//------------------------------//
// 28th December, 2015 
// Story: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité 
// by Ponelover 
//------------------------------//

	A cold gust of wind hits Rarity especially hard as she tries everything in her ability to keep herself warm in the admittedly beautiful but very cold French capital. “Oh I regret not learning that warmth spell, I don’t want to walk around being all suited up like this! It’s simply unnapealling for a lady to wrap herself up like this” she complained to Rainbow Dash’s rolling eyes.

“Puh lease Rarity! these humans don’t control the weather! cut them some slack, besides all the humans i’ve seen are as wrapped up as we are too. You’ll blend in perfectly!” Rainbow Dash replied in her usual manner. After the peace treaty was signed with the Changelings, Twilight decided that the group needed a proper trip to the French capital in order to sit back and relax from the events happening in Equestria while simultaneously exploring what is now the largest city in the world. Rarity was initially skeptical about the whole affair and originally wanted to just bundle up in her boutique waiting for winter to end. But after she was shown pictures of the French capital she immediately went up and started packing. The trip to the now port city of Strasbourg was nothing special, but the trip from Strasbourg to Paris was a very interesting one as they went to the train station and ride in what the French call the 'TGV', this train could reach speeds unfathomable to the Twilight's or any of her friend's minds as they moved past the countryside with frightening speed, they were even more amazed when the train finally entered the station just from the alien design they're not used to and just to add icing to the cake, the trip to the hotel bombarded the gang with sights and sounds unheard of even for them. The cars, the monuments and even the normal buildings are designed to be appealing to the eye, It's like someone decided to completely remake this city on his/her own artistic image one day.

Well this city does describe avant-garde very well. I’ve never seen streets this wide! the lamps so carefully stylized! oh I would just looove to live in this city Rarity thought as the group eventually reached the hotel. Now she was told that before the trip has even bagan, Twilight looked at a website called ‘trip advisor’ she found in what the French called an ‘Internet Cafe’ in the French embassy, apparently the website provides general guidelines for anyone wanting to make a trip or a vacation, after being given a tourist visa by an embassy official, she decided that after browsing through all the hotels that were given perfect reviews. Saint James Paris would be the main hotel where she and the gang are staying throughout the week.

“Ooooooh so fancy!” Pinkie said as they gang entered the front gate with a security guard on watch.
“Hello there mister human, my name is Twilight Sparkle and I’m booked to stay at this hotel for 1 week, would you please open the door”
“One moment madamoiselle, I will speak with the concierge first” as the security guard whipped out his radio and talks with the concierge. After a couple of minutes the gates are opened and the ponies entered what is essentially a hotel slash chateaux.
“Good day Ms Sparkle, hope you enjoy your stay” the security guard says as the gang enters the front door.

Rarity was taken aback at the first sight of the hotel. It just describes beauty and elegance the moment she entered the front gates and she was even more slack jawed when they entered the guest room. I’ve never seen attention to detail like this before, I’ve got a feeling I will enjoy my stay here Rarity thought as Twilight walks into the receptionist desk.

“Bonjour and welcome to Saint James Paris, I trust you have booked a stay yes?” the receptionist welcomed the first group of Ponies to ever travel to Paris
“Oh yes of course, I’m looking for a hotel booking under the name of Twilight Sparkle please. 3 rooms”
“Please wait for a moment madam” as the Receptionist does some weird clicking noises in what is obviously a computer behind the desk. She wanted to ask her how did they manage to put such advanced calculating power into a simple package but held herself from doing so. In time Twilight, in time she thought to herself as the Receptionist continues doing the weird clicking noises again.
“Ah yes, welcome Madame Twilight Sparkle. You have booked 3 rooms with king sized beds correct?” the receptionist asked as the clicking noises stopped
“Yes, thank you very much” replied Twilight as she unfastens her saddlebag to reveal a bunch of Euros which is given to the receptionist. The receptionist counted silently nodding all the way, and finally gave her 3 keys after she finished counting.
“Payment’s finished, you will be entitled to morning breakfasts throughout your stay in the hotel. The bellboy will take your baggage and your room will be ready in 30 minutes, please take a seat in the guest area as we prepare your rooms” the receptionist replied which is met with a nod as Twilight notions her group to wait in the guestroom as a bellboy brings their luggages into each other’s respective rooms.

