Daydream thanked the stars above that the two not only managed to pack but board the train on time.
Of course, having to board a train with her very tall and very alicorn girlfriend was a very awkward experience, seeing as how some ponies off and on the train stared at the two like they were a six-headed hellhound. Still, though, Celestia had managed to find a roomette and they were quickly settled before the actual ride. Daydream had finished stuffing her suitcase into the overhead storage and plopped down onto one of the seats, sticking her tongue out a little bit before looking towards the window.
Celestia, with wide eyes was staring out with an excited expression on her face. Daydream had never seen her this excited in her entire life, possibly ever. She'd imagine having to put on a constant mature and wise face would be emotionally draining, seeing as how she did similar in her field of work. Being a schoolteacher was fun but... It was also good to let loose. Celestia had saw her looking through the reflection, turning to look at her.
"Isn't this exciting? I've never been on a train before... Do you think there'll be a train robbery? Or a murder when the lights suddenly go out? Or..." She did a dramatic pose, wiggling her hooves. "Basilisks on the train..."
Daydream smiled softly, having to reach up to gently bump her head against hers. "I certainly hope not... I'd rather the ride go smoothly. Being on a train isn't that exciting in the grand scheme of things. It's normally just..." She levitated a bag of snacks she had bought from the train food cart, opening the bag and taking out a couple of fish shaped crackers. "Sitting back and enjoying the ride." She threw a couple of crackers into her mouth, then began to read one of the provided magazines.
Celestia stuck her tongue out a little bit before smiling, shuffling closer to her marefriend. She set her head on top of hers, closing her eyes with a smile. ... Her mane was soft, she realized. Incredibly so, actually. The two of them has never actually... Cuddled, now that she thought about it. It was always either quick little meetings or going undercover before Celestia had to make a get away from suspecting ponies. But now they were close, and Celestia could feel her heart pound. The way her ear flicked when she slightly shifted positions, the sound of her breathing or even the way she remained in a content smile... Her mane wasn't just soft. She was soft.
"... Daydream."
The pink mare looked up from the magazine and at Celestia. "Yes, Tia?"
"... You- Your mane is ... Incredibly soft." Celestia said, slowly before raising her head again, then plopping it back down on top of Daydreams. Yep. It was soft. Impossibly, almost. Daydream opened her mouth to inquire about her marefriend, but was stopped then Celestia brought her closer, her expression one of bewilderment. "How-? How is it-" Celestia shook her head, looking down at a very confused but very amused Daydream.
"... Maybe I'm just born with it? Or maybe it's neigh-belien-" Daydream flipped her mane a couple of times for dramatic flare before chuckling. Celestia blinked a couple of times, before playfully rolling her eyes and putting a wing around the unicorn. Daydream placed her magazine down and shuffled closer to the taller mare, snuggling next to her and resting her head against her. Celestia felt her face turn slightly red at her touch. Her wing was secured around her, and as she smiled, let herself savor the feeling of warmth. After a bit, the two would eventually drift off into sleep, still in their embrace. It hadn't even dawn on her she may have left something important back at Daydreams house...
The whistle blew, and the train to manehattan started it's coarse towards it destination. With luck, they would arrive at the city mid-afternoon with plenty of time to unwind without much incident. ... Hopefully.
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The loud sound of the train whistle caused the both of them to jolt up in surprise, even more so when Celestia accidentally bumped her head against the back wall. With a groan she rubbed her head, wincing in pain before realizing it was their time to get off. She helped Daydream get up from the floor after realizing that, in her shock, she fell and began to make sure they had everything. Right. Suitcases, check. Pink girlfriend, check. Right. That was everything.
Suitcases in tow the two would exit the roomette and deboard the train, triple checking everything before anything else and eventually getting a taxi to the main city square. Daydream's eyes widened as from where she was standing, it was...wow. Large billboards advertising multiple different Broadway's, the smell of food from local stalls hanging in the air. The sounds of ponies moving and going about their daily lives, some chatting on phones and some not. Some talking with a group of friends or trotting hurriedly down the sidewalk. All of this came together in a wonderful aroma of city life and its culture, one which almost caused Daydream to start tearing up. As much as she wanted to dive headfirst into the action, she and Celestia needed to get to their hotel room first.
Speaking of which, she looked too her right. Celestia had already packed a map of the city and assumingly other essentials for a city visit, judging by the variety of 'thrill seeking pony' pamphlets stuffed into her suitcase. Her nose was scrunched up in though, her magenta eyes scanning the paper like she was trying to decide what she wanted from a menu. Daydream stood up on the tips of her hooves to get a peek at the map, raising a brow. Multiple locations had circles or hastily scribbled writing on them, either accompanied by a sun or heart mark next to them. Daydream tilted her head to the side and before she could ask, Celestia's eyes widened and she quickly closed the map, smiling nervously at her.
