Crossfade

Chapter 3

“That's the last of this one” The large carriage stallion yelled to his colleague.

“Move it along!” Another working stallion replied.

“We gotta get this convoy going.” Another large pony made himself heard.

“Sure thing Boss.” The worker strapped into my carriage raised his voice.

The convoy was made up of many carriages, most of them with the festival’s lights, rigging and colossal speaker systems. The carriages that were closer to the front of the convoy were those that temporarily ‘housed’ the performers as well as some of the more ‘higher up’ guests. Stallions, all strapped into their wooden contraptions were showing no signs of fatigue, despite an almost non stop journey from Seaddle.

“HEY VINYL, YOU’RE NEXT!” I shouted towards the house about a hundred metres ahead of me.

“Skye, could you keep it down.” Twilight spoke, looking above her latest Daring Do novel.

“Come on Twilight, you’re going to a whole circuit of the loudest concerts in Equestria.” I protested.

“Only because the Princess threatened to send you to the moon.” Derpy interrupted.

“Shut up Derpy, I would have invited her anyway.” I protected my pride.

“Suuuure...” Derpy sneaked back into the front of the carriage.

“The Princess can be a little threatening.” Twilight admitted.

“She almost beat the fur off me.”

“Really?” The purple unicorn smiled.

“Why the smile?” My voice showed irritation.

“I suppose that you have to look after me then.”

“No. I just have to bring you. Derpy already called the bits anyway.” I frowned.

“What bu...”

“You know that everything is already paid for?” I shot an intrigued grin.

“Um...yeah! I did my resea.” Twilight tried to meet my gaze. “Hey don't close your eyes.” The controlling stare failed. “OK I didn’t learn anything, I was too busy!” The mare gave up.

“What would your mentor say.” I joked, spacing out my words.

“Don’t tell Princess Celestia!” Twilight slammed her book down, pleading for my silence.

“I was only teasing.” I opened my eyes and placed a hoof on the worried mare’s shoulder.

Twilight, still bearing a worried face returned to her book, quietly reading out loud to herself.

“Forward to....Miss Vinyl Scratch!” A workforce coordinator commanded.

“AYE!” Most of the convoy bellowed.

The carriage shook gently as the suspension took effect in keeping a level floor. The reason for the tour managers using such expensive and modern carriage modifications (From what Octavia said.) was that the year before, Princess Luna was heard complaining in her coach, this lead to most of the tour’s funding almost being stripped away if nothing was immediately done about the carriages. Of course Princess Luna was not in her coach yet, but when she does, the organisers better hope they got it right if the moon bringer is anything like her sister.

About a minute into the convoy’s short journey we stopped again in front of DJ-Pon3 and Octavia Philharmonic’s house. Octavia was exempt from having to use a VIP pass, as per Vinyl’s demands so Vinyl had two passes to spare. The Guest admissions had to be none other than a beige and mint green couple, the same two that had assaulted me two days ago.

A few stallions repeated the task of loading the passenger’s luggage into the rear of the coach behind my one, the four mares outside having considerably more luggage than I decided was necessary for me to take. While the bags were being carefully stacked on top and beside each other, two earth ponies and two unicorns stepped onto the carriage one by one, quietly talking to themselves. The workers continued their shouting to each other before finally, the carriages began to move once more.

“Eugh...Why did she have to bring them two along.” I spoke to nobody.

“Who?” Twilight entered into a conversation.

“Lyra and Bonbon.” My tone was sour.

“Oh...You’re doomed.” Twilight happily said.

“Why are you smiling?” I demanded.

“You want revenge.” Twilight began. “The Princess will be looking for that.”

“Why do you think I want revenge?” I played innocence.

“Because stallions hate being beaten,” Her voice was happy. “Dash too.”

“You read too much.” A weak retaliation left my lips.

“Thanks, but if I need terrible comebacks, I’ll ask Spike.” The arrogance infuriated me.

“Do you have to come?” I whined.

“The Princess said I have to.” Twilight spoke flatly.

“Do you want to?” Curiosity carried my words.

“No, and yes.” Twilight started. “I want to win my bet with spike, and wouldn't mind going on holiday. But I will miss my library, and of course there is you.

“Oh.” I became disinterested.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful, but to the Princess, not you.”

“Why don’t you like me?” I questioned, looking out of the open window.

“It’s not that I don’t like you...Well it is, but you are not my type.”

“I’m not trying anything on.” Annoyed, my response came through my teeth, almost whispering but just loud enough to make myself heard.

“What is your type.” I coldly demanded.

“Readers, intellectuals, interesting characters.” Twilight listed

“I did get top of my class in reading.”

“Do you read now?” Twilight persisted in her condescending tone.

“I just read Lord of the Hayflies.”

“You’re into Goldhoof?” Twilight looked shocked.

“It’s the only Goldhoof I have read, I prefer non-fiction anyway.” I admitted.

“Me too, the non-fiction that is, I’ve read all of Goldhoof’s works, you should come by the li...” Twilight stopped and returned to her novel.

“What were you going to say?” A mischievous grin grew on my face.

“Oh nothing.” Twilight lied.

“You know, I have a signed copy of that book you’re reading.”

“It’s a novel, Skye. And if you did, I would know.” Twilight became defensive

“Vinyl gave it to me, she got it from the author herself.” I childishly held something against her. “I might give it to the Orphanage to be honest, Vinyl would want it to be appreciated.” my words probed for a reaction.

“You can’t!” Twilight stood up.

Gotcha.

“Ha. Anyway, do you know Princess Luna.” I quickly changed topics.

“Um..Yeah.” Twilight sat down. “Why?”

“Is she like her sister?” my red-glassed pink eyes grew.

“Not really”

“In a good way?” Regretfully, the only experience with royalty has been negative for me.

“What do you mean a good way? Luna’s really nice I guess but...” Twilight froze mid sentence.

“But?”

“Princess Luna. She’s not as... Forward as her sister. A little introverted actually.” Relief hit me.

“Phew.”

“What do you mean ‘phew’.” Twilight slammed her novel on the table, clearly offended.

“Princess Celestia isn’t exactly my favourite Alicorn.” I said with sarcasm.

“She couldn’t have been that bad.”

“Try having her rig the door to send a magic feedback.” I paused, thinking of ways to exaggerate. “Or having her trap you outside your body with dark, painful spell casting”

“From what I heard, you were already outside of your body.” Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“That’s not the point.”

“It is, your talent carries very dangerous magic.”

I’ve heard this before.

“I am pretty sick of my skill being treated as negative.” A protest escaped with a scowl.

“It’s not positive.” Twilight Objected.

“It is comfortable though.” I laughed.

“You shouldn’t have it.” The purple mare looked at the floor.

“Why?” I responded, interested.

