You don't know what you have until you've spent a lot of time away from it. One of my associates from my Mafia days used to tell that to me, whenever he had to leave Manehattan for his own special brand of work. He was a very talented cleaner, had contacts everywhere, could make almost any mess disappear, granted enough time. He had two foals and a wife waiting for him at home back then, and he used to tell me about how there was nothing better than coming home to an embrace in his wife's warm hooves. He was real sappy like that. Oh, he also mentioned how it was a travesty that a young pony like myself was involved in Mafia work, but that was life for you.

I didn't understand what he meant back then. I never thought I would understand, really. Then I wound up getting Spike, and suddenly it made complete sense to me. There were few things more satisfying in my life than Spike running up, arms raised, waiting for a nice big hug from me. Every single time, I laid down and snatched him up the moment he was in hugging distance.

My return from Stalliongrad was no different. Of course, there was the unwanted concern with my appearance. The muzzle brace was cause for concern, and of course the whole run-in was in the papers. I'd been confronted by reporters the moment I'd gotten off the train. Flashing cameras from the left and the right, in front of me, I had nowhere to run. I gave them simple, quick responses and immediately headed for home. Much like that old associate of mine, after a long day of being away from home, tiny Spike-hugs were one of the most valuable commodities ever, and he was more than willing to give tons of them to me.

Then he saw the muzzle brace, and I had to assure him I was fine while he blubbered at the sight of me so injured. I managed to calm him down after like six minutes of him pouting and clinging at the fur on my barrel, and trust me, he didn't make it easy. He didn't like the brace at all. Every time I brought my muzzle close to him, he had to resist the urge to pull it off. I had to make him understand that it was helping me heal, something he didn't take to heart until he really got his hands on it, and he pulled hard enough to make me shout in pain. He let go real quick when that happened.

I sent him to bed that night without gems for that. I wouldn't tolerate bad behavior like that, and he knew it. He said he was sorry a lot, but if I let him off the hook, what then? He learns that saying 'I'm sorry' means he can get away with things as long as he feels bad about it? No, actions have consequences, end of story.

Of course, my peaceful relaxation didn't last. The morning after, I'm talking like immediately around seven in the morning, just as I was getting out of the shower, Spike waddled into the bathroom with a summons that'd been delivered by one of the guards. Celestia wanted to see me. Oh, joy.

I still didn't feel ready to confront her, but I suppose that if I kept putting it off, I'd never get around to it. Best to take care of it while she's feeling confrontational. At least, I think she was feeling confrontational. It was rather forward of her to send a guard to deliver a summons to me rather than just writing a letter saying she'd like me to stop by so we could talk.

Unfortunately, I couldn't put off a summons. I was supposed to go check in on Gadget, and hopefully Shady as well if he'd actually decided to help me, but they would have to wait. Hopefully I could keep this short and get right back home so I could get myself dressed up to head out under a different disguise. I was just thankful that my parents weren't home. Then again, that was nothing new.

The walk to the castle was a bit refreshing. Some complain about how the air up in Canterlot is thinner than it should be, but I turned out alright, so I didn't see the issue. I liked the comparatively warmer breeze, and after spending two weeks in Stalliongrad, it actually felt a bit warmer than I was comfortable with. Eh, I'd adjust in time.

As soon as I was in the castle, I began to head for the usual room she and I met in, but the guards quickly pointed me in a different direction. Her private chambers. I cringed internally at that and clenched my jaw while I prepared for what could very well be an incoming shouting match. There wasn't a more private place in all of Equestria than Celestia's private chambers. She'd constructed that room with her own magic, woven the runes, painstakingly crafted everything in as complete privacy as she possibly could so no one could ever get a clear look at the runes she'd inscribed into the thick walls that acted as the framework.

If she wished to kill you in there, not even the guards posted just outside would hear your screams. Nor would they be able to help you if they did, since only Celestia's magic can seal and unseal the locks on the chamber doors. It was simultaneously the safest and most terrifying place I could imagine, because I had no way to get out once I was sealed in there with her. Not to mention, it was the chamber of an ancient Equestrian Goddess! All of her most prized, most treasured possessions were kept in there. What right did I have to lay my eyes upon them?

