[Canterlot] One is the Loneliest Number[ENDED]

[Hippo]

The puddle of tears Granola generated became mud around her hooves. After the silent non-reaction that seemed to come from Luna, Granola lifted her head and opened her eyes to see a dark blue blurry pony standing tall above her.

"It's nice to meet you, Granola Gracie."

Granola blinked a few times to remove the secretions from her eyes. She heard Luna's formal greeting as she extended her hoof for a shake. It really seemed to be just Luna and 'Nola talking now, as Tempest began ranting on Canterlot's architecture. But as she noticed Luna's forgiving eyes and her loving posture, it came as quite a shock that Granola wasn't already taken away by guardsponies and sentenced for life in prison for going against law 7, article 3, section 12, paragraph 1 of the pony constitution: "One must not mention the moon in conversation with a Princess." Granola spared a smile and lifted her leg to return the greeting. It seemed all was well and Granola might still be able to earn herself a chance to visit the royal garden.

Just then, a flare was seen coming from nearby. Quick heavy clops on the cobblestone where heard from all around and they grew louder as they sounded getting closer. A red guardspony with gold armor pushed between Granola and Luna's hoofshake.

"Princess Luna! Are you all right? What's going on here??"

Granola was severely startled. The red guardspony seemed to have and end for her, she thought. She could feel the heat coming from his glowing horn. She imagined his red eyes burning with an underground hate.

At this point, it was clear that she could only do one thing. There was no point in running and creating a high speed pony chase, they would be sure to catch her; Granola's not that fast. Putting up any kind of fight was not only foolish, but she was sure that nopony around would support her, especially since her acquaintence with Tempest was the closest thing to a friend she has in Canterlot. So instead of running or fighting, Granola began crying like a baby foal again. Her balling was that of a pony who had been taken prisoner by diamond dogs, or a unicorn whose horn cracked in half. Granola's body started feeling dehydrated from all of the shedding tears.

There was no point for Granola to wait for any kind of reaction. She knew it was just a matter of time before they took her away. She kept her eyes closed and away but raised her hooves up to be cuffed while wailing, "I Surrender! Don't worry, I'll go quietly." This was it. Granola's worst fears had come true. She should have never come to Canterlot.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

Oh dear, Tempest was trying so hard, wasn't she? Architecture? Luna didn't know anything aboutâ€â€Âoh, she was talking about clouds now? Well, she supposed they wouldâ€â€Âdowntown? Well, it probably was interesting...though Luna hadn't yet had the chance to visit it herself...

But there was hardly time to dwell on that before a guardspony came rushing up. Before Luna could respond, however, there was a bang and a crackling sound as the flaming fireball flare rocketed above the group. Luna gasped, taking a couple of steps backwards from the others, staring up at the fiery mass in the sky.

The guardspony had just enough room to come between Luna and the other ponies gathered. She watched as he menacingly brandished his horn at the innocent subjects. What in Equestria?!

And then, to top it off, just as Granola seemed to be starting to come around, this guardspony had interrupted the lot of them. Luna wasn't even sure how she should react at this point. Everything had happened so fast.

'N-Nothing's wrong.' she stammered. 'There's no need forâ€â€Âall this. You really shouldn't have gone to all this trouble.' She hoped her hint was obvious.

[ziddia]

Things were getting interesting over there. Sunset flew low over their heads, watching the pony slowly seem to come around. Then BAM- guard ponies! It looked like things were getting bad. Maybe he should intervene...

"Excuse me, sirs. What are you doing to the princess?"

For some reason, Sunset actually felt some measure of respect for the Princess and her awesome powers. He lowered his head, ready to have a fight with the unicorn. He may not have magic, but he could hold his own!

[Tempest Rime]

"Ponyvillians, I suppose." Tempest said in response to Scale Model's question. She opened her mouth to begin to say something else when the guard arrived and sent a bolt of flame into the air.

Tempest disliked heat and flame at the best of times, when it was expected and well-controlled. As it was, she was already nervous, and had not expected it in the least. Her eyes went wide at the sight of it, and she shrieked "FIRE!" before bolting away, shooting into the air and out of Canterlot as fast as her small wings could carry her.

