>Shining Armor sits across the desk from you, looking perturbed. You casually flip through a folder of papers, addressing the Captain as you go.
...so in addition t' thuh limits thuh investigation's unnah, yu'll be repawtin' directly ta me. Anythin' yuh find, anythin' yuh THINK yuh find, anythin' yuh wanna TRY 'n find, yuh come ta me first. Simple as that.
>You slide a paper detailing what you've just said over to him. He eyes it quietly.
>”So what do you want me to do?” he asks.
Pick out a team. Anyp0ny yuh want, I don't cayah. Just make shaw they'ah good. On toppa that, I'm pickin' a couple myself.
>”Alright. So what can you tell me about the case so far?”
There isn't one. Nawt yet, anyway. That's what the Council put this operation tuhgethah faw'n the first place.
>He sits in silence, looking at the papers.
>”And they put you in charge because...?”
Because I'm thuh guy who told 'em ta shove it when they brought up an investigation.
>”Wh-”
Best guy ta keep an investigative team in line is the guy who thinks it's a crap idea. Don't screw around and we won't have any prob'ms. We cleah?
>”As crystal, Councilor. I'll have a team for you to review tomorrow.”
Good. I'm lookin' fawid to it.
>You get up from your seat and head to the door. When you reach it you turn around.
And Captain?
>”Yes?” Shining replies.
Watch yuhself. Some of these nobles have deep pockets. Might be surprised who's in 'em.
>”You think somep0ny's bribing Guards?”
>You smirk at his look of disbelief. Shining might be Captain of the Guard, but he's still just a kid. Can't have much experience with the seedier side of protecting the peace.
We'll see.
1/
 
>With Shining Armor squared away, you walk out of the Guard offices and head back towards the Council chamber.
>On the way there you wonder how it is his wife manages to hide her past from him. Granted you've never met Cadence, but what you've heard doesn't paint a picture of a pony who can cover up something that big from somep0ny close.
>You suppose experience has something to do with it. Still, what had seemed like something minor when you first stumbled upon it has turned out to carry a lot more baggage than you thought.
>It can't be an easy task.
>You take a mental stock of the current situation.
>White will be in place on the investigation team to keep tabs and let you know if Blueblood really does have his hooves in the Guard.
>The next few weeks will be key in figuring out what to do next. Bringing too much attention too early could cause problems, especially if the Prince's control is as extensive as he's been hinting.
>You clench your teeth picturing that smug grin.
>Whatever scheme he's cooking up, you'll be doing your damnedest to cut him down to size.
>And then there's Silver. With Luna leaving you alone lately he's been the only thorn in your side on the Council for the past week or so.
>You figure if you stop whatever Blueblood's planning it'll stop Silver too.
>Maybe then you can focus on learning more about the Princess' connection to your world--
>”Lost in thought, Anonymous?” Silver swaggers up to you as you walk.
Silvah. Just th' stallion I wannid ta see. I got a message fuh yuh baws.
2/
 
>Silver raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Yuh know exactly what I mean. Tell 'im 'e'll have his little investigation. Let 'im know I think he's totally right about theah bein' corruption in thuh high-society heah. I mean, just now I spoke ta some gahds who say theah's nobles pullin' strings in th' Gahd. Can yuh imagine that, Silvah? Let 'im know we'll be workin' hahd ta root 'em out...whoevah they ah.
>”You--”
Me what? Yuh got time. Not like we neeja fer anythin' at th' office.
>You turn and walk away from the fuming Councilor.
>”Who in Tartarus do you think I am? Some kind of errand-colt?” he yells at you.
>Without answering you go down the hill towards the offices of the High Council. Silver stalks off.
 
>The offices are abuzz with legislative ponies milling about in the halls and atria.
>As you walk down the hallway to your office you spy a familiar spectral mane floating amongst the crowd.
>The Princess of the Night passes you by with a curt nod. You return it with a slight bow. She continues down the hall and you follow with your eyes, thinking back to the conversation you had with Celestia over lobster.
3/
 
>>”...so I'm walkin' at the bottom a' this hill, right? And all of a sudden I heah some guy yellin' bloody murdah. I look around 'n whaddo I see but a friggin' dude just slidin' down the hill straight at me! 'Fore I have time ta do anythin' he's slammed inta me and we both just careen inta this big tree!”
>>Celestia gestures with her arms. The lobster tail in her hand flops around wildly as she does.
>>”Gawd, winner a' fauty-faw. Crazy snow. Ended up hangin' out with that guy fer a while, too. Nice guy. Worked at a brewery when I met 'im. Got way inta politics afta that, though that coulda' been 'cause I told 'im 'e'd be good at it.”
>>You crack a claw and point with it at the Princess with knotted brow.
Wait, that have summin' ta do with that lettah ya got framed on the wall in the othah room?
>>She beams. You get up from your chair and walk into the other room to look at the letter.
>>”Dearest Sarah, It is with light heart that I pen this missive, as I have found great success following your advisement that I should enter the realm of politics. Though the recent business with the suit against me was taxing upon my person, it has only strengthened my resolve and the resolve of those around me to combat the increasingly heinous taxation being levied upon us by the Crown. I should very much like to see you again soon, that you can regale me once more with tales of your exploits abroad. -Warmest regards, Samuel Adams.”
>>You walk back into the dining room in shock.
>>Celestia chuckles at you. “Nice guy, really. Wondah if 'e kept thuh lettah I sent 'im back.”
4/
 
