Styxx trotted the five miles from her shop to the palace. Luna's words from the day before replayed in her mind like an old record. She ignored any odd looks she got from the Canterlot snobs, knowing a lot of them were staring down her cheek or her cutiemark of a scythe and skull. Styxx was much duller looking, but also a little frightening to look at from afar. She lacked much color, her fire-engine red eyes standing out the most. The key around her neck slid around from Styxx picking up trotting speed after a while, trying to make the forty-five minute trek seem less painful.
Once at the doors, the stallion guards -of course- blocked her from just entering. Styxx sighed, glancing down at her key, then back up at them. "My name is Styxx Rivers. I am the undertaker pony under the commands of the princesses. I am here to see them to address a formal issue." she explained. The guards figured this reason was enough to allow her access, so they moved out of her way, one escorting her to the throne room.
Once there, the guard looked up at the regal white alicorn sitting on her throne. "Your highness," the stallion began. "Styxx Rivers has come to request that you speak with her with a formal issue." he told her.
Celestia smiled at the both of them, then nodded, dismissing the stallion back to the front doors. Styxx held her head high in the presence of royalty. "Your highness," she began. "there has been a complication in my shop."
Celestia seemed concerned right away. "What kind of complication?" she inquired. "I hope it's not grave."
"Well," Styxx sighed. "I'm not sure what has ignited this, Princess Celestia, but I believe something has made it's presence known in my shop. I believe it is the spirit of the filly Golden Dawn."
"A spirit? Is that possible?" Celestia asked in a mixture of shock and pure awe.
"It most definitely is, princess. May I explain?" Styxx asked.
"Absolutely."
"Well, usually when a pony dies, their spirit goes to Heaven or Hell. Sometimes, they end up in Purgatory, or as I like to call it, the 'Waiting Room'. Then, there's the truly rare occasion that the spirit is trapped here in our world. This is typically due to an unfulfilled life, unfinished business, et cetera. However, in some cases, the spirit is unaware of their death and wants someone to notice them and acknowledge their existence. It gives them a certain comfort and hope when somepony does notice them. I believe, in Golden Dawn's case, she doesn't realize she is dead." Styxx explained the best way she could.
Princess Celestia nodded, listening closely to Styxx. Once the young unicorn finished, Celestia inquired about what led Styxx to believe that the late filly was trying to make her presence known. Styxx reluctantly explained the previous night's incidents, including the ironic fact that she is afraid of the undead. "It was terrifying for me, and this morning I checked the caskets and her noose bruisings were fresh." she finished. "I was too scared to check her sister's casket before I took my key, locked up, and left."
Just before Celestia could reply, Luna entered the room. "Oh, Styxx," she said. "nice to see you here. Is everything alright?" she asked. Styxx shook her head, and explained vaguely what she had discussed with Celestia.
"I was about to suggest an indefinite closing of the shop until further notice." Celestia said. Styxx's ears perked up tightly, and she turned quickly to look at her.
"What about the bodies? They are to be prepared by this Sunday!" said she in a panicked tone.
"It's for the better. If anypony comes looking for them, we will take care of the matter." Celestia said. "Styxx, you have been a major factor in ponies' lives after death. This must be a sign that resignation must come soon."
"I can't just give this up!" Styxx cried. "Undertaking is my life! I could never just drop my profession!"
"Styxx," Luna intervened. "this is your life we're talking about, not your profession with your life. Celestia and I would hate to see something happen you." she told her. "Please, at least give it some thought." she pleaded. Styxx bit the inside of her right cheek, and then let a sigh slip her lips.
"I will." she said. "But give me until dusk." she requested. The princess sisters nodded, then Styxx left without another word.
Styxx decided to visit downtown Canterlot, where most of the classy Canterlot ponies never ventured. Styxx often went to the small bar at the end of Crown Avenue. As the undertaker pony trotted in, her friend peeked out from behind the bar, and smiled at her presence. "Styxxie!" the mare exclaimed with happiness. "It's been a while!" she remarked as Styxx came up to the bar.
"Yeah," Styxx sighed. "I need an Ursa Major Bomb, chased with Sweet Apple Cola." she ordered with a tired tone. Her friend raised an eyebrow at her, then turned to make the drink. Styxx's friend's name was Strawberry Jewel. She had been working at multiple pubs and bars in Equestria, and is known for her spectacular mixing. She had an ivory coat, a reddish-pink mane, freckles, green eyes, and her flank bore a cutiemark with a glass of alcohol and a strawberry beside it. Strawberry turned back around and set the short glass of the Ursa Major Bomb and the bottle of Sweet Apple Cola.
"Rough day?" Strawberry asked Styxx.