“Okay gang, I’ve already designated 3 separate rooms for you to stay in and unfortunately they don’t have separate beds so you’ll be sleeping with each other” Twilight slightly blushed at the awkward implications that might bring as she briefed her friends. “Thankfully I also managed to combine the Ponies with the closest personalities with each other. So Rarity you will be staying with Fluttershy, I’m staying with Pinkie Pie and Rainbow’s staying with Applejack. Sound good?” she asked

“Yeah it’s okay, AJ and I are gonna have such an awesome night in an already awesome hotel anyway!” Dash replied
“oh of course darling, Fluttershy is such a sweet little thing and we would match perfectly if we stayed together” Rarity replied
“ummm, Rarity’s nice…….and we also do have our weekly spa meetups, so I think we’ll be okay” Fluttershy meekly replied
“I’m staying with Twilight Sparkle!!! ooooh we’re gonna have such a fun night, I brought candies and games and snacks and we’re going to have fun time togetheeeeer!!! don’t you worry Twily, with me you’re never gonna get bored” Pinkie replied
“Aww shucks Sugarcube, Ah can handle Rainbow for now. Don’t know how to handle her for a week though” Applejack replied sarcastically which is met with a glare from Rainbow Dash

“Okay then, here are your keys. We meet back here at 6 o’clock in the evening, I’ve got a LOT of things planned for the night. So get some rest and have fun while you’re at it, see ya later” Twilight replied as they both leave for their respective rooms. Always the organizer Rarity shakes her head as she and Fluttershy entered the room. And was silenced for a moment at the exquisite looking rooms of the chateau hotel, It was Fluttershy who was the first who broke the silence.

“Ummm, It looks quite nice Rarity. I..I never thought that humans would pay this much attention to detail, I think you’re going to love it here” as she stared at an exquisitely crafted lamp.
“Oh that is a given Fluttershy, it’s so Avant-garde as well. I mean look at this sofa! the lengths that humans would go to” said Rarity as she examined the sofa and admiring the amount of detail the humans poured into such a simple thing. I need my sketchbook now, my head is simply overflowing with ideas!!! she thought as she quickly pulled out he sketchbook and begins drawing new designs, unaware that both of them are tired beyond relief after their trip across the ocean and then via a train they couldn’t recognize.

“Umm Rarity, I don’t want to sound mean but. We need to get some sleep, I think both of us need some rest after that really long trip” Fluttershy reminded Rarity as she stepped into Rarity’s view
“Oh but Fluttershy! I need to simply put these ideas on paper! Twilight’s dinner can wait. This cannot!” She responded
“Rarity, please we need to rest. You are very tired and I don’t like seeing my friends overwork themselves!” Fluttershy asserted herself
Rarity was taken aback by the sudden assertiveness of Fluttershy, Did she remember some of Iron will’s teachings? she thought as she saw Fluttershy assert herself. “Fine fine, we’ll rest for today I guess” as she put her drawing down and joined Fluttershy in bed as they rest for the day.

“Ugh” Rarity muttered as both of them wake up to the sound of the alarm clock. It's 5PM and Twilight’s appointed dinner was 1 hour away.
“Hey Rarity” Fluttershy responded as they both wake up from their nap. “I’ll take a shower first okay?” Fluttershy said as she walked out of bed and into the toilet.
“Oh course darling. Do take your time while you’re at it, I really need to revisit these drawings” Rarity responded as she grabbed her sketchbook and starts drawing again.
After they both took their showers they went downstairs into the guestroom and sees the rest of her friends all ready for a night on town

“Hey rares!” Rainbow Dash said as she waves her hoof into the approaching group
“Hello as well Rainbow Dash, I trust that you have taken care of yourself while I’m away right?”
“pfft yeah of course! by the way, I think Twilght might overdid this one Rarity. I mean this hotel is awesome and all, but it’s way too fancy for me and applejack, and now Twilight’s bringing us into a fancy dinner as well, what is this fancyville?” she asked Rarity
“oh don’t fret Rainbow Dash, this is not ‘fancy’ at all, it’s avant-garde. For all their faults these humans do know how to dress their buildings when they want to”
“yeah...whatever you say Rarity” Rainbow replied as she realized she’s talking to the one Pony who will absolutely love this city. Well, Paris is awesome and all but this city’s way too fancy and too uptight for me, even the way the people speak sounds fancy thought Rainbow as Twilight came down the stairs and they were led to the dinner she booked.

The dinner itself was at a very fancy restaurant called Les Tablettes and Rarity admitted that it was unlike any dinner she’s ever seen. So much everything! I never thought a simple salad could be so tasty, oh how I would love to compliment the chef if I have the chance she thought as they walked out of the restaurant and into the cold and busy Parisian streets

“So what do we want to do tonight gang?” Twilight asked the group “I personally wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, I heard that it is a must see for tourists” she suggested
“Ah don’t know Twi, I also wanna see the tower but…..” Applejack stopped midsentence as she saw a truly unusual sight
“What is it Applejack? did you see some….” Twilight stopped as well as the group sees a sight most unusual for even them.

Just out in the streets, a group of republican guards are regularly patrolling the snow covered streets of paris, now the humans themselves are cladded in the usual fancy armour the Ponies are used to. But what is truly unusual are the the animals the guards are riding on.

