Author's Notes:

Here it is!

Sorry for the delay on this one, my internet and my head were BIG bitches these past few days.

Our world is way bigger than us after all, so you can expect things to keep moving while we focus on our lives. I hope it is enjoyable as the others. Have a nice reading.

As always, please let me know your opinions on the chapter.

Thank you for your time. The next chapter is already in the works. Have a nice day.

"Welcome to Carousel Boutique. How may I help you, Ms. Mayor?" The mayor heard shortly after entering the store.

"I'm looking for some new clothes," she replied browsing the dresses and accessories. She remembered when there were only two mannequins here. Now, the place looked like a more store than just a workshop. "Maybe get one accessory."

"Very well, dear," Rarity said with a smile, "step inside there so I can take your measurements," she continued, pointing to a dressing room. The mayor followed the request and entered the place, looking at it now and comparing to the original appearance, you probably wouldn't believe that it was originally a storage filled with trash and construction material. The deteriorated walls were completely redone and painted. The rotten door that led to the room was replaced by beautifully decorated curtains.

'Rarity sure is a miracle worker, when she puts her mind into it,' Mayor Mare thought. The place had abandoned up until the end of the last year, all windows were broken, the doors falling apart, yet here it was, a neatly decorated store managed by a mare with a considerably big dream.

Rarity entered the room, she started to take the Mayor's measurements. "Ms. Mayor has there been any news from Canterlot? Regarding Arden that is," Rarity asked while running the measurement tape through the Mayor's body and using her magic to write down the values.

"Not that I'm aware of. The only thing we know is that we've been receiving more and more visitors asking about him this past couple of weeks. Just like Bon Bon alerted us through Lyra's letters. Good news is that a photographer moved in though." The Mayor replied.

"Really who is it?" Rarity asked with a small tone of excitement to her voice.

"I believe her name was Photo Finish," Mayor Mare said before she started to scratch her chin. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't she that new photographer that is starting to make a name to herself back in Canterlot?"

"Indeed she is," Rarity said walking away, "some small magazines are filled with pictures made by her. I believe she even got interviewed by one of them due to how much spotlight was brought to the magazines where her pictures were published," Rarity continued gesturing to the Mayor to follow her.

"Really? Makes you wonder why she would leave one of the biggest cities for our humble little town."

"That is true. Maybe she is trying to look for new scenarios," Rarity said sitting by her side with a sketchbook, "Can you stand over there dear?"

Mayor Mare nodded and stood up on a small platform with a lot of mirrors on the back wall and struck a pose. "I guess that means more spotlight to our little town as well. Which in turn can bring more revenue when ponies come by to visit or try to take a photoshoot in her studio. Speaking of bits, how are things going here?"

"After that little performance Arden pulled in his first day of work, I got plenty of my works out and about," Rarity replied while her eyes darted from the Mayor to the sketchbook, "Which made more customers come by. And with the ponies coming here to ask about dirt on Arden I managed to sell some items, mostly accessories, but I've been receiving some mail requesting for accessories and photos sampling my works."

"You certainly got pretty far in a fairly short time, it's quite remarkable."

"Thank you, dear," Rarity replied with a smile, then Mayor Mare saw her wide eyes. She had seen Rarity getting wide-eyed like that, whenever that happened it meant one thing, inspiration. The Mayor watched Rarity's hand dart through the paper, her eyes were glued to the sketchbook.

"Here!" Rarity exclaimed showing the sketch of a full set of winter clothes, once again the seamstress showed what she could do once her mind was into it.

"These are beautiful," Mayor Mare said looking at the designs, "when can I come by to get them?" She asked handing the book back.

"Given my current schedule...I believe I would have them ready by next week. You'll have something stunning to wear at your Heartwarming Eve when it comes by in a few weeks. Already found the presents for your friends?"

"Already had them prepared. I believe leaving things to the last minute only makes unnecessary problems. What about you?"

"I make my own presents so I got it covered, dear," Rarity replied.

"Have you found somepony to spend the holidays with?" The Mayor asked with a small smirk. She knew the mare since she was little, and she knew Rarity was a helpless romantic and very shy about the subject. The reaction she got was priceless.

