“So, you have previous work experience?” Princess Celestia asked from the pony kneeling in front of her.
“Yes. Prior to these few months I’ve served my former Mistress.” The pony answered, her tone calm, polite and professional.
Celestia nodded in understanding. “Could you tell me of your duties while serving them?”
The pony kept her head lowered respectfully and spoke without breaking that visage of calm. “I mainly did laundry, cooking and general cleaning. I also aided in any sort of housework whenever possible. My skill range most likely covers any duty that would be needed of me.”
Celestia could not help but be a bit impressed. Usually most applicants only has one or two areas of expertise, but this pony seemed to be a jack of all trades. Still, something about this felt off to her in a way she could not explain.
“Very well. Now, please, tell me about your former employer.” Celestia urged the pony. It was not a question, but it wasn’t quite a command either.
“I am afraid I can’t. That information is confidential and to be kept between me and her” The pony responded. “I hope you understand.”
Celestia raised a brow at the statement but let it slide. “I understand.” The Princess of the Sun then descended into silence as she thought this through. While doing so she gazed down upon the kneeling pony in front of her. “Please, rise.” Celestia told the pony gently.
The pony stood straight so Celestia could see her face. She was an earth pony. Coat of light blue and mane of silver, braided on either side of her head with green ribbons at the ends. And her eyes, dark blue and full of mystery and a certain elegance.
Celestia had learned long ago how to measure a pony based on how their eyes looked, but this pony was different. She could not honestly figure out anything about this mare.
“What is your name, my little pony?” Celestia finally asked.
The mare looked up at the Sun Princess with a calm look, something that Celestia took note of. Many of her precious citizens could not look their princess in the eye so casually. But that was not what got to her most.
The mare spoke her name.
“Luna.” The answer made Celestia’s eyes widen just an inch. “My name is Luna Dial.”
For a moment the princess was in silence. But she broke herself away from the thoughts and addressed the mare, Luna Dial. “Very well. I will give you a week’s proving period. If you can adapt to the duties needed of you and act admirably, I will hire you as part of the staff.” She spoke in her regal but gentle professional tone.
The mare bowed again. “I am honored, Princess.”
However, there was one more matter Celestia needed to address. “Now, I was beginning to wonder, but your outfit...”
The mare wore a blue french maid outfit with a white apron and matching undershirt that covered most of her forelegs, which, to Celestia’s knowledge, was far more tasteful than one of those… other french maid outfits.
Luna Dial looked at her attire for a moment. “... I’d request to keep it. It’s a memento from my former Mistress.”
“Sentimental value then?” Celestia guessed. “I see. I will allow you to keep wearing it, if it makes you more comfortable.” She then coughed to get back to the subject.
“I will have the current Head Maid show you to the quarters you are free to use. She will also instruct you on your duties if you need any assistance.” She said. “She will also report your progress directly to me for the following week.”
With that done she called out. “Dusty?”
One of the ponies overlooking the conversation, whom was not a royal guard, stepped forward. She was a mare with a cream colored coat and a short chestnut mane. On her mane was a black headband often used by maids. Her cutie mark was a feather duster. She bowed briefly.
With a nod of acknowledgment Celestia spoke to Luna Dial. “This is Head Maid Dusty. She will be your boss and confidant, if you ever need her.” Then she turned to speak to Dusty. “Show Ms. Dial her quarters and tell her how things work around here. I am counting on you.”
Dusty gave a firm nod.
Celestia smiled. “Then you are dismissed.”
Dusty bowed and trotted over to Luna Dial. She spoke to her briefly. “Follow me.” Luna Dial did as ordered and followed the mare as they left the throne room.
Once they were out and the door closed, and the two were out of hearing range, Dusty broke into a smile and spoke. “Heh, wow. As far as an interview goes, you nailed it!”
Luna Dial merely glanced at Dusty. “Really now?”
Dusty grinned and put her foreleg over Luna Dial’s shoulder, who just looked at her with neutrality. “Yeah. It takes a lot to keep your cool in front of the Princess like that. Heck, when I first applied I was almost shaking like a leaf. But you! You didn’t even flinch when she looked you straight in the eye. That’s incredible!”
Luna Dial merely blinked as the two walked forward and took a right. “It was nothing special.”
But Dusty was having none of that. “Come on now, don’t sell yourself short. I’m pretty sure Princess Celestia was real impressed by your nerves.” She said with a laugh before going serious in a blink of an eye. “But don’t you think you’re done yet. Tomorrow we’ll see how good you are. I’m going to make sure you don’t get it easy, you hear?”
Luna Dial was silent for a second before flashing a small smile. “I suppose I can’t disappoint, now that you show so much heart, miss Dusty.”
Dusty jabbed her leg lightly with a cool grin. “Hey, call me Dusty… Except on working hours. Then you will address me as Head Maid, or Ma’am. Clear?” Dusty said, poking Luna Dial’s chest lightly.
The mare flashed another smile, this time accompanied with a small laugh. “Like Crystal, Dusty.”
The maid distanced herself from the light blue mare and moved ahead a bit. “Good! Now you get a good nights rest. You see, we maids wake up at-”
“Five o’ clock, am I correct?”
Dusty stopped to look back at Luna Dial, who wore her professional face. She grinned. “Well, I can see you’ve done this before. Close, we wake up at four forty. That twenty minutes before five is for you to quickly grab something to eat, get dressed since you seem to prefer that and get briefed on that day’s duties.
“Since you are new, I’ll come pick you up from your room and start of with a tour of the place, to get you acquainted to the castle. That’s day one, mostly. On day two we really start to see what you’re capable of. You know, getting you used to your duties here. Nothing too bad.”
Luna Dial nodded to confirm she was following along. Dusty continued.
“Now, due to this being a test run, I’m going to accompany you most of the first week. I’ll be keeping my eye on you, so do your best, you hear?”
“Of course. I will do my best.” Luna Dial confirmed.
“I like your attitude.” Dusty said, stopping in front of a door. “Now, this here is a guest room you can use for the time. Sorry if it’s a bit small and a bit… murky. We don’t tend to clean it up often. It doesn’t get much use, you see.”
Dusty opened the door, allowing Luna dial to walk inside and inspect her quarters for the week. It was a small room, for palace standards. It most definitely was nothing fancy and the layer of dust everywhere confirmed what Dusty had said. The only pieces of furniture in the room were a small seat, a desk and a bed.
“Now, I hope you don’t mind staying in this dump.” Dusty spoke almost apologetically “Try to bear with it. If you make a good impression then by the end of the week we can get you moved to the Maid’s Quarters. Much nicer there.”
Luna Dial spared the room a few more glances before facing Dusty. “I am sure I can handle this.” She bowed to her superior politely. “Till morning, Dusty.”
Dusty laughed heartily and just acted embarrassed. “Aw, shucks. Aren’t you a polite one.” She grinned widely. “I have a good feeling about you. You’ll make it far, if you try.” With that she turned to leave but stopped before closing the door. “Have a good night.”
“Good night.” Was the simple response. Dusty laughed a bit and closed the door, most likely heading to attend to her duties. Luna Dial looked at the room. Thankfully it had a small window funneling in the early evening light, so the room was not a pitch black abyss.
“... This dust has to go.” Luna Dial noted.