Morgana returned to the warehouse alone. Moonlight had decided to remain at his sister’s side. Morgana did not mind. At this point, she preferred to be alone, and as much as she was willing to tolerate Moonlight he was still a human and therefore still a hindrance. She needed time to think, and had drawn out her return trip to give her time to walk through the city streets. It was almost horrifyingly easy even with the bounty on her head, but she had a strange feeling that she was being watched the whole time, waiting for a response.

The warehouse was oddly quiet. Morgana was able to enter alone and unnoticed, and to take her time as she walked through the dark corridors between old and forgotten things packed into boxes that would likely never be opened again.

At some level, she knew where she was going- -and yet found herself standing over Lilium and Roxanne. The two of them appeared to be sleeping peacefully, locked in each other’s embrace. Ponies did not sleep, though, and Morgana saw the custom hardline cord that connected their necks. Despite how still they were, they were in the throes of lovemaking, or the pony equivalent of it. But Morgana had already known that, and had had time to grow numb to it.

She left them, and only took a few steps and one turn between the maze of boxes before she noticed a pair of gleaming red eyes watching her from the shadows.

“Forth,” she said.
“Morgana,” replied Forth. “You left me here.”

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s harder to take you with me when we’re separate. I miss having you in my auxiliary processor. I’ve never heard of a Blossomforth unit existing for this long independently.”

“Perhaps I am not like the others. But you should have taken me. It’s not safe out there for you.”

“I don’t care about me that much,” lied Morgana. “What I care about is the people here. I wanted you to take care of them, and you did.”

A different shape moved in the darkness, and a different white pony appeared. Despite having only been out of contact for a matter of hours, Lynnette had somehow managed to change her clothing.

“I thought I heard the sound of vapid stupidity,” she said. “Or at the very least smelled cheap cigarettes. And not the ones the centaur smokes. Did you find what you were looking for?”

“Who said I was looking for anything?”

“Darling. You wouldn’t go all that way unless you wanted something.” She smiled. “Did you find it?”

Morgana sighed. “No,” she said, feeling for her cigarettes. Lynnette opened one of her pockets and gave Morgana the pack. “Her memory’s shot to hell. She didn’t remember what I needed to know. Even if she did, she didn’t see it. But I did find something else.”

“What?”

“The Cult of Humanity was involved. The agroterrorists that ‘Caleb’ was leading? They slaughtered them all. Jadeglow DID remember that part.”

“But that doesn’t make sense, now does it? Your line of reasoning was that Mercucio was recruiting natural-born humans for them.”

“And I may have killed him.” Morgana looked to Forth, who showed no sign of embarrassment or recognition.

“Ah. Well that was positively moronic. But it does explain the situation, now doesn’t it?”

“Maybe…”

The three of them started walking, and after a few moments Morgana saw Valla sitting on her four legs, with Elrod across a small table from her, attempting to teach her how to play cards.

“Morg,” said Valla, turning. “You’re back.”

“Yeah.”

“How’s Jadeglow?”

Morgana sighed. “Not good.”

“Damn…”

“That’s not the half of it. I found something.”

Valla looked concerned, but Lynnette looked intrigued. “What sort of thing?”

Morgana projected an image of the small flowering tree across their shared subnetwork.

“Crap,” said Elrod. “I don’t have my mask on, I can’t see it.”

“You don’t have to. It’s a Callistemon. It’s a type of flowering tree. Or it was. They used to be common, but a blight wiped them out seven centuries ago. All of them. Among other things. It’s extinct.”

“Then where did you get one?”

“Someone put it on Jadeglow’s end table.”

“Well, that was nice of them,” said Forth.

“No. It wasn’t meant as a gift. It was meant as a message. To me. They knew I’d be there. They knew I’d see it.”

“But what does it mean?” asked Valla. Her brow furrowed. “And where the hell did they get an extinct bush anyway?”

“They’re not extinct,” said Lynnette, leaning close to the image of the flower.

“Excuse me?” Morgana turned sharply.

“They WERE extinct. But a certain group has invested a considerable sum of money and effort into reconstructing the breed.”

“Why?” asked Elrod, seeming quite confused.

“They’re meant as a status symbol. The group in question is called the Bottlebrush Society.”

“I’ve never heard of them,” grumbled Morgana.

“Well, of course not, darling. They’re both exclusive and secretive. As I said, the flower is a status symbol, meant for the most elite of the elite. Not the kind of people someone like you would ever need to deal with.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” huffed Valla.

“It means that while Morgana may be able to integrate quite well with…ahem…‘lower’ aspects of the population, there is no reason why she would be concerned with the motions of high-society.”

