Many moons after Twilight's departure from Canterlot to Ponyville, her old castle was abandoned. In spite of the windows shone by the bright light of Luna's moon, the widened rooms were surrounded by book shelves. The ambiance filling the structure was struck with sounds of creaking floors and dust flying almost everywhere. Now the old castle became an fancy housing and leisure inn. The building was finally fixed to perfection by several paid construction workers, who then spent their nights inside afterwards. The inside resembled a fancy tavern and lounge, filled with improved furniture and sparkling clean glass tables. The first floors consisted of a spa center, a casino, and a bar room, while the miniature sections became rooms for guests to stay in. On special occasions, the inn would hold random events, which would consist of parties, which provides entertainment by local and outside jazz bands, while the tavern plays soft house music for regular hours. Since then, the business of the inn was a decent success.
As Celestia's sun slowly sets downward for Luna's moon to rise, four mares made their way to the inn, dressed in gala-like attire. Each of them brought with them a sack of bits.
One of them was Suri Polomare, a knitters' league professional who made it to a big city. She wears a purple glistening fabric dress, in which she made after 'borrowing' it from Rarity at a recent fashion week event not so long ago; She still has plenty of it left. The second one was Maud Pie, a rock farmer and one of Pinkie Pie's three sisters. Despite her major enthusiasm of rocks, she holds a face of non-emotion, which resembles her own states of emotion unlike her pink party sister. She wears a silver night dress filled with several sparkling sequins on either side.
The third is Ms. Harshwinny, formerly a head of the Equestria Games events. Her posh attitude and authority can plant fear into a filly's eyes. She wears a white blouse and a long purple-striped skirt. The fourth mare is none other than the Applebuck Ace of Sweet Apple Acres-Applejack. Her Element of Honesty is what resembles her strength in heart as well as mind, but her luck can be tested. In spite of her trusty hat not present, she wears her hair in a long ponytail, along with a black sleek dress with a leg line cut and orange heels.
"Well, hello ladies." A bellhop greeted after opening the door. "Welcome to the Canterlot Lounge. Please come in."
"And I believe you will be the one leading us to the game, dear?" Suri asked before extending her hand to the bellhop, in which he led her and the other mares inside. He shows his gentleman-like charm to them before bowing.
"Yes, of course." the bellhop answered politely. "You are expected. Please follow me."
As the bellhop turned to walk, the four mares followed. As they walked, they were fascinated by the structure and classy atmosphere. Their eyes were fixated on how the lights slightly dim some of the rooms, including the spa and tavern. After taking in the sights, they turned to the bellhop. He shows them the casino room.
"Well, ah'll be!" Applejack glared as she sees the room. "Now, ah may not be a gamblin' mare, but this place looks prettier than the Great Gallopin' Gala itself!
No doubt about it, madam." the bellhop nodded at the statement. "The place was made to sweet perfection, and it makes guaranteed excellent business, but wait till you see the card room."
He, along with the four mares, approached a wood-polished door before knocking on it. As it opens, he sees a posh colt, wearing a British-style suit.
"Ah! There you are, ol' chap." said the colt. "We have been expecting you. And you brought some guests. Well, come on in then."
As the bellhop introduced their names, Applejack greeted with a slight howdy, while Maud greeted with a short nod. Ms. Harshwinny proudly bowed while Suri winked and giggled.
"These four beautiful ladies are here for the game." he stated before turning to them. "This is Fancy Pants and Fleur De Lis, Canterlot's very own rich couple, and your host for tonight."
Once the mares said their hellos to the couple, the bellhop bids everyone adieu before exiting the room. Fancy Pants straightened his tie and sat on the dealer chair. He then starts to shuffle a deck of cards with his magic.
"First things first, ladies," He announced. "The buy-in is twenty-thousand bits, if you please."
The four mares brought out their sacks of bits and planted them to the table. Fancy then stops shuffling to carry the sacks with his horn to the couch beside Fleur De Lis. After carrying 4 sets of chips worth twenty-thousand bits and setting them to the table for each player. But before he can start the game, he has one last trick to show them. He uses his magic to change the table color to light blue while the words, 'Texas Hold 'em', 'Omaha', 'Five-card Draw', and 'Five-Card Stud' appear on it.
Fancy announces the rules. "This isn't just an ordinary game of poker, mind you. This is what I like to call, 'Ladies' Choice Poker'. We'll be playing in a series of four types of games, as you can see on this table. For each eliminated player, the game will be changed. And my wife and I will be alternating management of the table. And to ensure that no cheating in any way, shape, or form, will occur, my wife has established a magic spell that keeps watch in the case of any activity in the room. But, of course, we can guarantee that this room is one-hundred-percent cheat-proof, so there is no need to worry about that. A different player will be in control of choosing the game for the series. Standard rules apply for every game."
The last remaining player on the table is the winner of the series," Fleur added. "And will be entitled to an additional twenty-thousand bits, added to the full total of one hundred thousand bits in cash."
"Complementary services courtesy of our finest spa patrons, bartenders, and employees." Fancy announced before introducing the spa patron ponies from Ponyville, and three bartender ponies mixing drinks. They all took a bow and curtesy before going back to their positions.
"So, with that being said," Fancy said as picks up the shuffled deck. "The player at my left of the table will be starting us off. Mrs. Polomare, care to select the first game?"
