Courtesy Call
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Wake Up!!!!!! Midnight yelled, which caused Twilight to suddenly jump out of her bed like a cat having been doused with water, followed by a crash to the floor below.

“Oww!” Twilight said as she rubbed her flank. What was that for?

It’s almost noon, even though it is a Saturday and we don’t have work, we shouldn’t be sleeping in. Midnight sighed.

“Fine, I am up.” Twilight grumbled as she got up off the floor. So, what are we going to do today?

Not sure, but first, we should get some breakfast. Midnight suggested.

Good Idea. Twilight agreed as she looked herself over in a mirror, satisfied that everything was in order, she headed out of her bedroom. As she walked to the kitchen, she noticed the lack of her friends/roommates. They must still be sleeping. Twilight thought with a shrug as she opened the refrigerator, she looked inside for something to eat. Not much here. She mused as she picked up a carton of milk. I guess just a bowl of cereal today. Summoning the needed utensils, Twilight walked over to one of the chairs in the living room to eat her meager morning meal.

Twilight ate quietly for a few minutes, after which she heard one of the other bedroom doors open up. “Morning Twi.” Rainbow yawned.

“Up late?” Twilight asked.

“No, just thought I sleep in a bit today.” Rainbow responded as she got herself a glass of orange juice. “I have to admit, seeing you here on the weekend is a bit strange.” Rainbow commented.

“It is a bit strange to me as well.” Twilight concurred.

“However strange it may be, I must say it is very refreshing to have you around darling.” Rarity commented as she walked from her room.

“Hey Rarity, how did you sleep?” Twilight asked.

“I sleep wonderfully, darling. Last night was perfect.” Rarity giggled as she sauntered over to Twilight. “But there is one thing I feel I forgot to give you.” Rarity said seductively, as she stopped and looked Twilight straight in the eye.

“W-what would that be?” Twilight blushed from Rarity being so close.

“Why, this darling.” Rarity purred just before she put her forehooves on Twilight’s shoulders and pulled the mare into their second kiss.

Once again, time lost all meaning Twilight, her mind was once again blank from the pure bliss of Rarity’s kiss. How in Celestia’s mane does she do it? Twilight thought as their lips parted, leaving behind a familiar tingling.

That is a good question. But you gotta admit, no matter how she came by such talent, Rarity sure is good at it. Midnight commented.

Twilight slowly gained enough sense to notice that Rainbow had dropped her glass of orange juice, her jaw had dropped and her wings were in what most pegasi would call “wingboner” position.

“You okay Rainbow?” Twilight asked concerned.

“Darling, I believe we broke her.” Rarity said as she too looked over to the paralyzed pegasus.

“Should we do something? I mean she can’t stay like that?” Twilight inquired.

Rarity mulled it over for a bit before exclaiming: “Idea!” She then summoned a glass of water, then proceeded to dump it on Rainbow’s head.

“Whaaa!” Rainbow shrieked, shaking off the sudden water that she found covering her head.

“Rarity! That was mean.” Twilight tried to both stifle the giggle and admonish her marefriend.

“I say it worked perfectly darling.” Rarity snickered.

“Not cool Rarity!” Rainbow screamed.

“It was your own fault for just standing there with your mouth hanging open, like some uncultured beast.” Rarity huffed.

“Come on you two, let’s at least be civil about this.” Twilight hoped that would be enough to keep the two mares from fighting. “I think the two of you owe the other an apology.”

Rarity let out a sigh, while Rainbow grumbled, then the two said at the same time: “I’m sorry.”

“That’s better.” Twilight smiled. “I’m surprised that didn’t wake up the others.”

“Shy is probably up but shaking under her covers from all the noise, AJ can sleep through most anything, and well, Pinkie is just Pinkie.” Rainbow huffed.

“True.” Twilight conceded the point. “So, any plans for today?”

“Not sure as of yet. What about you and Rares?” Rainbow shrugged.

“Not sure, any ideas for today Rarity?” Twilight asked her marefriend.

“Sorry darling, I have no plans for today.” Rarity sighed.

“I guess we will have to see what the others have planned for today.” Twilight said.

Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow didn’t have to wait long, a few minutes after their conversation ended, Fluttershy poked her head out of her room, before joining the rest of her friends. Pinkie was next and she just happily skipped into the room. Applejack, usually not the last one up, just walked normally out of her room.

“Mor’n ya’ll” AJ yawned.

“Morning AJ, but it is nearly noon. So good afternoon.” Twilight greeted.

“Really? Darn I slept in.” AJ grumbled.

