It’s official.
Twilight Sparkle has been the Princess of Friendship for a little over a year now. She’s an exceptional scholar, powerful magic user, passionate star-gazer, great friend AND many, many other things. However, Twilight is NOT a morning pony.
“Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!”
The purple coated alicorn princess groans and rolls over, burrowing her way back under the covers of her bed as her alarm continues to blare.
Her ear flicks as a soft chuckle alerts her of somepony else’s presence in her bedroom.
“Good Morning Twily.”
The young Princess sits bolt upright as the voice registers in her head, her violet eyes opening to a sight that has her smiling brighter than the rising sun.
“Lavender!” Twilight exclaims, practically tripping over herself as she gets out of bed to give her big sister a big hug.
“It’s good to know some things don’t change,” Lavender says with a light chuckle, happily returning her sister’s hug.
“Come. I’ve already prepared breakfast. I’ve been informed that you’re rather busy at the moment,” Lavender comments, moving toward the door, a question in her eyes.
Twilight simply smiles at her, giving her mane and tail a quick brush through, before following her out into the hall.
“Yeah. The summer sun celebration’s coming up, and we have SO much to catch up on! How was Canterlot? Did you give my regards to Princess Celestia and Luna? Were you able to complete your task at the palace gardens? Did you check out the library while you were there? What about Shining? I’m pretty sure he was in Canterlot while you were there, did you guys get the chance to meet up?”
Lavender can only smile sweetly, her eyes soft. She’s glad to see her little sister again… And not quite sure when she’s supposed to answer all of those questions.
Though, when Lavender realises that Twilight has stopped speaking, she takes the silence as her cue.
“Canterlot was just as I remember it Twily. There’s not much new to tell in that regard, and, of course, I remembered to give your regards to the Princesses, they said to return them with a smile; and yes, I did complete the remodelling job of the palace gardens, they were in such a terrible state, what with the gardener out sick. The library was wonderful. I even managed to borrow two books that I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to get my hooves on. Shining though… I met with him briefly, but he seemed pretty distracted, and I didn’t get a chance to ask him about it, since I didn’t see him after my first week in Canterlot had passed.”
Twilight frowns, taking note of Lavender’s thoughtful look and worried expression.
“That’s weird,” Twilight comments, as the two sisters enter the kitchens.
“Are you sure he wasn’t just busy after having returned from his honeymoon with Cadance?” Twilight asks, as the two sisters take a seat at the dining table.
Lavender opts to answer with a shake of her head.
“No, it looked like he was somehow bothered by something.” She shrugs.
“Hopefully it’s nothing serious, but I’m sure he’d tell us if it was. So, why don’t we enjoy these violet, blueberry pancakes before they get cold?” Lavender says, chasing Twilight’s worried expression away with a smile.
“You don’t have to tell me twice. Bon appetite,” Twilight says, immediately digging in to the pancakes stacked in front of her.
Lavender merely smiles softly, her ear twitching as she hears the clicking of claws in the castle corridor.
“Good morning Spike. Would you like to join us for breakfast?” Lavender asks, just as Spike starts walking past the two sisters.
“Nah, I’m good, I still have to…”
The tired dragon finally recognises the voice, and, not to mention, the scent in the dining room, before turning around to see his favourite aunt sitting across from Twilight.
“Lavender!” The young dragon beams, jumping into the pony’s hooves and wrapping his hands around her neck in a welcoming hug.
“Good morning,” She greets him, setting Spike down in favour of offering him his own plate of sapphire amethyst pancakes. “Just the way you like them,” Lavender adds with a wink and smile, as she watches the young dragon disappear into the kitchen.
“He’s grown a little since I’ve been gone,” She observes, causing Twilight to almost choke, quickly dousing her coughing fit with a glass of water.
“Really? You saw him three months ago, and I just measured him last month,” Twilight finally manages to say, her sister’s uncanny ability to notice the smallest of changes always manages to catch her unawares at the most inopportune of moments.
“I think it’s the gems. He’s slowly nearing his teenage years, so the more he eats his favourite gem, the more he’ll develop naturally,” Lavender replies, finishing the last of her pancake. She never had much of an appetite, part of the reason she had such an awesome figure WITHOUT needing to diet.
