you were eager to begin, and I wanted to leave this in your hooves. Besides, didn't you notice? The chains were enchanted with anti-magical wards. Besides, based on his actions I don't believe he's aware of his abilities or even has them any more."

"So you believe the guards who say he was purposefully using spells?"

"I do, despite also not detecting any magical presence in his body. We know so little about him I wanted to take the precautions. Being able to conceal your own magical ability is something few can learn but it is possible."

"This is a more complicated case than I first thought."

The princess helps herself to an eclair, eating the snack in just two bites. She follows up with a hearty sip of tea, some steams still rising from her cup.

"I can't believe I was in the same room as something that has killed a pony, it's gotten me a little shaky," Twilight admits, blushing and keeping her head low.

Celestia, old and wise, nods. "He seems entirely unaware that he's done anything wrong, and responds very poorly the few times we've brought up his appearance here."

"Oh, yes. The previous interviewer quit after the subject became enraged at the prodding questions, right?"

"Frothing at the mouth in anger even. How do you intent to handle that situation? Will you back down too?"

"I hope to never get him in that state. I think I just need to connect with him, not as an opposing enemy, but as a friend. Then maybe he will open up and we can solve this mystery. Killer or not, magic user or not, we should get him to a point from which we can progress and work together to solve the problem of his origins and his future here."

"Hmm, interesting. No mention of safe-guarding against manipulation, deceit and violence. You're very trusting of this thing you've only spoken too for a few brief minutes."

Twilight doesn't respond immediately. "Why did you remove me from the room early yesterday?"

"I saw you froze up, and I saw him lashing out. I made a choice to stop the interview before it could get even more tense."

"You didn't trust me to handle the situation?"

"Your safety was my concern."

Safety? When the human was chained? Was I really in danger? Maybe I didn't even notice in the shock of the moment. Thinking back now, I still don't feel like I wish in danger.

Celestia tilted her head in response Twilight's silence, "do you think I made the wrong decision?"

"I— No, I think you did the right thing based on what you saw."

"What else did you need to discuss with me?" Celestia asked. Her pupil looked down at the files she'd laid down on the floor. Twilight shifted on her pillow and scrunched up her nose at the beige card stock acting as a folder for the loose bits of paper.

His lodging, his arrival, why she pulled me out. . . Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?

"Will I get to see him again today?"

"If you wish. Shall I call for the guards to collect him?"

"Yes please. Can we make it for just before lunch?"

Celestia's eyes narrowed in thought, "I won't be able to supervise you then, I have to attend to some separate matters. Will you be all right alone?"

The unicorn nodded fiercely, determined not to let her teacher down.

Author's Note

These things, they take time.

Please let me know what you think.

These posts are malleable, changes can be made.