“Are we there yet?” asked Pinkie pie and Rarity to their friends, probably for the twentieth time during the carriage ride to Count Cristo's estate. It was obvious that they weren’t, but no one wanted to answer the two. They were too tired and hungry from the train ride to keep up with the hyperactive pair. Twilight was at least grateful that the carriage was big enough to give them all some hoof room. It made the constant questioning a little bearable.
Applejack, however, decided that she did not want to hear any more. “We’ve only been traveling for twenty minutes,” Applejack said, mustering all of her frustration to be the force behind her words. “The driver said it would take thirty minutes to get there. Now would you two kindly shut yer mouths?”
“Sorry,” Pinkie replied, sliding down into her seat. “I’m just so excited! I mean, planing the Grand Galloping Gala! that's only my childhood dream!”
“I thought swimming in a giant pool of chocolate was your childhood dream,” Fluttershy questioned, realizing that Pinkie had contradicted herself.
“Oh silly, that's childhood dream number forty six. I’m talking about childhood dream number eight! I’m finally entering single digits.” A sudden realization came to Pinkie. “I can finally throw my ‘entering single digits on my childhood dream list’ party! which, in case you’re wondering, is number ten on said list.” The smug smile on her face made every pony in the carriage question, once again, how sane Pinkie really is.
“Well, I just can’t wait to meet with this Count Monte Cristo,” Rarity said, attempting to change the topic. It seemed to have worked as Applejack huffed at the mention of his name.
“We know, Rarity,” Applejack stated. “Ever since Twilight mentioned him, you haven’t been able to talk about anything else.”
“Well, I can’t help it.” Rarity played with her purple mane, looking offended by Applejack’s manners. “I know absolutely nothing about him. And me NOT knowing anything about a noble pony is like you discovering a new type of apple in your orchard.”
“How are those similar?” Twilight asked, intrigued to hear the reasoning behind her Rarity's Comparison.
“Think about it,” Rarity answered. “You have worked in the same orchard ever since you were a filly. You know all the apple trees and the types of apples they grow. Then one day, you find a tree you have never seen before, growing a type of apple you have no knowledge of. Wouldn’t you start doing research, even bringing it up every chance you got?”
Both Twilight and Applejack considered her words. They eventually nodded their heads, signifying they agreed with Rarity.
Rainbow Dash decided to join in. “Still, you don’t have to make it the ONLY thing you talk about. Afterall, none of us know who this guy is. Even the princess didn’t know him before he showed up yesterday. I’m still surprised they even agreed to his help. I mean, he could be a bad pony for all we know.”
“Actually, now that you mention it.” Twilight levitated a scroll in front of her face. “The princess added this at the bottom of her letter to me.”
Learn all you can about Count Monte Cristo. I’m unsure as to who he is or what his arrival means for Canterlot. Try to be his friend but, just like with Discord, be on your guard.
“I think the princess shares your views, Rainbow.”
Before another word could be said, the carriage came to a stop. The door opened, revealing a neatly dressed and groomed griffon to the elements of harmony.
“Welcome,” the griffon said, bowing as the Twilight and her friends exited the carriage. “I am Sharp Talons, Count Monte Cristo’s steward. You may call me Talon, if you wish.”
Twilight, presenting herself as the leader of their group, returned the bow. “Hello Talon. I’m Twilight Sparkle, the princess of friendship. And these are my friends. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy”
“A princess? Should royalty really being doing something like this?” Talon asked, obvious confusion in his face.
“Don't worry about it. Like your master, I enjoy helping anypony I can.”
“Very well then.” Talon started to walk towards the grounds of the estate. “Follow me, I’ll take you to the Count.”
The elements followed the Griffon to the mansion in the center of the large lawn, noticing the beauty of the landscape on their way. The flowers that lined the walking path were of many colors, the grass was nicely cut, and the conglomerate of trees on the borders of the estate looked very inviting. Fluttershy could swear she heard some rather beautiful singing coming from them.
The mansion, however, was quite the opposite. The years of disuse have taken it’s toll on the building. Its exterior paint was chipping in certain spots, giving the walls an eerie look to them. Windows were broken, most likely due to foals who snuck onto the grounds deciding that throwing rocks at this particular house would be a fun game. The elements were shocked to see the contrast between the grounds and the mansion itself.
