It is nighttime in Ponyville. The autumn winds are crisp tonight, something Orion Shadow likes very much as he trots about Ponyville's town square, dressed in a simple blue waistcoat with silver buttons and a white scarf. He'd been having very strange dreams involving a changeling named Onyx, but ignored them. He keeps cheerfully trotting along, his hooves moving with a noble grace.
Approaching from the opposite direction, a pony wearing a hooded cloak walks toward Orion, furtively glancing around now and then, as if he was afraid he was being followed. Spotting Orion, he quickens his pace, stopping short in front of him. "Sir Brownmane? Pardon my intrusion into your private time, but I bear an important summons for you." He passes over a scroll. "There are too many eyes and ears here, good sir. Please read this in a private location." With a final glance around, he bows his head slghtly. "Good evening, sir," he says before galloping off and into the shadows.
Orion Shadow doesn't have much chance to say anything as he is hoofed over a scroll. He nods to the mysterious hooded pony, before straightening his glasses and trotting back toward Shadowfall Manor, entering quietly.
Cassius takes his coat. "Back so soon, m'lord?" asks the servant.
Orion nods. "A matter has arisen, Cassius… kindly prepare a cup of your finest earl grey, I'll be in my study. Send Raven there if she calls for me."
Cassius nods. "As you wish, m'lord." He trots off, and Orion teleports into the study.
The room was large and made of wood, with a large window on one side and a painting of Trottingham's skyline on another wall. There was a roll-top desk, made of some wood that might or might not be mahogany, and a wardrobe. There was a globe, the old-fashioned kind where the seas were beige instead of blue. There was a stained glass lamp and two large bookcases. The chair in front of the roll-top desk looked like a mad Victorian inventor's attempt to replicate a modern office chair without having any real idea what one looked like. It involved brass and gears.
It was, in effect, exactly what an eccentric professor noble like him would want in a private study. Orion takes a seat and unfolds the scroll, holding it up close to his face and reading what it has to say.
The scroll, written in perfect script, bears the royal seal of the Princess of the Sun at the very bottom. It reads: "Dearest Sir Brownmane, My deepest apologies for the cloak-and-dagger method of delivering this message to you. Were there a better way, I would have certainly chosen that method; as it is, the fewer ponies that know of what I am about to tell you, the better for Equestria as a whole. Recently, there have been rumblings throughout the nobility regarding the balance of power. Concerned, I tasked an official with gaining access to this group to sound out their motives. His report was most grim, and has the potential to upset politics in Equestria for many years to come. I have always found you to be an honest and upstanding pony, Sir Brownmane, and it is because of this that I make the following request of you. I am asking you to come to Canterlot to receive further instruction; I fear if this letter were to fall into the wrong hands all would be lost before any actions could be taken. Please proceed with all haste, and show the attached pass to the guards - it will grant you immediate entry. I look forward to seeing you soon, my little pony. Most sincerely, Princess Celestia."
Orion widens his eyes as he reads the letter, his horn flaring as takes the attached pass. He climbs to his hooves, slipping on a spare waistcoat as he trots back out into the hall, his hooves clip-clopping on the marble floor. "Nevermind the tea, Cassius! I have urgent business in Canterlot to attend to! Have the carriage ready to take me to the train station, please!"
Cassius nods, and does as he is instructed. Moments later, Orion is on the last train out to Canterlot that evening.
Arriving at the train station, Orion is greeted by a noblepony he had a brief dealing with in the past. "Ah, Sir Brownmane! So good to see you again, eh wot?" he says, a seemingly friendly smile on his face.
Orion Shadow gives the noblepony a warm smile. "Indeed, Lord Berrington. It's been a long time! How is Lady Berrington doing? I am told you have two new foals?"
Lord Berrington gives a nod and a chuckle. "Oh goodness, yes. Absolute bundles of energy, those two ... must get it from their mother." He chuckles more at his lame joke. "So very good to see a friendly face in this town these days, I say. Have you ... heard the rumblings, my friend?" he asks quietly, leaning in to attempt to foil any eavesdroppers.
"Not in detail… but I know they're around. What are these rumblings about?" he whispers back.
