She scans up and down the parchment she writes in, pausing briefly to re-read her words for any mistakes. Satisfied with her spotless grammar, Moonlight continues writing a letter she plans to send to Celestia.

She has spent the whole day gathering information on the belt held by the yaks, finding fruit in the communication archives held by the Consortium. After dallying with several memoires, she successfully acquired enough information to give the Elite squad what they need. Complacent with the information she found, her mind grows groggy from hours of careful scrutinizing, but temporarily dispels it for this final letter.

She smiles as she pens words down, with the subject of her chit being none-other than the human who shared her bed. As she writes, her lips curl naturally with the glee she feels.

She focuses herself from straying too much, urged to bounce around random tangents about him, but stays on the topic of his astonishing over-night recovery. She fills with ease to finally send some good news to Celestia after a plethora of letters only detailing her concern for him. That same concern has been taxing her mind endlessly, leaving this as a breath of fresh air to soothe her psyche.

With one final word to be dotted by a period at the end, she sighs through her nose in satisfaction. She adjusts her glasses closer to her eyes, now turning her gaze up towards the giant clock above her door. It reads about 7:20. Perfect timing. At about 7:30, Magnifying Glass should be arriving for dinner, and Crimson should be returning from his mission.

Magnifying had replied with a letter of his own, delivered by a maidmare earlier today, explaining that he desired to relive days of old. He decided on buying noodles from the Researcher's favorite hangout delivered at his expense. While Moonlight was hesitant to allow him to take all of the burden for the food, his letter drew out several elaborate paragraphs that stated in-firm that it was perfectly okay. While she couldn't realize it, Magnifying already knew that she would try to cut the bill in half, just as she did when they were younger. Moonlight never did like others splurging on her, she always felt herself intruding when they did, despite the fact that she'd happily down quite a bit of money on her own acquaintances.

Now returning her eyes to the letter, she places the quill held in her magic back into its inkpot and channels a send-scroll spell. The letter rolls up into a fine tube with an easy-blue ribbon to hold it together, and it poofs to its destination in Celestia's chamber.

She arches her back and raises her arms up, turning her hips to pop her lower lumbar. With a gentle moan and a sigh from her mouth, she decides to clean herself up a bit before her guests arrive. She feels exhausted and unfocused, but nothing a splash of water from the faucet wouldn't do away with.

She ascends the staircase, heads into the bathroom and removes her glasses. She stands up onto her hindlegs to get closer to the faucet then splashes water onto her eyes with her hooves. She also takes some water into her mouth and swishes it around, hoping to alleviate any potential bad breath that possibly built up. After keeping her mouth closed for several hours, save for occasional yawns or sneezes, she doesn't want to take the chance for foul air. She spits the water out and blinks her still-wet eyelids, keeping them barely pried open just enough to see. She levitates her blue towel to herself and dries her face.

Knock-knock-knock

Her ears perk when she hears tapping at her door downstairs. She quickly replaces the towel and levitates her glasses on, adjusting them manually before stepping out to her balcony. "C-- Hmrh-mm! Coming!"

She makes pace downstairs again and heads to her door. She puts up a small self-conscious smile before even opening the door in an attempt to make herself a little more presentable to whoever is first to show up. With mustered courage, she opens the door.

Magnifying Glass stands on the other side, holding a well-sized paper bag with food contents in it with his teal aura. It seems that he too already has his own face-breakingly wide smile ready before the door had opened. But what immediately draws Moonlight's attention is what he is wearing. He sports a white tuxedo and slacks with a blue ribbon tie, his mane is well-groomed to the side, and he smells of a cologne common to Canterlot royalty. He definitely put some effort into his appearance for this dinner.

Moonlight is shocked to see him all spiffed-up as if he was going to attend some major event in the Castle. She has nothing on except her glasses, and her mane is a little more broken at the tips than usual.

"H-Hi, Moonlight!" he calls with a little too much enthusiasm.

"Hello, Magnifying Glass... you look very nice."

"Thank you! Y-You look great tonight too!"

"I--" Moonlight spends a pause registering the compliment. "... But I'm... I'm not wearing anything."

"Oh! Ahaha, correct! I-I didn't even realize! You already look so s-stunning, I hardly noticed!"

Moonlight's muzzle scrunches at the uncertainty of his words. Nevertheless, she smiles wryly and steps backwards, "Please, come in."

"Why thank you, Moonlight!" he blurts again, keeping his wide grin as he steps in with a noticeable wobble in his step.

"You can set the food down on any table you like."

Heeding to her, he levitates the bag of food to the closest lab table and sets it down. He sucks in air with relief that he successfully delivered the package without spilling or dropping anything. His neck then immediately twists around as he scans each inch of Moonlight's room, absorbing every detail he can and committing it to memory.

Moonlight watches him scrutinize her room, feeling evermore unsure of herself. She made certain to clean her entire room from top to bottom yesterday while she was waiting for Crimson to return, but she still feels like she lives in a pigsty. There is probably something she left on the floor, like a piece of food or crumpled up paper. It is only a matter of time before he finds it.

"Hwoh, this is amazing... being back in here," Magnifying mumbles in admiration. Having anticipated some sort of fault found in her livelihood, Moonlight's expressions softens when it does not arrive. "After so many years passing by this room, always seeing it closed with the padlock gating it away... I don't have the words. It's... it's just like I remember it!"

"Eh... is it? Ehehe, I tried to put everything back where it used to be."

"You did an incredible job! I said it, but I'll say it again, it's just like I remember it! ... Ouhm, uuh, well, except for that coatrack next to your door." Moonlight looks towards said coatrack with audit. "You used to keep it closer to the shelves! Not right next to the door!"

"I did...?" Her brows furrow further, then raise in realization. "Oh! I did. Indeed I did. Wow, Magnifying, how did you remember that?"

"I-I remember a lot about you, Moonlight!"

"T-That's... nice... that you do... um... it's..."

Magnifying captures her unsteady air quickly and his face falls to blight, ears flopping to his head. He clenches his teeth before stammering, "C-Creepy!?"

