“Well... I suppose I should get back to my studies.” The masked man was strangely nonchalant about everything, including the two ponies that were ready to blow him away. Renoir hadn't gotten as far as he had by freaking out about every little thing that came his way. With a simple turn, the Breton began his way to one of the four doors of the subterranean chamber.

“Why change attitudes like this?” Luna was fully charged, a single bolt was capable of turning most structures into a pile of rubble. She would prefer to subdue instead of kill, but with the close proximity, she may not have any choice. “First you attack those people on the surface, and now you're acting like you're our friend.”

“I'm hurt, princess, I was only looking out for you ponies.” The masked face tilted to the side, a childish display of displeasure and sarcastic humor. However, the man's abrasive joke wasn't what caught the alicorn's attention. The dark blue pony sputtered her question as a group of butchered syllables, though the experienced mage knew her meaning. “Relax, your good buddy Reman sent ahead, got the letter about six days ago, actually.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Rarity deflated, her body's instinctive fight or flight reaction geared down as the day's stress slackened. She was still scared of the armored man, but not so much that she was ready to run for the hills, that would just be unladylike of her. “No offense to Reman, of course, but he has the tendency to find trouble.”

“How do you two even know each other?” Dash tilted her head, the two males seemed worlds apart, even their quirks were opposites. Renoir seemed to have a flair for the dramatic, an acrobatic and fluid method about him. However, to be blunt, Reman was a tank, in more ways than one.

“Long story.” The Breton chuckled behind his mask, skipping the tale of how the two spellcasters met. At least the man found the story humorous, if a bit morbid in its content. Suddenly, the black-clad human turned on his heels, facing the ponies once more. Renoir reached behind his back for something, into the large bag that hung from his belt. “Before, I forget, I think this is yours.”

“Gummy!” Pinkie nearly flew at the man, eager to retrieve her lost pet. The toothless alligator was unharmed, a veritable miracle given the earlier situation with the meany mcmeanypants on the surface. “Thank you thank you thank you!” The pink party pony displayed surprising leg power by hopping to Renoir's height and wrapping the armored man in a friendly hug. The Element of Laughter quickly retreated back to the group, leaving the masked man both confused and slightly worried.

“Reman's quarters are through the doors behind you.” The Breton was practically gone, the door he had used was barely cracked, leaving the ponies to their own devices. If the stranger had any ill intentions, he wasn't about to put them into action. The lack of hostility wasn't enough for one pony, and she did what Renoir couldn't have planned for. Rainbow Dash flew towards the doors at the chamber's far end, but was unable to complete her planned actions.

“There's a tree blocking these!” The Element of Loyalty was half right, the doors were locked by a wooden pole that easily weighed more than the cyan pegasus.

“That's the lift to the city below, full of Falmer and Chaurus, you don't want anything to do with them.” Renoir's voice echoed from the cracked doorway, though he was a fair distance from the opening. “Just use Reman's side of the outpost, he's cleared everything out that might be harmful.”

To say the ponies were conflicted would be an understatement.

@#@#@#@#@#@#

Five thousand septims later, Reman Tullius was a free man. He was given what little of his armor was serviceable, his Skyforge steel sword, and his bag. Despite being more or less suited for battle, the Imperial was reclining inside the Blue Palace, listening to Jarl Elisif with rapt attention.

“General, as much as I agree with your plan, I simply cannot supply any more troops for it.” The High Queen was referring to Marcus' plan to assault Windhelm directly, a risky move, but it had a fair chance of killing Ulfric Stormcloak, and severing the head of the rebellious snake. “Skyrim has lost too many sons and daughters to just throw more at the problem.”

“I understand, your highness, so I have prepared an alternate solution.” Reman smirked as his grandfather spoke, it seemed that everything was coming up Tullius lately. This was a wonderful way to conscript the young lycan, without actually having him on record as working with the Legion. “I'm certain that you're aware of the dragon attack on Whiterun.”

“I think that's your cue.” Lynette was sitting on the next bench, allowing the lycan to stretch out on the relatively comfortable wooden surface. The woman was still wondering what her friend was planning with this performance, and why he needed her to bail him out of jail. Moving quietly, Reman started up the stairway, trying to listen in on his elders chat.

“Yes, and the supposed emergence of the Dragonborn, what of it?” Normally, Elisif wasn't this rude, but she had been under a considerable amount of stress as of late, so she was easily forgiven. Reman was halfway up the stairs when Marcus made his next point.

