private [Ponyville]Best of Intent (1x1/Rarity)

[Skycoaster 698]

OOC

@@Khajiit

Princess Luna had finally arrived in Ponyville. Judging by her sister's sun, she would guess it to be sometime in the early afternoon. Normally she would have been still asleep at this time, however she would make an exception today. One of Princess Luna's spell books had been found during a recent expedition into the castle of the two sisters. Normally this would not require the princess's attention however this particular book had a magic lock, one that only Luna herself placed many moons before that dark day.

 

As the princess walked up to the door, she knocked three times and waited a few moments. She turned her head to each side, smiling awkwardly to each citizen as they passed. Knocking once more, she would wait once again before looking up to the clock tower near by, watching each moment tick away before deciding to show herself in.

 

"Twilight Sparkle, I have arrived as requested, though nopony appears to be at home," the princess of the night would say in a voice just loud enough to be heard throughout the castle. If somepony where there, they surely would have heard her. Looking around, Luna would eventually find the library, the book in question sitting on the table. She would stair at it a few moment before being taken in awe by the shear size of the collection that Twilight had amassed so quickly after her previous collection was destroyed, along with the library. Make herself comfortable, the princess levitated a much newer book off a shelf. 'Daring Do and the Eternal Flower...Chapter one...' as she began to read to herself, hoping that somepony would meet her eventually.

[Passion 3,490]

@@Skycoaster,

 

Princess Twilight's castle... while the description formally sounded this way, it was actually much more than this. It was a meeting place for all the ponies who required Twilight's and her council's assistance, it was a physical symbol of who she was now, but more importantly it was a place that the youngest of princesses was slowly getting used to calling home. And that was the reason why Rarity sometimes felt weird in it.

 

Back in the day, the only castle she's ever seen was the famous Canterlot castle, in all it's glory. A sight truly to behold, with it's labyrinth of spiraling towers, their tops shining in the sun rays... The white walls felt like giant spikes made of snow, simply refusing to melt down. It was something magical.

 

Back in the day, the only place Rarity found herself spending much time in was the Carousel Boutique. There were days when it required some repairs. A broken piece of wood here, ripped curtain there. It was small, but it was familiar and lovely, maintained from the top to the bottom by Rarity herself.

 

And then... Twilight Sparkle was granted a castle that not only competed with Canterlot in terms of magnificence, but also required Rarity to actually visit it every once in a while. The fact she had her own place in Twilight's council was still unimaginable to her. In the end, it turned out that the castle didn't belong solely to Twilight, it partially belonged to each one of her best friends as well.

 

Rarity was actually inside the castle, polishing her throne. Looking at the remaining six, including the one that had Rainbow Dash sleeping in it, she couldn't help but smile after seeing that it was hers that was shining the brightest. It was simply unimaginable for the seamstress that she would not take care of her belongings... especially if they were THAT fabulous and stunning. The excitement quickly turned into an "oooOOOHH!" directed at herself. She could feel shivers running down her spine every time she looked at the throne with her very own cutie mark engraved on it. Being so preoccupied with the task, she couldn't her the very distant sound of knocking coming from the downstairs. In fact, it probably didn't even reach the council room at all...

 

...a quarter of an hour later, she was finished with her task. The throne was shining so much that it nearly blinded her. Raising an eyebrow, she giggled silently - "Maybe I have overdone it a little..." - saying that she turned back, deciding to head back towards the boutique. All she had to do is hand down the cleaning supplies before leaving, therefore rather than proceeding the main hallway, she wandered into one of the side wings. As she walked, however, she noticed an oddity. The doors to the library were left slightly ajar, what piqued her curiosity. She approached them with a slight frown and pushed them open. The door made a creaking sound, as if they were designed to do so. Rarity was still unable to understand why the castle was created with creaking doors in the first place. Was it something that ALL castles required to be... well... castles? Ignoring that random thought, she allowed a single, unsure question to hang in the air in between the library's bookshelves - "Twilight?" - the possibilities of Twilight being here were rather slim, however. To Rarity's giant surprise she did in the end notice a princess inside the library. Her coat however was as dark as the night itself. "Princess Luna?" - she half-asked, half-noticed in complete amazement - "I... Why..." - trying to straighten out her tongue Rarity took a step inside - "Your majesty... What are you doing here on your own? I am truly surprised to see you here." - the statement was as neutral and perplexed as it could probably ever get. The sight in front of her eyes was hard to believe.

