So here we are. As promised, this chapter is significantly longer than the previous.
For your reading enjoyment, THE RISING OF THE DAWN!
I don't quite know why I typed that, since you should know what you're reading, but I digress. Just ignore my ramblings and read the story already.
Normally, spending time with an energetic pink mare would be taxing at best. A pink energetic mare with a thing for parties could be described as stressful under good conditions. A pink energetic mare who loved to throw parties with the aid of a cannon that fired decorations, however, could be downright troublesome.
Pinkie Pie was that pink energetic pony who loved to throw parties with the aid of her party cannon. Much to the fun-loving mare's delight, Spike and Owloysius assisted her at every turn. For nearly a week, Pinkie, Spike Owloysius, and Gummy set up decorations around Twilight rooms at the castle, in preparation of their friends' arrival.
Unfortunately, the first arrival did not appreciate getting a cannonball of confetti in her face. A white unicorn with a beautiful purple mane lay dazed outside the door of Twilight's quarters with confetti floating around her. Behind her, the dark grey unicorn stallion who was carrying her bags chuckled at the sight.
"Oops, sorry Rarity! I didn't know you were going to be there! Here let me help you up." With that, Pinkie Pie simply seemed to appear at Rarity's side, assisting her friend.
"I say, what were you doing Pinkie! You could have given me a heart attack!" Rarity's voice was somewhat exasperated as she said this.
"But I didn't!" Pinkie Pie said happily. "I've been here getting ready to throw a party once everyone arrives!"
"Oh dear…" Rarity trailed off. Turning to the unicorn carrying her bags, "You can just drop them here, Dusk. I'll take them from here." He did so, glancing around the apartment before leaving.
"Is Twilight here, darling?" Rarity asked Pinkie, lightly shaking her head, dispelling both confetti and the thoughts of parties.
"Yep! She's at the end of the hall in her study. I'm always telling her that she needs to get out and enjoy herself more…" Pinkie continued talking as Rarity walked to the closed door. Rarity carefully opened it, stepped in, and then softly shut the door behind her.
Rarity's eyes widened at the sight of her friend. Twilight was facing her window, horn radiating with magic. The glass of the window was warping, similar to how water moves when touched by a strong wind. The glass was flashing vibrant colors. Then, suddenly, the glass froze as Twilight cut off her magic.
"Spike, take a note," the purple unicorn called to her assistant. "Transmuting the glass over time while adding-" she looked over several containers in front of her-"Poison Joak extract and mercury causes the glass to harden too fast in order to form a smooth enough surface. Next trial should consist of the same, but with the inclusion of fire lily petals. Hopefully that should slow it down." Spike dutifully wrote down everything she said in a rather thick ledger.
"We'll pick up again tomorrow Spike, after lunch." Twilight turned to leave the room and saw her fashion-obsessed friend. "Rarity!" she exclaimed, running to her.
Spike's head turned so fast that Rarity was concerned that he might get whiplash.
"When did you get here?" Twilight and Spike asked at the same time.
"Oh, I just got here. I decided to take a break from business; my assistants can be without me for a few weeks."
Twilight smiled at the mention of her friend's business. "How's it all going anyways? I heard that the silk worms weren't doing so well after last winter."
"No they aren't unfortunately. I've had to make do without silk for the most part this season. I was hoping to examine some of my competition during the festival and ball. I heard that Photo Finish and Hoity Toity are debuting new lines here, is that true?"
"Er…. I don't really know, I've been busy with my research, I suppose the princesses would know…" Twilight trailed off.
As Rarity continued hammering away with questions, all Twilight could think about was how happy she was that all of her friends would be back together again.
"So darling, what have you been up to?" Rarity and Twilight walked out of the study into a small common area, passing Pinkie Pie, who was now telling Owloysius her life story.
"Well, you know that I moved back here to Canterlot and finished my instruction under Princess Celestia. Then she made me head of a magical research division. I've mostly been producing the designs for magical artifacts," Twilight replied. "I've been doing that for around five years now. Most of the things we've been developing have been for non-unicorns, too."
