Golden Reign

~ Canterlot Castle, the Throne Room's Doors ~<
February 1st, Sunday, 10:44

‎

The guards trade glances with one-another, conceding their confusion through their unspoken exchange. They then move their furrowed stare to the human.

Crimson crosses his arms, looking between them boredly. “Not ones for greetings?” he asks sarcastically to the silent shields of the throne room door, and again, they do not reply. Instead, they set their sights forward as they return to their stagnant posture of attention. “Hmm,” Crimson muses as he strides forward and turns around, shifting his eyes between both guards.

He scrutinizes both of them briefly, they’ve got that hard-ass attitude that he’s coming to know the Guard for. He catches that the guard on his left is an orange pegasus stallion with yellow eyes, and seen from his short-cut tail, white hair as well. He is wearing silver armor with golden details, and the crest on his helmet is white. Interestingly, his facial expression isn’t as severe as his comrade's, it even comes off kind of relaxed. The other guard to the right is a unicorn stallion wearing pure gold armor with a red crest.

“So which one of you two gets a bigger pay? I reckon it’s you in the gold. Gold's worth more than silver, right?” As expected, neither of them respond to him. “… Well, it’s yer lucky day, Goldilocks,” he says as he walks towards the gold-armored stallion. He stands before the guard, absorbing his entire field of vision. The other stallion in silver armor shifts his eyes to watch. "I'm willin' to bet I can get'cha to laugh."

“Unwanted physical contact with another individual is considered assault, human,” the guard in gold aggressively blurts.

Raising his brows in amusement, Crimson squats down, leveling his face with the stallion's. “Oho, I wasn't gonna tickle you or nothin', that's cheatin'. I was gonna do this.” He brings his right hand up to his face, pressing the nail of his middle finger against his thumb as if he was gonna flick something. His mouth forms a closed ‘o,’ and as soon as it does, he flicks his cheek and opens his mouth, causing an obnoxiously loud ‘puoah’ to resonate. The stallion flinches back slightly at the sound, and Crimson exhales sharply through his nose, smirking cheekily. “That was cool, right? Like a water drop in a cave. Want me to do it again?”

The guard stallion fixes his posture and huffs, returning to his preserved stance.

“That don’t sound like a no to me,” Crimson forms his mouth into a closed ‘o’ again and brings his flicking hand towards his cheek.

“Cease immediately,” the guard commands sternly.

“…” Crimson holds his hand next to his cheek. “…?”

“…” The guard squints.

…

… Puoah

“Hrh,” the guard leans forward, tilting his spear towards Crimson slightly.

The man moves back and lifts his hands, “Alright, alright. The water drop ain’t yer fancy, I get it. ... Mmm… what about acrobatics? You like acrobatics?”

The guard says nothing, returning his spear to its perfectly vertical position.

“Get a load’a this. This used to make my sister laugh every time.” Crimson steps back a few paces and turns around, giving the guard his back. He lifts his hands into the air, palms up, then leans forward and brings his legs up, kicking into a handstand. He balances himself artfully, tucking his head down to his chest to stare at the guard upside down. "I'd turn my world around, just... four... you," he crosses his legs to form the number four, then he extends his right leg forward, pointing his foot at the guard. The gold-armored stallion seldom entertains the performance. "Damn," Crimson smirks. "Thought I'd get you with that. You're pretty good at holdin' that face. Means you're good at yer job. I think that merits a round of applause," he says as he begins to clap the soles of his feet together.

The gold-armored stallion's lip quivers briefly, but his front fortifies itself again.

"Gah, almost had ya'," Crimson says pseudo-despondently. "... What about this." He tilts his right leg forward, leaving his foot hanging a few inches from the gold-armored guard's face, and he begins to wiggle his toes. The guard purses his lips and tilts his head away in disgust.

To the surprise of both Crimson and the golden-clad guard, an audible snicker comes from the stallion in silver armor off to the left. “Mm?” Crimson stops wiggling his toes, bringing his right leg back up. He looks over to the silver-armored guard, seeing that he has a fairly wide smirk on his face. Crimson proceeds to handstand walk like some sort of eldritch entity towards the snickering stallion, handstanding right in front of him. “There somethin’ funny, partner?”