This wasn't my first time in her chambers, however, and no, I did not sneak in there. I'm damn good, and the balcony's an excellent entry point if you can reach it and get through the wards on the internal sealed doors behind the balcony doors before the patrolling pegasi spot you, but that's a risk I never saw any reason to take. No, I'd been invited into her chambers before. Strange thing is, she rarely sleeps there. She usually stays in a secondary suite that's more open to the rest of the castle. I guess differentiating between your workplace and your home requires more unique efforts when your home is a part of your workplace.

The moment I arrived, the guards asked me a few standard questions before knocking on the chamber doors by pulling a large metal knocker that hung from one of the two doors. Just the questions that would confirm that I am indeed Twilight Sparkle, and not someone else. With a noisy sound of magic twinkling away into the sky, a thin line of magic between the two doors dissipated, the doors opening with a small groan as the two guards gave them a push.

Within, opulence awaited. Celestia was not known for being the vain sort, littering her life with gold and gaudy portraits of herself in beautiful dresses and the like. At least, these days she wasn't. Back then, when Equestria was just recovering from Discord's psychotic reign, ponies were eager to shower her in gold and silver, to cover their Goddesses in riches to thank their saviors. This room, so removed from modern society, was bathed in ancient architecture. A little haven, frozen in time, only permitting alterations when its owner wished.

This was only my third time in here. Celestia and I may have been close, but everything in that room was more dear to her than anyone she knew. The fact that I'd even been allowed in was a testament to how much she truly trusted me. It was that thought, at the time, that stung me the hardest. I didn't belong there. I wasn't worthy of her trust.

The walls were decorated with numerous paintings, few of them belonging to her. Many of them were portraits of old friends and lovers, ponies she secreted away to in the dead of night to relax with under complicated illusions, whether for simple companionship or for more carnal pursuits. At the end of the day, she was just as much of a pony as I was, and she had needs. For all I knew, she had a lover hidden away already, and she hadn't even told me. I wouldn't have faulted her.

The tall marble pillars in the corners were mostly for decoration, though they had etchings near their base, depicting various accomplishments our ancestors had achieved while under her rule. This entire nation really was her life's work, when you thought about it. The plain appearance of the marble in comparison to the gold and jewel-encrusted tables, polished mahogany wood finely hoof-crafted acting as stands for various other smaller pictures and objects...it was quite striking, how much the pillars stood out.

I could see why she rarely slept in here. Lots of happy memories, but also clear indicators of her past indulgences. I'm quite sure that after the loss of her sister, many of these things were obtained as coping mechanisms, a bit of material wealth to fill the empty hole in her heart, albeit in vain. I'm sure she knew it was all in vain as well, but when faced with such despair, even a very brief feeling of relief is welcome compared to nothing at all. Who could ever comfort someone that wouldn't see their only family member for a thousand years? We were only fortunate that she was strong enough to pull through it. Otherwise, we might've seen...I dunno, Nightmare Sun? Nightmare Dawn? Or maybe she just would've gone mad and become a second coming of Discord. Maybe some kind of perfect-order dystopia....

When I stepped into the room, crystal lights lining the walls lit up with a healthy, room-illuminating glow while the door shut behind me with a magic tinkling sound. Celestia was standing at her balcony doors, watching the pegasi patrol the skies, the sealed door open to let the light in. I opened my mouth to say something to her, but she beat me to the punch.

"Before anything else," she said, not even looking back at me. "Are you well? Any grievous injuries, ones of permanence?"

I shook my head slowly. "No, nothing like that. Just a broken snout."

The way she seemed to just heave out that sigh gave me reason for pause. Was she really that concerned? I don't know why. I could take care of myself just fine.

"Thank the stars above! I was so worried," she said, finally looking back at me with an oddly genuine and warm smile. "I feared you would return with a damaged horn. Your facial trauma was described as 'particularly vicious'."

I snorted, then winced in pain. "It's not that bad. That's just the newspapers sensationalizing it."

"Yes, well, one of the newly-branded heroes of Equestria gets injured, they see bit signs," she said, closing and sealing the doors to her balcony before walking over to her small gold-rimmed stone table, sitting down on one of the larger cushions. "With that out of the way, we have things to discuss. Such as all the cheek you have."

I blinked a few times at that while taking a seat across from her. "Cheek?"

