"So, now that that's settled we need to take care of something before I can give you a tour, or I mean at least I need to take care of something. But I guess it'll be a good way to show you a bit around the castle," Frost said giving Rie a little smile.

"Let me guess, while the princess is going to take care of the paperwork it falls to you to tell Long Shot he's fired?" She asked making Frost nod making her sigh. "Alright, first let me just say that I'm sorry for getting you into any trouble."

"Don't worry about it, and really I'm not actually in trouble this was just a way for the princess to give me some vacation time. I will admit I have a little issue with working a little too much, have to be doing some kind of work or else I'll go crazy," Frost said and as the mare walked toward Rie she noticed that the mare's armor didn't fit quite right.

"I know the feeling, people back home would say the same thing about me. Also, how long have you've been captain for? I mean I'm only asking because your armor doesn't seem to fit right," She said making Frost give a little huff.

"It's been a little over a year, and for my armor, they have to make a new set for me. Actually correction, this is actually my third set. The first one belonged to my predecessor and he was bigger than me, the second set the holes for my wings weren't right, and this set they somehow got it too small and the straps don't fit right at all," Frost said giving another huff in frustration.

"Well, if it makes you feel better you still seem to be doing fine even with the armor not fitting right," She said making Frost give a slight roll of her eyes.

"Yeah, that's because I got to work with what I got for now. I just think that the pony who makes the armor just doesn't like me," Frost said. "Now, let's head to the barracks real fast so I can get this over with. Though he probably already knows he's going to get canned."

"Right, let's go," She replied following the mare's lead. "So, do you mind if I take pictures along the way? Also, when we do get to the barracks do you just want me to wait outside the door or something?"

"Take as many pictures as you want, we aren't exactly in any restricted areas or anything. As for you waiting, no because when I officially tell him and he walks out to find you it may cause more trouble. Not to mention it'll get some of the guards familiar with you so they just won't try to arrest you or anything, and it'll help get the word around that you'll be under my personal protection from now on," Frost answered.

"Okay, well at least I'll rest easy knowing that I might not get arrested or anything from a random guard," She said making Frost shake her head just a bit.

"Yeah, yeah now we aren't too far from the barracks," Frost said as they started to go down the hall that lead to the throne room.

From what Rie saw both on the way in and out it was quite pretty on the inside and she couldn't help but start bouncing yet again. Every now and again they would walk past another guard either walking down the halls or stationed outside a door. Frost nodded to them as they stood in attention as they walked by while Rie started to take pictures.

"Alright, here we are and remember to try not to worry about Long Shot, he really won't do anything with so many other guards around," Frost said making Rie nod as they entered into the large room making all the guards inside immediately stand in attention. "Okay, first things first this is Rie. She is an honored guest here in Equestria and is under my protection!

So that means no messing with her especially since she does have a diplomatic title. Now, where is Long Shot?"

"I'm over here," Long Shot called out making Frost and Rie walk over to him and as they got to him, he narrowed his eyes at Rie. "Hmph, that shouldn't be allowed in the barracks Captain."

"It is that very reason why you're getting fired, now get your stuff and get out of here before you get into even more trouble," Frost said. "As for Rie, she is with me and like I said she is under my protection."

"Right, but now that I'm not under your command anymore that means I can finally tell you how much of a..." Before he could finish Frost had him pinned against the wall baring her fangs.

"Watch what you say, like I said it's the reason why you're getting fired and as you said you are no longer under my command. Which means I can freely throw you in a jail cell even if it'll only be for a day for insulting me," Frost growled out making Long Shot gulp. "Now like I said, get your stuff together and get out!"

"F-fine, but this isn't over. Whatever she told you and the princess I don't trust it, neither should any of you!" Long Shot shouted as Frost let him go before going to what Rie assumed was his bed.

"Right, do any of you have anything to say about Rie?" Frost asked looking around the room but not a single one of them spoke up. "Good, now Wicker make sure Long Shot is escorted and all the enchantments are taken off his medals."

"Yes, Ma'am!" A guard replied making Frost nod before walking towards the door making Rie follow.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that, hope I didn't scare you," Frost said once they were outside the room.

"Hey, you had to do what you had to do and you didn't scare me one bit. If anything it made me like you even more," She replied making Frost raise an eyebrow.

"You are a weird one, most anypony who sees my temper at first always gets scared. But thanks," Frost said giving Rie a little smile.

"Please, in my universe there are some vampiric races even if I've never personally met one. So seeing you bare your fangs doesn't bother me, even if like I said I've never met a vampiric before you. It partly comes down to people saying I get pretty scary when I'm angry as well," she said.

"I can believe that, while you seem nice it's that reason why I don't doubt it. After all, nice creatures always have a longer fuse but bigger explosion," Frost said making Rie give a smile of her own.

