Sensing that Honourshine is slowly becoming more at ease in the presence of another pony, you decide to try properly catching up with your foalhood friend. Shifting away from the topic of the bell, you promise that you'll do your best to help her get to the bottom of this mystery.

Honourshine: "Thanks, Blaze. If your stories are anything to go by, I might just need some of your luck."

Her words direct your gaze to your own cutie mark. You are reminded of the countless times you played together growing up, exploring every corner of Foalshire's countryside. Somehow, you always managed to stumble into objects or places of interest, which you both began attributing to the lucky star on your flank.

Honourshine: "That's right — we rarely found anything of value, but we always had fun. Hey, remember the time we helped a townsmare find her necklace in the woods?"

You nod: an unusual print next to bird tracks in the mud had lead you to a crow's nest nearby. Then, following your friend's advice, you climbed up to the nest, and traded the corvid a shiny stone in exchange for the scavenged jewellery.

Honourshine: "And when we turned it in, the mare insisted on rewarding us. We only got a few bits out of it, but I think it was the first time one of our expeditions literally paid off."

Looking back, the life of an adventurer had chosen you long before you chose it. You ask Honourshine if she's gone on any adventures of her own these past few years.

Honourshine: "Nothing like yours, that's for sure. The most I've done is travel to an old ruin and make rubbings of some of the murals there. Exciting stuff."

The flatness of her tone didn't make it sound very exciting, however. You ask if it was an assignment from the College.

Honourshine: "Well, I'm not a member, if that's what you're asking. I simply take commissions I think have a chance of uncovering more interesting leads. Nothing so far, but at least I can put the bits to good use."

Not so different from your work for the Equestrian Exploration Society, all things considered. Still, you figure that the pay must be good if she can afford to sponsor voyages all on her own. You're not sure exactly how much those cost to fund, but they can't be cheap.

Honourshine: "It's not so bad; roughly a thousand bits per venture?"

You pause. A thousand bits? Each?!

Moonflower: "Whoa‼ That's a lotta bits!"

Honourshine: "Honestly, at this point, it's a small price to pay for the answers I'm looking for."

Putting your sudden humility aside, you ask Honourshine if she's used some of her many bits to buy herself a house somewhere.

Honourshine: "Not yet — I can't decide on anywhere I'd want to stay to begin with. Have you?"

You nod, and tell her that you did manage to get yourself a cozy little home in Hoofington just south of here, soon after which Moonflower moved in with you. She quickly notes your address down in a notebook, then puts it away.

Honourshine: "That should make it easier to stay in touch from now on."

You smile at that. Then, you playfully add that she is more than welcome to come live with you. The bat pony next to you enthusiastically nods in agreement, but Honourshine's grin says it all.

Honourshine: "... Thanks, but no thanks, Blaze."

Of course, you knew she would say that; now that Honourshine has the means to get her own quarters, there is no reason for her to share anymore. With that in mind, you can't help but wonder: has she befriended anyone new since you last saw each other?

Honourshine: "Friends? Not really, no. I mean, I have some reliable contacts in Canterlot, but I don't think that counts. All business — you know the type."

So not much has changed since the orphanage, after all. When you were small, young Honourshine only ever left her books behind to play with you, or to help Matron Kindleheart with chores. She was always polite to the other fillies and colts, but never grew close enough to any of them to call them friends.

Moonflower: "Aww! Why not?"

Honourshine: "I'm not sure. It feels like other ponies and I are a world apart somehow. But Blaze is different. He always understood me. Still does."

In that moment, her eyes meet your own, and it feels like no time has passed at all. Years have come and gone, yet you are still the same ponies you always were.

Moonflower: "Ooh, I know! Why don't'cha come with us?"

Honourshine: "Huh...? Where?"

Moonflower: "On our adventures! We could use somepony who's super smart, and you'd get to hang out with Blazer! And maybe you'll learn more stuff if you're right there with us. Right, Blazer?"