"Don't worry, I'm just kidding," The Mayor said chuckling at the pouting red marshmallow. "You won't hold it against me having a little fun, will you?"

Rarity let out a sigh and smiled giving the mayor a wink. "No worries, but expect a little payback."

The Mayor left the store and headed out to the street placing her hand in her pockets. "If you need anything, you know where to find me, okay?"

"Of course. Have a nice day dear."

(Another day at another time)

"Are you sure about this Twilight? What if this goes wrong?" Spike asked her. Twilight finished reading the instructions for a mix of spells she came up with and started to charge up her magic.

"It's okay Spike," Twilight replied rolling her eyes and giving him a reassuring smile, "It's a simple animation spell. If this works, you'll have a little dragon friend to play with."

Animating a doll, that was the solution Twilight managed to come up with. The conversation with Lyra when she came to ask about the missing bits of research made Twilight think. 'He is alone most of the time, seeing the city from the library's window. A friend to play with would certainly be good for him, however...none of the nobles will allow him to be out and about without me. I can't be around all the time. But a little automaton...'

"But I'm okay just playing with you," He said pulling her skirt to get her attention, which earned him a pat on his head and a smile, "And a moving doll is scary. Playing with you, even if it is only once in a while, is way better than any doll you make. I don't mind being alone from time to time."

"It won't be just a moving doll. I'm imprinting a personality and giving it the ability to speak." 'Also giving it a directory to prevent you from getting into trouble. And to keep you safe, and obey my commands. And a shutdown word. And basically, any directory to prevent it from becoming a sentient machine with free will. With all these precautions nothing can go south.'

"Whose personality's are you giving it?" Spike asked poking the doll with no defined features, it was just a sack with arms and legs Twilight made by herself that was filled with stuffing. "And how can you say this looks like a dragon?"

"The spell will give it shape."

"Why does it have to be a dragon?" Spike asked staring at the doll.

"What would you like it to be?" Twilight asked raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know, do you know somepony nice that I could play with?" Twilight stopped to build up her magic and scratched her chin.

Not being the most social of ponies, the first ponies that came to her mind were: her brother and Celestia. The second option was out of the question, the first one was even worse. 'A second captain appearing out of nowhere? A second princess? That is a big no, no.' Twilight thought, any known pony was a bad option.

If another version of a pony was out and about, there would be panic and Twilight would be scolded like there is no tomorrow. And creating a pony, they would be questioned the moment the guards saw them, not to mention all the misunderstandings that could cause. Limiting it to the library, having it hide and play dead whenever there was a visit and done, problem solved. But ponies would ask why she has a huge doll like that stored away.

'Maybe it was best to save that experiment for another day. For when I figure this out.'

"Okay, Spike," Twilight said picking up the heavy doll and storing it away, "we'll figure this one out later, okay?" She saw the little guy let out a sigh of relief. Twilight frowned at him. "What was that mister? Don't you trust my magic?"

"When you're dealing with regular spells? I trust you completely. When it's one of your crazy mixes for spells or potions? I'm running to a bunker." Twilight pouted at the remark. "What? Don't you remember the thing with the 'healing potion' you exploded painting Celestia blue?" Twilight felt embarrassment with the memory, but she couldn't deny she was laughing a bit inside when it happened.

"I see," Twilight said prancing away after remembering something else she could do. "In that case, I'll be doing some old-fashioned magic."

"You snuck another book of spells from Celestia's library into your bag, didn't you?" Spike asked frowning at her, crossing his arms. "Wasn't the 'small' 'cleaning' beam incident enough? I'm pretty sure they are still fixing the wall you erased by accident."

"That was different," Twilight replied pouting. "I was using a very advanced spell. From an extremely complex book. This is a book only one year ahead of me. So I'm good."

Twilight picked up the book from inside her trusty bag. "It's about debilitating spells."

"I'm heading over to my corner and I'll surround myself with objects to block the spell," Spike said turning around after letting out a sigh, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Oh, hush you," Twilight said rolling her eyes and opening the book. She started to scan the entire table of contents, then Twilight found one she thought she could perform. The simplest of area spells, it caused partial loss of sight decreasing the target's accuracy.

