After partaking in some of the best desserts any of them had ever eaten, Scyphos lead them upstairs to the third floor, where each were shown a lavish room, complete with bathroom. After they made their choices, the six said their goodnights and shut their bedroom doors.
Rarity turned slowly from her closed door and took in the sight of her sleeping quarters for the night. A four poster bed, larger than her own, sat in the center of the room on an elevated landing with a small nightstand beside it with a single lit candle. To her right was an open door leading into a full bathroom where the tub and sinks were made of white crystals and to her left were two oak doors leading out onto a balcony.
Walking forward slowly, her steps making no sound on the velvet carpet floor. Heavy drapes hung on the windows and balcony doors, muffling the sound of the rain and giving the room a soft air of tranquility. Coming to a stop at the bedside, Rarity gently ran a hoof along the silk blanket, savoring the feeling as she climbed into the bed.
Carefully sliding under the covers so as not to disturb the sheets, Rarity cooed softly. The sheets flowing over her body like warm clouds, instantly setting her mind at ease and causing her to yawn loudly.
“Oh this is heavenly.” She said quietly to herself. Igniting her horn she snuffed the candle with a quick spell and was asleep moments later.
Across the hall, Twilight had likewise climbed into her bed, but it was unlikely that she would fall asleep anytime soon. A stack of books sat beside her on the bed as she finished the one she was reading only to add it to another pile at the foot of the bed and select a new one from the stack beside her.
“These are fascinating. I hope the rain keeps up so I can spend tomorrow in the library. I'm pretty sure I saw some advanced spell books higher up.” Twilight said to herself as she opened the new book and began reading, losing herself completely in its words.
Next door, Pinkie Pie was happily bouncing on her bed somehow doing nothing to disturb the neat bed sheets.
“This. Place. Is. So. Amazing.” She said loudly with each bounce. She continued to bounce adding either a loud ‘Whee’ or ‘Whoohoo’ with each one. The door to her room suddenly burst open and a very irate Rainbow Dash stepped in.
“Pinkie will you pipe down?! Some of us want to sleep!”
Pinkie Pie stopped her bouncing and looked at Rainbow with a big sad frown. “Sorry, Dashie. I'll stop right now.”
Rainbow Dash smiled tiredly. “Thanks, Pinkie. Night,” She said, closing the door behind her.
“Night.” Pinkie called. She perked her ears up and waited for the sound of Rainbow opening and closing her own door before she resumed her happy bouncing, only this time with much quieter ‘Whee’s’ and ‘Whoohoo’s.’
Over in Rainbows room, she had stumbled into the bathroom and was busy running cold water over her face. She’d never admit it, but she had drank a little too much earlier. While she had managed to hide her drunkenness from the others during dessert it was now asserting itself in full force. Finding that the water was doing little to help sober her up, Rainbow stumbled back over to her door and locked it, ensuring that once the alcohol took full effect she would be confined to her room until the morning.
“Promblsms ssolved.” She slurred, stumbling to her bed and just managing to climb on top before passing out. Her snores carried over to the next room where Applejack had rolled to her side and placed a pillow firmly on her head. Sighing in relief at the silence that brought, she closed her eyes and was soon asleep.
Adjacent to Applejack's room, Fluttershy was just climbing into bed when a particularly loud crack of thunder scared her causing her to squeal in terror and dive under the covers where she remained, shivering in terror before falling asleep.
Thus passed their first night at Lakeside.
……………………………………….
Rarity rolled over in her bed and yawned loudly, opening her eyes slowly and letting them adjust to the dim light of her room.
"I can't remember the last time I've felt so rested." She thought, smiling to herself as she sat up in bed and stretched, yawning again as she did so. Casting the covers off her body in one fluid motion, she swung her hooves over the side of the bed and lightly hopped off onto the soft carpet floor.
Arching her back and stifling another yawn, Rarity made her way into the bathroom and began to adjust the various knobs on the tub until she had a steady stream of just the right temperature water flowing into the crystal basin. A few more careful adjustments saw the tub filled with steaming water which Rarity carefully eased herself into, sighing loudly as the warm water washed over her.
Sinking down to her nose in the water, Rarity simply lay there, fully outstretched with several inches between herself and the tubs walls. After soaking for a time, she used her magic to levitate over a bar of soap and a simple wooden scrub brush. After lathering up with the soap, Rarity then proceeded to give herself a thorough scrubbing with the brush, being sure to reach every inch in case of the odd piece of filth.
Finishing with the scrub brush, she placed it and the soap back where she had found them and stood up in the tub. Using a crystal bucket beside the tub, she filled it with water and used it to rinse the soapy residue from her body, leaving her completely clean.
A quick spark of magic saw the stopper pulled, allowing the water to begin to drain while Rarity dried herself off with a large, fluffy white towel. After wrapping her hair up in a spare towel, Rarity pulled the first towel around herself and stepped from the tub, just as a knock sounded on her bedroom door.
