"Chrysalis, I know this isn't ideal, but --"
"Not ideal?" She huffed as she paced around her room. It was by all accounts a lovely room. It was round in shape, and in the center of the floor was a tile mosaic depicting a sun and a moon. One half of the room had a dark purple theme, and the other had a bright golden theme. The bed was sizable, larger than anything most ponies could find in a store, and was lifted off the ground by a platform three steps high. There was a window overlooking the city below, which also revealed that the room was in one of the multitude of towers that dotted the royal plaza. "They have me locked in a tower like I'm some kind of prisoner. Then, you tell me that if I want to go anywhere, I have to let Royal Guards follow me?"
Twilight nodded. "You know, Chrysalis, many ponies would find this room opulent. Extravagant even!"
"Yes, well I am not 'most ponies', am I, Sparkle?" She sneered. "This room has horrible color sense. Gold and purple? It looks like someone spilled paint over half the room."
"You know, Chrysalis, I think I'm done playing nice. You stowed away, and I probably should have just told the Princesses about all the trouble you've been causing. I think you're taking advantage of my kindness... I won't be putting up with it anymore. These are your quarters and the terms until we return to Ponyville. If you really think I'm bluffing this time... you're welcome to call my bluff."
Chrysalis' eyes focused on Twilight for a tense moment before the Queen began to laugh loudly.
"I'm not kidding, Chrysalis!" Twilight insisted. "I will have you sent to the dungeons if you step out of line again."
"Oh, my dear little Sparkle. I believe you. I really do." She wiped a tear of laughter from her eye. "I was just so happy to see you finally acting the way royalty should act. I will obey your rules." She sat down on the bed and leaned back. "Although I am loathe to admit it, you do have me in a bind."
"That's right." Twilight stomped a hoof. "I do. Goodbye." She turned to leave, presented her proof of identification to the guards -- a preventative security measure -- and departed back for her home.
Twilight stopped by her favorite cafe on the way, the same one she had tried to show Echo. She stepped in and sat down at a table.
"Oh, well, hello, Twilight! It's been a long time since I saw you last!" A yellow mare with a reddish mane walked over. "What can I get for you?"
"Hi, Honey Blossom. It has been a while, hasn't it? I'll just have my daisy sandwich like always!" Twilight tried to smile.
"Daisy sandwich. It'll be out in a second."
"Thanks." Twilight sighed as Honey Blossom walked away. She rested her chin in her hooves. This was more than she'd bargained for. She worried that being around Chrysalis so much had started to rub off on her. She never would have been that forceful with somepony before, let alone threatened them like that. She began to wonder if she could do this.
After a few minutes, Honey Blossom returned. "Here you are, Twilight. One daisy sandwich." She took a seat across from Twilight at the table. "Is everything okay sweetie?"
"Oh, I don't know, Honey Blossom. It's just... I have so many new responsibilities, and I'm worried they're changing the way I act."
"They probably are."
"Oh! Really? Thanks so much, that really puts my mind at ease!"
"Well, now, hold on. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, Twilight. Do you remember how you used to be when you left Canterlot? You didn't even understand the point of friends. New responsibilities, or any kind of changes in your life, make you see things a new way, and it's not a bad thing."
"... but what if it is a bad thing, Honey Blossom? I just yelled at C-- somepony, telling her that I would have her locked up if she didn't do as I said."
"... well, I assume that's part of the job of being a princess, right?"
"I... I guess."
"So... maybe it was something you needed to learn how to do?"
"Ugh." She bit into her sandwich and sighed as she chewed. Once she swallowed, she looked back over at Honey Blossom. "I'd hate to admit she was right."
"Who was right about what?"
"The same ch-- pony that I yelled at. She said that I was finally acting like royalty was supposed to. I think she was... proud of me."
"Who knows. Maybe she was right. Oops!" She looked over at the entrance as a new group arrived. "Sorry, Twilight, I've got to go help those ponies."
