//------------------------------// // The Employees // Story: The Duchess' Mansion // by PonySage86 //------------------------------// Dear Queen Celestia I arrived at Duchess Rarity's mansion without incident and met the Duchess. Did you know The Captain Renee Dash was working as her bodyguard? if you did why does no one know where she is? Well one thing at a time I suppose, now I have not seen much yet but everything seems OK here, I'll be sure to deliver my full report by the end of the day. Your faithful student, Teresa Sparkle Teresa's POV After sending my letter to the Queen I prepared for my day, Captain Renee said there'd be lots of people for me to meet so I made sure to comb my hair to make sure I look presentable. Now all I have to do iss wait for the Duchess or the Captain to come get me so they can show me around. Knock Knock Knock OK there's the.......window? I turn around and sure enough the Duchess is outside my window, I almost question how that's possible since my room is on the second floor but then I really take a look. She's not flying, she's being carried in Captain Renee's arms. But despite my confusion I go over and open the window so I can speak to them. "Yo bookworm, you plan on staying in there all day?" Captain Renee jokes, causing Duchess Rarity to laugh, though it didn't seem that funny to me. "I was waiting for one of you to show up so you can introduce me to the staff" I explain in a matter of fact tone. "Waiting for us instead of taking initiative? I guess I can respect doing things the lazy way" Hey! I resent that remark! "Renee Darling, Please don't tease her, Teresa we'll be right in, our morning flight is almost finished" Duchess Rarity explains before Captain Renee holds her tight and soars back into the sky. I realize Captain Renee must have been flying her around last night too when I met Jacqueline. She must be dedicated to her work to fly the Duchess around multiple times a day. Not to long after that encounter they arrive at my door, their arms connected like last night in the library. I'm not sure why they do that. "Teresa dear are you ready to meet everyone?" The Duchess asks, I nod my head and they begin to lead me around. The tour is mostly uneventful at first as I meet a lot of maids and butlers who apparently all live in the mansion, which does have a large number of rooms, then as we're walking down a hall we see a rather large man, he wears large brown work boots, a brown pair of jeans, a red flannel shirt and has short blonde hair. "Ah here we go! Teresa meet Big Mac, He's Jack's brother. He helps maintain the orchards outside and is actually an excellent fighter, few people can take him on in hand to hand combat, Big Mac this here is Teresa Sparkle, she works for the Queen' Captain Renee explains as Big Mac approaches us. "Pleasure to meet you Ma'am" Big Mac says before another voice comes from a door down the hall as it opens. "Big Mac, those chores won't finish themselves! Go help yer sister with the orchard!" A small old lady screams as she comes out of the door while swinging her cane around. she has short white hair tied in a bun, and is wearing a green dress that covers her so well I can't even see her feet as she shuffles over. Big Mac just nods and walks away as she approaches us. "Granny Smith always a pleasure to see you" Rarity says before she temporarily lets go of Captain Renee's left arm to give the old woman a hug before returning to holding Captain Renee. "Good to see ya two too, I hope yer morning flight went well" Granny Smith says before looking over at me as if only just realizing I was there. "Oh my whose this?" She asks. "This Is Teresa Granny, she works for the Queen, Teresa this is Granny Smith, everyone's favorite senile old woman" Captain Renee introduces with a big smile. "I keep telling ya I ain't senile yet Renee! Honestly Rarity how do ya put up with this one?" Granny Smith grumbles. "Sometimes I just don't know how to go on" Duchess Rarity says while putting her left hand to her head dramatically. "Ha ha you're hilarious" Captain Renee says with a smile on her face, she then nudges Duchess Rarity who nudges back, and they continue on like that for a little bit, I notice a young girl that I remember from last night also come out of the room Granny Smith came out of. "April! Good to see you again" I say as I run over to speak with April, she looks up at me and smiles. "Hello Ms. Teresa, how'd you sleep?" April asks me while I notice she must have just gotten up since she's wearing pajamas and her hair has not been put into a ponytail, though she is holding her bow. I also notice that she is holding her shoes which she must have found last night. "Very well actually, You and Sweetie have any fun plans today?" Thinking about it I haven't seen Sweetie today, Duchess Rarity probably knows where she is. "I