The next morning everypony slept in, as the Vacation Crew coach had returned to Ponyville mere minutes before dawn. Just before noon, Twilight snuck down to the kitchen and quietly prepared waffles and eggs. She was setting the table when Spike and the Princess descended the stairs. "Good morning Your Majesty, and gallant Sir Spike! Tea for the former and coffee for latter, I presume?"
Luna sat at the table. "That would be wonderful Twilight, and isn't it too late for 'good morning'?" Twilight poured her tea, and coffee for herself and Spike.
"Yeah! That was some party last night!" said Spike, serving waffles to the mares and then himself. "By the way, before she left for home, Applejack told me that tonight we are all invited to dinner and a hay ride at the Apple Acres farm, and that she won't take 'no' for an answer. She specifically said to 'come as you are'."
"Well, that's AJ for you. I guess all we have left to plan for is the afternoon." Twilight dug into her waffles.
"Actually, we already took care of that too. Rainbow Dash and I were talking last night and we decided on a surprise just for you," said Luna. "Oh, these waffles are good!"
"They should be. I got the recipe from a certain other Princess of Equestria, who said this was her mom's own, and a personal favorite of her younger sister!" Twilight raised an eyebrow, expectantly. Luna continued eating happily, ignoring the implied invitation to disclose more about the Princesses' early history, just as her sister had ignored similar questions from Twilight in the past.
After a moment, Luna glanced up at her and offered this much: "There are things that we Princesses still need to keep for ourselves, Twilight dear. Be patient, we will tell you more when the time is right."
Twilight was digesting what Luna had said, when there was a crash in the library followed by the sound of books tumbling to the floor. "I think I know who that is," said Twilight with a sigh.
"Eeyup" said Spike, doing a passable imitation of AJ's brother Big Macintosh. In his own voice he shouted: "Hey, Dashie, we're in the kitchen having lunch."
The blue pegasus stuck her head through the door, and then entered the kitchen. "Mmm, that smells good! Hiya, everypony!"
"Hi Dash, would you like some waffles?" Twilight levitated a plate with a waffle on it, setting it on the table before the winged mare.
"Geez, thanks!" While munching she added: "So are you ready for our afternoon surprise?" The blue mare winked at the Princess conspiratorially.
"And what would that be?" asked Twilight intrigued.
"It was Rainbow Dash's idea, so she should tell you." The Princess winked back at the blue mare.
Dash reared onto her hind legs, adopting a dramatic pose. "We eggheads are going to a book signing!" Twilight's jaw hit the floor. "The next installment in the 'Daring Do' series is being launched at the Book Corral in Fillydelphia. The author will be autographing copies. The Princess and I thought you might want to go, seeing as you're such a big fan an' all."
"Squeeeeeee!" responded Twilight, absolutely thrilled. Finally, an afternoon in a book store!
Luna looked up at the clock. "We had better get going." There was a 'poof' and she re-appeared as 'Selene'. "See you in 10 minutes at the entrance."