May I have a moment of your time?

Two Tone, Chrysalis/Glimmering Gems, and her security detail didn't stay much longer at the art auction after the fiasco with Golden Vision in my Royal Equestria Security Forces (RESF) dreamscape. Link

The queen put in a couple bids in for items in the silent auction, but then she conveyed to Cumulus Dancer that she was taking her leave. The pegasus stallion was obviously still concerned by the events of the evening.

"Miss Gems. Miss Two Tone. Once again please accept the Moonlight Club's apology for the events of tonight. Both myself and my employer Mister Crush Hoof are appalled that you had to experience this. We sincerely hope this does not permanently color your impression of our establishment."

The changeling graciously accepted the stallion's apology. Two Tone gave a noncommittal grunt for her reply. She'd had enough this place to last her for awhile. However the night held one more unexpected surprise for the zebra.

Chrysalis was getting things organized for their departure along with her security detail. Two Tone was standing close by and randomly scanning the crowd when suddenly she heard voice close behind her.

"Miss Two Tone. May I have a moment of your time?"

The zebra spun around to find herself staring at the chest of Mister Crush Hoof. Some how this mountain of a stallion had gotten inside her personal space with the mare not noticing. The mare jumped back a bit.

Fuck! How the did somepony that big sneak up on me! The mare thought.

Like Chrysalis it was apparent that the stallion was preparing to leave himself since he was now wearing a medium grey overcoat and had a fedora of dark grey on. The square silver frames of his glasses were still visible but his eyes were almost hidden under the dark shadows cast by the brim of his hat. Slowly he raised a now black leather gloved hand that looked big enough to envelope the zebra's head and pointed to an open alcove/ small room a few feet away.

"Just over here. It'll only be a couple of minutes. I promise." Even though he was speaking in a low voice it cut through the laughter, chatter, music, and overall noise that filled the club. The zebra nodded her head.The stallion turned around and headed toward the alcove. As Two Tone followed behind she was impressed at how graceful this mountain of a pony moved.

Standing in the alcove was a unicorn stallion and earth pony mare. The stallion was in a suit of dark grey and his mare coworker was wearing a skirt dress suit of similar color. Normally they'd be an impressive pair if not for the fact that their employer's height of over 7ft towered over them. Instead they looked a couple of kids waiting for their dad to pick them up from school.

Mister Crush Hoof came to a stop in the middle of the alcove and looked down at Two Tone for a second before pointing an index finger the size of a shotgun barrel at her. With a deep bass voice he once again softly spoke.

"It took me a moment to realize I've seen you before. Probably because its been a couple of years. You've grown a bit and this was not the kind of place I expected to find you hanging out at."

His nostrils slowly flared. "You and a couple of associates went on a late night shopping spree in a small electronics shop that was paying protection to me. Happened during the big city-wide blackout when enemy hit the power plant during the war. You remember that night? The shop had an auxiliary power supply for its security camera and a low light function. Apparently you and your friends were unaware of that detail."

It took a second but the mare's eyes went wide for a moment. Without saying a word Two Tone slowly started sliding right hand again down the front strap of her slung purse toward the body of it. The mountain of a stallion chuckled as he raised a hand palm forward toward the mare.

"Don't go reaching for the pocket cannon in your purse. I have no plans to do you any harm. It was just a realization I had when I saw you earlier tonight. It was years ago and it was a small-time job in the grand scheme of things. Plus you and your friends didn't trash the place in the process. We even succeeded in getting some small business relief money after the war from the Crown as result of it. So water under the bridge if you get my drift."

The stallion gave the zebra a deliberate looking up and down. "You've definitely grown up." He then glanced out of the alcove at the disguised changeling queen who was making final arrangements with the auction staff. Number 12 was watching their interaction. Mister Crush Hoof nodded his head and the senior security officer returned it. The earth pony returned his stare to the zebra.

"And you're definitely associating with some more interesting and capable individuals. However before I leave you tonight let give you one piece of advice." He then leaned forward. "Glimmering Gems is a very savvy player and you can learn a lot from her, but be aware their's more to her than meets the eye. Just keep that thought in the back of your head if you continue to work for her."

Two Tone was trying to process the stallion's last comment when the zebra heard the voice of her employer speak up. "Mister Crush Hoof. I hope my employee hasn't done something to bother you?"

The stallion's head smoothly turned toward the changeling like a gun turret. He stared at her for a second and the disguised queen returned it. Slowly he shook his head and he smiled.

"No. I was just introducing myself to Miss Two Tone. I didn't get a proper chance to do that back in the banquet room while we were dealing with Golden Vision. Since I am owner of the Moonlight Club I felt it was my obligation to do so."

For a moment Chrysalis and the earth pony looked at each other. Then the queen grinned. "Well that was very kind of you. Two Tone is a mare I see great potential in. Now if you will excuse us our ride will be arriving in a moment so we need to be leaving." She looked at the zebra. "Shall we be on our way?"

Two Tone nodded her head and followed the changeling out of the room. Glancing at a mirror on far wall she could see the mountain of the stallion watching her leave. Under her breath she muttered.

"This has been a fucking wild evening."

Chrysalis nodded her head. "Yes. Yes it has."