woke Sweetie up earlier, she said she was gonna head for the kitchen" Captain Renee explains as her and the Duchess approach me and April in the hall, it seems Granny Smith left at some point. "Oh Boy! I wonder what they have for breakfast today!" April yells joyfully before running done the hall towards what I assume is the kitchen. "Actually Breakfast sounds simply divine right now, lets go to the kitchen shall we?" Duchess Rarity says before her and Captain Renee begin leading the way. As we approach the kitchen I hear a sound, it sounds like music. A harp? Why is there harp music coming from the kitchen? My question is answered when the door is opened to show Sweetie and April sitting down in front of an elf woman. shes wearing khaki pants and a green short sleeved t-shirt, she has green hair with a single white stripe down the middle. she's playing a harp while sitting on a chair. The piece she's playing is very soft and soothing, as the woman plays I look around the kitchen and I'm very surprised, the whole things a mess! there's food splattered on the floors and walls, many pots and pans have been knocked onto the floor, it's a disaster area, but the oddest part is that no one seems to care, everyone is just listening to that harp player, though Duchess Rarity is helping April tie her hair bow. I direct my attention back to the mess of a kitchen and see two tables flipped over, I can just barely make out what looks like a person hiding behind the table on the left side of the kitchen. The harp player then stops her music and takes a quick bow I join in giving her some applause before she speaks. "Thank you Sweetie, April, Renee, Rarity, girl I don't know, as you know unless you're that girl I don't know, I'm Lyra Heartstrings and that was my intermission song, ladies you may now continue" Not a second after she finished that sentence two women popped out from behind the two tables I noticed earlier, they were both human, the one on the right side has hair that's half pink half blue, and a dress with matching colors, the one on the left side has poofy curly pink hair and is wearing a pink t-shirt with balloons on it and blue shorts, both women wear aprons and begin flinging food at one another from behind their table shields using pots and pans to deflect or catch projectiles for later use, the pink one even pulls out a crossbow and starts loading it with carrots and apples to fire. To my dismay I accurately guess that these two are the chefs. "Patty! We are having a normal breakfast today! none of your overly sugary or weird crap!" the pink and blue haired girl screams as she lobs a huge watermelon directly into Patty's face. "I will never surrender! This recipe, whatever it is, would be so much better with chocolate and hot sauce! I will fight until you see reason Bonnie!" Patty yells as she gets back up and loads her crossbow with something before firing it at Bonnie. "Patty just this once can't we-"Bonnie stops so she can avoid what Patricia shot."make food without-WAS THAT A KNIFE!? YOU SHOT A KNIFE AT ME!?" Bonnie yells when she looks at what she just dodged, that alarms not only me but everyone else there too. "Noooooooooooooooooo" Patty says unconvincingly as she drops a knife she was about to load into her crossbow, onto the ground, she then grins wickedly "Not like I need one to defeat you when I have.........wait where is it!?" Patty says as she begins to panic. "Oh, are you looking for-" Bonnie becomes suddenly calm as she walks out from behind her table"This!" She yells as she pulls out a small cannon from behind her table and lights the fuse, the canon goes off and launches a huge blast of confetti and streamers that somehow destroys Patty's table but only launches her backwards onto the floor, everyone in the room goes crazy with cheering as Lyra runs over to Bonnie and gives her a kiss, Patty sits up and pouts while Captain Renee walks into the middle of the kitchen. "We have a winner! Bonnie gets to decide how we make the dishes today! Better luck next time Patty!" Captain Renee says before walking over and helping Patty up. Once she's up Patty and Bonnie walk up to one another, I start to worry until they give each other hugs and start laughing, then I'm just confused. "I can't believe you stole my party cannon you crazy daisy! That was brilliant, I never would have thought of that but that's probably because the party cannon is mine so it'd be weird if I thought of stealing it because I already have it, so I should've thought you'd steal it and then stolen it from you or what if-" Thankfully Bonnie covers Patty's mouth with her hand until she stops talking. "Patty, lets just start making breakfast OK?" Bonnie asks, then removes her hand when Patty nods. "But first Dears, Introductions are in order, this is Teresa Sparkle she is the Queen's personal student