“No.” Trixie answered. “I will not go back to Cutter's Draw.”

“I'm not asking you to go back. Just to get me an invite.” Robert said.

“Trixie will not go back to anything to do with Cutter's Draw.” she threw her head up.

“Not even for a Royal Charter?” Sure Shot asked. “Grant money to keep the theater running, and a guarantee that nothing will happen to it.”

“Trixie is tempted.” she admitted.

“She'd better not be.” Ghost Light snorted from the door.

“Listen, this is Royal Guard business.” Sure Shot started.

“I don't give one whit. She's not going back to that place to save this one.” he said, leaning against the door frame.

“Trixie said she was tempted, not stupid.” she replied, glaring at him. “I'm sorry, I can't help you.”

“Well this was a waste of time.” Sure Shot snorted.

“Relax, and let me have a minute Captain.” Robert asked, patting his shoulder. Sure Shot glared at him for a minute, then walked out the door.

“She's not...” Robert held up a paw.

“Hear me out. I'll get the Royal Charter, but I need to get into the Draw. Trixie knows how. I want to impersonate her, and use that information to get in. Once I get in, I can complete Captain Sure Shot's plan and nail the group that's been messing with the mail.”

“You don't have the flair to impersonate Trixie.”

“Trixie disagrees.” she found herself staring at a picture perfect mirror. “After all, who but Trixie could ever impersonate Trixie?”

“I... don't... that's really creepy.” Trixie said. She prodded him with a hoof. “Transmutation?”

“They'll check for illusions.” Robert(Trixie) shrugged. “ And I can do anything with this horn I might need.”

“Perhaps. Alright, Trixie will teach you, but she wants something personal in return.” she held out a hoof.

“Agreed.” Robert said and reached out a paw.

“You probably should have asked what she wanted.” Ghost Light pointed out.

“I trust her.” Robert shrugged. “She hasn't done me wrong yet.”

“I suppose if you're sure.” Ghost Light shook his head. “I”m going to get back to the rehearsal and let you two have a little privacy.”

“Thank you dear.” Trixie smiled.

“Tell the captain I got what I needed and I'll meet him back at the Barracks.” Robert called. Ghost Light nodded, and disappeared out the door.

“Right, there are four challenges to entry. The first is recognition. If they don't know you, you'll be turned away.” Trixie looked him over again. “I suppose you've got that one covered. The second is a verbal challenge. There are many questions you'll be asked. Doesn't matter. The answer is ALWAYS 'Beneath a Moon Dark Sky.'

“Beneath a Moon Dark Sky?” Robert asked.

“Cutter's Draw is name for Glass Cutter. A very famous thief, who only ever struck when the moon was new and thus at it's darkest. Princess Luna herself was the one to catch her. Cutter fought the Princess to a draw, and surrendered. She was one of Luna's staunchest supporters.” Trixie smiled.

“You seem to know a lot about the place.” Robert noticed.

“Trixie is not just a pretty face. And besides, several of the residents are also student's of it's history and they will share much for the price of a mug of ale, or the pleasure of a fine mare's company.”

“Spent a lot on hookers did you?” Robert asked.

“Well yes, I... Trixie is the fine mare she was referring to you miserable lout.” she spent several minutes bludgeoning him with a pillow while he rolled on the floor laughing. Upon recovery, she resumed her teaching.

“The third challenge is the trickiest. The gates to the draw are always kept locked. You'll need to pick the pocket of the guard carrying them. It's not too hard, but you'll need to make sure he doesn't notice.” Trixie flashed her horn once or twice to keep the hat and cloak she was wearing in place. “Like Trixie noticed.”

“I might joke about a lot, but that really wasn't me. I haven't picked a pocket in more than a year.”

“If it wasn't you then who was it?” Trixie asked.

“I wasn't picking your pocket.” Ghost Light chuckled, having re-entered. Trixie's mind ran along for a moment on auto-pilot. Then a bright red spot spread across her face. She turned and stalked toward him. He chuckled nervously. Then she grabbed him and kissed him. Robert stood up and walked out the door, closing it behind him. Sure Shot looked up at him.

“It's gonna be a few minutes. I'm sure she'll let me know the rest. But I can get in. What's the next step?” Robert asked.