Twilight rolled her eyes at her own thoughts.
It was illogical to be jealous.
“…Oh?” Twilight looks up at hearing her sister’s questioning exclamation.
Seeing her looking toward the throne room, the two ponies enter, only to see the map of Equestria active and glowing.
“What in…?” Twilight doesn’t get to finish her sentence, since, in that moment, Spike called out to her.
“Twilight!” The young dragon runs into the throne room, a scroll in hand.
“It’s from the Crystal Empire.”
That has two sets of pony eyes widening as Twilight moves to take the scroll… Only to have Spike give her a look of gentle rebuke and confusion, and retract his hand a little bit.
“It’s for Lavender Night,” He explains.
Twilight can only nod, knowing that is must be serious for Spike to be calling her sister by her full name. She turns towards her sister, only to gasp.
On the map of Equestria, a cutie mark is hovering, spinning and glowing. But it doesn’t belong to any of the mane six. Nonetheless, Twilight recognises that rippling circle of liquid just touching the lowest point of a six-pointed silver star in front of a pale pink flower petal.
After all, it’s her sister’s cutie mark.
Lavender and Twilight share a nod, and Spike releases the scroll when it’s encircled by Lavender’s pale purple magic aura.
The pony breaks the seal on the scroll, and reads the letter with wide eyes.
“My dearest Lavender Night,
I apologise for inconveniencing you so soon after your last assignment, but it seems a matter of dire consequence has befallen the Crystal Empire.
As you well know, Princess Mi amore Cadenza and your brother, Shining Armor, recently returned from their honeymoon.
Shortly after their return, the Princess feel ill. It wasn’t anything serious, at first, but Shining isn’t letting any medical ponies near Cadance, since her pain has recently gotten much worse;
I’m afraid your brother is letting his instincts get the better of him in this instance, so, I’m issuing a royal decree that you are to travel to the Crystal Empire within an hour of reading this letter to help cure the Princess of whatever illness is ailing her.
Please pack only the necessities.
I’ll be expecting a weekly report of your progress, and, anything that you may need will, of course, be at your disposal.
Safe travels, and good luck,
Princess Celestia.”
Rerolling the scroll, Lavender quickly puts it into her saddlebag, and explains the situation to her sister.
“I’ll come too,” Twilight says. Only to have her brow crease in confusion as her sister shakes her head.
“No. You’re needed here. The summer sun celebration is almost upon us, and your own work cannot be left unattended either; I’ll keep in touch, and update you if anything should happen, but you will only come once you’ve competed ALL of your royal duties,” Lavender explains, her voice firm with her resolve.
Twilight kicks her hoof sheepishly. Lavender rarely speaks very loudly, in fact, her normal voice is only a smidge louder than Fluttershy’s, but when she does, it makes Twilight feel like a chided school pony.
“I guess that’s true.” The Princess of Friendship finally concedes.
Lavender’s expression softens at her sister’s demeanour. She always dislikes being told what to do, but that never stops anypony from worrying.
“I know it is, and, from the looks of things, I’ll be getting another royal decree before I leave here.” Lavender says, nuzzling Twilight’s mane behind her ear, and pulling back to giggle at her thoughtful expression, though the lightbulb quickly lights up.
“Oh, of course.” Clearing her throat, Twilight continues.
“Spike. Take a note please; I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, hereby ask for the cooperation of Princess Cadance as the mare, Lavender Night, shall be staying in the Crystal Empire as my personal guest, until her quest has been completed.”
With that said, Twilight stamps her wax seal onto the scroll, and Lavender levitates the paper into her saddle bag, right next to Princess Celestia’s decree.
“Well, I think that covers everything,” Lavender says, closing her saddle bag, and turning to offer her sister an encouraging smile.
“I’ll be in touch… But, it was certainly nice seeing you again Twily,” She gives her sister a quick hug, pulling away only when Twilight does.
“Spike,” Lavender calls, waiting for the dragon to answer her.
“Would you mind helping me pack the rest of my belongings?” She asks, just as the dragon walks through the door.
Spike offers her his best smile, before answering.