The silver-guard chuckles with his mouth closed, failing to keep a straight face in the presence of whatever this man is currently doing. He looks down slightly to meet Crimson's blood-rushed face. “You should join the circus, ya’ bogan.”

"Is that a compliment?"

"You'd make it big in the industry with your talent."

Crimson grins. "I'll take that as a compliment then."

"You're an odd one, mate. You's the only talkin' human we've heard of, 'n you're a proper clown."

"A funny one or one of them creepy ones that stalk children?"

"Somethin' tells me you're the former."

“Really now,” Crimson says in surprise. He drops his legs forward, landing back onto his feet and standing straight up, then he turns himself around to face the silver-armored guard again. "Well color me impressed. I thought you pony guards were all museum pieces like that fella over there,” he points his right thumb to the guard in golden armor, who is currently looking over in spite. “I’m surprised to see you’ve got a sense of humor, rookie.”

The silver-guard’s smile doesn’t waver as he shakes his head, “Nah, mate. Rookie’s that lad over thea. Gold’s standard enlisted guard armor. I lead them wankas when Captain or First ain’t around.”

“You didn’t bother correctin’ me when I assumed Green-As-Grass over there was above you.”

“I am not green,” the golden-guard growls at Crimson, “I’ve been enlisted for a year and a half. If I was green, I wouldn’t have the privilege of Throne Watcher, a privilege that Second Lieutenant takes too lightly,” his scraggly voice resonates through the halls of the castle.

“Oy, pipe down, ya’ mongrel,” the silver-guard furrows his brows at him. “Don’t need Princess hearin’ up on us now.”

The golden-guard mumbles something under his breath and looks forward, gripping his pike more firmly.

The silver-guard returns his attention to the man, grinning again, “'N why’d I correct you ‘n give the chance for some entertainment away? Keepin’ me mouth shut let ol’ Corporal there get the hecklin’. Gotta say, he needs some work on keepin’ his cool.”

The golden-guard scoffs audibly.

“Can’t be too hard on ‘im,” the silver guard shrugs, “it’s his first week in stationary patrol as a Throne Watcher. It’ll be too soon when he realizes that this shit’ll get loads borin’. Any form of entertainment to break the mold's welcome t'me.”

“Glad I could be of assistance," Crimson tilts his head and crosses his arms over his chest. "Standin’ in one place don’t come off as too much fun.”

“You bet yer arse, especially when you've been at beatin' at the bugger for three years. Glad you showed up, mate. I like you. Who’m I havin’ the pleasure of?”

“Call me Crimson. Pleasure to meet’cha, mister Second Lieutenant.”

“Bulletpoint. Friends call me B.P, shorter than that mess. Got a question f'you, lad. ... You the one that cleaned staff sergeant's clock a few days back?”

"Talkin' about a guy I punched 'fore I got nabbed? Or the one I kicked?"

"Aah! So it was you! Left a knotty wallop on staff serg's head, ya did. 'N the first sergeant ya' kicked? Medical leave from a bruised liver. Gnarly shite, mate."

"They deserved it. 'Staff sergeant' fuckin' sprayed me with that canned chemical when I ain't even done nothin'. His fault I'm here to begin with."

"Ye, bloke always jumped the fence with that stuff. Thinkin' he sprayed his own pa' with it too. Heh, but you didn't hear that from me."

Crimson takes two fingers to zip up his lips.

"You gonna be ‘round Cantalot for long?"

After a brief silence, Crimson sighs, putting his hands into his cargo pants pockets. Bulletpoint sees the attitude of the man shift instantly, setting aside his lighthearted spirit. “... Not sure yet," the man explains. "Lot of shit goin' on as of this morn'.”

“Ah, I get'cha. ... Well, mate, ‘f you’s around 'n got nothin' on ya' list, head down to the fields behind the Castle. After trainin’ or patrol, catch me there ‘n we can fetch a pack'a stubbies. You’s seem like a fine bloke.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks.” Bulletpoint nods. Crimson rubs his forehead, turning his eyes away in thought. “Sure could use a drink. Reason I’m here right now is that there’s been wind of magic anomalies ‘r something like that. Dangerous. Killin' animals 'r somethin'.”

