>Afternoon sunlight streams into your room through the open window in long billowing shafts as it catches on the  cloud of smoke that floats in the air around you.
>After a long sigh of frustration you snuff out a cigarette, your third of the hour, and flick it into the bowl on your coffee table.
>You take out the box from your pocket and look inside. A lone cigarette rattles around in the package as you angrily toss it onto the table amongst the papers strewn over it.
>A knock at the door takes you by surprise and you do your best to shake yourself out of your annoyed state of mind.
Who is it?
>”It's Celestia,” the Princess replies, her voice muffled by the heavy door. You get up off the couch and open it for her.
>Before you can even greet her, Celestia walks into your room, looking around with clear disapproval at the smoke hanging overhead.
>”Sorry to come without telling you like this, but couldn't find you the last couple days and you ought to know.”
>You thumb the lighter in your pocket nervously.
Know what?
>”I got a report from Shining Armor.”
'Bout the commotion couple nights ago? It was Granite, wasn't it?
>”Yes.”
So why don't yuh just let 'im out? Cleahly 'e's innocent. You and I both know that.
>Celestia goes silent.
...Right? What's the prawblem?
>The Princess just looks at you.
Celly--
>”We don't know where he is,” she blurts out.
The hell're ya talkin' about? The Gahd took 'im. I'n' he down the jail?
>”That's what Shining Armor's report was about. A posse of Guards took Granite in the night outside of orders and brought him somewhere else.”
1/
 
>You stalk over to the table and grab the cigarette box, pulling the last one out and holding it in your mouth.
>Celestia puts on the same look of tacit disapproval when you light the end and take a drag. You start pacing around the room.
Well wheah the hell could 'e be then, Celly? Fakkin' China?
>”No, we talked to China Saucer this morning. Granite hasn't been there to see her in days,” a voice from the hallway chimes in.
>You whip around as Luna walks into the room.
>”Where do you even get those?” she asks, pointing at your mouth.
Don' mattah.
>There's a long pause.
>”Can I have one?”
...Yeah, fine. My last box, though.
>Celestia looks appalled.
>You look at the Sun Princess after tossing the package to Luna.
What?
>”Nothing. How's the Council been?”
Been hell. Silvah's in chahge wit' Granite gawn. Got more'n half th' Council on 'is side too. I can't do anythin' ta stawp 'im on my end-- hold awn.
>You poke your head out the door and nod curtly to the two Nightguard standing outside.
Get outta heah. We'll cawl if we needja.
>”Can't do that, si--”
>”Go,” Luna says sternly, cutting the stallion off.
>The guards look at each other confused for a second.
>”Yes'm,” they say in unison. Luna shuts the door behind you when you reenter the room and pulls the cigarette back to her, having held it out of sight when she dismissed the Nightguards.
Anyway, Blueblood's gawt too many Councilahs in 'is pawket.
>She turns to you, looking annoyed.
>”You tellin' me Blueblood's makin' a fuckin' power play now? Ya said ya could handle this, Anon.” she says scoldingly.
I could've! I needed maw time! Wasn't expectin' 'im ta move this fast!
2/
 
>When Celestia coughs loudly you realize that you've gotten right up in Luna's face.
>”You guys know I'm still heah, right?”
>Pulling back from the Moon Princess, you run your hand over your hair and turn to Celestia.
Yeah, yeah, sorry.
>”Yuh di'n' tell me Blueblood was doin' this, Anon.”
I di'n' want yuh ta think I couldn' handle it.
>”Yuh let yuh pride get in the way.”
What if I did? What was I supposed ta do? Come up 'n' say I can' handle some fakkin' connivin' douchebag Prince tryin' a make a move on th' Council?
>”Yes!” Celestia yells. “Christ, I know yuh pride's impawtn't to yuh Anon, but fuh God's sake...”
>”Kept us both in th' dark an' now it's a total debacle,” Luna puts in before letting a trail of ash fall from her cigarette. “God I miss these...” she muses. “Guess it's bettah fer me in the long-run though.”
>You walk over to the window and look outside as clouds start to roll in from the mountains.
Fascinating. So what now, then? We look fuh Granite? Wheah could 'e be?
>Luna takes a seat on the couch and gives her sister some indecipherable look before turning to you.
>”Granite can wait. We hafta figger out what Blueblood's plannin'. If 'e's movin' ta take control then stoppin' that's our priority,” she says. “Don't ya think, Celly?”
>”I agree with yuh, Lu, but somethin' doesn't feel right.”
Doesn't fit. Rarity told me 'bout that time she met Blueblood once. Guy seems like 'e enjoys havin' the  perks a' powah without havin' the responsibility. Sound about right?
>”Yeah,” Celestia answers.
>”Sounds like 'im,” Luna adds.
So what the hell's he doin' consolidatin' powah?
>You rap your fingers against the wall trying to come up with an answer.
3/
 
