//------------------------------// // Twinkle-eyed ponies & Author's notes // Story: Dames of the Tea Table: Silver Sabbatical // by Kipakuta //------------------------------// Luna tossed the used towels into a basket in a corner of the bathroom, then got dressed. "Have aught we forgotten, faithful maid?" She called into the main room of the suite. "Everything's packed and accounted for, Your Majesty." Lime replied. "I double-checked all the drawers, under the beds, and on the tables. The front desk's been called. They're sending up a pony with a luggage cart, and there'll be a carriage waiting to take us back to the station." "Well met." Luna replied stepping out into the bedroom. "What about recompense for the lodgings?" "They're writing out the bill." Lime replied. "All three of us are on the same tab." "Splendid." Luna replied, weaving the enchantment for her disguise. "As an aside of curiosity, have we plans for tonight once we return to the castle?" Lime thought for a moment. "I was supposed to have your receiving room restocked yesterday for our meeting tonight, but after three days in our company, I imagine that you're tired of our presence." The pink unicorn opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off by a knock at the door. "Bellhop!" A pony called from the other side of the door. The green unicorn answered the door. "Good timing." She stated. "Everything's in order here." Lemon motioned to the two suitcases, crate, and jar next to the entrance. The red-vested pony picked up each item, and placed them on a wheeled rectangular wooden platform that had a tall brass arch connected to the shorter sides. After loading their luggage, the pony pushed the cart to the room next door, and knocked. "Bellhop!" He called. A white, pink-maned unicorn opened the door. "I was just about to call for somepony." She stated. "My suitcase and packages are right over here." She indicated the couch. The bellhop retrieved Bouton's luggage, then the unicorns followed him back to the first floor lobby. Lemon took care of the bill while the bellhop transferred the luggage to the back of a waiting carriage, that had a team of earth ponies harnessed to it. Cynthia gave him three, five bit bills which he pocketed as he wheeled the cart back inside. Lemon trotted out. "Is everypony ready?" She asked as they boarded the cart. "I would have liked to say farewell to our hosts." Cynthia griped as she settled in her seat.. One of the pullers pointed to the south, towards a plume of rising smoke. "Train's on its way already, ma'am." He stated. "We had best hurry then." Cynthia stated. The pullers trotted lightly along the cobblestone path, keeping a good pace while minimizing the jostling. - - - One carriage ride, train ride and cab ride later, the three were gathered inside of Fleur's apartment. "We should do this again, sometime." The white unicorn exclaimed. "Though next time, we can plan for it, so we can make our own itinerary." "That's probably a good idea." Lime replied. "We had to cut a few things from the list, because of the celebrations that we came in on." She said as she helped Fleur with putting things away. "Still, it was a bit of a guilty pleasure to not have to clean up the rooms." "Aye. T'was a very merry occasion from what we saw and heard." A pink unicorn chimed in. "To see love blossom forth in such a union. I look forward to thine own ceremony, Dear Fleur." Fleur said nothing as she walked over to a desk in the corner of the living room. She opened the bottom right drawer, and took out a small silver box embossed with her name and family crest. Opening the box, the white unicorn checked the quill and ink-jar. "I'll have to replace these soon, but they're still good for today." She said, more to herself than to her friends. She levitated a stack of blank paper from the drawer. "I know we were scheduled for a meeting tonight, Your Highness, but I want to practice my calligraphy now that I have something to work with." "Ah yes, your new family motto." Cynthia recalled. "We shall leave thee to sharpen thy skills, but do not hesitate to visit us should thou become lonely." Fleur set the calligraphy kit aside, then came over to the other two. "Perhaps next week, I can show you my skill." She said, giving Cynthia an embrace. "T'would be a pleasure to see thine hornscript." Cynthia stated, returning the hug. They separated a moment later, then Fleur walked over to hug Lime. "Just remember, if it doesn't