[FWM] Backstage: CUT!

[Grif]

"Oh dear....ahem...well ah...let us not dwell....ah...erm...Come on, ah...let's go find me a swanky peasant costume, maybe something bar wenchy?" She forced a chuckle and nuzzled Silverpine's cheek.

Bar... wench-y? The tips of Silverpine ears suddenly burned at the mental image of Gear... nevermind. Cough. "Ah... yes. Costume. Of course. Let's go," he said hurriedly trying to sound too embarrassed.

Inside was all fancily decorated, with cushy seats, a warm glowing light, magical in nature possibly. Fox smiled at his lady love before disappearing off to give instruction to the puller.

A moment later he returned and cozied up next to Icy, taking her hoof in his and leaned against her a little. "Let us...begin our evening, my beautiful ice queen."

"With you, it's already wonderful..." Icy said softly as she kissed her love, with a small smile, then laid back against the seat for the ride, laying a hoof on his.

"As long as nopony goes around yelling about how great the season is while doing something terribly stupid, I should be fine," Staccata replies before taking a sip and then thinking of something to change the subject with.

"And for all the self-righteousness paladins are often too good to keep their own appointments."

[Meanwhile, A Short Time Later]

"And what exactly might you intend to reference with that?" came a voice from behind Staccata. By pure luck, the trio had arrived just in time to hear her last comment about "self-righteous paladins", which Blueshield obviously was not ecstatic about.

She took a seat near the guards. "I came as soon as my patrol was finished, per my word. And I see you have found a companion in the meantime." She gave Staccata a wary look.

Well, that was awkward. Fortunately, Lemongrass, perked up immediately at the sight of Blueshield and her entourage. "Awwright! You came! Barkeep, a round of cider for them on me!" He flashed Tyrol a look of triumph, and grinned. "Looks like somepony was wrong."

Tyrol just shook his head, and focused on Blueshield instead. "Knight-Commander Blueshield, I don't believe you met her yet. This is Staccata. She... ah, specialises in intelligence gathering." Technically true, the last bit. Though Tyrol was never really certain where she got her "information".