“I'll have you keyed into the tracking spell. You get in, find who's got the artifacts, and get out. No messes, no disobeying orders on some blood vendetta....” Sure Shot gave him a hairy eyeball.

“No thanks, I just ate.” Robert replied. “Don't worry, I'm just in this one for the money.”

“That's what they all say.” the unicorn shook his head. Thirty minutes later, a moderately disheveled Ghost Light trotted out of the apartment whistling, more than just slightly off-key. The pair at the bottom of the stairs winced. Trixie appeared, perfectly put together, just a moment later.

“Good you're still here. Well come on up stairs and I'll finish the job.” Trixie disappeared.

“Some creatures have all the luck.” the unicorn laughed. Robert rolled his eyes, spread his wings and leaped up to the balcony. Sure shot coughed in the blast of dust that rolled up from that single wingbeat.

“Trixie thanks you for not waiting. And for waiting.” Trixie coughed. “Sorry, flash back. Anyway, the last challenge is the simple one. Prove that you are who you pretend to be.” she sat back on her haunches.

“And I do that how?”

“Prove to Trixie that you are Trixie.” she shrugged. He stared at her.

“Okay. Shouldn't be too hard.” light flickered and she was staring at herself again.

“Trixie wishes she knew you could do this. We could have made a great show.”

“I couldn't then. But your shows were already great.” Robert replied.

“I know I'm supposed to compliment myself, but this? This is just weird.” Trixie shook her head. “Wow me.”

“Wow you? Why should Trixie wow you, when you steal Trixie's face? Clearly you are some miserable guard pony, hiding under an illusion trying to convince others that Trixie is a liar. But you won't stop Trixie from making sure you don't fool anypony!” Trixie half laughed and half winced. It was both too hilariously good, and too close to spot on to what she had been. “Now you're laughing at Trixie you dirty scoundrel, besmirching Trixie's good name and fabulous reputation? The Great and Powerful Trixie will fix you. Trixie will volunteer in soup kitchens, no! Trixie will do soup kitchen CATERING. Let's see you ruin Trixie's good name in the face of such amazing acts of kindness and generosity! You wish ponies to see Trixie as a dirty coward? No, Trixie shall do such acts of charity and selflessness that you will seem a poor imitation!”

Trixie rolled on the floor laughing, and waved a hoof for him to stop. When she caught her breath, she rolled upright, and grinned at him. “That was perfect. I guess you paid more attention during the shows than I thought.”

“I will hoof it to you Trixie, you're pretty hard to ignore.” Robert admitted.

“Yes, I really am, aren't I.” Trixie laughed again. “ You should be fine. Just... you know, try not to make me a target eh?”

“Don't worry. If I have to do anything I'll make sure my reveal is grand enough to assure them I wasn't ever really you.” Robert smiled. “The general would prefer I not be noticed at all though.”

“Trixie approves of this plan.” she smiled, then paused. “Though I must warn you, you might run into a few of Trixie's former acquaintances, who might not know Trixie has gone legit. I would like very much for you to not explain that.”

“Oh? Can I ask why?” Robert asked, spell fading him back to his own form.

“Trixie does not wish to be seen as a rat.” she shrugged. “Even if I have not told the guards anything, there are those who would suspect Trixie's motives.” she glanced away. “And others who would seek to confirm it, which I do not want around.”

“Understood. Look, if you want, I can impersonate somepony else. I'm sure the dungeons are full of ponies whom I could imitate easily.” Robert offered. Trixie stared for a moment, then shook her head.

“No. It's not that I don't think you could but... if you make a mistake, it would be my fault. And Tri....I don't want anyone else hurt because of me. Be me, but be cautious.” she smiled. “I don't have too many friends, but I don't want the bride's side to be completely empty.”

“Oh? Has he proposed?” Robert asked.

“No, but he is a performer like Trixie. He will wait for the right moment.” her eyes narrowed. “And if not, I will make sure he reconsiders.”

“Trixie....” Robert said, a hint of concern tinging his voice.

“Timing is everything.” Trixie smirked. “But if he steals the spot light from a show, I'll pound him good.” she thudded a hoof into the floor. Robert resisted for all of a second.

“I thought he was the one doing the pounding.” Trixie hit him with the couch.