Despite my lack of exposure to the Royalty of Equestria, I still knew the etiquette for being around them. So when Rose bowed I felt a little like a fool, but I definitely wasn't going to show it.
Instead, I quickly followed in suit with Rose and bowed. Proper form and all.

Twilight giggled, but it was a clearly nervous one. "Thank you, but you don't have to bow."
Rose and I understood what she meant, but we apologized anyways. For me, it was to be courteous, but I think Rose just did it out of instinct.

"I still haven't gotten used to it yet, is all. It's nice to meet you." Twilight said with a smile.

I extended a hoof and shook when Twilight took it up. Rose just continued to smile, probably still shocked.

Personally, I expected what would ensue to be awkward conversation-wise. I kept thinking back to what Applejack had said, about how Twilight may be able to help Rose and I find a home.

How? This may just be me making assumptions, but she's a librarian, a scholar, and a princess. But a real estate pony? That, is debatable.

Applejack spoke up and stood to the side, between us. "Ah was hoping that if you get a free day, ya might be willing 'ta help these two find a home in town? Maybe show them the houses up for sale not far from the orchard and town square?"

Her eyes seemingly pleaded, and Twilight gave in. "Well, alright. I guess it couldn't hurt."
She said, smiling sheepishly at AJ. "Tomorrow is fine with me."

We all thanked her close to the same time, and shortly after a few little conversations we left.

When we got outside, I turned to Applejack and asked her what we were going to do until tomorrow. Keep in mind, it was still early in the day.

"Ah' suppose I could use a hoof or two at the farm, if y'all wanna help?"

I was eager to accept that offer, needing something- anything, to do for the rest of the day.
Rose was a bit behind, thinking about it before giving an answer. To be honest, I think she just wanted to make Applejack consider whether or not she would say yes...
Yes, she agreed to help out.

We worked until it got dark, and then went to bed in the barn. Rose had dinner with the Apple family, but I just wanted to get some sleep.
It didn't last long, though. I woke up in the dead of the night, and when I couldn't get back to sleep I eased myself out of Rose's embrace to go for a trot.

The orchard was beautiful at night, far more stunning than during the day. I guess I just liked the night better anyways when it came to relaxation and sight seeing. All of it was just amazing. The full moon shined it's light across the orchard, dancing across the ground here and there, and leaving mostly silhouettes in the dark.

I was aimlessly wandering, just taking in the night air. After a little while I got bored and left to take a stroll through the town, instead. I must say, the town was just as pretty as the orchard was at night. The moonlight was the main reason it made it so pretty in my opinion, as it would reflect off some of the building windows.

Without even thinking about it, I realized I had walked right into town square. No ponies were in sight throughout the town, which gave it all a surreal, calming vibe. So much so, that I wasn't even fully surprised when the outline of a mare came into view walking around the side of the town hall building.

"Princess?" I spoke softly, looking at the purple alicorn.

"This time of night is nice, isn't it?" She returned the gentle, calm tone I had spoken with. "Couldn't sleep?"

I nodded and walked over to her. "Yeah, couldn't get back to bed. Decided to take a stroll."

Twilight nodded as well and slightly looked up to the stars in the sky for a moment. "Sometimes I'll be reading when I can't sleep, and I don't feel like drinking anything or using a spell to pass out, so I wind up doing the same thing. It's a habit that I should probably break."

I chuckled lightly and looked up as well. The stars numbered in the hundreds, all of which were sparkling and twinkling alongside a big white moon, giving the night a finishing touch.

Something about this just felt a little odd, though. And I realized why, when I turned to see Twilight studying my face.

"Is.. Something wrong?" I asked, "Do I have something on my face?"

"No, no- well, yes, you had this expression on your face. Like you were thinking about something, and it was- upsetting you?" She raised a brow at me, waiting for a response.

I didn't want to do this. Oh gosh I really, really didn't want to do this. But it had to come out some time, I suppose.

"Princess, I've got a.. confession, to make. But it needs to stay with us. I'm conflicted, and I want to make things right with myself, but it's complicated and-"

"Twilight. Just Twilight, is fine. Go on, I'm here."

I looked at her eyes, and had to force myself to glance to the side when speaking. I just felt wrong about it.

"I was with this, gang of sorts in my youth. I never saw my father, and my mother disappeared when I was just old enough to start schooling. An older pegasus took me in, and kept me off the streets."

I looked back to her eyes, to be sure she was listening. Sure enough, the gaze that I was met with was one of anticipation, waiting for me to continue.

"I figured he was an older local, but he was a criminal. Once he had me in, there was no getting out. He had ponies who watched every where I went in town, they were paid off to spy on me and be sure I wasn't going to rat him out or attempt to get away." My eyes drifted from hers once more as I continued to talk.

"He'd rob little shops around the suburban areas of the city, and then take me with him to the more rural areas after to hide out. There, we'd rob richer ponies who came in for cheaper prices or were looking for dealers.."

Twilight nodded and went to speak, but I continued.

"Eventually Rose's older brother got caught in the mix, and he was introduced by the old pegasus, around the time I was just hitting growth spurts, as the strength of the group. I was the bait, and the older pegasus was obviously the brains."
I cleared my throat really quick.
"We lived like that for awhile. Rose's brother was allowed to leave us for a year or two off and on, up until the older pegasus got all of the right equipment and ponies in line for a real score. A bank, in the downtown part of the city. This was my way out of the group, to be independent and have a real life away from all of that. If we could pull this off, the older pegasus and Rose's brother wouldn't bother me again. More specifically, they'd leave with their cut and the older pegasus wouldn't worry about me turning to the police, because after that I'd be making a risk just talking about it, without getting myself in deep shit. So I- well, I went with it. That was only half a month ago."

Twilight was frowning now, and she scanned my eyes. After a minute of looking at me, she sighed and looked away- annoyed that she couldn't find anything to say.

"You said you want to make things right?" She eventually turned back to me, and spoke.

"I do, I was a coward for not just running and risking-"

Twilight interrupted me by putting a hoof to my mouth.
"You make it right, then. Make the money back, give to the bank, and turn in that old pegasus. I'll back you up, one-hundred percent, Cross."

"Prin- I mean, Twilight- you barely know me though, would you really do that?" I felt my chest rise lightly, and then get real heavy. I was starting to feel emotional. Damn it.

Twilight nodded and swallowed. "Of course. It sounds like you need this chance to redeem yourself, and I know that you can do it. I'll be at the library for the rest of the year anyways, Princess Celestia doesn't need my assistance any time soon. That means you can report to me for this, and I can help you get your life back on track, as well as make that money back to the bank." She maintained a serious expression.

"I- thank you, thank you so much." For the first time in I don't know how long, I actually shed a few tears as I gave Princess Twilight a quick hug.

Shortly after that, we went our separate ways to bed. The next day, Twilight helped Rose and I set up a payment plan for a house that was only a block from Sweet Apple Acres.

My life was finally starting to get to where I'd always hoped it would be, and I was ready to take on the challenge of trying to pay back the bank I had helped rob.

Author's Note

I try to add an author's note to (at the least) once every other chapter, whether it's a quick update or just thoughts.

This chapter came after I started writing down ideas for how the story will play out and where the next places the story takes us will be. With that in mind, I know where I want to take this story in the next two locations, after that there is to be more, not sure how much yet but for now I'm focusing on the next two. I'm so excited to tell the story that I have planned out. So excited, in fact, that when it came to this chapter I had to just sit down and start writing, so that I could finally get to that point of the story where it really takes off.

To my readers, thank you. Expect more soon- after all, I have an idea for a sequel already, and this is only a quarter of the way done!