“The Dragonborn was at Helgen, and was seen fleeing to Riverwood with a known rebel.” The aged Imperial's memory may not have been perfect, but the general could recall important details. “The only reason he hasn't officially joined the rebellion is that he hasn't had time to get to Windhelm.”

“While that is troublesome news, I fail to see what can be done.” This was the sort of royalty that Reman had a problem with, the type that couldn't understand the grand scheme of things. By this point, the lycan had already made it to the top of the stairs, and was patiently waiting for his grandfather to motion him forward. Not like he had anything better to do.

“Ulfric Stormcloak has found an operative that can freely move about the country, I propose that we do the same.” Marcus tapped his foot twice, the signal for Reman to approach. Jarl Elisif's eyes darted between the two Imperials, she quickly noticed the resemblance they shared.

“What the general means by all of that is you need a man with strike range.” The lycan crossed his arms, trying to look both intimidating and approachable, if those two weren't mutually exclusive. “I have strike range, and the flexibility to use it.”

“Your highness, meet my grandson, Reman.”

@#@#@#@#@#@#

It was Applejack's turn to watch the door. The seven mares had carried their sleeping comrade deeper into the strange structures, and had laid her on what most resembled a bed. They locked Glade inside, of course, wouldn't want her attacking anypony. But, the lumpy mattress was hardly worth noting, and only three things really stuck out as odd to the equines. The strange gears didn't warrant a second thought, and their whirring lullaby had long faded into the background. Still, the orange pony kept her eyes firmly locked on the bronze-like metal, ready for any sign of entry.

Rarity was shocked by the number of gold bars that littered Reman's half of the outpost. While some were obviously stacked and organized, the vast majority were scattered on the numerous tables and across the floor, as though their owner hadn't cared for their value. Gems, however, were almost unseen in the chambers that Reman called home, and must have been even rarer in the alien realm. Rooting around through some dressers, the fashionable pony found a number of ensembles, ready for her appraisal and modification. The Element of Generosity produced her sewing kit, eager to get started on her pet project. “I suppose a little work never hurt anypony.”

Twilight Sparkle was taking her time sorting through Reman's personal library. Most of the books were of a scholarly nature, a few even seemed to explain some of the more obscure bits of Tamriel's magic. One tome, however, was different, even in the collection of strange books. It was hoofwritten, likely by Reman himself, and detailed the library's original purpose and the Imperial's attempts to recreate the magic used there. The library was in the chamber that once housed the outpost's animonculory, which Twilight understood as a place where the Dwemer built automatons. With a joyous squee, the lavender unicorn began to read over the man's notes on animating magics.

Rainbow Dash was doing her best to fly in the subterranean location, and only stopped her buzzing around when she noticed a familiar shape in one of the many rooms that comprised Reman's quarters. Two columns of fourteen rectangular shapes were pressed against opposite walls, and the blankets draped over them left little to the imagination. With a winning grin, the cyan pegasus launched herself at the bed, ready to drift off into pleasant and proper sleep. However, she underestimated the Dwarven ability to use stone in everything, and firmly crashed into a slate of rock. Well, at least she was asleep, sort of.

Pinkie was off somewhere, playing hide and seek with Gummy through the complex's many passageways and corridors. The toothless alligator was very good at the game, and made use of debris that filled many of the hallways. All the while, the pink party pony was smiling, happy to have her pet back, safe and sound after the day's traumatic experience. “Come out, come out, wherever you are,” Pinkie chimed as she wandered in search of the reptile.

Luna and Fluttershy were watching over Glade, gazing in on the transformed mare through a slot in the door. The lycan was snoozing soundly, not a care in the world, though she had yet to return to her true self.

“At least she's sleeping well.” Fluttershy was seeing the glass as half-full, she may have been shy, but the Element tried to find the best in every situation. However, she was worried for her unconscious friend, the werewolf was likely panicking in her own mind, and there was little Fluttershy could do about it.

“Like a brown, bloodthirsty baby.” The voice caused both mares to whip around, only to see Renoir sitting on a table, leather bound book in hand. The Breton was flipping through the books pages, like he was searching for a certain section.

“How did you get past Applejack?” Luna was stumped, but on guard. The alicorn's horn hadn't flared, but she was ready to defend herself and the Element of Kindness if things came to it. At the princess' question, the masked man raised his head.

