Canterlot Academy Trials

Soon enough, the group would arrive at the castle on the hill where Grimrose’s family resided. They came upon the castle’s gray exterior with its various pointed, conal towers and ramparts that had ballistae stationed upon each one. The path up to it was rather bare save for a few flowers and gravestones strewn about, as well as a few leafless trees that stood tall and blew effortlessly in the wind.

They’d arrive at a grand set of double doors with gilded ring knockers, but Grimrose simply tapped her hoof on the door a few times…

And eventually, they’d open. The group would be met with a large, curvaceous goat woman with white fur and large, red, demon-like horns on her head which gave her the appearance of what was commonly known as a krampus. She had dark brown fur, beady yellow eyes, and wore absolutely nothing on her body. Her fur was thick enough to cover everything up from prying eyes. That aside, she also wore what appeared to be a medallion around her neck that was attached with colorful beads. But the most standout feature was her height: Easily the size of a minotaur, she stood over them all with an imposing stance with her hands on her hips.

“Hello, mother,” Grimrose greeted her, “I’ve returned on business from work--hrrk!”

“Oh, Bebe-Rose!” the goat lady picked up her daughter in her arms and hugged her tightly, causing Grimrose to squeal from the sudden grip. Her voice was in a rather thick southern drawl due to growing up in Neigh Orleans and picking up the accent that was commonly spoken there. “It’s so good’ta see ya child. How’ve ya been?”

“Hrrk…I’m…fine, mother,” Grimrose groaned with a pained tone. Her shrunken pupils indicated just how much air she had lost before her mother let go. “Ahem…I’m fine, thank you. Like I said, I’m here on a job with my friends and we need permission to enter the Kobold Canyon.”

“Mm. I see. Dat’s up to ya fatha, ya know?” the goat woman answered, then glanced at her group, “Bonjour, bebes. Wouldja like’ta come in? I’m sure ya’lls hungry.”

“...mother, we’re not here to mess around,” Grimrose protested, but she’d be outvoted.

“I could eat,” Mei replied.

“Same here,” Blue added. “We kinda had to sail a long way over to get here and our captain’s busy probably looking for wares around the port.”

“It’s important to stay properly fueled with nutrients, Rose,” Nebula tilted his head at the pegasus mare who now had a defeated expression on her face.

“...ugh. Fine. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if we stopped for a second,” she replied with an indignant pout.

“Ya pops is busy workin’ right now, child,” the goat lady replied, “Just give him some time and I’m sure he’ll come see ya soon. Follow me, bebes.”

Grimrose’s mother led them into the castle. Once inside, they were greeted with the visage of a rustic foyer of a manor. Gray stone floors covered with purple carpets that led up to gilded gold staircases that went to the upper levels of the castle.

Nebula in particular glanced around in awe, “Amazing! The materials used to make this castle have to date back to the Pre-Nightmare Moon Era.”

“Ah, yous a sharp one ain’tcha?” Grimrose’s mother complimented him, “Yea, you right. Dis here place been around for quite some time now. My hubby’s the latest in the line of da Orcus family to take hold of it.”

“Each noble family commands their own territory of Trotsylvania,” Grimrose added, “My family controls the Western-most portion. But we’re not here for a history lesson.”

Blue shrugged his shoulders, “I mean, I don’t mind learning more about places. May not retain half of what I’m bein’ told, but I’ll manage.”

“While that’s all well and good,” Mei interjected, “How about we get some of that food, please? I feel like I’m dying here.”

“Chère, don’t you worry,” the goat lady replied, “We got plenty of stuff for ya. Go on and wait in the banquet hall while I get it ready. Bebe,” she glanced at Grimrose, “Couldja show ‘em where it is?”

“Yes, mother,” Grimrose took point once more as her mother turned and left down a hallway to what could be assumed was a kitchen. The pegasus mare took her group to the right, “This way. Mother and father usually share meals with guests in here.”

“She’s pretty sweet,” Blue commented, “But I gotta be honest, you look…a bit different than your mom.”

“I take more after my dad,” she commented with an annoyed set of narrowed eyes, “He’s a pegasus, I’m a pegasus. That’s all there is to it.”

“...”

Blue, Mei, and Nebula all turned their heads and glanced at Grimrose’s mother as she walked off. The goat woman was extremely curvaceous and had a rather plump backside that transitioned into a wide waist, hips, and of course, a massive rump that jiggled and swayed with each step that led into rather large thighs and hooved legs that seemingly went on forever.

“...daaaaayum,” Blue remarked, “Your old man has tay-ste!”

“I’d like to agree,” Mei commented with an astute tone, “It’s nice to see that figureheads in the nobility aren’t above keeping themselves well-fed. The commonfolk looked just as healthy as well. Don’t you agree, Nebula?”

Nebula blinked and shook his head, having been snapped out of a stupor. “H-huh? Yeah, for sure. Now I see where she gets it from. Wonder how Mr. Orcus managed to get in--”

“Anyway,” Grimrose cut everyone off as she pushed open the door to the banquet hall. A room with rustic wooden floors, and various paintings along the walls. It was lit by a candle lit chandelier that hung above the table. “Have a seat. I’ll go help out mother.”

The pegasus left swiftly, flying out of the room and leaving the rest of her friends confused.

“...think she’s nervous?” Blue asked.

“Probably excited since it sounds like she hasn’t been here in a while,” Mei added.

“...I’m worried for her,” Nebula muttered, “But she’s smart. I have faith in her.”

Just before they could take their seats, a small voice would squeal out to them, “Buna ziua, losers!”

Everyone looked around, but couldn’t locate the source of the impish voice.

“...uhhh…” Nebula mumbled, “Hello?”

“Who the f--?” Blue scratched the back of his head.

“We can’t see you,” Mei answered, then looked in the direction of one of the large wooden chair with red cushions at the end of the table. That was the source of the voice. “...are you a cursed chair?”

“No you idiots! I’m not a chair! I’m behind the chair!”

Everyone simply looked at each other in confused silence, wondering if they were being pranked or not.