“Necromancy is outlawed in Equestria. The Princess won’t even let me read about it.”

“It’s hardly necromancy when it is just me.” I challenged.

“Sure it is...You can...” Twilight stopped. “What can you do?”

“Can’t tell you.” I smiled.

“The Princess won’t mind. I could....I could say I was spying on you. That’s if she caught me somehow. I wonder if she is watching me now...” Cautiously, Twilight cast a spell.

“Hey, not in the carriage.” Derpy poked her head out.

“Thanks Derpy...”

“OK, but don’t do it again!” Derpy spoke with an authoritative voice.

“She isn’t watching us.” Twilight whispered.

“So...?”

“Tell me about it!” The unicorns eyes grew wide with anticipation.

“Erm...I can leave my body.”

“I know that already.” Her eyes persisted.

“I can enter another.”

Twilight began to take notes.

The last sentence caused Twilight to look up in annoyance, remembering what I had (unfortunately) had done to Miss Fluttershy. Still, she continued to take notes, occasionally glancing up from her furious writing.

“The Princess will want to hear of this.” Twilight muttered.

“No big deal though...Right?” I searched for an answer.

“Potentially dangerous.” Her words sounded like a sentencing.

“Oh.”

“Skye, would you mind showing me yourself. Without yourself.” Twilight tried for the right words to use.

“Later.”

“Why?” Disappointment was clear on her face

“I’m starving.”

“But this is important! The Princess is counting on me!” Twilight covered her muzzle with a hoof.

“So, you’re a spy now?” My interest peaked.

“....eep.” The book became her shield.

“After breakfast.”

“That would be great.” Twilight stammered, lifting herself above the paper wall. unaware at how far away breakfast would be.

*******

The service station was now packed with empty carriages outside, and chatting stallions within.

Everypony who chose to come into the station was now either devouring a large breakfast or shopping in the small gift shops. I however, opted to fill my quite empty stomach, accompanied by a watchful unicorn and an equally hungry Pegasus.

“I wanna eat at La Fancy's” Derpy bounced along, almost shouting into my ear

“Go ahead.” I spoke as I eyed the salad selection at another, unbranded and unpacked cafeteria.

“You coming Twilight?” Derpy looked towards Twilight.

“Um..no, I fancy some unsalted-salad right now.”

“Sure you do.” I led the way, Derpy going in the opposite direction.

I stood upright against the cafeteria’s self service rail and picked up a tray along with a large, white porcelain bowl. Carrying the tray in my hands I moved over to where the large colourful blend of leaves and vegetables were resting. Twilight was closely mimicking my movements as if she had never been to a service station canteen before, although I did not mind having company, the looks from the working stallions were quite off-putting.

“Skye, are we supposed to do that?” Princess Celestia’s pupil asked with caution.

“Sure, it’s self service, take what you like.”

“Okay.” Twilight hesitated as she filled her bowl.

As soon as both trays were filled with equally appetizing selections of food and drink, the purple mare and I edged across the guide rail to the cash machine.

“That will be seven bits sir.” A bored cashier said in a monotone voice.

“Skye.”

“And hers please.” I sighed.

“fourteen bits.” The attendant corrected.

“Thank You.”

I handed over four bits prior to taking my full tray between my teeth and carefully returning to all fours. There were quite a few empty tables to choose from, but Twilight seemed intent on finding a table close to the large window that spanned the whole of the cafeteria. Following Twilight to the table with six chairs, I internally questioned her table choice before placing my tray down and sitting across from her.

“You had to get the largest table.” I criticized.

“It has the best view.” Twilight responded

“Of what?”

“Equestria!” hooves waved in the air as if Twilight had told a joke.

“Kay.”

We both began to devour our morning meal, not paying any attention to each other except for the occasional look at how far through the meal the other was. I took my time eating, allowing the time to pass as Twilight slowed down and allowed herself to enjoy the food. In the near distance I could see Vinyl, Octavia, Lyra and Bonbon as well as Derpy sitting down in the La Fancy’s seating area. Seeing the mares laugh together was depressing for me, but having Twilight slightly lifted my spirits, even if she was only a spy.

“Finished?” I gained Twilight’s attention.

“Yes.” She smiled back.

“Shall we go back to the carriage?”

“No. I’m going to go sit with the girls.” Twilight got up.

“Oh. Okay.”

“Want to come?” Twilight poked her hoof at me.

“Um...yeah, go on then.”

“Go on what?” Twilight looked confused.

“Lead the way...”

We took our empty trays to a large rack with ‘used’ displayed above it. Immediately after, the two of us crossed the large hallway and into the La Fancy’s seating area, taking in the smell of processed food as we approached our destination. Work stallions were beginning to leave the restaurants and gift shops to return from their much needed break, alleviating the feeling of being constantly watched.

“Hello Twilight” An elegant voice greeted the lavender unicorn

“Hi Twi” Her mare friend grinned behind her glasses.

“Yeah, hello Twi.” Two voices spoke in time with each other. “And you...Skye.”

Vinyl and Octavia’s guests were less than happy to see me, and I would have it no other way.

“You two are looking lovely today.” I addressed Lyra and Bonbon, gaining the upper hand.

“What, and I don’t?” Vinyl searched for attention.

“Nope, the glasses don’t do it for me.”

“Buck you.” The white pony laughed.

“Was there anything you wanted? Twilight? Skye?” Octavia turned to the new arrivals.

“Since I am coming on this trip.” Twilight skipped past usual conversational norms. “I would like to know how much free time I will have.”

I didn't expect that.

“You’re a guest, do what you like.” Vinyl interrupted.

“I could...yes, I could visit historic...”

“Wait, wait, wait. This is a festival.” Twilight was stopped in her tracks.

“but you said I cou..”

“Have fun, the buck is wrong with you?” Once again the librarian was cut off.

“Vinyl, language.” Octavia jumped onto her partners ‘bad’ language.

“History is fun.” Twilight sulked.

“It really isn’t” Lyra butted in.

“Who asked you?” I gave Lyra an uninterested frown.

“Shut up Skye.” Bonbon defended her partner.

Ignoring Lyra and Bonbon, I sat down next to Octavia.

“You really need to get over yourself Skye.” Lyra finally thought of something to say.

“Cool.”

“Would you stop this?” Octavia spoke up. “This argument has gone on for too long.”

I could laugh at the cliché.

“What argument?” I played along.

“How was I supposed to know that it wouldn’t work.” The mint green pony leaned in.

“The fact is, you shouldn’t try to change a pony’s gender with a half baked spell.”

“Oh my.” Twilight chuckled.

“It would have worked.” Bonbon started. “But you kept squirming.”

“Squirming?” Twilight questioned.

“They tied him up, tried to turn him into a mare and failed.” Derpy explained.