and is visiting the mansion on her behalf, Teresa I believe you're already somewhat acquainted with Lyra here" Duchess Rarity speaks up and gestures towards me and the girls in the room as she speaks. "Kinda, I heard you playing your harp, It was simply beautiful, It's nice to meet you" I say politely. "Thanks but, this is called a Lyre, not a harp" Lyra corrects me, Now I'm a little embarassed. "Hi there, my names Bonnie Bonbon Bonbon the third, I'm Lyra's Girlfriend and I'm also one of the two chefs for the mansion, I'm afraid me and my colleague here get into little tiffs when we disagree on how to prepare a meal But trust me when I say we are actually very good at what we do" Bonnie introduces herself very politely and gives a little bow, leaving my mind to wonder why her middle and last name are the same and why this is the third time there's a Bonnie Bonbon Bonbon, but before I can ponder anymore, Patty comes walking up to me. "Hey there, how ya doin? your new! I like new people! let's be the best of friends! My name is Patricia Diane Pie, But most people call me-" It was at that moment that my blood ran cold and my life started flashing before my eyes. "PATRICIA DIANE PIE!!?" I yell at the top of my lungs before quickly bolting backwards until my back hits the wall and I try to reach for the door, only for Captain Renee to grab me from behind and restrain my arms and face me back towards Patricia who is looking very confused, Sweetie and April looked confused as well while Bonnie and Lyra just looked bored all of a sudden. Duchess Rarity heaves a heavy sigh and rubs her forehead. "This again? April, Sweetie, you two go play outside, I'll send someone to get you when food is ready" The girls simply nod their heads and leave the room. "Why is everyone so calm!? Don't you know who that is!?" A chorus of people sighing is my only response."Patricia Diane Pie is the most infamous woman to ever serve in the army! She was blood thirsty on the battle field, the atrocities she committed are so gruesome most of them cannot be said in polite company!" As I begin to panic I list a few of the things I'd heard she'd done, lets just say blood, bones and internal organs are involved in way to many of them, and by that I mean all of them. "Okay you good now? got that out of your system?" I just stare dumbfounded at Captain Renee when she says that, but after a moment I nod my head, prompting Captain Renee to release my arms, I decide not to freak out again as the Captain would likely just grab me once more. When my cooperation becomes clear, Renee gestures for Patricia to speak. "Those stories aren't about me silly-billy, well technically they are, but I never did those things, if I had I'd probably be in army prison or something, no I started those rumors myself, I figured enemy soldiers wouldn't be to thrilled about fighting a psychotic super soldier, but apparently that's not the kind of image the Queen wants for her army so I got transferred to guard duty, but working here's actually way more fun than the army cause there's practically no rules-" Patricia stops as if someone made a comment and looks to the side of the room no one is standing in" Practically no rules" She emphasizes for some reason "But anyway I can assure you that none of those stories you heard about me are true" Patricia finishes before giving me the biggest smile I've ever seen. "Patty dear thank you for clearing that up, I'll speak to Teresa now, you and Bonnie get started on breakfast" Duchess Rarity says as she stands up and walks over to me and stands next to Captain Renee. Patty and Bonnie start cleaning up the kitchen with Lyra's help and prepare to start cooking. "Well I do hope that has calmed you down, seems those stories were as effective as Patty intended them to be" Duchess Rarity chuckles along with Captain Renee, I don't feel to embarrassed though, I have a feeling this kinda thing has happened before, possibly a lot. "Yes, sorry about my outburst I'm feeling much better now" I lie. There is just something about Patty I don't trust, but I have no proof to warrant paranoia. so I stay silent. "Well it is a nice day out, and the only employee I believe you've yet to meet is outside right now, so lets go for a walk shall we?" Duchess Rarity proposes, Me and Captain Renee simply nod and begin walking toward the front door. It's not a long walk, the kitchen is where you end up when you take the right hand door in the foyer, as soon as we leave the building I can see April and Sweetie off in the distance playing amongst the trees, Captain Renee looks at Duchess Rarity for some kind of approval and seems to get it as she flys over and picks Sweetie up into a piggy back ride. One of them must have suggested a game because they run further out into the trees, Duchess Rarity simply laughs and begins leading me in