His sandals cease their clacking on the Castle's marble flooring when halting at an end of the grand halls. This end branches left and right, where the left is the only method of access to the Castle Residences he knows...

... which means he needs to skirt by her room. He hopes it won't sting as much as he thinks it will.

Inhaling deeply, he progresses forward and takes the left turn towards the East Tower. There, down at the end of the hall, he can see it... her room... and the two gold-armored guards that now stand before the rotunda, making sure a certain someone is not guaranteed access.

He grows a bitterness in his mouth; a newly planted patrol just for him. His brows tent his eyes subconsciously, he garners more unrest as he approaches closer to them. The guards, of course, have already spotted him and track him at every step.

As Crimson now reaches the East Tower, the guards stiffen their posture and softly tap the ends of their pikes on the floor. The man squints at them. No words are exchanged as he passes them by and ascends the staircase to the right of the rotunda. He takes one last look at the cobalt doors that he cannot enter, wondering if she's already asleep... then he rises up the steps.

Now at the residences, he makes way towards the room he was supposedly assigned - a room right next to Swirl's. Considering hers is the very first one to the right, he can only guess that his is the second door. It has no particular decal or marking to show that is it owned so he assumes rightfully. He walks up to it but keeps his gaze placed on Swirl's door, shut and quiet just like the rest.

...

He becomes aware of his idle staring, realizing he spent a few seconds simply standing at the front of his door to stare at his neighbor's. He then proceeds to take the door handle into his hand. He tries clicking it open and pushing it with his shoulder, but instead finds himself accidentally bending the door in by sheer force when it refuses to open. The door groans loudly in protest. He back pedals quickly before he breaks the door off its hinges.

His shoulders droop as he sighs. "... Locked," he comes to conclude since his waking was unannounced, the room technically still belongs to no one.

Cli-click...

He snaps his attention to the door on his right, seeing the handle glowing with a soft pink aura and move inwards. It does not come fully open, only pried a crack so that a big pink iris can peek out. It scans him from bottom to top, stopping at his face.

"... Swirl?" the man asks after a moment. Her eye widens and she takes a few steps back to pull the door open completely with her magic. Crimson side-steps to the front of her room and smiles wryly, staring down at the unclothed sunflower unicorn. "Didn't wake you, did I?"

"Were you the one who made that sound?" she replies calmly but with present shock on her front.

"Yeah, apologies. Tried to get into my room but... t'slocked. Guess I ain't gettin' in there."

"And your next course of action was to break the door?"

Crimson snickers and shakes his head, "Not intentionally. Didn't know it wasn't gonna open fer me. Less sturdy than it looks."

"Crimson... what... what are you doing?" she finally asks a question equal to her stupor. He replies with a fixed expression of confusion. Swirl furrows her brows at him and puckers her lips, mildly upset at his aloof nature. The shock present on her face is finally setting in with the rest of her mind. She presses her eyelids for a strong blink and sighs, "Come inside."

She moves herself from the way of the door and allows Crimson entry, which he promptly follows suit and walks in. He gently closes the door behind himself and glances around the room. It is just the way he remembered seeing it a month ago, taking some solace in knowing nothing apparent has changed while he was out. He turns his body to look at the clock on the wall to his left, seeing that it... actually isn't as late as he assumed. The time reads about 11:45.

Though now he does see something that was not present before; there is a blanket and two pillows on the two-cushion couch in the living room, reminding him of a certain someone. "Strix not here?"

"She and Bulletpoint are out dining together."

"Didn't wanna go with 'em?"

"No. Take a seat, if you would like."

"Appreciate the hospitality," he says as he makes a path to the middle cushion of the largest couch and leans forward, placing his elbows onto his knees as he drives his rear down onto the blanket. Swirl follows behind and sits on the blankets of the couch next to him.

They sit together in a moment of silence with either of them waiting for something to be said.

"You're... awake," Swirl finally murmurs first.

"Yeah."

"And I assume you were not properly dismissed from the Infirmary."

"... Just up 'n left."

"The staff will be very upset at you. When did you wake?"

