“You know I barely noticed it on the ride into town last night but this place is truly beautiful,” Spike exclaimed.
“It really is, isn't it?” Rarity mused aloud.
Together the pair looked out over the sleepy seaside village where they were staying. Behind them lay vineyards a plenty, a few poorly maintained roads and the odd farm. In front of them was the majority of the town which was itself perched atop the side of a cliff that overlooked a long beach and a vast expanse of water.
The buildings were old, and had been painted either a bright white, a soft teal or a light yellow color akin to gold. True roads were few and far between due to how steep the town was, meaning stairs were common. Winding around the many stone homes, these narrow paths followed the same color scheme as the rest of the village.
“I can see why you wanted to have our wedding here,” Spike declared.
“That's nothing, direct your attention southward for a truly stunning vista,” Rarity stated confidently.
Spike followed her gaze, and immediately felt himself nod in agreement. “That sure is something,” he agreed.
Sitting at the edge of town, on a rocky outcropping jutting from the clifftop, was a very large and very old building. Constructed almost like a small keep, the expansive structure was unlike anything Spike had seen before. One part mansion, one part castle, it was stunning, yet strangely intimate in a way that he couldn't quite explain.
“Looks a little different from the post card you had,” Spike remarked after several seconds of silence.
“Nothing can truly compare to the beauty of the Belmond,” Rarity declared.
“Are you two gonna stand around and gawk all day or what?” Trixie shouted from further down the street. “Trixie wants to go sightseeing with her girlfriend!”
“We’ll have plenty of time to do that after we help these two secure their reservation,” Twilight pressed.
Trixie huffed. “Trixie doesn't know why you are so intent on being there. Rarity has proven to be an excellent public speaker, and quite convincing.”
“Well you never know,” Twilight cautioned. “I can be rather persuasive when I need to be.”
“As much as I appreciate your presence, Twilight. I don't think we’ll need you to pull any royal favours for us,” Spike offered.
“You never know, Spike! Sometimes the presence of Celestia’s student can help sway things,” Twilight retorted.
“If anything it will be Trixie’s sterling personality that will- probably make things worse,” Trixie proudly exclaimed only to curse under her breath.
“Lets just go see, hmm?” Rarity offered, extending a hand. “We may not need any conniving, or convincing.”
“Yes, let's,” Spike declared.
“This place reminds me of mother’s vacation home near Manehatten,” Trixie exclaimed, reaching out to touch a suit of armor standing next to the entrance.
Twilight was quickly to take her hoof before it reached the finely polished steel. “I think this place is a bit more luxurious than that.”
“It's close,” Trixie replied. “Mother always was a fan of this sort of mixing styles and ages.”
“As if anyone’s private home could match the decadent yet quiet majesty of the Belmond,” Rarity declared, stopping to do a spin with her arms astretch in the middle of a room.
Which was itself rather impressive, with a pair of sweeping sets of stairs travelling up to the second floor. On either side were hallways leading off to different wings of the grand estate while straight ahead lay an enormous set of double doors that went deeper. Everywhere the small group looked there history was on display next to more modern sculptures, paintings and decorative additions.
Ponies were everywhere, though none gave the small group a second glance or looked away from their destination. Too enraptured with their own private discussions, and plans, it resembled Canterlot Castle in a lot of ways. The only thing that was different was the complete lack of guards, or visiting dignitaries from far off lands.
“Does anyone notice something off about this place?” Twilight whispered.
Trixie blinked and glanced around. “You mean other then it being snootier then an anteater convention?”
“Now that you mention it there are a lot of ponies around here,” Spike exclaimed.
Rarity rolled her eyes. “It's near a pony village, and in a land of ponies. Of course there are going to be more ponies here.”
“Quite right my dear,” exclaimed the posh voice of a unicorn who approached the group. “I’m afraid it's simply a matter of price, and personal bearing that bars most others from our most hallowed halls.”
The small posse turned to the new arrival curiously, and were mostly forced to look up at the towering unicorn. Standing nearly as tall as an alicorn, the stallion was so wiry thin he would have appeared malnourished if he wasn't so muscular. Wearing the traditional outfit of a butler complete with white bowtie, the male had a bearing that was far from servile.
