Dames of the Tea Table: Silver Sabbatical

by Kipakuta

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Cheerilee, Princess Luna, Fleur de Lis, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Original Character
Length: 45037

A side story to [url=http://www.fimfiction.net/story/9223/Dames-of-the-Tea-Table] Dames of the Tea T

Intrigued by the concept of a vacation, Luna accompanies her friends to a countryside manor. Seeking a few days of merriment, the Trio gets more than they bargained for when they arrive in time for a very special festival.

A side story to Dames of the Tea Table

Published 2012-05-12 21:54:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-04 03:11:07 UTC

Carnival

The sprawling, mountainside city of Canterlot was divided into distinct sections called 'terraces', so named because the further from the castle one went, the lower down the mountain they were. Terraces were connected by a system of ramps both to keep the districts level, and to provide a smooth ride for the internal public transportation system. This led to one of the more amusing nicknames for the city, 'Celestia's Stairway'.

The sole train station, accessible from the middle terraces, served as the depot for both passengers and freight. The central location also allowed highest and lowest terraces to access it without exhausting themselves or walking through each-others districts, though the first and second Terrace residents had often lobbied for a station at each end of the city. This proposal was repeatedly rejected for the same three reasons. Firstly, the distance between the stations was shorter than the minimum necessary stopping distance. Secondly, the locations were unfair to those who depended most on the railroad, the middle district businesses. The third reason was the proposed location of the upper train depot would have been right by Celestia's Zen room, and the Sun Princess didn't enjoy the thought of having her meditation interrupted by a train whistle. However, none of this was the concern of the pale pink, blue maned unicorn who paced along the platform. She paused every so often, looking towards the entrance of the lobby in anticipation.

"We're leaving In one minute, Ma'am." A conductor pony called out from one of the cars.

Fleur suddenly dashed onto the platform from the lobby. She skidded to a halt, taking a moment to catch her breath. "I'm here!" She burst out. "Lime's getting, the tickets."

"Splendid." The pink unicorn replied. "And not a moment too soon." Fleur passed her luggage to the conductor. By the time he returned, Lime had arrived. The conductor retrieved her luggage as well, then helped the trio to board.

Once they were settled in and the train was underway, Lime handed out the tickets. "I thought it best if we used aliases."

"So mine obscuration be Cynthia LaSombra? [1] " The pink unicorn mused, looking over her ticket. "A Caballo noblewoman."

Fleur giggled. "That's better than mine." She stated. "I'm Bouton Rose." She tried stifling her laughter with a hoof. "Rosebud. I was named after a sled."

"Wait till you hear mine." The green unicorn smirked.

"And by what moniker will my faithful assistant be known?" Cynthia asked.

"Lemon Meringue." She replied. 'Bouton' burst into laughter, and Cynthia chuckled. "What, too obvious?"

"Nay my maid. Tis most amusing." Cynthia replied. She leaned against the back of her bench. "Lady La Sombra, her assistant Lemon Meringue, and our companion Bouton Rose."

"Multinational Mares of Mystery." 'Lemon' added. All three giggled.

Half an hour later, they disembarked at the Ponyville station. A cobblestone road lead west from the station, to a small building set within a wall built from stones. The building was lit by firefly lanterns, and had a gate in the center that swung inward. A small group of ponies wearing black vests over white shirts staffed a counter on one side. A long bench spanned the wall opposite, providing a place to rest for a moment or two. In front of the bench was a stone firepit that had a few fresh logs inside. One of the ponies at the counter-a purple pegasus with a magenta and pink mane-greeted the trio. "What brings you three out here tonight?"

The green unicorn trotted over, and presented a scroll. "My lady is looking for a place that offers these amenities, and we had heard about your fine establishment."

The pegasus unrolled the scroll and looked it over. "Mmm hmm. mmm hmm. We got all that." She rolled up the scroll. "But we don't get many guests as fancy as you three."

"Pray tell," the pale pink unicorn began. "What sort of guests visit this Chateau."

The pegasus grinned. "We get ponies traveling in from the cities and towns allover Equestria. Some of them come up on business trips or vacations. There are servants who come down from Canterlot while their lords or ladies are doing whatever it is they do up there." She leaned closer. "And occasionally, we get Children of Luna who need a place to crash."

"How now?!" The pink unicorn sputtered.

"I've never heard that term before." The green unicorn spoke. "Could you explain it?"

"Oh sure." The pegasus held up a hoof. "It's a term of endearment used to refer to free spirited ponies: Roani, Bohaymians, Flowerfoals, the occasional Haybo..."

"Oh my, sounds fascinating." The white unicorn replied.

"It works out good for us too. They swap stories about their travels, and we stay informed about the news of the land." She rolled up the scroll and hoofed it back. "It's a long walk up to the main mansion, so lemme call you a ride."

"Thank you, miss..."

"Starsong." The pegasus stated. She trotted past the gate over to the other end of the building, and began tapping out something on a large xylophone-like device. The sounds of her hooftaps on wood seemed to be magnified by the building's structure. After several seconds, she paused and listened. From somewhere in the distance, was another series of wooden tapping sounds. When they stopped, Starsong tapped the highest note three times, then turned and trotted back over to the trio. "Your ride will be here in less than a minute."

The pink unicorn nodded. "Thy contrivance be a fascinating variation of dit-dat device. I can see how a multi tone scale can be used to deliver messages quicker. And the short reverberation time of wood doth help to speed up communication."

Starsong beamed. "Yeah. The Txalaparta. The Zaldi have used it for centuries for both music and messaging."

"We did want to learn about the culture." The green unicorn smirked.

"Indeed." The pink unicorn replied. She looked to the pegasus. "Art thou Zaldi thyself?"

"Nope. My mom's parents were hired on as salt-sifters. My dad came in from Cloudsdale. But I grew up with the Patron's daughter."

The sound of wheels rolling over gravel attracted the trio's attention, and they saw a carriage stop at the other end of the building. Sitting on a perch at the front of the carriage was a lace pink unicorn wearing a red dress that covered her hindlegs and tail. Her yellow, orange and magenta mane was tied back with a red ribbon and gracing her horn was a silver ring with purple, rose and white quartz gems. Next to her sat a large Diamond Dog with a reddish grey pelt. He wore a black bowler hat and a large, buttoned up coat that covered most of his form. The unicorn stepped down from the front of the carriage, trotted over and unlatched the gate. "Kaixo eta ongietorria. [2]" She greeted. "I am Concierge Toola Roola." She held out a hoof in a gesture of greeting. "How shall I call you?"

The green unicorn walked over and shook hooves with Toola. "A pleasure to meet you Miss Roola." She began. "I am Li-Lemon Meringue, retainer to Lady Cynthia LaSombra." She pointed to the pink unicorn.

"And I am Bouton Rose." The white unicorn added.

"They're looking for the full package, Toola." Starsong chimed in. "The tours, the casino, and a few nights."

Toola clapped her hooves together. "Wonderful! I shall make the arrangements tonight." She led the trio to the carriage, while Starsong and the Diamond Dog gathered their luggage. The two began placing suitcases onto a platform at the rear of the carriage.

"Miss Roola." Bouton began. "We'd like to know about the pony that owns this land." She climbed into the seat just behind the front of the carriage. Lemon followed and sat next to her.

"My father?" Toola replied. "He carries on the family business: entertaining guests, supervising the farms, managing trade, and other necessary things. And when he steps down, it will become my responsibility."

"So you're the Patron's daughter that Starsong mentioned?" Lemon asked, as Cynthia boarded.

"Oui." Toola replied. "Starsong's one of my best friends. We've been together since foalhood."

"You're good to go." Starsong stated, returning to her counter. The Diamond Dog climbed back up into the front seat without a word.

"Thank you, Stars." Toola replied. She climbed up into the front seat next to the Diamond Dog, then placed a hoof on a wooden staff protruding from a slot in the arm rest. Mounted on the end of the staff was a short broad metallic triangular faceplate. Toola activated her magic, then channeled the orange glow through the panel into the staff and the carriage began rolling forward.

"How is't thou hast a Diamond Dog in thy employ?" Cynthia asked, leaning back in the seat across from Lemon and Bouton.

"He was found poaching from the family mine. When he was caught, my father made him work off the debt." Toola smiled. "And my father can always find work for others."

"It doth sound as though thou hast much work to be done here." Cynthia replied.

"While we are willing to help ponies who need a place to stay, or a warm meal, my father asks that ponies put in their fair share of work. Even I help out where it's needed." She stated this as a point of pride.

"So how would you describe your father?" Lemon asked.

"Oh look, we're here already." Toola interrupted. The carriage had parked in front of the porch of a large, four story high building. "Jasper." She addressed the diamond dog. "Please help the ladies with their luggage, while I make arrangements with the staff." She pulled the staff from the slot, then slipped it into a holster under the back of her dress before walking inside.

The diamond dog helped the trio get out of the carriage, then retrieved their suitcases. The group entered into a large lobby. The hardwood floor was covered with plush rugs, which helped to muffle the sound of their steps. Several padded chairs and benches were placed throughout the room, arranged in small groups around tables, or in front of the fireplace set in one of the outer walls. A pony dressed in a red vest rushed past them and out the door, while Jasper led the group to the large desk near one of the inner walls. Toola was chatting with one of the ponies behind the check-in desk, who was writing on a notepad. "...and after that, we can give them a tour of the river." Jasper cleared his throat, catching the unicorns attention. Toola turned to the group. "I reserved a suite for Lady LaSombra on the third floor. It's 311." She passed two keys to Lemon. "And yours is 312." She handed a third key to Bouton.

"Thank you, Miss Toola." Lemon replied.

"This way." The diamond dog stated. He led them over to a spiraling ramp within one of the outer alcoves. The broad diameter of the ramp allowed them to walk at an easy pace as they ascended, while a banister along the edge opposite the wall prevented ponies from potentially plummeting.

"How do you count the days at this inn?" Lemon asked. "I'm not sure what time we have to be out by, since this seems to be a private hotel."

"Ask the staff ponies, they know." Jasper replied.

"What about meals?" Lemon continued.

"The Patron has an outside building. It serves food from his homeland." Jasper stated.

"You don't seem to be much of a talker." Bouton observed.

"Not much reason to talk." He shrugged. "Only responsible for Toola."

"So you're like her butler?" Lemon mused.

"What is 'butler?'" The diamond dog replied. "I only do what she asks. And protect her."

"How long have you been working for her?"

Jasper thought for a moment. "For her, a few years. For her benefit, since she was a tiny foal."

"So you're like her...dogservant."

The diamond dog smiled. "Yes, dogservant. But after having known Toola and her family, I am happy to serve."

When they arrived at the third floor, he lead the trio down a hall, then stopped in front of a large wooden door, where the hallway turned a corner. "We are here, three eleven." He stepped to one side, set down the luggage, and held out one of his large hands, with the palm facing up. Lemon unlocked the door, then led Cynthia inside. Bouton looked around, then spotted the doors for 312 a few paces further down the corridor. Bouton and Lemon tipped him, then retrieved their cases.

After they got settled in, Bouton knocked on Cynthia and Lemon's door. The green unicorn allowed her inside. "I think." She began. "That we can drop our aliases inside our rooms."

"Not a bad idea Fleur" Lime replied. "I do like the secret identity stuff, but I also like the idea of being able to talk freely with the two of you. Well, as much as protocol allows, your Majesty."

Cynthia smiled, laying on a large padded blue couch. "Of course, though I do not wish to chance being seen out of my glamour."

"Certainly not, your Majesty." Lime grinned. She looked to Fleur, then back to Luna. "I don't know about the two of you, but I could stand to eat something. Let's check out that outdoor restaurant."

Resuming their aliases again, the trio left the room and headed down to the first floor. They passed by a few other guests and some of the staff, who where heading to other places in the Chateau. "Certainly seems to be a lively place." Bouton commented.

"Perhaps we should get a map or something." Lemon suggested. They arrived at the ground floor and Lemon trotted over to the check-in desk. "Pardon me." The clerk pony looked up from his work.

"Yes, is there a situation with your rooms?" he asked.

Lemon shook her head. "No our rooms are fine, but we're new here. I was wondering if-" She was interrupted as the clerk retrieved a few flyers and brochures from a cabinet.

"You need to know the way around?" He asked. "Here's a map, a list of guest services, a copy of our code of conduct, and how to file a complaint." He slid the info over to Lemon. "Enjoy your stay at the Chateau De LaRoulette." He added with a smile.

"Oh thank you, that's...very helpful." Lemon replied. "Oh, before I forget, what's your checkout time?"

"We count the days starting two hours after noon. [3] It gives guests plenty of time to rest after a night of partying."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind." Lemon replied. She rejoined the others, and together they sat on some of the chairs and sorted through the information. "Looks like we have access to most of the first and second floors, but only half of the third." Lemon pointed out several greyed-out areas on the map. "And the 4th floor is off limits to guests."

"To be fair, this is still someponies home." Bouton commented. "I doubt you'd want your guests poking into your private areas." A moment later, she blushed and giggled. "I didn't mean it like that."

Lemon playfully swatted Bouton with a brochure. "Hey now, Dame Sauce does not want competition."

Cynthia smiled. "A draught of competitiveness can be a good thing." She stated, before glancing to the map. "So we're here." She touched a space on the map that corresponded with the lobby. "The hotel portion doth occupy the east wing. This hallway over here connects the hotel lobby with the main foyer of the mansion. The casino takes up most of the space here, excepting this small section here, which looks like some kind of kitchen. Interesting design. It beeth as if they built that section in anticipation of guests."

Lemon and Bouton leaned over. "Oh yeah." Lemon said. "There appears to be a bar next to the kitchen, supposedly so guests can get a drink while they're gambling."

"How are you three?" They heard a pony ask. Looking up, they saw Toola nearby smiling at them. "I was just about to head up to your rooms when I saw you over here."

"We're in the mood for some food." Lemon stated. "What's good tonight?"

Toola laughed. "Come, I'll get you taken care of." She led them outside, then along the cobblestone path to a large wooden building. "This is our Sagardoteki. It's much like the ones in the Euzalde [4]."

"What are the hours of operation?" Bouton asked.

"Because of the Casino, this place is always open with a rotating staff." Toola replied, leading them inside. "Much of the food is grown right on the grounds so it's fresh and low priced." Inside were several square wooden tables, surrounded by benches. "I realize that it's not as fancy as a Canterlot restaurant, but you came here for the culture. Correct?" She lead them to one of the empty tables.

"We traveled here to get away from Canterlot." Cynthia replied. "We would rather not eat at someplace that is too similar."

Toola placed a hoof to her chest. "But of course. Here, you are my guests, and I will treat you as I would any other guest. Where you come from is not my concern." She took three sheets of paper from her saddlepack, and placed one in front of each of them. "These are your itineraries for the week "

"Thank you Miss Toola. We shall look forward to our tours." Cynthia stated. As soon as Toola left, a pony wearing a blue vest, came over with a tray. She passed out a glass of water and a menu to each of the trio, before heading off again.

Lemon levitated a menu and read it. "So what's everypony in the mood for? It looks like they have Zaldi, Percher, and Caballo cuisine."

"I'll go for a watercress and mint sandwich." Bouton said.

"This may seem strange to you, dear Lemon." Cynthia began. "But I would much prefer a salad."

The green unicorn winked. "You're a braver pony than I am, My Lady."

"And that's how he obtained the title 'The Bearded'." Cynthia finished explaining. Bouton was pounding a hoof on the table while cackling, and Lemon was struggling to breathe after laughing so hard. Diners at the other tables, and waiters that happened to have overheard, were chuckling as well.

"A very entertaining story, Lady LaSombra." The server pony stated, as she came over with a bill. "It seems there's more to this 'Starswirl' pony than most ponies realize." He passed the bill to Cynthia.

"Tis a shame really, that history is reduced only to the events that have a strong impact on the nation." She levitated the paper and read it.

"My-my lady" Lemon wheezed, having calmed down some. "Allow me to handle this." The aura around the bill changed from dark blue to citrus green, and it floated over to Lemon. She gave a quick glance to the bottom, then counted out the appropriate number of bits. "Here you go." She hoofed the money to the server pony, along with the bill. "And here's for your tip." She added a few more bits to the amount. The server pony sorted the money, pocketed her tip, then took the rest to the cashier. Lemon, Cynthia, and Bouton took their itineraries, and left the restaurant.

"I am not certain if we may keep to this schedule." Cynthia said. "Perhaps I should have our hostess redo these." They walked up the pathway back to the mansion.

"My lady, allow me to handle this as well." Lemon volunteered. "After all, my duties include handling your aff-arraingements." She caught herself.

Inside the lobby, Cynthia and Bouton found some empty chairs in front of the fireplace, while Lemon walked over to the check-in desk."Good evening, Ma'am. one of the clerk ponies greeted her. "How may I be of assistance?"

Lemon passed the itineraries over to him. "I was wondering, who do I speak to to get these redone?"

The pony took the papers, and placed them aside. "I could change them for you, is there something wrong with the current schedule?"

"My lady is more of a night pony." Lemon stated. "She sleeps during the day. So from two hours after sunrise, till two hours before sunset, we won't be available."

The clerk thought for a moment. "A couple of the tours work best during the day. Tell you what. I'll talk to one of the Concierges, and see if we can reschedule some of these for tomorrow night. Your new schedules should be delivered around dawn."

"Thank you." Lemon said before leaving. She rejoined the others. "We'll get new schedules in the morning."

"So tonight we have nothing planned?" Bouton asked.

Cynthia levitated the map from her saddlebag. "If the two of thee have nothing on your agenda, I would care to visit the casino."

"That, or wait for Toola to make an appearance." Lemon smirked.

"As the Lords daughter, I'm sure she is rather busy with many guests." Cynthia stated. "And besides, I rather enjoy taking the initiative." She stood up then headed for the Casino. Lemon and Bouton followed.

The carpet had a motif of red, green and black circles of various sizes, nestled within, and overlapping each-other. Placed over this like a series of pathways, were long narrow rugs of yellow-dyed sailcloth. Ponies were gathering around the differently-shaped tables with green felt tops, that were spread throughout the room. The high ceiling was studded with small spherical gems that shone with a soft yellow light. The hum of conversation blended with the sounds of a theatrical performance on a stage at the other side of the room, and was punctuated by the sound of a dealer making a call, cards being shuffled, dice rolling along felt-covered wood, or a ball clattering around a spinning wheel. Occasionally somepony would laugh, cheer or groan in reaction to various events.

The smell of peppers being roasted caught their attention, and they followed it to a bar staffed by two ponies. One of them was pouring wine into short goblets while another was grilling bell pepper halves stuffed with cheese, dill, and garlic. The bartender pony took the finished peppers, pinned them each to a small slice of flatbread with a toothpick, then placed the whole thing on top of the filled goblets, then the grillpony would prepare a new batch of peppers with the stock being replenished by kitchen staff. Guests would occasional come over, and either present a scroll, or a couple of chips or bits, before taking one of these topped goblets. Whenever a scroll was presented, the bartender would mark off a picture of one of these goblets.

When the bartender had a free moment, Lemon addressed him. "Pardon me, my good stallion, but where might we find those scrolls that ponies use for free drinks?"

The bartender pointed to a counter near where they had entered. "Over there's where you get your chips and stuff."

They made their way to the counter, where a few ponies wearing green vests, were busy sorting chips or exchanging them for bits. A sign above the counter showed how much each chip was worth. Another sign listed prices for petite and grande tickets, along with an explanation of what each ticket was good for. Also listed were lounge passes that were good for a year, but were rather expensive.

"Interesting. I've never seen anything for tickets before." Lemon mused.

One of the chip counters looked over. "Yeah, it's a specialty that the LaRoulettes developed about seventy years ago."

"T'would be most delightful to hear the story behind them." Cynthia stated. "History is one of my many passions."

The pony walked over to them, and presented a copy of each ticket. "In the 930s, there was a big convention of casino owners. That was the convention where they standardized the chips, to stop cross-trading."

"Cross-trading?" Cynthia asked.

"Yeah, prior to that convention, casinos had different denominations for different colors. Some customers noticed that a low value chip in one casino would have a higher value in another casino. And vice-verse, so they took low value chips from one casino, and traded them in at a casino where the same color had a high value. That was one of the many problems we had during the big rush of the 920s. So during the convention, the owners worked out a standard denomination for each chip. For example. This white chip." He held one up. "You walk into any licensed casino in Equestria, doesn't matter if it's in Canterlot or Neighjing, it's still worth one bit."

Lemon nodded. "That makes a certain kind of sense." She tapped the tickets. "But what about these?"

"Oh yes." The clerk replied. "Another thing that they found during the convention, was that the most profitable games all across the board, were the same four: Blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps. Most casinos wanted to get more profit from their other games. The LaRoulettes though, decided to make use of this." He pointed out four symbols on each ticket: A pair of dice, a set of five cards, a pair of cards showing an ace and a court card, and a stylized roulette wheel. "How it works is that you play one round, then you get those pictures checked off." He pointed to other symbols. "The petite ticket also allows you to get two free drinks, and twenty bits worth of chips to play with. Once it's all filled out, you can bring it to the Sagardoteki and exchange it for a free meal."

"Sounds like a good way to recoup your losses." Bouton mused. "So even a pony that spends themselves into poverty won't spend the night hungry."

"Now you're getting it." The cashier replied with a smile. "The grande ticket has all that, but you get sixty bits worth of chips, the free meal, a round in Baccarat, a round in Keno, and a round in any two games of your choice." He indicated the symbols of a bowl, a nine of spades, a 5X5 grid, and two symbols that resembled a jesters hat. "As well as one time access to the private lounge." He tapped a symbol of a velvet rope between two posts. "And this can be turned in for a free night at the hotel."

"So fill out the tickets and get a prize." Lemon remarked. "Sounds like a good way to make ponies happy, give them a reason to keep participating even when they're losing."

"Is there a time limit to fill out the tickets?" Cynthia asked.

"Nope. you can save it as long as you want. Maybe you want to play a little bit tonight, and finish it tomorrow."

"In that case, three Grande tickets, please." Lemon replied, opening her bitbag to count out the money for them. The cashier took their money, handed them each a rolled scroll, then counted out three stacks containing eight chips, half blue and half red.

"Thank you, and Zorte On!" The cashier stated.

"Pardon?" Bouton and Lemon gave him confused looks.

"It is Zaldi for 'Bon Chance'."Cynthia replied with a chuckle.

Two and a half hours later, the trio had checked off all their game and drink stamps. While they had won a couple of times, Cynthia had gotten overconfident with her bets, and had to return to the chip counter to restock her supply. The actual games themselves were easy to pick up, but without having years of experience that certain other ponies had, the trio focused on enjoying the social aspect of gambling, rather than the strategic.

They had discussed gossip and news of events occurring abroad and in Canterlot. Cynthia offered a few of the more amusing stories about her suitors, but told them in the third pony tense. Bouton shared stories about her 'friend' Fleur, while Lemon kept to general events that didn't concern the Princesses or Castle business.

Occasionally they met Toola and Jasper during their casino crawl. The friendly unicorn would add in her own opinion on a subject, or provide suggestions for the next game to play. While she did answer any questions that were asked, some of her responses concerning her family seemed sparse on any actual information. The Diamond Dog remained taciturn. The general consensus among the staff seemed to be that The LaRoulette family was a pleasure to work for, and Toola's demeanor seemed to back that assertion.

They stopped at the bar for a third drink and snack combo, choosing to pay with chips. "This may be the wine talking." Bouton began. "But I've had more fun tonight than I did at the last Grand Galloping Gala." She bit into the stuffed pepper, savoring the taste.

"Since we've done everything else" Lemon chimed in. "Why don't we check out the lounge?"
The lounge was a large second story platform located at the rear of the casino. The ramp that led up to it was guarded by two earth ponies who checked tickets and passes, or accepted bits for a one time visit. The trio presented their tickets, and had the lounge icon checked off. Several large, low set octagonal tables were spaced out on the platform, with each table surrounded by eight upholstered benches. Most of the tables were already occupied by other ponies.

A large, dark blue earth pony wearing a gold vest, approached the trio. "Would you mares like to visit the Patron?"

"The Patron? You mean Mr LaRoulette?" Lemon asked. "It sounds like quite an an honor."

"It is." The pony replied with a smile. "You've arrived in time for a very special celebration. Patron LaRoulette is offering his services for the next three days, in honor of his daughter's good news."

"What kind of services would he have to offer?" Bouton asked. "Everything so far has been delightful. What else is there?"

The pony stepped closer. "Patron LaRoulette believes in helping out the community from time to time. Maybe you need a loan for something, maybe you need a favor that nopony else can do for you. Whatever your business, the Patron is granting an open invitation to all lounge guests."

"Then we go to this Patron LaRoulette." Cynthia stated. "Even if we have naught to ask, his generous hospitality must not be declined." The pony led them to a table near the back of the lounge. two of the seats at this table were already occupied, leaving six seats empty. In the middle of the table, was a large bowl of candied nuts.

One of the seats was occupied by a medium green unicorn, with a short cropped red and black mane. He wore a white shirt, dark gold vest, and a top hat with a roulette wheel motif on the brim. Strapped to his back was a redwood croupier stick with a gold cap on one end, and a gold, oval shaped faceplate, enameled with a roulette wheel pattern with a green center, on the other. Draped across his back was a bright yellow satin cape decorated with sequins. His cutiemark was a white oval inside a square of lighter green color than the rest of his pelt.

A second unicorn rested half on him, half on the floor behind his seat, in a pose that reminded Bouton of how she rested on Fancypants whenever they went out together. This unicorn was a carnation color, with an orange and yellow mane, and a green and blue tail. She wore a light purple dress with flared sleeves, a skirt that covered her hindquarters, a purple scarf tied around her head and a matching ribbon tied around the base of her tail.

The seat to their left was occupied by a mulberry colored earth pony with a two-tone pink mane and tail. She wore a white business suit with a red shirt underneath, and a white fedora with a red feather. On her left foreleg was a silver band with a row of inset gems: rose quartz, ruby, topaz, citrine, amethyst, sapphire, and fluorite. Her cutie mark was three smiling flowers.

"Bonjour Mademoiselles. Having a lot of action this evening?" The green unicorn greeted them.

"Mr LaRoulette, I presume." Lemon greeting him, as she, Cynthia, and Bouton took their seats. He held up a hoof.

"Please, my proper title is Patron. Patronus, if you want to get really fancy." He grinned. "Or is it Patriarch? Or maybe I'm the Count of Monte Carlo." he snickered. The earth pony rolled her eyes.

"Please forgive my husband." The unicorn mare added. "He enjoys his little jokes."

"Aurelina, I'm just having a little fun with our guests." The green unicorn said as he patted one of his wife's hooves. He looked back to Cynthia and her group.

"Um, Yes. Patron LaRoulette." Lemon stated. "We've had quite a bit of fun here tonight. And might I add that your daughter is a wonderful host."

"Ahhhh, dear sweet Toola." The Patron sighed. "She may be a mare, but she'll always be our little filly." Aurelina nodded.

"Don't forget that someday she'll be Matron." The earth pony added.

"Yes, We've heard that she's next in line to inherit the estate." Lemon added.

"Not just this estate." The Patron held out a hoof. "Since we're the senior family of the Clan, Toola will be in charge of many families in Equestria and abroad." He looked over at the earth pony. "Thank you, Cheerilee."

"Cheerilee?" Cynthia perked her ears. "Might thou be a schoolteacher from Ponyville?"

Cheerilee glanced over. "Ye-es." She replied hesitantly. "But how did you find out about that?"

"It must have come up in conversation." Cynthia lied. "There was much gossip among the guests of the casino." Cheerilee nodded, seeming satisfied with the answer.

"So how much have you played tonight?" The Patron asked. "Hopefully you haven't lost too badly."

"Patron LaRoulette." Cynthia began, helping herself to some of the nuts. "I must tell you, that our evening has been simply awful." Bouton and Lemon facehoofed, while Cheerilee and Aurelina looked shocked.

The Casino-colored unicorn twirled his hoof. "Please elaborate."

