Acropolis didn't live to far from the castle, disturbingly close to it actually. But of course there was no path directly from the castle to his house. Not wanting to walk all the way back into town just to walk back out to his house, he decided to walk directly through the forest. A risky move on his part but he was sure in his bushwhacking. As he walked through the forest his mind was filled with the lore Twilight and his teachers had told him about the Lunar Guard, of their rituals, practices, and combat prowess. True unbeatable soldiers of the night, he liked that idea. Soldier of the Night had a nice ring to it too. But he quieted his mind and reminded himself that the guard was no more, and that he was simply the night shift guard for a small town. Arriving at his house in the early morning he found Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash fluttering down towards him. Fluttershy had a small cage with her, and as usual Dash seemed to just be there for company.

“Morning girls!” he called out as he approached. The pair waved and met him near his front door.

“Morin’ Acro” Dash said groggily, clearly Fluttershy had dragged Dash out of bed earlier than she had planned.

“Good morning Acropolis!” Fluttershy was in a cheery mood as always.

“Please come in.” He said as he pushed open his door.

“Oh, We don’t want to impose.” Fluttershy said meekly.

“Come on.” Dash pushed her into the house.

To say his house was modest would be an understatement, it was more like under-furnished. He had a simple table with four chairs, a stove, a dresser, a bed, and a small couch. All of this was in one room, he had a loft but he never really used it. A few books piled up on the dresser acting as a bookcase, and the table clearly was his work space for reports. He moved to the stove pulling out the kettle from the cupboard.

“Coffee?” he asked setting the kettle on the stove.

“Sure.” Dash said sitting down at the table.

“If you don’t mind.” Fluttershy said joining Dash.

“Not at all ladies.” he turned to them. “So, what brings you this far out?” he asked sitting down at the seat with all his papers.

“Well, Lyra had recently got a pet canary,” Fluttershy explained, “And well-”

“Have you seen it?” Dash blurted out. Fluttershy looked away letting her hair cover her eyes. Acropolis smiled, he had know these two for many years. Being a Pegasus himself he had better at least know who Hurricane Fluttershy and Rain-boom Dash were. It also made him happy that he could call two elements of harmony close friends.  

“I haven’t, but I had just gotten home from helping Twilight in the old castle.” the kettle went off and he went to make the coffee.

“Oh so that’s where she’s been off to!” Dash said as if somepony had confirmed her suspicions. “I wanted the new Daring Do book that had come out, but she had closed the library while she was... what did that sign say?” Dash asked Fluttershy.

“On a archaeological expedition of excessive importance.” Fluttershy said as Acropolis placed a cup for coffee in front of her and another for Dash. Claiming his own cup he re-joined them at the table.

“So what is she up to?” Dash asked as she took a swig her coffee.

“I hope its not-” Fluttershy paused “-Dangerous.” she sunk a little in her chair.

“Barely.” Acropolis replied sipping his coffee. “She is collecting the books from the old Lunar library in the castle,” he took another sip, “I'm pretty sure that she just really wanted to read those old books, and maybe she is even planning as setting it up as her castle.” the trio laughed of the idea of Twilight living in the dusty old castle permanently. Spike would surely protest being so far from Rarity.

“Oh, my.” Fluttershy said as she pointed to the window. Dash looked over and saw a small canary on the sill.

“THERE IT IS!” Dash shouted scaring the canary off.

“Oh-” Fluttershy paused, “-My” and sunk in her chair more.

“Well you’d better be off after it ladies.” Acropolis said placing his empty coffee cup down.

“Thanks, see you around Acro!” Dash pounded the rest of her coffee in one gulp and dashed out the door.

“Thanks again, Acropolis.” Fluttershy quickly but very daintily finished her coffee as well, and ran out behind Dash. “Sorry.” she called back as she took flight.

That mare never learns. He smiled and leaned back in his chair. The sun was now fully up and Celestia’s day was in full swing. He still had a few more hours before he had to go to sleep. He put his kettle away and took off his guard gear, putting it away in his dresser. He put on a pair of purple sunglasses he got as a gift from Vinyl Scratch. They looked a little silly on him but he liked wearing the things ponies gave him as gifts to show his appreciation. He recalled how he had saved Vinyl from a Timberwolf during a concert on the edge of the forest, which is how he got the sunglasses. He left his house and headed into town.

After his visit to the guard station to submit his report of the previous nights events, he moved on to Sugarcube Corner for a proper breakfast. As he entered Pinkie Pie was half in the oven and sounded like she was singing to the cake she baking. He hadn't had much contact with Pinkie besides their interactions here. She threw him parties for his birthday but that was just Pinkie, but she did that for everypony. He walked up to Mrs. Cake who was minding the counter. He could faintly hear Mr. Cake up stairs attempting to wrangle the twins.