“So...What’s the problem?”

“The problem is.” I began. “I was knocked unconscious, then woke up in a basement.”

“Sounds like the first time you came to one of my shows.” The white pony joined in. “What actually happened anyway?”

“At the show?”

“No, with Lyra.”

I took in a short moment of silence before removing my left contact lens. Sparking a few laughs from the grey and lavender mares, as well as a smug grin from another crème pony, I revealed a ‘pink’ eye.

“That’s all folks.” I said, replacing the lens.

“It’s so pretty.” Derpy laughed.

“Most befitting.” Twilight added.

“Is that it.”

“The nurse managed to fix the rest.” I responded to Vinyl with a positive tone, trying to not become the depressing pony of the group.

“Like what?”

“Most of my skeleton.” I now caught onto the humour of my misfortune.

“How in Equestria did they manage that?” Twilight stared at my muzzle, awaiting every word.

“With some pretty risky surgery, a lot of nasty medicine, and a cart load of bits.”

“How much out were you?” Octavia hadn’t gotten this far before. She hadn’t lived in Ponyville as long as I.

“Downsized my house.” I laughed it off.

“I can see why you would be mad.”

“Yeah, but looking back on it.” I planned my next sentence. “I did get to know lots of ponies better, them helping me move in and all.”

“Like Rarity?” Octavia was quite a fan of how my home looked.

“Yeah, after I had saved up enough bits.”

“So, you furnished your own home?” A shock-horror look formed on Octavia’s face.

“Yeah....”

“I helped!” Derpy added.

Octavia looked as though she was going to faint.

“So what happened to your old home?” the question came from Vinyl, who was still drinking her milk shake.

“They moved in.” I gestured in the direction of Lyra and Bonbon, both of them backing off slightly.

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, but I guess it’s in the past.” I once again made the situation feel like a joke.

“That’s the spirit Skye.” Octavia nodded.

“This would make a great letter to the Princess.” The purple mare beamed.

Twilight ejected from the table and began to rush to the carriage in search of some parchment and a pen.

“Spirit Skye?” Vinyl repeated. “Fitting.” she mumbled.

Lyra and Bonbon couldn’t help but smirk

“Stage name?” My eyes fixed on Vinyl.

“Not exactly creative.” Vinyl said bluntly, remembering that she was the mare that said it.

“At least people would be able to say it.” I remarked.

“What is so hard about DJ PON3? I still can get over ponies pronouncing the three.” Vinyl groaned, collapsing her hooves onto the table.

“We should really get back to the carriages.” The interruption came from Bonbon.

“Yeah, I can’t wait to blow up Canterlot!” Vinyl shouted.

Some security stallions eyed Vinyl, tensing their rear legs and about to pounce at any sudden move. Tumble weed from out of nowhere crossed the tiled floor.

“Don’t mind her, she’s just very special!” Octavia addressed the alerted staff. “Just look at her mane.”

“What about my mane?” Vinyl clutched her blue strands, making sure nothing was wrong.

“We’re going to be late.” Lyra sang nervously.

“Lets go.” I commanded. “Octavia, cover your mare friend’s mouth, I don’t want an incident.”

So that’s what a Canterlot guard feels like.

“Vinyl?” I addressed the white unicorn as we made our way out of the station’s interior.

“Yeah?”

“How did you manage to get three passes?” I enquired.

“You gotta know these things to be queen.”

“Octavia did it.” I disregarded Vinyl’s words.

“Yup.”

“So...” Lyra spoke up, although in an anxious voice.

“What?” Vinyl assumed she was the target.

“No, Skye.” Lyra started. “What music are you going to play.”

Breaking down tensions already?

“Actually, I am also quite interested in this.” Octavia didn't spare a glance.

“Erm..I did some french barn, progressive barn, some smooth dubclop, glitch, aaaand a bit more that I can’t tell you about.” I teased hesitantly.

“Why?” Lyra was more forward.

“It’s kind of a surprise.”

“How much did you make?” Vinyl walked alongside me. “You never left your house.”

“Too much...” I moaned.

“you must have been burnin’ on empty.” Vinyl copied a farm-pony accent.

“Vinyl, please speak properly.” Octavia lifted her muzzle proudly.

“Too long.” I spoke with a feigned tiredness.

“I for one, cannot wait.” Bonbon tried, with difficulty, to be pleasant.

We stepped up to the entrances of our respective carriages, still in speaking distance.

“Hey Stallion dude!” Vinyl’s energy in everything shone.

“Yes Miss Scratch.”

“Vinyl.” The electric blue maned pony corrected.

“OK, Miss Vinyl Scratch.”

“How long till Canterlot?”

“About seven hours if we make good pace.” The work stallion showed off.

With that, we entered our coaches and took out seats. Derpy was immediately at the front of the carriage, standing over the Stallions and engaging in conversation with them once again. Twilight was busy writing her letter to the Princess, already a page into her essay despite having minimal knowledge of the events that transpired between Lyra, Bonbon and I. My backside found its place next to a pre-installed mini-record player with a pair of Bosaddle headphones.

Putting the headphones on, I searched for a mini-record that I would want to listen to, only to find a goldmine of Daft Pony. I felt that Celestia, or more likely, Luna had blessed me with such brilliant entertainment for my journey. The black disk fit perfectly into the small player, even operating itself without the aid of magic or manual trickery. The disk began to spin and the music began to play as I sat next to Twilight, slouching back on the comfortable seat.

Hopefully nopony trips on my wire.

*******

“Huh, what? where am I?” I clung onto my soft pillow. My soft breathing pillow.

“Hello Skye, were here.” A mares voice rang kindly in my ears.

This is just like my dream.

I could hear more mares laughing.

It was at this point when I became semi-aware of my surroundings, and of a purple unicorn that my hooves were wrapped around.

“Oh buck.” My voice was clearly heard despite my whispering.

“So, you gunna let go?” Vinyl, yes that was her name. Vinyl was already poking fun.

“She’s actually really comfortable.” I was still disconnected from the real world.

“Yes, and Princess Celestia would be ve...” Derpy stopped as I fell of the chair, hard.

“Um..sorry Twi.” I rubbed my eyes. My hooves remained locked around her.

The headphones that I had been wearing were thankfully placed neatly on the table and were not crushed underneath me. The long cord had also been taken care of, wrapped around the headphones in a neat coil.

The carriage had stopped moving, the flickering light from the window now turned to darkness. Instead of yellow, filtering sunlight, a dimmer and more beautiful source of luminescence had taken it’s place. Luna’s moon was still trying to get as much sleep out of me as possible, feeding off my slumber as if it were food, almost like a changeling.

five more minutes...

“You can stop now.” Twilight seemed vaguely irritated, peeling my fur away from hers.

