Twilight slowly opened her eyes. "Huh?..." As her vision cleared, she found herself comfortable for some reason. She imagined this is what a pegasus would feel like sleeping on a fluffy cloud. She slowly leaned up with a ruffled mane, glancing about and finding herself in an expansive bedroom chamber. It was the definition of luxury, as she muttered tiredly. "Am I dreaming?" She lightly tapped her cheek a few times, "It doesn't appear so. Ngh..." she squinted in pain, holding a hoof to her head as she just now also noticed the warmth of the sun. She glanced to her right, catching sight of a window which gave view of distant mountains and forests. Where am I? Out of her peripheral vision, she saw a pair of glasses down on her lower right side. She blinked a few times before deciding to pick them up and put them on. Not mine but... my prescription? How very odd.
Twilight slowly climbed out of bed as she raised a hoof to her head again in pain, before looking down, continuing to ponder her situation. I... I was at a party last night I believe? Majority of the night was a blur for her. She turned to look back at the bed as she stood, soon strolling around the bedroom chambers in curiosity. "Ah... I believe I've run into this scenario before in one of my books. Um, the pony typically goes to a party. At the party they find a special somepony and go home together to-" Twilight froze, before her entire body flushed red and she gulped. Suddenly she appeared distraught muttering, "Well um... this is quite the conundrum."
A guard stood outside the bedroom chambers with a bored expression. Until suddenly a series of abrasive knocks and a rattling doorknob startled him. He blinked a few times before turning to open the door.
Twilight stood in the doorway, fumbling over her words as she was still red in the face and practically steaming. "Ah um, e-excuse me Sir, I um..." She huffed in frustration, "Oh, how would one explain this particularly specific scenario? Um I... waasssss... I... ah, heeeeeere with somepony? L-Last night? In um... this bedroom chamber? In erhm.. particular. This one, here. Ahem, yes. No other one, ooooonly this one." She flinched, eyes widening in realization. "O-Or any others?! I was not present in any others was I? Oh Sir, please tell me I wasn't."
The guard stared at Twilight with a blank expression, practically speechless. "Uuuuuh-"
"Ah Twilight Sparkle, you're awake." Came the voice of Rarity in particular, making her way from down a hall.
Twilight flinched, still bearing a panicked demeanor and red all over as she muttered, "Oh ah um... hello."
Lady Rarity was adorned in her black suit as her mane was fashioned into a bun. "Is something wrong?"
Twilight couldn't shake her embarrassment as she lowered her head and glanced to the lower right. She began rotating her hoof in a nervous motion on the tiled floor as she had difficulty making eye contact with Rarity. "L-Listen... I um, I apologize for any misunderstanding that may have been presented during any form of.... ritualistic pony bonding that possibly could've occurred this night prior. Please accept my apologies!"
Lady Rarity eyed her only with a cocked brow. "Uuuuuuh.... are you alright darling?"
Twilight gasped, shaking her head in panic. "D-Darling!? Oh no, it's much worse than I presumed!"
The guard looked to Lady Rarity with a blank expression. "Uuuh, I think she thinks ya, you know, Ma'am."
Lady Rarity looked at the guard, dumbfounded and expressionless. "No I don't know."
The guard looked up, then to his left, then back to Lady Rarity. "You knooooow, the... well, stuff."
Lady Rarity's nose wrinkled as she was beginning to get frustrated. "You want to go to the dungeon?"
The guard huffed, looking at Lady Rarity plainly then. "I think she thinks ya two had special somepony time."
Lady Rarity suddenly turned red, obviously offended in embarrassment as she exclaimed. "W-What!?"
Twilight looked to the guard, then to Rarity. "Slept together? I-Is that another way of saying.... that?"
Lady Rarity shook her head and then went over to Twilight, lifting her head by the chin. "Oh no no no, darling! No such thing happened you hear me? Nada! Zilch! Okay? Do not make such braaash assumptions! EVER!"