Cynthia noticed her friend's reactions, and took a sip of wine, giving herself a moment to find the right words. "Tis my first night visiting a casino and I did find myself unprepared for the evening." She took another sip, then a bite of her snack before continuing. "These games have I never played before. I can see how ponies would ever wish to return. Thy servants have been most friendly, especially thy daughter. This wine and these sweetmeats blend well together." She gestured a bit. "And having the opportunity to meet our host is a delight in itself."

The Patron thought for a moment. "As an old wise pony once said. "Forgive the accidental insults, and accept the genuine compliments.""

Cynthia smiled nervously. "Tis a good way to avoid unnecessary conflict." She rubbed her front hooves together. "We were told thou wert offering services, in response to a celebration of some sort."

The Patron slid his staff from its holder, then tapped the oval plate on the table. A faint, dark green shimmer formed into a dome around them, then faded from sight, as did the sound from the environment. "You may now talk freely here. Nothing said here goes further than this table. As an old wise pony once said, "A secret known to three parties, is soon found running allover the place." Now, as for what kind of services I can offer, I fancy myself a problem solver. Another pony brings a problem to me, I'll solve it using the resources at my disposal."

"Just a hypothetical." Bouton began. "Let's say there's a pony who's spreading rumors about me, and I want them to stop."

"Give us their name, description and address, and we'll give them a 'friendly' visit." The Patron replied, using his hooves to make air quotes for the word friendly. "They should keep quiet after that."

Lemon leaned over to Cynthia. "Maybe you could inquire about him." She whispered.

"Sure, talk amongst yourselves." The Patron said nonchalantly. He took a sip of his own drink, a dark, viscous coffeelike beverage.

"Patron LaRoulette." Cynthia pointed to him. "I've been told that your Chateau welcomes all classes of ponies. And thy wife, Aurelina, be clearly Roani, which doth indicate that Toola be'eth as well."

"Correct, Madam." The Patron replied. "Matron Aurelina LaRoulette." He slid a foreleg to rest on the unicorn mare's neck, then they nuzzled. Bouton sighed wistfully.

"At the risk of sounding rude." Cheerilee began. "We are all adults here, so indirect inferences are not necessary."

"Yes, lay your cards on the table, and show me what kind of ponies you are." The Patron turned back to them and challenged, clapping his hooves once.

"Fair cop." Cynthia began. "I wish to know if thou hast seen a certain stallion." The patron tapped one of his ears, and Cynthia picked up on the hint. She got up, walked around to him, then whispered into his ear. ("An earth pony, caramel coat, slicked back black mane, his cutiemark be an apple with a piece missing and the inside a sickly green color.") When she finished, she returned to her seat.

"I have seen this stallion. He is much like a brother to me. Around here he is known as 'Udan Ibai.'"

"Summer river?" Cynthia asked.

The Patron waved his staff for emphasis. "And much like a river, he follows his own course. He comes and goes as he likes. And a river in summertime is especially lively."

"Aye!" Cynthia grinned. "That doth mock his spirit."

"This appears to be a matter that is close to your heart." Aurelina replied. "As is hers." She pointed to Bouton. "You see the closeness that I and my husband have, and you desire this closeness from another. That much is clear to me.

Bouton blushed. "Er, yes." She stammered. "But I doubt even your husband can make this pony show his love for me."

"I can rescue a loved one from an over-domineering family, or from a dragon prison. I can find the one rare herb that will cure your loved ones mysterious illness and have it delivered. I can even officiate a wedding, and have it legally recognized. But I cannot force another pony to love you." The Patron removed his hat and placed it on the table. "And as history will show, many attempts at a love potion, or love spell, have serious drawbacks."

Bouton nodded. "Then, I have nothing to ask of you Patron."

Aurelina trotted over to the seat on her husbands right, and settled on it. Her horn glowed orange for a moment, then a deck of cards appeared on the table in front of her. "I am what others would call, a 'card carrying Roani.'" She shuffled the deck, then spread the cards face up before the other three unicorns. "Take one card to represent yourself."

Cynthia took The Moon, a card that depicted her as Princess Luna, emerging from a pool of water, and gazing up at the moon. To her left was a howling timber-wolf, and to her right was a ghostlike bat.

Bouton took the Servant of Cups. The card depicted a golden-yellow pegasus dressed in a fancy sky-blue ballgown. She was sipping from a small clay bowl held in the hooves of a brown earth pony wearing a green tunic.

Lemon took the Servant of Scrolls. This card depicted a young, light orange unicorn and an aged silver unicorn, trading rolled scrolls.

Afterwards, she shuffled the deck again, then spread the cards face down. "One card to represent your problem."

They did so, and Aurelina shuffled a third time. This time, she dealt them each a card. "And one card to represent the solution."

Cynthia turned her cards over, revealing the Sun, and the Lady of Scrolls. The first card depicted Princess Celestia standing proudly below her sun, which took up the upper third of the card. Kneeling before her, was a green earth pony, a sky blue pegasus, and a hot pink unicorn.

The Lady of Scrolls depicted a red unicorn mare dressed in a white gown with a yellow cape, and a gray metallic looking tiara. She sat at the top of a stairway, and showed an unrolled scroll to a group of ponies on the steps. "Ah. This is a very important matter?" Aurelina began. "Two major arcana, and a court card." She looked to Cynthia. "You and your family's reputation and possessions are affected, correct?"

Cynthia nodded. "My reputation would be affected yes, but I did not anticipate that it would extend to my family, or my lands."

Aurelina patted Cynthia's hoof. "Sometimes we don't see the forest for the trees. We get caught up in our own little worries that we don't see how others are affected."

"Does this mean I must yield his heart?" Cynthia asked.

"That is your decision to make." Aurelina replied. "But I can advise you on how to make it." She tapped the sun card. "I see that your public persona is at the front of your concerns. How others see you?" Another nod from Cynthia. "And this is in conflict with your heart." She indicated the Moon card. "What you want, and what others expect of you, are as different as night and day?"

Cynthia closed her eyes. "Would that I could but give up my duties to have my heart's desire."

Lemon moved to comfort her, but Aurelina held up a hoof. "Stay yourself, friend. She will call upon you when she needs you."

Cynthia picked up a nearby napkin, and wiped her eyes. "Forgive me, I do not normally allow myself to feel such emotion in public."

"There is no need for guilt." Aurelina replied, circling around behind Cynthia. "You are a pony, not a statue. And as a pony, it is your right to feel these things. Joy, sorrow, laughter, anger, wonder, fear, fulfillment, desire."

"Thy words ring truer than thou knowest, fair Aurelina." Cynthia turned to face Aurelina. "And though others may shun thee, and call thee unkind names, know that your Phuri Dae would be proud to number thee as one of her children." She smiled.

Aurelina bowed. "Madam, I only show the way, it is up to the individual to follow their own path."

Cynthia picked up the Lady of Scrolls with an aura of indigo magic. "Indeed. I had thought the problem had no easy answer, but all I required were words of wisdom from a more experienced pony." She picked up the other two cards, then placed all three on top of the deck. "Many thanks Patron and Matron LaRoulette."

The Patron waved a hoof idly. "If helping you would help my brother, consider this a double favor."

"Um, how are you related?" Lemon asked. "My lady and I know that he's neither unicorn, nor Zaldi."

"Brothers by oath." The Patron replied. "Not all relationships have to do with bloodlines and genetics."

"So the two of thee have sworn to be as such." Cynthia mused.

"I've seen many such things borne out of friendship." Cheerilee added. "Even the story of Hearths Warming Eve, shows that Clover the Clever, Private Pansy and Smart Cookie went from being strangers to each-other, to becoming like siblings."

"Of course." Bouton commented. "Friendship is indeed a strong bond. And it can easily transition into family." She turned over her cards. The first card was The Fool. It depicted an earth pony standing at the edge of a cliff, poised as if to take the last step. Her gaze was focused on a distant point in the sky, and she had a grin on her face. The other card was titled 'Majesty.' It showed Celestia standing on a castle balcony, overlooking a plain of trees, a river, and small huts. On the railing next to her, was a tiny statue of Discord, laying on its side. He was using the boastful pose that he had prior to his first release. "Whoa. Same as you Cynthia." Bouton stated. "Two major arcana and one court card."

Aurelina trotted over to Bouton and peered over her shoulder. "Ah, but you started as the court card." She smiled to the other unicorn. "Which means you feel overwhelmed by this heavy matter?"

Bouton gasped. "Overwhelmed? The whole reason I came here was to give myself some time-off from thinking about it!"

Aurelina patted Boutons' shoulder. "So it's threatening to consume you." She picked up the Fool card. "Walking on a cliff? Or walking on edge around the one you love. What choice is the right one?"

Bouton put a hoof to her throat. "I feel like I'm drowning. I just want to know where I stand with him."

Aurelina put down the Fool, and picked up the Majesty card. "Then this is what you need."

Bouton looked at the card. "What, I should go to Princess Celestia?"

Aurelina shook her head. "No, you should be like Princess Celestia."

"I don't follow."

Aurelina twirled the card. "The very second she and Luna sealed Discord in stone, they owned Equestria. Then, now and forever until the end of days. There is nothing that will drive a wedge between the Princesses and the nation." She exclaimed. "The Princesses know this, the ponies know this."

"So I should take ownership of the one I love?" Bouton asked incredulously. "Isn't that slavery?"

"There is a difference between owning, and enslaving." Aurelina replied. She circled around to the other side. "Instead of focusing on whether he feels for you the same way you feel for him, ask yourself, what could put a wedge between the two of you?"

Bouton took a sip of wine, then looked into the goblet. "You're right." She looked back to Aurelina. "I need to take command of what is mine." She set her goblet down. "Whether it's in a battle or in the bedroom, I need passion and determination. I see that now."

"Bravo Dear Bouton." Cynthia cheered. She, Lemon, Cheerilee, and the Patron clapped their hooves together.

"I think we just had a major breakthrough." The Patron stated. Bouton smiled and blushed. "And when you start a family with this stallion, you have a family motto that you can pass on. 'Passio et Determinatio.'"

Bouton slid her cards over to the deck. "Thank you all. I feel much better now." She looked to Aurelina. "Would it be improper to hug you?" The pink unicorn raised a foreleg to accept one. Bouton embraced Aurelina, and gave her a little squeeze.

Afterwards, Aurelina trotted over to Lemon. "You still have the option of backing out. I'd understand if you'd want to keep your concerns private."

Lemon turned her cards over. "All in." She stated. "I want to see just how good you are."

Aurelina leaned over and examined Lemon's cards closely. "Page, Six, and Ace of scrolls. Minor arcana, and all one suit." She turned to Lemon. "You've had a victory, a triumph. And now you're wondering where do you go from there?"

Lemon thought for a moment. "Maybe my life has gotten in a bit of a rut."

Aurelina nodded. "Resting on your laurels, so to speak." She picked up the Six of scrolls, which showed a unicorn putting a seal on a rolled scroll. Next to her, were five other scrolls, already sealed. A sun with rays extending from it was set low in the sky, indicating dawn. "But six means that there is still work to be done." She smiled to Lemon. "Is there something keeping you from moving forward in life?"

Lemon thought for a moment. "I'm happy with my job and my husband, so I don't think that's the problem."

"What about your foals?" Aurelina asked. She noticed Lemon wince slightly. "Ahhh, so that's it."
She picked up the Ace of scrolls, which showed an unrolled blank scroll. "The start of a new endeavor. A future not yet written."

Lemon sighed. "Apologies, Matron, but I'd rather not discuss it." Aurelina nodded, then picked up the cards.

"Then I declare this reading to be finished." She said, before packing the cards together, and teleporting the deck back to its proper place. She resumed her seat behind the Patron.

"Do you wish to make any other requests of me?" The Patron inquired. "So far, all we've done is given advice."

Lemon took a few candied nuts. "You and your wife have been gracious hosts, and we appreciate your offer." She chewed a nut, then swallowed. "And while we have shown you what kind of ponies we are, I am wary about making a request of a pony who seems very much like a djinn."

The Patron chuckled. "I have been called many things." He twirled his staff with magic, and gestured. "In Zebrica, they call me. 'Furaha Mjinga' [5], in Neighpon, 'Rakkīmanēhoīru [6]', In Reiten, 'Der Kaufmann von Lächeln' [7], and I can't tell you what they call me in in the dragonlands because I've never been there!" he boasted, stepping onto the table. He picked up his top-hat, and put it on. "But here. in Equestria. I am. Gilbert LaRoulette." He removed his hat again and held it to his chest, while bowing before Lemon.

Cynthia giggled. "Art thou always so colourful, Patron Gilbert?"

Gilbert donned his hat again, then returned to his seat. "A friend of mine once asked me. He said 'Gilbert, no disrespect, but what is it about you unicorns that makes you so prone to such over the top behavior?'" He tapped his horn. "Near as I can figure, it's because these things are channeling magic so close to our brains."

"Perhaps somepony should look into that." Lemon mused. "The effects of magic flowing around the unicorn brain."

"It could be a revolution in science!" Gilbert added gesturing dramatically. "Thaumaneurology, How a lifetime of using magic drives unicorns crazy."

"Such a revelation doth not bode well for the Alicorn sisters." Cynthia began. "If unicorns go mad during their mayfly lives, imagine the dryness of the brain of a millienias old pony."

"I love the Princesses. I really do." Gilbert said. "Though I've never met them personally, I've heard many tales about them."

"Quite." Cheerilee added. "I have seen Princess Celestia a few times, and Princess Luna has visited Ponyville for Nightmare Night."

"So what hast thou heard, Patron Gilbert?" Cynthia addressed the green stallion.

"Apparently, our poor Phuri Dae has had to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." Gilbert swept his staff about. "The rogues of butter biscuit lane have come a courting, hoping that one of them will be her special somepony."

"As thou art close to Canterlot, word surely must hath reached thee early." Cynthia replied. "But what be this butter biscuit lane?"

Gilbert looked to Cheerilee. "Cheerilee, Darling, My little teacher. Would you do me a big favor?"

Cheerilee blushed, covering her face with her hat. "Please Patron, not that old joke again."

"I thought you enjoyed bringing smiles to the faces of ponies while educating them." Gilbert teased.

Cheerilee sighed. "Fine, I'll get the food." She left the table, and returned a minute later, with a plate holding a hot biscuit, a small knife, and a square of butter. She set the plate in front of Gilbert, then returned to her seat. "I guess there's no stopping this once somepony asks."

Gilbert cut the biscuit in half. "Butter biscuit lane, is our name for Upper Canterlot." He levitated the butter onto one half of the biscuit, then placed the other half over it. "For two reasons. One, that's where we get our best gossip. And two. Give me the name of a noble."

Cynthia thought for moment, then responded. "Margravine Feuerbloom of Bavaria."

"Fillies and Gentlecolts." He held the biscuit sideways and curled the two halves to form a gap in the middle. "The Margravine Feuerbloom of Bavaria has just come back from a night of fun." Melted butter dribbled from the gap and splattered on the plate below.

"Aye, Aye." Cynthia smirked, picking up on the meaning. "Now we see what kind of stallion our host really is." Lemon and Bouton blushed, covering their mouths with a hoof to hide their giggling. "It seems as though I'm not the only pony that thinks such of the nobility."

"As an old wise pony once said." The Patron added. "Where the mind goes, the body will follow."

"Who are these old wise ponies you refer to?" Bouton asked.

"I do not know." The Patron replied. "But they are old, and they are wise." He, Aurelina, and Cheerilee chuckled. Bouton and Lemon joined in.

"A wonderful bit of inside humor." Cynthia said with a smile. "May I borrow that one for mine own use?"

"Consider it as compensation for your evening being so awful." The Patron replied with a smirk. He set the biscuit aside and pointed his staff to Lemon. "Now we come to you."

She held up a hoof. "Patron, I have no need of your services. I prefer to keep my current problems private."

Gilbert twirled his cane. "Maybe not tonight, or tomorrow, but someday." He began. "And may that day never come, you might find yourself in need of assistance." He reached into a saddlebag hidden under his cape, then pulled out a red and black casino chip, with a clip backing. "If and when that day arrives, you put this on and go about Canterlot." He levitated it over to Lemon. "Any of my associates who see it, will know that you are asking for my help."

Lemon accepted the clip. "So it's like a favor that I can call upon later." She turned it over in her hooves. "And what if I never need it?"

"You can pass it on to anypony that you know." Gilbert replied. "I have friends in many Equestrian cities: Canterlot, Manehattan, Las Pegasus, Neigh Orleans, Vienneigh, Neigh Delhi, and Neighjing to name a few." He grinned. "I also have friends among the zebras and gryphons."

"Just how far doth thine influence reach, Patron?" Cynthia inquired.

"I have relatives scattered about Equestria, and my family's been making connections with others for a few centuries."

"I'm sure we'll get more detail from the history tour." Bouton interrupted. "But for now, I should be getting to sleep." She covered her mouth as she yawned.

Gilbert tapped his cane on the table again, and a shimmer passed through the air around the table. "Then I declare this meeting to be closed." Lemon, Bouton, and Cynthia thanked them and left as another pony came over to the table.

Back in her suite, the pink unicorn dropped her disguise and stretched her wings. She sprawled out on the princess-sized bed, while Lime settled on the smaller pull-out bed. Fleur rested on a couple of cushions that she had taken from the couch. All three of them were wearing sleeping gowns.

"Dame Fleur." Luna began. "Now that thou hast received an answer to thy problems, we hope that thou are not planning on leaving the Dames of the Tea Table."

Fleur shook her head. "Your Majesty, I would never leave you just because you weren't able to help me." She held a hoof to her chest. "You're a genuine friend, and I wouldn't dream of giving you up. Your Majesty needs friends as well. Besides, just because I have an answer, doesn't mean that the problem's over. I still have to go home and work on it."

Luna nodded. "Tis a trifle eerie how accurate Matron Aurelina wast in her readings."

"Your Majesty." Lime chimed in. "It's mostly reading a pony's body language, and seeing their reaction to certain prompts. I don't think she is really psychic."

Luna looked to her maid. "While she could not have seen through our disguise, I might have given myself away in my reactions." She created an illusion of the cards that she had for the reading. "But the cards I drew were The Moon and The Sun. Though I drew the Sun sight unseen, it was as though Fate conspired against my deception."

"Your Majesty is reading too much into this." Lime stated. "Take for example my reading. I kept as quiet as I could. She followed a logical progression to get me to open up: Grow up, get married, have kids, grow old, get grand-kids, and so on." She rested her head on the pillow. "And when it looked like I was going to leave without our host doing anything for me he decided to give me a rain-check on the favor, so I wouldn't go away empty hooved and make it look like he couldn't help me. He probably has a whole bag full of those tokens."

"Dame Lime, must thou be so scornful?" Luna chastised. "Our host be an actor, an entertainer."

"I'm sorry your Majesty." Lime looked contrite. "It's probably the wine and the tiredness that makes me cranky." She sighed.

Fleur stood up, and returned the cushions to the couch. "Please excuse me Princess. The hour is late, and I want to be rested for the morning's events."

"Sleep well Dame Fleur." Luna waved.

Fleur bowed. "Good Morrow Your Highness, Dame Lime." Lime waved, then Fleur returned to her own room.

"So what are you going to do for the rest of the night?" Lime asked Luna.

The blue alicorn skimmed through the map. "There be a library on the second floor that is open to guests."

"Gonna pull a Twilight Sparkle then?" Lime smiled.

Luna thought for a moment, then chuckled. "Yes, I am going to 'pull a Twilight Sparkle.'"

***

1: Of the darkness
2: Hello and Welcome
3: Two o'clock
4: Basque homeland
5: Laughing fool
6: Lucky money wheel
7: The Merchant of smiles

Chilled Hearts

"This is much better than having to go to another one of those stupid little rich pony parties." A white, pink-maned unicorn commented, leaning back against a river rock. Across the river from her, a lime green unicorn with a darker green mane, nodded in agreement.

"Forgive me a moment of indiscretion, Bouton." The green unicorn began, using the alias she devised. "But I found it a little flattering that some of the farmers flirted with us."

Bouton smiled, sweeping back part of her wet mane. "As a model, I'm used to it, but I'm sure it must be a compliment for you that they admired your looks, dear Lemon."

The head of an coral orange pony suddenly breached the river surface between the two unicorns, startling them. "What's a model?" The strange pony asked.

Bouton quickly scrambled up onto the rock, while Lemon angrily slapped water at the intrusive pony. "Get out of here you pervert!" The orange pony raised a forelimb to block the water. Lemon and Bouton stared in shock at the pony's raised limb. "You-you're a-" Lemon sputtered.

"Go on, say it." The pony challenged, waving the limb.

"Sea pony?!" Bouton stated in disbelief.

The orange pony pointed her flippered foreleg at Bouton. "We prefer the term 'Merae.'" She used her flipper to sweep back her dark green mane.

"So what are you doing spying on us?" Lemon challenged.

The merpony looked towards Lemon. "I was actually heading upriver when I noticed you two talking."

Bouton eased back into the water. "How long were you listening?"

The merpony glided over to settle next to the white unicorn. "Not long Bouton." She replied with a mischievous grin.

"And how do you know my name?"

"Sound travels well underwater." The merpony replied. "My name's Coral Ice."

"Are all Merae as intrusive as you, Coral?" Lemon asked.

Coral dove underwater, giving a flip of her tail-fin in Lemon's direction. She swam to the bottom of the river, then churned the mud, causing it to cloud the water. "Oh now she's gonna pout." Lemon snarked. She looked to Bouton.

Bouton tapped the surface of the water with a hoof. "We're sorry." Coral remained submerged.

"Come back up Coral. Please." Lemon tried pleading. "I didn't mean to insult your kind." A few seconds later, Coral surfaced next to Lemon.

"Apology shooping accepted." Coral said as she embraced Lemon. The green unicorn patted the merpony on the side. Coral released her, then settled on a submerged rock next to her.

"Forgive us for being rude." Bouton began, "But we've never seen a merae before. Some ponies think that your kind are a myth."

Coral chuckled. "Most Merae keep to the open waters and depths. A few pods risk lairing near your shooping coastal cities."

Lemon rubbed the back of her own neck with a hoof. "Why haven't you tried integrating yourself with the rest of us?"

"A lot of your shooping surface cities are impossible to get to." Coral replied. "Some places we can't shooping get to because of tall waterfalls, or a shooping obstacle we can't get past, or they're not next to a river where we can shooping get to it."

"That's an interesting word you keep using." Bouton commented.

Coral glided through the water over to her. "What, shooping?"

"Yes. What does it mean?" Bouton asked, half-suspecting a particular definition.

Coral snuggled up against Bouton. "I'll tell you what it means, if you tell me what 'Model' means."

"Deal." Bouton replied.

Coral gestured with her flippers. "'Shooping' is how Merae stay connected. It's our hello, our goodbye. It's how we ease tensions and rouse passions. The first thing we do when we wake up, and the last thing we do before we go to sleep. It binds us together and helps us survive. It's a body thing, a mind thing, a soul thing."

"I'm guessing it's some kind of casual intimacy." Bouton mused.

Coral smiled to Bouton. "Would you like to try it?"

Bouton shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm no Merae."

Coral looked over to Lemon. The green unicorn shook her head. "Apologies, Miss Ice, but we already have stallions that we love and cherish."

"I understand." Coral replied. "Devotion to a single shooping pony is one of your surface dwelling customs."

"Has anypony ever taken up your offer, Miss Ice?" Lemon inquired.

"Many ponies here have, but not ones that are already shooping partnered with another pony." She replied. Coral turned back to Bouton. "Now, please tell me about models."

"You surface dwellers have such interesting customs." The coral colored pony stated with a smirk. "I've heard about wearing clothing for comfort and practical reasons, but to wear clothing as a display of another pony's talent? Why the shoop don't they wear it themselves if they're so shooping proud of their skills?"

Bouton twirled a hoof as she spoke. "The reason they hire ponies to display their clothes, is because they want ponies who look good wearing the clothing." She thought for a moment. "Let's say an anglerflish tries disgusing itself as a koi. Doesn't matter how good his skills are, nopony's gonna take him seriously."

Coral laughed. "So it's about their shooping appearance." She swept her flipper along the side of her head. "And what about the shooping dressmaker, Bouton? If she won't wear her own work, what the shoop does she wear?"

"Usually she wears a business suit." Bouton replied. "It makes her own appearance less prominent, and keeps the attention on the models."

"Do you think I could shooping model for waterproof clothing?"

Bouton examined Coral closely. The dark color of her mane provided some contrast, and the flippers on the end of her forelegs might have potential for showing off soft leg coverings. From the hips forward, she'd make a fairly decent model, needing only a few touch-ups. The tail however, was a particularly unique feature. Where most ponies had four legs and a short narrow tail with long hair, seaponies or 'Merae' as they called themselves, had long bodies that tapered gradually ending in a broad flat horizontal fin.

"Coral Ice, I think you'd be a test of skill for any dressmaker." The Mer looked down to herself, then laughed.

"Yeah, What the shoop was I thinking?" Coral Ice splashed the river surface with her tail. "Fancy clothing is shooping useless in the depths. And other shooping ponies can't wear clothing that's made for our body shape."

Bouton patted Coral's shoulder. "But if there were a market for Merae fashion, you'd make a great model."

"Shoop yeah!" Coral cheered.

"And what about you? Certainly you don't spend your days sitting in the river like this." Lemon inquired.

"The pod has an arrangement with the shooping surface dwellers that live here." Coral gestured around. "We bring up kelp, old coral, discarded shells and other shooping stuff for them to use, we also help with sea and river transport, and making shooping deliveries."

"And what does The Patron do for you in return?" Lemon pressed. "Surely you don't work for free."

"There are certain shooping luxuries that we can't make for ourselves." Coral replied. She wriggled over close to the green unicorn. "Things like shooping books would be ruined in water. Most lights don't shooping work, and land plants don't grow in salt water."

"So what you get, are specially made items that won't get ruined by water?" Lemon asked. Coral nodded.

"Yep. If you'd like, I can show you our shooping cave." She pointed a flipper downriver. " It's about twelve fathoms out and thirty five fathoms down."

"I don't know if we could survive that without scuba gear, or water breathing magic." Lemon replied. Coral shrugged.

"Well shoop." She muttered. "Here's me thinking unicorns can do every shooping thing with their magic."

"Most unicorns only know a few spells to help with their jobs." Lemon explained. "For example.some of the spells I know are: 'Magic Grip,' 'Repair,' 'Memory,' and 'Create Fire.'" Those are spells I use every day to help my Lady."

"Don't the Merae have their own magic?" Bouton inquired.

"Yeah. We control the shooping water." Coral replied. "Mostly we make it flow faster around ourselves to speed up our swimming. We can also make currents to move things through the water."

"So it's like an aquatic version of 'Magic Grip.'" Bouton mused.

"But it doesn't work well above the surface." Coral replied. "It's hard to push water up against the pull of gravity. That's also why we can't swim up tall waterfalls."

"I imagine that it must be rather difficult to move about on land." Lemon added. "Even in a wheelchair."

Coral climbed up onto the riverbank then settled on the sun-warmed grass. "Just like you need special equipment to move about in the waters."

Lemon got out of the water, followed by Bouton. "It's been nice talking with you, Coral." The green unicorn stated. "But I think we should get going."

Coral waved. "Alright, shoop ya later."

Bouton blushed and giggled, hiding her mouth with a hoof. Coral smiled, then stretched out to bask. Lemon and Bouton dried themselves off, then followed a path leading inland.

A short while later, they noticed a few clusters of tents on one side of the river. Ponies were busy moving supplies, setting up tables, pegasi were arranging clouds. Curious, Lemon and Bouton trotted over. "It looks rather busy over here." Bouton stated. "Planning a party?"

A cyan colored earth pony looked up from a clipboard. "We're organizing the wedding for The Patron's daughter."

"Toola?" Lemon asked. The earth pony nodded.

Bouton turned to her friend. "Wait, she had a ring on her horn last night."

Lemon rubbed one of her ears. "That's right. It had some fancy gems in it. And didn't Cheerilee have an engagement bracelet as well?"

Realization came to Lemon and Bouton. "They're engaged-"

"-To each-other."