>After a long stretch of silence Luna extinguishes the cigarette and gets up from the couch. She casts a glance at Celestia and you, looking tired.
>”I've got the Nightguards lookin' inta that. Fuh now I'm gonna go see ta some business. Willin'a' bet you's two have some things ta hash out too.”
>The Princess walks slowly to the door and gives one last glance at you, saying nothing.
>With the click of the door closing, you and the Princess of the Sun are again alone.
>Celestia beckons you over to the coffee table and sits on the large sofa.
>”I can't wrap my head aroun' it,” she says softly.
I know. I doesn't make sense fuh Blueblood ta be doin' this fuh powah. Theah's gotta be anothah angle we'ah missin' hea--
>”Not that, Anon. Why couldn' yuh just let me in on this whole thing? I thought yuh cayah'd...”
Waddaya talkin' about? A' caws I do.
>You sit next to the stark white mare and lean towards the table, clasping your hands together.
Di'n' want yuh ta think I was just some bum, couldn' handle 'imself.
>”I dunno why yuh think yuh hafta prove yuhself ta me,” Celestia replies.
Not about provin' anythin'. How'm I supposed ta call myself a man if I can't stop one chump on my own?
>”Ridiculous. Yuh've spent friggin' yeahs heah'n Equestria an' yuh still thinkin' that way? Theah's no shame in askin' fuh help, yuh know.”
>She sighs at your defensiveness. “Doesn't make yuh less of a man eithah, lettin' me help yuh. Know what does, though?”
What?
>”Lettin' things get so outta control that we hafta have this convuhsation at all.”
He--
>”I've been alive fuh almost two thousin' yeahs. Yuh think I made it this fah 'cause a' my looks?”
4/
 
No. 'Course nawt. I jus--
>”So don't treat me like someone who needs savin' aw who has ta be kept in th' dahk,” she interrupts flatly. “It's insultin'.”
>You look at your feet shamefully. Celestia's stern glare softens.
>”Ah, don't make that face. Yuh rathah I be some helpless girl who won' watch spawts with yuh 'cause they'ah too violent?”
No...
>”Then let me help an' don' hide things frum me. Othahwise how's this supposed ta work?” She points her hoof at you and herself alternately.
>You reach for another cigarette but Celestia bats your hand away from the box.
>”An' cut down on th' smokin' okay? Yuh smell like an ashtray.”
Point taken. So what's ah next step?
>The Princess stares at the window thoughtfully.
>”We hafta get a handle on what Blueblood's plan is. It doesn't make any sense right now...”
Why don' we just go aftuh the bastid? Pretty shuah Blueblood's naht much of a fightah.
>Celestia frowns slightly. “Look, I know yuh've got bad blood with Blueblood, but yuh gotta use yuh head. Really think that'll stawp 'im?” she asks.
...Yeah...Usually works at home. Plenny a' mouthy jagoffs shut theah traps if yuh give 'em a face fulla glass.
>She pulls you closer to her with a wing before wrapping an arm around you.
>”I get it, Anon. Yuh angry. I know yuh are, but I can't have yuh flyin' awf th' rails. We'll handle this togethah, aight?”
>You lean into her chest and sigh as you calm yourself down.
>”I don' think I've seen yuh like this befaw, lettin' yuh tempah get th' better a' you.”
>You open your mouth to speak, but she cuts you off.
>”Don't apawlogize. Jus' promise me yuh won't let it happen again.”
Aight, I promise.
5/
 