work out with Fancypants, there's plenty of Merae in the sea." Fleur giggled. "Thanks I''ll keep that in mind." They ended the hug. "I guess you gotta get the shoop out of here then." Lime chuckled, wagging a hoof. "You keep that up, and we just might have to make a 'Dame Sauce' title to compete over." "An excellent suggestion my maid." Cynthia exclaimed. "Our next convocation shall see the addition of titles and accolades that we may earn." "It sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you." Fleur stated. "One week or whenever you feel lonely then." Lime replied, as she and Cynthia headed out the door. Once they had left, Fleur opened the ink jar, dipped the quill, and began writing on a sheet of paper. - - - "Honey, I'm home!" Lime announced, entering her house. A sound of dice clattering in the dining room caught her attention, then Dark Skies replied. "Hey Lime, We were just winding down a game." Lime set her suitcase on the couch and the crate of bottles on the coffee table, then entered the dining room. Seated around the table were Dark Skies, her uncles Rosy Cranberry and Golden Stare, as well as Soarin, Fleetfoot and a ruby red earth pony with a white mane. Except for Cranberry who had the G.M. screen, every pony had a character sheet, and a standard set of polyhedral dice. Cranberry had a tray on his right that held a few dozen dice of various shapes and colors. Strewn about the table were various players guides and supplements, as well as a pizza box holding five cold slices. "Who's the new gal?" Lime asked. "Hi, Officer Firestone of the CPD." She introduced herself. "Fleet and I met at the gaming store yesterday, and she invited me to this gaming group for a session of Catacombs and Creatures." "Did you have fun?" Lime asked, moving to her husband's side. Dark craned his head up to give Lime a quick kiss. "Been up all night. Good thing none of us has to work today." "Tell her about the escape from the Grundle king's castle." Fleetfoot added. "That wouldn't have happened if Soarin had made his diplomacy check." Golden Stare gripped Lime pulled up a seat. "I've got to hear about this." She stated, reaching for a slice of pizza with pineapple. - - - Luna set her suitcase, bag and jar on a table in the castle's front hallway. She then turned and addressed the group of ponies who had been assembled when she had sent for them. "This jar goeth to the castle pantry. This bag contains five glass bottles that go to the wine cellar, and the suitcase doth go to my chambers." Three ponies each took one of the mentioned items, then carried them to their assigned places. "The remainder art dismissed." The assembly dispersed, except for one of the castle maids. "Maid Fireclay. Why dost thou hesitate in thy duties?" "Pardon me your Majesty." She replied meekly. "But will Maid Lime be working today?" "Nay. She hath been given the day of liberty for her part in accompanying me." Luna replied. "What thou canst do, is to replenish the stocks of tea and sweetmeats in my receiving room." "Yes, your Majesty." Fireclay replied with a bow before heading to the castle storerooms. Luna made her way to the dining room. Celestia lowered the newspaper she was reading. "How was your trip, little sister?" She greeted Luna. "T'was rather puzzling." Luna replied. "We did experience the things that we wanted." "I sense a but in there." Celestia replied. "Oh Celly, what they shared with me..." She lowered her gaze. Celestia walked over and draped a wing over Luna's back. "What exactly did they share? They had gambling, wine, salt, all the things you asked for." Luna looked up to her sister. "They see me not as a fierce tyrant, as most ponies when first I returned. They see me not as a demure flower, as the nobility do. They look upon me, and see a pony who was forced into the role of a leader." She hugged Celestia tightly. "And they showed me who I really was." Celestia patted Luna's back. "You are my little sister, and I love you very much." She exclaimed. "This has never changed." "Even if I be a crazy diamond?" She smirked "Who called you that? You're not crazy." "Caught in the crossroads of foalhood and exaltation?" Celestia winced. "That's not fair Luna! There just wasn't enough time, you know that! That monster-" Luna raised her hoof to Celestia's lips. "I blame thee not for thy actions, Sister. Discord be the cause that made me mature too soon." The servant returned to find Luna comforting a sobbing Sun Princess. "Y-your