"Oh My Luna!" They said together.

Lemon looked to the earth pony. "Where is Patron Gilbert?"

The earth pony snickered. "You see that big green tent over there?" He motioned towards a cluster.

"He's in there?" Lemon asked. The earth pony nodded. "Thank you." She blurted before dashing off.

As she circled around to the front of the tent, Lemon noticed a small line outside, where ponies and a gryphon were waiting. Standing watch at the entrance were Jasper and the big blue pony that she had met the previous night. Lemon joined the line, then took time to gaze about.

The tent clusters were arranged in an arc around one side of an open air amphitheater. At one side of the central stage area, she saw Starsong helping with setting up instruments. The stone benches around the stage were set on a shallow slope, spaced out to allow ponies to pass between the rows without crowding seated ponies or stepping on hooves. One bench at the edge of the seating area was right on the riverbank. Lemon guessed that it was placed there to allow the Merae to join in as part of the audience.

Long red carpets lined the central aisle-ways between the seats. The large green tent that she waited next to, was set up at the head of one such aisle-way. All but one of the other aisle-ways had unbarred access to allow ponies to walk in easily. The remaining aisle-way was taken up by a large yellow tent, and had another small line of ponies waiting in front.

"Judging by the look of things, you'd think a Princess was getting married." Bouton commented, as she joined her companion.

"Bouton, is your cutie mark covered?"

The white unicorn looked to her flank. "Half-covered. Why?"

Lemon pointed to the gold tent on the other side of the seating area. "Do you recognize those ponies in front of the gold tent?"

"Yes. Twilight Sparkle and Rarity." Bouton replied. "Wait, Rarity!?" She did a double-take. Bouton reached back to pull her swimsuit further over her cutiemark.

"Assuming that's the tent for Cheerilee and her family. I recall something about Twilight befriending Cheerilee out of a shared love of learning." Lemon mused. "And Rarity is trying to get her name out there in the fashion industry, but where are the other four Elements of Harmony?"

"Maybe I can ask Lady Cynthia to disguise my cutiemark, then we can mingle more freely." Bouton replied.

Lemon gave a glance to the gryphon further up in the line. "It seems that they're not the only celebriponies here. There's Gustave, and we saw Donut Joe earlier."

The dark grey gryphon paid little attention to the two mares who were chatting away a few paces back. He was more focused on what he was going to say to Gilbert. "Patron LaRoulette, I am honored and grateful, that you have invited me into your home, on the wedding day of your daughter." He said to himself. "I hope their first foal is a feminine foal." He took a deep breath and began again.

At both the green and gold tents, ponies would be escorted in one at a time. Inside, they would sign their names, then present either a gift, or a promise of service to be done at a time of Toola's or Cheerilee's choosing. After one pony left, another would be invited inside.

"Gustave LeGrande?" The large blue earth pony called. Gustave entered the green tent and wrote his name in the open ledger that rested on a table to one side of the entrance. Gilbert and Aurelina rested on cushions on one side of the tent, while Toola sat on the other side, next to a table that held gifts.

"Patron LaRoulette." The gryphon began, addressing the green unicorn. "I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your daughter's, wedding...on this, the wedding...day of your daughter's wedding." He smiled nervously, seeing Aurelina and Toola smirk slightly. Gilbert's expression remained unchanged. "And may their first filly, be a feminine foal." Gustave removed a pink pastry box from his back, placing on the table along with the other gifts. "I present this, a signature box of my eclairs." He took a few steps back.

"Thank you Gustave." Toola stated. She opened the box, and sampled one of the eclairs. "This pastry speaks to me." She began. "It tells me about how you make your filling fresh daily. How you knead the dough by claw. How you carefully time the cooking process."

Gustave grinned. "Thank you, Concierge Antonia. Your discerning palate does justice to my skills." He approached Gilbert and held out a talon. Gilbert extended his hoof. "I thank you as well, for your continued sponsorship of my bakery." He said, shaking the unicorn's hoof with both of his talons.

"Mr LeGrande." Gilbert replied. "A cafe such as yours is a benefit to both Cheval L'Honneur and the City of Canterlot."

Gustave stepped back and bowed, draping one wing across his chest to act as a cape. "Patron LaRoulette. I'm going to leave you now, because I know you are very busy."

After Gustave exited, the large blue earth pony looked to the two mares who were at the head of the line. "May I have your names?"

"Oh yes." The white unicorn mare addressed the stallion. "Bouton Rose and Lemon Meringue."

The earth pony looked to Jasper who read over a clipboard, then shook his head. "Please wait here a moment." The stallion commanded before entering the tent. He bowed to The Patron. "Patron Gilbert. They're not on the list, but Bouton Rose and Lemon Meringue would like an audience."

Gilbert looked to Aurelina and Toola. "I have no objections."

"Neither do I." Aurelina added. "They were a delight to read for."

"I would very much welcome their presence." Toola stated.

"Show them in, Lanzenreiter." Gilbert ordered. He nodded then stepped outside.

"The Patron has agreed to see you both." Lanzenreiter said to the two mares outside.

Lemon and Bouton entered. "Ladies, welcome." Gilbert greeted them. "Would you care to sign in?"
He asked, surrounding the ledger with a green aura. Bouton signed their names, while Lemon addressed The Patron.

"First off, I'd like to thank you for the wonderful tour this morning." Lemon began. "It was rather educational, learning about how the family became so wealthy and influential."

"Yes, The Las Pegasus thing." Gilbert waved the issue off. "What you heard is mostly true. We did finance the law process, but not only for our own benefit." He tipped his hat. "There's nothing illegal about giving generously to the police and politicians. It allows them to do their job better, which is making sure problem ponies don't get out of hoof, correct?"

"I see your point Patron, but that's not why we're here." The green unicorn mare took a step forward. "Much like how you act as a Patron for business, my Lady considers herself a Matron for romantic love."

Gilbert smiled. "So this wedding would be an affirmation of your Lady's ideals?"

"Let them watch, father." Toola cut in. "If they want to witness the love that Cheerilee and I share, then I welcome their gaze." She grinned smugly. "Un argia mundu.*"

"Then it's settled." Gilbert proclaimed. "The three of you are invited. Return here when the sun touches the horizon."

"Thank you, Patron LaRoulette." Lemon replied. She and Bouton bowed, then left the tent.

"Announcing Her Royal Highness Princess Luna, Head of the House of Night, Sovereign of the Order of the Starry Night, Grand Mobile Element of the Lunar Orb, Joint Diarch of the Principality of Equestria, and Grand Duke Consort Bad Apple!" A bat-winged guard dressed in silvery armor addressed the assembled crowd. Two ponies entered the archway and posed as some ponies raised cameras to take pictures. Luna wore a blue and silver dress with billowed sleeves, a long flared skirt, and a ruffled collar that encircled her neck.

Grand Duke Bad Apple was a caramel colored earth pony stallion, with a black mane slicked back with an apple scented gel. His ensemble was a white shirt with a black suitjacket. On his head was a white derby with a red hatband clasped with a crest that matched his cutiemark, an apple with a missing wedge, and a green-tinged interior.

Once they were finished with the photo session, the Princess and the Duke mingled with the the crowd. Luna was on her way to the punch bowl when she felt something pressing lightly on her hoof. She lifted it up to inspect it, but found nothing amiss. Turning her attention back to her surroundings, Luna found herself alone in a silvery gray void. "No!"

Luna opened her eyes, and the image of a green unicorn mare came into focus. "Your Majesty, Did I wake you up at a bad time?" She asked, passing over a tissue. Luna accepted it and soaked up the tears that had run down her cheeks.

"Dear sweet Lime." She began. "I cannot fault thee for thy lack of oneiric awareness." She slid out of bed, then stretched. "Twas a marvelous but ephemeral fantasy that I wish to someday experience in the physical."

"Was it the one where you were catapulting suitors over the castle walls again?" Lime inquired.

Luna hid her smirk with a hoof. "Nay, t'was about Him." Lime nodded in understanding.

"Can't get him out of your head?" Lime asked.

"I did see him in the library last night, while my glamour was present."

"Curious." Lime replied. "I wonder if he'll be at the wedding tonight."

"How now? A wedding you say." Luna grinned. "That is certainly worthy of the Dames presence. Perchance are you willing to use thy chip to buy seats for the three of us?"

"Didn't need to." Lime replied. "When I mentioned your interest in romantic love, his daughter, Toola, was happy to have us at her wedding."

"So it is Toola Roola's wedding that we shall be attending." Luna altered her appearance to become Cynthia. "And whom doth she wed?"

"Cheerilee."

"Thou doth jest!"

"Nope." Lime smiled widely. "They both had engagement bands, with gems that matched each-others colors."

Cynthia thought for a moment. "Aye, now I recall." She started sorting through her clothes. "And to think Celestia convinced me to leave my most formal dress back at the castle."

* A light to the world

Love justifies all

Red-vested ushers trotted along the aisleways, escorting ponies to their proper seats then leaving to repeat the process. Once settled into the proper spots, the ponies began talking with one another. Old friends and relatives who hadn't seen each-other in weeks, months, or sometimes even years, were catching up on news and stories. The rearmost bench of the center section bordered the river, and was occupied by Merai who conversed with nearby guests. Onstage, a band was performing a series of Zaldi and Roani folk songs. A lavender unicorn sat behind a podium, looking over a checklist and double-checking the book on the podium.

Noticing the unicorn's discomfort, the band's leader allowed the group to take a break, then she went over to talk to the unicorn. "You a-ight there, Twinkle?"

"It's Twilight, and no." She replied. "I'm not sure I can do this, Starsong."

"Cacophony!" Starsong spat. "Cheerilee believes in you. Are you going to leave her hanging?"

"What if something goes wrong? What if I knock something over, or lose my place, or-" Starsong held up a hoof.

"Even Princess Celestia has moments like this."

Twilight snorted. "Hey, that's not fair. The Princess has been giving speeches for a millennium, She's cool calm and collected during every one."

"Ever seen her five minutes beforehoof? She's probably having the same kind of fit that you are right now. I've seen it all before. Every pony gets cold hooves at the thought of talking in front of a large crowd, even me." Starsong extended a wing around Twilight. "If you make a mistake, just roll with it."

"Roll with it? This is supposed to be a solemn occasion." Twilight replied. "There's no room for mistakes."

"What mistakes? All they gotta do is say yes to each other a few times, then you pronounce them married."

"If the Princess can do this, then so can I." Twilight placed her hooves on the podium. "Let's get this wedding started."

Starsong whooped. "That's the spirit!" She leapt and glided back to her band, then lead them into another round of music.

A brown maned, yellow-orange earth pony wearing a black vest, entered the green tent. "Concierge Toola. May I have a moment of your time?"

Toola walked over to the new arrival. "Sure, Moineau."

Moineau presented a folder. "Operation 'Roasted Grain' was a success."

Toola opened the folder and looked through the contents. Her smiled widened. "This is great news. The Manesfield ponies would surely consider this justice." Closing the folder again, she handed it back to Moineau. "Make a copy of this, and deliver it to room 406. Kako Udan will be very happy."

Moineau grinned, taking the folder back. "Yes Concierge." He bowed then left.

"Conducting business, even on the day of your own wedding?" Gilbert inquired from the other side of the tent. Toola looked over to him and smiled.

"Of course Father, you taught me well." She returned to her cushion. "An effective plan is one that fulfills multiple goals." She drew her cane and tapped it on the ground. "One, This deed was done with the well being of others as the goal, so it is admissible for the ceremony tomorrow. Two, Kuzma Lutrokov has been disciplined for selling bad grain at high prices."

"I'll give you the price gouging part." Gilbert stated. "But what cause do you have to say his grain was bad?"

"I've been there, I've tasted it, it's rotten!" Toola pointed her cane outside. "He lets it sit around in the silo until ponies can scrape together enough money to buy from him."

"And what have you offered as a replacement, so that they won't starve?" Aurelina inquired, resting atop of Gilbert.

"Three." Toola smiled. "It allows our friends, the Hartwells and the McMillers, to expand their businesses to Manesfield."

"They're dependable and respectable businessponies." Gilbert replied. "They'll ship the food in, until they can get a farm going."

Toola walked over to the entrance of the tent. "Jasper."

The Diamond Dog turned and peered into the tent. "Yes, Concierge Toola?"

"Please go tell Cheerilee that I have payed her entry fee."

"On it." Jasper stated, before leaving.

"So how did it go?" A caramel colored unicorn asked the dark gray gryphon seated next to him.

"Simply dreadful." The gryphon responded. "I had zee whole speech prepared and I rehearsed it several times while I was on line. But when it was time to deliver it..." He sighed and lowered his head. "I flubbed lines, mixed words, and even had nervous perspiration."

The unicorn reached over and patted the gryphon's side. "Gusty, listen." The gryphon gave a sideways glance. "The Patron isn't going to hold this against you. You're a great chef, that's what you studied for, that's what he funded you for. Not for your speaking skills." Gustave chuckled.

"Ah true. But I still feel zat he deserves more respect zan what I was able to give him."

The unicorn grinned. "I guess your insides really are jelly." he chuckled.

The gryphon draped a forelimb around the unicorn's shoulders, and rubbed the knuckles of his other claw around the base of the unicorn's horn. "Just for zat, You're not getting any cream filling tonight, Joe."

Joe squirmed and laughed. "C'mon, just a little. Pleeeease?"

Cheerilee looked over as Jasper entered the gold tent. "Yes, how may I help you Jasper?"

Jasper bowed. "I have news from Concierge Toola. She says 'The entry fee has been paid.'"

Cheerilee gasped "Are you for real?" A grin spread across her face. "I'm getting into the Family. I'm actually going to be a pony of honor."

Two earth ponies who had been sitting nearby, got up and hugged Cheerilee. "We're so happy for you, 'Lee." One of them stated.

Cheerilee blushed, embracing the two ponies. "This is wonderful, it's like...like...having my students do a play based on all my favorite eighties videos." The group separated, then Cheerilee looked to the Diamond Dog. "Thank you Jasper. We're all set for tomorrow then."

Jasper walked over then kneeled before the earth pony. "Miss Cheerilee. I am...uncertain, about my continued employment after tonight."

Cheerilee walked over, and patted the Diamond Dog's shoulder. "Worried that Toola might not need you anymore?" Jasper nodded.

"I have been paid to be her friend, but you and Starsong have become her closest companions." Jasper held a clenched fist to his heart. "But the bits never mattered to me. I served first to work off a debt, then my reason became because the three of you were genuinely fun to be around."

"Jasper, look at me." Cheerilee commanded. His gaze met hers. "I could use somepo- somebody like you. A teacher's salary doesn't allow me to afford a valet of my own."

"Am I hired then?" Jasper wagged his tail hopefully.

"Yes." Cheerilee exclaimed.

The Diamond Dog smiled, then embraced the earth pony tightly. "Thank you, Miss Cheerilee."

Cheerilee oofed, surprised by the strength of the hug, but smiled and gave him one in return.

A trio of unicorns examined a seating chart. "I think we're were gonna be on the right side of the theater." The yellow unicorn mused. "As guests of 'Antonia.' I'm guessing that's Toola's real name."

"Here are our names." The white unicorn placed a hoof on the chart. "Section four, seventh row, right side."

"And Uban Ibai will be present as well?" The pink unicorn noticed the name next to hers. She looked to her companions. "What be the proper term when thou dost realize that thou should not have uttered a phrase?"

"Putting your hoof in your mouth, my lady." The yellow unicorn replied.

"Thank you, dear Lemon." An usher approached them.

"Where are you three seated?"

"Section four, row seven, right side of the bench."

"Ok, follow me please." The pony lead them to their seats. As they arrived, they noticed that Udan was already present, talking to some of the ponies in the row below. Once the usher had left, the caramel colored earth pony motioned for them to come over

"Lady La Sombra. So good to see you again. I saw your name on the seating list, and I wanted to apologize for not making a good impression last night." He exclaimed.

The pink unicorn seated herself next to him. "Nay, the fault was mine. I was at the casino prior to our meeting, imbibed too much of the house wine, and I put my hoof in my mouth when we met." She gave a knowing wink. The ponies in the row below chuckled.

"Sure, we'll blame the wine." Udan replied. He looked to the other two unicorns, who took their seats. "If I recall from the seating chart." He pointed to the yellow unicorn next to Lady La Sombra. "Lemon Meringue, which would make you." He pointed to the white unicorn. "Bouton Rose."

Lemon raised an eyebrow. "You do have a good memory for detail, Mr Ibai." she replied.

"It's a skill that's come in very handy in my travels." He replied. "And I like to consider it a point of pride. So imagine my surprise, when I see the three of you here." He tapped the stone bench.

"Is there a reason why we shouldn't we be here, Mr Ibai." Lemon asked. "The Patron did offer us a favor on account of his daughter's wedding, and we were guests of the hotel at the time."

The earth pony got up and walked over to Lemon, then whispered in her ear. ("I don't know who the white unicorn is, but you aren't as clever as you think you are, Lime Sherbert.") The yellow unicorn gasped in shocked. ("And I have a suspicion of who your Lady really is, but I won't mention it.") He returned to his seat, grinning smugly. "Lady Cynthia, why don't you and your maid come up to my room after the reception. Number 406."

Noticing Cheerilee's and Toola's mothers standing outside their respective tents, Starsong lead her band in performing a wedding song that combined the Roani and Zaldi musical styles. Each one escorted their daughter down the aisles, then up the stairs of the stage. From there, Cheerilee's mother and Aurelina faced the crowd, while their daughters walked to a rectangular wooden table. Resting on the green felted tabletop were a few objects.

Twilight spoke, her voice transmitted from a small crystal that was strapped to the front of her neck, to other crystals mounted on stands strategically placed throughout the theater. "Family, friends, esteemed guests and colleagues. We are gathered here today, to witness the union of Antonia LaRoulette, and Cheerilee, daughter of Daisy Dawn. If there is anypony who has sufficient cause to object to this union, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

After a few seconds of silence, Twilight walked over to the table, and lifted a mirror with an ornate iron frame. "Honesty." She began. "Forms the foundation of any relationship." She held the mirror to Toola first. "One must be honest with themselves as well as with others."As The unicorn took the mirror and gazed into it, Twilight recited the first question. "Antonia. Will you be honest with Cheerilee, speak truthfully with her, and refrain from lying to and deceiving her?"

"I will." Toola replied. Twilight then took the mirror and passed it to Cheerilee.

"Cheerilee, will you be honest with Antonia, speak truthfully with her, and refrain from lying to and deceiving her?"

"I will." Cheerilee stated, looking into the mirror.

Placing the mirror on the table, Twilight picked up a long strip of cloth then began the next part of her speech. "Just as Honesty forms the foundation, Loyalty forms the framework. If you cannot remain loyal to one another, this union will be unsteady." She tied the strip around each of their heads, forming a conjoined scarf. "Antonia. Do you pledge your loyalty to Cheerilee, to protect her, stay by her side and never stray?"

"I do."

"Cheerilee, Do you pledge your loyalty to Antonia, to protect her, stay by her side and never stray?"

"I do"

Twilight picked up a pair of scissors and cut the middle of the cloth strip. "Let these scarves serve as a reminder that you two are one." She set the scissors down then picked up a pair of silver pins, with a lace-constructed butterfly on the head of each. "Kindness will be the wall that wards off the rough world." She presented the pins. "Show each-other your kindness, by inserting these pins into the cloth over each others left ears.

Toola took one of the pins with a hoof, and carefully inserted the point into a small fold of cloth above Cheerilee's left ear. When she finished, Cheerilee took the other pin, and repeated the action on Toola.

Twilight lifted a two-handled cup filled with wine. "Laughter will be the roof that that shelters you from the storms of anger." She held it to Toola. "Antonia, drink deep of this wine, and let laughter fill your heart. Let it allow you to be merry with Cheerilee. Will you keep your humor in tough times, and laugh together on gloomy days?"

"I will." Toola stated before taking a drink.

Twilight presented the cup to Cheerilee. "Cheerilee, drink deep of this wine, and let laughter fill your heart. Let it allow you to be merry with Antonia. Will you keep your humor in tough times, and laugh together on gloomy days?"

"I will." Cheerilee replied, following with a mouthful of wine.

"Generosity." Twilight started, picking up a pair of gold chain necklaces, threaded with coins and gems. "Represents the garden that brings bounty to your relationship." She looked to Toola. "Antonia. Name your greatest treasure."

"Cheerilee." She replied. Twilight placed one of the necklaces around her neck, then turned to Cheerilee.

"Cheerilee. Name your greatest treasure."

"Toola Roola." Cheerilee said without hesitation. The other necklace was placed around her neck.

Twilight guided them from the table to the podium. "These elements of friendship form a strong housing for your union. Now you you must fill it." She took her place on the other side of the podium, then began reading from the book. "Here is where we take the Magic of your friendship, and transmute it into Love. Antonia, do you take Cheerilee to be your one and only, to love and cherish her in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, until your final day?"

"I do." Toola stated solemnly.

"Cheerilee, do you take Antonia to be your one and only, to love and cherish her in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, until your final day?"

"I do."

Twilight glanced up to the sky, then back to the two ponies. "Then in the sight of the Sun and the Moon, I pronounce you two to be married. And may your marriage strengthen the ties between your two communities."

The entire audience applauded.

Though Udan left for the mansion once the audience began dispersing, Cynthia, Lemon and Bouton decided to stay for the feast. The meal consisted of a potato, mushroom and pepper stuffed crepe, a small serving of spinach and tomato salad with a creamy basil dressing, and a kelp-wrapped rice roll. From the list of available drinks, all three opted for apple tea.

Toola and Cheerilee went from table to table, taking time to talk to each pony, and thank them for attending. Most of the guests offered congratulations, and raised their glasses to toast the new couple. A few of the guests, mainly relatives, got up and hugged the newlyweds.

When they got to Cynthia, Lemon and Bouton, the pair inquired about their plans for the next day. After listening, Toola suggested taking the salt tour in the morning to observe the first harvests of the day. Cynthia inquired about the current methods in contrast to the ones used a millennium prior, and Toola replied that the process became more streamlined in the past century.

After finishing their meal, Bouton excused herself to mingle, while Cynthia and Lemon headed for the mansion. When they ascended the ramp from the third to the fourth floor, they were greeted by a black-vested pony who inquired as to their reason for being on that floor.

"We were invited by Udan Ibai, The Patron's brother." Cynthia answered.

"Allow me to escort you." The pony stated. He lead them to room 406 and knocked on the door. When Udan answered, the pony said. "Mr Ibai. Did you invite these two mares up to your room?"

He opened the door wider. "Yes I did, thank you for bringing them here." The security pony bowed then returned to his patrol. "Come in you two." Cynthia and Lemon entered. Udan closed the door and locked it. "Alright. You can drop the disguise Princess. I know it's you."

The pink unicorn changed, her color changing to a dark shade of blue, her mane and tail becoming ethereal, and a pair of wings emerging from her back. At the same time, the yellow unicorn's color shifted to lime green. "How didst thou see through our disguise?"

Bad Apple grinned. "I had my suspicions last night, but when 'Lemon' spoke as though she knew me, all doubt was gone."

Brother-Hood

What brings two charming mares such as yourselves, to a place like this?"

"We could ask you the same question, Mr Apple." Lime replied. "If half of what I heard this morning is true, then I'm sure there's an interesting story about how you met the Patron."

Bad Apple chuckled. "Have a seat, my dears." He motioned to some nearby chairs arranged around a low-set table, which held 3 glasses of wine, a book, and some folders. Luna and Lime seated themselves. "So what have you heard?" He inquired, settling on a spare chair.

"We were told about the history of the chateau, the family, and a few of their more notable endeavors." Luna replied. "Our tour guide took us through some of the rooms on the first floor, and showed us some of the artifacts that the family has gathered."

The earth pony nodded. "So you had the historical and museum tours." He took a glass of wine. "Everything you were told is true." He took a sip. "A little embellished in places, but otherwise it's a good explanation."

Luna picked up her glass. "I do have questions, even after such a detailed narration."

Rubbing a hoof along his temple, Bad Apple sighed. "Luna, my love. I want to be open and honest with you. This place, this Chateau, is a place of many secrets."

"And you may reveal naught even to me?" Luna inquired.

"I can tell you little, without fear of reprisal." Bad Apple replied.

"I assure you, that you have nothing to fear from me." Luna proclaimed, placing a hoof on her chest.

"What about Gilbert, Aurelina, and Toola? What about all the ponies that live and work on this land? Are they offered the same promise?"

"Why would they need to fear reprisal?" Lime asked.

"Because they are much like me." Bad Apple replied.

"Breaking laws for the greater good." Luna mused. She peered into her wine glass. "But were I to take the LaRoulettes to task for such actions, innocent ponies would be without work, and without homes. And this be one of your 'safe havens'?" She shook her head. "Nay. I cannot be such a tyrant." She looked to Bad Apple. "I am here not as a Princess, but as Luna. Your need not fear penalty."

"I'm so glad to hear that." Bad Apple replied. "So what are your questions?"

"To what breadth does the reach of this family spread? They much resemble the family your mother desired."

"My mother could have had this, had she not burned so many bridges in her haste." Bad Apple chuckled. "And the real power isn't with the LaRoulettes. They're part of a larger organization, called Chevaux L'honneur."

"Ponies of Honor?" Luna raised an eyebrow. "They consider themselves honorable despite the deeds they perpetrate?"

Bad Apple nodded. "They've been doing this sort of thing for a few centuries. At first it was in opposition to the oppressive policies of the Percheron nobility, but after the revolution and Neighpolean's bungled attempt at an empire, the organization asked Celestia to step in."

"So my sister knows of them? And sits idle?"

"From what Gil's told me, there's a kind of no contact contract between the group and your sister. She ignores them, and in return they keep their business away from her. Pretty much for the same reason that you don't tell everypony about me."

"So as not to sully her reputation..." Luna sipped the wine. "Are you yourself a part of the organization?"

"No, I'm still working on my entry fee."

"Entry fee? You have to pay to play then?" Lime asked, snickering a bit.

"Yes. Chevaux L'honneur isn't something that anypony can join. You have to show that you're an asset to what they call 'The Business'. The first thing any prospective candidate has to do is find a problem, and solve it by using your own wits and resources. I'm what they call an associate. Meaning I'm allowed to participate in clan business, but I can't start any of my own."

"And how did you become involved in this business?" Luna inquired.

974
The caramel colored stallion surveyed the steamship's casino. The layout was typical of most floating and improvised casinos: Two roulette tables, a four-four-four mix of blackjack, poker, and craps tables, a circle of slot machines, and an unmarked green table tucked away in a corner, usually used to prepare the cards for dealing. The bar and chip counter were placed side by side, allowing customers to get chips and drinks in one convenient location.

After purchasing a stack of low-value chips and a glass of salted juice, he found an empty seat at one of the card tables. "So, is this the lucky table?" He asked, making small talk. "Cause if it wasn't before, it is now."

"You plan to make us all lucky?" one of the other players asked in response. The others laughed.

"Sure, deal me in next hand." He placed a few chips on the table.

"So who should we thank when we all become millionaires?" Another player asked.

"You can call me, Gabardine Dart."

The other pony was about to say something when a shout rang through the casino.

"PICK UP THAT CHIP!"

All eyes turned towards one of the roulette tables, where a green unicorn, with a red and black mane, wearing a red sequined vest and a blue wooden, silver banded staff with a triangular faceplate. He was confronting a white earth pony with a blue mane. The earth pony mumbled something. "It slipped and landed on the winning number? How convenient, pick it up!" The unicorn snapped.

Gabardine Dart excused himself, gathered his chips, and ventured closer to hear.

"Is there a problem here?" A gray, purple-maned pegasus asked as she came over to the Roulette table

"Yes boss." The unicorn replied. "This pony claims that the rocking of the boat, caused a chip slipped off of the stack he placed on space 22, and land on space 14."

"Did the slip occur before or after the ball settled?" The pegasus asked.

"After." The unicorn stated.

The pegasus looked to the earth pony. "Get yourself cashed out, and leave." The earth pony grumbled as he headed to the bar and chip counter, accompanied by a few other ponies.