>The next day you shuffle unenthusiastically to the Council Hall.
>On the way to your office you notice several groups of councilors ceasing their hushed conversations upon seeing you. The whole place has had an air of hostility since Silver took over.
>Your office is quiet. You take the opportunity to bask in the peaceful atmosphere and get yourself into a mood to deal with Silver in his newfound rank.
>Since he's taken the Chair the stallion has been more insufferable than usual.
>He spent most of the last meeting just silently sitting there at the head of the table shooting you smug looks.
>You reach into your pocket and look at the box of cigarettes. Celestia let you have two for the day and you smoked the first one walking to the office.
>With a heavy sigh you stuff the box back and flip open the newspaper lying on your desk.
>Having no meetings scheduled, all you've got to do until Assembly is catch up on current events.
>You make a be-line to the sports section in the hopes that something will lighten your mood.
>Your assistant passes your desk on the way to his own.
Hey, waddaya think a' th' new Phoenix rookie?
>The young stallion looks at you like your head's on backwards. “Uh, sir? “
What?
>”I told you yesterday I only really follow the--”
Silverwings, yeah. Right. As yuh were, then.
>The assitant takes a step towards his desk before turning around.
>”Everything okay, sir? Doesn't seem like you're all here,” he says, looking concerned.
'S fine...Just gawt a lotta stuff goin' awn. Lemme know if anyone comes in, aight?
>”Yes, sir.”
>You go back to the paper, pinching the bridge of your nose.
6/
 
>You spend the next hour flipping through the paper trying to keep your mind at ease.
>Eventually it comes time to head to the Council chamber for the morning Assembly.
>With a long groan you rise from your seat and walk down the hall.
>Councilors filter into the large chamber with you and exchange sidelong glances. The air of inexplicable hostility follows them.
>They each take their seats and you do your best not to start anything.
>Silver saunters in last and shoots you a venomous sneer before calling the meeting to order.
>”Good morning, gentlep0nies. Let's get right down to business since I've a pressing motion to introduce.”
>After a smirk in your direction he goes on. “In light of his recent failures and viciously antagonistic attitude towards myself and the rest of this council in past months, I hereby introduce the motion to strip Councilor Anonymous of his rank and office, effective immediately.”
>You slam your hands against the table, making some of the councilors jump.
What!? You gotta be gahddamn kiddin' me! Yuh realize that ain't gonna fakkin' stick, right? That I'm not heah 'cause you fakkin' want me ta be? Yuh get that, ri--
>”Enough, Anonymous,” Silver cuts in. “Royal appointment or not, you've clearly not got Canterlot's or Equestria's best interests at heart.”
Biggest load a' shit I've evah heard in my gahddamn life!
>”This is not up for debate, Councilor.”
>He turns to address the Council at large. “Regarding the motion: All in favor?”
>You scan the table angrily, counting the hooves rising in favor of the motion.
>”All opposed?”
>As you count the councilors taking your side you clench your fist and grit your teeth.
>Silver's mouth curls into a smug grin.
7/
 
>”By a margin of eleven to six, the motion passes. Anonymous, by the authority of this council, you are hereby stripped of your title and your office. Have your things cleared out in the next hour.”
>The councilors murmur to each other quietly.
>You punch tabletop hard enough to draw blood from your now split knuckles.
>Silver flinches at the noise before putting on a composed face for the council.
>”Guards, escort Anonymous out of the building. I'll not abide this kind of hostility in my Council chamber.”
Oh, yuh want hostile?
>You do your best to stop yourself shaking in fury and slowly turn to the advancing Guards.
Touch me an' I'll teah that helmet awf yuh head an' shove it so fah up yuh fakkin' ass that it'll look like a fakkin' cabbie crashed in th' Ted Williams Tunnel!
>The Guards stand frozen, staring at you as you roughly shove past them.
>With a cacophonous noise you slam the doors shut behind you and storm out of the Council Hall.
 
