The Best Night Ever (Private with The_Pariah)

Paladin sat down opposite the door. "So, you're his guards?"

"Yes." One of them said. He seemed disinclined to say any more without being prompted.

"So, do you enjoy guarding?" Paladin cocked his head.

"... Yes." Came the inevitable reply.

"Not very talkative are you?"

"No." He said.

"Shouldn't one of you stay inside the room?" Paladin raised an eyebrow.

Insight, get me a line to Celestia please?

"No." One of them said.

"This is the only entrance, correct?" The other asked.

Why? Insight asked. Is something happening?

Nah, I just want to speak with her.

"Yeah, I did pick a room with no windows. Still, just is case."

"Standard operating procedure states that we guard the door." One of them said.

"Yes." Said the other, then they fell silent.

A little bit of mental clicking echoed in his mind, almost like a switchboard operator, and then Celestia's mental voice asked, Yes, Paladin?

Are you okay?

"And logic would dictate that one of you go inside."

I'm fine. What about you?

"Logic does not take precedence over procedure."

Eh, changeling guards are stupid.

"Fine, I'll go inside." Paladin opens the door and steps inside.

Well... okay. Good thing we're-

Insight here. Insight cut in. Paladin, Ician would like to speak with you for a moment.

The two changelings looked at each other, and one of the followed Paladin in.

The ambassador looked at Paladin. "Yes?"

"Just thought I'd check up on you."

Go ahead.

"Of course, of course." The ambassador was in the midst of removing his robes. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like a little privacy."

More mental clicking. Paladin, this is Ician. How did the negotiations over Theria's fate go?

Negotiations went well I think. They're taking her back.

"Of course." He turned and strode to the door. "Though if I may suggest keeping one guard inside?"

"I don't find that particularly necessary." The ambassador replied. "I do need my privacy, after all."

That's a relief. I have no idea how the Captain managed to dig his way through the mountain of administration I buried him under last night, but somehow he did it. Good thing I found something else to divert him from the negotiations before he could make a fuss.

How's your adventure going?

"Have you sent word to your queen?"

"I was preparing to." The ambassador said. "As soon as I changed out of these cumbersome robes. You do have a dragonfire messaging device, don't you?"

We're on the way to Whitetail Woods. The Captain looks eager to see some action again.

"On the counter." He gestured to the device.

That's good. But I hear the Captain has plenty of excitement with his Princess.

"Thank you. Now, if you please." The ambassador gestured to the door.

Yes, he's talking about her to me right now. I have a long trek ahead of me.

He nodded and walked out.

She's a kinky little vixen. I may have walked in on her the other night...

The door swung shut, leaving Paladin alone with the other two guards, the one who had followed him in having followed him back out.

Uh huh... Not sure I want to listen to two ponies talking about this at once...

Haha... Yeah... I should talk to Harmony about that actually.

Paladin relaxed, his horn flashing briefly as he teleported a bar of chocolate to himself, as well as placing an invisible shield rune on the ambassador.