An hour later, the green unicorn was replaced by a blue, green-maned pegasus. Gabardine Dart followed from a discrete distance. The earth pony that had been caught cheating, seemed like the type to hold a grudge. Gabardine found a large pipe to hide behind.

"Somepony's waiting, just for you. Spinning wheel, spinning true. Drop all your troubles, by the river side." The green unicorn sang to himself, dancing a bit as he made his way along the side deck.

"Don't mind if I do." The white pony replied, stepping out from around the corner. The unicorn turned to walk back, but more ponies emerged from a door behind him.

The unicorn looked from the group to the white earth pony, the two parties closing in on him. "Gentlestallions, surely we can handle this situation like rational ponies."

"Too late for that." The white earth pony replied, lunging for the unicorn. The unicorn oofed as he was shoved down on the deck. "Oh I'm sorry, the rocking of the boat caused you to fall. Boys, help me pick this chip up."

"Sure thing, boss." The others grabbed the unicorn's legs, then dragged him over to the side of the ship.

"Wait, what are you doing?! The unicorn squirmed, panicking as they leveraged him over the railing.

"Hoping you can swim." The white pony replied, as they shoved the unicorn overboard. The unicorn screamed all the way down to the water, landing with a splash. The group laughed and pointed as the unicorn flailed around in the river, being carried away by the fast current.

Gabardine Dart hurried to the back of the ship, and jumped over the railing. He splashed down, then quickly surfaced. The green unicorn was easy to locate thanks to his hysterical hollering. Gabardine Dart swam closer, then called out. "Stop thrashing, I'll get you!" The unicorn seemed to calm down a little, and Gabardine paddled close enough to grab him. He swam towards the closest bank, using one leg to drag the unicorn with him.

When they got to shore, Gabardine dragged the unicorn onto the muddy bank then released him. He lay there panting, while Gabardine went over to a rock outcropping, undressed, and tried wringing the water from his clothes. "Am I, dead?" The unicorn asked.

"I'm pretty sure you aren't." Gabardine replied. "You're talking, and that's usually a good sign."

"Then why do I see an angel coming this way?"

The earth pony turned around, and saw a pink unicorn, with an orange and yellow mane approaching. She wore a red blouse and a black skirt that covered her flank and rear legs. "Hello travelers. Did you fall overboard from the ship that passed by here?"

"More like pushed overboard." Gabardine replied. He held out a hoof. "Name's Gabardine Dart."

The unicorn mare shook hooves. "Aurelina, daughter of Mirela." She pointed to the green unicorn. "Who is your friend?"

The green unicorn got to a sitting position. "Concierge Gilbert, of the House of LaRoulette. You got any food? I left mine back on the boat."

The two stallions were invited to the Roani camp. Aurelina introduced them to her parents, who were familiar with one of Gilbert's once removed third cousins. A campfire was lit, and the pair were given some spare clothing to change into, so they could dry their wet clothes.

When night time came around, the Roani prepared a pot of scavenger stew, and passed out bottles of cheap peach wine. After a few toasts and boasts, Gilbert and Gabardine joined in for dinner, and shared some stories with their hosts.

After finishing his bowl, Gabardine excused himself, and started heading off. Gilbert dashed after him. "Wait, not going to stay for the night?"

Gabardine paused and turned. "I have things to do, and it's only an hour to the closest town."

"At least give me five minutes to repay you." Gilbert responded.

"Ok, five minutes." Gabardine stated. Gilbert trotted back to the camp, grabbed his wine bottle with his magic, and returned. He took a swig, then offered it to Gabardine. "What's this for?"

"You heard of the peach tree oath that Liu Bei and her sisters had? This is a peach wine oath, ."

Gabardine accepted the bottle, and took a deep swallow. As he hoofed it back, he asked. "So where's your home in case I'm ever nearby?"

"Between Manehattan and Canterlot, to the west of the railroad depot, you will find the Chateau De LaRoulette." Gilbert gestured as he spoke. "And since I met you in a river in the summer, I will address you as Udan Ibai."

976
"I now pronounce you wife and husband." A red-maned, olive earth pony stated. "And may your marriage strengthen the bond between your respective tribes."

"If Luck be a lady, then I imagine that she looks like you." Gilbert stated, before kissing Aurelina. The carnation-colored unicorn blushed and giggled.

"My husband, you are certainly a spicy pepper." Aurelina replied.

"And that's part of why you married me, my angel of the riverside." Gilbert stated with a grin. He turned to the approaching earth pony. " Udan. Thank you for attending."

The caramel stallion bowed. "I'm glad to have made it, Gilbert." He turned to Aurelina. "And congratulations to you, Mrs LaRoulette. How do you feel?"

Aurelina thought for a moment. "Proud and humble at the same time. It is odd. On one hoof, I now have land, wealth, a stable home, and a devoted stallion. It is everything a Roani can dream. On the other hoof, I am tied to the land, while my family still roams."

"Ah yes, the great dilemma of your tribe." Udan replied with a nod. "I can sympathize."

"They are welcome here always." Gilbert stated. "As are you, ."

Udan placed a hoof on Gilberts shoulder. "I appreciate that, but I must be off."

"Wait, at least stay one more day." Gilbert pleaded. "We have a special event planned for tomorrow, that I want you present for."

982
"Wait, Kako Udan, take me with you!" A small pink unicorn filly dashed after the stallion. He turned and waited as she came over.

"Whoa, easy there Toola." he chided, as the filly grappled onto one of his forelegs. "You're a little young to go adventuring with me."

"But I wanna gooooo." The filly whined. "It's boring here."

Udan used his other leg to stroke the unicorn's mane. "As exciting as I make my life sound, it's also dangerous. I don't know if I can protect you."

"I'm not scared of danger." Toola proclaimed, looking up to him. "Like the Gwehyddion o Freuddwydion? I'll bring iron."

"No, though I've dealt with them too." Udan leaned down. "I'm going after some bad ponies. Ponies who wouldn't hesitate to hurt you if they got their hooves on you. Ponies more interested in wealth than in the well being of others."

"Like Any Random's ponies?" Toola released her grip.

Udan blinked. "Wait, where did you hear that name?"

"My grandmother told stories about when Any came to visit her once."

Udan turned and headed back up to the mansion. "I need to have a talk with your grandmother."

"Mother Sagari..." The caramel stallion approached with head bowed and step light.

A chestnut colored unicorn with a gray and black mane, swirled a shotglass of plum wine. "Little Udan, have you changed your mind about leaving tonight?"

"The stallion nodded his head with a smile. "Indeed I have. I always enjoy my time here, even if it must necessarily be brief. But I had another matter to discuss. A very...pressing matter." Udan looked up to the mare, an expression of pleading desperation on his face. "Your grand-daughter mentioned a mare that came to you. A mare I know by reputation. A mare whose evil I have seen in action."

Sagari LaRoulette took a sip of wine, then asked. "Who do you wish to put a bounty on, and what evidence do you have against them?"

Udan shook his head. "No. No bounty. I want her. I want to be the one dragging her before somepony official. Since I took her books from Grain Gulch... I always wanted it to be me." He reached into his pack and took out a thick and imposing tome. Though it was battered and worn, the cover was still legible. 'Trotlas Shrugged: A Novel.' Below that, was the author's name. 'Any Random.'

"I took this from the home of Dry Gulch, who was bleeding the community dry. His home was stormed to destroy the equipment that interfered with healthy mana flow and affected plant growth. I have read others. And seen more of her minions. They follow her words like a hard-hearted religion. And she knows. I have heard tell that is why she stopped her appearances and fled Canterlot."

Sagari finished her wine, then slammed the shotglass, top down, on the table next to her. "Yes, I know her, she is tainted by windigoes!" The stallion flinched at the mare's hot tempered reaction. "She thought that we would support her pathetic attempts at mimicking our grand organization." Sagari motioned for Udan to follow her, while a red-vested pony quickly grabbed the wineglass and wiped the table.

They headed up to the fourth floor, then entered a private office. Sagari retrieved a folder from a filing cabinet. "We have been snooping on her and her little charisma cult for a while." She explained, placing the folder on the desk. "She walks a road of lead through a barren land of ice and snow."

Udan opened the folder, and sorted through the documents. "Addresses of known residences under her name, maps showing where her followers have claimed their territories, notes about what you know about them...this would refute her worldview outright. How recent are these?"

"Everything here dates from between 958, to last month. It gets updated about once a season as we get new information." Sagari stated. "And of course, we make sure to verify it all. Following rumors wastes everypony's time."

"Understandable." Udan nodded. "Still, this is very helpful. Even knowing where she used to live, I can begin somewhere. She might have left things behind."

Sagari gave him a look of concern. "If you plan on going after her, you'll be going alone. The Company is too spread out to take down all at once. And an outright battle between two rival organizations would bring down the wrath of Canterlot."

Udan turned to the mare. "When did you meet her?"

"She came here in 958, peddling her scribblings." Sagari picked up one of the documents. "I kept the newsletter she gave me." Udan took the document and read it over.

"By the Princess... her greed and arrogance goes far. So far..." He lowered the document. "I'm sure you have your reasons, but why didn't you join her?"

Sagari smirked. "Unicorns were only given the gift of fire, young Udan. To my knowledge, only one pony has all four elemental gifts."

"And long may she use them."

"Before I leave you to your studying, I want to give you a bit of advice." Sagari began. "The problem with being a chessmaster, is that the time you spend perfecting your skills for that one game, is time not spent on other games. So let's say somepony comes along, decides to change the game, and invites her to play cards."

"She wouldn't be able to prepare if she didn't know what card would be drawn next." Udan chuckled. "Yes, very sound advice, Mother Sagari."

The unicorn mare turned to leave. "What would you like for breakfast in the morning?" She called back.

"Apples." Udan replied.

"I'll have one of the waiters leave a basketful by the door." She said, before closing it.

Present Day
"And this be what has haunted your steps all these years?" Luna asked. Bad Apple nodded.

"I make it a point to stop here whenever I'm in the area. Keeping in touch with the family, and catching up on the latest news."

"I had no idea that all this was even going on." Lime added. "This is like a secret war."

Bad Apple grinned. "Yes, it's kept very secret. And for a good reason. Neither side wants to draw Canterlot's attention to themselves If not for that, things could escalate very quickly."

"'Tis very like a game of intrigue." Luna mused.

"It's a very tangled web of intrigue, retribution, conflicting idealogies, and gray morality." Bad rubbed the back of his neck. "In a way, Chevaux L'Honneur is the hero because they look out for other ponies."

"To speak of tangled webs." Luna began. "And it please you, Dame Lime, shall you return to thy quarter? Time is meet to make the beast of eight legs..."

"Yes my Lady." Lime bowed then left.

Luna settled upon the bed. Bad Apple undressed, then joined her.

Wings of Steel, Heart of Gold

It was shortly after midnight when a pink. blue-maned unicorn left room 406, having worn out the registered tenant. Cynthia LaSombra's thoughts drifted as she headed down the ramps of the Chateau.

"I heard this from a traveler, who knows a storyteller, who swears that it's true." Her sister had said after remembering something. She had been on the verge of tears as she spoke.

"Patron LaRoulette believes in helping out the community from time to time. Maybe you need a loan for something, maybe you need a favor that nopony else can do for you."

"...I fancy myself a problem solver. Another pony brings a problem to me, I'll solve it using the resources at my disposal."

"...Generous donations from ponies, zebras, or gryphons that the family has aided."

"...I’ve cheated, filched, tricked, cajoled, smuggled and manipulated all over these lands."

"...They are much like me."

"They've been doing this sort of thing for a few centuries."

" ...The mid 8th century."

"...In opposition to the Percheron nobility."

"...After Neighpolean, they asked her to step in."

"...A no contact contract."

She stopped, gasping in realization. She recalled from her history studies, how Celestia had not gotten involved in Percheron's politics until 809. When she finally took things into her own hooves, the old Percheron aristocracy had been overthrown in favor of a direct government, which in turn was dissolved by Neighpolean when she rose to power. After exiling the power-crazed mare, Princess Celestia had appointed a temporary representative to take charge until the ponies could get a proper Republic together.

Two key events preceded the Perch Revolution, which was labeled one of the most pivotal moments in Equestria's history. The first event, was a parasprite infestation in the 760s, which devastated the crops of Gascony and Bearn. This lead to food quotas, imports, and high taxes on luxuries which set the stage for the second. The formation of Anti-noble sentiment, aided by rogue cruise ships offering goods and services that the nobility outlawed. 'Fun Runners' they were called.

'Fun.' It all came back to that word. She had made it a point to research the idea after her first Nightmare Night, one of the celebrations held in her honor. The word itself arose early in the 700s, as a reference to trickery. "But Chevaux L'Honneur embraced the word, and gave it dignity in the eyes of ponykind." She spoke quietly to nopony. "They believe in the ideals of Jollity, even to the point of violating the other laws of Equestria."

After a brief detour to retrieve her bitbag, Cynthia stopped in at the casino. She bought a drink and snack combo from the bar, then paid the entry fee for the lounge. She moved a bench over to the railing so she could sit and watch the action below. From her position, she could see how ponies played, and knowing the rules of the games, she could tell who was playing wisely, and who wasn't.

Feeling a tap on her shoulder, she turned and saw a purple pegasus with a red and pink mane smiling to her. "Mind if I chill with ya?" She asked.

"Oh. I do not mind at all, Miss...Starsong is it?"

"Jus' call me Starsong." The pegasus replied, before bringing a bench over to sit next to her. "You don't feel like gambling tonight?"

"Nay, I prefer to have my companions around to keep me from making foolish wagers." Cynthia replied. "And I may devise strategems in observing how others play."

Starsong nodded. "You have one strategy that most ponies refuse to learn." She took a sip from her own wineglass. "Knowing when to step back and cool down."

"Indeed. It doth seem that these games encourage prodigality and profligacy."

"Not all ponies play for money." Starsong stated. "Some play to improve their skills, and some play just cause it's fun."

"Yes, Fun. It all returns to Fun, doth it not." Cynthia replied. "The shows, the games, even his own daughter's wedding." A smile played across her lips. "Make it fun."

"Well the Patron-"

Cynthia held up a hoof. "It be not solely he." She stated. "It is the whole organization, is't not?"

Starsong flinched. "What organization?"

"Chevaux L'honneur."

The pegasus gulped. "Shovel liners? You put them on your shovel to keep it from getting chipped when you dig in hard soil."

"Concern thyself not, Starsong. I am... an associate. Of Udan Ibai."

Chuckling nervously, the pegasus relaxed. "Ah, then you can be trusted." She glanced around, then leaned in closer. "I'm an amuseur."

"A member of lowest standing..." Cynthia mused, recalling the quick rundown Bad had given her. "And Cheerilee?"

"She'll be initiated this day. We wanted to get her in sooner, but she works as a teacher, and so couldn't make arrangements for her entry fee."

"And thus Antonia paid fee for her new bride?" Cynthia inquired. The pegasus nodded.

"Y'see, A member can handle the entry fee for any potential candidate if necessary. It's usually done for somepony that has a lot of promise, but for some reason, isn't able to provide their own entry fee. Other times it's done because of marriage."

"So it be possible to marry into the organization."

"Yes, and we take strict precautions to make sure that the marriage itself is genuine." Starsong took a bite of her cheese-stuffed pepper. "It's not good for business if one partner has to keep their membership a secret from the other."

"Such a secret would be ruinous for the marriage." Cynthia mused. "And calling ones spouse a mere associate be poor form in one's relationship."

"And in Toola's case, she's loved Cheerilee for a long time."

Cynthia looked over. "Curious. We would like to know how this came about."

Starsong shrugged. "Kind of hard to say. Did it start on Toola's first day of school, when Cheerilee stepped in to handle two 3rd grade bullies? Did it start in high-school, when she beat up the captain of the hoofball team for dumping Toola in front of the lunchtime crowd? Did it start when they went to college together for a few years?"

Cynthia nodded. "And what of thyself? Hast thou had such feelings for either of them?"

Starsong blushed and giggled. "Now why'd you have to ask me that?"

"Mere curiosity." Cynthia replied. "Thou needst not respond if thou desires not."

The pegasus smiled. "Nah, It's cool." She rubbed one of her fetlocks. "To be honest. I love them both, but it's better that they be with each-other, than either one with me."

"Thou wouldst needs be torn between thy spouse and mistress. Thy love for one would conflict thy loyalty to th'other."

"But this way, I can forge my love and loyalty together." Starsong stated.

"And thou art content to have thy love be unrequited?"

Starsong took a sip of wine before replying. "I actually prefer it this way. True I'm giving up the opportunity for a family of my own, but this is what I want to do with my life."

Cynthia mused. "I do not know if there be a word to describe thy choice. I would say a chivalric knight, but they adhere to creed from without, not feeling within."

"To thine own self, be true." Starsong recited. "I serve Cheerilee and Toola because I love them, and I wouldst do anything for them. I be their little samurai."

"Samurai?! Thou art unrestrained by law, but now thou sayest that thou art devoted to servitude in the name of love, even to the point of laying down thine own life for them?

Starsong nodded. "If it become necessary, aye. And that doth make me one of the most dangerous ponies alive."

Cynthia swirled her wineglass. "Thou wouldst have fit well with the Wonderbolts."

"That be Rainbow Dash's dream, not mine."

"Thou hast met Miss Dash then?" Cynthia inquired before taking a drink.

Starsong nodded. "T'was during a temporary service to Ponyville. They needed extra pegasi to make up a lack, until Rainbow Dash could take over."

Something that had been nagging at the unicorn demanded an answer. "How be it that thou speakest so fluently in the elder dialect? Most of the other nobility stumbles through as though distempered."

"Tis part of my special talent." Starsong replied. "The ability to communicate with others. Music be a language like any other, and that is where my talent manifests most strongly, but I comprehend other tongues as well."

"Thou wouldst have made a good diplomat as well."

The pegasus grinned widely. "Who do you think handles negotiation?"

Cynthia smirked. "And thou dost excel at it." She finished her pepper, then her wine. "But for now, let us go down together, and partake of some fun."

"You bring the moon, I will bring the shine, Princess."

Cynthia sputtered. "How now?" She glanced around, making sure nopony else was in earshot.

Starsong giggled. "Relax, your secret's safe with me. But like you say, the other nobility stumbles through the dialect, because they lack your familiarity with it."

"A change." Cynthia added. "We shall go outside, and I will share with you my version of moonshine."

"Shine on, you crazy diamond." Starsong replied with a smirk.

The pair reclined on a large cloud, several dozen meters above the ground. After removing her disguise, Luna conjured a pair of clay bowls then began moving her horn in a figure 8 pattern. The dark indigo aura around her horn left a faint trail in the air that slowly lengthened with each sway of her head.

Once Luna had managed to connect the end of the trail to her horn, Starsong noticed that the moonlight seemed to brighten inside the loops. The light gradually formed into a pair of pale white shimmering spots outlined by indigo. The spots then formed into globes that shone with the same light as the moon itself. Luna allowed these globes to melt, catching the liquid with the bowls. She passed one to Starsong. "Use caution, tis potent." She warned.

The pegasus lifted her bowl with both hooves. "Be there aught we may drink to?"

"Aye." Luna replied, a grin spreading across her muzzle. "We drink, to Fun."

"To Fun, wherever and however we may find it." Starsong replied. "Or it, us." They clinked their bowls together, then sipped the condensed moonlight. Starsong lowered her bowl, then coughed a bit.

"Are thou well?"

The pegasus nodded. "I'm fine." She said between coughs. "It's just got a cold burn."

Luna chuckled. "Did I forget to mention that? The error be mine."

The pegasus rubbed her chest a bit, as she recovered her breath. "A Samurai who can't handle her liquor should hang up her swords." She remarked, before taking another sip.

"Indeed." Luna replied. "Such hardiness be a boon in any kind of social setting."

Starsong took a harmonica from her vest pocket, then began playing a tune. As she listened, Luna could picture a samurai pony wandering through the streets of a frontier town. The style and rhythm were certainly Neighponese in origin, and the sound of the harmonica fit in with what she knew of the 9th century genre.

When she finished, Starsong looked over to Luna. "Did you like it?"

"Aye, Twas a beautiful haunting ballad. And this be how thou percieveth thyself?"

"Tis what I view as my ideal, but I am not there yet. There be something, that drives pegasi to be the heroes." She looked to the sky. "The gift of wind maybe. We left the ground behind and reached for the stars." She raised a hoof upwards. "Only to see them recede, as though they were afraid of us." She lowered her hoof.

"I too have felt this." Luna replied. "The desire to be known and renowned for my deeds. And thy conjecture falls on at least one account. Fluttershy."

"I am certain that she has her own goals and ambitions." Starsong replied. "Though they remain unknown to us."

Like Sands in an Hourglass

A slate gray pony with a green mane entered one of the private rooms on the fourth floor. She walked over to a bed, and lightly nudged the occupant. "Jasper, honey. It's time to wake up."

The Diamond Dog whuffed in dismay. "Sun not up yet, Centre. Too early even for Celestia." He complained.

Centre walked to the other side of the bed. "You know you have to get up. You have work to do." She head-butted him playfully. "Cheerilee and Toola depend on you."

Jasper sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah. Cheerilee and Toola. What would they do without me?" He tossed aside his sheet, then got out of bed. Centre went over to the window and opened the curtains, allowing the early morning light to enter the room. Jasper sorted through a chest of drawers as he put together an ensemble for himself, then dressed with a bit of assistance from Centre. She levitated his favorite hat over to him with an aura of gray magic. Jasper took the bowler hat, and twirled it before donning it. "How do I look?" He asked the unicorn.

"You look like a well-dressed dog." Centre replied with a giggle. Jasper reached over, and ruffled the front of her mane, lightly stroking around the small stubby horns in the center of her forehead, a rare deformity caused by the horn bud not forming properly. Centre leaned up into his caresses. Jasper smiled, then leaned down to give her a passionate kiss. The two embraced, savoring the kiss for a moment, then ended it. "See you in a few hours, my faithful hound." Centre said.

"I shall look forward to my time with you, little goat." He replied, using a once cruel nickname as a term of endearment. Centre giggled, waving him off.

"Oh Jasper, you're so ba-a-a-ad." She smirked, mimicking a bleat. The Diamond Dog blushed, and left, heading down to the kitchens. "Yeah, it looks like today is going to be a good day." Centre said as she straightened the bed covers.

~

Bad Apple sifts through several folders of documents, writing relevant details in a personal journal. Whenever he finishes a document, he tosses it into the fireplace where others are already burning. He saves a few relevant photos, slipping them into a weather worn folder.

Jasper walks into the kitchen of the Sagardoteki, and over to one of the prep-tables. The staff are putting together a two meal breakfast tray. The order-slip on the tray indicates what the meal is supposed to contain: Two bowls of steamed oats, two plates of fried potatoes, two cups of juice, two cups of coffee, and the appropriate condiments, napkins and utensils. As each item is added, it gets crossed off of the list. Jasper takes the finished tray, and carries it away. On his way into the mansion, he grabs a copy of the morning paper from the freshly delivered stack.

Bouton opens her door to find Cynthia and Lemon, along with an orange pegasus wearing a red vest. The white unicorn takes a few bits from her saddlebag and passes them to the vested pony. He puts the coins in his own saddlebag, then leads the trio down to lobby. On the way out, Bouton notices a stack of papers at the entrance of the mansion. The headline reads 'A party without Pants.' The story columns frame a picture of Jet Set and Upper Crust, who look shocked and embarrassed. Bouton grabs a copy and stares at it in surprise.

'Lutrokov's farm lights up Manesfield.' Reads the headline for the story at the bottom of the front page. The picture next to the story shows a farm, with a grainery silo that has been set ablaze. Cheerilee lowers the paper and looks quizzically to Toola, who is getting dressed with Jasper's help. Toola gives the earth pony a knowing grin. Once she's finished, Toola helps herself to some of the food, while Jasper puts together a set of clothes for Cheerilee. The Diamond Dog sets the clothes down, then brings a headscarf over and ties it around Cheerilee's forehead.

Bad Apple, under his guise as Udan Ibai, greets Gilbert and Aurelina as they walk along the hallway towards him. The three of them take a ramp-way down to the third floor, and enter a gym room. Inside, Starsong is sparring with Lanzenreiter. The pair go through an exchange of grapples, pins, punches, kicks, blocks, and other maneuvers. They pause upon seeing Gilbert, Aurelina and Udan enter. They bow to each-other, then grab their towels and head to separate shower rooms to clean up.

Cynthia and her group stare in wonder at a series of basins, arranged in a stair-like fashion. The tour-guide points out various features, like the rotating helical tube bringing up saltwater from the ocean and pouring it into the uppermost basin, the pegasi teams using their cloud-making abilities to evaporate the water, and the basins themselves, which dip forward when the weight gets too heavy, causing the water to cascade into the the basin below. The bottommost basin contains mostly wet salt, which is poured into wheeled carts, then taken into another room.

Crews of unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies are working in and around the outdoor theater. Some are taking down tents and banners, others are sweeping up flower petals and other debris. One crew arranges a stair-like platform, and covers it with a long narrow gold rug. Alongside the rug, they place lines of brass posts connected with red velvet ropes. They attach brass chains to form barriers across the rug.

Centre sorts through various documents in a basket on a desk. The forms consist of inventory reports, status updates, requests for items or pony workers, and other clerical work. A few other ponies are working in the office with her, focusing on certain tasks that she delegates to them. Some of the finished documents are filed away, while others are sent out via messengers.

Cheerilee, Toola, and Jasper exit the front door of the mansion, and find Gilbert, Aurelina, Udan, Lanzenreiter, Sagari and Starsong waiting. The two parties greet each-other, exchanging hugs and hoofshakes where appropriate. A stretch-carriage rolls up, pulled by a team of earth ponies.Sagari and Udan sit in the front cab, Toola, Cheerilee, Starsong and Jasper enter the middle cab, Gilbert, Aurelina and Lanzenreiter board the rear cab. The carriage rolls off along a cobblestone path.

Cynthia, Lemon and Bouton, wearing hard-hats with small lamps attached, are lead through a mineshaft. Earth ponies are harvesting chunks of salt from the walls, working in the light from firefly lanterns. The salt chunks are loaded into mine carts, which are then pushed along a set of tracks. The tour guide points out how several strains of salt are grown with other minerals, which enhance the flavors.

~

The elderly chestnut colored unicorn looked over to the caramel colored earth pony. "You seem a little distracted, Udan."

Udan blinked then looked to the unicorn mare. "Huh? Oh. I was just thinking, Mother Sagari."

"Working on your game, Udan?" Sagari asked with a chuckle.

Udan snickered a bit before replying. "Gotta keep my skills sharp." He leaned closer. "But that's not what's bothering me." He whispered.

Sagari lowered her voice as well. "Thinking about the one who stole your heart?" Udan nodded. "Not sure about introducing them to us? I understand." Sagari patted his shoulder. "The family business can be rough. I worry for my granddaughter's well being because of it."

"Antonia? No, she'll be fine. From what I've seen, she can handle herself fairly well. Plus she has Cheerilee, Starsong and Jasper. She'll be a great Matron. Like you were"

Sagari smiled, thinking back several decades. "Fun times, fun times." She turned to Udan. "But enough of my reminiscing. Your beloved, be they mare, griffon, zebra, dragon, dog or stallion. Can you show them your true self, and have them accept you for you?"

"I already have, and she does." Udan replied. "She is innocent, but not fragile."

Sagari grinned. "Better that than fragile and not innocent. And I know that you'll do right by her."

"Maybe someday, foals." Udan mused.

"And may I live long enough to spoil them rotten." Sagari added. Both ponies chuckled.

Cynthia, Lemon, and Bouton were seated on one side of a long table outside of an adobe shop. Spread on the table were platters of various fruits and vegetables, several bowls, some with water, and some empty, and seven clay jars filled with different varieties of salt. The trio would occasionally take one of the crudites, dip it in water then in in a bowl filled with salt, before eating.

Seated nearby, was their tour guide. "Have you ladies decided on what flavors to purchase?"