Motioning for Orion to follow, Berrington starts walking away from the platform. "Such treasonous words I would have never expected to hear," he says sadly and quietly. "Word is a group of nobles are hatching a plot to take over the throne and install themselves as the ruling body. I've heard they're even attempting to sway Blueblood to their cause." He shakes his head. "I'm not buying into their garbage, as are several others. They must be stopped, but we don't know how."
Orion frowns deeply, a hint of anger appearing in his face. "Those fools…" he growls, before clearing his throat. "As it happens, Princess Celestia sent me a letter earlier this evening. I am to report to Canterlot, where I will receive further instructions." He gives Berrington a nod, "I shall of course keep you posted, and I'd like you to send word to the other allies… oh, and when you can, keep an eye out on Shadowfall for me until I return." The train pulls into the station as he finishes speaking.
"Gladly," he replies. "Just ... be careful in your dealings. They're a slippery type, those traitors. I'll await your word before contacting the others." He helps Orion get his bags on the train. "Safe travels, my friend," he says, giving Orion a quick hug before stepping back to the platform.
Orion Shadow hugs back, before trotting over to an empty carriage, where he sits, staring pensively out a window.
The train pulls out of the station and chugs along into the night, the way illuminated by Luna's artful positioning of the moon and stars. The conductor passes through and punches Orion's ticket, then moves along toward the rear of the train, leaving Orion alone with his thoughts.
As the train pulls into Canterlot station a couple hours later, it is nearly midnight, according to Orion's pocket watch. He collects his bags and trots out of the train, his pass at the ready.
A handsome cab sits nearby, the driver idly drumming his hooves on the ground. There's not much call for taxi service this time of night, but hope springs eternal, especially for ol' Archie. Seeing Orion, he waves a hoof in his direction. "Need a lift, sir? Best ride in Canterlot!"
Orion smiles and trots over to the carriage. "Certainly, sir! I'm glad you're here, given the lateness of the hour." He floats his bags into the back before climbing in, buckling himself up. "I'm Orion, by the way. Could you take me to the castle, please?'
"I always wait for the last train before heading home, Mister Orion. And I'm Gateway Arch, but everypony calls me Archie." He gvies a push with his hooves against the ground and soon the cab is moving along at a brisk pace. "I don't get a lot of dignitaries in my cab, so I'm honored that you're riding along tonight."
"It's a pleasure, Archie! The other dignitaries don't know what they're missing." As they go he glances up at the sky and smiles. "Mmm… Luna's marvelous artwork, spectacular as always! Her night skies are some of the most beautiful things I've ever seen."
Archie smiles too. "One benefit of working nights. I get a great view every night." The cab passes through the empty streets, the clacking of hooves on cobblestones the companion sound to the rumble of carriage wheels. "Must be pretty important business if you're heading to the castle this time of night," Archie says, breaking the silence.
He nods in assent. "Oh yes, very… I'd say, but it's confidential. One never knows who might be listening!"
"Gotcha," he replies with a wink. "None of my business anyway, just curious is all." He slows to a stop at the main gates of the castle. "Here we are, sir. That's two bits for the fare."
He gets his things and floats over the bits, plus a bit more as a tip. "Thank you again, Archie. Have a good evening!"
"You too, Mister Orion. Hope to see you on the return trip!" He tips his cap and heads off into the night.
The night guards stand at the entrance to the castle, blocking the way with their spears. "Access is restricted, sir. Please state your business," the senior guard announces.
Orion Shadow draws himself up to his full height, looking noble. "The Right Honorable Sir Orion Brownmane Baronet, here by appointment with Their Majesties."
The senior guard levitates a clipboard to his face and scans the paper attached. "I do not see your name here on tonight's appointment list, sir. You'll have to return tomorrow morning."
He floats over the pass. "Call it an urgent one."
Upon reading the pass, the guard blanches a little. "My apologies, sir. We will take you to your quarters immediately." He summons another guard nearby and whispers something to him. The other guard nods, gathering Orion's baggage in his magic. "Please follow me, sir. Their Highnesses have asked that you be presented first thing in the morning. I will take you to your chambers so you may rest." He starts trotting slowly through the gate and down the corridor.
Orion nods, and trots down the hall with the guards to his quarters.