Just nevahendin' suhprises wit you, huh?
>>The Princess chomps down on a piece of garlic bread.
>>She leans back in her chair and looks up at the ceiling.
>>”Hey, I've had a couple thousin' yeahs ta get innerestin'. All sawts a' stawries come up.”
>>You take a seat again and look at her as a thought comes up.
What about Luna?
>>”What about 'er?”
She's from New Yawk, right? But she was suppos' ta be banished ta the moon the last thousin' yeahs uh so. So how's she know anythin' about Earth past...
>>You try to figure out what year Luna would have been sent away.
...Sevinteen sevinny summin...
>>Celestia avoids your gaze as your eyes go wide in realization.
Celly, did Lu an' you have summin ta do wi-
 
>”Councilor Anon!”
>You're thrown back to reality by the sound of Granite Cliffs' voice coming up behind you.
>The old stallion has a grin on his face as he approaches.
>”Glad to see you're back from the Guard Hall. Walk with me to my office. I need a word. ”
>You cast one last glance at the Princess before answering.
Shuah. What is it, Granite?
>”How was your meeting?”
Went fine. Shining Ahmuh seems like 'e's on the bawl. Can't believe a stallion young as that got ta be Captain, though.
>”He's shown he's more than up for it. Boy's got a long career ahead of him.”
We'll see. He's puttin' tuhgethah the team tuhday. I'll review it tomahrah 'n move frum theah.
>”Glad to hear it. I'll expect status reports as you go.”
Of cawse. Any othah business the Council's takin' on tuhday?
>”No, I don't think so.”
>The two of your stop in front of Granite's office.
Anythin' else, Granite?
>The stallion glances at his pocketwatch.
5/
 
>”Nothing else, Anon, but a few of the senior councilors are getting together tonight at the Hen's Roost. I'd like you to join us there. Get to know your colleagues a little better.”
>You've heard of the Hen's Roost before. It's one of the oldest pubs in Equestria.
>It's also one of the most expensive. High rollers and business ponies drink there when they want to get away for a few hours.
How could I refuse? I'll see ya theah.
>”Great. Glad to hear it. Come around after eight.”
>Granite goes into his office and closes the door.
>You head back down the hall and think on the opportunity that's presented itself.
>Picking up a more active role at Council meeting seems to be paying off now.
>The more Councilors you can get on your side, the better. You straighten your tie and walk through the halls with a renewed spring in your step.
>At your office you take a seat and start looking over the stack of papers on your desk. Once you get the rest of your work out of the way you can get out and do something that matters.
6/
 
>The Hen's Roost sits high in Upper Canterlot and overlooks a good deal of the city.
>Ornate reliefs adorn the exterior, making the place look absolutely ancient. You push past the heavy oak door and step into the pub.
>A large bar lies to the right of you with a long shelf holding bottle after bottle of expensive-looking liquor. A line of taps marks the beer selection. The bartender nods to you and motions silently to a table by one of the gold-tinted windows.
>You see Granite Cliffs at a table with four other graying stallions. Granite gets up and shakes your hand when you come over.
>”Evening, Anon. Glad you could join us. We were just discussing you.”
Should I be worried?
>You laugh and take a seat at the table. Granite waves to the bartender.
>”Give us another round and an extra for this one!” he calls out.
>The Chairpony turns to you. “I was just saying how good it is to have some enthusiastic young blood on the Council. You'll go far if you play your cards right.”
>He pats you on the back as the drinks come. Conversation picks back up and you settle in for a night of drinking and schmoozing.
7/
 
>”So tell us about your homeland. I recall you mentioning it when you were railing against Councilor Silver's proposal last week,” one of the councilors says after an hour of light talk.
Waddaya wanna know?
>You lean back and wave for another drink.
>The councilor adjusts his spectacles. “What's it like? You're one curious Outsider, if you don't mind my saying so. Do you have rulers?”
'Caws we do. My home's not that different frum heah, actually. I mean, we don't have princesses in chahge, but we've got a bunch a guys who do what we do ta run things.
>”Well you must have felt right at home on your visit to the Deer Republics, then.”
My wh- OH! Yeah, yeah, it was pretty similah.
>You see Granite raise an eyebrow overhearing your conversation. He checks his watch as if waiting for something before turning back to his conversation.
>”Fascinating. And did you serve with these pon- er...”
People.
>”Right...”
Nah, I was in cahpentry 'faw I came heah. I was on the bawd fuh the local union, though.
>The councilor nods, looking confused.
>”But you seem to know what you're doing on the Council. I would have sworn you'd had prior experience.”
It was pretty hahd at first, I'll tell ya, but I jus' did my homework an' did my best ta keep up wit' things. Rest just sawta followed.
>You nod to him.
'Caws it helps ta have colleagues who know what they'ah doin', ya know?
>”I'm sure. And you've certainly held your own against Her Highness. That takes salt.”
She's gawt 'er haht in the right place, I think. Just outta touch. Someone's gotta keep 'er feet grounded.
>The councilor nods in agreement. “You're an interesting fellow, Anonymous. Granite made the right call on you.”
8/8