His grey fur was immaculately groomed, as was the narrow pencil moustache that rested atop his upper lip. A well coiffed mane of sterling silver curled over the left side of his face, framing his polite, yet restricted smile well. Most poignant of his appearance were perhaps his bright lavender eyes, either that or the scar which ran over his partially hidden eye.
“You however, have the right air about you to fit our establishment. But where are my manners? I am Sterling Silver, at your service,” he greeted, bowing slightly.
“It's nice to meet y-” Spike began, only to be interrupted when Rarity cut in front of him.
“Rarity, Rarity Belle,” exclaimed the fashionista.
“The designer, yes?” Sterling inquired. “I would have thought you’d be a bit… shorter.”
“Yes, well. We’ve had certain… issues which have complicated matters,” Rarity murmured.
“We got cursed and forced to swap bodies,” Spike deadpanned, extending his hoof. “Spike, the dragon. I’m Rarity’s fiance.”
“Ahh yes. I’ve heard so much about you, mister the dragon,” Sterling exclaimed, brushing Rarity aside to shake Spike’s offered limb. “You must tell me all about what it was like to grow up in Canterlot Castle. Why I bet you have quite the selection of salacious stories.”
“Well I don't mean to brag,” Spike began.
“Hold that thought my friend, the introductions have not quite concluded,” Sterling Silver exclaimed, turning to Twilight. “Welcome to you as well Twilight Sparkle, and… company.”
“I am the great and powerful Trixie,” Trixie proclaimed in a dramatic fashion.
“I can't say I’m acquainted,” Sterling replied.
Trixie frowned. “I’m Twilight's girlfriend.”
“Ahh then I must congratulate you, and admit my disappointment,” Sterling declared. “My cousin had quite the crush on your beau back in the day.”
“Cousin… you mean you’re related to those Silver’s?” Twilight asked.
“Silver Hammer, Sparkling Silver, and Silver Sliver, yes,” Sterling Silver exclaimed with a disgusted look. “I may not agree with them but you can't choose family.”
“Ain't that the truth,” Trixie muttered.
“Now before I end up bothering you endlessly with my burning curiosity I must ask what brings you here today?” Sterling Silver asked, taking a step back and eyeing the group curiously.
“As my darling Spike mentioned, we are to be wed, and this is the Belmond,” Rarity exclaimed.
Sterling Silver’s eyes lit up. “How wonderful! I had a budding suspicion but you know what they say about assumptions.”
“Very true,” Rarity agreed.
“Come. Let us discuss this somewhere more private,” Sterling Silver offered.
“Lead away,” Spike replied.
“There we are. All settled? Would you like me to fetch a fourth chair for you, miss?” Sterling asked.
Trixie waved a hoof dismissively. “Don't worry about me. I like standing.”
“Very well,” Sterling adjusted himself in his faux leather seat and set his forehooves up on the expensive looking mahogany desk. “Now then. Normally I’d ask about your financial situation, and go through all the rigamaroll but I think we can confidently skip all that.”
“That would be most kind of you,” Rarity exclaimed, the dragon wincing as she shifted uncomfortably in her too small seat.
“Perhaps we should launch right into the dates you have available?” Twilight offered, glancing equally to the stallion as she did her companions. “I believe they were hoping to expedite this a little.”
“We don't do shotgun weddings here, miss,” Sterling exclaimed.
“Nor would we want that!” Rarity quickly interjected. “We plan on experiencing the full breadth of the Belmond’s offerings as it were.”
“It's just a condition of breaking the curse, and I’d rather do it sooner rather than later,” Spike exclaimed, leaning forward. “For obvious reasons.”
Sterling Silver nodded gravely, and knowingly. “I understand completely, sir Spike.”
Spike tapped his nose and nodded.
“So if you could perhaps let us know the earliest possible date that would be great,” Rarity added.
“Well I’d temper your expectations if I were you. I don't mind giving it a look but I can't promise anything,” Sterling Silver warned.
“We’d appreciate it regardless,” Twilight exclaimed.
Sterling Silver nodded, then leaned to his right, pulling open a drawer and reaching deep inside. A second later he returned with a large manilla envelope and set it down on the table with a heavy thump. He then licked his hoof and began to leaf through the contents at a rapid pace.
“This month is right out, as is the next, and the one after that but four months from now is…. Booked,” Sterling Silver murmured.
