"I do not feel sleepy yet," Babs Seed said, while trotting up the staircase.
"Yeah, can't we go outside?" Scootaloo pleaded.
"No girls," Applejack responded, firmly. "Your father said it is time for bed. Besides, Rainbow Dash will be outside, creating a rainstorm with other weather ponies."
When the girls reached the third floor, they entered into the nursery room. The nursery room had pink walls with lavender swirls, a teal green carpet, five pink beds, a huge walk-in closet, a bathroom, and two white windows. There was also a white table with five white chairs and some toys, which were lying around the floor. Fluttershy noticed how the room looked innocent and childlike compared to the previous chaotic but magnificent rooms. There were also a lot of toys lying around the floor. Fluttershy could see almost every toy such as some stuffed horses, a few teddy bears, a ball, an apple plush, and a baseball bat. She had to hover over them because there was no room to walk on. The fillies trotted over their toys toward their dresser, not bothering to pick them up.
"Sorry, the nursery is a mess," Applejack chuckled nervously to Fluttershy. The pegasus nodded sympathetically to the earth pony. She noticed Pinkie Pie, being distracted by a paddle ball. The pink pony was more focused on hitting the ball than helping the fillies to bed. Fluttershy wondered when was the last time the children cleaned up their toys.
"Um excuse me children but don't you think you should put your toys away?" The Pegasus suggested, meekly with a sheepish smile. "I know it is night, but-"
"Miss Fluttershy don't!!" Applejack hissed in a panicked voice. But the fillies had already heard the shy nanny.
"We don't clean up!" Screwball barked, her eyes blazing with fire. "Daddy says we don't have to clean up because we're royalty!"
"Yeah!" Her sisters added, acting snobby. Applejack hoped the conversation would end right there but Fluttershy took another risk with another question.
"Well, if you do not clean up your toys, then who will?" She asked, calmly.
"The servants, silly head!" Screwball sassed. "Applejack can do it!" Fluttershy frowned at Screwball's rude attitude. Before she could say something, Applejack quickly intervened.
"All right, that's enough!" She scolded. "Get to bed now!"
"AJ, do we still have to go to bed?" Apple Bloom groused, putting her pajamas on. Applejack rolled her eyes.
"Yes, you heard what your father said," She sighed. "And what is this 'AJ'? Call me 'Applejack' or 'Miss Applejack!'" She turned to Pinkie, who still could not hit the ball with the paddle. "Pinkie, put that paddleball down!"
"Aw, do I have to?" Pinkie moaned. It was comical for Fluttershy to see a grown mare who acted just as fussy as the princesses.
"Yes, Pinkie!" AJ grumbled. "I need you to brush the fillies' teeth, pronto!"
"Um, Applejack? I can brush their teeth," Fluttershy volunteered, shyly. She felt bad that Appejack was doing most of the work and wanted to help her out. Applejack frowned and shook her head.
"Oh thanks Miss Fluttershy but I think it will be best if Pinkie does it since she is experienced," Applejack remarked, a little too quickly. "Besides, our job is to show you how to help the children to bed thus you will be able to do it on your own, in the future. Understand?"
Fluttershy still wanted to help Applejack out but realized that the head maid had a point. It is her first day here and if she is going to take care of the children, then she must observe Applejack and Pinkie Pie. One must learn how to do the way things are done with children or else there will be consequences.
"I understand," She nodded, obediently.
After the princesses put thier nightgowns on, they went into the bathroom along with Pinkie and Fluttershy. Pinkie showed Fluttershy how to brush each filly's teeth. The fillies were fussy and squeamish. They did not enjoy brushing their teeth. When Pinkie warned them that she's tell thier father on them, the children immediately brushed thier teeth clean. Next, Fluttershy studied Pinkie tucking thr children into bed.
Like with the bathroom before, Pinkie Pie struggled a lot because some of the fillies were being restless. Even though, Applejack helped, it was still a huge job for Pinkie. Screwball and Babs Seed were difficult to work with because one preferred to tuck herself in and the second one did not want to go to sleep. Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle were easy to handle. They hopped in thier beds, as they were told. Applejack read a short storybook to the fillies until they closed their eyes and slipped into slumberland. The two earth ponies and one pegasus quietly sneaked out of the nursery. Pinkie and Applejack looked very weary and exhausted from all the commotion the fillies caused. Pinkie decided to go downstairs to her room. Applejack was about to depart before Fluttershy spoke up.
"Miss Applejack, may I ask you a question?" She asked, shyly.
"Anything, Miss Fluttershy!" Applejack responded, cheerfully. "What is it? Is it about the children?" She had been so tired that she almost forgot to ask Fluttershy if she had any questions about caring for the children.
"Well, yes but...not just the children...," Fluttershy meekly muttered. She was also thinking about thier father. How he acted toward his children just surprised her. The King was anything but loving! Fluttershy becoming a bit more shy by a second.
"You can tell me," Applejack encouraged her.
Fluttershy took a deep breath, hoping her question will not offend her new friend.
"Why does the King-"
"Miss Fluttershy, I have something for you!" A voice called. Fluttershy gave a small sigh. Sure, she was nervous, but the innocent equine was dissapointed to not voice her question. Rarity just came upstairs unexpectedly, carrying a few outfits with her magic aura.
