When they stepped through the door, Rainbow couldn't hold in a small whistle of appreciation.
The entrance hall was expansively expensive, intricate, sophisticated mosaics of all three races exercising could be seen under the crystalline floor and it's chic rugs shone in fashionable colours in the light from the overhanging chandelier as it bounced off the gilded pillars in every corner, a wall of the heady scent of spice floating in thick clouds from magically refilling bronze braziers lent the whole room a whiff of invigorating,exotic elegance.
Twilight just watched her friend with a small smile "I said it'd be fancy" she noted, click-clopping across the floor after their escort, her tail flicking Rainbow's nose to bring her out of her reverie. "Come on Slowpoke, we'll miss our slot."
The pegasus barely made a noise, lightly stepping after her friend and enquiring "Wait, slot?" she caught up easily, hooves barely making as sound while they trotted past the front desk and the bowing Receptionist "I thought we had membership, so we can go in any time."
The princess nodded, eyes flicking to the side at Rainbow while they crossed into the corridors, the smooth tiled stone taking over from hard crystal "we do, and you can go into the communal gym any time you want. But I booked us a private room near the peak." she blushed "I don't want to embarrass you, I'm a little out of shape."
Rainbow Dash, element of Loyalty couldn't repress a snort at that "A little? Twilight, you're getting close to Rarity's marshmallow flank, sitting inside with all those books" She held the snark for a minute, then patted her friend with a wing "..but seriously, what kinda friend would I be if I let that get in the way, Twi? I wouldn't be embarrassed helping anyone getting in shape, let alone by you."
.."Don't tell Rarity I called her fat. She would end me."
The pudgy librarian smiled with mock evil, body checking her friend at the foot of the stairs and jogging ahead "Oh I wouldn't dare keep secrets from Rarity."
Rainbow glared and took off, flying after her friend "Twi, seriously. Don't you dare"
Twilight sprinted ahead of their escorting guard "Composing the letter right now!" A quill and paper appeared from her bags "Dear Rarity, I'm writing to inform you.."
Rainbow dash caught up easily, swiping at the paper, only to get blocked by a magical shield "I will finish you, Sparkle, Gimme that letter!"
The alicorn teleported ahead to the next landing "You'll have to catch me first!" she continued scribbling on the paper.
Rainbow Dash Bolted forward, only to grab air as her friend Blipped away, giggling mercilessly
A chase up and down the stairwell and along the hall later, with both rooms filled with the sparkles of teleportation and growls from the huffing, puffing pagasus, Twilight was finally tackled to the ground by a red-faced Rainbow, the finished scroll triumphantly held between the speedster's teeth.
"I Gok oo gow, ckarkle" was all she said before her muscular wings started tickling her friend, eliciting panicked squeaks and frantic struggling. The newly minted alicorn thrashing wildly until she finally broke into giggle's and gasped, expert tickling continuing until she finally threw the pegasus off with a wild blast of magic.
Rainbow, to her credit, landed perfectly, all four hooves clacking on the stone floor, and the sealed parchment chewed into an unrecognizable blob of mush...
Which was almost spat onto the perfectly clean floor, before a gentle cough from behind froze the pegasus in place, mouth in the first stages of a good gob.
Their guard had caught up, and crooked an eyebrow at both of them, taking apparent note of the flushed, heavily breathing Princess splayed on her back, before Twilight righted herself with a quick burst of teleportation, grinning sheepishly. "Sorry.. got a little caught up there.." the Alicorn managed, scuffing her shoed hoof.
The guard nodded, moving on with a metallic ringing step. "Quite.. Please deposit.. whatever you were about to spit, in the bins along the corridor" he nodded to rainbow dash with more than a little hint of disdain, motioning to the mentioned receptacle.
Rainbow Dash did as the stallion asked, and followed along, blushing furiously in embarrassment and head hung a little low.
She recovered soon enough, however, when she heard the strains of furious argument echoing down the corridor.
Around the corner, a Large white Unicorn stallion stood berating a bedraggled assistant.
"I don't care if this room was booked by a princess. She is Late, and I am a prince myself. I have Always used this room, and I Demand to be allowed in." He never raised his voice, but spoke in the weary tones of one used to getting whatever he wanted. He towered over the earth pony assistant, and snorted derisively when she stammered.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry, your Highness, but she has to be thirty minutes late for her slot to be revoked" a watch was held up for inspection "A-and it's only been five minutes."
Prince Blueblood, for all the foppishness his hair implied, had clearly picked up the art of the intimidating frown from Celestia, and used his fully defined, bulky musculature to add weight to his low tones "Fine. Consider your pay Docked." With a final disgusted scoff, the stallion acknowledged Twilight, who stood frowning at the corner, with a sneer and turned to leave.
The slate grey filly guarding the door trembled until he left and Twilight reassured her that if he docked her pay, she'd raise it.
"T-thank you, Princess. Dusty Stone, at your service." A key passed from her hoof to Twilight's "Call on the intercom by the door, if you need me." she bowed deeply to both Twilight and Rainbow Dash, and promptly vanished down the hall with all the skill of a born servant.