“No problem Lavender, I’ll have it down by the castle door in no time at all,” He says, already making his exit.
“Thank you Spike,” The sisters smile as both speak the same sentence simultaneously.
“Well, I’d better double check everything before I go, do you have anything that I could take to the Crystal Empire for you?" Lavender asks, turning to look over her shoulder at her little sister.
“Hmm. I don’t think so. But I’ll see you out when you leave,” Twilight replies, watching her sister make her way out of the throne room.
-
Lavender Night had been the best sister a little filly could have asked for. She made sure Shining wasn’t too rough with her, and took the time to help her study, when Shining was more interested in practising more advanced magic, or training his physical abilities.
When Shining had left to become a royal guard, only Lavender and Cadance, when she’d been around, had been able to get Twilight to go outside, or try new things, or recover from a nightmare. It was better than having nopony around, but Twilight had always had a special connection with her BBBFF, just like Lavender had her own relationship with him too. Some things you only ever told your brother, that was the joy of having a sister AND a brother.
Twilight smiled at the fond memories. Though her eyes stung with sadness unshed.
She was a Princess.
She was THE princess of friendship.
Yet she couldn’t help but feel she was being left behind all over again.
She’d never been abandoned. Heavens no! But the connection she had with her siblings was strong, and, as such, made her susceptible to stronger emotions than she usually had to deal with. It had been quite a change when Shining had left to become a royal guard.
She remembered all too well how she’d master a new spell and gallop her way to her brother’s room, repeating her success in squeals of joy… Only to realise she was speaking to an empty room. Or, when the four of them were having dinner, and she’d starting whispering if her brother could help her finish her Brussel sprouts, only to have silence answer her.
Then she herself had been called away, getting her own room in Celestia’s castle, as her studies intensified. When she got home for the holidays, she’d been so excited to see Lavender again, having just recently met up with her brother after a training session, only to be informed that Lavender had moved out, taking up an apprentice position under one of the best doctors of the time… In Baltimare.
-
Twilight shakes her head. Now is not the time for reminiscence.
Her ear flicks as Spike places Lavender’s small suitcase in front of the castle doors. Putting on her best smile, Twilight trots out to say her goodbyes.
“I’ll see you in the Crystal Empire, little sister,” Lavender says, offering a final wave as she makes her way to the train station.
Twilight mirrors the action, watching the mare leave in a heavy silence.
“Now then… Where was that train station again?” Lavender murmurs to herself, having the question answer itself when she hears the distinct sound of a train whistle not too far off.
A minute later, and Lavender is at the platform, seeing the conductor wave the last of the passengers on-board.
‘Oh dear,’ Lavender thinks.
Breaking into a gallop and only just managing to catch the conductor before he boards the train.
“Hello. I’m terribly sorry for holding you up, but would this train be headed to the Crystal Empire, per chance?” She asks, a relieved sigh escaping her as the brown earth pony nods his response.
“Great. Would you mind my boarding with you? I have urgent business to attend in the Kingdom, and would, of course, pay for the ticket once on board,” Lavender says, and the Conductor gives her a trusting smile.
“Sure you can, lassie. Hop on up. We’ve got to get moving in the next minute if I want to be on time for the next stop,” He answers, giving her a hoof up, as Lavender, with her saddle bag strapped to her sides, quickly enters the train, her levitating suitcase following just behind her.
She winces, ever so slightly, at the conductor’s loud voice from just outside.
“All Aboard!”
Then he jumps up next to her, and the train is off.
Lavender chooses a forward-facing seat, close to the door, pays the conductor for her ticket, and watches as the scenery flies by.
Equestria’s natural beauty never ceases to fascinate her. Hay, it’s one of the reasons for the cutie mark that adorns her rump.
-
She’d been barely a filly when she’d seen some of the older ponies picking flowers by a river bank, and letting them drift downstream, only to be swallowed by the swell of the water, and forgotten by the fillies who’d been playing with them before.
Lavender had saved the drowned flowers, already knowing of the healing properties many plants possessed, since such things had interested her at even that young of an age, and had brewed her first elixir, with the help of a younger Zecora, to help a sick Manticore.
