Morning came. Twilight lazily opened her eyes, stretching wide before glancing at the clock. Her eyes widened in realization.
"Girls! Time to get up!" she shouted, causing her friends to open their eyes one by one. "We're late! We're supposed to meet Cadance and Shining Armour for breakfast! Get up get up!"
The alicorn dashed around the room madly, desperate to get ready as quickly as possible. Her friends watched her from their beds. From their own experiences, they knew that at times like these, it was best to leave Twilight alone.
"Come on! It's time to go!" Twilight urged. She opened the door and ran through without looking where she was going, slamming straight into a plate of golden armour.
Twilight rubbed her sore horn. "Oww..." she muttered. A hoof helped her up, and Twilight looked up to see who she had slammed into. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry Flash," she said. Flash only laughed.
"It's okay Twilight," he said kindly. "You do seem to be in quite a hurry. I can tell just by looking at your mane." A confused look rested on Twilight's face, but realization hit her when she lifted her hoof up to touch her mane. It was as tangled as ever. Looks like I forgot to brush it earlier... she thought, grimacing.
"Anyway, what are you doing here Flash?" Twilight asked. "Princess Cadance sent me here to see what's keeping you guys," answered Flash. "She got a bit worried when she realized you of all ponies was late. But it seems like you six will need a bit more time. I'll just report to her and Captain Shining Armour about your little situation."
Twilight nodded with a blush on her face, embarrassed that Flash had to see her in this state. She watched Flash leave, then turned to go back into the room.
To her shock and exasperation, six faces, each displaying various levels of guiltiness, stared back at her. "Strike two!" Pinkie giggled. "Fluttershy's out!" Twilight only glared at her friends, unimpressed.
"Just go get ready," she sighed.
After Rarity finally finished getting ready (mostly due to Applejack and Rainbow Dash hiding the remainder of her beauty products), the ponies went down for breakfast, which turned out to be scrumptious waffles. Needless to say, breakfast was eaten swiftly.
Once breakfast was almost finished, Flurry nudged Starlight, subtly cocking her head towards Twilight. It was time to kick off phase two of their plan.
"Twilight, Sunburst told me about a delicious place for hayburgers yesterday," Starlight said, putting down her fork. "Wanna go there for dinner?"
Twilight gulped down the last of meal. "Sure!" she said. "But I do want to do some research in the library this afternoon. There's an interesting research paper about the history of Crystal Empire baskets I want to do. Just give me the restaurant name, and I'll meet you there?"
Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash and Applejack snuffled chuckles. Only Twilight can think that a research paper about baskets sounds interesting.
"Sounds like a plan!" Starlight replied. "The place is called Crystal Delights. "
"Do you guys want to join?" Twilight asked, looking around the table.
"I promised Flurry I'd teach her tricks today," Rainbow shrugged, while Flurry nodded beside her.
"Me and Pinkie are try out the traditional Crystal Empire food," Applejack said.
"Terribly sorry darling. I'm going fabric shopping, and Fluttershy promised she'd help me pick some out as well." answered Rarity.
"I can join you Twily," Shining Armour said. Cadance shook her head. "Why not let Starlight and Twilight have dinner on their own. I have lots of paperwork today. You promised me you'd help out sometimes dear," Cadance said cheerfully. "And guess what? That time is tonight! But don't worry Twilight. I'll help you make a booking for the restaurant later."
"Looks like it's just us Starlight!" Twilight said. It did seem a bit strange how ever single pony was unavailable, but she brushed it off. Probably just a coincidence.
Let's see, Starlight said that the name of the place was Crystal Delights, and the crystal pony I asked just now said it was around here...
Twilight was wandering aroung the streets, trying to find the hayburger place Starlight told her to go to. Aha! Here it is!
In front of her was a quaint little restaurant. A mouth watering aroma went through Twilight's nose, making her stomach grumble. Twilight noticed the long line of ponies by the entrance. It seems as though this place was really popular.
Thank Celestia Cadance made a booking, Twilight thought. She walked towards the receptionist by the entrance.
"Hi! I believe Princess Cadance has made a booking for two?" Twilight said.
The receptionist flipped through the notebook in front of her, finally stopping at a page. "Ah yes. Please follow me Princess Twilight. Princess Cadance told us you were coming," she said, leading Twilight inside. She brought the princess to a table for two by a window.
Twilight thanked the lady, sitting down in the chair. She flipped through the menu. They sure have quite a selection here, she thought. No wonder Sunburst recommended this place.
Twilight suddenly had the urge to go to the bathroom. Getting off her chair, she never realized what, or rather who, she was heading straight into.
Crash! Twilight bumped into a pony. Luckily for her, this time she didn't fall on her flank. Her eyes widened when she saw who she had ran into.
"Sorry Flash. Again," she said. "But what are you doing here?" "I could ask you the same question Twilight," Flash answered.
"I was gonna have dinner with Starlight. The others were all unavailable," Twilight said. "Rainbow's teaching Flurry tricks, Applejack and Pinkie are trying out Crystal Empire food, Rarity and Fluttershy are shopping for fabrics, and Cadance and Shining Armour have work to do."
"Wait Princess Cadance is busy?" asked a shocked Flash. "She was the one who told me to meet her here! And I think I overheard Starlight saying something about going on a date with Sunburst..."
It was Twilight's turn to be shocked. "Wait what?" she exclaimed. "And I don't think Applejack and Pinkie are trying out Crystal Empire food. Believe it or not, they don't have much food here. I should know. I've been living here for the past seven years."
Twilight groaned. "That probably means the others were lying about their previous commitments as well," she muttered. Should have known better than trust them after last night's conversation...
"What was that?" Flash asked. "Nothing!" Twilight answered. "Well, since we're both here, might as well eat together right? If you don't mind that is..." Flash shook his head. "Not at all Twilight," he said.
"I'll just head to the bathroom real quick," said Twilight, continuing on her way. Note to myself, destroy my friends when I go back...