"The sight of one lost in the dark. The sight of all, who lost their mark. Blind eyes all around. Making evading a breeze to those walking about..." Twilight continued to read the spell out loud. Without her noticing it Twilight's horn started to glow and build up magic as she continued to read. Then she started to imitate the gesture depicted by the book with her free hand, Twilight was too engrossed in her reading to notice the magic that shot out of her fingers. The spell rebounded on multiple surfaces.

The beam left the room and reached the training grounds for the royal guard, which wasn't very far away. It took a few seconds, but a commotion started to build up.

'What is all that noise? Can't this guards train...in...silence...' Twilight train of thought was stopped once she realized what she was hearing.

"WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!"

"MY LEG! SOMEPONY GOT MY LEG!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"WILHELM! NOOOOOOOOOO! WILHELM IS DOWN!"

"WHERE IS THE ATTACKER?!"

"PROTECT THE PRINCESS!"

"SOMEPONY JUST FELL FROM THE THRONE ROOM!"

"ASSASSINS! ASSASSINS!"

Twilight looked out her window, she saw the guards running around. Some of them covering their eyes, others trying to remove some invisible smokescreen. Looking up, Twilight saw the throne room, the window was broken. Inside she saw the princess being tackled while somepony screamed. Twilight heard somepony cleaning their throat behind her, turning around she saw Spike staring at her, deep frown, tapping his feet, and arms crossed.

"I told you."

Twilight started to scratch the back of her head while letting out an embarrassed giggle. "Hehe...It won't get any worse than this,"

"THE TOWN AND CASTLE ARE IN LOCKDOWN! NOPONY ENTERS OR LEAVES UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED! PRIVATE! GET BEHIND COVER! EVERYPONY TO ARMS! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!" That was Shining Armor's voice.

Twilight's eyes started to twitch. "I-It won't escalate more than this."

"ARREST ANY SUSPICIOUS LOOKING UNICORN WITHIN THE CASTLE PERIMETER! GET THE ROYAL WIZARDS HERE TO CAST A COUNTERSPELL! ALL PEGASUS TAKE POSITION AROUND THE WALLS! THE FASTEST FLYERS STAND BY THE THRONE ROOM WINDOWS! EARTH PONY BATTALION GET INSIDE THE THRONE ROOM NOW! UNICORN PLATOON, I WANT THREE UNICORNS SUPPORTING EACH FLYER TEAM AND EARTH SOLDIER TEAM!"

Twilight was starting to panic and run out of excuses. "N-nothing bad will happen, t-they will lift this very soon."

"GET THE TRACERS HERE! THE LOCKDOWN WON'T BE LIFTED UNTIL WE FIND THE SOURCE AND ARREST THESE ATTACKERS!"

Twilight's mind went blank. Her entire body froze up for a couple of seconds, Twilight suddenly got back from her shock and tossed the book to the side. She ran up to her room carrying Spike, locked the door, built a fort using her magic and all the books she had in her room, and barricaded herself inside.

"Twilight, are you okay?" Spike asked. Twilight just curled herself into a fetal position and started repeating phrases to herself.

"The spell is going to wear out soon. The spell is going o wear out soon. I'm not a bad student. I'm not a bad student. It was just an accident. It was just an accident. I won't be banished. I won't be banished..." Twilight stopped making sense at this point, she could only say a bunch of random noises in between laughs.

"And we lost her. I guess we will have another memorial." Spike said while leaving the fort through the front door.

Twilight kept to her panic attack for a little while, until a familiar sight came into view. An old doll Twilight always hugged whenever she felt anxiety beyond what she could deal with or was afraid far beyond her limit, Smarty Pants. The doll started to move around.

"Come on Twilight," A high pitched voice came from the doll while it moved around, a pair of purple claws were holding it and moving it around. "It was an accident, you'll be okay. So, don't worry! Explain to the princess and apologize," Twilight reached for the little doll and hugged it. After a few seconds, Twilight got up and dried up some tears that formed while in the panic.