“It’s okay, everypony sleeps in once in awhile.” Pinkie giggled.

“Pinkie is right darling, everypony sleeps in late sometimes.” Rarity concurred.

Applejack mumbled something incoherent as she headed to the kitchen to make her breakfast, followed shortly by Fluttershy and Pinkie.

“So, any plans for today?” Pinkie asked as she brought over a bowl of cereal.

“Rainbow, Twilight and I were going to ask you three that very same question. As of right now, none of us have any ideas for today.” Rarity replied as her pink friend found a place to sit.

“Sorry Rares, I got nuth’n.” AJ said as she munched on some toast.

“Pinkie? Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.

“I got nothing.” Pinkie shook her head.

“Me neither.” Fluttershy meeped.

“So, nothing to do today.” Twilight sighed.

Slow day. Damn, sorry, I have no ideas. Maybe we should… Midnight started to say but was cut off by a sudden flash of light, which caused all the mares to jump back with screams of fright. As the light faded, a scroll floated down. What the buck!?! Wait! I know that method of mailing anywhere.

“It’s a message from the Princesses.” Twilight said as she picked up the scroll.

“Why did they send it like that?” Rainbow asked indignantly, clearly having not enjoyed being caught off guard.

“Why they sent it at all, is my question.” Rarity inquired as Twilight read the scroll.

“The letter is from Princess Luna.” Twilight finally said, after she finished reading the letter. “Looks like she is coming for a visit.”

“A VISIT!?!?!” The remaining five mares exclaimed, clearly not expecting these turn of events.

That’s odd, usually Lulu gives no warning that she is coming for a visit. Midnight commented.

You are usually right, however, this time she wants to talk about the night club. Twilight replied to her inner self. “She should be here in a few minutes.” Twilight said to her now panicking friends.

“A few minutes! That’s not enough time to make everything ready!!” Rarity panicked.

“Rarity calm down. Princess Luna always does this. She just hates it when somepony tries to make things ‘perfect.’ She would rather have things be real and with faults, than fake and perfect.” Twilight tried to calm down her marefriend.

“That I do, my friend.” Called out the voice of Princess Luna, startling all but Twilight.

“Okay princess, you can come out now.” Twilight sighed.

Instead of replying verbally, Twilight’s shadow merely grew outward and up the near-by wall. The remaining mares watched in awe as the shadow dislodged from the wall and formed into the Princess of the Night.

“You always enjoyed the shadow step spell.” Twilight stated.

“There is no other way to travel. Thought I will admit Tia might argue that.” Luna commented as she pulled Twilight into a hug. “So, how are things?”

“Good, all things considered.” Twilight said as she was released from the princess’s hug. “How are things in Canterlot?”

“Nobles and politicians bickering, some sort of crisis to take care of. Same old, same old.” Luna sighed.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but Twilight, would you mind some introductions.” Rarity called out.

“Oh! Sorry! Princess Luna let me introduce my friends: AppleJack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. And last but certainly not least, my marefriend, Rarity.” Twilight blushed as she introduced Luna to her friends.

“It is nice to-Wait a minute! Marefriend? Since when did you start dating?!” Luna exclaimed.

Congrats Twi, I think you broke Lulu. Midnight snickered, as it became apparent that Luna was not coming out of her shocked state.

“Twi, is the Princess okay?” AJ asked concerned for the frozen princess.

“I will be honest AJ, this has never happened before. Normally she’d be fine after a few minutes, but it has already been five.” Twilight sighed exasperatedly. Any ideas, Midnight?

Maybe ask Pinkie? This seems to be right up her naturally uncanny ally. Midnight shrugged.

“Pinkie? Do you have any way of getting a pony unstuck from... whatever this is?” Twilight inquired to her pink friend.

Pinkie shrugged. “I got a few ideas, but most just boil down to me splashing water in her face.”

“While a bit crude, I am afraid we have no other ideas.” Rarity commented.

“Okay Pinkie, do your stuff.” Twilight sighed. This won’t end well.

But you have to admit, this will be hilarious. Midnight commented as Pinkie went to get a glass of water.

Pinkie returned and without any objection from the others proceeded to splash the water in Luna’s face.

“WAHHHH!!!!!!” Luna shrieked, then started to do multiple double takes trying to figure out what just happened. “What is going on? And why is my face wet?” Luna inquired.

“Long story short, you became shell shocked when you found out that I had started dating. And the only way to undo said shell shock was by splashing water in your face.” Twilight informed.

Luna took a few minutes to collect herself before she responded: “Well, thank you for getting me out of my stupor. But in all seriousness, when did you start dating?”

