Culture Shock

The darkest, most awful, tragic, fetid and foul events happen when there is so much to corrupt. So much to sully.

Twilight observed her room, not able to sleep yet. It was a room that felt strangely like to the room she'd had back in Canterlot. It had a towering roof, tow floor, a pearly white ceiling and floor with a golden trim around the sides. It was almost exactly similar. It made Twilight feel vaguely flattered, but also a bit awkward that her host had taken this much time with her comfort. It must have taken months to get the room to look like this. The upper floor's library would have had to been stocked with books shipped in from the only library in Griffonia, and the furniture was hoof-crafted by professionals. She took a seat in a light-blue chair, enjoying the goose feather stuffing as it comforted her aching muscles. Looking out at the window that took up the whole wall of the turret suite, she sighed and slouched down, her tired body sinking deep into the soft velvet.  It was beautiful to see the clouds that close, some so low that she felt like she could reach out her window and touch.

The mare could barely keep her eyes open, seeing as how she'd gotten up at roughly four o'clock that morning. Now it was almost five and somehow she felt like she was going to fall asleep right there in the armchair. It was so soft and inviting, luring her like a siren into unconsciousness. Twilight snapped to attention, getting up out of the chair. She couldn't allow herself to retire just yet. She needed to see the rest of her room. With that thought in her head she proceeded to examine every nook and cranny of the suite. She looked at the couch that wrapped around most of the bottom floor and the impossibly thick window. She looked at the massive table that took up the rest of the bottom floor, then the note she'd somehow missed that lay there in front of her.

The note was written in neat, curving manuscript and held an air about it that reminded Twilight of how her and Luna sometimes exchanged letters. She picked it up with her magic and began to read.

'Dear Twilight Sparkle,

As my guest here it is my duty to ensure you absolute safety and comfort. Therefore I have written this note to say that you may go anywhere in this castle at your own whim, just as long as you notify me first. I'm leaving my own schedule enclosed within these pages that way you can keep track of my hectic movements throughout the castle. Also, my leisure times are between four and nine in the afternoon and six to ten in the morning. Other than that I will be in one of the places in the list I am giving you. During those leisure times I am free to see you as much as you'd like, and I'd be very glad to talk to you.

I do hope that you enjoy the suite I made for you as well, as I spared no expense making sure that this place, which was originally my own workshop, was made into a room worthy of one of Celestia's ambassadors. Every piece of wood in here is pure recycled Redwood and the velvet has been treated with a fine assortment of processes to ensure that is some of the softest in existence. Your bedroom is on the top floor in the doorway between the two bookshelves.

Please enjoy your stay,

The Empress'

Twilight blinked a few times and set the manuscript down, feeling as if she was the most important mare in the world. Her teacher had been wrong about this place, she was sure. This place was amazing and brilliant and spectacular. The Empress was a great griffon and she was taking care of Twilight like she'd treat one of her own siblings.

At that thought, siblings, her mind suddenly turned to Gilda. She had probably taken up a room somewhere on the opposite end of the castle, as far away from her sister as possible and with as few guards around her as possible. It puzzled Twilight why she wouldn't want to be around her sister. The Empress was a very good, kind griffon. She didn't understand what Gilda's problem was, so she shrugged it off and went back to her previously established train of thought.

But as she began to think again that feeling of weariness crashed over her again, and all she could think was to find a bed and sleep. It made her drowsy just thinking of the soft bed waiting for her upstairs. Without a second thought, she trotted up her stairs and saw the red door. She pushed it open and looked around. There were green crystals hung everywhere and even better, they glowed and emerald that twinkled like a thousand starts, each one reflecting the others'. It was still dim in there, but there was still enough to see. The perfect place to sleep.

Twilight saw her bed, didn't even pay attention that it was a huge queen sized canopy bed with bear pelt blankets, and jumped in. She was almost asleep before she hit the pillows.

The mare woke up to the sound of a knock. She hadn't the foggiest what time it was. She rolled over and looked around, seeing that there was nopony in her room yet. She heard another knock and then the sound of an oddly familiar voice. Twilight swung out of bed and opened her door. There, standing in front of her was Luna. Twilight's mind grasped for any semblance of thought, or maybe coherent speech, but all she could think of was how odd it was that Twilight wasn't wearing her typical nightgown...

The mare groaned and rolled over again. She'd done it again. She'd dreamed about the place that she'd fallen asleep in. She had heard a knock, but it had been somepony else at the door, not Luna. She hadn't even gotten out of bed. With a sigh she rolled over for what felt like the hundredth time. She stumbled over to the door and found this time a guest that made at least a little more sense. It was that small griffon that had met Twilight at the train station. He held a tray of food perfectly balanced on his back and a note on his head. Although the mare had a hard time understanding his dress. As that was what he wore. It was a maid's outfit. Complete with a corset.