[Skycoaster 698]

@@Khajiit,

Hearing the door creek behind her, Princess Luna lowered the book and began to address the pony who had just entered, though she must admit it was not the one she was expecting. "Twilight I-" as she herself was surprised to see the white mare that had entered. "Greeting Rarity. I was expecting Twilight Sparkle. It was she who invited me here today. Nopony was here to greet me, so I allowed myself in. I hope that did not cause an issue." The princess smiled and motioned for the mare to come closer and have a seat. "I must admit that I was taken by surprise by the vast size of Twilight Sparkle's castle. Its size rivals that of Canterlot or the Crystal Palace." Though she had not seen much of the newest castle in Equestria, it was clear that the Princess of the Night was impressed by it.

 

"I believe the reason that Twilight requested my presence may have to deal with this book," as she pointed a hoof to the table. "It was recently discovered in my former home, the castle of the two sisters, and It bares my crest and appears to be sealed by magic." Princess Luna's smile slowly turned into a frown however as she continued. "Oddly though, I do not remember such a book being in my old collection."

[Passion 3,490]

@@Skycoaster,

 

Upon the mention of Twilight's name, Rarity's eyebrows risen high in sudden realization of what was going on. She also now remembered that Twilight did indeed mention that Luna might pay them a visit today. The only thing that perplexed the white mare was how in Equestria did Luna manage to sneak past them so easily. As she flashbacked into the not so distant past, she quickly understood that with Rarity's dedication to her throne polishing and Rainbows' deep sleep, they might have not heard or noticed anything indeed... Besides, Luna was THE Princess of the Night. She probably knew everything about moving silently...

 

As Rarity mentally shrugged on that thought and let go contemplating the case, her expression became serene. It was the same, calm and semi-sleepy expression she had reserved to dealing with her friends on a daily basis. She answered the Princess' invitation by starting to slowly step towards the seat. "That's true..." - she started, raising her head and taking a look at the few points of the ceiling far above them - "And I do dare to say you were not the only one, Princess. I am unable to explain it, but it looks like the castle itself is so much smaller from the outside than it is on the inside in reality." - she looked back at the doors that could easily let through at least 3 more Rarities at once - "Over time, I found it's best not to give it too much thought..." - upon finally reaching the chair, she graciously hopped onto it and took a closer look at the book.

 

"It's just a book." - those would be the thoughts that Rarity would have BEFORE seeing it. The book in question was old... very old, indeed. It looked as if it would fall apart under the gentlest touch. But at once, it was giving out a vibe of being tough and sturdy. Mainly due to rich, silvery ornaments which formed amazing and breathtaking symbols on it. It wasn't 'just a book' anymore, it was a true work of art. Rarity was already leaning dangerously close to it, admiring it's design, when she realized what she's doing. More than that, she also realized that something about this book was... slightly off. And she already had enough experience with magical books and comics to know that they might be dangerous. She faced Luna again. "Well... I'm terribly sorry Princess but Twilight had to venture out for the time being. Somepony requested her immediate presence elsewhere I fear. Now that you mention her, she did indeed ask us to apologize to you and promised she'll return as quickly as possible." - Rarity glanced at the book once more - "Is there any way I could help? I know a thing or two about magic as well." - normally, she wouldn't be offering to help out this way, but the aesthetic sense took over her. The book was obviously something extremely precious, delicate and it looked simply amazing. The mare's curiosity has already taken over and she most probably wouldn't let go that easily.