"Here are your new outfits!" The white unicorn beamed in a sing-song voice. "I designed them myself!" Intrigued by a pile of new clothes, Fluttershy thanked Rarity and accepted them. Each outfit was a dress with white outlines, short puffy sleeves, and ribbons tied in the back. They came in many colors such as turquoise, sky blue, light green, red, lavender, and honey.
"Wow, so beautiful!" The buttercream pony gasped, marveling at each dress.
"I could not agree more!" Rarity chirped, flipping her hair in a nearby mirror on the wall. Applejack frowned and rolled her eyes. Fluttershy opened her bedroom door walked into her room.
"Oh I almost forgot, tomorrow we will be replacing your curtains with brand new ones," Rarity added.
"Oh but why?" Fluttershy frowned. "I love the curtains!"
"Nonsense, Darling!" Rarity disagreed, flicking her hoof off. "If you are going to be living here for a long time, then we must make sure your room is in good condition!"
Fluttershy could not win the argument since Rarity seemed insistent on replacing the curtains.
"Will the curtains have the same pink color?" She asked, out of curiosity. Rarity looked pleasantly pleased that some pony took interest in her fashion talent! Unlike Applejack.
"Oh no, they will be sky blue with lavender flowers-which are designed by moi!" Rarity smiled and winked at the last part of the sentence. Applejack knew that Rarity was going to boast about her fashion to poor Fluttershy. She quickly shoved the pegasus into her bedroom and locked the door before Rarity could say anything more!
"Hey, I was about to ask her if she wants s ball gown!" Rarity pouted.
"You can ask her later!" Applejack grumbled. "Now let's get to bed before the Master throws a fit!"
Screwball was sleeping soundly, when all of the sudden, she heard a tapping sound. The princess turned over to one side of her bed. She covered her ears, thinking it was the raindrops, splashing on her window. The tapping sound was coming from her bedroom window, but it was not the raindrops. It was a small hoof, hidden in the shadows. A green aura appeared on the window locks and unlocked them. Next, the window flew open. The creature quietly snuck inside over it. It was hard to see the small creature in the dark room.
He sighed in relief. The creature felt safe from the rain. He also felt safe from-
The dark figure tripped over one of the toys and let out an "Ow!"
The eldest princess owned her eyes and sat up. Her eyes laid on the dark figure, who also noticed her. He tried to run but Screwball clapped her hoofs and made him freeze. Screwball flashed a flashlight and pointed it at the intruder, making him shut his eyes due to the light. It was male changeling who was the same age as Screwball. He had a black carpace-like coat, teal messy mane and tail, green big eyes, green insect-like wings, a small fang, jagged ears, and holes in his legs. The young changeling had fear in his eyes.
"Please,let go of me!" He whispered, hastily.
"Boy, what are you doing here?" Screwball stipulated. "Are you trying to steal something?"
"Well I-" The young changeling began. Screwball narrowed her eyes, wondering if he was lying.
"If you are, I shall call for the guards!" She said in a not friendly tone.
"No, please!" Thr changeling begged. "I do not come here to steal! I mean no harm!"
Screwball approached closer to the changeling's face and looked deeply into his eyes. She stared at him for what felt like for an eternity. At least, to the young changeling. Then, Screwball pulled away, her face softening. It seemed that the strange colt really is not dangerous.
"Who are you and why did you come here?" She asked again, softly. Her tone seemed friendlier this time.
"My name is Mothball," the young changeling replied. "I was looking for someplace to hide for the night and I just happened to come upon this castle."
"Who were you running from?" Screwball questioned.
"Some ponies who think they are big and important!" Mothball spat. "They are out to get me!"
"But why?"
"Becaue I am...different!" Mothball sighed exasperated. Before Screwball could pry him, Mothball clung onto her as if she was his only safe base.
"Please do not say that I am here! I need a place to hide! Promise you won't tell anyone?" Mothball begged. He shivered at the thought of getting caught. He did not want to tell Screwball any more information because he did not want to put her in danger. "Promise?"
Screwball was still trying to process what Mothball had told her. She still felt scared but so did this young colt. Ponies were out to hurt him just because he is a changeling? Screwball sympathized with Mothball since she knew what it is like to be different. Ponies everywhere, even in Draconia, shunned her for chaotic powers and swirly eyes. Her father, late mother, and sisters were the only sources of comfort. Her father even protected her from ponies that tried to take advantage of her. This boy had nopony to go to for help! Or somepony to protect him!
"All right," Screwball whispered. "I will keep you hidden and not tell any pony." Mothball breathed out a sigh of relief and hugged a shocked princess.
"Bless you, princess!"
"You can sleep in my wardrobe," Screwball decided. "It is big enough for you to sleep in!" She led Mothball into her wardrobe. She closed the door but not before handing him an extra pillow and blanket. Screwball did not know why, but she felt really happy that she met a colt. She blushed as she glanced back at Mothball.
Mothball was ever so grateful Screwball. He laid his head on his pillow and sighed.
"What a nice filly! I wonder if she is single? No, snap out of it, Mothball! Why would a princess go for someone like you?" He thought to himself.