“Is there a point to this?” asked Morgana.

“Perhaps. I have myself spent a considerable amount of time, effort, and personal funds to aquatint myself with the more notable members of polite society. I happen to know that the Bottlebrush Society is planning an exposition ball to show for the yearly blooming. The event was scheduled for tomorrow, actually.”

Morgana looked back at her own projection. “Fuck. That’s what it means. It has to be.”

“It would seem they’ve invited you to a party. You should be quite flattered.”

“Except I don’t think they’ll take a tree as a legitimate invitation.”

“The invitation hardly matters. It’s the tickets that count. I myself have two…and I can pull some strings to get you another set, if you’d like.”

“Why? Why would you do that?”

“Because I’m invested in this case,” snapped Lynnette. “Believe me, I’d MUCH rather be going to this event myself. I’d be planning the dress and makup this very moment. But I’m too busy here. Especially considering that the pony who I was to ask as my date is missing and quite possibly dead.”

“I don’t like this,” said Forth, stepping forward. “This sounds like a trap.”

“It isn’t,” said Morgana.

“How do you know?”

“Because they’ve known. They’ve always goddamn known. They knew where I’d be, where I was…they’re following me. Toying with me. I don’t know how, but they know where I am right now. If they wanted me dead, I’d be dead already.”

“But they do want you dead. That’s why we’re hiding.”

“No. I think it’s more complicated than that. But if you’re that worried, why don’t you come?”

Forth gasped. “Are you asking me to the ball?”

“No, she isn’t,” snapped Lynnette.

“I need firepower,” retorted Morgana.

“At an exposition ball? You have enough already. I gave you enough.” She pointed at Morgana’s arm. “And don’t be more of an idiot than you already are. The entire world is looking for a Twilight Sparkle who travels with a weaponized Blossmforth. And you want to walk into one of the most secured locations in Bridgeport…with an obviously weaponized Blossomforth?”

“Fine. Then I’ll take you.”

Rarity laughed in Morgana’s face. “HA! NO. Firstly, I’d ruin all of my social status. I wouldn’t be caught dead consorting with the likes of you in a place like that, not even for business. Second, I already told you. I’m known and respected in high society, at least to some extent. I’m recognizable. And, in case you forgot, I’m supposed to be in hiding.”

“So are the rest of us.”

“Yes. But you have the great fortune of being nobodies. I do not have that luxury.”

“Thanks. Fine.” Morgana pointed at Elrod. “Then I’ll take him.”

Valla looked amused to the point of nearly bursting out laughing. “Him? Morg, in case you haven’t noticed, he’s kind of slow.”

“Yes. He is. But having a guy who’s immune to bullets is never a bad idea.”

“Bullets- -what the hell are you talking about?”

Morgana lifted her arm and retracted the plating. Elrod’s eyes grew wide, but he did not have time to dodge. Morgana put a bullet between his eyes, causing most of his head to liquefy in the process.

Valla screamed. “OH SHIT! Oh shit oh shit OH SHIT!!”

Elrod took a step back and the white, starch flesh of his neck began to grow and regenerate. Within seconds his head had completely regenerated. Valla looked as though she were about to vomit or collapse. She just stared wide-eyed as Elrod’s head reconstructed itself.

“Damn it,” said Morgana, looking at her arm. “These rounds are shit. All that recoil for what? I’m not shooting watermelons here, I need to take out ARMOR.”

“Why does everyone always aim for the head?” whined Elrod.

“Because if you were human it would be an easy way to kill you.”

“Don’t do that again,” said Forth. “He doesn’t like it.”

“I don’t intend to waste the bullets.” Morgana turned to Lynnette. “See? He’ll be fine.”

“If this were some dirty dive bar, yes,” snapped Lynnette. “But you absolutely CANNOT go to a party like this with- -HIM as your date!”

“Why? I don’t understand the problem.”

“Miscegenation, darling! Or are you that thick? Are you TRYING to cause a scandal?!”

“I’m taking him to a party I don’t even want to go to. I’m not doing him. I don’t even think that’s possible.”

“For the record, it isn’t,” muttered Elrod, rubbing his neck. “Nor would I want to. You’re all essentially hideous to me. Except Forth, she’s mildly adorable.”

“Darling, I know certain things are acceptable in lower society, but this is a place of culture and grace. Ponysexualism is not tolerated, nor should it be. You would be thrown out before you even get in the door.”

“Then I’ll go alone. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“NO! UGH!” Lynnette put her hoof against her forehead. “It’s like you have no concept of polite society! You can’t do that either!”

“Why not? Or are you just shooting down all my ideas to be a bitch?”