Twilight flinched, then gulping and nodding. "Um... okay? May I ask why I might be present here then?"
Lady Rarity exhaled to calm down, then smiling firmly. "Now there's a good question. Come come darling, I must show you around the castle. Everything will make sense soon enough." She turned to lead the way.
Twilight glanced around observantly as she was lead down a grand and illustrious hall. Not quite as big as the Canterlot Castle but mightily impressive in its own right. Murals hung on the walls, mostly unspecified decor, whereas others seemed more specific. Historic events centering around Princess Nightmare Moon. Twilight glanced down, her eyes widening as the more she thought about it, the more the events of the night prior began to flood back to her. Flashes of Princess Cadence looking down upon her caused her to flinch. "Ngh!"
Lady Rarity paused, looking back in concern. "Are you alright darling?"
Twilight held a hoof to her head. "I... uh... I think so. Sorry um, I guess I just... a lot of last night's a blur."
Lady Rarity squinted at her then, before looking up in interest, inquiring. "Where do they cut off?"
Twilight looked to Lady Rarity in innocent confusion. "H-Huh?"
Lady Rarity rolled her eyes, still smiling. "Your memories darling, where do they go absolutely blank?"
Twilight frowned, looking down. "I uh... believe I fought with Princess Cadence and... it all goes dark from there."
Lady Rarity smirked. "I see." She proceeded forward, "Well, come along then. Chop chop."
Twilight blinked a few times before simply following after Rarity, not entirely sure why she was doing so.
Lady Rarity eventually led her to a library. "Here's the castle library darling, I've heard rumor you're quite fond of reading, yes? Worry not, there's plenty of rare material here that you'd not find elsewhere." She chuckled.
Twilight's eyes widened in shock, before her curiosity couldn't be helped and she slowly drifted into the library. She was awestruck by both the size and sheer beauty of it. Everything was in pristine condition. "This is amazing... " She shook her head then, "Um.." she glanced back, "But why're you showing me this?"
Lady Rarity continued to smile slyly as she commented. "Oh, it'll all make sense soon darling."
Twilight remained silent as she merely tilted her head to the right.
Lady Rarity nudged her head at her. "Now come along, we've got much more to see."
Twilight glanced to the lower left, obviously skeptical but choosing to follow along. I guess there's no harm?
Lady Rarity continued leading her down numerous halls, at times with various turns. Soon they landed at the kitchen area, as she pointed a hoof inside. "Here is the kitchen. Of course, try not to bother the chefs as they prepare our meals, you can simply buzz in a request with one of the guards. We have cuisine from all over Equestria, the finest delicacies you can imagine. So, request anything your heart desires. Understand?"
Twilight blinked again, appearing more concerned now as she raised a hoof slightly. "M-Ma'am I think-"
Lady Rarity interjected with confidence. "It's Rarity darling."
Twilight paused, then continued. "Uh, Rarity. I think there's been a big misunderstanding. I can't pay for any of this, I... I don't know how I ended up here, but it must be a mistake. I also need to get back home, I need to-"
Lady Rarity interrupted her again. "Talk to Moondancer?"
Twilight flinched; hoof still slightly raised. "H-Huh?"
Lady Rarity glanced down now with half closed eyes, smirking slyly. "Ah I know I know dear. It's a lot to take in, but as I said everything will make sense soon. You only need but listen. Bits are of no issue, you are covered."
Twilight grew increasingly concerned. "C-Covered? By whom?"
Lady Rarity looked at her, her expression unchanging. She still held that sly amused smile. She nudged her head again without answering Twilight, "Come darling, on to the next bit of our tour. We're almost done."
Twilight was obviously nervous, as she reluctantly proceeded.