Majesties?" The Moon Princess motioned for her to leave. The pony quickly placed the tray on the table, then hurried out of the room. *** The bell over the shop door rang as a vanilla colored unicorn entered. She quickly located a white unicorn in one of the aisles, then addressed her. "Fleur De Lis, I demand an explanation!" Fleur set down the vial of ink that she had been examining. "Oh, Greetings, U.C.. I didn't hear you come in." "My name is Upper Crust." Came the reply through gritted teeth. "Well, Upper Crust." Fleur began, picking out another bottle of ink. "Tell me, do you think this ink looks better for invitations, or for private correspondence?" "Where is he?" "Hmmm?" "Fancypants. The two of you ditched Jet Set's party, and embarrassed him in the eyes of the press." "He doesn't need my help for that." Fleur retorted. "I don't know where Fancypants is, but I've been out of the city for the last few days." "Ran off to Manehattan, did you?" Upper Crust replied. "Or maybe you decided to visit those brutes in Ponyville." She snorted. "Maybe you should get your horn removed and go full earth pony." Fleur held up a hoof. "First off. The term is Flowerfoal. Second, one of those brutes, as you so eloquently put it, is Princess Celestia's personal protege. So unless you want to have a discussion with her Highness about the soundness of her decisions, You'd best refrain from saying anything about Miss Sparkle." "Or else what?" Upper Crust challenged. Fleur grinned widely and remained silent. Upper Crust humphed then left. The white unicorn picked up the vial of ink that she had before, and added it to the shopping basket with the others. - - - "Miss Cheerilee, what should I do with these?" A white unicorn filly, with a pink and purple mane asked, holding up a cluster of small carrots. "Put them in one of the pots and cover them with soil, Sweetie Bell. And be sure to leave the stalks uncovered." The magenta mare replied. As Sweetie Bell went to fulfill the task, Cheerilee stopped her own digging, and surveyed the yard. Starsong, Blossomforth and Raindrops were making and dispensing clouds to provide some shade. Jasper was placing potted plants onto a waiting carriage, Scootaloo was bouncing on a shovel handle, either trying to fly, or to dig up a particularly stubborn tree root, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were having a competition to see who could dig up and replant the fastest while Applebloom was running a tea and juice stand with Pinkie Pie. Other townsponies occasionally joined in, volunteering for a short while then leaving when they had their fill. "How goes your little garden, my love." A pink unicorn greeted Cheerilee, nuzzling the earth pony. Cheerilee returned the nuzzle. "Well, I can say that Scoot's not getting a cutie mark for digging, Toola." The aforementioned orange pegasus jumped off the shovel and gave it a kick. "Hey, Mrs Cheerilee, Is there anything else I could do?" "Yeah Shortstuff, you can get me some more pots." Rainbow Dash called. "I'm lagging behind on the competition." "It don' matter none if you get all three of the crusaders to help ya." Applejack retorted. "I'm still gonna win this." - - - A caramel colored unicorn looked over as the bell over the door chimed, announcing a customer. "Ah, Mrs Sherbert." He greeted the unicorn. "Stopping in before work?" "Hello Joe." The maid replied. "I'm curious. Do you really sell donuts on a skewer?" Joe chuckled. "So it WAS you at the Chateau." He grinned. "Yeah, I sell skewered donuts, they're part of my secret menu." Lime nodded. "Alright, I'll take two dozen." "And what kinds would you like?" He asked, pulling out a cluster of wooden skewers. "Two apple fritters for Princess Luna, two cream cheese puffs for Princess Celestia, four jelly filled, and four glazed. For the second box, I want..." 15 minutes later, Lime entered the castle with two pink and white stripped, rectangular boxes. She made her way to the royal dining room and set out the designated pastries for the princesses. Then she gave the rest of one box to the kitchen staff. The second box she brought up to the servant's quarters. "Hey girls. I just want to let you know how much I appreciate your hard work while I was away." She greeted them while setting the box on the table." "Oh, Mrs Sherbert. her Majesty wanted to see you after the evening meal." Fireclay stated, coming over to get a donut. "Oh? Is something wrong?" Lime asked. "No