The hefty, golden doors opened with the help of the unicorn guard's magic, and the 5 long- awaited figures stepped in.
The first thing that Twilight noticed was their tails. Instead of the pure fur tail ponies had, they had thick, flexible tails, evidenced by how they swished as they walked. The tip of their tails was covered in fur, the same as their manes. Speaking of colors and manes, all of the Deer had pastel colors, such as light green or a soft lavender, or even pale yellow. They all had deer antlers protruding from behind their ears, and golden, bare, cloven hooves. But by far the strangest thing about them, in Twilight's opinion, where the crystalline spots covering their backs, muzzles, and top of tails. Each one's crystal spot's color was darker than their coat, and placed randomly in size and variety. Twilight couldn't stop staring at these creatures.
The one in front, with a soft purple coat and flowing, wavy, light pink hair, and had a golden choker with a red stone placed in the middle on her long, slender neck, stepped up to the Princesses and Twilight, and gave a strange bow- she bent one knee, then swept backward with her flank in the air and her nose almost touching the ground below her. The alicorns, were, to say the least, a little surprised, but bowed back in traditional fashion.
The leader, who Twilight had guessed was Empress Open Sky of Night- since she was the only one with bat-like wings, how strange- stood up and started speaking in a melodic type of voice,
"Kami, koden meni. Ka nomi ei Manijoa Yeiks Mon tao Li." She looked at Princess Celestia, who was standing mostly in front, expectantly. Celestia just looked confused.
The Empress' eyes widened and she rubbed her snout in exasperation. She turned to one of the deer beside her, a light orange one, and said something to him. He then took something out of his saddlebags- of which Twilight had noticed where a burnished brown rather than white- and took out a small, gray, smooth stone with a strange engraving on its front, with a piece of string tied around it, making it a necklace. He gave it to the Empress, who then tied it around her neck- an impressive feat with hooves- and cleared her throat.
"Hello, good morning. My name is Empress Open Sky of Night. Can you understand me okay?" She looked at Princess Celestia again.
Celestia put back on her serene, indifferent poker face and smiled.
"Yes, we can. Greetings, Empress Open Sky, and welcome to Equestria. I am Princess Celestia of the Sun-" She gestured to Luna- "This is my sister-"
"Princess Luna of the Night," Princess Luna cut in.
"And I am Princess Twilight of Friendship," Twilight ended off the greetings with a big smile. Empress Open Sky nodded in response. She then gestured to the 2 delegates standing beside her. Each one wore a feather earring, and held a book in their hooves. The delegates nodded back. The first one, with a light orange coat and pale yellow hair in braids, spoke first.
"My name is Golden Clouds at Sunset and I am one of the delegates here."
Then the other one, with short, pale pink hair and a light green coat, spoke next.
"I am Vines with Pink Flowers and I am also one of the delegates here." Empress Open Sky then turned to the guards. Both wore dark, golden-brown armor and carried a strange-looking spear.
"These are my guards, Silent Lake at Dawn and Call of the Winter Wind. They are here for protection only and I have no intentions to attack any of you or your people."
Celestia nodded.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, let me and the other two escort you to bed. It must have been a long journey and I'm sure you want to rest?"
Empress Open Sky nodded, and they set off to the guest's quarters.
Open Sky of Night, Empress to the Forest of Deer and the Herald of Peace, looked around in awe at the massive, white walls of the ground-castle like a fawn. She was a little embarrassed, but it was incredible! How did these ponies live on the ground like this?! It was insane! She would certainly go mad if she had to live her entire life on the earth, trapped like a little bug. She missed her tree homes and swaying sky-bridges already. She gave her wings a shake before folding them neatly on her back.
As she and her 4 companions followed Princess Celestia down the seemingly endless hallway, she noticed the small, purple one. Princess Twilight, wasn't it? Yes, that was right. Princess Twilight seemed to be glancing at her, looking away, then sneaking another glance before trying to keep her eyes forward. Open Sky couldn't help but smile.
"If you wish to ask me a question, young Princess Twilight, then you may. Stealing glances doesn't get answers very effectively, hm?"
Twilight jumped a little and gave Open Sky a sheepish grin.
"S-sorry, Empress Open Sky. I-i was just wondering... what language where you speaking earlier? Was it your native language?"
Empress Open Sky couldn't help but giggle at Twilight's eager-to-learn eyes and hopeful smile. She smiled warmly and answered,
"Yes, young Twilight, that was my native language. It is called Illali, which literally means 'speak', and all deer speak it in the Forest."
From Twilight's calculating expression, Open Sky guessed that she was taking that information straight to memory. She heard Princess Celestia laugh as they stopped in front of a white door.
"Yes, Twilight is a studious pony. But anyway, we are here at the place were you will sleep."
"This is the door to the guest chambers. All preparations have been made, and you should all sleep comfortably. If you need anything at all, pull the rope by the window and one of my servants will come. Sleep well, Empress and company." Celestia opened the door and allowed the 5 to step in. She and the others turned, and walked away, but not before Twilight gave a friendly wave. Open Sky smiled and waved back.
She closed the door and looked around the room.
It was barely decorated, with only purple curtains, a painting of a sunset, and a vase of white flowers, to which Open Sky cringed at. She hated it when people would put flowers in vases and pots- it was cruel, but she supposed the ponies didn't understand like the deer did. The beds where plain, just white linens and blue trim, and had white bedside dressers, but that was it for furniture. The floor was interesting, though- a kind of rough, ropy fabric that felt good on her face. She looked at the room as a whole and sighed. She stretched her wings in discomfort. She needed sleep, and the day wouldn't be here any sooner. She slipped off her stone rune necklace, unlatched her golden suhi, and slipped under the soft covers. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.