"Yes. So much cheek that I need more than one hoof to smack some sense into you," she stated, the sudden intensity of her voice and the furrowing of her brow making me nervous. "I am disappointed."

Something about the way she said that made me recoil on the inside. I felt as if I'd been slapped, and that wasn't the dull ache already covering my muzzle. I felt bad, hearing that from her. It was like I was being scolded by the Mother I never really had.

"I don't...I don't follow."

"Twilight Sparkle, do not lie to me!" she snapped at me, clenching her teeth a little. "You dare to yell at me about invading your privacy and going behind your back, then you go and do this?!"

She held up the newspaper she'd left folded on the table, and I glanced at it with indifference. I cared little for what it had to say. I knew what had really happened. Whatever they said in that headline article meant very little to me, and being able to say I didn't read it gave the gossiping nobles something to talk to me about. Still...'Hero of Equestria Maimed in Home Invasion - Coincidence, or Setup?!' was really hamming it up, as the griffons would say.

"And how is that my doing?" I asked calmly.

"Do not treat me like some naive fool," she hissed at me, slamming the paper down. "What were you up to in Stalliongrad?"

"I was securing business deals to ensure my future income-"

"What were you really doing in Stalliongrad?" she corrected, her eyes narrowing.

I leaned back away from her just a little and frowned. "I just told you-"

"Stop lying to me!!"

The sheer force of her shout was enough to rattle my teeth and make me flatten my ears, utterly overwhelmed by the volume. I actually felt myself slide back a little along with the cushion under me, and I had to dig my forehooves in to avoid getting blown back too far. When it was over, silence reigned between us, and I could see the creases on her face. She was scowling at me in a way I'd never seen her do before. I didn't like it at all. It made me feel like I'd done something terrible to her.

"Don't lie to me, Twilight. I am begging you," she said, her voice much softer now, quiet in comparison to how she just yelled at me. "I'm sorry for going behind your back the way I did, but I trust that you understand deep down why I did what I did. Please trust me, in turn."

I did understand. Cooler heads always prevail, and I knew that she went behind my back because she was concerned. Concerned about me, concerned about how I could so easily pull the trigger on her sister...concerned about a lot of things. She was probably even concerned for me, at the time. What if all this hero of Equestria stuff caused someone to look into my criminal records and they found, I dunno...lots of charges they could have a field day with in the newspapers? My life would quite literally have been ruined, if that were in any way possible.

"...I'm sorry," I muttered, clearing my throat. "I didn't mean to explode on you the way I did. That was wrong of me."

The silence returned with a vengeance. I could feel her staring at me, but I couldn't will myself to look up and meet her gaze. I felt pretty bad about everything, really. She knew that the newspapers didn't have the right story, she wasn't a moron about stuff like this. I should've known I couldn't fool her, with her knowing what she knew about me.

It felt like forever before the silence was broken. I was just thankful she didn't have me in shackles or something.

"I am going to ask you some very simple questions Twilight, and I want complete honesty no matter what," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "Understand?"

"...Yes, Princess." I muttered, sitting up a little straighter.

"Good. Are you still working for the Mafia?"

I shook my head quickly. "Absolutely not, and I never would again if I could help it."

She nodded once and took a breath. "Will something like this happen again?"

"Not if I can help it." I said, looking up at her.

She and I stared into each other's eyes for quite some time. I was doing my best to maintain my demeanor, but she'd really gotten to me. Celestia was my friend, and probably the one person I trusted more than anyone else...which, given recent events, wasn't saying a lot. Her gaze was searching, watching my body language and gazing into my eyes, looking to root out any sign of deceit. With her life experiences, I wouldn't have been surprised if she spotted even the slightest hint of deception.

"I have asked you this once before, and I wasn't satisfied with your answer," she said slowly, leaning forward a little as if to drill the point home. "Are you a threat to my subjects?"

I had done a lot of soul-searching, and a whole lot of thinking, after she asked me this the first time. No matter which way I sliced it, no matter how I looked at it, there was only one honest answer to that question. My gaze faltered and I clenched my jaw once more, looking down at the table. Just because I knew it was the only right answer didn't mean I had to like it...or feel good about it.

"Yes." I whispered, my posture failing me slightly.