''Ah, uh...That's a surprise. Trust me, it'll be best if you...'' She trailed off. Celestia seemed to be looking towards a street-corner, ears slowly flattening against the side of her head. On the street corner where she was looking was a large group of ponies, all armed with cameras or recorders and staring at the two with wide eyes. Oh no.
Paparazzi. Celestia felt a small pit of dread form in her stomach as she noticed Daydreams uneasiness, raising a hoof to ask her if she was okay before she was interrupted with multiple flashes of cameras and quick questions from the ponies they saw earlier.
''Princess Celestia, is it true that you and your sister retired!?"
''Who is the mare you're travelling with!?''
''What will happen to Equestria after the sudden drop in Carrot Stocks!?!"
Celestia winced as she opened her mouth, slightly blinded by the flashing lights and overwhelming chorus of voices. She backed up into Daydream and stumbled a little bit, using one of her wings in an attempt to cover the unicorn. Her horn lit up and in a split second, the pair teleported just a few feet away from the crowd. After a few moments of regaining their composure, the two made a mad dash towards the hotel, crowd following them and steadily getting closer as one of the unicorns even attempted to teleport in front of them, only to fail and trip into a food stall. Daydream squinted her eyes as she grabbed the map from Celestia with her magic, finding the location of the hotel rather quickly. She quickly folded it before she could see anything else, then picked up the pace. Celestia could keep up easily, but the lengths the ponies behind them were going to get them to stop was...scary. Impressive, but scary. Some used magic to try to levitate cameras in front of them only to have Tia 'accidentally' bump them away with her wing or even try to trip them, but still the two kept running. Eventually they reached the doors of the hotel, Celestia grabbing Daydream with her magic and practically throwing her inside before slamming the doors behind her, huffing and puffing. Daydream blinked as she landed on the soft cushions of a conveniently placed sofa, letting out a shaky wheeze. Her heart was beating fast due to the adrenaline, and judging by Tia's face, so was hers.
"... Whew. ... Oh! Looks like we're here already." Celestia chuckled after a moment of silence, in an attempt to break the tension and uneasiness. Daydream looked up at her and eventually around the room, eyes widening in awe at the sight before her. It was elegantly decorated, a large crystal chandelier hanging above like it was a shooting star removed from the sky. It was like a fairy-tale castle from one of the stories she read as a filly brought into reality, only...maybe more expensive and with no free mini-fridge snacks. She remained on the sofa, legs slightly sore from the sudden run for her life. Daydream watched Celestia confidently stride up to the counter, though, smiling a little.
Celestia approached the blue and violet Pegasus receptionist with a stride of confidence, resting one hoof on the counter. ''Hello! I've come to check in. The exquisite package? Celestia's the name.''
The Pegasus stared at her with a bored expression, slowly blinking before sighing. She chewed on her gum, loudly and had the expression of somepony who didn't get paid enough to be there. She looked up at Celestia.
''Yeah..No, sorry. No name.''
Celestia paused. Her ears perked up and her brow furrowed in confusion. She tried to look over the counter, but the Pegasus drew back with the board.
''No, no that can't be right- Uh...Check again?" She smiled nervously as she tapped her hooves against the floor as she started to get nervous. Celestia glanced back at Daydream, who was still looking at her surroundings in awe. ''Oh buck. There can't be an issue, I spent the last of my bits on this room... Did I get the wrong one? No... ...Did I talk to the wrong pony on the phone? It was the Daybolt hotel...right?'' Celestia's mind raced as her panic rose, then it dawned on her. It wasn't the Daybolt hotel. ...It was the Daybolt motel.
She was snapped out of it by the receptionist's stern 'ahem'. ''Look, Pri-'' Then she paused. ''...Ma'am. I can't do anything for you. No room, no service, get out. Those are the rules.'' She tapped a sign on the counter.
' no room, no service, get out. '
Celestia's ears flattened, and she stammered with her words, struggling to find something to say as she stared at the sign, then then the pony. She raised her hoof but lowered it, then cast her face down to the floor. ...Buck. H-How would she explain this too Daydream? Would she be mad? No... ...But what if she would be?! She looked back at her again. Celestia would have to tell her. She would rather it come out from her then have the receptionist get somepony to kick them out. She trotted over to the sofa, sitting down next to her. Her expression of panic must have been quite obvious, because the minute she sat down Daydream looked up at her with a worried expression.
''Tia...? What's wrong?"
''theres a...uhm...'' Celestia took a deep breath, then let out a nervous chuckle. ''Uhm...Mix up. with the... ...rrrrooms.''