Dusty trotted along the halls of Canterlot Castle. It was very early. The air was cold and breezy, heck, the sun wasn’t even up yet. While she hummed a cheery tune, half to keep herself occupied and half to focus, she thought about things.
More specifically, the new possible addition to her ranks.
‘I wonder how hard I need to try to pry this one out of bed. Celestia knows how hard it is to wake up this early before even her Highness. Still, it is the duty of us maids to make sure everything is in tip top shape, no matter the hour. Tardiness is our foe and dust is an EVIL to be purged from this plane of meager existence! Muahaha!’
She grinned diabolically, planning.
‘I wonder if it’s enough that I just shake her a whole lot. If that fails, let’s see- OH, pull the bed from under them! That’s always a classic. Or tickle them with a feather duster! Oh Dusty, you diabolic thing.’
Ceasing her plotting for now and stifling her evil laughter, she got serious again.
‘Honestly though, new staff is always welcome. If anything, we seem to love diversity, for better or worse. Less work if you split it more. Think positive, Dusty, sir Head Maid, ma’am!
Dusty stopped, looking at a wooden door with a serious look in her eye. She smirked.
‘Luna Dial… let’s see if you’ve got what it takes to be a member of my unit!’
She grabbed the door handle and cracked the door open, stopping almost immediately. She blinked to make sure she was not just imagining that light that came from inside the room. With just a few seconds of hesitation she opened the door.
To her surprise Luna Dial was more than awake and seemingly expecting her. The tidied up and outfitted mare bowed to Dusty respectfully.
“Good morning, Ma’am.”
Dusty just stood by the doorway, slackjawed. Not at the sight of an awake initiate, oh no. It was the room itself.
The unused guest room, normally all dusty and dirty was clean. No, the word clean did not do it justice. The whole room was practically sparkling with intensified tidiness. The candles lit around the room to provided lighting only added into the effect.
“I- What…?” Dusty asked, eyes still wide from the room’s condition. Luna Dial caught notice.
“If you are wondering about the room, I decided to clean up last night before going to bed.” She explained, calm as ever.
“Last night!?” Dusty yelled, unable to control herself. “This room, in the condition it was in would have been at very least a three pony job and would have taken hours. And you did it by yourself, last night, BEFORE going to sleep?”
“Yes.” Luna Dial responded simply.
Dusty took a few moment looking between different parts of the room and Luna Dial. She managed to gather herself after a while and grinned wide. “Heh, I don’t know how you did it, but color me impressed. Check that amazing first impression off your list!” She turned and beckoned Luna Dial to follow. “Come on, let’s get this started. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover, soldier!”
“Oh,” Luna Dial said blankly “I was unaware this was an army.”
Dusty smirked.“But of course! We are an army, fighting an endless war against dust, muck and all filth. We may be grossly outnumbered but our spirits never fall in front of the enemy!” She laughed out loud, causing Luna Dial to flash a small smile at the short inspirational speech.
“I see. Very well.” Luna Dial replied, hiding her amusement. “Lead the way, general.”
Dusty trotted onwards as the mare followed. “Didn’t I tell you yesterday to call me Head Maid or Ma’am? Although, general has a nice ring to it...” She pondered a bit, tapping her chin. “Oh well, never mind. Now, back to the matter at hoof!”
"Of course, Ma'am."
And so Dusty began touring Luna Dial around the castle.
“This here is the grand hall.” Dusty gestured, standing in the middle of an unbelievably large room devoid of anything. Literally, there was nothing, not even paintings on the walls. The only thing on those empty white marble walls were windows.
“Now, don’t let the appearance fool you! This area is used for a wide variety of events, so it’s kept empty until an event is coming up, which is when we as the proud staff decorate it accordingly.” Dusty lectured. “Sometimes we hold a ball dance, sometimes a banquet for royalty. And then there’s the Grand Galloping Gala each year.”
Luna Dial absorbed the information. “I see. So this room has multiple purposes?”
“Sure does! It’s really exciting to see what kind of events we hold each year, though most of it is just boring political stuff.” Dusty replied with a laugh. “Still, a few times we get a real fun one. Chances are that one day you will be here with the rest of us, fixing this place up to be just right for the occasion.”
The room light up near instantly a few seconds later as sunlight burst in through the large glass windows.
“Ah, looks like the Princess is up” Dusty remarked. “Well, let’s not waste any more time.”
And so the two moved on to the next item on the list.
Dusty opened up a door, opening a route for a delicious smell in the air. She shot her hoof up in greeting. “Morning, guys!”
“Morning, Dusty!” Rang within the room as many individuals greeted the head maid.
“Don’t mind me. Just showing a newbie around. Continue as if we weren’t here, m‘kay?.” Dusty’s words were met with numerous “Aye”’s.