“Yeh, yeh! Heard about it, crazy fuckin’ shit with that. The Robes here at the Castle been in a tizzy. … Ah, speakin' of Robes!" his yellow irises beam suddenly. He leans in closer, prompting Crimson to do the same. "Moonlight!" Bulletpoint whispers into his ear, "that was her, wan't it? In the flesh! She’s back! Like she’s REALLY back! ‘N you were with ‘er!"

Crimson rears away from the stallion and nods. "Sure was. Reckon you know her."

"'Course I know 'er! We go way back, me, her, 'n a couple of other blokes from Cannalot."

"You know her personally then."

"Yeh, she made it in as a Robe the same year I entered the Guard. Old friends, we were. Her comin' back is pretty big news, ya feel. The Robes lost a valuable piece of the team when she left."

“Yeah, uh, 'bout that...” Crimson mutters as he glances around cautiously, “just keep this between you ‘n me, but I don’t think Moonlight wants folks to know that she’s… well… here yet. Reckon you've gotten the hint already, but... try to let yer friend in the gold there know that he should keep his mouth shut.”

Bulletpoint thinks on his words for a moment, then he exhales with a wry nod. “Yeh. Don’t blame the poor sheila. Whatever it was she gone through, it was case enough fer 'er to leave the city. Miss her like crazy.”

"I can imagine. All I can tell is that she's got a big fear of this place.”

“For a good reason, reckon. I ain’t knowin’ much of the details, but if anypony tries to give you their tale, tell ‘em to fuck off. The true story is held by Lighty ‘n Lighty alone. ‘F you wanna know what happened, I say you ask her yeself.”

“I'll dig in the details later, I just wanna know what happened to her."

“… Like I said mate, ask her. Wouldn't be right havin' anypony else pull that wool up. What I'll say is, what happened to Moonlight drove her away from Cantalot. That's sayin' somethin'. She loved this damn city. It's her home after all." His eyes shift away melancholically... before he glances firmly to Crimson again. "But, lad, with all this said... if I was you, I'd avoid tryn'a bring it up. Prolly ain't the best for her right now.”

"Don't worry, I was thinkin' the same thing."

"Right as. In time, mate, she'll prolly open up to ya. Somethin' about you rubs me the right way--"

The heavy golden doors to the throne room opening interrupts Bulletpoint, and with second nature kicking right in, he stops talking and immediately fixes his posture and expression. The doors swing wide, Crimson can see both ponies sitting next to each other on the red carpet at the far end of the throne room, with both of them staring back towards him.

Bulletpoint tilts his head, signaling the man to enter. Crimson keeps his face fixated on the mares ahead, walking forward into the throne room. The golden doors close behind him by the blue magic of the gold-armored stallion, isolating him inside with his objective. He continues his silent stride until he stands before both of them.

Celestia has Moonlight under her wing, coupled together like a mother shielding her daughter. Moonlight's hood had been pulled down, allowing her bloodshot eyes and tinted pink cheeks to be clearly seen. Crimson expected for her to drop some pent-up emotions upon seeing Celestia again, and even though he anticipated it, seeing her like this is driving a stake straight through his heart. It seems that she's done crying though, only drying tears and sniffles remain from her release. Her glasses are also missing from her face, they lie on the carpet in between both her and the princess.

"We meet again, dear Crimson," Celestia speaks softly, smiling at him in a way only a caretaker could. "Moonlight has given me your name. Is it fine with you if I call you by it?"

He nods, "By all means, princess." He keeps his gaze focused on Moonlight, he assumes she's not quite ready to compose herself just yet, as she rests her glistening eyes on the ground instead of looking back at him. He shifts his attention to the sun goddess, "Didn't take too long, did it?"

"For you to return to me?" Celestia smiles a bit wider when she asks, receiving a nod from the man. "I, too, was surprised when I received Moonlight's letter yesterday evening. It happened much sooner than I had anticipated."

"You 'anticipated' this?" Celestia nods at his question. "... You knew that sendin' me to Moonlight would make her come back to Canterlot?"

"Not for the reasons you would expect. The moment I saw you in the formation, I knew you were special... just... not this sort of special. My initial thought process was that Moonlight wouldn't have the proper resources to study a human such as yourself at her home."

"But I thought Moonlight already studied humans back at her house. Them rocks I lifted, didn't you say other humans lifted 'em too, Moonlight?"