"Well, mm... maybe an hour 'r two ago. Was a spell sore at first, but... gettin' better pretty quick."

"That is good. You are recovering well."

Crimson nods at her despite her having her eyes turned to the ground. He smiles and leans his weight on his left elbow as he looms a bit closer to her. "'N I've been told I got you to thank fer savin' my sorry hide."

"I only stifled your bloodloss while you were being transported back to Canterlot. It was the Infirmary staff that saved your life."

"Hmh, a certain princess lettered to me it weren't so simple."

"..."

"Modest as always, ain'cha? I'd be the first to thank you for doin' what you did, no need to hold back on it."

She shakes her head, squinting down at her hooves. "I merely did what had to be done. There were no other unicorns present. ... The one deserving of gratitude is..." Crimson's smile slowly fades as her words do. Her head lowers somberly, causing parts of her backswept mane to fall forward over her eyes. "You," she meekly whispers.

"... Said it yerself, only did what I had to do."

"Yes, but... it is different. We failed to keep the mission intact. Things escalated so quickly, it was difficult to keep track of the situation. None of us were prepared for the yak prince's attack, but you were. You could have easily avoided it rather than stop it head-on."

"'N let my team get ran down?" He shakes his head twice, "Not happenin'."

"You were supposed to proceed with caution, Crimson. That was your directive."

"Guess I'm bad at followin' directions."

"... I suppose you are."

Crimson is unable to ignore the soft somberness of her voice, the one usually so dead-pan in delivery. In combination with her distant self, the man purses his lips and tries to find something interesting to redirect the conversation to. "... We, uh... we enemies of the yaks now?"

She shakes her head once, "No. The only aggressor was the yak prince."

"What came'a him?"

"He is now deceased. During your collision, he sustained multiple breaks along his spinal cord and died instantly. Even with the magic of the belt empowering him, he was unable to avoid bodily harm from such a high-energy impact."

"Damn. What'd his folks think of this?"

"Most were too dumbfounded to react. It was a moment that needed time for any of us to really understand. Nevertheless, the yaks aided us with carrying you back to the balloon, and once they establish new leadership, we have conducted an agreement for mutual relations. The yaks are not enemies, but now allies. And according to them, you are an honorary yak. You have Binyor's next of kin to thank for that."

"Hmh, good to hear. 'N the belt?"

"It has been in Head Researcher Wish's possession for over a week. She has extracted what she could from it, but... we are again stuck at a cross-roads. The signatures on both artifacts in her possession appear to be conflicting, as if there was some sort of median to connect them. But that mean is missing, and both artifacts do not converse without it."

"So all this boils down to is: we're missin' relics."

"Yes, unfortunately. It seems that we have acquired these artifacts in the wrong order, and... we have been unable to track down the others. No new information regarding their locations has been found, though we are constantly searching. At the moment, we are... waiting," she says through a sigh of impatience.

Crimson turns his eyes to the ground despondently, now realizing that his final mission with his team ended up netting him nothing. No further clues on the whereabouts of other relics, no advancement in the study of the anomalies. Stuck in the mud without a stick to grab on to. He brings his hand to his forehead in frustration...

... but soon comforted by a melancholic calling of Swirl's tone. "It is still setting into my mind."

"What?"

"You. You are here exchanging idle chatter with me, but... not long ago, it was nightmarish. So much mortal damage done to your body, yet, here you are, alive, speaking to me as if you were never bedridden. Everything that I doubted before is now shone perfectly for me to see. Perhaps a cliché, one you have heard already, but... you truly are a guardian angel."

The man lulls his eyes to the lava lamp on the table in front of him. Watching the oozing liquid flow lazily, he finds it difficult to internalize what she said. He might look like one, he might have the body of one... but he certainly does not feel like one. "... Think so?" he asks with a dreary smile.

"Firmly... very firmly. To think tonight's nightfall marks two weeks that you saved our lives... I am having such a difficult time wrapping my head around it. That day, your act of heroism, I was... so afraid."

Crimson's attention moves quickly at that word. 'Afraid.'