“Truthfully? We just had our first date last night.” Rarity spoke up as she found her courage to speak to the Diarch of the land.

Luna looked at Rarity with a critical eye, then said with a grin, “Rarity was it? You seem to have much courage to speak up. Most ponies would stay silent in the presence of one of their leaders.” Turning to Twilight, still with a grin on her face. “It would appear you have found a keeper.”

“Thank you, princess.” Twilight and Rarity said at the same time, both with mild blushes on their faces, clearly embarrassed by the praise and attention given to them.

“Twilight, must I always remind you not to call me by my title. You know full well I prefer the other name that we agreed upon.” Luna looked slightly annoyed.

“B-but you said only to call you that in private.” Twilight stuttered.

“Yes, true, but I am certain your friends and marefriend can keep a secret.” Luna said with a minor glare in her eyes that told all the mares to never tell anypony else what was about to happen.

“As you wish, Lulu.” Twilight said with a blush on her face. It still feels weird to call her that.

Regardless of what you feel, Lulu wants you to say it. Midnight commented.

“Thank you, Twilight.” Luna smiled. “Now, barring any more interruptions, shall we get down to business.” Luna said as she walked over to the couch and sat down, beckoning the other mares to join her near the couch.

“Of course, Lulu.” Twilight said as she took a seat across from the princess. Rarity took a seat next to Twilight and the rest just spread themselves across the room. “From your letter, you wish to discuss the nightclub.” This won’t end well. She dreaded what was about to happen.

Nothing left to do but bite the bullet on this one. Midnight sighed.

“What nightclub?” Rarity asked. The same question has crossed the others’ minds.

“It would appear you have been keeping secrets from your friends, Twilight.” Luna commented. “What did Celestia and I tell you about secrets?” The Princess of the Night inquired to her former student.

“That they are like medicine. They are good in small amounts, but if you take too much or too often, then they will start to do more harm than good.” Twilight recited, her head bowed down in shame, as if she were a filly being scolded by her parents.

“It is good that you at least are admitting to the problem.” Luna huffed a bit, before continuing. “Seeing as you kept them in the dark on the matter. Would you please tell them the relevant information, so we may continue this conversation.” Luna said with a commanding tone.

“Of course.” Twilight responded before continuing. “After our high school graduation, Lulu came to my house and said she had a proposition for me. She wanted to know if I was interested in having twenty percent ownership of one of the oldest nightclubs in the city. I was shocked to say the least, and inquired as to why she wanted me as a business partner.” Twilight began, pausing to see if Luna had something to interject with. Seeing she had nothing to add, she continued. “Lulu said that it was a graduation gift, and the fact that it would give us an excuse to talk to each other more was an added bonus. And, before you ask, yes I do get some say in how the club functions, but all my ideas have to be run by Lulu first.”

“I have one question.” Rarity stated

“What would that be?” Twilight inquired.

“What is the name of this club?”

“Been think’n that myself.” AJ added as Pinkie and Rainbow just nodded in agreement, while Fluttershy tried to hide the fact that she too wanted to know the name as well.

“The nightclub is named after myself, Luna’s Den. Perhaps you have seen it in the city proper.” Luna smiled. “The nightclub in Townsville, is actually part of a franchise of nightclubs located here, Manehatten, and Las Pegasus.”

Upon hearing the club’s name, the five mares sat in stunned silence, none daring to say the first word.

If I had to guess, they are shocked by what they perceive to be a coincidence. Midnight dryly stated. This should prove interesting.

“Something wrong?” Luna asked.

“I-It is just that, we have been there before and had an….Interesting, experience with some mare named Midnight Glimmer.” Rarity shakily answered.

“You have meet Midnight? Interesting.” Luna muttered, a thoughtful look adorning her face.

“How so?” Rarity inquired.

“She is the reason I am here today.” Luna answered.

“Really? What did she do this time?” Twilight asked. I wonder what Lulu wants to discuss, because I can’t remember doing anything wrong.

Don’t look at me, I am in the dark on this one. I can’t recall anything that might have gotten us on Lulu’s bad side.

Guess, we'll find out soon enough.

“She has done nothing wrong, or I should say what she hasn’t done is what is wrong.” Luna clarified.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked perplexed.

“You remember the terms of her contract?”

“What do…..Oh! Has it been two years already?”

“It has been two years.”

“I see, yes, she should have gotten the ball rolling on that.” Twilight nodded. Damn, I totally spaced on that. I can’t believe I forgot.

“What are you talking about?” Rainbow spoke up.