She was clear of the city before she began to regret not waiting for Granola, or getting a chance to say goodbye to the Princess, but it would be much too awkward to return. She resolved to send a letter of appology to the Princess when she got home, and to look up Granola later on to make sure the earth pony was alright.

(Exit)

[Parodius]

Putting on a big grin and looking around nervously at the approaching ponies, he stage whispers to the others that hadn't already run off, "So... should we be naughty ponies and run off through the city, or just stay put?" Slightly joking in tone, but still a hint of suggestion. Despite the suggestion, he stays put, watching as Tempest flies off. Idly, he wondered if he'd get tossed in some dank dungeon, even as he kept up a brave face. ...not that a pony of his stature would pose much threat. He shifts his hooves about idly, looking around.

[Corsair]

Whatever Bonfire had been expecting to happen when he found the Princess... this wasn't it. First, the earth pony on the ground began weeping even harder, and was trying to surrender to him. Bonfire had no idea what she was even confessing to. Then, the pegasus mare shot off like a rocket screaming about fire. Many ponies seemed to have a natural fear of fire, but his flare had been no where near anypony. The unicorn with the scrolls was eyeing him and nervously cracking jokes, and and now there was a red pegasus who seemed to think that he needed to defend in the Princess.

But it was Princess Luna's reaction that threw Bonfire off the most. She didn't get angry, she didn't get indignant. If anything, she seemed just as nervous and uncertain as the ponies around her.

'N-Nothing's wrong.' she stammered. 'There's no need for—all this. You really shouldn't have gone to all this trouble.' She hoped her hint was obvious.

Bonfire felt like kicking himself. It seemed he'd let his temper get the better of him again. His over-reaction seemed to be causing a panic, and seemed to be making the situation worse. He reached out with his magic and snuffed the flare overhead, and then let the glow fade from his horn. "Everypony calm down," he shouted to the crowd (and to himself.) "This is a Royal Guard matter, and the situation is under control."

Hopefully that would calm down the ponies in the square, if not the panicked mare before him. He'd deal with that in a moment. He might have over-reacted upon finding the Princess, but still... Bonfire took a deep breath and turned to the royal pony. "I apologize, Your Highness," he began, "But when we realized you had left the palace without escort, it caused a lot of confusion. Your guard detail should have accompanied you if you wished to leave the palace grounds."

Bonfire could now see several pegusii in armor descending on the square. He waved a hoof in an all-clear signal in an attempt to avoid any further panic as the guardsponies converged on the Princess. "If you wish, Your Highness, we can accompany you back to the palace, or a pair of guardsponies can accompany you if you desire to tour the city." Bonfire had been careful not to imply that Princess Luna had left her guards behind on purpose. From her reaction, he didn't think she had done it on purpose, plus you don't go around accusing royalty of sneaking around. Bonfire waited to see what the Princess would do before trying to further smooth the situation.

[Hippo]

An overly panicked Granola saw her comforting surroundings disappear around her. The guardspony seemed adequate to do whatever was necessary to make everything alright. 'Alright' still implying taking her into custody.

Granola tried to hold her own as her legs shook freakishly from her overwhelming fear of judgement. "It'll will be okay," Granola assured herself. "I'm with friends, and they'll support me. Especially Tempest, she..." Granola couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her only true acquaintance, a ponyvillian pegasus named Tempest, scurry away and taking flight towards the road back to Ponyville.

Granola sat down on the ground in shame next to her quickly evaporating puddle of tears and waited for the situation to unfold. She wondered how many letters a day they would let her write from prison.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

As the flare made its way into the sky, on of the poniesâ€â€Tempest, was it?â€â€Completely bolted off, zooming away through the air before Luna could make any sort of response or attempt to call after her.

But there wasn't time to dwell on that before a yellow Pegasus suddenly joined the crowd of ponies around her. He was one of the few that didn't look terrified or confused. He had a gleam in his menacing looking eyes, and instantly seemed to threaten the guard before her. Well, it was a good thing that he guardspony was here, Luna supposed, or she could be the one facing this fearless colt.

Luna glanced around as Bonfire made motions with his hooves, and she, too, noticed the other gathering guardsponies. But they quickly dispersed at Bonfire's signal, and Luna breathed a sigh of relief.