“Hey...stop...that.” I groaned with tiredness after being awoken prematurely.

three more minutes?

A blurred vision of a white pony became more clear as it closed in on me, half obscured by shadows.

“Get up now.” The same pony instructed with a stern voice.

“Gimme a minute.” I mumbled. “Hey...what? HEY THAT HURTS.” Vinyl began to twist my mane.

“Now that you’re up.” Octavia eerily emerged.

“What time is it?”

“Eight. But now you are up.” Octavia repeated herself. “We have to get to the hotel.”

“You woke me up to go to sleep somewhere else?” Aggravated, I let myself fall on the table in front of me.

“Come on Skye...” The grey musician grabbed my hoof and began to drag me out of the carriage.

“Everybody’s still in theirs!” I protested, looking at all of the lights present in the convoy.

“You don’t expect us to sleep in them do you?” Octavia criticised my words. “Besides, the night is young...Lightweights”

What has Vinyl done to her?

“What do you have in mind?” A mint green pony and her mare friend emerged from the darkness.

“Pub?” the white DJ suggested

I want to go home.

“Can you just tell me where the hotel is?” My pleading came across quite clearly.

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind an early night.” Twilight spoke out, standing beside me.

“I wanna get drunk!” Derpy bounced over to Vinyl, hoof-bumping her on arrival.

From where we were standing, it looked like an enlarged carriage-park, the floor tarmacked and marked with white painted lines, of which all were ignored. Signs above the ground displayed images of turntables and portraits of the more well known performers. Everywhere was poorly lit with half-working enchanted lamps, providing no other purpose than lighting up the directional signs that made no sense whatsoever. Behind us was a crescent of yellow that made up the long convoy, the stallions who were pulling them, gathered around a single coach.

“It seems I will be catching up.” Octavia spoke to the less tired ponies. “And for the love of Celestia, don’t do anything stupid while I am gone.”

“Okay Tavi.” Vinyl spoke sweetly.

“Lyra, tie her up if you have to.” Bonbon joked.

“Don’t drink too much Derpy.” Grey mother stared at the Pegasus.

“Stop talking. Hotel. Now. Tired.” I halted the dragged out goodbye.

The leading earth pony waved her head as to motion for us to follow, one of her suitcases already in tow.

“The bags will be taken to your rooms.”

Other ponies handling my luggage is quite an off put.

“Erm..sure, lets just go.” I was too tired to argue that I didn’t want everything done for me.

Under the yellow lit lamp, I followed Octavia, trotting on recently laid paving slabs and taking in the city air. The ripe scent of fast food, alcohol, and greed fuelled indulgence was hanging in the neon streets, already inviting mares and stallions alike to a night that most would probably forget the day after. Music escaped from the enticing bars and clubs, sending out wave after wave of bass driven ear destruction, which was all too familiar when you have a friend that drags you along to such ‘fun’ places. The temperature was already starting to drop.

Continuing past the roads that looked almost identical was, to say the least, confusing. I was quite relieved that I had a guide, even if it was Tavi.

“How do you know where to go?” I yawned.

Seriously, how am I tired? it’s eight.

“This doesn’t even look like Canterlot.” Twilight remarked.

“We’re in the under city, the sky is just a spell.” Octavia explained to Twilight’s surprise.

“Really? The Princess never mentioned this place.”

“There is not much to say about it.” the cellist remained in the lead.

“The building are so...huge.” Twilight continued to survey the surroundings.

“When you think about Canterlot, you think it being upper class with beautiful architecture and of course the Princesses. The under city is the less talked about home for the...Average pony and the party type.” Octavia kept her pace as she spoke. “Nopony speaks about it because why would you?”

We approached a large, triangular, glass building with a very formal red carpet. Golden rails and dressed up unicorns tended to arriving guests as we advanced without attracting attention. The sudden change from the loud city to an Octavia style scene was quite welcome as I was quite sure that it meant a warm bed soon. The hotel looked quite expensive, making me question whether this hotel was the one included in my contract.

“This is our stop.” Octavia proudly paced down the soft carpet, passing the large guards and stopping at the entrance of the hotel.

“Are you considering staying?” I spoke to the leader, now suspicious of why she was dragging a suitcase.

“Not exactly, I need to prepare though.” Octavia passed through the open doors, thanking the greeter.

“Prepare for what?” Twilight ended her silence.

“Drunk mares.” The musician frowned.

The hotel reception was minimalistic with modern design furniture sparingly covering the interior, and the ceiling almost too high. Greys, golds and blues made up the front desk where two ponies sat behind, waiting for Octavia to make the first move.

“Good evening.” Tavi stepped towards the desk.

“Can I help you madam?” One of the ponies behind the desk, a tall and slender burgundy earth pony began, correcting her rosewood mane.

“Reservations for Octavia Philharmonic and Vinyl Scratch.” Octavia politely replied.

“Perfect, That will be room one-hundred and forty-four. I will have somepony take you to your room.”

“Thank You.” The grey mare moved away, allowing me to walk forward.

“Erm. Hi.” I started, rubbing my eye and almost losing a lens.

“Good evening sir. Can I help you?” The receptionist looked a little wary at a sudden change of character.

“Yeah, um, I’m Skye.” Formality was making me anxious.

“Yes...Here we are, mister Shell is it?”

“Skye please.” I corrected.

“Okay mister Skye, Room one hundred and forty-five. I will have somepony take you to your room.” I took note of how close I was to Octavia, by extension, how close to a room full of drunk mares I was.

Is this a dream come true or a nightmare?

“Thanks.”

I stood back and allowed Twilight to take her turn, watching as she followed the same procedure. The lobby was beginning to fill up with new arrivals, each forming an addition to the growing queue. The quiet ambience of the room had turned into a static chattering, hotel staff rushing everywhere to tend to their guests. Some of the ponies entering the hall were, by any ponies standards huge celebrities. All manner of the rich and famous entered the hotel. They were all arriving, and at the same hotel as me as luck would have it.

I better not say anything dumb.

“Skye, stop staring at the cat.” Octavia noticed me following a certain cat sitting upright on a famous ponies head.

“Where’s the attendant?” Twilight returned to the trio looking confused.

“With the famous ponies.” My eyes remained glued to the strange cat.

“Shall we just go?” Octavia nudged my ribs.

“Um, yeah, sure.”

“I’m in room one hundred and forty-” The unicorn attempted to spark up a conversation.

“Six” I interrupted.

“Yeah....” Twilight frowned. “I wonder if they have any stationary.”

I facehooved.

“Why would you need stationery?” I followed Octavia to the elevator on the left hoof side of the check in desk, speaking without much enthusiasm.

“I promised the girls I would write to them.” Twilight spoke with an exhausted expression.