The small, embarrassed griffon cleared his throat and said. "Her majesty would like to ask if you'd prefer to join her downstairs or dine here in bed."

"Umm..." Twilight was still trying to stifle her laughter. She thought he looked way too adorable in the dress. "I'll join her downstairs, let me just get ready."

The griffon nodded and left post haste. Twilight shut her door and squeed, even sticking her tongue out a little at how cute he looked. It was just too adorable with his blush and awkward demeanor. She dived to her suitcase and pulled out her favorite slippers, making sure not to trip as she put them on. She half trotted, half galloped down the stairs and stopped short as she remembered her company. The Empress was sitting here with her servant, petting his tuft of feathers with her claw while he kept his head down. Things like that reminded Twilight of just how physically imposing her host was. Her servant seemed fragile and breakable next to her sleek, predatory frame.

"Ah... Twilight. Nice of you to join us." She didn't look at her as she petted the servant's head. She seemed to enjoy him nearly squirming under her talons as she curled his down feathers. "Did you sleep well?"

"Very much, yes." Twilight replied, still wondering why she'd decide to demean her butler. "So... why did you make him wear that?"

"Oh... he's just so cute in it. Aren't you now?"

She leaned down and smiled at him; he looked at the floor and hid his face behind his wing. The Empress whispered something to him and he resumed looking casual, letting her pet him as he sat, red faced, next to her.

"His name is Aria... he's quite shy, so he's not much of a conversationalist. But he is just too cute." She said, scratching behind his wings like she would a pet bird. "So, Twilight. What would you like to do first now that you're here? It's been a fun journey and I'm sure there's a lot you'd like to know about this place."

"Yes, of course." Twilight stuttered, not sure where to begin. "Um... could I just follow you through your day? Just ask things as they happen? I don't really know where to start."

"Of course..." She replied, looked across the table at Twilight. "But for now, I have a few questions to ask you. First and foremost, why did you come here? I'm sure you've heard the slander and bile that other rulers freely throw at me like I'm the scapegoat of all the world's problems."

"Umm..." Twilight stuttered, unsure of how to answer. The last thing she wanted to do was anger her. "I have heard some things from Celestia, as well as a few ponies."

The Empress sighed and shut her eyes, keeping her claws folded neatly over one another. "Exactly what have you heard? Don't be afraid to tell me in detail, I've heard it all before."

Just then there was a knock at the door. The Empress dismissed it and kept her eyes focused on the mare. She looked very calm, but it didn't take a professional to see that she was annoyed. She kept her composure and started to pet her servant again, a little too hard, judging by the winces and flinches of the smaller griffon.

"Well, most of them said that you were, um, not a good ruler, and that you were a little... eccentric. I'm sure they're wrong, of course." Twilight smiled, trying to brighten her host's mood. "You've been very nice to me and everypony has their quirks. I-"

"Oh, Twilight." She sighed. "There's no need to butter me up. If you want to say something, say it. As long as it's not an unfounded statement than I will explain it to you the best I can or take the comment with dignity."

After a moment, the mare smiled as best she could and said. "Well... I've heard things about how you treat your people and I just didn't want to bring it up... but I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation behind it."

The Empress stiffened, her eyes narrowed and her feathers standing on end. It was the same feral, untamed fury that Twilight had seen on the carriage ride. Except now it was directed towards her, and it was terrifying. She could just imagine her lunging out of her seat and killing her with one flick of her talons, gauging her neck open as effortlessly as she could crush an ant. The royal stared at her for a long while; Twilight could see that she was contemplating whether it was worth it to keep her around or send her back to Equestria. Her grip on her servant's neck was so tight she could see tears in his eyes and his face growing red from lack of oxygen.

"That, Twilight, is one thing that you are not to bring up in a conversation. Ever. It is too personal a matter to discuss freely, and I hope that you're smart enough to understand my weariness. I'm going to court now. I'll see you afterwards to take you on a tour of the castle."

She released her servant, who dropped to the floor, coughing and desperately sucking in air. The snow white griffon pushed him out of the way and went over to the door, not even bothering to see if he was following. The mare wanted to say something to remedy the situation, but nothing came to mind. By the time she'd thought of an apology, the Empress had slammed the door.

At first Twilight sat there, stymied by her host's sudden mood swing. She knew she'd touched a nerve, and that she needed to say she was sorry. Her record with the Empress was the most important thing right now, and if it suffered the relationship between Equestria and Griffonia would as well. She got up out of her seat and ran after her, only to be stopped at the door. It was locked.

Indeed, the Empress had locked her in. Alone.

Sorry if this chapter is short or lacking quality, but my computer took a dive and now I have to type on a loaner, so things won't be updated as fast.

Comments appreciated.