Lady Rarity led her throughout the rest of the castle, stopping by an indoor theater, an armory, as well as a spa and dressing rooms, and even an assortment of office lobbies where ponies gathered and assorted paperwork. For their last stop, Rarity opened the main castle doors which unveiled a large garden with an assortment of fountains. The sun hung lower in the sky by this point as black pointed gates barred anypony from entering or exiting... without appropriate credentials of course. Eventually, unofficially, Rarity led Twilight to what appeared to be an empty meeting lobby. She herself taking a seat at the far end. "So... how do you enjoy the castle?"
Twilight made her way over, closer to where Rarity's seat was before she herself sat. "Um... it was nice." She adjusted her glasses before looking down at her thighs, hooves atop them as she was silent. Still nervous.
Lady Rarity leaned forward some. "What has you so worked up darling? Come now, we're done. So, speak."
Twilight glanced at Rarity, then back down. "I... uh, I guess I just don't understand what's happening. This castle... my treatment. I almost feel like I'm in a dream... like I'm some sort of Princess or something. O-Obviously that's not the case so I just want to know what's going on. Why are you doing all this for me?"
Lady Rarity nodded, before folding her forehooves over one another atop the table. "Ah yes, of course. I'm sure it is a lot to take in." She closed her eyes, before looking at Twilight a bit more sternly. "Twilight Sparkle... I'm sure you recall your interactions with the Princess you've had, yes? Princess Nightmare Moon particularly."
Twilight glanced up in recollection, then back to Rarity somewhat blankly. "A-Ah yes... I, I do."
Lady Rarity began chuckling hoarsely, as she needed to raise a hoof to her muzzle to contain herself. "Ohoho! Oh my oh my! You are too much. That expression, and callousness is quite something! It is no wonder."
Twilight blinked a few times before tilting her head in slight confusion and curiosity. "No wonder what?"
Lady Rarity calmed herself as she leaned forward more. "No wonder the Princess is so.... intrigued... by you."
Twilight couldn't shake her dumbfounded expression before her eyes widened in realization.
Lady Rarity smirked, leaning back in her chair again. "Yes, is it all connecting now darling? The Princess herself is the one who has accommodated your stay here. She is the one who has ensured you be given open access to the castle. She is also the one who has assigned me to give you a dedicated tour and inform you of your current... situation. So, to speak." She began tapping the top of the table absently, "Quite a lot to take in, hm?"
Twilight shook her head, not understanding still. "B-But why? Why is the Princess doing this? Me? I'm... I'm just a pony from Canterlot." She glanced down, trying to recall more from last night. "I... I do vaguely recall running into her last night. B-Before..." her eyes saddened, then she focused again back on Rarity. "But I mean, none of it still makes sense. I didn't do anything to warrant this sort of treatment. I... uh... I don't understand what I'm supposed to do?" Twilight rubbed at the back of her neck. "P-Plus I need to get home still. My friends... they-"
Lady Rarity interjected again. "Are well enough off. You see... we've already taken care of this rent situation that you found yourself in. The Princess caught wind of it from one of our other.... close associates. Your friends are being paid handsomely with more bits than they could hope for. All that is required is your obedience Twilight, and your cooperation with the Princess' desires. All you need to do is sit... and stay. Do you understand?"
There was now a drawn-on moment of silence between them.
Twilight looked at Lady Rarity, consumed by confusion, quiet panic and just... disbelief. "S-Sit and stay? Huh?"
Lady Rarity nodded simply. "Yes Twilight, sit and stay. Your rent is taken care of, and extra is being chipped in for any grievances your friends may feel they've been dealt. Moondancer as you'd mentioned earlier is quite adamant however, she has proven to be a thorn in my side which is why I must ask something of you."
Twilight struggled to speak, as she simply muttered. "O-Okay... um..." she still hadn't gathered all her thoughts.
Lady Rarity soon poofed in a quill and blank piece of parchment. "A letter... informing Moondancer of your safe wellbeing and your dedication to the task before you. Anything you can think of to calm her nerves seeing as you know her best." Rarity slid both items over to Twilight casually, tapping her hoof on the table absently.
Twilight felt as if things were happening so fast as she began to tremble. "I um... can I talk to her?"