“I really don't think that an escort is necessary.†Luna responded to the Unicorns offer. “As you can see, things are perfectly fine.†Well, they had been, until this guard showed up. Luna also hadn't forgotten about the threatening Pegasus who happened to show up at the same time as the guardspony. He'd been the only threat she'd seen so far. The other problems that had arisen when meeting other ponies had mostly worked themselves out through simply talking. Having a guard around, especially when meeting ponies as tentative as Granola, would probably do more to worsen the situation than to do any good.

[Parodius]

Scale shifted about. Things seemed to rapidly be getting... awkward... to understate things. He moved over and sat beside Granola, offering a reassuring pat and a slight smile. He wasn't quite sure what he could do for the situation, but at least he might be able to cheer somepony up. "You holdin' up okay?" he quietly asks before turning to watch the Princess, the guard, and... some other pegasus. "Never a dull moment in Canterlot, it seems." If nothing else, he thought to himself, at least he got to meet one of the princesses. What a letter this would make! He wasn't sure if they'd believe, but it would make quite a tale, whichever way things went with the situation.

[Corsair]

Bonfire was momentarily confused. Had Princess Luna said she didn't want any guard? The idea was preposterous to a pony who lived most of his life in the service of Princess Celestia. Celestia herself nearly always had a guard detail nearby, inside or outside the palace. Maybe things had been different 1000 years ago, but now?

Then, the lingering doubts Bonfire still held about Luna came to mind. If Luna didn't want guards around her, was she trying to hide something? What was it she was doing that she didn't want any witnesses?

Bonfire forced the doubts into the back of his mind. 'Princess Celestia trusts her,' he told himself repeatedly. Maintaining a calm tone of voice, Bonfire addressed the Princess. "Your Highness," he began, "Your Royal Sister always travels with a guard detail. Upon your... return, she directed the Guard to treat you the same. I ask Your Highness to allow two pegusii of the guard to accompany you until your return to the palace. They will not impede your... tour of the city, they will merely keep a watchful eye on the surroundings."

Awaiting the Princess' response, Bonfire turned aside to the brown pony. She was no longer weeping, but she still looked as though she expected to be hauled away any moment. Perhaps she was just intimidated by the situation, but maybe, due to her extreme reaction, she had said or done something to upset the Princess? Maybe the Princess had been about to pass some kind of judgement on this pony? "What do you wish to be done with this pony, Your Highness?" he asked Luna.

[Hippo]

Granola was getting better, but she was lost for words. With the calling off of the other gaurds, Luna's extinguish of the alarmed guardsponies, and Scales comforting presence, she could begin to hope that her life is not yet ruined. And with that hope, her mind seeded again the thought of visiting the royal gardens and seeing all of the rare specimens she had longed to see. Mayhaps Luna would give Granola special permission as a gesture, having put a pony through so much distress. Hopefully. Or maybe instead, she would refuse to risk any more situations in downtown Canterlot and would ask her to be hauled away so that her crying wouldn't continue to burden the slate blue princess. Maybe not.

Still speechless, Granola continued to think back and forth about the positives and negatives that could conspire in this situation. Her facial expression and her body posture toggled up and down with every changing thought in her imagination as she tried to convince herself of the possibilities. To an observer, it seemed she was trying to make goofy faces that changed every five seconds. It was almost like the stress she'd been under kept her from making the correct responses to authority, even in her mind.

As Bonfire readdressed the situation and asked Luna what was to be done about the brown pelted pony, Granola cowered again, and with knees bent, touched the ground with her four hooves, her entire underside planted, and her chin rested on the path. The sweat from her brow drained along the angled sides of her apprehensive eyes. She wasn't sure if Canterlot would provide her an attorney in a judicial court system, but she sure wished they did. Granola couldn't speak for herself about anything during tense times like this.

[ziddia]

Sunset look around himself, more than a little confused. What... What just happened? One minute he was swooping in to save the princess, and the next? He had no idea.

Sighing, he flapped his wings once and took off, soaring overhead. He decided he would keep an eye on the princess for the rest of the day from behind cloud cover, but after this? He wasn't sure if he EVER wanted to try and help somepony again. Because, the one time he tried, THIS happened. Sighing again, he took rest on a cloud.

((exit? Exit.))