“W-what is that?” Fluttershy asked as one of the horses saw Fluttershy, flarred his (her?) nostrils and continued without even caring
“I...I think that’s a horse? I’ve read about them in the Internet, apparently they’re the human world’s version of a pony” Twilight explained as they simply stared at the Republican guards patrolling with their unusual mounts
“Oh my, I never thought I ever saw a pony so muscular before...eheheh” Rarity said as she stared at the horses
“W…..what? just what?” Rainbow Dash responded as well
"The hay's that?" Applejack followed.

The shock the Ponies received was noted as the leader of the Republican guard stopped his horse and welcomed the Ponies into Paris
"Bonjour little ponies, These mounts might look strange to you but do not worry....they're pretty harmless animals. Just don't agitate them and you'll be fine"
"o...okay mister human" Twilight awkwardly responded which is met by the leader shouting orders to the rest of the group as they continue their regular patrols. After the shock of seeing the horses died down, the group decided to visit the Eiffel Tower and then end the night. Twilight asked a passerby what is the fastest way to go to the Tower and every answer she got is the 'Metro' which Twilight thinks is a network of trains running underground of the city. The passerby also suggested to either stop at Trocadero station or the Military school station, which is met with an awkward yes as they reached the metro tunnel.

“A train station? in the city?” Twilight wondered as the group went downstairs. 
“Y’know Twilight, I always thought that humans are an insane species. But this is something else” Rainbow responded as they saw the usual huslte and bustle of the Paris Metro. After getting the appropriate tickets, they waited in the underground platform, wondering what convinced these humans to build an train system in the first place.
“ooooh oh oh oh, maybe the humans just wanted to do some craaazy project to kill off some time and this is the result!! I mean building a train station underground was a crazy idea anyway so they MUST build it because they’re bored right right right?” Pinkie suggested the Idea as they waited for the train.
“A very good explanation Pinkie, why bother building a train station in the city? I mean you can just walk right?”
“Well have ya seen the size of this city Rarity?” Applejack responded, “This city’s darn huge and even ah don’t wanna spend mah time walking from one end to the other. No wonder they created this darn ‘metro’ or whatever ya wanna call it. It’s the practical solution” Applejack deduced
"but why trains? surely there are better ways like widening the roads right? I mean Paris is indeed a big city after all but an underground train seems like a disaster waiting to happen" Twilight responded as they waited for the train.

Eventually the train arrived and although they have seen the TGV before, this train is unlike anything the group has ever seen. “This is a train?” Twilight asked as the doors of the boxy looking train opened and the gang entered the unusual looking train. 
“My my, no smoketacks, none of the other bells and whistles or anything like that. How did this train and even that 'TGV' we ride on even run?” Applejack wondered as they are greeted by an unusually sounding female voice, “Please step away from the yellow line” the lady said which is followed by a quick beeping sound as the doors of the train closed, followed by a low humming sound as the train moves.
“I’m definitely documenting this experience” said Twilight as she teleported a notepad and starts writing about her experience with the French metro. Eventually after a couple of stops the gang arrived at Trocadero station and once they got out they are greeted with quite a sight. 

Standing proudly in front of them is the Eiffel Tower which is seemingly flanked by the Palais de Chaillot at the sides. Just the mere spectacle of the site was enough to get Rarity's creative juices flowing
“Magnificent” Rarity said quietly as the group stared at the sight that greeted them for a while, revelling at how the French managed to get so creative with their architecture 

Eventually after much sightseeing of the frozen pools and general layout of the Palais de Chaillot, the group moved into the Eiffel tower and went to the top to see what Paris looks like at night. Oh I really do hope this is all worth it, the stares I got from the humans is more than enough to scare anyone Rarity thought as she was greeted by a ding in the elevator as the gang eventually reached the top. As they approached the railings of the Eiffel Tower, they were greeted by a smattering of beautiful lights throughout the city as Paris shined 

“It’s…...so…….beautiful” uttered Twilight as she simply stared as the city of Paris light up in front of them. For a moment the gang just stared at the utter majesty of the French capital and they wanted it to last forever. But things do not last forever as they were interrupted by a human saying “umm miss Twilight? the tower is closing” said the staff member which is met with a bunch of grunts and sighs as they went down and decided to end the day after that trip.

“I must admit Fluttershy, the humans are simply magnificent when it comes to building their cities. It’s simply so mesmerizing and also gives off an aura of majesty I usually don’t see even in Canterlot. Oh, If I get to open a boutique here it would simply be fabulous!” Rarity exclaimed as she finally entered the warm room after spending grueling hours walking in the snow after they’ve reached the nearest Metro station.

“Oh I do agree Rarity but *yawn* I do need my beauty sleep, why don’t we talk tomorrow?” Fluttershy asked which is met with the same yawn as they both decided to end the day right here. I think i’m going to enjoy this trip, but like all vacations, we’ll see about this one Rarity thought as she turn off the lights and went to sleep.