The next morning,
Sunlight peered in through the window of Mavis' room, as she began to stir in her sleep. She yawned as she stretched out. She carefully opened her eyes, and remembered she was in the Crystal Castle, "Oh, that's right," Mavis said to herself, as she carefully stood up. She stumbled a bit, as she tried to walk to the door, but was able to stabilize herself. She got to the door, and carefully opened it, peering out, seeing no one in sight. Walking out of the room, she stayed close to wall, still feeling pain in her legs, "Mmm, why did I have to get hurt in my legs," Mavis quietly complained.
"Oh, Mavis!" the young Centaur could hear Cadence call out. Mavis turned to see both her and Shining Armor walking towards them, with two babies in their arms, "How are you feeling this morning?" Cadence asked.
"I-I slept alright, p-princess. Though my legs do hurt a bit," Mavis replied.
"That's a shame. We were planning to go visit my sister in her hometown, but we should look into fixing you up before we head out," Shining Armor replied.
"Well, if it can help ease the pain," Mavis quietly replied, as they continued walking to the dining room. She kept limping along the way.
"Do you want to go to be treated first? We can do so while our breakfast is being made," Cadence offered, seeing Mavis limping, and the pained expression on the young centaur's face.
"O-Oui," Mavis replied, as they arrived at the dining room, where Nathan was waiting. Mavis flinched upon seeing Nathan, and opted to take a seat that was a ways away from the others.
'Ah didn't do anythin' ta offend her, did Ah?' Nathan wondered, as Cadence retrieved a first aid kit from a nearby cupboard. She then walked over to Mavis.
"Alright Mavis, do all your legs hurt, or is it just one?" Cadence asked. This was the first time she, or anyone in the castle was near a centaur on friendly terms, so she didn't know how to deal with this kind of situation.
"Just my front leg, merci," Mavis said, patting her left leg. Cadence lifted Mavis' skirt, and saw what looked to be a nasty looking bruise. Cadence applied some salve, and then wrapped some gauze around it. The salve felt very soothing to the injury, and Mavis' pained expression appeared to relax. Just then, a servant came in with a cart of food items.
"Ah good! is there anything in particular you want for breakfast, Mavis?" Cadence asked.
"T-Toast, s'il vous plaît," Mavis replied.
"Ok. Two slices?" Cadence asked. Mavis nodded, "Would you also like some butter or jelly on your toast?" the little centaur shook her head, "Ok, would you like something to drink?"
"lait, s'il vous plaît," Mavis replied.
"Ok then," Cadence said, turning to the servants, "Two slices of toast and one glass of milk for our guest, please," Cadence said. The servant nodded, and went to work on the toast. Cadence opted for some pancakes that were on the cart. Mavis was soon given two, lightly toasted pieces of toast and a glass of cold milk. Once she was given her meager breakfast, Mavis then began to eat. She started on the two slices of toast, before going to the milk. Once she finished, she tried to stand up, only to stumble a bit.
"Easy there Mavis. Your injury needs time to heal," Shining Armor said.
"I can have a crutch scooter prepared for you if you need it," Cadence added.
"O-Ok," Mavis replied. Cadence motioned to a guard, who left to get a crutch scooter. In moments, the guard returned with the scooter. Cadence then helped Mavis to get herself situated on the scooter.
"Alright Mavis, just take it nice and slow. The scooter can be a bit fast moving, so it may jerk forward if you're not careful," Cadence said, as Mavis started to move around on it, trying to get used to the feel of it.
"Well, now that Mavis has a reliable mode of transportation, we can probably make our way to the train station. Her leg should heal up by the time we arrive in Ponyville," Shining Armor suggested.
"True. Mavis, would you like to accompany us to somewhere called 'Ponyville' today? We have some friends and family down there that I'm sure would love to meet you," Cadence offered.
"O-Ok," Mavis replied shakily, almost loosing her balance.
"Ah'll go git mah things, and meet y'all in the main foyer," Nathan said, as he left the dining room.
"I'd better go prepare a stroller and the baby bag for Guard and Skyla," Shining Armor added, leaving with the babies in his arms.
"In the mean time, I'll show you downstairs," Cadence said, as she took Mavis out of the dining room, and took her to the foyer. It wasn't long before Nathan and Shining Armor, the latter of whom was pushing the stroller with the babies in it, arrived, "Alright, looks like we're all ready," Cadence said, as she grabbed her and Shining Armor's suitcases from nearby. With that, they exited the castle.
"Keep an eye on things in our absence, ok?" Shining Armor asked the guards.
"Yes sir!" they replied. And with that, the family, and Mavis, were off. Mavis opted to stay by Cadence's side, away from Nathan.
"She must really not like me. Did Ah do somethin' to offend her?' Nathan wondered, as they walked through the Crystal Empire. Mavis was kept close to the family, as she could see some of the citizens of Empire looking at her with uncertainty, their eyes filed with mistrust. Soon, they arrived at the Train Station. Cadence went to purchase an additional ticket for Mavis, as the train was getting the royal car coupled up.
"Our tickets," Cadence said, giving the conductor the tickets.
"Very good. The Royal Car awaits for you and your party," the conductor said, stepping out of the way, allowing the Crystal Family and Mavis to pass onboard. Once onboard, Mavis opted to go and lie down on one of the seats, staying out of everyone's way. The rest of the Crystal Family opted to go about their own business, Nathan kicking back with some video games, Shining Armor reading some comics, while Cadence kept an eye the babies. The train ride lasted for about an hour, being how fast it was, and it soon arrived at Ponyville Station. Rounding up their stuff, they departed the railcar, allowing the station staff to roll it to a siding.
"Ok Mavis, just follow us sweetie," Cadence said, as they led her out of the station, and towards the massive crystalline structure that is Twilight's castle.