The pale blue, semi-transparent ripples came from the water and her calmness, while the pale pink petal was said to represent her love for nature and healing as well as purity, knowledge and kindness.
The star was a bit of a mystery. It was a common theme among the siblings and seemed to represent a strong magical capacity.
But Shining and Twily had hot pink stars and Lavender’s was silver… Not to mention that it was a shining, sparkling silver that glinted like metal in a forge fire in any type of light. It was pretty, but that didn’t make it any less confusing.
-
Lavender smiles at the memory of it.
Lush green hills, and mountains tipped with icing continue to pass by in a blur. The windows are starting to fog up, meaning that they are nearing her destination.
The rest of the train ride is over in a blink, and Lavender finds that she’s the only pony who disembarks the train at her stop.
The train whistle, and rolling clang of the train leaving, snap the mare out of her thoughts and she makes her way down the light dirt road that leads to the Crystal Empire. Lavender’s suitcase falls to the ground with an audible thud, as said pony beholds the gate of entry to the Crystal Empire.
The entire city is covered in a magical, dark pink force-field; and if the magic colouring didn’t give it away, the familiar feel of her older brother’s magic, as Lavender focuses her magic on establishing a connection with the magical barrier, certainly does.
'This is Shining’s handiwork.'
Lavender shakes her head, a small smile lifting the corner of her lips. Levitating a nearby pebble, she tosses it at the barrier.
It passes right through.
Tilting her head to the side as she ponders her next move, Lavender decides to risk doing the same thing with her suitcase.
Same result.
Her magic stops working the instant the little suitcase passes through the barrier, but continues its trajectory, and skids to a stop on the other side of the barrier, completely unscathed.
Deciding to try her luck, Lavender tries making an opening in the barrier with her own magic.
Nothing.
The barrier absorbs her purple power as though it’s a quick snack.
‘Alright so magic doesn’t work against it, nor when a pony casts a spell, trying to reach something on the other side… What about…’ Lavender’s thoughts trail off as she decides to simply try walking through the barrier.
She feels its resistance. No doubt it had been cast to keep all living things that were outside of the Crystal Empire when it was cast, out.
But, she didn’t grow up with her brother for nothing, and his magic seemed to recognise her. Despite the spell not allowing for her magic to work while she was in contact with it.
‘Looks like Celestia made a good call when she asked for me, specifically, to help Cadance, since I know she knows plenty of doctors who are more qualified than I am.’ Lavender thinks.
It isn’t painful to cross her brother’s barrier, per se, it merely takes a physical toll, and sparks something of a throbbing in her horn and head, as she continues to force her way to the other side of the barrier.
The buzz of magic fills her ears, and with one last step and pull, a final pop is heard and Lavender makes it to the other side of the barrier.
Releasing a shaky breath, and taking a moment to steady herself, Lavender carefully tests out her horn, levitates her suitcase and continues on toward the towering castle, where she knows she’ll find Cadance and her brother.
A short trot along later, and Lavender stands at the palace gates of the Crystal Empire. Spires of blue, purple and white sparkle in the late afternoon sun. It doesn’t escape her attention that the security around the castle is a lot tighter than usual. No doubt another side effect of her brother’s fear.
Lavender shakes her head, straightens out her appearance and makes her way to the older guard currently posted in front of the palace gates.
The guards appraise her appearance in the timespan of a heartbeat, their body language changing to a more protective stance, though they lack any noteworthy hostility, for which Lavender is grateful.
“Halt.” The older one speaks, and she does so, waiting for them to continue their investigation.
“Who goes there?”
This time it’s the younger one who speaks. He’s new, Lavender can tell, but dedicated to a fault.
“My name is Lavender Night. I have come to help ease your Princess’s suffering. Will you please let me pass?” She replies, turning to face the young stallion who had spoken before.
He seems wary, not because he sees her as a threat, but, more likely, because he’s remaining alert for any surprises.
His fur is a sort of creamy orange, his mane and tail a two toned, warm blue, cut in a smart, short style that suits him to a T.
His eyes are what interest Lavender most.
She knows of the saying that eyes are windows to the soul and there is a certain truth to it. If Lavender looks into the eyes of another pony, she can tell their personality, their strongest traits, and current feelings.