"Thanks, Spike," Twilight said pulling him in to hug the little guy into a hug. "I'm a magical mess, aren't I?"

"If it wasn't for you being so good with magic I wouldn't be here," Spike replied hugging her back. "So, I don't care if you make mistakes from time to time because you're excited. That's just who you are Twilight. And I bet that's the reason why the princess chose you," Twilight let out a little smile, then she let out a big sigh. "You know you have to tell the princess, right?"

"That doesn't mean that I have to look forward to it," Twilight replied summoning her quill and paper. 'Now to undo this mess.'

(Time continues to flow, life moves on)

"Aloe, any appointments today?" Lotus spoke while reading the newspaper. The main story being covered had a picture of a white-coated model with pink mane having dinner with some noble unicorn. 'Times of relative peace result in the not interesting news I guess.' There were some adds asking for information on a specific individual, Lotus huffed at the adds. 'Stupid nobles. These stupid adds bring nothing but trouble. Private investigators my flank, those mares and stallions are just a bunch of troublemakers.'

"With the low temperatures, we don't have as much as we are used to," Aloe replied placing a coffee mug in front of her. "Fluttershy did make a reservation for a full service along with Rarity yesterday," Lotus placed the newspaper down and took a sip of the coffee.

"She only came here for a manicure before," Lotus said after placing the mug down. "Your coffee is still the best. But...Fluttershy making a reservation?"

"Rainbow Dash was with her."

"Oh, in that case, it's normal. If she had come alone to do it it would be weird," Lotus concluded. "Anything else?"

"I managed to get the new photographer in town to make some shots of our spa," Aloe started, picking up her teacup and blowing it a bit before taking a sip. "She will be coming at a later date. This ought to bring more customers."

"You been very busy these past few days haven't you?"

"You have been taking care of most of our customers on your own while I was taking a bit of rest," Aloe said looking at her hand.

"It's not your fault that dumbass made you hurt your hands," Lotus reassured her. "We didn't even know the stallion they were looking for but the mare kept putting pressure on you, we were away when he was in town. If it was me I would have kicked her out." Lotus continued taking Aloe's hands and seeing the marks on them.

Aloe was holding a glass bottle with some of their oil for the massages when the mare started to put pressure on her. From what Aloe told Lotus, she started to get scared with the interrogation and the mare's yelling. Which resulted in Aloe crushing the bottle and cutting herself, hence why she was away from work for a few days.

"We got to thank Walkyre Heart for intervening. Maybe a special course for her and her partner?" Lotus suggested taking another sip. "Not only for that but also for keeping the usual troublemakers in check, they are doing a way better job than the previous guards," Lotus continued, then she finished the coffee and placed the mug back o the table.

"Are we going to decorate the place for Heartwarming Eve?" Aloe asked.

"Of course we are. It's one of the best holidays! Passing a rain check for it is just wrong." Lotus replied with a smile. getting on her hooves she picked up the mug and the empty teacup. Then Lotus headed to the kitchen.

"Already got your presents set up?" Lotus heard while cleaning the two cups.

"Pretty much, how about you?"

"Got them all prepped up," Aloe replied. Turning around Lotus saw her standing by the doorway. "Are we going to invite somepony?"

"Do you have somepony to invite? Because right now, I don't have anypony in mind." Lotus replied drying her hands.

"We could invite Rarity and her little sister, those two usually celebrate by themselves," Aloe suggested. "She is a relatively constant client."

"That's a possibility," Lotus said tossing the towel aside, she then looked up at the clock. "Let's get to work, we can discuss holiday plans later sis."

Putting on their uniforms Lotus and Aloe went to work. First, set up the massage beds. Then prepare the sauna, switch towels, set up the hot baths, prepare the mud baths, clean up the manicure and pedicure equipment. Select the products they would offer their clients. Nothing short of a mini-marathon with the time they had, Lotus was adapted to this little routine. They had been running that spa for a while now, but only recently it started to pay the expenses they had to open it. So, other employees were still out of the picture.

Then the clients started to come by, nothing but small talk and uninteresting subjects were actually starting to annoy Lotus. But she ignored it, most ponies liked to talk as a way to relax. Which usually made them feel even better at the end of their appointments, resulting in them coming back again. Not to mention that from time to time an interesting topic would come by.

