Beneath the Surface

"That's it. Do you have any idea who might have done it?" Ician questions.

"Nope. Could have been anypony..." He trailed off and shrugged before turning to Divine. "Ah, you must be Divine, yes?"

She nodded and he grinned excitedly. "I am."

"Fantastic. It's a pleasure to meet you in person."

"And this is Ruby," Ician gestures to Ruby, "and Griff, and... well, I'm sure you've already met the High Alchemist."

"Indeed. Harmony's busy practising again..." He sighed as rubbed his head. "I have not had sleep in a week because of you Ician." He shook Divine's hoof. "Now, Miss Retribution, I hear you have well, exceptional hearing."

Ician smiles at Paladin. "My apologies." He gestures to Divine. "And, yes, she does. Don't you, Divine?"

She nodded, her bouncing have calmed a little. "Yup. I can hear all sorts of things. Like how your heart speeds up when you talk about Harmony Paladin." She giggled and Paladin chuckled.

"Well, that's quite interesting. What's got you so excited?"

"I get to see again, don't I Ician?"

"Even if for a little while." Ician nods. "Yes. You will."

Paladin smiled. "That's a very good reason to be happy. Ician, if I could have a word?"

"Of course." He mutters an "excuse me for a moment" to the others and steps to Paladin's side. "Yes?"

"So, there are rumours abounding. Regardless, the Captain will be here in a moment. Do not make your relationship with Divine too obvious."

"Rumours? Indeed?" Ician looks at him. "What kind of rumours?"

"That you slept with a changeling, and now you're sleeping with the newest judge. There's also one going round that she's sleeping with you to get the job."

Ician rolls his eyes. "Oh, please... Well, technically they're all true, except for the last one. But still. Plus, Divine hasn't even been assigned her new post yet. And I just got back from the battlefield. How do these rumours spread so quickly?"

"Nobles." He sneered. "Thinking that by starting rumours, they can manipulate you. However, I still would like to see them see Divine for the terror in the courtroom she is first." He chuckled and glanced at the sun. "Ah... I should..." He yawned. "Return to guarding Sun-butt."

Ician flinches slightly. "Right. Princess Celestia probably needs your protection." He glances up at the sky. "Though, the Captain is a noble as well - technically he's the head of the military department. That comes with a title too, as does the position of his advisor. Perhaps he could assist in stemming this tide."

"Ah, I forgot. You don't like me calling her sun-butt, do you?" He chuckled. "It's not like she's standing behind me."

"And yes, he probably could."

"Indeed, what are the odds that she's standing behind you right at this very moment?" Ician glances over Paladin's shoulder. "Good morning, Princess."

Paladin chuckled. "I'm not falling for that Ician, besides, I'm fairly sure she doesn't mind."

"Oh? What makes you so sure that she wouldn't mind?" Ician inquires.

"Well, if she's behind me, why don't you ask her?"

"That was just to fool you, obviously." Ician rolls his eyes. "In any case, are there any other pressing issues you need to bring to my attention?"

"Not that I can think of..." He smiled. "I'll be going then." He spun and ran straight into a white chest. Looking up, he smiled nervously. "Oh umm... Hello Princess."

Ician smiles. "Yes, good morning indeed, Princess. From your humble, respectful servants."

Paladin scrambled to his hooves. "Sorry bout running into you sun-butt. Didn't see you there."