>The mid-morning sun blazes in the sky as you walk down the road into town. Hands still shaking, you manage to light a cigarette.
>As you take a long drag, you slow your pace and let yourself settle down.
>You stop by the Canterlot Public Garden and take a seat on one of the benches.
>Birds are tweeting in the trees and a quiet breeze makes the cigarette briefly flare up as it dangles between your fingers.
>”Put on a big show for the Council, huh?”
>You whip around, startled, to see White standing behind you.
>”Heard from the other guards. What'd you say to Seaside, by the way? He hasn't stopped shaking since you left.”
Doesn' mattah. Been a rough day.
8/
 
>You blow a cloud of smoke from your nose and take stock of your situation.
>”So what're you gonna do?” White asks, circling around the bench. His armor glints in the sun, half-blinding you.
I dunno, White.
>The bench creaks as you shift your weight on it. Your thoughts keep going back to that self-satisfied grin on Silver's face. You look down and start to think out loud quietly.
Got at least ten, eleven councilahs widdim...couldn' do anythin' ta block 'em by vote, that's fuh shuah.
>The cigarette smolders close to your fingers. You idly shift the end away before continuing.
...But the Chaiah's wheah the real powah is. Plan aw nawt, he's gotta keep th' Chaiah ta keep 'is advannidge. Only gawt the spot 'cause Granite's outta the pic--
>Your eyes go wide and you look at White suddenly.
>He cocks an eyebrow. “You sure you're alright, Anon?”
>You get up abruptly and look towards Canterlot Castle.
...Yeah. See yuh 'round. I got sumthin' I gotta do.
>White starts to say something, but stops himself when you quickly walk away, tossing the cigarette to the ground as you go.
9/
 
>Celestia jumps in surprise when the watchtower door shuts loudly behind you.
>”Anon? What are you doing here? Isn't the Council in session?” she asks. You look away quickly.
>The Princess slowly walks to you with concern evident on her face. “Did something happen, Anon?”
Silvah. He ah...
>”What?”
>You clench a fist.
Blueblood's lap-dogs put it to a vote. Got me awf th' Council. I may'uh threatened a Guahd too.
>”Wh--”
He was in my way. That's not impawt'nt though. We gotta find Granite, Celly. 'S the only way ta get that asshole Silvah outta theah.
>You reach into your pocket for a cigarette and scowl when you don't find one. You grumble under your breath and look back at Celestia.
>”Anon, we have to make our moves slowly here. I want to find out exactly what Blueblood's up to before I go tearing through the city looking for Granite Cliffs. It's just not--”
I wasn' askin' fuh permission. I'm gonna find 'im. Just wannid ta give yuh the chance ta come with.
>The Princess seems to take ages to think it over. Finally she huffs and looks you in the eye.
>”I can't. Not directly, anyway. We'll figure something out together, okay?”
>You hide your disappointment as best you can.
Aight.
>”And I'm sorry about what happened with the Council,” she adds quietly.
'S okay.
>You give the Sun Princess a quick one-armed hug and turn to go to the door.
I'll see ya laytah. Theah's a game tuhnight, right?
>”Yeah. Bruins – Flyahs.”
I'll be theah.
>You walk out with the day seeming just a bit brighter.
10/
 
>Later that night.
>You awaken with a start and look at the clock on the nightstand. It's two in the morning and you can feel your heart racing.
>After a minute of silently sitting still in the dark, you feel Celestia stir beside you.
>Her eyes twinkle subtly in the faint moonlight as she groggily looks at you.
>”Ugh, An'n? 'swrong?” the Princess asks wearily. You lean over and brush her head softly.
Nuthin'. Just a bad dream. Go back ta sleep, Celly.
>”Mmph...don' go doin' summin'...” she trails off as her eyes droop. “...we'll find 'im...tugethah...lovyoo...”
>Before you can say a word she's fallen back asleep. A quiet chill flies down your spine as you look at her happy expression.
>You get out of bed and walk to the window overlooking Canterlot's downtown.
>All is quiet in the streets below, but it doesn't allay your nervousness.
>Turning around, you look again at Celestia's sleeping form under the sheets.
Thanks fuh stayin' in my cawnuh, Celly. I'll set this right, I promise.
End