“All of them?”

“Uh-huh.” The purple mare nodded.

The elevator opened opened as we approached it, revealing an attendant standing next to the buttons. Octavia was the first to step forward.

“Room 145.” The Cellist spoke confidently to the straight faced mare.

“Certainly Madam.” The attendant calmly pressed the gilded panel, her hoof making contact with the number seven button.

The elevator ascended, slightly throwing me off balance, the handrail kept me from colliding with Twilight. With a quiet buzz, the large, ascending contraption climbed the levels of the hotel, lighting up the different numbers on a large panel that rested above the doors and giving a small tap of a bell sound as each floor was reached. Octavia was clutching the handrail for dear life, clearly not happy about being in this closed in space despite her choosing to use it.

The elevator came to a steady halt, once again shaking at the sudden change in motion. Twilight waited patiently as the doors slowly opened, but only to be shoved out of the way by a claustrophobic grey pony.

“Thanks.” I addressed the attendant as the lift door closed, the mare smiling in return.

“That was rude...” Twilight looked at the recovering musician.

“Sorry Twilight, I forgot that I didn’t like lifts.” Explaining her position, Octavia regained her composure.

“Can we just go to the rooms? Please?” I begged the mares.

My room was lit with light energy spheres that were dotted around on the ceiling like stars. The glowing orbs granted view of a large carved and polished oak bed frame, supporting an equally massive mattress and set of regal blue sheets. Upon the over sized pillows there was a small button shaped object wrapped in green tinfoil. Beside the bed was a desk with a chair, a long corner sofa and a huge speaker system. The hotel room resembled a flat more than anything else.

Upon walking further into my new home for the night, I found that on the right there was an enormous bathroom that would come in useful following a long sleep. if I got any. The bathroom contained a bath the size of a hot tub, a sink that was transparent as well as some very stylised mirrors and a hidden away toilet. Unlike the rest of the main hotel room, the bathroom was painted a deep purple opposed to a matte cerulean.

I found my way over to the sofas that had an amazing view of the under city through a glass window that formed a wall. The corner seat was just how I expected it to be, if not better, its plush cushions and velvet-soft material felt just like there was another pony underneath me. The Sofa would have felt awkward and a bit perverted if it was not so unbelievably warm and comforting, I decided I would leave the bed be.

My body made little effort to find the one comfortable position to sleep in, instead spreading out to make the most of the divine cosiness. With nothing to think about beside tomorrow's concert, which on its own should be enough, I made an effort to imagine what life would be like if I had the bits to live like this every night. Content with my imagination’s findings, I let myself fall asleep.

“Hhhey, Wakee uupps.” A drunken voice disturbed my slumber.

“Yesh! Wakey Wakey!” Another intoxicated mare slurred her speech.

“Where ish Octy? Hider!” The first mare shook my still collapsed head.

Feeling disgruntled from a rude awakening, yet surprisingly more alert than last time, I lifted myself into a sitting position. Vinyl was obviously drunk, as was Derpy. Lyra and Bonbon were worryingly nowhere to be seen.

“Wheresh my Octy?” Vinyl laughed, swaying like a cliché.

“Vineey you are crazy!” A hyperactive mail mare bounced around the room.

“Octavia’s next door.” I nervously looked at Vinyl walking into the bathroom.

“I fell icky.” Vinyl’s tone changed to discomfort.

“Oh buck no.” I muttered to myself as I followed the white inebriated pony.

“WHERESH OCTY?” her voice became that of anger.

“NEXT DOOR!” Meeting her volume, I hoped to get the message across.

“I feel icky.” Vinyl repeated herself.

“You said.”

“I want Octy.” The DJ threw up mostly fluids into the toilet bowl.

“As much as I’d love for you to get out.” I thought on the spot.

“OCTY!” Vinyl wailed.

“You aren’t going anywhere, Octavia would kill me if I sent you over there.” I regretted my necessary decision, giving into survival instincts.

“I wanna go in the tub!” Derpy was falling about the bathroom.

“Buck no, you’ll drown.” With an authoritative stare, Derpy backed down.

“Awww....I’m not that drunk.” The grey pony tried.

“I’m not taking any chances.”

“OCTY!” The persistent DJ wailed.

“I’m sleepy.” Derpy complained

I bet Celestia did this.

“Go sleep on the bed.” I waved the standing mare away.

“Good idea, you so smart Skye! You coming?”

“I’ll pass.” I turned to comfort Vinyl, trying to stop the noise more than anything else.

“You know where to find me.” Derpy winked before stumbling away, making me feel guilty for considering her offer for a moment.

“Vinyl, come on. Get it out.” I awkwardly spoke to the heaving mare.

“I need a drink.” Vinyl attacked the toilet seat with more vomit.

“I think not....” Replying to Vinyl, I took a bath towel and wiped her face.

“You real nice Shkye, but I want OCTY!” Groaning, Vinyl hung her head in the toilet.

“Yeah and I’m pretty sure she wants you too.” My sarcasm went undetected on the drunk pony.

“VINYL?” A voice echoed from outside the bathroom.“WHERE ARE YOU?”

Octavia somehow had gotten into the room. And was not happy.

“I TOLD YOU!” Her voice bellowed.

“Sorry Octy, gimme a kish.” Vinyl was just about loud enough to attract the grey mare.

Octavia stormed into the bathroom, holding her small suitcase like a weapon. Her eyes showed anger and frustration towards her drunk partner as she continued to advance with a hostile stance. Octavia’s lip curled into a bite with every step forward that she took, her fur also starting to show signs of stress.

“Hey, calm it!” I stepped away. Octavia changed her direction to intercept me.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH VINYL?” The angry Octavia swung her suitcase but missed.

“What are you doing?” I desperately avoided another lunge, speaking between movements.

“ONCE I CAN FORGIVE!” Octavia took a diving shot and missed.

“Here let me help.” My hoof met Octavias, only to have her pull me down whilst she recovered from the fall.

“BUT A SECOND!” Octavia smashed the suitcase into my skull a first time.

A warm liquid escaped from a gash in my fur. The red substance stained my hoof as I wiped it away.

“Hold on!” My voice was distorted from the shock of another blow.

I tried to stand but was met with another blow to the face, and another. It wasn’t too painful, the blows did rather little damage other than making me bite my tongue and gaining a few odd scratches. It was the bigger gash on my cheek I was worried about.

“Octavia, what in the name of Equestria are you doing?” A purple unicorn mare entered the bathroom.

“Beating the living parasprites out of Skye.” Octavia spoke with satisfaction.

“Could you stop?” Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Give me a moment.” Octavia replied calmly, yet violently, stamping on my chest.