There was that damn silence again! Heavy, oppressive, and making me more nervous by the minute. All I heard from Celestia was a sharp inhale, followed by that droning, stretching silence that I was beginning to really hate. Not that it mattered. I firmly believed that she was about to take some serious action against me, and there was no way for me to really resist. I had all but admitted to doing some very bad things, and aside from not having any real evidence, I was quite sure she had a good idea of what really happened.

I heard her move, shuffling out of her seat, her hooves lightly stepping over the plush carpet before she sat down next to me. Any moment now, she'd have me in her magic, I'd have a suppressor on, and she'd drag me off to the dungeons until she found a way to deal with me properly. That was what I thought, anyway. You can imagine my surprise when I was suddenly and quite smoothly ushered into a hug by her.

Forelegs snaked around me and pulled me closer while wings enveloped me on all sides with their pure, white warmth. They felt so soft against me, and when I looked up, all I could see was her neck and her mane as she curled herself down and around me somewhat. I felt surrounded on all sides, safe and warm and, most alien to me, genuinely cared for. She conveyed so much with nothing more than a simple hug...it was overwhelming. Of course, that could've also been because outside of Spike, I wasn't really used to hugs from anyone, even my brother.

"I don't know what you were doing or why you did it, and perhaps it's best that I don't know, but I have only one request, my student," she said quietly, lifting her head to speak to me more clearly. "Don't get caught. Please."

I twitched and my eyes went wide at that. Was she really...?

"If they catch you...if anyone catches you..." she said slowly, deliberately, the sheen of her eyes saying so much more than she likely intended. "There's nothing I can do for you."

I let out a shuddering breath and stared at her in that moment. I wasn't used to this at all. No one had ever cared about me this much except Spike, and he was far too young to truly comprehend why I was doing what I was doing. I never wanted him to get involved with any of this, in any way. To see Celestia being so caring towards me like this...I was unnerved, and I felt a hitching in my chest.

"Yes," I mumbled slowly, blinking the water from my eyes. "I'll do my best, Princess."

"That's all I can ask of you," she said with a strained smile, slowly letting me go and patting me on my wither. "Thank you for being honest with me."

I shook myself out of my stupor and nodded. "Y-yeah. Thank you for...for understanding."

She simply bowed her head to me and exhaled slowly, deeply, seeming to deflate while tucking her wings in against her sides. I found myself doing the same, minus the wings. I felt so exhausted suddenly, but also relieved. I didn't understand the pressure I'd felt before or why it was gone, but maybe being at least partially candid about my activities with someone helped me.

I watched her for a moment as she glanced to a picture frame sitting on one of the dressers in her room, and cleared my throat. "I would like to resume my studies whenever you feel it would be appropriate, Princess."

"I would like that as well," she said, standing up and motioning to the door. "Perhaps in a few days? I will send you a letter."

"That works for me. I'm taking Spike to Ponyville tomorrow."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, for you and for him."

"Before that however, I have an old acquaintance from Stalliongrad that I'd like to recommend for the Royal Guard," I told her, tilting my head just a little. "Can you help with that?"

Celestia gave me an appraising look, but she nodded. "I can help, I believe. Does she have a criminal record?"

"Most likely."

Celestia sighed and nodded again. "The guard often overlooks such things as long as you haven't done anything too serious. Will that be a problem?"

"I don't know, I'll have to ask her," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. "But it shouldn't be an issue. She's not smart enough to evade the police if she did do anything too extreme."

"Then we shall see, and when we are sure, I will speak to the recruiting office in the castle," she said, glancing to me curiously. "Is that all?"

I simply nodded and waited for her to unseal the door. When the magic was removed, the door was pulled open by her magic, and I stepped out into the hall. With a brief goodbye, I left her chambers behind and began to make my way through the halls to get out of the castle as quick as I could.

It wasn't until I was halfway there that I had to stop and wipe my eyes. I felt relieved, I felt upset, I felt ashamed...and it was making it hard to keep my composure. My breath kept hitching and I couldn't stop the tears from flowing...I couldn't let anyone see me like that. I stepped out of sight next to one of the large pillars in the hall and tried to keep my noise down while I, for the first time in a very long time, actually had a good old-fashioned cry.