"It's okay, Honey Blossom. Thanks for talking with me." She smiled and waved goodbye as her old friend went off back to work. Twilight turned back to her sandwich and took another couple bites.
"Twily?" Her father's voice called out. She looked to her left, over the chest-height wrought-iron fence that the cafe had surrounding its dining area.
"Oh! Dad!" She stood, smiling brightly and running over to the fence. The two ponies stood on their hind legs to share a quick hug over the fence. "It's good to see you again!"
"It's good to see you, too. Just one second, I'll come around and sit with you. I'll be happy to talk with you for a while while I'm clearing my head."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll tell you in a second." He smiled and laughed nervously before heading toward the cafe's entrance.
Twilight sat back down and took another bite of her sandwich while she waited. Just a few moments later, Night Light took a seat.
"So," he started, "sweetheart, when were you going to tell your mother and me about the fact that you've been living with... you-know-who?"
She blinked a few times. "Oh. Did I forget to tell you two?"
"I should say you did, yes."
"Heh..." She laughed nervously. "I'm sorry, Dad. I've just been... well, really busy with researching them."
"Too busy to tell your mom and dad what's been going on in your life, really?"
Twilight's ears fell back. She suddenly felt tremendously guilty. "I... I'm really sorry, Dad..." She felt a tear growing in the corner of her eye. She couldn't escape the sense that she'd let her father down.
He lifted her chin with a hoof. "Hey," he smiled and wiped her eye, "none of that, okay? I'm not mad, I just... well, in the future, can you please not forget about your old mom and dad?"
She sniffled again and then launched herself over the table, latching on to her father's neck. "I missed you, Daddy..." She whispered into his ear.
"Oh, Twily." He patted her back. "I missed you too."
They held the hug for a few moments before Twilight let go. "I guess I should probably go and check up on Echo and Ricochet, shouldn't I?"
"I think your mother would appreciate that, yes. I'm still going to get a bit of fresh air for a while. It's been a bit of a crazy day."
"Okay Dad... I'll see you at home." Twilight got up, paid her bill, and started home.
* * *
"Are you sure he's going to be okay?" Echo asked with concern in her voice. "He sounded pretty upset."
"Oh, he'll be fine." Mrs. Velvet smiled and waved a hoof. "He really is just going to go for a walk to clear his mind. That's all."
"Well... if you're sure."
"I am." She smiled and stood. "You know what? In addition to being sure he's going to be fine, I'm also sure that I'm about to go cook dinner. Would you two like anything in particular?"
"Ummm..." Echo winced. "We don't really need to. Whatever you cook will be fine, I'm sure."
"Oh. Right. Well... I hope you'll enjoy once I make up my mind." She trotted off for the kitchen, leaving Echo and Rebound to sit alone.
They were silent for a while, since neither of them knew particularly what to say to fill the silence.
"Well," Echo finally spoke, "What do you think of Canterlot?"
"It's interesting from what I saw, but I didn't really get to see much at all."
"I bet we can change that. You'll probably like it here."
"Why do you say that?"
"Canterlot has some of the most interesting architecture in Equestria. It would be valuable study for you, I think."
His ears perked up. "Oh. That does sound right up my alley. Okay!" He smiled, donning his disguise, and headed for the door.
As he was about to step out, the door opened. Twilight stepped in and nearly collided with Ricochet. He stumbled back, falling to his rump.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Twilight held out a hoof to help him up. "I really didn't mean to do that."
"It's okay," he stumbled to his hooves, "I know you didn't mean to." He started to squeeze past her.
"Where are you going?"
"I was just going to go look at some of the architecture around the city. Echo thinks it would be good for me to study it."
"Uh-oh..." Twilight Velvet suddenly reappeared next to Echo. "He said the s-word."
"No, he said 'study', not 'sh--"
"In this house, the s-word is study. Just watch."
