I've actually been busy this week, which is surprising
@#@#@#@#@#@

Glade wiped the pastry off her face. Reman was grinning like a foal, and it was infectious. As much as the mare wanted to be mad at the Imperial, she couldn't help but find herself laughing along with him. This was the first time she had seen the man with his hair down, so to speak. He looked... young, like the weight of the world wasn't bearing down on him. Glade had only seen him this relaxed in his sleep, and even then he was prepared for an ambush.

“Sorry, it just had to be done.” His shoulders bounced with each syllable, his body still rocked with laughter.

“I told you parties are fun!” Pinkie jumped high enough to reach the Imperial's shoulder. “Especially when they're surprise parties!”

“This isn't my idea of a party, but to each their own, I suppose.” Glade knew what he meant, most parties in Cyrodiil were social gatherings for the nobility. Reman, of course, had found the events boring and tedious. Those parties were part of Glade's lessons on Imperial culture, which were basically useless, because the lycan never acted like those of his homeland.

“I'm surprised you aren't having this at Arcadia.” Glade was making conversation, but was surprised by Reman's response.

“It is bad luck to talk in doorways, come in.” The Imperial beckoned her inside, an odd gesture given previous experiences. Was he acting formal? Regardless, the door was swiftly closed behind her. “Glade, try the punch, from what Pinkie has told me, it's Gummy's favorite.”

“Who is Gummy?” Glade almost wished she hadn't asked. She could tell Reman was going to answer, but he was cut short by a smooth pressure clamping on Glade's hind leg. The lycan mare brought the offending shop tool around. Much to Glade's surprise, it was not a vice, rather, it appeared to be reptile, most likely a crocodile or alligator. The Pegasus had a response for many things, having a reptile clamped on her leg, however, was no amongst them.

“That is Gummy.” Reman felt she understood his answer. Of course, that didn't mean she took it very well, because Glade started shaking her leg around in an attempt to dislodge the tiny alligator.

“GETITOFFGETITOFF!” Reman almost started laughing. Glade was scared of lizards? That was too much for even the battle-hardened Imperial to take.

“Yay! Gummy can fly!” It was amazing that Pinkie shouted that when her pet released his grip, and went soaring into the punchbowl. “Do it again!”

“Why are you so hyperactive all the time?” Reman felt obligated to ask her this, as would many others in his position. Why, and how, she remained in a constant rush was beyond him.

“I have to stay in character, duh.” That... that just made no sense at all.

“I've gotten better answers from a Bosmer that speaks only in incomprehensible gobbledygook.” In truth, Reman accepted her answer, as he had long lost hope of ever understanding Pinkie.

“Have fun!” Pinkie zoomed off without an explanation, did she even need one at this point? The pink party pony left Glade and Reman alone in the crowd, a feeling the Imperial knew all too well. The two lycans made idle chatter while the party died down, and guests began to leave in favor of their planned activities.

“You know, you don't seem the type for social gatherings.” Reman wasn't certain whether her comment was a question or statement.

“You'd be surprised.” Reman sipped some punch, from a different bowl than the one Gummy had taken a been launched into earlier.

“I suppose I shouldn't be.”

“What makes you say that?” Another sip, Glade thought the drink must have been too sweet for him to gulp.

“Wolves are pack animals.” They smiled at the pun, but still, something felt... off about this whole situation, but Glade couldn't put her hoof on it. “You have another reason for this party, don't you?” Reman expression dropped slightly, anyone who was unfamiliar with him wouldn't notice. Something was wrong, very very wrong.

“Was it that obvious?” Reman tone was no longer the happy, joking one he'd used earlier. “You hit the nail on the head.”

“What has you so worried?” Glade was concerned, she could see that he was nervous, dreadfully so, but could not discern the cause. “You're not... considering giving up, are you?” The mare knew how persistent he could be, though she had to take Rose’s word for it, and the possibility of surrender was supposed to be beyond the Imperial.

“What? No, of course not. I'm not backing out of the quest.” To the casual observer, Reman's tone would be comical when paired to his current expression. While he appeared to be happy, all smiles and laughter, he sounded as though he was discussing a funeral, his words hollow and weak.

“What's going on, why are you acting so strangely?” Few things could spook Summer Glade, and her pack-mate's odd behavior was among them.

“I feel like I'm being watched.” That left a lot of room for interpretation.

“Like what, who do think is watching you?” Glade didn't understand his concern, she knew Rose was watching him at all times.

“This morning, I was walking to Sweet Apple Acres to try and buy some rations, and it felt like someone was spying on me.” Glade was starting to piece things together, it wasn't Rose he was feeling, it was somepony else. “Then Pinkie pops out from nowhere, and I think it might have been her, but I keep getting that little itch, and so I think how can I use this to lure out the whoever it is?, and so I threw this charade of a party in hopes of figuring it out, and as you can see, I've failed.”

“That was, by far, the most well-planned, moronic scheme I have ever heard.” Glade was starting to believe Reman had stumbled into his prosperity, rather than using his wits and strength to achieve it. Seriously, who plans that much for something that has no chance of success?

“Well, at least it let me know who wasn't spying on me.” Reman sounded confident, perhaps he was trying to claim a moral victory form this.

“And who does that leave?”

“Most of Ponyville, all of Canterlot, and every resident of some town called Appleoosa.” Where had the Imperial even hear that name?

“You can't figure out where the feeling is coming from?”

“On the contrary, I can.” Reman motioned with one hand, keeping it away from all windows, and pointed to an alley next to Quills and Sofas.

“If you know where they are, why don't you go after them?”

“Because I have the feeling whoever it is wants to take me by surprise.”

“So they'll attack when you're most vulnerable.” Glade followed his lead, and understood why this was a prime location for the a confrontation. Reman was quickly gaining the mare's respect, with the Cakes out of town, and this area being pretty much empty this time of day, the stalker was certain to make their move.

A window opened, and the two lycans prepared themselves for battle.