>You sit at the council table with an open file, listening to Councilor Silver address the assembled members.
>“...and so, in response of the recent allegations regarding abuses of power amongst the gentry in Canterlot, I propose we authorize a full investigation by the Guard.”
>The Chairpony and many of the other councilors nod in agreement. You stand to speak.
Wit respect, Councilah Silvah, ya really think it's th' Gahd's job ta do stuff like this? What evidence d'ya have that these 'abuses a powah' even happened?
>”That's what the investigation would-”
Oh, so yu'll be searchin' ponies lookin' fer a reason ta search ponies?
>You turn to the Chairpony.
Sir, this is ridiculous. Ya can't staht an intrusive investigation like this based on nothin'. Where I'm from-
>Silver cuts you off. “We aren't 'where you're from,' Anonymous.”
>You stare the stallion down.
Cleahly. Pretty obvious that we got you beat on the whole 'civilization' game back home.
>Several councilors gasp, scandalized.
You've gotta respect these nobleponies' rights. Unless you've got somethin' on 'em I don't see how a full-on investigation by the Royal Gahd is at all appropriate.
>”We can't just let these allegations go uncheck-”
>The Chairpony raises a hoof and cuts Silver off.
>”Councilor Anonymous, you make a strong point. A full investigation is out of the question.”
Thank y-
>”However, I see where Councilor Silver is coming from. Therefore I propose a special investigation force be put together to look into these allegations. Additionally, I appoint Councilor Anonymous to be our liaison with the Guard. The investigation force will be answerable to you.”
>”Sir!”
Fine by me, so long as they keep in line.
>It's not the best outcome, but you can keep an eye on whatever it is Blueblood is up to now.
1/9
 
>The meeting adjourns for the day shortly after you get your new assignment.
>You have your assistant set up a meeting with Shining Armor when you return to your office.
>As you pack your papers up, you hear a knock at your door.
Come in.
>You look up to see the Chairpony walking into your office. A dark grey stallion with a white mane and a face bearing lines of experience, he takes a seat across your desk from you. There's a long silence; you're not sure what you're supposed to say. Thankfully he speaks first.
>”That was some show you put on in there, Councilor Anonymous. It's been a long time since we've had a real firebrand on the Council.”
I just say what needs ta be said.
>”Do you know the last time we had an Outsider on the Council?”
Can't say I do.
>”It was over three hundred years ago. Back when we still traded politicians with the Deer Republics.”
>You glance at the clock.
I don't mean ta be rude, sir, but what is it ya came in eah faw?
>”Right to business. I like that. I'll get right down to it, then. I've put you in charge of the investigation force for more...ulterior motives than I gave in the meeting.”
I'm listening.
>”I know Councilor Silver is working with somep0ny rather high up to be putting forth an investigation like this. Something is up and I want to know what.”
Glad I'm nawt the only one. I'll let ya know if anythin' off stahts goin' on.
>”Good.”
Is that all, sir?
>”Please, call me Granite. Granite Cliffs.”
Will do.
>”Wonderful. That's all, Anonymous. I'm glad there are still members of my council with some conviction.”
2/9
 
>With all your business for the day squared away, you leave the office and head to the pub. It's like a second home to you by now. The owner keeps a seat at the bar for when you come in.
>The place is bustling when you push through the heavy oak doors.
>”Councilor! You're late! I was getting lonely over here!” the bartender yells.
Ah, yuh know, lotsa stuff goin' on at the awffice. We ah runnin' th' country, aftah awl.
>You take a seat laughing.
>”Never could understand how you political types do it,” he says.
Hey, neithah could I till I took this jawb. Ya know what I did back home? Friggin' construction and fahm work.
>”What made you change your mind?”
Guess I made an impression with the right ponies.
>”I heard it was because you've been getting friendly with Her Majesty,” the bartender smirks. You straighten your suit and adjust your tie before putting on your most mockingly official voice.
I'm nawt at libuhty ta divulge that infuhmation.
>”Ha! Hope you're not throwing that kind of bravado around with the nobles. Stuffy bastards probably don't like the idea of a monkey getting chummy with  ol' Sunny.”
Hey, 's a free country, innit?
>”Sure is, but these are traditional ponies. 'Harmony' only goes so far.”
I'll take my chances.
3/9
 