"Yup, but are you okay with how it went? I mean I remember when you told me about his other strikes you mentioned that he was a talented guard and you hated to see him go. Or something along those lines," She mentioned making Frost give a sigh.

"Yeah, he is talented but that is no excuse for how he acts or what he has said. In truth, it's part of the reason why I got the promotion instead of him, he didn't pass the psychological exam," Frost explained. "Now, let me show you around the castle a bit before I show you the city. Lucky we have a few hours before the day ponies come out which will make this easier. Mostly because most of the ponies that live here can be somewhat..."

"Stuck up snobs?" She finished as Frost was trying to find a better way to phrase it, but the mare nodded.

"Unfortunately, the nighttime crowd is a bit better and it's not like everypony are like that during the day. But we should get going," Frost said making Rie nod.

"So, do you live here in the castle or in the city somewhere?" She asked as they started to walk.

"Nope, I actually live in the town at the base of the mountain called Ponyville. Before you ask it's only a twenty-minute commute by flying," Frost answered making Rie nod.

"I have to live on the complex I work at for at least six months," she said.

"Huh, well it's like that for a lot of the lower ranks. Well, they have to live here for at least a full year though there is quite a few who choose to live here full time. Makes sense since they don't really have to pay rent or anything, and three meals a day. Speaking of which, that over there is the kitchen and cafeteria," Frost pointed out.

"Cool, so what's Ponyville like?" She asked taking a quick picture.

"A lot more accepting and friendlier than here, it's actually where Princess Twilight and her friends live. They're the ones you saw in a lot of those stained glass windows. Other than Princess Twilight, you already know of one of them," Frost answered.

"Pinkie Pie? The one that both you and the princess compared me to?" Frost gave a nod in response. "Can't wait to meet them then even if I don't know all their names at the moment."

"Don't worry about that, once we're in Ponyville I'll give you a tour there to and introduce you. But chances are by the morning they'll know that you're coming with me because Princess Luna will send a letter to Princess Twilight," Frost said.

"Makes sense, got to keep the other leaders in the loop," She said and after that, they made a little small talk while Frost showed her the rest of the castle, at least the parts that weren't restricted.

"Now, let me show you the gardens. I'm sure you'll love it," Frost said as they walked out a door and as soon as they did it took Rie's breath away making Frost give a huge smile. "I know, this is one of the best parts of the castle. It's really only open to the public on certain events or days."

"Y-yeah, I can see why and is it always this beautiful during the night?" She asked still in awe as they walked around.

"Only during full moons," Frost answered making Rie look towards the sky and gave another gasp. "What?"

"N-nothing, it's just I didn't pay attention to how clear and beautiful the night sky is. Back in my world, there are very few places you can get a view like this. Not to mention how clean and pure the air is here," She answered.

"Well, I'm glad I can show you this but if you think that this is impressive then you'll absolutely love the spot I have in mind of taking you. Not many ponies go there for some reason despite the view being the best you'll ever get," Frost said making Rie's smile grow.

"Then what are we waiting for?" She asked making Frost own smile grow.

Frost then started to lead Rie to the main gate for the castle and soon they were on the main street where the tour of the city began. Though before they got too far away from the castle Frost turned around and pointed out different parts of the castle. Which also included Princess Celestia's school for unicorns, among other things.

After that, they started making their way more down the street while Frost pointed out some of the main buildings. Then they turned down a street that instantly filled Rie's nose with pleasant scents of food. Frost explained that this was the restaurant area and explained that a few were opened twenty-four seven, though it wasn't necessary.

"So, are we almost to that spot?" She asked as they turned onto another street.

"Yup, it's actually down this street just a bit," Frost answered.

They continued on their way while Frost pointed out some of her favorite hang out spots in the city. But soon Frost smile grew before she took off making Rie pick up her own pace in order to keep up. Soon she saw Frost stop at a fence, though as she got closer she saw it was actually more of a balcony and as she stepped beside Frost her jaw instantly dropped.

They were on the outskirts of the city looking over the sprawling landscape below revealing not just a town below, but a huge forest area. You could see what looked like hundreds of miles from this vantage point and the land was so breathtakingly beautiful. She had to force herself to look away and she saw Frost giving her a gentle smile.

"I knew you would love it and if you couldn't guess that town down there is Ponyville," Frost said making Rie look at the town below.

"Is that a crystal treehouse?" She asked in amazement.

"Castle actually, it's where Princess Twilight lives," Frost replied though after that they just stood there in a comfortable silence looking at the beautiful sight, and after a bit, Rie finally spoke up.

"You know like I said there are vampiric races like yours. Also like I said you really are the first one I met though, but there's something I remember about some of the vampiric races. Some of them say that the animals and people that they feed on have their own smell to them that lures the vampire to the person..." Before she could finish Frost spoke up.