"I tried everything in my power to sustain you, to halt the pouring of blood from every aberration on your body... and I felt it was not enough. I felt that I was going to fail you... again. No matter how I tried, which-way I enveloped you... blood kept pouring. Then I... I..." She sighs brokenly and blinks twice, lifting her glistening gaze to the ceiling.

Crimson immediately reads her distraught, causing him to sit up and wave his hands carefully. "Hey-hey, it's alright, don't say any more. Look at me." She hesitates to do so at his first request. "... Swirl."

She shuts her eyes tightly and inhales, turning her head to face him. Her eyes reopen, still battling against tears. None fall as they gaze at each other.

"You saved me. You didn't let me down. None other unicorn could'a done what you did. Yer special, you've got talent, and you can bet I'd put myself on the line again if I knew you were standin' right behind me."

Swirl sniffles, garnering the most sincere and wholesome smile he has seen on her, perhaps even the very first smile at all. She shakes her head as if dismissing what he said, but holds on to her simper. "Would it be strange if I told you I now understand the concern the Head Researcher has with you?"

"'Cha mean?"

"You know what I am referring to, Crimson..."

He reclines back and sighs, chuckling at himself being easily prodded. "It ain't a stretch, I'd reckon."

"Fortunately for you, you will no longer suffer such agonies. We have officially lost your assistance in the Guard as mandated by Princess Celestia, though, I'm certain you are already aware of this."

He nods, "No more rollin' stones with y'all. Heh, but don't make it sound like I won't be gettin' into trouble, now. My life's been full of it. More than likely gonna find a few more bad spots when I venture out."

"Again, another expectancy from the Head Researcher's dilemma. If that is how it must be, then... I can only ask you that you take care of yourself as best as possible."

"You know I will, girly."

"Even if you are no longer permitted to associate with us, I want you to understand that you have been a great asset-- ... mnh... " Crimson lifts his eyes to look at her again, noticing her struggle with her words. "... Asset, no... you have been..." Once more their eyes meet, locking for a second, then her lips line as she turns away. "... Please stop staring at me."

Crimson does as she asks and returns his gaze to the floor. He cannot help but smile at her request, albeit tired and wry.

"You have been... a... hnn," Swirl adjusts herself in her seat, anxiously looking up to the ceiling as she did before. "... A great... friend. And that is how I think of you. Despite how I come across, I... wanted you to know this."

"You too, Swirl. Nothin' short of a friend to me. Under all that ice, I always knew you got a warm heart."

His words cause a mixture of offense and comfort, driving her to fixate on him with a mild glare. He feels her staring at him, prompting him to stare back. Again, she looks away not long after their eyes meet. He admires her trembling orbs under the mixture of lights that emanate from the lava lamp in her room. Speaking for her strong will, she fought her emotions well enough to prevent tears.

Then a comfortable number of seconds pass in a glowing, tender silence...

... just before-- Cli-cli--Bam!

"'N 'as wha'am sayin', mate!"

Both Swirl and Crimson turn like sentries at the door being clicked and kicked opened, followed by two stumbling pegasi. Swirl immediately frowns and straightens her posture.

"Prim 'n proper cunt slept 'n 'is own shite!"

"Ahahahaha!"

"Both of you," Swirl fiercely demands the attention of Strix and Bulletpoint, both who lazily turn their drunken gazes to her. "It is nearly midnight. There are ponies sleeping. Be. Quiet."

The two inebriated pegasi let their attention drift to the sitting man just over yonder, seemingly ignoring Swirl. They both hone in on him, staring with lop-sided squints. Crimson returns the stare with slightly raised brows.

"... Mate..." Bulletpoint utters.

They continue staring at him...

speechless...

...

"MA-HATE!" "CRIMSON!" the two cry out as they dash towards him. Unexpecting of their charge, Crimson reels back in surprise. Both ponies leap onto him and cling to his sides and commence an unrelenting fusillade.

Wrapping their arms around his, Strix on his right and Bulletpoint on his left, they press themselves against him as they weep.