It wasn't in my nature to let things like this get to me, so why did it hurt so much?

I couldn't tell you how long I sat there, trying to get myself under control. My broken muzzle only ached more as I sniffled and struggled to contain my sobs. For the most part I succeeded, but I definitely needed some more painkillers afterwards. My eyes were red and bloodshot, it was all too obvious that I'd just cried my eyes out. Spike would notice, Shady would notice if he was at the safehouse, and Gadget would definitely notice. Instead of going directly home or to the safehouse, I took some time to go for a walk and pick up a small packet of tissues to carefully blow my nose. If the sniffling hurt, blowing my nose was agony.

When I finally felt like I'd gotten it all out of my system, I headed straight home and lounged in the luxury that was dragon cuddles. It wasn't exactly the body-enveloping embrace I would've preferred, but the warmth was there. That warm, tingling delight in your chest that makes you feel like everything's going to be okay...kinda like the big all-inclusive hug Celestia gave me, actually.

Unfortunately, while I was doing that, I'd lost track of time. See, there were certain times of the day and week that I made a point of being out of the house and staying out until certain ponies either went back to work, went to bed, or just left the house in general. I didn't worry much about my brother, but my parents? They were another matter entirely.

I heard the clatter of keys and the shuffling of bags as the front door swung open, and I stepped out of Spike's room to greet my Mother, much as I was loathe to do so. There were still manners to uphold, a facade of respect for the one who birthed me. Spike was present, after all. No need to pass my disgust down to him as well. On the contrary, he loved my Mother. I think she saw him as a sort of second chance. I wouldn't begrudge her that. If I were her, I'd want a second chance as well after the massive fuck-up I'd been responsible for.

"Mom." I said, giving her a brief nod while grabbing hold of the grocery bags she had in her magic.

"Hey, Twilight." she said, her voice subdued and a forced smile quickly being brought to bear against me.

I returned the smile as best I could while Spike came running down the stairs. He almost fell and tripped in his rush to give my Mother a hug, and I quickly scolded him for not keeping a claw on the railing and running too fast.

"Twilight, what's-oof!" my Mother began to say, only to be interrupted by my son. "Hello Spike."

"Hi, grandma! Mom hurt her face." he said, as innocently as ever.

"It was in the newspapers," I stated calmly, carrying the groceries into the kitchen. "But I know you don't read those."

"I'll go to my grave saying that we need a more reliable source of news. I'll bet the headline was something stupid, wasn't it?" she asked, walking into the kitchen after me with Spike climbing up onto her back.

I snorted at that and rolled my eyes. "Of course it was. It insinuated the home invasion was a plot against my life. I'm shocked they didn't try to insinuate that Gadget perpetrated it."

"Oh," she muttered, starting to put the groceries away with her magic, ducking her head in the fridge to see what she could fit in there. "Who's Gadget?"

"Old acquaintance of mine, ran into her by chance while I was in Stalliongrad."

"I didn't know you were going to Stalliongrad," she muttered while shuffling various items about in the fridge. "Wait...old acquaintance?"

"Not one of them, Mom."

"Oh, thank goodness." she sighed out, stepping back to remove her head from the fridge.

I felt this dart of anger in my chest, irrational and uncontrolled, that told me it wasn't any of her business anyways. Not like she cared enough to not go into debt and offer my magic skills as payment. That wasn't fair though...I knew she cared. How much of that came from maternal love or a feeling of guilt however, I couldn't determine. I didn't really want to know.

I went to work helping her put the groceries away, with Spike on her back watching both of us work. I was just thankful he couldn't tell there was some tension between my Mother and I, and when I sent him upstairs to play with his toys, that tension became all-consuming. It was like a blanket of oppression that made my fur stand on end and my pulse throb in my ears. I don't like being alone with her, or my Father. I don't like being around either of them, but at least when I have a reason to fake it, I can focus on keeping up the mask.

"So...?"

I perked my ears up suddenly. "What?"

"What happened to you?" she asked, the sound of tin cans clanking together sounding off from behind me.

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Got attacked," I said, motioning to my face. "Got a nasty souvenir from fighting back with magic."

"...Are you okay?" she asked hesitantly, her hooves clopping against the floor as she turned around.