"I'll say," Styxx replied, and took a drink of the Ursa Major Bomb. "I just got back from an urgent conversation with the princesses. Needless to say, I might be out of business for some time..."
Strawberry gasped. "Out of business!?" she exclaimed. "Styxxie, you can't! Cadaver had been running that place since you were just a filly! How can you just quit!? What happened!?"
Styxx went on to explain why she was not intending to step another hoof into her shop for a while. But as she did, a certain guilt burned in her brain and made her feel nauseous already. Strawberry Jewel sympathized with her friend, and for a few hours, Styxx sat in the not-so-busy bar and had Strawberry give her Grand Royal Liquor, Hard Apple Cider mixed with tequila, and -Styxx's favorite to top it off- Sweet Red Wine.
It had been a good few hours before Styxx had left the bar, tipping Strawberry generously. Styxx managed to get a cart to the palace, and she managed to trot in without too much stumbling. But as soon as she reached the throne room, the princesses were greatly alarmed. "Styxx!" Luna exclaimed when she saw her.
Styxx looked her way, and hiccuped. "What, Luna~!?" she replied. Luna got down from her throne and went over to help the drunk unicorn keep steady. Celestia got down to make sure Styxx was alright.
"Styxx, what did you drink!?" Celestia asked, immediately noticing the alcohol on Styxx's breath. The unicorn stopped for a second, then laughed. Luna was overall bemused by all of this.
"A Major Bomb, a chaser, some liquor, cider and 'quila, then my favorite~" she admitted giddily. Luna looked back up to her sister with an annoyed expression. Celestia had servants take Styxx to a guest bedroom, where the undertaker pony promptly passed out from the alcohol in her body.
In the throne room, Luna seemed especially agitated at her friend. "I cannot believe her!" she growled. "She knows all of that alcohol will get her swacked in no time!" she proceeded to go on about how Styxx was irresponsible in her drinking habit and should not have gone to the bar in the first place. Truthfully, Styxx had been hammered more than once in her life. When she was younger, the first Ursa Bomb would have killed her tolerance. As she grew older, her tolerance grew. She now managed to keep down plenty of alcohol, unless she drank a lot of strong alcohol.
"Please, sister," Celestia replied. "calm down. Styxx is going through a rough time, and I believe she needed this. Yes, it's irresponsible. But try to look at it the way she is: she is losing her business little by little. She's been doing this for so long, and she needs something to erase today, and to tell her everything's alright." she told her little sister.
"You're justifying her stupid decision!?" Luna snapped. "How-!? I-!?" she stammered, then just growled, and sighed. "I'll speak to her in the morning."
The next day, Styxx awoke in the beautifully decorated guest bedroom. The bedroom had a mural on the ceiling, the windows perfectly cleaned. The floor of pure marble, and the furniture finely crafted. The first thing Styxx saw was the sunlight through the windows, and she immediately flinched and pulled the covers over her with her magic. She groaned, her head throbbing.
"Damn liquor..." she muttered, blaming only one alcohol over the others. Suddenly feeling nauseous, she hightailed it from the bedroom to the bathroom just in the room. She ended up vomiting out everything she had to eat and drink the day before. Afterward, she flushed and managed to find some mouthwash and use it. Once she was done, she heard a knock on her bedroom door.
"Styxx?" Luna called. "It's me, Luna. May I come in? Are you awake?"
"Come on in, Luna." Styxx replied. As Luna entered, Styxx noticed the princess carrying a tray of saltines and a bottle of water.
"Just wake up?" Luna asked, setting the tray on the bed. Styxx left the bedroom and nodded weakly. Luna nodded as well, then gave her the water. Styxx opened it and took a drink. "Pace yourself, Styxx." Luna said. "Too much at once will make you vomit again." Styxx nodded, and set the water on the bedside table.
"What time is it?" Styxx asked.
"Around noon," Luna replied. "Styxx, Celestia and I got to talking this morning. She wanted me to tell you something."
"Tell me, what is it?" Styxx asked, taking up a saltine and taking a bite.
"We would like for you to stay here in the castle while we try to handle your shop." she told her. Styxx's eyes widened, and she almost choked on her saltine.
"What!?" Styxx exclaimed. "Stay here, in the palace!?"
Luna nodded. "Yes. We don't wish for you to be alone at a time like this. Especially if the spirit tries to attach itself to you." said the lunar mare. "You're one of our best employees. We can always depend on you, so we decided to try and help you in any way we can."
Styxx smiled. "Luna, I'm honored! Thank you so much!" she said, and hugged the princess. Luna was a little surprised, but hugged the unicorn back. Once she pulled away, Luna remembered to give Styxx a couple aspirins.
"You'll need these," Luna sighed. "please, take time to rest. We can discuss more things about this later. For now, recover from your hangover."