Checking that her towels were secured, Rarity padded over to the door and opened it a crack but found nopony there. She opened the door wider and stuck her head out, looking up and down the hall she happened to look down and found a small basket with a white cloth bundled inside with a note card lying on top with her name on it.
Her curiosity piqued, Rarity grabbed the basket in her magic and pulled it into her room, closing the door as she did so. Placing the basket on her bed, Rarity unfolded the cloth and found a jewel encrusted hair brush and various oral and cosmetic products.
Blushing slightly and making a mental note to thank Sir Constance later, Rarity took the basket into the bathroom where she set about preparing herself for the day. Using the gift Sir Constance had sent, Rarity brushed and flossed her teeth and applied just the right amount of mascara. Unwrapping her hair and using another towel to give it a thorough drying, Rarity next used the hairbrush and in four dexterous strokes, her mane and tail had their trademarked coiled look.
Placing the items back in the basket, Rarity carefully looked herself over in the mirror and smiled at what she saw.
"Perfection."
Pleased with her appearance, Rarity made her way over to the balcony doors and opened the drapes, hoping to see a view of the countryside, instead all she could see was the sheets of rain pounding against the balcony and obscuring all else.
"What a shame, I was very much looking forward to seeing the grounds. Hopefully this clears up soon." Sighing sadly, Rarity let the drapes fall back into place, hiding the dismal sight. Walking over to the door to her room, Rarity gently touched her pendant to ensure it was still in place before stepping out into the hall.
Unsure if the others were awake yet, Rarity quietly closed her door and set off downstairs to the dining room. She walked slowly, taking time to admire the many exquisite pieces of art adorning the walls. The night before she had only a passing glance as Scyphos did not tolerate loligagging.
Coming to the stairs Rarity stopped when she spotted somepony familiar in a painting. It was a portrait of her father, but the setting was so bizarre that she had to double check to make sure she wasn't mistaken.
She leaned forward and squinted her eyes, looking for anything that would confirm her suspicions.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" A voice behind her said. Startled, Rarity turned in place with a gasp only to find Sir Constance eyeing her with a bemused smile.
"Oh, Constance, you startled me." Rarity said, hastily, slightly embarrassed by her reaction.
"So sorry about that. It's just, I saw you admiring your father's portrait and didn't want to disturb you." He said. Turning his eye up to the portrait, he chuckled softly. "I bet you're wondering when this was made and why."
Rarity followed his gaze back to the odd portrait. "Yes the thought had crossed my mind"
Rarity's father gazed down at them from a golden cloud, on his head sat a crown of lightning, and a shimmering toga draped over the rest of his body. His right fore hoof was raised skyward, blue lightning bolts arcing from his hoof while in his left fore hoof he held two beautiful mares clad in skimpy metal armour.
Sir Constance chuckled again. "Spring Break at a fantasy fair outside of Canterlot. We made a bet to see who could get the most mares home addresses." Sir Constance smiled at Rarity with a twinkle in his eye. "I won."
Rarity shared his smile and chuckle. "I can believe my father lost to you, for all his talk he's rubbish with mares."
"If you'd only had known him back then. He was quite the smooth talker. He'd speak and everypony within earshot would hang off of every word."
"I'm not sure I believe that." Rarity said, fixing Sir Constance with an unamused look.
"Really? Well the only reason I won was because the first mare he spoke to was your mother."
Rarities face changed to one of genuine surprise. "Really?"
"Yes, indeed. I had made the rounds at the fair, having collected about fifteen addresses, when I doubled back to check your fathers score he was still in the same place talking with the same mare. I waited until she left and swaggered up to your father, waving slips of paper with the addresses in his face. He only looked at me with a wistful look on his face before telling me that he forfeited the bet."
Sir Constance nodded back towards the painting "He paid to have this made the same day."
"Father told me he met mother in Canterlot but that it was at the train station on Hearths Warming Eve." Rarity said doubtfully.
"Well he never could pass up a chance to tell a story."
"You two were quite the pair, weren't you?"
Sir Constance laughed. "Thats an understatement. We were irrespirable, always finding new ways to get into trouble. There use to be a time when every hotel within twenty miles would close up early if we so much as showed our faces anywhere near them." He chuckled slightly. "Now mind you we didn't go around intentionally causing trouble we just wanted to liven a few of these places up." He smiled broadly at her. "In our own special way of course."
Rarity shared his smile. "Father mentioned your trouble with hotels."
"I used to know every Royal Guard by name." Said Sir Constance, shaking his head. He glanced once more to the portrait of Magnum before looking to Rarity. "How is he by the way?"
"Quite well." Said Rarity. " He recently got a job as the Safety Manager at Ponyville Freight."
Sir Constance's eyes widened in disbelief. Safety manager huh? Does he make sure the freight gets to its destination in one piece or that the freight movers don't crush themselves?"