“I’m not being a bitch. YOU are being an idiot. There’s a reason you get tickets in TWOS. Because if you show up alone, you’ve essentially advertised that you are either looking to be…pardon my language…fucked relentlessly. Or to find a husband. Or both. Needless to say, you would get no end of attention.”

“Which is not what I want. Fine! What the hell should I do then? I can’t take Forth, or you, or Elrod, who can I take?”

“Me. She’s going to take me.”

Roxanne appeared from between several of the boxes. Lilium was following behind her, looking sheepish and embarrassed.

“Oh. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go with your fuckbuddy there?”

“You shut it, Morgana! What I do- -and what SHE does- -is none of your business!”

Morgana looked at Lilium, and Lilium turned away. Morgana sighed. “Sorry,” she said.

“No you’re not,” said Roxanne. “You’re an overprotective, jealous bitch. Don’t talk to her like that. EVER.” Roxanne redirected her attention toward Lynnette. “You. Rapist. Would they have any problem with me?”

“Probably not.” Lynnette groaned. “I would have to size you for an appropriate dress, though…”

“I have dresses. Probably more than you do. And I definitely look better in them than you ever will. I just need someone to go get one.”

“No, no, dear. I mean real dresses. Not slutty ones.”

“Just get me my goddamn clothes!”

“No,” said Morgana, suddenly. “She won’t. Because you’re not going.”

Roxanne frowned, seemingly taken aback. “What the hell? I just told you I was. So I am. End of story.”

“No. Because this whole thing is probably going to end up turning into a grade-A shitshow real quick.”

“It had better not,” warned Lynnette. “I’m serious, darling, if you cause trouble for me- -”

“I’m not the one who sent a fucking plant as a calling card instead of just coming out in the open and trying to talk. Do I look like I want to play some sort of game?” Morgana’s eyes flitted back to Roxanne. “So no. I’m not taking you.”

“Yes you are. I’m not spending another minute cooped up in this goddamn dusty warehouse. And you don’t really have any choice. Unless you’d rather take Lil.”

“I’m not talking Lilium.”

“Because I fucked her?”

“Please don’t phrase it like that,” said Lilium, wincing. Much to Morgana’s surprise, Roxanne’s expression seemed to soften greatly.

“Sorry,” she said. “I was just having such a good day when SOMEONE had to throw it in reverse.”

“I’m still not taking Lilium. And that’s not the reason. I don’t want to put her in any danger whatsoever. She’s too young. If they take me out, so what? But she doesn’t even have a week yet.”

“Then it’s me or nothing. Here’s what you’re going to do: you’re going with me. Second set of tickets goes to Elrod and Valla.”

“M…me?” Valla looked as though she were about to faint. She pointed at Elrod. “Um, are any of you going to address the fact that you JUST SHOT HIM IN THE HEAD?!”

“We’re past that,” said Lynnette. “Besides, he’s human enough appearance wise to not raise any suspicions.”

“But- -in the- -in the HEAD!”

“It’s okay,” said Elrod. “It happens a lot these days.”

“But that means I have to go to the shitshow! I don’t want to go to the shitshow! I got shot once, and I didn’t like it!”

“You received a superficial flesh would from a low-caliber ricochet when you were eight,” said Lynnette. “I would hardly call that being ‘shot’.”

“How did you- -nevermind! Despite my sexy, sexy horse bits, I can’t exactly take a bullet to the face like this freak!”

“Don’t be rude!” peeped Forth.

Roxanne took several steps toward Valla. “Val,” she said. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t think you’re up to it.”

Valla opened her mouth, and then put her hands over her head. “Damn it!” she groaned. “Don’t do that!”

“Don’t do what?”

“‘Not up to it’? Goddamn it, Roxy, that’s a challenge.”

“No it isn’t.”

“Yes it is! Fuck! You’re making me feel like an idiot.”

“I’m not trying to.”

“Jade hired me to protect you, remember? I’m a bouncer. You’re a dancer. That’s how it works…and now you’re going to be walking into the lion’s den while I chicken the fuck out?”

“Again,” said Lynnette, sternly. “It’s not going to be a ‘lion’s den’. This is a civilized, sophisticated event. All you need to do is wear a dress and look pretty.”

“FUCK! You aren’t helping!”

“It doesn’t really matter,” sighed Morgana. She turned to Lynnette. “Can you get me a suit?”

“Can I get you a suit…would I have even offered the tickets if I wasn’t going to dress you properly? Of course I can get you a suit. Although to be honest I’m amazed that you weren’t intending to just show up in a dirty trenchcoat…”

“I’m not an idiot. I know how to behave. I’m a detective, for godsake.”