no, everything's fine. her Majesty just wants to see you about something." Fireclay said before biting into a deep-fried donut. Lime glanced to a clockwork timepiece on the wall. "Dinner service starts in five minutes, and ends a half-hour later, so I have enough time to tidy up her room before I have to be there." Lime mused. "Mmmh, this is delicious." Fireclay stated. "How did you convince Joe to fry 'em like this?" "It's part of a secret menu." Lime replied. "Apparantly, there are quite a few customers who like them that way." "The skewer is certainly hoofy for keeping grease off your frog." Fireclay mused. - - - "And payoff on nineteen!" Gilbert exclaimed, placing the marker. "Who got lucky this time?" A couple of ponies each indicated their chips in two of the winning spaces. and Gilbert dispensed the appropriate amount of chips "Now don't spend it all in one place, there's plenty of other games to play." He then used the faceplate of his cane to rake the remaining chips over to his station, including the marker. "Place your bets now!" he called, before sorting the chips that he raked in. Aurelina walked among the tables with an expression of mild amusement. Most of the players paid little attention to her, allowing her to use her talent of reading their body language. Occasionally using a variant of hoof language, she indicated to the dealers which players could be coerced into betting higher stakes, and which ones were ready to cash out. Aurelina also whispered to the occasional waitress, advising them on which players could use a drink, and which ones had had enough. Conversations were loud and unrestrained, with ponies not caring who listened in. Except for the small theater section which was dominated by the acts onstage, conversations blended together after a stride away from the ponies who were talking, creating a wavering hum that filled the room. The elevated lounge section was quieter with fewer ponies, and no distractions. Here, conversations were kept more intimate due to the acoustics of the room. A few ponies wearing black vests were looking over the railing, speaking occasionally in a barely audible volume. The crystals strapped around their necks flickered in time with their words, projecting barely visible pulses of light. These pulses were picked up by crystals strapped to the ears of other black vested ponies who walked about the casino. Making a quick detour to the bar, Aurelina brought a drink to her husband. "How is the action tonight?" Gilbert accepted the drink, then nuzzled his spouse. "The bits are flowing like water. I may need you to toss me a lifesaver." He replied. The group at his table laughed. "If you are drowning in that many bits, you could buy a boat." Aurelina replied. "Yeah, a nice four-seater." Gilbert replied. "I'll take this guy, and this guy, and Celestia can be my co-pilot." He smirked, pointing out two of the players at random. Another chuckle passed through the group. "And what about me?" Aurelina mock-pouted. "I'll get a rope with a mouth-bit, and you can strap on a pair of water skis. We'll pull you behind." "Hey Gil, you're alright." one of the ponies stated, adding more chips to his stack. Gilbert spun the wheel, and tossed the ball onto it. "Let the spinning wheel fly, and we'll see what comes up this time." - - - "Again, I apologize for yesterday morning's outburst." Celestia said to Luna. "Dear Sister, a wise pony spake unto me, and said that we have a right to feel such emotions. We be ponies, not statues." Celestia nodded. "This is true, but sometimes it's easy to forget that in the course of our duties." She nibbled the fried cream-cheese filled donuts. "I think your maid found part of Donut Joe's secret menu." "Aye, t'was quite unexpected to see that such fare actually existed." Luna replied, taking a big bite of a fried fritter. "I'll just have to share the whole menu with you then, you'd be surprised what he's come up with." Celestia grinned. "To be truthful, I have had my fill of secrets for a few days." Luna waved a hoof idly. "I shall look at the menu at my leisure." "So you learned about them, did you?" Celestia asked with a mischievous grin. "Dear sister, Sometimes I wonder about the soundness of your mind. As do they, apparently." "I'm not one to play cops and crooks." Celestia began. "But the Perch Nobility made some pretty poor decisions, including lying to me." "They lied to you?!" Luna asked incredulously. "They should have lost their