"Like what, Twilight?" Rarity asked, clearly intrigued.
"Well, right now I'm trying to create a surface that will let a pony to talk to another pony face-to-face, no matter the distance between them. Uh, before that, we developed an automated blow dryer and a device to detect life and magic. Even non-unicorns can use them!" Twilight exclaimed.
Rarity rolled her eyes at Twilight's excitement. "Twilight, how much time do you put into your work?"
"Uh, well, I work on it around half of the day, every day, so, maybe half of my time?"
"And when was the last time you got out and had some fun darling?" Rarity questioned Twilight. Twilight knew from the tone that Rarity was preparing for a long conversation.
"Just yesterday with Pinkie. We went and looked over some of the preparations for the festival," Twilight replied, not quite sure where Rarity was heading discussion.
"Twilight, that's more work. When was the last time you did something fun? Enjoyed yourself?" Rarity had raised an eyebrow, a peculiar expression crossing her face.
"Well, let's see, I've been out with Pinkie everyday this last week, before that I was supervising the Parasprite repellant project, and before that I was, uh, Spike!"
At the call, Spike rushed into the room. "What were we doing before the Parasprites?"
"That was the, uh, the… the cloud seeding project!"
"Thank you Spike," Twilight said, smiling at her assistant.
Rarity rolled her eyes yet again. "Twilight, you're working far too much. Trust me, I know. You need to get out, relax, socialize, meet some new ponies, maybe even a stallion. Get to know him, get a new house…" Rarity seemed to be in her own world, dreaming up the future.
"Uh, Rarity? RARITY!" Twilight shouted. At the call of her name, Rarity seemed to snap out of her stupor.
"Look, Rarity," Twilight began. "I- I don't want to settle down or anything like that right now. I'm far too busy; I'll have time to do stuff like that later. I just don't see myself settling down and having fillies and colts for quite a while…." Twilight trailed off, lost in thought.
"But surely there's somepony you're interested in, hmm? Maybe one of you researchers on you team, perhaps? Or someone else?" Rarity asked, earning a blush from Twilight.
Spike sighed as he witnessed the two mare's discussion. "I'm just going to go, and do that thing, that I have to do, that isn't here." Shaking his head, he left the room.
"Oh, there is someone! Oh, Twilight, who is he? Or she, I'm not one to judge!" Rarity said quickly, the words flowing smoothly out of her mouth.
Twilight's voice had softened so much, that its rivaled Fluttershy's. She mumbled slightly, cheeks still a bright red.
"Twilight? I didn't catch that. What did you say?"
Twilight cleared her throat, then whispered. "Rising Dusk."
"The baggage pony? Well, I suppose he is kind of cute, nice horn and mane. How'd you get stricken for a baggage boy though?" Rarity asked, clearly perplexed.
"He isn't a baggage boy, Rarity! He's one of the unicorns on my research team!" Twilight spoke sharply to her friend.
"But, we are talking about the same pony, aren't we? Light grey coat, black mane, cutie mark a sun and moon over the horizon?"
"Yes," the researcher said softly.
"But he carried all of my baggage up here! And didn't say a word about it! He's a magic researcher like you! Why'd he volunteer to bring the bags up here? Unless…." Rarity's eyes were darting around, focusing on unseen objects. "OH! He wanted to see you!"
Twilight shook her head. "No, he's with some other pony. I've seen them together. He's just a good pony like that." She sighed, head hanging low.
Rarity's eyes narrowed, staring intently at her friend. When she had left Fillydelphia for Canterlot, she had expected to have no work at all for a bit. A smile came to her face as she realized that playing matchmaker was much more fun than work.
BWAHAHA! As I wrote this, I am on a selfimposed high caused by forcing my brain to doing weird things, like writing. And homework. And making myself laugh at everything.
Anyways, you shouldn't ignore what I'm saying right now (or is it typing right now?), and you should click that review button and leave a word. Or a dozen. It makes me feel special.
And bonus internet points to anyone guesses the next arrival at Twilight's apartment. Choices include Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and AppleJack.
So hit that Review Button, and vote. Do it now.