It was understandable that so many ponies would be giving her odd looks, given where she was going. Twilight, along with Spike, were both heading towards a place that most in Ponyville had taken to avoiding ever since it was first built, the Lunar Embassy. Spike in particular seemed nervous about this, but he kept pace with his Mother more often than not. As for Twilight herself, she bore a look of seriousness, though she tried her best to simply relax. They drew nearer and nearer to their destination, looking on at the cold grey stone of the place, with Lunar guards patrolling the outside of it. Two in particular, standing right beside the wooden doors at the front, saw the young unicorn's approach, and stepped forward.
"My Lady Twilight. What brings you here today?"
Twilight, speaking as diplomatically as possible, responded.
"I've been sent an invitation by Ambassador Rarity. I'm here to answer it."
One guard looked to the other, then back to Twilight, nodding.
"Very well. My colleague here will escort you in."
Twilight smiled, then urged Spike to follow as they watched the guard open the nearby door with his horn. The second guard saluted to them both, then began to head on inside, with Twilight and Spike following him shortly afterwards. Once inside, the door was closed behind them, and Twilight, finally, was given a chance to see what this place looked like on the inside. To her slight surprise, she found that it reminded her a great deal of the Lunar Palace where Queen Moon herself resided, albeit smaller in scale. Many tapestries of crescent moons and images of the stars and other celestial bodies were abound, with a plethora of azure or black colours dotted about the place. Sometimes, there would even be a painting of Queen Moon herself, striking heroic or commanding poses. Spike, looking at it all, looked to his Mother.
"Well, they definitely have...a theme going on here."
Twilight chuckled in response, but said nothing as the guard continued to lead them deeper into the complex. Every once in a while, they'd come across some servant in the middle of their duties, like cleaning, or perhaps a guard standing watch outside of a particular door, but for the most part, nopony even cast a glance in their direction. Eventually, however, their guard stood beside one door in particular, gesturing to it before using his magic to open it.
"If you would, Lady Twilight."
The young mare nodded, then began to head in as instructed, followed shortly by Spike. And here, they came upon their host for the first time. Ambassador Rarity, sitting on one side of a grand-looking wooden table, beside a roaring fireplace, in a room decorated similarly to everywhere else in here. From the looks of it, especially the nearby desk and bookcase, Twilight guessed that it was a study of some sort, and as she entered in earnest, Rarity, at last, noticed her.
"Ah! Twilight! Spike! Do come in!"
Hearing the above-average level of enthusiasm in her voice, Twilight smiled, then took the invitation, heading over to an available chair beside the table. Spike walked beside her, but as he did so, he noticed that the Ambassador was not alone here. Close to her, sitting quietly with a smile on her face, was Sweetie Belle, her daughter. The young filly waved a little to Spike, which he returned with a smile of his own. It wasn't long before all four of them were seated, and in this moment, Rarity spoke to her guest.
"Thank you for coming."
Twilight nodded.
"Thank you for the invitation. I never expected I'd be asked to come here."
A slight smirk crept onto Rarity's face.
“Nonsense. After all the help you’ve given us since we arrived, it seemed only fitting. Besides, I've visited your home, so it only seemed proper that I invited you here."
She glanced at the door.
"I hope you don't mind, but I've sent for some tea."
Twilight nodded, but didn't say anything, as it was instead Spike who added his voice to matters.
"Thank you, Ma'am."
Rarity looked to him and chuckled a little.
"Such a polite young drake."
She turned to her daughter.
"Sweetie? I believe you said you wanted to show him your new favourite book?"
Sweetie's face lit up, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Mother!"
She hopped off her chair, rushing around the table and gesturing for Spike to follow her, as she made her way over to the aforementioned bookcase.
"Come on Spike!"
Though hesitant, Spike looked to his own Mother, who giggled slightly before nodding to him.
"Go on, Spike."
With permission granted, the young dragon similarly got down from his own chair, rushing off to follow his unicorn friend. Rarity, seeing them go to the bookcase together, turned to Twilight and smiled.
"It's nice my girl has a chance to be with those her own age. Not something she gets to do that often around here."
Looking back to her, Twilight appeared to share that sentiment.
"I know what you mean. Spike gets on pretty well with Apple Bloom and the other children, but it's nice he can find friends here too."
Just then, there was a knocking upon the door, gaining Rarity's attention.
"Enter."
The door swung open, and on the other side was a unicorn mare, dressed in a similar fashion to Rarity, though not quite as elaborately. She entered, and with her magic was levitating a silver tray that bore four still-steaming cups of tea.
"Ah! Yes! Right here, thank you," Rarity invited.
The servant nodded, bringing the tray closer and gently placing it upon the table. With that done, she bowed to the Ambassador, who returned the gestured with a smile and a nod, before turning around and making her way back out again. Twilight, seeing her go, now used her own magic to levitate her cup towards her mouth. She briefly took a moment to blow on it before taking a sip, letting out sounds of contentment and satisfaction as she did so.
"Hmmm...nice."
Taking a sip of her own tea, Rarity concurred.
"Indeed. Always nice to have a moment or two like this in the day. I so rarely get the chance."
Twilight giggled.
"Politics keeping you busy?"
Rarity raised an eyebrow.
"You've aided Ambassador Cadence in the past, yes? I should hope you'd be aware how taxing it can be."
Twilight nodded, taking another sip before turning her attention to the two youngsters, who were both engrossed in a large book Sweetie was holding.
"The tea is here, you two!"
Spike looked up from his book.
"We'll be there in a moment, Mom."
Twilight looked back to Rarity, gaining a look of curiosity.
"Have you been in politics long, Ambassador? The first time we met, you were an aide to the Queen, as I recall."
Rarity smiled once more.
"Oh, my family have served the Queen for many generations now. Ever since I was Sweetie's age, I've been trained and brought up in the ways of court. When her Majesty needed an Ambassador, I was the first choice."
Twilight considered that, her expression becoming a more serious one.
"If I may ask...how do you think relations between us are going?"
Rarity looked up from her tea, tilting her head slightly, prompting Twilight to continue.
"I know politics isn’t what you’d like to talk about right now. It's just...me and Cadence...we're both hoping things between Equestria and your country turn out well. But it just seems like, whenever things are looking good, something comes along to create further tension."
Rarity sighed upon hearing that.
"Such is the nature of diplomacy, Miss Sparkle. Friendships between two individuals may take no time whatsoever, but whole nations? That's another matter entirely. Whole centuries may pass before any real headway is made. I knew that before the offer of this position was even made to me."
Twilight's ears dropped slightly.
"I hope we don't have to wait long."
A smile returned to Rarity's lips.
"Cheer up, Twilight. As long as there are sensible ponies like you on their side, I can definitely see things working out between our peoples. Besides..."
She turned, looking upon Spike and Sweetie, who were both smiling and giggling as they read that book together.
"...if they can be friends, why can't our countries?"
Twilight too looked to the youngsters, smiling at the sentiment, before glancing back to her host.
"I mean no offense, Ambassador, but it's surprising to hear you, of all people, being so optimistic."
To that, Rarity let out a brief laugh.
"Well, one can't play the serious diplomat every day, Twilight."