“Count Cristo is working on the house right now. Sad to say, with the recent parasprite infestation, most decorators are busy putting the castle back together. Besides the size, this is the main reason we are holding the Gala on the grounds instead of in the mansion itself,” Talon informed. They all agreed that it was the best choice.
The interior was only slightly better. The only true difference was that everything had been dusted and cleaned. The furniture had also been replaced by top of the line couches, tables, lights and anything else a sitting room might need.
“Wait here,” Talon said as he left the room and went up the stairs. A while later, A dark grey pegasus entered the sitting room.
“Welcome!” said the pegasus. He instantly went to Twilight, who had stood up as he came closer. He gently took Twilight's hoof in his and lifted it to his lips, kissing it softly. “I am Count Monte Cristo.”
Twilight blushed slightly as he let go of her hoof. “A pleasure to meet you.” Twilight then repeated the same introductions she gave Talon earlier.
“Greetings to you all, and please, the pleasure is mine. Before we start talking about business, how about some lunch?” The Count moved to a chair in the room that the Elements left for their host to have. As he did so, he took out a little gong from his pocket and rang it four times. Soon, A male Zebra entered the room going straight to The Count. “Zedda, bring some tea and sandwiches, please.”
Zedda only lowered his head before he left the room once more.
“Doesn't talk much, I see,” Rarity remarked.
“Forgive Zedda. He is, unfortunately, a mute.”
Rarity gasped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright. You are not the first, nor will you be the last.”
When Zedda returned with the tea and sandwiches, the elements remembered that they had not had anything to eat since breakfast on the train. They all took a sandwich and a glass of tea and started to eat very greedily. The Count, on the other hoof, only took small bites and rarely took sips from his cup.
During this time, they talked about the duties that they needed to perform to make sure that the Gala was a success. It was decided that Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Twilight would take care of organizing and decorating the party; Applejack would work with the kitchen staff to make sure that the food was spectacular; and Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy would take care of the entertainment.
“Exactly how much are you expecting to spend on the Gala?” was Twilight's first question.
“Not sure, as I don’t know exactly what we need. Why don’t the three of you start brainstorming and you come to me with a possible budget.” The Count responded.
“Very well then, let’s get going girls.” Soon, all the friends started to leave the sitting room. Twilight stopped, however, as The Count called out to her.
“Would you mind staying behind for a bit? There is something I’d like to ask you.”
“Sure.” The rest of her friends had already moved too far to hear this little exchange, so now they were completely alone. “What is it?”
“My steward tells me you are The Princess of Friendship. Is this true?”
The Count asked with such a tone that it was impossible for twilight to tell if he was joking or not.She then extended her wings slightly and also tapped her horn. “I thought it was obvious.”
“Ah… Yes, I suppose that should've been obvious.” An awkward silence passed between the two.
“If that was all, then I should-”
“No, that wasn’t it. Sorry, I am just a little nervous is all.” The Count looked down at his hooves, shuffling them a little. “I was actually wondering if you would like to dine with me before the Gala. I would like to get to know you better, and this might be my only chance since we live pretty far from each other.”
Twilight blushed slightly. “You mean like a date?”
“If you would like to consider it that way, then yes.”
Though Count Monte Cristo said he was nervous, he spoke so simply that Twilight wondered why he was nervous at all. She also wondered why Count Cristo would even want to go to the Gala with her. There were so many beautiful mares in Canterlot, and with the Counts status, manners and looks, he could have any of them.So why her?
“Yes,” Twilight nearly shouted. “I would love to have dinner with you.”
“Excellent,” The Count pulled out his pocket gong again, but this time he rang it three times. Talon then walked into the room. “What time shall I come to get you?”
The princess raised her hoof to her chin, tapping it in thought. “Since the Gala starts at six, maybe five would be best?”
Nodding, the Count looked at the Griffon in the doorway. “Talon, make sure my carriage is ready by half past four. I will be bringing Twilight to the Gala.”
“Of course, your excellency.” Talon produced a little notebook from his innard suit pocket and started to write down some information. “And where will The Princess be staying?”
“At the Wheatfield hotel,” Twilight responded. Talon wrote down the location, closed the book and put it back in his pocket. He then left to continue his duties.
“Thank you, your highness. You honor me by doing this.” The Count bowed low, once more.
Twilight bowed as well. “The honor is mine. Now, I should go join my friends.”
“Very well. I shall leave you to your work then.” At that, Twilight left the Sitting room and moved to the estate to tell the others about her date with The Count.