It was a handy talent she came to pick up during her time learning as an herbalist under Zecora.
His eyes are varying shades of light blue, and yet all can be associated with the sky. He seems to trust her on an instinctual level, but, his duty as a guard comes first. Not only that, but Lavender is sure she saw a hint of recognition light his eyes as he observed her as well.
The look feels like a staring spell, when it’s really only a glance.
The older guard answers her earlier question.
“If you so wish, young Sentry here could escort you to meet with the Captain. The final decision on whether he will let you attempt to heal his wife, will be up to him,” He says, though his tone suggests that he thinks she’ll be out on her hide the instant she steps hoof into Shining’s presence.
Lavender gives a mental shrug.
Some things work in her favour when it comes to her family, and sure, she could’ve just shown the guards her royal decrees, but there’s something about achieving your goals, without the aid of external influence, that makes Lavender try to get by on her own, before she resorts to methods of royal persuasion.
“I shall take you up on that offer. Thank you.” She says, levitating her suitcase to float behind her again, having set it down when the guards had told her to halt.
“Right this way Miss…”
Mr Sentry says, gesturing his hoof in the direction of the castle in an overly chivalrous manner. Though it doesn’t escape her attention that he leaves the end of his sentence hanging.
“Night. My full name is Lavender Night, Mr Sentry,” Lavender fills in, walking past the guard and hiding a smile behind the fall of her mane, as she sees his ears peak to better hear her.
She always raises her voice slightly, when speaking to guards or royalty. Though, raising her voice, in Lavender’s sense, is merely speaking normally for any other pony.
She hears a chuckle at her side, and turns to see the young guard walking beside her, trying to stifle his laughter as he regards her with a confused, though mirth-filled expression.
“Just call me Flash, Miss Night,” He finally supplies, recognising her thoughtful expression.
“Then I shall ask you to address me as Lavender, please.” She answers with a little nod.
He responds in kind, continuing to lead her through a maze of hallways, towards the reception hall.
“It’s no wonder you were asked to accompany me. Alone, I probably would’ve gotten lost,” Lavender remarks, taking in her surroundings with open eyes, and a contented expression.
Flash chuckles at that. Though it ends a little forced.
“Yeah, it’s certainly a contributing factor as to why first-time guests are always appointed a guard to accompany them in the palace,” Flash explains, though it doesn’t escape Lavender’s attention how it’s merely a contributing factor.
“Oh? Sounds like there’s more to it than that,” Lavender comments, continuing to follow a half hoof-step behind Flash.
His sigh signals her victory.
“There is. It’s really more of a protection service than anything else.”
Lavender jumps in at that particular implication.
“Really? There haven’t been any tried kidnappings or anything, have there?” Her head is tilted to the side in her typical pose of pondering, as Flash shakes his head in reply.
“No. We don’t just protect the royal family from false guests…” Flash stops walking, causing Lavender to come to a stop next to him.
“…We have to protect the guests from the royal family too.” He finishes, taking a half-step in front of her as he knocks on the doors undoubtedly leading to the reception hall.
“Enter.”
Lavender feels her heart constrict a tiny little bit at hearing her brother’s voice. He sounds so tired; so angry and worried.
Flash pushes the door open, and leads Lavender into the hall, stopping a few paces from the base of three steps that lead up to the thrones.
Shining stands at the top of those stairs, doing his best to look like he hasn’t missed a week of sleep over worrying for his wife.
“I hope this is important, Sentry.” He says, fixing the young recruit with a steely eye, and not even bothering to check out the guest he’s brought with him.
“My apologies Captain Armor, but…”
Lavender decides to cut Flash off there. She’s since checked out the room, and is rather pleased to see that the door’s closed, the floor high enough so that no-one would be spying, and apart from Flash, it was just her and Shining.
“I thought I’d surprise you.”
The voice registers in his mind almost instantly, and Flash barely has time to half turn and attempt to ask Lavender what the HELL she thinks she’s doing, when his captain’s voice stops him dead in his tracks.
“Well, that certainly worked out for you, didn’t it Flower.” Shining says, momentarily surprised that she’s managed to by-pass his barrier, but then, it’s Lavender, so there’s really no reason to be surprised in the first place. Though her reaction to seeing his surprised expression quickly has his mien relaxing, reminiscing the last few times he’s seen her.