“The buck?” I groaned out, Octavia being the second mare in less than a week to kick my ‘weak spot’

“Hey Octy, whash you doing to Skye?” Vinyl lifted her damp mane out of the toilet.

“Skye was taking advantage of you dear.” The grey pony spoke kindly to her partner.

“Oh, Okay.” The toilet was once again greeted by a barrage of Vinyl’s vomit.

“No...ow...I wasn’t, she came in my room.” I protested Octavia’s accusation.

“Then what is Derpy doing on your bed.?” Her suspicion was valid, her methods of dealing with it however, were a bit drastic.

“I told her she could sleep there...Bucking hell. I was doing the right thing.” My extremities were on fire.

“It does look kinda weird Skye.” Twilight was now in Octavia’s mindset. “But really? Octavia’s mare friend?”

“You wanted me to let them wander into some other Stallion’s room?” Octavia stopped.

“At least I know you’re clean....” My attacker aired a condescending tone. “it is still not okay.”

“Neither is assault.” I curled up, regretting my words.

“ASSUALT?”

Oh Alicorns no.

“I’LL SHOW YOU ASSUALT.”

OHSWEETCELESTIA’SPLOT

“Wait no, NOOO!” Octavia gripped my mane and dragged me over to the over sized bathtub.

“Let’s wash that blood off.” An evil voice from behind crawled up my spine.

“Please let me go.” My pathetic words made Octavia laugh.

My head was forced under before I had a chance to breath. The aqua blue water forced itself into my mouth and down towards my lungs. Unable to escape, I let myself go limp, attempting to pretend to be dead. Before I could call myself an idiot, I remembered I didn’t need to breath. I yet again curled up, but inside my head as a ghost, waiting for Octavia to release me. Expecting another beating after I returned to my living form, I decided I would wait a bit.

“Get the buck back in your body, you lowlife pony scum.” If nightmare moon could be an earth pony, she would be Octavia right now.

“NO!” I shouted without moving my lips.

“I will break every bone in your Pegasus body, one by one, until you do.” Octavia’s voice was still as high class as ever, which made it even more terrifying. Twilight, also petrified, sat shaking in the bathroom doorway.

“Um...Octavia....Don’t you think it’s time to....stop?” Twilight’s eyes shrunk in horror of my beaten corpse.

“Dear, I'm not finished.” The sadistic cellist gave Twilight a kind look.

“I think im going to call security.” I said from inside my bodies head.

“I’ll cut your wings off Skye, I swear I will. Nobody touches my Vinyl...Let alone take advantage of her.”

“What do you want from me?” I saw Octavia pulling out one of my feathers.

“Tell you what.” Octavia stopped. “Give me your body for an hour or two.”

“What? Why?” I ghosted outside of my limp self.

“No reason. I think Twilight would be interested too.” The musician looked at a pondering Twilight.

“Yes.” Twilight nodded. “Skye promised me anyway...”

“Don’t bake me into cupcakes or anything...and no funny business.” I set out the rules even though I was in no position to bargain.

“Your body will be in full working order.” Octavia brought another Discordian grin.

“I don’t really have a choice.”

“Can you start your heart again by the way.” The lighter voice displayed that Octavia was calming down.

“Why?” I wasn’t sure if I could. “It would be so much easier not to.”

“Just do it Skye.” Octavia interrupted.

“I’ll try, don’t break anything.”

I recollected a movie in which a ‘chosen-pony’ brought another character back to life by reaching into her chest and ‘squeezing’ her heart. What could be so hard about that? Imitating the character’s actions, I over dramatically placed my hoof into the cooling corpse and began to squeeze the rubbery organ, manually pumping blood through my lifeless form. As if by a god-like creature’s magic, the process worked. My eyelids remained closed as my chest started to rise and fall without my intervention. I felt like Doctor Frankenhoof.

“Splendid.” Octavia gripped my ‘living’ body’s hoof and dragged it towards Twilight.

“Wow, that was actually amazing. And illegal!” Twilight showed a mixture of delight and wariness.

“Please. Don’t tell the Princess.” I begged the librarian.

“I’m sorry Skye, she’s my teacher, so...I have to.” Twilight looked too happy.

“Come along Twilight, Vinyl. Derpy can stay.” Octavia stared death, warning me not to go anywhere near the sleeping Pegasus.

“But Octy...I wansh to shtay!” Vinyl whined like a foal.

“Vinyl, this is going to be fun.”

“Please don’t do anything horrible.” My eyes grew, pleading.

“Okays, but I gets to choosh the beats.” The DJ was embarrassingly cute, even with a vomit stain on her white coat. I wish I had a camera.

“Of course Vinyl. But do hurry.”

*******

Again as a ghost, I found myself in much more comfortable form than my weighty body. I tried to keep everything the same, my movement, my senses, and my apparition to a certain extent. My translucent self was obviously ghostly, but it kept the green colours and cutie mark that I had become so fond of. I however did change my eyes to a crimson, just because I could. My ghost still had the ability to physically interact with anything a live pony would, so I got to work on making sure none of the Vinyl’s vomit would leave a nasty smell.

Once I had finished up cleaning what was a bigger job than I had anticipated, I heard a knocking at the door. I washed my spectral hooves for no reason other than a good routine and drifted over to the door, forgetting that I really shouldn’t open the door in my ethereal state. Neglecting to even bother walking normally any more, I rested my hoof on the door handle and pressed down, allowing me to pull the door to reveal a surprised mare carting a luggage trolley. Her fur was of a light cream tone, overshadowed by her mixture of a deep red and royal blue mane.

“So you’re the one the night Princess was shouting about.” The staff member tilted her head for a better view.

“Don’t tell me....Sorry.” I apologised, realising what I had done. “Wait, Princess Luna?”

“Yeah, she started yelling about the day Princess being, forgive me, a big-plotted-scaredy-pony.” The attendant laughed at her repetition of Princess Luna’s words.

“Anyway...” I smiled back, happy that Princess Luna and I were on good terms before meeting. “This is my luggage right?”

“Yeah, thanks for keeping it light by the way.” This mare was quite refreshing, leaving all the Sirs and madams out of her vocabulary.

“No worries, want to bring them in?” I floated aside.

“Okay.” The mare dragged the cart into the room, closing the door behind her. “Your first victim?” she looked towards the sleeping Derpy.

“Nothing happened.” My monotone voice caused a smile on the staff member’s face.

“Right.” She smirked. “I wouldn’t supp...” I cut her off with an unimpressed look.

“Oh, right. Sorry sir.” The mare lost her grin.

“Just drop the formalities, and the sleeping Pegasus subject.” The voice that came from my ghost spoke with authority.

“Um...Fine. So, what do you do anyway?”

“I’m a performer.” I said dryly.

“Do you know DJPon3?”

“Sure, you just missed her.”