"Hooo!" Strix coos as she rubs her cheek against his shoulder.

"Hoho, mate! I can't believe it!" Bulletpoint overlaps his call over Strix's sobbing.

Crimson shifts his stare between them before resting it idly forward on the lava lamp. He keeps still, letting the two against him reel as they must.

Just out of his sight, Swirl averts her gaze. The outpour of emotion drills into her heart, causing a single tear to quietly tremble itself out and ride down her left cheek.

"You're okay! You're okaaay!" Strix murmurs.

"Heh... a warm howdy to the both of y'all," Crimson replies.

"Fackin'-- Ahahaaa, mate," Bulletpoint sighs between his tears. "It was with the yaks 'n then with the magic then the magic ponies 'n-- ... You're fuckin' alive, ya' wanka! Ya' worried us to death with the blood, 'n the bones, 'n the shite! Fack'n shite I can't e'en begin' na'--"

"YOU'RE OOKAA-HA-HA-HAAAY!" Strix howls into the night.

Crimson rolls his shoulders back to bring his arms out and wrap them both into a hug, holding them against him with a tender smile. "Easy, easy, 'm here. It's alright. Sshh, sshh... sshh, sshh..."

As he whistles a soothing tone akin to a parent to their children, Strix and Bulletpoint begin to simmer their crying to breathy whimpers. He glances between both of them, admiring the purest emission from their drunken state. Bulletpoint's bloodshot eyes and Strix's pinkened cheeks, the duo riddled with tears, he feels it in the deepest reaches of his soul. Their unfiltered selves... it drives peace into his heart.

He gives them all the time they need to stain his shirt sleeves with catharsis. Soon enough, their sobs turn into a sniffling haze of semi-conscious reflection.

"... Crimson," Strix whimpers, "I'm so happy that you're here... I, like... I honestly didn't know what to do back then. When, well... you know... it happened. Snowfall, she... she was really the only one... I just listened to her voice..."

"You wouldn't believe it, mate," Bulletpoint continues after her, "the mess, yer arma', the blood... you best reckon I've seen some shit, but you were-- ah-- ... hrrrh... you were still alive, mate... a breathin' corpse. Dyin'... ... but never dead..."

"Your heart never stopped beating, Crim," Strix gently strokes his right thigh, "it never stopped... but we were so scared that it would..."

Crimson runs his tongue across the bottom of his teeth, lacking what to say in return to them. He instead moves, holding them just a slight squeeze tighter to give his assurance. He then brings his musing gaze up from the lava lamp to look at Swirl, wondering of her silent self. She still has her eyes averted, noticing the sniffles she has now developed. "... Swirl?" he calls to her. It takes her a moment, but she looks over to him with a glowing curiosity. He tilts his head at her wonder, signaling her to come over.

Swirl remains held in place by her own volition. She returns her reply by shaking her head and looking away.

Still distant and reserved. Nothing unlike her. Crimson is content with her decision either way, letting the moment sit and settle.

‎

‎

It did not take long for the drunken pair to retire for the night. Passing out on Crimson's shoulders, he and Swirl allowed them the couch to rest. Now at Swirl's request, they trekked to her bedroom as to not bother them. Albeit an offer that Swirl felt awkward offering, it was a good suggestion no less.

Stepping into her room, Crimson shoots his eyes around lazily. A rather simple room with many books and scrolls neatly placed on shelves, a multitude of medals, trophies, and plaques that speak for her past achievements, a modern-looking recliner, and a modest bed. The whole room dons the exact purple and blue coloration as the rest of her home, more-so the coloration of the Castle itself.

Swirl moves to her bed and climbs on, sitting on the edge of it to face the entrance. She offers the man the recliner, which he takes gratefully. It fits him comfortably with just enough room to spread his legs.

"Got a lot of shiny stuff in yer room," the man comments. "Mind givin' me a piece of the past?"

"Many of my commendations were from my years in school. They are organized by year, starting from the right side of the door. Magic Kindergarten," she points her hoof to the smaller section of medals and ribbons. "Elementary," her hoof follows. "The School of Magic, the Canterlot Academy of Magic, and finally, my awards from the Royal Research team."

