Anontificer 8

>It's been a few days.
>Nice, calm days in which you, your special somepone and her sister have lived quite comfortably and without issue.
>...
>And you're antsy.
>Word had gotten out now for sure of Sweetie's revival.
>You were not looking forward to getting teary eyed requests from unfortunates who had lost their loved ones.
>If you were a cleric or healer, such a task would be within your bounds...with their connections to the divine.
>You sigh, shaking your head.
"How did I even do it?"
>Rarity had convinced you to stay out of the lab after a time.
>You had cleaned the whole place twice already, locating and stacking all the notes when she had asked you this.
>So of course, you had not even begun to go through them for anything more than a precursory glance to know they were related to Sweetie Belle..
>"Oh come now, Anonymous, can't you keep your mind off of it? Surely you deserve some rest after all of this. Things will work out, you'll see."
>You nod your recognition of her words.
"I know things will work out... but I don't want them to get worse before they get better."
>She cants her head and gives a pout.
>"Are you sure there's anything worse than getting tossed about by Princess Celestia? Are you TRYING to make me worry, too?"
"Ack, sorry Rarity. I just...there's been some things that I've seen back in Faerun...and I don't want them happening here."
>She stands and trots to you, placing her head against yours as you remain seated in the living room.
>"Your home is here, and things are much different in Equestria. I can only hope you can let go of it."
>When you don't answer, she kisses your cheek and goes back to her room upstairs.

>Later that night, the doorbell is pressed.
>You answer the door to find a large armored unicorn.
"Hello, who is i-"
>An uncharacteristically deep feminine voice answers from the fully-encased armored pony, interrupting you.
>"Anonymous, correct?"
>Your blood runs cold.
"Uhh...yes?"
>This is it...another bad end in Faerun, being assassinated for having a power someone else would rather suppress.
>"I need your help with something, may I come in?"
>Discerning her motives through her voice, she seems genuine.
>Releasing the breath you didn't know you were holding, you shake your head yes.
"Come right in..."
>She steps in, her steps relatively light for her approximated weight.
>"Thank you."
>If she's still an assassin, you would need to keep your guard up.
>If she isn't...
>Well, why not just ask what she's here for?
>You should be able to discern truth from lie. Ponies aren't great bluffers, many of them scrunching their faces or breaking eye contact when they do so.
>If she lied...
"Make yourself comfortable, but do be silent, miss Rarity is asleep."
>"I won't be around for long if I can help it. I'm just here to try and find some information I think you might have."
>Still no hints...
"What information are you searching for? I am sure Twilight's library in town holds more than I-"
>"You are, or were at some point, an Artificer, correct?"
"...THAT kind of information, huh?"
>"I am correct, then?"
"Yes, I am in that profession."
>"Then do you know of the Warforged?"
>You look over her form once more.
"You could say that...I should have realized it sooner. Your armor is reminiscent of warforged design."
>"You see the comparison between one and my friend, can't you?"
"Your...friend?"
>Somehow, you just knew they had a smirk on under that armor.
>Another, less passionate but equally deep voice responds.
>"Hello, human."
"Intriguing...are you both within the armor?"
>A simple lie test to get a better feel for her...
>"I am the armor."
>...
"Then to whom was I addressing before?"
>The first voice responds "That would be me."
"I meant your name...but no matter. What was your issue again?"
>"Two issues. The first, I would like to see anything you have related to the Warforged. Notes, documents, pictures, anything. The second, I would like it if you could help me find a way to make my armor independent."
>Hmm...info hunt and a job offer.
>Sounds like easy money.
>And a job.
>And an excuse to go down into the lab again.
"On the first I have much on the subject. It's in my laboratory. As for the second...let's see what I can do."
>"Good enough for me."
>So she's investigating warforged, has a suit that appears much the same as one and wants it to become mobile.
>At least she's no killer.
>But then...why does she have this armor?
>The walk to your laboratory is done quickly enough, and you usher your guest into the room.
>With a wave of your arm, you speak once more.
"...and here are the notes from Sweetie Belle. I'm sure you've heard what happened, since even Princess Celestia knew in Canterlot."
>"Rarity's little sister?"
"Yup. Brought right back from the dead. Good as new...if a little shinier. She's resting right now as well."
>"Brought back from the dead?"
>If you had to identify her voice now; it was hopeful.
>Silence reigns for a few moments, before she begins to look about the room.
>"A nice setup you have here..."
"Thank you."
>You pass the notes over to her, which she grabs with telekinesis, the aura enveloping the armor's horn as well.
"And here are the notes...miss?"
>"You can't tell from my voice?"
"Well it would be wrong of me to assume."
>Apparently she can't get the hint.
>You want her NAME.
>After a few minutes and a velocity of reading you would have only attributed to Twilight Sparkle, she speaks.
>"These are very rudimentary."
>Like a stab through the ego.
>"Do you have anything in greater detail?"
"Sorry, I have not gone through those notes yet, I've been rather busy lately."
>And locked out of this room.
"More detail like what? Spell synapses? Runic inscription? I'm sorry but those are in here only."
>You tap your head for emphasis.
>"Well that's unfortunate."

"So you said you wanted your armor to be mobile. Self autonomous correct? The intelligent armor, I mean."
>"Huh? Oh, yes. Anyway, these notes. From what I can gather, Sweetie Belle was killed...and you rebuilt her?"
"Yes, I did. Now whose soul is in there anyway? It doesn't seem to have much...life or personality to it like other intelligent items I've seen."
>Those things are ALL personality. Quite frequently obnoxious...but very powerful.
>"She has her own soul, assuming she's similar to warforged in that manner. Now about Sweetie...these don't look like notes on reforged."
>You double take.
>Oh right, she WOULD have to know a little about warforged...
>Still, warforged were only native to Faerun, you thought. The idea that your visit might not be the first interaction Faerun has had in here is frightening.
"Perhaps, but she seems to be a lot more active and lively than the run of the mill reforged...she also earned her cutie mark AFTER being brought back."
>More proof tat bringing her back was more akin to a True Resurrection than simply slapping the soul into a new body.
>" They're much closer to a self-forged...and you're right. Beyond that, she couldn't be self-forged either...as she was unable to perform it on herself!"
>She moves about, as if excited at the prospect.
"And that's under investigation, miss...you know I don't think I've had your name yet."
>"Please, call me Drifter."
>...
>She may as well have stayed Anonymous.
>And there's only room for one Anon in this town.