[Skycoaster 698]

@@Khajiit,

Princess Luna smiled as the purple maned mare as she took her seat. "Tis quite all right," she assured Rarity. "There is no need to apologize. The daily activities of a Princess of Equestria can be quite unpredictable, as I am sure you and your friends know all to well." Luna could not help but thinking back to all the times that the Elements of Harmony where needed to save Equestria since her return, as well as the unexpected adventures that they must have embarked on since the group had become friends. "If the letters that I have read with my sister are true, than I would say it is a safe wager than if something unpredictable where to happen it Equestria, odds our that it shall happen in Ponyville." 

 

The princess nodded to the mare on her request to help. "I would most appreciate the help Rarity. These ancient books can be quite unpredictable." Luna found herself staring at the book once more. "Tis a pity that books are no longer made to the elegant standards of the past....Perhaps I shall make a decree to remedy that..." Luna's horn began to glow a soft blue as she looked to Rarity. "A simple unlocking spell that both I and my sister have used should allow us to open the book."

[Passion 3,490]

[b]@@Skycoaster[/b],

 

"YOU COULD!?" - the fashionista suddenly became extremely lively upon hearing about the possibility of such decree even being considered. Her eyes are wide open as she stared at Luna, accompanied by a smile of a half-mad pony. The concept of something becoming so fabulous Equestria-wide in form of a royal decree was just overwhelming. The disturbing smile disappeared quickly, however her eyes were still sparkling as she corrected herself - "I mean, of course you could, you're a princess after all." - if that was to happen, Rarity would most certainly stop reading any books. Instead, she'd admire their designs rather than read words contained in them. That prospect did not worry her, however. "That would be just so wonderful! You should absolutely make it happen, your majesty." - the grand scheme was set in motion...!

 

As the magic flowed, Rarity's mind suddenly returned to reality, pulled away from that beautiful dream. She turned her head towards the book and moved uneasily on her seat, feeling a bit concerned. The feeling was also mixed with sad amusement caused by Luna's remark. Ponyville was indeed an epicenter of weirdest events. From day to day arguments, through weird performers, traditions and dangers, finishing on characters like Tirek, Discord or Nightm- Rarity shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. Nightmare Moon was no more. She glanced over at Luna, wondering if the princess could read the minds for a brief moment. "For good, I hope..." - she added in thoughts.

 

Reconsidering the situation, her initial nervousness was pushed aside upon realizing that she was in this room with an alicorn, so that meant she was relatively safe. But more importantly, her unease was triumphed over by curiosity as she once more noticed the rich decorations of the book. She instantly started wondering how it looked on the inside. "I might just be beginning to understand why Twilight likes these books so much." -  she joked lightly - "If the inside is just as smashing as the outside, I'll have to reprimand her for not showing me them earlier!" - she added, observing the book and wondering what would they find on the inside.

[Skycoaster 698]

@@Khajiit,

Princess Luna smiled at the white mare. "Imagine a time before we where able to print books rapidly. Each book was a work of art because of the time that was consumed to make it, hence is the case with this book. If such a decree would be made, it shall only be for my personal collection. It would not be wise to hinder the production of tomes."  The princess could not help but think of her collection that mostly still remained in the musty old library of her former home. Perhaps in due time an expedition to retrieve them would be made and they may once again grace the shelves of a well kept library such as Twilight Sparkles.

 

As the princess began to read, Luna put her full concentration into the words on the decedent pages of the ancient book. Unbeknownst to her, the book be soon began to glow the same color as her horn, Luna's eyes white. With a flash of light, the two ponies no longer found themselves in the confines of a library, but somewhere else. The princess shook her head and opened her eyes in shock. Luna let out a deep sigh as she started to remember why the book was locked away in the old castle. "It appears my curiosity has gotten the better of me. I must apologize, but it appears that we are trapped." as the Princess looked around trying to judge which story they where in. It appeared to be the Equestria of old. Ponyville was only a few small shacks. "It appears that this book must exists for a reason. Shall we find out?"