The room was as if it was built for me. The ceiling was just the right height and adorned with bright white trim. The outside balcony had a beautiful view of the whole city and hung over the rest of the palace. My bed was a massive double mattress big enough to sleep 5  comfortably. I set down my things and jump on the bed face first.

I take a deep breath taking in the clean floral smell of the sheets. For once during the trip it seemed everything was okay and I could let my guard down. It felt good to lay down on an actual bed and not the metal prison I was subject to in the train. I wasn't tired and wanted to see the rest of the complex that was their house of government.

I make my way out to the main corridor and stare out at the cold stone walls. They made it appear dark and dank hiding the elegance of the occupied rooms. All the others were getting settled in their rooms. I didn't want to roam the halls alone they might think I'm up to no good.

I hear a ear shattering scream coming from next door that grabbed my attention. All the other doors burst open and the entourage all emptied into the hallway. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about and slammed the door open.

It was Applejack standing on her dresser shaking in genuine fear. She wet herself and it dripped off the sides in a slow dribble. I ask her what could possibly be the matter and with her eyes fixed on me and pointed down at the floor at a large spider.

My eyes widened at the eight legged beauty. It looked like a common "Wolf Spider". I've seen plenty before and even kept them as pets when I was younger. They are big and ugly but its just a put on. They are not poisonous or even remotely vicious unless provoked or you are a small bug.

I walk over to it and slowly lay my palm next to it. It crawled slowly over the carpet and onto my hand. The others gasped in fear as I let it crawl into my cupped up hands. I hoped to God I was right about what type of spider it was and prayed it didn't bite me.

Even Fluttershy the element of kindness and guardian of all small creatures gritted her teeth at the sight. I lay my hand on my skull and the large insect crawled on to my hand obediently. Twilight screeches out in panic. " What are you doing!!!!"

I smile and let it continue to walk across my hands putting them up in it's path like a treadmill. I walk to Applejack's balcony and push open the already  cracked door to the outside. I wasn't going to kill it but I wanted to set their minds at ease.

They had hanging gardens outside with plenty of massive hanging flowers crawling with small bugs. It must have wanted to find shelter in a dark place until night. I set it down near a pot with beautiful red Chrysanthemum flowers and watched it crawl away into the foliage.

I turn around and walk back inside to a group of very confused ponies. Twilight squinted her eyes and walked slowly towards me. She trembles as she asks "Is it gone?"

I smile brightly and nod my head yes. Dash walks up beside Twilight and asks me " How did you know it wouldn't bite you?" I really didn't know if it would or not and shot back at her with "I didn't".

for a moment there was silence before a caretaker and a few guards of the palace standing behind her knocked on the open door frame. "Is everything okay we heard shouting?" she asked.

Twilight nods and reassured them everything was okay and there was nothing to worry about. She smiles and kindly reminded us that dinner would be served a few hours from now.

I ask Twilight if I could be escorted around to check out the rest of the palace to kill some time before dinner. She smiles and asks Dash if she could give me the grand tour. I was a little disappointed that Fluttershy wouldn't be joining us and saw her hunch her head low.

I wanted to object but figured she was busy and wanted to get settled in her room. I nod and thank Twilight before me and Dash start our way down the main hallway. It was awkward for me to be alone with her I've never got to really talk to her and was looking for anything to talk about to break the standoff.

I spot a painting of the entire Equestrian nation and stop dead. As I look upon the finely detailed map Dash stops as well and said. "Beautiful ain't it? Thats our whole world on one piece of paper." I look down at her and smile and said. "Yes we had maps like these on our world as well."

We continued down the hallway and she opened up and talked in great detail about every inch of the displays and various paintings. A hour passed by like seconds as we got to know each other a little better. As we walked back to our quarters I ask her how about Fluttershy and how she came to have such wonderful friends. I figured another Pegasus would help me understand her a little better.