"Uhp, oh!" Moonlight becomes conscious of her facial presentation, instantly flipping her expression. "No! Not at all! It's... it's very flattering." Her wobbly smile grows to show her pearly whites.

Magnifying sighs out his soul in relief, proceeding to chuckle. "For a second there, I thought... oh! Hey! What is that?" He points towards a glowing purple mass of magic contained in a closed flask sat on lab table closest to the staircase.

"An extracted enchantment from an artifact assumed to be affiliated with the anomalies... d-don't worry, it's stable."

"Wow! Already extracting, are we? Such an advanced technique is no match for your genius! I still have so much trouble figuring out how to process the evulsion in such a way that doesn't diminish the potency of the enchant--" He face-hoofs and grumbles aloud, "What am I doing? We're supposed to be having dinner! A-Are you hungry, M-Moonlight?"

She nods three times, "I haven't eaten anything since breakfast, I am starving."

"Perfect! ... EERr! I mean, perfect! That you're wanting to eat dinner! N-Not that you're starving, that's not... that's not a good thing! I'd never say perfect to something like that!"

Moonlight's lips line momentarily, then quiver. She giggles earnestly and adjusts her glasses, "I know what you meant, silly."

Magnifying's confidence expands exponentially at seeing her happily amused at his antics. The smile that grows on him completely downplays the phony jaw-breaker he had earlier.

"Then let us eat," Moonlight declares as she begins to walk towards the table that sits their dinner. Magnifying watches her walk for a second before chuckling heartily, moving to find a seat across the one she chooses.

"I-I ordered you your favorite!" he announces proudly. "The thin spicy noodle bowl!"

"Oooo~" she coos with brightening eyes. "I haven't eaten that in... forever! ... Oh, wow. I just remembered something!"

"What's that, Moonlight?"

"The Spring before I left, we all ate there together. There was a special going on, and my favorite dish was served with--"

"--two diced boiled eggs," they both finish simultaneously.

"Yes!" Moonlight bounces in her seat, "that was the best!"

"Actually, not long after you moved away, that special became much more popular for some reason. Once the special ended, everypony kept asking for the boiled eggs, so they eventually decided to keep it a staple! Been the same ever since! Two diced boiled eggs waiting for consumption!"

"That's incredible! Haah, thank you very much, Magnifying. This is lovely."

"Pfft, psh, ooh, it's nothing~" He rubs the back of his head and flings his hoof. His magic ignites to manipulate the contents inside the big paper bag, taking out two styrofoam cups and two black plastic bowls. The bowls contain thinly cut prepared noodles and ingredients, the cups house the broth, all presented quite medium-brow, but judging from Moonlight's lusting appetite, the aesthetic hardly matters. She thanks him again when he sets down her food items and utensils for her.

She sniffs the tickling aroma of the spicy broth and licks her lips, "Mmm, it smells sooo goood~ I'm happy that you remembered this is what I enjoyed. What did you get for yourself?"

"S-Same thing!" he smiles widely.

"... Oh? If... If I recall correctly, you don't handle spicy foods very well."

"Ah well, yes! Hah! You remembered that about me! It still would be true, but you see, after you left Canterlot, I started ordering it considering I never tried it before. I was just too darn curious what it was about this bowl that you loved so much, so... I gave it a try! It took a while, but I became used to the spiciness! It's how I remembered it was your favorite! Ordering it over and over again and thinking about you!"

Moonlight's excited front nearly hits the ground at his uncanny words, but she catches herself this time. She glances at the clock very quickly, keeping her grinning smile up and chuckling half-heartedly. "V-Very thoughtful of you."

Magnifying notices her sly glance towards the clock, but decides on clearing his throat and maintaining his grin. "Well! Let's dig in!" he cheers as he uncaps the lid to his broth. His excited control over his magic leads him to open it with a bit more force than necessary, causing a sprit of hot deep-orange liquid to fly his way. Several droplets of broth stain his pure-white tux.

Both he and Moonlight inhale dreading gasps simultaneously.

"Noo!" Moonlight cries.

Magnifying blinks blankly at the stains on his very... very... expensive clothing. His gaze then shifts to Moonlight. Seeing the angst on her face, his mental track rewrites itself instantly, backtracking on his oncoming acrimony. He sits up straight and chuckles airily, "Ooh, it's okay! It's fine! I'll give it a... a thorough washing! Heha! Nothing a good cleaning can't handle!" he swings his arm in an arc.

Moonlight sinks in her seat at the thought of his snow-white clothes being stained, but takes his rather calm reaction to heart. She again quickly glances to the clock.

"So! Anyways, let's eat!" he says as he begins to, with extreme caution, pour the hot broth into the noodles. Moonlight gives a pursed smile and follows suit.

‎

‎

A little over an hour later, their empty bowls rest cold on the lab table as they enjoy small talk, bellies full of savory food.

"Oh no, what did she do?" Moonlight asks with an enthusiastic smile.

"She stared at the letter with piercing eyes, like if she couldn't believe was she was reading! Then, believe it or not, Scribe Swirl actually started laughing too! But! What made it funnier was that Running Water had never heard Swirl laugh before, so he ran away as fast as he could thinking she was about to blow a fuse!"

Moonlight giggles in entertainment. "All of this because Running misspelled 'chicken' on a report to a preservation park?"

"Wait till you hear how he misspelled it! 'Chechin'!"

"..." Moonlight's lips quiver and she blurts out in laughter. "Che-Chin!? How did he spell it that bad?"

"Even he doesn't know! The letter of reply the park returned asked us what type of animal a 'chechin' is, and he had no idea he wrote it like that!"

Both of them share in hearty merriment, slowly recovering from their chortling until they both exhale in satisfaction.

"I don't know what got into him that day," Magnifying puts his hooves at his abdomen, "but we made very sure never to let him live it down, until maybe a year ago. The joke ran a good course, but it soured him a little. Anything that involves chickens, the animal or the word, always puts him in a bad mood. So whatever you do, keep that concept away from ol' Running."

"I shan't let my guard down~" she hums with contentment, taking a moment of repose to glance at the clock for the nth time tonight. "It's almost ten-a-clock already... that was fast."