the opposite direction. "Renee is so good with Sweetie, she always keeps her and April entertained, I can't imagine the games they'll play when Sarah gets back" Duchess Rarity says while looking back at the three going off somewhere. "Whose Sarah?" I inquire while we're walking. "Oh, Sarah Dash, She's Renee's little sister, she's off at a camp right now but she'll be back any day now I believe" Duchess Rarity explains with a smile as she leads me through the trees. "Duchess Rarity I'm a little concerned about your security for the mansion, I've seen some guards but not a great amount, mostly maids, butlers, two chefs, a lyrist, two farmers, their grandmother, and apparently three children" I question as we walk, it seems a valid concern to me, the ratio of guards to civilians is alarming. "Oh, looks can be deceiving my dear, all those maids and butlers actually have military experience, both chefs are are excellent markswomen, being experts with projectile weapons such as bows, crossbows and cannons, the two farmers are the best hand to hand fighters in the whole mansion even trained soldiers can't take them on easily, and Granny Smith is not as helpless as you think, but yes, the children are watched carefully so that they'll be safe. And besides, We have nothing to fear with Renee around." Duchess Rarity explains, I'm rather impressed, though I'm not sure how carefully those girls are actually watched. "I have heard tales of Captain Renee's accomplishments, how did you manage to get her to come work for you?" "I think I'll let you figure that out on your own dear, Ah we're here" As Duchess Rarity finishes talking, I notice the sounds of birds singing as I look ahead to see an avian woman sitting in a tree with some birds sitting with her, the woman is wearing a long yellow sundress, and her pink hair goes down almost to her thigh, her yellow wings are currently folded up to her body. "Chylene dear! there's someone I want you to meet!" Duchess Rarity calls up to the woman, Chylene tells the birds she has to go before unfurling her wings and descending to the ground, and I'm rather surprised, Chylene is incredibly tall, easily the second tallest person here next to Big Mac. But the stranger thing is she seems so meek and helpless, like she's trying to hide behind her hair or something, is that why it's so long? "Chylene here is the care taker for the mansion, she watches over the animals and babysits the children when no one else can. she joined the reserves at the same time Renee did" Duchess Rarity explains while gesturing towards Chylene, wait a minute, no way. "You were in the army?" I ask, I've seen some strange things since I got here but there's no way a girl like her would be in the army. "W-well, I was a medic, I-I joined because m-me and Renee have been friends since we were little, I'm also the nurse here at the mansion, was that OK Rarity?" Chylene speaks very quietly, I have to lean a little closer to her to make sure I hear her. 'Yes dear you did very well, you've gotten so much better at speaking to unfamiliar people, but anyway, this is Teresa, she is the Queen's personal student, as she said, Chylene here is the mansion's medic, and also an excellent Aeromancer" Duchess Rarity pats Chylene gently on her shoulder before turning to me. "Wait, she's an Aeromancer??" I ask, again, not quite believing it, Aeromancy, also known as weather magic, is a very rare form of magic, only Avians, the Queen and her sister are able to use it, and even then, most Avians don't have the ability to, I've never actually met an Aeromancer before, so I find Chylene immediately fascinating. "W-well.. yes I c-can, but I'm not terribly good at it" Chylene says in almost a whisper, seeming to be afraid to disappoint me. "That's fine, I've never had a chance to study Aeromancy before, you have to show it to me sometime! I have to see what you can do!" Chylene wilts a little under me, in my enthusiasm I'd gotten a bit to close for her comfort. "Teresa dear, give Chylene some space please" Duchess Rarity asks me politely. I take a few steps back and smile sheepishly while Chylene straightens up, or as straight as she gets anyway. "I-I have to go now, my animals need food, I'll be over there if anyone needs me" Chylene excuses herself quickly and walks over to a small clearing in the orchard filled with animals, I'll have to check it out sometime. "Well I believe that is everyone you need to meet Teresa, what do you think of the place?" Duchess Rarity asks me, before I answer I look over and see Captain Renee laughing and carrying April and Sweetie as she flies, Sweetie is wearing a brown stetson hat, and Jacqueline is chasing after Captain Renee as she flies through the orchard dodging trees. "Well this place is certainly lively" I respond honestly, as much as I love the Queen's castle it could