“So....Could you introduce me? I’m Ruby by the way.” Ruby pushed herself towards me.

“She’s not available right now.” I ‘stepped’ back.

“Awwww...”

“You don’t work here do you?” Who would hire her in such an upper class hotel?

“No.” Ruby spoke cheerfully “Mind if I go watch TV?”

“Um. I don’t know you.” I was wary of letting a stranger invade my room.

“I’m Ruby, my special talent is royal archaeology and I am a HUGE fan of DJPon3. Can I sit down now?”

“Why?” The reasoning didn’t help. “I’m sure as hay not letting a random unicorn in my room...despite what Octavia would say.”

“You know Octavia?” Ruby’s eyes glistened.

“Of course, how would I know not?” I felt quite down at my lack of stature.

“So you guys are pretty close?” Ruby carried on.

“I’m not answering any more questions.”

“Fine, see you tomorrow?” the unicorn turned to leave, the golden trolley in tow.

“Hopefully not.” I said bitterly, angered at myself for thinking this pony was okay.

I shut the door behind the unusually gleeful pony and stepped towards my luggage. With some effort, I heaved the heaviest suitcase onto my back whilst dragging the large crate. The peculiar sensation of not feeling pain where pain is due helped me to reorganise my bags and boxes into a convenient position in a more rapid pace. The first things I needed were a decent pair of headphones and some mixing equipment. I had to practice, unpacking everything else would have to wait.

*******

My day started with a thump on my door. The desk that I had been using was cluttered with last minute refinements to some of my more dated work, as well as a tangle of black wires that were mostly unnecessary. My apparition had fortunately not fallen through the floor, instead my head was pressed against a turntable that was still trying to move. Unsurprisingly Derpy was still visibly asleep on the almost pristine bed, breathing lightly with a gentle snore. I still couldn’t get used to sleeping without a body, it’s just a huge headache.

The music on the second deck was still playing through the headphones that lay by my side, at this volume I couldn’t tell what it even was. From my large window my half shut eyes could already see a sleepy mass of people waiting and waking to see the famous ponies, holding banners and cos-playing in honour of some of the more distinguished musicians.

I drifted away from my chair, thankful that I did not have to physically get up to go answer the door. This time, remembering the almost-disaster yesterday, I looked through the spyglass to ascertain the identity of the one who would wake me from my peaceful sleep. Being careful not to phase any part of my visible self through the hotel room door, I made myself almost physical in nature, touching the floor with my transparent hooves.

The ponies on the other side were looking impatient. Octavia, Vinyl and Twilight carried my real form with them, trying their best to make it stay upright. It was still alive at least. Conveying mild panic in their looks, Octavia took her hooves and stated banging on the door whilst Twilight searched the area for anypony looking to spy on them. Vinyl was particularly calm, bobbing her head to a non-existent tune. I opened the door.

“Quick, get in.” Octavia slung the green body over her back and staggered inside. The other ponies followed, shutting off their entrance.

“Hey Skye, you are going to love this.” Vinyl commented with a snigger, looking at my physical body.

“It’s...so clean.” I was quite surprised at how different I looked with a treatment.

“Thank-you Skye, It did take quite a long time to fix your mane.” Octavia proudly displayed the unconscious corpse.

“It’s shorter.” The green mess was barely covering my muzzle.

“You are not a mare, Skye. The audience expect you to look your best.” My new stylist showed off the new tail.

“The colours were a challenge.” Twilight spoke out. “I thought brightening the blue streaks would look much better.”

“The mane looks much shorter.” I was still fixed on how much time growing my mane had gone to waste.

“You already said that.” Twilight was unamused at my lack of praise.

“Try it out, I helped with the coat.” Vinyl attempted to nudge my ghost, only to have her hoof pass through it, almost causing her to fall to the carpet below.

“Um...okay.” I drifted towards my real head and allowed myself to enter. Feeling the warmth take me, I opened my eyes to meet the overlooking mares.

“I know you did something.” Something felt different, not too noticeable but definitely there. “What did you do?”

Twilight blushed. Octavia returned an evil grin. Vinyl sneezed.

“Look in the mirror.” The grey mare pointed to a large glass frame behind me.

“Motherclopper. What the hay Octy.” Frustrated, I turned back with a frown. Across my left flank, ‘I love Princess Luna’ was scribbled in permanent marker.

“That’s enchanted to last twenty-four hours.” Octavia looked at the lavender unicorn. “Twilight took care of that.” The purple pony displayed a proud look, mocking my defiled body.

“But im going on stage tonight, Princess LUNA WILL BE THERE!” I overreacted, slightly smoking from almost entering a pony-rage.

“Serves you right.” Octavia huffed.

“Yeah Skye, what the hay? I was drunk.” Vinyl glared.

“I was trying to help you!” There was no way of hiding the mess on my flank.

“I don’t believe you” The grey earth pony remained absolute.

“Well I don’t need you to believe me, I know what I did and didn’t do.”

“What’s for breakfast?” The DJ changed topic.

“You haven’t eaten?” I looked at the mares.

“There’s a buffet downstairs.” Octavia replied to the dramatic Vinyl who was pretending to starve.

“I’ll get Bon and Lyra.” Twilight left the room.

The two remaining ponies and myself exited the hotel room, flicking the light switch and forcefully shutting the door behind, forgetting Derpy. My eyes were darting, searching for anypony that could see the graffiti on my side. The halls seemed long and torturous, deliberately making my way to the buffet seem so much worse than it need be.

Why does everything have to be so difficult?

The elevator ahead was looking more like an oasis, with every noise of movement from inside the hotel rooms threatening to be someone I looked up to. I didn’t need a bad reputation before I even had the chance to give myself a good one. Octavia clearly was an evil mastermind. I just had to find a way to hide my side for a whole day and above all find a way to remove this ink.

“Someone’s already on it.” Vinyl growled. “They better not touch my pancakes.”

You can do it Skye, it’s probably only a staff member.

The elevator made a mechanical bell ringing tune as it came to a slow halt. The inner workings hissed, opening both doors simultaneously and revealing the expected high quality interior.

“Soarin!” Octavia offered her hoof. Vinyl did the same.

“Oh.” I froze. If my life had a narrator, he or she hates me. I know next to nothing about flying and the most distinguished Pegasi were in an elevator with me.

“Skye, this is Soarin.” The cellist whispered.

“Oh right.” I stood my ground, a mixture of worry and feigned overt masculinity took over.

“How’s it going?.” Soarin extended his hoof.“Skye I presume.”

How does he know my name?

“Yeah, I’ve seen you fly, not bad.” I kept my cool.

“Thanks... but it’s me you should be praising.” A fiery maned Pegasus wearing a blue jumpsuit stepped out from behind the stallion.