Cynthia looked to a jar that held silvered salt crystals, and read the label. "I desire a jar of 'Navarran Nights.'" She stated. The guide wrote the order in a small notebook.

Bouton mused. "While I normally don't eat spicy foods, The Bizkalan Blast does have a nice smoky taste."

"I think I'll pass." Lemon stated. "This was nice and all, but I'm not much a salt-sipper."

"That's perfectly alright." The tour guide responded. He looked to Cynthia and Bouton. "Your total comes out to 60 bits."

"I'll cover this." Lemon stated, opening her bitbag and counting out the bills. "Here you go." She passed the money to the tour guide. He thanked her, took the money into the shop, then returned a minute later with two jars. Cynthia and Bouton accepted their respective jars.

Cynthia retrieved her itinerary from her saddlebag, then read it over. "Our wine tour be scheduled for this evening. Then there is to be a special presentation tonight in the casino theater." She looked to Lemon and Bouton. "Be there aught beyond of which ye desireth to partake?"

"Finishing in the casino sounds like a great way to end this vacation." Lemon replied. Bouton nodded in agreement.

"I knew that your domain was big." Cheerilee began. "But I never realized just how much space it really took up." She looked out the window of the carriage as it meandered about the paths.

"It is our domain, my love." Toola replied, nuzzling the earth pony. "And I hope you love it as much as I do."

Cheerilee nodded. "Maybe I can move my garden to an empty plot of land."

"I would be happy to help you." Toola replied.

"Yeah, count me in." Starsong added. "We could totally make an event of it."

They looked to the Diamond Dog. "Would you help, Jasper?" Toola asked.

"I could lift and move stuff, but digging might be a problem." He held up one of his paws. "Hard soil hurts my claws."

"Would it help if I made the ground muddy?" Cheerilee asked.

"Mud is easy." Jasper replied with a smile. "A little mud never hurt anybody." All three ponies hugged him. Jasper managed to hug all of them at once. "When shall we start?"

"We should begin tomorrow." Cheerilee added. "Or is that not enough time to coordinate everything?"

"We should make it the day after." Jasper replied. "Tomorrow, we can work out the plan." They ended the hug then returned to their seats.

"See if you can get Applejack and Big Macintosh to help you." Udan called back from the front cab. "They enjoy that sort of work."

"Applejack for sure, but I don't know about Big Macintosh." Cheerilee mused. "There's still some awkwardness from the Love Poison incident."

"You like him as a friend, but you asked for my hoof." Toola replied. "You are Cheerilee LaRoulette, not Cheerilee Apple."

"Actually, she would have been Cherry Apple." Udan replied. He looked to Sagari. "Um, how would that have worked?"

"Since Cheerilee's parents are in the Business, The Apple Family would be considered associates." She replied. "And with Applejack being one of the Element wielders, that would have drawn more attention to our deeds."

"Ah, you'd have to clean up your act." Udan mused. "And that would make you less effective. It's better this way then." He looked into the middle cabin. "Cheerilee, do any other the other element wielders know?"

"We've kept it from Twilight and Rarity." She replied.

"Rainbow Dash isn't interested cause we have no connections with the Wonderbolts, and I don't think Fluttershy's the least bit curious about us." Starsong added.

"What about Pinkie Pie?" Udan asked.

"We told her that we bring smiles to ponies in distress." Toola stated. "That's something she can approve of."

"Good. You've got all your bases covered." Udan said with a grin.

"What about Princess Luna?" Starsong asked.

"I would think that you three and Celestia would have the sense to hide the Business from her. She doesn't need to know." Sagari stated. "She has enough to deal with as it is. She doesn't need to worry about ponies like us."

"Besides, were Toola to go up to her and perform the no-contact contract, that might prompt some curiosity." Udan added.

"You mean the Rite of the Friendly Stranger." Sagarai corrected. "And you don't need to do that unless she's been made aware of us already."

"Do not fret, Phuri Dai." Toola said. "I do not intend for her to find out."

Starsong and Udan suddenly became very interested in the scenery.

"Have the two of thee ever read of Arcadia?" Cynthia asked her companions as they trotted along a cobblestone path through a copse of trees.

"Of course. It's part of what's known as 'classical education." Lime replied.

"Most of the upper class derides it as a fantasy for the lower tiers." Bouton added. "But there is something rather appealing about the tamed wilderness."

"That be of what this reminds me." Cynthia said, motioning around to the trees. "While my sister hath had parks constructed within Canterlot, this feels more natural."

Lemon stopped and looked around. "Other than the lack of a defined border, I don't see much of a difference."

"Neither do I, but I think I know what she means." Bouton added. "The parks were built on a foundation of stone. The soil, plants, and other features had to be brought in from elsewhere. This right here, is original."

Cynthia leaned over to Bouton and grinned. "Art thou certain thou doth not have an earth pony ancestor lurking in thy family tree?"

Bouton rubbed her chin in thought. "The nobility keeps accurate records of such things going back for the past millennium. But there could have been something from before that. there's a noticeable lack of information prior to you and your sister coming to power. For obvious reasons though."

"Aye." Cynthia nodded. She made her way to one of the trees. "But let that pass. The past is the past." She found an open patch of dirt, and rubbed her hoof into the soil. "I can feel the care that goes into the land."

Bouton and Lemon both came over, and pressed their hooves into the soil. "I feel a little silly doing this." Lemon stated.

Bouton chuckled. "I can just imagine what the upper classes would think if they could see this. A famous model getting in touch with nature."

"Aye, I believe the term for this be 'Flowerfoal'. It wast explained to me last night. Any non earth pony who tries working with the soil."

"Does that include you and Celestia?" Bouton asked.

Cynthia thought for a moment. "Yes, I suppose that it does."

"I've heard of getting in touch with your roots." Lemon began. "But I never thought I'd be doing it literally."

All three laughed.

Noble Rogues

It was early afternoon when the carriage stopped near the edge of the amphitheater area. The earth pony team-which had been changed several times during the trip around the Chateau-unhooked themselves then headed back to the mansion to rest. Udan, Jasper and Lanzenreiter disembarked first, then helped their respective passengers get down.

The amphitheater seats were occupied by a crowd one third the size of the prior day's wedding. The audience, consisting of family and friends in the know, watched as the group formed a procession that snaked down the aisle-way, and onto the stage. From there, each of the ponies went to a designated spot: Sagari and Udan sat on a front row seat, Gilbert and Aurelina sat on a pair of padded thrones at the top of a short staircase covered by a long gold rug, Toola settled on a large cushion on the step below, with an empty cushion to either side. Starsong and Lanzenreiter stood at the base of the steps, and Jasper lead Cheerilee to other end of the rug.

Several ponies were already in position along the rug. Each pony standing next to a chain linking a pair of brass posts on opposite sides. One such chain spanned across the end of the rug. As Jasper and Cheerilee approached, the pony, who wore a green vest, held up a hoof. "State your full name and title." her voice amplified by a small crystal strapped to her neck.

"Cheerilee LaRoulette." The earth pony replied. "I am currently an associate of Chevaux L'Honneur."

"Do you have your entry fee ready?" The pony asked. Cheerilee looked to Jasper. The Diamond Dog handed a folder to the pony, who took it and skimmed through the contents quickly. "The fee has been paid." The pony said, closing the folder. She reached into the pocket of her vest, and pulled out a small copper key. "Keep this safe. You will know when you need it." She said, before hooving the key to Cheerilee.

Cheerilee accepted the key, placing it inside one of her own pockets. The other pony then unhooked one end of the chain, letting it fall and clank against the post that it was still attached to. "You may now enter onto the golden road." She invited. The earth pony smiled, and walked to the next pony.

"I'll give you 5,000 bits for what's in your pocket." The pony offered.

"No deal." Cheerilee replied.

"Ok then. before I let you pass, I should warn you." The pony began. "In this clan, opportunities could come at any time, day or night. Would your job as a teacher interfere with your commitments to the clan?"

"Business can wait until school is out." Cheerilee replied. "My students come first." The pony unhooked the chain, and let Cheerilee pass to the next pony.

"10,000 bits for what's in your pocket." He offered as Cheerilee approached.

Cheerilee quirked an eyebrow. "Really?" She said in a skeptical tone. "You'd give me that much money for pocket lint?"

"Never mind that." The pony stated. He came over and draped a hoof over Cheerilee's neck. "So, you're school teacher, eh?" Cheerilee nodded. "Would you consider swaying any of your students to join us?"

"Absolutely not!" Cheerilee snapped, pushing the pony away. She turned to leave. "In fact I have half a mind to leave right now."

"Now hold on there." The pony replied. Cheerilee looked back, and watched the pony unhook the chain. "We have no use for anypony that would lead the little ones astray."

"And how many more of these tests of character do you have planned?" Cheerilee asked. "Because I don't find this amusing at all."

"There is no more doubt about your integrity as a teacher." The pony replied, waving her through. The mulberry pony grumbled as she walked to the next pony.

"20,000 bits for-" Cheerilee held up a hoof.

"Keep your money." She stated. "Just ask your question."

The pony chuckled. "Alright then." He unhooked one of the velvet ropes that bordered the rug. "You can skip the rest of the gates, and go straight to your spouse. You won't have to deal with any of this pomp and circumstance, any more questions about your character. And you never have to participate in this ceremony again, for the rest of your life."

"What's the ca-" Cheerilee's question died as she realized the implication. "No further opportunities for advancement? No, I'll stay on the golden road, thank you very much." The pony chuckled, replaced the rope, then undid the chain. Cheerilee beamed as she walked to the next pony on the road.

The pony presented a small wooden jewelry box with a lock. Cheerilee took the key from her pocket, and unlocked the box. Opening it, she found a bronze badge and a black cloth wood binder inside. The pony took the badge out, and fastened it to Cheerilee's vest. "You are now an amuseur of Chevaux L'honneur, with all rights and responsibilities accorded to members of the Clan." She announced, before taking the wooden binder out and passing it to Cheerilee. "This binder is for keeping track of your debts and favors."

Cheerilee opened the binder. Fastened to each of the inside panels, was a notepad. The fold between the panels held a mouthpen. Her attention was drawn by a chain rattling then falling against a post. Cheerilee closed the binder, put it on her back, and walked forward.

Starsong stepped forward to greet her. "From here, you and I go up together." She stated. They both turned to Lanzenreiter.

"Please present your records." He said. Cheerilee and Starsong hooved over their respective binders. The earth pony looked through Cheerilee's first, finding both notepads to be blank. He passed the binder back to Cheerilee. "You have no longstanding debts."

Cheerilee smirked, taking her binder back. "It's not like I had time to get any."

Lanzenreiter ignored the comment, then looked through Starsong's binder. Several pages in each notepad were covered with notes and memos, detailing the time, date, and circumstances of various requests made by or to the pegasus. Most of these memos were crossed off as the debts or favors were filled. "You've been rather diligent with your records." He said to Starsong. "And you've filled your debts in a timely manner."

"Of course." Starsong replied. "I handle my business."

The blue earth pony closed the binder and hooved it back to Starsong. He then bowed, and motioned for them to ascend the staircase. They stepped up then settled on the empty cushions. Gilbert and Aurelina got down from their thrones. The green unicorn approached Cheerilee, while the carnation colored unicorn tended to Starsong.

"Cheerilee LaRoulette." Gilbert began. "You turned down three offers for the key you had, though you certainly could have used the money. Explain."

"The key was entrusted to me for safekeeping." Cheerilee replied.

"And so you have shown that you are trustworthy, and not easily bribed." Gilbert smiled. "What did you mean when you said 'Business can wait?'"

"I will not interrupt a school day for something that isn't an emergency."

"And so you have shown what your priorities are." Gilbert replied. "You were offered a shortcut, but you turned it down. Explain."

"There are two reasons for that, Father." Cheerilee began. "Number one, cheating and taking shortcuts usually causes problems later on in life."

Gilbert nodded. "A good lesson to learn, and one you know as an educator. And the second reason?"

"I would have stepped off the Golden Road."

"Savvy too. A very useful trait to have." Gilbert snickered. He looked to Aurelina and Starsong.

Aurelina nodded to her husband, then turned to the purple pegasus. "Starsong, you could have taken up the office of Concierge any time within the last five years. Why did you wait until today?"

"Because it would have hurt me not to have Cheerilee as an equal." Starsong replied. "She is a dear friend."

Gilbert reached over to a nearby rack, and picked up a croupier stick with a blue wooden handle, a silver faceplate on one end, and a silver cap on the other. "So it comes back to you, Cheerilee. As a final check, what titles and accolades have you earned?"

Cheerilee thought for a moment, then answered. "Teacher of the Year for 999, and 1000, and I am a Pony of Honor."

Aurelina picked up a second croupier stick, identical to the first, and turned to Starsong. "What titles and accolades have you earned, Starsong?"

"Best young flyer for 996, several commendations about my hospitality, and I am a Pony of Honor."

"And so you have both demonstrated humility and proper decorum, by not claiming 'Amuseur' as a title." Gilbert replied. "Which it is not. It's a job description." Both he and Aurelina hooved over the sticks to Cheerilee and Starsong. The two mares placed the sticks in holsters strapped to their backs, under their clothes. "These croupier sticks are a symbol of the title and authority that you receive today. They are also a reminder of the clan's origins as entertainers and merchants. You will be nobility only in the eyes of other Ponies of Honor."

Gilbert drew his croupier stick, a gold and redwood staff, while Aurelina produced her personally made deck of tarot cards. Both unicorns then used their respective implements to perform a knighting ceremony. "We now pronounce you Concierge Cheerilee LaRoulette, and Concierge Starsong Whistle." They said together. "With all the rights, privileges and responsibilities accorded to your title."

Gilbert turned to the audience. "At this time, all Associates and Amuseurs are excused. The rest of this ceremony is only open to Concierges and Patrons."

Most of the audience got up, and filed out, leaving numerous empty spaces. Udan turned to Sagari. "I suppose this is goodbye, then."

Sagari smiled. "Udan. As it was in the days of old, as it will be in the days beyond tomorrow. This world looks up to ponies who accomplish great things." She took his hooves in her own. "You do this, and maybe Dame Fortuna will allow you to rest."

Udan bowed. "You will undoubtedly know the result before the newspapers are delivered." He withdrew his hooves. "After tonight, may our paths cross again. Hopefully on this side, and not on the real Golden Road. For now though, I have to see somepony."

"Zorte On, Udan." Sagari replied.

"Thank you. Mother." He turned and left.

"While the harvest from the Lariat's plum orchard is set aside to make prunes." A light yellow unicorn pointed to a few rows of trees on one side of the cobblestone road. "We take the harvest from the Dupont's orchard, and use that crop to make plum wine." He explained to Cynthia, Lemon and Bouton, while motioning to trees on the other side of the road. "We take the prunes, along with the left-over walnut shells from the Loyola's nut packaging business, and soak them in home-brewed brandy."

"Then what do you do with that?" Lemon asked.

"After a few months, we drain out the resulting syrup, mix it with the herb wine, and add sweetened honey." He replied. "This process is done during the night, and under the stars. Hence the name 'Izarra.'"

"And this be how thou honors thy Princess of the Night." Cynthia mused.

"When the liquor was first made, it was considered a way to honor Princess Luna and invite her to join in on our revelries." The guide placed a hoof to his chest. "So she'd know that we appreciate her work."

"Awww, how sweet." Bouton commented. "Have you ever considered sending her an invitation?"

"Many of us want to dance with her like our ancestors did, even Patron Gilbert." He lowered his hoof and sighed. "But the line and waiting list to visit either Princess, is too long for our tastes. Time spent standing around could be put to better use in working or partying."

"So thou would choose to honor her from afar?" Cynthia asked.

"We give a toast to her every full moon." The unicorn replied, leading them further along the path. "And also during Nightmare Night and the Winter Moon Festival. Sometimes during birthdays, or just after a day of hard work." He laughed. "Sometimes, we don't even need a reason."

"There's always an excuse to party, eh?" Lemon inquired.

"We work hard, we celebrate hard, we drink hard, we sleep hard." The unicorn replied. "Maybe a little less hard around pretty mares." He grinned to the trio.

"But what be thy cue when acting not as a tour guide?" Cynthia inquired.

The unicorn looked to her. "I'm the regional manager for this part of the Chateau." He indicated the surrounding area. "It's most of the liquor production, along with related crops. As you've noticed, crops conform to a general square shape of uniform size. That's because the land is leased to the families, and they pay a seasonal fee to the patron."

"So it's like he's renting them out." Lemon mused. "Like the old feudal system."

"It's much more flexible than a fixed monthly rent." The unicorn added. "With one bad month, a family can still make it up in the other two."

"And I've noticed that even though you have more than one vineyard or orchard of a certain fruit type, the produce itself is designated for different uses." Lemon commented.

"Flooding the market with a crop isn't profitable. On the other hoof, if we have several ponies who are all good with the same crop, we'll just have to find different uses for them."

Cynthia nodded. "Thus ponies devote their creativity to new food and drink."

"I think that much of our food came about from such creativity." The tour guide stated. "Put stuff together, and see what tastes good."

"That sounds like Joker thinking." Lemon smirked. "Not that I've ever done Joke."

"There's plenty in the Everfree Forest." The tour guide replied. "We have no need to grow our own."

Cheerilee sprawled out on the large foam mattress and rubbed the sides of her head. Toola settled next to her. "Got a brain fog, eh?" She teased.

"I don't know if I can remember all of this." Cheerilee retorted. "Your father certainly likes to talk."

Toola leaned over and nuzzled. "He's your father too, and don't worry about remembering all of it." She drew her staff and twirled it. "Things will come to you as you need them. If you need to refresh your memory, there are old journals available that contain everything that was said today."

"Good, I'm not in the mood to think right now." Cheerilee rolled over.

"What are you in the mood for, my little wordsmith?"

Cheerilee looked to Toola. "Juice and cookies." She replied. "And maybe a massage."

Toola giggled. "What kind of juice and cookies?" She levitated a small notepad and pen with her magic.

"Tropical juice, and chocolate." The magenta mare replied. Toola wrote this down, then added a 'times two,' before tearing the page out. The unicorn opened the door to the bedroom, and passed the note to Jasper, who was waiting in the hall.

"Jasper, could you go down, and get these items for us?"

"Is this all?" He asked.

Toola took a couple of five-bit bills from her bitbag and gave them to Jasper. "And get whatever you want."

Jasper chuckled, taking the money and pocketing it. "Maybe you two would like some private time after eating?"

Toola grinned. "Oui. Once you bring us our snacks, take the rest of the day off."

"Thank you, Concierge." Jasper replied before leaving.

After the Diamond Dog left, Toola returned to Cheerilee. The unicorn set aside her staff, then gently rubbed a hoof along the earth pony's back. Cheerilee propped herself up, then leaned over to nuzzle Toola. "So what are we doing tomorrow, paint-drop?" She asked.

Toola grinned. "Tomorrow, we go to town."

"I'd like that." Cheerilee replied.

Lemon and Cynthia closed the door to their room. "Are you sure you bought enough?" The green unicorn asked the pink one.

"Aye." Cynthia replied, setting the crate down. She checked each of the ten bottles, making sure that there were no cracks. "I intend to share it with mine amore, and my sister, should she desire to partake."

"Good idea, I especially like their apple cider." A male voice called out from the bedroom.

"How now?" Cynthia said, coming to investigate. "You were lying in wait? How long?"

Lemon came up alongside her. "Polite gentlestallions don't lurk in a lady's chambers." She added.

Bad Apple stepped into view. "But polite rogues can." He replied. "And I haven't been here long."

Cynthia dropped her disguise, then looked down at him. "So what cause have you to lurk in my quarters?"

Bad reached into his pocket, and produced a trio of tickets. "I came to deliver these to you and your companions."

Luna took the tickets with a magical aura. "Be this all?"

"And this." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "As far as tonight's play goes, I gave them a few suggestions, and I think you'll like the results." He winked.

"Given the families affection for the eighth and ninth centuries, I worry that it may be Vaudevillian." Lime stated.

"Don't worry." Bad replied with a snicker. "We're not gonna have ponies wandering the crowd with donation buckets."

Luna tapped her chin in thought. "Dost the Patron solicit performers? I inquire for know I one t'would be appropriate to the mood."

"The Chateau has it's own in-house troupe. The Donostia Delinquents. But other performers are welcome to apply. There have been a few comedians and performers who have plied their trade here. I've heard about one, a Roani, who had a rather successful show here, but bombed in Ponyville."

"Were they related to the Matron?"

Bad shook his head. "No, Aurelina is from a Caballaran Tribe. Trixie's from Orleans."

"So kin, but not close kin." Luna mused. "And she was the one who precipitated the Ursa Minor attack."

"Actually, it was a couple of adoring fans who provoked the bear." Bad stated. "But Miss Sparkle was able to resolve the situation."

Luna nodded. "Aye, I recall this from one of her reports." She settled on the couch. '"Perhaps I should invite this 'Trixie' to perform at one of my parties, if only to see her particular display of showmareship."

"I'm not sure how you'd find her, your Majesty." Lime began. "She's a traveling performer, with no set address."

"If I ever see her, I'll let her know." Bad offered.

"But let that pass for now." Luna replied. "We shall see how delinquent art the Chateau's entertainers."

On with the show.

Even before setting hoof inside the Casino room, Cynthia, Lemon and Bouton could tell that there had been a change. All of the game tables had been stored away in one of the corners, and several rows of benches took up most of the floor space. As the trio entered, a pegasus at the chip counter motioned for them to come over. "I'll take your tickets over here." He stated.

Lemon came over with the tickets. The pegasus took then, tore off a portion from each one, then returned the tickets. "Looks like you're in the box." He pointed to an elevated platform section to one side of the stage.

"Thank you, good sir." Lemon replied. As they headed for their seats, they noticed a few vested staff-ponies walking the rows, offering snacks and drinks for sale. In the elevated box, a few rowdy ponies-including the Patron-were tossing small food items and heckling the performers, getting witty comebacks in response. "Oh dear, we'll be in the peanut gallery." Lemon commented as they walked up the ramp. "Certainly looks lively tonight."

"Hey, glad you three could make it." A caramel colored stallion greeted them. "Hope you brought your sense of humor."

Cynthia looked around and smiled. "Aye, better to be 'mongst nuts, than have ponies show me their oranges."

Udan and Lemon snickered, but Bouton gave Cynthia a puzzled look. "Hunh, I don't get it."

"Before your time." Lemon stated, patting the white unicorn's shoulder.

One of the vendor ponies came over to the trio, and indicated the trays strapped to her sides. "You want some snacks?"

"Oh, let me get this." Bouton offered. After reading the prices, she opened her bitbag, and purchased snacks for herself, her friends, and Udan.

The ponies onstage mimed most of their props, occasionally supplementing them with real objects. Despite the frequent interruptions from the other ponies in the box, the trio was able to figure out what the scene was: One of the ponies was hosting a party, and the other three were guests, who each had a distinctive personality quirk that they were acting out.

One by one, the host guessed the quirks and called them out. As each one was named, the pony representing that quirk headed offstage. Once the skit was finished, the host departed between the curtains, then Toola entered the stage from the right.

"Now that our warm-ups are finished, I have a few announcements to make." She began. "Gentlemares and Stallions. Please note the exits located to the rear of the room, and use 'em." She motioned towards the aforementioned areas. Several ponies chuckled. "Tonight's performance contains: mischief, madcaps, malcontents, mastication-" Several of the ponies in the peanut gallery erupted with laughter; the rest of the audience following shortly thereafter. The unicorn stifled a grin, looking towards the elevated box. "No, I said mastiCATion, which is the act of chewing your food, as opposed to letting fall out of your slacked jaws." The audience snickered. Toola continued. "The Donostia Delinquents issue no apologies for tonight's performance, if you are easily offended-" A peanut flew past her nose, and bounced along the stage. Toola looked to the box.

"Yes, I'm offended." one pony piped up.

"No, you're offenSIVE." She replied. "There's a difference. Nothing a little soap and water won't fix, monsieur." More chuckling from the audience.

"Show us thy delinquency!" Cynthia called out.

There was a chorus of 'oohs' from the rest of the box. Toola bowed. "I have a library book that was due ten years ago. The complete autobiography of Princess Celestia, Volume 1, which I'm halfway finished with." More laughter from the audience.

"C'mon, start the show already!" Gilbert called.

"I would love to, Father." Toola replied. "But we have a few problems backstage." She slowly paced the stage. "One of our actors is having a cupcake withdrawal, the backdrop is just a crude sketch and a clever pun, and somepony replaced our script with a peppercheese love story between The Mayor of Ponyville and Prince Blueblood." Another round of laughter, with Cynthia laughing the loudest. Toola held up a hoof for silence. "Because of this, we are accepting suggestions from the box. Who should we call in to fix this?"

"Leaneighdas!" A pony behind Cynthia called out.

"We're not bucking a pony offstage." Toola retorted.

"Arlene Ermane!" Gilbert shouted.

"That's Gunnery Seargent Arlene of the Equestrian Marines to you, you snail-slimed fruit-rind!" A voice shouted from behind the curtain. The box erupted with more boisterous laughter, followed by the rest of the audience.

Cynthia looked to Lime. "I've personally met the mare, and she be only that caustic when training the Scutaria." She whispered

"My lady." Lime whispered back. "Part of the humor is taking certain character traits, and exaggerating them."

"How about Rakemoineru?" Bouton called out.

Gilbert called a huddle with some of the other ponies in the box. After a few moments of whispering, he turned to Toola. "Do any of the Delinquents have the skills to catch him?" Gilbert asked.

"Rakkimanehoiru? I think we can put something together." Toola replied, cantering across the stage. "But where shall we look for him?"

"Neigh Joisey!"

"Damarescus!"

"Havaneigh!"

Lemon stood up. "Medina Al Nuhas!"

"The City of Brass?" Cynthia blinked. "Thou art still obsessing over his stature as a genie?"

"No no, it's veritable." Toola stated happily. "We'll bring sunscreen and plenty of water, but we'll need to bring a gift for the Sultanas. What will we offer her?"

"A fruitcake!"

"A squeezebox!"

"An aubergine!" Cynthia called out.

"A Wonderbolts poster!"

"The Eyes of Fortuna!" Gilbert offered.

"A set of socks!"

"Give her the gift of Rock and Roll!" Starsong yelled. Several ponies laughed at this. Toola held up a hoof for silence, as an orange pony pushed a wheeled cart onstage from the left wing. He set it in place, then began his sales pitching.

"Step right up folks, to Mad Marten's mini mall, where I got stuff you don't need, but can't live without." Toola took this opportunity to slip behind the curtain, while a couple of other ponies walked out from the right wing. "I got fruit plants, plaid pants, rats in hats and fat bats, tea cakes, wee rakes, and deeds to houses on the shores of beautiful potato lake." The other two ponies finally arrived at the makeshift stand. "Howdy folks, what can I do you for today."

"Yes, we're looking for a gift for my daughter's cutecineara?" One of the ponies stated.

"Just got her cutie mark? That's great, what's it look like?" Mad Marten replied.

"It's an aubergine." The pony replied. Mad Marten doodled something on a piece of paper.

"You have some lovely soap." The other customer picked up something from the stand. "And look, it's carved and colored to look like a little cottage."

"Lemme tell you about that." The vendor began. "That'll get you super clean and smelling nice. You get home after a hard day of working in the fields, and after you wash with that soap, it'll be like you had the full spa treatment."

"Wow, it's that good?"

The vendor pony leaned over the crate. "I'll tell you what, you buy a basket of soap and I'll throw in a towel set at half price: face cloth, hoof towel, and body towel. That way, you can get dry after your bath. Unless you like being sun-dried. Speaking of sun-dried, I got some sun-dried tomato chips. Very tasty."

"Well I do like a good snack." The first customer stated. "Maybe some punch to go with the chips."

Mad Marten pasted a label with a crudely drawn aubergine onto a glass bottle, then poured it into a pair of cups. "There you go. You can have some of my fine Aubergine wine, that'll be two bits each." They payed then took their drinks. A fourth pony walked onstage from the left wing, then strode over to the crate while the vendor was doing a transaction with the customers.

"Mr Mad Marten. I'm from the City council, and I don't recall seeing your application for a business permit."