Moonlight's eyes move to him, but then return to the ground once Celestia speaks up for her, "She did study humans before, but not at her home. Those rocks were a few of many, and they were once property of the Canterlot Castle Gardens, but upon Moonlight finding a new use for them, I allowed her to keep them for her future endeavors... including endeavors that would occur away from Canterlot. I knew she always had an interest in humans, but I was never able to find one that I felt would best fit her. ... Seven years later, here we are."

"... Seven... years..." Moonlight murmurs dejectedly.

Crimson crosses his arms, thinking deeply before speaking up, "You had this all planned out from the beginning."

Celestia nods. "There were many subtle attempts in the past to get Moonlight to return, but she always found a way to keep herself put. No matter how I felt, I would never disrespect the wishes of my pride and joy. Having her willingly return was the only option. Now that she has, she may continue her marvels in magic study without limitation."

"Couldn't start to imagine the possibilities," Crimson ponders aloud. "Just catchin' sight of that magic box in her bedroom was somethin' else."

"O-Oh," Moonlight stutters, giving him a forming smile. "M-My... ANA."

Celestia giggles eloquently. "Ah, yes, ANA. I remember that construct. Even though you sent the blueprint to our Researchers, they have yet to figure out how it build it." She tucks Moonlight closer to her, slipping her forehoof out of its golden slipper to caress the little unicorn's mane. "And you," she looks towards the man. "Crimson. You have my infinite thanks for guiding Moonlight back to Canterlot so quickly."

"I want what's best for her and her work," he states. "Reckon this place is better than any for that."

"Your consideration for Moonlight knows only my gratitude, Crimson... though," she looks away dismissively, "I do hope you are prepared to give Moonlight the aid she requires." The man furrows his brows, remaining silent to let her elaborate. "As I had said, I am thankful Moonlight has returned so soon, more-so in the face of an anomalous danger, but I urge you to understand the situation you now find yourself in. Because you are a being of sapience and free will, you are no longer forced to remain at Moonlight's side as her property. I will grant you citizenship of Equestria, and you may live among us as long as you prove cautious to those around you. You have already caused one incident with the Royal Guard. I hope it does not happen again."

"Yeah. Long as yer kind treats me as an equal, we won't have another scrap."

"A mutual agreement." Her eyes trail down towards Moonlight, who is still leaving her gaze placed on the carpet below. "If you wish to stay at Moonlight's side, you will agree to give your mind and body for her and her team. There are few I can entrust with the duty of keeping my Royal Researchers safe, and I will not leave them in the hooves of incompetence. If this does not appeal to you, you are free to walk away."

The words spoken by Celestia visibly distraught Moonlight. Crimson sees it in her shimmering orbs. She is looking up at him, like an innocent younger sibling whose parent is demanding the older sibling to play together. He now gives the princess a stern glare. "What kind of dangers do y'all go up against?" Moonlight's ears to perk up.

"On-field threats, such as bandits, thieves, raiders and the like are the most prominent dangers. Other hazards include the environment or animals. Domestic threats are few, but should not be dismissed. Decoys, assassins, burglars. You will be required to be attentive to your surroundings even at your home turf. The Royal Guard is quick to inform, and even quicker to react."

"This imply I'll have to join yer Guard if I wanna stay with Moonlight?"

"No. You do not have to officially join the Guard, but you are expected to abide by their orders, just as any other citizen of Canterlot. If you will be assisting Moonlight in her work, you will be around them often."

"Understood."

"Then, do you agree to give yourself into servitude of the Royal Consortium, the body that encompasses Equestria? Along with the benefits and responsibilities of such a position?"

"I agree," he states fully resolute. "I'll do my part in keepin' Moonlight safe, you can count on it. But I'll need a place to stay, reckon there's a place 'round here that's good for that."

"I've already restored Moonlight's ownership of her old room, which lies in the first floor annex of the East Tower. The annex has compartment rooms accommodated for residence. You may stay there, which I recommend. Residing there, you will always be nearby should Moonlight require something."

"Sounds good."

"The paperwork one usually signs when joining the Consortium workforce shall be handled for you, given the special circumstances. If any changes occur to your employment, you will be notified via signed letter from me."

"Got it."