“Hey Spit.” Vinyl moved to meet the Wonderbolt.

“Who’s your friend?” Spitfire, I knew it was Spitfire.

“This is Skye.” The DJ pushed me forwards.

“Oh, Ghost boy.” Spitfire joked, making Soarin chuckle under his breath.

“How did you know?” I was concerned at how far-spread my secret was.

“Vinyl told me.” Spitfire stepped back to let Soarin speak.

“Vinyl, that’s a secret.” I scowled the white unicorn.

“What’s it like flying without a body?” Spitfire pushed Soarin out of the way.

“It like, really easy I guess.” I hate social situations.

“Like when you made that hurricane?” Soarin interjected.

“No, I had a body. That was an accident. How did you know?” My ‘alpha-ness’ was ignored by the mares.

“One of our fans told us.” It must have been that tomcolt Rainbow.

I pushed the button on the elevator, forgetting to wait for the others.

“When are you on?” Spitfire spoke to Vinyl.

“This afternoon. I’m running a little late.” The unicorn placed her purple lenses over her eyes.

“Indoors? Really?” Octavia criticized.

“There could be fans down there.” Her arrogance was obvious.“Hey Skye, maybe you could win a few fans turning invisible.”

“Not going to happen.” An echo of ‘aww’ came from the two Wonderbolts.

“You’d do it for me.” Spitfire seductively brushed her hoof through her mane, making Soarin feel uncomfortable.

“Sorry, the answer is no.”

I hate myself.

“Aww, that always works with Soarin.” The yellow Wonderbolt huffed.

“Clearly he has a thing for you.” I inadvertently made Soarin go the brightest shade of pink I had ever seen. Pinkie Pie pink.

“Oh Soarin, kiss me.” Spitfire laughed with Vinyl. Octavia glared at me. Soarin backed into the corner, crestfallen.

“I like you Skye.” Spitfire stopped laughing. “Don’t mess with Soarin.” The elevator fell silent. Spitfire gave Soarin a peck on the cheek, to which he immediately rose from his slump.

“What’s the plan today anyway?” My speech was aimed at Octavia but Vinyl wanted to speak.

“Eat breakfast, meet VIPs, and go play some music.” This simplistic explanation was probably better.

“I like your flank.” In any other situation this would be a compliment.

“That, was not me.” I met Spitfire’s gaze. “Octavia thought it would be funny.”

The elevator doors opened to display a large open area, laden with tables and chairs. The sides of the room were home to a large buffet, attended by dressed up staff members and ‘snooty’ looking Gryffon chefs. The smell of the food was unmatched by any other scent I had experienced. Soarin was already eyeing up the pie section, I didn’t even know there were breakfast pies. Our group almost ran to meet the fine selection, walking only to keep up appearances. I could have ran, nobody knew me.

“Looks like we’re not first.” Soarin lead the group.

“Lets go sit with her.” Spitfire met Soarin's side.

“No thanks.” my mark remained hidden form the Wonderbolts.

“Come on. Your sitting with us.” Octavia dragged my mane, I didn’t have much of a choice.

Stay calm.

“Princess, good morning, do you mind?” Soarin greeted Princess Luna.

“Not at all, and good morning to all of you.” Princess Luna nodded in our direction.

“You ready for the concert.” Vinyl spoke to the royal like a friend.

“Can’t wait. What have you got planned?” Princess Luna returned the same tone.

“Head-spload-bass-death.” The DJ excitedly hoof bumped the air.

“Want to get the guards drunk again?” The night bringer was not as I expected her to be.

“They’ll get hammered anyway.”

“True.” Princess Luna seemed concerned.

“Skye, why does my sister hate you?” The Princess was very forward.

“I wouldn’t say hate.”

“She hates you.”

“I only ghosted for a few hours, Princess.” I began. “I promise I did not know it was illegal.” I pretty much spilled my guts.

“Necromancy, nice. Call me Luna.” Luna paused. “How does it work with you?” Luna already had a reputation for Nightmare Moon’s spectral abilities.

A few other guest ponies had gathered around the table, making me feel uncomfortable explaining myself in front of the Princess. It seemed like I was being judged.

“I just leave my body and, well, ghost.” I dumbed it down as much as I could.

“Must me useful.” I still couldn’t get my head around Luna’s loss of her royal Canterlot voice.

“From time to time.” I slouched as more ponies listened in.

“I haven’t seen you here before, you new?” A green maned stallion with a similar hair-style to Vinyl spoke across the table.

“That’s right. It’s Vinyl’s fault really.”

“I’m pretty much his inspiration.” Vinyl spoke to the musical pony.

“You used my song.” my voice was flat with disinterest.

“And here you are.” I couldn’t disagree with her.

“Oh you’re that new one. It was okay I guess.” The green stallion sat back down.

Thanks.

“As you said, I’m new.” I was feeling quite hostile towards the blatant criticism, especially in front of Princess Luna.

“So when do we eat?” I slowly got up from my seat, only to be dragged back down by Octavia.

“The waiters will take our order.”

“But the buffet is right there.” This upper-class stuff was getting on my nerves.

“Just be patient.”

Twilight entered the room with a tired couple and a fuming Derpy. Lyra and Bonbon were almost falling over from, what I imagined, was a killer hangover from last night. Derpy must have just been mad at me for leaving her behind, which was understandable. The purple unicorn was the most cheerful of the four mares, smiling at the Princess and taking a seat next to her.

“Forgot something.” Derpy was obviously referring to herself.

“Sorry.” Complications arose.

“You’re lucky I don’t get hangovers.” Derpy sat down not to far from me, leaning backwards to speak.

“Lucky? you stole my bed!” I had to give myself some ground. Luna looked quite amused at my constant arguing.

“At least I’m not a creep!” Derpy retorted.

“What does she mean?” Luna interrupted.

“Really, don’t worry. It’s all lies.” I panicked, forgetting how to address royalty.

“Me on the bed and you on the floor with Vinyl, and we’re the liars?”

“YES!” I shouted and gained the attention of many other ponies.

“Well excuuuuusee me.” Derpy sat back normally after being startles by my sudden increase in volume.

“That sounds quite bad.” The Princess’s voice judged me as guilty.

“Can we just let it go?” I slammed my head into the hard table.

“So you are guilty.” Twilight pointed the hoof.

“NO!”

The waiters, true to Octavia’s word, rolled out in waves, taking orders from the Princess and other more important ponies first, which apparently included Octavia but not Vinyl. Once the waiters had finished taking the important orders, one came and took my lesser order. My choice was simple; A cinnamon roll with a bowl of hay flakes, One mango muffin, Zebra tea, strong cockatrice coffee, unmagic'd orange juice, and a fruit salad with extra kiwi. Sorted, at least it would keep me going.