//------------------------------// // Preparation for a Big Day // Story: Just an Everyday Princess // by Wages of Sin //------------------------------// As soon as they found out about the day's plans, the maid’s impromptu intervention became a frenzy as Twilight felt herself being dragged, magically held plate of food and all, up the stairs to the mares' level. "Do you think she should wear a sash?" she heard one of them frantically call as they dug through their luggage, pulling out various pieces of Twilight's clothing. "No! She has to wear a dress!" "Or maybe I could just wear what Celestia wore at my brother’s wedding?" Twilight interjected between bites. "...I don't think a leg splint and horn salve would blend as well with your complexion..." "No, I mean at the first wedding. The one that I interrupted." "You mean when she was just wearing her regalia?" "Exactly!" A round of questioning looks was shared and... Twilight and her hoofmadens made their way down Main Street on their way across town. Twilight was now used to turning heads, it was just something that alicorns had to deal with, but as she walked down the street with her entourage in tow, she was sure that the stares she was getting now were something else. "How did you convince me to wear all this?" Twilight asked, looking down once again at the dress and jewelry she had been put in, "Better yet, where did you even get all this?" "What do you mean princess?" "Where did you get this dress? I don’t remember ever having a dress like this, let alone one tailored for my wing! Where the hay did you get this?” The mares shared a smile. "Miss Rarity wanted to give it to you at Miss Pie's 'alicorn party' but you went off with Zecora in such a rush that she had to give it to us to give to you." "I’ll have to thank her! It’s wonderful! But what about this?" she gestured to the torq around her neck resembling Celestia’s, yet was instead wrapped in blue gems and set with a finely cut pink gem in the same shape as the element of magic that rested upon her head. "Also from Miss Rarity, she said something about 'just being compelled to complete the ensemble' and that how was 'a crime of fashion not to at least own a piece to complement your crown.'" "Oh..." "Do you not like them mistress? We won't be offended. And we won't tell her, if you-" "No, it’s absolutely beautiful, it most definitely is! -And functionally it's nice to have a dress that has space for my wings to lay without getting fabric bunched underneath, but it's a little... Maybe just a little... Overdone? I mean I don't think that I should be this dressed up for a wedding of this nature." "What do you mean princess?" "Well, I met up with Braeburn last night, and he told me some of the specifics. While I am not entirely sure what's going to happen, I can confidently tell you this is not going to be a 'normal' wedding..." "Ugh... Dasher?" Bastion sat up yawning and wiped morning tears from his eyes, "What time is it?" "Almost Noon!" Dasher yelled. Bastion was awake in a flash, "-and that's not it! The Captain, the Princess, and all the mares are gone!" Bastion began to put on his armor as fast as possible, "Do we know where they went?" he asked as he unknowingly put a leg bracer on upside down. "No, and Stonehoof thinks that the Captain never came back last night!" "What?!?" Finished dressing, they made their way downstairs finding Stonehoof waiting near the door. "What's that?" Dasher asked, noticing Stonehoof reading something. "A note from the princess." he hoofed it over and they took a look. "If you're reading this, sorry about ditching you, but I was asked to not have you accompany me around today. I hope you'll understand. I politely request that you just take the day off, but seeing how well that went last time I'll save you the trouble of harassing the whole town, and I'll just give you a map in case you do want to find us. P.S. Don't jump to conclusions when you arrive! Attached was a simple and concise map depicting a route out of town and into the flatlands. ""Soooo~ are we going?" Dasher asked, trying not to sound like he wanted to cave and skip out on work. "Of course we will! We have a duty to the princess to ensure her safety and security! ...so, uh... let’s grab some lunch and head on over if we catch wind of anything that can kill an immortal." "I could actually use some more sleep after staying out so late last night..." Dasher mused, looking to Stonehoof for his opinion. -which he did not receive because the stoic stallion had walked over to the stairs and was making his way back to bed. "Stone's got the right idea!" Dasher laughed, following him up. Bastion watched his companions depart for a moment before conceding to his body and following in turn. I just hope the captain's doing alright... Did he even come back last night? he thought before joining his companions in Luna's domain. "I'll show them! I'll show them to try to hurt my princess! To try and keep me from protecting her! They think I'm crazy! I'll show them!" "I'll protect the princess!"