"Mostly he makes sure the freight is properly tied down before it leaves the dock." Said Rarity. Her mind unconsciously wandered to a particular grey pegasus who worked with her father's company. "Whether it gets to its destination safely is another matter altogether."
Sir Constance gave her a quizzical look at her last statement but chose not to comment on it. "How about your mother? She's well I take it?"
"Oh yes quite well." Responded Rarity, smile returning. "She mostly spends time caring for my younger sister, Sweetie Belle. She can be quite the hoofful."
"I heard all fillies are." Sir Constance said with a smile. "Except you of course." He added, casting Rarity an amused look. She did her best to hide her blush, only partially succeeding. She was about to say something more when heavy hoofsteps sounded from further up the hall behind them.
They both turned to find a bleary eyed and disheveled looking Rainbow Dash walking towards them.
"Goodness you look awful Rainbow Dash." Rarity said, causing Rainbow to wince in pain.
"For Celestia's sake, not so loud." Rainbow said past a leaden tongue. She came to a stop next to Rarity and used her wings to shield her eyes from the, to her, oppressive light. She squinted at Sir Constance with bloodshot eyes.
"When's breakfast?" She mumbled.
Sir Constance smiled at her with sympathy. "Scyphos is working on it right now and it should be ready within the hour, but I know how bad a hangover can be after drinking too much 'Ponot Noir' so why don't you and I go down and see what Scyphos has in the way of alleviation?" He glanced over to Rarity. "You don't mind do you?"
Rarity shook her head. "Not at all. I'll see you both at breakfast."
Sir Constance responded with a smile before leading a grumbling Rainbow Dash down the stairs. Rarity watched them go, shaking her head at Rainbows current state before turning and making her way back down the hall in the directions of their rooms. It was only after taking a few steps did she realize she had forgotten to ask why Constance had not contacted her father for so many years. "I shall have to remember to ask him later." she thought.
After finding her way back to her own room, Rarity went to the door directly opposite and gently knocked. There was an audible click of the lock before the door swung open of its own accord. Stepping inside, she found a mountain of books stacked on and around the bed with the quiet sounds of a pages turning within.
"Twilight?"
There was some shuffling from inside the book mountain. Several stacks were encased in a purple aura before levitating up into the air.
"Oh. Hello Rarity!" Twilight said happily through the opening in the books. The levitating stacks floated over to one side of the room where they were unceremoniously placed.
"Hello to you as well." Responded Rarity, looking from Twilight to the many books around her. "Have you been up all night reading?"
"That depends." Said Twilight "Is it morning?"
"Indeed it is." Answered Rarity with a nod.
"Then yes, I've been up all night reading."
"Are you not the least bit tired?"
"Not really." Said Twilight, carefully standing up on the bed and navigating her way past the books she piled around her. "It's just I found so many fascinating texts that I never would have imagined even existed." She hopped off the bed and landed lightly in front of Rarity. "This place is so great!"
Rarity chuckled at Twilight's exuberance. "I know what you mean. This place is far more wonderful than I ever would have dreamed." She sighed as her thoughts turned to Sir Constance, hoof unconsciously rising to stroke the pendant at her throat.
Twilight eyed Rarity with some suspicion, a slight smile forming on her lips. "Seems somepony has a crush on Sir Constance?" She said, startling Rarity out of her thoughts.
"Non...nonsense!" Said Rarity hastily, cheeks turning red. Twilight's smile only grew larger as Rarity became more flustered. "Whatever you say, Rarity." Said Twilight as Rarity fought to regain her composure.
"Are we the only two up or do you know?" Asked Twilight, changing the subject.
Rarity cleared her throat as her cheeks returned to normal. "To my knowledge, apart from Constance and Scyphos it's only you, myself, and Rainbow Dash who are awake." She smiled to herself. "Though I think Rainbow Dash wishes she wasn't."
Twilight nodded knowingly. "Hangover?"
Rarity nodded in affirmation. "I don't know why she continues to try and hide the fact that large amounts of alcohol just don't sit well with her."
"Its that stubborn pride of hers." Replied Twilight. "Once she gets some food in her she'll be alright."
"Sir Constance is taking care of that as we speak." Said Rarity. "Rainbow ran into us chatting down the hall and he offered to take her to the kitchen for an early breakfast."
Twilight smiled at the mental picture of a hungover Rainbow Dash. "Do you think she'll leave anything for us?"
"If Scyphos prepares as much food as last night's dinner I don't think we'll have anything to fear. Speaking of which, Constance said that breakfast would be ready soon. Why don't you go have a bath why I see if the others are up yet."
"Sounds like a plan." Said Twilight, walking over to her bathroom and opening the door in a burst of magic. "I'll see you downstairs." She said before stepping inside and closing the door.
Rarity heard the sound of running water from inside the bathroom just as she was closing the door to the bedroom. With breakfast on her mind, she set about waking her remaining friends.