"That was fast! Hehah! I enjoyed my time so much, it feels like I just got here!"

"It certainly was enjoyable listening to many things I missed out while I was gone. I greatly thank you, Magnifying."

"You don't need to thank me! You're my friend! You're Celestia's friend, Swirl's friend, -- heck, you're everyone's friend! You don't know how glad we are to have you back, Moonlight!"

The blue unicorn blushes slightly and turns her eyes to the table with a grateful smile.

"Say, Moonlight..." Magnifying speaks up again, taking a slightly more serious tone, "doesn't it get lonely here? In this... big room. With nopony else around?"

Moonlight's perked eyes lift to look at him, "Oh, no no, I'm not here alone all the time. Crimson? I'm certain you have met him."

"I have," he acknowledges with raised brows. "A very brave soul."

"I-Indeed he is. He visits me every night after he returns from his duties with the Royal Guard Elite... but he is late tonight... again. He should have been here roughly around the time you arrived..."

"Not surprising to hear! He does work for the Elite after all!"

"In... deed."

"He visits you every night? Huh, wow, you two must be great friends!"

Mental lightning strikes horizontally through Moonlight's brain, making her appear confused. "Uum... yes. Yes! We are. Great friends! He is very kind. He always knows what just to say when I am destitute with myself. I-In fact, he is the reason why I returned to Canterlot to begin with."

Magnifying's expression hardens for stupor. "Really? -- Wait a second. If he convinced you to return to Canterlot... does that mean he was with you beforehoof?" Moonlight nods to his assertion. "... That's... ... I see. Interesting. You two must be very close."

Moonlight looks at him in silence, growing anxious and fidgeting in her seat at his serious contemplation.

"Is he... more than a friend then?"

Her front immediately flusters up to a cherry color. Her back arches in and her chest puffs out along with her lips pursing into a tiny circle. She turns her head left and right, shaking off some of the startlement. "No! No, we're-- we're friends! I couldn't--! I-I wouldn't--! What would my parents think? With a human? I-I..."

Magnifying's hardened front eases instantly. "Ah! I see. Great! It's phenomenal that he such a great friend of yours!"

"Eheeee..." Moonlight slouches and twiddles the left lock of her mane with both hooves.

"Your parents..." Magnifying echoes, tracking back a few paces. "Oh hey! Your parents! Are they still in the Blueleaf district?"

"Y-Yes. They are. They have not told me that they've moved elsewhere, so I believe they still reside there. Wh-Why?"

"Only curious. It's been years since I've seen them! Last we converged, we were all at that Royal Ball after your promotion to Head Researcher, and you were with them, along with-- wi-- ... eurrr..." Magnifying instantly resents opening his fat mouth, heart churning at witnessing Moonlight's ears flopping to her head. "... Gah, I'm so stupid!" he slams his face with both of his hooves, and even though it hurt, he feels he deserved it. "Moonlight, I'm... I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking. I didn't mean to return such memories--"

"It's okay... I've had many years to move past it already." Her wistful gaze raises from the table up towards the clock again. It is now ten on the dot.

Magnifying follows her gaze towards the clock, staring at it quietly for a moment. He is surprised to hear her talk again not long after, a bit more lighthearted than before.

"Thank you again for the food, Magnifying Glass."

He snaps his stare back to her, mouth formed in an 'o' before creaking into a trepid grin. "Of course! No problem! It was all my pleasure! ... Uum... are... are you going to retreat soon? You look a hint fatigued."

"... I'm not sure."

"Please do rest! It is important to the well-fed mind! It's only my opinion, but nothing should get in the way of a good night's rest! Nor thing nor pony! Especially if it causes nothing but worry! So now I-I will... take my own advice and excuse myself for tonight. Thank you for having me, Moonlight. This is undeniably the most excited I have been in... in a very long time!" He rises from his seat, prompting Moonlight to do so as well.

"It was my pleasure."

"... Uuhm, Moonlight?"

"Yes?"

"Can I ask you something? Something that's been, well... irking me since I arrived for our dinner."

"Please do ask."

"You seem... very bothered. Like something is not quite right. ... Does it have to do with mister Crimson?"

Moonlight tilts her head to the left and adjusts her glasses. "... Um..."

"You had said he should be arriving soon, and it most certainly has been much longer than soon. Mind this with your anxious glances towards the clock throughout the entire night, I-I can only infer that the source of your distress comes from him."

"... He... well, he..." She sighs and lowers her head. "... It's that obvious, is it?" Magnifying nods to her solemnly. "It does have to do with him. This is not the first time he told me he would be coming to see me at a certain time, only to arrive horribly late. A-And that isn't the main issue I have with him. It saddens me that he is never on time, but the main affliction is... is that he doesn't care for his own safety. Every time he has returned, he is hurt in some new horribly concerning way..."

"The life of a Royal Guard Elite, I'm afraid."

"I-I know, but he... it's not fair."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Moonlight, but it unfortunately comes with the job." He frowns as he gazes at her, watching her becoming tense.

"It does! But I-- ... He..." Moonlight's chest lights like a bottled rocket, trembling her frustration before bursting from between her lips. "He can't be taking so much abuse for everypony! I know for a fact that he imposes himself for the well-being of others! I even asked to be sure, I write letters to Swirl! She has been keeping me up to date on everything! On the health and status of each member of the Elite! The other members of the Elite have been coming home unscathed from their missions! Everypony but him!" She hops towards Magnifying in her unrest, pupils vibrating from her stress. "It upsets me that he doesn't care for his own safety! It really does! Because one day, he might not make it back to me! And I can't stand the thought of it!"

Magnifying coils his head back slightly at her sudden jump. "... This can't be healthy, Moonlight. I-I mean... look at you. You are overextending yourself for mister Crimson, and this mental baggage will only cause issues! You could get sick from the stress! Your experiments will become tangled! Do not take this the wrong way, but... is he truly worth this terror to your health?"

"He is! Of course he is!"

"... Is he really?"

Moonlight clenches her teeth at the repeated question, soon falling into uncertainty.