“There's more than more door to this side of the outpost, I just used one of the others.” More page flipping, Renoir was almost out of sheets to search. Growling in frustration, the mask wearer set the tome down, before picking up another. “If it makes you feel better, I didn't come here for any of you.”

“Then why come to Reman's half of the ruins?” Luna noticed Fluttershy hide behind her, not ready to speak to the stranger. The dark blue pony couldn't blame her for it, the black-clad human set off a few red flags for her, as well.

“For these books.” Renoir motioned to the two stacks of leather bound volumes. How the acrobat could read in that mask, Luna didn't know, but the talent seemed useful. “They're Reman's notes on lycanthropy. I swear, he knows more about the disease than just about anyone else.”

“Why read them here? Couldn't you just go back to your quarters?” The princess' questions weren't out of anger, just sincere curiosity. The Breton huffed and changed books again, he hadn't found what he was searching for it that one, either.

“Our mutual friend asked me to look after his newest pack-mate.” The acrobat cracked the book, and seemed to like what he found. The Breton read every page in detail, though he still read very quickly, and was ready to absorb the information provided. “Seemed like he was worried about her.”

“You think you can help Glade?” Fluttershy spoke to the black-clad human for the first time, only motivated by the prospect of his usefulness in this situation. The masked wizard nodded the affirmative, Renoir was fairly knowledgeable when it came to remedies and curative magics. Though, he was better at blowing flesh off, than sticking it back on.

“I've traveled a lot, and picked up quite a few things in my time.” The Breton chuckled at his own humor, a joke only Luna could understand. The alicorn blinked a few times before everything set in, and she didn't like what she learned. The acrobatics, the strength, the mask that hid Renoir's eyes and mouth, it all made sense.

“You're a vampire.” Now Luna was more on guard than ever. The undead had wreaked havoc in Equestria's formative days, and now one of Tamriel's bloodsuckers had made itself known. The living corpse chuckled, nodding his head the entire time, as though he found the alicorn's accusation to be the funniest joke in the world. Renoir lifted a hand to his mask, and swiftly removed the covering, allowing his face to be seen for the first time.

“Right you are, little pony.” The vampire's eyes were a swirling mass of crimson and black, but twinkled with a friendly energy. His fangs were exposed by his laughing smile, the long canines seemed comical on the grinning face. “Who better for a werewolf be be friends with, than another creature of the night?”

“It sounds like the premise of a bad romance novel.” Luna's attempt to dissolve the tension failed, and netted her a blank stare from a pair of undead eyes. The princess returned the flat look in kind, and she had much more experience staring others down. “Can we get back to Glade?”

“Of course, where was I?” Renoir perked immediately, ready to return to the issues at hand. The vampire smiled as he began to explain his job in helping the lycan mare in the next room. “I know a few diagnostic spells, Bretons have a natural affiliation for Restoration, you see, and I should be able to determine what's ailing the poor thing.” The man lifted the book he had been reading and tapped the cover, as if to say along with this.

“You can go in, if it's alright with Luna.” Fluttershy looked to the Princess of Night for confirmation. When the Element received it, she practically jumped for joy, and hurried to unlock the door. The vampire wasted no time on pleasantries, and simply entered the small closet containing the sleeping werewolf.

“Reman owes me for this, big time.” Renoir knelt by the unconscious mare, and silently cursed his Vampire's Seduction power for it's strength. Unbeknownst to him, Luna was readying a bolt of magic, ready to incinerate the undead nightmare should he try anything suspicious. A golden glow enveloped the vampire's hand as he swept over the sleeping pony's body, searching for any hint of illness, injury, or poison.

“Anything?” The alicorn had her eyes on the kneeling man, whose face was scrunched in a mixture of curiosity and scholarly discovery. The vampire blinked for a few seconds, before he returned to the pile of books.

“Just one oddity, but I need to check something to be sure.” The undead man flipped through the pages quickly, before landing on the correct ones. After a few moments of reading, the mage made a strange noise, a combination of epiphany and deepening mystery. Very calmly, he set the tome down, and took a seat on the stone table.

“Well?” Luna was getting impatient, the man obviously knew something, but he was keeping quiet about it. The pale creature's skin seemed positively ghostly in the Dwemer lighting, Renoir looked as though he'd discovered something that deeply unsettled him. The princess knew that vampires were immortal, and it was possible that the man had seen a lot in his time, so what could have scared him so much?

“I... I think I'll wait until Reman gets back.”