BaronEngel
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Unexpected invitation
🕑 Added 2016-06-11 03:46:36 +0000 UTC “May I see your tickets again please?” Asked the usher in my Equestria Dreamscape.We were standing in front of the entrance to reserved box section of the Cloudsdale Municipal Stadium. The Best Young Fliers Competition had already started but the first performances of the day were the youngest competitors with the older fliers finishing up the day.
The usher reexamined our tickets with an unusual amount of interest, after a couple seconds he returned them to us and then consulted a small ledger that hung around his neck via a lanyard. With this task accomplished the stallion looked at all of us.
“Sir. Madams. Would you please come with me, I’ve been given very specific instructions concerning you three. This way.”
I found this somewhat ominous as Petina, Carousel, and I dropped into line behind the usher. The mint green pegasi led us not to the reserve box section but instead he marched us up some steps toward a service access doorway that was guarded by a pair of rather grim looking unicorn mares that were wearing elaborately chased goggles with swirling iridescent lens. The usher told us to stop about twelve feet from the door, and then he stepped forward and had a brief, hushed conversation with the two unicorns.
After a few seconds he turned and gesture us forward; as we approached the door I could feel an odd, tingling, sensation wash over me. Suddenly I realized that two unicorns were magically scanning me. Apparently we met with approval because the door glowed and then quickly swung open. We passed through and then just as quickly the door swung close. One could feel numerous magical spells reengaging as it shut.
My apprehensions were growing by the second as we followed the usher down a long, dimly, lit hallway; after several twists and turns we arrived at a pair relatively plain looking double doors. Stationed outside these door were two, armored Royal Guard pegasi. They both nodded their heads and one of them raised his rear hoof and rapped on the door several times. After a couple seconds the doors swung up and a very elegant unicorn mare stepped out and greeted us. She very quickly looked us over, only an occasional raised eyebrow hinted what her opinion was of our wardrobe. However after a couple seconds she finally spoke.
“Please come with me the Sisters are awaiting you inside.” I was still trying to parse what she meant as I stepped through the door and right into the Royal Stadium Box.
I promptly froze in my tracks. Celestia had already risen from her dais and was casually strolling forward to greet us. Her demeanor was her typical, calm, refined self but there was the slightest twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
"Sky Brush! Petina! Carousel! So nice of you to join Luna and I this afternoon for the competition; The Royal Box will easily hold three-dozen ponies and even with our staff there is room for several guests. So I thought perhaps you’d enjoy watching the competition from here? Twilight has decided to join us and I think it would be most entertaining if you and your friends joined us!”
Quickly all three of us bowed before the Princess of the Sun. Petina spoke first. “Of course your highness! How could we possibly consider declining such a generous offer from you and Princess Luna?”
The white unicorn mare looked up and smiled at the co-ruler of Equestria. “And from here we’ll have an excellent view of Rainbow Dash’s performance! I am so happy that you and Luna were able to make it; I have a feeling that history will be made today!”
Celestia smiled at Petina. Out of the corner my eye I could see Luna staring at us; from the look in her eyes she didn’t seemed to be as enthused about our presence as her sister was. She leaned over and appeared to whisper something into Twilight’s ear who was standing next to her. The violet mare looked at her and nodded her head, then should looked at us with a mixture of uncertainty and disapproval.
The next couple hours were filled with casual conversation and snacking as a steady procession caters brought a bewildering array of tasty snacks. If the Royal Sister eat like this all the time then magic can be the only explanation why they have not turned into a couple of tubby ponies!
The afternoon proceeded in a pleasant fashion, but I could tell that Twilight really wanted to take Petina and Carousel aside and give them a talking, however that opportunity never arose. Luna was a bit more inscrutable but I did get a couple quizzical looks from her.
Unfortunately Celestia had arranged the seating so I was right in between our two groups. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight on my left, and Petina and Carousel on my right.
What compounded the problem was that Petina and Rainbow Dash had decided that like last year RD would be the final performer of the day. So for next few hours I got to play bulwark between two parties. Finally I figured I needed to get some breathing room, stretch my legs, and you use the little stallions room. I also decided that I’d drop by Rainbow Dash dressing room/staging area and make sure she was not freaking out like last year. I rose from my seat and bowed to the Royal Sisters.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna. May I take leave of your company for a short while? I wish to freshen up and then check in and make sure that Rainbow Dash’s preparations are going according to her plans. May I please depart?”
Celestia raised an eyebrow and gave me one her signature sweet, little smiles. “But of course Sky Brush. Please make certain that Rainbow Dash is taken care of and send her our best wishes!”
With no further ado I strolled out of the room.
To be continued.
Comments
Baron Engel
Also at a later date it will be revealed that Celestia has been kept much more update to date about the daily lives of all the bearers of the Elements of Harmony than just Twilight’s letters. The letters are nice and provide Celestia with useful insight but she has her own sources for keeping tabs on them.
McClaw
Twilight has general, non-specific suspicions because Petina is involved. Celestia (and through her or via dreams Luna) would have suspicions that are probably more extreme and more accurate due to their experience.
Baron Engel
At that moment I was horrified because I feared I was going to screw things up and then everyone would be on my case!
Baron Engel
Yeah, Celestia is the master of the loaded comment.
Chilimare
Celestia, the 1000 year master of the knowing little smile, a smile you have captured perfectly by the way. Don't know if I'd be delighted or mortified in the situation you found yourself in... probably both.
Major Matt Mason
"Taken care of"... Hoo-boy! ^.^
Baron Engel
Yes she does bear combat scars. You'll see more her and the other unicorns assigned to Celestia's personal staff in the future.
Vet
Interesting. One of the guard pony the usher spoke to bears some battle scars.