Lady Rarity continued tapping the table absently, before looking at Twilight blankly. "In due time darling."
Twilight began to sweat, as she grabbed the quill and struggled to write anything. "I um... just don't know."
Lady Rarity smiled, "Still uncertain hm? Well... shall I lay it out more clearly for you?"
Twilight looked to Lady Rarity with a subtle frown and nervous eyes, not saying anything.
Lady Rarity leaned back in her chair again, folding her hooves over one another one more. "Twilight Sparkle, the Princess is offering you a generosity beyond normal circumstances for any other pony. We know your situation... we know you've lost your job and that you were unable to pay rent. We know you are on bad terms with Princess Cadence. We also know you suffer from a dangerous condition. To top it all off, you've disrespected the Princess on more than one occasion." She sighed. "A rough state of affairs darling."
Twilight remained trembling, as she looked down at the parchment.
Lady Rarity continued, "Now indeed it is a lot to take in, but perhaps do not overthink it. Only know the Princess has offered you a way out of your predicament. A generous offer that would be foolish to fight." She scooted her chair with telekinetic magic beside Twilight, "Twilight Sparkle... you can fight this. Return to being a burden for your friends and family, to dwelling on unresolved conflicts with the Princesses, and perhaps... even drawing the ire of the Princess herself." She sighed, placing a hoof atop the parchment, "Even poor Moondancer, who cares so much but could never hope to protect you from such a thing. She may even find herself in the deepest recesses of the dungeons... tortured, punished, withered. Treated no different from the Princesses enemies." She glanced up absently, "Of course you'd go through the same I imagine, or worse."
Twilight's eyes saddened exponentially, as the more she thought about it the more guilty she became.
Lady Rarity placed a hoof atop hers then to calm her nerves. "Or!... You can simply... STOP, thiiiinking, and write a letter to calm her sweet little nerves. From there, you can proceed to sit, stay, and enjoy the castle commodities to your heart's content. There is much more that needs to be done and discussed, but nothing as troubling as what I'd just mentioned could become a possibility." She smiled warmly, leaning down a bit to get a good look at Twilight. "It is a lot darling, I realize, but take a blessing as it comes. You are a truly lucky mare."
Twilight glanced over at Rarity then. "But... what about the Princess?"
Lady Rarity responded in kind, "What about her?"
Twilight continued, looking down at the parchment. "What exactly does she want with me now?"
Lady Rarity paused, before continuing in a sly manner. "Darling darling, do you not listen? The Princess wants for now only your cooperation. Whatever else she desires she will make clear to you... personally."
Twilight frowned, lowering her head some. "W-When... when will she see me?"
Lady Rarity chuckled, "That is for her to decide but right now? She is sleeping."
Twilight's brows rose as she realized Princess Nightmare Moon was the Princess of Night... obviously. She sighed, sitting in what seemed to be a long-drawn silence, simply doing nothing. She thought back to Moondancer and the others, wondering what they were doing currently. She imagined them in the apartment. Then guilt marred her face as her brows furrowed. Slowly but surely, she began writing the letter.
Lady Rarity's eyes closed halfway yet again, as her smile widened at Twilight, before she simply observed.
Twilight felt as if she were a zombie in some sort of ethereal dream. She sat in... well... what she presumed to be her bedroom chambers now. Everything that'd happened had still yet to sink in, last night... her fogged memory, as well as the current predicament she found herself in. Mentally exhausted she simply laid on her side as she peered out the window from her bed, getting a good look at the distant forests as the sun was now setting. She thought back to the night she'd lost her job, wondering how it all lead to here. The Princess wants me to stay? Suddenly, a memory flashed from back then. A memory of her crashing into the Princess on that fateful night in Canterlot, as they'd locked eyes with one another. She seemed lost in a daze, closing her eyes slowly then. Perhaps last time... I was too quick to go. She fell into a soft sleep, honestly tired of thinking.