"And you said this is a recurring happening? Moonlight, if I compile what I understand, he will continue this cycle as long as he works in the Guard. It will not get any better from here."

She lets her face turn to the ground, soaking in what she is being told.

"Please, Moonlight. You are no better than mister Crimson if you do not mind your stress. Worrying so much for him is only hurting you, and I care for your well-being. I prithee you retreat for tonight, the troubles you hold can affect you no longer if you rest and contemplate."

She gawks at him in silence, letting his words bounce around her mind. With an internal debate coming to an end, her tensed shoulders and trembling eyes simmer. She breathes in deeply and nods, huffing out knots in her breath. "Maybe you are right."

"I have been there, Moonlight. It will be okay. You will feel better in the morning! I'm sure of it! And I'm sure mister Crimson can take care of himself! He is a very robust type! -- Bu-But, enough with the downtrodden! Tonight was nothing short of a blessing! Would, uhm... would you mind if we... do this again? Sometime?"

"Th... that sounds good. Did you have a time or day in mind?"

"Uum... h-how about... the day after tomorrow?"

Moonlight puts up a tiny smile and nods twice.

Magnifying's wary front beams in satisfaction. "G-Great!" His eyes drift to the lab table topped with empty dishes. "... Oh! How terribly immodest of me! Would you like some help cleaning up?"

"Nono, that's okay. I enjoy cleaning. You go ahead, I insist."

"Then I'll... I'll see you soon!" He heads for the door and makes a discreet exit, leaving Moonlight to her lonesome.

She watches the door come to a complete close before turning towards the mess on the table. Her horn glows gently, commencing the calm and therapeutic process of tidying up.

‎

‎

She rubs a moist pink rag on the table top to spiff it shining, letting this be the last task for her frivolous clean up. She tilts her head left and right, getting slightly different viewing angles across the table just to make sure it is spotless... and it passes inspection.

She returns the rag to a sink at the far left end of her room where she keeps most of her cleaning supplies, stringing it out before leaving it on the faucet head to drip. She directs her attention to the clock, seeing that it reads about 10:50.

Sadness wells in her heart as time continues to tick away. She knew believing him when he said, "We'll be back by the evenin'," was going to lead to disappointment, but she could not help but savor his words.

Her mind now trails back to what Magnifying was telling her earlier, that she should get some sleep instead of stressing out. She acknowledged him that she should not wait for the man's return, but... it is certainly easier said than done. She feels too anxious to try and sleep, he could return at any moment. She wants to be awake and ready for him when he arrives. She wants to see him.

"But nothing should get in the way of a good night's rest! Nor thing nor pony!"

Moonlight's gaze meets the marble flooring. Maybe Magnifying is right... waiting for Crimson might just hurt her more than it is worth. Besides, he might just come back looking like a corpse again despite the grand recovery he made this morning, a possibility only now dawning on her. The grievous stress she gets seeing him constantly battered is not only something she is not used to beholding on anyone whatsoever, but especially wrenching that it is on someone she cares greatly for.

Like Magnifying said, there is a cycle forming, and it is not one she thinks she can emotionally handle for much longer.

"Especially if it causes nothing but worry!"

It may be best if she just went to bed tonight... and with hesitance, she decides this as the final course of action for today.

Click-click...

The gentle sound of her door opening behind her sounds away...

... a moment of silence passes as she dares not look behind her to see who it is.

"... Hey, Lighty."

Of course it would be him, just as she decided to let it be. Another pocket of silence comes when she does not acknowledge him.

"... Girly? You alright?"

She can hear his boots stepping close to her, so she speaks up before he gets too close. "I-I don't... I don't want to look at you," she stammers as sternly as possible.

"'N why's that?"

"Please don't ask such a thing... you know exactly what I am referring to."

"Well fear not, Lighty, it ain't nothin' serious."

It is pathetically obvious that it is serious, she can even hear a creaky rasp in his voice that certainly was not there this morning. "So you did get hurt again..."

"It ain't bad though, I'm feelin' alright," his tone comes off as appeasing as possible.

She can hear him stepping closer, looping around her side to step at her front. She closes her eyes and tucks her chin. She can feel him standing inches away from her face.

"... Ain't gonna even look at me?"

She shakes her head.

Crimson sighs and smiles wryly. "You upset that I took longer than I said I would again?"

She does not move for a second, then nods repeatedly. Despite her acknowledgement, it is obvious that there is more issues present than just that one.

"Then, I beg a million pardons." She does not react to his apology with anything other than a quick sigh. He leans a bit closer to her and murmurs, "... Moonlight? Will you bestow upon my humble self yer forgiveness?"

Her lower lip trembles, along with her nerve... then she nods once.

"M'glad. Didn't want you livin' the rest of yer life with yer eyes closed. How 'bout them beautiful pearls of yers now."

She reluctantly scrunches her face, but she opens her eyes to see him, prepared to witness what new injuries he now harbors.

And she regrets it immediately. Her pupils dilate to grains of sand, leaving her pink irises to eclipse her orbs. He looks just as grey and faded out as he did yesterday, possibly even worse right now, and his posture is slouched rather than straight and firm. "W... What is-- ... Are... are those...?" she points her hoof to the perfectly round torn holes in his duster and shirt, stained with dried life essence. Bandage wraps can be seen through those holes covering his entire torso. She also notices a white and purple paper band on his right wrist, the same band the Castle doctors give to a patient upon being checked on.

"... Yeah."

"Your voice. ... Was your lung...?"

"... Yeah."

"... No. No, Crimson, no," she shakes her head in disbelief with emotional toil growing in her glare. "A... a firearm? Out of everything in Equestria... somehow a firearm. Never did I think I would see this... but here it is. I have so many things to ask. ... How are you even alive...?" She trails down again to the paper band. "... The doctors... you were with them just now. Why did they release you?"

"Eerr..." Crimson scratches his temple, "... they, uh... didn't. Just excused myself while no one was lookin'. Got my clothes on 'n walked right out. I mean, I was already in there fer like an hour'r so, don't reckon I needed to be in that bed any longer. 'Mean, think about it. If I was really hurtin', I wouldn't be here, right?"