"It's a pleasure to have you two here again," Lotus greeted while Aloe helped them with their coats, "Ms. Rarity and Ms. Fluttershy, please follow me so we can begin your spa day," she continued gesturing for them to follow. "Where would you like to begin?"

"How about a hot bath? To take the chill off our bones," Rarity suggested, Lotus didn't hear Fluttershy's response, but given Rarity's reaction, it was a positive one.

"Very well, the bath is ready," Lotus replied showing the changing rooms. "Please change in there and lock your things in one of the lockers."

"You can be more relaxed, Lotus," Rarity said entering the changing rooms, "we come here a bit often so no need to explain all the procedures." Fluttershy nodded in agreement while fidgeting.

"Will do Ms. Rarity," Lotus replied

After they returned not much conversation ensued, they just bathed in the hot tub for a bit before heading out and requesting a massage. This was the part both her and Aloe were most proud of, showing their places Lotus positioned herself by Rarity's side while Aloe was placed herself by Fluttershy's side. After beginning the massage, it was time to begin some small talk.

"Ms. Rarity, how are things going with your shop?"

"Things are going neatly, dear. There have been some requests, mainly for my accessories. But it keeps things going. I'm more concerned with Aloe, how are you doing, dear? Do the wounds still hurt?"

"No Ms. Rarity," Aloe replied, "I had plenty of time to rest, so I'm okay now."

"That is good to hear. Anything interesting happening here?"

"We are having a publicity photo shoot of our spa at a later date," Lotus replied, "other than that, nothing much. How are you animals doing Ms. Fluttershy?"

"M-most of them are hibernating. S-so, nothing very interesting. S-sorry."

"No need to apologize, dear," Aloe reassured her, "any idea as to why there are so many visitors coming by asking for that stallion we don't know?"

"Are you okay Ms. Rarity? Did I hit a spot? You winced for a moment," Lotus inquired, all the manual work Rarity did and the stress with running a new business was no stranger to Lotus, therefore her body was usually tense. But the seamstress never reacted like that during any of their massages, she was so easy to work with that a change like that was very noticeable.

"I-I'm okay, I just have been a bit more s-stressed recently," Rarity replied.

"Are you sure dear?" Lotus asked a bit concerned. "You're stuttering. Did I put too much pressure?"

"No, no. It's fine." Lotus looked at Aloe and raised an eyebrow.

'Better not to pry.' "Ms. Rarity, Ms. Fluttershy, do you have plans for your Heartwarming Eve? My sister and I were wondering if you would like to come by during the holiday to eat something and maybe talk for a bit?" Lotus asked while applying more oil to Rarity's back.

"I don't believe I have any plans, after my parent's visit that is," Rarity replied. "But I can't leave Sweetie alone once they go to work again."

"Working on Heartwarming Eve again?" Aloe asked. Rarity nodded. "Not a problem, bring her along. Your little sister is adorable. And I bet she would enjoy something a bit different during Heartwarming."

"In that case, I'll take you up on your offer," Rarity replied. "What about you, Fluttershy?"

"I-I have plans w-with Rainbow Dash to go with her to Clouds Dale. S-sorry."

"No worries Ms. Fluttershy," Lotus said placing her hands inside a water bowl they used to take off the oil from their hands. Each one of them had one as to not mix up anything or use dirty water. "Do you want to proceed to something else?"

"I'll go for the mud baths. What about you Fluttershy?"

"I-I'll accompany you."

After that, there wasn't much to talk about, just the usual boring gossip on the paper. Once Lotus and her sister were through, they said their farewells and closed up the store. After going to the part of the building where their living quarters were, they had dinner and went to sleep.

'Just another peaceful day I guess. Luckily there weren't any of those stupid investigators here to cause trouble today. Why so much ruckus over a random guy? Meh, time moves on regardless. So this will eventually die down. I just hope it happens soon.' Lotus thought while changing her pajamas. 'Let's just live one day at the time. Life moves on regardless of the participants, so spending too much time worrying means less time seeing the world change and you changing with it.'