get pretty dull, that's one of the reasons I read so much."I like it" "I am so glad you think so Teresa dear, How long will you be staying with us?" The Duchess asks as she smiles gently. I realize, I still have a bit of work to do. "I'm not sure how long I'm staying, but would it be alright if I looked through the mansion? on my own that is, you've already given me so much of your time" I'm trying to look for anything suspicious, not that I suspect anyone here, their all lovely people, except maybe Patty. "HEY BOSS LADY!!!" Speaking of Patty, she's currently running right towards us while holding a large knife, I hide behind the Duchess in a display of cowardice as Patty abruptly stops in front of Duchess Rarity, who doesn't even flinch. "Breakfast is running late so we're just gonna turn it into brunch, that OK?" Patty asks with a huge smile, I think I know what answer she wants. "Certainly Patty, why you and Bonnie hardly ever get to make brunch don't you, so by all means go ahead." The Duchess says before Patty takes off like a rocket back to the mansion. "Well Teresa dear, if you wish to tour the mansion-" Duchess Rarity pauses as Captain Renee flies past, The Duchess uses her magic to levitate the hat off Sweetie's head and puts it on Jacqueline's head as she runs past, which causes her to stop chasing the three thieves "-At least have Jacqueline here escort you back, she doesn't seem to be working right now anyway" She gives Jacqueline a little smirk before walking off in the direction Captain Renee flew off in, calling her name as she goes. "Ahright then, come on I'll walk you back" Jacqueline says slowly, before walking off towards the mansion, I quickly follow after her. Not much happens for awhile, I look around the mansion and find nothing of interest, I get called down to brunch shortly after my search is done. The table is a buzz with activity, April talking to her siblings about the work they have done so far today, Bonnie and Lyra discussing meal ideas and songs Lyra is thinking of writing. Duchess Rarity is talking to Captain Renee and Sweetie about the fun morning they had, Patty is just chowing down on her food while Granny Smith eats quietly, the rest of the staff eat at different tables. The meal Patty and Bonnie made is very delicious. I do wonder where Chylene is though, she doesn't seem to be in the room. "Chylene is having her brunch outside, one of her animals is close to giving birth so she doesn't wanna stray to far from her" Patty answers the question I had not voiced, which alarms me to no small degree. "Uh thank you Patty" I respond hesitantly, " Uh so Granny Smith I know what your grand kids do, but do you work around the mansion as well?" I ask not really wanting to speak to Patty. "Did me answering your question really freak you out that much?" I'm not answering that "Why not?" Granny Smith I'm begging you to answer. "I don't do much, keep ma gran kids outta trouble and doing their work is ma job I guess" Granny Smith says when she finishes chewing her food. I remember what Duchess Rarity said about her not being as helpless as she looks, I wonder if she can defend herself, I decide to ask "Granny Smith how do-" "I believe that girl wants ta speak with ya little Missy, best not ta be rude" Granny Smith scolds me as she points to Patty sitting next to me. "Oh uh....OK" I say and laugh awkwardly as I turn towards Patty " Sorry about that" "There's no reason to be scared Teresa" Patty says with a smile which actually does put me at ease, a little. "You're right, this place is very nice, as are the people in it. I don't think I'll have anything negative to say in my report to the Queen, sorry about how I've been acting towards you Patty" I really do feel bad about it. "No worries, Rarity often tells me I come across as a strange person Twilight" Wait what? "Whose Twilight?" She already knows my name. "Oops, ignore that, forgot where I was for a second" Patty says with a sheepish smile, I'm not sure I'll ever understand her. After brunch I spend most of the day reading in the mansion's library, the Duchess really has an incredible collection, not as grand as the Queen's library but definitely impressive. I come out of the library when people begin heading to bed. Jacqueline's family all share a room it seems, Bonnie and Lyra share one too, Chylene and Patty have their own rooms though Chylene doesn't seem to be in yet, Sweetie's room is right next to the Duchess' which is down the hall from mine. Captain Renee and the Duchess went into her room together when I went to bed, So I don't know where Captain Renee sleeps. Before I go to sleep I write up my report, I inform the Queen that everything seems fine, but I decide to ask about some things that have been bugging me. I use my magic to send off the report and then curl up with one last book for the night.