[MyLittlePonyTales]

Luna was becoming rather flustered with the sudden turn of events. First, the guards had showed up, and now there were ponies coming and going, either scared away or perhaps just coming to observe the situation. Luna hadn't wanted to draw unnecessary attention to herself during her visit into Canterlot, but that's exactly what had happened.

The guardpony seemed to continually insist that she needed an escort. Luna was inclined to object, however, he mentioned that Celestia always kept guards about her. Regardless of whether they were really necessary, it was a matter of tradition and status, Luna realized.

Anyway, the attempt at spending a casual day in Canterlot was shot. It couldn't really make matters worse to have just one guard, could it? At any rate, the guardspony didn't seem like he'd easily give up his argument that she needed an escort, so Luna resigned herself to the fact.

Now for the business at hoof. She noticed the cowering Earth pony, once again in a humbling position. “Nothing, absolutely nothing.†she said, with a sudden burst of authority. “Do nothing, say nothing, unless I order you to.†Luna gave an exasperated sigh. “And you may escort me if you wish. But only ONE escort.â€Â

[Corsair]

“Nothing, absolutely nothing.” she said, with a sudden burst of authority. “Do nothing, say nothing, unless I order you to.”

Bonfire snapped to attention. No matter how much he mistrusted Princess Luna, THAT was what a leader was supposed to sound like in his opinion. Princess Celestia might be gentle by nature, but she knew how to give orders when it counted. "Yes, Your Highness!" he responded crisply.

Luna gave an exasperated sigh. “And you may escort me if you wish. But only ONE escort.”

Though Bonfire disliked the break with protocol, the Princess had given an order. "As you wish, Your Highness," he answered the Princess. Glancing around the square, he noted that he was still the highest ranked Guardpony present. It seemed that none of the officers had made it this far yet. He scanned the assembled guards and pointed a hoof at one of the pegusii he knew was assigned to Luna's guard. "Guardspony, attend Princess Luna," he ordered, "All others, fall out to your assigned duties."

As the assigned pegasus took up his station near the princess and the rest of the Guards began moving back to the palace, Bonfire looked around the square once again. The commotion had gathered a large crowd of ponies who were still watching. He was temped to say something to the poor weeping earth pony, but the princess has said to 'say nothing.' He lingered, waiting to see what the princess might do now.

[Parodius]

Scale Model scuffed his hoof against the street, looking around awkwardly. "Well... ah... things... seem to be pretty well under control. I suppose I'll leave things in the royal guard's capable hooves." He bows, casting a slightly nervous glance over at the guards. "Um... By your leave, your majesty. I hope the tour is pleasant." He gives a slight smile and starts backing away. After a while, he turns and starts strolling off. After a glance over a shoulder, he lets out a sigh. He couldn't shake the feeling such a tour wasn't what was in mind, but it wasn't like he could do anything about it. There were expectations on both sides of the 'royalty' thing, he guessed. Must be a lonely life.

((Unless somepony still wants me about, exit. Just think up something to keep Scale around if you'd like him here.))

[MyLittlePonyTales]

Luna looked slightly surprised as the guard snapped to attention. She hadn't expected quite that reaction. However, it was his duty, she supposed. She was just as much a princess and authoritative figure as Celestia was, even if she didn't look quite as 'high-and-mighty'. A guard was a guard, and his duty was to his princessâ€â€or rather, princesses.

He called over one of the other guardsâ€â€she had expected him to escort her himself... but that was fine. An escort was an escort, no matter what pony it was. She was also relieved,when the guardspony gave the order and the rest of the Royal Guard began to disperse. Though, the red Unicorn continued to hang about, as if expecting something... perhaps another order?

Luna remembered the brown pony then, who was still meekly bowingâ€â€or rather, lying before her and the guardsponies. Luna gulped, debating on what action to take. Orders were meant for guards and servants, not the average pony. She looked down at the seemingly terrified filly, her own ears pinning back ever so slightly.

Then Luna bent down her head, regardless of what anypony else was going to think. She was a princess, and as such, her duty was to her subjectsâ€â€even if that meant humbling herself. She nuzzled Granola's cheek as she spoke. “Everything's alright. Come on, get up.†Luna began to wriggle her nose under the Earth ponies chin encouragingly.