I looked back to her and nodded. "Yeah, m'fine."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm fine, Mom." I said a bit louder, irritated.

It was unfair to get so frustrated with her just because she was concerned about me, but I couldn't help it. Every time she or my Father showed concern for me, I couldn't help but think back to when I was six. Where was the concern for my well-being when they offered me up as a way to clear their fucking debt, huh? Where was the love back then?

Some part of me knew I should forgive them now. Let the past be the past. I just couldn't bring myself to.

When the groceries were packed, I left the kitchen and grabbed a cigar from my study, lighting it up and enjoying the smooth flavor of it while my Mother laid down on the couch and exhaled deeply in a limp sigh. I'm sure she was exhausted. She worked hard enough for five ponies, if only so she wouldn't have to face me. I was at least merciful in that regard.

"I'm going to be getting my own place sometime soon. Gonna move out," I told her, glancing in her direction for any reaction. "Figured it was about time."

She gave me an appraising look, eyes darting over the features of my face before looking down at the floor. "If you feel that's what's best, Twilight. This is the Sparkle household though. You don't have to move out if you don't want to."

"Please. We're toxic to each other," I said, waving it off. "I would like to be able to consider staying home some nights without worrying about having to deal with you or Dad. Or both."

I saw her cringe at how harshly I was putting it, but it was just the truth. I hated dealing with them just as much as they didn't like having to put up with my disgust towards them. At least this way, neither of us would have to suffer the presence of the other.

"...What will we say to Shining?" she asked, shifting to a sitting position.

"I'm a free spirit, and I want my own house. Simple as that."

She seemed to be considering the whole thing, not that she really had any choice in the matter. Neither did I, if I was being honest. I needed better privacy for what I had planned, and I wouldn't be able to guarantee that kind of privacy sticking around that house. Spike would still be a concern, but I had plans to deal with that as well.

Long story short, she went along with my plans, and made a point of going to her room to relax. All the better for me, since I planned to go out. I took some painkillers and fished out some casual wear for a day on the town, but now that it was mid-day, I had to kill some time. Relax, enjoy some Canterlotian cuisine, speak with a few of the nobles I passed by on the streets...that sort of thing. Though I can guarantee you, they were judging me for my street wear, while at the same time fawning over my injury. Acting like I was some dainty, helpless filly...very annoying.

When the sun began to lower over the horizon, I headed straight through the Red District to a poorer location deeper within the bowels of the city. My destination was a decently-sized, ramshackle-looking abandoned building wedged between what used to be two factories. Inside of it, however, was a very different story.

I knocked three times in quick succession on the door, then a firm fourth time, and waited. The instructions for the special knock weren't given, but if Shady was there, he'd probably recognize it. If he wasn't there, well...it'd just be Gadget.

I could hear hooves clopping against the floor on the inside, walking right up to the door. A rapid series of six knocks responded to mine, and I knocked once at the top of the door, once close to the bottom, then quickly once to the left and the right in succession. There was a pause, and a few seconds later, the latches on the door were flipped and the old rickety thing creaked noisily as it was pulled open.

"Really, Shady? Is this just a thing with you now?"

I found myself looking down the barrel of a shotgun, and Shady was standing at the other end of it on his hindlegs, braced and ready to fire if he needed to.

"Can't be too careful. You know how it is," he said, turning the shotgun away from my face and stepping aside. "C'mon in."

"I swear, you remind me of a homesteader that doesn't want some zebra getting sweet on his daughter..." I muttered, walking inside and shutting the door behind myself. "Don't be reasonable, just stick a gun in their face and hope it all works out."

"Hey, if it works, it works," he said with a shrug, propping the shotgun against the wall next to the door. "Nice t' see ya, Twitchy."

I smiled at him and looked him over. "Nice to see you too! I wasn't sure if you'd show."

"Eh, I figured I owed you one. One Tartarus of a way to cash in on me though," he said, pointing to a door at the far end of the fairly decrepit-looking room. "Your new employee's in the back catchin' a nap."

"Please tell me you didn't stick a gun in her face too."

"Well, I won't tell ya then."

"Smartass."