Celestia nods. "Then, I have duties I must now attend to. Moonlight shall show you to your room. Be aware that your duties of servitude begin as of now, and you shall be compensated accordingly every fortnight. ... And as for you, Moonlight," Celestia removes her wing from around her, shifting herself to face the little unicorn directly.

"It brings me so much joy to finally have you back. If I could cherish you in this moment forever, I would. I can only hope that you remain here... with me. The last thing I would ever want is to lose you again." Sniffling, Moonlight simply nods. "Are you certain that you do not want help with settling into your room? You need not fumble with those dusty boxes, dearest. I can assign five maids to accommodate you immediately." Moonlight timidly shakes her head. "... The offer is still open. If there is anything else you need at all, do not hesitate to ask." Celestia levitates Moonlight's glasses up, placing them gently onto her face. Moonlight's trembling lips form a solemn smile, the anxiety swallowing her is repressed into the shadows by the warm light that is her mentor's embrace... but only for the moment.

Once they separate and Moonlight is tasked with slogging her emotionally heavy body to her room, everything feels cold again. The halls feel everything but inviting.

‎

~~~<

‎

After another trail through the expanses of the Canterlot Castle, Crimson and Moonlight step through an arch way that leads into the bottom floor of the East Tower. Just outside this room is a staircase that leads up to the rest of the tower, but down on the first floor is where they venture. This spacious rotunda-like annex is shaped like an octagon, with three wood doors on each side, totaling to six, and one larger, decorated, blue double-door on the opposite side of the arch way entrance. It looks like another royal chamber with doors like that, all spruced up and detailed.

Moonlight checks her surroundings, cautious for any on-lookers. She slips off her hood with her magic once she assures no one else but Crimson is around. "Well... we're here."

"Looks like it."

"... Um... C-Crimson?"

"Mm?" he turns his head to look down at her.

"... I-If you don't mind me asking... why did you decide to stay with me? Even after Celestia told you it wasn't required?"

"Thought I wouldn't?"

"... I'm... I'm just curious."

"Be honest, Moonlight. I'd like nothin' more than to know what you're thinkin'."

She adjusts her glasses to give herself a moment to collect her thoughts. "... It's that... there was no reason for you to accept the task. Celestia gave you citizenship of Equestria. Worse than that, there's potential danger in the line of work that you're taking on being with me."

"Danger or no danger, there's a simple reason why I'm stickin' by your side."

"Th--... There is?"

"Yuppers. It's that I care about you, Moonlight. I wouldn't just wave goodbye 'n book it first chance I got. We're a team now."

"B-But, dangers, Crimson. Dangers! How can you put yourself in danger for me when you've only known me for a short time?"

"A short time is all I needed to see that you're good at heart. Call me whatever you want, I still believe you're someone who's worth the risk." His words manage to bring out a bashful smile from her, but it seems that she is having a hard time trying to respond to them. Crimson looks forward, towards the fancy doors. To break the silence, he speaks up again. "I take it your room's the one with the doors colored like you?" he asks, looking down at her again, seeing her nod in response. "Think you could give me a tour?"

"I-It's nothing to admire at the moment. If nothing has changed since I left, it's just a bunch of packed-up things inside boxes."

"Well, hey, I could help you unpack. Get everythin' situated for you in half the time." Moonlight smiles wryly, nodding again at his offer. He discretely notices that she accepted his help but not the maids. This fact alone makes him simper in return.

She walks to the elegant doors, levitating a long blue metal key out from the inside of her robe and slipping it into the padlock that binds both handles. Once undone, she levitates the lock and key back towards herself, then she envelops the doors with her magic, opening them simultaneously inwards. The doors groan in protest at being bothered from their prolonged stagnation, but they open without a hitch.

The inside is illuminated only by the sunlight punching through a massive window at the top of the room, shining rays of light that highlight the dust particles that dance in the air. Crimson sees that this hardly a room, but instead an entire observatory. It is incredibly spacious, with a ceiling that extends incredibly high. There are two floors to this room, where the second floor is more of a large balcony that overlooks the first floor. As Moonlight had said, there are boxes stacked on top of each other all over the place, with very few objects still set out rather than packed up. A few ground-mounted desks with sinks sit on the first floor, and the most prominent feature in the room, a sizable telescope that aims at the window panels on the second floor.

Moonlight looks around timidly, a rush of old memories come back to her all at once. Nothing has moved since she left, and she even assumes that the door hadn't even been opened at all once the guard had locked it seven years ago. This grand room, left unused and abandoned, waited for its rightful owner to return.

Crimson stands at her side, putting fists on his hips. He intentionally snaps her out of her musing by speaking. "This place is huge."

"Um... y-yes, it's... quite something."

"Why do them tables have sinks? Those're sinks, right?"

"Yes, they're lab tables. M-My room is... kind of like a second laboratory."

"This was where you mainly worked?"

"N-- No. As nice as that would be, Royal Researchers are required to go to the research labs to do work. But after my day was finished, I'd return to my room and perform my own experiments just for fun."

"'Just for fun?'" he chuckles, looking up to the second floor. "... What's up there, with that big ol' spyglass?"

"My bedroom. You can't see it from here, but there's a bed, some closets... things like that."

"That's one hell'uva window up there. Bet you get a real good view of the stars at night usin' that thing."

"... It's one thing that I missed from this place."

Crimson looks around, bouncing his eyes between all of the brown, dusty boxes that litter the room. "Got a lot of unpackin' to do, huh?"

"There were a lot of things I couldn't take with me..."

Crimson walks forward, picking up a box that sits next to a lab table and setting it on top. He turns to face Moonlight, leaning against the lab table and patting the box, smiling as he says, "Feel like gettin' started?"

Moonlight exhales deeply through her nose, smiling back at him and nodding. She levitates a seemingly random box over to herself, getting it open and taking out something from inside. Crimson sees that she got out two white face masks, offering one to him while placing the other onto herself.

‎‎ ‎