[Hippo]

Granola smiled. She was so relieved that she wasn't going to receive the punishment she, for some reason, felt she deserved. Nola's fuzzy cheeks were tickled by the thousand year old mare who was astonishingly only a little larger in size than herself. Granola thanked her with a soft voice. "Ohhhh! Thank you Princess Luna, thank you so much!"

As Granola stood up, she saw her surroundings empty. Ponies were leaving, guardsponies were ordered away, and the overwhelming attention of the area began lacking. It was almost as if everypony began realizing that Luna wasn't a princess, but just another pony. Granola daydreamed her thoughts in her mind's eye as the weight lifted off her shoulders. Perhaps that was all the princess wanted, though. Maybe she was tired of being a princess. Maybe all she wanted was to be among other ponies and relate with them. It made Granola realize how lonely being a princess might be. How in all of Equestria does Princess Celestia do it?

Granola decided to keep the engagement with the princess going as a possibility. She did so nervously, however. "Um, so, um, where are you going next? Do you still want to see more of the city?" Granola turned and looked at Scale Model, who looked cheerful in his own way. She wasn't sure if she was alone with the princess now or if other ponies were only temporarily scared away by the alarming nature of the last five minutes. She turned back to the princess. "We co- could go for a walk in the garden," Granola suggested. Her eyes watered and grew as she asked Luna. Never before has she been this bold on purpose. It was like the Princess' sudden comforting presence turned a light on in Granola's psyche.

[Corsair]

Bonfire observed Princess Luna speaking to and comforting the frightened earth pony. The princess' whole demeanor seemed to have changed. Where before, she was nervous and unsure, now she seemed confident. She even appeared to be inspiring the brown pony. Luna seemed to be giving off an aura of power and kindness just like... just like Princess Celestia.

That observation shocked Bonfire. He'd had multiple opportunities to watch the princess since her return, both on her own and in the company of Princess Celestia. She'd always appeared withdrawn or nervous around other ponies. That had only fed Bonfire's suspicions about Luna's true motives. Now, in just the last few minutes, he'd seen her take change of her situation, give orders like a proper commander, and comfort one of her subjects just like her older sister would have. By her actions, Princess Luna had seeded a few cracks in Bonfire's doubts about the former Nightmare Moon.

But Bonfire wasn't quite ready to believe just yet. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, then faced the princess once more. "By your leave, Your Highness," he addressed her,"I must return to my duties at the palace." He saluted Princess Luna, and then approached the young pegasus now guarding her.

"I want you to come see me after you get off duty tonight," he said to the guard, his voice pitched so the princess could not hear. "I want to know everything the Princess does during her tour today." The younger guard's eyes widened a little in surprise, but the pegagsus nodded in acknowledgment.

The red unicorn began walking back to the palace gates, his schooled blank expression masking his internal doubts.

((Bonfire Exits))

[MyLittlePonyTales]

Luna took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment as she gave a relieved sigh. Everything was turning out alright after all. The guardsponies had dispersed, though Luna was now aware of just how many there were. Of course, Equestria was a much larger place now, so naturally the amount royal guards there were would have increased as well. It seemed like a bit much to Luna... but, she hadn't been around the past thousand years, and Celestia had. Her sister knew what she was doing. She was far more capable than Luna was at the moment anyhow...

Luna noted the relieved look on Granola's face, and smiled. “Uh—y-you're welcome.” Luna stammered a bit. She'd momentarily gotten so flustered that she had had a burst of confidence, but that was now fading back into her usual shyness. But, she had to maintain appearances, she told herself. “You really shouldn't worry so much.” Luna commented, doing her best to remain kind and confident, but not cocky or arrogant.

Princess Luna nodded to Bonfire as he excused himself, turning back to Granola as she posed the question of Luna's next destination. “Well, I hadn't really thought about it. I suppose we—“ But she was interrupted by Granola's suggestion.

The garden? Well, Luna did enjoy the gardens that were attached to the castle... but there was also the public garden, maintained by the best landscapers in Equestria. Celestia herself even visited it at times, to make sure it was still up to par. Luna hadn't had the chance yet. Though she had wanted to see more of the city, it could always wait for another day. And Granola seemed to be a pony who was easily upset—and she seemed to have already been traumatized enough for one day.

“Oh, well...sure!” she replied. It was a simple request that Luna could easily fulfill. If she wanted to earn the trust and friendship of her subjects, the best place to start was with just one.

