"Names Ramfin, though I used to just be called Fin before I got my title," he said, introducing himself, "Nice to meet you Tinker, wish it was in better circumstances."
"I believe so, you're the first I ever saw brought in. Maybe its because those changelings really know how to defend their hive. You didnt come straight from the hive did you?"
The mention of the hive being defensive brought some interesting yet startling implications. It was already established that the creatures here had been kidnapped, but to try and make blatant moves like attacking the hive? That doesn't sound very Equestrian. Tinker never heard any news about this, then again, news from the hive doesnt exactly travel to the small town of Ponyville very fast.
"If you ask me I don't trust a single one of these thugs, not even the Princesses. Not after how I saw them treat the others, treating their own ponies like prey."
Ramfin tried to keep up with Tinker's bombardment of questions the best he could.
"I got not idea what you're talkin about bud."
"I dont know, they dont say anything."
"If by meals you mean some weird synthesized snot then sure. Keeps us alive but thats about it. And no, I've not seen Celestia much, mostly Luna. When did you see Celestia?"
"Uhh..." Ramfin didnt know what he was talking about. Seems he was not familiar with Equestria's leaders, so he may have been taken straight from his homeland. If so, does that confirm they were trying to capture changelings from the hive as well?
Soon the torrent of questions had become overwhelming for Ramfin, so he shushed Tinker. Right as Tinker stopped a door could be heard opening, and the sound of metallic hooves reverberated through the hallway. Within a minute or so, a guard was looking into Tinker's cell.
"Get up and get out here," the guard barked as the door opened. The guard prodded Tinker with his spear down the hall. Beyond a door with absolutely no window was another maze of hallways, just like the ones Tinker had seen when he was with his group.
Just as with the cell, he was unceremoniously shoved into a surprisingly empty, dark room. Suddenly the room was blindingly bright before Tinker's eyes could adjust. In the center of the room was just a drain, the concrete around it stained a slightly red hue.
"So tell me," came the low voice of a dark-blue alicorn he hadn't noticed standing in the corner, "What do you know about Saphire Systrine?"
The alicorn, who must have been Luna, slowly walked forward. Her gaze was unrecognizable. Cold maybe? Either way, it was unsettling, utterly lacking the warmth Celestia had.