"There's gotta be over a hundred."

"Correct. One-hundred and seventy-two."

"Means yer gettin' fistfuls of these per year. Knew you were a bright one, but sheesh."

"I am certain the Head Researcher owns double what I do. What I have is not nearly as impressive."

"Mm... now that you mention it, I don't recall seein' but two 'r three shiny things around her, both at her Balt'mare home 'n her Castle room."

"... She might have stored them away. She was never proud of her accomplishments, hated receiving praise for her hard work."

"Ain't surprised to hear that, but that don't mean I agree with it. Don't reckon you know why?"

"Judgement. There was always somepony wanting first place much more than Moonlight, but she would usually achieve it regardless. Moving up to a stage, walking down an isle, the eyes of the crowd that followed her always made her restless."

"Hm. She couldn't even give her speech when she graduated top of her class in that there Magic Academy."

"... So you know about that. Would I be wrong to assume you know about her past as well?"

"Do you?"

"Only as much as the other Researchers do, but I never found their explanations to her sudden leaving of Canterlot sound. As if they were shrouding something sinister with lip-service. I am not asking you to reveal anything to me... but know I am aware that there is more to her."

Crimson intertwines his fingers and twiddles his thumbs together. The more he is reminded of what he was told, the more it irks him. He knows jumping into a revenge trip will not solve the issues that plague the land, but...

"Crimson?" The man quickly turns to Swirl, having his attention garnered back to reality. "... May I ask you a question?"

"Y... Yeah, f'course," he replies while sitting up and leaning forward.

"What now do you plan on doing?"

"... Wander for a spell, I suppose. See more of Equestria. Get familiar with the land. That was my initial goal when I got here. Woke up in a haze, hard of thought... wanted to leave. Go back home. See if I could find a way to return to Earth."

"Earth..." Swirl echoes, "your home world. You are wanting to return home?"

"Not 'till I get my part here done... whatever my part happens to be. I still ain't sure what I'm even doin' here. Thought I got it figured out a number of times already... but it's always a kick in the head."

"Is there anything specific that you aim to achieve? Perhaps visit a location? Find something?"

"There is somethin'. Somethin' that's bugged me since I got here. The humans y'all have around here, I wanna know more about 'em."

"There are many books about them in the Castle library if you wish to look."

"Nah, not that. I mean... hmn, how do I explain this." He brings his fingers to his right eyebrow in thought. "Somethin' ain't right, and I don't reckon a book will help me figure it out. Know what I mean?"

"... In a way, I do. I am not well-versed in the history of Equestria's humans, but there might be more to learn that what is already known. I suggest you map out a plan. You cannot simply jump straight into an endeavor like this."

"Map out a plan..." he mumbles in repetition as he churns his mental gears. He looks down towards his hands, eyeing the 'M' crease on his left palm. He ponders and ponders, but no concrete objective or solid plan is coming to mind. He squints slightly, feeling mildly frustrated at being unable to truly speak out a course of action for himself. A plethora of ideas with no medium.

"Crimson," she calls to reattain his attention. "... I wanted to ask you something else." He nods to her request solemnly. "Something you said to me earlier. It... left me with a feeling of uneasiness. Do you recall when I told you that you truly were... a guardian angel."

"Mm?"

"... In return, you only asked me if I truly thought so. In that moment, I saw something that... for the lack of better wording, was hidden. Something I could not see... or rather, you did not allow me to see."

Crimson focuses on her intently, unsure of where she is planning to take this.

"How well do you know yourself?"

"That a question you expect an answer to?" She nods slowly and seriously. "... Well enough, I suppose. I know what ticks me off, know what puts a grin on my face. Know who I love, who I don't... the likes."

"That is not what I am referring to. You already know what is."

"... Do I?"

"Nnh," Swirl huffs in self-annoyance. "Forgive my lack of direction. Even I know that it is... absurd. What I am about to say has no basis in fact or reason, but something... spoke with me. As if a whispering wind swept through my own self. It told me about you. A great part of you needs attention. It needs to be known. Studied."