She puts her hoof at her cheek and shakes her head in rejection again, mouthing something in a breathy silence. She closes her eyes once more, hiding herself from the pain of having to look at him further.

Crimson puts his fists at his hips and droops his shoulders, trying his best to keep a lighthearted expression, but it is proving formidable... until it becomes impossible. With one single tear shimmering at the corner of her left eye, it quakes the body of her sorrow before it runs down her cheek.

Seeing another innocent soul weeping today desolates his very core. His throat catches at her sorrow, leaving him without words to speak. He attempts to reach his hand out to her, but even with eyes closed, she feels it coming and turns her face away. He clenches his teeth and slowly retracts his hand. "... Moonlight..."

"What am I supposed to do?" she whispers faintly. The man leans a bit closer to gesturally announce that he's listening. "What am I supposed to do if you die?"

"I'll be fine. We've talked about this--"

"Don't--!" her shoulders raise and her teeth clench, her face becoming red and shiny under her flustering. "... Don't... say... that. Don't say that you will be fine. You are never fine. You have not been fine since the day we first met. You say you're okay, and I always believe you. I hate myself for it. For the single month we have known each other, I... I have felt things..."

"... What d'you mean?"

"Nothing important. Because I know I am not worth a lot to you. If I was, you would at least try to keep yourself safe for me. I thought I would be used to it by now... being worthless..."

Crimson's front hardens.

"... but I was wrong yet again. I feel things that I shouldn't be feeling... I think of things that... that I..." She fades her sentence away in a choking breath, instead beginning a new one. "Crimson? Are... are we friends?"

"Course we are, silly filly. You ain't even gotta ask."

"... I thought so." Her response instills him with perplexity. Such a simple response feels too loaded with implications, but she does not give him time to linger on it. She opens her glistening eyes and firmly states, "I want you to retire from the Guard."

Crimson reels back with a rigid expression. "What? C'mon now, I'm fairly certain that ain't possible. Remember what Celestia said."

"I will talk to her."

"I ain't been with them longer than a week."

"That's all the time you needed to show me you won't take care of yourself."

"Moonlight, I can't just 'retire'. The Elite team-- my team-- is countin' on me too. I don't think I'm leavin' the Guard any time soon."

Abjection flows like a tide throughout her entire being at her request being denied...

"But nothing should get in the way of a good night's rest! Nor thing nor pony!"

... but only for a moment, before she suppresses and encapsulates it. Her eyes lose a certain shimmer to them, falling half-lidded and weary. "... I'm going to bed." She begins a path towards the staircase, attempting to walk around the man...

... but he sidesteps in front of her. "'N where you goin'?"

"I only want to go to bed."

"Why do I feel like that ain't the truth."

"What else do you want from me? You already said you aren't leaving the Guard. There is nothing else to discuss. ... I want to go to bed..."

"... By yer lonesome?"

Moonlight's gaze remains forward, blank and depressed. "It goes without saying."

Crimson purses his lips, a sharp sting more painful than any bullet could give surges through his heart. He actively tries to think of something to say to her, but... nothing's coming out.

"... From now on, I advise that you sleep in your assigned room."

"... Why?" is the only word that makes it past his lips.

"I'll need to get used to it. Because when you die, there will be no one else around to be with me. I... I must become accustomed to being alone again."

"M... Moonlight, c'mon now, that ain't somethin' you should be thinkin' about. I'm tellin' you, I'll be-- ... erh." He catches himself, already seeing the churning bitterness in her face. "... Understand, Moonlight. I can't just abandon the Guard. They need the help."

"Do they?" she retorts calmly but quickly.

"Yeah, they do."

"Reports say they were completing their tasks just fine prior to your arrival..."

"They're missin' a frontliner, he died a while back ago."

"Captain Winter regularly hosts trials for the Elite... they could acquire another prominent soldier from the Guard."

"... I don't reckon Celestia is gonna wanna break me outta my duty so quickly. I haven't even gotten paid yet."

"You have. You did. Two days ago. Your payment was sent to my name in the Treasury... since you never made a file of your own."

"That still leaves my deal with Celestia."

"I will talk to her."

Crimson sighs, seeing that every point he has made has had a fair counter. He cannot dismiss Moonlight's ability to make a request such as breaking Crimson out of his duty with Celestia. So now he finds himself stuck between a delicate balance... continue working for the Elite and further toil Moonlight's graces, but press in the pursuit of the anomalies... or retreat and save Moonlight from mounting grief.

But here and now, off the top of his head, he is not sure what else he would do. The magical anomaly he witnessed, the mission to learn of and suppress these phenomena, it is all tied to the Elite. They have the plans, the skill, the information, the know-how, with all of it backed by the most powerful capitol in Equestria. This was his job, this is the reason why he wanted to stay in Equestria... or so he thinks...

Nevertheless, he can't just let this go. He balls his hands into fists and stands up with slightly better posture. "Moonlight..." She doesn't even blink at her name being called, but he knows she's listening. "... I've got a proposition fer you." Her eyes finally lift up to gaze at his face. "I'll stay with the Guard..." Her eyes fall back down to a void state. "... but I promise to take better care of myself."

Her orbs return to his front, bemused and untrusting.

Crimson comes down to one knee, looking right into her eyes as they move away to stare at nothing. He smiles halfheartedly, "I know you ain't got a reason to believe me, but trust me on this." He lifts his index knuckle to gently wipe her cheek of the drying tear that ran earlier, proceeding to caress the base of her ear. It flicks in chilling enjoyment at the touch, but it does little to ease her heavy heart. "You aren't worthless, 'n you've never been. Not to me, not to Celestia. If it takes me holdin' back from trouble to ease yer spirit, I'll do it. I'd do just about anythin' fer you, Moonlight. ... I care about you more than you might realize."

Moonlight's quivering mouth lines for a tiny smile, followed by a dejected chuckle. "... I really am hopeless."

"Why's that?"

"... Because... I'm starting to trust you again. I can't believe myself..."

Crimson can't help but chuckle lightly in return, moving forward to fully embrace her. She doesn't reply with a hug of her own, but allows it to happen without contest.

