Ursa lead them to room with a sign on the front that said: 105: Art Lessons.
A polite knock and a quick "Come in" later and Twilight found herself in a room with several tables set up and shelves all around the room holding an assortment of art supplies.
"Welcome Miss Twilight." Elinor said, giving a slight bow. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Please, just 'Twilight', and I was hoping..." Twilight was about to show her the paper and ask to use her teapot when she noticed Ursa frantically shaking her head. Twilight was confused and looked down to Spike, who just shrugged his paws.
"Yes?" Elinor inquired as Ursa continued to shake her head.
"..I was....hoping.....for......a quick art lesson!" Twilight decided to just go along with Ursa's plan and ask later. "You know, like the kind you give for your guests."
Elinor seemed surprised but very pleased by her request. "Of course! Please have a seat!" She pulled down a chair and gestured for Twilight to sit before gathering up some small glass jars, markers and glow sticks. "Since today is the Day of the Dead, let's do something simple in honor of it: Glow in the dark lanterns. I did this for our child guests and they just loved it! First you take a jar and marker and..." Elinor continued giving instructions as Twilight tried to copy her design on her own jar (with mixed success).
In the meantime, Twilight decided to gather more information. "So...how long have you been giving art lessons?"
"Several years ago, after my daughter took over running the inn. I've always loved art as a hobby, so I started this class as a way to continue that and share our traditions with the younger generation in a way they might enjoy." She smiled as she continued to draw.
"Do you hope to continue this if Lyanna takes over?" Twilight asked cautiously.
Elinor frowned. "When she takes over."
"But she acts like she doesn't want to be here. And Cloud said she loves working here."
"I'm sure she does, but in our family, the Inn has always gone to the eldest daughter. I know it seems stubborn but traditions are important. They help shape who we are. They help us understand where we come from and why we do things. Imagine growing up lost because you didn't have any traditions to fall back on; you don't know who you are or where you came from. Tradition gives us stability. It also helps keep our culture alive and prevents it from disappearing forever. By following traditions we honor both ourselves and the people that came before us."
Twilight nodded. "I understand completely. I love making schedules and organizing not just because they're fun, but because they help me feel like I'm in control. Even when everything goes crazy."
"Exactly. But Lyanna just does not seem to understand that. She is just so willful...."Elinor sighed and continued softly. "...just like her mother."
Twilight gave the woman a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry. What happened to her?"
Elinor shook her head. "That was a long time ago. Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Now let's continue. Cut the glow-stick here..." With that, they filled the jars and shook them, causing them to glow brightly.
"Well done Twilight. You can put it on your family's ofrenda later on. Let me put on some tea and I'll go get some packing for it. Do you mind watching it until I return." After a quick reassurance, Elinor Put the tea on a small stove in the front corner of the room and left.
Now alone, Twilight turned to confront Ursa. "What was that? Why didn't you want me to tell your mother what we were doing?"
Ursa sighed. "Because she knew about it."
"What?"
"She knew about my will. I showed it to her after I made it. She...wasn't happy. Said it would drive the girls away from here. And look: things are still bad and the first clue was never found. My mother never even tried to find the letter. Or even tell the girls about it. I just didn't want her to ruin this."
A quick hissing informed them that the pot was ready. Twilight took out the note and quickly held it to the steam. Soon, a map appeared on it.
"That's it! It's a map to my letter!" Ursa cried.
Hearing footsteps from outside, Twilight put away the map and quickly lifted the pot off the stove just as Elinor came back. Soon the two were enjoying a nice cup of tea in peace.
"I am sorry about that lecture earlier. But I just love this Inn. It has been in my family for generations. It's my whole world. I just don't want to lose it or see it destroyed."
Twilight nodded but decided to try a new direction. "So...why aren't you at the graveyard. Cloud said you decided to stay here this year."
Elinors eyes looked everywhere but at Twilight. "Because...I didn't want her to find us."
"What do you mean?"
"Spirits, especially those of your family, know everything you've done. Good or bad. Sometimes they leave you alone about it, other times, they don't."
Twilight was still confused and wanted to ask more when Elinor continued. "I'm sure you are busy with your own celebrations. Thank you for visiting our Inn and have a good day."
Getting the message, Twilight finished her tea and left the room.
"Well that was weird." Spike said as they walked down the hall.
"No kidding. But at least we know where the letter is!" Twilight help out the map.
"Not just yet."
"Huh?" Twilight and Spike looked at the floating woman.
"When Lyanna and Cloud were thirteen, I gave them each half of an amulet. To unlock the letter, you need both pieces for it to work."
"Oh come on!" Spike groaned.
"Like I said: I wanted them to work together to find it."
"Well looks like we're paying Cloud and Lyanna a visit." Twilight thought back to her conversation with Elinor. "What do you think she meant when she said she didn't want you to find her?"
Ursa shrugged. "I don't know."
"Do you think it has something to do with how you died?"
"I told you I can't remember."
Twilight pulled out her phone. "But I think we can find out. Thinking about it, I think the Inn was mentioned in the news a while ago..." She typed up the Inn's name and hit 'news'.
What the front line said made her jaw drop.
MOTHER DIES AT LOCAL INN