~~~<

‎ ‎

Crimson wipes his forehead, clearing it of dust and sweat. He places one last graduated cylinder out onto the left-most lab desk, in between several other flasks and measuring beakers. He aligns it perfectly, with the side marked in milliliters facing the front, just as the others are. Moonlight's instructions are starting to become habit.

Moonlight herself is sweeping up some clumps of dust, magically manipulating a brush and a dust pan to pick up the final remnants of dead cells that polluted the air.

Crimson sighs in satisfaction, looking around at the handiwork put in by both of them. After a whole afternoon of cleaning, picking stuff up and taking stuff out of boxes, new life has been breathed into the room. It looks completely new, as if it was finished being constructed yesterday and polished today.

Crimson feels comfortable in here now that everything is set up. His favorite part is the decorations placed way up in the ceiling; dangling stars and moons on nearly-invisible strings that softly glow and shift to different colors. They'd be much more visible in the dark now since the day has been traded in for the night, but Moonlight turned on the lights to the room as the sun went down.

Moonlight had been multitasking with her cunning magic, mixing her cleaning and dusting with unpacking and placing. She didn't even need to look in order to put things in their place, like she already knew where everything went. Crimson found himself smiling when he was watching her move everything so naturally. Of course she already knew where everything went, this is her room, along with everything that she owned. This, of course, does not include the things she left behind in her home outside of Baltimare, but he assumes it was not a lot since there was so much to unpack.

Crimson pulls down the damp white face mask that protected him from the floating grey menace, letting him finally whiff at fresh air. He watches Moonlight now, seeing her carefully sweep the last few clumps of dust into the pan, sending the grey collection into a trash bag that she's been filling up the entire time.

He didn't exchange many words with her during their cleaning session, other than asking her where she wanted something placed. He did ask her whether she could get the maids from the castle to help out, or even do the cleaning for them, and while Moonlight said she could, she would rather clean herself. It did not surprise him that she would want to do the cleaning herself, considering the spotless state that her other home was in. It was incredibly convenient that her room had its own supply closet, filled with several-year-old janitorial equipment that was somehow still usable.

Besides, it was nice to get to do something with Moonlight, specially something that she seems to enjoy. She looked so focused and confident while tending to her room, it is almost like she forgot she was in Canterlot.

Moonlight removes her face mask and tosses it into the dust-filled trash bag. She glances over to Crimson, seeing that he is leaning against a lab table and watching her with his own mask down. "Mask, please?" she asks while looking at it.

Crimson reaches up and takes his mask off from under his chin, tossing it up and towards Moonlight.

She catches it in the air with her magic and levitates it into the trash bag. With a methodical spin of the bag, she ties it up and sets it down next to the doors of the room. "Whew. Finished."