"... I tried being firm with you. I tried to... be upset at you, but... I failed. Miserably."

He eases off the hug to look at her, still keeping a modest smile. "M'sorry that I trouble you, girly."

"... It's okay."

"... Did you wanna go to bed... all by yer lonesome still?"

She slowly shakes her head, "That would be the last thing I'd want... but I'm not going to sleep until you let me look at your wounds. I want to take care of them."

"But them doctors already did."

"I want to... I want to do it. Please."

"... Sure. Go right ahead." Despite the green light, Moonlight remains unmoving, only looking at him in discontent. "You're prettier when you ain't scowlin' at me."

His words garner a trepid turn-away of her gaze followed by a light blush of her cheeks... still, she doesn't seem to be making an active effort to move upstairs... perhaps waiting for something.

His smile grows a little wider as he stands up to his full length and walks to her side. "Hmh, c'mere, you." He leans down to pick her up bridal style, moving to walk her upstairs. The easiness in her expression glows brighter in his hold, it was exactly what she was waiting for.

This is what he adores about her. It's as if he was caring for a daughter of his own... a daughter that worries for him and loves him. He sees a lot of his sister in her, making the familial connection even stronger.

He marches her and himself into the bathroom. Moonlight uses everything at her disposal to carefully and methodically treat the holes in his body. To her unsurprise, his wounds stain his bandages with fresh blood, having opened back up from moving his body too much. Ignoring the doctor's orders and foolishly walking across the entire Castle was not a sound course of action even for this stubborn mule of a man.

Soon enough, his wounds are treated and his body is wrapped up again.

‎

‎

"So how was yer day, Moonlight?" Crimson asks nonchalantly.

"It was... okay," Moonlight solemnly utters, rested on her bed next to him. She gazes at the glowing stars that hang from her ceiling, how gently they turn from left to right. "Yours?"

"'Side from the gun incident, not too shabby. Met up with the other Robes at Las Pegasus."

"Oh, that's right. I had forgotten that's where you were headed. How were the others?"

"A pleasure. That Lightheart Trot girl was a kind after my own heart."

"... W-Was she, now."

"Smart as can be with a child-like personality. I really liked 'er, 'n she took a fancy to me too. Got along real well."

Moonlight gazes at the stars, unable to think of anything additive to say. She can feel her cheeks heating up at hearing him say these things... so she opts to stay silent.

"Then that Running Water fella was an interestin' type," Crimson continues. "Definitely doesn't look or act the part of a high-tailored researcher."

"H-He's always been that way. Never took anything seriously."

"Then lastly, that older one... Collateral..." Moonlight's ears perk up at the tone of Crimson's voice. "Don't think he 'n I will get along very well."

"Why is that?"

"He's got an ego on 'em. He even said yer mini-ANA blueprint was 'rudimentary'. The nerve."

"... Oh," she hums with disappointment.

"Bastard couldn't figure it out before. That's what you said, right?"

"I-I did, but... but I wasn't trying to berate him. It was mostly my fault, the old ANA blueprint was very jumbled and nonsensical. He is correct about this new blueprint you delivered to him, it is quite streamlined now. I'm glad he thinks it to be simpler."

"You 'n me both know that's bull, Moonlight. Why don't you just admit that yer a greater intellect than he is?"

"Because... because I'm not. He deserved Head Researcher, not me."

"Listen." He turns his head to face her and waits for her to do the same. Once they make eye contact, his stern front lightens for a sympathetic smile. "From an outsider lookin' in, I think you've earned yer keep. What's the best that Collateral's done? What's he donned ont'a the cap of society?"

"Well, he, um... he makes things. All sorts of things."

"Like?"

"... Umm... uuh... he-- Oh! I know! The magic call button! He made that!"

"... He made that coin of garbage that only lasts a few seconds then busts? Woopty-shit."

"T-That's not very nice, Crimson. It is a grand stride in telecommunications, even if only in a beta state. "

"We had to use 'em fer our mission. If those damn call buttons didn't suck, Snowfall could'a relayed more info to us prior to arrivin' at the battlefield. I probably wouldn't have gotten shot."

Moonlight sinks in recognition. "... That's... that's true..."

"Now I get why Collateral gave Bulletpoint some burnin' eyes when he smashed his call button on the lab floor. Didn't say nothin' about it 'cause it was all hectic, but I get it now. 'N now that I do, I'd do the same damn thing."

"Did Bulletpoint really destroy Researcher property?"

"Sure did, 'n I'd join 'em. Button sucked like a calf on their mother."

"... Okay, maybe he doesn't make things very well. But he has had a hoof in perfecting things being made! That is how he made it as a researcher when he was young, by taking incomplete projects and finding a way to make it work!"

"Then why doesn't he do that on his own creation?"

"... I couldn't give you a concrete answer. Maybe he is overthinking his process since... well, it is his own creation."

"Yeah, well, 'til he learns to sit his ego down, him 'n I ain't got business. Now, I've been goin' on about me. What about you? Can't tell me you stood in yer room alone all day."

Moonlight takes a few seconds to respond, turning her head back to the glittering stars above. "... Neither. I... I left my room." Crimson's brows arc in astonishment. "... I went to the library garret today. As you told me yesterday, I needed to acquire information on the belt, so I... I donned my robe and I ventured. Fortunately, I was never detected by anypony of note, and the guards are very kind to me."

"Very brave of you, Lighty."

"... Was that sarcasm?"

"Heh. Partially~"

"Hmph," Moonlight looks at him again and scowls. She closes her eyes and huffs, returning her face towards the ceiling. "I acquired the essential documents needed for my research, and I found what I was searching for. Snowfall should have a full report tomorrow."

"Never cease to impress. Say, you went to the library, right?"

"Mm," she nods.

"Cherry Snow there?"

Her eyes beam instantly, causing her to turn her head quickly and stare at him again. "Ch-Cherry...? How do you...?"

"Celestia told me. Supposedly you two were great friends, 'n she works at the library here. She didn't notice you?"

"... She-She wasn't... at the counter when I arrived..."