"I am sorry I just couldn't help myself!" Frost said making Rie roll her eyes.

"What, you think that I'm offended or that freaked me out?" She asked making Frost avoid her eyes making her sigh. "Let me guess, ponies don't like it because the best way to describe their scent is by comparing it to food?"

"Y-yeah, but are you really asking me what you smell like?" Frost replied making her nod.

"Listen, my culture has evolved to where if someone from a vampiric race comes up to you and tells you that you smell like an apple it's taken as a compliment. Sure, go back far enough then it might be weird to be compared to food but now it's like saying that someone has nice perfume or cologne on," She said.

"Huh, b-but are you absolutely sure?" Frost asked making Rie give a firm nod. "A-alright, the best way to describe how you smell to me is like walking into a candy store."

"So, is there like any particular candy I smell like?" She asked making Frost shake her head.

"just the mixture of different sweets, like I said like a candy store," Frost answered yet again still avoiding making eye contact.

"Well, thanks for calling me sweet," She said giving the mare a little smile before returning her gaze to the scenery. "So, to change the topic is there anywhere else you would like to show me here?"

"Not here, but let's just wait for a bit because it's almost morning and I always love watching the sunrise from here," Frost said returning her own gaze to the scene before them.

They waited for about twenty minutes in silence, while it wasn't comfortable it wasn't awkward either. She knew from how the mare was acting that what they just talked about must have been a sensitive subject for most of her kind. Which she knew that she had to be careful with how to approach any vampiric subjects, but she got distracted by the sun coming up and she could feel it's warmth spread throughout her body.

"This world just has so much beauty to it," She said under her breath but at the moment she forgot about how good Frost hearing was.

"Yeah, it does when you know where to look," Frost said making Rie look at her out of the corner of her eye to see the mare laying her head on the railing. "We should get going though, the normal day crowd will be waking up soon. Do you think you can still fly?"

"Think so, we headed to Ponyville down there?" She asked making Frost nod.

"Yeah, I think I showed you around here pretty well. Now it's time to show you around my home," Frost said flapping her wings and hovered there waiting for Rie who concentrated to hover. "Ready to go? Just remember that they might panic just a bit when they see you."

"Yeah, I'm ready and like I keep saying I'm more than expecting that kind of reaction, part of the training," She replied making Frost give another nod before taking off making Rie follow.

They went at a decent pace taking their time going down the mountain making Rie look back up to the city above and she really was impressed with how well it was built to not just slide down the mountain. That made her think though about the different architecture styles that she saw so far. She remembered the first city she saw looked more modern, while the city above had more of a medieval feel to it.

"All the tribes have their own way of building, though some cities do blend the different styles really well," Frost said as if reading her mind.

"So does that mean that ponies weren't always unified?" She asked.

"Right, though they worked together it was more out of necessity than anything else. As a result, each tribe's culture evolved just a bit differently," Frost explained.

"Makes sense, but what changed?" She asked.

"It's a bit of a story, but the short version is that ponies united to get rid of creatures known as Windigos," Frost answered.

"That's pretty cool and makes sense, though I would like to hear the full story sometime," She said making Frost give her a little smile.

"I can do that, but let's wait until after we get to Ponyville," Frost said making Rie look at the town that was getting closer, she figured they be there in less than five minutes. Looking at the town from where they were she could see it starting to wake up. "Oh, something I want to ask you. You seem to have a little problem with taking off, do you know why?"

"It's because my soul now has matter to it so it takes a lot more concentration to fly. It would be like you putting on some weights to help build your wing muscles," She explained.

"That makes sense, I mean you probably literally weighed nothing. Which reminds me, what does it feel like? I mean with it not actually being your real body?" Frost asked making Rie think for a moment.

"It's a bit difficult to explain, but the best way to explain it is like a change of new clothes. Not broken in yet so it feels awkward in a way, but from what I learned is just like with new clothes you get used to it. If that makes any sense to you," She explained.

"You kidding right?" Frost said nodding at her armor making Rie give a little blush.

"Right, guess you do kind of know what I mean," She said making Frost give a chuckle.

"But yeah, how long do you think it'll take you to get used to this body?" Frost asked slowing her pace to a stop as they were now on the outskirts of Ponyville.

"It'll be a bit, not sure of the actual time frame. So, you ready to show me around your home town?" She asked giving Frost a little nervous smile.

"Yup, going to have to go meet up with Princess Twilight first. Introduce you to her and her friends," Frost said.

"Right, because you did mention Princess Luna sending a message to them or something," She said taking a breath before giving a big excited smile. "I'm ready when you are!"

"You really are something else," Frost said shaking her head with a little smile. "Let's get going to the castle then, it's just right around the corner." At that, she followed the mare around the corner into the open.

Author's Note

Hope you enjoyed, and remember to smile, smile, smile!