[Sherlock Hooves]

((OOC The inspector is just a side character, he's something I made up on the fly and he wont be reappearing at all.))

Back in the holding cells of the palace's security, a dark brown earth stallion lay asleep on a bench before a uniformed unicorn stallion came up and prodded him hard with his horn; knocking him off the bench. "Wake up Hooves!" The earth pony landed with a thud and gasped awake, "Ah! Oh good morning inspector." He stretched and rose to his hooves with a grin. "You're out Hooves." The inspector pointed at the exit gate and motioned for Sherlock to follow. "This is the third time in the past two weeks that I've had to come down here and get you out of the holding cells, why can't you just leave things to us sometimes?" Sherlock grinned at the inspector for a moment before nodding to the guard pony holding the cell door for them. "Troty thank you! Well the investor's insurance company hired me not their majesty's security force; why they thought you needed any assistance is beyond me." The inspector looked at the private detective with great annoyance, "You know in another life you'd have made an excellent criminal." "Yes and you sir an excellent police pony." The inspector sighed and stopped, turning to Sherlock, "Alright look Hooves, the only reason that you have so much leeway with me is because your grandfather was chief inspector before me, and that you've earned enough trust from the security force with your help over the years. But keep this type of stuff up and I wont have enough sway to keep you out of there playing pin the tail on the pony! Now get out of here and take some time off, we caught that arsonist you were chasing so you don't have to do anymore work." Sherlock sighed and smiled at the inspector before nodding and walking back toward the street to go home, "In my defense inspector that building was set on fire before I got there." Sherlock placed his fedora back on his head and started for the street, last night was a bit of calamity. After tracking down a serial arsonist, the two got into a fight inside the house that was ablaze, before escaping and running across the city into a mechanic's shop, where upon they slid on some oil and right into a tool chest. Where the two of them were caught and arrested by the palace security force. After spending a night in the holding cells Sherlock looked quite worse for wear; he started for the street thinking to himself, out loud as was his habit. "Hmm now to head home and clean up, I must look a sight? Ash, soot, and carriage grease. Well job is done I'll submit my report and collect my payment tomorrow." And as was also his habit, while he was talking to himself he didn't really look much where he was going, and walked right into somepony with a fair thud, knocking them both down. "Oh heavens I'm sorry, I really should learn to watch where I'm going." He got up and went to help the unfortunate pony that he had run into, "Here let me... princess Luna?"

[Hippo]

Granola squeed as Luna gave in easily to Granola's suggestion, but she affirmed to her as they began walking. "I mean, as long as it's ok. I don't want to be a bother." Granola spoke softly as her smile became more permanent and solidified.

Granola was starting to miss home, already. But since she had already planned on staying a night in Canterlot, she might as well make the most of her trip for the rest of today. And being caught in an event with Princess Luna herself and finally getting a close up tour of the palace garden was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Her friends back in Ponyville would never believe her.

Just as they began walking, a clumsy pony knocked both Luna and Granola to the ground. As Granola looked up from the ground, she could see a male pony with a brown pelt standing over both of them who she saw immediately as tall, dark, and handsome. All of this space to walk the streets of Canterlot, you think it'd be hard to run into other ponies, let alone walk into a princess. Granola looked over at the jostled Princess Luna to gauge her response. For some reason, she was mildly expecting her to lash out on the earth pony, glowing eyes and all.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

As Luna and Granola headed for the Royal Gardens, Luna suddenly found herself on the ground in a rather unflattering manner. She let out a surprised squeal as the pair of them fell to the street. The brown Earth pony was quick to get on his hooves and apologize, although he seemed a bit confused that he'd blundered into her, in particular.

This wasn't the first time she'd been run into today either. Really, how hard was it to notice the whole horn and wings thing, not to mention the fact that she was slightly taller than the average pony. But Luna a deep breath, promptly releasing it and trying to calm herself. Getting angry wouldn't solve anything... and it certainly wouldn't help her public image any.

Luna noticed the grimy hoof offered to her... and decidedly pretended not to notice it. Normally, she would have accepted the help whether she needed it or not, just out of courtesy—but this Earth pony was a little too dirty for her liking.