"Mm. Odd. ... Well anyways now, about the other part I was wrong about?"

"The other thing...? Ah! Yes, I was not alone. Once I returned to my room and finished my research, I had made... plans. With Magnifying." Crimson's brows raise even higher while Moonlight's tone wavers. "We decided to have dinner in my room... together."

"Well now, ain't that a pleasant surprise," Crimson grins merrily. "Sooner than I expected too. Our bumbling mister make the first move?"

"I-If you are asking whether or not he initiated the proposition, y-yes. He did."

"Why you gotta word it like that, Lighty? Just say he asked you out on a date~"

"A-A-A date!?" she grips the blankets that cover her tightly. "It-It-- ... It was nothing of the sort!"

"No need to hide it, girly. I'm glad yer seein' someone, 'n none-other than a fella from yer younger days. It's good fer you to love someone. It gives you somethin' worth fightin' for if nothin' else. Trust me, been there."

Moonlight rubs the ankles of her hindlegs with her hind hooves, alternating between each leg in an anxious manner. "... If I may ask..."

"My sister," Crimson completes for her knowingly. "Viola." He smiles at saying her name, eyes glittering under the shimmer of the moon. "She was, 'n still is, my somethin' to fight for. When my ma' died, she 'n I where the only ones left of my family. Brother, mother, father... gone. Nothin' but gravestones in the backyard, waitin' to return to the earth. Provide minerals to the tree they were buried under. ... Viola. She was the one I fought for after everything I knew broke apart. She was the reason I got outta bed in the mornin'... she was the reason I did anythin', really. It, uh... it took a while, but I learned to get over all that came my way. I shot my look forward, 'n that's where I've kept it ever since."

Moonlight's somber front slowly turns for a simper, feeling joy of her own in hearing of his previous triumph.

"But enough about me. Let's get back to your night with none-other. How'd it go with 'em?"

"U-Um, well... it was... fine. W-We talked a lot about things that happened while I was gone, and it was fun. I'm happy that I was able to talk to him today!"

As she speaks, Crimson's smiling expression churns to doubt. The way her tone is slowly gaining psudo-excitement is a dead giveaway that something troubles her. "... So what's the issue then?"

"W-Wuh?" her gaze snaps to him.

"C'mon now, no need to play the fool. Somethin's buggin' you, 'n it's gonna keep buggin' me till you get it off yer chest."

She purses her lips at being so easily found out, unable to focus her eyes on just one thing. A brief silence passes before she sighs out, "... There... there was one thing. A-And please, don't misunderstand, I had an amazing time, s-so much so that we plan on eating together again! It's only that... only that... well..." she trails off, looking down at her hooves. "... He made me feel... strange sometimes... when he was talking."

"Already gettin' googlie fer him?" he snickers.

"N-No! A st-stark contrast... to what I am attempting to convey..."

"Hm? Sayin' stuff that made you uncomfortable then. Like what?"

"... Um... he... he'd say things like, he thought about me a lot when I was gone, what things I used to like, a-and even where I used to leave things. Such a strange accuracy in his memories of me, as if... he had studied me heavily or something of that sort."

"Ooh. Well ain't that the kicker. Love-struck, ain't he?"

"L-Lovestruck?"

"People soaked with adore fer another person tend to say some weird stuff now 'n again. They also remember lots a weird things about them too, I can vouch fer it. It ain't that he's tryin'a be weird, he just really, really likes you. I respect that."

"I..."

"Don't try to over-analyze things that folk like him might say, he's a real skittish one. I'm thinkin' he cares about you, 'n that's great. Havin' someone to unconditionally love will fuel yer fire."

Moonlight hides her flustering face under the blankets, leaving only her eyes exposed. She silently acknowledges what he is saying, but... for some reason, it is causing a hole in her stomach... something she wants to advert... to correct...

"Well, I'm glad yer day was fueled with somethin'. Last thing I want you to do is sit here 'n do nothin'. Ain't good fer yer health to do that, not physically not mentally."

His words echo several times through both of them, being the last words spoken before a lengthy moment of silence...

"It really hurts me to think about it," she suddenly murmurs, ogling the glowing stars above again.

"Mm? What does?" he replies, also watching the stars lazily dangle.

"... You."

"Hmh. You sound like my sister."

"Then I'm happy her and I see you the same way. Hasn't it occurred to you that if you weren't you, you would have died because of those lead projectiles?"

"Y'mean bullets?"

"Y-Yes, bullets, that is the word I was looking for. I'm not a firearm aficionado, so I did not-- ... deh-- Don't change the subject!"

"Heh."

"This is no laughing matter! It hurts me to think about this... how you wouldn't be here with me if you couldn't survive the things you do."

He smiles to the stars above, taking a moment to simply mellow out. "... Yeah. Seen plenty'a people in my life die to much less than what I walk away from. Always did wonder why I was born what I am. Never was the grand standin' of justice 'r righteousness, nothin' like an angel should be."

"You don't have to be in order to be a good pony... or, um, person. And you are a great person... so much so that you constantly put yourself at risk for others."

"You give me a lotta credit 'cause you know me as I am now. Trust me when I say I wasn't always a very nice fella." Moonlight stays quiet and snuggles into her blankets, waiting for him to elaborate. "I killed people fer money. If I got lucky, got to hogtie 'em. Whichever was easier at the moment. Wasn't a glorious job, but it fetched supper."

"... L-Like a bounty hunter?"

"That's exactly it."

"But, that means you only hurt bad people."

"Suppose. But with a job like that, you ain't got a clue who's right and who's leadin' you on. Been more than once that someone who didn't deserve to get shot ended up with a hole in their chest... 'n sometimes, the smokin' barrel that caused that tragedy was my own. I don't think a 'good person' would end up killin' someone who didn't deserve to die."

"B-But... accidents happen..."

Crimson smiles, turning his head left and right, rubbing the back of his head against the pillow. "They sure do. Sure are oddly calm about the evil deeds I've done, girl."

"You're not an evil person, Crimson... I know you aren't. If you were, you would have hurt me already."