"We make a good team," Crimson opines playfully.

"I concur," she replies amidst a giggle, looking at the man's form up and down, then down at herself. "We are certainly a mess."

"We sure are. Pretty usual fer me, 'cept it's usually dirt 'n mud and not dust. There some place we can get cleaned up? I recall there bein' a bath house in the Castle... somewhere."

"If I remember correctly, it closes at nine."

"Time is it?" Crimson asks as he looks towards the comically large, ten-foot tall circular hand-clock that Moonlight mounted above the doorway to the room. It ticks with a surprisingly docile sound for its size. "Dagnabbit. Nine thirty. Just missed it."

"Oh, that's okay. There's a shower bath here in my room. Just upstairs," she points her hoof towards the second floor.

"This room really does have everythin', doesn't it."

"Just about," Moonlight admits bashfully. She waves him with her hoof to follow her, and he leans off the lab table to do so. They ascend the carpeted staircase, heading up to the 'bedroom' section of this humongous dwelling. The rest of the second floor is carpeted as well, in contrast to the standard marble floor found downstairs and nearly everywhere else in the Castle. Moonlight had already furnished her sleeping space with the contents she had stored in the boxes up here, which contained her bed sheets, pillows, some changes of rather fancy clothing, and other personal commodities, such as a killer whale plushy named Soap that now rests on the middle of the bed.

"That room there," Moonlight says while looking at a slightly opened door on the wall next to the staircase. She opens the door and flicks on the lights with her magic, presenting the freshly-dusted and cleaned tile bathroom. "I set out some bottles of shampoo and soap that I bought but never opened. Please feel free to pick which ever one you like."

"Appreciate it, but you go right ahead 'n get yourself cleaned up first. I can bask in my musk for a little longer."

Moonlight nods thankfully, making haste towards the bathroom and closing the door behind her. Crimson already figured she wants out of her grimy state as soon as possible, more-so than he does.

He watches the closed bathroom door for a moment longer before turning around and resting his eyes on the bedroom. He finds the entire design of this room odd, yet appealing. He walks forward, being careful not to touch anything with his dirty self, moving along the right side of the bed, in front of the standing closets that hold her posh clothing.

He makes his stop by the balcony, that which peers off to the first floor of the room. He has a great view of the three lab tables, the entrance to the room, the wall clock, and pretty much everything that isn't directly under the second floor balcony. All of this was made just for her.

Crimson's tired eyes bounce between different parts of the room, looking, but not seeing. The surrealness of the entire situation is overtaking him as it first did when he arrived, causing him to trail off in thought. He still isn't sure how he got to this land, and he isn't sure how he's gonna get back to Earth, but as long as he's here, he's going to try and make it count.

For now, he attempts to piece together some sort of plan to return to Earth. Some type of idea that will guide him home as he works with the Guard and Moonlight. He thinks generally on this situation, and the first thing that pops into his mind is...

... "Dahlia."

He wondered if he'd even have the time to think about this, but here it is. And he does not like how it feels.

The guilt he feels for having effectively abandoned Dahlia is chewing his conscious. He knows he should set aside some time to look for her, or try to present the idea in general to Moonlight. Though, judging by her reaction at simply Dahlia's mention, the thought of spend time and resources to do this would not turn out well in his eyes. The back-tickling feeling that the Consortium is not truly on his side yet hovers over him.

"You will give your mind and your body," Crimson thinks to himself morosely. A ray of light dawns upon him, settling one single idea in his mind. "This is all movin' so fast..."

"..." Crimson looks down at himself, noticing that at some point, he started leaning on the railing of the balcony. "... Shit," he utters, leaning off of it to see that his arms got dust on the rail. He reaches his hand to wipe the dust, but realizing that his hands are grubby, he stops. He squints at the two splotches of dust he left with hatred.

The door to the bathroom opens. Crimson looks back quickly with wide eyes, failing to have heard the shower turn off. Moonlight steps out with a towel around her mane, keeping her eyes focused on the carpet under her.

"Moonlight, I, uh," Crimson starts, admitting to his crime, "I accidentally left a mark on the rail here."

"... That's okay," she responds halfheartedly. "I'll get it in the morning."