lands, titles, and citizenship for such treason!" "They did, but not by my hooves." Celestia patted her muzzle clean with a napkin. "These pastries were delightful. Give my compliments to Joe when you see him next." "I shall, dear sister." Luna replied. The two alicorns hugged, then Celestia departed. A moment later, Lime entered. "Ah my faithful maid, right on cue." Luna levitated a small square box over to her. Lime took the box with her own aura. "You wanted to see me, your Highness?" "Tis a reward for your service." Luna replied. Lime opened the box and found a silver tea cup inside. Engraved on the side opposite the handle was the phrase 'World's Best Maid.' "Ah, Your Majesty. You didn't have to." Lime replied with a smile. "Tis the Truth." Luna replied. "I swear by Earth, Water, Wind and Fire." - - - A caramel colored earth pony smiled, watching the Moon rise, then the stars fade into view. Using the nocturlabe, he identified his current position, then referenced the notes that he copied. "We seem to have made pretty good time." he said to a pony at the edge of a nearby river. "So did I get you to the right shooping place or what?" His companion replied. "This is the right place, Sandswirl." He said to a green Merae. "Give Gilbert my thanks." "A-ight. Zorte on, Mr. Ibai." The Merae called before taking to the river once more. Bad Apple glanced eastward, watching his 'ride' depart. "That was faster than a Zeppelin, and much less conspicuous too." He mused. He opened the rubber-lined backpack, pulled out a change of clothes, and got dressed. He put the nocturlabe and notebooks inside, slung the pack over his shoulder, and began walking north. After a few minutes, he spotted a small group of buildings, some with lit windows. "Hmm. I wonder if they welcome visitors." He wondered, taking off the pack again. He opened it and pulled out a stack of fake I.D. cards from one of the secret pockets. "Hi, my name is...Halberd Strike." He chuckled, pulling one of the cards from the middle of the stack. He put the selected card in a shirt pocket, then returned the rest to the secret pouch, before shouldering the pack again. He resumed walking towards the village, humming a tune that reminded him of his lover. ============================================================ Author's Notes First. I want to Thank Gabriel for helping me with Luna's dialogue, as well as for the use and implementation of his OCs: Lime Sherbert, Bad Apple, Dark Skies, Golden Stare, and Rosy Cranberry. Also a big Thank You to Kagitaar for helping me correct the many grammatical mistakes that have popped up during the writing on this story. General note on the Plot Elements. As was pointed out numerous times, this story gets a lot of inspiration from The Godfather movie and other Mafia references. Ever since Fragile Diamonds, It was my intention to have a pony Mafia acting in opposition to the Upper caste of nobles and the idle rich. While I did research the history of the real life Mafia, I felt it was a better fit to have the Equestrian equivalent be formed in relation to the French Revolution. I also drew inspiration from the 'Rum Runners' of the Prohibition era. I also researched chateaus and casinos, in order to write a more accurate description of them, as well as Basque and Roma cultures for food, garb and customs. This is most evident in chapter five, during the wedding. As far as the chapter titles, I tried to make a short phrase that conveys the theme for that specific chapter. Specifics: Secret meetings. The salad scene actually has two inspirations behind it. The first, is my memories of school cafeteria salad, which always seemed to be drenched in vinegar. The second reference is summed up by the nickname Gabriel coined, 'Luna Ramsey.' The Opening Oath: The reason Luna has Fleur start over, is because she was rushing the words, thus ruining the rhythm of the chant. Dating conventions: As explained earlier. I'm using the scale of 1-1000 for the period of Nightmare moons banishment. Referencing Episode 'The Call of the Cutie' and the popular fanon of Cheerilee being an 80s filly, Years are calculated by dropping the '1'. The rolling of dice, casting of lots, and flipping of coins.: In my research on common casino games, I was mildly surprised to learn that most of the current games date to the 1700 and 1800s, Card decks themselves are a few centuries older, but still, there are few forms of gambling that get close to 1000 years old. Reiten vs Pferd: While Pferd is the proper German term for 'pony,' the use of 'Reiten' conveys a certain spirit. It's similar to the use of 'Germany' vs 'Prussia.' Carnival The Wands: I have seen a few stories where battle oriented unicorns used a themed 'blade' as a weapon. The wands are intended to be a unicorn talisman for non-warriors. The particular wands in this story are based on what is known as a 'Casino rake,' a device for drawing in chips on a table, without having to move around and pick them up one by one. "And that be how he obtained the title 'The Bearded'.": A nice little orphaned punchline, considering that Hasbro hasn't revealed much about him. 