It really has been too long.
Flash, in the meantime, is having a hard time keeping up with what’s happening.
Lavender knew Captain Armor. Ok, fine.
Captain Armor completely dropped his guard once Lavender made her presence known. Oookay…
Captain Armor had addressed Lavender as “Flowers” and was currently smiling. The first smile he’d seen on him in over a week.
He was definitely missing something here.
“So, it seems you’re going to want to take me to Cadance, Shining; I want to do a full scan, and see if I can’t find the reason she’s become so sick.” Lavender answers her brother, noting how she seems to have broken her guard in doing so. Though she also notes how her brother’s features darken, weariness and even fear colouring his eyes.
He shakes himself out of it pretty quick though.
“Sounds good, but, you might want to fix your guard before we leave. I think he deserves at least a brief explanation for what just happened here.”
Flash seems to shake himself out of his stupor at his captain’s words.
“Sounds like a plan,” Lavender replies, a lilting laugh leaving her lips as she makes her way down to Flash.
“Promise not to tell anyone else?” Flash nods, even though Lavender’s fearful words would’ve been enough to make him comply, his captain’s piercing gaze doesn’t leave much room for argument.
“I swear it.” The stallion says, and it’s only then, that Lavender notices his wings.
‘He must be exceptional to be a pegasus stallion, and work as a royal guard.’ Lavender thinks, well aware that it’s usually unicorns that guard royals, but a few elite pegasi are given the honour to serve as royal guards as well.
“Good… I’m not quite sure how to word this, but, I’m Shining Armor’s little sister, Lavender Night. My apologies for not telling you sooner, it’s just, I try to get by without using my siblings influence, when I can.” Lavender explains, and Flash connects the dots pretty quickly.
Lavender Night is Shining Armor’s younger sister, Flash knows his captain’s OTHER younger sister, Twilight Sparkle, which immediately cleared up why she'd said her siblings influence. It also relieves him to finally have a reason as to why he felt he could trust the unicorn mare almost the second he met her.
Now that he knows her relations, he can easily identify the resemblance.
Her coat is a warm shade of lavender, like the purple streak in her sister's mane. Her mane carries two distinct streaks of white, like her brother’s coat, but the majority of her mane is a dark blue that has to have come from one of her parents.
The same holds true for her eyes.
Two suns of honeyed gold, knowledgeable and kind, truthful and calm, if not a little bit timid.
Lavender gives Flash a moment to collect his thoughts, though she’s very glad when he finally gives her a verbal response.
“Alright then. I’m assuming you’ll want to keep your familial connections secret then, Miss Night?”
Lavender gifts him with a warm smile, knowing that he knows the importance of what he’s just learnt, but is teasing her to let her know it’s ok, and he, for one, won’t treat her any differently because of it.
“Thank you for understanding, Mr Sentry.” She replies, giving the guard a little mock curtsy to let him know she understood.
He flashes her a jaunty smile in reply, turning his attention back to his captain to await further orders.
He has to force himself to remain impassive at the grin he sees Captain Armor sporting at their little display.
“Looks like you’ve found yourself your first Charge, Sentry; take good care of her,” Shining says, suddenly teleporting so that he stands right in front of Flash.
“She’s a priority case. Make sure you keep that in mind if anything ever happens to her,” Shining practically growls, causing Flash to shrink back a little, but his footing remains firm. It’s the best reassurance Shining can ask for.
Flash reads between the lines in an instant.
Despite their secrecy, Lavender is still Shining Armor’s little sister, and she’s important to him.
The duty of protecting her will be far more important than that of any other regular visitor to the castle.
“Understood, sir.” Flash says, resolve flashing in his eyes, as his posture straightens itself.
Shining is impressed with his new recruit. He knows the importance of his job, and he isn’t easily intimidated. Not only that, but he seems ready to protect Lavender by most any means necessary.
“Very well. You are to accompany Miss Night to an available suite, close to the Princess’s room, and help her get settled in. I will meet the two of you outside of the Princess’s room in, shall we say an hour?” Shining says, turning to his sister at the end of his order.