She picked herself up and began to dust herself off. “It's quite alright.” she said, trying to assure herself as well as the new arrival. Luna spread her wings and gave a couple of experimental flaps to remove any loose dirt or small rocks. “These things just happen.” She smiled, though her sincerity was only half genuine. Luna was still a little put out by run into—again.

[Sherlock Hooves]

Sherlock smiled sheepishly as he noticed Luna's reaction to his slight mess, promptly placing his hoof back down. "My apologies your highness, I wasn't expecting to just turn a corner and just find you there." Normally he wouldn't care to give nobility their title, he always felt that the majority of them didn't really deserve it, however this was princess Luna. One could say MANY things about the infamous detective. But one thing nopony could deny was that his loyalty to Celestia, and since her return, Luna was without fault. He looked around taking the situation in; his eyes narrowed and he got confused. "Forgive me for asking princess... but why do you have no entourage, or guards for that matter?" He pondered the situation some more and stomped his hoof with his realization. "Oh that must be it! Taking a tour of the city, right? I remember one of my friends in the castle guard saying you had been getting a little antsy being cooped up in the castle for so long. I can only imagine the need to step out for some fresh air." He smiled at first, then his face turned as if he had just mentally facehoofed himself, which he promptly did next. Sherlock was known for his eccentric nature, sometimes it came off as rude or inconsiderate but that was never his intention. Usually, again, he didn't much care but given that he had just called Luna a shut in, he started to mentally beet himself up. "Ahhh... Again my apologies princess, sometimes when I break down a situation my mind will wander and I often speak when that happens..." He gave a nervous grin then gave a look like something else just clicked, "OH pardon me your highness, knocking you down, then profiling you without introducing myself. heh Wouldn't surprise me if you had my locked up for the night... though wouldn't be the first time." He chuckled a little, bowing slightly he rose with a smile. "Sherlock Hooves at your service princess." He stood for a moment before glancing to Granola and facehoofing himself once more. "And my apologies to you miss... like I said wasn't expecting to turn a corner and run right into the princess, my apologies for knocking you down as well... as well as for not really noticing you there. Not to be rude but..." He shrugged and made a pointing jester to Luna, indicating that something/somepony else was on his mind. "And I know I must look a site, it was in the line of duty so to speak you see..." He stopped and shook his head, "You know its really not that important... lets just say it was quite a night last night."

[Hippo]

Granola blushed as Sherlock began his long-winded apologies. She didn't know what it was, but for some reason she was emotionally taken by the charm of this pony. Was it the brown pelt they shared? Granola was never one to be racist, and even if she did, she wasn't too fond of her own darker colored coat that matched the damp dirt in the forests. She wasn't even listening to what he was saying until he looked right at her and gave a secondary apology to her. Granola nearly fainted from the gentlecolt's gesture. "Oh, it's quite alright, Mr. Hooves. I think I can manage."

Granola hadn't yet forgotten about the short lived trek to the garden, and she was hoping that Sherlock would join them in that direction. It would prove a tough decision to make if Granola had to choose between the two. Of course, if Granola's mouth decided before her brain does, like it has in the past, it may not be up to her. At this point, Nola was just trying to keep herself from saying something stupid. "So, hey, you're a brown pony too, just like me. Wow, we have a lot in common." It didn't take long, however.

[MyLittlePonyTales]

[Oh gosh I didn't even know it was my turn! SORRY!]

”I have no need for such frivolity as an escort.” Luna replied to the Earth pony. “Although I do happen to have one.” she indicated to the Pegasus guard that Bonfire had left behind in his stead. This pony—he'd mentioned his name was Sherlock, yes—seemed to speak in fragments, as if he constantly lost his train of thought.

But Luna couldn't be very bothered with him. She now had a destination, and a reason to excuse herself from further conversation with this odd pony. She'd already stayed around to chat, and anymore delays and she and Granola wouldn't reach the garden until nightfall. Not that that was a bad time to view the gardens, but Luna figured that much like everypony else, Granola would want to get home to bed.

“Again, there's been no harm done.” she reassured Sherlock. “But, much as I would love to stay and hear about your wild evening, I'm afraid I have a prior engagement.” she gestured at Granola. “Perhaps we shall meet again sometime, especially considering you are friends with some of Canterlot's fine guardponies. Good day to you.” she lowered her head in a polite bow before turning back to Granola.

“Shall we go?” she inquired.