'The Count of Monte Carlo.": This actually has a double meaning. 'The Count of Monte Cristo' is a story about a wronged man who gets sent to prison, escapes, discovers a fortune, and uses the wealth to enact a carefully planned out retribution on the people who wronged him. This is an early hint of what he and his family are involved in. The other sense, he is a noble whose domain is known for classy gambling. 'Our evening has been simply awful":Luna is still not caught up with the changes that certain words have undergone. She speaks in the sense of being awed and almost overwhelmed by the experience. Fleur and Lime, who have experience with her manner of speaking, are mentally kicking themselves for this oversight. History and Mystery Tapper and Wiretalker: Equestrian devices resembling the Telegraph and Telephone respectively. Chilled Hearts Merae:I've not seen anything that explores seapony society in any depth, so I designed a basic synopses to use for my own referal. Shoo-Be-Doop indeed. Twilight Sparkle and Rarity's appearances.: Twilight's presence is explained. Rarity however, is apparently an acquaintance of Cheerilee, if 'Cutie Mark Chronicles' is anything to go by. As of 'Sweet and Elite' I'm sure Fleur would recognize Rarity on sight. It might not work the other way, since Rairty kept gushing over Fancypants. Lanzenreiter: The name and color scheme are taken from the G2 pony 'Lancer.' Here, he's of Reiten, rather then Perch nationality. Love Justifies All The crystal-based tech shown in chapters 5 and 11 is an attempt to explain high tech devices, without the environmental impact of coal, oil, or other hazardous fuels. This necessitates unicorns to power up said crystals, but also requires earth ponies to grow the crystals. Brother-Hood 'Udan Ibai': As explained at various points during the story, Gilbert, and by extension, most of his family, are involved in unlawful activities. He knows the importance of a good alias, so he gives one to Bad Apple as a way of saying. 'If anypony asks, I don't know Gabardine Dart.' Gwehyddion o Freuddwydion: 'Weavers of Dreams' Pony Fey. Includes Changelings as one of many types. Spicy Pepper: The pony equivalent of large ham. Obviously, since ponies don't eat meat, something else has to stand in as a term for over the top, flamboyant behavior. Like Sands in an Hourglass Centre: Not to make light of people with deformities, but I think that certain mishaps of growth are plausible, though rare among ponykind. The Montage: The song was selected to show the idea that the major characters are not the ponies they were when the story started. Obviously Cheerilee and Toola, being married, have to look forward to the trials of living as 1/2 of a union. Luna and Lime know of Bad Apple having a haven with easy access to Canterlot, and Fleur has a partial solution to her Fancypants problem. Noble Rogues Starsong Whistle: Yes, I made her a relative of Thistle Whistle.*Fweew* On with the Show The idea of a Play within a play is an idea I've seen in Shakespeare stories, and I felt it would be appropriate for Luna. The structure of the play written here is inspired by the Show 'Upright Citizen's Brigade.' The Warm-up comes from 'Whose line is it anyway?' It's the game called 'Party Quirks.' Twinkle-Eyed Ponies References to 'Shine on you crazy Diamond.': Going on the assumption that Luna was a filly when she and Celestia sealed Discord the first time, she wouldn't have had much of a childhood. Her duties as a Princess would have taken up much of her time, and I feel that this is what ultimately led to her breakdown. While each of the 6 parties gets an ending with a hook, I ended with Bad Apple and a song that I felt suited his relationship with Luna. He will BE that pony that walks 1000 miles to fall down at her door hooves.