Twilight Sparkle stretched as she got out of bed the next morning. She's stayed up longer than she'd wanted to, reading, and thinking about Fresnel. What an unusual man. There was a certain kind of atmosphere, however, that made him…Alluring. Something mysterious and adventurous. Twilight caught herself thinking about it, and giggled, equating her thoughts to a filly dreaming about some singing heartthrob. It was fun to entertain the idea of having dinner with the student of the student of Sherlock Hooves, but she didn't really take it seriously. Twilight had no illusions that Fresnel was only looking for some companionship while in Ponyville, and did this sort of thing all the time. He needed a friend, and Twilight was glad to be there for him.

After having a quick breakfast of hay, daffodils, and a carrot, Twilight decided that today was a good day to enjoy herself. She looked at the still-significant pile of notes she took, and decided not to take her pad (though she always kept her pen with her.) The election debates were still in full swing, and she wanted to get in on the excitement. The Mayor was having an open house at her home, and Twilight intended to be there. She'd missed the last one, with Mrs. Cake, but she wouldn't miss this one.

Twilight trotted down the road towards the Mayor's house, when she was intercepted by…Oh, no…

"Pinkie Pie! Good to see you!"

"Twilight! There you are! Are you all right? I saw that weird Pony in the coat come into your house, and I was worried, but then he left, but I didn't see what was going on! Did he do anything? Did he show you-GASP!-"

Pinky looked left and right.

"Undesirables?" she asked in a hushed tone.

"Pinky!"

"What? I thought he was trying to sell you fake watches."

"No, he was just looking for a couple of books, Pinky! We talked for a while, and he left."

"Oh…So he's not a purveyor of contraband materials?" Pinky asked. Twilight was actually stunned by her vocabulary.

"He's a private detective. His name is Fresnel Gumhoof. He's just here to track down a criminal," twilight explained.

"Oh! Well, then, I should throw him a party to welcome him here to Ponyville and for being such a good Samaripony!"

"Uh, Pinky, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Well, first of all, he doesn't really seem like he's a very social pony. Secondly, he's on the job, so it would only be a distraction. Third, I don't think he's looking for that kind of appreciation in his line of work. He's a professional investigator, not a policeman, Pinky. He was probably hired to find this person, rather than doing it because it's his career or even the right thing."

Pinkie blinked, and Twilight sighed.

"Someone's already rewarding him for catching this person. Throwing a party for him would be redundant and unwelcome," she explained, "He might even think it rude."

"Oh…"

"It's all right, Pinky. Not everyone has room in their lives for having parties with strangers. I'm sure he would appreciate the gesture either way, Pinky. So are you feeling better from yesterday? That person had you quite upset, after he insulted Mrs. Cake."

"Yeah, I took your advice. He's just a mean grumpypants, and I won't go to his level. I'm all over it now," Pinky declared proudly.

"That's the spirit! Just keep your chin up and a smile on your face, and he can't do anything to you!" Twilight encouraged her. She saw Applejack walking by, and realized what she had been doing before bumping into Pinky, "Oh, sorry, Pinky, I have to go.."

"That's fine. I'll see you later, Twilight!" Pinky hopped away, and Twilight galloped to catch up to Applejack.

"Oh, hey, Twilight! Where you off to?"

"I was actually going to the Mayor's open house. Are you going?"

"Yessir-ee, sugarcube! The Mayor is a good speaker, and an old friend of my family's. She already has my vote, but I'd like to still show my support."

"That's good. I missed Mrs. Cake's open house a few days ago, so I promised myself not to miss the Mayor's today."

"Wait, you were going to Miss Cake and the Mayor's pen House?"

"Well, yeah. I want to weigh my options, you know, see all sides of the arguments."

"But you said you had already decided!"

"Well, my mind can still be changed!"

"So you're planning to vote for Mrs. Cake, aren't you?"

"I didn't say that!"

"Then why would you be going to the Open House if you were thinking of changing your mind?"

"I could also be more confident in my choice, Applejack!" Twilight huffed. Applejack's ears went back, and her eyes went wide, apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Twilight, I didn't think of it that way. Whatever your decision or reasons, Twilight, I'm glad you're here with us," Applejack assured her, and Twilight smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Applejack, I'm glad to be here," she chuckled as they entered the Mayor's home. There were a number of ponies here, including a handful of reporters. She was surprised to see that Fresnel was there, too. He wasn't wearing his coat and hat, but rather a respectable strolling saddle. He looked quite nice, somewhat formal without sticking out.

