The Twin Queens Consort

Nightmare Moon, after having Anontios properly measured and fitted, has dismissed him for the rest of the day, sending him to Chrysalis. Herself, she had taken multiple bottles of Wine from the stores, and locked herself in her Study, not to be disturbed.

Queen Chrysalis is still drawing information from Cherry -- and Anontios presence disrupts it, putting her in a panic whenever he's near. He the one responsible for breaking her horn, after all.

Anontios stands in one of the many nondescript hallways of the Castle, his only company the little Nurse Drone -- with Nightmare gone, it now stands dutifully at his leg. The thing barely comes up to his knee, legs a blur as it scuttles after him to keep up.

Since he'd caught the Spies, they'd placed a hefty trust onto him, no longer needing to accompany him throughout the Castle.

Though, they often still would. It was a good look, having your Prized Weapon posted at attention, trailing you around, guarding you dutifully.

Now... Anontios had 'Free Time'.

His chest pulses a dull, quiet blue. It catches the attention of the Nurse Drone, who tilts her head, staring up at him.

He leans down, picking up the little bug and settling it into the nook of his elbow, carrying it.

Without the Queens... what did he Desire?

His chest pulses again, his lip curling. Pain.

What did he Desire?

The Queens.

Without the Queens?

A pulse. Pain.

... When did he become aware of this?

Anontios' hand roams to his chest, palm meeting the dull, soft-blue glow that occasionally pulses through his scarred skin. There is no heartbeat.

A passing pair of Thestral and Changeling guard pauses on their patrol, looking at him. They glance between each-other -- of course they recognized the Queens Personal Guard.

"...Everything alright, Sir?" The Thestral speaks up -- getting a smack on the shoulder from the Changeling.
"Do not question it! That is treason! Of course it--"

"I don't think so." Anontios speaks. It's not the same voice that speaks to Nightmare, or Chrysalis. It burns his throat, chest pulsing.

The Thestral and Changeling fall silent, glancing between each other.
"Any... thing we can do to help?"

The Changeling Guard keeps glancing at the Drone, now curious.

"Where is somewhere I can go to think?" Anontios asks. Again, his throat stings.

It's like his body... punishes his own choices if they do not relate to the Queens?

That revelation sends a searing pulse of pain in the back of his skull. Anontios flinches, hand reaching up to hold his neck. His thoughts, too.

The two Guards glance between each-other, concerned.
"Uh... I'd recommend the Bathhouse. Good soak in some warm water should help, Sir... Are you sure you're alright?"

Anontios doesn't respond, teeth gritting as he starts forward.

Outside the Castle. That would be a good start.

The frontal Gate to the Castle itself is guarded by several Thestrals and Changelings, who stand at attention as he passes through. There's hushed whispers, but they recognize his position.

As he walked through the halls, the Nurse Drone began slathering chest with it's... goop, sensing his discomfort.

Surprisingly, it helped. The pulsing in his chest was quieter.

The main road, leading from the castle, looks to be a recently laid cobble-road. Every other path is dirt; since their lands sit firmly between Ponyville and the Everfree, there's some natural overlap, especially on the side closest to the Everfree.

While Guards do roam, there's a significant amount of non-combatants. Thestrals and Changelings; with the permanent Dusk, both feel comfortable. Thestrals, in a psuedo-night setting that is 'Close Enough' to the Night they desire, and Changelings, who do not feel exposed by the Day, allowing them to form more open-ended Hive constructs.

Old-Equestria style housing and infrastructure intermingles with Hive tunnels, formed constructs and fortifications. Everything has a darker, harsher edge to it, as befitting of The Twin Queens, but... their people live in peace.

While their cruelty is 'Outdated' to the rest of the world, it is undeniable that they are still Queens. And while they demand loyalty, they offer safety in return. Changelings openly feed on willing Thestrals, their populations heavily intermingled. There's even a few outliers, mostly Ponies, likely either the few that a Harmonic Equestria does not agree with, those jaded and sent away, or those who relate closer to the struggles and rule of the Twin Queens. Having found brethren to weather the Harmonic storm with, the town that surrounds the Twin Castle is... peaceful. Guards chat with the Civilians. Shops are open, as well as several market stalls propped up around the various roads. The streets are clean. Foals, Thestral and Changeling alike, run through the streets -- the little Changelings bursting into various other creatures, as the Thestrals flap around, in the air as much as they are on the ground.

This brings Anontios... peace. The Arena made his heart thrum with... distant, foggy pulses of Prideful Glory.

This?

He could sit and watch this for hours.

The Bathhouse finally comes into view, pointed out with a soft chitter from the Nurse Drone under his arm; notable from its very open structure, large pillars, and heavy inclusion of water in it's design. Several soaked Thestrals and Changelings meander from its depths.

He passes a Thestral and another one of those Outliers, a Unicorn, as he slowly climbs the steps, heading inside.

Sleek Sulfur and Sahila Sage pause on the road, as the biped described to them by Twilight, from Luna's report, passes them. They share a quick glance, pausing.

"Is that...?" Sleek whispers, trying to look casual. She, like Sahila, are dressed for blending in the open, which means no sneaking gear for them. Just one of the many Thestrals. For Sahila, he's disguised as another Pony entirely, bearing practically opposite colors to himself, pegasus wings, and lightly coated with a tinge of Changeling Magic traces; to sell the idea that he's a transformed Changeling. It wasn't a disguise spell or Changeling magic itself, but an illusion spell that altered what anyone who viewed him would see. It was draining, but very powerful.

"He radiates the very energy we've been looking for. For the sake of the mission, we must tail him; I hope Twilight can handle the delay." Sahila returns, also whispering. "Keep your distance. Remember, he is as potent as the Queens, based on Magic Presence alone."

Sleek nods; they wanted to follow orders, but an opportunity like this can't go wasted.
"Let's try to be quick."

The two glance around, before trailing after the strange Biped, entering the Bathhouse after it.