As she speaks, Crimson's gaze falls to the carpet. His eyes shift small distances left and right while he processes what she says, further solidifying the assumption. He looks back down to his palm, every intricate nook and crease... then he cups it into a fist. "... And you're thinkin' yer the one to do it?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Didn't say that, but why interested all of a sudden? You're actin' like Moonlight."

"I would be lying if I said you are not an interesting being, but a part of me wishes to offer this help beyond sheer curiosity. Through my eyes, I see that you have not given yourself time to stop and think. You are constantly moving, doing things."

Crimson shakes his head. "Not on purpose. Just... never really had the time to. Always somethin' needin' doin'."

"Then take this time you have now to understand yourself better. I can help."

"'N how do you plan on doin' that?"

"A series of simple tests that I will refine as I think more on them."

"Not big on bein' a guinea pig..."

"You will never know what you are truly capable of if you don't asses it. Crimson, it is for the bettering of yourself. Accept this as advice from... from a friend."

He grins slightly at her forcing herself to utter such a sweet yet awkward note. "Never said no. Matter of fact, I'm thinkin' yer right. It's about time I finally sat down 'n see why I am what I am. Ain't got an excuse to put it off now. Plus," he sits up and glances to Swirl with a sly smile. "Wouldn't agree to these tests if weren't the one 'n only Miss Bubblegum doin' 'em."

Swirl beats at him with her eyes, expressionless and unmoving. Gawking.

A weighty stare.

Then a small smile as her entire front relaxes, a smile that forms slowly and happily. Crimson hardly believes it. Such an adorably true display forces his cheeky simper to wane into a smile as genuine as hers. He feels guilty for trying to rile her up. Not the reaction he expected out of his jape, but a welcomed one nonetheless.

"... But it wouldn't be here." Crimson tilts his head at Swirl's words, spoken while letting her smile quickly fade. "It would have to be at the Las Pegasus research lab, they have the equipment necessary there."

"Don't mind the place. When'll you be puttin' me under?"

"Soon. I'm not sure yet, but I do want you to be aware. Do you plan on leaving Canterlot any time soon?"

"Come to think of it, there's a place in the Castle I wanna visit. Thinkin' I won't be leavin' the city, but I'll let you know if somethin' comes up."

"As I will with any further information about your screening. We may use my room as a hub."

"Sounds good."

Swirl slowly lowers her head as she flaps an elongated blink, followed then by a yawn.

"I should let you sleep. Reckon I bothered you enough fer one night."

"Do you have somewhere to rest tonight?"

"'F I'm sly enough, be able to sneak back into the Infirmary. Won't be missed I think."

"... You're welcome to stay here, if you would like."

"..." Crimson takes a moment to ponder on her offer. Not on the offer itself, but how her words came. They were rather insecure and forced. "... Thinkin' the only couch that fits me is taken."

"I can sleep on my recliner. I would not mind spending the night in it. You may have my bed."

"Or..." the man halts her with a finger raised, then uses it to point at the bed. "We can share it." Swirl recoils immediately at his suggestion, plastering him with a glare of incredulity. "... Hmh, just jokin', girly."

Swirl loosens up at his tone, but still visibly holds reservations. "You are still hard of humor. That will not change, it seems. ... You may have the bed. I am comfortable with the recliner."

Crimson nods with a yielding smirk. "Appreciate it. Be outta yer hair in the mornin'," he says as he raises from the recliner to allow Swirl access. He steps aside to let her pass, then proceeds to the bed and laying down. He rests on his back without getting under the covers, letting his half-lidded eyes watch the deep blue ceiling in hopes he will fall asleep.

...

The night moves at a snail's pace. He becomes restless and eventually deems himself incapable of falling asleep. He figured this was inevitable.

With a quick glance to the sleeping unicorn near by, he decides to make an exit without disturbing her peace.

Next Chapter: Faint Whispers Estimated time remaining: 18 Hours, 9 Minutes