>You lean forward as the bartender slides you a pint.
But enough with my crap. How's th' kids, Clov? Glittah's magic exam go okay?
>The bartender beams proudly. “You should have seen it, Anon. My little filly got top marks! She's gonna go far, I tell you; farther than this old stallion. She's got potential.”
Ah, don't sell yuhself shawt, Clov. Had ta do summin right ta have a daugthah like that.
>”Yeah...” he rubs a glass looking deep in thought. “...you know her induction to the Royal Academy is in a couple of months. It'd mean a lot if you could make it.”
Yuh shuah ya want a stuffy politician at yuh daughtah's big day?
>”Of course not, but I want my new buddy to be there!”
This mean I get discounted drinks, Clov?
>”Tartarus no!”
>He lets out a deep laugh. You sigh smiling.
Aight, I'll be theah. Lemme know when.
>”Will do.”
>You're jolted forward by a punch in the back. As you recover your balance you see White grinning next to you .
>”Glad ta see you're hard at work, Anon,” he says.
Glad ta see yer busy keepin' the peace, White.
>”Got off early. Think we can grab a booth?”
>You look to the bartender, not wanting to cut your conversation short. He nods and waves you off. “We'll catch up tomorrow.”
Aight. See ya then, Clov.
>White leads you to a booth at the back of the pub. He looks worried as he goes. As you take your seat he looks around as if watching for pursuers.
Yuh look paranoid, White. I know I told ya ta keep an eye out, but yuh don't needa be James Bond.
>”Who?”
...Nevahmind. What's up?
>White sighs. “I think Councilor Silver's working with Blueblood.”
4/9
 
No shit.
>White does a double-take. “What? Aren't you surprised?”
Not especially. Silvah's a weasel. 'S in 'is charactah and it explains why he was so pissed about me bein' in chahge a' the investigation task fawce we put togethah.
>”Investigation?”
Silvah finally stahted an investigation inta “abuses a' powah” by the nobility.
>White knots his brow. “And you're in charge? How did you swing that?”
I made a good case against the motion. I wannid ta shut it down outright, but I guess this works out bettah. Means I can get a leg up on whatevah Blue's tryina pull.
>”That's pretty underhanded. I never took you for the sneaky type.”
Gotta adapt.
>You tap your head.
It's not all spawts 'n booze up 'eah ya know. I'll figure out what 'e's up to. Guy needs ta get knocked down a couple a notches anyway.
>”I won't argue there.”
Good. I know Silvah's gonna be lettin' Blue know I'm in chahge and I know he's gonna have more'n a few gahds in 'is pawkit so I'm puttin' you on the team.
>”What? I'm not a detective, man.”
Don't needja ta be. I need eyes and eahs on the insidea this op'ration if I'm gonna keep good tabs on things.
>White looks at you across the table uncomfortably. ”Alright, but you'd better have a plan for all this cloak-and-dagger shit.”
My plan is to ruin Blue's plan.
>”What's HIS plan?”
That's what I'm gonna find out. Anyway, thanks fuh the heads up on Silvah. How've you and Chrissy been doin?
5/9
 
>Later...
>When you get out of the pub, the sun has started going down. You make your way to the castle as the city lights begin to illuminate the streets.
>After a few minutes of walking, you make it home and head to the Great Hall for a quick dinner.
>You take a seat at one of the long tables as a servant hurries to you.
Just gimme whatevah ya got on-hoof, aight? I don't need a big pruduction.
>”Right away, sir,” the servant says with a nod. He trots off into the kitchen leaving you alone in the Great Hall.
>A minute later he comes out of the doors bearing a tray with a bowl of vegetable stew and a loaf of bread. He places the dishes down before you and bows slightly. “Will that be all, sir?”
Yeah, thanks.
>You savor the peace and quiet while you start eating. It's short-lived. Not a moment after you've picked up the spoon, the doors to the Great Hall swing open and Luna walks in. She's flanked by a number of nobles, all talking at once.
>”...as We have said before, 'tis nobler to bear one's yoke with head held high a-shoulder than to sully the air with petty quibb- Oh! Anon. We did not see thee. Why dost thou sup in solitude? Didst thou raise thy chin at the public house and lose thy sense of time?” A couple of the nobles snicker at your expense.
Glad ta see yuh back ta the attitude, Yuh Highness.
>”And We are glad to see that thou hast kept thy impertinent tongue, common as it be.”
>You put your spoon down with a clatter.
Yuh shuah like ta flaunt that fancy talka yaws, doncha?
>”We flaunt it not. 'Tis our custom, nothing more.”
6/9
 
