//------------------------------// // Morning Time // Story: Elegance // by Ryuler //------------------------------// "Ugh..." Twilight awoke , sitting up in her bed, clutching her head tightly with her hooves. She sat motionless with her eyes closed for a few moments. She vigorously shook her head, and slowly opened her eyes. Her mane was ruffled, and her eyes were red. "What a rough night..." She peered over towards the clock. "8:42am, goodness..." She loomed over the side of her bed, staring at the floor. Her exhaustion made her tipsy, and she fell out of bed, hitting the floor on her side. THUMP! "Whaaaa, what, who? Twilight, are you ok?" Spike stood up and approached the purple unicorn, dazed on the floor. She placed a hoof on her forehead, and stood to her feet. She gave her head one last shake of reassurance. "Morning Spike," She rubbed her left eye. "Twilight? You don't look so good. You ok?" "Yeah, just great... Hey Spike, can you make some coffee, I could really use some right now." She blinked multiple times, readjusting her vision, and stared directly at the baby dragon. "Ok Twilight." Spike hesitantly left the room, glancing back at Twilight a few times to make sure she was ok. Twilight went for the washroom, and eventually made it to the sink. She drew some warm water from the faucet, and splashed it on her face. After rubbing the water from her eyes, she stared at her own reflection in the mirror in front of her. "Last night was terrible... and to think, ponies like Berry Punch have worse nights from all that alcohol." She brushed her mane and prepared herself for the day. Spike greeted her with a mug of coffee on her way down the stairs. She telekinetically grabbed the mug and thanked Spike for the coffee. "Twilight, are you feeling any better?" He asked "I'll be just fine Spike, let's get started on the day..." She took a sip from the mug and scanned the room. She still felt fatigued. "Can you tidy up in here a bit Spike? I would greatly appreciate it." Spike nervously nodded, and got to work. Meanwhile, Twilight had sat down at her desk and opened an Astrology book she was currently studying. She caught view of the window, and became lost in thought staring into the outside world. "Gah. I was going to visit Rarity today. Wish I wasn't so tired..." She finished the coffee "Well, at least this helped a little bit." After watching a few birds fly past the window, she returned her attention to the book, but couldn't focus on it. She grunted a few times out of frustration, and after a few more moments, she closed the book. Blinking a few more times, she made up her mind. "I'm going to visit Rarity today." She headed for the front door "Spike, I'm going to be gone for a bit. Clean up ok?" "Uhh-" SLAM! Before Spike could speak, Twilight was already out the door. ___________________________________________________________ Rarity cantered happily through the front doors of the inn. She and the check-in counter mare exchanged greetings, and Rarity walked up the stairs. After locating the correct room, she knocked on the door. "Who is it?" a voice called from the closed door. "It's Rarity!" "Oh Rarity, hold on." Clicking noises from locks being released echoed through the hallway. The door opened to reveal Octavia, standing with a smile. She wasn't wearing her pink bow tie. "Hello Octavia!" Rarity squealed like a little filly "Oh my, forgive that outburst." She apologized with a grin. Octavia giggled. For a prestigious pony, she was very cheerful. "Are you ready to depart?" Rarity asked. "Yes! Shall we go then?" The two mares left the inn, and stepped onto the streets of Ponyville. "So, what's the plan for today?" Octavia questioned "Plan? I was required to plan?" Rarity gave a nervous look Once more, Octavia just giggled. "You seem to enjoy laughing at my misfortune." Rarity acknowledged with a smirk. "You worry too much Rarity. Perhaps you should um... how they say... 'chillax?'" The unicorn nodded in agreement. "Yes, this is a day for fun. I should definitely... 'chillax'" They continued walking for a few more moments, passing stores, stands, markets, and other ponies on the streets. "Where exactly are we going?" the musician inquired. "Honestly, I haven't the slightest idea." Rarity admitted, then hatched a thought "Would you like some breakfast? I know a nice place." "That sounds terrific right now." "Wonderful. It's right this way." Rarity lead the way. They came to stop in front of a small café. There were tables and chairs positioned under umbrellas in front of the building, as well as more furniture and a few ponies inside. Rarity held the door for Octavia, receiving a nod of gratitude. They stepped inside, and approached the counter where a red maned mare waved. "Welcome to Ponyville's Best, may I get you anything?" "Just give us a moment," Rarity responded. After shared contemplation between the two classy mares, they placed there order for a couple of caffeinated beverages and pastries. "Inside or outside?" "Up to you Octavia," the unicorn mentioned "I prefer outside." The mare nodded, and lead them to a table outside. After Rarity and Octavia took their seats, the mare went back inside the café. Octavia let out a sigh of content "This is quite the spot you've picked Rarity. Very nice and relaxing." "Glad you're enjoying it dear." They smiled at each other, and continued talking while they waited for their breakfast. _________________________________________________________________ Twilight stood anxiously before the front doors of the Carousel Boutique. She raised an apprehensive hoof to knock, when she saw the "Closed" sign. She sighed a bit, however, she knocked on the door anyway. She brushed a hoof across the ground, waiting patiently. She was about to give up and leave when someone opened the door. "Rari!... Oh Hi Sweetie Belle." "Hi Twilight!" Sweetie Belle chirped, and smiled up at Twilight. "Hello Sweetie, I need to ask you a question." "Uhh ok, what is it?" "Where's your older sister?" "She left, but she didn't tell me where she went." Twilight silently grunted. "Ok, thanks Sweetie." She left the Carousel Boutique, disappointed and slightly frustrated. "So she left last night, and now she's not home today? What is that pony up to?" She angrily walked back to the library ______________________________________________________________ "'Clean up', she says, 'tidy up' she says." Spike sighed "It's just a lot of work in here.." He was almost finished tidying up the library. Last thing to do was dust. After grabbing the feather duster, he quickly swiped it across the furniture and bookcases. He was really anxious to get done. He made his way to the coffee table in front of the couch, dusting over quickly. As he circled the table, he felt something bump the side of his foot. "What the?" He looked at the floor and saw he had kicked the side of a hardcover book. He placed the feather duster on the table, and picked up the book. "'Impressing that Mare.' Never seen this book before." He flipped the cover and scanned the pages. He was perplexed by the things written in the book. He turned the book over multiple times, confused as to why it was under the couch. "It couldn't have fallen from the bookcase" he thought to himself. No, the bookcase was too far away, and there were no other books on the floor around that area. "Wait a minute... didn't Twilight say she was reading something last night?" He absent mindedly pointed to the spot on the couch where Twilight was sitting, and then to where the book was positioned. He scratched his head still a bit confused. "Ooook. This is weird." He shook his head, and placed the book on the coffee table.