Night Court

Tonight is the interview of my new job! It is a little strange that the interview had to take place at night but I'm not complaining. I usually preferred to stay up late and sleep until the afternoon. From what I heard, this job is going to mainly be at night. I can have the schedule I've always wanted! Just hope I make it through the interview.

The train stops. I hop off with my bags.

I lost a lot in Las Pegasus (not to be confused with Los Pegasus) and only had the vest I had from my last job, my glasses, and what little was in my saddle bags. I looked up to see Canterlot Castle. I can't believe I managed to get an offer to work there. My luck had been sour until I found that ad in Equestria Daily. The job didn't have many specifics. They mainly wanted somepony who had experience cleaning and serving. Maybe they were low on maids and butlers or something. The job wasn't one you'd want, but it was better than nothing.

I get off the ground and fly to the castle. Canterlot has some harsh restrictions on flying. I could only fly up to the mid-tier, aka the market district. Businesses must've made a deal with the politicians to help get them more customers. I walk pass the shops, ignoring the sellers persistent pandering, and make my way to the upper-tier.

Canterlot had four tiers due to their structure. Being built into a mountain, social separation was strong. The first tier was where the industrial workers were. Blacksmiths, miners, small factories, pubs, and the train station were located here. Some say there were less savory ponies such as prostitutes and thieves. Both of which I've had unpleasant experience with. The next tier was the market district. Pretty self explanatory. Third tier was where the "Canterlot Snobs" lived. Most were unicorn supremacists such as "Prince" Blueblood. However there were more friendly folk who represented their tier better. The last tier was Canterlot Castle.

Before me laid the gates to the castle. Two white guards stood there with attentive eyes.

"State your business or move along." the eggshell colored stallion ordered.

I pull a paper out of my saddle bag, "I'm her for an interview." I muffled.

The guard scans the paper and nods, "Going to try for THAT position. I be sure to remember your face when you come back down. OPEN THE GATES!"

I put the paper back into my bag. The gates open as I walk through them. It's no wonder the castle required an entire tier. Every amount of space is taken up by something! There's a large labyrinth to the right along with some statues. To the left is what looks like an academy of some sorts. A sign that read "Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns" shines in the front of it. I continue my trek to the main building. The castle itself is the most massive structure I have ever seen. Guards in purplish armor wonder the grounds. I stop at a giant door with two grayish guards in front of it.

"You must be the new victim. OPEN THE GATES!" the unicorn said.

"You're not going to check me?" I ask.

"The guards at the main gate notified us. We'll get an escort ready for you when you're ready to leave the premise." he states.

I'm getting the impression way too many ponies have tried for the position I'm aiming for. I feel nervous. My knees shake as I walk into a large empty room. An eerie wind blows through. A unicorn maid levitating a candle holder trots out of the shadow. She was a soft green with yellow hair. She gave me a warm smile.

"Good evening, I shall escort you to Princess Luna's room." she said in a soft tone.

I had never head of Princess Luna. I thought Celestia was the only one living in this castle. As we wandered the halls, I thought it was best to break the silence.

"So… Who's Princess Luna?" I innocently ask.

The maid gives me a strange look, "She's the princess of the night. Saved by the Elements of Harmony. Celestia's sister and the one who's going to decide whether or not you get the job."

"How long has this been? I was taught Celestia was a sole princess. Looks like we're going to have to change the school system." I remark snarly.

"The news has been out for over a week. How could you not know by now?" the maid retorts.

We remained quiet for the rest of the walk. I was sort of embarrassed to say anything else. We eventually made it to a door with the words "Princess Luna" on it. The maid opened the door. I walked in and found a dark blue alicorn sitting near a fire place. She was reading a few papers. I recognize the resume I had sent to Kibitz, the one I thought I'd be having the interview with. The alicorn glances over to me.

"You may take a seat." she said, waving her hoof next to some pillows.

I walked to the pillows and sat comfortably across from the regal pony. Her mane and tail sparkled with starlight and flowed like water. Ebony jewelry laid upon her with tints of silver. The crescent moon on her necklace matched the ones on her flanks. I noticed her wings were relaxed over her side and her horn glowed with a slight blue that held stars similar to her mane and tail. She laid the papers down and turned her attention to me.

"I am Princess Luna." the alicorn stated.

I give a slight nod. There was an awkward silence as the fire crackled. Luna levitated several papers and moved them in a reading position.

"You are Mr. Teddy A. Bear of Los Pegasus, yes?" Luna asks.

"Las Pegasus." I correct her.

Luna grabs a quill with her magic and writes on the paper, "Ah, minor mistake. I've heard plenty of Las Pegasus. Tis true that the ponies are active at night and sleep in the day?"

"Depends; many are awake during the day but most sleep far into the afternoon, Myself included. Personally I prefer to sleep in and stay up all night. All the interesting stuff happens at night. Plus the night sky is just beautiful. The day has this bland blue sheet while the night sky has billions of stars that sparkle like diamonds." I tell Luna.

The princess smiles with a gleam in her eye.

"Never, have I heard such praise for my night! Even my own sister hasn't said such things." Luna levitated the quill over a piece of paper and scribbled something down with excitement.

“Really? Practically the entire nation has night life booming on every corner.” I stuttered with a little shock. It’s like she’s been living on the moon for the past thousand years.

Luna dropped her quill and papers.

“These are strange times,” she stared at me for a few seconds, “Are you telling me that numerous ponies come out, at night, and go about their business as though it were the day?”

I quirked my eyebrow at her and nodded.

“SPLENDID! WE SHALL GREET THE NIGHTLY FOLK AND CELEBRATE THE NIGHT WITH PASTRIES AND MEAD!” Luna echoed loud enough to push me off my seat, over the balcony.

If I wasn’t a pegasus, I would be dead.

Luna blushes and giggles as she sees me hovering over the ledge. I scowled at her. I may need this job but I’m in no way going to let myself be pushed around this easily.

Luna clears her throat, “Thank you, Teddy A. Bear, your interview went rather well.”

That’s it? Am I hired or not? That interview was way too short for me to tell.

“However,” oh here we go, “We require you to pass a few tests before you can be my personal assistant.”

Tests? Really? In other words, work without pay?

“Alright, what’s first?”

This is going to be a long night.