>Her haughty tone is getting on your nerves again. You stand up and face Luna while clearing your throat.
Uh, prithee, your Highness, O Stygian-maned Princess: wherefore cometh thy tongue's dance? That most regal and high-born speech that you do so oft spout before me does grate mine ears as a Harpy's cry it is so pluck-ed out of time.
>The look of shock and indignation on Luna's face is priceless.
>”Th- thou mockest our royal speech? 'Tis a fine tradition to speak as We.”
Oh, forsooth, Your Grace, 'tis a fine and noble tongue. You speakest it with the grace of Euterpe herself...
>You smirk.
...but let's face it, Princess. Between yuh yellin' and yuh attitude it's hahdly music ta my eahs.
>The nobles look like they're struggling to hold back a mix of horror and laughter at both your insubordinate behavior and Luna's reaction to it. The Princess of the Night huffs, irritated, and storms past you to a table on the other side of the Hall.
Aw, what's wrong? Ahn't yuh glad  yuh not the only one 'eah who talk like someone tossed 'em outta Hamlet?
>She ignores your jab and you go back to eating in peace. One of the nobles looks at you confused.
>”What's Hamlet?” he asks.
Don' worry 'bout it. It's from back home. They made us read all that crap when I was in school.
>”They taught the royal speech to foals?”
Yep. Didn't pay much attention to it though. Boring as hell. “Wherefore art thou?” this and “Shall I compare thee?” that. Had ta pick it up fer some play they made us do. 'S like ridin' a bike, ya know?
>He nods slowly.
7/9
 
>You look at the stallion while you sit back down. He still looks lost.
Yes?
>Facing the resounding silence and look of blank confusion the stallion is giving you, you groan and go back to eating. Eventually he shuffles off to join the group and leaves you be.
>The peace is shattered a second later when you hear a familiar snobbish chuckle from the doors. You let out an annoyed sigh as your new visitor approaches.
>”Well well, fancy meeting you here, Councilor.” Blueblood's voice makes your skin crawl.
Why does every friggin' pony in this friggin' castle come down 'eah right when I'm tryin'a eat?
>”Probably your magnetic personality, Anon.” You whip around in surprise to see Celestia saunter in behind Blueblood. She seems to sense the tension in the air and weaves over to you.
>You smirk at the Prince as his aunt pokes her head over your shoulder.
Can I help you, Your Majesty?
>”Didn't want to bother the cooks again, did you?” Celestia asks.
It's late. I don' wan' 'em havin' a make a new thing just 'cause I missed dinnah.
>”Councilor Anonymous: Watchdog for the working pony,” Blueblood sneers. “I quite like that.”
>You take your fork and jab a mushroom. The Prince grits his teeth slightly as you flip it around and raise it up.
Good stew, though, right?
>Celestia leans in and takes a bite. “Mmhmm.” You turn to Blueblood.
You need somethin' or ah yuh just 'eah ta be cryptic about yuh big plans?
>”No, I-”
>He huffs, irritated, before stalking off muttering to himself.
>”Alright, Councilor. Enjoy your meal.”
>Celestia takes a seat beside you. “I see you're acquainted with my nephew.”
Real chahmin' guy. Hahd ta believe yuh related.
>”Mmm...” Celestia replies.
Summin' on yuh mind?
8/9
 
>”What did you mean when you were talking to Blueblood? It seems like you think he's up to something.”
Don' worry 'bout it, Celly. Kid's just been talkin' awful big.
>”Oh?” she cocks an eyebrow. “How so?”
Just pokin' 'is nose where it don' belong. I think 'e's tryin' a get on th' Council.
>She looks concerned.
I said not ta worry 'bout it, didn' I?
>”I can't help it. It's MY council, after all.”
Think I can't handle it? I'll be damned if I'm gonna let you worry about some crap like this, Celly. The hell kinda man'd I be 'f I couldn't keep a guy like that outta yuh haiah?
>She smiles with a pink in her cheeks. “I guess it wouldn't be like you.”
Right ansuh.
>You make a fist and nudge the Princess's shoulder.
So what's up? You late fuh dinnah too 'r ah yuh down 'eah fuh summin' else?
>The Sun Princess glances around furtively.
>”What's your weekend look like?” she asks in a hushed tone.
Nothin' impawt'nt. Why?
>She seems to silently cheer to herself.
>”Good. Meet me upstairs. It's important.”
Can I finish dinnah first?
>”Only if you want to ruin the surprise.”
...Aight, Celly. Lead the way.
9/9
End