//------------------------------// // Welcome to Ponyville // Story: The Love Triangle Theorem // by Arboreal Blue Leaf //------------------------------// It was a nice, warm summer morning; I could hear the birds chirping outside of the Crystal Castle. As a small smile crossed my muzzle, I turned my head around the library, checking all the devices surrounding the Crystal Portal one more time. Satisfied, I let a loud yawn escape my mouth while looking at the open dimensional portal. "I think everything is ready Spike. It has been a long night, but I recalibrated it, and it should be working now..." " So, is she coming?" "In the afternoon, but I'd like to sleep a little before she comes,” I chuckled, pointing at my mane "I'm a total mess, look at me. I can't welcome her like this. I think one or two hours of sleep and a shower will do me wonders." "The guest room is ready, as you wanted." "Thank you so much for the help, Spike I couldn't have done it without you” "How long will she be staying?" Spike asked. "Ten days at least; Princess Celestia has allowed her to stay as long as she wanted. Besides, I think the Princess is happy with this visit, since she is planning to come here in the next few days." "I'll help you with that as well!" He exclaimed enthusiastically, making my grin grow wider "Why don’t you take your day off? It is almost ten o'clock, and you have already done so much for me today. I'm sure Rarity will need help at the Boutique, or you could go and get that new comic you were talking about yesterday?" The baby dragon smiled as I said that. He would surely head to Rarity’s; he said a quick goodbye before happily taking his leave. I stood next to the portal for a few more seconds, thinking about all the adventures I had on the other side. I grinned at the memories, before taking the small book that I had been using for several months now, in order to talk with Sunset Shimmer. A quill levitated to my muzzle, I licked it a little and reached over to my diary. Under all the messages I had written during the night. The portal's ready, I'll just take a few hours to rest, and you can come anytime you want. ~Twilight Sparkle. ***** Humming a small song, I got out of the shower and grabbed a towel with my telekinesis. Without looking at the flying object, I walked to the mirror and opened one of the many drawers near the crystal sink as I started to dry my mane, I noticed the wide rings under my eyes, showing how short last night was. I giggled a little at that when a voice echoed suddenly throughout the castle, amplified by the crystal walls. "Hello? Is anyone here? Princess Twilight?" The voice was unsure and was obviously from a mare. I quickly folded my mane inside the towel before heading to the lower floor. Since I didn't hear somepony knock on the door or open it, I had a faint idea who it was. As expected, I saw the orange unicorn rubbing her right foreleg on her neck. Watching her from across the large corridor, I smiled and quickly approached her. "Hello Sunset, I'm here. I wasn't expecting you so soon," I said before giving her a warm, happy hug to welcome her. "Sorry for the towel on my head, I was getting ready." She hesitated before returning the hug, and said with small embarrassment in her voice. "I'm happy to see you, Princess, I'm sorry if I came too soon." "It's okay, Sunset. Please, call me Twilight. There is no need for silly little titles between us, so how was the trip?" I asked while taking a step back, “I always feel dizzy when I cross the portal..." "It could be worse, plus it only takes a few seconds to get from the other side to Equestria. Oh, by the way I brought you something," she said as she was turning her head around to her saddlebags. "Since I know you are so interested in science, I brought you some books from CHS. They aren't really complicated, but you will be able to see some of the differences between our worlds." She took out five large, colored books from her saddlebags with telekinesis before showing them to me. As I read the title, my smile got bigger and bigger. I clopped my hooves and laughed happily. "This is going to be so much fun, I can't wait to read them! Thank you so much, Sunset, I really appreciate it." "It was the least I could do; you are accommodating me after all," she blushed. "You didn't have to, you know. I am glad we can spend some time together!" I said while walking to the stairs. "Come with me, I'm going to show you your room." She followed me in the crystal corridor, as she was explaining me how she prepared her trip. Our common friends from Canterlot High knew she was coming here, the others were told that she was visiting an aunt in the countryside. I was pleased to learn that she had extended her circle of friends, even if some people were reluctant to forgive her. When we climbed up crystal stairs to the second floor, she expressed the awe she was feeling because of the castle. The wide corridors, enlighten by the sunbeams coming in through the stained glasses, were “like nothing she had seen before”. I chuckled before stopping in front of a large wooden door. “It’s true that the castle is pretty impressive when you see it for the first time from the inside. I had some difficulties at the very beginning to get acclimated with the castle. It may be beautiful during the day with the stained glass and all the shiny thingies, but at night, it is pretty different. My friends redecorated it a few months ago, and I’m getting used to this place now. But I’m always glad when some pony comes for the night. Apart from Spike, I’m living alone here,” I sighed, but a smile quickly returned on my muzzle as I opened the door. “I’m really happy that you have decided to spend a few days in Equestria! This will be your room; you are free to do what you want inside! Be sure to make yourself comfortable.” Sunset stepped inside the bedroom, looking at the double bed. It was one of the furniture of the room, alongside a dresser, a large bookshelf half full of books, a desk and some paintings on the walls. She walked to the wide window and took a peek outside. It was looking onto Ponyville’s center and, in the horizon, Canterlot. She smiled widely as she put her saddlebags on the floor. “This is perfect, Twilight. I haven’t seen a bedroom like this since I left Equestria.” “You can stay as long as you want, I’d be happy to spend some time with you in the next days!” I went outside the room and pointed a door at the end of the corridor. “This is the guest bathroom, and if you continue on the right, you will find a balcony, it is a perfect spot if you want to do some stargazing!” “Your castle is really huge.” She noticed. “It must have been a really long work to build it, and even more to carve all this crystal.” “Three minutes at most. It has appeared after my friends and I defeated Tirek. It has come, quite literally, from the ground.” I replied, laughing a little at her questioning look. ”Anyway, please give me a few minutes, so I can finish drying my mane. Make this room yours, I’m inviting you to the restaurant! We have so much to catch on!”