"... Couldn't imagine it, hurtin' someone like you... but if you were in a bad place at a bad time, my old self might not have even batted an eye. At some point, I made too many accidents to keep lettin' 'em bother me... all because I made the mistake of alignin' myself with an old friend."

"Old friend?" she asks skeptically.

"Farthest thing one could be to a friend, actually. Spent most of my childhood with that bastard. His family 'n mine were close. They led a gang that worked like a 'gater in water, every move they made was quick 'n accurate. You could hardly tell they existed from how well they worked behind curtains of the public's ignorance. But from what little everyone knew about 'em, they looked like the guardians of the west. Almost like heroes you'd read in them fairytale books. They swoop in outta nowhere to save the day..."

Moonlight puts her hooves together at her chest, contemplating.

"... that is, till that old friend of mine stuck his trenched foot into the paintin'. All that became of that gang was chaos. Soon enough, I found myself doin' the things I hated. Wasn't long before I left 'em though. I had enough sanity in my head to reckon I didn't belong with a bunch of deranged outlaws. Kinda like them Wildmanes you got here."

"You encountered them. ... I should have expected that the Wildmanes were responsible for your injuries."

"They seem like a problem, 'specially since they blackmarket guns."

"I'm unacquainted with their kind, I only know about them because of what others tell me. They dare not come anywhere near bigger cities... still, I know that they are extremely dangerous in the plains of Equestria."

"No kiddin'. Haven't seen a gatlin' like the one they had since I was a boy. Just as terrifyin' as I remember 'em. They probably woulda done me in if it weren't fer--... well, shit, I nearly forgot to tell you."

"Mm?" Moonlight gives him her undivided attention, turning herself onto her side to look at him.

"A magic anomaly. We saw one with our bare eyes." Moonlight gasps with hooves at her mouth. "Yeah. We witnessed firsthand what it done to the things it touched... almost seemed to pick 'n choose what it wanted to lay out. Them Wildmanes had this iron 'r steel flatbed that carried the gun, and it rusted it through-in-through. Then the actual Wildmanes it touched... well, this might be hard to believe, but they all grew old 'n turned to flakes. Right then and there, they aged so damn quick it's as if someone grabbed their clock 'n spun it forward."

"That sounds something out of a nightmare..."

"Unfortunately fer us, it's more than just a dream. Now, the damndest part was when it disappeared. It just went 'n vanished like a ghost in the wind. It didn't do none of the environmental corruption you told me about a while back, it just aged stuff 'n left."

"This is much more complicated than we initially thought. With what you are telling me, I'm beginning to believe we're dealing with the most occult magic of them all... time magic."

Crimson's brows furrow. "I already saw what it was capable of doin', but I reckon this is only the beginnin'."

"Huh!" Moonlight gasps again, sitting up completely. "Did Swirl acquire the magic signature from the anomaly? If she acquired the signature, then we could--!"

Crimson glances at her and shakes his head. "She said she'll explain it all to you in a letter tomorrow. There was a lot goin' on when the anomaly struck, we didn't really get an opportunity."

"... I see," her excitement deflates instantly. She lies back down and stares at the stars again, falling into thought.

"So what was the deal with them yaks anyway?" he turns his head as he asks his question, and she turns onto her side again to face him with a returning pique of enthusiasm.

"Mm, right! As I stated, I conducted research on the belt held by the yaks. More specifically, the yak prince. It turns out that this belt is indeed a magical artifact, one that increases the strength of the wearer by a considerable amount. From what I gathered, the yak prince keeps this relic as a token of pride. Many different factions and tribes have tried to acquire the belt from them, via barter or violence, and none of them have been able to take it from them."

"Aaah," Crimson beams in realization. "Yeah, there was a letter we snatched from the Featherlines when we trailed to their camp. It was written by the camp lieutenant, sayin' somethin' about takin' by force. I reckon this is what they were talkin' about. Hm, figure Swirl 'n Snowfall are gonna wanna hear 'bout this."

"Mm," she nods, "I will reply to Swirl's letter with everything she needs to know."

"Great. Looks like everythin' will get assembled tomorrow. Knowin' Snowfall's pace, the next mission will be prompt in the mornin'. Gettin' excited."

Moonlight's bemusement returns with his last claim. "... You cannot be telling me what I think you are."

"Why not? I ate a big meal on the way back to Canterlot. I'll feel better in the mornin', just like yesterday."

"Can you seriously expect me to believe you will make another miraculous overnight recovery? Especially with wounds much more grievous than before?"

"I do, 'n I'll tell you why," he grins facetiously. "Ready to hear it?"

She purses her lips and furrows her brows at him, prepare to listen to whatever excuse he is going to deliver.

"'Cuz when I get a good night's rest, my body heals quickly. I noticed somethin' while I was out with the Elite today, somethin' I shoulda caught up on sooner..."

"...?" Moonlight tilts her head dubiously.

Crimson sits up to lean his face closer to hers, leaving their noses an inch apart. Her eyes widen and glitter under the night light, with a blush quickly enveloping her face. "I sleep better when it's with my favorite science gal~" He reaches his hand and gently scraggles her mane, giving her a closed-eyed smile before returning to his side of the bed.

"... Hw... Hwuh...?" she stammers in her flustered bewilderment.

"Don't believe me? Then we'll set up an experiment here tonight. If I knock out like a rock 'n wake up feelin' spry, then it ain't a hoax. How 'bout it?"

"... I... well, I..." she blinks rapidly and keeps her eyes turned away from his. "... Am I really... your favorite science girl?"

"None other better~ Now c'mere, let's get some sleep."

Moonlight hesitates in her embarrassment, but scoots closer to him and hugs his arm. She rests her forehead on his shoulder and closes her eyes.

Returning to his embrace, there is no delay in her remembrance as to why she enjoys him so much, why she trusts him so much. The soothing warmth in her heart flutters her happiness in this moment. Truly, as she lies here with him, she can relax like nothing else. He even promised that he'd take better care of himself, and he has yet to break his first promise. Maybe she can comfortably place her faith in his words this time.

...

Friends.

Next Chapter: Red Snow Estimated time remaining: 19 Hours, 35 Minutes