The vendor pony quickly patted himself down. "Application, application...where did I put that-Ah, here we go." He handed something to the newcomer.

"Alright, let's look this over." The councilpony turned away. The vendor pony ran stage right, pushing the crate. "What the, HEY!"

"Aww, and we were gonna tell our friends about this place." One of the customers lamented.

The three ponies chased after the vendor as the curtain opened, revealing a recreation of Canterlot Castle's throne-room. Toola was seated upon one of the thrones wearing a replica of Luna's royal garb, and a pair of faux wings. Her mane, tail and coat had been dyed a dark blue. Another pony, wearing a maid outfit, entered from stage left. "The moon looks a little pale tonight. Are you feeling well, Your Majesty?"

"FAITHFUL MAID. DOTH THOU KNOWETH WHERE WE MAY ACQUIRE A SCHOLAR VERSED IN HISTORICAL MATTERS?" The blue 'alicorn' shouted.

"I do indeed." The maid replied with a bow. "They are neatly organized according to the regions and time periods that they specialize in."

"WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE PRECISE MOMENT IN TIME THAT OUR SISTER, PRINCESS CELESTIA, THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A BRILLIANT PLAN TO HAVE ALL THE NOBLES BE GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF BUFFOONERY!"

"Another bad batch of suitors, My Princess?" The maid approached. "Could it be that they're undercooked? You should turn up the heat next time."

'Luna' hopped down from the throne. "EVERY STALLION AND MARE TODAY HATH DESIRED ME TO BE THEIR REFLECTION! DO WE RESEMBLE A LOOKING GLASS?"

"If they see themselves as their own very special somepony, perhaps your Majesty could give them a blessing to procreate with the ones they love most."

'Luna' thought about that for a moment. "SUCH AN HONOR SHOULD BE RESERVED ONLY FOR THOSE WHO MOST INSPIRE LAUGHTER IN OTHERS!"

"Indeed." The maid replied. "Quality over quantity, My Princess."

"BAH! ZERO OVER INFINITY DOES NOTHING FOR MY MOOD!" 'Luna' turned to face the maid. "WE GROW TIRED OF THIS ROUTINE!" She trotted to the right side of the stage. "IF WE CANNOT FIND ENTERTAINMENT IN CANTERLOT, THEN WE SHALL SEARCH OUTSIDE OF THE CITY!"

The maid pony brought over a globe. "Where should we start?"

'Luna' spun the globe, then closed her eyes and stopped it with a hoof. "HERE!" She opened her eyes and looked. "WE SHALL ACQUIRE TRANSPORT TO THIS CITY!!"

The maid returned the globe to the table, then dusted it off. "At least eat something before you go. Transport food is bland and comes in such small portions."

'Luna' walked offstage, while the maid proceeded to dust off the thrones. A few seconds later, black smoke began billowing from the right side of the stage. 'Luna' ran back onstage. "WE NEED THE FLEXIBLE HYDRO-TRANSFERENCE TUBE TO QUELL AN INFERNO IN THE PYROELECTRIC CUBE! AGAIN!"

"Another microwave fire? I'll get the hose." The maid exited to the left, grabbed a fire-hose, and ran back. She tossed the nozzle to the princess. "Here it is."

'Luna' grabbed the nozzle, and pointed it at the source of the smoke. "AQUATIO!" Nothing happened. She tapped the side of the nozzle. "HOW DO WE TURN THIS CONTRAPTION ON?"

"Have you tried talking naughty to it?"

'Luna' gave the audience a deadpan look. The maid turned a wheel, causing water to rush though the hose. 'Luna' was unprepared for the force of the water, and went stumbling backwards, exiting stage right. there was the sound of shelves being knocked over, and a couple of cans rolled onstage. The maid turned the water off, then headed to help Luna back onstage. "Will we be eating-out again, your Majesty?"

"YES! LET US GO DOWN TO YE OLDE HOUSE OF FRIED TORUSES!" 'Luna' commanded.

"Donut Joe's? Good idea, I could used a good chocolate coated long-john."

"WE ESPECIALLY LIKE EATING DONUTS OFF THE SKEWER!"

"Is that what Donut Joe calls it?" The maid looked aside to the audience as the curtain closed and a refrain of 70s style pop music began playing. Two ponies walked onstage, one from each side. One pony wore a stock white pinstriped business suit and fedora. The other wore a gold satin leisure suit and trench-coat, with a broad brimmed gold velvet hat on his head, and a jewel encrusted bit symbol hanging from his neck.

"Glad you could make it, Mr Rakkimanehoiru." The business-suited pony greeted. "And thank you again for your generous investment in our designs."

The gold-suited pony reached into a pocket, and pulled out a piece of paper. "Marietta. In the letter you sent me, you said..." He read the paper. "...It's two in the morning, and the party's still jumping." He crumpled up the paper and tossed it aside. "I'm assuming the party is to celebrate the completion of the zeppelin fleet?"

Marietta smirked. "Absolutely. We were able to complete it ahead of schedule and under cost. We used the remaining funds to buy pizza and beer."

The stallion circled around the mare. "I'm sure it was a wonderful time. Were there any leftovers?"
Marietta retrieved a box from the nearby table. Rakkimanehoiru took the offered box and looked inside. "Mushroom and olive, not bad." He took a bite. "Delicious. I think we should serve this on the maiden voyages."

Marietta took a piece of paper from her pocket. "Good idea, we'll put a banner up too. It'll say..." She read the paper. "...living in a city the size of a box, and nopony knows your name."

Rakkimanehoiru nearly chocked on the pizza. He swallowed then spoke. "Perhaps we could plan routes that includes some of the small towns, and sell five bit tickets to the local ponies. They could tell all their friends and family about their ride on one of Equestria's fastest zeppelins."

"Great idea, we could even offer them souvenirs, like pencils, stationary, little models, and balloons." Marietta replied.

The gold-suited pony draped a front leg around Marietta's neck. "I can do that all day every day, no problem. Or, for the same amount of money, I can get a little pin-button for every stallion, mare and foal in Equestria." He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. "Now, the question you should ask yourself is..." He read the paper. "...Babylon back in business, can I get a witness, every filly, every colt?"

Mariette blinked. "Umm, oh, you're right. We should make the little foals happy." She slipped out from under the other pony's leg. "So we'll order the balloons and models. The pencils and notepads would remind them too much of school."

"That's a good decision." Rakkimanehoiru replied. "Make the foals happy, then the parents are happy. When the parents are happy, we're happy. Everypony's happy."

Mariette turned and motioned across the stage. "I can just see the headlines now." She drew a piece of paper and read it. "To the light where my spirit was born, bring this wanderer home." She tossed the paper behind her. "We're gonna extend service to many cities and towns in remote locations. From Canterlot all the way to those little mountain shacks that hermits live in. Think of it, Rakki. It'll be a nationwide service. Oh! We're gonna need about a dozen more zeppelins."

"I can do that all day every day, no problem." Rakkimanehoiru replied. "Or, for the same amount of money I can put another set of turbines on the six that we have now. That way, we cut travel time in half. Then you 'n me have like 30,000 bits left over. We can go all across Equestria, get cake and ice cream from every bakery there is. Get a twelve piece box of donuts, but don't eat all twelve. Only eat six, throw the other six overboard cause we don't give a buck cause we got money like that!"

"Would that include Donut Joe's?" Marietta asked. Rakkimanehoiru grinned widely.

"How about we franchise him. He can have exclusive rights to sell donuts on our zeppelins." He pulled a bundle of paper from one of his pockets. Marietta took the paper, then walked stage right. Rakkimanehoiru followed, as Mad Marten pushed his cart onstage from the opposite side. When he got to the center of the stage, another pony stepped out from between the curtains, and pointed a fencing foil at the merchant.

"Stand and deliver!" The black-clad pony challenged. Mad Marten stopped the cart.

"I stand for mass produced consumer goods, and I deliver at superlow prices!" He began pitching. "For example, you look like you could use a new set of clothes. I'm sure you go though them rather quickly while performing your banditry."

"Life's hard when you don't know when the next rich fop is coming down the road." The bandit replied. "I've had these rags for about ten years. Used to be a really nice tuxedo. Can you believe that?"

Mad Marten reached into his cart and pulled out a purple sequined suit jacket. "Now this little number here is gonna work for you. Your victims take one look at this, and they'll know that they're being robbed by a real dandy highway-pony." He tossed the suit jacket to the bandit. "But wait, I got more. You act now, and I'll add in this surplus Equestrian Soldier sword for only ten bits more." He held out the sword. "What do you say, friend?"

"A new sword would be nice. All I have is this." He held up the fencing foil and pointed at the bent tip. "Nopony takes you seriously when you've got a limp sword."

Marten grinned, reaching into the cart again. "You do need style and skill to be the best highway robber there is, and brother, you're committing highway robbery with me. For only ten bits more I'll give you..." He pulled out a yellow book. "A copy of The Unicorn's Guide to Style. Authographed by Fancypants himself."

The bandit set his bitpouch on the cart. "I'll take it all!" Mad Marten counted the bits, then passed over the sword, and book.

"Been a pleasure doing business to you." He said, wheeling his cart away. As soon as Mad Marten left the stage, the Bandit looked at the sword.

"Property of Shining Armor? Oh well, mine now." He cackled, ducking back behind the curtains as a backdrop canvas lowered from the ceiling. The canvas depicted an amalgamation of the various tiers of Canterlot. Luna and her maid entered from the left wings, each carrying a wooden skewer loaded with a partially eaten donut.

"FORTUNE DOTH INDEED SMILE UPON US!" Luna said to her maid. "THAT WE SHOULD BE IN THE PROPER PLACEMENT TO ACQUIRE A PRIZE TICKET!"

"Perhaps her majesty would like to press her luck at the gambling parlour?" The maid offered.

"NAY! WE SHOULD NOT ENTICE FORTUNA TO CRUSH US MERCILESSLY BENEATH HER IRON HOOF! WE HAVE KNOWN OF TOO MANY THAT HAVE RECEIVED SUCH A FATE!"

"Right, so we'll stick with our ticket." The maid produced a piece of gold-colored paper. "A free ride on a turbo zeppelin, to Saffronsiscolt."

"AND OUR DESTINATION PROMISES BE ENTERTAINING FOR BOTH OURSELVES AND OUR FELLOW PASSENGERS!" Luna skipped over to center stage. "SAFFRONSISCOLT! IT'S LIKE IF VIENNEIGH, PARIS, AND NEIGH ORLEANS HAD A DRUNKEN ORGY, THEN WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING TO FIND THAT MEDINA AL NUHAS AND LAS PEGASUS SOMEHOW SNUCK IN!"

"Your Majesty, please do not speak of that city and orgies together. It has a certain reputation for such." The maid said with a wince.

"BAH! THERE BE NOTHING WRONG WITH LOVE BETWEEN TWO STALLIONS!" Luna waved off her maid's concerns. "WE SHOULD ENDEAVOR TO BE ACCEPTING!"

"I have no problem with two stallions sharing their love in private. But two dozen sharing it in the street?"

"THEY ARE SO FULL OF LOVE THEY CAN"T HELP SPREADING IT TO OTHERS!" Luna replied. "IF THOU ART WORRIED ABOUT GETTING SOME ON THEE, BRING CLOTHES THAT ARE EASILY CLEANED OF SUCH ISSUES!"

The maid backed up a few steps. "I only balk because I worry for my Princesses' reputation."

"WE WOULD RATHER BE KNOW FOR OUR EMBRACE OF EVEN THE MOST DOWNTRODDEN THAN TO BE REMEMBERED FOR OUR TANTRUM!"

"The residents might be more open to your embrace if you were a Prince." The maid retorted. Luna rolled her eyes.

"WE DO NOT NEED A STAFF TO CUDDLE, OUR HEART WILL SUFFICE!" Luna took a fierce bite from a donut, chewed and swallowed.

"Your Highness, I just don't know if you've thought this through." The maid approached Luna. "I respect your impulsiveness, but you have made some poor choices before."

"WE SEIZE LIFE BY THE HORNS AND HOLD ON TIGHT! DOST THOU NOT DESIRE MORE THAN TO BE MY NANNY?"

The maid tossed her skewer aside. "I have a mug. It's silver plated. It's got words engraved on it. The words read 'World's Best Maid.' And every morning, when I have my coffee, I read those words, and I smile. I smile because I work for the Moon Princess. I serve her food, I clean her clothes, I make her bed. I guard her while she sleeps." The maid got nose to nose with Luna. "This is what I have to remind myself of when you're going from restaurant to arcade to tavern, then to the porcelain altar."

Luna turned away. "IF THOU CANST HANDLE THE COMBUSTION, BEST TO REMOVE THYSELF FROM THE SCULLERY!"

"And leave you to get burned? You may be aggravating, but I still have my dignity." The maid stepped over to Luna's side. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

"THOU ART LIKE AN ITCH IN AN INCONVENIENT PLACE!"

"Like a pebble that gets caught behind the hoof?"

"LIKE A WART!"

The maid rolled her eyes. "And which wart would I be, my Princess?"

Luna thought for a moment. "WE HAVE NAMED SO MANY OF THEM AFTER PETTY ANNOYANCES, THAT WE LOST TRACK OF WHICH ONE REPRESENTS THEE!"

"I think mine was next to the one named after your sister."

"AND THAT NARROWS IT DOWN TO HALF A DOZEN POSSIBLE CANDIDATES!"

"Only six? I must be losing my touch." The maid strutted stage right. "Maybe I should step up my game."

"THOU CANST STEP UP THY GAME ONCE WE ARRIVE AT SAFFRONSISCOLT!" Luna trotted past the maid, and headed offstage. "WE SHALL NOT BE ABANDONED HERE ONCE THE ZEPPELIN TAKES FLIGHT!"

"But My Princess, the zeppelin won't be leaving for another three hours." Luna didn't reply as she exited the stage. "Princess? Luna!" The maid shrugged and sighed. "It's ok, just think of the lucky mug." She said to herself as she walked offstage. The curtains opened again, revealing a zeppelin at a docking bay. There was a line of ponies in front of a gate, conversing with each other, under a banner.

Rakkimanehoiru strode onstage from the wings. "Ponies, ponies, settle down and chill out." The group quieted down. "Thank you. Now. We gots six, count 'em, six. zeppelins. Each of them's going in a different di-rection. So, to make sure y'alls at the right station, I'm gonna ask ya some questions."

"Excuse me, Sir." one of the ponies in line piped up. "Wouldn't it be easier to just check our tickets?"

"I could do that all day every day, no problem." Rakkimanehoiru replied. "Or, in the same amount of time, I could put a smile on your face. Well not yours, Joe." He said to another pony in line. "I don't swing like that."

"S'alright." 'Joe' replied. "I'll just go home and play with my cock then."

Rakkimanehoiru point in a direction. "I saw Gustave at docking bay three. At the zeppelin going to Medina Al Nuhas."

"Thanks I'll go get him." 'Joe' trotted offstage.

"Now then." Rakkimanehoiru reached into his pocket and pulled out a scrap of paper. "The first thing I should tell you is..." He read the paper. "...The pilot is a menace to everything in the air." He tossed the paper aside. "So I expect there to be a lot of turbulence. Anypony who has motion sickness, I will gladly refund your tickets. The rest of you, Celestia-speed."

"Have no fear, folks, I got just the thing." Mad Marten said as he pushed his cart onstage from the right. "It just so happens that a box of lunch sacks fell off of a carriage." He held up a small brown paper bag. "And I'm offering these airsickness bags at five for a bit."

"That sounds like a good deal, I'll take ten." One pony tossed a couple of bits to Mad Marten.

"I'll take some too." Another pony offered his money.

A pony wearing a pilot's outfit, complete with flight goggles stumbled onstage. "Uh, my late?" She slurred, before taking a guzzle from a brown glass bottle. Every pony in line looked at her for a moment, then started buying multiple bundles from Mad Marten.

"Now don't worry folks." Rakkimanehoiru sidled over to the line, as the pilot stumbled onto the zeppelin. "Even though she's had a full sixpack, the zeppelin itself is still sound. Celestia herself couldn't down this ship."

"WE WOULD HOPE NOT!" A voice called from offstage. "WE WOULD HAVE TO SHARE WITH HER, THE MOST ANNOYING SOUND IN THE WORLD AGAIN, IF SHE DID THAT!" Princess Luna walked onstage, accompanied by her maid.

"So glad you could join us, Princess." The gold-suited pony replied. "I was just going over the pre-boarding procedure."

"THERE BE NO NEED FOR AN HOUR LONG LECTURE DETAILING EVERY REMOTE POSSIBILITY!" Luna stated, presenting her ticket. "STRAP ON A PARACHUTE, AND ENJOY THE FLIGHT! SHOULD MAREPHY'S LAW REAR ITS HIDEOUS COUNTENANCE, SIMPLY JUMP OVERBOARD, COUNT TO THREE, AND TUG THE RELEASE STRING!"

Rakkimanehoiru nodded. "That's the short version, thank you Princess." He opened the gate, and took the tickets from the passengers. "Welcome aboard, this zeppelin is flying non-stop to Saffronsiscolt, and I mean non-stop."

"You're going to Saffronsiscolt?" Mad Marten asked. "I just happen to have some all purpose stain remover." He held up a package of wet towels. "Fell off the back of the carriage. Two packs for a bit." A few passengers came over and bought the towels, then boarded again. "Thanks, pleasure doing business to you."

"ARE WE DEPARTING OR ARE WE NOT?" Luna asked.

Rakkimanehoiru boarded as Mad Marten exited the stage. "Engage, Stormcloud."

"Right, Cap'n!" The drunk pony replied from the cockpit as the turbines whirred to life. "We brake for nopony!" She shouted as the zeppelin glided across the stage.

"WE CANST SEE OUR ABODE FROM HERE!" Luna pointed at something offstage.

"That's the castle, My Princess." The maid replied.

"OH!"

"I could just look at that all day, every day, no problem." Rakkimanehoiru added. The curtain closed. A roar of clapping hooves, whistles and cries of 'Encore!' reverberated through the room. The actors lined up in front of the curtain, with one pony announcing each of them and the role they played.

Toola had just finished cleaning the dye off, when she heard a knock on the dressing room door. "Enter!" She called out. In the mirror, she saw the door open, and a caramel colored earth pony entered. "Kako Udan." She turned and greeted the stallion.

"I just wanted to congratulate you on your performance, Toola." He replied. "The audience loved it."

The unicorn nodded. "You were right about having the maid, Kako. Luna works better when she has a straight-pony to play off of." She put on the belt that carried her casino staff.

"How's your throat?" Udan asked, trotting over to the unicorn. "All that shouting can't be good."

"It's a little sore. I should learn that voice amplification spell for future performances." Toola replied, rubbing her throat with a hoof. "Maybe Twilight can teach me."

Udan placed a hoof on her shoulder. "Good idea. And maybe you can learn a chromatic change spell, so you don't need all this dye to play the part."

After a moment of thought, Toola nodded. "Wise words, my uncle. I will learn these spells."

Udan nickered, shaking his head. "Wise words. You've always told me that, even if I didn't always believe it. As long as we've known each-other, you looked up to me as a wise pony."

Toola nuzzled the earth pony. "When I was a filly frightened of the dark, you showed me the beauty of the night sky. You shared with me stories about the life and times of The Moon Princess."

"But you saw who she was, and you acted it out." Udan lowered his hoof. "The ponies liked your performance because you showed them that the Princess is a pony like them."

Looking to the paintbrush mark on her flank, Toola smiled. "I showed them the beauty that I saw. Starsong and Cheerilee helped with the music and the story, but that one scene, that was all me."

"All three of you earned your cutie marks that day. I remember the letter that your father sent me about it." He picked up the Roani scarf and tied it around her head. "I do have a favor to ask of you, though."

"What is it, Kako?"

"Let me know how her trip to Saffronsiscolt turns out."

"I shall keep you informed of her escapades." Toola promised.

Twinkle-eyed ponies & Author's notes

Luna tossed the used towels into a basket in a corner of the bathroom, then got dressed. "Have aught we forgotten, faithful maid?" She called into the main room of the suite.

"Everything's packed and accounted for, Your Majesty." Lime replied. "I double-checked all the drawers, under the beds, and on the tables. The front desk's been called. They're sending up a pony with a luggage cart, and there'll be a carriage waiting to take us back to the station."

"Well met." Luna replied stepping out into the bedroom. "What about recompense for the lodgings?"

"They're writing out the bill." Lime replied. "All three of us are on the same tab."

"Splendid." Luna replied, weaving the enchantment for her disguise. "As an aside of curiosity, have we plans for tonight once we return to the castle?"

Lime thought for a moment. "I was supposed to have your receiving room restocked yesterday for our meeting tonight, but after three days in our company, I imagine that you're tired of our presence."

The pink unicorn opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off by a knock at the door. "Bellhop!" A pony called from the other side of the door.

The green unicorn answered the door. "Good timing." She stated. "Everything's in order here." Lemon motioned to the two suitcases, crate, and jar next to the entrance. The red-vested pony picked up each item, and placed them on a wheeled rectangular wooden platform that had a tall brass arch connected to the shorter sides.

After loading their luggage, the pony pushed the cart to the room next door, and knocked. "Bellhop!" He called.

A white, pink-maned unicorn opened the door. "I was just about to call for somepony." She stated. "My suitcase and packages are right over here." She indicated the couch. The bellhop retrieved Bouton's luggage, then the unicorns followed him back to the first floor lobby.

Lemon took care of the bill while the bellhop transferred the luggage to the back of a waiting carriage, that had a team of earth ponies harnessed to it. Cynthia gave him three, five bit bills which he pocketed as he wheeled the cart back inside.

Lemon trotted out. "Is everypony ready?" She asked as they boarded the cart.

"I would have liked to say farewell to our hosts." Cynthia griped as she settled in her seat..

One of the pullers pointed to the south, towards a plume of rising smoke. "Train's on its way already, ma'am." He stated.

"We had best hurry then." Cynthia stated. The pullers trotted lightly along the cobblestone path, keeping a good pace while minimizing the jostling.

One carriage ride, train ride and cab ride later, the three were gathered inside of Fleur's apartment. "We should do this again, sometime." The white unicorn exclaimed. "Though next time, we can plan for it, so we can make our own itinerary."

"That's probably a good idea." Lime replied. "We had to cut a few things from the list, because of the celebrations that we came in on." She said as she helped Fleur with putting things away. "Still, it was a bit of a guilty pleasure to not have to clean up the rooms."

"Aye. T'was a very merry occasion from what we saw and heard." A pink unicorn chimed in. "To see love blossom forth in such a union. I look forward to thine own ceremony, Dear Fleur."

Fleur said nothing as she walked over to a desk in the corner of the living room. She opened the bottom right drawer, and took out a small silver box embossed with her name and family crest. Opening the box, the white unicorn checked the quill and ink-jar. "I'll have to replace these soon, but they're still good for today." She said, more to herself than to her friends. She levitated a stack of blank paper from the drawer. "I know we were scheduled for a meeting tonight, Your Highness, but I want to practice my calligraphy now that I have something to work with."

"Ah yes, your new family motto." Cynthia recalled. "We shall leave thee to sharpen thy skills, but do not hesitate to visit us should thou become lonely." Fleur set the calligraphy kit aside, then came over to the other two.

"Perhaps next week, I can show you my skill." She said, giving Cynthia an embrace.

"T'would be a pleasure to see thine hornscript." Cynthia stated, returning the hug. They separated a moment later, then Fleur walked over to hug Lime.

"Just remember, if it doesn't work out with Fancypants, there's plenty of Merae in the sea."

Fleur giggled. "Thanks I''ll keep that in mind." They ended the hug. "I guess you gotta get the shoop out of here then."

Lime chuckled, wagging a hoof. "You keep that up, and we just might have to make a 'Dame Sauce' title to compete over."

"An excellent suggestion my maid." Cynthia exclaimed. "Our next convocation shall see the addition of titles and accolades that we may earn."

"It sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you." Fleur stated.

"One week or whenever you feel lonely then." Lime replied, as she and Cynthia headed out the door.

Once they had left, Fleur opened the ink jar, dipped the quill, and began writing on a sheet of paper.

"Honey, I'm home!" Lime announced, entering her house.

A sound of dice clattering in the dining room caught her attention, then Dark Skies replied. "Hey Lime, We were just winding down a game."

Lime set her suitcase on the couch and the crate of bottles on the coffee table, then entered the dining room. Seated around the table were Dark Skies, her uncles Rosy Cranberry and Golden Stare, as well as Soarin, Fleetfoot and a ruby red earth pony with a white mane. Except for Cranberry who had the G.M. screen, every pony had a character sheet, and a standard set of polyhedral dice. Cranberry had a tray on his right that held a few dozen dice of various shapes and colors. Strewn about the table were various players guides and supplements, as well as a pizza box holding five cold slices. "Who's the new gal?" Lime asked.

"Hi, Officer Firestone of the CPD." She introduced herself. "Fleet and I met at the gaming store yesterday, and she invited me to this gaming group for a session of Catacombs and Creatures."

"Did you have fun?" Lime asked, moving to her husband's side.

Dark craned his head up to give Lime a quick kiss. "Been up all night. Good thing none of us has to work today."

"Tell her about the escape from the Grundle king's castle." Fleetfoot added.

"That wouldn't have happened if Soarin had made his diplomacy check." Golden Stare gripped

Lime pulled up a seat. "I've got to hear about this." She stated, reaching for a slice of pizza with pineapple.

Luna set her suitcase, bag and jar on a table in the castle's front hallway. She then turned and addressed the group of ponies who had been assembled when she had sent for them. "This jar goeth to the castle pantry. This bag contains five glass bottles that go to the wine cellar, and the suitcase doth go to my chambers." Three ponies each took one of the mentioned items, then carried them to their assigned places. "The remainder art dismissed." The assembly dispersed, except for one of the castle maids. "Maid Fireclay. Why dost thou hesitate in thy duties?"

"Pardon me your Majesty." She replied meekly. "But will Maid Lime be working today?"

"Nay. She hath been given the day of liberty for her part in accompanying me." Luna replied. "What thou canst do, is to replenish the stocks of tea and sweetmeats in my receiving room."

"Yes, your Majesty." Fireclay replied with a bow before heading to the castle storerooms. Luna made her way to the dining room.

Celestia lowered the newspaper she was reading. "How was your trip, little sister?" She greeted Luna.

"T'was rather puzzling." Luna replied. "We did experience the things that we wanted."

"I sense a but in there." Celestia replied.

"Oh Celly, what they shared with me..." She lowered her gaze.

Celestia walked over and draped a wing over Luna's back. "What exactly did they share? They had gambling, wine, salt, all the things you asked for."

Luna looked up to her sister. "They see me not as a fierce tyrant, as most ponies when first I returned. They see me not as a demure flower, as the nobility do. They look upon me, and see a pony who was forced into the role of a leader." She hugged Celestia tightly. "And they showed me who I really was."

Celestia patted Luna's back. "You are my little sister, and I love you very much." She exclaimed. "This has never changed."

"Even if I be a crazy diamond?" She smirked

"Who called you that? You're not crazy."

"Caught in the crossroads of foalhood and exaltation?"

Celestia winced. "That's not fair Luna! There just wasn't enough time, you know that! That monster-" Luna raised her hoof to Celestia's lips.

"I blame thee not for thy actions, Sister. Discord be the cause that made me mature too soon."

The servant returned to find Luna comforting a sobbing Sun Princess. "Y-your Majesties?" The Moon Princess motioned for her to leave. The pony quickly placed the tray on the table, then hurried out of the room.

***

The bell over the shop door rang as a vanilla colored unicorn entered. She quickly located a white unicorn in one of the aisles, then addressed her. "Fleur De Lis, I demand an explanation!"

Fleur set down the vial of ink that she had been examining. "Oh, Greetings, U.C.. I didn't hear you come in."

"My name is Upper Crust." Came the reply through gritted teeth.

"Well, Upper Crust." Fleur began, picking out another bottle of ink. "Tell me, do you think this ink looks better for invitations, or for private correspondence?"

"Where is he?"

"Hmmm?"