"Fresnel! I didn't expect you to be here!" Twilight declared, and Fresnel jumped lowering his head.

"Twilight! Please, not so loud! I'm on a lead, and I'm working on a couple hours of sleep."

"Who's this, Twilight?" Applejack approached.

"This is Fresnel, I met him last night. Fresnel, this is my friend, Applejack."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am, but I'm a little busy right now. We'll catch up after the open house or later tonight. This is the closest I've been in days," he apologized.

"Oh, we're sorry, I'll see you later, Fresnel!" Twilight backed away, and Applejack followed, quite confused.

"What in the hay was that about?" Applejack was somewhat stern in her tone.

"He's just someone I met last night. He does some sensitive work, so it's best if we left him alone for now. I'll introduce you to him formally later."

"Oh, well, he seemed like the sort that would look good in a pair of workin' duds. I wonder if he likes apples?"

"Applejack!" Twilight nudged her.

"What?" AJ laughed cheekily, and Twilight rolled her eyes.

"Excuse me, everyone!" they heard a Pony call out, "The open house is about to begin!"

Twilight and Applejack followed the other ponies into the basement, where they found that it had been renovated for just this sort of event, with ascending stair-style seats for the ponies looking down onto a podium in the center. The Mayor was standing at the podium. A few of the reporters were on the ground, taking picture of the ponies piling into the auditorium, and of the Mayor herself. Fresnel was in the corner of the auditorium, remaining unnoticed by most. A grey pony with a yellow mane lost her balance, and bumped into him by accident, apologized, and took the nearest seat she could get to.

Twilight and Applejack took seats on the third row to the Mayor's left. They could see and hear everything that was going on. Twilight took a moment to look around.

"I hadn't realized how big the Mayor's home was," Twilight observed, "This hall is something else!"

"Sure is! This used to be the school where I went when I was a filly. When the Mayor came into office, she got a bigger, better-equipped school built, and bought the old building. I was Laura in Little Stable on the Prairie when I was Applebloom's age."

"You were an actress, Applejack?" Twilight didn't expect that.

"Well, back then I stole the lead from Marie Macbeth, mostly 'cuz I already had the accent. We bucked heads all the time back then, it all seems so silly now."

"You'll have to show me your stuff one of these days."

"Oh, no, it's been so long…"

"Yeah, you're probably right. After all this time, I'd say your talent's gotten so rusty it's gone now."

"Is that a challenge?" Applejack growled playfully.

"As a matter of fact it is!" Twilight retorted. The lights dimmed, and sounds of 'Shh!' hissed from the audience.

"You're on, missy!" Applejack whispered, and then she came to attention.

"Thank you, Fillies and gentlecolts, for attending this open house. This has been a rigorous election season, with a lot of energy and passion," the Mayor began, "I'm so glad to see all of you here today, as well as members of the press, and the pony from the Times."

Laughs rang out through the auditorium. One pony among the reporters smirked, squinted, and rolled her eyes.

"You've all been to the speeches, heard the rhetoric, and the pamphlets, but there've only been a few chances for me to talk with my constituents about the election itself. I welcome any and all questions, and don't be afraid to speak of! The only empty question is the one left unasked."

Several hooves went into the air. Twilight didn't look at who was asking, she noticed Fresnel. Not because he did something, but because she realized she'd forgotten about him in all the excitement. He was looking through the crowd, as if searching for someone.

"Yes, the parasprite infestation was sudden and unexpected. It did cause a good deal of damage to the town, and left many of our citizens quite afraid. However, after the incident, Ponyville has become prepared. With the help of several of our upstanding citizens, I instituted a 'Town defensive instrument' cache, so that in the case of another parasprite infestation, we can react quickly and immediately, instead of having to search franticly for various instruments, and so that we can have many ponies play, instead of relying on the swift actions of one. While I have been told there is no way to eradicate parasprites, we can remove them should they ever come back. I would also like to point out that I have been informed by local and national magic and creature experts that musical instruments can play an important role in a variety of spells and means to soothe beasts. I need only point to the Ursa Minor incident, in which the creative use of lullabies helped save our town from damage. With this program, I am confident that our town will not need to rely on a single individual or select few to deal with magical incidents or creature incursion again. Speaking of the Ursa attack, I believe the pony responsible for helping our town is here with us. Twilight Sparkle, if you would please stand."