“That sounds perfect.” Lavender answers, already moving to walk out the door.
She doesn’t have to wait long.
After a final salute, Flash leads her from the room, up a few flights of stairs, and along multiple corridors and corners, before coming to a stop outside of a pale purple crystal door.
Clearing his throat, Flash moves to gesture to the door in an overdramatised manner, causing Lavender to quirk an eyebrow at him.
“This. Is the guest room you shall be occupying during your stay in the Crystal Empire,” He says, making a show of opening the door, while keeping an eye on her reaction.
Lavender feels her eyes go wide, a tiny gasp escaping through thinly parted lips as she takes in her abode for the next little while.
A queen size canopy bed, four-door wardrobe, vanity dresser, desk, bookshelf, en suite bathroom, wall sized window facing the south side, and a clear corner.
“It’s beautiful…” Lavender breathes, her smile soft and thankful as she sets her suitcase down in front of the wardrobe. “…but why is one corner of the room bare?” She asks, turning to Flash for an answer.
The guard is giving her a cheeky look, leaving her hanging for a moment, before appeasing her curiosity.
“Considering we’re not quite sure how long different guests stay, and every pony is unique, we usually leave one of the corners of the room bare, for the guest to decide what they wish to have in their room,” Flash finally supplies, appraising her reaction as she adopts a thoughtful expression.
“You wouldn’t happen to have a guitar and stand that would fit in that corner, would you?”
Whatever he’d been expecting to hear, it obviously hadn’t been that. Lavender finds herself chuckling at Flash’s wide eyed, disbelieving expression.
The sound is enough to bring Flash back to himself. Shaking his head a little, he clears his thoughts enough to give Lavender a response.
“I’ll have them brought up to your room as soon as possible,” Flash says, turning to leave, but stopping at the quiet call of his name.
“Yes?” He asks, turning his head to look at the young unicorn mare.
Lavender chuckled a little, both pleased, and surprised, that Flash had heard her.
“I’m sorry to keep you from your work, but, would you mind showing me to the Princess’s chambers before you go?" Flash feels like face-hoofing for forgetting to show Lavender the Princess’s room, in fact, he does so before replying to his Charge’s request.
“Of course. My apologies for not doing so sooner,” The young stallion says, gesturing for Lavender to exit her room in front of him.
Moving to follow his gesture, Lavender takes the time to appraise the short corridor that her room is located in.
They’re on the top floor of one of the castle’s spires. The corridor is really more of a circular platform. Six doors, leading to six different rooms in a concave curve. No bigger than a twenty-meter diameter, with a staircase descending in the center.
There are two purple, two blue, one white and one pink door altogether.
Before Flash can point out the Princess’s room, Lavender speaks up once again.
“Actually, it’s no problem. I know which room it is. You can get back to work, if you have to. Thank you for the help today Flash.”
For his part, Flash just decides to take Lavender’s word for it. His job now, is to shadow her, but, he does have to organise a guitar, and stand, for her.
“Thanks; I’ll be by your room tomorrow morning to show you to the dining room for breakfast. What time are you usually up?” Flash asks, closing Lavender’s room door behind him.
It’s easy enough to remember which is her room, considering hers is the lighter purple door.
“That sounds perfect… Is 6:30 alright with you? I’m usually an early riser,” Lavender replies, hoping it isn’t too early.
Flash nods.
“Great, I’ll see you then,” He says, turning to descend the stairs, only to stop on the first step as he remembers something.
“Lavender.”
Said unicorn mare trots toward her guard at his call of her name.
“Every priority case gets one of these; Just send a jolt of magic through the badge, and I’ll be by your side immediately,” Flash explains, pulling a badge of a silver shield with a golden lightning bolt in the center out of his armour pocket and handing it to Lavender.
The mare takes the proffered badge with her magic, feeling it acclimatise itself to the feel of her as she clips it under her mane, wearing it like one would a hair clip.
“Thank you,” Lavender says, offering Flash a genuine smile, as she turns and makes her way toward the only pink door, just to the right of her room.
She opens the door, just as a pulse of magic energy surges to life, and Cadance’s pained cry follows mere milliseconds later.