"Fancypants. The two of you ditched Jet Set's party, and embarrassed him in the eyes of the press."

"He doesn't need my help for that." Fleur retorted. "I don't know where Fancypants is, but I've been out of the city for the last few days."

"Ran off to Manehattan, did you?" Upper Crust replied. "Or maybe you decided to visit those brutes in Ponyville." She snorted. "Maybe you should get your horn removed and go full earth pony."

Fleur held up a hoof. "First off. The term is Flowerfoal. Second, one of those brutes, as you so eloquently put it, is Princess Celestia's personal protege. So unless you want to have a discussion with her Highness about the soundness of her decisions, You'd best refrain from saying anything about Miss Sparkle."

"Or else what?" Upper Crust challenged.

Fleur grinned widely and remained silent. Upper Crust humphed then left. The white unicorn picked up the vial of ink that she had before, and added it to the shopping basket with the others.

"Miss Cheerilee, what should I do with these?" A white unicorn filly, with a pink and purple mane asked, holding up a cluster of small carrots.

"Put them in one of the pots and cover them with soil, Sweetie Bell. And be sure to leave the stalks uncovered." The magenta mare replied. As Sweetie Bell went to fulfill the task, Cheerilee stopped her own digging, and surveyed the yard. Starsong, Blossomforth and Raindrops were making and dispensing clouds to provide some shade. Jasper was placing potted plants onto a waiting carriage, Scootaloo was bouncing on a shovel handle, either trying to fly, or to dig up a particularly stubborn tree root, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were having a competition to see who could dig up and replant the fastest while Applebloom was running a tea and juice stand with Pinkie Pie. Other townsponies occasionally joined in, volunteering for a short while then leaving when they had their fill.

"How goes your little garden, my love." A pink unicorn greeted Cheerilee, nuzzling the earth pony.

Cheerilee returned the nuzzle. "Well, I can say that Scoot's not getting a cutie mark for digging, Toola."

The aforementioned orange pegasus jumped off the shovel and gave it a kick. "Hey, Mrs Cheerilee, Is there anything else I could do?"

"Yeah Shortstuff, you can get me some more pots." Rainbow Dash called. "I'm lagging behind on the competition."

"It don' matter none if you get all three of the crusaders to help ya." Applejack retorted. "I'm still gonna win this."

A caramel colored unicorn looked over as the bell over the door chimed, announcing a customer. "Ah, Mrs Sherbert." He greeted the unicorn. "Stopping in before work?"

"Hello Joe." The maid replied. "I'm curious. Do you really sell donuts on a skewer?"

Joe chuckled. "So it WAS you at the Chateau." He grinned. "Yeah, I sell skewered donuts, they're part of my secret menu."

Lime nodded. "Alright, I'll take two dozen."

"And what kinds would you like?" He asked, pulling out a cluster of wooden skewers.

"Two apple fritters for Princess Luna, two cream cheese puffs for Princess Celestia, four jelly filled, and four glazed. For the second box, I want..."

15 minutes later, Lime entered the castle with two pink and white stripped, rectangular boxes. She made her way to the royal dining room and set out the designated pastries for the princesses. Then she gave the rest of one box to the kitchen staff.

The second box she brought up to the servant's quarters. "Hey girls. I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your hard work while I was away." She greeted them while setting the box on the table."

"Oh, Mrs Sherbert. her Majesty wanted to see you after the evening meal." Fireclay stated, coming over to get a donut.

"Oh? Is something wrong?" Lime asked.

"No no, everything's fine. her Majesty just wants to see you about something." Fireclay said before biting into a deep-fried donut.

Lime glanced to a clockwork timepiece on the wall. "Dinner service starts in five minutes, and ends a half-hour later, so I have enough time to tidy up her room before I have to be there." Lime mused.

"Mmmh, this is delicious." Fireclay stated. "How did you convince Joe to fry 'em like this?"

"It's part of a secret menu." Lime replied. "Apparantly, there are quite a few customers who like them that way."

"The skewer is certainly hoofy for keeping grease off your frog." Fireclay mused.

"And payoff on nineteen!" Gilbert exclaimed, placing the marker. "Who got lucky this time?" A couple of ponies each indicated their chips in two of the winning spaces. and Gilbert dispensed the appropriate amount of chips "Now don't spend it all in one place, there's plenty of other games to play." He then used the faceplate of his cane to rake the remaining chips over to his station, including the marker. "Place your bets now!" he called, before sorting the chips that he raked in.

Aurelina walked among the tables with an expression of mild amusement. Most of the players paid little attention to her, allowing her to use her talent of reading their body language. Occasionally using a variant of hoof language, she indicated to the dealers which players could be coerced into betting higher stakes, and which ones were ready to cash out. Aurelina also whispered to the occasional waitress, advising them on which players could use a drink, and which ones had had enough.

Conversations were loud and unrestrained, with ponies not caring who listened in. Except for the small theater section which was dominated by the acts onstage, conversations blended together after a stride away from the ponies who were talking, creating a wavering hum that filled the room.

The elevated lounge section was quieter with fewer ponies, and no distractions. Here, conversations were kept more intimate due to the acoustics of the room. A few ponies wearing black vests were looking over the railing, speaking occasionally in a barely audible volume. The crystals strapped around their necks flickered in time with their words, projecting barely visible pulses of light. These pulses were picked up by crystals strapped to the ears of other black vested ponies who walked about the casino.

Making a quick detour to the bar, Aurelina brought a drink to her husband. "How is the action tonight?"

Gilbert accepted the drink, then nuzzled his spouse. "The bits are flowing like water. I may need you to toss me a lifesaver." He replied. The group at his table laughed.

"If you are drowning in that many bits, you could buy a boat." Aurelina replied.

"Yeah, a nice four-seater." Gilbert replied. "I'll take this guy, and this guy, and Celestia can be my co-pilot." He smirked, pointing out two of the players at random. Another chuckle passed through the group.

"And what about me?" Aurelina mock-pouted.

"I'll get a rope with a mouth-bit, and you can strap on a pair of water skis. We'll pull you behind."

"Hey Gil, you're alright." one of the ponies stated, adding more chips to his stack.

Gilbert spun the wheel, and tossed the ball onto it. "Let the spinning wheel fly, and we'll see what comes up this time."

"Again, I apologize for yesterday morning's outburst." Celestia said to Luna.

"Dear Sister, a wise pony spake unto me, and said that we have a right to feel such emotions. We be ponies, not statues."

Celestia nodded. "This is true, but sometimes it's easy to forget that in the course of our duties." She nibbled the fried cream-cheese filled donuts. "I think your maid found part of Donut Joe's secret menu."

"Aye, t'was quite unexpected to see that such fare actually existed." Luna replied, taking a big bite of a fried fritter.

"I'll just have to share the whole menu with you then, you'd be surprised what he's come up with." Celestia grinned.

"To be truthful, I have had my fill of secrets for a few days." Luna waved a hoof idly. "I shall look at the menu at my leisure."

"So you learned about them, did you?" Celestia asked with a mischievous grin.

"Dear sister, Sometimes I wonder about the soundness of your mind. As do they, apparently."

"I'm not one to play cops and crooks." Celestia began. "But the Perch Nobility made some pretty poor decisions, including lying to me."

"They lied to you?!" Luna asked incredulously. "They should have lost their lands, titles, and citizenship for such treason!"

"They did, but not by my hooves." Celestia patted her muzzle clean with a napkin. "These pastries were delightful. Give my compliments to Joe when you see him next."

"I shall, dear sister." Luna replied. The two alicorns hugged, then Celestia departed. A moment later, Lime entered. "Ah my faithful maid, right on cue." Luna levitated a small square box over to her.

Lime took the box with her own aura. "You wanted to see me, your Highness?"

"Tis a reward for your service." Luna replied.

Lime opened the box and found a silver tea cup inside. Engraved on the side opposite the handle was the phrase 'World's Best Maid.' "Ah, Your Majesty. You didn't have to." Lime replied with a smile.

"Tis the Truth." Luna replied. "I swear by Earth, Water, Wind and Fire."

A caramel colored earth pony smiled, watching the Moon rise, then the stars fade into view. Using the nocturlabe, he identified his current position, then referenced the notes that he copied. "We seem to have made pretty good time." he said to a pony at the edge of a nearby river.

"So did I get you to the right shooping place or what?" His companion replied.

"This is the right place, Sandswirl." He said to a green Merae. "Give Gilbert my thanks."

"A-ight. Zorte on, Mr. Ibai." The Merae called before taking to the river once more.

Bad Apple glanced eastward, watching his 'ride' depart. "That was faster than a Zeppelin, and much less conspicuous too." He mused. He opened the rubber-lined backpack, pulled out a change of clothes, and got dressed. He put the nocturlabe and notebooks inside, slung the pack over his shoulder, and began walking north.

After a few minutes, he spotted a small group of buildings, some with lit windows. "Hmm. I wonder if they welcome visitors." He wondered, taking off the pack again. He opened it and pulled out a stack of fake I.D. cards from one of the secret pockets. "Hi, my name is...Halberd Strike." He chuckled, pulling one of the cards from the middle of the stack. He put the selected card in a shirt pocket, then returned the rest to the secret pouch, before shouldering the pack again. He resumed walking towards the village, humming a tune that reminded him of his lover.

============================================================

Author's Notes

First. I want to Thank Gabriel for helping me with Luna's dialogue, as well as for the use and implementation of his OCs: Lime Sherbert, Bad Apple, Dark Skies, Golden Stare, and Rosy Cranberry.

Also a big Thank You to Kagitaar for helping me correct the many grammatical mistakes that have popped up during the writing on this story.

General note on the Plot Elements.

As was pointed out numerous times, this story gets a lot of inspiration from The Godfather movie and other Mafia references. Ever since Fragile Diamonds, It was my intention to have a pony Mafia acting in opposition to the Upper caste of nobles and the idle rich. While I did research the history of the real life Mafia, I felt it was a better fit to have the Equestrian equivalent be formed in relation to the French Revolution. I also drew inspiration from the 'Rum Runners' of the Prohibition era.

I also researched chateaus and casinos, in order to write a more accurate description of them, as well as Basque and Roma cultures for food, garb and customs. This is most evident in chapter five, during the wedding. As far as the chapter titles, I tried to make a short phrase that conveys the theme for that specific chapter.

Specifics:

Secret meetings.
The salad scene actually has two inspirations behind it. The first, is my memories of school cafeteria salad, which always seemed to be drenched in vinegar. The second reference is summed up by the nickname Gabriel coined, 'Luna Ramsey.'

The Opening Oath: The reason Luna has Fleur start over, is because she was rushing the words, thus ruining the rhythm of the chant.

Dating conventions: As explained earlier. I'm using the scale of 1-1000 for the period of Nightmare moons banishment. Referencing Episode 'The Call of the Cutie' and the popular fanon of Cheerilee being an 80s filly, Years are calculated by dropping the '1'.

The rolling of dice, casting of lots, and flipping of coins.: In my research on common casino games, I was mildly surprised to learn that most of the current games date to the 1700 and 1800s, Card decks themselves are a few centuries older, but still, there are few forms of gambling that get close to 1000 years old.

Reiten vs Pferd: While Pferd is the proper German term for 'pony,' the use of 'Reiten' conveys a certain spirit. It's similar to the use of 'Germany' vs 'Prussia.'

Carnival
The Wands: I have seen a few stories where battle oriented unicorns used a themed 'blade' as a weapon. The wands are intended to be a unicorn talisman for non-warriors. The particular wands in this story are based on what is known as a 'Casino rake,' a device for drawing in chips on a table, without having to move around and pick them up one by one.

"And that be how he obtained the title 'The Bearded'.": A nice little orphaned punchline, considering that Hasbro hasn't revealed much about him.

'The Count of Monte Carlo.": This actually has a double meaning. 'The Count of Monte Cristo' is a story about a wronged man who gets sent to prison, escapes, discovers a fortune, and uses the wealth to enact a carefully planned out retribution on the people who wronged him. This is an early hint of what he and his family are involved in. The other sense, he is a noble whose domain is known for classy gambling.

'Our evening has been simply awful":Luna is still not caught up with the changes that certain words have undergone. She speaks in the sense of being awed and almost overwhelmed by the experience. Fleur and Lime, who have experience with her manner of speaking, are mentally kicking themselves for this oversight.

History and Mystery
Tapper and Wiretalker: Equestrian devices resembling the Telegraph and Telephone respectively.

Chilled Hearts
Merae:I've not seen anything that explores seapony society in any depth, so I designed a basic synopses to use for my own referal. Shoo-Be-Doop indeed.

Twilight Sparkle and Rarity's appearances.: Twilight's presence is explained. Rarity however, is apparently an acquaintance of Cheerilee, if 'Cutie Mark Chronicles' is anything to go by. As of 'Sweet and Elite' I'm sure Fleur would recognize Rarity on sight. It might not work the other way, since Rairty kept gushing over Fancypants.

Lanzenreiter: The name and color scheme are taken from the G2 pony 'Lancer.' Here, he's of Reiten, rather then Perch nationality.

Love Justifies All
The crystal-based tech shown in chapters 5 and 11 is an attempt to explain high tech devices, without the environmental impact of coal, oil, or other hazardous fuels. This necessitates unicorns to power up said crystals, but also requires earth ponies to grow the crystals.

Brother-Hood
'Udan Ibai': As explained at various points during the story, Gilbert, and by extension, most of his family, are involved in unlawful activities. He knows the importance of a good alias, so he gives one to Bad Apple as a way of saying. 'If anypony asks, I don't know Gabardine Dart.'

Gwehyddion o Freuddwydion: 'Weavers of Dreams' Pony Fey. Includes Changelings as one of many types.

Spicy Pepper: The pony equivalent of large ham. Obviously, since ponies don't eat meat, something else has to stand in as a term for over the top, flamboyant behavior.

Like Sands in an Hourglass
Centre: Not to make light of people with deformities, but I think that certain mishaps of growth are plausible, though rare among ponykind.

The Montage: The song was selected to show the idea that the major characters are not the ponies they were when the story started. Obviously Cheerilee and Toola, being married, have to look forward to the trials of living as 1/2 of a union. Luna and Lime know of Bad Apple having a haven with easy access to Canterlot, and Fleur has a partial solution to her Fancypants problem.

Noble Rogues
Starsong Whistle: Yes, I made her a relative of Thistle Whistle.*Fweew*

On with the Show
The idea of a Play within a play is an idea I've seen in Shakespeare stories, and I felt it would be appropriate for Luna. The structure of the play written here is inspired by the Show 'Upright Citizen's Brigade.' The Warm-up comes from 'Whose line is it anyway?' It's the game called 'Party Quirks.'

Twinkle-Eyed Ponies
References to 'Shine on you crazy Diamond.': Going on the assumption that Luna was a filly when she and Celestia sealed Discord the first time, she wouldn't have had much of a childhood. Her duties as a Princess would have taken up much of her time, and I feel that this is what ultimately led to her breakdown.

While each of the 6 parties gets an ending with a hook, I ended with Bad Apple and a song that I felt suited his relationship with Luna. He will BE that pony that walks 1000 miles to fall down at her ~~door~~ hooves.

Secret Meetings

A periwinkle pegasus watched with anticipation as the dark blue alicorn levitated a forkful of salad to her mouth. The alicorn chewed on the morsel, taking her time to experience the full range of texture and flavor available. She finally swallowed, then lowered the fork and clapped her hooves together. "Bravo my good stallion, thou hast managed to do the impossible. Thou hast taken the humble salad, a simple spread of prosaic plants..." She paused for a moment, to watch the pegasus beam with pride. Next to her, a lime-green unicorn silently counted down from three.

"...And removed any remaining trace of taste and appeal!" The alicorn added. "Thy lettuce wast as aged paper, thy love apples [1] yielded too quickly, and thine asparagus called to mind mine mane after a bath. Were thine vegetables lurking in the rear of the lardour for long?" The pegasus hung his head. "But wait. Mayhap we be too hasty" The alicorn began again, the pegasus raised his head a bit. "Thou wast not making a salad, but a vegetable marinade! Thine amphora [2] certainly overflows with vinegar and thou art overeager to share it." The pegasus slumped. "But take heart." The alicorn continued. "Thy croutons did put up a fair resistance. Indeed, we were in fear for the integrity of our teeth." She pushed the plate towards the pegasus. "If thou didst have a food related cutie mark, it surely must have disappeared in shame. Thou canst present this as an object d'art for the current age, and win first prize!" The stallion took the plate, and shuffled slowly out of the room. "We only chide so that thou would not become a prime suspect, should one of thine peers fall ill at a banquet!" The alicorn called out after him.

"That was the last one for today, Sister." A white alicorn stated, entering the room. "And a flower awaits you in your receiving room." She winked.

The dark blue alicorn tapped her chin in thought. "Could it be a gift from the one for whom I yearn?"

"Your Majesty, if I may." The green unicorn interjected. "I think what Princess Celestia means, is that Dame De Lis has arrived."

"Indeed." The white alicorn replied. She turned to leave. "I'll leave you to your little hen party."

The green unicorn spoke in a sotto voice. "She knows too much, shall I have her executed?"

The dark blue alicorn looked to the green unicorn in shock. "Dame Sherbert! As much as my sister may vex me, she is still my family! I shall not pass sentence upon her without a proper trial and just cause." Celestia and Lime Sherbert deadpanned. Luna was confused by their reaction, then recalled something after a moment of thought. "Oh, twas a jest. Thou wert reciting an oft used idea from those cloak and dagger novels."

"My Dear Sister." Celestia began. "I'm aware that you have been meeting with her, but not of what you discuss amongst yourselves." She held up a hoof. "For all I know, Miss De Lis could be your number one student, much like Twilight Sparkle is mine."

"And how is thine apprentice of late?" Luna asked, affecting a grin. "I have received word of her more recent antics in Ponyville."

"She does manage to keep things interesting." Celestia replied with a chuckle. "Ah, but the more we talk here, the longer Dear Fleur waits." With that, she departed.

Luna nodded, then stood. "Come my maid, let us feast, quaff and celebrate, but sans the pullets." She strode out the room and along the halls, with Lime Sherbert following.

"Your Majesty, that's not what 'hen party' means." Lime chuckled. "Your sister was referring to soirees where mares meet and gossip among themselves. So called because it sounds like hens cackling."

"Well met, dear Lime." Luna replied. "Perhaps we should leave our coop, and venture out for another eventide of revelry."

"Shall we three go clubbing again?" Lime inquired. "Or are you interested in another form of entertainment this time?"

Luna looked to her maid. "We ought wait until we have convened our order, 'afore we discuss our nocturnal plans."

"As you wish, your Majesty." Lime replied.

The pink maned white unicorn, already dressed in her hooded cloak, looked over as Luna and Lime entered the room. "Dame De Lis." Luna began, surprised at seeing her in the ceremonial robe. "We were not planning to convene another conclave until later this week."

Fleur De Lis bowed. "Apologies your Majesty, but I won't be available then." She fidgeted in place. "The sooner we get started, the sooner I can talk about it."

"I'll prepare the-OH!" Lime began as she walked towards the pantry, but stopped upon seeing three steaming hot cups of tea already on the table. "Many thanks, Dame De Lis. I'll just get my robe on then."

"Indeed." Luna added, retrieving two robes from the storage trunk, and floating one over to Lime. They donned the robes and raised their hoods. Luna cast a warding spell on the door, then all three bowed their heads and observed a moment of silence. Luna summoned up the light-hearted music they had used to open their last meeting, then recited her stanza. "I hath got mine aubergine, what need have I for more, for more, what need have I for more? For I gobble, gobble, gobble mine aubergine, what need have I for more?"

Lime began right after Luna ended. "I have got a zucchini, what need have I for more, for more, what need have I for more? For I gobble, gobble, gobble my zucchini, what need have I for more?"

Fleur took a deep breath then followed after Lime. "I have got a butternut what need have I for more for-"

Luna held up a hoof, stopping her. "Begin again."

After taking a moment to compose herself, Fleur began reciting at a slower pace ."I have got a butternut, what need have I for more, for more, what need have I for more? For I gobble, gobble, gobble my butternut, what need have I for more?"

All three lowered their hoods, levitated their cups and took a sip of tea in unison. Afterwards, Luna looked to Fleur. "Now that we have properly opened our meeting, Dame De Lis, you may state what causes you such agitation."

The white unicorn began. "Upper Crust confronted me this morning, and inquired as to what I was doing at a nightclub. It seems that somepony there recognized me, and word got back up to her."

Lime leaned over to Luna and grinned widely. "Shall I start issuing warrants, your Majesty?"

"Nay, my dear maid." Luna waved away the offer. "We shall not make a mockery of the Justice system by issuing warrants for every little annoyance and trifle, no matter how much we may want to. My Sister certainly would not want to spend days dismissing the many cases of inconsequence, just from me alone."

Lime looked to Fleur De Lis. "You should tell her 'Pics, or it didn't happen."

Luna quirked an eyebrow. "Pix? Pah! An infestation of pixies is not something that one would wish to invoke, Dame Lime. Though harmless, such creatures are as vexatious as Discord himself!"

Lime held up a hoof. "No your Majesty. Pics is short for pictures. What I meant was, if Upper Crust can't back up her claims with solid proof, then Dame De Lis was never at the club."

Luna rubbed her chin in thought. "We think we understand. The pony seen at the club was an imitator, and not the true Fleur De Lis."

Fleur nodded. "We'll blame it on changelings." She stated. "Still, I think I need a vacation. Just to get out of Canterlot for a few days."

Luna looked to Lime. "What sorts of things does a pony do during vacation?"

The green unicorn thought for a moment. "There's a lot of things to do depending on where you go. Some ponies like to visit places with different cultures, some go to museums or art galleries, some like going to casinos, some go on ocean cruises, theme parks. Every so often, there's a special convention around a specific theme, such as a t.v. show, movie, or radio fan group. Music concerts are another good one." Luna had conjured up a scroll and pen, and was writing down the suggestions.

"Some of the upper tier residents have their own ships." Fleur added. "They also like going to golf courses, wine and salt tours, and doing wilderness activities such as trekking, fishing, skiing, diving, mountaineering, and spelunking."

"That gives me an idea." Lime stated. "Your Majesty could open a golf shop for the Aristocracy."

"Dame Sherbert." Luna replied. "Why would I act as a merchant for the distribution of sporting goods? Especially to ponies with whom we already have little desire to interact?"

"Because." Lime replied, grinning widely. "Your Majesty could sell them clubs, balls, and lessons on how to use them." Fleur covered her mouth and giggled.

"Aye, aye! Dame Sauce hath reared her head once more. But I already tell ponies how they may wield their courgettes [3] and carrots" Luna emphasized her words with gestures. "To say naught of their greens and divots. We are all in fine form this day." She levitated the list. "Truly all these activities art more than ample for a fortnight of...fun."

"Going with you allows me to fulfill my duties while on vacation, so you and I may vacation as long as you wish." Lime stated. "Your sister can take over the raising and lowering of the moon, so that's not a pressing issue."

The alicorn looked to white unicorn. "Dame De Lis, dost thou have any pressing matters to attend to within the week?"

Fleur held up a hoof. "I have the time, but I'm not sure I have the money. A vacation requires careful planning and budgeting."

"Indeed and truly. Whilst I may access the treasury to provide ample funds for mine and my maids activities, doing so would bring me down to the level of the aristocracy that we detest so keenly. And I will not be accused of such hypocrisy!" She emphasized this last bit by slamming her hoof on the table.

Fleur flinched. "Agreed. We can remove golf, cruise ships, wilderness activities and private sailing from the list then." She took a sip of tea. "I would like to do a wine and salt tour. Maybe I'll find a bouquet or roast that I can share with my butternut's gardener."

Luna tapped her chin in thought. "How dost one 'do' a wine and salt tour?"

Fleur smiled. "Assuming that your Majesty is familiar with the particulars of brewing, fermenting and salt roasting. A wine and salt tour is when you go to a vineyard and/or a saldomo, and sample the different local varieties that they have to offer. Then you buy the ones you like."

"That doth seem delightful." Luna replied, using her magic to highlight the item on her list. "In this fashion may we experience the unique culinary skills of the ponies in our fair realm."

"And it's relatively inexpensive. The cost of the trip, plus the purchase of a ticket, and at least one product." Fleur added. "It's been at least a year since my last tour."

"Dame Lime, hast thou ever been on a wine and salt tour?" Luna asked her maid.

Lime shook her head. "Nay, your Majesty. I've always dismissed it as needless frivolity. My family is from a low terrace, our palace connections notwithstanding, as my mother likes to say. Best I've done was to actually test the difference between, say, a Zinfandel and a pinot grigio and so on. I was lucky I was at home. And using plastic cups. And that the trash was going out the next day. The Palace gets wines and salts from vineyards and saldomos throughout the region, so I've had little need to actually go to one. And the bits can be better spent on more important things. But if your Majesty is willing, I can join in."

"Tis settled then, we shall look for a destination that offers both spirits and spice." She used the pen to circle the item on her list. "And a historical tour should be added as well. I am not as thou, who hath been brought up in the wake of history. To learn of what hath transpired in mine absence wouldst allow me to relate better with my subjects." She circled this item as well.

"Your Majesty may want to hold off on conventions then. Many of them require familiarity with the subject matter, and follow a set schedule for appearances." Lime suggested. "Plus the price is cheaper if you purchase the ticket a month or two before the actual event."

Fleur rubbed her chin in thought. "Just with those three items alone, the list of available places becomes rather small. Historical tours and food sampling together can often be found at what we call 'Chateaus', or old homes."

"And what is a chateau?" Luna inquired. "Old home makes it seem as some abandoned hut or collapsed castle."

Lime slid her teacup aside. "A Chateau is kind of like a transition between the the old feudal system, and the modern business system. A Chateau uses the trade system. Buy raw materials, and use them to produce goods, which can be sold at a higher price. Chateaus are largely self-supporting, with central authority coming from the landowner who lives in the Palace. The palace in turn, is supported by the ponies who live and work on the grounds. They produce and sell food or goods, and pay only a small percentage to the landowner. They were prominent during the six and seven hundreds, but dwindled off during the eight hundreds."

"So their historical value is that they are the bridge between the old nobility and the business ponies of today." Fleur added.

"I have not seen any such thing amongst the city." Luna spoke, while sweeping a hoof to emphasize her words. "Where might we find these Chateaus."

"They aren't in the city, your Majesty." Lime replied. "You have to travel to them, they're kind of like farms. You can't just pick up a large plot of land and transport it to Canterlot. We can't anyways. Your Majesty might be able to."

"Nay Dear Lime, though it amuses me greatly to think upon raining soil upon the first and second terraces." Luna grinned. "The earth is put to better use growing crops than in sowing mischief." She looked to the list. "These are the things we have not yet discussed." Luna began reading off the remaining items. "Culture, Casino, Museum, Art gallery, Theme Park, Music Concert."

"Definitely not a theme park." Fleur shuddered. "If I was to be seen there, I'd just die of embarrassment."

"Curious, what is so shameful about such a place? A park with a theme sounds like a joyful novelty."

"Your Majesty." Lime interjected. "The themes that these parks base themselves around, aren't looked upon well by the Aristocracy. They mostly appeal to third and lower terrace residents. Often filled with fast rides, cheap food, and shrieking foals."

"Say no more." Luna waved her off. "For the Honor of Dame De Lis, we shall not go to such."

"Thank you, your Majesty." Fleur bowed.

"Your Majesty may want to cross Casinos off the list as well." Lime added. "Gambling is another pastime that could be costly."

"Aye, the rolling of dice, casting of lots, and flipping of coins. Know I well of Fortuna's siren song." She sighed wistfully.

"I've accompanied Fancypants when he's heard it." Fleur added. "Not that I played or anything. My own gambling happens in private parlours, over cards and coffee."

Luna leered. "Hast thy money been doubled, then?"

Fleur shook her head. "I've won some, lost some, but it's a fun diversion."

"We will put it aside, for further consideration." Luna proclaimed. "It will not be required of our excursion, but if we should find one nearby, t'would be a 'jackpot', as they say."