“Midnight has- or rather had, a two year contract with us. After which, she would no longer be our DJ, seeing as she originally started doing this job as more of a hobby than a career.” Luna stated.

“Ah hobby?” AJ asked, she was a bit confused by the situation.

“Yes, a hobby. Midnight, when she first took the job, was at a crossroads in her life so to speak. She needed, or maybe wanted, a place to hang out and relax. To find a place where she could truly let herself be free from everything she perceived as holding her down.” Twilight answered, while admitting to some truths about herself.

“Indeed, she did, however she also stated that she would only do so for two years.” Luna continued. “I assume she thought she be in a different place by two years time.”

Perhaps, two years was a bit of an underestimate on our part. But we are in a different place now than we were back then. Midnight contemplated.

However, it is only just recently we got here. Twilight countered.

“I see, but why are you telling us this?” Rarity asked.

“Twilight, needed to be reminded is all. Seeing as she is at the club more often than not, thus meaning she will be around to help smooth things over. ” Luna stated. “I admit Spike could have handled it on his own. But I have learned over the many years, having higher ups on the same page and around to help out with matters, such as these, is perhaps more preferable than not having them directly involved.” She mused.

“Thank you Lulu. I did forget that it had nearly been two years.” Twilight admitted. “So, other than that, anything else new with you?” Twilight asked, trying to change the conversation.

“Anything new? No, not really, it’s business as usual in Canterlot. Nobles bickering about something petty or pointless, businesses trying to get more tax breaks. Tia is eating her weight in cake again.” Luna listed off.

“Cake? Again?” All but Twilight asked.

“What happened this time?” Twilight questioned.

“I am not sure what happened this time, but I do know it has Tia depressed enough to eat cornucopious amount of cake again.” Luna sighed. “Though if I had to guess, she tried and failed to get the pink slut to stop doing exotic dancing.”

“Who?” Rarity wondered, while the rest sans Twilight were shocked by the princess’s words.

“Cadence.” Luna growled. “She, for some reason, has taken up exotic dancing as a hobby, but now that hobby is becoming an addiction. At least in Tia’s eyes, I personally don’t care what that tramp does, as long as it doesn’t harm the rest of Equestria.” She let out a sigh before continuing. “But I can see why it has Tia upset. We alicorns are supposed to be the shining example, the apex of pony elegance, but it is all being tarnished by that pink slut.”

“She will find her way, eventually. Ponies always do.” Twilight sighed. “At least that is what you and Celestia taught me.” She finished with a smile.

Luna let out a huff, before nodding her head. “Always looking for the bright side to things. Seems you have taken that lesson to heart.” Taking a look up, Luna noticed a clock on the wall. “Hum… I should be getting back to Canterlot.I thank you for your time today.”

“No problem, Lulu.” Twilight smiled as the others gave their regards as well.

“Before I leave, there is something I must talk to you about Twilight, in private.” Luna spoke. “Care to join me in the hall for a moment.” She said as she made her way for the door.

Wonder what this is about? Midnight spoke up.

No clue. “I will be right back, girls.” And with that, Twilight left to join the princess in the hall.

As the door closed, Rarity said, “What do you think they are discussing?”

“Twi will tell us when she gets back.” AJ replied.

“So Lulu, what’s the matter?” Twilight asked.

“Just an idea I had.” Luna started. “As you know, your contract is up in two weeks.”

“Of course, what does that have to do with your idea?”

“The five hundredth anniversary of the Luna’s Den franchise is also in two weeks. So I was thinking of doing an open mic night that night.” Luna said with an eager smile on her face.

“Open mic? We have never done that before, or not in recent memory. What brought up this idea?”

“I got the idea, when cleaning out my closet, I found the guitar we used in your music classes.”

“Wait, you found Starburst? I thought it was lost with no way of finding it again?” Twilight was shocked that her favorite musical instrument of the past, which when she lost it was gone for good, was potentially back in her life. Oh my gosh! Starburst is back! That means I can play again. That means….. “You want me to play at the anniversary?” Twilight asked out loud.

“I know it’s been years but I hope you will.” Luna stated a bit shyly, clearly trying not to pressure her former student.

Not to put a damper on this, but, when ever we play Starburst, we some how wind up in the Midnight Glimmer disguise. Not sure why that happens, just does. But anyway if we do this we run the risk of the secret getting out. Midnight pointed out.

True, but maybe it is about time to let the secret out. You did say we would have to make a choice one day. Seems the time is now.

Twilight looked back to Luna. “Lulu, I have decided.”
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Author's Note

And we are back, big thanks to my new editor Rares

leave any comments and questions below