“Lady Lillybelle the third?” Trixie muttered.
Sterling Silver immediately pulled the envelope a little higher. “I’m terribly sorry but please avoid looking at the contents. I wouldn't wish to accidentally leak the list of our clients or their addresses.”
“Sorry, just curious,” Trixie replied.
“Now then, as for five months from now, that is… also booked,” Sterling Silver continued, flipping through page after page with minimal pause. “It seems as though we are booked completely for the next thirteen months. I could possibly get you in on… June thirteenth.”
“Of this year?” Spike asked in a hopeful tone.
“What do you think?” Sterling Silver replied.
Spike sighed. “Can't blame a guy for hoping.”
“Well this isn't… unexpected,” Rarity muttered. “Perhaps we should take this reservation?”
“I am not being you for over a year,” Spike deadpanned.
“Are you sure there isn't some other solution?” Twilight offered, intejecting herself between the couple. “Maybe I could chat with Celestia and have her RSVP to the event.”
“Not even the princesses themself could order you a reservation,” Sterling Silver stated camly. “We take our clients incredibly seriously and I’m afraid that nothing short of a cancellation from another guest will change our status as booked solid.”
Trixie got up, and lit her horn, though no one noticed her move.
“Maybe we could do something to help along the way?” Rarity offered. “Like say a series of illusions or perhaps a polymorph spell? That could help you tide yourself over until next year.”
“That's not feasible,” Twilight explained. “Polymorphing someone only lasts for a few hours, so I’d have to reapply the spell multiple times a day, every day for the next year.”
“The strain would be immeasurable. We can't take this reservation,” Spike stated.
Rarity raised her hands defensively. “Lets not jump to conclusions. We should talk about this more.”
“May I suggest that you do so outside of my office? Perhaps a walk through the gardens will help clear the air as it were,” Sterling Silver interjected.
“Oh uh, right,” Twilight muttered. “Lets not occupy the good stallion’s time any longer.”
Though there was some grumbling, the group exited the office, with Trixie leading them out. Once they had exited the structure, and were no longer surrounded by other ponies, they paused.
“Now I know what you’re going to say,” Rarity preempted. “But we should talk about this and really discuss this whole thing.”
“No,” Spike stated clearly. “I am not being you for over a year and that's final.”
“I don't think there is a solution other than simply taking your business elsewhere,” Twilight offered.
“I don't know about that,” Trixie interjected, waving a large folder in the air. “It seems as though there is another option right here.”
“Wait, is that the list?” Spike muttered.
Trixie grinned. “That old codger didn't even notice me swiping it out from under his nose. Not exactly difficult given how high in the air he holds that thing.”
“Trixie that's stealing,” Twilight whispered in a low tone. “We can't do that.”
“It's not stealing if we return it,” Trixie retorted. “All we need to do is politely ask a few people on here and maybe if we’ll get lucky one of these couples can be convinced to reschedule.”
“I don't know…” Spike murmured.
“We’ll do it!” Rarity exclaimed, swiping the folder from Trixie’s magic.
“Augh. You can't be serious!” Spike groaned.
“I am most definitely serious,” Rarity exclaimed, her nose already deep into the folder. “There are even a few ponies in town so we might even be able to return it by tonight!”
“At least someone appreciate’s Trixie’s selfless actions,” Trixie exclaimed.
“Well you two have fun with the questionable ethics of your actions. I am going to give Trixie here a lesson in said ethics,” Twilight exclaimed while pulling Trixie away by the hoof.
“What? Why? Trixie has been nothing but kind and magnanimous,” Trixie declared.
“Don't worry Trixie. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll understand,” Twilight replied.
“Trixie is scared and- aroused!” Trixie shouted, only to immediately cover her mouth with both hooves.
Spike rolled his eyes and turned to Rarity expectantly. “You can't seriously be thinking of following through with this insanity.”
“What? It's already stolen, it's not like us keeping it for a few hours would make things worse,” Rarity exclaimed.
“Yeah, it kinda would,” Spike deadpanned.
Rarity sighed. “How about this? We’ll borrow it for the day and if no one in the surrounding area is willing to give up their reservation we will deliver it back to Silver safe and sound by the time they close tonight.”
Spike nodded. “Deal.”