“Hello Acropolis!” Mrs.Cake beamed. “What can I get you this fine morning?” The counter was covered with goodies, cakes, muffins, and candies.

“Blackberry Muffin, butter, and coffee if its fresh. Black.” Acropolis said as he pulled out his bits and placed them on the counter. She took his money and motioned to one of the tables. What followed was a normal breakfast as he milled over last nights events in his mind. His thoughts wandered to Twilight and her stories, the grand chambers, the door, and the voice from nowhere. Come, Open what, go where? Open what? He wondered. He always liked sitting in Sugarcube Corners and watching the ponies come and go. The little slice of pony kind observed in a sweets shop was unique. It made little difference if you were a worker, business owner, politician, banker, farmer, guard, adult, filly, colt, mare, unicorn, pegasai, or earth pony. Places like Sugarcube Corner were were all ponies could gather and partake in a unifying pleasure, sweets.

When he left Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie was still singing to her cake. No loss there really, he didn't have much to say to her anyway. He wandered past the library, and Dash was right, the place was dark and there was a sign out front. He chuckled quietly as he moved on to the central market. Buying his groceries from the various vendors, he gathered the things he needed for his dinner. And as usual, his last stop was the Apple's stall.

“Well, hey there sugarcube!” Applejack was her usual self, always happy to see a customer.

“Morning AJ.” They had a good relationship. He guarded her farm on many occasions from various threats. “How’s business today?” Acropolis asked as he collected up some apples with his wings.

“About the same as most days!” She beamed. “Heard y’all an’ Twi were up in that there old castle all night? Something ‘bout books?” she seemed puzzled, as if books were a foreign idea. He knew better though, he always figured AJ hid more than she showed which was somewhat ironic.

“Yeah, she wanted help moving books from the Lunar libraries,” he paid for his apples, “Actually I’m surprised she hadn’t ask Big Mac for help. He’s easily twice my size and at least five times stronger.”

“Yup, darn tootin', but maybe she needed help during the night for some reason?” she speculated. This actually made sense to him, after all it was the Lunar library, maybe it was locked during the day? He hadn't thought of it like that. It made even more sense was to why Big Mac couldn't help. He was needed on the farm and what few hours of sleep he did get he badly needed.

“You may be on to something there AJ, anyway, have a good one.” Acropolis smiled and continued on.

“You too sugar cube!’ she hollered after him.

His way home took him past Carousel boutique. He had no real reason to visit Rarity. He did like her, what’s not to like? She was well dressed, polite, and pretty. He just didn’t really have much to say to her beyond the normal pleasantries. He walked into the store more or less just to make sure everything was alright. Rarity had a knack for getting into bizarre messes, and even off duty he was still a guard.

“Miss Rarity?” He called out.

“Acropolis! I do believe I told you to just call me Rarity~?” She called out from the back. He was somewhat surprised that she had recognized him by his voice alone.  

“Apologies, Miss Rarity.” he replied grinning as she came around from out the back. “Don’t mean to intrude.”

“Oh please,” she took off her glasses and let her hair down out of her bun, “What brings you in today, Acropolis?” she asked.

“More or less just checking in, seeing if Ponyville’s best designer is doing alright.” he said with a smile well knowing how much chaos centered around her little shop.

“Well aren't you the shining example of a town guard,” she mused. Collecting up her supplies with her magic, “And quite the falterer, but everything is fine. Nothing of note to report, but to be sure I will come right to you if anything comes up.” she smiled at him and continued picking out her fabrics.

“Glad to hear, Miss Rarity,” he smirked, “Well if nothing is amiss then I will take my leave.” he bowed his head she returned the motion and he left. Hers was one of the businesses closer to the forest and the quarry, for obvious reason. So he kept an eye on it, it was close to his place anyway.

He got home shortly before noon. Made himself a simple dinner, pulled his shades, and got to bed. His dreams filled with grand escapades of the Lunar guard and fighting side by side with Princess Luna. For how violent the dreams were he still considered them to be pleasant. Brutal fights and grand conquests. He could feel the power they wielded, the blessing from the moon protected them in combat. He felt that power, as he felt the floor as he slammed against it. The shock knocked him clear from his fantasies and back to reality. The sun was going down, its brilliant setting colors tinted the sky. He could see Rainbow Dash clearing up the clouds for another clear night. He smiled. A clear night, he could pray to the moon again.