Crimson's brows furrow, watching her move sluggishly towards her bed and climb onto it. It looks like her enthusiasm plank-dived right to ground floor. The Moonlight that walked into the bathroom and the Moonlight that came out are two different beings.

"Go ahead and shower, if you'd like," she calls simply, laying down on her side and hugging the killer whale plushy.

"... Somethin' the matter, Moonlight?"

"... Just a little tired. The left shower nob is for the warm water."

Keeping his eyes focused on her, he walks over to the side of the bed, standing at her side. Her half-lidded pink orbs stare into the void, briefly shifting to look at him when he appears in her view. "Is Soap gonna keep you safe while I'm showering?"

She nods. "He always has. ... I missed him a lot." Her voice is muffled as she speaks against the plush in her arms.

"Good to see old friends back together again."

She shuffles in place, burying herself deeper against the plushy. "... There's a red towel I hung on the shower door. That one is for you."

With concern in his expression, Crimson nods in acknowledgement and steps off towards the restroom, keeping his eyes on her until she leaves his peripheral.
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After a thorough cleaning session in a very posh and comfortable shower, Crimson gets himself dry with the maroon-colored towel that was set out for him, then he gets his messy, torn up cargo shorts back on. He did his best to dust them and throw away all the particles that flew off, but it definitely needs a thorough cleaning soon. They're starting to smell like... sweat and jungle.

He slips his sandals back on, then he examines himself in the slightly foggy mirror. He uses his nails to slide his hair back, and after a quick self-inspection, he goes for the restroom door.

... Moonlight's asleep already. Her glasses are titled along her face, being pressed on by the side squished in between her head and the bed.

Knowing that she has a tendency to shift quite a lot in her sleep, Crimson takes it upon himself to keep her glasses safe. He walks over to her and crouches down at her side, reaching in with both hands to gently slide her oculars off without causing too much disruption. She hardly even noticed. Crimson stands up and places her glasses on the nightstand closest to him.

He gazes at the little mare despondently, forced to repress his worry for her until the morning. She wasn't acting herself just before she fell asleep, and he safely assumes it happened when she started showering. Being alone with nothing but one's own thoughts can be dangerous, as he knows too well. Whatever it is that she's keeping in another shell, Crimson will try to crack it tomorrow.

Right now, sleep is what she needs. She was woken up much earlier than usual, and the nap she got in during the carriage ride probably wasn't good enough. Without wanting to disturb her or invite himself unexpectedly, Crimson opts for letting Moonlight have her own bed tonight.

He directs himself down the staircase and towards the doors to her room, hearing nothing but the clap of his own sandals against the marble floor. He grips the right door's cold handle and pulls it open. Surprisingly, it's light and easy to move, and it isn't emitting the obnoxious creaking that it did when Moonlight first opened it earlier.

Once open, Crimson throws one last glance towards the second floor. He can't even see her from down here, but his mind recalls what she looked like before he stepped down.

He reaches for the light switch panel next to the doors, flicking them down and turning off the lights to the quarter. The glow-in-the-dark star and moon decorations hanging from above shimmer beautifully, just as he expected them to. He can't help but admire them for a moment.

He steps out into the rotunda, closing the door behind himself. He glances between the six doors that Celestia had offered as residence to him. He doesn't give it too much thought, picking the door to the right, closest to Moonlight's room. He opens the light wooden door and pushes it in, scrutinizing the inside. The light of the hallway illuminates the darkness from inside, accompanied by the weaker moonlight ushering in a sleepy blue hue from a window to the right of the bed.

A bed, a standing closet, one nightstand, and a desk with drawers. By anyone else in Canterlot, the standards of this room are rather basic, but to Crimson, this room is luxury. The unnecessary amount of decals and furnishings on furniture and walls is off-putting to him, but since he isn't losing anything staying here, he can't complain.

He steps in and closes the door behind him, cancelling his main source of light to give the moon it's sleepy-blue reign, amplified by the purples and blues of the room's color design. Without much else to keep him, he kicks off his sandals and leaps into bed. It bounces him quite a bit before settling down and keeping still.

He puts his hands on the back of his head and stares up at the high ceiling, letting his mind put down tracks for random trains of thought. He isn't sure what tomorrow has in store, but he's ready to tackle whatever comes towards him. He's sure it's better than being in a collar.