Twilight's eyes brightened and she jumped in place excitedly. "You want to study architecture! Oh! I can definitely help with that! I think I still know where we can find some good books in the Canterlot library, and I'll show you around some of the historical locations in the city! Just wait until you see the mosaics in the Lunar Wing of the castle, they're amazing! I know that's not technically architecture, but still, they're gorgeous! Oh, and the vaulted ceiling on the Lunar Cathedral, where Celestia's had the Equinox Ball every year since Luna came back!" She ran over to her bags, still on the living room floor where Chrysalis had thrown them off. "Let me get my pen and quill, we can take notes! I haven't had a note-taking friend in sooooo long, this will be great!"
"Does she do this any time someone says the s-word?"
"Only when somepony says they need to do it. We just avoid the word altogether to be safe."
"Is he going to be okay?"
"Oh, she'll just drag him all over the city for the rest of the day and lecture him ad nauseum about the history of architecture in Canterlot. It might be good for him, who knows?"
"I hope you're right..."
Twilight grabbed Ricochet by the hoof and dragged him for the door. "Come on, let's go! Let's go!"
"Be back in two hours, Twily. I'm cooking dinner."
"Okay Mom, love you, see you soon, bye!"
The door slammed as Ricochet was pulled outside.
"I... guess I'll help you cook." Echo shrugged.
* * *
Ten minutes later, Twilight was bringing Ricochet along on a guided tour of the Canterlot castle. He was actually quite fascinated. They were making a bee-line for the Lunar Cathedral that Twilight had mentioned, and Ricochet actually felt a measure of anticipation as they approached.
The main hall in which they were walking opened into a single wide nave flanked with two aisles. The cathedral had an astoundingly gorgeous vaulted ceiling. The ceiling itself was studded with gems that gave off a faint white light; amidst the shadow of the vaults, it appeared as though the night sky itself shone through. Twilight explained that the gems were each individually enchanted over three hundred years ago, and arranged with the most fastidious precision to be a perfect representation of the stars above that spot at the moment of the March equinox. Celestia had ordered its construction in anticipation of her sister's imminent return, and chose the equinox as the inspiration in part as a gift to her sister; a reminder that the Sun and the Moon were both of equal importance. It became an annual celebration so that she would never forget that she, too, was appreciated, even though ponies mostly slept during the night.
"You know, Miss Twilight," Ricochet began, "I never really asked, but I'm curious... how does the government of Equestria work?"
"Oh, well... honestly I've been struggling to find my place in that, but the principal regents are Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. Celestia and Luna are, in effect, the diarchs of Equestrian society, with Cadance now mostly having her responsibilities in the Crystal Empire -- something of an Equestrian province. She didn't always have that responsibility though. As for myself, well... I don't have a set tract of land for which I'm responsible, so much as spreading friendship and doing my best to help solve the friendship problems of those in need."
"What did Cadance do before she was responsible for the Crystal Empire?"
"Oh. Well, she was the Princess of Love. It was her responsibility to try to help as many ponies find and spread love as possible."
"Wait, she was the Princess of Love?" Ricochet blinked a couple of times.
"Yeah, that's right."
"You're telling me you ponies here in Equestria had a Princess of Food? You have a Princess for that?"
"Well... I mean, she wasn't the Princess of Food to us, but I guess that's exactly why Chrysalis ended up attacking her and attempting to usurp control of Equestria through her throne."
"Wait, Echo's mom tried to take over all of Equestria? I thought she was just trying to steal enough love to feed her hive."
"Yeah, you didn't know that?"
"No, I'm from a different hive. Queen Exuvia. She was always very kind, and we never really had much trouble staying fed. We lived in a mountain that was rich in gold, up in the Griffon lands. Since griffons love gold so much, we were always able to just feed off the love that seemed to come from the mines. We never had trouble staying fed."
"Huh. I didn't even know there were other hives, really. Learn something new every day."
"You thought Chrysalis' hive was all there was to my species?"
