//------------------------------// // Interlude // Story: The First Annual Golden Oaks Library Book Fair // by Azreale //------------------------------// After sending Spike off to Sugarcube Corner, equipped with a long list of needed baked goods in hand, Twilight finally relaxed. It had been a long day, the longest day that she had had in a while. With nothing threatening to break the harmony and balance of Equestria, Twilight had been glad to finally have something to do that wasn’t related to her new royal duties. Sighing deeply, she reclined in her chair, basking in solitude. Between spending time with her friends, running to and from Canterlot on royal business and dodging the paparazzi, she rarely had time alone. Should I crack out a book? Or maybe make myself some tea and draw a bubble bath? She just didn’t know. Twilight smiled at having so many options, and was content to just sit in her chair and think, but her time alone was fleeting, and she wouldn’t be in solitude forever. Maybe I’ll do all of the above! Standing and stretching deeply with a loud moan, she skipped to the kitchen and fixed herself a calming camomile tea. While it boiled, she trotted upstairs to her private bathroom (no baby dragons allowed), plugged up the bathtub drain and started drawing hot water. After ensuring the temperature wasn’t going to be too hot, she grabbed her finished tea and a book that she had always meant to read, but had never gotten around to it, and swung her forelegs over the tub, stepping gingerly into the water. Ahhh! She sighed deeply, content, as the hot water pricked at her coat and relaxed her muscles. She brought one leg out of the water and allowed it to cool off briefly before putting it back in, letting it burn again. After repeating this process a few times, she finally grew used to the heat and slowly lowered her body, sighing blissfully as the steam collected below her stomach. “I could get used to doing this every day!” She laughed out loud, rolling her head back and cracking her neck. Shifting slightly, she took a sip of her tea and picked up the book, flipping to the first page. “Just my tea, my book and I!” Her eyes flickered to the first word on the page. Daring- “Twilight!” A familiar dragon voice yelled through the door. Twilight chose to ignore him. Whatever he had to say could wait – it couldn’t be that important. She kept reading. Do- “Twiiiiiilight!” He was pounding on the door this time. “I need to talk to you!” Spike whined. Twilight grit her teeth and attempted to ignore him once more. This was her first alone time in a while – she wasn’t about to let it be ruined. And the- “Seriously! I need to show you something!” He yelled. “Can I come in?” “No!” Twilight yelped, standing up and igniting her horn. A nearby towel resting on the rack flew over to her and she draped it across her back. Stomping angrily to the door, she swung it open and glared daggers at her companion. “For the love of all that is holy, Spike! What do you want?! Can’t you see the sign?” She pointed to the ‘No Baby Dragons Allowed’ sign that hung perfectly straight from the door. “Yeah, but-“ “That means no baby dragons allowed! This is the first chance in weeks that I’ve gotten to just… relax! Every single day, something needs my utmost attention! What could be so important that you need to interrupt me right now?!” Twilight demanded as Spike cowered beneath her. He reached behind him and, with a trembling hand, pulled out a rolled up scroll bearing the royal seal. “A letter f-from Princess Celestia?” He stuttered, giving it to her. “It came while I was on my way back from Sugarcube Corner! I didn’t read it, but it looks important!” Twilight immediately snapped out of her anger and snatched the scroll away from him with a gasp. “A letter from the Princess! Why didn’t you say so before?!” She exclaimed, unrolling it and beginning to read. Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle I, Princess Celestia of the Sun, formally request your presence in Canterlot immediately. An issue involving King Penneth and Queen Gildana of the Griffons has arisen, and a formal meeting has been called, consisting of myself, Princess Luna of the Moon and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Kingdom Empire. A carriage is en-route to the Golden Oaks Library in Ponyville to pick you up. Sincerely, Princess Celestia “Wait, when did you get this letter?” Twilight asked after reading it over twice. Spike pursed his lips and shrugged. “I dunno, like, probably around ten minutes ago? Why?” He asked as Twilight’s body became rigid. “Spike, go grab my bag and throw in my crown and some overnight essentials! I’ll clean up the bathroom quickly!” She ordered, pointing towards her bedroom. Spike nodded and ran off, hurriedly, snatching up her saddlebags as he ran by. “Why? What’s going on?” He asked. “Why are we in such a rush?” He slowly and carefully picked up her Royal Crown and put it in her bag. Meanwhile, Twilight pulled the plug out of the drain and running downstairs, levitating her book back onto the shelf and placing the teacup in the sink. “I have to go to Canterlot on official business, something involving the griffons again.” Twilight rolled her eyes as she called up the stairs. “I don’t know when I’ll be back, so Spike, you’ll have to take care of the library while I’m gone, alright? Also, you’ll have to go to all of our friends and tell them I’m out of town, so they have to proceed with the preparations for the book fair without me!” “Are you sure you’ll be back in time? You know how fussy those griffons are.” Spike murmured doubtfully as he walked down the stairs, saddlebags in hand. Twilight bit her lip and shrugged, taking the bags and swinging them across her back. “I can only hope so. You know what we have to do for the fair, right? Food from Sugarcube Corner and Sweet Apple Acres, music from Fluttershy and her choir, décor from Carousel Boutique, and a clear, sunny, beautiful day from Rainbow Dash. You got that?” She asked. “Or do you need me to write it down?” “I got it, I got it, gosh.” Spike brushed her off, crossing his arms playfully. “You’d think that you’ve never left me with responsibilities before. Food from Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, a clear day from Rarity, music from the Cakes and décor from Sweet Apple Acres. I got it.” “Spike, I’m serious.” Twilight glared at him, but her mouth broke into a smile at Spike’s faux innocent expression. “What, I’m serious too!” He retorted, but started laughing. Twilight shook her head, chuckling. “No, but really though, you can count on me, Twi. I’ll get it all sorted out. Don’t worry.” “I know I can, number one assistant. I trust you. Remember to keep the place clean, and don’t eat too much ice cream.” Twilight gave him a hug before trotting to the door. “I’ll be out of here in three… two…one…” Knock, knock, knock. “Princess Twilight Sparkle? Your carriage to Canterlot has arrived, if you would like to step outside.” A deep, stern voice yelled through the door. Twilight smirked at Spike’s open mouth. “How did you know that?” He whispered, looking out the window at the pegasi-drawn carriage that was attracting onlookers on the street. Twilight giggled and reached for the door handle. “A carriage takes precisely twelve minutes and seventeen seconds to arrive here from Canterlot Castle, if they are moving at their fastest speeds. I’ll see you, hopefully, in a few days. See ya, Spike!” Twilight waved goodbye and opened the door, bowing her head to the two armored pegasus guards. The second she did, everypony on the streets dropped to their knees in reverence. Climbing in the back and positioning herself comfortably, Twilight nodded to the two guards, who strapped themselves into their harnesses and took to the sky. She waved back down to the ground, hoping that Spike could see her. After a minute or so of flying, Ponyville was slowly becoming a speck behind her. Looking at her hometown that was appearing in the distance, she smiled grimly. I hope this won’t take too long. The book fair starts in six days – on Saturday morning. I have to be sure to get home by then.