"Well put, your Majesty." Fleur giggled. "We can say the same for art galleries and museums."

Luna rubbed around the base of her horn. "I have been to some museums on the second terrace. They each have their own unique display pieces, correct?"

"Yes your Majesty." Lime stated, as she filled a teapot with water. "As a quick aside, what flavor does your Majesty prefer this time?"

"As ever, apple should form the base; beyond, I trust thy choices." Luna replied. She pushed her cup over to the green unicorn.

"Dame De Lis?"

"I'm partial to mint myself." The white unicorn added, offering her cup. Lime prepared the tea, then set it to boil. Fleur looked back to Luna. "Some of the nobles have their own private museums where they display artifacts that they have acquired from auctions."

"I wonder how much we could get for auctioning off Discord?" Lime smirked.

"I say nay nay, Dame Sherbert." Luna said while twirling a hoof. "My Sister doth much enjoy showing him as a trophy, and would not part with his iconic figure for all the bits in Equestria. Besides, exposing him to an already quarrelsome mob is the last thing I want. The opening bid would scarcely be uttered before He slip'd his stony prison once again."

"Good point, your Majesty." Lime replied. She set out a small tray shortbread cookies, then took one for herself. "Getting back to the issue. I think it would be interesting to visit a museum outside of the Capital."

"There are some in Manehattan." Fleur offered. "One in particular is the Neighponese museum, which has artifacts from the different dynasties that ruled over the region."

"Another to put aside for further research." Luna mused. "And art galleries would not be too different?" She wrote a query mark next to the two items, then took a few cookies. "As for culture. I would like to see how other societies have changed since my time before." Luna nibbled a cookie in thought.

Fleur took a cookie and nibbled it. "Most of the nobles stick with a small pool of cultures: Perch, Caballo, Cavallino, Reiten and Ippos. [4] Some include the Uma'-more commonly called 'Neighpon'-in this circle of High Culture. Below that, they have what is called Middle Culture. This includes Chapall, Loshadki, Almuhar and Ghora. [5] A few make visits to Griffon and Dragon lands."

Luna nodded. "I am familiar with many of those, and it bespeaks of the nobility's low character that they would keep their own incestuous traditions as the High Cultures." She chomped down a cookie. "Griffons, and Dragons be just as cultured as we Equestrians." She devoured the second cookie. "And this division into high, middle and low cultures dost bespeak of the old caste system that once separated unicorns, pegasi, and earthen."

Lime retrieved the pot, then poured the tea into each of their cups "Maybe we should set that aside as well. We have spent an hour in this discussion, and I'm sure your Majesty is eager to get out and experience the nightlife."

Luna chuckled. "I appreciate the thought, my maid, but this activity gladdens my heart. Even if nothing comes of it and we simply discard this plan." She raised her cup. "To good friends and boon companions."

"Agreed." Fleur and Lime raised their own cups and clinked them with Luna's.

Fleur cleared her throat. "As for the Low Cultures, and I use the term ironically." She paused, searching Luna for any sign of ire. "The 2nd terrace residents occasionally visit Buffalo, Hayan, Llampac, Zebrian and Gunagree cultures.[6]"

"Pah! Truly these ponies within sight of the castle have things backwards! They would say that up is down, light is dark, and that their own posterior emissions are fine perfume."

"And those are just the ones that the upper class deigns to visit." Fleur continued "There are a few Gallopean cultures that are looked down upon. Mainly the Roani. [7]"

"Diamond dogs also get treated roughly." Lime added. "If they get noticed at all."

"You've mentioned Constable Emerald Facet in a prior meeting." Fleur stated. "But other than that, I don't know much about Diamond Dogs."

"The diamond dogs are one of the races of great interest to unicorn scholars. A few apprentices have even decided to do their final theses on the race." Luna replied. "Hopefully this will increase our available knowledge. She took a sip of tea. "But that is not this. We shall give this item a priority." She circled the item on the list. "But which culture to experience?"

Fleur tapped a hoof on the table. "If your Majesty still intends to go to a Chateau, the majority of them are considered High Culture. Perch, Equestrian, Caballo and Cavalli. The Reiten have what are known as 'Beer Gardens', but beer is seen as a drink for stallions."

"Dame De Lis." Luna held up a hoof. "How soon didst thou wish to leave?"

"I had planned to leave early in to morning, but I hadn't decided on a destination."

"Would it be prudent to consult with my sister, do you think?"

Fleur smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Surely Princess Celestia would know of someplace that meets all these criteria."

Luna looked to Lime. "I have no objections, your Majesty." The green unicorn stated. "Once we have a destination, and I know how long we're staying, I can go home, pack, and return in about half an hour."

"Very well then." She lifted her hood to cover her head. "Let us adjourn this meeting with the proper rites." Fleur and Lime raised their hoods, then all three bowed their heads.

"Then up she rose and donn'd her clothes,/ And dupp'd the chamber-door;/ Let in the colt, that out a pure/ Never departed more." They spoke in unison.

Celestia levitated the scroll a few hooflengths [8] away from her face. She read the list, then looked to her sister, who sat before the throne. "So. You're going on a vacation?"

"Yes." Luna replied. "And these are the things of which we would care to partake."

"You're looking for a Chateau..."

"A place which would allow us to leave this gilded cage that surrounds our castle.

"...with a vinyard and saldomo..."

"We wish to partake of the different varieties of brew and brine."

"...and a sense of history..."

"It would allow me to learn more about what has transpired in mine absence."

"...and a casino..."

~ ~ ~

811: Canterlot Castle.

"Oui. Games of chance are one of our many interests. The LaRoulettes are, how do you say, given to entertaining guests." A burgundy unicorn with a black mane stated. She wore a long, cream-colored dress with billowed shoulders. The dress covered her rear legs with the hem resting on the floor. On her head was a broad brimmed straw hat with a blue ribbon around the base, tied into a dual bow with the ends trailing towards the rear. Draped along her back was a gold satin cape with a sequined pattern filling the border. "And I have found that guests are more cheerful when they're socializing over games and liquor." She added, twirling a hoof while bowing.

Celestia nodded. "I know your family's business well, Matron Merkanzia." she replied with a wink. She retrieved a map from a nearby table, and unrolled it. "So where did you want to stake your claim?"

Merkanzia examined the map. "I definitely need this delta." She tapped a space on the map. "But I also need access to the railway depot, so I can do trade with other ponies." She slid her hoof over to the point mentioned. "And the beach, so I can harvest salt."

Celestia used a quill to mark the indicated areas. "So that's one mile width of land, with access to the rail system. How far inland?"

"If I claim the river, that's gives me naming rights." Merkanzia mused. "And the mountain can be used for resources as well." She smiled. "Rivier Verte, and Herb Colline."

Celestia chuckled while outlining the plot. "Green River and Grass Hill. That has a certain je ne sai quoi." She grinned to Merkanzia. "And do you have enough employees to work the land?"

"If not, I can find more." Merkanzia replied. "And your Majesty knows that I can always find more. For the right price." She winked.

The white alicorn nodded. "I will get a deed prepared for you. Three square miles of land. For now though." She looked to one of her guards. "Please escort Matron LaRoulette to my receiving room." The guard saluted, then motioned for the unicorn to follow.

- - -

Merkanzia looked up as Celestia entered. "Forgive my tardiness, there were a few more cases to be handled." The Princess stated.

"It is not a problem, your Majesty." Merkanzia replied.

"Are you ready to fulfill your part of the bargain?"

The unicorn nodded. Celestia held her right hoof up. Merkanzia placed her left hoof to touch frogs with the princess. Together, they moved their hooves to cross themselves. " We close the door on each-other." They said together. Lowering their hooves, they touched the front edges together. "And lock it." They spoke while rotating their hooves together.

After Merkanzia left, Celestia called in her chancellor. "You wanted to see me your Majesty?" The unicorn bowed.

"Chancellor, make a record of this." The unicorn produced a scroll and quill. "Statute 811-490. Point 1: As of today's date and the current time, Chevaux L'honneur [9] is legally disbanded. Point 2: Any testimony or evidence of its continued existence is to be disregarded."

"The continued existence of what, your Majesty?" The unicorn replied, picking up on her meaning.

"Exactly." Celestia replied with a smug grin.

"Sister?"

~ ~ ~

"Sister?" A blue alicorn wavered into view. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Celestia shook her head. "Touts mes-I mean, apologies dear sister. We were...remembering."

"Celestia, are you crying?" Luna asked.

The sun princess touched a hoof to her cheek, and felt a slight dampness. "Was I?" She shook her head again.

"Your Majesty." Lime began. "If we have caused you any-" Celestia held up a hoof.

"I heard this from a traveler, who knows a storyteller, who swears that it's true. " Celestia began. "A short walk northwest of Ponyville, on the peak of the Herb Colline, along the banks of the Riviere Verte, and the shores of Rougeroche [10] , lies the Chateau De LaRoulette."

"And this Chateau, it offers all these items on my list?" Luna asked.

"It's often been praised for its particular brand of entertainment." Celestia replied. "Though I've never been there. The family is of Zaldi [11] stock."

"I've heard of them." Fleur stated. "One of the older cultures of Gallopea. The Etrotscans have mentioned them in their histories. The culture is centered around the eastern side of the Pyreneighs."

Luna tapped her chin. "I have visited those ponies in the before time. Tell me, do they still grow pepper plants?."

"Yes, but importing them costs a lot." Fleur answered. "The crops can be grown by others, but the flavor is not as intense as Zaldi-grown crops.

"How long may I take a leave of absence, Sister?" Luna asked.

"If you're asking me to take care of the moon for you, I'll do that." Celestia replied. "Take a few days off." She stood up. "As for money, try to be careful with your personal account. Even a thousand years of compounded interest can be lost in a single bad bet."

"Of course!" Luna exclaimed. "I shall only take a small measure. And we will be traveling incognito as well." She looked to her friends. "Fleur, Lime, when you have finished your preparations, please meet me at the train depot. We shall take the next night train to this Chateau."

Fleur had just entered the second terrace when she was confronted by a smiling vanilla-colored unicorn, with a white-streaked purple mane. "Good evening, Miss De Lis." The smugly grinning unicorn greeted. "Out for a stroll tonight?"

Fleur hesitated for a moment. "Evening, Upper Crust." She replied curtly.

"If you're looking for a night out on the town, I have a few suggestions." Upper Crust levitated a piece of paper over to Fleur.

Fleur took the paper with her magic and read it. "The Club and Cauldron, The Seapony's wharf, Spirits of Affinity? What is this?"

"Oh, just a list of all the entertainment venues below the third terrace." Upper Crust replied. "Just in case you wanted to go to a nightclub again."

"That would imply that I've been to one before." Fleur crumpled up the list, and tossed it aside.

"Oh come now, Fleur." Upper Crust strode over to Fleur. "How many unicorns are there in Canterlot, that have your colors and style?"

"Do you recall when the changelings invaded, U.C?" Fleur replied. "And I find it flattering that I make for a better disguise than you." She brushed aside part of her mane.

Upper Crust gritted her teeth at both the nickname and the jibe. "Don't think I'm letting this go." She turned to leave. "Jet Set and I look forward to seeing you and Fancy Pants at tomorrow night's banquet. And if you're unavailable, I know a pony who would be happy to fill in for you."

"You...you...Peacock!" Fleur called out after her. Upper Crust let out a guffaw as she trotted off. Fleur took a moment to compose herself, then headed home.

"Going somewhere, honey?" A white pegasus asked, watching as the green unicorn packed outfits into a suitcase.

"Oh hi Skies." Lime greeted the pegasus. "Her Majesty has decided to go on a vacation." She stated, setting a small pouch with personal supplies into the suitcase. "It should only be a few days."

"Good for her." Dark Skies cheered. "I know I'd go crazy if I had to stay cooped up in that castle day in and day out." He walked over and nuzzled his spouse. "So where are the two of you headed?"

Lime returned the nuzzle, then finished her packing. "It's a little place west of Ponyville, called The Chateau De LaRoulette."

"I know you and her Majesty will take good care of each-other." Dark Skies stated. "And I look forward to hearing all about it when you return."

Lime Sherbert closed her suitcase, and kissed Dark Skies on the snout. "Don't worry about us, Love." Skies returned the kiss, then waved as she headed out the door.

Celestia entered Luna's chambers, following the sound of clacking beads. "Do you need help packing?"

Luna looked up from her abacus. "I am ciphering the space necessary to contain my travel goods." She motioned to the open suitcase on the bed. Clothing and supplies formed a tall mound.

Celestia stifled a giggle with her hoof. "It looks like you're moving out. Do I vex you that much, Woona?"

Setting her abacus down, Luna looked over to the pile of clothing in the suitcase. "How now? Ahh, yes, my pet name. So undignified. But such art thus, made to be said in love as well as jest. Perhaps I overtax myself unduly." She levitated the pile out and set it on the bed. Celestia walked over and sorted through the clothes.

"Are you expecting the pegasi to prank you with a snow cloud?" She asked while holding up an insulated jacket.

"Your bolt strikes true. I shall leave the cold weather clothing at home then."

Celestia sorted the clothes into two neat stacks. One stack was set aside, while the other stack was placed next to the suitcase. "Out of this pile here." She indicated the stack next to the suitcase. "What do you want to take?"

Luna picked up and examined each item closely before making a decision. "I shall take this, this, this. leave that, take this..." She sorted through the stack, packing the clothes that she wanted to bring. Once Luna had finished, she looked down at the stack inside the suitcase. "Yes, that should suffice. Thank you, Sister." She placed her abacus on top of the clothes to be left behind, then closed the suitcase.

"One more thing before you go." Celestia began. Luna perked her ears. "I know you have feelings of anger over how your beloved was cast out by his mother, and that you will be staying a short distance from Sweet Apple Acres. But I ask you. Please do not confront Granny Smith about her decision."

"The time is long past; he has been exile of his blood for many a season. There be no need for any hot-blooded venting of spleen to the old harridan. But as you say, for your sake and on my honor, I shall maintain my silence on the matter." Luna replied. The two alicorns embraced.

Translations

1: Tomatoes
2: Vase for pouring liquid
3: Cucumbers
4: French, Spanish, Italian, German and Greek
5: Celtic, Slavic, Arabian, and East Indian
6: North, Central, and South American, African, and Australian
7: Romani
8: 1 hooflength=3 inches
9: Ponies of Honor
10: Red rock
11: Basque

History and Mystery

A pale pink unicorn with a blue mane ambled along the curved ramp that connected the second and third floors. She wore a custom tailored red taffeta dress styled in an early tenth century fashion, with a matching hat. Using the map as a guide, she made her way along the second story hallways. She easily located the mansion's reading room, then entered.

A couple of dozen tall bookcases lined the walls, showing off the various books and scrolls that the family had accumulated. There were some padded benches and reading tables spread out through the room. One bench was already occupied by a caramel colored earth pony with a black mane. He was wearing ruffle-chested white shirt with a black suit-coat. Around his neck was a black lace bowtie, and a silver chain, holding a large pendant, made of silver and ebony wood discs.

A pair of dark sunglasses covered his eyes, and a gray flat-cap was angled to cover his forehead. He had a rather large tome propped open on the table in front of him, and though he was facing in the direction of the entrance, he appeared to be focused on the book.

What drew the unicorn's attention however, was the earth pony's cutie mark. An apple with a missing piece, and a sickly green interior. Quickly turning her attention to a nearby shelf, the unicorn tried to appear disinterested. She had started on the third bookcase, when she heard a familiar voice. "Are you looking for anything in particular?"

The unicorn thought for a moment. "A tale that be bold and adventurous, with mystery, intrigue and of course, a charming hero."

The earth pony snickered. "Sounds like the story of my life."

The unicorn turned and trotted over. "Thy life be full of adventure, mystery and intrigue?" The stallion turned a page in his book.

"Maybe I should write a book." He mused. "It would make a rather riveting story. Much like the traveler tales of the 8th and 9th centuries."

"Might thou be the Patrons brother, Udan Ibai?" The unicorn inquired.

The stallion smiled to her. "So you've met Gilbert already." He stood up and stretched. "Yeah, That's my name here." Settling down again, he held out a hoof. "And it's not polite for a lady to hide her name from a gentlestallion."

The unicorn blushed, raising her own hoof and accepting the shake. "Lady Cynthia La Sombra." She slid up onto the bench next to him. "Perhaps a gentlestallion such as thyself can share your tale in private, with a lady such as myself." She batted her eyelashes playfully.

Udan held up a hoof. "Whoa there Lady La Sombra." He slid off the bench. "Adventure, mystery and intrigue I have no problem with. Breaking hearts and oaths however, is not a habit I want to get into."

Cynthia frowned. "What oaths wouldst thou be breaking?"

"Number one, I've already given my heart to another mare." Udan replied. "And secondly, even if I was inclined to break such a promise, it would be disrespectful to do so in my brother's home."

Cynthia watched as he walked out of the room, then looked down at her own hooves. "Well Sister." She muttered to herself. "I know now where his heart lies." She chuckled to herself, sliding off the bench and going back to the shelves.

Cynthia closed the novel she had just finished, then set it atop the small stack on the table in front of her. "What hour be it?" She wondered aloud. She got up off the bench, stretched out, then headed out. In the second floor lobby, she noticed that the sky outside was lightening. A brief moment of panic passed through her as she felt for the moon with her magic. She found it under the horizon. "Ohohoho, just where it should be. Thank you Sister." She chuckled to herself, breathing a sigh of relief. She walked over to the nearest window, peering out to watch the dawn.

"Oh there she is!" She heard a voice call out a short while later. Looking over, she saw her companions led by a pegasus in a red vest. Lemon waved a hoof. Cynthia trotted over. "My lady, we're getting an early morning tour of the estate." The green unicorn beamed.

"Early morn?" Cynthia inquired as the group headed down to the first floor.

"Concierge Toola put the historical tour at the top of the list." The pegasus replied. "Both so you can learn about the history of the family, and of the land as well." He lead the trio through a hallway that ran behind the casino, leading to the main foyer of the mansion. "Incidentally, Your retainer paid for your part of the tour, Lady Cynthia.".

They entered the through an archway in the rear of the main lobby. The front door of the mansion was a pair of hoof-carved wooden doors with ornate brass handles. On either side of the doors, were trapezoidal window bays that were projected forward of the main wall. Along the sides of the room were broad curved ramps that led up to the second story.

Five open archways on the first floor lead to other rooms. One in front of the base of each ramp, one under the top landing of each ramp, and a wide archway at the back of the room that lead to a parlor. The room extended upwards to the top floor, with light provided by the large window panes, or enchanted orbs placed on pillars lining the ramps.

Walking to the center of the room, the tour guide began his lecture. "The Name 'LaRoulette' dates back to the mid 8th century, when Zabela Dendari took an interest in games of chance. With financial backing from her family and some generous benefactors, she opened a casino in Larrun, the first of what would eventually become a lucrative franchise."

"And this Dendari Family; be it still in existence?" Cynthia asked.

"Yes, The Dendari are still around, and the LaRoulettes maintain close ties with their cousins." The pegasus replied. "However, the Dendari deal mainly in trade and commerce. The LaRoulettes on the other hoof, have diversified their business."

"So they don't just buy and sell things?" Lemon inquired.

The pegasus walked over to one of the large windows, then motioned to the outside. "The Chateau is a very profitable business with specialty crops and goods. But those aren't the only means of revenue."

"How else does The Patron make money?" Bouton asked.

"Hospitality is part of it." The pegasus replied. "And then there are generous donations from ponies, zebras, or gryphons that the family has aided."

"So they get income from many different sources." Lemon said.

The pegasus nodded. "Anyways, back on topic." He motioned for the three to follow him into one of the side rooms. "The Chateau itself was founded by Merkanzia LaRoulette." He indicated a large portrait that hung on the wall near the entrance. "In the wake of the Percheron revolution and the following Neighpoleanic era, Merkanzia emigrated to Greater Canterlot and acquired this plot of land in the year eight hundred eleven."

"So the Chateau dates from that time?" Cynthia inquired.

"Yes. Even though the Chateau concept was out of fashion at the time, and small community towns were the new thing." He went over to a small model of the local area. "Merkanzia wanted to provide a taste of the past, a tradition that the LaRoulettes continue today." He indicated the mansion and a few of the surrounding buildings. "As you can see here, this Chateau closely resembles the ones found in Southeast Perch and Northern Caballo."

"I see that." Lemon stated. "So the hotel and casino are just part of the experience. The real draw is an old-world charm that's more accessible to the general populace."

"Exactly." The pegasus grinned. "And situated as we are close to the railroad, and between Canterlot and Manehattan, we provide a unique experience for guests who would otherwise never have an opportunity to visit such a place."

He lead them into another room that had a display case. Lemon, Bouton and Cynthia followed, looking at the artifacts inside. "During the ninth century, the LaRoulette family took an interest in many technological developments." He indicated one of the display pieces "This tapper is the same one that the family used prior to the invention of the wiretalker." He opened the case, and retrieved the device for them to inspect.

The unicorns examined the weather-worn wood and copper construct. Cynthia tested it, finding that the tapper was still operable. "Canst this be used today?"

"It can be connected to a wire, and send messages, provided there's another such device to receive them." The pegasus replied. "Merkanzia's third daughter, Felicity LaRoulette, invested in E.D.D., which later became E.C.I., the number one communications company in Equestria."

"So they became one of the stock-holders, interesting." Bouton stated.

"They still are." The pegasus replied. "Felicity's branch of the family later moved to eastern Manetana, Their home, the LaRoulette ranch, maintains peaceful relations with the buffalo."

"Ranching and stock-trading. That must make for an interesting lifestyle." Lemon mused.

The pegasus put the tapper back in the case, then walked over to another case that held models. Taking out miniature replicas of steamship and a locomotive, the pegasus passed them around for inspection. "During the eight-hundreds, steam-powered transport provided a faster alternative to sailing ships and manually powered carriages. Not only did the LaRoulettes make extensive use of these vessels, but they also used their wealth to finance companies that manufactured these ships and trains."

"Curious." Cynthia began. "Might the family be considered as codfish aristocracy?"

The pegasus chuckled. "There are some that would agree with that assessment, but the family consider themselves as merchants and businessponies first. They invest their wealth in hospitality, gaming, agriculture, finance, and tech development."

"How are they able to act as benefactors for all of these?" Cynthia asked.

"Some of their wealth comes from direct ownership, such as the ranch and this chateau. Some of it comes from banking and the stock market. The family itself has grown and spread out amongst the land, with holdings in many regions." He placed the models back in the case, then went over to another one.

"So Patron isn't an actual noble title." Bouton began. "It's more of an affectation. He acts as a patron to others, by using his wealth."

"They may not be nobility, but the family has earned the right and respect to use the title." The pegasus replied.

"Just out of curiosity." Lemon began. "When did the titles of 'Patron' and 'Matron' start coming into use?"

"The practice started with Zabela. She originally called herself the Matron of Roulette. It was later shortened to Matron LaRoulette, and that's how the surname came about."

"The family has a special affinity for the game, then?" Bouton asked. The pegasus nodded.

"In the mid seven hundreds, roulette was a new novelty, and many well-to-do ponies would go to such places to socialize and be seen. Roulette then was viewed as a high society game, much like Baccarat today."

"So Zabela did see the potential of the game, and aquired her own parlour?" Cynthia asked.

"Correct, Lady Cynthia." The pegasus motioned back towards the main hall. "But just as a pony can't live on hay alone, a casino doesn't do well with just one game. Zabela did allow cards, dice, darts and billiards. Roulette took place in private rooms and V.I.P. lounges."

They passed back the models, and the pegasus put them back in the case. He then lead them into the next room. "While business was good during the early eight hundreds, things really took off with the discovery of gold in the frontier lands."

"The Neighvadian gold rush." Lemon exclaimed with a smile. "That's one of the more well-known historical events."

"With a sudden influx of money, the LaRoulettes and their cousins were more than happy to provide goods and services to spend it on. The City of Las Pegasus went from a small settler town, to a large metropolis, in the span of a few years, with LaRoulette providing many of the casinos and businesses." He indicated models showing the development of the town by year.

"Why didn't they buy out the town, and call it 'LaRoulette City?'" Lemon asked with a smirk.

The pegasus smiled. "Because proclaiming their ownership of it would be bad for business." He pointed out a few buildings. "While the family didn't lock out ponies who wanted to start up their own enterprises, the LaRoulettes certainly didn't want the city to become a chaotic mess. And buying out homes and businesses one by one would be expensive and time consuming."

"My goodness, how didst they maintain order?" Cynthia asked.

"The entire family pooled their available resources together, and bankrolled both the Las Pegasus city council, and the police force."

"That is absolutely brilliant!" Lemon exclaimed, snickering. "They don't have to control every business. With access to the lawmakers and the enforcers, they can keep the town harmonious." Lemon looked to the tour guide. "So did they do this with any other towns?"

"The Las Pegasus experiment exceeded all expectations. Not only were ponies more inclined to behave, but the family earned themselves a reputation of awe. However, repeating this practice in other cities had the risk of drawing Celestia's attention, and that's something that no-pony wanted. They'd certainly never try it in Canterlot. And anyways, the LaRoulette's business is business, not power and influence."

"It does explain a few things though, like how the city is so quick to come down on disharmonious conduct." Bouton said. "And why cheating is unheard of in a place with so many casinos."

The rest of the tour went by without incident, and Cynthia found the discussions to be very informative. The lectures and displays detailed events up to nine-sixty, including a brief history about the current Patron, Gilbert.

With one tour completed, the trio stopped at the outdoor restaurant to fill their bellies and complete their tickets. Returning to the casino afterwards, they presented the scrolls. "I do believe that we have fulfilled the necessary requirements." Cynthia proclaimed as she handed the scrolls to the clerk.

The mare opened each scroll and verified all the marks. "Excellent." She stated. The mare quickly filled out three cards, then handed one each to Lemon, Bouton, and Cynthia. "Just take these to the hotel desk, and they'll give you the free night."

On their way to the hotel desk, they noticed a group gathered in front of the fireplace. The focus of the group seemed to be a light brown unicorn stallion with a golden brown mane. He wore a tuxedo and his cutiemark appeared to be a pink doughnut. A few mares were gathered around him, one even draping herself over him.

"How now?" Cynthia began. "Be that Doughnut Joe?"

Bouton excused herself to handle the vouchers, while Lemon and Cynthia trotted over to investigate. "Hey." The stallion greeted them. "How may I help you ladies?"

"We were curious. Art thou Doughnut Joe, the proprietor of the establishment close on Canterlot castle?"

"Yes ma'am" Doughnut Joe replied. "But I'm off the clock right now, and I didn't bring any free samples with me unfortunately." He levitated a martini glass from the nearby table, and took a sip.

"Curious. Art though present at thy leisure?" Cynthia inquired.

"I'm here on a business trip." Doughnut Joe replied. "Today and Tomorrow are going to be momentous occasions, and I came down here to pay my respects."

"How momentous are we talking?" Lemon inquired.

Doughnut Joe took another sip of his drink before answering. "Let's just say that today is a good day to make new alliances, partnerships, and enterprises."

Cynthia and Lemon excused themselves then headed up to their room. Dropping her disguise, Luna did her bedtime preparations while Lime set up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door-handle. Once Luna had settled in, Lime bid her a good day and promised to wake her up for the next tour. The unicorn maid lowered the shades of the bedroom, then left. Alone, Luna mulled over the events of the evening, soon drifting off into slumber.

Outside the room, Lemon met with Bouton. The white unicorn was coming out of her own room. "Oh, Dame Lime." She greeted, then realized her mistake. "Lemon Lime. I meant." She blushed in embarrassment.

Lemon chuckled. "Nice save, Miss Rose." She replied.

Bouton nodded, then looked down the hall. "So, what shall we do for the next ten hours?"

"You didn't happen to pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen. and other such supplies, did you?" Lemon asked.

"I'd rather not go swimming in the ocean." Bouton stated. "The salt water is just harsh on my coat."

"Wait a moment. Didn't Princess Celestia say that there was a river around here."

"Rivier Verte. Of course!" Bouton beamed. Both unicorns went back into their rooms, and retrieved their swimming gear.