Twilight almost didn't catch what the Mayor said when the lights were upon her, and she stood, smiling sheepishly as the photographers took pictures and the reporters took notes.

"Twilight Sparkle and her friends have all saved Ponyville and, indeed, all of Equestria from danger and hard times on several occasions. Although we have thanked her time and time again, we cannot do so enough. Thank you."

Hooves clapped together, as Twilight bashfully took a bow.

"Do you have any questions, Twilight?" the Mayor asked, and she nodded.

"Yes, ma'am. During several of the incidents, I noticed that the Ponies of Ponyville didn't know how to react. There was a lot of panic. Now that we have faced several such events, if re-elected, what would you do to help prevent disorganization and panic?" Twilight asked. The light went off of her, and onto the Mayor.

"Good question, Twilight!" Applejack whispered.

"Thank you, Twilight, that is an excellent question. Ponyvale has seen an increase of incidents in the past year, but every time we have been able to react and find a solution. Being prepared for these events is paramount to the safety of our town and our citizens, and in my new term, establishing a clear and understood emergency response system, and an official emergency department, will be among my first acts. Under my previous administrations, Ponyville has flourished like never before, and we certainly can afford to institute such programs. In fact, we can't afford not to."

One Stallion raised his hoof, and the Mayor acknowledged him.

"Miss Mayor, this brings up an interesting point. Given the increase of incidents-the Parasprites, Nightmare Moon, the Ursa and the Dragon, it raises the question as to why Ponyville is getting so much attention in the first place. The grant money for the repairs, the library, the new school. Fashion shows and constant parties. How exactly did you get Ponyville to be the host of the Summer Sun Celebration, anyway?"

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you are trying to ask," the Mayor stated, feigning bewilderment and not really hiding irritation. Twilight noticed that Fresnel was no longer leaning against the wall, relaxed. He was looking at the stallion intently.

"I mean, Mayor, that I'm not entirely confident that all these events, funding, and, as you put it, flourishing is coming out of Ponyville itself. Why is Ponyville getting grants and attention like this?"

The Mayor kept her composure.

"It is true that I have a number of friends in influential positions, who have been good friends to Ponyville, as well, in helping us repair the damage, and in getting the funding that we need for our projects."

"Uh huh, and what have these favors cost Ponyville?" Twilight noticed that Fresnel was now approaching the stallion. Now that the light was on him, she saw that the stallion had a black coat with painted white-style markings, with a similar mane. He was mostly black, though, and his white was the spotted exceptions. Fresnel stood behind the pony and muttered something into the Pony's ear.

"Oh, is that how it is? Someone asks the hard questions, and it's 'Please step outside'?"

Fresnel rolled his eyes.

"Fine, then let's do it here if you're not going to make this quiet. Tommy Peek, you're under arrest," Fresnel growled. Tommy stood and threatened to buck, and all the other ponies darted away, but Fresnel was quick, and tackled Tommy, taking the smaller stallion down. Once Tommy was on his side, Fresnel produced a pair of hoofcuffs, and latched them onto the stallion's left legs. It was over very quickly, and Fresnel helped Tommy to his hooves.

"I apologize for the outburst, Mayor. I'd hoped to take him in quietly. Tommy Peeks, do you understand your rights?"

"No," Tommy spat, "Remind me."

Fresnel butted Tommy in the flank with his head.

"All right. You have the right to remain silent…"

Twilight and the whole Open House watched as Fresnel recited Tommy his rights, as Tommy limped out of the Open House.

"So that's what he meant by being busy. Wow, interesting things just keep comin' our way, don't they, Twilight?" Applejack mentioned. Twilight could only help but nod. She winced, upon realizing that Fresnel was probably going to be up all day about this. He might be too tired and forget about his offer to have dinner with her.

"Wassamatter, Twilight?"

"Oh, uh, Fresnel. He'd just come into town, and I'd hoped to get to know him better. But now that he's caught who he's looking for, he'll probably be gone by tomorrow."

"Well, I don't think he'd leave without saying goodbye, or explainin' to the Mayor why he arrested someone in the middle of the Open House!" Applejack seemed more annoyed than compassionate. Twilight could only roll her eyes.