I stepped into the safehouse proper once I passed through the doorway Shady pointed out. The inside of the safehouse had a very old and lived-in feel to it, despite a lot of the furniture looking new enough due to the lack of use it got after I got out of the game. Plain beige sheets on the beds lining the far wall, several lockers and side rooms to store things and give my people their privacy if they need it, a radio, a ton of old unused wires and electronics equipment piled in the corner from back when I had a minotaur that worked for me...lots of things. Even the paint job given to the walls looked chipped and worn.

I immediately tried to remember whether or not that paint was heavily lead-based or not. Then I opted to re-paint this place when no one was around. Fuck that noise, I wasn't going to take that kind of risk!

Gadget was laid out on one of the beds on her back, her semi-noisy snoring somehow cute despite the big, massive size that she was. The bed was actually kinda small for her. I wonder why she didn't take one of the side rooms? Eh well.

I felt a spark of mischief as I looked her over, hindlegs obscenely splayed out and forelegs twitching against her chest. Her ears twitched just the same on occasion, and I looked over to Shady before making a shushing motion to him. I snuck up alongside the bed and leaned in until I was mere inches from her ear, grinning to myself. I had to get myself into the mindset....

"Ahn! Oh, fuck baby, do me harder! Harder! Mmmnn-AAH~!" I moaned out loudly into her ear, deliberately playing up the role.

Her reaction was immediate. She snorted and jolted up in bed before flopping back down, her head hitting the pillow while her eyes darted this way and that, trying to find the source of the loud and rather erotic noise. The moment she turned her head to look at me, only inches away from her muzzle, she jerked back and almost fell clean out of the bed.

"Gah, what the fuck?! Canterlot?!" she blurted, rolling the rest of the way off of the bed and landing on her hooves. "What in Tartarus was that about?"

I stood up straight and shrugged, pulling my cigar case out. "Welcome back to the waking world. You actually used that nickname right when you woke up. I'm impressed it's so ingrained already."

"Yeah, well...what was that about?" she asked, walking out from around the bed with a yawn.

I pulled my cigar from earlier out of the case and re-lit it. "Simple. You're both working for me now, so it's time you both heard what your jobs are."

That got their attention real quick. Gadget seemed to rouse from her drowsiness in seconds while Shady's more casual smile faded in favor of a more neutral, hardened look. Game time, I suppose.

"Shady, your job is to travel around Equestria investigating local gangs in the larger cities and smaller towns. I want to know about every last one of them," I told him, taking a puff of my cigar and blowing it out slowly. "Don't engage them, but gather information on them. Who's in charge, who answers to who, who's fucking who. Every bit of info is something I can assuredly use to make them join up with us."

"Got it," he said, adjusting his jacket a little. "Why go after the gangs though?"

"Because a lot of gangs out there don't much like how the Mafia runs things. They also don't like the fact that the Mafia pretty much has a monopoly on criminal activities large and small. There have to be plenty of them that're prepared to throw down, if only because they're young and stupid."

"This could take me months. You know that, right?" he asked, walking over to the far wall to pick up his favored rifle.

"I'm predicting years, actually. Or maybe just a year," I mused, taking another puff of my cigar. "Take it at your own pace, but try not to linger in any one place too long. Call me whenever you enter and leave any city or town, and report any new findings to me as often as you can."

"Got it. You want me to start right away?"

"Sometime soon, but you don't have to leave immediately if you don't want. I do want to make some things clear, however," I said, looking between both of them. "This goes for both of you. No one can ever, ever, know that I'm the one behind this."

"Why is that?" Gadget asked, fanning her hoof at her face.

I frowned. "Because if anyone finds out, the Mafia will eventually find out. They find out, I'll wind up with concrete horseshoes at the bottom of a water reservoir. I'm good, but the Mafia...they've practically got the entire Magus in their pocket."

"Alright...what about me, then?" she asked, huffing softly. "It is very hot here."

"Really? Most say Canterlot's one of the colder cities in Equestria, being up on the side of a mountain and all."

"Yes, but I have never left Stalliongrad before. I just did not expect it to be this warm."

I gave her a quick nod. "Sucks for you. Don't worry though, there are ways to help with that, without forcing you to shave that thick fur down. It actually works great with what I'll be having you do while Shady's out traveling."

"Oh? What will I be doing then?"

"Simple," I said, grinning more. "You'll be joining the Royal Guard."

"...Что в Тартар?"