"I guess that is kind of a short-sighted view, isn't it?"
"I didn't mean it that way."
"It's all right. You wouldn't be wrong if you did." Twilight smiled. "Oh!" She changed gears abruptly, "follow me! We need to go look at the architecture on the outside! It's amazing!"
* * *
After about an hour and a half, dinner was nearing completion. An impressive spread was being made on the table.
"Wow, Mrs. Velvet. I thought I was a good cook, but this is looking AMAZING." Echo lauded Twilight's mother. There were dishes being prepared in this kitchen of which Echo had never even conceived. The aromas were intoxicating even to her, so she had trouble imagining how mind-blowing it would have been to a pony whose brain was hard-wired to induce hunger when confronted with aromatic food. "What did you put in that lasagna?"
"Family secret, Echo, dear. You're a fairly impressive cook yourself though! You seem to have a flair for the Eastern dishes."
"They're just fun to cook." She smiled.
Scootaloo came bolting down the stairs; the smell had finally wafted up to her room. She was practically drooling. "What's for dinner?!"
"Scoot, don't be rude."
"Oh. Right. Sorry Mom. So, Mrs. Velvet, what's for dinner? It smells amazing."
Echo rolled her eyes a little. That was better, but not exactly great.
Mrs. Velvet smiled brightly, seemingly unfazed. "A little bit of everything, Scootaloo. No matter what you like, there will be something you'll enjoy, I'm sure of it."
"You know," Echo said gently, "This seems like a lot of food for just four ponies. Remember that Ricochet and I don't really eat food the same way you guys do?"
"Oh, I remember... we just got word that there were going to be a couple more guests, is all."
"There are? I hope we aren't intruding!"
"Who else is coming?" Scootaloo asked, tilting her head.
"Well, let's just say it's a good thing Chrysalis is being housed at the Castle instead of here."
"You don't mean..." Echo's eyes widened.
"I do. You'll get to meet my son, Shining Armor, and my daughter-in-law, Princess Cadance."
"That should be fun."
The front door opened again, and this time Twilight, Ricochet, and Night Light (who had rendezvoused with the former pony and changeling on their way home) entered. The stallions seeming to share a laugh, while Twilight seemed bemused at best.
"... so then the bartender says, 'Liquor? I hardly know her!'"
Ricochet snickered at first, trying to hold back more raucous laughter, but eventually failed. Night Light seemed proud of himself.
"Ugh. Stallions." Twilight shook her head and walked over to the kitchen. "How do you live with him, Mom?"
"I love him. I'll put up with the rare naughty joke." She hugged her daughter. "Oh, Twily, there's good news! We've got some more visitors coming in tonight."
"Really? Who?"
"Your brother and Cadance."
"Really?!" Twilight smiled brightly.
"Wait, the Princess of Food is coming here?" Ricochet asked curiously.
"The Princess of what?" A kind female voice said from behind him, more asking for clarification than accusatory.
Ricochet turned around and his face seemed to go pale. Shining Armor and Cadance looked down at him, both smiling gently.
"I-- I-- I said the 'Princess of Love', that's what I said."
"Oh. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Cadance." She extended a hoof to greet him.
He took it gingerly and shook, both her hoof and his entire body. "I'm R-R-R-" he shook his head, "Really nervous. My name is Key Stone."
"Good to meet you, Key Stone."
"Hey, I'm Shining Armor. Nice to meet you." Shining Armor also extended a hoof, which Ricochet again accepted and shook.
"P-pleased to make your acquaintance." He watched as the duo walked past him toward the kitchen, introduced themselves to Echo, and then went to speak with Twilight Sparkle, Mrs. Velvet, and Night Light.
Echo, once she was finished with her introduction, walked over to Ricochet, who had still not moved from the spot where he was. "Are you okay?" She asked him quietly.
"Yep, just going to die of fright. I'm sure everything will be fine."
"Good... then let's eat!"