With Dusty’s lead Luna Dial entered. Before she even stepped in she knew where they were now based on the delicious smell in the air and the rise in temperature.
“This place is the main kitchen.” Dusty said, waving a hoof around the area.
The room certainly looked the part. Walls and floor of pristine white tiles. Different kind of equipment everywhere. Ovens, stoves and, naturally, water sinks and all you could need to in a kitchen meant for royalty. A number of pans and other utensils not currently in use hanged from a rack on the wall.
“This is where all the food in the castle is made. Normally it’s really quiet and easygoing in here, but believe me, when something big comes along these guys will be working the sweat off their brows.” Dusty said as she showed Luna Dial the kitchen. “Speaking of which. Hey Cayenne!”
Amongst the working cooks stepped out a mare with an amber coat and green mane. Her cutie mark seemed to be a chili pepper and she wore a white shirt. On top of her head a chef’s hat stood proudly. “You called, Dusty?”
Dusty walked forward and wrapped her hoof over the mare’s shoulder in a friendly manner. “This here is Cayenne. She’s the Head Chef around here, just like I am the Head Maid in our territory. In this kitchen her word is law!”
Cayenne laughed at the remark. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I’m just their boss, not a slave driver.”
“Whatever you say.” Dusty said, stepping away from the head chef. “I was wondering if you could tell the rookie how things work here.”
Cayenne smiled proudly. “I’d love to.” She looked at this ‘rookie’, eyeing her up and down. “you must be the new maid initiate. You dress the part, at least. What is your name?”
“My name is Luna Dial, Ma’am.” she replied with a small bow.
“My, aren’t we polite!” Cayenne laughed playfully. “Well Luna Dial, we here at the main kitchen make everything asked of us. Be that the meals for the staff, a banquet for royalty or dinner to the Princess herself. Salads, beverages, pastries. If it’s served inside the castle walls, chances are it was made here. Whenever we are needed, we provide!
“Admittedly that is not a challenge on it’s own. The atmosphere here is often quite relaxed and slow paced. But, as Dusty no doubt told you, when we need to work hard we crank it up to eleven.
“However, often we have to keep ourselves occupied by providing services to the local restaurants or diners.” Chayanne finished her short lecture.
“Did I understand this correctly? You mean you not only prepare the food in the castle but also provide for the public?” Luna Dial asked to clarify.
“Yes, that’s right.” Cayenne replied. “Sometimes we do help the local restaurants out by, let’s say, providing ingredients or renting out our staff. But when things get busy here, those services are obviously on hold. The needs of this castle come first on our checklist.”
Luna Dial gave this some thought. “... I understand. You are very passionate about your work.” She complimented the head chef. Luna Dial bowed again. “This was very insightful. Thank you.”
“Oh, hush you!” Cayenne mocked embarrassment.
“Well, this was very great, but we need to get moving. Lot’s of places to see.” Dusty piped in.
“Of course, go on ahead.” Cayenne said. She turned to Luna Dial for some final words of pleasantry. “I hope we get to see you around regularly, Luna Dial.”
“Same, miss Cayenne.”
With a final bow Luna Dial followed Dusty as the two gave the kitchen their goodbyes and moved on. But just as they left they heard a loud growl, a crash and yell from the kitchen.
"Blaze, watch that temper of yours!" Cayenne shouted at somepony.
The duo of maids trotted along the halls with Dusty telling Luna Dial about some of the room locations along the way to their next destination. Suddenly she went quiet and whispered. “Oh, quiet now. We’re moving past the royal chambers.”
Soon the two passed two double doors with golden linings and decorations of the an alicorn and the sun. It was clear that this room was something special.
When passing it, Luna Dial noted that by the doors was standing a lone stallion in shiny blue armor lined with gold. His coat was grey and his mane, what little could be seen under his helmet, was dark blue. His cutie mark was covered by his armor.
For a split second his firm and serious gaze met with Luna Dial’s. Her dark blue peering into his neon orange for a few fractions of a second, peering into each other’s essence until the two maids passed.
A minute or two passed before Dusty spoke again. “Okay, I would suggest you keep your volume down when passing by the royal chambers. Just to be polite, you know.”
Luna Dial nodded, but followed up with a question. “That stallion by the chambers. Who was he?”
Dusty blinked and looked back. “Oh, him. That’s Gallant Wall, Princess Celestia’s personal guard.” She gave Luna Dial a serious look and spoke in a warning tone. “Don’t bother him if you don’t need to. That’ll lead to nothing good.”
“... Understood.” Luna Dial replied, thinking something by herself. Dusty went back to being verbose and lecturing about the castle as the two made their way to their next destination.